Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump embarked on his first foreign trip on Friday, jetting off to five countries in Europe and the Middle East over the course of eight jam-packed days.



Trump will shake hands with foreign dignitaries and religious leaders during the trip to strengthen our old friendships, build new partnerships and unite the civilized world in a fight against terrorism, he said.



Heres a look at whom hell be meeting.



King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman



Trumps first stop is Saudi Arabia, a crucial ally to the U.S. in the fight against ISIS.



The president will have coffee with King Salman, 81, who became Saudi Arabias leader in 2015 following the death of his brother King Abdullah.



However, because of King Abdullahs health issues, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the kings nephew, and one of his sons, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have a heavier hand in governing Saudi Arabia.



The crown prince serves as interior minister. Like many in the Saudi royal family, Prince Mohammed was educated in the United States, where he attended the Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Prince Mohammed has survived several assassination attempts and kept a low profile.



Second in line to the throne, Mohammed bin Salman has been compared to Trumps adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner in terms of the power he has amassed. At 31, he serves as the countrys defense minister, traveling more frequently on behalf of his government.



Prince Mohammed is considered the face of the war in Yemen, which is being fought by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition. For many, he also represents the political future of the kingdom. Notably, he works with a team of advisers and ministers on Vision 2030, which aims to prepare Saudis for life after oil.



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu



On Monday, Trump is scheduled to meet privately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously met with Trump at the White House in February. At a joint press conference at the time, the pair discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Netanyahu expressed confidence in the strength of the U.S.-Israeli relations under Trump.



"Under your leadership, I'm confident that it will get even stronger," he said to the president.



Netanyahu served in the Israeli Defense Forces and as Israels ambassador to the U.N., and spent some time working in the U.S. when he was younger, after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.



Netanyahu was first elected prime minister in 1996, but lost his bid for re-election in 1999. He returned to office in 2009 and won a clear victory in 2015. He is currently serving his fourth term as prime minister, and upon the completion of his current term, would be Israel's longest serving leader.



President Mahmoud Abbas



Trump is set to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 82, in Bethlehem, on Tuesday.



Abbas was elected president of the Palestinian Authority in 2005. He is one of the founding members of the party Fatah, the group that eventually dominated the Palestine Liberation Organization.



Abbas was born in what is now part of the Palestinian territories, but as refugees from the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, he and his family fled to Syria. Abbas studied law in Egypt and received his Ph.D. in Moscow.



He is considered one of the architects of the Oslo Accords, the 1990s peace agreements reached between Israel and Palestine. But in 2015, Abbas declared that Palestine is no longer bound by the Oslo Accords and accused Israel of regularly violating the agreements.



Pope Francis



On Wednesday, Trump will have an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.



Born in Argentina, Pope Francis was elected the Catholic leader in 2013 and has since shaken up the Catholic Church.



The pontiff has advocated for a global effort to combat climate change -- which Trump has called a hoax. In his encyclical, titled Laudato Si, Pope Francis argues climate change hits those living in poverty the hardest.



In February 2016, Francis was asked whether a good Catholic can vote for Trump. The pope, who has spoken out about the plight of the refugee, replied that "a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian." Trump said for a religious leader to question a persons faith is "disgraceful."



In a recent interview aboard the papal plane, Francis said he doesnt want to judge Trump before hes met with him.



I look forward to speaking with the pope about how Christian teachings can help put the world on a path to justice, freedom and peace, Trump said in his weekly address.



President Emmanuel Macron



On May 25, Trump will have a working lunch with Emmanuel Macron, another leader whose views on immigration, refugees and globalization differ greatly from his own.



Macron, 39, is the youngest president in Frances history, and will meet Trump for the first time less than two weeks into his own presidency. Macron defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in a May 7 election, even after his campaigns emails and documents were hacked and leaked online, a mere 36 hours before the nation voted.



In his campaign, Macron pushed for greater involvement in the European Union and welcoming refugees to France.



One thing Trump and Macron can find common ground on: prioritizing defeating ISIS.



Trump is set to meet with Macron on the same day he heads to the EU headquarters in Brussels to meet with presidents from the EU and the European Council.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Zanu-PF Bulawayo Women and Youth leagues are seething with anger over what they call the continued capture of the provincial structures by the Dennis Ndlovu- led executive.They have since called for urgent elections to choose a new executive of the main wing and the Youth League. They said Ndlovu's position and that of Youth League chairperson Anna Mokgohloa were now compromised as they were working hard to try and please the troubled appointing authority and National Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere at the expense of the people.The developments have seen accusations and counter accusations flying thick and fast amid growing calls for elections to remove "Kasukuwere's people and replace them with the elected cadres".Ndlovu and Mokgohloa were co-opted to provincial party pole positions after the suspension of the substantive chairpersons. The Women's League executive accused Ndlovu of steering the ship in the same direction of the resigned Deputy Women's League Secretary Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo.They said the main wing does not always come to the party when it matters most, adding that it was embarrassing that Bulawayo was the only province not to endorse the suspension of Kasukuwere but its chairman was among the first to attend a meeting called by National Commissar which was snubbed by many provincial chairpersons."The main wing is letting us down. We just want elections to be held like what happened in Masvingo. People should be given a voice to speak. It's not healthy for the province to operate in such suspicious circumstances. The main wing is still trying to capture the province."We all know how the current chairman and his executive got into power and where they derive their mandate from. Their mandate is not derived from the people but from a certain clique that includes Sandi. It won't be long, however, before fate catches up with them," said a member of the Women's League executive.She said the only organ in Bulawayo that had not been captured was the Women's League where the executive came from the people who legitimised it. The main wing and the Youth League, she said, were still under the arm of an individual and there was a need for them to derive legitimacy from the people before the 2018 campaigns kicks off."It is clear for all to see that the chairman is a Tyson guy. If he is not then he should dispute it and tell us why they were not supporting us when we staged demos against Sandi and Mahoka who were part of the bigger plan by Kasukuwere (Saviour), accused of trying to capture the party structures going into 2018 elections." she said.Eva Bitu the Women's League chairperson in Bulawayo could not confirm nor deny the suspicions raised by members of her executive preferring to say they are not bothered about what the main wing does as long as it does not affect them."The best people to direct those concerns are the main wing. Ask Ndlovu (Dennis) or Malinga (Joshua). They may be the best people to comment. We are not bothered, whether they support us or not it's up to them. We are not bothered," she said.The same discontent is shared by a section of the Youth League."The problem in Bulawayo is that its structures will remain weak for as long as the executive does not derive its mandate from the people. The chairman of the main wing operates with a template from Sandi (Moyo) and he is afraid of calling an inter-district meeting for fear of being exposed. I challenge him to call one today and see the amount of explosion that will happen.People are not happy with the capture of party structures by these guys. They have substituted and sacrificed the spirit of selflessness espoused by President Mugabe on the altar of selfishness and greedy," said a youth member.Other members said the situation was being compromised because they also fear if they report the matter to Kasukuwere, it will be swept under the carpet because Bulawayo was probably the only province with leaders who are still supporting him.Some of the members fear the province will fare badly in next year's elections if the executive is allowed to continue at the helm.However, provincial party chairman Ndlovu rubbished the allegations saying they were not mandated to offer the Women's League support in their programmes as it was tantamount to interference."They are not coming forward to advise us what they want done. They are simply blaming everybody and we can only act when we are clear what they want us to do. We can't be seen interfering with how they run their affairs. If they invite us to support them and if there are justified reasons, we will do so," he said urging the party members to stop the blame game.
Q: I booked five nights at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, through Hotels.com in June 2015. I had major shoulder surgery around Christmas and was told by my doctor that I couldnt fly.

The hotels cancellation policy stated that cancellations needed to be made at least one week before arrival. I logged into my Hotels.com account more than two weeks before my scheduled arrival, but it said that my itinerary does not exist. If it had existed, then I could have canceled.

I called Hotels.com to resolve this over the phone. I was put on hold for more than an hour. When I got through, a representative couldnt find my itinerary in the system either. Eventually Hotels.com did find it, and I was assured there would be no problem getting my refund.

But the refund never came. I followed up with Hotels.com for months, and even though someone promised me a resolution, my $1,400 refund never came. Its been 16 months, and Ive given up. Hotels.com should not be allowed to run its business like this, trampling over its customers. Is this a lost cause?

 Michael Foley, Winthrop, Maine

A: Its not a lost cause  far from it. Hotels.com has your money, and you should get it back now.

Why has the company held on to $1,400 of your hard-earned dollars? It looks like a computer glitch of some kind, where your reservation simply disappeared, along with your money. Thats no excuse, of course. But its the best explanation I can think of.

A company like Hotels.com should have made your problem its own problem. Thats what travel agents do for their clients. When youre dealing with millions of bookings, its kind of hard to add a personal touch  or to impose any kind of institutional compassion. I guess what Im saying is: Hotels.com treated you like an object, not a person.

I think you might have fared better by starting a paper trail, which is to say, sending an email to Hotels.com and then escalating this up the chain of command. Hotels.com doesnt seem to handle calls well, and even if it did, theres no record of the promise it made to you.

A look at Majestics cancellation policy (en.majestic-resorts.com/legal-notice/) shows that you were entitled to a refund. You just hadnt asked the right person yet; instead, you were dealing with call-center employees who couldnt or wouldnt help. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the Hotels.com executive contacts on my consumer-advocacy website: elliott.org/company-contacts/expedia/. (Hotels.com is owned by Expedia.)
The YWCA Southern Arizona is looking ahead to its next 100 years of empowering women.

Its Second Century Fundraising Campaign aims to raise $1 million for the Womens Impact Fund and $500,000 for the Stand Together Arizona Training & Advocacy Center.

Women are driving economic development in Arizona, and we are stepping up our advocacy and focusing on our mission to eliminate racism and empower women by making sure that training, funding and resources are available to women and minorities in our community so that everyone can be successful, said Kelly Fryer, CEO of YWCA Southern Arizona. YWCA does more than help women get back on their feet. We are creating systemic change, giving marginalized people a voice and working tirelessly to create a community in which everyone thrives.

The YWCA recently celebrated 100 years of accomplishments.

Helping women such as Sarah VanPelt is among them.

She is in the process of buying Test Generator, which provides generating applications so customers can create tests, exams and surveys on paper or electronically.

VanPelt has worked for TG for 10 years and approached the YWCAs Womens Business Center, where she got help with her business plan, financing options and consultation with a business broker.

They have been an amazing resource, VanPelt said. They have helped support, educate and prepare me as I work toward the purchase of Test Generator.

Nurse practitioner Margo Burrows will open Age Less Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic in June. She provides holistic and integrative health care to patients as well as primary care.

The YWCA walked her through the steps of putting together a business plan, Burrows said.

I have known for years that the YWCA has been a leader in providing education for women regarding direction for small business and business plans, she said. I support this program wholeheartedly because women are often overlooked in new business startups.

I really appreciate this organization for providing an outlet to help people like me.

Irma Palomo de Garcia, owner of Bennys Restaurant, learned of the YWCAs programs while attending a business certification class at the University of Arizona.

She received referrals to a company that provides financing to small businesses.

Her restaurant has been open for seven months at 2702 E. Grant Road.

At YWCA I have always found people interested in supporting my project as if it were theirs, Palomo de Garcia said. They are professional people who have shared their knowledge in favor of my personal dream, which is to make Bennys Restaurant the best option for people who love Mexican food with traditional taste  like if you were in Mexico or as if it was cooked in your own house by your grandmother.

It is stories like these that inspired the YWCA to create the Womens Impact Fund, which will provide micro-loans of $500 to $50,000 to female entrepreneurs and support enterprises, including a kitchen business incubator on the south side for aspiring restauranteurs.

The YWCA holds orientation meetings every other Monday, both in English and in Spanish, to explain how the process of becoming a business owner works, said Victor Mercado, director of the Womens Business Center of Southern Arizona.

We ask about their customers, cost structures and revenue channels, he said. And we explain to clients what they need to study.

Some aspiring entrepreneurs walk away, realizing they are not ready to launch a business. Those who are ready take the second step of making one-on-one appointments.

If a business idea doesnt seem right, Mercado said he asks the tough questions.

Were not judgmental but do ask that they walk us through their thinking, he said.

Working with clients who process the tough questions and research answers is a sign that the person is a business leader.

Its very gratifying, Mercado said. I understand how hard the process is.

Aside from assisting business owners, the YWCA has also had a long history of fighting racism in the community, as it plans to continue doing with the goal of raising $500,000 for the Stand Together Arizona Training & Advocacy Center.

A group of 150 women started the organization in 1917.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some May 21 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.
Taxpayers started footing the bill for housing Ivan Moreno Miranda shortly after a Border Patrol agent caught him on Jan. 14.

Moreno Miranda crossed the border illegally near Douglas after being deported in 2013, federal court records show. The U.S. Attorneys Office filed criminal charges against him and on Jan. 17 he was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service while his case unfolded, at a daily detention cost of about $80.

The cost of detaining Moreno Miranda kept growing until Thursday, when federal Judge Raner C. Collins sentenced him to time served. After four months in the custody of the Marshals Service, the cost of housing Moreno Miranda came to about $9,600.

Those expenses can escalate quickly.

A similar, but longer and costlier, story played out with David Borrayo Fajardo, who was also sentenced Thursday. He was caught in October near Ajo, crossing the border illegally a month after being deported. He had a series of criminal convictions from the early 1990s, including aggravated assault when he was 19 years old, according to a sentencing memorandum.

His attorney needed more time to prepare and the proceedings lasted three months longer than Moreno Mirandas case, court records show. After seven months in marshals service custody, the cost to house Borrayo Fajardo came to about $16,800.

In the last decade, housing people on immigration-related charges in Southern Arizona cost taxpayers more than $1.8 billion, according to statistics obtained by the Arizona Daily Star through public-records requests.

The Marshals Service spent about $1.1 billion in Southern Arizona housing people on similar charges in fiscal years 2007-15, according to agency records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

More than 90 percent of those funds, or about $1 billion, went to the Central Arizona Detention Center in Florence owned by CoreCivic, formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spent $760 million detaining people for violating immigration laws in Southern Arizona in fiscal years 2007-16, agency records obtained through a public-records request show.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is housing 2,825 immigration offenders who were sentenced in Arizona, at an annual cost of $98 million, according to agency statistics obtained through a public-records request. Most of them are housed elsewhere in the country, while 266 are housed in Arizona at an annual cost of $9.2 million.

Arizona sheriffs departments spent $335 million in fiscal years 2009-16 housing illegal immigrants convicted of breaking state and local laws, according to statistics provided by Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, president of the Arizona Sheriffs Association.

In all, detaining illegal immigrants in Southern Arizona cost taxpayers well over $2 billion in the past decade, not including the costs of the Border Patrols holding facilities, where illegal immigrants are held for hours or days after an agent catches them near the border.

ICE saw its annual detention costs in Southern Arizona quadruple during fiscal years 2007-16 to $96 million. Detention costs for the Marshals Service grew by 50 percent to $141 million in fiscal year 2015, the most recent year for which the Star could obtain Marshals Service records.

Those costs could continue to rise as federal agencies put in motion the Feb. 20 directive from Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to end the policy of catch-and-release of illegal immigrants, in which authorities issue notices to appear at removal hearings, rather than take them into custody.

To keep pace with the expected rise in detainees, Kelly directed ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to allocate all available resources to expand their detention capabilities and capacities at or near the border with Mexico to the greatest extent possible.

In an April 11 memo, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions directed federal prosecutors in border states to prioritize a variety of immigration-related crimes and to develop guidelines for prosecutions to accomplish the goal of deterring first-time improper entrants.

A memo from the U.S. Attorneys Office describing new plea agreement policies indicates the federal court in Tucson will see more felony prosecutions of immigration-related crimes, such as crossing the border illegally after deportation.

From a defense attorneys perspective, its job security, lawyer F. Michael Carrillo said after a hearing in federal court in Tucson. From a human perspective, its a scam. Its heartbreaking.

These are the bad hombres? Carrillo continued. For many of his clients, their criminal history is a bunch of immigration violations.

What we dont know

Despite spending $760 million of taxpayer money, ICE declined to allow the Star to tour detention facilities, provide the number of ICE detainees in Southern Arizona, or provide the daily cost to house a detainee.

The Border Patrol did not respond to requests for information about the use of various enforcement tools; where illegal immigrants are sent after leaving Border Patrol custody; or statistics on the agencys prosecution programs.

The U.S. Attorneys Office did not respond to a request for information about how prosecutors decide to file criminal charges in immigration-related cases, how those decisions evolved in the last decade, and how new policies affect those decisions.

How it works

Without information from official sources other than the Marshals Service, the Star used interviews with defense lawyers, agency reports, and court records to sketch the outlines of how the immigration detention system works in Southern Arizona.

Illegal immigrants take a myriad of paths through the detention system, but they can be divided roughly into two basic paths: criminal and administrative.

On the path that involves criminal charges, a federal prosecutor decides whether to charge a detainee at a Border Patrol station with illegal re-entry, the legal term for crossing the border illegally after being deported, or another immigration-related crime.

If criminal charges are filed, defendants are taken into custody by the Marshals Service  which Fidencio Rivera, chief deputy U.S. marshal in Arizona, described as the federal sheriffs office  while their cases are prosecuted.

About one-third of the people apprehended by the Border Patrol in the Tucson Sector are charged criminally. For fiscal years 2011-16, about 580,000 apprehensions resulted in about 205,000 prosecutions, according to the Border Patrols annual sector profiles.

While Moreno Miranda and Borrayo Fajardo went through a monthslong process of prosecution, thousands more immigration-related cases are handled through fast-track prosecution programs, such as Operation Streamline, and usually are resolved in a matter of days.

After Borrayo Fajardos sentencing Thursday to one year in prison, with credit for time served, the Marshals Service will take him to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility, court records show. The judge recommended he be placed in an institution in or near Arizona.

On the administrative path, Moreno Miranda was sentenced to time served and will not be taken to federal prison. Instead, ICE likely will place him in a detention center while he is processed for deportation.

ICE also takes custody of illegal immigrants when they are released from county jails or after federal prosecutors decline to file criminal charges.

During fiscal years 2007-15, ICE handled 110,000 administrative arrests in Arizona, according to the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Immigration Statistics.

Detainees can remain in ICE custody for a few days or for many months, depending on whether they choose to appeal their removal order, apply for asylum, or if their country of origin delays in issuing travel documents.

In a separate administrative path, Border Patrol agents use expedited removal, which allows for deportation without involving an immigration court.

A recent report by the Migration Policy Institute on the Border Patrols consequence delivery system showed about half of the Tucson Sector apprehensions researchers could track in fiscal year 2014 resulted in expedited removal, 26 percent were prosecuted and 12 percent led to voluntary returns and notices to appear.

Where the money went

Statistics provided by ICE showed where detention dollars were spent in Southern Arizona for fiscal years 2013-16, but for previous years the agency provided only annual spending totals.

For the four years with detailed information, ICE spent a total of $167.3 million at the agency-owned facility in Florence, $136.2 million at CoreCivics facility in Eloy, $66.8 million at CoreCivics facility in Florence and $15.5 million at the Pinal County Sheriffs Office.

The Marshals Service guarantees payment for 3,420 beds at CoreCivic facilities, Rivera said. The agency also uses 293 beds at the Federal Correctional Institution-Tucson, but does not pay for those beds.

The marshals service also paid $48.6 million in fiscal years 2007-15 to the San Luis Regional Detention Center, near Yuma, operated by Emerald Cos. LaSalle Corrections now owns the facility.

Rivera declined to provide the daily bed rate charged by CoreCivic, citing concerns about competition for the government contract.

However, the Marshals Services detention budget submission for fiscal year 2017 showed the average daily jail costs at private facilities was $79.24 in fiscal year 2015, up from $72.88 in fiscal year 2011. The agency expected that rate to have risen to $80.67 in fiscal year 2016 and $82.22 in fiscal year 2017.

The daily cost at the Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities comes to $88, according to calculations included in presentence reports in immigration-related cases.

CoreCivic has come under fire for 15 in-custody deaths at the Eloy Detention Center since 2003 and immigrant-rights activists decry a profit-making motive behind incarceration.

CoreCivic did not respond to a request for comment. But Rivera said the companys facilities are the only places that can handle the volume of detainees handled by the Marshals Service.

We couldnt do our jobs without them, Rivera said.

The company also saved the agency money by building a medical facility, Rivera said, which helped avoid the costly practice of sending deputy marshals to guard inmates at local hospitals.
Lately I have been re-reading Thomas Sowells book, Basic Economics. The other day a campaign email from David Garcia appeared in my inbox. It was a fundraiser for his gubernatorial campaign, the pitch being that he will work to make Arizona colleges free of tuition for Arizona students. Synchronicity!

According to the United States Government Accountability Office, student tuition and fees account for about 25 percent of state schools budgets. State governments contribute 23 percent, local governments 7 percent and the federal government 18 percent. The other 27 percent comes from other sources. The University of Arizona mirrors these percentages.

Since Garcia is running for governor, we may assume that his source for the lost in-state tuition and fees will come from an increased expenditure by the state.

In his campaign email, he writes, We need to break down barriers to allow more Arizona students like me to succeed. Apparently, he sees tuition and fees as a barrier to Arizonans who wish to attend an Arizona state school, but is that truly the case? In-state tuition is a bargain at around $11,000, and with 86 percent of students receiving financial-aid grants averaging around $8,000, its hard to imagine that anyone who really wants to attend is prevented from doing so due to the costs. Isnt Garcia trying to solve a problem that does not exist?

The larger issue, of course, is not how do we get to zero tuition and fees, but what are the unintended consequences of eliminating the effects of price? In Basic Economics, Sowell provides a laundry list of programs designed to help people or industries that have resulted not only in failure, but in actually hurting those they were intended to help. Often these programs involved some sort of price fixing like urban rent controls, minimum wages, maximum oil prices and minimum produce prices.

Education is fundamentally no different than most other industries. If the schools revenue came from the customer, known in this industry as the student, then resources (money) would flow to the schools that provide the best product at the lowest price. The successful models would expand and the unsuccessful would close, automatically redirecting resources to a better use. The market is much more capable of adjusting to changes in the industry than the Board of Regents or the Arizona Legislature.

In the ossified collegiate environment of today, colleges make no attempt to attract students by changing education for the better. The status quo earns the government money, so schools add window dressing, like the University of Arizonas gigantic student health club, to attract new students.

The Pima Community College Governing Board came under attack after restricting federal grants to incoming students who tested to a seventh-grade education level or higher.

It developed this plan after examining the unintended consequences of financing students who were incapable of succeeding at the college level. It found that the unprepared students would attend PCC, have trouble passing classes, get behind, and when the grants ran out, they would drop out with no degree, no certificate, no job and in debt. For this modification, the board was pilloried by much of the administration and outside advocacy groups  another example of politically popular policies that hurt those they intend to help. To quote Sowell, Economic policies need to be analyzed in terms of the incentives they create, rather than the hopes that inspire them.

If Garcia wishes to make college more accessible, he should advocate for the vibrancy of markets rather than the stagnation of socialism.
The arrests of a middle-school administrator and counselor in March shocked Tucsonans  especially school employees.

But maybe we should have been thinking more about the arrest that followed.

The administrator and counselor have been charged with failing to report possible sexual abuse to police. Roberts-Naylor K-8 School vice principal Bernadette Rosthenhausler and counselor Linda Archuleta are facing a Class 6 felony charge for leaving it up to the parent of the victim in the March 1 incident whether to call police.

State law and district policy say that teachers and other school employees must report suspected abuse to police or the Department of Child Safety. The law is designed to protect kids from adult abusers but also seems to apply to acts committed by kids.

The lesser known part of the story is that the mother of the girl who was the victim pressed the case vigorously when the school employees didnt. Tucson police responded, interviewed witnesses, decided there was probable cause a crime had been committed and arrested the 12-year-old boy March 20, accusing him of sexual abuse, a felony.

From what I knew of the case previously, I was surprised by the boys arrest, so I requested the police reports.

They make it clear what happened in the short period when their teacher was out of the room March 1, but what remains harder to tell is whether an arrest and a criminal case in the juvenile justice system was the best way to address the boys behavior.

Students in the middle-school classroom said the boy walked over to the girl to get something from her and stared at her, the reports say. She asked Do you have a staring problem, and he reached out and touched her breast over her clothes.

I had heard previously that the boy grabbed her breast, but the students the police talked to didnt say that. Some even suggested the touching might have been accidental. The report says the victim herself thought it may have been an accident, but since (the boy) did not apologize she stated he did it on purpose. But it also says the boy admitted to school administrators he had done it on purpose.

In any case, its clear in the reports that some violent grabbing happened next. Three boys jumped the one who had touched the girls breast. The names are blacked out in the report.

Three students (names redacted) then began to assault (name redacted). The three choked (name redacted) until he turned red and purple as well as stabbed (name redacted) with a pencil.

When the girls mother  Im leaving her name out in order not to identify the girl  showed up at school to discuss the incident, Archuleta gave her the number for police and said the mother would need to call if she wanted to press charges. She did. The next day, the mother came back to school and confronted Rosthenhausler and Archuleta with the TUSD guidelines showing they were required to call police.

It appears she was right, as I reported in March  TUSD policies and state law say so.

Later in March, police informed the boys mother they were going to arrest him. The mother, an immigrant from the Eastern Bloc whom I also am not naming, was incredulous. The officer who informed her wrote:

She told me several student in the classroom put (name redacted) in a headlock and one student put a pencil to (name redacted) neck. Another student, she said, told the boy his brother has a gun and is going to get him.

The mother, the officer wrote, asked me if I was going to open up cases against the other student. I advised her I was not and that information would be documented and forwarded to the Pima County Attorneys Office for review.

Indeed, the Pima County Attorneys Office is still reviewing the case of the boy who touched the girls breast and has not decided whether to press charges, chief criminal deputy Kellie Johnson told me. But the felony charges against the counselor and administrator remain, and they have had a profound effect.

Theres been a dramatic increase in phone calls to police from scared teachers, scared counselors when a student does something that could be construed as needing to be reported, interim TUSD superintendent Gabriel Trujillo told me. Theres been some anxiety or nervousness on the part of our staff.

I asked a Tucson Police Department spokesman, Sgt. Pete Dugan, how police decide whether to make an arrest amid this surge in reports by school employees to police.

When you have a specific crime against a specific person and its definitely a criminal act  at that point we have the duty to make the arrest, he said.

True enough, but when do you let schools handle the discipline, I asked.

If we get notified and youve got a family member who wants to press charges against the other person, and theres been a criminal act thats been committed, we dont leave it up to the school at that point, he said.

Of course, that reasoning would also seem to apply to the boys who attacked the boy who touched the girls breast, but police never considered arresting them, the reports show.

I asked TUSD board member Adelita Grijalva, who runs the county juvenile courts Teen Court program, about the difficulty deciding when in-school discipline is necessary and when police intervention is a good thing. She said that even when police do get involved, prosecutors often decide not to pursue the case anyway, something that prosecutor Johnson also confirmed to me.

One of the key factors in whether an arrest occurs is often whether a parent pushes the cases and wants charges pressed, she said. That seems to me an awfully subjective way to make a decision that could follow a child the rest of his life.

In most cases, If we really want to do prevention and diversion, an arrest is not necessary, Grijalva said. We can get to helping the child without an arrest at all.

In 2013 and 2014, Pima County Juvenile Court worked with local school districts and police agencies to reduce referrals to the court from schools for behaviors that could best be dealt with in school.

The purpose is not to minimize or ignore behavior, but to address it at the appropriate level, court representatives said in a statement.

With more TUSD staffers calling police out of fear of being arrested themselves, though, more arrests of students are likely  for now.

Trujillo said the district and Tucson police have set up a committee that will begin meeting this week to establish clearer guidelines as to what misbehavior will be handled by police and what will be handled by the district.

As this case showed, we need that.
College-age students in Tucson and the U.S. are turning to e-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes, often unaware there are health risks.

Electronic cigarettes are not new devices, as they joined the U.S. market in 2007; however, sales continue to climb in 2017.

New research in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine shows sales of e-cigarettes increased in the U.S. between 2011 and 2015. Traditional cigarette sales still far exceed e-cigarettes, but the electronic devices have seen growing popularity.

The long-term health effects remain unclear, but there are already established short-term health risks of e-cigarette use, including throat and mouth irritation, coughing and nausea. And the chemicals in the e-juice often used in e-cigarettes can cause respiratory irritation, eye irritation, and problems with the central nervous system.

E-cigarettes are not regulated by the FDA, explained Alicia Allen, who is an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Arizona. Even though e-cigarette products are available that say no nicotine on the label, no one is checking to see whether that claim is accurate, she said.

Allen said 18- to 24-year-olds have the highest rates of e-cigarette use in the U.S. And the devices and accessories are readily available to that age group in Tucson.

There are 13 smoke shops where electronic cigarettes, e-juices, and accessories can be purchased within a 3-mile radius of the UA. In the same radius, by contrast, there are eight Starbucks locations.

A lot of the e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and when your brain is exposed to that you can become addicted to it, so that could be in terms of being addicted to e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes, Allen said. If you dont want to be a dependent cigarette smoker later in life, it might be wise to avoid e-cigarettes when you are younger.

E-cigarette users should not assume the electronic devices are without health risks, echoed Judith Gordon, a UA professor of nursing.

Theres not enough evidence for health officials to say theyre harmless, she said. Some chemicals in e-cigarette liquids have been shown to cause cancer and other kinds of very serious illnesses in animal models, Gordon said.

Gordon helped develop an educational program called Click City: Tobacco, which is an online program used in Oregon public schools thats designed to teach fifth- and sixth-grade students about the risks of tobacco use.

Gordon and Judy A. Andrew of the Oregon Research Institute are now updating the online programs curriculum to address the hazards of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices (ENDS), better known as e-cigarettes.

Buzzwrapz

The UA enacted a tobacco-free campus policy in August 2014, and in April 2016 that ban was expanded to include e-cigarettes. But it hasnt stopped some UA students from using them off campus.

Responding to the popularity of e-cigarettes among his peers, Erik Jacobsson, 20, a UA junior studying mining engineering, started an e-cigarette-related business with two fellow students in early March. He now uses e-cigarettes, too.

Jacobsson said he did not start using e-cigarettes until the Buzzwrapz LLC business started designing its product in mid-February, and he did not smoke traditional cigarettes previously. The business makes decorative wraps for JUUL e-cigarette devices.

Jacobsson acknowledged he doesnt know anything about the health risks of using e-cigarettes compared with the health risks of smoking traditional cigarettes.

I smoke them because theyre fun and a good buzz, said his business partner, 21-year-old UA business management senior Jesse Lee. I know it is kind of unhealthy but probably better than cigarettes.

Lee also said he smokes e-cigarettes now but did not smoke traditional cigarettes before.

One of the most popular e-cigarette models among youth and young adults is the JUUL device. JUULpod juices contain nicotine, benzoic acid, glycerol, propylene glycerol, natural oils, extracts and flavor.

Lee, the chief financial officer for Buzzwrapz, said the company sold 210 Buzzwrapz to people across the country for their JUUL devices in the first week and half they were on the market.

They have a patent pending on their design. Lee said sales happen primarily online, but Buzzwrapz can be found now at the Metro Wildcat gas station on the corner of North Park Avenue and East Sixth Street.

The wraps are easy-to-apply vinyl stickers cut into a shape that will fit the e-cigarette. Lee said they got the business idea from a close friend who wanted a way to customize their JUUL device.

This is just a trendy product and it might be over when JUUL changes their design, Lee said. The whole thing is just a joke and were making a ton of money.

Lee said the Buzzwrapz students believe that if they dont sell the products, someone else will.

E-juice

There are many brands and models of electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. Generally, the parts of an e-cigarette include the battery, the atomizer, cartomizer or clearomizer, and the drip tip or mouthpiece. A user will purchase a cartridge or a bottle of e-juice to put into their device to get flavored vapor when they inhale.

Allen said that although there is no real evidence to back it up, e-cigarettes are probably safer than traditional cigarettes, but they are not a completely safe choice.

The main ingredients of the e-cigarette juice is propylene glycol and glycerin and both of those items have detrimental health effects when inhaled, Allen said. These chemicals are unique to the e-juice.

Allen said makers of the e-juice products usually have a disclaimer on their website alerting people that propylene glycol should not be inhaled.

The research thats been done looking at whats actually in the e-juice says theres a lot of misreporting going on on the labels, Allen said. Its really hard to be sure actually in the e-juice thats being bought without it being regulated.

Help quitting

Alec Bird, 19, a University of Arizona freshman studying pre-business, said he started using an e-cigarette two years ago.

My mom was trying to get me to quit smoking cigarettes so she bought me an e-cigarette to quit, Bird said.

Bird said he uses an e-cigarette more frequently than he used to smoke traditional cigarettes because he can use it in more locations. He said one time he used his e-cigarette in an airport and nobody batted an eye.

Bird said he knows there are two main chemical components of the e-juice that may not be good for you.

I know thats not an aspect you get from normal cigarettes, but I assume that it is not as bad as smoking traditional cigarettes. Thats why I started doing it, Bird said. Because I felt like it was better for me.

Allen said many people have the misconception that smoking electronic cigarettes will help them quit smoking, or avoid smoking in the future.

It might be fun to just try it and taste it while you are out with friends and stuff like that, Allen said.

I think it is kind of replacing traditional cigarettes. I think a lot of young people dont like the taste and smell of traditional cigarettes, so e-cigarettes are a more attractive option.

But e-cigarette users may be endangering others with second-hand vapor, just like second-hand smoke from traditional cigarette use.

You can be inhaling all of the same chemicals that they are inhaling, Gordon said.

Thats part of what went into the inclusion of e-cigarettes in the tobacco ban on campus. This is why the task force recommended that e-cigarettes be banned on campus, because they dont want to expose other people to somebodys vapor.

Another health issue related to e-cigarettes is that people can be injured by the batteries in the devices.

Also, flavored e-cigarette liquids are very appealing to little children and to pets, and ingesting the liquid could lead to poisonings because nicotine is poisonous if taken in large quantities.

Its used actually as a pesticide, so if a small child or a dog drinks a bottle of e-liquid, they could die, Gordon said.

The message public health officials have for e-cigarette users? Proceed with caution, Gordon said.

We havent learned enough, they havent been used enough for us to say theyre harmless.
Life has never been easy for Kathleen Armenta.

But, instead of dwelling on the hardships she has endured  fear of parents being deported, working odd jobs to help support her family, and a home invasion  she has drawn strength from them and persevered.

The Cholla High Magnet School student threw herself into school and has led an active academic life through it all, earning enough scholarship money to attend Bowdoin College, a liberal arts school in Maine, with the goal of becoming an immigration or civil rights attorney.

Most recently, Armenta was one of two Tucson recipients of a $20,000 scholarship from the Dell Scholars Program, which will help fund grad school.

The Dell Scholars Program selects high school seniors who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their college education. Almost half of the 400 selected for the scholarships are part of the Advancement Via Individual Determination or AVID program, which helps students prepare for college.

She will be the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college.

Armentas troubles started before she was even born.

While still in her mothers womb, her parents hired someone to get them across the border. They wanted their baby to be born in the U.S. so she would have more opportunities than their town afforded.

They had given all their money and trust to a coyote and they were abandoned, Armenta said. They were abandoned for seven days without money and water, they survived the burning desert.

Once here, the family struggled to make ends meet.

As long as Armenta can remember, she has gotten up at 5 a.m. to help her parents with whatever odd job they had. She remembers selling pastries and candies at swap meets and flea markets, cleaning houses with her mom and going along with her father as he found old cars to fix up and sell.

As I was growing up, I was learning English as well, so I always had to be by their side translating, Armenta recalled. It was really hard because my parents are immigrants. Wed have to be hiding from Border Patrol or they couldnt have a job because they didnt have social security numbers.

They lived in a one room house, using a bucket with plywood as a table. The floor served as chairs.

Once the family had a little more money, they moved into a trailer, where Armenta lived for most of her life.

Thats where an incident she will never forget took place. Intruders came into Armentas home, taking all of the savings the family had.

Soon after, the family was able to obtain a visa specifically for victims of criminal activity so they could legally stay and work in the United States. Recently, they received their green cards.

The ordeal sparked a curiosity in Armenta. She wanted to learn more about the legal system, so when she got to high school she became a teen attorney at the Pima County Teen Court, joined clubs and kept active.

She also serves as a mentor for middle school students at the Lapan College Club  a local organization that helps students find resources to get into college  that Armenta joined as a sixth-grader herself, earning 10 scholarships.

So excited for Kathleen, said Lucy Kin, executive director of the Lapan College Club. This is a young lady that is going places and that we should see in a national leadership position in a few short years.

Armenta will start college in August and is going to major in governmental legal studies.

I really want to help others, Armenta said. I want to become an immigration attorney or a civil rights attorney so I can help people who were in my familys situation. Thats been my dream, to help others.
With just a couple of beats before the bouncy tune ends, Melissa Santa Cruz turned away from her two in-studio guests, slipped on her earphones, raised the volume of her microphone and turned on her on-air radio charm.

The queen of Tejano radio in Tucson entered her comfort zone.

Thats my rush I like about live radio, said Santa Cruz, whom I visited Wednesday during her morning program.

Most Tucsonans dont know Tejano radio because the regional music is not mainstream and is geared toward a niche bilingual audience. But to that loyal audience, Santa Cruz has long been associated with the polka-driven music of South Texas which is heard on KXEW-AM, Tejano 1600.

Her voice is also heard on My92.9, adult contemporary hits geared toward women, and in her 30-year career listeners have caught her on 93.7 KRQ, which plays top 40 hits, and hip-hop Hot98.3, all FM frequencies and all part of the local iHeartRadio group located at the corner of West Fort Lowell and North Oracle roads.

Shes done it all in a radio career that began on a country radio station in Globe soon after she finished broadcasting school in Tucson.

I never thought Id be doing this for so long and to be successful, said Santa Cruz, a 1985 graduate of Tucson High School.

Like the rest of media  newspapers, magazines, television  radio has radically changed. The internet has created vastly more options for listeners and local radio stations have trimmed their personnel levels. There are fewer live voices as more radio personalities pre-record their programs.

But Monday through Friday, fans of Santa Cruz can hear her upbeat, positive voice in the morning, giving happy birthday shout outs, talking about a topic she wants to share or calling on her listeners to support a family in need.

Its her way of staying connected to her dedicated listeners.

And they connect with her.

Hi, mija, is a familiar greeting from her older female listeners who call her.

What other way do they have than having a station thats theirs, Santa Cruz said.

In the studio, the 50-year-old Santa Cruz is in constant motion, answering the telephone and viewing three computer screens. All the music is delivered through the computer; there are no CDs, or LPs like she used when she began her radio career. Shes also tied in to social media, a growing component of radio.

Santa Cruz is so busy in the studio, she doesnt get a chance to enjoy the songs, which she would even if she has heard them an untold number of times.

This music lover has no favorite song. Theyre all good.

If you can dance to it, if you can cry to it, if you can sing to it, if you can drink to it, its a great song, said Santa Cruz.

She rocks it with the old school Tejano sounds of Little Joe y La Familia, Sunny Ozuna and the Sunliners, Latin Breed and the new crossover artists like Gabriel Zavala, Stefani Montiel and Ricky Valenz. The sound, which is also known as Tex-Mex, originates from San Antonio and the south Texas valley, a mixture of European polka and Mexican rancheras and cumbias, R&B, country and more recently rap.

Just as surprising to her that shes made it this far is the fact that she got into radio in the first place. As a young girl, Santa Cruz saw herself as shy. But if you ask her family, she added, she was outgoing and full of personality, a youngster who would mimic television personalities like Lupita Murillo, the longtime KVOA reporter.

As it turned out, she said, radio became the perfect career for her, allowing her to develop a public persona, different from her private side. It takes me out of my shell, said Santa Cruz, who is the mother of two grown sons and is a grandmother.

In her private life she and David, her companion, live on a 5-acre ranch in the Avra Valley where they tend to horses, cows, chickens and their barbecue grill.

In the studio, she tends to her radio family, which goes beyond Tucson because of the internet stream. Just her Tucson family boosts her ratings: she is part of two large familias, Santa Cruz and Gallego.

While radio is all about the coveted ratings, Santa Cruz doesnt obsess about them. She has a fan base and she knows how to talk to them via the radio.

Its her music-loving family of sorts.

For me its all about the music and its about the community.

Its her comfort zone.
Why I give

My father  Albert Mur, a truly good man  who is deceased, was a city kid and athlete in New York City. He used to visit a cousins farm in upstate New York in the summers. That was his summer camp. Helping with the animals on the farm and riding horses gave him the love of animals. When I moved back to town after being gone for 20 years, I decided that helping to send a kid to camp might have the profound influence that going to the farm had on my father. I know he is smiling when I make this donation.

 Randee Dickey
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Government has accepted a request by villagers in Mberengwa East constituency in the Midlands Province to upgrade Mbuya Nehanda High School into a boarding school.The school, the only Government High School in the constituency, when upgraded, will be the first boarding school in the area. Villagers in the constituency pitched their request through their representative in the National Assembly Makhosini Hlongwane during an outreach programme by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education yesterday.Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora, who was leading the outreach programme, confirmed receiving the request which he said his ministry had accepted."There was a request, which I can confirm, of upgrading Mbuya Nehanda High School to a boarding facility. It's something we will certainly work on, provided the villagers own up to their obligation. Issues to do with teachers' accommodation also came up and it's something we are taking seriously to make sure that we deliver," he said.Dr Dokora described the outreach programme as a success, noting that it allowed him to engage with stakeholders and get critical feedback on the implementation of the new curriculum.Hlongwane, who is also the Minister of Sport and Recreation, said upgrading of the school would benefit the local economy in Mberengwa East constituency. He commended his counterpart in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for considering the request by villagers."The economy of the local community will benefit a lot. It will create opportunities for villagers to supply consumables. The economy of the area will rise. There are also benefits to the social economy. Having a boarding school located in this area will help attract the best teachers to the area and uplift the standards of learning," he said.Secretary for Education in the ruling Zanu-PF Dr Jorum Gumbo, who is also the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, was part of the outreach programme. Senior Government officials were also part of the outreach programme.
California

8 injured when plane clips truck at LAX

LOS ANGELES  Eight people were injured Saturday when an Aeromexico flight clipped an airport utility truck, flipping it over, shortly after landing at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.

The Boeing 737 was taxiing to an arrival gate when it collided with a utility truck carrying eight people, fire and airport officials said.

It clipped a service truck, said Rob Pedregon, a Los Angeles Airport Police spokesman. They had already landed and were taxiing.

Two people in the truck were seriously hurt, and six people in the truck suffered minor injuries, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Twitter founder sorry

if he helped Trump

SAN FRANCISCO  A co-founder of Twitter says hes sorry if the popular social media platform helped put Donald Trump in the White House, as the president has suggested.

In an interview with The New York Times, Evan Williams says Twitters role in Trumps populist rise is a very bad thing.

The president has credited Twitter with his election to the highest office in the land.

When confronted with that notion, Williams, 45, said, If its true that he wouldnt be president if it werent for Twitter, then yeah, Im sorry.

Mississippi

Tractor left in gear fatally crushes man

YAZOO CITY  A Yazoo County man was killed when he was crushed by a tractor.

Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers said Charles Winstead, 79, was crushed by a tractor Friday after stopping to check a problem with the vehicle.

Shivers told WAPT-TV that Winstead had stepped off the tractor in his shed and was checking it for electrical problems. Authorities say the tractor had been left in gear when the tractor ran over Winstead.

Minnesota

Immigration query

prompts investigation

MINNEAPOLIS  Minneapolis Metro Transit police are investigating an incident shown on video in which a transit officer asks a light-rail passenger about his immigration status.

The agency said it was investigating after Minneapolis artist Ricardo Levins Morales posted video of the incident to his Facebook page on Friday. Morales said the officer was checking passenger fares, which is routine. The video shows the officer asking one passenger for state identification. When the person indicates he doesnt have one, the officer asks, Are you here illegally?

Morales then asked the officer if he was authorized to act as an immigration agent and the officer responded, No, not necessarily.
Tsunami patrol has been on watch in Washington since last year. I served in the House during the last four midterm elections and experienced three massive waves that swept the presidents party out of power with an average loss of 45 seats.
A Tucson Fire Department firefighter was injured while fighting a mobile home fire near Pima and Swan on Sunday morning, said TFD spokesman Capt. Andrew Skaggs.

Initially, three people were reported to be trapped in the fully-involved mobile home, Skaggs said. They were later located and found to be safe, he said.

Upon arrival the first unit indicated there was no possibility of rescue and proceeded to fight the fire from the exterior, Skaggs said.

A second crew arrived and helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby mobile homes, Skaggs said.

A firefighter was later taken to hospital and evaluated and was expected to be released, he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Anglican Manicaland diocese priest, Reverend Gilbert Sambona, has been accused of having a romantic affair with a married parishioner.Mr Clever Ndiringepi, a church member, claimed that the man of cloth was in an intimate relationship with his wife, Bridget. In November last year, Mr Ndiringepi wrote a two-paged letter of complaint to the Anglican Manicaland diocese leader, Bishop Erik Ruwona. "On the 1st of November 2016, I checked my wife's (Bridget Ndiringepi) phone. I went through Whatsapp chats and came across a disturbing chat between her and a person saved as Mbona Rev, with the cell number +263 773 436 942 on the 31st of October 2016 and Sunday 30th October 2016."All these were love messages. It's undoubted that the two are in love as per attached copies of the chat. I also noticed messages of the same nature between the two, even in my wife's Netone number. "There were also Ecocash transfers from the Reverend to my wife I have become very unsettled with this issue so much that I am now suffering from hypertension," reads part of the letter.The Sunday Mail Society is in possession of the alleged Whatsapp chats between Rev Sambona and Ndiringepi's wife.Following this, on November 7, 2016; the Anglican Manicaland diocese wrote to Rev Sambona: "The church is instituting investigation into your conduct as a member of the Clergy it is alleged in terms of Canon 24 (1) (J) that is your conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense, otherwise unbecoming a Clergyman in that, you are being accused of the following;"(i) Having an illicit relationship with a married woman namely Bridget Ndiringepi, same who is your parishioner at St Agnes Chikanga Parish. (ii) See attached the complaint letter and extract of the Whatsapp chat."However, Rev Sambona dismissed the allegations saying some church members are out to tarnish his image. "They are trying to assassinate my reputation," he said.In a letter dated November 14, 2016, Rev Sambona said the case had no basis. "I hereby categorically deny every allegation and wish to make it clear that I am not in a love relationship or illicit affair whatsoever with the alleged woman," he said.However, sources close to the issue told The Sunday Mail Society that the Anglican Manicaland diocese has ordered Rev Sambona's immediate transfer from St Agnes Chikanga parish to St Peters Mandeya.The reverend is resisting the transfer. "On February 16, 2017 after a prayerful consideration, the church wrote a letter informing Rev Sambona that he has been transferred to St Peters Mandeya but he refused."In violation of the transfer, Rev Sambona failed to assume duties at St Peter's Chipley, Mandeya; leaving the church with no other option but to discipline him," said an Anglican Manicaland church official who preferred anonymity.Anglican Manicaland leader Bishop Rev Erick Ruwona said the church is still probing the matter. "We are looking into the matter and will furnish you with relevant information as soon as there is a decision," he said.
Help India!

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: The Barabanki session court on Saturday, May 20th acquitted Gulzar Ahmed Wani for lack of evidence in Sabarmati express train blast case after sixteen years of incarceration.

Support TwoCircles



A resident of Thakarpora, Pattan in North Kashmirs district of Baramulla, Gulzar, then 28, was pursuing his PhD in Department of Arabic, AMU when he was picked up by the special branch of Delhi police from Kamla Nehru Market in Delhi.

The Wani family has fought the case tooth and nail, spending their own hard earned money investing time and energy all these 16 years to get their son out of jail.

Finally, when he was acquitted on Saturday, May 20th, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Arshad Madni) group, whose legal cell provides assistance to Muslims falsely implicated in terror cases across India in series of tweets and statement issued to Urdu media claimed whole credit for acquittal of Gulzar, which the family denies.

Jamiat provided him legal aid time to time, from lower court to apex court, reads the tweet.

However, Gulzars father Ghulam Ahmed Wani told TwoCircles.net, We have fought this case by spending our own money. No organisation helped us neither did we asked them to help. They just once moved a bail application to Supreme Court in which apex court had directed lower court to expedite the case, said father.

I had to borrow money in some instances to pay off the fees. Most of my income got diverted to this case, which also did affect my other childrens. But my childrens supported me very much and all we wanted was to get innocent Gulzar out of the Jail at any cost, he added.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Arshad Madni) group had issued a press statement in Urdu on May 12 and May 20, 2017 claiming credit for the acquittal.

It is important to mention here that Gulzar wrote a letter (TCN is in possession of the letter) to Advocate MS Khan in the first week of May this month in which he had asked the said advocate to defend him for one last time as the final arguments in the case were scheduled for May 10 to 12.

Gulzar further writes that his father will reimburse the fees. The said advocate did comply and went to defend him.

I request your good self (referring to Adv MS Khan) to argue for the one last time in this case. The case isnt very strong as far as the evidence is concerned. Yes the defense is weak. Conviction in this case may be some more years behind the bar in a crime, I had never done, wrote Gulzar in his letter to Advocate M.S Khan. I request your good self (referring to Adv MS Khan) to argue for the one last time in this case. The case isnt very strong as far as the evidence is concerned. Yes the defense is weak. Conviction in this case may be some more years behind the bar in a crime, I had never done, wrote Gulzar in his letter to Advocate M.S Khan.





I hope your consideration in giving some of your precious time and may not allow shattering my hopes. As far as the expenses are concerned my father who is still alive Alhamdulillah will pay to your good self, he further wrote concluding his letter.





When TwoCircles.net called Gulzar Azmi, head of legal aid committee, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind to seek his response, he said, Gulzar is finally free after 16 years. Jamiat have provided him legal aid thus securing his acquittal.





When asked about the number of terror related cases involving Kashmiri suspects in which its legal cell is providing with free legal aid, he said, We dont provide legal aid to individual Kashmiri cases.



We consider only those Kashmiri cases where co accused is also from other Indian state, he added.
Whilst in London the Al Rayan Bank opened a new office, the Islamic banking is wafting all over the world, according to the Islamic Finance Service Board Report of 2016, published this month.

The main reasons for the spread of banks that operate according to the Islamic Law (Sharia) are two-fold: the chance of economic diversification, allowed by banks that administer money in different markets; and especially a model that permit the bank to be a true financial partner for the client, against the traditional role of the institute as a lender.

Sharia-compliant financing

It is possible because the Sharia prescribes some norms on the commercial operation, which are really different from Western banking.

The bonds (as commonly known) don't exist, because the interest (in Arabic "riba") is punished, according to the Koran. So it is the "gharar": selling something which has not yet been obtained. There are instead particular bonds without interests, the "sukuk", the issues of which are finalised to the realisation of real activities (in some way similar to an asset-backed security). For other banks, which earnings come from the loans, it is really unusual.

Also, the system of insurance is different. Everything that happens is wanted by God, and so insurance policies wouldn't exist.

Yet, there is the "takaful": specific contracts of "profit and loss sharing" within a common fund.

Islamic banking in the UK

Islamic banking is present in the UK. The British government continued in 2016 - states the quoted report - a firm commitment to Islamic finance. This has been in operation since 2015, when the UK Export Finance, backed by the State, provided a guarantee to its first "sukuk": 913 million dollars to fund aircraft purchase by Dubai Emirates Airline.

Also, collecting "Zakah-bodies" (the mandatory donations which Muslims are obliged to) is allowed for the banks. For example, the Al Rayan bank in the UK has a partnership with National Zakat Foundation (NZF), as part of which it collects "zakah" payments directed towards NZF.

In all the world

In Europe also, there are Islamic banks.

The KT bank (a subsidiary of Kuveyt Turk, in turn, the Turkish subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House) was established in Germany in 2015 and has stated its intention to issue 100 million euros "sukuk" by 2017.

In secular countries the Islamic banking with its precepts has acquiesced: it is growing more and more. Also, it is growing in traditional Muslim-dominated countries, even if "it shares rarely accounts for more than one-third of the market" affirmed BBC in 2014.

Yet, there are some differences in the rules also between Islamic countries. The challenge now is to make the dictates of Sharia, which is still interpretable, uniform in every nation and for every Islamic bank.
Three Girls is a three-part BBC drama based on the horrific child grooming scandal exposed in Rochdale that took place in between 2008-2010. One of the girls, Holly, moved to the town after her father lost his business. She befriends sisters Amber and Ruby via her boyfriend at the time. The three teenagers visit two local takeaway shops, which for the purposes of the show are called Top Curry and Speedy Kebab. They are run by Muslim men which include Amber's 'boyfriend' Tariq and Shabir 'Daddy' Ahmed. The latter buys the girls alcohol and kebabs in an effort to gain their trust.

But the two men and other members of a grooming gang begin abusing them for sex. Amber and Holly later give birth to children, but Ruby has an abortion. Despite this, her fetus is kept frozen and the police later seek her consent to use the fetus to identify her abuser, a man called 'Billy'.

Sexual health worker Sara Rowbotham, who had been keeping track of the gang's activities with girls who visited her clinic for years, presses the social services and the police to take the case more seriously, but her efforts fall flat. She eventually persuades Holly to make a statement to the police.

Detective Constable Maggie Oliver is called in as a witness manager to the girls. She is able to persuade Ruby and Amber to come forward as witnesses and gains Ruby's consent to link her fetus to the men, who are all arrested.

However, Amber is not selected as a witness due to her volatile behaviour and denial of the part Tariq played in the scandal, which makes Maggie angry.

After Ruby and Holly submit their evidence to a Crown court, 'Daddy', 'Billy', Tariq and six other men involved in the gang are sentenced to prison. Ella, Holly's daughter who was taken away by social services, is returned to her and she is relieved as Sara informs her the men have been sentenced to prison.

Maggie resigns as detective constable due to the police labelling Amber as a culprit in the abuse. She visits her mother's house to explain why she resigned from Greater Manchester Police.

Three Girls was written by Nicole Taylor, who also wrote Indian Summers for New Pictures, The White Queen, Ashes to Ashes, The Hour and Scott and Bailey.

I cannot fault the script of this epic drama even if I tried. From the opening of the first episode, you are exposed the police's refusal to believe Holly. The script brings to life the intensity and evil the three girls were exposed to in real life. It shows how vulnerable they were due to their backgrounds. The script explores how numerous institutions ranging from the social services to the police ignored these girls' pleas for help and how they were blinded by political correctness. I nearly cried watching this show. At one point I was nearly sick. The fact that this script coincides with the abusers' freedom in real life displays the utter shambles British justice is at times. Sara Rowbotham is a hero.

For years she was cast aside by social services and the police. Her part in this scandal deserves more credit. Three Girls should serve as a reminder of what happens when the authorities are too afraid to tackle abuse due to their blindness towards people's backgrounds. This series requires a thick skin.

Maxine Peake's performance as Sara Rowbotham is epic. It was her fight to bring to justice these manipulative men and aid their victims that carries you through the show, as does the acting of Ria Zmitrowicz, Liv Hill and Molly Windsor as Holly, Amber and Ruby. This is a show about their stories, their emotions and their experiences. Their bravery and heroism is inspiring. I hope this show can provide those who have experienced abuse themselves to come forward, regardless of how scary it might be.

Lesley Sharp was amazing as Maggie Oliver. She presented Maggie as a principled character who did the right thing by these girls. Without her, they may not have received their justice. Despite playing an absolute villian, Simon Nagra brings to life the brutal nature of Shabir 'Daddy' Ahmed for viewers, particularly when he demands Holly and Amber step inside his car randomly. That scene made me jump with fear inside. Throughout the show, he makes your blood boil with his vindictive and calculating traits.

Three Girls is the best show I have seen in a long time. But you should be warned that it is not easy viewing, especially if you work in education and have a passion for children, or are a parent yourself.
Emmanuel Macron is 39 and has served as the economic minister under Hollande for a year. He presided over an economy that looks rusted with a 10 percent unemployment rate. He won and his supporters are shouting that it's a victory for France. The defeat of the far-right candidate Le Pen will remain a thorn, for she polled almost 10 million votes and that is not a small number. Macron started by trying to showcase the French military as he went by in an open military jeep. But sadly for the last 150 years, France has lost every war it fought starting from the Invasion by Bismarck and capture of Paris in 1870.

Hitler routed the French inside 40 days and DienBien Phu in Indo-china and Algeria are defeats that cannot be wished away.

France and the EU

France has slowly slipped down after World war II and now it has tried to seek a global identity by becoming a vociferous member of the EU. But in the EU it is second to Germany which calls the shots. France remains an appendage. Macron has a tough task ahead as France is also gripped by an internal problem of terrorism engineered mostly by French-born Muslims. They number almost six million and many French men and women have a paranoid fear of them. Micron, however, does not fear the internal threat and feels that is the price for the benefits of the EU, which France must be ready to pay.

The terror he feels, is the price France must pay for open borders and "benefits' of being with the EU.

Germany and France

Most EU economies apart from Germany and France are in the doldrums. Macron is seeing things as a banker and he feels France will move ahead. Unfortunately for him, Germany is not going to play second fiddle to France and the French will have to accept German leadership.

Again Macron is trying to ignore the desire of millions of French who want to reclaim their national sovereignty and identity. The fact is the threats to ethnic and national identity are not receding but growing. Macron may have a tough time to accommodate these views with his vision of a united Europe. Macron is a product of liberal French thought.

He is looking at things through a prism of European unity. But unity cannot be found in inequality.

The future

The French economy is not the powerhouse of the EU. It is Germany that runs the Union. Take out Germany and the EU will collapse like a pack of cards. The French are a proud nation but somewhere down the line France has slipped and its army is no longer a force in the world. The French look defeated and jaded and during my recent visit, I noted a sense of despair. Nobody wants to talk about the past and millions are fearing that their lifestyle will be disrupted by terror. It won't go away and Macron won't be able to stem the tide against France losing its moorings. If he continues, France will decay further and that is not a happy thought.
If the journalists had chance to ask questions after the joint press statement of US President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan last week, probably the main issue would be the press freedom both in Turkey and the USA. According to the Journalists Union of Turkey, 158 journalists are imprisoned in the country, which is a higher amount than any other place on the planet. Two managers and one reporter of Sozcu, a dissident paper with high circulation, were detained and the number became 161. Financial manager of the newspaper is also under custody.

Grant holder of the paper Mr. Burak Akbay, internet edition corporate manager Ms. Melda Olgun and Izmir correspondent Mr. Gokmen Ulu are being accused of helping the armed terrorist organisation and catalyzing the attack on the president by Istanbul Chief Prosecutor as well as financial manager of the newspaper, Ms. Yonca Kaleli.

No press freedom, no democracy

Chairman of the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), Mr. Gokhan Durmus, made a special statement for BlastingNews about police raid on Sozcu, saying, This is the last edge of onrush targeting the dissident media corporations in Turkey. Newspapers, TV channels and all media organs who are against Ak Party rule had been punished for years.

Sozcu incident is the newest ring of this chain. We hope it will be the last. There will be no democracy in Turkey unless the freedom of press prevails. As the Journalists Union of Turkey, we struggle for press freedom in our country. Without freedom of media, Turkey will be on headlines with violations of human rights and media rights. After the warrant for custody released, Mr.

Akbay, now detained, made a statement on sozcu.com.tr saying, I am on target because Im a member of such a team devoted to deliver the truth to the society. Renowned columnist of the paper, Yilmaz Ozdil said The timing of this operation even shows its real aim.

Timing of the raid

Prosecutor issued the warrant on 19th of May, the day that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey started the independence struggle of the nation in 1919.

Sozcu is known to be the voice of Kemalist-secularist opposition in Turkey against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AK Party. Mr. Can Dundar, editor in chief of Cumhuriyet, another dissident newspaper stayed in jail for two years after his newspaper published photos and videos of Turkish Intelligence Agency vehicles carrying weapons to ISIL on Turkish-Syrian border.
While Washington was reeling from the news of the firing of FBI Director James Comey, Donald Trump was allegedly telling Russian officials that the pressure was now off since he fired the "crazy" Comey.

A weight off his shoulders

Donald Trump welcomed Russian Officials to the White House and according to a report by the New York Times, the U.S. president told them that a weight was removed from his shoulders by the firing of the FBI Director. He said that he fired the head of the FBI who was "crazy" and a "Nut Job." Trump said that he was under a lot of pressure because of Russia but that the pressure had been lifted.

The White House did not directly dispute the account of what Trump said.

Russians at the White House

Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak and Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov were visiting the White House a day after the firing of the FBI Director. It was first reported that Trump revealed classified information to the Russians during the meeting. Later it was reported that not only did he reveal classified information but he also told the Russians why he fired James Comey. Trump's declaration to the Russian officials is thought to be more evidence that he terminated Comey because of the investigation into allegations his campaign colluded with Russian officials. He had previously stated that the Russian investigation was in part the reason he fired the FBI chief.

Conflicting reports on Comey firing

Donald Trump had informed Comey about his termination by delivering a letter to his office while he was away. The FBI chief heard he was fired from a news report on TV. The firing was followed by conflicting reports about why he was fired. It was initially reported that he was fired on the recommendation of Rod Rosenstein.

Trump, in an interview on May 11 gave a somewhat different accounting. Calling Comey a "showboat" Trump said he meant to fire Comey with or without Rosenstein's suggestion.

Investigation interfering with diplomacy

When asked for comment on the report that Trump told the Russians that Comey was a "nut Job," the White House did not dispute the account but said instead that the President's ability to conduct diplomacy with Russia was made difficult due to the FBI investigation.

The response also said that James Comey, by politicising and grandstanding the Russian investigation, created unnecessary pressure on the ability to negotiate with Russia. According to Sean Spicer, White House press secretary, the investigation would not have ended with the Comey firing and he pointed out that national security was undermined by private and classified conversations being leaked.
Earlier this week, Sarah Palin made a surprise visit at the White House along side Ted Nugent and Kid Rock. While the former half-term Alaska governor was there for a dinner meeting with President Donald Trump, she quickly pushed back at news reporting that she bailed on her son's birthday party.

Palin's rebuttal

During the 2016 presidential election, the idea that Donald Trump was running for commander in chief was initially seen as nothing more than a joke. As time went on, the former host of "The Apprentice" gained steam, riding that momentum to the Republican nomination, and just months later picking up the upset win over Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

One of Trump's first high-profiled Republican supporters was Sarah Palin, who came out for Trump in January 2016, and campaigned for him on numerous occasions. Trump and Palin got so close that the former governor's name was on the short list to join the ticket as the vice president, before the job was given to Mike Pence. On Wednesday, Palin was invited to dinner at the White House by Trump, while bringing with her Kid Rock and Ted Nugent. As the internet went viral in trolling the threesome, a report was released claiming that Palin ditched her son's birthday to attend the dinner. As seen on her Facebook page on April 20, Palin is pushing back.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Sarah Palin allegedly missed her son Trig's birthday to "hang with Kid Rock and Ted Nugent at the White House" where she "cozies up" to Donald Trump.

In response, Palin lashed out on her Facebook in opposition to Daily Mail report.

Hey media - don't mess with my kids! And quit making things up! https://t.co/SnPF9BYJkj  Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) April 21, 2017

"More Fake News," Sarah Palin said of the report in question. "I missed my son's birthday for Trump's visit? WRONG," Palin continued, before noting, "Quit making things up just to stir it up.

I was home with my son, Trig, for his birthday."

Palin's next move

After she made the rounds at the White House and spent time with the First Family, Sarah Palin sat down for an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. During the conversation, Tapper asked Palin about her time at Fox News, and questioned whether or not she was ever the victim of sexual harassment, in regards to the backlash of the sexual harassment scandal that caused the network to fire Bill O'Reilly earlier this week. Palin never gave a straight answer, and wouldn't elaborate on why she parted ways with Fox News once her contract came to an end.
On the second day of his foreign trip, Donald Trump delivered a speech on fighting terrorism at an Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In response, social media users were quick to lash out at the president.

Trump in Saudi Arabia

One of the biggest talking points used by Donald Trump during the year and a half that he was on the campaign trail was his harsh tone on Islam, Muslims, and the rise of Islamic terrorism around the world. In the United States, the reaction over Trump's rhetoric was reflective in the partisan divide in the country.

Republicans and conservatives cheered the hard-line stance against Islam, while most Democrats and liberal Americans accused the former host of "The Apprentice" of racism, prejudice, and Islamophobia. Despite the backlash, Trump was able to weather the storm and win the general election race over Hillary Clinton. Since then, controversy has surrounded the White House, as the scandal involving Russia and the administration heating up. With the pressure mounting, Trump kicked off his weekend with a stop in Saudi Arabia as he embarked on his first international trip as commander in chief. After addressing high-ranking officials in Saudi Arabia on May 21, Twitter users made sure to give their thoughts.

"Muslim nations must be willing to take on terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion," Pres. Trump says https://t.co/eYZOX9EZ0E pic.twitter.com/hNTCnfdF5j  CBS News (@CBSNews) May 21, 2017

"Every time a terrorist murders ad innocent person and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith," Donald Trump told the group of Islamic leaders.

"Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death," Trump continued, in a dramatic shift in tone and detail from the language he used on the campaign trail to win the votes of right-wing Americans. Trump's speech was less aggressive and reports indicate that it went through several re-writes to make sure it came across as professional as possible.

Twitter reacts

In response to Donald Trump's terrorism speech in Saudi Arabia, critics of the president made sure to push back on Twitter, showing that they were not impressed or convinced with the change in tone. "#MAGA GOT PLAYED. After slamming Hillary as weak on 'radical Islamic terrorism,' #TrumpinSaudi delivers a soft-spoken speech of platitudes," former Hillary Clinton adviser Peter Daou tweeted out.

#TrumpinSaudi speech dull. The "Drive them out" left audience looking askance. Speaking like they never heard of terrorism. #patronize much?  Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) May 21, 2017

#MAGA GOT PLAYED. After slamming Hillary as weak on "radical Islamic terrorism," #TrumpinSaudi delivers a soft-spoken speech of platitudes.  Peter Daou (@peterdaou) May 21, 2017

"#TrumpinSaudi speech dull.

The 'Drive them out' left audience looking askance. Speaking like they never heard of terrorism. #patronize much?" Malcolm Nance wrote on Twitter. An additional tweet posted a video of two Saudi leaders not looking interested in Trump's speech, with another tweet commenting, "This dude has had a permanent WTF face since Trump started talking. We feel ya, bro."

Why does Trump sound winded? #TrumpinSaudi  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) May 21, 2017

Trump brings up 9/11 ... 15 of the 18 attacks were Saudi (he doesn't mention that, which i guess would be rude.) #TrumpinSaudi  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) May 21, 2017

The reality is the Saudis likely ARE thrilled with Trump. He's transactional, doesn't care about human rights, and bolsters them vs Iran.  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) May 21, 2017

"The reality is the Saudis likely ARE thrilled with Trump.

He's transactional, doesn't care about human rights, and bolsters them vs Iran," MSNBC host Joy Reid tweeted out, before asking "Why does Trump sound winded?" "Trump brings up 9/11...15 of the 18 attacks were Saudi (he doesn't mention that, which i guess would be rude," Reid added.

Hey media, learn from last time. Don't give President Dumpster points just for reading a speech off of a teleprompter.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 21, 2017

Same day they got that arms deal, the Saudis plopped $100mil into Ivanka's charity. Now, will the GOP cry foul like they did with Hillary?  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 21, 2017

"Hey media, learn from last time. Don't give President Dumpster points just for reading a speech off of a teleprompter," actor George Takei noted.The negative reaction continued as the start to Donald Trump's foreign trip didn't go over well on social media.
Besides going to Saudi Arabia to create an Arab NATO and to exhort the Sunni Arab states to reject jihadism and to join the war on terror, President Donald Trump went prepared to do business. Not only did the president sign a $110 billion arms deal ($350 billion over ten years) but facilitated $50 billion in business with American companies that will have a profound impact on the United States economy.

Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf States want to diversify from oil and gas

Trump is taking advantage of a desire by Saudi Arabia and the other Arab Gulf States to diversify their economies from Oil And Gas and into technology and infrastructure.

Ironically, that move has been motivated by the fracking boom in the United States that had depressed the price of fossil fuels and had made the United States, for the first time in many decades, a net oil and gas exporting country. The OPEC states, which once wielded their oil weapon against the United States and other Western nations, are finding themselves facing a future in which their petroleum resources are not quite as potent as they used to be. They have decided to invest in other industries before the oil and gas money begins to run out.

American companies to benefit from new investment

The Saudi government has signed agreements with 16 companies valued at $50 billion, including a $15 billion deal with General Electric, according to Bloomberg.

Now, instead of billions of dollars flowing from the energy hungry west to the Gulf States, the money is moving in the other direction. The development is proof that economic arrangements are never permanent. Changes in technology and the vagaries of geopolitics can change what once seemed to be eternal in the blink of an eye.

The arms deal will also enrich the United States

The massive arms deal was the result of another opportunity Trump has managed to exploit. The Saudis and other Sunni Arab states find themselves menaced both by ISIS and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ironically that peril resulted from unwise policies perpetrated from the ill-advised policies of Trumps predecessor.

Now countries in the Middle East want arms, lots of them and of the most advanced quantities. The United States and companies such as Lockheed Martin are only too happy to provide them. The result is a win-win deal. The Sunni Arab states get some measure of security. The United States gets well-armed allies to oppose mutual enemies with. American defense contractors get lots of business, much to the benefit of their shareholders and employees.
Three teens were caught, arrested and charged hours after they stole a car and killed a 6-year-old boy who was sleeping in the back seat. Kingston Frazier's mother, Ebony Archie, left him in the back seat of her car with the engine running when she went into a supermarket in Jackson, Mississippi on Thursday, May 18. The abandoned car with the dead boy still inside was found in a muddy ditch.

The little boy was reported missing around 1 a.m. on Thursday after a man was captured on security video driving his mother's 2000 silver Toyota Camry from the supermarket's parking lot as soon as the woman went into the store.

At supermarket

People are wondering why the mother was out that time of the morning with her son sleeping in the back seat. Family members say the mother had picked up her son from his grandmother after she had been out celebrating her birthday. She stopped by the all-night supermarket because she needed to buy supplies for Kingston's kindergarten graduation the next day.

Teen charged

About nine hours after the car was stolen, a man reported the car had been found about 15 miles away. It was discovered the sleeping boy had been fatally shot. The little boy's body was taken to the state crime lab so an autopsy could be done. Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland determined that the kindergartener had been shot multiple times.

The mother collapsed when she was given the news about her son's death.

Because of the video footage and witnesses, the teens were identified as D'Allen Washington, Dwan Wakefield, and Byron McBride. McBride's age was revealed as 19, but the other two teens are 17. All three have been charged with capital murder as adults even though McBride was the one reported to have actually pulled the trigger.

Capital murder

The murder took place in Mississippi, a state where 17-year-olds can be tried as adults. While all three are charged with capital murder, only McBride could face the death penalty. That is because of his age and not necessarily because he was the one who shot the boy. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court passed a law that the death penalty starts for people at age 18.

So that means if one of the 17-year-old boys had shot Kingston, they would not face the death penalty like McBride.

All three of the teenagers are being held without bail in Madison County. They are scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning. Authorities don't have the gun used to kill Kingston, but they say they have enough evidence against the three teens without the murder weapon.
Trying to be original when buying gifts can often be difficult, but for 52-year-old Daphne Page it turned out to be pretty much a nightmare. The Virginia woman bought an Alarm Clock, designed to look a lot like dynamite, which led to a five-hour incident in a Richmond shopping mall, along with a felony explosives charge.

Dynamite alarm clock spotted in car at shopping mall

As reported by the Sacramento Bee, the incident happened on Friday at the Whole Foods shopping center in Glen Allen, after a store employee spotted the alarm clock in the back of Pages Mercedes station wagon.

Believing it to be an explosive device, the store then called the police.

Henrico Police Lieutenant B.T. Wilson said when officers arrived on the scene they found the explosive device and to them, it appeared to be the real deal, leading them officials set up a perimeter. Reportedly police shut down the parking lot for around five hours as officials fetched in a robot to disable the bomb. However, the store remained open, but with one entrance closed.

UPDATED: Mother arrested in Short Pump bomb scare says she got novelty alarm clock at garage sale for $1 https://t.co/OfK42ZhxRX pic.twitter.com/MabsyiWMzY  Richmond VA (@RichmondVArr) May 21, 2017

Alarm clock bought by Virginia woman as a joke gift

As reported by CBS6, Page told them she bought the alarm clock at a garage sale in Richmond because she thought it was really funny.

She paid $1 for the clock, which she was planning to give to her daughter as a joke gift, saying she thought the college girl would find it amusing. Page then left the dynamite alarm clock in the back of her vehicle, not thinking what might happen.

However, the Virginia mother now says she feels really dumb, while interviewed on Saturday in the Henrico jail and she apologized to the public for the inconvenience at the shopping mall.

Page added that she didnt think anything of it when she left it in her Mercedes car, saying if the item is available in a market and is legal to sell, why wouldnt it be legal for her to own it? She did, however, question the judgment of the store employee who decided to walk past her car and report the explosive device.

The Sacramento Bee performed an Internet search for the keywords alarm clock dynamite which brought up several images of a similar type of alarm clock, some of which were obviously funny, but others did appear to look like a genuine bomb.

Felony possession charge for dynamite alarm clock

While the purchase of the gift was made in fun, Page has been charged with the felony possession, manufacture or use of an explosive. While officials did eventually establish the alarm clock was not really a bomb, under the Virginia statute, the felony charge also relates to hoax explosive devices, where the design and look of the item makes it look like a bomb or other explosive device. Due to the seriousness of the charge, Page will remain in Henrico Jail over the weekend and will appear before a judge on Monday.
Queen Elizabeth has put on show paintings from her collection by the Italian master Canaletto.

The exhibition "Canaletto and the Art of Venice" opened at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace on Friday, and for the first time in nearly 40 years two series of paintings by Canaletto (1697-1768) are displayed side by side.

The works on display feature paintings first bought by the British King George III in the 1760s from the collector and commissioner of paintings Joseph Smith.

Smith, who was a banker with diplomatic connections in Venice, was a patron and supporter of Canaletto, and helped make the painter from Venice very popular in Britain in the 1750s, when the Venetian lived and worked in the country and produced many works based on views of London.

Canaletto's works were sought after by British aristocrats and wealthy gentry, who would embark on what was known as a Grand Tour of Europe, to see cultural sites.

The Grand Tour would often include Venice, and the wealthy British patrons would buy Canaletto's works inspired by the city to hang in their homes.

Both sets of paintings put on show by the Queen were commissioned by Smith, and he probably intended both series to hang in his home on the Grand Canal in Venice.

Canaletto's most famous views of the Grand Canal are also shown in the exhibition, and these 12 precise and realistic paintings, executed over several years in the late 1720s, create a near-complete journey down the waterway.

From the quayside houses and workshops on the Grand Canal's upper reaches to the bustling festivities around St Mark's Square, Canaletto captured the effects of light on stone and water, and fills each work with a snapshot of Venetian daily life.

Canaletto returned frequently to the subject of the Grand Canal, including a series of six meticulously detailed pen and ink drawings, also on show.

Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757), whose pastels were highly prized by European collectors, was one of the first artists to develop a commercial relationship with Smith.

On display together for the first time are Carriera's personifications of the Four Seasons. "Winter", a female figure wrapped in furs, was one of the most admired works in Smith's collection and later hung in George III's bedroom at Buckingham Palace alongside Carriera's pastel "Summer".

The exhibition runs at Buckingham Palace until November.
The 2016 special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice is still investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign from 2016, now the current administration, and Russia. Reportedly, at least one White House staffer is a significant person of interest according to sources familiar with the matter.

The FBIs investigation seeks to determine the level of, if any, involvement that Trump and associates have had with Kremlin operatives. The investigation also seeks to reveal any business dealings and to reveal any hacking and publishing of emails from Hilary Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta during the 2016 campaign.

Reportedly, these probes could lead to absolutely no criminal charges.

In response to the investigation, President Trump repeatedly denies any accusations as fake news and dismisses any ties to Russia. Multiple Congressional committees are also investigating the possible ties with Russia.

The White Houses stance

The White House Press SecretarySean Spicerhas issued several statements about the Russia probe. He has explained that the investigation will conclude and prove that there was never collusion between the campaign and any foreign entities such as Russia.

Russia investigation identifies White House official as person of interest, Washington Post reports https://t.co/zQ5gjRx8AE pic.twitter.com/JecFAMGUbI  CBS News (@CBSNews) May 21, 2017

So far, the current investigation has revealed that someone very close to the president is under scrutiny.

Valid sources have not identified this person of interest. Reportedly, the intensity of the investigation to going to perpetuate in the near future and the public should expect to know more.

The Russia probe and appointing a new lead investigator

When subpoenas are issued and interviews are being conducted, people may reveal publicly what they discussed and were asked about or they may notit is hard to predict what information the public will be privy to.

It has also been reported that the probe may not lead to any charges or criminal prosecution.

So far, Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein appointed former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III to serve as special counsel and lead the investigation into Russia probe this weekthis comes shortly after Comey was fired by President Trump.

It is unclear exactly how Muellers leadership will affect the direction of the probe, and which parts of the investigation will be made public; but, interviews and information are finally starting to flow after James Comeys release from the FBI.
The New York Times has an interesting piece about Rep. Beto ORourke, a Democrat who is running to take Ted Cruzs Senate seat away from him. ORourke, by all accounts, has become the latest heartthrob of Democrats, especially those who have never sullied themselves by actually visiting the Lone Star State. Surely this time ORourke will turn deep red Texas blue by defeating Ted Cruz. Sadly, from the point of view of the left, ORourke is likely to be 2018s version of Wendy Davis.

You remember Wendy Davis?

Most people dont remember Wendy Davis, and a lot of people on the left would like to forget her.

Davis first came to national attention in June 2013 when, then an obscure Texas state senator, she filibustered an anti-abortion bill and managed to kill it during the regular session of the Texas legislature. The bill passed in a subsequent special session, but Daviss status as a national political figure was secured. When she offered herself as a candidate for governor of Texas in 2014, national Democrats went into paroxysms of joy. Surely she would break the 20-year long lock that the Republicans had on the state of Texas.

Davis had boatloads of money thanks to her popularity with donors outside of Texas. What she did not have were a lot of political skills. She suffered a number of self-inflicted political wounds during her campaign against Gregg Abbott.

Her status as a left-of-center, pro-choice Democrat didnt help matters either. As a result, the Republican trounced her by over 20 points.

Enter Beto ORourke

Democrats are already comparing Congressman ORourke to Bobby Kennedy due to his his physical appearance. He is said to be technologically savvy and has ties to the Bernie Sanders movement, though he is also pro-business.

He has a bad boy image because he once played in a punk band, and because he curses at campaign rallies, he should appeal to millennials. He has scored some political upsets so he should be able to do well against Ted Cruz who is suffering in the polls. In short, he is the new version of Wendy Davis.

On the other hand, Cruz knows a thing or two about upsets, having won his Senate seat against a better funded, establishment-backed opponent.

He might have become president of the United States had it not been for Donald Trumps political skills. Cruz is busily raising money and meeting with constituents at every opportunity. Ted Cruz is taking no chances, even if they look good against a neophyte like ORourke. In short, as the Times notes, The best advice for a Democrat running in Texas? Invite the press to watch you set your campaign funds on fire. Indeed.
It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. Robert Swan Mueller III an American lawyer and a civil servant also the sixth Director of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation who served under two United States President and was sworn into duty on September 4, 2001, served until September 4, 2013.

Robert Mueller was nominated by President George W. Bush and he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate vote on September 4, 2001. It was a week before the attack that shattered the hearts of the people of the United States of America.

Mueller served 12 years as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. President Obama signed a two-year extension to the FBI Director's 10-year term limit, which was created following the Watergate scandal. As a strong individual with characteristic traits such as loyalty, honesty, respect, equal treatment, and judgment it was the reason why President Barack Obama recommended Robert Mueller's two-year extension.

On May 17, 2017, the Department of Justice named Robert Mueller as the special counsel to oversee the department's investigation into the Russian meddling in the 2016 election. The selection of Mr. Robert Mueller to be special counsel is good news to people of the United States of America.

An individual that has the experience and skills, no political group, follows the evidence, endless leaks, and no drama, is why this selection is perfect.

Robert Mueller is a well-prepared individual and is well suited for this case. He does not leak, he does not do media, he is single minded and focuses on the clarity of the mission.

As a Marine, you must be prepared to serve your country and protect it, as an FBI Director, as a federal prosecutor or as a special counsel it is the same routine, and that is why Robert Mueller is more suited than anyone else.

Is he President Donald Trumps Nightmare?

Robert Mueller was former FBI Director Mr. James Comey's predecessor.

James Comey was fired by President Trump last week. Robert Mueller is not one of the best -- he is the best. Many American leaders can vouch for the fact that Robert Mueller has leadership, fair judgment, and excellent decision-making. Robert Mueller worked for 12 years in the U.S. Attorney's office, served as the chief of the criminal division in the Northern District of California in San Francisco, and he also worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Boston.

Robert Mueller also worked in the private sector, before working as an assistant to the attorney general in 1989. Director of FBI from 2001 to 2013, he retired from the Bureau and joined the private law firm Wilmer Hale, from which he has resigned to take the role of special counsel.

He has his long path of experience, and history, to provide some knowledge on why he is best suited for this job, and why he can be President Donald Trump's nightmare. He is a man who understands the system, and he was there when the system was created and when the foundation was laid out.
After almost 100 Days in the White House, Donald Trump is suffering from his worst approval ratings since becoming a candidate for president back in June 2015. While the president has many critics, not many have been as vocal in their opposition as Dallas Mavericks owner mark cuban.

Cuban on Trump

When Donald Trump made his candidacy for president official, the initial reaction was one of speculation, curiosity, and doubt. Many even laughed off the former host of "The Apprentice," as the consensus was that Trump wouldn't last long, and that he was only doing it as a publicity stunt to increase ratings on his reality show.

While that was case at first, Trump started to gain steam, riding his momentum to a primary election win over 16 other Republican candidates. Just four months later and Trump shocked the world by defeating heavy favorite Hillary Clinton on Election Day, stunning even himself in the process. Since then, the president has faced non-stop backlash in various forms. From protests on the street, to viral social media backlash, to celebrities using their fame to call out the commander in chief, Trump has become the number one political target for a growing number of Americans. One of Trump's biggest critics has been Mark Cuban, as the billionaire and self-described political independent has been vocal in his disdain for the White House.

During a April 21 interview on CNN, Cuban elaborated further on his issue with the president.

Joining CNN hosts Alisyn Camerota and Jake Tapper for Friday morning's "New Day," Mark Cuban went off with his assessment of Donald Trump. Cuban said that he recently spoke to a friend of his who explained to him why he supported Trump, noting that the appeal of voting for a Washington outsider and not a politician was too great.

The co-host of "Shark Tank" continued, admitting that Trump was bad for the United States in many ways.

Mark Cuban: Donald Trump is Political Chemotherapy for the System https://t.co/raA7qwiCP1 (VIDEO) pic.twitter.com/rKI6wnue7h  Mediaite (@Mediaite) April 21, 2017

Cuban takedown

"Is he poisonous in a lot of respects? Yeah," Mark Cuban noted, before saying of Donald Trump, "this is our chemotherapy." On his overall grade of the billionaire real estate mogul, Cuban was generous, giving Trump a C-, citing his recent health care blunder and his inability to reach out and work with Democrats.

"He's not a strong manager," Cuban went on to say, before later blasting Trump for never helping people along the way during his business career. "You can't find one person that said Donald Trump mentored them," he noted.
Everyone was shocked when Ben Higgins and lauren bushnell separated as they were one of the power couples from "The Bachelor." At first, it was a mere rumor but it appears that the breakup was indeed final when Bushnell left Higgins's home. Although the split is amicable, Higgins feels empty because Bushnell is no longer by his side.

Feeling sad

In a preview clip from a new podcast with fellow "Bachelor" alum Ashley Iaconetti in "Ben and Ashley: Almost Famous," which will premiere on May 22, Higgins expressed his sadness about the breakup. He used the metaphor that his house is empty -- as Bushnell has taken all the furniture with her and Higgins is sad without her in his life.

The former "The Bachelor" star said that everything is still fresh as he talks about it and that it is tough as it is the largest part of his life. He added that saying goodbye was hard especially as he believed that Bushnell is the one for him.

He said that it is hard to look around his house knowing that she will not be there. He compared his emptiness to their house saying that he is mourning and empty. Without the love of his life, he will just have a bonding time between himself and his house.

An empty house

It is said that the only thing left in Higgins's home is a TV, a wicker chair, a bed and a whiskey cart. He even referred to the chair as not comfortable and is similar to how uncomfortable his life is right now.

laconetti said that Higgins showed her a photo of his pad which looks totally empty after Bushnell took away all her stuff and all the furniture. In the photo, all that Iaconetti saw is a mirror on the wall which according to her, "screams heartbroken." Good thing that instead of lurking in a corner, Higgins is buying new furniture for his home which will hopefully lessen his sadness a bit.

The curse

With the breakup of Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell, "The Bachelor" curse once again happened. It is said that couples who are engaged in the show end up in separation. Although many expected their relationships to last longer, it still didn't work out even when they tried to settle things.

While Higgins is left heartbroken and lonely, it appears that his ex-fiance has moved on.

She will move from Colorado and back to Southern Carolina. She also aspires to be a model and is planning to start her own clothing line.

Other couples from the reality show that headed to 'Splitsville' are Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff, Andi Dorfman and Josh Murray, Ben Flajnik and Courtney Robertson, Emily Maynard and Brad Womack and Juan Pablo and Nikki Ferrell.
Prince Harry attended Pippa Middleton and James Matthews' wedding without his actress girlfriend Meghan Markle on Saturday, May 20. For weeks, there has been speculation over whether or not Meghan would attend the wedding of the year. Initially, there were reports that Pippa was implementing a "no ring, no bring" policy, which means only married and engaged people would attend the wedding. Then it was reported that Meghan had been invited to the reception and not the wedding because Pippa didn't want the actress to upstage her on her wedding day.

At the wedding reception

Meghan did not attend the wedding at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, England, but she did attend the private evening reception with Prince Harry and about 300 other guests. The lavish reception was held inside a palace tent at the home of the bride's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton in Bucklebury.

Being together at the wedding reception was a major milestone for the couple. Meghan got to see Harry's brother, Prince William, Duchess Kate, and their children. The adorable children were in the wedding as well. Prince George, 3, was a page boy, and his 2-year-old sister was a flower girl for their aunt Pippa.

Together over the year

Meghan took a week off from filming "Suits" in Toronto.

She arrived at Kensington Palace last Tuesday. The 35-year-old actress probably didn't mind missing the wedding as long as she could be with Prince Harry before and after the wedding.

Being together at the reception was the first official public appearance that Prince Harry and Meghan have attended. They have been to other places together before, but it was nothing that formal.

They were spotted earlier this month at a charity polo match. Meghan cheered Harry on, and later they were photographed kissing in public.

For almost a year the pair has been either getting together in England or in Toronto. Meghan spent the first two months of the year with Harry, 32, and they managed to get together for every holiday.

He visited her in Toronto for the Easter holiday. In March, they met in Jamaica to attend the wedding of Harry's best friend.

People have noticed how close the prince and the actress have become. Some have predicted that the pair would be engaged by the end of the year, if not sooner. News came out this week that a law had been changed so that if they do decide to get married, they will be able to get married in Westminster Abbey where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, as well as Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Because Meghan is divorced, she would not have been able to get married there if the law had not been changed.
Filming for the upcoming "Aquaman" solo movie is now well underway in Australia. Cast members and crew have already flown to the country down under and have started work on the different scenes. Now, official set photos of some of the characters have made its way online, the first one being Mera, which is played by 31-year old actress Amber Heard.

Green and sexy

Johnny Depp's ex-wife was shown in a stunning and intricate form-fitting green suit that is contrasted by her dyed red hair. The suit also showcases her full upper assets, which are quite prominent.

The first image was uploaded by the movie's director, James Wan, on his Instagram and Twitter account. The director captioned the photo by saying that he was enjoying his first day of shooting with Heard. The photo that was taken by Jasin Boland showed amber with a stunned look, which is likely a part of a scene they were shooting for the movie as opposed to her posing for a shot.

Lady MERA swept in from the sea. First day with the exquisite Amber Heard. (Shot by the talented @jasinboland ) pic.twitter.com/FWQANu0S12  James Wan (@creepypuppet) May 18, 2017

Preparing for the role

Heard has been quite active in social media since she was brought onto the project. When she's not posting photos of her and her new beau, 45-year old billionaire and entrepreneur Elon Musk, the actress is posting photos of her getting ready for the big role.

The actress has apparently been going through training and an intense workout program for the past 6 months to prepare for the role. She even posted a photo of her first day on set saying that all of her sacrifice and denying herself the pleasure of donuts have all led to that particular moment.

All of her preparations are of course necessary as she will be playing the powerful Queen of the undersea nation of Atlantis.

Aside from just being Aquaman's love interest, Mera is a powerful being on her own as she possesses telepathic powers, hydrokinetic abilities, and extreme combat prowess thanks to her training in Xebel. The character will be making her debut in the upcoming "Justice League" movie that is scheduled to premiere on Nov. 17.

Confirmed cast members

Opposite Jason Momoa's Aquaman and Heard's Mera, the duo will be fighting against the film's confirmed villains Black Manta and Ocean Master. The characters will be played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Patrick Wilson, respectively. Other actors that will be joining the cast are Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry, Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna.

"Aquaman" is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 21, 2018.
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The city of Beijing has full implementation of strict regulations for car-hailing services after a five months transition period.

Starting Saturday, platforms and drivers without licenses will not be able to provide such services in Beijing.

In December, the city's transport authorities issued regulations that featured a number of restrictions concerning drivers' household registration, car plate, vehicle model, age, and insurance.

According to the regulations, drivers must have a local residence permit and vehicles must be registered locally.

On Wednesday, Didi Chuxing and CAR received business licenses issued by Beijing transport authorities, bringing the total number to five.

China unveiled its first nationwide regulations for car-hailing services in July, granting them legal status.
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Two men who allegedly hunted a wild rhesus monkey have been detained, police in north China's Shanxi Province said Sunday.

Police with the public security bureau of Yuncheng City were informed earlier this month that a car carrying a caged monkey was seized on an expressway in Yuanqu County.

Investigation showed that the two suspects, from Henan Province, drove to Shanxi Lishan national nature reserve. They hit a rhesus monkey with a tranquilizer dart and locked it in an iron cage.

They were intercepted by highway security staff on their way back to Henan.

Rhesus monkeys are a second-class nationally protected animal. The Lishan reserve has hundreds of rhesus monkeys living there.

The two men were detained for illegal hunting and transporting a precious and endangered wild animal.
DA NANG - Vietjet on Friday announced a new international route connecting Da Nang and Seoul, South Korea.

The Da Nang-Seoul route will begin operating on May 31 with tickets priced from only VND630,000. The daily flight from Da Nang departs at 11.45pm (local time) and arrives in Seoul at 6am (local time). The return flight takes off at 7am and lands at 9.40am in Da Nang.

"Being the economic and tourist hub of the country, Da Nang strongly attracts investment in economic and tourism development," said Luu Duc Khanh, managing director of Vietjet.

"With the opening of the route connecting Da Nang with South Korea, Vietjet not only provides local people and international tourists with more travel opportunities via safe, civilized and modern air transportation, but also contributes to promoting trade and investment development in the localities," he said.

Tickets on the airlines newest route are now available for booking from noon to 2pm daily at www.vietjetair.com.

The T2 Terminal is designed with 40 check-in counters, 20 immigration exit counters, 22 immigration entry counters and 10 departure gates, which has a capacity of 6 million visitors per year. This is an important facility that will serve the 29th Summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as well as future aviation demands. -VNS
HA NOI  Trade ministers from the 21 Pacific Rim countries gathered during a major trade meeting on Saturday in Ha Noi to discuss future plans for regional trade co-operation amid growing fears of protectionism, as well as changes in politics, economies and technology.

As one of APECs most prominent ministerial gatherings, the 23rd Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT23) kicked off in the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

In his opening remarks, PM Phuc highlighted APECs three decades of growth and endorsed its important role as the economic driver and growth engine of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

With a combined population of over 2.8 billion people, about 40 per cent of the world population, APEC member economies have significantly expanded and account for roughly 60 per cent of the world GDP and 49 per cent of global trade.

Of note, the average regional tariff has been reduced from 17 per cent since its inception in 1989 to 5.5 per cent in 2016, as incomes and living standards have been improved for a large proportion of the regions population.

These outcomes have provided testament to the efforts of the region for trade liberalisation, trade and investment facilitation, as well as shared regional stability, development and prosperity, PM Phuc said.

He also raised concerns over multiple evolutions in politics, economies and technology, especially the fourth industrial revolution and the emergence of the digital economy, which have brought substantial economic, cultural and social changes.

APEC is aiming for a truly connected Asia-Pacific, in terms of its people, infrastructure, technology and information, in order to expand economic growth, trade and investment and oversee comprehensive institutional reform in each member country.

PM Phuc called on the regional member economies to step up economic and technical co-operation, experience and information sharing during the process of policy-making and implementation of co-operation programmes.

However, co-operation plans and their fine goals might still fail to turn into reality when we lack trust, political determination and co-ordination to safeguard a peaceful environment, ensure security and safety for investment and the flows of goods in the region, he noted.

Viet Nams active participation

Viet Nam officially joined APEC in 1998. Since then, APEC has played an increasingly important role in the countrys economic development.

APEC member economies have contributed about 78 per cent of the total FDI inflows to Viet Nam, 75 per cent of total merchandise trade and 79 per cent of the total number of tourists to the country. Additionally, 13 APEC members have become Viet Nams strategic and comprehensive partners.

With its strong determination and efforts to deepen reform and international integration, Viet Nam has made significant contributions to APECs co-operation, PM Phuc said.

In the first day of the meeting, ministers exchanged and discussed ongoing initiatives related to sustainable, inclusive and innovative growth in APEC, especially initiatives in promoting competitiveness of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Viet Nam has provided updates on the progress of the Action Agenda on promoting economic, financial and social inclusion in the APEC region, as well as progress on the APEC framework for developing human resources in the digital age.

Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Roberto Azevedo reported progress by WTO in preparation for the 11th WTO ministerial meeting in Argentina at the end of this year.

The meeting highlighted WTOs recent achievements in promoting free trade, including endorsement of Bali and Nairobi outcomes, the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the Protocol amending the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). This is an important basis for the WTO to advance negotiations on the remaining Doha Development Agenda.

Trade officials have exchanged views on current regional and global economic trends, challenges and outlooks, including trade agreement negotiations and implementation. They discussed how to accelerate progress in fulfilling the Bogor Goals and initiatives to advance regional economic integration.

Most APEC members agreed to support free and open trade and committed to continue building a strong, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system.

The meeting closes on Sunday after discussion about the APEC post-2020 vision.

High ranking officials meetings

On Saturday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who is in Viet Nam for the APEC 23rd Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT23).

PM Phuc highlighted the United States crucial role in the Asia-Pacific regions economic co-operation, hoping the two countries would continue promoting its co-operation activities, particularly in economy and trade, to contribute to regional and global prosperity.

Viet Nam and the United States have enjoyed sound trade relations, and have witnessed significant achievements. The PM confirmed that Viet Nam supports free trade, on the basis of fairness and mutual benefits, and values economic relations with the United States.

For his part, Lighthizer underlined that Viet Nam is his first destination as US Trade Representative, adding that the US always attaches importance to trade and economic development with the Southeast Asian country.

He also promised to cooperate with Vietnamese authorities to expand cooperation projects, helping develop bilateral trade and economic ties.

On the same day, PM Phuc greeted Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko. He said the Vietnamese Government would assist Japanese enterprises seeking to invest in Viet Nam and called upon the two countries to flesh out new co-operation understandings to elevate bilateral trade to a new high.

He also asked organisations from both sides to discuss solutions to promoting farm produce imports and exports and contributing to increasing two-way trade, which remains below the two countries potential.

Meanwhile, Minister Hiroshige Seko said Viet Nam played a significant role in fostering co-operation mechanisms in Asia-Pacific and the world. He said that the Japanese Government and people hope the Prime Minister will pay an official visit to the country and pledged that his ministry will contribute to the success of the Vietnamese leaders visit.  VNS
HA NOI  Trade representatives of the 21 Pacific Rim countries, meeting this weekend in Ha Noi, reaffirmed their commitment to support free and open trade and pledged to fight all forms of protectionism.

The trade representatives agreed to make concrete actions to foster the leading role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in promoting global economic growth and regional economic integration for the benefits of people.

Taking into account the diverse opinions at the meeting, APEC member economies underscored the importance of ensuring the effective functioning of a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory multilateral trading system as embodied in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

We reaffirm the importance of the WTOs trade monitoring work, which is essential to the functioning of the multilateral trading system, by achieving greater transparency in, and understanding of the trade policies and practices of members, the closing statement of the two-day meeting said.

As chair of the meeting, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said Viet Nam, as host of APEC 2017 events, "continues to affirm its determination of deepening international integration, considering the Asia-Pacific region and the regional co-operation mechanism such as APEC Forum a focus of the countrys foreign policy.

Viet Nams support for APEC and open trade was endorsed by the countrys Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, as he addressed the meeting on the first day.

APEC should step up economic and technical co-operation, experience and information sharing during the process of policy-making and implementation of cooperation programmes to enhance the effectiveness and distinguish APEC co-operation from that of the other organizations and forums in the region and the world, PM Phuc said.

He also called on member economies to unite and build trust, political determination and co-ordination to ensure a peaceful environment and security to safeguard the safety for investment and the flows of goods in the region.

Fighting protectionism

The meeting agreed the global economy is gaining momentum but noted risks, such as tighter global financial conditions and weak productivity that continue to drag on sustainable and inclusive growth.

Moreover, in some member economies there are growing doubt about the benefits of globalisation and free trade, spurring protectionist trends that could have strong impacts on global economic recovery and integration, the statement said.

We reaffirm our commitment to keep our markets open and to fight against all forms of protectionism by reaffirming our pledge against protectionism through a standstill commitment that we agreed to extend until the end of 2020 and to roll back protectionist and trade-distorting measures, the statement of the chair said.

Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shou Wen said China committed to supporting a global multilateral trade system and making joint efforts to prevent protectionism and reducing trade risk.

China attaches importance to trade growth We think multilateral trading system is a very effective tool to mitigate risks associated with trade, Wang said.

With a combined population of over 2.8 billion people, about 40 per cent of the world population, APEC member economies have significantly expanded and account for roughly 60 per cent of the world GDP and 49 per cent of global trade.

Of note, the average regional tariff has been reduced from 17 per cent since its inception in 1989 to 5.5 per cent in 2016, as incomes and living standards have been improved for a large proportion of the regions population.

Viet Nam officially joined APEC in 1998. Since then, APEC has played an increasingly important role in the countrys economic development.

APEC member economies have contributed about 78 per cent of the total FDI inflows to Viet Nam, 75 per cent of total merchandise trade and 79 per cent of the total number of tourists to the country. Additionally, 13 APEC members have become Viet Nams strategic and comprehensive partners.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is working to persuade Australia towards an early lift of its ban on import of Vietnamese shrimp and uncooked shelled shrimp.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), in co-ordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is working with the relevant agencies in Australia in this regard.

On January 7, the Australian Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources announced the suspension of prawn and uncooked shelled shrimp imports from Asian nations fearing an outbreak of the white spot disease in Australia. The ban took effect on January 9 and will last for six months.

The MoIT has raised the issue of ban at all bilateral meetings with the Australian side, expressing Viet Nams concerns and asking Australia to consider lifting the ban or replacing it with other measures that would have less impact on business.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh sent a public letter to the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment and the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources of Australia regarding the matter in February.

According to the MoIT, Australias Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment sent their replies on March 8 and April 30, respectively, explaining that the ban was based on regulations for bio-security.

They added that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources was working on the matter, including reviewing of the import conditions for products targeted by the ban, to make the decision on resumption of safe trading of shrimps.

The Australian ministers affirmed that bilateral trade with Viet Nam was important to their country, including trading in agricultural products. They said Australia was willing to co-operate with Vietnam to review the risk assessment measures.  VNS
Fugitives of justice are being returned to China, like this unidentified one from Indonesia. But 100 such persons on an Interpol list are still at large and being sought around the world, including on one small Caribbean island nation. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's hot pursuit of fleeing fraudsters recently hit a cold snag in a faraway place, in a case already testing the strength of international efforts to combat corruption, fraud and other forms of organized crime.

Beijing is pursing 100 wanted Chinese in different countries, with the help of the international police organization, INTERPOL.

Information about and photographs of the wanted Chinese nationals has been posted on an Interpol "Red List" since 2015, part of China's focus on catching the fugitives and recovering stolen assets.

Since 2014, Biao Ren, who is named on the Interpol "Wanted" list, has been living on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis - a small two-island Caribbean state of 269.4 square kilometers with just over 50,000 people - where he had acquired "economic citizenship" in 2013.

Before being named on the Interpol "Red List," the fleeing Chinese had bought his "economic citizenship" of the quiet Caribbean nation through its controversial Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), which invites overseas nationals to invest small sums and qualify for automatic citizenship - including a Kittitian passport.

Ren is accused in China of stealing over US$100 million through "dozens of false contracts and over 200 false deals through more than 20 companies in his control." He's also accused of milking "hundreds of millions of loans from several banks and hundreds of millions in cash from friends and relatives."

In May 2014, less than a year after acquiring his Kittitian passport, Interpol issued a specific "Red Notice" for him.

But despite informing the island-nation's authorities of his flight schedule details from London and requesting their arrest on arrival, Ren (plus his wife and daughter) not only landed without interference, but have been living in the Federation with the in-built protection of Kittitian law.

St. Kitts and Nevis does not have ties with China and its government is standing behind the wanted Chinese nationals, leading to allegations it's harboring the fugitives.

In a related official statement issued in the Caribbean in early May, Beijing told Basseterre its refusal to cooperate with Interpol in the Ren matter risks making the country "the first choice of criminals to elude legal judgment."

China also invited the Basseterre administration to "work with the Chinese government to seize and repatriate the criminal suspect to China as soon as possible, in order to prevent St. Kitts and Nevis being a safe haven for criminals."

The island's government authorities insist on underlining that there is no mutual extradition treaty between China and St. Kitts and Nevis. But as United Nations (UN) member-states and in the interest of combating international crime, China and Interpol expect the Caribbean state to cooperate.

St. Kitts and Nevis is caught between a rock and a hard place.

CIP programs have been attracting juicy funds to the smaller Caribbean islands - like Dominica, Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis - where investment sums required are relatively cheap in comparison to other regional states with similar programs by other names.

But while most approved applicants are on the right side of the law, the Caribbean CIPs are also being targeted by shady characters unable to travel widely on their own passports, or who wish to flee from justice in their countries of origin.

The USA and other Western nations also claim to fear use of these programs by "terrorists" to acquire passports to enter countries destined for attack.

The St. Kitts and Nevis CIP program has already been tarnished by unsavory characters who have been intercepted at airports in Canada, the USA and Europe with "diplomatic, official and regular" Kittitian CIP passports.

The attractiveness of the Caribbean's economic citizenship passports includes guarantees of equal rights to holders as citizens in all CARICOM member-states and visa-free entry into over one hundred nations worldwide.

All CIP programs include special clauses that require the host countries' authorities to cooperate with international agencies, including Interpol, to verify the criminal character record and other related business-performance claims submitted by applicants.

In the case of St. Kitts and Nevis, the original country of origin of the holder is withheld, thus protecting those holders who do not want their real country of origin traced. However, this practice was roundly criticized, especially by the U.S. and Canada, which demanded they be withdrawn.

According to records provided by Canadian Bank Note - the company that produces passports for most of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, including St. Kitts and Nevis - all of 15,197 regular passports, 91 diplomatic and 39 official passports were issued without the country of birth field under the previous Denzil Douglas government.

The absence of the "Country of Origin" field in the Kittitian CIP passports was the main reason cited by Canada for revoking the visa-free status of St. Kitts and Nevis passports on November 22, 2014.

In March 2017, Prime Minister Timothy Harris announced his government would revoke all the 15,327 passports issued without the "Country of Origin" field by the preceding administration and the holders would have to reapply for new ones - at a new cost.

As pressure from China and Interpol mounted for Ren's arrest and repatriation to Beijing earlier this month, Harris indicated there would be further investigations.

Then, at a weekly press conference in mid-May, the prime minister surprisingly announced that Ren's passport, along with that of his wife and child, were among those revoked.

"They don't have a St Kitts and Nevis passport on which they could travel," he said.

He also disclosed the Chinese had recently reapplied for the passports, but "the Ministry of National Security has not issued any passports and they do not have a valid St Kitts and Nevis passport."

Harris said the decision to revoke the economic citizenship passports was taken as "an imperative to safeguard the integrity of our passport, to comply with international best practices, and to satisfy our commitment to being a responsible member of the international community."

Interestingly, however, the Kittitian government has not yet indicated how it will respond to China's request and Interpol's demands for Ren's arrest and return.

Meanwhile, with China's anti-corruption drive remaining in top gear at home and abroad, accused fraudsters fleeing justice for financial crimes can rest assured of being pursued by Beijing wherever in the world they are known to be, irrespective of whatever temporary protections they may have bought over time.

Earl Bousquet is a contributor to china.org.cn, editor-at-large of The Diplomatic Courier and author of an online regional newspaper column entitled Chronicles of a Chronic Caribbean Chronicler.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
With unspoiled beaches, ancient fishing villages, hundreds of serene islands covered with dense greenery and a national park with a diverse range of wild species, the Cat Ba Archipelago is truly a hidden gem for those in love with natural beauty. Hong Van reports.

Kayaking through the crystal waters of Lan Ha, a small bay lying to the northeast of Cat Ba Archipelago, 30 kilometres from the port city of Hai Phong, one has the opportunity to glimpse the white-headed langur, a species endemic to the archipelago and now found nowhere else on earth.

The Cat Ba langur, as it is commonly called, often sleeps in the caves and seeks food around the mountains  leaves, fresh shoots, flowers, tree barks and some fruits that are not palatable to humans. Visitors, therefore, can have a chance to see them as they travel among the islands.

There are currently just 60 langur individuals left, and the animals are known to only live on the islands of Cat Ba, according to the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project.

The langur has become a symbol for the archipelago. The Cat Ba langur population is scattered around the islands in several isolated sub-populations. Some of these include all-female groups with no access to males and are therefore non-reproducing social units, according to the project.

On the water: Neahga Leonard (Second, Right), manager of Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project went on a field trip to study the conditions of the Cat Ba langur. Cat Ba archipelago is under the close management of Cat Ba National Park, the Management Board of Cat Ba Bay and the Management Board of Cat Ba Heritage.

Besides the langur, the Cat Ba Archipelago has more than 3,800 other species of insular and marine fauna and flora. Among them, 130 rare species are named in the Viet Nam and World Red Lists, among which, 76 species are found in the rare category of the IUCN, and 21 species are endemic.

With the rich values of natural beauty and biodiversity of the Cat Ba archipelago and shared marine ecosystem with world heritage Ha Long Bay, Hai Phong City is working with Quang Ninh Province to finalise a dossier to nominate Ha Long-Cat Ba as an expanded World Heritage Site.

Ha Long-Cat Ba is currently on the Tentative List at UNESCO and the application will be sent to the Viet Nam cultural agency by February next year.

The Cat Ba Archipelago is a highly bio-diverse centre with several especially rare species which have universal value. It is considered the most bio-diverse area in Viet Nam, said professor o Cong Thung from the Institute of Marine and Environment Resources in a leadership meeting held by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Hai Phong on May 5.

We recognise the unprecedented joint efforts of the two localities [Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City] in collaborating to renominate Ha Long-Cat Ba. The biodiversity is no longer restrained in the territorial limit, said Pham Ngoc Thanh Huong, Culture Specialist from UNESCO Viet Nam, at the meeting.

The Ha Long-Cat Ba Archipelago extension will be considered under two criteria aesthetic value and geomorphic and physiographic value, and additionally two bio-diversity criteria, for a new World Heritage Site (WHS) nomination.

UNESCO has 10 criteria for selecting a WHS. Six of them are for cultural sites and the other four are for natural sites. To be added to the list, a site must be of "outstanding universal value" in at least one criterion.

Save the forest: There are currently different layers of environmental protection in Cat Ba, which include a biosphere reserve with a core zone, buffer zone and transition zone and a national park with special use area.

In 1994, Ha Long Bay was inscribed as a natural WHS under the criterion of aesthetic value and geology.

The combined area of Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago is over 770 square kilometres, in which Ha Long Bay World Heritage accounts for 434 sq.km including 775 islands and islets.

The Cat Ba Archipelago is under close management of the three bodies  Cat Ba National Park, the Management Board of Cat Ba Bay and the Management Board of Cat Ba Heritage.

There are currently different layers of environmental protection in Cat Ba, which include a biosphere reserve with a core zone, buffer zone and transition zone and a national park with special use area. Each has specific management requirements and policies, according to Thung.

Taking the langur as an example. This species, listed as endangered, live mostly in seven areas in Cat Ba; therefore, the Hai Phong authorities have made these seven areas strictly protected and bans any activities that may cause harm to the living and breeding of langur, said Thung.

The langur is a very sensitive species. If they smell humans nearby, or even from a kilometre away, they hide themselves or run away, not to mention the effect that construction activities have on the animals. It is necessary to limit development projects here, said Nguyen Hoang Tri.

Mass tourism  not the ultimate purpose of nomination

"Most locations enjoy a tourism boom after being recognised by UNESCO. But it is crucial to note that increasing tourism, especially mass tourism, is not the main aim of nomination," said Huong.

Viet Nam tends to draw more tourists while some other places are trying to cut down on the number of tourists or even stop tourism entirely, like Santorini (Greece), Koh Khai Nok (Thailand), Machu Pichu (Peru) or the whole of Bhutan, according to Cat Ba Langur Conservation projects manager, Neahga Leonard.

Currently, Cat Ba welcomes around 1.7 million tourists per year, already more than the number of tourists that many of these other places get. Cat Ba is estimated to have 5-6 million tourists by 2020 and 8 to 10 million by 2030.

The ultimate purpose of nomination is not for tourism. Normally, we get the title, the site becomes famous and we draw more tourists. Yet we are making a big mistake, not only in Cat Ba, but in nine biosphere areas and five world heritage sites in Viet Nam, said Nguyen Hoang Tri, general secretary of Viet Nam National Committee for the UNESCO Programme "Man and Biosphere".

The tourism industry is only a means towards sustainable development. Sometimes, we seem to turn the means into the purpose, leaving cement structures, and not natural beauty, as the legacy for future generations. It is tourism based on community that should be encouraged and invested in, said Tri.

Sometimes, we forget the main aim of nomination, which is to conserve the site. Once the site is nominated, the country has to put in place national responsibility and commitment to preserve the site for the international community, said Bai.

Cycle of life: According to experts, Cat Ba should not develop mass tourism. It is tourism based on the community that should be encouraged and invested in.

Conservation, a core driver of UNESCO recognition

Besides mass tourism development, construction projects in Cat Ba are also a big concern for non-governmental organisations and the conservation community.

A high-end ecological tourism project was launched in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong on May 14th.

Though the project is implemented outside the core zone of the biosphere reserve, the conservation community has concerns about its impact on the environment and biodiversity of the region. This project and others of its kind must be undertaken in a very careful manner.

UNESCO has strict rules on the presence of projects inside WHS that threaten its outstanding universal values. We are confident that the relevant authorities will put in place a planning process that ensures that tourism does not threaten these values, said Acting Country Representative of IUCN Viet Nam, Jake Brunner.

Many of Viet Nams most beautiful coastal areas, including Cat Ba, are being targeted for large-scale tourism development. Viet Nam badly needs investment in tourism but this must be done in ways that dont damage whats so special about these places, keeps tourists coming back, and sustains jobs and revenue over the long term, said Brunner.

As per the 1972 world heritage convention of UNESCO, "the major aim of nomination is to put the property into an international framework of protection," said Huong.

Nomination is not only a matter of seeking an international title, but to preserve the property, to allow future generations to enjoy it, along with the natural and cultural resources that the country has to offer. This is the aim of world heritage recognition, she added.

Tourists come here because Viet Nam has a number of unique qualities that no other place has, especially its natural beauty and culture; and those things are sensitive, once they are damaged, we cant get them back, said Leonard.

Development on this line needs to be taken in a careful and cautious manner.

Cat Ba has a number of unique and special characteristics, especially natural beauty, biodiversity and endemic species, which are the very reasons [Viet Nam] is considering the expanded WHS nomination.

We need to be very careful not to damage these particular aspects of Cat Ba, said Leonard.

The key thing here is that there is no conflict between conservation and development and tourism. People in the conservation community understand very clearly the need for development and tourism. We encourage and support it but development and tourism should be done in a long-term, responsible and sustainable manner, a manner that follows laws and international guidelines, said Leonard.

We can learn from the Trang An case [nomination for Trang An in Ninh Binh Province as a World Heritage Site]  working with investors for sustainable development, persuading them to narrow their projects [in protected areas], said director of Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Conservation Fund, and representative of Viet Nam National Committee of UNESCO, ang Van Bai.

A few years ago, when we were discussing the nomination of Trang An as World Heritage site, some disagreed with the nomination, but one of my points was that if Trang An is not nominated, then the limestone mountains in Ninh Binh [where the site is located] would disappear over the next five years due to rock quarrying in the area, said Bai.

After Trang An was recognised, the quarries were forced to halt operations and miners moved to other areas.

This is an example of UNESCOs active contribution to protecting and preserving WHS.

In the end, protecting heritage and pushing the economy is just a means to our ultimate goal of sustainable development, for our country and for the next generation.

It is crucial that we do not sacrifice heritage for economic benefit, yet we also should not let development be hindered by heritage. VNS
HA NOI  China intends to help Viet Nam reduce its trade deficit by importing more goods from Viet Nam and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods in the market, Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan told President Tran ai Quang in Ha Noi on Saturday.

Zhong also said the Chinese Government encouraged local businesses to invest in Viet Nam and strengthen partnership with Vietnamese firms in high technology.

On his visit to China last week, Quang stressed his countrys desire for more balanced trade with the worlds second largest economy. Viet Nams trade deficit towards China was $25.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2016, a significant decrease since 2014 and 2015s over $40 billion.

At the reception for Zhong, the President emphasised that Viet Nam attached importance to expanding and improving economic, trade and investment cooperation with China, benefiting the people of both countries.

Lauding the positive growth of the Viet Nam -China strategic partnership, especially in the economy, trade and investment, he noted that China was Viet Nams largest trade partner, while Viet Nam had become Chinas largest ASEAN trade partner.

He said that during his China visit from May 11-15, leaders of the two countries reached understandings on major measures to strengthen political trust, foster cooperation, and maintain a healthy development of bilateral ties.

The President praised Chinas pledge to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agro-fishery, food product, electronics and coal exports.

He suggested that China provide more favourable conditions for the clearance of goods at border gates to boost economic growth and improve living conditions for residents of the border areas of both sides.

The two countries should urge businesses of both sides to promptly deal with obstacles facing joint projects, he said, adding that both countries should also share ideas on improving production capacity and building cross-border economic zones.

For his part, Zhong Shan affirmed that China greatly valued the development of ties with Vietnam. He briefed the host on his meeting with Viet Nams Minister of Industry and Trade on measures to implement high-level agreements reached by leaders of the two Parties and State. -VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Government will facilitate conditions for Japanese investment in Viet Nam to promote friendship and co-operation between the two countries, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in Ha Noi on Saturday at a meeting with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko.

Seko is in Viet Nam for the 23rd Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT 23) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Prime Minister Phuc also spoke highly of the exchange activities between the two countries, especially the first visit to Viet Nam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress that marked a milestone in friendship between the two sides.

He also asked relevant organisations from both sides to discuss promotion of farm produce imports and exports, contributing to increasing two-way trade which is not commensurate with the two countries potential.

Minister Hiroshige Seko said the Japanese government and people wanted Prime Minister Phuc to pay an official visit to the country, pledging that his ministry would make contributions to the success of the Vietnamese leaders visit. -VNS
HA NOI - PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Saturday for US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer who is in Viet Nam for a meeting of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Viet Nam and the US had enjoyed sound trade relations with robust achievements, the PM said, adding that Viet Nam supports free trade on the basis of fairness and mutual benefits and treasures economic relations with the US.

He highlighted the crucial US role in the Asia-Pacific regions economic co-operation, hoping the US would promote its cooperation activities, particularly in economy and trade, to contribute to regional and global prosperity.

In a meeting with the US-ASEAN Business Council, numerous US companies expressed interest in doing business in Viet Nam thanks to local authorities favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, he said.

The Government leader spoke highly of the close coordination with the United States on hosting events of APEC 2017.

For his part, Lighthizer underlined that Viet Nam is his first destination as the US Trade Representative, adding that the US always attaches importance to trade and economic development with the Southeast Asian country.

Extending his thanks to PM Phuc for his significant contributions to boosting trade cooperation between the two countries, Lighthizer said the Vietnamese leaders upcoming visit to the US would elevate collaboration between the two sides.

He promised to cooperate with Vietnamese authorities to enhance cooperation projects, helping develop bilateral trade and economic ties.-VNS
A NANG  Nearly 100 firemen and 15 trucks were called to stamp out a fire at an electronics shop in Ngu Hanh Son District early yesterday.

The fire started at around 6am and it took firemen nearly two hours to extinguish it. Damage to property was extensive but there were no injuries because the store was closed.

Last month, a fire at a house in Ngu Hanh Son district killed three family members. At least four fires occurred in the city since last month.

On Saturday, a car with a Nang plates overturned on Truong Sa Street in Ngu Hanh Son District after colliding with a motorbike coming from the opposite direction. The motorbike driver broke his leg, while four car passengers were lightly wounded.

Police say at least eight cars were vandalized in the citys downtown districts of Hai Chau and Thanh Khe on Saturday night, having their windows smashed by bricks.

The police has been monitoring the citys security camera system to try and find the vandals.  VNS
Vietnamese youth find there is more to Switzerland than snow-covered Alps, luxurious watches and good chocolate. The country also offers the best hospitality education in the world. Hong Minh reports.

As more and more Vietnamese students choose to study abroad every year, their horizons are widening to include unlikely destinations, far away from mainstream places like the US and the UK.

When 18-year-old Le Thi An Khanh left her family in HCM City and took a long flight to Montreux in Switzerland three years ago, she had no idea what to expect. There were not many peers who could fill her in.

Today, Khanh has finished six of her seven terms, and thinks she made the best choice of her life when she opted to study hospitality management at the Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM).

I was just graduating from high school at that time and I didnt know what to do next, she recalls, Since my family owns a private hotel, I thought I should learn something about the business.

The average tuition range for foreign students, compared to other institutions in Switzerland, and the offer of a discount owing to the fact that the family owned a hotel, were factors that helped Khanh choose the school.

Learning here has changed me. My perception and views have widened, Khanh said, adding having people from over 110 countries on the campus taught her a lot of soft skills and engage in intense social networking.

The icing on the cake was the hotel-like campus with a direct view of Lake Geneva and the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps.

Unlike Khanh, Nguyen Xuan Linh, 25, has no family ties to the hospitality industry. He shares Khanhs feelings about having made a great choice to study finance management in Switzerland at the Swiss Hotel Management School, which is located in the idyllic, mountainside village of Caux.

Linh, in his second year, is enjoying life on campus, with castle-shaped buildings that evokes images of a Harry Potter world. From the historic 1902-built Caux Palace, Linh and his friends can watch the Swiss Riviera and relax after classes.

Studying here in the Caux Palace campus gives us a peaceful learning environment. The social life is also great, with international students from more than 80 countries, Linh said.

Feast of knowledge: Hosting, organising and serving guests at banquets are also in the learning programme for students.  VNS Photo Hong Minh

In increasing numbers, Vietnamese youth are discovering the value of studying in Switzerland, long renowned for top notch hospitality education.

According to the Swiss Education Group (SEG), a leading hospitality education group in Switzerland, some 69.2 per cent of the foreign students are from the greater Asia-Pacific region, and the numbers from Viet Nam have been increasing. The group welcomed the first Vietnamese students in 1998 and since then, 30-40 go there every year.

SEG has five schools, the Hotel Institute Montreux, Swiss Hotel Management School, IHTTI School of Hotel Management, Cesar Ritz Colleges and the Culinary Arts Academy, which train students in buildings that used to be hotels  the perfect setting.

The students get to stay in real hotel rooms with eligibility to enjoy luxurious rooms based on a first come, first served basis.

Studying in schools which are exactly like five-star hotels is the perfect way for students to learn by doing. It is a real professional experience, said Linh.

Besides the traditional school equipment, students enrolling in SEG schools are given iPads upon admission so that they can use e-books to study. Like other international campuses, there are a variety of sporting options to keep oneself healthy and fit.

The good facilities also require students to put in serious effort in all areas.

Linh, focusing on finance, said all students have to learn everything, from the basics of fine dining, in the first year to theoretical studies in management, finances, marketing and all related subjects.

Before coming here, I knew nothing about setting tables, arranging the dishes, forks and spoons. I had not even thought about the importance of making beds and rooms. I had to learn all that from scratch, he said.

During their undergrad days, students get involved in organising and hosting banquets, tea parties and making cocktails.

It is also good for students to learn a second or even third foreign language besides English, so that they can get opportunities for internship every year.

Opportunities aplenty

Getting paid internships every academic year is also a part of the learning by doing method followed at SEG colleges.

The students can find the opportunities by themselves or consult their schools. To further support the students, the International Recruitment Forum is held every March and October, and 300 representatives of over 130 international companies working in hospitality industry meet and interview students at these invents.

Linh said that his internships at restaurants and hotels in Switzerland and Belgium helped him understand the industry much better.

Tran Ngoc Hang, a third-year student at the Neuchatel-based IHTTI School of Hotel Management, also said that getting an internship was not just a challenge, but a huge opportunity, that could open doors wider to a career.

Because she scored well during her second year, Hang was given an internship at the five-star Beaches Negril Resort and Spa in Jamaica.

While most interns are normally assigned to the food and beverage or housekeeping section, I was lucky to be in cross-training, which allowed me to learn a lot and gain experience in different sections during internship, Hang said. She did not just improve her hospitality skills, she also got acquainted with Caribbean culture.

In her third year, Hang got a paid internship at an office of the worlds leading concierge service, Les Concierges John Paul, in Miami, Florida.

For doing well, Hang was also given an important role in the students association and was selected to represent her school at One Young World, a preeminent global forum for young leaders aged 18-30, in Ottawa, Canada, last year.

I have to say that studying here has opened up a lot of great opportunities for me, Hang said.

Chu Minh, a graduate from the Swiss Hotel Management School in 2008, said the skills he learned at his school, like multi-tasking and thinking globally have added great value to his previous experience in finance and economics, leading him to important positions in hospitality groups after returning to Viet Nam.

He now runs the Hospitality Tourism Solutions Group.

For students who are considering studying hospitality, I would tell them that it is the industry of the future. It offers fast growth, a challenging and dynamic working environment and many promotion opportunities, Minh said.

So this is worth engaging and investing in. Identify your goals in advance. Set up your plans carefully. Choose the best school for your study. Finally, always think positively, he said.

Khanh, studying at the Hotel Institute Montreux, said her first internship in a South Korean restaurant in Geneva helped her earn more than 2,000 Swiss franc (around US$2,000) a month. Her second internship was with Sofitel Sai Gon Plaza, for which she received just $50 a month.

Despite that, I still want to return to Viet Nam and probably help with my family business. I think Viet Nam has a lot of potential and I can put the knowledge and skills Ive learnt in Switzerland to good use here.  VNS
C.F. company

earns honors

CEDAR FALLS  Z&Z Medical Inc. of Cedar Falls earned two awards at the annual Vision Imaging Partners National Convention.

The convention was held May 11-13 in New Orleans. Z&Z was awarded first place for 2016 sales and third place for dealer compliance. Vision Imaging Partners is an organization made up of 60 independent radiology dealers and 40 radiology wholesalers and manufacturers.

Party to be held for FFA adviser

NASHUA  A retirement party for FFA instructor Ron Zelle will be from 1 to 4 p.m. June 3 at the Borlaug Learning Center, 3327 290th St., west of Nashua. A short program honoring Zelle will begin at 3 p.m.

Zelle has been a member of the Nashua-Plainfield teaching staff for 34 years. He has been the ag instructor, FFA adviser and industrial technology teacher at various times in his career.

State Bank hosts cooking events

WAVERLY  State Bank is again planning to hold a series of Cookin for a Cause events and is asking for local charities to submit their request applications.

Request applications can be found at www.statebankia.com or can be picked up at any bank location prior to the May 31 deadline.

Cookin for a Cause allows community members to enjoy a lunch with a freewill donation to a selected charity. In turn, the bank will match contributions up to $500 for each event.

Since its inception in 2012, the events have raised more than $35,000 for 19 local charities.

HCC receives $6,000 grant

WEST DES MOINES  The Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation for Education awarded $6,000 to Hawkeye Community College as part of its ongoing efforts to support automotive education in the state.

The grant will be used to purchase a Robinair Air Conditioning Recovery Recharge machine. This equipment will allow students to gain experience using the newest technology in air conditioning refrigerants.

Tech expert leads workshop

WATERLOO  The Cedar Valley Nonprofit Association will host a workshop for both nonprofit and for profit organizations. The program, called Lean Experimentation Workshop  Agile, Lean, Sprints and Radical Transparency: Launching a Nonprofit with Tools from the World of Tech Startups, will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. June 1.

The workshop, led by Eric Engelmann, executive director of Cedar Rapids based nonprofit NewBoCo, will be held at the Philanthropy Center, US Bank Building, 425 Cedar St.

Engelmann will discuss transferring strategies and techniques of the technology sector to transform nonprofit management and planning.

Engelmann also is founder of Geonetric, a health care web development and creative services agency, and is a board member at Scrum Alliance, the Technology Association of Iowa and GO Cedar Rapids.

The workshop is free to CVNA members and $25 for nonmembers. Go to cedarvalleynonprofitassociation.com to RSVP for this workshop and to find membership information.

Decorah home to E15 station

JOHNSTON  When Decorah residents fuel up at the local Decorah Mart, they now have the opportunity to E15.

E15 and E85 are growing in popularity in Iowa and we want our customers to have these high-quality fuel choices, said Craig Patel, manager of Decorah Mart.

Decorah Mart, located at 303 College Drive, is the first gas station in Decorah to offer E15 and E85.E15 is a fuel made of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent petroleum and is approved for all 2001 and newer vehicles.

Field day slated

to strip-till farm

HOLLAND  Cover crops and strip-tillage are two practices farmers can use to minimize erosion, boost soil health and reduce nutrients entering waterways  and combining the two can augment their benefits.

Fred Abels has been strip-tilling for more than 10 years, using homemade equipment and incorporating cover crops into his row crop and livestock farm near Holland.

He will share his experience at a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day he is hosting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 8 in Holland. The event  Strip-Till and Cover Crop Field Day  is being held in partnership with Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and will start with dinner, featuring beef burgers provided by PT Grillers in Morrison, in the shelter at the Holland City Park (located near the intersection of Fourth Avenue N and Main Street).

The field day is free and open to all, but RSVPs are requested for the meal. Contact Liz Juchems at (515) 294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
 Flash

A foreign girl poses for photo at Fun Capital in Beijing's suburban Changping District on May 20. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

More than 100 expats, adults and children from 11 countries had a day of fun at Fun Capital in Beijing's suburban Changping District on May 20 through the latest session of Beijing Salon -- Experience Beijing.

Fun Capital is a large commercial district consisting of an amusement park, Timeless Beijing, an Outlets shopping center and a five-star hotel, the latter expected to be operational later this year. The expats were given a guided tour, including free rides, of the amusement park before being free to shop.

Taking expat groups to the commercial district is an innovation of Beijing Salon, which, apart from offering hands-on experience of traditional Chinese culture, also seeks to promote local tourism resources among the foreign community in the capital.

Last November, Beijing Salon took some 50 expats on a daytrip to experience a suburban hot spring to promote the local bath culture to the international community working in Beijing.

Fun Capital takes pride in its "mingling of an international perspective and Chinese cultural elements," which Liu Pengfei, assistant to the companys general manager, has stressed on different occasions.

Dr. Eugenia Bellova, wife of the Slovak ambassador to China, praised how the rides in Timeless Beijing managed to incorporate traditional Chinese cultural elements into the latest technologies. "Pleasantly surprised," she said it was a memorable experience and something comparable to Disneyland worldwide.

She has only been in Beijing for some two months, but she expressed hopes to take extensive tours in the Chinese capital while she and her husband are stationed here.

She added that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is a solution to the tensions in the world, because China has the power to reunify the world by offering win-win cooperation to countries along the Belt and Road.
WATERLOO  Iowans have been making emotional appeals to Congress to keep the Affordable Care Act since Republicans  who had vowed for seven years to repeal the law  were sworn in for the 2017 term.

Their efforts kicked into high gear after the House narrowly passed the American Health Care Act on May 4 to dismantle the ACA, largely known as Obamacare.

But it isnt just health care users who have been speaking out against the attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare. Providers, too, have concerns, particularly with the AHCA as passed.

I do think its hard sometimes for people who have always had the luxury of having coverage to understand what its like to not, and its not necessarily a situation that you can personally control, said Jennifer Lightbody, executive director of Peoples Community Health Clinic in Waterloo.

Lightbody said if the bill passes that rolls back coverage for people who get insurance through the newly expanded Medicaid and the marketplace, then there isnt a system, and people just depend on luck or advocacy or charity care to get done what they need to do, and that really is not a meaningful way to provide health care in this country.

Peoples Clinic is hardly the only organization with concerns about the health care proposal. Patient advocacy groups and providers also have opposed the AHCA in its various forms.

Biggest concern

Both the Iowa Primary Care Association, of which Peoples Clinic is a member, and the Iowa Hospital Association say their primary concern is the fate of the ACAs Medicaid expansion.

It would decimate the program across the country, and here in Iowa, by rolling back the Medicaid expansion that Iowa approved along with about 30 other states over the last few years, Scott McIntyre, vice president of communications at IHA, said about the AHCA.

Obamacare made adults without children who live at 133 percent of the poverty line eligible for coverage through Medicaid.

In Iowa, that meant about 138,500 people newly eligible for coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Lightbody said Black Hawk County experienced a 42.7 percent increase in people covered by Medicaid between 2010 and 2017.

The AHCA would restructure Medicaid and effectively end the expansion, though the legislation could still change in the U.S. Senate.

McIntyre said the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion was meant in part to limit charity care costs. In Iowa, charity care costs decreased by $88.4 million for Iowa hospitals between 2014 and 2015. The ACA passed in 2010, but several provisions, including the Medicaid expansion and marketplaces, did not fully roll out until 2014.

The thing about charity care that you have to keep in mind is obviously its not free; the hospitals have to offset that somehow, and they offset it through what they charge people who do have insurance, McIntyre said. In that way, were all paying for folks who are uninsured one way or another.

Lightbody said the expansion has freed up time for Peoples Clinic staff, including physicians, to see patients rather than bargaining with hospitals to see which would treat an uninsured patient who needed care for, say, breast cancer. Because they are now insured its easier to find treatment. Lightbody said that is double good news because those patients also now access preventive care that may prevent such conditions in the first place.

Both McIntyre and Lightbody also note concerns with the marketplace  for people who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare and dont have health insurance through their employer  because Iowas providers are expected to drop out in 2018.

At Peoples Clinic, its a lesser concern as 4 percent of its patients get insurance through the marketplace. But across the state, about 51,500 Iowans got insurance through the marketplace in 2017.

Access to health care services is what is top of mind for UnityPoint Health, said Sabra Rosener, vice president for government and external affairs at UnityPoint Health. In some of our markets, we are looking at a situation, in 2018, where some of our patients will have no insurance plan options available to them, which is a big problem.

Positive changes

Lightbody and McIntyre are quick to note the Affordable Care Act is not perfect. Their hope, though, would be for tweaks around the edges rather than a repeal that decreases the number of people insured.

Both said the goal should be to ensure most people are covered, leading to stability for patients and providers.

Our system of health care is set up and based on people being insured; thats how it works best, McIntyre said.

Between 2013 and 2016 in Black Hawk County, there was a 9 percent decrease in the number of uninsured. Statewide, since the ACA was fully enacted, uninsured rates have dropped from 8 percent in 2013 to 5 percent in 2015, according to the most recent data available.

Another concern is stability and certainty in health care.

Lightbody said patients and employees have concerns about what will happen with the AHCA. Theres also uncertainty about funding for Peoples Clinic when a federal grant it typically receives comes up for renewal this year.

We just need to convince Congress and whatever legislation comes out that its stable and predictable reimbursement for hospitals, because theres a lot going on in health care right now, McIntyre said.
FAIRBANK  Mother Nature didnt seem to know what to do with the winter of 2017: One day it was 20 degrees, then it was in the 60s for a week before plummeting back down to freezing levels.

But in the newly-renovated Wapsie Valley High School greenhouse in late winter, it was always a mild summertime temperature  students in the Independent Study in Agriculture class made sure of it.

The warm temperature and humidity levels are controlled and regulated by students, who are growing a variety of plants in their spacious new greenhouse behind the school.

Our greenhouse was in very poor shape, because it was old, said instructor Ellen Doese.

The original greenhouse was built in 2000, secured by parents and community members. It had its issues in later years, including electrical problems.

This whole south wall, the breakers would keep breaking, said senior Conner Jones, greenhouse manager. Within five hours, youd run into problems.

It was a lot harder to keep the temperature the same, Youd either lose the heat, or it would be 90 degrees, said Wapsie Valley junior and co-manager Austin Schares.

The new greenhouse, which went online officially this year, was funded primarily by the Friends of Wapsie Valley FFA with help from other groups, like Wapsie Pines and community donations.

A lot of this equipment, its not cheap, said Carson Woods, a junior who is planning to go into an agriculture-related field after graduation. Support helps a lot.

That support has resulted in a greenhouse with computer-controlled temperature and watering systems, and plenty of space for classes to grow.

Its quite the set-up, and students didnt necessarily get all the variables right the first time. Thats part of the process, said Doese, noting her hands-off approach helps students gain confidence.

Its very student-directed  this is their project, she said.

Those students are led by Jones and Schares, who oversee the projects of several dozen students who rotate in and out of the greenhouse.

Some classes grow a few smaller plants, watered via a drip system on a timer.

Some of the plants are very frail  thats why we cant use the overhead (watering) system, said Landen Kuhlmann, a junior.

You also cant get the foliage wet, Schares said. Its like putting a baby to bed with a wet diaper, is the analogy.

Other projects show off the potential for both students and greenhouse. In one corner is a barrel of 180 hydroponically-grown Roma and beefsteak tomato plants. With the potential of six tomatoes per plant, the students plan is to donate to their own school as well as to nearby food banks, and potentially sell the leftovers to grocery stores.

In another corner theyre trying a different growing experiment aquaponically-grown lettuce. Students start the lettuce from seed in absorbent cubes, then transplant inch-high plants on floating pallets in aerated water fed by the waste of seven tilapia in separate tanks connected by tubes.

The lettuce is a big hit in the school cafeteria  students harvest about every three weeks, they said.

Theres a difference in fresh lettuce  everyone can tell the difference, Jones said. This is the best burger leaf.

The difference between hydroponic and aquaponic is simply whether youre using chemical fertilizer or natural, said the students  their fish-fed lettuce vs. chemically-fertilized tomatoes, for example. Each plant is being grown in its ideal way.

You wouldnt have enough nitrogen (aquaponically) to grow these tomatoes, Jones said.

Its cleaner and efficient  youre not dealing with dirt, said Woods.

The greenhouse has a lot of unused space, which means the students are looking toward their future. They want bigger fish tanks, a hanging system for plants, another pump so they can grow more aquaponic vegetables like basil, spinach and kale  the list kept growing.

Thats the big thing about building this, said Kuhlmann. Learning about budgeting, and preparing for expenses.

But the students and Doese were quick to thank their community partners in the enterprise so far  including the Friends group, Wapsie Pines, FarmTech, the high school and the community.

Without support, theres no way wed be able to do this, said Kuhlmann.

And thats leading to more excitement for the ag classes, said Doese.

The kids are living chemistry and physics and math and environmental science, she said. Were all learning as we go. You think youve got it all figured out, but you dont.
STEM Camp registration due

FAYETTE  The registration deadline for the annual Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Camp at Upper Iowa Universitys Fayette Campus is Friday. The 2017 event will be held June 19-21 at the Fayette campus.

While working alongside University professors and undergraduate students, STEM Camp participants will be provided hands-on experiences. The three-day camp includes the following project areas: Bird is the Word, CSI, Explore the Microscopic World, Cyber Camp and Heart Beats.

The camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is open to all students currently in grades 5-8. Space is limited. For more information about the project areas, cost and registration, contact Dr. William Jones, UIU assistant professor of biology, at jonesw@uiu.edu.

Childrens zoo

opens Saturday

WATERLOO  The Sunrise Childrens Zoo, located on the National Cattle Congress Grounds, will open for its 43rd season Saturday and will remain open through Sept. 17.

The zoo, owned and operated by the Sunrise Exchange Club of Waterloo, is a chance for kids and adults of all ages to interact with a variety of farm animals. Admission is free.

Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The zoo is closed Mondays.

For more information call, Brad Condon, zoo director, at 239-4162.

Fundraiser set

for Bark Park

WAVERLY  A Bark Park fundraiser is being planned from 5 to 8 p.m. May 31 at the Waverly Pizza Ranch.

All tips and a portion of the sales will go toward funding improvements at the Waverly Bark Park. Volunteers from Waverly Off Leash Friends (WOLF) will serve that night. Funds raised will go toward agility equipment and drainage issues.

If interested in volunteering, contact Waverly Leisure Services by Wednesday.

Blood drive

set in Waverly

WAVERLY  There will be a Waverly community blood drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Waverly Civic Center.

To make an appointment, go to lifeservebloodcenter.org or call (800) 287-4903.

Orphan trains

topic of event

WATERLOO  Santha Kerns is the guest speaker at the Cedar Valley Historical Society meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Grout Museum of History and Science, 503 South St.

Kerns will discuss the Orphan Trains. Through research, she discovered her mother, who was born in New York, was place in an orphanage at an early age and was sent on an Orphan Train to Iowa. Kerns will discuss how she tracked down this information, why the Orphan Trains were created and the ramifications.

All programs are open to the public. Program admission fees are $3 for adults and $2 for children. New members always are welcome. Anyone interested in becoming a member or learning more about upcoming programs should contact Nancy Crammond at 404-8302.

Open house set

at health center

WATERLOO  Peer Support Recovery Center of Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center at UnityPoint-Allen will host an open house from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

It will be at 626 Commercial St. (the former location of Iowa Hospice).

RiverLoop music series to begin

WATERLOO  The Waterloo Center for the Arts 2017 RiverLoop Rhythms Concert Series will kick off with the Spicy Pickles from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Admission is free, with food and beverages available for purchase.

Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles jazz band is a Denver-based vintage jazz band devoted to revitalizing swing music and dance.

Prairie walk

set Saturday

CEDAR FALLS  The Cedar Prairie Group of the Sierra Club will sponsor a prairie walk on Saturday at the Wolters Prairie Preserve in Clarksville.

Those wanting to attend should meet at the Thunder Ridge Mall parking lot at 9:30 a.m. where there will be a car pool/caravan to the Preserve, arriving there around 10 a.m. Daryl Smith and Bruce Stiles will lead the walk and talk about prairie and plant identification. All are welcome to attend.

Other prairie walks will be June 17 at Bennington Township Cemetery and July 22 at Cedar Hills sand prairie. Contact Cheryl Hannah at 240-2702 for more information.

Quota names

new president

WATERLOO  Mary Sandberg has been chosen as president of Quota International of Waterloo for 2017-18.

Carol Toppin is the first vice president, Ann Tippett is the second vice president, Kathy Buzynski will remain as secretary and Monica Haag will remain as treasurer.

The three directors for the coming year are Oletha ODonnell, Meg Heatley and Lynne Campbell. Gail Carter, outgoing president, will be on the board as an adviser.

Quota meets the fourth Tuesday of every month. Guests and new members are welcome.

Healthy cooking course scheduled

CEDAR FALLS  Luann Alemao will host Breakfasts and Brunches, a healthy cooking course, from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Monday at UnityPoint Healths teaching kitchen, 5100 Prairie Parkway.

The event will feature Blue Zones-inspired menus, and wine tasting will be provided by Happys Wine and Spirits.

Kay Shindelar will present on the goat cheese industry and raising goats. Goat cheese sampling and cheeses will be available for purchase. Ed Bailey will make bagels and help students with techniques for making bagels.

Cost is $35 per participant and preregistration must be mailed with cash or check to: Luann Alemao and Associates, LLC, 2317 Coventry Lane, Cedar Falls 50613. For more information go to www.laanda.com, email l.alemaoassoc@cfu.net or call 266-8021.
WATERLOO  Bill Martin Harris just cant stay away from the Country View care center.

Despite retiring after working 32 years at the Black Hawk County-owned nursing home north of Waterloo, Harris was back Thursday manning an agricultural-themed bean bag toss game for residents.

I like seeing my people, so I usually volunteer here about once a week or so, said Harris, who brought along his popular dog Clarabelle. I just love it here.

Country View was underscoring the special bond between staff, volunteers and residents as part of National Nursing Home Week, a 50-year-old event recognizing the role skilled nursing centers play in caring for seniors and persons with disabilities.

It just celebrates who we are, said recreation assistant Janice Walker. This is their home and where some of them have lived for 50 years. Ive been here 23 years. Theyre my family, and I want to make it fun for them.

Frances Sykes joined other residents Thursday for the Fun on the Farm event, which included a variety of carnival-style games in the Country View community room.

Sykes reminisced between games about her time working at the former Crossroads Center Bishops Buffet. Shes now lived at Country View for 10 years.

Ive made a lot of friends since Ive been here; thats my best friend there, she said, nodding toward Country View Administrator Dennis Coleman.

Youre my best friend too, Coleman replied. Youre a very special lady.

Coleman and some of Country Views 145 residents and 180 employees were due for a little celebration after watching the county Board of Supervisors in recent months deal with the facilitys struggling financial picture.

This is the fun stuff, Coleman said. Its a time where we celebrate our residents and staff, our volunteers and visitors.

Along with the skilled nursing center, Country View also is licensed as an intermediate care facility for the intellectually disabled and has a unit for persistent mental illness.

We take care of people with mental health issues, its our niche, Coleman said. We also have much higher training levels for staff than traditional nursing homes.

County Supervisor Craig White, a longtime Country View volunteer, was busy after the event giving state Rep. Bob Kressig a tour.

Were looking for additional funding, White said. This is a wonderful place for people that have no other place.

We serve a lot of different clients out here, but theyre ordinary people to us, he said. And the staff is really great, the way they treat people.
Streets to close for repairs

WATERLOO  Two more Waterloo streets are expected to close for reconstruction this week.

Lovejoy Avenue between Frederic and Maryland avenues and West Ridge Drive from Inverness Road to 180 feet north are both scheduled to shut down Tuesday, weather permitting.

The roads are being rebuilt as part of the annual street repair program funded by a local option sales tax.

Meanwhile, the contractor is expected to close Shaulis Road at the Iowa Highway 21 intersection Monday to repair damaged pavement along the southbound lane of the highway. Through traffic will be maintained on Iowa 21 for the work, which is expected to take one day.

Also the Iowa Department of Transportation said Shaulis Road will be closed at Iowa Highway 21 for one day beginning at 8 a.m. Monday to repair a section of pavement damaged in a 2016 traffic signal and turning lane project. Highway 21 through traffic will be maintained, but both sides of Shaulis Road will be closed during the work. Signals will be placed in yellow-flashing mode at this intersection during the road repair work.

Hearst Film series continues

CEDAR FALLS  The next offering in the Hearst Centers A Thing of Beauty series is American Beauty on Tuesday.

The 1999 film is rated R and will be shown at 7 p.m. in Mae Latta Hall. Admission is free and no tickets are required. The Hearsts film series is sponsored by Far Reach.

The James & Meryl Hearst Center for the Arts is located at 304 West Seerley Boulevard in Cedar Falls.

Advisory group meeting Tuesday

WATERLOO  Citizens for a Better Waterloo has scheduled its next meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1301 Kimball Ave.

The group of residents formed to recommend to improve city government efficiency, and services indicated new participants were welcome.
WATERLOO  Thieves apparently left empty handed after smashing a sport utility vehicle through a convenience store door after closing time early Friday.

Video from Prime Mart, 3535 Marigold Drive, shows two people attempting to steal a gaming machine from inside the business, but they ultimately give up and leave.

A similar crime was reported a day earlier at Texas Street Mart, 4335 Texas St., and the burglars left without taking anything that time, too, said Capt. David Mohlis with the Waterloo Police Department.

No arrests have been made. The vehicle at Prime Mart appeared to be similar to a Chevrolet Uplander.

Shahid Chatha, who operates Prime Mart, said the store closed around midnight, and less than half an hour later - around 12:25 a.m. Friday - someone backed a vehicle into his glass front doorway.

Security video captured several details, but the suspects had their faces covered.

Workers covered the hole with plywood, and the store was open for business Friday.

According to police reports, the Texas Street Mart was hit around 2 a.m. Thursday. Witnesses apparently were watching from nearby as a vehicle struck the front of the store. No one entered the store, nothing was taken and the vehicle drove off, apparently startled by the witnesses.

This isnt the first time burglars used a vehicle to break in to the Texas Street store.

In January 2013, three people were arrested after a Jeep Comanche crashed through the front doors of what was then called Kwik Stop. A video redemption machine and a pull-tab lottery machine were opened, and an ATM was knocked over. The stolen Jeep was left at the scene.

New trial in Lindaman case

DES MOINES (AP)  As expected, the Iowa Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a man sentenced last year to up to 10 years for sexually abusing a teenage boy.

Fridays decision by the Iowa Supreme Court came after state prosecutors last month took the rare step of asking it to reverse 61-year-old Doug Lindamans conviction.

The Iowa Attorney Generals Office made the move after finding the Charles City man was allowed to represent himself at his trial without knowingly waiving his right to have an attorney.

Lindaman is accused of performing a sex act in 2011 on a 17-year-old boy without the boys consent. Lindaman, a former attorney, was running for a school board spot at the time of his 2015 arrest.

A new trial date has not been set.

Man sentenced in teen assault

OSAGE  An Osage man authorities say attacked a teen girl has has been given a partially suspended jail sentence and probation.

Matthew Ray Entriken, 36, was given a 180-day sentence with all but 20 days suspended Wednesday in Mitchell County District Court after pleading guilty to assault causing bodily injury or mental illness.

He was put on probation for one year and ordered to pay a $315 fine.

Entriken also was ordered to serve 10 days in jail for violating a no-contact order.

Entriken allegedly hit a 16-year-old in the head with his fist on March 28 at his residence in Osage, according to court documents.

Investigators say they saw a bump and bruise on the side of the girls face.

They went to the home to check the girls welfare at the urging of local school officials, according to court documents.

Police initially arrested Entriken on a felony charge of child endangerment.

A judge later changed the charge to misdemeanor assault at the prosecutions request.

Man sentenced in Hazleton arson

HAZLETON  A Hazleton man was sentenced to prison for setting his house on fire in February after a bank filed for foreclosure.

Judge Linda Fangman sentenced Kim Robin Tielebein, 49, to up to 10 years in prison Tuesday after Tielebein pleaded to first-degree arson charges.

The time will be served concurrently with a sentence for a parole revocation for firearm and eluding charges stemming from an April 2015 incident.

In the arson case, Tielebein allegedly lit a trench coat and left it on a bed in the basement of his home at on East Sufficool Street on Feb. 25. His family was home at the time and fled without injury.

According to court records, Community Bank of Oelwein filed to foreclosed the house in January 2017.
WATERLOO  The public will get a chance to see some of the equipment paramedics use to save lives during an open house Tuesday at Waterloo Fire Rescues downtown station.

The event coincides with National EMS Week and runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1, 425 E. Third St.

We will have CPR demonstration. We will have CPR dummies out there for people to give it a try, said Jason Hernandez with Waterloo Fire Rescue.

Paramedics will demonstrate automated external defibrillators and show off the Zoll Autopulse, a mechanical belt and backboard that can deliver chest compressions while paramedics load a patient into an ambulance.

Waterloo Fire Rescue received its Autopulse last year, and it has been used on numerous calls since.

We try to get it to every cardiac arrest and potential cardiac arrest. Weve used it quite a few times, Hernandez said.

The departments newest ambulance will be available for tours, and a new EMS supervisor vehicle will also be on display. The EMS supervisor vehicle supplements ambulances and provides rapid response to advanced serious medical calls.

Souvenirs for children and refreshments will also be available.
What Trump administration appointees lack in reticence they make up for in certitude. Take Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Just two weeks after being shown his stately office at the U.S. Department of Agricultures South Building, Perdue announced a major makeover of it: He invoked a 2014 farm bill directive to create a new USDA post, undersecretary of trade, by eliminating an existing post, undersecretary of rural development.

Administration officials described this demotion of Rural Development as an elevation, explained the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, because the new trade salesperson would report directly to the Secretary.

But thats selling baloney as steak, commented the NSAC, because All undersecretaries, including the undersecretary of rural development, already report directly to the Secretary so the assertion  is misleading.

Not to Perdue, who mentions daily that his main goal as USDA boss is to be American agricultures unapologetic advocate and chief salesman around the world.

As such, creating an undersecretary for global ag  even if you have to strip American rural communities of, first, their megaphone inside USDA and, later, their funding  is, well, apparently the way its going to be. Besides, this is Americas destiny, explained Perdue when announcing the undersecretary swap May 11.

The men and women of American agriculture are hardy people, he said, many of whom were born into the calling of feeding America and the world.

Sonny the salesman knows you have to sell the sizzle to sell the steak.

The USDA redo fits perfectly with the administrations broader goal to revamp key U.S. trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement and the hope to negotiate more bilateral deals like the just-announced, 10-point deal with China that will reopen the nation to American beef exports.

Typical of this White Houses announcements, though, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross went overboard in his bragging about the China deal. It was a herculean accomplishment, claimed Ross, that amounted to more than has been done in the whole history of U.S.-China relations on trade.

That was too much even for the never-in-doubt editorialists at the Wall Street Journal, who noted May 15 the deal was modest and the move to open its beef markets was mostly a restatement of a promise made by the Chinese premier last September.

But the agreement does signal Mr. Trump has pulled back from protectionism, added the Journal  much to the relief of American farmers and ranchers. U.S. ag exports, after all, have averaged about $140 billion per year since 2010.

Still, if the White House is now in a trade-is-good phase  which easily could change the next time our mercurial president hops on Twitter  bigger trade deals, like the renegotiation of NAFTA, pose enormous challenges that wont be sorted out over the dessert course.

For example, American dairy groups want Canada to dismantle its milk quota system so U.S. fluid milk and dairy products can flood north. What would American negotiators have to give the Canadian prime minister and his Liberal colleagues for them to agree to that deal?

Hint: The moon and stars would be the starting point, not the end point.

So, too, with Mexico, where negotiators now are at an impasse on a standing U.S. deal that allots Mexico 53 percent of all U.S. refined sugar imports. The U.S. wants that promised access cut to 15 percent. Mexicos reply, understandably, is Hey, pal, we had a deal.

Moreover, its ag minister defiantly noted May 16, if the U.S. imposes import duties on any of the now-in-limbo Mexican sugar, he would be willing to react in-kind with duties  possibly targeting U.S. fructose.

That would slap U.S. corn growers silly because Mexico buys 79 percent of all American high fructose corn syrup exports (1.1 million metric tons out of a total 1.4 MMT in calendar year 2015).

Artfully, however, the Mexican ag minister never mentioned any wall.
Community members stepped up to voice their opinions and share personal stories in wide support of the School District of the Menomonie Areas (SDMA) district policy regarding teaching about religion and diversity in school.

On Monday evening, nearly 150 people packed into the tiered lecture hall of the Menomonie High School. About 35 of them in came up to the podium to address whether or not they believe religion should be taught in district schools.

Mondays forum was part of an action plan proposed by the school board after some parents filed formal complaints regarding how the district is teaching religion in school. The complaints came to the board after controversy over an eighth grade lesson on Islam as part of a book unit on the memoir I am Malala, an award-winning true story by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb about a young Muslim teenager from Pakistan who was shot in the head for her efforts to promote education for girls.

Informing, understanding

Due to the diverse content of the book, the unit included a Muslim speaker who came to the school to educate the eighth grade class on the background of the culture to further their understanding of the world in which Malala lived.

School district administration and school board members held the forum to clarify the issue, inform the community on the policy of teaching religion in schools and provide community members with the opportunity to voice their opinion on the issue at hand.

Superintendent Joe Zydowsky explained that earlier this year, the school district received some formal complaints, two of which were formally heard by the school board. The complaints were in response to a speaker from the Islamic Resource Group who spoke to students for approximately 40 minutes about the Muslim culture and Islamic religion.

The complaints were specific to the eighth grade English Language Arts curriculum and teaching religion in public schools, not about the book I am Malala, not about the type of religion, nor about the teachers. Concerns were also related to curriculum imbalance, parental access to curriculum, and opt-out procedures.

Community response

A majority of those who spoke during the forum supported the school districts curriculum involving units related to diverse subjects and learning about other cultures and religions.

Nell Johnson from Menomonie raised concerns over how the school board handled the formal complaints and the amount of time that has been spent on the issue. She fears that the complaints may deter other teachers from bringing in guest speakers that will help enrich the students understanding of a subject.

Whether intentionally or inadvertently, the closed sessions, action plan, public forum, review of district policy regarding controversial issues and alternative lesson guidelines all have the potential to wrongly censor the curriculum our expert teachers may otherwise develop and implement, she said.

Shayna Lund spoke about Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, the Muslim student attending UW-Stout who was beaten to death outside a Menomonie restaurant last October.

It wasnt a Christian gentleman who was found beaten on our roadside last October, she said. He was a Muslim.

Lund pointed out that school curriculum is always flowing and changing with current events and what is going on in our community: This is what our community needed this year to understand the things that are happening in our world  and that makes it relevant.

Kathy McNally stood up for the parents who came forward to file formal complaints, saying there have been misconceptions among the community regarding their reasons for their concerns.

These parents never had any issues with a specific race or religion, she said. They encourage diversity. They are concerned how religion is taught in our schools and how much it is taught.

Frank Burdick, who has lived in Menomonie for 42 years, applauded the district for inviting the speaker to the class. He believes that the more the community can provide diversity for its children, the better off everyone will be, noting, I would be in favor if teaching about all religions.

Jason Collins, an eighth grade Language Arts teacher at the middle school, said the curriculum does include teaching about different religions. He and ELA partner, Tim Doland, had brought in a Muslim speaker from the Islamic Resource Group as part of a two-day lesson on Islam. The group gave the same presentation last year as well.

The students also spent four days reading excerpts from the Bible as part of the unit, Collins said. He explained that the reason is to build context and background for what the students are reading using the book Flowers for Algernon as an example.

Collins explained that the main characters pivotal moment is when he realizes he is ashamed and feeling nagad  a Hebrew word that means to be conspicuous. The students dont get that understanding unless they read Genesis 2 and 3, he said, noting that ELA policy calls for students to analyze how a text makes connections among  and distinctions between  individuals, ideas or events.

I firmly believe I am dedicated to prepare students to become lifelong learners, caring individuals and responsible citizens, Collins said.

Glenda Jones, a professor at UW-Stout, said she fears her adopted African-American children will become victims of racism in our community.

I know there are racist people living here, she said. Most of the non-white friends I made at Stout have left because they had children who didnt fit in ... who were bullied and victims of racism, who didnt find that strong community they were seeking. Lets be the community that people think they are moving into, not the one that sends them out.

Jones colleague Meriam Chida responded by saying she is not going anywhere. Chida moved to Menomonie three years ago from North Africa and said she is very proud to be part of the community, pointing out that the number of people attending the forum confirmed to her that people sincerely care and want to learn more.

By creating this type of safe environment ... in the long-term, we will perhaps reach peace around the world, Chida said.
A major expenditure for a public project was approved without a wisp of discussion at Mondays Cedar Falls City Council meeting.

It probably deserved more than a mention, and certainly will over the next couple of years.

The council voted unanimously to hire InVision Architecture of Waterloo for $611,000 to design a $9 million public safety building to be constructed over the next two fiscal years at the site of the south fire station and South Main Street and Greenhill roads. InVision would be paid a fee equal to 7.5 percent of the construction cost estimate.

Council members approved the contract as one of 27 items on the resolution calendar. Several council members and citizens requested other items be pulled for separate discussion. The public safety building architectural contract was not.

Coincidentally, public safety issues  such as fire response times, staffing and service to the northern part of the city  were discussed extensively. The public safety building was mentioned  but not the fact the council was approving a six-figure architectural contract for the work that very evening.

The citys capital improvements plan calls for construction in fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

The proposed project is not new. For years the city has been considering housing all fire and police administrative offices as well as the police station  all now at City Hall  and the main fire station in a single building.

If its built at the south fire station site, the current main fire station at East 18th and Main streets would remain in operation as a fire substation.

For several years the city looked at building a facility on the site of Iowa State Patrol Post 9, 1510 W. First St., as soon as the state is ready to move that facility. Land at that site is owned by the city. The city offered another city-owned site west of the Public Works Building at 1521 Technology Parkway as a site for a new State Patrol post.

But the city has waited several years with no action by the state. Public Safety Director Jeff Olson has said the city could revisit the First Street location if the state makes some decision on the patrol post, but nothing appears imminent. He also has said if the First Street site becomes available after the public safety building is built, a new satellite fire station could be built at First Street to replace 18th and Main.

The existing south fire station and adjacent property on which a public safety building would be built is on land owned by the parent company of Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Covenant CEO Jack Dusenbery has said his organization will cooperate with whatever the city determines to be the best option for such a building. City staff is working to complete an agreement for the land on South Main Street.

Jennifer Rodenbeck, the citys director of finance and business operations, has said the city has banked operational savings over several years for the building and anticipates having about $7 million accumulated by the end of fiscal year 2016-17 on June 30.

The architectural contract may have been eclipsed by other items on Mondays agenda, such as a discussion of fireworks policy. Officials may have been caught up in routine. The city has several major projects on the front burner, not the least of which is the reconstruction of University Avenue.

In fairness, while theres been a lot of preparation for this project, it has been outwardly dormant for some time due to the waiting game over the State Patrol site.

Now that the city has decided to put the project in gear, city officials need to give it a higher profile  especially if theyre spending $611,000 on a design contract.

To the citys credit, officials plan to pay for this project without issuing bonded debt. While a bond referendum may not be required, the money being saved up for this project is still public money, and the public deserves to see it is receiving a sound return on its investment.

If it is now go time for a public safety building, the city needs to take the citizens along with it and keep them apprised of the process and its progress. An open house and maybe tours of the existing fire and police facilities, once final design is completed, may be in order.

Such gestures, regular updates and opportunities for suggestions would build public goodwill and allow citizens to feel ownership in the project.
Dear Doctor: My brother, who is 65, was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis about five years ago, and the muscles in his arms, legs and hands are deteriorating rapidly. Hes someone who loves life, so this is very hard to watch. His physician says theres no cure. What can you tell me about the disease? Is it being studied anywhere?

Dear Reader: Were very sorry to hear about your brothers struggles. We know from experience how difficult it is to see a loved one be unwell and be unable to help.

Inclusion body myositis, also known as IBM, is a progressive degenerative muscle disease, sometimes also referred to as a muscle wasting disease. The word progressive means once the disease process begins, it will continue to advance.

As you already learned, there is no treatment or cure for IBM at this time. However, advances in the areas of precision medicine and immunotherapy will hopefully lead to new methods to manage, if not cure, the disease.

Lets start with what is known about inclusion body myositis.

There are two types of IBM. One, which is extremely rare, is inherited. It results from a genetic defect that is passed along from a parents DNA. The other form, which has no genetic link and is slightly more common, is known as sporadic. Sporadic IBM, also referred to as s-IBM, is seen most often in people 50 years and older. It is more common in men than in women.

Although the exact cause of s-IBM is not yet known, it is believed to be the result of a malfunction in the immune system. In autoimmune disorders, the bodys defense mechanisms mistakenly attack healthy tissue. In s-IBM, certain white blood cells attack muscle tissue and cause ongoing inflammation. There also is a second avenue of attack, which causes the muscle fibers to degenerate.

For many people, the first symptom of s-IBM is an increasing tendency to stumble, trip or fall. This is due to damage to the quadriceps, the large muscles of the thighs. The muscles of the wrists and fingers also are often affected.

Treatment at this time focuses on the use of corticosteroids to address inflammation, or drugs to suppress the immune system. However, several types of new drugs are now being studied in ongoing clinical trials. Although some participants in the clinical trials have shown modest or even good response to the drugs, the benefits thus far have proven to be short-term.

If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials for s-IBM, visit clinicaltrials.gov, a government website that lists studies receiving federal funding, as well as some that are funded by private industry.

For information about clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, located in Bethesda, Md., call the NIH Patient Recruitment Office at (800) 411-1222. Or email prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov.
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A startup needs to test an idea quickly. For this, an MVP is created. MVP, Minimal Viable Product  a test version of a product or service with a minimum set of functions (up to one or two), which allows you to see the product's value for consumers and the market. MVP is created to test hypotheses and check the viability of the intended product: is it worth developing the project further, what changes should be made? The sooner a startup brings its MVP to market and tests the idea, the better. This article will look at how no-code technology can help founders achieve their business goals.

This article will try to cover everything that a founder needs to know about no-code at the initial stage of creating a startup.

What is no-code?

No-code, zero-code platform is a tool for creating websites, applications, chatbots, and other programs without the need for direct code writing by programmers. No-code is a valuable alternative to traditional development.

No-code is confused with low-code, but there is a difference in these terms. Low-code includes no-code and the ability to "finish code", add parts of code and the functionality.

A user of a no-code platform usually does not need to know layout, programming languages, or hire a team of programmers. The user of the no-code tool creates an application using a visual block constructor, which he fills with the necessary content and functions, and the no-code platform itself does the processing of requests, compiling the application and other "magic." It generates code using AI and/or contains blocks of code pre-written by programmers.

No-code allows the startup founder to create an MVP himself, entrust it to his employee with basic technical literacy and understanding of the project, or hire a no-code developer. Even in the case of hiring a no-code developer, the cost of creating an MVP will be significantly lower than with classical development with programmers. For example, you can read the interview of a startup and no-code developer on our website, who initially worked as a Product Manager and was able to master no-code for his project himself.

Benefits of no-code for a startup founder

There are the following key advantages for a startup founder in using no-code technology:

a large selection of no-code tools, platforms, and their integrations at the moment  already in 2022, there are many tools and platforms for creating an MVP, a larger project, or even a finished product on no-code, but few people still know about them, and others are far from all startups and founders use their potential;

cost  no-code development saves the money by speeding up the development process, not hiring professional programmers or no need to maintain a developer department, monitoring functions and quick bug fixes, avoiding or reducing the growth of technical debt;

speed is the main advantage over classical development  no-code allows you to build a simple application in a weekend, and a more complex one can be built in a month. In this way, you can test an MVP and even several versions of an MVP very quickly;

low entry threshold  to master a no-code platform, you often do not need technical education at all, but only an understanding of a company's business processes or product from the inside. In the case of pro-level no-code platforms, technical education is required, but you can get used to it hundreds of times faster than with any programming language. This makes no-code available to almost everyone who wants to work with technology;

ease of use  no need to write hundreds of code lines  just move the blocks and assign links between them. Work on a project can be entrusted to your employee without communicating with a team of third-party developers. You can speak "in your language" without the need to understand the "inner kitchen" of developers;

flexibility  with the help of no-code, it is easy for a startup founder to add new functionality and new features right during a project or a MVP testing without a significant increase in development costs.

Possible disadvantages of no-code for a startup founder

As often, any property can be, under certain conditions, both a disadvantage and an advantage. In no-code, many of the benefits with the wrong choice of tool can turn into disadvantages:

no-code is not always a budget solution for a project. Sometimes in a no-code development package, you get unnecessary functions and additions (on AppMaster.io you can separately connect the frontend and pay only for the backend or only for those functions that you are using); if you do not understand the needs of your project, then you can make a mistake with the choice of a no-code tool and not be able to implement the necessary functions on it, or it will be too difficult to implement them; often, no-code tools fail to ensure proper data security and contribute to data leakage (but AppMaster.io allows you to host a finished application on any server); no-code tools often do not provide the ability to upload source code or provide uploading in an inconvenient format, which makes it difficult to move to another tool or to your development. You have to choose a no-code tool "once and forever immediately" (AppMaster. io gives you the ability to download the source code. Also, we generate human-readable code and you will not have any difficulties with its transportation); most no-code tools on the market are not suitable for creating a finished product, and there are significant difficulties with scaling the project if the MVP is successful (AppMaster.io is a professional no-code platform and our capabilities allow us to implement and support the finished product and scale it in the future).

Forewarned is forearmed. Choose your no-code tool wisely and take full advantage of your choice.

Types of no-code platforms

Conventionally, all no-code tools can be divided into several types: no-code devices with a low entry threshold (you can create frontend and not very powerful backend on them), integrators that help connect applications and services, and professional no-code platforms (they strive to replace the code completely, provide the ability to create a robust backend and high bandwidth).

The basic principle of operation of your MVP and the choice of a no-code platform depend on such a conditional division into types. For example, if you make a simple application like a diary, you can limit yourself to a no-code tool with a low entry threshold and a beautiful design.

If your application has powerful potential, high bandwidth, multi-user interface, and works with large amounts of data or real-time data, it is better to choose a professional no-code platform like AppMaster.io or Direcual.

If you use several services at once, link them on integrators like Integromat and Zapier.

Adalo

An easy-to-learn designer with a relatively user-friendly interface. The free version is helpful for learning. The free version contains Adalo watermarks and does not allow you to upload your applications to GooglePlayMarket and AppStore. Beginners often choose this no-code platform to create their first applications with simple logic.

Bubble

It will take more time to learn Bubble , but the platform allows you to work with the backend, databases, business processes, and layout. There are many plugins. The free plan allows you to master the tool, and you can start developing at the middle rate. The price increase is due to the rise in the number of users.

Integromat

It is an integrator. Experts talk about it as a simple and affordable platform for linking applications and services. Scenarios can be created personally, or you can use templates. If you need to connect an application with a service not from the Integromat database, fill out the form and connect to its API via HTTP.

Zapier

This is an integrator for linking applications with each other or with other external services. You can transfer data between thousands of applications. There is a script constructor (one event starts a chain of necessary actions).

Directual

The no-code platform positions itself for creating MVP applications (Minimal Viable Product, minimum viable product) and full-fledged applications of finished products. Scenarios are the backbone of the platform. Using scripts, you can automate the backend logic of the application, create and combine workflows. The Directual catalog includes out-of-the-box connectors, HTTP requests, webhooks, database listeners, and integration with popular services.

AppMaster.io

No-code next-generation platform for creating native and web applications on a real backend. Visual drag-and-drop designer, user-friendly business process designer, one-click app publishing to AppMaster Cloud, or integration with any cloud platform. Push notifications, authorization using social networks. Networks, email, and more. Connect applications to hundreds of services or programmatically access them using APIs. The ability to upload source code and documentation in a human-readable format and transfer it to your servers. Documentation auto-generation. Modern and fast language GoLang at the core.

No-code perspectives for startups

No-code development is gradually gaining popularity around the world. There are already more than 500 no-code tools for creating websites and various types of applications.

According to the forecasts of IT world experts, no-code will develop more and more actively and capture parts of the market responsible for medicine, small online business, small business, and all niches where it is possibly necessary to optimize and automate development processes.

The mass shift of businesses and their customers online and to gadgets has increased the demand for the fast and inexpensive creation of mobile applications that would work according to a single quality standard and have a simple, understandable, user-friendly interface.

Conclusion

No-code is visual programming in the form of a constructor without directly writing code. Usually, basic knowledge in development is enough to build applications on no-code.

The logic of no-code constructors is intuitive: the application interface is assembled from blocks, icons, buttons, and text which are connected to the database. Usually, you can choose a suitable template or do everything from scratch. Speed and economy are the main advantages of no-code tools.

No-code is suitable for creating an MVP, testing an idea or new features in a product, saving time for solving standard tasks. PRO level no-code platforms can provide you with a finished product, an application.

If you don't have an account on AppMaster.io yet, join us. After registration, you will be given a free trial period for 14 days, in which all the basic functionality of the platform is available. It will allow you to learn the intricacies of working with a professional-level no-code platform and understand its potential.
The rain didnt let up much Saturday morning, but that didnt stop Jim Falls resident Anne Probst from marching with her friend during the Veterans March on America-Wisconsin at the Eagles Banquet Hall in Lake Hallie.

The rain is limited for what the veterans go through, Probst said. If we cant show up and its sprinkling ... We can handle a few hours of rain.

Probst said no one in her family is a veteran, but her friend, Jamie Fleener of Eau Claire, has several cousins and a brother who have served.

Probst thinks it is important for anyone to support local veterans, who have done so much for their community.

Its good to have an all-around involvement in our vets because they keep us safe, she said.

Probst and Fleener joined around 30 local veterans, friends, family and supporters who attended Saturdays march, which left the Eagles Banquet Hall at noon and moved to the Lake Hallie Peace Park.

Once there, the group was shuttled back to the hall for a brief presentation and awards ceremony honoring local veterans for their service.

The Veterans March on America is a nationwide attempt to bring awareness to the lack of resources veterans face when they return from service.

Gene Walsh, Lake Hallies march organizer, said 36 states were set to participate in marches Saturday, with Lake Hallies being the only one in Wisconsin.

Ryan Huls, an Iraqi war veteran, said it meant a lot to see the community show up in support of veterans like himself. Huls was medically discharged from the military due to a service-connected disability.

Huls and several of his friends have experienced issues with the Wisconsin VA, so he knows first hand what discharged veterans are facing.

Its really hard to get your benefits, and once you actually have them, having to deal with the VA medical at least, its hard to get appointments and proper care, Huls said.

Ben Brost of Eau Claire, who is not a veteran but lived with Huls and Walsh for a few years, said seeing the hoops they had to jump through made him want to support them in any way he could.

Brost hopes this brings more attention to the issues veterans face upon returning home, and brings about legislation on the state and federal levels.

Hopefully this nationwide event sparks some change in legislation so these guys get their care a lot easier, Brost said. So guys like Ryan who have to go down to the VA can do it a lot easier, faster and more streamlined.
May 21, 2017 | By Tess

Giuseppe Finizia, the Italian maker who two years ago brought us an innovative and endlessly useful 3D printed PCB workstation with articulated arms, has just posted a new and improved version of his design. The new 3D files for the projectwhich is called PCB Workstation with Needle Probesare available on Finizias Thingiverse page.

Anyone who has worked on or with printed circuit boards will understand how tricky it can be to tinker with the precision that PCBs require. It was this challenge that inspired Finizia to design and 3D print his very own PCB workstation. The makers initial design, which has been liked nearly 7,000 times on Thingiverse, was built to help users make precise and stable connections to the pins of the electronic components on a PCB.

This past February, the Italian maker released an updated version of his initial 3D printable design, called the PCB Workstation with Crane Arms, and now, to our pleasure, he has unveiled a newer and more improved 3D printable PCB workstation with needle probes.

Lets take a look at what Finizia has changed or added with his latest make. First and foremost, he has swapped out the Hirschmann spring loaded test probes that were used in the previous model for standard sewing needles, which has drastically reduced the cost of parts for the PCB workstation.

To account for the spring motion, Finizia has added an elastic pressure mechanism to each crane arm, which adequately ensures the connection between the tip of the needle and the circuit board. He has also redesigned the 3D printed crane arms to be thinner and less bulky, which frees up considerable workspace space for user.

Finally, the new versions base frame is compatible with various types of articulated arms and accessories (including the ones that were designed for the first PCB workstation). If you were wondering, different types of articulated arms (including crane arms and ball & socket arms) can be used simultaneously.

For the workstations construction, makers can find the six necessary 3D files on Finizias Thingiverse page. They include, the base, the PCB holder, the base support, the vertical arm, the needle arm, and the needle pusher. Finizias recommended print settings (for a Zortrax M200 3D printer, at least) are a resolution of 0.19 mm (and 0.09 mm for the needle arm), a maximum infill, rafts, and supports for the base and base support models.

Finizia has laid out some steps that detail what to do when you have the 3D printed parts ready. First, he suggests mounting some rubber bumpers to the base frame, simply to add stability to the workstation. Once that step is done, you can begin to assemble the PCB holders.

To do this, youll need a few additional parts including M5 wing nuts and M5 hex bolts. The assembly itself is simple, as the base consists of four sliding pieces which can be adjusted to keep the printed circuit board in place while you work. The PCB holders have two faces, one for straight sides, the other for the corners of a printed circuit board. You can choose the right face simply turning the holder, Finizia adds.

Step three is to assemble the articulated arms. For this, you simply have to place the vertical crane arm into the hole of the rotating base support, and then mount the horizontal needle arm with a 4mm M4 wing nut and a M4 hex bolt.

For the needles, the maker suggests using 40 x 0.80mm or 38 x 0.70mm sized needles. To insert them into the workstation, simply secure a needle-pusher part into the hexagonal frame of each needle arm. From there, you should be ready to go.

Of course, if you want to add any accessories or tools to the 3D printed workstation, you are free to do so.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Ballot stamps cause minor issue in Brown, turnout in Codington 63%

While there was a minor issue counting some ballots in Brown Co., local election officials said Tuesday night went pretty well. SD voter turnout 57.5%
WASHINGTON  Facts arent facts; truth isnt true; reality isnt real.

This is where we are.

Its no wonder that Orwellian is the most widely used adjective derived from the name of a writer. We are living in the most surreal of times.

But Orwells days may be numbered as Trumpian has swiftly emerged to describe the presidents apparent intent to de-fictionalize Orwells dystopian vision. Either that, or hes just plain addled. Or, it must be considered, the alien being that has inhabited the former Donald Trumps body has been slow to absorb the intricacies and nuances of the spoken word.

Trumps daily scrimmages with the English language make Bushisms seem like Bartletts Best. When not syntactically challenged, theyre jaw-droppingly mystifying. What possibly could he have intended when he suggested to NBCs Lester Holt that he doesnt know for sure if theres an FBI investigation into this Russia thing? So the president doesnt believe what every intelligence agency has said and what he has personally been told in briefings?

Choosing ones truth is the essence of Trumpian logic. But the emanations from the White House can no longer be dismissed as mere incompetence. Something is very wrong at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Inside the Oval Office golden walls, where even flies dare not land, democracy rocks perilously between the forces of light and darkness.

How perfectly evocative one recent night when press secretary Sean Spicer huddled with staffers behind a bush after news broke of FBI Director James Comeys firing. The beleaguered Spicer finally agreed to come out and speak to the gathered media, but only if they extinguished their lights.

Democracy Dies in Darkness, reads The Washington Post banner, seeming ever-more-apt by the day.

So what are we to make of Trumps constantly shifting facts and truths? Is he lying? Pretending? Or is he so certain of Americas abbreviated attention span and willing self-delusion that he can speak nonsense with the same impunity as when he claimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and his base wouldnt care?

Or is it just possible that his campaign really is guilty of collusion with Russia? Does Vladimir Putin have something on the American president? There may, indeed, be nothing, as Trump insists, but the president goes out of his way to appear guilty. How difficult is it to say why he fired Comey? The variety of explanations over a matter of days was obviously a flailing for justification. Trying to track them felt like trying to solve a maze where the cheese keeps moving.

First, it was Comeys handling of Hillary Clintons email investigation. Next it was the Justice Departments recommendation. Then it was neither. Trump was always thinking about firing him, he himself said. (Note to staffers: Trump is always thinking about firing everyone.)

The latest to slip Trumps tongue was that Comey was a showboater, which the showboater-in-chief would see as competition. Also, Comey had lost the confidence of the bureau, said Trump, despite FBI testimony to the contrary. Finally, Comey wasnt good at his job, which would be a rational basis, if only hed thought of it sooner. Most agree that Comey exercised poor judgment in issuing Clinton investigation updates that could have affected the election outcome.

Several months forward, however, what could have prompted Trump to take action? In a Trumpian world, stalled somewhere between second grade and a prep school locker room, even the ridiculous seems plausible. So, lets try a wild one: Maybe Trump fired Comey for being taller, at 6-feet-8. In light of his infatuation with size, one can easily imagine that a 6-foot-3-inch Trump would resent having to look up to the guy who was investigating possible collusion between his campaign and Russia.

In the adult world, however, the eye tends to land on other likelihoods, as in Comeys Trump campaign/Russia investigation, his recent request for more resources for the investigation, his denial of Trumps claim that former President Obama had wiretapped his office, and his refusal during a dinner with Trump to pledge loyalty.

Trump disputes all of the above, surprising no one.

But Trump couldnt leave it alone. Friday, he launched a Twitter tirade that seemed to threaten Comey, saying the fired director had better hope theres no tapes of their conversations if he starts leaking to the press. Just as Trump projected himself in calling Comey a showboater, one could reasonably extrapolate that Trump is the one concerned about what next might surface.

Then again, maybe its just that alien thing messing with Trumps mind.
Despite permission denied by the Delhi Police, the Yuva Shakti Dal including the Bhim Army staged a massive protest on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur.

Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar, who is wanted by Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly trying to instigate people, was present at the event. Gujarat youth Dalit leader Jignesh Mawani and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar were among those who joined the protesters.

The protesters have put forth three demands: A judicial probe into the violence May 5 violence; compensation for the Dalits whose homes were torched in the clashes; action against Thakurs involved in the rally commemorating Maharana Pratap and the violence that ensued on May 5.

Earlier, on Saturday, the Delhi Police denied permission to Dalit unions to hold a protest at the venue. The capacity of Jantar Mantar is 5,000, and there are already several protests going on there The permission for this demonstration has been denied, BK Singh, DCP (New Delhi), had said.

However, members of the Bhim Army announced that they will go ahead with the plan as their supporters had already reached Delhi and that more were on their way to the venue.

The Saharanpur issue has taken on a political angle in recent days with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati just yesterday slamming the Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh government, which she said has failed to ensure peace.

The city of Saharanpur has seen simmering tensions ever since the May 5 clashes between members of the Dalit community and Thakurs.

The clashes erupted after some Dalit residents in Shabbirpur raised objections over a Thakur procession that was playing loud music.
Why cant the government observe Voters Day on some other day instead of July 1 asks opposition?

Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) raised objections against the Fadnavis governments decision to observe State Voters Day on July 1. Former Chief Minister Vasantrao Naiks birthday falls on the same date and it is observed as Agriculture Week to recognise his contribution towards the states agrarian sector. According to opposition, the government is only trying to ignore the contribution of Naik by celebrating Voters Day on the same date. Naik had played a vital role in the promotion of Green Revolution in the state. He had held chief ministerial post from 1963 to 1975.

Even former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar objected the state governments plan to observe State Voters Day on July 1. He said, Why is the state government going ahead with its plan to observe State Voters Day on the birthday of Vasantrao Naik. By doing this, they are only trying to undermine his contribution to the states agricultural economy. Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde had raised this issue in the council and mentioned that the state government had issued a Government Resolution (GR) and said July 1 will be celebrated as voters day in the state.

He said, Why cant the government observe voters day on some other day instead of July 1. Through this act the government is only trying to belittle the significance of former CM Vasantrao Naik,

When AV spoke to NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik about this matter he refused to comment about it.

Congress member Haribhau Rathod argued that already January 25 is celebrated as National Voters Day. He added that Election Commission of India (ECI) had already fixed 25 January as the National Voters Day.

He produced a copy of the ECI order in the House and suggested that either some other day should be fixed as the State Voters Day or it should be celebrated on 25 January as per the ECIs instructions.

On the other hand, leader of the House Chandrakant Patil refuted all the allegations made by opposition as baseless. He said that State Election Commission had decided the date and government had no role in the matter.

The birth anniversary of Vasantrao Naik and the Agriculture Week will be celebrated on July 1 and there will be no change in the date. The government has no intention to insult Naik. We can just write to the State Commission, but cannot instruct it to change the date, said Patil.
Over 7,000 steps, big and small, have been taken by the government so far to improve the ease of doing business in the country, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said.

She also said that the ministry is working with all states to improve the business climate further.

Roughly about 7,000 big, small, medium and nano measures have been taken on ease of doing business. As a result of which, we feel that states have realised that ease of doing business is a major agenda and they also see the benefit on going on that route, she said.

Steps taken to improve ease of doing business include fixing timeline for clearance of applications, de-licensing the manufacturing of many defence products, introduction of e-biz project for single window clearance, reduction in number of documents required for export and import, and mandatory filing of all returns on-line through a unified form.

In the World Banks latest Doing Business 2017 report, Indias place remained unchanged from last years original ranking of 130 among the 190 economies that were assessed on various parameters. Last years ranking was revised however to 131 from which the country has improved its place by one spot.

India has expressed disappointment at its rank remaining low, stating that efforts and reforms undertaken by the Centre and states have not been adequately captured in the ranking.

These ranks are based on ten parameters such as starting a business, construction permits and getting credit.

The government has been making efforts to further improve the ease of doing business and aims to bring the country in the top 50.

Improving business climate helps attract both domestic and foreign investments.
WASHINGTON  Even in an era of marriage diversity, it remains the most unlikely match: Donald Trump and his loyal evangelical base. In the compulsively transgressive, foul-mouthed, loser-disdaining, mammon-worshiping billionaire, conservative Christians have found their dream president, according to Jerry Falwell Jr.

It is a miracle, of sorts.

In a recent analysis, the Pew Research Center found that more than three-fourths of white evangelicals approve of Trumps job performance, most of them strongly. With these evangelicals comprising about a quarter of the electorate, their support is the life jacket preventing Trump from slipping into unrecoverable political depths.

The essence of Trumps appeal to conservative Christians can be found in his otherwise-anodyne commencement speech at Liberty University. Being an outsider is fine, Trump said. Embrace the label. And then he promised: As long as I am president, no one is ever going to stop you from practicing your faith. Trump presented evangelicals as a group of besieged outsiders, in need of a defender.

This sense of grievance and cultural dispossession  the common ground between The Donald and the faithful  runs deep in evangelical history. Evangelicalism emerged from the periodic mass revivals that have burnt across America for 300 years. While defining this version of Christianity is notoriously difficult, it involves (at least) a personal decision to accept Gods grace through faith in Christ and a commitment to live  haltingly, imperfectly  according to his example.

In the 19th century, evangelicals (particularly of the Northern variety) took leadership in abolitionism and other movements of social reform. But as a modernism based on secular scientific and cultural assumptions took control of institution after institution, evangelicals often found themselves dismissed as anti-intellectual rubes.

The trend culminated at the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, in which evolution and H.L. Mencken were pitted against creation and William Jennings Bryan (whom Mencken called a tin pot pope in the Coca-Cola belt and a brother to the forlorn pastors who belabor halfwits in galvanized iron tabernacles behind the railroad yards). Never mind that Mencken was racist, anti-Semitic and an advocate of eugenics and that Bryan was the compassionate progenitor of the New Deal. Fundamentalists (a designation adopted by many evangelicals) lost the fundamentalist-modernist controversy, even in their own minds.

After a period of political dormancy  which included discrediting slumber during the civil rights movement  evangelicals returned to defend Christian schools against regulation during the Carter administration. To defend against Supreme Court decisions that put tight limits on school prayer and removed state limits on abortion. To defend against regulatory assaults on religious institutions. Nathan Glazer once termed this a defensive offensive  a kind of aggrieved reaction to the perceived aggressions of modernity.

Those who might be understandably confused by the current state of evangelicalism should understand a few things:

First, evangelicals dont have a body of social teaching equivalent, say, to Catholic social doctrine. Catholics are taught, in essence, that if you want to call yourself pro-life on abortion, you also have to support greater access to health care and oppose the dehumanization of migrants. And vice versa. There is a doctrinal whole that requires a broad and consistent view of social justice. Evangelicals have nothing of the sort. Their agenda often seems indistinguishable from the political movement that currently defends and deploys them, be it Reaganism or Trumpism.

Second, evangelicalism is racially and ethnically homogeneous, which leaves certain views and assumptions unchallenged. The American Catholic Church, in contrast, is one-third Hispanic, which changes the churchs perception of immigrants and their struggles. (Successful evangelical churches in urban areas are now experiencing the same diversity and broadening their social concern.)

Third, without really knowing it, Trump has presented a secular version of evangelical eschatology. When the candidate talked of an America on the brink of destruction, which could only be saved by returning to the certainties of the past, it perfectly fit the evangelical narrative of moral and national decline. Trump speaks the language of decadence and renewal (while exemplifying just one of them).

In the Trump era, evangelicals have gotten a conservative Supreme Court justice for their pains  which is significant. And they have gotten a leader who shows contempt for those who hold them in contempt  which is emotionally satisfying.

The cost? Evangelicals have become loyal to a leader of shockingly low character. They have associated their faith with exclusion and bias. They have become another Washington interest group, striving for advantage rather than seeking the common good. And a movement that should be known for grace is now known for its seething resentments.
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Democratic candidate Jennifer Lariscey wants to be voice of change for S.C. House District 84
As of April 2017, construction at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Facility is 34 percent complete and billions of dollars over budget.
May 21, 2017

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who promised more interaction with the world and more social freedoms, won re-election May 19 with 57% of the vote. His conservative rival, Ebrahim Raisi, who received approximately 16 million votes to Rouhanis 23 million, conceded defeat but vowed to remain a loyal opposition, as did large swaths of conservative media in the country.

In a statement shortly after the election, Raisi, who heads Irans largest religious endowment and ran a populist campaign, did not congratulate the president on his election victory. Instead, Raisi listed the achievements of his own campaign, in particular raising the issues of poverty and corruption, two areas he vowed to continue to fight for. The statement also complained of election violations that he said would pursue.

In a warning to Rouhani, Raisi added that the 16 million who voted for change cannot be ignored in the countrys political arena nor decision-making. But Raisi did wish the administration and the president success in addressing the economic concerns of the people.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also did not congratulate the president. Khamenei thanked the Iranian public for the high voter turnout and said that it is they who are the winners of the election. In a statement released to the media, Khamenei asked the president to solve issues facing the lower classes and the poorer regions and to confront corruption and social ills.

In a televised address, Rouhani said, Today the world knows that the nation chose a direction toward cooperation with the world and opposed to violence and extremism. He said the most important message the vote sent was that the nation wants to live in peace and friendship with the world and at the same time will not accept humiliation or threats.

In an indirect comment toward the trip of Donald Trump to Irans regional rival Saudi Arabia and the $100 billion arms deal arrived at during the visit, Rouhani said, Our election announced to our neighbors and the region that the path to safeguard security in this region is democracy and respecting the vote of the people and not relying on foreign powers.

Rouhani thanked the 41 million Iranians who came out to vote. He also thanked late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whose support in the 2013 presidential election was instrumental in his election victory. In a daring move, Rouhani also thanked former President Mohammad Khatami, despite the media ban on mentioning his name due to Khatamis support for the 2009 opposition Green Movement leaders.

Rouhani said that he would be president for all Iranians, even those who are opposed to him and his policies, and that he would work to serve all political parties and social classes.

Rouhani has a tough road ahead working toward his many campaign promises. In his final campaign speech, Rouhani criticized the judiciary, state television and the economic monopolies of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps companies. He also made a pitch to have all sanctions on Iran removed, which would require Khameneis blessing to have direct talks with the United States on Irans missile program and human rights, among other issues. In various speeches before that, Rouhani also criticized discriminatory laws against women and spoke in support of freedom of speech and minority rights.

The unelected institutions in Iran will not quietly allow Rouhani to implement his campaign promises. Neither will the conservative media. The editor of Kahyan newspaper, Hossein Shariatmadari, who is selected by Khamenei, offered a critique that suggested conservatives are not conceding that the president has a mandate. Rather, Shariatmadari wrote that Rouhani had four years to campaign whereas Raisi only had two months. Shariatmadari added that Rouhani and his administration used all the resources and platforms of the government to promote the incumbent. The editor also criticized the president for scaring people by suggesting that a vote for Raisi was a vote for war with Western countries. Shariatmadari concluded that all things being equal, Raisi would in fact have received twice the votes. While Shariatmadari holds no administrative position, his talking points often reflect what other conservative officials advocate.
May 19, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees in US President Donald Trumps May 22 visit to Israel not only a strategic opportunity to strengthen the ties and coordination between the two countries, but also an opportunity to strengthen his own political position in the country and within his right-wing coalition. Netanyahu will be a gracious host, overwhelming his guest with superlative compliments. The domestic public relations message will be: Only Netanyahu can create a close cooperative relationship with Trump and prevent US pressure on a two-state solution from the unpredictable American president.

Since Trump came into office, the relationship between the White House and the prime ministers office is one of ongoing contact, with Israels Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer and Trumps closest adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner as key point people. Netanyahu and his associates are very relieved that the Barack Obama era is over, yet they are disappointed with Trumps policy on settlements. His message against settlement expansion was sterner than Jerusalem expected, demanding restraint. Practically, this means building mainly within the already constructed areas of settlements. And so, Trump is not HaBayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennetts dream come true.

A senior Israeli diplomat who heads his ministrys representatives on the joint visit preparation team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the prime ministers office, spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. He said that Jerusalems expectations for a successful visit are very high, stating, Unlike Obama, Trump in our view has a positive gut feeling toward Israel. He admires success stories. The official also said that beyond strengthening the personal ties and chemistry between Trump and Netanyahu, Israel hopes to achieve several goals during this visit.

Most important, Israel would like this visit to project to the Palestinians and to Arab countries that the Israeli-American axis is unbreakable. At the same time, Israel wants Trump to understand the extent of the pressure exerted by the Israeli right against a two-state solution. There is no doubt that Bennett will cooperate in this venture.

On the larger regional level, Israel wants to strengthen coordination with the United States on Iran, in terms of monitoring the Iran deal and curbing Irans sponsorship of Hezbollah and Hamas terror. Also related to Iran, Israel hopes to convince Trump to increase Israels maneuvering room in Syria, against Iranian arms supply to Hezbollah, especially with regard to Russia. Israel would like for the United States to recognize the status quo in the Golan Heights (namely the existing Israeli rule of the Golan Heights).

Concerning international involvement in the region, Israel hopes to use the Trump visit to prevent any European Union initiative on a two-state solution, especially an initiative led by France. With Emmanuel Macron as Frances new president, and given Paris appetite for such initiatives, Israel anticipates a European move in that direction. Israel also wants to prevent the international community from adopting the Arab Peace Initiative as the main basis for negotiations.

The issue of global battle against extreme Islam terror will surely be brought up in discussions between Netanyahu and Trump, with Netanyahu emphasizing that Israel will assist in strengthening the pragmatic Arab coalition against the Islamic State, also by agreeing to a regional approach to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.

Netanyahu would express to Trump his willingness to a meeting in Washington with the American president and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, without preconditions.

The last, but certainly not less important, goal of Israel during the visit would be achieving US recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.

While Israel prepares its strategy for Trumps visit, the Palestinians on their side are not remaining passive. Abbas returned from his May 3 White House meeting with uncharacteristic optimism, and he is preparing a good welcome for Trump in Bethlehem. A senior Palestinian Authority Cabinet minister spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity about the main visit outcome that the Palestinian leadership is wishing for. Ramallah is hoping for a presidential commitment to engage in US shuttle diplomacy, aimed at exploring the possible positions on all permanent status issues. Such shuttle diplomacy should bring about in the months to come a proposal for a framework agreement.

The Palestinian side will demand during this period of shuttle diplomacy that Israel freeze settlement construction and the United States withdraw its demand to halt payments to families of Palestinians who have committed terror.

According to the Palestinian source, the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative will be the basis of the Palestinian position presented to Trump during his visit, demanding US recognition of Palestinian statehood and self-determination. The Palestinian leadership will also emphasize the importance of closely coordinating all of these moves with Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is hosting Trump first. The Palestinian source told Al-Monitor that Abbas was invited to Riyadh for this occasion, as well as other Arab and Muslim leaders.

The official added that despite earlier Palestinian expectations that the Trump administration was totally pro-Israel, privately they hear tones and content that very much resemble those of the Obama-John Kerry administration. More so, Trump may be more blunt and unpredictable than his predecessor, which could actually benefit the Palestinians. The source stated that if the visit is a failure, the Palestinian leadership will ask to immediately convene the Arab League in order to approach the EU in favor of a United Nations Security Council resolution on a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
May 19, 2017

JERUSALEM  Knowledge of woodwork, love of theater, fascination with puppets and the determination to save puppet theater from extinction made Jerusalemite artist Abdel Salam Abdo one of the leading figures in Middle Eastern puppet theater.

Today, Abdo, 53, is pulling the strings to ensure that puppet shows will not be a dying art. He organizes workshops for young artists in Tunisia, Morocco, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The former director of the Jerusalem International Puppet Festival from 2000 to 2012, Abdo is also trying to get the Arab Theater Institute in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to organize an annual forum for Arab puppeteers and puppet-makers, as well as workshops.

In his 27 years as a puppeteer, Abdo created memorable shows and characters that tell the story of the region. In his Jerusalem and the Little Prince show, he told the story of a Palestinian boys dream of living in Jerusalem. Through 20 different scenes, the Little Prince takes the audience through the Jerusalem monuments of the divine religions. Other memorable plays include The Sneeze of a Magician, which shows how peoples actions may backfire.

Puppets give the director a more comfortable way to express ideas, he told Al-Monitor. Unlike in other forms of theater, there is not a direct contact with the audience because there is the puppet as the separator and [this distance] provides a wider scope of freedom. Yet this form of theater is also interactive and very often relies on improvisation, depending on the situation, and on involving the public in what passes on the puppets stage, which makes it more amusing, particularly for children.

Two puppeteers perform at the Palestinian National Theater in Jerusalem in this undated photo. (photo by The Palestinian National Theater)

Abdo started a career in carpentry right after high school, but a change of career came quickly. When the El-Hakawati theater, also known as the Palestinian National Theater, was inaugurated in Jerusalem in 1984, Abdo started a theatrical troupe called Mukaber for Art and Theater and joined the theater as an actor in 1985. He made his theatrical acting debut with Palestinian artist Radi Shehadeh in a play called Taghrib al-Abid (Forced Migration for Slavery), which shed light on the suffering of workers in Jerusalem.

However, Abdos love of woodworking exceeded his love for acting. He found a way to combine the two when Shehadeh put the first Palestinian-made puppet show Yoya on stage in 1988.

Inspired by the puppet theater, Abdo started working in puppet-making with Italian puppeteer Otello Sarzi in 1989, who came to Jerusalem to give puppetry training. Through the Jerusalem International Puppet Festival, he met puppetry delegations from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. Abdo took advantage of the workshops he attended and garnered information. A year later, he embarked on puppet-making.

Abdo took part in the First World Puppet Carnival in Jerusalem, along with Acre resident artist Nisreen Bikai and Jerusalemite puppeteer Yaacoub Arafa, as well as others who volunteered to organize it. He made his puppet-making debut in Coco Rico and Hadidoun and the Female Ghoul shows. In addition to puppet-making, he assumed a role in scenic design and puppeteering.

Puppets at the Palestinian National Theater in Jerusalem in this undated photo. (photo by The Palestinian National Theater)

His career evolved from 1998 to 2013, when he became the director of the childrens division at the Palestinian National Theater. During those years, he directed several shows, most notably The Sneeze of a Magician, The Mermaid, The River, The Boy and The Wolf, Ghandoura and Friends, Just Laugh, Colors Toy Story, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Magical Turnip for children with special needs. As the director of the International Puppet Festival in Jerusalem from 2000 to 2012, he fully explored the variety in the word of puppets and used different types of puppets, such as string puppets (marionettes), shadow puppets, rod puppets, hand puppets and light curtain puppets.

He also took Jerusalem puppet shows abroad. Abdo met French puppeteer Alain Lecucq while attending a paper theater workshop that Lecucq conducted in 1999. Abdo received an invitation from Lecucq to attend the Paper Theater Festival held in France in the same year. When he returned to Jerusalem, he created Jerusalem and the Little Prince with 77 people participating in the 3-D, 20-scene show, through which Abdo added new means to switch scenes. When Lecucq saw the progress made, he told Abdo that he added something unprecedented to puppetry.

Jerusalem and the Little Prince was featured in international festivals from 2000 to 2009, including Frances First and Second Paper Theater Festival, the festival at the University of Lyon, France, and the Small Business Festival in the United States. The Sneeze of a Magician, which shows how peoples actions can backfire on them, was featured at festivals in France, Greece, the Netherlands and in Tunisia.

Abdo has never stopped improving his art. Along with some Palestinian puppetry artists, he invented a form of puppetry that uses gestures for children with hearing loss.

Art in general reflects the culture in a particular community. Theater in particular, regardless of its forms, mirrors the situation in the local street, given that [theater] is closely correlated to the people. The street is the main source of a theatrical show, Abdo said.

Abdo is currently disseminating the culture of puppetry among artists and young people. He is concerned that following the second intifada in 2000, interest in this form of art has declined. Also, puppet-makers and artists themselves have not introduced this art to the next generation. Many confined it to themselves and their children, which caused its degeneration. He wants to reverse this by working with some puppetry artists who will be the future of puppetry in the Arab world. He suggested that the Arab Theater Institute in Sharjah organize an annual forum for Arab puppeteers and puppet-makers, as well as workshops for youth to learn this art.

In addition to the classes Abdo organized in Tunisia, Morocco, Sharjah and Egypt, this year, a course will be held in Jordan. Abdo is willing to continue the same path spreading the art of puppetry in the Arab world and joining international and Arab forums.
May 21, 2017

The House of Saud played Donald Trump like a fiddle on his historic visit to the kingdom, showering him in ceremony and accolades that pandered to his scandal-wracked administration's need for diversion from its own self-imposed mistakes. For the Saudis, it was also a diversion from their own blunders, especially the expensive and endless quagmire they created in Yemen.

As an absolute monarchy, the kingdom is proficient at the business of pomp and ceremony. The ornate palaces, not open to the public, provide perfect backdrops. After being severely unhappy with the last two American presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, they wanted to demonstrate their high hopes for the Trump team. The royals know that flattery will bring rewards, especially when the target is desperately seeking to be seen as competent. They expect a more aggressive approach to combating their archenemy Iran, which has outmaneuvered them from Beirut to Basra for years.

The presidential visit also gave King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous convening power of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the Sunni Muslim world. With control of access to Mecca and Medina for pilgrims, the king literally controls access to a holy obligation of every Muslim. With decades of financial largesse, the kingdom has built a network of mosques and other institutions across the Sunni Muslim world that are dependent upon Saudi favors. The Saudis could invite their fellow monarchs from the Gulf Cooperation Council for a summit with the president and dozens of other Muslim leaders for another summit, confident that most would come when called.

Salman demonstrated he is still very much in charge. His speech to the Muslim summit was an aggressive call to confront Iran and blamed Iran for decades of terrorism and subversion. Of course the Saudi leadership is not interested in fighting Iran with Saudi troops. That is the Americans' job.

The red carpet treatment for Trump, however, was often more show than new substance. The billions in arms deals and other economic agreements signed were almost entirely letters of intent, not final contracts, and most had been in the works for some time. Given the price of oil, it remains unclear how the Saudis can afford them. The medal the king awarded to Trump was the same medal King Abdullah gave Bush and Obama.

The Saudis were willing to risk some embarrassment to curry their guests' favor by letting him address the Muslim world on Islam from the summit. In the end, the president delivered a carefully worded message that was long on rhetoric and short on specifics. He did denounce the Iranian government and all but called for regime change in Tehran  music to the king's ears. He did not discuss Saudi Arabia's decades of promoting intolerance and extremism in the Muslim world. Human rights and gender equality were given little attention. The focus was on the Muslim world uniting behind Washington and Riyadh against terrorism and Iran.

The king's signature policy initiative of his 2-year reign is the war in Yemen. Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king's favored son, promised a decisive victory 25 months ago but the war is still a stalemate. The Saudis have avoided putting their own ground troops into offensive operations against the Houthis and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh for fear of embarrassment if they underperform. The Royal Saudi Air Force has performed above expectations, but the air campaign has not defeated the rebels nor halted their missile attacks on the kingdom. A missile was fired at Riyadh just as Air Force One left the United States but was intercepted by Saudi defense forces.

Now there are growing signs of a split emerging in the coalition the Saudis created to fight the war. The Saudi-backed government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has been struggling to gain control of Aden airport, the largest in the territory Hadi claims, from Yemeni militias backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since February. The Saudis even sent in Sudanese troops  one of their most loyal and well-paid allies  to take the airport but without success. The tense standoff between rival factions makes the city a powder keg.

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are also backing rival Yemeni tribes in the Hadramuat, the homeland of the bin Laden family in eastern Yemen. The Saudi monarchs have craved control of the Hadramuat since the 18th century as a direct access to the Indian Ocean, but the Emiratis put their own troops (many of them mercenaries) on the ground to wrestle it from al-Qaeda. The Emiratis are disenchanted with Hadi, who has been unable to rally support for over two years while the Saudis remain tied to the man they helped elect.

The Saudi plan to win in Yemen hinges on their proxies' taking Hodeidah, the major port in the north. The goal would be to tighten up the blockade of the country that is producing mass famine and outbreaks of disease. The UAE is reportedly unexcited by the operation.

The Trump administration is ultimately going to determine whether the Hodeidah battle is fought. The president's speech barely mentioned Yemen and never dealt with the humanitarian carnage there. Unlike Salman, Trump did not highlight the Iranian role in Yemen.

The Saudi war effort is dependent upon US support. Congress is increasingly opposed to giving Salman and his son a blank check for a war that is causing massive humanitarian damage to the Arab world's poorest country. Some on the Hill are calling for much more oversight on Saudi defense purchases. Getting congressional approval for arms sales is getting harder as the Yemenis' suffering gets worse.

The long-term danger for the Saudis is that they are now tied to the fate of a mercurial and unpredictable US president. They hope that he will fight Iran on their behalf. So far they have rhetoric. Expectations are high for a president who has yet to deliver a single significant piece of legislation for his own core supporters at home. His track record of broken promises  dumping the Iran nuclear treaty, moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem or the Muslim ban, for instance  should engender second thoughts.
May 21, 2017

In recent months, the area of the so-called Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi triangle has seen fighting, negotiations, armistice, the breakup of old coalitions and the propping up of new ones. Over the past few weeks, the Russian media have given this area much attention, mainly due to repeated statements by Syrian authorities that an invasion of the southern regions of Syria in Daraa province is being prepared from Jordanian territory as part of a US-devised plan and that Damascus will regard this as an act of aggression.

In Russia, some hard-line observers have been interpreting this development primarily through the lens of seeing Western conspiracies and the need for a more robust support of President Bashar al-Assad. One trigger was the seventh annual Eager Lion military exercises, which took place May 7-18 in Jordan with the support of the US Army and involved 20 countries. A second trigger was a Lebanese newspaper report about the scale of a future occupation under which the aggressors would allegedly move to the Syrian city of al-Bukamal (near Qaim, Iraq) as well as occupy Daraa and Quneitra to include them in the Jordanian zone of influence and, if lucky, Suwayda, with Druze enclaves. The scale of this alleged occupation plan would exceed that of the Turkey-led Operation Euphrates Shield. Amman eventually denied the rumors of any invasion; some in Moscow even interpreted this as a sign of Jordanian firmness in the face of American pressure.

Damascus' statements seem to have a strong propaganda element. Syria's overall purpose seems to be to neutralize opposition successes in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) in eastern Qalamoun and to launch an offensive in the west in Deir ez-Zor (on the Euphrates between al-Bukamal and Raqqa) using army forces, the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Shiite militia to split the rebels in both eastern Qalamoun and around the Jordanian border. The regime hopes to advance to al-Tanf area, where US-allied forces have been training Syrian militias. Al-Tanf is on the Iraqi border, not far from Jordan.

The fact is that for all intents and purposes, an invasion of the British, Americans and Jordanians into Syria (both to the north and to the south) took place a long time ago. At al-Tanf, coalition instructors and units of the special operations forces are acting together with the opposition and formed a buffer zone about 10-15 kilometers (6-9 miles) deep into Syrian territory, near the border with Jordan where American and British special forces are operating. In the summer of 2016, US helicopters even carried out landing tactical assault in the area of al-Bukamal in the rear of the IS militants, but the operation ended unsuccessfully. Reports on why this happened are contradictory. However, it appears that Islamists using a system of tunnels on the Syrian-Iraqi border struck at the rear of the New Syrian Army (NSA), while allied fighters from the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo, as well as local tribes, did not support the liberators  US-supported groups. All this led to the disbanding of the NSA; its remnants then entered the alliance called Revolution Commando, composed of the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo, Jaish Usud al-Sharqiya and the so-called free clans army operating in the Syrian desert under the leadership of Mohannad Ahmed al-Tallaa.

Al-Bukamal is an important border gateway city, and controlling it is a goal for both the United States and groups such as Jaish Usud al-Sharqiya. The US interest is to first take control of al-Bukamal and establish a military facility there for future border control  an idea long discussed by some American experts. The prime driver for Jaish Usud al-Sharqiya is the desire to win back home territories, since several hundred fighters in this faction are coming from Deir ez-Zor. They receive a monthly payment of $150 for fighting IS from the center from the so-called Military Operations Command in Jordan.

From a military perspective, it is not clear why the United States and allied forces would want to seize the entire southern triangle along with the Druze enclaves; this would include actions from the Southern Front, which operates in Daraa and Suwayda and is not part of Revolution Commando.

Nevertheless, there is a confrontation between Revolution Commando and regime forces. In response to the airstrikes, Jaish Usud al-Sharqiya shelled the positions of pro-government forces using artillery. On May 10, Jordanians shot down Syrian drones. On May 13, a mobile Soviet-era manufactured Strela-10 SAM was seen in the ranks of the Syrian grouping  this anti-aircraft missile system apparently is to serve as a psychological deterrent and as something to have just in case. Tallaa said the positions of pro-government forces and the opposition in al-Tanfa area are 43 miles apart. We saw their flags, and if they attack us, we will answer, the commander of the opposition coalition said.

Thus, Damascus used the idea of the invasion of the forces of the Western coalition in Jordan and presented drone-taken pictures in which regime armored vehicles were shown 43 miles from the Syrian border in a move separating the opposition in eastern Qalamoun and al-Tanf region and advancing toward Deir ez-Zor along the Damascus-Baghdad highway. Pro-government media promote this action by saying that the Syrians need to develop trade relations with Iraq. However, it is difficult to imagine that any trade relations are possible in the medium term when IS militants constantly organize attacks all over Iraq, including Anbar province, on the other side of the border from al-Tanf. There also is a rebel grouping in al-Tanf area that operates in conjunction with the US and British special forces, as well as the large, 75,000-strong al-Rukban refugee camp in northeastern Jordan near the borders with Iraq and Syria. In addition, an airfield may be operational soon in the Jordanian province of Mafraq, near the Syrian border, apparently for the operation of American or Jordanian helicopters that would support opposition activities in Deir ez-Zor province.

It is clear that Syrian forces are unlikely to give away control over such a critical neighborhood at the junction of Jordan and Iraq. Yet advancing toward al-Bukamal with a stretched-out group of forces that can easily be attacked by either opposition rebels or IS fighters makes it very difficult.

Pro-government formations will likely try to unite with those in Palmyra, and, accordingly, conduct operations against the opposition in eastern Qalamoun. While this would violate the truce, the regime forces will have an excuse, since this opposition enclave was not technically included from the very beginning in the security zones of the memorandum signed in Astana, Kazakhstan. In this case, Damascus and Iran could once again resort to calling the insurgents al-Qaeda-associated terrorists. At the same time, creating a Shiite corridor from Syria to Iraq might not only derail US-Russia talks but also trigger a counter-response from the Gulf states. None of this is a step toward a political settlement.
May 20, 2017

The choreography of the first day of US President Donald Trumps visit probably exceeded even Saudi Arabia's expectations. The United States and the kingdom on May 20 concluded a $110 billion arms deal ($350 billion over the coming decade), the announcement of $40 billion of Saudi investments in US infrastructure projects and pronouncements of a new US-Saudi partnership in the region. Trump will give a speech May 21 that he said will address the growing concern about terrorism, the spread of radicalization and Iran's role in funding both. In addition, Trump is calling for US regional partners to take more responsibility and a much bigger role in fighting terrorism in their region.

In a news conference, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir seemed in lockstep in their approach to Iran. Tillerson described the arms package as a means to deal with malign Iranian influence. Although the US secretary of state gave priority to a political solution in Yemen, he supported additional Saudi military pressure on Houthi armed groups, which are backed by Iran. According to the World Health Organization, Yemen is suffering from an unprecedentedly rapid spread of cholera and massive damage to the countrys sewage and electricity infrastructure, which have left the water supply contaminated.

In Jerusalem, Trump will build on the shared concerns among the Gulf States and Israel about Iran. Ben Caspit wrote here in March that Israel is determined to maintain its red lines on Hezbollah with the utmost meticulousness. It will do whatever it takes to prevent the transfer of any weapons to Hezbollah that could upset the balance of power.

There may be a question as to whether Trump is quietly holding, or should be holding, a Russian card in his plans for the region. The Trump visit could, or should, be the sign of a trend in which the US strengthens its commitments and relationships with Israel and Americas traditional Sunni allies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as a means of putting pressure on Iran and providing support for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, while letting Russia take the lead with the Shiite resistance axis  including Iran, Syria and Hezbollah  in seeking a diplomatic process to address the regions conflicts.

Iran is unlikely to be cowed by the spectacle in Riyadh, and there will of course be no deal with Iran or Syria without the good offices of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has a direct line to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The decisive re-election of Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran on May 19 is a win for the so-called moderate trend, which will now have Khameneis support. In the absence of a diplomatic process, the people of Yemen and Syria can expect even more misery in the coming years.

And this brings us back to the White House meeting May 10 between Trump and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Most of the media attention focused on what Trump may have said to the Russian envoy about former FBI director James Comey and on the appropriateness of Trumps sharing of sensitive Israeli intelligence information about Islamic States terrorist plotting. US national security adviser H.R. McMaster, who attended the meeting, characterized the exchange between Trump and Lavrov as wholly appropriate. Ben Caspit writes this week about how the United States and Israel acted quickly to mitigate any disruption in intelligence cooperation.

But Syria and Iran were also on the Trump-Lavrov agenda. The White House said, Trump emphasized the need to work together to end the conflict in Syria, in particular, underscoring the need for Russia to rein in the Assad regime, Iran and Iranian proxies.  He also raised the possibility of broader cooperation on resolving conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. The president further emphasized his desire to build a better relationship between the United States and Russia.

On May 19, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, hinted at a possible division of labor with the Russians in Syria, while noting the expansion of reducing the possibility of conflict between the US and Russian militaries. We are looking for the Russians to  to work with the regime, to deconflict our operations. I think what you're highlighting is absolutely a fair point, which is the ground is becoming increasingly complex and constrained. But to date, we have  we have been able to deconflict operations.  We had a proposal that we're working on with the Russians right now. I won't share the details. But  but my sense is that the Russians are as enthusiastic as we are to deconflict operations and ensure that we can continue to take the campaign to ISIS [Islamic State] and ensure the safety of our personnel, Dunford said.

Laura Rozen reports that just five days after the Trump-Lavrov meeting, in a little-noticed shift, The Trump White House suggested it was willing to work not only with Russia but also with Iran to try to end the killing in Syria and advance a political transition if they helped bring an end to Assads atrocities. Trump has previously lambasted the nuclear deal with Iran and supported calls for additional sanctions over the country's ballistic missile program. The United States remains open to working together with both Russia and Iran to find a solution that leads to a stable and united Syria,' Spicer said [on May 15]. But in order for us to work together to bring an end to the violence in Syria, Russia and Iran need to acknowledge the atrocities of the Assad regime and use their influence to stop them.

Although Tillersons remarks in Saudi Arabia could hardly be characterized as a gesture for dialogue, the US secretary of state added, In terms of whether I'd ever pick the phone up, I've never shut off the phone to anyone that wants to talk or have a productive conversation.  In all likelihood, we [Iran and the US] will talk, at the right time.

As we wrote in this column in November 2013, a shift in Israel-Iran ties is not so far-fetched when one considers the role that Russia can play as a broker in this exchange.  The United States alone does not yet have all the keys to close a deal between Israel and Hezbollah, but the pieces are coming together. Any negotiation on Hezbollah will run through Damascus as well as Tehran, and here again we get to Moscows role, with its newfound credibility in Damascus, Tehran, Jerusalem and Washington. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman told Caspit in February that he was unsure of Russias support for Israels objectives of a withdrawal of Iranian and Hezbollah forces from Syria, while acknowledging the need for US-Russian coordination. Israel, Liberman said, is in a complex and complicated dialogue with Russia.

These trends toward a fresh start are often fragile and ultimately depend on the courage and convictions of leaders willing to take risks and chart a new course. US-Russian collaboration is essential to the endgame in Syria, as we wrote in our second column in December 2012. As Akiva Eldar wrote last month, If theres a common denominator that transcends all the disputes between the United States and Russia, it is the belief in the need to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict that was fanned by their Cold War. For a change, Israel can show these two powers the road to peace.
keith cap and gown.jpg

Special education teacher Kendall Whitten set up a GoFundMe account to help her former student, Keith Griffith, pay tuition for his college program after a grant his mother applied for did not come through. (Courtesy Heather Griffith)

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Even as congratulatory messages continue to come in for Keith Griffith, an Alabama teenager with Down syndrome who recently learned that he was accepted to college, his high school teacher has launched a fundraising effort to help him pay tuition.

The video of Keith opening his acceptance letter from the University of South Alabama's Passage USA certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities went viral after his mother, Heather Griffith, shared it on Facebook a couple of weeks ago.

In the touching video, Keith, a 2016 graduate of Satsuma High School, sheds happy tears as he hugs his mom when he realizes he's going to go to college. Celebrities like George Takei and Ashton Kutcher have shared the video, which has been viewed by millions.

But last week, his mother learned that Keith didn't receive an O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund postsecondary enrichment grant for adults with Down syndrome to help pay his tuition. She had applied for the grant in March.

"We were supposed to find out about the grant before the acceptance," she said, but she was notified that the organization had received an "overwhelming response" from applicants, so the response was delayed.

When Keith heard the news, he was devastated. "I told him there was a possibility he might not get to go, and he bawled for hours," Keith's mother said.

His high school education teacher, Kendall Whitten, suggested starting a GoFundMe account for Keith. "After so many people were touched by that video," she said, "I told her we'd find a way to get that money."

She set it up last Thursday, and in the first two days $945 had been raised toward the $5,300 goal - the cost of one semester of the two-year Passage USA program.

Kendall first met Keith when she was still in college, working as a counselor at Camp SMILE in Mobile. Later, she would be his teacher for four years.

Keith's family is "so involved in everything he does," she said. "I would say they are one of the most supportive families I've ever seen in my life."

In high school, Keith was a popular student who was the honorary captain of the bowling team, prom king and Mr. Satsuma High. "The kids go crazy for him," Kendall said. "Everyone here just adores him."

Heather, a stay-at-home mom, and her husband, Kit, are in the process of moving into a new home in Satsuma. "With one income, it would be difficult for us" to afford the tuition, she said.

Going to college is "all he talks about," said Heather. "It would be a shame for him to not go."
Just days before Joshua Stiles fatally shot his wife and took his own life, the 30-year-old Army veteran from Alabama sought mental health treatment, only to be turned away.

"It shouldn't be this hard to get help," said Stiles' sister Jennifer Johnson. "He was trying to get help to be a better person, a better husband, a better man, a better father."

Stiles had been suffering with PTSD, depression and anxiety for years before he shot his 22-year-old wife, Brittney Stiles, in front of her sister and their 2-year-old daughter, Mary Jane, in Russellville. Josh Stiles fled the scene and killed himself after a police chase this past Tuesday, according to authorities.

Johnson said her brother contacted a mental health treatment facility in Russellville several days before the murder-suicide but was told he would have to make an appointment. Johnson said she called Decatur Morgan Hospital hoping a bed would be available for Josh, who was willing to voluntarily commit himself for psychiatric treatment. But, there were no spaces open. Hospital spokeswoman Leigh Hays did not answer a request for comment.

Josh Stiles even contacted Veterans Affairs, his sister told AL.com.

"They said they would send him some paperwork to fill out," Johnson said. "They said if he was feeling suicidal he should go to the emergency room. At that moment, he wasn't feeling suicidal. He just knew he was struggling with PTSD and depression."

Joshua Stiles' story is the most recent in a series of cases highlighting a mental health crisis in Alabama. The closure of several psychiatric treatment facilities has left the state, which is experiencing a shortage of funding, also without enough beds to house mental health patients in hospitals and other care centers. In 2016, AL.com published an in-depth series of stories detailing the crisis and steps being taken to address it.

Amy Burks, a VA social worker, said mental illness is common among veterans, who experience some of the highest suicide rates at about 20 deaths per day.

"We've got to do better at educating veterans about what we can do to help them when they leave military service," Burks told AL.com. Of the 20 veterans who die by suicide each day, an average of 14 aren't being treated by the VA.

Jeffrey Hester, a VA spokesman, said Josh Stiles was not a patient in the agency's system and told AL.com he could not comment on individual cases for privacy reasons.

The VA offers comprehensive mental and physical health treatment for veterans, but many of them don't hear about the availability of care, Burks said. Alabama's VA headquarters is located in Birmingham, but community centers are open in nine other cities, including Huntsville.

In Huntsville, a full staff of mental health workers, including counselors and psychiatrists are available for crisis management -- even assisting walk-in patients, Burks said. The professionals are trained to support veterans experiencing PTSD, depression, anxiety, marital problems and other stressors.

Burks said walk-in patients do not have to be enrolled in VA care, but to continue treatment they would need to qualify.

Help is available through a 24-hour prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. The hotline can be reached via text at 838255, and online chat is available here.

'He just came back different'

Johnson said her brother had been suffering with PTSD for years -- even before his military service in Afghanistan because their childhoods weren't ideal.

Josh's father went to prison nearly 20 years ago after pleading guilty to sodomy of a young female family member, court records show. Rape charges were dismissed in exchange for Robert Stiles Jr. pleading guilty and accepting a 20-year prison sentence.

"He always blamed himself and felt guilty for what his father did," Johnson said.

Josh and Jennifer spent a stint of their childhoods in foster care before going to live with their grandparents.

"He grew up feeling like his mother abandoned him," Johnson said. "But that was not really the case. That's just what we thought when we were kids. We've been very close with her since we've been adults."

After Josh joined the military in 2012, his mental illness only became more severe, Johnson said.

"He just came back different," Josh's sister said of his life after the Army.

Burks said that's not uncommon for veterans.

"Mental health issues are compounded for veterans who serve combat tours," she said. "It's identity confusion when they are thrown back into civilian and family life with no road map. The system is just too hard to navigate."

Army Sgt. Eric Shaw was Josh's team leader in Afghanistan from 2013 until Stiles was honorably discharged in 2016.

"That place will do something to you," Shaw said. "We all battle our own little demons. He's been battling his since he was a kid. Josh was a troubled soul in the beginning of his life."

Despite Josh's struggles, he was known a good-hearted man, according to Shaw.

"He had a big heart and he loved everybody," Shaw said. "He would give his shirt off his back, even if that was all he had to give you. We used to sit up at night in Afghanistan and play video games and talk about life."

Shaw said Josh joined the military in hopes of bettering himself.

"He had a bigger cause -- to straighten himself out," Shaw said. "I respected him for that. He got to serve his country freely and he never looked back.

"This event that happened, this was not Josh," Shaw said of the murder-suicide. "This was his disease he's been battling and he just lost the fight."

'Not a monster'

Johnson said she hopes to bring awareness to the mental health crisis that is affecting Alabama, though she doesn't see her brother's illness as an excuse for what he did.

"I'm not defending his actions," Johnson said. "I just want people to see the mental health system is failing people. He came to me for help and I wish I could've done more. I didn't for one second think he was capable of something like that."

Josh and Brittney Stiles had been involved in an ongoing domestic dispute for weeks before they died, police said. Brittney's sister, Amber West, has told AL.com Josh was verbally abusive toward his wife, though their arguments never became physical until the shooting.

"He just snapped," Johnson said. "And Brittney was the most beautiful, wonderful, sweet person. It's not like I just lost my brother. She was my best friend and my sister. She did not deserve this or anything they've been through. I am heartbroken for her loss as well. I feel like I failed them both."

Shaw said he and Josh hadn't been talking much in the days leading up to the shootings.

"He used to call me and lean on me a lot," Shaw said. "But sometimes people need to be left alone. Josh went his own way. I was keeping up with him on Facebook and everything looked perfect.

"People think he was a monster, but he's not a monster," Shaw added. "He was sick and he felt like he had nothing to live for."

Joshua Stiles

Stiles was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.

"Everybody received those awards in Afghanistan for our efforts," Shaw said. "But, Josh, he never cared about the awards."

Josh also was the father of Kinzley, an 8-year-old born to his first wife in Colorado.

"He wasn't this person," Johnson said. "My brother would've never done this if he was in his right mind. I wish I could've saved him, and I tried. But, the mental health system just makes it too hard."
Officials from Huntsville Utilities are working to clear debris from Saturday night's storm in Madison County.

The storm's strong winds left scattered areas of Madison County with over 70 reported trees down- many across power lines. The company said restoration efforts are slower than usual Sunday morning, because crews are having difficulty getting to affected areas with significant tree damage.

To check the outage map where crews are working, click here.

Huntsville Utilities said 25 power poles fell throughout the county. Approximately 5,000 customers are without power Sunday morning, down from about 20,000 Saturday night.

The company said all residents should stay away from downed power lines. To report downed lines or outages, call 256-535-4448.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Demanding Middle East leaders combat a "crisis of Islamic extremism" emanating from their homelands, President Donald Trump tried to revise his previous anti-Muslim rhetoric while recasting the fight against terrorism as a "battle between good and evil" instead of a clash between the West and Islam.

Trump's address Sunday was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as president. During a meeting of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders, he sought to chart a new course for America's role in the region, one aimed squarely on rooting out terrorism, with less focus on promoting human rights and democratic reforms.

"We are not here to lecture -- we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said, speaking in an ornate room that featured 11 chandeliers and six giant video screens. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership -- based on shared interests and values -- to pursue a better future for us all."

Even as the president pledged to work alongside Middle Eastern nations, he put the onus for combatting terrorism on the region. Bellowing into the microphone, he implored Muslim leaders to aggressively fight extremists: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

The president has been enthusiastically embraced in Riyadh, where the ruling royal family has welcomed his tougher stance on Iran, its regional foe.

Trump slammed Iran for spreading "destruction and chaos" throughout the region, repeatedly castigating the nation -- which had re-elected its moderate president the day before -- as a breeding ground and financier for terror. His comments were echoed by Saudi King Salman, who declared, "The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism."

For Trump, the visit has been a welcome escape from the crush of controversies that have consumed his administration in recent weeks. He's been besieged by a series of revelations about the ongoing federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, who had been overseeing the Russia probe.

Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia also served as something of a reset with the region following his presidential campaign, which was frequently punctured by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric. He once mused that he thought "Islam hates us" and repeatedly slammed former President Barack Obama for refusing to use the term "radical Islamic extremism."

Yet Trump himself backed away from the term Sunday as he stood before the region's leaders.

He condemned "Islamists" and "Islamic terror of all kinds," but never specifically referred to radical Islam. He largely kept his voice in check, reading carefully from the TelePrompter as he addressed the crowd, which remained quiet during his delivery. And when he concluded, the American delegation rose to give him a standing ovation -- but the rest of the hall did not.

On Sunday, Trump was full of praise for Muslim world's history and culture. He declared Islam "one of the world's great faiths." And he praised the Middle East's potential even as he underlined his own vision of a United States with tighter borders, saying "this region should not be a place from which refuges flee but to where newcomers flock."

White House officials said they considered Trump's address to be a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.

Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of America's missteps in the region. That speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticized by a number of the United States' Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.

Trump said nothing that could be interpreted as an apology. Instead, he seethed at the terrorists who called the region home, though he offered no solutions to prevent radicalization or entertained any discussion of the sources of disaffection for young Muslims that have led them to turn to violence.

"Terrorists do not worship God. They worship death," he said. "If you choose he path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief and your soul will be full condemned."

Trump's speech came amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies. Trump held individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before participating in a round-table with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.

A Sunday meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi underscored the kinship, with Trump saluting his counterpart on the April release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi, who had been detained in the country for nearly three years.

El-Sissi invited Trump to visit him in Egypt, adding, "You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." As the participants laughed, Trump responded: "I agree."

The president then complimented el-Sissi's choice of footwear, telling his Egyptian counterpart "Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes" after their brief remarks to the press.

But even as Trump soaked in the adulation in Saudi Arabia, his administration continues to fight for its travel ban that would prevent immigrants from six countries -- Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen -- from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

From Saudi Arabia, Trump will head to Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He'll also have an audience with Pope Francis, meet with NATO partners in Brussels and attend the Group of 7 wealthy nations summit in Sicily.
Update: Wilhite was recaptured in Robertsdale at approximately 8 a.m. Sunday. He was arrested without incident. Original story continues below.

Authorities are searching for one inmate who escaped near Baldwin County, and five others in Barbour County.

After two head counts around 12:45 a.m. Sunday, correctional officers realized Joey Lee Wilhite escaped from the Loxley Community Based Facility, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Wilhite, 38, is described as a white male and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a tan shirt. He is 5' 10", 170 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has four tattoos.

Wilhite was convicted in Morgan County of manufacturing a controlled substance, and sentenced in January 2015 to 20 years in prison.

Five inmates also escaped from the Barbour County Jail over the weekend, the sheriff's office reported on Facebook.

The sheriff's office posted Stephon Rashad Galloway, Tywon Jackson, Jabori Henderson, Jasper Kenta Turner, and Clarence Antonio White escaped Saturday evening, possibly between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Anyone with information on the five escapees should call the Barbour County Sheriff's Office at (334) 775-3434. The men are considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

If you see Wilhite or know of his whereabouts, call local law enforcement or the ADOC at (800) 831-8825.
Qatamesh is one of an estimated 500 Palestinians jailed by Israel without charges or trial.

When Israeli forces showed up last week to arrest 66-year-old writer Ahmad Qatamesh at his home in the occupied West Bank, his wife says she was overcome with shock and confusion.

Why now? Why him? Hes old, he has health problems, and hes just doing what he knows: speaking, said Suha Barghouti, Qatameshs wife. Our family and friends are shocked, she told Al Jazeera by phone from Ramallah. Israeli soldiers arrested Qatamesh, a public intellectual known for his writing and lectures, during the pre-dawn hours of May 14 after raiding his brothers nearby home.

On Wednesday, Israel placed Qatamesh under administrative detention, a practice in which Palestinians are jailed on secret evidence without charges or a trial. Barghouti maintains that he has no connections to political organisations and believes he is being targeted for his ideas.

They shouldnt arrest him for talking to people and writing  It must be personal.

READ MORE: What it means to be a Palestinian prisoner in Israel

Israeli intelligence has called Qatamesh in for interrogation several times during the past year, Barghouti added, often warning him to not speak too provocatively about prisoners rights and other struggles. An Israeli military court judge still has to approve the three-month administrative detention order in the coming days.

At time of publication, the spokesperson for the Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence agency, had not replied to Al Jazeeras request for a comment. According to The Times of Israel, the Shin Bet has accused Qatamesh of membership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a left-wing political party.

Throughout last month, Qatamesh was very vocal in his support for the ongoing mass hunger strike in Israeli jails, where Palestinian political prisoners have been fasting for 34 days.

Addameer, a Ramallah-based prisoners rights group, condemned in a statement Israels arrest of Qatamesh, saying that the arrest suggests he is still being targeted for his writings and activism. Of the 6,300-plus Palestinians in Israeli jails, Addameer says that at least 500 are being held as administrative detainees.

The Palestinian Maan News Agency estimates that 1,300 prisoners are currently on hunger strike, while Israeli media reports say they number around 800.

Farah Bayadsi, a lawyer at Addameer, explained that Qatameshs arrest comes at a crucial moment during the prisoners hunger strike. Israeli [prison authorities] have been delaying visits by families and lawyers and sometimes denying them altogether, she told Al Jazeera.

They dont want the families and the lawyers to see the health situation of the striking prisoners.

Altogether, Qatamesh has spent more than 13 years in jail, spread out through several different stints. First arrested in the 1970s, he was jailed for more than four years for alleged involvement in the PFLP.

He was released in 1976 and went into hiding to avoid rearrest until the early 1990s.

In 1992, Israel arrested him yet again and placed him under administrative detention for more than six years. In his book I Shall Not Wear Your Tarboush, Qatamesh wrote about torture and rights violations he says he endured during that period.

He was arrested yet again in April 2011 and placed under administrative detention for more than two-and-a-half years. In 2013, Amnesty International deemed him a prisoner of conscience while he was still behind bars and called for his release.

Tariq Dana, a policy adviser at Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, says Israel has a long history of targeting Palestinian intellectuals as a way of crippling civil society.

It appears that targeting intellectuals, via assassination, expulsion and imprisonment, is central to Israels strategy against Palestinian resistance, Dana told Al Jazeera.

Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani was assassinated by a car bomb planted by the Israeli Mossad in Beirut in 1972, Dana noted, also alluding to the 1972 assassination of translator Wael Zwaiter in Rome and the 1973 killing of poet Kamal Nasser in West Beirut.

READ MORE: How Israel is targeting Palestinian institutions

More recently, on March 6, Israeli forces killed Palestinian activist and author Basil al-Araj during a raid on his hideout in the West Bank town of el-Bireh. Israeli officials claimed al-Araj had been planning attacks on Israeli targets.

The arrest of Ahmad Qatamesh is part of this policy because Palestinian revolutionary intellectuals are very influential in advancing resistance agenda, especially in the absence of political leadership and strategy, Dana said.

For her part, Barghouti said her husband is not involved in any political organisation. He doesnt hide his opinions. He announces them, she explained. This is his character. Hes political and hes an intellectual, but he has nothing to do with any organisation at all. He always speaks with the youth.

Qatameshs arrest has already taken a toll on their family, who never imagined to see him back behind bars. Our daughter grew up visiting him in jail, and now hes back again, Barghouti said.

She was crying when she heard the news and said she hopes hes safe and wishes she could hug him.

Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_
Ian Brady and Myra Hindley may now both be dead but their deeds remain a critical part of British criminal history.

Glasgow, United Kingdom  He met his death from ill health at a high-security psychiatric hospital in northwest England where he had been detained for the past three decades.

The passing of Ian Brady, 79, on May 15 signalled not only the end of a life, but the end of a grim chapter in modern British history.

Brady had been in jail since 1966, when he was given life in prison for the torture and murder of three children  12-year-old John Kilbride, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey and 17-year-old Edward Evans. They were crimes that saw his accomplice and girlfriend Myra Hindley also jailed for life. In 1985, the Glasgow-born killer admitted to the murders of a further two children  16-year-old Pauline Reade and 12-year-old Keith Bennett, whose remains have not yet been found.

The child killings, which saw the couple bury the bodies of four of their victims on Saddleworth Moor, Greater Manchester, England, have gone down in British criminal history as the Moors Murders. Brady refused to reveal the location of Bennett  having buried him somewhere on the moor  and took his secret to the grave. Despite Hindleys death in prison in 2002, the Greater Manchester Polices cold case unit said they would never close the case concerning Bennetts whereabouts.

My immediate thoughts and feelings were of the madness of the media frenzy and the possible bittersweet mix of joy and pain from the victims families and relations that would be created and ensue upon this evil psychopaths death, says Darren Rae, a freelance investigator who has spent 17 years trying to find the body of Bennett.

Pure joy at the death of the man responsible for the brutal, utter decimation of so many innocent lives and then the inevitable return of the unbearable pain that no parent, family member or friend should ever have to bear.

Searching for closure

For more than 50 years the Moors Murders have angered and intrigued the British people in almost equal measure. Hindleys shock of peroxide blonde hair and sullen face staring out from her infamous police mugshot became, for many, the face of evil itself.

An avid letter writer who communicated widely with many correspondents, Brady had been on successive hunger strikes since 1999. He demanded to be allowed to die but was force-fed as he was labelled mentally ill by the authorities. While Hindley and Brady are no more, their legacy lives on.

The nature of the crimes  given the context of the 1960s  in that it involved photographs and recordings  really, really was shocking, says Tom Clark, a sociologist at the University of Sheffield.

Clark, who is writing a book titled The Sociology of Evil, due for publication next year, says the case also happened just after the repeal of the death penalty  and was the first real test of what we were going to do once we had got rid of capital punishment.

So the case of Brady and Hindley is, in some ways, the story of what Britain is going to do with its serious criminals who previously would have probably met the hangmans noose.

Before the Moors Murders the UK had had other serial killers. John Christie, for instance, was executed in 1953 for the murders of at least eight women in London; Peter Manuel was put to death for a spate of murders in Scotland five years later. But, for many, the crimes of Hindley and Brady marked the end of an age of innocence.

While the actions of Christie, Manuel et al were still fresh in the memory, and while the nation itself had experienced the horrors of two world wars, the Moors Murders presented the 20th-century British public with a social outrage that few had before imagined.

Changing societys views

David Holmes, a senior lecturer in psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, says the fact the victims were all children and that Hindley  as a woman  was actively involved in their deaths were twin factors that incensed the British public.

But youve also got to remember that this was the time of celebrity, says Holmes, author of Abnormal Clinical and Forensic Psychology. It was the beginning of mass media permeating the public  and it was the era of the new pop stars and the era of instant celebrity  That almost Nazi-looking photograph of Hindley became iconic.

Indeed, the police mugshots of both figures  together with other images taken before their arrest  gives the pair a certain grim allure that has remained a constant across the decades, Holmes tells Al Jazeera.

The fact that they will always remain in black and white also makes them stand out against, say, the Wests, who seemed to be more of a modern phenomena, he adds, referring to the English couple, Fred and Rosemary West, who jointly killed at least nine young women during the 1970s and 1980s.

Finding Keith

Keith Bennetts mother, who died in 2012, had long hoped that the remains of her son would be discovered before her death. Yet, for many, there seems little chance  not least given Bradys passing  that anything connected with the Bennett boy can ever be unearthed on the vast, ever-changing landscape of Saddleworth Moor. But some, including Darren Rae, contend otherwise. The investigators book on the decades-old case, Finding Keith? The Definitive Investigation into the Moors Murders Case, is due for publication this year.

The reason why I am so sure I can find the remains of Keith Bennett is simply based on my work to date, says Rae, who is currently trying to construct a missing persons organisation, the International Missing Persons Search And Rescue.

In the 17 years of research, investigation, field work, I have made several very significant and important discoveries  All of my evidence has been found in a small, localised area of Saddleworth Moor .

For a lot of Britons  particularly those who can recall the events of the 1960s  Bradys demise brings the curtain down on the Moors Murders. But other than the ongoing speculation surrounding the whereabouts of Bennett, the killings  and the actions of Hindley and Brady, who remained manipulative to the last  should never be forgotten, says Clark. He states that in recalling the case, it tells us something about how we want society to be.

This case was an absolute aberration of what we think a good society should be, the sociologist explains. And the fact that we revisit it so many times provides us with a benchmark about what kind of society we are interested in creating  and this case is a clear example of what we must absolutely avoid and what we dont want to happen.
In a spectacular show of the democratic will of a nation against the entrenched theocratic institutions of a state, the overwhelming majority of Iranians have voted Hassan Rouhani back to office to continue with his snail-pace transformation of the Islamic republic from a deeply ideological bastion of militant Islamism into a major regional cornerstone of economic neoliberalism.

The frame and form of the Islamic republic stays very much the same, but something seemingly harmless though charmingly beguiling is crawling under its skin and from inside out is turning it into a hollow apparition of itself. This is neither a revolution nor a reform. This is a metamorphosis.

Yes, when the current leader Ayatollah Khamenei finally rushes to meet his creator and answer for his sins one day, yet another cleric may succeed him as the next supreme leader but he will be only a shell of the charismatic shadow that Khomeini had left behind and Khamenei could scarcely replace. After him, only an apparition of the old ascetic revolutionary will remain, a shadow warrior, just like Akira Kurosawas Kagemusha.

A Changing Demography





From a total population of Iran that has just hit more than 80 million, some 56 million are eligible voters, of which more than 70 percent, a staggering 41 million Iranians, rushed to polling stations, spent endless hours in lines and voted in a stunning show of a democratic will that does not take the ruling theocracy too seriously. Of the total vote cast, more than 23 million voted for Rouhani and 15 million plus for his arch conservative rival Ebrahim Raisi. You will have to go all the way to India to find a similarly potent democratic intuition of a nation charging against the archaic institutions of an ancient culture.

But that democratic will is now set to be tested against monumental odds facing Rouhani and his cabinet. In part because of the dastardly US Congress, the occupied Israeli territory, continuing to impose new sanctions on Iran, and in part because of the structural deficiencies of a mostly oil and gas-based economy, Rouhani has not managed to translate his success with negotiating a nuclear deal with 5+1 into tangible economic gains for the middle class.

PROFILE: Irans President Hassan Rouhani

Donald Trump, meanwhile, is not exactly a pillar of confidence and stability for the future of US relations with Iran. His eagerness to sell more arms to Saudi Arabia and appease the Israelis and their billionaire supporters like Sheldon Adelson translates into more financial obstacles for Rouhanis presidency. But the powerful presence of Iran in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon are also crucial for the success of the US and its stated objective to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

But beyond the US, Russia, and China, Iran has more immediate regional issues that challenge Rouhanis success. Iran is now entrenched in the geopolitics of a region where not a single major country is staying where it belongs, inside its own territorial boundaries. Every single regional power, from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, and certainly including Iran, is now interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. Rouhanis election will have very little effect on the regional geopolitics, but the regional geopolitics will have a serious effect on Rouhanis presidency.

The Globalists versus the Nativists





The more Rouhani is engaged globally to invite foreign investment and ease tensions in the region, the stronger will be his hand domestically. The victory of Rouhani is the triumph of a robust middle class overriding the ideological banality of an outdated theocracy. If the Islamic Republic wishes to survive in a vastly globalised neoliberalism, it needs to open up space for its restless middle class. The two successive victories of the globalist Rouhani over his nativist rivals in 2013 and now in 2017 are the signals of a globally grounded middle class dragging a theocracy into the democratic game.

But those who voted for Raisi in their millions cannot be easily dismissed. Raisi is the latest remnant of a clerical order that is retreating to its historic domain of the conservative bazaar merchant class, out of touch with the urban bourgeoisie that has now all but abandoned the revolutionary fervour of their parental generation. Even the pious reformism of the Khatami era looks arcane and outlandish to this new class in light of their desires for engaging with the global market.

OPINION: Are elections in Iran an exercise in futility?

To this younger generation the fanaticism of the old left boycotting such elections is as outlandish as the fanaticism of the ruling clergy. This generation has left both those polar opposites behind and moves forward full throttle into the bosom of neoliberal globalism. But, and there is the rub, they will ignore those disenfranchised by this fanatical neoliberalism at their own perils.

That globalism will exacerbate, as it always does everywhere, the income disparity and the gap between the rich and the poor, between the globalised middle class and the nativists disenfranchised by that very globalisation. A good segment of those millions who voted for Raisi are of this category, and Rouhani and his supporters will be foolish to ignore them.

Rouhani might be the Iranian version of Macron, who won in France. But he could have been the Clinton who lost in the US. The lessons of the defeated Marine Le Pen in France and the victorious Trump in the US must be a warning to Rouhani and his supporters.

If the poor and the disenfranchised that their reckless neoliberalism will undoubtedly generate and increase in number do not find a legitimate and enabling space in the expanded market economy of their choice, they will gather around a far scarier Iranian version of Trump and Le Pen put together.

We have already had a premonition of that frightful future charlatanism in the figure of the former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Temper your giddy neoliberalism with careful attention to the fragile fate of the impoverished rural and urban areas, for a younger and more ambitious Ahmadinejad is always lurking in the dark, abusing their legitimate anger for the kind of calamity Americans are now experiencing under Donald Trump.

Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Husam-al Abdallat arrested after a complaint was filed against him by two officials whom he accused of corruption.

Jordanian anti-corruption activist Husam al-Abdallat has been arrested on charges of defamation after a complaint was filed by two men whom Abdallat accused of corruption, Jordanian police said.

The arrest, which Abdallats family claimed was a kidnapping took place when Abdallat was walking home with his teenage son after Friday prayers in Amman.

Four plain-clothed police officers jumped out of a white four-wheel drive vehicle with tinted windows, forced Abdallat into the car and sped away, his family said.

Abdallats son said that he and his father mistook the men for a criminal gang as they did not announce who they were.

Abdellat, a former high-ranking Jordan government official, accused former minister and Chief of Police-turned-businessman Abdel Hadi Al Majali and Minister of Labour Ali Al Ghzawi of abusing public office to enrich themselves.

A government official told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity that Abdallat had crossed many red lines because of his activism.

READ: Jordan cracks down on activists over social media posts

A statement by the Adallat family on Facebook said that the activist was kidnapped by police and never made aware of any charges against him.

Abdallat along with other prominent figures had founded a movement called We The People that aims to expose public corruption and force the government to bring charges and try government officials.

He also published an open letter to King Abdullah urging him to replace corrupt figures in the government and led a public protest last week in down town Amman demanding an end of public corruption.

Abdel Qader Al Khatib, Abdallats lawyer, said that he was denied the right to see his client over the weekend and was instructed to come on Sunday morning to meet him.

Khatib stated that the case against his client stands on shaky grounds legally and was politically motivated.

Abdallat was jailed for more than a month in January along with other civilian opposition activists, including retired army and intelligence generals, a former MP and several teachers for criticism of government policies and alleging rampant corruption in the government.
Two explosions hit an Ahrar al-Sham base in a village in east Idlib province, according to a monitoring group.

At least 14 fighters from the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group in Syria were killed by bomb attacks on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

Two blasts hit a rebel base in a village east of Saraqeb in Idlib province, the British-based Observatory reported.

Ahrar al-Sham said in a statement a lone attacker had driven a motorbike up to the building, detonating explosives attached to himself and a bomb on the bike at the same time, killing and wounding dozens of rebels.

It blamed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) for the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Photos on social media showed bloodied corpses and a blackened motorbike outside a small building in the village. The pictures could not immediately be verified.

READ MORE: Syria rebels leave last Homs neighbourhood

Idlib is a rebel stronghold, but some insurgent factions have fought among themselves this year, including in clashes that pitted groups aligned with Ahrar al-Sham against groups that joined the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.

Syrian government forces have taken advantage of rebel infighting, particularly a separate spat further south near Damascus, to recapture territory from rebels in the six-year conflict.

ISIL is opposed to all sides in the conflict.
In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
Brazilians stage protests around the country to call for president to step down or be impeached after graft charges.

Brazilians around the country staged demonstrations on Sunday to call for their president to step down after the supreme court opened an investigation into allegations he endorsed the payment of hush money to a jailed former lawmaker.

Unions, political parties and activists called for Brazilians to come out on Sunday to demand President Michel Temer step down, though protests in major cities were smaller than expected.

Hundreds of people huddled under umbrellas and building porticos to avoid the rain in Sao Paulo.

In Rio de Janeiro, 150 people waved union flags on the boardwalk along Copacabana beach. They signed a giant banner with messages, such as, Out with Temer and I want a better Brazil.

OPINION: What next for Brazils decaying kleptocracy?

Another 100 people marched to the house of Rodrigo Maia, speaker of the lower house of congress, to call for Temers ouster and immediate elections.

Some were protesting agianst Temers proposals to loosen labour laws and change the pension system as much as they were responding to the recent allegations.

Were here to get Temer out of government because he is a coup-leader, because he is against teachers and other workers, said Tatiana Camargos, a 41-year-old biology teacher, reported AP news agency.

Temer seeks suspension of probe

Temer has defied calls to resign, saying a leaked recording purportedly implicating him in corruption was doctored and denying any wrongdoing.

The recording appears to have Temer endorsing the payment of bribes to ex-House Speaker Eduardo Cunha in exchange for his silence. Cunha is serving a sentence after a corruption conviction.

Temer has asked the Supreme Federal Tribunal, Brazils highest court, to suspend its investigation into him  something that it is unlikely to do.





Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot, who has accused Temer of corruption and obstruction of justice in the case before the court, has said that a preliminary analysis of the recording showed that the conversation it contained was logical and coherent and its contents were consistent with the testimony of people cooperating with the prosecutors office.

Some allied political parties have already withdrawn their support for Temer and others are considering it.

Al Jazeeras Lucia Newman, reporting from Sao Paulo, said that ultimately Temers fate will be decided in the congress and by the courts.

Wednesday is going to be an important day to look towards as the supreme court will have to decide whether to accept President Temers request to drop an investigation into alleged corruption, she said.

If the court does not decide to drop the probe, it could very well be that more parties in his coalition decide to abandon the president, said Newman.

Brazil in crisis

The accusations against Temer have plunged Latin Americas largest nation into crisis yet again, sending its currency and stocks plummeting and stalling a series of reforms designed to pull the economy out of a protracted recession.

Proposals to change the labour law and pension system have stalled in congress amid the political turmoil, and many fear the country will remain in limbo for as long as Temer is in power.

Brazils bar association voted late on Saturday to submit a request for Temers impeachment to congress.

Its been just a year since Temer took over as president following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff over accusations of taking illegal state loans to patch budget holes in 2014.
China systematically dismantled CIA spying efforts in the country from 2010, killing or jailing more than a dozen covert sources, in a deep setback to US intelligence there, according to a report by The New York Times.

The Times, quoting 10 current and former US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the intelligence breach as one of the worst in decades.

The report, released on Sunday, said that even now intelligence officials were unsure whether the US was betrayed by a mole within the CIA or whether the Chinese hacked a covert system used by the agency to communicate with foreign sources.





Of the damage inflicted on what had been one of the most productive US spy networks, there was no doubt that at least a dozen CIA sources were killed between late 2010 and the end of 2012, it said.

One was shot in front of his colleagues in the courtyard of a government building  a message to others who might have been working for the CIA, the report said.

In all, 18 to 20 CIA sources in China were either killed or imprisoned, according to two former senior American officials quoted.

The breach was considered particularly damaging, with the number of assets lost rivalling those in the Soviet Union and Russia who perished after information passed to Moscow by spies Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, the report said.

The CIAs mole hunt in China, following the severe losses to its network there, was intense and urgent. Nearly every employee of the US Embassy in Beijing was scrutinised at one point, the newspaper said.

The Chinese activities began to emerge in 2010, when the American spy agency had been getting high-quality information about the Chinese government from sources deep inside the bureaucracy, including Chinese upset by the Beijing governments corruption, four former officials told the Times.

The information began to dry up by the end of the year and the sources began disappearing in early 2011, the report said.

As more sources were killed, the FBI and the CIA began a joint investigation of the breach, examining all operations run in Beijing and every employee of the US Embassy there.

The CIA declined to comment.
The number of suspected cases reaches almost 30,000 in the war-torn country whose healthcare system is collapsing.

A cholera outbreak in war-ravaged Yemen has killed 315 people since April 27, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday.

The cholera infection is continuing to spread across Yemen with more than 29,300 suspected cases reported in 19 of the countrys 22 provinces, the agency added in a tweet.

The latest tallies come a day after the international charity organisation Doctors without Borders warned that the cholera outbreak could get out of control in Yemen.





The impoverished country has been devastated by a power struggle between a Saudi-backed government and Iran-aligned rebels since late 2014. Yemens ongoing violence has taken a toll on its healthcare centres.

Last week, a state of emergency was declared in the rebel-held capital Sanaa after a large number of cholera cases were detected in the city.

More than half of the countrys medical facilities no longer function, the WHO said. Some 7.6 million people live in Yemens cholera-threatened areas, according to UN estimates.

Potential 300,000 cases in six months

On Friday, the WHO warned that Yemen could have as many as 300,000 cases of cholera within six months and an extremely high number of deaths.

We need to expect something that could go up to 200,000-250,000 cases over the next six months, in addition to the 50,000 cases that have already occurred, Nevio Zagaria, WHO Yemen representative, told reporters in Geneva.

INTERACTIVE  Military action in Yemen: Whos for, whos against?

The cost in lives from an infection rate on this scale would be extremely, extremely high, he said, adding that the speed of the resurgence of the cholera epidemic is unprecedented [for Yemen].

What is cholera?

Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal infection, is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.

If not treated, the disease can kill within a few hours. Almost 75 percent of people infected do not show any symptoms.

The short incubation period means outbreaks can spread with explosive speed, especially in places without safe water and proper sanitation, according to the WHO.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates three to five million cholera cases annually and over 100,000 deaths occurring each year.

Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea. Patients can be treated with oral rehydration solution, a prepackaged mixture of sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in large amounts, according to the CDC.

Yemenis have been suffering from a significant lack of access to food, clean water, as well as medications that have contributed to the spread of the infection.
Trumps comments linking Hamas to terrorism show his complete bias towards Israel, says the groups spokesman.

The Hamas movement has rejected US President Donald Trumps comments linking it to terrorism in his speech in Saudi Arabia, saying it shows his complete bias towards Israel.

The statement describing Hamas as a terror group is rejected and is a distortion of our image and shows a complete bias to the Zionist occupation, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement on Sunday.

Barhoum dubbed the speech a confirmation that Trump is following the policy of previous US administrations.

Trump addressed the leaders of 55 Muslim countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and said they must take the lead in combating radicalisation.

The true toll of ISIS [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant], al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams, said Trump in the speech.

READ MORE: What is next for Hamas?

Hamas says its battle is against Israeli occupation, not the West.

The movement presented a new political charter earlier this month that accepts the formation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, without recognising the statehood of Israel, and says that the conflict in Palestine is not a religious one.

Trumps speech came on the second day of a visit to Saudi Arabia, part of Trumps first foreign tour that will take him next to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories and then to Europe.

Palestinian activists call for protests against Trump

Meanwhile, Palestinian activists have called for a Day of Rage when Trump visits the West Bank on Tuesday.

The call for mobilisation was put out by a group calling itself the Supreme National Leadership Committee, which includes various Palestinian political factions, including Abbass Fatah movement.

The committee was set up in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli prisons.

PROFILE: Ismail Haniya  Hamas political chief

The demonstrations are meant to draw attention to a month-long hunger strike by hundreds of prisoners being held by Israel and to protest what many Palestinians say is unfair US support for Israel.

In a statement, the group said on Sunday the Palestinian factions affirm their rejection of the American position, which is biased in favour of the occupation.

Trumps visit to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories on Monday and Tuesday will be closely scrutinised as he seeks ways to restart peace efforts.
South Koreas defence ministry says unidentified projectile was fired from an area just north of Pyongyang.

North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile, South Koreas military said, a week after its latest missile launch.

South Koreas Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the projectile took off on Sunday afternoon from a location near Pukchang.

The missile flew about 500 kilometres and was believed to have landed in waters off its east coast, South Koreas military said.





The Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korea and the United States were conducting close-up analysis of the launch.

Our military is closely monitoring the North Korean military for any further provocation and maintaining readiness to respond, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Last week Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile named the Hwasong-12, its longest-range missile yet, according to analysts.

READ MORE: North Koreas nuclear weapons  all we know

It was its 10th launch this year, after dozens in 2016, as it accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States  something US President Donald Trump has vowed wont happen.

Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across the South and Japan.

Such tests present a difficult challenge to new South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who took office on May 10 and has expressed a desire to reach out to North Korea.

North Koreas latest launch came hours after Moon named his new foreign minister nominee and top advisers for security and foreign policy.
Arab-Islamic-American summit condemns perpetrators that commit terrorist acts in the name of religion.

US President Donald Trump, leaders and representatives of 55 Arab and Muslim-dominated countries kicked off their Arab-Islamic-American summit in Riyadh on Sunday, focusing on unity in the fight against terrorism.

King Salman of Saudi Arabia was the first to address the summit, telling the gathering that Islam provided the best example for coexistence and will always be the religion of mercy and coexistence.





King Salman highlighted that some people seek to present distorted picture of Islam.

We all, peoples and countries, reject in every language and in every form damaging the relations of Muslim countries with friendly countries and profiling countries based on a religious or sectarian basis.

In his address, Trump said that the US was seeking a coalition of nations in the Middle East with the aim of stamping out extremism.

Trump told the gathering that the overwhelming majority of victims of terrorist attacks were the innocent people of the Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations, pointing out that 95 percent of the victims of terrorist attacks are themselves Muslims.

Battle between good and evil

He said that the fight against extremists is a battle between good and evil.

This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil, Trump said

This not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations. This is a battle between those who seek to obliterate human life and those who seek to protect it.

He added that the US was prepared to stand with those leaders in the fight against extremists, but that those countries should take the lead, urging them to drive extremists out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your community. Drive them out of your holy land.

America is prepared to stand with you, said Trump. But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.

He also called on religious leaders to condemn attacks in the name of religion, but insisted that this is not a battle between different faiths.

The US leader, who has been accused of anti-Islamic rhetoric in the past, said he was not there to lecture: We are not here to tell other people how to live or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership based on shared interests and values.

We must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet historys great test to conquer extremism, he said.

Trumps address was sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administrations attempted travel ban targetting several Muslim-majority nations and his previous remarks on Islam.

I think Islam hates us. There is a tremendous hatred there. We have to get to the bottom of it, Trump said in a March 2016 interview with CNN.

Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Riyadh after Trumps speech on Sunday, said that the US leaders tone was quite different.

Trump reached out to the Muslim world with a new message, calling for peace, hope and unity. I think this is something that will resonate among Arab leaders, particularly those who were attending the summit today and their support is going to be crucial for the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), he said.

Millions of Muslims who would be watching this speech will be totally surprised by a completely different tone by President Trump.

First foreign tour

Trumps speech came on the second day of a visit to Saudi Arabia, part of Trumps first foreign tour that will take him next to Israel and the Palestinian Territories and then to Europe.

The first day saw the announcement of hundreds of billions of dollars in trade deals.

Among the agreements was an arms deal worth almost $110bn with Saudi Arabia, described as the largest in US history.

Trump met with some of the leaders from Muslim-majority countries gathered in Riyadh for the summit, including Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Bahrains King Hamad and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

He signed a memorandum of understanding with the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council on countering financing of terrorism. GCC includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
Elected for a second term, Irans president says people chose interaction with the world over violence and extremism.

Irans President Hassan Rouhani, after securing a decisive re-election, has pledged to open the country to the world and deliver the freedom its people have yearned for.

Rouhani sealed a second term in office after he won Fridays election with more than 57 percent of the vote. His principlist rival, Ebrahim Raisi, won 38 percent.

Irans nation chose the path of interaction with the world, away from violence and extremism, the 68-year-old reformist said in a televised speech on Saturday.

Today, Iran  prouder than ever  is ready to promote its relations with the world based on mutual respect and national interests, he said.





The election was seen by many as a verdict on Rouhanis policy of opening up Iran to the outside world, including the 2015 nuclear deal that won the country relief from international sanctions in exchange for limits on its contested nuclear programme.

Iran is not ready to accept humiliation and threat, Rouhani continued.

This is the most important message that our nation expects to be heard by all, particularly world powers.

Saturday evening saw tens of thousands of his supporters celebrating by pouring into the streets of downtown Tehran, setting off fireworks, and singing and dancing until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Im happy and a bit relieved after a month of stress, said 27-year-old Afshin as he joined a large crowd gathered in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran.

READ MORE: Profile  Irans President Hassan Rouhani

In the same way we campaigned for him, we will demand he keeps his promises.

Videos on social media showed huge crowds out on the streets across Iran.

Many wore purple ribbons in support of Rouhani as well as the green of the the reformist movement crushed by security forces after a 2009 election, whose leaders have been under house arrest since 2011.

During campaigning, Rouhani had promised to seek their release if re-elected.

Many experts are skeptical that a president can effect a huge change in the country as he is subordinate to the supreme leader, who is chosen by a clerical panel and has veto power over all policies and control over the security forces.

One of the first world leaders to congratulate Rouhani was Irans ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who said he looked forward to cooperating to strengthen the security and stability of both countries, the region and the world.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, whose country has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980, said he hoped Rouhani would use his second term to end Tehrans ballistic missile programme and what he called its network of terrorism.

Iran denies any involvement in terrorism and says its missile programme, which US President Donald Trump recently targeted with new sanctions, is purely for defence purposes.
Two suspects sentenced to death by hanging while a third suspect is to face a firing squad, Gaza court decides.

A court in the Gaza Strip on Sunday sentenced three men to death over the killing of a Hamas military commander, which Hamas has blamed on Israel.

After a four-day trial, two of the accused were sentenced to be hanged and one to be shot, the military court announced.

The killing of Mazen Faqha in the middle of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on March 24 shocked the movement and raised the possibility of a new round of violence with Israel.

In Sundays court ruling, suspect Ashraf Abu Leila, 38, was sentenced to hang after being convicted of murder.

The others were identified only as Hisham A, 44, who was also sentenced to hang, and Abdallah N, who was to face the firing squad. They were convicted of collaborating with Israel.

Sulaiman Awad, the head of Hamas military court, said the verdicts were final and could not be appealed.

The rulings are the last step before implementing the capital punishment, he told journalists. This is the first time the Zionist enemy resorts to activating a number of collaborators for the implementation of this crime.

In the aftermath of the killing, Hamas implemented border restrictions on those seeking to leave the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has not denied or confirmed the accusations.

Iyad al-Bozom said the three suspects would be executed soon.

Faqha shot four times in head

Faqha had been accused by Israel of forming cells for Hamas military wing in the Occupied West Bank and spent years in an Israeli jail before being released into the Gaza Strip as part of a 2011 prisoner exchange deal.

Hamas said Faqha was shot four times in the head with a silenced gun. The group said that Israel and its collaborators were responsible for the killing.

No one would benefit from this crime except the Zionist enemy and not to mention, the Zionist enemy announced in all of its media that the leader, Mazen Faqha, is on the top of the wanted list, senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil told Al Jazeera in March.

READ MORE: What is next for Hamas?

Last week, Hamas released what it said was a recording of the confessions of the accused.

Images allegedly showed three men, presented as the murderer and his two accomplices, confessing to their roles, although their faces did not appear.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade for a decade, while Egypts crossing with the enclave has also remained largely closed in recent years.

The Islamic Jihad movement said in March that Faqhas assassination marked the beginning of a new offensive by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza, and that the group had the right to respond and defend itself.

Thousands of Palestinians poured on to the streets for Faqhas funeral in March.

Human rights groups concerned

After Sundays ruling, human rights groups issued concern.

Executions without the ratification of a president are tantamount to extrajudicial executions, Hamdi Shaqoura, the Gaza-based director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, told Al Jazeera.

We are talking about a summary trial carried out in just a few days  We are afraid that no proper guarantees for fair trial were offered to [the suspects].

Shaqoura said while nobody argues about the severity of the crime and assassination, the death penalty had never proved to be a deterrant to crime.

Last week Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch director for Israel and the Palestinian territories, said: Widespread coercion, torture and routine deprivation of detainees rights by Hamas security services in Gaza call into question whether these confessions were in fact voluntary or may have been extracted under duress.
After saying Islam hates us and calling for a Muslim travel ban, Trump seeks to reset relations with Islamic world.

Donald Trump is set to deliver a major speech on Islam during his visit to Saudi Arabia, just two months after he signed revised orders to halt people from six Muslim-majority nations from entering the US.

During a lunch with up to 50 Muslim leaders in Riyadh on Sunday, Trump is expected to express his hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam, a day after Washington took issue with Iran.

The speech has been touted as a major event along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world given by his predecessor Barack Obama in Cairo in 2009.





It will be especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administrations attempted travel ban .

During his campaign, Trump floated the idea of putting mosques in the US under surveillance while calling for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the US until our countrys representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.

His words shocked many Americans, with Trumps detractors noting that the US Constitution prohibits religious discrimination.

I think Islam hates us. There is a tremendous hatred there. We have to get to the bottom of it, Trump said in a March 2016 interview with CNN.

Sundays address comes a day after the US and Saudi Arabia signed agreements worth more than $380bn  almost a third of that military-related.

That was a tremendous day. Tremendous investments in the United States, Trump said on Saturday at talks with Saudi King Salman.

READ MORE: US and Saudi Arabia sign arms deals worth almost $110bn

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson set the tone on Saturday when he urged Irans newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani to dismantle his countrys network of terrorism.

Tillerson also said the new arms deals signed between Riyadh and Washington aim to help Saudi Arabia deal with malign Iranian influence.

What will he say?

According to excerpts of the speech released by the White House, Trump will call on Arab leaders to confront Islamist extremism, and portray fighting terrorism as a battle between good and evil.

This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it, the excerpts said.

That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.

The nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children, Trump was expected to say.

Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Riyadh, said Trump would be treading carefully as he addresses the Islamic dignitaries.

This speech comes against the backdrop of Trumps Muslim ban, which he has pursued both in his campaign and in his first 100 days as president, he said.

His remarks about refugees and Islam were seen as inflammatory, as anti-Islam and anti-Muslim. In his speech, Trump will likely insist on tackling radical ideologies, while staying away from anything that could be interpreted as targeting Islam or the Muslim world.

READ MORE: Obama in Cairo for landmark speech

Trumps influential national security adviser, HR McMaster, has said he will deliver an inspiring, direct speech.

He will meet and have lunch with leaders of more than 50 Muslim countries, where he will deliver an inspiring, direct speech on the need to confront radical ideology and the presidents hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam, McMaster said ahead of the visit.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the speech would be uplifting.

Hell talk about what unites us in uplifting terms, but hell also be very blunt in talking about the need to confront extremism and the fact that many in the Muslim world have not only not done enough, theyve actively abetted this extremism, even as some of them have talked a good game on the surface but in quiet, continue to fund extremism.

READ MORE: Full text of Obamas Cairo speech

Following his election as US president, Trump may choose a path not far removed from those of his predecessors, Obama and George W Bush.

After al-Qaeda claimed the 9/11 attacks on the United States, Bush visited a Washington mosque and said Islam is peace, insisting that the face of terror is not the true faith of Islam.

And Obama chose Cairo University to deliver a speech detailing his vision of Islam in June 2009.

He addressed the worlds 1.5 billion Muslims with the traditional Arabic greeting assalam-o-alaikum, and went on to call for this cycle of suspicion and discord to end.

Trump, who next travels to Israel and the Palestinian territories before visiting The Vatican, Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings, is looking to leave his domestic troubles behind.
At least 20 officers, dozens of fighters dead in violence sweeping southern Shah Joi district, with many also wounded.

At least 20 policemen were killed in Taliban ambushes in southern Afghanistan, officials said, as security forces sought to dislodge fighters in multiple districts.

Fighting is ongoing in Zabul province, where the police were attacked in Shah Joi district, provincial governor Bismullah Afghanmal said on Sunday. He said the Taliban had ambushed police in the areas of Chino and Ghulam Rabat.

The report we have right now indicates that 20 policemen are martyred and 10 others are wounded. The number may increase, Afghanmal told the Reuters news agency.

Dozens of Taliban, who have been waging a 16-year-long battle against the Western-backed government in Kabul, were also reported killed and wounded, Afghanmal said.

Reinforcements sent to the area where the police had been ambushed were also attacked, said Gul Islam Seyal, a spokesman for the Zabul governor.

WATCH: Can the Taliban in Afghanistan be defeated?

Fighting was also ongoing in Zabuls Dai Chopan district, but the extent of casualties was unknown, Afghanmal said.

In neighbouring Ghazni province, Taliban fighters launched a three-pronged attack on parts of the provincial capital on Friday, driving a Humvee packed with explosives into the entrance of a district governors compound during the assault.

Separately on Sunday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Saturday on a bank in Paktia province, which left at least six people dead, including three attackers.

Taliban fighters launched their annual spring offensive in late April, heralding a surge in fighting as the US tries to craft a new Afghan strategy and NATO considers sending more troops to break the stalemate against the resurgent fighters.

International guest house attacked

Meanwhile, a German aid worker and an Afghan guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped as armed men stormed an international guesthouse in central Kabul, officials said on Sunday.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack late on Saturday on the guesthouse run by Swedish charity Operation Mercy.

A Finnish lady was kidnapped from police district (three) last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter.

Operation Mercy works with local Afghan communities in areas such as reducing infant mortality and womens empowerment.

The kidnapping of foreigners has been on the rise, but the threat of abductions is even greater for Afghans.

Kabul is plagued by criminal gangs who stage abductions for ransom, often targeting foreigners and wealthy locals, and sometimes handing them over to armed groups.
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UN refugee chief shocked at the harsh conditions in which Libya keeps refugees and migrants in detention centres.

The head of the UN refugee agency has urged Libyan authorities to free all asylum seekers and refugees from its detention centres.

Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, visited one of the detention centres in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Sunday.





I fully appreciate that the government has security concerns, he said, but added that other solutions could be found for people fleeing countries in conflict such as Syria and Somalia.

Thousands of refugees are being held in dozens of detention centres in Libya, after being stopped or rescued from rickety boats as they attempted the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe.

I was shocked at the harsh conditions in which refugees and migrants are held, Grandi said in a statement released on Sunday by the agencys Geneva headquarters.

Children, women and men who have suffered so much already should not have to endure such hardship.

UN needs to do more for refugees in Libya

The UN refugee agency has secured the release of more than 800 refugees and asylum seekers from Libyan detention centres over the past year and a half, the statement said.

Grandi promised to reinforce his agencys presence in Libya if security conditions allowed it, and also to provide assistance to thousands of Libyans displaced by conflict.

The time has come for us, as the UN refugee agency, to step up our presence and activities in the country, Grandi later told AFP news agency.

He said that doing so could take time for political and security reasons, however.

But meanwhile we are doing whatever we can to help the Libyans manage better these issues, he said.
Millions are going hungry in several countries because of the worst drought in living memory.

The United Nations is warning that more than 20 million people are in serious danger of starvation in various countries across Africa and in Yemen too.

Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda and South Sudan are all at risk. Famine has already been declared by the UN in two states of South Sudan.

More than one and a half million people have fled to neighbouring countries in search of food and to escape war.

Is the world doing enough to help?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Ateny Wek Ateny  South Sudans presidential spokesman

Peter Biar Ajak  founder and director of the Centre for Strategic Analysis and Research

Bester Mulauzi  director of programmes for Save the Children in South Sudan
The case against Assange is as political as it is legal; where does it go from here? Plus, Kenyas election influencers.
In February, California senator Janet Nguyen (R-Santa Ana), the country's first Vietnamese-American state legislator, whose district includes more than 100,000 people of Vietnamese descent, was removed from the Senate chamber after objecting to the lionization of deceased former state assemblyman and senator Tom Hayden, a communist collaborator during the Vietnam War. Nguyen was born in Saigon a year before the city fell to the North Vietnamese forces in 1975 and legally immigrated to the United States with her family four years later, settling in southern California.

When the posthumous lionization began of Hayden's service of almost two decades in California state government, Nguyen was distressed. She knew Hayden as someone who had aided and given comfort to the communist enemy in her country of origin. She felt compelled to express the sentiments of her heavily refugee-populated district, whose families had suffered greatly because of North Vietnamese brutality. The community blames the U.S. anti-war movement for undermining the war effort and contributing to the eventual victory of the North Vietnamese communists.

During the Vietnam War in the 1960s, Hayden, a prominent and vocal voice for the North Vietnamese communists, had organized a campaign with Jane Fonda, John Kerry, and Ted Kennedy to cut off American aid to the existing government of South Vietnam and cooperate with the Vietcong and Khmer Rouge. Hayden traveled to southeast Asia numerous times during the conflict to strategize with the enemy on defeating America's anti-communist plan. When reports came to light that American soldiers were being tortured in communist captivity, he proclaimed the reports to be "propaganda." Hayden and Fonda notoriously weakened the morale of American POWs by participating in broadcasts for the North Vietnamese in which they accused American troops of war crimes.

After Hayden's passing October 23, 2016, the California Senate held a ceremony five months later on February 20, 2017, honoring his service to the state legislature. California Democratic Party chairman John Burton praised the former senator as "one of the great visionaries" and as "a guy with a lot of courage." President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) crowed, "He dedicated his life to the betterment of our state and our great country through the pursuit of peace, justice and equity." Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) applauded Hayden for his street activism against the Vietnamese war.

These undue accolades proved to be too much for Nguyen, who is aware of the truth regarding Hayden's anti-war pursuits. She left the chamber and, later, unsuccessfully attempted to gain approval to recess the session later in the week in remembrance of the one million Vietnamese who died because of the war and to speak about Hayden's actions in Vietnam.

Although refused permission, Nguyen returned to the Senate four days later and gave her statement anyway, speaking first in Vietnamese and then English.

"Mr. Hayden sided with a communist government that enslaved and/or killed millions of Vietnamese, including members of my own family," she said. "Mr. Hayden's actions are viewed by many as harmful to democratic values and hateful toward those who sought the very freedoms on which this nation is founded."

Regretfully, Senator Nguyen didn't get far with her statement, as she was chastised for being out of order, had her microphone cut off, and was ultimately removed from the California Senate floor. The following weekend, over 100 local Vietnamese Americans, who felt that the memory of their lost loved ones and the brutal assault on their country had been disrespected, attended a rally in support of the senator and her right to speak out against Hayden's actions.

A week later, recognizing the public relations implications of dragging a Vietnam war refugee from the state Senate floor, de Leon attempted an apology that essentially excused Nguyen's removal for violating chamber rules by citing the timing of her remarks. However, this response appeared disingenuous, given that Nguyen was denied permission to speak and, instead, told to either post her comments online or provide them following adjournment, an apparent violation of Senate rules.

In May, once again, Nguyen was forced to act on her anti-communist beliefs when Assembly Bill 22 was introduced by California assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-San Francisco). The legislation amended an existing statute for removing a public employee who "is knowingly a member of the Communist party" or member of an organization that "advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of any state by force or violence." Essentially, the bill would allow communists to work legally in California government. On May 10, the bill passed the Assembly and was headed for a Senate vote.

Constituents from Nguyen's district, often referred to as "Little Saigon," were up in arms about A.B. 22. Many had lived under communist oppression and strongly protested the measure. With district support, Nguyen promptly launched a petition to oppose the legislation. Plans were readied in the local Vietnamese-American community to send protesters to Sacramento.

Claiming that his bill didn't "endorse communism or encourage communism," Bonta maintained that he was protecting "people's rights" and following constitutional precedents that made it illegal for government to fire employees due to their political affiliations, a claim that rang hollow for Nguyen's constituents.

For now, it appears that Sen. Nguyen's efforts and those of the community she represents succeeded in thwarting plans to allow those espousing communist ideologies to work in California government. On May 18, Bonta announced withdrawal of the bill and apologized to veterans and those who fled the communist regime in Vietnam. Nguyen must be commended for her valiant quest to stand up in the face of acclaim for a traitorous communist collaborator and for her actions to stop legislation that would have normalized communist ideology in the Golden State.
The war over Confederate civil war monuments took an interesting turn when the Alabama legislature passed a law protecting the monuments from destruction or removal.

Meanwhile, the city of New Orleans completed the removal of a statue depicting Confederate General Robert E. Lee - still considered by many historians to be one of the greatest generals in American history.

NPR:

The New Orleans City Council had declared the city's four Confederate monuments a public nuisance. On Friday police cars circled the last one standing, the imposing statue of General Robert E. Lee, a 16-foot-tall bronze figure mounted on a 60-foot pedestal in the center of Lee Circle near downtown. Live news trucks were parked on side streets, and cameramen watched from the windows of nearby hotel rooms. The air was muggy and tense. Three monuments already had come down in what represented a sharp cultural changing of the guard: First it was the Liberty Place monument, an obelisk tucked on a back street near the French Quarter that commemorated a Reconstruction Era white supremacist attack on the city's integrated police force; next, Confederate Jefferson Davis  a bronze statue of the only president of the Confederacy, mounted on a pedestal in the working-class Mid-City area of town; then, Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard, mounted high on a horse in a roundabout at the entrance to City Park. Statue supporters say they represent an important part of the state's identity and culture  but in a city where 60 percent of the residents are African-American, many see the monuments as an offensive celebration of the Confederacy and the system of slavery it sought to preserve.

There may be justification for the removal of the Liberty Place monument, given the event it was designed to recall. But by removing the obelisk, aren't those who support the destruction of all these monuments inviting us to forget what happened? Of course, we disapprove of "celebrating" the oppression of black people, but instead of taking down the monuments, why not use them to educate the public about a period of time in American history that sincere people on both sides disagreed? The plaques commemorating and explaining the people and events of that period in history would have to be changed. But the monuments themselves could remain as a permanent reminder that no matter how wrong the worldview of one side - and this should be pointed out in the commemoration - that honorable men fought and many died for what they sincerely believed.

Is there no room in America anymore for this kind of rememberance?

The Alabama legislature is taking pains to protect their Confederate monuments, but here too, they may be misguided.

AP:

The measure drew opposition this session at nearly every stage of the legislative process. African-American lawmakers have argued that protecting such monuments solidifies a shameful legacy of slavery, while proponents counter that their intention is only to preserve history. Supporters also point out that the bill doesnt specifically mention Confederate markers. The GOP-controlled House passed the bill 72-29 after about three hours of resistance from black Democrats, who railed against the measure. Those Confederate memorials, they are offensive. They remind us of a time when African-Americans were treated as chattel property, said Rep. Merika Coleman, a Birmingham Democrat. Alexander City Republican Rep. Mark Tuggle stepped in during the debate to tell opponents that historical markers significant to blacks would also be preserved by the bill. Just to be clear, this protects all monuments, he said. Legislators tacked on a series of last-minute amendments to the measure before it passed, pushing the bill back to the Senate for more debate instead of to the governors office for a signature. A previous version of the bill would have stopped changes from being made to monuments that are more than 20 years old but lawmakers removed the time stipulation entirely. The measure was approved as places around the South are rethinking the appropriateness of monuments honoring the Confederacy. Officials in New Orleans on Monday removed a statue that paid homage to whites who tried to remove a biracial post-Civil War government in that city.

Embracing the entire history of that period requires an accounting for the rancid views of southern slave holders and the fact that the Confederacy was constructed to protect that "peculiar institution." That doesn't mean the statues have to come down. It means that there should be a re-evaluation all around to include the views that slavery was a moral wrong but the men who fought for the Confederacy should be acknowledged for their deeds.

I understand the desire not to glorify the Confederacy. But how many statues to Union generals would have to come down because of their personal view of slavery or racist attitudes toward blacks? Should we scrub the entire civil war era and reconstruction from history because most people on both sides were racist?

Coming to terms with what happened during that painful era in American history requires all sides to seek understanding of one another's point of view. That doesn't appear likely as politicians pander to the prejudices and biases of both whites and blacks on this issue.
When Hillary Clinton dreamed up the excuse of blaming the Russians for her defeat, as the book Shattered reports she did within 48 hours, it must have seemed like a good idea. And for the last half-year, the accusations have proven popular with the base, generating enthusiasm, crowds, and  most of all  donations for the pols and readers or viewers for the progressive media.

Lots of people on the left are making money and are buoyed by a level of anger and discontent among the Democrat base that has not been seen since the election of Abraham Lincoln. Just yesterday, Democrats in California, meeting at their state convention, disgraced themselves with a scene of mass vulgarity that has no precedent on American politics that I know of.

Along with money and enthusiasm, the Blame Russia Strategy has created soaring expectations among the base that President Trump will be removed from office because the evidence of treason  so far lacking -- just must be there, simply because they desire it so deeply. They see daily revelations in the mainstream media that have created an artificial atmosphere of certainty. Never mind that many stories  such as the Washington Post claim that Comey was fired after requesting more resources for the Russia investigation (supposedly based on 30 anonymous sources)  turn out to be false. The media they see never backtrack and apologize for their exaggerations and falsehoods. The drumbeat continues unabated, and the animal spirits of the mob exceed the ability of norms to moderate them.

Glenn Greenwald, a lefty, sees quite clearly the corner the Democrats have painted themselves into. Writing at The Intercept, he cites the knowledgeable Dems quietly warning the Dems to back away.

The latest official to throw cold water on the MSNBC-led circus is President Obamas former acting CIA chief Michael Morell. What makes him particularly notable in this context is that Morell was one of Clintons most vocal CIA surrogates. In August, he not only endorsed Clinton in the pages of the New York Times but also became the first high official to explicitly accuse Trump of disloyalty, claiming, In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation. But on Wednesday night, Morell appeared at an intelligence community forum to cast doubt on allegations that members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. On the question of the Trump campaign conspiring with the Russians here, there is smoke, but there is no fire at all, he said, adding, Theres no little campfire, theres no little candle, theres no spark. And theres a lot of people looking for it. (snip) Morells comments echo the categorical remarks by Obamas top national security official, James Clapper, who told Meet the Press last week that during the time he was Obamas DNI, he saw no evidence to support claims of a Trump/Russia conspiracy. We had no evidence of such collusion, Clapper stated unequivocally. Unlike Morell, who left his official CIA position in 2013 but remains very integrated into the intelligence community, Clapper was Obamas DNI until just seven weeks ago, leaving on January 20. Perhaps most revealing of all are the Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee  charged with investigating these matters  who recently told BuzzFeed how petrified they are of what the Democratic base will do if they do not find evidence of collusion, as they now suspect will likely be the case. Theres a tangible frustration over what one official called wildly inflated expectations surrounding the panels fledgling investigation, BuzzFeeds Ali Watkins wrote.

Those wildly inflated expectations are a real and present danger to the Democrat leadership, who could well find themselves blamed as sellouts or worse.

several [Senate Intelligence] committee sources grudgingly say, it feels as though the investigation will be seen as a sham if the Senate doesnt find a silver bullet connecting Trump and Russian intelligence operatives. One member told Watkins: I dont think the conclusions are going to meet peoples expectations.

The Democrats now find themselves in the position of Victor Frankenstein, who created a monster that he could not control. He lamented: I live in daily fear, lest the monster whom I had created should perpetrate some new wickedness. But of course, he maintained basic morality, which led to fears of wickedness being perpetrated. For the Dems, the sole consideration is the damage the monster they created -- which looks more like the peasants with pitchforks and torches storming the castle than it does like the monster himself  turning on them.
The New York Times is reporting that the Chinese government executed at least a dozen US intelligence agents and sources from 2010-12 thus destroying a network the agency had built over a period of many years.

The Chinese also imprisoned several other US assets, leaving the agency's Chinese intelligence operations in shambles.

Daily Caller:

Beijing killed at least a dozen CIA sources and imprisoned several others, former and current U.S. officials told The New York Times. One asset was reportedly shot in front of his coworkers. The systematic campaign largely did away with a CIA espionage network that took the U.S. years to build. Intelligence coming out of China was at its best early in 2010, but by the end of the year, the flow had decreased. By 2011, the CIA realized that their sources were disappearing. The CIA considers spying in China one of its top priorities, but the countrys extensive security apparatus makes it exceptionally hard for Western spy services to develop sources there, reports The New York Times, highlighting the significant damage caused by the eradication of intelligence assets. Some officials think a mole tipped the Chinese off, revealing the identities of CIA sources. The FBI and CIA launched an investigation, code-named Honey Badger, into the situation. Investigators suspected a former agency operative who oversaw operations in China and decided to remain in Asia after he left the CIA. The man, a Chinese-American intelligence officer, left the CIA before the leaks began. He had access to the identities of key informants. Other officials who talked to The New York Times suspect that China hacked the covert communications channel. Still others believe that American officers and their sources simply got careless at a time when Chinese spycraft was improving rapidly. By 2013, the CIA had managed to blunt Chinas elimination of intelligence assets, although it is unclear how the agency achieved this outcome. China is particularly sensitive to the dangers of foreign espionage, but at the same time, it is highly aggressive in its own spy operations against other countries, especially the U.S. Some Chinese cities pay citizens to hunt foreign spies.

China is not as closed a society as it was in the 1970s and 80s, but make no mistake, the government still exercises iron control over the movement of its citizens and heavily regulates what they see and hear on a daily basis.It's never been easy to penetrate the veil of secrecy under which the Chinese government operates, but apparently, the CIA had enjoyed some success in doing so.

The impact of losing most our inteligence capabilities for several years could be very serious. Although tensions in the South China Sea over the Chinese government's militarization of several man made islands has been out of the news recently, the threat of conflict is ever present. Also, Chinese support for North Korea complicates our strategy in dealing with the nuclear threat.

We aren't totally without eyes and ears in China. Spy satellites and other technological means to gather intelligence are still at our disposal. But there is no substitute for human intelligence - the ability to measure the motives and intent of the Chinese government - and that capability has been temporarily lost.
It's the oldest European game on the books: The Exit Shakedown.

Anytime someone wants out of Europe's smothering embrace, a huge indemnity is demanded. It happened in Haiti, in 1825, when France demanded the equivalent of $40 billion from dirt-poor Haiti to pay back France's plantation slave owners upset about losing their 'property' after Haiti's slaves revolted and declared independence from France in 1804 - in exchange for diplomatic recognition. The massive indemnification was one reason why Haiti stayed poor while its neighbors were able to progress.

The Treaty of Versailles, which paved the way for Nazi Germany, is arguably another.

Now, the European Union wants $100 billion from Britain in exchange for its 'right' to leave that hellhole union. File under 'unclear on the concept.'

The reality is, exit means asserting one's independence. The EU wants that massive shakedown cash not only to finance its floundering tax-and-spend empire, but to send a message to Britain that it really can't declare independence or be independent without Europe.

Well, yes it can.

We dont need to just look like we can walk away, we need to be able to walk away'

said Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Presumably, Britain has gone along with it up until now, because it's full of squishy Tory Wets (as Lady Thatcher called them) of uncertain commitment to Brexit, and because it wants to preserve its trade relationships with the continent.

The reality is, it's not worth losing independence over. With nation after nation knocking down Britain's door in search of new trade treaties, Britain doesn't need these greedy Eurochickens, so masterful in their rent-seeking, to drain massive resources from the country. Britain has been carrying Europe's water for a long time, putting way more in resources than it got in return, which fuelled the entire Brexit sentiment.

The latest news is that Britain has put its foot down and just said no to EU demands for a spare $100 bil.

It was the right thing to do. Independence means independence. Britain will not become the next Haiti. And Brexit means Brexit. Britain is right to just walk off and let them howl..
Other parents: keeping up with the Corens

Victoria Coren shares her views on motherhood in the Guardian:

Im not complaining about the time spent. Thats how I wanted to spend my time. Different people react to parenthood in different ways. Many of my closest friends, who love their children immeasurably and certainly as much as I love mine, need space from them. Quite apart from the financial imperative, they need for their own sanity to create separate professional achievements, maintain separate relationships or just have quiet days off. Thats not how its been for me. To my surprise, it turned out that I find childcare infinitely interesting. Its more rewarding than anything else I do and theres no real peace or pleasure in being away from her. Ive kept working a bit, but only to try and have some sort of skeleton career going for the future.

One other important factor in keeping a media career going is to give your nippers a leg-up and an insiders views on what is a very competitive business. The Independent noted in an article headlined Media Families:

Victoria Coren was born in 1972. By the time she was 14, she was writing a column for The Telegraph on  what it was like to be 14.

Talented Victoria Corens father was the late Alan Coren, the esteemed journalist who edited Punch magazine, worked as a television critic for the Times and wrote the Arthur series of childrens books.

As well as being a joy, children give journalists something to write about.

In 2011, Victorias brother, Giles Coren, told Sunday Times readers how to be a dad Despite thinking parenthood might have passed him by, at 41, Giles Coren is now father to five-month-old Kitty. Here he rewrites the Dad Rules.

Alan Coren said of his children:

Im delighted that theyre successful because theyre very good. Theyre smart and charming. They both wrote well from an early age, I suppose because they grew up in a house where a lot of writing was going on  that, coupled with the genes. Had they gone into journalism and not been any good at it, that would have been a shame. They havent realised their potential yet, but theyre on their way to realising it and Im very pleased for them.

The Indy noted in 1997: Neither is married, so no third-generation wits are yet in the production line.

Watch that space.

Anorak

Posted: 21st, May 2017 | In: Broadsheets, Celebrities Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Trade Ministers from theissued an actions statement following their meeting in Ha Noi on Sunday.

The actions statement reflects the outcomes of the 2017 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting chaired by Viet Nam Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh. It describes joint actions to be taken forward by APEC economies in the following areas:

Deepening Regional Economic Integration

Promoting Sustainable, Innovative and Inclusive Growth

Developing Human Resources in the Digital Age

Strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Competitiveness and Innovation in the Digital Age

Enhancing Food Security

Strengthening Economic and Technical Cooperation

APEC Towards 2020 and Beyond

Click here to view 23rd MEETING OF APEC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRADE: ACTIONS

Minister Tran also released a Statement of the Chair on:

Supporting the Multilateral Trade System

APEC Towards 2020 and Beyond

Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)

Click here to view the STATEMENT OF THE CHAIR

# # #

For further details, or to arrange possible media interviews, please contact:

David Hendrickson +65 9137 3886 (in Ha Noi) at [email protected]

Michael Chapnick +84 122 7280 513 (in Ha Noi) at [email protected]

More on APEC meetings, events, projects and publications can be found on www.apec.org. You can also follow APEC on Twitter and join us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Called the ACJ330neo, it will fly 25 passengers 9,400 nm/17,400 km or 20 hours, enough to fly nonstop from Europe to Australia.

For customers, such as countries needing to fly heads of state and delegations worldwide on government business, the ACJ330neo offers an unbeatable combination of modern design, proven capability and productivity, as well as being part of the worlds best-selling widebody family, declares Airbus chief operating officer, customers, John Leahy.

Featuring a very spacious cabin the ACJ330neo readily accommodates conference/dining areas, a private office, bedroom, bathroom and guest seating, and can be fully customised to suit customer needs.

Recent A330 advances include new-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, Sharklet wingtips and improved maximum take-off weights, delivering hugely better payload and range.

Other new features include the option of an onboard airport navigation system (OANS), similar to GPS in cars, and a runway overrun prevention system (ROPS), for which insurance companies offer reduced premiums.

Like all Airbus aircraft, the ACJ330 features Category 3B autoland and other enriching features as standard and, like all Airbus aircraft in production today, it has a common cockpit, on which more than 100,000 pilots are already qualified.

The ACJ330 also has optional dual head-up displays (HUDs) and, in common with the rest of the family, inherits excellent reliability from its airliner roots.




It has teamed up with Airbus Corporate Jets and unveiled the new cabin design for the called Infinito, at the EBACE show today.

A key feature of the Infinito cabin is its sky ceiling, which can bring a live view of the sky above the aircraft into the cabin  or display other images, creating a feeling of airiness and space, living up to the name Infinito, which means infinity in Italian.

Art and science can walk together hand in hand: this is the Pagani philosophy. The combination of state-of-the-art composite materials never used before in an aircraft, such as CarboTitanium, with the typical design language of Pagani Automobili, has always represented our signature.

Applying our renaissance touch into the wider spaces of Airbus corporate jet cabins is the beginning of an exciting new venture for us, said Horacio Pagani, founder and chief designer.

Argentine born Pagani moved to Italy in 1983 to pursue his dream of building a supercar, joining Lamborghini where he later built the Countach Evoluzione, a concept Lambo with heavy carbon fibre throughout.

In 1991 he went out on his own with his own consultancy called Modena Design and in 1992 Pagani Automobili Modena was founded by Pagani creating the Zonda and the Huayra supercars.

In bringing together the best of the supercar and business jet worlds, we enable an elegant and seamless link for customers of both, while bringing a fresh approach to cabin design and satisfying very demanding standards, says Airbus Corporate Jets managing director Benoit Defforge.

Paganis design team created the initial Infinito design, including its look and feel, while Airbus Corporate Jets designers contributed their experience in aircraft design and compatibility.

Curves inspired by nature form a pathway through the cabin, as well as featuring in the shell-shaped valances and walls between zones  including one between lounge and conference areas, which switches from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button.

Sculpted metal features, mirroring those found in Pagani hypercars, feature in light-fittings and other details, while light-emitting diodes (LEDs) enable different mood-lighting ambiances.


Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first, Shah said.

Shah also rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal regarding Bhagwat, saying that party has itself ruled it out. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The BJP is yet to take a decision on its candidate for the upcoming Presidential poll, even as the party virtually rejected Shiv Sena's proposal for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to be the ruling combine's nominee.

Replying to a question on the BJP-led NDA's candidate for the Presidential polls in July as the opposition was already working on putting up a joint candidate, said BJP President Amit Shah told Aaj Tak channel in an interview that a decision is yet to be taken.

"Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first," he said.

He also rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal regarding Bhagwat, saying that party has itself ruled it out.

To questions on Kashmir, Shah said there was no need for even an iota of concern over the situation in the state which has witnessed months of unrest, and asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government will control it soon.

"There is a big gap between the reality and the projection" of the Kashmir situation and the trouble was confined to three and half districts", he said.

The government was keeping a sharp vigil over the situation and the Valley has witnessed many spells of such unrest in the past, before the situation has normalised, he said.

Shah also attacked the Congress for criticising the government, claiming that it had no right to do so as the Kashmir problem was an outcome of the policies of its governments since independence.

Terming the lynching of seven persons in Jharkhand by a mob over abduction rumours as an isolated and stray incident which happens in a country of 125 crore people, the BJP chief said it would not be appropriate to link such cases of violence to his party.

People should look up the crime data to find out if cases of violence have increased under the BJP governments, he said.

To a question if Tamil superstar Rajinikant will join the BJP, Shah said the decision has to be taken by the actor himself and his party welcomed all good people to its fold.

Ahead of the Modi government's third anniversary, he said it has won the people's trust and added that the poor have the belief that it was working for their welfare.

In a democracy the biggest certificate is the people's verdict and the masses have time and again underscored their support for the BJP-led NDA government, he said in a reference to the BJP's win in several state polls.

The Modi government has been able to rid the country of the politics of casteism, family rule and appeasement, and turned the focus on the politics of performance, he claimed.

While the UPA government was accused of scams running into Rs 12 lakh crore, even rivals of the NDA government have not levelled a single charge of corruption against it, Shah claimed.




1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
He alleged that the Rs 400-crore scam was in the High Security Registration Plates business in Delhi.

New Delhi: Launching another attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday, sacked minister Kapil Mishra claimed that the Russia trip of two party leaders were sponsored by a businessman, who was linked to several firms involved in a Rs 400-crore scam.

In a series of tweets, Mishra claimed that Sheetal Prasad Singh was in the business of High Security Registration Plates. He alleged that the Rs 400-crore scam was in the High Security Registration Plates business in Delhi.

Sheetal Prasad had close links with the companies involved in the scam, he alleged. Several people from some of these firms also had links with Hawala operators from across the world, he added.

Read: Mishra fires fresh salvo, calls ex-AAP members to make party 'Kejriwal-free'

He also claimed that the AAP, when it first came to power, set up a panel to investigate the scam. Then, the AAP government in Delhi had decided to cancel the contract of Rosmerta HSRP Ventures Pvt Ltd. However, when AAP came to power again in 2015, it did not take any action against the firm.

Mishra who is adamant on exposing the alleged scams in the AAP cadre, took to the Twitter and hinted his day's agenda while pointing fingers at two leaders of Kejriwal bandwagon.

"So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? Did AK (Kejriwal) knew about it?," he tweeted.

Mishra, whose vociferous campaign against the Delhi Chief Minister continues in full steam, entered its third round on Friday as he levelled a new set of charges against Kejriwal.

Mishra dropped another bombshell on friend-turned-foe Kejriwal claiming that the party received money through 'Hawala network'.

Mishra showed a PowerPoint presentation in a press conference as 'evidence' to back his claim that the party received funds from shell companies.

"Arvind Kejriwal is keeping quiet despite me providing clinching evidence of his corrupt practices. I have also presented evidence on the Hawala case last Sunday. It been one week, but no one from the AAP has come up with any clarification. It is evident from this presentation how AAP forged letter heads to shell companies. Even the letter heads were fake," he said.

Mishra also challenged Kejriwal to inform the Income Tax Department that the donation amount received by AAP was from Mukesh Kumar.

"I will prove two things. Aam Aadmi Party gets fund from Hawala operators...They are avoiding my questions. The video which was tweeted by Kejriwal on Twitter on Thursday was fake. The Letterhead of companies, who gave donation to Aam Aadmi Party are forged. I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to tell Income Tax Department that the donation was received from Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh Kumar's company is a bank defaulter. How can he donate Rs 2 crore to Aam Aadmi Party?" he added.
Over 60 percent of the poppy and cannabis produced in Himachal Pradesh is smuggled out to countries like Israel, Italy and Holland.

The locals who are participating in this campaign, are concerned about the degrading condition of the youth thanks to the drug. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): To support anti-drug campaign and shun drugs in Himachal Pradesh, the local women in Rampur area of Shimla district have started a campaign to destroy the cannabis plantation.

Dozens of villagers gathered in Rampur of Shimla district and started uprooting the cannabis plants grown in the locality.

The locals who are participating in this campaign, are concerned about the degrading condition of the youth thanks to the drug. They are resolute to carry on with this drive in days to come, as it was observed that drug addiction among youth has been increasing over the years.

Kaanta Devi, a local said she has seen youth ruining their lives through the drug, adding that she has decided to make the area free of drug abuse.

Another local, Meena Kumari said they have destroyed wild cannabis to discourage people to abuse it as drugs.

"Addiction to drugs is destroying the future of the young generation of the rural areas in Himachal," she added.

According to reports, in Kullu district the plantation of cannabis is more confined to the higher reaches of Malana, Kasol and other areas, while in Chamba district, bordering the Doda area of Jammu and Kashmir, it is done mainly in the remote areas of Kehar, Tissa and Bharmour.

Over 60 percent of the poppy and cannabis produced in Himachal Pradesh is smuggled out to countries like Israel, Italy, Holland and other European countries. The remaining finds its way to Nepal or Indian states like Goa, Punjab and Delhi.
The ICJ on Thursday had barred Pakistan from executing Jadhav the court pronounces its final decision in the case.

New Delhi/Islamabad: Pakistans attorney-general Ashtar Ausaf Ali will now apparently plead Pakistans case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Jadhav case, after the Pakistan foreign office was criticised for its poor handling of the case and for its choice of Britain-based Khawar Qureshi as counsel.

Stung by the adverse verdict at the ICJ, Pakistan is also considering the option of dragging India to the ICJ over the Kashmir dispute. In other developments on Saturday, a beleaguered Pakistan PMs Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz lambasted India, and said, The ICJ has only asked Pakistan to keep a stay on (former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan) Jadhavs execution until it arrives at a decision. Aziz added defiantly that when there will be matter of our national interest and security, then there will be no compromise. To play down Pakistans defeat at the ICJ, a beleaguered Aziz also referred to a statement reportedly made by former Indian Supreme Court judge M. Katju that it was a mistake on Indias part to go to the ICJ as Pakistan may raise the Kashmir issue there anytime. Pakistan foreign ministry officials have reportedly said the government is considering the option of moving the ICJ over disputes with India, including the Kashmir issue.

Pakistans interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan also said the Jadhav case would be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with Pakistans law and constitution. But the Nawaz Sharif Government is facing the heat domestically, with the ruling PML-N in the Pakistani Punjab Assembly today foiling the Oppositions attempt to move a resolution there which accused the Nawaz Sharif government of conspiring to provide relief to Jadhav at the ICJ.

The ICJ on Thursday had barred Pakistan from executing Jadhav the court pronounces its final decision in the case.

Responding to questions at a press conference in Islamabad about the legal team representing Pakistan, Mr Aziz said Pakistan had only five days to prepare for the appearance ...The decision to send Khawar Qureshi was a unanimous one.

He, however, added that Pakistan will further strengthen its legal team and that it will go forward into the case with full preparation. We will go with a strong team in the next hearing, he added. The ICJ has only asked Pakistan to keep a stay on Jadhavs execution until it arrives at a decision, Mr. Aziz said, claiming also that whenever it comes to cases involving the death penalty, the international court has always given a stay order. He said the ICJ has not decided on consular access either and has only intimated that the matter will come under discussion.

Interestingly, the fact that Mr. Aziz referred to Mr. Katjus opinion has raised eyebrows. Mr. Katju was quoted as saying in a social media post, People are gloating over Indias victory before the ICJ regarding Kulbhushan Jadhav. My own opinion is that it was a serious mistake for India to go to the ICJ on this issue, as we have played into Pakistans hands, and given it a handle to open up many other issues . In fact that is why it seems that Pakistan did not seriously object to the jurisdiction of ICJ. Now it is certain that Pakistan will approach the ICJ for deciding the Kashmir dispute, and it will then hardly lie in our mouth to object to the jurisdiction of ICJ, since we cannot blow hot and cold together. Pakistan must be very happy that we went to the ICJ over a single individuals fate, as now they can raise all kinds of issues, particularly Kashmir, in international fora, to which we had always objected till now.

Meanwhile, Pakistans Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali was also quoted as saying, The correct position is that Pakistan had signed off to an unconditional declaration to agree to the jurisdiction of the ICJ way back in September 1960. In March 2017, we made a declaration of exceptions reservations, and conditions. He said that the original  1960 declaration  was without reservations and exceptions. Pakistan prior to March 2017 had signed up to an ipso facto (by the fact itself) compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ. We had become signatory to a declaration of submission to jurisdiction without any exceptions in September 1960.

In March 2017, Mr Ali said, Pakistan created the firewalls, including the one relating to the security of Pakistan for the first time. He explained that in the present case, the ICJ is not looking at this aspect of the matter. They are looking at the Vienna Convention and the optional protocol to the convention. India and Pakistan both are signatories to this. The optional protocol invests the ICJ with powers and jurisdiction to decide disputes between member states. If we were to withdraw this declaration, we would have to go back to 1960 declaration which gives jurisdiction without exceptions, he maintained.
The CBI and the ED will soon issue summons to Karti Chidambaram for questioning.

New Delhi: In yet another crucial revelation in the ongoing investigations against Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram, for allegedly receiving money from a media firm to manipulate a tax probe against it in a 2007 foreign investment case, investigators have discovered that the accused firm, INX Media (P) Limited, had allegedly received `305 crore as foreign direct investment though the amount approved was just Rs 4.62 crore. The CBI and the ED will soon issue summons to Karti for questioning.

Sources said, Interrogation of Karti is imminent Both central agencies will soon call him for questioning. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), in its meeting on May 18, 2007, had recommended INX Medias proposal seeking foreign investment for approval of the ministry.

It is further disclosed that in the press release dated May 30, 2007, issued by the FIPB indicating the details of the proposals approved in the FIPB meeting the quantum of FDI/NRI inflow against Ms INX Media was shown as Rs 4.62 crore... Contrary to the approval of FIPB INX Media (P) Ltd deliberately and in violation of the conditions of the approval (i) made a down stream investment to the extent of 26 per cent in the capital of INX News (P) Limited without the specific approval of the FIPB which included indirect foreign investment by the same foreign investors and (ii) generated more than `305 crore FDI in INX Media (P) Ltd against the approved foreign inflow of `4.62 crore, a source said.

INX Media was then owned by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, who are currently in jail in Mumbai for the murder of Sheena Bora. It is also being alleged that after the income-tax department sought clarification from the FIPB unit about its approval for foreign investment, the FIPB unit said that the matter was being investigated. In turn, INX, based on the advise given to it by Kartis consultancy firm, tried to justify its action.

CBI investigators have also found that INX News (P) Limited deliberately concealed that they had already received Rs 305 crore ad FDI when they resubmitted their application for foreign investment.

Sources said that such a deceitful and fallacious proposal was favourably considered and approved by the officials of the finance ministry. P. Chidambaram was the Union finance minister from May 2004 till November 2008.

The concurrence to the proposed investment which had already been made without the approval of the finance ministry show the malafide and dishonest intention on the part of officials of the ministry for (a) not taking any punitive action against the proven violation by the company (b) granting permission to the company as if the firm was yet to receive the foreign investment, sources said.

Both agencies have registered FIRs against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, the Mukerjeas (currently in jail on charges of murder their daughter Sheena Bora), INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its director Padma Vishwanathan.
After initial reluctance the three separatists fell in line and were questioned separately by the team of NIA, which named them in its (PE) on Friday.

Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency quizzed three Kashmiri separatists in connection with its probe into the role of Lashker-e-Tayyaba chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA team, headed by the additional director-general, had asked Nayeem Khan, Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate and Gazi Javed Baba to appear before it for for their explanation on an expose on a television channel where they had claimed receiving funds from Pakistan.

After initial reluctance, the three separatists fell in line and were questioned separately by the team of NIA, which named them in its preliminary enquiry (PE) on Friday.

In a statement, the NIAs spokesperson said that the agency questioned Dar at Srinagar regarding the hawala and terror funding issue. The questioning of Naeem Khan and Ghazi Javed Baba is still going on. They have also been asked to produce certain documents for examination. The hotel in Srinagar in which the sting operation took place, has been identified. The NIA Team is completing formalities of identification of room, collection of records, the spokesperson said.
The Dalit protesters are demanding justice from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

They have alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government was mistreating the Dalits. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

New Delhi: Despite permission denied by the Delhi Police, the Yuva Shakti Dal including the Bhim Army staged a massive protest on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur.

The development comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of B. R. Ambedkar.

The Dalit protesters are demanding justice from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They also alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government was mistreating the Dalits.

"We have no expectation from the government. So many people are in the hospitals not even a person has come there. This government is against the Dalits. We need justice and justice for the people who are lying in the hospitals," said a protestor.

The Delhi Police yesterday denied permission for a demonstration by several Dalit unions. The unions had told police that they expected a gathering of over 50,000 people, which prompted police to deny permission.

The issue dates back to May 5, when a mob from the Thakur community allegedly burned and ransacked 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members from the community, in Saharanpur.

Earlier that day, a group of Thakur men wanted to take out a musical procession honouring Maharana Pratap, which had been opposed by Dalits citing lack of permission from authorities.
NSA Ajit Doval and home minister Rajnath Singh held a detailed review of the security situation in the Valley over a week ago.

New Delhi: The Centre, which is closely monitoring the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, has kept open the option of going in for Governors Rule in the state if normality is not restored in the Valley in the next few months. Sources said the possibility of imposing Governors Rule was discussed recently at the highest levels in the government and there was a growing view that this may be the only resort if law and order doesnt improve in the days ahead.

Both the home ministry and national security adviser Ajit Doval are keeping close track of developments in the Kashmir Valley, which has seen unprecedented violence in the past few months, besides rising armed operations by Pakistan along the Line of Control in a bid to push in more terrorists across the border.

A section of the security top brass, sources added, has also told the Centre that Governors Rule would be the best option if things dont improve in the next few months. If things dont change for the better in the Valley, Governors Rule would be the best bet for the government. It would also give greater freedom to the security forces to conduct operations in the Valley as an elected government can have some reservations on the functioning of the paramilitary forces or the Army, a top security official said.

NSA Ajit Doval and home minister Rajnath Singh held a detailed review of the security situation in the Valley over a week ago, when it was decided to launch a huge offensive against the active militants in South Kashmir in addition to action against the separatists in the Valley. The possibility of Governors Rule was also discussed at that meeting and the security forces too were asked for their inputs on the issue, sources said.

After this meeting the National Investigation Agency lodged a preliminary enquiry into some Hurriyat leaders getting funds via hawala channels as it was suspected that money was routed through a few Pakistan-based outfits. The Centre is working on a detailed plan to turn things around in the Valley, but if the situation does not change, Governors Rule will be the only option left, the official added.

Home minister Rajnath Singh, meanwhile, reiterated on Sunday that the government was committed to finding a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem. Speaking at a public function in Sikkim, Mr Singh said even though Pakistan was trying hard to foment trouble in Kashmir it needed to understand that Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. He added: We hope Pakistan will change and if it does not we will have to change them. After globalisation, one country cant destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it.

Sources said the security forces were asked to develop greater local intelligence in South Kashmir, where the militants are said to have a stronghold, in a bid to launch a major operation against them. The security forces, the sources added, has met with some success on this front.

The home minister had earlier said while the strategy put in place by the security agencies might take some time to show results on the ground, the Centre was firm on normality being restored in the region. The Kashmir Valley has seen unprecedented violence ever since the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July last year, in which 80 persons were killed.
India is Israels largest buyer of military hardware over the last few years.

The missiles will be fitted on four Indian Navy ships.

New Delhi: In a significant move to boost its naval firepower, India will buy an additional Rs 4,100-crore worth of Barak 8 missiles and missile defence systems from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Israeli company announced on Sunday.

The missiles will be fitted on four Indian Navy ships. The state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited will carry out the contract under the Make in India policy.

PM Narendra Modi is expected to visit Israel in July which will also mark the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had visited India in November 2016 during which both sides had decided to broadbase their already close defence partnership.

India is also Israels largest buyer of military hardware over the last few years. This includes, besides missiles, various weapons systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. India was the worlds biggest buyer of weapons from 2012 to 2016, accounting for 13% of the global total.

The long range surface-to-air missiles (LRSAM) Barak can track and shoot down incoming subsonic and supersonic missiles, fighter aircraft, maritime patrolling aircraft, helicopters and sea skimming missiles and other airborne objects up to a range of 80 km.

Last week, India successfully tested the Barak LRSAM which was fired after the advanced phased-array radar onboard a Indian Navy ship identified an air-borne threat. The target was successfully neutralised demonstrating the systems operational capabilities.

Joseph Weiss, IAI president and CEO, said, The new contract adds to other deals signed in the last decade by IAI with Indias defence forces.

Boaz Levi, IAI executive vice president and general manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group, said, We take pride in the great results of the trial conducted last week, which reestablishes the systems reliability, quality and its advanced technological capabilities.
However, in a departure, the health ministry has decided to make changes in the rules.

New Delhi: Pharmaceutical companies will be required to prove that their drugs work on Indian population before selling them to consumers. The Union health ministry is considering making local clinical trials mandatory for all the drugs, thereby limiting waiver of trials to health emergencies, for drugs indicated for rare diseases and only on a case to case basis. The health ministry, which is working on new set of rules for approval of new drugs and clinical trials, has also proposed that companies conducting clinical trials will be obliged to provide drugs free of cost to their participants throughout their life, in case the drug proves safe.

Earlier, the countrys drug controller had decided waiving off Phase III clinical trials for drugs cleared in well-regulated countries like US, Australia, Canada, Europe and Japan, following recommendation by late Prof Ranjit Roy Chaudhury. However, in a departure, the health ministry has decided to make changes in the rules. It was decided making Phase III clinical trial for drugs an exception rather than a norm with more emphasis on post marketing surveillance. However, we have now proposed that medicines would not accepted as they are. It has been proposed that waiver will be granted only on a case to case basis. The impact of a drug on somebody sitting in Germany and in India will be entirely different. There is a difference in ethiniticity and its pharmacological impact on the body. Therefore, it has been considered to make Phase III trials mandatory in India even if drugs are checked in developed countries under strict vigilance and safety and trials be waived off only on a case to case basis where no toxicity is reported for two years, said a senior official in the health ministry.

The ministry is likely to put up the new rules on new drugs approval and clinical trials for comments on their website. As of now, India has a three-level approval process for new drugs and vaccines, with applications scrutinised by subject expert committee, technical committee and the apex committee. In their new set of rules, the ministry also plans to make the process of approval faster. It has been proposed that there will be no need to obtain manufacturing licence from the state. This will cut down time taken for approval immensely. The overhauling of rules has been initiated to make it simple, easy to comprehend for people to do business, added the official.

The ministry has also suggested entitlement of free drugs for participants be provided by sponsors throughout their life, in case the medicines turn out to be effective for the subject.
Amit Shah rules out RSS chief Bhagwat as Sangh itself has said no.

New Delhi: While the Opposition parties are now busy formulating their strategy to put up a joint candidate for the coming presidential election, the ruling BJP said Sunday it was yet to take a decision on its candidate. The BJP also virtually rejected ally Shiv Senas suggestion of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as the NDA candidate for the post.

Saying that the BJP had taken no decision yet on who would be the NDAs presidential candidate, party chief Amit Shah said in an television interview: Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first. He also ruled out Mr Bhagwats name, saying the RSS had itself ruled out any such idea.

Suggestions for a second term for President Pranab Mukherjee have also come from some of the Opposition parties, but the government, sources say, is unlikley to agree. The Congress, the party to which Mr Mukherjee belonged before being elected to the top constitutional post, has also not officially reacted to this suggestion.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi herself held talks with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, JD(U)s Nitish Kumar, CPI(M)s Sitaram Yechury, CPIs D. Raja and West Bengal chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on putting up a joint candidate for the post. Mrs Gandhi is likely to hold talks with some other leaders this week, including BSP supremo Mayawati. The Opposition camp is also trying to reach out to the Sena, whose ties with the BJP have been deteriorating.

However, the ruling NDA coalition seems to have the advantage after some non-NDA parties, including Jagan Mohan Reddys YSRCP and Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos Telangana Rashtra Samiti, sent out signals that they were ready to back the NDA candidate as the countrys next President. The AIADMK, Tamil Nadus ruling party, is also yet to declare its support.

The presidential election must be held before July 24, when President Mukherjees term ends. The Monsoon Session of Parliament is also likely to begin after the presidential elections.

The names of former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav are doing the rounds as possible Opposition nominees. NCP supremo Sharad Pawars name, sources said, was also discussed by the Opposition camp, but the Maharashtra politician has said that he did not want to contest the poll.

The Opposition, sources said, wanted to put up a candidate who has impeccable secular credentials, and who could maintain secular supervision of the Indian Constitution.
The sources didnt rule out the possibility of China using these pigeons for surveillance of frontier areas and townships.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a press conference after chairing a review meeting of the Chief Ministers of five States on Indo-China Border Infrastructure and other issues, in Gangtok, Sikkim. (Photo: AP)

Guwahati: In what has created a sensation in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, some villagers on Sunday caught pigeons with number tags written in Chinese at Anjaw along the Sino-Indian border.

The villagers who spotted the pigeons with the reported the issue to the local police and handed over the pigeons trapped by them. While it is not known if the pigeons were fitted with transmitters or spying equipment, security sources told this newspaper it had come to their notice and they are examining the tags. The sources didnt rule out the possibility of China using these pigeons for surveillance of frontier areas and townships.

It also comes close on the heels of India stepping up its defence preparedness along the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh following the frequent incidents of transgression by the Peoples Liberation Army.

Pointing out that the security agencies had taken it very seriously and were examining all the possible aspects, the security sources said the Indian Army was prepared for any kind of eventuality along the border with China, and whenever there had been any Chinese Army transgression, the Indian Army has responded to it effectively.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh had on Sunday chaired the first-ever review meeting of Sino-Indian border infrastructure in Sikkim, that was also attended by the chief ministers and representatives of five Himalayan states bordering China, the sources said, adding the meeting was aimed at strengthening the infrastructure all along the Chinese border.

Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu, who was at the meeting, raised serious concern over the migration of people away from border areas due to lack of basic facilities, and urged New Delhi to take effective steps to prevent it.

He, however, praised the Centres initiative to build frontier highways in the state to connect 11 districts bordering China. He said the highways would benefit the border people immensely, also defence personnel for movement along the border.
Earlier, former BJP MP Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti had said that Mr L K Advani had no role in inciting a frenzied mob to raze the Babri Masjid in 1992.

Lucknow: Hindu leaders Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Champat Rai, Baikunth Lal Sharma and Dharam Das surrendered in the special CBI court on Saturday in connection with the Babri demolition case. Mr Satish Pradhan could not appear in court due to ill health. All five were later granted bail by the CBI court on furnishing personal bonds of Rs 20,000 each.

Talking to reporters after getting bail, Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti claimed that then Congress Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao was not only aware of the demolition plans but had assured full support to kar sevaks in pulling down the Babri mosque by not deploying the Army. He alleged that Mr Rao and the Congress were also part of the conspiracy theory.

Prime Minister Narsimha Rao had called me the night before the demolition to ask what was likely to happen the following day. I told him the mosque will be demolished but we needed his support. I asked him not to deploy the army till the mosque was pulled down and he assured me of the same, the former BJP MP said.

Dr Vedanti disclosed that Mr Narsimha Rao called him again on December 6 when they were proceeding towards the structure for the Gauri-Ganesh Pujan before executing the demolition plan. He (then PM) asked me what the situation was. I told him that everything will go as planned. Rao reiterated his full support and assured us not to worry, he claimed.

Earlier, former BJP MP Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti had said that Mr L K Advani had no role in inciting a frenzied mob to raze the Babri Masjid in 1992. He instead claimed it was he who led the demolition.

Mr Advani had no role in this incident. I brought it down and ensured that it went down. The accusations against Mr L K Advani, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and late Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia are baseless, the leader said.

This comes just weeks after the Supreme Court ruled that Mr L K Advani and several other senior BJP leaders would face trail in conspiracy charges in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The Allahabad high court had earlier ruled in favour of conspiracy charges being dropped against leaders, including L.K. Advani, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Union ministerUma Bharti.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had appealed against the high court order. The Supreme Court ordered a time-bound trial, ordering that the judge hearing the case should not be transferred until a judgment was delivered.

The top court also ordered the clubbing of two trials that were going on in the Babri demolition case. The case against Mr Advani, Dr Joshi and Ms Bharti was being heard in a Rae Bareli court, while a Lucknow court was hearing a case against unnamed kar sevaks who are accused of actually demolishing the Babri mosque on December 6, 1992.

Dr Vedanti is one of the 13 people accused by the CBI of conspiring to bring down the 16th century mosque at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. Dr Vedanti said he, Mahant Avaidyanath, also a former BJP MP, and VHP leader Ashok Singhal had exhorted the kar sevaks to raze the disputed structure. Both Mahant Avaidyanath and Mr Singhal are no longer alive.
Kerala CM praises 23 years old, calls her courageous.

Thiruvananthapuram: A godman has been deprived of his manhood by a 23-year-old law student who slashed his vital organ when he tried to rape her at Kannamoola, near here, on Friday night. He had been abusing her since her school days, it is said.The police said the woman used a knife to cut off the genitals of Swami Gangeshananda Theerthapada alias Hari, 54, of Kollam district when he sexually attacked her around 11.30 pm.

A police team, which reached the spot after receiving a call from the girl, admitted the swami to the Government Medical College Hospital where he underwent an emergency surgery as he had suffered 90 per cent cut on his vital organ. Hospital sources said he was stable now.  The swami was booked for rape under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The police took the statement of the girl, but no case was registered against her, said inspector-general (Thiruvananthapuram range) Manoj Abraham.

The police said the family of the girl had been associated with the godman eight years ago when he started offering special pujas for the recovery of her paralysed and bed-ridden father, an ex-service man. While the swami was reported to be linked to the Panmana ashramam at Chavara, Kollam, the ashramam in a statement said that he had dissociated with it 15 years ago and entered business.

The godman first claimed he injured himself. However, he later retracted it and gave a statement that the woman had attacked him. Ms Prameela Devi, member of the Kerala State Womens Commission, said that the girl will be provided all legal help.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed the womans act as brave and courageous. It was a courageous step, no doubt about it, he told reporters here and promised all support to the girl from the government. State Womens Commission member Prameela Devi expressed shock over the incident and said the girl was forced to take the extreme step after suffering years of harassment, pain and humiliation.
A dog squad was summoned which showed the way back to the house.

Sources said that the alleged rapists wife was staying with her parents due to a dispute.

Nashik: The Nashik police has arrested a 26-year-old labourer who allegedly raped his five-year-old daughter on Saturday night after returning from a wedding in a drunken state. The police also arrested the labourers mother, who allegedly strangled the girl after she had been rendered unconscious by the sexual attack in a bid to cover up her sons crime.

According to the police, the grandmother had dumped the girls corpse behind a school, found the body during a stage-managed search with the help of a nephew and finally got a fake case registered with the police hours after alleging that the child had been abducted, raped and killed by unknown persons.

The police, however, doubted the grandmothers version, as local residents had suspected foul play by the woman and her son, who was known to be a local drunkard. A sniffer dog, which was called in at the spot by the police during the subsequent probe, ran back to the girls house from the spot where her body had been allegedly dumped by the grandmother.

During their interrogation, the labourer, his mother and her nephew eventually spilled the beans on how the girl was raped, killed and disposed of, according to police sources. According to the police, the labourer had picked up the victim at a time she was sleeping with the grandmother and took her to a separate room to rape her.

The grandmother, after getting rid of the body, went to the police station and stated that her granddaughter was picked up from her house, raped and strangled behind the ZP primary school.

The police recorded her complaint and registered cases against unidentified assailants under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. A dog squad was summoned which showed the way back to the house. The police then separately questioned the father, grandmother and an uncle, and found discrepancies in their versions and then strongly interrogated the trio after which the father allegedly confessed to the crime.

Speaking to this newspaper, sub-divisional police officer (Kalwan range) Devidas Patil said that the labourer was drunk when he had raped the child and has confessed to the crime. The medical report has confirmed rape, he said.

Sources said that the alleged rapists wife was staying with her parents due to a dispute. The daughter was staying with her father and grandmother in their house.

Earlier, on April 24, a man had allegedly raped his sever-year-old granddaughter and strangled her with an aluminium wire in Nashik. The police arrested the accused, while angry villagers held a rasta roko at Nashik Phata on Vani-Nashik road.
The Congress is also planning to corner the government regarding constant raids on opposition leaders inside Parliament.

New Delhi: With Central investigative agencies breathing down the neck of senior Congress leaders, the party has decided to hit back. Terming the raids and searches as revenge and vicious political vendetta the Congress is planning to hit back at the BJP. The party said that there were serious allegations against some BJP chief ministers and also against serving Cabinet ministers, but these were not being properly followed up. Investigating agencies are acting at the behest of their political masters, the Congress alleged.

The CBI had conducted raids on Tuesday at the premises of senior Congress leader and former Union minister P. Chidambarams residence and also at the residence of his son Karti Chidambaram. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) then filed a money laundering case against Karti on Friday.

It is strange that out of 34 politicians the ED is probing, 30 belong to Opposition parties. This certainly shows that there is an agenda of the ruling party which is playing itself out, a Congress leader said. The Congress plans to get other Opposition parties, who have been targeted by the agencies, on board so that a broader alliance can be formed. The Congress senior leadership has already spoken to leaders of the Trinamool Congress, the RJD and other smaller parties.

The Congress is also looking to ensure that allegations and cases which are pending against BJP leaders and ministers are raised bothe politically and legally. If the investigating agencies dont take the cases seriously, Congress leaders said that the Opposition would go to court with public interest litigations.

The party is also planning to corner the government regarding constant raids on opposition leaders inside Parliament.

Many in the Congress feel that the constant barrage of allegations and investigations against its leaders have dented the partys image, which was already bruised after several alleged scams which took place under the UPA government. Now, the Congress cadres are also being made aware of these charges against BJP leaders, so that they can also create a narrative in their respective areas.
Both the government and the ruling BJP has lined up several events and programmes to mark NDAs three years in office.

New Delhi: Asking party leaders to reach out to people with confidence with the Modi governments achievements, BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said peoples trust on the ruling dispensation is only strengthening by the day.

Addressing partys national media workshop to guide party leaders how to highlight the achievements of the Modi government as part of its third anniversary celebrations and counter Opposition allegations, the BJP chief said in three years there has been not a single corruption charge against the government and 2019 will see the BJP-led NDA bettering its 2014 feat. Mr Shah said the Modi government has delivered in all fields, from launching satellites into space to providing LPG cylinders to the poor, as he asked party leaders to inform the masses about its successes.

Other than Mr Shah, senior leaders, including Union ministers Ravishankar Prasad and Piyush Goyal and national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, also addressed the gathering of spokespersons and panellists, who participate in television debates. Mr Ravishankar Prasad said that the Modi government is being appreciated not just within the country, but also at many global forums.

Both the government and the ruling BJP has lined up several events and programmes to mark NDAs three years in office.

Hailing the efforts of party cadre in helping the BJP to increase its footprint across the nation, Mr Shah asked party leaders to make sure that they attend and participate in events, which are assigned to them as part of governments third anniversary.

He said BJPs performance in recent elections, including in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, were an indication that Prime Miniser Narendra Modis popularity is on a rise and peoples confidence on the BJP remains unflinching.

The BJP has assigned tasks to its Union ministers, chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, MPs and senior leaders for the third anniversary celebrations. Each Union minister has been asked to spend at least two nights in two states for these programmes.
On Pakistan, the Congress leader said the government was indulging in saree and shawl diplomacy.

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi should become the Congress president and, under his leadership, the party would form government at the Centre after the next general elections, senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Sunday.

His remarks at an event here came amidst a raging debate in the party over Rahuls elevation as the party chief. While some Congress leaders are advocating his elevation, some other party leaders are of the opinion that Congress president Sonia Gandhi should not retire now.

Rahul should become the party president and the Congress will be strengthened under his leadership. The party will succeed in forming the government in 2019 elections, Mr Scindia said at the event.

Ahead of the Modi governments proposed celebration on completion of three years at the Centre, he also tore into the ruling BJP-led dispensation, accusing it of fomenting intolerance and an anti-dalit atmosphere in the country.

Taking a jibe at the BJPs campaign for a Congress-mukt Bharat, Mr Sindia said the government and the ruling dispensation was fomenting intolerance in the country and wanting the country free of dalits and adivasis.

If the country has to be kept undivided and peaceful, then it has to be based on the strong foundation of communal harmony. Devel-opment and progress can be made on a strong foundation only, Mr Scindia said. On Pakistan, the Congress leader said the government was indulging in saree and shawl diplomacy.

Many jawans are being killed on the border. There were so many ceasefire violations at the border. Kashmir is burning today, he said, accusing the government of failing to control the situation.

He also said that China was encircling India but the BJP-led government was showing its helplessness.
There is no political motive behind our decision to go against corruption, says Trivendra Singh Rawat.

New Delhi: Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday vowed to end corruption in the hill state, saying scams that took place during the previous Congress government would be probed.

Mr Rawat said there would be no witch-hunt but if any politician was found to be involved in corruption, a proper investigation would be carried out and action would be taken as per law.

There is no political motive behind our decision to go against corruption. We want to end corruption in Uttarakhand. If any politician is found to be involved in corruption in the past, law will take its own course, he said.

The chief minister said the BJP government had decided to go after the liquor and mining mafia and the illegal slaughter houses operating in the state.

Mr Rawat said if any scam under the previous government came to light, a proper investigation would be carried out and the guilty would be punished.

We have zero tolerance towards corruption. But there will be no witch-hunt. Only proper investigation will be carried out to punish the guilty, he said.

The Rawat government has claimed to have unearthed an alleged scam of Rs 240 crore in the acquisition of land for a national highway.

We have already handed over the probe to the CBI. Six officials, allegedly involved in the scam, have been suspended while legal action will be taken against the seventh who is retired, he said.

Alleged irregularities were detected in the acquisition of farmland for the proposed NH-74 in Udham Singh Nagar district between 2011-2016.

Farmland was allegedly shown as non-agricultural land to increase the compensation amount by at least 20 times to benefit chosen stakeholders and beneficiaries, he said.

Mr Rawat was sworn-in as chief minister of Uttarakhand on March 18 after the BJP won 57 of the 70 Assembly seats, ousting the Congress.

We have completely stopped illegal mining and action is also being taken against liquor mafia. All illegal slaughter houses are also being shut down, Mr Rawat said.

The chief minister said in nine hill districts in Uttarakhand, liquor shops were now open for six hours as against 12 hours earlier.

Two per cent extra cess has been imposed on alcohol in the state and the money collected through it would be spent on welfare programmes for women, he said.
A senior party functionary said that after discussions, new names would be announced before a proper first meeting of each corporation.

New Delhi: Terming the party councillors presence at the reception hosted by Union minister Vijay Goel as an act of indiscipline, the Delhi BJP leadership has decided to seek explanation from them. The party leadership had conveyed to the newly elected BJP councillors to not attend the function hosted by Mr Goel at his official residence at Ashoka Road last week. The Delhi BJP leadership is also planning not to give any key responsibilities in the three municipal corporations to the councillors present in the function.

This is one of the reasons behind the delay in the announcement of the leaders of House of the civic bodies. On May 16, Mr Goel hosted a felicitation function for the newly elected BJP councillors at his residence. The Delhi BJP leadership had called the newly elected councillors the night before the reception saying that they should not attend the function organised by the Union minister as it was not a party function. Sources said that about 50 BJP councillors, defying the state leadership d

irective, attended the function. The Delhi BJP leadership, however, has prepared a list of only 26 councillors who were present in the function.

A senior state office bearer told this newspaper that calling it an act of indiscipline, the leadership has decided to seek explanation from them. Showcause notices will be sent and they will be asked to personally explain the reasons which forced them to defy the state leadership directive, he added.

The party has also taken serious note on the inefficiency of some councillors who were assigned to convey the message of leadership to the remaining newly elected members in the corporations.

Some councillors, whose names were announced for key positions in the civic bodies, not only failed to implement the party direction but also attended Mr Goels function which has made the leadership unhappy, said the sources.

The Delhi BJP had earlier communicated with the newly elected councillors Sikha Rai and Jai Prakash, both state vice presidents, about their appointment as leader of House in South and North Delhi Municipal Corporation respectively. The party has also communicated with Santosh Pal about his appointment as leader of House in East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Delhi BJP, however, has not issued any letter confirming the appointment of these councillors as leader of House in the three civic bodies.

A senior party functionary said that after discussions, new names would be announced before a proper first meeting of each corporation.

Right now, administration of oath of the newly elected councillors and the election of mayor, deputy mayor, and members of standing committee are taking place in the House meeting. The leader of House will be appointed before the next House meeting, he added.
The EVM hacking challenge should be held in an on-camera setting for transparencys sake, the AAP said on Saturday.

New Delhi: Hours before the Election Commission held a demonstration in the national capital to claim that the electronic voting machines are reliable, the Aam Aadmi Party accused the poll panel of acting under political pressure. The EVM hacking challenge should be held in an on-camera setting for transparencys sake, the AAP said on Saturday.

Later, the party also objected to some of the terms and conditions announced by the EC for the EVM hacking challenge and demanded full freedom to open the machine and test its reliability.

Earlier in May, the Delhi Assembly had held a daylong special session in which the ruling AAP sought to demonstrate how easy it was to rig the EVM. All it takes is 90 seconds, AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj had said while demonstrating how EVMs can be manipulated.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh said the EC riders for the hackathon were absurd. It is akin to asking someone to swim with his hands and legs tied, he said. Does the EC believe that people who want to rig elections are going to follow any of their rules and regulations if they want to hack EVMs? he added.

The Aam Aadmi Party claimed that it has shown that EVMs can be tampered by changing the motherboard. Mr Singh said a party delegation will meet officials of the poll watchdog to have more clarity on the proposed event on June 3.

Before the EC announced that it will invite political parties for the hackathon, Mr Singh addressed a party news conference and said: On whose pressure is the EC delaying its own promise to conduct an EVM hackathon?

The poll panels invitation for hackathon come in the wake of concerns raised by some Opposition parties about the reliability of the machines.

The party also said that the EC should consider conducting elections through the paper ballot system. All foreign countries like America, Germany, Japan and Britain have gone back to ballot paper, Mr Singh said.

The challenge to prove that EVMs are not tamper-proof will start from June 3 in which political parties can use machines which were deployed in the recently held assembly elections. The challenge will only be open to national and state parties which contested the recently concluded assembly polls in Punjab, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

The political parties will not be allowed to change the motherboard of EVMs and take the machines home to prove at a later date that they can be manipulated.
The two-day Army Heritage Days at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center annually draws thousands to the Middlesex Township facility as people across the country celebrate Armed Forces Day.

This past Saturday, the free event kicked off the activities with a roaring start with an armored vehicle obstacle course that drew hundreds of eager spectators.

Its looking like were having good weather and were really excited, said Col. Pete Crean, director of AHEC, said on Saturday morning. People come because theyre fascinated by the military. The U.S. Army gets great support from the American public. I love it.

Outreach Coordinator Lindsay Strehl said she expected that around 8,000 visitors will end up strolling the grounds by Sunday afternoon. Last years crowd totaled 6,000, but Strehl noted that a steady rain last year may have kept some away.

Privately-owned vehicles on display this weekend included an M4A3 Sherman Tank, an M18 Hellcat tank destroyer, a Vietnam-era M114 command and reconnaissance carrier, an M901 anti-tank missile vehicle and M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery.

Its absolutely awesome. Lots of people have been looking forward to seeing the tanks, said Michelle Phelps, of Shermans Dale, whose husband, Richard Phelps, an AHEC employee, helped direct tanks to the obstacle course.

Garrett Sabol, 13, and Tom Taber, 11, of Boy Scout Troop 36 of Doylestown, also were part of Saturdays tank crowd. Its cool. Its really interesting to see how they run and everything, Garrett said.

I think its pretty interesting. (The tanks) are in good shape for being in World War II and not being all busted up, Tom added.

Nearby, the mile-long Army Heritage Trail was buzzing with the annual living history event with around 400 re-enactors from a number of eras, including French and Indian War and the Vietnam War.

Brothers Tom Pucci, of Easton, and David Pucci, of Kunkletown, returned as World War II re-enactors after attending last years event for the first time.

We enjoyed the guys we met here last year, Tom Pucci said.

Were big World War II buffs, David Pucci added. Our father, Thomas Pucci, is a veteran. He was with the 4th Cavalry Group of the Vienna Command. After that, he was a Four Power MP. He, a Russian, and an Englishman rode around in a Jeep through occupied zones.

Zach Titus, of Lancaster, and Matt Adkins, of Hagerstown, Maryland, were dressed in period uniforms representing the 7th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion from the American Civil War. Both said they liked getting out and teaching people things about history they never knew before.

Joseph Myers, of York, and Tom Myers, of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, went back even further in time with their period uniforms. They represented the original Massachusetts Militia of the early 1600s that is still in existence today, they said.
The owner and his son were arrested after the shocking incident, police said.

Thane: Two minor boys were stripped and paraded with garlands of slippers for allegedly stealing a food item from a sweet shop, police said on Sunday.

The shop owner and his two sons were arrested after the shocking incident that took place in Prem Nagar area of Ulhasnagar township on Saturday night, they said.

The children, aged 8 and 9 and hailing from different families, went to the neighbourhood shop where they picked up a packet of 'chakli' (a snack) without the owner's permission and ate it. This angered the shop owner, Mehmood Pathan (69), police said.

Mehmood, with help from his sons, caught hold of the duo and chopped off their hair. Not stopping at that, they allegedly stripped the minors, made them wear garlands of slippers and paraded them on the street as punishment.

Annoyed over the humiliation and mistreatment of the children, their parents, who reside in the same locality, lodged a complaint with the Hill Line police.

Based on the complaint, Mehmood and his sons Irfan (26) and Salim (22) were arrested around midnight, police said.

The trio was booked under IPC Sections 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person), 500 (defamation) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, they added.
Education Minister to order books for benefit of out-of-state visitors to village.

Mumbai: The book village of Bhilar, Satara district, will soon get as many as 25,000 books in languages other than Marathi for the benefit of out-of-state visitors who drop in at the village. State education minister Vinod Tawde made this announcement.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Mr Tawde said, This initiative is well received by the tourists and some district-level schools have also applauded this idea. We are still chalking out the plan to arrange school picnics in Bhilar and organising various cultural events to add up to the heritage of this village.

People from all over the state are coming to visit Pustakache Gaav and we will add another 25,000 books in English, Hindi and Gujarati after the monsoon season to cater to them. The ratio for books that we have in mind is 65:35, where 65 per cent books will be in Marathi, while 35 per cent books will be in other languages, Mr Tawde, who is also minister of Marathi language department and cultural affairs, added.

The Pustakache Gaav (Book Village) was inaugurated on May 6. On his second visit to Bhilar on May 18 after the inauguration, Mr Tawde presented each member of the Book Village project with a certificate and noted the response of the visitors to the village. The books village plans to make the necessary changes after taking into account the response of the visitors. The response shown by the tourists in the first two weeks has been overwhelming and the decision to include multilingual books was taken to cater people coming from different states as well.

Mr Tawde also plans to develop Bhilar, situated six kilometres from Panchgani, as a cultural and literary hub.

A source placed in the Bhilar Book Village department said a plan has been proposed to set up a similar book village in the coastal village of Malgund in Konkan, but the

project is still underway as the locals of that village are yet to cooperate with the management.

The source claimed that after the formalities with the locals are completed, the plan could be taken forward to set up a second book village.

Tejasvini Bhilare, vice-principal of Hill Range School in Bhilar, one of the 25 places in the village where the books have been set up, said, It feels very proud to see the name of the village reaching far-off places with this project.

It is an immense pleasure for the school to be a part of the project and have a Baalsahitya Childrens book section in the school. This will not only inculcate the habit of reading in kids from the beginning, but also teach them to read the state language, which is taking a back seat nowadays.
The investigators are trying to identify more properties owned by Naik.

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is trying to tighten its grip around controversial Islamic preacher and televangelist Zakir Naik. The investigators are trying to identify more properties owned by Naik.

Sources in the ED said that probe has hinted that properties might have been registered in the name of his family members and hence the agency is conducting detailed scrutiny of the same.

The money sent by Naik between 2013 and 2016 was used by his aide Amir Gazdar. We had attached Naiks properties in February. However, it seems that he owns more properties in Mumbai. We are trying to identify them, said an ED officer.

The ED has attached Naiks various assets, including his investment in mutual fund worth Rs 9.41 crore.

Islamic Education Trusts school in Chennai worth Rs 7.05 crore, a godown of Naiks media arm, M/s Harmony Media Pvt Ltd worth Rs 68 lakh and bank accounts of IRF that had deposits worth Rs 1.23 crore.

The ED officials also stated that they also had an option of seeking revocation of his passport, however, they said that since Naik is not in India currently, they would not rush into it. Earlier in May, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought a red corner notice (RCN) from the Interpol against Naik.

The officials said that they were also taking steps slowly to seek Naiks passport revocation as it did not turn out to be fruitful in the case of liquor baron Vijay Mallya. That option is open, and we may take that step but not anytime soon, added the ED officer.

While the ED is stepping up the investigation against Naik, there were reports that he had secured Saudi Arabian citizenship. However, Naik issued a statement through his representative, refuting the claims.

The news of Saudi citizenship is false unless Allah wills. This is how media prints gossip as facts, said Arif Malik, Naiks spokesperson. He also added that it was a statement sent out by Naik himself.

Case Timeline

December 2016: The ED registered a case under prevention of money laundering act (PMLA) against Zakir Naik.

February 2017: ED arrested Amir Gazdar, Zakir Naiks close confidant who handled funds to the tune of Rs 200 crore that were sent by Naik to India between 2013-2016

February 2017: ED sends fourth summons to Zakir Naik for questioning him in the money laundering case

March 2017: ED attached Naiks properties worth Rs 18.3 crore as per the provisions of PMLA

April 2017: ED approached court for issuance of letter rogatory (LR) to United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeking details of Naiks properties in Dubai and other cities
Though the union government is going to compensate, the opposition wants to know the ratio of compensation.

Mumbai: Using every available opportunity to lambast the BJP-led government in the state, the opposition on Sunday grabbed the special GST session to slam the government on various issues  farmer suicides, loan waiver and fiscal management. All opposition parties cleared their intention to support the proposed bills. On Monday, state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will reply to debate.

After clearing compensation bill, the state assembly on Sunday took the state GST bill for passage. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)s Jayant Patil opened the debate demanding special committee on GST to discuss the implications and amendments for future.

All senior officers of revenue, finance, planning and sales tax shall be there in committee. This committee should study the implications of GST for five next years. I am sure that there will be complications. Idea of GST is basically tax simplification. This committee shall suggest government on simplification of law, said Mr Patil.

Talking about the preparation of the new software system, Mr Patil asked Mr Mungantiwar to reach out to the sales tax headquarters. Now onwards everything will be online. We need to check whether all receipts on every sale or purchase is being calculated. If this doesnt work then state will have to face huge loss and chaos so be careful, alerted Mr Patil.

Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil asked government to anticipate negativities. We saw during demonetisation that the government was not fully prepared. Every decision needs powerful backing of the system. Before considering July 1 as deadline, please cross check whether that system is in place, said Mr Vikhe-Patil.

BJPs Ashish Shelar slammed the opposition parties over the taunts.

How GST will affect state

GST bill is basically about tax simplification. But Maharashtra is set to lose from it, as sales tax is being handed over to the union government. Maharashtra is the largest manufacturing state in India with more than Rs 55,000 crore revenue coming from sales tax. After implication of GST, consuming states would get tax than manufacturing. Though the union government is going to compensate, the opposition wants to know the ratio of compensation.

Loss: State expects loss of sales tax entire. In 2015-16 it was around Rs 51,000 crore. Compensation: State will get compensation of Rs 51,000 crore.

Loss: State will have to bear cost of compensation to municipalities over octroi, amounting to Rs 14500 crore.

Compensation: Sate will get Rs 7200 crore in compensation from centre as BMC amount.

Loss: State was expected to raise Rs 14000 crore from sales tax and excise. But as SC has ordered ban on sale of liquor near state and national highway, it is expected to lose Rs 7000 crore.

Compensation: There will be no compensation for it.

Loss: Since Maha abolished LBT it is bleeding for almost Rs 6000 Cr. State has to compensate municipalities this amount after GST implementation.

Compensation: No compensation from Centre on it.
Sawant also said that if the government failed to do anything, the Sena would initiate an agitation in its signature style.

Mumbai: Several among 150-odd parents - who joined the protest organised on Sunday by NGO, Forum for Fairness in Education (FFE), against arbitrary fee hike in privately-run schools  complained that school managements were resorting to strong-arm tactics to make them pay raised fees.

Some of these parents alleged that they had been warned, verbally or in writing, by school managements that their wards would be de-rolled if the hiked fees were not paid.

Suman Shetty, whose child studies in Universal School, Dahisar, told The Asian Age, Schools have issued letters where they have categorically said that our kids will be de-rolled if we dont pay the raised fees. Now, we need justice not assurance.

Another parent whose kid is a student of Thakur International School, Kandivali, Purnima Sawant, said, The school is flouting all norms despite guidelines on fee hike. The government has failed to take stringent measures to curb these issues.

Giving a verbal assurance, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant, said, Before school starts, this issue should be resolved otherwise, school managements will face a Sena-style agitation. I will have a word with Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray and will tell the government to take cognisance of the issue.

On Sunday, Mr Sawant, minister of state for home Dr Ranjit Patil, and MLA Bachu Kadu met the agitating parents and assured them of taking up the issue with the government. Mr Sawant also said that if the government failed to do anything, the Sena would initiate an agitation in its signature style.
Rehana Ameer, who was born and raised in Chennai, contested from Vintry ward in the City of London county as an independent candidate.

London: A 43-year-old UK entrepreneur has become the first India-born woman to be elected as a councillor to a ward in the UK.

Rehana Ameer, who was born and raised in Chennai, contested from Vintry ward in the City of London county as an independent candidate.

She was elected as a councillor to the Court of Common Council, becoming the first India-born woman to be elected to the City of London Corporation.

"As an elected councillor, my key focus areas are road safety, improved air quality, mental health and better representation of all types of businesses as part of the Brexit negotiations," Rehana said.

She aims to promote the city's business international markets and develop the city's presence overseas.

The City corporation is the richest local authority in the country which controls the 1.3 billion pounds city cash fund. The City of London is divided into 25 wards and elected

councillors represent each ward.
India and Pakistan fighting each other on the international stage seemed like a mostly harmless exercise.

It started with the Narendra Modi government. This business of ending up with Kulbhushan Jadhav and international law troubles. But before the crisis, the genesis.

Neither side will easily agree and, in a historical sense, Indo-Pak can go back 70 years. Who started what, why and when  the arguments are endless. But Narendra Modi was different. Or at least he was willing to try something different. On, then, to the story.

When Kashmir began to simmer again, an opening presented itself. Since Mumbai, Pakistan had been on the defensive. Anything it said anywhere on the international stage, it either got beat up on for non-states or was met with cool indifference. Pakistan complaining about oppression and international law  youve got to be kidding us. Add a global eye roll.

Internally too Pakistan was a mess  bombs going off everywhere, vast swathes of the country in the grip of militancy of some kind or the other. Fix your own house first and stop worrying about Kashmir, the world would essentially tell us. But then came Zarb-i-Azb and a kind of stability was achieved. And the renewed confidence was met with an unexpected opportunity:

Kashmir started simmering again. Blame it on Mr Modi and his egregiousness or the father-daughter Mufti duo and their pusillanimity, but the new Kashmir approach triggered an old response. As Kashmir simmered, Pakistan piped up.

Whatever purpose it served, the best thing was that it was legitimate  anyone looking at Kashmir had to know that it was India that was screwing up yet again. High legitimacy aside, there was a more prosaic purpose though. In raising its voice for the oppressed people of Kashmir, Pakistan was helping counter what it saw as Indian propaganda against it. It made a kind of sense too. If India was determined that the conversation never move on from Mumbai, a simmering Kashmir could at last help change that.

But then Mr Modi did something unexpected. In response to Pakistans response, he went down the Balochistan route. Suddenly, India was banging on about alleged Pakistani atrocities in Balochistan. It didnt make any kind of diplomatic or legal sense and, worse, it looked like a hopeless pursuit.

Balochistan isnt Kashmir  India could try and equate the two, but there isnt a market for that anywhere. But the thuggishness of the Modi strategy had an aspect that few gave much thought to: Pakistans response.

India and Pakistan fighting each other on the international stage seemed like a mostly harmless exercise. Both sides get something to squabble over and carry off to their constituencies as a prize. We told them. No, we told them. But it didnt work out that way. Pakistan upped the ante.

Enter Kulbhushan Jadhav. Turns out, Pakistan wasnt going to let it rest at the utter ineffectiveness of the Modi strategy. Trying and failing to equate Balochistan with Kashmir could have simply been interpreted as foolish audacity or the haplessness of the naive. The logic of global politics wasnt ever going to bend to the whims of Mr Modi. Not in this.

But Pakistan interpreted it differently. The mere mention of Balochistan was seen as menacing and malign. It could not go unanswered. From there began a chain of events. The Kulbhushan train had been set in motion. Along the way, weve learned further things. The urge to react by both sides, to never let a perceived transgression go unanswered, leads to mistakes that can have wholly unpredictable consequences.

Whether Mr Jadhav has done all that he has been accused and convicted of can be debated. But in a matter-of-fact way his profile and placement indicate some kind of spycraft. The mistake India made was in assuming Mr Jadhav could not be or would not be caught. That somehow the unspoken rules of the spy wars would hold.

But once India tried to change the rules in one area  to try and equate Balochistan with Kashmir  it had opened the door to Pakistan changing the rules in another area. The mistake Pakistan made was to imagine it was going to teach India a lesson and that would be that. India was always going to be enraged by the Jadhav capture and conviction. But what Pakistan did not anticipate is that India may get creative.

Partly, that is down to the absence of quality input  to get the full implications of a death sentence to a foreign national on these charges. Partly, it is down to civ-mil  the case sitting precisely at the intersection of law and security, it needed close cooperation between the two. But for that, one side would have had to have consulted the other before setting the whole chain of events in motion. It is also an age-old institutional malaise  to seek a particular outcome without necessarily thinking through all the options the other side has.

Pakistan is not stuck in the ICJ, but Mr Jadhav was never about legal minutiae. It was about teaching India a lesson. That necessarily is a battle of perceptions. In Mr Jadhav, Pakistan intended to get India to back off on the Balochistan stuff and let the world know that India too is up to mischief. But now were in the wildly complicated and intensely legal world of the ICJ. We werent supposed to be here. But then thats the problem with doing the unexpected. It lands you in unpredictable places.

By arrangement with Dawn
Trump came to power in Washington condemning the Iranian nuclear deal and praising the Russians.

While India is preoccupied with Pakistan and the temporary reprieve for Kulbhushan Jadhav by the International Court of Justice on his execution, two events on the opposite sides of the Gulf will be reshaping the geopolitics of the region. US President Donald Trump was rebalancing US-West Asia and US-Gulf relations and Barack Obamas overtures to Iran resulting in the P5+1 nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia had lamented the unshackling of Iran as it seemed to diminish American dependence on the Saudis for handling the Syrian imbroglio. Mr Obama had decided the Saudis were more a part of the problem than the solution. Thus Iran together with Russian air power and direct military intervention in late 2015 shored up the tottering Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

As a result, the Sunni opponents of Mr Assad, sponsored by the US, Saudis and their GCC compatriots, crumbled. The Iraqi Army, with US air support and Iranian military advice and muscle, rolled back ISIS, including from crucial northern city of Mosul. The Obama doctrine of outsourcing anti-ISIS ground operations largely to the Russo-Iran alliance and Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon was working. The US restrained Turkey from decimating resurgent Syrian Kurds who created a significant enclave in the northern Syria abutting the Turkish border, thus catching ISIS in a pincer move as the Assad regimes forces pushed from the south and the west.

President Trump came to power in Washington condemning the Iranian nuclear deal and praising the Russians. The latter hobbles his presidency as an independent counsel, appointed by his own justice department, and the US Congress examine his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the inner circle at the Kremlin. But it was always unclear why Russia would abandon its key allies like Mr Assad and the Iranian regime as they were on the ground.

President Obama, despite reassurances, never managed to quite convince the Saudis that they had not been abandoned by the US. Meanwhile, the rise of young Mohammed bin Salman, the favourite son of King Salman and current deputy crown prince, as the power centre saw the Saudis rashly undertake military operations against Iranian allies like the Houthis in Yemen. The war has been a failure as the Houthis still hold Sanaa, while the population caught in the middle suffers. The war reportedly costs the Saudis US $200 million per day. President Barack Obama, in an April 2016 interview in The Atlantic, suggested that the Saudis should be prepared to share the neighbourhood with Iran. The Saudis conveyed their displeasure during President Obamas farewell visit to the kingdom after the interview by blocking live television coverage of his arrival and not having the King receive him on arrival. On the other hand, Mr Trump has received the full treatment, including being met at the airport by the King.

Protocol aside, defence deals were finalised amounting to $110 billion, negotiated by Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. In addition, $250 billion of commercial investment and over the next 10 years more military sales, thrice the current deal, have been promised.

This rebalancing has significance for India. First, Mr Trump, despite threatening to undo the Iran nuclear deal, had quietly, on the eve of his Saudi visit, extended the suspension of US sanctions. This signal probably helped President Hassan Rouhanis massive win. Confrontation would certainly have aided the conservatives aligned with his principal opponent. A reinvigorated Mr Rouhani, in his first post-victory address, indirectly challenged the reactionary forces by publicly lauding former President Khatami, something banned by the judiciary due to his opposing President Ahmadinejad in the 2009 election.

Second, the presence of Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Riyadh summit for crafting an anti-ISIS and anti-Iran alliance is bound to embitter Iran-Pakistan relations. India-Iran relations, despite the surface bonhomie, have lacked either confidence or depth since Indias decision to back the international community at the IAEA over the Iranian nuclear programme since 2005.

Iranian partnership becomes crucial to balance the Sino-Pak convergence and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPRC), as indeed the larger Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Russia and the Central Asian landlocked nations are keen to hedge their bets by supporting the North-South transit corridor to link Russia to the Gulf. The development of Chabahar port should be seen in that context. Interestingly, the Iranians were quiet till a fortnight back over the Kulbhushan Jadhav issue despite the Indian allegation about his abduction from Iranian soil. Their collaboration would be vital to negating the Pakistani concoction about his arrest in Balochistan.

President Trump, during his 2016 election campaign, had alleged that the Saudis were behind the 9/11 attack on the US in 2001. He had also claimed that Islam hates us. His rusted adviser Steve Bannon, who has made a career out of Islamophobia, was seen sitting sheepishly next to a Wahabbi cleric. His secretary of state Rex Tillerson has advised Iran after the Rouhani victory to curb missile testing and not support terror groups. More harsh words are likely as the Riyadh summit proceeds.

Mr Trump next heads to Israel, having already hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Washington. Mr Trumps agenda is wide-ranging. He wishes to resolve the Israel-Palestine dispute, wean away Russia from Syria and Iran to resolve the Syrian imbroglio and contain Iran and its burgeoning Shia alliance. He does not want to intervene militarily, but his generals in civvies are beginning to convince him that alliances need leadership, which only the US can provide. As a hotel-casino owner he must know that it is the dealer who always wins, not the gambler. His current sojourn will decide which role he chooses.
It can be argued that what China, along with Pakistan, wants to see most dearly is the closing down of SAARC and luring of SAARC members.

It is evident that China is upset with India for calling a spade a spade and making it clear that it wasn't ready to bless its strategic quests.

The Chinese are playing their One Belt One Road (OBOR) move, a massive once-in-a-lifetime geopolitical lunge in multiple domains, as a benign attempt at infrastructure-building and economic connectivity. For all practical purposes Beijing has criticised India for keeping away from OBOR which, it says, will be a significant factor for stability and meta-regional development, and therefore peace and prosperity.

This is a bit rich. Since when did Beijing care for infrastructure and regional connectivity unless it was in the drivers seat? It is evident that China is upset with India for calling a spade a spade and making it clear that it wasn't ready to bless its strategic quests.

For those who are not blind, Afghanistan to Dhaka would have been a seamless journey for road traffic by now  in the process transforming lives through billions of dollars of trade and investments  if Pakistan had not played mischief and prevented the flow of goods from Bangladesh and India through its territory into Afghanistan.

Kabuls and New Delhis pleadings fell on deaf ears in Islamabad. It is hard to recall a single instance when the politburo in Beijing urged its all-weather friends, Pakistans top-shots in olive green, to think of connectivity, stability and development and letting Afghanistan prosper by trading as far afield as Bangladesh.

We should go back further. Pakistan placed roadblocks in every SAARC forum dedicated to the expansion of trade, investments and connectivity within the grouping. China, which at one stage desired to participate in SAARC, did not see it fit to advise the generals in Rawalpindi to reflect on the virtuous cycle that would be generated if their nyet mentality was forsaken in the context of SAARC connectivity. It can be argued that what China, along with Pakistan, want to see most dearly is the closing down of SAARC and luring of SAARC members into the OBOR network. In that way they envisage the loosening of Indias commercial, financial, infrastructure and economic linkages with the sub-continent (minus Pakistan). This is an impossibility, of course.

Among most SAARC countries, it is not just capital and finance that move, but also labour and culture, and there are no inimical distances and harsh terrains to traverse, as in the OBOR case, against which Jia Qingguo, a Beijing university scholar and member of the Study Committee of the Peoples Political Consult-ative Conference, had cautioned. And much of the labour force moves to take advantage of the markets in India.

Jia had worried about the wishful thinking aspect of OBOR, which (in its maritime as well as land avatars) would touch the eastern regions of Africa, besides the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and the wholly unpredictable regions of Central and West Asia, to say nothing of the territories from the Karakoram to Balochistan in Pakistan that are ripe with upheavals of many kinds and degrees.

But Beijing still thinks the iron is hot, although some of its lead thinkers on geopolitical affairs worry. Xi Jinping is lord and master and his word is law as he is already sitting in the pantheon which has only two other occupants, Mao and Deng Xiaoping. In his lifetime Xi hopes to transcend beyond mere economic influence to seek to radiate extensive geopolitical power.

In this effort Chinas investible surpluses are indispensable. These cant travel eastward. South Korea and Japan can do without Chinese infrastructure support. Therefore, it is desperate to go westward, a much poorer part of the world for a long stretch.

The real focus, in the foreseeable future is, of course, Pakistan, which is Chinas gateway to Gwadar port on the Makran coast and the Arabian Sea, where a major naval facility to harbour nuclear-powered submarines is envisioned as another useful check on India. The vehicle for this is the China-Pakistan Econo-mic Corridor (CPEC) on which the Pakistanis placed a value of $46 billion (over an undefined period).

In the event, Beijing has little choice, but to ride roughshod on Indias sovereignty concerns in PoK.

Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) West Zone troops moved into PoK in the guise of workers on infrastructure projects some time ago- not only in Gilgit-Baltistan, but also in the Jhelum and Neelum River valleys, just across from Baramullah on the Indian side. (It is not unlikely that a Chinese trooper might be hit if the Indian Army shells with medium artillery in that area!)

Since early 2015, when Xi Jinping, first made a reference to CPEC and OBOR on a visit to Pakistan, colonies of Chinese labourers and supervisors, PLAs sappers and miners in effect, have proliferated. They are already thought to be a division-strong, although it is hard to be certain about figures.

The Indians raised red flags in 2009-10. The point made was that a Chinese road cannot be built through Indian territory (even if it is under Pakistans occupation). In Gilgit-Baltistan, the ADB had declined to finance power projects unless a no-objection certificate was obtained from India, but the social imperialists sitting in Beijing have had no qualms about the same projects. Spreading strategic influence has trumped theory and morality.

On this and related issues, India has practically been silent on the diplomatic front since Xis 2015 visit to Pakistan, the effective date for announcing OBOR to the world. It is extraordinary that New Delhi kept its thoughts to itself until the very last minute even on the issue of attending the two-day Belt Road Forum conclave in Beijing last Sunday and Monday. This is the lowest ebb that pusillanimity can reach.

New Delhi should have been out campaigning long before that  telling all concerned that the social imperialists were trying to spread their wings, and that eventually not much was likely to accrue to the smaller nations that look to be taken in. Look at the example of Sri Lanka, they might have been told, where every dollar supposedly invested as soft loan by China was taken out with neat profit. India evidently has some way to go in its geopolitical positioning.
In 2014, she bought beer and consumed it with two of the boys and then had intercourse with them in her car.

Ottawa: A woman in Canada has been jailed for two years on Friday, for having sex with three of her teenage students and sending nude pictures to many. Some of her victims were as young as 13 years old.

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, 36-year-old Jaclyn McLaren was found guilty of 42 sex-related charges and pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation, luring, possessing child porn and making explicit material available to minors.

McLaren had sex with the three boys when she used to teach French to them. In 2014, she bought beer and consumed it with two of the boys and then had intercourse with them in her car. She also performed oral sex on them. Police found DNA evidence of one of the victims in her car.

As for the third youngster, she had sex with him at her home when he turned 18. The cops found evidence of this particular incident through their phone message.

Prosecutor Lynn Ross said that in 2013, McLarens bosses had told her not to be friends with her students on social media. But she later started sending naked pictures and videos of her breasts and vagina to them. Ross added that there were eight victims who would receive explicit material from McLaren and six of them were her former students.

An investigation was started in February 2016 after the parent of one of the victims got suspicious about the relationship between her son and McLaren. She said that the accused womans predatory acts were disgusting.

McLaren will be on probation for two years after her release and was not allowed to contact the victims or their families. She was also barred from using any form of social media.

The accused will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life and will not be allowed near public places where children could be present for at least years after her release.
The bagpipes played as members of Union Fire Company ceremonially pushed their two new engines into the fire house on West Louther Street in Carlisle Saturday morning.

Today were officially welcoming the sixth borough-owned apparatus or engine and the eighth company-owned engine since our founding in 1789, said Amy Myers, president of Union Fire Company.

Municipal officials and representatives from other fire companies joined the volunteers at Union Fire Company for the ceremony.

With the financial support of Carlisle Borough, South Middleton Township and Dickinson Township, two identical engines were purchased in 2016, a first for the company. The cost of the two Pierce Enforcer Fire Engines was $1.2 million.

And thats without a single foot of hose, or one rung off the ladder or a even a flashlight. So its a huge investment, and we are very thankful for the support, Myers said.

This is, for council, one of the easiest purchases that we can make despite the price tag, said Sean Shultz, Carlisles deputy mayor.

People who need the fire company arent seeing the cost of the engine when it comes to their aid. They are thankful for the rig and for all the people who are arriving with it to help, he said.

Chief Brian Hamilton said the purchasing process started in January 2015 with the formation of a committee that created a specification list for what they wanted to see in the new engine. Those specifications were sent to three manufacturers who each met with the fire company before the company settled on the Pierce engines.

Engine 1-41 was ordered in August 2015, while the planning for Engine 2-41 was underway. It soon became obvious that it made sense to order an identical engine for ease of training, maintenance and driving, Hamilton said. The order for 2-41 was made in December 2015.

Engine 1-41 arrived in Carlisle in April 2015, and was placed in service on June 21, 2016. Engine 2-41 arrived in October 2016, and was placed in service on December 29, 2016.

This is, I think, the first time in history that we have identical engines in this station, and theres a lot of hard work to put in to make this possible, Hamilton said.

Engines

The fire company tends to nickname its engines and the two newcomers are names, appropriately, Down Town for Engine 1-41, which serves the borough, and Outta Town, which serves rural areas.

A borough-owned engine and a company-owned engine have shared the bays at Union Fire Company since 1931, when the company started its rural service.

Back as far as 1890, the borough council had concerns about running the engine out of town. The council didnt like the idea of footing the bill for equipment that is damaged during an out-of-town incident, and questioned what would happen if a fire were to happen in town while their engine was out of town. In 1926, the borough forbid its apparatus to be taken to out of town fires except to the county home, the hospital and Carlisle Barracks.

Being firefighters and kind of being a little bit on the stubborn side, all of the borough companies continued to take their equipment out of town on occasion, Myers said, noting that the company had been fined $25 at one point for taking the engine to a fire in Newville.

This prompted the company to start its rural service in 1930, and the company purchased its first engine the following year at a cost of $2,736. Prior to that time, the borough had purchased the engines.

The history of the engines also bring to mind key events in the fire companys history.

Back at the beginning everything was done by hand with bucket-brigades and hand carts, Myers said, until the horses came along in 1910. That era didnt last long for a variety of reasons, and the first mechanized equipment came to Union Fire Company in 1913. That first engine served the borough until the big Kronenberg fire in 1929, Myers said.

Many of our members, I know, are aware of the fact that the pump failed during that fire so we had to get another piece of apparatus, Myers said.

An company-owned engine purchased in 1956 was destroyed in an accident while responding to a fire in Middlesex Township in 1969 that claimed the life of firefighter Vince Mahoney.

Anybody whos a member here would probably agree with me and say that was the saddest day this company has had in 228 years, Myers said.
Before departing, Trump tweeted he would be strongly protecting American interests on his trip.

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman during a bilateral meeting in Riyadh. (Photo: AP)

Riyadh: The White House announced a huge arms deal with Saudi Arabia on Saturday as President Donald Trump took his first steps on the world stage, looking to leave mounting troubles behind at home.

The $110 billion deal for Saudi purchases of US defence equipment and services came at the start of an eight-day foreign tour that will also take Trump to Jerusalem, the Vatican and meetings with leaders in Europe.

The US president was given a warm welcome in the oil-rich kingdom -- a mood in sharp contrast to Washington where pressure is building after fresh claims over his teams alleged links to Moscow.

The President and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by Saudi King Salman as they disembarked at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh Saturday morning.

Trump and his wife, who dressed conservatively in black but did not cover her hair as Saudi women are required to do, walked side-by-side to the tarmac where they shook hands with the 81-year-old king.

The arms sale agreement was just one of a series of deals to be announced during the visit, with US conglomerate General Electric saying it had also signed agreements and memorandums of understanding worth $15 billion.

This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, a White House official said in announcing the deal.

Trump held talks with Salman and was to meet the kingdoms two powerful crown princes on Saturday, before giving a speech on Islam to leaders of Muslim countries on Sunday.

For Riyadh the visit is an opportunity to rebuild ties with a key ally, strained under Trumps predecessor Barack Obama who Sunni Arab Gulf states suspected of a tilt towards Shiite regional rival Iran.

A more muted focus on human rights should also please Washingtons traditional Sunni Gulf allies, analysts say.

Shortly after arriving Trump took to Twitter to express his delight at being in the kingdom.

Great to be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Looking forward to the afternoon and evening ahead, he wrote. Sundays speech to dozens of Muslim leaders has been touted as a major event  along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world given by Obama in Cairo in 2009.

The speech will be especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the US travel ban.

In return he is expected to take a harder line on Iran, where it was announced Saturday that President Hassan Rouhani had won a resounding re-election victory as voters overwhelmingly backed his efforts to reach out to the world.

Before departing, Trump tweeted he would be strongly protecting American interests on his trip.

While most US presidents make their first foreign trip to neighbouring Canada or Mexico, 70-year-old Trump has opted instead for the Middle East and Europe.
Trump added that Syrian President Bashar Assad has committed 'unspeakable crimes' bolstered by Iran.

President Donald Trump delivers a speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit, at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center. (Photo: AP)

Riyadh: US President Donald Trump told dozens of Muslim leaders on Sunday he brought "a message of friendship and hope and love", in a keenly awaited speech on Islam in Saudi Arabia.

He urged Muslim countries to ensure that "terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil" and announced an agreement with Gulf countries to fight financing for extremists.

Trump said that every nation must shoulder the burden of rooting out terrorism from their countries.

The US President said terrorist groups "do nothing to inspire but kill."

He said all countries must work together to "honestly" confront "the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires."

Trump added that Syrian President Bashar Assad has committed "unspeakable crimes" bolstered by Iran.

Trump denounced Iranian aggression in the region, and said that the "longest-suffering victims" are the Iranian people.

He said the Iranian people have "endured hardship and despair under their leaders' reckless pursuit of conflict and terror."

But the US President fell short of referencing "radical Islamic terrorism" - a term he uses frequently at home and has condemned President Barack Obama for failing to say.
Sharif will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 21-22 on the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz.

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not hold bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the US-Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, the foreign ministry said Saturday.

A statement issued by the foreign ministry said, The format and the very full agenda of the half day US-Arab-Islamic Summit at Riyadh does not permit sideline bilateral meetings of the Prime Minister.

It added, The summit is expected to have the participation of more than 35 leaders of the Islamic world as well as Secretary Generals of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), Arab League and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) leaving no space for any additional agenda.

PM Sharif will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 21-22 on the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz to participate in the first trilateral US-Arab-Islamic Summit.

In addition to King Salman and US President Donald Trump, 55 heads of state and government from the Muslim world have been invited to participate in the Summit.

The Summit in Riyadh will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to discuss how to overcome the menace of terrorism and extremism across the world.

It is expected to delink terrorism from any particular religion, culture, civilization or region.

In his address at the Summit, as well as during his interaction with world leaders, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will focus on Islams message of peace, tolerance and unity, the Foreign Office said.

The Prime Minister will highlight the great sacrifices and major successes achieved by Pakistan in defeating the scourge of terrorism and extremism in the region, it said.

He will also join the world leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony of the World Centre against Extremism, an important counter-radicalization initiative by Saudi Arabia.
20 Afghan policemen killed as Taliban storms their outposts.

Afghan children walk past security force personnel as they leave a village during an operation against ISIS in Chaparhar district of Nangarhar province. (Photo; AFP)

Kabul: A German aid worker and an Afghan guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped as gunmen stormed an international guest house in central Kabul, officials said on Sunday.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack late on Saturday on the guest house run by Swedish charity Operation Mercy.

In further violence roiling the country, 20 Afghan policemen were killed early on Sunday when Taliban fighters stormed their outposts in the southern province of Zabul, as the insurgents escalate their annual spring offensive.

The interior ministry confirmed the brazen Kabul attack, the latest in a series of assaults on aid workers in Afghanistan.

A Finnish lady was kidnapped from police district (three) last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed, ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter.

Authorities in Helsinki confirmed that a Finnish citizen had been kidnapped, adding they were investigating the incident in coordination with their counterparts in Kabul.

At the moment, the identity of the kidnappers is not known. Finland urges immediate release of the kidnapped person, the Finnish foreign ministry said in a statement.

Operation Mercys director Scott Breslin told Swedish news agency TT he was holding a crisis meeting over the incident.

We know that shes missing, we will send out a press release later, he said in a brief statement.

Operation Mercy works with local communities in areas such as reducing infant mortality and womens empowerment.

The kidnapping of foreigners has been on the rise, but the threat is even greater for Afghans.

The violence underscores the worsening security in Afghanistan, which is in the grip of an insurgency waged by the Taliban and other groups.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the coordinated attack in Zabuls Shah Joy district, another stinging blow to Nato-backed Afghan forces.

Local officials made desperate calls to TV stations as they were unable to get hold of senior authorities to seek help, highlighting the disarray in the ranks of security forces.

This morning, a group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints, killing 20 policemen, provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal told AFP.

A district official told AFP that at least 15 others were wounded in the fighting. Insurgents also mounted rocket attacks on the governors office, the police headquarters and an army brigade in the provincial capital Qalat, officials said.

The insurgents strength is growing more than 15 years after they were toppled from national power by the US-led invasion of 2001.

Taliban fighters dressed in army uniforms and armed with suicide vests attacked a military base outside the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif last month, killing at least 135 policemen and soldiers.

Taliban militants launched their annual spring offensive in late April, heralding a surge in fighting as the US tries to craft a new Afghan strategy and NATO considers sending more troops to break the stalemate.

Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in violence in recent years. Judith DSouza, a 40-year-old Indian employee of the Aga Khan Foundation, a prominent NGO that has long worked in Afghanistan, was rescued last July nearly a month after she was abducted near her residence in central Kabul.

Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped in April last year in the city of Jalalabad near the border with Pakistan. Wilson was released in March this year.
Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across South Korea and Japan.

People watch news on TV showing a file image of a missile launch by North Korea at the Seoul Railway Station, South Korea. (Photo: AP)

Seoul: North Korea Sunday test-fired a ballistic missile, the latest in a series of launches which have sparked international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions.

South Korea described the launch, the second in a week and the 10th this year, as reckless and irresponsible while the US military stressed ironclad commitment to defend its allies in the region.

The missile, described by Washington as a medium-range one, was fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province and travelled about 500 km, Souths armed forces said.

Our military is closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military and we are keeping a full military readiness, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The launch came just one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang flew almost 800 km and was capable of carrying a heavy nuclear warhead. Analysts said the Hwasong travelled further than any previous ballistic missile launched by the North.

The May 14 launch was seen as a significant step forward as the North accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.

The launches, and a threatened sixth nuclear test, have fuelled tension with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed that such an ICBM launch wont happen.

A White House official visiting Saudi Arabia with Trump appeared to play down Sundays firing.

We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM (medium-range ballistic missile). This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Koreas three most recent tests, the official said on condition of anonymity.

But the Souths foreign ministry slammed the reckless and irresponsible firing as throwing cold water on the hope and longing of the new government and the international community for denuclearisation and peace on the Korean peninsula.

Seouls incoming left-leaning government has taken a more conciliatory line with Pyongyang than its conservative predecessors, but reacted strongly to the latest two missile tests.

The US Pacific Command said it tracked the missile until it landed in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). US Pacific Command stands behind our ironclad commitment to the security of our allies in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan, it said.

Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across South Korea and Japan. With an imputed range of 4,500 kilometres the Hwasong-12 also puts US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach.
The Speaker said that it is time to be united instead of doing politics on the issue of a terrorist.

Islamabad: Speaker of Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that the government and Pakistan Army will contest the case against Kulbhushan Jadhav in the ICJ.

The Speaker said that it is time to be united instead of doing politics on the issue of a terrorist. He said legal points should be discussed, but there should be no politics on the issue of Mr Jadhav.

Mr Sadiq said that Pakistan will not take any dictation on the issue and take decisions as per its interests. Pakistan will not take any dictation on the issue and it would do what would be in its interest, he added.

He said a group of politicians were spreading desperation in the country, but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will never resign on their demand.

On April 10, Mr Jadhav was sentenced to death by military court for spreading terrorism in the country. Pakistan Army had also released a confession video of Mr Jadhav admitting that he was responsible for espionage and terrorism offences in the country.

Pakistan Army said that Mr Jadhav was tasked by Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to organise subversive activities aimed to destabilise the efforts of law enforcement agencies to restore peace in the country.

The Indian government ultimately took the matter to the ICJ headquartered in The Hague accusing Pakistan of farcical trial in the matter of Mr Jadhav.

India contended that it was not informed of Mr Jadhavs detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan failed to inform him of his rights. India said Pakistan had committed egregious violation and repeatedly denied access to Jadhav in violation of the Vienna Convention.

The ICJ announced its verdict on May 18 pronouncing that Pakistan should not execute Jadhav until final decision of the court, and that he should be granted consular access.

Separately, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan was evolving a strategy to forcefully plead its case against Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in the ICJ.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan had a strong case as Kulbhushan Jadhav had confessed that he was a serving Indian naval officer and involved in numerous subversive activities in Pakistan as a RAW agent.

Earlier, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said the ICJ cannot nullify Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhavs death sentence.

Jhadav confessed to carrying out terrorist activities inside Pakistan and was a naval officer using a fake passport. He was sentenced according to the countrys law, Mr Aziz said.
On Saturday, students took part in a prayer session in the main university square in peaceful protest.

The only daily prayer space available on the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university Library. (Photo: AP/Representational)

London: Ahead of Ramadan, a top UK university has decided to remove prayer space available on campus for Muslims, citing a "lack of space" during exam season as the reason behind its move.

The only daily prayer space available on the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university Library, Independent reported.

Muslim students at the university were told that their Friday prayer space was to be taken away due to a "lack of space" during exam season, the paper said. Students on Saturday took part in a public prayer session in the main university square in peaceful protest against the move.

A spokesperson from the UEA Islamic Society said: "We are shocked and appalled that the University, who re-located us...on the condition that they would investigate a permanent solution which they have failed to produce, would take away our only prayer spaces during exam period and before Ramadan".

Over the past few years, Muslim students at the university have used a lecture theatre for prayer and worship. The larger Friday worship sessions take place at a separate location by the Blackdale student residences.

Both arrangements were set up as a temporary solution while the university discussed plans for a permanent prayer space. From Sunday, however, the Muslim student community are to be left with no designated prayer space, a move students say they had not been invited to discuss.

UEA's Student Union has accused the university of discrimination, failing its duties under the Equality Act. Union spokesperson for welfare, community and diversity, Jo Swo, was quoted as saying by the report that the situation had caused "a tremendous amount of anxiety and inconvenience for Muslim students as it has made them feel observed and treated like an inconvenience to the University".

UEA has begun dramatic plans for expansion over the next few years, pledging to recruit up to 3,000 new students by 2030, a rise of 20 per cent. A UEA spokesperson said the Vice-Chancellor would be meeting with students imminently to discuss the matter.

In a statement, the university said: "As part of a 2 million pound investment in new library study spaces and the complete refurbishment of the University's main lecture

theatres the use of a prayer facility near Lecture Theatre 2 will be temporarily unavailable for safety reasons during the building works".
Moderate garners 57 per cent of votes to beat hardline challenger Raisi.

Tehran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani won a resounding re-election victory on Saturday as voters overwhelmingly backed his efforts to reach out to the world and rebuild the struggling economy.

Mr Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, took 23.5 million votes  57 per cent  compared to 15.8 million  38.3 per cent  for hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi.

But Irans efforts to open up to the world face a stark challenge from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to tear up the nuclear deal and is currently visiting its bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Iranians nonetheless flocked to the polls, with turnout hitting 73 per cent. Election organisers were forced to extend polling by several hours on Friday, as they struggled to adapt to a population explosion that has added 20 million names to the voting rolls in the past two decades.

Already last night we had the feeling we were heading for a landslide, and it came true, said Farid Dehdilani, an adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation, who worked on Mr Rouhanis campaign.

Our people reaffirmed their confidence in President Rouhani and their support for engagement with the world, he added.

Mr Raisi, 56, had positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West.

But his revolutionary rhetoric and efforts to win over working class voters with promises of incr-eased handouts gained limited traction.

Rouhanis vote, particularly in rural areas, shows that Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change, said Ali Vaez, Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group, a think tank.

They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their countrys predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations, Vaez said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, a staunch ally of Iran in the Syrian conflict on the side of the Damascus regime, was among the first leaders to congratulate Rouhani.

The Kremlin said Putin sent a telegram confirming his readiness to continue active joint work... in line with maintaining stability and security in the Middle East and the world as a whole.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini also tweeted her congratulations and vowed to work for greater engagement, regional peace... (and the) expectations of people in Iran.

Both Russia and the European Union are eager to safeguard the 2015 deal which they signed alongside the United States, easing sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs to its nuclear programme.
As soon as the lift door opened, the Pakistani clerk groped the girl after which she ran towards her house and informed her parents

The victim had just returned home from school when the 24-year-old suspect touched her in the lift of the building. (Representational image)

Dubai: An Indian schoolgirl has allegedly been molested by a Pakistani clerk in a lift in the UAE, a media report said.

The victim had just returned home from school when the 24-year-old suspect touched her in the lift of the building where she lived in Dubai, Gulf News reported.

The clerk pressed the second-floor button and when the lift started moving upwards, he grabbed her name tag and tried to read her name but she pulled herself away from him in March, the report said on Saturday.

As soon as the lift door opened, the Pakistani clerk, who was not identified by the report, groped the girl after which she ran towards her house and informed her parents who called the police.

The man was apprehended and charged with molesting the schoolgirl, the report said.

The suspect pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

The girl identified the suspect at the police lineup. A ruling in the case will be announced on May 25.
After a tip-off from a suspect, this police operation was quickly planned as the two ISIS members were believed to be planning an attack.

The two were killed during a police operation on their residence in the Etimesgut district of Ankara. (Photo: Representational/AFP)

Ankara: Turkish police on Sunday killed in Ankara two suspected members of the Islamic State jihadist group believed to have been planning an attack in the capital, the regional governor said.

The two were killed during a police operation on their residence in the Etimesgut district of Ankara after a gunfight with officers, state-run news agency Anadolu quoted regional governor Ercan Topaca as saying.

The raid was launched on the basis of testimony from a suspected Azerbaijani ISIS member who was detained by Istanbul police after allegedly driving the two men to Ankara. "This (police) operation was quickly planned after this suspect said they and the two others he left in Ankara were Daesh (ISIS) members and planning an attack," Topaca said. He said police opened fire after the two suspects themselves fired on the security forces.

After "neutralising" the two men, guns and hand grenades were found, Topaca said. Although the identities and nationalities of the two men have yet to be confirmed, Topaca said they believed they were aged between 25 and 30. "We believe they were planning an attack likely in the next few days. The weapons, explosives were effective and powerful," he said.

During the past 18 months, Turkey has been hit by a wave of attacks blamed on ISIS and Kurdish militants, killing hundreds in cities like Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern city of Gaziantep.

The raid comes nearly six months after an ISIS gunman killed 39 people in attack on the elite Reina nightclub during New Year celebrations in Istanbul.

The shootout took place as Ankara was hosting a special congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that was set to again choose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its chairman. But there was no indication of any link to the congress.
Its a battle of good vs evil, a choice of two futures, says Trump.

Riyadh: US President Donald Trump called on Arab leaders to do their fair share to drive out terrorism from their nations on Sunday in a speech that put the burden on the region to combat militant groups.

Mr Trump, who generated much controversy with his push to ban many Muslims from entering the United States, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilisations. America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security. But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them, Mr Trump told leaders of 55 Muslim-majority countries representing more than a billion people.

The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and frankly for their families and for their children, he said. Its a choice between two futures and its a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists.

Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth, he said.

Mr Trumps America First philosophy helped him win the 2016 election and has rattled allies who depend on US support for their defence. The President, who is now struggling to contain a brewing political scandal at home, made clear in his address that Washington would partner with the Middle East but expected more action in return.

Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land, he said in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a nine-day tour that includes Israel, Italy and Belgium.

The speech in a gilded hall bedecked with chandeliers is part of an effort to redefine his relationship with the Muslim world after Mr Trump frequently attacked Muslims

on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the United States. It came on the second day of his visit to Saudi Arabia, after which he will head for Israel.

Mr Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who set aside his campaign rhetoric about Muslims and focused on his desire to crack down on Irans influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in former US President Barack Obama.

Unlike the Obama administration, that would often raise concerns over civil liberties with longstanding Arab allies, Mr Trump had made no mention of human rights during his visit so far. We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live... or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  that is based on shared interests and values, Mr Trump said.

Mr Trumps signature phrase radical Islamic terrorism was not included in the speech, according to excerpts released in advance by the White House. Instead, he used the term Islamist extremism, which refers to Islamism as a political movement rather than Islam as a religion, a distinction that he had frequently criticised the Obama administration for making.

As a candidate, Mr Trump proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States. In office he ordered temporary bans on people from certain Muslim-majority countries, which have been blocked by the courts that ruled they were discriminatory.

Introducing Mr Trump, King Salman of Saudi Arabia described their mutual foe Iran as the source of terrorism they must confront together. Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are... The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism.

Mr Trump too did not hesitate to single out Iran. From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region, Mr Trump said. Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it.

Iran is a Shia Muslim country. The groups that the United States has been fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere since the September 11, 2001 attacks on Washington and New York are mostly Sunni Muslims, and enemies of Iran.

The United States and Gulf Arab countries announced agreement to coordinate efforts against the financing of terrorist groups.

Mr Trumps welcome in the region was put on display during a series of individual meetings with Arab leaders. He praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, telling him: You have done a tremendous job under trying circumstances. The Obama administration had a difficult relationship with Mr Sisi, who came to power after leading a military coup in 2013 during which hundreds of demonstrators were killed, and has since jailed thousands of opponents.

Mr Trump has promised to schedule a trip to Egypt soon, and he singled out the Egyptians choice of footwear, a pair of shiny black shoes. Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes, he said.

To Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Mr Trump declared that the two nations had a lot in common and there wont be strain with this administration. The King lauded the relationship and said it had led to great stability in the region and prosperity. Bahrain is home to the US fleet in the Middle East. Its Sunni Muslim royal family rules over a majority Shia population and was occasionally rebuked by the Obama administration for harsh treatment of opponents.

Mr Trumps Riyadh visit kicks off his first presidential trip abroad, with Saudi Arabia the first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe.

The speech came as Mr Trump tried to escape the fallout from his May 9 firing of former FBI director James Comey amid accusations that he was trying to stop a federal investigation into his campaigns ties with Russia last year. The New York Times reported that Mr Trump had called Mr Comey a nut job in a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov last week. The Washington Post said the probe had reached into the White House to include a Trump adviser, who was not named.
Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism.

Lahore: Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that the civilian government and the Pakistan Army would jointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against India.

He stressed, "It is time to be united," even as he denounced the trend of harming the national interest for the sake of securing political ground, reports The Nation.

"We have already suffered much in the past. This trend of causing damage to the national interest in order to protect the personal ones should be shunned," he added.

Alleged Indian spy and former Indian Naval Officer Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism.

India reacted to the verdict by taking the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), headquartered in The Hague, accusing Pakistan of 'farcical trial' in the matter of Jadhav.

India contended that it was not informed of Jadhav's detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan failed to inform him of his rights. It further alleged that Pakistan has committed 'egregious violation of the Vienna Convention' and repeatedly denied consular access to Jadhav.

ICJ announced its verdict on May 18 pronouncing that Pakistan should not execute Jadhav until the final decision of the court and that he should be granted consular access.
Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him.

Islamabad: India cannot claim victory in Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at the International Court of Justice as the court has issued "just a procedural order", the lawyer who represented Pakistan in the case has said.

Khawar Qureshi said Jadhav's case is more about political point scoring than about the law.

"The order issued by the ICJ is just a procedural order to enable full hearing. It certainly is not a victory for India by any means," Geo TV quoted Qureshi as saying.

Read: Govt, army will fight Jadhav case in ICJ against India: Pak NA speaker

"It was very clear that the court didn't want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consulor

access, which he had," he said.

Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him.

"It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented.

He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying.

"My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added.
The police have obtained a 14-day judicial remand.

Islamabad: An Indian national was on Sunday arrested here for not carrying travel documents, according to a media report.

The Indian man, who has not been identified, was arrested from F-8 area of Islamabad for not having complete travel documents, Samaa TV reported.

An official of the Indian High Commission, however, said that the mission does not have any information about the arrest so far. A case has been filed against him and he has been sent to 14-day judicial remand, the report said.

The arrest came days after the International Court of Justice stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against the country.

A copy of the FIR read " Indian citizen named Sheikh Nabi Ahmed arrested in Sector 8 Islamabad; Police on May 19 found incomplete documents with Ahmed; He was also unable to provide his biodata to police upon inquiry; He has been arrested under Section 14 of the Foreign Act and has been sent to a judicial remand. At 9:40 the accused was walking on foot and appeared different from his looks and clothes. He was stopped and questioned during which he revealed his name as Sheikh Nabi Ahmed s/o Sheikh Raees Ahmed and address as House No. 755 opposite Tabassum Hotel, Bandra plot, Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai, India. During the inquiry it was found that he was staying in Pakistan without any passport or permission. He committed the crime of staying in Pakistan without any Visa or NOC for which he was booked under Section 14 of the Foreign Act."

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Jadhav's case is the latest flash-point in the tensions between Pakistan and India.
During the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis speaks about the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, instituted by Benedict XVI. Chinese Catholics must make a personal contribution to communion among believers and to harmony in the whole society." AsiaNews Symposium on the Church in China is set for this week. Francis appeals for peace in the Central African Republic, and for loving one another following the example of the Lord. For him, Sometimes conflicts, pride, envy, and divisions leave a blotch on the beautiful face of the Church. Five new cardinals will be named, including a bishop from Laos.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "On 24 May, we shall all join spiritually Catholics in China on the occasion of the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians, venerated at the Sheshan Shrine in Shanghai," said Pope Francis after todays Regina Caeli prayer.

The pontiff mentioned the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China instituted by Pope Benedict XVI ten years ago. In his 2007 Letter to Chinese Catholics, the pope emeritus called for greater unity between underground and official Christians and communion with Peter's successor through prayers. He also urged the Lord to persevere in Christian witness amid the sufferings of persecution. The pontiff had also told Catholics to contribute to the good of Chinese society, praying for their persecutors as well.

Pope Francis cited some of the same themes. Currently the Holy See and the Chinese government are engaged in talks about the way to appoint bishops, an issue that has ostensibly polarised Catholic communities in China. For its part, the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association continues to exert absolute power over the clergy, getting some temporarily arrested, and forcing unlawful bishops and those in communion with the Holy See to perform celebrations together.

"To Chinese Catholics, I say: Let us look up to our Mother Mary, Francis said, so that she may help us discern God's will about the actual path of the Church in China and support us in welcoming with generosity his project of love. May Mary encourage us to make our personal contribution to communion among believers and to harmony in the whole society. Let us not forget to bear witness to the faith through prayer and love, always open to encounter and dialogue."

AsiaNews will hold its annual Symposium on 24 May, World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.

In his address, the Holy Father also appealed for peace in the Central African Republic, where he travelled in 2015 to inaugurate the Jubilee of Mercy. "Painful news come from the Central African Republic, which is in my heart, especially after my visit in November 2015, Francis said. Scores of people have been killed and displaced by armed clashes that threaten the peace process. I am close to the people and to the bishops [of that country] and to all those who work for the good of the people and for peaceful coexistence. I pray for those who have died or have been wounded and renew my appeal: May weapons fall silent and good will and dialogue prevail to give the country peace and development."

Earlier, Francis had commented todays Gospel (Jn 14: 15-21) in which "Jesus promised his friends that, after him, they would receive another Paraclete (16), that is another advocate, a defender and consoler, "the Spirit of truth" (17). I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (18), he had said.

"These words convey the joy of a new coming of Christ: He, risen and glorified, dwells in the Father, and at the same time comes to us in the Holy Spirit. And in this new coming, our union with him and with the Father is revealed:"[Y]ou will realize that I am in my my Father and you are in me and I in you' (20). By meditating on these words of Jesus, we now perceive with a sense of faith that we are the people of God in communion with the Father and with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In this mystery of communion, the Church finds the inexhaustible source of its mission, which is achieved through love.

Jesus says in todays Gospel" 'Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him (21). This is the love that introduces us to the knowledge of Jesus, through the action of the Holy Spirit. The love for God and ones neighbours is the greatest commandment of the Gospel. The Lord today calls us to respond generously to the evangelical call to love, placing God at the centre of our lives, dedicating ourselves to the service of our brothers, especially those who need support and consolation the most."

"If there is an attitude that is never easy, one that can never be taken for granted by the Christian community, it is that of knowing how to love, to love one another following the example of the Lord and his grace. Sometimes conflicts, pride, envy, and divisions leave a blotch on the beautiful face of the Church. A community of Christians should live in the charity of Christ, and instead it is precisely there the evil one sneaks in and we sometimes allow ourselves to be deceived. Those who are spiritually weaker pay the price. How many of them  and you know some of them  have moved away because they did not feel welcomed, understood, and loved.

Even for Christians knowing how to love is never a given, once and for all. Every day we must start again, and must practice so that our love for the brothers and sisters we encounter becomes mature and purified from those limits or sins that make it partial, selfish, sterile, and unfaithful. Every day we must learn the art of love; every day we must patiently follow the school of Christ; every day we have to forgive and look at Jesus, with the help of His Spirit. May the Virgin Mary, the perfect disciple of her Son and Lord, help us be more and more docile to the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, to learn every day how to love ourselves as Jesus loved us."

Afterwards, the pope announced a consistory for 28 June during which he will appoint five new members from various countries around the world, including Bishop Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, apostolic vicar of Pakse (Laos). The others are Mgr Jean Zerbo, archbishop of Bamako (Mali), Mgr Juan Jose Omella, archbishop of Barcelona (Spain), Mgr Anders Arborelius, OCD, bishop of Stockholm (Sweden), and Mgr Gregorio Rosa Chavez, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Salvador (El Salvador).
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It appears Walt Disney World is struggling with how to add President Donald Trump to its Hall of Presidents attraction.

Disney trying to figure out how to add Trump to Hall of Presidents

Since the 90s, the president has said a few lines in the show



RELATED: Petition asks Disney to keep Trump speech out of Hall of Presidents

According to a report by Vices Motherboard, Imagineers may consider reverting the attraction to its pre-1993 format, which means George Washington and Abraham Lincoln would be the only ones speaking.

An anonymous Disney cast member told Motherboard that Trump will be in the attraction, but he will probably not have a speaking role.

The attraction features animatronic versions of every U.S. president, as well as music and a short presentation on American History.

Since the 90swhen Bill Clinton became presidentevery sitting president since has said a few lines in the show. Clinton also became the first sitting president to provide his voice for an animatronic.

However, since Trump took office, the pushback from some Disney fans about his addition to the attraction has been strong.

In January, a petition was launched, asking Disney to keep the Trump animatronic from speaking.

Reportedly, Disney is trying to find [a solution] that approaches middle ground.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is part of the president's financial advisory panel.



Hall of Presidents, which closed for refurbishment in January, was originally expected to reopen in late June.

At this point, its still unclear what role Trump will have once the attraction reopens.

Disney hasnt released an official statement about what it plans to do.

Looks like well just have to wait and see.
The Tampa Police Department has identified a man suspected of shooting and killing two people in New Tampa on Friday.

Devon Arthurs charged with first-degree murder

Police say he shot, killed two men



RELATED: Police investigating double murder in New Tampa

Devon Arthurs, 18, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He has also been charged with armed kidnapping.

According to police, Arthurs killed two men at the Hamptons at Tampa Palms.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Friday, police were called to the Green Planet Smoke Shop.

Arthurs told customers and an employee in the shop that they could not leave.

Officers made contact with Arthurs, who was armed at the time.

They convinced Arthurs to let the hostages go and surrender his weapon.

While in custody, Arthurs told police he killed two people and where the bodies were located.

Officers went to the Hamptons and found two bodies.

Arthurs was booked into jail early Saturday.
Next year is shaping up to be a busy one for The Breakers, a luxury resort in Palm Beach, Fla., where at least three major medical organizations have moved their annual fundraiser after jumping ship from President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a report from STAT.

Those moving their annual fundraiser from Mar-a-Lago to The Breakers include Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which has held its fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago since 2011; Rye Brook, N.Y.-based Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which has been at Mar-a-Lago since 2012; and Miami-based Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, at Mar-a-Lago since 2015, according to the report.

When STAT asked a spokeswoman from Dana-Farber about the switch, she said "a variety of considerations" went into the decision. However, the Palm Beach Daily News reported the switch was because another healthcare organization, Cleveland Clinic, had already reserved the club for the date they wanted. A Cleveland Clinic spokesperson told STAT they haven't signed an agreement yet, but the medical center will likely host its fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago in 2018 for the ninth year in a row.

Both Cleveland Clinic and Dana-Farber faced protests from thousands of physicians, nurses, medical students and researchers ahead of their February 2017 fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago. The protests hit a fever pitch after President Trump signed an executive order to put an indefinite hold on refugee admissions to the U.S. and temporarily blocked immigration and travel from seven countries. The immigration ban affected Cleveland Clinic's own staff  in particular a physician named Suha Abushamma, MD, an internal medicine resident and citizen of Sudan.

More articles on leadership and management:

Gallup: Percentage of Americans naming healthcare as No. 1 problem surges

Lawmakers introduce bill to protect VA whistle-blowers

Voter approval of AHCA increases slightly, Quinnipiac poll finds
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Alex Bunting, 61, lost a leg following a booby-trapped bomb attack in Northern Ireland (Commission for Victims and Survivors/PA)

Former taxi driver Alex Bunting who was injured in a car bomb explosion during the Troubles

A man who lost a leg following a booby-trapped bomb attack in South Belfast has urged politicians to establish a special pension for conflict victims before it is too late.

Alex Bunting, 62, tried to end his own life after the 1991 IRA blast under his taxi on the mainly loyalist Sandy Row, a former linen milling district and central battlefield in next month's General Election.

He lost his business, moved to a different hospital to start orthopaedic treatment but was hurt again by another bombing.

Mr Bunting is among 500 people awaiting an official pension in compensation for his experience, but the DUP and Sinn Fein could not agree when in government together and the deadlock is likely to linger after this June's Westminster poll.

He said: "It is totally wrong as far as I am concerned."

Victims have accused political leaders of betrayal after they failed to deal with the toxic legacy of the past.

Divisions over the 30-year conflict have been a perennial issue of elections in Northern Ireland - there have been five in two years.

South Belfast has been held by a nationalist MP since 2005, ex-SDLP leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell, following divisions in the unionist vote, but he faces a strong challenge in the upcoming election.

In the Westminster 2015 poll, the former GP was elected on the lowest-ever share of the vote for a successful MP in the UK (24.5%).

His main opposition then was divided between the Democratic Unionists, Sinn Fein, Alliance, Green and Ukip.

This time, Ukip are not standing.

Sinn Fein's Mairtin O Muilleoir will be his main challenger, an expert predicted.

South Belfast is a diverse constituency, in parts leafy and affluent with a strong vote for the cross-community Alliance party, and in other parts transient, with many students and migrant workers.

Some of the most wealthy wards in the country are contained within its boundaries.

Graham Walker, professor of political history at Queen's University, said the SDLP's criticism of Sinn Fein's refusal to sit in Westminster resonated in South Belfast where there was a strong middle-class Catholic vote against Brexit.

He added: "The Remain vote would be quite an overwhelming one and I think that their concern over that issue would prevent them giving a vote to a party that simply will not turn up."

Dr McDonnell is running on a ticket of urging people to reject the DUP-endorsed Tory Brexit.

He said: "This election gives the opportunity to send a strong message to the Tories.

"There can be no hard Brexit."

Emma Little-Pengelly, a lawyer, former Assembly member and special adviser standing for the DUP, said strong unionism was required.

She said: "Unionism and Britishness in Northern Ireland deserves respect and tolerance too. Unfortunately, that does not always happen."

Mr O Muilleoir, an publisher and former Stormont minister, said Sinn Fein's vote in South Belfast had doubled since 2005.

He said: "We bring the message very firmly and very proudly that we are in the South Belfast election to win.

"We fight on the basis of being against the disaster that is Brexit."

Michael Henderson, Ulster Unionist candidate, served in the Armed Forces for 26 years.

He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to achieving a Brexit deal that works for our businesses, our universities, our farmers, our community and voluntary sector and our environment."

This election has been characterised as a vote against Brexit by its opponents.

For Mr Bunting, the political lobbying is around a most personal issue.

He said a pension would cost 2 million a year for the worst-injured, around 100 a week per person whose days have been numbered by their experiences.

He said: "Those who lost limbs, those badly paralysed and with burn injuries, their faces blown off them.

"These people are elderly. You are lucky if you get 20 years out of it."

The other candidates are Clare Bailey (Green Party), Paula Bradshaw (Alliance) and Clare Salier (Conservatives).
There are parades taking place across Northern Ireland today which will impact on traffic and travel.

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The brother of a British engineer gunned down alongside his family in the French Alps has said there has been no progress in the case nearly five years on.

Engineer Saad al-Hilli and his wife Ikbal, who lived in Claygate Surrey, and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf were shot while on holiday in Chevaline in September 2012.

Their bodies were discovered in their BMW car by a cyclist, Brett Martin, while the couples two young daughters survived the attack. Another cyclist  Sylvain Mollier  was murdered in the attack.

Expand Close The caravan and tent used by Saad al-Hilli and his family while on holiday in France. (Chris Ison/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The caravan and tent used by Saad al-Hilli and his family while on holiday in France. (Chris Ison/PA)

Speaking to the Sunday Express, Zaid al-Hilli said he wanted to see the case reviewed.

He told the paper: There has been no progress for years so it is time for a review.

I do not trust the French police or the prosecutor, so I believe the review should be conducted by a High Court judge. I think the authorities know who was behind it my brother and his family were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Expand Close Zaid al-Hilli. (Steve Parsons/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Zaid al-Hilli. (Steve Parsons/PA)

Zaid al-Hilli was arrested on suspicion of the murders in June 2013 but later told that he would face no further action after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

He told the paper his arrest has led to a lack of faith in the inquiry.
President Donald Trump holds a sword and dances with traditional dancers during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace (AP)

US President Donald Trump has implored Saudi Arabia and other middle eastern countries to extinguish "Islamic extremism" emanating from the region.

Mr Trump described the situation as a "battle between good and evil" rather than a clash between the west and Islam.

In a pointed departure from his predecessor, the US president all but promised he would not publicly admonish middle eastern rulers for human rights violations and oppressive reigns.

"We are not here to lecture - we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship," Mr Trump said, speaking in an ornate room in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

"Instead, we are here to offer partnership - based on shared interests and values - to pursue a better future for us all."

The president's address was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his January swearing-in.

For Mr Trump, the trip is a reprieve from the controversies that have marred his young presidency and an attempt to reset his relationship with a region and a religion he fiercely criticised a candidate.

During the 2016 US campaign, Mr Trump mused about his belief that "Islam hates us".

On Sunday, however, standing before dozens of regional leaders, he said Islam was "one of the world's great faiths".

While running for the job he now holds, Mr Trump criticised President Barack Obama for not using the term "radical Islamic extremism" and said that refusal indicated Mr Obama did not understand America's enemy.

In his Saudi speech, Mr Trump condemned "Islamic extremism", ''Islamists" and "Islamic terror", but not once uttered the precise phrase he pressed Mr Obama on.

He made no mention of the disputed travel ban, signed days after he took office, that temporarily banned immigration to the US from seven majority Muslim countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

Both the original order and a second directive that dropped Iraq from the banned list have been blocked by the courts.

Mr Trump offered few indications of whether he planned to shift US policy to better-fight terrorism.

There were no promises of new financial investment or announcements of increased US military presence in the region.

The president put much of the onus for combating extremists on Mideast leaders: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

Mr Trump's remarks came in a meeting with dozens of regional leaders who gathered in Riyadh for a summit with the US president and Saudi King Salman.

The king has lavished praise and all the trappings of a royal welcome on the new American president, welcoming in particular Mr Trump's pledge to be tougher on Iran than Mr Obama was.

Indeed, Mr Trump and Mr Salman were in agreement on the threat Iran poses to the region when they addressed their fellow leaders: Mr Trump accused Iran of "destruction and chaos" and the king said its rival "has been the spearhead of global terrorism".

The Saudis' warm embrace was a welcome change for the besieged White House.

Officials spent the days before Mr Trump's departure dealing with a steady stream of revelations about the federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and the fallout from his firing of FBI director James Comey.

AP
Thousands rallied in Madrid on Saturday to support a no-confidence vote against conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy brought by the far-left Podemos party.

Podemos organised the gathering to bolster its no-confidence vote against Mr Rajoy's ruling Popular Party, which has been hit by a series of corruption scandals.

The rally under the slogan "We have to throw them out" was held in the Puerta del Sol, a large square in the heart of Spain's capital.

Many protesters held signs that read "Enough!" or "Corruption!"

Podemos registered its intention on Friday to bring the no-confidence vote to Parliament.

The move includes presenting the party's pony-tailed leader, Pablo Iglesias, as an alternative candidate to replace Mr Rajoy.

No date has been set for the no-confidence vote but the move appears designed to fail.

With only 71 members in parliament, Podemos would need help from other parties to reach the majority needed of 176.

No other major party says it will back the move to topple Mr Rajoy.

Speaking at a Podemos party congress before the rally, Mr Iglesias admitted that "the no-confidence vote won't prosper".

But hours later, Mr Iglesias struck a defiant tone at the rally, calling the Popular Party "a mafia-like party".

"The people are not afraid. They are telling the corrupted to 'get lost, we want a Spain of the 21st century," Mr Iglesias said.

"This country is better than its parliament and we are showing the way to the future."

Mr Rajoy has been dragged into the most damaging of corruption cases involving the Popular Party, an alleged kickbacks-for-contracts scheme to finance party activities.

Spain's National Court has called Mr Rajoy as a witness in the case.

Like his party, Mr Rajoy has denied any wrongdoing.

He has asked to appear for the court hearing via video conference in July.

On Monday, Podemos will present a motion to hold a separate no-confidence vote against Madrid's regional leader, Cristina Cifuentes, for another corruption investigation involving the Popular Party.

Podemos was founded in 2014, partly channeling the "Indignados" protest movement of 2011 that protested the impact of Spain's financial woes during the European financial crisis.

AP
Residents walk through damaged streets at the mountain resort town of Zabadani in the Damascus countryside, Syria, Thursday, May 18, 2017. A U.S. airstrike struck pro-Syrian government forces for the first time, hitting a convoy in the desert near the border with Jordan, U.S. officials and Syrian activists said, an apparent signal to President Bashar Assad to keep his forces out of a zone where U.S.-backed rebels are fighting the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The Pentagons account of its Thursday night air strike on pro-Assad militia forces in Syria concealed the real story of a race to the Syrian-Iraqi border by armed groups working for both the Americans and the Syrian regime.

Even the targets listed by the US appear to have been wrong. Indeed, what was described by the Americans as a minor action was part of a far more important struggle between the US and the Syrian regime for control of the south-eastern frontier of Syria  a vital supply line for Iran to maintain its forces in Syria.

According to the Syrians, the US destroyed not one but four T-62 tanks and a Shilka ZSU-23-4 Soviet-made radar-guided anti-aircraft vehicle manned by both Shia Iraqi militiamen loyal to Damascus and a unit of armed Iranians who were travelling in pick-up trucks to establish positions  on the instructions of the Syrian army -- in the desert west of al-Tanf.

Their intention  to set up strongpoints in the vast and largely empty land in advance of the American-trained forces  was an attempt by the Syrian government to keep open the route between Iraq and Syria now that the ISIS-held Syrian city of Raqqa far to the north has been almost surrounded by largely Kurdish fighters loyal to Washington.

Six of the pro-Syrian militiamen were killed in the American air strike and 25 wounded  it is unclear whether the casualties were Iraqi or Iranian  but forces under the command of the Syrian army intend to continue their reconnaissance missions towards al-Tanf. Anti-aircraft gunners aboard one of the pick-up trucks accompanying the pro-Syrian units that were attacked, opened fire on the US jets and, according to the Syrians, forced the American aircraft to fly higher.

At this point, Syrian air defence units north east of Damascus prepared to fire Soviet-made S-200 Angara ground-to-air missiles (an older version of the S-300 which the Russians have since delivered to the Syrian military) at the Americans  but the US jets had by then left Syrian airspace. One of the five T-62 tanks attacked by the Americans was undamaged.

Nonetheless, the brief action in the Syrian desert was of great importance. The Syrians were obviously trying to test Americas resolve to move its anti-Assad militia forces deeper into the south-east of the country  and the US was prepared, albeit on a small-scale, to show that it was prepared to press on.

Read more

Read More

But the Syrian-Iraqi frontier town of al-Tanf may turn out to be a key strategic point in the struggle of the Assad government to regain its national territory and keep open its border to Iraq and, by extension, to Iran. It lies only 30 miles from Iraq  but because the Jordanian-Syrian-Iraqi borders join immediately to the south  al-Tanf also lies the same distance from Jordan  where the American-trained militia are based.

Although US jets were involved in Thursdays air strikes, the forces on the ground comprised largely proxy fighters  belonging to both the American-trained rebel opposition and to the Syrian military. If US personnel were accompanying the rebel forces, then they were lucky that neither the Russians nor Syrian Army personnel were present on the other side.

For the Pentagon to suggest that this was a sideshow to Washingtons battle against Isis was to stretch the truth beyond credibility in the Middle East. Cutting Syria off from Iraq  and thus from Iran  appears to be a far more immediate operational aim of US forces in Syria than the elimination of the Sunni "Caliphate" cult which Washington claims to be its principal enemy in the Middle East.

Unacceptable

The US attacks are unacceptable and violate Syria's sovereignty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Friday.

Any military actions leading to the aggravation of the situation in Syria definitely affect the political process. Especially if such actions are committed against the Syrian armed forces This is totally unacceptable; it is a violation of Syrian sovereignty. Of course, it does not help the political process, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov stated on Friday.
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Troubled Childhood Likely To Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome Wellness ians-Lekhaka

An association between the gut and the brain in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been found, say researchers who established that it could be triggered by a traumatic childhood.

The results suggest that signals generated by the brain regions -- involved in the processing of sensory information from their bodies -- can influence the composition of microbes residing in the intestine and that the chemicals in the gut can shape the human brain's structure.

"Signals from the gut microbes shape the way the sensory system develops," Emeran Mayer from the University of California - Los Angeles, was quoted as saying by Newsweek.

"A lot of influences start during pregnancy and go on for the first three years of life. That's the programming of the gut microbiome-brain axis," Mayer noted.

A history of early life trauma has been shown to be associated with structural and functional brain changes and to alter gut microbial composition.

It is also possible that the signals the gut and its microbes get from the brain of an individual with a history of childhood trauma may lead to lifelong changes in the gut microbiome.

These alterations in the gut microbiota may feed back into sensory brain regions, altering the sensitivity to gut stimuli -- a hallmark of people with IBS, the researchers said.

For the study, published in the journal Microbiome, the team collected behavioural information, stool samples and brain images of 29 adults with IBS and 23 healthy people as controls.

The research also suggests that the treatments for IBS should be tailored by gut flora test results.



With Inputs From IANS

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Story first published: Friday, May 19, 2017, 19:25 [IST]
PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2017

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said today that the Saudi.-U.S. partnership is stronger than ever and built on shared security interests, close economic cooperation and mutual trust. They made the remarks during a press conference in Riyadh to brief reporters on the first day of President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Minister Al-Jubeir described the day as a truly historic one for U.S.-Saudi relations, further deepening the ties between the two longstanding allies. Minister Al-Jubeir discussed the Joint Strategic Vision Declaration signed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and President Donald Trump.

He said he strategic vision will address ways to cooperate on "violent extremism, financing of terrorism, increasing defense capabilities, working on a defense architecture for the region  trade and investment, education, and working in all fields in order to enhance our common interests and deal with the challenges that face both of our countries."

Minister Al-Jubeir also said that the visit is a turning point for the Islamic world's relationship with the U.S. and will advance international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

"If we can change the conversation in the Islamic world from enmity towards the U.S. to partnership with the U.S. and if we can change the conversation in the U.S. and in the West from enmity towards the Islamic world to one of partnership, we would have truly changed our world and we would have truly drowned the voices of extremism and we will have drained the swamp from which extremism and terrorism emanates," said Minister Al-Jubeir.

The two leaders outlined a renewed commitment to defense cooperation. Earlier today, the two countries signed a defense agreement worth more than $100 billion that will upgrade Saudi Arabia's military capabilities, allowing it to better protect its borders and aid in the global fight against terrorism. Secretary Tillerson praised the deal's economic impact, stating that it would generate "hundreds of thousands" of American jobs.

Minister Al-Jubeir criticized Iran for conducting destabilizing actions throughout the region, including in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. The foreign minister said the world should judge Iran by its actions, not words.

"If Iran wants to be a normal country and wants others to treat it like a normal country, it has to act in accord with international law and the values and the mores of the international system that have existed for centuries," said Minister Al-Jubeir.

Minister Al-Jubeir expressed an outlook for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen and called on the Houthi militias to end all separatist activities.

"Now we have a radical militia [Houthis], allied with Iran and Hezbollah in possession of ballistic missiles and an air force, that has taken over a friendly government. [The] friendly government asked for support, we intervened," explained Minister Al-Jubeir. "The Houthis are less than 50,000 in a country of 28 million. It is unacceptable that they would be allowed to seize power and get away with it."

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saudi-foreign-minister-and-us-secretary-of-state-confirm-strategic-partnership-300461102.html

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office
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A 22-year-old man has been charged for allegations that he threatened two people with a machete.

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Brandon police are investigating two cases in which suspects are accused of choking their ex domestic partners.

We need your support!

Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $4.99/month you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
The Roman Catholic Church says it needs thousands of volunteers for next year's visit of Pope Francis to Ireland.

It says at least 3,000 people are needed to organise and run the six-day festival of faith.
Police in the North are investigating the sudden death of a 15-year-old girl.

It is believed the girl died sometime between Saturday night and this morning in Portadown, Co Armagh.

She died in a woodland area of Corcrain on Saturday night, Democratic Unionist Westminster candidate David Simpson said.

The PSNI have confirmed they are investigating the circumstances of her death.

Mr Simpson said: "To hear of a life ending in such circumstances is horrific for everyone but none more than family and friends.

"A young life cut down so early. The scene is one of tragedy and devastation.

"I have spoken with the PSNI and youth agencies to ensure we have support services for those who require immediate counselling and feel this great loss."

A PSNI statement confirmed: "Police are investigating the sudden death of a 15-year-old girl in the Portadown area on Saturday, 20 May."

Sinn Fein Assembly member John O'Dowd expressed shock and sadness.

"The entire community is in shock at this tragic news.

"I understand the PSNI are investigating the circumstances of the girl's death and I would urge anyone with information to come forward."
Brazilians have staged demonstrations calling for the president to step down after the supreme court opened an investigation into allegations he endorsed the payment of hush money to a jailed former politician.

The accusations against President Michel Temer have plunged Latin America's largest nation into crisis yet again.

Its currency and stocks have plummeted and a series of reforms designed to pull the economy out of recession stalled.

It has been just a year since Mr Temer took over following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff.

Now, the calls are growing for him to be impeached or resign. The latest to join that chorus was Brazil's bar association, which voted late on Saturday to submit a request for Mr Temer's impeachment to Congress.

Unions, political parties and activists called for Brazilians to come out on Sunday to demand he step down, though protests in major cities were smaller than expected.

Hundreds of people huddled under umbrellas and building porticos to avoid the rain in Sao Paulo. Many said they have opposed Mr Temer since he took over from Ms Rousseff because they regard her impeachment as politically motivated and illegitimate.

On Sunday, they were protesting against his proposals to loosen labour laws and change the pension system as much as they were responding to the recent allegations.

"We're here to get Temer out of government because he is a coup-leader, because he is against teachers" and other workers, said Tatiana Camargos, a 41-year-old biology teacher.

In Rio de Janeiro, 150 people waved union flags on the boardwalk along Copacabana beach. They signed a giant banner with messages, such as "out with Temer" and "I want a better Brazil".

Another 100 people marched to the house of Rodrigo Maia, speaker of the lower house of Congress, to call for Mr Temer to be ousted and immediate elections.

He has defied calls to resign, saying a recording was doctored and denying any wrongdoing. The recording appears to have Mr Temer endorsing the payment of bribes to ex-House Speaker Eduardo Cunha in exchange for his silence.

Cunha is serving a sentence after a corruption conviction.

Mr Temer has asked the Supreme Federal Tribunal, Brazil's highest court, to suspend its investigation into him - something it is unlikely to do.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot has accused him of corruption and obstruction of justice in the case before the court.

He said a preliminary analysis of the recording showed that the conversation was logical and coherent and its contents were consistent with the testimony of people cooperating with the prosecutor's office.

Some allied political parties have already withdrawn their support for Mr Temer and others are considering it.

The proposals to change the labour law and pension system have stalled in Congress amid the political turmoil, and many fear the country will remain in limbo for as long as he is in power.

AP




In 2008, when Obama faced off against John McCain, turnout for an American presidential election was relatively high-- 63.7%. This past year it fell to 55%. France's voter turnout ion their presidential election earlier this month was also down-- to around 65%. Yesterday Iran voted. The voter turnout was around 70%, higher than turnout in any US election since 1900. Why is that? Well there could be a number of reasons-- some existential, but in Iran Election Day is a national holiday; people get off work to vote. (In 1860, the election that marked the end of the South's political dominance over the nation and gave us Abraham Lincoln, turnout was 81.2%)





Turnout has generally been falling in the western democracies since the 1980s, usually attributable to a widespread sense of disillusionment and futility that voting will make any difference. In the U.S. systemic efforts by the Republican Party to decrease election participation has also resulted in lower turnouts, particularly in states where the GOP has been able to enact its voter suppression agenda. Voter participation in Republican-controlled states like Wisconsin are considered responsible, at least in part, for Trump's presidency. In states that have the least voter suppression-- like North Dakota where registration is not required or in Minnesota, Idaho, Maine, and Oregon, where election day registration is permitted, voter participation is relatively high. Minnesota usually has the highest turnout and Maine, North Dakota and Oregon also usually hover around 70%. In the Scandinavian countries, France, and Germany all citizens are automatically registered to vote. Some countries even have compulsory voter participation, including Belgium, Australia, Brazil and Greece.





report from PBS last November pointed out that "according to interviews with research institutions, advocacy groups and legislators involved in those efforts, restrictive voting laws in some states discourage the electorate from registering to vote. Additionally, they said gerrymandered districts cut across party lines reducing the number of competitive races and interest, and disgruntled citizens, fed up with the often contentious nature of politics, can choose not participate."

According to the United States Election Project, which tracks voting trends, only 36 percent of registered voters cast ballots during the 2014 election cycle, the lowest turnout in a general election since 1942, when many of the nations young people were out of the country fighting in World War II. Becker said only three of 10 voters participated in presidential primaries this year.



A smaller and smaller slice of the electorate are making decisions that are important, he said.



Wall Street Journal Voter participation also depends on the state where you vote. According to a analysis on state participation , fewer Americans vote when their states are less competitive in races between Democrats and Republicans.



Many of the states with the lowest turnout are dominated by the Republican Party in the South, where restrictive laws can hamper participation. But two states known to be solid Democratic Party supporters-- Hawaii and New York-- also fall in the bottom 20 percent of turnout.



In 2016 alone, at least 14 states installed restrictive voting laws around the country, including limitations on voter registration, photo ID mandates and narrower time periods for early voting, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.



...Since 2012, New York State Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh has pushed for legislation that could address some of those issues, such as early voting, extended registration deadlines and updated technology at polling places, but so far few of them have received broad support, he said.



Lines are often too long, poll workers are often confused, administration of polling sites are often challenging, Kavanagh said. I would say theres no magic bullet. But New York has systematically failed to have an election system to keep up with election practices.

We asked some of the candidates running for Congress in the 2018 cycle. Tim Canova, running for the South Florida seat occupied by a poster child for sleaze, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, told us that "There's no doubt that making Election Day a national holiday would result in much higher levels of voting. Too many people simply have little time to vote in between the demands of working, commuting, and taking care of family. A national Election Day holiday would also reinforce the civic ethic of voting not just as a right, but as a solemn duty of all citizens in a democracy."

Katie Hill, who's running against a knee-jerk Republican right-winger in Southern California, knows the difference in her district is going to rest with voter participation. When there's higher participation, Democrats tend to win. When more people abstain, Republicans win. "We need to do absolutely everything we can to ensure the highest possible voter participation if we want a government that truly represents the people it's supposed to serve," she told us. "Automatic voter registration and making Election Day a national holiday would be important first steps, but we should do more. Everyone should be able to vote by mail, and I would even like to see us move towards voting online. If we can verify someone's identity enough and with enough security to complete our taxes or mortgage applications entirely online, then surely we can figure out how to make it possible for people to easily exercise their most fundamental right as an American citizen."

We reached David Gill in Springfield, Illinois yesterday while he was participating in PrideFest. He's running for the swing district seat occupied by GOP backbencher Rodney Davis and he told us that "Being a democratic republic, it would be very appropriate for election day to be a national holiday here in America. We should take any and all steps possible to increase citizen participation in the selection of their elected officials, including designating election day as a national holiday. Any other approach is a slap in the face to the founders of this country, who believed so ardently that men should be permitted to rule themselves. And particularly with an economy that has been rigged against the vast majority of working people, an economy in which many people are forced to work more than one job to simply keep their heads above water, designating election day as a national holiday would allow for greater voter participation and would serve as a meaningful step toward improving the health of our democracy."

Geoff Petzel is running in the suburbs west of Chicago, a blue district held by Ryan ally Pete Roskam, Geoff understands how important it is to encourage voters. "Election Day should be a national holiday," he agreed. "I have been lucky enough to implement that concept at my company. All of my employees work only a half day on Election day.They are encouraged to use their time off to vote. One of the greatest freedoms we enjoy as Americans is the ability to elect our leaders in a democratic fashion. We should celebrate that right we have and encourage participation in the voting process by making it a national holiday."

Berniecrat Tom Wakely is running for the Austin-San Antonio corridor seat currently held by Trump extremist Lamar Smith. This voter participation problem is something he has been talking about for a very long time and he sent us this statement this morning:

Voter turnout is a huge problem. When people look at Texas they see a red state but we are not. We are a no-vote state. Let me give you an example of what I am talking. Two weeks ago we had an election here in San Antonio for city council seats and for mayor. Of the one million plus registered voters in the city barely one hundred thousand voted and that vote was split between fourteen candidates for mayor. The top two vote getters are now headed to a runoff. Their combined vote total was less than 8% of my city's registered voters and that ain't good. The same miserable voter turnout goes for both state and federal elections here in Texas.



I was at the VA hospital last week for a dermatology clinic checkup. I spoke to a bunch of vets in the waiting room and then to the two doctors I saw and guess what, none of them had voted in the election. Not one of them. I asked the doctors why and they gave me the same answers the vets in the waiting room gave me. They were too busy, they had to work, something came up; it was one excuse after another. So it didn't matter if it was a professional, a doctor who didn't vote or a retired auto mechanic who didn't vote, their reasons for not-voting were the same. So what can we do?



I believe the solution to the problem of voter turn-out is not one solution but multiple solutions, the first being national elections should be a national holiday, either a Friday or Monday, giving people a much needed three-day holiday weekend. I also think we should look at paying people to vote in national elections. Give everyone a hundred dollar tax credit might work but waiting until the following year, filing your taxes, then waiting for a refund-- but not be as good as just handing everyone who votes a pre-paid Visa debit card. As far as state and municipal elections go, same thing could apply, holiday and pre-paid Visa card.



But as good as an election day holiday and paying someone to vote may be, it doesn't really address voter apathy or voter suppression both of which are part and parcel of why people don't vote. I believe we should have same day voter registration and do every thing possible to make it easier to vote, not harder. We should move away from the old method of standing in line for hours to vote to a vote by mail system. Everyone, should be able to vote by mail. It leaves a paper trail and it is certainly more secure than electronic voting could ever be.

These aren't the kind of ideas you're going to be hearing from the establishment, let alone from dull and unimaginative careerists like Wasserman Schultz, Steve Knight, Rodney Davis, Pete Roskam and Lamar Smith. If you'd like to help progressive Democrats willing to go out on a limb for new, progressive ideas, please consider helping Tim Canova, Katie Hill, David Gill, Geoff Petzel and Tom Wakely win in 2018. If you'd like to contribute to their campaigns directly, you can so do by tapping on the Blue America ActBlue congressional thermometer on the right. Remember, there is no contribution that's too small, not in the kinds of grassroots campaigns these candidates are running to take back Congress and put a stop to the destructive and toxic Trump/Ryan-Republican Party agenda.

UPDATE: 2 More Progressive Candidates Weigh In





Tom Guild is running in the Oklahoma congressional district with the best chance-- by far-- of flipping from red to blue. The DCCC has no intention of helping him displace right-wing nut Steve Russell but his grassroots campaign is chugging along nicely. The aforementioned Brennan Center for Justice has endorsed him, as has Blue America. He just called in with his take:

Low and in many cases declining voter turnout and increased partisan efforts to suppress voter turnout by placing legal obstacles in the way by discouraging or in some cases prohibiting participation are particularly alarming. It tends to impact Americans of modest economic means, who may not be able or may not feel that they are able to take time off from work (although employers are often legally required to give them time off). Dependence on public transportation, which is important but often more time consuming, disproportionately negatively impacts the working poor and Americans of modest incomes. Access to reliable transportation may also be difficult for senior citizens and those outside metropolitan areas who lack public transportation systems. Essentially there are millions of Americans who are effectively denied the fundamental right to participate in our elections, thus skewing or even changing the results in many important elections.



Making Election Day a national holiday would make it possible for millions of disenfranchised Americans to vote on a regular basis. This and other measures could make our representative democracy more representative and more democratic. Access to health care doesnt mean you can afford to purchase insurance. The right to vote doesnt necessarily mean that right can be easily or practically exercised by many Americans. We should remove obstacles to participation in our elections. The problem isnt that too many Americans are voting, but that many feel and are practically or legally excluded from exercising the voting franchise. Thus, regrettably millions of citizens dont have their voices heard or their votes counted in the results on election day. Making Election Day a national holiday is a good step towards restoring health to our ailing representative democracy.

And the final word on this goes to Jenny Marshall, the intrepid North Carolina Berniecrat running for the Piedmont seat held by fringy Republican Virginia Foxx: "The vote is the most powerful tool we have in our Republic because it levels the playing field between moneyed interests and the citizens. The Republicans are using calculated precision to disenfranchise and discourage people from voting in an attempt to control the outcomes of elections. If you can't win on your message then you just change the rules. I, on the other hand, would like to see expanded voting locations and times to meet the needs of the voters, expanded same day registering and voting opportunities, open primaries and making election day a national holiday. There are many professions that do not have flexible hours to allow voting on election day. Even with the option of letting employees take time off to vote, many work positions that are just not feasible to do so. Making election day a national holiday would be a step in the right direction making it easier for voters to access the ballot box."
The Turnbull government has quietly axed eight environmental conditions aimed at protecting vulnerable turtle species set to be affected by Adani's proposed $3 billion coal terminal expansion at Abbot Point in Queensland.

The move by the Environment Department, signed by minister Josh Frydenberg on May 10, also modified a ninth condition that required the Indian-owned miner spend $450,000 annually to implement a marine offsets strategy. Those funds will now go to the Reef Trust, possibly from a later date.

"The beaches at Abbot Point are important nesting sites for flatback turtles and the region is a high priority foraging habitat for green turtles," said Imogen Zethoven, a campaign director for the Australian Marine Conservation Society. "Both of these species are listed as vulnerable under federal and Queensland law."

Abbot Point's environment record was already under a cloud after coal sediment entered a nearby wetland and the company may have breached its temporarily elevated pollution limits during Cyclone Debbie in March.
It's the unbridled good news story of the week: children's newspaper Crinkling News has been saved from closure by a massive last-minute fundraising effort.

The paper, aimed at seven to 14-year-olds, had run out of seed funding and urgently needed $200,000 to develop the business and stay afloat. So editor Saffron Howden launched a "Save Crinkling News" campaign on crowdfunding site, indiegogo, warning "without your help we will publish our last issue this week".

Grace Gregson, Saffron Howden and Dita Mehta campaign for Crinkling News in Sydney. Credit:Jessica Hromas

Within two weeks, more than $211,000 was raised.

"We are very grateful to get so many people behind us," says a relieved Howden, who set up Crinkling with her own funds a year ago.
A thick fog has blanketed the city for the second morning in a row, causing delays at Brisbane Airport on Monday morning.

A dozen flights due to arrive on Monday morning were delayed as at 6.30am due to low visibility, after a fog settled over the city about 3am.

A blanket of fog hovered over Brisbane on Monday morning. Credit:Bianca Stone - 7 News Queensland

Motorists were urged to use headlights on their way into work, with the fog expected to clear by 8am.

Brisbane was also shrouded in fog on Sunday morning, due to low-level moisture, clear skies and light winds, according to a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman.
Facebook deployed a "cross functional team of engineers, analysts and data scientists" as part of a detailed investigation into possible foreign involvement in the US election. They found fake groups, fake likes and comments, and automated posting across the network by unnamed malicious actors. The report's authors claim that their investigation "does not contradict" the findings made in the US Director of National Intelligence report published in January, which blamed Russia for a sweeping online influence campaign conducted in the lead-up to the election.

But more important, the report reveals that while we are all talking about "fake news", we should also be talking about the algorithms and fake accounts that push bad information around .

Facebook's report on "Information Operations" was the company's first public acknowledgment that political actors have been influencing public opinion through the social networking platform. The company says it will work to combat these information operations, and it has taken some positive steps. It removed some 30,000 fake accounts before the French election last month. It has purged thousands more ahead of the upcoming British election.

This month, one of the most important intelligence documents about Russian interference in the US election emerged. But it didn't come from the National Security Agency or the House Intelligence Committee. It was published by Facebook.

Facebook deployed a "cross functional team of engineers, analysts and data scientists" as part of a detailed investigation into possible foreign involvement in the US election. Credit:Bloomberg

Essentially, this confirms what researchers have suspected for several years: Large numbers of fake accounts have been used to strategically disseminate political propaganda and mislead voters. These accounts draw everyday users into "astroturf" political groups disguised as legitimate grass-roots movements. Unfortunately, Facebook's refusal to collaborate with scientists and share data has made it difficult to know how many voters are affected or where this election interference comes from.

It is incredibly hard to study the impact of fake news and algorithms on public life. Through our project at the University of Oxford, we have been able to demonstrate how similar campaigns of misinformation work on Twitter. We have also been able to compare the trends internationally. During the recent French election, we found that people interested in French politics were posting one fake news story for every two produced by a professional journalist. During an uncontroversial presidential election in Germany this year, German users were sharing one fake news story for every four credible stories. But when we looked back and investigated the content being shared by users in Michigan in the lead-up to the 2016 election, we found an even ratio of one junk news story for every one reputable one.

Facebook, of course, does not have the same issues with data access. It has the metadata to identify precisely which accounts were created, where they operated and what kinds of things those users were up to during the US election. Their data scientists could probably provide some insights that the intelligence services cannot.

The company argues that fake accounts have been participating in only a small amount of the overall activity around politics and public life in the United States. But even a small percentage of total Facebook activity, if concentrated strategically, could be influential. Was the activity mostly in swing states? Did it occur in the months of the Republican primaries and originate with accounts seeded from Russia? Or did fake-news and fake-account activity peak in the three days before the election?
The State Government will 'fast track' the availability of medicinal cannabis for people in pain, the terminally ill and those suffering a chronic condition.

Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Roger Cook will convene a meeting of medical leaders in June to discuss the best way forward to encourage doctors to prescribe the drug.

Cannabis was seized by police at the Narrabundah home. Credit:Rohan Thomson

"I've met many Western Australians along the way who will benefit by having their doctor be able to prescribe them medicinal cannabis," Mr McGowan said.

"I want to make sure that medical professionals and the wider community are fully aware of what is now possible."
Jeff Gillis, whose wife Phan "Sandy" Phan-Gillis (pictured), a US citizen, was last month sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail on spying charges. Credit:AP At a time when the CIA is trying to figure out how some of its most sensitive documents were leaked onto the internet two months ago by WikiLeaks, and the FBI investigates possible ties between US President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, the unsettled nature of the China investigation demonstrates the difficulty of conducting counter-espionage investigations into sophisticated spy services like those in Russia and China. The CIA and the FBI both declined to comment. US Navy officer Edward Lin, a native of Taiwan, was charged with passing military secrets to China or Taiwan last year. Credit:U.S Navy via AP Details about the investigation have been tightly held. Ten current and former US officials described the investigation on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to be identified discussing the information.

The first signs of trouble emerged in 2010. At the time, the quality of the CIA's information about the inner workings of the Chinese government was the best it had been for years, the result of recruiting sources deep inside the bureaucracy in Beijing, four former officials said. Some were Chinese nationals who the CIA believed had become disillusioned with the Chinese government's corruption. But by the end of the year, the flow of information began to dry up. By early 2011, senior agency officers realised they had a problem: assets in China, one of their most precious resources, were disappearing. The FBI and the CIA opened a joint investigation run by top counter-intelligence officials at both agencies. Working out of a secret office in northern Virginia, they began analysing every operation being run in Beijing. One former senior US official said the investigation had been codenamed Honey Badger. As more and more sources vanished, the operation took on increased urgency. Nearly every employee at the US embassy was scrutinised, no matter how high ranking. Some investigators believed the Chinese had cracked the encrypted method that the CIA used to communicate with its assets. Others suspected a traitor in the CIA, a theory that agency officials were at first reluctant to embrace - and that some in both agencies still do not believe.

Their debates were punctuated with macabre phone calls - "We lost another one" - and urgent questions from the Obama administration wondering why intelligence about the Chinese had slowed. The mole hunt eventually zeroed in on a former agency operative who had worked in the CIA's division overseeing China, believing he was most likely responsible for the crippling disclosures. But efforts to gather enough evidence to arrest him failed, and he is now living in another Asian country, current and former officials said. There was good reason to suspect an insider, some former officials say. Around that time, Chinese spies compromised National Security Agency surveillance in Taiwan by infiltrating Taiwanese intelligence, according to two former officials. And the CIA had discovered Chinese operatives in the agency's hiring pipeline, according to officials and court documents. But the CIA's top spy hunter, Mark Kelton, resisted the mole theory, at least initially, former officials say. Kelton had been close friends with Brian Kelley, a CIA officer who in the 1990s was wrongly suspected by the FBI of being a Russian spy. The real traitor, it turned out, was Hanssen.

Kelton often mentioned Kelley's mistreatment in meetings during the China episode, former colleagues say, and said he would not accuse someone without ironclad evidence. Those who rejected the mole theory attributed the losses to sloppy US tradecraft at a time when the Chinese were becoming better at monitoring espionage activities in the country. Some FBI agents became convinced that CIA handlers in Beijing too often travelled the same routes to the same meeting points, which would have helped China's vast surveillance network identify the spies in its midst. Some officers met their sources at a restaurant where Chinese agents had planted listening devices, former officials said, and even the waiters worked for Chinese intelligence. This carelessness, coupled with the possibility that the Chinese had hacked the covert communications channel, would explain many, if not all, of the disappearances and deaths, some former officials said.

But some in the agency, particularly those who had helped build the spy network, resisted this theory and believed they had been caught in the middle of a turf war within the CIA. By 2013, the FBI and the CIA concluded that China's success in identifying CIA agents had been blunted - it is not clear how - but the damage had been done. The CIA has tried to rebuild its network of spies in China, officials said, an expensive and time-consuming effort led at one time by the former chief of the East Asia Division. A former intelligence official said the former chief was particularly bitter because he had worked with the suspected mole and recruited some of the spies in China who were ultimately executed. China has been particularly aggressive in its espionage in recent years, beyond the breach of the Office of Personnel Management records in 2015, US officials said. Last year, an FBI employee pleaded guilty to acting as a Chinese agent for years, passing sensitive technology information to Beijing in exchange for cash, lavish hotel rooms during foreign travel and prostitutes. In March, prosecutors announced the arrest of a longtime State Department employee, Candace Marie Claiborne, accused of lying to investigators about her contacts with Chinese officials.
Michael Kirby, left, with fellow North Korea inquiry member Marzuki Darusman after they were honoured with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, by the Japanese emperor. "It's a very sad story of cruelty," he said. "We have met [families of abductees] on several journeys to Tokyo and we have had dinner with them and they've suffered greatly over the years, so I think the honour must be seen as signalling the respect the Japanese government and people have for the families of the abductees and their determination not to give up on the accountability of such wrongs." The inquiry concluded that although many abductions and enforced disappearances were linked to the Korean War of the 1950s, hundreds of nationals of Japan, South Korea and other countries were subsequently taken away between the 1960s and 1980s. Megumi Yokota's father Shigeru, right, weeps during a press conference in Tokyo in 2002 after North Korean authorities told a diplomatic mission from Japan that his daughter was dead. Credit:AP Kidnappings on Japanese soil were mostly carried out in the countryside near the coast, while agents also targeted boats in at-sea abductions. The victims were often used to help train North Korean spies in the Japanese language and had their identification documents seized.

In the case of Megumi Yokota, it would take another 20 years for her parents to learn, following publication of a book about North Korean abductions, that the regime might have been involved in her disappearance. This photo, taken at Pyongyang airport in 2002, shows the family of Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga, including her husband, US Army deserter Robert Jenkins, with a girl (second from left) North Korean authorities claimed was the daughter of abductee Megumi Yokota. Credit:AP Finally, in 2002, Japan's then prime minister Junichiro Koizumi travelled to Pyongyang to meet with then North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, who admitted that 13 Japanese citizens, including Megumi, had been taken by special forces in "a reckless quest for glory" and apologised for the "regretful" incidents. The exact number of abductees is a matter of dispute, along with how many are still alive, but five were allowed to return to their families in Japan in 2002. The regime claimed Megumi had died at the age of 29 and it sent back remains that were purportedly hers. DNA analysis, however, cast doubt on the regime's account. "The biggest impact is the shock that they've felt and the long-running nature of the saga that they've been exposed to," Mr Kirby said of the abductees' families.

Megumi's parents were among 80 witnesses to testify at public hearings, and the three-member panel also based its findings on more than 240 private interviews with victims and other witnesses and 80 formal submissions. The North Korean regime did not cooperate with the inquiry, whose 370-page report documented cases of "extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation". There have since been signs of limited cooperation. Early this month, Kim Jong-un's regime allowed the first visit by an independent expert designated by the UN Human Rights Council. Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, the UN special rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, said she appreciated being granted the six-day study tour  but added that she had been unable to meet with some key ministries and institutions and had also been blocked from visiting a mental health facility. Earlier this year a new report prepared by experts for the council renewed the call for an ICC referral, but the UN Security Council  on which North Korea's key ally China and Russia both have the power of veto  has yet to do so.

Mr Kirby said while "one never knows" about the prospect of an ICC referral, his inquiry also recommended that the UN establish a field office in the region to collect information that could ultimately be used to hold perpetrators accountable for human rights violations. South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a meeting of the country's National Security Council at the Blue House in Seoul this month. Credit:AP "That was agreed to by the government of South Korea and that field office continues to gather information, sometimes by people who have fled to South Korea, and there is an enormous amount of material that is available because there are 29,000 persons called defectors in South Korea who can give their particular stories of their own suffering." Mr Kirby suggested South Korea's newly-elected president Moon Jae-in, a liberal former human rights lawyer who favours greater engagement with North Korea, would bring a new perspective given he is the son of a refugee from the North. Mr Moon declared after being sworn into office that he would be prepared to travel to Pyongyang for dialogue if certain conditions were met.

"He will adopt new strategies and policies which may open up new potentialities," Mr Kirby said. "Business as usual has not got us very far on accountability for human rights and therefore one hopes that out of these developments in the region will come new approaches." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, centre, has consumed world attention with his regime's recent missile launches. Credit:AP The Trump administration has vowed to increase pressure on the regime after a series of North Korean missile tests, the most recent on May 14, but US President Donald Trump has also not ruled out meeting Mr Kim. Mr Moon is planning to review the recent deployment in South Korea of a US-installed missile defence system that has angered China. North Korea policy is set to dominate talks when Mr Moon and Mr Trump meet in June. Asked whether everyone needed to be on the same page, Mr Kirby said: "There's no reason why there couldn't be a series of approaches. The approach of the past hasn't actually fulfilled a great deal in terms of particular outcomes. On the contrary, North Korea has used the last 10 years developing nuclear weapons and missile delivery systems. Something new is needed." If there was a revival of six-party talks involving China, the US, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and Russia, as recommended by the inquiry, that may open the way to practical progress.
Bucks Democrats expect to have majority in state House

Democrats expect to gain one more seat in state Senate, but still be in minority there.
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During the holiday season, in partnership with NJ 211, we are pleased to offer the Give a Christmas program to Burlington County residents.
A study has found that awareness of the good behaviour of others can improve the behaviour of those with power. Photo: iSTOCK
With an objective to enhance the value chain of petroleum products, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is replacing the old 30-inch crude pipeline with 20-inch insulated pipeline from South Tanker Berth Jetty to Kochi Refinery.

The Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said the new pipeline would help Kochi Refinery to transport high viscous petroleum products like vacuum residue (HSVR) and vacuum gas oil (VGO) from other refineries in the country and process these products into value-added products of diesel and petrol.

Since most of the other Indian refineries don't have the bottom upgradation capabilities, this business model would help the country produce additional value-added products, the company said in a release.

The release said the Kochi Corporation had given the nod for laying pipeline in areas under its jurisdiction. As part of the agreement, Kochi Refinery had contributed Rs 5 crore for developmental activities in the Corporation.

In this regard, a cheque for Rs 5 crore was handed over to Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain by Kochi Refinery's Executive Director Prasad K Panicker on Sunday in presence of Ernakulam MP K V Thomas, MLA Hibi Eden and other dignitaries.

Kochi Refinery had attained the capability of processing high viscous petroleum products and indigenous crudes with the implementation of its Rs16,500 crore Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP).

The project has helped Kochi Refinery to enhance its capacity to15.5 MMTPA and produce eco-friendly products complying to BS-IV norms.

Now that IREP is commissioned, Kochi Refinery is one of the few in India capable of processing heavy high viscous crude oil from Barmer oil fields in Rajasthan, the release said.

The pipeline will help Kochi Refinery in importing this high viscous indigenous crude oil at a much lower cost. Also, it would help increase the production of diesel.

The pipeline will also help in importing diesel or petrol from other locations in case of product shortage due to shutdown of refinery unit for maintenance or any other reason as well as for export of surplus products generated when the plants are running in fully expanded capacity of 15.5 MMPTA, the company said.
Trent, the Tata Groups retail play, is yet to finalise its plans to go abroad though it had said it would two years ago.
As metropolitan cities continue to grapple with pollution in India, South Korean consumer electronics major LG sees an opportunity to foray into along with a range of products developed on its global concept for India.

The air purifiers, fitted with specialised filters to clean emission from vehicles and fossil fuels, are among over 10 products that the company has lined up for India this year.

LG is looking to take on established players like Eureka Forbes, Kent RO, Panasonic, Sharp and Godrej in the fast growing market in India that is estimated to be at around Rs 150 crore.

The market grew around 30 per cent in the last two years.

LG Electronics President and CTO Skott Ahn told PTI in an interview in Seoul that the company's strategy is to introduce new technologies in all the products that it planned to launch in India.

"We will be launching more than 10 products in India in 2017. These will be new types of refrigerators, air purifiers, water purifiers and new types of OLED televisions, including the Signature brand," he said.

LG has taken into account causes of air pollution while developing special filters for its products, Ahn said.

Characteristic of air pollution varies from region to region. In urban cities, including India, a lot of emission comes from vehicles and fossil fuels, he added.

"Filters in our will focus on addressing such specific components rather than general filters," Ahn said.

The company has recently unveiled its 'LG Signature' premium brand of products which it plans to launch in India in July.

Ahn said that going forward, the nature of competition will no longer be restricted to conventional rivals, as startups or IT come into the picture as technology develops.
After gaining a strong foothold in the northern parts of India, where it is the largest player, Shree Cement is hoping to capture a large slice of the pie in the eastern part of the country, which has scant reserves of limestone deposits, the key ingredient for making cement.
Jharkhand Chief Minister is likely to start a radio address on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann ki Baat  an idea expected to be emulated by other states, too.

The idea of a CM ki Baat was discussed during a recent meeting of Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu with Das in Ranchi.

It is learnt that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed between the Jharkhand government, the All India Radio and Doordarshan for this.

The Mann ki Baat concept has attracted some state governments who have started thinking of having their own programmes on the same lines, an official said.

Like Modi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also addresses people through radio.

During the meeting with Das, Naidu also approved a 24X7 Doordarshan channel for Jharkhand, the proposal for which was pending for four years.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government completing three years in office, Naidus visit to Jharkhand was part of his plans to visit all the states to highlight the policies and achievements of the government.

Besides Jharkhand, the minister has visited states such as Assam, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

He plans to visit Rajasthan on Tuesday and thereafter Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Das said Naidu emphasises on time-bound implementation of schemes such as the launch of a new Doordarshan channel dedicated to the Northeast in August, and inauguration of a permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication at Aizwal in March.

For time-bound implementation of schemes, the officials from the Centre and the states discusses various communication issues a day before the minister reaches the state, and then raise them with Naidu.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had no reason to presume that then Coal Secretary H C Gupta recommended a non-compliant private firm for coal block allocation in Madhya Pradesh, a special court in New Delhi has said.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar, who convicted Gupta for irregularities in allocation of Madhya Pradesh based Thesgora- B Rudrapuri coal block to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL), noted that the former coal secretary made "dishonest misrepresentation" before Singh.

Singh, who had to act only upon the recommendations of the Screening Committee of which Gupta was the chairman, was then holding the portfolio of Ministry of Coal (MOC) besides others.

The court said there was no reason for the Prime Minister to presume that the guidelines had not been complied with.

It said it was "apparent" that Singh proceeded to consider the Screening Committee recommendation on the assumption that the applications must have been checked in MOC for their eligibility and completeness or that the guidelines must have been duly followed even by the Committee.

"While forwarding the file to Prime Minister as Minister of Coal for approval of the recommendation of the Screening Committee, it was nowhere mentioned by any of the MOC officers, much less by Gupta, that the applications have not been checked for their eligibility and completeness," it said.

Gupta, who was the Coal Secretary from December 31, 2005 to November 2008, then joint secretary K S Kropha and then director K C Samaria in the Coal Ministry were held guilty by the court for irregularities in allocating the coal block to the firm.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) cannot nullify alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence, Pakistan's top foreign policy adviser Sartaj Aziz on Saturday. A defiant Pakistan has reacted to its recent setback at the ICJ, which granted a temporary stay on Jadhav's execution, by arguing that its domestic laws come first.
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The Centre has moved the Supreme Court over the Uttarakhand High Court judgement to accord the status of a "living human entity" to the Ganga river, citing administrative issues relating to the implementation of the order.

Uttarakhand minister and state government spokesperson Madan Kaushik cited the High Court order of March 20 which stated that the Chief Secretary and the Advocate General would act as the "legal parents" of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

"Since the matter of cleaning the Ganga is not just restricted to Uttarakhand, as it also flows through West Bengal, how could the Chief Secretary and the Advocate General tackle all the issues related to the river," he asked.

"That is why the Central government has approached the apex court on this matter," he said.

Kaushik said the state government was also a party to the petition moved in the Supreme Court.

However, he welcomed the Uttarakhand High Court's order according the status of "living human entities" to the Ganga and Yamuna, two of India's most sacred rivers.

Exercising extraordinary jurisdiction vested in the court, a division bench of Justices Rajeev Sharma and Alok Singh of the High Court had said, "Holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna have been declared to be treated as a living human entities."

The court order came on a PIL filed by Haridwar resident Mohammad Salim, regarding the high levels of pollution and encroachment in the river and its tributaries.

The matter also related to mining and stone crushing along the banks of the Ganga.
Information technology security solutions provider Quick Heal Technologies detected over 48,000 MS-17-010 Shadow Broker exploit hits responsible for the WannaCry ransomware outbreak in India. Among the attempted attacks by the malicious WannaCry ransomware, 60 per cent were targeted towards enterprises and 40 per cent towards individual customers.

The top five cities impacted by the WannaCry ransomware in India are Kolkata, Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Pune and Mumbai. The top five states with maximum detections are West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, NCR (Delhi) and Odisha. The company claimed to have received over 700 distressed calls on the spread of the ransomware. Many organisations and networks in over 150 countries were crippled by the WannaCry ransomware outbreak.

Asia Pacific leads the way in finance app usage, offers business growth



Finance downloads grew faster between 2014 and 2016 than all other app categories excluding games combined worldwide, according to the maiden Asia Pacific Retail Banking report. The report, published by global mobile app market data and insights company App Annie, analyses analyses how mobile is transforming banking and financial services in the APAC region. It covers the growth of retail banking and fintech apps and provides best practices in app deployment.

Globally, total sessions in finance apps have increased more than 100 per cent over the past two years. APACs growth was the strongest with over 110 billion sessions in finance apps in 2016. In APAC, from banking, payments and peer-to-peer transfers, to personal budgeting and investing, mobile apps offer unparalleled convenience for consumers and opportunities for institutions to grow.

Strategic differentiators in fight for top talent in the corporate world



A global study by the Futurestep division of Korn Ferry highlights that talent acquisition leaders are increasingly looking to move away from the traditionally transactional nature of their business. What was once a recruiters market is now dominated by the demands of candidates. Talent acquisition teams play a key role in answering talent gaps, not just in terms of attracting the best candidates, but also ensuring the candidates have the ability to adapt and continue to execute business strategies, ultimately remaining with the organisation for the long term. Data is essential to recruiting for the vast majority of Indian talent acquisition leaders. While 80 per cent say time to hire is the most important metric to measure, cost per hire (46 per cent) and data monitoring retention (34 per cent) are also seen as vital.
An Indian was on Sunday arrested in Islamabad for not carrying travel documents, according to a media report.

The Indian man, who has not been identified, was arrested from F-8 area of Islamabad for not having complete travel documents, Samaa TV reported.

A case has been filed against him under Article 14 of the Foreign Act.

He has been sent to jail on judicial remand, the report said.

The arrest came days after the International Court of Justice stayed the execution of Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against the country.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Kulbhushan Jadhav's case is the latest flash-point in the tensions between Pakistan and India.
Denying reports that his genitals were chopped off by a woman he allegedly attempted to rape in Kerala, 54-year-old Gangeshananda Theerthapada said on Saturday that he had removed the organ himself as, being a swami, his sexual organs were of no use to him, reported India Today.
The Himachal Pradesh chapter of ex-servicemen league has urged the Centre to moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of Army Captain Saurabh Kalia.

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Kalia was tortured by his Pakistani captors who later handed over his mutilated body to India.

The league's chief, Major (retired) Vijai Singh Mankotia said Kalia's case also be taken to the ICJ, the UN's highest judicial body, to get justice on the lines of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

The ICJ at the Hague has stayed the execution awarded to Jadhav in Pakistan after a military court summarily convicted him of espionage and engaging in subversive activities after India knocked its doors.

Mankotia said the Indian ex-servicemen league and the family of Captain Kalia had made this demand to the previous governments but could not hear anything positive about it.

"Now,after the case of Jadhav in the ICJ, a ray of hope has risen in Kalia's case too," he said here yesterday.

Mankotia told reporters that the HP chapter of the ex- servicemen league would honour the family of Captain Kalia along with four Paramvir Chakra winners from the state during its annual convention on May23 here.

The chief guest of the function, Acharya Dev Vrat, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh,will honourthe families of Major Som Nath Sharma (1st PVC winner of India), resident of Dadh near hear, Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa of Dharamsala, Captain Vikram Batra of Palampur and Sub Sanjay Kumar of Bilaspur (all PVC winners), in the function, said Mankotia.

Beside this, the families of Ashok Chakra winner from the state Major Sudhir Walia and that of Captain Kalia shall also be honoured, he said.

In November 2012, the then Army chief, General Bikram Singh, had said the the force fully supported the parents of Kargil hero Capt Saurabh Kalia in pursuing their son's case at International Court of Justice at the Hague.

"He was our brave officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in the best traditions of the Indian Army. We have written to Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Human Rights Commission (NHRC) conveying our concerns in the matter. We fully support his parents," he had told reporters on the sidelines of the Passing out Parade of the 123rd course of the Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, near Pune.

The league represents of ex-servicemen, their family and dependants and is recognised by Centre and state governments. With presence in every state of India, the league was founded in 1964 by Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who was first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army after Independence.

Mankotia said the league would raise a few demands with the Centre through the Governor which include raising the quota of recruitment of the state's youth in the Army.
Aircraft leasing costs will go up with introduction of five per cent levy under the Goods and Service Tax.
Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Sunday said the Employees' Provident Fund Organisations (EPFO) will take a final call on raising investment limit in exchange traded funds (ETFs) to 15 per cent from 10 per cent at a meeting scheduled on May 27 in Pune.

"On May 27, Employees' Provident Fund Organisations (EPFO) Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting is scheduled in Pune. Now one of the major agenda item is ETF investments," Dattatreya, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, told reporters in Hyderabad.

"Till now we have done 10 per cent investment. Now in the agenda discussion, we have to take decision of (raising) from 10 to 15 per cent," he said.

As of April 21 this year an investment of Rs 21,559 crore has been made and market value is Rs 23,845 crore with an absolute return of 10.6 per cent till March 31 while the absolute return as on April 21 is 11.5 per cent, the minister said.

"During 2015-16 we have invested Rs 6,577 crore and Rs 14,982 crore in 2016-17," Dattatreya said adding after the matter (raising investment limit) is finalised by CBT, then the Labour ministry will take a final call.

"My contention is results are encouraging...Returns are showing improvement so by seeing this condition the CBT will take a decision," he said.

Asked specifically if the meet will decide to increase the quantum of investments to 15 per cent, Dattatreya said, "Positively...It is most likely".

The Finance Ministry had earlier notified a new investment pattern for EPFO, allowing the body to invest a minimum of 5 per cent and up to 15 per cent of its funds in equity or equity-related schemes.

The EPFO had started investing up to 5 per cent of its investable deposits in ETFs in August 2015.
The Maharashtra government on Sunday sought to discard fears that the would undermine Mumbai's security because the vehicles entering the city will not have to stop and face checks at borders after abolition of octroi.

Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar sought to assure the state assembly that the would entail no security threat to the metropolis saying the vehicles entering the city will still be under watch and the government would take new steps to beef up the security.

The minister was speaking during a discussion in the Lower House on the second day of the three-day special session convened to pave way for the country-wide implementation of the GST from July 1.

Mungantiwar's assurance came in response to Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu fears that there won't be any more checks of the vehicles at Mumbai entry points after abolition of octroi, with the GST coming into force.

Prabhu said when vehicles stop to pay octroi, it also ensures that a watch is kept on them.

"After abolition of octroi, there won't be checking of vehicles. As a result, all vehicles will enter Mumbai, raising questions over the the city's security," Prabhu said.

"The government will pay special attention to Mumbai's security. New measures to boost the city's security will be undertaken," the minister said.

Leader of opposition in assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the government should tread carefully while implementing the GST.

"The GST should not become another move like demonetisation, where there were many flaws in implementation due to lack of proper planning," Vikhe Patil said.

The government should have also convened a special session to discuss farmers loan waiver and other agrarian issues, he said.

Former Maharashtra Finance minister and NCP MLA Jayant Patil said several things are going to become costly after imposition of the GST.

"Mr Speaker, the dhoti you are wearing will also become costly. So you should christen Mungantiwar as expenditure minister, instead of finance minister," he said.

Patil was under attack in the Lower House today after BJP MLA Manda Mhatre objected to certain reference he made about her during his speech on GST in the assembly yesterday.

Patil had described Mhatre, a former NCP legislator, as "our (NCP) product." Mhatre said the reference was demeaning.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar defended Patil, saying "NCP has always respected women."

Speaker Haribhau Bagde said he will examine the remarks.

Patil also took potshots at BJP's Eknath Khadse, who resigned from the state cabinet following corruption charges in a land deal.

"The most important issue before Maharashtra is: Why did Katappa kill Bahubaali? If Khadse speaks, the House will come to know," Patil said, using the famous dialogue from "Baahubali" in a veiled reference to media reports that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had orchestrated Khadse's exit.

Patil spoke of Khadse greeting Congress-NCP leaders during the recent sangharsh yatra of the opposition, in his Jalgaon constituency.

Khadse, who was present in the House, quipped, "You had come to find out why did Katappa kill Bahubaali."

NCP MP Supriya Sule was today seen in the visitor's gallery of the assembly. Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray had witnessed the Assembly proceedings for a while on Saturday.
Shri Rajnath Singh lays Foundation Stone of SSB 36th battalion Gayzing HQs in Western District of Sikkim and makes aerial survey of three remote SSB posts .

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today laid the foundation stone of Headquarters of Sashastra Seema Bals (SSB) 36th Batallion Gayzing in Western District of Sikkim. Addressing the officers and Jawans in Sainik Sammelen, Shri Rajnath Singh, expressed the hope that the construction of Gayzing Battalion HQs at an estimated cost of Rs.77.88 crore, comprising of Office complex, 213 residential quarters, barrack for Jawans and a hospital on a land measuring 62.466 acres, will be completed by NBCC within stipulated time of 18 months. He said that providing basic amenities to employees of Central Armed Police Forces is one of the top most priority of MHA. .

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The Home Minister also made an aerial survey of three SSB posts, - Uttarey, Kumukh and Bajrajadhara located at extreme heights and praised the work of SSB in extreme situations of countrys most adverse areas with full dedication. Later Shri Rajnath Singh participated in the Civic Action Programmes of SSB at village Pelling. .

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Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DG, SSB, Smt. Archana Ramasundaram, upon her personal initiative, for giving an opportunity to 145 girls from remote and far flung areas, including 20 girls from Sikkim, for educational excursion to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Shimla etc. .

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Yesterday, the Union Home Minister chaired the review meeting of Chief Ministers of States bordering China, in Gangtok. The review meeting concerning infrastructure and other issues in Indo-China Border states was held for the first time. Issues concerning border infrastructure including border roads, Border Out Posts, critical infrastructure and coordination between the concerned States and ITBP were some of the main issues deliberated upon in the meeting. .

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During his three-day visit, the Home Minister visited Nathula Pass and addressed a Sainik Sabha at the ITBP Border Out Post (BOP) Sherathang near Nathu La. Shri Rajnath Singh also laid the foundation stone of various ITBP projects in Gangtok. Earlier on Friday, the Union Home Minister met the Sikkim Governor Shri Shriniwas Patil and held talks with the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling. .

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Union Home Minister returned after concluding his three-day visit to Sikkim. .

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An Indian-origin doctor and Ireland's first openly gay minister has emerged as the frontrunner in the Irish prime ministerial race.

Leo Varadkar, 38, the Dublin-born son of a Mumbai-born father and Irish mother, is expected to become the country's first homosexual prime minister.

Varadkar, who is Ireland's welfare minister, has won early support for his leadership bid from several senior Cabinet members and a majority of his parliamentary colleagues have publicly backed him.

He announced his candidacy after Prime Minister Enda Kenny announced his resignation, a title referred to as Taoiseach in Ireland.

Varadkar faces housing minister Simon Coveney in the race as nominations closed for the leadership of the governing Fine Gael party this week.

"I am not counting my chickens. I am really humbled at the level of support I have received from my colleagues and I am really looking forward to the hustings and the debates," he said.

Kenny's successor is due to be elected by June 2 and Ireland's Parliament is set to vote in the new leader as prime minister a few days later.

Varadkar came out as a gay in 2015 when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through popular vote.

In a coming-out speech he gave in a radio interview, he said: "It is not something that defines me. I am not a half- Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It is just part of who I am, it does not define me, it is the part of my character I suppose".

The popular minister has campaigned on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws.

Varadkar worked as a general practitioner (GP) before winning a seat in the Parliament in 2007 and has rapidly risen through the party ranks, holding several ministerial portfolios including minister for social protection and minister for transport, tourism and sports.

"Leo has got off to a good start but there are two weeks to go so we will see how that plays out," said his opponent Coveney.

Fine Gael is Ireland's centre-right political party, seen as taking liberal positions on several social and economic issues.
The UK will quit talks on leaving the European Union unless the bloc drops its demands for a divorce payment as high as 100 billion ($112 billion), Secretary David Davis said.
Afghanistan's embattled Vice President, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum has left for Turkey, another long exile for the former warlord amid a criminal investigation into rape accusations leveled against him.

Ahmad Eshchi, former deputy head of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, on Saturday rejected reports that the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum has left Afghanistan for Turkey for medical reasons and said that he "had been exiled to Turkey," Tolo News reported.

"Dostum has been exiled unofficially, due to a number of considerations by government aimed at preventing from challenges (in assessing Dostum case) as well as investigating his (Dostum's) case properly and ensuring justice in this respect," Eshchi said.

General Dostum, a powerful ethnic Uzbek warlord has been fighting for political survival for months following allegations that he raped and tortured a political rival.

After those accusations were made public, the government of Ashraf Ghani asked General Dostum to surrender for questioning.

As a part of a deal, Afghan government has begun to favour exile as a solution rather than openly moving against the vice president, who is still popular among his northern Uzbek constituency and has threatened violence in the past.

The human rights activists have been critical of consecutive governments reaching deals with General Dostum, after decades of accusations against him of war crimes and other brutality.

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Germany's Alexander Zverev stunned World No. 2 Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win the Italian Open's Men's Singles title on Sunday, thus confirming his status as a French Open dangerman.

Zverev defeated four-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in the summit clash.

The 20-year-old German was on top from the moment he broke Djokovic in the very first game as he became the youngest winner of a Masters 1000 tournament since Djokovic himself won the 2007 Miami Open.

Zverev broke again in the third game of the second set and clinched the match with another break in the ninth game.

Djokovic, who had cruised into the final with a ruthless 6-1, 6-0 win over Austria's Dominic Thiem, produced a flawed performance that saw him curse and swear as he struggled to find a way back into the match.

Overall, he made 27 unforced errors as compared to Zverev's 14, who also had 16 winners to the Serb's 11.

The German now has four career titles, while Djokovic was denied what would have been a record 31st Masters title.

In the women's singles event, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina triumphed with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over third seed Simona Halep.

Svitolina fought back from losing the first set to win her fourth title of the year.

The Ukrainian, who is currently ranked 11th in the world, will return to the top 10 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

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An Australian climber, identified as Francesco Enrico Marchetti, was killed while descending to the lower camps from the North Col route on Mt Everest on Sunday morning.

"The climber breathed his last at an altitude of 7,500 m on Tibetan side when he was descending to lower camps after suffering from altitude sicknesses at around 8,000 m on the mountain," The Himalayan Times quoted Tibet Mountaineering Association as saying.

In another incident, an American climber was also killed while trying to climb Mt Everest on Sunday morning.

The climber breathed his last while a group of six climbers along with their support staff reached the balcony area to make their final summit pushes to the top of the .

The cause of his death is yet to be determined.

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A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court will on Monday resume hearing in the Babri Masjid Demolition case.

Earlier on Saturday, the ministers, who were facing charges in connection with the same case, were granted bail by the court.

The accused were granted bail after signing a surety bond worth Rs. 20,000.

The five accused, namely former MP R.V. Vedanti, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Champat Rai, B.L. Sharma, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and Dharamdas, were asked to appear before the court after a notice was issued to them.

The court was hearing a case against the accused alleged to having been involved in demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya in 1992.

This comes a week after the Supreme Court allowed the CBI's appeal in the Babri Masjid demolition case and restored criminal conspiracy charges against BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh among others.

However, Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1992, enjoys constitutional immunity as the Rajasthan Governor and can be tried only after he leaves office.

The apex court ordered that two separate cases in Lucknow and Raebareli against Advani, Joshi and Bharti and unknown 'kar sevaks' shall be brought together in one trial.

The Supreme Court also directed the trial court in Lucknow to commence the proceedings in four weeks and hear the matter on a day-to-day basis so as to complete the hearing in two years. The apex court also said there will be no 'de novo' (fresh) trial.

The CBI has been ordered to ensure that at least one prosecution witness appears in the trial court for recording of testimony.

To ensure a speedy trial, the top court has given two important directions - first, no party shall be granted adjournments without the sessions' judge being satisfied of the reasons for it; second, the trial judge hearing the case shall not be transferred till the judgement is delivered.

The Supreme Court also said that its order should be followed in letter and spirit. If the parties involved feel that the top court's order is not being followed in letter and spirit then they will have the liberty to approach the apex court.

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Japan has lodged a fresh diplomatic protest with China accusing the country of unilaterally escalating the situation in the region by flying a drone near the Senkakus islands in the East China Sea waters.

China rebuffed Japan's claim that Beijing was escalating tensions over the Diaoyu island.

"Of course, we cannot accept the so-called negotiations or protests of the Japanese side," The Global Times quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, as saying, during a daily news briefing.

Drone, along with four China Coast Guard vessels, entered Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Thursday morning, the Japan Coast Guard said, adding that what appeared to be a drone was seen flying above them.

The Senkaku islands are claimed by China and Taiwan, which call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.

"As far as I know, the Chinese Coast Guard did not send or fly the unmanned aerial vehicle. It was used by the media for aerial photography; it was not a military action as some media have hyped," she said.

Hua even asserted that it was China's "inherent right" to conduct regular patrols in its own territory.

Yoshihide Suga, Japan's top government spokesman, told a regular briefing that the incident took place Thursday and that Japan lodged a "strong protest."

Coast Guard ships from the two nations routinely patrol the area, known for rich fishing grounds.

Japan dispatched four planes, including two F-15 fighters and an airborne warning and control system plane to waters surrounding the islets, Japan's defense ministry said.

The Senkaku Islands are a group of Japan-administered uninhabited islets betweeen Okinawa and Taiwan.

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A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court will on Monday pronounce the quantum of sentence for former coal secretary H.C. Gupta, Coal Ministry's then joint secretary K.S. Kropha, then director K.C. Samaria, besides others pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to Krishnapatnam Security Services Pvt. Ltd (KSSPL).

Earlier on Friday, a Delhi court found Gupta, Kropha, KSSPL and its Managing Director (MD) P.K. Ahluwalia guilty of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged irregularities in allocation of a Chhattisgarh based coal block to SKS Ispat and Power Ltd (SIPL).

They were also found guilty of cheating and corruption for their role in allocation of Rudrapur coal block to KSSPL in Madhya Pradesh.

However, Chartered Account Amit Goyal, who was also facing trial in the case, got acquitted from all charges by the court.

Earlier in February, the special CBI court granted bail to Gupta, Kropha, the firm, and its two directors Anil Gupta and Deepak Gupta, and three others -- Amit Singh, Rakesh Singh and Jagan Nath Panda.

The court had asked all of them to sign Rs. one lakh personal bail bond and deposit Rs. one lakh as security amount.

The CBI has claimed in the final report that the accused hatched a criminal conspiracy to cheat the Screening Committee, in order to bag the mining contract for the Fatehpur Coal Block in Chattisgarh.

The probe agency charged the accused with forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal misconduct.

According to the CBI, SIPL had got Fatehpur coal block in Chhattisgarh in 2008. It said that the company misrepresented various aspects of preparedness and was ineligible on the issue of net worth. The CBI had registered FIR in the matter in 2014.

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh are likely to appear before the Patiala House Court in connection with the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case on Monday.

Taking cognizance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet, the special court has summoned them along with other accused.

Earlier on May 8, Virbhadra and other accused were summoned by the court in regard to the same case.

Earlier, Pratibha Singh withdrew her plea, which had alleged that the CBI hadn't obtained permission from the state government to procure documents used to prepare the chargesheet.

Pratibha's counsel had earlier on April 24 argued whether witnesses and documents that were collected during the investigation could be part of the chargesheet and if the court could read them for the purpose of taking cognizance.

The counsel also moved an application seeking consideration of these terms, while also requesting not to take cognizance of the chargesheet.

A day after being booked by the CBI special court, the Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring against him and asserted that all charges levied against him were fabricated.

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Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that the civilian government and the Pakistan Army would jointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against India.

He stressed, "It is time to be united," even as he denounced the trend of harming the national interest for the sake of securing political ground, reports The Nation.

"We have already suffered much in the past. This trend of causing damage to the national interest in order to protect the personal ones should be shunned," he added.

Alleged Indian spy and former Indian Naval Officer Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism.

India reacted to the verdict by taking the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), headquartered in The Hague, accusing Pakistan of 'farcical trial' in the matter of Jadhav.

India contended that it was not informed of Jadhav's detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan failed to inform him of his rights. It further alleged that Pakistan has committed 'egregious violation of the Vienna Convention' and repeatedly denied consular access to Jadhav.

ICJ announced its verdict on May 18 pronouncing that Pakistan should not execute Jadhav until the final decision of the court and that he should be granted consular access.

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Local residents of Keldha village under Valsad district of Gujarat are in major distress as the acute water crisis in the area is taking a toll on their daily lives.

The locals have to walk at least 5 kilometers to fetch water for their daily need.

In the absence of any relief from either rain or winds, the temperature is also soaring in the city besides acute water shortage in the area.

"In the morning people come from the nearby villages to fill water. Because of this there is always a long line. We have other work like cooking, cleaning the house etc. So we generally come during the night to fetch water," said a local to ANI.

"A large number of big packages are announced for the people by the Government of Gujarat through the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojna but cannot provide drinking water for the people. Today the condition of the residents of villages and villages around it has become so much worse that they go they have to go walk kilometers to fetch water. So, due to lack of sleep we are also facing difficulties," said another villager

According to reports, Gujarat's foodgrain production has been on the decline in the past few years, when the state didn't receive sufficient rains.

As per the latest Socio-Economic Review of Gujarat, production of foodgrains during 2015-16 is estimated at 61.92 lakh tonnes compared to 77.95 lakh tonnes in 2014-15, a drop of 20.5%. The fall is even sharper when compared to the 2013-14 figures, when the production was around 93.82 lakh tonnes.

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An Indian national was arrested from the F-8 area of Islamabad under the Margalla police station on Sunday, over allegedly living their without proper permission or travel documents.

A case has been filed against him under Article 14 of the Foreign Act and has been sent to 14-day judicial remand.

A copy of the FIR read " Indian citizen named Sheikh Nabi Ahmed arrested in Sector 8 Islamabad; Police on May 19 found incomplete documents with Ahmed; He was also unable to provide his biodata to police upon inquiry; He has been arrested under Section 14 of the Foreign Act and has been sent to a judicial remand. At 9:40 the accused was walking on foot and appeared different from his looks and clothes. He was stopped and questioned during which he revealed his name as Sheikh Nabi Ahmed s/o Sheikh Raees Ahmed and address as House No. 755 opposite Tabassum Hotel, Bandra plot, Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai, India. During the inquiry it was found that he was staying in Pakistan without any passport or permission. He committed the crime of staying in Pakistan without any Visa or NOC for which he was booked under Section 14 of the Foreign Act."

The incident comes amid an already heated environment between India and Pakistan over the death sentence awarded to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Pakistan military court. Following the verdict, New Delhi took the matter International Court of Justice, which recently stayed the execution until final decision.

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In a tragic incident, at least six pilgrims were killed and 28 others injured when a bus carrying them turned turtle in Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.

The mishap occurred on Saturday midnight when around 40 pilgrims were headed to Amarkantak from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

At the ghat section near JogiTikariya village, the driver who was reportedly asleep lost control and the bus fell into the ghat.

According to reports, four people were killed on the spot, while two were pronounced death at the hospital.

Out of the injured, seven persons were seriously injured and have been shifted to the district hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Cabinet minister Om Prakash Dhurve who visited the injured at the hospital announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the deceased and victim's families.

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Bhopal Police has arrested two people, who were allegedly working as middlemen between the contractors of Tendu leaves and the Naxalites.

Both of the people were from the Balaghat District. One of them, named Roop Lal, was the head person of Harrah Nala village and the other, named Jai Pal, was a checker of Tendu leaves.

The Naxalites used to send them the name of the contractor and they use to collect money from them and deliver it to the former.

"We have recovered Rs. 2.5 lakhs from their possession. Case has been registered under section 120 B, 121 A of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Both of the accused will be on Police remand for next three day," Balaghat SP, Amit Sanghi told ANI.

He said that both the accused were helping the Naxalites from quite a long time.

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After Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz reiterated Pakistan's stand that Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav cannot be acquitted by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Senior Supreme Court Lawyer and International Expert, Dr. Surat Singh on Sunday asserted that Islamabad's remark on the same showcase that it doesn't have much respect for international court of law.

"It shows that Pakistan does not have much respect for international court of law because earlier also they were saying lot of things and justifying the military court judgment," Singh told ANI.

He said that the both the countries has signed the Vienna Convention and hence, it is binding on Islamabad and it can't refuse to abide by the verdict of ICJ.

"First of all since Pakistan has signed the Vienna convention and according to Article 36 consular approach is to be given, once the country signs the optional protocol then it gives what we call compulsory jurisdiction," he said.

Responding to the plea filed by Pakistan to rehear the case, Singh said that the hearing is not a problem, but the chances are that the order would remain the same.

Earlier on Saturday, Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz asserted that Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav cannot be acquitted by the ICJ and his punishment will be in accordance with domestic laws.

He argued that Indian rant of victory following the ICJ's stay at the execution of Jadhav was false because the final verdict was yet to come.

"The ICJ gave no verdict regarding consul access", he added.

Aziz said that India had made a mistake by going to the ICJ as it paved the way for Pakistan to raise the matter of humanitarian violations in Kashmir.

While answering to the question as to why Pakistan moved the ICJ on the Kulbhushan Jadhav matter, he said Pakistan was a member state of the United Nations and the decision was taken after consultation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Bank has warned that the Panama Papers issue "enhanced political risks" and created "some policy uncertainty" in Pakistan.

In its report titled 'Pakistan Development Update', the bank warned that Pakistan was "exposed to natural disasters, political events and terrorism" on the domestic front, while the upcoming national elections might affect the "reform momentum and macroeconomic policy orientation."

According to the Bank statement, the report sets out "recent developments across the economy and identifies risks and opportunities in the near-term future before focussing on a handful of key development challenges."

International Monetary Fund president Christine Lagarde last year noted that the perception of corruption in Pakistan would hurt private investment and could hold back efforts to promote sustainable growth.

Christine also advised that increasing transparency, making people accountable and removing red tape could help deal with the issue of perception of corruption.

A former Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance explained that the Panama issue had raised political risks, since investors had already gone into 'wait-and-see' mode.

Since the apex court's decision to form a joint investigation team to probe the assets of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, the experts are divided over whether this would yield concrete results or whether it was a mere "eyewash".

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Former finance minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Sunday broke down while remembering late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and said that he was assassinated because he was a "messenger of peace."

Speaking on the occasion of 25th death anniversary of the former prime minister of India at a memorial event, Chidambaram likened him with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, and Abraham Lincoln, who were known for their regard for peace and hence, subsequent assassination.

"It is not new to see messengers of peace getting assassinated. Jesus Christ was a messenger of peace, so were Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and John F. Kennedy. Our Rajiv Gandhi was a messenger of peace and hence he was assassinated," he said.

Chidambaram said once Rajiv Gandhi was elected as the prime minister, he undertook many peace tours in the country. He added that it was during such peace tour, where he tried to solve the issue of the Sri Lankan Tamils, that he was assassinated.

"There are so few, who adored peace to such an extent. Once taken charge he undertook many visits including Punjab, Kashmir, Mizoram and brokered many peace deals. It was during this peace tour, which could have benefitted them, if successful. It could have granted them equal citizenship, language sovereignty, but some militants belonging to that community ultimately killed him," he said.

Chidambaram further said Rajiv Gandhi was never fixated on building nuclear arsenal and conducting nuclear tests, rather he was focussed on brining tectonic changes to the telecommunication sector in India.

"Under Indira Gandhi, India conducted Pokhran test and it was able to enter the elite club. However, Rajiv Gandhi was never in favour of developing nuclear weapons. He could have piled up nuclear weapons, could have developed atom bombs, hydrogen bomb, but he never allowed, the reason being he was a peace lover," he added.

Born on August 20, 1944 Rajiv Gandhi served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing at Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991.

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The dozens of Nigerian schoolgirls, who were released by Boko Haram militants on May 7 following a deal with the Nigerian authorities, have finally been reunited with their families. Authorities had taken the 82 freed Chibok girls to Abuja after their release earlier this month.

The 82 girls were freed in return for the government releasing five Boko Haram commanders. Nigerian authorities have indicated they could make further exchanges to free the 113 abducted Chibok girls who are still missing.

Eight-two Chibok schoolgirls, who were among the 276 kidnapped in 2014 from their school in Nigeria's Chibok faced lot of sufferings during their more than three years in captivity.

A government official said that the consistent negotiations between the terrorist group Boko Haram and the Nigeria government resulted in the release of 82 girls.

The scene of the reunion was tearful and emotional. The 82 girls released this month have been staying in facilities at the Department of State Services in the capital and were given medical and other checks in the weeks since their release, The Sputnik reported.

Around 276 girls were kidnapped from the government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno state in the middle of the night in April 2014, sparking a global campaign 'bringbackourgirls.'

The campaign was supported by then U.S. First lady Michelle Obama. As many as 57 girls escaped within days after mass abduction. Another 21 Chibok girls were released in October 2016 in a deal brokered by Switzerland and the International Red Cross.

President Muthammadu Buhari had said in a statement that his government is in constant negotiations with the Boko Haram group.

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Sacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra continued his tirade against Arvind Kejriwal and raked a new scam which he accused the Delhi Chief Minister of supporting.

Mishra, while addressing a press conference stated that an alleged scamster funded Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh's Russia trip.

Asserting that Sheetal Singh who runs a business of high security registration plate and has a direct involvement with companies who are under scanner for committing fraud in the regard, funded the Russia trip of the two AAP leaders, Mishra urged Kejriwal to come out clean in the matter.

"I have asked for the details of foreign trips of few AAP leaders, but no information in the regard was shared. The day the information in this matter comes out, Arvind Kejriwal will have to leave the country." Mishra Said.

"My first question is that is Arvind Kejriwal aware about Sheetal Singh? Does Kejriwal ji know that Sheetal Singh own a business of high security registration plate? Does he know that in Delhi a scam of rupees 400 crore in connection with high security registration plate is being investigated? Is he aware that Sheetal Singh has direct connection with the accused companies? Does Kejriwal remembers that in our 49-day government this scam was investigated by forming a committee? Does he know that the companies whose projects were cancelled in our 49-day government were continued in our current tenure? I hope that Arvind Kejriwal will answer my questions," he added.

Mishra also called on all-ex AAP members who quit the political outfit citing corruption in the cadre, to join hands and clean the party.

Urging all the former AAP members to stake their claim, Mishra said the party was an amalgamation of the people who wanted to fight corruption and Kejriwal's lackeys, adding that it is about time that all those who left should unite and make the AAP 'corruption-free and Kejriwal-free' for the betterment of the people.

Launching a campaign to clean AAP, Mishra called on all former party members and people to join the endeavour. Flashing a number '7863037300' , the sacked AAP leader urged the masses to give a miss call on the mentioned phone number help in cleansing his party and hence Delhi.

Asserting that the time has come to re-claim the party from a handful of corrupt people, Mishra called on those struggling within the party not to lose hope.

Mishra also apologised to co-founder of the party Prashant Bhushan and former AAP member Yogendra Yadav for not paying heed to their concerns, at a time when they pointed that few elements were brewing corruption in a party which was constituted to fight the menace.

However, Yadav has asked Mishra to decide if his apology is out of 'remorse or revenge'.

"I would like to know if this apology is out of remorse or revenge. If remorse, then I would like him to apologise to the thousands of party workers whom he feels may have been let down and reveal the gospel truth about the internal politics that were twined into the party when I left it," Yadav told ANI.

Suggesting Kapil Mishra to resort to a 'maun vrath' (silence) hereafter, Yadav also said it is time for the former to reduce the number of press conferences he organises.

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Reiterating that the issue of Triple Talaq was a matter of gender discrimination, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information and Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that if necessary, the government would introduce a legislation, but only after the Muslim community comes to a conclusion.

"Triple talaq has got nothing to do with any religion. It's an issue of gender discrimination. So, I expect the society and the Muslim community to come forward and move towards ending this," Naidu said.

"The Supreme Court is hearing the case and the Government has made it very clear saying that the triple talaq must come to an end. If necessary, the government will bring a legislation, but only after the community discusses it and comes to a conclusion," he added.

Yesterday, while addressing a meeting in Amravati, Naidu said that the government might have to step in and enact a law to ban triple talaq, if the Muslim community fails to change the practice.

"It is for the society to take up the issue and it will be good if the (Muslim) society itself changes the practice. Otherwise, a situation may arise where the government will have to bring in a legislation (banning triple talaq)," Naidu said.

Earlier on Thursday, the apex court reserved its order in the case pertaining with the validity of the Islamic Divorce Practice - triple talaq.

The five judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar and four other judges - Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, Kurian Joseph, Uday Umesh Lalit and S. Abdul Nazeer - reserved the order after hearing in great detail from all the parties - from various petitioners, respondents and the Central government - for six consecutive days during the summer vacation session.

The Centre, earlier on May 11, told the apex court that it opposed the triple talaq practice and wanted to fight for women equality and gender justice.

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The Democratic Alliance (NDA), under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating three years of its government at the Centre by virtue of which, the development across Himachal Pradesh is also being accessed.

The state has been getting the benefit of the Air Service to boost the tourism industry in the region.

Nearly a month ago with the aim of "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik", the UDAN scheme was launched by Prime Minister Modi on April 27 in Shimla.

This scheme has activated the Shimla airport, which was lying defunct for almost five years.

This scheme has given wings to the common man, who could not fly due to high airfare.

Though the capacity is too low, still 15 people are flying daily from Shimla to Delhi - benefitting under UDAN by paying around Rs. 25,000.

However the seats are less due to technical issues and ticket price for other seats are quite high and sometime around Rs. 19000.

"All seats are booked for over a month. I hoped I will fly soon from Shimla, but I think I have to wait longer," Jitender Sood, a Shimla resident said, adding, there was no availability of seats till June.

Airport director of Jubbarhatti Sunil Maggirwar said he had written a letter to Air India to start more flights to Shimla.

"The UDAN scheme is popular among people, but benefit is not being availed by a majority of people because the lone flight has a limited number of seats," Maggirwar said.

Himachal Pradesh State Tourism Board chairman and former tourism minister Vijai Singh Msankotia said he would take up the matter with the Central Government that more flights should be started to Shimla as it was a famous tourist destination.

"Be it under the UDAN or any other scheme, more flights should start to Shimla as these flights are bringing more tourists and they are also saving time by coming here," he said.

Nishant Sharma, a tour operator, said there was heavy rush to get the tickets under the UDAN and even under non-subsidised category.

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Six persons were injured after a man attacked people with a knife and a bat on Sunday at a park in Japan's Chiba prefecture, the police said.

The police said they received a call that a man was attacking people with a knife and a bat in the city of Matsudo, Xinhua news agency reported.

Of the six, two were critically injured.

The attacker's identity and the cause of his attack remains unknown.

--IANS

ksk/vt

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At least six policemen were killed and one other was injured in two separate incidents of firing in Pakistan over the last 24 hours, police said on Sunday.

Superintendent of Police Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto said three policemen were sitting in a parked police vehicle on Sunday when some unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets at them in Karachi, and fled the scene.

All three policemen, seriously wounded in the attack, were shifted to a nearby hospital where two of them succumbed to injuries while the third was still in critical condition.

In a separate attack in Kohat district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province late on Saturday, four policemen were killed when their vehicle came under attack by unidentified assailants, police said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Raza Khan said an undetermined number of militants ambushed a police vehicle in Mohsin Khel area of the district, killing four policemen including an official.

Khan said the militants sprayed bullets at the vehicle when it was on routine patrolling on the highway, and fled.

Heavy contingent of police reached the attack site and kicked off a search operation.

Jamaat ul Ahrar, a splinter group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for both the attacks against the cops.

--IANS

ahm/dg

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An American climber was killed while trying to summit Mount Everest on Sunday morning, according to the base camp officials.

The climber died while a group of six climbers along with their support staff reached the balcony area to make their final push to the top of the world, a base camp manager told the Himalayan Times.

"The cause of the climber's death is yet to be revealed," the report said.

Murari Sharma, Managing Director at Everest Parivar Treks in Kathmandu, said that he also got a message from the group's base camp manager about the death of a climber near balcony on Mt Everest early on Sunday morning.

Climbers often consider the balcony area as a "death zone", Sharma said.

According to sources, the climber was part of a 15-member expedition handled by Dan Mazur's Summit Climb and locally managed by Everest Parivar Treks, the Himalayan Times reported.

This is the third death of climbers on Mount Everest this season.

Octogenarian mountaineer Min Bahadur Sherchan died at the base camp oon May 6 while famed Swiss climber Ueli Steck was killed in an accident in the Mount Everest region on April 30.

--IANS

ksk/vt

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Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. hopes to clear its existing debts through improvement of cash generation and sale of surplus land by end of the 2017-18 Fiscal Year, a top company official said on Sunday.

The state-run pharmaceuticals company has an outstanding debt of Rs 200 crore from the Centre and Rs 13 crore debt from the public sector lender United Bank of India (UBI). It expects to obtain Rs 300 crore from the land sale.

"The objective of the land sale is to reduce the liability. We have got approval from the Centre to sell surplus land of 25.07 acres at our Panihati manufacturing plant. A tender... has already been floated," Managing Director and Director (Finance) P.M. Chandraiah said.

"According to the present circle rate, we expect to realise around Rs 300 crore from land sale in the current fiscal and hope to repay the Rs 200 crore debt taken from the Centre," he said.

Due to the improvement in the financial position and net cash generation in 2016-17, the company managed to repay half of its bank loan to the UBI in March.

"Out of the total bank loan of Rs 26 crore, 50 per cent loan has been repaid. We are planning to fully repay the balance amount of Rs 13 crore by December 31, 2017, from the cash generation of the company," Chandraiah said.

Founded by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, the Father of Indian Chemistry, the company had reported a net profit of Rs 4.51 crore in 2016-17 for the first time in six decades.

The company is looking to log a net profit Rs 10 crore in the current financial year.

--IANS

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A 54-year-old self-styled godman, bobbitised by a young woman, was on Sunday remanded in judicial custody till June 3 by a local magistrate.

Police accompanied a magistrate to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital where accused Hari Swami is undergoing treatment, and completed the formalities for his custody.

Police had formally arrested him on Saturday.

Hari Swami will now be housed in a cell at the hospital, where jail inmates admitted to hospital are kept, till he is discharged.

The woman, aged 23, cut off Hari Swami's genitals on Friday night after accusing him of sexual abuse for years. Hari Swami later underwent surgery and was said to be out of danger.

Police now plan to question him.

Police have moved the woman to an undisclosed location, after she recorded her statement before a magistrate here on Saturday night.

Police said it will call her mother to record her statement.

Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha member and Congress leader Sashi Tharoor wrote on his Facebook wall: "I sympathise with her, as most people would, but we need a society where justice prevails; not the one where every individual seeks it with a knife in her hand."

--IANS

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In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police on Sunday busted a terror module with links to Canada and Pakistan.

Two terrorists, who, according to police, were "planning to target enemies of the Panth(the Sikh religion)", were arrested with a large cache of weapons and ammunition.

Among the weapons seized by the security forces from the duo were an AK-47 assault rifle and other rifles, hand grenades, pistols and live ammunition of different calibres.

The two suspected terrorists were arrested from India-Pakistan border area while trying to recover the weapons pushed into the Indian territory from Pakistan side.

The duo was identified as Mann Singh, 40, from Sri Hargobindpur (Gurdaspur) and Sher Singh, 28, from Kartarpur (Jalandhar).

"Preliminary interrogation of the terrorists has revealed that their module was raised and indoctrinated by an Ontario(Candada)-based Sikh hardliner, Gurjivan Singh, who had made two trips to Punjab in the last six months, and arranged the arms and ammunitions for their operations through his Khalistani contacts in Pakistan," a Punjab Police spokesperson said here.

The arrested duo revealed that Gurjivan Singh had been in touch with them for the past two years and had motivated them to commit terror strikes in Punjab.

"They also revealed that during his last two trips to Punjab, Gurjivan Singh had imparted them theoretical training in handling arms, including AK-47 rifles. They also told the interrogators that they had travelled with Gurjivan Singh to Uttar Pradesh to procure arms but had been unsuccessful.

"Subsequently, Gurjivan had promised to arrange the arms and ammunition for them through his Pakistan-based Khalistani contacts and their ISI handlers," the spokesperson said, based on the interrogation of the arrested terrorists by security agencies.

"During interrogation, Mann Singh also confessed to having made several visits to Pakistan and to being in touch with some Khalistani activists there," he added.

The duo were nabbed by BSF troopers on Sunday morning when they arrived near the border to recover the weapons and ammunition.

The spokesperson said the arms and ammunition seized during the operation was found buried close to the border and the suspects had been provided with the co-ordinates of the spot.

The consignment recovered at their instance included five 7.62 mm pistols with nine magazines and 205 live rounds; a 9 mm pistol with two magazines and 77 live rounds; an AK 47 rifle with three magazines and 157 live rounds; a MP 9 modified rifle with two magazines; five hand grenades; a .32 bore revolver with 39 live rounds; a 315 bore rifle with one magazine and 17 live rounds.

"Further interrogation of the suspects is in progress and immigration records are being retrieved to track Gurjivan's movement," the spokesperson added.

--IANS

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Ex-bonded worker heads centre for freed bonded children (To go with: Child slavery down in India but child abuse up: Satyarthi)

New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) A rehabilitation centre managed by Noble Laureate Kailash Satyarthi's NGO for children rescued from slavery is run, believe it or not, by a former bonded labourer.

"The head teacher of our Bal Ashram was once a bonded labourer," Satyarthi told a group of IANS journalists. "His name is Ram Kirpal."

He added: "The treasurer of our organisation, who also looks after my financial issues, was also a bonded labourer. His name is Lakshman Singh, popularly known as Lakshman Master."

Satyarthi was explaining the importance of rehabilitation of children freed from bonded labour to provide them a new life.

Among the children housed in the Bal Ashram, "some are going to be software engineers this year. Two of them will be lawyers soon as they are in the final year of their studies".

He said centrally-funded schemes for rehabilitation of freed bonded child workers were started in 1980.

Initially, the government gave Rs 4,000 to each child. This amount went up to Rs 6,000 and then to Rs 20,000.

Now the amount has gone up to Rs 3 lakh after central ministers realised that the earlier amount was too meagre for long-term rehabilitation.

Satyarthi said his Bachpan Bachao Andolan runs three rehabilitation centres for children freed from slavery -- one for girls and two for boys.

He spoke to IANS hours after he and his team rescued nine children from forced labour in an illegal factory in Old Delhi.

When the dingy place was raided, the children were producing exportable gift items. The factory has been sealed but the owner escaped.

--IANS

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A day after deadly Taliban attacks on police checkpoints left at least 25 Afghan policemen dead, a German woman working for an international charity was killed in Kabul and another woman, from Finland, was kidnapped on Sunday, an official said.

The German woman was killed by unidentified assailants in the Afghan capital, the German Foreign Ministry confirmed.

Another woman, said to be from Finland, was missing and has possibly been kidnapped, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, Najib Danish, said.

Both women were inside a guesthouse in Kabul and worked for Swedish relief organisation Operation Mercy.

In the attack on the guesthouse, a private security guard was beheaded by the assailants. Danish did not say if there was a terrorist or other criminal motive behind the assault.

Karoliina Romanoff, a spokeswoman for the Finnish Foreign Ministry, also confirmed that a Finnish citizen was kidnapped, but did not elaborate. The foreign ministry released a statement demanding "the immediate release of the kidnapped person".

The incident took place only a day after Taliban militants killed at least 25 policemen at checkpoints across southern Afghanistan late on Saturday.

Earlier this year, Taliban launched a coordinated attack on Nato-trained Afghan forces, killing 135 troops in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Despite more than 15 years of Nato military presence in Afghanistan, the war-torn country still remains one of the most dangerous places for Westerners.

--IANS

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India is formulating a policy on maintaining and sharing science infrastructure so that R&D facilities do not remain limited to academia but are also accessed by industry, according to a senior bureaucrat of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.

"The idea is to create infrastructure which becomes shareable, which becomes sustainable and is also accessible to our industry. A whole lot of scientific infrastructure is not available to our industry. We are going to come up with a policy this year, about maintaining, sustaining and effectively using scientific infrastructure in a shared way," Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, told IANS in an interview on the sidelines of a DST Conclave here.

A web portal is being envisaged to implement the policy, Sharma said.

"Indian institutes have R&D labs. We will tell people about the models by which they can share the infrastructure in a transparent way. So in a website, anybody can book a slot and put in a request to access instruments in different labs," he explained.

Talking about broad contours of the policy, he said it would also aim to reduce redundancy and duplication of scientific equipment in institutions.

"Since it's a policy, not a law, the challenge lies in implementation. We have to make people aware of the idea contained in the policy, let them see the value for themselves. That's the only way," he said.

One example of such infrastructure sharing is the EU-funded PAERIP project to share resources between Europe and Africa. PAERIP created the first-ever inventory of research infrastructure in the two continents.

At the DST Conclave, where the ministry took stock of the R&D situation across institutes, Sharma also flagged a key issue: The lack of coordination among institutions.

"One issue is coordination among institutions where they are doing similar things. So it makes sense for them to do it together. The new policy on sharing infrastructure will also help in that direction," he said.

In addition to the science infrastructure policy, a major thrust this year would be on the Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System (CPS) programme.

CPS is a mechanism controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, tightly integrated with internet and its users.

Computing and communication system bridges with the physical world are referred to as Cyber Physical Systems. CPS are physical and engineered systems whose operations are monitored, coordinated, controlled and integrated by a computing and communication core.

"This year we will start a new programme in cyber physical systems which includes deep learning, smart machines, machine intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), etc. We have to start making preparations for it now in terms of generating capacity, human resources and infrastructure," he said.

In addition, Sharma said, India has initiated collaboration on cyberspace with Israel, IoT & BigData with Japan, robotics and advanced materials with South Korea.

"Much more is in the pipeline in emerging areas of research," he said.

To shore up the number of women in IITs, Sharma said 50,000 girls in high schools will be prepared for admission in technical training institutes.

"We are targeting 50,000 girls in high schools, a certain percentile from the top, to prepare them for leadership positions in IITs, especially in those institutes where representation is low. It's not only technical training but also looking at the cultural aspect.

"Often, women are thinking maths is not really for them while their parents don't want to send them away from home and there are the expenses involved. So we have to look into all these aspects," he added.

(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@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.)
Six climbers, including a former Miss India pageant finalist, were evacuated from the higher camps of Mt Everest after they suffered from high altitude sickness on Sunday, a media report said.

Indian woman climber Sangeeta S. Bahl, 52, and Argentine climbers Andres Esteban Pariz and Ricardo Dario Birn were airlifted from Camp I, the Himalayan Times reported.

Bahl, a Miss India 1985 pageant finalist, is undergoing treatment at Swacon International Hospital, according to an official at the Himalayan Guides, a local partner of the Madison Mountaineering.

"Bahl's condition is out of danger," Damber Parajuli, Chairman of Expedition Operators Association Nepal, was quoted as saying.

Most of the climbers were affected by snow blindness and frostbite, as they prepared for the final summit push from higher camps of the world's highest peak.

A Chinese climber and a Slovakian mountaineer were also evacuated from the higher camps after they suffered from high altitude sicknesses. A Nepali climber Phurba Tamang has also been brought to Kathmandu for treatment.

--IANS

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Akin to what the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government did in the past, the Narendra Modi government should initiate a process to choose a consensus candidate for the presidential election in July, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Sunday.

"In 2002, the then government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, initiated a process to select a candidate for the President's post. This time, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government is yet to start any such process," he told reporters here.

"Some parties may or may not agree, but the government can start a customary process of consultation to zero in on a consensus candidate," the Left leader said.

He said the Congress started an initiative in this direction from April 20, involving the CPI-M. The Trinamool Congress later joined the process.

Yechury said the Communist Party of India-Marxist wants a consensus candidate.

"In view of the situation prevailing in the country, the President's post has acquired more importance since he is not only the custodian of the Indian Constitution but also plays a very crucial role in difficult situations."

As for a second term for President Pranab Mukherjee, the CPI-M leader said the Left parties support this.

--IANS

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An Iranian top army General on Sunday rubbished US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's comments urging a policy shift in Tehran's conduct during President Hassan Rouhani's second term, Tasnim news agency reported.

"The only way to peace in the Middle East is a pullout of the US forces from the region," Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Massoud Jazayeri said.

During his Saudi Arabia visit, Tillerson on Saturday said he hoped Rouhani's re-election would prompt changes in Tehran's approach to "terrorism and human rights".

Tillerson urged Iran's re-elected President to dismantle the alleged "network of terrorism" and to end ballistic missile tests.

He made the remarks at a news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh.

In his reaction, Jazayeri urged the US for, what he called, an end to the "aggressive and terrorist operations against independent states" by the assistance of "reactionary regimes" in the region.

Besides, no factor could hinder Iran's defence programmes, he asserted, describing the boost of Iran's missile defence systems as a top priority for the Islamic republic.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As part of the annual meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) that begins here from Monday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will open the India-Africa Cooperation sessions to discuss ways of boosting mutual cooperation, industry chamber CII said in a statement here.

The session will cover areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing, IT and ITeS, among others, it said.

This is the first time the AfDB is holding its annual meeting outside the African continent. The five-day meeting will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 23.

During the meetings, India is also eyeing cooperation with Africa on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative, of which France and India are the co-chairs.

Total trade between India and Africa increased almost five-fold between 2005-06 and 2015-16, and stood at $52 billion at the end of the fiscal 2016-17.

India's exports'to Africa increased from $14 billion in 2007-08 to $23 billion in 2016-17, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6 per cent.

Indian imports from Africa increased from $20 billion in 2007-08 to $28 billion in 2016-17, accounting for 7.5 per cent of total Indian imports.

Heads of states from Benin and Rwanda and other African countries as well as Vice-Presidents from Comoros and Cote d'Ivoire, and AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina are expected to address the sessions.

The government is also planning an exhibition to showcase the capabilities of Indian companies in terms of technology, innovation, and start-ups, which could be relevant to African countries.

During the India-Africa Forum Summit 2015, the announcement of $10 billion Line of Credit marked a new beginning in India's approach to engage with African countries in a more constructive manner.

India joined the African Development Fund in 1982 and the AfDB in 1983, initiating a long history of cooperation spanning over 30 years.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With concerns being raised about the situation in Kashmir, the top BJP leadership on Sunday said the government was working on a plan to return the state to normalcy and would find a permanent solution to the issues troubling the valley.

BJP President Amit Shah said that the problem in Jammu and was not widespread but centered around just "three and a half districts".

Addressing an Aaj Tak Editors round-table, Shah said that the central government was formulating a "course of action" to resolve the situation.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told a gathering in western Sikkim's Pelling town that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government would find a permanent solution to the issues besieging the Valley.

Blaming Pakistan for trying to destabilise and weaken India through violence in Kashmir, he said that - along with its people - belonged to India.

"I want to assure you that our government will find a permanent solution to the issue," the Minister told the gathering.

"The truth is that Kashmir belongs to us, Kashmiris belong to us, and Kashmiriyat also belongs to us."

Rajnath asserted that India wants cordial relations with all its neighbours, including Pakistan.

BJP President Amit Shah also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "made more efforts to improve relations with Pakistan than any other government".

"The Narendra Modi government did more than anyone else to have good relations with Pakistan. But the efforts for good relations should be from both sides.

"The Prime Minister made efforts, but we did not get results. We have to protect the interests of our country and we are doing that," he said.

"We want good relations with all neighbours, but only after making our borders safe."

Shah said the BJP government was making every effort to bring peace to Kashmir Valley, which has been on the boil for the past many weeks.

"We are maintaining strict vigil on Kashmir. Don't see the past six months, you have to see Kashmir from 1989 to 2017. There are many such spells of three months, six months, one year, where such incidents have occurred, security forces have got the situation under control," he said.

"The problem in Kashmir is a problem of three and a half districts," Shah said, apparently referring to two south Kashmir districts and Srinagar where violent anti-government protests have been rampant.

"We are formulating a course of action, give us some time," he said, expressing confidence that security forces will bring the situation under control.

The situation has worsened due to protests by college and school students in Srinagar and parts of south Kashmir.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The last batch of rebels evacuated their last stronghold in Syria's Homs city, making the entire city under the government control.

The last buses carrying rebels and their families evacuated al-Waer neighbourhood, their last stronghold in Homs city, Xinhua reported.

The evacuation came following a deal struck with the government in 2015 to grant them safe passage toward rebel-held areas in northern Syria.

Several hurdles faced the full implementation of the deal before its reactivation in March.

Since March, 12 batches of rebels and their relatives have left al-Waer, with the total number of evacuees estimated at over 17,000, 7,000 of whom were rebels, according to the state TV.

Previous statistics indicated that al-Waer, which has been besieged by government forces since 2014, had 300,000 people before the six-year-old war erupted in Syria, and then the number decreased to 75,000.

For the government, regaining the neighborhood is a significant progress which will enable them to regain full control of Homs, Syria's third largest city.

It's also the heart of Syria due to its location in the central part of the country.

Homs is also one of Syria's most important industrial centers, boasting the country's largest oil refinery and key oil and gas fields in its eastern countryside.

The city is also a hub connecting major Syrian cities, and gaining full control over the city will be an important step for the government to have full control over Syria's other major five cities of Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo and Hama.

For the rebels, losing their last stronghold in Homs is a major blow, following the huge defeat they suffered when government forces recaptured the entire city of Aleppo in December last year, after the rebels' evacuation from the eastern part of the key city in northern Syria.

Rebels call Homs the "Capital of Revolution," as it was one of the first cities to join the anti-government movement in Syria in mid-March 2011.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Throwing twin surprises, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday named former state Congress chief Manas Bhunia and an ex-legislator from the hills Shanta Chhetri as Trinamool Congress candidates for the coming Rajya Sabha polls in the state.

Trinamool leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien, and two other sitting members Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Dola Sen also figured in the list of five candidates announced by Banerjee, who is also the party chief.

"The following are All India Trinamool Congress candidates for forthcoming Rajya Sabha election: Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Manas Bhunia and Shanta Chhetri," she said in a Facebook post.

Bhunia, who switched over to the Trinamool last September, is officially still a Congress legislator from Sabong in West Midnapore district.

With the Congress moving the judiciary and also knocking on the doors of the Speaker pleading for the cancellation of Bhunia's membership under the Anti-Defection act, the senior leader is in an embarrassing situation.

Banerjee had earlier promised Bhunia that she would accommodate her in the party keeping in mind his stature and seniority.

Besides, the arithmetic of the house could also have prompted Banerjee's decision to opt for Bhunia.

The Trinamool has 211 members in the 294-strong assembly, and as such is in a position to win five of the six seats that have fallen vacant.

A candidate needs 42 first preference votes to make it to the upper house from the state.

The Congress and the Left Front, which fought the previous polls as allies and secured 44 and 32 seats respectively, can win the sixth seat easily if they put up a joint candidate, despite losing some of their legislators to the Trinamool over the past one year.

Banerjee has already made overtures to the Congress not to tie up with the LF, and instead promised support if it names a candidate acceptable to the Trinamool.

In this context, longtime Congress leader Bhunia's candidature could be a ploy to cause division in the Congress ranks and ensure cross-voting in his favour if talks fail with the Congress.

After announcing the candidates, Banerjee said she was yet to decide on nominating a sixth candidate.

"We will decide later on whether to put up another candidate," she said, apparently hinting at talks with the Congress.

Chhetri, a three-time Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) legislator from Kurseong in the northern Bengal hills, unsuccessfully contested from the same constituency on a Trinamool ticket in last year's assembly polls.

Her nomination is being interpreted in political circles as Banerjee's message to the people of the hills, a few days after the municipal polls where Trinamool won in Mirik Notified Area, and picked up seats in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

With the Trinamool now emerging as the main challenger to the BJP-backed dominant hill party Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Banerjee may be hoping to establish a greater emotive connect with the people there following Chhetri's nomination.

"I am very happy. I have seen the hills being exploited, but nobody gives anything to the hills in return. I am happy that I could give something in return to the hills," said Banerjee.

An elated Chhetri said her candidature was a "matter of great pride", and expressed her gratitude to Banerjee.

"I will be devoted to the Trinamool Congress as long as I live and would keep working as a faithful soldier of the party," she said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meghalaya Chief Secretary K.S. Kropha, who was convicted in a coal block allocation case, on Sunday said he would file an appeal in a higher court.

"I am waiting for the copy of the judgment and will decide accordingly to appeal in the higher court," Kropha told IANS over phone.

On Friday, a special CBI court convicted former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta and coal ministry officials K.C. Samria and Kropha in the allocation of Thesgora B/Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL).

The KSSPL and its Managing Director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia were among those convicted for criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who has held the trio guilty in the case, will pronounce the quantum of punishment on May 22. The court, however, acquitted chartered accountant Amit Goyal in the case.

Meanwhile, official sources said that the Meghalaya government is waiting for the copy of the special court judgment before taking a decision on whether to remove Kropha as Chief Secretary in view of the special court's verdict.

Kropha, a 1982 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is due to superannuate on December 19 and has taken a two-week leave. The ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government appointed him to the post on February 29, 2016.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary Yeshi Tsering has been appointed as the acting Chief Secretary.

In its judgment, the Special Court said, "They (accused officials) certainly exploited this situation by abusing their offices... in order to procure allocation of Thesgora B/Rudrapuri coal block in favour of KSSPL by also withholding all material information regarding non-compliance with the guidelines from the (then) Prime Minister and Coal Minister (Manmohan Singh)."

Gupta maintained during his trial that he had "no dominion" over the natural resource and that Manmohan Singh -- as Coal Minister -- had given the final approval for the allocation of the said coal block.

The CBI countered his claim, saying that Manmohan Singh was "kept in the dark" and that it was Gupta who "misled" officials of the Prime Minister's Office.

The court said: "While forwarding the file to (then) Prime Minister, as Minister of Coal, for approval of the recommendation of the Screening Committee, it was nowhere mentioned by any of the ministry officers, much less by Gupta, that the applications have not been checked for their eligibility and completeness."

"The present case clearly shows that Gupta, Kropha and Samria entered into a criminal conspiracy with KSSPL and its director Ahluwalia so as to procure allotment of a coal block in favour of KSSPL," the court judgment said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First lady Melania Trump and the oldest child of President Donald Trump, Ivanka, on Sunday created controversy in the US when they refused to wear headscarves in Saudi Arabia.

Interestingly, Trump had criticised former first lady Michelle Obama for failing to wear the head covering when she visited the Arab nation in 2015, Efe reported.

Melania and Ivanka are accompanying Trump on his first international trip as president, arriving in Riyadh on Saturday, the first stop on a journey that will take him to Israel, The Vatican and to NATO and G7 summits in Brussels and Sicily, respectively.

The first lady and Ivanka on Saturday appeared at several official events in the Saudi capital with uncovered heads, although they did conform to the conservative kingdom's accepted modesty norms by wearing sober outfits consisting of loose-fitting pantsuits with long-sleeved blouses in dark colours.

According to the Saudi kingdom's strict dress code, Saudi women who go out in public must wear the "abaya," a loose over-garment or robe, and many also hide their hair by wearing the "hijab," or Islamic headscarf.

However, it is normal for foreign women visiting the Arab country as part of international delegations not to cover their heads.

For instance, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not wear headscarves during their separate visits to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not cover her head on her several trips to the kingdom.

"Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf enemies," tweeted Trump on January 29, 2015, using a common social network abbreviation for the word "enough."

On the other hand, some Republican politicians, including Senator Ted Cruz, at the time applauded Michelle Obama for her choice.

When asked about why Melania and Ivanka opted not to cover their heads in Saudi Arabia, the White House said that there was no requirement to wear such coverings, CNN reported.

On his first day in Riyadh, Trump was warmly welcomed and feted by the 81-year-old Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The US and Saudi Arabia on Saturday signed a series of accords in various areas valued at $380 billion over the next 10 years.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai Indians defeated Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in a low-scoring final to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) title here on Sunday.

In a match that went right down to the last ball, Mumbai registered a one-run victory in front of packed stands at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.

This is Mumbai's third IPL title.

Chasing a target of 130 runs, Pune could only manage to post 128/6 in their 20 overs.

Australian fast bowler Mitchel Johnson was the most successful for Mumbai with figures of 3/26, while young pacer Jasprit Bumrah also played a crucial role, returning figures of 26/2 in four excellent overs.

Veteran Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga also bowled well and was unlucky not to manage a wicket. He conceeded just 21 runs in his four overs.

Pune skipper Steven Smith led from the front scoring a fighting half-century in a losing cause.

He notched up 51 runs off 50 deliveries with two boundaries and an equal number of sixes before falling in the last over.

Pune started off on a shaky note when Bumrah trapped Rahul Tripathi leg before.

Ajinkya Rahane and Smith tried to rebuild the innings with a 54-run partnership before Kieron Pollard pulled off a superb catch at long on to send the captain back to the pavilion.

With the Mumbai bowlers maintaining a tight line, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Smith found the going tough and could only add 27 runs between them in as many balls.

Dhoni scored 10 runs in 13 balls before falling to a poor shot in the 17th over, slashing a Bumrah delivery which was slightly outside off-stump but only managed an easy top edge to wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel.

His departure seemed to put the pressure on the Pune batsmen.

Malinga conceded just five runs in the 18th over and Bumrah bowled another miserly over in the 19th to put pressure. With 11 runs needed off the final over, Manoj Tiwary started with a boundary to square leg off Johnson but an attempted smash into the stands off the very next ball saw him caught at long on by Pollard.

Smith fell on third ball, caught by Ambati Rayudu at the cover boundary.

Two runs came off the next ball but with four needed off the last ball, Daniel Christian was run out sending the Mumbai players into wild celebrations.

Earlier, braces by bowlers Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa and Christian enabled Pune to restrict Mumbai to 129 for eight.

Mumbai's top and middle order batsmen put up a horrific show against the disciplined bowling from Pune and the former were left reeling at 79/7 in the 15th over. All-rounder Krunal Pandya's 47 off 38 deliveries pulled Mumbai out of the hole.

Opting to bat, Mumbai had a disastrous start as left-arm medium pacer Unadkat (2/19) removed Parthiv Patel (4) and Lendl Simmons (3) in the third over, reducing them to 8/2.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma (24) and Rayudu (12) then weathered the storm briefly but the Pune bowlers continued to keep it tight. Young off-spinner Washington Sundar continued to be impressive, giving away only 13 runs in his four overs.

The partnership lasted for 33 runs as Rayudu was caught short of the crease while taking a single in the eighth over.

Mumbai's batting ran into further trouble when Rohit and Pollard (7) fell to Australian leg-spinner Zampa (2/32) in the 11th over to be left at 65/5. Rohit pulled a half-pitched ball to Thakur at deep mid-wicket, while Pollard offered an easy catch to pouch for Tiwary at long-on.

After Zampa, Christian (2/34) removed all-rounder Hardik Pandya (10) in the 14th over, while in the next, Karn Sharma, a handy low-order batsman, was run out at 1, to leave Mumbai at 79/7.

Later, Krunal and Mitchell Johnson (13 not out) shared a strong 50-run partnership to take Mumbai to 129/8.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Korea on Sunday launched an unidentified ballistic missile, which flew over 500 km, just a week after Pyongyang carried out its most successful missile test, South Korean military has confirmed.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in immediately convened a National Security Council meeting to discuss the communist neighbour's provocation, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile in the eastern direction at around 4.59 p.m., from the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do, South Pyeongan province," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea said in a statement.

It said South Korea and the US are analysing details, including the type of the missile and its exact trajectory.

It marked Pyongyang's eighth missile test this year.

On May 14, North Korea test-fired what is believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile from Kusong, North Pyongan province.

The Hwasong-12 missile travelled around 700 km for 30 minutes before it landed in water 100 km south of Russia's Vladivostok region, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

On April 29, Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile from a Pukchang area but it exploded in mid-air minutes after lift-off.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he would discuss ways to advance peace with Donald Trump on the US President's first visit to Israel on Monday.

"I will discuss with President Trump ways to strengthen even further the first and strongest alliance with the US," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Xinhua reported.

"We will strengthen security ties, which are strengthening daily, and we will also discuss ways to advance peace," he added.

Trump, his wife Melania, and a 900-person delegation, including senior administration officials, business executives and security personnel, will arrive on Monday for a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian West Bank.

Trump will meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Netanyahu on Monday before travelling to Bethlehem to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The meetings will focus on the US efforts to revive the long-stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The last round of talks reached an impasse on April 2014, mainly over Israel's refusal to halt the construction in the West Bank settlements.

On Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to give a speech at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem to conclude his visit, before heading to Europe.

Trump is expected to request Netanyahu and Abbas to make confidence-building steps, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

Citing a White House official, the daily reported that Trump will ask the Israelis to curb the expansion of the settlements and call on the Palestinians to halt payment for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and to stop the "incitement" against Israel.

Trump's first official trip outside the US included a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he signed $350-billion arms deal.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Pakistan government is set to unveil the nation's latest budget on May 24 and 26, the media reported on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday formally sent advice to President Mamnoon Hussain to summon the National Assembly and Senate sessions for the presentation of the federal budget 2017-18, Dawn online reported.

According to official sources, Sharif has also sent a summary to the President requesting him to summon a joint session of both houses of Parliament on June 1 for the mandatory annual presidential address.

This will be the fourth address of President Hussain to Parliament since he assumed office in September 2013.

Dawn online cited sources as saying that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will present the budget in the National Assembly on May 26 and lay the budget documents before the Senate on the same day.

An official told Dawn News that the government has almost finalised the draft of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2017-18 and Economic Survey 2016-17.

According to the official, the government has decided to increase the salary and pension of government employees. However, the rate of increase has not been decided yet.

The taxation part of the budget that focuses on tax rates and broadening the base is yet to be finalised, according to a tax official.

"No new tax will be imposed in the budget," the source said, adding that the focus is on the rationalisation and reverse cascading of tax rates.

To provide incentives to the local industry, duties and taxes will be brought down on raw materials.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday named top-level presidential staff and cabinet members on security, foreign affairs and economy.

Moon, at a press conference at the presidential Blue House, announced the appointment of Chung Eui-yong as his top national security advisor, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chung is a career diplomat who was mainly in charge of trade. He is a former lawmaker of the Uri Party, a predecessor of the current ruling Democratic Party.

During the presidential campaign, Chung led a special advisory group overseeing Moon's diplomatic policy.

The top security post was usually held by former military commanders.

Moon Chung-in, an honorary professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, and Hong Seok-hyun, former chief of a local newspaper and cable channel, were named special presidential aides for unification, security and diplomatic affairs.

President Moon told the media that he will discuss the new government's policy stance on unification, security and diplomatic affairs together with the two new special aides.

On the economic front, Chang Ha-sung, an economics professor at Korea University in Seoul, was appointed as a new presidential chief of staff for policy which was newly created under the Moon government. The post is tasked with coordinating economic policies.

Two cabinet members in charge of economic and diplomatic affairs were appointed first, indicating Moon's focus on the two main issues and their urgency.

Kim Dong-yeon, president of Ajou University, was named finance minister who doubles as deputy prime minister.

Kang Kyung-hwa, a special advisor to the UN secretary-general, was tapped to lead the foreign ministry. Kang will become the country's first female foreign minister following the parliamentary confirmation hearings.

A Prime Minister nominee is required to be approved by the National Assembly, but other cabinet members take office after the confirmation hearings.

The parliamentary hearing or approval is not required for the senior presidential staff.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Japanese IT and telecom major Softbank Group's funding arm along with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund have announced the raising of over $93 billion for investing in high technology areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

"Softbank Group (SBG) created the SoftBank Vision Fund as a result of its strongly held belief that the next stage of the Information Revolution is underway, and building the businesses that will make this possible will require unprecedented large scale long-term investment," the Softbank Vision Fund said in a statement.

"In addition to SoftBank Group and the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PIF), as previously announced, investors in the Fund also include the Mubadala Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates (Mubadala), Apple Inc (Apple), FoxConn Technology Group (Foxconn), QualComm Incorporated (Qualcomm) and Sharp Corporation (Sharp)," it said.

"The Fund is targeting a total of $100 billion of committed capital, with a final close within six months," it added.

The announcement was made here on Saturday in the presence of Softbank chairman Masayoshi Son.

Softbank said the Fund will be its primary vehicle to realise its SoftBank 2.0 vision, with preferred access to investments of $100 million or more that meet the Fund's investment strategy.

"The Fund will seek to acquire minority and majority interests in both private and public companies, from emerging technology businesses to established, multi-billion dollar companies requiring substantial growth funding," the statement said.

"The Fund is expected to be active across a wide range of technology sectors, including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, mobile applications and computing, communications infrastructure and telecoms, computational biology and other data-driven business models, cloud technologies and software," it added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Their identity in society is largely limited to being termed "hijras" (eunuchs), they are often ridiculed for their appearance, their profession has been reduced to begging and their rights are routinely suppressed.

But Manobi Bandopadhyay, India's first transgender principal, believes that their status can only improve when the third gender itself raises its voice and demands their rights.

"In most of the cases, they remain ignorant of their rights because of lack of education. A transgender can only be recognised when an individual raises her voice and comes into the limelight," Manobi Bandopadhyay told IANS in a telephonic interview from West Bengal.

The Supreme Court in 2014 may have given third gender status to the transgenders, but Bandopadhyay sees little hope for their betterment.

"When the government cannot protect women, how can we expect more for our better future? We cannot expect the government to take the initiative and add rights to the community. Better status can only be achieved after we become more vocal," the 53-year-old maintained.

Bandopadhyay is currently the Vice Chairperson of the West Bengal Transgender Development Board under the state government and executive council member of Kalyani University.

She recently released a candid biography, "A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi" (Penguin, Rs 399, pp 187), written by Jhimli Mukherjee Pandey. The biography compresses her journey from being Somnath to Manobi, her struggle -- from winning a war of self-identity within family and society to her becoming of India's first transgender principal.

The writing in the book is bold, raw, barefaced and brings to fore the darker side of child sexual abuse, of which Manobi too was a victim.

"Sharing my personal life can save lives of many others. Sexual abuse of children happens a lot in India but people don't disclose it or raise their voices; they like to keep them buried. Truth needs to be spoken and exposed," Bandopadhyay responded on thoughts that evoked her to encourage the book.

"I showed the courage to come (out) with this and share my story with society. My purpose is to remove the evil notions that persist in the society and writing the book is my effort to do this," she said.

She maintained that she did not have any second thoughts about her biography and that she was not worried about how it would be perceived by readers.

"Why should I hesitate to write about when I had to face sexual abuse? What I wrote may have happened to many others. I want people to be more aware and alert about sexual exploitation," Bandopadhyay said.

"People enjoy reading about the scandals of others. My book says it all, from my childhood days to becoming principal of a college. And if people like reading about my 'scandalous' life then I don't have any problem," she added.

Though the book is a biography, she dreams of writing an autobiography in her own language, which won't be in any chronological order and will be a collection of scattered memories.

She thinks the pages (of the biography) are soulless as her ideologies and philosophies are not a part of it.

"My feelings and emotions can be best described by me and cannot be penned by anyone else. The philosophies that I follow cannot be described through translation. There is more beyond the book, all cannot be captured in a book," she concluded.

(Somrita Ghosh can be contacted at somrita.g@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.)
The BJP might think it is unstoppable in Indian polls, but the assembly elections in Left-ruled Tripura in February next year would a Waterloo for it, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said here on Sunday.

"BJP recently formed governments in Manipur and Goa by using money power and illegal means... they would use all methods to win in Tripura as they declared that Left-ruled states including Kerala are their main targets," he said after attending two-day meeting of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state committee along with politburo member Prakash Karat.

"BJP would be stopped in its continuing election victory in Tripura and it would be the Waterloo for BJP like Napoleon Bonaparte," he said, referring to the French Emperor's final defeat at the hands of the British and the Prussians in 1815.

The Left leader said that the Tripura assembly elections would be very significant for the national perspective and this would be the Bharatiya Janata Party's retreat from power in India.

"Tripura has 60 assembly seats. CPI-M would win 60 wars giving a fitting electoral disaster to BJP. They (BJP) would apply all means - money, machinery, unethical and unconstitutional - to win the Tripura polls as their main objective to defeat the Left in India. The CPI-M is, however, determined to win in Tripura," he said.

Claiming that the the BJP spent Rs 500 crore in Manipur elections held in March, Yechury said: "BJP secured less votes in the recent Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand elections than what it got in 2014 Lok Sabha polls in these two states. BJP wants to win Indian elections through falsehood and big money power."

He said that due to the Left Front government's tremendous and sincere efforts, Tripura now is topmost in literacy, human index, ethnic harmony and establishment of peace by taming the decades-old terrorism menace.

"Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself admitted that Tripura is a best administered state in India," the CPI-M leader said.

He said that the BJP leaders has no trust on people of Tripura, that is why they are demanding deployment of central para-military forces for the assembly elections.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Cuba's communist government of despotism but said it would never be able to extinguish its people's desire for freedom.

Trump's remarks were included in a White House statement congratulating Cuban-Americans and the Cuban people on the Caribbean island's independence day, which is celebrated on May 20, Efe reported.

"The Cuban people deserve a government that peacefully upholds democratic values, economic liberties, religious freedoms and human rights, and my administration is committed to achieving that vision," Trump said.

During the campaign, Trump was the only Republican candidate who supported then-President Barack Obama's decision to restore full diplomatic ties with Cuba, but he later adopted a harsher line toward the island as he pursued votes in the all-important state of Florida, home to a large Cuban exile population.

Shortly before his successor's inauguration, Obama said Trump and his team would realise that it made no sense to, among other things, bar US residents from traveling to Cuba and stop US companies from investing on the island while the rest of the world is able to do those things.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he will visit Egypt soon at an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to mend ties soured under the previous US administration.

"I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," Trump said in a statement following his meeting with the Egyptian President in Riyadh, MENA reported.

Sisi had "done a tremendous job under trying circumstance", Trump added.

The Trump-Sisi meeting was held on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic-US summit.

The bilateral relations between Egypt and US worsened during Trump's predecessor Barrack Obama's administration after the Egyptian military ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Obama did not invite Sisi for a visit and even temporarily suspended US aid to the Arab country citing US concerns about the human rights situation in Egypt.

The ties, however, have improved under the new US administration of President Trump, who pledged to support the key US ally with $1.3 billion annually in military aid.

Sisi paid his first official visit to the US and met Trump at the White House in early April.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump and leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries -- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates -- began asummit meeting here on Sunday, officials said.

Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of Trump's first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump arrived here on a two-day visit accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and other White House senior officials on Saturday.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the meeting, Efe news reported.

Minutes before the summit started in the King Abdulaziz Convention Centre, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Nayef signed a memorandum of understanding to create a counter-terrorism centre, which is set to be based in Riyadh.

Following this meeting, US President Donald Trump is set to participate in a summit with about 50 leaders and representatives from Muslim-majority countries.

Upon his arrival on Saturday, Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with a nearly $110 billion deal to take effect immediately.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security "in the face of Iranian threats" and the "package demonstrates the US' commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region."

On Saturday night, the American President also participated in a ceremonial sword dance outside the Murabba Palace ahead of a state dinner.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump along with other male White House officials participated in a ceremonial sword dance in Saudi Arabia outside the Murabba Palace, the media reported.

Trump arrived here accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday on a two-day trip, beginning his first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Video of the dance shows Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross dancing with swords perched on their shoulders as part of a line of men in traditional Saudi garb ahead of a state dinner, reports CNN.

Trump, surrounded by Saudi officials, bops back and forth with a smile on his face, while White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn appear more reserved in their moves.

The traditional men's sword dance is known as the 'ardah'.

The performance combines dance, drumming and chanting poetry, and it signifies the start of notable occasions like religious holidays or weddings.

Other world leaders have similarly participated in the ardah.

Britain's Prince Charles donned traditional robes and a sword as part of his tour of the Middle East in 2014, and former US President George W. Bush in 2008 held a sword, CNN reported.

Ahead of the dinner, Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with nearly $110 billion to take effect immediately.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security "in the face of Iranian threats" and the "package demonstrates the US' commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region."

Trump also held meetings with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his government, including the powerful Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On Sunday, Trump will participate in a meeting with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as a summit with leaders and representatives from around 50 Middle Eastern and Islamic countries.

Parallel to these meetings, a forum for the fight against terror and extremism is to be held, sponsored by the Saudi-led anti-terror military coalition.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The idea of a universal basic income (UBI) has been proposed and debated for quite some time in different forms across the world, although it hasnt yet been implemented. Recently, several economists have joined the bandwagon in proposing UBI for India. UBI involves giving some amount of cash to every citizen of the country. In its pure form, the two fundamental principles of UBI are universality and provision of a basic living income. This is different from various existing conditional/unconditional cash transfers, which usually target households/individuals who are unable to participate in the labour market for some reason  for example, social pensions for the elderly. UBI is not a substitute for but complementary to existing social security measures and provision of basic services by the government.

The idea is certainly welcome, given increasing inequality across the world. While in developing countries, the push for UBI is a response to anxiety created by current trends of automation, which may increase unemployment, in developing countries it is a response to inefficient public spending on social sector schemes.

Financing UBI in India

One reason why UBI remains a conceptual idea rather than a reality is the high cost of implementation. Estimates in India suggest that a minimum basic income equivalent to the poverty line would require Rs 24,200 billion per year  an amount higher than the total tax revenue of the government (Rs 23,400 billion in 2015-16).

The fact that UBI in its true sense cannot be financed has been accepted by most proponents, and alternatives have been presented, ranging from reducing population coverage to less than universal to reducing the quantum of transfer. These violate the fundamental principles that make UBI appealing in the first place.

Even with quasi-universal coverage and less-than-basic-income cash transfers, are there sufficient finances? Raising resources by reducing tax exemptions and evasion, or replacing all current subsidies with UBI, has been proposed. Mundle and Sikdar arrive at a net subsidy figure of 10 per cent (2011-12) by including all public expenditure on economic and social services, which distorts the basic understanding of subsidies and the role of the State in economic and human development. This implies that the government will give up its obligation of providing basic services to citizens on education, health, nutrition and infrastructure and transfer money equivalent to the poverty line. This is neither the intent of UBI nor consistent with current proposals in Europe.

Cash transfer by a different name

UBI proposals in India suggest replacing existing programmes of delivering public services to citizens by a direct cash transfer, arguing that the programmes suffer from leakages and corruption. However, most cash transfer programmes have similar, if not higher, corruption levels and suffer from the same problems as in-kind transfers. A large part of corruption is due to targeted delivery of services with significant exclusion and inclusion errors. These will remain with UBI for the targeted population.

The argument that cash will reduce inefficiencies also rests on the assumption that Aadhaar-based biometric authentication will allow technology to weed out ghost beneficiaries. However, neither is Aadhaar necessary for ghost-card elimination nor is biometric authentication foolproof. Besides, Aadhaar authentication cannot deal with wrong targeting. While technology may help in improving service delivery, that holds true for both cash and in-kind transfers.

Such a move also means that citizens will be left at the mercy of the private sector to avail of basic services, which would lead to large-scale exclusion of the poor and vulnerable, affecting human development outcomes for current and subsequent generations. If there is an immediate learning for India from Canada and almost all European countries where UBI pilots are being discussed, it is the model of free public provisioning of basic services and not UBI, which is complementary to and not a substitute for public services.

Is there an alternative?

Even if additional resources are mobilised, will it justify UBI? The answer is an emphatic no. Given the level of deprivation and lack of availability of basic services, what is required is an increase in provision of basic facilities. India is among the countries with the lowest levels of spending on health and education.

A better way to implement UBI would be to follow the principle of universality. One existing programme which seeks to deliver a basic income to citizens is the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It provides a modest income transfer to those who have been excluded from the labour market, including widows, the elderly and the disabled  also classified as BPL households. Such programmes could be made universal, at least for these groups. It is also important to increase the quantum of transfers to at least half of the poverty line at Rs 1,000 per month. The total expenditure would be less than 0.5 per cent of GDP.

Universal basic services

Most countries which are at the forefront of experimenting with UBI have a long history of being welfare states, based on the principle of free and universal access to basic services. Besides health and education, these include various forms of social protection such as unemployment allowance. The current debate in these countries is a natural extension of the welfare architecture that has worked with public expenditure over the years.

On the other hand, India is yet to acknowledge the importance of public provisioning of basic services, leave alone creating an infrastructure for it. While cash transfers and social support measures are important for those unable to access the labour market, what is also important is to increase spending on basic services.

An essential component of such an architecture is the basic principle of universal access for everybody at the same cost (in most cases, free). It has been shown in India that even the most corrupt programmes, such as the PDS, have seen massive improvement after they were universalised. What India needs at this moment is not a costly adventure like UBI at the cost of all other government expenditure, but a push towards universal access to basic government-provided services for all sections of the population. Such a proposal for universal basic services (UBS) should be a pre-condition before UBI can be considered.

The writer is Assistant Professor of Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Published with permission from Ideas For India, an economics and policy portal. You can read the full version here
With the Centre's ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) maintaining silence over its nominee for the presidential poll, major opposition parties plan to intensify efforts for finalising a joint candidate for the top post for which they are likely to approach regional players.

Opposition sources said efforts are on to bring political rivals Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on the same page, while also trying to rope in Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha.

Senior opposition leaders at the forefront of the move to field a joint candidate against the NDA nominee are likely to meet SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati and Patnaik over the next few days.

They could also approach the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ally Shiv Sena. The two oldest saffron partners have been locked in rancorous disputes despite being coalition partners in governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

The talk of a consensus candidate gained momentum after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke in favour of a second term for incumbent Pranab Mukherjee and prodded the NDA government to build a consensus around him.

The Congress, to which Mukherjee belonged before becoming the President, has so far been non-committal on a second term for him. "It is up to the government to bring about a consensus among all on a candidate it proposes," a senior Congress leader said, and maintained the Modi dispensation was unlikely to support Mukherjee for a second term.

Despite BJP's emphatic victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top constitutional position.

The K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) Congress and the ruling Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) of Telangana have already promised to back the NDA nominee in the election.

Opposition sources said its candidate for the top post could be a non-Congressman. The names of former West Bengal governor, the euridite Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) veteran Sharad Yadav are doing the rounds in political lobbies as possible opposition nominee.

The name of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has also been discussed by the opposition camp, but the astute Maharashtra politician has said he would not contest the poll.

The opposition, sources said, wanted to put up a candidate who has impeccable secular credentials, and who could "maintain secular supervision of the Indian Constitution."



Congress president Sonia Gandhi has already held talks with key players like Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Sonia is likely to hold talks with some other leaders this week and among them could be BSP supremo Mayawati.

Sources in the Congress and some other parties said they wanted the opposition unity over the presidential election extended to the Lok Sabha election in 2019.

The Congress' communications department chief Randeep Surjewala said," All opposition parties including the Congress will work to build a consensus for a candidate with an unquestionable record of dedication and commitment to the founding principles of Constitution, bereft of political colour or pressure from the ruling dispensation."



"We want that India should have a president who can guide the government when it goes astray on being drunk with the brute majority and remind them of 'raj dharma'," he told PTI.

Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said the opposition should unite to put up a consensus candidate.

"We want secular supervision of Constitution. The President is the custodian of the Indian Constitution. We want a person whose secular credentials are impeccable," CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told PTI.

"The President should do a secular supervision of the Indian Constitution and not a communal supervision," he said.

The term of Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24 and the election has to take place before that.
Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sharath Kumar, Vijayakanth...take your pick. In movie-mad Tamil Nadu, the transition from a film actor/director to is effortless. And, the latest chatter is about joining . This is not the first time. Before the 2009 general election, a gathering of diehard Rajini fans converged at a small temple in Rajapalayam to pray that their icon get a divine message and join .

With the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in a shambles after Jayalalithaas death and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam seemingly powerless in wresting power, the state is sensing a leadership vacuum. Rajinikanth, once a bus conductor in Karnataka, who then made good in Tamil Nadus film industry, was supposed to meet fans from April 12 to 16. This meeting, for fans to get themselves photographed with the legendary actor, would have been the first time in 10 years that the star met his admirers personally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called on Rajini at the latters residence a few days before the 2014 Lok Sabha poll. Last week, Bharatiya Janata Party national secretary H Raja said Rajini was a popular personality and welcome to join their party. Rajini on board the BJP will be an electoral trump card for the latter, yet to make inroads in the state.

Sensing that his fans would ask questions about political options, the April 12 meeting never happened and was postponed indefinitely, to be then held in Chennai last week, in truncated form. Please dont ask political questions, he told reporters when they quizzed him about joining politics. To his fans, the actor said: My life is in the hands of God. Im not sure what he has in store for me. But, I will always perform the duty that he bestows on me. So, dont feel disappointed if I dont enter politics.

In the same breath, he added that if he did join politics, he would ensure no place for those seeking material gain. Money-minded people will be shunned. So, I warn you now itself to stay away, he said.

Rajinikanths comments to his fans were as cryptic as Kamalahaasans comments on state politics, on leaders and followers and a range of other issues. Clearly, it is not only the people of Tamil Nadu who can sniff a vacuum but the film leadership as well. However, something is holding all of them back. And, it looks as if the BJP will have to wait before it can snare a really big personality to lead it in the state.
The opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday hit out at the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha accusing it of failing on all fronts amid rampant corruption, misrule, farmers' miseries and sluggish industrial activity.

"BJD had promised to transform Odisha, but pushed the the state backward because of misrule, corruption, neglect of farmers and farm sector and inefficiency for the last 17 years," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

Mocking BJD for celebrating completion of three years of its fourth term in power, Harichandan said the state witnessed growing unemployment as the Naveen Patnaik government failed to give momentum to industrial activities.

The Congress leader lashed out at the BJD regime for the fate of mega steel projects like Posco and ArcellorMittal.

While the ruling BJD is making tall claims about development to mislead people, the state's debt burden has sky-rocketed to Rs 65,000 crore in the last 17 years from Rs 18,000 crore in year 2000 when the regional party assumed power, Harichandan said.

The condition of farmers remained miserable and many of them committed suicide due to crop failure and debt burden, he claimed, adding, though BJD promised to irrigate 10 lakh hectare land in five years, barely one lakh hectare had been irrigated in last three years.

Though BJD had given a guarantee in its 2014 election manifesto that all villages will get safe drinking water, 98 per cent houses in rural areas are deprived of piped water till date, the PCC chief claimed.

Around 18 per cent of people are still forced to drink contaminated water from ponds, nullahs and canals, he said.

Electric supply was promised to all houses, but 33 lakh families are still deprived of power supply, Harichandan said adding agriculture sector is yet to get free electricity.

The promise to provide cold storage in every block remains hollow as only 33 of the 108 cold storages in the state are functioning at present, he said.

Stating that many BJD leaders are embroiled in chit fund scams, Harichandan said the scandal involved corruption to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore which ruined around 30 lakh families in the state.

As atrocities against women soared, about six rape incidents are being reported everyday in the state, he said adding, law and order situation remained pathetic though the chief minister held the home portfolio.

The state government failed to provide work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGA), forcing around five lakh people to migrate outside the state in search of jobs, the PCC chief claimed.

Speaking in the same vein, BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan alleged that major industrial projects failed to take off in Odisha and several of them backtracked.

Because of lack of necessary support and cooperation from the state government, industrial houses are now reluctant to invest in Odisha, he alleged.

Accusing the BJD government of neglecting the MSME sector, he said this important sector is capable of providing a large number of jobs.
From Day One, has wanted to do away with a practice scrupulously pursued whenever theres a regime change in Uttar Pradesh  wholesale transfers and postings.

Over the years, the transfer-posting industry had spawned formidable lobbies in various sectors, including the media and private business. The thumb rule was that those overtly or tangentially marked as the preceding governments favourites had to be banished. Come a new chief minister and his information secretariat issued a voluminous handout each day of transfers and postings, with vested interests making a killing when their recommendations were accepted.

Our governments in no hurry to remove officers who were close to the Samajwadi Party or the Bahujan Samaj Party or both. Theres no bias. We will observe and give everyone an opportunity, said Sunil Bansal, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys UP general secretary, counted among the dispensations go-to men.

Sulkhan Singh, the newly appointed director-general of police, told this newspaper: The CMs directive to us is, nobody should be transferred on the suspicion that the previous government might have protected him. Cases will be considered on merit.

However, 135 IAS and provincial civil service officers were shuffled around after Adityanath took over; nine have been kept without work. The choice was deliberate; such persons are not role models in any administration, says a BJP official. That list has former CM Akhilesh Yadavs movers and shakers, such as his principal secretary, Anita Singh, and Navneet Sehgal, seen as his handyman. The BJP has construed the punishment to the nine as a warning to the bureaucracy that recalcitrance and shifty loyalties will not be countenanced.

That the commandments to officialdom were issued by a BJP functionary and not a minister is a reflection of the Yogi governments work style. Fashioned not so much by the saffron-robed CM as the BJP, functioning as a parallel and equally forceful apparatus.

Irrigation minister Dharampal Singh underlined the partys place in the governments scheme, saying, Do district officers ever listen to farmers and other aggrieved sections? Never. Thats why we have asked a BJP functionary and a senior minister to spend two hours by turn at the party headquarters daily, to hear people. Additionally, every minister has been tasked to mind one or more districts, and monitor the working of welfare schemes through local party representatives. And, if necessary, tick off defaulting officers, even on peril of breaching protocol.

Yogis nascent regime has tried to message that it meant business in capital letters in other ways, too. Dinesh Sharma, the deputy CM in charge of secondary and higher education, said on the day he took the oath of office, six million students wrote the 12th class exam and 10,000 were caught cheating. A former university professor, he says: The offenders are chiefly private schools, run by bureaucrats and politicians through their proxies. The management committee members, in conjunction with the police, abet cheating to get good results. I video-conferenced with 20 district magistrates (DMs) and senior police superintendents, ordered them to install CCTVs in the exam centres and see that no management committee member was present within 200 metres. A couple of such members were arrested. From the fourth day of the exams, copying complaints ceased, he claimed.

When a scam where petrol stations were found using electronic chips to short-change consumers was unearthed, the owners threatened to strike. Health minister and government spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh told this newspaper: We were determined not to relent. A delegation met us a day before the threatened strike. We said, either go back and open your pumps or face arrest because the CM will invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act. They fell in line.

However

However, Lucknows establishment has not picked up the signals in the way Yogi had intended. A senior bureaucrats take was, If Akhilesh was a non-starter from the word go because his father had packed the CMs office with his persons, Yogis hands are also tied by the PMO (prime ministers office). He claimed P K Mishra, additional principal secretary in the PMO had tapped officers hailing from UP in his parent Gujarat cadre, asking if they would want to be deputed to Lucknow.

That Yogi couldnt have his way was evident when Avinish Awasthi did not become the chief secretary as he had hoped. As the DM of Gorakhpur, Awasthi had impressed the CM.

Yogi did the next best thing, appointing Awasthi principal secretary, vesting in him the mandate Sehgal had. He wanted to convey that Awasthi, like Sehgal, is a power centre, a bureaucrat said. Rahul Bhatnagar, a hangover from the Akhilesh era, continues as chief secretary.

After two months into his tenure as CM, Yogi on Friday (on May 19) finally got a principal secretary. Shashi Prakash Goyal, who was repatriated to UP from the Centre, has been appointed principal secretary to the CM. Goyal, an IAS topper of the 1989 batch, served as an understudy to Mayawatis Cabinet secretary, Shashank Shekhar Singh, from 2007 to 2012. In all 74 transfers were carried out on Friday night, taking the number of reshuffles to 209.

To date, Yogi has not constituted his CMO, an exercise his predecessors accomplished within a week of taking over. Apparently, the Centre has shortlisted eight UP cadre officers, including Sanjay Bhoosreddy and Alok Tandon, to be sent any day to Lucknow and fill slots in the CMO.

As incumbents in the police and administration mill around the DGPs headquarters and Lucknows Sachivalaya every day, wanting to know their next destination, a police officer says, Theres tremendous confusion. When the Yogi government came in, all of us had packed our bags. Now, we are in a state of flux and if postings are inordinately delayed, there could be policy paralysis.

A bureaucrat was a tad harsher and said, contrary to expectations, Yogi failed to instil fear down the administrative line. This governments iqbal (integrity) was compromised the day a BJP MP (Saharanpurs Raghav Lakhanpal) broke into the home of a senior police officer and threatened his family, the day a Gorakhpur MLA (Radha Mohan Das Aggrawal) publicly rebuked a young policewoman. When Mayawati was the CM, a minister, Jamuna Prasad Nishad, and his goons had attacked a police station in Maharajganj. Mayawati instantly sacked him and there was no such incident in the rest of her tenure. But, no action has been taken against the Saharanpur legislator and MP. The first political direction from the top has not been good, he said.

A recent migrant to the BJP, who went on to become a cabinet minister under Yogi, concedes a shaky, if not hostile bureaucracy has impeded his functioning. The bureaucracy is reluctant to share information with me. I never get the files I summon. I have had to set up my independent research apparatus to get on with my job, the minister said.

Another government official says the nub of the politician-bureaucrat dialectic was the BJPs return to power after 15 long years. Nobody bothered to cultivate the RSS or the BJP. A generation of bureaucrats dont know what they are about. Their committed officers have retired. So, the BJP is finding it hard to pick its people, he says.

The whir in the secretariat is that rather than work on upper caste officials, the BJP is looking closely at Dalit bureaucrats to build a loyal following. Over the decades, the Dalits have emerged as a pillar in holding up UPs officialdom. With mentor Mayawati down and out, they are looking for a patron in the BJP, a bureaucrat said.

As the BJPs search for its faithful in the system begins, the line between and governance, always fuzzy in UP, might stay that way in the new order.

Challenges before the UP government

Crop loan waiver

At the first Cabinet meeting convened by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he decided to waive off crop loans of Rs 1 lakh each for 860,000 farmers and write off bad loans of another 700,000. The cumulative cost to the state was put at Rs 36,359 crore  possibly more, says Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi. Adds Rajesh Agarwal, finance minister: Much thought went into it. It was a pre-poll promise that had to be redeemed. How will the government handle its fiscal situation after absorbing such a huge amount? We will contain leakages and stop corruption, said Singh. Deputy CM Dinesh Sharmas response: We hope to double productivity with neem-coated urea, crop insurance and higher rates for produce. A bureaucrat close to the CM said unnecessary expenses would be curtailed.

Farm incomes

Agriculture Minister Shahi said he was dismayed that under the earlier Samajwadi Party (SP) government, farmers incomes barely grew. Their purchase target, he said, was four million tonnes (mt) of wheat a year but only 1.2 mt was taken in 2016 (the annual output is 25-27 mt). The new government proposes buying eight mt this year, after having raised the purchase rate from Rs 1,200-1,300 a quintal to Rs 1,700-1,800 a quintal. Potatoes, another UP staple, sold for Rs 280-300 a quintal, got a leg-up when the government bought 100,000 tonnes at Rs 487 a quintal, pushing the market price to Rs 550 a quintal. These are small measures but the cumulative effect will be significant, says Shahi.

Industrial policy

Adityanaths slogan is to create a Vibrant UP a la Gujarat and, therefore, although the BJP had rapped Akhilesh Yadavs investment summits as photo sessions, this government plans to host one in October or November. Satish Mahana, industrial development minister, is fine-tuning a new policy. The promised highlights are no crony capitalism (that has allegedly run the sugar industry to the ground), a separate police to protect industrial estates and clusters, 24x7 power supply, time-bound clearances and streamlined procedures. Mahana says average investment was stuck at Rs 4,000 crore annually for the past 15 years, except in 2013 when sugar mills and state units were divested.

Sand mining

Once a money spinner, sand mining scares the government because it brought disrepute to the earlier BSP and SP administrations, for alleged patronising of criminal syndicates. Sand used to sell for Rs 2,000 a sq ft and is now Rs 20,000 a sq ft after the high court banned mining and sale. Although the HC cleared the Yogi governments new policy, the government has not issued a notification so far. Truckers have refused to transport sand for fear of the police, the construction business is depressed and daily hands are out of a job.

Sugar

Suresh Rana, the minister of state (independent charge) for cane development and sugar mills, sounds at ease with figures. He said 85 per cent of the payment arrears of mills to farmers have been cleared by the government. How did he coerce the private and cooperative mills? Everyone listens to us, nobody dares say no. He claims cane growers of western UP have promised to raise an additional 200,000 hectares this year on land that was used for growing fodder.
Two men were killed and five others were injured when their SUV rammed into a motorised rickshaw in outer Delhi's Baba Haridas Nagar, the police said today.

The incident was reported around 11.35 pm yesterday. The vehicle with six occupants was headed to Gurgaon for a wedding and it overturned after hitting the rickshaw and ramming into a divider.

The police said the driver and the car owner who were in the front seats were killed on the spot.

The police said that when the vehicle, a Nissan Terrano, reached an empty stretch the driver, Ajay, started driving fast to reach early.

The police said the motorised rickshaw driver had a narrow escape as he landed on mud.

The locals informed the police and the fire-brigade. The vehicle was cut open with gas cutters by fire officials to remove the injured.

Three of the occupants of the car were identified as Narender, Vivekanand and Anil. The police said all of them were admitted to the Rao Tula Ram hospital where Shiv Raj and Ajay were declared brought dead.

The other occupants of the car were shifted to Safdarjung hospital and their condition was said to be serious. Doctors informed the police that they would be kept under observation. The police said their statements would be recorded later to verify the cause behind the accident.

The police said the victims are related and stay in the same neighbourhood. The family members have been informed about the incident. Shiv Raj used to be the sarpanch of the village and owned some brick kilns in the area.

The police suspect that driver had dozed off while driving. A few bottles of country-made liquor were seized from the car, however, it has not yet been confirmed if the driver was drinking while driving.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least four policemen were killed today when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The policemen were returning from an operation in Kamal Khel area of Kohat district when terrorists ambushed their vehicle, police said.

A Station House Officer (SHO) and an additional SHO along with two constables died in the firing, they said.

The police have cordoned off the entire area and started a search operation in Lachi tehsil to nab the attackers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A mere 46.3 per cent of votes were cast in the bypoll to Sarai Pipal Thala ward of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) today, a decline of over 14 per cent votes from the 2012 MCD polls.

A total of 24,739 voters, comprising 13,116 males and 11,623 females cast their votes in the bypoll, said a senior official of the Delhi State Election Commission.

The ward has over 53,000 registered voters, he said.

The voting percentage of the ward in the 2012 MCD poll was 60.6 per cent. The bypoll thus saw a decline of over 14 per cent votes this time, the official said.

The voting was affected mildly due to power failure at some of the 57 polling booths because of dust storm and rain in the final hour of polling.

"Otherwise, the voting was peaceful," said the official.

Voting had started on a slow pace with just 8.59 per cent of the votes cast till 10 AM.

Polling in Sarai Pipal Thala and Maujpur wards was postponed due to death of candidates there. Voting for the rest 270 wards in three municipal corporations was held on April 23 and the results were announced on April 26.

In Sarai Pipal Thala ward, Samajwadi Party candidate Dinesh Singh died resulting in the bypoll. His son Himanshu is in the fray from the party.

Sarai Pipal ward is currently held by the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party). The main contenders in the election include Mohammad Sarif (BSP), former leader of opposition in NDMC Mukesh Goel (Congress), Mangat Ram (BJP) and Rajeev Bansal (AAP).

Counting of votes for both the wards will take place on May 23.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least six policemen, including an officer, have been killed and another injured in two separate attacks in Pakistan.

Four policemen were killed when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province yesterday.

The policemen were returning from an operation in Kamal Khel area of Kohat district when militants ambushed their vehicle, police said.

A Station House Officer (SHO) and an additional SHO along with two constables died in the firing, police said, adding that the firing was sudden which suggests that it was a pre- planned attack.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a separate attack, a pair of motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire on a police van in an upscale neighbourhood in the southern port city of Karachi yesterday, killing two policemen and wounding another.

The policemen were sitting in their stationary police van near Daud More when they were fired upon, 'Dawn' quoted Gulshan Superintendent of Police Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto as saying.

Two policemen, an ASI and a head constable, were killed, it said, adding that an injured head constable was admitted to a hospital.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an extremist militant group considered close to the dreaded Islamic State outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Polling for seven urban local bodies today passed off peacefully, barring some stray incidents, in Bihar with around 64 per cent voter turnout.

The elections were held in seven municipal corporations -- Gaya, Munger, Biharsharif, Darbhanga, Ara, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur, 31 nagar parishads (municipal council) and 63 nagar panchayats.

"About 64 per cent polling took place till 5 pm. The voting percentage may increase once we receive the final reports from all the districts," State Election Commissioner A K Chouhan told reporters here.

The fate of 13,027 candidates was now sealed in EVMs, he said.

Polling for Patna Municipal Corporation will be held on June 4 while election for all other nagar parishads and nagar panchayats in Patna district will be held on June 7.

Barsoi Nagar Panchayat in Katihar district would also go to polls on the same day, State Election Commission Secretary Durgesh Nandan told PTI.

Polling was cancelled at a polling station of Naugachhia Nagar Panchayat in Bhagalpur district after an EVM was damaged here, he said.

The election process was also hampered at a polling station of Saharsa Nagar Parishad for a while where some anti-social elements damaged the EVM. Polling was carried out conducted after replacing the unit, he added.

The administration has carried out 769 preventive arrests and seized 319 vehicles, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Seven persons, including three women, were killed and nine others injured when an SUV hit a stationary auto-rickshaw and a car at Umranangal bypass near Beas, around 35 kms from here, today.

The incident occurred when the SUV, heading towards Amritsar from Delhi, rammed into the three-wheeler and the car which were parked on the national highway.

Due to a blind U-turn, the driver of SUV could not see the vehicles parked near the roadside dhaba and rammed into them, police said.

The SUV dragged the auto-rickshaw and the car several feet away, they said.

Among the occupants of the three-wheeler and the car, seven were killed while nine sustained injuries in the accident, police said.

The passengers, who were on their way to the Golden Temple to pay their obeisance there from Nangal Saroa and Nasrala villages of Hoshiarpur district, had halted at the dhaba to buy refreshments, they said.

The deceased have been identified as couple Komalpreet Kaur and Avatr Singh, Kamalpreet Kaur, Sewa Singh, Sarbjit Kaur and Harbhajan Singh. The identity of the seventh is yet to be ascertained.

Among the injured, a one-and-half-year-old baby was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition, police said.

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Delhi Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal has constituted a high-level committee to look after desilting of drains and open manholes in the city so that Delhiites do not have to face waterlogging problems during this monsoon.

The committee comprises various agencies, including the Public Works Department, the three municipal corporations, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), among others. It will be headed by the PWD Secretary.

A top government official said the committee has prepared a plan to desilt by June 15 all 163 major drains in the city, which cause massive waterlogging every monsoon. The committee will coordinate the desilting work among the different agencies so that they don't end up passing the buck among each other, he said.

"The committee has asked all agencies concerned to come up with their detailed plans on the removal of silt from drains and roads by May 26, and also report how many drains they have been desilted so far," the official told PTI.

The PWD is in charge of 1,260 km of roads in the capital while the rest fall under the jurisdiction of the three MCDs.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the normal monsoon onset date in the national capital is June 29.

"As the committee has representatives from different agencies, they will work in tandem to desilt drains and cover all open manholes under their jurisdiction. The committee will closely monitoring the situation with various agencies," the official said.

Open manholes on the city's roads often cause fatal accidents and that committee has asked for plans to cover the same if they are left open in their areas.

Last year, the Delhi government had banned road-cutting activities during monsoon, but due to poor monitoring, the ban could not be implemented.
As the Centre's ruling NDA maintained silence over its nominee for the presidential poll, major opposition parties plan to intensify efforts for finalising a joint candidate for the top post for which they are likely to approach regional players.

Opposition sources said efforts are on to bring political rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party on the same page, while also trying to rope in Naveen Patnaik's BJD in Odisha.

Senior opposition leaders at the forefront of the move to field a joint candidate against the NDA nominee are likely to meet SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati and Patnaik over the next few days.

They could also approach the BJP's ally Shiv Sena. The two oldest saffron partners have been locked in rancorous disputes despite being coalition partners in governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

The talk of a consensus candidate gained momentum after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke in favour of a second term for incumbent Pranab Mukherjee and prodded the NDA government to build a consensus around him.

The Congress, to which Mukherjee belonged before becoming the President, has so far been non-committal on a second term for him. "It is up to the government to bring about a consensus among all on a candidate it proposes," a senior Congress leader said, and maintained the Modi dispensation was unlikely to support Mukherjee for a second term.

Meanwhile, when asked about who would be the NDA's presidential candidate, BJP president Amit Shah told Tv channel Aaj Tak that a decision is yet to be taken.

"Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first," he said.

He also rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal to field RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, saying the Sangh has itself rejected the idea.

Despite BJP's emphatic victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top constitutional position.

The KCR Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana have already promised to back the NDA nominee in the election.

Opposition sources said its candidate for the top post could be a non-Congressman. The names of former West Bengal governor, the euridite Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav are doing the rounds in political lobbies as possible opposition nominee.

The name of NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also been discussed by the opposition camp, but the astute Maharashtra politician has said he would not contest the poll.

The opposition, sources said, wanted to put up a candidate who has impeccable secular credentials, and who could "maintain secular supervision of the Indian Constitution."



Congress president Sonia Gandhi has already held talks with key players like Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Sonia is likely to hold talks with some other leaders this week and among them could be BSP supremo Mayawati.

Sources in the Congress and some other parties said they wanted the opposition unity over the presidential election extended to the Lok Sabha election in 2019.

The Congress' communications department chief Randeep Surjewala said," All opposition parties including the Congress will work to build a consensus for a candidate with unquestionable record of dedication and commitment to the founding principles of Constitution, bereft of political colour or pressure from the ruling dispensation."



"We want that India should have a president who can guide the government when it goes astray on being drunk with the brute majority and remind them of 'raj dharma'," he told PTI.

Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said the opposition should unite to put up a consensus candidate.

"We want secular supervision of Constitution. The President is the custodian of the Indian Constitution. We want a person whose secular credentials are impeccable," CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told PTI.

"The President should do a secular supervision of the Indian Constitution and not a communal supervision," he said.

The term of Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24 and the election has to take place before that.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The race to prevent 'catastrophic threat' of antimicrobial resistance, expected to kill up to 10 million people a year globally by 2050, is being hampered by the lack of access to clean water and good sanitation in developing nations including India,a global agency has warned.

WaterAid, an international charity, said India, one of the world's largest consumers of antibiotics, has the highest number of people globally without access to clean water, 76 million, and the most without safe toilets, 774 million.

"India's successes in maternal and newborn health are among those most threatened by the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)," WaterAid also warned, as more women decide to give birth in health facilities, which may lack water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

A recent study published in Lancet has estimated almost 58,000 babies die in India each year from antibiotic resistance bacteria or superbugs.

"Almost one quarter of India's health care centres do not have a water supply and 41 per cent do not provide adequate sanitation," it said in a release.

The release was issued ahead of the meeting of the health ministers of UN member states in Geneva for the annual World Health Assembly, where discussions on tackling antimicrobial resistance are expected to figure prominently.

Referring to a recent study by the London School of Economics and Political Science which has found almost half a billion cases of diarrhoea are treated annually with antibiotics in India, Nigeria, Indonesia and Brazil, WaterAid said the study has "found this could be cut by 60 per cent by improving people's access to clean water and safe sanitation."



Progress on bringing clean water, sanitation and hygiene to developing nations is too slow and is not being sufficiently linked to efforts to tackle the crisis of antimicrobial resistance, it said.

Analysis by the UN revealed aid commitments to water and sanitation have fallen sharply since 2012 despite an international target to reach everyone, everywhere with access to clean drinking water and toilets by 2030.

WaterAid India's Policy Manager on WASH in Health and Nutrition, Arundati Muralidharan said, antimicrobial resistance can seriously undermine the significant progress India has made in reducing deaths among mothers and their newborns.

"Along with medical and pharmaceutical interventions, improvement in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services have the potential to contribute towards India's efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance," Muralidharan said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A private member's bill that seeks to make the compulsory reading in schools and recommends de-recognising institutes that do not follow suit may come up for discussion in the next session of Parliament.

"The noble thoughts and teaching of the will make the younger generation better citizens and enrich their personality," the bill moved by Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri said.

The bill, called the Compulsory Teaching Of As a Moral Education Text Book In Educational Institutions Bill, 2016, stated every educational institution should "compulsorily" teach the Gita as moral education, but said it did not apply to minority schools.

"The government should de-recognise schools that do not comply with the provisions of this legislation," it added.

Bidhuri said in the bill, introduced in Lok Sabha in March, that it was time "sincere efforts" were made to spread the teachings of the Gita.

"It is highly deplorable that such literature containing infinite teachings for all age groups is neglected by our educational institutions," Bidhuri said.

The book contains teachings that range from thoughts on spiritual awakening to lessons on leadership and management, the MP said.

"Many great thinkers from our time such as Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Albert Einstein have all deliberated upon its timeless teachings," he said.

The government would need to make provisions of Rs 5,000 crore for implementing this legislation, and would also entail a non-recurring expenditure of about Rs 100 crore, he stated.

A Lok Sabha bulletin said, "The President, having been informed of the subject matter of the ...Bill ... Recommends to the House the consideration of the Bill under clause (3) of article 117 of the Constitution."



The dates for the next session are still to be decided.
A bomb blast occurred near primary health centre of Moreh town in Manipur, fourth such explosion in as many days in the same police station area, police said.

The explosion took place beside a road in Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district last night.

However, there was no casualty.

Police said that there had been a bomb explosion on Wednesday night in Moreh, followed by a twin bomb attack on the escort party of Parliamentary Secretary (Home) L Susindro Meitei on Friday near Kwatha Lamkhai, 12 km from the town.

Four police personnel had been injured in the attack.

Security measures were beefed up along Indo-Myanmar border following the blasts, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Brazilians around the country staged demonstrations today to call for their president to step down after the supreme court opened an investigation into allegations he endorsed the payment of hush money to a jailed former lawmaker.

The accusations against President Michel Temer have plunged Latin America's largest nation into crisis yet again, sending its currency and stocks plummeting and stalling a series of reforms designed to pull the economy out of a protracted recession. It's been just a year since Temer took over as president following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff.

Now, the calls are growing for Temer himself to be impeached or resign. The latest to join that chorus was Brazil's bar association, which voted late yesterday to submit a request for Temer's impeachment to Congress.

Unions, political parties and activists called for Brazilians to come out today to demand Temer step down, though protests in major cities were smaller than expected.

Hundreds of people huddled under umbrellas and building porticos to avoid the rain in Sao Paulo. Many said they have opposed Temer since he took over from Rousseff because they regard her impeachment as politically motivated and illegitimate. Today, they were protesting Temer's proposals to loosen labour laws and change the pension system as much as they were responding to the recent allegations.

"We're here to get Temer out of government because he is a coup-leader, because he is against teachers" and other workers, said Tatiana Camargos, a 41-year-old biology teacher.

In Rio de Janeiro, 150 people waved union flags on the boardwalk along Copacabana beach. They signed a giant banner with messages, such as, "Out with Temer" and "I want a better Brazil". Another 100 people marched to the house of Rodrigo Maia, speaker of the lower house of Congress, to call for Temer's ouster and immediate elections.

Temer has defied calls to resign, saying the recording was doctored and denying any wrongdoing. The recording appears to have Temer endorsing the payment of bribes to ex-House Speaker Eduardo Cunha in exchange for his silence. Cunha is serving a sentence after a corruption conviction.

Temer has asked the Supreme Federal Tribunal, Brazil's highest court, to suspend its investigation into him, something that it is unlikely to do.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot, who has accused Temer of corruption and obstruction of justice in the case before the court, has said that a preliminary analysis of the recording showed that the conversation it contained was logical and coherent and its contents were consistent with the testimony of people cooperating with the prosecutor's office.

Some allied political parties have already withdrawn their support for Temer and others are considering it. The proposals to change the labour law and pension system have stalled in Congress amid the political turmoil, and many fear the country will remain in limbo for as long as Temer is in power.

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The BSF and the Punjab Police in a joint operation today claimed to have busted a terror module with links to Canada and Pakistan after arresting two suspected Khalistani terrorists.

The duo was arrested from the Indo-Pak border area when they were trying to recover weapons that were earlier smuggled into India from Pakistan, a Punjab Police spokesperson said.

"Those arrested have been identified as Mann Singh (40) from Sri Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur and Sher Singh (28) from Kartarpur in Jalandhar," he said.

Security forces have seized an AK-47 assault rifle, five hand grenades, a modified machine-pistol (MP), five pistols and over 450 rounds of ammunition of different calibre from the duo, he said



"The terrorists during preliminary interrogation have said their module was raised and indoctrinated by an Ontario- based Sikh hardliner Gurjivan Singh, who was in touch with them for the past two years, and had motivated them to commit terror strikes in Punjab," the spokesman said.

"Gurjivan made two trips to Punjab in the last six months, and had arranged the arms and ammunition for their operations through his Pakistan-based Khalistani contacts," he said.

The spokesman said they were planning to target "enemies of the Panth".

They also said during his last two trips to Punjab, Gurjivan had imparted them theoretical training on handling arms, including the AK-47 rifle, he said.

"One of the arrested has said the Ontario-based hardliner travelled with them to Uttar Pradesh to procure arms but were unsuccessful. Subsequently, Gurjivan had promised to arrange it through his Khalistani contacts in Pakistan and their ISI handlers," the spokesman said.

During the interrogation, Mann also confessed to having made several visits to Pakistan and being in touch with some Khalistani activists there, he claimed.

The spokesman said the arms and ammunition seized during the operation were found buried close to the Indo-Pak border and the suspects had been provided with the co-ordinates of the spot.

They had reached the border early this morning and were looking for the spot when the BSF personnel apprehended them, he said.

The suspects are being interrogated and their immigration records are being retrieved to track Gurjivan's movements, he added.

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Private sector life insurer Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance is focusing on increasing insurance penetration in small cities, towns and rural areas.

"Insurance awareness is increasing. The penetration is more required in semi-urban, rural, tier II &III cities and that has been our new focus for us now," Canara HSBC OBC Life Insurance Chief Executive Officer Anuj Mathur told PTI.

"If I look back on how the insurance awareness has changed, I think the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti is the key which was launched in 2015," he said.

Mathur said insurance awareness has increased manyfold which is helping in improving insurance penetration.

"The advance which we have with these three banks is that together they have got over 9,000 branches spread across India. Branches are also in small towns and villages and through these branches we are increasing our insurance penetration," Mathur said.

Currently, 95 per cent of these bank branches are selling insurance products for Canara HSBC OBC Life under the bancasurance channel.

On the company's listing plan, Mathur said they are working on it.

"It's not that next two-three years we can come up with an initial public offer (IPO). For the long term, definitely there is a plan. We are trying to grow this business which is growing by 35-40 per cent every year," he said further.

The life insurer is also in talks with a few banks to expand business and is also open to agency tie-ups where separate branches need to be opened.

He said the company has expertise and run the bancasurance model successfully for the last nine years.

"We know how to manage this business. So we are talking to few banks. I think there is potential and we would be looking for tie-ups in years to come."



In the current fiscal, the company is targeting a growth of 30 per cent, he said, adding there is huge potential in the digital channel.

In 2016-17, the company grew by 39 per cent and made a net profit of Rs 111 crore.

The company is also investing across digital channels to build capabilities to tap this opportunity, he added.

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China has successfully mined 'flammable ice' from under the South China Sea, describing the advance as a major breakthrough and the key to future global energy supply.

The ice-like compounds, called Methane hydrates, hold vast reserves of natural gas trapped in water molecules.

"It looks like ice crystals but if you zoom in to a molecular level, you see that the methane molecules are caged in by the water molecules," said Praveen Linga, associate professor at the National University of Singapore.

Officially known as methane clathrates or hydrates, they are formed at very low temperatures and under high pressure.

They can be found in sediments under the ocean floor as well as underneath permafrost on land. Despite the low temperature, these hydrates are flammable.

One cubic metre of the compound releases about 160 cubic metres of gas, making it a highly energy-intensive fuel.

Methane hydrates were discovered in Russia in the 1960s, but research into how to extract gas from them from maritime sediment only began in the last 10 to 15 years.

The compound is thought to have the potential to be a revolutionary energy source that could be key to future energy needs and likely the world's last great source of carbon-based fuel.

"Compared with the results we have seen from Japanese research, the Chinese scientists have managed to extract much more gas in their efforts," Linga was quoted as saying by the 'BBC News'.

"So in that sense it is indeed a major step towards making gas extraction from methane hydrates viable," he said.

An average of 16,000 cubic meters of gas with high purity have been extracted per day in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea.

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Cuban state television responded to a statement by US President Donald Trump -- railing against "cruel despotism" in the Caribbean country and advocating democracy -- by calling it "ridiculous."



Trump's words came in a tribute on Cuban Independence Day, which marks victory against the Spanish colonial authorities 115 years ago, calling for economic freedoms and respect for human rights in Cuba.

"Cruel despotism cannot extinguish the flame of freedom in the hearts of Cubans, and... Unjust persecution cannot tamper Cubans' dreams for their children to live free from oppression," he said in a statement.

Cuban television broadcast its response late in the evening, describing Trump as "the ill-advised US president" and his statement as "controversial and ridiculous."



"Even the US government itself is aware of the contradictory and clumsy pronouncements of the billionaire tycoon-turned-president on both foreign and domestic policy," it said.

The broadcast did not say whether the Cuban statement constituted an official response, nor did it directly address Trump's criticisms.

One-party communist Cuba has been ruled by President Raul Castro for 12 years since he took over from his ailing brother Fidel, the revolutionary leader who died in November having defied the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule.

Former US president Barack Obama presided over an opening toward Cuba that saw full diplomatic ties restored after decades, but Trump has threatened to roll back the historic rapprochement.

His statement came two weeks after the State Department said the White House would press Cuba on human rights progress, saying it was carrying out a "comprehensive policy review."



Castro, 85, has said that he will step aside in February 2018. It is not clear who will take his place next year.

Cuba officially became an independent nation on May 20, 1902 after fighting a war of independence, backed by the United States, against Spain from 1895-98.

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The reasons behind India agreeing to cost escalation by the Russian side for the refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov should be disclosed, the Central Information Commission has held.

The commission also directed the Navy to disclose reasons why the country chose a refurbished warship instead of purchasing a new one.

The deal for purchasing the ship, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, was signed in 2004 by the then NDA government at USD 974 million which was increased to final price of USD 2.35 billion in 2010.

The commission has also directed the Indian Navy to disclose "net final cost" including the expenditure on the modifications, renovations and remodelling done on the now 30 -year-old ship and also dates of payments made by India.

Information Commissioner Amitava Bhattacharyya noted that the Navy was trying to put the onus of disclosure on the defence ministry whereas the ministry made clear that the reply is to be furnished by the force.

Bhattacharyya directed the Navy to disclose file notings, correspondence, documents related to the acceptance of cost- revisions demanded by the Russians.

The commission has directed the disclosure as it found that there was a "larger public interest" in the information which was withheld by the ministry and the Navy on the grounds of national security.

Bhattacharyya also directed the ministry to disclose reasons why India chose to opt for a refurbished warship in place of a new one.

The case relates to RTI application filed by activist Subhash Agrawal who had demanded a range of information on the acquisition of the 44,500-tonne aircraft carrier.

The ship was originally commissioned by the erstwhile USSR on December 20, 1987 and was decommissioned in 1996.

After being inducted in the Navy as Vikramaditya, the ship is now a floating airfield with a length of 284 metres.

It is a 20-storeyed steel megastructure floating in the sea from keel to the highest point.

The ship can carry over 30 aircraft including state-of- the-art MiG 29K or Sea Harriers, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALH-Dhruv and Chetak helicopters.

With 22 decks and a capacity of 1,600 personnel, the ship can sustain itself at sea for 45 days upto a range of over 13,000 kms.

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Divij Sharan and Purav Raja won their first title of the 2017 season and maiden on the clay courts by lifting the Bordeaux Challenger trophy with a straight sets win over Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Artem Sitak, here today.

The third seeded Indians defeated the fourth seeded Mexican-Kiwi combination 6-4 6-4 in the summit clash that was over in 67 minutes.

Divij and Raja saved all the four breakpoints they faced in the match and broke their rivals twice -- once in each set.

"It was pretty tough field as we beat players like Kokkinakis and Paes to win the title. It is out first title on clay and it's encouraging to get this win going into the French Open," Divij told PTI.

This year Divij and Raja have mostly played on the ATP World Tour and it was only their fourth tournament on the Challenger Tour.

"It was not a deliberate choice. It was the obvious choice for us to play a Challenger this week as the only Tour event this week is ATP 1000 in Rome and our rankings was not good enough to make the cut there.

"Our goal is is to play the highest level tournaments because we won't move up in rankimgs by playing lower level tournaments. Next week we are playing Leon, Mexico and then the French Open," Divij said.

Reaching the final of the ATP Chennai Open has been their best show so far.

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Novak Djokovic overcame having to play twice in a day before cruising into the final of the Rome Masters with a ruthless 6-1 6-0 win over Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic, the former four-time champion, was forced to finish his quarter-final over Juan Martin del Potro earlier in the day after their match was rained off late on Friday.

But the setback seemed only to inspire the 30-year-old Serbian second seed, as he set up what is expected to be a mouthwatering final, and first meeting, with Germany's Alexander Zverev.

"It was my best performance of the year," said Djokovic yesterday after his 59-minute win over Thiem who had knocked out Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

Zverev, 20, became the youngest player in a decade to reach a Masters final when he clinched a gutsy 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 win over big-serving American John Isner.

Djokovic was the previous youngest Masters finalist, going all the way to the title in Miami as a 19-year-old in 2007.

Zverev will climb to a new career high in the rankings at number 14 by reaching the final and would break into the top 10 with the title.

"I don't look at these kind of stats, who is the youngest player to have a Masters 1000 title or things like this. I try to play match by match and try to improve," said Zverev, who fired 12 aces and 41 winners past the 32-year-old Isner.

Thiem, beaten to the Madrid Masters title by Nadal last week, avenged his loss by dumping Spain's former seven-time Rome champion out in the quarters on Friday.

But the Austrian's dream run was quickly brought to an end by a clinical Djokovic on Saturday as the Serbian took his record to 5-0 against the 23-year-old.

In the WTA event, French Open champion Garbine Muguruza was forced to retire due to a neck injury from her semi-final against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.

The Spanish third seed was 1-4 down after just 22 minutes in the first set when she quit, handing the eighth-seeded Svitolina a place in today's final against Romania's Simona Halep.

Svitolina will chase a fourth title of the year after trophy triumphs in Taiwan, Dubai and Istanbul.

Muguruza had needed three sets to beat Venus Williams in the quarter-finals on Friday night.

"I didn't want to leave Rome without trying to play," said Muguruza.

Sixth-seeded Halep, the champion in Madrid last weekend, reached her first final in Rome after sweeping aside Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 7-5 6-1 in her semi-final.

"Sometimes a win over a top player gives you confidence," Halep said after her semi-final.

"Sometimes the work you do before the tournaments gives you confidence that you are ready to go. Sometimes just winning some matches, tough ones, even if in three sets, those are the most important matches.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 52 kg of smuggled gold, worth Rs 15 crore, from a consignment imported by a Delhi-based firm at Mundra port, an official said today.

Sleuths of the Gandhidham regional unit of DRI seized the gold from a consignment of Param Equipments Pvt Ltd, concealed in a frame of egg incubator last night, Gandhidham DRI deputy director H K Singh told reporters.

The company belongs to one Harnek Singh, who in his last consignment had imported smuggled 44 kg gold, which was seized by the DRI in Delhi. He was subsequently arrested on May 13, the officer said.

"The gold was being smuggled by M/s Param Equipments Pvt Ltd in a frame of egg incubator. This was his (Singh's) 49th import. In his last consignment he had smuggled 44 kg of gold that was caught by DRI, Delhi," he said.

The modus operandi involved Singh's relatives living in Dubai. He used to send remittances to Dubai by hawala, he said.

"We cracked the modus operandi and seized 52 kg of gold worth Rs 15 crore," said Singh.

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The postman knocks at their door and their mail inboxes spill over, as friends, admirers and strangers alike recall how their lives were touched by the late Leila Seth, India's first woman chief justice.

Seth, 86, died earlier this month, but the outpouring of grief, love and affection continues.

"We have received so many beautiful letters, from noted personalities to ordinary people, who are sharing their feelings with us and the bond they enjoyed with her," her daughter Aradhana told PTI.

From President Pranab Mukherjee to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, noted personalities have written to the family. Many of the letters, such as Sen's, were addressed to her elder son, celebrated author Vikram Seth.

Some of the messages were sent through post, while others were emailed to the family.

"The gesture is touching, but more so, it has also given us a window into the life of our mother, which we didn't know about," Aradhana said.

It was when they received a letter from Katha, signed by every member of the publishing house, that the family got to know about the links that Justice Seth shared with the literary group.

"Then there are strangers, who had met mama sometime, and have recalled her persona," she said.

Seth's younger son Shantum, a peace activist, said letters were still coming in and from many parts of the world.

"People from the UK, the US and other places have written to us. We got beautiful and meaningful messages from (Buddhist nun) Sister Chan Khong and from the Plum Village Sangha of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh," he told PTI.

There were so many letters that some were still to be opened, he said.

"Even the letters sent by Dr (Amartya) Sen or Mrs (Sonia) Gandhi are written in a very personal way, and how mama touched their lives," he said.

Aradhana, a filmmaker, said the family planned to put old photographs up at the venue of a memorial being held for Justice Seth here on May 30.

"We wish to share the life of our mom with people, who have overwhelmed us with their show of affection and love," Aradhana said.

"Mama touched so many lives and now those lives are touching us," she said.

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The Ukrainian-language service of European television channel Euronews said it was to close down today because of financial difficulties.

"After nearly six years of work, Euronews will cease broadcasting in Ukrainian on Sunday, May 21," it said in a Facebook post yesterday.

The move comes two years after the Ukrainian government stopped financing the service.

The state-run National Television Company of Ukraine (NTKU) reportedly owed the channel some 10 million euros (USD 11 million) throughout its six years on air.

On its first day of broadcasting in 2011, Euronews' Ukrainian service was accused of having a pro-government bias after downplaying the size of an opposition rally against then president Viktor Yanukovych.

Euronews broadcasts in Ukrainian began as the result of a 2009 agreement between the NTKU and the European channel headquartered in the French city of Lyon.

Euronews was founded in 1993 as an alliance of some 20 public broadcasters.

In 2015, the outlet sold a controlling stake to Egyptian telecom and media magnate Naguib Sawiris.

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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has begun grading the industrial training institutes across the country by giving them star ratings based on their facilities, performance and placement record.

More than 3,500 ITIs out of over 13,000 have already been graded, with the best performers qualifying for the five-star rating, a senior government official told PTI.

The government's vocational training programmes are administered by industrial training institutes (ITIs), which cater to about 36 per cent of the 7 million people presently enrolled in various training programmes in India.

The grading of ITIs will help the students to opt from the best institutes, and employers by providing them the formal governmental recognition for the level of quality of training and facilities provided at the institutes.

The evaluation is done in two phases, a self appraisal followed by an in-depth assessment by the Directorate General of Training, the umbrella body overseeing the functioning of ITIs and other training institutes.

Significantly, the National Council on Vocational Training (NCVT) recognition will be withdrawn from ITIs opting out of the grading procedure and their certificates would bear "ungraded ITI", thereby lowering the employment prospects of students studying in these institutes.

On the other hand, ITIs who opt for grading and secure a rating of 3-star and above can avail a host of benefits. Such ITIs will be eligible to receive financial support under the government's schemes, including those funded through the World Bank assistance, and their principals and instructors will be trained in central institutes in India and abroad.

The star performers will qualify for the best ITI award, to be conferred upon them by the government. They will have flexibility in charging higher course fee from students and no re-affiliation will be required if an ITI continuously scores three-star and above rating. The star rating will be displayed on the NCVT certificates of trainees, brightening their employment prospects.

"The grading outcome will act as a crucial input to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses across institutes and the trades offered therein. It will help the Directorate General of Training to identify specific problem areas and design effective policy interventions," another government official said.

The grading process is based on 43 parameters, including infrastructure around a particular institute, level of engagement with the industry, availability and specification of machines, tools and equipment, qualified instructors, availability of a full-time principal, drop-out rate, record of placement, pass-out ratio, among others.

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The Haryana government today said it has prepared a draft policy to develop the state into a start-up hub by supporting new-age innovators and entrepreneurial talents.

The policy aims at facilitating a minimum venture capital funding of Rs 200 crore, and encouraging, facilitating and incubating at least 500 start-ups, an official spokesman said.

He said it plans to attract investments to the tune of Rs 500 crore in the incubation and start-up ecosystem of the state during the policy period.

This will be done by creating a sustainable ecosystem of innovation, research and development and engineering, aligning Haryana with the Centre's Start-up India initiative, the spokesman said.

Enhancing links between universities, research institutions and the business community will be essential to creating the ecosystem, he said.

"It has been proposed that an IT start-up hub in Gurgaon and at least 10 technology, business incubators or accelerators will be setup in different regions of the state," the spokesman said.

The plan is also to have incubation centres in all parts of the state, and develop one million square feet of incubation space, he said.

The spokesman said a start-up according to the draft policy will be an entity that is registered in Haryana not prior to five years and with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs 25 crore.

The start-up should be working towards innovation, development, deployment or commercialisation of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property, he said.

Applications to register under the policy will be scrutinised by a committee headed by the principal secretary or secretary of the Industries Department, the spokesman said.

The shortlisted start-ups would then have to get a certification from Policy Implementation Committee after which they would be eligible for financial incentives, he said.

The pillars of the draft policy will be infrastructure augmentation, fiscal support, fund of fund creation, regulatory support and student entrepreneurship, the spokesman said.

Under infrastructure augmentation a 10,000 square feet warehouse, a 4,000 square feet mobile application centre and a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship will be built in Gurgaon, he said.

In fiscal support, the government would provide fiscal incentives to incubators, including capital subsidy, reimbursement for recurring expenses, and exemption on stamp duty and registration, the spokesman said.

Start-ups would also be given interest, lease rental and innovation promotion subsidies, and incentives and provisions under the Enterprises Promotion Policy-2015, he said..

Fund of fund component will provide funding to support start-ups and a corpus of Rs 200 crore will be created, the spokesman said.

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It was only last year when Prateik Babbar first confessed of having an alcohol and drug problem and actor says it was a "dark phase" of his life, which he has finally overcome, thanks to his never give up attitude on his acting dreams.

Prateik was raised by his maternal grandparents when his mother and actress Smita Patil died a month after his birth.

In 2011, during "Ekk Deewana Tha" shooting, he began dating Amy Jackson but the two broke up the following year. Prateik then lost his grandmother Vidyatai Patil in 2015 and that was when the actor lost track of reality, he admits.

"I was battling drug addiction, substance abuse, battling heart break, lost my grand mother at one point of time. It was a very dark phase for me. Then everything fell into place. If you ask me what is your inspiration being an actor, I will say movies are my inspiration," Prateik told PTI at the trailer launch of his debut Bengali film here.

The 30-year-old star, who began his career with "Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na" in 2008 and went on to appear in films like "Dhobi Ghat" and "Umrika", says more than anything, he is inspired by cinema.

"Now it is all about working and doing good projects. Many people are interested to work with me. Very soon I will make an important announcement for you."



Prateik is venturing into Bengali cinema with his film "Aroni Tokhon" which also features his "Hate Story" co-star Paoli Dam.

"My father (Raj Babbar) had acted in Bengali films and I had always wanted to do one. Now I think I can do a second one (in Bengali). I love the language and would certainly like to learn Bengali."



He says his one of the main reasons to say yes to this project is it's subject-- "student-teacher relationship".

"As I am instantly hooked to any simple and pure tale of student-teacher relationship, I again fell in love with my character in this film, who is a non-Bengali Punjabi guy sharing a beautiful relationship with his Bengali lady teacher and there is nothing sexual about it.

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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the UP police to probe the death of Karnataka- cadre IAS officer Anurag Tiwari is meticulously studying the case from all angles before submitting its report.

"The SIT team is yet to submit its report as it is going through all the possible clues and angles meticulously. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has recreated the scene in its probe," Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow, Deepak Kumar told PTI.

So far during the probe, it has been found that there was no return ticket of the officer to Bangalore as reported in sections of the media, he said.

The SIT was constituted under Circle Officer, Hazratganj to probe the death of the young IAS officer on May 18.

Asked to comment on the family members of the deceased alleging that it was a case of murder, Circle officer Awanish Kumar Mishra said they have not got any application for registration of FIR so far.

The officer was found dead on May 17 under mysterious circumstances on a roadside in the high-security Hazratganj area here, hardly a kilometre away from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

As opposition members raised the matter vociferously in the state assembly, the government informed the House that the deceased was about to expose scams worth thousands of crores of rupees under the Congress-led government in Karnataka.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna's response came amid allegations from opposition benches that Tiwari, 36, posted as commissioner in the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs in Bengaluru, was murdered.

The opposition members tried to corner the ruling BJP over the law and order situation soon after the House met for the day.

Tiwari, a 2007-batch IAS officer, was staying at the Meera Bai guest house with a batchmate after attending a mid-career training programme at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.

He was in his sleepwear when he was found dead, on the day which also happened to be his birthday.

"My son was very honest. Corrupt officers did not like him. They must have somehow got him murdered," his father B N Tiwari had said in Bahraich, his native place.

Tiwari's brother Mayank, when contacted, said that the family members will meet the SSP tomorrow and give him an application to register an FIR against unknown persons in the case.

Mayank has also written a letter to the Prime Minister's Office demanding a CBI enquiry into his brother's death.

In his letter, he said his brother was an honest officer and wanted to work for the betterment of society.

"A few days back, Anurag had told me that he had tumbled upon a major scam in the Food and Civil Supplies department of Karnataka, which he wanted to inform the PMO and CBI," Mayank said in the letter.

He also alleged that there was pressure on Tiwari to withdraw the report which could have nailed senior officers and ministers, had it come in the public domain.

The family members are also likely to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to demand justice for Tiwari.

Sushila Devi, the deceased officer's mother, made a fervent appeal to the prime minister and chief minister demanding justice for her son.

She said she wanted to know why an honest officer was killed. She also mentioned that her son never went for a morning walk.

Police had earlier said there was an injury on his chin and did not rule out that he may have been hit by a vehicle during his morning walk.

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According to the organisers, the festival will feature more than 100 booths, including about 60 food stalls. It is expected to draw some 150,000 visitors.

Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Truong Son stressed that the festival enhances mutual understanding between the two countries and draws overseas Vietnamese in Japan closer together.

The press conference (Source: VNA)

Relations between Vietnam and Japan are thriving, he added, expressing hope that the festival will deepen ties between the two countries governments and people.

Vietnams landscapes and people will be introduced to Japanese friends through various art performances, food and handicraft booths.

Vietnamese pop artists like Ho Quynh Huong, Tieu Chau Nhu Quynh and Ngo Kien Huy will also perform at the festival, along with an Ao Dai (long dress) show.

The Vietnam festival in Japan is an annual cultural exchange activity. It welcomed 200,000 people last year, the largest number of visitors to date.

The festival was first held in 2008 as part of activities to celebrate the 35th year of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations./.
Intelligence Bureau chief Rajiv Jain today met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh here and the two discussed a host of issues related to the state security, including the menace of naxal violence and ways to tackle it.

Jain, an IPS officer, who was on his maiden visit to the Naxal-affected state, paid a courtesy visit to Singhat his official residence here, an official here told PTI.

During an hour-long meeting between the CM and Jain, the discussion was mainly about coordination between the central and state forces and optimum usage of intelligence outputs forwarded by the agency, he said.

There was discussion on imparting pace to the socio- economic development of the area including the infrastructural growth like road building and setting up telecommunication facilities, he said.

Recruitment of youths from Bastar region in police and central forces was also another issue discussed at the meeting, he added.

Jain was on a two-day visit of the state since yesterday.

His visit is considered as crucial as it comes at a time when the security agencies are on high alert following the deadly attack on CRPF personnel last month in Sukma.

Jain also visited Sukma yesterday to take stock of the security situation there.

Subsequently, he held a meeting with senior state and paramilitary officials at Jagdalpur (Bastar district headquarter) to review the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, the official said.

During the meeting at Jagdalpur, detailed information was exchanged on recent attacks that had taken place in Bhejji and Burkapal area of Sukma, he added.

On April 24, Naxalites hadambushed a CRPF patrol party inthe Burkapalarea under Chintagufa police station, in which 25 security personnel were killed.

Earlier on March 11, twelve CRPF personnelwere killed in a Naxal attack in Bhejji area.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Impresa Hospitality is planning pan India and overseas expansion of its Maroosh brand with 300 restaurants in the next five years, a top company executive said.

"Currently we have 15 outlets under Maroosh brand, which is a quick service concept restaurant that fuses Lebanese and Indian cuisine. We have another eight outlets in the pipeline under master franchise route this year.

"Going forward, we are targeting to have 300 Maroosh restaurants in next five years both across the country and overseas," Impresa Hospitality Managing Director and CEO Ketan Kadam told PTI here.

Impresa Hospitality has signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India for Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru targeting to open 105 outlets in three years, he said.

"We have also signed with Franchise India for Maroosh restaurants in Singapore and Hong Kong. We are looking at similar opportunities for rest of the country as well as overseas market for our Maroosh brand," Kadam added.

The company has signed a master franchise agreement with Lalin and Co for three restaurants in Sri Lanka, he said.

It also has a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with an Abu Dhabi-based company for merger-cum-expansion in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nation, he added.

Talking about its FMCG plans, Kadam said the company has started back-end production of curries, marinated chicken and sauces, among others, under the Maroosh brand with a third- party vendor.

The products will not only be used as raw material in the Maroosh restaurants, but will also be sold as ready-to-cook gravies, sauces and ingredients, he said.

"In the first phase, we will sell our back-end production line through e-retail across the country. In phase two, we will also go offline with big retail brands," he added.

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An Indian schoolgirl has allegedly been molested by a Pakistani clerk in a lift in the UAE, a media report said.

The victim had just returned home from school when the 24-year-old suspect touched her in the lift of the building where she lived in Dubai, Gulf reported.

The clerk pressed the second-floor button and when the lift started moving upwards, he grabbed her name tag and tried to read her name but she pulled herself away from him in March, the report said yesterday.

As soon as the lift door opened, the Pakistani clerk, who was not identified by the report, groped the girl after which she ran towards her house and informed her parents who called the police.

The man was apprehended and charged with molesting the schoolgirl, the report said.

The suspect pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

The girl identified the suspect at the police lineup.

A ruling in the case will be announced on May 25.

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Magnificent death bowling saw Mumbai Indians snatch an incredible one-run victory from the jaws of defeat against Rising Pune Supergiant in a thrilling grand finale of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.

This was Mumbai Indians' third trophy in 10 editions and more special for their skipper Rohit Sharma, who is the only captain to win a hat-trick of titles. Rohit has in fact ow won four titles (one for Deccan Chargers in 2009).

For Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it was yet another final that ended in a defeat -- fifth in seven summit clashes.

In one of the closest finals during the 10 editions, the trio of Jasprit Bumrah (2/26 in 4 overs), Mitchell Johnson (3/26 in 4 overs) and Lasith Malinga (0/21 in 4 overs) were brilliant at the death defending a lowly total of 129/8 as Supergiant were restricted to 128 for 6 at the end.

It was Johnson, who kept his nerve during the final over where 11 runs were needed. Manoj Tiwary smacked the first one to mid-wicket boundary bringing the eqaution down to 7 from 5 balls.

However the next two deliveries turned out to be disaster with both Tiwary and skipper Steve Smith (51, 50 balls) were caught in the deep.

With four required off final ball and 3 for a Super Over, Dan Christian went for an impossible 3rd run only to be run out as Mumbai players celebrated like never before.

Credit should also be given to Bumrah and Malinga for giving away only 10 runs between them in the 17th and 18th over which suddenly increased the pressure.

While the target was an easy one, it turned out to be tricky with 47 needed off the last five overs.

With Mahendra Singh Dhoni (10) at the crease in company of Smith, the Krunal Pandya over yielded 14 runs. Dhoni square cut Krunal and then Smith played a reverse pull for a six to get 14 runs off the over.

But death overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah bowled a fuller delivery inducing a thickish edge from Dhoni to bring some cheer back in the MI camp.

At the onset, Rahul Tripathi (3) got a debatable leg before decision off Bumrah's bowling but Ajinkya Rahane (44, 38 balls) and skipper Smith added 54 runs for the second wicket.

Krunal dropped a dolly at cover when Rahane, who was on 14, drove a Malinga delivery uppishly.

Since it was a small target, Rahane and Smith didn't take any undue risk during their stand that lasted 9.3 overs.

Rahane hit some crisp shots including a cover drive off Lasith Malinga and one off Krunal.

They were cruising along nicely till Rahane tried to play a chip shot off a Mitchell Johnson slower, which Kieron Pollard ran from his long-on position, diving forward to take a nice catch.

Earlier, Rising Pune Supergiant stifled Mumbai Indians to 129 for 8 riding on a commendable bowling effort.

The two-time champions were completely off-colour with the willow as they played an astounding 54 dot balls (9 maiden overs) in 20 overs, a testimony to their plight.

Save Krunal (47 off 38 balls), who watched helplessly from the other end, none of the MI batsmen showed judiciousness expected on the grand stage. It was because of Krunal's late hitting (three fours and two sixes) that MI managed to reach close to 130 after being reduced to 79 for 7.

Jaydev Unadkat's (2/19 in 4 overs) dream edition just got better as he dealt twin blows in the third over removing both Parthiv Patel (4) and Lendl Simmons (3) within a space of three deliveries.

Patel mistimed a pull-shot that was taken by Shardul Thakur at mid-on while Simmons was foxed by a slower one which Unadkat smartly snapped inches off the surface.

At 8 for 2, Mumbai's most seasoned pair of skipper Rohit Sharma (24) and Ambati Rayudu (12) came together.

However they couldn't get going with Washington Sundar (0/13 in 4 overs) again proving to be exceptional during the Powerplay overs.

The 17-year-old bowled 15 dot balls in all -- bowling two in Powerplays and two during the middle overs.

Mumbai were under pressure at 16 for 2 in 5 overs before Rohit picked up Lockie Ferguson for some special treatment, hitting four boundaries to get a move on.

But it wasn't long before Rayudu was found short failing to beat Steve Smith's direct throw.

The MI skipper would be cursing himself as it was a half-tracker from Adam Zampa (2/32 in 4 overs) which he pulled to mid-wicket fence where Shardul Thakur showed fantastic balance while latching onto a well-judged catch.

Pollard (7) hit a first-ball six off Zampa but that encouraged the leggie to again flight one outside the off-stump. Pollard took the bait and as has been the case with him was taken in deep by Manoj Tiwary.

At 56 for 5, Mumbai Indians didn't have any chance of recovery. Pandya brothers have had a good tournament but on the day when it mattered most, Hardik played across the line to Dan Christian to be adjudged leg-before.

Shardul once again showed street smartness as he backed up at the striker's end after Karn Sharma's catch was missed by Christian. But his throw saw Shardul racing past Karn to dislodge the bails leaving MI shattered at 79 for 7.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will discuss potential areas of boosting cooperation between India and Africa here tomorrow.

Jaitley will open the India-Africa Cooperation session being held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The sessions will cover areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing among others.

Total trade between India and Africa increased almost five-fold between 2005-06 and 2015-16, and stood at USD 52 billion in March 2016-17.

India's exports to Africa increased from USD 14 billion in 2007-08 to USD 23 billion in 2016-17, with compound annual growth rate of 5.6 per cent.

Indian imports from Africa increased from USD 20 billion in 2007-08 to USD 28 billion in 2016-17 accounting for 7.5 per cent of total Indian imports.

This is the first time that the AfDB is holding its annual meeting outside of the African continent.

Heads of states from Benin and Rwanda and other African countries as well as vice-presidents from Comoros and Cote d'Ivoire and AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina are expected to address the sessions.

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The Alliance Francaise, Kolkata collaborated with 'Jam Masala', a unique global musical initiative comprising artistes from France and India, for an event in the city.

Kolkata was the last leg of Jam Masala's four-city tour.

"Kolkata is the last leg of the four city tour of Jam Masala and the experience here is always different from other places. We had started with Ahmedabad, and then played in Bengaluru and Puducherry. The response was very good and now we are in Kolkata and the response matched our expectations," Jam Masala member Zoe Brook told PTI after performing at the Tolly Club last week.

"The live show mainly focused on improvisation. We made wonderful music for this project," Mainak Bumpy Nag Chowdhury, one of the Indian musicians, said.

Paul Brook, Supriyo Dutta, Gaurab 'Gabu' Chaterjee are the other members of the group.

"There was Jazz, Rock and many different colours in our presentation. While Paul does not always speak English, we do not speak French. But, for all of us, music turned out to be the common language," Supriyo said.

"We will be performing in the US in future to introduce our presentation of Hindustani classical music to the American audience. There were seven compositions here and thanks to Alliance Francaise for supporting Jam Masala," Zoe said.

The compositions included Kya main karun (Jam session), Darvaza khulo, Kolkata blues, Myriads and Instrumentals.

Paul described the overall presentation as a fabric with classical music.

"I am a great fan of Indian classical musicians like Pt Ali Akbar Khan and sitarist Pt Nikhil Banerjee," he said.

"Alliance Francaise will be supporting such initiatives in future as well, which will only enrich cultural exchanges," a spokesperson said.

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The panelists of a conference organised by Jammu For India (JFI) today expressed concern over the Kashmir situation and called for urgent measures to defeat the separatist movement and terrorism in Kashmir.

The seminar was held on the topic 'Betrayal of Jammu' here today in which the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed.

The panelists were of the unanimous opinion that Indian political class, over the years, weakened "nationalists forces" in the state which had resulted in the situation that Jammu was under assault from all sides, an official release said.

The panelists who participated in the seminar were former Jammu and Kashmir DGP M M Khajooria, Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ) President B S Salathia, former minister Pawan Gupta, Panun Kashmir Chairman Ajay Chrungoo, Panun Kashmir Convenor Dr Agnishekhar, JFI Convenor Hari Om among others.

Khajooria said it was sad that the governments in Delhi and Srinagar had miserably failed to comprehend the contours and contents of the Wahabi terrorist challenge in Kashmir.

He accused them of being complicit in compromising the integrity of Jammu region and facilitating the nefarious designs of anti-national elements to subvert peace, harmony and communal amity.

"For over two year the Indian State was perceived to be on retreat in Kashmir. Indian Army, its strong arm the ultimate instrument for asserting the state authority, was systematically demonized," he claimed.

"Government of India abetted this crime against the nation by acts of commission and omission," Khajuria said.

Salathia said the BAJ was committed to protect the national interest as well as interest of the people of Jammu and would be ready for any sacrifice to safeguard it.

Gupta claimed that the government's present policy on Jammu and Kashmir had outrightly failed and the state was facing a malicious, communal and seditious movement.

He claimed that it was a colossal tragedy that the BJP has chosen to abandon people of Jammu who gave it such a huge mandate and enabled it to form a government in the state.

"The recruitment in the state during the BJP-PDP rule clearly demonstrated that Jammu has been marginalised from all recruitment processes. Not only that the entire developmental process in the state has transformed into an overwhelmingly Kashmir-centric process," he said.

Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Chairman Team Jammu and Secretary Press Club Jammu said the state was facing a number of dangers ranging from drug abuse to terrorism.

"Jammu is facing multitude of problems which also includes settlement of Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims. Jammu will defeat the anti-national forces as it has done in the past. There is necessity for all positive forces to unite and strategise," he said.

Chungroo said that the long list of betrayals was justified by many in the name of strategy, tactics and politics to further national interests.

Hari Om alleged that it was an abnormality of Indian state which was eager to accommodate the enemies of the nation, empower them and at the same time weaken and marginalise the patriots.

"We are fighting a battle in Jammu which has far- reaching implications. We have to fight it alone and let the nation join us because in case this doesn't happen, India may perish," he added.

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Property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle Residential (JLLR) will hire about 650 professional brokers and invest about Rs 150 crore this year to expand its presence in both offline and online housing brokerage market.

Last month, global property consultant JLL sold its India residential brokerage arm 'JLLR' to its former country head Anuj Puri for an undisclosed amount.

"We currently have presence in eight major cities of the country with around 350 brokers. We will hire 650 more professional brokers this year to take our strength to 1,000," JLLR's new chairman Anuj Puri told PTI.

He said the company has already added 100 brokers in the last one month.

Puri, who quit JLL India in February this year after serving 10 years in the company to start his own venture, said the company will invest about Rs 150 crore to expand offline and online brokerage business.

JLLR is a profitable company with a revenue of about Rs 70 crore in 2016 calendar year.

Puri said the company is targeting a modest growth in revenue in 2017 at Rs 100 crore as focus this year would be on putting the entire business structure in place.

"In the next five years, we are targeting to reach Rs 1,800 crore revenue," he said, adding that the total size of Indian housing brokerage market is about Rs 18,000 crore.

"Our platform will ensure client satisfaction and solution through a digital to delivery framework which is being put in place through investment on building online system for lead generation and offline brokers for fulfilment of client requirement," Puri said.

Excited about the business opportunities in housing sector, Puri said the institutional residential brokerage will gain momentum after the new real estate law come into force from this month under which even property agents and agencies have to be registered with the regulatory authority.

"In fact, even property brokerage houses will come under the ambit of RERA, meaning that agents or agencies operating in smaller pockets who did not hesitate to foist inferior or flawed properties onto their clients will be wiped out.

"No longer will buyers who used the services of such brokers in the past risk winding up with properties whose defects become evident only after the deal is done," he said.

Puri said he will retain the JLLR brand for now but later rename it to reflect the new ownership structure.

Anuj Puri had joined JLL in 2007 when his company Trammell Crow Meghraj (TCM) merged with JLL India. He has total 22 years of experience in the Indian real estate sector.

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A day before unveiling his bare-all autobiography on 30 years of his professional experience, senior Kerala IPS officer Jacob Thomas today said he paid the price for fighting corruption, but has no regrets.

The book "Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol" (While Swimming along with Sharks) will be released by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tomorrow at the Press Club here.

Kerala former Vigilance Director Thomas said the book is about his life.

"I have written my life experiences, which are my own. No one can tell it as accurately what I have experienced', the officer told PTI.

The officer said his intention was to document his experiences in life.... '30 years of public administration.'



"My experiences in public administration is not a solo act. There will be other participants and players and it is natural that they will get a mention in the book," Thomas said when asked about 'sharks' in his book.

The 1985 batch IPS officer has attacked many leaders and former ministers, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Kerala Congress (B) leader K Balakrishna Pillai and CPI's C Divakaran and mentioned how the investigation of some controversial corruption cases were sabotaged.

In a veiled attack on Chandy, he has stated that those who wanted to protect erstwhile Excise Minister K Babu from bribery charges in the bar case, were responsible for his removal as Vigilance ADGP.

"I have mentioned very good Congress ministers also," he said.

Asked if he had been soft towards the Left politicians, Thomas replied in the negative, saying "I have not been soft even on myself. I have a chapter devoted to my own follies and mistakes."



Thomas said his postings as Kochi police commissioner during which he raided the Rama Varma Club and as chairman and managing director in the Kerala Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) were 'tough struggling periods,' which he weathered and had to 'pay the price for fighting corruption.'



If provided another opportunity, the senior IPS officer said he would 'run the same way.'



"From Kuttiyadi police station job, my first independent posting in 1987 to Director of Vigilance in 2017... I would do the same thing if I am asked to re-run and I have absolutely no regrets,' Thomas said, adding he was always on the side of good governance.

Thomas, known for his tough stand against corruption, said he was still in service.

"Some of the sharks are dead and gone and some are still there and some new sharks have come. Those who are against the good governance in the state are the sharks," he said.

Asked when he would be joining the service, Thomas said he was yet to decide.

He also questioned the appointment of N Shankar Reddy, who is junior to him in the service, as Vigilance Director by the previous UDF government.

Thomas, whose working style often triggered controversy, was asked to go on leave by the government on March 31 after the Kerala High Court criticised him over various cases pending before it.

The development has come as a surprise as Chief Minister Vijayan had all along been supporting Thomas despite senior bureaucrats' expressing displeasure.

They had even threatened to go on mass casual leave alleging that Thomas was acting with vendetta.

Thomas' stand on a case of nepotism against former Industries Minister E P Jayarajan had invited the ire of ruling CPI(M) also.

The 240-page Autobiography is the 11th book by Thomas, who has penned works on Strategic Management, Environment and Leadership.

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The indefinite fast by the kin of Sepoy Sudesh Kumar, who was killed in Pakistani firing along the LoC in J&K last year, entered its third day today with his family members demanding that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visit their village.

However, the martyr's father, uncle and brother decided to travel to Moradabad division today, where Adityanath is on an official tour.

"On the request of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, three members of our family -- my father Brahmpal, uncle Sudhir Kumar and myself -- are going to Moradabad to meet the chief minister. But, our protest will continue till the chief minister visits our village," Manoj Kumar, brother of the martyr told PTI here today.

Sudhir Kumar said that owing to the indefinite fast, the health of Sudesh Kumar's wife Kavita and his mother Santosh Kumari has deteriorated.

Meanwhile, Dr Neeraj Sharma who inspected the health of the family members of the martyrs today said that Kavita's blood pressure level had dipped. The doctor advised that she must be hospitalised.

On May 19, the martyr's family members and some others had gone on an indefinite fast in the Pansukha Milak village here, claiming that promises made to them were not fulfilled.

The martyr's mother had threatened that if the chief minister did not visit them, she would commit suicide.

Sudesh's brother Manoj Kumar had said that the family were promised the sanction for a petrol pump, construction of a road, a memorial and renaming a village primary school in the martyr's name by the BJP leaders, but none of the promises was fulfilled.

Another brother, Anil Kumar, had said they had lost trust in local leaders and that was the reason they were demanding that the chief minister should visit them.

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Lauding the positive growth of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in the economy, trade and investment, he noted that China has been the largest trade partner of Vietnam, while Vietnam has become the largest ASEAN trade partner of China.

President Tran Dai Quang welcomes Chinese Minister of Commerce

Zhong Shan in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

He said that during his China visit from May 11th-15th to attend the One Belt, One Road Forum, leaders of the two countries reached important shared perceptions on orientations and major measures to strengthen political trust, foster bilateral friendship and cooperation, and maintain the healthy and stable development of the bilateral ties.



He proposed that the two sides actively implement agreements and common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two countries, thus promoting economic, trade and investment partnership in a stable, balanced and sustainable manner.



The President lauded Chinas affirmation in opening its market and creating favourable conditions for Vietnams agro-fisheries and food products, electronics and coal.



He suggested that China give more favourable conditions for the clearance of goods at border gates to boost economic growth and improve living conditions for locals in border localties of both sides.



The two countries should urge businesses of both sides to promptly deal with current obstacles and problems facing joint projects, he said, adding that both countries should also share ideas in making planning and plans in development strategy connection, improving production capacity and building cross-border economic zones to match the benefit and sustainable growth strategies of both sides.



The State leader also spoke highly of Chinas support and close coordination during the 2017 APEC Year that Vietnam is hosting. He proposed that the two sides continue working closely together to create a new motivation for the sustainable, inclusive and creative growth of the Asia-Pacific region and driving APEC cooperation and connection to 2020 and beyond.



He welcomed Chinese President and Party General Secretary Xi Jinping to visit Vietnam and attend the APEC Summit 2017 in Da Nang.



For his part, Zhong Shan affirmed that China highly values the development of ties with Vietnam in a stable and deep fashion.



He briefed the host on his activity during his stay in Vietnam, including a working session with Vietnams Minister of Industry and Trade on measures to effectively implement high-level agreements reached by leaders of the two Parties and State, thus promoting bilateral economic, trade and investment growth.



Chinas Ministry of Commerce is willing to work with Vietnams relevant agencies to realise the outcomes of the China visit of President Tran Dai Quang, he stated.



The Chinese official pointed to high cooperation potential between the two countries, expressing Chinas hope to import more goods from Vietnam to lift up two-way trade to exceed 100 billion USD towards balance in bilateral trade.



China pledges to open its door wider and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods in the market, he said, adding that the Chinese Government has also encouraged local businesses to invest in Vietnam and strengthen partnership with their Vietnamese peers in high technology./.
Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro today attacked the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying minorities in the country are "living in fear" under its rule and no inclusive growth is taking place.

"As the NDA (government) completes three years, I feel in terms of inclusive growth and inclusive progress, the country is going backwards. There is so much despair and uncertainty all over the country," Falerio said.

He was addressing a gathering after paying homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 26th death anniversary.

"Minorities are living in fear. Every decision taken by the central government has led to uncertainty and despair," Faleiro said.

"The prime minister is just watching the situation and not taking any remedial measures. The fringe elements are taking centre-sage," he charged.

Meanwhile, on the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat in Goa to be held on June 8, Faleiro told reporters that the party has not yet finalised its candidate.

The seat is currently represented by Congress leader Shantaram Naik, whose term ends in July.

He said candidates would be shortlisted in a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party to be held on May 23 and the names will be forwarded to the state-level poll panel of the party.

"The pradesh election committee will submit its views on candidates to the party high command, which will take the final decision," Faleiro said.

Congress has 16 MLAs in the 40-member house, while BJP has 12, MGP and Goa Forward Party three each, There are three Independents and one from NCP.

Two seats have fallen vacant after one MLA each from BJP and Congress quit their assembly membership.

Earlier this week, All India Congress Committee secretary Girish Chodankar said the party is planning to field a "consensus candidate" for the RS poll with support from non- BJP parties.

Faleiro today claimed many parties are willing to support Congress in the next month's poll.

"A lot of people have approached us but we will discuss the issue at the (right) forum. We will take into confidence other parties too," he said.

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North Korea today fired a medium-range missile, US and South Korean officials said, in the latest ballistics test for a country speeding up its development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

The rocket was fired from an area near the North Korean county of Pukchang, in South Phyongan Province, and flew eastward about 500 kilometers (310 miles), said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. It did not immediately provide more details.

White House officials traveling in Saudi Arabia with President Donald Trump said the system, which was last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's most recent tests.

US Pacific Command said it tracked the missile until it landed into the sea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the country's military "is closely monitoring the North Korean military for any further provocation and maintaining readiness to respond."



In February, North Korea used a launcher truck to fire a midrange solid-fuel missile that it calls the Pukguksong (Polaris)-2, a land-based version of a submarine-launched missile the country revealed earlier. That missile traveled about 500 kilometers before crashing into the sea, according to South Korean and US officials.

The February launch, the North's first missile test after Trump took office, alarmed neighbors because solid-fuel missiles can be fired more quickly than liquid-fuel missiles, which need to be fueled before launch and require a larger number of vehicles, including fuel trucks, that could be spotted by satellites.

The North's latest launch came a week after North Korea successfully tested a new midrange missile that Pyongyang said could carry a heavy nuclear warhead. Experts said that rocket flew higher and for a longer time than any other missile previously tested by North Korea, and that it could one day reach targets as far away as Hawaii and Alaska.

Under the watch of third-generation dictator Kim Jong Un, North Korea has been aggressively pursuing a decades-long goal of putting a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year alone, possibly improving its knowledge on making nuclear weapons small enough to fit on long-range missiles.

The country has also conducted a slew of rocket launches as it continues to advance its arsenal of ballistic weapons, which also include midrange solid-fuel missiles that could be fired from land mobile launchers or submarines.

Such tests present a difficult challenge to new South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who took office on May 10 and has expressed a desire to reach out to North Korea.

Pyongyang's aggressive push to boost its weapons program also makes it one of the most urgent foreign policy concerns for the Trump administration, though Washington has struggled to settle on a policy.

Today's missile launch came hours after Moon named his new foreign minister nominee and top advisers for security and foreign policy.

Moon held a National Security Council meeting at the presidential Blue House to discuss the launch, his office said.

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With a significant number of Korean visitors at the National Museum, the institution has decided to introduce an audio tour guide in Korean language for viewers' better understanding of India's rich cultural heritage.

The audio guide which was launched here recently, will enable visitors to enjoy a 75 minute-long tour covering 64 masterpieces housed in the museum, including the 2500 BC dancing girl sculpture and the sword of Tipu Sultan, among others.

In collaboration with Korean Cultural Centre India, the initiative is aimed at promoting tourism in India, as well as provide Korean tourists a deeper understanding of Indian history and heritage.

B R Mani, the chief of National Museum, says both nations have cultural similarities and the initiative will help attract more Korean visitors to the museum.

"We have a repository of five thousand years of Indian culture and history at the museum. From first century AD onwards, Buddisht monks and missionaries went to China and later Korea. That is how the Indian culture through Buddhism spread there.

"There has been an increase in the number of Korean visitors here. That's why we decided to have an audio guide specifically for them. The initiative should give further increase in the footfall," says Mani.

Developed by Narrow Casters, an audio tour company, the project incorporates 60 spots at various places in the museum. The spots have been marked with a sign of headphone which will help the users to avail the benefit of the recording.

"The best part of the service is that the audios have been created in conversational style. With the help of museum curators, we have created small stories on different exhibits for the visitors," Christine Sharma, CEO India of Narrow Casters, told PTI.

Sharma says they analyse the number of foreign visitors paying visit to museums and other heritage sites and accordingly select the language.

"Due to several Buddhist relics available at the museum, Korean visitors come to the museum in large numbers. We take help of UN accredited translators to develop and translate audios," Sharma says.

Hyun CHO, ambassador of Republic of Korea to India, who was the chief guest for the event, called the initiative as a step forward in strengthening the cultural relations between the two nations.

"With the audio guide, the museum will be able to attract more Korean visitors who will get an opportunity to understand the Indian cultural heritage in a better way. We should have more such initiatives in other parts of the country as well.

"Cultural exchanges always help in boosting ties between nations and language plays an important role in it," CHO said.

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today vowed to end corruption in the hill state, saying "scams" that took place during the previous Congress government would be probed.

Rawat said there will be no "witch-hunt" but if any politician is found to be involved in corruption, a proper investigation will be carried out and action will be taken as per law.

"There is no political motive behind our decision to go against corruption. We want to end corruption in Uttarakhand. If any politician is found to be involved in corruption in the past, law will take its own course," he told PTI in an interview.

The chief minister said the BJP government has decided to go after the liquor and mining mafia and illegal slaughter houses operating in the state.

Rawat said if any "scam" under the previous government comes to light, a proper investigation will be carried out and the guilty will be punished.

"We have zero tolerance towards corruption. But there will be no witch-hunt. Only proper investigation will be carried out to punish the guilty," he said.

The Rawat government has claimed to have unearthed an alleged scam of Rs 240 crore in the acquisition of land for a national highway.

"We have already handed over the probe to the CBI. Six officials allegedly involved in the scam have been suspended while legal action will be taken against the seventh who is retired," he said.

Alleged irregularities were detected in the acquisition of farmland for the proposed NH-74 in Udham Singh Nagar district between 2011-2016.

Farmland was allegedly shown as non-agricultural land to increase the compensation amount by at least 20 times to benefit chosen stakeholders and beneficiaries, he said.

Rawat was sworn-in as chief minister of Uttarakhand on March 18 after BJP won 57 of the 70 assembly seats, ousting the Congress.

"We have completely stopped illegal mining and action is also being taken against liquor mafia. All illegal slaughter houses were also being shut down," Rawat said.

The chief minister said in nine hill districts in Uttarakhand, liquor shops are now open for six hours as against 12 hours earlier.

Two per cent extra cess has been imposed on alcohol in the state and the money collected through it will be spent on welfare programmes for women, he said.

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A White House official today confirmed that North Korea had test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile, despite threats of tougher US sanctions over its missile tests.

"We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM. This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's three most recent tests," the official said in Saudi Arabia, where US President Donald Trump is on a two-day visit.

Officials in Seoul had earlier reported the test, with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff saying it could not yet identify the type of missile fired today from Pukchang in South Pyongan province but that it travelled about 500 kilometres (310 miles).

The latest launch came just a week after a similar test sparked international condemnation and a warning from Washington that new sanctions could be imposed on Pyongyang.

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North Korea fired off an "unidentified projectile" today according to South Korean defence officials, a week after its latest missile launch.

"North Korea fired an unidentified projectile at Pukchang, South Pyongan province in the afternoon today," the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

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The next plenary session of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is likely to be held in Swiss capital Bern next month, but the chances of any breakthrough on India's entry into the elite group still look slim, given China's persistent opposition to it.

India had officially applied for membership of the grouping which controls export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology in May last year.

The matter came up for discussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June last year, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling India's bid on the ground that it was not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

Ahead of the next NSG plenary session, official sources say, India has renewed its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, France and Russia.

China has been pressing for a two-step process which includes setting up criteria -- a standard for admission -- for the inclusion of countries that are not signatories to the NPT. Beijing also equates India's case with Pakistan, which, too, has applied for the .

The issue of India's membership is expected to be discussed at the Bern meet, but the "status quo" still remains, a senior official says.

Indicating that there was no change in China's position towards India's NSG bid, Chinese Ambassador here Luo Zhaohui at an event last month had said, "On the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue, we do not oppose any country's membership, believing that a standard for admission should be agreed upon first."

India has repeatedly said that China is the "one country" which has been blocking its bid.

The two sides conducted two rounds of talks between China's nuclear negotiator Wang Qun and India's then secretary for disarmament Amandeep Singh Gill on September 13 and October 31 last year.

The NSG consultative group's meeting in November last year also ended like the Seoul plenary session. It remained inconclusive on India's application as China continued to oppose the entry of non-NPT nations and called for a two-step "non-discriminatory" solution for admission of such countries into the grouping.

Over the last one year, India has tried to get more support for its NSG bid, but not all its efforts have proved to be successful. For instance, Turkey has agreed to support India's bid to the group, but it also favours Pakistan's bid. New Zealand has also not given any concrete assurance on supporting India's bid.

"Prime Minister (John Phillip) Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible," a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart John Key said after the latter's visit to New Delhi in October last year.
More than 500 farmers have been trained by the Centre of Excellence for Citrus Fruits here which is working for plant development and orchard management under an Indo-Israel initiative.

The state-of-the-art centre for plant development and orchard management located on Nanta road aims to give a boost to cultivation of citrus fruits in the state and is working for the development of 24 varieties.

"Over 500 farmers from the Hadauti region have been trained at the centre in over two years. We are developing 24 varieties of citrus fruits which include Clementine, Michale Daisy, Kinnow, Nagpur Mandarin, Nagpur Seedless, Jaffa, among others," Rashid Khan, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Centre of Excellence for Citrus-Kota, said.

The farmers were made aware and trained on the intensive horticulture technologies, post-harvest and value additional technologies, fertigation, canopy management and irrigation management techniques in the centre which was set up in 2014-15.

"We are developing disease-free healthy saplings here for distribution to farmers on subsidised rates. Drip and ridge bed system, fertigation and other Israel technologies are being used in the Centre," he said.

Khan informed that maintenance of the plants through Israeli technology increases input cost by 10-15 per cent and the profit of farmers may goes up to nearly 30-35 per cent.

"We have primary and secondary nurseries where the plants are developed and kept before we give it to the farmers for Rs 50 (each sapling). The saplings are first grown at the primary nursery and shifted to secondary nursery.

"Farmers can get full commercial fruiting after five to six years and one plant can survive up to 24-25 years depending upon the maintenance," he said.

He said that the centre has close to 65,000 plants of 12 varieties ready with it.

Spread over 6.8 acres, the centre set up with the assistance of Israel was inaugurated in April last year which has the primary objective of developing citrus fruit saplings.

The Hadoti region comprising of Kota-Jhalawar and nearby area has favourable conditions for the cultivation of citrus fruits. Jhalawar is know as the Nagpur of Rajasthan because of its orange production.

Principal Secretary- Agriculture, Neelkamal Darbari said that in the forthcoming Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM) in Kota later this month, the centre will be drawing attention for the "yeoman service" it is providing to the citrus fruit industry of the region.

"Potential of post-harvest processing projects will be explored by the investors at GRAM from 24-26 May at Kota.

"The centre has proved to be a boon for the region considering that the citrus production of fruits is its strength. The climate is suitable for orange orchards. Kota division is contributing 98 per cent of the state produce in terms of 'Nagpur Orange'.

"While majority of oranges produced here are of Nagpur variety, there is a scope of introduction of new varieties of oranges like Jaffa, Valencia and Daisy," Vijay Pal Singh, Director of Horticulture department said.

The Centre of Excellence for Citrus Fruits, Kota was set up as an Indo-Israel work plan under National Horticulture Mission.

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Singaporean lender DBS, the first to apply for operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary two years ago, has said its request is pending with the Ministry of and the lack of a precedent is causing delays.

"A new category of have to be created...100 per cent owned foreign do not exist. With the first bank (license), a new category of will get created. It is still a new thing," DBS chief executive for India, Surojit Shome told PTI when asked about the delay in getting the nod.

At the time of making the application, the bank had expected approvals to come by March 2016.

Shome hinted that their application has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India and is pending in the Ministry of at present, which has to take a call on it after consulting other ministries, including Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of External Affairs.

When asked if issues faced by Indian banks while operating in its home market of Singapore are impeding progress, Shome replied in the negative.

"We don't think so. If it was, those issues were discussed between RBI and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and there are no issues that we are aware of," he said.

Shome said DBS, which operates 12 branches in the country at present with over a million customers, is very keen on getting a clearance on the same at the earliest.

The bank has drawn up plans of expanding presence in the country in a staggered way which is included in the application submitted, he said.

The RBI has been wanting foreign banks to operate as wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) in the country, which will insulate the local operations from any difficulties which the parent may face.

The present branch model exposes the banks to risks if an event like the 2008 financial meltdown happens, it is felt.

The RBI adopted a 'carrot and stick' approach and has made all the new foreign lenders and existing ones having certain size to operate as a WOS.

The guidelines were issued in late 2014 and DBS was the first to apply, followed by at least two others.

"We are ready to convert, we have made the application and done all the work. It's really for the country and the regulators to make up their mind," Shome said.

As a WOS, DBS wants to primarily target the small businesses for its growth in the country.

It is targeting to ramp up presence to up to 75 branches in five years from the present 12.

"Our ambitions in India are to scale up from being a large corporate bank to being a universal bank, particularly to build out SME franchise," Shome said.

For a bank like this one which is focused on Asia, it is necessary to have a presence in India and China, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat from tomorrow, during which he will attend the annual general meeting of African Development Bank in Gandhinagar and inaugurate some developmental projects.

The prime minister will also address two public meetings in Kutch district.

Modi's visit will start with inauguration and laying of foundation stone by him for various projects of the Kandla Port in Kutch district, followed by his address to a public gathering at nearby town Gandhidham.

Later in the evening, he will be in Bhachau to inaugurate a pumping station built on Narmada branch canal for the Kutch region. The PM will address a public gathering at Bhachau also.

Ahead of his visit, Modi informed his followers about the programmes for the next two days through his official Twitter account today.

"Tomorrow I will begin a two-day Gujarat visit, during which I will join programmes in Kutch and Gandhinagar," the prime minister tweeted.

"I shall inaugurate & lay the foundation stone for various projects of the Kandla Port and address a public meeting at Gandhidham," he said in another tweet.

"Kutch has a very special place in my heart. It is blessed with the wonderful people and a remarkable spirit of resilience," said Modi, a former chief minister of Gujarat.

"From suffering unimaginable destruction due to the 2001 quake, Kutch is today known as one of India's fastest growing districts," he said.

Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when the massive earthquake hit the state on January 26, 2001. Kutch was worst hit by that quake.

"On Tuesday, I will be in Gandhinagar to participate in the opening ceremony of the meetings of the @AfDB_Group," the prime minister added.

"The Annual Meetings of @AfDB_Group have chosen the very relevant theme of 'Transforming Agriculture for Wealth Creation in Africa'," he said.

On the sidelines, he will meet some of the distinguished delegates of the AfDB Group.

The AGM is expected to see participation of delegates from around 80 countries, including some African heads of states.

This is Modi's third visit to Gujarat in the election year, as assembly polls are expected to be held later this year.

On April 7, he had visited Botad to inaugurate the phase II of the state government's ambitious Sauni project.

Earlier on March 8, he had visited Gandhinagar to address women sarpanch from across the country on the International Women's Day.

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A property dealer was gunned down by unidentified assailants when he was sitting in his car outside a restaurant at Marris road here, police said today.

Dhiraj Singh, who was a close aid to former SP legislator Rakesh Singh, was shot dead last night in the posh Civil Lines area, they said.

The matter is being investigated. No one has been arrested yet, police said.

The incident comes just days after two jewellers were killed during a robbery in Mathura on May 15, triggering wide-spread protest by the business community.

More than 7,000 jewellery shops had downed shutters on Friday following the Mathura incident in which four police officials were suspended.

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Qatar Airways, which had announced its plans to set up an airline in India along with the Gulf nations sovereign wealth fund over two months ago, has not yet approached the government with its proposal.

However, the government is applying its "mind" on bringing the rules and regulations regarding ownership and control of an airline in conformity with the new foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, according to aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

With regard to a particular airline (Qatar Airways) approaching the government, I don't think anyone has approached yet, Raju told PTI.

Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker had on March 8 said in Berlin that his airline was joining hands with investment arm of the Qatar Government to start a domestic airline in India.

We are doing this because the Indian government has opened up the foreign direct investment in (setting up) an airline in India, he added.

Last June, India allowed foreign investors  barring overseas airlines  to own up to 100 per cent stake in local carriers by liberalising the FDI regulations. Currently, foreign airlines are allowed to invest only up to 49 per cent in Indian carriers.
Deepika Padukone made all the right noises with her debut appearance at the Cannes Film Festival and the actress says she believes in having fun on the red carpet.

Deepika's maiden outing at the movie carnival has landed her in the best dressed list of international magazines like Vanity Fair, Vogue and People, which have hailed her two red carpet looks - a plum Marchesa gown and a bottle green high- slit, one shoulder maxi dress.

The 31-year-old actress, who is the L'Oreal Paris India brand ambassador, says it is important to follow one's instinct and mood while choosing an outfit.

"I won't say I am a pro at walking down the red carpet. I think fashion has to be fun. It's a team work, you have a stylist, then someone is designing your hair, doing your make up," Deepika told reporters during a FaceTime chat from Cannes.

"One can plan things in advance but when the day comes, you might feel like wearing something else. It is about following your instinct, your energy and mood and having fun.

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The RSS and the BJP have supported Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's demand to let the blacklisted Sikhs visit the country and join the mainstream, saying it would be a welcome step.

"There are people who have been blacklisted (for being involved in Khalistan movement) and living abroad. If they want to return and join the mainstream, it would be a good and welcome step," Punjab RSS chief Brij Bhushan Singh Bedi told PTI.

He said such people have lost connection with their roots. "Some people are still active in Khalistan movement but they do not have any connection at the ground level," he added.

Asked whether such people pose a risk of spreading of instablity in the state if allowed to return, Bedi said, "In fact, those active in Khalistan movement are not even aware of it. If they come back, no one will be there to listen to their subversive views."



State BJP chief Vijay Sampla said that there are only a few in the blacklisted category. "The centre is considering this matter and the issue had also surfaced during the SAD-BJP regime," he said.

He said those who had left the country after getting influenced by the movement have now realised that it was futile effort.

"Those who have realised that nothing can be achieved through terrorism, are most welcome in the mainstream," he said.

However, BJP spokesperson Rakesh Shantidoot, who comes from a Sangh background, said there is nothing wrong in accepting such people into the mainsteam but the government must be careful and do proper screening.

Last month, Singh had met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue. The Punjab CM had sought the centre's permission to allow the blacklisted Sikh youths to return to the country.

Rajnath had assured him to consider the matter.

Meanwhile, All India Anti Terrorist Front Chairman M S Bitta refused to comment on the issue.

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A senior leader of militant outfit NDFB (Songbijit) was killed in an encounter with a joint team of the Army and Assam Police inside Manas Reserve Forest today, a defence spokesman said.

The militant was identified as 'commanding officer' of NDFB (Songbijit) Jwrimiya Muchahary alias M Jwrimin.

Based on specific intelligence about presence of a terrorist camp in the area, a search operation was launched jointly by the Army's Red Horn Division under the Gajraj Corps and state police and they found the camp.

Finding the securitymen, the militant fired towards them who retaliated in which the extremist got killed, the spokesman said.

An M-16 automatic rifle, a 9 mm Beretta pistol, a large quantity of ammunition and other warlike stores were recovered from the spot.

Muchahary was self styled commanding officer of 3rd battalion of NDFB(S) and it was also likely that he was recently appointed as the 'deputy commander-in-chief of NDFB(S), the spokesman said.

He was involved in the adavasi massacre of December 23, 2014 at Dwimuguri village of Chirang district in which over 70 persons were killed, he said adding that he was also involved in the killing of a teenaged girl of the village in August that year on suspicion of being a police informer.

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Sonam Kapoor decided to take a little piece of India at the Cannes Film Festival as the actress stepped out in a saree for her first appearance.

Her unicorn coloured saree has been designed by NorBlack NorWhite, a label created by Canadian-born designers Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar.

Sonam teamed her saree with a white crop blouse, which lent a sporty element to her look.

The 31-year-old actress' sister and her stylist, Rhea, took to Instagram to share pictures using the hashtag #SportySpice to describe her look.

Sonam will be walking the red carpet as L'Oreal Paris India brand ambassador.

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Spain's opposition Socialists re- elected Pedro Sanchez, a fierce critic of the ruling conservatives, as their leader, an outcome likely to threaten the country's shaky minority government.

Sanchez, a former economics professor ousted in a messy internal rebellion last October, comfortably beat two rivals in a poll of party members, taking 50 per cent of the vote, partial results with 90 per cent of ballots counted showed.

His nearest rival, Andalusian regional president Susana Diaz who was backed by the bulk of the party's leaders and was seen as more amenable to striking deals with the government, took 40 per cent.

Nearly 190,000 card-carrying members of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) were eligible to vote in the election, which was billed as an attempt breathe new life into the struggling 138-year-old party.

Sanchez was forced to resign over his staunch refusal to allow Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his Popular Party (PP) to form a minority government following two inconclusive general elections.

Diaz and the other architects of the rebellion argued it was best to let a PP government through rather than go to the third elections in a year and risk losing even more votes.

Sanchez called this a huge mistake and he was deeply critical of corruption scandals impacting the PP, and of their severe austerity measures.

He argued during the leadership campaign that the Socialists must move further to the left to have any hope of winning back voters who have drifted to new far-left party Podemos.

Rajoy has relied on the Socialists -- who have been led by an interim leadership since Sanchez was ousted -- to pass key measures in parliament since he was sworn in for a second term in October.

But analysts said Sanchez would have a more tense relationship with the government and the risk of snap elections would increase with him in charge of the Socialists again.

"At a minimum, therefore, a Sanchez-led PSOE would make parliamentary politics more challenging, and reduce the already limited space for economic reform," Eurasia Group analyst Federico Santi said.

A third candidate in the race, Patxi Lopez, the former president of the northern Basque Country, won 10 per cent of the vote.

Much like Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who survived a leadership challenge last year but still faces internal dissent, Sanchez enjoys considerable support among grassroots Socialist activists even though he is opposed by party heavyweights.

"Party members are with Pedro," Juan Jose Orts, a party member since 1974, told AFP as he celebrated Sanchez's win outside PSOE headquarters in Madrid with dozens of other supporters.

"This is where he was killed and this is where he was resuscitated."



Ahead of Sanchez lies the mammoth task of bringing lustre back to a deeply divided party that has run out steam -- much like fellow socialists in France and Britain -- weakened by Podemos's rise.

The audiences at rallies for Sanchez and his rivals in the leadership race were mainly middle-aged or older, highlighting the party's struggle to appeal to younger voters.

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The trial in the politically- sensitive 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case by a special CBI court will resume here tomorrow, following a Supreme Court order to it to hear the case on a daily basis and deliver the verdict in two years.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 directed the special court to start the proceedings in the matter within a month and deliver its verdict within two years.

The CBI court during its first hearing in the state capital granted bail to five VHP leaders named as accused, including Ram Vilas Vedanti, who appeared before it yesterday.

Besides Vedanti (59), those who appeared before the CBI court here yesterday were VHP leaders Champat Rai (71), Baikunth Lal Sharma (88), Mahant Nritya Gopal Das (79) and Dharmdas Maharaj (68). The sixth accused, Satish Pradhan, did not appear.

CBI special court judge S K Yadav allowed their bail pleas asking each of them to furnish two sureties of Rs 20,000 and a personal bond of the same amount.

The Supreme Court had last month directed that BJP stalwarts, including L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, will face trial on conspiracy charges in the demolition case.

It had dubbed the demolition of the medieval era monument as a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" and allowed CBI's plea on restoration of criminal conspiracy charges against the VVIP accused.

The matter is likely to have political implications, particularly against 89-year old Advani, reported to be a front-runner for the post of the President.

The top court, however, had said Kalyan Singh, who is currently the Governor of Rajasthan and during whose tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, is entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held a gubernatorial position.

"The Court of Sessions will frame charges and move against him as soon as he ceases to be Governor," it said.

The apex court had come down heavily on the CBI for a delay of 25 years in the trial and said, "The accused persons have not been brought to book largely because of the conduct of the CBI in not pursuing the prosecution of the aforesaid alleged offenders in a joint trial, and because of technical defects which were easily curable, but which were not cured by the State Government."



Issuing a slew of directions, a bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and R F Nariman had said, "The proceedings viz. Crime No. 198/92 (against Advani and five others) in the court of the Special Judicial Magistrate at Rae Bareilly will stand transferred to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge (Ayodhya Matters) at Lucknow."



Besides Advani, Joshi and Bharti, the accused against whom the conspiracy charge would now be invoked, are Vinay Katiar, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, who were being tried at Rae Bareilly.

"The court of sessions will frame additional charges under Section 120-B (conspiracy) and the other provisions of the Penal Code mentioned in the joint charge sheet filed by the CBI against Champat Rai Bansal, Satish Pradhan, Dharam Das, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahamadleshwar Jagdish Muni, Ram Bilas Vadanti, Vaikunth Lal Sharma and Satish Chandra Nagar," Justice Nariman, writing the judgement for the bench, said.

"The court of sessions will, after transfer of the proceedings from Rae Bareilly to Lucknow and framing of additional charges, within four weeks, take up all the matters on a day-to-day basis from the stage at which the trial proceedings, both at Rae Bareilly and at Lucknow, are continuing, until conclusion of the trial.

"There shall be no de novo (fresh) trial. There shall be no transfer of the Judge conducting the trial until the entire trial concludes. The case shall not be adjourned on any ground except when the sessions court finds it impossible to carry on the trial for that particular date," the apex court had said.

The court also said if the trial is adjourned, then it should be fixed on the the next day or a closely proximate date and the reasons for it shall be recorded in writing.

"The sessions court will complete the trial and deliver the judgement within a period of 2 years from the date of receipt of this judgement," it said.

The CBI shall ensure that on every date fixed for recording of evidence, some prosecution witnesses must remain present, so that for want of witnesses the matter is not adjourned, the Supreme Court had said.

"We make it clear that liberty is given to any of the parties before the Sessions Court to approach us in the event of these directions not being carried out, both in letter and in spirit," the court said.

Dealing with the issue of protracted trial, the bench said that almost 25 years have gone and yet "we are solemnly reminded that Respondent Nos.4 and 5's (Advani and Joshi) fundamental rights should not be curtailed by any order passed under Article 142."



The court, in its 40-page judgement, termed the Allahabad High Court's February 12, 2001 verdict dropping conspiracy charge against Advani and others as "erroneous".

It said the High Court had "clearly and unequivocally" held that a joint charge sheet was filed by CBI on the ground that all the offences were committed in the course of the same transaction to accomplish the alleged conspiracy.

"The evidence for all these offences is almost the same and these offences, therefore, cannot be separated from each other, irrespective of the fact that 49 different FIRs were lodged," it said, adding that the dropping of the conspiracy charge was "clearly erroneous".

The apex court said the decision to have a joint trial in demolition cases at one place was set aside by the High Court on the legal ground that it was not consulted.

The infirmity could have been cured either by the state government or by the CBI by filing an appeal against the verdict, it said.

"This (removal of legal infirmity), however, did not happen because the CBI did not challenge the rejection of the request to cure this technical defect. Instead, the course taken by the CBI has caused great confusion," it said.

The decision to file supplementary charge sheet against eight accused in a pending case at Rae Bareilly and dropping of charges against 13 other accused, after the high court judgement, has "completely derailed the joint trial envisaged, it said.

This decision of the probe agency resulted in "fractured prosecution going on in two places simultaneously based on a joint charge sheet filed by the CBI itself", it said.

"In our view, since the charge of criminal conspiracy against all 21 accused is already in the joint charge sheet filed by the CBI at Lucknow, this charge could be added to the charges already framed against the survivors of the group of 8 accused."



Out of eight VIP accused, Giriraj Kishore and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal have died during trial and the proceedings against them have been abated.

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India should produce more automotive high-end steel as the country is likely to manufacture 27 per cent of total cars in the world in days to come, Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh has said.

"In times to come, it is expected that India would be the hub for manufacturing of motor cars... And there is an estimate that India alone would be manufacturing 27 per cent of the total cars in the world," the minister told PTI.

"We want that this kind of steel, that is automotive high end, should be produced in our country so that we can save our foreign currency to a great extent," he said.

He also pitched for export of high-end steel to the world market, saying factors like competitive efficiency play a key role in its manufacturing.

Noting that the efficiency level in both private and public sectors in India is below international standards, the minister underscored the need for higher efficiency.

The higher efficiency can be achieved by changing the old machinery at steel plants "which we have already done with regard to PSUs, especially state-owned SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited)".

The last phase of modernisation and expansion of SAIL is expected to be completed by December this year. "We have spent about Rs 62,000 crore in the last 8-10 years on expansion and modernisation," he said.

SAIL has embarked on modernisation and expansion of its integrated steel plants in Bhilai, Bokaro, Rourkela, Durgapur and Burnpur and the special steel plant in Salem.

In the ongoing drive, the crude steel capacity is being enhanced to 21.4 mtpa, from 12.8 mtpa.

The country's largest steel maker had earlier said it reached the last leg of its modernisation programme, but expressed concern over weak demand for domestic steel.
Telangana is one of the focus states for BJP for coming to power and the three-day visit of party chief Amit Shah beginning tomorrow would give a push to achieve that goal in the state, a party leader said today.

BJP's central leadership has identified Telangana along with states like Odisha, West Bengal and Karnataka where the party can emerge stronger, Telangana BJP president K Laxman said here.

He said the party will go it alone in Telangana, where assembly elections are due in 2019.

Shah's visit to Telangana is part of the 95-day nationwide campaign undertaken by him from Jammu to reach out to the poor, rural populace and to strengthen the party organisation from grassroots level, he said.

The BJP chief would spend all the three days in Nalgonda district and interact with the poor and marginalised sections. He will also take part in a community lunch, said Laxman.

"It's a fertile political land for BJP in Telangana. Now, our national president is also focusing on Telangana. In the last one year, this is the fourth time our national president is visiting (the state)," Laxman told PTI.

Laxman was appointed Telangana BJP president in April last year.

"He is trying to reach out to rural masses in remote villages. He would like to go to weaker sections, Dalits and backward classes," the BJP leader said.

The leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the corruption-free governance of the NDA government, its major decisions like surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC and GST, besides the numerous welfare schemes would help the party reach out to the people in Telangana and to win elections, he said.

When pointed out that BJP has traditionally been strong in Hyderabad and other urban areas in Telangana, he said the saffron outfit has now become a party of all.

To strengthen the party machinery at the polling booth level, BJP is launching a campaign from May 29 to June 12 to reach every village in the TRS-ruled state, Laxman said.

BJP fought 2014 elections in Telangana in alliance with TDP, but it would like to go alone now, he said.

"My slogan is grow alone, go alone. Because, people have seen Congress and lost faith in Congress. TDP is also weakened now. All its MLAs in Telangana have moved to TRS. People feel BJP alone can become an alternative to TRS," the BJP leader said.

No other party except BJP is fighting against MIM (a Hyderabad-based outfit which enjoys influence in Old City areas) and the TRS government's move to increase quota in jobs and education for backward Muslims, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, released on bail by the Orissa High Court two days ago in the Rose valley chit fund scam, was admitted to a Kolkata hospital after his return from Bhubaneswar today.

Accompanied by his wife and party MLA Nayana Bandyopadhyay and a doctor from Bhubaneswar, the TMC parliamentary party leader was wheeled out of the airport in the presence of his family members and the party supporters.

Bandyopadhyay was then taken to a private hospital on EM Bypass and was admitted there, the party sources said.

Earlier after completion of formalities, he was discharged from a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he was undergoing treatment while in judicial custody.

He was then taken to the airport in an ambulance.

While Bandyopadhyay claims he is innocent and it would be proved in time, his wife Nayana said they would never forget the love and affection they got from the people of Odisha.

The Orissa High Court gave bail to Bandyopadhyay on May 19. He was arrested by the CBI for his alleged role in the Rose Valley Group chit fund scam.

The bench of Justice J P Das released the TMC leader on bail against a deposit of Rs 25 lakhs in a nationalised bank, and bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the same amount.

While releasing the TMC MP, the high court stipulated that he would submit his passport to the trial court and join the investigation as and when required.

While probing the chit fund scam on direction of the Supreme Court, the CBI had arrested Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata on January 3.

The CBI has also arrested another TMC MP Tapas Pal for his alleged role in the scam. The agency earlier accused Rose Valley chairman Gautam Kundu and three others of defrauding investors from across the country of more than Rs 17,000 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The sight of a four-month-old baby tugging at her mother's clothes while she attended to a client helped transgender activist Gauri Sawant make up her mind -- she had to do something for the future of sex workers' children.

Sawant is now striving to build a foster home -- 'Nani ka Ghar' (Grandma's home) -- which she hopes will not only prevent children from being dragged into prostitution, but also help them build their lives.

Sawant, who adopted the orphaned daughter of a sex worker in 2001, feels that such children are often subjected to discrimination, even if they are put up in hostels away from home.

"They can't tell the world that their mother is a sex worker and that they grew up in a hostel. But nobody would question them if they say they grew up at 'nani ka ghar'," Sawant told PTI.

The activist, who was recently seen in a television advertisement advocating adoption rights for transgenders, has decided to use her 2,000-square-foot land in a small village near Mumbai to build the two-storey home she has in mind.

She has collaborated with crowdfunding portal Milaap to raise an amount of Rs 20 lakh needed for the building.

The children would be taken care of by 'nanis' or older transgenders who no longer go out for work, but "have immense experience and can take care of the household", she said.

"We are planning to have a kitchen, a hall and an office on the ground floor, and a large hall upstairs. There would be common washrooms. And one nani for every two children," she said.

However, building the home is only the first step.

"I am sure we will raise the money for the house, but the question is how will we run the house? Bringing up children is not an easy task," she said.

Giving children the right kind of education by sending them to school is one of the main objectives behind the home.

She said she hoped to raise money for this through corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of corporate houses and donations by NGOs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump held talks today with leaders of the oil-rich Gulf monarchies, a day after Washington told their arch rival Iran to dismantle its "network of terrorism".

The meeting on the second day of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, part of his first foreign tour since taking office, came hours before the US president is scheduled to address an Arab Islamic American Summit.

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council posed for a photo with Trump before they walked into their meeting.

The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all of which are traditional allies of Washington.

Most GCC monarchies accuse Tehran of meddling in their internal affairs and want Washington to be tougher with Iran, which secured a landmark nuclear deal with world powers when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama was in office.

They consider Tehran to be a destablising factor in the region.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson yesterday demonstrated a tougher position on Tehran, saying multi- billion-dollar defence deals signed with Riyadh aim to protect Saudi Arabia from a "malign Iranian influence."



In a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, Tillerson urged newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to dismantle his country's "network of terrorism" and end "ballistic missile testing."



Trump, accused of using anti-Muslim rhetoric on the election campaign trail, is later expected to tell Muslim leaders of his "hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today assured the central paramilitary personnel that he will personally check every month that any complaint registered by them on an app launched by his ministry is speedily addressed.

The minister was speaking as he joined the jawans of the theSashastra Seema Bal (SSB), posted in the inhospitable terrain of Indo-Nepal border in Sikkim, for a special lunch or 'bada khana' organised by the force.

Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Sikkim, reached the headquarters of the 36th battalion of SSB and took stock of the situation along the international border.

He interacted with the jawans and sought to know the problems faced by them.

As the border guarding force had organised a 'bada khana', the home minister joined them in the vegetarian lunch comprising puri, vegetables, dal, rice, papad, kheer and gulab jamun.

Singh asked the jawans to register their problems on the recently launched mobile application of the Home Ministry.

"I will personally check the app every month and see whether action is taken on the problems registered or not," he said.

The mobile-based grievance redressal app was launched by Singh early this month against the backdrop of incidents where jawans had taken to social media to voice their complaints.

Singh had said he "gets emotional" when he sees the jawans and officers working in difficult areas.

The centralised app is for five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB besides the Delhi Police.

Four months ago, BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav had created a stir when he took to social media to complain about alleged bad quality food being served to troops. Quite a few such videos followed in quick succession.

The SSB is tasked to guard the 1,751-km long Indo-Nepal border.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bullish on India, building products technology provider USG Boral will build a new plasterboard plant at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore in South India.

This will be in addition to existing two facilities in India.

"We are bullish about India. We have had a very good experience here. We are in talks with some state governments in the South for setting up a 30 million square metre plasterboard capacity which is likely to be finalised in a fortnight," USG Boral Building Products India Pte Ltd CEO and Managing Director Koushik Sarkar told PTI.

He said work will begin on the plant in a few months.

"Plans are underway to break ground in the September quarter of 2017. The plant is expected to be fully operational in 24 months. More than 100 people are expected to be employed at full capacity," he said.

Sarkar said that the plant will entail an investment of about Rs 300 crore which will be in addition to existing two plants built at a cost of about Rs 100 crore.

He said the proposed plant will support USG Boral's commitment in the region as the company looks for ways to better serve its customers in India.

This location will allow for 30 million square metre of plasterboard capacity in a standalone facility located in South India, he said adding the new facility will add to USG Boral's India presence, where it currently operates two other facilities, a 9 million square metre plasterboard and metal plant in Khushkhera, near New Delhi, and a joint compound and putty plant, in the Chennai area.

USG Boral CEO Frederic de Rougemont said that its customers in India will benefit from the world-leading technology available to USG Boral, which will be used in the products built at the facility in South India.

"This facility offers us the ability to significantly increase our operations in India and provide our customers in the region with the best plasterboard products," he said.

The company is committed to delivering the highest quality and most technologically advanced building solutions for walls and ceilings across Asia, Australasia and the Middle East, he said.

"Our India business has experienced strong growth and this investment strongly positions the company to continue to supplying our customers in the South as demand for high quality, high strength plasterboard products grows in the medium and longer-term," Rougemont said.

The South India plant will be an investment by USG Boral, the joint venture of USG Corporation and Boral Limited.

The company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of gypsum board-based wall and ceiling lining systems, mineral fibre acoustical ceiling systems, metal framing, joint compounds, high-performance panels and accessories throughout Asia, Australasia and the Middle East.

USG Boral India is a leading plasterboard, metal, joint compound, putty and mineral fibre ceiling products company, which has supplied the Indian market since 2008.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DMK Working President M K Stalin today flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at "short notice" but giving no time to him to apprise him of farmers' cause, a charge junked by the BJP.

Stalin rued that the PM could meet AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction leader Panneerselvam, "just an MLA" but spared no time for him, either as the leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly or a farmers' representative whose cause he wanted to take up with him.

Referring to Panneerselvam's meeting with Modi in Delhi on Friday, Stalin said the latter gave the former chief minister appointment on "short notice."



"What I am asking is, you (PM) are aware of the plight of farmers, who are facing so many difficulties. They held a protest in Delhi for almost 50 days."



"But the prime minister never gave an appointment to them. They said you (PM) may not heed their demands but at least give an audience for their satisfaction to hear them out," he said.

Stalin recalled that as leader of opposition (LoP) in the Tamil Nadu assembly, he had recently chaired an "all-party meeting" to discuss farmers' problems in the state.

One of the resolutions passed in that meeting was to meet the prime minister and convey to him the decisions taken in the meeting, he said.

The prime minister could have meet him at least on behalf of the all party leaders even if he could not grant an audience to all of them, Stalin said.

"We had sought an appointment (with Modi) and are waiting. But there has been no response from the Prime Minister's Office (so far)."



"The prime minister is meeting someone (Panneerselvam) who is holding no post. But he doesn't meet the LoP, who has so much responsibility to discuss farmers' problems," he said.

Stalin said Panneerselvam is only a member of the legislative assembly (MLA).

Hitting out at Stalin for his criticism of the prime minister, the BJP's state unit said it was "not proper" for him to level such charges against Modi.

"The prime minister knows when to meet whom and under what circumstances," BJP state unit president Tamilisai Sounderrajan said.

The prime minister was not saying no to meeting people and was meeting those from the lower strata of society too, she said.

She recalled that Modi had recently met, among others, some local body representatives from Tamil Nadu.

He had also 'met' agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, she said, in an apparent reference to the prime minister releasing a book by the scientist.

"Therefore these accusations made against the prime minister are for politics and nothing else," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A loaf of bread weighing 180 kgs, a 14-foot-long pie, a sugar cube structure made of 14,353 smaller cubes and a 'maalpua' covering an area of 32 square feet.

These are not items on the menu of some kingly feast, but among a Jaipur-based professor's eight record-breaking feats that figure in the Limca Book of Records -- the highest number of records totted by any individual.

What's more, these "achievements" have landed 49-year- old Manoj Srivastava a "doctorate" from the UK-based World Records University that claims to honour record breakers.

Srivastava, working as head of the School of Hotel Management at Manipal University's Jaipur campus, made his first world record in 2008 by creating the world's biggest piece of bread, weighing 180 kilos, which had to be picked up with the help of crane.

"I had baked it in 16 hours. Encouraged by the success, I made the world's biggest pie in 2013 with the help of 60 students in 12 hours. The pie was 14 feet long and 6 feet wide and weighed 365 kgs," he told PTI.

Srivastava, who has an MBA degree in tourism, is among 13 people who have been awarded with the "honorary doctorate" in record breaking.

In 2014, he created the cube structure. "It contained 14,353 cubes of sugar. It was five feet long and five feet wide and was made in three days with a team of 11 students," he said.

The chef professor's fourth world record was the Greek dish - 'Moussaka'. It weighed 800 kg and was 12 feet long and 6 feet wide.

The French 'Vegetable Au Gratin' weighing 560 kg and covering an area of 96 square feet, a 'maalpua' weighing 62 kgs, and an 8 feet long and 4 feet wide Italian 'Socca' flatbread are his other feats registered in the Limca Book of Records.

"Whenever I am planning to break a world record, it needs a lot of research and months go in the process. At the same time there is a thrill when attempting such a feat, as well as a strange experience with its success," he said.

"After doing enough research on the proposed product, a proposal is sent to international office of Guinness Book or Limca Book of World Records for approval," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Xinhua) 15:01, May 20, 2017

BEIJING, May 20 -- China's southern areas are bracing for torrential rain in the coming days, China's national weather observatory said on Saturday.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast medium rainfall to strong downpours in Hainan Island, coastal Guangxi and Guangdong, and southwest Sichuan till Sunday morning, with precipitation of up to 120 millimeters and gales on some waters.

Then moving northward, the rain belt will affect central and northern regions, including Hubei and Hunan, and help ease heat waves that scorched northern provinces during the past week.

Some northwestern and northeastern areas, such as Gansu and Heilongjiang, are also likely to see medium to heavy precipitations.

The NMC warned local authorities and residents to take precautions against flooding and geological disasters.
Facing rough weather amid large-scale layoffs and visa curbs in the US, the Indian IT industry body Nasscom has stepped up its lobbying with the American lawmakers significantly with an over one-third increase in money spent on such activities.

According to the latest lobbying disclosure reports filed with the US Senate, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) paid a total amount of $1,50,000 (nearly Rs 1 crore) to its two registered lobbyists in the first quarter of 2017.

This marks a significant rise from $1,10,000 paid to the two lobbyists in the previous quarter ended December 2016. The amount was same for each of the four quarter of 2016.

Among the two lobbyists, The Lande Group was paid $50,000 in January-March quarter of 2017 -- the same as the money paid in each of the four quarters of 2016.

However, the other lobbyist, Wexler & Walker, a unit of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, LLC, was paid $100,000 in the first quarter of 2017, as against $60,000 in the previous three-month period and in many of the previous quarters.

As per the lobbying disclosure report, the "specific lobbying issues" undertaken by this lobbyist included those related to immigration. The "general issues" included tax and trade matters.

The houses of Congress and federal agencies with whom it lobbied on behalf of Nasscom, which itself acts as a lobby group for the USD 150 billion Indian IT industry, included the US Senate and the US House of Representatives.

On the other hand, Lande Group covered a larger number of "specific lobbying issues", including with several federal agencies, as per its first-quarter disclosure report.

These included "high skill immigration, green cards, visa processing, US-India relations, US-India matters, tax reform, (and) border adjustment tax".

In addition to the Senate and the House of Representatives, The Lande Group also did lobbying with the White House Office, the US Trade Representative, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the departments of state, commerce and homeland security.

Nasscom took a delegation of the Indian IT industry earlier this year to the US to engage with members of the Trump administration on issues like clampdown on work visas and flow of skilled manpower between the two nations.

During the visit, Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar had said the debate in the US over H-1B visas has become a political and emotive issue as there is a "yawning gap" between the facts and perception and the Indian IT firms contribute immensely to the US economy and jobs creation.

He met several influential American lawmakers, opinion builders, members of the think-tank community and government officials to discuss H-1B visa issues, among other matters.

The visit of the Nasscom delegation came in the wake of the ongoing debate in the US and moves to curtail the use of H-1B visas, widely used by Indian IT majors.

The US recently also accused top Indian IT firms TCS and Infosys of "unfairly" cornering the lion's share of the H-1B work visas by putting extra tickets in the lottery system, a charge vehemently countered by Nasscom.

Close on the heels of this accusation, Infosys went on to announce plans to hire 10,000 Americans, though this move was described by some as an act to appease US President Donald Trump's administration which has tightened the rules of H-1B visa programme to stop its 'abuse'.

Nasscom's lobbying expenses rising

An analysis of the lobbying disclosure reports filed for Nasscom shows that the Indian software industry body paid USD 440,000 to the two registered lobbying firms in 2016.

The Lande Group has been lobbying on behalf of Nasscom since third quarter of 2010, while Wexler & Walker registered itself as a lobbyist for the industry body in October 2015.

Previously, Hill and Knowlton had registered itself as a lobbyist for Nasscom way back in February 2003 but that association got terminated in first quarter of 2008.

Since the beginning, the lobbying issues for Nasscom have included "immigration and technology issues of interest to the Indian software industry".

The total lobbying expenses for Nasscom in the year 2015 was USD 270,000, while it was even lower at $140,000 in 2014 and $150,000 in 2013.

The amounts were $115,000 in 2012, $75,000 in 2011 and just $40,000 in 2010. The lobbying expenses for Nasscom stood at $60,000 in 2006, $100,000 in 2005, $180,000 in 2004 and at $200,000 in 2003


Mauritania willing to take part in Belt and Road Initiative: president

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said Friday that Mauritania supports and stands ready to participate in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking during a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Aziz said Mauritania would like to further enhance coordination with China on issues such as the reform of the UN Security Council so as to jointly safeguard the benefits of developing countries, especially African countries.

Expressing his appreciation to China's long-term support and assistance, Aziz said that Mauritania attaches high importance to its relations with China, adding that the rapid development of bilateral relations in recent years has brought about concrete benefits to the Mauritanian people.

He said Mauritania stays open to China and welcomes Chinese companies to invest in the country and enhance cooperation in industries including mining, fishery and manufacturing.

Aziz also hoped that China would provide help to the development of Sahel G5, a regional mechanism established to safeguard regional peace and stability.

For his part, Wang said Aziz had reached broad consensus with Chinese President Xi Jinping when visiting China in 2015, and the consensus has been carried out in a practical manner.

Wang said China supports Mauritania's path of development that suits the nation's conditions, and the two countries have always understood and supported each other, citing the Chinese-aided Friendship Harbor in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, which has become a model for China-Africa cooperation.

Meanwhile, he said Chinese companies' participation in the road construction projects at present is helping the country's development.

Wang said China encourages Chinese companies to invest in Mauritania and cooperate with the country in areas including sea port construction, mining development and maritime economy, so as to help Mauritania grow its economy, improve people's livelihoods, and gradually establish its own industrial system and the capacity for independent development.

"China also hopes that Mauritania will provide a sound environment for the investment and operations of Chinese companies," he said.

He said China supports the Sahel G5 mechanism, and is willing to work with Mauritania in improving the country's peacekeeping and law enforcement capabilities.

"China and Mauritania, being both developing countries, should further enhance coordination and cooperation on international matters," said Wang, adding that China's vote in the United Nations always belongs to developing and African countries.
May 20, 2017 in NW and SW: some children used as militants W. Musa

There was a low turnout of students and pupils in the various Parade grounds in the two English peaking regions of Cameroon with mainly workers of regional delegations filling in the gaps.

In Limbe just like in Buea, Bamenda, Kumba especially Kumbo there was a remarkable absence of students from private and confessional schools. Few students from Government schools answered on the respective grounds while in Kumbo only few pupils showed up for the event.

Unlike previous years the pomp and peagendary that used to accompany 20th May celebration. Surprisingly enough unlike 11 February parade, CPDM militants were in their numbers at the Bamenda Commercial Avenue for the event but all disappeared after marching leaving many with impression that they were quickly transported to their respective destinations for fear of the unknown. Workers of regional delegations also took part in the parade at all levels in the two regions. Minister Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency told National Media, CRTV that over 4000 persons took part in Bamenda.

In the South West region, Governor Okalia Bilai congratulated those who took part and said Buea the town of Legendary hospitality defended its name in spite calls by unknown persons for boycott. Mr Bilai says they defeated Ghost Town

Heavy downpour which battered the towns of Buea and Limbe could not disturb the parade.

However it is alleged that many persons including children were given CPDM regalia to wear in order to increase participation.
Information from the official website of Empire State Building [Photo: hangzhou.com.cn]

New York's iconic Empire State Building will turn blue later today to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Zhejiang University.

Blue is the Chinese university's traditional color.

It's the first occasion the building will be specially illuminated to honor a Chinese university.

It's reported the tribute is a gift from the Zhejiang University North American Alumni Association of New York Branch.

The Empire State Building is often lit up for special occasions, and in the past was illuminated to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

There are very strict rules governing such lighting tributes. Until now, it had only been lit up in honor of New York based universities, such as New York University and Columbia University.
| BY Kim Shaw |

Aussie expat creative Sharon Howard-Butler and her US creative partner Brit Till from The Bloc New York opened their Hearing Voices of Support interactive art installation this week at Tribeca gallery One Art Space for non-profit client Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA).

It was produced and directed by expat Aussie Ian Fowler, formerly of @radical.media Sydney, with sound design by Aussie composer Rafael May.

The Hearing Voices of Support initiative was launched in October last year with a social platform housing 18 mini documentaries. This was followed by a Times Square billboard. Then a flash mob in Times Square to bring attention to the cause and celebrate Congresss passage of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.

The installation opened on May 16 and ran during Schizophrenia Awareness Week. It puts people with schizophrenia-related disorders in the spotlight, with visitors activating lights, sound and video projections as they walk through the gallery. Up to eight voices are heard at any one time while images of the people speaking are projected onto the walls. It is reminiscent of auditory hallucinations but with a twistthe voices are positive, helping to reshape how people think about this condition.

For more photos and responses from people who have been through the installation visit facebook.com/hearingvoicesofsupport

Creative Directors: Sharon Howard-Butler and Brit Till

Agency: The Bloc, New York

Director/Producer/Editor: Ian Fowler

Cameraman: Craig Kabrhel

Editor: Matt Butler

Light and sound build: Glowing Bulbs Inc

Music: Rafael May /Evan Pinciaro
Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper.
The heights of the proposed buildings - which would reach 12 storeys on the corner of Cooyong Street and Ainslie Avenue, eight storeys fronting the rest of Cooyong, and five storeys backing onto Currong Street - were similar to those submitted in the first development application in January.
(Xinhua) 10:43, May 21, 2017

Zhang Ping (C, front), special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, attends the inauguration ceremony of Timor-Leste President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo in Dili, Timor-Leste, May 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

Zhang Ping, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended Timor-Leste's presidential inauguration ceremony as well as the celebration of 15th anniversary of Timor-Leste's restoration of independence in Dili on May 19-20.

China and Timor-Leste enjoy a profound traditional friendship, and their political trust has been constantly deepened and pragmatic cooperation increasingly strengthened since the two countries established diplomatic ties 15 years ago, said Zhang, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.

China actively supports the national development and construction cause of Timer-Leste, and their relations can be viewed as a model of equality and mutual benefits between a big country and a small one, Zhang said.

China is willing to continuously make efforts with Timer-Leste to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, actively engage in cooperation based on the Belt and Road Initiative and constantly push ahead the comprehensive partnership of good neighborliness and mutual benefits between the two countries, said Zhang.

Timor-Leste's new President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo said that his country supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road construction.

Lu-Olo said that Timor-Leste is willing to further strengthen its cooperation with China in various fields and constantly enhance relations between the two countries.

He said that the Chinese envoy's presence at his inauguration ceremony showed the friendly ties and close friendship between the two countries and the two peoples.

Lu-Olo appreciated China's long-time support for the Timor-Leste national liberation movement and its national construction.

Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Chinese President Xi Jinpingon Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages with his Timor-Leste counterpart, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, on the 15th anniversary of Timor-Leste's restoration of independence and the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Xi said in his message that China and Timor-Leste are friendly neighbors and have witnessed deepening political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation thanks to the two sides' efforts.

In 2014, the two countries established a comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring good-neighborly and friendly relations, mutual trust and mutual benefits, which is a paradigm of relations of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between big and small countries, he noted.

The Chinese president said he attaches great importance to the development of relations between China and Timor-Leste and is ready to work with Lu-Olo to push forward bilateral ties to benefit the two peoples.

In his message, Lu-Olo said his country and China have expanded their relations in all areas and at all levels in the past 15 years.

He reiterated his readiness to lift the bilateral relations to a new stage, saying he believes that the two countries, sharing common visions and goals in promoting peace and stability, will become partners in making these goals come true.
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.
Most Americans consider trade with China beneficial to U.S. economy: survey

(Xinhua) 11:56, May 21, 2017

A majority of Americans consider trade with China beneficial to the U.S. economy and consumers, according to a survey released Friday.

The survey, conducted by the Committee of 100 (C100), a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese American leaders, explored U.S and Chinese public perceptions about each other.

It has found that 81 percent of Americans agree that trade with China will be advantageous to the U.S. economy, and 75 percent of Americans think that products from China benefit American consumers.

The report also discovered that overall sentiment is positive about bilateral investment between China and the United States.

It is for the first time since 2001 that Americans and Chinese agree on the three areas in which both countries would benefit from working together: trade, global financial stability, and the environment, according to the survey.

"The aim of this survey is to determine Americans' attitudes toward China, and Chinese attitudes toward the United States, in order to explore the most salient issues in U.S.-China relations," said Frank Wu, chair of the C100.

"It is more crucial than ever to find paths to mutual understanding and stronger bilateral relations," he said.

According to the survey, millennials (18-34 year olds) in both countries have a more favorable impression about each other than older generations do.

For example, 57 percent of American millennials have a positive impression of China, compared to 48 percent of the overall American public, while 60 percent of Chinese millennials have a favorable impression of the United States, compared to 55 percent of the Chinese public in general.

Meanwhile, 88 percent of American millennials think positively of the Chinese language taught in U.S. schools and 86 percent think the increase of Chinese students studying in the United States schools is good for America, the survey said.
Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has invited application form for various posts. All eligible candidates are required to check eligibility details for Public Service Commission Official notification and apply online on or before June 12, 2017. The total no.of vacancies: 401

The details of vacancy and other requirements are mentioned below:

Post Name:

Assistant Commissioner Group A: 30 Superintendent Of Police (Home Dept.): 20 Executive Officer/ Assistant Secretary : 08 Assistant Director/District Treasury Officer: 14 District Backward Classes Welfare Officer: 09 Assistant Commissioner Commercial Taxes: 65 Assistant Labour Commissioner (Labour Department): 04 Tahsildar- (GR-2) KAS (Revenue Department): 66 Commercial Tax officer (Finance Department): 100 Assistant Superintendent, Prison Department (Home Department): 01 Deputy Superintendent OF Excise (Excise Department): 05 Assistant Treasury Officer ( Treasury Department): 04 Chief Officer- GRADE-1, Directorate of Municipal Administration: 19 Assistant Director (Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology DEPT): 02 Assistant Director, Agriculture Marketing Department: 02 Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies: 36 Assistant Director of Co-operative Audit: 02 Labour Officer (Labour Department): 05 Employment Officer: 09 posts

Essential Qualification:

All Interested Candidates should have completed Graduation Degree, Post Graduation Degree or its equivalent qualification from a recognized Board or University.

Pay Scale:

The selected candidates will get a monthly salary of Rs. 30400 - 51300/- (for Post 1), Rs. 28100 - 50100/- (for Post 2-7), Rs. 22800 - 43200/- (for Post 8,9,12,14-17), Rs. 21600 - 40050/- (for Post 10,11,13,18,19)

Age Limit:

Candidates age limit should be between 21 to 35 Years. Age relaxations will be applicable as per the rules.

Selection Process:

The selection will be based on written exam and interview.

Application Fee:

For Unreserved candidates application fee is Rs.300/- & for all reserved candidates application fee is Rs.150/-

How To Apply?

All eligible candidates may apply online and fill the application through the official website on or before June 12, 2017.

Important Dates:

The last date for submission of online application: June 12, 2017.

About Karnataka Public Service Commission:

Prior to 1921, there was no Central Authority constituted in the State to advise Government and other Appointing Authorities in the matters of recruitment to the state civil services. Government and Appointing Authorities were making appointments in accordance with the principles laid down by Government from time to time. Through order No. 1827:80 E.A.G.308, dated:16-05-1921, the Government constituted for the first time a central agency for recruitments, named "Central Recruitment Board". This Board was attached to the office of the Government Secretariat till 1940. The government appointed a Public Service Commissioner for the State in its Order No. 3685-3735-C.B. 103-39-1, dated: 19-01-1940.

The Public Service Commission was constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India on 18-05-1951. In accordance with the provisions of clause 14 of the Public Service Commission Regulations 1950, the staff of the Public Service Commissioner as it stood on 18-05-1951, was continued as the nucleus of the staff of the Public Service Commission.

KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment: Apply Now!
Weve seen all kinds of modifications made to all manner of cars. And not a few of them to Dodge Challengers. But this has to be a new one.



Listed for sale at a dealership in Columbus, Ohio, is a 2010 Challenger. Not a Demon, not a Hellcat, not an SRT. Heck, it doesnt even have a Hemi. Its a plain old V6 base model, but with six flatscreen monitors installed.

Im sorry, what? How many monitors? Six, apparently  including one in each of the four headrests. But heres the kicker: while screens are often fitted to the back of the front headrests (for the benefit of rear-seat passengers), these ones are installed facing forward. You know, where your head is supposed to rest? Yeah, there. Oh, and theres apparently another couple of monitors placed elsewhere on the vehicle (were thinking under the steering column and inside the door pockets).

Why on earth anyone would do that, we dont know. Some Reddit users suggested (tongue-in-cheek) that it could be to use the HOV/carpool lane by displaying passengers faces on them, but thatd work about as well as the proverbial screen door on a submarine. And besides, as other Reddit users pointed out, Ohio doesnt have HOV lanes. Just passing lanes that tend to be hogged by slow-moving traffic.

If you have some idea as to what these monitors might be for, or (more likely) what the previous owner might have been smoking when s/he had them installed, please share. Because this one has us scratching our heads as if well, as if theyd been resting on television monitors instead of headrests.

Photo Gallery
Construction firms from China and Morocco will set up a a joint venture to build Africa's tallest high-rise tower in Morocco's capital Rabat, local media reported on Saturday.

The joint venture will be set up by China Railway Construction Corp and Morocco's leading construction company Travaux Generaux de Construction de Casablanca which won the bid to build Africa's tallest high-rise tower.

According to Moroccan news site Alyaoum24.com, the construction of the 250-meter-tall skyscraper would cost 375 million U.S. dollars.

The 45-storey tower, which adopts ecological and sustainable design concepts, will include offices, hotels and luxury apartments, the news site said.

The tower will be the highlight of a large-scale project to develop the capital's Bouregreg valley, a key component of the 2014-2018 Integrated Development Program dubbed "Rabat, City of Light, Moroccan Cultural Capital."

The new project also involves building several innovative facilities, including the Grand Theatre of Rabat, the Arts and Culture House, the National Archives of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Archaeological Museum, a multiplex cinema, a sculpture gallery, a marina, an art hotel, a marina hotel, a mall and a business center.
Graham, the terrifying humanoid youve probably spent months trying to forget, is back in the news as Adweek reports it was named Best of Show at the New York Festivals Worlds Best Advertising Awards.



The award was presented to Clemenger BBDO Melbourne who created the Meet Graham project on behalf of the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria, Australia. The award committee was particularly impressed by Graham as it is part interactive sculpture, part educational tool, and a catalyst for a global conversation.

The organization went on to praise the ad firm for analyzing decades of road safety and medical research and then enlisting the help of a trauma surgeon and an artist to create Graham. His shocking appearance has garnered a lot of attention and clearly indicates how our bodies would need to evolve in order to survive a car crash.

According to Clemenger BBDO Melbourne Chief Creative Officer James McGrath, We are thrilled to be awarded Best of Show, we want to thank our creators and makers of course but most of all our clients, whose bravery and genuine belief in solving real world problems inspires us.

As a refresher, Graham doesnt have a neck and his face is full of fatty tissue to protest his head in the event of a collision. If thats not gross enough, he has nipple-like sacks that are designed to expel liquid on impact in an effort to act like mini airbags.

Video

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Automakers are constantly trying to appeal to millennials but a recent study suggests luxury and prestige is the key to their heart.



Citing an EquiTrend Study from The Harris Poll, The Detroit Bureau is reporting millennials have a love affair with Mercedes. The German automaker boasted the highest equity score among automakers, but other luxury brands werent far behind as millennials also like BMW, Genesis, Lexus, and Porsche.

Despite their preference for the finer things in life, millennials arent exactly flush with cash. As a result, Harris notes millennials are much less likely to actually own luxury cars than older generations.

That brings us to mainstream manufactures which millennials are more likely to buy vehicles from. According to the study, Toyota was the top brand favored by the age group and it was followed by Honda, Chevrolet, and Ford. Other brands that ranked high with millennials include Subaru, Nissan, GMC, and Mazda.

According to Joan Sinopoli, vice president of brand solutions at The Harris Poll, The flirtation with cars as part of our culture is alive and well with younger generations. Millennials aspire to luxury, and this is nowhere more evident than in the automotive industry, where they are behind Mercedes-Benzs equity strength.

Photo Gallery
Photo: womenly.net

A trouble shared is a trouble halved.

This proverb encourages us to share our problems in order to alleviate the stress they cause. I totally agree with this wisdom. It helps when we talk with close friends and family about problems we are experiencing.

The difficulty comes when we discuss issues, and problems about people, we may or may not know, and who arent actually participating in the conversation. When this happens, we may have taken a step into the Gossip Zone.

The Cambridge dictionary defines gossip as "conversation or reports about other people's private lives that might be unkind, disapproving, or not true."

Research both supports, and condemns gossip. Some studies claim that gossip strengthens ties in social and business networks, while other research suggests it harms relationships.

I believe that although you can while away many hours gossiping, it isnt a happiness boosting activity.

Participating in it might make you feel you are part of the group, or your ego may delight in believing that others are worse off, or lesser people than you are.

However, these reasons do not fit with the principles for creating a robustly, happy life.

There is a fine line between sharing information about another person, and gossip. I believe the difference lies in the intention behind the conversation.

If you are sharing information for a loving reason, and striving to pass along an unbiased version of the situation, then I wouldnt consider your conversation gossip.

Passing along personal information about another person might help someone else from putting their size 12s into their mouth.

Sharing the fact that a friend has miscarried, might help others from constantly talking about babies, or how difficult their births were. Knowing that someone has just been left by their partner, may help you understand why they are behaving out of character.

If you and a colleague talk about a boss who is micromanaging you, and making your lives at work extremely difficult, that might not be gossip.

If your intention is to try and understand this person better, to find ways to deal with your difficult working conditions, or just to share the frustration you are feeling, you are probably not in the Gossip Zone.

However, if your intention is to share everything you know about your boss, regardless of who you heard it from, just so you can take delight from illustrating all the ways he is a jerk, you probably are gossiping.

When you gossip, your stories are often coloured by your opinions, and you put your own spin, or interpretation on the events. The facts of the situation become more difficult to discern.

I wish I could say that I have never gossiped about other people, but sadly that is not the case. I know how addictive this pastime can be, and the feelings of belonging that they provide.

However, now that I am more conscious of the principles of robust happiness, I try hard not to enter the Gossip Zone.

For anyone who isnt sure what these principles for robust happiness are, they include:

Not judging other people, unless their actions directly affect you, or someone is in danger of getting hurt.

Concentrating on the positive, rather than the negative.

Giving other people the benefit of the doubt, rather than believing that they are deliberately selfish, unthinking, or nasty.

Not comparing yourself to other people, especially when the intention is to feel better about yourself- At least I never did that.

Accepting that everyone is on their own journey, and has their own lessons to learn.

What do you do when you have a friend, or family member who likes to gossip?

You cant control the actions of others, so to believe it is your responsibility to change their gossiping ways is unrealistic, and not your place to do.

You can only make the choice for yourself, but if you find yourself entering the Gossip Zone here are a few strategies you can try.

Change the subject to something more positive/less gossipy.

Explain that you prefer not to talk about people you dont know, or people who are not present to give their point of view.

Suggest alternative reasons why the person being discussed, acted the way they did.

Remind your companions that like the game of Gossip/Whispers, information can change drastically, as it is passed from one person to another.

Walk away; a quick trip to the bathroom can be a lifesaver at times like this.

Gossip can be alluring, but remember, awareness is the first step to transformation.

When you find yourself talking about other people, stop and ask yourself what your intention is.

If notice you are entering the Gossip Zone, step out of it, and surround yourself with vibrations that are more positive.

What is happening in other peoples lives, for the most part, is none of your business.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: CTV Vancouver

Many Vancouverites looking to leave the city for the long weekend waited for hours to board ferries on Friday, despite BC Ferries adding dozens of extra sailings.

Travellers who didnt make reservations ahead of time were caught off guard by the volume of vehicles and walk-on passengers waiting to get onto the vessels.

Everybodys going away for the weekend, so I thought getting the 8 oclock or the 5 oclock might be crowded, said one man.

Some, however, made the most of the wait.

If you want to spend $15 to make a reservationits pretty easy and its totally worth it, especially if youve got kids, family or youve got to be somewhere in a hurry, whereas obviously I dont, said one ferry-goer at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal who used the time to clean his truck.

BC Ferries announced last week it would add a total of 89 extra sailings on its most popular routes for the Victoria Day long weekend, including 60 extra sailings from the Tsawwassen terminal.

The latest information on ferry departures and wait times is available on BC Ferries twitter feed.

With files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Cam Corrado

A group of Vancouver high school graduates say a chance encounter with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during their prom photoshoot made their graduation that much more memorable.

You look at your grad night and you hope for a memorable time, but I dont think we couldve dreamt up a more memorable experience than that, graduate Alex Horner told CTV Vancouver. It was really nice.

The prime minister was in Surrey on Friday before going for a jog along the Stanley Park seawall. Thats when Adam Scotti, Trudeaus official photographer, snapped a photo of the prime minister running past a group of unsuspecting teens.

The boys in the photo are from Vancouver College, an all-boys university preparatory Catholic school in the citys Shaughnessy neighbourhood. The girls are their prom guests, according to Dante Luciani, a teacher at the school.

Scotti posted the image to Twitter on Friday evening with the caption Prom season in #Vancouver.

Most of the teens, who were gathered along the Stanley Park seawall for prom photos, seemed unaware of Trudeaus presence.

But a photo taken by prom photographer Cam Corrado confirmed that the prime minister did stop for a group shot with the students.

He kind of like saw us, looped around and was like, Whos the bride? Whos the bride?  Sofia Kalil, one of the people in the photo, told CTV Vancouver. He thought it was a wedding.

After a quick explanation, the teens got a group shot with the prime minister.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
A heart-stopping video of a sea lion pulling a young girl into the water at a Vancouver-area wharf is a good reminder of why people should never feed wild animals, experts say.

Michael Fujiwara was having coffee at Steveston Wharf in Richmond, on Saturday evening when a sea lion popped out from the water and he took out his phone to record.

The 23-year-old said there were about a dozen people on the dock at the time, including a family that was feeding the animal bread crumbs.

A video Fujiwara posted online Saturday shows the sea lion suddenly lunge up, grab a little girl's dress and pull her into the water.

"Everyone just thought it was super friendly and all, but seconds later the girl decided to sit on the side of the dock and that's when the sea lion decided to jump out and drag her into the water," Fujiwara said.

On the video, screams erupt from the crowd as the animal grabs the girl. A man immediately leaps in, scoops the child up and hauls her to safety.

Fujiwara said he grabbed the hands of both the girl and the man and helped pull them back up to the dock.

"I was just in shock. I didn't know what to do at first," he said. "I've never seen anything like this before."

The family was visibly shaken by the incident, he added, and immediately left the area.

Bob Baziuk, general manager of the Steveston Harbour Authority, said watching the video made his stomach turn.

"It's an unfortunate incident, first and foremost. I hope the little girl's okay," he said. "But we've been trying to get that message out for years and years  don't feed the animals. You're just asking for trouble when you do that."

California sea lions often visit the area on their migratory cycle, hoping for handouts from fisherman, but signs are posted warning people not to feed any of the animals, Baziuk said.

"It's kind of staggering and it's a really unfortunate incident. But it happened and now that video is the poster child for why you don't (feed the sea lions)," he said.

Danielle Hyson, a senior marine mammal trainer at the Vancouver Aquarium, said there has been an uptick in people feeding wildlife around the Vancouver area, from bears to birds. That behaviour leads to an increased number of dangerous close encounters.

"The more and more we feed wild animals, the more and more we're putting our selves at risk for those situations," she said.

Hyson said Fujiwara's video appears to show the sea lion getting increasingly frustrated as the feeding stops.

"You saw him kind of initially lunge out of the water and give a little huff. That's what we would call an aggressive precursor," she explained. "So he's letting the people know that he's starting to get frustrated. And in that situation, the people should have backed off right away."

Frustration can lead to aggression, Hyson added, noting that male California sea lions are powerful animals that can weigh more than 200 kilograms.

Despite their power, the marine mammals have big eyes and whiskers that can tug on human heart strings.

"They look cute and I know people have a natural fascination with them. They look like they're water dogs but they absolutely are not," Hyson said.

The trainer said she's also concerned about the little girl's health after watching the video. If the child suffered any sort of puncture or broken skin, she could be at risk of an infection that doctors could find difficult to treat.

"Seals and sea lions can carry some pretty nasty bacteria in their mouth," Hyson said.

The Vancouver Aquarium is encouraging the family to get in touch for more information on how to handle a possible infection.
Photo: The Canadian Press The BC Liberals hold the slimmest of leads heading into the final vote count, which begins Monday.

British Columbia's final ballot count starts Monday to determine which party forms the province's next government almost two weeks after election day, barring judicial recounts.

Christy Clark's Liberals held a slight lead heading into the final count, needing only one riding to change in their favour for the slimmest of majority governments in the province's 87-seat legislature. But the prospect of a minority government also looms large.

After the May 9 vote, the Liberals had 43 seats, New Democrats 41 and the Greens three.

All eyes over the next few days will be on the Courtenay-Comox riding on Vancouver Island where the NDP won by nine votes. The riding is the focus of an official recount, as is Vancouver-False Creek, won by incumbent Liberal Sam Sullivan by more than 400 votes.

Once the results are known, political horse trading between the Liberals, NDP and Greens is expected to intensify as the parties manoeuvre towards co-operation agreements in what could be a minority government or a bare majority.

Clark and NDP Leader John Horgan have reached out to the Greens since the election. Green Leader Andrew Weaver has appointed a negotiating team and articulated three major demands: official party status along with electoral and campaign finance reforms.

Glen Sanford, the NDP's deputy director, said 60 per cent of B.C. voters rejected Clark's Liberals and people want change.

Elections BC, the government agency that administers provincial elections, said almost 180,000 absentee ballots must be counted.

The final count will take place from Monday to Wednesday. Elections BC said the results will be posted and refreshed on the agency's website starting on Monday.
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minster Justin Trudeau speaks at the Telus World of Science in Edmonton on Saturday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to Jason Kenney's threat to sue Ottawa if Kenney becomes premier by making a dig at the former federal Conservative government.

Kenney, a major figure in Stephen Harper's government who is expected to seek the leadership of a new provincial united conservative party in Alberta, said on Thursday his first act if he becomes premier would be to repeal the NDP government's carbon tax.

He also told CTV that if the federal government imposed a carbon tax on the province, he would join Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and sue Ottawa for violating what he said is provincial jurisdiction.

Trudeau, who was at an event in Edmonton on Saturday promoting his government's child care policies, says Canadians made a choice in the last election.

He says that choice was between a government that didn't understand that building a strong economy and jobs required leadership on the environment, or a party that did.

He says the federal Conservatives talked a good game about supporting Alberta but weren't able to get the job done.

Wall has threatened to take Ottawa to court to keep it from imposing the carbon tax next year.
Photo: Twitter

Roger Tasse, who is considered the architect of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, died in hospital Saturday in Gatineau, Que. He was 85.

His wife, Renee Marcil Tasse, was at his bedside. She told The Canadian Press Tasse had been receiving dialysis treatment for several years and that doctors had been closely monitoring his condition since discovering water in his lungs.

In 1980 Tasse led a team of Justice Ministry lawyers tasked with helping political leaders reach an agreement on The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In 1982 he was deputy justice minister in the Liberal government of former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau where he played a lead role in the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution.

During his long career in federal politics Tasse also served as deputy solicitor general in the 1970s, then attorney general. In the 1980s and 90s he represented the government in negotiations of the Meech Lake accord and subsequent Charlottetown accord.

In 1992, when he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Quebec at Hull, he said the biggest challenge he faced in drafting the Charter was "to find the right balance between, on the one hand, greater protection of our fundamental freedoms and, on the other, the demands of the common good."
Photo: CTV May 12 photo shows Nicola River flooding.

As the snowpack begins to melt in earnest, the River Forecast Centre has issued a number of new high streamflow advisories for regions of the Southern Interior.

They include:

Okanagan Valley including Mission Creek

Shuswap region including the Shuswap River, Eagle River and surrounding tributaries

Boundary region including the Kettle River

Similkameen River including tributaries

West Kootenay including Slocan River, Salmo River, and surrounding areas

East Kootenay

High streamflow advisories continue for:

Nicola River downstream of Merritt

Salmon River

A high streamflow advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

A flood watch remains in effect for:

Nicola River at Merritt and upstream, including Nicola Lake and tributaries

A flood watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed their banks. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will update the advisory as needed.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani.

I extend my most sincere congratulations to you on your re-election as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Your victory in the election testifies to the Iranian people's confidence and trust in you and appreciation of what you have done for the development and well-being of your friendly and brotherly country, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter.

I attach great importance to the relationship between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We are satisfied with the current state of relations, which reached the level of strategic cooperation. I highly appreciate the political dialogue, cooperation of mutual interest in a variety of fields, and cultural ties between the two countries, as well as Iran's support for the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Our bilateral relations have rapidly developed particularly in recent years to acquire a new meaning. Our bilateral meetings, the negotiations we have held, the documents we have signed and the projects we have implemented with you play an important role in the development of our relations, President Aliyev said.

I believe that we will continue our joint efforts towards further strengthening relations and expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran in accordance with the best interests of the two brotherly peoples, who share common spiritual values.

Please accept my best wishes for your robust health, happiness, and success in your future activities for the prosperity of the friendly and brotherly people of Iran, Ilham Aliyev added.
Photo: David Ogilvie Crews responding to a collision in West Kelowna on May 21, 2017.

Paramedics rushed to the scene of a collision involving a motorcycle and pedestrian on Sunday.

The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. on Highway 97 and Butt road.

One person was taken to hospital but there is no word on the injuries.

Highway 97 is down to one lane open northbound.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21

Trend:

The Arab Islamic American Summit has today been held in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomed Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre.

Then King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud hosted a dinner party for the Summit participants.

The heads of state and government posed together for photographs.

The Summit started with the recitation of ayahs from the Quran.

King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud opened the event.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed US President Donald Trump and leaders from across the Islamic world for this historic meeting. United under a single vision  Together We Prevail  this highly anticipated event, the first of its kind in history, renewed the mutual commitment to global security and further strengthened already deep business, cultural and political ties.

On May 21, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev completed his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May. 21

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to you on your re-election as Chairman of the Justice and Development Party, the leading political force in the brotherly Turkey.

Great works have been done in the brotherly Republic of Turkey since the party headed and founded by you came to power 15 years ago. The political, economic, social and other projects have paved the way for Turkey to become more powerful and occupy an important place on the international arena.

Having personally played an exceptional role in all these accomplishments, you went down in Turkey`s history of statehood. Your re-election as Chairman of the party that you founded clearly testifies to party members` limitless confidence and trust in you and is appreciation of your services to the development and well-being of Turkey.

We are very happy for every success of a strong and stable Republic of Turkey, which has become a power center on the international arena. Built on the foundations of friendship and brotherhood, Azerbaijan-Turkey relationship is absolutely unique in the world. This relationship stems from the will of our peoples, who have historically been bound together by indissoluble ties.

Our strategic alliance is characterized by multifaceted bilateral relations, close mutual cooperation, large-scale joint projects. Azerbaijan-Turkey partnership not only serves to establish peace and stability in our region, but also contributes to cooperation in a wider geographic area. I'm confident that through our joint efforts Turkey-Azerbaijan solidarity and strategic alliance will continue to strengthen and expand in the best interests of our peoples.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my best wishes for your robust health, success in your endeavors, and for lasting peace and prosperity of the brotherly people of Turkey" President Aliyev told Erdogan in his letter.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21

Trend:

Volleyball competitions held within the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, have wrapped up.

Azerbaijan's men's volleyball team lost to Iran in the finals, 0:3 (16:25, 27:29, 18:25), settling for silver medal.

The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games started May 8 and will last until May 22 in Azerbaijans capital.
Milwaukee's Colectivo Coffee will open its first location outside of Wisconsin when its new storefront in Lincoln Park debutsMonday. (Colin McMahon / Chicago Tribune)

Lawrences Fish and Shrimp has launched another location in the city, its third, this time at 87th and Kedzie. One of Chicagos favorite casual spots for seafood, the new location adds a bit of culinary variety to a relatively sparse corner for food. 3242 W. 87th St., 312-796-5048, ASHBURN  Local seafood staplehas launched another location in the city, its third, this time at 87th and Kedzie. One of Chicagos favorite casual spots for seafood, the new location adds a bit of culinary variety to a relatively sparse corner for food. 3242 W. 87th St., 312-796-5048, www.lawrencesfisheries.com

Viet Nom Nom, a quick-service restaurant they hope to open in late May. The pair plan to offer grab-and-go Vietnamese-inspired food near the Northwestern campus. Nom Nom already boasts some stellar local partnerships as well: coffee from Dark Matter, bread from Gonnella Baking Co. and other goods from Phoenix Bean Tofu. 618  Church St., EVANSTON  A Northwestern MBA grad and a lifelong Chicago native are pooling their knowledge for the creation of, a quick-service restaurant they hope to open in late May. The pair plan to offer grab-and-go Vietnamese-inspired food near the Northwestern campus. Nom Nom already boasts some stellar local partnerships as well: coffee from Dark Matter, bread from Gonnella Baking Co. and other goods from Phoenix Bean Tofu. 618  Church St., www.eatvietnomnom.com

GOLD COAST  Following a four-month renovation, the Talbott Hotel has reopened downtown, and so has its new 20 East restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the spot also has a 75-person patio where dogs can join alfresco diners. 20 E. Delaware Pl., 312-944-4970.

LINCOLN PARK  After a bit of a wait, Colectivo Coffee is preparing to make its debut Monday, May 22 at the corner of Clark and Deming. For the Milwaukee-based coffee chain, its the first location outside of its home state; a second location is allegedly coming to Logan Square in the future. For now, the companys inaugural Chicago spot will serve coffee, tea, beer and baked goods from its Milwaukee facility. 2530 N. Clark St., www.colectivocoffee.com

Land & Lake Kitchen opens its doors. Classic American food and local brews and spirits will be the focus of the 3,500-square-foot space. 85 E. Upper Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200, LOOP  LondonHouse Chicago will welcome a restaurant to its ground-level space this summer whenopens its doors. Classic American food and local brews and spirits will be the focus of the 3,500-square-foot space. 85 E. Upper Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200, www.londonhousechicago.com

Midnight Mac and Cheeserie. The new late-night delivery-only spot will bring your favorite cheesy pasta, complete with add-ins (36 to choose from) straight to your apartment. first reported the news. 6979 N. Sheridan Road, 847-886-2601, www.macandcheeserie.com ROGERS PARK  Its late, and you want mac n cheese, but you dont want to make it. Dont worry  as long as youre in the delivery area for. The new late-night delivery-only spot will bring your favorite cheesy pasta, complete with add-ins (36 to choose from) straight to your apartment. Time Out

Seasides, another takeout- and delivery-only restaurant. This one, opening Tuesday, May 23, will operate out of the same kitchen as the suburban Shaws. The concept started inside the kitchen at Oyster Bah in Lincoln Park. On the menu: food inspired by the Jersey Shore boardwalk, including lobster and fried chicken. The Streets of Woodfield, 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-517-2722, SCHAUMBURG  Shaws Crab House will open its second, another takeout- and delivery-only restaurant. This one, opening Tuesday, May 23, will operate out of the same kitchen as the suburban Shaws. The concept started inside the kitchen at Oyster Bah in Lincoln Park. On the menu: food inspired by the Jersey Shore boardwalk, including lobster and fried chicken. The Streets of Woodfield, 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-517-2722, www.shawscrabhouse.com

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE  Lockdown Bar and Grill has created another meat-friendly spot right next door with Lockdown Smoked, a barbecue-focused eatery that will be open only on the weekends for now. Chicago Magazine first reported the opening. 1022 N. Western Ave.

WEST LOOP  Restaurant Row has added another option for modern Mexican cuisine with the arrival of La Josie to the stretch earlier this month. La Josie is a family-owned spot from Jose Barajas, who also runs El Solazo. Named for Barajas' late aunt, La Josie also offers an interesting cocktail menu with items like a mezcal Old-Fashioned. 740 W. Randolph St., 312-929-2900, www.lajosie.com

WEST LOOP  Another dining option has taken up residence at Soho House. Nava, offering Middle Eastern-inspired food, recently opened on the rooftop there. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a happy hour. Soho House, 113 N. Green St., 312-521-8000.

WICKER PARK  Next week, the neighborhood will welcome a new restaurant that sounds well-suited to the area: Clever Rabbit specializes in creative, vegetable-forward cuisine. Rabbit opens Tuesday, May 23. 2015 W. Division St., www.cleverrabbitchicago.com

ICYMI:

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LAKEVIEW  The food hall takeover continues around Chicago as the northern neighborhood gets its own edition next summer with the opening of Lakeview Market.

LOOP  East Coast favorite Taylor Gourmet will bring its Philly-style cheesesteaks and hoagies to Chicago sometime this year.

RIVER NORTH  The upcoming restaurant from Nico Osteria's Erling Wu-Bower and The Publican's Cosmo Goss now has both a name and a date set for a pre-opening pop-up  in New York.

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WEST LOOP  The latest restaurant from the Gibsons Steakhouse folks has also announced its name (and chef).

adlukach@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lucheezy
Dario Castaneda, an immigration attorney who is representing detained immigrant, Francisco Casas, outside of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office (West Congress Pkwy.) in Chicago on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

In a tiny basement courtroom of a federal building on Congress Parkway, Francisco Casas-Torres explained to a judge how he came to be in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the past seven months.

He had been out celebrating his 40th birthday last fall near his home in Bloomington and had a few beers. A police officer saw him use his cellphone and pulled him over, and he was charged with driving under the influence.

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Because he was in the U.S. illegally, the drunken driving charge sent Casas-Torres into the labyrinth of Chicago Immigration Court, where he joined thousands of others trying to navigate a system that has newfound momentum to remove them from the country.

Scores of people here illegally are being processed daily through a court network that has become heavily backlogged as it reckons with the new priorities of the administration of President Donald Trump, who rode a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment to the White House.

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As recently as 2010, the immigration court in Chicago had fewer than 13,000 pending cases on its docket. By the end of March, that figure had risen to 24,844, according to statistics provided by the federal Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is part of the Department of Justice.

The crunch is partly the result of policy changes under the Obama administration, which made a priority of quickly handling cases that involved children and recent border crossers, particularly in the face of an influx of immigrants coming into the U.S. illegally from Central American countries around 2014. But the Trump administration has contributed to the crunch as well, emphasizing the deportation of detainees who have had contact with the criminal justice system, though even those without records have been caught up in the efforts.

Earlier this month the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency reported that in the first 100 days since Trump signed executive orders on immigration policy, arrests nationally have increased more than 37 percent over the same period last year.

In the more than three months since Trump took office, the number of people detained in the Chicago area has more than doubled compared with the same period in 2016, from 412 to 940 people, according to data from ICE. The number without criminal records rose from 271 to 407 over the same period.

And the Chicago number likely would be higher if not for the city and Cook County's resolve to stand firm in their sanctuary status and not cooperate with ICE agents or allow them access to those being processed at the County Jail.

All of that, though, mattered little to Casas-Torres, who faced the choice of uprooting his son and taking him to Mexico or leaving him in Bloomington with the boy's mother. His case was among those being handled by the new two-judge "detained detail" created in response to the Jan. 25 Trump executive order that made detained immigrants who are in the country illegally the top priority for deportation.

The fluorescent-lit room Casas-Torres appeared in had just a few seats, with his attorney and a lawyer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security facing each other across two connected desks. A loud air conditioner sitting on the floor provided the only airflow.

With yellow handcuffs on his wrists, Casas-Torres occasionally had to raise both hands from his lap to wipe tears as he described being separated from his 9-year-old son, recounting how he had told the boy only that he has been working and will be home soon.

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"For me, being away from my family has been hard emotionally and physically," he told the judge through an interpreter. "Knowing they are struggling financially, due to the fact I didn't know how to be responsible."

Casas-Torres entered the country some 20 years ago and had a good job leading a cleaning crew at local hotels, according to his lawyer. But he admitted he had used his father's name and his father's legal papers to get the work. What's more, he acknowledged that he had been given a chance to fix his immigration status after a first DUI arrest, in 2012  but that he had failed to do so.

"I am not perfect," he told Immigration Judge Eva Saltzman. "But I know you will do your job the best that you can."

Lawyers working in the court system said the new courtrooms have added pressure to the overburdened docket at the main Chicago Immigration Court on the fifth floor of an office building a few blocks away at 525 W. Van Buren St.

While judges rotate onto the monthlong assignments, their regular caseloads tend to languish, according to lawyers who work in the courtroom. The move also seemed redundant to some of the lawyers because the main court already funnels cases involving detained people to a single courtroom or two each day.

"It's a bit of theater," said Keren Zwick, a managing attorney for the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago, which takes referrals from the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations that help immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

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Court officials declined to respond directly to charges that the new courtrooms are merely window dressing. But they said the Executive Office for Immigration Review works to place judges where case needs are highest.

"The agency continues to evaluate the need for immigration judges across the country, to include those locations most important to carry out President Trump's executive orders," court spokeswoman Gail Montenegro wrote in an email.

Court officials said uneven funding over several years led to the backlog; even after Congress and the Obama administration sought to boost funding, a federal hiring freeze in 2011 hampered efforts to expand the court system. There are now nine sitting judges in Chicago's Immigration Court, which primarily handles cases from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and part of Kentucky.

Funding for the Executive Office for Immigration Review has lagged money being spent for DHS' law enforcement mission, Montenegro wrote, meaning that, for years, more cases were being created than the court system was funded to handle.

According to data collected by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, the primary country of origin for those appearing at the Chicago court is Mexico. More than 10,600 people in the system here at the end of March were Mexican nationals, clearinghouse data show. Others are natives of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, with more than 2,000 people linked to each of those countries.

Obtaining data about the system's performance can be difficult, and ICE did not immediately process a records request seeking detailed information on those detained in the Chicago area, such as their names, places where they are being held and any criminal records.

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The Executive Office for Immigration Review publishes data by fiscal year that includes the number of incoming cases, known as notices to appear, in court jargon. Those records show that during the fiscal year ended in September 2015, Chicago Immigration Court received 7,160 new notices to appear, but that number dipped below 7,000 in the last fiscal year. In the first six months of this fiscal year, however, the Chicago number was 4,574  putting the system on pace for a significant increase of new cases over last year.

Receiving a notice to appear starts the process for someone allegedly in the country illegally, whether he or she has been taken into custody or not. Those being held are first processed at the closest ICE suboffice and are then shuffled to one of a few local holding centers, a list that includes McHenry County Jail and Kenosha County Detention Center in Wisconsin.

Zwick's group, the justice center, which assists many who appear in immigration court without a lawyer, visits the two facilities twice a month. But she said the new push to process detainees quickly could lead to some in custody being missed and not getting the right representation as they move through the system.

Still, the majority of those appearing on an average day for what are known as "master calendar" hearings are not in custody. Those preliminary hearings are used to go over the alleged violation with the person being accused of being in the country illegally, allow the judge to make a determination as to whether there are grounds to remove the person from the U.S. and perhaps set a bond if he or she is detained.

So it is that, on many days, people crowd the waiting area for their turn to walk a narrow corridor and enter one of the rooms where their case will be called. Often families enter the rooms together, some with infants in their arms. All hope to be remain in the country.

On one recent day, a government lawyer asked a judge to keep a man in detention as a danger to the community because he had a theft conviction in his record from 20 years ago. The judge, who seemed surprised by the government's effort, declined to do so and instead set a $2,000 bond, noting that the man had ended up in ICE custody only because the police had stopped him and determined he was driving without a valid license.

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Lawyers and advocates for immigrants say a new tone has set in at immigration court under the Trump administration. The lawyers say that government attorneys appear more aggressive, while they also have less discretion to give breaks to immigrants in the country illegally.

"They have essentially told us that isn't happening anymore," said Dario Castaneda, the lawyer for Casas-Torres.

In spite of the aggressive government stance, the average number of days to complete a case in Chicago Immigration Court has continued to grow. The newest data from the clearinghouse show that in 2010, the average number of days to process a case was 381, a figure that swelled to 962 days by the end of March this year.

The lag in the system is noticeable at many court hearings. At one, a woman sat at the respondent's table with her 12-year-old daughter, both of whom are in the country illegally, and was told the girl wouldn't have to return to court for the next time the case was called.

That next time will be April 6, 2020.

Many people who wind up in court welcome the long gaps between dates. That gives them time to try to work with DHS to clear up their case, or even to change their immigration status. A woman from Latvia, who was accused of staying in the country longer than she was allowed, was told by a judge that the woman's mother might be able to sponsor her for a visa. The judge gave her a next court date in April 2021.

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"We'll be anxiously awaiting our new president," her lawyer, Richard Trais, quipped to the judge.

But the hearings also can produce quick results, as they did for a man being held in McHenry County Jail who appeared in court via television and identified himself as Rodrigo Cosme-Mezo. The man, who had no lawyer, acknowledged he entered the country illegally in 2006, was convicted of a burglary that included great bodily harm to a victim in 2008 and had spent much of the time since then in prison.

Immigration Judge Robin Rosche told him he had little hope of receiving asylum or otherwise blocking his deportation. Cosme-Mezo said he would not fight his removal. He asked how long it might take before he would be flown to Mexico.

"It usually takes a couple of weeks," Rosche answered. "It depends how long it takes the detention officers to get your travel documents."

And with that, Cosme-Mezo stood and walked off the screen.

According to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the number of completed cases in Chicago court ending in removals in fiscal year 2016 was 2,358. In the first six months of this year, that figure has already hit 1,662 cases.

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For those with a chance of fighting deportation, another hearing is set where a decision is made on their future  a proceeding known as a merits hearing or individual hearing, like the one where Casas-Torres was pleading his case.

Respondents can file for asylum on a number of grounds, and often do. On a recent day in one of the two basement courtrooms on Congress, another man from Mexico successfully argued that he should not be removed because he is a longtime U.S. resident who has resisted joining a drug cartel in his homeland and could be punished if he returned. He was granted asylum to stay in the country.

Things did not go as well for a man from Eritrea in Africa, who addressed Judge Saltzman through an interpreter in his native Tigrinya language. The man told the judge a winding story that began in Eritrea, where he said he had been arrested last year while walking with friends and accused of practicing a banned religion because one of them was carrying a Bible. He had escaped, he said, and was smuggled to Sudan and Dubai, and flown to Brazil; then he made a harrowing journey through Central America and Mexico.

He was arrested when he arrived at the Texas border in January and sought asylum.

DHS lawyer Caitlin Corcoran confronted the man and asked whether he ever had been to Europe. He had not, he answered.

Corcoran then showed him a photocopied picture of him arriving at an airport in Panama in October and presenting customs workers with papers showing he has refugee status in Switzerland as well has permission to live there as a resident.

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It was a rare "Perry Mason moment" in immigration court.

After a long pause, the man slumped and admitted it was true. He had actually lived in Switzerland since 2008.

"It was difficult over there for me, so I came here," he said sheepishly.

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Saltzman quickly found the man had lied to the court and filed a frivolous asylum request, and ordered him flown to Eritrea in June. His lawyers said they would try to persuade U.S. officials to send him back to Switzerland instead.

As for Casas-Torres, his son's fate swayed Saltzman. The two DUIs, the judge said, were not enough to offset the damage that would be done to the boy, who was born in Illinois and would face either losing his father to deportation or relocating to Mexico as well.

"A young U.S. citizen child would go from an unusually stable situation to an unusually unstable one," Saltzman said, telling Casas-Torres his case was a very close question for her but ultimately welcoming him to the United States.

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Casas-Torres visibly exhaled and lowered his head.

"Muchas gracias," he said. And through his interpreter: "God bless you and your family."

jcoen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @JeffCoen
A woman found dead in a South Chicago neighborhood home early Saturday was shot to death in a homicide, the Cook County medical examiner's office determined after an autopsy.

Tina D. Brown, 53, was found shot in the head in her home in the 8000 block of South Essex Avenue and pronounced dead at the scene at 12:59 a.m. Saturday, according to the medical examiner's office. After an autopsy Saturday afternoon, the office determined she died in a homicide.

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Police released no information about the circumstances of the death except to say Brown was found unresponsive inside the home.

Detectives were conducting a death investigation into the matter, which they believe is domestic-related, due to "certain circumstances," police said in a media notification.

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A man shot to death Thursday evening in the Park Manor neighborhood has been officially identified as a man from Kankakee.

Cortez L. Brown, 29, of the city of Kankakee, was pronounced dead at 7:17 p.m. Thursday at Stroger Hospital following the shooting in the 6900 block of South Indiana Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

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Brown was shot in the head about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, according to police. He was on the street when a man got out of a Chevrolet Equinox and opened fire before fleeing again in the Chevy, police said.

No one was in custody.
A 33-year-old woman was found dead midday Saturday on the Northwest Side in Chicago's Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

Sometime before 1:25 p.m., the woman was discovered deceased in the 2100 block of North Laramie Avenue, Chicago police said.

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The woman was pronounced dead at noon, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Police said a death investigation has been opened, but no other information was being released.

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With the Washington Monument behind her, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Sunday implored the graduates of George Washington University to "get involved, not discouraged" by the divisive politics in the nation's capital and the "battle for the heart and soul of our nation."

Duckworth, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates, was invited to give this year's commencement address at the private university in Washington. Duckworth was also awarded an honorary degree alongside Lt. Gen. Nadja West, the Army Surgeon General, and Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron.

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A critic of President Donald Trump, Duckworth never mentioned him by name during her speech. Rather, she spoke in generalities of "leaders in Washington with a dark vision for our future."

"The thoughtful, principled leaders once common in Congress and the White House  the kind of leaders who fought over policies during the day, compromised and then shared a drink together as friends in the evenings  those kinds of leaders are today often drowned out by the loudest voice in the room, whether or not that voice has a plan or even cares to string together a coherent sentence while they're spewing hate," Duckworth said to loud cheers and applause.

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Much of the speech, though, was personal: a story of perseverance told from one alumna to another. Duckworth received a master's degree at George Washington University in 1992. She told the audience she came to campus with the goal of becoming a foreign service officer and never would have thought she'd return as a helicopter pilot and a U.S. Senator decades later.

Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate in November, defeating Republican Mark Kirk.

"I couldn't have imagined the challenges that I would face  challenges in the military, in Congress, as a new mom," she said. "...We can't predict our successes or our failures. We can only control how we react to them."

In dramatic detail, Duckworth described the day in November 2004 when she lost her legs after her Black Hawk helicopter was shot down during the Iraq War and the heroic efforts of the crew members who saved her. She calls it her "Alive Day": "It was the day that I almost died but didn't."

She drew laughs from the crowd when she described her first interactions with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Early in Duckworth's recovery, Durbin invited her to be his guest at President George W. Bush's State of the Union address. Durbin, she said, made the "foolish mistake" of giving her his personal cell phone number.

"Because I used that phone number," she said, "A lot."

Then she pivoted to the serious. "I wanted to make it clear to all who lead this nation  and really to anyone who would listen  what a dear price we pay when we send our troops into harm's way."

Duckworth drew on an oft-quoted speech of former President Theodore Roosevelt, who said the true citizen is not the critic who points out "where the doer of deeds could have done them better." Rather, Duckworth shared, Roosevelt praised "the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly ... who comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming."

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President Richard Nixon quoted that same passage when he resigned office in 1974.

But Duckworth used Roosevelt's words in a very different way  to describe her ascent from gravely injured soldier to Illinois senator and to inspire the crowd to "get loud, get active" no matter what life brings.

"Every time I got knocked down, I got back up," she said. "I dusted myself off and I got back into the arena."

She urged, "You need to get into the arena, and then you need to stay in there and make your voices heard."

Harkening back to Roosevelt's words, she encouraged them: "Don't be a timid soul that knows neither victory nor defeat."

pcallahan@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @SheInvestigates
As the Trump presidency enters its fourth month, conservatives are eager for more legislative successes, more nominations and confirmations of judges, the rapid confirmation of a new FBI director and other achievements. Given the charges of collusion and obstruction that have dogged Donald Trump and his administration from before he took his oath of office as president, the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special prosecutor to oversee the Justice Department's inquiry into those charges is a greatly encouraging development. In Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has made an excellent choice that will allow Republicans to again concentrate on turning the country around.

It's true that I have opposed a special prosecutor in the past. I did so for two reasons. First, if the allegations of the politicization of the IRS during Barack Obama's presidency didn't warrant a special prosecutor, then one certainly isn't necessary now. Second, I feared that the individual chosen as special prosecutor would not be another Jacob Stein - the independent counsel who efficiently investigated charges against Attorney General-designate Edwin Meese when Meese was nominated for that job, clearing Meese within months. Instead, the appointee would be another Lawrence Walsh, who, for a variety of reasons, let his investigations into the Iran-contra affair linger and metastasize over years and years. Walsh was appointed in December of 1986. He submitted his final report on Aug. 4, 1993. I don't want to relitigate Iran-contra; I merely point out that a six-plus-year investigation into any scandal is not what either special prosecutors (appointed by the attorney general or, in this case, his deputy) or the old independent counsels (appointed by a panel of judges under a statute now expired) were thought to be about.

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The bar is lower for Republicans, of course, and so the media joined in the clamor for a special counsel here whereas the IRS scandal didn't ignite such demands. But set that aside. With the right professional in the job, it is, as a practical matter of politics and government, better to go this route than to prolong the media frenzy about whether such a professional is needed.

Mueller is not just a seasoned investigator and prosecutor, a decorated combat veteran of the Marines, a widely respected former head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S.attorney and of course director of the FBI. He also represents the potential for a decisive end to the Russian probe. He brings such credibility that if and when he says "there is no 'there' there," responsible media will accept it. Those, such as me, who think all of the signs point to that conclusion regarding the president and the White House staff, will welcome that closure. The partisan left may not go along, but the public will.

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There is no telling where Mueller's investigation will go or how long it will take, but I have confidence that if it can be concluded quickly because the charges of collusion are baseless, he will follow that path, indifferent to critics of his conclusions or his timeline. He's a serious and experienced person who has helped lead the battle against terrorism and knows that serious threats and crimes merit close inspection and indeed prosecution but political disputes robed in baseless charges do not.

If the president and his team in the White House did nothing wrong - and there is only innuendo, no hard evidence that they did - Mueller will reach that conclusion quickly. If former national security adviser Michael Flynn and others are innocent of the many charges leveled at them, they too should be happy that a straight shooter such as Mueller is in charge of saying so. Someone was going to have to make the final call, and Democrats (not all, certainly, but the responsible ones) will accept Mueller's conclusions. In the interim, the president and Congress can refocus on saving the health-care system from its ongoing collapse, rebuilding the military, reforming the tax system and staffing up the judiciary. They will be able to do so because Rosenstein found the right person and the right person was willing to serve.

Washington Post

Hugh Hewitt, a Post contributing columnist, hosts a nationally syndicated radio show and is author of "The Fourth Way: The Conservative Playbook for a Lasting GOP Majority."
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) does not exclude the possibility of funding the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline construction, Chin Choon Fong, senior advisor at the Central and West Asia Department of the bank, overseeing the project, told Trend.

"ADB is open in principal to financing the TAPI project," Chin Choon Fong said.

However he noted that it is too early to discuss what, if any, parts of the project the bank may be involved in.

ADB has served as the TAPI transaction advisor since 2013 and has already provided more than $4 million in technical assistance grants to date for the project's pre-feasibility studies, risk analysis and mitigation, legal advice, market analyses, and security studies, among others.

TAPI will make it possible to deliver gas from Turkmenistan, which ranks fourth in the world for its gas reserves, to large and promising markets of South and Southeast Asia. The pipeline will run from Galkynysh - the largest gas field in Turkmenistan - through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, and finally reach the Fazilka settlement located near the India-Pakistan border.

Turkmenistan is interested in gas supplies to the South Asia for years. In early 90th American Unocal company was selected as an operator of the gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. However, the project was stopped due to war and the US military operation against the Taliban in transit Afghanistan.

The idea of gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Southern Asia was revived as TAPI project in 2010. Meanwhile, experts still think that the instability in Afghanistan remains a serious obstacle to this project.

Annual capacity of the gas pipeline will reach 33 billion cubic meters. Total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. Some 214 kilometers will pass through the territory of Turkmenistan, 774 kilometers - in Afghanistan, and 826 kilometers  in Pakistan.

Turkmenistan started construction of its section of TAPI in December 2015 and it is expected it will take three years. In early May Turkmenistan said that construction works are in line with schedule. Time frame of the Afghan and Pakistani sections construction of the TAPI pipeline has not been determined yet. However the TAPI Pipeline Company Limited consortium developing the project has signed a contract with German ILF Beratende Ingenieure GmbH for the provision of services for the preliminary design and management of the project in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The technical work in the territory of these states has already started.

The project's preliminary cost is estimated at $10 billion. The Turkmen government said earlier that the state concern Turkmengas would be the main investor for the TAPI project.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
The administration claimed FBI Director James Comey was fired because of his investigation into Hillary Clintons emails, even though the investigation helped put Trump in the White House.

When that story didnt sell, the administration struggled to find an alternative reason. Then Trump admitted the firing was because of Comeys investigation into Russias meddling in our election and possible ties to the Trump campaign. Trump also made a thinly veiled threat of having tapes of himself speaking with Comey.

The administration tried to deny that Trump gave classified information to Russian officials, until Trump confirmed the story by tweeting that he had a right to do so.

Other presidents released classified information only after consulting with our intelligence community. It puts our intelligence gathering at risk if other nations cant trust our president to keep a secret.

Trump claimed he was wiretapped by the Obama administration and that millions of people voted illegally in the election. He overinflated the size of his Electoral College victory. The FBI said theres no proof of that first claim. The second was rejected by state election officials of both parties, plus congressional Republicans. The third comes down to basic math.

I expect Trump will start firing people in hopes of getting his administration on course, though shuffling the deck chairs will not change the fact that Trump is the one steering the ship.

 Mike Mosser, Chicago
As the Tribune has hinted, it was Madigans desire to cling to the power of his control over the Illinois House that effectively prevented the most electable candidate, his daughter Lisa, from running for governor in 2014. As a result, the Democrats were stuck with Pat Quinn, a decent person, but a tired and uninspiring candidate for re-election. Even so Quinn came close to beating Bruce Rauner.

Four years later, Madigan still clings to power and, worse still, he appears to be using his clout to push the candidacy of an unpalatable billionaire who would be the least effective candidate against billionaire Rauner. Once again, Madigan is thwarting both his daughters chances and the chances of the progressive candidates like state Sen. Daniel Biss, who might be able to generate some enthusiasm for a challenger to Rauner.

 James Genden, Evanston
Aurora Police Department Honor Guard members stand at attention during a performance of "Amazing Grace" by the departments Pipes and Drums Saturday during the annual police memorial ceremony. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News )

Law enforcement, community leaders and family members attended the 21st annual Aurora Police Department memorial ceremony Saturday to honor the fallen and remember those men and women in blue who died in the last year.

"Today we commemorate the lives of those who have left an indelible mark on or organization. It is the people of past and present who make up this Aurora Police Department," Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said.

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The observance, moved to inside police headquarters due to rain, remembered the sacrifice of acting detective Alfred Olin and patrolman Thompson Richardson, the only two Aurora police officers killed in the line of duty. Olin died in 1918 and Richardson in 1928.

Also remembered during were the four Aurora police officers who died in the last year. They were retired Capt. Melvin R. Kramer, retired Lt. William Hornyan, retired Sgt. Stephen W. Wennmacher and court detention technician Dean Pederson.

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Ziman said it's important to pause and reflect on the legacy of the department's two officers who died in the line of duty as well as those who died in the last year.

"I didn't know Capt. Mel Kramer or Lt. Bill Hornyan, but I feel them. They are woven in the tapestry of our Aurora Police Department," the police chief said.

Ziman did work with Wennmacher and Pederson.

"We honor them today, along with the two officers killed in the line of duty. We honor them through the history they brought to us," she said.

The community room was an intimate setting for the posting of colors by the Aurora Police Honor Guard and singing of the National Anthem by Genevieve Nelson. The Aurora Police Pipes and Drums performed "Amazing Grace."

The Rev. Jerome Leake of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the senior police chaplain, gave the opening prayer. "In stillness we often find God, and so we turn to that first stillness all those millions of years ago," Leake said.

The police chaplain read verses from Genesis, in which God placed the desire for justice and peace in the hearts of people. "Then the devil, sin and evil brought an end to that peace, love and justice," he said.

"We still struggle with that today. That is why we are here, to honor the men and women dedicating their lives to your dream, God. We honor those who have given their lives to bring about that dream," the pastor said.

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Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman speaks to a crowd during Saturday's annual police memorial ceremony. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said it is important to pause and reflect on the lives of the fallen soldiers and to remember those who died in the last year. The mayor also gave tribute to Aurora police officers who serve the city today.

"I am honored to be able to take this moment to thank all of you for the sacrifices you make. Thank you APD," Irvin said.

Ziman, along with police officers Kevin Jenkins and Lee Catavu representing the Association of Professional Police Officers Union, presented plaques of appreciation to the four families.

Kramer served the department from 1956 to 1988, Hornyan from 1950 to 1978, Wennmacher from 1971 to 2002, and Pederson from 2001 to 2017.

Maria Pederson stepped outside to see her husband's name inscribed on the black granite memorial wall of the Aurora Police Department.

"It's very emotional to see his name there," Pederson said. Her husband died unexpectedly in February at the age of 46.

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Pederson said her husband was dedicated to his family and took his work to heart.

"Dean loved everything about police work. He liked to help people," she said. "He didn't see himself as only working for the police department. He cared about the whole city."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children, ages 13, 18 and 21. A large contingency of the Pederson family attended the ceremony.

"It's honorable that the city remembers the fallen police officers," Maria Pederson said. "You don't have to possess a gun to put your life on the line in this work. My husband took his work upon himself. It wasn't just a job for him. It was something he loved."

Retired Aurora Police Chief William Powell, a 40-year police veteran, also attended the ceremony.

He worked with all four of the officers who died in the last year, he said. "Because we work so close together, we really do care for one another," Powell said. "This is the time of year that we come together to remember."

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Goldie Carlson, of Albany, said her brother, Lt. Hornyan, enjoyed his years as a police officer and would share stories of his work.

"I think he was a good one," Carlson said.

The ceremony also included a moment of silence, the firing of three volleys and the playing of "Taps" on the police memorial plaza.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
A Kane County judge set bond at $750,000 Saturday for a Lake in the Hills man involved in a botched drug deal that resulted in shots fired in West Dundee, authorities said.

Richy D. Sanchez, 25, of the 1300 block of Cunat Court, remained at the Kane County jail in Geneva on felony charges of armed violence, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, authorities said. He must post 10 percent of the bond, or $75,000, to be released.

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A second man, Marcos Rojas, 27, of Chicago, also faces the same charges. He is hospitalized for injuries he received in the incident and will be in bond court when he is released, authorities said.

Rojas and Sanchez allegedly met undercover officers and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security near Interstate 90 and Randall Road in Elgin to purchase cocaine, according to a Kane County State's Attorney's press release.

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At one point, the two fled with cocaine in their vehicle and were stopped at Route 72 and Sleepy Hollow Road, the release said. When the vehicle moved toward an officer, they fired multiple shots, the release said. Rojas, who was driving, was struck by gunfire and taken to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Anthony Flores, of Streamwood, and Nikki Dumoulin and Tricia Dumoulin, of Hampshire, were among the 868 Elgin Community College students to graduate Saturday. (Gloria Casas/The Courier-News )

April Dutcher had a dream in which she was wearing blue scrubs outside Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Oakbrook Terrace, her young daughter asking if she had a long day at school.

The St. Charles mom saw it as a sign she was meant to go back to school. Soon after, she enrolled in Elgin Community College's Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Ironically, she had to complete a clinical program at Marianjoy as part of her coursework, and, "Yes, I was wearing blue scrubs," she said.

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"I can honestly say, ECC made my dream come true," said Dutcher, who spoke during the college's spring commencement ceremony Saturday at which career and technical degrees were presented.

ECC's spring Class of 2017 had 868 graduates earning degrees in career and technical fields and university transfer degrees, said Toya Webb, ECC chief marketing and communications officer.

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Graduates may have faced many challenges, but they persevered, said Jeffrey Meyer, chairman of the Community College District 509 Board of Trustees. "The road is never easy, but perseverance is necessary."

And just as students have persevered, so too is the college despite not having a budget for two years due to Illinois' budget impasse, Meyer said.

There were lots of success stories in the Class of 2017.

ECC student Nicolle Omiotek, a guest speaker at a later ceremony for transfer degrees, dropped out of high school but went on to earn a GED before enrolling in ECC, where she became an honors student.

Omiotek said she hopes to become a scientific researcher. She has interned at the Chicago Field Museum and the National Science Foundation, and is leaving next week to study in the rainforest at a university in Puerto Rico. She will attend Elmhurst College on a full scholarship.

Dutcher accomplished her studies with a lot help from her husband and family, she said. Graduates should take a moment to be grateful for their family, friends and accomplishments, she said.

ECC President David Sam urged graduates not to hurry as they took the stage. "Take it all in. This is your day. Pause for a second and enjoy," he said.

In the last five years, several ECC students have transferred to such respected universities as Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania, Meyer said. "You can truly go anywhere you want from here," he said.

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"Congratulations, you are now alumni of ECC," he said.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Franklin Park police officials are investigating theft reports at car rental businesses in the area, including an incident last month involving a high-speed pursuit on Mannheim Road.

Over the past eight months, 42 rental vehicle thefts have been reported to police, according to Michael Witz, Franklin Park's director of police. In many incidents, a group of people will enter the parking lot of a car rental business and check to see whether vehicles are unlocked with the keys inside or in a nearby lockbox that they can gain access to, Witz said.

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However, Witz said there have been no thefts reported over the last three weeks thanks to police patrols and rental businesses changing how they store their vehicles.

Police said a recent incident took place during the early morning hours of April 14. A Franklin Park officer on patrol saw vehicles traveling south at a high rate of speed heading south in the 3100 block of Mannheim Road, according to a police report.

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The report described the vehicles as two dark-colored SUVs, two dark-colored sport vehicles, and two silver-colored vehicles. Police said the officer turned his squad car's sirens on and began chasing after the vehicles. Another squad car joined the pursuit, and about five miles into the chase, a vehicle, later identified as a black Camaro, "came traveling up behind [a squad car] at a high rate of speed," the police report said.

"As the vehicle passed, going approximately 90-100 mph, the vehicle swerved into [the squad car's] lane, coming in close proximity," the report stated.

Franklin Park officers then stopped their pursuit and returned to the area where the vehicles they'd been chasing were first seen, according to the report. While canvassing the area, officers came across several disabled vehicles in the middle of the roadway, near the Enterprise Rent-A-Car at 3800 Mannheim Road in Franklin Park. In the center lane of the street was a white 2017 Nissan Titan pickup truck that had damage to the driver and passenger sides and front bumper, police said. Also on the street, facing east in the southbound lanes, was a red 2017 Dodge Durango with damage to the front driver and passenger sides, according to the report.

In the Enterprise's driveway were two other vehicles, one a gray 2017 Infinity SUV and the other a black 2017 Chevy Equinox, police said, adding that both vehicles also had damage to the driver and passenger sides and their front bumpers. Further inside the business' parking lot was a black 2017 Ford Fusion that had no visible damage but had its driver's side door left open, police said.

"From the damage observed and the final resting place of the vehicles, it would be assumed that the Infinity and the Equinox were parked blocking the gate opening the [Enterprise's] driveway," said the police report. "The suspects used the Titan as a ramming vehicle to push the parked vehicles into and through the gate."

Officers then went to the parking lot's guard shack and reportedly found the guard on duty asleep in his vehicle, according to the police report.

Witz said the vehicles that his officers had pursed in the car chase were reported stolen from the Enterprise location. Witz said the rental businesses were advised to secure their keys and have someone in charge of standing on guard at the lockbox area.

Alex V. Hernandez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
After another week of the national media's wall-to-wall coverage of President Donald Trump, former FBI Director James Comey and the relationship between the Trump administration and Russia, progressive voters in Waukegan had a chance Saturday to ask questions to their representative in Congress at a town hall  and those issues didn't come up at all.

Instead, they pressed Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) from the left, urging him to work for a single-payer health care system and publicly support a retirement date for the coal-fired power plant on the city's Lake Michigan waterfront. Many came from the grassroots group Clean Power Lake County, which has been very active in Waukegan and whose chief issue has been shutting down the power plant, owned by New Jersey-based energy giant NRG.

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"We're just trying to pull him left," said Ethan Winnett, 32, of Waukegan. "We think he has the intelligence and the charisma to be a major player."

Working-class Waukegan is one of the more ethnically diverse and lower-income areas in Illinois' 10th Congressional District, which includes most of Lake County and part of Cook County. The moderate district, comprising areas both urban and rural, low-income and affluent, has flip-flopped in recent years between Schneider and Republican Robert Dold, with the candidates squaring off in three straight elections and Schneider winning two of them, including the most recent one in November.

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Schneider met residents halfway on some issues, declining to support a Medicare-for-all bill introduced this year in the House of Representatives or to publicly declare that the coal plant should shut down. But he said he was committed to improving, rather than repealing, the Affordable Care Act to provide health care for more people, and to fighting in Congress for environmental initiatives, including protecting the Environmental Protection Agency funding that Trump wants to slash.

"We're not always going to agree on everything," Schneider said, adding he was always willing to consider other points of view and listen to his constituents.

Schneider received a mostly favorable reception, with the crowd applauding him for fighting against Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan's American Health Care Act, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act, and for supporting universal preschool. But the turnout of about 50 people in Waukegan challenged Schneider, who has held many town halls across the district this year, in a way that some other crowds haven't.

Schneider has held other question-and-answer sessions this year in Northbrook, Grayslake, North Chicago and Deerfield. The Democrat has generally been received favorably, with some Republican members of Congress across the country facing harsher criticism from constituents who are worried about losing health care and about Trump's positions on immigration and the environment.

One Waukegan resident, Chris Rohde, 34, asked Schneider why the Democratic Party wasn't adopting more politically progressive positions such as the decriminalization of marijuana, single-payer health care and free community college. The candidacy of firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for the Democratic nomination for president last year has inspired a wave of progressivism across the nation and criticism of the Democratic Party's establishment.

"People don't feel empowered or motivated by the party," Rohde said.

Schneider said he couldn't answer questions related to campaigning while appearing in his official capacity as a congressman.

A handful of elected officials attended the town hall, including Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham and aldermen Lisa May, 7th, and David Villalobos, 4th. Schneider had supported Cunningham, the Democratic candidate, in the April race for mayor against May, who ran as an independent, had the support of environmentalists and took a stronger stance against the coal plant. Villalobos also has been active with Clean Power Lake County.

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Also present was Anita Hanna, a board member in Waukegan School District 60. She raised concerns about a Trump plan to cut $10.6 billion from federal education initiatives, as reported in The Washington Post.

Cuts of that magnitude, "would be devastating for schools across the nation," Hanna said.

"This administration is wrong on education," Schneider answered, drawing applause. "This president was wrong to select Betsy DeVos (as education secretary)."

DeVos has been a proponent of charter schools, with critics deriding her for stances they see as wishing to privatize the education system.

Schneider planned to meet with Cunningham following the town hall to tour the city's infrastructure projects and sites in need of repair. The congressman recently signed on to a letter to Trump from the relatively centrist coalition of New Democrats urging the president to couple tax reform with his pledged $1 trillion infrastructure investment.

lhammill@tribpub.com

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Twitter @lucashammill
For the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the days of the annual holiday weekend DUI/seat belt roadblock have ended, replaced by saturation patrols that officials believe to be more effective.

While some municipalities in Lake County still utilize roadblocks in an attempt to nab impaired drivers and those caught in seat belt, child restraint system or similar violations, the Sheriff's Office dropped the long-standing tradition a couple of years ago.

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Sheriff Mark Curran said roadblocks rely on random systems, such as checking every sixth vehicle that passes through a roadblock area, rather than concentrating on probable cause.

Curran said Friday that it's more fair to all drivers, and more effective in deterring speeding, drunken driving and other violations, for officers to look for drivers displaying probable cause for a stop, such as speeding or weaving.

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Curran said it was a philosophical decision to steer away from the road blocks and utilize saturation patrols.

"We train and teach the concept of probable cause," the sheriff said.

For the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, the Sheriff's Office is participating in the 2017 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization.

"As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up day and night  no excuses," Curran said.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office will join law enforcement agencies across the United States in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket "Border to Border" Operation.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 9,874 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2015 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

"Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater," Curran said.

While this year's Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 15 through May 30, sheriff's officials said deputies will continue enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

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Body camera build-up

peaking of changes at the Sheriff's Office, another one with nationwide implications has been gradually ramping up toward completion.

About 95 percent of the deputies and command staff with the Sheriff's Office are now equipped with body cameras. The effort began a few years ago with corrections officers in the jail, then continued with command staff and patrol officers, and is nearing 100 percent.

The one-time, five-year start-up cost of the effort was $1 million, Curran said, which was aided in part with the award of a $73,000 federal grant to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Curran said a cost-benefit analysis justified the expense.

"The public wants transparency," Curran said of the use of body cameras, adding that the practice is beneficial not only to those in confrontations with police but to the officers as well, ideally providing preserved documentation of incidents.

Curran acknowledged that nationwide incidents and controversy over some police shootings played into the decision to equip the staff with body cameras.

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Committee appointment

Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

The Lake County Circuit Court's director of Adult Probation Services has been named by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Illinois Judicial College's Committee on Probation Education.

Rosemarie Gray was cited for her leadership in the justice system and her skills, experience and passion for her work.

As director of Adult Probation Services, Gray supervises 86 employees, including the court's Pretrial Services Unit, Presentence Investigation/Pre-Intake Unit, Problem Solving Court supervision, and specialized probation supervision units for domestic violence, DUI, sex offenders, intensive probation, group reporting and probation field services.

She has been employed by the 19th Judicial Circuit for 37 years.

"All of us here at the 19th Judicial Circuit are very proud of Director Gray. Rose was very instrumental in our court becoming the first in the state to utilize an evidence-based pretrial risk assessment tool and she has been a leader and mentor in probation and pretrial practices for many years," Chief Judge Jorge Ortiz said in announcing the appointment. "It is very gratifying that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed her to this important committee."

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Gray was also previously appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Supreme Court Probation Policy Advisory Board and maintains the position of co-chair.

The Illinois Judicial College was founded last year by the Illinois Supreme Court to improve and enhance the administration of justice through the expansion of excellence in professional education for Illinois' judges.
The village of Oak Park has delayed an amended consulting contract vote as it works to create a new village-wide parking plan. (Steve Schering / Pioneer Press)

An agreement for additional services related to a village-wide parking study was tabled by Oak Park trustees on May 15.

The village has an existing $59,694 agreement with Dixon Resources Unlimited to study the requirements for a unified technology solution for parking and mobility services systems throughout the village. An amendment would have called for Dixon to provide additional services for the village-wide parking study, with a new total amount to be $116,694.

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Trustee Deno Andrews, however, asked how many deliverables Dixon had accomplished in its first agreement prior to the vote on the amended contract.

According to a village memo, Dixon's original contract, approved in November 2016, has the company reviewing the village's parking services, permit, vehicle stickers and citation systems to determine requirements for a unified system that would improve the customer experience. Parking and Mobility Services Director Jill Velan said Dixon had completed phase one of its agreement, which included interviewing various village departments.

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Dixon is currently in phase two, which involves creating unified pilot programs for the village, Velan said.

"I would like to see the company a little more down the deliverable list before we double the expenditure," Andrews said. "If this was my private business, I would not want to commit until we were further down the line."

Trustee Dan Moroney raised his concerns over the proposed agreement as well, and he asked for more information from village staff regarding parking revenues, supply and demand.

"I get really uncomfortable throwing $60,000 to a consultant from San Diego and ask myself, are they really going to be able to solve the nuances and particulars of Oak Park?" Moroney said.

Trustee Andrea Button, along with Andrews, asked if the village's Transportation Commission could take up some of the work in the proposed agreement to have a greater role in the process. Staff said they would further study the issue, a delay that could lead to more deliverables met by Dixon, and different terms in the amended contract.

"I'm in favor of decreasing ordinances and regulations in parking," Button said. "I think there is a huge differential from one neighborhood to the next. I think we owe it to the village of Oak Park to make parking more predictable and understandable. I think we can make it much simpler than it is now."

Trustees ultimately voted unanimously to delay the contract to a future meeting, though some on the board cautioned about falling too far behind in the village's quest for a better parking plan.

"I see the logic and the reasons about saving money," Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb said. "We have to remember time is money."

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sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering
A man and woman were arrested on felony drug charges Thursday in East Chicago after a yearlong investigation by Indiana State Excise Police.

Excise officers executed search warrants at El Sombrero Bar, 2001 Broadway, where 35 individual bags of cocaine and packing materials were seized in a residence on the premises, Excise Police spokeswoman Heather Lynch said in a release.

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Glorivette Bonilla, 40, of Hammond, was arrested in the Indiana Harbor bar and subsequently charged with dealing cocaine, a Level 2 felony; and possession of cocaine, a Level 3 felony. Gustavo Ayala Zamora, 56, of East Chicago, was arrested in the upstairs apartment and charged with dealing cocaine, a Level 2 felony; possession of cocaine, a Level 5 felony; and maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony.

Additional criminal and administrative charges will be submitted at a later date as the investigation continues, police said.

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Homeland Security assisted Excise officers during the investigation and execution of the search warrants, according to Lynch.

Michelle Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 21

By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend

Tatarstans President Rustam Minnikhanov met with a Turkmen delegation headed by Chairman of the Mejlis Committee on Legislation and Norms Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Kazan, Tatarstans presidential press-service said.

Minnikhanov stressed that Turkmenistan has always been a strategic partner for Tatarstan.

At present, there is potential for the development of relations in such areas as oil production, engineering, energy, agro-industrial complex, pharmaceutics, medicine, supply of chemical products.

Minnikhanov stressed the importance of further development of cooperation aimed at strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan.

The meeting was held as part of the 9th International Economic Summit Russia - Islamic World KazanSummit 2017.

Central Asia's largest educational and trade service center KAMAZ is situated in Ashgabat as the total number of these cars in Turkmenistan is more than 10,000.

The automotive concern from Tatarstan offers Ashgabat cars of different models and capacities adapted to transport a variety of goods, as well as equipment on the basis of KAMAZ. The engines of all cars meet the EU latest parameters on efficiency and environmental safety, according to the experts.

The cooperation is being developed in the fuel-energy complex. Tatneft and Turkmenneft signed an agreement in 2008. A subject of the service contract is to render the services aimed at improving oil recovery of existing wells and further use of the potential for oil production at Goturdepe field.
Big store assessment appeals, taxes, 5g cell towers and emissions testing were among the hot topics as three local state legislators met with community leaders at their 16-plus meeting on Friday.

State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, acknowledged that many communities across the state are concerned about the legislation that gives telecommunications companies the ability to place antennas on poles on public property to upgrade their wireless connectivity to 5g, evn though it may be years away.

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"AT&T in particular is looking to get it in place," said Slager, who said the House reverted the proposed bill back to study, but it ended up passing anyway.

Hobart Councilman John Brezik, D-5th, said there are health and safety concerns with the towers, as well as an aesthetics issue.

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There will be many smaller towers placed closer together instead of the larger towers now used.

"We at the local level spend so much time worrying about small details, like plantings and facades. This would allow someone to come in and drop a pole somewhere we worked so hard on," said Hobart Councilman Dave Vinzant, D-4th.

Slager said the 16-plus group of local government leaders is a good group to get a conversation going with telecommunications companies on the concerns.

"Once 5g gets on board, your residents will want it," Slager said.

The local leaders expressed their concern over the assessment appeals being won by big box stores such as Meijer's and Kohl's, and the tax revenue lost as a result.

State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, said the issue wasn't on her radar.

State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said they would need to look at the assessing procedures.

With taxes lost to the reassessments, Vinzant questioned whether there was any discussion about a food and beverage tax and what it could be used for, including a convention center.

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Slager said there are some communities in Northwest Indiana that want to use a food and beverage tax to pay for police.

"If you allow people to pay a tax that they get no benefit from, I'm against that," Slager said.

He said before anyone gets behind a community center in Lake County and taxes to pay for it, there would need to be a plan in place on what it would cost and what the center would be, the type of tax needed to build the center would need to be determined and there needs to be a sunset provision ensuring the tax will end at one point.

Regarding vehicle emissions testing, Niemeyer urged the local political leaders to do what they could to push to have the testing requirement end in Lake and Porter counties.

He said a summer study session is planned on the issue.

"We need to pay $10 million a year to do this testing in Lake and Porter counties. This is taxpayer money," Niemeyer said.

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He said only 13 percent of the vehicles in the two counties fail the test.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Pueblo judge orders competency evaluation in election tampering case

A judge has issued a gag order in the election tampering case of Richard Patton and ordered Patton to be evaluated for competency to stand trial.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Iran has not held any talks with Russian and Chinese companies for purchasing aircraft, a senior Iranian official said.

Iranian Deputy Transport Minister Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan has denied that the countrys aviation officials have held any talks with Chinese and Russian companies on purchasing aircraft, IRNA reported.

He also said that Iran had earlier negotiated the issue of purchasing aircraft with a Japanese company which was later abandoned.

Back in February, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Iran was interested in acquiring 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes.


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China's first helicopter team consisting of 140 peacekeepers will soon depart for Sudan's Darfur region on a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Equipped with four multi-purposed Mi-171 helicopters, the peacekeepers will leave the country in three groups. The exact date for departure has not been announced.

The peacekeepers come primarily from an aviation brigade of the 81st army group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The team will take on a number of tasks, including air patrols, transport of peacekeeping forces, evacuation of rescued personnel, and air supplies.
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Brazilian President Michel Temer on Saturday demanded that the Supreme Court (STF) investigation against him be dropped and claimed that an audio recording implicating him in bribery had been doctored.

Temer spoke from the presidential palace in response to accusations against him, made when Joesley Batista, owner of meatpacking group, JBS, turned over a tape to authorities in which Temer can seemingly be heard signing off on bribing former Speaker Eduardo Cunha in exchange for his silence.

The conversation took place between Temer and Batista on March 7, with Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin ordering an investigation against the president on Thursday.

On Saturday, Temer said the recording, which was released to the public this week, had been manipulated to harm him and criticized the STF for not verifying its authenticity before calling for an investigation.

"This clandestine recording was manipulated and doctored with clearly ulterior motives," he stated. "It was included in the investigation, without an adequate inquiry into those trying to create a deception and causing a severe crisis in Brazil. Therefore, we are calling today on the STF to suspend this proposed inquiry until (the recording) has been clearly identified."

Temer also attacked Batista for having travelled to the U.S. before the revelations were made and accused him of selling JBS stocks ahead of the scandal, knowing the company's stocks would fall once the news broke.

"JBS made millions and millions of dollars in less than 24 hours. This man (Batista) received billions in public loans to develop his business, hurt Brazil and the Brazilian people, and is now in the United States," claimed the president.

Temer further claimed that there were clear differences between Batista's testimony to investigators and the contents of the recording.

Addressing the claim that he paid off Cunha to keep him silent, Temer emphasized that he had played no such role.

"I did not buy anybody's silence, I did not obstruct justice. There was false testimony given to the court," he said.

On Thursday, the day after the news broke, Temer gave a determined speech, in which he refused to resign, saying he had done nothing wrong and that his government had reversed the fortunes of the Brazilian economy.
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Construction firms from China and Morocco will set up a a joint venture to build Africa's tallest high-rise tower in Morocco's capital Rabat, local media reported on Saturday.

The joint venture will be set up by China Railway Construction Corp and Morocco's leading construction company Travaux Generaux de Construction de Casablanca which won the bid to build Africa's tallest high-rise tower.

According to Moroccan news site Alyaoum24.com, the construction of the 250-meter-tall skyscraper would cost 375 million U.S. dollars.

The 45-storey tower, which adopts ecological and sustainable design concepts, will include offices, hotels and luxury apartments, the news site said.

The tower will be the highlight of a large-scale project to develop the capital's Bouregreg valley, a key component of the 2014-2018 Integrated Development Program dubbed "Rabat, City of Light, Moroccan Cultural Capital."

The new project also involves building several innovative facilities, including the Grand Theatre of Rabat, the Arts and Culture House, the National Archives of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Archaeological Museum, a multiplex cinema, a sculpture gallery, a marina, an art hotel, a marina hotel, a mall and a business center.
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An Amsterdam district officer worn a headscarf during her work on Saturday, days after the city's police chief said he is considering allowing female Muslim officers to wear headscarves.

The officer in action, who is not Muslim herself, told Dutch press that she did this "to find out what would be the reaction of the community".

Amsterdam police commented with a tweet: "It is an individual action. Our uniform is lifestyle-neutral and it does not change." This tweet got mixed reactions from "flowers and bow to her" supporting the officer, to negative ones such as "impose a fine on her".

Currently Dutch police officers are not allowed to wear any religious symbols. Amsterdam police chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg announced on Thursday that there should be debate on whether this ban should be lifted to improve diversity.

Aalbersberg said half of Amsterdam's police force should have an ethnic minority background to better reflect the city's population. "If we cannot recruit sufficient officers with a migrant background, this is a measure which could have an impact."

The population of Amsterdam is one of the most diverse in Europe with 180 different nationalities and 45 percent ethnic minorities. Only 18 percent of the city's police officers has "non-Dutch" roots.
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Thousands of Spanish people marched through the center of the Spanish capital of Madrid on Saturday to protest against the People's Party (PP) government of Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy.

The march organized by the left wing party Unidos Podemos, who on Friday presented a no-confidence vote against Rajoy in the Spanish Congress, and other left wing organizations, under the hashtag "#We have to kick them out", following the revelations of further corruption scandals involving the PP.

The alleged illegal financing of Rajoy's party is already under investigation in the trial surrounding the ongoing "Gurtel" cash for favors scandal.

Meanwhile the arrest of former president of the Madrid autonomous community Ignacio Gonzalez in April as part of another scandal named "Operation Lezo" revealed further corruption in the Madrid branch of the PP.

Podemos party Secretary Pablo Echenique claimed that not only supporters of Unidos Podemos were present in Madrid, but also "supporters of other parties".

"We have to show that the people are more honest than those in parliament. We have to show them (the PP) that their time is over and the time of impunity has finished," said Echenique.
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Iraqi forces on Saturday freed two more neighborhoods after heavy clashes against Islamic State (IS) militants as part of a push that initiated a new front in the northern part of IS stronghold in the western side of Mosul, the Iraqi military said.

The army, federal police and interior ministry's elite Rapid Response forces completely freed the neighborhoods of July 17 after days of heavy clashes, Abdul-Amir Yarallah from the Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a statement.

The recapture of the neighborhood came six days after the troops launched a new push into four neighborhoods of the northern part of Mosul's western side.

Meanwhile, the CTS forces retook control of the neighborhood of al-Rabie in the northern part of the IS stronghold in Mosul's western side and raised the Iraqi flag on some of its buildings, Yarallah said in a separate statement.

The troops are now pushing to advance further to the remaining neighborhoods on the northern edge of the city center to tighten noose around the IS redoubt in the neighborhoods of Mosul's old city center, where roughly 400,000 residents are believed to still be trapped under IS rule.

Also in the day, the CTS forces announced their mission complete despite the ongoing battles in a few neighborhoods in north of the IS-held old city center in the western side of Mosul, locally known as the right bank of the Tigris River which bisects the city.

"The forces of the Counter-Terrorism Service had completed their assigned mission on the right bank, but stood ready to carry out any mission ordered by the Prime Minister," Talib Sheghati, the CTS chief, said in a brief statement.

Late in January, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, declared the liberation of Mosul's eastern side, or the left bank of Tigris, after more than 100 days of fighting against IS militants.

On February 19, Abadi announced the start of an offensive to drive extremist militants out of the western side of Mosul.

However, the western part of Mosul, with its narrow streets and heavily populated neighborhoods, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of Iraq's capital Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 21

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

A huge fire swept through Iran Khodros automotive manufacturing plant in northwestern city of Tabriz this morning.

The fire first erupted at a chemicals storage in the factory at 0800 local time (GMT+4:30) which later extended into other depots, Fars news agency reported.

According to the report, firefighters from neighboring cities have also joined the operation to control the fire.

Iran Khodro is the Islamic Republic's largest carmaker with a couple of plants across the country. Its headquarter is based near capital Tehran.
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Palestinian and Israeli negotiators said Saturday that the two-state solution is the key to solving the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In a session during the World Economic Forum, Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, and former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni both said the two-state solution that leads to the creation of an independent Palestine was a key solution.

"The two-state solution that leads to the creation of a Palestinian state at the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem is the sole solution. There is no need to reinvent the wheel," said Erekat, calling for ending Israeli occupation.

"We are ready to engage with Israel in peace talks. To avoid past mistakes, we want an Israeli government that wants to set on the table and discuss a map on the table for the borders of Palestine and other issues," he said.

Commenting on the issue, Livni also hailed the two-state solution.

"For Israel, peace based on a two-state solution is in the interest of Israel," she said.

She also stressed the key role of Arab states in reaching a peace deal.

The two sides expressed optimism about U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to strike a peace deal and stressed the importance of the upcoming American-Islamic summit in Riyadh for this issue.

In his remarks, Erekat also warned against relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

"Relocating the U.S. embassy will end the peace process and the annexation of East Jerusalem is illegal as stipulated by all international laws and resolutions," he warned, adding that East Jerusalem is an occupied territory.
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67-year-old Hanoi resident Le Tuan Can pleasantly moves his steps along the green train here Saturday morning after travelling nearly 14 km from his home.

The elderly man made himself one of the first local citizens to visit the on-display La Khe Station and the sample train, part of the capital's first light rail line Cat Linh-Ha Dong which has now come closer to its completion.

The line, with a total length of around 13 km and runs through 12 stations, has the sixth bureau of China Railway Engineering Corporation(CREC) as the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor. It began construction in 2012 and is expected to enter commercial use in 2018.

"Making La Khe station as a model station open to the public, we are eager to show Made-in-China project to the Hanoi citizens, bringing them to experience Chinese technology in advance", Tang Hong, the Overseas General Manager of CREC, told Xinhua during the opening ceremony of the model station.

Placed in Hanoi's urban district Ha Dong, the newly-completed station and the sample train have attracted hundreds of Hanoians to visit in the first day of exhibition, which is to last until June 20.

Taking a tour around the station erased the elderly man Can's worries about the safety of this construction.

The four-carriage train has 16 exit doors in total. Inside there are priority seats for people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and children. White seats and steel holders are there to make sure safe position for standing passengers.

"Looking at the rail, the train and the station, I feel very secure," Can told Xinhua, adding that the station looks very spacious and nice.

Having to travel along this route to the hospital twice per month, Can is now very happy that his regular heath check will no longer be a nightmare due to heavy congestion.

Like Can, the 83-year-old Bui Tan Phu said today's visit is truly worth the experience.

Living in the nearby Thanh Xuan District, Phu travelled some 10 km to the station and could not wait to see the train making its debut.

"It is comparable to the modern trains I've tried in other countries. It even has some superior characteristics," the former soldier said.

The elderly man hailed the airy space and the infrastructure of the station, as well as the polite attitude of the receptionist, who gave him caring guidances around the place.

Phu's wish was to be one of the first passengers of the train. "I have a lot of friends in the surrounding area. With this new train, I can visit them easily," he said.

Reiterating the importance of the line, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong said during the ceremony that the exhibition of the model station is to popularize the new mode of transport to local citizens and encourage the travelling habit using this public means.

Ying Haihong, Charge d'Affaires of Chinese embassy in Vietnam, told Xinhua that with the quality completion of the light rail line, the lives of Hanoi citizens will benefit a lot and the relationship between the two countries will be further enhanced.

During Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quaing's visit to China on May 11-15, further preferential loans to the light rail line project was granted through an agreement signed bilaterally.

"With more fund, the next phase of the construction will be smoother", stated Tang Hong.
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Re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a televised speech in Tehran, capital of Iran on May 20, 2017. Iran's incumbent moderate President Hassan Rouhani won the presidential election by garnering 57 percent of the votes, the Interior Ministry announced Saturday. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

Iran's incumbent moderate President Hassan Rouhani won the presidential election by garnering 57 percent of the votes, the Interior Ministry announced Saturday.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that out of 41,220,131 counted votes, which accounts for 99.7 percent of the total votes cast on Friday election, Rouhani secured 23,549,616 votes or 57 percent of the ballots.

His conservative challenger Ebrahim Raisi lagged behind with grasping 15,786,449 votes, amounting to 38.5 percent of the ballots.

Hardliners had been perceived to boast great advantages against the moderate till days before the election, however, Rouhani jumpstarted his chances by raising the banner of reform during the final stage of his campaign, which echoed Iranians' ardent desire for change.

According to the law, the candidates have three days to file their complaints about the results of the election with Iran's Guardian Council of Constitution, Rahmani Fazli added.

The council, as the high legislative body of the country, will ultimately confirm the results of Iran's presidential election.

On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked the nation for "mass turnout" in the election on Friday.

Khamenei described it as an "epic" and said the high turnout proved the strength of foundations of "the Islamic democracy" in the country.

The Iranian leader urged the president and his administration to actively work and endeavor to solve the country's problems and try not to sway from "this direct path."

On Saturday, Rouhani said that Iran will continue interaction with the international community and is ready to expand the cooperation with other countries.

By voting for him, the Iranians have chosen the course of interaction and "no to violence and extremism" in the world, Rouhani said in a televised speech.

The Iranians have chosen to live in peace with their neighbors and global countries, he said, adding that Iran will not accept "humiliation and threat" in mutual ties.

He also said that he is ready to work with his rivals inside the country to implement his programs in the next administration.

Rouhani's landslide win stemmed from a large turnout of voters who saw him as the best choice to translate their hopes into real changes in Iran's domestic and foreign policies.

In his Twitter massage on Saturday, Rouhani also thanked his supporters, saying that "I will stick to my promises for you."
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A riot breaks out in the city center of Bloemfontein, the capital city of Free State Province in South Africa, May 19, 2017. [Photo/huanqiu.com]

A Chinese citizen was injured in a riot in South Africa on Friday local time, according to China News citing African Times.

The riot broke out in the city center of Bloemfontein, the capital city of Free State Province. Many stores, including KFC and some Chinese shops, were smashed and looted. Vehicles parked nearby were also damaged.

One Chinese citizen was hit by a stone when evacuated from his shop with the help of local police. Many shop owners have closed their stores and moved to a safe area.

Local city workers started the riot as they demanded a salary increase, according to African Times citing a local Chinese society official.

The consulate-general of the Peoples Republic of China in Johannesburg has urged Chinese citizens in Free State Province to be cautious, as the riot is yet to be contained.
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Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Nouakchott, Mauritania, May 19, 2017. (Xinhua/Xing Jianqiao)

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said Friday that Mauritania supports and stands ready to participate in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking during a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Aziz said Mauritania would like to further enhance coordination with China on issues such as the reform of the UN Security Council so as to jointly safeguard the benefits of developing countries, especially African countries.

Expressing his appreciation to China's long-term support and assistance, Aziz said that Mauritania attaches high importance to its relations with China, adding that the rapid development of bilateral relations in recent years has brought about concrete benefits to the Mauritanian people.

He said Mauritania stays open to China and welcomes Chinese companies to invest in the country and enhance cooperation in industries including mining, fishery and manufacturing.

Aziz also hoped that China would provide help to the development of Sahel G5, a regional mechanism established to safeguard regional peace and stability.

For his part, Wang said Aziz had reached broad consensus with Chinese President Xi Jinping when visiting China in 2015, and the consensus has been carried out in a practical manner.

Wang said China supports Mauritania's path of development that suits the nation's conditions, and the two countries have always understood and supported each other, citing the Chinese-aided Friendship Harbor in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, which has become a model for China-Africa cooperation.

Meanwhile, he said Chinese companies' participation in the road construction projects at present is helping the country's development.

Wang said China encourages Chinese companies to invest in Mauritania and cooperate with the country in areas including sea port construction, mining development and maritime economy, so as to help Mauritania grow its economy, improve people's livelihoods, and gradually establish its own industrial system and the capacity for independent development.

"China also hopes that Mauritania will provide a sound environment for the investment and operations of Chinese companies," he said.

He said China supports the Sahel G5 mechanism, and is willing to work with Mauritania in improving the country's peacekeeping and law enforcement capabilities.

"China and Mauritania, being both developing countries, should further enhance coordination and cooperation on international matters," said Wang, adding that China's vote in the United Nations always belongs to developing and African countries.
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Four Chinese victims of a 50-million-U.S.-dollar visa fraud scheme filed a lawsuit to Los Angeles Court on Friday.

The scheme involved as many as 100 Chinese citizens, which led to a federal investigation followed by lawsuit by the alleged victims.

Federal authorities raided a business called California Investment Immigration Fund located in San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, on April 6.

The business sought over 50 million dollars in total from 100 Chinese investors and claimed to help them obtain permanent U.S. residency through an EB-5 program, through which each foreigner invests at least half a million dollars in a U.S. business that creates American jobs.

Four of the victims claimed that they signed the contract in 2011. However, those projects were not even built and they never got their green cards as promised.

"Most of the investors heard about these EB-5 projects through agencies in China. But most of them did not really know about details of the projects, aside from pretty-looking presentations," attorney Jing Wang said. "As far as I know from my clients, they did not even know who was their project attorney nor what legal files they have signed."

Wang also said that most of the investors did not understand the legal process of EB-5 and misunderstood many issues. They trusted their agency too much and did not seek more information.

Faced with the expiration of their temporary status in November, each of the four victims asked for a full refund of their investment along with other compensations, worth up to 2 million dollars in total.
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Six were injured after a man attacked people with a knife and a bat on Sunday noon at a park in Chiba prefecture, eastern Japan, local media reported.

Local fire department said it received a call around 11:20 a.m. local time saying a man was attacking people with a knife and a bat in a park in the city of Matsudo.

The six injured, including the attacker, have been sent to a hospital, and two of them were seriously hurt.

The police are investigating the identity of the attacker and the cause of the attack.
A couple at the Baofeng Lake Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, Central China's Hunan province, on May 20, 2017. Many partners in China choose to register for marriage, or get married, on May 20 each year, as the pronunciation of "520" is homophonic for "I Love You" in Chinese. [Photo/Xinhua]
After years of strictly regulating trade in ivory and destroying illegal items, as police prepare to do in this photo from 2015, China is banning any illegally sourced ivory, sounding a death knell for scores of ivory workshops and retailers. WANG JING / FOR CHINA DAILY

The trade in illegally sourced material will be banned by the end of the year, resulting in job losses and the death of ancient expertise, as Yang Wanli reports.

In recent weeks, Weng Zhanxuan has faced a dilemma as he struggled to make a decision between his future and his family's traditional trade; making sets of balls in which several rotatable layers are carved from a single piece of ivory.

The 24-year-old artisan's family has been making the balls for about 200 years, and he is the sixth generation to follow in his forefathers' footsteps. The layered balls and ivory boats made in Guangzhou, his hometown in Guangdong province, represent the pinnacle of the Southern, or Canton, style of ivory carving in which the motifs are intricate, rich in detail and have elegant engravings as the focal points.

Both his father and his grandfather are revered as national arts and crafts masters, and although Weng only took up the art five years ago, he can carve a ball 11 centimeters in diameter and containing 33 layers  an achievement that usually takes 10 years of practice.

However, these skills no longer provide carvers with a high standard of living as a result of the significant reduction in the ivory trade since 1981, when China signed the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In 1989, the convention prohibited ivory sales globally to protect elephants.

Weng and his father may soon lose their jobs at the Guangzhou Daxin Ivory Carving Factory because three months ago, the State Forestry Administration, which manages the ivory trade, announced that all commercial processing and trading will be banned at the end of the year.

In the 1970s, Weng's father earned 80 yuan ($11.60) a month, almost three times the average income of urban workers at the time.

The father and son's combined monthly wage is no more than 6,000 yuan, lower than the average 7,178 yuan paid to new employees in Guangzhou last year, according to a report by Zhilian Recruitment, one of China's biggest recruitment websites.

As a graduate in mechanical and electrical engineering at a local vocational school, Weng Zhanxuan said most of his classmates now work for vehicle companies and earn 10,000 yuan ($1,450) a month, five times his salary.

"My wage is the lowest in my class. What comforts me is that I did a good job of continuing my family's traditions," he said.

However, his story is likely to have an unhappy ending, because both he and his father may soon lose their jobs at the Guangzhou Daxin Ivory Carving Factory.

Three months ago, the State Forestry Administration, which manages the ivory trade, announced that all commercial ivory processing and trading will be banned at the end of the year.

Last year, China had 34 designated ivory-processing enterprises and 143 designated retail outlets. By the end of March, the administration had closed 12 processors and 55 retailers. The rest will be closed by the end of December.

Three of the Daxin factory's retail outlets have closed, and the workshop where Weng and his father work with 33 other artisans is slated for closure.

"I'm very proud of my family's craftwork and will continue with this career, no matter whether it makes me rich or poor," Weng said. "But the ban on trading means we can no longer live on our skills."

Promotions for animal protection can be seen everywhere in Guangzhou's subway stations and bus stops. Celebrities with stern faces hold signs reading, "Say no to ivory products".

To Weng, the promotion is flawed. "We work with legal ivory, not tusks from illegally slaughtered animals. Sure, those thousands of elephants should be protected, but what about all the ivory carvers? Doesn't anyone care about the extinction of our art?" he asked.
JAKARTA -- Zhang Ping, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended Timor-Leste's presidential inauguration ceremony as well as the celebration of 15th anniversary of Timor-Leste's restoration of independence in Dili on May 19-20.

China and Timor-Leste enjoy a profound traditional friendship, and their political trust has been constantly deepened and pragmatic cooperation increasingly strengthened since the two countries established diplomatic ties 15 years ago, said Zhang, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.

China actively supports the national development and construction cause of Timer-Leste, and their relations can be viewed as a model of equality and mutual benefits between a big country and a small one, Zhang said.

China is willing to continuously make efforts with Timer-Leste to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, actively engage in cooperation based on the Belt and Road Initiative and constantly push ahead the comprehensive partnership of good neighborliness and mutual benefits between the two countries, said Zhang.

Timor-Leste's new President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo said that his country supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road construction.

Lu-Olo said that Timor-Leste is willing to further strengthen its cooperation with China in various fields and constantly enhance relations between the two countries.

He said that the Chinese envoy's presence at his inauguration ceremony showed the friendly ties and close friendship between the two countries and the two peoples.

Lu-Olo appreciated China's long-time support for the Timor-Leste national liberation movement and its national construction.

Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
Tehran, Iran, May 21

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

It has been a tradition with the Islamic Republic conservatives to caution almost in all their speeches the nation of enemies out there who do everything to undermine their country.

This has been a decisive factor in Irans approach to the world, with the West in particular being virtually the same as enemies, not to mention its effect on domestic policy, when the more reform minded groups have been often quickly associated with those enemies and then dismissed. The fact has given strong leverage to the conservatives now and then to mobilize their followers against the enemies, be it in public rallies staged by the state, or elections where those who have shown a stronger anti-enemy position found more favor with the masses.

But this has proven not to be so much the case anymore in at least the past four years, when Iranians voted for the more open candidates in two presidential elections (one in 2013 and one just a couple of days ago) and a parliamentary election. In these three elections, the majority of votes went to candidates who promised intention to approach the world not as enemies but as politico-economic rivals who must be outdone rather than fought and extinguished from the global stage.

In the 2013 presidential election, Hassan Rouhani found great favor by promising to bring Iran out of a political deadlock with the world over Tehrans nuclear program. This he accomplished through two years of intense talks with world powers, bringing about a landmark deal called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. The deal not only put out a burning fear of Iran on the global stage and eased political contact with other countries, but also opened Irans economy to the world and promised a greater share for Iranian businessmen in the world market.

In 2016, Iranians once more elected reform-minded candidates into the parliament, the capital city of Tehran becoming exemplary with all 30 representatives from the reform camp.

The trend continued in 2017, when the May 19 presidential election saw Rouhani enjoying a clean sweep against his conservative contender Ebrahim Raisi. The reform-minded electorate demands their government to improve Irans foreign relation, make the economy globally more competitive, and scientifically more involved with latest world trends. They do not see world powers as enemies that seek to harm, but as rivals in pursuit of their own benefits, thus to be contended in action rather than cursed verbally.
TASHKENT -- Wang Chen, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, visited Uzbekistan on May 17-20 to promote bilateral ties.

Invited by Oliy Majlis, the Uzbek parliament, Wang made the tour and held talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and top parliament leaders. He also paid tribute to former Uzbek President Islam Karimov at his burial site.

In his meeting with Mirziyoyev, Wang congratulated him on the latter's just-concluded successful visit to China, and thanked him for attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14-15 in Beijing, and for his contribution to the forum.

Wang said China-Uzbekistan relations have embarked on a new journey, adding that the common task of both countries is to implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mirziyoyev in their first meeting, and the fruits of the forum.

He said the NPC is ready to enhance exchanges with the Uzbek parliament so as to contribute to the development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Mirziyoyev extended congratulations on the success of the forum held in Beijing, and spoke highly of his first meeting with Xi.

He said the Uzbek side has begun to implement the fruits of the meeting so as to achieve results as early as possible.

He also voiced his support for enhancing exchanges between the two countries' parliaments.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) presents US President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

RIYADH - US President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud signed on Saturday here a series of agreements worth 280 billion US dollars, Arabiya local news reported.

The agreements cover military, commercial, energy and petrochemical sectors and are expected to offer hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries, Arabiya said.

The agreements came at a US-Saudi summit, which will be soon followed by Gulf-US summit and Arab Islamic US summit.

Trump arrived in Riyadh on Saturday morning as the first leg of his first foreign visits since his election as US President.
NOUAKCHOTT -- Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said Friday that Mauritania supports and stands ready to participate in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking during a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Aziz said Mauritania would like to further enhance coordination with China on issues such as the reform of the UN Security Council so as to jointly safeguard the benefits of developing countries, especially African countries.

Expressing his appreciation to China's long-term support and assistance, Aziz said that Mauritania attaches high importance to its relations with China, adding that the rapid development of bilateral relations in recent years has brought about concrete benefits to the Mauritanian people.

He said Mauritania stays open to China and welcomes Chinese companies to invest in the country and enhance cooperation in industries including mining, fishery and manufacturing.

Aziz also hoped that China would provide help to the development of Sahel G5, a regional mechanism established to safeguard regional peace and stability.

For his part, Wang said Aziz had reached broad consensus with Chinese President Xi Jinping when visiting China in 2015, and the consensus has been carried out in a practical manner.

Wang said China supports Mauritania's path of development that suits the nation's conditions, and the two countries have always understood and supported each other, citing the Chinese-aided Friendship Harbor in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, which has become a model for China-Africa cooperation.

Meanwhile, he said Chinese companies' participation in the road construction projects at present is helping the country's development.

Wang said China encourages Chinese companies to invest in Mauritania and cooperate with the country in areas including sea port construction, mining development and maritime economy, so as to help Mauritania grow its economy, improve people's livelihoods, and gradually establish its own industrial system and the capacity for independent development.

"China also hopes that Mauritania will provide a sound environment for the investment and operations of Chinese companies," he said.

He said China supports the Sahel G5 mechanism, and is willing to work with Mauritania in improving the country's peacekeeping and law enforcement capabilities.

"China and Mauritania, being both developing countries, should further enhance coordination and cooperation on international matters," said Wang, adding that China's vote in the United Nations always belongs to developing and African countries.
Re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a televised speech in Tehran, Iran on May 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

TEHRAN - Iran's incumbent moderate President Hassan Rouhani won the presidential election by garnering 57 percent of the votes, the Interior Ministry announced Saturday.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that out of 41,220,131 counted votes, which accounts for 99.7 percent of the total votes cast on Friday election, Rouhani secured 23,549,616 votes or 57 percent of the ballots.

His conservative challenger Ebrahim Raisi lagged behind with grasping 15,786,449 votes, amounting to 38.5 percent of the ballots.

Hardliners had been perceived to boast great advantages against the moderate till days before the election, however, Rouhani jumpstarted his chances by raising the banner of reform during the final stage of his campaign, which echoed Iranians' ardent desire for change.

According to the law, the candidates have three days to file their complaints about the results of the election with Iran's Guardian Council of Constitution, Rahmani Fazli added.

The council, as the high legislative body of the country, will ultimately confirm the results of Iran's presidential election.

On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked the nation for "mass turnout" in the election on Friday.

Khamenei described it as an "epic" and said the high turnout proved the strength of foundations of "the Islamic democracy" in the country.

The Iranian leader urged the president and his administration to actively work and endeavor to solve the country's problems and try not to sway from "this direct path."

On Saturday, Rouhani said that Iran will continue interaction with the international community and is ready to expand the cooperation with other countries.

By voting for him, the Iranians have chosen the course of interaction and "no to violence and extremism" in the world, Rouhani said in a televised speech.

The Iranians have chosen to live in peace with their neighbors and global countries, he said, adding that Iran will not accept "humiliation and threat" in mutual ties.

He also said that he is ready to work with his rivals inside the country to implement his programs in the next administration.

Rouhani's landslide win stemmed from a large turnout of voters who saw him as the best choice to translate their hopes into real changes in Iran's domestic and foreign policies.

In his Twitter massage on Saturday, Rouhani also thanked his supporters, saying that "I will stick to my promises for you."
ALGIERS - Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said on Friday that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will form a new cabinet soon after the installation of the new parliament.

"The formation of the cabinet falls under the authority of President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and it is to be announced after the installation of the new National People's Council (lower house of parliament) following elections of May 4," Sellal told reporters at a ceremony in the capital Algiers.

The prime minister also commented on the refusal of Islamist movement of Society of Peace (MSP) to join the cabinet.

"We invited them to join the cabinet team, but the offer was declined by the party's Advisory Council. This does not mean that we won't deal with MSP in the future. After all we are all Algerians and partisans of national reconciliation," he said.

Despite Bouteflika's efforts to include all political factions into the new cabinet, regardless of Islamists, secular (left-wing) or nationals (right-wing), major opposition parties such as the Labour Party, the Socialist Forces Front and the Rally for Culture and Democracy, in addition to Islamist parties, have all refused to join.

The May 4 parliamentary elections were won by the ruling parties of National Liberation Front, which seized 161 seats, and the National Democratic Rally, with 100 seats secured.

Experts say the two parties will also command a majority in the forthcoming cabinet.
LOS ANGELES - Eight people were injured when a commercial passenger jet collided with an airport supply truck on a taxiway on Saturday afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.

The collision happened just before 2:30 pm (2227 GMT) on the taxiway near Runway 25 Right shortly after Aeromexico Flight 642 from Mexico City landed, according to local news media the City News Service.

The supply truck was overturned by the collision with Aeromexico's Boeing 737 passenger jet. All eight people on the truck including six men and two women were injured, said Brain Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"Two females are more seriously injured while the males have lesser injuries," he said.

There were no reports of injuries on the passenger jet that had approximately 146 passengers and crew members on board. The right wing of the jet was damaged but there was no fuel spill or fire.
Gunmen have stormed a bank in southeastern Afghanistan, killing three people and wounding over 30 more, officials say, as the country struggles with a rise in violent attacks, PressTV reported.

Five attackers, armed with suicide vests and guns, forced their way inside after one of them blew themselves up at the entrance of New Kabul Bank in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, Abdullah Hasrat, the provincial spokesman, told AFP.

"People were queuing to receive their monthly salaries from the bank when they were attacked," he said.

Abdul Wali, the deputy provincial governor, said most of people in the bank were members of the security forces.

"After around two hours of standoff, all the attackers were killed. Unfortunately, two police and a civilian also lost their lives," he said, adding that 31 other people were wounded.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but militants such as Taliban and Daesh have previously carried out similar attacks, including on banks where Afghan security forces regularly collect their pay.

In 2014, an attack on Kabul Bank killed at least ten people, including five police, in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.

Similarly, a Taliban attack on a bank killed around 40 people in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province in 2011.
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Felicia Nevins and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for three years, to no avail.

So the New Port Richey, Fla., couple decided to freeze two vials of sperm in dry ice in a thermos. That's when things went a bit off the rails.

Nevins' call to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office turned into a Facebook post that has drawn social media scorn for the law enforcement agency.

Nevins realized just after 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017, that she failed to remove a rubber O-ring from the thermos after placing the vials and dry ice inside. The upshot is, she created a potential explosive hazard.

ONLINE OUTCRY: Social media upset with handling of veteran's funeral

She called the sheriff's office non-emergency line and a deputy and firefighters arrived. They safely removed the top and settled the issue with no one hurt. So far, so good. Story continues below





But, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has a history of posting unusual incidents on Facebook and using stock art to illustrate (and sometimes mock) the person involved. That's what happened here.

The next day, the department posted a short explanation of what happened on its Facebook page using a stock photo of a woman with a disgusted expression. While Nevins wasn't identified, there were plenty of details about the incident - her age, location and time  for reporters and curious citizens to figure out who she was by searching public records.

And, find Nevins people did. TV news crews and The Tampa Bay Times located Nevins for interviews about the incident and the post. Suffice to say, she wasn't happy. And, neither were Facebook users.

IVANKA WHO: Twitter trolls Ivanka Trump for lack of title on name tag

"I don't agree with posting this and i even more so disagree with the photo that was used with this post," Shannon Cardinale Jones wrote. "She is only human. She made an honest mistake. Why blast her for it? Not cool not cool at all."

"This is such a shame. That we laugh at a young couple trying to get pregnant and make a mockery of a scared young lady who has done nothing but be a good person," Megan Smith wrote. "Shame on you all."

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, though, was undeterred by the criticism, saying it was part of the department's social media strategy.

NTOBK QUIZ: Are you TOUGH ENOUGH?

"We attempt to show every day what our officers see in calls and we are a very open agency about the types of calls we see each day," Nocco said in a statement.

While Nevins told The Tampa Bay Times she appreciated the online support, she's also embarrassed and frustrated that there's not much she can do about it other than unfollow the Sheriff's Office on Facebook.

"I don't see the comedy in it," Nevins told the paper. "I'm not going to support a Sheriff's Office that thinks it's okay to belittle their community."
A Matagorda Beach fisherman Sunday morning found a body believed to be that of a swimmer who vanished a day earlier.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search Saturday afternoon after a 24-year-old disappeared in the water in the Matagorda area.

The missing man -- last seen wearing a white shirt and white shorts -- and his friend were swimming in the bay a quarter mile east of the Colorado River when his companions lost sight of him.

Coast Guard officials at 4:10 p.m. deployed search crews in a Dolphin helicopter, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry and a 45-foot boat.

Sometime before 10 a.m. Sunday, a local fisherman spotted a body on a beach and a Coast Guard plane confirmed by air.

Although the Coast Guard could not definitely confirm the body was that of the missing swimmer, searches for the 24-year-old were suspended after the find.
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A gun-toting man sparked a Saturday night SWAT scene in northwest Harris County after his family refused to let him use the car, according to sheriff's deputies.

The drama started just before 7 p.m., when the Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to a disturbance call on Beaverbrook near Regina. Once deputies realized there was no criminal activity, they left the scene.
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A possible road rage shooting early Sunday left one man in the hospital.

Sometime before 3 a.m., a man driving along Beechnut near Loop 610 was shot in the leg.

He was taken to the hospital by ambulance and is expected to survive, according to Houston police.

No one was taken into custody and police did not immediately release a suspect or vehicle description, but did cite road rage as a possible motive.
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Shouts of "Black Lives Matter!" echoed down Houston streets Saturday during a spirited solidarity march ending outside City Hall, where activist Ashton Woods announced his intention to run for City Council in 2019.

"It's time for new people to be in office. It's time for new people to take the helm and to protect people who are marginalized and on the fringes," he said in an interview before the rally. "As you can see, new fringes are being created every day."

Saturday's event - scheduled immediately after an earlier protest targeting the so-called "sanctuary cities" law - started at Discovery Green before the group of more than 150 marchers set off down Walker.

UGLY RESPONSE: Congressman gets death threats after call for Trump's impeachment

Waving signs and holding banners, protesters shouted, "This is what democracy looks like," and, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, killer cops have got to go."

The gathering aimed to promote solidarity, support human rights and target police brutality.

"Today is the march for human rights," Woods said. "Every community that you can think of has come under attack, so this event is a solidarity event."

A strong police presence escorted the crowd through the street as protesters set off for City Hall around 5:30 p.m.

UNUSUAL SUPPORT: 'Babes for Trump 2020' gearing up for political fight

"It's not about Donald Trump, you can impeach him all day," Woods told the crowd from the steps of City Hall.

"But they got a bunch of Donald Trumps right here in Houston. So I've decided to raise hell in City Council."

He went on to slam the city's new ordinances targeting homelessness and panhandling and then vowed to "dismantle the f--- out of the system."

After revving up the crowd, Woods introduced a new crop of local organizers, including Bobbie Hoskins.

"What I'm really passionate about is community involvement," she told the crowd. "We can come out and we can rally and we can march and we can stand in solidarity and that is all necessary as well, but what we need to do is do some groundwork and get into the communities."

Another new voice in the local movement was Chris Malone, who spoke about solidarity and black lives.

"I'm black, I'm gay, and I'm afraid," he said. "And I'm pissed the f--- off."

A number of other speakers took the megaphone and aired their concerns for the community, all while the crowd roared its support.

When the gathering finally broke up before 7 p.m., the protesters dispersed peacefully as police looked on.
A zoo in South Texas is becoming the unlikely home for one of the world's most trafficked animals.

The Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville is taking on a pangolin, also known as the scaly ant eater, with the hope of preserving the species.
AUSTIN  Texas lawmakers resoundingly approved a watered-down bill aimed at improving mental health treatment for people in jails, after months of negotiations between civil rights activists and police groups in response to the 2015 suicide of a black woman in a Waller County jail cell.

The House voted 139-0 Saturday to send Senate Bill 1849 to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature or veto. The Senate approved the measure in April, also in an unanimous vote.

The bill, dubbed the Sandra Bland Act, requires jails to ramp up around-the-clock monitoring of prisoners and to install sensors or cameras to ensure "timely in-person checks of cells" containing at-risk prisoners. The sensors and cameras would be paid for through a gubernatorial grant program, only required when funding to pay for them is available.

It also mandates additional mental health training for jailers and mental health de-escalation training for police officers, as well as diverting people with mental health issues to treatment.

The House went along with the bill by Sen. John Whitmire, a Democrat from Houston, after a more sweeping proposal from Rep. Garnet Coleman, another Houston Democrat, ran into opposition from police groups. Still, Coleman praised the bill's passage during a preliminary vote Friday, adding that the bipartisan legislation will help stop jailhouse suicides.

"It is time that we make progress in criminal justice reform that will keep both law enforcement and the public safe and prevent future tragedies like Sandra Bland's," Coleman said in a statement. "The Sandra Bland Act will have a tremendous impact on mental health in Texas' county jails and will act as a building block to improve upon in the future."

The final vote by the House caps a nearly two-year effort to reform how police and local jails train for and respond to mental health issues among those they lock up. The measure is named after Bland, a 28-year-old black woman from Illinois whose traffic stop for a minor violation escalated into a heated exchange with a state trooper and her arrest in July 2015. Days later she was found hanged in the Waller County jail, a death that was ruled a suicide. The Waller County jail was cited at the time for not complying with state standards regarding staff training and observations. The state trooper was later fired and indicted on a perjury charge.

Bland's death made national headlines and sparked protests, coming at a time when the use of police force against African-Americans drew growing attention. It resulted in changes in jail procedures regarding suicidal inmates and a statewide campaign by criminal justice and mental health advocates to improve mental health supervision and training in local jails to prevent suicides.
A monitoring group says members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group have killed nearly 20 people, including two children, in a village in Syrias eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, PressTV reported.

Director of the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Rami Abdel Rahman, said on Saturday that Daesh extremists raided the village of Jazirat Albu Shams, northwest of Dayr al-Zawr, last evening and executed 19 civilians, including two women and two children, with bullets to the head.

He added that Daesh extremists then set the corpses ablaze, noting, Some were rounded up in the street before being killed, and others were executed at home.

Abdel Rahman further stated that Daesh Takfiris also abducted three militants of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) before withdrawing from the village.

The development came just a day after Daesh terrorists executed more than 50 people in Syrias central province of Hama.

The SOHR reported that at least 15 civilians and 27 pro-government fighters were killed when Daesh terrorists launched attacks against the villages of Aqarib al-Safi and al-Mabujeh on Thursday.

Most of the civilians had been beheaded and mutilated, the Britain-based group said, noting that another 10 bodies were yet to be identified as pro-government fighters or local residents.

It added that 15 Daesh terrorists were also killed in the dawn attack on the two villages.

Syria has been fighting different foreign-sponsored militant and terrorist groups since March 2011. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimated last August that more than 400,000 people had been killed in the crisis until then.
OBSOLETE LAW: Texas regulates possession of a sex toy, even if it can't be enforced

The state's top two elected officials took to the pulpit Sunday, preaching the righteousness of conservative gender norms  and hitting on several other red meat Republican issues  before the governor signed a copy of a new law protecting sermons at a Woodlands church.

Senate Bill 24, listed among Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's top priorities, bars the government from forcing religious leaders to turn over copies of sermons during a civil lawsuit or administrative proceeding. It also bars the state from compelling a religious leader's testimony.

To mark the occasion at Grace Community Church in the Woodlands, Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott joined pastor Steve Riggle and three of the four others whose sermons were subpoenaed in 2014 by the city of Houston, igniting a political fire storm for then-mayor Annise Parker.

Riggle and the so-called "Houston Five" were fighting a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance, mostly over objections to the rights it would have extended to gay and transgender people. Parker and the city sought the sermons amid a legal battle over a petition drive led by the pastors.

The move sparked outrage nationwide from people who saw it as intimidation of the church and infringement on religious liberties. Parker said the city only wanted evidence related to any instructions the pastors may have given on how to conduct the petition drive. But she acknowledged the subpoena was overly broad and withdrew the request for sermons.

The officials' trip to the Woodlands was a celebratory tour of sorts, returning not only to where the issue originated but to deeply conservative territory where 72 percent of Montgomery County voters chose President Donald Trump in November, and where religion and politics easily mix.

"You are fighters for freedom," Abbott told the congregation, which is an offshoot of Grace's megachurch campus in Houston.

Patrick preached that the world needs the strength of America and Texas, and said deep divisions in the country aren't between political parties, but between Christians and non-Christians.

"The Sermon Protection Act came about because of an issue, an issue that's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue," he said. "It's the right issue, and that's to keep men out of ladies' rooms."

The equal rights ordinance would have banned 15 categories of discrimination, including based on gender identity, but made no mention of public bathrooms. It was already illegal to assault someone in a restroom, but conservatives rallied votes against the measure by playing on fears of attacks. A campaign ad famously depicted a little girl at the hands of a male attacker in a bathroom stall.

"We never thought we'd need (the sermon law), but this is a crazy day," Riggle said. "We never thought we'd have to define men and women either, but here we are. We thought the name on the restroom doors actually meant something."

The bill passed easily, but wasn't without opposition. Some legal experts contended that its protections are too broad, and could hamper discovery in cases of church sexual abuse, forced marriage and corporal punishment.

Others found Sunday's ceremony inherently disturbing for its mix of politics and faith. To be sure, the church service sounded at times like a campaign stop, with plenty of glad handing.

A group of about 10 people held up signs by the church entrance off the North Freeway, protesting a breach of church and state separation.

"Our forefathers escaped tyrants that were heads of churches in Europe," said B.P. Herrington, who held up a poster that said "religion is a private matter."

Patrick and Abbott "should realize they are not defenders of faith as the queen of England is," he said. "They are servants of the people."

Herrington, a music professor and an Episcopalian, said the officials treat the churches as de facto political action committees.

But Riggle noted that American churches have long participated in politics. And the Trump administration has sought to make that easier. Earlier this month, the president signed an executive order aimed at removing enforcement of the longstanding ban on churches and other tax exempt organizations supporting political candidates.

Abbott noted the unusual nature of the ceremony, saying it might be the first time in Texas history a law was signed in a church.

In fact, according to the Senate Journal, the official signing happened in Austin on Friday, when the law became effective immediately.

The politicking in the Woodlands came as the Legislature was holding marathon sessions aimed at, among other things, passing a state budget before the legislative session ends May 29. Lawmakers were also considering debate on another priority of Patrick's  regulating the use of restrooms and locker rooms by transgender students.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the key players and issues in the Texas legislative session
AUSTIN -- With a newly forged agreement on a state budget appeared poised for approval, skirmishing began Sunday between lawmakers and advocacy groups over whether the proposed $218 billion spending blueprint shortchanges schools, cuts many programs and stiff-arms reforms.

Even the property-tax reform bill that was approved the day before to keep the final days of the session moving ahead became a target.

Even so, legislative leaders remained confident that the session can end as scheduled next Monday as property-tax reform, the budget and other key issues appear to be on a glide path to approval in coming days.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hinted Sunday at a bill-signing event in The Woodlands that more work remains before legislators can go home. They appeared at Grace Church together so Abbott could sign into law a bill that protects pastors' sermons from government subpoenas, sparked by a case in Houston .

While Abbott told a reporter at one point things in Austin are "looking great," he suggested that the property-tax reform measure might still need work.

"As you know, I want to see the rate rollback part of property taxes achieved," Abbott told the Texas Tribune. "And so we still have more work to do on property taxes. The session is not yet over."

While he would not discuss specific issues, Patrick told the churchgoers he wants to see the House pass a "bathroom bill" before he's willing to go home. The regular session ends May 29.

"I'm willing to stay as long and until the place we're staying in ... freezes over, until we get that bill" passed, Patrick said during the ceremony.

In Austin, Senate leaders hinted they might be as stubborn about getting automatic rollback elections reinstated in the bill, after the House dropped them.

"Without Senate Bill 2 as passed by the Senate being considered by the full House, there will be no property tax relief coming out of the 85th Regular Session," said Houston Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Senate's Republican leader and a Patrick lieutenant.

While the House-passed bill contains "useful transparency and taxpayer tools, they are not property tax relief," said Bettencourt, echoing grumbling among other GOP senators.

House leaders indicated no interest in scheduling a vote on SB 2.

Within hours after Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson confirmed the budget deal late Sunday by announcing, "White smoke has emerged from our conclave, and we have reached a consensus," the first skirmish erupted between Abbott and the budget panel .

The budget agreement only gave Abbott $10 million of the $110 million he had sought for economic development programs in his office. When the shortage was discovered early Sunday, the governor dispatched a top aide to get it fixed.

Some Senate and House members on the budget-negotiations committee complained publicly that Abbott had come in with an 11th-hour demand for an additional $100 million, which his aides blamed on an error in final tallies.

The money was for the Enterprise Technology Fund, used to lure businesses to Texas, and the Governor's University Research Initiative, used to attract top researchers.

"He clearly felt that he needed more in the area of his trusteed funds in order carry out some of the economic development," House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Zerwas, R-Richmond, told reporters after the committee adjourned about 1 a.m. "If we had had a little bit more of a heads up, we might have been able to make the accommodations. But it works out fine."

On Sunday, legislative leaders said the additional funding will be added as a technical correction to the budget in coming days.

As that dispute was worked out, public education advocates on Sunday decried an announced move in the compromise budget to put more than $200 million into high-quality pre-K programs as deceptive, since much of the funding appears to be coming from existing programs.

They called it an unfunded mandate.

They said the latest compromise keeps traditional pre-K funding consistent with past years, but the budget document directs all pre-K programs to adhere to higher standards used in the grant program without any money to pay for it.

"There's no way to enforce that and it's going to be very hard to track," said Chandra Villanueva, a senior policy analysis for the left-leaning Center for Public Policy Priorities.

Abbott, who had sought an additional $236 million for his high-quality prekindergarten initiative, received that funding in the budget, and he is satisfied, his aides said Sunday. Started two years ago, Abbott's initiative this year awarded grants of $734 for each of about 190,000 students, representing about 86 percent of the state's preschoolers.

Then, as the House was poised to take up the final round of key bills on Sunday to ensure no special session, Michael Quinn Sullivan, the president of Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, blasted legislative leaders -- especially House Speaker Joe Straus and his leadership team -- for not passing a fiscally conservative agenda.

"Whether or not the legislature is headed for a special session, too many reforms are being left behind or watered down in the regular session," said Quinn, often characterized as the most powerful non-elected political activist in Texas because of his clout among ultra-right conservatives who carry GOP primary elections. "All the 'compromising' seems to be away from the state's conservative majority positions."

Quinn said the key to holding the line on conservatives' agenda is the Senate.

"How firmly the Senate will hold to their conservative budget remains to be seen," Quinn said in an online fundraising message. He is a longtime critic of Straus and House leaders.

Jason Embry, Straus' press secretary, said the speaker "is proud of the way that the House is working to finish the work of this legislative session."
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.
Eight people were injured, two seriously, when a commercial passenger jet crashed into an airport utility truck shortly after landing at Los Angeles International Airport Saturday afternoon, Sputnik reported.

The incident happened just before 2:30 p.m. local time, right after the 737 landed. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the jet collided with the truck, which was carrying eight airport employees, and flipped it.

"[A] single-aisle commercial passenger jet collided with airport utility/supply vehicle shortly after landing, causing that truck to overturn," said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

The injured, who have been taken to the hospital, were passengers in the truck; no injuries have been reported among 146 passengers and crew members on the plane. Earlier reports said one of the truck passengers was in critical condition, but according to later statements, none of the passengers in the truck sustained life threatening injuries.

The plane was an Aeromexico flight arriving from Mexico City. Passengers on the flight tweeted that the plane's wing clipped the truck and overturned it. The wing was damaged as a result.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- President Donald Trump is hoping his foreign trip will sweep away attention from the growing Russian scandal engulfing his administration.

Trump's most notable domestic accomplishment has been incriminating himself for obstruction of justice in the Russian investigation.

Friday, it was revealed that after firing FBI Director James Comey, Trump told two Russian diplomats, in the oval office, that Comey was a "Nut Job."

"I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job," Trump bragged to Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. "I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off. I'm not under investigation," Trump claimed to his Russian comrades.

In the same, now infamous oval office meeting, Trump also divulged to the Russians, intelligence from an Israeli counter-terrorism operation in a city located in ISIS controlled territory. In so doing, Trump put the lives of Israeli operatives at risk.

The White House did not deny Trump disparaged Comey as a "Nut Job" to the Russians. The comments were from notes taken during the meeting and circulated as the official account.

Sean Spicer claimed that "by grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russia's actions, James Comey created unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia." Another White House official asserted that Trump's "Nut Job " comment was really just a negotiating tactic.

It should be clear by now that the real nut jobs are Trump and his spokespersons, who still expect people to believe the spinning lies of the unraveling administration.

James Comey is a man known and respected for his integrity and years of dedicated service to this nation. A U.S. President disparaging such a man to Russian adversaries, in the oval office no less, is despicable and treacherous.

Republicans always like to remind everyone how patriotic they are. When he ran for president, Mitt Romney called Russia our greatest threat. Any true patriot would be appalled by the way Trump conducted himself in the oval office with the Russians. It was nothing short of repugnant.

Trump's comments weren't just deplorable, they were stunningly self-destructive and ignorant, knowing he had just fired Comey for leading an investigation into Trump-Russian collusion and was now disparaging him to the subjects of that investigation.

Trump confirmed yet again how vile and devoid of class he truly is, but also how much he grossly underestimated Comey, Rod Rosenstein and the significance of the investigation.

His assertion that Comey's firing took the pressure off him, reaffirms that Comey was fired over the Russian investigation. And of course Trump was wrong, the pressure is now on more than ever with the appointment of Robert Mueller as special prosecutor.

Trump trying to bully and intimidate Comey with the tweet about having tapes of their conversation, is laughable, in light of the revelation that Comey kept detailed notes of their meetings that incriminate Trump.

Who did Trump think he was dealing with? Is Trump really dumb enough to think dealing with Comey, Mueller and Rosenstein is just like dealing with contractors and real estate people he ripped off in his former career? He's in for a rude awakening.

Trump just didn't insult Comey with his comments. He insulted the over 30,000 agents working for the FBI, many of who are now investigating his campaign and associates. He insulted everyone at the Department of Justice, with the exception of Jeff Sessions. He's insulted everyone in the intelligence community, not only in the U.S. but now also in Israel. He's insulted former FBI director, now special prosecutor James Mueller.

Trump enablers and apologists warn against comparisons to Watergate. They're right, it might not be Watergate. It might be far worse. What's being investigated is far more grave than the coverup of a third-rate burglary at the Democratic Party Headquarters. And that investigation led to the resignation of the president and over 40 people in his administration being convicted.

In response to Mueller's appointment, and in his effort to make whining hyperbole great again, Trump tweeted, "This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!

Maybe Trump will conclude his foreign trip by landing his broom and squadron of flying monkeys in Moscow to seek political asylum.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- They say rock 'n' roll never forgets. About 200 Bay Village High School seniors and their escorts enjoyed a memorable evening at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame May 20. Some dressed in vintage-style mod, while others celebrated the looks of the 80s 90s and other rock eras. The Rock Hall hosts group gatherings such as weddings, corporate meetings and reunions.

You can check out photos from other Northeast Ohio proms at cleveland.com/prom.

Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give provides four meals for the hungry.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Olmsted Falls High School students dazzled in their best attire as they celebrated their 2017 prom at La Villa Banquet Center on May 20.

Before making their way to the venue, they held their annual Prom March in the school auditorium. Surrounded by bouquets, the students were each introduced as they walked across stage and posed for photos. Plenty put their own unique twist on their moment in the spotlight.

Styles blended timeless and trendy as they strutted across the stage. Dapper suits and creative two pieces, florals and sleek, chic looks were popular throughout the evening.

Browse through all our photos for glimpse at the dazzling looks of this unforgettable prom.

You can check out photos from other Northeast Ohio proms at cleveland.com/prom.

Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give buys four meals for the hungry.
Fire truck.png

A natural gas leak evacuated people from their homes in Lakewood, police say.

(File photo)

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- A natural gas leak evacuated people from their homes Saturday night, police say.

The gas leak happened just before 10 p.m. on Parkwood Road between Franklin Boulevard and Detroit Avenue, police confirmed.

Gas and power lines were shut off after the leak for safety reasons.

Around 11:20 p.m. residents were being allowed to come back to their homes, police said.

Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give buys four meals for the hungry.
A car ran over a group of people protesting against the government of President Nicolas Maduro in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, Sputnik reported citing local media.

According to the reports of El Nacional new outlet published late on Saturday, the driver fled the scene subsequently. At least five people were hurt, one of them was taken to the hospital, the same reports added.

Media reported on Saturday, that Venezuela saw one of the major rallies since the beginning of the protests in early April with up to 160,000 people attending it.

Venezuela has been facing anti-government protests against the backdrop of the economic crisis in the country. The recent wave of protests was caused by the decision of the Supreme Court to take on functions of the country's parliament controlled by opposition in early April. At least 45 people were killed as a result of the turmoil in the country.
Lakewood police SUV.jpg

Lakewood police received a call about 9:45 p.m. Saturday from a woman who said her husband threatened to blow up their house by leaving the natural gas on. Surrounding homes on Parkwood Road were evacuated after first responders detected a natural gas smell.

(cleveland.com file photo)

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Threats to blow up a Parkwood Road house by turning on the natural gas caused Lakewood police to evacuate several surrounding homes Saturday night.

The man who threatened to blow up the house turned himself into Lakewood police after crews cleared the house, Lakewood police spokesman Capt. Ed Hassing said in a news release. He faces charges of attempted aggravated arson and inducing panic, though no formal charges have been filed.

Lakewood police received a call about 9:45 p.m. from a woman who said that her husband planned to harm himself by turning on their house's natural gas and blowing it up. The woman and her children were not home when she made the call, Hassing said.

Officers and a Lakewood fire crew responded to the Parkwood Road house, and they smelled natural gas, Hassing said. The caller's husband, who made the threats, was not home when police arrived.

As a precaution, some surrounding homes on Bunts and Parkwood roads were evacuated, Hassing said. The electric and gas companies arrived at the house to turn off the utilities.

The house was ventilated once it was safe for the crews to go inside. Evacuated residents were soon allowed to return home, Hassing said.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A remarkable range of food, music, art, apparel, crafts, dance and play celebrates a rich cultural heritage all weekend at the 8th annual Cleveland Asian Festival.

About 50,000 people are expected to visit the free event over its two days, making it the fastest-growing festival in Ohio.

Centered on Payne Avenue from East 27th to East 30th streets, the heart of Asia Town, the family-friendly, all-ages fest runs Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information is at clevelandasianfestival.org.
In a pushback against the Trump administration's protectionist rhetoric, 11 nations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal have agreed on Sunday to proceed without the U.S.

The 11 nations met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting for trade ministers in Hanoi and agreed to assess options to bring the deal into force "expeditiously."

"These efforts would address our concern about protectionism, contribute to maintaining open markets, strengthening the rules-based international trading system, increasing world trade, and raising living standards," the group said in a ministerial statement on Sunday.

The group said it aimed to complete the assessment before it meets again on the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in mid-November in Vietnam.

TPP had been considered all but dead after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the pact, a broad 12-nation trade deal, which he claimed was a "disaster" that would hurt U.S. manufacturing.

Although Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had initially said that the TPP would be "meaningless" without the U.S., more recently, Japanese officials had begun to second calls from Australia and New Zealand to proceed without the U.S.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay has spent much of this year on the road, selling the plan to keep the agreement alive to partners who worried the absence of the U.S. wouldn't make the pact worthwhile.

"New Zealand's never thought that the agreement was dead," said McClay in a recent interview with CNBC. "One country decides not to go ahead, but it's still a high quality agreement and a common set of rules across the Asia Pacific."

Japan, for one, had expended a lot of political capital on reforms needed to be a part of the deal and other countries also hadn't wanted to walk away from years of work negotiating the pact.

Among representatives of the TPP countries, Paulina Nazal Aranda, general director of international economic affairs at Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CNBC on Sunday that the TPP-11 were united in the view that the pact was a good agreement.

"We are clear that it's going to bring benefit to our society for farmers, for families, for SMEs, for youth, for women," she said.

She expected the group would agree to fine-tune the deal to compensate for the U.S.'s absence.

"The main idea is not to reopen the complete negotiations. It's because there is a consensus that the original TPP responded to a situation that all of us were willing to comply [with] from the beginning," she said.

Echoing that view, Steven Ciobo, Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, told CNBC on Sunday, "There's a general consensus that we can't start unraveling it all. We've got an agreement; we're at the starting line and that's a very good basis from which we can build."

He noted that multi-lateral deals were always a "fruit salad" and there would be hurdles as each country would need to recalibrate their expectations for the U.S.'s absence from the deal.

But he added, "There's a real clarity among the 11 of us that there are real benefits in the TPP that we want to try to capture."

Whether U.S.-centric provisions are removed from the agreement may be a key sticking point.

Japan was one of only two countries  New Zealand was the other  that had already ratified the TPP and removing the U.S.-centric provisions may require the deal to pass through its Diet once again.

Keeping the provisions in the deal may also make it easier for the U.S. to change its mind and rejoin at a later date.

Both Ciobo and Aranda said they would welcome the U.S. back into the fold.

But at a news conference in Hanoi after the TPP-11 announcement, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said, "The United States pulled out of the TPP and it's not going to change that decision," Reuters reported.

He added that Trump has decided bilateral negotiations would be preferable to multi-lateral ones for the U.S., the Reuters report said.

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Dear Class of 2017:

Congratulations! You've just accomplished something I never managed to doearn a college degree.

Between your commencement speaker and every aunt and uncle at your graduation party, I am sure you are getting a lot of advice. At the risk of piling on, I thought I would share a few thoughts.

New college graduates often ask me for career advice. I was lucky to be in my early 20s when the digital revolution was just getting under way, and Paul Allen and I had the chance to help shape it. (Which explains my lack of a college degreeI left school because we were afraid the revolution would happen without us.) If I were starting out today and looking for the same kind of opportunity to make a big impact in the world, I would consider three fields.

More from Bill Gates:

Strong coffee, stronger women

Beating nature at its own game

Foreign aid keeps Americans safe

One is artificial intelligence. We have only begun to tap into all the ways it will make people's lives more productive and creative. The second is energy, because making it clean, affordable, and reliable will be essential for fighting poverty and climate change. The third is the biosciences, which are ripe with opportunities to help people live longer, healthier lives.

But some things in life are true no matter what career you choose. I wish I had understood these things better when I left school. For one thing, intelligence is not quite as important as I thought it was, and it takes many different forms. In the early days of Microsoft, I believed that if you could write great code, you could also manage people well or run a marketing team or take on any other task. I was wrong about that. I had to learn to recognize and appreciate people's different talents. The sooner you can do this, if you don't already, the richer your life will be.

Another thing I wish I had understood much earlier is what true inequity looks like. I did not see it up close until my late 30s, when Melinda and I took our first trip to Africa. We were shocked by what we saw. When we came back, we began learning more. It blew our minds that millions of children there were dying from diseases that no one in rich countries even worried about. We thought it was the most unjust thing in the world. We realized we couldn't wait to get involvedwe had to start giving back right away.

You know much more than I did when I was your age. Technology lets you see problems in ways my friends and I never could, and it empowers you to help in ways we never could. You can start fighting inequity sooner, whether it is in your own community or in a country halfway around the world.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to surround yourself with people who challenge you, teach you, and push you to be your best self. Melinda does that for me, and I am a better person for it. Like our good friend Warren Buffett, I measure my happiness by whether people close to me are happy and love me, and by the difference I make in other people's lives.

If I could give each of you a graduation present, it would be a copy of "The Better Angels of Our Nature," by Steven Pinker. After several years of studying, you may not exactly be itching to read a 700-page book. But please put this one on your reading list to get to someday. It is the most inspiring book I have ever read.

Pinker makes a persuasive argument that the world is getting betterthat we are living in the most peaceful time in human history. This can be a hard case to make, especially now. When you tell people the world is improving, they often look at you like you're either naive or crazy.

But it's true. And once you understand it, you start to see the world differently. If you think things are getting better, then you want to know what's working, so you can accelerate the progress and spread it to more people and places.

It doesn't mean you ignore the serious problems we face. It just means you believe they can be solved, and you're moved to act on that belief.

This is the core of my worldview. It sustains me in tough times and is the reason I still love my philanthropic work after more than 17 years. I think it can do the same for you.

Good luck to all of you. This is an amazing time to be alive. I hope you make the most of it.

This post originally ran on Mic and Gates' blog Gates Notes.
Pedestrians are reflected on glass in front of Blackstone Group LP headquarters in New York, U.S., on Friday, April 14, 2017.

U.S. private equity firm Blackstone and Saudi Arabia's main sovereign wealth fund said on Saturday they planned to create a $40 billion vehicle to invest in infrastructure projects, mainly in the United States.



Blackstone and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the project, which will depend on further negotiations.



The proposed venture was announced during the visit to Riyadh of President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to rebuild crumbling U.S. infrastructure.

Blackstone said it expected the vehicle to have $40 billion of equity commitments, with a $20 billion anchor investment from the PIF with the rest from other investors. Through this equity plus debt financing, Blackstone expects to invest in more than $100 billion of infrastructure projects, it said.

The new fund "reflects our positive views around the ambitious infrastructure initiatives being undertaken in the United States as announced by President Trump," the PIF's managing director Yasir al-Rumayyan said.



Blackstone president Hamilton James said: "This will create well-paying American jobs and will lay the foundation for stronger long-term economic growth."

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South Korea's newly elected President Moon Jae-in announced his picks for foreign and finance ministers, security adviser and other key posts in his administration, Sputnik reported.

According to Yonhap news agency, Kim Dong-yeon, president of South Korea's Ajou University, has been appointed the new finance minister as well as vice prime minister. Chang Ha-sung, currently an economics professor at Seoul's Korea University, was picked by Moon as his new chief of staff for policy who will be in charge for coordinating economic policies, the same outlet reported.

Kang Kyung-hwa, a Senior Adviser on Policy to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has been appointed the foreign minister, the reports added.

Chung Eui-yong, a former lawmaker and Ambassador to Geneva, was named to head the National Security Office. Since Moon took office on May 10, Chung has been leading a special security advisory group for the new president, according to the outlet.

Moon also picked special advisers for diplomatic and security issues. They are Moon Chung-in, an honorary professor at Seoul's Yonsei University, and Hong Seok-hyun, former Ambassador to the United States, the same outlet added.

According to the reports, the candidacies of the finance and foreign ministers must be confirmed by the parliament, while the appointments of the new presidential officials and advisers are already effective since they are not subject to the parliamentary hearings.

Moon became president after his landslide victory at the snap election on May 9.
CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger Getty Images

Last week, Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger reportedly informed employees that hackers had infiltrated the company and stole a copy of the latest installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, due out on May 26. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the suspected perpetrators demanded a ransom, or they would release the movie in 20-minute increments if Disney failed to pay up. The incident followed the recent theft of 10 episodes of Netflix's new season of "Orange is the New Black," which was released on the Web after the company refused to pay up. A Twitter user called "The Dark Overlord" claimed responsibility, warning ominously that the release was only just the beginning. "Who is next on the list? FOX, IFC, NAT GEO, and ABC. Oh, what fun we're all going to have. We're not playing any games anymore." Thus far, Disney has refused to cooperate, raising the possibility that "Pirates" could hit the Internet before its planned release date. Yet in an era where data breaches are becoming increasingly commonplace, several experts said Disneyand companies that find themselves in a similar predicamentshould take a hard line with cyber-terrorists.



"No, don't pay the ransom," said Tom Kulik, an intellectual property lawyer at Scheef & Stone law firm in Dallas, told CNBC. "More and more frequently, hackers responsible for ransomware attacks take the money and provide no (or inadequate) means to decrypt the files after payment. Sometimes, they even attempt to extort more," Kulik explained. By not paying a ransom immediately, "Disney is taking the right approach because there is nothing they can do to prevent the hackers from leaking the movie right now, so paying any ransom solves nothing," he added.

Although paying the ransom is hardly a new approach, it's clear some firms realize their approach to security may be lacking and paying might be the way out. Terence Goggin director, Alvarez and Marsal

The widespread ransomeware attack that took place over a week ago, as well as breaches against Disney, Netflix and Sony in 2014, underscore the vulnerabilities media companies must address in the digital era. Because most movies are distributed electronicallya far cry from the days when homemade DVDs recorded with hand-held cameras were sold on street cornerspiracy and hacking is an ever present threat for movie companies. Some are preparing accordingly. "I'm personally aware of several financial institutions that have started keeping a stock of digital currency on hand, should they find themselves victims of ransomware," Terence Goggin, a director with consulting firm Alvarez and Marsal consulting firm, told CNBC. "Although paying the ransom is hardly a new approach, it's clear some firms realize their approach to security may be lacking and paying might be the way out," he added. Scheef & Stone's Kulik recommended that studios get in the habit of encrypting their files, "and limit access to a handful of individuals who can act as gatekeepers to them."

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The deadline for health insurers to make rate submissions for 2018 Obamacare plans is just one month away. With that benchmark looming, the industry is still waiting for the Trump administration to provide clear answers about funding for cost-reduction subsidies, which help lower health-care costs for millions of Americans on exchange plans. "It's a pretty stressful time for those millions of Americans who count on the subsidies, and (for) the health plans that are trying to develop some affordable packages for them," said Ceci Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, which represents not-for-profit insurers. "When you're doing it in the dark, and you don't even know what might be coming in, it becomes impossible," Connolly said. Cost-sharing reduction subsidies, known as CSRs, help lower out-of-pocket costs for lower-income Obamacare enrollees. Health insurers front the money to help reduce deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for more than 7 million lower-income Obamacare consumers, then get reimbursed by the government. On Friday, half a dozen health industry groups, including America's Health Insurance Plans, the American Medical Association (AMA), as well as the Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to Senate leaders. The groups urged lawmakers to maintain money for the program, calling uncertainty over funding "the single most destabilizing factor causing double-digit premium increases for 2018."

'Never seen anything like this'

CSR payments are estimated at $7 billion for this year, and another $7 billion to $12 billion next year. But the legality of those payments has been in doubt after House Republicans sued the Obama administration to block CSR funding, and a federal judge ruled in their favor. The Trump administration has continued making the payments, but the president has said he sees CSR funding up for negotiation. At this point, the administration has offered no commitment to continue the payments beyond this month, leaving insurers and enrollees unsure about what comes next. "I don't think any of us have ever seen anything like this. This is not a business problem, this is a failure to govern problem," said Robert Laszewski, president of insurance consulting firm Health Policy and Strategy Associates. "The Trump administration (seems) to be delighting in sabotaging this, and making it worse so that it serves (its) political ends," he said. In fact, the administration could pull the plug as early as Monday. That's when Trump officials must tell a federal judge whether they will appeal a ruling the case, now known as House v. Price. House leaders asked the court ruled to put the case on hold for three months after President Donald Trump took office. Most analysts had assumed the House and the administration would ask to continue the case for at least another three months, and that the payments would continue while congressional Republicans work on an Obamacare replacement bill. Now, they're not so sure. House Speaker Paul Ryan "and the president could continue the case," but the decision isn't up to them explained Chris Jennings, the founder of Jennings Policy Strategy, and former deputy assistant to President Obama for Health Policy during the launch of the Affordable Care Act. "You cannot presume the judge will allow for quarterly continuance," Jennings said. "The judge knows the Trump administration has been using this as a political card rather than being serious about settling the court case," concurred Laszewski. "The judge could decide to dismiss the case right now, in which case those cost-sharing subsidies would go away."

You will see severe disruption in the market happen very, very quickly. Ceci Connolly president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans
North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast on Sunday, South Korea and Japan said, a week after it tested an intermediate-range missile which experts saw as an advancement in the reclusive state's weapons program.



The missile was launched at 0759 GMT from a location near Pukchang, 60 km (36 miles) northeast of the capital Pyongyang, an area where North Korea attempted to test-launch another missile last month but failed, South Korea's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.



The missile flew about 500 km (310 miles), it said. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and no damage to ships or airplanes was reported.



An official traveling with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia said the White House was aware of the launch and noted that the missile had a shorter range than the three previous tested by North Korea.



China had no immediate comment while both South Korea and Japan called emergency meetings of top officials.



"The flight range was 500 km and South Korea and the United States are closely analysing additional information," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.



It was the second missile test by North Korea since South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office 11 days ago. The two sides remain technically at war despite a truce ending their 1950-1953 conflict.



Last Sunday, the North tested-fired an intermediate range missile that flew further and higher than those previously tested.



Moon won this month's election on a platform of a moderate approach to North Korea and has said he would be willing to go to Pyongyang under the right circumstances, arguing dialogue must be used in parallel with sanctions.



North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes, even from China, its lone major ally, calling them legitimate self-defence.



It has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland.



On Saturday, it said it had developed the capability to strike the U.S. mainland, although Western missile experts say the claim is exaggerated.



"The U.S. mainland and the Pacific operational theatre are within the strike range of the DPRK and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike," North Korea's state KCNA news agency said in a commentary

on Saturday.



North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

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The Pentagon reportedly overcharged the armed forces about $6 billion for fuel, using the windfall for its other projects in a practice officials defended as perfectly legal, according to a report The Washington Post.

The Washington Post obtained documents showing the Defense Department was excessively charging the armed forces up to $1 additional per gallon or more, compared to what commercial airlines would pay for market rate jet fuel. Since 2010, the Pentagon has reaped a surplus worth billions by slapping a premium on fuel sales.

According to the publication, the overage was used to fund expenses, including $450 million towards a prescription drug program for troops and families that was rife with fraud. In addition, around $80 million was diverted for training Syrian rebels, and $1.4 billion used to offset the additional costs of the war in Afghanistan. The controversial prescription drug plan was reportedly on the hook for $1.7 billion worth of fraudulent insurance claims, The Post said, citing defense auditors.

However, the Pentagon told the publication the higher charges were legal, noting Congress approved the tactic as a clear way to balance the Defense Department's books. Still, the department has has been under scrutiny for irresponsible budgeting practices, after an internal study showed the Pentagon was wasting $125 billion in administrative costs, the Post added.

The full story can be found at The Washington Post.
On May 17, just a few weeks after Switzerlands 50-franc note, the first in a new series, won the coveted International Banknote Society Banknote of the Year Award, the Swiss National Bank began issuing the series 20-franc note. It is the second of six denominations in the ninth series.

The theme of the new series is The Many Facets of Switzerland. Each denomination depicts a typical Swiss characteristic through the primary elements of a hand and a globe. The 50-franc note portrays the countrys wealth of experiences as expressed by the wind. The focus of the red 20-franc note is Swiss creativity as revealed by the central motif of light.

Last minted in 1909, Indian Head cent still a collector favorite: Our first monthly issue of the summer is rich with Indian Head cent insights, along with 'State quarters' for world coin collectors  a fascinating contrast.

As the Swiss National Bank describes it, the hand on the face of the 20-franc note holds a prism through which light is dispersed into various colors. On the globe, the light theme is reflected in the superimposed constellation map. Background line structures on the face are reminiscent of a kaleidoscopes patterns, produced by reflected light.

The scene on the back is said to be a film festival that represents Switzerlands creative and cultural scene. Light plays an important role here, too. By projecting it onto a screen, a kind of second, artificial world is created. A butterfly, with its scale-covered wings that diffract light into iridescent colors, symbolizes the diversity of colors and shapes in nature.

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At 70 by 130 millimeters, the new issue is slightly smaller than its predecessor and has 15 anti-counterfeiting features. Five of these were described by Thomas Wiedmer of the banks governing board at a news conference:

Globe test: Tilt the note from left to right and a violet arc moves across the globe. Now hold the note in front of you and tilt it backwards: the color of the globe changes.

Security strip test: Tilt the note from left to right. Red and green numbers appear on four lines and the numbers on these lines move in opposite directions. When looking directly at the note, you see a map, in silver, of Switzerland, circular elements representing night-time light emissions, the distances between various celestial bodies and the earth listed in light seconds, and the number 20. When the note is tilted backwards, the outline of Switzerland and the night-time light emissions appear in rainbow colors. In addition, small shining Swiss crosses are visible inside the number 20.

Cross test: Hold the note up to the light and look at the transparent Swiss cross  it turns into the Swiss flag.

Triangle test: Below the number 20 on the back is a triangle with a glittery security thread. Hold the note up to the light and the security thread appears as a continuous line. The Swiss flag and the number 20 also appear at regular intervals along the thread.

Hand test: Run your fingers over the hand, the number 20 or the banks name and you can feel the raised print. If any of these three elements are rubbed onto a piece of light-colored paper, they leave behind traces of color. The bill is made of Durasafe  two outer layers made of cotton paper with an inner layer of polymer.

The next denomination, the 10-franc note, will be issued on Oct. 18, 2017. The entire series is scheduled to be completed by 2019. The current eighth series will remain legal tender until further notice
Trump thanked El-Sisi for release of charity worker Aya Hijazi and promised to visit Egypt soon

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with President Donald Trump in Riyadh on Sunday morning, according to Al-Arabiya news channel.

Trump said in the meeting that he would visit Egypt, adding the nation to his schedule soon.

"I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon, Sisi had "done a tremendous job under trying circumstance", said Trump, who is on his first foreign visit since taking office.

"We've really been through a lot together positively", Trump said on his talks with Egypt' Sisi.

The U.S President also affirmed he was having "very, very important talks" with his Egyptian counterpart.

The US president also thanked El-Sisi for his help with the release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi last month, according to Reuters.

For his part, El-Sisi described Trump as a "unique" personality that is capable of doing the impossible.

Trump and El-Sisi met in Washington in April, with the US president vowing to provide Egypt with support in its battle against terrorism.

Sunday saw the two men meeting ahead of two multilateral summits to be in Riyadh: the Arab Islamic American Summit (AIAS) and the Gulf Cooperation Council and United States Summit.

Both events are scheduled for Sunday and will be attended by Trump and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.

El-Sisi arrived in the Saudi capital on Saturday on a two-day visit for high-level talks on regional and international issues, with regional security among the main topics for discussion.

Trump's arrival on Saturday marked his first foreign visit, as he embarked on a tour of the Middle East and Europe. He is also scheduled to travel to Israel and the Vatican.

El-Sisi is set to deliver a speech on Sunday as part of the summit schedule, according to presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef.

"The president will address the Egyptian vision towards framing a comprehensive strategy to fight the danger of terrorism, through intensifying international efforts aimed at suspending financing for terrorist organisations, weapons and fighters, and [denying them] shelter," the spokesman added.

El-Sisi is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with a number of leaders and officials who will be participating in the summits, in order to reinforce relations and discuss potential opportunities for cooperation at various levels, said the spokesman.

The invitation to the summits follows an earlier meeting between El-Sisi and Salman in late April in the Saudi capital. The two Arab leaders said they looked forward to enhancing cooperation to face challenges and restore security and stability in the region, referring to the conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya.

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The alternatives when paying for healthcare  and much else  are doing so individually or collectively (i.e: pooling risk in some way).

The main objection to a system based on individual payments is that it is unjust: why should I have to shell out a lot of money on healthcare because of the sheer bad luck of falling ill, the argument runs, while my healthier and thus more fortunate neighbour gets away without paying a penny?

The main objection to a system based on risk-pooling, if based on compulsion, is also that it is unjust: why should I, who have worked hard and saved, have to fork out a lot of money for the feckless and improvident who cant be bothered to do either?

  

These starting-points are worth bearing in mind when it comes to considering Theresa Mays Conservative manifesto proposal for social care.

Any plan for reform, based either on individual or compulsory collective payments, was bound to have been met by a furious thumbs-down from potential losers.

But the Downing Street manifesto team would not have viewed the task set them in an electoral or, so to speak, philosophical context alone. They will also have done what any detective is usually wise to do: i.e  followed the money.

In other words, they will have considered the potential cost to the Treasury of a new compulsory collective scheme  i.e: funding social care out of taxation, as the NHS is funded, or through a social insurance scheme.

(Downing Street will surely also have probed collective schemes that are not based on compulsion, such as private insurance, but presumably concluded that these are incapable of solving the problem that they want to address.)

And the pitch of the manifesto team to May will surely have been roughly as follows.

  

Well, Prime Minister, weve had a look at this. Obviously, any compulsory risk-pooling scheme has to cover the have-nots  it would be politically impossible for it not to so do.

So any such plan would basically mean extending the NHS to social care. And the lesson of the NHS is that costs always run ahead of what the taxpayer is prepared to stump up  so the Treasury has to fill the gap.

Obviously, that, in turn, means higher taxes in the long-term. And the tax burden is already approaching its highest for 30 years.

The Chancellor wont be inclined to borrow the money instead; after all, weve just pushed the date for clearing the deficit back yet again.

All in all, then, a scheme based on individual payments will make a lot of voters very angry. But weve got one here that will save the Treasury more than 1.3 billion a year, protect poorer people, be neutral between care in the home and outside it, and allow anyone to keep 100,000 worth of savings.

In conclusion, if you want the biggest majority possible, Prime Minister, then drop the whole business.

But if you want to trade off a lower majority against a mandate for reform, then this is the scheme we suggest.

  

Five concluding points:
The novelist was originally convicted of publishing a 'sexually flagrant article' in a state-owned cultural journal

Novelist Ahmed Naji has won an appeal against his two-year prison sentence for publishing material of a sexually provocative nature, with a court ordering a retrial of the case.

A Cairo court of misdemeanour cassation ruled in favour of Naji on Sunday, ordering that the previous conviction be cancelled and the case heard by a different court.

Naji was originally sentenced in February 2016 for publishing a sexually flagrant article in the state-owned cultural journal Akhbar Al-Adab in 2015. The article was an excerpt from Naji's novel The Guide for Using Life.

Naji began serving his sentence in Tora Prison in south Cairo. However, he appealed the sentence and was released in December 2016 pending a final ruling on his appeal.

On releasing the novelist from prison in December, a court ruled that he was banned from travel outside Egypt.

Naji was originally acquitted on all charges in January 2016. However, the prosecution successfully appealed his aquittal, winning a conviction the following month.

The initial decision to refer Naji to prosecution came after one of Akhbar Al-Adabs readers, Hani Saleh Tawfik, filed a legal complaint claiming that the text in question caused him to experience heart palpitations and an extreme feeling of sickness along with a sharp drop in blood pressure due to the alleged indecency of the text.

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Sameh Shoukry will deliver a speech on 'preserving the nation state' and tackling terrorist groups that 'seek to dismantle societies'

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry heads to Greece on Monday for a security conference with counterparts from various Mediterranean nations, according to a ministry statement.

Shoukry will attend the Rhodes Conference for Security and Stability on 22 and 23 May, said FM spokesperson Ahmed Abo Zeid in a statement on the ministry's Facebook page on Sunday.

The foreign minister is set to deliver a speech on "the Egyptian vision in dealing with the challenges and crises that the region is facing, the vision that is based on the importance of preserving the nation state and tackling terrorist groups that seek to dismantle societies and incite violence and extremism", Abo Zeid said.

Shoukry will also address the importance of peaceful crisis resolution, respecting the cultural and civilization individuality of societies, and not intervening in their internal affairs, the statement said.

The visit to Greece will see Shoukry engaging in bilateral meetings with a number of participating foreign ministers.

The Rhodes conference is in its second year this year and will address three topics over three sessions.

The first is on the common challenges in the region; the second is on education, culture and environment; while the third is focused on reinforcing security and stability.

Officials from various nations in southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf region will take part. The conference will also tackle illegal migration, terrorism, and the Libyan and Syrian crises.

Shoukry was in the Greek capital Athens at the end of April, participating in a forum on ancient civilizations. He also took part in bilateral meetings with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

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Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Masum on Sunday, on the sidelines of the Arab Islamic American Summit, held in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The two Arab leaders discussed boosting bilateral cooperation and various issues of mutual interest, according to Egypt's state-run news agency MENA.

The meeting is the third official encounter between the two presidents since 2015.

Egypt and Iraq have been enhancing bilateral political, economic and security relations in recent years.

Last month, the two countries reached an agreement on oil supplies, according to which Iraq will sell Egypt 12 million barrels of oil over the course of a year.

El-Sisi arrived in the Saudi capital on Saturday for two major regional summits. His two-day visit will involve high-level talks on regional and international issues, with security among the main topics for discussion.

He met with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, with Trump saying that he plans to visit Egypt soon.

El-Sisi is set to deliver a speech on Sunday as part of the summit schedule, according to presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef.

He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with a number of leaders and officials who will be participating in the summits.

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The concept of workplace culture in corporate America usually means flexible hours for employees with children and casual Fridays. Which may be perfectly acceptable.

For small business owners and entrepreneurs, however, workplace culture is a more loaded term. It is an essential component of remaining competitive because clients and customers are now demanding diversity within the companies they work with; it is also a way to recruit top talent. Companies can no longer pay lip service and not deliver, which means they need be more creative in how they foster a workplace culture that reflects the same ingenuity they promise to companies they partner with or serve.

Related: 10 Examples of Companies With Fantastic Cultures

Good planning requires a fresh mindset, which starts in the office. Here are a few ways we foster innovation at my company:

New business days

The day-to-day rush can often be the very thing that stands in the way of making time to get new business. New business days are something that can correct that. This is a period when the company can shut down to the outside world, which allows everyone in the family, from HR to IT, to brainstorm new pitches for potential clients. The freedom to create and collaborate without having the usual work responsibilities is essential to focusing on a single goal. The challenge is to use those days to their full potential. Make sure the slate is wiped clean -- everyone should be ready to brainstorm new ideas for client pitches. Dont let employees introduce issues or topics that stray from those goals. The simpler you can keep these days, the better chance youll have in achieving real results.

For PACO, the strategy of new business days is working: The agency has netted two new accounts as a direct result of the brainstorming period.

Related: Lead Like a Founder to Inspire Your Team

Weekly pow-wows

Too often employees are kept in the dark about where the company is going and how things are faring, factors that can create unneeded anxiety that can negatively affect the work. Pow-wows can make sure that doesnt happen. During these weekly sessions, update your employees on all company news, good or bad. The transparency not only makes employees feel like they have a personal stake in the company, but it also builds greater loyalty.

The challenge, of course, is how you present news when it might be bad, such as a downturn in revenue or the potential for layoffs. You do this by focusing on the future. Talk about what the company is doing to turn things around and solicit ideas from your employees. Good ideas are everywhere, so find a way to solicit them in a safe environment.

Related: How Your Culture Will Ensure You Keep Your Edge

Giving employees a voice

Your company should be committed to issues that directly affect your employees. At Paco, we allowed employees to leave with pay in February so they could attend the national Day Without Immigrants rally in downtown Chicago. For A Day Without Women in March, the agency also closed its doors and paid all its employees in recognition of the importance of equitable treatment in the labor market for women. The agency also held a postcard drive addressed to legislators that detailed the reasons why womens issues are important. It is now an annual agency event because without women we could not exsist.

Unlimited paid time off (PTO) for all employees

This policy combines vacation, sick time and personal time into a single bank that employees can use on an unlimited basis to take time off from work. The advantage for employees is that they no longer are forced to explain why they will not be in the office, and managers no longer have to police their behavior. Finally, unlimited PTO gives all employees greater flexibility and expands the work-life balance that is so essential to making their workplace more nurturing. By removing the anxiety of having to explain reasons for being away, employees are free to make discoveries in an environment where they know they are valued.

Related: 4 Tactics to Steal From Startups That Find the Best Talent

For the employer, the advantage of unlimited PTO is that it generates enthusiasm among workers and attracts top talent. Research shows that workers often never take advantage of the additional time off but instead like to know its there if they need it. In fact, the research organization Project Time Off shows that the average American even leaves one-quarter of their paid leave to expire by years end. By offering unlimited PTO, your organization will be joining forward-thinking companies like Netflix, Grubhub, LinkedIn, Grant Thornton and General Electric.

Giving clients the assurance of diversity and ingenuity requires demonstrating an understanding that it starts with the culture at home. This is the only way that the industry will keep up with the ever-present social, political and economic changes happening in society. Clients should be able to walk through your doors and see an operation that not just reflects the modern world, but one that is actively engaged with it.

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Local Development Minister Hisham El-Sherif said that deals may be done to legalise ownership for those businessmen who have made their land productive

Egypts Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has given governors a deadline of 30 May for reclaiming state-owned land that was illegally appropriated by private parties in recent decades, according to Al-Ahram Arabic website.

Details of the order were revealed by Local Development Minister Hisham El-Sherif at a press conference after Sunday's cabinet meeting.

The minister said that the premier met with the council of governors on Sunday to follow up on the reclamation of stolen state land and review various reports on the issue.

According to El-Sherif the prime minister has called on governors to finished the process of reclamation by 30 May. He did not reveal whether there would be any penalties or alternative plans in case of failure to meet the deadline.

El-Sherif did say, however, that the government is willing to make deals with businessmen who have cultivated land and made it productive, allowing the option of legalisation of their ownership in certain cases.

For serious business owners who have cultivated their land, that land will be legalised, El-Sherif said.

The minister added that those wishing to legalise their ownership should submit applications to the governor in each governorate.

Committees will be formed in each governorate and will coordinate with the national committee formed by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to reclaim stolen state land, headed by Egypt's former prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab, he said.

The committee includes the minister of local development, the presidents aide for security affairs and counter-terrorism, and representatives from the justice, defence and finance ministries, as well as the General Intelligence Directorate.

Last week, at a televised conference, El-Sisi expressed his frustration at delays in the ongoing process of reclaiming state land, urging the interior ministry and the armed forces to put an end to such transgressions.

In an interview with state-owned newspapers on Wednesday, the president announced that he would hold a conference on the issue in two weeks time. The event will include the defence and interior ministers, governors, and the heads of the military and police, who will report on their efforts thus far.

Transgressions on the land of the Egyptian people and the rights of the poor are a threat to Egypts security, the president stated, calling on the media to take part in this battle to reclaim the rights of the state and the people.

Last December, the committee announced that it had restored 80,000 feddans of land illegally acquired at the expense of the state.

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PAUL SCHNEIDEREIT: Treatment centre for PTSD in first responders, military opens in Nova Scotia

Imagine its your job, every day, to be ready to rush to scenes where men, women or even children had been killed or badly injured, often in horrific circumstances. Really, consider what that might be like. If youre like most of us, the thought ...
Egypt's general prosecution referred on Sunday 48 defendants to military court on charges of involvement in three recent deadly church bombings in Egypt, according to a statement by Prosecutor-General Nabil Sadek.

The accused are also charged with being members of terrorist cells, affiliation with the Islamic State group, and manufacturing weapons and explosives, among other charges, the statement reads.

The defendants are accused of being involved in the December 2016 suicide bombing on St Peter's Church in Cairo that killed 29 worshippers, as well as the two Palm Sunday suicide bombings in April 2017 that killed 46 people at two Coptic churches in Tanta and Alexandria.

The Palm Sunday bombings, which were claimed by the Islamic State militant group, were the deadliest attacks on Copts in the country's recent history.

One day following April attacks, the interior ministry said that police had killed seven members of a terrorist cell connected to the bombings in a shootout in Upper Egypt's Assiut governorate.

A three-month state of emergency was declared by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on the day of the church attacks.

Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 92 million.

Coptic churches have been targeted by Islamist radicals in recent years.

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Ambassador Beecroft said that 'Egypt can serve as a successful model for other countries in the region'

The United States ambassador to Egypt R. Stephen Beecroft said on Sunday that his countrys support of Egypt in its fight against terrorism is firm, ongoing and eager.

Ambassador Beecroft said during the annual meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (Amcham) said that the country can serve as a successful model for other countries in the region.

Beecroft said that the US is partnering with Egypt both militarily  pointing to a recent military exercise between the two countries  and culturally, saying that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright Scholar Program in Egypt.

The ambassador also said that Egypts success is important given that it is the geographical the heart of the region, is home to one quarter of the Arab worlds population and has historically been in a position of leadership.

For a thousand years, Egyptian people persevered in the face of challenges and continue to do so, Beecroft stated.

He also commended Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis vision to solve the current crises in the region, which revolves around the view that fighting militarily buys time but does not address the underlying problems.

The meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt commemorated 35 years in the country and paid homage to the Chambers outgoing president Anis Aclimandos, as well as the outgoing board members who concluded their four-year term.

We appreciate your services, hard work and dedication to the bilateral relationships, Ambassador Beecroft told the outgoing Amcham president and board members.

In April, AmCham announced that food industry veteran Tarek Tawfik won its presidency.

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A doctor who spent five years helping to save lives on board the world's biggest floating hospital has told of the 'heartbreaking' moments she was forced to turn desperate people away.

Dr Michelle White, a 46-year-old anaesthetist, swapped a steady NHS role in Bristol to join the crew of volunteers manning the Africa Mercy, which provides free medical care to some of the world's poorest people along the coast of West Africa.

In addition to being confronted by illnesses they'd previously only encountered in textbooks, limited resources and manpower meant the medics on board were forced to make tough decisions about who they could help from thousands in need.

'It's incredibly difficult and challenging emotionally that whole process... but every person you say no to is a yes to someone else,' Michelle said.

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Michelle White has spent five years volunteering on board the world's largest floating hospital in Africa treating patients in desperate need of medical care

Children born with cleft lips are some of the patients the doctors are able to help, performing life changing surgery

Mercy Ships is a charity that provides world class medical care to those in need in the poorest parts of the world, which Michelle worked on for five years

It's been five months since the doctor bid farewell to life on the waves to take up a new position as an anaesthetist specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, but Michelle said the experience is still 'in her blood'.

The doctor, who appears in a new National Geographic series that follows the team of medics on board the Africa Mercy, credits are intensive care training with helping her to keep her emotions in check in the often fraught atmosphere on board.

'It is absolutely heartbreaking,' she said of being unable to treat every would-be patient that came to them for help.

'But every person you say no to is a yes to someone else. Those resources are used for someone else. I have to focus on the people I say yes to,' said Michelle.

She says it was an 'incredible privilege' to work on board the ship helping people and working with world class experts

Thousands of people queue up every day in the hope of being treated by the doctors aboard the ship, but sometimes they have to be turned away

Now Michelle is transitioning back to life on solid ground.

'It's been an interesting transition, I am super happy to be back here to see my family, [and do] simple things like go to a coffee shop and be with friends - something that I couldn't do in Africa,' she said.

'But at the same time its a funny feeling, its a strange feeling,' she told FEMAIL.

It was as a medical student that Michelle first heard about volunteering for Mercy Ships, a charity which brings free medical care to some of the world's poorest people via its floating hospitals, staffed almost entirely by volunteers.

After starting out by lending a hand for a couple of weeks at a time each year, Michelle decided that she wanted to do even more for those in need.

It was in 2012 that she quit her role in paediatric care in Bristol to board the ship full time, with just the support of generous donations from friends, family and strangers.

'Since then I have never looked back. This is something I want to be involved in for the rest of my life.'

Twins Nanjyra and Nadire arrive at the ship in one of the episodes of The Surgery Ship, they get treated for their bowed legs which the doctors operate on and straighten

Not only did Michelle head up the team of anaesthetists on board the ship, she was also instrumental in building a programme to help make training more sustainable for future doctors.

Working on board for ten months of the year, Michelle was only able to see friends and family in the short breaks during which the ship docked for much-needed maintenance and a restock of supplies.

One of her first patients back in 2005 was a young man named Harris who had a huge tumour on his neck and had spent his entire life hidden away.

The team were able to help him after he spent seven months on board building up his strength so they could operate.

'It was a hugely challenging case. I was amazed back then that we could help him,' Michelle said.

Now back in the UK after accepting her new role at Great Ormond Hospital, Michelle is hoping to put solid roots down, but said Mercy Ships will always remain in her heart.

'Being a volunteer for Mercy Ships has been an incredible privilege and some of the best years of my life.

'Once youve experienced things like that its always in your blood.'

The Surgery Ship airs at 10pm on Saturdays on National Geographic
Lauren Trucksess, 31, is just about to celebrate her fifth year anniversary with boyfriend Troy Ponting, 31, at their home in Sydney.

The pair met in Seoul, South Korea, when Troy had a one day stopover in the region. Lauren was already living and teaching kindergarten students in the country. That one day proved to be the sliding doors moment to a new relationship.

'I am originally from America and Troy is Australian, but we met in Seoul, South Korea. I was spending a year living and teaching there while Troy was travelling with his best friend to Europe,' Lauren told Daily Mail Australia.

The pair met in Seoul, South Korea, when Troy had a one day stopover in the region

'I was spending a year living and teaching there while Troy was travelling with his best friend to Europe,' Lauren told Daily Mail Australia

'They decided to get out and see the city and we met in a bar. I was out with a few friends and it was a bar that I hadn't been to before. As non-Koreans tend to stand out in Seoul I approached them and started talking.

'Troy and I hit it off right away and I ended up showing them around for the night - testing the street food and bringing them to other fun places. We said goodbye and promised to keep in touch.'

Lauren wasn't expecting to hear from Troy again so it was quite a surprise when he messaged her shortly afterwards.

Lauren wasn't expecting to hear from Troy again so it was quite a surprise when he messaged her shortly after

'Troy and I hit it off right away and I ended up showing them around for the night - testing the street food and bringing them to other fun places. We said goodbye and promised to keep in touch,' she said

'We kept talking and got to know each other better and then one day he sent me a photo from the beach with the phrase "wish you were here" drawn in the sand.

'It soon became a tradition and we'd scribble the phrase on a piece of paper or in chalk in front of iconic locations during our travels,' she said.

The couple were exchanging the notes so frequently it made long distance less of a struggle. Troy even wrote 'wish you were here' on an Egyptian note and got 'a local to hold it up in front of the pyramids,' Lauren said.

The couple were exchanging the notes so frequently it made long distance less of a struggle

'It soon became a tradition and we'd scribble the phrase on a piece of paper or in chalk in front of iconic locations during our travels,' she said

'We talked all the time and after six weeks he came back to Seoul. We even agreed that he would change his flight in order to spend more time there with me,' she said

'We talked all the time and after six weeks he came back to Seoul. We even agreed that he would change his flight in order to spend more time there with me. After that, we decided to make it work long distance as I still had half a year to go on my contract in Korea.

'About two months later I visited him in Australia and then we met in the Philippines to spend the Christmas holidays together. He also surprised me for Valentine's Day the following year.

'After my stint in Korea ended we decided I would move to Sydney - and we've been here ever since!' Lauren said.

'After my stint in Korea ended we decided I would move to Sydney - and we've been here ever since!' Lauren said

'About two months later I visited him in Australia and then we met in the Philippines to spend the Christmas holidays together. He also surprised me for Valentine's Day the following year,' she said

When they moved in together Troy put a label on Lauren's house keys that read wish you were here - 'it was really sweet!' Lauren said

When they moved in together Troy put a label on Lauren's house keys that read wish you were here - 'it was really sweet!' Lauren said.

The couple both work full time, Lauren in public relations and Troy in a government role, and run a successful blog named after their note-sharing tradition: Wish You Were Here Pics.

Despite their hectic schedules travelling is still a huge part of their life together.

Despite their hectic schedules travelling is still a huge part of their life together

The 31-year-old said they often take red-eye flights around the world and arrive back home at 6am on Monday mornings, ready to start work at nine

'I wouldn't say they're always relaxing trips but we definitely like the balance of work and travel. We just try to cram as many activities as we can into a small amount of time,' she said

'In February we went to Jordan and Israel - back to the same place Troy sent me the first 'wish you were here' photo. We've also got a trip booked in later this year to South America,' Lauren said.

The 31-year-old said they often take red-eye flights around the world and arrive back home at 6am on Monday mornings, ready to start work at nine.

'I wouldn't say they're always relaxing trips but we definitely like the balance of work and travel. We just try to cram as many activities as we can into a small amount of time,' she said.

Their website offers tips on how to travel to 'wish you were here' type locations: beautiful, natural wonders of the world

They hope to expand the business to incorporate information on boutique hotels - which are often where they like spending their time most

As for those couples that quit their jobs to travel full time? Lauren isn't sure that's the lifestyle for them

Their website offers tips on how to travel to 'wish you were here' type locations: beautiful, natural wonders of the world. They hope to expand the business to incorporate information on boutique hotels - which are often where they like spending their time most.

As for those couples that quit their jobs to travel full time? Lauren isn't sure that's the lifestyle for them.

'There is something to be said for fitting travel into your normal life. Not everyone wants to be a nomad. We love our jobs and our base in Sydney so for right now we're happy to stay,' she said.

'There is something to be said for fitting travel into your normal life. Not everyone wants to be a nomad. We love our jobs and our base in Sydney so for right now we're happy to stay,' she said

She describes travel as 'the ultimate pressure cooker' where couples see the best and worst of their partners, but believes this to be an important revelation in any relationship

She describes travel as 'the ultimate pressure cooker' where couples see the best and worst of their partners, but believes this to be an important revelation in any relationship.

'Travelling gives you time to reset as a couple. We take photos for the website and create videos while we're away so we're always doing something productive together,' she said.

Lauren and Troy will celebrate five years together in June this year.
A young mother who gave birth to her baby boy at 25 weeks weighing 811 grams has opened up about how her son defied the odds of survival.

Pippa Wood had a healthy pregnancy - but she went into labour 11 weeks early after her water unexpectedly broke when she was watching TV in July last year.

'I felt no pain, it was completely spontaneous when my water broke. We thought it was a bit strange so we went to the hospital,' Mrs Wood told Daily Mail Australia.

And just days later, the 35-year-old was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Monash Children's Hospital where she was told she needed a caesarean section.

'It was horrible,' Mrs Wood, from Victoria's Frankston South, said.

'We were told to expect for the worst because there was a possibility our son wasn't going to make it. I was just in a complete shock and having a fear of the unknown.'

Mother Pippa Wood (pictured) gave birth to her baby Benji at 25 weeks weighing 811 grams

The adorable 10-month-old boy has defied the odds of survival after he was born at 25 weeks

Sibling love: Five-year-old Jackson hanging out with his little brother Benji (pictured together)

The couple welcomed their premature baby Benji on July 6 - but the family were left reeling again after their son was placed in an incubator at the NICU.

'I wasn't allowed to hold him for the first month of his life,' she said.

'He was too fragile to hold. Benji couldn't breathe on his own so he had a breathing tube inserted into him. He could only eat one meal every four hours through a tube because that's all his tiny body could take.

'Walking into the NICU was like another world you don't want anyone to ever see. We didn't know this place existed everyday until Benji was placed there.

'There was so much sadness around you but we just had to focus on what you have, stay positive. Not for a second did I thought I was going to lose him.'

The emotional rollercoaster finally came to an end when Benji got to go home for the first time

Little Benji spent 128 days in hospital after he was placed in an incubator shortly after birth

And just two weeks after his birth, little Benji - who also has a chronic lung disease - was struck down with the bacterial infection - meningitis.

'The worst day was when we were told he had meningitis but I prepared myself for that. All I wanted for my son was to survive.

'As a parent, you just flight into survival mode, you flick into this strength - and I was also trying to keep my four-year-old son Jackson's life as normal as possible while he was at home.

'I tried to stay positive but when I did fall apart, my husband Adam would pick me back up. He is such an amazing man and he gave me strength.

'He kept reminding me everyday that this was just temporary for Benji.'

Like father, like son: Benji spending quality time with his older brother Jackson and dad Adam

Little Benji spent up to 10 months in hospital after he was struggling to breathe from birth

Happy family: The emotional rollercoaster finally came to an end when Benji was allowed to go home with his family for the first time after spending 128 days in hospital

Another challenge for the devoted mother-of-two was having to leave little Benji behind every night at the hospital - a 40 minute drive from her family home.

'Going home without your baby was really tough,' she said.

'I remember looking forward to waking up and going to see him every day. But the most anxious part was not knowing how his night went in hospital.

'You feel these knots in your stomach and don't know what to expected when you're going up to his floor.

'I used to get some annoyed when everyone would say to me "two steps forward, one step back" - but it's true. They were right. We just had to stay positive.'

The brave baby underwent lung surgery, four blood transfusions, placed under UV light and was living through tubes for eight months.

Another challenge for the devoted mother-of-two was having to leave little Benji behind every night at the hospital - a 40 minute drive from her family home

Sibling love: Five-year-old Jackson hanging out with his little brother Benji (pictured together)

As Benji's first birthday approaches, the family has set up a campaign to raise money for the NICU at the Monash Children's Hospital after their son's life was saved

But the emotional rollercoaster finally came to an end when Benji was allowed to go home with his family for the first time after spending 128 days in hospital.

'The day he was able to breathe on his own was the biggest milestone when the tubes came out for good,' Mrs Wood said.

'This kid is a legend. He's the happiest little baby on earth. He's just amazing. Benji has ticked off every milestone. He can't stop smiling. He did really well.

'He looks beautiful, you wouldn't know he had a rough start to his life.'

As Benji's first birthday approaches, the family has set up a campaign to raise money for the hospital after their son's life was saved.

'The only reason Benji is still here is because of the amazing doctors and nurses of NICU at the Monash Children's Hospital,' Mrs Wood said.

'We just feel it's our duty to give back.'

To make a donation for the hospital, please visit Big Brave Benji.
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This must be Carole Middletons dream come true. All her Christmases come at once.

For the Berkshire businesswoman whose family fortunes flow from the Party Pieces website, to invite the second, third, fourth and fifth in line to the throne to her own almost-royal wedding on her own Home Counties turf well, no wonder she looked in the pink as she gave her first gleeful regal wave of the day to the crowd.

Imagine Caroles pride and joy at the truly scrumptious event, party-planned down to the last sugared almond  particularly given her bystander bit-part at the public military-Royal-industrial rally orchestrated by The Firm that was Kates wedding six years ago.

Carole Middleton waves to the crowd as she and her son James arrive for the wedding of her daughter Pippa to James Matthews at St Mark's Church in Englefield

Yesterday, as the glamorous mother of the beautiful bride, who was marrying a tall, dark, handsome and follically unchallenged hedge funder rather than the heir to the throne, it was very much Nanny Carole doing the honours.

Yes the Middleton Matriarch was centre stage as Mr and Mrs Roger Federer, the Turnip Taliban from Norfolk, the brides friends from Edinburgh University, and big stars of the small screen joined several younger Royals at an ancient church in the North Wessex Downs, in their nude heels and vintage cars  and all to the accompaniment of cheers from villagers and the happy cheeping of birds.

Carole, 62, in her flying saucer hat, beamed and blushed with delight, as well she might.

Carole (left), 62, in her flying saucer hat, beamed and blushed with delight. Right: Pippa's new mother in-law, Jane Matthews, arriving at the wedding

Prince George also joined his sister in the bridal party as a pageboy and could be seen scattering white petals at the feet of the newly wed couple Pippa and James Matthews

Meanwhile the handsome father of the groom, David Matthews, was dashing in his cornflower-blue waistcoat and everyone noting, as they do at times like these: Good genes on both sides, thinking of the grandchildren.

The truth is that Pippas married a man described as divine by all whove met him.

A friend of mine who has sat next to him at dinner says: He was that rare man who actually asked questions about me and remembered what I had said. Totally charming.

And a friend of Pippas from university adds: Shes completely nailed it with that one.

The bride could be seen looking lovingly at her bridesmaids as she left the church with her new husband. The truth is that Pippas married a man described as divine by all whove met him

Two out of three Middletons have been signed, sealed, and delivered into wedlock in the highest style and in the finest company.

Only James and Donna Air (who managed to swerve the no ring, no bring rule barring unmarried partners from the nuptials) remain.

It was the almost royal wedding that  unlike actual Royal weddings  looked almost fun.

Congratulations Carole, you pulled it off.

Pippa was a vision in her Giles Deacon dress as she arrived at the chapel at the home counties chapel at 11.30am on Saturday

Pippa's bouquet was somewhat understated consisting of several varieties of spring flowers including daffodils and peonies

Princess Charlotte (pictured with mother Kate) well and truly stole the show as she acted as bridesmaid on her big day
Prom is a night most people never forget.

But Justin Trudeau made the occasion even more memorable for one group of students when he photobombed a picture while out running.

The Canadian prime minister was snapped by his official photographer as he jogged past the well-dressed party-goers on Stanley Park Seawall, in Vancouver, on Friday night.

Spotted! Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, circled, was snapped as he jogged past a group of teenagers getting ready for prom in Vancouver on Friday night

Smile! The Canadian leader beamed as he posed for a photo with the excited group

While he might have been hoping to slip past without being spotted, one eagle-eyed teenager recognised the prime minister and asked him to pose for a photo.

Living up to his reputation as a laid back leader, Mr Trudeau was happy to oblige and smiled for the camera while still wearing his workout t-shirt and exercise shorts.

Student Constantine Maragos told CBC: 'We were just taking photos and hanging around talking, and then Trudeau, he just comes running.

'At first, we were like, "Why is the prime minister of Canada running the seawall?" And then we started yelling for Trudeau to get in the photo.'

Support: Dozens of Twitter users were delighted by Mr Trudeau's photobomb moment

Skeptical: However others questioned whether the entire set-up was staged by the leader

The photo, taken by photographer Cam Corrado, shows a flushed Mr Trudeau beaming as he poses in the middle of the excited gaggle of teenagers.

The picture, and the original photobomb image, delighted dozens of social media users, with many praising Mr Trudeau for his approachable and laid back nature.

However others questioned whether original photo, which was shared on Twitter by Mr Trudeau's photographer, Adam Scotti, was in fact a staged publicity stunt.
When a computer engineering student realized that she was far more rich in male friends than female ones as her wedding approached, she decided to get creative.

Rebeca Brantes, 24, of Brazil is just one of four women in her computer engineering class of 60 students, so needless to say she had made quite a few male friends.

But when it came to her wedding, her lack of ladies around her meant that she wouldn't be able to grab any of those funny and heartwarming bride and bridesmaid pictures for the event - or so you might think.

Taking it in: Bride Rebeca Brantes, 24, of Brazil (left) invited her male friends to engage in a bridesmaids photoshoot since she doesn't have girlfriends

Having a laugh: Rebeca is one of only four women in a class of 60 computer engineering students

All smiles: She came up with the idea after looking through pictures of brides with their 'gang of girls' and feeling a bit sad that she didn't have girls to do it with

Rebeca decided that just because her 'bridesmaids' were actually all men, didn't mean she couldn't have a girls night with them before the big event.

So, among her bridal photos is a series of hilarious snaps featuring her and her buds engaging in all the bathrobe-wearing, dress-admiring and beautifying that goes into a bride's preparations for her nuptials.

'I came up with the idea one week before the wedding. I was looking into some making of pictures of brides with their gang of girls, all in robes, laughing, drinking champagne and all, and I got a bit sad because I wouldnt be able to do anything like that,' Rebeca explained to Bored Panda.

Big reveal: Luckily for her, the guys she invited to stand by her for her wedding were happy to oblige in the fun shoot

Real commitment: The men even went as far as shaving their own legs for the event

Getting ready: Rebeca described the shoot as 'super fun' and said that they had to redo some shots because the group were laughing so hard

She added that the shoot was 'super fun', involving plenty of cheap booze and even require reshoots for some parts because they were all laughing too hard.

The photos see Rebeca in a white bathrobe with her hair in curlers enjoying some pre-wedding drinks with her friends, who are all dressed in baby pink satin robes.

The boys play along as they relax with cucumber slices over their eyes, fawn over the beautiful bride's gown and even shave their own legs in joining her beauty routine.

Getting beautified: The guys proved themselves excellent sports in their pink satin robes

Down it goes: They were sure to also enjoy plenty of 'cheap booze' for the fun

Keeping him down: Rebeca shared the images on Facebook, where they swiftly went viral

Rebeca later shared the images in a photo album on Facebook, where they were soon being shared all across social media.

They also gained attention shared on photographer Fernando Duque's various social media pages.

'I am very happy with the photos. Sometimes I look at then and find myself laughing like crazy,' Rebeca said. 'But I never imagined this would become so viral.'
The first thing we need to acknowledge is that a 50-year-old woman today looks very different from a 50-year-old woman of 30 years ago.

Back then, most would have been allowing their hair to go grey, wearing tweed skirts and looking forward to retirement. The men, incidentally, looked even worse.

These days, the mid-life woman sitting next to you at dinner is probably the most interesting person in the room; a woman who knows her own strengths and who probably dresses to please herself.

As the editor of Britains most stylish mens magazine, I frequently meet some of the worlds best-dressed women.

As the editor of the mens magazine, he frequently meets some of the worlds most sartorially elegant women, like Anna Wintour (pictured)

Just last week I sat next to a 50-year-old artist in a gorgeous black Dolce & Gabbana dress who looked far more fetching than the 25-year-old reality TV star who appeared to be dressed as a Christmas decoration from Primark.

In 2017, a fiftysomething woman boasts a feature her predecessors didnt  confidence. She is comfortable with herself and with what she wears. She doesnt follow flighty fashion trends, but knows what suits her and what doesnt.

The athleisure trend (wearing exercise clothes for everyday life) is most definitely not on her radar.

If shes the kind of woman who has always worn big necklaces a la American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, then shell continue to do it.

She knows, too, that great shoes are often the key to a great outfit. While all bodies succumb to gravity, a womans calves, ankles and feet will look pretty much the same when shes 50 as they did when she was 17.

I find that the experienced dresser always gravitates towards tailored clothes (try this seasons Chelsea jacket, 198, libbylondon.com or the linen blend striped blazer, 59, and dress, 49.50, at marksandspencer.com).

She will avoid thin jersey and cotton, both of which can be unforgiving, and will not rely heavily on the mini-skirt, wearing one only with opaque tights. After all, everyone over the age of 40 has to ask themselves: what is mutton and what is lamb?

Wrap dresses, as popularised by Diane von Furstenberg, are a cast iron fallback. Try the cap-sleeve Sally dress at hobbs.co.uk (69.30) or the Silvia wrap dress at boden.co.uk (44.75).

Chic over 50: the rules If you know it works  keeping wearing it. Never mind about trends Tailoring is always flattering, fluid jersey and cotton less so Remember that ankles age slowly, so show them off if you can You have decades of style knowledge under your belt, so always trust your instincts Advertisement

Another staple is a Roland Mouret-style supportive dress that can help disguise a difficult shape.

The folded pencil dress from Karen Millen (180, karen millen.com) and the Ire red dress (195, lkbennett.com) are worth looking at.

And while were here, lets deal with beachwear. In my experience, the most stylish women tend to eschew bikinis in favour of a one-piece worn with a kaftan or wrap. The designs from figleaves.com are tasteful, as is the selection at seasaltcornwall.co.uk.

Older women also know there are better ways to hide the passage of time on your face than surgery.

Grow a fringe to hide the wrinkles on the forehead  or you can use your hair to make a statement.

Its simply not true that older men prefer younger women. They prefer women with character, women closer to their own age  and they can usually pick that woman out by her style, because shell be the best dressed person in the room.

Dylan Jones is the editor-in-chief of GQ and the chairman of London Fashion Week Mens
Two suicide car bombs exploded at a checkpoint in southern Baghdad on Friday, killing 10 people, Iraqi police and medical sources said.

They said three policemen were among those killed in the blast at the Abu Dsheer checkpoint and a further 21 people were wounded.

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Zelda reads all your letters but regrets that she cannot answer them all personally

My daughter has cut me out of her life

I am a widow and have a stormy relationship with my daughter, who is 36. When it is good, it is brilliant but when its bad, its horrific. When her three children were little, they lived with me for three years because she wanted to be with her boyfriends. Then she invented a story that I had abused them. The police and social workers became involved, but they soon realised the truth. However, I lost the job I loved as a teacher because of this. My younger son has learning difficulties. I am his carer and we get on well. My daughter now has two more children with her new partner  making that five children by four fathers. I have decorated for her, done her laundry, taken the children to school and to the doctors, attended parents evenings and taken them on holiday. I love her dearly, but she rarely visits. She seems content not to have me in her life. I fear that if I try to make peace I will be doing all the giving, which will exhaust me and cost me financially. I have tried explaining to her how I feel, but she just gets angry. It would be better if I could get her out of my head, but I cant.

To report you to the police when you were entirely innocent was absolutely awful. I wonder whether your daughters motivation was that because you had looked after her children for three years, they had become closer to you and that made her jealous  but that still does not excuse her appalling behaviour. While it would be understandable if you decided not to have anything more to do with her, it also sounds as though you dont want to do that. Even if you dont see her for a while, it is better to keep the door open and hope that one day the difficulties can be resolved. Sadly, it sounds as if your daughter has frequently taken advantage of your kindness and let you run round after her and help out financially. If you do decide to try to make peace with her, perhaps by writing her a letter, you need support in place to help you stand up to her. Do you have a supportive partner or close friends to turn to? To help you find ways of coping with this difficult situation, please contact Family Lives (familylives.org.uk, 0808 800 2222).

I cant find the right woman

I am often asked why I have never married and the honest explanation is that I suffer from inadequate personality disorder. I am an only son and my widowed mother was very possessive. She wanted me to focus on a career and the security she lacked. So I attended male-only prep and public schools and a male-only college at the University of Oxford. I joined a dating agency and, because I truthfully recorded my background, the computers interpretation was Flash toff seeks posh totty  and that is what I got. The women I met were clearly unimpressed, however, as I had no car nor any interest in horses, and I prefer simple cafes to smart restaurants and fine wines. I had one relationship that lasted six years. My mother was aspirational upwards, but I am aspirational downwards. Is it too late for a leopard to change its spots?

No. Is this your own assessment or have you been diagnosed by a doctor? Inadequate personality disorder describes people who have a sort of extreme level of shyness, are socially inept and are often unable to cope with the normal emotional and physical demands of life. See your GP and ask for a referral to a therapist who could help you with these problems. Your mothers influence on you has been negative, narrowing your vision to her needs and putting all your energy into getting a good job. With a therapists help, work on building up your social confidence. See your friends and get involved with things socially. You had a long-term relationship once, so you will do again. And you dont need to be aspirational either way  just be yourself.

Can I convince her to stay?

My wife is leaving me and I dont know what to do to stop her. I am not a big drinker, but I went on a stag night and foolishly got very drunk. There were women there and I am afraid it all went too far. When my wife found out, she said that I had used the drink to excuse my bad behaviour. She is right and I am an idiot. She is moving a long way away and the children, who are old enough to make up their own minds, are going with her. They are disgusted with me. I have pleaded with her to stay, but she has strong morals and says that I knew what I was doing and now I must live with the consequences. Surely one mistake cant mean its all over? She says I have never really appreciated her and havent always treated her right. How can I convince her that Ive learnt my lesson?

I am afraid it sounds as though she may have been unhappy in the marriage for some years and this was the final straw. Or she may have wanted to end it for a while and is just using this as a reason to justify it. Either way, it sounds as if she has fallen out of love with you. Do you really love her or are you clinging on to her because you fear being alone? If there is still love there, ask her to have joint counselling with Relate (relate.org.uk) to look at what has driven you apart and what changes you would both like to see if you were to stay together  or to help you through a divorce.

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
Gino DAcampo' s advice to his teenage self? 'Stop that immediately and get back to work'

Guilty pleasure? I cant resist Wotsits or Kinder Eggs.

Where is home? Hertfordshire and Sardinia. I love them both, but the weather is definitely better in Sardinia.

Career plan B? I think Im already up to plan F, so plan G would be to go into acting.

Who would play you in a movie of your life? I would! Plan G, remember. But if Im not available I guess it could be Meryl Streep  shes good at accents.

Biggest bugbear? Lateness, even when its my own.

As a child you wanted to be A dentist or a doctor. I always wanted to wear a white coat.

Earliest memory? Watching my grandfather cooking at his restaurant in Naples  thats where it all began.

Secret to a happy relationship? You have to like and respect each other.

Your best quality? Modesty. In fact, Im probably better at being modest than anyone I know!

And your worst? Im not the most patient of people and want everything to be immediate.

Last meal on earth? A perfect bucatini carbonara followed by a cooling limoncello granita, because its probably going to be hot where Im going.

Dream dinner-party guests?Jesus Christ, Noel Gallagher, Nigella Lawson and Rod Stewart  that should be an entertaining mix.

Advice to teenage self? Stop that immediately and get back to work.

Cat or dog? Both, if its raining heavily.

On a day off wed find you I dont really have days off until I get away to Sardinia, then youll find me lazing around on my boat.

Starstruck moment? Meeting Sophia Loren at the launch of a cruise ship  shes a true Italian icon.

Big break? Professionally, it was appearing on the UKTV Good Food channel to talk about olive oil. Personally, it was meeting my wife Jessica, when we were both working at a restaurant in Marbella.

Career highlight? Working with the Muppets on ITVs This Morning in 2012 was a fantastic experience.

Favourite tipple? A pint of Guinness in a Dublin bar.

Hangover cure? I dont have one  I was hoping you could recommend something.

What did you have for breakfast today? An espresso, followed by another espresso  after all, I am Italian.

Secret skill? I can assure you that if I have a skill I make sure everybody knows about it!

One thing that would make your life better? Less traffic  I spend a lot of time on the move.

Philosophy? If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on. Our mistakes make us who we are.

Worst job youve ever done? Cleaning pizza ovens when I was starting out in catering.

Where would you time travel to? Renaissance Italy must have been amazing  imagine watching Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

First record you bought? The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.

Most extravagant purchase? My Azimut Atlantis 55 power boat. They say you never regret your extravagances, and theyre right.

Biggest fear? Cucumbers  I dont like them and dont want to find one in my salad.

Celebrity crush? Mary Berry.

Happiness is Christmas with the family in Sardinia.
Meet ELLISE CHAPPELL, the newcomer set to steal hearts as the sizzling Sunday night drama returns. She reveals what it is like working with TVs hottest heart-throbs and being a complete romantic

Am I a young fogey? Thats a fair statement! giggles Ellise Chappell, the 24-year-old new star of Poldark, as she talks me through her typically millennial good-girl lifestyle.

Im a sucker for a National Trust house, especially ones that do cream teas, she says, as she perches on a battered leather sofa at todays photo shoot location house, wide-eyed and pixie-like with her blunt fringe and petite frame.

Ellise is set to steal hearts in the new series of Poldark in June. SUIT, Intropia. SHIRT, Mother of Pearl, from Harvey Nichols

She takes a swig of absinthe  joke! Its green tea  and explains how she practises yoga daily, jogs every other day and spends a lot of time propping up juice bars. In keeping with the new breed of young actors  clean-living, serious-minded (patron saint: Emma Watson, whom Ellise name-checks as an influence), shes very focused and very sweet.

Although she arrived in her civvies  grey jumper and black skinny jeans  from the shoulders up shes in glam mode today, thanks to the hair and make-up team. Is she off out on the town to make the most of it? Its tempting to not let it go to waste, but I think Ill go home and lie down, she smiles sheepishly.

To be fair, its probably a good thing that Ellise is having a lie down now, as her feet will be unlikely to touch the ground once the third series of Poldark heaves into public view.

For someone barely out of university and with only two TV credits to her name (both of them from just last year), being pitched as a major player in a much-loved show with more than five million viewers is a very big deal indeed. Does she feel as though shes on the cusp of something huge? Yeah! she squeaks, pulling a yikes face. Im excited but apprehensive. How do you prepare for that? Im trying to take things as they come and enjoy it.

Ellise is taking success as it comes and enjoying it. DRESS, Ong-Oaj Pairam. RING, Monica Vinader

The BBC One Sunday night stalwart, based on the novels by Winston Graham and set in 18th-century Cornwall, picks up in 1794 and sees Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) traversing rocky terrain, both personally and professionally, as Cornish life is affected by the French Revolution and he tries to rebuild his marriage with Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) after his infidelity with Elizabeth (Heida Reed). Ellise is among a host of new characters: It was great coming in when there were quite a few new faces  that made everything less daunting, she says.

She plays Morwenna, a cousin of Elizabeth. Morwenna is employed by Elizabeths caddish husband George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) as governess to his stepson Geoffrey Charles, whose father, Francis Poldark, drowned in series two. George, as youll remember, hates all Poldarks, so charges Morwenna with keeping the youngster  now a tween  out of his way.

This animosity is unlikely to dissipate, given that the series two cliffhanger revealed Elizabeth to be pregnant with a baby who might have been fathered by Ross, Georges arch-enemy.

Ellise as Morwenna in the third series of BBC One's Poldark

But back to the new generation: two other big arrivals in series three are Demelzas brothers who seek out their sibling after their father dies. Sam (Tom York) is an earnest preacher, while Drake (Harry Richardson, the handsome Frank Gresham in Julian Fellowess Doctor Thorne) is a free-spirited blacksmith.

The latter meets Morwenna on the beach, where shes playing with Geoffrey Charles, and they fall in love; a storyline which promises to tug at the heartstrings through series three.

They form this kind of family unit with Geoffrey Charles, says Ellise. Shes a gentle, innocent, dutiful girl. But underneath she has a bit of fire and an adventurous side, which she doesnt realise is there until she arrives in Cornwall.

The path of true love, naturally, doesnt run smooth, thanks to their differing social statuses and the Poldark/Warleggan rivalry. Shes aware that shes not really supposed to be with him but she doesnt realise how deep-rooted the family feud is. She gathers the courage to go against whats expected of her and goes on a turbulent journey, says Ellise.

As for Harry Richardson, Ellise describes the Australian as the coolest. To help manufacture their on-screen chemistry, they met up before filming to hang out in a park in London. Like a date? No! she giggles. It didnt feel like a date; it was just fun. We thought if wed be doing romantic scenes, it would be nice to know each other a bit.

Ellise says there was plenty of time off-set to bond with the Poldark cast. DRESS, Luisa Beccaria. CARDIGAN, Cacharel Paris. EARRINGS, Pippa Small

As 18th-century women bound by the social mores of the day, both Elizabeth and Morwenna ponder relationships based on love versus those predicated on money and status. Ellise is clear where she stands: Im a complete romantic and Id always go for heart over head. Its those around you who make you happy, so you have to be with the right people.

The person who makes Ellise happy is Yuan, her half-Chinese boyfriend, with whom she lives in North London. Hes a cameraman/editor at a fashion studio: He understands my job because hes constantly on sets himself, and he gets the fact that I have to be away a lot. Hes super-supportive.

As for the Poldark men, is she aligned with much of the female population in fancying Aidan Turner? Ha ha, I can recognise that hes a very, very good-looking man. Hes lovely as well, she says. Whos the sexiest character? I dont know if I could pick  theyre all gorgeous, she demurs.

Cast camaraderie is important to Ellise and Poldark came up trumps in that respect: she describes them as like a family, thanks to the bonding opportunities that come with a lengthy six-month shoot in far-flung rural locations.

Off-set, she socialised with Eleanor Tomlinson, Harry Marcus (who plays Geoffrey Charles), Harry Richardson, Tom York, Beatie Edney (Prudie) and another newcomer, Christian Brassington  previously seen as Boris Johnson in the More4 docudrama When Boris Met Dave  who takes on the role of sex-obsessed vicar Osborne Whitworth (portrayed by Christopher Biggins in the 1970s TV series).

Together, they played a lot of word game Bananagrams (reigning champions: Beatie and Eleanor) and took it in turns to cook for each other in their hotel room kitchenettes. Ellises go wasnt a roaring success.

Im an awful cook. I burn everything. I made a Thai green curry and as it was cooking, I was dancing around the kitchen, thinking, Yeah! This is going great! But I managed to fall into the pan handle and knock the entire thing on the floor. I had to quickly text everyone and say, Um, can we meet in the bar instead?

When I told my mum about Poldark she couldn't stop laughing and I cried. Then I laughed and she cried

Her on-screen cousin was on hand for corset-based tips, such as the need to eat breakfast before you put it on to minimise indigestion. Heida also helped calm the ingenues nerves: She said once a scene is done, just put it out of your mind and dont dwell on it. Theres no point in freaking out afterwards because you cant change it.

The Icelandic actress emails me to say: Ellise was a real joy! Shes made for this cast  she doesnt take herself too seriously and is goofy like the rest of us. She made me laugh so many times. We compiled a collection of jokes to keep us entertained between scenes.

Filming wrapped in the spring and Ellise is missing her new gang. The post-filming blues set in, she sighs. You see these people every day and form lots of friendships and then theyre not there. You still message now and then but you feel suddenly cut off.

As for whats next for her, shes not entirely sure  though a fourth series of Poldark has recently been announced  but shes relaxed about the ebb and flow of an actors life. Shes keeping her fingers crossed for a sequel to The Last Dragonslayer, the Sky TV movie that was shown on Christmas Day. Ellise played the lead, Jennifer Strange, in the adaptation of the first of Jasper Ffordes fantasy novel series.

Ellise in Sky 1's The Last Dragonslayer

Growing up in rural Warwickshire, Ellise was a country girl who spent her childhood making dens in cornfields with her brother Matt, visiting arboretums and going on canal-boat holidays. Shes very close to her father, who runs a small publishing company, her graphic designer mother and Matt, who is now a writer.

How did her family react when she landed Poldark? My mum and dad pretty much wet themselves, she laughs. When I rang my mum to tell her she couldnt stop laughing and I was crying. Then I started laughing and she started crying. She heard the news shortly after shed finished filming The Last Dragonslayer and was twiddling her thumbs. I got the Poldark call as I was walking to the cafe in North London where I used to be a barista to ask for my old job back. I stopped in my tracks, turned around and skipped home.

'Theres definitely still a long way to go in terms of the pay gap and the balance between men and women in the industry,' says Ellise. DRESS and UNDERWEAR, Amanda Wakeley. SHOES, Jimmy Choo

She comes from a comfortable background, but is no dilettante and doesnt ask her parents for financial help: This career is unpredictable but I know theres always a way to make money in the end. You can come up with ideas. If theres a dry patch, I can go back to the cafe, or Id love to write a childrens book one day.

Ellise can pinpoint the day when she set her heart on acting. She had a minor part in her private girls schools production of A Midsummers Nights Dream. The girl playing Oberon, king of the fairies, fell ill one day and Ellise was asked to stand in, only for the girl to recover in time for that evenings show. I had to step down and I was so gutted  I really, really wanted to do it. It was at that moment I thought, This is for me.

ELLISE'S A-LIST Breakfast of choice Porridge or Weetabix with fruit and seeds. Last book you read Stoner by John Williams. It was written in the 60s and its so simple and beautiful. Dream dinner party guests Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Schumer and Emma Thompson. No men at my dinner party! Favourite music Little Dragon, Bonobo, Grimes. Favourite social media Instagram because you can be really creative with it. In three words youre Loyal, conscientious, silly. Wardrobe staples Zara, & Other Stories, Gap, Whistles. Cant leave home without My Mondaine watch. My parents bought it for me and everyone in the family has one, in a different size and colour. Which is a bit nerdy! Motto I read something recently I liked: Im not afraid of storms for Im learning how to sail my ship. Its from Little Women. Advertisement

Ellise was a bit of a loner as a teenager, sitting in her room, reading and drawing. Today she posts her impressively accomplished charcoal sketches on Twitter: Friends commission them as gifts. I find it therapeutic but its strictly a hobby.

After school, she had a wobble, dropping out of her English literature/language degree at the University of Sheffield in her first year, a period she cites as the toughest time in her life.

It was hard and I wasnt happy. My friends were pursuing more academic careers and I thought I should, too. Im quite impressionable like that. She settled instead at Exeter, studying drama.

With people now paying for their university education, did she feel she got good value for money? Yes, I think its good for building yourself as a person, for learning to pay bills, to cook for yourself, to be an adult. I valued it for that, she says.

Following two short courses at The Actors Class in London, she cut her stage teeth with the National Youth Theatre in 2015. Last year, she had a small part in two episodes of New Blood, BBC Ones young, zingy crime drama.

Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Anna Chancellor, who starred in that show and also The Last Dragonslayer, left an impression on Ellise: I think shes absolutely fabulous and what I learned from her is that its cool to ask questions, to really make sure you know what youre doing.

In these post-Trump, post-Brexit times, its hard to get most actors to shut up about politics, but Ellise politely refuses to go there, saying: I dont feel like Im knowledgeable enough yet to make a good comment about it.

Like a lot of millennials, though, she does want to talk about environmentalism. Its something I feel passionately about. I really admire Emma Watson for raising awareness of sustainable fashion, and Emma Thompsons work protesting fracking in the UK. At the moment, Im just taking small steps. I donate to Greenpeace and Im trying to be less wasteful, like buying unpackaged fruit and veg.

She also has an interesting take on sexism in her industry. I watched a TED talk by [Facebook COO] Sheryl Sandberg, who made the point that women are more likely to underestimate their own abilities and attribute their successes to external factors rather than themselves, which I thought was interesting and something that Ive certainly done myself, she says.

Theres definitely still a long way to go in terms of the pay gap and the balance between men and women in the industry, but my own experiences have been pretty positive so far. There are lots of fantastic female roles in Poldark, plus the writer and some of the executive producers on the show are women. And my character in The Last Dragonslayer was brave, kind and full of integrity. It was an amazing opportunity for me.

From student to the new star of TVs hottest drama in the blink of an eye: thats quite a trajectory. I feel like a big sponge, soaking up experiences. The past year has been a whirlwind, she says, draining her tea and neatening her fringe.

One of the reasons its been so wonderful is that Ive never really set any markers on where I should be at a certain point. Its a fairly organic industry and theres lots of rejection, but other opportunities arise all the time. So I feel happy with where I am. Young fogey, perhaps, but that sensible head will serve her well.

Poldark will return to BBC One on Sundays at 9pm next month

Styling Jodie Nellist. Hair Shukeel Murtaza at Frank Agency using Fudge Professional. Make-up Afton Radojicic at Stella Creative Artists using Sisley Skincare
Rebecca Stott spent just the first six years of her childhood in the Exclusive Brethren, a fundamentalist and reclusive Christian sect, but its influence has taken a lifetime to escape

No one would have guessed that I had been raised in a Christian fundamentalist sect, or that my father and grandfather were ministering brothers in one of the most reclusive and savage Protestant groups in British history.

Rebecca, pictured today, was raised in Christian fundamentalist sect the Exclusive Brethren

It was always my fault if the subject came up and, once it did, it would be difficult to make it go away again. People were interested; they asked questions.

I was raised in a cult, Id say and then recoil, embarrassed by the melodrama of those words. Were the Exclusive Brethren a cult? We wore headscarves and were forbidden from cutting our hair. We werent allowed televisions, newspapers, radios, the cinema, holidays, pets or watches.

The list of prohibitions seemed endless. Id watch peoples eyes widen. Theyd look at me askance, then compete to ask questions, and Id think, Oh no, not this again.

We werent allowed to talk to the other children at school, Id say. We were told that everyone outside the Brethren was part of Satans army and they were all out to get us. They called them worldly or worldlies. If you didnt do exactly what the Brethren said, they would expel you. Then your family wouldnt be allowed to speak to you ever again. People took their own lives. People went mad. Yes, this was Brighton. In the 1960s. In the suburbs. During the sexual revolution. Its hard to explain.

Rebecca as a child with the comfort blanket and toy rabbit that her mother had given her

And to explain Brethren women, Id have to tell the story of how my great-grandmother had been sent to an asylum in Australia for 40 years by her Brethren husband, not just because she had epilepsy, but because she was considered wilful. Wilfulness isnt allowed in Brethren women, Id say.

But even if the subject didnt come up, my Brethren childhood would rear up like Banquos ghost at the dinner table, refusing to be buried.

At university, when I made new friends, I couldnt tell them how Id become a teenage mother, or shoplifted books for years, or why I was impatient, afraid of the dark and had a compulsion to rescue people without explaining the Brethren, the God they made for us and the rapture that they told us was coming.

No wonder I heard voices. No wonder they never stopped

John Nelson Darby, one of the founders of the movement in the late 1820s, invented the rapture. He had a vision that there would be not just one, but two second comings.

First, Christ would take the Brethren off the planet in a sudden, secret exodus to heaven. All those left behind, the worldly people, would suffer terrible storms, earthquakes, plagues and famines. Then Christ would return a second time to save more people, but the most privileged residents in heaven would be the rapture people, the Brethren.

By the time I was born, in 1964, James Taylor (JT) Junior, then the leader of the Brethren, had implemented scores of new rules. Brethren could no longer live in the same house as non-Brethren members. Husbands had to leave non-Brethren wives. Wives had to leave non-Brethren husbands. Brethren could no longer work with anyone who had been put out of the fellowship for breaking the rules.

John Nelson Darby was one of the founders of the the Exclusive Brethren in the late 1820s

After four years of fierce edicts, Brethren were almost completely isolated from the world. JT Junior, convinced that the rapture was only weeks away, became obsessed with getting Brethren houses clean in time.

He prohibited meals in restaurants, cafes and canteens. Meetings were to be held every day and he banned pets. Brethren had to either find alternative homes for their animals or have them put down. Parents had to find ways of explaining to their distressed children where their beloved pets had gone.

I remember lying in bed listening to my parents muffled conversations and seeing Satan  or my idea of Satan, all horns and scales and a grinning mouth  projected on to the darkened surface of the curtains. I managed the terrors of my small domestic space by imagining what God might be like.

Occasionally, if the voices I heard terrified me more than I could bear, Id call out to my parents and my father would come in. I dared not tell him what I saw projected on the curtains. My mother gathered talismans to protect me from the dark: she crocheted me a comfort blanket and gave me a stuffed toy rabbit with long ears. I discovered that if I tucked one of the rabbits ears between my little toe and the next toe on my right foot, the voices would stop.

By 1964, Brethren leader John Taylor Junior had implemented scores of new rules

Brethren women and girls were not supposed to have their hair cut because hair, JT Junior decreed, was their glory. By the time I was three or four, my hair stretched down to my waist when wet. Thick, heavy and curly, it had to be combed and plaited constantly.

Fridays were hair-washing and nail-cutting nights, a family grooming that prepared us for the five or six Brethren meetings at the weekend, including the compulsory 6am meeting on the Lords Day.

Its not just the nonsense and the trickery that alarms me now, but the number of hours we Brethren children spent listening to the men talk. My brothers and I  and thousands of other Brethren children around the world  attended nine one-hour meetings a week before 1968, and 11 a week between 1968 and 1970.

That makes a total of just over 3,000 hours spent sitting absolutely still, listening to a group of men  including my father and grandfather  preaching obscure biblical exegesis and prophecy before I was six years old. No wonder I heard voices. No wonder they never stopped.

The Exclusive Brethren conference in 1959 during which JT Junior took leadership

Brethren children were expected to be quiet and well-mannered in meetings. Wed sit in the back row with our mothers, clothes pressed, faces scrubbed, shoes polished, hair tightly plaited or pinned back with clips, Bibles on laps.

My brothers and I understood that the outside world and the people in it were dangerous. The streets were owned by Satan and thronged with his traps: shop windows full of television sets with moving pictures that you tried not to look at but couldnt take your eyes off; hoardings on news stands; adverts for perfume and make-up; women in miniskirts.

There were snatches of music, too, from open windows or cafe doors. The grown-ups would say these things were worldly and in the meeting room they preached that Satan, the enemy, used them in his battle for our souls.

The teachers at school were used to Brethren children and didnt put up a fight when parents stipulated what their children were permitted to read or study. The teachers banished us from the classroom whenever they strayed into areas that conflicted with Brethren teachings. That meant we spent many of our school hours in the corridor that ran the length of the Victorian building.

Central Hall, London, where the Exclusive Brethren's meetings took place

No assembly. No prayers. No classes about poetry or fiction. No science that conflicted with the creation story. No gym. No ballet. No music classes. No discussion of ethics or philosophy. The teachers handed us worksheets  comprehension practice, quizzes and maths sheets.

Sometimes Id glimpse one or both of my brothers further up the hallway. The only other people we saw there were the worldly boys whod been sent out of the class for misbehaving. Theyd sit outside the headteachers room, fidgeting, waiting to be called in and reprimanded.

If you didnt do exactly what they said, your family wouldnt be allowed to speak to you again

One day my teacher told me that when I got to the end of a worksheet I could go to the library for independent reading if there was time left before the bell rang. I still dont know if she realised what she was saying. I nearly told her but swallowed the words. When my classmates had library time I had to sit on a faded, red plastic chair outside the door. Id peer in from time to time, astonished that there were so many books, that someone had thought to put them all in one room and that they came in so many shiny colours.

There had been books in our house once, I discovered later  my mothers adored, beautifully leather-bound Jane Austen collection, my fathers Shakespeare and poetry. But in 1962, when JT Junior ordered all Brethren to cleanse themselves, my father had boxed up all the books and packed them into the boot of the car.

God had not exactly said it was all right for me to go into the school library, but he hadnt said it wasnt either. Usually he sent a sign. I was good at looking for signs  a bird flying one way or another, even car number-plates could be signs. The library door was open. That, I persuaded myself, meant it was probably all right. The Lord must be showing me the way.

Rebecca aged three with her brothers

I headed for the far corner, the old floorboards creaking noisily. A teacher might usher me out. My brother might glimpse me through the door and tell our parents. But I was in and the bell had not yet sounded. I reached up and pulled out Enid Blytons The Secret Island.

I read as if turned to stone. Before this moment I had only read the Janet and John books with my mother. And the Bible, of course. But there were very few stories about children in the Bible  other than Jesus. When the bell rang I stuffed the book underneath a dusty red beanbag. Brethren children were not allowed to borrow library books. I had to hide it so that nobody else would borrow it before I came back. Over the next few weeks I read the whole of The Secret Island without discovery, punishment or consequence.

*****

Rebeccas family left the Exclusive Brethren in 1970 after the Aberdeen incident, when JT Junior was accused of being found in bed with Mrs Ker, another members wife. John Railton, leader of the Brethren in Brighton, announced at a meeting that if JT Junior wanted to take his wife to bed, he would be honoured.

But 200 people, including Rebeccas father and grandfather, walked out in disgust.

Perhaps our parents thought we were too young to understand why wed left. Perhaps they thought we hadnt been listening when they told us that television and radios were wicked; that Satan was in cinemas, newspapers, pop music, theatres; that the world outside our meeting room was evil, and would corrupt us if we went anywhere near it.

Perhaps they had forgotten that theyd been telling us since we were born that the rapture was about to come, and that if we had not given up our wills and desires and natural minds to the Lord, wed be left behind and the bad people would be drowned, burned or buried alive.

Rebecca in 1971

But we children did not cast off our Brethren teachings so easily. I became, in this post-Aberdeen confusion, preoccupied with sin and salvation. Everything felt upside down. My father announced one Saturday afternoon that he was taking us to the cinema to see Gone With the Wind. I glanced at my mother, alarmed, but she did not protest.

It seems astonishing now but I remember almost nothing of the film. But I do remember reaching for my mothers hand as we stepped across the threshold into the richly coloured entrance hall and, later, her face in profile in the light of the screen, rapt and terrified by turns, happier than Id ever seen her. It wasnt that I believed we were now Satans people, or that wed been plunged into some dark new world. It was like being lost in a town where all the signs had been changed into a language I didnt know.

I recently found a picture of my brother and me taken in 1972, launching a hot-air balloon Id made with a basket fashioned from matchboxes. Having seen a full-size hot-air balloon drift across the sky above our house, I wondered if I could engineer one to escape the imminent floods. But when the balloon Id made got snagged on our television aerial, I decided it was a sign of the Lords disapproval of our new television set.

When I started a new school that year, I was allowed to attend assembly for the first time and didnt understand the mild sentimental Anglicanism that my teachers used. When I walked the school grounds  from the gym where we did PE to the outdoor pool where we had swimming lessons  I sometimes felt as if I was walking on the moon. I failed to find a way to explain why I didnt know the rules of rounders or netball. After years of being asked to leave the classroom for so many lessons, I still found myself waiting for a teacher to send me out.

Rebecca launching a hot-air balloon with her brother in 1972

The language that the non-Brethren spoke seemed different, too. I did not know how to talk to the other children or how to bridge the void between their world and mine. I was pretty certain the rapture was still coming  after all, nobody had told me otherwise  but I had no idea who would be taken now that my parents had started to watch television.

Id stand with my back to the wall in the playground watching the others playing, imagining tidal waves sweeping across the tarmac, storms tearing down the playground walls and trees. They still didnt know what was coming. But nor did I any more.

There are counsellors now who specialise in treating ex-cult members after theyve experienced long periods of mind control. One of them told me it sometimes takes him years to get his clients to return to normal levels of scepticism.

He has to keep on reminding them that there are many different ways of looking at things; he has to help them to think for themselves again. They used to call this process deprogramming, but Id call it decompression. Wed been a long way down to the bottom of some kind of sea; there was no easy way back up without getting the bends.

This is an edited extract from In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, a Father, a Cult by Rebecca Stott, to be published by Fourth Estate on 1 June, price 16.99. To pre-order a copy for 12.74 (a 25 per cent discount) until 4 June, visit you-bookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640; p&p is free on orders over 15
US novelist Emma Straub was overjoyed when her close friends asked her to officiate their wedding. She explains how playing such a key part in the ceremony has deepened their friendship

I should have known I was doing something wrong when the wedding planner started waving at me from the back of the crowd. It was not the wave of an excited reveller, but of a person who is witnessing the approach of a tsunami and is trying to save as many people as she can. It took a few more minutes (three paragraphs into my hilarious, touching opening remarks) for me to realise why. I had started the ceremony without the bride. How, exactly, did I get here?

Emma officiating at her friends Jess and Bens wedding

Lots of my friends in the US have been married by civilians, by their college roommates, big sisters or favourite uncles. Maybe its that I run in a particularly godless crowd, but my friends are more likely to get someone they know to do the deed than find a rent-a-rabbi or a humourless judge at City Hall. It is ridiculously easy to get ordained to marry: theres an internet church, which Im sure exists only to make $80 from people like me 50 times a day. You sign up and five minutes later, voila! Youre official. And so here I was at the wedding of my close friends Ben and Jess, a moment in the marital spotlight that I had long fantasised about.

In New York City, where I live, the only other legal hurdle is going to City Hall and signing a grand leather book, which looks like one Dumbledore would have in his office at Hogwarts. And I was very ready to sign my name. I am outgoing enough to have felt slightly miffed at never being asked in the past. I can read a poem! I can make a poignant speech. But one doesnt advertise these things. It seems rather gauche to petition your happily dating friends to be their wedding officiant. So I waited patiently.

My husband and I had been friends with Ben and Jen for a few years. We had dinner dates and movie dates and I loved them both. When Ben called me one night out of the blue, it was odd  he usually called my husband. Our conversation felt like being asked out on a date; there was stammering, blushing and giggling. He asked if I would marry them, and I said yes. At last! (My husband would have been a good choice, too, but his record is blemished: he was best man at a friends first and second wedding and made a speech that the second brides family was not entirely amused by. I was a safer bet.)

It was glorious. Forget front-row seats  this was a backstage pass

I was pregnant at the time, and I did some quick maths. I would have a very new baby  three months old  when they planned to get married. It was my second child so I knew the challenges that a new baby brings, but this one was still totally theoretical and therefore easier to ignore. I started reading strangers vows online, and went on a poetry binge. (In the end, I went with a Mary Oliver poem and included vows about feeding each other, as Ben is a butcher and they both care deeply about food.)

I think couples often choose a pal to marry them because their families are more religious than they are or of different faiths. Ben and Jess are a mixed marriage religiously and I think that having someone like me to officiate helped skirt the issue with their parents. They didnt have to choose sides  they chose me instead.

It was not a job I took lightly. On our next double date (a road trip to a Taylor Swift concert, because we are serious adults), I asked Ben and Jess about their romantic histories, both together and previously. I wanted to know everything  after all, I was their priest/rabbi. Both Ben and Jess spilled gloriously: their first kisses and crushes, their weirdest sexual partners  the whole kit and caboodle, right up to falling in love with each other. Thank God the concert was in New Jersey, hours from home, because otherwise we would have needed half a dozen dinner dates to get through it all. I cant say that I used much of it in the ceremony, but it did make me feel as though I knew them much better than I had before, which deepened the experience for all of us.

Emma with her husband and baby at Jess and Bens wedding

The wedding took place on a farm, hours from anywhere. My husband drove down the night before, and baby and I flew the day of the wedding (my mother stayed behind with our toddler). Jess let me choose my outfit, and I went with a navy dress that made me feel like a priest, only with easy access for breastfeeding. I had my remarks neatly pasted into a pretty notebook. I had my cowboy boots on. I was ready. The baby was not.

The groom and I hid inside a barn, both of us vibrating with excitement. His beautiful bride-to-be was inside a house across the way, waiting for her moment to process through the crowd. We bounced on our toes, full of anticipation. Outside, my husband wore our baby on his chest and tried to keep him happy.

The music began to play and the groom and I walked out on to the little green hill where the wedding was to take place. I looked at him, and at the happy faces of those assembled, and I began to read my ceremony.

Oh, it was glorious. I was so excited! I told jokes. I touched the groom, who looked handsome and nervous, affectionately, exactly the way one should look at their wedding. And when I saw the wedding planner waving at me, at first I thought she might be trying to tell me what a very good job I was doing.

But no. I had forgotten to wait for the bride. I was marrying Ben to himself. And then, as if he understood what had just happened, my baby began to scream. I laughed. The crowd laughed. In these days, when we are all glued to our phones, watching videos on Facebook of things that happened 30 seconds ago, it felt thrilling to be caught, en masse, inside a singular moment.

I felt drunk with power and with the faith they had put in me

We were all there, gasping at my mistake. I recovered quickly, thanked everyone for helping me rehearse, and invited the bride to join us.

There is nothing like a woman in a wedding dress to focus a group of people. When Jess walked down the aisle, the mood shifted from anticipation to shock to giddy joy. I welcomed her to her own wedding, and said, Jess, you wouldnt believe what just happened, it was hilarious, Ill tell you later  though of course she already knew, having listened to my false start over the PA system. To her credit, she looked at me with grace and amusement.

The wedding proceeded as planned, with love everywhere. I married them. They kissed. Everyone clapped. For a Jane Austen/romcom fan, it was weirdly satisfying to be so close to another couples wedding. Forget front-row seats  this was a backstage pass.

After the ceremony I looked for my husband. It wasnt hard  I followed the sound of the screaming baby. They  the inconsolable baby and my equally inconsolable husband  were hiding in the car. As it happened, Ben and Jess were having their sweet, private kiss about 20 feet from the cars bumper. I shielded my face with my hand and hurried towards the car, already undoing my top to feed the baby. My husband had missed the whole ceremony.

LIGHTS, CAMERA NUPTIALS! By Susan Hope Tom Hanks got ordained so he could officiate at the wedding of actress friend Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen in 2015 (Toms wife Rita Wilson played Allisons mother in the hit TV series Girls). Tom said, If you want to call me the Right Reverend Tom Hanks, I think you should. Lady Gaga became a wedding officiant so she could marry her friend and yoga instructor Tricia Donegan in 2012. Tricia has lived with her partner for years and they have a daughter. They asked me to marry them so Im going to, she said. Emma Stone played matchmaker for Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer and her publicist Holly Shakoor. When they married in 2012 in Ojai, California, the star officiated the wedding. Robbie Williams was ordained online in the US in 2002 so he could marry his friend Billy Morrison (of band The Cult) to Jennifer Holliday. Billy said, The fact that my mate performed the ceremony means everything to me. Sir Ian McKellen officiated at the wedding of friend Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell in 2013 by becoming an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. Tom Hanks officiated a wedding in 2015 Lady Gaga married her friends in 2012 Emma Stone played matchmaker for her director and publicist Robbie Williams was ordained online in 2002 Ian McKellen officiated at the wedding of friend Patrick Stewart While some states in the US allow civilians to apply for authority to perform marriage ceremonies, in the UK you have to go to a licensed premises (such as a register office or church) and have the legal part of the ceremony conducted by an official. Advertisement

The baby didnt calm down for what felt like hours, but the evening was beautiful. There was great food and speech after speech, each one better than the last. There were other people there with babies, and we rocked back and forth past each other, our sleepy eyes saying, It wasnt easy, but we did it.

At some point in the evening, I had Ben and Jess sign the marriage licence, which made the whole thing legal (at least once I sent it back to City Hall). I felt drunk with power and with the faith they had put in me  even if it had probably been shaken during the first three minutes of the ceremony. I know that Im due a thousand Dont start without me! jokes for the rest of my life, and thats OK.

I signed the Dumbledore book. I picked the poems. I got to stand behind two wonderful people as they crossed the bridge from one part of their lives to another. I was the midwife, the ferryboat captain. I feel lucky to have been chosen, and I will certainly care about their marriage more than other friends. I feel as though I understand their love, which is a nice feeling. Sort of soppy, but nice.

The baby  who was suffering from a double ear infection, we learned later  is now walking and making little baby jokes. Time is moving at an exponential rate. My husband and I are about to open a bookshop, and early in the planning stages we were brainstorming things that we could do to set ourselves apart  some bookshops have coffee shops or wine bars or deliver books on quaint, old-fashioned bicycles. I know, I said. I can marry people. Well see if anyone wants to be my second. This time I know what to do: wait for the bride to appear.

Emmas latest novel Modern Lovers is published by Penguin, price 7.99. To order a copy for 5.99 until 4 June, visit you-bookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640; p&p is free on orders over 15
Overlooked at Christmas, squeezed in at family events, with months going by between visits to grandchildren Anna Moore finds out why even loyal grandparents can end up sidelined

Married for nearly 40 years, a mother of three and a successful educational consultant, Clare comes across as calm and wise, well-practised in the art of careful communication and certainly not someone to let her emotions get the better of her.

And this holds true in all aspects of her life except one  her grandchildren. Just the thought of them can reduce me to jelly, says Clare, only half-joking. I know I should feel utterly blessed that there are these two bright, beautiful girls in the world. But Im also haunted by the fact that I dont have the relationship with them that Id hoped for. Months go by between visits and theyre growing up so quickly  and Im keenly aware that every passing stage is one Ill never know. Their other granny is a constant presence and I find that very hard to cope with.

The other granny  the maternal grandma  has been involved with the grandchildren since the start. She stayed with the new family after the birth of their first child to ease the adjustment and when her daughter returned to work, she stepped in to provide childcare two days a week. The girls are now aged four and five and this granny is a familiar face at school pick-up time. She knows their ups and downs with friends and teachers, their favourite books and toys, their latest food fads, the clothes they like to wear (and the ones they dont) and the funny things they say.

I know its natural that the first person a mother turns to for help will be her own mother, says Clare, 62. The other granny also lives closer and doesnt have a job. But we rarely get invited over  and when I ask my son if theyd like to visit us, they always seem busy and just about squeeze us in. When we go over for family events, I see how relaxed and informal the girls are with their other granny, how attached to her they are. I know its positive that they have someone like her in their life  but I always come away feeling upset.

UK grandparents are more involved and hands on with their grandchildren than ever before. Nearly two thirds provide some kind of childcare and a recent study from Oxford University found that regular contact with grandparents helps create happier children and well-adjusted adolescents. But grandparent duties are rarely distributed equally. Research shows that grandparents on the mothers side, especially the grandma, typically enjoy double the contact and are also more likely to be identified as best by the grandchildren.

Its hardly surprising that Clares pain is echoed elsewhere. On forums and problem pages, grandparents describe feeling sidelined and second best, being passed over again at Christmas, or logging on to Facebook only to see their grandchildren on yet another day out with their other grandparents. On one grandparenting website, under the headline Are You The Left-Out Grandparent?, a grandma describes attending the birth of her first grandchild. While the maternal granny was in the room for the birth, the paternal grandparents drove two hours only to have to wait in the lobby. After a couple of hours we got a quick peek at the baby while his partners mother hovered over. We left after ten minutes and headed back home. I felt like an intruder, as if I had stopped in to see an acquaintance.

No one, it seems, is immune. According to reports, even Prince Charles has complained that he almost never sees his grandchildren  while George and Charlotte spend a great deal of time with the Middletons. When the Duchess of Cambridge struggled with extreme morning sickness, it was her mother Carole who took charge and after Georges birth Kate decamped to the Middleton family home. Carole accompanied the young family when they moved to Anmer Hall in Norfolk and was there to look after the children when William and Kate attended their first official engagement. It was also Carole who orchestrated Georges third birthday party. (Charles went along as a guest.)

Prince Charles could barely contain his excitement about being a grandparent  days before Georges birth, he asked a ladies circle in South Wales for any hints on how to do it well. He refurbished a treehouse and shepherds cottage for George and Charlotte to play in at Highgrove which have remained empty. Charles feels rather left out, confirmed a family friend. He has very little time with his grandchildren and I know he gets upset about it because he has said so. He feels William spends more time with the Middletons than he does with his own family.

Jackie Highe, the former agony aunt on grannynet.co.uk and author of The Modern Grandparents Guide, confirms that this is a very common problem. Theres nothing like having grandchildren for the first time, she says. You feel this great rush of love, just as you did when your own child was born. But theres a poignancy and an urgency  youre older, you no longer have your whole life ahead of you, you have less time with them. And this precious time is often guarded and allocated by others. It comes with conditions and boundaries  and there are other grandparents with an equal claim. Youre going to feel passionate and emotional  and its quite normal to feel jealous and possessive, says Highe.

According to Highe, the paternal grandparents are the most likely to feel second best. After all, as the kin keeper, it is the mother who usually makes family decisions. And with the best will in the world, a daughter-in-law cannot feel towards you the same way she does towards her own mother, says Highe. If shes got a problem, if she wants support, her mum is probably the most natural person to phone. If youre the paternal grandparents, try very hard not to see this as a rejection. Dont take it personally.

Other times, the sidelining could be down to different factors. It could be a simple question of proximity, or that one set of grandparents is more pushy, says Highe. It could be that one is younger or healthier or more mobile. Perhaps one of the grandparents had a difficult relationship with their child and is now inclined to keep a distance.

This seems to be the case for Sally, 60. Her daughters teenage years were rocky and they never had the time or space to fully recover.

Emily went to college miles away in London and rarely came back, says Sally. Her teens had been horrendous  she rebelled in every way possible and calls from the local police in the early hours were not unusual. She has grown up into a lovely, successful young woman but theres still a tension between us. I find myself treading on eggshells and feel that everything I do annoys her.

Now married with a six-year-old son, Emily and her husband have settled close to their in-laws. They visit us once or twice a year, says Sally, and never invite us to their house. If we are going to be anywhere near, we ask if we can stop by. Its a three-hour drive and when we get there, were never offered a meal, just a cup of tea. Within these parameters, weve tried to get to know our grandson as best we can. We Skype him, we send little cards, we try to follow his interests. The fact that his other granny seems to be a much-loved regular visitor makes it doubly hard.

So what should you do if you find yourself sidelined? First  and most important  think tactically and act tactfully. If your objective is to see more of the grandchildren, the worst way to achieve it is to cause a scene or fall out with the parents.

If you accuse or moan, then you put the parents on the defensive and youve got a situation, warns Highe. Dont wait to be asked. Lay some ideas down. Try, Can we offer to have the children for the weekend while you two have time away, or do some decorating? Or say, I know we dont get to see the children as much because we work/live further away, but wed love to see more of them.

If you have offered and been refused, then maybe you can sit down with your own child and have a word, Highe continues. Even then, its not about pushing for what you want but about what the children will get from you; about the memories you want to build, the stories youd like to pass on.

Suzie Hayman, agony aunt and author of How To Have A Happy Family Life, agrees this is crucial. Talk to the parents about the opportunities: how the children benefit from having another adult who cares for them, is close to them but isnt the parent. Say, Im here to support, what can I do?

At the same time, try not to set yourself up in competition with the other grandparents. This can create pain and bitterness, family breakdown, winners and losers.

Making comparisons is very dangerous, warns Hayman. Its not about competing, but finding your niche, making your own relationship. As children get older, they make their own decisions over who they connect with best. My grandma was either in South Africa or Israel when I was little and only moved to the UK when I was 16. She died ten years later, and for four of those years I was away at university. Yet she was the most important person in my life  I adored her. Something clicked between us. She was interesting; she bought art and my tastes were framed by her. She talked to me as an equal.

DOS AND DON'TS  Do think long term, especially in the months after the birth. This is when maternal grannies are more likely to become permanent fixtures while paternal grandparents might remain at arms length. Remember, the baby wont know or care who changed the nappies or did the night shifts.  Dont take it personally: often its not about you. Keep in mind the range of likely factors: including distance, practicalities and thoughtlessness on the part of the parents who are adapting to a mammoth life change.  Do offer to help. Dont wait to be asked or invited. Explain that youd love to support them and how that will benefit your grandchild  offer suggestions and put dates in the diary.  Dont create a scene. Resist moaning or accusing, however unhappy you are. The most likely result will be a strained, more difficult relationship than you have already.  Do find your niche. Look at your grandchilds interests and character and find ways to connect. Think about what you have to offer  whether its a home in a city close to museums and galleries or a country bolt-hole; a love of gardening and baking or cars and fashion.  Dont compare or view this as a competition. Avoid dwelling on the other grandparents role and what they do and dont have. Focus on your relationship with your grandchild, not theirs.  Do remember to work on the relationship with your children, too. If they continue to feel loved and supported by you, a stronger bond with your grandchildren is far more likely to follow. By Suzie Hayman Advertisement

Look at what your grandchild is interested in and think about what you have to offer, Hayman continues. Its about finding what you can share, ways to connect  not comparing your relationship with others.

Highe agrees. You have to be the person you are, she says. Text them, WhatsApp them. Get on Snapchat, send little cards. Nothing long, just let them know youre thinking of them.

Use the same strategies to stay connected to your children. If you spend time with them, find practical ways to be helpful and let them know youre thinking of them, theyll be more inclined to include you in grandparenting duties.

Grandchildren dont discriminate, says Highe. Theyll love you just as much. And research suggests that while the maternal grandma tends to be the closest in the early years, as the grandchildren grow and make their own connections and decisions, other relationships find room to bloom.
Young, female, affluent and living in the big city: this best describes most of the millions of Chinese who have turned to yoga, according to a path-breaking and first-ever official Chinese research report or 'blue book' into the recent yoga explosion in the Middle Kingdom.

The study has for the first time revealed the scale of the boom and its reach into every corner of the country, from southern Guangdong to the far northeast, with the emergence of more than 10,800 yoga schools and millions of practitioners who are mostly young women.

The 'China Yoga Industry Development Report' to be published next month, by a group of scholars affiliated with top think-tanks and universities including the official Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), found there were at least 10,800 yoga schools across China, with some educating thousands of yoga practitioners

Young, female, affluent and living in the big city: this best describes most of the millions of Chinese who have turned to yoga

CASS, an official think-tank, publishes official reports or 'blue books' that are seen as authoritative sanctioned studies.

'It's the first ever blue book on the yoga phenomenon in China and its findings are very revealing,' one of the authors, Zhang Yongjian, a senior researcher, at CASS, told India Today on Saturday at of a yoga conference.

The first blue book focused on the reach of yoga and on the provinces and cities where it had the most following.

CASS, an official think-tank, publishes official reports or 'blue books' that are seen as authoritative sanctioned studies

Subsequent studies will examine other aspects of the yoga phenomenon such as the multimillion dollar emerging yoga industry.

'We found that popularity of yoga was highly related with a city's economic development,' Zhang said.

A key finding was a correlation between average incomes of a city and the number of yoga schools, with Beijing, Shanghai and southern Guangdong province home to the most number of yoga practitioners

A key finding was a correlation between average incomes of a city and the number of yoga schools

Students take part in a mass yoga session to mark the first International Day of Yoga at Peking University
The extremist Hindu organisation Bajrang Dal has hit the headlines in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar.

Some members of the infamous Hindu fundamentalist organisation grabbed two young men and thrashed them in public.

A group of Bajrang Dal activists on Saturday mercilessly beat two youths who had reportedly come to meet girls they had met on social media site, Facebook.

The extremist Hindu organisation Bajrang Dal has hit the headlines in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar after lynching men

The video, which has gone viral, has Bajrang Dal activists mocking law and order at their will.

The violent Bajrang Dal activists are seen thrashing the two young men brutally. They ask their names as one of the activists continues to hit one of the young men.

Another Bajrang Dal member continued slapping the youth. After a few seconds into the video, a man grabs a leather belt and beats one of the youths.

According to agency inputs, a police complaint was filed after which four persons, including two Bajrang Dal activists, were arrested.

However, they were later released on bail. In February on Valentine's Day, couples in Bihar were thrashed and humiliated by Bajrang Dal activists who charged at them to protest against the day.

The incident happened in Bihar's Muzaffarpur where the Bajrang Dal activists raided a park and grabbed the coupled to beat them up. In a similar incident, Bajran Dal activists of Jharkhand weren't far behind.

They misbehaved with young women in the state's Hazaribagh district. On bikes and in hordes, the Bajrang Dal activists took it to the streets when they made couples do sit-ups.
Every morning little Merham (name changed) wakes up before the alarm bell rings to get ready for school. Unlike other kids in her group who want to be doctors, her dream is to become a NASA scientist for which she has already charted a plan.

'I want to go to Chandigarh University first and then will apply for aeronautical engineering courses in US and go to NASA,' says young Merham.

But for that Merham hopes that her school remains open in the tense valley of Kulgam in Kashmir.

Every morning little Merham (name changed) wakes up before the alarm bell rings to get ready for school

'We are facing a great challenge to keep our schools open. Till the time Kashmir dispute is resolved, we will continue to live in fear,' said Ghulam Hasan, chairman of LCS school in Kulgam.

Disheartened by politics around Kashmir, he says his only priority is to keep his 200 students safe.

Recently India Today TV investigation had revealed how separatists leaders have been getting access to cross-border funds to torch schools and government buildings in Kashmir.

It is believed that 25 schools were burnt in four months in Kashmir last year

Till last November, around 25 schools were gutted in fire as unrest spread in parts of Anantnag and Kulgam. 'I am not scared of going to school and hate it when its shut down.

'Our studies suffer whenever the school has to be shut down because of the tensions,' said Sadiya (name changed) who studies in Kulgam.

Fearing for the future of their children, many families have been leaving the area.

A young boy throws a stone at Indian security forces in Kashmir

'Many students have dropped out after the violent episode of schools being targeted last year. This year we have seen less number of students continuing', said Ghulam Hasan.

For him every day of peace counts as his students continue to inspire him to keep his school running.

'I want to be a scientist and do research on Vitiligo. I don't want to leave Kashmir. I want to work for my people here, but for that we need peace,' says young Rukhsana (name changed) who studies in class 12.

These girls see life differently from a very young age. Responsibility comes early and so does the urge to succeed despite the odds.

Even a simple task of wearing a uniform is dangerous and uncertainty is way of life. However, living on the edge, these students are infused with courage to achieve their dreams.

'This has become part of our life, why should I be scared? This is my state and I don't want to leave it' says Sadiya (name changed) to India Today TV.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, in her youth-reached-out programme, has promised to provide job opportunities to the youth in the state.

A masked Government Polytechnic student throwing stones on police personnel during clashes which erupted after a protest rally against the police action on students in the Kashmir Valley in which dozens of students were injured, at Gooji Bagh in Srinagar

However, the first step should be to secure primary schools where kids are vulnerable targets for terrorists.

She has assured that those 'spreading fire in the Valley' will be dealt with iron hand.

'There is a section, which has accepted they will get money to disrupt peace of the state and they are actually disrupting the peace.

'So law of land will take action,' told Mehbooba Mufti to India Today TV.
Panelists on television channels have been crying hoarse how the IT sector will lose a lakh jobs in a year

The dust seems to be far from settling on the din around layoffs in the IT sector.

Between the last time I wrote a similar column in this space and now, another IT major has resorted to layoffs. Tech Mahindra is reportedly laying off an estimated 1,500 of its employees at various levels in the organisation.

The company has clarified that it is part of a procedure to weed out the lowest performers every year, and that this year wasnt any different.

Panelists on television channels have been crying hoarse how the sector will lose a lakh jobs in a year, and how this spells big trouble for the Indian IT sector that has been an aspiration for mostly middle-class job seekers.

On the other side is the government and Nasscom, the apex industry organisation, who say everything is fine with jobs in the sector, and companies will also be hiring a good number, just as they resort to a routine pruning of their workforce.

But the truth really seems to be somewhere in between.

The repercussions that the IT sector is facing from protectionist governments in the US and Australia have been far underestimated.

Contrary to what the IT companies say about weeding out non-performers at the junior level, the reality seems to be that even senior employees are getting the boot

The IT sector should have seen this coming, because much before the election of a right wing President in the US and his pronouncements of tight visa norms for Indian IT professionals, many companies had already begun to take a hard look at their workforce, especially their senior ones with 10 or 15 years of experience.

But once the US moved in with bills that made outsourcing not only tougher but more expensive, and Australia announced scrapping of its 457 visa programme that allowed their businesses to employ foreign workers for four years in skilled jobs, the internal pruning within IT companies began to get more intense.

Contrary to what the IT companies say about weeding out non-performers at the junior level, the reality seems to be that even senior employees are getting the boot.

This could be due to two reasons: First, the easy-to-understand reason is that it is tougher to re-skill senior employees in new generation technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things and cloud computing.

An IT professional in India.

In many instances, the IT companies would argue seniors are unwilling to change or are slow in grasping new technologies.

But the issue that could be more controversial is when experienced personnel are removed to cut wage costs, in anticipation of hiring local workforce in protectionist regimes at higher wages.

That clearly looks discriminatory, but again, how else can companies gear up to the big changes that are happening all around? But what is the level of layoffs?

Industry insiders say while layoffs are a reality, it hasnt blown up into a crisis... yet.

However, over time, there could be more layoffs, but there could be equally big hiring as well, because building a new workforce that is receptive to the changing world of technologies becomes imperative.

Industry insiders say while layoffs are a reality, it hasnt blown up into a crisis... yet

Things may not turn out as bad as the doomsayers who predict the sectors death on television screens, but it is definitely time to realise jobs in IT sector as not as cushy as before, and that they are just as vulnerable to changes in the business environment as manufacturing jobs or jobs in the retail or media world are.

The most desirable then, would be for both jobs seekers and existing workers to be prepared for big changes, just as companies brace themselves up for change too.

Fighting these layoffs would be futile, unless that change in favour of new technologies is recognised.
Related Suspected killer of Hamas commander arrested in Gaza Strip

A court in the Gaza Strip on Sunday sentenced three men to death over the assassination of a Hamas military commander that the Islamist movement accused Israel of masterminding.

After a trial that lasted four days, two of the accused were sentenced to be hanged and one to be shot, the military court announced.

The assassination of Mazen Faqha in the middle of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on March 24 shocked the Islamist movement and raised the possibility of a new round of violence with Israel.

Hamas immediately blamed its arch-enemy, with which it has fought three wars since 2008, and implemented strict border restrictions on those seeking to leave the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has not confirmed or denied the accusations.

In Sunday's court ruling, the chief suspect, Ashraf Abu Leila, 38, was sentenced to hang after being convicted of murder.

Hisham al-Aloul, 44, was also sentenced to hang, and Abdallah al-Nashar, 38 and who had been a member of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's presidential guard, will face the firing squad. They were convicted of collaborating with Israel.

Al-Aloul had entered the court yelling pro-Hamas slogans such as "long live the resistance".

The verdict was announced by the head of the military court, Nasser Suleiman, with none of the accused's relatives present.

They were led away by security forces as onlookers gathered to watch.

The verdicts cannot be appealed.

Faqha, 38, had been in charge of forming cells for Hamas's military wing in the occupied West Bank.

He had spent years in an Israeli jail before being released as part of a 2011 prisoner exchange deal.

After the arrest of the main suspect, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya pledged that "punishment will be carried out against the murderer".

Last week, Hamas released what it said was a recording of the confessions of the accused.

Images allegedly showed three men, presented as the murderer and his two accomplices, confessing to their roles, although their faces did not appear.

No independent bodies had access to the suspects, and the images and recordings were impossible to verify.

"Widespread coercion, torture and routine deprivation of detainees' rights by Hamas security services in Gaza call into question whether these confessions were in fact voluntary or may have been extracted under duress," Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch director for Israel and the Palestinian territories, said last week.

Shortly after Faqha's killing, the security services launched a campaign against so-called collaborators.

On April 6, Hamas hanged three men accused of collaborating with Israel in cases unrelated to Faqha's death.

Executions in the Gaza Strip have drawn intense international criticism, though Hamas has pressed ahead.

Hamas says Faqha played an important role in major assaults, including a suicide attack in the Israeli settlement neighbourhood of Gilo in east Jerusalem in 2002 that killed 19 people.

They 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 him to nine life sentences plus 50 years, but he was released in a 2011 deal for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier Hamas had held for five years.

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Hurriyat leader Naeem Khan has been suspended from the party after an India Today TV expose showed him admitting on camera that he had received funding from Pakistan to stoke unrest in Kashmir Valley.

Not just Naeem Khan, Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani even suspended the National Front led by him from the separatist organisation.

Khan has continued to allege that the sting video is 'doctored' and has been unavailable for comment after the India Today TV sting operation on May 15.

Leaders of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) hold placards and shout slogans during a protest march towards Lal Chowk against day-long massive crackdown in Shopian and Police action on students

In the India Today TV expose, separatists Khan and Farooq Dar alias Bitta Karate confessed to receiving money from Pakistan-based terror groups.

The Hurriyat called for an emergency meeting on Saturday and summoned Naeem Khan, seeking his clarification on the remark that had exposed the separatists and left the rank and file of the Hurriyat rattled.

A spokesperson of the separatist group said, 'Using his special powers (according to Hurriyat constitution), Geelani on Saturday suspended the National Front from the basic membership of the Hurriyat Conference until the clarification of all the related issues comes to the fore.'

'Even though (Naeem) Khan has raised questions over the veracity of the said clip (aired by India Today TV), his membership will remain suspended and the suspension will come into force with immediate effect in Srinagar and PoK chapter of Hurriyat.

A masked Government Polytechnic student throwing stones on police personnel during clashes which erupted after a protest rally against the police action on students in the Kashmir Valley in which dozens of students were injured, at Gooji Bagh in Srinagar

It is my moral duty and as a supreme head of the forum, I am obliged to fulfil my assigned duties,' the spokesman quoted Geelani as having said.

The Hurriyat also hit out at the media for their 'partial and biased reporting'.

'The media is promoting colonial mindset and is hellbent on bringing a bad name to our leadership and defaming the ongoing freedom struggle,' the spokesperson said.

Khan called the expose a fabricated story and said that he wasn't accountable to the Indian media.

'The video is doctored, simulated and a collage of bits and pieces. It does not have a shred of credibility.

'The agenda of the media is to defame the Kashmir struggle and pro-freedom leadership,' Khan was quoted as saying.

On Friday, India Today TV crew was attacked by JKLF chief Yasin Malik when they had approached him for a reaction on Hurriyat tapes expose.

Yasin Malik had attacked India Today TV reporter and cameraman when they had approached him on Friday for a reaction on the Hurriyat sting operation.

Malik has alleged that the India Today TV crew barged into his house without his permission, while the journalists claimed they were ushered into his house by his sister.

An Indian policeman aims his rifle towards Kashmiri Muslim protesters as they run for their their safety during an anti India protest

The NIA had on Friday accessed raw and unedited footage of the Hurriyat tapes expose by India Today TV and filed a preliminary inquiry.

Geelani said that the 2016 unrest in the Kashmir Valley triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces was 'neither pre-planned nor instigated by Pakistan.'

'It was a spontaneous reaction from people after the martyrdom of (Hizbul Mujahideen) commander Burhan (Wani) and during the five-month-long uprising, people braved pellets and bullets.

An India Today TV expose him admitting on camera that he had received funding from Pakistan to stoke unrest in Kashmir Valley

They were massacred and scores of youths sacrificed their eyesight. Our people are not doing all this just for fun.

It is a sacred sentiment and passion that people follow,' he said. 'We need resources to combat the military might of India.

Mostly we raise all funds from local sources to pursue our movement,' he added. India Today
BJP president Amit Shah has praised the Bihar chief minister for his corruption-free record while maintaining that the saffron party was only critical of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The BJP president is keeping the guessing game alive on its future relationship with Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United).

Nitish Kumar, one of the few leaders in the opposition to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive, is facing strained relations with alliance partner Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar.

BJP president Amit Shah has praised the Bihar chief minister for his corruption-free record while maintaining that the saffron party was only critical of Lalu Prasad Yadav

Answering a query at the India Today Editors' Roundtable about why the party was going 'soft' on the Bihar chief minister, Shah said: Has any wrongdoing committed by Nitish Kumar come to light? We cannot be unnecessary critical of him.'

On the Bihar CM's suggestion that the BJP should build a consensus on the presidential candidate by talking to all parties, Shah, while favouring a second-term for President Pranab Mukherjee, said deliberations on the candidate are ongoing.

The BJP president is remaing coy on its future relationship with Nitish Kumar

He said considering RSS head Mohan Bhagwat's name for the post was a non-issue since Bhagwat has already said he is not interested in occupying Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Bhagwat's name was suggested by Shiv Sena, an old ally who recently fell out of favour.

Nitish Kumar has praised the Modi government for surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the border. In return, Modi appreciated the Bihar government for its bold decision to implement prohibition in the state.

The latest display of admiration by Shah lends credence to growing bonhomie between the two parties.

The BJP president said he is confident of forming governments in Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura.

'The way things are moving, I am 100 per cent sure, we will win state elections in Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura,' said the BJP president.

'I was there for the past few months, and I have seen the public resurgence against Trinamool Congress.'

Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumr address a rally together

The three eastern states are lined up for elections from 2018 onwards. Dismissing chief minister Mamata Banerjee's allegations of playing the communal card in Bengal, Shah said: 'I don't know what kind of a Bengal she wants. She wants only TMC to remain in the state. It's a democratic country and I will establish and propagate my thought wherever I want. I will go to Bengal as many times as possible and will work towards bringing a BJP government in the state.'

About the Modi government's three-year report card, Shah, in an apparent reference to Congress, said, 'If you have got a large pit in legacy, you will first spend time filling it.

On speculations about Rajinikanth's foray into politics, Shah said, 'Only he can decide when he wants to join politics

During the Vajpayee government, the GDP peaked at 8.8 per cent; in UPA's term, when globally-renowned economist Manmohan Singh was leading the nation, it came down to 4 per cent.

Now a chaiwala's (tea seller's) son Narendra Modi has taken it up to 7.6 per cent again.'

On speculations about Rajinikanth's foray into politics, Shah said, 'Only he can decide when he wants to join politics.

'From our end, every good person is open to join politics.'
President Hasan Rouhani's landslide victory in the Presidential elections is good news for Iranians as well as for India.

It should assist Iran to become more democratic, moderate and prosperous over time, but that is not a given.

His challenge is to overcome significant hurdles on his path, which arise from domestic politics, and an equally difficult challenge thrown up by the Donald Trump-led United States.

A voter flashes a victory sign with her inked finger while voting for the presidential and municipal councils election at a polling station in Tehran

Economic reforms

Rouhani came to power in August 2013 promising economic reform. Despite vast oil resources, Iran's economy has remained moribund because it has not been able to get technology to exploit its resources effectively, or exploit the market when oil prices were riding high.

He set about the process by working out the nuclear deal with the US and other Western powers so as to persuade them to lift sanctions, which badly affected the Iranian economy.

The sanctions have been lifted, but low oil prices are thwarting Iran's recovery. But the bigger problem is Iran's domestic politics. The country is, at best, a quasi-democracy.

Iranians voting in the country's first presidential election since its nuclear deal with world powers, as incumbent Hassan Rouhani faced a staunch challenge from a hard-line opponent

Its system is structured so as to maintain the power of the clergy and their allies, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

At the top is Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has a veto on virtually everything.

The legislature has two wings - the lower house or Consultative Assembly and the upper house, the Guardian Council.

Newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gestures during a televised speech after his victory in presidential election

The former is like a regular Parliament with legislators elected through secret ballot.

The latter has 12 members, of which half are clergy chosen by the Supreme Leader and the other half are jurists chosen by the lower house.

The Guardian Council has a veto on all legislations. The Supreme Leader is elected for life by an Assembly of Experts, a group of 88 top clergymen who are elected once in eight years through direct voting.

In addition, there is the powerful Expediency Council of some 30-40 people chosen by the Supreme Leader to assist him in managing the system.

Voters cast their ballots for the presidential election at a polling station in Tehran, Iran

Ebrahim Raisi, the candidate Rouhani defeated, is a former judge and was spoken of as a potential successor to the 78-year old Khamenei.

Both Rouhani and Raisi are clerics, and the latter has been a member of the Assembly of Experts since 2006.

Importance for India

The Iranian situation shows that elections alone do not make a democracy.

The power of the Rouhani government is severely constrained at every step by the clergy.

The IRGC, which is a parallel military organisation, complete with an army, navy and aerospace wings, have extensive business interests and serve as the storm troopers of the clergy.

They are involved in domestic repression, and support Assad's forces against the ISIS. Developments in Iran can have an important fallout in India.

Last year, oil imports hit record levels and Iran became the fourth biggest oil supplier to India.

Supporters of newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dance during a gathering to celebrate his victory at the Vanak square in downtown Tehran

This was because of the lifting of sanctions. Given its oil and gas resources and proximity to India, Iran's importance in the energy sector cannot be underestimated. But oil is not the only factor in India- Iran relations - connectivity is.

India has two projects in mind - the Chah Bahar port and related development scheme aimed at developing links to Central Asia and Afghanistan, and the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) to connect western Indian ports through a multi-modal network to Europe via Iran.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's May 2016 visit, the two countries signed a $500 million (Rs 3,200 crore) agreement to develop the Chah Bahar port and fund a railway line to Zahedan.

Further India indicated its interest in building an LNG plant in Chah Bahar economic development zone.

New Delhi also returned $6 billion (Rs 3,900 crore), which was owed to Iran on the oil account during the sanction period.

Female voters queue at a polling station for the presidential and municipal council election in the city of Qom, Iran

Smoothing edges

The problem is that there are still rough edges to the India-Iran relationship. A deal to develop the Farzad B oil fields remains stuck.

Little or nothing has been done on the INSTC front, except the running of test cargoes to Russian destinations. Properly pursued it can be India's answer to China's One Belt One Road, which also aims to use Iranian routes and already exploits the Russian ones.

Given the potential Iran offers, India has reasons to worry about the US-Iran dynamics. Should relations deteriorate, India may once again be forced to curtail its Iranian commitments, just as it had to do in the 2007-2015 period.

Given New Delhi's compulsions to maintain good ties with the US, it would not like to buck Washington, and will thereby cede the ground to China which is unlikely to follow any new US lead in Iran.
Ever fancied being driven around in a car fit for a president? Well now you can, for the price of a family SUV.

At his inauguration this week, new French President Emmanuel Macron waved to the crowds through the sunroof of the new DS7 Crossback, which will arrive in British showrooms next February.

Flanked by police outriders, Macron took to the boulevards of Paris in a fetching 'ink blue' version of the SUV.

New wave: French President Emmanuel Macron en route to his inauguration in a DS SUV

The new DS 7 Crossback arrives in the UK early next year

The model is the first DS off-roader since the marque became a stand-alone entity, rather than a slightly posher range of Citroens.

But DS limousines have long had an association with French presidential and government service.

AA device can predict when you'll break down After a year-long trial involving 10,000 customers, the AA has launched Car Genie, a device that predicts a third of breakdowns. The small black box plugs into the car's electronic diagnostics system and reads what's going on under the bonnet, transmitting details to the owner's mobile phone. The system costs 29 a year to AA members.

Orders are now open for a limited edition version called La Premiere, which is priced at an ooh-la-la 42,000, with kit including active scan suspension to identify potholes and speed bumps ahead.

There are also swivel headlamps, leather seats and lots of bling.

Prices for the full range, which can be ordered from December, start at just less than 30,000 for the five-seater SUV, which has an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a choice of a 2l BlueHDi 180 hp diesel engine or a 1.6l 220 hp petrol.

Volvo's new generation of diesel engines could be its last, says the firm's Swedish boss Hakan Samuelsson. They'll be around until 2023, but rules to crack down on nitrous oxides could make investment in cleaner diesel too expensive, he says.

Presidential DS 7 Crossback arrives at the Elysee Palace.

Order books for the first special edition DS7 Crossback are open now

VAUXHALL'S 'YOUNG AT HEART' SUV IS TEMPTING OLDER DRIVERS I played the generation game this week with Vauxhall's latest model, the nifty five-seater Crossland X compact SUV. It's aimed primarily at young and 'young at heart' families  parents aged 35 to 50 with one or two children  who want a practical but stylish runaround to suit their active lifestyle  you can also run your smartphone through its dashboard. Vauxhall's five-seater Crossland X compact SUV is aimed primarily at young and 'young at heart' families  parents aged 35 to 50 with one or two children The dashboard of Vauxhall's Crossland X But older couples are being tempted, too, with the higher ride height and ease of getting in and out a bonus. I drove three and found them all nimble operators. The perky 1.2l 130 hp petrol, from 19,395, was especially fun to drive. The entry-level SE trim 1.2l 81 hp petrol (from 16,555) and a top-of-the-range six-speed manual 1.6l CDTi (21,380) are on sale now, with first deliveries in the summer. Vauxhall Crossland X's airy interior Vauxhall Crossland X on the road



Jim Clark was my first boyhood racing hero.

Now, a book celebrating his life and marking his death at just 32 in 1968 is helping keep his memory alive.

A royalty from every sold copy of Jim Clark by Eric Dymock (above, 22.50, dovepublishing.co.uk) is being donated to raise funds for a museum in his honour in Duns in the Scottish Borders.

Sir Jackie Stewart, who is among the contributors to the book, describes his friend Clark as 'the best driver I ever raced with and against'.

British drivers behind the wheels of classic cars were out in force for the ultimate Italian Job this week  the 1,000-mile epic Mille Miglia run. I saw 1billion of vintage vehicles lined up in Padova.

MG arrives in Padova at end of the first leg of the epic 1,000 mile Mille Miglia run in Italy.

Six cars in the Scuderia Classiche team included owners and competitors from Britain

Competitors at the start of the 1,000 mile Mille Miglia event in Brescia, Italy
A mother who went through the heartache of eight miscarriages before having three children has revealed how her pregnancies nearly killed her, and said she owes her life her life to perinatal research.

Georgina McMahon, from Melbourne, was waiting in hospital for an emergency hysterectomy after a life-threatening interstitial pregnancy - a type of ectopic pregnancy - when she started watching the film Tracks.

The movie follows the adventure of Robyn Davidson, who walked 1,700 kilometres from Alice Springs to Cable Beach in 1977.

Mother-of-three Georgina McMahon has revealed that without expert medical intervention while pregnant with her three children Lily, 7, Isabelle, 5, and Maggie, 3, (pictured here with her husband Ryan), she and her kids would have died

All three babies were born prematurely and had to be cared for in the special care nursery, also known as the neonatal intensive care unit

The mother wanted to have as many children as possible but after the birth of her third daughter she needed to have an emergency hysterectomy

'I was halfway through the movie when I was rushed into surgery,' Mrs McMahon told Daily Mail Australia.

'I made the commitment on the spot to my surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists that I would do Alice to Cable Beach one day... they all laughed,' she said.

But on June 1 she and friend Hollie Gooden, who spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, as a baby after being born with a heart defect, will set off on the challenge.

The date marks the second anniversary of that emergency hysterectomy which silenced Mrs McMahon's dreams of having a large family.

This came after she lost eight babies between seven and 13 weeks into her pregnancies.

The woman's friend Hollie Gooden, pictured, will make the trek with her. Hollie was born with a heart condition and cared for in an NICU

Hollie has been training for the hike with her friend which kicks off on June 1

'We dreamed of a big family, always saying we wanted 6, 7 or 8 kids. From the minute you confirm you are pregnant you know the date, you start the planning in your head.

'I always went in with a positive attitude but each time I experienced a loss I was equally devastated.

'I felt like my body was letting me down, I couldnt understand why and I was letting my husband down. I was failing at enabling his dreams of a big family to come true too.'

The mother's three girls, Lily, 7, Isabelle, 5, and Maggie, 3, were all born prematurely due to life-threatening conditions which could have killed both them and their mum.

'I was lucky thanks to a great medical team who intervened at the right time. I brought three healthy girls home but so many families are not as fortunate,' she said.

'I was lucky thanks to a great medical team who intervened at the right time. I brought three healthy girls home but so many families are not as fortunate,' she said

'Lily was born at 36 weeks due to pre eclampsia, Isabelle at 34 weeks due to placenta accreta and Maggie at 32 weeks due to placenta abruption and pre-term labour from 29 weeks.

'Without medical intervention none of them or myself would be alive. All three spent time in the special care nursery in an incubator with nasal gastric feeding tubes and required assistance with breathing and regulating temperatures.'

The mother revealed it was often heartbreaking leaving her tiny children behind when she left the hospital.

'Its a completely unnatural feeling to leave hospital without your baby. Thankfully you are quickly reassured knowing they are in the best place with the best care available.

'The midwives become your life line wearing many hats; a counselor, a carer for your baby and a friend when you need someone to talk to.'

The mother has decided to raise money on her 1700km walk with every cent going toward her local special care nursery.

The mother revealed it was often heartbreaking leaving her tiny children behind when she left the hospital

She hopes it will reduce the amount of babies lost, and reduce other mothers' heartache.

'It's staggering that five premature babies a day are still born every day. That's five families that are not able to take their babies home,' she said.

'We would love to be able to raise $50k. Our fundamental aim is to help the Mercy Perinatal team get more babies home safely.'

Mrs McMahon and Mrs Goodsen have been training for the grueling desert walk to make sure she can make it the whole way.

'Its been tough to fit in in around the kids. But both Hollie and I have been doing as many long walks and rides as possible.

'I am up at the gym every morning by 5.15 for a quick session before the kids get up and then follow it up by another walk or ride during the day.

'Without medical intervention none of them or myself would be alive,' she said

'Weekends a longer walk sometimes up the Yarra Valley, 69km, and back.'

The pairs progress will be documented on Facebook and Instagram, where they will post regular updates and photos from the trek.

Donations can be made at the pair's fundraising page.

'All money raised is being donated directly to the Mercy Hospitals Perinatal team and NICU. My family know first hand the enormous resources required to care for the babies and their families while in the NICU. Its huge,' Mrs McMahon said.

'Mercy Perinatal provide clinical care, education and much needed research into complications and causes of pre term and still births. They are committed to reducing the rates of stillbirth and ensuring more babies make it home safely. This is something that is so important to us.

'I feel by encouraging more open conversations about still births and pregnancy loss it will allow families to grieve and heal more openly. By generating open conversation I believe it will provide a platform for people to tell their story and have a flow on effect and create a better support network for them to heal.'

The trek will take about 35 days with the women hoping to travel 50kms each day.
Advertisement

Two Australian surfers have taken their love for the ocean and turned it into a series of spectacular aerial photographs.

Michael Goetze and Jampal Williamson from Western Australia grew up on the seaside.

The pair first met in high school - then five years later met again and decided to join forces to create Salty Wings, a photography business specialised in taking aerial shot of the ocean with drones.

Mr Williamson claims the biggest thing he has brought to photography is his knowledge of the ocean.

'When the conditions are good for surfing that is usually when the ocean is most attractive,' he said.

'When the winds are offshore the water is glassy and reflective of the good light.'

'You can capture the landscape in a way that is other-wordly, you can capture so many things in one frame.'

The duo recently went to Tahiti with Adobe Stock and managed to take some breathtaking snaps of the stunning scenery. Mr Goetze enjoyed the trip to Tahiti.

'I've never been to a country where I've felt so relaxed. Everybody here looks you in the eye, smiles, and says hello. There's not awkwardness. The water is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.'

Michael Goetze and Jampal Williamson from Western Australia grew up on the seaside and love the ocean so decided to take photos of it for a living

The surfing duo recently went to Tahiti to take pictures with their drone

They explained their knowledge of the ocean meant they could take better photographs of it

The crystal clear water in Tahiti made for good pictures according to the photographers

The perfect surf for taking pictures is also the perfect surf for riding waves

This photograph shows the waves breaking on the pristine Tahitian beach

The drone allows the photographers to take pictures showing broader angles

Two people on speed boats help to make this image different and give it texture

'I've never been to a country where I've felt so relaxed. Everybody here looks you in the eye, smiles, and says hello,' Mr Goetze said

'There's not awkwardness. The water is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.'

The crystal clear waters are captured alongside the thick patch of trees in this photograph
A black Texas congressman says he has been threatened with lynching after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

US Rep Al Green held a town hall meeting Saturday and played recordings of several threatening voicemails left at his offices in Houston and Washington, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The seven-term Democrat told the crowd of about 100 people that he won't be deterred.

Texas Congressman Al Green, pictured, called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump on the House floor Wednesday. He is pictured on May 15

The seven-term Democrat was the first congressman to call for the impeachment of the President. At a town hall meeting Saturday, pictured, he told his constituents that he has received threatening voicemails to his congressional offices in Houston and Washington

Green was the first congressman to call for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, pictured in Riyadh on Sunday

'We are not going to be intimidated,' Green said Saturday morning. 'We are not going to allow this to cause us to deviate from what we believe to be the right thing to do and that is to proceed with the impeachment of President Trump.'

One male caller used a racial insult and threatened Green with 'hanging from a tree' if he pursues impeachment.

'You ain't going to impeach nobody. Try it and we will lynch all of you,' the man said in the voicemail played Saturday. 'You'll be hanging from a tree.'

Another man left a message saying Green would be the one impeached after 'a short trial' and then he would be hanged, according to the recording.

The representative for the 9th Congressional District of Texas took to the House floor on Wednesday to say he believes Trump committed obstruction of justice and no one's above the law.

He was the first member of Congress to call for the President's impeachment.

Green played some of the threatening voicemails at his town hall meeting Saturday, pictured, so his constituents could hear the threats he had received. He said: 'When a person talks about lynching you, we think that's a pretty serious threat'

In order to impeach the President, a majority of members in the House of Representatives is needed, but no republicans have supported his impeachment. Trump is pictured in Riyadh Sunday

Green called for Trump to be impeached after the President fired former FBI Director James Comey, pictured. Green said that Trump fired Comey because of his Russia investigation, which he called obstruction of justice

'The president fired the FBI Director who was investigating him and said he did it because of the investigation,' Green said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

'That's pretty serious. That's obstruction of justice. We believe no person is above the law, not even the President of the United States of America.'

In order to impeach the President, a majority of members of the House of Representatives is required, though there has been no support for Trump's impeachment by Republicans, according to KTRK.

Trump, a Republican, has dismissed criticism of his firing of FBI Director James Comey amid the agency's investigation of possible links between Russia and Trump campaign associates.

Green said he wanted his constituents to be aware of the hateful calls he's since received.

'When a person talks about lynching you, we think that's a pretty serious threat,' said Green, a former president of the Houston branch of the NAACP.
Trump supporter Roger Stone blasted the president for meeting Saudi Arabian leaders on Thursday.

The self-proclaimed adviser to the commander-in-chief said the Saudis' presentation of a gold medallion to Trump made him 'want to puke'.

In a tirade of Tweets, Stone berated the Arabian state, saying they should 'pay for the attack on America on 9/11 which they financed'.

The attacks, in which planes were flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as a crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killed nearly 3,000 people.

Out of the 19 hijackers of 9/11, 15 of them were from Saudi Arabia and three of them had worked for the kingdom previously.

According to one declassified intelligence document, the oil-rich nation was found to be funding Muslim radicalism in mosques and charities at the time of the attacks.

Additionally, one Saudi, who was receiving money from Prince Bandar bin Sultan reportedly told an FBI informant it was useless for the US to limit entry visas because there were already several Muslims in the country to destroy it and create an Islamic state.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Trump supporter Roger Stone blasted the president for meeting Saudi Arabian leaders on Thursday saying his receiving of a medal from the King made him want to 'throw up'

Stone also berated the Arabian state, saying they should 'pay for the attack on America on 9/11 which they financed'

In a lawsuit filed in March 2017, families of 800 victims and 1,500 first responders filed a lawsuit against the nation.

In the suit, officials of Saudi embassies are accused of helping hijackers Salem Al-Hazmi and Khalid Al-Mihdhar for more than a year before the tragedy.

Stone then slammed Trump for accepting the Order of Abdulaziz from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The order is the Middle Eastern nation's highest civilian honor and the presentation occurred during a ceremony in the capital of Riyadh.

Both former Presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush received it.

Stone also suggested, however, that Trump accepted the award only at the suggestion of his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, although he doesn't say why he made the assertion.

Trump labeled the accusations as 'fake news' and stated in a Tweet that he had 'not spoken to Roger in a long time'.

A White House spokesperson reiterated the statements saying: 'The President has not spoken to Roger Stone in many months and any reports suggesting otherwise are categorically untrue.'

Stone, however, pushed back, insisting in a tweet that he 'urged' Trump to fire former FBI director James Comey.

Last week on ABC's The View, he claimed that the two had spoken 'very recently.

Stone also suggested that he advised Trump to fire former FBI director James Comey (Trump and Stone pictured together in August 2015)

According to one declassified intelligence document, the oil-rich nation was found to be funding Muslim radicalism in mosques and charities at the time of the attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 American lives

Saudi Arabia is the President's first stop on a nine-day overseas trip, his first since taking office.

Trump arrived in the country to begin his first foreign trip as president, and gave King Salaman a firm handshake as he was greeted by a red carpet and grandeur.

By comparison, President Obama met the then-Saudi King Abdullah in 2009 during a G-20 conference in London, and bowed to him, breaking from official State Department policy that advises the President not to bow to world leaders.

Trump was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump as well as his daughter Ivanka Trump and Kushner.

Melania and Ivanka opted not to wear head scarves during the tour, less than two years after the president slammed former first lady Michelle Obama for failing to cover her head.

Melania was dressed elegantly in what is believed to be a $1,495 black Stella McCartney jumpsuit, cinched at the waist with a wide gold belt.

The President's daughter wore a $1,490 long-sleeved printed Cedric Charlier maxi dress that showed her ankles and her tan pumps as she held hands with her husband.

Melania Trump chose not to wear a head scarf when she and President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia Saturday, despite the religious country's strict dress code for women

Ivanka also chose to opt out of wearing a head covering for her arrival in Riyadh with her husband Jared Kushner

Michelle Obama did not wear a head covering when she and then-President Barack Obama visited Saudi Arabia on a condolence visit in 2015, pictured

Melania's predecessor Michelle Obama did not cover her head when she accompanied then-President Barack Obama on a condolence visit in January 2015 after the death of King Abdullah.

Donald Trump tweeted his disapproval at the time, saying: 'Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf (sic) enemies.'

Upon being awarded by Saudi King's Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Trump gave a shy curtsy, sending his savage Twitter critics in to overdrive.

Instead of bowing, he gave an ever-so-slight bend of the knees once the ornate medallion was round his neck.

The greeting is ordinarily reserved for women and girls and is seldom performed for Middle Eastern royalty.

Trump's use of it on Saturday sparked two simultaneous strains of ridicule - one on his poor grasp of etiquette and another which begged the more serious question of whether it was a sign of his willingness to bow down to deep-pocketed Arabs during his first trip overseas as president.

Saudi Arabia is the President's first stop on a nine-day overseas trip, his first since taking office. The two nations agreed to a defense deal worth nearly $110billion (King Abdulaziz Al Saud, right, speaks to President Trump after the presentation of the medal)

Also creating more laughs that evening came from Trump and his Cabinet taking part in a traditional sword dance.

The President was spotted swaying and smiling as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Saudis for the ceremonial male-only sword dance on Saturday.

Trump's Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were more inclined to get involved as they linked arms with the men next to them and awkwardly danced to the drum beats as they held their swords.

The President and the First Lady were invited to a plate of sweets with King o Abdulaziz Al Saud (right) before taking part in an evening celebration

President Trump was spotted laughing as he held the sword during the traditional sword dance

Trump's Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (right) and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (left) were more inclined to get involved as they linked arms and awkwardly danced to the drum beats while holding their swords

Trump is also scheduled to visit Israel and the Vatican. Aides say that Trump's message will be one of 'religious unity', before attending a G7 summit in Italy.

The president's Saudi Arabia visit culminated with a joint pledge to 'counter violent extremism, disrupt the financing of terrorism and advance defense cooperation' between Saudi Arabia and the US.

The two nations also agreed to a defense deal worth nearly $110billion.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Trump said it was a 'tremendous day' and added that 'hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs. So I would like to thank all of the people of Saudi Arabia.'
Thousands of people seeking asylum in Australia have been told they must lodge their protection visa applications within four months or face deportation from the country.

About 7500 asylum seekers currently living in Australia have until October 1 to submit their Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa form.

The federal government has warned those who fail to meet the deadline will be prevented from making another application for any Australian visa, The Daily Telegraph reported.

About 7500 people seeking protection in Australia have been given until October 1 to submit their visa claims (stock image)

Immigration minister Peter Dutton said many Australians would question why people who were 'desperate enough to pay people smugglers' would not actively seek a protection visa (stock image)

Any welfare benefits they were entitled to will also be axed.

Immigration minister Peter Dutton said if those issued with the deadline were serious about seeking protection in Australia they should lodge their visa claims.

'Many Australians would question why people claiming to be fleeing persecution, supposedly desperate enough to pay people smugglers, would not actively seek protection despite being in Australia for years,' Mr Dutton said.

'They should lodge a protection application - so their claims can be tested - or leave.'

Immigration minister Peter Dutton (pictured) has issued about 7500 people with the four-month deadline to apply for their protection visa

In total, about 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting for their claims to be processed (stock image)

Those given the visa deadline have never made an application for protection despite living in Australia for up to five years.

If they fail to submit their applications, they will be given short term visas as the make plans to leave Australia.

In total, about 17,000 people are currently receiving government welfare benefits as part of the Status Resolution Support Services and more than 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting for their claims to be dealt with.
Muslim school students will volunteer at RSLs, surf-lifesaving clubs and walk the Kokoda Track under a proposed deradicalisation plan.

Former Punchbowl Boys High School principal Jihad Dib proposed the plan this week after he admitted he felt 'saddened' by the fact his former school was at the centre of a student radicalisation problem.

Mr Dib, the Shadow Minister for Education, said he wanted to make the program mandatory in schools across Australia.

Former Punchbowl Boys High School principal Jihad Dib (pictured) proposed the plan this week after he admitted he felt 'saddened' by the fact his former school was at the centre of a student radicalisation problem

Mr Dib said students needed to involve themselves in volunteer and group activities to ensure they developed strong ties to the Australian community.

'Shutting down a school from the community is wrong  we need to give students a sense of belonging by breaking down barriers with the community,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Dib said he introduced the community based activities during his tenure at the school from 2007 to 2014.

He said he worked hard to transform the school from a tough, reclusive environment into a respected community group.

'We introduced the sense of social responsibility through volunteering at RSL clubs, surf lifesaving  these are the things that we need to do again to break down the barriers,' he said.

Muslim school students at Punchbowl Boys High School (pictured) and other schools, to volunteer at RSLs, surf-lifesaving and Kokada Track walks under principal's plan to deradicalise

The teacher, known by the pseudonym Mrs A, said students as young as 10-years-old were bullying other children into converting to Islam, bringing Islamic State propaganda like the ISIS flag (pictured) to school and threatening to behead teachers

Mr Dib also said walking the Kokoda track with the students gave them a better understanding of Australia.

Punchbowl Boys High School, a large majority Muslim school in Sydney's south-west, has been at the centre of a state-wide deradicalisation initiative after a teacher at the school blew the whistle on the alarming behaviour of some students.

The teacher, known by the pseudonym Mrs A, said students as young as 10-years-old were bullying other children into converting to Islam, bringing Islamic State propaganda to school and threatening to behead teachers.

A spokesman for the Department of Education confirmed to Daily Mail Australia some of the incidents Mrs A described had taken place at the school.

Punchbowl Boys High School (pictured), a large majority Muslim school in Sydney's south-west, has been at the centre of a state-wide deradicalisation initiative

Mr Dib said the school, and others, needed to talk openly about ISIS (Muslim protesters holding ISIS flags pictured in India)

Mr Dib said the school, and others, needed to talk openly about ISIS and its threat to young impressionable students.

He said teachers needed to discuss Islamic State in the classroom to remove its 'martyr' status.

'You can't pretend it doesn't happen  that's the worst thing we can do. It needs to be talked about, for kids to ask questions and for us to tell them what we know,' he said.

Mr Dib said the school based program would help students forge close relationships with the community.

He said it was important for students to have a relationship with police officers in particular, to help them understand they were not the enemy.

Mr Dib said the school based program would help students at Punchbowl Boys High School forge close relationships with the community

Chris Griffiths (pictured), who was principal from 2014 to 2017, was removed from his role in March this year after an investigation found 'a high level of staff disunity and disharmony'

Mr Dib said he introduced community activities during his time as principal, but most of it was scrapped by his successor Chris Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths, who was principal from 2014 to 2017, was removed from his role in March this year after an investigation found 'a high level of staff disunity and disharmony'.

An investigation into Punchbowl Boys High School found female teachers were discriminated against and the school had formed a fragile and negative relationship with the police.

The New South Wales Department of Education found that the school was reluctant to implement the School Communities Working Together program while Mr Griffiths was principal.

The School Communities Working Together program was a government initiative designed to prevent students from becoming brainwashed by Islamic extremists.
President Donald Trump called on Middle Eastern leaders to combat a "crisis of Islamic extremism" emanating from the region, casting the fight against terrorism as a "battle between good and evil," not a clash between the West and Islam.

Trump's address Sunday was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as president. During a meeting of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders, he sought to chart a new course for America's role in the region, one aimed squarely on rooting out terrorism, with less focus on promoting human rights and democratic reforms.

"We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said, speaking in an ornate, multi-chandeliered room. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all."

Even as the president pledged to work alongside Middle Eastern nations, he put the onus for combatting terrorism on the region. Bellowing into the microphone, he implored Muslim leaders to aggressively fight extremists: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

The president has been enthusiastically embraced in Riyadh, where the ruling royal family has welcomed his tougher stance on Iran, its regional foe. Sitting alongside Trump, Saudi King Salman declared, "The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism."

For Trump, the visit has been a welcome escape from the crush of controversies that have consumed his administration in recent weeks. He's been besieged by a series of revelations about the ongoing federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, who had been overseeing the Russia probe.

Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia also served as something of a reset with the region following his presidential campaign, which was frequently punctured by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric. He once mused that he thought "Islam hates us."

And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries  Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen  from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

But on Sunday, Trump was full of praise for Muslim world's history and culture. He declared Islam "one of the world's great faiths."

White House officials said they considered Trump's address to be a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.

Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of America's missteps in the region. That speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticized by a number of the United States' Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.

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President Donald Trump signed a record-breaking 85 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia last night as he embarked on a make or break first foreign tour.

Mr Trump and First Lady Melania, in a striking black jumpsuit and statement gold belt, her hair uncovered, were given a royal welcome by Saudi King Salman as they began the nine-day tour after another chaotic week in Washington.

A White House source said: This trip is a chance for Trump to hit the reset button and be viewed as a leader on the world stage. Its make or break for him, after the disastrous weeks of scandals at home.

President Donald Trump signed a record-breaking 85 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia as he was welcomed by King Salman (left)

This is one of the largest arms deals in history and the Saudi welcome is unprecedented.

Melania raised eyebrows by refusing to cover her hair with a headscarf in the strict Muslim country.

Trump lashed out at Michelle Obama when she refused to cover her head during a 2015 visit, tweeting: Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf (sic) enemies.

Mr Obama  unpopular in the region for his views on human rights  was given a frosty welcome on his final visit to the state last year and was met only by a provincial governor and a handful of staff.

By contrast, the Trumps were greeted by the entire royal family and court and enjoyed a welcome complete with military bands, fly past and a glittering state dinner last night.

The new President is enormously popular with the Arabs because he is focusing on trade and the fight against Islamic State, the source added.

His trip comes amid chaos in the US following his firing of FBI director James Comey, who he called a nut job.

Comey, who led a probe into alleged ties between the Trump administration and Russia, is to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which many experts say will be devastating for the President.

Mr Trump and First Lady Melania, in a striking black jumpsuit and statement gold belt, her hair uncovered, were given a royal welcome

One told CNN: Comey is likely to tear Trump apart in the most public and humiliating way possible.

Last night reports emerged that Trump is set to hire a criminal lawyer to fight accusations that he fired Comey to prevent the truth about his links with Russia coming out.

The President travels to Israel tomorrow. On Tuesday he heads to the Vatican before leaving for a Nato summit in Brussels.

His last stop is the G7 summit in Sicily at the end of the week, where he is expected to meet Theresa May.
Richard Rojas (above during his court appearance on Friday) said he was trying to get psychological help before he went on a drug-crazed rampage

The driver who plowed through pedestrians at Times Square on Thursday, killing one and injuring 22, has admitted he was trying to get help for mental health issues before going on his drug-crazed rampage.

Richard Rojas, 26, spoke to The New York Post from Rikers Island, where he is being held on murder and attempted murder charges, on Saturday.

Through tears he told how he had been trying to 'fix' his life by getting a girlfriend and a job after falling in to a drug-addled lifestyle since leaving the US Navy in 2014.

'I was trying to get help. I wanted to fix my life. I wanted to get a job. Get a girlfriend,' he told the newspaper in his jailhouse interview.

On Thursday, Rojas said he had something to eat with his mother and then got behind the wheel of his maroon Honda accord to 'clear his head'.

He smoked synthetic marijuana laced with PCP and drove, he said, but does not remember unleashing carnage on the midtown Manhattan tourist spot at 11.55am.

'It was just a normal morning. I had a sandwich...I wanted to clear my head. I told my mom, I said I was just going around.

'The last thing I remember is driving in my car. Then, I woke up in the precinct...I was terrified,' he said.

Despite apologizing to his victims, Rojas then suggested he was not convinced it was him who caused their deaths and injuries.

Rojas was photographed trying to flee the scene on Thursday after crashing his maroon Honda accord through crowds and into safety bollards

He was eventually arrested by NYPD officers after being tackled to the ground by a Planet Hollywood bouncer

Footage captured him driving through the crowds manically before the car crashed

'I know it was my car. I know I left in it. But I want to verify that Im the person,' he said.

On Thursday morning, he mounted the pavement at the busy tourist hot spot, plowing through crowds until he crashed in to safety bollards.

Alyssa Elsman, 18, died at the scene

He then hopped out of the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene, running across the road with his arms outstretched and screaming.

A passing photographer captured him trying to run. Rojas was eventually tackled by a Planet Hollywood bouncer and was then taken away by NYPD officers who he later told: 'I wanted to kill them... you were supposed to shoot me'.

Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Elsman died at the scene. The Michigan teenager was visiting New York with her family.

Twenty-two others were injured, four of them critically.

Within hours of the attack, it emerged Rojas had served in the US Navy but never overseas.

His friends said that since returning to the Bronx from the Jacksonville, Florida, base where he was stationed in 2014, he turned to alcohol and drugs because he felt unappreciated by society.

Rojas said he knew it was his car at the scene but that he wanted to ensure it was him who was driving it. He is seen above in court on Friday

Rojas made the comments during an interview from Rikers Island where he is being held

A week ago, he was arrested after pulling a knife on a 45-year-old man in his neighborhood.

He was allowed to walk free after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated stalking as part of a plea deal.

Late on Thursday night, he was charged with second degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated vehicular homicide for the Times Square tragedy.

Elsman's father had to be rushed to hospital to be calmed down after her death. He spoke in an interview on Friday to say he would never forgive his daughter's killer.
The sultry new star of Poldark learned she had landed a role in the hit BBC bodice-ripper while she was on her way to try for another job  in a coffee shop.

I got the Poldark call as I was walking to the cafe in North London where I used to be a barista to ask for my old job back, reveals Ellise Chappell in an exclusive interview in todays You magazine. I turned around and skipped home.

Ms Chappell, 24, who landed the role of Morwenna in the third series after just two previous TV parts in The Last Dragonslayer and New Blood, admits that, like many others, she is not immune to the charms of Aidan Turner, who plays Ross Poldark.

Ellise is set to steal hearts in the new series of Poldark in June. SUIT, Intropia. SHIRT, Mother of Pearl, from Harvey Nichols

I can recognise that hes a very, very good-looking man, she says. But she diplomatically insists that she would not choose him over her own on-screen love interest, Demelzas brother Drake, who is played by Harry Richardson. I dont know if I could pick theyre all gorgeous, she declares.

Poldark will return on BBC1 next month.

Am I a young fogey? Thats a fair statement! giggles Ellise Chappell, the 24-year-old new star of Poldark, as she talks You magazine through her typically millennial good-girl lifestyle.

Im a sucker for a National Trust house, especially ones that do cream teas, she says, as she perches on a battered leather sofa at todays photo shoot location house, wide-eyed and pixie-like with her blunt fringe and petite frame.

She takes a swig of absinthe  joke! Its green tea  and explains how she practises yoga daily, jogs every other day and spends a lot of time propping up juice bars. In keeping with the new breed of young actors  clean-living, serious-minded (patron saint: Emma Watson, whom Ellise name-checks as an influence), shes very focused and very sweet.

Although she arrived in her civvies  grey jumper and black skinny jeans  from the shoulders up shes in glam mode today, thanks to the hair and make-up team. Is she off out on the town to make the most of it? Its tempting to not let it go to waste, but I think Ill go home and lie down, she smiles sheepishly.

To be fair, its probably a good thing that Ellise is having a lie down now, as her feet will be unlikely to touch the ground once the third series of Poldark heaves into public view.

For someone barely out of university and with only two TV credits to her name (both of them from just last year), being pitched as a major player in a much-loved show with more than five million viewers is a very big deal indeed. Does she feel as though shes on the cusp of something huge? Yeah! she squeaks, pulling a yikes face. Im excited but apprehensive. How do you prepare for that? Im trying to take things as they come and enjoy it.

Ellise is taking success as it comes and enjoying it. DRESS, Ong-Oaj Pairam. RING, Monica Vinader

The BBC One Sunday night stalwart, based on the novels by Winston Graham and set in 18th-century Cornwall, picks up in 1794 and sees Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) traversing rocky terrain, both personally and professionally, as Cornish life is affected by the French Revolution and he tries to rebuild his marriage with Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) after his infidelity with Elizabeth (Heida Reed). Ellise is among a host of new characters: It was great coming in when there were quite a few new faces  that made everything less daunting, she says.

She plays Morwenna, a cousin of Elizabeth. Morwenna is employed by Elizabeths caddish husband George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) as governess to his stepson Geoffrey Charles, whose father, Francis Poldark, drowned in series two. George, as youll remember, hates all Poldarks, so charges Morwenna with keeping the youngster  now a tween  out of his way.

This animosity is unlikely to dissipate, given that the series two cliffhanger revealed Elizabeth to be pregnant with a baby who might have been fathered by Ross, Georges arch-enemy.

Ellise as Morwenna in the third series of BBC One's Poldark

But back to the new generation: two other big arrivals in series three are Demelzas brothers who seek out their sibling after their father dies. Sam (Tom York) is an earnest preacher, while Drake (Harry Richardson, the handsome Frank Gresham in Julian Fellowess Doctor Thorne) is a free-spirited blacksmith.

The latter meets Morwenna on the beach, where shes playing with Geoffrey Charles, and they fall in love; a storyline which promises to tug at the heartstrings through series three.

They form this kind of family unit with Geoffrey Charles, says Ellise. Shes a gentle, innocent, dutiful girl. But underneath she has a bit of fire and an adventurous side, which she doesnt realise is there until she arrives in Cornwall.

The path of true love, naturally, doesnt run smooth, thanks to their differing social statuses and the Poldark/Warleggan rivalry. Shes aware that shes not really supposed to be with him but she doesnt realise how deep-rooted the family feud is. She gathers the courage to go against whats expected of her and goes on a turbulent journey, says Ellise.

As for Harry Richardson, Ellise describes the Australian as the coolest. To help manufacture their on-screen chemistry, they met up before filming to hang out in a park in London. Like a date? No! she giggles. It didnt feel like a date; it was just fun. We thought if wed be doing romantic scenes, it would be nice to know each other a bit.

Ellise says there was plenty of time off-set to bond with the Poldark cast. DRESS, Luisa Beccaria. CARDIGAN, Cacharel Paris. EARRINGS, Pippa Small

As 18th-century women bound by the social mores of the day, both Elizabeth and Morwenna ponder relationships based on love versus those predicated on money and status. Ellise is clear where she stands: Im a complete romantic and Id always go for heart over head. Its those around you who make you happy, so you have to be with the right people.

The person who makes Ellise happy is Yuan, her half-Chinese boyfriend, with whom she lives in North London. Hes a cameraman/editor at a fashion studio: He understands my job because hes constantly on sets himself, and he gets the fact that I have to be away a lot. Hes super-supportive.

As for the Poldark men, is she aligned with much of the female population in fancying Aidan Turner? Ha ha, I can recognise that hes a very, very good-looking man. Hes lovely as well, she says. Whos the sexiest character? I dont know if I could pick  theyre all gorgeous, she demurs.

Cast camaraderie is important to Ellise and Poldark came up trumps in that respect: she describes them as like a family, thanks to the bonding opportunities that come with a lengthy six-month shoot in far-flung rural locations.

Off-set, she socialised with Eleanor Tomlinson, Harry Marcus (who plays Geoffrey Charles), Harry Richardson, Tom York, Beatie Edney (Prudie) and another newcomer, Christian Brassington  previously seen as Boris Johnson in the More4 docudrama When Boris Met Dave  who takes on the role of sex-obsessed vicar Osborne Whitworth (portrayed by Christopher Biggins in the 1970s TV series).

Together, they played a lot of word game Bananagrams (reigning champions: Beatie and Eleanor) and took it in turns to cook for each other in their hotel room kitchenettes. Ellises go wasnt a roaring success.

Im an awful cook. I burn everything. I made a Thai green curry and as it was cooking, I was dancing around the kitchen, thinking, Yeah! This is going great! But I managed to fall into the pan handle and knock the entire thing on the floor. I had to quickly text everyone and say, Um, can we meet in the bar instead?

When I told my mum about Poldark she couldn't stop laughing and I cried. Then I laughed and she cried

Her on-screen cousin was on hand for corset-based tips, such as the need to eat breakfast before you put it on to minimise indigestion. Heida also helped calm the ingenues nerves: She said once a scene is done, just put it out of your mind and dont dwell on it. Theres no point in freaking out afterwards because you cant change it.

The Icelandic actress emails me to say: Ellise was a real joy! Shes made for this cast  she doesnt take herself too seriously and is goofy like the rest of us. She made me laugh so many times. We compiled a collection of jokes to keep us entertained between scenes.

Filming wrapped in the spring and Ellise is missing her new gang. The post-filming blues set in, she sighs. You see these people every day and form lots of friendships and then theyre not there. You still message now and then but you feel suddenly cut off.

As for whats next for her, shes not entirely sure  though a fourth series of Poldark has recently been announced  but shes relaxed about the ebb and flow of an actors life. Shes keeping her fingers crossed for a sequel to The Last Dragonslayer, the Sky TV movie that was shown on Christmas Day. Ellise played the lead, Jennifer Strange, in the adaptation of the first of Jasper Ffordes fantasy novel series.

Ellise in Sky 1's The Last Dragonslayer

Growing up in rural Warwickshire, Ellise was a country girl who spent her childhood making dens in cornfields with her brother Matt, visiting arboretums and going on canal-boat holidays. Shes very close to her father, who runs a small publishing company, her graphic designer mother and Matt, who is now a writer.

How did her family react when she landed Poldark? My mum and dad pretty much wet themselves, she laughs. When I rang my mum to tell her she couldnt stop laughing and I was crying. Then I started laughing and she started crying. She heard the news shortly after shed finished filming The Last Dragonslayer and was twiddling her thumbs. I got the Poldark call as I was walking to the cafe in North London where I used to be a barista to ask for my old job back. I stopped in my tracks, turned around and skipped home.

'Theres definitely still a long way to go in terms of the pay gap and the balance between men and women in the industry,' says Ellise. DRESS and UNDERWEAR, Amanda Wakeley. SHOES, Jimmy Choo

She comes from a comfortable background, but is no dilettante and doesnt ask her parents for financial help: This career is unpredictable but I know theres always a way to make money in the end. You can come up with ideas. If theres a dry patch, I can go back to the cafe, or Id love to write a childrens book one day.

Ellise can pinpoint the day when she set her heart on acting. She had a minor part in her private girls schools production of A Midsummers Nights Dream. The girl playing Oberon, king of the fairies, fell ill one day and Ellise was asked to stand in, only for the girl to recover in time for that evenings show. I had to step down and I was so gutted  I really, really wanted to do it. It was at that moment I thought, This is for me.

ELLISE'S A-LIST Breakfast of choice Porridge or Weetabix with fruit and seeds. Last book you read Stoner by John Williams. It was written in the 60s and its so simple and beautiful. Dream dinner party guests Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Schumer and Emma Thompson. No men at my dinner party! Favourite music Little Dragon, Bonobo, Grimes. Favourite social media Instagram because you can be really creative with it. In three words youre Loyal, conscientious, silly. Wardrobe staples Zara, & Other Stories, Gap, Whistles. Cant leave home without My Mondaine watch. My parents bought it for me and everyone in the family has one, in a different size and colour. Which is a bit nerdy! Motto I read something recently I liked: Im not afraid of storms for Im learning how to sail my ship. Its from Little Women. Advertisement

Ellise was a bit of a loner as a teenager, sitting in her room, reading and drawing. Today she posts her impressively accomplished charcoal sketches on Twitter: Friends commission them as gifts. I find it therapeutic but its strictly a hobby.

After school, she had a wobble, dropping out of her English literature/language degree at the University of Sheffield in her first year, a period she cites as the toughest time in her life.

It was hard and I wasnt happy. My friends were pursuing more academic careers and I thought I should, too. Im quite impressionable like that. She settled instead at Exeter, studying drama.

With people now paying for their university education, did she feel she got good value for money? Yes, I think its good for building yourself as a person, for learning to pay bills, to cook for yourself, to be an adult. I valued it for that, she says.

Following two short courses at The Actors Class in London, she cut her stage teeth with the National Youth Theatre in 2015. Last year, she had a small part in two episodes of New Blood, BBC Ones young, zingy crime drama.

Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Anna Chancellor, who starred in that show and also The Last Dragonslayer, left an impression on Ellise: I think shes absolutely fabulous and what I learned from her is that its cool to ask questions, to really make sure you know what youre doing.

In these post-Trump, post-Brexit times, its hard to get most actors to shut up about politics, but Ellise politely refuses to go there, saying: I dont feel like Im knowledgeable enough yet to make a good comment about it.

Like a lot of millennials, though, she does want to talk about environmentalism. Its something I feel passionately about. I really admire Emma Watson for raising awareness of sustainable fashion, and Emma Thompsons work protesting fracking in the UK. At the moment, Im just taking small steps. I donate to Greenpeace and Im trying to be less wasteful, like buying unpackaged fruit and veg.

She also has an interesting take on sexism in her industry. I watched a TED talk by [Facebook COO] Sheryl Sandberg, who made the point that women are more likely to underestimate their own abilities and attribute their successes to external factors rather than themselves, which I thought was interesting and something that Ive certainly done myself, she says.

Theres definitely still a long way to go in terms of the pay gap and the balance between men and women in the industry, but my own experiences have been pretty positive so far. There are lots of fantastic female roles in Poldark, plus the writer and some of the executive producers on the show are women. And my character in The Last Dragonslayer was brave, kind and full of integrity. It was an amazing opportunity for me.

From student to the new star of TVs hottest drama in the blink of an eye: thats quite a trajectory. I feel like a big sponge, soaking up experiences. The past year has been a whirlwind, she says, draining her tea and neatening her fringe.

One of the reasons its been so wonderful is that Ive never really set any markers on where I should be at a certain point. Its a fairly organic industry and theres lots of rejection, but other opportunities arise all the time. So I feel happy with where I am. Young fogey, perhaps, but that sensible head will serve her well.

Poldark will return to BBC One on Sundays at 9pm next month

Styling Jodie Nellist. Hair Shukeel Murtaza at Frank Agency using Fudge Professional. Make-up Afton Radojicic at Stella Creative Artists using Sisley Skincare
Author Anthony Horowitz has revealed that he was warned off including a black character in a new book  because it would be inappropriate for a white writer to do so

Best selling author Anthony Horowitz has revealed that he was warned off including a black character in a new book  because it would be inappropriate for a white writer to do so.

Speaking to todays Event magazine, Horowitz  creator of the Alex Rider spy novels  says he was upset and disturbed when an editor told him that devising black characters could be interpreted as patronising.

This is maybe dangerous territory but there is a chain of thought in America that it is inappropriate for white writers to try to create black characters, he says.

That it is actually not our experience and therefore to do so is, by its very nature, artificial and possibly patronising. Therefore I was warned off doing it. Which was, I thought, disturbing and upsetting.

Horowitz, 62, who wanted to include a white and a black protagonist in a new series of childrens books, says he is now having second thoughts about including the black character.

The father-of-two said: Taking it to its logical extreme, all my characters will from now be 62-year-old white Jewish men living in London. I havent yet decided what to do. I will have to think about whether this character can be black or white.

Horowitz, who also created the TV drama Foyles War, was branded a racist and vilified on social media after saying during a previous interview with Event that the actor Idris Elba was too street to play James Bond.

Horowitz was accused of racism after actor Idris Elba (above) was too street to play James Bond

The author says he was mortified by the fallout from the comment, adding: It was unpleasant because it went against everything that I believe in.

The character I was being portrayed as was not the person I am.

Horowitz said he said sorry to Elba at a film premiere. He says: I went up to him rather nervously to apologise for the argument that happened.

He could not have been more charming, more delightful and more humane.

Im not abdicating responsibility, Im still deeply sorry. Im still annoyed at myself, it was stupid.

It has changed me in that Im now much more guarded, more careful, more discreet.

Horowitz, whose new Alex Rider novel, Never Say Die, will be published on June 1, is also looking forward to a new TV series based on the books. He says: Im very excited. Weve done a deal with ITV.
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They were once the go-to stop for a date or a family night out in the 1950s.

But six decades on, drive-in theaters around America are few and far between. In the Fifties, there were about 4000, and now the number has dwindled to a meagre 324, according to the United Drive-In Theater Owners Association.

Photographer Lindsey Rickert wanted to relive the 'magic' she felt in her childhood when she visited these theaters so she embarked on an ambitious project - that took her on a 12,022-mile trip to 32 states in 65 days - to take pictures of 28 abandoned and operating drive-in theaters around the country.

Speaking about the reason she decided to focus on this past time wonder, she said: 'There is just something about them that feels like they are from another time, even when they happen to be updated and modernized.

'They are this beautiful piece of history that is hanging on and finding new ways to survive. '

Drive-in theaters around America are less popular than they were in the Fifties, when there were about 4000. Now, the number has dwindled to a meagre 324, according to the United Drive-In Theater Owners Association. Pictured is one of the few operational ones, the Saco Drive-In in Saco, Maine

Photographer Lindsey Rickert - pictured at the abandoned 104th St Drive-In in Portland, Oregon - embarked on an ambitious project to photograph abandoned and operating drive-in theaters because she wanted to relive the 'magic' she felt in her childhood when she visited them

Her project took her on a 12,022-mile trip to 32 states in 65 days. By the end of her journey, she'd taken pictures of 28 abandoned and operating drive-in theaters around the country. The one she'd snapped here was called the Tonto Drive-In, in Winslow, Arizona

Rickert was just seven or eight years old when she went to her first drive-in. She remembers playing tag under the big screen, and even falling asleep in a pile of blankets midway through the movie.

So she felt the nostalgia while she snapped the stunning photos, her favorite of which is the one she took Yerington, Nevada, which showed an abandoned theatre decorated with a rainbow behind it.

'This was the first abandoned drive-in of the trip and a huge storm was moving in as I searched for the site,' she said.

'Rain was pouring, the wind was blowing hard, and I was in the middle of the desert.

'I was unsure if I would ever find it, but as soon as I arrived, the rain suddenly stopped.'

Suddenly, she says, it was all worth it.

'As the sun began to set, a huge rainbow appeared over the screen. Before that, I was nervous about the magnitude of the project, but when I saw that rainbow over the dilapidated screen, my excitement took over and my nerves were put to rest.'

Her favorite picture is the one she took at the Sage Crest Drive-InYerington, Nevada, (pictured) which showed an abandoned theater decorated with a rainbow behind it

'My excitement took over and my nerves were put to rest ,' she said when she got the shot she'd struggled to get. Another rainbow showed up when she took a picture - above - of the Valle Drive-In in Newton, Iowa

To find the abandoned drive-in theaters, Rickert spent several hours searching on Google, Flickr and enthusiast websites. Pictured is the East Hartford Family Drive-In in South Windsor, Connecticut

But the information was not always accurate and once she arrived at a place that neither had an abandoned or operating movie theatre. She was fortunate when she snapped the operational 99W Drive-In, located in Newberg, Oregon

Before starting her journey, she says she placed a large map on her wall and put thumbtacks everywhere she'd found interesting locations, which included the Frontier Drive-in in Center, Colorado (pictured)

Soon, her route was clear and Rickert - pictured at the abandoned Hilltop Drive-In in Joliet, Illinois - says she learned lessons along the way. One of which was to wear long boots, since rattle snakes were notorious in one abandoned theater she'd visited

The first ever drive-in movie theater - which were previously called park-in theaters - was set up in Crescent Boulevard in Camden, New Jersey. Pictured is the Showtown Drive-In in Monroe, Louisiana

Drive- in theatres - invented by a sales manager called Richard Hollingshead in 1933 - became an iconic part of American culture after WWII. Pictured is the abandoned Tee Pee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Laura Kuenssberg was accused by Corbyn supporters of having a 'snarling' countenance when mentioning the Labour leader

The BBC has threatened to inform the employers of people who make online comments about the Corporation that officials deem are offensive or inappropriate.

The draconian policy means viewers who post vitriolic remarks about BBC personalities such as Laura Kuenssberg or Mary Beard could find complaints sent to their bosses by Corporation spies.

But last night the Big Brother tactics outlined in the broadcasters privacy policy were branded a chilling attack on freedom of speech by campaigners.

Critics say what BBC officials regard as inappropriate may differ from that which offends others.

The row comes as large numbers of viewers give the BBC their name, date of birth and home address in order to use the iPlayer on-demand service.

An amended version of the Corporations Privacy and Cookies Policy reads: If you post or send offensive, inappropriate or objectionable content anywhere on or to BBC websites or otherwise engage in any disruptive behaviour on any BBC service, the BBC may use your personal information to stop such behaviour.

Where the BBC reasonably believes that you are or may be in breach of any applicable laws (eg because content you have posted may be defamatory), the BBC may use your personal information to inform relevant third parties such as your employer, school email/internet provider or law enforcement agencies about the content and your behaviour.

It raises the question of whether criticism of BBC figures such as political editor Ms Kuenssberg, historian Mary Beard or Bake Off finalist Ruby Tandoh could have led to action.

Ms Tandoh said she was savaged on Twitter by misogynist trolls when she was on the show in 2013. Chef Raymond Blanc suggested the ex-model was too thin to enjoy good food but later apologised.

Ms Kuenssberg was targeted last year by Jeremy Corbyn supporters, with one woman accusing her of biased reporting and having a snarling countenance whenever she mentioned the Labour leader.

Great British Bake Off contestant Ruby Tandoh said she was savaged on Twitter by 'misogynists' when she was a finalist in 2013. Chef Raymond Blanc said she was 'too thin to enjoy food' before saying sorry

Cambridge classicist Mary Beard was labelled a 'filthy old s***' by student Oliver Rawlings in 2013, but she forgave him after he apologised and offered to buy her lunch

Cambridge professor Ms Beard was branded a filthy old sl** by student Oliver Rawlings in 2013, but she forgave him after he offered to buy her lunch.

The document also shows the BBC plans to use viewers details to target them with marketing messages on third-party services such as Facebook, Twitter and Google.

Jo Glanville, of writers organisation English PEN, which campaigns for freedom of expression, said: The BBC risks setting itself up as a policeman and nanny without any clarity as to how it proposes to safeguard personal data or the publics right to exchange ideas, opinions and information without censure.

HOW THE BBC WILL SPY ON ITS VIEWERS If you post or send offensive, inappropriate or objectionable content anywhere on or to BBC websites or engage in disruptive behaviour on any BBC service, the BBC may use your personal information to stop such behaviour. Where the BBC believes you may be in breach of any applicable laws, the BBC may use your personal information to inform your employer, school email/internet provider or law enforcement agencies. Advertisement

The BBCs policy poses a chill on freedom of expression and risks the misuse of personal data. On what basis is the BBC going to decide when content is offensive, inappropriate or objectionable  none of which is illegal?

And how do they propose to stop such behaviour without misusing personal data or undermining freedom of expression?

The Corporation policy, which a spokesman said was standard, does not clearly define what constitutes disruptive behaviour.

Tom Slater, of Spiked magazine, said the move should concern anyone who believes in free speech.

He added: The definitions are so broad. Objectionable according to whom? That anyone could draft this without getting flashes of Nineteen Eighty-Four is beyond me.

Defending the BBC, Prof Beard said: The important point for me is that this is in the end a judgment call. Written guidelines have a habit of looking either too weak or too strong; it all depends on the good judgment of the person or persons interpreting the rule, on deciding what counts as offensive. In my own experience the BBC has tended to show good judgment.

A senior BBC source said they were not aware of any occasion when an employer had been contacted, and said it applied to serious breaches of the law, though it is not phrased that way.

The source refused to reveal how the BBC decides what is offensive and did not comment on the process for contacting a users employer.
A young woman has tragically died after being hit by a minibus while changing a tyre on a Sydney freeway.

The woman pulled over to change a flat tyre on the Warringah Freeway early on Sunday morning and died at the scene after suffering critical injuries.

A man who pulled over to help the woman and witnessed the horrific incident has been taken to hospital and treated for shock.

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A woman in her 20s has been killed after being hit by a minibus while changing a tyre

The minibus slammed into two parked cars before fatally hitting the victim on the Warringah Freeway in Sydney

The woman was believed to be heading towards the city when pulling over to change the flat tyre.

A man pulled over to help the woman after noticing she was experiencing problems with her car.

The minibus is believed to have come around the corner of the freeway and collided with both parked cars and the woman.

All three vehicles were extensively damaged during the incident but the man and the driver were not injured.

A man had pulled over to help the woman change her tyre but he was not injured

It is not known whether there were any passengers on the bus at the time of the incident

Police are investigating and have performed mandatory drug and alcohol tests on the driver of the bus.

It is not known whether the bus had any passengers on-board at the time of the incident and if any further injuries were sustained.

Witnesses told the Daily Telegraph the sound of the crash was so loud they thought it was an explosion in their house.

'I thought the house blew up, the whole house shook,' a man said.

'The noise was horrendous, its absolutely horrific.'
Social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook are helping to fuel an epidemic of skin cancer, according to an expert.

Harley Street dermatologist Christopher Rowland Payne said selfie-obsessed youngsters were ignoring warnings about long- term damage for a momentary like from friends.

Dr Rowland Payne said: You can be tanned in three or four days, but the adverse consequences come much later. Its short-term reward  pleasure now  but long-term cost.

Social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook are helping to fuel an epidemic of skin cancer, according to an expert

He added: The selfie craze and bragging on Instagram and other social media sites these make people try to be brown and that very much feeds into this problem.

Dr Rowland Payne claimed studies showed many people still considered it cool to have a tan.

Public health campaigns had failed to change attitudes to being out in the sun in the way that warnings about lung cancer had turned people off smoking cigarettes.

Smoking is now considered yucky, but tanning is not, he said, adding: Women seek a tan more than men, but men admire women who are tanned.

Harley Street dermatologist Christopher Rowland Payne said selfie-obsessed youngsters were ignoring warnings about long- term damage for a momentary like from friends

People also liked tanning because it gave them a physical high, he said, explaining that the sensation was akin to taking a drug.

Skin cancer is the most common and fastest rising form of cancer in the UK.

Melanomas are the most deadly form, killing 2,500 people in Britain every year.

Dr Rowland Payne said that on holidays he always spotted people with skin cancer, adding: If I spot one, I take the person aside and have a quiet word with them.
A leading Conservative today accuses his party of trying to block his election to Parliament because of his long-running campaign to improve the care of war veterans.

Johnny Mercer, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, claims that Tory HQ tried to gag him when he was hoping to win his Plymouth Moor seat at the 2015 Election.

Mr Mercer, a Captain in the Royal Artillery, has been an outspoken critic of the care that soldiers receive after they return from Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighting the suicide rate and poor mental health among traumatised veterans.

Johnny Mercer, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, claims that Tory HQ tried to gag him when he was hoping to win his Plymouth Moor seat at the 2015 Election

His campaign was vindicated last week when Theresa May pledged in the Conservative manifesto to set up a special unit in Whitehall dedicated to the needs of former soldiers.

Now in his new book, We Were Warriors, serialised in todays Mail on Sunday, the 35-year-old  who is campaigning to be re-elected in the seat on June 8  reveals that he was summoned to a meeting at Tory HQ by two officials. There he was told by one that he needed to be really careful and to give up on trying to win his seat.

The official added: Why do you think you should be supported? Who do you think you are? What have you done with your life?

Shortly afterwards, Mr Mercer was summoned to a second meeting at Tory HQ in which Sir Lynton Crosby, who is also in charge of the 2017 campaign, told him: You aint gonna win, mate.

Mr Mercer, a Captain in the Royal Artillery, has been an outspoken critic of the care that soldiers receive after they return from Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighting the suicide rate and poor mental health among traumatised veterans

Mr Mercer won his seat in 2015 with a majority of just over 1,000 after organising his own campaign, raising funds by working on a building site and appearing topless in a shower gel advert.

He gave a powerful maiden speech in the Commons in which he described the poor care of veterans as a great stain on this nation.

Although The Mail on Sunday is aware of the identity of the Tory officials  one of whom is a powerful figure in the current Election campaign  we have agreed not to name them.

A spokesman for the Conservatives declined to comment.
Mercedes Corby's rage at the intense media scrutiny her family is under continues after she left an angry note pleading to media to stop invading their privacy.

The sister of Schapelle Corby berated film crews who have badgered their Bali residence ahead of the convicted drug mule's return to Australia.

She could be seen shouting towards camera men outside the Kuta address as she questioned in Bahasa Indonesia which media company had been filming in the secluded street.

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Mercedes Corby has felt the full force of the intense media coverage since her arrival in Bali ahead of her sisters return to Australia

This latest intrusion into the family's privacy led Mercedes to leave an angry note at the entrance of the home.

'AUS TV CREW. STOP INVADING OUR PRIVACY,' the note read.

'Immigration have been notified with footage of you putting your gopro over our fence and cameras over the fence. SO RUDE!' the message continued.

The note was originally addressed to ACA Crew yet had been crossed out and replaced with AUSTV, Herald Sun reported.

'The Indonesian media don't do it but the Australian media crews who are not based here have no respect at times,' an upset Mercedes told News Corporation following the incident.

Media teams have intensified their efforts to obtain exclusive Corby news as film crews as Mercedes Corby accuses TV networks of invading their privacy

'I understand it's the media's job but they should have more respect for people's privacy,' she added.

The family have previously voiced their concerns regarding the media intrusion and have informed parole officials of the encroachment.

Schapelle has refrained from leaving the property in recent days as her sister claims the intensity of the coverage is causing her stress and making her afraid.

When officials visited Corby she begged them to help her, telling the Bali corrections chief, Surung Pasaribu, was failing to handle the ordeal and it was causing undue stress.

Schapelle Corby has continuously had issues with being photographed, a phobia developed in the beginning of her trial and verdict day

Mr Pasaribu told News Corporation he had sympathy for Corby and pointed out that she was shaking as he spoke with her on Thursday evening.

Schapelle has continuously had issues with being photographed, a phobia developed in the beginning of her trial and verdict day, along with the chaotic scenes during her release from prison in February 2014.

With her return to Australia impending, officials hinted they may withdraw the need to report to the parole board in an attempt to avoid a media surge and instead complete the necessary paperwork at Immigration.
It is a long and arduous bus trip where you see non-stop desert on both sides of the road. However, the trip to El-Wadi El-Gadid guarantees exposure to a rich and unique part of Egypt's history

When we approached El-Kharga oasis, we started to see sporadic patches of green areas and palm trees.

Our guide explained that the biggest problem in the governorate is the scarcity of water. Whenever a well is discovered, the land around it can be cultivated and palm trees can be planted.

El-Wadi El-Gadid, or the new valley, covers nearly 48 percent of Egypt, though its population is only around 245,000.

The goverorate, which lies in southwestern Egypt, has some 2,000 monumental sites, only 38 of which are open to public.

Former president Gamal Abdel-Nasser established the governorate in 1959, which is why many of the villages there carry the name of Arab capitals like Kuwait, Baghdad and Algiers.

Although many people from Upper Egypt and the Delta have moved there, it is still an under populated and widely unexplored land that needs much attention and care from the state.

Local traditions

Most of the houses were originally built with traditional mud brick, though the majority of them have been rebuilt using cement and concrete.

Unlike the people of Siwa, its inhabitants do not have their own distinct language.

Education is very important for the locals, with illiteracy not exceeding 3 or 4 percent, and in areas like Mut, illiteracy is 0 percent.

Wedding ceremonies last for three days. The cost is divided between the bride and groom.

The main economic resource for the oases is agriculture, with the most important product being dates. Their products, however, are not as famous as those of Siwa.

There are also various industrial areas in El-Wadi El-Gadid, with factories that manufacture plastic, paper, dates and onion products.

"I found it completely different in El-Wadi. There are monuments from different eras in addition to the beautiful landscape. Besides, the people are very different. The village life here is free from any complications," said Roland Unger, a German travel writer and physicist I met during the trip who likes to explore remote places in Egypt.

El-Wadi El-Gadid consists of three depressions or Oases: El-Kharga, El-Dakhla and El-Farafra. We visited the first two during our trip.

El-Kharga Oasis

El-Kharga is the biggest oasis in Egypt and the capital of El-Wadi El-Gadid. It is 600km from Cairo and is home to some 70,000 people.

The Necropolis of El-Bagawat

The Necropolis of El-Bagawat is one of the oldest and most impressive Christian cemeteries in Egypt and the world.

Christians who escaped the persecution of Roman Emperors in the 3rd and the 4th centuries AD went to the remote area and built their own villages.

There are some 1,200 tombs in the area, mostly unadorned mud-brick crypts from which the area derives its name.

The Arabic word for crypts is kabawat, pronounced bagawat in the local accent.

The area was excavated in 1976, though it had been looted in previous years. A few of the tombs still have well-preserved biblical scenes etched on the walls.

There are two outstanding and well-preserved chapels named the Exodus Chapel and the Peace Chapel.

The dome of the first, located in the heart of El-Bagawat, is decorated by biblical scenes including those of Adam and Eve, Moses leading his followers in the exodus, Jonah and the Whale and Noah's Ark.

The dome of the Chapel of Peace is decorated with images of grape vines and birds. Around the dome is a series of biblical scenes including the annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

The area was famous for red pottery during the Old Kingdom, which is why you can still find many broken pieces of red pottery on the ground in El-Bagawat.

The Museum of El-Wadi El-Gadid

The museum is a three-storey building established by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The ground floor has a large foyer that is opened on the second and third floor.

The museum houses various remarkable displays that date back to the Pharaonic, Graeco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods, including some statues of the sphinx and a statue of Horus.

The most impressive display to me was that of the various mummies that are still in their full cartonage, including the two sarcophagi for a man and his wife that were discovered near Paris Oasis.

"On a tomb that was discovered intact from the ancient Egyptian period, the phrase 'I didnt steal, I didnt fornicate and I didn't pollute the Nile's water' was encrypted. That is an indication of the gravity of the crime of polluting the Nile in Pharaonic culture," said Ahmed Fakhry, the director of the museum.

The Temple of Hibis

The Temple of Hibis, built in the 6th century BC, is the largest and most well preserved temple in the Kharga Oasis. It is the finest example of a Persian period temple in Egypt built during the 26th Dynasty.

The temple was originally constructed on the edge of a small sacred lake and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun-Ra, Mut and Khons. A large tree that is hundreds of years old is all that remains at the site of the lake.

The temple has a series of gateways that lead to the inner section. There are still some remains of the sphinx-lined avenue built in the 3rd century in front of the temple.

The temple reliefs are very well preserved because it was buried in the sand for many centuries.

In 2000, the Ministry of Culture started a huge restoration process.

It abandoned an original plan to dismantle the temple and reconstruct it in a more suitable and drier place some 400 metres away from its present location. The plan proved to be unsuitable because it was likely to accelerate the rate of decay of the temple.

Genah Village

It is not an unfamiliar thing to see a whole village like Genah that is entirely covered in sand because of the wind. The wind carries with it a lot of sand that over the years covers complete villages in El-Wadi El-Gadid.

We climbed the sand mountains under which Genah village lies and watched the spectacular sun set.

On our way down the mountain, the villagers who live in the few houses that are not covered in sand welcomed us with dates and their traditional tea served in small glasses.

Paris Oasis

Paris Oasis is one of the beautiful oases in El-Wadi El-Gadid, located about 90km away from El-Kharga Oasis.

On the way to Paris, we stopped by a village built by the famous architect Hassan Fathi.

Fathi was famous for his dome-shaped designs and traditional courtyards that provide houses with natural cooling.

Although the village was built in the early 1970s, it is still uninhabited because it does not have any utilities. It is a shame that these beautiful houses are deserted, which is a sign that the place is neglected.

The Temple of Dush

Built for Isis and Serapis, the Roman Temple of Dush is entirely surrounded by a mud-brick fortress. It was built during the first century and was a religious, military and civilian complex.

Entering the temple through any one of its several gates takes you to the barrel-vaulted sanctuary, which is made up of two connecting rooms and has a vaulted ceiling. The two rooms were used for prayer, but they are now empty.

On either side of the sanctuary are chapels.

The temple used to lie at the intersection of five major trade routes, and was a staging point for caravans that headed to either Assiut or Esna.

A visit to the pottery, rug and date factories

At the rug-making factory, you have a chance to see the young women weaving hand-made rugs. Talk to them and learn some rug-making skills if you are interested.

Visiting the factory shop at the end of the tour guarantees that you will buy at least one rug.

At the pottery factory, you can learn from the pottery maker's experience in shaping pottery and painting it after it dries.

As for the visit to the date factory, it provides an opportunity to witness the process of packing dates.

It starts by separating the good dates from the bad, washing them, adding syrup, and putting the right weight in each packing bag before sealing it.

The factory shop sells packed dates in addition to date jam and syrup.

Stay tuned for part two of this story, which will take you on a tour on El-Dakhla Oasis.

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Eight people were injured when a plane clipped an airport utility truck on Saturday.

Shortly after landing at Los Angeles International Airport, the Aeromexico flight collided with the truck.

The truck was flipped over, seriously injuring two employees inside who had to be rushed to the hospital.

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Eight people were injured after a plane clipped an airport utility truck shortly after landing at LAX, causing it to flip over

The Boeing 737 was taxiing to an arrival gate when it collided with a utility truck carrying eight people, fire and airport officials said.

'It clipped a service truck,' said Rob Pedregon, a Los Angeles Airport Police spokesman.

'They had already landed and were taxiing.'

No one was hurt on the flight from Mexico City, which was carrying about 146 passengers and crew, although the plane's wing was damaged in the collision

Two people in the truck were seriously hurt, and six people in the truck suffered minor injuries, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

No one was hurt on the flight from Mexico City, which was carrying about 146 passengers and crew.

The plane's wing was damaged in the collision, the fire department said.

Airport operations were not affected, Pedregon said.

Messages were left for Aeromexico seeking comment.

Messages to the FAA and airport representatives were not immediately returned
The 40ft humpback whale that spent the night trapped in a California harbor has now returned to the sea, delighted authorities have said.

The marine mammal - described as a 'healthy juvenile' by wildlife expert Jen Levine - swam into Ventura Harbor, 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles on Saturday at around 4pm.

It then spent a confused night bumping into boats while locals tried to figure out how to free it - but finally fled, apparently largely under its own steam.

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Trapped: This juvenile humpback whale was stuck in Ventura Harbor, around 60 miles northwest of LA, overnight, but escaped on Sunday

'We have great news,' an ecstatic John Higgins, Ventura Harbormaster, said. 'The whale was able to find its way out.'

Initially, locals attempted to shoo the whale out by blocking its path with boats and banging on pipes - but that failed to work.

Levine, the stranding operations and animal care manager for the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, said rescuers then tried to lure the creature out of the harbor using recordings of whale sounds.

The recordings, which were of whales feeding, were intended to trick it into thinking there might be food at the mouth of the harbor.

A hydrophone was used to play the feeding sounds overnight, but the attempts initially proved unsuccessful - possibly because the area was too small for them to work properly.

Dr Rachel Cartwright, a biology lecturer at California State University, said that the small size of the harbor may have led to sound bouncing off its floor and sides, disorienting the whale.

'In some ways, quiet might be the better bet,' she suggested.

However, Higgins suggested that the hydrophone may have played a part in helping the creature escape its accidental captivity.

Hurt: The whale had suffered 'superficial' injuries but seemed to be in good health, experts said. It escaped the harbor on Sunday morning been spotted at 4pm the previous day

It was suggested that initial efforts had been hindered by the sound of the crowds that had gathered in the area to see the spectacle.

'It's heartbreaking to see the whale lost and turned around,' one spectator told CBS Los Angeles. 'It's beautiful to see so close but sad circumstances.'

So authorities moved people out of the area and adjusted the positioning of the speakers so that they were closer to the ocean.

Authorities discovered the whale had left on its own when they returned in the morning, Higgins said.

As far as he knows, the young humpback was the first to pay a visit to Ventura Harbor.

'We've had California grey whales just peek into the harbor as they're going up and down the coast,' he said. 'But none have ever gone into the harbor.'

Confusion: Attempts to lure the whale out with recordings of other whales initially seemed unsuccessful, but may ultimately have helped the creature escape

Higgins told International Business Times the whale had suffered 'superficial injuries' in its collisions with boats.

'I know that earlier today when it was navigating... under the lower tide that it was bumping into boats and there was some superficial cuts and bruises to it, but I don't know to what extent,' he said.

It is currently the mating season for humpback whales.

The Coast Guard, the National Parks Service and local authorities were involved in the rescue effort.

Adult humpback whales grow to between 48 and 62 feet long.
A 'drunk' University of Maryland student fatally stabbed a visiting student on campus early Saturday in what is believed to be a random attack, police said.

The Bowie State University student was waiting on an Uber with two of his friends when tragedy struck.

According to police, the three students were on the College Park campus around 3am Saturday when the University of Maryland student stabbed the Bowie State student in the chest with a folding knife.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the attack was random and unprovoked and that the victim and suspect didn't know each other.

A 'drunk' University of Maryland student fatally stabbed a visiting Bowie State University student on campus on Saturday in what is believed to be a random attack. The Bowie State student was waiting on an Uber with two friends when he was stabbed. Police at the scene

According to police, the three students were on the College Park campus (pictured) around 3am Saturday when the University of Maryland student, stabbed the Bowie State student in the chest with a folding knife

Sgt Rosanne Hoaas, a spokeswoman for the University of Maryland Police Department told the AP that the suspect is white and the victim is black.

Hoaas said a witness described the suspect as intoxicated and incoherent.

Police don't have any reason to believe that race played a role in the attack, she said.

Hoass said the stabbing was captured on surveillance cameras that are situated near the University of Maryland campus shuttle bus stop on Regents Drive in front of the Montgomery Hall dormitory.

Neither the victim nor the suspect's identities have been released.

Maryland Gov Larry Hogan said in a statement on Facebook that the state is working closely with the school as it investigates the stabbing.

'Our students deserve to feel safe, and violence on our campuses will not be tolerated,' Hogan said.

The president at the University of Maryland - which is holding graduation events this weekend - said there will be a moment of silence to honor the victim during Sunday's commencement ceremony.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said the attack was random and unprovoked and that the victim and suspect didn't know each other

A witness described the suspect as intoxicated and incoherent. Police don't have any reason to believe that race played a role in the attack. Police are shown investigating the crime scene

'Words cannot express my deep anguish over this horrific tragedy,' President Wallace Loh said in a statement.

'My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim, and to the entire Bowie State community. I ask that every member of our campus community join me in keeping the victims family in their thoughts and prayers.

'There is strength in our unity as we grieve. For this reason and in solidarity with the Bowie State community, we will honor a moment of silence to begin tomorrow's commencement exercises,' Loh added.

According to NBC, first-degree and second-degree murder charges are pending against the suspect.

Bowie State's President, Mickey Burnim, called the fatal stabbing 'a tragic loss of life'.

The president at the University of Maryland (pictured) - which is holding graduation events this weekend - said there will be a moment of silence to honor the victim during Sunday's commencement ceremony

Burnim said the student's identity will not be released until Sunday to honor the request of the family.

'Our first thoughts of condolence go to the family for this tremendous loss of a son, who had the promise of a bright future.

'Our prayers of concern also extend to those within the Bowie State University community as we try to cope with this tragic loss of life,' Burnim said in a statement.

According to Bowie State University's website, the Counseling Services Center is available as an additional resource for anyone in the campus community.

In addition, counseling services are also available on the University of Maryland's campus as well.
A circus performer was seriously injured after he fell 40 feet during his 'Wheel of Death' stunt.

The trick consists of two large rings that spin around while performers move between, inside and even atop them.

The incident occurred at UniverSoul Circus in Mount Vernon, New York, when the stuntman went to switch between wheels and reportedly lost his grip, resulting in the fall.

Although he had to be taken to the hospital, he is expected to be alright.

A circus performer was seriously injured after he fell 40 feet while performing the 'Wheel of Death' stunt at UniverSoul Circus in Mount Vernon, New York (pictured)

The trick consists of two large rings that spin around while performers move between, inside and even atop them. The acrobat (not pictured) lost his grip while jumping between wheels, resulting in his fall and needing to be rushed to the hospital

Witnesses say the performer was inside a giant spinning cage when he was suddenly thrown almost 40 feet to the ground, and landed very close to the audience.

The injury occurred at around 2:30pm, near the show's end.

'It was so fast,' audience member and Bronx resident Michelle Ross told Lohud.com.

'He jumped to reach the other wheel and he missed it and landed on the floor.'

Mount Vernon's Fire Commissioner Teddy Beale released a statement that said: 'EMS were on scene and responded in seconds.'

The young audience members were quickly distracted by playing Simon Says while the injured stuntman was rushed to a hospital.

A spokesperson for the circus released a statement, saying 'the performer is in stable condition, awake and alert and was transported to an area hospital for observation and treatment.'

Circus Operations Manager Danny Rodriguez said the stuntman was moving extremities but still had to be taken to the hospital.

He is expected to be alright.

The show resumed and all future shows are expected to be performed as usual, according to NBC4.

This is not the first time that the fearsome stunt has caused injury.

In November 2013, a Cirque du Soleil acrobat was hospitalized after he slipped and fell off the wheel during a show on the Las Vegas Strip.

This resulted in Cirque du Soleil officials temporarily removing the stunt from their show.

UniverSoul says the performer is expected to be alright and that the day's performance resumed. All future shows are scheduled to be performed as usual
Notre Dame students are planning to walk out during the Vice President's commencement address.

The students are planning to leave 'respectfully and quietly' before Mike Pence delivers his speech on Sunday, and are organizing the walkout because they disagree with his administration's stance on immigration, gay rights and the criminal justice system.

The organizers of the walk out are a part of a student group in Notre Dame called We Stand For ND. For four days, this group has galvanized support for their plan through Twitter and Facebook, to stand with the 'vulnerable' members in their community.

'The participation and degree-conferring of VP Pence stand as an endorsement of policies and actions which directly contradict Catholic social teachings and values and target vulnerable members of the University's community,' Notre Dame student Xitlaly Estrada said in a press release shared on Twitter.

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Students at Notre Dame are planning to walk out before Mike Pence's commence speech at the school on Sunday. Pence is pictured here speaking at the commencement ceremony at Grove City College on Saturday

The students are planning to leave 'respectfully and quietly' because they disagree with his administration's stance on immigration, gay rights and the criminal justice system. Pictured are students and community members protesting against Trump's policies

Officials at Notre Dame - where seven sitting US presidents have delivered commencement addresses - however are not planning to stop the students who will refuse to listen to Pence's speech, but have noted that police officers will be on site to help plan the quiet walkout.

'We're not concerned,' the university's spokesman said. 'We think they will be respectful in the way they express their differences with the administration.'

Pence also delivered a commencement address on Saturday at Grove City college - a private, Christian liberal arts institution with about 2,500 students - during which he told the students to look up to President Trump's 'leadership and perseverance'.

'If you aspire to lead, you'll need courage, because leadership brings both honor and opposition,' Pence told hundreds of graduates and their families Saturday at the Grove City College commencement.

The school's authorities are respecting the students' rights to protest. 'We're not concerned,' the university's spokesman said. 'We think they will be respectful in the way they express their differences with the administration'

For four days, students from the group We Stand for ND - a student-led organization that promotes diversity - has galvanized support for their plan through Twitter and Facebook, to stand with the 'vulnerable' members in their community

During his address, demonstrators from several groups marched around the college, but the protest caused no disruptions during the event. Organizer Carolyn Steglich said the goal of the march was to voice opposition to Trump administration policies regarding the environment, gay rights and health care.

Pence cited Trump as "an example of leadership and perseverance" to applause from the crowd, citing the president's efforts on the economy, education, security and - to more applause - for standing "without apology for the sanctity of life and all the God-given liberties in the Constitution of the United States."

"But as the president said just about a week ago in a ceremony just like this, 'Nothing worth doing ever came easy,'" Pence said. "'Following your convictions means you must be willing to face criticism from those who lack the courage to do what's right,'" the vice president quoted the president as saying.

Pence told graduates to inspire those around them, since people follow those they respect, but they should "aspire to be men and women of character" and aspire to service rather than selfish ambition.

After his address, Pence, who was also awarded an honorary degree, stood on the platform and shook hands as each graduate passed after being handed their diplomas. Officials said the graduating class of 606 was the largest in the school's history.
An Australian woman has opened up about her heartbreaking childhood living with her paedophile step-father and the foster child he abused.

The woman, known as Maria, told News Corp the man made her 'feel uncomfortable' from the beginning and witnessing the abuse made her 'sick.'

She says her mother stayed with the man even after he was convicted, and tried to rationalise his behaviour by blaming the victim.

'To me she made her choice then.'

An Australia woman has opened up about her heartbreaking childhood living with her paedophile step-father and the foster child he abused

Maria said her mother was afraid of being alone, and after splitting with her biological father she put an ad in the newspaper to find a partner.

She then met a man and married him a month later, who was a counselor at the school Maria and her siblings attended.

Maria recalls the day when a foster child, who was living with them, went missing.

The boy was 13 at the time, and she says her step-father 'focused all his attention on finding the boy.'

'I knew why.'

The woman, known as Maria, says she caught her step-father abusing the foster child late at night, but was too scared to tell her mother

Maria remembers a night a couple of months earlier when she caught her step-father abusing the foster child on the floor of their living room.

She said the incident made her feel sick, but she was too scared to go and alert her mother in case the man heard her go to the bedroom.

The man was arrested after the foster child disappeared, but despite warnings from the police, Maria's mother continued to see him.

She continually defended the man and blamed the foster child, and as a result Maria was sent to live with her biological father.

After meeting and discussing what she'd seen with a school counselor, Maria informed the police, and was subsequently a witness in her step-father's trial.

Maria says she blames her mother for bringing 'evil into our home' and says she hasn't spoken to her in years

After learning that Maria had testified, the man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Maria, now a mother of four living in Western Australia, says she has not spoken to her mother in years because she is 'livid' with her.

'Shes still with that man, and it disgusts me.'

She says she blames her mother for keeping her and her siblings from their father, who has 'restored my faith in men.'

'She kept me away from my father, and brought evil into our home. I will never forgive her. I never want to speak to her again.'

If you or anyone you know needs to speak with someone, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
A toddler will undergo disease testing after he picked up a used syringe and put it in his mouth after finding it on the ground at a Perth bus stop on Thursday.

Kai Rigby, 18-months-old, was with his mother Francie Jones at a bus stop in Port Kennedy, about 60km south of Perth, on Thursday when he discovered the syringe and popped it in his mouth.

Francie Jones said she 'grabbed it and threw it' as soon as she saw the syringe in her son's mouth.

'I was mortified, I was pretty angry,' she told Seven News.

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Kai Rigby, 18-months-old, was with his mother Francie Jones at a bus stop in Port Kennedy when he found the syringe

'A split second later and he would've been sucking on it, so I dread to think what he could've got from it.'

While she took the syringe from her son as soon as she could, Ms Jones said Kai managed to put it in his mouth before she reached him.

Ms Jones said doctors wanted to test her son for a number of diseases including Hepatitis B, which can lead to serious illness and in some cases, death.

Ms Jones said she was so petrified from the experience, she would never allow Kai to walk barefoot in public again.

Ms Jones said she was so petrified from the experience, she would never allow Kai to walk barefoot in public again (pictured together)

The syringe (pictured) was discarded near a Port Kennedy, Perth bus stop

She pleaded for people to dispose of their syringes properly, regardless of whether they were used for diabetes or illegal drug use.

'It could be very dangerous for a little baby, for anyone,' Ms Jones said.

Australian Medical Association president Dr Michael Gannon told Seven News there was no excuse for syringes to be discarded on the ground.

He said there were mechanisms in place which made it extremely easy for people who used syringes to dispose of them properly.
The fiance of accused drug mule Cassandra Sainsbury hasn't spoken to her mother since she was arrested last month.

Scott Broadbridge, 23, has failed to speak with Lisa Evans beyond Ms Sainsbury's arrest on April 11 after 18 bags of cocaine were found in her suitcase, 9 Honey reported.

The silence between the pair extends from a set of deep family rifts according to Liam Bartlett, the presenter of Channel 9's highly anticipated 60 Minutes show depicting the ordeal on Sunday night.

'Since she [Cassie] was arrested - I know because I asked her - Lisa has not spoken to Scott,' Bartlett revealed.

'Her sister Khala...has made contact with Scott. Lisa won't say exactly what the issue was when they had the estrangement prior to the arrest, she won't be drawn on that.'

Bartlett also revealed that Khala herself had no contact with her mother for four months prior to the arrest.

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Ms Sainsbury together with her Australian fiance Scott Broadbridge who visited her in Colombia this week.

It has been revealed that Cassandra Sainsbury's mother Lisa Evans hasn't spoken to her daughter's fiance since her arrest on April 11

Cassandra Sainsbury's fiance Mr Broadbridge (pictured) arrived in Bogota on Thursday and is now considered a person of interest

Mr Broadbridge has made explosive claims his fiancee (right) was lured to Colombia

The latest revelation comes after Mr Broadbridge was now considered a 'person of interest' as he is set to be questioned over his knowledge of his fiancee's trip to Colombia.

'We have established here, had it confirmed from the prosecutor's office, that the Colombian prosecutor now considers Scott, the fiance, a person of interest in the investigation,' reporter Liam Bartlett said, according to the Herald Sun.

'They want to interview him  sit down and ask him some questions. Over here, from what I can gather, the prosecutor's office has to rely on Scott volunteering to sit down,' Mr Bartlett added.

Mr Broadbridge has made explosive claims the accused drug mule was lured to Colombia by fellow Australians.

In a bizarre twist in the case he also told Channel Seven's Sunday Night program that he has seen payments from the mystery group of Australians who reportedly led her to danger.

He has suggested Sainsbury is likely to plead guilty to being a drug mule for a mystery international syndicate, despite continuing to protest her innocence.

There are no suggestions Mr Broadbridge will face any charges.

Mr Broadbridge's exclusive interview with Sunday Night airs the same night as 60 Minutes' segment with Ms Sainsbury's mother and sister in Bogota.

The separate interviews will shed light on the alleged ugly family feud waging between Ms Sainsbury's fiance and her family.

Before her arrest in Colombia Ms Sainsbury and her mother Lisa Evans were not speaking, it was revealed.

Footage of Ms Sainsbury's mother breaking down in tears during the filming of the 60 Minutes documentary was also released.

In the documentary, which is due to air on Channel Nine on Sunday, Ms Sainsbury's mother Ms Evans is shown slumped over on the ground sobbing outside the Colombian prison where her daughter remains behind bars.

Before her arrest in Colombia Ms Sainsbury and her mother Lisa Evans were not speaking, it was revealed

Overcome with emotion, Ms Evans (centre) is seen doubled over on the ground as she is comforted by her daughter Khala Sainsbury (left) and a crewman from 60 Minutes (right)

'Hey Cass, it's mum, I'm here to help you. We're sitting around the corner,' Ms Evans said talking to Ms Sainsbury on the phone

Overcome with emotion, Ms Evans can be heard grasping for air and complaining she is unable to breathe.

'Hey Cass, it's mum, I'm here to help you. We're sitting around the corner,' Ms Evans said.

Ms Sainsbury's sister Khala Sainsbury is also pictured on the ground alongside her grief-stricken mother in an attempt to comfort her.

The pair reportedly sold their story to the Channel Nine program for approximately $1million.

Channel 9 said the interview costing $1 million was 'ludicrous' but it was pursuing the story as it was a 'national interest'.

Ms Sainsbury's mother and sister travelled to Colombia this week for the first time since her arrest on April 11 when she was caught with 5.8kg of cocaine in her suitcase at El Dorado International Airport.

Meanwhile a source from the Colombian police prosecuting Ms Sainsbury revealed a mystery black man who visited her in a Bogota hotel would unlikely save her from a lengthy stint in jail.

The source said the mystery man was irrelevant to Ms Sainsbury's legal case, despite her claim he tricked her into trafficking 5.8kg of cocaine.

Ms Sainsbury pictured with 18 bags containing 5.8kg of cocaine in total, which were found in her suitcase on April 11

Ms Sainsbury appears happy as she waves from behind bars at El Buen Pastor for film crews

Ms Sainsbury's mother and sister visited her at El Buen Pastor in Colombia for the first time since her arrest on April 11

Ms Sainsbury, a 22-year-old from South Australia, was caught with 5.8kg of cocaine in her suitcase at El Dorado International Airport in Colombia on April 11.

'If they catch you with drugs, you have to accept the punishment for these drugs,' a source for the prosecution told News.com.au.

'Where [the drugs] came from, at this moment, is of no interest to us. It doesn't have any relevance.'

The source for the prosecution, who works for the Colombian Fiscalia, said the justice system was not postponing Ms Sainsbury's case to look for the mystery man.

'They can't leave someone waiting while they look for the person who supposedly tricked them,' he said.

Colombian police have sourced the CCTV footage from the Bogota hotel where Ms Sainsbury stayed for eight days before her arrest in search for the mystery man, but say he is irrelevant to her legal case

Ms Sainsbury, 22-year-old from South Australia, has maintained her innocence since the day she was caught

The Adelaide woman claimed she was set up by a man named 'Angelo' who promised her 18 sets of discounted headphones as gifts for her wedding party.

She said the 18 packages wrapped in black plastic containing the cocaine were given to her the morning of her flight.

She denied she knew the packages were full of drugs and has maintained her innocence since.

The Fiscalia source said police secured CCTV footage from the Bogota hotel where Ms Sainsbury was visited by the mystery man in an effort to track him down because he was potentially breaking the law.

But he said the police search was separate to their case against Ms Sainsbury.

Ms Sainsbury is seen leaving her Bogota hotel where staff say a mystery man visited her

Ms Sainsbury pictured together with the suitcase which contained 5.8kg of cocaine

While he said the Fiscalia investigated the mystery man, he said its priority was to resolve Ms Sainsbury's case.

CCTV footage obtained from the Bogota hotel where Ms Sainsbury stayed for eight days before her arrest will not be released to the public until it is shown in court, for fear the man could go into hiding if he sees himself.

Ms Sainsbury remains behind bars in notorious Colombian prison El Buen Pastor, where she was jailed following her arrest on April 11, just over a week after she arrived in South America on April 3.

Ms Sainsbury will remain in prison while she awaits a court date.

Her Colombian lawyer Orlando Herran has encouraged Ms Sainsbury to plead guilty because she will likely be given a shorter jail sentence.

Ms Sainsbury faces 15-20 years in jail if she pleads innocent but is found guilty and faces five to 10 years if she pleads guilty.
Hundreds of Qantas passengers had to sleep on an airport floor after their plane was forced to turn back when an engine blew out.

Flight QF94 from Los Angeles to Melbourne turned around two hours into its journey on Saturday, dumping 480 people back where they started.

The flight landed about 3am local time but was did not take off again until 2.30pm, leaving passengers stranded for almost 12 hours while the engine was fixed.

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Hundreds of Qantas passengers had to sleep on an airport floor after their plane was forced to turn back when an engine blew out

Flight QF94 from Los Angeles to Melbourne turned around two hours into its journey on Saturday, dumping 480 people back where they started

Passengers took to social media to protest their treatment and posted videos of hundreds trying to sleep on floors and chairs in the airport.

'Qantas this is not what I signed up for! Engine shut down mid flight, return back to LAX and had to sleep on floor like I was homeless,' the poster of the video wrote.

One man claimed it was many hours before passengers were told when their new flight would be, and then it left hours late.

'Advised by Qantas staff not to go to hotels because we needed to be back in the air by midday. 1.39pm and we are still boarding,' he wrote.

The flight landed about 3am local time but was did not take off again until 2.30pm, leaving passengers stranded for almost 12 hours while the engine was fixed

Passengers took to social media to protest their treatment and posted videos of hundreds trying to sleep on floors and chairs in the airport

Another woman said she was 22 weeks pregnant and had to sleep on the airport floor waiting for the replacement flight.

Passenger anger at the delay came as that airline denied the flight was turned back because an engine caught fire mid-air.

Qantas spokesperson Thomas Woodward told PerthNow the report, from passengers on the plane, was 'not correct'.

A passenger on the flight who asked not be named told the Herald Sun the 'engine blew up in flames two hours into the flight.'

Passenger anger at the delay came as that airline denied the flight was turned back because an engine caught fire mid-air

One man claimed it was many hours before passengers were told when their new flight would be, and then it left hours late

Another woman said she was 22 weeks pregnant and had to sleep on the airport floor waiting for the replacement flight

'The plane was then turned back and landed safely but multiple fire trucks were lining the runway when we landed,' the passenger said.

Passenger Darren Sudgen told the publication he heard a loud noise on the flight.

'There was an explosion from outside. We saw flames and sparks flying past the window,' Mr Sudgen said.

A third passenger posted a video of what he said was the engine after it failed, with what appeared to be sparks coming off the wing.

Qantas initially said the plane returned for 'operational reasons' and would later only admit there was an 'issue' with one engine.

The flight path of the plane which turned back two hours after leaving Los Angeles

Qantas initially said the plane returned for 'operational reasons' and would later only admit there was an 'issue' with one engine

'Friday night's QF94 A380 service from Los Angeles to Melbourne turned back to LA because of an issue with one of the aircraft's four engines,' Mr Woodward said.

'The pilots followed standard procedure, shut down the engine, and the flight landed normally in LA at around 3am local time on Saturday. There was no safety risk at any time.

'Engineers are now inspecting the aircraft and replacement flight has been scheduled for 12 noon on Saturday.'
Channel 7 has stopped Cassandra Sainsbury's lawyers from blocking a tell-all interview with her fiance Scott Broadbridge from airing.

The 22-year-old's Australian lawyers lodged an urgent injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against the Sunday Night report screens at 8.30pm.

But the broadcaster prevailed in court and will showed the report after a judge dismissed the case, according to News Corp.

Channel 7 is fighting efforts by Cassandra Sainsbury's lawyers to block a tell-all interview with her fiance Scott Broadbridge from airing

Cassandra Sainsbury (pictured) is expected to confess to acting as cocaine mule based on tell all TV confessions from her family and fiance

'I dismiss the plaintiffs application and there is no restraint on Channel Seven in relation to their Sunday program this evening,' Justice John Sackar said in court.

Previews hinted that Mr Broadbridge would concede she would confess her role in smuggling 5.8 kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia via Bogota Airport last month.

He was also expected to explain what he knows about the international drug syndicate behind the cocaine deal, including why Sainsbury was in Colombia.

Sainsbury, who was still behind bars in Colombia, was understood to have given her partner permission to sell his side of the story.

In a promo for the Channel 7 interview Broadbridge says his partner's flight to Colombia was a surprise to him.

Sainsbury, who is still behind bars in Colombia, is understood to have given her partner (pictured) permission to sell his side of the story

Cassandra Sainsbury's fiance Mr Broadbridge (pictured) arrived in Bogota on Thursday and is now considered a person of interest

Mr Broadbridge was now considered a 'person of interest' as he is set to be questioned over his knowledge of his fiancee's trip to Colombia.

'We have established here, had it confirmed from the prosecutor's office, that the Colombian prosecutor now considers Scott, the fiance, a person of interest in the investigation,' reporter Liam Bartlett said, according to the Herald Sun.

'They want to interview him  sit down and ask him some questions. Over here, from what I can gather, the prosecutor's office has to rely on Scott volunteering to sit down,' Mr Bartlett added.

Mr Broadbridge made explosive claims the accused drug mule was lured to Colombia by fellow Australians.

In a bizarre twist in the case he also told Channel Seven's Sunday Night program that he has seen payments from the mystery group of Australians who reportedly led her to danger.

Previews hinted that Mr Broadbridge would concede she would confess her role in smuggling 5.8 kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia via Bogota Airport last month

In a promo for the Channel 7 interview Broadbridge (left) says his partner's flight to Colombia (right) was a surprise to him

Sainsbury's mother Lisa Evans and sister Khala Sainsbury reportedly sold their story to the Channel Nine program for about $1 million.

Channel 9 said the interview costing $1 million was 'ludicrous' but it was pursuing the story as it was a 'national interest'.

They sister travelled to Colombia this week for the first time since her arrest on April 11, and have reportedly not spoken to Mr Broadbridge since the arrest.

Last week Sainsbury expressed concern with her family's attempt to sell her story. She urged them to wait until her trial was finished.

'Once I've been sentenced I'm happy to talk about what happened because my case isn't in jeopardy then,' she said.
The embalming materials of Ipi, vizier and overseer of Thebes and member of the elite during the reign of King Amenemhat I in the early 12th Dynasty, have been rediscovered in his tomb at Deir Al-Bahari on Luxor's west bank.

Within the framework of the Middle Kingdom Theban Project, an international mission under the auspices of the University of Alcala (UAH, Spain) has uncovered over 50 clay jars filled with embalming materials for the mummification of the ancient Egyptian vizier Ipi during the cleaning of the courtyard under his tomb number (TT 315).

Mahmoud Afifi, head of the antiquities ministrys Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department, said that the jars were first discovered in 1921 and 1922 by American Egyptologist Herbert Winlock inside an auxiliary chamber in the northeast corner of the upper courtyard of Ipis tomb, where they were left as is.

Time has taken its toll on the courtyard, which had been buried in sand before being uncovered by the Spanish mission.

The jars hold equipment such as bandages, oils and salts, which were used by embalmers in mummification, as well as jars, bowls, scrapers, and a mummification board decorated with ankh-signs.

The identification of these materials is of great importance for understanding the mummification techniques used in the early Middle Kingdom and the assessment of the kinds of items, tools, and substances involved in the process of embalming, head of the Spanish mission Antonio Morales told Ahram Online.

Morales added that the deposit of the mummification materials used for Ipi included jars with potmarks and other types of inscriptions, various shrouds and four-metre-long linen sheets, shawls, and rolls of wide bandages.

There were also other types of cloth, rags, and pieces of slender wrappings designed to cover fingers, toes, and other parts of the viziers corpse.

Team specialist Salima Ikram has identified what seems to be the mummified heart of Ipi, an uncommon practice that no doubt deserves more investigation.

Morales said that the deposit also contained around 300 sacks of natron salt, oils, sand, and other substances, as well as jar stoppers and a scraper.

Among the most outstanding pieces of the collection are the Nile clay and marl jars, some with potmarks and hieratic writing, various large bandages six metres in length, as well as a shroud used for covering the body of the vizier Ipi; a fringed shawl 10 metres in length.

There are also natron bags that were deposited in the inner parts of the viziers body, twisted bandages used as mummy packing, and small pieces of bandages for the upper and lower extremities.

The collection should provide members of the Middle Kingdom Theban Project an excellent opportunity for the scientific analysis of the substances, components, textiles, and human remains found in the embalming cache, as well as the technical procedures and religious rituals used in the mummification of a high official in the early Middle Kingdom.

Ezz El-Din El-Noubi, director of the Middle Area of Al-Qurna Antiquities, said that the discovery was made during the third season of project by the University of Alcala Expedition to Deir El-Bahari in collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities and the Luxor Inspectorate.

The main purpose of the project is the archaeological study and epigraphy of the tombs of Henenu (TT 313) and Ipi (TT 315), the funerary chamber and sarcophagus of Harhotep (CG28023), as well as the conservation and detailed publication of information of these monuments and others located at Thebes.

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An Islamist extremist group says Muslims could be locked up in Australian 'concentration camps' and compared the possibility to the Holocaust.

Hizb ut-Tahrir wants to restore an Islamic caliphate based on sharia law and is so extreme, with its calls for jihad, that it is banned in Muslim-majority nations across Asia and the Middle East.

The political group's spokesman in Australia Hamzah Qureshi told a conference at Campsie, in Sydney's south-west, that 'Australia had concentration camps' during World War II and asked 'could this treatment be the fate of Muslims in the near future?'.

During a later question and answer session, fellow leader Uthman Badar invoked the Holocaust, which saw six million Jews killed during the 1940s, and declared Muslims could not separate religion and politics.

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Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia spokesman Hamzah Qureshi (pictured) told a conference organised by the group on Sunday they had seen a shift towards the 'criminalisation of certain Islamic ideals'

Fellow Hizb ut-Tahrir leader Uthman Badar compared the idea of concentration camps for Muslims with the Holocaust which killed six million Jews during World War II

'The idea that it's so inconceivable is always the case. If you asked someone in the 1920s whether something like the Holocaust was possible youd be laughed at,' Mr Badar said.

'Things can, they may not, but they can go south very, very quickly. Its something to keep in the back of your mind.

He added that Muslims could not separate religion from politics.

'For us, the political, the activism is necessarily and inextricably grounded in the spiritual. If you separate the two, that's not Islam,' Mr Badar said.

Media were banned from attending the extremist group's Sunday conference 'Hatred rising: Living Islam in a hostile West' to possibly stop journalists from asking questions about their global constitution, which calls for ex-Muslims to be killed.

The event, however, was live-streamed on Facebook.

Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Wassim Doureihi said Muslims needed to re-established an Islamic caliphate

In a political call to arms, another Hizb ut-Tahrir leader Wassim Doureihi said Muslims needed to re-establish a global Islamic caliphate based on sharia law, which existed until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1924.

'We need to be part of a global effort to restore the Khalifah in the Muslim world,' he said.

'We need to contribute the revivalist efforts.

'Theres still a lot we can do politically and ideologically which doesnt necessarily problematise our presence here.'

A flyer for the event compared the idea of concentration camps for Muslims with the internment of German and Japanese people in Australia during World War II, which did not even resemble concentration camps in Europe.

Mr Qureshi said they had already witnessed raids and arrests on members of the Muslim community and a shift towards the 'criminalisation of certain Islamic ideals'.

'Could we see a future of complete state mobilisation against Muslims, large-scale arrests, raids or even concentration camps?' he said.

Mr Qureshi asked 'Could we see a future of complete State mobilisation against Muslims, large scale arrests, raids or even concentration camps'

Security guards were seen alongside others outside the Orion Function Centre in Campsie

Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia held a 'Hatred Rising: Living in a Hostile West' conference in the Sydney suburb of Campsie on Sunday

'Surely such things cannot happen in modern Australia. Well brothers and sisters it did happen. Australia had concentration camps during both World War I and World War II.

'This part of Australia's history is not very well known.'

Hizb ut-Tahrir is now banned in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, and has a global constitution calling for the death of ex-Muslims.

It is so extreme it is banned in a range of Muslim-majority nations including Bangladesh and Pakistan and is considered a criminal organisation in Germany and The Netherlands.

Still, Mr Qureshi said the Australian government could round up Muslims to appease public opinion, even though secular Muslims reject sharia law and are keen to distance themselves from fundamentalist extremists.

'Think about it, the people rounded up and detained in the past were not criminals but people with a certain ancestry or nationality and even admittedly to appease the public opinion that the government itself helped to shape,' he said.

'Could this treatment be the fate of Muslims in the near future?'

The conference inside the Campsie venue Orion Function Centre was live-streamed on the Hizb-Ut Tahrir Facebook page

The conference covered topics including 'looking forward, looking back' and 'embracing and confronting reality'

The conference also covered topics including 'spiritual provision in dark times' and activism in adversity, modes, means and ends'

Hundreds of Muslim men, women and children were seen entering the Orion Function Centre, which also hosted lunch and prayers.

Mr Qureshi had likened today's Muslim community to the Jewish community at the hands of the Nazis and Adolf Hitler's 'final solution'.

'Today... brothers and sisters there is a Muslim question. The same answers that were given for the Jewish question are now being suggested for the Muslim question - immigration, assimilation, deportation and so on,' he said.

'All this begs a confrontation question. What will be the final solution for the Muslim question?'

The conference heard 'anything and everything to do with Muslims is open to not just critique but ridicule, degradation and mockery'

More than 100 people turned out for the conference which was held over several hours on Sunday

Hizb-Ut Tahrir Australia noted on their Facebook page there had been 'a strong turnout'

The conference was held inside the Orion Function Centre in Campsie, Sydney's south-west

Mr Qureshi also mentioned the Holocaust, which saw Jewish people killed in gas chambers including at Auschwitz in Poland, to criticise media coverage of Muslims.

'Nowadays anything and everything to do with Muslims is open to not just critique but ridicule, degradation and mockery,' he said.

'And this is what forms public perception of Muslims.

'Only a mere 70 years ago this very same process helped to produce one of darkest chapters in human history.'

In March, Daily Mail Australia captured Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Uthman Badar on camera saying capital punishment was an appropriate penalty for ex-Muslims during a lecture in Bankstown, which said Islam was incompatible with democracy, a secular separation of religion and state, and individual rights.

An ex-Muslim and a Hindu from Bangladesh told Daily Mail Australia how Hizb ut-Tahrir vigilantes in southern Asia had executed bloggers who had criticised the Prophet Mohammad.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Women in April released a video saying it was permissible for husbands to beat their wives with a stick, earning a rebuke from the federal Minister for Women Michaelia Cash.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott raised the idea of banning Hizb ut-Tahrir in Australia in late 2014.
A young mother of two has died after her body was found in a western Sydney home, and a 21-year-old man has been charged with breaching an apprehended violence order.

Police were called out to a home on Derby Street, Kingswood, shortly after 12am on Sunday and found 21-year-old Hayley Mcclenahan-Ernst, who was pregnant with her third child, in cardiac arrest.

NSW ambulance paramedics called to the scene were unable to save her life.

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Police were called out to a home on Derby Street, Kingswood, shortly after 12am on Sunday and found Hayley Mcclenahan-Ernst (pictured), 21, in cardiac arrest

Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst was a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third child

It is believed there were a number of people in the house at the time police were called who are also helping police with enquiries

Superintendent Greg Peters said a man, 21, was assisting police with their inquiries.

'He is cooperating... I believe they were in a relationship, I'm not sure if they were actually living together,' Peters told Fairfax Media.

'The cause of death is unknown at this point in time.'

The man was arrested and taken to St Marys Police Station where he was later charged with breaching an AVO.

Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst's (pictured) cause of death is still unknown

It is believed there were a number of people in the house at the time police were called who are also helping police with enquiries.

'I know she had been out with her family - whether it was her family or his family - during the night, before they came back to the house,' Superintendent Peters said.

A crime scene has been established with police still present at the Penrith home.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Penrith Local Court on Monday in relation to the AVO charge.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. has been accused of plagiarism

Controversial Trump surrogate David Clarke has been accused of plagiarizing parts of his college homeland security thesis.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff, who has just been named as the newest addition to the Department of Homeland Security, studied at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, in 2013.

A vocal Trump advocate since before the election, he is the subject of a CNN KFile investigation which claims to prove that he plagiarized parts of his thesis.

According to the report, Clarke failed to properly attribute verbatim quotes in his security studies thesis, instead writing them as though they were his own words.

The thesis is titled Making US security and privacy rights compatible and, according to CNN, plagiarizes other sources 47 times.

Clarke credited the sources in his footnotes but did not indicate with quotation marks which language was his and which wasn't, the KFile report claims.

Among publications he allegedly took from was George W. Bush's book Decision Points and papers put out by The Pew Research Center and the Homeland Security Affairs journal.

The Naval Postgraduate School is investigating KFile's claims, with a spokesman saying: 'Like all academic institutions, the Naval Postgraduate School takes the integrity of our students' work very seriously, perhaps even more than our peers given the unique nature of our mission and student body.

'In this particular case, we would be unable to determine any violation until the full investigation is complete.'

KFile claims Clarke's 2013 thesis includes verbatim quotes from other sources without attributing them properly

The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, is investigating KFile's report

Clarke did not provide a comment for CNN's piece but angrily took to Twitter to lampoon its author, Andrew Kaczynski.

'This CNN hack KFile oppo research MO is to accuse plagiarism. I'm next. Did it to Rand Paul, Monica Crowley et al,' he said.

Paul, the United States Senator for Kentucky, labeled Kacyzinski an 'idiot' for claiming he made up quotes by the founding fathers for his book.

In January, production of Monica Crowley's book was halted after Kacyzinski unearthed similar plagiarism concerns.

Clarke angrily hit out at the report and its author on Twitter, labeling the journalist a 'sleaze bag'

Clarke claims he has been given a job as an assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security. He is pictured leaving Trump Tower in November last year

Clarke said of him: 'Guy is a sleaze bag. I'm on to him folks'.

Fans of the sheriff, who shot to controversy by describing Black Lives Matter protest groups as blood thirsty and hateful, poked fun at CNN's coverage of his college report.

'Is this a joke? Sheriff David Clarke cited his sources. CNN calls this a scandal? Get real,' one said.

The KFile report comes days after Clarke said he had accepted a position as an assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security.

The White House is yet to confirm the appointment.
A teenage girl has died in hospital after falling victim to a freak car accident in Brisbane on Friday night.

The 19-year-old pedestrian was hit by a car on Swann Road, in Brisbane's inner-west, about 7.30pm on Friday when she was flung over a railing and onto train tracks 20 metres below.

Trains were immediately suspended while officers first on scene resuscitated the 19-year-old victim.

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Police believe the Volkswagen Beetle driver lost control on Friday night during wet conditions

The woman was resuscitated at the scene and rushed to Royal Brisbane and Woman's Hospital

The woman, 19, was hit on the road (pictured centre) and thrown over the edge onto the train tracks on Friday night

The injured woman, from Redlynch in Cairns, was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Woman's Hospital in a critical condition, but was later pronounced dead.

The female driver, 20, was also taken to hospital, where she was treated for shock.

Brisbane police said the driver was later sent home to recover with family.

'She's at home with family recovering from shock, obviously very concerned and distressed at what's occurred,' Sergeant Carl Cutler told Nine News.

A 19-year-old woman was hit by a car on Swann Road and thrown over the fence onto the train tracks below

Police believe the young driver lost control on the downhill bend towards the bridge in wet conditions.

'Unfortunately with that loss of control at the same time there was a pedestrian there and they've struck the pedestrian  it's just an astounding circumstance I guess,' Sergeant Cutler said.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward and help them piece together what happened.

The woman was flung over the railing and onto train tracks 20 metres below the Brisbane bridge
A two-month-old baby in a pram was pushed into oncoming traffic and narrowly avoided being hit, police said.

The pram was pushed across the road on Oaklands Way near the intersection of Hartland Circuit in Melbourne's Pakenham between 12pm and 12.30pm on Saturday.

Police said a car, believed to be a white Ford Falcon or similar, swerved to avoid the pram and continued along the road.

A woman who was with the baby was taken to hospital for assessment after police arrived, but no one was injured.

The circumstances remain a mystery and police appealed for the driver of the swerving car and other witnesses to come forward.

A two-month-old baby in a pram was pushed into oncoming traffic and narrowly avoided being hit, police said (stock image)
A memorial park has opened at the site of the deadly 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island that left 100 people dead and more than 200 people injured.

The memorial to the victims of The Station nightclub fire officially opens on Sunday in West Warwick, Rhode Island, with a ceremony that is expected to be attended by hundreds of people.

The blaze began on February 20, 2003 at about 11pm when pyrotechnics for the rock band Great White ignited flammable foam installed as soundproofing in the club's ceiling. Within five minutes, the entire club was on fire.

Due to the lack of sprinklers and the stampede to exit from the main entrance, more than 200 people were injured in the conflagration and 100 people died.

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A memorial to victims of 2003 fire at Rhode Island's The Station nightclub opens on Sunday

Memorial granite markers honoring the fire's 100 victims bear their images and dates of birth

Engraved bricks in the walkway at the memorial include messages to the victims of the fire

The memorial park, located on the site where The Station once stood, includes individual granite markers for each of the 100 victims  engraved with their images and birth dates and shaped like monitor speakers  as well as a timeline of important events before and after the fire.

Viewed from above, the Boston Globe reports the memorial's gateway resembles a guitar neck, while circular stone benches have been carved with the shape of 45 rpm adapters and walkway bricks bear memorial messages.

The Providence Journal said that $2million in cash and labor was raised to build the memorial to the United States' fourth deadliest fire.

A memorial ceremony is scheduled to take place at the park on Sunday a 2pm. It will feature music, as well as a reading of the names of each of the victims. Officials including Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, former Governor Don Carciei and members of the state's congressional delegation plan to attend.

Workers (pictured on Friday) finalize details at a memorial in West Warwick, Rhode Island

Firefighters spray water on the charred remains of The Station on Feb. 21, 2003, the morning after a fire engulfed the building, claiming 100 lives and leaving more than 200 people injured

The club's owners and band manager were charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter. In this March 2003 photo, lawyers and investigators tour the nightclub remains

In 2003, mourners left flowers and other mementos to the victims at the site of the fire

The Station owners, brothers Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, as well as Great White tour manager Daniel Biechele were charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter in 2003, one criminal-negligence and one misdemeanor charge per victim, according to reports at the time.

In 2006, Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison  11 years suspended, but four years to be served  and three years of probation. He was released on parole in 2008.

The Derderians pleaded no contest in 2006. Michael received the same sentence as Biechele and was paroled in 2009. Jeffrey was given a 10-year suspended sentence in addition to three years' probation and 500 hours of community service.

More than $115million in settlements have been reportedly paid to the victims' families.
A man has been charged after a female student was found with life-threatening injuries in the stairwell of a Perth apartment block.

The injured woman, a Pakistani National from the US, was discovered in the stairwell about 2.05am on Saturday.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the woman, in her 30s, was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

A female student was found with life-threatening injuries in the stairwell of a Perth apartment block on Saturday morning

Police were called to the Murray Street apartment block, in Perth's centre, where they launched an investigation.

Police executed a search warrant at a residence on Dundas Road in Inglewood, north-west of Perth, where a 27-year-old man was arrested.

He was charged with Grievous Bodily Harm and refused bail to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday May 21.

The injured woman, in her 30s, remains in a critical condition in the Royal Perth Hospital (stock)

The police informed the woman's family, who lives overseas. The family is now on its way to Perth.

The injured woman was studying in Western Australia when she was discovered fighting for life in the stairwell.

The police investigation continues.
Cassandra Sainsbury's lawyer says she was 'forced' to be a drug mule after an international syndicate threatened to kill her and her family.

Orlando Herron told 60 Minutes a mystery man in Bogota showed her photos of her fiance and her family when the death threat was made.

The 22-year-old's explanation for her arrest for the alleged cocaine in her luggage at Bogota Airport in Colombia last month was exposed in a Sydney court earlier on Sunday.

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Cassandra Sainsbury (pictured) is expected to confess to acting as cocaine mule based on tell all TV confessions from her family and fiance

Channel 7 is fighting efforts by Cassandra Sainsbury's lawyers to block a tell-all interview with her fiance Scott Broadbridge from airing

Her lawyers failed in an attempt to block a tell-all interview with her fiance Scott Broadbridge from airing on Sunday Night at 8.30pm.

It comes amid reports Mr Broadbridge has fled Colombia, fearing for his life.

A statement of facts used in the injunction request alleged Sainsbury 'has fallen victim to an international drug trafficking syndicate'.

The document claimed the mysterious group 'threatened her life and the life of her family if she did not comply with their demands'.

'As a result, she has applied to the Colombian authorities and the Australian Federal Police to be placed into a witness protection program.'

Previews hinted that Mr Broadbridge would concede Sainsbury would confess her role in smuggling the drugs she was caught with.

Orlando Herron said a mystery man in Bogota showed her photos of her fiance and her family when the death threat was made

Sainsbury, who is still behind bars in Colombia, is understood to have given her partner (pictured) permission to sell his side of the story

Cassandra Sainsbury's fiance Mr Broadbridge (pictured) arrived in Bogota on Thursday and is now considered a person of interest

He was also expected to explain what he knows about the international drug syndicate behind the cocaine deal, including why Sainsbury was in Colombia.

Recordings of phone calls between her and Mr Broadbridge will be played as part of the Sunday Night program, but her lawyers argued they were taken without her knowledge or consent.

Channel Seven's lawyers denied the company or the program acted unlawfully in putting the episode together.

The broadcaster prevailed in court and will showed the report after a judge dismissed the case, according to News Corp.

'I dismiss the plaintiffs application and there is no restraint on Channel Seven in relation to their Sunday program this evening,' Justice John Sackar said in court.

Previews hinted that Mr Broadbridge would concede she would confess her role in smuggling 5.8 kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia via Bogota Airport last month

Sainsbury, who was still behind bars in Colombia, was understood to have given her partner permission to sell his side of the story.

In a promo for the Channel 7 interview Broadbridge says his partner's flight to Colombia was a surprise to him.

Mr Broadbridge was now considered a 'person of interest' as he is set to be questioned over his knowledge of his fiancee's trip to Colombia.

'We have established here, had it confirmed from the prosecutor's office, that the Colombian prosecutor now considers Scott, the fiance, a person of interest in the investigation,' reporter Liam Bartlett said, according to the Herald Sun.

'They want to interview him  sit down and ask him some questions. Over here, from what I can gather, the prosecutor's office has to rely on Scott volunteering to sit down,' Mr Bartlett added.

Mr Broadbridge made explosive claims the accused drug mule was lured to Colombia by fellow Australians.

In a bizarre twist in the case he also told Channel Seven's Sunday Night program that he has seen payments from the mystery group of Australians who reportedly led her to danger.

In a promo for the Channel 7 interview Broadbridge (left) says his partner's flight to Colombia (right) was a surprise to him

Sainsbury's mother Lisa Evans and sister Khala Sainsbury reportedly sold their story to the Channel Nine program for about $1 million.

Channel 9 said the interview costing $1 million was 'ludicrous' but it was pursuing the story as it was a 'national interest'.

They sister travelled to Colombia this week for the first time since her arrest on April 11, and have reportedly not spoken to Mr Broadbridge since the arrest.

Last week Sainsbury expressed concern with her family's attempt to sell her story. She urged them to wait until her trial was finished.

'Once I've been sentenced I'm happy to talk about what happened because my case isn't in jeopardy then,' she said.
A fire has torn through a home in Melbourne's north west.

Emergency services were called to the home in Taylors Hill about 2.30pm on Sunday.

One woman was in the house at the time and was treated for smoke inhalation.

Craig Williams, Commander for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, told Daily Mail Australia there were no injuries from the blaze, but the cause of the fire was still unknown.

A fire tore through a family home in Melbourne's north west (pictured) on Sunday afternoon

Seven vehicles, four from the Country Fire Authority and three from the Melbourne Fire Brigade attended the fire.

'Crews made sure people were out of the building and quickly got to work extinguishing the fire,' Mr Williams said.

'It took about half an hour to get the fire under of control, but all occupants were out of the house and no injuries were reported.'

Mr Williams said emergency services are still investigating for the cause of the blaze.

John Mullens, spokesman for Ambulance Victoria said the woman was treated at the scene and was the sole occupant in the house.

No injuries were reported from the blaze but emergency services are still investigating the cause of the fire
A mother has posted to social media promoting a playgroup for families who don't vaccinate their children.

The Perth woman's post comes as anti-vaccination movements emerge in Western Australia, opposing the state's recent support of 'no jab, no play' policy.

Premier Mark Mc Gowan wrote to the prime minister in support of a national push to ban unvaccinated children from child care centres and pre-schools on Sunday.

Days earlier the mother posted to Facebook, trying to create a chain of anti-vax playgroups in Perth.

A mother has posted to social media promoting a playgroup for families who don't vaccinate their children

The Perth woman's post comes as anti-vaccination movements emerge in Western Australia, opposing the state's recent support of 'no jab, no play' policy (stock image)

'I've started a playgroup for families who don't vaccinate,' the woman said.

'We have one location so far, but I'm hoping to have free playgroups going all across Perth every day of the week eventually.'

The mother then asked for people to respect anti-vaxers' beliefs and to not leave 'nasty comments'.

Meanwhile a 'no jab, no play, no way!' rally is scheduled to take place in Fremantle next Sunday.

Rally organisers say the march is against 'discrimination based on vaccination status', ahead of a vote on 'no jab, no play' legislation in June.

'There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to medical freedom,' a rally poster said.

Western Australia has one of the nation's lowest immunisation rates for children aged between one and five.

Malcolm Turnbull wrote to state and territory leaders in March urging them to back the 'no jab, no play' policy.

Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) wrote to the prime minister in support of a national push to ban unvaccinated children from child care centres and pre-schools on Sunday

Mr McGowan - who was elected that same month - has now formally indicated support for strict vaccination requirements.

'I'm of the view that children and babies need to be protected and we need to make sure that we have the highest levels of vaccination possible,' Mr McGowan said on Sunday.

'Without vaccinating your children they are subject to various illnesses, and what's more, they then can communicate those illnesses to babies who are vulnerable and this can cause life-long suffering.'

The WA government is drafting regulations to strengthen universal immunisation record checks for children in early education.

While banning unvaccinated children was a tough approach, it was also fair and reasonable, Mr McGowan said.

A 'no jab, no play, no way!' rally is scheduled to take place in Fremantle next Sunday. Rally organisers say the march is against 'discrimination based on vaccination status', ahead of a vote on 'no jab, no play' legislation in June

'Every single credible piece of medical advice says that we should vaccinate our children,' he said.

Health Minister Roger Cook said the proportion of children fully vaccinated in WA was at an all-time high of almost 95 per cent, but the state government was committed to increasing the rate.

He said the Health Department would work closely with parents to remind them about vaccination dates and ensure people understood the importance of immunising children.

But it remained a choice, rather than a legal requirement, because it was a medical procedure and the government could not compel parents, Mr Cook said.

The WA government is drafting regulations to strengthen universal immunisation record checks for children in early education (stock image)

'At the end of the day, if parents are refusing to protect their children and the other children that they come in contact with by not immunising their kids, we have to exclude them,' he said.

'That's a very extreme situation. I'm sure that we won't be facing that situation, but we're taking every precaution to make sure that those powers, if necessary, are there to be exercised.'

Mr Cook also said a vaccination-free playgroup promoted on Facebook had been rightly condemned by the Australian Medical Association.

'You can imagine if you brought together a group of kids, all who have not had the benefits of vaccination, then you've got a tinderbox for communicable diseases and that could really spell a great deal of danger,' he said.
The student (pictured) punched and stabbed the young man in the leg before hurling a laptop at him

A violent Oxford student dubbed too clever to go to prison for stabbing her Tinder lover posted nude pictures on Facebook after becoming addicted to cocaine.

Aspiring heart surgeon Lavinia Woodward, 24, swiped at boyfriend Thomas Fairclough with the blade, before stabbing him in the leg.

She then hurled a laptop, a glass and a jam jar at him, during the drink and drug-fuelled clash at Christ Church college, Oxford.

Despite admitting unlawful wounding, Woodward, who currently lives in Milan, Italy, could avoid jail after a judge ruled a custodial sentence would harm her career prospects.

The 'extraordinary able' medical student, who now faces expulsion from Oxford, is currently battling a drug problem and an old school friend said this is to blame for her explosive behaviour.

She told the Sun: 'After she went to Oxford she turned weird. She became all dark and gothic and it was obvious she was into drugs.

'It quickly got around that she was hooked on cocaine and, in a bid to beat it, went into rehab.

'She posted naked pictures of herself on Facebook which was completely out of character for the girl I went to school with.'

During her hearing at Oxford Crown Court last week, Judge Ian Pringle told Woodward that her offence would normally mean a prison term.

Oxford University student Lavinia Woodward (pictured here on a night out) stabbed a Cambridge graduate with a bread knife

But instead he delayed sentencing and slapped her with a restraining order to stay drug-free and not to re-offend.

He told the court: 'It seems to me that if this was a one-off, a complete one-off, to prevent this extraordinary able young lady from not following her long-held desire to enter the profession she wishes to, would be a sentence which would be too severe.

'What you did will never, I know, leave you but it was pretty awful, and normally it would attract a custodial sentence, whether it is immediate or suspended.'

Prosecutor Cathy Olliver said Woodward met her ex online and at the time of the attack, September 30, her behaviour 'deteriorated'.

Miss Woodward (pictured) spends much of her time at her mother's Italian villa near Lake Como

Mr Fairclough called Woodward's mother on Skype to discuss her erratic behaviour, and his then-girlfriend punched him in the face before assaulting him with the knife.

Defending, James Sturman QC said his client's dreams of becoming a surgeon were 'almost impossible' as her conviction would have to be disclosed.

Woodward had a 'very troubled life', struggled with drug addiction, and had been abused by another ex, Mr Sturman said.

As well as the legal ramifications of her violent attack, Woodward also faces being kicked out of university.

Christ Church has revealed that she was given a final warning regarding her poor behaviour in September last year.

Woodward had been told 'any more drug-taking, or misconduct of any other kind, would indeed result in expulsion'.

An Oxford University spokesman said there was 'no guarantee' she would be allowed to return.

Lavinia Woodward will be sentenced on September 25.
Student Lillian Constantine (above), 18, helped snare the man who tried to rape her after she managed to record the brutal assault on her mobile phone in Ramsgate, Kent

A teenager helped snare the man who tried to rape her after she managed to record the brutal assault on her mobile phone.

Student Lillian Constantine, 18, can be heard screaming and pleading with her attacker on the two-minute 47-second clip, recorded on her Samsung as she walked home in Ramsgate, Kent.

It is thought to be the first time ever that a victim's own footage of an entire attack has helped put a rapist behind bars.

It was only because Lillian was using her phone to light the way that she was able to hit the record button.

Ashraf Miah, 34, attacked her beneath a street light that had been turned off by a council to save money.

Police were able to isolate a still from the grainy film, allowing Miah, a Bangladeshi takeaway worker, to be traced to an address in London.

The illegal immigrant was jailed last month for 13-and-a-half years and must serve a minimum of nine-and-a-half years.

In an amazing show of courage, the teenager has today waived her right to anonymity to tell other sex crime victims to come forward.

She said: 'It can be hard to fight off a grown man, but if anyone in my situation can grab their phone and try to capture them, you may have more of a chance.

Ashraf Miah, 34, attacked Lillian beneath a street light that had been turned off by a council to save money. Police were able to isolate a still from the grainy film (left), allowing the Bangladeshi takeaway worker to be traced to an address in London. Miah (police mugshot, right) was jailed last month for 13-and-a-half years

'I'm glad I did it. If I hadn't, it would have been someone else in the end.'

Sentencing Miah at Canterbury Crown Court, Judge James O'Mahony said watching the 'ruthless and determined' assault on film would stay with him for a 'very long time'.

He said: 'In 13 years on the bench, I have seldom heard a more harrowing incident of the brave victim screaming in terror and pleading for it to stop and the awful suffering she endured.

'If anyone needed a wake-up call as to just how horrific the offence of attempted rape is, then this was it.'

He added that he would be recommending Miah - who had been living illegally in Britain for ten years - for deportation at the end of his sentence, telling him 'You are highly dangerous... you have no business being here.'

Lillian was attacked near her home in the seaside town. She was distraught when she learned 124 lights in the borough had been turned off from midnight to 5.30am to save Kent County Council 1million a year and cut carbon emissions.

Several other county councils have adopted the policy.

She said: 'The road has a lot of street lights but they had been turned off. There was a light right above where it happened, but it wasn't on.

'If the lights had been on then I would have had loads of footage of him and it would have been easier for the police. It would have also been a deterrent in the first place. I am angry about it.

Lillian had been recording footage in bars as part of her media studies coursework. She had one glass of wine at about midnight and at 2am began to make her way home. Miah - who had already pestered one girl for sex that night - spotted her in the Enoteca bar (file image)

'It was ridiculous they weren't on just to save money.'

Lillian had been recording footage in bars as part of her media studies coursework. She had one glass of wine at about midnight and at 2am she and the friend she was working with began to make their way home.

Miah - who had already pestered one girl for sex that night - spotted her in the Enoteca bar.

Her family home was just a short walk away but as she made her way along a darkened seafront road, she saw Miah coming for her.

I was screaming the whole time, "I'm filming you, I'm filming you... You are not going to get away with this" Lillian Constantine

She said: 'Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone. As soon as he touched me on the shoulder, that's when I started to record. Usually when I walk home I text people. It's also a source of light.

'He came up, asked me where I was going and I said I was going home.

'And then he started to try to tackle me to the floor. It was like, arms round the shoulders, his leg trying to trip me up, anything he could to try and ground me.

'I had no idea why at first. The first thing that came into my head was he was going to mug me. I was screaming the whole time, "I'm filming you, I'm filming you. I'm going to call the f***ing police, I'm filming you right now. You are not going to get away with this".'

The noise woke residents and one slammed a door, which scared Miah off. Bruised and bleeding, Lillian managed to scramble the 30 seconds home.

Her mother, Karen - a local councillor and magistrate - woke to her daughter's cries as she stumbled through the front door.

Mrs Constantine said: 'I realised the seriousness. It was instant. The state she was in, I thought "This is a sexual assault". My instinct was just to hold her.'

Two male officers were sent to the scene.

Lillian had to bag up her clothes and couldn't wash for a day as she awaited for an appointment at the sexual assault referral centre at Maidstone Hospital, almost 50 miles away.

Staff took hair clippings, fingernail samples, a swab and logged every cut and bruise. A DNA sample was obtained but no match was found on the DNA database.

Later, Lillian had to have dozens of blood tests, a pregnancy test and HIV prevention medication that left her bedbound for a month.

The Constantine family, of Ramsgate (file image), now want a raft of measures to help boost rape conviction rates

But it was the harrowing footage shot on her smartphone that was to prove crucial.

Police managed to isolate a darkened still of a man's features from the wobbling and dark film and door-to-door enquiries identified him as Miah, whose year-long work visa ran out a decade ago and had been doing cash-in-hand jobs ever since.

Miah would only admit to attempted rape and Lillian couldn't face the uncertainty and cross-examination a full rape trial would bring.

The Constantine family now want a raft of measures to help boost rape conviction rates.

They say first responders should always be female when the victim is a woman and that rape-trained officers should be available at all times on a rota system.

More sexual assault referral centres should be available, regardless of whether a police complaint has been made, and a database should be created where victims can report attacks anonymously.

Most importantly, they say any cuts to women's services should be halted.

Lillian, meanwhile, aims to get on with her life by heading to university in Manchester in September.

And in a plea to other victims, she added: 'Don't put limitations on yourself because it's happened. It may be draining. It may linger, but it won't define you.

'I don't need to feel ashamed and neither should anyone else.'

Kent County Council: 'No overall increase in crime since part-night lighting was introduced'

A Kent County Council spokesman said the authority had been 'appalled' by the attack. He said the council was converting 120,000 street lights to LED which would be left on all the time.

He added: 'We did not switch off any street lights in town centres, areas with CCTV, known anti-social behaviour areas, at busy junctions, roundabouts or sites with road safety issues.

'We met with Kent Police on a regular basis and they indicated there was no overall increase in crime since the introduction of part-night lighting.'

Detective Superintendent Susie Harper, of Kent Police, said: 'Although we work to prevent and reduce offences of rape, we also encourage its reporting.

'Kent Police has worked closely with charities and other groups to increase awareness of what constitutes rape.

'This has increased victims' confidence in reporting offences including non-recent incidents and this is reflected in the figures in Kent and nationally.

'The latest figures show that between April 2016 and March 2017, Kent Police conducted 1,581 rape investigations.

'For cases prosecuted at court from 1 January to 31 March 2017, the conviction rate stood at 68 per cent.

'Kent Police will take a victim's views into account during an investigation and in many cases a victim might not wish to support a prosecution. Kent Police will still record the offence, but it might be that it does not reach a court process.

'An Initial Response Officer who has specialist skills in dealing with victims of sexual assault will be sent to a report of rape in the first instance.

'The investigation is then managed by a specialist investigation team and partners, such as rape prosecutors, victim support charities and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

'Victims are able to self-refer to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre where evidence is retained in order to allow the victim to support a prosecution at a later date if they wish.

'Officers will refer victims to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor who looks after the victim's needs, helps them understand how the criminal justice process works and supports them through a criminal trial.

'Kent Police constantly monitors its performance to address any areas for improvement and to continue to provide the best possible service for rape victims.'
The Brexit Secretary declared that he would view 1billion as a 'lot of money'

David Davis has warned he is ready to walk away from Brexit talks if Brussels demands a 100billion divorce bill.

The Brexit Secretary declared that he would view 1billion as a 'lot of money' as he made clear he was braced for a 'turbulent' showdown with the EU.

The tough line comes amid signs that the EU stance has hardened on the scale of the settlement demand.

States who are net contributors to the bloc's coffers are said to be unwilling to pump in more money to cover the huge hole left by Britain's departure. Meanwhile, members who are net recipients of funds are refusing to accept low handouts.

The tensions could mean the bill presented to Britain is even higher than the 100 billion euros previously mooted.

There are fears the stand-off may end talks almost before they have begun next month - as EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said he will not start discussing future trade arrangements until after the terms of the divorce are agreed.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Davis accused Eurocrats of having 'axes to grind' and suggested other member states were posturing.

He insisted the UK was prepared to walk out if the other 27 member states did not moderate their demands.

'We don't need to just look like we can walk away, we need to be able to walk away. Under the circumstances, if that was necessary, we would be in a position to do it.'

The 27 remaining EU states are due to sign off on a legally binding negotiating position tomorrow.

The divorce demand is now expected to include money they claim is still owed by Britain from the period 2007 to 2013.

There could also be pressure for the UK to hand every EU citizen who has lived in the UK full rights to live and work here and claim benefits.

But Mr Davis rejected that idea out of hand, saying: 'How on earth would you manage such an exercise?'

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said he will not start discussing future trade arrangements until after the terms of the divorce are agreed

Allies of EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker have been accused of poisonous briefings against the UK

Asked whether he would storm out of the Barnier meeting, mr Davis said: 'Wait and see.'

He added that the talks would be 'fairly turbulent' and that Britain would reject the EU's timetable for the talks - which would see the divorce bill, EU citizens' rights and the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic resolved before trade talks begin.

'The first argument is going to be over the question of sequencing,' Mr Davis said.
Moors Murderer Ian Brady taunted police over where he hid the body of missing victim Keith Bennett - telling detectives: 'My own puzzlement is why hasn't it been located.'

The criminal and his lover Myra Hindley killed at least five youngsters in the 1960s but Keith's body has never been found.

But officers attempting to interview Brady were repeatedly met with evasive answers as they tried in vain to extract information leading to the location of the corpse.

Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Topping even took Brady to Saddleworth Moor in July 1987 in a bid to get the murderer to pinpoint Keith's body - but he failed to show them the spot, taking the secret to his grave.

Ian Brady, pictured left, refused to co-operate with police as they tried to work out where he had buried 12-year-old Keith Bennett, pictured right

In October 1965 a search party gathered on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester to desperately try to find the bodies of the child victims

When Brady's accomplice Myra Hindley made a 700-page confession to the killings of teenagers Keith and Pauline Reade, the evil criminal was told that he was 'implicated' in the deaths.

But rather than helping police with their enquiries he simply replied: 'I don't wish to be interviewed formally but I'm willing to help on an informal basis.'

The Mirror quoted a frustrated Topping as saying: 'You made a statement that you would be willing to visit the Moors to help find Keith Bennett.'

But Brady merely continued with his refusals to help detectives, according to the files which were uncovered by Moors murder expert Darren Rae.

Pictured left and right are tributes to missing victim Keith Bennett, who has never been found

Darren, who has spent almost two decades researching the brutal killings, said: 'It was his way of being in control, getting the attention he craved. He continued his stance and position of either non-co-operation or co-operative disinformation.'

Earlier this week it emerged that twisted Brady taunted police from his prison cell by claiming he would have revealed the resting place of little Keith if he had been given more time.

Keith's heartbroken mother, Winnie Johnson, died in 2012 after fighting tirelessly for decades to find her son and provide a Christian burial.

And in a series of never-before-seen letters he wrote to former BBC journalist Peter Gould, Brady - who died aged 79 last week - continued to tease the authorities from his prison cell.

Brady died at Ashworth High Secure Hospital in Maghull, Merseyside

The correspondence between the murderer and the journalist lasted more than 30 years and Brady, originally from Glasgow, would write to Mr Gould 'every few weeks'.

It has now also emerged that Brady claimed he deserved 'one last visit' to the moor after a nighttime vision reminded him where he buried 12-year-old Keith.

It is thought the claim was part of Brady's 'pathological need for control' as he sat festering in the secure cell he once described as 'a matchbox' and the trip would have used to boost his ego.

Brady, who was jailed in 1966, died at Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside - where he had been detained for 32 years.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has proven he is not as out-of-touch as his opposition would like, posing for an elevator selfie with Instagram famous 'Human Ken Doll' Justin Jedlica.

Jedlica, who claims to have had over 200 plastic surgeries, took the photo with the PM while visiting Australia.

He says he has had chest implants, triceps implants, shoulder implants and, of course, butt implants.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has posed for an elevator selfie with Instagram famous 'Human Ken Doll' Justin Jedlica (left)

Jedlica, who claims to have had over 200 plastic surgeries, took the photo with the PM while visiting Australia

Jedlica (left), 36, was at a function hosted in Canberra for guests and donors, which also featured Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Senate president Stephen Parry

Jedlica, 36, was at a function hosted in Canberra for guests and donors, which also featured Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Senate president Stephen Parry.

It's not the first time Jedlica has attended a Budget night function, he was also spotted with Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux at a similar event in 2015.

The 36-year-old star who rose to prominence after appearing on Botched, once had enhancement surgery using implants he handcrafted himself.

He also had what he calls 'Julia Roberts' veins' in his forehead removed, marking his most dangerous procedure ever.

Jedlica (left), 36, was at a function hosted in Canberra when he visited Parliament House, posting: 'Loving life with my besties'

He says he has had chest implants, triceps implants, shoulder implants and, of course, butt implants

The 36-year-old star who rose to prominence after appearing on Botched, once had enhancement surgery using implants he handcrafted himself

Justin Jedlica (right) poses for photo with Gabi Grecko's ex-girlfriend Frenchy Morgan (left)

Jedlica is also friends with Frenchy Morgan, who briefly dated Geoffrey Edelsten's ex Gabi Grecko.

'I have a reputation of being one of the most extreme plastic surgery addicts in the world and I love continuing to push the limits.

'As an artist I've always enjoyed drawing and sculpting and for me plastic surgery is an extension of my creativity.'
Three Royal Navy officers were arrested in Italy after allegedly attacking a kebab shop owner - and one of them was accused of trying to raid the till.

A friend of the owner told The Sun that a row broke out after one of the trio made sexist remarks about his girlfriend.

None of the men, aged 27, 25, and 21, were charged after their arrests in Palermo, on the island of Sicily.

The three sailors were officers on HMS Echo in the Mediterranean, and were on shore leave when it happened

The Royal Navy has said it is aware of the allegation, and said the men were released without charge

The men, officers on HMS Echo in the Mediterranean, were on shore leave when it happened, The Sun reports.

A friend of the owner said: 'The sailors went mad and started attacking him.'

He said the row broke out after one of the group made sexist comments which the kebab shop owner, who is Bengali, understood.

The friend continued: 'He told him not to say what he did and then he went for him with his friends joining in. One of them even tried to take the till but he failed.'

A Ministry of Defence spokesman told The Sun: 'We are aware of an alleged incident. All service personnel were released by local police without charge.'

No one from the MOD was available
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Britons should be able to bask in the hottest temperatures since September when a wave of warm air moves across the country in the coming days, forecasters have predicted.

The working week will be book-ended by the best of the weather, with highs of up to 27C (80.6F) expected on Friday.

The UK is on course to be hotter than Ibiza, the Greek island of Corfu and Barcelona as grey skies, rain and chilly temperatures are given the heave-ho and the nation sees the hottest day of the year.

Warm, sunny weather now looks likely to hold out into the start of June kicking summer off to a flaming start.

Today will see largely sunny conditions and temperatures of up to 25C (77F).

Tomorrow will not be quite as warm, particularly in western areas where cloud and rain could get in the way.

But it will start to get warmer again on Wednesday, and from Thursday hot air from the Mediterranean will spread across the country with temperatures set to overtake this year's current high of 25.8C (78F), recorded in Gravesend, Kent, earlier this year.

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Summer is about to start early with blazing sunshine, blue skies and 77F (25C) temperatures in store this week. Pictured, runners on Wimbledon Common

Steamy Continental winds could even make it feel close to 82F (28C) in parts of the country towards the end of the week, experts say. Pictured, families enjoying the sun on Wimbledon Common

The UK is on course to be hotter than Ibiza, the Greek island of Corfu and Barcelona as grey skies, rain and chilly temperatures are given the heave-ho and the nation sees the hottest day of the year. Pictured, horse riders on Wimbledon Common

Warm, sunny weather now looks likely to hold out into the start of June kicking summer off to a flaming start. Pictured, a woman walks her dog on Wimbledon Common

The hottest day of the year so far was 25.8C in Gravesend, Kent, in April. Pictured, an elderly woman pushing a baby in a buggy

Southern Britain is in for the best of the weather although the mercury could touch 23C (73.4F) as far north as Scotland

The hottest day of the year so far was 25.8C in Gravesend, Kent, in April.

The Met Office predicts largely warm, dry weather for the next 10 days with only the odd shower threatening to dampen spirits.

Southern Britain is in for the best of the weather although the mercury could touch 23C (73.4F) as far north as Scotland.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said glorious weather is likely to have set in until the spring bank holiday weekend.

The generally dry and warm spell should last into the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, however later and thereafter through the beginning of June conditions are likely to turn more unsettled. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

This will bring a greater risk of showery rain and stronger winds over many parts with the strongest winds perhaps across the west and southwest. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

The summery outlook comes after weeks of topsy-turvy weather which has dished up bitter winds, the threat of drought before torrential deluges last week. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

Temperatures nudged 26C (78.8F) in Gravesend, Kent, last week bringing the hottest day of the year so far before plunging again at the weekend. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

Scotland basked in the warmest temperatures of 2017 last Tuesday before the mercury nosedived below freezing at the weekend. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

Forecasters agree a cheery change is afoot with warm, dry summer-like weather on the way from Monday. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

Thermometers will reach 21C (69.8F) in the south and parts of central England with all of the UK reaching double figures. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

Weather Channel forecaster Amy Hodgson said: 'On Monday maximum temperatures are expected to be 17C (62.6F) to 21C (69.8F) degrees celsius widely, locally 22C (71.6F) in the south-east of England.' Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

She added: 'Maximum temperatures of 14C (57.2F) to 17C (62.6F) degrees celsius are forecast, 18C (64.4F) in much of the south of England, and 19C (66.2F) locally in the south-east [on Tuesday].' Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said 30C (86F) is likely in parts of the country during the start of summer. Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

He said: 'From this week things are looking like hotting up for most of the country as an extended period of dry and warm weather develops.' Pictured, punters in Green Park, London

Pictured, four horse riders trot through the river Wey at Littlemead near Weymouth in the beautiful sunny weather conditions as the rest of the UK looks to receive a week of hot conditions starting on Monday

A spokesman said: 'Warm air is coming in from the south, initially from the Continent before turning to a more Atlantic flow bringing tropical maritime air'

He said thermometers will hit the low 20Cs widely later this week with 28C (82.4F) possible in parts of the southeast.

He said: 'The main focus for the warm weather this week will be in the south although we expect temperatures widely to reach the low 20Cs.

'The southeast could reach 25C (77F) or even 27C (80.6F) or 28C (82F) in one or two spots dependant on how much sunshine we get.

'Warm air is coming in from the south, initially from the Continent before turning to a more Atlantic flow bringing tropical maritime air.

'There will be some patchy rain about through the week although high pressure will bring largely clear skies and sunny spells across much of England and Wales.

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A forecaster said: 'The southeast could reach 25C (77F) or even 27C (80.6F) or 28C (82F) in one or two spots dependant on how much sunshine we get.' Pictured, the hazy morning sunshine over central London

Summer is about to start early with blazing sunshine, blue skies and 77F (25C) temperatures in store this week. Pictured, the sunrise this morning over Whitley Bay in Northumberland

Steamy Continental winds could even make it feel close to 82F (28C) in parts of the country towards the end of the week, experts say. Pictured, the sunrise this morning over Torquay

'We are likely to hang on onto this weather certainly into next weekend, however, as is typical with bank holidays it then looks a bit uncertain on Monday.'

The Met Office's 30-day long-range outlook suggests warm, dry weather will persist until the start of June.

It warns of some wind and rain in parts towards the end of May although clear skies and sunshine will keep temperatures up.

It states: 'High pressure will bring mostly dry weather across the UK with some warm perhaps even very warm sunshine developing, although some showery rain is possible at times in the far north.

'The generally dry and warm spell should last into the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, however later and thereafter through the beginning of June conditions are likely to turn more unsettled.

'This will bring a greater risk of showery rain and stronger winds over many parts with the strongest winds perhaps across the west and southwest.

The Met Office's 30-day long-range outlook suggests warm, dry weather will persist until the start of June. Pictured, the sunrise over the Penshaw Monument near Sunderland

It warns of some wind and rain in parts towards the end of May although clear skies and sunshine will keep temperatures up. Pictured, the sunrise over the Penshaw Monument near Sunderland

The Met Office predicts largely warm, dry weather for the next 10 days with only the odd shower threatening to dampen spirits. Pictured, the sunrise this morning over Torquay

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said glorious weather is likely to have set in until the spring bank holiday weekend. Pictured, the sunrise this morning over Torquay

'Temperatures will return closer to normal by the end of the month, although in any sunshine it will still become rather warm.'

The summery outlook comes after weeks of topsy-turvy weather which has dished up bitter winds, the threat of drought before torrential deluges last week.

Temperatures nudged 26C (78.8F) in Gravesend, Kent, last week bringing the hottest day of the year so far before plunging again at the weekend.

Scotland basked in the warmest temperatures of 2017 last Tuesday before the mercury nosedived below freezing at the weekend.

Forecasters agree a cheery change is afoot with warm, dry summer-like weather on the way from Monday.

Thermometers will reach 21C (69.8F) in the south and parts of central England with all of the UK reaching double figures.
Princess Diana's former lover James Hewitt could face up to a month in hospital after suffering a heart attack and a stroke.

The 58-year-old former army officer was left fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack which was followed by a stroke.

He had been on a waiting list to see an NHS consultant when he suddenly fell ill three weeks ago.

Princess Diana's former lover James Hewitt could face up to a month in hospital after suffering a heart attack and a stroke. Pictured above, the former army officer in Marbella in 2011

At one stage, doctors gave him a 'slim chance' of survival, according to The Mirror.

Hewitt is understood to have now been released from intensive care but is being held in hospital for further treatment.

News of his illness comes just weeks after he gave a rare interview denying longstanding rumours he is Prince Harry's biological father - a slur repeated recently in the BBC's new drama King Charles III.

A family friend told The Mirror: 'James still has a long way to go. He is getting better but his recovery is slow. He is expected to be in hospital for another four weeks.'

Princess Diana met James Hewitt at a party in London in 1986 when she was aged 25. He was 28. Three years later  in a now iconic image at the height of their affair  she was pictured presenting the Life Guards officer with a polo trophy

The ex-Army captain and Gulf War veteran (pictured in full uniform, right) had a five-year affair with Diana (left) while she was married to Prince Charles

The companion added the family were concerned about his low spirits and were 'willing' him to get better.

Hewitt was rushed to hospital three weeks ago after having a heart attack at his home in Exeter, Devon.

At first he was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth but was later moved to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to receive specialist medical care.

The Mirror reported Hewitt was due for a procedure when he suffered a 'pretty serious' heart attack.

The ex-Army captain and Gulf War veteran had a five-year affair with Diana while she was married to Prince Charles.

Hewitt was rushed to hospital three weeks ago after having a heart attack at his home in Exeter, Devon. Pictured above, the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where Hewitt has been staying

The pair met at a party in London in 1986 when she was aged 25. He was 28.

Three years later  in a now iconic image at the height of their affair  she was pictured presenting the Life Guards officer with a polo trophy.

The couple were forced apart when he was sent to Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War and split after their affair was made public.

Hewitt now lives with his widowed mother Shirley in a two-bedroom flat in Exeter.

In March, Hewitt appeared on Australian Channel Seven's Sunday Night.

Speaking candidly from his home in the southwest, he spoke about the moment he fell in love with the late royal.

The former polo player also denied claims he was Prince Harry's father when pressed about the paternity.

'Are you Harry's father?' Australian host Melissa Doyle asked.

'No, I'm not,' Diana's former lover replied.
Jeremy Corbyn has refused to condemn the IRA directly and blamed the British government for seeking a 'military solution in Ireland' during the 1980s.

The Labour leader insisted he was against bombings that 'killed large numbers of innocent people'.

But asked if he could condemn the terrorist group without 'equating' its violence, Mr Corbyn replied: 'No.'

The comments were described as 'outrageous' by senior Tories, and will fuel concerns about the stance taken by Mr Corbyn and his key allies.

The comments by Jeremy Corbyn on Sky News today will fuel concerns about his stance towards the IRA

Weeks after the IRA bombed the Conservative Party conference in Brighton in 1984, Mr Corbyn invited Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams to speak in parliament.

Last week shadow chancellor John McDonnell was challenged over remarks from 2003 in which he praised the IRA's 'bombs and bullets' and demanded people 'honour' their sacrifice in the 'armed struggle'.

He said their 'bravery' was what had brought the UK government 'to the negotiating table'. Mr McDonnell said on Friday that he had 'apologised for those words', but claimed they had been part of his 'contribution' to the peace process.

Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge programme today whether he would condemn the IRA's deadly campaign during the 1980s, Mr Corbyn said: 'Look bombing is wrong. Of course all bombing is wrong. Of course I condemn it.'

Pressed on whether he could 'condemn the IRA directly without equating it', the Labour leader replied: 'No. I think what you have to say is all bombing has to be condemned and you have to bring about a peace process.

'In the 1980s Britain was looking for a military solution in Ireland and it clearly was never going to work. Ask anyone in the British army at that time.'

'You condemn the violence of those that laid bombs that killed large numbers of innocent people. And I do.'

The pointed reference to 'innocent people' will cause particular anger, as it seems to exclude UK military personnel and politicians who were killed by the terrorists.

Mr McDonnell's 2003 comments came at an event commemorating the death of the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.

Weeks after the IRA bombed the Conservative Party conference in Brighton in 1984, Mr Corbyn invited Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams to speak in parliament

Mr Corbyn's pointed reference to 'innocent people' will cause particular anger, as it seems to exclude UK military personnel and politicians who were killed by the IRA

Mr Corbyn, pictured with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in the 1980s, invited him to parliament weeks after the Brighton bombing

'It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle,' he told the event.

'It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table.

CORBYN GRILLED OVER LINKS TO LEFT-WING PAPER THAT HAILED 1984 ATTACK Jeremy Corbyn has denied being on the editorial board of a left-wing publication that hailed the Brighton bombing. An editorial in London Labour Briefing in 1984 said "the British only sit up and take notice when they are bombed into it". It also carried letters from readers praising the audacity of the IRA attack and joking about injuries suffered by Cabinet minister Lord Tebbit and his wife. Mr Corbyn today denied reports he had been general sectretary of the editorial board at that time. 'I was not a member of the editorial board,' he told Sky News. 'I didn't agree with it.' However, extracts from a March 1983 edition of the LLB gives a date of the next editorial board meeting, and asks readers if they want to go on 'Jeremy Corbyn's mailing list'. Advertisement

'The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA. Because of the bravery of the IRA and people like Bobby Sands, we now have a peace process.'

Security Minister Ben Wallace, who served in Northern Ireland, said: 'People up and down the country will rightly be outraged that Jeremy Corbyn won't unequivocally condemn the IRA for the bloodshed, bombs and brutal murders they inflicted on a generation of innocent people.

'Jeremy Corbyn has spent a lifetime siding with Britain's enemies, but he and his extreme views could be leading our country and representing it abroad  negotiating with 27 EU countries in just over 2 weeks' time. And it's the British people who will pay for this for generations.

'We want a Prime Minister, not a leader of a protest movement who has opposed nearly every measure to keep this country safe in the last thirty years. The only way to get the strong leadership our country needs through Brexit and beyond is to vote for Theresa May and her Conservative team on June 8.'

Asked at a press conference in London on Friday what he would say to voters about those views, Mr McDonnell replied: 'What I say to them is what I said before that I apologise for those words, but if you also look at what I said.

'I said no cause is worth an innocent life. And I made that explicitly clear. I also did everything I possibly could to secure the peace process in Northern Ireland.

'And at times that was contentious of course because you're trying to talk to people and at that point in time you were condemned for talking, but then we discovered that governments were talking to them anyway.

'So yes I've apologised for my language but I've made it absolutely clear I didn't about securing peace.

Pressed on whether he still thought the peace process was a result of the IRA bombing campaign, Mr McDonnell said: 'I think the peace process was a result of the dialogue that many undertook and if I contributed in no matter any small way I'm pleased to do so.

At a press conference in London on Friday shadow chancellor John McDonnell was challenged over comments from 2003 in which he demanded people 'honour' Republican terrorists

Even Corbyn's close aides tell Labour activists not to mention leader on the doorstep

One of Jeremy Corbyn's closest aides has urged Labour candidates not to bring up the leader on the doorstep.

Steve Howell, the veteran left-winger's deputy director of communications, gave the advice after he was asked how to deal with voters' concerns.

The comments came in a conference call with activists, a tape of which has been leaked to the Sunday Times.

Danny Hackett, Labour's candidate in Old Bexley and Sidcup, said he was finding that 'lifelong Labour voters cannot support us with the leadership team we have'.

Mr Howell responded: 'This is obviously within the party a sensitive subject ... I think the focus of the response to that should be on the manifesto and on the policies rather than individuals.'

He went on: 'Even I would say if I was on the doorstep: 'Look, you're voting for a manifesto and a policy and a vision for Britain, which I think that the party is united around.

'Secondly, you're voting for your local candidate and if a Labour government is elected that would be a Labour government that has a collective leadership.'
The fiance of accused drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury has reportedly fled Colombia in fear of his life.

Scott Broadbridge is believed to have made a hasty exit from the South American country just hours before tell-all interviews are set to go air on Australian television.

Sainsbury's Australian lawyers lodged an urgent injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against a Channel Seven report being broadcast at 8.30pm.

Scott Broadbridge (pictured), the fiance of accused drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury, has reportedly fled Colombia in fear of his life

Sainsbury, who was still behind bars in Colombia, was understood to have given her partner permission to sell his side of the story

But the broadcaster prevailed in court and will show the report after a judge dismissed the case, according to News Corp.

'I dismiss the plaintiffs application and there is no restraint on Channel Seven in relation to their Sunday program this evening,' Justice John Sackar said in court.

Previews hinted that Mr Broadbridge would concede she would confess her role in smuggling 5.8 kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia via Bogota Airport last month.

He was also expected to explain what he knows about the international drug syndicate behind the alleged cocaine deal, including why Sainsbury was in Colombia.

Mr Broadbridge (pictured) is expected to explain what he knows about the international drug syndicate behind the alleged cocaine deal

Mr Broadbridge, 23, is also set to be questioned over his knowledge of his partner's trip to Colombia a her trial draws closer on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes

Sainsbury, who was still behind bars in Colombia, was understood to have given her partner permission to sell his side of the story.

Mr Broadbridge, 23, is also set to be questioned over his knowledge of his partner's trip to Colombia a her trial draws closer on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes.

'We have established here, had it confirmed from the prosecutor's office, that the Colombian prosecutor now considers Scott, the fiance, a person of interest in the investigation,' reporter Liam Bartlett said, according to the Herald Sun.

Lawyer Stephen Kenny (right) and Cassandra Sainsbury's fiance Scott Broadbridge (left), at a press conference in relation to Ms Sainsbury's current situation in Colombia earlier this month
Police and social workers ignored the Rochdale sex abuse scandal - depicted in BBC drama Three Girls - because of political correctness, a victim has claimed.

The woman, who was named Holly in the drama and played by Molly Windsor, said authorities 'knew exactly what was going on', but turned a blind eye.

Known as Girl A when the horrific case went to court, the young woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - was repeatedly raped by ringleader Shabir Ahmed from the age of 14.

Her comments came days after another woman, identified as 'Lily', said she was ignored and came to believe the abuse was normal.

Girl A, who was played by actress Molly Windsor in BBC drama Three Girls (pictured), said authorities 'knew exactly what was going on', but turned a blind eye

The abuse victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons but was played by Molly Windsor (centre) in the programme said a 'generation of girls' were betrayed

She told author Nigel Bunyan in The Sun: 'The police and social workers betrayed a generation of girls by turning a blind eye.

'They knew exactly what was going on - they just didn't want to stop it. They knew the girls were under-age, they knew the men abusing them were Asian.

'They were just too politically correct to admit it.'

Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of the Rochdale child sex grooming gang

Girl A, now a mum living in the south of England, said police were so worried about being seen as racist that they referred to girls making 'lifestyle choices' in official reports.

She recounted how Ahmed - who encouraged victims to call him 'Daddy' - would ply her with vodka before she was abused.

Ahmed, who was 59 when he was eventually convicted, would pass girls around to other gang members.

Girl A said: 'We were all kids on a conveyor belt of abuse.'

Ahmed was eventually jailed for 22 years for rape, sexual assault, trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

The Rochdale scandal was finally exposed in 2012, when people learned that for years, authorities had been suppressing knowledge of abuse rings of primarily Pakistani men preying on primarily white teenage girls.

Young women were being raped by multiple men on a nightly basis, after being plied with gifts and alcohol.

Last week 'Lily' - who was not one of the girls depicted in Three Girls but was abused by the same men - told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I just felt like I was ignored like because I'd been told that this thing that had happened to me was really, really horrific but when I actually tried to report it nothing happened.

'So that kind of made me go back to thinking, well there's nothing wrong with what's going on because if there was something wrong, and it was really bad, then the police would have done something.'

Top row left to right: Abdul Rauf, Hamid Safi, Mohammed Sajid and Abdul Aziz; Bottom row left to right: Abdul Qayyum, Adil Khan, Mohammed Amin and Kabeer Hassan

Nine men were sentenced in 2012, and another nine in 2016. In 2012, the men were given sentences ranging from four to 19 years.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard that girls would be given alcohol before being passed around for sex at two takeaways, the Balti House and Tasty Bites, in the Heywood area.

The police were accused by then MP Simon Danczuk of ignoring the cases because they were brought by working class girls.

Reports have estimated the number of girls abused over the course of the cover-up at 1,400, but some have said it could be as many as 2,000.

The police were accused by then MP Simon Danczuk of ignoring the cases because they were brought by working class girls

The men sentenced in 2012 included Mohammed Amin who was jailed for five years for sexual assaults and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Abdul Qayyum, known as 'Tiger' to his victims, was jailed for five years for conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Adil Khan was convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child. He was jailed for eight years.

Mohammed Sajid, who abused girls in a flat in the city, was jailed for 12 years after he was convicted of conspiracy, sexual activity with a child, rape and trafficking.

Abdul Rauf was jailed for six years after being convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child. The court heard he had sex with one girl in his taxi 20 to 30 times.

Abdul Aziz was convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child and jailed for nine years.

The youngest of the group, Kabeer Hassan, was 25 when the abuse happened. He was jailed for nine years for rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Hamid Safi was jailed for four years for trafficking and conspiracy but was cleared of rape charges.

BBC drama Three Girls featured Sara Rowbotham and Maggie Oliver as a sexual health worker and police officer who eventually brought the men to justice

Reports have estimated the number of girls abused over the course of the cover-up at 1,400, but some have said it could be as many as 2,000

Allegations had been brought to police on multiple occasions between 2008 and 2010, and after reviews following the court case, Greater Manchester Police apologised in 2015.

In total, 13 officers were investigated and seven were given misconduct notices, but none faced further proceedings after the report was issued.

After the report, Assistant Chief Constable, Dawn Copley said: 'I want to say we openly acknowledge that mistakes were made and victims were let down.

'For our part in that we apologise to the victims and we give them our assurance that lessons have been learned, changes have been made and we are determined to use this to continue making improvements.'

In April last year, 10 men were jailed for a total of more than 125 years for sexual offences against eight girls and women in Rochdale.

The BBC drama focused on the abuse suffered by girls named Amber, Holly and Ruby (pictured, from left)

They included Afraz Ahmed, a former bus driver who picked up two of his young victims from school and offered them free tickets.

He was originally questioned in 2006 but a decision was made not to prosecute him after he claimed the girls' complaints against him were racially motivated.

Former bus driver Ahmed, of Rochdale, was found guilty of various sexual offences, including rape, conspiracy to rape and sexual activity with a child, in relation to five underage victims. He was jailed for 25 years.

Also sent to prison were Choudry Hussein for 19 years in his absence for rape, sexual activity with a child and conspiracy to rape.

Rehan Ali, of Blackley, was imprisoned for seven years and Kutab Miah, of Rochdale, for nine years after both were found guilty of rape and sexual activity with a child.

Abid Khan, of Liverpool, was jailed for six-and-a-half years and Mohammed Zahid, of Rochdale, for five years after both were found guilty of sexual activity with a child.

Mohammed Dauood, of Burnley, was jailed for 16 years after he was convicted of offences in relation to two victims including rape, sexual activity with a child and sexual assault.

David Law, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, was jailed for 11 years after he was convicted of conspiracy to rape.

A tenth defendant, Mahfuz Rahman, of HMP Garth, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three counts of sexual activity with a child. He was jailed for five-and-a-half years last September.

A then-40-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for 23 years after he was convicted of rape and attempting to abduct a child in relation to three victims. He will serve an additional eight years on extended licence when he is released.
A former producer on The Bill, who tried to have his wife killed, told a 'hitman' she had to die because he was 'not getting any sex from her'.

David Harris, 68, wanted his wealthy partner Hazel Allinson, 69, dead so he could be with his 28-year-old Lithuanian mistress Ugne Cekaviciute.

He met with three 'hitmen' to carry out his plan but was caught when the last one, Duke Dean, 55, went to the police.

David Harris, left, tried to organise a hit on his wife so he could be with his mistress Ugne Cekaviciute, right

Harris allegedly said Ms Allinson (pictured together) had to die because he was 'not getting any sex from her'

The east Londoner had posed as an assassin to help save Ms Allinson's life.

Speaking to The Sun, Mr Dean said Harris, of Amberley, West Sussex, told him: 'I get horny and want sex.' He added that the husband was getting desperate and had considered murdering her himself.

Mr Dean added: 'He said his missus slept on the other side of the bed, head to toe, with the dog between them.

'He was infatuated with Ugne and ready to sacrifice his partner for her. He was getting angrier about his partner, saying she had to die to give him the life he wanted.'

Duke Dean went to police after Harris offered him 175,000 to kill Ms Allinson

Harris met Mr Dean through a friend after failing to strike a deal with two other hitmen. He said he hoped to use Ms Allinson's cash to fund a lifestyle with his mistress, a former prostitute, and offered him 175,000 to carry out the murder.

He took him to her haunts and suggested different ways the job could be carried out, including faking a car accident or using poison.

When he was asked how he would evade detection once his partner of 30 years was found dead, he told Mr Dean he was adamant he would not be caught and that he could act remorseful if he needed to.

Harris was convicted on Thursday of three counts of soliciting murder after police were alerted in November. He will remain in custody until his sentence on July 14.

Mr Dean said: 'If I hadn't gone to police he would have poisoned her. I saved her life.'
Converting to Scientology is the key focus of treatment at a Victorian drug rehabilitation centre, former members have claimed.

Ex-students of Narconon in Warburton, east of Melbourne, claim they were mistreated at the centre and were forced to take part in Scientology practices.

Narconon students are expected to yell at inanimate objects, consume large amounts of vitamins, and sit in saunas for up to five hours, A Current Affair reported.

Narconon has long been subject to controversial claims in government reports and by former students that it is a front for the Church of Scientology, although it has previously said it operates independently.

Converting to Scientology is the key focus of treatment at a Victorian drug rehabilitation centre (pictured), former members have claimed

Ex-students of Narconon in Warburton, east of Melbourne, claim they were mistreated at the centre and were forced to take part in Scientology practices

Narconon students are expected to yell at inanimate objects, consume large amounts of vitamins, and sit in saunas for up to five hours at the centre (pictured)

A former chef at Narconon - a worldwide organisation which has been linked to several deaths in the United States - has revealed details about the inner-workings of the Warburton rehab centre.

Alan - who asked for his last name to be withheld - said staff members are expected to do a course based on the teachings of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard.

Students work to the Scientology-type course and often become violent, Alan told the program.

Drug addicts pay around $30,000 for a six to nine month stint at the rehab centre, as well as an additional $260 weekly fee for board.

The rehab centre has no doctors or psychologists on-site, despite being home to troubled drug addicts, according to A Current Affair.

Alan said he suffered an asthma attack while working at the centre and was unable to use his Ventolin.

A former Narconon chef said staff members are expected to do a course based on the teachings of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard. Pictured: The Church of Scientology in Melbourne

He said a common Scientology method for 'medical assistance' was performed on him instead.

'They did one of their things, which they do, which is called a 'Body Com',' he told A Current Affair.

'They'll put their hands on you and they'll go, 'can you feel my hands?' And you'll say, 'yes', and they'll thank you.

'I used to keep my Ventolin hidden. They knew I was an asthmatic, but I'd keep it well hidden so no one saw it.'

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon (pictured) has called for Narconon to be shut down and slammed the government for allowing it to operate

The centre was sued in April by a private security company over claims of $150,000 in unpaid debts.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has called for Narconon to be shut down and slammed the government for allowing it to operate.

'What's happening at Narconon highlights the fact that there is inadequate regulation or no regulation when it comes to treating people with substance abuse,' Senator Xenaphon said.

'When you have people so vulnerable, so desperate for help, to be roped in to something that appears to be a front for Scientology is just not on,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Church of Scientology and Narconon for comment.
Cassie Sainsbury reportedly worked as a prostitute at a Sydney brothel before she was allegedly caught with 5.8kg of cocaine at a Colombian airport.

The 22-year-old's Australian lawyer has also claimed Sainsbury 'isn't a bad person' and 'simply made a mistake' when threats were made to kill her and her family after she responded to a 'too-good-to-be-true' Craigslist ad.

It comes as Sainsbury's explanation for her arrest for the alleged cocaine in her luggage at Bogota Airport last month was exposed in a Sydney court on Sunday.

The document claimed the mysterious group 'threatened her life and the life of her family if she did not comply with their demands'.

The prostitution revelations came to light when a woman purporting to be a former sex worker at 220 Gentleman's Club in western Sydney claimed the accused smuggler was also employed there in 2016.

Cassie Sainsbury (pictured) reportedly worked as a prostitute for five months before she was allegedly caught with 5.8kg of cocaine at a Colombian airport

She reportedly advertised her services under the name 'Claudia', whose online profile included a photo of a woman wearing suggestive black and red lingerie

In another ad featuring the same photo, 'Claudia' was described as an 'adorable, stunning blonde who aims to please you in more ways than one!'

'Cassandra is not the naive sweet little blonde girl that everybody thinks she is,' the former colleague told Nine News.

Sainsbury reportedly advertised her services under the name 'Claudia' and promoted herself as '19 years old... classy, fun and ready to please.'

Claudia's online profile included a photo of a woman wearing suggestive black and red lingerie with her hands placed on her waist.

A woman claiming to be her former colleague alleges Sainsbury worked as a prostitute at the 220 Gentleman's Club (pictured) in Penrith in Sydney's west

'That one there is Cassandra 100 percent. I know that outfit,' the unnamed woman said pointing to the 'Claudia' profile. Pictured, a room inside the Sydney brothel

While the woman's face is concealed in the picture, long blonde locks similar to the accused drug smugglers can be seen falling over her shoulders.

'That one there is Cassandra 100 per cent. I know that outfit,' the unnamed woman claimed.

'I remember when she showed us she bought it. I've seen that photo, that is Cassandra.'

In another ad featuring the same photo, 'Claudia' was described as an 'adorable, stunning blonde who aims to please you in more ways than one!'

Sainsbury's former colleague claimed the 22-year-old (pictured) had lied to them in the past for her own financial gain

The brothel advertises 'a world of sophistication and elegance' with the 'best possible adult experience'

Sainsbury reportedly began working at the brothel in August last year before disappearing from the roster around five months later.

Her former colleague told Nine Sainsbury had lied in the past for her own financial gain and even falsely claimed her mother had died.

'She said her mum was suffering from MS and was in a private hospital in Sydney, that she didn't have private health insurance but Cassandra had done a deal with the hospital for reduced fees but she'd run up quite a debt,' she claimed.

'Then she had a phone call saying that her mum was dying, and then another call saying her mum had died, passed away from MS all while she was at the brothel.'

Sainsbury, originally from Adelaide, reportedly began working at the brothel in August last year

The brothel advertises rates of $150 per 30 minutes or $250 per hour in one online promotion

The former colleague said she and others donated money towards Sainsbury's mother's funeral, only to find she was still alive when news broke of the 22-year-old's arrest in Colombia.

'We've been really scammed. It's not like she just mentioned it once or twice, Cassandra would go on and on about it,' her former colleague said.

'I think she's manipulative, I think she's a compulsive liar and I think she's conniving.'

The brothel advertises 'a world of sophistication and elegance' with the 'best possible adult experience' at rates of $150 per 30 minutes or $250 per hour.

'Different girls that you can have and different type of girls that can make your fantasies come true,' one advertisement reads.

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's lawyer Orlando Herran told 60 Minutes his client responded to a Craigslist ad after finding herself in financial strife in Australia.

Some of Sainsbury's travel expenses to Sydney from her hometown of Adelaide were reportedly paid on a credit card in the name of her fiance, Scott Broadbridge (pictured together)

The former colleague said she and others donated money towards Sainsbury's mother's funeral, only to find she was still alive after the 22-year-old was arrested in Colombia

Sainsbury's lawyer Orlando Herran said the 22-year-old Australian wasn't a bad person but 'made a mistake'

The ad offered a loan and a trip to London  but at the last minute the itinerary was changed to Hong Kong, Los Angeles and then Bogota.

Mr Herran claimed Sainsbury tried to back out of the deal at the last minute before threats were made against her life. He said her family was also threatened.

'If you don't get to fly we will be threatening or killing your family or you,' Mr Herran told 60 Minutes.

'Cassandra isn't a bad person. She is a young girl with a... mistake.'

Sainsbury's explanation for her arrest for the alleged cocaine in her luggage at Bogota Airport last month was exposed in a Sydney court earlier on Sunday.

The explosive revelations come as it was reported her fiance Scott Broadbridge (left) fled Colombia in fear of his life

Sainsbury reportedly began working at the Sydney brothel in August last year before disappearing from the roster around five months later

Mr Broadbridge, 23, was questioned over his knowledge of his partner's trip to Colombia as her trial draws closer on Channel Seven's Sunday Night

A statement of facts used in the injunction request in a Sydney court on Sunday alleged Sainsbury 'has fallen victim to an international drug trafficking syndicate'.

'As a result, she has applied to the Colombian authorities and the Australian Federal Police to be placed into a witness protection program.'

The 22-year-old's mother Lisa Sainsbury told 60 minutes she believes her daughter is innocent.

'I've believed from the first second that I found out that she's innocent - and I still believe it to this day,' she said.

'It goes against everything she stands for... I believe she is 100 per cent innocent and I always will.'

Sainsbury was allegedly caught with 5.8kg of cocaine (pictured) at a Colombian airport last month

Sainsbury's Australian lawyers lodged an urgent injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against a Channel Seven report being broadcast on Sunday night

She also revealed she hasn't spoken to her daughter's fiance, Scott Broadbridge, since her arrest.

It has been reported Broadbridge, 23, fled Colombia in fear of his life, after Colombian prosecutors confirmed he was a 'person of interest' in the investigation.

He is believed to have made a hasty exit from the South American country just hours before tell-all interviews were set to go air on Australian television.

Earlier, Sainsbury's Australian lawyers lodged an urgent injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against a Channel Seven report being broadcast on Sunday night.

But the broadcaster prevailed in court and showed the report after a judge dismissed the case, according to News Corp.

'I dismiss the plaintiff's application and there is no restraint on Channel Seven in relation to their Sunday program this evening,' Justice John Sackar said in court.

Pictured, Scott Broadbridge, the fiance of accused drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury

Mr Broadbridge is seen at a press conference in Adelaide in relation to Ms Sainsbury's current situation in Colombia

Sainsbury was understood to have given her partner permission to sell his side of the story
North Korea has fired a mid-range ballistic missile just a week after one of Kim Jong-Un's weapons successfully re-entered the earth's atmosphere.

The South Korean defence ministry said this afternoon a weapon was fired 310 miles (500km) from a location north of Pyongyang and a White House official confirmed it to be a medium-range ballistic missile.

Despite threats of tougher US sanctions over its aggressive tests, the nation's dictator is pressing on with his nuclear programme, with today's launch the 10th of the year following on from dozens in 2016.

North Korea's state news agency warned the US mainland was now within striking distance.

Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada speaks to reporters at Defense Ministry in Tokyo on May 21, 2017, following North Korea's latest missile launch

People walk by a TV news program showing a file image of a missile launch conducted by North Korea, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea

Locals in Seoul react to television footage of the missile being launched Sunday afternoon

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspects a huge missile which was said to be launched last week

The test-firing of a new ground-to-ground medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 last Sunday

The official, speaking from Saudi Arabia where President Donald Trump is on a visit, said: 'We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM.

'This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's three most recent tests.'

North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes, even from China, its lone major ally, calling them legitimate self-defence.

It has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland.

North Korea's state KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Saturday: 'Today the US mainland and the Pacific operational theatre are within the strike range of the Demographic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike.'

It is the latest in a string of launches by Kim Jong-Un as the nation steps up its aggression on the Korean peninsula.

The dictator's defence ministry fired a missile named Hwasong-12 last Sunday night which soared 489 miles (787 km) reaching a height of 1,312 miles (2,111 km), successfully re-entering the earth's atmosphere, according to The Telegraph.

The test 'represents a level of performance never before seen from a North Korean missile', John Schilling, an aerospace expert, said in an analysis on the US-based 38 North website.

'It appears to have not only demonstrated an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that might enable them to reliably strike the US base at Guam, but more importantly, may represent a substantial advance to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).'

Last week's missile was deliberately fired at the highest angle to avoid affecting neighbouring countries' security, but had it been launched at a standard trajectory, it would have reached at least 2,500 miles (4,000km) - almost half the 5,500 miles (8,851 km) required to reach the US mainland.

Today's launch was North Korea's 10th this year, after dozens in 2016, as it accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States - something President Donald Trump has vowed 'won't happen'.

This graphic shows how an ICBM works and how far off the missile North Korea launched on Sunday was from reaching the US mainland. If it had been fired at a standard trajectory (marked in red) it would have reached almost halfway across the Pacific. Instead, it was tested at a steep angle (in yellow) to avoid affecting neighbouring countries' security

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 ahead of the launch

Kim Jong-Un, North Korea's leader, stands underneath a huge missile which was said to have been launched on Sunday

The long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 (Mars-12) is launched during a test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 15, 2017

South Korea's defence minister said on Tuesday that the launch shows Kim's missile programme is progressing faster than expected.

The details of Sunday's launch reported by KCNA were largely consistent with South Korean and Japanese assessments in that it flew further and higher than an intermediate-range missile (IRBM) tested in February from the same region, northwest of Pyongyang.

How far would missile have to travel from Pyongyang to reach the rest of the world? US Naval Base in Guam: 2,114 miles (3,402 km) Hawaii: 4,727 miles (7,670 km) London (over mainland Europe): 5,379 miles (8,657 km) San Francisco: 5,588 miles (8,993 km) Los Angeles: 5,935 miles (9,551 km) Washington, DC: 6,857 miles (11,035 km) Advertisement

KCNA said the test launch verified the homing feature of the warhead that allowed it to survive 'under the worst re-entry situation' and accurately detonate.

The claim, if true, could mark an advancement in the North's ICBM program exceeding most expectations, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute of Far Eastern Studies in Seoul.

The reclusive North, which has defied all calls to rein in its weapons programmes, even from its lone major ally, China, has been working on a missile, mounted with a nuclear warhead, capable of striking the US mainland.

US President Donald Trump's administration has called for an immediate halt to Pyongyang's provocations and has warned that the 'era of strategic patience' with North Korea is over.

US Disarmament Ambassador Robert Wood said on Tuesday China's leverage was key and that it could do more.

South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo told parliament Sunday's test-launch was 'successful in flight'.

Asked if North Korea's missile programme was developing faster than the South had expected, he said: 'Yes.'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un laughing during the long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 (Mars-12) test launch in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

This graphic shows how long a missile would take to reach potential North Korean targets if it was launched by Kim Jong-Un's defense ministry in Pyongyang

It was revealed this week that Donald Trump would have just 10 minutes to decide what to do North Korea fired a missile at the US mainland, according to experts.

Although Kim Jong-Un's arsenal is some way off being able to travel the 5,500 miles needed to reach the US, yesterday it was revealed the nation's nuclear programme is developing much faster than previously anticipated.

A test launch on Sunday would have reached 2,500 miles if fired at a standard trajectory, prompting leading scientists David Wright and Markus Schiller to analyse what would happen should North Korea strike.

Wright said: 'The timelines are short. Even for long-range missiles, there are a lot of steps that go into detecting the launch and figuring out what it is, leaving the president with maybe 10 minutes to decide whether to launch a retaliatory strike.'
The body of a woman in her 20's has been found in a tent in the Blue Mountains.

Police were called to the Darrug campsite in the Euroka Clearing of the Blue Mountains National Park about 11.30am on Sunday.

The woman's body was found shortly after, but is yet to be identified.

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A woman in her 20's was found dead in a tent (pictured) in the Blue Mountains on Sunday morning

A camping stove was also found in the tent alongside the body, 7 News reported.

Officers from the Blue Mountains Local Area Command located the woman with the help of National Parks and Wildlife Services.

They quickly established a crime scene around the fluorescent yellow tent.

Vision showed a police officer in a bright blue forensic suit taking pictures of the structure.

It is not yet known whether the woman's death is suspicious.

Enquiries are continuing.

Police are still investigating if the woman's death was suspicious, and are yet to identify her




Locals in Rochdale were furious when they saw Abdul Rauf, pictured, who is believed to have been released after serving half of a six year sentence for trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child

The paedophile gang exposed by the Three Girls TV drama have been released from prison and are roaming the same streets where they preyed on their young victims, it has been revealed.

Parents in Rochdale, Manchester, were horrified to discover that all but two of the evil perverts were freed early after completing only a portion of their sentences.

It has sparked a furious backlash with an angry mob of locals confronting one of the men just hours after an episode of the harrowing drama aired on BBC1.

The harrowing TV drama, which stars Maxine Peake and Molly Windsor, reveals how girls were targeted and raped in Rochdale.

The programme is based on the true story of two women who spent years battling for the horrific abuse to be taken seriously.

Feelings in the town were running high as the drama was shown over three nights just years after the nine-strong Asian paedophile gang was jailed.

One worried resident told the Mirror: 'A lot of girls they abused will still be living here. People need to know they are back.'

Another added: 'I didn't realise they were out. I'm disgusted we weren't informed so we could warn our children.'

Locals were furious when they spotted Abdul Rauf, who is believed to have been released after serving half of a six year sentence for trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Harrowing TV drama Three Girls, which stars Maxine Peake (pictured right) and Molly Windsor (pictured left), reveals how girls were targeted and raped in Rochdale

They called the police on Wednesday after spotting the 48-year-old in the street but he was seen again later that day as children played nearby.

Residents are now tracking the movements of the paedophiles, with one writing: 'One of them lives in my street with his wife and children. He's allowed to stay there even though our street is full of kids playing out.'

Police are powerless to act because Rauf is meeting his licence conditions - but officers assured neighbours that the paedophile was visiting his family rather than moving back in.

Of the nine men convicted over the scandal in 2012, only Shabir Ahmed, 64, who was caged for 22 years, and Mohammed Sajid, 40, who was jailed for 12 years, remain behind bars.

Hamid Safi, 27, pictured left, got four years in jail while Adil Khan, 47, pictured right, was freed after serving half of his eight-year sentence

Five years ago, it was ordered they be stripped of their British citizenship and returned to Pakistan.

But four of the men are continuing to fight their extradition with the Court of Appeal cases being funded by the taxpayer.

The case has raised fears that convicted criminals are adopting a strategy of timewasting and obstructing the courts to try and to put off any possible deportation from the UK as long as possible.

MPs have accused lawyers of making money by 'gaming the system' and using delaying tactics to spin out cases.

Abdul Qayyum, 49, pictured left, was given five years in prison by a judge. Abdul Aziz, 46, pictured right, has been released on licence after serving half of his nine-year sentence

Last week one of the gang's victims told how she 'just froze' when she came face-to-face with one of the abusers in Rochdale only a few weeks ago.

Speaking under the pseudonym Lily, the woman  who was groomed from the age of 11  told Good Morning Britain that she hadn't been taken seriously by the authorities.

She said: 'I actually bumped into one [of the abusers] in my hometown a few weeks ago. I just, I just froze.

'I was like, there's nothing I can do  I've brought it to court, he was sentenced and now he's out.'

Mohammed Amin, 50, pictured left, was jailed for five years and is now understood to have been freed along with the rest of the gang bar two of the members. Kabeer Hassan, 30, pictured right, served half of his nine-year sentence and is now roaming the streets once again

Rauf, Kabeer Hassan, 30, Adil Khan, 47, and Abdul Aziz, 46, have all been released on licence after going beyond the half-way point of their sentences.

Mohammed Amin, 50, Abdul Qayyum, 49, and Hamid Safi, 27, were all handed fewer than five years in jail and are now understood to be free.

Khan was convicted of two counts of engaging a child in sexual activity and one of trafficking a girl for sex within the UK.

Rauf was convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child, while Aziz was convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.
A group of scientists and lawyers are drafting the first legal manual for space warfare including rules on firing lasers and attacking satellites.

The document, being drawn up by leading experts in the field from the US, the UK and Australia , will address the grey areas in legislating what happens miles above the earth.

There is an Outer Space Treaty which acts as international space law, but with the pact celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, legislators are working on an updated model to produce a future-proof version.

It is understood part of the reason for the revamp is the threat of using space in modern warfare to stop the likes of Star Wars and Star Trek becoming a reality.

The Outer Space Treaty, like all international law, is technically binding to those countries who sign up to it, but the obvious lack of 'space police' means that it cannot be practically enforced

There is an Outer Space Treaty which acts as international space law, but with the pact celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, legislators are working on an updated model to produce a future-proof version called Milamos - the manual on international law applicable to military uses of outer space

The new treaty will aim to stop what has been dubbed as a real life Star Wars developing in space

Among the tactics that could be used in conflict are the firing of lasers and tampering with satellite imagery.

A satellite could be hacked and the images beamed back to earth altered to hamper advances and air strikes.

There could also be a potential wrangle over who is responsible for clearing up the debris left floating around in space should a satellite be taken out by an enemy missile.

In years to come, military astronauts could become commonplace.

The new legal document will seek to determine what happens if a space shuttle and its crew are taken hostage as well as identifying which types of satellite hacking will be considered a crime.

One of those tasked with peering into the future to come up with the manual is Dr Kubo Macak of the University of Exeter law school, who said at the moment there are more questions than answers in the legislation.

He told The Guardian: 'At the moment, the rules of space law found in international treaties focus almost exclusively on the peaceful uses of outer space, but to what extent are states constrained by the law when it comes to their military activities in space?

'For example, what type of interference with a satellite in orbit amounts to an "armed attack" which would trigger the right of the victim state to use force in self-defence against the attacker?'

The new treaty will be called Milamos - the manual on international law applicable to military uses of outer space.

Space exploration is governed by a complex series of international treaties and agreements which have been in place for years.

The first and probably most important of them celebrated its 50th anniversary on January 27  The Outer Space Treaty.

This treaty, which was signed in 1967, was agreed through the United Nations, and today it remains as the 'constitution' of outer space.

It has been signed and made official, or ratified, by 105 countries across the world.

The treaty has worked well so far but challenges have increasingly started to crop up.

So will it survive another 50 years?

How to stop Star Wars from entering our world A group of more than 40 international experts are about to embark on a three-year research project that will culminate in a Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Uses of Outer Space. MILAMOS Project is to ensure space activities are conducted in accordance with the rule of law. This will involve a consideration of the existing international rules on outer space. It will also involve integration with international humanitarian law and the rules prohibiting the use of force. The drafting of the rules will involve many meetings, heated discussions and compromises. It is envisaged that at the end of the project the applicable rules will be agreed on the basis of consensus. The MILAMOS Project is not an effort to condone warfare in outer space. On the contrary, it seeks to prevent armed conflict and minimise the devastating impact that space technology and military operations may have on the long-term and peaceful use of outer space. Advertisement

The Outer Space Treaty, like all international law, is technically binding to those countries who sign up to it.

But the obvious lack of 'space police' means that it cannot be practically enforced.

So a country, individual or company could simply ignore it if they so wished.

Implications for not complying could include sanctions, but mainly a lack of legitimacy and respect which is of importance in the international arena.

However it is interesting that, over the 50 years of it's existence, the treaty has never actually been violated.

Although many practical challenges have been made  these have always been made with pars of the treaty in mind, rather than seeking to undermine it entirely.

Although there are many points to consider in the treaty, one of the most important is that outer space is to be used for 'peaceful purposes'  weapons of mass destruction cannot be used in space.

Another is that celestial territory (such as the moon or Mars), is not subject to 'national appropriation'  in other words, no country can lay claim to them.

These points have been subject to challenges since the treaty came into play  the first example of such a challenge was the Bogota Declaration in 1976.

A group of eight countries tried to claim ownership of a segment of an orbit that was in the space situated above their land - since if their borders projected into the heavens, any 'stationary' satellite there would always be within their borders.

They claimed that this space did not fall under the definition of 'outer space' by the Outer Space Treaty and was therefore a 'natural resource'.

Implications for not complying with the treaty could include sanctions, but mainly a lack of legitimacy and respect which is of importance in the international arena

This declaration was not seen as an attempt to undermine the treaty, but rather to say that orbits that go around the Earth's equator, or in the direction of the Earth's rotation, must be owned by the countries beneath.

However this was was eventually dismissed by the international community.

In 2007 China was thought to have violated the treaty when it shot down one of it's own weather satellites with a 'ground-based medium-range ballistic missile'.

This was seen as 'aggressive' by Japan, but since the missiles did not come under the definition of 'weapons of mass destruction', it was found that it did not violate the treaty.

There was, however, international outcry because of the debris cloud it caused within the orbit.

Despite its importance, we must recognise that the Outer Space Treaty does have some specific failings in the modern era  mainly since it is focused on countries only.

Many private companies, such as lunarland, have exploited this and have offered to sell plots of land on celestial bodies such as the moon.

The Outer Space Treaty does have some specific failings in the modern era  mainly since it is focused on countries only. Many private companies, such as lunarland, have exploited this and have offered to sell plots of land on celestial bodies such as the moon

Agents doing this justify their activity because the treaty says that territory is not subject to national appropriation  and therefore, this technically means that private companies or individuals could however make claims to celestial territory, since they are not countries.

In an attempt to tackle some of the modern-day shortfalls of the treaty, the US government passed the Space Act of 2015, which says that US citizens may engage in the commercial exploration and exploitation of space resources.

Although this seems to undermine the space treaty's ban on anyone owning celestial territory, the Space Act has a clause stating, in simple terms, that the US does not lay claim to, or own, any such thing. This conflict, that indicated that the US 'may' be able to claim celestial territory, while not violating the treaty, remains an issue of key debate.

Despite these obvious legal loopholes and challenges, the treaty has long formed the basis for an international law with regards to outer space and it remains as the important backbone of outer-space governance.

The intention that it embodied when it was first written, to create law in space, remains important  and whether any changes will be made in the future to reflect changing political and commercial circumstances is yet to be seen.
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Drunken Brits have been caught enjoying booze-fuelled nights out in Magaluf as stag and hen parties head to the Spanish coast for holiday season.

Magaluf is one of the most popular resorts for lads' and girls' holidays, with groups from across the UK flocking there to drink and dance their troubles away - often leaving their manners behind.

The first cohort of holiday-makers have already started to make the most of the cheap booze and hot weather the resort offers, stumbling out of neon-lit bars as they hit the streets in search of a good time.

Bad behaviour over the years, including binge drinking, sex in the streets, fighting and nudity, have given Brits a bad reputation with the Spanish authorities - leading them to issue a warning to tourists that there will be consequences for those who misbehave.

Police patrol the streets, from Magaluf to Palmanova, on Segways, with 24-hour beach security and a squad of lifeguards keeping watch over the water for drunken swimmers at night.

Earlier this year, revellers were also told that anyone caught naked in the streets would be fined 2,300.

Young women on a hen party pose for the camera during a night out in the party hot spot of Magaluf in Spain

Women on a hen party pose in the street while revellers help a friend along the pavement as Magaluf kicks off for the summer

Fancy dress is part and parcel of a night out for young Brits in Magaluf and these three men have joined in on the fun, by donning cheerleader outfits

Two men are determined not to let the younger generations enjoy all the fancy-dress fun, while another reveller looks slightly worse for wear in his revealing outfit

One party-goer is unphased by local police's warning of hefty fines for nudity as he whips his top off on the streets of Magaluf

Young Brits have become notorious for their lewd behaviour in Magaluf, while two friends don their eye-catching fancy dress for a night out in the party capital

As is customary in Magaluf, a group of British women march along the streets in fancy dress in search of their next bar or club

Two friends console each other on a night out, while others tuck into a snack and down pints outside a bar and cafe in Magaluf

A woman smiles with a cheeky pose for the camera as her friends in fancy dress march up the main strip in Magaluf

This holiday maker seems to be having a great time in the party hot spot as he poses for a photo on the main strip in Magaluf

Two hen do members seem less than impressed with Batman as they chat to a fellow party-goer on the streets of Magaluf

One reveller, donning a fetching black wig and hot pants combo, looks lost as he strolls through Magaluf, while an Olympics themed hen party goes in search of its next destination
Melania Trump was pictured sharing a high-five with a student when she visited a school in Saudi Arabia as part of her husband's first foreign trip as president.

The First Lady was at the American International School in Riyadh where she greeted pupils and spoke with teachers.

She was joined by the Saudi Education Minister, Ahmed Al Eissa, and the two were given a tour of the site.

First Lady Melania Trump high-fives to a child during a visit to the American International School

Mrs Trump, dressed in a beige trench coat style dress, answers questions from pupils

The First Lady was joined by Saudi education minister Ahmed Al Eissa, left

Mrs Trump greeted students and spoke with teachers during her visit to the school in Riyadh

Melania later changed into a white suit for her husbands first major foreign speech

U.S. first lady Melania Trump (2nd R), Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (R), Ivanka Trump (L) and her husband, White House senior advisor, Jared Kushner (2nd L) take their seats before U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with an unidentified man after taking part in the group photo during the Arabic Islamic American Summit at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh

Melania Trump, wearing a white suit with heels and a black top, waits in the wings as President Donald Trump (not pictured) takes part in a photo for the Arab Islamic American Summit

Mrs Trump, who wore a beige trench coat style dress cut off at the knee, has decided not to cover her head during her time in Saudi Arabia.

Most women in Saudi Arabia also cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab.

But head coverings are not required for foreigners and most Western women go without.

Under the kingdom's strict dress code for women, Saudi women and most female visitors are required to wear a loose, black robe known as an abaya, in public.

Her decision comes two years after her husband Donald criticized then-first lady Michelle Obama when she opted to go bare-headed during a visit to the country.

'Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf(sic) enemies,' he tweeted at the time, using a short-hand spelling for 'enough'.

First lady Melania Trump visited the all-women Business Process Services and IT Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 21

First Lady Melania Trump (C) chats with employees during a visit to center on Sunday

Office employees pose for pictures as First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a khaki trench dress, speaks with staff

Melania shakes hands with one of the women at the Business Process Services and IT Centre in the Saudi capital Riyadh

Women wearing niqabs watch on as the first lady meets with women at the business process service center in Riyadh

First Lady Melania Trump (C) poses for a picture as she visits the All-Women Business Process Services and IT Centre

First lady Melania Trump visits American International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 21

The American International School was established in Riyadh in 1963 and offers the American curriculum from kindergarten through to grade 12.

Melania later tweeted about her visit, saying she had a 'a wonderful time with the students', adding: 'Intl perspective & education to children is so important.'

She also visited the All-Women Business Process Services and IT Center in Riyadh where she met and spoke with some of its 1,000-strong female employees.

The first lady tweeted that she had been honored to meet the 'incredible women' staff of the GE Saudi center, where 'great strides being made towards the empowerment of women.'

Melania tweeted about her trip today saying she had a wonderful time meeting students at the international school, and talking to the 'incredible women' at the Saudi GE center

Ivanka also tweeted about meeting Saudi Arabian women leaders from whom she said she 'learned directly of their accomplishments, challenges & vision for the future'

She also thanked the 12th President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, for joining her meeting with entrepreneurs

The center marked its fourth anniversary this year after it was founded to create jobs for Saudi women by TCS, Saudi Aramco and American multinational conglomerate General Electric (GE) in 2013.

Led by Dr Amal Fatani, the Business Process and IT Services Center supports GE Global Operations around the world in departments such as HR, accounting and IT.

Melania later changed into a stunning white suit for her husbands first major foreign speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit on Sunday.

Melania's stepdaughter Ivanka was also in Saudi Arabia for the presidential trip.

She tweeted that she too had met with female Saudi Arabian leaders and 'learned directly of their accomplishments, challenges & vision for the future.'

She also thanked the 12th President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, for joining her for a 'meaningful discussion with women entrepreneurs today.'

Mrs Trump has decided not to cover her head during her time in Saudi Arabia

The First Lady was also given a tour of the school as part of her visit
Cut costs for enterprises in operational services and logistics

The State Council has decided to further ease enterprises burdens by cutting operational service fees and logistics costs at an executive meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, on May 17, 2017.

Measures, including promoting provincial power transmission and distribution pricing reform, will be implemented, and changes will be expected to reduce enterprises burdens by 120 billion yuan a year.

Details: >> China on fast lane for lowering corporate burden

Made in China 2025

The State Council has decided to deploy demonstration cities and zones to implement the Made in China 2025 campaign, and push forward the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, at an executive meeting on May 17, 2017.

It placed forward six measures, which included building open and internet-based business incubators, as well as cloud platforms for industrial internet, and improving product and service quality, optimizing development environment, and expanding opening-up and international cooperation to activate the strategy.

Details: >> Medium and small enterprises highlighted in Made in China 2025

Govt information integration

The State Council issued a circular approving a plan to integrate and share government information as part of a government function reform, in a bid to better serve people and business entities.

The plan will set up nationwide platforms to integrate government information resources, which can be shared among all-level governments, enterprises and citizens.

The website, www.data.gov.cn, will be under construction and open to the public, and data.cegn.cn, set to open before July, will act as a portal for the platform.

Details: >> Plan to promote govt information integration

Strengthen receivables financing for small businesses

Chinas central bank has announced the release of a new three-year work program (2017-2019) on aid for small businesses.

Accounts receivable is an important liquid asset for small and micro-sized businesses, said the program by the Peoples Bank of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

The program will entail training courses and intensified policy support for receivables financing.

Details: >> China to strengthen receivables financing for small businesses

Strengthen weak links in flood control

The Ministry of Water Resources, along with the Ministry of Finance, recently released a document to strengthen weak links in combating floodwaters.

As stated in the document, priorities will be given to harnessing medium or small rivers, as well as cementing small-sized dilapidated reservoirs, enhancing the capacity of flood drainage in key areas, and building flood forecasts and warning systems in rural areas.

Promote openness of govt affairs

An action plan to promote the openness of government affairs was recently issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

The document urged openness to the public in dealing with official documents and hosting conferences. It also asked the administration for the disclosure of basic catalogue, as well as the results of reviewing proposals from the deputies of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National Peoples Congress (NPC).

Rectify market irregularities, protect consumer interests

Chinas top insurance watchdog, China Insurance Regulatory Commission, is set to conduct inspections to rectify market irregularities and protect consumer interests, according to a recently released official statement.

The inspections will focus on violations, including fraudulent sales practices, fake or absent customer information, and the failure to pay small insurance claims.

Details: >> Chinas insurance regulator to inspect market irregularities

Cut overcapacity in steel, coal

The countrys top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, announced China would phase out about 50 million tons of crude steel capacity and more than 150 million tons of coal capacity in 2017.

All facilities producing inferior-quality steel bars will be dismantled, and all substandard steel products will be banned from production by June 30, according to the document.

Details: >> China unveils detailed plan to cut overcapacity in steel, coal

Punishment for dishonest behaviors in work safety management

The work safety watchdog, the State Administration of Work Safety, announced it would hand out a joint punishment for dishonest behaviors in work safety management.

According to the document, punishment will be given to enterprises with records of major work safety accidents, or to enterprises with more than three deaths within a year, and to those engaged in production, operation and construction failing to obtain work safety licenses.
A Surrey-based cousin of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has been threatened with beheading by jihadists, it has emerged.

Siwar al-Assad, who lives in an eight-bedroom luxury home in leafy Oxshott, revealed he has received threatening messages saying 'we are coming for you'.

Counter-terrorism officers are investigating the threats, which included a handwritten note delivered to the television executive's 5million home, as well as a message sent through Facebook.

Siwar al-Assad said he has received death threats to his Surrey home and has alerted police

Picture taken in 1984 shows then Syrian president Hafez al-Assad (right) with his youngest brother Rifaat (left) at a military ceremony in Damascus

The 42-year-old father-of-two is the son of Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of the current Syrian president and brother of former leader Hafez al-Assad.

Rifaat, who now splits his time between a nine-bedroom home in Mayfair, London, and an exclusive property in Marbella, has long been accused of involvement in a 1982 massacre in the Syrian city of Hama.

It is thought the death threats against his son could be related to the massacre, The Sunday Times reports.

The brutal response saw the Syrian army quell an uprising by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, and estimates of the number of killings vary from 1,000 to as high as 40,0000.

Siwar al-Assad is a cousin of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who became leader after his father's death in 2000

The hand-delivered note sent to Siwar referred to his father, The Sunday Times states.

It read: 'You have to know that we are coming and you will be beheaded inshallah (which means God willing).'

And a text message he received in the autumn last year said: 'The blood of the martyrs will be avenged, Allahu Akbar (which means God is the greatest).'

Siwar, who heads London-based satellite network Alamia News, said he notified police after his 29-year-old wife, Claudia, urged him to.

He denied his father had anything to do with the Hama massacre, for which Rifaat has been given the nickname 'the Butcher of Hama'.

Last year it emerged that Rifaat, Syria's former vice president, is facing probes into how he amassed his multi-million pound fortune despite being kicked out of Syria 'with nothing' 30 years ago.

He went into exile in Europe after staging a failed coup against his brother, Hafez al Assad, father of the current Syrian president, who was the country's ruler at the time.

Rifaat al-Assad has long been nicknamed the 'Butcher of Hama' because of his alleged involvement in the massacre

The brutal 1982 Hama massacre saw the Syrian army quell an uprising by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, and estimates of the number of killings vary from 1,000 to as high as 40,0000

He has since spent more than 30 years living a life of luxury moving between homes in Paris, London and the southern Spanish city of Marbella.

The inquiry into the former Syrian vice president's finances was triggered by Sherpa, an activist group representing the victims of financial crime, which claims his fortune was stolen during his time at the heart of the Syrian regime.

His family's assets, outlined by French customs in a May 2014 report, are valued at around 64million - much of it held through a web of businesses based in Luxembourg.

The French probe also asks questions as to why the British government has not itself examined the coming and goings of Mr al-Assad and his sons.

Rifaat has denied acquiring assets in France through illegal means.

French judge Renaud Van Ruymbeke last year frozen his French assets - mostly tied up in property and thought to be worth around 80 million.

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, spoke to Michael Sheridan, who undertook a special investigation on behalf of The Sunday Times.

He described Rifaat as one of the 'kingpins' and 'founding godfathers' of the Assad regime.

He stated: 'Having fleeced Syria for so much wealth, it is galling to Syrians to see them flaunt their ill-gotten millions all across Europe while millions of Syrians languish in refugee camps.'
An ex-Metropolitan Police officer who was on duty at the Royal Wedding in 2011 has avoided prison after defrauding the NHS out of more than 25,000.

Dexter Coleman-Mitchell, 25, who was jailed last year for being caught in possession of stun guns disguised as mobile phones, was selected for duty at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Coleman-Mitchell, of Northfleet, Kent, was commended for bravery in the London riots three months later during his time in the police.

However, after quitting the force, he and friend Samuel Fathers falsely claimed payment for administration shifts with Camden and Islington NHS Trust.

Fathers, 29, was a line manager with NHS Professionals (NHSP), a private company owned by the Department of Health, Maidstone Crown Court in Kent heard.

Dexter Coleman-Mitchell, 25, and friend Samuel Fathers, 29, both or Northfleet, Kent, falsely claimed payment for administration shifts with Camden and Islington NHS Trust. Between November 2013 and December 2015, they stole 26,602, splitting the money equally

It is the leading provider of 'flexible worker' services to the NHS, with a bank of more than 60,000 specialist doctors, nurses, midwives, administrative and other healthcare professionals available for temporary work to cover sickness or leave.

Between November 2013 and December 2015, Coleman-Mitchell and Fathers stole 26,602, splitting the money equally.

Ironically, Fathers, also of Northfleet, used his share to pay for his father's medical bills.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said Fathers would simply book his friend to work a shift and then log in to a computer purporting to be a matron in order to authorise it.

But no work was actually ever carried out by Coleman-Mitchell.

The fraud was discovered when the trust notified NHSP of a flexible worker by that name who was consistently being incorrectly booked to work and erroneously appearing on timesheets.

'The shifts had been booked by Fathers. He explained that he had probably booked a large number of shifts in one tranche and therefore made some errors,' said Miss Todd.

Dexter Coleman-Mitchell, who was jailed last year for being caught in possession of stun guns disguised as mobile phones, was selected for duty at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (file image)

'Fathers, when spoken to, said it was his responsibility to deal with but never did so. There was then an internal investigation.'

The pair, who now jointly run Electronic Business Products in Gravesend, Kent, admitted conspiracy to defraud Camden and Islington NHS Trust.

Their barrister told the court no money was taken directly from the NHS and it had since been all repaid.

But Judge Adele Williams described it as a 'mean, thoroughly dishonest and cynical' fraud.

'To deprive the NHS even indirectly of cash and funds when it is hard-pressed and needs every penny available is a despicable act,' she said.

Judge Williams decided however they had shown 'appropriate remorse' which enabled her to suspend an eight-month prison sentence for two years.

'You both admitted your criminality, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and the money has been repaid. Were it not for those factors I would have undoubtedly sent you to prison,' she added.

Both men must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, be subject to a three-month tagged curfew between 9pm and 7am, and take part in a Home Office-accredited Thinking Skills group programme and rehabilitation activity requirements.

Coleman-Mitchell must also take part in a Think First programme.

Howard Godfrey QC said Fathers was 'somewhat desperate' to help pay his father's medical bills, although details of his illness were not revealed during the sentencing hearing last Friday.

'He accepts, and Coleman-Mitchell equally accepts, that is no excuse,' he added.

'They have done absolutely everything that they could to put the matter behind them, rehabilitate themselves and move forward.'

He also told the court the men were now co-directors in a 'young and very successful' company employing 12 staff, and trading worldwide in office equipment and electrical products.

It was while the NHS fraud was being investigated that police discovered the five stun guns and two handguns at the ex-policeman's home.

One of the stun guns, which were capable of firing 12,000 volts, was in his girlfriend's handbag next to their bed.

Coleman-Mitchell was a gun collector but only held a shotgun certificate. He claimed the Chinese-made stun guns had been sent to him by a friend in the US.

The Kimar and GAP 9mm handguns fired blanks and although the barrels were partially blocked, were said to be capable of firing projectiles with lethal effect.

However, there was no evidence that any of the illicit weapons had been used.

He later admitted firearms offences and was jailed for 28 months in October, although this was later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Appeal and Coleman-Mitchell is now on tagged licence.

Coleman-Mitchell received a commendation for his 'cool and calm behaviour' in the London riots in August 2011.

But he left the force and set up the electronics firm when his mother encountered financial difficulties.

Mr Godfrey said because of his former Met Police job, his time behind bars was 'appalling' and he had to be held on the sex offenders' wing.

Fathers and Coleman-Mitchell must each pay 475 court costs by August 31.

The fraud investigation was carried out by NHS local counter-fraud specialists at Audit Yorkshire, with the support of NHS Protect, which leads nationally in the fight against NHS fraud.
An Australian woman has spoken of how she ended up in jail during a romantic trip to Hawaii with her American boyfriend because of what she wrote in her diary.

Molly Hill, 26, of Melbourne, visited Honolulu early last week with her new love Ross Maidl, only to end up being stripped searched and jailed on her birthday.

She has described the ordeal of her Hawaiian dream turning into a nightmare, after American immigration officials in the Pacific Ocean state read her diary.

Molly Hill was visiting the United States on an 88-day tourist visa on a fully-paid trip

The Australian tourist has told of how her diary entry led to a night if a federal prison in Hawaii

Molly Hill's diary had somehow convinced U.S. immigration officials she was planning to stay for more than three months

'They were convinced I wanted to immigrate illegally because my diary had notes like 'going away drinks' and 'last day at work', things I got in order before expecting to be away for three months,' she wrote on Facebook.

Hill left Australia for Honolulu on Monday on an 88-day tourist visa on a fully-paid trip.

But after being taken into an interview room, she was handcuffed and locked up in a federal prison.

'I was told there were no more flights to Australia that day and I would have to spend the night at the detention center, which the officer described as 'like jail but you can't make any phone calls',' she said.

The Melbourne woman has described being strip searched after being detained in Hawaii

Hill, left, was on an 98-day tourist visa to visit her American boyfriend Ross Maidl (right) in Hawaii

Maidl (pictured) then flew out to meet his girlfriend at Melbourne International Airport after she was deported

'I was frisked, made to undress in front of an officer and show that there was nothing in my hair or mouth, and asked to 'squat and cough' which was absolutely mortifying.'

After two hours behind bars, Hill was told to remove all her jewelry and list her tattoos to ensure they weren't gang related.

She spent the night in jail, before spending her birthday in handcuffs being escorted to the airport for an 11-hour flight.

'I remained in handcuffs and was escorted throughout the airport. Then I was finally allowed to call home, and had to pay $620 for a flight to Sydney,' she said.

'It's been a surreal few days that's taken a big chunk of money, heartache and tears.'

Molly Hill has described her Hawaii experience as something that took away 'a big chunk of money, heartache and tears'

Molly Hill hugs her American boyfriend Ross Maidl after arriving at Melbourne airport

The Melbourne woman said the experience has left her $2,000 out of pocket for nothing

She has called on the media to write a piece against U.S. President Donald Trump.

'If anyone knows of a good immigration lawyer please hit me up. Or if you're a journalist let's write an anti Trump piece,' she said.

Her boyfriend greeted her at Melbourne International Airport on Saturday, with the whole ordeal costing her $2,000.

Hill's ordeal comes only weeks after Canberra-raised personal trainer Baxter Reid was detained in upstate New York after overstaying his U.S. visa by 90 minutes.

The former Fitness First trainer, who worked in Canberra and Sydney, had visited the U.S.-Canada border in late April so he could fulfil visa requirements to leave the U.S. every six months.

It was almost another two weeks before the 26-year-old man was released from a Buffalo detention centre.
Emergency services rescued three women trapped on a cliff face in Victoria after they became stuck and called for help.

Victoria police search and rescue unit, CFA, SES and Ambulance Victoria attended the scene at Werribee Gorge Circuit Track in Pentland Hills, in between Melbourne and Ballarat, after the call came in at 2.14pm on Sunday.

A SES spokesman said the women had become stuck while climbing and called emergency services for assistance.

Scroll down for video

Emergency services are working to rescue three women stuck on a cliff face

The women became stuck on the Pentland Hills track just after 2pm Sunday

'They did have appropriate food, water and footwear. They just got themselves stuck and fatigued for a couple hours,' he told AAP.

He said he understood the 'terrain was too dangerous to do a high-angle rescue' so Victoria Police's search and rescue members decided to pull the women up the cliff face instead.

The women then needed to walk about three kilometres to be checked by Ambulance Victoria.

The age and climbing experience of the women is unknown.

The rescue was expected to be finished about 7pm.
The parents of brain tumour survivor Aysha King have said the NHS is still failing their son by refusing to give him vital treatment and regular check-ups.

Aysha, 8, from Southsea in Hampshire, successfully underwent proton beam therapy in Prague in August 2014 to treat his rare form of brain cancer.

His father Brett King and his wife Naghmeh sparked an international manhunt after they took Ashya, then aged five, from Southampton General Hospital without his doctors' consent.

The parents of brain tumour survivor Aysha King (Brett and Naghmeh, pictured) have said the NHS is still failing their son by refusing to give him vital treatment and regular check-ups

Now his concerned parents have complained that Aysha still needs physio and speech therapy and are forced to travel to Spain to get MRI scans.

Naghmeh, 47, told the Sunday People's Patrick Hill: 'It seems like some kind of revenge.

'Apparently our decision to do what was best for our son had cost him the right to any medical treatment in his own country.'

Brett, 53, added: 'He's not getting any help from the NHS. No physiotherapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy.'

Aysha, 8, from Southsea in Hampshire, (pictured being removed from hospital) successfully underwent proton beam therapy in Prague in August 2014 to treat his rare form of brain cancer

In 2014, Aysha's parents planned to take him for pioneering treatment in Europe as they feared conventional radiotherapy, as advocated by Ashya's British doctors to treat his medulloblastoma following surgery, would 'kill him or turn him into a vegetable'.

But the couple were arrested a few days later in Spain, where they were forced to spend several nights in prison away from their son before being released.

A High Court judge later approved the move to take Ashya to Prague for proton therapy.

A report published by Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Board found their actions had 'put him at risk'.

Now his concerned parents have complained that Aysha still needs physio and speech therapy and are forced to travel to Spain to get MRI scans

The proton therapy was not offered to Ashya on the NHS, although the health service later agreed to fund his treatment. Several new proton beam therapy centres will open in the UK from next year.

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust told MailOnline: 'From the moment we performed life-saving surgery to remove Ashya's brain tumour, our interest was only ever in providing the best and care and treatment for him.

'We cooperated fully with his parents and were in the process of arranging a safe transfer to the Proton Therapy Center in Prague at their request when he was removed from our hospital without warning.

'We have, and always will, dispute the King family's version of events.'

The spokesman said that University Hospital Southampton has not been responsible for Ashya's care since September 2014.

They referred questions to NHS England. MailOnline has contacted NHS England for comment.
Fresh details have emerged about the Turkish national who was detained at Honolulu Airport on Friday after allegedly trying to break into the cockpit mid-flight.

Anil Tuvanc Uskanli was escorted off the plane by FBI Agents who were waiting at the Hawaiian airport when the plane from LAX arrived at 9.30am.

The 25-year-old was filmed being removed from the plane in handcuffs by fellow passengers who claimed he was duct taped to his seat after the outburst.

As he awaits charges from the FBI, it emerged on Sunday that the man had been drinking before he boarded the plane and was even given a citation by L.A.X. police before he took his seat.

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Anil Tuvanc Uskanli was escorted off the plane by FBI Agents who were waiting at Honolulu Airport when the plane from LAX arrived at 9.30am (above) on Friday

Fellow passengers told Hawaii News Now that he looked disheveled and 'out of place' before the flight took off.

They told how he was stopped at the airport trying to make his way on to the airfield ramp through a side door but was allowed to board the flight.

Uskanli describes himself as a film and journalism student on LinkedIn.

They claimed that he was trying to sit in first class when cabin crew approached him, a suggestion that was denied by officials.

The 25-year-old had been drinking before the flight and was cited by LAX police before he even boarded the aircraft

The passengers said that after being told to go back to his seat, he put a blanket over his head and attempted to make his way to the cockpit.

Flight attendants were able to stop him before he got too close to the pilot's deck and brought him back to an empty row where he was supervised by an off-duty L.A. police officer until the plane landed.

Two US fighter jets were scrambled when crew reported his attempts to gain access to the front of the plane. They escorted the commercial plane to ground.

Conflicting reports claimed Uskanli fought with crew, kicked a service cart, and was duct taped in his seat.

The FBI would not release details of its ongoing investigation but Special Agent in Charge Paul Delacourt said the bureau was preparing a complaint for interference with a flight crew at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

'We are not aware of any other threats of any other threats to American Airlines or any other airlines,' he said, adding that bomb squads had cleared the plane and the man's luggage.

The student was filmed being taken off the plane by FBI agents and sheriffs who were waiting at the airport for its arrival

Fellow passengers filmed the large police presence which awaited them on the tarmac

'It's unclear what his motivation was,' he said.

In a statement issued to DailyMail.com, American Airlines said: 'This unfortunate incident highlights the tremendous professionalism of Americans team members, and specifically, in this situation, our flight attendants.

'Their decisive actions ensured the safety of everyone onboard the flight. We are proud of our crew and are grateful to them for their actions.'

The FBI is yet to file a complaint against Uskanli who was taken for a medical evaluation after his arrest.

They are likely to be brought against him in court on Monday.
Donald Trump insisted in a speech addressing global 'Islamic extremism' that Muslim leaders must scare would-be terrorists into submission, warning them about the impact suicide bombings will have on their immortal souls.

'Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory  piety to evil will bring you no dignity,' Trump said in a sumptuous Saudi ballroom that put Mar-a-Lago to shame.

'If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be fully condemned,' he said.

'Heroes don't kill innocents,' a confident Trump declared at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh. 'They save them.'

The president urged 55 world leaders from Arab and other Muslim nations to 'drive out' terrorists from every corner of their lives  including mosques  in a zero-tolerance approach that lines up with his 2016 campaign rhetoric.

'Drive them out!' he said. 'Drive them out of your places of worship, Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy lands, and drive them out of this earth,' he trumpeted.

President Trump told terrorists that 'if you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be fully condemned'

'Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combating radicalization,' Trump said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in his first speech abroad as president

Trump urged nations to 'cut off the financial channels that let ISIS sell oil, let extremists pay their fighters and help terrorists smuggle their reinforcements. We must stop what they're doing to inspire, because they do nothing to inspire but kill'

Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia on fighting Mid-East terrorism was delivered to 55 leaders from Arab and other Islamic countries

Tea servers at the summit watched Trump's speech from inside the cavernous hall

Trump's performance was forceful at times but largely a cautious, measured and presidential-sounding effort, raising his voice only once.

'With God's help this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed,' the president said.

Trump insisted that fighting terrorism is 'a battle between good and evil,' not between 'different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.'

'Terrorists do not worship God. They worship death,' Trump declared. 'If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen and what will be the end result.'

He predicted that in the absence of multi-nation commitments to action, 'peaceful societies will be engulfed by violence, and the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered.'

And if the world doesn't unite to fight ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups, he said, 'not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, we will be judged by God.'

The president's daughter Ivanka Trump listened as the commander-in-chief outlined his positions on terrorism

Trump arrived in the afternoon to speak to a summit of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

King Salman of Saudi Arabia said the way to heaven is to 'promote the tolerant values of Islam, which are based in peace and moderation'

Trump (center-left), Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (center-right), Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other officials posed for a group photo during the Arabic Islamic American Summit at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh on Sunday

Trump said Middle Eastern nations 'can't wait' for the U.S. to solve the terror problem for them.

'Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combating radicalization,' he said.

Trump took pains to isolate Iran in his speech, saying the Islamic republican is spreading 'destruction and chaos' throughout the Middle East and gives terrorists 'safe harbor, financial backing and the social standing needed for recruitment.'

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, too, declared on Sunday that 'the Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism.'

Trump called defeating global terrorism 'history's great test,' as he urged summit attendees to 'vanquish the forces that terrorism brings with it every single time.'

'Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence and innocent from hatred,' Trump said.

With God's help this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. Donald Trump

Still, the president shied away from referring specifically to 'radical Islamic terrorism,' a phrase he lambasted both his predecessor Barack Obama and his election opponent Hillary Clinton for avoiding.

Instead he said prevailing 'means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists, and Islamic terror of all kinds.'

The White House's prepared remarks were different, citing 'Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires.'

'Islamist' is a term meant to apply more to governments and movements than to individuals motivated by religion to sow chaos.

A senior White House official later explained the president's teleprompter-reading error, saying he was 'just an exhausted guy.'

First lady Melania Trump listened to her husband's forceful plea for a no-tolerance approach to Islamic terrorism throughout the Middle East

The speech was delivered in a sumptuous room equipped with theater chairs, massive crystal chandeliers and translation earpieces for everyone present

The seats are theatre-style captain's chairs and the ceiling is adorned with geometric art; Trump and King Salman sat behind ornately decorated desks before the speech

WHAT ABOUT 9/11? Donald Trump has attracted some criticism in the past week for making Saudi Arabia the first stop of his inaugural foreign trip as president. The Saudis have long been suspected of providing the financing and safe harbor required to pull off the 9/11 terror attacks that hit New York and Washington. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people. Fifteen of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, and three had histories of employment with the oil-rich kingdom. At the time of the attacks in 2001, Saudi Arabia funding Muslim radicalism in mosques and charities, according to a batch of 28 recently declassified pages from the U.S. 9/11 Commission's official report. Additionally, a Saudi who was on Prince Bandar bin Sultan's payroll reportedly told an FBI informant that it would be useless for the U.S. to limit entry visas because there were already several Muslims in the country to destroy it and create an Islamic state. Families of 800 victims and 1,500 first responders sued Saudi Arabia two months ago. The lawsuit alleges that officials of Saudi embassies helped hijackers Salem Al-Hazmi and Khalid Al-Mihdhar for more than a year before they put their plan into action. The officials allegedly helped them learn English and obtain credit cards and cash, and taught them how to blend in with American culture. Officials at the Saudi embassy in Germany also reportedly supported the lead hijacker Mohamed Atta. The declassified findings are ultimately inconclusive about whether the Saudi government was involved in funding and planning the 9/11 attacks. 'On the one hand,' the report notes, 'it is possible that these kinds of connections could suggest ... incontrovertible evidence that there is support for these terrorists with the Saudi Government.' But on the other hand, the report hedges, 'it is also possible that further investigation of these allegations could reveal legitimate, and innocent, explanations for these associations.' Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said last year that some Americans may be unpersuadable. 'There are still people in the U.S. and around the world who don't think the moon landing took place,' he said in Washington during a July 2016 speech. 'So it doesn't matter how persuasive one can be in order to convince people of it,' Jubeir said. 'But we have the facts, and the facts points to one direction, and the facts are very clear.' Advertisement

'This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it,' Trump said, reading from teleprompters.

King Salman seemed to agree with Trump's most aggressive and foreboding statement  that jihadi terrorists place their souls at risk.

'Our way to achieve the goals of our religion and win everlasting life in heaven is to promote the tolerant values of Islam, which are based in peace and moderation,' he said in introducing Trump from behind a desk onstage.

'There is no honor in committing murder,' he said through a translator. 'Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance. ... it considers killing an innocent soul tantamount to killing all of humanity.'

Salman called on Gulf Cooperation Council leaders to 'reject extremism, work on fighting all forms of terrorism, stop its financing and its propagation, dry up its sources, and stand firm in confronting this scourge that poses a danger to all of humanity.'

And he pledged to prosecute terrorists and terror financing, to 'eradicate' the ISIS terror army 'and other terrorist organizations regardless of their religious, sect or ideology.'

Trump was greeted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (left) on Sunday for a speech that will not demand broad cultural or political changes in exchange for U.S. support in the war on terror

Trump's first trip abroad as president began with two days in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, hosted by King Salman

President Trump spoke before the GCC members at an Arab Islamic American Summit event in Riyadh, telling them that 'every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith.'

There is no honor in committing murder. Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance . Saudi King Salman

He insisted that heads of state begin 'standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.'

But Trump didn't demand that nations embrace broad cultural or political changes as a condition of working with the United States.

'Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption,' he pledged.

Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner arrived at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh for the president's speech

'We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes  not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms  not sudden intervention.'

'Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God,' Trump said.

TRUMP SLAPS IRAN AND SYRIA President Trump took pointed shots at Iran and Syria on Sunday: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region. 'For decades Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror. It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, "Death to America" and ruin for many of the leaders and nations in this very room. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 'Among Iran's most tragic and destabilizing interventions, you've seen it in Syria. Bolstered by Iran, Assad has committed unspeakable crimes and the United States has taken firm action in response to the use of banned chemical weapons by the Assad regime, launching 59 missiles at the Syrian airbase from where that murderous attack originated. Responsible nations must work together to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria, eradicate ISIS and restore stability to the region as quickly as possible. 'The Iranian regime's longest suffering victims are its own people. Iran has a rich history and culture, but the people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leaders reckless pursuit of conflict and terror. 'Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate, deny it funding for terrorism, cannot do it, and pray for the day when the Iranians people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve.' Advertisement

His speech came just hours after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with six Persian Gulf to counter global terrorism by cracking down on people and groups who finance violent jihadis.

Trump, in his address, urged nations to 'cut off the financial channels that let ISIS sell oil, let extremists pay their fighters and help terrorists smuggle their reinforcements.'

'We must stop what they're doing to inspire, because they do nothing to inspire but kill,' he said.

'Inspire' is the English-language online propaganda magazine of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula .

The Gulf Cooperation Council nations who agreed to the measure include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Among the agreement's components is the establishment of a center in Riyadh to fight extremism  especially online.

White House deputy national security advisor Dina Powell told reporters in Riyadh on Sunday that the pact represents the 'farthest reaching commitment to not finance terrorist organizations,' and said the U.S. Treasury Department will monitor terror financing in Gulf states.

'The unique piece of it is that every single one of them are signatories on how they are responsible and will actually prosecute the financing of terrorism  including individuals, Powell said.

The president's two-day stop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia marks just the first stage of a nine-day international trip that will see him next in Israel, and then Rome, Brussels and a small resort town in Sicily.

The agenda includes NATO and G7 meetings, along with talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and an audience with Pope Francis.

But Sunday's anti-terror speech in the Saudi kingdom was Job One, widely seen as Trump's first chance to have a global impact on a subject that helped propel him to the White House.

'We can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong  and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden,' the president said.

'Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land.

'America is prepared to stand with you  in pursuit of shared interests and common security. But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.'

Trump made waves a year and a half ago with a campaign speech in which he called for 'a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States' until measures were taken to stop terrorists at the border.

That, in combination with his 'America first' slogan and its accompanying philosophy, had a worrying ripple effect across the Arab world.

Trump's speech, largely crafted by hard-line aide Stephen Miller, highlighted the advancement of American interests while not condemning his audience's religion.

During the speech, the president (seen Sunday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan) said that terrorists must give up - or face 'condemning' their souls

Trump's America-first policies and Muslim travel ban have worried the Arab world, but his speech promised 'partnership' with Arab states 'based on shared interests and values'

'America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship,' he said.

'Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.'

'I know that our time together will bring many blessings to your people and mine,' he said, announcing that he 'a message of friendship, hope and love.'

He insisted that leaders focus on 'protecting equality' in the Arab world, and cultivating a region with 'Christians, Muslims and Jews living side by side.'
London's Old Street Tube station is in lockdown after police found a body on the tracks in the early hours of this morning.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: 'We were called to Old Street underground at 1.27 this morning to reports a body had been found.

'The death is currently being treated as unexplained. We have closed the station while investigations continue.'

The tragic discovery caused travel chaos on a large chunk of the Northern Line with services affected between Kennington and Camden Town via Bank.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: 'The death is currently being treated as unexplained. We have closed the station while investigations continue'

Old Street station itself was closed throughout Saturday morning but services were expected to return to normal by the early afternoon.

National Rail added: 'The police are attending to an incident at Old Street on the London Underground station, and have closed the station for a short while.

'Network Rail and Great Northern are working with the Police to reopen the station as quickly as possible.

'Whilst this incident is ongoing, services are not stopping at Old Street. Great Northern are sorry for the problems this disruption will cause you.'

This is a breaking story. More to follow...
British radio tycoon Ashley Tabor has spent 90m on a penthouse flat - next door to his other apartment - and plans to knock through to make one mega-living space

A British radio tycoon has spent a whopping 90million on a penthouse flat - next door to his other apartment.

Ashley Tabor, 39, owner of the Classic FM and Heart radio stations, bought the four-bedroom pad in the Knightsbridge development which is regarded as one of London's 'premier apartment buildings'.

He has now submitted a planning application to amalgamate the two apartments and create one super-penthouse potentially worth upwards of 200million.

The proposed apartment will have ten bedrooms, two kitchens, a cinema, office, study, playroom and living room spread across one giant 15,000 sq/ft floor.

If the plans are approved, it would create one of the largest and most valuable apartments in the country.

Mr Tabor, who founded Global Radio in 2007, bought the 90million apartment mortgage-free.

Tabor, 39, owner of the Classic FM and Heart radio stations, bought the four-bedroom pad in the Knightsbridge development (pictured) which is regarded as one of London's 'premier apartment buildings'

The sale was completed in the middle of April and it is believed to be the biggest residential deal of the year, according to the Land Registry.

On top of the 90million, Mr Tabor will have paid a further 13.5million in stamp duty, which is one of the biggest ever payouts.

It is enough to pay for 60 'average' homes in England and Wales.

The stamp duty is almost as much as the 15.2million Mr Tabor paid for his other apartment at the 12-storey 199 Knightsbridge in 2006.

He has now submitted a planning application to amalgamate the two apartments and create one super-penthouse potentially worth upwards of 200m

The music mogul, son of racing tycoon Michael Tabor, who is worth more than 600million, has commissioned high-end planning firm Gerald Eve to deal with the proposals.

According to documents submitted to Westminster Council, the requirement to amalgamate the two apartments is for a need for a 'large, modern family home where the family could live separately from guest accommodation and other more public areas of the house'.

Gerald Eve says the layout of the flats does not currently allow for the flexibility.

The sale was completed in the middle of April and it is believed to be the biggest residential deal of the year, according to the Land Registry. On top of the 90m, Mr Tabor will have paid a further 13.5m in stamp duty, which is one of the biggest ever payouts

Henry Pryor, an independent property expert and buying agent, believes the 'canny' deal is an example of wealthy people looking to 'improve rather than move'.

He said: 'This deal may not make much sense to mere mortals but it follows a developing trend of people expanding their current homes rather than going to the expense and inconvenience of moving.

'Most people would push up into the roof or dig down into the basement to create more space.

'This chap has gone one step further and bought next door. Expect to see more of this as canny people appreciate that it's better to improve than to move.'

The Knightsbridge Apartments were designed by Squire & Partners and completed in 2005.

Wealthy residents get access to a 24-hour security and concierge service, a world class leisure suite including swimming pool and spa facilities, plus valet parking.

Mr Tabor's apartment is on the doorstep of Harrods and just down the road from the area's other ultra-expensive apartment block, One Hyde Park.

One 90m penthouse = Cost of 417 average homes in England and Wales The 90m apartment bought by Global Radio owner Ashley Tabor cost 417 times more than the average home in England and Wales, which currently stands at 215,847. It is also 190 times the price of a typical residential property in London (471,742), according to the Land Registry. The apartment is in the City of Westminster Borough, which is London's second priciest borough after the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The average home in Westminster costs 1,055,350. But while it's super-expensive to buy, it is one of the UK's cheapest areas for council tax. Mr Tabor's new flat currently has an annual bill from the council of just 1,376.28. High-end agent Harrods Estates is currently marketing one other apartment for sale in the block. The one-bedroom flat, which has just 704 sq/ft of floorspace, is available for 2.95m. On top of this, the buyer will have to pay an annual service charge of 11,535. There are also a number of homes available for rent, including a three-bedroom apartment for 5,500 per week, a two-bed flat for 4,500 per week and a one-bedder for 1,795 per week. The highest price paid for an individual apartment in London is believed to be 140 million - which was for a penthouse apartment in One Hyde Park in 2014. Advertisement

Storey time: The stars who knocked through next door

Jamie Oliver slashed the asking price of his home by 2million last October after failing to find a buyer.

The TV chef's house in north-west London was originally two separate homes which he and wife Jools converted into a 10-bedroom property.

But he put the Primrose Hill home on the market in February 2016 for just under 12million after buying a historic Grade II listed property near Hampstead.

Jamie Oliver knocked 2million off the asking price of his former north London home (yellow) last October. It was originally two separate homes which he and wife Jools converted into a 10-bed property

Actress Helena Bonham Carter and film director Tim Burtonr famously didn't marry during their relationship - and unusually lived in two adjoining properties in Hampstead, north London.

Helena split from Tim in December 2014 after dating for 13 years, and had two children together.

They may have now gone their separate ways but, in happier times, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin planned to create a 33-room superhouse.

Not only did they decide to knock through into one property next door - they also bought the flat on the other side of their original house, giving them a Monopoly-style hat-trick of properties in the North London street.
Engineer Saad al-Hilli, pictured, who lived in Claygate, Surrey, was shot alongside his wife Iqbal and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf

The brother of a British engineer gunned down alongside his family in the French Alps has said there has been 'no progress' in the case nearly five years on.

Engineer Saad al-Hilli, who lived in Claygate, Surrey, was shot alongside his wife Iqbal and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf while on holiday in Chevaline in September 2012 - their bodies were discovered in their BMW car by a cyclist, Brett Martin.

A different 45-year-old French cyclist -Sylvain Mollier - was also found dead close to the car but the couple's two daughters, aged four and seven at the time, both miraculously survived the attack.

Speaking to the Sunday Express, Zaid al-Hilli said he wanted to see the case reviewed.

He said: 'There has been no progress for years so it is time for a review.

'I do not trust the French police or the prosecutor, so I believe the review should be conducted by a High Court judge.

'I think the authorities know who was behind it... my brother and his family were in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

Zaid al-Hilli was arrested on suspicion of the murders in June 2013 but later told that he would face no further action after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

They were found dead in the family's BMW estate in a remote layby close to Lake Annecy in eastern France, where the family were on a camping holiday

It had long been presumed that Saad Al-Hilli had been the target of the massacre until it emerged that his wife Iqbal had been married before to an American called Jim Thompson.

Originally seen as a marriage of convenience, arranged to help Mrs Al-Hilli obtain a US Green Card to work in the States, it was suggested the pair were closer than first thought.

Mr Thompson's sister Judy Weatherly claimed the pair stayed in touch during the nine years that mother-of-two Mrs Al-Hilli was married to her new husband.

Zaid al-Hilli, pictured, was arrested on suspicion of the murders in June 2013 but later told that he would face no further action after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him

In September 2012 Mrs Al-Hilli was found shot dead alongside her 50-year-old businessman husband Saad and her 74-year-old mother Suhaila Al-Allaf.

They were found in the family's BMW estate in a remote layby close to Lake Annecy in eastern France, where the family were on a camping holiday.

In a bizarre twist of fate, it then emerged that Mr Thompson, 60, had died on the very same day 5,000 miles away in Mississippi after suffering what was thought to be a heart attack at the wheel of his car.

However, his relatives have previously spoken of their belief he was poisoned and Ms Weatherly is adamant the deaths are linked.

Speaking about her brother's relationship with Mrs Al-Hilli, she said at the time: 'They would email each other. She definitely did keep in touch with my brother.

'I saw emails between him and Kelly [her name in the US] at the time he sent them, after she had gone to England.

'I said he should keep it to himself because it could cause a lot of trouble at her end. He said, 'Yeah, I know'.'

The bodies were discovered in the family's BMW car by a cyclist in the French Alps

Friends of Mr Al-Hilli have claimed that police are looking into previous relationships for clues that might shed light on the motive for the family's murder.

And the FBI has also asked for the body of American oil worker Mr Thompson to be exhumed so as to verify he died of a heart attack.

He and Mrs Al-Hilli lived together for two years in New Orleans before the latter moved to the Middle East and the UK.

It has been suggested the pair's marriage was never legally ended, leading to speculation the second may have been a bigamous one.

Years on, the attack on the Al-Hillis has left investigators in France perplexed as to who could have carried it out.

After the murder in September 2012 members of the media were pictured surveying the scene in south-eastern France

The family originally came from Iraq, and one theory is that their links to the regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein may be a reason for their murders.

There have also been claims that Mr Al-Hilli was involved in a dispute over a family inheritance with his brother Zaid Al-Hilli, 54, of Chessington, Surrey.

He was arrested under suspicion of conspiracy to murder in 2013 but then released because of a complete lack of evidence.

At one stage, detectives believed the family had been shot by a serial killer with a hatred of tourists.

Police said they had linked the murders with the mysterious death of another tourist in July 2012.

Other theories have speculated that the cyclist Mr Mollier, a 45-year-old nuclear industry worker, was the primary target.

There have also been claims that a mystery motorcyclist seen around the Alpine beauty spot could have carried out the killings.
Liang Ruiming, a former coal mine worker in Central Chinas Shanxi province, now runs an internet-based coal mine security management company.

The business, one of 26 companies started by the coal mine workers of the Shanxi Coking Coal Group, was created to help cut excess coal capacity and shift work jobs.

The workers, who were inspired by the country and companys supportive policies, have not only created jobs for themselves, but also helped to develop a new economy and transform the traditional industry.

On Jan 5, 2016, Premier Li Keqiang visited the mine and said new industries should be developed to create jobs for workers who have been laid-off due to capacity cuts. At the time, the coal market was sluggish, and suffered from excess capacity and plunging prices.

The Premier also mentioned miners were the backbone of Shanxi province and the entire country.

As a result, following the Premiers suggestion, the company set up a business incubator in April 2016 and issued worker support, offering rental assistance and seed capital.

Liang, who faced the pressure of changing jobs, decided to then start a business with two colleagues. The trio developed a software which checked coal mine security risk and a WeChat learning system for mine security knowledge.

The team has since expanded to 13 members, and their systems have also been adopted by several mines in China.

At a news conference in 2016, Premier Li said capacity cuts should not be the result of mass unemployment.

We will try to help them find new jobs, he said.

Liang and the stories of other worker entrepreneurs have, in fact, set a good example for the Premiers words.
North Korea's cyber army has a special cell called Unit 180 made up of computer whizzes plucked from school who travel the globe to launch attacks.

The money brought in by online hacking for Kim Jong-Un is now said to surpass the cash generated by drugs, smuggling and counterfeiting operations in the nation.

Cyber spies for North Korea are travelling abroad to launch their global attacks, relying on better internet connection than is available in Kim's closed-off kingdom as they operate out of hotels in China and Eastern Europe.

Security researchers have also said they have found technical evidence that could link North Korea with the global WannaCry 'ransomware' cyber attack that infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries this month.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the exhibition of utensils and tools, finishing building materials and sci-tech achievements organised by the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces

The hackers are plucked from school for being computer whizzes and are given extensive training to carry out attacks on behalf of the state

The crux of the allegations against North Korea is its connection to a hacking group called Lazarus that is linked to last year's $81 million cyber heist at the Bangladesh central bank and the 2014 attack on Sony's Hollywood studio (pictured)

Unit 180 is likely to have launched some of its most daring and successful cyber attacks, according to defectors, officials and internet security experts.

Michael Madden, a US-based expert on the North Korean leadership, said Unit 180 was one of many elite cyber warfare groups in the North Korean intelligence community.

'The personnel are recruited from senior middle schools and receive advanced training at some elite training institutions,' Madden said.

'They have a certain amount of autonomy in their missions and tasking as well,' he said, adding that they could be operating from hotels in China or Eastern Europe.

North Korea has been blamed in recent years for a series of online attacks, mostly on financial networks, in the United States, South Korea and over a dozen other countries.

Pyongyang has called the allegation 'ridiculous'.

Kim Heung-kwang, a former computer science professor in North Korea who defected to the South in 2004 and still has sources inside North Korea, said Pyongyang's cyber attacks aimed at raising cash are likely organised by Unit 180, a part of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), its main overseas intelligence agency.

'Unit 180 is engaged in hacking financial institutions by breaching and withdrawing money out of bank accounts,' Kim said.

He has previously said that some of his former students have joined North Korea's Strategic Cyber Command, its cyber-army.

'The hackers go overseas to find somewhere with better internet services than North Korea so as not to leave a trace,' Kim added.

He said it was likely they went under the cover of being employees of trading firms, overseas branches of North Korean companies, or joint ventures in China or Southeast Asia.

Screen that appeared on hacked computers when the WannaCry ransomware encrypted files

A global map showing the extent of who was hit by the ransomware hacking last week

The crux of the allegations against North Korea is its connection to a hacking group called Lazarus that is linked to last year's $81 million cyber heist at the Bangladesh central bank and the 2014 attack on Sony's Hollywood studio.

The US government has blamed North Korea for the Sony hack and some US officials have said prosecutors are building a case against Pyongyang in the Bangladesh Bank theft.

No conclusive proof has been provided and no criminal charges have yet been filed.

North Korea has also denied being behind the Sony and banking attacks.

North Korea is one of the most closed countries in the world and any details of its clandestine operations are difficult to obtain.

But experts who study the reclusive country and defectors who have ended up in South Korea or the West have provided some clues.

James Lewis, a North Korea expert at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Pyongyang first used hacking as a tool for espionage and then political harassment against South Korean and US targets.

'They changed after Sony by using hacking to support criminal activities to generate hard currency for the regime,' he said.

'So far, it's worked as well or better as drugs, counterfeiting, smuggling - all their usual tricks,' Lewis said.

North Korea's Unit 180 cyber cell are operating out of hotels in China and Eastern Europe so they can use better internet connection than is available in Kim Jong-Un's closed-off kingdom

The US Department of Defense said in a report submitted to Congress last year that North Korea likely 'views cyber as a cost-effective, asymmetric, deniable tool that it can employ with little risk from reprisal attacks, in part because its networks are largely separated from the Internet'.

'It is likely to use Internet infrastructure from third-party nations,' the report said.

South Korean officials say they have considerable evidence of North Korea's cyber warfare operations.

'North Korea is carrying out cyber attacks through third countries to cover up the origin of the attacks and using their information and communication technology infrastructure,' Ahn Chong-ghee, South Korea's vice foreign minister said.

Malaysia has also been a base for North Korean cyber operations, according to Yoo Dong-ryul, a former South Korean police researcher who studied North Korean espionage techniques for 25 years.

'They work in trading or IT programming companies on the surface,' Yoo said.

'Some of them run websites and sell game and gambling programs'.

Two IT firms in Malaysia have links to North Korea's RGB spy agency, according to a Reuters investigation this year, although there was no suggestion either of them was involved in hacking.

In the United States, officials said there was no conclusive evidence that North Korea was behind the WannaCry ransomware, but that was no reason to be complacent.

'Whether or not they are directly involved with ransomware doesn't change the fact that they are a real cyber threat,' said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of prominent U.S. security firm CrowdStrike Inc, added: 'Their capabilities have improved steadily over time, and we consider them to be a threat actor that is capable of inflicting significant damage on US private or government networks.'

The money coming in from online hackers is now surpassing cash raised from drugs, smuggling and counterfeit operations

Besides the Bangladesh Bank heist, he said Pyongyang was also suspected in attacks on banks in the Philippines, Vietnam and Poland.

In June last year, police said the North hacked into more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean companies and government agencies, planting malicious code as part of a long-term plan to lay the groundwork for a massive cyber attack on its rival.

North Korea was also suspected of staging cyber attacks against the South Korean nuclear reactor operator in 2014, although it denied any involvement.

That attack was conducted from a base in China, according to Simon Choi, a senior security researcher at Seoul-based anti-virus company Hauri Inc.

'They operate there so that regardless of what kind of project they do, they have Chinese IP addresses,' said Choi, who has conducted extensive research into North Korea's hacking capabilities.
A gay porn studio has sparked a furious backlash over a film that shows a man performing a sex act using a didgeridoo.

The explicit movie has been branded 'racist' and 'incredibly disrespectful to the Australian aboriginal community' for its portrayal of the wind instrument as a sex toy.

The adult film - titled 'Didgeridoo Me' - shows a sleeping man being woken up by his partner loudly playing the long pipe.

The explicit movie has been branded 'racist' for its portrayal of the wind instrument as a sex toy

The adult film - titled 'Didgeridoo Me' - shows a man reaction furiously at his partner for playing the instrument too loudly

He smashes the ancient instrument in half in a fit of rage before exacting his revenge

He then attempts to gets his revenge by grabbing the five-foot instrument and attempting to use it in a sex act.

It has sparked a furious backlash online after clips of the film spread with one Twitter user saying: 'Wow, porn actually managed to cross a line.'

Another added: 'So no one is going to mention the fact that this is incredibly racist and culturally offensive? Don't laugh, get angry,'

The adult film shows a sleeping man being woken up by his partner loudly playing the pipe

MailOnline has contacted the studio behind the movie for comment following the controversy

Didgeridoos were created by Indigenous Australians and still hold special status during ceremonial gatherings of some native groups.

MailOnline has contacted the studio behind the movie for comment.

Earlier this month Cambridge students cancelled a play after race activists complained about a lack of black actors.

Award-winning drama The Flick was due to be staged but the project was scrapped after accusations of 'whitewashing'.

The production team was criticised because the role of a character who had been African-American in the original script was given to a white actor.
Thousands of Scotland's much-loved sea birds could be under threat after a court ruling backed the Scottish government's decision to allow developers to build 335 wind turbines in the North Sea.

Scotland's most senior judge Lord Carloway ruled in favour of the developments in the waters of the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay.

Developers say the projects could produce enough energy to power 1.4 million homes but the RSPB has warned that native puffins, gannets and kittiwakes could be put at risk.

Thousands of Scotland's much-loved sea birds could be under threat after a court ruling backed the Scottish government's decision to allow developers to build 335 wind turbines in the North Sea. Pictured, a puffin

The most advanced of the schemes is the 2 billion Neart Na Gaoithewind farm in the Firth of Forth estuary.

In response to the ruling, Stuart Housden, Director RSPB Scotland, said: 'RSPB Scotland is, of course, hugely disappointed by today's Inner House judgment.

'Whilst we fully support deployment of renewable energy, this must not be at any cost.

'Combined, these four huge projects threaten to kill thousands of Scotland's internationally protected seabirds every year, including thousands of puffins, gannets and kittiwakes.

Scotland's most senior judge Lord Carloway ruled in favour of the developments in the waters of the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay. Pictured, gannets in the Firth of Forth

The most advanced of the schemes is the 2 billion Neart Na Gaoithewind farm in the Firth of Forth estuary. Pictured, Scottish Kittiwakes

'These could be amongst the most deadly windfarms for birds anywhere in the world. It was with great reluctance and as a last resort, but in these circumstances, it was clear that RSPB Scotland had to make a stand.

'While we are deeply disappointed with today's decision, given the huge threat to Scotland's wildlife from these projects, we do not regret our actions so far.

'We will now need to take some time to consider this judgment in detail and consider its wider implications before commenting further.'

Neart na Gaoithe's developer, Mainstream Renewable Power, said the project would help Scotland and the UK to meet climate and energy goals, according to The Guardian.

Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse added: 'The Scottish government remains strongly committed to the development of offshore wind energy, as this key low-carbon technology offers a huge economic opportunity for Scotland.'
A five-year-old boy was taken to hospital after he became so thirsty he was forced to drink mouthwash - in a horrific case of child abuse.

Tyriese Howard, 25, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Breya Allen, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, were arrested after Howard's young son was found with a .2 blood alcohol level after drinking mouthwash.

The child also told investigators how he would get so thirsty he would even drink toilet water.

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Tyriese Howard, 25, (left) and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Breya Allen (right), of Albuquerque, New Mexico, were arrested after Howard's young son was found with a .2 blood alcohol level after drinking mouthwash

The five-year-old, and his two siblings, told authorities the couple would beat them at their home at the Westwood Village Apartments (pictured)

Doctors told police that they found scars all over the little boy which showed he'd been abused his entire life, Kob4 reports.

The five-year-old, and his two siblings, a six-year-old girl and three-year-old boy, told the authorities that their father Howard, and Allen - who they called 'mom' would attack them with coat hangers, spatulas, shoes and multiple other objects. They would even get choked or punched in the face during the 'whoopins'.

They were too scared to report the abuse as they said their parents would tell them 'snitches get switches.'

The Children, Youth and Families Department confirmed that the boy and one of his siblings are now staying with a foster family, but wouldn't say if this was the first time the department had been made aware of reports of abuse by the family.

Doctors told police that they found scars all over the little boy which showed he'd been abused his entire life (pictured: Howard and Allen in court to face the charges of child abuse)

Howard appeared in court on Friday to face allegations of child abuse involving at least two of his three children

Albuquerque police confirmed they have been called out to the apartment seven times over the past three years for reports of disturbances, noise and a custody dispute. It is not clear whether any of these calls were to investigate allegations of abuse.

Neighbors say they had witnessed the aggressive manor in which Howard and Allen treated the kids.

'Whenever the mom would get upset, she would grab the kids from one arm, and like, drag them,' one neighbor said.

The couple appeared in court on Friday to face allegations of child abuse involving at least two of Howard's three children. The judge set a bond of $50,000 cash or surety each.
Anthony Carter died on Saturday night when his home went up in flames as he was celebrating his 62nd birthday

A nine-year-old desperately tried to save his father when their home went up in flames while celebrating his 62nd birthday Saturday night.

'Please help me get my dad,' the child begged after running to a neighbor's home in Staten Island and frantically ringing the doorbell. 'He can't die.'

The neighbor, who identified himself as Joseph, told the New York Daily News that he woke up and answered the door to a distraught Tony, who was covered in black soot.

The fire ripped through the condo on Pembrook Loop just before 11pm, killing Anthony Carter as he celebrated turning 62 with his family, according to FDNY and officials.

After finding the frantic child, two neighbors rushed over and attempted to douse the growing flames with an available hose. After about five unsuccessful minutes, police arrived and told the good Samaritans to step away from the burning building.

Luba Sherr, a 57-year-old, helped to console Tony Jr until an ambulance arrived. She told the Daily News 'He was in shock and saying "Help my dad, help my dad."'

Tony Carter, 9 (center in an undated family photo), frantically begged neighbors to help him save his dad, Anthony Carter (left)

The fire ripped through the condo on Pembrook Loop (pictured) just before 11pm, killing Anthony Carter as he celebrated turning 62 with his family

Sherr continued, saying the boy desperately prayed to God for help, and begged anyone who would listen to save his father from the flames. 'It's terrible this happened, his father was his life,' she explained.

Tony was taken to Staten Island University hospital to be treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze after about 20 minutes. It started in the rear of the home on the first floor, officials said, noting that it is unclear what caused the fire.

Tony was taken to Staten Island University hospital to be treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation, but his father did not make it

'It's my dad's birthday,' the child told Sherr, after telling another neighbor there were candles in the house.

About four hours before the fire, Carter texted one of his adult sons, Calvin.

'The last text I got from him says, "Cal, stay strong and thanks for the well wishes. Love, Dad,"' Calvin said to the Daily News.

A biography on the University of New Haven's website, where Carter attended college, described him as a published author and accomplished business professor. He also served on the advisory board for Infrastructure Group, Inc.

Carter was also a doting father to his three sons, Calvin and Walter Carter, both 29, and Tony Jr.

Carter had two other sons in a prior marriage, 29-year-old twins Walter (left) and Calvin (center, with his arm around Tony)

Neighbor Josephine De Santo said: 'He was out there every day with his son - bike riding, skateboarding, playing catch'

'He never let the kid out of his sight,' explained another neighbor, Josephine De Santo.

'Every day he would walk him to the bus stop and everyday he would pick him up. He was out there every day with his son - bike riding, skateboarding, playing catch,' De Santo told the Daily News. She has lived on Pembrook Loop since 1992.

'He just gave everything he could for others,' Carter's third son Walter told the Daily News on Sunday. 'He was selfless, Anything to even cheer someone up who he thought was feeling down. He always tried to do the right thing.'

'He just gave everything he could for others,' Carter's third son Walter (pictured far right with his stepmother Renata, his younger brother Tony, and his father) told the Daily News on Sunday

Carter's father, who is was a member of the New York City Department of Sanitation Police, died at the age of 46.

According to a story in the New Haven Register, Carter spent his life mentoring youth athletes in Staten Island and building a mentorship program pairing middle schoolers with New Haven college students.

His twin sons, Walter and Calvin, hope to continue on his legacy for their heartbroken younger half-brother, Tony.

'We just want to make sure my little brother grows up with that same love,' Calvin explained to the News. 'The kid is too smart for his age. He has a big heart.'
A soup kitchen owner says she only employs Muslims and allows them to pray in the middle of busy shifts.

Hana Assifiri, a self-described 'Muslim feminist', was profiled for ABC documentary Speed Date A Muslim.

This is the same Melbourne business owner who in April successfully campaigned to stop Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali from visiting Australia.

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Hana Assifiri says she only employs Muslim women at her Melbourne soup restaurant

Hanan Assifiri with hijab-wearing employees at her inner-city Melbourne restaurant

In the documentary series, screened on the ABC's religious affairs program Compass, Ms Assifiri speaks about how she only employs Muslim women.

'It's positive discrimination. You need to establish an environment that you know speaks to and engages and is relevant to Muslim women,' she said.

The businesswoman and Muslim political activist even allows her employees at her inner-city Fitzroy business to pray in the middle of busy shifts.

'They say, "I'm going to pray" they go pray,' she said.

'Halfway through a shift, halfway through a meal, halfway through the chaos.'

The ABC documentary Speed Date A Muslim shows staff at a Moroccan soup bar at work

Hana Assifiri was the spokeswoman for a petition campaigning to stop Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali (pictured) from touring Australia

The taxpayer-funded documentary shows her inviting customers to attend a speed dating evening where they can ask Muslims any questions.

However, when asked about sharia law by Daily Mail Australia the Moroccan Soup Bar owner declined to answer.

'Sharia law is a whole massive conversation we need time to discuss and debate with,' she said in April.

'It's not something I can give you a quick sound bite.'

Hana Assifiri (pictured centre) with The Project's Waleed Aly (right) and his wife Dr Susan Carland (left) who says feminism comes from Islam

The businesswoman from Melbourne insists on Twitter that Islam is not a misogynist religion

Sharia law, which secular Muslims reject, calls for the death of ex-Muslims.

This would include apostates like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who cancelled her Australian tour in April for security reasons.

Ms Assifiri was the spokeswoman for a petition opposing the visit of the Somali-born writer, who requires 24-hour security, and appeared in a video accusing Ms Hiri Ali of being a misogynist.

The ABC documentary series shows Ms Assifiri telling customers about 'fear mongering'.

'If I was to believe what I saw about Muslims on telly, I would be fearing Muslims as well,' she says.

Hana Assifiri asks her customers in the documentary if they would like to ask Muslims a question

The soup restaurant owner wonders why the public is sceptical of feminist being linked to Islam

Ms Assifiri told her Twitter followers Islam was not based on hating women.

'No need for competing for misogyny. Plenty to go around guys. Stop using Muslim women,' she said in February.

She published another post in April ridiculing people who were sceptical of the link between feminism and Islam.

'The mere mention of the words feminism and Islam in the same sentence evokes so much reaction and hostility. Wonder why,' she said.

The documentary screened on the ABC on Saturday, and was shown again on Sunday afternoon at Ms Assafiri's Melbourne restaurant.
Celebrity crab-boat captain Sig Hansen has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges that he spit on an Uber driver last week in Seattle.

After finding out that he couldn't use cash to pay for a family ride home on an early Thursday morning, Hansen allegedly spat on the Uber driver and dented the driver's car.

The 51-year-old was charged with misdemeanor assault and property destruction.

Celebrity crab-boat captain Sig Hansen has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges that he spit on an Uber driver last week in Seattle

After finding out that he couldn't use cash to pay for a family ride home on an early Thursday morning, Hansen - pictured with Jimmy Fallon - allegedly spat on the Uber driver and dented the driver's car

'I feel terrible about it. It's embarrassing,' Hansen said as he left the Seattle Municipal Court hearing Saturday according to the Seattle Times.

Hansen had been celebrating Norway's Constitution Day in Seattle's historically Scandinavian neighborhood, Ballard, before the incident.

The 51-year-old - with wife June - has been charged with misdemeanor assault and property destruction

Hansen had been celebrating Norway's Constitution Day in Seattle's historically Scandinavian neighborhood, Ballard, before the incident. He is pictured here with Sir Paul McCartney in 2009

Magistrate Park Eng ordered him to abstain from alcohol and drugs.

Hansen estranged daughter Melissa Eckstrom, 29, is suing him claiming that he sexually abused her as a toddler.

The star - who is known for being a skipper on the TV series The Deadliest Catch - has denied the allegations, calling them 'an old-fashioned shakedown' and prosecutors felt that the case didn't need to go to criminal court.
Convicted: Jaclyn McLaren (pictured), 36, pleaded guilty to sending nude photos of herself to eight boys, giving oral sex to two of them and having sex with a third in her home

A middle-school teacher has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to sending nude photos to, and engaging in sexual acts with, a succession of teens aged 13-18 - and saying it began when the boys blackmailed her.

Jaclyn McLaren, 36, who teaches Grades 6-8 in Tweed, Ontario, was arrested after eight teenage boys - six of whom were her students - came forward to accuse her.

The court heard that the incidents began after a male student found nude photos of her while using her phone in class - allegedly starting a blackmail scheme that ended with her sleeping with several students, CBC reported.

None of the victims are being identified, under Canadian law.

The court heard that the boy showed the nude pictures to his friends during her French class at Tweed Elementary School.

It was alleged that after McLaren, who also goes by the name Jaclyn Jones, asked him to give the phone back to her, one of the boys demanded more pictures in exchange for their silence.

She admitted to sending photos of her breasts in 2014 to one of the boys, who was then 13, using Snapchat.

Another boy said he also received pictures on Snapchat in the summer of 2014, when he was 14, but McLaren said those photos were sent the following year.

McLaren admitted that she later met both boys on a local trail, where she drank beer with them and took them back to her car, where she 'fondled and kissed' them.

She then performed oral sex on both boys, she said. It was unclear how long after the pictures this incident occurred.

Students: Six of McLaren's victims were her students, from Tweed Elementary School (pictured) in Ontario. She said that it began when a student found her nudes on her phone

A third student said that McLaren started sending nude photos of herself to him when he was 15, and that when he turned 18 she had sex with him at her home.

A fourth student showed police screenshots of McLaren's breasts, with her face visible.

The fifth boy was not a student of McLaren's and was 16 when she sent him photos. She said she didn't know how young he was but admitted she hadn't tried hard enough to find out his age.

The sixth boy was 15 when McLaren sent him a video of her fondling her breasts, the court heard.

He and the seventh complainant, who also received photos of her breasts, were both her students at the time.

The final complainant, a 17-year-old, said that she sent him photos of her breasts and a video of herself nude and performing a sex act.

She said she didn't know his age, but again admitted to not taking reasonable steps to find out.

She was originally hit with 42 charges, but as many of them referred to the same offenses, and Canadian courts don't allow someone to be convicted twice of the same crime, they were reduced in number.

McLaren was ultimately convicted on two counts of sexual exploitation, two counts of luring, one of possession of child pornography, one of making explicit material available to people under 18 and one of making it available to people under 16.

McLaren has been jailed for two years and placed on the sex offender's registry

She will have two years of probation on release, is banned from using social media, and can't be in contact with anyone under 18 online, CTV News Toronto said.

She is banned from going near playground or public places where children are likely to be for ten years after release.

The ex-teacher will also be registered as a sex offender and has been ordered to undergo 'sexual treatment'.

'We are aware that sentencing took place today for Jaclyn McLaren,' said Mandy Savery-Whiteway, director of education for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, where McLaren worked, on Friday.

'We recognize that this has been a challenging and difficult situation for everyone involved. Employee matters are confidential. No further details will be released at this time.'
51-year-old teacher Edwin Thomas (pictured) has been arrested for allegedly touching one of his middle school students inappropriately in the classroom

A 51-year-old teacher has been arrested for allegedly touching one of his middle school students inappropriately in the classroom.

Edwin Thomas was arrested Friday and charged with assault and battery third degree over the incident at Greer Middle School in South Carolina.

An incident report states Thomas tried to give the young female student a hug while in class just prior to Spring Break last month.

The girl, according to WYFF, told her teacher no and attempted to run away from him. However, the 51-year-old allegedly chased her down and hugged her from behind.

The young student told police Thomas has made her feel uncomfortable on occasions before, including times when he would whisper in her ear about how she had beautiful hair, rub her back and shoulders, and an incident when he told her he should film her and her friends 'goofing around'.

Thomas was arrested Friday and charged with assault and battery third degree over the incident at Greer Middle School (pictured) in South Carolina

At least seven students backed up the claims made by the alleged victim.

The report states in the most recent incident students had told Thomas the girl 'needed a hug'.

The 51-year-old was placed on administrative leave after the allegations against him emerged, and he has since resigned.

He was hired by Greenville County Schools in August 2015 and only worked at the middle school.
An SAS sniper is said to have shot dead an ISIS jihadi from 1.5miles away using the world's most powerful rifle.

It took three whole seconds for the bullet to reach its target - the throat of an Islamic State terrorist in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

The British marksman was using a CheyTac M200 Intervention gun which is produced in South Carolina and retails at $13,800 (10,500) and can vaporise a person's organs from 2,500m.

A US soldier searches for an enemy sniper position during the invasion of Fallujah, Iraq (file photo)

An Iraqi soldier walks along a battered road in Mosul, Iraq, carrying a huge rocket launcher

The CheyTac M200 Intervention gun used by the SAS sniper which is widely regarded as the most powerful rifle in the world

As the terrorist was leaving a burned-out building two weeks ago, the SAS gunman is said to have pulled the trigger, registering one of the most difficult kills in the regiment's history.

Widely regarded as the most powerful rifle on the planet in its class, it has a working range of up to 3,000m and holds the record for the world's longest shot.

The soldiers is said to have only taken a single shot to take down his man, living up to the gun manufacturer CheyTac's motto of 'Make every shot count'.

A source told The Star on Sunday: 'It was a classic counter-sniper operation. The ISIS gunman was moving all the time to get into the best position to get a kill.

'It was like a game of cat-and-mouse and at one point the SAS almost gave up, believing that the terrorist had gone to ground.

'Just as the light was beginning to fade the gunman moved into what he thought was a safe location and lifted his rifle up into his shoulder before the SAS shot him dead.'

A member of Iraqi rapid response forces takes position during clashes with Islamic State fighters in western Mosul, Iraq on May 21, 2017

Smoke rises from an airstrike during a battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants in western Mosul, Iraq, on May 21

The militant he killed was himself a sniper, using a Russian Dragunov gun and the British soldier had seen him gun down and wound several of his comrades.

His tactic would be to shoot, lay low for an hour, and open fire again.

It comes as the Iraq's special forces declared their mission in Mosul complete on Saturday after the group retook the last western districts from the Islamic State group within their area of operation, according to a military spokesman.

CheyTac M200 Intervention rifle The CheyTac M200 Intervention rifle is the sniper of choice used by the US Navy Seals, GROM operatives in Poland, Turkey's Maroon Berets and the Italian army. Costing $13,800 (10,500), it is at the forefront of warfare weaponry. The British SAS are said to be trialing it in the field. It has been described as the most powerful rifle in the world with a range of 3,000m and can hit a person at 2,500m with enough power to vaporise their organs. A built-in a computer makes calculations to tell the shooter where to aim having factored in humidity, heat and wind. As a result it consistently achieves groups of 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) at 1,000 yards (914 m), 10 inches (25 cm) at 1500 yards (1372 m) and 15 inches (38 cm) at 2,000 yards (1,829 m). Advertisement

The announcement came despite ongoing battles in a handful of western Mosul neighbourhoods that continue to force hundreds of civilians to flee each day.

ISIS still controls some areas of western Mosul, including the dense Old City where some of the toughest battles are expected to play out.

Special forces spokesman Sabah al-Numan said his troops had completed their initial mission, but stood ready 'to support any other forces if we are ordered to by the prime minister'.

Elsewhere in central and southern Iraq, a series of bombings killed at least 27 people.

A suicide bombing Saturday near the oil-rich city of Basra killed at least eight people and wounded 41 others, according to a military commander.

Five civilians and three troops were killed when the bomber blew up his explosives-laden car on Friday at a checkpoint north of Basra just behind a bus waiting to be cleared, said chief of the Basra Operations Command, Lieutenant General Jamil al-Shimmari.

A second attacker drove down a desert road after the explosion and security forces killed him, Lt Gen al-Shimmari added.

In an online statement, IS claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted Shiites.

Basra, about 340 miles south east of Baghdad, is home to about 70% of the country's proven oil reserves of 153.1 billion barrels.

Located on the Persian Gulf and bordering Kuwait and Iran, the city is also Iraq's only outlet to the sea and the hub for most of the country's oil exports, with 3.23 million barrels exported from Basra last month.

Cars destroyed in clashes are seen on a street during a battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants in western Mosul, Iraq

ISIS also claimed responsibility for the double suicide bombings in Baghdad overnight that killed at least 19 people and wounded 33, according to an online statement.

Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led coalition, officially launched the operation to retake Mosul in October and the city's east was declared 'fully liberated' in January.

The fight for Mosul's west was launched the following month and has been marked by some of the most gruelling and deadly combat in the fight against IS in Iraq to date.
Tens of thousands of people are being infected with a potentially deadly illness after eating imported meat riddled with what has been described as 'Brexit virus'.

The strain of hepatitis E, which used to be mainly a tropical disease but has now mutated to infect livestock, causes a flu-like illness and in severe circumstances, could cause death.

Experts predict 10 per cent of pork imported from Europe has the strain and they warn pregnant women and transplant patients to avoid the meat altogether.

The strain is linked to pig farms in France, Holland, Germany and Denmark is infecting more than 60,000 in Britain annually.

Scientists announced a new strain of hepatitis E (HEV) has spread to the UK through imported meat. Pregnant women and transplant patients are being warned not to eat pork because of the spread of 'Brexit virus'

It used to spread from person to person but the mutant virus has developed to infect livestock too.

The strain is only killed in the meat if people cook the food for longer than normal.

Those who become infected suffer a nasty flu-like cold but worrying figures show a surge in more serious illness.

Public Health England showed the number of severe cases had almost trebled since 2010, with 1,244 reported in 2016 to 368 six years earlier.

Transplant patients and pregnant women are especially at risk.

Dr Harry Dalton, a gastroenterologist at Exeter University, told a conference on neurological infectious diseases HEV had become a major threat.

The Times reported he said: 'I call it the Brexit virus. It attacks the liver and nerves, with a peak in May. It is particularly dangerous for people with suppressed immune systems such as those who have had organ transplants and possibly cancer. The virus seems to come from Europe.'

Humans can catch the disease by eating undercooked pork, sausages, bacon and pork pies. Once eaten, the virus is carried to the liver. It attacks the liver and the nerves, and can cause those with a weak immune system to become dangerously ill.

Experts estimate 10 per cent of sausages and pork meat imported from Europe is affected. The strain is only killed if people cook the food for longer than normal

The strain is only killed in the meat if people cook the food for longer than normal.

The Food Standards Agency said the virus had spread to most British pig herds with 93 per cent of animals infected and 6 per cent producing enough of the virus to infect humans.

Dr Dalton said nobody should eat 'pink' pork and advised pregnant women and transplant patients not to eat pork at all.

The virus is heat resistant and can survive cooking unless the meat is heated to above 71C for at least two minutes.

People are advised to cook bacon until it is crispy, and sausages for at least 20 minutes until they are piping hot.

One victim, Roy Van Den Heuvel, said he blamed his love of salami for the hepatitis E infection that put him in intensive care and left his shoulders and diaphragm partially paralysed forever.

He told The Sunday Times: It started out like flu, but my arms and shoulders became so painful I had to go to hospital. They put me straight in intensive care.

The virus had attacked the nerves in my armpits and diaphragm. I couldnt breathe properly.

Doctors traced the strain to salami, probably from Holland. It is cured, not cooked, and the virus survives in the fatty bits.

Mr Van Den Heuvel, 61, can no longer work as a gardener and spends two to three hours a day trying to clear his lungs.
A new father made a precious memory with his newborn son over the weekend - their first local drug bust.

Kyle Ellis of Melbourne, Victoria, shared a picture of himself and his son Jackson standing on the kerb, as police raided the home across the road.

The bearded man is pictured smiling, dressed in a Bunnings t-shirt and holding his son, Jackson.

A proud father is seen standing out the front of a home holding his newborn son as a police raid takes place across the road, in a picture shared to social media which has gone viral

Behind him sits a maroon Holden VT Commodore - something social media users felt added to the Australian vibe of the image.

'Jackson's first local drug bust,' he captioned the photograph.

'The Bunnings shirt and the VT make that picture all the more better too,' one Facebook user wrote.

'A Bunnings shirt, a Commodore and a drug bust - just needs a b***** kangaroo chugging a vb,' wrote Reddit user PENGAmurungu.

Across the road from the proud father and his newborn son are at least three uniformed police officers, a paddywagon, and what appears to be a news van.

Clara Ellis, mother of baby Jackson, defended her husband against Photo Shopping allegations, but revealed her regret at missing the moment.

'He didn't [edit the photo], but I feel like I should Photo Shop myself into this photo,' she told a friend on Facebook.
Dozens of buff bodybuilders vied for the title of Mr Malaysia on Sunday in a racy two-day spectacle in the Muslim-majority nation.

Hundreds of fans, including women in headscarves, cheered and snapped pictures as the participants exhibited their six-packs, thigh and shoulder muscles.

The male-only event was organised by the Kuala Lumpur bodybuilding federation and held in Puchong - about 15 miles south of the capital.

Farhana Nazri, 22, who was celebrating after her boyfriend's brother won, said: 'I have watched a few of the competitions. While the costume conflicts with Islam, I think we should see it as a sport.'

Bodybuilders perform onstage during the 'Mr. Malaysia 2017' competition

The performers showed off their rippling muscles glistening in golden tanning cream

Hundreds of fans, including women in headscarves, cheered and snapped pictures as the participants exhibited their bodies

The event was organised by the Kuala Lumpur bodybuilding federation

Malaysia is generally regarded as a moderate Muslim country, but fears have grown in recent years that it is becoming increasingly conservative with emphasis on strict Islamic codes of conduct.

The majority of Sunday's 70 finalists were ethnic Malay Muslims.

With hot-pink shorts and hair spiked into a flame-red mohican, Mohamad Hakimi said he was not concerned about baring - almost - all for the tournament.

The majority of Sunday's 70 finalists were ethnic Malay Muslims

A bodybuilder warms up backstage before performing

Bodybuilder Mohamad Hakimi poses backstage. He said: 'This sport keeps your physique in awesome shape'

Mr Hakimi said he was not concerned about baring - almost - all for the tournament

'As a Muslim, I consider bodybuilding as a sport. I do not think by exposing my skin contradicts with my religion,' the 40-year-old gym instructor said. 'This sport keeps your physique in awesome shape.'

According to the organisers, budding female bodybuilders are only able to compete outside of Malaysia, after the country stopped hosting competitions for women in the 1990s due to religious sensitivities over their revealing outfits.

A little over half of Malaysia's 30 million population are Malay Muslims.

The all-male event was held over two days in Puchong, 15 miles outside of Kuala Lumpur

According to the organisers, budding female bodybuilders are only able to compete outside of Malaysia

Malaysia is generally regarded as a moderate Muslim country, but fears have grown in recent years that it is becoming increasingly conservative with emphasis on strict Islamic codes of conduct
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been accused of 'swooping in like Batman' to Times Square after the deadly crash on Thursday.

Cuomo was quick to arrive at the scene of the collision, which left one person dead and 22 injured after Richard Rojas drove his car into the crowd about 11.55am.

The 59-year-old was in Times Square talking to police officials on the ground by 12.29pm, based off social media posts on his account and one belonging to his secretary, Melissa DeRosa.

The New York Post, a vocal critic of Cuomo, quoted a 'senior law enforcement source' who blasted the governor.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been accused of 'swooping in like Batman' to Times Square after the deadly crash on Thursday and using it as a 'publicity stunt'

Cuomo was quick to arrive at the scene of the collision, which saw one person killed and 22 injured after Richard Rojas drove his car into the crowd about 11.55am. Pictured is Rojas' car after it came to a stop

'The governor was there almost instantaneously. It was outrageous,' the quote in the newspaper reads.

'He was there like Batman. He might as well have taken off his shirt and gone around investigating.

'He beat everyone from the Police Department to sit there and look like he was in charge. It seemed like it was a publicity stunt.'

Photographs posted on social media show Cuomo talking with officers and victims, being briefed on the ground, and speaking to NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill.

Cuomo is pictured speaking with officers at the scene of the deadly crash on Thursday afternoon

The governor had also tweeted he was heading to the scene after news of the crash spread Thursday

The Post claims Cuomo was on the scene for about 20 minutes.

The governor's office blasted the criticism of Thursday's trip to the crash site.

'Its disgusting they would politicize this tragedy,' Rich Azzopardi, while pointing out the 59-year-old did not speak to reporters or media at the scene.

The politician was also defended by the Patrolmens Benevolent Association for his actions after the deadly collision.

Richard Rojas, who is accused of driving into the crowd, is pictured in Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday May 19

Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Elsman from Michigan was killed in the crash. Rojas' car is pictured after it came to a stop on a security barrier

'The Governor has a role to play in any emergency situation in New York State, and he has been a strong supporter of helping New York City police officers do our jobs,' president Patrick Lynch.

'We should be praising our elected leaders for being proactive in a crisis, not the other way around.'

The attack on Cuomo comes after 26-year-old Rojas spoke about his mindset prior to the moment he plowed his car into the Times Square crowd.

'I was trying to get help. I wanted to fix my life. I wanted to get a job. Get a girlfriend,' the former Navy soldier told the Post from Rikers Island.

Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Elsman from Michigan was killed in the crash.
The father of former FBI Director James Comey said his son was fired by Donald Trump because the president was 'scared to death of him.'

The younger Comey 'didn't give him 100 percent loyalty and he demands that of pepole who work with him,' J. Brien Comey said Saturday to CNN's Miranda Green. '[Comey] said he would give 100 percent honesty, but not loyalty.'

And while Trump made headlines for calling Comey a 'nut job,' the ex-FBI director's father labeled the president 'crazy as a hoot,' and said he was rooting for his impeachment.

The father of former FBI Director James Comey (left) said President Trump (right) fired his son because he wouldn't pledge '100 percent loyalty' to the president

Former FBI Director James Comey will return to Capitol Hill after the Memorial Day holiday to give testimony before a Senate panel

The ex-FBI director was fired, according to his dad, 'because Jim tells the truth [while] Trump runs around lying most of the day.'

The 86-year-old also called his son's stacking 'a Trump deal.'

'Why he was fired, I think, is Trump changes every day,' he added. 'He had three reasons three days in a row.'

Brien Comey also described his son to CNN as a 'straightforward and honest guy.'

'[James] could have been subservient to Trump, [but I told him] he was not going to do that,' the father said of his son. 'Incidentally, I told him I thought he and Trump would testify side by side in front of these congressional committee. He just kind of laughed.'

Trump's firing of Comey teed off more than a week of negative headlines for the White House in the run-up to the president's first trip abroad.

The president axed Comey on May 9, but since then Trump told NBC's Lester Holt that the Russian investigation was on his mind when he decided to remove the top FBI official.

The New York Times then broke a story that said Trump pressured Comey to drop the investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

And most recently, the Times also reported that Trump had referred to Comey as a 'nut job,' when speaking to Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office the day after the ouster.

'I just fired the head of the FBI. He was a crazy, real nut job,' Trump said, according to a document summarizing the meeting, read to a reporter at the Times. 'I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off,' Trump added.

While the younger Comey has stayed relatively quiet since leaving his top FBI post  though he will testify before a Senate committee after the Memorial Day break  the elder Comey had a lot to say about Trump.

'Oh my God, I think he should be impeached immediately  yesterday,' Comey said. 'He's a very incompetent guy. He's out of his league,' he continued, though noted the real chances of impeachment were 'a long shot.'

He also said he didn't vote for him.

'I think the man should be in a home quite honestly, he's crazy as a hoot,' Comey added.

The elder Comey also wasn't a fan of Hillary Clinton, who has blamed his son's letter with helping her lose the election, as it reminded voters of her ongoing email scandal.

'I am not going to tell you what I think of her,' Brien Comey said. 'We had lousy choices.'

As for how the younger Comey is fairing, now that he's on the outside, his father said he's 'doing fine.'

'He's a solid citizen, he has lots of opportunity,' the elder Comey said. 'It was a dumb thing to get rid of him. A loss for the FBI.'

Asked what James Comey thinks the future of the FBI investigation into Russia will be, his dad said he didn't know.

'We never talked about that stuff,' the elder Comey said.
Pauline Hanson's controversial chief-of-staff James Ashby has reportedly been caught on tape describing how One Nation can make money out of its candidates.

The One Nation leader was allegedly present when the conversations are alleged to have taken place late last year with her key adviser,The Courier-Mail reports.

In the recordings, obtained by News Corp Australia, Mr Ashby apparently suggests the party can make money from Queensland state election candidates by selling campaign items at mark-up prices.

Pauline Hanson's chief-of-staff James Ashby (left) with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson

James Asbhy (pictured right with Pauline Hanson) was caught on tape hatching a plan to make money from One Nation candidates

'There is an opportunity for us to make some money on this if we play this smart,' Mr Ashby is reported to have said.

'I will deny I ever said this but what stops us from getting a middle man or gracing  I am happy to grace in cash, double the price of whatever it is.'

Disendorsed One Nation candidates have previously spoken out about how Mr Ashby insisted they only buy their printed material from his Sunshine Coast printing business.

Elise Cottam, who was dumped as One Nation's candidate for the seat of Callide for failing to pay an upfront $2,400 fee, went public about this issue in April.

James Ashby pilots Pauline Hanson around in a Jabiru light plane, which is controversial

Pauline Hanson in the cockpit of the Jabiru light plane with James Ashby at the controls

While The Courier-Mail report doesn't suggest any illegal activity, it noted that One Nation candidates in Queensland had been asked for pay $3,500 for a printing pack several weeks after the recording took place.

Mr Ashby has been a magnet for controversy.

He pilots Senator Hanson around in a Jabiru light plane.

However, former One Nation office holders in Western Australia, Ron McLean and Marye Louise Daniels, told the ABC's Four Corners program, which aired in April, that property developer Bill McNee bought the plane for One Nation.

Mr Ashby, however, has insisted the plane belongs to him.

In his previous role as a media adviser to former speaker Peter Slipper in 2012, Mr Ashby, who is gay, accused his then boss of sexual harassment.

However, the case became complicated when it emerged he had copied Mr Slipper's diary and given a copy to Mr Slipper's Liberal National Party preselection rival for the Sunshine Coast seat of Fisher, Mal Brough.
Michael Dawes, pictured outside court this week, has dropped his family surname after failing to sue his lottery-winning father David

An ex-navy officer who lost his case to sue his father for cutting him out of the will after winning 101million on the lottery has dropped his family surname, a source said.

David Dawes won the Euromillions jackpot with his wife Angela in 2011, but was taken to court by his son, an Afghanistan veteran, Michael Dawes, 32, who said he was 'ungenerous in spirit'.

But this week a judge ruled at Central London County Court the millionaire father does not need to keep bailing out his son, who burnt through 1.6million in two years, and came back for more, failing to heed his stepmother's advice to stop eating at the Ritz and go to McDonald's instead.

And now the 'entitled' son has decided he no longer wants to be associated with his father's surname, Dawes.

A source told the Sunday Mirror that Michael is now sharing a surname with his civil partner, James Beedle, and has updated his social media accounts to reflect the decision.

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Michael is taking the name of his civil partner James Beedle, pictured left, after losing a court battle to glean money from father Michael Dawes, pictured right with wife Angela Dawes

David and Angela used their 101million Euromillions win to help family and friends

The source said: 'Michael has stopped using his dad's surname. He is now using his partner James' name instead. The whole thing is very sad.

'I spotted that Michael is now calling himself a Beedle on social media.'

The judge, speaking on Thursday, comprehensively dismissed Michael and partner James Beedle's claim, ruling: 'There was no basis on which any rational or normal human being could conclude that they could go back for more money whenever they wanted.'

Michael claimed Dave and Angie, both 53, gave repeated assurances that he 'would always be looked after'.

Michael and his partner, James, 34, said they assumed the cash would keep rolling in and based a series of key life decisions on that.

The couple had received a total of nearly 1.6 million from Dave and Angie in the two years after the win, the court heard.

But by 2013 'most of it had been spent', explained Judge Nigel Gerald.

The pair spent 550,000 on a house in Portsmouth, where Michael lived, but also gave 250,000 to James' family.

Michael then gave up his job in IT based on his father's 'assurances', despite telling the media in 2011 that the family money would not change him.

The couple after their huge win in 2011 - which son Michael said would not change him. He ended up quitting his job thinking his father would continue to bail him out

His father had no idea that nearly 250,000 had been 'given away' by his son, and was 'baffled' when Michael pitched up in April 2012 - 'having pretty much run out of money'.

But 'as a father he wanted to help his son out', said the judge, so he kept 'topping up' his funds.

'Michael took this as a demonstration that his father would cough up whenever asked, and this therefore buttressed his strange conclusion that his dad would financially support him for the rest of his life'.

The judge concluded: 'I cannot accept this.'

The Dawes became concerned by Michael and James' spending and called a family meeting in March 2013, at which they agreed to pay off some of the couple's debts.

'But Angie made clear that there would be nothing more,' explained Judge Gerald.

And the 'sad denouement to this sorry tale' came at Angie's 49th birthday party in November 2013 - during which both father and son were the worse for drink.

'The evidence is that Michael behaved extremely badly, demanding 5 million from his father, and also verbally abusing and bad-mouthing Angie.

'That was the final straw,' and the party ended with the ex-Royal Navy man being 'pushed out of the house'.

'Since then Dave has not spoken to his son and no more money has been given to him,' the judge added.

At one point James and Michael were spending around 20,000 to 30,000-a-month - with a 1,000 weekly grocery bill, which the judge termed an 'astonishing' level of expenditure.

'That was way outside their means', he said, adding that they seemed to have lived 'some sort of Walter Mitty existence'.

David's 'largesse' was in the context of 'a father bailing out his profligate son', the judge said.

'But that couldn't give rise to an expectation of further bail-outs.'

And the judge concluded: 'Michael was provided with the funds to have a comfortable life, but for his own reasons he chose not to take that opportunity.

'I therefore dismiss the claim.'

But the couple who brought it have insisted there is no bad blood.

After the ruling James Beedle, who has now transferred to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary after leaving the Royal Navy, was philosophical.

'There are no hard feelings,' he said. 'We just thought we had a genuine claim.'

'Go to McDonald's instead'

Angela said she told Michael to 'stop going to the Ritz for lunch and go to McDonalds instead' when she heard how he was burning through his cash.

She added that she and Dave had doled out 1million each to 11 of their close family and friends within a month of their win.

She described the 1m gift as 'absolutely mind-blowing', but added: 'I never thought it would be gone a couple of years down the road.

'We thought that 1m would more than cover them for life.'

Left, Matthew Dawes, Michael's brother, who kept working after the windfall. Right, Angela Dawes, in blue, told Michael to stop going to the Ritz and go to McDonald's instead

Judge Gerald asked whether she and David had ever talked about giving their children more than the 1million.

She replied: 'No, we never had that conversation, it was always 1million.

'That should last for the rest of their lives.'

She and David got irritated when they learnt how Michael was burning through his windfall, Angela told the court.

'I told him to stop going to the Ritz for lunch and go to McDonalds instead,' she explained.

Also giving evidence was Dave's other son, Matthew Dawes, who like Michael received 1m from Dave and Angie.

Matthew said their dad had been clear that they would need to 'keep working to pay the bills'.

Angela and David's QC, Richard Wilson, attacked Michael and James's case as 'misconceived in fact and in law'.

'In reality it is born out of regret on Michael's part,' he told the judge.

'If they do not have the financial security that Dave and Angie's gifts could have provided them with, then they only have themselves to blame.'

The estranged son and the former husband - Angela Dawes' life before she met millionaire husband David Angela Dawes' son, Steven Leeman (pictured left with Angela and his father John in 2000 and right with his father in 2011) David and Angela Dawes celebrated victory after a judge ruled the couple do not need to bail out David's son, Michael. However, the legal battle between father and son is not the only issue the parents have had with their respective children. In 2011, Steven Leeman, son of Angela Dawes, revealed to the MailOnline the pair had not spoken for two years after she divorced his father, John. But in a statement, she denied the claims and said she loves Steven dearly. During the heartbreaking interview, Steven, then 17, and John said the relationship had dissolved so dramatically the pair would barely acknowledge one another if they walked past each other in the street. John and Angela met in 1992 when they both worked for the same product distribution company. However, after Steven was born, times became tough for them after John lost his HGV licence following a blackout at the wheel. Their house was repossessed and they were given a council house in Wisbech. Despite the financial hardship, John claimed the family was happy. John began working as a cab driver, as did Angela, to aid their financial woes. But John said Angela began to get itchy feet when Steven began secondary school. Eventually the pair divorced in 2006 after John said he came home from work one day to find his clothes on the drive. Steven lived with Angela at first, however, he said after asking why the pair had split up, his mother said: 'If you don't like it the way it is, you can live with your father.' John added that when he and Angela met up to get some clothes, the exchange was sour. 'She turned up, opened the boot, threw one bag at me and said: 'As far as I'm concerned you are both dead,' and drove away.' In a statement provided to the MailOnline, Angela said she was 'saddened' by reports that she had abandoned her son. 'A lot of what has been said since my divorce has been untrue and very hurtful,' said her statement. 'I've always wanted to be in contact with my son, who I love dearly, and very much still want to rebuild our relationship.' Advertisement

Overnight transformation

The spectacular win in 2011 transformed Mr Dawes overnight from being an industrious factory worker to a multi-millionaire who need never work again.

But they soon turned to helped their friends around them in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, making 20 of their friends millionaires as well, and setting up a charity.

Overall, the couple lavished 30million on their friends and family, the court heard, as well as setting up their own charity. They made several of their friends millionaires too, and bought property in London and Portugal.

David and Angela Dawes outside Central London County Court, as they are sued by Michael

The couple had their dream wedding and bought a new engagement ring for Angela.

But Michael, who was serving in Afghanistan when his father won the prize, insisted he was given repeated assurances that he would never be short of cash.

He told the court on Wednesday that, when his dad phoned him from the UK to give him the good news about his win, he promised that, 'I would always be looked after'.

He and his partner had been assured the money would keep rolling in and based a series of key life decisions on that assumption - including James, a former lieutenant in the Royal Navy Fleet Auxiliary, giving up his services career.

Michael, a onetime lecturer at Southampton University, also claims that David is holding a 200,000 investment 'on trust' for him

He said the money from his father and step-mother had helped him with his mortgage, to buy a BMW, and also to help out his own friends and his partner's family.

David and Angela after the win in 2011. David became concerned at his son's rate of spending, when he found himself continually topping up the account

David said his son viewed 101m as a bottomless pit of money and caused the pair to row

Family disapproval

Cross-examining Michael, the barrister said David had begun to 'express disapproval and concern that you were spending money so fast.'

WHAT THE DAWES DID WITH THEIR 101M Made 20 of their friends millionaires

Bought a flat in Chelsea, close enough for David to walk to matches

Bought a house in Portugal, near where Angela's parents live

Got married, splashing cash on luxury champagne and a suite

Replaced Angela's 800 engagement ring

Michael bought a 550,000 house in Portsmouth and he and his partner both quit their jobs

Michael bought a BMW and also gave some money to his own friends and his partner James' family Advertisement

But Michael told the court: 'My expectation was that this was an ongoing process, that there was more money coming in, and that this would be the process throughout my life'.

He agreed there had been 'ups and downs' in his relationship with his dad, but insisted that David 'always wanted the best' for him and his brother, Matt.

He had scarcely met his step-mother, Angela, before their lottery coup, and they 'didn't get on well' at their first meeting in 2008, he added.

'I found her very particular about what she wanted to eat, and quite fussy,' said Michael.

Tensions developed between him and Angela after the win, climaxing at her birthday party in November 2013 when Michael turned up without a gift for her.

Chelsea fan David used the money to buy a flat close to his team's ground so he could walk to matches. Right, the couple pictured in Bond Street soon after the win

Angela with her former partner John and son Steve. She married David after their lottery win

Asked by Mr Wilson why he failed to bring a gift, Michael explained that he had bought flowers instead as he knew she loved them.

And he told the court: 'What do you give someone who has everything?'

ANGELA'S LIFE BEFORE SHE BECAME A DAWES Angela lived with partner John and son Steve in a caravan in Cambridgeshire before she met David. Her former partner accused Angela of having a string of affairs, ending with David, and kicking him out of the flat they had eventually shared without prior warning. Son Steve, who was just 12 at the time, also claimed he was booted out after his father's departure. He went on to claim he didn't expect any of the millions as she didn't say hello or acknowledge him if they met in the street. He also claimed he had not received a birthday or Christmas card in the years following the split. But Angela said she was saddened by the claims when they were first made in 2011, and said she wanted to rebuild her relationship with her son. Advertisement

Tempers flared during the party as father and son rowed about money, but Michael denied that he told his father he 'didn't deserve what he'd got'.

He accepted that he was the worse for drink by the early hours, but claimed that David 'tried to come at me' and had to be held back by other party-goers.

After the 'drunken disagreement', Michael sent an apologetic card to David on Fathers' Day, but there has been a rift between them ever since, the court was told.

'They have not spoken since and Dave and Angela's financial support has ceased,' added Mr Wilson.

Michael explained that the case was a 'personal tragedy' for him, but he felt that the row with his dad had been 'essentially trivial'.

And he accused David and Angela of showing 'arrogance and ungenerosity of spirit'.

'I saw how over time their attitude changed from being relatively humble to being rather grand.

'They expected the people around them to treat them differently because of their money,' claimed Michael.

Making their friends millionaires

One of the people they made a millionaire in 2011, was family friend Andy Smith, a father of three, and struggling factory worker.

Mr Smith earns 23,000 a year at the food plant where David was a supervisor.

David and Angela shared much of their wealth with friends and family, making several of them millionaires after their huge win

Rags to riches: The caravan where Angela lived with ex-husband and son before meeting David

The couple paid less than 100 a week for a flat in this block in Cambridge before the big win

A neighbour in Wisbech said: 'Andy has had a smile on his face like a Cheshire cat all week. He's a typical working-class man struggling to make ends meet and provide for his family.'

But their generosity was ridiculed by Miss Dawes's ex-husband, John Leeman, who claimed she had left him and her son with 20,000 of debts after having a secret affair with Mr Dawes.

Her teenage son Steven claimed in 2011 his mother abandoned him when she started her new life.

And speaking after the huge win, son Michael said he wouldn't let the money change him.

He said: 'My life is not going to change much at all I have just got to crack on with my job.

'I haven't been in it long and I need to just get on with life.

'I only got back from Afghanistan in June and I just started the new job in the defence industry last week so I have to keep up with that.

'It has all been a complete whirlwind since it happened.'
A woman who was sexually abused as a young girl has broken her silence to describe the impact her abuser's actions had on her life.

While boarding at Toowoomba Prep - an elite Anglican Church private school in Queensland, a then-12-year-old Lyndal suffered at the hands of a predator.

'My will for life was stolen from me, at times I didn't care about the world. Things like my first kiss were stolen from me. Having a first boyfriend. All those sorts of things, was all... taken. And without permission,' she told 60 Minutes.

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Lyndal (pictured) who was sexually abused as a young girl has finally broken her silence

Kevin Guy (pictured) subjected Lyndal to eight months of harrowing torture. On the first day of his trial he committed suicide

Arriving for her first day at the high school she met her housemaster - the man that would go on to attack her, Kevin Guy.

By the end of her first term Lyndal noticed Guy had taken an interest in her, while attempting to form a close-knit relationship of trust with her parents.

Over her first Easter at the school Guy began grooming Lyndal, making her feel 'special'.

Within a few weeks of her second term at school, Guy was sexually abusing Lyndal.

'I froze, I didn't know what to do,' she said.

She felt trapped and knew what was happening to her was wrong. He would say to her 'Don't tell, no one's going to believe you'.

As a man with a senior position at the school, Guy could make Lyndal's life difficult. When communication from Guy would reach the then student via notes, Lyndal would do what she was told.

Lyndal suffered horrific abuse for eight terrible months. She would beg her parents not to take her back after holiday time, but they didn't know why.

As housemaster of Toowoomba Prep (pictured) Kevin Guy would use his position of power to manipulate Lyndal

She would pen notes to her parents, as cries for help, One letter read "I really need to get out of here," which triggered her mother to go to the school, but Lyndal didn't have the courage to tell her what was going on.

'I wanted to tell her, I wanted to. And yet I had this male figure who could punish me at school without my parents knowing if I told anybody and I was paralysed I suppose, I was torn, I didn't know that it was happening to anybody else.'

But there were others, and by the end of the school year, one of the victims went to police. She had suspected it was also happening to Lyndal, so the detective investigating the claims rang Lyndal's parents.

Despite being charged by police Kevin Guy would make efforts to communicate with Lyndal.

At the end of her first year, he sent her a Christmas card and a letter.

On the first day of his trial, Kevin Guy committed suicide, leaving behind a note, with the names of twenty school girls he had abused, claiming his actions, were all in the name of 'love'.

Lyndal was just 12-years-old when the school housemaster began to sexually attack her

The school went on to send out a letter mourning the loss of their former staff member, with no mention of the horrific crimes he had committed.

As she grew older the lack of acceptance from the school started to severely impact her life.

She was suspended, expelled and ran away from home as a result of built up anguish and resentment for her parents, who at the time Lyndal thought had failed her at the time.

'I didn't realise, I was just so selfish and so self-centered with my anger and everything that I didn't quite realise how much I was punishing my parents for failing me and yet they were punishing themselves.'

Lyndal took the church and the school to court which lead to the former Governor General, Peter Hollingworth, resigning after a lack of action when he was head of the diocese

Soon, Lyndal began to experience trauma as a result of Kevin Guy's actions. She would hallucinate, thinking that Kevin Guy was following her.

Joy Conolly Lyndal's psychologist asked for photos of Guy dead, so she could see for herself she was no longer in danger. She looked at the images 'for her own sake'.



'I was petrified, but I needed to do it.'

Lyndal continued to search for acknowledgement of Guy's crimes on an official level, from the school or the church, or from former Australian governor-general Peter Hollingworth who was in charge of the diocese at the time.

Her mother asked the Brisbane Anglican Arch Bishop for help. Her phone calls went unanswered until she received a letter from him, that offered no help.

'He should have supported us. He should have said "look, what can we do for you?" There should have been more care, more empathy.'

Ms Conolly eventually got through to Hollingworth, he however said he needed a 'holiday' and that he couldn't do anything.

Lyndal's experience has now been adapted into a film depicting the move lawyer Mr Roche made to help Lyndal take on the exclusive private school and the Anglican church

Unable to escape the memories, at 19-years-old Lyndal decided to take the school and the church to court in a civil action.

'I needed justice,' Lyndal said.

Her small town lawyer Stephen Roche, decided to take on the case. After four years, in 2001, the case went to trial at the Toowoomba Courthouse.

It took four weeks for the jury to return a verdict in favour of Lyndal and she was granted more than $800,000 in compensation.

As Australia's Governor General Peter Hollingworth was scrutinised by media and his answers for the lack of care he showed at the time made it worse.

In 2003, Dr Hollingworth resigned from his position. Lyndal says he had turned his back on her.

Lyndal's story has now been adapted into a movie 'Don't Tell'.

The film depicts the move lawyer Mr Roche made to help Lyndal take on the exclusive private school and the Anglican church to raise awareness around the issues and expose the nasty truths of more abuse that came to light as a result of her trauma.
Ex-Vice President Joe Biden slammed Trump for his 'coarse rhetoric' and causing 'political chaos' during a college commencement speech on Sunday.

Biden was speaking to the 480 students of Maine liberal arts institution Colby College when he launched the attack on the current administration.

He complained that the GOP had spent the election appealing to the 'baser instincts' and fears of the electorate, stoked 'our darkest emotions,' and turned Muslims, immigrants and transgender people into scapegoats for a struggling working class.

After calling on students to return to the 'basic principles' of the Constitution, he then congratulated them one by one with handshakes and - for a lot of enthusiastic female students - hugs.

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Speaking out: Joe Biden hit out at Donald Trump and the GOP on Sunday at a commencement speech for Maine liberal arts institution Colby College, condemning 'political chaos'

Graduation day: He told the students and their parents that politicians now were 'bestow[ing] legitimacy on hate speech and fringe ideologies' with their 'silence' and 'coarse rhetoric'

Biden didn't directly name Trump or the GOP, but the targets of the Democrat's ire were clear.

'This past election cycle churned up some of the ugliest realities in our country,' he said during the 40-minute speech.

'Civilized discourse and real debate gave way to the coarsest rhetoric and stoking of our darkest emotions.

'I thought we had passed the days where it was acceptable for politicians at all levels to bestow legitimacy on hate speech and fringe ideologies, even if it was just by their silence,' he continued, saying he was wrong.

The problem, he said, was that both globalization and digitization had led to people being displaced from their jobs - and that led to worry.

That was compounded by the realization that retraining and continued education was necessary to keep up for these people - but they have no 'capacity to do it.'

Disheartening: Biden said politicians had played on the fears of people who are worried about their jobs by creating 'scapegoats' out of Muslims, immigrants and trans people

'We saw how playing to their fears, and appealing to their baser instincts rather than their better angels, as Lincoln talked about, can still be at least temporarily powerful in politics,' he said.

'We saw how appeals to the forces of populism can stoke anxiety and seek to blame the troubles of a rapidly changing world on the other... the immigrant, the minority, the transgender - anyone "not like me" became a scapegoat.'

Biden said that he, like probably many of the graduates, found this 'disorienting' and 'disheartening.'

But he promised that 'it's temporary; I assure you it's transitory. The American people will not sustain this attitude.'

He continued: 'Think about what defines us as Americans. You can not define an American based on their ethnicity. You can not define an American based on their religion.

'You can not define America by anything other than an inherent acceptance of the notions contained within our institutional structures: "We hold these truths self-evident, that all men are created equal."'

Hugs: Afterward, Biden doled out handshakes and hugs to the students as he congratulated them. Many of the girls seemed delighted to hug him - and he them

'We don't always practice it, but we know that's why we belong, no matter where we come from.

'It's been a long, long climb, an uphill climb, to make it real, and we're nowhere near making it real yet, we haven't always lived up to our ideals.

'We're respected around the world not because of the exercise of our power, but because of the power of our example. That's why we're who we are.'

He added that the students' generation is 'by far the most tolerant' and called on them to be more 'engaged' in the political process.

'You have to be,' he said. 'You have to be, for your own safety's sake.'

After the speech, Biden congratulated graduates as they were called up to the stage.

He mostly doled out handshakes, but gave hugs to those who held open their arms for him.

Several of the female students seemed thrilled to be hugging the 74-year-old liberal heartthrob - and he seemed equally happy.
The Pentagon has refused a long-standing request to add the names of 74 US sailors who died in a 1969 ship collision to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The USS Frank E. Evans was participating in a nighttime training exercise in the South China Sea when it turned into the path of an Australian aircraft carrier and was split in half. The World War II-era destroyer's stern section stayed afloat while the bow section sank.

Survivors and relatives of those killed have been pushing the Department of Defense for years to add the 74 names to the wall because the ship had supported ground operations in Vietnam just weeks earlier and likely would've been sent back to the war zone after the exercise.

74 US Sailors died in a 1969 ship collision between the USS Frank E. Evans (pictured) and an Australian aircraft. Survivors and relatives of those killed have been pushing the Department of Defense for years to add the 74 names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. because the ship had supported ground operations in Vietnam just weeks earlier

The Australian ship after the collision with the USS Frank E. Evans. Pentagon officials in a decision this month stuck to their position that the Evans victims are precluded from being added to the wall because the accident occurred outside the Vietnam combat zone

Designed in 2007 by Maya Lin, the memorial features more than 53,000 names of US casualties

But Pentagon officials in a decision this month stuck to their position that the Evans victims are precluded from being added to the wall because the accident occurred outside the Vietnam combat zone.

It was a decision that angered retired Navy Master Chief Lawrence Reilly Sr., an Evans survivor whose 20-year-old son, also named Lawrence, was among those killed.

'I'm not happy with the whole thing,' the 92-year-old WWII and Vietnam veteran said from his Syracuse home. 'It's a bad deal.'

Instead of granting an exemption to the war zone rule, the Pentagon has offered to pay tribute to the fallen sailors by listing their names on a memorial plaque to be placed inside the education center to be built near the wall. But with less than half of the $130 million cost of the center raised so far, the offer is being dismissed by some Evans survivors.

The decision angered retired Navy Master Chief Lawrence Reilly Sr., an Evans survivor whose 20-year-old son, also named Lawrence, was among those killed. A veteran touches a red rose to the memorial

'I'm not happy with the whole thing,' 92-year-old WWII and Vietnam veteran Navy Master Chief Lawrence Reilly Sr said from his Syracuse home. 'It's a bad deal'

Instead of granting an exemption to the war zone rule, the Pentagon has offered to pay tribute to the fallen sailors by listing their names on a memorial plaque to be placed inside the education center to be built near the wall. Those on the wall had to have been in the combat zone similar Operation Pershing in South Vietnam

'They're throwing us a bone,' said Steve Kraus, a survivor and vice president of the USS Frank E. Evans Association. 'They're thinking, "OK, maybe this will all go away now."'

Kraus, a 70-year-old retired utility supervisor from Carlsbad, California, said some in the Evans association reluctantly accepted the Pentagon's offer of a separate memorial, while others advocate continuing the fight for inclusion on the wall. Randy Henderson, of Mayville, New York, is among the latter faction. He was 13 when his older brother Randy died on the Evans.

The Evans sailors 'do not meet the established criteria for the inscription of their names on the wall,' Navy Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said. 'The deputy secretary of defense extensively reviewed information and records to make an informed decision'

'We're still steadfast and moving ahead,' he said.

The Pentagon's latest rejection came after the Evans survivors pinned their hopes on Navy records that the group said showed the ship had been awarded a Vietnam Service Medal for June 2, 1969, a day before the accident. The medal was only given to ships and sailors who served in the Vietnam combat zone.

But the Navy's review of its records last fall determined there was no documentation to support such a claim.

The Evans sailors 'do not meet the established criteria for the inscription of their names on the wall,' Navy Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said. 'The deputy secretary of defense extensively reviewed information and records to make an informed decision.'

The Evans group's effort has the backing of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat

The Evans veterans say the Pentagon has previously granted exceptions to the eligibility criteria for adding names to the memorial, including for dozens of Marines who were killed when the plane carrying them back to Vietnam from leave in Hong Kong crashed during takeoff.

The Evans group's effort has the backing of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, the New York Democrat who got involved two years ago on behalf of the four sailors from his state who died in the collision.

Also killed in the accident were the three Sage brothers  Gary, Gregory and Kelly  of Niobrara, Nebraska. Their mother, Eunice Sage, wanted to see her sons' names placed on the memorial, Kraus said. She died in 2010.

'She wanted this so bad,' Kraus said. 'That's all she would talk about.'
Daphne Page, 52, pictured, was arrested after a novelty clock in her car caused a bomb scare in Short Pump, Virginia

A woman accused of having a fake explosive device that sparked a bomb scare in a grocery store parking lot says the object was a novelty alarm clock she bought at a garage sale.

Daphne Page, 52, was arrested Friday after someone spotted the device in the back seat of her car in Short Pump, Virginia. Page was grocery shopping inside a Whole Foods nearby.

Police, fire and Hazmat crews responded around 5pm Friday after someone called in about an object that looked like a bomb inside a car, according to WTVR.

The parking lot was cleared for five hours while authorities used a robot to remove the object from the vehicle.

Page said she bought the alarm clock for her daughter who was turning 18. She planned on driving to Vermont next week to visit her daughter, according to WTVR.

The clock, which she bought for $1, was designed to look like a bundle of dynamite. She said she didn't realize it would scare people, calling it an 'obvious fake', according to The Richmond-Times Dispatch.

Page said she bought the clock, pictured, which is designed to look like a bundle of dynamite, for $1 at a garage sale to give to her daughter who is turning 18

When someone walking through the parking lot saw the clock in her backseat, they called authorities. Police, fire and Hazmat crews responded around 5pm Friday

Page, pictured, was arrested and has been charged with the manufacture, possession or use of explosives, which also includes the manufacture and possession of hoax devices. Because it is a felony charge, she is being held without bail until she can see a judge Monday

'They obviously shouldn't be providing this stuff on the market for people to buy if it's something that's going to be so controversial when you actually have it in your hands,' she told the outlet.

Page was charged with the manufacture, possession or use of explosives. The statute includes the manufacture and possession of hoax devices.

Police told WTVR that Page was cooperating with their investigation. But because she is being held on a felony charge, she is being held without bail in the Henrico County Jail until she can see a judge Monday.

'I feel stupid having spent a dollar on a stupid clock at a yard sale,' Page told WTVR.

The parking lot was cleared for five hours as authorities had removed the clock from the vehicle using a robot
Burton Fischler, pictured, filed a petition to have his pre-nuptial agreement with his deceased wife Barbara Weiden Schwartz thrown out so he can have access to more of her fortune. Schwartz was murdered in 2011 by her schizophrenic son who is set to inherit the bulk of her assets, $3.2million

A man is asking a judge to throw out his pre-nuptial agreement so he can access more of his deceased wife's fortune.

Burton Fischler filed a petition in Manhattan Surrogate's Court last week saying he received bad legal advice about the pre-nup and that he signed it under pressure from his future in-laws.

He also said his wife, Barbara Weiden Schwartz, promised she would get rid of the agreement and leave him more money, but she wasn't able to before she was killed by her son in 2011.

'It now appears that the confidence and trust (Fischler) reposed in the decedent was misplaced,' said Fischler's lawyer Michael Calcagni in the petition, according to the New York Daily News.

At most, Fischler should be able to inherit $1.25million under the pre-nup, according to the outlet.

But his deceased wife, the daughter of a Merrill Lynch executive, had more than $6 million in assets when she died at the age of 67.

The bulk of her fortune, $3.2million, is set to be inherited by her schizophrenic son who stabbed her to death with a kitchen knife in her luxury Upper East Side apartment.

Jonathan Schwartz, 46, was committed to a psychiatric facility in 2015 after a jury found him not guilty of his mother's death by reason of insanity.

He fatally stabbed the Manhattan socialite while she was sleeping.

The man's father Steven Schwartz, who was divorced from Barbara when she was killed, sued Jonathan in 2015 in a bid to stop him claiming his share in his mother's $6.4million estate.

But a Manhattan judge reviewing the lawsuit ruled in March that Jonathan should still be able to collect his inheritance because he didn't understand the 'nature or consequences of his conduct', the New York Post reported.

Jonathan Schwartz, 46, stabbed his mother Barbara to death in 2011 while she slept in her luxury Upper East Side apartment, pictured

Supreme Court Judge Geoffrey Wright said the suit 'was commenced to declare Jonathan Schwartz ineligible to inherit from his mother by virtue of her murder at his hands'.

He also awarded Jonathan's court-appointed lawyer $14,000 in fees.

Steven's attorney has appealed the ruling, saying the 46-year-old must pay for killing his mother.

He launched the lawsuit in 2015 on behalf of himself and the divorced couple's only other son Kenneth.

Kenneth committed suicide in 2013 after learning his mother's second husband Burton Fischler had mismanaged her estate by swindling away millions on risky short-sales.

The handling of Barbara's estate was handed to her first husband Steven by a Surrogates Court judge in 2013. He then launched legal action to reverse the financial havoc Fischler had caused on Barbara's estate.

He then later launched legal action against his son Jonathan to stop him claiming his inheritance. Steven was set to get Kenneth's share of whatever money he might have won in the civil case against Jonathan.
Roger Ailes' emotional teenage son has used his father's eulogy to hit out at women who accused the former Fox News boss of sexual harassment.

Zachary Ailes, 17, spoke to mourners gathered at St Edward Roman Catholic church in Palm Beach, Florida, for the 77-year-old's funeral on Saturday.

'I want all the people who betrayed my father to know that Im coming after them,' the teenager said, according to conservative news blog LifeZette.

'And hell is coming with me.'

Roger Ailes' emotional teenage son (pictured on Saturday) has used his father's eulogy to hit out at women who accused the former Fox News boss of sexual harassment

Gabriel Sherman, who has covered Ailes extensively, tweeted about the comments made during the eulogy

Laura Ingraham, LifeZettes editor-in-chief, was one of about 60 people at the service.

It is not clear who the teen is threatening - the women, or the Murdochs who are believed to have ousted Ailes from Fox News and did not appear to attend his funeral, or both.

However New York Magazine reporter Gabriel Sherman, who has extensively covered Ailes over the years, tweeted: 'Scary: During eulogy, Ailes's teenage son threatened Fox women who alleged harassment. "I'm coming after them...and hell is coming with me."'

Ailes died on May 18 in his Florida home. He had fallen badly and hit his head eight days earlier.

The 17-year-old was seen holding his mother, Elizabeth Tilson's, hand and crying as they left the church together on Saturday.

The allegations against Ailes led to his resignation from Fox News last July. They were first reported by Sherman in his 2014 book on Ailes, but the claims didn't gain traction until 2016, when former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes.

'I want all the people who betrayed my father to know that Im coming after them,' 17-year-old Zachary Ailes (pictured) said

Ailes died on May 18 in his Florida home. He had fallen badly and hit his head eight days earlier

Carlson alleged Ailes cancelled her show when she rebuffed his advances.

Three days later, Sherman published a story including reports from six other women who had similar experiences with Ailes.

Fox News' parent company 21st Century Fox then hired a law firm to independently investigate the claims.

Friends and family of Roger Ailes are seen wheeling out the 77-year-old's coffin in Palm Beach on Saturday

Roger, Beth and Zachary Ailes attend the 2012 Green Beret Foundation Gala with Georgette Mosbacher (right)

In that time period, star anchor Megyn Kelly - who has since left to join NBC - even came forward to say she was harassed by Ailes early on in her career at the network.

Ailes received a $40million payout as he left the network. His son is believed to be likely to inherit the fortune left behind.

Others who attended the Florida funeral included: Sean Hannity, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Rush Limbaugh.
National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster wouldn't say whether President Trump confronted the Russians on interference in the presidential election when he met with top officials earlier this month.

'Well, there already was too much that's been leaked from those meetings,' McMaster said, staying mum, when asked about it Sunday by ABC's George Stephanopoulos.

Several conversations out of the Oval Office meeting between Trump, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak have been leaked, causing McMaster to say he was worried about the 'confidentiality' of such get-togethers.

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National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster wouldn't say whether President Trump brought up last year's election hacking with the Russians during a meeting earlier this month

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos probed National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster on the meeting, in which several portions of the conversation have leaked out

H.R. McMaster (left) didn't deny to George Stephanopoulos (right) that President Trump called ex-FBI chief James Comey a 'nut job,' as the New York Times reported

'And so, I am really concerned about these kind of leaks, because it undermines everybody's trust in that kind of an environment where you can have frank, candid, and often times unconventional conversations to try to protect American interests and secure the American people,' McMaster explained.

First, the Washington Post reported that Trump had shared highly classified information with the Russians during the meeting, spilling intelligence about the Islamic State, which was given to the Americans by Israel, the New York Times figured out.

McMaster was tasked with defending Trump against this charge, repeatedly saying the president's actions were 'wholly appropriate.'

More recently, the Times reported that Trump had discussed his controversial firing of FBI Director James Comey with the Russians, calling the longtime government servant a 'nut job.'

'I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job,' Trump said, according to documentation of the meeting, read to a reporter from the Times. 'I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off.'

McMaster didn't deny that that conversation happened.

National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster was charged with defending President Trump, after the Washington Post reported that he'd told classified information to the Russians

H.R. McMaster said Trump's conversation with the Russians was 'wholly appropriate,' though wouldn't say on Sunday if the president brought up the election year hack

'Well, I don't remember exactly what the president said,' he began. 'And the notes that they apparently have I do no think are a direct transcript, but the gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news.'

'And that was the intention of that portion of the conversation,' McMaster added.

McMaster said he didn't know in advance that the president was going to bring up Comey, who Trump had fired the day before.

Stephanopoulos then asked the national security adviser if he thought it was appropriate that Trump bring up Comey  who was investigating Russian meddling in the presidential campaign  with top Russian officials.

'As you know, it's very difficult to take a few lines, to take a paragraph out of what are, what appears to be notes of that meeting, and to be able to see the full context of the conversation,' McMaster replied.

McMaster added that 'the intent of the conversation' was to 'move beyond all of the Russia news so that we can find areas of cooperation.'

But Stephanopoulos moved back to Russian interference in the election, asking McMaster if Trump brought it up.

McMaster said he wouldn't be answering, blaming the leaks, and then repeated that point again.

'Well, I'm not going to divulge more of that meeting,' he told the ABC Newsman.

'Those meetings, as you know, are supposed to be privileged,' McMaster pointed out.

'They're supposed to be confidential. They're supposed to allow the president and other leaders to have frank exchanges,' he concluded.
A man is fighting for life in hospital after falling from the sky in a paragliding accident at Barton Airport in Manchester.

The man, who police say was paragliding at the time of the incident, was seriously injured while attempting to land at City Airport, in Eccles, Salford, Greater Manchester.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the airfield at approximately 8am this morning.

The man suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, police said.

The man, who police say was paragliding at the time of the incident, was seriously injured while attempting to land at City Airport, in Eccles, Salford, Greater Manchester

Photographs show police and ambulance service staff trying to help him at the scene on Sunday morning.

The incident is now being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with support from Greater Manchester Police.

A GMP spokesman said the man is 'desperately ill' after suffering serious injuries during the incident.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the airfield at approximately 8am this morning. The man suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, police said

He added: 'A paragliding accident took place at Barton Airport at around 8am this morning.

'The paraglider is currently fighting for his life in hospital.

'The report has come to police from the aerodrome and will be investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the National Paragliding Association.'

It is believed that the injured aviator may have flown with Bollington Paragliding Club, which is based at Barton Aerodrome, Eccles, Manchester.

The incident is now being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with support from Greater Manchester Police. A GMP spokesman said the man is 'desperately ill'

People shared their support for the injured man on Facebook and a number of people said that they had seen him in the air prior to the accident.

Sue Almond wrote 'I think I must of seen this guy on my way to work this morning around 7.30am hovering over Barton airport. Hope he recovers x'

And Nichola Hidrey wrote, 'Saw this guy as I went over Barton bridge this morning hope he is ok x.'

'Hope that he is okay thoughts and prayers with him and his family x' Susan Taylor wrote.

Martin Gaskell wrote, 'it's not the falling from the sky that is the problem, it's coming to a sudden stop when you hit the ground that is the problem :('

'Mandy Panda Clack OMG I HOPE HE MAKES A REVOVERY '
A mother-of-two has been granted a temporary stay from deportation.

Ingrid Encalada Latorre, a 33-year-old native of Peru, sought sanctuary at a Quaker meeting house in Denver, Colorado to avoid US immigration authorities.

Her attorney announced that she is allowed to stay until August 7.

Through a translator, Latorre said she looked forward to going home with her children, eight years old and 17 months, who were both born in the US.

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Ingrid Encalada Latorre (center, pictured May 3), 33, an undocumented mother of two children has been granted a temporary stay from deportation. Latorre, a native of Peru, and her attorney announced Saturday that she is allowed to stay until August 7

Latorre sought sanctuary at a Quaker meeting house in Denver, Colorado, in December 2016 to avoid US immigration authorities. The stay will last two months to accommodate her hearing in July (Latorre, center, celebrates being granted a temporary stay on Saturday)

'I'm happy,' she said with a big smile.

The stay will last two months to accommodate her hearing in July.

Her attorney, Jeff Joseph, said the reprieve will allow Latorre to continue her appeal of a 2010 case in which she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possessing falsified or stolen identification papers that she used to get work.

She says she didnt know the immigration papers she bought were stolen.

Latorre is seeking to withdraw the plea, contending she received inadequate legal counsel.

Joseph also added that it was an 'acknowledgment' by the government that she should 'pursue her constitutional rights'.

'Ingrid has a due process right to have her day in court and unfortunately that right was squandered by previous attorneys,' Joseph said.

'This is a situation where had those attorneys not messed up Ingrid's case, we probably wouldn't be here today.'

Latorre, who sought refuge at the Mountain View Quaker meeting house in December 2016 to avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said her case is about more than just her and her family.

Latorre has been appealing a 2010 case in which she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possessing stolen identification papers. She says she didn't know the papers were stolen nor did she receive adequate legal defense (Latorre celebrates being granted a temporary stay of deportation on Saturday)

Latorre hopes her felony conviction will be downgraded to a misdemeanor, which will give her a better chance of becoming a US citizen (Latorre celebrates her stay with her eight-year-old son Bryant Moya)

'We are human beings,' she said during a press briefing.

'I will continue to organize until our full humanity, contributions and place in this country are recognized.'

LaTorre told Denver7 last year that she is doing this to 'raise awareness for the thousands of others' like her.

'People whose only offense was to work and pay into the social safety net, and whose only desire is to live safely with our families,' she said.

Latorre hopes her felony conviction will be downgraded to a misdemeanor, which will give her a better chance of becoming a US citizen

Arturo Hernandez-Garcia and Jeanette Vizguerra - two others who recently were granted two-year stays from deportation - were among those present for the announcement on Saturday.

Both of them have lived in church sanctuary in Denver to avoid deportation.
Alan Dean (pictured as a boy) said he was targeted in 1962 in Clayton, Greater Manchester - close to the Hattersley estate where Brady lived with partner Myra Hindley

A retired TV engineer has said he could have been Ian Brady's first victim after being targeted as a seven-year-old while walking home from a sweet shop.

Alan Dean, who is now 62, said he was targeted in 1962 in Clayton, Greater Manchester - close to the Hattersley estate where Brady lived with partner Myra Hindley.

The twisted couple met in 1961 and murdered their first victim, Pauline Reade, 16, in 1963.

Following the death of the Moors murderer last Monday, Mr Dean has been reminded of his lucky escape.

In an interview with the Sunday People, he said: 'I was walking home from the shop, tightrope-walking down the kerbstone. It was a quiet road and back then there was hardly any traffic. They must have deliberately hit me.

'I remember getting knocked flying. I didn't see who was driving but when I was on the floor this tall, creepy man was stood over me. I was aware something was wrong.

'This man was stood over me rubbing my thigh. It was weird, he wasn't saying anything. I pushed him away and ran home to my mum.'

Years later Mr Dean spotted a picture of the serial killer and immediately recognised Brady from the encounter in Clayton.

He said: 'I knew it was him straight away. It was the same guy.'

'There's no way him and Hindley didn't practice and plan what they did. They didn't just kidnap someone first time. They would have had trial runs, working out what they needed to do', he added.

'They tried to get me a year before they got Pauline. How many other attempts on other kids did they try?'

Mr Dean, who is now 62, has revealed his lucky escape after Ian Brady knocked him off the pavement and molested him

Brady died of heart disease aged 79 at a secure hospital on Monday. Hindley died in prison in 2002.

The infamous serial killer and Hindley were jailed for life for the killings of John Kilbride, 12, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans, 17.

They went on to admit the murders of Pauline Reade, 16, and 12-year-old Keith Bennett.

Keith's body has never been found after Brady failed to inform police of its location during his 51 years behind bars.

Police attempted to convince Brady to reveal the mystery location of the grave in his final hours - but he refused to tell them.

Ian Brady, pictured left, refused to co-operate with police as they tried to work out where he had buried 12-year-old Keith Bennett, pictured right

Mr Dean said he felt for the family of Keith, whose mother Winnie Johnson died in 2012 after fighting tirelessly for decades to find her son and provide a Christian burial.

He told the Sunday People: 'I repaired Winnie's TV once when she lived on Princess Road. There was also the resemblance between me and Keith when I was younger. We both had the NHS glasses. He never did say where that poor lad is.

'He would have known the rough area, you don't do something that bad and not know where you were. Unfortunately, Winnie never found peace because of him. I hope she's at peace now up there while he's burning somewhere else.'

Brady, and his co-accused Myra Hindley (pictured together) murdered five children in the 1960s and the bodies of four of his victims have been found. The couple became infatuated with Nazis and sadism after getting together at a chemical firm

Another man, Tommy Rhattigan, now 61, revealed how he fled through a window aged seven after he was lured to Hindley's grandmother's house in Manchester with bread and jam in 1963.

He had been one of 12 siblings growing up in desperate poverty in Hulme, Manchester, when he was taken to the house.

Asked if he believed there were just five victims he said: 'No, 100 per cent I don't. I truly believe that. There's more than one that got away.'

On learning of Brady's death, he told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I was actually stunned. I had a lot - a lot - of mixed emotions, a heavy heart, and the reason why I had a heavy heart is because his time's up, he's gone, but the families of the victims are still here.'

In 2000, he wrote to the Moors murderer because he felt 'really sorry' for the mother of victim Keith Bennett and wanted Brady to tell her where he was buried.

The killer wrote back, telling him he and Hindley were 'quite ordinary and not dripping blood'.
An Oxford student who was told she might avoid prison after a drug-fuelled assault on her boyfriend may still be expelled from her college, it has emerged.

Lavinia Woodward last week admitted stabbing Thomas Fairclough in the leg. But a judge hinted that her academic ability meant halting her studies with a jail term would be too severe.

And it has come to light that the medical student was already on a final warning from her college when she attacked the 25-year-old Cambridge graduate.

But a judge hinted that her academic ability meant halting her studies with a jail term would be too severe

Christ Church had spoken to her about her behaviour just two weeks before the September assault, after it discovered she had been taking drugs.

She was told: Any more drug-taking, or misconduct of any kind, would indeed result in expulsion.

This was despite her being one of the best students on her course.

Woodward, 24, admitted unlawful wounding at Oxford Crown Court last week. The court heard she attacked Mr Fairclough in her university digs with a bread knife, as well as punching him in the face and throwing a laptop, a jam jar and a glass at him.

Judge Ian Pringle said that while her assault would normally attract a custodial sentence, he felt: If this was a one-off, to prevent this extraordinarily able young lady from following her desire to enter the [medical] profession would be too severe.

Critics have argued that someone working on a supermarket checkout would not attract the same sympathy.

A spokesman for the University of Oxford has now said that any comments suggesting Woodward would be allowed to complete her studies at Christ Church were the judges not the colleges. He added pointedly that there was no guarantee of a return, and that it was usual for university disciplinary procedures only to begin once relevant court cases were over.

The spokesman added: The context is obviously serious.

Woodward grew up with her wealthy mother in Italy where she was educated at an English-speaking private school.

At Oxford, she has been accused of subjecting fellow students to a reign of terror.

He peers  who describe her as clever and manipulative  have demanded to know why the court was not told of her history of making threats of violence.

Inviting unsavoury characters suspected of supplying her with cocaine into college was just one of her misdemeanours. A source familiar with Woodwards career at Oxford said: This was not a solitary incident. There are other people she has threatened. She needs help. I dont think a clear picture of her has come from the court case.

It has come to light that the medical student was already on a final warning from her college when she attacked the 25-year-old Cambridge graduate

Another contemporary at Christ Church said: Im not at all surprised shes ended up attacking someone with a knife, at least three people have been threatened by her.

She has been so clever and manipulative. The judge has presented her as this talented student whos made one mistake in life but actually shes got this history that hasnt been considered.

One female student and former friend said: It is surreal the [knife] attack could be contemplated as a one-time event. Her history is peppered with traumatised people  she had an incredibly short fuse.

One alleged confrontation occurred in the street around the time Woodward attacked Mr Fairclough. It is said to have started when she screamed at another student across the road who was speaking to an ex of hers.

A witness said: She called her horrible names like slut, and bimbo. My friend crossed the road to calm her down. She [Woodward] then began lashing out at her, slapping her and trying to shove her head against a gatepost.

Woodward, from Milan, posted on social media earlier this year that she had entered The Priory addiction treatment centre in Woking, Surrey, and is understood to be tackling her use of cocaine.

She is due to return to Oxford Crown Court in September for sentencing. A prison term could result in her being barred from working as a doctor.

Woodward  who is yet to complete her studies  was unavailable for comment.
A South African safari leader and big game hunter was crushed to death Friday afternoon when an elephant was shot and fell and on top of him.

Theunis Botha, 51, was hunting with a group in Gwai, Zimbabwe, when they came across a breeding herd of elephants.

They quickly began to shoot, according to News 24, spooking the animals and causing the elephants to charge at the hunters.

Theunis Botha (pictured right with his wife, Carika), 51, was hunting with a group in Gwai, Zimbabwe, when they came across a breeding herd of elephants

One of the elephants is then said to have picked up Botha with its trunk.

A member of his group shot the elephant, hoping it would put Botha down. Instead, the wounded and dying animal fell on top of him, crushing him to death.

Botha is survived by his wife Carika and their five children, all who live in Tzaneen, South Africa.

Carika is expected to make the trip to Zimbabwe in the next few days to identify her husband's body and then bring him home.

They quickly began to shoot, according to News 24, spooking the animals and causing the elephants to start to run at the hunters (stock images)

Botha was a highly regarded houndsman, and frequently led leopard and lion hunting safaris with his pack of dogs for his company Game Hounds Safaris.

The website says he pioneered the traditional European-style 'Monteria hunts' in southern African countries.

He was a well known hunter in Zimbabwe, and often traveled to the United States to recruit wealthy Americans to take part in big game trophy hunting in Africa.
More than 150 students, family and faculty walked out of Notre Dame's commencement Sunday when Vice President Mike Pence began his speech at the ceremony.

As soon as the Vice President - a former Indiana governor - began giving his speech at the 175th commencement ceremony, students rose from their seats and filed out of the stadium.

As they walked out, protesters from We Go High!, the Reproductive Justice Coalition and Planned Parenthood along with other groups rallied from 10am until noon at the corner of Angela Blvd and Notre Dame Avenue.

Vice President Mike Pence - a former governor of Indiana - became the first vice president to give a commencement speech at Notre Dame University when he spoke at their 175th graduation ceremony

As soon as he started speaking, more than 150 students, family and faculty walked out of Notre Dame's stadium

As they walked out, protesters from We Go High!, the Reproductive Justice Coalition and Planned Parenthood along with other groups rallied from 10am until noon at the corner of Angela Blvd and Notre Dame Avenue

According to USA Today, about 300 people chanted: 'Love, not hate, makes America great.'

Notre Dame normally invites the current President of the United States to give the commencement at the university during his first year in office.

When former President Barack Obama came to speak in 2009, he was met by conservative protestors who disapproved of his support of abortion rights.

This year, however, thousands of students and faculty signed a petition asking university president Rev. John Jenkins not to invite President Trump.

#WalkoutND became a trending hashtag for the ceremony. This flier was made by We StaND For ND so that those interested could know the best way to peacefully protest Vice President Pence's speech

In a map of the stadium, the organization shared the best plan to leave and said: 'Our best scientists have finally figured out a #walkoutND exit plan. Follow blues arrows and exit the nearest gate on the concourse!'

Protesters sit outside the main commons of the university and chant in solidarity with each other

In March, the university announced that it was bringing Pence and initial protest planning soon began from We StaND For ND and other organizations.

On their website, the organization said: 'Walk away from Pence quietly, in confidence, with your head up high, taking your time.

'Embrace the moment, maybe even hold hands/lock arms with those joining you.'

The group added that while they were not protesting the choice for Pence to be the speaker, they were 'unwelcoming Mike Pence back to Indiana with the idea that nobody knows Pence's record as well as Hoosiers do.'

Notre Dame normally invites the current President of the United States to give the commencement at the university during his first year in office. This year, however, thousands of students and faculty signed a petition asking university president Rev. John Jenkins not to invite President Trump

In March, the university announced that it was bringing Pence and initial protest planning soon went underway from We StaND For and other organizations

Students leave commencement as Pence is speaking. On their website, We StaND For ND instructed students to 'Walk away from Pence quietly, in confidence, with your head up high, taking your time. Embrace the moment, maybe even hold hands/lock arms with those joining you'

The group, pictured here in a separate protest in the fall, added that while they were not protesting the choice for Pence to be the speaker, they were 'unwelcoming Mike Pence back to Indiana with the idea that nobody knows Pence's record as well as Hoosiers do'

Former student body president Bryan Ricketts - who graduated with a dual degree in chemical engineering and politics - was one of the students who took charge in planning the protest, which university officials were well aware of prior to commencement.

A statement from Paul Browne, vice president for public affairs and communications, explained that the university would only intervene 'if the ceremony was seriously disrupted or anyone's safety was put at risk.'

Students even went as far as to meet with Notre Dame's police chief to best discern a peaceful and 'respectful' way to exit the stadium, Ricketts said.

A student holds up a sign that says 'Love Trumps Hate' as she makes her way out of the stadium with her classmates

At the main gate, a protester holds up a sign condemning Pence's stance on LGBT rights

Prior to the Vice President's appearance, valedictorian C.J. Pine gave a moving speech about being born in America but having spent his childhood in Tianjin, China and his study abroad experience in Israel and Jordan.

An organizer for student advocacy group Solidarity with Syria, Pine called for freedom of religion and equal rights while breaking from his message to talk about his experience with Syrian refugees.

'If we are going to build walls against American students and international students, then I am skewered on the fence,' he said.

Faculty were also a part of this protest too. A professor holds a sign saying 'Grads scare pence & make change'

Graduates and students come march with signs and rainbow flags in solidarity with each other and condemning the former governor's stance on issues

Notre Dame graduate Mark Davidson was one of the few who proudly showed his support for the administration

Once complete, Pine received a standing ovation for his speech. His after graduation plans include working for the State Department in Washington.

Pence speech started off with niceties about family, praising the students for their accomplishments and even touched on President Trump.

Pence praised Trump's speech to the leaders of 50 Arab and Muslim nations earlier in the day in Saudi Arabia.

Pence said the president 'spoke out against religious persecution of all people of all faiths and on the world stage he condemned, in his words, the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews and the slaughter of Christians.'

His speech soon took a more serious tone, however, when Pence began condemning colleges and schools all across the country.

'Notre Dame is a campus where deliberation is welcomed - where opposing views are debated and where every speaker, no matter how unpopular or unfashionable, is afforded the right to air their views in the open for all to hear,' he said to light applause.

Vice President Mike Pence (center) receives an honorary degree from Notre Dame. Pence speech started off with niceties about family, praising the students for their accomplishments and even touched on President Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia

About Notre Dame and schools across the country he said: 'While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness - all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech'

Graduate Ixtlaly Estrada shares why she decided to walk out of Pence's commencement speech

'But Notre Dame is an exception - an island in a sea of conformity, so far spared from the noxious wave that seems to be rushing over much of academia.

'While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness - all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech.

'These all-too-common practices are destructive of learning and the pursuit of knowledge. And they are wholly outside the American tradition.

'As you, our youth, are the future, and universities, the bellwether of thought and culture, I would submit that the increasing intolerance and suppression of the time-honored tradition of free expression on our campuses jeopardizes the liberties of every American. This should not - and must not - be met with silence.

'So as new graduates of this exceptional university, I urge you: Be leaders for the freedom of thought and expression. Carry the example and principles you've learned here to all the places where you will live and work.

More students and their families make their way out of the stadium in protest to Pence

Students stand with signs with various messages directed toward the administration in a previous protest in March

Students and supporters stand in a circle and chant sharing messages of disdain for the way Trump and Pence have been running the country at a previous protest back in the fall

This comes less than two weeks after many of the graduating students at Bethune-Cookman University turned their backs on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and boos nearly drowned out her commencement speech.

DeVos carried on with her keynote address to the historically black university, praising its founder Mary McLeod Bethune as someone who 'refused to accept systemic and repulsive racism,' and had 'the courage to change old ideas.'

'Let's choose to hear one another out,' DeVos said, reading her prepared text in a measured tone despite continuing waves of boos, catcalls and scattered applause.

'I am here to demonstrate in the most direct way possible that I and the administration are fully committed to your success and to the success of every student across this great country,' she said.


Donald Trump has attracted some criticism in the past week for making Saudi Arabia the first stop of his inaugural foreign trip as president.

The Saudis have long been suspected of providing the financing and safe harbor required to pull off the 9/11 terror attacks that hit New York and Washington.

The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people.

President Trump (left), spotted alongside Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (right) in Saudi Arabia Sunday, received some blowback for making the kingdom his first stop as president, because of remaining questions over the Saudis involvement in 9/11

Fifteen of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, and three had histories of employment with the oil-rich kingdom

Fifteen of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, and three had histories of employment with the oil-rich kingdom.

At the time of the attacks in 2001, Saudi Arabia funding Muslim radicalism in mosques and charities, according to a batch of 28 recently declassified pages from the U.S. 9/11 Commission's official report.

Additionally, a Saudi who was on Prince Bandar bin Sultan's payroll reportedly told an FBI informant that it would be useless for the U.S. to limit entry visas because there were already several Muslims in the country to destroy it and create an Islamic state.

Families of 800 victims and 1,500 first responders sued Saudi Arabia two months ago.

The lawsuit alleges that officials of Saudi embassies helped hijackers Salem Al-Hazmi and Khalid Al-Mihdhar for more than a year before they put their plan into action.

The officials allegedly helped them learn English and obtain credit cards and cash, and taught them how to blend in with American culture.

Officials at the Saudi embassy in Germany also reportedly supported the lead hijacker Mohamed Atta.

The declassified findings are ultimately inconclusive about whether the Saudi government was involved in funding and planning the 9/11 attacks.

'On the one hand,' the report notes, 'it is possible that these kinds of connections could suggest ... incontrovertible evidence that there is support for these terrorists with the Saudi Government.'

But on the other hand, the report hedges, 'it is also possible that further investigation of these allegations could reveal legitimate, and innocent, explanations for these associations.'

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said last year that some Americans may be unpersuadable.

'There are still people in the U.S. and around the world who don't think the moon landing took place,' he said in Washington during a July 2016 speech.

'So it doesn't matter how persuasive one can be in order to convince people of it,' Jubeir said. 'But we have the facts, and the facts points to one direction, and the facts are very clear.'
An 84-year-old man shot two women in a popular restaurant in Miami, Florida, then hours later killed himself Saturday.

Miami-Dade police have identified the shooter as Jose Reina, 84. His two victims were sisters, Madlin Guardado, 39, and Yenat Guardado, 38.

Madlin, whose 40th birthday would have been Monday, died at the scene. Yenat was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, but died Sunday at the Kendall Regional Trauma Center.

The sisters were shot at the Latin Cafeteria Restaurant where they worked on Saturday just after noon, according to WSVN.

84-year-old Jose Reina shot two sisters at the Latin Cafeteria Restaurant, pictured, where they were working the lunch hour rush on Saturday just after noon

Reina then drove away in his green Jeep Cherokee, pictured, and shot himself in the parking lot of a grocery store five miles away from the restaurant where he shot the sisters

After Reina shot the sisters, he drove off in a green Jeep Cherokee.

He was found by police around 3.30pm in the Jeep five miles away from the restaurant, in a grocery store parking lot.

He had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was also taken to the hospital where he died.

Police questioned witnesses at the Latin Cafeteria Restaurant for hours and roped off the restaurant and much of the shopping center around it, according to WSVN.

One witness who works in the area told the outlet that some of his clients saw 'somebody got shot by a rifle' after chaos broke out just after noon.

The motive for the shooting and the connection between the victims and the shooter are still unknown, but Miami-Dade Police Detective Robin Pinkard said officials believe they did know one another.

'We do not believe this is a random act of violence,' she said.

According to the Miami Herald, records show that Reina and Madlin Guardado shared a rented house in Miami.

The sisters were Madlin Guardado, 39, and Yenat Guardado, 38. Madlin, whose 40th birthday would have been Monday, died at the scene. Yenat was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, but died Sunday at the Kendall Regional Trauma Center, pictured
The shocking moment a Lyft passenger attacked her driver and wiped her nose on the car's backseat has been captured on camera.

Stephanie Young, 28, booked a trip with Lyft about 8pm on April 29 in St Petersburg, Florida, and hopped into the car when her driver, Michelle Jennings, arrived.

However, the journey quickly took a dramatic turn, as the 28-year-old was filmed shouting at Jennings.

Young, who was heavily slurring her words in the video, was also filmed reaching into the front seat to strike the driver.

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Lyft passenger Stephanie Young was caught on camera blowing her nose on a headrest cover (left), before she then was seen reaching forward and trying to attack the driver (right)

Michelle Jennings (pictured) was driving and she filmed the incident before posting it online

Jennings told WFTS Young was crying when she was helped into the car by her friends, but did not talk.

The driver decided to turn her camera on when the 28-year-old ripped a headrest cover off the passenger seat and began blowing her nose into it.

She then repeatedly demanded unspecified items from the driver and coughed into the headrest cover.

They argued back and forth for a few minutes before Jennings pulled into a parking lot as Young could be heard saying: 'you're kicking me out just because I don't have the same skin color as you, b***h.'

Jennings was seen in the video trying to keep an eye on Young, before she pulled over outside an apartment block that sounded like it was the final destination for the trip (right)

After the car had pulled over, Young was caught on camera reaching into the front seat and swinging at Jennings (left). The driver defended herself with her arm as she called out for help

Young then reached forward and poked Jennings in the back, which prompted the driver to pull over and say: 'your ride is over'.

She then called out to a security guard who was in the parking lot for help.

As the security guard approached, Young then spat at the driver and began swinging wildly at her.

Jennings dropped her camera and was forced to get out of the car.

Jennings shared this picture online showing where she had hair ripped from the top of her head

Jennings also posted these pictures with the video - showing her broken finger nail and a chunk of hair she had ripped out, which she has since braided

When she posted footage of the incident online, she included photographs of the damage done to her. She had a broken, bloody nail, and two large chunks of hair missing.

Police were able to identify the woman in the video as Stephanie Young a short time after the incident took place, according to WFTS.

Lyft announced the 28-year-old was banned from using the ride-sharing app, and said in a statement: 'Any kind of violence on the platform is a betrayal of the Lyft values and policies.'
Anyelo Rosario, 28, was stabbed to death on Saturday while fighting with another wedding party guest at a house in Copiague, New York

A Suffolk County, New York man was fatally stabbed while attending a wedding party at a private residence on Saturday evening.

Suffolk County Police issued a statement saying homicide detectives are investigating an incident during which Anyelo Rosario, 28, of Copiague, NY was stabbed at a residence on Amerigo Vespucci Avenue.

Rosario is said to have gotten into a fight with another man who was also attending the wedding party at about 8.20pm on Saturday.

Rosario was stabbed in the fight and taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, reports ABC 7.

The other man involved was also taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The bride's father, who was not identified by name, told News 12 that while the wedding celebration was happening, the two men 'started talking loud.'

They then appeared to get 'mad,' at which point the bride's father said they went outside the house and started fighting.

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The bride's father said that the fight between Rosario and another wedding party guest began over what was perceived to have been an insult. The other man has not been named yet

Rosario (pictured here) was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other man, who has not been named by authorities yet, was treated for minor injuries

According to the bride's family, the fight broke out over an insult.

NBC 4 New York reports that no arrests have been made yet.

Police have not yet released the identity of the second man and are still investigating what happened that night.
Caren Harmon, 43, was flying with Emirates from London to Johannesburg for a friends engagement party when she was detained

A property investor claims she was arrested in Dubai and forced to take a blood test after cabin crew falsely accused her of taking cocaine on a flight.

Caren Harmon, 43, was flying with Emirates from London to Johannesburg for a friends engagement party but when she disembarked at Dubai International for a connecting flight police were waiting for her.

Cabin crew pointed her out to officers and she was detained for more than three hours, forced to give a blood test, had her baggage searched and missed her connecting flight to the party.

She said she was given no warning during the flight, on Tuesday, May 9, and was not given a proper explanation for why the planes crew had called police.

Miss Harmon, who lives in Shepherds Bush, west London, said: They just kept saying to me you know exactly what youve done wrong.

The only explanation they gave me was that I was seen looking through my bag, sniffing my nose and touching my nose, which is quite normal on a long flight with air conditioning.

They implied to the police that I had been taking cocaine, as if I would do something like that. I was terrified.

I didnt get a warning on the plane, there was no sign they had done anything until we had landed and then four police dressed in black were there waiting for me. I had ordered some red wine on the plane but didnt drink it because I fell asleep for five hours.

They kept just saying we know what you have done on the plane.

Police escorted Miss Harmon to baggage reclaim after telling her they would need to check her luggage for illegal substances.

Then when they found nothing in my bag they tested my blood, she said.

Medical staff took my blood pressure and took my blood, they put a needle in me.

I assumed it was testing for drugs but they never even said what they were doing.

They just kept saying I was touching my nose and sniffing, as if that was enough justification for treating someone like this.

I was so shaken I didnt even think to refuse.

Emirates cabin crew pointed Ms Harmon out to officers and she was detained for more than three hours, forced to give a blood test, had her baggage searched and missed her next flight

Miss Harmon, who is of dual British and South African nationality, said when her test results came back negative she was then told she could end up in jail because of the illegal prescription pills she had taken on the flight.

She had taken Xanor, also known as alprazolam and commonly taken to treat anxiety, to calm her nerves and help her sleep on the flight.

Lots of people travel with sleeping pills or medicine on a long haul flight, Miss Harmon said.

She said she was given no warning during the flight, on Tuesday, May 9, and was not given a proper explanation for why the planes crew had called the police

They said if you dont have a prescription and have pills you can go to jail for up to six years.

I was horrified and started freaking out. I thought I would go to jail over a sleeping pill. After everything else I had just been through.

Eventually after about three-and-a-half hours they made me sign something in Arabic with no translation and let me go. I was crying like a baby at this point.

I let them do whatever they wanted, I just wanted to get out of there.

Miss Harmon missed her original flight to Johannesburg and was able to catch another with no extra charge.

The only explanation they gave me was that I was seen looking through my bag, sniffing my nose and touching my nose, which is quite normal on a long flight with air conditioning,'

I upgraded myself to business class using my air miles for the next flight, she said.

I just couldnt face being around people in the state I was in.

An Emirates spokeswoman said: We can confirm that a passenger travelling on Emirates flight EK0010 from Gatwick to Dubai on 9 May was detained by police on arrival in Dubai.

As the matter is currently under investigation, we cannot comment further.

Dubai police have been contacted for comment.
Neighbours have been left wondering if the threat of North Korea might be closer to home than they could have imagined after the secretive state's flag appeared on a flagpole on their street.

The red-and-blue flag was raised on top of a 20ft flagpole outside a detached house in a suburb of Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside.

Wild speculation on social media has led to suggestions that the house could be a secret nuclear base, a helping hand for residents lost on their way home, or a holiday getaway pad for the dictator, Kim Jong-Un.

But even North Korean diplomats were unable to explain the venture because, they said, none of their people live in the area.

Neighbours have been left wondering if the threat of North Korea might be closer to home than they could have imagined after the secretive state's flag appeared on a flagpole on their street

A neighbour who lives in sight of the property told Gazette Live: 'I have absolutely no idea why it is there.

'The flag's been up for a couple of weeks ever since someone took over the property but I've not seen anyone really there.

'I think it is quite funny, and I laugh because I can now use it to show me how to get home.'

Another joked that the flag could be an unsubtle marker for a 'secret launch base' for North Korea's nuclear weapons development programme.

TEESSIDE'S TENOUS CONNECTION WITH KIM JONG-UN'S STATE Teesside does share an odd companionship with North Korea. Locals in the north-eastern conurbation often reminisce about a certain memorable 1966 World Cup match. North Korea were severe underdogs when they beat Italy at Ayresome Park stadium, Middlesbrough. Ayresome Park football fans witnessed a staggering result thanks to Doo-Ik Pak's 41st-minute strike. The Koreans almost followed this up by beating Portugal in the next round but allowed a 3-0 lead to become a 5-3 defeat. Many Middlesbrough residents flew flags to show their support for the plucky Koreans. Advertisement

But a spokesman for the North Korean embassy in London did not seem to find the flag funny.

They told the paper: 'We don't have any people living in Middlesbrough. Why would it be strange anyway for our flag to be up?'

Social media users have had a lot to say about the puzzling addition to the street.

David Allison said: 'Let's have Kim round for a Parmo and a few Jagerbombs.'

The red-and-blue flag was raised on top of a 20ft flagpole outside a detached house in a suburb of Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside. Wild speculation on social media has led to suggestions that the house could be a holiday getaway pad for the dictator, Kim Jong-Un

Lee Willans added: 'Someone's taking the p***.'

Sarah Preval was not pleased by the idea that someone might have put the flag up as a joke.

She said: 'If whoever did this thinks it's funny they're mistaken. I guess they don't know anything about what goes on in North Korea.'
Sean Christopher Urbanski (above) faces murder charges for the fatal stabbing of a college student early Saturday

A University of Maryland student was charged for fatally stabbing a visiting student in an unprovoked attack that rattled the school over graduation weekend.

Sean Christopher Urbanski, 22, of Severna Park faces charges of first- and second-degree murder as well as first-degree assault for the alleged attack early Saturday, police said.

A student from the neighboring Bowie State University was waiting for an Uber with two friends - both University of Maryland students - on the College Park campus at 3am.

They were standing near a bus stop on Regents Drive near Montgomery Hall when the victim was stabbed in the chest with a folding knife, police said.

He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Urbanksi fled the scene, but police stopped him shortly after the stabbing and the victims' friends identified him as the attacker.

Urbanski, who was not scheduled to graduate this week, is being held without bail, with his first hearing scheduled for June 15.

The suspect was described as intoxicated and incoherent by Sgt Rosanne Hoass of the university police. Police also found the folding knife at the scene.

The victim and suspect did not know each other, and police said the attack was random and unprovoked.

Urbanksi (above) fled the scene, but police stopped him shortly after the stabbing and the victims' friends identified him as the attacker. He is currently held without bail

On Facebook, it appears Urbanski was a member of the 'Alt-Reich: Nation' group, in which members often post racist memes.

While Hoaas told AP that the suspect is white and the victim is black, police say they don't have any reason to believe that race played a role.

The stabbing was captured on surveillance cameras and Maryland Gov Larry Hogan said the state is working closely with the school as it investigates the stabbing.

'Our students deserve to feel safe, and violence on our campuses will not be tolerated,' Hogan said.

The attack came as the University of Maryland hosted visitors for graduation festivities.

A student from the neighboring Bowie State University was waiting for an Uber with two friends - both University of Maryland students - when he was fatally stabbed in the chest

The victim was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said the attack was random and unprovoked and that the victim and suspect didn't know each other

'I'm shocked,' Rosey Ugo Edeh, who was in town to see her daughter graduate, told The Baltimore Sun. 'This is a weekend of pure bliss and celebration for seniors.'

During Sunday's University of Maryland graduation ceremony, School President Wallace Loh led students and their families in a moment of silence for the slain Bowie State student.

Loh called it a 'senseless and unprovoked assault,' The Baltimore Sun reported.

'We are still in shock that a young man, so full of promise, should have his life cut short, so suddenly,' Loh said. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and with the entire Bowie State University community.'

Bowie State's President, Mickey Burnim, called the fatal stabbing 'a tragic loss of life'.

Burnim said the victim's identity will not be released until Sunday to honor the request of the family.

The president at the University of Maryland (pictured) honored the victim during Sunday's commencement ceremony with a moment of silence

'Our first thoughts of condolence go to the family for this tremendous loss of a son, who had the promise of a bright future.

'Our prayers of concern also extend to those within the Bowie State University community as we try to cope with this tragic loss of life,' Burnim said in a statement.

According to Bowie State University's website, the Counseling Services Center is available as an additional resource for anyone in the campus community.

In addition, counseling services are also available on the University of Maryland's campus as well.
The families of the two hostages killed in the Sydney Lindt Cafe siege say they have lost faith in police after sitting through the harrowing inquest into their deaths.

Tori Johnson's mother says she cannot forgive authorities for waiting for her son to be shot dead execution-style before taking action to save the hostages.

'I'll never be able understand how you can make a calculated decision that you wait for someone to die. It's just beyond me,' she told ABC's Four Corners program.

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Tori Johnson's mother says she cannot forgive authorities for waiting for her son to be shot dead execution-style before taking action to save the hostages

Mr Johnson was shot dead execution-style by Monis, sparking the police response

Police shot the lone gunman dead and Katrina Dawson (pictured) was fatally wounded by at least seven bullet fragments in the crossfire.

Police stormed the cafe in the early hours of December 16, 2014, when lone-gunman Man Haron Monis shot Mr Johnson dead, 17 hours into the siege.

Police shot Monis dead and Katrina Dawson was fatally wounded by at least seven bullet fragments in the crossfire.

Mr Johnson's mother Rosie Connellan says she initially believed the role of police in the events leading to her son's death was straightforward.

'We thought that Monis had killed Tori and, you know, it was relatively simple: the police had done everything possible and that was it,' she tells ABC Four Corners program.

But she said the evidence at the inquest changed her opinion.

'As it unfolded it was just, it was horrific. Every day we thought: 'This can't get worse', and every day it got worse -- what was coming out in evidence,' Ms Connellan said.

Ms Dawson's parents said they sat through the inquest to get answers, not retribution

Thomas Zinn, Mr Johnson's partner, said he no longer has faith in police

Mr Johnson's partner, Thomas Zinn, said he had lost faith in the police.

'I have no trust because of the great level of incompetence that has been revealed,' Mr Zinn said.

Ms Dawson's parents said they sat through the inquest to get answers, not retribution.

'(We wanted them) to admit the mistakes and then talk about what they would do to rectify those mistakes,' Ms Dawson's father Sandy Dawson said.

'But we never saw anything like that.'

The families hope the coroner's recommendations will bring about significant change.

Officers are pictured at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place as the storm the building when Tori Johnson was shot dead execution-style

A senior member of the Police Association of NSW has slammed the 'witch hunt' against 'brave' police officers who risked their lives

Lone gunman Man Haron Monis is pictured in April 2011. He was killed by police after taking hostages at Sydney's Lindt Cafe

Sydney siege victims barrister and mother Katrina Dawson (left) and Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson (right) are pictured

'I want to see the coroner have the courage to really challenge an alternative view of what could have happened and to make sure the lessons are being learnt and that it honours the remarkable memories of Katrina and of Tori,' Katrina's brother Angus Dawson said.



NSW Coroner Michael Barnes will on Wednesday hand down his findings into the December 2014 siege.

A senior member of the Police Association of NSW has slammed the 'witch hunt' against 'brave' police officers who risked their lives.

'The real story of the Lindt Cafe is that scores of brave police officers put their lives on the line to protect the public,' PANSW's executive member Tony King said on Monday.

'The reason these people died was that Man Monis was out on bail - for reasons that still haven't been explained,' Mr King said in a statement, two days before the findings into the December 2014 siege sparked by terrorist Man Haron Moris are released.
Footage shows the moment passengers claim sparks flew from a Qantas engine before the flight to Melbourne was turned back to Los Angeles two hours in.

Hundreds of passengers had to sleep on the airport floor after their plane was forced to turn back when an engine blew out.

A passenger filmed the moment sparks appear to fly from the wing as the plane flew through darkness.

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Flight QF94 from Los Angeles to Melbourne turned around two hours into its journey on Saturday, dumping 480 people back where they started

The flight to Melbourne was turned back to Los Angeles two hours into the flight

Flight QF94 turned around two hours into its journey on Saturday, dumping 480 people back where they started.

The flight landed about 3am local time but was did not take off again until 2.30pm, leaving passengers stranded for almost 12 hours while the engine was fixed.

Passengers took to social media to protest their treatment and posted videos of hundreds trying to sleep on floors and chairs in the airport.

'Qantas this is not what I signed up for! Engine shut down mid-flight, return back to LAX and had to sleep on floor like I was homeless,' the poster of the video wrote.

Passengers claim sparks and flames could be seen from the engine. Footage of the view from a window seat mid-flight is pictured

Hundreds of Qantas passengers had to sleep on an airport floor after their plane was forced to turn back when an engine blew out

The plane is pictured stationed at the Los Angeles airport after returning two hours into the flight

'Let's try this again shall we,' one of the passengers wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of the flight path of their replacement flight

One man claimed it was many hours before passengers were told when their new flight would be, and then it left hours late.

'Advised by Qantas staff not to go to hotels because we needed to be back in the air by midday. 1.39pm and we are still boarding,' he wrote.

Another woman said she was 22 weeks pregnant and had to sleep on the airport floor waiting for the replacement flight.

Passenger anger at the delay came as that airline denied the flight was turned back because an engine caught fire mid-air.

Qantas spokesperson Thomas Woodward told PerthNow the report, from passengers on the plane, was 'not correct'.

The flight landed about 3am local time but was did not take off again until 2.30pm, leaving passengers stranded for almost 12 hours while the engine was fixed

Passenger anger at the delay came as that airline denied the flight was turned back because an engine caught fire mid-air

A passenger on the flight who asked not be named told the Herald Sun the 'engine blew up in flames two hours into the flight'.

'The plane was then turned back and landed safely but multiple fire trucks were lining the runway when we landed,' the passenger said.

Passenger Darren Sudgen told the publication he heard a loud noise on the flight.

'There was an explosion from outside. We saw flames and sparks flying past the window,' Mr Sudgen said.

A third passenger posted a video of what he said was the engine after it failed, with what appeared to be sparks coming off the wing.

The flight path of the plane which turned back two hours after leaving Los Angeles

Qantas initially said the plane returned for 'operational reasons' and would later only admit there was an 'issue' with one engine.

'Friday night's QF94 A380 service from Los Angeles to Melbourne turned back to LA because of an issue with one of the aircraft's four engines,' Mr Woodward said.

'The pilots followed standard procedure, shut down the engine, and the flight landed normally in LA at around 3am local time on Saturday. There was no safety risk at any time.

'Engineers are now inspecting the aircraft and replacement flight has been scheduled for 12 noon on Saturday.'

A replacement flight was scheduled to have the passengers in Melbourne by 10pm Sunday.

The Qantas plane is believed to be pictured at LAX airport as engineers check the engine

Passengers took to social media to protest their treatment and posted videos of hundreds trying to sleep on floors and chairs in the airport

One man claimed it was many hours before passengers were told when their new flight would be, and then it left hours late

Another woman said she was 22 weeks pregnant and had to sleep on the airport floor waiting for the replacement flight
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He may be approaching his 96th birthday - but Prince Philip is showing no signs of slowing down as he prepares to retire from Royal engagements.

The Duke of Edinburgh was in high spirits as he attended the Grenadier Guards Regimental Remembrance Day in London.

Philip has been colonel of the regiment since 1975 and has taken a close interest in its activities over the years.

Prince Philip chatted with serving Grenadier Guardsmen in the capital today in his capacity as Colonel of the Regiment

Prince Philip has been colonel of the regiment since 1975 and has taken a close interest in its activities over the years

'Black Sunday' is a Regimental day when serving and retired Grenadier Guardsmen come together to remember and pay tribute to those guardsmen killed and injured in past conflicts.

The regiment marched to House Guards Parade with bands and laid wreathes at the Guards Memorial, in St James's Park.

Philip - who will retire in the autumn after 70 years of public duty - was spotted mingling with serving guardsmen on what was a beautiful afternoon in the capital.

The 95-year-old still has an impressive list of Royal engagements before he stands down, as he and the Queen reach their 70-year wedding anniversary.

He will next appear at an afternoon reception for London Youth, of which he is patron, on May 31.

He became president of London Youth, formerly the London Federation of Boys' Clubs, in 1947.

The Duke of Edinburgh attended the regimental remembrance service for the Grenadier Guards - an event close to his heart

Philip, who will celebrate 70 years of marriage to the Queen in November, will stop carrying out public engagements from this autumn

The Duke of Edinburgh made the shock announcement he would be stepping down later this year after calling a secret emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.

He feared looking increasing frail in public and admitted to close friends in his typically frank style: 'I'm past my sell-by date'.

In August Philip and the Queen will fly to Scotland for their annual summer break at Balmoral - which will signify the end of his life of public service.

Despite announcing his retirement, it is unlikely the Duke will disappear from public life altogether.

The Duke of York once described his father as being like the Duracell bunny  as he just keeps going.
Convicted murderers, rapists, drug dealers and paedophiles born overseas are being saved from deportation out of Australia despite their lengthy criminal records.

In the last six years, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has overturned 81 attempts by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to deport criminals from the country.

'It is frustrating when they are turned over or over turned by the AAT, it becomes a very frustrating process for me,' Mr Dutton said on the Nine Network on Monday.

'When you've got convictions that run for pages and pages and people who have got dozens and dozens of criminals convictions I don't understand what logic could be applied to allow those people to stay.'

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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) has had 81 attempts to deport foreign-born criminals from Australia overturned in the last six years

Mr Dutton said the government was wasting millions of taxpayer dollars defending convicted criminals. Some of the people allowed to stay in Australia include murderers, rapists and paedophiles (stock image of Manus Island asylum seekers, also seeking refuge in Australia)

'It costs us millions of dollars as taxpayers each year defending these cases in the courts when I think people should have their fair day in court,' he added.

'I don't think we should be taken for a ride.'

Documents publicly available online show some of the decisions made by the AAT to allow people with 'substantial criminal records' to stay in the country.

A Scottish hitman who was hired to shoot a woman's husband in the head with a sawn-off rifle was jailed for 17 years but had his deportation overruled in 2011.

The tribunal took into account he now had two adult children and a wife in Australia, was a mentor for martial arts students and had 'little risk' of re-offending.



'The factors weighing in favour of the cancellation of the visa are far outweighed by the factors against cancellation,' the tribunal ruled.

Other people allowed to stay in Australia included an Iranian refugee convicted of murdering his brother-in-law, a Chinese university student-turned drug dealer and an Indian doctor convicted of raping a vulnerable teenage patient.

A Vietnamese robber with 63 convictions to his name and a Maltese man found guilty of raping his wife and attempting to rape his 12-year-old stepdaughter were also given second chances to live in Australia, the Herald Sun reported.

Six Iranian refugees who were granted protection visas in Australia after claiming they could be killed if they returned were caught holidaying in their homeland last week (stock image)

Mr Dutton has set a non-negotiable deadline of October 1 for 7500 illegal maritime arrivals to make a protection claim, or face the threat of deportation, calling them 'fake refugees'.

The decision already has the backing of Senate crossbencher Jacqui Lambie.

But lawyer David Manne, who has more than 2000 asylum seekers on his legal centre's books, argues the process is long and complicated.

'Successive governments left thousands of people in legal limbo, not being able to apply for protection and it was only in 2015 that the bar was lifted to allow people to present their cases for protection,' he told ABC radio.

Mr Dutton says some asylum seekers are refusing to submit paperwork and do not deserve to be receiving welfare.

'These are people who have been here for five, six, seven years claiming to be refugees but won't provide any information, won't answer questions, in some cases won't provide information about their identity,' he told the Nine Network.

'They expect me to grant visas, allow some people to become citizens, when we don't even know the identity of these people. The lawyers can rant all they want.'

The Immigration Department (stock image) recently discovered the refugees, who arrived by boat, had lied on their visa applications after they visited Iran voluntarily and returned to Australia

Just last week it was revealed six Iranian refugees were allowed to stay in Australia after holidaying in the country they fled out of fear for their lives.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal overturned the Immigration Minister's decision to cancel their visas and deport them.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Mr Dutton was reviewing the cases and considering his next step.

'People who are claiming they are subject to persecution in Iran but are travelling back on holidays there, clearly that is not a credible claim,' Mr Turnbull said.

'I absolutely understand (people's concerns) and so does the government.'

While refusing to comment on this particular instance, Mr Dutton said such cases were 'infuriating'.

'There are many cases that I look at where, on the facts available to me, you shake your head,' he told 3AW's Neil Mitchell.

'People who are being slaughtered in the Middle East now that we would want to give protection to, they're the ones being displaced by people who are seeking a better economic outcome.'

Mr Dutton admitted to being frustrated with the lengthy and costly appeals process, following reports 39 per cent of his decisions or those by delegates have been overturned by the AAT in the past year.

He suggested the independent tribunal, whose members are appointed by the government of the day, is influenced by politics.

The government has not renewed the tenure of some members who were appointed during the Rudd-Gillard years, and made some fresh appointments.

'So the rejection rate will change over time,' Mr Dutton said.
Former FBI official Richard McFeely is out of the running for the bureau's director.

McFeely informed the White House he was no longer interested in the position on Saturday citing family considerations, according to reporting from WJLA.

McFeely ran the bureau's Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch for three years before retiring and met with President Trump at the White House to discuss taking over the reins of the FBI last week.

Trump said Thursday that FBI employees will be 'very, very thrilled' when they learn who he's chosen, when it looked like former Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman was the frontrunner.

Former FBI executive assistant director Richard McFeely informed the White House he wasn't interested in becoming the agency's director over the weekend. He was on the short list

President Trump lost another contender for FBI director as former FBI official Richard McFeely told the White House over the weekend that he was out

President Trump said Thursday that FBI employees will be 'very, very thrilled' when they learn who he's chosen to be their new director shortly after he confirmed that former Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman (pictured) was a frontfunner for the position

Trump said then that he's looking forward to making the announcement and planned to do it 'very soon.'

Lieberman's old colleagues in the Democratic caucus were not nearly as ecstatic as the president about the prospect of the lawyer, who works for a firm that represents Trump, becoming the nation's top cop.

They doubled down on their assertions Thursday that Trump should choose someone who has never worked in politics, on either side of the aisle, as Republicans lined up behind the former vice presidential candidate from the opposing party.

A report in Politico detailed Democratic opposition from the tip-top of of the totem pole down to the Senate's rank and file.

'This is a moment for someone with a law enforcement background,' said Chris Murphy, the Democrat who replaced Lieberman in the Senate. 'Its really important to restore peoples faith in the FBI.'

The Senate has to confirm Trump's FBI pick. Only a bare majority of votes, 51, is needed to confirm the appointment, but a sensitive nomination like this will require broad Senate support for it to be a success in the court of public opinion.

Trump's approval rating has already dropped several points since he fired James Comey.

The president's press secretary, Sean Spicer, said earlier this week that Trump 'wants someone with high integrity and the leadership skills to lead the entity' to replace Comey.

'The FBI is the crown jewel of law enforcement and they deserve a leader that can properly lead the institution,' Spicer said.

He would not comment on charges from both ends of the political spectrum that the next FBI director should not be a partisan.

Lieberman ran for president in 2004 as a Democrat. He was the vice presidential nominee for Democrats in 2000. He's now an Independent and has endorsed Republican and Democratic nominees for president.

'I dont think there's going to be much excitement about that from our side of the aisle. Not because we dont respect Joe Lieberman. But we need a law enforcement professional, not someone whos run for office before,' Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri said.

She told Politico: 'We dont need anyone whos put on a red shirt or blue shirt  or whos campaigned for president.

The prospect of Lieberman becoming FBI director has some senators who opposed a current or former politician changing their tunes, though.

Sen. Lindsey Graham had been among the senators telling Trump to pick a career law enforcement official. He said Thursday that he thought Lieberman was a 'good choice' in a complete change of position.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the Republican whip in the Senate, said Lieberman could get 100 votes in the Senate, according to Politico.

Trump suggested this week that he would name an FBI director before his nine-day trip abroad that starts this afternoon.

The president said twice on Thursday that he would be making an announcement 'very soon.'

'We're going to have a director who is going to be outstanding. Ill be announcing that director very soon, and I look forward to doing it,' he during a joint press conference with the Colombian president.

The White House has previously suggested Lieberman was on Trump's short list for FBI director on Wednesday, when it revealed that the Democrat-turned-Independent and three other candidates were sitting down for formal interviews with the president.

Senators on both sides of the aisle have encouraged Trump to pick someone who did not work in politics to succeed Comey.

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reiterated his position on Thursday on the Senate floor.

'A career politician of either party or anyone who suggests a lack of impartiality should not be considered,' he said in a shot at Lieberman.

Richard Blumenthal, the other senator from Connecticut, slapped down the idea down the idea, as well.

'This appointment is so important that we should try to insist on someone who has no political background,' the Democrat from Lieberman's home state said.

Meanwhile, Lieberman pal John McCain, the 2008 GOP nominee for president, argued in his former colleague's favor.

'He's the greatest man I've ever known,' the Arizona Republican said Thursday on Morning Joe.

CHANGED MY MIND: Sen. Lindsey Graham had been among the senators telling Trump to pick a career law enforcement official. He said Thursday that he thought Lieberman was a 'good choice' in a complete change of position

Another friend of Lieberman's, Graham, chimed in Thursday to say the former lawmaker is a 'pillar of credibility.'

'I think he'd be a good choice. But now you have a special counsel the new FBI director doesn't have to worry about riding herd over an investigation of the man who appointed him,' he said.

Three potential FBI directors the Justice Department initially interviewed have publicly dropped out of the running, whittling down Trump's list of potential nominees for him.

Alice Fisher, an assistant attorney general in George W. Bush's Justice Department, has taken herself out of contention, CNN reports.

She pulled out as Justice announced that it appointed a special prosecutor to take over the Russia case.

Cornyn announced his intentions Tuesday to remain in the U.S. Senate. He had previously served as Texas' attorney general.

Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy, a former prosecutor and state's attorney in South Carolina, told DOJ he was bowing out on Monday.

President Donald Trump's short list for FBI director got shorter this week when Alice Fisher, an assistant attorney general in George W. Bush's Justice Department, took herself out of the running

John Cornyn, a Texas Republican who served as his state's attorney general, announced his intentions Tuesday to remain in the U.S. Senate. Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy, a former prosecutor and state's attorney in South Carolina, told DOJ he was bowing out on Monday

U.S. appeals court Judge Merrick Garland, Barack Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, said this week that he didn't want the job, either, after his name was put forward by the top Republican in the Senate.

That leaves Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe and former U.S. attorney Michael Garcia from Justice's original list, according to Politico.

Trump interviewed McCabe and three other candidates for the vacancy on Wednesday.

McFeely, Lieberman and former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating were seen leaving the White House on Wednesday.

'Let's just say we had a good conversation,' Keating said as he came out. 'I'm a public servant,' he told a journalist who asked what his response would be if Trump did make him an offer.

Reporters did not see McCabe leave the premises.

Lieberman said after his meeting that the interview 'was unexpected. Not something I was seeking.'

THE LONG SHOT? Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, shown throwing out the first pitch before a 2010 Washington Nationals baseball game, was an FBI agent for four years following his 1969 law school graduation

Lieberman ran for vice president in 2000 as a Democrat, ultimately losing the election on a ticket with then-Vice President Al Gore (left)

The former lawmaker, 75, would indeed be an unconventional choice if Trump follows though. Although he declared his independence from political parties in 2006, he endorsed Hillary Clinton in the November election.

The retired former senator has already pitched in to help Trump once this year, though, warmly introducing David Friedman during his Senate confirmation hearing for the post of ambassador to Israel.

Lieerman served as Connecticut's attorney general before first running for the U.S. Senate in 1988.

The other three candidates on Trump's meeting list were all current or former FBI agents.

McCabe took over the top job on an acting basis when Comey got the ax.

And Keating was a G-man for four years after he graduated from law school in 1969, primarily investigating terrorism cases on the West coast.

He also served as an associate U.S. attorney general for ten years during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush presidencies.

Retired Congressman Mike Rogers, a former agent who advised Trump during the transition, was also said to be under consideration, although he was not one of the candidates Trump spoke to Wednesday at the White House
Accused drug smuggler Cassandra Sainsbury was 'not the naive sweet little blonde girl that everybody thinks she is' according to colleagues at a brothel she worked at in Sydney's west.

The 22-year-old South Australian girl worked as a prostitute at 220 Gentleman's Club in Penrith, Western Sydney, in the months leading up to her Colombian trip, where she was caught with 5.8kg of cocaine in her suitcase.

Ms Sainsbury's former co-worker at the brothel revealed her secret profession on Sunday claiming the young Australian was not 'naive' nor 'sweet'.

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Cassie Sainsbury (pictured) reportedly worked as a prostitute for five months before she was allegedly caught with 5.8kg of cocaine at a Colombian airport

She reportedly advertised her services under the name 'Claudia', whose online profile included a photo of a woman wearing suggestive black and red lingerie

'I think she's manipulative, I think she's a compulsive liar and I think she's conniving,' she told Nine News.

'Don't be fooled by the tears and the blonde hair and the big boobs. She's not this small town girl from Adelaide, Cassandra is not the naive, sweet little blonde girl everybody thinks she is, she is a good liar.'

The woman, who spoke anonymously, said Ms Sainsbury worked as a prostitute called 'Claudia' for the second half of 2016.

In an internet advertisement for 'Claudia', she described herself as '19 years old classy, fun and ready to please and in Sydney for a short time'.

In another ad featuring the same photo, 'Claudia' was described as an 'adorable, stunning blonde who aims to please you in more ways than one!'

A woman claiming to be her former colleague alleges Sainsbury worked as a prostitute at the 220 Gentleman's Club (pictured) in Penrith in Sydney's west

220 Gentleman's Club, where Cassandra Sainsbury worked, advertises a scantily clad woman with her hands tied behind her back with ribbon

In another ad featuring the same photo, she described herself as an 'adorable, stunning blonde who aims to please you in more ways than one!'.

The profile description was accompanied by a photo of a blonde woman wearing red and black lingerie.

While Ms Sainsbury's face was not visible in the photo, her colleague verified her identity '100 percent'.

A photo of five girls with their backs to the camera is pictured on 220 Gentleman's Club in Penrith, Western Sydney, where Ms Sainsbury worked as a prostitute

'Different girls that you can have and different type of girls that can make your fantasies come true,' 220 Gentleman's Club said on its website, where it promotes this picture of a woman

'That one there is Cassandra 100 percent. I know that outfit,' the unnamed woman said pointing to the 'Claudia' profile. Pictured, a room inside the Sydney brothel

Sainsbury's former colleague claimed the 22-year-old (pictured) had lied to them in the past for her own financial gain

'That one there is Cassandra 100 percent. I know that outfit; I remember when she showed us she bought it. I've seen that photo, that is Cassandra 100 percent,' she said.

Ms Sainsbury claimed she was a personal trainer on her public Facebook page during the period she worked as a fly-in-fly-out sex worker.

Channel Nine revealed documents that confirmed flights from South Australia to Sydney which matched dates she worked as a prostitute.

Ms Sainsbury's fiance Scott Broadbridge reportedly bought flights for his partner to travel interstate for the work.

The brothel advertises 'a world of sophistication and elegance' with the 'best possible adult experience'

Sainsbury, originally from Adelaide, reportedly began working at the brothel in August last year

Ms Sainsbury worked under the name 'Claudia' at 220 Gentleman's Club in Sydney's west

The brothel advertises 'a world of sophistication and elegance' with the 'best possible adult experience' at rates of $150 per 30 minutes or $250 per hour.

'Different girls that you can have and different type of girls that can make your fantasies come true,' it said.

'Our selection includes mature, talented, beautiful and friendly Sydney cougars that will tempt you and no man will be able to resist.'

Ms Sainsbury's former colleague at the western Sydney brothel said the accused drug smuggler should not be trusted.

The woman said Ms Sainsbury lied about her mother being sick and ultimately lied and told people her mother had died.

Ms Sainsbury claimed she worked as a personal trainer on her Facebook page during the period she worked as a prostitute in Sydney's west

The brothel advertises rates of $150 per 30 minutes or $250 per hour in one online promotion

Ms Sainsbury's former colleagues at the brothel donated hundreds of dollars to help her cover funeral costs.

The former co-worker said she was shocked to find out Ms Sainsbury's mother was not only still alive, but not sick.

'She said her mum was suffering from MS and was in a private hospital in Sydney, that she didn't have private health insurance but Cassandra had done a deal with the hospital for reduced fees but she'd run up quite a debt,' she said.

'Then she had a phone call saying that her mum was dying, and then another call saying her mum had died, passed away from MS all while she was at the brothel.

'We've been really scammed. It's not like she's just mentioned it once or twice, Cassandra would go on and on about it,' the former colleague said.

Ms Sainsbury reportedly told colleagues her mother died (pictured together with mother Lisa Evans)

Some of Sainsbury's travel expenses to Sydney from her hometown of Adelaide were reportedly paid on a credit card in the name of her fiance, Scott Broadbridge (pictured together)

The former colleague said she and others donated money towards Sainsbury's mother's funeral, only to find she was still alive after the 22-year-old was arrested in Colombia

Bombshell revelations of Ms Sainsbury's work as a prostitute came to light on Sunday, the same day Ms Sainsbury changed her story about how she came to be caught with the 5.8kg of cocaine in her suitcase.

In a Sydney court on Sunday, Ms Sainsbury's Australian lawyer said the 22-year-old knew the packages contained drugs but she was forced to carry them.

A document claimed she was forced to carry the drugs because a mysterious group 'threatened her life and the life of her family if she did not comply with their demands'.

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's lawyer Orlando Herran told 60 Minutes his client responded to a Craigslist ad after finding herself in financial strife in Australia.

Sainsbury's lawyer Orlando Herran said the 22-year-old Australian wasn't a bad person but 'made a mistake'

The ad offered a loan and a trip to London  but at the last minute the itinerary was changed to Hong Kong, Los Angeles and then Bogota.

Mr Herran claimed Ms Sainsbury tried to back out of the deal at the last minute before threats were made against her life. He said her family was also threatened.

'If you don't get to fly we will be threatening or killing your family or you,' Mr Herran told 60 Minutes.

'Cassandra isn't a bad person. She is a young girl with a... mistake.'

Ms Sainsbury's explanation for her arrest for the alleged cocaine in her luggage at Bogota Airport last month was exposed in a Sydney court earlier on Sunday.

The explosive revelations come as it was reported her fiance Scott Broadbridge (left) fled Colombia in fear of his life

Sainsbury reportedly began working at the Sydney brothel in August last year before disappearing from the roster around five months later

Mr Broadbridge, 23, was questioned over his knowledge of his partner's trip to Colombia as her trial draws closer on Channel Seven's Sunday Night

A statement of facts used in the injunction request in a Sydney court on Sunday alleged Sainsbury 'has fallen victim to an international drug trafficking syndicate'.

'As a result, she has applied to the Colombian authorities and the Australian Federal Police to be placed into a witness protection program.'

The 22-year-old's mother Lisa Sainsbury told 60 minutes she believes her daughter is innocent.

'I've believed from the first second that I found out that she's innocent - and I still believe it to this day,' she said.

'It goes against everything she stands for... I believe she is 100 per cent innocent and I always will.'

Sainsbury was allegedly caught with 5.8kg of cocaine (pictured) at a Colombian airport last month

Sainsbury's Australian lawyers lodged an urgent injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against a Channel Seven report being broadcast on Sunday night

She also revealed she hasn't spoken to her daughter's fiance, Scott Broadbridge, since her arrest.

It has been reported Broadbridge, 23, fled Colombia in fear of his life, after Colombian prosecutors confirmed he was a 'person of interest' in the investigation.

He is believed to have made a hasty exit from the South American country just hours before tell-all interviews were set to go air on Australian television.

Earlier, Sainsbury's Australian lawyers lodged an urgent injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against a Channel Seven report being broadcast on Sunday night.

But the broadcaster prevailed in court and showed the report after a judge dismissed the case, according to News Corp.

'I dismiss the plaintiff's application and there is no restraint on Channel Seven in relation to their Sunday program this evening,' Justice John Sackar said in court.

Pictured, Scott Broadbridge, the fiance of accused drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury

Mr Broadbridge is seen at a press conference in Adelaide in relation to Ms Sainsbury's current situation in Colombia

Sainsbury was understood to have given her partner permission to sell his side of the story
Armed police engaged in a dramatic stand-off with a man who was allegedly holding women hostage with a machete and makeshift flamethrower.

Officers were seen surrounding the property in Leeds just before 5pm while pictures emerged on social media of a man leaning out of a window brandishing a huge knife.

The man was also pictured waving a large wooden stick from the window, as crowds gathered below.

A man wielding a machete was seen leaning out of a window at a home in Leeds after police were called to the property to reports of women being held hostage, pictured

He was also seen using a can of aerosol as a makeshift flamethrower during the stand-off

The man was also seen brandishing a large wooden stick while leaning out of the window, pictured

Witnesses claimed women were being kept against their will in the building in Thorpe View, Leeds.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: 'Police were called to an address on Thorpe View, Leeds at 456pm today to reports of concern for safety.

'This is currently an ongoing incident with a man inside the property.

'It is thought he has a knife and armed officers and a dog unit are currently at the scene.

Officers also said a 20-year-old man had been arrested following the incident and he was pictured being loaded into a van

Armed officers were pictured surrounding the property shortly after 5pm, with officers confirming two women were let out of the home

'Officers are working to bring this incident to a safe conclusion and roads in the area including Thorpe View are currently closed.'

The force later confirmed a 20-year-old man had been arrested and two women who were inside the property 'were now out'.

Officers confirmed no one was seriously injured in the incident.
Thought your commute was bad?

These images capture the hellish journeys of workers in cities from Japan to India, who battle their way in and out of the central hubs on a daily basis.

In Bangladesh, trains running into Dhaka city are so swamped with passengers clinging to the sides, front and roof that you can barely make out the carriages.

In the Indian city of Jaipur, roads packed with a sea of endless rickshaws, vans and mopeds all jostling for space are simply a way of life.

Elsewhere, in China, transport systems are thrown into chaos every time a public holiday comes round. A staggering 2.9 billion trips will be made in Shanghai during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, for example.

Read on for a selection of commutes that might leave you feeling truly thankful for yours.
We all hope to lead long and happy lives. So who better to take health advice from than someone who's lived past 100?

Conveniently, a new infographic presents 25 lessons in longevity from people around the world who made it to a century old.

Somewhat surprisingly, many of them sung the praises of alcohol.

Dominic Miglino, a New Yorker, said his secret was a shot of Remy Martin cognac every morning; while New Jersey-resident Agnes Fenton drank three beers and a shot of whiskey daily; and British Second World War veteran Cliff Crozier once remarked: 'A spot of whiskey occasionally helps'.

Japanese mother-of-seven Kamato Hongo, who made it to a staggering 110 before dying of pneumonia in 2003, offered the rather unusual advice: 'Sleep for two days then stay awake for two days'.

And Californian postal worker John Gotelli, who lived to 103, simply said: 'Don't worry about anything'.

The below infographic presents lessons from people around the world who made it to a century old. Somewhat surprisingly, many of them sung the praises of alcohol (stock image)
We've all endured the stress of not being able to cram our hand luggage into the plane's overhead lockers.

But a new invention could change everything, in the shape of a pop-up compartment which sits under the seat in front, giving each passenger their own personal storage hold.

The concept was designed by a team of students at the University of Hong Kong, and won a contest held by aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

The pop-up compartment (pictured) sits under the seat in front, giving each passenger their own personal storage hold

The winning team came up with the idea in a bid to solve a long-running problem with space - and it could end up on aircrafts around the world.

Airbus' annual Fly Your Ideas competition announced its winners in Toulouse, France, granting 35,000 in prize money to the champion team.

A spokesman for Airbus said: 'The judges were impressed in seeing such a simple but effective solution for improved passenger experience.

'The new aircraft cabin design fully uses the space between the cabin floor and the cargo ceiling to give passengers their own personal luggage space.'

The concept was designed by a team of students at the University of Hong Kong, and won a contest held by aircraft manufacturer Airbus

The winning team came up with the idea in a bid to solve a long-running problem with space - and it could end up on aircrafts around the world. Pictured, the compartment when closed

In their entries, students had to answer one of five challenges identified by Airbus, ranging from improved passenger experience to manufacturing innovations.

A record of nearly 5,500 students from around the world registered to participate in the 2017 competition.

Since the Fly Your Ideas competition launched in 2008, more than 20,000 students from over 650 universities in over 100 countries worldwide have taken part.
The franchise has produced four film and three DVD hits.

And on Saturday, Tom Cruise promoted his new film, The Mummy, at a fan-filled event in Hollywood.

For the event, entitled The Mummy Day, the 54-year-old star was joined by his cast mates and film producer Alex Kurtzman.

Pushing his work! On Saturday, Tom Cruise, 54, promoted his new film, The Mummy, at a fan-filled event in Hollywood

The New York native looked dapper in a head-to-toe black ensemble.

Tom layered a light jacket over a shirt, which he paired with matching slacks and dress shoes.

The father-of-three completed his look with a set of aviator shades and his signature smile.

Handsome: The Mission Impossible star looked dapper in an all-black ensemble

Hanging with his admirers: While there, Tom took the time to pose with fans

Also out for the event was Tom's glamorous co-stars.

Algerian actress Sofia Boutella, 35, looked lovely in her sparkling, long-sleeve, A-symmetrical dress.

UK-born star Annabelle Wallis, 32, was ravishing in a sleeveless red dress, that looked to be designed with satin and lace.

Jake Johnson, 38, who plays Sgt. Vail in the film, was casual in a blue button-down and jeans.

Upstaging Tom! Algerian actress Sofia Boutella, 35, (left) looked lovely in her sparkling, long-sleeve, A-symmetrical dress

Pop of colour: UK-born star Annabelle Wallis, 32, was ravishing in a sleeveless red dress, that looked to be designed with satin and lace

Men of the hour: Jake Johnson, 38, (middle) who plays Sgt. Vail in the film, was casual in a blue button-down and jeans, while producer Alex Kurtzman dressed similar to the New Girl star

Coming soon: The Mummy is set to hit theaters everywhere on June 9

All that glitters! Sofia brought the razzle dazzle in her sparkling frock

The Mummy is a reboot of the popular 1999 film, which originally starred Brendan Fraser.

In the newest version, an ancient princess is awakened in modern times.

The fantasy-drama is set to hit theaters everywhere come June 9.

Playing with fire! Wallis sizzled in her flirty red frock with lace accents

SCRAP, the leading producer in Real Escape Game events, partnered with Universal Brand Development to create The Mummy Escape Game, designed by Alec Contestabile and Costume designed by Dagmarette Yen.

Featuring a immersive live-action fan experience, The Mummy Escape Game premiered at the iconic Hollywood & Highland center in Los Angeles marking the first time SCRAP has partnered with a major film studio.

Turning the storyline into reality by traveling through multiple rooms, up to 10 players work together within a 60-minute time limit to solve the puzzle and defeat The Mummy Escape Game.

Tickets for The Mummy Escape Game are on sale, beginning today.

What a treat: For The Mummy Day, fans witness the opening of The Mummy Escape Game

Genuis! The interactive game was designed by Alec Contestabile. It allows up to 10 players to use clues to essentially, escape, with an hour time limit
Earlier on, she dazzled in a vast train at the 120 Beats Per Minute premiere.

Yet Kendall Jenner proved she is not a one outfit per night kind of girl on Saturday as she headed to the Vanity Fair and HBO star-studded dinner - where she was in the presence of true Hollywood royalty in Clint Eastwood.

The 21-year-old reality star was in a position many would love as she laughed and giggled with the four-time Oscar winner and all round Hollywood legend, 86, while sporting a sexy black mini dress.

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Oh hello! Kendall Jenner proved she is not a one outfit per night kind of girl on Saturday as she headed to the Vanity Fair and HBO star-studded dinner - where she was in the presence of true Hollywood royalty in Clint Eastwood

While Kendall soared to fame in 2007 on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, the show that propelled her entire family to huge fame and later helped launch her wildly successful catwalk modelling career.

Dubbed a supermodel of the 'Instagram Generation' of stars, she has been making her way through the fashion world in the last two years - fronting campaigns for Chanel, Giles Deacon, Givenchy and Pucci.

Clint meanwhile, boasts a career in movies of over six decades, with a string of accolades behind him including his plethora of Academy Awards, of which he was nominated 11 times, atop three Golden Globes and 12 nominations.

In a show of two generation paths crossing, the duo enjoyed what looked like a hilarious chat as they giggled and laughed alongside esteemed movie producer Brett Ratner.

A meeting of minds: The 21-year-old reality star was in a position many would love as she laughed and giggled with the four-time Oscar winner and all round Hollywood legend, 86, while sporting a sexy black mini dress

All the stars! Sure to make a huge effort while rubbing shoulders with such huge stars, Kendall slipped on a stunning structured mini which hung perfectly on her slender frame

Sizzling: Her ensemble was chic and stylish for evening ahead

That was then... While earlier in the evening she was billowing in an endless train, she saved a more bold choppy style for later with her futuristic mini complete with sharp shoulder pads and a volumunious skirt

Sure to make a huge effort while rubbing shoulders with such huge stars, Kendall slipped on a stunning structured mini which hung perfectly on her slender frame.

While earlier in the evening she was billowing in an endless train, she saved a more bold choppy style for later with her futuristic mini complete with sharp shoulder pads and a volumunious skirt.

She scraped her hair into a teetering bun pulled from a centre parting to show off her statement earrings complete with huge pearl details.

After a movie role? The leggy beauty was meeting with some of Hollywood's true greats

Dazzling: Kendall's legs took the focus in her sizzling ensemble

Model mayhem: Atop Clint, Kendall also posed alongside Camila Morrone and Daniela Lopez Osorio

All the ladies: Clint was joined by his glamorous girlfriend Christina Sandera

Edgy new 'do: Lily Collins, 28, turned heads as she stepped out sporting a new blunt fringe

Also at the bash was Lily Collins, 28, turned heads thanks to her new look that saw her glossy brunette tresses teamed with a quirky blunt fringe.

While her new fringe bluntly framed her trademark brows, the rest of Lily's bonce fell past her shoulders in tousled waves.

Ditching her usual red carpet show-stoppers that she has graced the red carpet in over the last few days, the Love, Rosie star decided to showcase her slender frame in a semi-sheer frock that teased a look at her high-waisted pants underneath.

Revamped look: While her new fringe bluntly framed her trademark brows, the rest of Lily's bonce fell past her shoulders in tousled waves

Sensational: The Love, Rosie star decided to showcase her slender frame in a semi-sheer frock that teased a look at her high-waisted pants and her enviable pins underneath

The unusual netted design comprised of a netted material and reached down to Lily's feet while sheathing her desirable figure.

It featured panels of different shades and a plunging velvet top that fell over her bust, before flaring out into netted sleeves.

Around the shoulders and its dropped hem, Lily's dress featured pom pom detailing - only drawing the eyes of onlookers even further to her enviable pins, visible underneath her revealing Prabal Gurung number.

She looked simply stunning for the dinner and chose to team her ensemble with embellished court heels and a subtle make-up look.

Flaunting her natural beauty: Lily (pictured with actress Julianne Moore) kept things simple when it came to her war paint and boasted a dewy complexion, along with long lashes to outline her eyes and a dark nude pink lipstick across her lips

Flaunting her natural beauty, Lily kept things simple when it came to her war paint and boasted a dewy complexion, along with long lashes to outline her eyes and a dark nude pink lipstick across her lips.

She has put on a defiant display overseas in Cannes, after her movie Okja - where she stars alongside Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal - caused chaos during its first screening at the festival.

The Netflix movie was subject to boos when it first began to play on screens and suffered a technical glitch five minutes into the viewing which only prompted more of the same response from its audience.

Gorgeous: Julianne Moore, 56, showcased her womanly curves in a show-stopper of a gown that was covered in sequins and boasted outlandish feathered sleeves

Smile! The Still Alice star was pictured rubbing shoulders with Beauty And The Beast actress Emma Thompson

What controversy? Tilda Swinton defiantly posed with Okja director Bong Joon-ho - in the face of the widespread criticism for the Netfliz movie

A statement from the Cannes Film Festival released to MailOnline read: 'A technical incident disrupted the beginning of the screening of Bong Joon-hos film, OKJA, which was shown this morning at a press screening at the Lumiere Auditorium.

'The session was interrupted for a few minutes but was then able to carry on as normal.

'This incident was entirely the responsibility of the Festivals technical service, which offers its apologies to the director, his teams, the producers and the audience at the showing.'

Lily plays the role of Red in the film that depicts the tale of a young girl who befriends a huge animal named Okja and risks everything to prevent it from being kidnapped by a powerful multi-national company.

Dressed to impress: Uma Thurman, 47, stunned in a plunging teal gown that teased a look at her more than ample assets

Elegant: Along with its figure-hugging bodice, Uma's dress billowed out into a full skirt around her legs - she was seen stealing a photo with Arnold Schwarzenegger inside the venue

The movie's cast shrugged off the drama surrounding its initial screening in Cannes at the movie's official premier on Friday night - and appearing in high spirits once again, Lily remained just as nonplussed as she rubbed shoulders with a bevy of stars during her latest outing at the festival.

Among the guest-list for Vanity Fair and HBO's dinner had been Hollywood actresses Julianne Moore, 56, and Uma Thurman, 47.

Julianne looked sensational for the evening as she donned a floor-length sequinned gown that garnered attention thanks to its outlandish feathered sleeves.

Beautiful: Arizona Muse arrived in a dramatic ensemble that featured a semi-sheer and intricately embellished off-the-shoulder top before flowing out into a huge ruffled skirt - complete with a long train

She's a muse: Arizona looked sensational in a mullet hemmed frilled number

March of the models: Arizona was joined by fellow model Petra Nemcova

Wow! Petra looked sensational in a purple gown which she appeared to be having fun with

The striking design perfectly showcased the Still Alice star's womanly curves and she swept her red tresses up into a chic up-do that was parted to one side.

Uma, meanwhile, chose to tease fellow dinner guests with a look at her more than ample assets in a plunging floral printed teal gown.

It was embellished with a glittering pattern and boasted a form-fitting bodice, before billowing out into a full skirt around the Kill Bill star's legs.

Wow factor: Salma Hayek dazzled in a figure-hugging black gown that featured gorgeous pearl collar detailing around the neck

Dinner date: She was joined by her husband of eight years Francois-Henri Pinault

Something funny? Emma Thompson and Jake Gyllenhaal were seen in a fit of giggles as they caught up at the star-studded dinner

High spirits: The duo appeared to be fan-girling over one another as they posed for a series of amusing photographs inside

That's the connection! Emma is close pals with Jake's actress sister Maggie Gyllenhaal - the girls met five years ago on set of Stranger Than Fiction and have remained close ever since

Having a giggle: The group were having a laugh as they posed on the boat

Man about town: Handsome Billy Zayn was enjoying the festivities as he loosened his bowtie

They were joined by model Arizona Muse who arrived in a dramatic ensemble that featured a semi-sheer and intricately embellished off-the-shoulder top before flowing out into a huge ruffled skirt - complete with a long train.

Eva Longoria, meanwhile, cut a striking figure in a champagne hued frock that featured glittering panels along each side.

She wore her luscious mane back swept back into a volumnious style and completed her latest glam ensemble with flawless make-up.

Golden girl: Eva Longoria cut a striking figure in a champagne hued frock that featured glittering panels along each side

So glam: She was seen striking up a pose alongside red-haired beauty Jessica Chastain

Salma Hayek dazzled in a figure-hugging one-shouldered black gown that featured gorgeous pearl collar detailing around the neck.

Letting her dress take centre stage, the Grown Ups actress swept her raven-locks up into a chic top knot - choosing to sport a similar blunt fringe to that of Lily's.

She was joined by her husband of eight years Francois-Henri Pinault who cut a smart figure in a navy two-piece suit.

On trend: Letting her dress take centre stage, Grown Ups actress Salma swept her raven-locks up into a chic top knot - choosing to sport a similar blunt fringe to that of Lily's

Fancy seeing you here! She looked ecstatic to be in the company of former Desperate Housewives star Eva as the girls exchanged a warm welcome

Light relief: Adam Sandler (left) and Ben Stiller (right) were in attendance to represent Hollywood's comedic actors

Picture perfect: The 50 First Dates star was joined by his wife Jackie Sandler who looked incredible in an understated floor-length dress

Beautifully elegant: Jessica Chastain wore a stunning white halter-neck gown that she daringly chose to go braless underneath, while wearing her glossy locks in soft glamorous curls

Smitten: She was joined by her beau Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo and the pair put on a loved-up display as they sweetly cuddled up together

Lily's co-star Jake Gyllenhaal seemed to be enjoying himself at the party as he shared a joke with Beauty And The Beast's Emma Thompson, while Jessica Chastain cuddled up to her beau Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo.

She cut an elegant figure for the event, as she sported a stunning white halter-neck gown that she daringly chose to go braless underneath, while wearing her glossy locks in soft glamorous curls.

Comedic actors Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman were in attendance.

Arnold Schwarzenegger put in an animated appearance as he worked the room, with British model Naomi Campbell also present for the evening's festivities.



Model behaviour: Naomi Campbell was spotted conversing with other dinner guests while dazzling in a beaded collared dress

Diamond girl: Naomi posed up a storm with Chopard president Caroline Scheufele

Incredible! While Mary J. Blige, 46, was age-defying in a fringed bandeau mini dress that emphasised her bust and put her slender pins on display

Pals: Will Smith posed with songstress Mary in the party

Old pals: Dustin Hoffman was seen deep in conversation with Arnold Schwarzenegger

A-list: Dustin then struck up a pose with Emma Thompson and joined Kendall in talking to Clint

Getting on: Dustin and Emma then posed with Noah Baumbach (L), who directed their new Netflix movie The Meyerowitz Stories

Friends in high places: Noah was then seen in deep conversation with Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal (R)

Pucker up! Before planting a kiss on his wife Lisa (left) who joined him at the dinner and posing with French actress Isabelle Huppert (right)

Actor T.J Miller and his actress wife Kate Gorney - who looked sensational in a scarlet red design - made for a stylish duo with their dinner party attire

Suited and booted: Ben Stiller and Clint made sure they were dressed for the occasion

Happy couple: Clint was seen with girlfriend on his arm

Friendly display: He was seen in high spirits while deep in conversation with Rain Man star Dustin

Glamorous: Ping Hue and Lara Lieto looked chic in mini dresses

Hours earlier: The veteran actor had attended the Festival Palace - and clearly hopping from one another event to another was seen sporting the same ensemble he later arrived to dinner in

Centre of attention: Clint had taken to the stage during the restored copy presentation of 'Unforgiven' that took place earlier in the day on Saturday
He's the 'bad boy' of Australian fashion, with friends in VERY high places.

And Jordan Barrett can add model Bella Hadid to his long list of female companions.

The 20-year-old was photographed shirtless on a yacht in Cannes, France with Bella on Saturday.

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Who knew they were friends? Jordan Barrett (second from left), 20, was spotted with model Bella Hadid (second from right) during an A-list yacht party in Cannes, France on Saturday

Jordan looked carefree as he relaxed on a sun lounger aboard the luxury yacht.

The Byron Bay native went shirtless in a pair of cropped striped trousers.

With his signature blond locks slicked back, Jordan drew attention to his chiselled jaw and defined facial features.

Social butterfly! The 'bad boy' of Australian fashion has been spotted with the world's most beautiful models, including Lara Stone, Hailey Baldwin and Sofia Richie

Enjoying the view, Bella? Jordan went shirtless in a pair of striped trousers as he enjoyed a friendly conversation with the American model and socialite

Jordan was seen enjoying a friendly conversation with model and socialite Bella, 20.

The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid showed off her slim figure in a lingerie-inspired bikini.

Styling her brunette hair into a high ponytail, Bella concealed her gaze behind a pair of reflective sunglasses.

White hot! The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid showed off her slim figure in a lingerie-inspired bikini

In good company! It's not the first time Jordan has been pictured with Bella, as they spent time together in New York City early last month

Jordan couldn't resist sharing an Instagram photo from his trip to the South of France, posing with Bella and film producer Mohammed Al Turki

'Catch up on them Zzzzz's,' he wrote in the caption.

It's not the first time Jordan has been pictured with Bella, as they spent time together in New York City early last month.

Meanwhile, Jordan's sighting in Cannes comes days after the ladies' man appeared at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Jordan received a $100,000 payday for his brief appearance on the Justin Cassin runway.
The CPI ministers on Wednesday opined that the Cabinet should consider the Media Regulation Bill only after a detailed study as there are possibilities of the move stirring controversy at the national-level.
She's locked in a defamation battle with Bauer Media over a series of magazine articles which she claimed cost her film roles.

But with the trial due to begin on Monday, Rebel Wilson has managed to earn some extra cash Down Under filming a promo for Virgin Australia's new Economy X class.

On Sunday, Rebel shared a sponsored video of her private Virgin flight from Melbourne to Sydney, while praising the benefits of the airline's new class.

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Flight of fancy! Rebel Wilson has managed to earn some extra cash while Down Under for court proceedings, sharing a sponsored Instagram post for Virgin Australia's new Economy X class

'Virgin Australia has hooked me up! I was the first in Australia to try their new class 'Economy X' which launches today on flights around Australia,' she wrote in the caption.

Rebel added the hashtag 'ad', which declares it was a sponsored post. It is unclear if she was paid for the post, or simply offered a free flight.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Rebel's representatives for comment.

No work! Following a pre-trial hearing on Friday, Rebel told media outside the Supreme Court in Melbourne she had been unable to audition for roles as she had to 'keep herself free' for the court proceedings

Following a pre-trial hearing on Friday, Rebel told media outside the Supreme Court in Melbourne she had been unable to audition for roles as she had to 'keep herself free' for the court proceedings.

'I've had to not audition for any movies at this time because I've known about this trial for a year, so I've had to keep this time available,' Rebel said.

Rebel is suing Bauer Media - publisher of Women's Weekly, Woman's Day and OK! - over a series of articles which alleged she lied about her age and background.

Legal battle: Rebel is suing Bauer Media - publisher of Women's Weekly, Woman's Day and OK! - over a series of articles which alleged she lied about her age and background

The Age previously reported that the defamation complaint was centered on a Woman's Day article published in May 2015.

The article included claims that the actress lied about her age, her real name, her upbringing and the fact she had lived in Zimbabwe for a year.

With the trial due to start on Monday, Rebel said she expected her testimony to take 'a few days' and planned to spend the weekend 'catching up on all my favorite restaurants and stuff'.
Owen Wilson and his son Robert were snapped in Malibu on Saturday after their Vespa appeared to break down, leaving the father and son to walk it home through the streets of the well-heeled beach community.

The Dallas native, 48, wore a blue-green cap, with his wavy blonde blocks cascading down. He wore a long-sleeved cobalt blue shirt and sky blue shorts and black sneakers as he muscled the pricey Italian scooter though the streets.

Six-year-old Robert wore a red helmet with a black shirt with a Pikachu graphic, red shorts and blue sneakers as he walked alongside his famous dad on the sun-drenched spring day.

Steering the ship: Owen Wilson, 48, pushed a Vespa along with his six-year-old son Robert in Malibu on Saturday

Robert's mom is Owen's ex-girlfriend Jade Duell, a former air marshal.

The Wedding Crashers actor also has a three-year-old son named Finn with personal trainer Caroline Lindqvist.

The actor, speaking with the outlet Mom.me in a 2014 interview alongside longtime friend Woody Harrelson, explained his warm and loving approach to parenting.

'Have you seen The Great Santini? They say that the number one thing is to be consistent,' he said. 'I guess I try to do that a little bit. I remember [Woody] saying a big thing is to just hug your kids, and I do do that.

Keeping the pace: Young Robert jogged alongside his dad as he walked the scooter along the beach streets

Emotional: Owen has past stated in interviews he strives to be affectionate with his kids to show them they're loved

Lemons into lemonade: Despite the apparent technical issues, the father and son looked to be having a nice time on the beautiful Southern California day

'It sounds corny, but you cant hug your kids enough and give them that confidence that theyre loved.'

It's been a tough month for the Zoolander star, whose father Robert 'Bob' Wilson passed away May 5 at 74 following a harrowing battle with Alzheimer's disease.

The Midnight in Paris actor previously opened up about how he adapted to helping care for his ailing dad amid the debilitating health battle.

Next up: Wilson is slated to co-star with Daniel Radcliffe on a TBS show called Miracle Workers

On the move: Robert jogged alongside his dad, who moved the scooter

'You just have to do your best to deal with it,' he told The Dallas Morning News in August 2015. 'You've got no choice but to accept it. And then, you sort of still look for the things to be grateful for.'

Owen said that he's made adjustments himself in emotionally processing his father's harrowing health battle.

He said: 'If somebody had said 10 years ago, when my dad and I were joking around having a putting match, that this is the position your dad's going to be in, where he basically needs 24-hour care, you'd think, "Gosh, I won't be able to handle that. That's just not possible."'
She's the eldest daughter of Greek-Australian makeup mogul Napoleon Perdis.

And it seems 17-year-old model Lianna Perdis, is hoping to getting back to her Australian roots.

Lianna, who was raised in Hollywood, revealed plans to attend university in Sydney.

'I'm always a Greek-Australian girl': Lianna Perdis, the daughter of makeup mogul Napoleon, has revealed plans to go to university in Sydney, after being raised in Hollywood and Athens

'I want to go to university in Sydney, I consider myself Australian,' Lianna told Sunday Life magazine.

'I am an international, I have an American accent. But I'm always essentially a Greek-Australian girl,' she added.

The Perdis family moved to Hollywood when Lianna was four as her father's cosmetics brand expanded into the American market.

But after US sales dropped in 2014, Napoleon and his wife Soula-Marie relocated to Athens with their four daughters - including triplets Athina, Angelene and Alexia.

Globetrotters! The Perdis family moved to Hollywood when Lianna was four as her father's cosmetics brand expanded into the American market. Pictured at the InStyle Awards

'I have an American accent. But I'm always essentially a Greek-Australian girl': Lianna has said she feels a connection to Sydney, even though she has spent most of her life overseas

It was her parents' hope that Lianna would appreciate the language and culture, but it was a difficult transition for the all-American teenager.

But she eventually had a change of heart after seeing thousands of refugees at an old airport suffering under dire conditions.

'The Hollywood culture is so fake, I was so bubbled from the world and I didn't even realise that,' Lianna said. 'My parents want to pop that bubble and show us what real life is.'

Daddy's girl! Lianna described the Hollywood culture she was surrounded by as 'so fake' and admits she 'lived in a bubble' before the family relocated to Greece

Although Lianna was surrounded by the cosmetics industry from a young age, she was only allowed use products after year six - and even then she was limited to mascara and lip gloss.

The ambitious teenager recently made her debut in the makeup world by launching her first youth-focused range, Total Bae.

She also made a good impression at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Walk, walking the runway for Australian designer Christopher Esber.

Lianna had previously appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Greece.
She is currently joining co-star Shane Ritchie in promoting EastEnders spin-off Redwater - which follows the post-Albert Square lives of Kat and Alfie Moon.

And while Jessie Wallace has long forgotten her character's penchant for leather mini-skirts and plunging leopard print tops, she still borrowed from the past in her ensemble for an appearance on The Ray Darcy Show in Dublin on Saturday.

The 45-year-old soap star looked straight out of the early Noughties in a pretty boho ensemble complete with a thick brown belt with a gypsy-style dress and slouchy brown leather boots.

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Way back when: Jessie Wallace has long forgotten her character's penchant for leather mini-skirts and plunging leopard print tops, she still borrowed from the past in her ensemble for an appearance on The Ray Darcy Show in Dublin on Saturday

Jessie shot to huge fame playing Kat, a member of the popular Slater family, in 2000 and appeared on/off on the soap ever since, with her romance with Alfie being a focal storyline for Kat throughout.

The duo have now reunited for Redwater which sees the couple head to Ireland to attempt to find a child Kat never knew she had - a far-fetched tale which had left viewer, fans and critics divided .

As she continues to blaze the promotional trail, the soap stalwart has been pulling out all the sartorial stops, with Saturday's look being one of her quirkier options.

Making sure she stood out, Jessie, who was joined by her Redwater co-star Angeline Ball, sported a gypsy-style midi dress complete with frothy tiers with a lurex thread worked throughout to add some glitz.

Off we go! The 45-year-old soap star looked straight out of the early Noughties in a pretty boho ensemble complete with a thick brown belt with a gypsy-style dress and slouchy brown leather boots

Stylish: Cinching in her waist, the raven-haired beauty wore a thick brown belt which coordinated with her slouchy ankle boots - shoes she has been favouring in recent weeks, with a slight heel and ties wrapping around the ankle

Cinching in her waist, the raven-haired beauty wore a thick brown belt which coordinated with her slouchy ankle boots - shoes she has been favouring in recent weeks, with a slight heel and ties wrapping around the ankle.

Keeping the boho-theme alive, she wore a heavily fringed, sack-like bag which perfectly slotted in with the vibes of her ensemble.

Jessie's appearance in Ireland is hot on the heels of controversy after the start of the series aired in the Republic of Ireland four days before its release on BBC One, earlier this month, meaning fans became aware of a few spoilers in the plot, prior to watching it live.

Oops! Jessie's appearance in Ireland is hot on the heels of controversy after the start of the series aired in the Republic of Ireland four days before its release on BBC One, earlier this month, meaning fans became aware of a few spoilers in the plot, prior to watching it live

Oh dear... The twist in the pilot episode - which involves Alfie helping Kat look for her long-lost son - was heavily discussed on social media, consequently ruining any surprises for those yet to watch it

The twist in the pilot episode - which involves Alfie helping Kat look for her long-lost son - was heavily discussed on social media, consequently ruining any surprises for those yet to watch it.

The spoiler was that Kat's son's identity was revealed - which is one of the draws of the show in the first place. It was disclosed that her son was the priest Dermott; but this wasn't the end of it.

In the premiere episode's final scenes, Dermott killed a man - leaving the episode on a dramatic cliffhanger.

Stunner: Jessie's co-star Angeline Ball looked stunning in a black floral gown

Unhelpfully, one fan recounted the entire plot in one of their tweets, guessing what happens next: 'In a shocking subplot the priest is actually a serial killer, killing off #Redwater residents! Hell be brought to justice by Alfie.'

'Oooh an evil priest. He has a temper just like his mammy,' came another tweet, once again explaining what happened. 'Trust Kat to have a psycho son,' a third posted.

Another tweeted 'I knew it was the priest!' followed by 'I did NOT expect to find out the identity of Kats son this early!'

Oh no: Unhelpfully, one fan recounted the entire plot in one of their tweets, guessing what happens next: 'In a shocking subplot the priest is actually a serial killer, killing off #Redwater residents! Hell be brought to justice by Alfie'
She was pictured kissing her ex-boyfriend Nabil Gazal in late April, while her husband Oliver Curtis serves a prison sentence for insider trading.

And just a week after Daily Mail Australia published the sensational photos, Roxy Jacenko was spotted embracing another mystery man, now identified as crime gang associate Alex Macris.

Alex, said to be a longtime friend of Roxy according to The Sunday Telegraph, spent time in Silverwater jail for drug and gun-related charges.

Does she like bad boys? Roxy Jacenko enjoyed a friendly lunch date with crime gang associate Alex Macris in Sydney this month, as husband Oliver Curtis awaits his release from prison

Roxy appeared relaxed and happy as she enjoyed the company of Alex at the Crystal Car Wash, in Sydney's exclusive suburb of Rose Bay, earlier this month.

Seated on the outdoor terrace and sipping on coffee, the close friends appeared deep in conversation.

Roxy flaunted her gym-honed figure in a casual ensemble featuring black shorts, a white T-shirt and a pair of dark sunglasses.

After leaving the cafe, they shared a warm embrace as Alex placed his hand on Roxy's lower back and she reached around his shoulders.

A lot to discuss? Roxy appeared relaxed and happy as she enjoyed the company of Alex at the Crystal Car Wash, in Sydney's exclusive suburb of Rose Bay

Keeping a low profile? Roxy flaunted her gym-honed figure in a casual ensemble featuring black shorts, a white T-shirt and a pair of dark sunglasses

Alex, who rarely courts the spotlight, has quite a history.

As reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, he confessed in court in 2014 to using his father Stelios, 75, as an unsuspecting drug mule to transport $13 million or 50 kilograms of methamphetamine oil, in the back of a Ford Falcon station wagon.

Upon taking to the stand, Alex admitted it was a 'low, dog act' to get his father involved, but never thought police would have pulled the elderly man over.

Serving time: Roxy's husband Oliver Curtis (pictured) is serving time at Cooma Correctional Centre for conspiracy to commit insider trading

Alex's family also have a long-running rivalry with the Ibrahim clan.

Alex's brother John had been falsely linked to the drive-by shooting of Fadi Ibrahim in 2009.

Fadi Ibrahim, a Kings Cross identity and nightclub owner, was shot five times outside his luxury Castle Cove home, while seated in his Lamborghini.

Roxy has been a longtime friend of the Macris family, having dated Alex's brother John, and befriending Alex's wife Jessica Ingham.

Weeks from freedom: The disgraced investment banker was jailed last year and is scheduled to be released on a good behaviour bond on June 24

The Sydney publicist is regularly seen attending events with Jessica, in photos shared to Instagram.

Meanwhile, Roxy's husband Oliver Curtis is serving time at Cooma Correctional Centre for conspiracy to commit insider trading.

The disgraced investment banker was jailed last year and is scheduled to be released on a good behaviour bond on June 24.

Their marital status has been the subject of rumours, however, since Roxy was caught kissing her ex-boyfriend Nabil Gazal at his Sydney apartment in April.
He has been putting on act in front of his family and friends since returning to Walford, after being framed for the murder of his former flame Lucy Beale.

Max Branning has vowed to seek revenge on those that fed him to the wolves, but he is left fearing his payback plan could be thwarted by an unexpected arrival in Albert Square.

New scenes on the BBC soap will show the Chairman of Weyland & Co turning up in Walford without Max's knowledge leaving him on edge.

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Unexpected visitor: Max Branning is left on edge when he receives a visit from the Chairman that could potentially blow his entire revenge plan

He delivers a message to Max - who is keen not to be seen with him in case it blows his cover.

An insider told Daily Star: 'Max has managed to keep up the act all these months, so when the Chairman turns up to see him hes a little freaked out.

'He has been acting as an insider and manipulating situations and in the coming weeks he will be under more pressure from the Chairman, so much so that he risks everything to pay [Max] a visit.'

Viewers have seen Max meet with the Chairman in secret as part of his revenge scheme that has been put in place to ensure the downfall of those who let him be blamed for Lucy's murder.

Seeking revenge: After feeling like everyone has turned their back on him, Max is hell bent on bringing down the residents of Albert Square

After feeling like everyone has turned their back on him, he is hell bent on bringing down the residents of Albert Square.

To do so, he is hoping to destroy Albert Square by joining forces with the mysterious figure - known only as the Chairman - to re-develop his home and make it unaffordable for its current residents to continue living there.

Soap-watchers have so far seen the vengeful character help the property developer to secure the freehold of the Queen Vic as he persuaded the Carters to sell.

He also played a major part in the return of Charlie Cotton who had enlisted Max's helps in his attempts to win back his son Matthew from his new pal's brother Jack Branning.

Loggerheads: Jack Branning and Charlie Cotton have been fighting over the custody of tot Matthew - Ronnie's son she shares with Charlie

Sneaky: Max has secretly been helping Charlie to win back his son by setting up his brother Jack and fuelling his recent showdown with Charlie that was witnessed by Walford residents

Jack had been looking after the tot Charlie shares with his ex-wife Ronnie Mitchell who tragically died on New Year's Day just hours after wedding him - her on/off flame before she met Charlie.

Max has been in the ear of his brother, persuading him to let Charlie have access to Matthew, but Jack has been doing everything he can to ensure Matthew remains in his care.

Although, his situation took a turn for the worse after he attacked Charlie following a heated exchange - much to Max's delight who informed his brother that he had 'blown it' when it came to his chances of keeping custody of Matthew.

It was later revealed that Charlie and Jack's fallout had been planned all along, with Charlie urging Max to stick to his part of the plan and see that he is put behind bars - only for Jack then to be arrested on suspicion of assault.

You're nicked! Viewers had seen Jack arrested on suspicion of assault after explosively lashing out at Charlie Cotton

Plea of innocence: Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) had been seen in police custody as he pleads his innocence concerning at attack on Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) in the soap's dramatic trailer unveiled by bosses earlier this month

Jack was seen protesting his innocence while in custody for the attack in a dramatic trailer unveiled by BBC bosses earlier this month.

It teased a death, a pregnancy and countless showdowns leaving EastEnders viewers gripped over the forthcoming action on the soap in the next few weeks.

The trailer included the explosive return of Mick Carter - played by Danny Dyer - who was seen back on the show on Friday night's episode.

He had caught newcomer Woody Woodward (Lee Ryan) in bed with his daughter-in-law Whitney Dean and came to blows with him, before sending Woody on his way and kicking him out of the Queen Vic.
She made for an eye-popping display as she graced the red carpet in Cannes recently.

But opting for a much more demure look, Elizabeth Olsen covered up in an understated black gown as she stepped out for a party held in honour of her new movie Wind River.

The actress, 28, pared things back on both the sartorial and beauty front as she made yet another appearance at the 70th Annual Film Festival currently underway in the South of France.

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Demure: Elizabeth Olsen, 28, covered up in an understated black gown as she stepped out for a party held in honour of her new movie Wind River in Cannes on Saturday evening

Elizabeth - who is the younger sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - proved she can master any look no matter how subtle or bold, as she commanded attention on her arrival to the bash in her chic design.

The plain black frock featured long-sleeves and a hemline that trailed past the starlet's ankles, cinching in at the waist to showcase Elizabeth's slender frame.

She elongated her pins with a pair of semi-sheer court heels on her feet and swept her blonde tresses up into a tousled pony-tail.

Chic: The plain black frock featured long-sleeves and a hemline that trailed past the starlet's ankles, cinching in at the waist to showcase Elizabeth's slender frame

Seasoned pro: Elizabeth is known for her roles in the films Silent House (2011), Liberal Arts (2012), Godzilla (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The Avengers star chose to flaunt her natural beauty with a subtle make-up finish - only choosing to wear a dramatic lip - favouring a dark berry hue - to add a pop of colour to her ensemble.

On her arrival to the party, Elizabeth struck up a series of poses for photographers before heading inside to rub shoulders with her co-star, actor Jeremy Renner.

The pair are no strangers to each other having worked together previously on the much-loved Marvel franchise, including Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.

Close pals: On her arrival to the party, Elizabeth struck up a series of poses for photographers before heading inside to rub shoulders with her co-star, actor Jeremy Renner - the pair are no strangers to each other as they previously starred alongside one another for The Avengers

The duo now star alongside each other in new movie Wind River, directed by Taylor Sheridan.

It depicts the story of a game tracker (played by Renner) and an FBI agent (Olsen) who go on a manhunt to find the murderer of a Native America teenage girl that took place on Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation.

Jeremy and Elizabeth are currently promoting the movie while in Cannes and happily posed with the film's director Taylor on their latest outing during the festival.

Latest feature: The duo are currently promoting their new movie Wind River - directed by Taylor Sheridan pictured with the pair above

High praise: For her role in the critically acclaimed Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), she was nominated for numerous awards including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
She's the Australian model engaged to DJ Ruckus.

And Shanina Shaik has revealed that preparations for their wedding ceremony are well and truly under way.

Speaking to the Stellar magazine, the 26-year-old said excitement over her nuptials was reaching fever pitch.

'We are next': Shanina Shaik (R) enjoyed a sweet moment with fiance DJ Ruckus (L) at a friend's nuptials on Saturday, as she revealed their own wedding plans were well under way

'We're getting there, which is super exciting,' she said. 'We've got the guest list down, so I'm really happy about that.'

Meanwhile, Shanina and DJ Ruckus (real name Gregory Andrews) shared an intimate moment at a friend's wedding on Saturday.

The couple were attending the Laguna Beach nuptials of WAGS LA star Michelle Williams and NRL player Larry English.

'We've got the guest list down, so I'm really happy about that': The 26-year-old Victoria's Secret model spoke to Stellar magazine about her wedding plans over the weekend

Shanina later posted an Instagram photo that showed the loved-up pair enjoying a sweet moment on the dancefloor.

She wore a backless gown with sheer sleeves and a daring thigh high split, while Ruckus looked dapper in a black dinner suit.

The Victoria's Secret model wrote in the caption: 'We are next'.

Career focused: Shanina, who has walked the runway for Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, is making her Hollywood debut in The Mummy alongside Tom Cruise

Shanina, who has walked the runway for Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, is making her Hollywood debut in The Mummy alongside Tom Cruise.

She previously told InStyle magazine: 'I'm a real action girl, so I would love to be in movies.

'Modelling is not forever, but I will definitely see it as a platform to move into other things, maybe acting and hopefully starting my own brand.'
She's the veterinarian who found fame on the 2006 series Big Brother.

And Claire Madden could see herself back on TV screens as she hopes to replace Dr Chris Brown on the Network Ten program Bondi Vet.

The 33-year-old told The Sunday Telegraph she had put her name forward for the role and hopes to 'inspire' the next crop of Australian vets.

New gig? Big Brother 2006's Claire Madden (pictured) could see herself back on TV screens as she hopes to replace Dr Chris Brown on the Network Ten program Bondi Vet

Claire told the publication: 'I take my work very seriously and this is an opportunity to help and influence the next generation of vets.

'I went on Big Brother for the same reasons and that was to highlight the amazing conservation work we do in Australia.'

Production company WTFN has started a national search, which will be decided by a popular vote, to find the next Bondi Vet.

Career: The 33-year-old told The Sunday Telegraph she had put her name forward for the role and hopes to 'inspire' the next generation of Australian vets

It comes after Dr Chris Brown announced he was stepping down after eight seasons due to other filming commitments.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that more than 400 hopefuls had applied for the high-profile role.

Claire is not the only reality TV star in the running, as My Kitchen Rules' Bek Outred has also expressed interest.

He's a busy man! It comes after Dr Chris Brown (pictured) announced he was stepping down after eight seasons of Bondi Vet due to other filming commitments

Bek, who was the first to be eliminated from MKR with her friend Ash Brannan, is a veterinarian at the Kalamunda Vet Hospital in WA.

Meanwhile Claire's stint on Big Brother lasted a little longer as she managed to last 92 days in the house.
He's the son of respected current affairs journalist Terry Willesee, known for his outrageous lifestyle.

But rapper and marijuana campaigner Jesse 'Sunset' Willesee will surprise even his most die-hard fans with his latest antics.

In a bizarre twist, friends of Jesse are saying he plans to dump girlfriend Angelique 'Frenchy' Morgan for infamous New York socialite Gabi Grecko.

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Is this the world's WEIRDEST break-up? Jesse 'Sunset' Willesee is telling friends he plans to dump his girlfriend Angelique 'Frenchy' Morgan (L) for New York socialite Gabi Grecko (R)

A source told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday that Jesse, 29, has grown tired of his romance with Frenchy, a former adult film actress-turned-reality TV star.

Instead, he hopes to date his friend Gabi Grecko - the ex-wife of Geoffrey Edelsten who was exposed as a prostitute involved in an NYPD corruption scandal last year.

'Jesse and Frenchy are basically over. His future is with Gabi, they have a strong creative bond,' said the insider. 'They plan to record a hip hop album together.'

Romance is dead! A source told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday that Jesse, 29, has grown tired of his romance with Frenchy (right), a former adult film actress-turned-reality TV star

Jesse was rumoured to be dating Frenchy last month, as photos surfaced of the 'couple' putting on a raunchy display at Soho House in Malibu.

A photo shared to Jesse's Snapchat account saw the flamboyant musician cosying up to the Celebrity Big Brother UK star at the upmarket venue.

Frenchy's surgically-enhanced assets spilled out of her skimpy bikini as she confidently flaunted her derriere for the camera.

Bizarre antics continued to fill Jesse's social media accounts for several weeks, but it appears the flamboyant pair are calling it quits after just two months.

A real-life soap opera! Jesse hopes to date Gabi Grecko (pictured), the ex-wife of Geoffrey Edelsten who was exposed as a prostitute involved in an NYPD corruption scandal last year

Gabi, who is keen to launch a rap career, reportedly approached Jesse to collaborate on a track in a series of rather flirtatious text messages.

A source told Daily Mail Australia that Frenchy 'hit the roof' when reading the texts, after she scrolled through Jesse's phone while he was sleeping.

The Rock Of Love: Charm School star then sent a furious message to Gabi, who is also her rumoured ex-girlfriend, telling her to 'back off'.

'Loyalty is everything to me. I don't contact your boyfriend to try and hook up with them!' she wrote. 'We haven't talk all year so why are connecting with me bc I'm on news with my new man?! (sic)'

Scandalous! Gabi, who is keen to launch a hip hop career, reportedly approached Jesse to collaborate on a track in a series of flirty text messages - and Frenchy was furious

Gabi responded: 'I'm very serious about my rap he is all about rap so that's insane that I can't talk to him about rap and teaming up to do a rap song he's a rapper.'

But friends are now claiming that Gabi and Jesse's relationship has blossomed from a creative collaboration into something more romantic.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Jesse and Gabi for comment.

On Monday night, Frenchy told Daily Mail Australia in a statement: 'Jesse and Frenchy have no idea what Gabi is talking about.

'Gabi contacted Jesse last weekend as she was in Los Angeles and he did not reply to any of her texts, he completely ignored her.

'Frenchy and Jesse are still chilling and having fun. Gabi is a PR queen so she always tries to use other people's names to get a headline.

'She saw this as another opportunity as Jesse and Frenchy had been spending time together. She even sent Frenchy a text telling her Jesse's dad is famous in Australia.

'Frenchy asked Gabi to stay away from her new friend and told her not to go behind her back and contact people in her circle.

'Frenchy blocked Gabi last week on social media and phoned her management to say she and Jesse are denying this story.

'They do not want get involved with Gabi or her scandal or drama,' the statement concluded.

Jesse is the son of television presenter Terry Willesee, who has worked for Channel Seven, Channel Nine and Sky News in Australia.

The Willesee family moved to Los Angeles this year, as Terry is producing and writing for the Warner Bros show, Crime Watch Daily.

Acclaimed: Jesse is the son of television presenter Terry Willesee, who has worked for Channel Seven, Channel Nine and Sky News in Australia and now lives in Los Angeles
I'm Real... she's not.

So might Jennifer Lopez have sang as she paired with her stunt double on Friday night.

The 47-year-old was spotted on the New York set of Shades Of Blue with her on-screen doppelganger.

Shades of two: Jennifer Lopez paired off with her stunt double on the set of Shades Of Blue on Friday night

Both ladies rocked the exact same outfit - of course - of heavy duty boots, black skinny jeans, and a cleavage-baring black v-neck top under a black coat.

They also both donned Detective Harlee Santos' unmistakable dirty blonde curly locks.

Even though she had one on her own head, the double still seemed bemused by Lopez's hairdo, giggling as she stared at it while the two strode around the set together.

Snap: Both ladies rocked the exact same outfit - of course - of heavy duty boots, black skinny jeans, and a cleavage-baring black v-neck top under a black coat

Two dos: They also both donned Detective Harlee Santos' unmistakable dirty blonde curly locks

Jenny meanwhile looked unconcerned as her replacement appeared to talk her through a fall she was about to take for her.

Lopez looked far more interested however in another visitor to the set: boyfriend Alex Rodriguez.

The actress was seen cuddling up to her man as he visited her on what was a chilly night in Hamilton Heights.

Meh: Jenny looked unconcerned as her replacement appeared to talk her through a fall she was about to take for her

The duo walked the set linked arm-in-arm, took selfies and sipped coffees together between takes.

JLo was filming season three of the cop drama, in which she stars opposite Ray Liotta.

Season two is set to wrap up on Sunday night with a double-header finale.

Cosy: Lopez looked far more interested however in another visitor to the set: boyfriend Alex Rodriguez
Nicki Minaj tweeted a pair of images Saturday night of herself in a steamy red ensemble that included a scarlet coat of what looked like faux fur.

Pink and blonde mingled in her knee-length hairdo, and she showcased a good deal of her zaftig thighs, as well as a bit of her curvy derriere, in her ensemble.

The Port Of Spain-born 34-year-old rapper had posted a trio of images of herself in the selfsame ensemble - in the same setting - to Instagram four days before.

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Sizzling: Nicki Minaj tweeted a pair of images Saturday night of herself in a steamy red ensemble that included a scarlet coat of what looked like faux fur

That setting was a narrow room with walls of plush charcoal, and in the two images Nicki tweeted on Saturday, the Anaconda raper leaned against those walls.

A profusion of bracelets about her left wrist, she'd slid into a pair of bright red boots that stretched past her knees and clasped on a tangle of glistening necklaces.

Her gleaming bright red bralett ematched a set of underwear that'd been accompanied by scarlet strings of beads sloping about the musicians' thighs.

Opening act: The two images she'd posted featured the hashtag: '#NickiBBMAs,' likely a reference to the fact the Billboard Music Awards are due to occur on Sunday in Las Vegas

The two images posted Saturday featured the hashtag: '#NickiBBMAs,' likely a reference to the fact the Billboard Music Awards will to occur Sunday in Las Vegas.

Held at the T-Mobile Arena on the Strip, the Billboard Music Awards will open with a performance from Nicki, as the award show's own website reported on Thursday.

She's also nominated for the fan-voted Billboard Chart Achievement award alongside Luke Bryan, The Chainsmokers, Twenty One Pilots and The Weeknd, per that site.

Smoldering: The Port Of Spain-born 34-year-old rapper had posted a trio of images of herself in the selfsame ensemble - in the same setting - to Instagram four days before

Strike a pose: One of Nicki's Instagram photos from four days past was of her leaning against a wall and arcing her back as she stuck out her tongue and closed her eyes

One of Nicki's Instagram photos from four days past was of her leaning against a wall and arcing her back as she stuck out her tongue and closed her eyes.

In another of those photos, she was still pressing her hands to the wall and still arcing her back, but was offering her best smoldering stare straight at the camera.

Yet another Instagram photo posted that day saw her standing mostly upright, her entire body faced toward the camera, though she leaned slightly to one side.
They became unlikely mates on the recent season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here - he a radio shock jock, she a reality TV star.

Now it seems that friends are set to become colleagues with Steve Price giving Ash Pollard a radio job.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that Steve has signed Ash to host a weekly food segment on his high-rating 2GB radio show.

New role: Steve Price has signed his I'm A Celebrity co-star Ash Pollard to host a weekly food segment on his 2GB radio show

Speaking to the publication, Ash said that it was a match made in Heaven as both were unapologetic foodies.

'Steve and I are both food obsessed so we will be talking non-stop about everything you can possibly think of to do with food,' Ash revealed.

The My Kitchen Rules star added that as soon as she entered the South African jungle for I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, she knew that she and Steve would become fast friends.

Foodie mates: 'Steve and I are both food obsessed so we will be talking non-stop about everything you can possibly think of to do with food,' Ash told the Sunday Telegraph

'Some people might say we are unlikely friends. However, I was confident from the beginning I wanted to be friends with him. Steve is a bang up bloke.'

Ash and Steve's friendship has continued outside of the South African jungle.

The pair recently caught up with fellow I'm A Celebrity stars Dane Swan and Nazeem Hussain for lunch at swanky Melbourne restaurant France-Soir.

Lots in common: Ash added that as soon as she entered the South African jungle , she knew that she and Steve would become fast friends

The lunch was on Steve as he promised to take Ash for a meal if she made it through the show's viper room challenge.

'It happened! Pricey, true to his word, took me (and the boys) to lunch for successfully completing the Viper Room,' Ash captioned the post. '

'Good to have our little clique back together.'
She has spent $22,000 on plastic surgery in her pursuit of physical perfection.

And last week, The Bachelor's Keira Maguire told fans during an Instagram Live Q&A that a breast enlargement was next on the list.

The 30-year-old reality TV 'villain' showed off the results of her boob job in Sydney's Double Bay on Sunday afternoon.

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Breast wishes on your recovery! The Bachelor's Keira Maguire showed off the results of her recent breast enlargement while running errands in Sydney's Double Bay on Sunday

Keira, who was joined by her friend Lisa Hyde, revealed a hint of cleavage in a low-cut top which she tucked into a pair of jeans.

The Sydney socialite accessorised with white trainers, a black backpack and designer sunglasses.

Styling her blonde hair loose and straight, Keira kept her makeup to a minimum and let her curves do the talking.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Keira for comment on the surgery.

Hello boys! Keira, who was joined by her friend Lisa Hyde, revealed a hint of cleavage in a low-cut top which she tucked into a pair of jeans

What a transformation! Keira has notably larger and more shapely breasts after the surgery

Cool and casual! Keira accessorised with designer sunglasses and delicate gold jewellery

Keira looked happy and carefree while running errands in the wealthy suburb.

Meanwhile, Lisa also cut a stylish figure in a plunging white crop which she paired with ripped jeans.

A paperboy hat, black slides, round-rimmed sunglasses and a delicate necklace completed her off-duty look.

Styling her brunette hair in loose waves, the entrepreneur drew attention to a neutral make-up palette.

On-the-go! The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star enjoyed a casual shopping trip

Keeping it simple: Keira styled her blonde hair loosely and kept make-up to a minimum

She said what?! The sighting comes a week after Keira sent her Instagram followers into a meltdown by revealing plans for more plastic surgery

Body goals! Last year, she told NW magazine she underwent a $22,000 makeover, saying: 'I've always wanted to be perfect!'

Look good, feel great! During the sighting in Double Bay, Keira appeared relaxed and happy

Content: The Bachelor 2016's breakout star happily engaged in conversation with locals

The sighting comes a week after Keira sent her Instagram followers into a meltdown by revealing plans for more plastic surgery.

She made the confession during a late-night Instagram Live Q&A with fans, following a long night of partying.

Looking slightly worse for wear, the I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! star was seen lying in bed with a female friend.

They were discussing the events of that evening, before Keira surprised viewers by admitting she was going under the knife on Monday.

Reality star friends: Keira was joined by another former Bachelor star, Lisa Hyde

Red carpet regulars: The pair have become firm friends, often hitting the Sydney social circuit together

Comfort: Keira sported white trainers and carried her belongings in a backpack for the low-key outing

Since making headlines as The Bachelor's 'villain' last year, Keira has spoken candidly about her cosmetic surgery transformation.

Last year, she told NW magazine she underwent a $22,000 makeover, saying: 'I've always wanted to be perfect!'

Keira has admitted to having a nose job as well as getting Botox, facials, lip fillers and tattooed eyebrows.

Fashion-forward: Lisa showed off her penchant for style in a white plunging crop, teamed with ripped jeans

Details: Lisa accessorised the look with slides, a paperboy hat, delicate jewellery and round-rimmed sunglasses

Notoriety: Keira rose to fame after appearing in last year's season of The Bachelor Australia

At the time, Keira also told NW that she wanted to have a breast augmentation next.

'Maybe just boosting them to little teardrops, not big bazookas,' she suggested.

More recently, Keira shared a bizarre Instagram video of herself undergoing a vampire facial.

Treading on co-stars toes: Failing to capture the heart of Perth-based Richie Strahan, Keira found herself dubbed the 'villain'
She is rumoured to be in a relationship with Julian Assange.

And on Sunday, '90s sex symbol Pamela Anderson called upon Australians to protect the controversial WikiLeaks founder.

The Baywatch star, 49, told Stellar: 'Demand that as a fellow citizen, Julian is protected by (your) government. Stop kissing America's a**.'

'Demand that as a fellow citizen, Julian is protected by (your) government. Stop kissing America's a**': Pamela Anderson (L) has called upon Australians to protect Julian Assange (R)

Pamela's comments come after the Swedish government dropped rape charges against Julian that had kept him holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for five years in a bid to avoid extradition.

With Sweden no longer seeking extradition for Julian, the US Justice Department is currently deciding whether to charge Julian over documents published on Wikileaks published in 2010.

While she remained tight-lipped about the nature of their relationship, saying that it 'was personal', Pamela was also quick to praise Julian.

'I adore Julian,' Pamela said. 'He's a great man and it would be a dream to have him reunited with his young family in France.'

Dropped: Pamela's comments come after the Swedish government dropped rape charges against Julian that had kept him holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for five years

Taking to Instagram on Friday, Pamela shared a black and white photo of the 'couple' together following the news of the dropped extradition charges.

'A victory - yes but still angry,' she wrote in the caption. 'Detained for 7 years without charge while missing his children grow.

'I hope people have some remorse about unfounded judgments towards a good man, father and friend of the truth.'

Back in March, Pamela fuelled rumours of an unlikely romance by sharing a poem on her personal website, titled My Julian.

'Julian Assange is the most intelligent, interesting, and informed man in existence,' she began. 'Yes - I think he's quite sexy.'

'Julian Assange is the most intelligent, interesting, and informed man in existence': In March, Pamela fuelled rumours of an unlikely romance by sharing a poem, My Julian, on her website
She's catapulted to fame on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

But Lisa Vanderpump's precious Pomeranian Giggy was the real star on Saturday night as the reality favorite and her husband, Ken Todd, 59, attended GMCLA's 6th Annual Voice Awards in Los Angeles.

Giggy stole the show as she was affectionately held by her owners while wearing a white sweater with little violet bows.

Puppy love! Lisa Vanderpump's precious Pomeranian Giggy was the real star on Saturday night as the restaurant owner and her husband, Ken Todd, attended GMCLA's 6th Annual Voice Awards in Los Angeles

Lisa, 56, wore a plunging silver frock that flashed ample amounts of cleavage and hugged her hourglass figure.

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star wore her brunette tresses in sleek curls, and amplified her natural beauty with pink blush and mascara.

Giving her some height were a pair of pointed silver heels and carried an ornate gold clutch.

Her husband, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in his sharp purple suit and black leather shoes.

All that glitters! Lisa wore a plunging silver frock that flashed ample amounts of cleavage and hugged her hourglass figure

Showing their support! The reality star is a special guest at the awards show, which is put on by GMCLA (Gay Men's Chorus Of Los Angeles)

Lisa is a special guest at the awards show, which is put on by GMCLA (Gay Men's Chorus Of Los Angeles).

The Voice Awards recognizes those who 'advance our world, refute silence, lend a voice to the oppressed, exhibit leadership and give hope to those living under the weight of silence', according to it's website.

Meanwhile, Lisa has been rejoicing lately with the news that China would be banning the sale of dog meat at this year's Yulin Festival, which is set to begin next month.

Well heeled! Giving her some height were a pair of pointed silver heels and carried an ornate gold clutch

Big news: Meanwhile, Lisa has been rejoicing lately with the news that China would be banning the sale of dog meat at this year's Yulin Festival, which is set to begin next month

The restaurateur and 'Real Housewives' star has been an outspoken advocate about the practice for almost three years now, and Wednesday's victory came after a number of galas and marches and fundraisers hosted by Lisa that were all aimed at bringing attention to the subject.

An emotional Lisa and her husband Ken spoke with DailyMail.com exclusively after the announcement, and said that while they were ecstatic with the news out of China, there was still much work to do.

The pair also expressed their incredible thanks to Bravo and Evolution Media for allowing Lisa to shine an international spotlight on the issue by featuring it in the most recent season of 'Real Housewives of Beverley Hills.'

Lisa admitted that one of her demands before returning last season was that her work with Yulin get a proper showcase on the show.

'If it's true then we've been instrumental is stopping this barbarity then we're thrilled. It's not over yet, but apparently they're going to enforce fines of up to $900 and possibly arrest violators starting on June 15 so it's a huge step in the right direction,' said Lisa from her California home on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking out: An emotional Lisa and her husband Ken spoke with DailyMail.com exclusively after the announcement, and said that while they were ecstatic with the news out of China, there was still much work to do

Aww: Little Giggy wore a white sweater with little purple bows
He's the down-to-earth Australian actor who's making headway in Hollywood.

But it appears the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles hasn't influenced Joel Edgerton's bizarre fashion sense.

Spotted picking up a vase full of flowers at a market in Los Angeles on Sunday, the 42-year-old wore a strange combo of black shorts over three-quarter cropped camouflage patterned leggings.

What is he wearing? Joel Edgerton (pictured) wears camouflage patterned leggings under black shorts teamed with a navy Adidas zip-up jacket while buying flowers in LA on Sunday

Running errands: The 42-year-old Stars Wars actor picked up a mix of flowers in a glass jar

The Stars Wars actor's choice of clothing all over was equally casual, as he opted for a navy zip-up Adidas jacket over what appeared to be a blue T-shirt.

The actor and director matched the look with a worn-out grey cap and black sunglasses which he rested casually over his hat.

With a shopping trolley in hand, The Great Gatsby star seemingly chose the workwear as the perfect get-up to run errands, despite the ensemble being fashion-challenged.

The outfit was a stark contrast to what the acclaimed actor rocks on the red carpet, when he usually goes for more dapper attire.

Red carpet glam: Though he opted for a more dressed combo, Joel can pull it together in the fashion stakes when it comes to red carpet events

During his trip to the Los Angeles flower market, he picked up a mix of flowers which included red, fushcia and yellow varieties.

They were placed a glass jar which had more thought put into the aesthetics than Joel's outfit, as straw was tied around it to add a classy touch.

Brown paper Bristols Farms bags were spotted in the Aussie's shopping trolley, no doubt full of goods that Joel had also bought while running errands.

Dapper: The veteran actor and filmmaker looks great when style is on his side

While the flowers could possibly be a gift for a lady friend in Joel's life, the filmmaker has admitted in the past that his biggest love is his career.

'I made a decision that I was just going to work my a*** off,' Joel told GQ magazine in an interview last year.

To be honest, I havent changed that thought. Im seriously married to work.'
Her beautiful looks and stunning physique have landed her modelling campaigns all over the world.

And Isabeli Fontana, 33, looked as sensational as ever as she partook in a sultry swimwear shoot in Cannes on Saturday.

The beauty, who has modelled for Victoria's Secret and Dolce & Gabbana to name but a few, was seen to showcase her slender physique in a series of figure revealing ensembles.

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Stunning: Isabeli Fontana, 33, looked as sensational as ever as she partook in a sultry swimwear shoot in Cannes on Saturday

Gorgeous: The beauty, who has modelled for Victoria's Secret and Dolce & Gabbana to name but a few, was seen to showcase her slender physique in a series of figure revealing ensembles

Isabeli kept her brunette hair off her face as she fastened a trendy, patterned bandanna around her head.

The beauty wore a dazzling necklace, consisting of layers of diamonds, around her neck, and showed off her golden glow.

She slipped some chunky silver rings on her fingers as she adjusted her bikini top, and later slipped into a fabulous white one piece.

The idyllic crystal waters of the ocean provided the perfect backdrop to the glamorous shoot.

White hot: She slipped some chunky silver rings on her fingers as she adjusted her bikini top, and later slipped into a fabulous white one piece

Bronzed goddess: The beauty wore a dazzling necklace, consisting of layers of diamonds, around her neck, and showed off her golden glow

Smile! Isabeli waved at onlookers and flashed her famous grin

Crystal clear: The idyllic crystal waters of the ocean provided the perfect backdrop to the glamorous shoot

Classy: She oozed elegance in the swimsuit, which featured cutaway panels to emphasise her tiny waist

She oozed elegance in the swimsuit, which featured cutaway panels to emphasise her tiny waist.

Again, Isabeli wore dazzling jewellery to complement the swimwear, this time adding a neckpiece accented with turquoise stones and matching earrings.

She kept the sun of her face with a stylish woven sunhat that was adorned with swirly writing, and the gorgeous setting brought out the brilliant blue of her eyes.

Glittering: Again, Isabeli wore dazzling jewellery to complement the swimwear, this time adding a neckpiece accented with turquoise stones and matching earrings

Chic: Isabeli kept her brunette hair off her face as she fastened a trendy, patterned bandanna around her head

Smile: Isabeli looked relaxed and happy as she donned the glamorous swimwear

Tangerine dream: She was also spotted in a beautiful asymmetric one piece, which gave a tantalising glimpse of her abs

Off duty: Isabeli was spotted taking a break as she relaxed on her phone

Later on, the Brazilian beauty changed into a stunning kaftan, which consisted of a kaleidoscope of colours that fanned out over the billowing material.

Isabeli looked sensational in the eye-catching number.

The model has been enjoying the prestigious film festival with other A-List attendees.

The exclusive guestlist has included some of the most famous faces in the world, including Julianne Moore, Eva Longoria and Naomie Harris.

She's got it! The model struck a variety of poses for her shoot

Sheer perfection: Later on, the Brazilian beauty changed into a stunning kaftan, which consisted of a kaleidoscope of colours that fanned out over the billowing material
She's a regular at top London nightspot Cafe de Paris.

And Olivia Buckland was there again on Saturday night, taking a break from her most recent frolics - which have mainly been in a bikini.

The reality star, 23, turned heads in a floor-length silken blue/grey gown, with a heavily plunging neckline.

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Cafe de Plunge! Olivia Buckland hits popular London nightspot in a silky side-split dress with a plummeting neckline

Making sure her curves were on display in all the right places, the dress barely contained her assets, with tiny shoulder straps holding the front of the gown in place.

Anyone looking could notice a cheeky hint of one of Olivia's tattoos, peeking out from between her breasts as the front of the dress sunk lower.

Another of her catalogue of tattoos could be seen on her thigh, with the dress featuring a daring side-split that allowed one of her bronzed pins to jut out to the side.

She added heels to the look, featuring a fur lining around the ankle.

Sizzling: The reality star, 23, turned heads in the busty ensemble as she hit the town

Turning heads: Olivia Buckland ensured she made the most of her time as a 'single' lady as she enjoyed a night out in London on Saturday

And going for lashings of mascara, bold brows, rouge lips and a touch of highlighter, she completed her look with her golden curls taughtly placed atop her head in a neat bun.

She adorned the outfit with various crystal-inspired jewels, including a silvery choker necklace.

To make sure the May chill didn't throw her off, she arrived at the club with a candy pink leather jacket draped around her shoulders.

Her fiance Alex Bowen was no where to be seen, but it has recently been revealed that the pair have set a date for Love Island's first-ever wedding.

Daring: Making sure her curves were on display in all the right places, the dress barely contained her assets, with tiny shoulder straps holding the front of the gown in place

She revealed she and her scaffolder beau, 24, will tie the knot in September 2018, with Love Island's host Caroline Flack, 37, as a guest and Olivia's best pal from the series, winner Cara De La Hoyde, 26, a bridesmaid.

Speaking to Closer magazine, Olivia revealed that she wants 'party animal' Caroline to come - despite the TV presenter being accused by viewers of being flirty with Alex in the 2016 show's finale.

Olivia said: 'Caroline Flack needs to come to the wedding! She's a real party animal so we need her there. We're inviting all the Love Island producers too, as they made it happen.'

The reality star did not mention whether fellow Love Islander Zara Holland, 21 - who slept with Alex on his first night in the villa, resulting in her losing her Miss Great Britain crown - would be on the guest list.

Olivia revealed she has started planning her dream day with former co-star and best pal Cara De La Hoyde - who won Love Island in 2016 alongside Nathan Massey, before confirming their split last week.

Olivia also divulged that Cara is set to be a bridesmaid on the big day, telling Closer: 'Of course Cara is going to be my bridesmaid.'

Made up: Going for lashings of mascara, bold brows and a touch of highlighter, she completed her look with a tight bun

Olivia is keeping tight-lipped about details of the wedding, but admitted that it will be in the UK so the pair's friends and family don't miss out, and they will plan a 'fab honeymoon abroad' after.

Olivia and Alex announced their engagement during a New Year's Eve break in December, despite only being a couple for five months.

Olivia spoke excitedly about her upcoming nuptials, saying: 'I'm loving being engaged and calling him my fiance. I can't believe we're going to be husband and wife!

'I'm not worried it will change anything - we're meant to be together.'

Tats the way to do it: Another of her catalogue of tattoos could be seen on her thigh, with the dress featuring a daring side-split that allowed one of her bronzed pins to jut out to the side

Despite coming in second place to Nathan and Cara, the couple won over the hearts of the nation.

Alex popped the question to the blonde beauty on a romantic trip to New York in December 2016 after just five months of dating.

She told MailOnline: 'We have said we want kids eventually. We just want to enjoy our time together, we have a lot to do, experiences to have, holidays to take.

'It will be nice but maybe not in the next seven years. I'm still a baby anyway. I would never let my kids watch Love Island!

'There's not as much controversy in sex on TV as there used to be. But I won't be showing my kids Love Island. Maybe keep it secret from them for quite a while.'
He's the hunky Australian actor melts hearts in front of the camera.

But on Sunday, Chris Hemsworth, 33, revealed plans to step away from the stage lights and take a seat behind the director's chair.

'To have that creative freedom really interests me,' he told Foxtel Magazine, the surprise switch coming after his wife Elsa Pataky outlined the upcoming launch of their production company.

Hemsworth at the helm! On Sunday, Chris Hemsworth, 33, revealed plans to step away from the stage lights and take a seat behind the director's chair

'I'd love to direct, it would be insanely challenging,' the hunk told the publication.

'It's just a larger creative process,' he added.

'You're continually growing as an actor and exploring these characters, but to step outside of it and orchestrate the event is a new skill set I'd love to tap into.'

Chris' comments come after he's achieved a string of success of leading roles, including his career-defining turn as Marvel hero Thor.

Looking to the future: 'To have that creative freedom really interests me,' he said, the surprise switch coming after his wife Elsa Pataky outlined the upcoming launch of their production company

His comments, coupled with his recently announced plans to move into production, indicate some creative jitters for the Byron Bay local.

Last month, his stunning Spanish wife Elsa, 40, spoke to The Daily Telegraph about the plans, which are still in their early stages.

'It is good to find your own projects, something you are passionate about, so we are reading a lot of scripts,' she said.

New skill! 'You're continually growing as an actor and exploring these characters, but to step outside of it and orchestrate the event is a new skill set I'd love to tap into,' he added

But before the couple officially sign-off on the company and announce the name, there's just the simple matter of their first-ever turn alongside each other in upcoming film Horse Soldiers.

Opening up about a scene taking place in the bedroom, the blonde bombshell remained coy.

'We play husband and wife so it was like we werent even playing,' she revealed.

'It was like we werent even playing': Before they dip into production, they'll play husband and wife in upcoming film Horse Soldiers, where they'll shared a bedroom scene

'It was natural, it felt so comfortable. We were in bed together and usually with those scenes it is awkward but it was easy.'

Elsa and Chris were married in 2010, welcoming adorable daughter India Rose, 5 in 2012.

Two-years later, and the couple miraculously welcomed twin boys Tristan and Sasha, who are now 3.
Her son Lorenzo made headlines in 2015 when he found himself on the wrong side of the law.

But Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Lydia Schiavello, has claimed she'll never walk away from her children, even when they get themselves into trouble.

Speaking to the Herald Sun on Sunday, the 48-year-old said that her job as a mother means helping her kids when they need her the most.

Not giving up: Lydia Schiavello (pictured left), whose son Lorenzo (pictured right) had a scrape with the law, told the Herald Sun on Sunday she'll never walk away from her kids even when they get themselves into trouble

A mother's work: 'Sometimes they fall and you have to help them when they fall,' Lydia said

'Sometimes they fall and you have to help them when they fall,' Lydia, who has six children in total, including biological and stepkids, told the publication.

While she didn't specifically address Lorenzo's brush with the law - in which the then 19-year-old was charged with stalking and distribution of an intimate image of an ex girlfriend - Lydia did allude to the situation.

'I have had a couple of creative kids that have gone very dark and it is up to me, their mother  I made them, I want to help them, I have to guide them, my job will never be finished,' she said.



Stylish mum: The 48-year-old (pictured with Real Housewives co-star Gina Liano) believes it's her job as a mother to guide her kids to be better people

'I want to show them that we all make mistakes, just because you made a mistake it does not mean you are a bad person. I get very emotional, I love my children.'

Fronting Melbourne Magistrates Court last month, Lydia's now 23-year-old son pleaded guilty to the charges. He received a 12-month good behaviour bond as punishment.

Lorenzo is the youngest of Lydia's three biological children to first husband, Peter Schiavello.

Brush with the law: In 2015, Lorenzo was charged with stalking and distribution of an intimate image and last month pleaded guilty

The pair also share a daughter, Monique and another son, Anton.

She's also the mother of three step-children from her marriage to Andrew Norbury, who has made several appearances on Real Housewives Of Melbourne.

In her hit Foxtel show, the socialite stars alongside Gamble Breaux, Jackie Gillies, Gina Liano and Janet Roach as well as newbies Venus Behbahani-Clark and Sally Bloomfield.

Hands full: The socialite has three biological kids with first husband Peter Schiavello and three step-children with new husband Andrew Norbury




She wants to open a dessert bar in future and recently impressed with her golden chocolate ball dessert.

And on MasterChef Australia on Sunday, student Michelle, 19, was overcome with excitement as she met one of her idols, pastry chef and chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs.

Kirsten appeared on the show as a guest judge during the mystery box challenge for the start of 'sweet week.'

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'Oh my God it's Kirsten Tibballs!' MasterChef Australia's dessert buff Michelle, 19, is starstruck meeting the famed pastry chef and chocolatier (pictured)

'Oh, my God! It's Kirsten Tibballs!,' Michelle said, shocked.

'I follow her on Instagram. I watch her online videos for inspiration, but seeing her face to face is just a dream.'

When Kirsten was introduced, Michelle told her she looks at her Instagram all the time, as she's that much of a fan.

Her idol! Michelle (pictured) wants to open a dessert bar in future and recently impressed with her golden chocolate ball dessert

'I've looked at your Instagram constantly. Just scrolling up and down at all your creations. They are so beautiful and so complex, and just really good to look at as well,' Michelle said.

Also excited about Kirsten's appearance was Bryan, who also enjoys cooking sweets.

The teams had to make a dessert with the ingredients of the mystery box.

He's a fan! Also excited about Kirsten's appearance was Bryan, who also enjoys cooking sweets

However they were shocked that the mystery box was made of chocolate, smashing it down in shock.

Ingredients in the box included coffee beans, mint, coconut, fresh raspberries and green tea.

At the end of the challenge, only five dishes were tasted, with Pete winning the round after cooking a white chocolate shells with a roasted coconut ice cream and raspberry sauce.

It's edible! However they were shocked that the mystery box was made of chocolate, smashing it down in shock

He won an extra thirty minutes for the invention test.

Overlooking the invention test was Janice Wong, a Singaporean pastry chef.

Bryan was 'starstruck' meeting her, with Janice being known for her edible art installations.

Contestants had to create a dessert inspired by flowers, with every dish being tasted.

The top three contestants would win immunity, while the bottom three would be going into the pressure test.

Success! Pete won an extra thirty minutes for the invention test, and guest judge Janice Wong mentoring him

Pete was over the moon at winning an extra half an hour, and won the chance to have Janice mentoring him while cooking.

During the cook, Samuel said he was 'gutted' when his gel wasn't 'jelly-like.'

He became concerned about not being able to present a good dish to the judges.

Trent had to scrap his sorbet, as it was 'slushy.'

Disappointed: During the cook, Samuel said he was 'gutted' when his gel wasn't 'jelly-like'

'I've got no dish. I just want to throw this plate in the bin,' Trent said.

When serving up the dish to the judges, with just flowers on the plate without the sorbet, Trent said in a voice over, that he was 'so embarrassed.'

He created a lavender gel, with lime marshmallow, and a creme fraiche mousse.

Judge Matt Preston remarked: 'It's almost impossible to judge, I'll be honest with you, because it's not a dish. It isn't a dish.'

The top three contestants were Sam, Callan and Diana.

Not his best work: 'I've got no dish. I just want to throw this plate in the bin,' Trent (L) said

Not quite a dish: When serving up the dish to the judges, with just flowers on the plate without the sorbet, Trent said in a voice over, that he was 'so embarrassed'

Who will go? Going into the upcoming pressure test was Bryan, Trent and Samuel

Going into the upcoming pressure test was Bryan, Trent and Samuel.

One of the bottom three contestants will be eliminated.

Bryan said he was disappointed to mess up in front of his idol Janice.

He cooked a 'flower garden,' which consisted of yuzu and ginger panna cotta with a blueberry insert as well as some blueberry glaze. Elderflower marshmallow and some popping candy salted chocolate crumb.

'There is a horrible sort of pressure, madness that comes over you when you're cooking for one of your heroes, and you were desperate to impress Janice that you had just done too much, the judges told Bryan.

'There's too much clamouring for attention going on there. And, Bryan, you're a good cook. You can do better than this,' they added.
He's the man who commands attention, and a reported $100,000 for recent runway appearances.

But after Australian hunk Jordan Barrett, 20, is done taking breaths away, he uses his first class flights to get his own back.

'Australia's top male model has adopted the latest celebrity craze while travelling - a breathing machine,' The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday.

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Take a deep breath! Australian model Jordan Barrett, 20, revealed this week that he uses a Breathing machine during flights to ensure he is in 'top shape'

'(He uses the machine) to ensure he is in top shape when he arrives in France for the Cannes Film Festival.'

Jordan has dished the beauty secrets that contribute to his fit physique before, but the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), machine while flying was unknown until recently.

After walking at Mercdes Benz Fashion Week for Justin Cassin earlier in the week, the model plugged into to one of the daunting apparatus for his flight home.

The video saw the blonde's flawless face obstructed with a transparent mouthpiece, looking comfy in his first class seat despite the annoying addition.

'No Jet lag': 'Australia's top male model has adopted the latest celebrity craze while travelling - a breathing machine,' The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday

'I am having amazing fun, the travel in one of the best parts,' Jordan told the publication.

And you'd surely hope so, with trips to Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief show in Cannes leading into a quick New York stop-over before jetting back to Cannes for the popular AMFAR fundraiser.

His model looks have catapulted him to international fame, where he pocketed a whopping $100,000 to walk the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week just days ago.

Last week, he shared some of the other beauty techniques he uses to stay fresh.

His secrets? This week, Jordan Barrett enjoyed a laser facial, a chakra healing massage and a glow protein shot at the exclusive All Saints Skin Clinic in Sydney (seen at InStyle awards)

In the space of one week, the Australian personality enjoyed a laser facial, a chakra healing massage and a glow protein shot at the exclusive All Saints Skin Clinic in Sydney.

It's believed the massage was performed by Angelina's former masseuse and healer.

Jordan enjoyed some downtime at the luxurious clinic ahead of attending the InStyle Women of Style awards in Sydney on Wednesday, where he was glowing.

In images of Jordan at the salon, he looks relaxed as he cuts a casual figure in a turquoise T-shirt and blue and white striped trousers.

Luxurious! It's believed the massage was performed by Angelina's former masseuse and healer

Model off-duty: In images of Jordan at the salon, he looks relaxed as he cuts a casual figure in a turquoise T-shirt and blue and white striped trousers

On Monday, the blonde personality walked for Justin Cassin at Fashion Week in Sydney.

It was revealed by The Daily Telegraph on Friday the model received a whopping $100k paycheck to walk the runway.

The Byron Bay-born son of convicted Gold Coast cannabis kingpin Adrian Barrett, touched down in Sydney that day.
A self-confessed over-sharer, Zoe Marshall does not hold back when it comes to voicing her opinions about all matters in life.

And the NRL WAG, who hosts radio show Meet The Marshalls with her Brisbane Broncos star husband Benji, revealed that the pair has VERY different ideas about the number of children they're willing to have.

On a segment that aired on NOVA on Sunday, the 33-year-old explained that two kids was her absolute maximum while Benji divulged he was hoping for six.

Two many: NFL WAG Zoe Marshall (pictured left) has given husband Benji (pictured right) a limit of two kids on their radio show Meet The Marshalls after he revealed he wants six children

Not seeing eye to eye: Zoe shot down the suggestion of six children, sarcastically remarking: 'I could be Angelina and just go around the world collecting them'

The brunette beauty was quick to shoot down the suggestion, sarcastically remarking: 'I could be Angelina and just go around the world collecting them. I could still have six so watch your business'.



Zoe, who wed Benji in 2013, revealed there was definitely a limit to how many children she would have.

'I just think when you get over five, even four, I think "What's wrong with you?"' she said.

'And no disrespect, this is my opinion because I only want 1.5. One to two.'

Doing it for the kids: Zoe and Benji, who married in 2013, are currently trying for children

Among the media personality's reasons for keeping the family at a manageable level were her aspirations to keeping travelling as a family.

Another reason for keeping the number of kids low was wanting to give her children enough attention and affection.

She thought both of these might be tricky with a larger brood.

Limiting: The brunette beauty wants to keep her brood in check so she can give them enough love and attention as well as still go travelling

Benji, who is trying for a child with his stylish wife, has been open in the past that trying to conceive has been an unsexy pursuit at times.

On their show earlier this year, he described his experience of visiting a fertility clinic.

'There were constant blood tests and they were ringing us on the hour telling us exactly, that we had a two hour window of where we had to get it done,' he said.

'And I was like, "come on, lets go, hurry up!" Where is the romance gone?'
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They have been incredibly busy at this year's festival, with not one but two big films to promote together.

However Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman proved their hectic schedules would never stop them from looking glamorous on Sunday, as they both made a stunning arrival at the How To Talk To Girls At Parties screening at the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival.

The blonde flashed a saucy hint of sideboob in her flowing green gown, lined with flowers, while Hollywood great Nicole dazzled in a gold glittering midi dress as the pair paraded the red carpet at the famous Palais des Festivals.

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Glam girls: Elle Fanning (L) and Nicole Kidman (R) proved their hectic schedules would never stop them from looking glamorous on Sunday, as they both made a stunning arrival at the How To Talk To Girls At Parties screening

Elle first took centre stage in a striking green floral gown as she effortlessly paraded the red carpet with confidence and ease, despite her tender 19 years of age.

The Super 8 star was both sexy and sophisticated in the tulle dress, which plunged into a deep halter neckline that extended to her navel - to tease at her delicate cleavage underneath and flash a hint of side boob as she posed.

With the straps lined with glittering leaves, the show-stopping frock then cinched in at her petite waist before cascading out into a gorgeous full skirt, which mirrored the silver pattern on top on its soft train.

Injecting a hint of her youthful style into the look however, the dress then cut into a dramatic open back, to leave plenty of her smooth skin to fans and cameras, and tease a hint of saucy sideboob as she posed.

Star in the making: Elle first took centre stage in a striking green floral gown as she effortlessly paraded the red carpet with confidence and ease, despite her tender 19 years of age

Party in the back! Injecting a hint of her youthful style into the look however, the dress then cut into a dramatic open back, to leave plenty of her smooth skin to fans and cameras, and tease a hint of saucy sideboob as she posed

Natural beauty: Leaving her blonde tresses natural and her face mostly bare, barring a slick of pink lipstick, the sister of fellow actress Dakota showed off her stunning clear and glowing complexion as she posed elegantly for cameras

All grown up: Having kicked off her acting career at just four years old, Elle was the picture of class and elegance as a young woman as she posed effortlessly for cameras

Keeping the look trendy from head to toe, Elle's dress was then tied together by a striking lining of bold 3D yellow flowers at the hem, which dramatically swept across the floor as she walked to make a real style statement.

Leaving her blonde tresses natural and her face mostly bare, barring a slick of pink lipstick, the sister of fellow actress Dakota showed off her stunning clear and glowing complexion as she posed elegantly for cameras.

Proving she was just as glamorous however was co-star Nicole Kidman, who put on a truly dazzling display in her eye-catching ruffled flock, embellished with glittering gold sequins all over.

The Australian beauty, 49, exuded elegance in the shimmering frock, which was of a more vintage style with a high neck and three-quarter length sleeves.

All that glitters: Proving she was just as glamorous however was co-star Nicole Kidman, who put on a truly dazzling display in her eye-catching ruffled flock, embellished with glittering gold sequins all over

Golden girl: The Australian beauty, 49, exuded elegance in the shimmering frock, which was of a more vintage style with a high neck and three-quarter length sleeves

I don't believe it! Having worked on two films together which are appearing at Cannes, the girls proved their close friendship as they joked and raucously laughed together on the carpet - with Elle left in a state of excited shock at one point

However adding more modern and sexy touches, the dress featured a keyhole slit at her chest before it cinched in at her petite waist with a statement nude ruffle - both teasing at her slim figure underneath.

Falling softly to her calf in length, Nicole then added further height to her famously statuesque frame with a pair of matching metallic gold heels as she happily chatted and posed with Elle on the carpet.

Sweeping her hair into a sophisticated up-do and accessorising with delicate diamond earrings, the Moulin Rouge star was the picture of class as she smiled softly for cameras.

The leading ladies made the red carpet appearance ahead of the debut of their new romantic comedy, How To Talk To Girls At Parties.

Natural beauty: Sweeping her hair into a sophisticated up-do and accessorising with delicate diamond earrings, the Moulin Rouge star was the picture of class as she smiled softly for cameras

Whatever! The girls threw up a grungy gesture alongside novelist Neil Gaiman, who wrote the book the film is based on

Leading ladies: The cheeky sign was perhaps in ode to their punk-rock characters and the Croydon setting of How To Talk To Girls At Parties - which follows an alien who meets two residents in the South London suburb

Her man: Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Nicole's husband Keith Urban was pictured sunning himself at the Eden Roc hotel

The film, directed by John Cameron Mitchell, is based on the short story of the same name by Neil Gaiman, and tells the story of an alien who meets two residents in Croydon - which the extra-terrestrial characters hilariously deem 'the most dangerous place in the Universe'.

Nicole plays Queen Boadicea, who acts as a mentor to young alien punk singer Zan, played by Elle, when they meet the two South London youngsters in the grungy flick.

While the film is set in the Surrey suburb, the film was shot in Sheffield back in 2015 - and features a host of big names as co-stars, including Ruth Wilson, Little Britain's Matt Lucas and Tony Award-winner Alex Sharp.

Despite the girls filming the undoubtedly humorous project two years ago, they were not apart for long, as they went on to film their second film together, The Beguiled, the following year.

Double trouble: Despite the girls filming the undoubtedly humorous project two years ago, they were not apart for long, as they went on to film their second film, which is competing for the Palme d'Or, the following year

Joking around: The girls later posed with How To Talk To Girls At Parties director John Cameron Mitchell, who stood out in a bold red blazer and checked trousers (far left) as well as suited and booted co-star AJ Lewis

Making a statement: The girls joined the full cast on the carpet - some of which were dressed in galactic-inspired ensembles in honour of the extra-terrestrial movie

Star-studded: While the film is set in the Surrey suburb, the film was shot in Sheffield back in 2015 - and features a host of big names as co-stars, including Ruth Wilson, Little Britain's Matt Lucas and Tony Award-winner Alex Sharp

Commanding attention: Elle captivated a number of admirers on the sun-soaked carpet as she strutted her stuff in the gorgeous gown

The second flick, competing for the Palme d'Or this year, follows a girls' school in Virginia during the Civil War which is interrupted by the arrival of a wounded soldier from the outside warring world.

Elle slips into the role of the 'bad girl' Alicia, while Nicole takes on Martha and Kirsten Dunst plays Edwina in the remake of the famous 1971 film, starring Clint Eastwood.

Meanwhile Colin Farrell portrays the serviceman who tries to win the hearts of the women who nurse him at the school - resulting in dangerous rivalries beginning to form.

The girls were joined by a host of stars on the sunny Cote D'Azur for their galactic film premiere however, including former Made In Chelsea star Kimberley Garner - who added a touch of vibrancy to the event in a stunning lilac gown.

Regal: The girls were joined by a host of stars on the sunny Cote D'Azur for the premiere, including former Made In Chelsea star Kimberley Garner - who added a touch of vibrancy to the event in a stunning lilac gown

Purple power: The blonde showed off her impressively slender figure in the gown, which secured with a tiny belt at her waist before flowing out in a stunning skirt and train, embellished with delicate pearls and crystals all over

Event-hopping: The premiere however rounded off a jam-packed day for the Elle - who had already attended the film's photo call alongside director John that day (above)

The blonde showed off her impressively slender figure in the gown, which secured with a tiny belt at her waist before flowing out in a stunning skirt and train, embellished with delicate pearls and crystals all over.

Keeping all eyes on her striking look, which also featured a semi-sheer top to allude to her braless figure, the reality star pulled her hair into a loose bun to show off her clear complexion - accentuated with a soft pink lip and smoky eye.

The premiere however rounded off a jam-packed day for the Elle - who had already attended the film's photo call alongside director John that day.

Proving her enviable sense of style twice in one day, the Maleficent star had swapped a traditional gown for a more flirty pink mini dress, which flashed her pins for all to see, as she posed playfully for cameras.

Think pink! Proving her enviable sense of style twice in one day, the Maleficent star had swapped a traditional gown for a more flirty pink mini dress, flashing her pins for all to see, as she posed playfully for cameras

Old vs new: The dress fell into a classic 60s shift style, and appeared to be emblazoned with the cartoon image of iconic actress Audrey Hepburn - shaken up to fit the frock's era with a vibrant orange dress and blonde wig

Rock chick: Co-ordinating from head to toe, Elle then added a pair of towering coral platforms and a slick of nude pink lipstick as she winked jokingly for cameras

Just the two of us: Nicole had not been present at the earlier photo call, but the blonde was instead joined by playful director John, sporting the same eye-catching suit ensemble, who she joked around with for cameras

The dress fell into a classic 60s shift style, and appeared to be emblazoned with the cartoon image of iconic actress Audrey Hepburn - shaken up to fit the frock's era with a vibrant orange dress and blonde wig.

Co-ordinating from head to toe, Elle then added a pair of towering coral platforms and a slick of nude pink lipstick as she beamed and giggled for cameras.

Nicole had not been present at the earlier photo call, but the blonde was instead joined by playful director John, sporting the same eye-catching suit ensemble, who she jokingly posed with for cameras.

Inspired: Elle was no doubt taking tips from Mitchell - having recently expressed her desire to go into directing instead of acting

I Cannes do this! Only proving her motivation at such a young age, she continued: 'I know it's hardso many people asking you questions all the time. It's a huge challenge. But I want that'

While Elle now has an endless selection of hit films under her belt, she recently expressed her desires to work behind the camera, instead of in front of it.

Speaking to Vogue last month, the youngster starlet said of directing: 'I definitely, definitely want to do that. As an actor, you're exploring someone else's vision. I'd like to be able to create that vision instead.

Only proving her motivation at such a young age, she continued: 'I know it's hardso many people asking you questions all the time. It's a huge challenge. But I want that.'

Letting her hair down: Elle later changed into a slinky black halterneck top as she danced the night away at the after-party for How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Rocking out: She put on an energetic performance as she took to the stage during the after-party for her new film

Wild thing: The actress certainly looked to be having a good time as she sang and danced at the party at Magnum Beach

I'm with the band: The blonde beauty definitely didn't appear to be holding back as she danced alongside the band

She's got some moves! Elle pulled a variety of facial expressions on stage, whipping her locks back and forth

Big smile: The actress, and younger sister of Dakota, looked very happy following the successful premiere of her movie

Rock chic: Elle didn't appear to have a care in the world as she rocked out on stage during the live performance

Having fun? The 20th Century Women star looked to have enjoyed herself at the after-party, flashing a big smile

She knows how to party! Elle showed everyone how to have a good time at the How to Talk to Girls at Parties after-party
She has paraded the catwalk for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Gucci, Tom Ford and Burberry.

But Anja Rubik proved that even top models suffer fashion mishaps on Saturday as she accidentally flashed her nipple while enjoying a day by the pool in Cannes.

The Polish model, 33, showed off her sensationally slender figure in a plunging green swimsuit as she relaxed at the Eden Roc Hotel pool - but displayed more than she bargained for when the one-piece's saucy neckline slipped too far down her chest.

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Whoops: Anja Rubik proved that even top models suffer fashion mishaps on Saturday as she accidentally flashed her nipple while enjoying a day by the pool in Cannes

The Polish model, 33, showed off her sensationally slender figure in a plunging green swimsuit - but displayed more than she bargained for when its neckline slipped too far down (above)

The blonde was pulling herself out of the luxurious swimming pool when the faux-pas occurred - which saw her saucy swimsuit slip out of place, causing her to flash onlookers.

However like a true professional, Anja did not seem bothered by the incident as she proceeded to clamber out and parade her famous figure for all to see.

The model, who is a favourite of Karl Lagerfeld, displayed her statuesque frame and tiny waist in the chic but sexy one-piece, which tightly hugged her slim physique all the way down.

Who cares:However like a true professional, Anja did not seem bothered by the incident as she proceeded to clamber out and parade her famous figure for all to see

Chic: The model, who is a favourite of Karl Lagerfeld, displayed her statuesque frame and tiny waist in the chic but sexy one-piece, which tightly hugged her slim physique all the way down

Model material: With the hem falling high up her hip, the stylish garment then only served to lengthen her already long and slender pins as she spent her day relaxing with a male pal

Making the look even saucier, the swimwear then cut into the perilously low V neckline, which caused her malfunction, as well as an open back - to give a glimpse of even more of her sun-kissed skin.

With the hem falling high up her hip, the stylish garment then only served to lengthen her already long and slender pins as she spent her day relaxing in the sunshine.

Proving the striking natural beauty that shot her to fame, the catwalk kept her hair loose and face make-up free - to show off her clear and glowing complexion to all.

All eyes on me: Proving the striking natural beauty that shot her to fame, the catwalk kept her hair loose and face make-up free - to show off her clear and glowing complexion

Off she goes! Clearly in a playful mood the top model happily dived in and out of the hotel's idyllic rock lagoon

Slender: Her enviably lean figure was clear for all to see as she climbed up the ladder to return to the main pool

Clearly in a playful mood the top model happily dived in and out of the hotel's idyllic rock lagoon with a male pal, before the pair headed back to the main pool for a catch up.

Never without a hint of glamour even on her days off however, Anja was later seen accessorising with a pair of retro round sunglasses as she retired to a sun lounger for the rest of her day tanning.

The in-demand model is no doubt enjoying some much-needed time away from her busy schedule in the French Riviera.

Time off: The in-demand model is no doubt enjoying some much-needed time away from her busy schedule in the French Riviera

In demand: The blonde has been juggling a range of projects - bagging campaigns with the likes of Chloe, Fendi, Balmain and H&M and even running her own magazine

Experience is key: Anja explained to Vogue recently that her years in the business have meant she can now be more choosy about which projects she takes on

All black everything: Anja has attended a number of events in Cannes so far (above)

Leggy lady: The blonde attended an opening party in a chic black blazer and skinny trousers, which accentuated her famously leggy figure

The blonde has been juggling a range of projects, with her portfolio featuring campaigns with the likes of Chloe, Fendi, Balmain and H&M.

The multi-talented star also found time to start her own magazine in 2012, with '25' centering around erotica from a women's point of view.

Anja, who started modelling when she was in high school in Paris, explained to Vogue recently that her years in the business have meant she can now be more choosy about which projects she takes on.

'I've been in the industry for so long that I'm in the very beautiful position of being able to collaborate with people who are my good friends, or who I identify with. So I stand for things I really believe in, like at Chloe where I love what Clare does, or Anthony Vaccarello who is my close friend,' she said.
They set up accessories brand Pop & Suki together in September.

And Suki Waterhouse and her best friend Poppy Jamie showed they were closer than ever as they went topless on their Safari break in Kenya, Africa on Sunday.

The 25-year-old model, who was the face of Burberry and graced the cover of Vogue, was showing off her wild side when she went topless while holidaying with her pal.

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Showing off their wild side! Suki Waterhouse and her best friend Poppy Jamie showed they were closer than ever as they went topless on their Safari break in Kenya, Africa on Sunday

She teased her tan lines and sun-kissed skin as she stripped off in the sizzling heat for the cheeky snap.

Both beauties threw their arms in the air, carefree and happy as they posed without their tops on the trip, wearing only their khaki bottoms.

Windswept, the girls let their hair down as they blonde curls were caught up in the breezy conditions.

Feeling hot, hot, hot: No doubt Poppy had persuaded her friend to embrace her wild side after she got her kit off the day before

Giraffe selfie! Suki is clearly thrilled with her sunny getaway as she has been sharing a string of pictures on Instagram

No doubt Poppy had persuaded her friend to embrace her wild side after she got her kit off the day before.

She flashed some serious skin when she let her dressing gown slide off her shoulders, showing off her nakedness.

Accompanying the raunchy picture, she captioned it: 'They weren't impressed. Embracing nature.' (sic)

Suki is clearly thrilled with her sunny getaway as she has been sharing a string of pictures on Instagram, including a snap where she posed with a giraffe.

Wow! She shared a selfie of herself in a helicopter with thousands of pink flamingos

The catwalk queen is hot off her Salvatore Ferragamo shoot in Florence where she channeled Audrey Hepburn in a Breakfast at Tiffany's style dress.

The London native shot to fame when she became the face of Burberry.

She graced the cover of British Vogue for their April 2015 issue alongside Cara Delevigne and Georgia May Jagger.

She is also cultivating a career as an actress, appearing in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Love, Rosie and Insurgent.
During her nine-year stint on the show, her character struggled with alcoholism, was horrifically raped and kidnapped.

And Alison King is tipped to be making a comeback to the show, a year after character Carla Connor left for a new life in Devon.

The actress, 44, left the soap in May 2016 to pursue other projects, but is believed to have been in secret talks with producers to make a triumphant comeback.

Comeback kid: Alison King is rumoured to be returning to Coronation Street as Carla Connor after she left the long-running soap one year ago

A source told the Sun on Sunday: 'Carla is a hugely popular character with viewers, and Kate [Oates, the producer] always felt it was a shame Ali left.

'For a few months now they have been in secret talks and the word among the cast is that Ali has agreed.'

Alison first arrived at the Rovers Return Inn in December 2006, when Carla was planning to open a clothing business.

Her character was married to Paul when she made her first appearance on the show, but he died in a car crash nine months after starting on the soap.

Dramatic life: During her nine-year stint on the show, Alison's character Carla Connor was raped, kidnapped and struggled with alcoholism

After Paul's death, Carla started a relationship with Scottish businessman Tony Gordon, who later kidnapped her and held her hostage in a factory.

Carla later developed a problem with alcoholism and made a recovery thanks to her relationship with Peter Barlow.

She was raped by Frank Foster in 2011 and when she attempted to kill herself, she was saved by Peter.

Veteran actress: Alison first arrived at the Rovers Return Inn in December 2006, when Carla was planning to open a clothing business

Tumultuous relationships: Carla married three times on the show and her final nuptials to Nick Tilsley, played by Ben Price, (pictured) ended in annulment

The pair married in 2013 and honeymooned in Bali, but they separated a year later.

Carla's last marriage took place days before Alison left the show and her nuptials to flame Nick Tilsey ended in annulment.

When Alison left the long-running soap, she said she wanted to pursue other opportunities and is believed to have turned down chances to compete in Strictly Come Dancing.

New directions: When Alison left the long-running soap, she said she wanted to pursue other opportunities

In September 2016, she told the Daily Star: 'I may actually leave acting behind and join the circus.'

The soap star also said she wanted to spend more time with her daughter Daisy.

When she announced her departure, she told the Radio Times she had only done a handful of school runs for her daughter during her nine-year stint on the show.

MailOnline approached Coronation Street representatives, who declined to comment.
She enjoyed a successful day fronting This Morning Live at the Birmingham NEC on Saturday.

But Ruth Langsford was forced to pull out of her second appearance that was set to take place 24 hours later, after revealing she had to be elsewhere due to a 'family illness'.

The TV presenter, 57, took to Twitter on Sunday to explain her absence from the live experience event and she was replaced by Rylan Clark-Neal instead.

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No show: Ruth Langsford, 57, was forced to pull out of her appearance at This Morning Live held at the Birmingham NEC on Sunday, as she explained she had to be elsewhere due to a 'family illness'

Ruth had been expected to front Sunday's This Morning Live show on stage with her husband Eamonn Holmes.

She, however, took to Twitter to apologise to fans, as she explained she had been forced to cancel her appearance.

Ruth tweeted: 'So sorry I can't be on stage with Eamonn @This Morning Live today - a family illness means I have to be elsewhere. I hope you understand x.'

MailOnline have contacted a representative for This Morning.

Stepping in: Rylan Clark-Neal was drafted in to replace Ruth, as he took to the stage alongside Eamonn Holmes instead

'So sorry': The TV presenter took to Twitter to apologise to fans over her absence, but was inundated with support from her followers

Fans, meanwhile, were quick to send their well-wishes to the star, reassuring her that she had their full support.

One follower commented: 'Course we understand ruth family is more important my thoughts are with u and ur family hope its nothing too serious.'

A second said: 'Work can wait Family more important hope all ok,' while a third added: 'I hope all is ok, @Rylan steps up for you, bless him. Thinking of you and yours.'

24 hours earlier: Ruth's absence came a day after she had first appeared at This Morning Live on Saturday - she and her husband Eamonn had taken over the reigns from Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

The event, which has been taking place over the last four days, still went ahead with Rylan stepping in to replace Ruth and join forces with Eamonn for the exhibition's last showing.

It's not the first time Rylan has taken over the reigns at This Morning - where he usually presents the showbiz section of the daytime show - and he is set to join Holly on the sofa as her co-host to cover Phil's upcoming absence.

Holly confirmed Rylan will take over from Phil while he jets overseas to California on Wednesday and Thursday.

New co-host: Holly recently confirmed Rylan will be joining her on the This Morning sofa to stand in for Phil while he jets off to California

Not fazed: Phil remarked that he won't be tuning in to watch back Rylan's efforts, as he quipped: 'I'll be in Los Angeles and won't care'

She told OK! magazine: 'So we've done the show together before and Rylan is great - he's very different to Phil.'

And clearly not worried that his replacement could get too comfortable, Phil remarked that he won't be tuning in to watch back Rylan's efforts, as he added: 'I'll be in Los Angeles and won't care.'

Rylan has stepped up as co-host on multiple occasions in the past.

Not only did he sit alongside Ruth when Eamonn was away for 10 weeks after undergoing surgery on his hip, he co-presented with Phil when Holly became unwell and had vomited on her cat last month.
She's the half-sister of Naomi Campbell's best friend, Kate Moss.

So it comes as little surprise that Lottie Moss turned up to show her support at Naomi's Fashion For Relief party in Cannes on Sunday night.

The 19-year-old made sure she stood out from the very star-studded crowd as she flashed her underwear in a sheer grey dress and Bvlgari jewellery.

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She Moss be feeling brave: Lottie flaunted her underwear in a very sheer dress at Fashion For Relief event in Cannes on Sunday night

The midi lace number had artfully placed ruffles at the front, but the dress became all the more revealing from the back.

Showing off her toned legs, the pretty blonde looked over her shoulder at photographers as she made quite the impression.

She walked tall in a pair of nude strappy sandals as she headed to the party, which was also attended by Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Heidi Klum.

Working it: Showing off her toned legs, the pretty blonde looked over her shoulder at photographers as she made quite the impression

Sharing the FROW: Lottie posed with her good friend Cami Morrone inside the venue

Hello, darling! Lottie was later seen greeting British Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton inside the star-studded event

Wearing her locks in a poker straight style and wore a slick of ruby red lipstick.

There was no sign of her on-off beau, Made In Chelsea star Alex Mytton.

The fashion show and auction launched Diesel's Child At Heart collection - a collaboration with the charity - to raise money for Save The Children.

Plenty to smile about: Lottie and Cami were deep in conversation with the sportsman as they mingled inside the bash

What a woman: Naomi is fronting the twelfth Fashion For Relief event which sees her pool together her international showbiz resources to host the show that will see her and a bevy of other items donated by some of the world's most well-regarded fashion houses

Turning heads: Naomi strutted along the runway in a stunning layered dress cut at the shoulder to display her perfectly toned arms

Naomi is fronting the twelfth Fashion For Relief event which sees her pool together her international showbiz resources to host the show that will see her and a bevy of other items donated by some of the world's most well-regarded fashion houses.

She founded the charity 12 years ago and has previously used her status to help fight against Ebola and help out following natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

According to Vogue, this year's proceeds will enable Save the Children to provide life-saving food, shelter and medical treatment to children around the world, including those who have been affected by the conflict in Syria.

So A-list: Kendall Jenner was also present, wearing a very dramatic top with a train and Daisy Dukes

Oh Bella! Hadid was also present wearing a show-stopping silver embellished gown
One of the contestants from the upcoming series of The Bachelorette is already causing controversy before the show has even premiered.

Bryce Powers angered some fans of the reality show when he gave his thoughts on dating on the ABC website.

The 30-year-old firefighter answered some questions in his biography on the site, including one that has angered the LGBT community.

Asked what his biggest date fear is, Bryce replied: 'The chick is actually a dude.'

Bryce Powers, a contestant on the new series of The Bachelorette has angered some members of the LGBT community with a comment about his fear of finding out a woman is trans on a date

The comment sparked a backlash on social media as users expressed their anger at Bryce's insensitive answer.

Ru Paul' Drag Race winner Sharon Needles wrote: 'Bryce from the Bachelorette's biggest fear is trans women who are attempting to conceal their birth sex. I see why yer single, douche bag.'

But one of the most scathing comments came from Emmy nominated writer Jen Richards, who tweeted: 'Dear Bryce, on behalf of trans women I can assure you: none of us want to date your bland preppy 1980's teen movie villain rhombus ass. xo'

Scathing: Ru Paul' Drag Race winner Sharon Needles didn't hold back

Ouch: Jen Richards had less than complimentary words

Another user, comedy writer Alise Moralez, gave her thoughts on the matter

Alise Morales, a comedian, wrote: 'Lol thats funny my biggest date fear is finding out he was once a contestant on the bachelorette,'

ABC has now removed the comment from its website and a spokesperson said: 'This comment does not reflect the views of ABC, Warner Horizon or bachelorette Rachel Lindsay.'

Fans will get to see whether Bryce is just as charming in person as series 13 kicks off on Monday.

Texas lawyer Rachel Lindsay, 31, revealed during a press call that she got engaged to one of her handsome 31 suitors when starring on The Bachelorette.

Taken! Texas lawyer Rachel Lindsay has already revealed she got engaged when starring on The Bachelorette which premieres on Monday

Nice guys: The beauty has 31 men to choose from during the show that will air this summer

The bad boy? 'Maybe he's not here for the right reasons,' the show's host, Chris Harrison said of 30-year-old suitor DeMario

The beauty told reporters during the ABC Upfronts that shes 'very much engaged.'

She would not name the guy or even drop a hint.

But she did say she was not settling. 'If I had a list he would check everything off,' added the ABC star.

She's in love: 'If I had a list he would check everything off,' added the ABC star. The show begins on Monday

Lindsay first competed on Nick Viall's 21st season of The Bachelor before being eliminated in his finale three.

She had told the 34-year-old she was in love with him. He is now engaged to Vanessa Grimaldi.

'Every morning I wake up and pinch myself,' she added.

'I want us to get the chance to get to know each other. Maybe it will be quick. Maybe it will be a longer engagement like Shawn [Booth] and Kaitlyn [Bristowe]. We just really want to get to know each other.'

This comes one day after her suitors were revealed.

Coy: 'Every morning I wake up and pinch myself,' she added. 'I want us to get the chance to get to know each other. Maybe it will be quick. Maybe it will be a longer engagement,' she said

Among this year's contestants is DeMario, 30, who may be at a bit of an advantage after first meeting Rachel on After The Final Rose, following her appearance on the last season of The Bachelor.

But according to a Facebook Live video featuring the hit show's host, Chris Harrison, 'Maybe he's not here for the right reasons.'

Another contestant who has a past with Rachel is Fred, 27.

Fred first met the 31-year-old lawyer when she was his summer camp counselor back when he was at school, and according to the show's 45-year-old host, he still carries a torch for her.

There's also Jonathan, 31, who describes his occupation as 'Tickle Monster' - despite actually working as a doctor.

Another contestant with a somewhat interesting occupation is Lucas, 30.

So much to absorb: Also this week new art from the show was released and the suitors were named by ABC

The handsome contender describes his occupation simply as 'whaboom.'

'It's hard to explain. It's a lifestyle. It's an essence. It's who he is. It's a noun, it's a verb. It's an adverb. You'll understand night one,' offered Chris.

'Some of you are going to love him, some of you are going to love to hate him, and some of you are just going to hate him.'

And while Kenny, 35, may have a tough exterior, Chris says, he 'probably cries more than anyone this season.'

The professional wrestler is also a dad to a little girl, and Chris describes him as 'a softy'.
Karl Stefanovic's father alleges the Today host considered leaving his wife Cassandra Thorburn long before their split was announced last year.

Alex Stefanovic, who has a difficult relationship with the Channel Nine star, told New Idea: 'From what I know, it was a strained marriage'.

The 70-year-old, who is divorced from Karl's mother Jenny, claims his son confessed his marital problems to him 'in the early 2000s'.

'It was a strained marriage': Karl Stefanovic's father alleges the Today host considered leaving his wife Cassandra Thorburn long before their split was announced last year. Pictured in 2012

Alex said: 'From what I know, it was a strained marriage and had been for a long time.

'Karl came to see me in the early 2000s and said, "Marriage is too hard, it's all over." He was going to move in with me, but he returned and they reconciled.'

In September, it emerged Karl and Cassandra had separated after 21 years of marriage.

Months later, the 42-year-old began dating LA-based model Jasmine Yarbrough, 33.

Channel Nine declined to comment on Monday.

Moving on: In September, it emerged Karl and Cassandra had separated after 21 years of marriage. Months later, he began dating model Jasmine Yarbrough (right)

'He was going to move in with me, but they reconciled': Alex Stefanovic, who is divorced from Karl's mother Jenny, claims the TV star confessed his marital problems 'in the early 2000s'

Speaking to New Idea, Alex also said he 'had nothing to do with' his sons Karl and Peter Stefanovic anymore.

Despite these claims, he did attend Peter's wedding to Today newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys in early April.

'We're done. I won't see Karl or his brother Peter again in this life, maybe the next. I have nothing to do with either of them.'

Alex claimed Karl, who is friends with billionaire James Packer, is 'embarrassed' by his father because he is 'poor', 'fat' and 'bald'.

Family feud? Alex also told New Idea he 'had nothing to do with' his sons Karl and Peter Stefanovic (left) - despite attending Peter's wedding to Sylvia Jeffreys (right) in April

On the guest list: Alex (far left) apparently sat in the third row at the Kangaroo Valley ceremony

He maintained they have not spoken much 'for 10 years', and that Karl and Peter 'sided' with their mother following the divorce.

Karl previously told The Sydney Morning Herald of his parents' separation: 'When they split up, it was pretty hard.

'Probably for a couple of years I had a fair bit of angst. I wasn't young but still... it was a big thing.'

Heartbreak: Alex alleges he and Karl have not spoken much 'for 10 years' and that his famous sons 'sided' with their mother Jenny Stefanovic (right) following their divorce
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Fashion For Relief marked its twelfth charity event at the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday night and brought with it a star-studded catwalk.

Fashion's most iconic models stormed the runway as Fashion For Relief founder Naomi Campbell launched Diesel's Child At Heart collection - a collaboration with the charity - to raise money for Save The Children.

The show made for an eye-popping display thanks to its risque ensembles, with Bella Hadid, 20, commanding attention in a semi-sheer mini dress that teased a look at her white pants underneath.

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Storming the catwalk: Bella Hadid, 20, commanded attention as she, Kate Moss, 43, Heidi Klum, 43, and Kendall Jenner, 21, made for an eye-popping display on the runway at Fashion For Relief's 12th charity event held in Cannes on Sunday night

After striking a series of poses on the red carpet, Bella was then seen flaunting her model credentials in front of Fashion For Relief's A-list audience in her scanty number.

She looked sensational in the barely-there design that left her lengthy pins on display as she made her way along the catwalk in a pair of strappy metallic stiletto heels.

Bella wore her brunette tresses down in a bluntly straight style to frame her face and she looked every inch the international model as she made sure all eyes were transfixed on her.

The younger sister of Gigi Hadid was joined by iconic British supermodel Kate Moss, 43, who stole the show in a slightly more demure getup than her fellow models.

Risque: The model looked sensational in the barely-there design that left her lengthy pins on display as she made her way along the catwalk in a pair of strappy metallic stiletto heels

While it may have covered up more of the star's enviable frame, it still made for a revealing display as Kate's bandeau mini dress that featured a fringed hemline struggled to contain her ample assets as she took to the stage to do what she does best.

She wore a tailored blazer that blended two colours and featured metallic pink satin lapels while covered entirely in embellishments.

It's thigh-grazing hemline put Kate's slender pins on full view and she slicked her blonde tresses back from her face while donning a sultry look as she paraded her Atelier Versace two-piece for those in attendance at the charity bash.

Iconic: Model Kate Moss worked a more demure outfit for her strut down the runway - although it still made sure to put the fashion forward star's assets and famous pins on full view

Stealing the show: She wore a tailored blazer that blended two colours and featured metallic pink satin lapels while covered entirely in embellishments, along with a matching mini dress that boasted a fringed hemline

Heidi Klum, 43, meanwhile, left little to the imagination as she showcased an unusual barley-there skirt that comprised of a waistband with long-line jewelled embellishments attached all the way around.

They helped to protect the beauty's modesty as her catwalk attire stole a look at her netted white pants she had been wearing underneath.

She teamed her statement piece with a plain white tee that read 'Canned Candies' as she stormed the runway with her fellow models while donning a pair of nude heels on her feet.

Catwalk style: Heidi Klum, meanwhile, flashed her white pants underneath a barely-there skirt that comprised of a waistband with long-line embellishments attached all the way around

Kendall Jenner, meanwhile, sported multiple looks on the runway first stepping out in a pastel pink ethereal floor-length gown that gathered in a number of layers at her feet before falling out into a pleated train.

Her shoulder-grazing tresses had been left poker straight and she later emerged in a vibrantly colourful ensemble.

It comprised of a canary yellow mini playsuit that skimmed the Keeping Up With The Kardashian star's thighs, and a sequinned sheer wrap dress that was thrown on top.

Elegant: Kendall Jenner, meanwhile, sported multiple looks on the runway first stepping out in a pastel pink ethereal floor-length gown that gathered in a number of layers at her feet before falling out into a pleated train

Vibrant: She later emerged in a colourful ensemble that comprised of a canary yellow mini playsuit that was hidden underneath a sequinned wrap dress

Russian supermodel Natasha Poly kept in line with the scanty theme that oozed through the runway show, as she stepped out in an incredibly chic feathered mini dress.

Just like the many other show-stopping ensembles that featured on the night, Natasha's frock featured intricate embellishments and sat eye-wateringly high up on her thighs while plunging down to her waist with its neckline.

It's exposing design not only drew attention to her statuesque pins but teased a hint of cleavage too.

She kept her blonde locks slicked back in a side parting, tucking her lengthy tresses behind her shoulders as she dazzled while taking centre stage.

Stylish: Russian supermodel Natasha Poly kept in line with the scanty theme that oozed through the runway show, as she stepped out in an incredibly chic feathered mini dress

Leading lady: Naomi Campbell dazzled in a different light as she ditched the show's prevalent daring getups for a striking number of her own

The evening's leading lady Naomi Campbell dazzled in a different light as she ditched the show's prevalent daring getups for a striking number of her own.

The British model was clad in dramatic black and red floor-length gown that featured cape detailing that travelled down from her chest to reach the floor.

And her catwalk attire certainly turned heads thanks to its striking design of a face that was emblazoned across its middle.

Naomi had fronted the twelfth Fashion For Relief event which saw the model pool together her international showbiz resources play host to the runway show.

It saw her and a bevy of others don items donated by some of the world's most well-regarded fashion houses.

Chic: Erin O'Connor stormed the runway alongside Naomi and co, sporting two very different looks - including one feathered frock that sheathed her slender frame

Doing it for the boys: Male model Jordan Barrett also took to the catwalk donning a pair of leather trousers along with a biker leather jacket that sported mismatched denim panels

Working with the charity, Naomi has previously used her status to help fight against Ebola and help out following natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

According to Vogue, this year's proceeds will enable Save the Children to provide life-saving food, shelter and medical treatment to children around the world, including those who have been affected by the conflict in Syria.

Fashion For Relief was founded by the supermodel twelve years ago back in 2005.

Those in attendance at this year's charity event held in Cannes including Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton, The Revenant actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Uma Thurman, Victoria's Secret models Jourdan Dunn and Sara Sampiano, Kate's younger sister Lottie Moss and shamed retail billionaire Sir Philip Green.

Fashion For Relief: Bella, Kendall and their modelling pals donned charity inspired tees thanks to the charity's collaboration with Diesel to hammer home the great cause the catwalk show had been in aid of

Supermodels with a cause: Fashion For Relief was founded over a decade ago back in 2005, with founder Naomi using her status to help fight against Ebola and help out following natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina

Success! Naomi Campbell fronted the twelfth Fashion For Relief event which sees her pool together her international showbiz resources to host the show

Joint effort: She and her army of models donned items donated by some of the world's most well-regarded fashion houses

Princess Beatrice and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, also put in an appearance overseas at the bash, as did Sadie Frost and her partner Darren Strowger and Lady Victoria Hervey.

Following a successful show, the stars of the catwalk then slipped into yet more glamorous ensembles to celebrate the good cause their performance had been in aid of.

Naomi looked just incredible as she flaunted her svelte physique, along with her sculpted shoulders, in an ethereal halter-neck dress that emphasised her cleavage and boasted a daring split high upon her thigh.

She wore her raven-hued locks down in a sleek and straight style and made sure to strike up a pose with her leading stars of the night Bella and Kendall, before cuddling up to Lewis Hamilton.

Prepped and ready: Bella was spotted getting her locks seen to backstage as she prepared to take to the runway

Celebratory outfit change: Following a successful show, the stars of the catwalk then slipped into yet more glamorous ensembles to celebrate the good cause their performance had been in aid of

Smile! Naomi made sure to grab a photo with Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton who had been watching on from the audience

Meanwhile, as Bella decided to don the same embellished Roberto Cavalli gown she had graced the red carpet in ahead of Fashion For Relief's runway show, Kendall sported her fourth look of the evening.

She had previously arrived in a racy pair of Daisy Dukes and a statement one-sleeved Alexandre Vauthier top that boasted a dramatic train, but following her catwalk stint, the reality star chose a glitzy Francesco Sconamiglio slip dress that left plenty of skin on show.

The girls were more than happy to cuddled up together for photographers inside the party and flashed huge smiles as they posed.

Close pals: As Bella decided to don the same embellished Roberto Cavalli gown she had graced the red carpet in ahead of Fashion For Relief's runway show, Kendall sported her fourth look of the evening

A plethora of outfits! Kendall was seen sporting an intricate grey slip dress as she hung out backstage at Fashion For Relief

Their amicable appearance comes after Kendall recently opened up about her relationship with Bella and revealed the girls had been friends long before she had become close to Bella's older sister Gigi.

Speaking to photographer Mario Testino for one of his podcasts, the beauty explained she finds it 'funny' that people don't realise she and Bella have been close friends for several years - long before they shared the catwalk.

She said: 'Gigi and I just started getting close when we started modelling, but Bella and I were actually really good friends since high school, and hung out everyday in high school before either of us started working.

'It's just funny because a lot of people don't know that Bella and I have been friends for like five or six years.'

The duo joined Kate Moss at Fashion For Relief's after-party and once more, the model stalwart stole the show thanks to her sartorial choice.

Turning heads: Kate Moss made for a busty display as she graced Fashion For Relief's after party in an intricately cut-out floor-length gown that featured a pleated dropped skirt and unusual twisted collar

Kate made for a busty display in her dramatic black gown that emphasised her bust, thanks to its minuscule neckline that sat just above the frock's intricately cut bodice that teased a look at Kate's nude frame underneath.

It feature a pleated skirt that dropped down from the tops of her thighs and an unusual twisted collar that only drew attention back to Kate's assets.

Her blonde locks had been swept back into a neat up-do and she finished off her post-catwalk look with subtle make-up and a statement pair of silver earrings.

Kate's appearance in Cannes comes after she recently launched her very first jewellery line in collaboration with Ara Vartaninan.

Model behaviour: Lottie Moss was seen directing a sultry pose in the direction of the camera as she sat alongside Argentine-American model Cami Morrone who made for a dazzling sight in a red tailored suit that she paired with a ribbed bandeau underneath

Simply stunning: Jourdan Dunn made for a glittering appearance in her form-fitting Jonathan Simkhai jumpsuit that was entirely embellished - it featured a choker collar and an eye-watering plunging neckline

Old school glamour: Uma Thurman, 47, channeled old Hollywood glamour at the bash as she stepped out in a dazzling feathered gown that featured a thigh-high split

Fancy seeing you here! She was spotted greeting The Avengers actor Jeremy Renner with a warm welcome - he had stepped out at Cannes Film Festival on Saturday to promote his new movie with Elizabeth Olsen titled Wind River

Beautiful: Portuguese beauty Sara Sampaio was seen rubbing shoulders with Fashion For Relief's attendees including Princess Beatrice - who had arrived at the event fresh from Pippa Middleton's wedding on Saturday

Family affair: Princess Beatrice - who had opted to wear a regal royal blue skirt - was joined by her mother Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson

Smile! Shamed retail billionaire Philip Green, 65, attended with his wife Tina Green and their daughter Chloe - who had appeared on E4 reality show Made In Chelsea for a short stint having previously dated original cast member Ollie Locke

While Kate skipped out on the red carpet earlier in the evening, the show's other modelling stars made sure to stun on their arrival.

Bella had looked incredible in a silver embellished strapless number, which flashed her underwear and left her prominent tan lines on display - no doubt thanks to her many sunbathing sessions she has indulged in while overseas in the South of France.

But it was the semi-sheer skirt of her dress that stole attention, as it teased a look at the catwalk star's lengthy pins underneath, a long with her nude underwear that she had donned underneath to protect her modesty.

Supermodels with a cause: Bella flashed her underwear as she joined Kendall, Naomi and Heidi on the red carpet prior to their catwalk show

She swept her newly trimmed locks back from her face in a chic up-do, leaving the front sections of her bonce loose to frame her face.

Bella finished off her red carpet ensemble with a subtle yet glamorous make-up and she made sure to showcase her model credentials by striking up a series of poses on her arrival to the charity event.

She was joined by her good pal Kendall, who wore a show-stopping black one-sleeved Alexandre Vauthier top that boasted a very dramatic train which fell down to the floor and trailed behind her.

Having a bit of trouble there? Bella grappled with her very sexy semi-sheer dress as she posed for pictures

Every angle: She looked flawless as she posed in various different ways, showing how her outfit flattered her body perfectly

On one side it featured a huge puff-ball sleeve, leaving the other arm bare as its neckline lowered into a bandeau style.

Kendall showed off her long legs in a pair of racy Daisy Dukes and accessorised her thigh-grazing denim shorts with a glittering belt.

She wore a pair of killer court shoes that only drew further attention to her enviable pins, as she posed with one hand on her hip while working the red carpet.

Her raven-hued mane was styled in a poker straight fashion - parting in the middle - and Kendall chose to emphasise her natural beauty by keeping things minimal when it came to her make-up.

Unbelievable: Kendall wore a show-stopping black strapless top which had a very dramatic train which fell down to the floor and trailed behind her

Working it: She showed off her long legs in a pair of racy Daisy Dukes and wore a pair of killer court shoes as she posed with one hand on her hip, as her hair was styled in a poker straight fashion

Come and join me: Kendall beckoned to a pal to come and pose with her as she took her star turn

Smiling: It was clear to see why Kendall has become one of the most in demand models in the world

Host Naomi wore a nude coloured Atelier Versace gown which had intricate embellishments around the shoulder and a very racy thigh-split which showed off her statuesque legs.

She giggled on the red carpet as she flirted up a storm with gathered photographers, as she prepared to take centre stage for the evening's goodwill bash to do all she can to help the cause.

The British model has been working flat out for the style-studded charity event that took place amid the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival.

During an appearance on ITV's Loose Women earlier this month, Naomi shared an insight into her busy schedule as she confessed she had pulled an 'all-nighter' prior to her live interview while busy making important phone calls on behalf of Fashion For Relief.

Iconic: Naomi looked incredible in her nude gown as she posed up a storm ahead of the night's events

Warm welcome: Organiser Naomi looked delighted to see Queen Rania on the red carpet as she greeted her in a friendly embrace in front of onlookers

She explained that she had been in touch with important contacts over in Los Angeles - who are eight hours behind London time - meaning she was left to have only one hour's of sleep.

Naomi was joined by her good friend, Heidi, who wore a super short lace mini dress which had a plunging neckline an puff-ball sleeves.

Her hair was styled in a slicked back, half-up fashion as she accessorized with hoop earrings and a metal clutch.

The model's bronzed legs were fully on display and only elongated further by Heidi's choice of nude strappy heels.

As she posed on her arrival, she looked stunning from every angle.

Showing her support: Heidi also looked incredible, opting for a super short number and strappy heels for the event

Gorgeous: The model's hair was styled in a slicked back, half-up fashion and she accessorized with hoop earrings and a metal clutch while putting her lengthy pins fully on display

Lady Victoria Hervey, meanwhile, dazzled as she graced the red carpet in a stunning fringed gown that featured an extremely daring bodice that was completely transparent.

Going braless underneath the risque design, the model stole a glimpse at her assets as she paraded a hint of under-boob underneath strategically placed pretty white detailing on either side.

The dress then flowed into a floor-length skirt that sheathed Victoria's slender frame and hid her peep-toe heels that she had donned on her feet for the evening.

The socialite swept her blonde locks back into a voluminous style, leaving her long lengths to fall past her shoulders at the back.

Sensational: Lady Victoria Hervey, meanwhile, dazzled as she graced the red carpet in a stunning fringed gown that featured an extremely daring bodice that was completely transparent

Beauty: The socialite swept her blonde locks back into a voluminous style, leaving her long lengths to fall past her shoulders at the back

19-year-old Lottie - the younger sister of iconic supermodel Kate Moss - appeared to get the memo for daring ensembles and stepped out in another dress that made for a revealing display.

Her feathered Ermanno Scervino bandeau gown caressed the starlet's svelte physique and stole a look at her bare legs underneath - thanks to its partially sheer skirt that sat just below the knee.

The model's frock made sure to draw attention to her pert behind too, with its statement detailing that was perfectly placed on her derriere and Lottie teamed her getup with a stylish pair of strappy nude heels.

On the beauty front, she opted for sleek and straight locks, adding a pop of colour to her red carpet attire with a slick of rouge lipstick.

On trend: Lottie - the younger sister of iconic supermodel Kate Moss - appeared to get the memo for daring ensembles and stepped out in another dress that made for a revealing display

Quirky: Her feathered bandeau gown caressed the starlet's svelte physique and stole a look at her bare legs underneath - thanks to its partially sheer skirt that sat just below the knee

Model Natasha had cut a sensational figure - before parading her pins on the runway - in a layered black lace dress and patent court heels.

Her outfit choice featured peplum detailing that flowed outwards from her waist, along with a pretty hemline that sat just above her ankles.

She too sported a slicked look when it came to her mane and opted for a striking statement necklace to jazz up her all-black ensemble.

Beautiful: Russian supermodel Natasha cut a sensational figure in a layered black lace dress and patent court heels

Stunning: She too sported a slicked look when it came to her mane and opted for a striking statement necklace to jazz up her all-black ensemble

Natasha was joined by fashion designer Donatella Versace, 62, who looked just incredible in a fringed floor-length dress that included cut-out detailing underneath the bust.

She left her platinum blonde locks down in a tousled style and finished off her look with a nude-hued lipstick and dramatic eye make-up.

Anna Cleveland, Isabeli Fontana and Jasmine Sanders continued to bring the glamour to the red carpet as they put on a sartorially savvy display prior to the evening's much-anticipated show getting underway.

Stand-out: Donatella Versace, 62, looked just incredible in a fringed floor-length dress that included cut-out detailing underneath the bust
Palestinian demonstrators run for cover during clashes with Israeli forces following a protest in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails, in the West Bank village of Bait Djan, near the city of Nablus, on May 19, 2017

Dozens of Palestinians were hurt on Friday in the occupied West Bank and Gaza during clashes with Israeli forces after marches backing hunger-striking prisoners, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said.

Both the Red Crescent and the health ministry in Gaza said protesters were injured by tear gas, rubber bullets and live fire.

Thousands of people demonstrated in various parts of the West Bank, occupied since 1967 by the Israeli army, and near the security barrier that seals off the Gaza Strip, AFP journalists said.

For more than 10 years, the coastal territory of Gaza has been under a rigorous Israeli blockade designed to contain the Hamas Islamist movement which controls it.

Gazans regularly challenge Israeli soldiers guarding the concrete and metal barrier that separates it from the Jewish state.

A Palestinian protester hurls a teargas canister back at Israeli soldiers during clashes near the border fence east of Gaza City on May 19, 2017

Hundreds of Gazans waving Palestinian flags approached the barrier on Friday and threw stones and burned tyres, photographers said.

The health authorities in the enclave said eight people were wounded by bullets and around 30 suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.

In the southern West Bank, around 1,500 people protested in Hebron, and clashes were also reported in other towns and villages.

The Palestinians were demonstrating in support of hundreds of prisoners in Israeli jails who have been on hunger strike since April 17, demanding better conditions.
Former US Congressman Anthony Weiner appeared Friday in federal court in New York where he pleaded guilty to one count of sending obscene messages to a minor

Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former US Congressman, estranged husband of one of Hillary Clinton's closest aides and former candidate for New York mayor pleaded guilty on Friday to sexting a school girl.

The 52-year-old Weiner, wearing a dark suit and tie, broke down repeatedly -- sobbing, sniffing and wiping his brow -- while reading out a statement attesting to his guilt in a Manhattan federal court.

Weiner, once a rising talent in the Democratic Party, admitted to sending explicit photographs and messages to a 15-year-old high school girl last year as his wife worked on Clinton's presidential campaign.

He surrendered to the FBI on Friday morning and was released on bail after agreeing to turn in his passport, limit his travel to New York and continue mental health treatment.

"I am guilty your honor," he said. Speaking through tears, his voice cracking and his words at times inaudible, he apologized to all those he had hurt and for the "great devastation to family and friends."

"I knew it was morally wrong and unlawful," Weiner told the court, stopping to wipe his brow, sniff and sip water from a bottle.

"I have a sickness but I do not have an excuse," he said. "I apologize to everyone I have hurt."

He pled guilty to one count of transferring obscenity to a minor. The crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison but those who enter a plea deal typically receive much lighter sentences.

US government prosecutors are seeking a jail term of 21-27 months for Weiner, who as part of his plea bargain will have to register as a sex offender.

District Judge Loretta Preska said Weiner would have to meet a probation officer for a pre-sentencing report. As part of the plea deal he also has to surrender an iPhone.

Weiner, who put up a $150,000 bond, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8.

"Weiner's conduct was not only reprehensible, but a federal crime, one for which he is now convicted and will be sentenced," said acting Manhattan US Attorney Joon Kim.

He used online messaging and video chat applications to communicate knowingly with a teenager, sending her obscene material and directions to engage in sexual conduct and sexually explicit images.

Wife Huma Abedin announced their separation last August after The New York Post published sexually suggestive photographs that he shared with a woman while his four-year-son apparently slept nearby.

Weiner was forced to resign his seat in Congress in 2011 after a similar scandal in which he admitted to exchanging sexually explicit pictures and messages with at least six women.

Last fall he was caught up in Clinton's email scandal when hundreds of thousands of emails were apparently found on his laptop.

As a result the FBI effectively re-opened its probe just weeks before the presidential election, a fact that Clinton has said played a key role in her shock defeat to Donald Trump.
US photographer Stanley Greene is pictured at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2010

American war photographer Stanley Greene, who won five World Press Photo awards, died in Paris on Friday aged 68, the Noor Images agency he co-founded said.

Greene passed away in a hospital in the French capital after a long illness, Noor Images's managing director Clement Saccomani said.

"He passed away surrounded by his friends," Saccomani told AFP of Greene, who was unmarried and had no children.

The New York-born photographer was a member of the Black Panthers in his youth and an anti-Vietnam War activist before producing "Western Front", a portrayal of San Francisco's punk scene in the 1970s and 1980s.

Greene later turned to photojournalism and moved to Paris in 1986. By chance he was on hand to record the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

He went on to photograph wars in Chechnya, Iraq, Darfur, Afghanistan, Kashmir and Lebanon among others.

"He was currently working on a project on Russia, a road trip looking at Russia 100 years after the revolution," friend and fellow photographer Kadir van Lohuizen told AFP.
Cloud Computing #2 ridden by Javier Castellano (L) beats Classic Empire #5 ridden by Julien Leparoux to win the 142nd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland

Cloud Computing charged from behind on the backstretch Saturday to edge Classic Empire and win the 142nd Preakness Stakes, spoiling the Triple Crown hopes of Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.

Oddsmakers favorites Always Dreaming and Classic Empire were side-by-side out of the gates at Pimlico and battled for the lead through the final turn, where Always Dreaming faded and Classic Empire surged more than two lengths ahead.

But Cloud Computing, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Javier Castellano, chased him down and captured the 1 3/16ths of a mile US flat racing classic by a head in 1:55.98.

"It's a dream come true, the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifices," Brown said.

Classic Empire, the Derby favorite who settled for fourth in muddy conditions two weeks ago at Churchill Downs, settled for second in perfect weather at Baltimore, Maryland, with 30-1 longshot Senior Investment third, 4 1/2 lengths back.

Always Dreaming finished eighth in the 10-horse field, 13 1/2 lengths adrift, to end his bid at capturing the US equine thoroughbred Triple Crown by sweeping the Derby, Preakness and next month's Belmont Stakes.

Cloud Computing, who went off at 13-1 odds compared for 2-1 for Classic Empire, was only the second horse in modern Preakness history to win with three or fewer prior starts.

He was just the fourth in 34 years to win the Preakness after not racing in the Kentucky Derby, a move by design to boost the colt's chances in the shorter Preakness.

"Running a fresh horse was part of our strategy," Brown said. "Our strategy was to let them come out with two weeks rest and we have six and it worked."

Castellano was thrilled to ride his second Preakness winner, his first in 11 years.

"I'm very excited. He gave me a great run," the veteran jockey said. "We've been working a long time for this moment. It's special. Chad gave me a lot of support. I'm so happy."

Brown, 38, said Castellano followed the plan to perfection, staying behind Always Dreaming before making the late charge.

"He rode an excellent race," Brown said. "Everything lined up."

As for running Cloud Computing at the Belmonth Stakes in three weeks, Brown was non-committal, saying, "We're going to talk about it and what happened here. It's possible."
Ousted South Korean leader Park Geun-Hye is due to go on trial Tuesday over the spectacular corruption scandal that brought her down

Ousted South Korean leader Park Geun-Hye is due to go on trial Tuesday over the spectacular corruption scandal that brought her down, the country's third former president to appear in the dock.

The fallen head of state will be taken from the detention centre where she is being held to Seoul Central District Court, setting the stage for the final act of the drama that has engulfed her.

As well as conservative Park and the multi-billionaire businessmen who allegedly bribed her, the controversy's cast list includes the daughter of a shaman, plastic surgeons, and an Asian Games gold medallist fencer turned male karaoke host, among others.

As revelation after revelation emerged last year, millions of people took to the streets to demand her removal, culminating in her impeachment by parliament and sacking this March by the country's top court.

Soon afterwards she was detained and indicted.

Her stunning downfall -- when she was elected in 2012 she secured the highest vote share of any candidate in the country's democratic era -- capped months of political upheaval in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

The trial is expected to last for months, and could shed new light on the ties between Park and the bosses of the family-run conglomerates who allegedly bribed her, among them Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong and Lotte chairman Shin Dong-Bin.

It comes only two weeks after the country last week elected left-leaning former human rights lawyer Moon Jae-In -- who lost the 2012 poll to Park -- as her successor.

Tuesday's opening session will be Park's first public appearance since she was taken into custody in March, and hundreds of people flocked to the court to enter a lottery for seats in the public gallery.

"Public interest in the trial is huge. It is the first trial of a former president for more than two decades," said Kim Byung-Min, a Seoul political commentator and professor of public administration at Kyunghee University.

Park, 65, is the third former South Korean leader to stand trial for corruption following Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo, who served jail terms in the 1990s for charges including bribery and treason.

"It will be a momentous moment after months of political chaos and power vacuum," said Kim. "The whole country will hold their breath to watch the trial unfold."

- Deep-rooted problems -

Ousted South Korean president Park Geun-Hye goes on trial at the Central District Court in Seoul on Tuesday

Park faces 18 charges including bribery, coercion and abuse of power for offering policy favours to tycoons who bribed her secret confidante at the heart of the scandal.

The friend, Choi Soon-Sil, the daughter of a shadowy religious figure who was Park's mentor for years, is accused of using her presidential ties to force top firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations which she then used for personal gain.

Park is also accused of letting Choi, who has no title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including senior nominations and even her daily wardrobe choices.

Choi is currently on trial for bribery and abuse of power, as is Samsung's Lee, accused of bribing her in exchange for policy favours from Park.

Park has denied all wrongdoing, blaming Choi for abusing their friendship.

Park grew up in the presidential palace as the daughter of late dictator Park Chung-Hee, who ruled from 1961 until his assassination in 1979, and rose to power largely on the back of his continuing popularity among the aged voters who benefited from rapid economic growth under his tenure.

His mixed legacy of economic growth and political repression has been a subject of heated debates for decades.

One of the key charges against Park -- often accused of echoing her father's authoritarian streak -- is abuse of power for ordering a "blacklist" of artists who voiced criticism of her in a bid to starve them of state subsidy.

The scandal also highlighted the cosy and corrupt ties between the country's business and political elites that have endured for decades -- another legacy of Park Chung-Hee's rule.

It triggered greater calls to reform the powerful family conglomerates known as chaebol, that had long been criticised for running their global businesses with little scrutiny from regulators and investors.

New president Moon tapped into the renewed anger on the campaign trail and has nominated a prominent chaebol critic as new head of the powerful anti-trust watchdog agency.

Park's trial is seen as issuing a verdict on "many of the deep-rooted problems" clogging the country's economy and politics, Chun Yu-Ok, a former senior lawmaker of Park's party, wrote on her blog.

"The trial should be the first step in our rejection of the dark, corrupt past and the opening of a new era with a fair and just society," she wrote, "and a stern lesson that no one -- however powerful -- can be above the law".
Google's artificial intelligence programme AlphaGo will face the world's top-ranked Go player, China's 19-year-old Ke Jie, in a contest expected to end in another victory for rapid advances in AI

It's man vs machine this week as Google's artificial intelligence programme AlphaGo faces the world's top-ranked Go player in a contest expected to end in another victory for rapid advances in AI.

China's 19-year-old Ke Jie is given little chance in the three-game series beginning Tuesday in the eastern Chinese city of Wuzhen after AlphaGo stunned observers last year by trouncing South Korean grandmaster Lee Se-Dol four games to one.

Lee's loss in Seoul marked the first time a computer programme had beaten a top player in a full match in the 3,000-year-old Chinese board game, and has been hailed as a landmark event in the development of AI.

AI has previously beaten humans in cerebral contests, starting with IBM's Deep Blue defeating chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1997, but AlphaGo's win last year is considered the most significant win for AI yet.

Go is considered perhaps the most complex game ever devised, with an incomputable number of move options that puts a premium on "intuition."

Proponents had considered it a bastion in which human thought would remain superior, at least for the foreseeable future.

AlphaGo's triumph fuelled hopes of a brave new world in which AI is applied not only to driverless cars or "smart homes", but to helping mankind figure out some of the most complex scientific, technical, and medical problems.

"AlphaGo's successes hint at the possibility for general AI to be applied to a wide range of tasks and areas, to perhaps find solutions to problems that we as human experts may not have considered," Demis Hassabis, founder of London-based DeepMind, which developed AlphaGo, said ahead of this week's matches.

AI's ultimate goal is to create "general" or multi-purpose, rather than "narrow," task-specific intelligence -- something resembling human reasoning and the ability to learn.

- Sci-fi nightmare? -

But for some, it conjures sci-fi images of a future in which machines "wake up" and enslave humanity.

Physicist Stephen Hawking is a leading voice for caution, warning in 2015 that computers may outsmart humans, "potentially subduing us with weapons we cannot even understand."

Ke faces AlphaGo on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Ke is a brash prodigy who went pro at 11 years old, has been world number one for more than two years, and has described himself as a "pretentious prick".

After AlphaGo flattened Lee, Ke declared he would never lose to the machine.

"Bring it on," he said on China's Twitter-like Weibo.

But he has tempered his bravado since then.

Ke was among many top Chinese players who were trounced in online contests in January by a mysterious adversary who reportedly won 60 straight victories.

That opponent -- cheekily calling itself "The Master" -- was later revealed by DeepMind to have been an updated AlphaGo.

"Even that was not AlphaGo's best performance," Gu Li, a past national champion, told Chinese state media last week.

"It would be very hard for Ke to play against it, but then again, Ke has also been working extremely hard to change his methods in preparation. I hope he can play well."

Go involves two players alternately laying black and white stones on a grid. The winner is the player who seals off the most territory.

AlphaGo uses two sets of "deep neural networks" containing millions of connections similar to neurons in the brain.

It is partly self-taught -- having played millions of games against itself after initial programming.
Asia-Pacific trade ministers meeting in Hanoi agreed Sunday to attempt to resuscitate a massive free trade pact thrown into doubt by a Donald Trump-inspired US pullout, as fears rumble of a new global era of protectionism

Asia-Pacific trade ministers agreed Sunday to attempt to resuscitate a massive free trade pact thrown into doubt by a Donald Trump-inspired US pullout, as fears rumble of a new global era of protectionism.

The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership covered 40 percent of the global economy before Trump abruptly abandoned it in January as part of a campaign pledge to save American jobs he says have been sucked up overseas.

But key remaining members of the pact are desperate to keep the deal alive, believing it will lock-in free trade as well as boost labour rights and environmental protections.

The charge is being led by Japan, New Zealand and Australia who are leading the so-called TPP 11.

After an early morning huddle in Hanoi, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay told reporters that the TPP 11 "are committed to finding a way forward to deliver" the pact.

Trade representatives agreed to help the United States to rejoin the deal at any time, pinning hopes on a U-turn in American policy.

"We very much expect the full participation of all countries that negotiated TPP from the start, and we will consider a mechanism to ensure (that)," said Vietnam's Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh, who co-chaired the meeting.

Spearheaded by former US president Barack Obama, the far-reaching TPP -- which notably excludes China -- would have rewritten the rules of 21st century trade.

The deal goes further than most existing free trade pacts, with labour laws, environmental protections and intellectual property rights touted as a new gold standard for global trade.

It promised to transform smaller economies such as Vietnam by carving out unprecedented access to the world's top economies.

But Trump denounced the deal as a "job killer" and a "rape" of American interests.

His administration has instead vowed to seek bilateral trade deals with partners.

- Balance of power -

The deal was also seen as a way to counter Beijing's regional economic dominance.

Reviving the TPP, even without the heft of the world's biggest economy, would still provide ballast against China, analyst Alex Capri told AFP.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay (C) speaks to reporters in Hanoi May 21, 2017 after a meeting of Asia-Pacific trade ministers which agreed to attempt to resuscitate a massive free trade pact thrown into doubt by a Donald Trump-inspired US pullout

"The Chinese would not be particularly pleased to see the TPP go ahead even without the United States," said Capri, a senior fellow and professor at the National University of Singapore.

He did not rule out the eventual return of the United States to the TPP, noting that Trump has "flip-flopped" on other campaign positions in a headline-grabbing first few months in office.

The TPP ministers met on the sidelines of a gathering of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in preparation for a November summit of global leaders.

Newly-appointed US trade chief Robert Lighthizer attended the two-day gathering, where he was scheduled to meet one-on-one with several ministers, including from China, Canada and Mexico.

The Reagan-era trade veteran has been tasked with renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) -- another deal Trumped promised to pull out of, though he later backpedalled after speaking to the leaders of Canada and Mexico.

The Trump administration has said it is seeking bilateral agreements over sweeping free trade pacts, and is pushing for fair trade with partners, not just free trade.
Beijing has banned Chinese tour groups from going to South Korea over a US anti-missile shield on the Korean peninsula, hurting Seoul's tourist industry

Slapping import bans on products like mangoes, coal and salmon has long been China's way of punishing countries that refuse to toe its political line.

But Beijing has shown that it can also hurt others by cutting a lucrative Chinese export: tourists who normally flock to South Korea or Taiwan.

China's recent boycott of South Korea over a US anti-missile shield on the Korean peninsula signals a growing aggression in the way it flexes its economic muscles, analysts say.

Beijing has banned Chinese tour groups from going to the South, hammering its tourist market and the duty-free shops of retail giant Lotte Group, which has been targeted for providing land for the controversial defence system.

Dozens of Lotte stores were closed in China and protests held across the country as Beijing ramped up pressure on Seoul to abandon the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which it sees as a threat to its own military capability.

Lotte also suffered setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures -- from the government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyberattacks on company websites.

"If you don't do what Beijing's political leaders want they will punish you economically," said Shaun Rein, founder of Shanghai-based China Market Research Group.

"They put the economic vise on politicians around the world. They have been doing it for years and it works."

Seoul-based tour operator Korea-China International Tourism has reported an 85 percent drop in tourists in recent months, which its founder attributes to China's anger over THAAD.

The company usually receives 4,000 mostly Chinese visitors a month, but that has fallen to around 500 after Beijing warned tourists about the risks of travelling to the South, and ordered Chinese tour operators to stop sending groups there.

- 'Carrot and stick' -

As the world's second-largest economy and biggest trader, China can also inflict pain by blocking certain imports.

Chinese people stand outside a closed Lotte store in Jilin in northeast China. China has boycotted South Korea over a US anti-missile shield on the Korean peninsula

Norway learned that lesson the hard way. After the Oslo-based Nobel Committee awarded the 2010 Peace Prize to jailed Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo, China halted Norwegian salmon exports.

Relations only returned to normal in April after Oslo pledged its commitment to the one-China policy and respect for China's territorial integrity.

Mongolia also incurred Beijing's wrath in November when it allowed the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who China views as a devious separatist, to visit the impoverished landlocked country.

Following the exiled Buddhist monk's visit, China reportedly took punitive measures against Mongolia, including stopping trucks carrying coal from crossing the Chinese border -- a move with heavy repercussions for Mongolian mining concerns.

Tourism to Taiwan has also fallen sharply as relations across the strait worsen.

The Taipei Hotel Association reported decreases of up to 50 percent in Chinese visitors in recent months and warned "the situation could get worse".

"I've been told by friends not to visit Taiwan since the cross-strait situation is tense but I am just a regular citizen so I am not too worried about that," a 58-year-old Chinese man surnamed Liu said in a Taipei duty free shop.

Countries that submit to China's demands, however, can find themselves rewarded.

A ban on 27 Philippine tropical fruit export companies was lifted after President Rodrigo Duterte declared his "separation" from the United States during a visit to Beijing in October, confirming his tilt towards China.

The sanctions had been intended to punish Manila for its South China Sea stance.

South Korea will be hoping for a similar outcome after its new President Moon Jae-In dispatched his envoy Lee Hae-Chan to China after his election victory last week, in an apparent effort to mend fences with Beijing.

"It's a kind of carrot and stick policy. They (China) are doing it to show they have more leverage now and send a signal," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor in political science at Hong Kong Baptist University.

"The irony is that China has criticised that way of doing things but now China is less hesitant to do the same thing because she's stronger and feels she can do it."

- Filling the void -

Analysts expect China to become even more assertive as it seeks to fill the vacuum created by the US retreat into "America First" policies promoted by President Donald Trump.

"Smaller nations (in Asia) don't feel that Trump is going to support them," said Rein.

But in the case of South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, Beijing has been careful to target specific sectors to avoid disruption that could backfire on Chinese companies.

"It has become a well-developed tool of diplomatic pressure," said Andrew Gilholm, director of analysis of Greater China and North Asia at Control Risks.

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US President Donald Trump trails controversy in his wake as he begins his first trip abroad since taking office

US President Donald Trump heads for Israel and the Palestinian territories Monday as part of his first trip abroad since taking office, hoping to renew peace efforts but with controversy trailing him.

The unpredictable president arrives having already upturned expectations when it comes to the decades-old Middle East conflict, giving Palestinians more hope than they may have anticipated and disappointing right-wing Israelis who heralded his election.

He has spoken of reaching "the toughest deal to make", one that has long bedevilled US presidents, vowing "we will get it done".

But he is also contending with a raft of problems back home, including a special counsel investigating whether his associates colluded with Russia.

Any leader would face an enormous challenge in seeking to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together for meaningful talks, and Trump's inexperience and domestic political struggles will only add to it.

Trump visit to Europe and Middle East

Beyond that, Trump has faced criticism from Israelis in recent days related to the White House's approach to the ultra-sensitive status of Jerusalem.

Concerns have also been raised over Trump's sharing of intelligence with Russia said to have originally come from Israel.

"I think the trip's in a lot of jeopardy being able to be productive because of all the chaos and controversy that's going on in Washington," Dan Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel under Barack Obama and now a senior fellow at Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies think tank, told AFP.

- 'Palestinians are cautious' -

Trump arrives in Israel on Monday afternoon following his visit to Saudi Arabia, where Washington announced a huge $110-billion arms deal with Riyadh, and will hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day in Jerusalem.

Donald trump is expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray and located in east Jerusalem

He is expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray and located in east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed.

Israel sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

On Tuesday, he visits Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

After a visit later Tuesday to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, he is due to give a speech at the Israel Museum.

Trump has sent mixed signals about how he will approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution when he met Netanyahu at the White House in February.

At that meeting, he said he would support a single state if it led to peace, delighting Israeli right-wingers who want to see their country annex most of the West Bank.

At the same time, he urged Israel to hold back on settlement building in the West Bank, a longstanding concern of Palestinians and much of the world.

He also held face-to-face talks in Washington with Abbas earlier this month, confidently predicting that a peace agreement was within grasp.

Trump advocated during his campaign breaking with decades of precedent and moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a prospect deeply alarming to Palestinians.

He has since backed away, saying the move was still being looked at.

Trump's seeming openness to at least some of Abbas's concerns has given Palestinians more reason for hope than many may have expected, but still reason to remain wary, some analysts say.

"The Palestinians are cautious since Trump's position is not clear and seems to be still developing," said Palestinian political scientist Ghassan Khatib.

"Trump's early days led to worry, so now with the help of other Arab countries they want to balance Trump's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

- 'Blame game' -

On the Israeli side, Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in the country's history, and members of his coalition were elated with Trump's election.

Some even called for an end to the idea of Palestinian state.

Trump's actions since have left them disappointed, with the embassy remaining in Tel Aviv -- at least for now -- and the White House seeking to restart peace efforts.

Even if Trump can see beyond his domestic political troubles and focus on moving peace efforts forward, he will have to overcome the constraints of both Netanyahu and Abbas.

The 82-year-old Palestinian leader has grown unpopular, while Netanyahu will have difficulty making significant concessions that his right-wing base will accept, many analysts say.

"Neither side wants to be in the position of saying no to him, and that does give him some leverage," Shapiro said.

"But it's still an uphill effort for an administration that is still new to these issues, relatively inexperienced and with parties who are very well-practised in positioning for the blame game rather than trying to work toward a common goal."
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South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Sunday announced his picks for finance and foreign ministers while appointing a former diplomat as his top security advisor for his new government.

Moon announced during a televised press briefing that he appointed former vice finance minister Kim Dong-Yeon as deputy prime minister and finance minister, while a UN senior adviser on policy Kang Kyung-Wha was named as the foreign minister.

Kang, who has been working at the United Nations since 2006, was the best candidate poised to "raise the status of our diplomacy by with her abundant experience on the international stage and strong initiative", said Moon.

"She has often been referred to as the first and the best female foreign affairs expert so it is significant in terms of gender equality in the Cabinet as well," he added.

As his national security advisor, Moon appointed Chung Eui-Yong, a former diplomat-turned-lawmaker who acted as his top foreign policy advisor during his campaign for the presidency.

While the post is traditionally held by a military official, Moon said: "In the face of North Korea's nuclear threats, I believe the role of diplomacy is ever more important for our security."

The South Korean president also named Moon Chung-In, an honorary professor at Seoul's Yonsei University, and Hong Seok-Hyun, former head of mass-circulated JoongAng Ilbo daily, as his special advisors for diplomatic and security issues.

"The two advisors will discuss with me the new government's diplomatic and security policy direction," Moon said.

Left-leaning Moon favours engagement with North Korea to bring it to the negotiating table, but after a recent missile launch said dialogue would be possible "only if Pyongyang changes its behaviour".

The new leader also begins his term facing multiple domestic challenges, including the aftermath of the huge corruption scandal that saw his conservative predecessor Park Geun-hye impeached and swept him to power, but left the country bitterly divided.
A census worker collects information from a Christian woman in Lahore's Youhanabad neighbourhood on March 28, 2017. Religious minorities hope Pakistan's first census since 1998 will be a step towards greater political representation and rights

Marginalised, attacked and frequently hit by blasphemy charges, Pakistan's religious minorities are hoping the country's first census since 1998 will be a step towards greater political representation and rights.

In the congested Lahore district of Youhanabad, the largest Christian neighbourhood in Pakistan, activist Sajid Christopher says his community looks forward to standing up and being counted.

"The census will benefit us in two ways. Firstly we will be able to know about our exact population as so far there has been only guesswork," he told AFP.

"Secondly, our representation in parliament will be according to our population as our present representation in the democratic system is based on the census of 1981," he added.

Fast-growing Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, with an estimated 200 million people, but has not held a census for nearly two decades, despite a constitutional requirement for one every decade.

The count was delayed for years by politicians squabbling over the potential implications.

Estimates are approximate and disputed, ranging from two to 10 million for Christians, and 2.5 to 4.5 million for Hindus.

Christopher's views were echoed by Nancy Stiegler, an advisor for the UN Population Fund who called the census a "powerful tool for planning" not only for minorities, "but all the population of Pakistan".

This desire for more accurate data goes to the heart of the controversy surrounding the census: that it will redraw political boundaries and force a redistribution of resources.

- Fear of being outed -

The process is not without complications -- and not all religious minorities are eager to make themselves known.

Pakistan's Ahmadis, a minority Islamic sect declared non-Muslims by law for their belief in a prophet after Mohammed, number an estimated 500,000 and are victims of persecution and violence.

Barriers on the road leading to an Ahmadi mosque at Rabwah in Punjab, Pakistan. Banned from even calling themselves Muslim, Ahmadis find themselves in a dangerous position when census officials arrive asking them to declare their religion

Banned from even calling themselves Muslim, they find themselves in a dangerous position when census officials arrive asking them to declare their religion.

When a Balochistan resident identified himself as Ahmadi to Pakistani census officials, they chased him out of the mosque where they had gathered families to be counted, Saleemuddin, a spokesman for the community, told AFP, without identifying the man for safety reasons.

In other cases, he said, census officials simply assume the Ahmadis are Muslim because their names are indistinguishable from the general population and tick that box on their behalf. It is a potentially dangerous move.

Under Pakistan's laws, "If I declare myself as a Muslim ... I can be imprisoned for three years," Saleemuddin said.

- Low expectations -

Even those groups keen for recognition are wary, their suspicion fuelled by bitter experiences that run deep among Pakistan's minorities.

Citizens can declare themselves to be Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi or "other".

But Hindu rights activist Kapil Dev accused the government of divisiveness by having a caste option in the census, when the community believes it should be recorded as one entity, while the Sikh faith failed to make it onto the survey altogether.

Radesh Singh Tony went to court in the northwestern city of Peshawar because there was no mention of Sikhism on the form.

The court ruled in the activist's favour, ordering the government to include Sikhs -- but the count had already begun, and Radesh was not optimistic.

"The government has a record of ignoring court orders," he told AFP.

A private security guard escorts Christian priests in the congested neighborhood of Youhanabad in Lahore

And though Christopher was confident, many of his fellow Christians argued even if they are accurately counted it will change nothing until Pakistan's attitude towards non-Muslims improves.

"Muslims can't see a Christian progress, get a good education and a good job -- this is a fact," said Pervaiz Jazbi, a 37-year-old Christian shopkeeper in Islamabad.

"The element of discrimination is always there," agreed Christian student Sania Nishtar.

Saleemuddin said the Ahmadi man who fled the Balochistan mosque became the target of a hate campaign, barred even from buying food.

"He fled with his family," Saleemuddin told AFP. "He has been living in hiding ever since."
When Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank announced a global fund for high-tech investments in partnership with Saudi Arabia, founder Masayoshi Son said he was focused on the 'Internet of Things,' artificial intelligence and robotics

Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank said, with Saudi partners, it has raised nearly $100 billion in pledges to launch a major global fund for long-term, high-tech investments.

The SoftBank Vision Fund has received participation from industry titans and the likes of Apple, Qualcomm, and Taiwan's Foxconn and collected pledges totalling more than $93 billion so far, the fund said in a statement Saturday.

"The fund is targeting a total of $100 billion of committed capital, with a final close within six months," it said.

SoftBank announced its partnership with Saudi Arabia in October, with its flamboyant founder Masayoshi Son declaring that he was focused on the "Internet of Things," artificial intelligence and robotics.

Son was among the first business people to meet Donald Trump after his November election victory and pledged to invest $50 billion in the United States, winning open praise from the then-president-elect.

The announcement comes as Trump visits Saudi Arabia as a part of his first overseas tour as president.

"Technology has the potential to address the biggest challenges and risks facing humanity today," Son said in the statement.

"The SoftBank Vision Fund... will help build and grow businesses creating foundational platforms of the next stage of the information revolution," he said.

SoftBank has said it will put up about $25 billion for the Vision Fund over the next five years, while the Saudi public investment fund's contribution could reach $45 billion.
Supporters of newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dance during a gathering to celebrate his victory at the Vanak square in downtown Tehran on May 20, 2017

It was a rare night of open-air partying in Iran on Saturday as tens of thousands of supporters of President Hassan Rouhani took to the streets to celebrate his re-election.

For many, it was a chance to breathe easily again after a tense campaign between Rouhani and his hardline opponent Ebrahim Raisi.

"I'm happy and a bit relieved after a month of stress," said 27-year-old Afshin as he joined a large crowd gathered in Vali Asr Square of central Tehran.

Across the country, young men and women danced and sang together in the streets until the early hours of the morning, with many taking advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere that attends presidential elections every four years.

As well as the purple of the Rouhani campaign, many wore the green of the reformist Green Movement, which was harshly suppressed after mass protests in 2009.

"Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein," shouted the crowd in Vali Asr, combining a popular religious slogan with the name of Mir Hossein Mousavi, a reformist leader who has been under house arrest since 2011.

Cars honked amid patriotic chants as more and more people filled the streets after dark, completely blocking traffic across wealthier north Tehran.

One group screamed with joy as a young boy threw batches of Rouhani photos into the air.

Others held posters of former president Mohammad Khatami, who has been banned from appearing in the media for supporting the Green Movement.

- 'Reform, freedom and progress' -

"I'm very happy because I've reached what I wanted, which was not Mr Rouhani himself, but the path of reform, freedom and progress," said Pegah, 25.

Many were determined to ensure Rouhani now kept his vows to improve civil liberties and reform the economy.

"In the same way we campaigned for him, we will demand he keeps his promises," said Afshin.

Videos on social media showed huge crowds in all four corners of the country.

"We didn't leave Mashhad, we took it back," chanted young people in the holy city of Mashhad, Raisi's hometown.

It was a direct rebuke to Mashhad's Friday prayer leader -- and Raisi's father-in-law -- Ayatollah Ahmad Allamolhoda who last year banned concerts and told young music-lovers to "Go somewhere else".

A video spreading widely on social media even seemed to show a large impromptu rave breaking out in the northeastern city, with huge numbers dancing to techno music.

In the Azeri-speaking city of Tabriz in northwest Iran, crowds performed folk dances and local songs at a packed stadium as teenagers waved lighters in the air, while in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, it was the drum-heavy Bandari music that got thousands of revellers dancing.

The police were largely powerless to control the exuberance, and despite a few scuffles, no arrests were reported.

In Tehran's Vali Asr Square, police tried in vain to disperse the crowds, saying they lacked a permit to gather, only to back down when the numbers became too great, and let the party continue.
The widow of the Islamist movement Hamas' killed military commander Mazen Faqha speaks alongside the group leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on May 11, 2017

A court in the Gaza Strip on Sunday sentenced three men to death over the assassination of a Hamas military commander that the Islamist movement accused Israel of masterminding.

After a trial that lasted four days, two of the accused were sentenced to be hanged and one to be shot, the military court announced.

The assassination of Mazen Faqha in the middle of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip in March shocked the Islamist movement and raised the possibility of a new round of violence with Israel.

Hamas immediately blamed its arch-enemy, with which it has fought three wars since 2008, and implemented strict border restrictions on those seeking to leave the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has not confirmed or denied the accusations.

In Sunday's court ruling, the chief suspect, Ashraf Abu Leila, 38, was sentenced to hang after being convicted of murder.

The others were identified only as Hisham A., 44, who was also sentenced to hang, and Abdallah N., who was to face the firing squad. They were convicted of collaborating with Israel.

Faqha had been in charge of forming cells for Hamas's military wing in the occupied West Bank.

He had spent years in an Israeli jail before being released as part of a 2011 prisoner exchange deal.
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A Bahraini court on Sunday sentenced revered Shiite cleric Isa Qassim to a suspended one-year jail term for illegal fundraising and money laundering, a judicial source said.

The criminal court handed down the same verdict to two of the cleric's aides, Sheikh Hussein Mahrus and Mirza al-Obaidli, the source said, adding the sentences were suspended for three years.

The prosecution also announced the sentences without naming Qassim, adding they were each fined 100,000 dinars ($265,140) and that the court ordered the confiscation of the funds they raised.

It said in a statement carried by the BNA state news agency that it was considering appealing the sentence.

Qassim, 76, remains at his residence in the village of Diraz, outside Manama, where supporters have held a sit-in since June when he was stripped of his citizenship.

At the time, authorities accused him of abusing his position as a cleric to "serve foreign interests and promote... sectarianism and violence."

Hundreds of Shiites protested on Saturday in villages near the capital, brandishing posters of Qassim ahead of the verdict, witnesses said.

The cleric, who is considered the spiritual leader of the Shiite majority community of Bahrain, went on trial in July.

The attorney general said at the time that he had deposited more than $10 million in his private bank account.

He allegedly kept other amounts in cash to avoid legal controls, the attorney general said, accusing Qassim also of purchasing properties worth more than one million dinars ($2.65 million) in an attempt to legitimise the funds.

The two other defendants are Sheikh Hussein Mahrus and Mirza al-Obaidli.

Bahrain has been shaken by unrest since security forces crushed Shiite-led protests demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister in 2011.

Despite repeated calls from their Western allies, Bahrain's rulers have made no concessions to the Shiite opposition and have intensified a crackdown on critics.

The strategic Gulf kingdom is a key regional ally of the United States and serves as home for its Fifth Fleet.
US President Donald Trump walks away after posing for a group picture with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh on May 21, 2017

US President Donald Trump held talks on Sunday with leaders of the oil-rich Gulf monarchies, a day after Washington told their arch rival Iran to dismantle its "network of terrorism".

The meeting on the second day of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, part of his first foreign tour since taking office, came hours before the US president is scheduled to address an Arab Islamic American Summit.

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council posed for a photo with Trump before they walked into their meeting.

In the meeting, GCC leaders and Trump agreed on a memorandum of understanding to establish a centre to combat the financing of terrorism, Saudi official news agency SPA reported.

The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all of which are traditional allies of Washington.

Most GCC monarchies accuse Tehran of meddling in their internal affairs and want Washington to be tougher with Iran, which secured a landmark nuclear deal with world powers when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama was in office.

They consider Tehran to be a destabilising factor in the region.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday demonstrated a tougher position on Tehran, saying multi-billion-dollar defence deals signed with Riyadh aim to protect Saudi Arabia from a "malign Iranian influence."

In a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, Tillerson urged newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to dismantle his country's "network of terrorism" and end "ballistic missile testing."

Trump, accused of using anti-Muslim rhetoric on the election campaign trail, is later expected to tell Muslim leaders of his "hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam".
US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks in Riyadh, on May 21, 2017

US President Donald Trump told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday during talks in the Saudi capital that he would soon visit Egypt.

"We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," Trump said at the beginning of bilateral talks with Sisi, hours before the US president is scheduled to address an Arab Islamic American summit.

Trump praised US relations with Egypt, describing the talks with Sisi as "very very important".

"We've really been through a lot together positively," he said.

Trump said that "safety seems to be very strong" in Egypt, which has seen deadly bombings and attacks on Christian Copts and security forces in past months.

Responding through an interpreter, Sisi said: "Egypt is secure and stable and is going very well with the cooperation of the United States.

"You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible," Sisi said, addressing Trump.

"I agree!," the billionaire president responded as everyone laughed.
Last week Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile named the Hwasong-12 its longest-range missile yet, according to analysts.

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Sunday, the latest in a series of launches which have sparked international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions.

The US, South Korea and Japan sharply denounced the launch and jointly requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the matter.

Uruguay, which holds the council's presidency, scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, just a week after the council had met to discuss an earlier launch.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described the latest launch, the 10th this year, as "disappointing" and "disturbing," but rejected a suggestion that the US strategy to tackle North Korea was not working.

The missile, described by Washington as medium-range, was fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province and traveled about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, according to the South's armed forces.

"Our military is closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military and we are keeping a full military readiness," said a statement from Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The launch came just one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang flew almost 800 kilometres and was capable of carrying a "heavy" nuclear warhead.

Analysts said the Hwasong traveled farther than any previous ballistic missile launched by the North.

The May 14 launch was seen as a significant step forward as the North accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.

The launches, and a threatened sixth nuclear test, have fueled tension with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed that such an ICBM launch "won't happen."

He warned that no option is off the table in dealing with the North's weapons program, although Washington has so far opted for sanctions and diplomatic pressure, while looking to China, the North's closest ally, to step up economic pressure on Pyongyang.

Tillerson said the effects of these measures had yet to take fully effect.

"I think we are early in the game of putting pressure on them, and one could also interpret that perhaps they are just acting out now in response to some of this pressure," he said in an interview with Fox News Sunday.

US allies South Korea and Japan issued sharp criticism of the latest missile test.

Seoul's foreign ministry slammed the "reckless and irresponsible" firing as "throwing cold water on the hope and longing of the new government and the international community" for denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula.

South Korea's incoming left-leaning government has taken a more conciliatory line with Pyongyang than its conservative predecessors, but has reacted strongly to the latest two missile tests.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the missile launches "trample on efforts by the international community towards a peaceful solution and are a challenge to the world," Kyodo News reported.

The US Pacific Command said it tracked the missile until it landed in the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

"US Pacific Command stands behind our ironclad commitment to the security of our allies in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan," it added in a statement.

Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across South Korea and Japan.

With an imputed range of 4,500 kilometers the Hwasong-12 also puts US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach.

- 'Many more' missiles -

The May 14 launch was seen as a significant step forward in the North's weapons capabilities

The Security Council met behind closed doors last Tuesday to discuss tightening sanctions on North Korea after its May 14 launch.

US ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States was working with Beijing on a new sanctions resolution and warned that all countries must step up action against North Korea or face measures themselves.

The North says it needs missiles and nuclear weapons to deter any attack by the United States, and state newspaper Minju Joson on Sunday threatened more launches.

"If the US persists in confrontation with the DPRK (North Korea), the latter will show how the crime-woven history of the US is put to an end," it said.

"Many more 'Juche weapons' capable of striking the US will be launched from this land. This is the DPRK's answer to the Trump administration," it said, referring to the national philosophy of "Juche" or self-reliance.
Analysts say Rouhani, a long-time regime insider, may be better placed than his predecessors to carry out reforms

After his re-election triumph, President Hassan Rouhani must now grapple with a fiercely hostile United States and hardliners at home as he struggles to build a more moderate and connected Iran.

Iran's entrenched conservative establishment -- particularly in the judiciary and elite Revolutionary Guards -- remain deeply suspicious of Rouhani's talk of civil liberties and building ties with the West.

"The non-elected institutions will try to prevent Rouhani from applying his reform agenda," said Clement Therme, Iran analyst for the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"So he will focus on the economic side. If the daily lives of the population improve, he will be in a stronger position to push for structural reforms on civil rights."

Fixing the economy will not be easy. Despite a nuclear deal with world powers, Washington still maintains a raft of sanctions that are scaring off global banks and foreign investors.

US President Donald Trump has gone further, threatening to tear up the nuclear deal and visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend, where he signed a $110 billion arms deal described as targeting "malign Iranian influence" in the region.

Nonetheless, European and Asian governments are determined to keep the nuclear deal alive and take full advantage of the lucrative investment opportunities in Iran.

They are cheered by Rouhani's victory over hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, who had threatened a tougher, more insular approach to foreign relations.

"A lot of investors I hadn't heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already booking their tickets," said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation after results were announced on Saturday.

"Dr Rouhani will more aggressively pursue his economic agenda -- investing in factories, production and absorbing foreign capital. I think he'll make his cabinet younger and more agile," he said.

- 'A smarter politician' -

Challenging the security forces, which control large swathes of the economy and need Iran's resources as a source of patronage, will be tough.

Supporters of newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani carry his portrait in downtown Tehran on May 20, 2017

And Rouhani notably failed to win the release of jailed opposition leaders or prevent the arrest of several dual nationals by intelligence services outside his control.

Many fear his second term could mirror that of reformist president Mohammad Khatami in the early 2000s, when every attempt at reform was frustrated by the hardline establishment.

But Rouhani, a long-time regime insider, may be better placed than his predecessors, said politics professor Foad Izadi, of Tehran University.

"Rouhani has shown himself to be a smarter politician than Khatami was," said Izadi.

"He's been part of the system long enough to know how to navigate it. Khatami was more ideological which reduced his ability to get things done."

Crucially, Rouhani's technocratic approach has allowed him to co-opt key conservatives such as parliament speaker Ali Larijani.

"The alliance with Larijani has been very helpful to Rouhani in getting his ministers and policies approved. That will continue to be crucial in his second term," said Izadi.

- Next supreme leader? -

The big long-term question is whether Rouhani can influence the rise of the next supreme leader after the death of the ageing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Raisi, touted as a possible successor, is now out of the running, said Izadi.

This weekend's election has given a clear indication that Iran's youthful population support President Hassan Rouhani's vision for the future

"Maybe he will come back in four years, but with this type of showing we can rest assured that Raisi will not be the next supreme leader. The leader must show popular support."

But with hardliners firmly in control of the Assembly of Experts that will choose the next leader, Rouhani and his allies have little influence over the succession.

Nonetheless, this weekend's election has given a clear indication that Iran's youthful population supports his vision for the country's future.

"Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group.

"They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country's predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations."
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the incident in Kabut, which is the latest in a series of assaults on aid workers in Afghanistan

A German aid worker and an Afghan guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped as gunmen stormed an international guest house in Kabul, officials said Sunday, underscoring rising insecurity in the war-torn country.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack late Saturday on the guest house run by Swedish charity Operation Mercy in the heart of the Afghan capital.

In further violence roiling the country, 20 Afghan policemen were killed early Sunday when Taliban fighters stormed their outposts in the southern province of Zabul, as the insurgents escalate their annual spring offensive.

The interior ministry confirmed the brazen Kabul attack, the latest in a series of assaults on aid workers in Afghanistan.

"A Finnish lady was kidnapped... last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter.

Authorities in Helsinki confirmed the development, saying they had contacted the family and employer of the kidnapped person and were investigating the incident in coordination with their counterparts in Kabul.

"At the moment, the identity of the kidnappers in not known. Finland urges immediate release of the kidnapped person," the Finnish foreign ministry said in a statement.

Operation Mercy's director Scott Breslin told Swedish news agency TT that he was holding a crisis meeting over the incident.

"We know that she's missing, we will send out a press release later," Breslin said in a brief statement.

Operation Mercy works with local Afghan communities in areas such as reducing infant mortality and women's empowerment.

The kidnapping of foreigners has been on the rise, but the threat of abductions is even greater for Afghans.

Kabul is plagued by criminal gangs who stage abductions for ransom, often targeting foreigners and wealthy locals, and sometimes handing them over to insurgent groups.

- Stinging blow -

The violence spotlights the worsening security in Afghanistan, which is in the grip of an insurgency waged by the Taliban and other groups.

German aid worker and police officers killed in Afghanistan

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the coordinated attack in Zabul's Shah Joy district, another stinging blow to NATO-backed Afghan forces.

Local officials made desperate calls to Afghan television stations because they were unable to get hold of senior authorities to seek help, highlighting the disarray in the ranks of security forces.

"This morning, a group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints, killing 20 policemen," provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal told AFP.

A district official told AFP that at least 15 others were wounded in the fighting.

Insurgents also mounted rocket attacks on the governor's office, the police headquarters and an army brigade in the provincial capital Qalat, officials said.

The insurgents' strength is growing more than 15 years after they were toppled from national power by the US-led invasion of 2001.

Taliban fighters dressed in army uniforms and armed with suicide vests attacked a military base outside the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif last month, killing at least 135 policemen and soldiers.

Taliban militants launched their annual "spring offensive" in late April, heralding a surge in fighting as the US tries to craft a new Afghan strategy and NATO considers sending more troops to break the stalemate.

Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in violence in recent years.

Judith D'Souza, a 40-year-old Indian employee of the Aga Khan Foundation, a prominent NGO that has long worked in Afghanistan, was rescued last July nearly a month after she was abducted near her residence in central Kabul.

Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped in April last year in the city of Jalalabad near the border with Pakistan. Wilson was released in March this year.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, DC February 15, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he will discuss peace efforts with US President Donald Trump when he visits this week, while the Israeli cabinet considered economic gestures toward the Palestinians.

Trump landed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for his first foreign tour since taking office. He visits Israel and the Palestinian territories on Monday and Tuesday.

"I will discuss with President Trump ways to strengthen even further the first and strongest alliance with the US," Netanyahu said at the start of his weekly cabinet meeting.

"We will strengthen security ties, which are strengthening daily, and we will also discuss ways to advance peace," he said.

Netanyahu also noted the significance of Trump's first presidential overseas trip including a visit to "Jerusalem, the capital of Israel," after Trump seemed to have backed away from his campaign pledge to relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967 in a move never recognised by the international community.

It later annexed east Jerusalem and considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

Members of Netanyahu's government were set to discuss and approve a series of measures related to Palestinians in the West Bank.

The new measures were seen as confidence-building steps ahead of Trump's visit.

Netanyahu's office would not provide details on the measures, which were reportedly to include more building permits for Palestinians in the West Bank.

Most of the West Bank is entirely under Israeli control and Palestinians face extremely long odds in being granted building permits in those areas, while Israeli settlement building has meanwhile continued.

Transportation and Intelligence Minister Israel Katz however said that Israel "wanted to improve the lives of Palestinians."

"There's an intention to approve measures that would enable (Palestinian) economic development," Katz told army radio, without providing details.
Nearly 70 years after the creation of Israel, peace with the Palestinians remains a long way off

US President Donald Trump's visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Monday and Tuesday will be closely scrutinised as he seeks ways to restart peace efforts. Here are key issues:

What is the current state of the conflict?

Nearly 70 years after the creation of Israel, peace with the Palestinians remains a long way off. This year marks 50 years since the Six-Day War and the beginning of Israel's occupation. Peace efforts have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in 2014. Meanwhile, Israel and Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, have fought three wars since 2008.

Does Trump have a plan?

Trump has talked up his business experience in saying he wants to reach the "ultimate deal": Israeli-Palestinian peace. However, a detailed plan is not expected only four months after taking office. Trump is instead expected to seek ways to move the two sides closer together and build confidence, though there is widespread scepticism.

"Triggering the start of a process does not mean taking it until the end," said Palestinian political scientist Ali al-Jarbawi.

Can he bring the two sides together?

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have not had substantive direct talks since 2010. Abbas says he is ready to meet Netanyahu under Trump's peace efforts, and there has been speculation the US president could seek to arrange a meeting while in the region. Many analysts see the prospect as unlikely.

Will he commit to the two-state solution?

Trump sparked concern when he backed away from the long US commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict, saying he could support one state if it meant peace. An independent Palestinian state alongside Israel remains the focus of international peace efforts. National Security Advisor HR McMaster said Trump will "express his desire for dignity and self-determination for the Palestinians".

What role can Arab states play?

Trump arrives after a visit to Saudi Arabia, seen as essential to any peace efforts. Trump's White House has spoken of reviving the idea of a regional peace process, pulling in other Arab countries.

Analyst Ghaith al-Omari said the idea seemed to involve "key Arab States -- Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other US allies -- into a regional process that would create, as Trump called it, a 'bigger canvas' for reaching peace."

What position will he take on settlements?

Trump has been receptive to Israel's position that Palestinian leaders must do more to stop incitement to violence, including by stopping payments to the families of those who have carried out attacks and were killed or are currently in jail. But what will his position be on Israeli settlement building?

Trump has called on Israel to hold back on settlement construction, but his ambassador to Israel David Friedman has said "we have no demand for a settlement freeze".

A firm demand would put Netanyahu under pressure from his right-wing base. Israeli right-wingers rejoiced in Trump's election, believing it would allow them to move ahead with unrestrained settlement building and, for some, to move toward their goal of annexing most of the West Bank.

Will the US embassy move to Jerusalem?

Trump vowed during his election campaign to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to recognise the disputed city as Israel's capital. Such a move would break with decades of precedent. He has since backed away, saying the move was still being looked at, but there has also been speculation over whether he will make an announcement on the subject while visiting.

Who will visit the Western Wall with Trump?

Trump is expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray. It is located in east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Preparations for the visit have led to criticism from Israeli right-wingers after US officials declined to say whether the Western Wall was part of Israel. Trump is currently planning to visit without being accompanied by any Israeli officials, though there has been speculation over whether that could change.
Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion personnel on alert at the entrance to a camp in Dhaka on March 17, 2017, after an attempted suicide bomb attack

Five young Bangladeshis accused of being Islamist militants surrendered to authorities Sunday, an official said, after a lengthy siege that prompted questions about heavy-handed police tactics.

Elite counter-terror troops surrounded a one-storey house in the central district of Narsingdi on Saturday afternoon after a tip-off that Islamist extremists were holed up there.

The information came from militants arrested in April after a raid on an extremist hideout that left 10 people including a senior police officer dead, said Rapid Action Battalion spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan.

The five young men in Narsingdi had "surrendered peacefully, which was our main goal", after a siege that lasted more than 20 hours, he told AFP.

But the incident raised questions about police tactics after one of the five alleged Islamists took to Facebook to profess his innocence, urging authorities not to storm the building.

"Attention journalists and law enforcers, we are innocent. Please search us if you can find anything. We are locked from outside. Please rescue us," Abuzafar Mia wrote on the social media website.

Suspected militants in Bangladesh -- and sometimes their families -- are often killed during police raids on so-called hideouts.

An estimated 70 extremists have been killed by police since July when authorities launched a crackdown in the wake of a cafe attack that left 22 dead.

"There are serious doubts about these counter-terrorism operations and the official narratives of these raids," said one rights activist, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Nur Khan Liton, another prominent activist, said the police version of events was always provided after raids but little questioning occurred beyond that.

"Most of the alleged militants get killed in the raids. Those who are arrested are not made available to talk publicly," he told AFP, adding it was not always clear whether those killed were actually extremists.

RAB commander Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan said the accused would be released from custody if proven innocent.

"We've found some jihadi books and leaflets inside the residence. We'll interrogate them and if they are actually innocent, we'll definitely release them immediately," Hasan told AFP.

Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of attacks in recent years, with scores of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and religious minorities killed.

The Islamic State group and Al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for a number of attacks but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied their involvement, blaming local outfits instead.
Hashem Safieddine (L), head of Hezbollah's executive council, who was blacklisted by Washington and Riyadh this week, is seen paying his condolences to Ali Badreddine, the son of a top Hezbollah commander killed in Syria last year

A Hezbollah leader blacklisted this week by the United States and Saudi Arabia on Sunday branded the administration of President Donald Trump as "crazy".

Just before Trump flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday, Washington and Riyadh issued their first "joint terrorist designation" blacklisting Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's executive council.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite movement is already branded a "foreign terrorist organisation" by Washington.

"This crazy American administration (operating) under Trump will not be able to crush the Resistance," Safieddine said using an alternative name for Hezbollah, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The designation of Safieddine was announced Friday by the US State Department and confirmed by Saudi Arabia.

"As a result, any of his assets held in Saudi Arabia are frozen, and transfers through the kingdom's financial sector, are prohibited," the State Department said in a statement.

The official Saudi news agency SPA alleged Safieddine had given his organisation advice on carrying out terrorist acts and on supplying support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Safieddine, a Lebanese citizen who is in his 50s, is the head of Hezbollah's executive council, which runs the group's political affairs and social and economic programmes in Lebanon's Shiite community.

Analysts say Safieddine is spoken of as a potential candidate to succeed Hezbollah's overall chief Hassan Nasrallah, who is a distant cousin.

Hezbollah, which was set up in the 1980s by Saudi's regional ally Iran, is the only Lebanese group to have refused to lay down its arms at the end of Lebanon's 1978-1990 civil war.

The US designation order did not link Safieddine to any recent Hezbollah attacks.

But it noted the group's historical involvement in the 1983 bombing of a US Marines barracks in Beirut, a US embassy bombing in 1984, and a passenger jet hijacking in 1985.
Families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails demonstrate in front of the Red Cross offices in east Jerusalem on May 17, 2017, as hundreds of detainees begin the second month of a hunger strike

Palestinians are planning a series of actions to draw US President Donald Trump's attention to a hunger strike by hundreds of prisoners in Israeli jails when he visits this week, officials said Sunday.

Palestinian prisoners will be on their 37th day of a hunger strike when Trump meets Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday.

Some have begun refusing to drink water as well in recent days, according to supporters. A series of protests in support of them have been held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with two Palestinians killed and dozens of others wounded.

Activists are calling for a general strike throughout the Palestinian territories and among Arab Israelis on Monday.

Supporters are also planning to display three banners in English in Bethlehem addressed to Trump, his wife Melania and his daughter Ivanka, who are travelling with him.

The prisoners have made a series of demands regarding better conditions, but Israel has refused to negotiate.

"We hope that Mr. Trump will pressure Israel to accede to the strikers' demands," said activist Adel Sabanay.

Amin Shuman, who heads a support group for Palestinian prisoners and ex-detainees, said he hopes the issue will be addressed during the meeting between Trump and Abbas "because it is important in the eyes of the Palestinian street".

Hossam Zumlot, an aide to Abbas, told AFP that "all fundamental questions will be on the table in the discussions".

The Palestinian leadership "informed the American administration of the details of the strike beginning the first day," he said.

Some 6,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails for a range of crimes and alleged offences.
Hundreds of fans, including women in headscarves, cheered and snapped pictures as the participants exhibited their six-packs, thigh and shoulder muscles in the two-day male-only event organised by the Kuala Lumpur bodybuilding federation.

Their rippling muscles glistening with golden tanning cream, dozens of buff bodybuilders vied for the title of Mr Malaysia Sunday, a racy spectacle in the Muslim-majority nation.

Hundreds of fans, including women in headscarves, cheered and snapped pictures as the participants exhibited their six-packs, thigh and shoulder muscles in the two-day male-only event organised by the Kuala Lumpur bodybuilding federation.

Bodybuilder Mohamad Hakimi said he was not concerned about baring -- almost -- all for the tournament.

"I have watched a few of the competitions. While the costume conflicts with Islam, I think we should see it as a sport," said Farhana Nazri, 22, who was celebrating after her boyfriend's brother won.

Malaysia is generally regarded as a moderate Muslim country, but fears have grown in recent years that it is becoming increasingly conservative with emphasis on strict Islamic codes of conduct.

The majority of Sunday's 70 finalists were ethnic Malay Muslims.

With hot-pink shorts and hair spiked into a flame-red mohican, Mohamad Hakimi said he was not concerned about baring -- almost -- all for the tournament.

"As a Muslim, I consider bodybuilding as a sport. I do not think by exposing my skin contradicts with my religion," the 40-year-old gym instructor told AFP. "This sport keeps your physique in awesome shape."

The majority of Sunday's seventy finalists were ethnic Malay Muslims.

According to the organisers, budding female bodybuilders are only able to compete outside of Malaysia, after the country stopped hosting competitions for women in the 1990s due to religious sensitivities over their revealing outfits.

A little over half of Malaysia's 30 million population are Malay Muslims.
A member of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) fires a machine gun in the eastern coastal city of Benghazi, on March 26, 2017

Forces loyal to Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar have bombed rival forces in retaliation for a deadly attack on an airbase in the south of the country, media reported Sunday.

"Warplanes launched air strikes overnight Saturday as part of the Martyrs of Brak al-Shati operation," the LANA news agency said in reference to the airbase where at least 141 people, mostly forces loyal to Haftar, were killed on Thursday.

LANA, which is loyal to authorities based in eastern Libya, said MIG-23 jets carried out seven air strikes, targeting "terrorists in Hun and Jufra", two areas in southern Libya.

The agency, quoting Colonel Mohammad al-Manfour of the pro-Haftar Benina airbase in Benghazi, said "several weapons depots, vehicles and centres of operations" were destroyed.

On Thursday, members of the Third Force militia loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli attacked the base used by Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA).

Pro-Haftar forces said on Friday the victims included civilians who worked at the Brak al-Shati airbase or were in the nearby area, adding that summary executions took place.

LNA spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari said the soldiers were returning from a military parade unarmed, and that most of them were executed.

On Sunday, Human Rights Watch said in a statement forces aligned with the GNA "allegedly executed at least 30 captured soldiers".

"The Government of National Accord should act on its promise to investigate allegations that its troops executed opposing forces who had already been rounded up," said Eric Goldstein, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at HRW.

"The authorities need to send a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated, which means that if the allegations are true, they should try those responsible," Goldstein added.

UN special envoy Martin Kobler, the British ambassador to Libya, Peter Millet, and the European Union have denounced the assault.

On Friday, Kobler said he was "outraged by reports of significant numbers of fatalities, including civilians and by reports that summary executions may have taken place".

The unity government, the rival administration in eastern Libya and their respective backers are battling for influence in the North African country, which has been wracked by chaos since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The LNA does not recognise the authority of the GNA, and instead supports the rival authorities based in the east.
Taiwan has been invited to attend the World Health Organization's main annual meeting as an observer each year since 2009, but this year it did not receive an invitation

Taiwan voiced deep disappointment Sunday at its exclusion from a major World Health Organization meeting, and urged international pressure on rival China to ensure it has access in future.

The WHO's main annual meeting, the World Health Assembly (WHA), kicks off in Geneva on Monday, but for the first time in eight years, Taiwan will not be granted access.

"We feel very, very disappointed," Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told AFP in Geneva on Sunday.

Self-governing Taiwan, which China sees as a renegade province awaiting reunification, has been invited to attend the WHO's main annual meeting as an observer every year since 2009, but this year it did not receive an invitation.

Relations with China have become increasingly frosty since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power almost a year ago and China has sought to block the island from a string of international events.

"Each year since 2009, a cross-strait understanding has been the foundation for a special arrangement for Chinese Taipei to participate as an observer in the World Health Assembly," WHO's head of governing bodies and external relations, Timothy Armstrong, told reporters earlier this month.

"Unfortunately this year, no such cross-strait understanding exists, so there is no basis for the invitation."

As a result, Chen will not even be able to access the UN's European headquarters in Geneva, where the WHA will take place through May 31.

Taiwanese media have also been refused access to cover the event.

- Permanent observer? -

But Chen told AFP he had travelled to the Swiss city anyway to meet health ministers and diplomats from more than 30 countries on the sidelines of the meeting.

Taiwan's Health Minister Shih-chung Chen warns that leaving Taiwan out in the cold could be detrimental to global health

"We want every assistance to keep up the international pressure so that this condition will not be happening again," Chen said, refusing to say which country representatives he would be meeting.

Taiwan was expelled from the WHO in 1972, a year after losing the "China" seat at the United Nations to Beijing.

With China in the ascendant, Taiwan has shed global allies in recent decades and only 21 countries now recognise the island's sovereignty.

Even its most powerful ally, the United States, has no official diplomatic relations with Taipei.

US President Donald Trump recently rebuffed the idea of another phone call with Tsai after their protocol-busting chat following his election victory, saying he would not want to damage relations with China's President Xi Jinping.

Around a dozen representatives from countries that back Taiwan are expected to push Monday for the island to receive permanent observer status at the WHO, although there is little hope the request will be granted.

"Obtaining a permanent observer (seat) is our final goal," Chen said, acknowledging though that this was not likely to happen overnight.

"We will do it step by step," he said.

Chen said there were no plans to meet with Chinese officials during his trip to Geneva, but said that "for the health of both sides we are willing to work together if we have the chance".

He warned that leaving Taiwan out in the cold could be detrimental to global health, with international cooperation and rapid exchange of information seen as vital to halting disease outbreaks.

"We feel sorry that the welfare of human health is unnecessarily polluted by China," he said.
US President Donald Trump speaks during the Arabic Islamic American Summit at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh on May 21, 2017

US President Donald Trump made a 30-minute speech on Sunday in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on his first foreign visit since taking office.

Trump's speech, preceded by a traditional Koranic reading, held Iran responsible for global extremism, urged the international community to isolate Iran and called on Arab and Muslim states to freeze channels of funding for groups including the Sunni Muslim Islamic State and Shiite Hezbollah.

Here are key highlights:

- Trump said some $400 billion in agreements signed this weekend with Saudi Arabia would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries.

"This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defence purchase. And we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defence companies, the greatest anywhere in the world. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a far greater role in security and operations having to do with security."

- Trump said Muslim-majority states should take the lead in combating extremism: "A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out. Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

- He said: "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil."

"Of course, there is still much work to be done. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds."

- He focused on the financing of extremist groups, and announced plans for a US-Gulf agreement to "prevent the financing of terrorism called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, co-chaired by the United States and Saudi Arabia".

- Trump held Iran responsible for training armed groups in the wars in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, but drew a clear distinction between the "richness and culture" of the Iranian people and the government in Tehran.

- On Iran, he said: "The government that gives terrorists safe harbour, financial backing... The regime that is responsible for so much instability in that region. I am speaking of course of Iran. From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region... It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this very room."

- Trump called on the international community to isolate Iran: "Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it."

- On refugees, he praised Lebanon and Turkey for accommodating Syrians fleeing war at home: "This region should not be a place from which refugees leave but to which newcomers flock."

- Trump said Arab and Muslim countries had suffered the deadliest toll of radicalism.

- He asked: "Behind every pair of eyes is a soul that yearns for justice and years for peace. Today billions of faces are now looking at us, waiting for us to act on the great questions of our time. Will we be indifferent in the face of evil?"

- Trump concluded with the "promise that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others but to outstretch our hands."
New Zealand's Tom Latham, pictured in March 2017, was third out -- dismissed for 104 -- at the end of the 36th over

New Zealand captain Tom Latham led from the front with a century as his side beat Ireland by an emphatic margin of 190 runs at Malahide on Sunday to win the one-day international tri-series with a game to spare.

The Black Caps face Bangladesh in Wednesday's final match at Clontarf, when Latham will receive the trophy.

Defending an imposing 344 for six, New Zealand needed only 39.3 overs to bowl out their hosts for 154, with Matt Henry, just returned from the Indian Premier League, taking three for 36.

Ireland captain William Porterfield top scored for his side with 48 from 50 balls (five fours and a six) but when he was fourth out at the start of the 19th over for 75, the innings went downhill fast.

Niall O'Brien followed in the next over and wickets fell steadily with all six Black Caps bowlers striking.

Only a last-wicket stand of 25 between Barry McCarthy and Peter Chase, the No 11 who hit a career-best 14, delayed the inevitable.

The strength of this New Zealand team is their batting, however, and while Latham led from the front with his third ODI century, from 109 balls with eight fours and four sixes, it was the even faster scoring around him from Luke Ronchi (35 from 31) and Neil Broom (38 off 42) that was so impressive.

When Latham was third out -- dismissed for 104 -- at the end of the 36th over, with the total on 212, the Ireland bowlers enjoyed their best spell, but the entry of Colin Munro changed all that. He thumped 44 off 15 balls with three fours and four sixes in a prolific 57-run stand with Mitchell Santner. In all 72 came off the last four overs.

It was a new look Black Caps side as they also welcomed back all-rounder Corey Anderson from the IPL -- although he was restricted to 20 off 24 balls with just one six -- while Adam Milne also made his first appearance of the series.

Ireland dropped the experienced Kevin OBrien and Tim Murtagh but it yielded no improvement as they slumped to a 10th successive loss against a full member nation.

Latham was fortunate to reach his century as, 11 runs short he was caught at third man but, after the television umpire was consulted, bowler Craig Young was ruled to have over-stepped and a no-ball was called.
UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi during a press conference at the Tripoli branch of the Illegal Immigration Authority, next to its director Colonel Mohammed Beshr, on May 21, 2017

The head of the United Nations refugee agency on Sunday urged Libyan authorities to free all asylum seekers and refugees from its detention centres as he visited Tripoli.

"I hope first of all that asylum seekers and refugees can be taken out of detention centres," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said after visiting one centre in the Libyan capital.

"I fully appreciate that the government has security concerns," he said, but added that "other solutions" could be found for people fleeing countries in conflict such as Syria and Somalia.

Thousands of migrants are being held in dozens of detention centres in Libya, after being stopped or rescued from rickety boats as they attempted the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe.

"I was shocked at the harsh conditions in which refugees and migrants are held," Grandi said in a statement released on Sunday by the agency's Geneva headquarters.

"Children, women and men who have suffered so much already should not have to endure such hardship."

The UN refugee agency has secured the release of more than 800 refugees and asylum seekers from Libyan detention centres over the past year and a half, the statement said.

Grandi promised to reinforce his agency's presence in Libya if security conditions allowed it, and also to provide assistance to thousands of Libyans displaced by conflict.

"The time has come for us, as the UN refugee agency, to step up our presence and activities in the country," Grandi later told AFP.

He said that doing so could take time for political and security reasons, however.

"But meanwhile we are doing whatever we can to help the Libyans manage better these issues," he said.

Libya descended into chaos after the 2011 uprising that killed and toppled Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias vying for control of the oil-rich country.
Syrian opposition fighters and their families board a bus at a checkpoint manned by regime forces ahead of their evacuation from Waer neighbourhood, the last opposition-held district in the central city of Homs, on May 20, 2017

The Syrian regime on Sunday regained total control of the central city of Homs with the evacuation of rebels from the last area they had controlled.

The Russian-supervised evacuation of the Waer district was the latest blow to the insurgents by regime troops backed by their Russian and Iranian allies.

Since December, the rebels have lost their former bastion of Aleppo and nearly all of the areas they controlled in Damascus.

This latest setback is mostly symbolic, however, as most of the rebels had been driven out of Homs in 2014 after two years of bombardment and stifling siege.

"The last bus (with evacuees on board) has left the Waer neighbourhood," Homs provincial governor Talal Barazi told AFP.

On Saturday, he had said that 3,000 evacuees, including 700 rebels, were due to be taken out of Waer.

"There are no more weapons or armed men in Waer... we can declare Homs to be a secure city," Barazi said, referring to the rebels.

He added that the Syrian security services had now entered the former rebel bastion.

An AFP correspondent said the evacuees left on board 50 buses as more than 30 trucks packed with household belongings trailed behind.

Many rebels wore black scarves to conceal their faces, some holding light weapons authorised under the deal while families lugged suitcases and children carried toys.

"I feel like I am dying inside. I wanted to stay but I was afraid of being arrested," one rebel, who shielded his eyes behind sunglasses, told AFP.

The Russian-supervised operation began two months ago and has been carried out over several weeks.

Under the deal, opposition fighters are granted safe passage by the government out of Homs to rebel-held areas elsewhere in Syria, including the northwestern Idlib province.

Between 600 and 100 Russian soldiers will deploy in Waer to provide security for residents who still live there or for those who were displaced by fighting and wish to return home.

The evacuation of Waer will bring Syria's government closer to cementing its control over more parts of the war-wracked country.

Earlier this month, rebels also began evacuating the last districts under their control in the capital Damascus, following their defeat in second city Aleppo in December.
South African deputy president and South African ruling party African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa pictured on August 2, 2016

South Africa risks becoming a "mafia state", Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa warned Sunday, calling for a corruption probe at the top as he stepped up criticism of President Jacob Zuma.

Ramaphosa is one of the main candidates to succeed Zuma as head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) ahead of general elections expected in 2019.

For some months he has been making attacks on the president, implicated in a series of corruption scandals, notably after a controversial reshuffle at the end of March which ousted respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

"If the ANC is to recover its leadership role in society, then it is absolutely imperative that we act with urgency and purpose and make sure that we never become a mafia state," he said.

"Because once we become a mafia state all the wheels have come off," he added in a televised speech in Rustenburg in the north of the country, calling for the establishment of an independent investigation.

Zuma's sacking of Gordhan last month fanned public anger over government graft scandals, record unemployment and slowing economic growth.

It also led to two ratings agencies downgrading South Africa and triggered protests by tens of thousands of people on the streets calling for Zuma's ouster.

The opposition has tabled a new no confidence motion against Zuma in parliament, which is expected to be debated in the coming weeks.

"South Africa may be inches away from a mafia state from which there could be no return," South African Council of Churches general-secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana warned last week.

The ANC is due to elect a successor to Zuma in December, ahead of general elections in 2019.

In power since the official end of apartheid in 1994, the party of Nelson Mandela has lost some of its popularity and suffered setbacks at local elections last year, losing control of several cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Members of Lebanon's LGBT community attend a luncheon after scrapping plans for a gay pride rally fearing a backlash from conservatives and Islamists

Gay Lebanese celebrated privately Sunday the closing ceremony of the first gay pride rally in their country and the Arab world, fearing reprisals from police or Islamists.

It was part of Lebanon and the Arab world's first week-long festival to denounce discrimination against the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

Initially the Beirut Pride group wanted to organise a kind of gay pride rally in the northern coastal town of Batroun, but fearing a backlash from police they dropped the plan.

Instead they held a luncheon in a restaurant.

"We were not able to hold a real gay pride parade because the Lebanese government would not have allowed it," said Lea.

Around 40 participants instead snacked on sandwiches and sipped wine or arak as they listened to music and traded jokes.

"This is a private place where no one can bother us... we can close our 'gay pride' without pressure or threats," said Lea, speaking on the terrace of the restaurant.

She said she had been threatened with arrest.

"The police found out that I am a lesbian... after returning my stolen cell phone and reading the messages my girlfriend and I wrote to each other," she said.

"They told me they could arrest me because I was breaking the law."

LGBT activists are pushing for changes to the Lebanese Penal Code, which currently allows courts to punish "unnatural" sexual relations with up to one year in prison.

While Lebanon is considered more tolerant of sexual diversity than other Arab countries, the police regularly raid gay bars and other LGBT-friendly spaces.

Homosexuals are often the target of jokes, including on television.

Last weekend, a seminar in Beirut to promote LGBT rights was cancelled after organisers said the Association of Muslim Scholars "threatened to hold protests" at the venue.

But on Monday, gay Lebanese opened up about their lives at an "open mic" night in Beirut.

On Sunday, Beirut Pride closed its week of events marking the May 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) with a private drag show.
Yemeni supporters of the southern separatist movement wave the movement's flag during a rally calling for independence of the south, in the country's second city of Aden, on May 21, 2017

Thousands of Yemenis who back southern secession demonstrated in second city Aden on Sunday as a self-proclaimed autonomous body said it would press for the south's "liberation" from the north.

The protest was the second since May 4 when thousands of southerners marched in support of former Aden governor Aidarous al-Zoubeidi after he was sacked by President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

After being fired in April, Zoubeidi set up the South Transition Council, an autonomous body whose 26 members include the governors of five southern provinces and two government ministers.

The body chaired by Zoubeidi aims to "run the southern provinces" and "represent them inside and outside" the country.

The presidency in war-ravaged Yemen has rejected the body and said in a statement last week that "such acts remain baseless and will never be accepted".

The port city of Aden is Hadi's home town and where his government, which is battling Shiite Huthi rebels who have seized the capital Sanaa, is based.

Sunday's protesters, who flooded Aden from several southern provinces, defended Zoubeidi's council, chanting "Independence is our objective" as they marched.

The South Transition Council released a statement pledging to "pursue the mission of liberating" south Yemen -- which was an independent state until 1990 when it was unified with North Yemen.

Hadi sacked Zoubeidi on April 27 along with cabinet minister Hani bin Breik, in a move widely seen as reflecting divisions among his supporters.

The two men played key roles in restoring security to Aden and adjacent provinces after rebels were pushed out in 2015.
A general view taken on May 21, 2017, shows the Dome of Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a UNESCO heritage site, in the Old City of Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Jerusalem will always be the capital of the Jewish state, speaking ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump.

"Tonight, I say to the whole world and in the clearest way possible, Jerusalem was and will always be the capital of Israel," Netanyahu said in front of thousands of concert-goers.

"The Temple Mount and the Western Wall will always remain under Israeli sovereignty."

The Western Wall is the last remnant of the supporting wall of the second Jewish temple, built by King Herod and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

The holiest site where Jews can pray, it is in the Old City of east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognised by the international community.

It is situated below the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount.

Trump is on Monday expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall.

Netanyahu was speaking at festivities marking the 50th anniversary of Israel's conquest of east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War.

Preparations for Trump's visit have led to criticism from Israeli right-wingers after US officials declined to say whether the Western Wall was part of Israel.

The legal and diplomatic status of Jerusalem is one of the key points in the Middle East conflict.

Israel considers the entire city to be its eternal and indivisible capital, but the Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
Noel Nicolas Coypel's "The Abduction of Europa" (1726-1727), shown here at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, played a critical role in shaping American taste in 18th century French art

When Napoleon's elder brother Joseph Bonaparte was forced into exile, he brought to the United States a collection of lavish rococo and neoclassical paintings that earned enduring American fascination.

Among the works Bonaparte left behind when he returned to France in 1839 was Noel Nicolas Coypel's "The Abduction of Europa" (1726-1727), a period indulgence, complete with fleshy nudes, cherubs and a white bull basking in golden sunlight.

Bonaparte would show off this monumental work to visitors of his sprawling Point Breeze estate in New Jersey at a time when so much nudity could still offend Puritan minds in America.

In a perhaps oddly humoristic touch, the bull -- the mythological god Jupiter, who transformed himself into the earthly creature to abduct the nymph Europa -- is presented tongue out and eyes half-closed in delight.

Thomas Jefferson, too, helped fuel American interest with his earnest appreciation of works he saw at the Paris salon, especially what he called "superb" paintings by Jacques Louis David.

These and other stories of the collectors, dealers and art lovers behind the huge trove of 18th century French paintings spread across the United States are the focus of an exhibition that opened Sunday and runs through August 20 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

A visitor looks at "Portrait of Benjamin Franklin" (1778 or 1779), a friend of painter Anne Rosalie Bocquet Filleul

This first ever look at American taste for 18th French painting strays from the beaten path by showing the great variety of works from this period in an unusual grouping that prominently features women artists and even one of the first known mixed-race painters of the Western canon, Guillaume Lethiere.

A David can be as neoclassically sober and edifying as a Jean Honore Fragonard can be an opulent indulgence of the senses.

The show also reflects the elevated status American institutions have given to French women painters of the era, one that is notably diminished in their native country.

- Royal ties revered -

In entering a room dedicated to more playful and fanciful expression, painted in the pastel blue once associated with theater, Marie Antoinette's court painter Joseph Ducreux admonishes the viewer to keep quiet, his index pressed firmly against his lips in his little known self-portrait "Le Discret" (circa 1791).

Or could he have committed some grave transgression and is anxiously demanding you keep his secret? Ducreux leaves you guessing.

"We tend to have a perception of these works of art as relatively heavy or serious or purely decorative," assistant curator Yuriko Jackall told AFP.

"So being able to present them as sometimes ironic, mocking, hopefully shows a new aspect."

Francois Hubert Drouais's "Portrait of Carlos Fernando FitzJames-Stuart, Marquess of Jamaica" (1765) was long mistakenly labeled as a portrait in costume of Louis XV's last mistress, Madame du Barry

The period during which many of the works shown here came into American hands was one in which US collectors were especially keen on acquiring objects with royal connections -- ties that collectors played up, be they real or imagined.

At an American sale in 1905, the "Self-Portrait with a Harp" (1791) by Ducreux's daughter Rose Adelaide Ducreux was incorrectly presented as a work by Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun, then revered for her role as Marie Antoinette's portrait painter.

It was also a time when entire rooms were shipped across the Atlantic -- from a "Marie Antoinette Boudoir" transplanted to the Deacon House in Boston with its ceiling of Fragonard cherubs to Alva Vanderbilt's Louis XV-style white and gold New York salon featuring Francois Boucher tapestries.

In one of the more fascinating discoveries made during the five years of preparations for the National Gallery's show, Jackall and a team of researchers found that one of the museum's most beloved paintings, Fragonard's "Young Girl Reading" (circa 1770), was in fact painted over a long-lost composition.

Near-infrared and X-ray technology helped reveal a painting of a woman with a feathered headdress gazing directly at the viewer. It had previously belonged to a series of 18 known as Fragonard's "fantasy figures."
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - They were among the city's oldest landmarks, as cemented to the landscape of New Orleans as the Superdome and St. Louis Cathedral: a stone obelisk heralding white supremacy and three statues of Confederate stalwarts.

But after decades standing sentinel over this Southern city, the Confederate monuments are gone, amid a controversy that at times hearkened back to the divisiveness of the Civil War they commemorated.

The last of the monuments - a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee facing defiantly north with his arms crossed - was lifted by a crane from its pedestal late Friday. As air was seen between Lee's statue and the pedestal below it, a cheer went out from the crowd who recorded the history with their phones and shook hands with each other in congratulations. Many in the crowd had waited since morning.

Workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

"I never thought I would see this day!" shouted Melanie Morel-Ensminger with joy. "But look! It's happening."

Lee's was the last of four monuments to Confederate-era figures to be removed under a 2015 City Council vote on a proposal by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. It caps a nearly two-year-long process that has been railed against by those who feel the monuments are a part of Southern heritage and honor the dead. But removal of the monuments has drawn praise from those who saw them as brutal reminders of slavery and symbols of the historic oppression of black people.

Landrieu called for the monuments' removal in the lingering emotional aftermath of the 2015 massacre of nine black parishioners at a South Carolina church. The killer, Dylann Roof, was an avowed racist who brandished Confederate battle flags in photos, recharging the debate over whether Confederate emblems represent racism or an honorable heritage.

While Roof's actions spurred a debate in many parts of the South about whether it was appropriate to fly the Confederate battle emblem - and many places have taken it down - the reaction in New Orleans seemed to go even further, knocking away at even weightier, heavier parts of history.

Landrieu drew blistering criticism from monument supporters and even some political allies. But in explaining his reasoning, the mayor has repeatedly said they do not represent the diversity and future of New Orleans.

"These statues are not just stone and metal. They are not just innocent remembrances of a benign history. These monuments celebrate a fictional, sanitized Confederacy; ignoring the death, ignoring the enslavement, ignoring the terror that it actually stood for," he said Friday.

"After the Civil War, these statues were a part of that terrorism, as much as burning a cross on someone's lawn. They were erected purposefully to send a strong message to all who walked in their shadows about who was still in charge in this city," he added.

Of the four monuments, Lee's was easily the most prominent: The bronze statue alone is close to 20 feet (6 meters) tall. It's a bronze sculpture of Lee looking toward the northern horizon from atop a roughly 60-foot-tall column.

It's not massive like the Superdome or alluring like Bourbon Street, but Lee in his uniform was a familiar landmark for tourists and commuters alike.

Lee's removal was planned during the day, and announced in advance. Earlier removals happened after nightfall, a precautionary measure due to security concerns for contractors and workers involved in the effort. Landrieu said the change was out of safety concerns because the statue was close to electrical wires and New Orleans' famous streetcar lines.

The atmosphere Friday was almost festive as dozens of people, some with lawn chairs, came out to see what many called history in the making.

"If you can see history as it happens, it's more meaningful," said Al Kennedy, who supported the removal. Speaking of the Confederate past, he said: "It's my history, but it's not my heritage."

But others criticized the move.

"Mayor Landrieu and the City Council have stripped New Orleans of nationally recognized historic landmarks," said the Monumental Task Committee, an organization that maintains monuments and plaques across the city. "With the removal of four of our century-plus aged landmarks, at 299 years old, New Orleans now heads in to our Tricentennial more divided and less historic."

The city turns 300 in 2018.

In 2015, the City Council voted 6-1 to remove the monuments after a succession of contentious public meetings. Contractors involved in the removal process have been threatened; statue supporters sued repeatedly to keep the statues up.

At last, a court decision cleared the way for the April removal of what is likely the most controversial of the monuments - seen as an overt tribute to white supremacy. Statues to the Confederacy's only president Jefferson Davis and Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard followed in quick succession until only Lee was left.

Attention now shifts to where the monuments will go and what will take their place.

The city announced an outline of its plans late Thursday. It said it has received offers from public and private institutions to take individual monuments, so it will solicit proposals on where they will go through an "open and transparent selection." Only nonprofits and government entities will be allowed to take part, and the city said the process will not include the Beauregard statue because of legal issues.

The city said those taking the statues cannot display them outdoors on public property in New Orleans.

The city plans to leave the column at Lee's Circle intact and will mount public art in its place.

An American flag will stand where the Davis statue used to be, and the area where the Liberty Place monument used to stand "will remain as is." The City Park Improvement Association, civic groups and the city will decide what will go where the Beauregard statue once stood.

The city wants to finish the work during its tricentennial year.

__

Associated Press writers Kevin McGill in New Orleans and Jesse J. Holland in Washington contributed to this report.

Workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

CORRECTS TITLE FROM PRESIDENT TO GENERAL Workers prepare to take down the statue of Robert E. Lee, former general of the Confederacy, which stands in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. The city is completing the Southern city's removal of four Confederate-related statues that some called divisive. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers prepare to take down the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2015 file photo, the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee stands in Lee Circle in New Orleans. The city of New Orleans plans to take down the confederate statue on Friday, May 18, 2017, completing the southern city's removal of four Confederate-related statues that some called divisive. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Police motorcycles block Lee Circle as workers prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, Friday, May 19, 2017, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Onlookers watch as workers prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Onlookers watch as workers prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Fire Department superintendent, chief Timothy McConnell, center, talks to masked workers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests, as they prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Security personnel wearing a mask stands atop a hotel in Lee Circle as workers prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, Friday, May 19, 2017, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers wearing masks, helmets and bulletproof vests prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Fire Department superintendent, chief Timothy McConnell, right, talks with a masked worker wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest, as they prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Melanie Morel-Ensminger, a Unitarian minister from New Orleans, who is in favor of the removal of confederate monuments, watches as workers prepare to take down the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers prepare to take down the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Fire Department superintendent, chief Timothy McConnell, center, talks to masked workers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests, as they prepare to take down the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who commanded Confederate armies fighting the United States in the Civil War, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Quess More, form the group Take 'Em Down NOLA, talks to the crowd as workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, background, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Heather Stanfield dances in the street as workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Roscoe Adair 6, draws a heart with chalk in the street as workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A man rides a unicycle in the street as workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers wearing masks and bullet proof vests take a break as they prepare to take down the statue of former Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers prepare to take down the statue of former confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers take down the statue of former confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers take down the statue of former confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers take down the statue of former confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Workers take down the statue of former confederate general Robert E. Lee, which stands over 100 feet tall, in Lee Circle in New Orleans, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A statue of Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard is removed from the entrance to City Park in New Orleans, just after 3 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The removal of the statue comes after the city has already taken down a statue of Jefferson Davis, the Confederacy's only president, and a memorial to a white rebellion against a biracial Reconstruction-era government in the city. (AP Photo/Scott Threlkeld)

An altercation between a man in a white T-shirt, left, and a woman, right, breaks out as statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is removed from Lee Circle, Friday, May 19, 2017, in New Orleans. Lee's was the last of four monuments to Confederate-era figures to be removed under a 2015 City Council vote on a proposal by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. (AP Photo/Scott Threlkeld)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) - Oprah Winfrey advised graduates at Skidmore College to follow their "inner truth" and live a spiritual life during a commencement speech Saturday in upstate New York.

The author, actress and former talk show host spoke at the graduation in Saratoga Springs, where one of the more than 600 members of the Class of 2017 included a student who had attended her Leadership Academy.

The media mogul opened the academy in 2007 for poor girls in South Africa.

In this photo provided by Skidmore College, Oprah Winfrey speaks at Skidmore College's 106th Commencement, Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Erin Covey/Skidmore College via AP)

Winfrey is speaking at another commencement Sunday at Smith College, a women's liberal arts school in Northampton, Massachusetts. Another one of her Leadership Academy alumna will be receiving a degree there.

After receiving an honorary doctorate of letters in the arts from the private liberal arts college during the ceremony held at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Winfrey lectured graduates on some of the secrets to her success.

"I have been so blessed to live inside the dream of God," she said, noting that she has learned to follow her "inner truth" in career decisions going back more than three decades.

"It's a big, bad world out there," she advised, but encouraged the graduates by adding: "There is nothing more powerful than you using your personality to serve the calling of yourself."

In this photo provided by Skidmore College, Oprah Winfrey speaks at Skidmore College's 106th Commencement, Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Erin Covey/Skidmore College via AP)

In this photo provided by Skidmore College, author Wes Moore embraces Oprah Winfrey at Skidmore College's 106th Commencement, Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The author, actress and former talk show host spoke at the graduation. (Erin Covey/Skidmore College via AP)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Ed Carpenter turned a tough draw into a winning hand Saturday.

Now he has to do it all over again.

The only full-time owner-driver in the IndyCar Series took advantage of a cooling early evening track for a four-lap average of 230.468 mph on the first day of Indianapolis 500 qualifying, Takuma Sato was second at 230.382, and Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy winner, third at 230.333.

Ed Carpenter celebrates with his crew after he qualified with the fastest time during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso finished seventh at 230.034.

All of the times will be erased for Sunday's nine-car pole shootout when Carpenter chases his third pole in five years on his home track.

"I thanked my 7-year-old son for drawing last night," he explained at the end of a long and frightening day. "I told him, 'Let's get five' and then someone else got five. So I said, 'Let's try for six' and he got 60. I told him 'Well, you got one of the numbers right,' trying to stay positive. So he was the first one I thanked when I got out of the car."

Carpenter's initial misfortune wound up being a stroke of good luck on a day nothing came easy.

When drivers arrived at the 2 1/2-mile oval, they had to contend with the chilliest temperatures of the week.

Then came a rain delay that pushed the start of qualifying from late morning to the hottest part of the afternoon and forced the first drivers in qualifying line to make their only allowed attempt on a hot surface that lacked the grip needed to contend for the pole speeds.

That was followed by Sebastien Bourdais' astonishingly hard, head-on crash. The French driver had just completed his second straight lap over 231 mph when his car wiggled going through the second turn, slid up the track and slammed into the wall. It flipped before coming to a stop in the back straightaway.

Doctors at Indiana University Methodist Hospital said the 38-year-old driver has multiple fractures in his pelvis and a fractured right hip. Safety workers arrived on the scene in about 10 seconds but needed about 10 minutes to get Bourdais out of the car and onto a backboard.

Even the 36-year-old Carpenter, the stepson of Tony George whose family owns the track, was stunned.

"It takes your breath away," he said. "That was one of the biggest qualifying crashes I've seen around here. Hopefully, he's OK."

Seventy minutes later, Carpenter cast aside any lingering doubts, hopped in the No. 20 car and bumped Sato from No. 1 to No. 2 with another late-day daring run.

Four drivers later, Carpenter's teammate, JR Hildebrand, knocked Bourdais' teammate out of the shootout with his own strong run. Hildebrand wound up fourth at 230.205.

"We're always surprised by the Carpenter cars," Dixon said. "They run a different configuration and it's quite interesting to watch. It's fantastic around this place."

THE BREAKUP

Will Power has won poles at all three odd-numbered IndyCar races this season. Helio Castroneves earned the No. 1 spot in the two even-numbered races.

That streaked ended Saturday but not quite the way Team Penske envisioned.

Power was the only Penske driver to make the shootout after the IndyCar Grand Prix winner finished sixth at 230.072. Castroneves, who had an early draw, was 14th at 229.390.

Penske's other three drivers - Josef Newgarden, Juan Pablo Montoya and current points leader Simon Pagenaud - were 17th, 18th and 20th. They will have a chance to improve their starting spots when the starting grid for the May 28 race is set Sunday.

"The whole week, the car had pretty good balance but for some reason, we're not that fast," said Castroneves, a three-time 500 winner and a four-time Indy pole winner. "We trimmed out as much as we could. It is what it is."

NEW TAG TEAM

The IndyCar Series was overtaken by a new tag-team Saturday - Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Autosport.

Together the two Honda-powered teams claimed six of the top nine spots.

Ganassi got Dixon and Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy champ, into the shootout. A third Ganassi driver, Charlie Kimball, got bumped out of the shootout in the final half hour.

Andretti had four of his six drivers - Sato, Spain's Alonso, defending champion Alexander Rossi and Marco Andretti - advance to Sunday's shootout.

"It was real was stressful, definitely," Alonso said. "With the weather this morning, it added some stress to the whole thing because you only have one shot and one attempt, and that creates stress. But the car felt good. I could improve a little bit, but I keep learning."

___

More AP auto racing: http://racing.ap.org

Takuma Sato, of Japan, is congratulated by a crew member during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Jay Howard, of England, is congratulated by Courtney Howard during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The car driven by Sebastien Bourdais, of France, impacts the wall bursts into flames in the second turn during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Greg Huey)

Will Power, of Australia, waits for the start of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Alexander Rossi steps put out of his car during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Ed Carpenter celebrates after he qualified with the fastest time during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
NEW YORK (AP) - Actor Tom Hanks is on the beat in New York City, using Twitter to alert police to a car with a slew of tickets on its windshield.

Turns out the tickets were paid.

The Daily News reports (http://nydn.us/2rDIapI ) that the New York Police Department responded when the Academy Award winning star of "Philadelphia," ''Forrest Gump" and "Sully" on Saturday tweeted: "Sir? Move. Your. Car! Hanx." He also posted a picture of the burgundy sedan with at least a half dozen tickets bulging from beneath windshield wipers at East 79th Street and Park Avenue.

FILE - In this April 26, 2017 file photo, Tom Hanks attends "The Circle" premiere during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Hanks is on the beat in New York City, using Twitter Saturday, May 20, 2017, to alert police to a car with a slew of tickets on its windshield. Turns out the tickets were paid. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

A police official returned the tweet, requesting the car's location. The newspaper says police believe the car's owner likely paid the tickets online. The car's owner eventually moved it.

___

Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com
BALTIMORE (AP) - For Always Dreaming, the first half of the Preakness went exactly as planned.

Locked in a battle with Classic Empire, the Kentucky Derby winner reached the midpoint of Saturday's race with a narrow lead.

And then, quite unexpectedly, Always Dreaming simply ran out of energy. As the weary dark bay colt faded into the middle of the pack, so did his chances of capturing the Triple Crown.

Always Dreaming ride by John Velazquez moves off the track after the running of the 142nd Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico race course, Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Baltimore. Cloud Computing ridden by Javier Castellano won the race. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Jockey John Velazquez knew he was in trouble as the horses turned for home in the 1 3/16-mile race.

"You could see he just got beat," Velazquez said. "I didn't have it. That's it. Not much to say."

Running a mere two weeks after romping to victory at Churchill Downs, Always Dreaming hit the stretch in sixth place and huffed and puffed to the finish line in eighth.

"We were in a position we expected to be," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "I think he just turned around and was a little too quick. He ran so hard in the Derby, and today just wasn't his day."

Almost immediately after the Derby, Pletcher spoke about how impressively his horse rebounded from the difficult race. He maintained that tune each day, and even joked about how rambunctious Always Dreaming was during a spirited workout at Pimlico.

Then, on the day before the race, Pletcher declared: "The way he's moving, the way he's acting, the way he's getting over the track, we feel really blessed that he's coming into the race this way."

Turns out, Always Dreaming really wasn't ready for such a quick turnaround.

"He didn't seem to relish the track, but I don't really think that was it," Pletcher said. "Just put too much into the Derby. It wasn't meant to be today."

The loss left Pletcher 0 for 9 at the Preakness.

The winner of the race, Cloud Computing , skipped the Kentucky Derby. He was far fresher than Always Dreaming, and trainer Chad Brown acknowledged that was one big reason for the upset victory.

"Certainly, I'm not going to dispute the face that I brought in a fresh horse as part of our strategy," Brown said. "Classic Empire and Always Dreaming are two outstanding horses; our strategy was, if we are ever going to beat them, let's take them on two weeks rest when we have six. And it worked."

Classic Empire ran a solid race, hanging with the front-running Always Dreaming before taking the lead in the stretch. But when Cloud Computing made a charge, Classic Empire had nothing left to give.

"He probably went pretty ambitiously at us and maybe cost himself the race," Pletcher said. "But we didn't have an excuse."

Always Dreaming won his previous four races and was unbeaten before this surprising loss. The Belmont is coming up next month, and to put the horse through that lengthy race so soon might be a lot to ask.

"I don't like to make any decisions immediately after the race'" Pletcher said. "You've got to let the dust settle a little bit and not let your emotions get involved. We'll see. Initially it looks like he came back well. We'll savor the Derby victory."
DETROIT (AP) - A Delta Air Lines spokesman says a flight on its way to Seoul, South Korea, had to dump fuel and return to Detroit Metropolitan Airport after a cockpit light showed there was possibly an open maintenance panel on the outside of the aircraft.

The Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/2qGshkb ) reports that spokesman Trebor Banstetter said Flight 159 took off from Detroit at 4:48 p.m. Saturday and that the indicator light came on about 30 minutes later.

Banstetter said the aircraft circled Lake Michigan and dumped fuel for about an hour to help ensure a safe landing. He said the plane, which had 375 passengers on board, landed "safely without incident" shortly before 7 p.m.

He added that maintenance staff would look at the plane and the Atlanta-based airline would accommodate passengers.

___

Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) - Gunmen shot and killed four policemen in one attack on a patrol in northwest Pakistan and in another attack in the south two policemen were killed and two others wounded, police said Sunday.

Police official Arif Khan said the first attack took place Sunday in the Kohat district, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He said police launched a hunt for the attackers, who fled.

Khan said the policemen were returning to their station after a patrol when they were attacked and that the area police chief, his second-in-command and two constables were killed.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. It had been involved in previous such attacks in the province, which borders Afghanistan.

Also on Sunday, two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a stationary police van in an upscale neighborhood in the southern port city of Karachi, killing two policemen and wounding two others. Area police officer Mohammad Ejaz said the attack took place in the Bahadurabad area, where a police patrol was stationed. He said a wounded constable was in critical condition.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, another extremist group considered close to the Islamic State group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
ISTANBUL (AP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned as leader of Turkey's ruling party Sunday, pushing back criticism that his tenure has curtailed freedoms and polarized the country as he vowed to serve the nation and combat terror.

The Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, re-elected Erdogan, its co-founder, at a congress where he was the only candidate for chairman. A narrow victory in a referendum last month to expand the powers of the Turkish presidency allows him to be both the head of state and of a political party.

Speaking to tens of thousands of people in Ankara, Erdogan said he was back after "998 days of separation" from the party and outlined a vision for its immediate future and elections scheduled for November 2019 with new executive and grassroots teams.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, Pool)

"This congress is the AK Party's rebirth," he said before the vote. "AK Party is not just its voters' party, it's the party for all of our 80 million citizens."

Elected with 1,414 votes, Erdogan set the party's course for what he called a "new era" of reforms.

"The upcoming months will be a period of soaring in all areas, including combatting terror, the economy, expanding rights and freedoms and investments," the president said.

Erdogan was forced to cut his formal ties to the party when he became the country's first directly elected president in 2014. Last month's referendum eliminated a constitutional requirement mandating that presidents be neutral and cut ties with their political parties.

Critics say the referendum transforming Turkey's parliamentary governing system to an executive presidency was marred by allegations of election fraud. The vote took place under a state of emergency imposed in the wake of last year's failed coup.

Erdogan defended the state of emergency and said it would remain in place "until the situation reaches peace and welfare." He said it had not affected civil rights.

Turkey blames the network of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for the July 15 coup attempt that left nearly 270 dead- a charge Gulen has denied.

Under the state of emergency, more than 47,000 people have been arrested and 100,000 dismissed from public service for alleged connections to the cleric and groups Turkey deems terror organizations. A dozen lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish opposition party, including its co-presidents, are behind bars along with some 160 journalists.

Calling the purge necessary for the country's survival, Erdogan said, "Nothing in Turkey will be like what it was before July 15. A new era has begun in combatting terror organizations inside and outside our country's borders."

Hours before the congress convened, 2 suspected Islamic State militants were killed in an Ankara police operation. Police said they recovered weapons and explosives. Turkey's state-run news agency said the men were believed to be planning an attack in the capital.

The operation follows a string of attacks blamed on the Islamic State group, which led to Turkey's cross-border operation into northern Syria to combat both IS and U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militants.

Erdogan's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week resolved little of the discord over his administration's decision to more heavily arm Syrian Kurdish militants as part of the fight against IS.

Turkey considers the considers the People's Protection Units, or YPG, in Syria a terror organization and an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade-long insurgency against the Turkish state and is blamed for multiple deadly bombings since 2015.

Erdogan has said he would retaliate if the YPG posed a security threat, signaling more cross-border operations.

"Those who use terror organizations to keep us in line will soon recognize their mistakes," he said. "We would be glad to solve our problems with our friends and our allies. But if that option is no longer there, we cannot sit with our hands tied."

Erdogan also criticized Turkey's European allies, saying, "We do not have to tolerate the European Union's two-faced attitude."

Erdogan called on the EU to grant visa-free travel to Turkish citizens, give promised aid for migrants hosted in Turkey and to speed up Turkey's accession bid in return for the country's work in curtailing the flood of migrants to Europe.

"Despite everything, our choice is still to continue with the EU," he said. "The decision here belongs to the EU."

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, accompanied by his wife Emine, left and Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, right, waves to supporters during the congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

Supporters of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wearing fez, traditional Ottoman hats, gather for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party(AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, throws flowers to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gestures as he delivers a speech at a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Supporters of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan throws flowers to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, right, waves to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, accompanied by his wife Emine, right, waves to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, accompanied by his wife Emine, right, waves to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan throws flowers to supporters as he arrives for a congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, May 21, 2017. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party kicked off an extraordinary congress to re-elect Erdogan as its chairman, following April 16, 2017 referendum on expanding president's powers that removed a constitutional requirement for presidents to cut off ties with their political parties. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, Pool)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Democratic activists loyal to the Sen. Bernie Sanders aren't ready to give up after their favored candidate came tantalizingly close but fell short of taking control of the California Democratic Party.

"Berniecrats" and like-minded Democrats looking to shake up their party leadership refused Sunday to accept election results and demanded validation in the race for party chairman.

The conflict inflames a bitter divide in a party whose leaders are trying hard to unify behind the goal of stymieing President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

FILE - In this Saturday, May 20, 2017 file photo, Eric Bauman addresses the California Democratic Party annual convention as he seeks their vote for chairman in Sacramento, Calif. Bauman defeated Kimberly Ellis by a mere 62 votes out of nearly 3,000 cast, a razor-thin margin for a candidate who lined up support from most of the state's elected Democrats. As of midday Sunday, May 21, Ellis had not conceded the election. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

After Sanders was defeated by Hillary Clinton in last year's presidential primary and Congressman Keith Ellison lost his bid for Democratic National Committee chair, Saturday's election felt like a third punch in the gut to Sanders-aligned activists. They've pushed the Democratic Party to reject money from wealthy interests, deriding many in the party's establishment as corporate Democrats.

"Things are going to get tough for the Democratic Party, and if they don't want the Republicans to win then they need to work with us," said Bryan Hash, a Sanders supporter from Southern California, said Saturday shortly after results were announced.

Hash, a first-time convention delegate, and other Sanders loyalists rallied behind Kimberly Ellis in the race to replace outgoing party chair John Burton.

Longtime party insider Eric Bauman defeated Ellis by 62 votes out of nearly 3,000 cast - a razor-thin margin for a candidate who lined up support from most of the state's elected Democrats and, until recently, was widely expected to win with minimal opposition. He had a natural advantage in an election where many delegates were selected by party insiders and elected officials.

Ellis refused to concede, citing unspecified concerns with the vote count and, after speaking with a lawyer, declared "this race is not over."

"If we want to build a party that moves forward together, strong and unified, we owe it to every Democrat in California to ensure the election was conducted fairly and with transparency," she wrote on Facebook Sunday.

Ellis and Bauman both endorsed Clinton's presidential bid and were largely aligned in their approaches to public policy. But Ellis adopted a Sanders-inspired message determined to minimize the influence of money in politics. Her supporters were outraged that Bauman's political consulting firm accepted money from pharmaceutical companies to work against a Sanders-backed initiative aimed at limiting government spending on medications.

Bauman, looking to unify the fractured party he now leads, offered words of conciliation.

"There is no denying that there is a problem when so many of our hardworking activists feel that they are not welcome within our party and that they have been slighted and shut out of the process," Bauman said in a statement.

Democrats could pay a price if the tension in their party lingers, said Thad Kousser, chair of the political science department at University of California, San Diego.

"It does not matter directly to anyone who wasn't in that convention hall this weekend," Kousser said. "But the indirect impact of having those people coming out of that convention hall united, excited ready to walk precincts ready to recruit others to volunteer, that has a huge impact on a party."

While many of the party's activists were consumed by the squabbles inside the party, elected Democrats aimed their remarks at the party's common foe - Trump and the Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff offered a keynote speech that touched heavily on themes of unity in both the Democratic Party and the country at large. The Burbank congressman is a rising star in the party after his role as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee gave him a platform to scrutinize Trump's campaign contacts with Russians.

"Democrats, we must bind up our party's wounds, for only then can we save our country," Schiff said.

FILE - In this Saturday, May 20, 2017 file photo, Kimberly Ellis speaks to the California Democratic Party convention as she seeks their vote for chair in Sacramento, Calif. Eric Bauman defeated Ellis by a mere 62 votes out of nearly 3,000 cast, a razor-thin margin for a candidate who lined up support from most of the state's elected Democrats. As of midday Sunday, May 21, Ellis had not conceded the election. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Militants launched attacks on several check points in southern Afghanistan killing at least 20 security forces, a provincial official said.

Gul Islam Seyal, spokesman for the provincial governor in Zabul province, said Sunday the battles began late Saturday when dozens of Taliban fighters launched coordinated attacks on security posts in the Shah Joy district. At least 10 other security forces, including national and local policemen, were wounded, he said.

Seyal said the Taliban also fired several rounds of mortars on Qalat, the provincial capital.

Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said in a statement the group was responsible for the attacks. He confirmed that Taliban fighters overran police check points in Shah Joy and fired mortar rounds on the police chief's office in Qalat.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks against Afghan security forces across the country since announcing their spring offensive last month.

Also on Sunday, authorities said a German woman and an Afghan security guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped from a Kabul guesthouse overnight.

Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the killings took place at 11:30 p.m. local time Saturday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack or the kidnapping. He said Kabul police have begun an investigation.

The German Foreign Office confirmed that a German citizen was killed in Kabul but declined to identify her or provide details on how she was killed.

Karoliina Romanoff, spokeswoman for Finnish Foreign Ministry, confirmed that a Finnish citizen was kidnapped but had no details. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement it demands "the immediate release of the kidnapped person."

Scott Breslin, a worker at Sweden-based organization Operation Mercy, told Swedish news agency TT that one of its workers was missing and that the organization was holding a crisis meeting.

___

Associated Press writers Matti Huuhtanen in Helsinki and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) - Nigerian troops fought Boko Haram in the Lake Chad area on Saturday, killing 13 of the Islamic extremists and arresting 10 others, including six women believed to have helped smuggle supplies to the insurgents, an army spokesman said.

Meanwhile witnesses said four civilians out hunting for food near a displacement camp in the northeast were beheaded by suspected Boko Haram militants.

Soldiers from the 8 Task Force Battalion spent 72 hours clearing the location where the Boko Haram fighters were hiding, said battalion spokesman Col. Timothy Antigha. Many other Boko Haram fighters were wounded by gunfire, he said.

The troops, operating in the Chikun Gudu, Tumbuma Karami and Tumbuma Baba areas recovered three AK 47 rifles and one pump-action rifle, assorted rifle magazines and 306 rounds of ammunition, a tool box, a freezer and a Toyota truck, he said.

In a related development, army troops, acting on a tip off, rounded up 10 suspected Boko Haram smugglers, he said. The suspects, six females and four males, are being investigated to determine the extent of their involvement with Boko Haram, he said.

Since the army regained control of most of the Sambisa Forest area in northeastern Nigeria from Boko Haram in December 2016, Nigerian troops have pursued the extremist fighters in areas where they have fled.

Boko Haram's violent campaign to seize Nigerian territory to enforce strict Islamic Shariah rule is responsible for the deaths of thousands and has displaced about 3 million people, mostly women and children, since 2009. Thousands have been kidnapped by Boko Haram, including nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2015.

Joyous scenes occurred in the capital, Abuja, Saturday when 82 newly freed Chibok schoolgirls were reunited with their families. Nigeria's government negotiated with Boko Haram, with help from Swiss officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to secure the freedom of the young women from Chibok in return for the release of five extremist commanders.

On Sunday, witnesses in the northeast said a 12-person hunting team had come under attack near Maiduguri.

Six managed to escape the attack while two others are still missing, according to Abba Kalli, an official of the Civilian-JTF, a local youth vigilante group helping the soldiers to fight Boko Haram.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - On his first overseas visit, President Donald Trump presided over a nearly $110 billion sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia that made clear his administration did not see the kingdom's human rights record or its devastating war in Yemen as an obstacle to restoring ties that had been strained under his predecessor.

The military agreement with Saudi Arabia, effective immediately, could expand up to $350 billion over 10 years. It appeared to reverse an Obama administration decision to pull back sales of precision-guided munitions to Saudi's armed forces over concerns sparked by a Saudi-led coalition bombing of a funeral hall in Yemen that killed more than 140 people.

It also surpasses the total amount of deals offered to Saudi Arabia in President Barack Obama's eight years in office.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman during a bilateral meeting, Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"We are not here to lecture - we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said Sunday at a summit of heads of state from across the Muslim world gathered in Saudi Arabia.

He said his administration would instead be offering partnership based on shared interests and values.

In contrast, the Obama administration had also curbed some intelligence-sharing with Saudi Arabia, saying it was "deeply disturbed" by the attack and that U.S. security cooperation with Saudi Arabia was not a "blank check."

Making no mention of human rights concerns , the Trump administration framed the massive military deal Saturday as an opportunity to create potentially tens of thousands of new jobs in the U.S., adding that it would also reduce the burden on U.S. military forces by bolstering the kingdom's ability to provide for its own security.

The Trump administration's deal includes tanks, helicopters, combat ships, Patriot and THAAD missiles, radar and communications, and cybersecurity technology.

Under President Barack Obama, Washington had backed Saudi Arabia in its Yemen war with logistical support, including refueling of coalition aircraft by the U.S. military, and intelligence sharing. A report by the D.C.-based Center for International Policy said the Obama administration had offered over $115 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia in 42 separate deals, more than any other U.S. administration before him.

His administration's decision to pull back on some military sales underscored the complicated, and at times tense, relationship Obama had with Saudi Arabia.

Trump, on the other hand, made Saudi Arabia his first overseas stop and was given a royal welcome by the king. Saudi Arabia is working hard to dazzle and impress Trump during his two-day visit.

Ahead of the Arab-Islamic-U.S. summit, Trump held talks with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who oversaw a lethal crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood group and who has already paid Trump a visit to the White House. Unlike Obama, Trump and el-Sissi have formed a warm relationship.

Trump on Sunday also touted Washington's "wonderful relationship" with Bahrain, which hosts the U.S Navy's 5th Fleet. Earlier this year, his administration notified Congress it planned to approve a multibillion-dollar sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain without the human rights conditions imposed by the State Department under Obama.

Human Rights Watch described the sale as rewarding "Saudi war crimes" with weapons. The rights group has documented 81 apparently unlawful coalition attacks since the start of Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. The rights group says it was able to identify American weapons had been used in many of those attacks.

Amnesty International said the "glaring absence of human rights from Trump's agenda" in talks with Gulf Arab rulers will only embolden further violations against critics, peaceful dissidents and human rights defenders. The rights group called on the U.S. to "immediately halt all arms transfers" that could be used by members of the Saudi coalition in Yemen.

The war has devastated the Arab world's most impoverished nation. The conflict has killed thousands of civilians, pushed more than half of the country's population into a state of dire poverty, overwhelmed hospitals, shuttered schools, debilitated an already fragile electricity network and forced millions to the brink of famine. Around 20 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian relief.

With the help of its closest Arab allies, Saudi Arabia launched its war in Yemen in March 2015, two months after King Salman ascended to the throne and appointed his then 29-year-old son as defense minister. The war helped whip up nationalist fervor in the kingdom around the new monarch and his son, who was later appointed second-in-line to the throne.

Saudi Arabia says it launched airstrikes against Yemeni rebels known as Houthis in self-defense. The Houthis in late 2014 overran Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and forced the Saudi-backed president into exile. The Houthis' stronghold lies near Yemen's long border with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia accuses its Shiite rival Iran of trying to turn the Houthis into a militant group similar to Lebanon's Hezbollah. Iran denies this and says it has only offered political support to the rebels.

After the deal was inked, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson used a joint press conference in Riyadh to further castigate Iran, which was not invited to Sunday's summit.

Tillerson said the package supports the kingdom "in the face of malign Iranian influence and Iranian-related threats which exist on Saudi Arabia's borders on all sides."

Israeli Cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said while the Iranian threat is a "joint interest" of Israel and Gulf Arabs, the size of the arms deal is a cause for concern.

"We need to hear the explanations and make sure that our military advantage is maintained even with Saudi Arabia," Steinitz said.

___

Associated Press writer Moshe Edri in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

___

Follow Aya Batrawy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ayaelb

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salam participate in a signing ceremony at the Royal Court Palace, Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salam wave to the crowd during a signing ceremony at the Royal Court Palace, Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, left, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, center, and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster look on during a bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, holds a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Tears were shed and the sounds of cries were heard from the families of four Cambodian soldiers who were killed by a Christian rebel group in the Central African Republic earlier this month as the bodies arrived home Sunday.

The four were among 12 soldiers Cambodia dispatched to the central African nation in recent months to join U.N. peacekeeping forces.

One Cambodian peacekeeper was killed and seven Moroccans and another Cambodian were injured in the initial ambush on May 8. Three Cambodian soldiers and one Moroccan peacekeeper were also reported missing, but the three Cambodians were found dead the next day.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has said the Cambodians were part of an engineering unit that was helping to build roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The ambush took place as the Cambodians were on the way back to their base with an escort of Moroccan soldiers.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said eight fighters from the anti-Balaka rebel group were also killed in the battle. The U.N. peacekeeping mission said the remaining attackers fled into the bush.

The U.N. mission sent a helicopter and additional troops to secure the site near Bangassou, about 474 kilometers (295 miles) east of the capital, Bangui, and were continuing to search for the missing peacekeeper, Dujarric said.

The country descended into sectarian conflict in 2013 when Muslim rebels overthrew the nation's Christian president.

The United Nations launched a peacekeeping mission there in 2014 and now has more than 12,000 troops deployed to protect civilians from violence between Christian and Muslim factions. Some 890,000 people have been displaced inside the country and into neighboring Cameroon, the U.N. says.

The latest fighting began in February and Human Rights Watch said early of the month that at least 45 people have been killed and 11,000 displaced in attacks by armed groups that have also targeted civilians.

One predominantly Peul faction of the mostly Muslim Seleka group has been fighting since late 2016 with another faction that has aligned itself with the Christian anti-Balaka group as they vie for control of the central part of the country, the rights group said.

The official reception ceremony to receive the dead soldiers was held Sunday evening at Phnom Penh International Airport, and was attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and senior government ministers, as well as the families of the dead soldiers.

The bodies of the four were put inside a coffin covered by the Cambodian flag. Buddhist monks chanted before the coffins, with the families standing quietly.

Chhay Chamreun, the 36-year-old wife of one of the dead soldiers, said she was a shocked when she heard that her husband had been killed.

"Now I don't know how I and my three children can survive because my entire family relied on him and now he has passed away," she said, sobbing. "I could not sleep when I thinking about the future of my children and the expense of their studying and living."
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) - Bulgarian customs agents have seized some 423 kilograms (933 pounds) of heroin worth an estimated $34 million at a border checkpoint with Romania.

Customs chief Georgi Kostov said Sunday the drugs were in a truck stopped at the Danube Bridge near Vidin, 200 kilometers (120 miles) north of the Bulgarian capital, Sofia.

The driver, a Bulgarian citizen, could face up to 15 years in jail, if convicted on drug trafficking charges.

Police official Mladen Marinov says the heroin was hidden inside packages with terracotta tiles. The truck, which was heading for the Netherlands, The drugs were thought to have originated in Iran and be destined for the European Union.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) - When the Islamic Institute of America bought a Baptist church, the plan initially was to remove the pews - until the mosque's leader objected, in part because he saw keeping the benches as a way of showing Islam's compatibility with its sister faith.

"We're sending a message to non-Muslim visitors and friends - particularly our interfaith community and Christians," Iman Hassan Qazwini, one of the top Shiite Muslim leaders in the U.S., said from what's now the institute's lecture hall.

"We use the same benches you sat on. We're using the same stage your pastor used to disseminate our message, which is not too different from your message," he added. "The gap that exists between us is not that huge."

FILE- In this May 6, 2011 photo, Imam Hassan Qazwini speaks at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Mich. The Imam has big plans for the new Islamic center he has opened in the suburbs of Detroit. The plans include interfaith gatherings, media production and even a seminary to equip a new generation of leaders who can help forge a better understanding of his oft-maligned faith. Qazwini is one of the top Shiite Muslim leaders in the U.S. He says the Islamic Institute of America seeks to educate Muslims and non-Muslims alike. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)

Qazwini said reaching out to Christians, Jews and others has never been more important, with a U.S. president who has said Islam hates the U.S. and polls finding most Americans holding negative views of the faith. He sees education and outreach as the primary missions of the Islamic Institute of America in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn Heights, which has one of the largest and oldest Arab-Muslim communities outside the Middle East.

Qazwini, who comes from a family of prominent American Shiite scholars and is of Iraqi descent, said he hopes to quell fears and misunderstandings through regular interfaith gatherings and a media division that will produce short videos and other internet-based programming.

Next year, the center plans to launch a seminary aimed at equipping a new generation of Muslim leaders who can help forge a better understanding of Islam in the West. He said the seminary would not only help produce well-rounded scholars who can engage with the wider world, but also better serve their U.S.-born congregants.

"One of the issues we Muslims face in the country is ... the huge gap that exists between leaders coming from the Middle East to lead our Islamic institutions and their congregations. For most of those leaders, including myself, it takes years to adapt with the environment, with the American psyche, mentality and even lifestyle," he said.

Qazwini's new institute is just a few miles from the Islamic Center of America, one of North America's largest mosques and where he served for 18 years before leaving in 2015.

Liyakat Takim, a professor of global Islam at McMaster University in the Canadian city of Hamilton, Ontario, said the U.S. has one or two Islamic educational institutions, but "none with the same vision" offered by Qazwini.

"For the longest time, the Muslim community has imported scholars from abroad or sent them abroad to study," said Takim, who knows Qazwini. "They're not always conducive to the environment we have in America. This can create a younger generation that can preach a message which is amendable to the American environment."

Takim said Qazwini is "a man of great vision," and delivering on his plans for the institute will be "an exceptional feat and a great challenge," given rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2014 found Americans view Islam less favorably than other major religions and atheism. Another Pew survey found 38 percent of Americans think Islam is more likely than others to encourage violence among its followers, while 50 percent think it is not more likely.

President Donald Trump's campaign was marked by anti-Muslim rhetoric and, since being inaugurated, he's sought to enact a travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries.

Qazwini said perceptions of Islam are hurt by acts of violence or terror committed by people who call themselves Muslim. He criticizes the media for rushing to associate someone's crime with his religion if that person is or appears to be Muslim. Just because somebody acts "in the name of religion," it "doesn't mean the religion is acting," he said.

Still, he can understand the fears.

"If I put myself in a non-Muslim's shoes, I fully understand how they feel," he said. "There's a massive, massive bombardment of anti-Islamic literature, imagery that leads viewers and readers to believe Islam is not compatible with the 21st century. It is our job as Muslims to change that and to contribute. ... Maybe we can't do it all, but at least we try."

Qazwini said his institute seeks to educate Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and make them feel comfortable in each other's company.

"We're not your enemy," he said.

___

Follow Jeff Karoub on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffkaroub . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/jeff%20karoub .
CONCORD, Mass. (AP) - The U.S. Postal Service is dedicating its new Henry David Thoreau postage stamp at a ceremony at Walden Pond, where the 19th century American philosopher and naturalist spent two years in solitude and reflection.

Writer of "Walden" and "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau is being honored on the bicentennial year of his birth in Concord, Massachusetts. The postal service says Thoreau's way of living simply and rejecting materialism continues to inspire people.

Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., a board member of the Walden Woods Project , plans to attend the ceremony Tuesday in Concord along with Massachusetts and U.S. Postal Service officials.

The stamp image comes from an oil-on-panel painting of Thoreau's face based on an 1856 daguerreotype by Benjamin Maxham. It also includes his signature and a branch of sumac leaves.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Minutes matter when it comes to treating sepsis, the killer condition that most Americans probably have never heard of, and new research shows it's time they learn.

Sepsis is the body's out-of-control reaction to an infection. By the time patients realize they're in trouble, their organs could be shutting down.

New York became the first state to require that hospitals follow aggressive steps when they suspect sepsis is brewing. Researchers examined patients treated there in the past two years and reported Sunday that faster care really is better.

FILE - This 2006 colorized scanning electron micrograph image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a strain of the Escherichia coli bacteria. E. coli is one of the germs that can cause sepsis. Once misleadingly called blood poisoning or a bloodstream infection, sepsis occurs when the body goes into overdrive while fighting an infection, sort of friendly fire that injures its own tissue. The cascade of inflammation and other damage leads to shock, amputations, organ failure or death. (Janice Carr/CDC via AP)

Every additional hour it takes to give antibiotics and perform other key steps increases the odds of death by 4 percent, according to the study reported at an American Thoracic Society meeting and in the New England Journal of Medicine.

That's not just news for doctors or for other states considering similar rules. Patients also have to reach the hospital in time.

"Know when to ask for help," said Dr. Christopher Seymour, a critical care specialist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine who led the study. "If they're not aware of sepsis or know they need help, we can't save lives."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year began a major campaign to teach people that while sepsis starts with vague symptoms, it's a medical emergency.

To make sure the doctor doesn't overlook the possibility, "Ask, 'Could this be sepsis?'" advised the CDC's Dr. Lauren Epstein.

SEPSIS IS MORE THAN AN INFECTION

Once misleadingly called blood poisoning or a bloodstream infection, sepsis occurs when the body goes into overdrive while fighting an infection, injuring its own tissue. The cascade of inflammation and other damage can lead to shock, amputations, organ failure or death.

It strikes more than 1.5 million people in the United States a year and kills more than 250,000.

Even a minor infection can be the trigger. A recent CDC study found nearly 80 percent of sepsis cases began outside of the hospital, not in patients already hospitalized because they were super-sick or recovering from surgery.

___

THERE'S NO SINGLE SYMPTOM

In addition to symptoms of infection, worrisome signs can include shivering, a fever or feeling very cold; clammy or sweaty skin; confusion or disorientation; a rapid heartbeat or pulse; confusion or disorientation; shortness of breath; or simply extreme pain or discomfort.

If you think you have an infection that's getting worse, seek care immediately, Epstein said.

___

WHAT'S THE RECOMMENDED CARE?

Doctors have long known that rapidly treating sepsis is important. But there's been debate over how fast. New York mandated in 2013 that hospitals follow "protocols," or checklists, of certain steps within three hours, including performing a blood test for infection, checking blood levels of a sepsis marker called lactate, and beginning antibiotics.

Do the steps make a difference? Seymour's team examined records of nearly 50,000 patients treated at New York hospitals over two years. About 8 in 10 hospitals met the three-hour deadline; some got them done in about an hour. Having those three main steps performed faster was better - a finding that families could use in asking what care a loved one is receiving for suspected sepsis.

___

WHO'S AT RISK?

Sepsis is most common among people 65 and older, babies, and people with chronic health problems.

But even healthy people can get sepsis, even from minor infections. New York's rules, known as "Rory's Regulations," were enacted after the death of a healthy 12-year-old, Rory Staunton, whose sepsis stemmed from an infected scrape and was initially dismissed by one hospital as a virus.

___

WHAT'S NEXT?

Illinois last year enacted a similar sepsis mandate. Hospitals in other states, including Ohio and Wisconsin, have formed sepsis care collaborations. Nationally, hospitals are supposed to report to Medicare certain sepsis care steps. In New York, Rory's parents set up a foundation to push for standard sepsis care in all states.

"Every family or loved one who goes into a hospital, no matter what state, needs to know it's not the luck of the draw" whether they'll receive evidence-based care, said Rory's father, Ciaran Staunton.
MOSCOW (AP) - Two Russian mixed martial arts fighters face punishment following an alleged attack on an official after a decision went against one of them in the ring.

Up-and-coming fighter Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov lost a split decision to fellow Russian Georgy Kichigin at an event in Kazakhstan on Friday night.

Khiramagomedov and his brother Gamzat later allegedly confronted the vice-president of the Russian MMA Union, a sanctioning body, in a hotel.

The Russian MMA Union alleges Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov "unexpectedly struck" vice president Radmir Gabdullin, leaving him needing medical treatment for concussion and a badly broken jaw.

The Russian MMA Union, which oversees various competitions and promotions in the post-Soviet region, says it will "impose sanctions" on both brothers.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Members of key congressional committees pledged Sunday to proceed with aggressive investigations into Russia's meddling in the U.S. election and any ties with the Trump campaign, saying the American people need a full airing as to why former FBI director James Comey was ousted.

Comey was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this month. The former director agreed to testify before the Senate intelligence committee after the Memorial Day holiday.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a member of that committee, said he wants to press Comey as to whether he ever believed the White House was interfering with his work, in light of a spate of news reports that Comey had kept detailed records of his interactions with Trump.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is surrounded by reporters as he leaves a briefing of the full Senate by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, amid controversy over President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, at the Capitol, Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The New York Times and other news outlets reported last week on a Comey memo indicating Trump had urged him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Separately, another Times report said Trump had told Russian officials in a closed-door meeting at the Oval Office that firing Comey "had relieved great pressure on him."

"Did he keep these memos? What do those memos say? And why did he write it? And how did he feel? Did he ever feel like he was being put in a position where he couldn't do his job?" Rubio asked. "There's no doubt that that's the questions that are going to get asked, and asked repeatedly."

Rubio said White House officials had told him they had no transcripts nor notes of Trump's meeting with Russian officials but "apparently someone has discussed them, or leaked them."

"This cloud is impacting everything else," Rubio said, describing a number of questions, such as possible obstruction of justice, that are hanging over the White House. "So, we need to get over this once and for all."

Leaders of the House oversight committee, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said they would demand Comey's notes. Cummings also is urging Chaffetz, who is resigning from his job next month, to subpoena the White House for any documents relating to Flynn.

Chaffetz said he expects to speak with Comey on Monday and that if there are any notes of White House meetings, "we're certainly pursuing them."

"There have been so many lies, so many contradictions," Cummings said, adding that he expects parallel investigations from Congress to proceed fully after the Justice Department last week appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to head an investigation into possible Russian coordination with the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election.

Referring to the whole sequence of events leading to Comey's firing, Cummings added: "I think that there may be quite a few people that may have some problems with the law."

The White House has repeatedly insisted that a "thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity." It has not denied the Times report that Trump was critical of Comey to the Russians the day after he fired him. But White House spokesman Sean Spicer has called the president's rhetoric part of his deal-making, contending that Comey had created "unnecessary pressure" on Trump's ability to negotiate with Russia on a range of issues.

White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster underscored that point in an interview that aired Sunday, saying Trump had felt "hamstrung."

"The president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news," said McMaster, who was present at the meeting.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a member of the intelligence committee, said she also plans to press Comey regarding what was discussed with Trump about Flynn and whether he was asked by Trump to alter the FBI investigation. The California Democrat said public hearings should ferret out what has been a flurry of apparently contradictory comments by many of the parties involved.

"I really think that rather than have all these memorandums and issues circulating around, that we need to put the facts before the American people," she said. "Did the president fire Comey because of his investigation and was he worried about what the investigation might conclude? If so, that borders on a very serious charge."

"And it's got to come from Director Comey himself," Feinstein said.

Rubio appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" and CBS' "Face the Nation," Feinstein also was on CBS' "Face the Nation," and Chaffetz, Cummings and McMaster spoke on ABC's "This Week."

U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz waves after addressing the Utah GOP Convention Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Sandy, Utah. Chaffetz said this week that he's stepping aside from Congress next month during the prime of his career and just as his committee was poised to investigate President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

From left, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., walk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2017, to meet with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for a briefing of the full Senate amid controversy over President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron is holding talks with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Paris ahead of next week's G-7 meeting in Sicily.

Macron hosted Gentiloni for a working dinner the Elysee Palace on Sunday, when the leaders will discuss the further integration of the European Union and the migrant crisis.

In a brief statement beforehand, Macron said France and Italy share much common ground and noted the challenges Italy has faced with the arrival of large numbers of migrants.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcome Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni for a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Sunday, May 21, 2017. French President Emmanuel Macron meets Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni head of next week's G7 summit in Italy. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

He said: "We didn't listen to the warning cries given by Italy early enough" about the influx of migrants from northern Africa.

The two-day G-7 summit is scheduled for next weekend in Taormina, Italy. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend as part of his first foreign trip.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, claps on the shoulder of Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni after declarations to the media at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Sunday, May 21, 2017. French President Emmanuel Macron meets Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni head of next week's G7 summit in Italy. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni walk towards the microphones to make declarations prior to the dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Sunday, May 21, 2017. French President Emmanuel Macron meets Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni head of next week's G7 summit in Italy. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, left, and France's President Emmanuel Macron make declarations to the media prior to the dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Sunday, May 21, 2017. French President Emmanuel Macron meets Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni head of next week's G7 summit in Italy. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Bernhard Langer cruised to his second straight Regions Tradition victory, shooting an 8-under-64 Sunday to match Jack Nicklaus' record of eight PGA Tour Champions major titles.

Langer wiped out a six-stroke deficit over the weekend and entered the final round down two strokes to Fred Funk. He finished at 20-under 268 for a five-stroke victory over Scott McCarron and Scott Parel.

Funk shot a 72 to tie for fourth with Marco Dawson (66). He had a triple bogey on No. 12, a hole Langer birdied.

Bernhard Langer, of Germany, watches his tee shot on the second tee during the Regions Tradition PGA Tour Champions golf tournament, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. (Photo/Butch Dill)

McCarron shot a 69 and Parel 70.

Langer has eight straight rounds in the 60s since the tournament moved to Greystone. He took command on 12 and followed with two straight birdies and another on No. 17.

Fred Funk, left, reacts to missing a birdie putt on the first hole as Bernhard Langer, of Germany, watches during the Regions Tradition PGA Tour Champions golf tournament, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. (Photo/Butch Dill)

Scott Parel watches his tee shot on the second hole during the Regions Tradition PGA Tour Champions golf tournament, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. (Photo/Butch Dill)
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Lazaros Christodoulopoulos scored the only goal in the 85th minute as AEK Athens beat Panathinaikos 1-0 in the Greek league playoffs on Sunday.

A headed clearance fell to Christodoulopoulos a few meters (yards) outside the area and his powerful shot bounced once before the ball found the bottom right corner of the net at Athens Olympic Stadium.

PAOK took advantage of its numerical superiority to beat visiting Panionios 1-0 with a goal by substitute Aleksandar Prijovic in the 75th. Panionios' Masoud Shojaei was dismissed with a second yellow card in the 68th.

AEK is leading the playoffs. It's a point ahead of PAOK, two ahead of Panionios and four ahead of Panathinaikos.

The playoffs winner joins Olympiakos in Champions League qualifiers.
US President Donald Trump has implored Saudi Arabia and other middle eastern countries to extinguish Islamic extremism emanating from the region.

Mr Trump described the situation as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash between the west and Islam.

In a pointed departure from his predecessor, the US president all but promised he would not publicly admonish middle eastern rulers for human rights violations and oppressive reigns.

We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship, Mr Trump said, speaking in an ornate room in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.

The presidents address was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his January swearing-in.

For Mr Trump, the trip is a reprieve from the controversies that have marred his young presidency and an attempt to reset his relationship with a region and a religion he fiercely criticised a candidate.

Donald Trump

During the 2016 US campaign, Mr Trump mused about his belief that Islam hates us.

On Sunday, however, standing before dozens of regional leaders, he said Islam was one of the worlds great faiths.

While running for the job he now holds, Mr Trump criticised President Barack Obama for not using the term radical Islamic extremism and said that refusal indicated Mr Obama did not understand Americas enemy.

In his Saudi speech, Mr Trump condemned Islamic extremism, Islamists and Islamic terror, but not once uttered the precise phrase he pressed Mr Obama on.

President Donald Trump poses for photos with King Salman (Evan Vucci/AP)

He made no mention of the disputed travel ban, signed days after he took office, that temporarily banned immigration to the US from seven majority Muslim countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

Both the original order and a second directive that dropped Iraq from the banned list have been blocked by the courts. Mr Trump offered few indications of whether he planned to shift US policy to better-fight terrorism.

There were no promises of new financial investment or announcements of increased US military presence in the region.

The president put much of the onus for combating extremists on Mideast leaders: Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities.

Mr Trumps remarks came in a meeting with dozens of regional leaders who gathered in Riyadh for a summit with the US president and Saudi King Salman.

The king has lavished praise and all the trappings of a royal welcome on the new American president, welcoming in particular Mr Trumps pledge to be tougher on Iran than Mr Obama was.

Indeed, Mr Trump and Mr Salman were in agreement on the threat Iran poses to the region when they addressed their fellow leaders: Mr Trump accused Iran of destruction and chaos and the king said its rival has been the spearhead of global terrorism.
Labours former deputy prime minister John Prescott has hailed this years manifesto as the best the party has produced since 1997.

Writing in The Sunday Mirror, Lord Prescott said he would have laughed 20 years ago if anyone had suggested Jeremy Corbyn could ever lead the party.

But, in his strongest expression of support yet for the Labour leader, he said Mr Corbyn was now transforming into a prime minister in waiting.

(PA)

Something is definitely happening. https://t.co/3nD6NXK78I  John Prescott (@johnprescott) May 20, 2017

Lord Prescott, who served as Tony Blairs deputy leader from 1994 to 2007, said he would be out on a battle bus campaign for Labour in home-town Hull on Sunday and across the North over the two and a half weeks before the June 8 General Election.

He hailed the programme unveiled by Mr Corbyn on Tuesday as the best manifesto Labour has published since 1997.

He added: Protecting pensioners, scrapping tuition fees, taking water and energy into public ownership. Yes, its left. But its also right. Polls have shown that the policies are popular.

Lord Prescott acknowledged Mr Corbyn faced a challenge winning over the public, which he blamed on biased media attacks and the no confidence vote by 173 of his own MPs.

We're committed to creating richer lives for all. Find what else we'll do in our manifesto #ForTheMany  https://t.co/YeRUNSOoMY pic.twitter.com/suhEiaM8S6  The Labour Party (@UKLabour) May 20, 2017

But he said: The polls are changing. The more people see him on TV, speaking to huge crowds and on the doorstep, the more theyre seeing the real Corbyn

You will have a very clear choice this election  a Poundland Thatcher peddling the same old Tory lies and broken promises.

Or a Labour campaigner who finally looks like a leader. Things did get better under Labour. They can get better again if we make June the end of May.
A wildlife centre is celebrating the arrival of its first-ever Humboldt penguin chick.

The new addition at Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary in Norfolk weighed 92g.

Staff will not know if the chick is a boy or a girl until it is three months old, when they are able to carry out a DNA test.

Aquarist Hollie Stephenson said: The whole team is bursting with joy at the arrival of our first-ever penguin chick  we are all beaming like we are new parents ourselves.

Humboldt penguins are an extremely vulnerable species and it is the first time we have had a penguin chick here at the sanctuary.

The chick can just be seen under it's mother Charlie, with it's father Jerome (Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary/PA)

If the chick is female, it will be introduced into the Sanctuarys Humboldt penguin breeding programme.

The species are native to the coasts of Chile and Peru, where their numbers have declined rapidly as a result of habitat loss, industrial development, commercial guano removal and the El Nino effect.

It is thought that there are fewer than 32,000 Humboldt penguins left in the wild.
The brother of a British engineer gunned down alongside his family in the French Alps has said there has been no progress in the case nearly five years on.

Engineer Saad al-Hilli and his wife Ikbal, who lived in Claygate Surrey, and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf were shot while on holiday in Chevaline in September 2012.

Their bodies were discovered in their BMW car by a cyclist, Brett Martin, while the couples two young daughters survived the attack. Another cyclist  Sylvain Mollier  was murdered in the attack.

The caravan and tent used by Saad al-Hilli and his family while on holiday in France. (Chris Ison/PA)

Speaking to the Sunday Express, Zaid al-Hilli said he wanted to see the case reviewed.

He told the paper: There has been no progress for years so it is time for a review.

I do not trust the French police or the prosecutor, so I believe the review should be conducted by a High Court judge. I think the authorities know who was behind it my brother and his family were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Zaid al-Hilli. (Steve Parsons/PA)

Zaid al-Hilli was arrested on suspicion of the murders in June 2013 but later told that he would face no further action after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

He told the paper his arrest has led to a lack of faith in the inquiry.
Elina Svitolina completed a stunning comeback to win the Italian Open and claim a WTA Tour-leading fourth title of the year.

The Ukrainian came from behind to beat world number four Simona Halep over three sets, triumphing 4-6 7-5 6-1 to move into the worlds top 10.

Halep had stormed into an early lead, threatening to break early on before forcing her opponent into a series of unforced errors and consolidating a break before making it 5-2.

Elina Svitolina

However the turning point came as the Romanian suffered a heavy fall, going over on her right ankle. Despite losing consecutive games, Halep recovered to clinch the first set but her movement grew gradually worse as she called the trainer out.

The pair traded breaks early in the second set and Svitolina called the trainer out for a lower-back issue, before seeing a set point go to waste as Halep called an official medical time out.

Svitolina eventually made the decisive break to take the second set 7-5, and raced through the third as Halep struggled with her movement and could not prevent the 22-year-old claiming an emphatic victory.
Bob Jungels came out on top in a sprint finish to win his first stage in a Grand Tour as Tom Dumoulin retained the leaders pink jersey in the Giro dItalia.

Jungels (Quick-Step Floors) became just the second rider from Luxembourg to win a stage in the Giro after claiming victory in the 199-kilometre stage from Valdengo to Bergamo.

Its not easy to realise but Im super happy with this victory, Jungels said in quotes reported on www.giroditalia.it.

Bob Jungels, third from right, sprints on his way to win to win the 15th stage of Giro d'Italia (Alessandro Di Meo/AP)

The Luxembourger wins a selected sprint in Bergamo and claims the 1st victory in the Giro

Today's recap >> https://t.co/hjM23O05Dc

Read  pic.twitter.com/cXFwwVx6aJ  Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 21, 2017

I knew I had good legs today as I felt good in the climbs.

I tried my luck in the final climb but it was a bit longer than I expected. In the downhill I was in a perfect position, on the wheel of (Domenico) Pozzovivo for sprinting.

This is my first sprint victory. To do it at the Giro in front of these guys is wonderful.

Nairo Quintana (Movistar) took second to claim a six-second time bonus and reduce his overall deficit to Dumoulin to two minutes 41 seconds.

Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) said: It was a hard day at a very high average speed. There were a lot of breakaways but always some teams werent happy with it.

Eventually after 110km, a group went. Then it was a very hard finale with a lot of favourites attacking but we stayed calm and it was a good day for us.

Britains Adam Yates (Orica) finished fourth on the stage to move up from 13th to 11th in the general classification.

Estonias Tanel Kangert, who started the day in seventh, was forced out of the race after suffering a fractured elbow following a crash into a bollard 10km from the finish.

Monday is a rest day ahead of Tuesdays stage from Rovetta to Bormio.
KABUL, May 21 (Reuters) - A German aid worker and an Afghan guard were killed and a Finnish national was abducted from a house in Kabul late on Saturday, an interior ministry spokesman said.

The three were working for a Swedish aid group called Operation Mercy, spokesman Najib Danish said on Sunday.

An investigation was being conducted into the incident, which occurred at around 11.30 p.m. (1900 GMT), he said but gave no further details.

The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed that a Finnish national had been kidnapped in Afghanistan but had no further comment. There was no immediate comment from the German foreign ministry.

Kidnapping is a longstanding problem in Afghanistan, mainly affecting Afghans abducted for ransom. However foreigners have also regularly been targeted, either for ransom or to put pressure on their governments.

(Reporting by Mirwais Harooni, Tuomas Forsell in HELSINKI, Madeline Chambers in BERLIN; writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Stephen Coates)
RIYADH, May 21 (Reuters) - The United States and Gulf Arab countries will sign an agreement on Sunday to coordinate their efforts against the financing of terrorist groups, a senior White House official said, as U.S. President Donald Trump visits the region.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will sign the memorandum of understanding in Riyadh, where the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is holding a summit with Trump.

"It's the, we hope, farthest reaching commitment to not finance terrorist organizations that (the U.S.) Treasury will be monitoring with each of their counterparts," said Dina Powell, White House deputy national security adviser for strategy.

"The unique piece of it is that every single one of them are signatories on how they're responsible and will actually prosecute the financing of terrorism, including individuals."

The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Western officials believe that people living in wealthy Gulf countries have been an important source of funding for Sunni Islamist groups fighting in Iraq and Syria, including Islamic State and al Qaeda. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Mark Potter)
PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) - The European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said on Sunday he was confident an agreement between Athens and its creditors could be found at a meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday in Brussels.

Athens needs funds to repay 7.5 billion euros ($8.4 billion) of debt maturing in July.

"We are very close to an overall agreement," Moscovici told France Inter radio.

"Greece has assumed its responsibilities," he said, referring to measures on pension cuts, tax hikes and reforms adopted on Thursday by the Greek Parliament.

"I now wish that we, the partners of Greece, also take our responsibilities," he said.

Moscovici said his optimism over a deal was partly linked to the fact Germany was now aware of the need to find a structural solution to Greece's problems.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed during a call on Wednesday that a deal was "feasible" by Monday.

($1 = 0.8925 euros) (Reporting by Myriam Rivert and Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Mark Potter)
BEIRUT, May 21 (Reuters) - A bomb attack killed at least 14 Syrian insurgents at a headquarters for the powerful Islamist Ahrar al-Sham group on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

Two blasts including at least one suicide attacker hit the base in a village east of Saraqeb in Idlib province, the British-based Observatory reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Photos circulated on social media showed bloodied corpses and a blackened motorbike outside a small building in the village. The pictures could not immediately be verified.

Idlib is a rebel stronghold, but some insurgent factions have fought among themselves this year, including in clashes that pitted groups aligned with Ahrar al-Sham against groups that joined the al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.

Syrian government forces have taken advantage of rebel infighting, particularly a separate spat further south near Damascus, to recapture territory from insurgents in the six-year conflict. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Mark Potter)
WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said both economic and diplomatic pressure will continue to be applied to North Korea in the wake of a ballistic missile launch.

"The ongoing testing is disappointing, disturbing and we ask that they cease that," Tillerson said on Sunday in an interview with "Fox News Sunday."

North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast on Sunday, its second missile test in a week. (Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
CAIRO, May 21 (Reuters) - Egypt referred 48 people to the country's military judiciary on Sunday for suspected involvement in three deadly church bombings and accused them of joining the militant group Islamic State.

Egypt's Christian minority has come under attack in recent months. Two deadly church bombings in Alexandria and Tanta killed more than 45 people in April, months after a bombing near Cairo's Coptic Cathedral killed at least 25.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for all three attacks.

Public prosecutor Nabil Sadek said in a statement on Sunday that some of the suspects held leadership positions in Islamic State and formed cells in Cairo and the southern province of Qena to carry out the church attacks.

Egypt is facing a more than three-year-old insurgency led by Islamic State that intensified after general-turned-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi led the military in ousting Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

Attacks were largely against security forces in the sparsely populated Sinai Peninsula in the past, but the militant group has spread its violence to the mainland and increasingly targeted Christian civilians in recent months.

The referral to the military judiciary paves the way for the suspects to face military trial.

Sadek also accused the suspects of carrying out an attack on a checkpoint in Egypt's Western Desert that killed at least eight policemen and receiving military training from Islamic State in Syria and Libya. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed; Writing by Eric Knecht; Editing by Tom Finn and Tom Heneghan)
By Paul Day

MADRID, May 21 (Reuters) - Spain's Socialists choose their leader on Sunday in a vote that will decide their relevance as a centre-left party for next few years and set the tone for the ruling minority conservative government's influence in parliament.

Some 188,000 members of what was until recently Spain's only main alternative to the conservative People's Party (PP) will pick between former leader Pedro Sanchez, Andalusia regional party head Susana Diaz and outlier Basque Country's Patxi Lopez.

Polls show the winner will be either Sanchez, a relative hard liner who has proved he will fight the conservatives' market-friendly, deficit-tackling policies, and Diaz, a moderate who is open to seeking consensus in the split parliament.

Whichever way the vote swings, the party is fighting to prove its relevance in a split parliament that has left it between the right-wing policies of the PP and market friendly Ciudadanos (Citizens) on one hand and the hard-left Podemos (We Can) on the other.

Last year's general elections left parliament torn between the four parties and it was Sanchez's refusal to abstain in a vote to let the PP take the leadership and avoid a third election in a year which led to his ouster at the head of the Socialists.

The move gave Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy another term, but with a minority position that needs opposition support for everything he proposes, from economic reforms to the annual budget.

Sanchez's attempted return is one of defiance, showing he is willing to take a more combative stance than his opponent Diaz by blocking PP proposals, laying the ground for four years of political stalemate and potential sparking an early election.

FRACTURED AND STRUGGLING

The Socialists have suffered the fate of many of their left wing peers across Europe in recent years as party politics is distorted by populist leaders from all sides of the political spectrum, leaving its base fractured and struggling for an identity.

In Spain, part of that political sea change has been due to the arrival of the anti-austerity Podemos, which began as a grass roots movement against the PP's deficit-fighting policies during the prolonged economic crisis.

Since Podemos was founded in 2014, it has taken half of the Socialist's support through the political agitation of Podemos leader, former professor Pablo Iglesias.

"When the Socialists lost their profile as the alternative and became confused with their adversary, the electorate ends up not recognising it and going for more populist options," Sanchez campaign coordinator Jose Luis Abalos said.

On Friday, Iglesias' party filed a motion of no-confidence against Rajoy. It was seen as a challenge to the Socialists to vote to fight the conservatives, by Podemos' side. (Additional reporting by Inmaculada Sanz Editing by Jeremy Gaunt.)
BERLIN, May 22 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, a Social Democrat, demanded on Monday that the euro zone make a concrete commitment on debt relief to Greece, effectively criticising conservative Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble's tough stance.

Eurogroup finance ministers, including Schaeuble, meet on Monday to discuss the release of a 7.5 billion euro bailout tranche to Greece after the Greek parliament last week passed pension cuts and tax hikes sought by its international lenders.

Athens is also hoping for debt relief. Lenders have agreed in principle to debt restructuring but not on details.

"Greece has been promised debt relief over and over again if reforms are carried out," Gabriel told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung paper. "Now we must stand by this promise."

"This must not fail due to German resistance," said Gabriel.

Schaeuble, keenly aware that German voters do not want to keep paying out billions of euros to help Greeks, has adopted a hard approach over the years and insists that any debt restructuring can only come once reforms have been implemented.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been reluctant to join Greece's current bailout, arguing it wants assurances that its debt will be sustainable.

Gabriel, whose Social Democrats are desperately trying to close a roughly 10 percentage point gap with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives four months before a federal election, said the "political blockade must be lifted". (Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Sandra Maler)
By Ori Lewis

JERUSALEM, May 21 (Reuters) - Israel on Sunday authorised a few economic concessions to the Palestinians requested by President Donald Trump, hours before the U.S. leader begins a visit in which he hopes to revive peace talks frozen since 2014.

As well as the concessions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet - a forum of senior ministers - voted to establish a committee to examine legalising outposts built without formal approval in the occupied West Bank.

"The security cabinet has approved economic measures that will ease daily civilian life in the Palestinian Authority after (Trump) who arrives tomorrow, asked to see some confidence building steps," the cabinet statement said.

Trump arrives in Israel on Monday and will meet Netanyahu. On Tuesday, he will go briefly to the West Bank to see Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and will later speak in Jerusalem before heading to Rome and then Brussels.

"These are concessions ahead of Trump's visit that do not harm Israel's interests," an Israeli diplomatic source said.

The concessions include the building of two industrial zones at Jalameh in the northern West Bank and Tarqumiyeh in the south and would keep the Allenby Bridge crossing that connects the West Bank and Jordan open 24 hours a day.

It said it would also ease restrictions on Palestinian construction in areas where it retains overall control at places that abut Palestinian urban areas.

Among the main bones of contention between Israelis and Palestinians are Netanyahu's insistence that the Palestinians recognise Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people and the Palestinians calling for a halt to Israeli settlement building in the West Bank.

The committee to examine legalising Israeli outposts would work for three years, although its exact mandate was still to be defined, the statement said. Over decades, settlers have built scores of hilltop outposts without receiving government approval.

Most countries consider all Israeli settlements, including those built with official sanction, to be illegal. Israel disagrees, citing historical and political links to the land - which the Palestinians also assert - as well as security interests.

The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip, which Israeli forces and settlers left in 2005, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Trump began his first international trip since taking office in January with a visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday . The trip has been billed as a chance to visit places sacred to three of the world's major religions. (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Peter Cooney)
A Beeralu making equipment called Beeralu Kotte

Coir products, reed and cane craft, lacquer work, cloth-weaving and many other traditional Sri Lankan crafts are disappearing from the country, but they have the potential to earn immensely from foreign and local markets as well.

The open economy compelled people to buy imported goods and those were valued over local products, and this led to the neglect of local crafts. There was once a golden period in Sri Lankan history, when traditional craftsmanship flourished. The former Womens Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) chairperson Daya Jayaratne managed to exhibit our Beeralu lace at the ninth annual Asia House fair held in March in England. She says she was surprised by the interest exhibited by European women for our hand-made beeralu lace. The beeralu on display was from award winning lace maker M.B. Priyani of Galle.

The government is not helping artisans or sponsoring them. The government must make a market for them and solve their professional problems, Daya Jayaratne said.

Ms Jayaratne emphasized the importance to uplift traditional craftsmanship: They dont have a place to display their articles and the places like Laksala have displayed a few beeralu creations at very exorbitant prizes.

Sri Lankan Beeralu stall at Asia House Exhibition



The governments efforts to help the artisans is poor. There are many ministries in the government, but the heritage of our country has been neglected and therefore the crafts are dying. Other Asian countries like Pakistan, India and Malaysia have had many stalls and we were the only stall representing Sri Lanka, without any support or sponsorship from the government. In other Asian countries, artisans have the governments support for their traditional craftsmanship. Many European people were interested in Sri Lankan crafts and most of them told us they have been to Sri Lanka. But they never came across those artefacts anywhere before. We have a good market in Europe, as many Sri Lankans live there. she described the international platform.

If the government can train village women to make quality products with their traditional expertise, even the local market will be good enough. Village women create a lot of coir-based products like brooms, but people prefer to buy plastic ones instead, because those products are not of the expected quality. That is one of the causes for importing more plastics into the country. If the government can train these women to produce quality goods, it will benefit them, traditional crafts and the country also, M/s Jayaratne saiad.

Beautean, a famous beeralu weaver



History of Beeralu weaving

Beeralu weaving was popularized in Sri Lanka after Portuguese invasion in the 16th century. Later the Dutch also contributed in developing the Industry. Even though the Portuguese and Dutch periods were the golden age of Beerlu industry in Sri Lanka, it is considered that the Malays who arrived here from Indonesian islands and the Malay region, were the first to introduce the craft to the island. Ancient kings and their queens appreciated Beeralu lace profusely. The book titled Beeralu lace in Ancient Ceylon says the history of Sri Lankan Beeralu industry dates over 600 years. In the past, weaving beeralu was a way of showing skill, a hobby and an extra earning for village womenfolk.

The southern coastal area in Sri Lanka was famous for its beautifully crafted beeralu lace. Many housewives were engaging in the traditional craft inherited from their ancestors. When the Tsunami struck the island in 2004, many artisans lost their families, homes and their hard earned properties, including beeralu making equipment. Some of them were rehabilitated in Tsunami villages. Winning the battle of life was never easy for them, and to earn a living, they turned to their familiar livelihood again. Most of the village women are weaving beeralu. They are supplied materials, trained but not given a proper and profitable market for their toil. Therefore, they have to sell products themselves or sell to shop owners at a lower price. There are a number of problems faced by the remaining beeralu weavers in the country.

Weaving process



We travelled to Magalla, a village ten minutes away off the Galle highway exit. Beautean, a famous beeralu weaver and winner of many beeralu competitions showed us her skill in weaving beeralu lace. Her mother, brother and sister-in-law and even the children of the family are helping with lace making. They weave beautiful designs, jackets, table mats and many other items with beeralu lace. Weaving lace is not an easy task. It requires trained expertise, concentration and patience. They price their creations at higher prices, as they earn a living out of it.

Being an experienced instructor in a beeralu lace making class organized by the National Craft Council, Beautean said; those of the young generation dont attend our classes. If more youngsters participate, we will be able to pass our knowledge on to the future.

Drawing the pattern

"Even though the Portuguese and Dutch periods were the golden age of Beeralu industry in Sri Lanka, it is considered that the Malays who arrived here from Indonesian islands and the Malay region, were the first to introduce the craft to the island"



Many Beeralu weavers we met were housewives in their late 50s & 60s and it seemed that weaving beeralu brought an extra income to them and it was a daily routine. These traditional crafts lack the enthusiastic labour necessary for its existence as the younger generation keeps rejecting their heritage; artisans complain often. Their children would consider this traditional employment an embarrassment, due to the unacceptability of modern society. Only the urban upper class is making money with these surviving traditional crafts, due to their marketing and thinking skills as well as the high demand from the urban market, especially from the fashion industry.

The beeralu lace industry is facing a disappointing future with lagging demand and will likely become an ancient practice that can be seen only in museums if these beeralu weavers are not supported by

the government.

Beeralu lace made by Beautean
At least eight persons were hospitalised when a concrete slab of a building which was being constructed at Mary Amman Kovil in Kaththankudi collapsed yesterday.



Police said the injured were admitted to the Batticaloa and Ariyampathi Hospitals.
Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman

Middle Eastern politics and political leaders made news over the last week from the Iranian presidential elections, Turkish Presidents American visit to President Donald Trumps first foreign visit as President of the United States, starting from Saudi Arabia had political analysts engaging in intense debates charting the implications of these developments. From a Sri Lankan perspective careful attention to these developments may give our foreign policy makers a sense of the numerous transformations taking place within the region and the political divisions within and among Middle Eastern states that are becoming more ominous.

Contemporary Middle Eastern politics and security were eternally linked to the relationship between Israel and the rest. This traditional adversarial relationship is overshadowed by an emerging intense geo-political struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia vying for dominance in the region. Middle Eastern conflict zones either dominated by Islamic State (IS), Al Qaeda or Houthi rebels is increasingly marked by its sectarian nature which the two competing regional powers are exploiting to maximize their regional hegemony.

Geo-political struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia vying for dominance in the region

Re-election of Hassan Rouhani will play a major role in Irans position in the region

West and Saudi policy makers accuse Iran of being main sponsor of terrorism

In this context, the outcome of the Iranian presidential election is crucial with the re-election of Hassan Rouhani. Iran has actively expanded its military involvements in the region by engaging in battle theatres in Iraq and Syria and to a certain extent in Yemen. While Western and Saudi policy makers accuse Iran of being the main sponsor of terrorism, Iran has been vocal about its anti terror operations across the Middle East. Iran claims that it is leading the regional battle against Islamic State (IS) terrorists and has been successful in delivering significant blows to weaken the terror outfit.

If one carefully examines what is driving this increased Iranian involvement in a so called anti-terror campaign the functions of a complex and nuanced internal political machinations could be unravelled. The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, labelled as a moderate President has been pushing for a wider Iranian engagement within the region and the world. Rouhanis core argument has been that wider Iranian regional and global engagements would increase its importance and legitimacy as a global player. Thus the anti terror policy of Iran has become a key foreign policy plank and a means of military intervention in the region with backing of Russia and the Assad regime in Syria.

"Rouhanis main rival for the Presidency a traditional, conservative candidate Ebrahim Raisi attempted to manipulate religious sentiments through populist slogans to restore the religious and conservative values in the Iranian polity yet failed."

Rouhanis main rival for the Presidency a traditional, conservative candidate Ebrahim Raisi attempted to manipulate religious sentiments through populist slogans to restore the religious and conservative values in the Iranian polity yet failed. Raisi, is also tipped to be the favourite to be the next supreme leader in Iran, the Ayatollah. As there are wide speculations that current supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Khameneis health is deteriorating with his age. Raisi took a great risk by running for the presidency, as his fall will put him in a precarious position to be the

next Ayatollah.

Middle Eastern political analysts claim that Raisi seems to have flicked a few pages from the Trump play book, by attempting to project himself as an anti establishment candidate and highlighting corruption, economic failures, phantom threats and unemployment. His campaign tried to undermine Rouhanis claims of success of the 2015 nuclear deal which got Iran out of some trade sanctions imposed by the United States and other Western nations, that were strangling the countrys economy.

"Middle Eastern conflict zones either dominated by Islamic State (IS), Al Qaeda or Houthi rebels is increasingly marked by its sectarian nature which the two competing regional powers are exploiting to maximize their regional hegemony "

Rouhani despite Western aggression managed to build diplomatic relations even with Sunni dominant countrys like Turkey while reaching out to States such as China, Russia and India. Yet it seems just as in France, the so called populist movements staying power or applicability as a generic model to analyse political change is flawed. This is very clear with victories of Macron in France and Rouhani in Iran.

Rouhanis victory marks a significant shift in traditional Iran and confirms it as a society in transition. With expanding urban centres, significant modernization Iranians seem to prefer a leader who will not take them back to a inward looking, conservative society. The victory will encourage Hassan Rouhani to continue with his diplomatic push to make Iran firmly be identified as a great power in the region.

Irans election result will be a key determining factor of the future of Middle Eastern politics and security priorities. While the Iranians voted to elect a new president last Friday, Donald Trump started his first foreign visit as President heading for Saudi Arabia and the moment he reached there he tweeted, great to be in Riyadh. Plagued by domestic political controversies, debacles and self inflicted political wounds Trump maybe looking for some reprieve and success in his foreign outings

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani

Trumps visit starting from Saudi Arabia would conclude from Brussels where he will attend a NATO summit. If he was looking for some respite in this tour it may not come that easily. With his anti Muslim comments , yet he is not going there alone, an entourage of American CEOs are joining him in this tour coordinated by his son in law Jared Kushner. Trump is supposed to seal military hardware sales to Saudi Arabia worth nearly $100 billion. As Saudi military has been embroiled in a long drawn conflict in Yemen against Iranian backed houthi rebels, American and British weapons sales have skyrocketed in to the country to replenish its arsenal.

Saudi Arabia has embarked on a radical transformation of its key economic models, and is trying to break from oil dependence by diversifying its economy. Unveiled as the Saudi Arabia 2030 vision, where a key plan is to sell around 5% of shares of the oil giant ARAMCO and create a sovereign wealth fund with an estimated value of $2.5 Trillion that will help drive the diversification process. Thus irrespective of Trumps rhetoric this Saudi vision is a win-win for both the United States and Saudi Arabia if the two work together honouring their long term commitments.

"Trump is supposed to seal military hardware sales to Saudi Arabia worth nearly $100 billion. As Saudi military has been embroiled in a long-drawn conflict in Yemen against Iranian backed Houthi rebels "

Yet political realities in the Middle East may challenge every established political elite and system in the Middle East. With more American weapons, the Saudis will try seeking to achieve strategic dominance in the region. While Saudi Arabia may warm up to Trump, he is feeling the heat from a Turkey which is not happy with American strategies of battling ISIL. While Turkeys response to Islamic State is filled with ambivalence, it is very clear on its position on Kurdish groups who are entangled in the conflict. Syrian Kurdish militias known as YPG (peoples protection units) are to be armed by the United States. Turkey designates the YPG as a terror outfit and has increased attacks on them. This complicates security and strategic aspects of American involvement in the Syrian conflict and has wider repercussions onto its role in the region. The Trump administration has already approved $300 million worth of arms sales to the Kurdish Peshmerga militias in Iraq to battle IS.

Turkish government commenced a deeper engagement with Russia in dealing with conflicts in Middle East, especially in Syria while maturing to accommodate Iran. Iran, Russia and Turkey seems to be creating a new triumvirate loaded with sufficient power resources to bypass or even undermine Saudi and American influences in the Middle East. Thus such geo-political configurations and an American diplomatic system probably in its weakest form since Trump took over as President, with the non-appointments of heads and functional staff to key positions at the State department limits Washingtons strategic manoeuvrability creating opportunities for regional and extra regional powers to fill the vacuum.

Thus we are witnessing a partial unravelling of the artificial boundaries that made up Middle East since the end of World War II and an embryonic shaping of a new configuration. What is coming may still be hard to predict but what is definite is that the Middle East that was split among Western political powers is coming to an end.



The Writer is the Director, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS)
A patient sleeps on a chair at a day of doctors strike on April 7

We have always been good at political slogans. Api Wenuwen Api, created to advertise the previous regimes all-out war, was hugely successful. It was very clever psychology too, gift wrapping a very self-centred idea (api standing for the majority) as an altruistic social exercise when the whole idea was rooted in a completely selfish Me generational thing. This became abundantly clear by the way the Rajapakse regime cut the cake after the war was won.

And now, Api Wenuwen Api has been hijacked by the anti-SAITM lobby. A slogan at the gate of a government hospital in Colombo said: Oba Wenuwen Api (We are for you) which sounds even more altruistic. Doctors earning their living thanks to free education subsidized by taxpayers money are now waging a no-quarter-given struggle to safeguard that free education from an amoral private education enterprise. They are fighting for our rights to sneeze without fear of an exorbitant bill. Or so, they say.

Doctors earning their living thanks to free education subsidized by taxpayers money

The shortage of doctors in state hospitals is so acute that at one stage the employment of foreign doctors was being discussed

This isnt just a question of private vs. state enterprises. Its about monopolies

GMOA and its affiliates have obviously forgotten this oath

But, as things actually, stand: Api Wenuwen Oba (You are for us) sounds more appropriate. Everyone who could be enlisted to the anti-SAITM cause - doctors, medical students, nurses - are now expected to champion free education. Its benefit to our doctors can be gauged by a simple survey - stand outside the gates of any government hospital and watch the parade of shiny new cars. One should be grateful indeed for free education. But, as if all this emotional and vocational power isnt enough, the general public too, needs to be made aware and their sympathy harnessed - hence, oba wenuwen api.

Too bad about those who fail to win this state medical lottery - those who fail to gain entry to medical college by just one mark (some even commit suicide). The shortage of doctors in state hospitals is so acute that at one stage the employment of foreign doctors was being discussed. The medical profession, like the national security apparatus, is a sacred cow. People are offended when its standards are questioned. But no proper survey of deaths due to negligence, overwork and other negative factors can be done because GMOA wont cooperate. In the entire history of Sri Lanka, only one case that was filed against a doctor for causing death by negligence has been successful (the complainant was a lawyer) but the ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

"Nationalising SAITM would be as pointless as what was done to Buhari Hotel and Sri Lankan Airlines. Our doctors arent going to help make things less equal here by screaming for nationalization because they are very much a part of those inequalities"

The medical lobby in this country is insular and all-powerful, and wishes to remain that way. They determined that only the state has the privilege of producing doctors. This Brahmin class living well thanks to the taxpayers rupees display no democratic niceties in going about this struggle. Participation in SAITM protests isnt voluntary. There isnt any pro-or-con discussion about it within the GMOA or medical college unions. One wonders if this was because Rohana Wijeweera was once a medical student, but the JVP and its nemesis Peretugami Pakshaya (Progressive Socialist Front) who control the medical student unions have found common cause here. They too, dont want to see any privately-educated doctors in this country.

Private education has its bad side. Its too expensive for quite a lot of people. But nationalization of SAITM is not a solution to that dilemma. Sri Lanka has a trigger-happy mentality when it comes to nationalization. This writer holds the view that some essential services, such as public transport, education and health should receive state subsidies given current income levels and gross inequalities. But there should be a clear rationale and logic for nationalization. Nationalising SAITM would be as pointless as what was done to Buhari Hotel and Sri Lankan Airlines. Our doctors arent going to help make things less equal here by screaming for nationalization because they are very much a part of those inequalities.

"The medical profession, like the national security apparatus, is a sacred cow. People are offended when its standards are questioned. But no proper survey of deaths due to negligence, overwork and other negative factors can be done because GMOA wont cooperate."

This isnt just a question of private vs. state enterprises. Its about monopolies, which are always bad. It is also about ethics. There is an aphorism taught to all medical students, attributed to the Hippocratic oath: First, do not harm. The GMOA and its affiliates have obviously forgotten this oath. Doctors, by negligence, overwork, or genuine mistakes, do a lot of harm. Patients are damaged beyond repair, or die. But this monolithic medical structure makes it impossible to obtain justice.

British brain surgeon Henry Marsh wrote in his memoir about both his successes and failures. He describes visiting a nursing home outside London dedicated to the long-term care of patients with catastrophic brain damage. Inside, he recognized at least five former patients of his. They call us heroes, and sometimes gods, Marsh writes of his patients. Perhaps they never quite realized just how dangerous the operation has been and how lucky they were to have recovered so well. Whereas the surgeon, for a while, has known heaven, having come very close to hell.

Of course his successes are far more numerous than his failures. But what he says about surgeons is true of doctors, too. What is needed is candour, self-criticism, and compassion towards patients. We have doctors with such qualities, but they remain strangled by the omnipresent tentacles of our monolithic medical structure with the GMOA as its head. Its a beast devoid of reason and compassion, ever ready to hold hostage the very people it professes to care for.

The government should not yield to it.
An Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy, INS Sumedha and a Canadian naval ship HMCS Winnipeg - FFH 338 arrived in Colombo port for training and goodwill visit.

Navy said The INS Sumedha arrived at the Colombo harbour on a three day official visit this morning. The INS Sumedha ship was the twentieth ships arrived in Sri Lanka this year.

 A total of 57 ships belonging to the foreign navies and coast guards had made similar ports of call in Sri Lanka last year the Navy said.

During the stay of INS Sumedha, its crew is scheduled to take part in several programmes including; training exercises, display of cultural performances and friendly sporting events organized by their Sri Lankan counterpart.

Meanwhile the Royal Canadian Naval Ship, HMCS Winnipeg - FFH 338 arrived at the Colombo Port of Colombo on Saturday.

During the ships stay in Sri Lanka, its crew is expected to take part in a wide range of activities including passage exercises, on-board receptions and several sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.

The ship is scheduled to leave from the Colombo on May 25.
Muslim Ministers and MPs in the Government would meet President Maitripala Sirisena to discuss action that should be taken against anti-Muslim sentiments, which they said was rising once again.

A Muslim MP, who did not wished to be named, said they decided to seek an appointment with the President to discuss the issue at a meeting they had in Colombo over the weekend.

We do not think the meeting would take place soon as the talk of a Cabinet reshuffle is in the offing. But we expect to meet the President after the busy period is over, he said.

According to the MP some had suggested that some action was essential as nothing had been done by this Government so far to curb religious and communal hatred.

Ministers including Rauff Hakeem, Mujibur Rahaman and several others have participated at this meeting, he said. (Yohan Perera)
The Management of SAITM today said it would be co-operate with the policy decisions presented by the Government and the suggestions made by President Maithripala Sirisena.

In a media statement it said:

Primarily among these is the recommendation to broad-base the institutes ownership by listing it on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

The South Asia Institute of Medicine and Technology (SAITM) is ready to cooperate with the Government on the suggestion to suspend the enrolment of new students.

SAITM is willing to co-operate with regard to the suggestion to suspend the enrolment of new students with the Government in order to facilitate the implementation of the said proposals expeditiously subject to the court case which is now awaiting a Supreme Court decision, the statement said

The Chairman and management are confident that the Government will at all times protect the freedom for education in the country. SAITM will extend its fullest support to the Government's efforts in maintaining quality and standards in medical education in Sri Lanka, across all medical faculties, state and non-State, sans discrimination, the statement add.
High-speed railways in Indonesia and Hungary. Deep-water ports in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Gas pipelines across central Asia. All are part of what is arguably the largest overseas development drive ever launched by a single nation.

Even the Marshall Plan, Americas post-war reconstruction effort in Europe, pales in comparison to the more than US $ 900 billion China has pledged for the construction of infrastructure projects in more than 60 countries as part of its One Belt, One Road initiative.

Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined his vision for this modern-day Silk Road during a two-day forum in Beijing that ended Monday. While the initiative is still in its early stages, it comes at a critical moment in Asia. The developing countries in the region need to invest some US $ 1.7 trillion per year on infrastructure to maintain growth, tackle poverty and fight climate change, according to the Asian Development Bank. Meanwhile, the United States seems poised to reverse the Obama administrations plans for a pivot to Asia.

The Belt and Road Initiative gives China the opportunity to create a political and economic network based on its own rules, with the ambitious goal of establishing what Chinese state-run media have dubbed globalization 2.0. Xi used the forum this week to present himself as one of its leaders  and, in stark contrast to US President Trump, as an advocate for free trade.

We should embrace the outside world with an open mind, uphold the multilateral trading regime, advance the building of free trade areas and promote liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, Xi said Sunday in his opening speech.

Yet, his call for governments to pursue greater openness and reject protectionism has raised eyebrows. The trading partners, who complain that China is the most-closed major economy, question whether the Belt and Road initiative will let foreign companies in on the action. And despite Beijings decades-long support for non-interference  not meddling in other countries domestic affairs  foreign policy analysts ask if its growing economic leadership will give rise to more political ambitions, too.



Staking its claim

Speaking to an audience that included the leaders of 29 countries  including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Central Asian autocrats  Xi insisted on Sunday that China had no desire to impose our will on others. He said economic globalization should be open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

Xi pledged an additional US $ 14.5 billion to the Silk Road Fund set up in 2014 to finance infrastructure projects and US $ 8.7 billion in aid to developing countries and international organisations. He also announced that two government-run banks would distribute loans of US $ 55 billion to support Belt and Road projects.

Chinas leader didnt mention Trump by name, but the implicit message was clear: If an inward-looking United States is going to focus on America first, China is ready with a new economic order for the world to follow. The situation in the US and in the EU with Brexit has created an international policy vacuum, says Peter Cai, a fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and author of a recent report on the Belt and Road initiative. China has been emboldened to step into the vacuum and stake its claim as a global economic leader.

Cai says China has greatly expanded the scope of the initiative since Xi announced its launch four years ago. What was once largely focused on infrastructure in Asia now extends all the way to central Europe, as well as Africa and the Middle East. In a sign of its growing reach, delegates from more than 100 countries and the leaders of international organisations including the United Nations and World Bank attended the forum in Beijing.

Britain led globalization for more than 200 years and the US led it for more than 100 years, says Huiyao Wang, President of the Centre for China and Globalization in Beijing. Now it needs new energy.

That energy is something China is eager to provide, especially after Trump abandoned the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Obama administrations signature trade agreement, on his first full weekday in office. With American economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region likely to wane, China wants to take its place as it looks to open new markets for Chinese goods and reassert itself as Asias leading power. Xi wants to make China great on the international stage, Tom Miller, author of Chinas Asian Dream: Empire Building Along the New Silk Road, said at a book talk in Beijing last month. He wants China to predominate in the East, much as the US does in the West.



Who owns the road?

Critics say China is trying to rewrite the rules on global trade and security in pursuit of its own economic and geopolitical interests.

They warn that Beijings proven willingness to work with authoritarian regimes could undermine human rights and environmental standards in the developing world. Meanwhile, economists have raised concerns that the massive infrastructure projects, if poorly conceived or negotiated, could leave poor countries with unsustainable levels of debt.

Supporters of the initiative, such as Zhang Yansheng, Chief Research Fellow at the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges in Beijing, say Chinas aim is to supplement the existing global governance and economic systems  not replace them.

One Belt, One Road is a way to help rebalance the world economy. Its about how to reduce the gap between rich and poor, Zhang says. The image China wants to send to the world is that One Belt, One Road does not only belong to China, it belongs to the world.

The parts of the world that the initiative targets are fraught with risk. Cai of the Lowy Institute says nearly two-thirds of the countries that have accepted the Belt and Road projects have credit ratings below investment grade. In nations such as Pakistan, rampant corruption and security threats also present significant challenges.

And how far China is willing to go to uphold its commitment to non-interference, the unconditional respect for state sovereignty, will surely be tested as its economic influence over other countries grows. What could China do to protect the US $ 57-billion economic corridor its helping to build through Pakistan, where militants have killed 44 Pakistani workers since 2014? What about Beijings perceived threat from ethnic Uighurs from the western region of Xinjiang who are suspected of fighting with militant groups in the Middle East and accused of killing Chinese diplomats in central Asia?

China will have a considerable amount of economic leverage as these projects get built, Cai says. The temptation to use that economic leverage will always be there, but only time will tell if China decides to use it in pursuit of other interests.

(Courtesy http://www.csmonitor.com)
The owner of the Excellency building in Wellawatta, which collapsed on Thursday killing two and injuring 21 persons, was arrested by the Wellawatta Police last night.



Police said the 62-year-old building owner is a resident of Wellawatta and was arrested after he surrendered to the Police.



He is to be produced in the Mount Lavinia Magistrates Court today.



The five-story building which was situated behind the Savoy Cinema in Wellawatta collapsed on Thursday while construction work was under way to expand the building.



The rescue team recovered a body of 20-year-old, under the debris of the collapsed building yesterday while another victim succumbed to injuries on admission to the National Hospital on Thursday night.



Several others victims are still undergoing treatments at the the Colombo South Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital.(DS)
Possibly even God does not know he is God, but after his Saudi visit Trump surely knows he is!

Not only is Sheikh Donald Duck of the House of Trump  as he has been christened by online Muslim cheerleaders  the "greatest", but others seem to be acutely aware of his "greatness", too, his latest fan being the Saudi king Salman Bin Abdul Aziz.

The king not only gave him the kind of reception that will make the Pope blush but also handed over the country's highest civilian honour  a gold chain that will henceforth dangle around Trump's neck, a constant reminder of the security umbrella the US will continue to provide the kingdom.

Trump will also ferry with him in his backpack orders worth $350 billion that will keep the rusting military-industrial monolith back home in good business.

But some "born again Americans" are not too happy at Trump for accepting the Saudi civilian honour with a self-proclaimed adviser of the president, Roger Stone, saying that the Saudis' presentation of a gold medallion to Trump made him "want to throw up".

In a barrage of tweets, Stone attacked Riyadh saying the kingdom should "pay for the attack on America on 9/11 which they had financed".

A pleasantly plump Trump descended on Saudi Arabia  a la Aladdin on his flying carpet, with first lady Melania in tow. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, anticipating that more Americans may want to throw up, an unofficial version has been put out to put in perspective the demeaning "bow" that Trump took when he accepted the Saudi honour. It is being said that Trump had merely bent his legs slightly and wobbly knees cannot be construed as a "bow" by any stretch of imagination.

A pleasantly plump Trump descended on Saudi Arabia  a la Aladdin on his flying carpet  a fictional character from Arabian Nights that has been a profound influence on the US president since infancy. Melania and Ivanka, the wife and daughter of the "Amerikeen", too, were perched on the carpet, barely an ankle on display.

But they went without the traditional head scarves  this may rankle back home because Trump had slammed former first lady Michelle Obama for failing to cover her head.

Some experts see Aladdin as a perfect metaphor for Trump and his no-holds-barred exploration of the Gulf. A genie named Israel is waiting in the wings to take orders from Aladdin later during the course of his visit, a big take away for the Saudis in Arab world's fight with Iran.

Some experts, however, keep wondering whether Trump cheerleaders are confusing Aladdin with Alibaba  the bankrupt woodcutter who loved riding a donkey with his mouth and eyes wide open  somewhat like a goldfish. And the one who kept forgetting his password, having stumbled over the world's riches.

Still others are even less charitable and see Trump as a lustful businessman who has descended from Hagar the Horrible  the viking wanderer given to looting and plundering and sermonising to his long suffering wife and the world.

Keeping the Hagar ancestry in mind, the Saudis even organised for the US president a male-only ceremonial sword dance, last staged for the Lawrence of Arabia.

Trump's sermon later in the day to the "pious" and "good" Muslims is supposed to be the piece de resistance: in which any reference to radical Islam may be studiously avoided. So, there will be no change in the ground situation and Saudis can continue to export the Ultra wahabi edition of Islam, duly funded by petro dollars.

But Trump did share with his hosts during his "course correction", one of Hagar the Horrible's great sermons, the thrust of which was, "I am going to open the door and the darkness 'out there' is going to invade the light 'in here'". Or something to that effect. Whether there was a veiled messsge in the sermon is a matter of conjecture.

What comes as a surprise is that it has taken Trump some time to discover the halo around his golden tufts; George W Bush had realised it in a jiffy and even put his favourite maxim immediately into practice in Iraq  "Kill them, put them to the sword and scatter [their armies and brains...]"

Though the American president regards himself as some kind of transcendental genius  whatever that empirical mumbo jumbo means  he might have a lot of explaining to do back home about his fondness for all things Russian, including its bedroom gymnasts.

A "nut case" the sacked FBI chief James Comey  who had taken the lid off Trump's best kept Russian secrets  is now being accused of "grandstanding and politicising the investigation into Russias actions..." even though Trump detractors see in the dismissal an attempt to obstruct justice.

Comey, however, is least bothered  he is looking at his sack as a much needed sabbatical to pen a book he long wanted to do. I believe it is titled "How to save the world from buffoons?" but we will have to wait for an official confirmation.

The former FBI boss' sack is, meanwhile, resonating in White House with some officials extremely miffed over the manner in which Trump had trashed Comey as a "crazy, a nut job" in the presence of none other than foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the United States. Trump also allegedly told his guests "I just fired the head of the FBI... "

Mr President got the kingdom's highest civilian honour  a gold chain that will dangle around his neck, a constant reminder of the security umbrella United States will continue to provide the House of Saud. Photo: AP

The US president also justified the sack saying that he was under great pressure. "That's taken off," he explained.

The Daily Beast, in fact, has elicited opinions on the president from multiple administration sources on Trump's embarrassing public leaks."Every day he looks more and more like a complete moron," a senior administration official told the site.

Trump, however, is unfazed, looking upon himself as some kind of modern-day Lawrence of Arabia: for his ensuing role in the Arab uprising against Iran, his dogged pursuit of the IS, and his 'complete immersion in the Arab way of life, at least into their deep pockets.
A lot has happened, both good and bad, nationally and internationally, in the field of climate change and climate action since the Paris Climate Accord was negotiated in December 2015.

While the biggest win was the Climate Agreement coming into force in time for the 2016 climate summit at Marrakech, Morocco, the uncertainty regarding America's continued participation in the treaty as well as global temperatures already warming over 1 degree of the 1.5 degree, and carbon dioxide levels crossing 400ppm, increases that can tip us over to fast-tracked long-term anthropogenic and ecological change are most worrying.

Intended Nationally Determined Contributions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (INDCs) are the foundation of the climate treaty and climate action. India's three-pronged INDC commitment includes: (1)175Gw of renewable energy installation; (2) reducing its emission intensity by 33-35 per cent of its 2005 levels by 2030; (3) afforestation to sink 2.5 to 3 gigatonnes to carbon.

In the Indian context, national cab aggregator Ola plans to have a fleet of electric cabs by 2018. Photo: PTI

The UN Energy Forum was held on May 11-12, 2017 in Vienna to highlight the 7th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG7): "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all."

As India focuses on building up 175 GW of renewable installations, minister of state with independent charge for power, coal, new and renewable energy and mines Piyush Goyal renewed the country's commitment to climate goals.

This is encouraging in view of the uncertainty regarding the United States' commitment as well as the recent reports that India's planned 370 thermal power pants alone can shatter the carbon budget.

With respect to India's commitment to renewables, this is the climate action that India and most developing nations are making great strides in.

Commissioning renewable energy projects is a commitment India has easily adopted  one it is on track to meet and exceed.

For example, the world's largest and third-largest solar power parks are in India: Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park (by Azure Power in Andhra Pradesh with a 900MW capacity spread over 24 square kilometres scheduled to open in June 2017) and Kamuthi Solar Power Project (in Tamil Nadu, with a generating capacity of 648 MW, commissioned by Adani Power was inaugurated last September and is spread over 10 square kilometres).

Yet, with renewables, an incentivised mass adoption approach, with grid-connected or off-grid systems countering the power deficit while staying off the massively coal-powered grid electricity, rather than having massive renewable plants that are not supplying the grid due to state owned energy transmission companies' red tape and bankruptcy, could lead to a bigger pro-climate victory.

With India's demography and power deficit, mass adoption of renewables rather than massive projects would be most effective, especially as energy security and access arekey to development and poverty elimination.

De-coupling and de-normalising of nations' fossil fuel habit is the most obvious way forward.

This will deal with both the pollution problem and the emission commitments.

Commissioning renewable energy projects is a commitment India has easily adopted and on track to meet and exceed. Photo: PTI

Cities especially have the power to win or lose the war against climate change. Sustainable cities are as vital if not more so than smart cities. The carbon tax and carbon dividend models sound like eco-friendly policy directions.

In the Indian context, national cab aggregator Ola plans to have a fleet of electric cabs by 2018 and the government plans to ensure all cars are electric by 2030.

Energy efficiency and our malls, IT parks and office megacomplexes transforming into smart buildings could help curb emission intensity. Electric bus and cab fleet for big companies would be a huge step forward.

India is an automobiles hub

Perhaps by getting ahead of the curb and becoming an electric automobiles hub, India could ensure jobs and avert climate change. Sadly, a lot of India's exports are petroleum products and processed crude.

So beyond kicking the fossil fuel habit nationally, a change in the profile of our exports would help with global carbon budgets.

Similarly, India's reliance on thermal power stations as the mainstay of the power grid, especially in a drought-hit and carbon-constrained reality is rather inefficient and inimical to climate commitments.

According to Climate Action Tracker, India's emissions will increase by 90 per cent by 2030 and just India's currently proposed coal plant building plans will decimate the carbon budget and the put the global warming well above a 1.5 degrees increase.

Finally, India's INDC regarding afforestation is another path to synchronising the economy and the environment.

Both soil and forest management have the power to reverse climate change as trees and healthy soil are very efficient carbon sinks.

Sustainable agro forestry, combining afforestation with job and income generators boosted by perhaps attractive monetary return on investment and tax savings could scale up building tree cover.

Many individuals and citizens collectives have successfully created mini-forests, including Jadhav "Molai" Payeng in Assam, Shubhendu Sharma of Afforestt, Piyush Sethia, Environmentalist Foundation of India, and Eco-Tree in Tamil Nadu, and the Chordias of Maharashtra. With incentives, this could be a great entrepreneurial incubator.

Most parts of India are facing a crippling drought. Freak weather is a regular international reality. Climate change and global warming are accelerating in apocalyptic proportions.
#lending rules S. Korea to begin eased lending rules next month South Korea will carry out eased lending rules for first-time homebuyers and owners of one home next month as the once-hot housing market appears to be entering a downturn amid ris...

#football Son Heung-min says ready to play at World Cup with protective mask As he recovers from a recent facial surgery, South Korean football icon Son Heung-min said Wednesday he will play at the upcoming FIFA World Cup with a protective mask. The Tott...
Members of the Charlottesville City Council say they will no longer recognize Lee or Jackson parks by those names and will vote in two weeks on new names. A majority of responses to a survey on the matter, however, suggests the council shouldnt do that.

Of the more than 2,600 name suggestions that were submitted to the city in an online survey, approximately 2,200 of them included Lee or Jackson.

In February, when councilors unanimously voted to begin a planning process to redesign the two parks, they also agreed to change the downtown sites names. Staff recommended conducting an online survey to consider input from the public.

Despite the survey results, Councilor Kristin Szakos said its unlikely the council will leave the parks names intact.

We decided to change the names, she said. Were not going to go with the majority. This was a way to submit ideas.

Councilor Wes Bellamy said he believes those opposed to changing the name of the parks made a coordinated effort to send multiple submissions that recommended keeping the names.

Its not rocket science to understand whats happening, he said. Its the same thing weve seen with the NBC29 polls. You have people clicking things multiple times.

Bellamy said the responses are vastly different than what he hears in the public.

What I see online is very different than what I see in real life, he said.

Besides the responses to continue honoring Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson, there were close to 100 recommendations to name either park after Sally Hemings, the Court Square area or the Monacan tribe.

There were several other repeat submissions, including Unity Park, Freedom Park and Vinegar Hill Park.

Aside from several profane suggestions, some submissions took aim at the council, such as you are traitors park, Politically correct park and Forgot U.S. history park.

Mayor Mike Signer said he thinks the council should act quickly to change the names, citing the May 13 white nationalist demonstrations at both parks.

I believe we should act as quickly as possible  to change the parks' names to reflect current values and change the narrative in Charlottesville, Signer said. I thought there were some really exciting names among those submitted and am looking forward to input from the public and the Historic Resources Committee alike.

The Charlottesville Historic Resources Committee will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday to review the names that have been suggested for the park.

The meeting will be held in the Neighborhood Development Services Conference Room at City Hall and is open to the public.

The council is expected to decide on new names for the parks at its June 5 meeting.
Pity the poor snowflakes  so sensitive they must be shielded from speech that might hurt their tender feelings.

Campus liberals? Nope. Were talking about supposedly serious grown-ups, including some veterans and Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman.

Last week Wittman met with a group of tea party activists at American Legion Post 90 in conservative Hanover. Eugene Truitt  the post commander and an Air Force veteran  asked Wittman when Congress would act on a flag-desecration bill. Wittman said it could happen soon.

I continue to push the leadership to have it come to the House floor, he said. I do think its worthy of debate about what are the limits of freedom of expression under the First Amendment.

Of course he does. Why should he be any different?

Last year Donald Trump tweeted a suggestion that anyone who burns the flag should face consequences  perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! More than 213,000 people liked the tweet. Some veterans spoke favorably of the idea. (At other times, other veterans have vigorously opposed it.)

In 1989, when the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects desecration of the American flag, veterans groups supported a constitutional amendment, and polling showed broad support for the idea among the general public.

In 2012, the Republican Party Platform included language insisting, By whatever legislative method is most feasible, Old Glory should be given legal protection against desecration.

Heck, even Hillary Clinton once co-sponsored legislation that would have put flag-burners behind bars and fine them up to $100,000. Who says Democrats and Republicans cant agree on anything?

Flag-burning legislation is supported by many people who, in other circumstances, probably would ridicule the impulse behind it. Combat-hardened veterans likely have little sympathy for hypersensitive college students who need speech codes and safe spaces to protect them from politically incorrect thoughts, and even jokes, they dont like. Nor do those students merit sympathy. They merit a lecture on the need to grow up and stop behaving like crybabies.

And yet: What is a flag-burning amendment, but an attempt to turn the entire country into a safe space?

It is, in fact, the epitome of political correctness: National flags designate political entities, and flag-burning expresses a particular opinion about the American polity.

Is it an odious opinion? Sure. But then there are many odious opinions. Some of them were on view May 13 in Charlottesville, when white supremacists held a torchlit rally around a statue of Robert E. Lee.

By what standard would supporters of a constitutional amendment define flag-burning as so odious it lies beyond the protection of the First Amendment, without concluding the same about assertions of white supremacy?

Speaking of which: When conservative scholar Charles Murray  whose work suggests racial differences might have a genetic component  showed up to speak at Middlebury College earlier this year, protesters shouted him down and set off fire alarms. When he and Middlebury professor Allison Stanger (who had been invited to push back against Murray in a civil dialogue) tried to leave, protesters assaulted her. She had to go to the hospital, and wound up in a neck brace  but not before protesters pounded on the car she and Murray rode away in, rocked it, and jumped on the hood.

Last month controversy erupted in Berkeley over a scheduled speech by conservative performance artist Ann Coulter. Campus police feared they could not adequately ensure public safety at the event, and Coulters speech was canceled. Free speech crushed by thugs, Coulter tweeted.

At nearly the same time, left-wing activists in Portland shut down an annual Avenue of Roses parade because they objected to participation by the Multnomah County Republican Party.

A flag-burning amendment takes a more formalistic approach to censorship than campus thugs do, but it still crushes free speech. And it does so through a mechanism  the governments police power  that is backed up by just as much violence as any campus mob can inflict, if not more.

People can always gin up clever arguments to disguise what theyre really doing. The latest academic casuistry is the claim that censorship actually protects free speech by  better sit down for this one  relieving people who dislike a viewpoint of the obligation to refute it.

To that, Mother Jones Kevin Drum  a liberal who still gets it  provides the necessary refutation: Once you concede the right to keep people from speaking, you concede the right of somebody to make that decision. And that somebody may eventually decide to shut down communists. Or anti-war protesters. Or gays. Or sociobiologists. Or Jews who defend Israel. Or Muslims. I dont want anyone to have that power.

Hes right. Nobody should.

A. Barton Hinkle is a writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Contact him at bhinkle@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6627.
The thoughts and feelings behind efforts to remove the statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson are understandable. But removing them will not rewrite history, nor should we attempt it.

Ancient Rome erased from stone monuments its defeated emperors names, and the Soviet Union did the same, both imagining that they could protect the present by hiding from the past. Neither dominion was made healthier or safer, and their citizens were not raised to higher values, by such fearful censorship. Likewise, hiding these statues of Lee and Jackson will do nothing to help the United States grow up.

As someone who was raised, and attended public school, in Charlottesville during the tumultuous days of fighting over and eventual acceptance of  and, I hope, embrace of  school integration, I revered those two statues. Even though I was told by some of my elders that this was really the War Between the States, I never understood these statues as emblems of slavery. Rather, I always saw them as exquisite works of equestrian art (particularly that of Stonewall Jackson), ones whose aesthetic values transcend the causes for which those men fought.

We do not destroy the Bach St. John Passion because of its 18th-century Lutheran anti-Jewish roots, as despicable as they are. Nor should we destroy these powerful bronze reminders of where we have been.

It is essential that we not allow the hateful rights crawling out from under its rock, both angry at the reality of an African-American president and incited by the campaigning of his successor, to define our thinking or determine our judgment. Racists would like to appropriate and defend these works of art as symbols of their own primitive thinking. But their anti-American beliefs should not be countered with our own foolishness and fear.

David Hoose, Lexington, Massachusetts
New Delhi: Production at Honda Cars India's Greater Noida facility was suspended for a day last week after fire broke out at the plant. The fire, that broke out on May 18 in the back up generator unit of the plant, was brought under control within couple of hours of the incident, a Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) spokesperson said in a statement.

No form of injury or casualty occurred due to the fire incident, it added. "In view of the temporary disruption of supply of power and water to the plant, operations at the unit had to be suspended on May 18," HCIL said.

While the office operations resumed from the next day May 19, 2017, the recovery teams are taking measures to resume the production at the plant when office reopens after the weekend, it added.

The plant has an installed manufacturing capacity of 1.2 lakh units per annum. It rolls out models like Brio, Amaze and CR-V. Currently, the facility is running on a single shift basis, churning out 60,000 units per annum. "We have already adjusted the production schedule for next few days to recover the loss in production within this month," the statement said.
New Delhi: Consumer durables makers expect sales of TVs, refrigerators and ACs to be impacted in July- August as prices would go up 4-5 per cent under the GST regime, but hope to make good from big volumes during festive sales.

Implementation of GST may impact their trade partners due to increase in input tax. However, it could be recovered by increase in their selling prices. According to Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA), such decline would be offset with the festive sales that would start from August this year with Onam.

"July-August sales will get impacted and the effect will get neutralised by the festive season and demand will be back," said CEAMA President Manish Sharma. Godrej Appliances Business Head and Executive VP Kamal Nandi said that the industry would find some difficulty in the initial months but later it would recover.

"In the short run, there would be some resistance or postponement, but in the long run given that it is a very structured tax system, it would propel growth," he said. Sharma, who is also President and CEO Panasonic India & South Asia said that the impact would be recovered through increase in prices.

"The trade partners could have a slight impact due to input tax. However, they could recover it by increase in their selling prices. We shall not be giving any incentive for inventory adjustments to trade partners," he added.

The GST Council has finalised tax rates for services under the new regime set to kick in from July 1, earmarking a 28 per cent rate for TV, refrigerators and air-conditioners.

Videocon Director Anirudh Dhoot said there would be some dilemma at the distributor level once GST is implemented, and the companies would have to address their concerns.

"Retailers are still in a dilemma with GST which we must address together and create awareness so that it can be welcomed smoothly without ambiguities," he said.

According to Nandi, the industry was expecting a lower tax slab of 18 per cent on TV, AC and refrigerator as they now are no more luxury items. "We were expecting a 18 per cent tax slab for home appliances because is a necessity now and not a luxury. Home appliances is a very low penetrated category, so bringing it down to 18 per cent would have propelled growth of the industry," he added.
New Delhi: Overseas investors have pumped in more than USD 2 billion so far in the country's capital market this month, helped by stable outlook for the rupee. Interestingly, most of the funds have been invested in the debt markets.

According to latest depository data, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) invested a net Rs 4,157 crore in equities during May 2-19, while they poured Rs 12,941 crore in the debt markets during the period under review, translating into a net inflow of Rs 17,099 crore (USD 2.66 billion).

This comes following a net inflow of close to Rs 94,900 crore in the last three months (February-April) on several factors, including expectations that BJP's victory in recently held assembly polls will accelerate the pace of reforms.

Prior to that, such investors had pulled out over Rs 3,496 crore from debt markets in January. "FPI flows into Indian equities are muted as the market has run up in the past four months and valuations are no longer cheap. Having said this, we are seeing some flows coming back to equity market for past few days," Sharekhan Head Advisory Hemang Jani said.

"The differential spread between 10-year bond yields in the US and India is still around 4.5-5 per cent, this, coupled with stable outlook for the Indian currency bodes well for FPI flows into debt market," Jani added. With the latest inflow, total investment in capital markets (equity and debt) has crossed over Rs 1 lakh crore this year.
Mumbai: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan sizzled at the 70th edition of Cannes Film Festival with panache.

From rocking the media interaction looks to violating the red carpet rule with elan, she looked not less than a fairytale princess.

The actress 2002 cult Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Devdas was screened to the public on the Martinez beach, as part of the festival.

This was the very first movie that Aishwarya had brought to Cannes 15 years ago, which was her maiden Cannes appearance then.

Reliving her experiences about her Cannes debut, she said, We attended the festival not just as artists but as proud representatives of Indian cinema, showcasing a film that meant so much to us. The kind of reception we got for the movie was truly overwhelming and I will cherish it all my life.

Well, that wasnt an end to Ashs Cannes tour.

Ashs stylist shared a beautiful post of the actress garbed in an embellished mermaid gown.

The stylist captioned the picture saying, "Back from a photo-call and a late wrap! Thank you Cannes for being so amazing. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in @monishajaising @giuseppezanottidesign shoes, Styled with @reannmoradian @charlottewillermakeup @stephanelancien #lifeatcannes #lorealparisindia @lorealmakeup."

The beautiful diva ended her day with this Monisha Jaising creation.

Well, according to the fashion critics, Ashs Cannes fashion game was on-point.
Mumbai: While the Cannes Film Festival is synonymous with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for Indians, the second-most popular actress at the film festival has been Sonam Kapoor.

Ever since 2011, the diva has made heads turn with her red carpet appearances.

The actress arrived at the French Riveria with her sister Rhea Kapoor who also doubles up as her stylist.

Dressed in a NorBlack NorWhite prismatic saree for a press interaction, she paired it with a sporty white blouse. She stood out and how!

The quirky retro look has all the Indian-ness attached to it. Her brand Rheson with sister Rhea abides by the same mantra of reviving old retro looks.

Well, the plastic white clutch cant go out of sight.

Here are few pictures and videos of the diva from Cannes:

When you squeeze in press a day early and you gotta run but gotta up the glamour quotient- #sportyspice Day 1 #cannes2017 @sonamkapoor in @norblacknorwhite @lynn_ban @lorealmakeup A post shared by Rhea Kapoor (@rheakapoor) on May 20, 2017 at 9:12am PDT

Sonam has impressed us with this outfit, which doubles up the excitement to see what the bona fide Indian fashionista will be wearing on the red carpet on May 21 and 22.

Other than these actresses, Shruti Haasan and Mallika Sherawat have also made an appearance at the 70th edition of the festival, which is scheduled to continue till 28 May.

Cannes this year has made headlines because of the stellar debut of Deepika Padukone, who came on board as the brand ambassador of a renowned cosmetic brand that both Aishwarya and Sonam endorse.

However, Aishwarya did manage to bring the spotlight back on her with her stunning red carpet appearance on Friday.
Mumbai: This might just make you see your beloved Captain Jack Sparrow in a whole new light altogether.

According to the blog post of Screenwriter Terry Rossio, who has been involved in every Pirates film so far, an early version of the script was rejected by Johnny Depp because it had a female villain.

He wrote, "My version of Dead Men Tell No Tales [the US title for Pirates 5] was set aside because it featured a female villain, and Johnny Depp was worried that would be redundant to Dark Shadows, which also featured a female villain."

The 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' star has been recently in news because of the rumours and allegations surrounding Johnny Depp's personal life and professional behavior.

Rossio also wrote about the various hurdles and potential deaths a script can face during development.

"My television series 'Magical Law' lapsed when Gore Verbinski decided to direct 'The Lone Ranger' instead. Our theatrical feature Lightspeed was put on the back burner when Disney acquired the 'Star Wars' franchise," he added.

On a related note, 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' is scheduled to release on May 26 in the US.

The movie stars Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush.
Mumbai: Actor-activist Shabana Azmi today said that triple talaq is inhumane and violates the basic rights of every Muslim woman.

She said it is the duty of the government to protect the rights of Muslim women and there should be no two opinions on the issue of abolishing triple talaq system.

"Triple talaq is inhumane and violates the basic rights of every Muslim woman," she told reporters here.

"This triple talaq system is totally inhumane and deprives the Muslim women of their right to empowerment or equality," she said.

In reply to a question, she said that "even the holy Quran does not permit triple talaq anywhere".

There is a raging debate in the country on the issue of triple talaq. The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of triple talaq.

Earlier, addressing a function here, she said the only true way to measure a society's progress is by seeing how empowered its women are.

"The women who get empowered must make efforts to empower other women. They must create support groups," she said.
Mr Krishna reportedly found fault with the SI for implicating the Dalits of his party and confined them in the case and failing to book cases against their rival Dalits involved in the dispute. (Representational Image)

Rajahmundry: On Saturday, Telugu Desam MLA from Tanuku A. Radha Krishna along with eight others was finally booked on charges of wrongful confinement of two police personnel over an issue at Tanuku rural police station in West Godavari.

The MLA and eight others were booked under Sections 341, 342 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Punishment for wrongful confinement).There was a dispute between two Dalit groups, one supported by the ruling TD and the other by the opposition YSR Congress.

On May 18, the Tanuku MLA, A. Radha Krishna, allegedly asked the Iragavaram Sub Inspector, Srinivasa Rao, to meet him at his residence at Relangi village in Iragavaram mandal. Accordingly, SI Rao along with his writer Prateep Kumar met the legislator.

Mr Krishna reportedly found fault with the SI for implicating the Dalits of his party and confined them in the case and failing to book cases against their rival Dalits involved in the dispute. He then allegedly confined the SI and his writer to his residence for some time. The two men were released later after senior police officers intervened.
Hyderabad: Five days after a 17-year-old girl was raped by two car drivers at Bowenpally, North Zone police arrested one of the suspects. The suspect, Karthal Raju, had gained the victims confidence by promising to marry her and took her to a room at the Praga Officers Cooperative Housing Society, where he and his friend D. Sai Kiran raped her.

The suspect confessed that he and his friend had raped the girl several times by blackmailing her with the threat that they would defame her. The police booked a case against the suspects under IPC and as per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Karthal Raju, 23, was arrested from Bowenpally on Saturday. Though the girl was raped several times the incident came out only on May 15, when she went missing. On May 15 evening she went out saying she that she wanted to relieve herself but did not return till early next morning. When she returned she was upset. When her parents asked her about that she said that she was raped by Sai Kiran. Later, the rapes came out, said a cop.

On that night, Raju had asked her to come to Dairy Farm Road. Though she had refused initially, he told her that he wanted to talk to her about their marriage. She went out saying that she was going to the toilet but went to Dairy Farm Road. When she reached there she could not find Raju but his friend Sai Kiran was there. He asked her to follow him to meet Raju. When she refused he told her that he knew her relationship with Raju and would defame her. He then took her to a room and raped her there, said the official.

Police said that Raju had met the girl several times and had taken her to the same room at Praga Officers Cooperative Housing Society, and had raped her there. Sai Kiran, 28, got to know about this and decided to exploit the situation. Raju also helped him in this. The police has launched a manhunt for Sai Kiran, who is absconding.
CHENNAI: In a move that will be embarrass Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamis faction of the AIADMK, which is at the receiving end of accusations that it has sacrificed state interests on issues like Cauvery Management Board and NEET, the rival groups leader O. Panneerselvam on Friday met Prime Minister Modi and insisted on the setting up of the Cauvery Management Board and exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET.

OPS also made it clear that his support to the BJP in the Presidential elections could not be taken for granted and asserted that he had not taken any decision on the polls. He added that a decision will be taken at the appropriate time.

A day after Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin questioned why the state ministers who are visiting Delhi and meeting Union Ministers are not demanding CMB formation or waiver of crop loans to farmers, Panneerselvam submitted a memorandum containing the same demands. In an apparent dig at the rival faction, Panneerselvam said his demands were for peoples welfare and no politics was discussed. He also wanted the reservation for government doctors in higher medical education to be retrieved.

The petition also sought a CBI enquiry into the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Besides, submitting a petition to Modi, the group headed by Panneerselvam also submitted a petition to President Pranab Mukherjee demanding CBI enquiry into Jayalalithaas death.

The demands of Panneerselvam, who was said be to strongly backed by the BJP earlier, could exert pressure on both the Centre and the rival Palanisami faction on issues of CMB and farmers plight.

The petition also came out against the Prime Ministers key economic policies of privatisation and wanted the move to privatise Salem Steel Plant to be dropped. He also insisted on funds for the Avinashi-Athikadavu project. The demands of Salem Steel Plant and Avinashi Athikadavu project are demands of people from the Kongu belt of the Chief Minister and his supporters.

Restrain Sasi faction from using party office: OPS

In a clear indication that the merger talks have failed, former CM O. Panneerselvam on Friday knocked at the doors of the Election Commission demanding that it restrain the V.K. Sasikala faction of the AIADMK from using the party headquarters on the Avvai Shanmugam Salai in Chennai.

The OPS camp plea with the Election Commission comes amid a war of words between senior leaders of both the factions on several political issues.

Counsel representing the OPS faction submitted additional documents with the EC on Friday in connection with the case challenging Sasikalas appointment as General Secretary of the AIADMK in December 2016.

The OPS faction says since the issues between the two factions are unsettled, the AIADMK office on the Avvai Shanmugam Salai in Royapettah in Chennai and party mouthpiece Namadhu MGR should not remain under the control of the Sasikala faction. They have called for ECs intervention in the issue, a senior EC official said.

A leader of the OPS faction confirmed filing the petition with the Election Commission and said since Sasikalas appointment as general secretary is challenged, her faction should not be allowed to use the party office and the mouthpiece.

We have requested the EC to restrain the Sasikala faction from using the office and mouthpiece till the issues between the two factions are solved, the leader said.
Chennai: Around 1.71 lakh students will appear for the Joint Entrance Exam (Advanced), a gateway to the prestigious IITs across 500 centres in India and abroad on Sunday.

Of 2.2 lakh students shortlisted through the JEE (Main) exam last month, 1.71 lakh have registered for the JEE (Advanced) exam, said Prem B. Bisht, organising chairman, JEE (Advanced)-2017, IIT-M. State boards which have major representations are UP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, AP, Telangana among others.For the first time, 500 foreign students will take the exam in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Colombo, Dhaka, Dubai, Kathmandu and Singapore. Unlike the JEE (Main) exam, the JEE (Advanced) will be very tough. In the main exam, only one of the four options will be correct. But in advanced exam multiple answers would be correct and wrong answers will carry negative marks, said Anand Nagarajan, academic head for the school division, TIME, Chennai.

There are 11,000 seats available in the 23 IITs. According to their marks, the students will be ranked and get admission. Aadhaar based biometry services are being introduced for the first time to verify the identity of candidates.
Meanwhile, the involvement of a Cabinet minister from north coastal districts in exerting pressure over the Telangana Excise department to release Shamshabad Airports customs superintendent has also become a headache for TD top bosses.

Vijayawada: Following clashes between TD MLA Gottipati Ravikumar and MLC Karanam Balaram in Prakasham district, the TD has landed in defense. Karanam Balaram has sought explanation from the Chief Minister for the murder of two TD activists and his supporters.

Meanwhile, the involvement of a Cabinet minister from north coastal districts in exerting pressure over the Telangana Excise department to release Shamshabad Airports customs superintendent has also become a headache for TD top bosses. Both the incidents took place just a week before Mahanadu, the partys annual plenary.

The CM used to criticise the Congress and the YSRC for their faction politics and corrupt practices, a senior Congress leader observed and questioned the CM as to how he would react to these murder politics and unethical practices.

Allowing the entry of Gottipati Ravi from the YSRC into the TD in Prakasham district was a blunder, a TD politburo member said, while confirming that he was neither in support of Karanam Balaram, who is known for his tyrannical politics.

The Gottipati group, which was quite submissive in the YSRC, emerged as a strong opponent group to Karanam Balaram after the defection.

Despite knowing that this would lead to disturbances and murder politics in the district, the CM conveniently allowed the Gottipati faction to grow, the politburo member observed and added that this caused an irreparable damage to the party.

He suggested the CM to annihilate faction politics in the party, otherwise 2019 would be a disastrous year for the TD in Prakasham district.

He added that the party leadership must address the incident at Shamshabad Airport on priority basis. This needs to be attended to immediately, as the image of the AP government has been tarnished, he said.
Chennai: The ferocious wave of anti-alcohol anger sweeping across Tamil Nadu is worrying the government as it could dent a major source of its revenue but worse still, is emerging as the most potent weapon in the hands of the Opposition to flog it on grounds of social insensitivity and collapsing public order.

What began as isolated and sporadic protests a couple of months in some rural areas erupted into a mass movement against the Tasmac shop after the videos of the horrid attack on women by the police, led by ADSP Pandian, at Sama-lapuram in Tirupur on April 11 went viral.

The power of social media took over the public psyche in Tamil Nadu as all the TV channels competed with each other to flash footages from remote battle grounds featuring women as the main warriors. The police wielding batons have been natural villains and they frequently gave exemplary performances.

Like in the case of the Padur demonstration of April 15 that ended in Inspector A. Govindaraj slapping rioting cases against 140 Dalits for breaking down the tasmac shop relocated in their residential area. That carpet-bombing FIR, which included several women, elders and even minors, was based on a confession statement from a local that makes comical reading.

This government is clueless on how to handle this mass eruption of public anger against the Tasmac shops. Government appears paralysed. Police high-handedness is hardly the answer, it will only compound the problem into crisis, said DMK spokesman TKS Elangovan, MP.

His leader M. K. Stalin was even harsher in his criticism that law and order has collapsed in Tamil Nadu. The State brutality against women agitating for closure of Tasmac shops raise the question whether the DGP and the Chief Minister are in control of the police force, he said.

The Samalapuram brutality was repeated in Amburs Azhijikuppam on Friday (May 19), where the police mercilessly beat up the women protesters even as the Tasmac shop in their residential area was knocked down by the angry mob. And there were a dozen more such angry agitations that day in other parts of the statealmost carbon copies of each other. Women in the lead.

Saturday saw a hundred women being taken into custody at the anti-Tasmac demo at Chennais Velachery. Similar scenes were witnessed in several places across the statea small bunch of screaming women lifted and threw out the refrigerator along with its beer bottles at Kothamangalam in Pudukottai. Wow!

Tasmac employees union general secretary D. Dhanasekaran is as bitter against the government as these anti-liquor demonstrations. The government seems undecided whether we should live or we should die. They must have a clear policy on locating these Tasmac shops. The Supreme Court has banned locating them near the highways but people are atta-cking the shops even when we locate them far away from the highways, even remote places, even near burial grounds. We are coming under physical attack. Our lives are under threat, he told DC.

Eminent anthropologist Prof M.A. Kalam of the CK Prahlad Centre at the Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) has an interesting interpretation of this socio-economic revolution sweeping the state. The womens pent-up anger, in suffering physical abuse by drunkard husbands and robbing of family income by the Tasmac bottle, is now bursting out. This mass movement is triggered by the social media and the TV channelsjust as during the Marina campaign for Jallikattu, says Prof Kalam.

Liquor shops have been there for years and there havent been protests like this. These people are now agitating and breaking down the Tasmac shops as they find themselves strengthened by their numbers even as the social media and the TV channels provide the trigger that ignites their outrage, Prof Kalam told DC.

Kanchi SP disapproves of police harassment in Padur anti-Tasmac stir

Superintendent of Kancheepuram Police, Santhosh Hadimani on Saturday assured DC that he would conduct an enquiry into the Padur's anti-Tasmac agitation, in which 140 names of the residents had surfaced in the FIR list.

Disapproving the Kelambakkam Inspector A. Govindaraj's FIR, the SP said, "Video and photo evidence in the anti-Tasmac protests is sufficient for the investigation. There is no need for an arrest".

In the mass protest, residents, especially women, had ransacked a Tasmac shop relocated in the residential Padur on April 15. Their woes had multiplied since then, as the residents became victims of police harassment.

Inspector Govindaraj, had included the names of 140 people, based on the confession from one local, Paramasivam, an ex-president of Padur Panchayat. "Most of the names in the FIR were of the innocent people. Paramasivam had randomly mentioned the names of those who did not vote for him in the village election," said a protestor-victim, seeking anonymity.

Of the 140 names in the FIR list, 18 had taken anticipatory bail while eight were arrested and remanded. The rest are living in constant fear of arrest. On Saturday, they all made a beeline to the rights lawyer, Mr Ramalingam seeking help to obtain anticipatory bail as remedy from the Inspector's arrest threats.

Advocate Ramalingam said, "We have filed the bail petition with the vacation court today (Saturday). The hearing is on Wednesday. We cannot get the bail before it."
Chennai: WannaCry or WannaCrypt uses an exploit from National Security Agency (NSA) that was leaked by a group called Shadow Brokers. It leaked a trove of exploits. Criminals propagated WannaCry worm and ransomware hybrid using one of the exploits.

If any group uses those exploits to make more ransomware worms, it could have disastrous effects around the world.



Q People say that the effect in India has been minimal compared the rest of the world. Why is it so?

Reasons could be many. India is not 24/7 connected like the UK or the US. India still uses old Operating Systems (OS) like Windows XP, which are easily affected by WannaCry, but it hit networks in the morning time of UK. UK and Russia - which were most hit by the worm, started working on solutions for taking down the ransomware. The Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the world started putting Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) signatures and the first 12 hours were the most crucial and the worm infected the maximum number of systems.

Since most systems in India were not in operation then, the impact was not high. Also by the time India woke up to its morning, most anti-viruses and IPSs were put in place so the worm could not spread like the first 12 hours. Except Telangana and a few places, not much impact of the worm was seen.



Q How safe are our banking and financial sector networks?

Most banking systems in India use the Windows XP OS, which is vulnerable to exploits, which WannaCry ransomware worm uses to propagate. Microsoft only released the patch for Windows XP security after the attack. Somewhere the security guys, industry and banking guys and the corporates are missing out crucial things. The creators of WannaCry knew how the network is configured in the BFSI sectors.



Q Do you think that this could have affected some banks?

Multiple banks have faced such attacks in the past. Most attacks were of information stealing and selling of the same. In the last few months, the attacks became more sophisticated involving ransomware. Most bank CZOs in India do not share details of such attacks and prefer hiding details. This is unlike the West, where they share details through a Traffic Light Protocol report and try to mitigate it.



Q How safe are our systems despite having anti-virus and different types of protection in place?

Most banking and finance sectors are not safe from any future cyber-attacks. History has shown that in past there have been attacks on bank and electric grid networks. History has also shown that the anti-virus companies have not been proactive with providing security measures. It takes attacks like these when damage is done on a major scale that they come up with safety measures.

Three years ago, after the concept of a ransomware crept in, anti-virus companies woke up and offered solutions. But as protection against ransomware became available, cybercriminals have created a ransomware and worm hybrid, which shows that they are a step ahead of security guys.



Q What does the worse attack look like, if you may provide a visual example?

If some cyber-criminal creates a worm like the Greendispenser that attacked ATMs in Odisha, which is coupled with a ransomware, it would be disastrous. It would encrypt the ATM, demand money and also take way the entire cash.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not support cow vigilantes or citizens taking law into their own hands, Union Minister Smriti Irani said in New Delhi on Sunday.

Asked about the so-called 'anti-Romeo' squads and cow vigilante groups in Uttar Pradesh after the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government came to power, Irani said: "Everyone should work within the ambit of law. If somebody flouts laws unconstitutionally they will not get support from the BJP."

Speaking at an event in Delhi, she said the "Prime Minister and all BJP leaders believe that law cannot be taken into the hands by a vigilante or citizen. It has to be enforced by the police."

Asked about her 'CottonIsCool' campaign, the textiles minister said her ministry wants sales of cotton to rise so that farmers associated with the crop can benefit.

Besides, she said the Textiles Ministry is trying to reduce the turnaround time for exports from the sector, which is 45 days at present as compared to 15-20 days in countries like Bangladesh, by talking to other ministries like commerce.
Chennai: The wall poster culture of Tamil Nadu that dates back to ages, playing a vital role in political campaigns no longer remains a lucrative business.

The death of Amma (Jayalalithaa) and the immobility of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi have made matters worse for those eking out livelihood through posters.

Political leaders also attribute the decline in posters to the current unstable political scenario of Tamil Nadu. Last year in May, Chennai was filled with posters to welcome former CM late Jayalalithaa back to the throne. Usually these posters are stuck from Ammas residence to wherever Amma visits. And posters are age old practice of getting the attention of party leaders, said K. Srinivasan, former MLA of AIADMK.

He added that digital campaigning replaced physical notices and people who used to write content for the posters have now become social media curators for the same purpose. Owing to this, numerous printing industries and poster boys, mainly coming from the arid areas of Tamil Nadu have shut down their business and hopped onto alternative jobs, said the AIADMK functionary.

Nineteen-year-old S. Venkatesh hailing from Sivakasi, who earns his livelihood by sticking posters said there has absolutely been no business for the past six months. He receives only a single order per month. Also, people started preferring paintings more than bills as they stay longer and are much more appealing, he said.

Ganapathi Litho in Chintadripet, which is one of the big names for printing political posters in Tamil Nadu, also complain of waning business. Initially, we used to get order for at least 100 copies per day for which we charge `1,000. Now, we hardly get 100 copies per month. Also posters are mainly printed by AIADMK as compared to them, DMK does not even do half of it. With uncertainty in AIADMK, there are no positive prospects for our business in future, said Mohana Sundaram.

Industry sources also rued that activists and public demanding for a poster-free Chennai have added to their misery. Though the number of political posters have come down due to digitalization, Left parties continue to stick them as they do not have a television channel of their own to campaign. I have complained to the police who took immediate action. To my dismay, posters returned back, the next day, said activist K Santhanam.

It all began in 1960s

The accent of political campaigning in Tamil Nadu lay in posters from 1960s during congress rule. They gained pace when M.G. Ramachandran entered politics when posters became opinion makers, especially among those belonging to the lower rungs of society. The ideal size of a poster printed then was 30*40 inches, which the printers would call as single bit. Currently, though the size of a single bit has come down by two inches, the political leaders would print a poster to the size of nine bits

Despite digital penetration congested pockets of labour dominated north Chennai still supports the poster industry. RK Nagar, Tondiarpet, Pulianthope, Royapettah, Perambur, Egmore and Sembiam are some of the localities where the traditions of political posters refuse to die
The development comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

New Delhi: Despite being denied permission by the Delhi Police, the Yuva Shakti Dal including the Bhim Army staged a massive protest on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur.

The development comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar.

The Dalit protesters are demanding justice from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They also alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government was mistreating the Dalits.

"We have no expectation from the government. So many people are in the hospitals not even a person has come there. This government is against the Dalits. We need justice and justice for the people who are lying in the hospitals," said a protestor.

The Delhi Police yesterday denied permission for a demonstration by several Dalit unions. The unions had told police that they expected a gathering of over 50,000 people, which prompted police to deny permission.

The issue dates back to May 5, when a mob from the Thakur community allegedly burned and ransacked 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members from the community, in Saharanpur.

Earlier that day, a group of Thakur men wanted to take out a musical procession honouring Maharana Pratap, which had been opposed by Dalits citing lack of permission from authorities.
(Left) The swelling on the childs leg and (top) the needle which was removed by the parents

Hyderabad: A case of negligence was registered against a private hospital in KPHB, after doctors left a needle in a childs leg. KPHB police registered a case against Dr Srinivas of Prasad Hospital.

Police said the wife of Kalluri Narendra Kumar, a resident of Nizampet village, delivered a boy in April in a private hospital and later she was shifted to another hospital as she developed medical complications.

The child was treated for 12 days at Prasad Hospital in KPHB and discharged on April 20.

After they reached home, the parents noticed a swelling on the childs right leg. They came back to the hospital and consulted Dr Prasad who earlier treated the child. Dr Prasad tested the child, informed the swelling was due to a calcium clot and there was nothing to worry.

When the parents raised concerns, he became furious and shouted at them saying that he had 10 years of experience and ignored the swelling, KPHB SI M. Saideshwar said quoting the parents.

On Friday the couple found a needle in the childs right leg, removed it and later lodged a complaint with the KPHB police.

Based on the complaint a case of causing injury by an act endangering the life of others (Section 337 IPC) was registered.

The case is being investigated.
Hyderabad: The third anniversary celebrations of the Telangana State formation on June 2 will feature Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intiative of Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat.

Modi had launched the initiative last year to bridge the cultural gap in the country and enhance interaction between people living in different states.

The Telangana state government will invite a contingent from Haryana to take part in the celebrations as part of this initiative.

The two governments have entered into an MoU in November last in the presence of the PM to exchange and promote cultural and traditional practices, and to enable people from different states to acquaint themselves with new lifestyles, food habits etc.

Chief secretary S.P. Singh reviewed the arrangements that have been made for the state formation day celebrations with officials at Secretariat on Saturday.

He said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will launch the celebrations by paying tributes to Telangana martyrs at Gun Park in front of the state assembly and later proceed to the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad to take part in the celebrations. The chief minister will distribute awards to 50 personalities in recognition of their contributions to various fields of life.

The chief secretary directed officials to distribute sweets and vegetables in old-age-homes, orphanages, hospitals etc and illuminate all the major road junctions and buildings like the Assembly, Secretariat, Raj Bhavan, High Court, Charminar etc. He asked officials to also conduct cultural programmes at People's Plaza and Ravindra Bharathi, highlighting Telangana culture and traditions. A food festival with Telangana cuisines will also be held.
Hyderabad: With the holy month of Ramzan around the corner, sale of perfumes/ attars has shot up.

Most Muslims prefer attar to synthetic perfumes since it doesnt contain alcohol.

Mr Md. Haroon, a third generation attar seller, said, There are two ways of making attar  one by distillation using natural attars and the other by blending. Most of the attars here are made by blending attars. We call them duplicate attars since aromatic chemicals are mixed to get a particular scent. One cannot be absolutely sure about getting the right combination hence the attar in every bottle smells different.

Mr Haroon said blending involved mixing a combination of essential oils or synthetic aromas or both. In some cases, synthetic chemicals are used as essential oils are expensive. Plant or flower extracts are used in the distillation process; flowers like rose, lilly, jasmine, and sandalwood are used. These attars are expensive and not everyone can afford them.

Mr Abdul Kareem, attar shop owner, said, What attracts visitors are the shiny bottles that are placed sequentially. Dur-ing Ramzan, the markets are brightly-lit, the attar bottles look very attractive. The important thing which every customer should remember that all that glitters is not gold.

While purchasing att-ars, customers should opt for plant extracts and not blends, since there are chances that the blended attars might be adulterated with alcohol. Even if it contains 0.1 ml alcohol, it cannot be classified as pure, he said.

Mr Anand Jain, an attar shop owner at Pathergatti, said, Hindus consider attar sacred and use them for ceremonies. Natural perfumes had been ruling the market since ages but the synthetic perfumes are in demand these days since they give the customers new choices.
Jadhav, the 46-year-old former naval officer, has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage and subversive activities. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: India cannot claim victory in Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at the International Court of Justice as the court has issued "just a procedural order", the lawyer who represented Pakistan in the case has said.

Khawar Qureshi said Jadhav's case is more about political point scoring than about the law.

"The order issued by the ICJ is just a procedural order to enable full hearing. It certainly is not a victory for India by any means," Geo TV quoted Qureshi as saying.

"It was very clear that the court didn't want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consular access, which he had," he said.

Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him.

"It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented.

He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying.

"My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added.
Jamshedpur: Parents in four areas of Jamshedpur, especially places like Seraikela-Kharswan district, stopped sending their children to schools or even outdoors under the threat of child lifters.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the rumours of child lifters went viral on WhatsApp with pictures of dead children and text messages detailing their lifting. The local authorities and administration did not pay heed until Thursday nights incident claimed seven lives in a tussle between the tribals and non-tribals.

The messages widely circulated on WhatsApp had information about sedatives seized from the miscreants, injections and handkerchiefs used to administer them on children, and about how they dress in black speaking various languages. To keep children safe, local tribal leaders resorted to bows and arrows for guarding villages from child lifters.

In two separate incidents, four persons were lynched on Thursday by villagers suspecting them to be child lifters in Seraikela Kharswan district, while three others of another community were also beaten to death on the same suspicion at Nagadih in East Singhbhum district the same day.

Protest against lynching of four persons intensified on Saturday and the police had to fire in the air to disperse a mob, while prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in four areas in Jamshedpur for Saturday night.

Police dispersed a mob that blocked roads in Mango area, demanding arrest of culprits involved in the lynching of four persons of a community at Rajnagar in Seraikela-Kharswan district on Thursday.

"Police fired in the air and hurled tear gas shells to disperse the mob in Mango. However, the situation is under control now and adequate force have been deployed in the area," Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum district Amit Kumar said.

Besides Mango, members of that community also put up a road blockade in Dhatkidih under Bistupur police station area.

People had blocked Bistupur station road on Friday also, demanding arrest of those involved in the lynching. Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC has been promulgated in four police station areas of the steel city in Jamshedpur in view of the prevailing tension.

The prohibitory order would be in effect between 10 pm on Saturday and 6 am on Sunday in Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM police station limits as a precautionary measure, Sub-divisional Officer (Dhalbhum), Manoj Ranjan said.

"We have deployed adequate force including Rapid Action Force to maintain law and order," he said. Meanwhile, Congress attacked Raghuvar Das government on the issue and alleged that jungle raj was prevailing in the state.

"Beginning from Jamshedpur, Seraikela, Dhanbad and Bokaro, the rumours of child lifting has been gaining ground for the last seven days, which led to lynching," AICC spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said in a statement.

The chief minister on Friday announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the family members of each of the deceased. He had also condemned the incidents and directed the officials to identify those who were spreading rumours of child lifters and taking law into their own hands.
Expressing his condolence, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today that during the 1990 Gulf War Mathews had helped thousands of Indians to flee the Gulf nation and his services would always be remembered. (Photo: Twitter)

Thiruvananthapuram: Prominent Indian businessman in Kuwait, Matthunny Mathews, who was instrumental in the safe evacuation of stranded Indians during the Iraqi invasion in 1990, passed away on Saturday.

81-year-old Mathews, who hailed from Kumbanad in Pathnamthitta district, was ailing for some time and passed away on Saturday, media reports in Thiruvananthapuram said.

Expressing his condolence, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today that during the 1990 Gulf War Mathews had helped thousands of Indians to flee the Gulf nation and his services would always be remembered.

By not taking efforts to save his own life and property, Mathews had done yeoman service to bring his countrymen, whohad lost everything in the war, safely back, Vijayan said.

"He provided food and drinking water to the stranded Indians and we remember it with gratitude," Vijayan said.

The VP Singh government had in 1990 carried out the biggest evacuation during the Gulf War when over 1.50 lakh standard Indians had been safely brought back by flight. At that time Mathews had functioned as the Central Government's "unofficial representative" in Kuwait to coordinate the evacuation process, the Chief Minister said.

Popularly known as 'Toyota Sunny', Mathunny Mathews was said to be the inspiration of Akshay Kumar's character in Bollywood film 'Airlift'.

"Extremely sad news, was an honour to portray him on screen. Thoughts and prayers with his family", Akshay Kumar said in a tweet.

Mathews, left for Kuwait 1956 at the age of 20 in search of job. He joined as a typist in the Toyota company and rose to become its Managing Director when he retired in 1989.

He started a car rental company and a general trading company in 1990 and was also the Chairman of Jabriya Indian school.
New Delhi: A lawyer representing Calcutta High Court judge C S Karnan claimed on Saturday that a fresh representation has been made to the president, seeking suspension of the Supreme Court order sentencing him to a six -month imprisonment for contempt of court.

Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara said that he, along with other counsel representing the High Court judge and his son C S Sugan, met Ashok Mehta, the secretary to the president, and handed over to him an application for the suspension of the sentence under Article 72 of the Constitution.

He said they have sought a personal audience of Justice Karnan with the president.

The lawyers took the ground in the application that Justice Karnan will be unable to exercise any remedy if he is arrested.

"Therefore, an application seeking the president's intervention under Article 72 has been made," Nedumpara said.

Article 72 states that the president shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.

In the application it has been contended that the Supreme Court had acted without jurisdiction, the lawyer said.

On May 9, a seven-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, had sentenced Justice Karnan to a six-month imprisonment for contempt of court and ordered the West Bengal police to take him into custody forthwith.

Nedumpara had earlier claimed that the defence team made an identical representation to the president through an e-mail.

However, the president's office had said, "It was not aware of any such representation."

Saturday's application has been filed after the apex court's registry refused to accept Justice Karnan's petition seeking recall of the May 9 judgement.

Karnan has not been arrested as yet.
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that there was no question of succumbing to the opposition of minority section against mega projects.

At a press conference to commemorate the first anniversary of the LDF Government, the Chief Minister said that on projects like widening of NH and GAIL pipeline, the government would not bend before such protests.

The chief minister said the government would go ahead with these projects notwithstanding the opposition. "Government will not retract in view of the opposition. We have to implement these projects for the greater benefit of majority of our people and state. Those opposing will be heard patiently and compensated suitably. Efforts will continue to take them on board," he added.

The Chief Minister said during UDF regime these projects moved at a snail's pace. The previous government used to slow down activities whenever it faced opposition from people to land acquisition. Even in the GAIL pipeline project the previous government had failed to convince the people or take strong measures.

There is a change in attitude towards these projects after the LDF government came to power,he added.

He said even on the issue of getting power from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) things were moving in the right direction. Those who were opposing the scheme earlier have now come out in support.

Pinarayi reiterated that his government was committed to implement these projects in a time bound manner.
New Delhi: In yet another crucial revelation in the ongoing investigations against Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram, for allegedly receiving money from a media firm to manipulate a tax probe against it in a 2007 foreign investment case, investigators have discovered that the accused firm, INX Media (P) Limited, had allegedly received 305 crore as foreign direct investment though the amount approved was just Rs 4.62 crore. The CBI and the ED will soon issue summons to Karti for questioning.

Sources said, Interrogation of Karti is imminent Both central agencies will soon call him for questioning. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), in its meeting on May 18, 2007, had recommended INX Medias proposal seeking foreign investment for approval of the ministry.

It is further disclosed that in the press release dated May 30, 2007, issued by the FIPB indicating the details of the proposals approved in the FIPB meeting the quantum of FDI/NRI inflow against Ms INX Media was shown as Rs 4.62 crore... Contrary to the approval of FIPB INX Media (P) Ltd deliberately and in violation of the conditions of the approval (i) made a down stream investment to the extent of 26 per cent in the capital of INX News (P) Limited without the specific approval of the FIPB which included indirect foreign investment by the same foreign investors and (ii) generated more than `305 crore FDI in INX Media (P) Ltd against the approved foreign inflow of `4.62 crore, a source said.

INX Media was then owned by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, who are currently in jail in Mumbai for the murder of Sheena Bora. It is also being alleged that after the income-tax department sought clarification from the FIPB unit about its approval for foreign investment, the FIPB unit said that the matter was being investigated. In turn, INX, based on the advise given to it by Kartis consultancy firm, tried to justify its action.

CBI investigators have also found that INX News (P) Limited deliberately concealed that they had already received Rs 305 crore ad FDI when they resubmitted their application for foreign investment.

Sources said that such a deceitful and fallacious proposal was favourably considered and approved by the officials of the finance ministry. P. Chidambaram was the Union finance minister from May 2004 till November 2008.

The concurrence to the proposed investment which had already been made without the approval of the finance ministry show the malafide and dishonest intention on the part of officials of the ministry for (a) not taking any punitive action against the proven violation by the company (b) granting permission to the company as if the firm was yet to receive the foreign investment, sources said.

Both agencies have registered FIRs against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, the Mukerjeas (currently in jail on charges of murder their daughter Sheena Bora), INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its director Padma Vishwanathan.
Bengaluru: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said he was not aware of any possible meeting between actor Rajinikanth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Rajinikanth is a great actor. Modi is a great leader. If he wants to meet the Prime Minister, there is no problem", Naidu told reporters in Bengaluru.

He pitched for the AIADMK ending factionalism to provide a stable government in Tamil Nadu to fulfil the promises of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Centre wants factionalism in AIADMK to be sorted out to ensure a stable government to fulfil the promises made by Jayalalithaa to the Tamil Nadu people, he said.

The Centre would not interfere in the internal matters of AIADMK, but only wished for a stable government in Tamil Nadu, Naidu said.

He said the BJP had not made any choice between O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami. "We have no preference," he said.
The ministry did not have data on such cases, and a procedure was being drawn up to collate such instances so that a solution could be worked out, Ms Venkata-ratnam said.(Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Telangana state stands second in the country among non-resident Indians divorcing their wives in courts in the US and the UK where the Hindu Marriage Act is not considered valid.

Dr Tripurana Venkataratnam, chairperson of Telangana State Commission for Women, said, These men marry in India but divorce their wives in countries where Indian law is not considered. This is very unfair for the women who are left in the lurch in the foreign country.

She said that the ministry of women and child development had framed standard operating procedures which would provide the affected women legal recourse.

The ministry did not have data on such cases, and a procedure was being drawn up to collate such instances so that a solution could be worked out, Ms Venkata-ratnam said.

She said that it was found that male respondents were often not available at their addresses due to change of job and residential address, email IDs and other points of contact. The department wanted that a look-out circular be issued for men, she said.
Hyderabad: BJP national president Amit Shah will meet families of the people who suffered at the hands of Maoists and Razakars in Teratpalli and Gundrampally villages in Nalgonda district during his three-day tour of the state.

The meeting is aimed at ruffling the feathers of Maoists and the MIM, while sending out a strong message to their sympathisers.

The BJP chief will kick off his tour on Monday by paying tributes to Gundagoni Mysaiah Goud, former BJP state secretary who was shot dead by the Peoples War Group on March 27, 1999 when organising a weavers meet.

On Wednesday, he will pay tributes to victims of Razakars in Gundrampalli village of Chityal mandal in the district. Scores of people were killed by Razakars in 1948 and bodies dumped in a well by Maqbool and his group, the agents of Khasim Razvi.

Amit Shahs target is BJP victory in the 2019 polls. His tour will focus on strengthening the party from the grassroots level, review implementation of NDA schemes, interact with party leaders, workers and other sections etc., TS BJP president K. Laxman said.

Dr Laxman, who interacted with select media persons on the eve of the BJP chiefs visit, asserted there was a political political vacuum in TS and BJP is the alternative to the TRS.

We will cash in on Prime Minister Narendra Modis success and failures of the TRS government, he said.

This is Amit Shahs fourth trip to Telangana since I became state BJP president. He will make another three-day trip in September. We are not luring Congress, TD and TRS leaders. If someone has faith in BJP ideology, Modis programmes and policies, they are welcome, he said.

Dr Laxman added, BJP will go alone in Telangana. There will be no tie-up with the TD or TRS. Congress is marginalised. There are no alliance talks with the TRS. Its just rumours.

Asked if he would become the CM if the BJP wins in TS, he said, The party will decide.

Referring to a BJP meeting in the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency represented by MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, he said the plan was to tackle MIM. We won in Assam where 40 per cent of the population is Muslim and in Manipur, where 60 per are Christians. Minorities have backed the BJP, he said.

On the recent identification of ISIS sympathisers, he said Hyderabad has become a den for anti-national forces.
Chennai: After being asked by their party high command to protect and preserve water bodies, opposition DMK MLAs in Chennai and Kancheepuram are now vying with each other in showing their sudden concern to protect water bodies that have lost their carrying capacity. After DMK leader M.K. Stalin kickstarted desilting works at his Kolathur constituency, it is the turn of Alandur MLA T. M. Anbarasan.

Three water bodies in the Alandur zone will soon get a fresh lease of life. Moovarasanpet pond, Thandalam and Gerugambakkam temple tanks will soon be a source of fr-esh water, said T.M. Anbarasan. The renovation works have commenced and a new walkers path will come up along the stretch of Gangai Amman Kovil temple tank in Moovarasampert that extends for 2 acres. Similarly Thandalam water body sprawling over 2.5 acre and the neighboring Gerugambakkam temple tank will also be restored, the MLA said.

A sum of Rs 57 lakh from the area development fund has been allotted for the rejuvenation of the ponds. It may be noted that Saidapet MLA M. Subramanian had also submitted the details of three water bodies in south Chennai asking the civic authorities to desilt the water bodies under MLA funds.

The project is a ray of hope to a lot of people as it would help to recharge groundwater and add life to these ponds, filled with garbage often. We expect the project to start soon and such initiatives should be encouraged for the rejuvenation of waterbodies, secretary of federation of Moovarasanpet Welfare Associations G.P. Babu said.

While a few temple tanks have caught the attention of elected MLAs a lot of small ponds in south Chennai are awaiting action. We want the authorities to speed up the rejuvenation of the lake filled with garbage. If all these water bodies are restored, we dont have to worry about water crisis, said Hamna V., a resident of Moovarasampet.
Despite BJP's emphatic victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top constitutional position. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: As the Centre's ruling NDA maintained silence over its nominee for the presidential poll, major Opposition parties plan to intensify efforts for finalising a joint candidate for the top post for which they are likely to approach regional players.

Opposition sources said efforts are on to bring political rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party on the same page, while also trying to rope in Naveen Patnaik's BJD in Odisha.

Senior Opposition leaders at the forefront of the move to field a joint candidate against the NDA nominee are likely to meet SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati and Patnaik over the next few days.

They could also approach the BJP's ally Shiv Sena. The two oldest saffron partners have been locked in rancorous disputes despite being coalition partners in governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

The talk of a consensus candidate gained momentum after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke in favour of a second term for incumbent Pranab Mukherjee and prodded the NDA government to build a consensus around him.

The Congress, to which Mukherjee belonged before becoming the President, has so far been non-committal on a second term for him. "It is up to the government to bring about a consensus among all on a candidate it proposes," a senior Congress leader said, and maintained the Modi dispensation was unlikely to support Mukherjee for a second term.

Despite BJP's emphatic victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top constitutional position.

The KCR Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana have already promised to back the NDA nominee in the election.

Opposition sources said its candidate for the top post could be a non-Congressman. The names of former West Bengal governor, the erudite Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav are doing the rounds in political lobbies as possible opposition nominee.

The name of NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also been discussed by the opposition camp, but the astute Maharashtra politician has said he would not contest the poll.

The opposition, sources said, wanted to put up a candidate who has impeccable secular credentials, and who could "maintain secular supervision of the Indian Constitution."

Congress president Sonia Gadhi has already held talks with key players like Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Sonia is likely to hold talks with some other leaders this week and among them could be BSP supremo Mayawati.

Sources in the Congress and some other parties said they wanted the opposition unity over the presidential election extended to the Lok Sabha election in 2019.

The Congress' communications department chief Randeep Surjewala said," All Opposition parties including the Congress will work to build a consensus for a candidate withunquestionable record of dedication and commitment to the founding principles of Constitution, bereft of political colour or pressure from the ruling dispensation."

"We want that India should have a president who can guide the government when it goes astray on being drunk with the brute majority and remind them of 'raj dharma'," he told PTI.

Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said the Opposition should unite to put up a consensus candidate.

"We want secular supervision of Constitution. The President is the custodian of the Indian Constitution. We want a person whose secular credentials are impeccable," CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told PTI.

"The President should do a secular supervision of the Indian Constitution and not a communal supervision," he said.

The term of Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24 and the election has to take place before that.
Hyderabad: The state government should realise how impartial the NDA government is towards Telangana state, after its latest decision on the bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions, Union labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr Dattatreya said resolution of the contentious issue of bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions would hugely benefit Telangana state.

He said the Centre was also giving equal importance to Andhra Pradesh and extending similar benefits by giving special financial assistance.

TRS leaders are levelling baseless charges against the NDA government that it was favouring Andhra Pradesh over Telangana state. But it is not correct, he said.

The latest decision taken by the Centre on bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions as per the provisions of AP Reorganisation Act would largely benefit Telangana state, he said. The Telangana state government would have to share only Bus Bhavan of the APSRTC with AP while all other assets like the hospital, kalyana mandapam, Miyapur bus depot land and other assets would belong to Telangana state.

He said the Centre had resolved the bifurcation of four contentious institutions listed under Schedule IX, which include APSRTC, AP Foods, AP Agros, AP Diary Development.

Mr Dattatreya added that BJP had been working in a systematic manner to strengthen its hold in AP and TS to improve its tally of Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 elections.

He said BJP had more chances than earlier to emerge as strong alternative to the TRS in Telangana state.
Chennai: Many students who appeared for Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) found the paper-II of the entrance test was very tough this year.

Over 1.5 lakh students wrote the entrance exam from 500 centres around the country on Sunday.

IIT Madras, which organised the exam, is serving as gateway to the prestigious IITs. For the first time, Aadhaar cards were used for verification. Students who showed other ID cards were also allowed to write the exam.

Each paper, paper-1 and 2 carried a maximum of 183 marks. A student can score a maximum of 366 marks in the exam. In paper 1, match the following had three columns instead of usual two.

Pranav Ramakrishnan one of the toppers in JEE (Main) exam said, Paper-1 exam was quite easy this year. Paper-II had many twisted questions and was very difficult to answer.

Another student Harish said physics part in paper-II was very tough. He also found the paper-1 as moderate. Muthamilselvam, a parent from Chennai said, My son has prepared for both IIT and BITS entrance tests. Hopefully, hell crack the tests.

Overall the difficulty level is the same as compared to last year. So, the cut-off also would be the same as last year, said Anand Nagarajan, academic head for the school division, TIME, Chennai.

Last year, the general category cut-off for JEE (Advanced) is 75 of 372 marks. This year also the cut-off will remain more or less the same. Students, who scored 50 per cent marks, featured in the top 1,000.

In the first paper, many students are confident they would score more than 60 per cent marks. But in the second paper, a few students alone can attend more than 25 per cent questions, he said. Of the candidates, the top 36,000 candidates can only qualify for admission. There are 11,000 seats available in the 23 IITs all over the country.

For the first time, 500 foreign students took the exam from six countries namely Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dhaka (Bangladesh, Dubai (UAE), Kathmandu (Nepal) and Singapore.
District Child Protection officer Subair and other NGO volunteers visit tribal huts in the Anakaal hamlet of Kottoor in Thiruvananthapuram to canvas drop-outs and other children who never went to school, for a summer vacation camp 'Agasthyante Poompattakal' organised by social justice department exclusively for tribal children at Podiyam on Saturday. (Photo: PEETHAMBARAN PAYYERI)

Thiruvananthapuram: When district child protection officer Subair, activist Sreenesh and tribal promoter Santhosh entered Anakaal, the deepest tribal settlement inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, after driving more than an hour through wicked forest terrain and trekking five kilometres through dense forest on Saturday, there was absolute silence. It was just before noon, and there was no one in sight. Not even the dogs crouched before starched bamboo leaf huts scattered far and wide were barking.

The silence seemed eerie. It was just a while ago, while resting on a rock along the forest path, they had come across at least five groups of Kani tribals proceeding towards Anakaal from the market in Kottoor some 25 kilometres away. They had even smiled and exchanged pleasantries. I think they are keeping away from us on purpose, Subair said.

Children at Anakaal hamlet of Kottoor panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram.

The DCPO had been visiting Anakaal since January this year, trying to convince the tribals to send their children to school. Anakaal, a settlement of 14 huts spread over 50 acres, is the only settlement inside the forest that does not send its children to school. It is not just education, Anakaal tribals are aggressively against any sort of development. Last week when KSEB workers reached Anakaal to dig trenches for underground cables as part of the total electrification project, the tribals attacked them. The workers took refuge inside an abandoned school till their colleagues arrived to escort them away. All the 26 other tribal settlements inside Peppara will get electricity by the end of this month. Anakaal is also the only settlement that does not have concrete brick houses provided by the panchayat. It does not have even a dirt road connecting it to other settlements.

A tribal hut at Anakaal.

On Saturday, Subair had a less ambitious target. He wanted Anakaal parents to send their children to a vacation camp the Social Justice Department is organising at Podiyam, a tribal settlement some 15 kilometres from Anakaal. There was no one in the first three homes Subair and his team entered. Just as he was moving towards another hut, he spotted sudden movement in the green surrounding the area. He waited. A fairy-like being with wild flowers in her ears came out of hiding. Parvathy, Subair called out. Come here, he said.

Parvathy, a 10-year-old girl, was the brightest student in her class till her parents brought her to Anakaal a year ago. Now she has stopped going to school, Subair said. After much persuasion, she agreed to attend the vacation camp. Once she emerged from hiding, her cousin brother, Ayyappan, came out of a hut nearby. He was shorter but of his age, and his teeth were badly stained from betel chewing. (Most of the boys had stained teeth.) His father agreed to send him. Now the team had two kids.

The two of them then led the team further up to a hut where there were two kids, a 10-year-old boy and a toddler girl with a weakness in her left leg. The father refused, no logic worked with him. Subair wanted him to at least show the girl to a doctor. We can easily rectify her handicap, he said. Humans cant change what God had willed, he said.

The resistance is led by Mathan Kani, Anakaals tribal leader. Our forefathers have said education will bring misery upon us, he said. He claims to have sent his first born to a school. Two weeks later he came back but when he got up the day after, he couldnt lift his hands, he said. Subair pointed to the steel utensils found outside the hut, and the shirt he was wearing, and told Mathan Kani that it would be futile to resist civilisation. Mathan went inside his house and came out with a bag exquisitely crafted out of bamboo skin. You people want to teach our kids and take them away. How will they then learn the skills we have bequeathed from our ancestors, he said, holding the bag in front of him.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise issues concerning the state. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: A tweet by O Panneerselvam, leader of the Puratchi Thalaivi (Amma) faction of AIADMK, on a possible alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party after the declaration of civic polls kicked up a storm on Saturday.

"We will take a decision on alliance with BJP once local body elections are announced," the tweet from Panneerselvam's twitter handle @OfficeOfOPS said.

The tweet, however, was later removed with the faction clarifying that it will decide on the tie-up with 'any party' only after the local body poll dates were declared.

The development came a day after Panneerselvam called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the issues concerning Tamil Nadu.

In an apparent damage control move, the media team of the faction clarified that the alliance could be with any party depending on the situation.

"We mean that only after the announcement of local body elections we will think about the alliance with any political party," another tweet from the @OfficeOfOPS handle said in a clarification.

Former chief minister Panneerselvam had revolted against AIADMK chief V K Sasikala in February this year, alleging he was forced to make way for her to the state's top post.

Later, he led a host of MPs, MLAs and senior leaders to form a faction of his own.

He had also fielded E Madusudanan for the now cancelled RK Nagar bypolls, supposed to be held on April 12, against AIADMK (Amma) Deputy General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran. BJP had nominated Gangai Amaren for the election.

The Election Commission had cancelled the bypoll over the use of money power to influence voters.

The proposed merger talks between the two factions led by Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami, has remained a non-starter owing to the former's insistence on the expulsion of Sasikala, Dhinakaran and their family members from AIADMK.
New Delhi: Launching another attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday, sacked minister Kapil Mishra claimed that the Russia trip of two party leaders were sponsored by a businessman, who was linked to several firms involved in a Rs 400-crore scam.

In a series of tweets, Mishra claimed that Sheetal Prasad Singh was in the business of High Security Registration Plates and also alleged that the Rs 400-crore scam was in the same business in Delhi.

Sheetal Prasad had close links with the companies involved in the scam, he alleged. Several people from some of these firms also had links with Hawala operators from across the world, he added.

He also claimed that the AAP, when it first came to power, set up a panel to investigate the scam. Then, the AAP government in Delhi had decided to cancel the contract of Rosmerta HSRP Ventures Pvt Ltd. However, when AAP came to power again in 2015, it did not take any action against the firm.

Mishra who is adamant on exposing the alleged scams in the AAP cadre, took to the Twitter and hinted his day's agenda while pointing fingers at two leaders of Kejriwal bandwagon.

"So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? Did AK (Kejriwal) knew about it?," he tweeted.

Mishra, whose vociferous campaign against the Delhi Chief Minister continues in full steam, entered its third round on Friday as he levelled a new set of charges against Kejriwal.

Mishra dropped another bombshell on friend-turned-foe Kejriwal claiming that the party received money through 'Hawala network'.

Mishra showed a PowerPoint presentation in a press conference as 'evidence' to back his claim that the party received funds from shell companies.

"Arvind Kejriwal is keeping quiet despite me providing clinching evidence of his corrupt practices. I have also presented evidence on the Hawala case last Sunday. It been one week, but no one from the AAP has come up with any clarification. It is evident from this presentation how AAP forged letter heads to shell companies. Even the letter heads were fake," he said.

Mishra also challenged Kejriwal to inform the Income Tax Department that the donation amount received by AAP was from Mukesh Kumar.

"I will prove two things. Aam Aadmi Party gets fund from Hawala operators...They are avoiding my questions. The video which was tweeted by Kejriwal on Twitter on Thursday was fake. The Letterhead of companies, who gave donation to Aam Aadmi Party are forged. I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to tell Income Tax Department that the donation was received from Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh Kumar's company is a bank defaulter. How can he donate Rs 2 crore to Aam Aadmi Party?" he added.
Chennai: The saffron party, it appears, has not given up its hope on superstar Rajinikanth, despite the talk in political circles that he may not tilt towards the BJP, when he does make a political plunge.

Close on the heels of its national secretary H. Raja, Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping Pon Radhakrishan who has been the latest to have expressed his view, said he would be happy to see the actor in the BJP. I will be happy if he joins the BJP, Mr Radhakrishnan said on Saturday during his tour of Kanyakumari district. He however hastened to add, whether to join the BJP or not is his (Rajinis) personal decision.

On May 15, addressing his fans, the actor had said though he had no political ambition he was often dragged into political debates despite stressing that he was neither an influential political leader nor a social activist.

At Erode in the State, Mr. Raja told reporters that Rajinikanth had cent percent right to serve the people through politics. He should change the prevailing political system in Tamil Nadu. And (in the process) he should ascertain why the system has become so bad, Mr. Raja who was the first to welcome the actor into the party, said on Saturday and blamed the Dravidian parties that had ruled the State for half-a-century, for the "present mess." Apart from the two leaders party's state president Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, too, had hailed Rajini's decision.

More than his fans, the actor seems to excited the BJP state leaders who desperately want him to support the party. But will they gain a foothold through his entry is a million dollar question that remains to beanswered.
Earlier this week, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, founder of biotechnology giant Biocon formally announced the companys plans to adopt the Hebbagodi Station under Phase 3 of Namma Metro. The plan, which will unravel through a PPP model with BMRCL, will allow the latter to provide the world-class amenities that the average Bengalurean hopes to see. Theyre not the only ones, Infosys will adopt the Electronics City station, also under Phase 3, with the Embassy Group likely to follow suit.

A new wave of corporate citizenship is sweeping across the city, greatly welcomed by the government. The privatisation of essential services seems to result in a certain public disquietude, not entirely unfounded in the light of shoddy PPP models incapable of balancing public needs with those of demand-driven private investors. PPPs herald the dawn of a new era in India, throwing open new avenues for economic infrastructure like roads and public transport systems and social infrastructure like schools and hospitals, models that have been conceptualised and replicated to great success abroad. However, sustainable models and carefully-chosen projects that minimise the risk of market-driven exploitation are the need of the hour.

The most important aspect of a PPP model is the long-term nature of the product or service in question. Profit-oriented projects need to be economically viable and self-sustaining, so that they meet market expectations and costs. Social projects are the other variety. These include essential goods and services, which directly satisfy the needs of the public and also enable auxiliary businesses. Electricity is a good example. Power shortages cause the common man a great deal of inconvenience and affect other businesses too  for instance, glitches in power supply will affect, apart from the common man, factories, small entrepreneurs and hospitals.

Working out a sustainable model is the most critical aspect of a PPP project, along with a plan to recover costs. China seems to have found some success in PPP models for economic infrastructure projects, with the NDRC releasing two sets of guidelines in 2014. The Belt and Road infrastructure initiative is the most recent addition to this. Under these guidelines, project operators create a revenue model and solicit funds directly from the capital market. According to a report in Xinhuanet, a Chinese, state-run news agency, social security funds and insurance premiums can be invested in these projects. Public transportation infrastructure has been constructed under this model and traffic counters have been set up at intervals to measure traffic and ascertain toll rates. Appealing to the capital market takes away the demand-risk that private players who make their own investments are forced to adhere to, making them market-driven, often at the cost of the public.

The government differs from a private player largely due to the formers high-risk appetite. If they cannot handle a certain project, inviting private participation is logical recourse. However, great care needs to be taken with this, as one project cannot interfere with another. The agreement binding Kempegowda International Airport says that no other airport can be built within a 150-km distance, which means HAL cannot alleviate air traffic congestion by catering to shorthaul flights.

PPPs in Karnataka have had a choppy history, with a failed, decade-old attempt at the privatisation of electricity in collaboration with the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited. The two sides found themselves at odds over an increase in the agricultural tariff, a sector that received unmetered supply. However, a hike would have resulted in lower demand, a risk for a private player. Today, with solar power gaining popularity as a viable, alternative energy source and more houses installing rooftop panels to generate their own electricity, privatisation of Escoms is even riskier, what with the obvious difficulties in forecasting demand. This is why I firmly believe that project design is of the essence. India has a tendency to mix the good apples with the bad, so the only way to go about this is to correctly estimate and predict project costs.

The NICE project is another great example, done under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. NICE requested the government for land in return for building the road, which the latter did without anticipating that real estate prices would shoot through the roof. This resulted in several controversies. The government would do well to subsidise the price of land, instead of mixing up road and land development projects.

At the end of the day, PPPs are a fine balancing act, which keep in mind the interests of consumers, the state and private players. Private investment shouldnt be used as a financial crutch and the government shouldnt have to cow down to private diktats either.

The writer is former senior director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd.
Indias Golden Hour Man:

For over three decades, Suraj Prakash Vaid, a Delhi-based taxi and tour operator, has been challenging the apathy of people towards road accident victims. Onlookers take selfies; they don't call the police, and neither do they take the victim to the hospital, he says. He was referring to a fatal road accident in Koppal, Karnataka, in which a cyclist was run over by a speeding public bus early this year, but the same is true of the attitude of the public generally.

Mr Vaid, 66, says that its wrong to presume that police harass good samaritans who help victims of accidents. He has helped police register accident cases, appeared in courts as an eyewitness and saved more than 100 lives in the past 40 years. His reputation for helping accident victims is so widely known that he receives regular invites for talks, seminars, and workshops on road safety.

In fact, Delhis taxi and auto driver unions have his mobile number and call him when they hear about an accident. I have been invited to speak to schoolchildren several times. Kids generally insist their bus drivers drive fast: Bhaiya, aur tej chalo (please drive faster), they say. But I tell them about the perils of speeding, he says. Mr Vaid maintains a file that has photographs of him with survivors of road accidents, photocopies of police complaints that he lodged in accident cases, and medico-legal certificates from Delhi hospitals that mention his name for bringing in the accident victims. He always keeps a first-aid kit in the storage box of his scooter. Mr Vaid was 24 when he helped accident victims for the first time. The then deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Maxwell Pereira had sent him a letter of appreciation for that effort. I was sitting in a DTC bus, caught in a traffic jam at Vikas Marg in east Delhi. One of the victims later died in hospital, he recollects.

Also Read: Road crash victims require immediate attention

If a victim reaches hospital within the first 60 minutes of a potentially fatal accident, the chances of survival go up, says Mr Vaid. This is backed by a report of the Law Commission of India that said that half the deaths on the country's roads could have been averted if victims had received medical attention within 60 minutes of the accident. In many cases, I have transported victims to hospitals in the same car they were hit by, he says. Mr Vaid says that he has a meticulous approach when it comes to taking down important details that may help police register a case.

Mr Vaid has spent many nights away from home to complete medico-legal formalities after admitting accident victims to hospitals. My family doesn't worry much if I am late; they know I might be helping some road accident victims, he says. For his efforts, he has received dozens of commendation certificates and cash prizes from senior Delhi police and government departments.

But what he cherishes more are those thank you letters he receives from the road accident survivors. Many of those he saved are in regular touch with him. Four members of a family were critically injured in a car crash with an army truck in Ajmer, Rajasthan, he says, showing a letter from a couple who lives in Canada. He says road rage has become an increasing problem in the past few years. In a recent case of road rage near Geeta Colony, six boys were hurt. They were on motorcycles. A PCR van was on the spot. I told the boys that they could either fight or they could get some first aid. They boys ended their fight, thanked me for the help, and later arrived at a compromise, he says.
The censors will measure the acceleration, rotation and the magnetosphere of the earth, said Srimathy Kesan, founder, Space Kidz India, a group which the young scientists are members of.

Chennai: Kalam Sat, a first-of-its-kind 3D printed satellite, which was being built by a team of young scientists, to be sent to space, has finally reached completion and was shipped off to Virginia on Saturday night, from where it is expected to be launched by Nasa on June 22.

The team of six, which started designing the satellite a year ago, finally completed assembling the parts by Saturday and bid goodbye to the satellite by 10 pm.

Each member was involved in designing the satellite. Within the shell, which is 3D printed, a board computer and eight indigenous built censors were installed.

The censors will measure the acceleration, rotation and the magnetosphere of the earth, said Srimathy Kesan, founder, Space Kidz India, a group which the young scientists are members of.

It may be recalled that the team leader Md. Rifath, is from a small village in Karur district and recently completed his plus-2 exams at Crescent Matric Higher Secondary school.

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One of the keyboards interesting features is the fingerprint sensor, which Microsoft will most likely use to allow users to configure Windows Hello without the need for a dedicated infrared camera.

Microsoft is now working on its latest desktop Bluetooth keyboard, and according to recently-discovered information, this accessory is likely to integrate a fingerprint sensor for easy authentication via Windows Hello.

The device is called Microsoft Modern Keyboard, also codenamed C3K1780, and has showed up in official FCC documents with new details that indicate more features that Microsoft is planning in order to align with its Windows 10 push.

Particularly the new keyboard is slated to be similar to the Surface keyboard that Microsoft has launched together with the Surface Studio in the fall of the last year, but instead feature some extra options as well.

One of the keyboards interesting features is the fingerprint sensor, which Microsoft will most likely use to allow users to configure Windows Hello without the need for a dedicated infrared camera.

The fingerprint sensor will probably be placed in a convenient position near the numeric keypad and is slated to support easy authentication to the desktop, as its the case on a number of laptops featuring such hardware.

There is also a good possibility that Microsofts keyboard may feature exquisite materials like Alcantara as well  more recently, the company took the wraps off the Surface Laptop, whose keyboard is also covered in Alcantara, so Microsoft could go for the same materials for more of its keyboards as well.

Microsoft has not yet confirmed a launch date or pricing details. But the software giant is holding a new event on May 23 in Shanghai where it is touted to launch a new Surface upgrade and other accessories. So this could be a chance that the keyboard goes live.

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North Korea's main spy agency has a special cell called Unit 180 that is likely to have launched some of its most daring and successful cyber attacks, according to defectors, officials and internet security experts.

North Korea has been blamed in recent years for a series of online attacks, mostly on financial networks, in the United States, South Korea and over a dozen other countries.

Cyber security researchers have also said they have found technical evidence that could link North Korea with the global WannaCry "ransomware" cyber attack that infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries this month. Pyongyang has called the allegation "ridiculous".

The crux of the allegations against North Korea is its connection to a hacking group called Lazarus that is linked to last year's $81 million cyber heist at the Bangladesh central bank and the 2014 attack on Sony's Hollywood studio. The US government has blamed North Korea for the Sony hack and some US officials have said prosecutors are building a case against Pyongyang in the Bangladesh Bank theft.

No conclusive proof has been provided and no criminal charges have yet been filed. North Korea has also denied being behind the Sony and banking attacks.

North Korea is one of the most closed countries in the world and any details of its clandestine operations are difficult to obtain. But experts who study the reclusive country and defectors who have ended up in South Korea or the West have provided some clues.

Kim Heung-kwang, a former computer science professor in North Korea who defected to the South in 2004 and still has sources inside North Korea, said Pyongyang's cyber attacks aimed at raising cash are likely organised by Unit 180, a part of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), its main overseas intelligence agency.

"Unit 180 is engaged in hacking financial institutions (by) breaching and withdrawing money out of bank accounts," Kim told Reuters. He has previously said that some of his former students have joined North Korea's Strategic Cyber Command, its cyber-army.

"The hackers go overseas to find somewhere with better internet services than North Korea so as not to leave a trace," Kim added. He said it was likely they went under the cover of being employees of trading firms, overseas branches of North Korean companies, or joint ventures in China or Southeast Asia.

James Lewis, a North Korea expert at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Pyongyang first used hacking as a tool for espionage and then political harassment against South Korean and US targets.

"They changed after Sony by using hacking to support criminal activities to generate hard currency for the regime," he said.

"So far, it's worked as well or better as drugs, counterfeiting, smuggling  all their usual tricks," Lewis said.

COST-EFFECTIVE, DENIABLE

The US Department of Defense said in a report submitted to Congress last year that North Korea likely "views cyber as a cost-effective, asymmetric, deniable tool that it can employ with little risk from reprisal attacks, in part because its networks are largely separated from the Internet".

"It is likely to use Internet infrastructure from third-party nations," the report said.

South Korean officials say they have considerable evidence of North Korea's cyber warfare operations.

"North Korea is carrying out cyber attacks through third countries to cover up the origin of the attacks and using their information and communication technology infrastructure," Ahn Chong-ghee, South Korea's vice foreign minister, told Reuters in written comments.

Besides the Bangladesh Bank heist, he said Pyongyang was also suspected in attacks on banks in the Philippines, Vietnam and Poland.

In June last year, police said the North hacked into more than 140,000 computers at 160 South Korean companies and government agencies, planting malicious code as part of a long-term plan to lay the groundwork for a massive cyber attack on its rival.

North Korea was also suspected of staging cyber attacks against the South Korean nuclear reactor operator in 2014, although it denied any involvement.

That attack was conducted from a base in China, according to Simon Choi, a senior security researcher at Seoul-based anti-virus company Hauri Inc.

"They operate there so that regardless of what kind of project they do, they have Chinese IP addresses," said Choi, who has conducted extensive research into North Korea's hacking capabilities.

MALAYSIA LINK

Malaysia has also been a base for North Korean cyber operations, according to Yoo Dong-ryul, a former South Korean police researcher who studied North Korean espionage techniques for 25 years.

"They work in trading or IT programming companies on the surface," Yoo told Reuters. "Some of them run websites and sell game and gambling programs".

Two IT firms in Malaysia have links to North Korea's RGB spy agency, according to a Reuters investigation this year, although there was no suggestion either of them was involved in hacking.

Michael Madden, a US-based expert on the North Korean leadership, said Unit 180 was one of many elite cyber warfare groups in the North Korean intelligence community.

"The personnel are recruited from senior middle schools and receive advanced training at some elite training institutions," Madden told Reuters.

"They have a certain amount of autonomy in their missions and tasking as well," he said, adding that they could be operating from hotels in China or Eastern Europe.

In the United States, officials said there was no conclusive evidence that North Korea was behind the WannaCry ransomware, but that was no reason to be complacent.

"Whether or not they are directly involved with ransomware doesn't change the fact that they are a real cyber threat," said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of prominent US security firm CrowdStrike Inc, added: "Their capabilities have improved steadily over time, and we consider them to be a threat actor that is capable of inflicting significant damage on US private or government networks."

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The company quickly removed a boast on its website that The NHS is totally protected with Sophos. In many industries, that sort of stumble would likely hit a company's reputation hard.

For Kris Hagerman, chief executive of UK-based cyber security firm Sophos Group Plc, the past week could have been bad. The WannaCry "ransomware" attack hobbled some of its hospital customers in Britain's National Health Service, forcing them to turn away ambulances and cancel surgeries.

The company quickly removed a boast on its website that The NHS is totally protected with Sophos. In many industries, that sort of stumble would likely hit a company's reputation hard.

Yet on Monday, three days after the global malware attack was first detected, Sophos stock jumped more than 7 percent to set a record high and climbed further on Wednesday after the company raised its financial forecasts.

As for most other cyber security firms, highly publicized cyber attacks are good for business, even though experts say such attacks underscore the industry's failings.

"We are making good progress and are doing a good job," Hagerman said in an interview this week. "People ask 'How come you havent solved the cyber crime problem?' and it's a little like saying 'You human beings have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, how come you haven't solved the crime problem?'"

Hagerman pointed out that his company only claimed to protect 60 percent of NHS affiliates and that other factors contributed to the disaster at the hospitals.

"They have their own budgets. They have their own approach to IT generally and IT security, Hagerman said of individual hospitals, which pick their own operating systems, patching cycles and network setups. Microsoft Corp had issued a patch in March for the flaw WannaCry exploited in Windows operating systems.

Yet Hagerman acknowledged that Sophos did not update its basic antivirus software to block WannaCry until hours after it hit customers.

HIGH STAKES

Security experts say hospitals, where the stakes are especially high, represent a case study in how legacy industries need to up their cyber security game.

"We've tolerated a pretty poor level of effectiveness, because so far the consequences of failure have been acceptable," said Josh Corman, a cyber security industry veteran now working on related issues at the Atlantic Council and a member of a healthcare security task force established by the U.S. Congress.

"We are going to see failure measured in loss of life and a hit to GDP, and people will be very surprised."

Some long-lived medical devices have more than a thousand vulnerabilities, Corman said, and perhaps 85 percent of U.S. medical institutions have no staff qualified for basic cyber security tasks such as patching software, monitoring threat advisories and separating networks from one another.

Increasingly serious cyber security problems are partly an inevitable consequence of the growing complexity of digital technology.

But there are other causes too, including a lack of accountability that stems from the wide range of technology handlers: computer software vendors, antivirus suppliers, in-house professionals, consultants and various regulators.

Ultimately, Corman said, hospitals need to hire solid cyber security people instead of another nurse or two.

GOOD FOR BUSINESS

"Whats needed is punishment of the negligent," said Ross Anderson, a University of Cambridge pioneer in studying the economics of information security, referring to the hospitals that did not stop WannaCry.

"This is not about technology. This is about people fouling up in ways people would get a pink slip for in less-insulated environments, he said, meaning they would lose their jobs.

For now, though, there are few signs of any revamp in large institutions' approach to cyber security - and little incentive for contractors in the cyber security industry to change.

Sophos was not the only company whose stock rose on Monday, as the global scale of WannaCry became apparent. Shares of U.S.-based FireEye Inc and Qualys Inc both rose more than 5 percent.

But Sophos stood out, aided by higher expectations for a product the company introduced last year to fend off ransomware - so called because the authors of the malware demand a 'ransom' to restore a user's infected computer - which worked at the hospitals that had installed it.

"It's good news for our business," one Sophos employee, who asked not to be named, told Reuters this week. "We were so inundated with people calling us."

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Kandahar (Afghanistan): At least 20 Afghan policemen were killed early on Sunday when Taliban fighters stormed multiple security outposts in the volatile southern province of Zabul, officials said, as the insurgents escalate their annual spring offensive.

Local officials made desperate calls to journalists to seek attention as they were unable to get hold of senior authorities for help, media reported, highlighting the disarray in security ranks.

"This morning, a group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints in Shah Joy district of Zabul province, killing 20 policemen," provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal said.

A district official said that at least 15 others were wounded in the fighting. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on their website.

Taliban militants launched their annual "spring offensive" in late April, heralding a surge in fighting as the US tries to craft a new Afghan strategy and NATO considers sending more troops to break the stalemate against the resurgent militants.

The offensive normally marks the start of the fighting season, though this winter the Taliban continued to battle government forces. An attack on a military base in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif left at least 135 security forces dead last month. The Pentagon has asked the White House to send thousands of more troops to Afghanistan to break the deadlocked fight against the Taliban.

US troops in Afghanistan number about 8,400 today, and there are another 5,000 from NATO allies, who also mainly serve in an advisory capacity -- a far cry from the US presence of more than 100,000 six years ago.
London: The House Intelligence Committee has asked a former adviser to President Donald Trump, for a voluntary interview and documents in connection with the accusations of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections.

The House committee sent a letter to Michael Caputo on May 9 asking him to produce documents and other materials to the committee and participate in a voluntary transcribed interview at the committee's offices, the Guardian reports.

Caputo, who has close links with Roger Stone, Trump's highly controversial political adviser, worked in Russia in the 1990s.

Democratic congresswoman Jackie Speier had previously mentioned Caputo's name in a March hearing before the House intelligence committee.

Caputo worked for Trump's campaign from November 2015 to June 2016 when he resigned after publicly gloating over the firing of former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

The request comes as Trump is currently facing increased scrutiny over allegations about his campaign's ties to Russia.

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Robert Mueller was appointed as a special counsel this week to investigate Trump's campaign and the Washington Post has reported that a current White House official is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.

On July 25, 2016, Brian Fallon, Clinton's national press secretary cited a tweet from Caputo to note "Trump is pretending the Russians aren't behind DNC hack, but his former top adviser just agreed they are."

The House committee's letter to Caputo comes just after reports surfaced that the investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election now includes a current senior White House official. It also follows reports that Russian officials bragged that they thought they could use former national security adviser Michael Flynn to influence Trump in the White House.
London: The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) held a protest against Pakistani "brutalities" in the restive Balochistan outside the Pakistan High Commission.

The protesters accused the army of the illegal abduction of Baloch women and unleashing bloodshed in the region. "The protest rally was aimed at highlighting and exposing continuous Pakistani army brutalities and bloodshed in Balochistan before the world," BRP president of UK zone Mansoor Baloch said in the statement.

Apart from this, the illegal abduction of Baloch women from different parts of Balochistan including Dera Bugti and Bolan was highlighted, the statement said.

From the Pakistan mission, the group marched up to 10 Downing Street to stage a protest outside British Prime Minister Theresa May's official residence.

"In past few days, Pakistani forces targeted civilian population and abducted dozens of Baloch during military operation in Dera Bugti, Kohistan Marri, and Kech," BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said in Geneva.

Bugti said that Pakistani forces used their full military might against and indiscriminately targeted Baloch civilians. "Similarly, Pakistan army conducted offensive in different areas of Dasht, Kech and targeted civil populace, harassed and tortured women and children.

The Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies abducted and taken dozens of Baloch innocent civilians to an undisclosed location in Dasht's Jam Mohammad, Zyarathi and other adjacent areas," he added.

The group has urged the international community to join in their protest against Pakistan's action and condemn the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was against the will of the Baloch people.
She aims to promote the city's businesses in international markets and develop the city's presence overseas. (Photo: Twitter)

London: A 43-year-old UK entrepreneur has become the first India-born woman to be elected as a councillor to a ward in the UK.

Rehana Ameer, who was born and raised in Chennai, contested from Vintry ward in the City of London county as an independent candidate.

She was elected as a councillor to the Court of Common Council, becoming the first India-born woman to be elected to the City of London Corporation. "As an elected councillor, my key focus areas are road safety, improved air quality, mental health and better representation of all types of businesses as part of the Brexit negotiations," Rehana said.

She aims to promote the city's businesses in international markets and develop the city's presence overseas. The City corporation is the richest local authority in the country which controls the 1.3 billion pounds city cash fund. The City of London is divided into 25 wards and elected councillors represent each ward.
Moscow (Russia): Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would not allow the United States to treat his country as a colony.

"It's the way how they handle it. You treat me as if I am your colony still? You must be kidding. Why would I allow it, why would I allow you to treat me as if I am your colonial governor? We are an independent country. We will survive, we will endure. We can go hungry, but this time, I want my country treated with dignity," Sputnik news quoted Duterte, as saying.

It's not the first time that the Philippines leader has launched an attack on Washington.

In October last year, Duterte stated that it was "time to say goodbye" to the United States' use of Philippine land for military bases, secured by a deal signed by Duterte's predecessor.

In November, Duterte said that Manila intended to cooperate with Moscow and Beijing rather than with Washington, but did not rule out cooperation with then- US President-elect Donald Trump.
The victim had just returned home from school when the 24-year-old suspect touched her in the lift of the building. (Representational image)

Dubai: An Indian schoolgirl has allegedly been molested by a Pakistani clerk in a lift in the UAE, a media report said.

The victim had just returned home from school when the 24-year-old suspect touched her in the lift of the building where she lived in Dubai, Gulf News reported.

The clerk pressed the second-floor button and when the lift started moving upwards, he grabbed her name tag and tried to read her name but she pulled herself away from him in March, the report said on Saturday.

As soon as the lift door opened, the Pakistani clerk, who was not identified by the report, groped the girl after which she ran towards her house and informed her parents who called the police.

The man was apprehended and charged with molesting the schoolgirl, the report said.

The suspect pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

The girl identified the suspect at the police lineup. A ruling in the case will be announced on May 25.
President Donald Trump delivers a speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit, at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center. (Photo: AP)

Riyadh: US President Donald Trump told dozens of Muslim leaders on Sunday he brought "a message of friendship and hope and love", in a keenly awaited speech on Islam in Saudi Arabia.

He urged Muslim countries to ensure that "terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil" and announced an agreement with Gulf countries to fight financing for extremists.

Trump said that every nation must shoulder the burden of rooting out terrorism from their countries.

The US President said terrorist groups "do nothing to inspire but kill."

He said all countries must work together to "honestly" confront "the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires."

Trump added that Syrian President Bashar Assad has committed "unspeakable crimes" bolstered by Iran.

Trump denounced Iranian aggression in the region, and said that the "longest-suffering victims" are the Iranian people.

He said the Iranian people have "endured hardship and despair under their leaders' reckless pursuit of conflict and terror."

But the US President fell short of referencing "radical Islamic terrorism" - a term he uses frequently at home and has condemned President Barack Obama for failing to say.
Tehran: Iran has sanctioned nine more US-linked businesses, organisations and people over Americas sanctions over its ballistic missile program.

Irans Foreign Ministry published a new sanctions list on its website Saturday, which added nine targets.

The sanctions mean Iran could seize local assets of the companies targeted and bar its employees from the country.

Those targets include Booz Allen Hamilton of McLean, Virginia; shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries of Newport News, Virginia; cyber-security firm Kingfisher Systems of Falls Church, Virginia; and DynCorp International, also of McLean.

Booz Allen Hamilton said it had no comment. The other firms did not immediately answer requests for comment.

The Trump administration in February sanctioned more than two dozen people and companies in retaliation for a ballistic missile test. Iran responded by announcing similar sanctions in March.
Ankara: Turkish police on Sunday killed in Ankara two suspected members of the Islamic State jihadist group believed to have been planning an attack in the capital, the regional governor said.

The two were killed during a police operation on their residence in the Etimesgut district of Ankara after a gunfight with officers, state-run news agency Anadolu quoted regional governor Ercan Topaca as saying.

The raid was launched on the basis of testimony from a suspected Azerbaijani ISIS member who was detained by Istanbul police after allegedly driving the two men to Ankara. "This (police) operation was quickly planned after this suspect said they and the two others he left in Ankara were Daesh (ISIS) members and planning an attack," Topaca said. He said police opened fire after the two suspects themselves fired on the security forces.

After "neutralising" the two men, guns and hand grenades were found, Topaca said. Although the identities and nationalities of the two men have yet to be confirmed, Topaca said they believed they were aged between 25 and 30. "We believe they were planning an attack likely in the next few days. The weapons, explosives were effective and powerful," he said.

During the past 18 months, Turkey has been hit by a wave of attacks blamed on ISIS and Kurdish militants, killing hundreds in cities like Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern city of Gaziantep.

The raid comes nearly six months after an ISIS gunman killed 39 people in attack on the elite Reina nightclub during New Year celebrations in Istanbul.

The shootout took place as Ankara was hosting a special congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that was set to again choose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its chairman. But there was no indication of any link to the congress.
An estimated 70 extremists have been killed by police since July when authorities launched a crackdown in the wake of a cafe attack that left 22 dead. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Dhaka: Five young Bangladeshis accused of being Islamist militants surrendered to authorities on Sunday, an official said, after a lengthy siege that prompted questions about heavy-handed police tactics.

Elite counter-terror troops surrounded a one-storey house in the central district of Narsingdi on Saturday afternoon after a tip-off that Islamist extremists were holed up there.

The information came from militants arrested in April after a raid on an extremist hideout that left 10 people including a senior police officer dead, said Rapid Action Battalion spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan.

The five young men in Narsingdi had "surrendered peacefully, which was our main goal", after a siege that lasted more than 20 hours, he said.

But the incident raised questions about police tactics after one of the five alleged Islamists took to Facebook to profess his innocence, urging authorities not to storm the building.

"Attention journalists and law enforcers, we are innocent. Please search us if you can find anything. We are locked from outside. Please rescue us," Abuzafar Mia wrote on the social media website.

Suspected militants in Bangladesh - and sometimes their families - are often killed during police raids on so-called hideouts.

An estimated 70 extremists have been killed by police since July when authorities launched a crackdown in the wake of a cafe attack that left 22 dead.

"There are serious doubts about these counter-terrorism operations and the official narratives of these raids," said one rights activist, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Nur Khan Liton, another prominent activist, said the police version of events was always provided after raids but little questioning occurred beyond that.

"Most of the alleged militants get killed in the raids. Those who are arrested are not made available to talk publicly," he said, adding it was not always clear whether those killed were actually extremists.

RAB commander Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan said the accused would be released from custody if proven innocent.

"We've found some jihadi books and leaflets inside the residence. We'll interrogate them and if they are actually innocent, we'll definitely release them immediately," Hasan said.

Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of attacks in recent years, with scores of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and religious minorities killed.

The Islamic State group and Al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for a number of attacks but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied their involvement, blaming local outfits instead.
Lahore: Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that the civilian government and the Pakistan Army would jointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against India.

He stressed, "It is time to be united," even as he denounced the trend of harming the national interest for the sake of securing political ground, as reported by The Nation.

"We have already suffered much in the past. This trend of causing damage to national interest in order to protect personal ones should be shunned," he added.

Alleged Indian spy and former Indian Naval Officer Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism.

India reacted to the verdict by taking the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), headquartered in The Hague, accusing Pakistan of 'farcical trial' in the matter of Jadhav.

India contended that it was not informed about Jadhav's detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan failed to inform him of his rights. It further alleged that Pakistan has committed 'egregious violation of the Vienna Convention' and repeatedly denied consular access to Jadhav.

ICJ announced its verdict on May 18 pronouncing that Pakistan should not execute Jadhav until the final decision of the court and that he should be granted consular access.
The agency has finalised a list of 200 people, the channel said, quoting a government's source. (Photo: (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has finalised a list of 200 people, including reporters, to question them for their tweets and posts against the powerful army on social media, a media report has said.

Among those named in the list include some social media activists of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf.

Citing its sources, the Samaa TV reported that 40 people have already been grilled by the investigation agency while their laptops, mobile phones and ipads have been seized and sent for forensic evaluation.

The agency has finalised a list of 200 people, the channel said, quoting a government's source. The move comes despite Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan's threat to launch street protests against the social media crackdown.

Khan said he would be forced to take to the streets if the government touched his workers or banned the social media.

Salar Kakar, a social media activist of Khan's party, was detained from Quetta and shifted to Islamabad for investigation before being released a day later. Dr Faisal Ranjha, an active supporter of the PML-N on social media, has also reportedly been arrested by the FIA.

In a statement, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan voiced serious alarm over arbitrary curbs on freedom of expression, a climate of intimidation and the authorities stated intent to act against any perceived slight to the armed forces through the social media.

"We are particularly alarmed by statements of at least two federal ministers, one of which vowed severe action under the cyber crime law and through the other the FIA was directed to proceed against those 'dishonouring' the army through the social media," the commission said.
The Chinese government "systematically dismantled" CIA spying operations in China starting in late 2010 and killed or imprisoned at least a dozen CIA sources over the next two years, according to a media report.



The New York Times in its report cited 10 current and former US officials, who described the intelligence breach as one of the worst in decades. They spoke on condition of anonymity.



The report said US intelligence and law enforcement agencies scrambled to stem the damage but was bitterly divided over the cause of the breach. Some investigators were convinced there was a mole within the CIA, while others believed the Chinese had hacked the covert system the CIA used to communicate with its foreign sources. The debate remains unresolved, the paper said.



The CIA, which declined to comment to the Times, also declined to comment yesterday to The Associated Press.



The number of CIA assets lost in China rivalled those lost in the Soviet Union and Russia as a result of the betrayals by both CIA officer Aldrich Ames and FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who were arrested in 1994 and 2001, respectively, the report said.



As many as 20 CIA sources were killed or imprisoned in China over a two-year period, the Times said, citing two former senior US officials.



Investigators suspected a former CIA operative of being a mole but failed to gather enough evidence to arrest him and he is now living in another Asian country, the report said.



Those who rejected the mole theory attributed the losses to sloppy American tradecraft in China. By 2013, the FBI and CIA concluded that China no longer had the ability to identify American agents, the Times said.
President Donald Trump basked in Saudi Arabia's lavish royal welcome as he left behind, at least temporarily, the snowballing controversies dogging him in Washington.



Trump rewarded his hosts with a USD 110 billion arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements.



"That was a tremendous day, tremendous investments in the United States," Trump said yesterday during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.



The visit to the kingdom's capital kicked off Trump's first foreign trip as president, an ambitious, five-stop swing that will take him through the Middle East and into Europe. He is the only American president to make Saudi Arabia or any Muslim-majority nation his first overseas trip.



Trump arrived in Riyadh besieged by the fallout from his firing of FBI Director James Comey and more revelations about the federal investigations into his election campaign's possible ties to Russia. Escaping Washington for the embrace of the Saudi royal family appeared to give Trump a boost.



After an overnight flight, the president was greeted at the airport by King Salman, which was notable given that the monarch did not show up last year to welcome President Barack Obama on his final visit to Saudi Arabia.



Trump descended the steps alongside first lady Melania Trump, who wore a black pantsuit and gold belt, but did not cover her hair in the ultra-conservative kingdom, in keeping with the traditions of Western delegations.



As Trump and the 81-year-old king, who was aided by a cane, walked along the red carpet, military jets swept the sky, leaving a red, white and blue trail. During a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court, Salman awarded Trump the Collar of Abdulaziz al Saud, the kingdom's highest civilian honour.



Trump bent down so the king could place the gold medal around his neck. Saudi Arabia has previously bestowed the honour on Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Obama.



Trump's warm welcome reflected the degree to which Saudi Arabia had become disillusioned with Obama. The Saudis deeply distrusted Obama's overtures to Iran and were frustrated by his restrained approach to the Syrian civil war.



As Trump arrived, Iranians had just re-elected Hassan Rouhani one of Obama's partners in the landmark accord aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions for a second four-year- term as president, validating his push for greater freedoms and outreach to the wider world.



US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he hoped Rouhani would use his new term "to begin a process of dismantling Iran's network of terrorism."



Trump made no substantial remarks on his first day abroad and spent most of his time shuttling between opulent palace ballrooms with the king. The two were overheard discussing natural resources and arms, and Salman bemoaned the destruction caused by Syria's civil war.



The most tangible agreement between the two leaders was the USD 110 billion sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia that is effective immediately and could expand up to USD 350 billion over 10 years. The deal includes tanks, combat ships, missile defence systems, radar and communications, and cyber security technology. The State Department said the agreement could support "tens of thousands of new jobs in the United States."



Trump was joined on the trip by the CEOs of several major US companies, which announced their own agreements with the Saudis. Among them was a USD 15 billion arrangement with GE focused on power, oil and gas, and health care.



The president was trailed on the trip by a large number of advisers, including Tillerson, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka, both senior advisers, were also part of the official delegation.



Ivanka's presence dominated Arabic Twitter traffic, with the phrase "bint Trump" Arabic for the daughter of Trump trending.



The Saudis' welcome appeared to lift the spirits of Trump's beleaguered staff, ensnared in a seemingly endless cycle of negative stories involving Comey's firing and the intensifying Russia investigations. After a lavish lunch with the Saudi delegation, Kushner high-fived national security adviser HR McMaster.



Later Saturday, Trump was greeted by a traditional troupe of Saudi drummers and sword-waving dancers. Trump smirked and bopped to the beat as he made his way through the crowd.
The RSS's Muslim wing will organise iftars on Fridays in Uttar Pradesh this Ramzan and serve only cow milk and its products to drive home the message of 'save the cow' and that consumption of its meat invites diseases.



Mahiraj Dhwaj Singh, national co-convenor (organisation) of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, said it is for the "first time" that people who observe roza (fast), will be ending it with a glass of cow's milk.

MRM was formed in 2002 at the initiative of the then RSS chief KS Sudarshan to allow the Sangh to reach out to Muslims.



"Emphasis will be laid on the use of cow milk and other dairy products at the iftars. And, it will be for the first time that such an iftar will be held in Uttar Pradesh," Singh told PTI.



Citing the benefits of cow milk, he claimed, "Even Muslim scholars are of the view that cow milk is good for health and ghee made using this milk is medicine. This ghee is used as base is preparing various ayurvedic medicines also," adding consuming cow meat invites a number of diseases.



He also said that during Ramzan, special prayers will be offered in which appeals will be made to protect the cow.



"All living beings (animals, birds, trees and plants) owe their existence to Allah. If we adopt a humane approach towards them, we will incur His blessings," the senior MRM office bearer said.



"During Ramzan, prayers will be held. A message to end animosity and spread love, bonhomie and brotherhood will be disseminated. Message to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation will be spread. Programmes will be held to pledge for development of the country, while upholding its sovereignty," he said.



Singh also said that MRM volunteers will pledge to spread love and brotherhood. "Let's make a prosperous Bharat. Let's take a pledge to resolve the ongoing Ayodhya dispute amicably," he said.



Welcoming the move of the MRM, Waseem Raini, president of Lucknow-based Pasmanda Muslim Samaj, Muslim organisation, said, "If different sweets such as pedhaa and other edible items made using cow's milk are served during iftar, we have no objections. This will eventually increase the bonhomie and brotherhood between Hindus and Muslims."
Authorities today imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar - the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir  ahead of a rally by the separatists.



Most of the separatists leaders, including moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, are under house detention.



The restrictions have been imposed in five police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident, district magistrate (deputy commissioner), Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone, said here.



The separatists have called for a march to Eidgah to commemorate the death anniversary of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, father of moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and another Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone.



Farooq was shot dead by militants on May 21, 1990, and Lone was killed by ultras during a commemoration rally for the former on the same day in 2002.



The curbs have been imposed in Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safakadal  all in the interior areas of the city, he said.



Yesterday, the authorities had imposed restrictions in three police station areas in the old city - Nowhatta, MR Gunj and Safakadal.



Meanwhile, normal life was affected elsewhere in the Valley due to a strike called by the separatists.



Most of the shops, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut in Srinagar, while public transport was off the roads, the officials said.



They said private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying.



Reports of shutdown were also received from other districts of the Valley, they said.



However, there was no effect of the strike on the weekly flea market here as many vendors had set up their stalls on the TRC Chowk-Lal Chowk axis.
The number of students enrolled in government-run primary and upper primary schools in Uttar Pradesh has declined from 3.71 crores in 2012-13 to 3.64 crore in 2015-16.



According to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), enrolments in private-unaided schools increased by 36.5 percent between 2010 and 2016, whereas government schools registered a decline of 18.6 percent.



The CAG report on general and social sectors for the financial year 2015-16 was tabled in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly recently.



It states that on an average there were 20 lakh drop-outs every year between 2010 and 2016, but the state government claims that the average was 0.63 lakh.



"In the 428 school checked by the audit team, against the enrollment of 51,649 children, the attendance on the day of joint physical verification was just 13,861 which comes to 27 percent," the report said.



The CAG also found that 6.22 lakh children in the state were not provided school books during 2012-16 despite it receiving adequate funds under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).



The state-run schools had a shortage of 1.75 lakh teachers as against the sanctioned strength of 7.60 lakh.



Further, the teachers were not deployed rationally as 17,732 primary schools and 1,349 upper primary schools with an enrollment of more than 150 students did not meet the pupil- teacher ratio (PTR), while 7,264 primary schools and 2,377 upper primary schools with less than 50 students exceeded the PTR.



Even six years after the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 119 teachers posted in primary schools and 30,730 in upper primary schools did not possess the required qualification during the evaluation period even though the act requires that all teachers without the minimum qualification should acquire it within five years, the report said.



The UP government provided only one set of uniform to the children under the SSA during 2011-12, though two sets of uniforms were approved under the project and fund were released accordingly.



"Further, uniforms were not provided to 97 lakh children during 2012-16 despite the availability of sufficient funds," the report said.
The BJP is yet to take a decision on its candidate for the upcoming Presidential poll, even as the party virtually rejected Shiv Sena's proposal for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to be the ruling combine's nominee.



Replying to a question on the BJP-led NDA's candidate for the Presidential polls in July as the opposition was already working on putting up a joint candidate, said BJP President Amit Shah told Aaj Tak channel in an interview that a decision is yet to be taken.



"Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first," he said.



He also rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal regarding Bhagwat, saying that party has itself ruled it out.



To questions on Kashmir, Shah said there was no need for even an "iota of concern" over the situation in the state which has witnessed months of unrest, and asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government will control it soon.



"There is a big gap between the reality and the projection" of the Kashmir situation and the trouble was confined to "three and a half districts", he said.



The government was keeping a sharp vigil over the situation and the Valley has witnessed many spells of such unrest in the past before the situation has normalised, he said.



Shah also attacked the Congress for criticising the government, claiming that it had no right to do so as the Kashmir problem was an outcome of the policies of its governments since independence.



Terming the lynching of seven persons in Jharkhand by a mob over abduction rumours as an "isolated and stray incident" which happens in a country of 125 crore people, the BJP chief said it would not be appropriate to link such cases of violence to his party.



People should look up the crime data to find out if cases of violence have increased under the BJP governments, he said.



To a question, if Tamil superstar Rajinikant will join the BJP, Shah said the decision has to be taken by the actor himself and his party welcomed all good people to its fold.



Ahead of the Modi government's third anniversary, he said it has won the people's trust and added that the poor have the belief that it was working for their welfare.



In a democracy the "biggest certificate is the people's verdict" and the masses have time and again underscored their support for the BJP-led NDA government, he said in a reference to the BJP's win in several state polls.



The Modi government has been able to rid the country of the politics of casteism, family rule and appeasement, and turned the focus on the politics of performance, he claimed.



While the UPA government was accused of scams running into Rs 12 lakh crore, even rivals of the NDA government have not levelled a single charge of corruption against it, Shah claimed.
Gunmen have attacked an international guesthouse in Kabul, killing a German woman and an Afghan guard, the interior ministry said today.



A Finnish national is missing and presumed to have been kidnapped in the raid late Saturday, officials added.
RECORDER REPORT



KARACHI: The Islamic Banking Industrys Non-Performing Finances (NPFs) to financing decreased to 3.2 percent by end of CY20 compared to 9.2 percent of the overall banking industry.



According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the assets quality indicator of the Islamic banking industry has improved as NPFs fell sharply during the last calendar year (CY20).



Asset quality indicator of IBI, i.e., NPFs to financing (gross) decreased from 4.3 percent by end December 19 to 3.2 percent by end December 2020.



Similarly, net NPFs to net financing also decreased to 0.6 percent in December 2020 down from 2 percent in December 2019 due to a decrease in NPFs. Non-Performing ratio of IBI is considerably lower than the overall banking industry ratio of 9.2 percent. At the end of December 2020, liquid assets to total assets and liquid assets to total deposits of IBI experienced growth and stood at 28.7 percent and 36.2 percent, respectively.



Financing to Deposits (FDR) of IBBs stood at 63.2 percent whereas for IBs it was reported to be 50.4 percent in December 2020.



Collectively, financing to deposits ratio of IBI stood at 55.5 percent, significantly higher than the FDR (44.8 percent) reported for the overall banking industry.



The ratios of capital to total assets and capital minus net NPAs to total assets of IBI were recorded at 6.1 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively, by end December 2020.




Ahead of Ramadan, a top UK university has decided to remove prayer space available on campus for Muslims, citing a "lack of space" during exam season as the reason behind its move.



The only daily prayer space available on campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university Library, Independent reported.



Muslim students at the university were told that their Friday prayer space was to be taken away due to a "lack of space" during exam season, the paper said.



Students yesterday took part in a public prayer session in the main university square in peaceful protest against the move.



A spokesperson from the UEA Islamic Society said: "We are shocked and appalled that the University, who re-located us... on the condition that they would investigate a permanent solution which they have failed to produce, would take away our only prayer spaces during exam period and before Ramadan".



Over the past few years, Muslim students at the university have used a lecture theatre for prayer and worship. The larger Friday worship sessions take place at a separate location by the Blackdale student residences.



Both arrangements were set up as a temporary solution while the university discussed plans for a permanent prayer space.



From Sunday, however, the Muslim student community are to be left with no designated prayer space, a move students say they had not been invited to discuss.



UEA's Student Union has accused the university of discrimination, failing its duties under the Equality Act.



Union spokesperson for welfare, community and diversity, Jo Swo, was quoted as saying by the report that the situation had caused "a tremendous amount of anxiety and inconvenience for Muslim students as it has made them feel observed and treated like an inconvenience to the University".



UEA has begun dramatic plans for expansion over the next few years, pledging to recruit up to 3,000 new students by 2030  a rise of 20 per cent.



A UEA spokesperson said the Vice Chancellor would be meeting with students imminently to discuss the matter.



In a statement, the university said: "As part of a 2 million pound investment in new library study spaces and the complete refurbishment of the University's main lecture theatres the use of a prayer facility near Lecture Theatre 2 will be temporarily unavailable for safety reasons during the building works".
Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela may have publicly asserted he is not in the race to be the next Gujarat chief minister and will remain in the party, but an air of uncertainty looms around him and his next move.



Vaghela recently 'unfollowed' Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and some other colleagues on twitter, triggering speculation in political circles that he may leave the main Opposition party and join the BJP, his former outfit.



However, the former chief minister later scotched rumours about quitting the Congress and returning to the saffron fold. He claimed his act of "unfollowing" Congress leaders on the popular networking site was aimed at preventing "spread of false messages and speculation" about him.



The Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly said he will remain inactive on social media till the state polls, due by the year-end, are over.



There has been a demand by a section of state Congress to declare Vaghela as the chief ministerial candidate. Posters were also put up in various cities in the state demanding the party veteran be projected as the CM face.



The repeated demand from Vaghela's supporters did not cut ice with the party high command which made it clear that it will not name anyone for the top post before the polls.



Sources close to the Vaghela group said their leader is a "great survivor" and has managed to remain a key figure in Gujarat politics after dissociating himself from the RSS-BJP combine which has deep roots in the Western state.



Vaghela quit the BJP in 1995, but managed to survive and today he is arguably the tallest Congress leader in Gujarat, they said.



For the 77-year-old Rajput strongman, the forthcoming state elections might be the last chance to aim at the coveted chief ministerial post.



The BJP lacks a credible leader in the state after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah left Gujarat to play bigger roles at the national level, the sources said.



This has made the Gujarat polls interesting and given a hope to the Congress, once a dominant force in the state, to make a serious bid to come to power in Modi's home state after over two decades, they said.



Vaghela met Shah, an MLA from Gujarat, a couple of months back, setting tongues wagging and fuelling talks of him preparing the ground to return to the BJP. There were also rumours that Vaghela's son Mahendrasinh, a Congress MLA, may switch over to the saffron outfit along with his loyalists.



However, party sources said the Congress high command is firm on not declaring a chief ministerial candidate and this has left Vaghela, currently abroad, with limited options. "He has to accept Congress high command's decision or else leave the party," a Congress leader maintained.



State Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki has, however, said there are no differences in the Gujarat unit and that he and Vaghela will fight the elections together.



The last word on the Congress veteran is yet to be said and the political drama in the party is likely to continue in the election year after Vaghela returns to Gujarat on May 23.
An Indian schoolgirl has allegedly been molested by a Pakistani clerk in a lift in the UAE, a media report said.



The victim had just returned home from school when the 24-year-old suspect touched her in the lift of the building where she lived in Dubai, Gulf News reported.



The clerk pressed the second-floor button and when the lift started moving upwards, he grabbed her name tag and tried to read her name but she pulled herself away from him in March, the report said yesterday.



As soon as the lift door opened, the Pakistani clerk, who was not identified by the report, groped the girl after which she ran towards her house and informed her parents who called the police.



The man was apprehended and charged with molesting the schoolgirl, the report said.



The suspect pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.



The girl identified the suspect at the police lineup.



A ruling in the case will be announced on May 25.
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said he was not aware of any possible meeting between actor Rajnikanth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



"Rajnikanth is a great actor. Modi is a great leader. If he wants to meet the Prime Minister, there is no problem", Naidu told reporters here.



He pitched for the AIADMK ending factionalism to provide a stable government in Tamil Nadu to fulfil the promises of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.



The Centre wants factionalism in AIADMK to be sorted out to ensure a stable government to fulfil the promises made by Jayalalithaa to the Tamil Nadu people, he said.



The Centre would not interfere in the internal matters of AIADMK, but only wished for a stable government in Tamil Nadu, Naidu said.



He said the BJP had not made any choice between O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami. "We have no preference," he said.
India cannot claim victory in Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at the International Court of Justice as the court has issued "just a procedural order", the lawyer who represented Pakistan in the case has said.



Khawar Qureshi said Jadhav's case is more about political point scoring than about the law.



"The order issued by the ICJ is just a procedural order to enable full hearing. It certainly is not a victory for India by any means," Geo TV quoted Qureshi as saying.



"It was very clear that the court didnt want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consulor access, which he had," he said.



Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him.



"It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented.



He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying.



"My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added.
Dear MSM, despite U boycotting humongous #BhimArmy protest at Jantar Mantar, Social media has insured coverage. U've lost huge viewership! pic.twitter.com/cIiHGAQnQ8  Ravikiran (@scribe_it) May 21, 2017

Ignoring Delhi Police's denial of permission, a large number of Dalit activists led by Bhim Army on Sunday protested here against the recent caste-based violence in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur.The protesters, estimated to be around 5,000 gathered at Jantar Mantar, the dharna hotspot in the capital, in the morning and demanded that cases be registered against those who had perpetrated violence against Dalits on May 9. They also wanted that the families of the victims should be awarded compensation of Rs 10 lakh each.The agitation was organised despite the city police denying permission on Saturday evening to the Saharanpur-based Bhim Army to stage the protest.Saharanpur's Shabbirpur village witnessed clashes on May 5 after some Dalits refused to allow a procession by upper caste men to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap.The Dalit community attempted to hold a 'Mahapanchayat' four days later in Gandhi Park in Saharanpur to demand compensation and relief to those affected in the May 5 clashes. However, the administration refused to heed to the demand and this resulted in Dalits taking out to the streets.Violence followed and Dalit protesters allegedly set fire to a police post and over a dozen two-wheelers.Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar, who is accused of sharing an objectionable video on social media and disrupting communal harmony in Saharanpur, was present at the Delhi protest.The protesters demanded that the FIRs lodged against Chandrashekhar and other Dalit activists be cancelled. They also wanted a judicial probe into the incidents of clashes in Saharanpur.Police said the protest went off peacefully amid tightened security. They claimed they denied permission to the protest as the organisers said the gathering would be close to 50,000, which Jantar Mantar cannot hold.




"Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours," Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today, asserting that the Modi government will find a "permanent solution" to the Kashmir problem.The home minister's assertion came amid continued unrest in the Kashmir valley.



Addressing a public reception here in this tiny northeastern state, Singh accused Pakistan of trying to "destabilise" India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.



"But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, without elaborating.



Kashmir is in a vice-like grip of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July last year. Though there was a brief lull, violence erupted again on April 9 this year when the bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Normalcy has eluded the state since.



Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the polling day and a paltry 7.14 per cent of the electors came out to vote, the lowest ever in the valley since the rise of militancy in 1989.



Bypoll for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat was first deferred and then cancelled by the Election Commission which said the situation in the region was "scary".



Students have joined the protests like never before with even girls taking to streets, and fighting pitched battles with security forces.



Around 80 people had lost their lives as violence held the valley in a prolonged stranglehold in the aftermath of the killing of Burhan Wani, who had emerged as the posterboy of militancy in Kashmir.



Rajnath Singh said heads of government of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government in 2014 in an indication that India wanted friendly relations with them.



However, he deplored, there was no change in the "attitude" of Pakistan which wanted to "destabilise" India.



"We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we will have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said.



The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border.



He also visited the Nathu La border post, besides a few posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-India and Indo-Nepal border respectively.
The mystery behind the death of the Karnataka cadre IAS officer Anurag Tiwari deepened further after the staff at the government guest house, where he had been staying with a friend, told the cops that they did not see him returning to his room on Tuesday night.



Tiwari was found dead under mysterious circumstances a few metres away from the guest house on Wednesday morning. According to the police sources here on Sunday, one of the night duty staff at the guest house said that he did not see Tiwari returning to his room after he reported for duty at 2200 hours on Tuesday night. He said that he left the guest house at seven in the morning.



The statement added to the death mystery as Tiwari and his IAS friend P.N.Singh were seen emerging from a restaurant in the state capital around ten on Tuesday night.



The police said that they were trying to check the authenticity of the guest house employee's statement. The probe team also quizzed the other staff at the guest house.



The special investigating team (SIT), which was probing the death, had re-enacted the possible sequence of events on Saturday in a bid to reconstruct the happening between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.



The police said that they would also investigate the allegations made by Tiwari's brother Mayank, that the IAS officer was being harassed by his superiors and also that there was a threat to his life.



Mayank had also alleged that the call records in Tiwari's cell phone had been deleted. ''We will investigate the allegations,'' said a senior police official here.



Tiwari, who was commissioner, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department in Karnataka, was found dead here on Wednesday. His body was found lying on the side of the road a few metres away from the Meerabai Guest House.
As the Centre's ruling NDA maintained silence over its nominee for the presidential poll, major opposition parties plan to intensify efforts for finalising a joint candidate for the top post for which they are likely to approach regional players.



Opposition sources said efforts are on to bring political rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party on the same page, while also trying to rope in Naveen Patnaik's BJD in Odisha.



Senior opposition leaders at the forefront of the move to field a joint candidate against the NDA nominee are likely to meet SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati and Patnaik over the next few days.



They could also approach the BJP's ally Shiv Sena. The two oldest saffron partners have been locked in rancorous disputes despite being coalition partners in governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra.



The talk of a consensus candidate gained momentum after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke in favour of a second term for incumbent Pranab Mukherjee and prodded the NDA government to build a consensus around him.



The Congress, to which Mukherjee belonged before becoming the President, has so far been non-committal on a second term for him. "It is up to the government to bring about a consensus among all on a candidate it proposes," a senior Congress leader said, and maintained the Modi dispensation was unlikely to support Mukherjee for a second term.



Despite BJP's emphatic victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top constitutional position.



The KCR Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana have already promised to back the NDA nominee in the election.



Opposition sources said its candidate for the top post could be a non-Congressman. The names of former West Bengal governor, the euridite Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav are doing the rounds in political lobbies as possible opposition nominee.



The name of NCP chief Sharad Pawar has also been discussed by the opposition camp, but the astute Maharashtra politician has said he would not contest the poll.



The opposition, sources said, wanted to put up a candidate who has impeccable secular credentials, and who could "maintain secular supervision of the Indian Constitution."



Congress president Sonia Gadhi has already held talks with key players like Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.



Sonia is likely to hold talks with some other leaders this week and among them could be BSP supremo Mayawati.



Sources in the Congress and some other parties said they wanted the opposition unity over the presidential election extended to the Lok Sabha election in 2019.



The Congress' communications department chief Randeep Surjewala said," All opposition parties including the Congress will work to build a consensus for a candidate with unquestionable record of dedication and commitment to the founding principles of Constitution, bereft of political colour or pressure from the ruling dispensation."



"We want that India should have a president who can guide the government when it goes astray on being drunk with the brute majority and remind them of 'raj dharma'," he told PTI.



Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said the opposition should unite to put up a consensus candidate.



"We want secular supervision of Constitution. The President is the custodian of the Indian Constitution. We want a person whose secular credentials are impeccable," CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told PTI.



"The President should do a secular supervision of the Indian Constitution and not a communal supervision," he said.



The term of Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24 and the election has to take place before that.
More than a year after prohibition was enforced strictly in Bihar, tipplers in the State continue to quench their thirst. The news would not have made national headlines had the cops earlier this month not accused rodents of guzzling up confiscated liquor from malkhana (store).



While no one was ready to buy the bizarre claim of cops in media that rodents turned drunkards and consumed around 9 lakh litres of seized alcohol stored in different malkhanas of police stations, it has now come to light that the prohibited alcohol is easily available to those who know the liquor lingo.



All you need to know is the secret code or terminology used for different brands, a businessman told Deccan Herald. While Jehangir is the code for IMFL (Indian made foreign liquor), a demand for one litre of milk means the person has ordered for a large bottle (of alcohol).



In towns like Jogbani and Forbesganj, which share border with Himalayan Kingdom in north, tipplers use the code Nepal to procure liquor. In western Bihar districts Rohtas and Bhabua which share border with Uttar Pradesh, one has to use the code Fruti if someone has to order an IMFL. And if you want to order small or large bottle, then say chota syrup or bada syrup as per the requirement.



Initially, prohibition was strictly enforced. But now, the bacchus lovers are a having a field day throughout Bihar. A police officer recently told me how his income has increased manifold (since prohibition laws are quite stringent and no body wants to be arrested while drinking), a senior lawyer told this correspondent.



And what about the trucks and other vehicles laden with liquor being seized everyday, besides drunkards arrested?If three trucks are carrying the prohibited item, one of them is seized. The rest two go scot-free. The cops get appreciation for carrying out their duty while boozers get their drinks available, albeit with a premium, said the lawyer, arguing that prohibition could never be strictly enforced in a State like Bihar which shares porous border with Nepal in the north, West Bengal in the east, UP in the west and Jharkhand in the south.



Bihar was declared a dry State in April 2016. Fourteen months later, sample these facts:



Sept 2016: Patna police recover more than 300 bottles of liquor from the house of a woman constable Meenu Jha. The seized liquor include 18 bottles each of Godfather beer and Thunderbolt, 270 bottles of Royal Stag, 18 bottles of Hundred Pipers and five bottles of Scotch Whisky.



May 4, 2017: Bihar Police Mens Association president Nirmal Singh is arrested for allegedly consuming liquor at Police Lines.



May 17: A CRPF jawan SK Singh is arrested from Vaishali on the charge of being drunk. Two litres of country liquor is also seized from him.



May 20: Mala Devi, a woman constable of Crime Investigation Department, is arrested after police recover 19 pouches of Jharkhand-made country liquor from her house in Bakhtiyarpur.




According to the reports, the dalits from Keshavpur village in the district on Sunday took out the idols of gods and goddesses from their homes and put them outside the village.





''We will convert if we do not get justice,'' remarked on the of the residents of the village adding that the community members were receiving threats from the powerful Thakurs.





Reports said that there was a clash betweenThakurs and dalits at the village a few days back over constructing drains. Firs had been lodged from both sides and around 20 people had been arrested in this connection.





The dalits, however, alleged that the police were favouring the thakurs and trying to implicate the dalits in false cases.





Incidentally at Saharanpur also the dalit families had converted after clashes with thakurs at Shabbirpur village a few days back during a procession. There also the dalit families had immersed the idols of the gods and goddesses in the river.





The conversions at Saharanpur and the threat of conversion at Aligarh have sent the alarm bells ringing in the government here and the police and other officials have rushed to the two districts to persuade the dalits not to convert.





Dalits were angry with the police over the latter's alleged action against Bheem Sena, a dalit outfit, whose chief Chandrashekhar was wanted by the cops for instigating violence at Saharanpur.





Yogi Adityanath government has drawn flak from the opposition parties over its alleged failure to ensure safety of the dalits. BSP members on Sunday also staged protest during Adityanath's visit to Moradabad.

Close on the heels of 180 dalit families from several villages in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, about 500 kilometres from here, embracing Buddhism in protest against their alleged persecution by the police, scores of dalit families have threatened to convert in Aligarh district if denied justice.
A policeman who had decamped with four assault rifles from post in central Kashmir's Budgam district on Saturday, has joined Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.



Local news agency KNS quoting Hizbul spokesman, Burhan-u-Din's tele-statement said the policeman identified as Syed Naveed has joined the outfit along with the four rifles. Our field operational commander, Mehmood Ghaznavi, has welcomed Syed Naveed for joining the militant organization to fight Indian occupational forces in Kashmir, he said.



Police on Saturday said that Syed Naveed Mushtaq of Nazneenpora, Shopian, in south Kashmir decamped with four SLR rifles from the guard duty room where he was posted to guard an FCI godown in Nasrullahpora, Budgam.



In the last two years two such incidents have been reported in the Valley where two policemen decamped with the service rifles of fellow cops and later joined militants. In 2015, a cop-turned militant Naseer Ahmad Pandit of the 11 battalion of J&K Armed Police, who was posted at the guard room of PDP minister Altaf Bukharis residence, decamped with two AK-47 rifles.

Pandit was later killed in an encounter with security forces in 2016.


US President Donald Trump called on Middle Eastern leaders to combat a "crisis of Islamic extremism" emanating from the region, casting the fight against terrorism as a "battle between good and evil," not a clash between the West and Islam.



Trump's address today was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as president.



During a meeting of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders, he sought to chart a new course for America's role in the region, one aimed squarely on rooting out terrorism, with less focus on promoting human rights and democratic reforms.



"We are not here to lecture - we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said, speaking in an ornate, multi- chandeliered room. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership - based on shared interests and values - to pursue a better future for us all."



Even as the president pledged to work alongside Middle Eastern nations, he put the onus for combating terrorism on the region. Bellowing into the microphone, he implored Muslim leaders to aggressively fight extremists: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."



The president has been enthusiastically embraced in Riyadh, where the ruling royal family has welcomed his tougher stance on Iran, its regional foe.



Trump slammed Iran for spreading "destruction and chaos" throughout the region. His comments were echoed by Saudi King Salman, who declared, "The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism."



For Trump, the visit has been a welcome escape from the crush of controversies that have consumed his administration in recent weeks. He's been besieged by a series of revelations about the ongoing federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, who had been overseeing the Russia probe.



Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia also served as something of a reset with the region following his presidential campaign, which was frequently punctured by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric. He once mused that he thought "Islam hates us" and repeatedly slammed former President Barack Obama for refusing to use the term "radical Islamic extremism."



Yet Trump himself backed away from the term today as he stood before the region's leaders. He condemned "Islamists" and "Islamic terror of all kinds," but never specifically referred to radical Islam.



And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries - Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen - from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.



That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.



But today, Trump was full of praise for Muslim world's history and culture. He declared Islam "one of the world's great faiths."



White House officials said they considered Trump's address to be a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.



Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of America's missteps in the region. That speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticised by a number of the United States' Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.


In an attempt to create awareness on life-saving techniques including Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid and to provide tips on action to be taken after saving a victim, volunteers of Mangalore Surf Club, through Rashtreeya Life Saving Society India (based in Pune), gave a demonstration and hands-on experience to more than 40 students, who had arrived from different parts of the district, at Tannirbavi beach.



The childrenright from 6 year olds to 18watched in awe the various life-saving techniques such as Board Rescue (rescuing a person who is drowing in the sea with the help of a board), Tube Rescue (rescuing with the help of a tube), providing CPR and recovery.



Speaking to DH, Surf Life Saving India (RLSI) director Partha Varanashi said that on an average, 22,500 children die in India by drowning. Educating children/students on life-saving techniques would save not only precious lives of children from drowing, but also they can rescue others, in case need arises, he opined.



Citing an example, he said that his team had trained about 60 students in Udupi, Murudeshwar and Karwar last year and these trained students were successful in rescuing seven persons from drowning.



Surf Life Saving/Nippers is about learning new skills, gaining confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence by passing the tests of swimming, board paddling, beach sprinting, duck-diving on to an incoming wave, spotting a rip, having fun with new friends and discovering things about themselves. The skills gained at SLS/Nippers will stick to the soul like sand from the beach and be carried for life, he added.



Niroop G R, the chief trainer/instructor, who has been trained under Surf Life Saving Club of Coojee (Sydney, Australia) director Doug Hawkins, said that Sundays demo at Tannirbavi comprised Hoopes (activity on how to tackle waves) and Flags (running at a target (victim) who is drowning) among others.



Partha said that plans are on the anvil to set up a first-ever Surf Life Saving Club in India at Tannirbavi affiliated to International Life Saving Society through Rashtreya Life Saving Society and support from Coogee Minows Club from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Discussions are on with Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha in this regard, he added.



We are hoping to get assistance from the district administration to build Indias first Surf Life Saving Club so that these types of trainings happen on a weekly basis to train all the local youth in beach safety and rescue, he informed.



In fact, Sundays demo was part of the third edition of Surf Life Saving (SLS)/Nippers programme.

The first edition was held in 2013 with the help from Australia-India Council where 35 students were trained and the 2nd edition was held in 2015 with the funding from Coogee Minows Club from Sydney.




Arunachalee climber Anshu Jamsenpa on Sunday scripted history by scaling Mt Everest twice within five days.



Anshu, a mother of two, had conquered the worlds highest peak for the fourth time on May 16 last. She began her double ascent on Friday morning, her husband Tsering Wange informed.

Anshu along with Nepali climber Furi Sherpa scaled the peak at 8 am on Sunday.



The mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh had reached the top of Mt Everest at 9.15 am on May 16.

Anshu set the world record for becoming the first woman climber to reach the top of Mt Everest twice within five days.



She is also the first Indian woman to reach the top of Mt Everest for the fifth time.

The 32-year-old had achieved the feat of reaching the summit of Mt Everest twice within 10 days in 2011.



Anshu had also climbed Mt Everest in 2013 from the Nepal side. My only aim now is to unfurl the national flag once again atop Mt Everest and pay homage to Lord Buddha. I seek blessings and support from my fellow countrymen, Jamsenpa was quoted by her PR manager as having said before starting her second ascent.



Prayers were organised in several monasteries and temples back home in Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere in the region.



Navy team at summit



Four Indian Navy personnel on Sunday summitted Mount Everest retracing the route that Sir Edmund Hillary took when he climbed the peak with Tenzing Norgay in 1953, DHNS reports from Hyderabad.



The team, Lt Commander Bikas Maharana, Lt Shashank Tiwari, Lt Commander C S Yadav and Lt Anant Kukreti, began the final climb at 8 pm on Saturday and braved extreme cold, snowfall and icy winds before making it to the top where they unfurled the Navys flag at 6.30 am on Sunday.



This was the second window for the 24-member team, as the first opportunity between May 11 and 18 was wasted due to bad weather.



A ceremonial Ice Axe with the Naval Ensign was planted atop Mt Everest, symbolising the expanse of naval activities from the depths of ocean to the summit.








The Ministry of Science and Technology has initiated a three-year national programme on scientific validation and research on panchgavya, a concoction of cow products, including cow dung and cow urine.



Used in traditional Hindu rituals, panchagavya or panchakavyam is a mixture of five bovine products  dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. These are mixed with jaggery, banana and tender coconut in a proper ratio and allowed to ferment for several days to produce panchgavya.



The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has created a 19-member national steering committee, headed by Union Science Minister Harsh Vardhan, to implement the programme and guide the research agenda.



Other members of the steering committee include R A Mashelkar, former director general of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Vijay Bhatkar, chancellor of Nalanda University and the brain behind the indigenous PARAM supercomputers. Four professors from IIT-Delhi, including director V Ramgopal Rao, will also be part of the committee, apart from secretaries from various scientific departments of the central government.The programme is also supported by the Department of Biotechnology and CSIR.



We consider panchgavya a natural product. Earlier, the CSIR had looked into some of its properties. We will now look into other aspects, such as its medical use and use in building construction in rural areas. The proposals have to be scientifically evaluated first, Ashutosh Sharma, DST secretary and former professor at IIT-Kanpur, told DH.



The programme will concentrate mainly on the scientific validation of the uniqueness of indigenous cow products, of panchagavyas medicinal and health-related uses, its agricultural applications and its use as food, nutrition and utility products.
Although it has been 14 months since Bihar was declared a dry state  the prohibition was imposed in April 2016  tipplers in the state still find ways to quench their thirst.



The news would not have made national headlines had the police not recently accused rodents of guzzling up confiscated liquor.



While no one was ready to buy the bizarre claim made by the police that alcoholic rodents had consumed around nine lakh litres of seized alcohol stored in different police stations, it has come to light that alcohol is easily available to those who know the lingo.



All you need to know is the secret code or terminology used for different brands, a source told DH.

While Jehangir is the code for IMFL (Indian made foreign liquor), one litre of milk means the person wants a large bottle.



In towns like Jogbani and Forbesganj, which are located close to the border with Nepal, tipplers use the code Nepal to procure liquor.



In the districts of Rohtas and Bhabua, one has to use the code Fruti if someone needs IMFL.

And depending on whether you want a small or a large bottle, say chota syrup or bada syrup.



Stringent laws



Initially, the prohibition was strictly enforced. But now, the tipplers are having a field day throughout Bihar. A police officer recently told me how his income has increased manifold as the prohibition laws are stringent and nobody wants to get arrested, a senior lawyer told DH. While trucks and other vehicles carrying alcohol are held everyday, there are quite a few that are not.



If three trucks carry alcohol, one of them is seized. The other two go scot-free. The police get appreciated for carrying out their duty and the tipplers get their drinks, albeit with a premium, said the lawyer, arguing that prohibition could never be strictly enforced in a state like Bihar, which shares porous borders with Nepal in the north, West Bengal in the east, Uttar Pradesh in the west and Jharkhand in the south.



Liquor trail



Sept 2016: Patna police recover more than 300 bottles of liquor from the house of woman constable Meenu Jha. The seized liquor includes 18 bottles each of Godfather beer and Thunderbolt beer, 270 bottles of Royal Stag, 18 bottles of Hundred Pipers and five bottles of Scotch Whisky.



May 4, 2017: Bihar Police Mens Association president Nirmal Singh is arrested for consuming liquor.

May 17: A CRPF jawan S K Singh is arrested from Vaishali on the charge of being drunk. Two litres of country liquor is also seized from him.



May 20: Mala Devi, a woman constable of the Crime Investigation Department, is arrested after police recover 19 pouches of Jharkhand-made country liquor from her house in Bakhtiyarpur.








As GM Mustard awaits Centres nod for commercial cultivation, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has cautioned that the introduction of genetically modified (GM) food may hit Indias prospects in cashing in on the global demand for organic food.



There are many food importing nations that are looking at India rather than China or other countries because they view us as a non-GM nation. They say our food is safe, Harsimrat told DH.



She was responding to a question on the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval for commercial cultivation of genetically modified mustard.



I feel anything connected with food must be backed up with solid research and we must be very sure of what we are going into, the minister said. Harsimrat made it clear that she has neither spoken to any of the stakeholders nor has she got the access to scientific studies that have gone into it.



Based on facts



I am basing my comments purely on the fact that many countries have told us that they want to source from us because they feel our food is safe as we do not promote GM crops, she said.



The demand (for organic food) is increasing and we are getting three times the price for organic food, she said.



When we have opportunities like that, why dont we push for those and capture the organic market? Organic food is not only healthy and safe, but can get us good prices as well, she said.



According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Indian farmers produced around 1.35 million tonnes of certified organic products worth Rs 26,000 crore in 2015-16. Of this, 2,63,687 tonnes worth Rs 1,900 crore were exported.



The GEAC, Indias top biotechnology regulator, had on May 11 declared transgenic mustard plant safe for consumption.



The final decision on its introduction or rejection has to be taken by the environment minister.






The government will form an expert committee to frame an education policy before the end of this year, which will be transformative and more meaningful.



Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told DH that the policy will be a blend of skills and human values and would do away with unnecessary restrictions.



We have received excellent suggestions from stakeholders, Javadekar said.

The committee will look into them and give a final shape to the new education policy. It will be definitely out by December.



Begun by Smriti



The HRD ministry began the process to create the new education policy in January 2015, when the current Textiles Minister Smriti Irani was at its helm.



A committee set up under former cabinet secretary T S R Subramanian came up with its report on the evolution of a new education policy.



However, some of the panels recommendations drew sharp criticism, prompting the Opposition to accuse the Narendra Modi government of saffronising education.



The Ministry then reached out to the stakeholders and devoted more time in working the finer aspects of the policy, clarifying that the Subramanian Committee recommendations are mere inputs and are not the basis for the final policy.



Javadekar said the government wants to introduce a policy for the next two to three decades. Transformative education means meaningful education, skill education and education with human values, the minister explicated.



An education system (should have) interdisciplinary study and have all kinds of freedom for the students; where there is no place for unnecessary restrictions. Education should be open and more meaningful. Its content should also be more meaningful. That is how we feel, he said.



The minister hoped that the new committee consisting of eminent academicians would offer far reaching recommendations.



We will give the panel complete freedom to recommend transformative education for the next two to three years, he said, adding that the policy would be based on suggestions from all stakeholders.



I believe in taking informed decisions. I always ask my officers for empirical data before considering changes, Javadekar clarified. That's why I have ordered a comprehensive review of all schemes (once) in three years and a continuous evaluation every year. This will create empirical data and allow us to take informed decisions.




The police custody of former corporator and history-sheeter V Nagaraj may be extended as three fresh cases were registered against him on Saturday.



Three industrialists - Muniraju, Kalyan and Chandrakumar - lodged separate complaints with the Kengeri police, alleging Nagaraj had extorted Rs 8 crore from them. They said Nagaraj, his sons Gandhi and Shastri and their associate Saravana threatened them with a pistol, assaulted them and extorted money, said DCP (West) M N Anucheth.



Chandrakumar, a resident of Nagawara, had contacted Nagaraj and sought his help in exchanging demonetised notes. He met them near Kengeri railway station on December 10, 2016, with demonetised notes worth Rs 1.75 crore. The suspects threatened him by showing a pistol, snatched the money and escaped.



A few days later, they contacted Muniraju, a resident of Ullal, and asked him to meet them near Kengeri railway station for the exchange of demonetised notes worth Rs 2.5 crore. They threatened and assaulted him when he went there with the notes and took away the currency. They robbed Kalyan, a resident of Vijayanagar, of Rs 3.8 crore in a similar fashion.



Custody may be extended



Nagarajs police custody ends on Monday. The Kengeri police have decided to request the court for extension of his custody to question him about the three cases.



Wife detained



The Malleswaram police detained Nagarajs wife Lakshmi on Sunday. She had been to Dharmasthala to offer prayers, after the police raided Nagarajs residence. Later, she had been to Tirupati. The police intercepted a car in Rajajinagar, in which she was travelling on Sunday evening and detained her. She was handed over to the custody of the Hennur police, who are questioning her about her role in the money-laundering case.


The murder of a 35-year-old homosexual man in KR Market, central Bengaluru, on the night of April 11 was reportedly committed by a habitual offender out to mug people. The victim was looking for a gay friend when the suspect ran into him.



B N Muralidhar was waiting outside a public toilet on the first floor of KR Market, hoping to have a sexual romp with a man he had befriended on a gay dating app.



Rasool (23), a habitual offender from Kaggalipura, Kanakapura Road, spotted him. He had come to the toilet to relieve himself. Muralidhar smiled at him, assuming that he was the gay friend. Rasool reciprocated the gesture and got close to him. Muralidhar asked if they could have sex. Rasool saw the offer as a real godsend and nodded in agreement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) M N Anucheth said.



Muralidhar took Rasool to the western gate of Tools Bazaar and tried to hug him but the latter kept him at bay. Then in a menacing tone, Rasool asked him to part with his mobile phone, cash and other valuables. Muralidhar refused and Rasool attacked him with a knife. Muralidhar took to his heels but Rasool chased him down and stabbed him several times. He then snatched Rs 350 in cash from Muralidhar but failed to take away the phone as the victim kept screaming.



The suspect then fled the spot, washed the knife at a water tap and threw it away at Tools Bazaar. He later went to a bar in Kalasipalya and threw his bloodstained clothes in a furnace, the officer said.



Muralidhar was a native of Basavapattana village in Hassan district and had moved to Bengaluru to prepare for competitive examinations. He was residing at Panchasheela Nagar in Moodalapalya. He had lost his parents as well as a brother. He was living off the rent from three houses and 16-gunta farmland.



Police investigation into the murder didnt make much headway initially. The first lead came when police accidentally discovered the gay dating app. They picked up 12-13 people who were on Muralidhars contact list and found out that all of them are homosexuals and that they had invited him for the Bengaluru Karaga festival that night. The men told police that Muralidhar was a homosexual, too.



Police surmised that the crime was the fallout of a brawl or a financial dispute born out of a sex deal that went awry. But the suspect remained at large.



Meanwhile, Rasool, in an inebriated state, opened up to fellow habitual offenders about his meeting with Muralidhar. The story spread quickly and police got to know of it when they picked up a few habitual offenders for questioning. One of them mentioned Rasools claims. Police reviewed the CCTV footage and saw Rasool moving near KR Market. They picked him up and he spilled the beans, the DCP said.




Bengaluru can handle downpour, but Saturdays rain was sudden, Mayor G Padmavathi said on Sunday. Citing the example of Chennai and Mumbai, she said these cities came to a standstill because of flash floods. But that is not the case in Bengaluru.



She was speaking to reporters during a visit, along with Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, to the bridge in Kurubarahalli where emergency services personnel are searching for a man who was washed away on Saturday.



Padmavathi said the work on desilting stormwater drains (SWDs) was completed around five months ago here. The SWDs are again filled with silt as people continue to dump waste in it, she said.



She blamed contractors for the delay in the civil work. They cause delays, citing financial bids and the tender process. There are some problems and one cannot escape natures fury. Though rain wreaks havoc every year, we are trying to ensure no untoward incident happens, she said.



George said the BBMP team was working on improving the 165-km SWD network in the city, but people should still be careful. He said there were 195 dangerous points along SWDs, of which 50 have been repaired by the BBMP.



Residents, however, were quick to dismiss the ministers and mayors claims. They asked why no precautionary measures were put in place, though two people were washed away in rainwater in the past two years. Emergency services personnel said the government should have taken precautionary measures.



Every time it rains, officials blame the weather. But why cant they equip themselves? Every year people are paying with their lives, said Shivamurthy, a resident of Kurubarahalli.



Padmavathi said the contractors had started the work on desilting the SWDs. But she had no answer as to why the work was not taken up earlier. She said the BBMP staff along with the SDRF will resume the rescue operation at Kurubarahalli at 5.30 am on Monday. A total of 90 personnel are involved in the operation.



We are yet to consider whether there is a need for another survey to identify more flood-prone areas, she said.



Its going to rain for 3 more days



The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thundershowers in the city for the next two to three days. Bengaluru recorded a rainfall of 40.8 mm till Sunday morning.



According to the IMD, Saturdays downpour was the highest Bengaluru had received in 24 hours for May this year. Last year, the city had received 46.6 mm rainfall on May 7. According to IMD officials, sudden downpour coupled with thunderstorm is common during pre- monsoon showers. The city and most parts of south interior Karnataka are experiencing cloudy sky and thunder showers because of an upper air circulation over Rayalaseema and neighbourhood.


JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday ruled out his party entering into either pre-poll or post-poll alliance with the two national parties, the Congress or the BJP, in the state.



The JD(S) is confident of forming the next government on its own. In case of a hung Assembly (after the 2018 elections), the JD(S) will seek fresh mandate from the electorate. The JD(S) will not join hands with any party to form the government, he said while interacting with the mediapersons here.



He said he has his own vision for the development of Karnataka. A coalition government cannot make it a reality. So, the party needs a clear majority. The JD(S) will win 80 to 90 seats if the elections are held now. I have prepared a strategy to win the majority. I will implement it in the run- up to the elections. The party will field its candidates from all the 224 constituencies, he added.



Kumaraswamy claimed that both the Central and the state intelligence agencies have found that the JD(S) will emerge as the largest party in the next Assembly elections. The two national parties have become anxious because of these intelligence reports. So, he said, the ruling Congress has been trying to tarnish his image by reviving 11-year old illegal mining case, he charged.



The biggest achievement of the Siddaramaiah government is rendering the Karnataka Lokayukta defunct. The government projected the anti-corruption watchdog as a bad institution and took away all its powers. Efficient and honest officers in the Lokayukta police were transferred for raiding the close aides of Siddaramaiah, he said.






BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday warned protests across the state if the state government made caste census public as it was unscientific.



The state government conducted the caste census unscientifically. The governments intention behind the caste census was to divide the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Hence, intense protests will be staged across the state if the government makes the caste census data public, he said, while addressing a gathering at Renukacharya Ugamanotsava and Basava Jayanthi celebration at Palace Grounds organised by Vishwa Veerashaiva Lingayat Okkuta.



There are many sub-castes in Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is taking advantage of the sub-caste system to divide the community. The government wants to project that the communitys size is smaller compared to other castes. Therefore, the community members should be cautious against such moves, he said.



The former chief minister said both Veerashaiva and Lingayat were one and the same. The community members should end the sub-caste system and get united.



Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami rightly deserves the Bharat Ratna award. We will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge him to honour the seer with the award, he said.





Congress MLC Allum Veerabhadrappa expressed displeasure over IAS and the IPS officers from the community being ignored for top positions in the state. The IAS and the IPS officers are ignored despite their seniority.

Recently, an IAS officer from the community was overlooked for the chief secretarys post, he said.



The convention adopted resolutions seeking proper representation to the community members in the State and Union Cabinet, installation of Basaveshwara statue on the Vidhana Soudha premises and naming Gulbarga University and Namma Metro after Basaveshwara.
Del Mar Library is partnering with the Torrey Pines Rotary Club during the month of June to collect new and gently used stuffed animals for the Care n Share Toy Drive.

Donations can be made at the Del Mar Library June 2 to July 5 and will be distributed to help put smiles on the faces of sick children at Hospital Infantil de las Californias, and children in need served by Promises2Kids said Del Mar resident Nancy Stoke, chair of the Care n Share Toy Drive. We are delighted to have volunteer support from the NCL Del Sol Chapter for this the 9th year the Care n Share Toy Drive will be held during the San Diego County Fair.

For further information about the Care n Share Toy Drive and additional drop-off locations and ways to help, please go to www.carensharetoydrive.com or contact Nancy.Stoke@CaliberHomeLoans.com.
By Gretchen Vogel

10 May 2017 (Science)  Entomologists call it the windshield phenomenon. If you talk to people, they have a gut feeling. They remember how insects used to smash on your windscreen, says Wolfgang Wagele, director of the Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity in Bonn, Germany. Today, drivers spend less time scraping and scrubbing. Im a very data-driven person, says Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in Portland, Oregon. But it is a visceral reaction when you realize you dont see that mess anymore. Some people argue that cars today are more aerodynamic and therefore less deadly to insects. But Black says his pride and joy as a teenager in Nebraska was his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1with some pretty sleek lines. I used to have to wash my car all the time. It was always covered with insects. Lately, Martin Sorg, an entomologist here, has seen the opposite: I drive a Land Rover, with the aerodynamics of a refrigerator, and these days it stays clean. Though observations about splattered bugs arent scientific, few reliable data exist on the fate of important insect species. Scientists have tracked alarming declines in domesticated honey bees, monarch butterflies, and lightning bugs. But few have paid attention to the moths, hover flies, beetles, and countless other insects that buzz and flitter through the warm months. We have a pretty good track record of ignoring most noncharismatic species, which most insects are, says Joe Nocera, an ecologist at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Of the scant records that do exist, many come from amateur naturalists, whether butterfly collectors or bird watchers. Now, a new set of long-term data is coming to light, this time from a dedicated group of mostly amateur entomologists who have tracked insect abundance at more than 100 nature reserves in western Europe since the 1980s. Over that time the group, the Krefeld Entomological Society, has seen the yearly insect catches fluctuate, as expected. But in 2013 they spotted something alarming. When they returned to one of their earliest trapping sites from 1989, the total mass of their catch had fallen by nearly 80%. Perhaps it was a particularly bad year, they thought, so they set up the traps again in 2014. The numbers were just as low. Through more direct comparisons, the groupwhich had preserved thousands of samples over 3 decadesfound dramatic declines across more than a dozen other sites. [] Paying attention to what E. O. Wilson calls the little things that run the world is worthwhile, Sorg says. We wont exterminate all insects. Thats nonsense. Vertebrates would die out first. But we can cause massive damage to biodiversitydamage that harms us. [more]
Sweden drops charges against WikiLeaks' Assange

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gave a clenched fist salute from the balcony of the Ecuadorean embassy in London on Friday after Swedish prosecutors dropped seven-year-old rape charges, but he insisted the ''proper war'' over his future was just beginning.

The dropping of charges by Sweden does not exactly make Assange a free man, as he still faces immediate arrest if he steps out of the embassy premises.

Stepping into the daylight on the balcony the embassy where he has been holed up since 2012 to celebrate, he said the battle was ''far from over''.

The woman who has accused the 45-year-old Australian of rape was reportedly angered by the Swedish decision.

Assange declined to say whether he would leave the embassy. British police could arrest him immediately for breaching earlier bail conditions if he left the building, while US authorities have warned they regard WikiLeaks as a ''hostile intelligence service''.

''Today is an important victory,'' Assange, in a black shirt and jacket, told reporters and a small band of supporters crowded around the tiny balcony. ''But it by no means erases seven years of detention without charge. In prison, under house arrest and almost five years here in this embassy without sunlight. That is not something that I can forgive. It is not something that I can forget.''

Earlier in Stockholm, Marianne Ny, Sweden's director of public prosecutions, said the rape investigation had been dropped because there was ''no reason to believe that the decision to surrender him to Sweden can be executed in the foreseeable future''.

''It is no longer proportionate to maintain the arrest of Julian Assange in his absence,'' she said.

Assange jumped British bail by entering the embassy and claiming asylum, saying he feared he would eventually be extradited to the United States.

US justice authorities have never confirmed that they have Assange under investigation or are seeking his extradition. But US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions said in April 2017 that ''we will seek to put some people in jail'', when asked if arresting Assange was a ''priority'' for Washington.

''The road is far from over. The war, the proper war is just commencing,'' Assange said, noting his lawyers were in touch with British authorities and hoped to begin a dialogue about the ''best way forward''.

Ecuador also urged Britain on Friday to let. Assange leave.

''Ecuador will now be intensifying its diplomatic efforts with the UK so that Julian Assange can gain safe passage in order to enjoy his asylum in Ecuador,'' the country's foreign minister Guillaume Long wrote in a statement.

Assange's Swedish lawyer, Per Samuelsson, said his client plans to move to Ecuador because ''it's the only nation where he is safe''.

The US Department of Justice said on Friday it had no comment on Assange.

In Australia, his mother Christine Assange urged the Canberra government to provide him with a new passport so he could leave Britain.

''For the UK now to continue to keep him in that embassy, when he's uncharged and the warrant has expired, is now breaching his human rights severely and is almost criminal,'' she said.

In Sweden, Assange's accuser was left stunned by the prosecutors' decision.

''It is a scandal that a suspected rapist can escape justice and thereby avoid the courts,'' her lawyer, Elisabeth Fritz, told AFP in an email.

''My client is shocked and no decision to (end the case) can make her change (her mind) that Assange exposed her to rape,'' she said.

The accusation against Assange dates from August 2010 when the alleged victim, who says she met him at a WikiLeaks conference in Stockholm a few days earlier, filed a complaint.

She accused him of having sex with her - as she slept - without using a condom despite repeatedly having denied him unprotected sex.

Assange has always denied the allegations, which he feared would lead to him being extradited to face trial over the leak of hundreds of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents in 2010, that brought WikiLeaks to prominence.

Assange stays in a red-brick flat at 3 Hans Crescent, which houses the Ecuadorean embassy, and continues his work with WikiLeaks. His room, which measures 190 sq feet, has a bed, computer, sun lamp, treadmill and a microwave, and he has a cat for company.
What is it with local commercials lately? You set your volume to a comfortable level for regular cable, then along comes a local commercial and BAM, the volume seems to go up several decibels.

Is it no longer illegal to fiddle with the audio settings? Whatever trick they are using, stop! I'm going to start muting the television on principle for any local commercial if you do not stop cranking my volume up with whatever trick you use.
Spain still number one for international buyers

Spain is still number one for international buyers, reveals TheMoveChannel.coms latest Top of the Props index. Spanish property accounted for 1 in 10 of all enquiries on the portal in April 2017, stealing back the top spot from the USA. This is the second time that the country has been the most popular destination on the site in 2017, after it ranked first in February, with 14.02 per cent of enquiries.

Spains return to the top of the chart is despite much speculation surrounding the impact of the UKs vote to leave the European Union upon British buyer appetites. Historically, UK buyers have been the biggest spenders on Spanish property. The countrys appeal to a wide range of nationalities, though, remains undiminished: The Spanish Registrars latest annual report shows that foreign transactions now make up a record 13.25 per cent of transactions, despite a dip in demand for British investors. On TheMoveChannel.com, Spain also accounted for 31 of the 50 most searched-for locations on The MoveChannel.com in Q1 2017  an all-time high for any country.

Demand is also booming for Bulgaria, which surged 11 places up the Top of the Props index to steal fourth place. The country accounted for 4.09 per cent of all enquiries in May 2017, marking its first place in TheMoveChannel.coms Top 10 in seven months and its highest ranking in the Top of the Props index since February 2015.

Mays biggest climber, though, was Malta, which jumped 13 places in the chart to become the 11th most popular country on TheMoveChannel.com. This is the islands first time in the Top 20 since August 2016, accounting for 1.45 per cent of enquiries, and its highest ranking since July 2013.

Portugal held onto fourth place, with 3.37 per cent of enquiries, while interest in Cyprus continued to climb, as the country rose into fifth place. Cape Verde climbed seven places to seize sixth spot, just ahead of Italy and Indonesia. France and the UAE completed the Top 10.

Even with the more expensive buying costs for Brits brought about by Brexit, Spanish propertys affordability is at its most appealing in 2017, as bottomed-out prices mean that capital growth is possible for investors, comments Dan Johnson, CEO of TheMoveChannel.com. The same is true of Bulgaria, where prices are now rising steadily and the economy is similarly growing: both present overseas buyers with stable markets, potential for rental returns and rising values, and, of course, a life beside the seaside. Indeed, since the Brexit vote last year, we have seen a growing trend among some British buyers looking to Bulgaria for bargain opportunities that wont break the budget. Whether Bulgaria and Malta can stay in the Top 15 during 2017 is yet to be seen, but with overseas interest in Cyprus staying steady for the second month in a row, Spain is not the only bright spot in Europe this Spring.
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By Sabrina Imbler

The Kodiak Queen had a long, storied life. One of five vessels to survive the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the ship later traveled up north to serve as an Alaska king crab vessel and salmon tender.

She was one of the largest crab vessels at the time, plus one of the only converted WWII ships to have changed careers to seafood. She spent years in commercial fishing, and a significant part of her life submerged partially underwater due to disuse.

At the turn of the 21st century, it seemed like the Kodiak Queen had lived out her best years and had no future, at least above the waves.

But then Project YOKO B.V.I. Art Reef came along. The multisyllabic project wanted to save coral reefs and give an honorific burial to a ship that had served her country time and time again.

And so the Kodiak Queen was given a new mission. Watch here:

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/213095372 expand=1]

The project is a collaboration between Sir Richard Branson, the artist collective Secret Samurai Productions, the social justice group Maverick1000, the ocean nonprofit Beneath the Waves and the British Virgin Islands nonprofit Unite BVI, the New York Times reported. In other words, there are a lot of hands on deck.

The project began when historian Mike Cochran found the ship rusting in a junkyard and created a website to try to save the Kodiak Queen. The site soon caught the eye of none other than Richard Branson, the famed British philanthropist, who approved a proposal to convert the ship into an artificial reef.

But its not just the Kodiak Queen that sunk back beneath the waves. Secret Samurai Productions spent several months cleaning up the ship and designing a monstrous sea-monster kraken with 80-foot-long tentacles and a frame of pure steel.

And so the final product that sunk to the bottom of the sea comprised a noble ship past her glory days and a conservation-minded artificial reef shaped like a giant octopus.

In the months following the Kodiak Queens sinking, scientists are monitoring the fish populations that have chosen the ship and its resultant reef as their new home.

Theyre particularly excited by the prospect of making a home for the goliath grouper, a titanic fish thats been disappearing from the water of the British Virgin Islands.

Recreational divers will soon be able to dive by the wreck and see the kraken up-close, as well as a healthy community of fish and corals.

Reposted with permission from our media associate Azula.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
This is not the thread on how to process your PR. Although this forum is extremely helpful, I noticed that there aren't many posts about how to document and pay in Nepal. Since the country is quite backward in IT, getting the documents right is no piece of cake. I have outlined some tips that could help. Please feel free to correct add in some info:





1. Reference letter from all the companies you've worked on. Use company's colour letter head and stamp after signing. This mustn't be difficult if you have good terms with your past employer.

2. Contracts with the employer (if possible). This mustn't be difficult either.

3. Bank statements (if possible). They are not considered third party documents per se. But they act as strong evidence.

4. Provident fund: In Nepal, Nagarik Lagani Kosh is the responsible organization. Go to NLK office with your company's letter about deposited funds. You can also use the online generated statement from personal NLK online account if you have it. Get acknowledgement letter from NLK printed out stating all the funds generated. Make sure they use a colour letter head. Get it signed and stamped from NLK before leaving. Translate the document from a notary translator (there are a few around Maitighar, Kathmandu)

5. Tax Clearance letter: In Nepal, people usually don't get their tax-payer's ID (EPAN) and accountants find it inconvenient to deposit tax in individual's EPAN. So, the tax is paid anonymously. So, to get the tax clearance for an individual, you need a letter from your employer saying "this individual was an employee of this company from  to. As per our knowledge, he didn't have any other source of income during the period. So we request you to provide him a tax clearance letter as per the salary details and tax deposit statement attached herewith." attach the month wise breakdown of your salary and tax deposited on company's letter head with the voucher number of tax deposit slips. Also photocopy of all the deposit slips. Ask internal revenue department for a summary (some nepotism/ smooth talk could help here). Make sure the tax clearance is on colour letter head. Get it translated.

6. Bank statements: For each employer, get your bank statement for each period of employment. Just highlight the deposits before scanning.

7. Police Clearance Certificate: You need two passport size photos, original and photocopy of your citizenship and passport (first and last page), the form and a 10 Rs stamp. For someone around Kathmandu, the office will be Police headquarter (crime investigation) in Ranipokhari, Kathmandu (opposite of Ghantaghar). I went there before 9:30 with my original passport and citizenship, the shopkeepers filled all the forms, did the photocopies, took and printed the photos and guided me. You'll get the letter after two working days. For married women, you'll also need a marriage registration certificate.

8. Medicals: There are three centers for medical. IoM (not the government teaching hospital), Norvic International and Nepal International Clinic. I'd say Nepal international is the most convenient and fast. You'll have to book the dates in their website though and that'll require a HAP-ID.

9. As proof of birth date, you can submit scans of citizenship certificate and/or birth certificate along with their notary translations.



10. Payment: there's not much you can do here mate. Unless you an international credit card with visa fees in your pocket, you're out of luck here. I asked my cousin to pay my fees from her card in Australia. Banks don't process such fees.

Maybe some Agents in Thamel can help. I tried but they appeared too untrustworthy.
My mother, Julia de la Garza (maiden name Malacara), worked for a company called the Juvenile, which sewed childrens clothes. The company was located at 327 N. Flores, which is now the location of the Villa Hermosa Apartments. The money that was collected (to raise funds for the event) was through donations from the company where she worked, and a donation jar was placed in a neighborhood store. I have attached two pictures, one of a coronation that was held in 1948 or 1949 (posted online with this column at expressnews.com) and the other of my mother pictured with two pages (seen at right). The coronation was held at the Municipal Auditorium. Henry B. Gonzalez, seen in the group picture walking in from the right, was the master of ceremonies. A queen was crowned and she was flanked by her court. My mother was crowned princess. I would like to know if this coronation was in any way connected to Fiesta or a singular fundraising event.

 Victoria de la Garza

Besides the Order of the Alamo and its famous Fiesta San Antonio queen, many local organizations hold or have held coronations of festival royalty, for Fiesta San Antonio or events of their own. The ceremony in the picture may have been one in which the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, crowned the queen of its Feria de las Flores, or Fiesta of the Flowers.

LULAC, a civil rights organization for Hispanic Americans, was founded in 1929 in Corpus Christi. After a pause during World War II, the group renewed its commitment to this cause. The period from the end of the war through the late 1950s was a long period of political activism, Amy Waters Yarsinske says in a 2004 history, All for One and One for All: A Celebration of 75 Years of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). During this time, the organization added junior members and more councils (local groups) in Texas, its original stronghold, and beyond, becoming a tremendous force for advancing the education, employment, housing, health (and) political empowerment of Hispanic Americans.

By 1948, there were 151 LULAC councils in the United States, and 12 womens auxiliaries; the San Antonio council was one of the most prominent. Starting in 1947, it sponsored the Feria de las Flores, held a few weeks after Fiesta as one of the gayest summer events of the local Latin American colony, as described by the San Antonio Express, May 4, 1950. It was held in the plazas of La Villita, decorated with bushels of real and paper flowers. Each year, proceeds from the festival helped to fund annual awards of college scholarships to deserving local Latin American high school graduates.

One of the highlights was the crowning of the festivals queen, the result of what was then known as a beauty contest, with 10 to 20 young women representing clubs  church groups, the Spanish Club of Our Lady of the Lake College (now University), the Pan-American Club of Tech High School and several different riding or social clubs, including some from Corpus, Houston, Laredo and other Texas cities. These were costumed contestants  in traditional fiesta dress  representing various Latin American republics, according to the Light, May 4, 1951. A panel of judges chose the queen, who would rule the fiesta of fun and frolic beside Rey Feo, the ugly king.

Newspaper coverage of the event was spotty in its early years. An advance story in the San Antonio Light, May 1, 1949, doesnt name the queen contestants. That year, activist attorney Gus Garcia  a former LULAC legal adviser who was elected in 1948 to the San Antonio Independent School District board  served as master of ceremonies.

The organization promoted civic participation by its members, including serving on juries, running for public office and generally contributing to their communities, says Yarsinske. Although it doesnt seem to have been documented in the papers, it would have been in keeping with this principle for LULAC to invite Henry B. Gonzalez, then a young attorney on the staff of the San Antonio Housing Authority, a few years away from his first run for San Antonio City Council, to which he was the first elected Mexican-American. Gonzalez would go on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1961 to 1998.

Press accounts of the contest through 1952 sometimes name contestants, but your mothers name is not among them. Princesses are not listed on the Past Kings and Queens page at the Rey Feo Foundation website, www.reyfeoscholarship.com.

The Feria de Las Flores Queen contest was renamed Miss LULAC in 1963, and is now known as La Reina de la Feria. Along with Rey Feo, the winner raises funds for college scholarships and is a prominent member of Fiesta royalty. The contest, says Yarsinske, also helps young women develop speaking and leadership skills.

Another organization that chooses a queen annually is the San Antonio Charro Association, established in 1947 to promote traditional Mexican horsemanship, according to its website, www.sacharros.org, making it the first in the United States. The associations queens date back to the early 50s. An expert who looked at your pictures is doubtful that they are related to equestrian royalty.

Charro queens have never had official courts, says former Charro Queen Irma Iris Duran de Rodriguez, who represents the charro association as a Fiesta commissioner for a partner member organization. Some queens would ask their sisters to ride along and give them unofficial titles. Charro coronations would require our board members (all men) to be in traje de gala (formal festival wear) and stand beside the queen, whod wear a white traje de charro (traditional charro garb) with her white sombrero.

She doesnt recognize any of the men in the photographs, and the dresses are not the traditional queens garb. In charro coronation protocol, there are rarely other women next to the queen, with the exception of her mother or Fiesta officials.

Anyone with information about the pictured coronation may write to this column; all responses will be forwarded. Thanks to Marley Diehl and Linda Persyn, who made good suggestions after seeing the photos on Facebook!

Club notes: The Tuesday Musical Club, one of the founding organizations of the City Federation of Womens Clubs discussed here last week, is alive and well, with a planned Artist Series for its next season that will feature cellist Christine Lamprea and pianist Daniel Anastasio, two young local musicians who have gone on to international success. For details of this and other upcoming concerts, visit the clubs website at satmc.org

historycolumn@yahoo.com

Twitter: @sahistorycolumn

Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
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AUSTIN  Working to avoid a special session, state lawmakers made progress on crucial issues Saturday when negotiators said they have reached consensus on a must-pass state budget and the Texas House advanced property tax changes.

There also was buzz that the House would consider a version of the so-called bathroom bill Sunday, addressing another issue thats dangling as the regular session races to its May 29 end.

The packed weekend follows Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks threat that he would force a special session unless his priorities are addressed, including property tax reform and the bathroom bill, which would require people to use public bathrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates.

Gov. Greg Abbott, the only one who can call a special session, has said he wants passage of property tax changes and a bathroom bill but that he believes that lawmakers can get the job done by the end of the regular session.

Lawmakers still have work to do. The budget for the next two years must be approved by the House and Senate after being backed by their negotiating teams, which worked into the night Saturday to finalize details.

Among high points, budget negotiators agreed on how to pay for their spending plan, which was a tight one thanks to revenues affected by the uncertain oil and gas industry and past decisions to cut taxes and set aside big money for transportation.

After tangling over whether to dip into the rainy day fund, as the House proposed, the two sides agreed to spend close to $1 billion from it on one-time items. That spending would include $75 million for the Alamo redevelopment project, the amount requested by Land Commissioner George P. Bush. All told, the budget includes $87.8 million in Alamo-related spending.

The budget also would rely on $1.8 billion that would be made available by slightly delaying the transfer of money constitutionally dedicated to transportation, pushing the expense to the next fiscal cycle. That fiscal maneuver, proposed by the Senate, initially got harsh pushback from House leaders.

Among other provisions, the budget agreement would provide more funding for Abbott priorities that had been given short-shrift, including

$236 million he wanted for his initiative on high-quality prekindergarten. That proposal initially got no money from either chamber.

Negotiators also opted against a dramatic change in higher education funding that had been proposed by the Senate targeting so-called special items that are paid for outside of formulas. The agreement would continue special-item funding for two years while higher education funding is studied. Special items characterized as startups would be cut by 50 percent if theyd been in existence for more than eight years, in order to make the point that special items arent supposed to last forever.

There also is more action needed on the tax measure, which requires another House vote before going to the Senate for consideration.

The House isnt poised to deliver all the tax changes Patrick has sought.

It gave preliminary approval to a proposal that is meant to give taxpayers more information and empower them to press for changes if they dislike a proposed tax rate.

But it didnt vote on automatic rollback elections that the Senate has approved under Patrick and that are opposed by cities and counties.

There werent votes in the House to pass a rollback change, said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton. He attached his transparency provisions to another Senate tax bill with 136-0 approval in the House.

Similarly, some have said a bathroom proposal considered in that chamber could be restricted to schools. Patrick, calling it a matter of public safety and privacy, earlier championed Senate passage of a measure to specify that people must use restrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms in government buildings, schools and universities that align with the sex on their birth certificates.

Asked about the Houses action Saturday on the property tax measure, Patrick spokesman Alejandro Garcia accentuated the positive.

The lieutenant governor has used his leverage effectively, and he is watching the House and the action they are taking on the key issues he identified (last) week including property taxes, privacy, life, school choice and school finance, first responder and veterans issues and photo voter ID. The lieutenant governor has already been successful in his goal of a conservative budget that does not use rainy day funds for ongoing expenses, Garcia said.

Bonnen said the provisions benefit taxpayers.

Itll give them a level of information and transparency and clarity on property taxes that has never, ever existed, and it will empower them to advocate with their local governments on their taxes with information theyve never had before, Bonnen said.

His proposal includes provisions aimed at ensuring that taxpayers know whether their bills will increase under a proposed tax rate, by how much and which local taxing entities are responsible, allowing them a better opportunity to press for changes if theyre not satisfied.

Cities and counties, which had argued that automatic rollback elections would impair their ability to properly fund services including public safety, were satisfied.

We are grateful that the House did the right thing: reform the appraisal process without putting public safety, infrastructure and other much-needed local community priorities at risk, said Jeff Coyle, director of government and public affairs for the city of San Antonio.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said, Hopefully, the Senate will concur in it (the House action), and things will come out better for taxpayers as well as allow us to make the decisions weve got to make  as we struggle with all the issues weve got to face.

The Texas Municipal League can live with this version, said its executive director, Bennett Sandlin.

Paul Sugg, legislative director of the Texas Association of Counties, said, We support transparency throughout the entire process. Having more citizens engaged in what counties are doing when theyre setting a tax rate or adopting a budget is critically important. This is what representative government is about.

Also Saturday, the House took action that could address one way Patrick could force a special session over his priority issues.

Patrick claimed the leverage by saying he wouldnt allow Senate action on a so-called safety net bill for state agencies under sunset review until his demands were met.

Agencies under review are put on a course to be abolished unless lawmakers vote to continue them. The safety net bill would save agencies that dont get a legislative vote in the regular session.

But the House amended another bill with the safety net provisions, which would allow the agencies to continue even if the main bill doesnt pass. The Senate still would have to agree to the House amendment.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
Kim Brent / Beaumont Enterprise

AUSTIN  Amarillo businessman Tom Mechler resigned as chairman of the Republican Party of Texas on Saturday, citing the jobs long-term strains on his family life.

In a letter to party leaders, Mechler said his two-year tenure as chairman has been marked by personal financial difficulties that affected his familys well-being and by travel that took him away from home about 80 percent of the time.
When I was a girl, my mother made a right turn into the wrong lane. She turned into a center lane instead of the one on the far right.

Then we heard a police cars bloop and saw the flash of lights.

She wasnt sure why she was being stopped, or even that the bloop and the lights were really meant for us, until she looked around and saw no other cars moving near us. I know she wasnt speeding because my mother has never gone over the speed limit in her life.

She turned down the Rocio Durcal cassette and pulled our metallic ice blue station wagon to the curb of a residential street in a neighborhood where we werent regulars. I had joined a new softball team, and she was taking me to practice at an elementary school.

I remember her nervous smile as the police officer approached her open window; she was very aware that I was very aware of her every move. I looked out the window at the officer, a terse man who looked like the guy from Hart to Hart, as he told mom she had broken the law.

This happened decades ago, but I know why my mother was so nervous. It wasnt so much the stop, although my folks are the kind of extreme rule-followers who never, ever let the tiniest trace of dirt or bird poop linger on the windshield or mirrors, lest visibility be compromised.

She was nervous because she was not confident in her ability to communicate with the police officer; English is her second language.

And if theres anybody you want to communicate with clearly, its the police officer who has just pulled you over.

When you speak English as a second language, people sometimes make wacky presumptions. If you cant immediately find the best words to respond to a May I help you? you just might be up to something because that is not a difficult question  even if the response is tricky.

If you have an accent and accidentally hand over a coupon that expired, it could be that you are uneducated in the ways of America and clearly cant read an expiration date in very small print.

And if youre nervous about making a verbal mistake  even if its something as minor as choosing the wrong word or stumbling on a term you havent had occasion to understand in the past  some might believe you are nervous because you have something to be nervous about, something to hide, something up your sleeve that poses a threat.

My mother was raised in Mexico. In school, she learned to read and write in Spanish  and how to speak English as well. She married an American, and her life brought her to Texas, where she raised her children mostly in Spanish. She has a beautiful accent when she speaks English, which she does well when she has to.

She defaults, however, to the language in which she is most eloquent  the language in which she can launch quips and zingers, the one which she uses to casually quote scholars and historical figures, the language in which she forged lifelong friendships.

Some people will never understand why someone living in America would choose anything over English. And thats OK; people such as my mother have learned not to be defined by this thinking or to allow it to be an obstacle to their success. Were all shaped by our experiences, and just as I was shaped by my experience during that traffic stop, so was she; shes never chosen the wrong lane since.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said that Hispanics wont be stopped and asked to show their papers under the sanctuary cities law unless they are suspected of committing a serious crime.

We understand what communicates suspicion. But serious, presumably, is open to interpretation.

mariaanglin@yahoo.com
Having said all this, we do wish there had been greater gains for Western Australian agriculture, as there appears to be a few big ticket items that will only affect us minimally, or not at all, such as the majority of the $20b investment into rail  only $792m of which will go to WA.
Russian scientists claim to have developed a membrane solution capable of protecting military personnel from chemical and biological weapons while remaining air and vapour permeable, in a project ordered by the Fund for Perspective Research. The testing of special suits made of the special membrane fabric is to be completed by the end of this year.The membrane solution has been developed by chemists from the Saratov State University.

Russian scientists claim to have developed a membrane solution capable of protecting military personnel from chemical and biological weapons while remaining air and vapour permeable, in a project ordered by the Fund for Perspective Research. The testing of special suits made of the special membrane fabric is to be completed by the end of this year.#

"In cooperation with industrial partners, experimental suits have been made for Defence Ministry and Interior Ministry personnel to wear during a test period. When the testing is over, the possibility of batch production may be considered," Saratov State University president Leonid Kossovich told Russian news agency Tass.After completion of testing by the end of this year, the material would go for certification, Kossovich said."The authorities of the Saratov Region will join the project at the next stage. They are already working on an investment project for launching full-fledged industrial production of the membrane fabric," Kossovich was quoted as saying.The membrane fabrics are impermeable to water, viruses, bacteria, toxins and allergens, making the wearer safe from the hazardous effects of chemical and biological agents. At the same time, the nanofibre fabric is microporous allowing for air and vapour circulation. The technical fabrics were created within the framework of a larger project of the Fund for Perspective Research for creating combat gear of the future. The research began in 2014, the new agency reported."At the request of a partner in Moscow we are about to start manufacturing a large consignment of the membrane fabric, about seven kilometres in total length," Kossovich said.The new material may come in handy for making not only military uniform, but also clothes and gear for extreme athletes and polar explorers, according to the report."The properties of the Russian product surpass those of its foreign counterparts. Also, the membrane fabric is less costly, with the entire production chain located in Russia. So far all membrane water-tight air permeable materials have had to be imported. Our product will surely be in great demand on the domestic market. Several major manufacturers have already stated they are interested," Kossovich said. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Sunil Grover and Kapil Sharma are creating headlines ever since their fights. Kapil is in news for his show, while Sunil Grover is in news regarding his live shows.

We had recently reported that Sunil will be seen with Ali Asgar, Chandan Prabhakar and others in Ahmedabad live show on May 27. Now, there are reports that the show has landed in legal trouble. Read on...

Sunil's Ahmedabad Show In Legal Trouble! Apparently, an Ahmedabad-based organiser Rajpal Shah had filed a complaint of cheating and criminal conspiracy against Sunil and the show's organiser Devang Shah regarding the show. Sunil's Live Show It is said that Devang and Sunil's manager had promised to organise an event with the comedian. But they breached the contract and are now holding a similar event at a different location in Ahmedabad, for a higher price! Sunil Reacts To The Allegations In an interview to a leading daily Sunil reacted to the allegation and said that Rajpal had proposed to change the show's date. Since, he wasn't available at that date, he cancelled the event. Sunil Says That He Is Not At Fault The actor was quoted by the leading daily as saying, "I am not at fault. If someone wants attention by doing such a thing... I don't know who this guy is. My management, my team booked the show in Ahmedabad and I am quite excited to go there and perform." Sunil's Manager Had Returned The Money! He added, "Everything is clear from our end with him. He wanted to change the date and my manager returned the money because we didn't have the date." Sunil Got Another Offer! He further added, "On the same date, some other organiser came and we signed with him. So, this was very ethical. We returned the advance that he had given us so, after that he wants attention."

Sunil said, "No one is bothering to find out who this person is and what is his track record. It's very childish what this guy is doing to gain attention. I don't even want to comment on it."

"I recently got to know that it's good we are not doing the show with him because he is not a credible organiser. If you find about him, you will know."

After Sunil quit The Kapil Sharma Show, the number of live shows has increased. But, the fans are still waiting to watch him on small screen. When asked about his plans, Sunil said, "I haven't been able to decide when I will return. I will work of course. I have been working towards it. I am planning... I don't know yet. I am just trying to figure out (the possibility of a new show). What it should be or what it could be..."

When asked if this means it is his final goodbye to The Kapil Sharma Show, Sunil again gave an indirect answer. He said, "We have spoken enough about it. Let's move on!"

Well, this means Sunil has indeed moved on from The Kapil Sharma Show and the fans too, should!
New Delhi: RBI governor Urjit Patel's appearance before a parliamentary panel for a second briefing on demonetisation has been put off from 25 May to 8 June, as work on framing the monetary policy would be underway at that time.

The Standing Committee on Finance, which had questioned Patel on 18 January on the move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000

denomination notes, allowed him to appear at the later date after he issued a request expressing his inability.

Patel had been asked to appear on 25 May, after former prime minister Manmohan Singh prevailed over the BJP MPs in the panel, who were opposed to summoning the RBI governor again.

Incidentally, it was Singh who had rescued Patel from a tough grilling during the January meeting when he intervened to say that the central bank and the governor's position as an institution should be respected.

He should not be put to odd questions, Singh, who himself was RBI governor once, is believed to have told the Committee. "Patel was supposed to come on 25 May, but it was postponed following his request expressing his unavailability on the day due to the monetary policy which is scheduled for 6-7 June," a member said.

Instead of Patel, all secretaries from Finance Ministry will be present on 25 May to update the panel, which is chaired by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, about digital economy, he said.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is a member of the panel, has suggested to the chairman that it should now deliberate on digital economy, as "demonetisation was not an issue any more".

In January, the panel had summoned top finance ministry and RBI officials to discuss the demonetisation process and its impact.

As the members could not complete their questions, the committee had decided to call the RBI governor and ministry officials again on a later date, after the Budget Session.

Sources privy to developments said the members in the panel are now likely to question Patel on how much money has come back into the system.
Telugu actor Allu Arjun, whose upcoming project Duvvada Jagannadam, is slated to be released on 23 May, already has another film in his kitty according to Times of India. Arjun has signed a film with Vakkantham Vamsi. The film will hit the screens this Sankranthi.

The film is titled Na Peru Surya Na Illu India is the directorial debut of Vakkantham Vamsi. Vamsi has written screenplays for blockbusters like Temper and Kick among others in the past. The makers of the film officially launched the film on April 7. Kannada actress Rashmika Mandanna will also be starring in the movie opposite Arjun.

According to Deccanreport.com producer Sridhar Lagadapati will produce the film along with Nagababu. The shoot will begin in March, 2017. Apart from Vamsi, Tamil director Lingusamy has also signed Arjun to be on board for his upcoming film venture. Arjun's previous films like Race Gurram and Sarrainodu were also well-received.
As the kids say, Deepika Padukone has been slaying it. The actress made a splash in her first outing as an ambassador for LOreal at the on-going Cannes Film Festival. In a sea of whites and taupe, Deepika was a vision in bold emerald green, berry purple and sunshine yellow.

This wasnt Deepikas first visit to Cannes. Seven years ago, she attended the premiere of Mathieu Amalrics French film Tournee as the brand ambassador of Chivas Regal. For her Cannes debut, Deepika took the six-yard route wearing a cream and gold Rohit Bal saree with kundan jewellery. This was the year of middling films like Lafangey Parindey, Break Ke Baad and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. It seemed like Deepika was still trying to find herself as an artist. Like her films, her red carpet choice at Cannes didnt make anyone go WOW.

Seven years later, Deepika pulled out all the stops. Helping her pick a eclectic and dazzling wardrobe for the festival was Elizabeth Saltzman, who in the past has dressed celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Saoirse Ronan and Uma Thurman. Elizabeth has been styling Deepika for all her international appearances since the beginning of the year. In the 48 hours Deepika spent in Cannes, she turned heads with every look  whether it was the pink Balenciaga sheath at a LOreal event or the risque jewel-toned Marchesa gown during the opening night ceremonies.

Her showstopper moment came at the premiere of Loveless on the second night of the film festival. For her final Cannes red carpet of the year, Deepika wore an emerald Brandon Maxwell that was paired with dramatic jewel-toned green eye make-up and De Grisogono diamond earrings. She looked like a movie star.

This whirlwind Cannes trip seems to be a continuation of Deepikas introduction to the West.

The actress made her Hollywood debut earlier this year with Hollywood heavyweight Vin Diesel in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. Deepikas outing as the ass-kicking, gun toting Serena was one of the highlights of the action film. xXx might have received mixed reviews but it grossed over $364 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. The release was bookended by red carpet appearances around the world, award shows, after parties and rounds of American talk shows from James Corden to Ellen DeGeneres.

While Deepika is busy wooing the West, she hasnt had a Bollywood release since Bajirao Mastani. In 2015, the actress delivered exceptional performances in Piku and Tamasha before ending the year with Sanjay Leela Bhansalis period love story. Padmavati, her next release is also with Bhansali and its another period love story. The film has been in troubled waters since the shoot started in November last year. There has been a fire and a mob attack on the sets of the film thats resulted in filming being stalled. One just hopes that Bhansali's confidence in sticking to the December 2017 release date is not misplaced.

Regardless of Padmavatis release date, this has been already been quite a year for Deepika  and we are not even halfway through!
Sonam Kapoor has made her first appearance at Cannes for 2017 and sported a saree by the label Norblack Norwhite which is created by Canadian-born designers Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar.

Sonam teamed her saree with a white crop blouse, which lent a sporty element to her look.

Sonam, who is a Cannes regular now, has been walking the red carpet since 2011, and is in the French Riviera with her sister, Rhea Kapoor. Sonam's attire was a fresh change from all the elaborate gowns that we've been seeing on the carpet.

She had earlier mentioned that she would always try incorporating Indian design elements into her look, even if she wasn't wearing an Indian designer. Therefore, this year she decided to take a little piece of India at the Cannes Film Festival and stepped out in a unicorn coloured saree.

The 31-year-old actress' sister who is also her stylist, took to Instagram to share pictures using the hashtag #SportySpice to describe her look.

Sonam is at the festival as a L'Oreal brand ambassador, along with Deepika Padukone, Julianne Moore and Eva Longoria. This year, however, she is going to be at Cannes for just one night. She revealed that she is shooting for two films at the same time  PadMan and Rajkumar Hiranis film, which is why her trip to Cannes this year would be short one.

With inputs from PTI
Supriya Shukla the famous Hindi television actress who plays the mother of Pragya in Zee TV's popular show Kumkum Bhagya, is all set to join the cast of The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Television. This will be Shukla's debut on a comic platform, and she seems to have worked hard on her role in the show. She said, I shot my first episode recently and I must admit that being my first stint with comedy, I was a bit nervous. But Kapil and his team were very cooperative and supportive."

Taiyaar ho jaayiye hansi ke dher saare thahaakon ke liye, #SupriyaShukla ke sang, kal raat 9 baje #TheKapilSharmaShow mein. @KapilSharmaK9 pic.twitter.com/hhLK99eWMS  Sony TV (@SonyTV) May 19, 2017

Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, the actress hopes to bring the Kanpur connect to the show. We have worked hard on the lingo to bring out the realistic effect. This is the first time a UP character is being introduced in the show. My look will be in a seedha pallu saree with jhumka and chudis. I am trying my best to do justice with the role and I am really excited to be a part of the wonderful team, said Shukla according to the report by Hindustan Times.

After the dip in the ratings of the show over the last few weeks, it was rumoured that the show will be replaced by Salman Khan's Dus Ka Dum in the primetime slot. Kapil Sharma's show seems to land itself in the midst controversy time and time again, with the most famous spat being the one between Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover where Sharma allegedly hurled a shoe at Grover in his intoxicated state.

Other members of Sharma's cast have also repeatedly found themselves at the centre of conflicts. Kiku Sharda was one such actor. Apart from Sharda's very public arrest after he mimicked Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on the show  Delhi-based stand-up comedian Abijit Ganguly had accused Sharda of plagiarising one of his jokes on the show.

Although Raju Srivastava was roped in to replace Sunil Grover, the slump in the TRP's of the show was consistent. Now with Supriya's addition, The Kapil Sharma Show will presumably try to find its footing again.
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has underlined connectivity as the biggest hurdle for development in the state and urged the Centre to remove communication bottleneck. Attending the first review meeting of the Indo-China border infrastructure chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Gangtok on Saturday, Khandu specifically raised concern over the migration of people away from the border areas due to the lack of basic public facilities and called for steps to prevent it, an official release informed here on Sunday.

He appreciated Delhis initiative to build a frontier highway in the state connecting 11 districts bordering China. He said the highway would immensely benefit the border people as well benefit the defence personnel for movement along the borders. The chief minister said development came very late to Arunachal and sought the Centres continued support as the state is 100 percent dependent on it.

On state government's support to central paramilitary forces, the chief minister informed the home minister that the state cabinet has decided to grant Rs 50 lakh instead of earlier Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for those central forces jawans martyred while on duty in Arunachal. He also informed that for those jawans left physically disabled in action would be granted Rs 10 lakh instead of earlier amount of Rs 1 lakh.

Khandu specifically thanked the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for having good relation with the Arunachali people and conducting various programmes such as health camp in building trust among people towards the defence forces. He thanked Singh for deciding to shift the frontier ITBP headquarters from Shillong to Itanagar and demanded a battalion headquarters in the state capital, the release added.
Lucknow: The trial in the politically-sensitive 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case by a special CBI court will resume in Lucknow on Monday, following a Supreme Court order to it to hear the case on a daily basis and deliver the verdict in two years. The Supreme Court had on 19 April directed the special court to start the proceedings in the matter within a month and deliver its verdict within two years.

The CBI court during its first hearing in the state capital granted bail to five VHP leaders named as accused, including Ram Vilas Vedanti, who appeared before it on Saturday.

Besides Vedanti (59), those who appeared before the CBI court here yesterday were VHP leaders Champat Rai (71), Baikunth Lal Sharma (88), Mahant Nritya Gopal Das (79) and Dharmdas Maharaj (68). The sixth accused, Satish Pradhan, did not appear.

CBI special court judge SK Yadav allowed their bail pleas asking each of them to furnish two sureties of Rs 20,000 and a personal bond of the same amount. The Supreme Court had last month directed that BJP stalwarts, including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, will face trial on conspiracy charges in the demolition case. It had dubbed the demolition of the medieval era monument as a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" and allowed CBI's plea on restoration of criminal conspiracy charges against the VVIP accused.

The matter is likely to have political implications, particularly against 89-year old Advani, reported to be a front-runner for the post of the President. The top court, however, had said Kalyan Singh, who is currently the Governor of Rajasthan and during whose tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, is entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held a gubernatorial position.

"The Court of Sessions will frame charges and move against him as soon as he ceases to be Governor," it said. The apex court had come down heavily on the CBI for a delay of 25 years in the trial and said, "The accused persons have not been brought to book largely because of the conduct of the CBI in not pursuing the prosecution of the aforesaid alleged offenders in a joint trial, and because of technical defects which were easily curable, but which were not cured by the State Government."

Issuing a slew of directions, a bench comprising Justices PC Ghose and RF Nariman had said, "The proceedings viz. Crime No. 198/92 (against Advani and five others) in the court of the Special Judicial Magistrate at Rae Bareilly will stand transferred to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge (Ayodhya Matters) at Lucknow." Besides Advani, Joshi and Bharti, the accused against whom the conspiracy charge would now be invoked, are Vinay Katiar, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, who were being tried at Rae Bareilly.

"The court of sessions will frame additional charges under Section 120-B (conspiracy) and the other provisions of the Penal Code mentioned in the joint charge sheet filed by the CBI against Champat Rai Bansal, Satish Pradhan, Dharam Das, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahamadleshwar Jagdish Muni, Ram Bilas Vadanti, Vaikunth Lal Sharma and Satish Chandra Nagar," Justice Nariman, writing the judgement for the bench, said.

"The court of sessions will, after transfer of the proceedings from Rae Bareilly to Lucknow and framing of additional charges, within four weeks, take up all the matters on a day-to-day basis from the stage at which the trial proceedings, both at Rae Bareilly and at Lucknow, are continuing, until conclusion of the trial. There shall be no de novo (fresh) trial. There shall be no transfer of the Judge conducting the trial until the entire trial concludes. The case shall not be adjourned on any ground except when the sessions court finds it impossible to carry on the trial for that particular date," the apex court had said.

The court also said if the trial is adjourned, then it should be fixed on the the next day or a closely proximate date and the reasons for it shall be recorded in writing. "The sessions court will complete the trial and deliver the judgement within a period of 2 years from the date of receipt of this judgement," it said.

The CBI shall ensure that on every date fixed for recording of evidence, some prosecution witnesses must remain present, so that for want of witnesses the matter is not adjourned, the Supreme Court had said. "We make it clear that liberty is given to any of the parties before the Sessions Court to approach us in the event of these directions not being carried out, both in letter and in spirit," the court said.

Dealing with the issue of protracted trial, the bench said that almost 25 years have gone and yet "we are solemnly reminded that Respondent Nos.4 and 5's (Advani and Joshi) fundamental rights should not be curtailed by any order passed under Article 142." The court, in its 40-page judgement, termed the Allahabad High Court's 12 February, 2001 verdict dropping conspiracy charge against Advani and others as "erroneous".

It said the High Court had "clearly and unequivocally" held that a joint charge sheet was filed by CBI on the ground that all the offences were committed in the course of the same transaction to accomplish the alleged conspiracy. "The evidence for all these offences is almost the same and these offences, therefore, cannot be separated from each other, irrespective of the fact that 49 different FIRs were lodged," it said, adding that the dropping of the conspiracy charge was "clearly erroneous".

The apex court said the decision to have a joint trial in demolition cases at one place was set aside by the High Court on the legal ground that it was not consulted. The infirmity could have been cured either by the state government or by the CBI by filing an appeal against the verdict, it said. "This (removal of legal infirmity), however, did not happen because the CBI did not challenge the rejection of the request to cure this technical defect. Instead, the course taken by the CBI has caused great confusion," it said.

The decision to file supplementary charge sheet against eight accused in a pending case at Rae Bareilly and dropping of charges against 13 other accused, after the high court judgement, has "completely derailed the joint trial envisaged, it said. This decision of the probe agency resulted in "fractured prosecution going on in two places simultaneously based on a joint charge sheet filed by the CBI itself", it said.

"In our view, since the charge of criminal conspiracy against all 21 accused is already in the joint charge sheet filed by the CBI at Lucknow, this charge could be added to the charges already framed against the survivors of the group of 8 accused." Out of eight VIP accused, Giriraj Kishore and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal have died during trial and the proceedings against them have been abated.
New Delhi: A private member's bill that seeks to make the Bhagavad Gita compulsory reading in schools and recommends de-recognising institutes that do not follow the suit may come up for discussion in the next session of Parliament.

"The noble thoughts and teaching of the Bhagavad Gita will make the younger generation better citizens and enrich their personality," the bill moved by Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri said. The bill, called the Compulsory Teaching Of Bhagavad Gita As a Moral Education Text Book In Educational Institutions Bill, 2016, stated every educational institution should "compulsorily" teach the Gita as moral education, but said it did not apply to minority schools.

"The government should de-recognise schools that do not comply with the provisions of this legislation," it added. Bidhuri said in the bill, introduced in Lok Sabha in March, that it was time "sincere efforts" were made to spread the teachings of the Gita. "It is highly deplorable that such literature containing infinite teachings for all age groups is neglected by our educational institutions," Bidhuri said.

The book contains teachings that range from thoughts on spiritual awakening to lessons on leadership and management, the MP said. "Many great thinkers of our time such as Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Albert Einstein have all deliberated upon its timeless teachings," he said. The government would need to make provisions of Rs 5,000 crore for implementing this legislation, and would also entail a non-recurring expenditure of about Rs 100 crore, he stated.

A Lok Sabha bulletin said, "The president, having been informed of the subject matter of the ...Bill ... recommends to the House the consideration of the Bill under clause (3) of article 117 of the Constitution." The dates for the next session are still to be decided.
New Delhi: The Pakistani-origin lawyer who represented Pakistan in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had been hired by the UPA government in 2004 to argue an arbitration case, the BJP said on Saturday.

Accusing the Congress of being Pakistan's voice on a host of issues, BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao said the the party must explain why its government hired Khawar Qureshi in the "very sensitive" Enron case.

The Congress-led UPA government had changed the legal team representing India in the arbitration case against the US firm over the controversial Dabhol power project, he said.

This was a question linked to "patriotism", Rao told reporters.

"What was the compulsion that the UPA government hired Qureshi?... Over the last few years we have seen several incidents of the Congress speaking in support of Pakistan. It was speaking in Pakistan's voice on the surgical strikes as well," Rao told reporters.

Citing the example of Harish Salve, who was the lead counsel for India at the ICJ this week, he said it was surprising that the UPA government could not find an Indian lawyer to represent the country in such a sensitive case.

Rao named Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Mani Shankar Aiyar as instances of Congress leaders allegedly speaking in support of Pakistan.

The ICJ this week stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistan on charges of espionage and subversive activities. While Pakistan claims he was nabbed from Balochistan, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said the problem in Jammu and Kashmir was not widespread but centered around just "three and a half districts", and the central government was formulating a "course of action" to resolve the situation.

Shah also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "made more efforts to improve relations with Pakistan than any other government".

"The Narendra Modi government did more than anyone else to have good relations with Pakistan. But the efforts for good relations should be from both sides. The prime minister made efforts, but we did not get results. We have to protect the interests of our country and we are doing that," he said.

"We want good relations with all neighbours, but only after making our borders safe."

Addressing an Aaj Tak Editors round-table on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's completion of three years in office, Shah said the BJP government was making every effort to bring peace to Valley, which has been on the boil for the past many weeks.

Shah also said the ruling alliance has not yet zeroed upon any candidate for the presidential election, and expressed confidence on forming government in West Bengal soon.

"We are maintaining strict vigil on Kashmir. Don't see the past six months, you have to see Kashmir from 1989 to 2017. There are many such spells of three months, six months, one year, where such incidents have occurred, security forces have got the situation in control," he said.

"The problem in Kashmir is a problem of three and a half districts," Shah said, apparently referring to two south Kashmir districts and Srinagar where violent anti-government protests have been rampant.

"We are formulating a course of action, give us some time," he said, expressing confidence that security forces will bring the situation under control.

The situation has worsened due to protests by college and school students in Srinagar and parts of south Kashmir.

Commenting on the work of the BJP government in three years, he said they spent most of the time "rectifying" the situation created by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.

"We are fighting with Naxals. Can there be a fight which will have bullets being fired from only one side? But the BJP government has been tough on the Naxals," he said.

Asked about the presidential election, he said "We have not decided on a presidential candidate. Even if I have something in my mind I cannot say it. Discussion with (alliance) partners is also due."

On actor Rajinikanth's hint at joining politics, Shah refused to comment on the possibility of his joining the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), but said all "good people" are welcome to join politics.

Responding to a question on whether the BJP has been soft on Janata Dal-United leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and if he was likely to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again, Shah said there was no criticism because there were no allegations against Kumar, unlike Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad and his family.
Dindori: At least six persons were killed and nearly 24 others injured when a bus fell into a pit near a village in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday morning, a police official said.

The bus was on its way to Dindori from Jabalpur when it fell into the pit near ghat section in Jogitikaria village at around 4 am, Kotwali police station in-charge Shivlal Markam said.

Choti Sahu (23), Sanjeev Burman (45), Surjeet Mudia (30), Awdhesh (30) Rahul (26) and one unidentified person were killed in the accident, he said.

The bus driver fled the spot after the accident. The injured were admitted in nearby hospitals, Markam said.

District collector Amit Tomar and superintendent of police Simala Prasad among others visited the accident site.

A probe is underway in the accident.
Kolkata: In a bid to reduce the number of pending cases, the Calcutta High Court will hold special sittings during the summer vacation to hear cases that were instituted prior to 2000.

The move has, however, been opposed by the Bar Association which has passed a resolution against it on the grounds that of the two week vacation, the court will hold sittings on nine days.

While supporting moves to reduce pendency of cases, the association has sought filling up of vacancies of judges. The Calcutta High Court at present has 35 judges, while it has a sanctioned strength of 72 judges, according to the website of the high court.

The High Court's registrar general, Sugata Majumdar, said in an order published in the cause list (schedule of cases to be heard by the court) that "it is the solemn desire of the Acting Chief Justice (Justice Nishita Mhatre) to organise special sittings of the benches of this High Court during summer vacation, in order to hear pending cases which were instituted prior to January one, 2000."

The high court, which will be on vacation from 22 May to 3 June, will hear such matters on five days during this period.

In addition to these special sittings, the vacation bench, which hears urgent matters will also sit on four days during this period.

These special sittings will be held on 22, 24, 26, 29 May and 2 June, while the vacation bench will sit on 23, 25, 30 May and 1 June, according to the cause list published by the high court administration.

Opposing the move, Calcutta High Court Bar Association general secretary Suranjan Dasgupta told PTI, "We want reduction in the number of pending cases, but the lawyers also need some respite during the gruelling summer."

"Out of two weeks of summer vacation, the court will have special sittings on five days, while there will be another four days of vacation bench," Dasgupta said.

"What will be left of the vacation then," he asked, adding that the association has passed a resolution that its member lawyers would not attend the special sittings.

"We want the issue of filling up vacancies in the judiciary to be taken up urgently in order to address the problem of pendency of a huge number of cases before the high court," he said earlier this week.

"Nearly three lakh cases are pending before the high court at present," executive member of West Bengal Bar Council Ashok Bakshi said.

"While pendency of cases has to be reduced, five days of special sitting will not vastly change the scenario," Bakshi, a senior advocate, said, adding "the vacancies in the judiciary are required to be filled up."
Chennai: Scores of pro-Tamil activists were detained at the Marina here when they tried to hold a memorial for Tamil victims of the last leg of the Sri Lankan ethnic strife as the famed seashore is out of bounds to hold protests.

The activists of pro-Tamil outfits such as "May 17 Movement" and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) were detained, police said.

They had earlier assembled at the Marina to hold the memorial event, with many of them turning up in black shirts, a symbol of mourning.

According to the Chennai City Police provisions, which is in force, Marina beach is not a designated place to stage protests and hold demonstrations.

Police had already warned that anyone trying to stage protests or hold demonstrations in violation of this order would be arrested.

The city has other designated spots for these purposes, police added.

A heavy posse of policemen under senior officials was posted along the Marina, where traffic was regulated.
Meghalaya Chief Secretary KS Kropha, who was convicted in a Coal scam case, on Sunday said he would file an appeal in a higher court.

"I am waiting for the copy of the judgment and will decide accordingly to appeal in the higher court," Kropha told IANS over phone.

On Friday, a special CBI court convicted former coal secretary HC Gupta and coal ministry officials KC Samria and Kropha in the allocation of Thesgora B-Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL).

KSSPL and its Managing Director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia were among those convicted for criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who held the trio guilty in the case, will pronounce the quantum of punishment on 22 May. The court, however, acquitted chartered accountant Amit Goyal in the case.

Meanwhile, official sources said that the Meghalaya government is waiting for the copy of the special court judgment before taking a decision on whether to remove Kropha as Chief Secretary in view of the special court's verdict.

Kropha, a 1982 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is due to superannuate on 19 December and has taken a twoweek leave. The Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government appointed him to the post on 29 February, 2016.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary Yeshi Tsering has been appointed as the acting Chief Secretary.

The Special Court in its judgement said, "They certainly exploited this situation by abusing their offices. In order to procure allocation of Thesgora B-Rudrapuri coal block in favour of KSSPL by also withholding all material information regarding non-compliance with the guidelines from the (then) Prime Minister and Coal Minister, Manmohan Singh."

Gupta maintained during his trial that he had "no dominion" over the natural resource and that Manmohan Singh, as coal minister , had given the final approval for the allocation of the said coal block.

The CBI countered his claim, saying that Manmohan Singh was "kept in the dark" and that it was Gupta who "misled" officials of the Prime Minister's Office.

The court said that "While forwarding the file to Manmohan Singh, for approval of the recommendation of the Screening Committee, it was nowhere mentioned by any of the ministry officers or Gupta that the applications have not been checked for their eligibility and completeness."

"The present case clearly shows that Gupta, Kropha and Samria entered into a criminal conspiracy with KSSPL and its director Ahluwalia so as to procure allotment of a coal block in favour of KSSPL," the court judgment said.
New Delhi: The CBI has urged a special court in New Delhi to award the maximum punishment of seven years jail term to former coal secretary HC Gupta for cheating and criminal conspiracy in allocation of a coal block to a private firm.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who has held Gupta guilty in the case, will pronounce his judgement on the quantum of sentence on 22 July.

Gupta, who was the coal secretary from 31 December, 2005 to November 2008, then joint secretary KS Kropha and then director KC Samaria in the coal ministry were held guilty by the court for irregularities in allocation of the Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL).

Senior public prosecutor VK Sharma told the court that the convicts had committed an economic offence and urged it not to grant any leniency to them.

He submitted that economic offences were graver than the other crimes and should be dealt with firmly.

The convicts, however, sought leniency, citing old age and no previous conviction in any other case.

On 19 May, the court had convicted Gupta, Kropha and Samaria. It also held the firm and its managing director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia guilty of the offences, including cheating.

The court, however, acquitted chartered accountant Amit Goyal in the case.

The CBI had in October 2012 lodged an FIR in the matter, but on 27 March, 2014 it filed a closure report.

The court rejected the closure report on 13 October, 2014 and summoned Gupta and others as accused.

The CBI had alleged that the firm had misrepresented its net worth and the existing capacity, adding that the state government had also not recommended the firm for the allocation of any coal block.

The court had on 14 October last year framed charges against them, observing that former prime minister Manmohan Singh was kept in the "dark" by Gupta, who had prima facie violated the law and the trust reposed in him on the issue of coal block allocation.

Ten more coal scam cases are pending against Gupta and the proceedings are going on separately. The Supreme Court had last year dismissed his plea seeking a joint trial in all these cases.
Jamshedpur: Protest against lynching of four persons intensified on Sunday and the police had to fire in the air to disperse a mob, while prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in four areas.

Police fired in the air to disperse a mob that blocked roads in Mango area, demanding arrest of culprits involved in the lynching of four persons of a community at Rajnagar in Seraikela-Kharswan district on Thursday. "Police fired in the air and hurled tear gas shells to disperse the mob in Mango. However, the situation is under control now and adequate force have been deployed in the area," Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum district Amit Kumar said.

Besides Mango, members of that community also put up road blockade in Dhatkidih under Bistupur police station area. Four persons the community were lynched on Thursday by villagers suspecting them to be child lifters in Seraikela-Kharswan district, while three others of another community were also beaten to death on the same suspicion at Nagadih in East Singhbhum district the same day.

People had blocked Bistupur station road yesterday also demanding arrest of those involved in the lynching. Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC has been promulgated in four police station areas of the steel city here in view of the prevailing tension.

The prohibitory order would be in effect between 10pm Sunday and 6am Monday in Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM police station limits as a precautionary measure, sub-divisional officer (Dhalbhum), Manoj Ranjan said.

"We have deployed adequate force including Rapid Action Force to maintain law and order," he said. Meanwhile, Congress attacked Raghuvar Das government on the issue and alleged that "jungle raj" was prevailing in the state. "Beginning from Jamshedpur, Seraikela, Dhanbad and Bokaro, the rumours of child lifting has been gaining ground for the last seven days, which led to lynching," AICC spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said in a statement.

The chief minister on Saturday announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the family members of each of the deceased. He had also condemned the incidents and directed the officials to identify those who were spreading rumours of child lifters and taking law into their own hands.
Defying the denial of permission to hold a protest rally, thousands of Dalits have swamped New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government's alleged silence on the Saharanpur caste-based riots.

The Dalit leaders spearheading the protest had reportedly approached the Delhi Police for permission to hold an assembly of around 15000 Dalits from Uttar Pradesh to protest against the alleged 'selective' police action against Dalits in the recent Saharanpur violence. However, the infuriated leaders decided to go on with their agitation after the administration denied there request.

Dalit protesters demand justice from Uttar Pradesh CM @myogiadityanath, allege Yogi govt mistreating Dalits | @Runjhunsharmas with details pic.twitter.com/uIV2UjEVni  News18 (@CNNnews18) May 21, 2017

The protestors, led by a newly formed Dalit outfit the Bheem Army and comprising youths from Saharanpur district and nearby towns, were joined at Jantar Mantar by members of the All India Students Association, student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).

"We demand cancellation of charges pressed against Chandrashekhar Azad (Bheem Army's founder member) and strong action against so-called upper caste men who rioted and ransacked Dalit villagers' property," AISA National President Sucheta De told IANS.

An AISA member present at the protest spot said the new Dalit rights group had managed to draw a "huge crowd" -- which they claimed to be 10,000-15,000 strong-- for its maiden protest.

The Bheem Army is a group of educated youths at the grass roots from the region who differ from the traditional narrative of Dalit rights centred around job and educational reservation only, the AISA leader told IANS.

After the Saharanpur incident, the police arrested 30 people, mostly Dalits, in connection with the violence. The protesters allege that the Saharanpur police was high-handed in their action against the police. They are demanding that all cases against Dalit youths be scrapped and a proper enquiry should be launched in the issue. The protesters also demand adequate compensation for those whose houses were burnt by the members of upper caste in the ensuing unrest.

"Our people were targetted, our peope were thrashed, our homes were burnt and cases are also being lodged against our sons," a protester told CNN-News18.

The Delhi police has deployed strict security measures near the venue of the protest to ensure that the situation remains under control. So far, no attempts have been made to evacuate the protest venue, by the administration.

Saharanpur was engulfed in a bout of violence earlier in May spurred by a minor scuffle between the Thakur and Dalit communities in Shabbirpur village, in which one person was killed and at least 15 others were injured.

Around 20-25 youths of upper caste Thakur community were on their way to take part in a function to garland the statue of Rajput warrior-king Maharana Pratap, when the Dalit locals objected to the loud music being played by them. It soon snowballed into a full-blown clash with both the groups throwing stones and bricks at each other.

The Dalits asked the processionists to turn off the music blaring out of loudspeakers as they passed by a Ravidas temple.

A police team, which rushed to the spot, managed to pacify the Thakur youths and asked them to return to their village, but they soon returned with more people and indulged in brickbatting and arson, torching 15 to 20 Dalit houses as well as vehicles including those of the police.

Before this, on 20 April, communal clashes had broken out in the district during a Dalit procession to celebrate BR Ambedkar's birth centenary. Around a dozen people were injured in the clashes that erupted after members of another community objected to the procession.

BJP MP from Saharanpur Raghav Lakhanpal was among those booked in connection with the incident.
New Delhi: It was Good Friday on 6 April in 2007. A holiday and Renu Takhelabam's husband had driven out on his scooter to a local market. Hours passed and he did not return. Renu grew anxious, their nine-month-old son bawled. Meanwhile, Mung Hangzo's corpse lay unattended in a local hospital. Hangzo's death had become another statistic in the decades-old separatist insurgency in Manipur where security forces are armed with a law, even older than the insurgency, which gives them wide powers to raid homes, detain suspects and even kill on grounds of public order.

Earlier this month while the Indian government was defending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) at a United Nation's forum, Renu and other Manipuri widows were busy  on the Supreme Court's order  documenting cases of 1,528 men, women, and children  all victims of extra-judicial killings or "fake encounters". Manipuri activists' struggle against AFSPA became

national news thanks to some dramatic personalities, such as Irom Sharmila, the curly-haired activist who was on a hunger strike for 16 years until recently when she decided to contest assembly elections. She lost comprehensively after garnering only 90 votes.

An imprint was also left by a singular protest by 12 imas (mothers), who undressed themselves in front of the Kangla Fort in Manipur's capital Imphal in 2004, holding aloft a banner reading "Indian Army Rape Us" against the killing and rape of a young girl, Thangjam Manorama. But unnoticed in the campaign are activists such as Renu and Edina Yaikhom, the widowed foot soldiers of the movement, all in their 30s, who lost their husbands about 10 years ago.

These women have been quietly marching on against all odds, debilitating diseases and inner demons  a journey marked by few triumphs and numerous setbacks. In 2008, one July evening, Edina sat restless, waiting for her cabbie husband to return. He was usually home before dark. In a few hours, a few relatives walked in, wearing whites, the colour of mourning. Edina went blank and collapsed, the sudden trauma of her husband's death leaving her partially paralysed.

A year later, in another part of the state, Neena Ningombam's husband had gone out for a stroll after lunch. Around dinner time, she heard of his death on the 9 pm TV bulletin. The alleged extra-judicial killings in Manipur have followed a pattern over the years  of men disappearing and being found dead.

Fighting against AFSPA are members of the Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association or EEVFAM. The acronym's pronunciation sounds like the local word for bloodstain. Mostly made up of young widows, the newest, albeit the strongest, troops in the relentless battle against AFSPA, the group has focused on filing court petitions demanding accountability for the killings.

Babloo Loitongbam, a human rights activist, recalls how the judicial battle was conceived over a few cups of coffee in Delhi University, sometime in 1980.

"Youths, who had come to study in universities here, were discussing how the mainland differed from their native land," he said. "At that point, AFSPA was introduced in Manipur. The

Patsoi Langjing incident in which CRPF killed four civilians including a pregnant woman triggered anger against the law. The first PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against it was taken up on 10 October, 1980," he said.

Around 36 years and multiple PILs later, "we are finally here," he adds. His organisation, Human Rights Alert, and EEVFAM, are co-petitioners in the ongoing case against AFSPA in the apex court. Losing her husband at the age of 24 was shattering for Renu, the president of the association, but she did not have any choice except to take up activism against AFSPA along with

the responsibility of her family. Edina, her comrade in the campaign, runs a small grocery shop.

"Locals told me that my husband was picked up by Manipur Police from a college campus at 5 pm in Imphal and taken 30 km away where he was tortured and killed. From TV news, my

relatives found that he had been killed. Nobody told me anything. When people came to my house wearing white clothes, I got to know that he had been killed," said Edina, 37. "My husband was a good man. I kept crying for days and the trauma led to paralysis. The left side of body was so badly affected for two years that even today I cannot cook or wash clothes. My children and I are dependent on my parents," she said.

In 2016, the Supreme Court sought details of 1,528 cases of alleged extra-judicial killings between May 1979 and May 2012 by the Manipur Police and the armed forces. So far, Renu's association has documented and submitted evidence in 748 cases of alleged extra-judicial killings to the court, which on 8 July, 2016 stripped the security forces of "complete impunity" from criminal actions and directed a thorough probe into the alleged fake encounter killings.

The association has put together details of the victims  photos, copies of FIR/inquiry/investigation conducted, documents of compensation given, postmortem reports, press clippings and written statement by eye-witnesses. "We are meeting the families and documenting the cases every day. It is tiring to juggle work and activism but we can't give up. We are closer to justice," Edina said. "It took years of efforts to get these families to register complaints and eye-witnesses to testify the killings."

On 7 April, the top court identified 265 key cases that it agreed to hear first. AFSPA is based on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance of 1942, which was issued during the Quit India

movement. It allows army personnel to use force, "even to the causing of death", in order to maintain public order, and also grants them executive powers to enter and search any premises

and arrest without any warrant.
Sambhal (UP): The protesting family members of a soldier, who was killed in Pakistani firing in 2016, on Sunday agreed to end their indefinite fast saying Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had promised to visit their village. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who was on an official tour to Moradabad, met the father, brother and an uncle of deceased sepoy Sudesh Kumar on Sunday. According to family members of the deceased soldier, Adityanath promised to visit not only their village but also those of other jawans, who have laid their lives for the country.

"The chief minister assured us that development work will begin in our village...He also said that he will visit the house of every slain soldier of Uttar Pradesh," Manoj Kumar, brother of Sudesh Kumar, who was killed along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, said. Adityanath also promised that work for starting an inter-college in the village will begin soon, he added. Manoj Kumar said that Uttar Pradesh's Minister of State for Social Welfare, Scheduled Castes and Tribal Welfare Gulabo Devi will now visit the family to facilitate the ending of their fast.

The soldier's family had been agitating claiming non-fulfilment of promises made to them. They had also demanded that the CM should visit them. The health of the deceased soldier's wife Kavita and mother Santosh Kumari had deteriorated as their indefinite fast entered the third day on Sunday. Dr Neeraj Sharma, who inspected the health of the family members on Sunday, said that the blood pressure level of the slain soldier's wife and one of his cousins has dipped.

He had suggested that both of them must be hospitalised. On 19 May, villagers and family members of Sudesh, who laid down his life on 16 October, 2016, had sat on a fast in the Pansukha Milak village in this district, claiming that the promises made by the BJP leaders at the time of his death remained unfulfilled.

His mother Santosh Kumari had said if the chief minister did not visit them, she will commit suicide. The family members had said that they had been promised the sanction for a petrol pump, construction of a road and memorial in the village and renaming a village primary school in Sudesh Kumar's name, but none of the promises was fulfilled. We had lost trust in local leaders and that was the reason that we demanded that the chief minister should come to our visit our village, Anil Kumar, a brother of the slain soldier had said.
Islamabad: A lawyer who represented Pakistan at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case involving alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, says India did not win the case, a media report said.

Talking to a private TV channel, Britain-based lawyer Khawar Qureshi said India did not win the case and the "ICJ will never acquit Jadhav", The Nation reported.

On Saturday, media reports said that Pakistani Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali would represent the country from now instead of Qureshi in the case.

Qureshi also said he was hopeful that the ICJ will dismiss Jadhav's case by the end of this year or early 2018.

He also dismissed media reports about his high fee for the case.

"I am saddened to even answer such questions and I reject such reports," The Nation quoted Qureshi as saying.

Qureshi represented Pakistan at the ICJ earlier this week.

On Thursday, the ICJ ordered Pakistan to stay the execution of Jadhav until a final decision in the proceedings.
Days after Pakistan received a setback in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice at The Hague, an Indian national was arrested on Sunday in Islamabad for allegedly not carrying travel documents, according to a media report.

Indian national arrested in Islamabad allegedly over incomplete travel documents, case filed under Article 14 of the Foreign Act: Pak media pic.twitter.com/9CVvBD6RSQ  ANI (@ANI_news) May 21, 2017

The Indian man was arrested from F-8 area of Islamabad by the Margalla Police for not having complete travel documents, Samaa TV reported. Republic TV identified the man as Mumbai resident Sheikh Nabi.

According to PTI, a case has been filed against the Indian national under Article 14 of the Pakistan Foreign Act. He has been sent to jail on judicial remand, the report said.

An official of the Indian High Commission, however, said that the mission does not have any information about the arrest so far.

As for Jadhav, a former Indian naval soldier was sentenced to death in March 2017. His case is currently being heard at the International Court of Justice. Jadhav, who Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on 3 March 2016 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Jadhav's case is the latest flashpoint in the tensions between Pakistan and India.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: A fresh representation has been made to the president on behalf of Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan seeking suspension of the Supreme Court order sentencing him to six-month imprisonment for contempt of court, a lawyer representing him has said.

Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara said that he, along with other counsel representing the high court judge and his son CS Sugan, met Ashok Mehta, the Secretary to the President, and handed over an application for suspension of the sentence under Article 72 of the Constitution.

He said they have sought personal audience for Justice Karnan with the president.

The lawyers took the ground in the application that Justice Karnan will be unable to exercise any remedy if he is arrested. The controversial judge has not been arrested yet.

"Therefore, an application seeking the president's intervention under Article 72 has been made," Nedumpara said.

Article 72 states that the president shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.

In the application it has been contended that the Supreme Court had acted without jurisdiction, the lawyer said.

On 9 May, a seven-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, had sentenced Justice Karnan to six months jail for contempt of court and ordered the West Bengal police to take him into custody forthwith.

Nedumpara had earlier claimed that the defence team made an identical representation to the president through an e-mail. However, the President's Office had said, "It was not aware of any such representation."

The latest application has been filed after the apex court's registry refused to accept Justice Karnan's petition seeking recall of the 9 May judgement.
Jammu: The panelists of a conference organised by Jammu For India (JFI) on Sunday expressed concern over the Kashmir situation and called for urgent measures to defeat the separatist movement and terrorism in Kashmir. The seminar was held on the topic 'Betrayal of Jammu' here on Sunday in which the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed. The panelists were of the unanimous opinion that Indian political class, over the years, weakened "nationalists forces" in the state which had resulted in the situation that Jammu was under assault from all sides, an official release said.

The panelists, who participated in the seminar, were former Jammu and Kashmir DGP M M Khajooria, Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ) President B S Salathia, former minister Pawan Gupta, Panun Kashmir Chairman Ajay Chrungoo, Panun Kashmir Convenor Dr Agnishekhar, JFI Convenor Hari Om among others. Khajooria said it was sad that the governments in Delhi and Srinagar had miserably failed to comprehend the contours and contents of the Wahabi terrorist challenge in Kashmir.

He accused them of being complicit in compromising the integrity of Jammu region and facilitating the nefarious designs of anti-national elements to subvert peace, harmony and communal amity. "For over two years the Indian State was perceived to be on retreat in Kashmir. Indian Army, its strong arm, the ultimate instrument for asserting the state authority, was systematically demonised," he claimed.

"Government of India abetted this crime against the nation by acts of commission and omission," Khajuria said. Salathia said the BAJ was committed to protect the national interest as well as interest of the people of Jammu and would be ready for any sacrifice to safeguard it. Gupta claimed that the government's present policy on Jammu and Kashmir had outrightly failed and the state was facing a malicious, communal and seditious movement.

He claimed that it was a colossal tragedy that the BJP has chosen to abandon people of Jammu who gave it such a huge mandate and enabled it to form a government in the state. "The recruitment in the state during the BJP-PDP rule clearly demonstrated that Jammu has been marginalised from all recruitment processes. Not only that the entire developmental process in the state has transformed into an overwhelmingly Kashmir-centric process," he said.

Zorawar Singh Jamwal, chairman Team Jammu and secretary of press club Jammu said the state was facing a number of dangers ranging from drug abuse to terrorism. "Jammu is facing multitude of problems which also includes settlement of Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims. Jammu will defeat the anti-national forces as it has done in the past. There is a necessity for all positive forces to unite and strategise," he said.

Chungroo said that the long list of betrayals was justified by many in the name of strategy, tactics and politics to further national interests. Hari Om alleged that it was an abnormality of Indian

state which was eager to accommodate the enemies of the nation, empower them and at the same time weaken and marginalise the patriots. "We are fighting a battle in Jammu which has far-

reaching implications. We have to fight it alone and let the nation join us because in case this doesn't happen, India may perish," he added.
Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday quizzed three Kashmiri separatists in connection with its probe into the role of Lashker-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA team, headed by the Additional Director General, had asked Nayeem Khan, Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' and Gazi Javed Baba to appear before it for for their explanation on an expose on a television channel where they had claimed receiving funds from Pakistan.

After initial reluctance, the three separatists fell in line and were questioned separately by the team of NIA, which named them in its Preliminary Enquiry (PE) on Friday.

In a statement, the NIA's spokesperson said that the agency questioned Dar at Srinagar regarding the hawala and terror funding issue.

"The questioning of Naeem Khan and Ghazi Javed Baba is still going on. They have also been asked to produce certain documents for examination. The hotel in Srinagar in which the sting operation took place, has been identified. The NIA Team is completing formalities of identification of room, collection of records," the spokesperson said.

The NIA is also probing all angles of the funding of separatist leaders.

"The NIA has collected the copies of the FIRs of about 150 cases and analysing these FIRs registered in the valley in the recent past, regarding damage caused to the schools and public property as part of the larger conspiracy to perpetuate violence and chaos in Kashmir. The probe is continuing," the statement added.

The NIA team will also be gathering evidence collected by the Jammu and Kashmir Police about the burning of schools as Khan had claimed that the educational institutions were targeted as per the plans hatched from across the border.

The schools were targeted last year after banned Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on 8 July.

Besides these three, NIA has named Saeed and Geelani in the PE, which precedes the filing of a case.

Nayeem Khan, who was suspended by Geelani from Hurriyat on Saturday, was seen on television during the sting operation purportedly confessing to receiving money from Pakistan-based terror groups.

Geelani suspended Khan's National Front from the basic membership of the Hurriyat Conference until the clarification of all the related issues comes to fore and the truth comes out, a spokesman for the hardline leader said.

Khan had held a press conference here in which he claimed that the video was "doctored" and challenged the channel to run his full video instead.

"The video is doctored, simulated and a collage of bits and pieces. It does not have a shred of credibility. The agenda of Indian media is to defame the Kashmir struggle and pro-freedom leadership," he said. The NIA's PE alleged that the separatists were receiving funds from the LeT chief to carry out subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley, including pelting security forces with stones, damaging public property and burning schools and other government establishments.

The NIA took cognisance of the news item related to a recording of conversations between a TV reporter and leaders of separatist groups operating in the Kashmir Valley in this regard.
Sambhal (UP): The indefinite fast by the kin of Sepoy Sudesh Kumar, who was killed in Pakistani firing along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016, entered its third day on Sunday with his family members demanding that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visit their village.

However, the martyr's father, uncle and brother decided to travel to Moradabad division on Sunday, where Adityanath is on an official tour.

"On the request of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, three members of our family  my father Brahmpal, uncle Sudhir Kumar and I  are going to Moradabad to meet the chief minister. But, our protest will continue till the chief minister visits our village," Manoj Kumar, brother of the martyr said on Sunday.

Sudhir Kumar said that owing to the indefinite fast, the health of Sudesh Kumar's wife Kavita and his mother Santosh Kumari has deteriorated.

Meanwhile, Dr Neeraj Sharma who inspected the health of the family members of the martyrs on Sunday said that Kavita's blood pressure level had dipped. The doctor advised that she must be hospitalised.

On 19 May, the martyr's family members and some others had gone on an indefinite fast in the Pansukha Milak village here, claiming that promises made to them were not fulfilled.

The martyr's mother had threatened that if the chief minister did not visit them, she would commit suicide.

Sudesh's brother Manoj Kumar had said that the family were promised the sanction for a petrol pump, construction of a road, a memorial and renaming a village primary school in the martyr's name by the BJP leaders, but none of the promises was fulfilled.

Another brother, Anil Kumar, had said they had lost trust in local leaders and that was the reason they were demanding that the chief minister should visit them.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Gujarat on Monday where he would inaugurate some developmental projects and attend the annual meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) group.

During his two-day visit, he will launch projects at the Kandla Port and in Bhachau, both in the Kutch district which had borne the brunt of the 2001 earthquake.

He will also address two public meetings.

"Tomorrow, I will begin a two-day Gujarat visit, during which I will join programmes in Kutch and Gandhinagar," the prime minister tweeted on Sunday.

"I shall inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various projects of the Kandla Port and address a public meeting at Gandhidham," he said in another tweet.

In Bhachau, a pumping station would be inaugurated, he added. He will also address a public meeting in Bhachau.

Kutch has a very special place in my heart. It is blessed with wonderful people and a remarkable spirit of resilience, said Modi, a former chief minister of Gujarat.

From suffering unimaginable destruction due to the 2001 quake, Kutch is today known as one of India s fastest growing districts, he said.

Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when the massive earthquake hit the state on 26 January, 2001. Kutch was worst-hit by that quake.

"On Tuesday, I will be in Gandhinagar to participate in the opening ceremony of the meetings of the @AfDB_Group," the prime minister added.

"The Annual Meetings of @AfDB_Group have chosen the very relevant theme of Transforming Agriculture for Wealth Creation in Africa," he said.

On the sidelines, he will meet some of the distinguished delegates of the AfDB Group.
Panaji: Senior Congress leader Shantaram Naik accused the Narendra Modi government of trying to control the states through NITI Aayog.

The socialist-era Planning Commission was in 2015 replaced by a new think-tank, NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), which is headed by the prime minister and has all chief ministers as members to involve states in evolving national development priorities.

"The Modi-led government completely disbanded the Planning Commission, and replaced it with the NITI Aayog. The aim of NITI Aayog is to dictate the chief ministers what they should do in their states," Naik alleged.

The Rajya Sabha member of parliament from Goa was addressing a gathering after paying homage to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary.

Naik said that NITI Aayog has been given enormous powers which were never vested with the Planning Commission.

"No chief minister from BJP-run states has the guts to go against the directives of NITI Aayog," he said.

He also criticised the central government for its policies, including the 'Make In India' initiative which seeks to promote manufacturing in the country.

"The 'Make In India' policy has remained just on paper. In reality, there are hardly any foreign firms which have shifted their facilities in India," Naik said.
New Delhi: The next plenary session of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is likely to be held in Swiss capital Bern next month, but the chances of any breakthrough on India's entry into the elite group still look slim, given China's persistent opposition to it.

India had officially applied for membership of the group which controls export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology in May 2016.

The matter came up for discussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June 2016, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling India's bid on the ground that it was not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

Ahead of the next NSG plenary session, official sources say, India has renewed its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, France and Russia.

China has been pressing for a two-step process which includes setting up criteria  a standard for admission  for the inclusion of countries that are not signatories to the NPT. Beijing also equates India's case with Pakistan, which, too, has applied for the NSG membership.

The issue of India's membership is expected to be discussed at the Bern meet, but the "status quo" still remains, a senior official says.

Indicating that there was no change in China's position towards India's NSG bid, Chinese Ambassador in New Delhi Luo Zhaohui at an event in April said, "On the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue, we do not oppose any country's membership, believing that a standard for admission should be agreed upon first."

India has repeatedly said that China is the "one country" which has been blocking its bid.

The two sides conducted two rounds of talks between China's nuclear negotiator Wang Qun and India's then secretary for disarmament Amandeep Singh Gill on 13 September and 31 October, 2016.

The NSG consultative group's meeting in November also ended like the Seoul plenary session. It remained inconclusive on India's application as China continued to oppose the entry of non-NPT nations and called for a two-step "non-discriminatory" solution for admission of such countries into the grouping.

Over the past year, India has tried to get more support for its NSG bid, but not all its efforts have proved to be successful. For instance, Turkey has agreed to support India's bid to the group, but it also favours Pakistan's bid. New Zealand has also not given any concrete assurance on supporting India's bid.

"Prime Minister (John Phillip) Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible," a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart John Key said after the latter's visit to New Delhi in October.
In a faux pas, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam on Saturday said alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party will be decided after local body polls are announced.

Soon after realising his mistake, Panneerselvam again tweeted: "We mean that only after the announcement of local body elections, we will think about the alliance with any political party."

We mean that only after the announcement of Local body elections we will think about the Alliance with any political party. https://t.co/G1ZeoV3UBT  O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) May 20, 2017

In his earlier tweet that was removed, Panneerselvam said: "We will take a decision on alliance with the BJP once local body elections are announced." The removed tweet created a short political flutter as it came after Panneerselvam on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and actor Rajnikanth hinted his proposed plunge into politics.

Meeting with honourable PM Shri @narendramodi ji and discussed various issues on the development of TamilNadu. pic.twitter.com/plmnhI40Xw  O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) May 19, 2017

Paneerselvam had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and raised issues concerning the state, including the release of pending funds, but no political developments were discussed.

"There were no discussions on politics of the state, however, I put forth state-specific issues including funds that has been pending for the state," he said, adding a memorandum in this regard has been submitted to the prime minister.

He said that he had asked the prime minister to release funds for solving issues of drinking water caused by deficient rainfall, Avinashi-Athikadavu groundwater recharge scheme.

Apart from it, exempting state from the ambit of NEET, setting up of Cauvery management board and regulatory body were some of the points which Paneerselvam claimed to have raised in the 30-minute long meeting.

With inputs from agencies
A special Pakistani court looking into the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case has just seen another judge being appointed  its ninth change in eight years.

The anti-terrorism court (ATC) conducting the trial of seven Pakistani suspects charged with involvement in the attack has recently been changed again, a court official said on Saturday.

"ATC judge Sohail Akram, who had been conducting the 26/11 case for the last two years, is transferred to the Punjab judicial services," the official told PTI. "It is a routine transfer of the judge in question."

The Mumbai case has now been transferred to the court of Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi, who was the judge in the case before

Akram, the official said.

Besides Akram, the other judges who have been associated with the case that began in 2009 are Attiquer Rehman, Shahid Rafique, Malik Muhammad Akram Awan and Pervez Ali Shah.

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, was granted bail in December 2014. Zaidi was the judge in the case at that time. He had cited "weak evidence, the registration of the FIR invoking irrelevant sections and hearsay evidence against Lakhvi" in his bail order.

There has been no hearing in the Mumbai case in the Pakistani ATC after Islamabad told New Delhi to send its 24 witnesses to record their statements if the case was to be decided soon.

India had demanded re-investigation of the 26/11 case and asked that Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed, who is currently

under house arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism law, be put on trial.

Pakistan, however, rejected Indias request, saying it was "not possible, as it (the trial) is on an advanced stage". India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest.

Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are all facing

charges of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the attack that killed 166 people.

While Lakhvi has been living in an undisclosed location after getting bail, the other six suspects are lodged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
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New Delhi: Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said capping was not a solution to exorbitant private school fees, and asserted that quality of education in government schools will be improved in coming years.

He also said that debates on educational institutions' campuses were welcome but pro-Pakistan or anti-national slogans will not be tolerated.

"Schools are not for profiteering; we have been issuing warnings from time to time to private schools charging exorbitant fees. But then capping the fees is not the solution. It is more important to improve the quality of government schools," Javadekar said at the Aaj Tak Editors' Roundtable.

"If government schools are as good, students will go there instead of private schools. So, if there is no demand (for private schools) there won't be high fees," reasoned the minister.

"We have been taking steps to check exorbitant fees. But at the same time, we also need to realise that education in the private sector too has its place and there exists a cost of education," he added.
Pelling: Amidst the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, home minister Rajnath Singh said that the NDA government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.

Addressing a public reception in this western part of the tiny Himalayan state, Singh said Pakistan had been trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir. "But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, without elaborating.

The home minister's statement assumes significance as it comes at a time the Valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since 9 April when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 percent.

The 12 April bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the "scary" situation in Kashmir. Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces.

Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani. "Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir," Singh said.

Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries.

However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan's attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India. "We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said.

The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the India-China border. He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of India-Tibet border police and SSB along the India-China border and the India-Nepal border respectively.
Dharamsala: The Himachal Pradesh chapter of ex-servicemen league has urged the Centre to move the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of Army Captain Saurabh Kalia.

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Kalia was tortured by his Pakistani captors who later handed over his mutilated body to India.

The league's chief, Major (retired) Vijai Singh Mankotia said Kalia's case also be taken to the ICJ, the UN's highest judicial body, to get justice on the lines of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

The ICJ at the Hague has stayed the execution awarded to Jadhav in Pakistan after a military court summarily convicted him of espionage and engaging in subversive activities after India knocked its doors.

Mankotia said the Indian ex-servicemen league and the family of Captain Kalia had made this demand to the previous governments but could not hear anything positive about it.

"Now, after the case of Jadhav in the ICJ, a ray of hope has risen in Kalia's case too," he said here yesterday.

Mankotia told reporters that the HP chapter of the ex-servicemen league would honour the family of Captain Kalia along with four Paramvir Chakra winners from the state during its annual convention on May 23 here.

The chief guest of the function, Acharya Dev Vrat, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, will honour the families of Major Som Nath Sharma (1st PVC winner of India), resident of Dadh near hear, Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa of Dharamsala, Captain Vikram Batra of Palampur and Sub Sanjay Kumar of Bilaspur (all PVC winners), in the function, said Mankotia.

Besides this, the families of Ashok Chakra winner from the state Major Sudhir Walia and that of Captain Kalia shall also be honoured, he said.

In November 2012, the then Army chief, General Bikram Singh, had said that he forcefully supported the parents of Kargil hero Capt Saurabh Kalia in pursuing their sons case at International Court of Justice at the Hague.

"He was our brave officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in the best traditions of the Indian Army. We have written to Ministry of Defence (MOD) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) conveying our concerns in the matter. We fully support his parents," he had told reporters on the sidelines of the Passing out Parade of the 123rd course of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, near Pune.

The league represents of ex-servicemen, their family and dependants and is recognised by Centre and state governments. With a presence in every state of India, the league was founded in 1964 by Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who was first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army after Independence.

Mankotia said the league would raise a few demands with the Centre through the Governor which include raising the quota of recruitment of the state's youth in the Army.
Ludhiana: Actress-activist Shabana Azmi said that triple talaq is inhumane and violates the basic rights of every Muslim woman.

She said it is the duty of the government to protect the rights of Muslim women and there should be no two opinions on the issue of abolishing triple talaq system.

"Triple talaq is inhumane and violates the basic rights of every Muslim woman," she told reporters. "This triple talaq system is totally inhumane and deprives the Muslim women of their right to empowerment or equality," she said.

In reply to a question, she said that "even the holy Quran does not permit triple talaq anywhere".

There is a raging debate in the country on the issue of triple talaq. The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of triple talaq.

Earlier, addressing a function, she said the only true way to measure a society's progress is by seeing how empowered its women are.

"The women who get empowered must make efforts to empower other women. They must create support groups," she said.
United Nations: Two Indian peacekeepers will be among 117 military, police and civilian personnel to be honored with a prestigious United Nations medal awarded posthumously for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Rifleman Brijesh Thapa who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Private Ravi Kumar who was deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon will be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers to be observed on 24 May.

India is the largest cumulative troop contributor, having provided almost 2,00,000 troops in nearly 50 of the 71 peacekeeping missions mandated over the past six decades, including 13 of the current 16 missions.

So far, about 168 Indian troops have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty under the United Nations Flag.

India currently deploys more than 7,600 military and police personnel to United Nations peace operations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia, the Middle East, South Sudan, Sudan and the Western Sahara.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial at the world body's headquarters to honour all fallen peacekeepers. Later, he will preside over a ceremony during which the Dag Hammarskjold Medals will be awarded to 117 peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping operations last year.

Permanent Representatives to the United Nations will collect the medals on behalf of the fallen peacekeepers from their countries.

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was established by the General Assembly in 2002 as a tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

The General Assembly had designated 29 May as the commemoration day because it was on this day in 1948 that the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, the world bodys first peacekeeping mission, began operations in Palestine.

Since the first United Nations peacekeeping mission in 1948 until April 2016, 3,400 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease.

Commemorative activities will be held at the world body's headquarters and at peacekeeping operations and offices around the world.

The Dag Hammarskjold Medal was established in December 2000 and is awarded posthumously to members of peacekeeping operations who lost their lives during service with a peacekeeping operation under the operational control and authority of the United Nations.

The medal is named after the second United Nations Secretary General, who died in a mysterious 1961 plane crash. He was posthumously awarded a Nobel Peace Prize that year.
New Delhi: Union minister Uma Bharti said on Sunday that her promise to clean the Ganga river by October 2018 will be fulfilled but ensuring the river's ecological flow can take several more years.

"I am working on a timeline. We launched the first phase of the Ganga cleaning project in July 2016 and will deliver in October 2018 but attaining an ecological flow will take time. It can take around seven years," she said at the Aaj Tak Editors Round-table.

Uma Bharti also noted that Ganga was not an issue in the 2014 general elections but was put in the Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto.

"It was put in the manifesto and was assigned to me after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about it in Benaras (Varanasi)," she said.

Asked if the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh will benefit the project, she said: "Cooperation from the Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh was certainly lacking. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will cooperate with the Centre as he understands the issue of Ganga pretty well."

"He is already working very hard for it."

On the National Green Tribunal's observations that not even a single drop of the river has been cleaned so far and that the public money has not been properly utilised, the minister said that she would not spend even a single paisa if it was not required.

"The Rs 20,000 crore fund for the Namami Gange Project is non-lapsable. We have just launched it and we don't want to spend even a single paisa wrongly or if it is unrequired," she said.

On the Supreme Court order that criminal conspiracy charges against her be restored in the Babri Masjid demolition case, Uma Bharti said she was part of the Ram Mandir Andolan (movement) but was completely unaware about any conspiracy.

"I don't even know that I was involved in any such conspiracy. I will not resign from the cabinet at the demand of the Congress party that had imposed Emergency."

"I will give explanation on the conspiracy charges if the court calls for it," she said.
Deoria: Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that there has been a record production of pulses and oilseeds in the state, which is four times higher than the production of last year.

"This year, we are expecting that production of wheat will touch 331 lakh metric tonne, while potato production will touch 160 metric tonne. Similarly, pulses' production will reach 22 lakh metric tonne," Shahi told reporters.

The agriculture minister also said that the state government is mulling to register all the farmers in the state, so that there is no anomaly in giving any type of concessions to them.

"Till now, 1.28 crore have registered themselves for this facility," Shahi said.

He added that to tackle the arid situation, which poses a major challenge for irrigation, the state government has started Khet Taalaab Yojnaa (Agriculture Land Pond Scheme) under which the farmers will be allowed to make ponds in the agriculture fields.

"Half of the cost will be borne by the state government," Shahi said.

The agriculture minister also said that the state government has already purchased 20 lakh metric tonne of wheat, out of the targeted 80 lakh metric tonne.

Shahi also mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh government will make efforts to double the income of the farmers while adding that an increased foodgrain production is also envisaged.

"Without the development of the farmer, the development of the state and country will be a distant reality. The Uttar Pradesh government will endeavour to double the income of the farmers.For this efforts will have to be made to reduce the input cost, while increasing the production," Shahi said.

He emphasised on novel methods to boost production.

"Scientific farming techniques, availability of funds at right time, soil testing, use of organic manure and crop insurance will be made available to the farmers, so as to boost the agricultural production," he said.

He mentioned that 17.50 lakh packets of organic manure will be distributed to farmers in the state. Training will also be imparted to farmers, and benefits of various schemes will also be provided to them.
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi has the potential to generate 676 MW power from solar rooftop panels alone. However, outdated grids and a huge line loss pose a challenge, said a report.

The Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) report "Vibrant Varanasi, Transformation through Solar Rooftop", released in Varanasi by Girish Chandra Tripathi, vice-chancellor, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), also set a road-map for the historic city to generate 300 MW by 2025.

The recognised potential  676 MW  can be achieved using only 8.7 percent of the total eligible Varanasi roof space within the 69 square km of built up area in the city's municipal corporation area.

"However, given the 40-42 percent of distribution loss, against a national average of 24 per cent, and inefficient grid of Varanasi based discom Poorvanchal Vidhyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, it would take at least till 2032 to tap the entire potential," Abhishek Pratap, Director-Programmes CEED and lead author of the report, told IANS.

Pratap said while the present annual power demand of Varanasi is 861 MW, the growth of the town is set to increase the demand to 1700 MW by 2025.

"Power generation in Varanasi is growing by 5-6 percent annually like any other tier-2 city. But the growth in construction and industries around the city projects need 8 percent growth. Our roadmap aims to produce 300 MW from solar rooftop by 2025, but there will be hurdles," Pratap said.

As per the survey, despite having huge potential, the development has to go slow in order to avoid grid tripping or failure.

"We can't add even 300 MW suddenly, to avoid grid failure it should be 175 MW... so, the plan is to add 20-25 MW per year to the grid and updating the grid, lines and meters accordingly," Pratap said, adding that grid expansion and upgradation is a must.

At present, the city of Varanasi through the ongoing individual solar rooftop projects at the airport, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Vikas Bhawan, produces power in the range of a few kilowatts.

Meanwhile, the entire state of Uttar Pradesh produces only 40 MW of solar power at present against the target of producing 10.7 GW (10,700 MW) of solar power and additional 4.3 GW (4,300 MW) of power from solar rooftops by 2022.

As per Prime Minister Modi's aspirations, India's domestic solar programme targets to achieve 175 GW as renewable energy by 2022, of which 100 GW is solar. Of the 100 GW solar energy, about 40 GW is from solar rooftops.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that exploitation of farmers will not be tolerated, and officials, who ignore their interests, will not be spared.

The chief minister, who was in Banda on Saturday, while reviewing the wheat purchase, directed the officials to ensure that the farmers' produce is sold at the support price.

He also instructed the officials to complete the process of purchasing of wheat from farmers by 15 June.

He was also of the view that the list of farmers be made available to public representatives, so that their exact status and condition could be ascertained.

Adityanath issued orders for construction of more check dams for water conservation in Bundelkhand  a drought-prone region  on a priority basis.

The chief minister also mentioned that an expressway will be constructed in Bundelkhand which will integrate the entire region with the growth path.

He also gave instructions to officials concerned to initiate an awareness campaign to make the region open defecation free by 31 December.

He told officials to send a proposal to the government to bring Hamirpur, Mahoba and Chitrakoot under the AMRUT scheme.

The chief minister also said the state government will act tough on all the criminal elements in the state, and initiate stringent action against those involved in illegal mining.
Kathmandu: Indian climber, Anshu Jamsenpa on Sunday reached the summit of Mount Everest for the second time in less than a week, her expedition team said, setting a women's record for a double ascent of the world's highest mountain in a single season.

Jamsenpa, 37, returned from the 8,848-metre (29,028-feet) peak on 16 May, before turning around after a short rest to repeat the feat.

"Anshu reached the summit of Everest at 8 am on Sunday for the second time this season, setting a new record," said Dawa Lama of Dream Himalaya Adventures.

Jamsenpa, a mother of two, was blessed by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before leaving for the expedition.

The current female record, certified by Guinness World Records, is held by Nepali climber Chhurim Sherpa, who in 2012 become the first woman to scale the peak twice in a season.

Jamsenpa has climbed Mount Everest five times.

She intended to make the summit in 2014 but the climbing season was cancelled after an avalanche killed 16 Nepali guides.

Another attempt the following year was foiled after an avalanche  this one triggered by a massive earthquake that left swathes of Nepal in ruins  killed 18 people at Base Camp.

Last week Nepali climber Lhakpa Sherpa broke her own record for the greatest number of summits by a woman after scaling the peak for an eighth time.

More than 120 climbers have made the summit this season, with the first ascents delayed by high winds, fresh snowfall and unusually cold temperatures.

There are concerns a high number of summit permits issued by Nepal could cause dangerous "traffic jams" on the mountain as climbers target a brief window of favourable weather before the monsoon in June.

This year's climbing season has already been marred by two deaths, including legendary Swiss climber Ueli Steck who fell from a ridge during an acclimatisation climb.
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Taipei, May 21 (CNA) FAT Taiwan Inc., one of Taiwan's smaller airlines, canceled two morning flights between Taipei and Kinmen on Sunday after nine employees called in sick, but the airline would not say if the action amounted to a protest by the workers.
Lucknow: Having suffered successive electoral drubbings and faced with defections and rebellion in its ranks, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is going all- out to regain lost ground in the upcoming urban body elections in Uttar Pradesh.

For the first time in more than two decades, the party has decided to contest the civic election on its 'elephant' symbol and thrown its doors open to those who had deserted it earlier.

The BSP, which had been in power in the country's most populous state for four terms, knows that it has to perform well in the upcoming polls to keep its flock together.

Even though its base is stronger in the state's rural areas as compared to urban settlements, the party has decided to contest the civic election on its symbol to prove that it is still not a spent force, said a party leader.

Since 2012 when the party lost power in Uttar Pradesh to the Samajwadi Party, the BSP's electoral fortunes have been sliding. It failed to win even one seat, out of the state's 80 Lok Sabha constituencies, in 2014 and its tally in the 2017 Assembly polls was a poor 19 out of total 403 seats.

The party, which had faced several desertions just before the Assembly polls with its backward face Swami Prasad Maurya and Brahmin leader Brijesh Pathak joining the saffron camp, has lately seen the expulsion of its Muslim face Naseemuddin Siddiqui.

The party is now cautious to ensure that Siddiqui's expulsion does not boomerang on it. Soon after his expulsion, Siddiqui has levelled corruption charge against BSP chief Mayawati and released audio evidence in support of his claims.

Siddiqui was the only prominent Muslim face and to fill in the vacuum created by his ouster, former Uttar Pradesh minister Abdul Mannan of Sandila (Hardoi) and his brother Abdul Hannan, also a former legislator, were re-inducted into the party along with their supporters recently.

In 2016, then party general secretary Naseemudeen Siddiqui had announced the expulsion of the Sandila brothers, accusing them of being engaged in anti-party activities. Soon after joining the BSP, Mannan, who had joined the Samajwadi Party after being expelled from the BSP, took the opportunity to blame Siddiqui for working against the interest of the Muslim leadership within the BSP and said that Siddiqui wanted that no other leader of his community should remain in the party hence he managed their ouster.

He also accused Siddiqui of misguiding Mayawati to damage the party in the state and strongly condemned Siddiqui's act of recording the conversation with the party's leadership, and said that such shameful act deserved him the punishment which he received from Mayawati.

Other prominent Muslim leaders who have returned to the party recently are former minister Anis Khan alias Phool Babu and former MLA from Pihani (now Sadabad) Asif alias Babu Khan.

Similarly, the party has also brought back its prominent leader in the Bundelkhand region, Daddu Prasad re-inducting him into the party fold. A close associate of BSP founder Kanshiram and a former minister, Daddu had turned rebel against Mayawati accusing her of selling tickets to candidates. He was later expelled from the party.

Prasad also got associated with another rebel BSP leader Swami Prasad Maurya who revolted against Mayawati in June last year, accusing her of selling tickets to the candidates.

Former MPs Eshan Singh and Reena Chaudhary and former minister Maya Prasad have also returned to the party fold along with their supporters.

The BSP had not fought the urban body polls on party symbol after 1995. BSP chief Mayawati has already underlined the need to work with renewed vigour and missionary zeal through a new strategy to deal with new challenges before the BSP movement.

"Although the BSP movement is on a solid footing in the state but ever since the Assembly poll results which have not been in keeping with our hopes and preparations, casteist and communal forces are upbeat and are spreading rumours to demoralise our party workers," the BSP chief had told her cadres in a recent meeting.
Yogi Adityanath's Mordabad visit was marred by the spat between the local BJP MLA and the organisers of the event, just hours ahead of the chief minister's visit.

According to a report in Hindustan, BJP MLA from the region Sarvesh Singh lost his cool when he found some lag in the arrangements of a programme being organised to welcome the chief minister in the area.

The report states that the MLA, furious over the delay in preparations, chased the organisers and beat them up. The programme managers have registered a complaint against the MLA and threatened to commit suicide in front of the police station if apt action was not taken against the MLA.

The MLA, meanwhile, has said that he had only pulled up the managers responsible to oversee the preparations because they were not prepared even until late evening, a day before the chief minister's visit.

The local administration has said that the mater is under investigation, the newspaper reported.

Yogi Adityanath is visiting Moradabad on Sunday, where he is scheduled to address a rally and distribute equipment for people with disabilities, according to News 18. This event is scheduled to happen in Singh's village. The chief minister will also review the law and order and implementation policy decisions with the local administration. He will also visit the neighbouring town of Bareilly.
Chandigarh: BJP chief Amit Shah observed on Saturday that political parties whose internal democracy is not intact can never contribute towards making the country's democracy stronger.

"It is only in the BJP that a worker who used to paste posters today became the national president of party on the basis of his hard work and merit. It can never happen in any other party except BJP," Shah said, while addressing a gathering of intellectuals here.

"Parties who do not have internal democracy can never make the nation's democracy stronger. It is internal democracy of our party wherein the son of a tea seller became the prime minister of the country and is now leading the nation," he said, adding that, "this is why the BJP is growing day by day".

He also took a dig at other political parties where internal democracy was almost finished. "All other parties, I do not want to take names, be it in Punjab, Maharashtra, Bihar  all these parties have lost internal democracy one by one," he claimed.

He said that in order to make the country's democracy stronger, running a party democratically was the first and foremost condition. Shah said the BJP has internal democracy and it holds elections at booth and presidential level every three years.

"Every worker gets a chance to move forward. Our organisation gives a platform to a worker to perform. The party gives a platform to contribute for the betterment of the nation. That is why there is no deficiency of leadership in the BJP," he noted.

He said the BJP surged ahead through struggle and never faced division. Shah hit out at the Congress while accusing it of lacking any principles and remaining limited around dynastic politics.

"Today, I wanted to ask what are the principles of the Congress. The principles of the BJP are very clear. We want to take the country forward with a principle of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas," he said. "What are the principals of Congress? When the Congress

was formed, it slowly became the platform of freedom. All kinds of people like leftists, rightists, who wanted to fight for freedom joined the Congress," he said.

Congress was not a party. It was a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to get freedom, Shah claimed. He said that after India got freedom, (Mahatma) Gandhiji had said it (Congress) should be disintegrated as its work had completed. "But it was not disintegrated... the Congress slowly remained limited around dynasty," he alleged.

The BJP at present has emerged as the single largest party in the world with a strength of over 11 crore members, he said.
Did O Panneerselvam's team inadvertently let the cat out of the bag regarding the character of his faction's relationship with the BJP, in just 140 characters? It would seem so as his twitter handle @OfficeOfOPS said, "We will take a decision on alliance with BJP once local body elections are announced."

The update came following Panneerselvam's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, and it was obvious that much was read into it.

Realising the BJP's back seat driving was meant to be a secret, nevermind if it was the worst kept secret this side of the Vindhyas, the tweet was deleted in double quick time. A clarification was issued that the decision on a poll partner will be taken only after the local body elections are announced.

With Jayalalithaa at the helm, AIADMK was seen as a party forever in the "En vazhi, thanee vazhi" (my path is my own) mode. Not any more. Their leader's demise, the split in the party, the Income Tax raids have all reduced the once powerful regional outfit to a nervous wreck.

In fact, before 5 December, 2016, when Jayalalithaa passed away, it would have been a near impossibility to consider the BJP as an important player in Tamil Nadu politics. But now, without having a single MLA in the state Assembly and only one MP  Union minister of state Pon Radhakrishnan  and a miniscule 2.8 percent of the voteshare in the 2016 Assembly elections, BJP has still become one of the main political players in Chennai.

It suggests that in the post-Jayalalithaa era, Chennai has surrendered to the might of New Delhi.

It is not usual for Union ministers to review central schemes at a state secretariat, but that is precisely what Venkaiah Naidu did at the Tamil Nadu secretariat after inaugurating a new stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail on 14 May. With merger talks between the two factions not going anywhere, the meeting provided the optics of a new relationship being possibly worked out, with sources affirming that the BJP is not shutting the door on the Edappadi Palaniswami faction completely.

In the past few weeks, prominent leaders and non-politicians from western Tamil Nadu have tried to build bridges between the EPS camp and the BJP. Palaniswami hails from the Kongu belt, and he seems to have tapped his connections in and around Coimbatore to reach out to Delhi. Though BJP leaders dismiss Naidu's secretariat rendezvous as a one-off, sources say the back channel talks have borne fruit.

The powers-that-be in Delhi had calculated that a combined AIADMK in alliance with the BJP will be a potent force to take on DMK-Congress. But it had not factored in the bad blood between leaders of the two camps, and conditions imposed by the OPS camp is not making matters easy.

It also has got to do with what each faction perceives itself to be. While the OPS camp talks of "dharma yudh" and about how the cadre is with it, the EPS camp has the real numbers to stay in government. Which is why Palaniswami, unwilling to give up the chief minister's chair that OPS reportedly wants, has repeatedly asked those "who lost their path and strayed" to come back.

The underlying message is it is Panneerselvam who left and should return, and that the bigger legislature party cannot be expected to merge with the smaller one.

Also, with both VK Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran out of the picture, having been lodged in jails in Bengaluru and New Delhi respectively, the EPS camp argues there is no reason why the Panneerselvam camp should be seen as the cleaner one anymore.

Into the mix has stepped in Rajinikanth, another possible politician in the making, with whom the BJP would like to do business. An ideal front, those in the know say, is AIADMK + BJP + Rajinikanth, with the actor projected as the face of the alliance. But this is easier said than done, given that professional politicians who have been in the business for long, are highly unlikely to make way for a political novice. Unless Rajinikanth does a Pawan Kalyan, who only campaigned for the BJP + TDP front in Andhra Pradesh in 2014 without contesting himself.

Also, Rajini's comments while addressing his fans have not gone down too well with the AIADMK. Municipal administration minister SP Velumani asked the actor to first be a man of his word before venturing on a fault-finding mission.

Rajinikanth came in for criticism for not standing up for Sathyaraj when his Baahubali got into trouble in Karnataka, because the actor who played Kattappa in the magnum opus had made anti-Karnataka comments over Cauvery nine years ago.

Tamil Nadu politics continues to be tied up in knots, but the immediate priority for the BJP is to ensure that the entire set of AIADMK votes come into the NDA kitty in the presidential and vice-presidential elections. There is unlikely to be any move to clear the mess before the next occupant of Raisina Hill is decided.
Bengaluru: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said he was not aware of any possible meeting between actor Rajinikanth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Rajinikanth is a great actor. Modi is a great leader. If he wants to meet the prime minister, there is no problem", Naidu told reporters in Bengaluru.

He pitched for the AIADMK ending factionalism to provide a stable government in Tamil Nadu to fulfil the promises of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Centre wants factionalism in AIADMK to be sorted out to ensure a stable government to fulfil the promises made by Jayalalithaa to the Tamil Nadu people, he said.

The Centre would not interfere in the internal matters of AIADMK, but only wished for a stable government in Tamil Nadu, Naidu said.

He said the BJP had not made any choice between O Panneerselvam and E Palaniswamy. "We have no preference," he said.
Mumbai: Opposition parties Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday objected the Maharashtra government's decision to celebrate 1 July as the State Voters' Day. It was aimed at belittling the significance of former chief minister Vasantrao Naik's birth anniversary celebrated on the same day.

Naik's birth anniversary is celebrated as the Agriculture Day and the week as Agriculture Week in Maharashtra. The late leader is regarded as the father of the Green Revolution in the state. He was the chief minister from 1963 to 1975.

Responding to the opposition parties' objections, leader of the House Chandrakant Patil said the government had a role in fixing 1 July as the State Voters' Day, as it has been decided by the State Election Commission (SEC). He said the government would request the poll panel to withdraw the decision.

Raising the issue in the council, the leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde said that a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the state's general administration department said 1 July would be celebrated as the voters' day in the state.

"Why only 1 July and not 2 July or any other day? This shows that the government is trying to belittle the significance of former CM Vasantrao Naik," Munde said.

Congress member Haribhau Rathod argued that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had already fixed 25 January as the National Voters' Day.

He produced a copy of the ECI order in the House and suggested that either some other day should be fixed as the State Voters' Day or it should be celebrated on 25 January as per the ECI's instructions.

Chandrakant Patil, while replying to the point of propriety, said that the government had no role in the matter as the SEC had decided the date.

"The government has no intention to insult Naik. The birth anniversary of Vasantrao Naik and the Agriculture Week will be celebrated as usual and there will be no change. We can just write to the State Commission, but cannot instruct it to change the date," said Patil.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking to restrain those defeated in Lok Sabha elections from contesting the Rajya Sabha polls.

The petitioner submitted that his repeated requests made to the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Election Commission under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking to know what actions have been taken in this regard did not elicit any response.

He also sought the court's direction to restrain candidates defeated in the Lok Sabha elections from contesting the Rajya Sabha polls.

A bench of acting chief justice Gita Mittal and justice C Hari Shankar said that the petitioner had an alternative, equally effective remedy available to him, which he had not availed and therefore, the petition could not be entertained.

"This writ petition is dismissed with liberty to the petitioner to invoke an appropriate remedy of appeal available to him under the Right to Information (RTI) Act," it added. The bench further said that in case, the petitioner was aggrieved by the decision taken by the appellate tribunal under the RTI, it would be open for him to assail it by way of appropriate legal proceedings before this court.

The petitioner, Satya Narayan Prasad, who claimed to be a social activist, had moved the court saying that India being a democratic country and the people being supreme in electing its leaders, "it is a misfortune that politicians who are defeated in the general elections are nominated to the Upper House".

Seeking a direction to the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Election Commission of India (ECI), the petitioner had said, "Any candidate who contested Lok Sabha election and has been defeated, he be declared disqualified for being a Member of Parliament (MP)".

"Such candidates cannot be nominated or allowed to contest in Rajya Sabha election," the plea had said, adding that this was "against the fundamental principle of democracy, wherein mandate/votes on Indian citizen is supreme".

Pleading for special rules and provisions to ban the leaders who have lost in Lok Sabha polls from contesting in Rajya Sabha election, the 51-year-old petitioner said that action be taken against the authorities concerned who have "wrongly nominated such disqualified candidates for membership in Parliament".

He said that no reply had been given by the ministry and the poll panel even after repeated attempts were made by him to know why an ordinance would not be passed to prevent such candidates from being nominated to the Upper House.

While candidates are elected to the Lok Sabha directly by the people, members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of state Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
Chandigarh: Former Congress MP Arvind Sharma praised the Narendra Modi and Manohar Lal Khattar governments, thus triggering speculation of him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sharma was seen sharing the dais with Haryana education minister Ram Bilas Sharma at an event in Karnal on Saturday.

"The Modi government, which is completing three years at the Centre, is doing well and the people are happy with it. The Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, is also an honest man working towards taking the state on the development path," he said.

Sharma had quit Congress before the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls to join Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP), which named him as its chief ministerial candidate. However, the BSP managed to win only one seat in the 90-member assembly with Sharma exiting the party last year.

The former Congress leader on Saturday shared the stage with the education minister at a programme to mark "Parshuram Jayanti".

"I was presiding over the function, and nearly 25,000 people turned up for it," Sharma told PTI over the phone on Sunday.

He said he will help organise an even bigger function in Karnal next month with top BJP leaders likely to attend it.

On speculation of him joining the BJP, Sharma said, "I am independent at the moment and not attached to any political party. I will consult my workers and take their opinion about my future course of action."

Calling his joining the BSP a "hasty move", he said many of his workers and supporters felt that they were not consulted in his.

Giving ample indications that he would join the BJP, Sharma said, "The entire system was in crumbles when the BJP came to power. It took them time to set it right. The overwhelming majority that it got in states like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand shows people have faith in them."

He also said the Modi government had brought a number of schemes for the welfare of the common people.

On Khattar, he said, "The chief minister is an honest person, but needs to focus more on the GT Road. If the BJP wants to win again, it has to concentrate on (creating) jobs and (bringing) development in this belt."

Interestingly, the Haryana chief minister is a first-time legislator from Karnal, the region from where Sharma was a Member of Parliament.

"Prior to Khattar, Haryana had chief ministers from Rohtak, Sirsa, Bhiwani and Hisar, but there has always been a demand for one from the GT road area.

"When the BJP came to power, they understood this sentiment and made Khattar the chief minister, even though the BJP had contested the polls under Ram Bilas Sharma's leadership," he said.

"The Haryana chief minister is a well educated and an honest man. His government aptly handled this year's Jat agitation for reservation, which had turned violent in 2016," Sharma said.

"Even Ram Bilas Sharma played a good role, and peace and brotherhood was maintained. Jat leaders also understood that the government has the right intent. It created trust among people," he said.

Sharma said when he was the Karnal MP, he had got an airport sanctioned from there in 2013. "I appeal the Khattar government that they must get this project for Karnal at the earliest as it has already been sanctioned," he said.
Ahmedabad: Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela may have publicly asserted he is not in the race to be the next Gujarat chief minister and will remain in the party, but an air of uncertainty looms around him and his next move.

Vaghela recently 'unfollowed' Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and some other colleagues on Twitter, triggering speculation in political circles that he may leave the main Opposition party and join the BJP, his former outfit.

However, the former chief minister later scotched rumours about quitting the Congress and returning to the saffron fold. He claimed his act of "unfollowing" Congress leaders on the popular networking site was aimed at preventing "spread of false messages and speculation" about him.

The Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly said he will remain inactive on social media till the state polls, due by the year-end, are over.

There has been a demand by a section of state Congress to declare Vaghela as the chief ministerial candidate. Posters were also put up in various cities in the state demanding the party veteran be projected as the CM face.

The repeated demand from Vaghela's supporters did not cut ice with the party high command which made it clear that it will not name anyone for the top post before the polls.

Sources close to the Vaghela group said their leader is a "great survivor" and has managed to remain a key figure in Gujarat politics after dissociating himself from the RSS-BJP combine which has deep roots in the Western state.

Vaghela quit the BJP in 1995, but managed to survive and today he is arguably the tallest Congress leader in Gujarat, they said.

For the 77-year-old Rajput strongman, the forthcoming state elections might be the last chance to aim at the coveted chief ministerial post.

The BJP lacks a credible leader in the state after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah left Gujarat to play bigger roles at the national level, the sources said.

This has made the Gujarat polls interesting and given a hope to the Congress, once a dominant force in the state, tomake a serious bid to come to power in Modi's home state after over two decades, they said.

Vaghela met Shah, an MLA from Gujarat, a couple of months back, setting tongues wagging and fuelling talks of him preparing the ground to return to the BJP.

There were also rumours that Vaghela's son Mahendrasinh, a Congress MLA, may switch over to the saffron outfit along with his loyalists.

However, party sources said the Congress high command is firm on not declaring a chief ministerial candidate and this has left Vaghela, currently abroad, with limited options.

"He has to accept Congress high command's decision or else leave the party," a Congress leader maintained.

State Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki has, however, said there are no differences in the Gujarat unit and that he and Vaghela will fight the elections together.

The last word on the Congress veteran is yet to be said and the political drama in the party is likely to continue in the election year after Vaghela returns to Gujarat on 23 May.
Ahmedabad: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Gujarat, Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and 50 of his supporters got their heads tonsured, alleging "atrocities" against their community by the BJP government, and launched a 'march for justice'.

Hardik and 50 members of his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) got their heads shaved as a mark of protest at Lathidad village. Thereafter, they embarked on 'Nyay Yatra' from Botad district, about 155 kilometres from Ahmedabad, to highlight their demands, including inclusion in the OBC category for reservation.

"Along with the 50 PAAS members, I decided to get our heads shaved to highlight the atrocities committed by this government on our community in the last two years. Now, we are embarking on the Nyay Yatra to seek justice," Hardik told reporters.

The march, which commenced from Botad, would pass through around 50 villages and end in neighbouring Bhavnagar city. A few days ago, Hardik had announced restarting of the quota stir in Gujarat and said his main goal was to defeat the ruling BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls.

The 23-year-old quota leader had accused the state government of dilly-dallying on the issue of reservation to Patel community and warned that the ruling party would face consequences in the Assembly polls if it did come up with a definitive plan on the issue at the earliest.

Hardik's move came ahead of Modi's scheduled two-day visit to his home state from Monday. The prime minister is slated to attend the annual general meeting of African Development Bank and other programmes.
A fresh controversy erupted in Karnataka after state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa was found to have eaten idli and vadas at a Dalit's home, which were incidentally prepared in a hotel, triggering allegations of him practicing untouchability, The Times of India reported.

According to the report, on 18 May, the ex-chief minister, along with senior leaders KS Eswarappa, Ananth Kumar and others, had visited a house of a Dalit in Tumkuru to have breakfast.

However, the idli and vadas were apparently brought from a nearby hotel and were not home-cooked. A complaint was then filed by D Venkatesh of Mandya against the leaders on charges of practicing untouchability.

However, the party was quick to respond to allegations.

"As Yeddyurappa liked idli and vada, it was brought from a hotel. He also ate pulav that was prepared at the Dalits home, state media in-charge Dagge Shivaprakash told The New Indian Express.

Another BJP leader denied the charge that the top leaders eat hotel-made idlis and vadas.

They ate what was prepared by the Dalits, party leader Halanuru Lepkash told the publication.

"The complaint is politically motivated and lodged by those who have been shaken by the Dalit outreach programme. Their frustration is palpable," a party spokesperson was quoted by The Times of India as saying.

The report stated that the state unit also released a video to dismiss any claim of wrongdoing by the top brass of the party.

In the video, Hanumanthaiah, the host, is heard as claiming that the idlis had to be brought from hotel as there were more people, who came along with Yeddyurappa.

Nevertheless, the ruling Congress as well as the Janata Dal (Secular) hit back at Yeddyurappa alleging him of discriminating with the scheduled castes.
New Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said the problem in Jammu and Kashmir was not widespread but centered around just "three and a half districts" in the valley.

Addressing an Aaj Tak Editors Round-Table on prime minister Narendra Modi's completion of three years in office, Shah said the BJP government was making every effort to bring peace to Kashmir Valley, which has been on the boil for the past many weeks.

"The problem in Kashmir is a problem of three and a half districts," Shah said, apparently referring to two south Kashmir districts and Srinagar where violent anti-government protests have been rampant.

The situation has worsened due to protests by college and school students in Srinagar and parts of south Kashmir.

Shah said the Kashmir issue was not just six months old but has been lingering on since decades. He blamed the previous Congress government for causing the problem but didn't elaborate.

"(The) Kashmir problem emerged because of the Congress. We (the Modi government) have been taking steps to win hearts (of Kashmiris)," he said.

Shah recalled how Modi reached Kashmir "before the (then) chief minister" Omar Abdullah reached out to people when a disastrous flood hit the valley in September 2014.

The BJP chief said the security forces were maintaining strict vigil on the situation in the state and checking cross-border infiltration of militants from Pakistan.

He said the Modi government had "made more efforts to improve relationships with Pakistan than any other government".
New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday revealed how the BJP turned its defeat into victory in Goa by working throughout the night to garner the required numbers for forming the government and agreeing to make the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar the chief minister. He added that while the Congress was sleeping, his party worked all night in order to form the government.

At the same time, he strongly refuted any charges of horse-trading during the hectic overnight parleys. BJP, which won 13 seats in the recently held Goa election, managed to form the government even though the Congress had emerged as the single largest party with 17 seats.

"I am not a person who does political deals. I am a mard and do everything openly. I did not carry any money to anyone in Goa. I don't do such things. I fight and get things done," the senior BJP leader and Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister said at the India Today Editors Roundtable. He was replying to allegations that it was money power that ensured required numbers for BJP in Goa.

Speaking on the developments on the night before BJP staked claim to form the government, Gadkari said he informed BJP President Amit Shah that the party had lost Goa and should concede defeat. However, Shah asked him to devise a strategy as he had already announced that BJP was going to form the government in Goa. Gadkari said he was asked by Shah to go to Goa right away

after a meeting with him. "I came back home, took my clothes and left for Goa," he said.

In Goa, Gadkari said an apparently angry Sudin Dhavalikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) came to meet him at the Taj hotel in Panaji and shared some issues which could not be disclosed on the platform but agreed to form an alliance with the BJP on the condition that he be given a ministerial berth. Gadkari said with Dhavalikar's support, BJPs strength went to 16 and then he was approached by Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP).

"He has been a Congress man for his entire life. But he was being tortured by the Congress for past five years. We had got Dinesh Singh, who is a wrestler from Uttar Pradesh, and is a friend of Sardesai. He convinced Sardesai," Gadkari said. The senior minister said Sardesai, along with a ministerial berth, wanted Manohar Parrikar to be made the chief minister. "It was around 2.45 am when I called up party president Amit Shah. I told him that they want Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister. Amit Shah asked if Parrikar is ready.

"I had asked Parrikar, he said he would do whatever party asked (him) to do. But, my reading of his mind was that he was more than happy to return to Goa. I told the same to Amit Shah," he said.

Gadkari said Shah promised to get back to him by 8 am as he would not call up the prime minister at that hour and later called back in the affirmative. He said the parliamentary board was also ready. Gadkari also took a dig at the Congress, saying, "Congress leaders told me you did a wrong thing in Goa. But I told them that your leader was sleeping while we were working."

Queried about Maharashtra politics of Shiv Sena, he said Sena leaders should be asked about it. In reply to another question on whether he would like to return to Maharashtra politics, the minister said, Hundred percent I will not go to Maharashtra now. Earlier, I did not want to come to Delhi but I don't want to return now as I have much to do and complete the dreams of a sound infrastructure for the country."
"What the Congress government did not do for you in 15 years, we will do in just 15 months," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in Imphal, while addressing a mammoth rally ahead of the 2017 Manipur Assembly election.

It was always going to be a tough promise to keep. For by then, Manipur was already cut off deeply from different sides by decades-long ethnic tension and conflict among the Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis who are the major constituents of the state's population.

Economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council was hindering the flow of food and necessary goods to the valleys of the state where the Meiteis dwelled, and it was running into its fifth month.

The pain of losing nine young men to police and civilian clashes was also still poignant in the hills. Their bodies weren't buried for nearly two years, as the people, caught up in emotional fervour, vowed not to bid farewell to their mortal remains until the cause for which they had laid their lives was fulfilled.

The task of fulfilling all these promises was handed over to chief minister Nongthongbam Biren Singh, who heads the first BJP-led government in Manipur. In his first ever interview with any national mediam Biren Singh speaks of the challenges ahead, and how he plans to heal the bleeding wounds of Manipur.

The Framework of agreement, that was signed between the government of India and the insurgent group NSCN(IM) to continue the peace process has been the issue around which the present politics of Manipur revolves. But there's still palpable fear among the people of the state that the Centre has compromised the territorial integrity of the state in the secret 'Framework of Agreement'. How do you think the people will react to it, when the government decides to spill the beans?

The Naga peace process is no more a reason to fear for the Manipuris. Their main fears were over questions of the state's territorial integrity. The NSCN(IM) has long been demanding that Naga inhabitated areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh should be merged to create a greater Nagalim. But Prime Minister Naredra Modi has already assured people of Manipur that territorial disintegration of the state won't happen at any cost.

BJP national president Amit Shah has also assured us of the same. The central government has given assurances to NSCN(IM) to get them to attend talks, but they are definitely not related to Manipur's territorial integration. The government is working keeping in mind the issues of all sections of people. I have complete trust in our leaders.

But the NSCN(IM) has repeatedly been claiming that the government agreed to their demand for Nagalim?

That is their demand. NSCN(IM) has every right to state what they want. But it's the government of India and the government of Manipur that will actually decide whether the area in question will be given to them or not. We will not do that, since Nagas and Meiteis are brothers, and all of us will stay together.

Religion and ethnicity cannot be the basis of formation any political boundary. That way Kashmir should have been with Pakistan and West Bengal with Bangladesh. Meiteis and Tangkhul Nagas have been staying together for time immemorial. We have been bounded together by history. The very fact that there were no Tangkhul Nagas in Nagaland until before some of them shifted to that state during the movement period, stands as evidence that they historically belong to Manipur and not Nagaland. One should remember that Rishan Kaising, a Naga leader, was Manipur's longest serving chief minister.

But will they agree? We can see economic blockades are imposed by Naga groups at the slightest provocation.

Only a few Nagas who have guns with them are demanding disintegration of Manipur. But I will not blame them, as there are also reasons as to why they have revolted. Meiteis, who have been following the path of conservative Hinduism, had traditions that amount to untouchability. These traditions hurt their sentiments. Even today there are some people who are following these old traditions, which date back to the time we had monarchy in Manipur.

We understand their pain and we have tried to persuade them that it was monarchy that made Meiteis behave that way and they should not be angry with us. In reality, the eiteis and Nagas are brothers by blood; we are one. Today's generation don't follow those archaic norms anymore. I believe that they will agree.

Your government has been seen making conscious efforts to bring the Meiteis who live in the plains and the Nagas and the Kukis who dwell in the hills closer. How have these efforts paid off?

People say that development is the only condition for social harmony. But in my view exchange of views and mutual trust is also equally important. This effort was missing from the earlier government. Meiteis are the bigger community in the state and therefore have the responsibility of an elder brother. The present situation demands more from the Meiteis. We have to forgive small mistakes in the larger interest of the state.

Soon after assuming office, my target was to persuade the leaders of the United Naga Council to lift the five-month-long economic blockade, as it was our pre-election assurance. I assured them that talks on the issues they have been struggling for will go on. I told them that issues will always exist, but as a society, we can't remain immersed in these issues. We have to move on for a better future for our next generation. I have assured them that I will do whatever I can for them within the limits set by the Constitution. They expressed their trust in me, and lifted the blockade after I assured them the jailed UNC leader will be released. It was major success for us, because by then almost all the efforts to lift the ban had failed for various reasons.

My next target is to establish markets run by women in every hill district of Manipur in the first 100 days of my government. The five-centuries-old 'Ema Market' in Imphal, which is also run by women will be the model for these markets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allotted an amount of Rs 150 crores for this project. I hope equality in development is necessary to create emotional attachment.

These efforts have evidently borne fruit. When I went to Ukhrul, a Naga-dominated district and also the birth place of Muivah, I was overwhelmed to see a gigantic crowd come to greet me. I saw that the people had trust in me, and I stepped out of my security cover to speak with them. This moved them too. It was an unprecedented turnout for a chief minister of Manipur who is Meitei by birth. Such an emotional fervor never touched us earlier. Now I can see many plain-dwellers going to the hills without any fear or doubt. Situations are changing fast.

In the Kuki dominated hills of Manipur, people have been preserving the dead bodies of nine young men who were killed in police firing since over 600 days as a part of their struggle for a separate state. Is this situation not keeping the flame of tension burning in the state?

This is one of the examples that makes the apathy of the earlier regime evident. As per law, no dead body can be preserved for more than 48 hours. But the nine persons in question died in 2015 in police firing during an agitation. It was the responsibility of the state to convince the people to observe the last rites of the dead. But it was not done, as if there was no government at all!

The nine persons died when a law and order situation erupted in the hill district of Churachandpur, due to a misunderstanding that people of the valleys want to drive away the hill dwellers, and this came about due to three bills that were passed in the Manipur Assembly in 2015. The people refused to bury the dead till their demand was met. My next responsibility is to persuade the people to conduct a burial.

The Centre has proposed to amend the Citizenship Act to allow religious minorities living in neighboring countries to take citizenship in India. Many northeastern states have opposed this amendment, as it would lead to a further influx of migrants to the region from Bangladesh. In Manipur, resistance movements against this bill were seen in recent times.

I think the Centre will consider protecting the socio-cultural identity of the people of Manipur. Even the Constitution of India allows such provisions for safeguarding the interests of the societies who are linguistic minorities and are minorities in terms of population. Modiji understands all the issues and I have trust that he will consider this aspect before taking any decision in this direction.

BJP has assured the people of Manipur to provide them with a system like the Inner Line Permit. This will deny people from other parts of India the right to settle in Manipur.

Manipur's hills are already protected by such a law. No outsider can buy land there. Hills form 92 percent of Manipur's land area; the remaining 8 percent are plains. The people in the valleys fear a rampant influx of people, that would mean their own cultural existence would be extinct. Influx from Myanmar and Bangladesh has happened in Manipur. So we feel that an act is needed to prevent unabated migration. The bill only regulate further influx; it will not have retrospective effect, ie the people who already have migrated from other parts of India to Manipur will continue to stay here. We will abide by all constitutional norms while drafting it.
Idukki: Kerala kick-started its ambitious programme of handing over title-deeds to around 5,500 persons of the high range Idukki district on Sunday.

Speaking at the function to distribute the 'pattayams' (title deeds) at Kattapana, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said there was a conscious effort to portray settlers who have been living in the high ranges for decades, as encroachers.

But the state government has the "political will" to protect their land and interests, he said.

Vijayan, however, made it clear that stringent measures would be taken to reclaim government lands from encroachers.

Steps would be taken to distribute title deeds to all deserving persons here in the next two years, he said. "This government does not see settlers as encroachers. There is a conscious effort to depict settlers as encroachers and to create an impression that they are in deep trouble," Vijayan said.

"But, there is no need for settlers to worry. The government will protect their interests completely. At the same time, no mercy will be shown in evicting enroachers," he said.

Stating that the high range settlers and farmers who had fought several odds for their existence, deserve special consideration, the chief minister said the CPM-led LDF government would do nothing to persecute them.

The government has the political-will to protect their land and interest, he said.

The possession of some two cents of land by workers to build a hut cannot be equated with the large scale encroachments made by outsiders here with commercial motive, Vijayan said.

The chief minister's statements assume significance in view of the recent anti-eviction drive launched by the revenue officials which came to a halt after a 30 foot metal cross in an

alleged encroached land was pulled down triggering a widespread controversy.

Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan and Power Minister MM Mani were among those who participated in the function.

The distribution of title deeds was part of the LDF government's first anniversary celebrations.
Coimbatore: Top national level and state level Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders will take part in rallies in Tamil Nadu from 26 May to celebrate the completion of three years of the Narendra Modi government, state president Tamilisai Soundarajan said on Sunday.

"The major achievements of the government will be highlighted during the rallies, in which top national and state-level party leaders and union ministers will participate," she told reporters in Coimbatore.

Referring to the increasing number of protests by the public against the relocation of the state-run TASMAC liquor shops to residential areas, she said the BJP would take out a procession, mostly comprising women, to Fort St George, the seat of power in Chennai, on 16 June.

Asked about superstar Rajinikanth throwing hints at his entry into politics, she said it was wrong for anyone to say BJP would gain strength if he does, "as the party is already a force to reckon with in Tamil Nadu."

She said the factional feud in AIADMK should not delay the civil body polls, which should be conducted at the earliest.

She accused DMK MP Kanimozhi of spreading wrong information on NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test), saying students in Tamil Nadu would gain as the government had increased the reservations from 50 to 80 percent.

Kanimozhi had on 18 May said it was wrong to change the education system to suit NEET and instead the state government should focus on upgrading the present uniform syllabus.

She said the government had failed to upgrade the syllabus and was unnecessarily trying to change it, keeping NEET in mind.

Asked about Karti Chidambaram, under CBI investigation for an alleged bribery and corruption case, leaving for London on 18 May, she said, "It is for Congress and P Chidambaram (former union finance minister and Karti's father) to explain about it."
Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday urged the Election Commission to bar the prime minister and the chief ministers from holding poll campaign rallies to ensure a level playing field for various political parties.

"The prime minister and chief ministers make all kinds of announcements while holding election rallies. When the party in power makes promises, it weighs heavy on the minds of people compared to the assurances given by the leaders of other political parties," Thackeray said, addressing a rally here in the run up to Panvel Municipal Corporation polls.

Thackeray accused the functionaries of ruling parties not meeting their poll promises later.

He said while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a package of Rs 6,500 crore for Kalyan-Dombivali municipal corporation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar, not a rupee was given after the elections.

He said after India's surgical strike against Pakistan, the nation has conducted several strikes on Indian territory.

"There is fresh news now that another Indian has been arrested... again false cases will be filed and he will be hanged. Why is Pakistan not scared of you?" he questioned.

The prime minister should be thinking how to make the nation stronger rather than strengthening his party and similarly, the chief minister, instead of going to every nook and corner for holding rallies, should be mulling ways to improve farmers' plight and the law and order situation of the state, Thackeray said.

Taking a dig at the Election Commission for challenging political parties to hack their EVMs, Thackeray said if parties had the intelligence to hack EVMs, they would not hold election campaigns.

"This is like somebody goes to the police to complain of theft in his house and police ask them to prove their house has been robbed. It is your duty to ensure EVMs are not tampered with and so you (the EC) should check your machines not us," he said.

Responding to the rumours of a mid-term poll in the state in wake of an internal survey predicting a two-third majority for the BJP, Thackeray said a survey should instead be done on the problems being faced by the people.

Thackeray said in Tamil Nadu bypoll after late chief minister Jayalalithaa's death, a BJP worker complained of money being distributed and the entire election got postponed.

"Here too we want this to happen... if anybody gets caught distributing money, polls should be postponed," he said.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that exploitation of farmers will not be tolerated, and officials who ignore their interests, will not be spared.

The chief minister, who was in Banda on Saturday, while reviewing the wheat purchase, directed the officials to ensure that the farmers' produce is procured at the minimum support price.

He also instructed the officials to complete the process of purchase of wheat from farmers by 15 June.

He was also of the view that the list of farmers be made available to public representatives, so that their exact status and condition could be ascertained.

Adityanath issued orders for construction of more check dams for water conservation in Bundelkhand  a drought-prone region  on a priority basis.

The chief minister also mentioned that an expressway will be constructed in Bundelkhand which will integrate the entire region with the growth path.

He also gave instructions to officials concerned to initiate an awareness campaign to make the region open defecation free by 31 December.

He told officials to send a proposal to the government to bring Hamirpur, Mahoba and Chitrakoot under the AMRUT scheme.

The chief minister also said the state government will act tough on all the criminal elements in the state, and initiate stringent action against those involved in illegal mining.
Havana: Cuban state television responded to a statement by US president Donald Trump on Saturday  railing against "cruel despotism" in the Caribbean country and advocating democracy  by calling it "ridiculous."

Trump's words came in a tribute on Cuban Independence Day, which marks victory against the Spanish colonial authorities 115 years ago, calling for economic freedoms and respect for human rights in Cuba.

"Cruel despotism cannot extinguish the flame of freedom in the hearts of Cubans, and...unjust persecution cannot tamper Cubans' dreams for their children to live free from oppression," he said in a statement.

Cuban television broadcast its response late in the evening, describing Trump as "the ill-advised US president" and his statement as "controversial and ridiculous."

"Even the US government itself is aware of the contradictory and clumsy pronouncements of the billionaire tycoon-turned-president on both foreign and domestic policy," it said.

The broadcast did not say whether the Cuban statement constituted an official response, nor did it directly address Trump's criticisms.

One-party communist Cuba has been ruled by President Raul Castro for 12 years since he took over from his ailing brother Fidel, the revolutionary leader who died in November having defied the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule.

Former US president Barack Obama presided over an opening toward Cuba that saw full diplomatic ties restored after decades, but Trump has threatened to roll back the historic rapprochement.

His statement came two weeks after the State Department said the White House would press Cuba on human rights progress, saying it was carrying out a "comprehensive policy review."

Castro, 85, has said that he will step aside in February 2018. It is not clear who will take his place next year.

Cuba officially became an independent nation on 20 May, 1902 after fighting a war of independence, backed by the United States, against Spain from 1895-1898.
Washington: A former campaign advisor to US president Donald Trump has been asked to testify before the House Intelligence Committee over accusations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections, the media reported on Sunday.

On Saturday, Michael Caputo, a campaign aide to Trump for much of the presidential primary, was asked to submit to a voluntary interview with the committee and provide any documents requested, The Guardian reported.

Caputo, who has close links with Roger Stone, Trump's long-time and highly controversial political advisor, worked in Russia in the 1990s.

Democratic congresswoman Jackie Speier had previously mentioned Caputo's name in a March hearing before the committee.

Caputo worked for Trump's campaign from November 2015 to June 2016 when he resigned after publicly gloating over the firing of former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

In the immediate aftermath of Lewandowski's termination, he tweeted: "Ding dong the witch is dead".

Ding dong the witch is dead! https://t.co/pSqQwmAGz1 pic.twitter.com/5dE7GMeEK6  That Michael Caputo (@MichaelRCaputo) June 20, 2016

Hours later, Caputo stepped down while expressing his regret for "too exuberant a reaction to this personnel move".

The request comes as Trump is facing increased scrutiny over allegations about his campaign's ties with Russia, reports the Guardian.

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Robert Mueller has been appointed as a special counsel this week to investigate Trump's campaign.

This comes just after James Comey agreed to testify before a Congressional committee in an open session about alleged Russian interference in the US presidential elections in 2016.

A date of this open hearing would be scheduled after the Memorial Day (29 May), the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said on Friday.

"The Committee looks forward to receiving testimony from the former (FBI) director on his role in the development of the Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections," senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Committee, said.

Comey's abrupt sacking by President Donald Trump triggered a political firestorm with an angry opposition calling for an appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the alleged Russian influence in the 2016 general elections.

With inputs from agencies
London: The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) held a protest against Pakistani "brutalities" in the restive Balochistan outside the Pakistan High Commission in London.

The protesters accused the army of the illegal abduction of Baloch women and unleashing bloodshed in the region.

"The protest rally was aimed at highlighting and exposing continuous Pakistani army brutalities and bloodshed in Balochistan before the world," BRP president of UK zone Mansoor Baloch said in the statement.

Apart from this, the illegal abduction of Baloch women from different parts of Balochistan including Dera Bugti and Bolan was highlighted, the statement said.

From the Pakistan mission, the group marched up to 10 Downing Street to stage a protest outside British Prime Minister Theresa Mays official residence.

"In past few days, Pakistani forces targeted civilian population and abducted dozens of Baloch during military operation in Dera Bugti, Kohistan Marri, and Kech," BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said in Geneva.

Bugti said that Pakistani forces used their full military might against and indiscriminately targeted Baloch civilians.

"Similarly, Pakistan army conducted offensive in different areas of Dasht, Kech and targeted civil populace, harassed and tortured women and children. The Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies abducted and took dozens of Baloch innocent civilians to an undisclosed location in Dashts Jam Mohammad, Zyarathi and other adjacent areas," he added.

The group has urged the international community to join in their protest against Pakistans action and condemn the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was against the will of the Baloch people.
Five young Bangladeshis accused of being Islamist militants surrendered to authorities on Sunday, an official said, after a lengthy siege that prompted questions about heavy-handed police tactics.

Elite counter-terror troops surrounded a one-storey house in the central district of Narsingdi on Saturday afternoon after a tip-off that Islamist extremists were holed up there.

The information came from militants arrested in April after a raid on an extremist hideout that left 10 people including a senior police officer dead, said Rapid Action Battalion spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan.

The five young men in Narsingdi had "surrendered peacefully, which was our main goal", after a siege that lasted more than 20 hours, he said.

But the incident raised questions about police tactics after one of the five alleged Islamists took to Facebook to profess his innocence, urging authorities not to storm the building.

"Attention journalists and law enforcers, we are innocent. Please search us if you can find anything. We are locked from outside. Please rescue us," Abuzafar Mia wrote on the social media website.

Suspected militants in Bangladesh  and sometimes their families  are often killed during police raids on so-called hideouts.

An estimated 70 extremists have been killed by police since July when authorities launched a crackdown in the wake of a cafe attack that left 22 dead.

"There are serious doubts about these counter-terrorism operations and the official narratives of these raids," said one rights activist, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Nur Khan Liton, another prominent activist, said the police version of events was always provided after raids but little questioning occurred beyond that.

"Most of the alleged militants get killed in the raids. Those who are arrested are not made available to talk publicly," he said, adding it was not always clear whether those killed were actually extremists.

RAB commander Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan said the accused would be released from custody if proven innocent.

"We've found some jihadi books and leaflets inside the residence. We'll interrogate them and if they are actually innocent, we'll definitely release them immediately," Hasan said.

Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of attacks in recent years, with scores of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and religious minorities killed.

The Islamic State group and Al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for a number of attacks but prime minister Sheikh Hasina has denied their involvement, blaming local outfits instead.
Riyadh: Washington announced a huge arms deal with Saudi Arabia and took aim at Iran on Saturday as president Donald Trump began a foreign tour looking to leave domestic troubles behind.

The $110 billion deal for Saudi purchases of US defence equipment and services came at the start of an eight-day trip that will also take Trump to Jerusalem, the Vatican and meetings with leaders in Europe.

Trump hailed a series of business deals reached during meetings in Riyadh, with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir saying they were worth more than $380 billion.

"That was a tremendous day. Tremendous investments in the United States," Trump said at talks with Saudi King Salman.

"Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on Twitter that the defence agreement was the "largest single arms deal in US history" and said other deals amounted to $250 billion in commercial investment.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the intent of the arms deal was to support Riyadh "in particular in the face of malign Iranian influence and Iranian-related threats which exist on Saudi Arabia's borders".

Tillerson also urged Hassan Rouhani, who won a resounding re-election victory on Saturday, to dismantle his country's "network of terrorism" and to end ballistic missile tests.

Sunni power Saudi Arabia and predominantly Shiite Iran are opposed in a range of regional conflicts including in Syria and in Saudi neighbour Yemen, where Riyadh is leading a military coalition battling Tehran-backed rebels.

Tillerson said the arms package "bolsters the kingdom's ability to provide for its own security and contributing to counter-terrorism operations throughout the region".

Harder line on Tehran

The harder line on Iran will be very welcome in Saudi Arabia and among its Arab Gulf allies, who saw Trump's predecessor Barack Obama as too soft on Tehran.

Trump had been assured a warm welcome in Riyadh, which is keen to rebuild ties with a major ally.

The president and first lady Melania Trump were greeted by King Salman as they disembarked at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday morning.

Trump and his wife, who dressed conservatively in black but did not cover her hair as Saudi women are required to do, walked side-by-side to the tarmac where they both shook hands with the 81-year-old king.

Trump in 2015 criticised then-first lady Michelle Obama for not wearing a headscarf during a visit to Saudi Arabia, saying on Twitter that her hosts had been "insulted".

Later, Trump joined in a traditional sword dance welcome ceremony ahead of a banquet at the Murabba Palace.

The mood in Riyadh was in sharp contrast to Washington where pressure is building after fresh claims over the Trump team's alleged links to Moscow.

It was announced late Friday that James Comey, the former FBI chief fired by Trump, had agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the US elections.

Reports also emerged that Trump had called Comey "a nut job" and that the FBI had identified a senior White House official as a "significant person of interest" in its probe of Russian meddling.

Major speech to Muslim leaders

After talks with senior Saudi officials on Saturday, Trump was to give a speech to dozens of Muslim leaders on Sunday. It has been touted as a major event  along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world given by Obama in Cairo in 2009.

It will be especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administration's attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and accusations of anti-Islamic rhetoric on the campaign trail.

While most US presidents make their first foreign trip to neighbouring Canada or Mexico, 70-year-old Trump has opted instead for the Middle East and Europe.

He travels to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Monday and Tuesday, and then to the Vatican and to Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings.

Avalanche of revelations

The avalanche of revelations in the run-up to his departure has eroded Trump's standing at home.

On Friday, a report by The Washington Post that the probe into his campaign's Russia ties had identified a "significant person of interest" in the White House undercut Trump's insistence his election bid had nothing to do with the Kremlin.

The White House was rocked by another bombshell when reports emerged that Trump said his firing of "nut job" Comey had relieved "great pressure" on him due to the investigation.

The scandals have revived questions about his ability to strike a presidential tone with his foreign counterparts.

The first leg of the trip was likely to be the easiest  Saudi leaders are keen to work with an administration they see as more in line with their goals.

The normally austere kingdom put on a major display for the visit, with Riyadh's streets lined with US and Saudi flags and billboards featuring Trump and King Salman.

The next leg in Israel could be more complicated, despite the history of warm ties between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The visit is already awash in controversy, from a row over Trump's planned visit to Jerusalem's Western Wall, the holiest prayer site for Jews, to his alleged disclosure of Israeli intelligence to Russian officials.

After meeting Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Trump will see Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Bethlehem, part of his efforts to revive the long-stagnant peace process.

On Tuesday Trump heads to Rome to meet with Pope Francis. The two men are at odds on everything from climate change to refugee policy, although the pontiff says he will give the US leader an open-minded hearing.

The president will then meet NATO members in Brussels and attend a G7 summit in the Sicilian town of Taormina.

These meetings  including with new French president Emmanuel Macron  will be closely watched for signs of whether Trump and traditional US allies in Europe can work together.
Riyadh: Even as his administration fights for its travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump is using the nation that is home to Islam's holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism.

Trump's speech, the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a "battle between good and evil" and urge Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.

Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words "radical Islamic terrorism" and criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for not doing so that phrase is not included in the draft.

The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as Trump is set to have individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before then participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.

The address also notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights  topics Arab leaders often view as US moralising in favor of the more limited goals of peace and stability.

"We are not here to lecture to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all," according to the copy of his speech.

Two different sources provided the AP with copies of the draft of his remarks, billed as a marquee speech of the trip. The White House confirmed the draft was authentic, but cautioned the president had not yet signed off on the final product and that changes could be made.

Trump may seem an unlikely messenger to deliver an olive branch to the Muslim world.

During his campaign, he mused, "I think Islam hates us." And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

White House officials have said they consider Trump's visit, and his keynote address, a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.
Riyadh: US President Donald Trump along with other male White House officials participated in a ceremonial sword dance in Saudi Arabia outside the Murabba Palace, the media reported.

Trump arrived in Riyadh accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday on a two-day trip, beginning his first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Video of the dance shows Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross dancing with swords perched on their shoulders as part of a line of men in traditional Saudi garb ahead of a state dinner, reports CNN.

Trump, surrounded by Saudi officials, bops back and forth with a smile on his face, while White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn appear more reserved in their moves.

The traditional men's sword dance is known as the 'ardah'.

The performance combines dance, drumming and chanting poetry, and it signifies the start of notable occasions like religious holidays or weddings.

Other world leaders have similarly participated in the ardah.

Britain's Prince Charles donned traditional robes and a sword as part of his tour of the Middle East in 2014, and former US President George W Bush in 2008 held a sword, CNN reported.

Ahead of the dinner, Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with nearly $110 billion to take effect immediately.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security "in the face of Iranian threats" and the "package demonstrates the US' commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region."

Trump also held meetings with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his government, including the powerful Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On Sunday, Trump will participate in a meeting with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as a summit with leaders and representatives from around 50 Middle Eastern and Islamic countries.

Parallel to these meetings, a forum for the fight against terror and extremism is to be held, sponsored by the Saudi-led anti-terror military coalition.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump is to urge the Islamic world to confront extremism in a highly anticipated speech Sunday to dozens of Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia.

Aides have said the speech, given in the cradle of Islam, will be "uplifting" but also "blunt" in its call for leaders of Muslim countries to take a stand against violent fundamentalism.

It comes on the second day of a visit to Saudi Arabia, part of an eight-day foreign tour  Trump's first since taking office  that will take him next to Israel and the Palestinian Territories and then to Europe.

The first day saw the announcement of hundreds of billions of dollars in trade deals  welcome news for Trump as he faces mounting troubles at home linked with the probe into alleged Russian meddling during last year's election campaign.

Among the agreements was an arms deal worth almost $110 billion with Saudi Arabia, described as the largest in US history, which US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said was aimed in particular at countering "malign Iranian influence".

The White House has sought to draw a clear distinction during the visit with Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, who Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Arab allies saw as lecturing and soft on their Shiite rival Iran.

Unlike the Obama administration which would often raise concerns over civil liberties with longstanding Arab allies, Trump has made no mention of human rights during his visit so far.

'Peaceful vision of Islam'

He is unlikely to do so in his speech, focusing instead on a centrepiece of his foreign policy: tackling jihadism and its disciples like the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.

"He will deliver an inspiring, direct speech on the need to confront radical ideology and the president's hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam," Trump's influential national security adviser, HR McMaster, said ahead of the visit.

"He'll talk about what unites us in uplifting terms," a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"But he'll also be very blunt in talking about the need to confront extremism and the fact that many in the Muslim world have not only not done enough, they've actively abetted this extremism, even as some of them have talked a good game on the surface but in quiet, continue to fund extremism."

The speech has been touted as a major event  along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world given by Obama in Cairo in 2009.

It will be especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administration's attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and accusations of anti-Islamic rhetoric.

In December 2015, Trump told a campaign rally he was calling for a "total shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on".

His words shocked many Americans, with Trump detractors noting that the US Constitution prohibits religious discrimination.

"I think Islam hates us. There is a tremendous hatred there. We have to get to the bottom of it," Trump said in a March 2016 interview with CNN.

'Tremendous day'

Still, Trump has been welcomed warmly in Saudi Arabia, where he and first lady Melania Trump were given an extravagant reception by King Salman and the rest of the Saudi royal family.

Trump was awarded the country's highest civilian honour, attended a series of banquets and receptions and bobbed up and down with dancers in a traditional sword dance welcome ceremony.

The trade deals announced on Saturday were said to be worth in excess of $380 billion and Trump proudly declared the first day of his visit "tremendous".

"That was a tremendous day. Tremendous investments in the United States," Trump said.

"Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

On Sunday he began a series of meetings with other Arab leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Bahrain's King Hamad.

Warm talks with 'friend' Sisi

The meeting with Sisi  an avowed fan of the president  was especially warm and Trump said he would "absolutely" be putting Egypt on his list of countries to visit "very soon".

Trump referred to Sisi as "my friend" at the start of the talks, adding: "We've really been through a lot together."

Sisi said that Trump was a "unique personality" and "capable of doing the impossible", to which Trump responded "I agree!"

In the meeting with King Hamad, Trump again made a clear break from previous US policy, which saw the Obama administration frequently scold its ally over rights concerns.

Trump told the king it was "a great honour to be with you" and mentioned that there "has been a little strain but there won't be strain with this administration".

Trump, who travels on Monday to Israel and the Palestinian territories before visiting the Vatican, Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings, is taking his first steps on the world stage as he faces increasing scandal at home.

The last week has seen a string of major developments in Trump's domestic woes, including the announcement that James Comey, the former FBI chief fired by Trump, has agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the US elections.

Reports have also emerged that Trump called Comey "a nut job" and that the FBI have identified a senior White House official as a "significant person of interest" in its probe of Russian meddling.
Jerusalem: US President Donald Trump heads for Israel and the Palestinian territories on 22 May as part of his first trip abroad since taking office, hoping to renew peace efforts but with controversy trailing him.

The American president arrives having already upturned expectations when it comes to the decades-old conflict in West Asia, giving Palestinians more hope than they may have anticipated and disappointing right-wing Israelis who heralded his election.

He has spoken of reaching "the toughest deal to make", one that has long bedevilled US presidents, vowing "we will get it done". But he is also contending with several problems back home, including a special counsel investigating whether his associates colluded with Russia.

Any leader would face an enormous challenge in seeking to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together for meaningful talks, and Trump's inexperience and domestic political struggles will only add to it.

Moreover, Israelis have criticised Trump in relation to the White House's approach to the ultra-sensitive status of Jerusalem. Concerns have also been raised over Trump's sharing of intelligence with Russia, which was said to have originally come from Israel.

"I think the trip's in a lot of jeopardy being able to be productive because of all the chaos and controversy that's going on in Washington," Dan Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel under Barack Obama and now a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Tel Aviv, told AFP.

Trump arrives in Israel on Monday afternoon following his visit to Saudi Arabia, where Washington announced a huge $110 billion arms deal with Riyadh, and will hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day in Jerusalem.

He is expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray. The religious site is located in east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed.

Israel sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

On Tuesday, Trump will visit Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. After a visit later Tuesday to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, Trump will deliver a speech at the Israel Museum.

Trump has sent mixed signals about how he will approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution when he met Netanyahu at the White House in February 2017.
US President Donald Trump told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday during talks in the Saudi capital that he would soon visit Egypt.

"We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," Trump said at the beginning of bilateral talks with Sisi, hours before the US president is scheduled to address an Arab Islamic American summit.

Trump praised US relations with Egypt, describing the talks with Sisi as "very very important".

"We've really been through a lot together positively," he said.

Trump said that "safety seems to be very strong" in Egypt, which has seen deadly bombings and attacks on Christian Copts and security forces in the past months.

Responding through an interpreter, Sisi said: "Egypt is secure and stable and is going very well with the cooperation of the United States.

"You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible," Sisi said, addressing Trump.

"I agree!" the billionaire president responded as everyone laughed.
US president Donald Trump made some sweeping promises during his historic campaign to win the 2016 election. He said that he would 'drain the swamp'  clean up Washington (which is believed to have been founded on top of a swamp). Today, this claim appears ridiculous because Trump does not appear to have any competence at all in governance or in politics. He was sold as a sort of genius. But his first months in office have shown him to be a clownish figure, who is vain, angry and unable to exercise minimum control over his administration.

This would not otherwise be visible, but Trump's insistence on daily tweeting has amplified his erratic behaviour. He offers his opinion incessantly and in a state of great excitement (he is fond of using exclamation marks), and so makes things difficult for those in charge of maintaining his image.

Here, Trump offers a contrast to prime minister Narendra Modi, who is also fond of using twitter, but does so differently from Trump.

Both men have 3 crore followers and both used social media to reach their voters directly because neither man trusts journalists. Trump believes that he is being treated unfairly, and that his genius is not recognised or appreciated by his opponents and the media. Modi thinks that his history with communal violence is used against him even though, according to him, he did nothing wrong. Social medias rise, which came after Modi took office in Gujarat, offered him the chance to eliminate the media layer. And he has done this very effectively. Till the arrival of twitter he constantly got into squabbles with journalists (walking off from one interview with Karan Thapar on air). This showed that he feels anger and irritation as much as Trump does but he handles it very differently now.

The difference between the way the two men use twitter comes in the first instance from content. Trump offers his opinion on things frequently, and is not afraid to show his anger or his irritation. On 18 May, his own justice department launched an investigation into the Trump campaigns alleged ties with the Russians. Trump tweeted: This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history! He also compared himself to previous presidents and said he was not being treated fairly: "With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign and Obama administration, there was never a special counsel appointed!

Trump is also rude and does not hesitate to attack journalists or other individuals through his twitter account.

On 12 May, Trump tweeted this: The Fake Media is working overtime today!

The Fake Media is working overtime today!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017

It could be said that he is being honest, but it is difficult to see how this sort of childish behaviour helps Trump in any way. This is where Modi is very different. I said that both men feel the same way about the media, but Modi is extremely restrained when communicating formally. His twitter feed is usually just a list of things he did for the day. For example, on 19 May: Interacted with a delegation of the Nagaland Tribes Council today. Or he wishes people, especially other politicians, on their birthdays. Like this on 17 May: "Greetings to former PM and leader of farmers, Shri HD Deve Gowda ji on his birthday. May Almighty bless him with good health & a long life.

Greetings to former PM & leader of farmers, Shri HD Deve Gowda ji on his birthday. May Almighty bless him with good health & a long life.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2017

And this on 19 May:

"Dear President @ashrafghani, wishing you a wonderful birthday. May you be blessed with a long and healthy life.

Dear President @ashrafghani, wishing you a wonderful birthday. May you be blessed with a long and healthy life.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2017

Modi also advertises policy announcements, though he usually links the tweets to reports published on his own official website rather than that of newspapers.

It is impossible to assess what the prime minister of India is thinking by going through his twitter feed, which is not the case with the US president. It has become easy for journalists to even learn which channels Trump watches, because after watching it he immediately tweets something in response.

Both Trump and Modi came into politics as outsiders promising to clean up the system. One has been on the job for a little over three years and the other only a little over three months. But already Trump is not only being linked to failure but being seen as an incompetent, by many including some of his own supporters. Modi on the other hand has also made mistakes and promised more than he could deliver. However, his cautious and careful approach have insulated him from criticism.

Trumps daily childish hysterics and breast-beating about how he is being mistreated are working against him. It has become embarrassing to watch the holder of the worlds most powerful office.
Cairo: Egyptian authorities on Sunday referred 48 suspected members of the Islamic State group to a military trial for their alleged involvement in three suicide bombings at Christian churches that killed at least 74 people.

Of the 48 suspects, 31 are in custody and the rest still at large, the general prosecutor's office said in a statement. The attacks on a church in Cairo and two north of the Egyptian capital between December and April killed at least 74 people. A large number of people were wounded in the bombings.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the three attacks.

The first attack on 11 December on Saint Peter and Saint Paul church in Cairo killed 29 people.

The twin bombings that followed on Palm Sunday on 9 April killed 45 people in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria. The suspects have been accused of being leaders of the Islamic State terrorist group.

They had also formed two terrorist cells in Cairo and the Upper Egyptian governorate Qena, public prosecutor Nabil Sadek said in the statement.

Christians, who have often been targeted by Islamist militants in Egypt, constitute around 10 percent of its population of 900 million.

Egypt has seen a wave of deadly attacks by militants since 2013 when the military overthrew president Mohammed Morsi, an elected leader who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood movement.
Jerusalem: State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said on Sunday it has closed another major deal worth $630 million with India to supply advanced long-range air and missile defence systems for four ships of the Indian Navy. The deal, a major boost to the Make in India campaign, will be jointly executed with the Indian government's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and comes close on the heels of Israel's largest defence contract ever worth $2 billion to supply the Indian Army and Navy with missile defence systems.

IAI said the $630-million contract is for supplying Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) systems. The LRSAM is a joint development by IAI and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation. It comprises several key state-of-the-art elements, advanced phased-array radar, command-and-control system, launchers and missiles with advanced radio-frequency (RF) seekers.

The system provides the ultimate protection against a variety of aerial, naval and airborne threats. It is currently operational with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Israel Defence Forces. The Indian Army is also likely to deploy it soon. The LRSAM was last week successfully tested in India as part of operational interception trial aboard Indian Navy ship "demonstrating again the system's operational capabilities in a representative scenario with genuine target", a statement from IAI said.

"All components of the weapon system have successfully met the goals set for them," the company said. The contract will be carried out, for the first time, with Indian government-owned BEL which will serve as the main contractor in the project as part of the Make in India policy.

"The new contract adds to other deals signed in the last decade by IAI with India's defence forces, reinforcing IAI's global leadership position in air and missile defence systems. The inclusion of Indian governmental company BEL for the first time is a step up in our relationship with the Indian industry as part of the Make in India policy," IAI's president and CEO, Joseph Weiss, said."This unique project represents the close collaboration between India's DRDO, IAI and the defence forces of both countries. We will proceed to implement it with joint efforts," Weiss added.

"We take pride, along with our partners in India, in the great results of the trial conducted last week, which reestablishes the system's reliability and quality as well as its advanced technological capabilities," Boaz Levi, IAI's executive vice-president and general manager of systems, Missiles and Space Group, said. Israel in April closed a two billion (USD) defence deal with India, with IAI taking the lion's share of it with contracts worth $1.6 billion.
JERUSALEM Israel gave a muted response on Sunday to a major arms deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia announced a day earlier during the visit to the region by U.S. President Donald Trump."This is a matter that really should trouble us," said Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz prior to the weekly cabinet meeting, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention of the deal in his customary public remarks.

Netanyahu has voiced his wish to improve ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states as part of an initiative that would draw the Palestinians into an eventual peace deal and as a broad front against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Israel has always been wary of maintaining its military edge and Steinitz said he hoped to hear details of the deal. Trump and his entourage touch down in Israel on Monday.

"We have also to make sure that those hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons to Saudi Arabia will not, by any means, erode Israel's qualitative edge, because Saudi Arabia is still a hostile country without any diplomatic relations and nobody knows what the future will be," he said.In the 1980s, Israel expressed its concern at a U.S. sale to Saudi Arabia of then-advanced F-15 fighter jets that were stationed at a Red Sea airfield but the desert kingdom has never threatened to use them against Israel. (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Mark Potter)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
TOKYO Japan has strongly protested to North Korea about the ballistic missile launch it conducted on Sunday as Tokyo cannot tolerate its repeated acts of provocation, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

Suga said the missile was launched around 1659 JST (0759 GMT) from North Korea's west coast towards the Sea of Japan and it likely landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, without causing damages to ships and airplanes.

(Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Pakistan's state radio reportedly quoted a senior ruling party legislator as saying that the Pakistan Army will jointly fight the case with the civilian government at the International Court of Justice after the top court ruled in India's favour in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case on Thursday.

The Times of India reported that while the term "jointly" in the context of the case is not clearly known yet, the immense clout of the army makes the statement by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq a no-brainer.

Several Pakistani news outlets also took note of Sadiq's speech on Saturday.

In his address to his parliamentary constituency, Sadiq is reported by Radio Pakistan to have said, "It is time to be united instead of doing politics on the issue of a terrorist."

The Times of India quoted him as criticising politicians for playing politics over Jadhav, "We have already suffered much in the past because of "this trend of causing damage to the national interest in order to protect the personal interest of some."

Pakistani commentators interpreted it as the unity of the civilian establishment and the army in Pakistan.

In the judgment released by the ICJ at The Hague on Thursday, the tribunal had asked Pakistan to take all "necessary measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav was not executed pending a final decision by it. India had heaved a collective sigh of relief after the decision.

Jadhav was sentenced to death on charges of espionage by a Pakistani military court on 10 April. The Pakistani intelligence agency ISI's public relations department Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had issued a statement confirming the news.

Jadhav, a 1991 commissioned naval officer, was arrested in March 2016 by Pakistan authorities on the charges that he was dealing with Balochistan freedom fighters. The allegation was that Jadhav, who retired in 2013, was an active Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent, a charge denied by India. RAW is the primary foreign intelligence agency of India.

Sources at Government of India had said that Jadhav was a small businessman. It is said that Jadhav often carried cargo to and from Iranian ports bordering Pakistan and has nothing to do with India's external intelligence agency.

India has been repeatedly seeking consular access to Jadhav but denied each and every time.

Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale had also met Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua to discuss the Kulbhushan Jadhav issue and seek consular access to the ex-naval officer on 26 April.

India had appealed to the ICJ on 8 May after Pakistan ignored its request for consular access to the former navyman 16 times.

New Delhi had called for immediate suspension of Jadhav's death sentence and accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna convention by denying its 16 requests for consular access.

All requests for consular access to 46-year-old Jadhav had fallen on "deaf ears", it had said.

With inputs from agencies
Adopting a defiant stance after the unfavourable verdict at the International Court of Justice over the Kulbhushan Jadhav spy case, Pakistan's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday that the ICJ ruling cannot override the domestic law, a stance which may re-ignite Islamabad's argument over the top court's jurisdiction in the case.

The report quoted him as saying, "They cannot override a country's laws allowing the death penalty. If according to our laws, someone gets the death penalty, they can't nullify it."

According to The Times of India, Aziz is being made to backtrack from his earlier statement that there is little evidence against alleged Indian spy Jadhav as the heat is on the civilian government led by Nawaz Sharif.

The report noted that the Pakistani establishment's current posturing is also a result of the inflamed anti-India sentiment in the country and the political pressure over Sharif.

On Saturday, Aziz had said that Pakistan did not lose at the ICJ. "(It is) wrong to say Pakistan lost at the ICJ, court stayed execution, didn't order on consular access to Jadhav," Aziz had told reporters in Islamabad.

He had asserted that the ICJ cannot nullify Indian spy Jadhavs death sentence. Jadhav had confessed to carrying out terrorist activities inside Pakistan and was a naval officer using a fake passport. He was sentenced according to the countrys law, Aziz added as reported by The Express Tribune. "He has also admitted to carrying out espionage activities in Pakistan," PTI reported Aziz as stating.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Aziz had said that when it comes to cases involving the death penalty, the international court has always given a stay order.

While, the establishment in Pakistan is refusing to call the verdict a setback, the country's media, experts as well as the Opposition is signing a different tone all together.

Pakistans media and Opposition parties had lashed out at the poor handling of the case by Pakistans foreign offices officials.

The Pakistan Foreign Office was criticised for its "poor handling" of the case and for its choice of Britain-based Khawar Qureshi as counsel.

Demanding a revamp of the legal office of Pakistans foreign office, Pakistan analysts observed that its officials failed to give proper advice to deal with the case, reported The Express Tribune.

A senior official had revealed to the news daily that India had been successful in managing the ICJs registrar office, which has vast power to fix cases before the court. We were very surprised how swiftly Jadhavs case was fixed before the ICJ, he said.

Terming the verdict a setback, Pakistani media outlets had questioned the need of Pakistan of going to the ICJ at the first place.

"It's Pakistans mistake to have appeared there. They shouldn't have attended. They have shot themselves in the foot, a retired judge had told Dawn.

Senior PPP leader Sherry Rehman had said, "We based our case on jurisdiction and it proved weak. More arguments should have been made regarding espionage."

Pakistan, which announced the sentence on Jadhav on 10 April, claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on 3 March last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

In the judgment released by the ICJ at The Hague on Thursday, the tribunal asked Pakistan to take all "necessary measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav was not executed pending a final decision by it.

With inputs from agencies
Thiruvananthapuram: Prominent Indian businessman in Kuwait, Matthunny Mathews, instrumental in the safe evacuation of stranded Indians during the Iraqi invasion in 1990, passed away in Kuwait.

Mathews, who was 81 years old, hailed from Kumbanad in Pathnamthitta district. He was ailing for some time and passed away on Saturday according to the media reports in Thiruvananthapuram.

Expressing his condolence, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday that during the 1990 Gulf War Mathews had helped thousands of Indians to flee the gulf nation and his services would always be remembered.

By not taking efforts to save his own life and property, Mathews had done yeoman service to bring his countrymen, who had lost everything in the war, safely back, he said.

"He provided food and drinking water to the stranded Indians and we remember it with gratitude," he said.

The VP Singh government had in 1990 carried out the biggest evacuation during the Gulf War when over 1.50 lakh stranded Indians had been safely brought back by flight. At that time Mathews had functioned as the Central government's "unofficial representative" in Kuwait to coordinate the evacuation process, Vijayan said.

Popularly known as 'Toyota Sunny', Mathunny Mathews was said to be the inspiration for Akshay Kumar's character in Bollywood film 'Airlift'.

"Extremely sad news, was an honour to portray him on screen. Thoughts and prayers with his family", Akshay Kumar said in a tweet.

Mathews left for Kuwait 1956 at the age of 20 in search of a job. He joined as a typist in the Toyota company and rose to become its managing director when he retired in 1989.

He started a car rental company and a general trading company in 1990 and was also the chairman of Jabriya Indian school.
Seoul: North Korea on Sunday fired a ballistic missile from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, South Korea's military said.

This is the latest weapons test for a country speeding up its development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

The missile was fired from an area near Pukchang, in the South Phyongan Province, and flew eastward about 500 kilometers, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. It didn't immediately provide more details.

South Korean president Moon Jae-in, held a National Security Council meeting at the presidential Blue House to discuss the missile launch, Moon's office said.

The launch comes a week after North Korea successfully tested a new mid-range missile that Pyongyang said could carry a heavy nuclear warhead.

Experts said that rocket flew higher and for a longer time than any other missile previously tested by North Korea, and that it could one day reach targets as far away as Hawaii and Alaska.
Peshawar: At least six policemen, including an officer, have been killed and another injured in two separate attacks in Pakistan. Four policemen were killed when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Pakistan's restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday.

The policemen were returning from an operation in Kamal Khel area of Kohat district when militants ambushed their vehicle, police said.

A Station House Officer (SHO) and an additional SHO along with two constables died in the firing, police said, adding that the firing was sudden which suggests that it was a planned attack.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a separate attack, a pair of motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire on a police van in an upscale neighbourhood in the southern port city of Karachi, killing two policemen and wounding another.

The policemen were sitting in their stationary police van near Daud More when they were fired upon, Dawn quoted Gulshan Superintendent of Police Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto as

saying.

Two policemen, an ASI and a head constable, were killed, it said, adding that an injured head constable was admitted to a hospital.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an extremist militant group considered close to the dreaded Islamic State outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Islamabad: Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has drawn up a list of 200 people, including reporters, and will question them regarding their social media posts against the Pakistan Army, a media report has said.

Among those named in the list are some social media activists of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf.

Citing its sources, Samaa TV reported that 40 people have already been grilled by the investigation agency while their laptops, mobile phones and iPads have been seized and sent for forensic evaluation.

The investigation agency has finalised a list of 200 people, the channel said, quoting a government source.

The move comes despite Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan's threat to launch street protests against the social media crackdown. Khan said he would be forced to take to the streets if the government touched his workers or banned social media.

Salar Kakar, a social media activist of Khan's party, was detained from Quetta and shifted to Islamabad for investigation before being released a day later.

Dr Faisal Ranjha, an active supporter of the PML-N on social media, has also reportedly been arrested by the FIA.

In a statement, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan voiced serious alarm over arbitrary curbs on freedom of expression, a climate of intimidation and the authorities stated intent to act against any perceived slight to the armed forces through the social media.

"We are particularly alarmed by statements of at least two federal ministers, one of whom vowed severe action under the cyber crime law, and through the other the FIA was directed to proceed against those 'dishonouring' the army through the social media," the commission said.
Ankara: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to return as chairman of Turkey's ruling party on Sunday in a special Congress, swiftly exploiting a key change agreed in the controversial April referendum on expanding his powers.

Erdogan rejoined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on 2 May after the public approved changes to create an executive presidency on 16 April.

Under the old constitution, the head of state had to sever ties with their political party and Erdogan left as AKP chairman in August 2014 after his election as president.

Rejoining the AKP was the first major change permitted after the vote, allowing the president to be affiliated with a political party almost immediately.

Erdogan narrowly won with 51.4 percent of the vote but most of the new system, including axing the role of premier, will not come into force until 3 November, 2019.

However, as leader, he can decide the party's direction.

Current party leader and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will be given a newly-created role of vice-chairman, AKP deputy chairman Hayati Yazici said on Saturday.

Erdogan led the party for three terms during his premiership between 2003 and 2014, after he co-founded it in 2001.

The father-of-four affectionately describes the most effective Islamic rooted political force in the history of modern Turkey as his fifth child.

After becoming a party member again in an emotional grand ceremony in Ankara, Erdogan said he had "returned to my home, my passion, my love".

With Erdogan as party leader, all eyes will be on the Cabinet, with Hurriyet Daily speculating that 8-10 ministers could be reshuffled.

Nearly 1,500 delegates will vote to decide the new party leader, state-run news agency Anadolu reported, in an election where there is only one candidate, Erdogan. If chosen, it will be the first time the president will be both party chairman and head of state since the end of the presidency in 1950 of Ismet Inonu, the successor and right-hand-man of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkey's modern founder.

In the capital and on social media posters and images have appeared of Erdogan and slogans such as "iron will, strong Turkey" and "full steam ahead with the founding leader".

A special Congress slogan reads "a new breakthrough period: Democracy, transformation, reform", hinting at the expected restructuring of the government as well as changes to the party's executive in the coming weeks and months.

He told party officials, "The new period means a new action plan," without giving details, Hurriyet reported on Saturday.

Up to 60,000 participants from across Turkey are expected to descend on Ankara for the congress in the stadium in the city centre, Anadolu reported.
Hanoi: Pacific Rim trade ministers meeting in Vietnam committed on Sunday to move ahead with the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact after the United States pulled out.

New Zealand trade minister Todd McClay said the remaining 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries are open to others joining, provided they accept the trade agreement's high standards on labour and environmental protection. He said the door remains open to the United States, even after president Donald Trump withdrew from the pact in January, saying he prefers bilateral free trade deals.

"It's clear that each country is having to consider both economic values and strategic importance of this agreement, but in the end there is a lot of unity among all of the countries and a great desire to work together to come up with an agreement among 11 that not only delivers for all of our economies and the people of our countries, it's also open to other countries in the world to join if they can meet the high standards in the TPP agreement," McClay told reporters.

Since the American withdrawal, Japan and New Zealand have been spearheading efforts to revive the deal.

In its current form, the TPP requires United States participation before it can go into effect. That means the remaining countries would need to change the rules for any deal to go ahead, and it would be significantly smaller without the involvement of the world's largest economy.

The 11 countries represent roughly 13.5 percent of the global economy, according to the World Bank.

The trade ministers said in a statement that they agreed to launch a process to assess options to bring the agreement into force "expeditiously, including how to facilitate membership for the original signatories."

The ministers have tasked their trade officials to present the assessment to their leaders when they meet for an annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam in November, which will also include Trump, Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping.

They also underlined their vision for the TPP to expand to include other economies, saying such efforts would address concerns about protectionism and contribute to maintaining open markets, strengthening the rules-based international trading system, increasing world trade and raising living standards.

Vietnam and Malaysia had been expected to be beneficiaries from the original TPP with greater access to United States markets and investments. The TPP was championed by former president Barack Obama and was seen as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region.

United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, making his international debut since taking office a week ago, defended Trump's decision to pull out of the TPP.

"We expect to engage with members here in many cases on bilateral basis," he told reporters. "The president made the decision, which I certainly agree with, that bilateral negotiation is better for the United States than multilateral negotiations."

"But we certainly expect to stay engaged and I believe that at some point there'll be series of bilateral agreements with willing partners in this part of the world," Lighthizer added.

He rejected criticism that the Trump administration was embracing trade protectionism. "Our view is that we want free trade, we want fair trade, we want a system that leads to greater market efficiencies in the world," Lighthizer said.

The China-led 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will meet on Monday in Hanoi to further their discussions on a separate deal seen as an alternative to the TPP. It is expected to be finalized by the end of 2017.

"I think confidence we have shown in this meeting for the multilateral trading system for regional economic cooperation within Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation can be a very good and strong signal that we are united and we are steadfast in fighting trade protectionism and reducing trade risks," said Chinese deputy trade minister Wang Shouwen.
By Yeganeh Torbati and Jonathan Landay

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON The re-election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is unlikely to change the skepticism with which he is viewed by the Trump administration as the public face of a government opposed to U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East, former U.S. officials and analysts said.Rouhani, a cleric who, with foreign minister Javad Zarif broke the taboo of holding direct talks with the United States and reached an international deal in 2015 to curb Iran's nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions, won 57 percent of the vote in Friday's election. [nL8N1IL525] He defeated Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric and acolyte of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in Iran's complex, hybrid system of theocratic and republican elements.President Donald Trump's administration seems likely to want to keep putting pressure on Iran over its weapons programs and what it sees as Tehran's destabilizing efforts in the Middle East, analysts said."I think the Trump administration will remain pretty consistent on this issue. So I don't expect any change" in U.S. policy toward Iran, said Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at the conservative Foundation for Defense of Democracy, and a former CIA Iran specialist.Despite the nuclear deal, the United States still considers Iran a "state sponsor of terrorism."When Rouhani was first elected in 2013, it was taken as a sign that Iran's leaders might be more open to the West and would change the confrontational stance they had taken against the United States and its allies in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

While Khamenei gave Rouhani some leeway to negotiate the nuclear deal, other reforms he sought at home, especially greater political freedoms for Iranians, were stymied by Khamenei and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.There was no immediate reaction to Rouhani's victory from the Trump administration. Trump is visiting Iran's main regional rivals, Saudi Arabia and Israel, on his first foreign trip. [nL8N1IM08R]While Trump, a Republican, has harshly criticized the nuclear accord struck under predecessor President Barack Obama, a Democrat, he has kept it alive while signaling a desire to confront Iran more directly.

Washington says Tehran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the Hezbollah political party and militia in Lebanon, have helped destabilize the Middle East. Ahmad Majidyar, an expert with the Washington-based Middle East Institute, forecast growing tensions between the United States and Iran over Iraq and Syria, where U.S.-backed forces and Iran-supported Shiite Muslim militias are fighting Islamic State."Washington and Tehran are de facto allies in the fight against Islamic State," Majidyar said. "But now ISIS is on the verge of defeat, we see signs of tensions between Iranian backed- militia forces and the U.S. forces," he said.By coincidence, the United States on Wednesday faced a deadline for renewing sanctions waivers that would maintain the nuclear deal. Trump decided to do so, but also imposed narrow sanctions against two Iranian defense officials and an Iranian company that the U.S. government said were linked to Iran's ballistic missile program.

Rouhani's re-election is likely to make it harder for the Trump administration to galvanize international support for European Union, United Nations sanctions or other tough action, analysts said.Rouhani and Zarif have presented a more conciliatory face to the world, traveling often to European capitals and in Zarif's case, conversing easily in fluent English and giving frequent interviews to Western media. "It makes it much more difficult to isolate Iran internationally when you have a foreign minister like Zarif," said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington.Without sanctions such as those that slashed Iran's oil revenues and barred it from the international financial system, which were effective because China and Iran's other Asian oil customers cooperated, the U.S. is left with more targeted measures against individuals, companies or organizations that assist in Iran's ballistic missile program or are found to have violated human rights."The last thing the Chinese are interested in doing is enacting new sanctions against Iran," Sadjadpour said. (Reporting By Yeganeh Torbati and Jonathan Landay; Editing by John Walcott and Grant McCool)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Ankara: Turkish police on Sunday killed two suspected members of the Islamic State jihadist group in Ankara. The suspects were believed to have been planning an attack on the capital,

the regional governor said.

The two were killed during a police operation on their residence in the Etimesgut district of Ankara after a gunfight with officers, state-run news agency Anadolu quoted regional governor Ercan Topaca as saying.

The raid was launched on the basis of testimony from a suspected Azerbaijani Islamic State member who was detained by Istanbul police after allegedly driving the two men to Ankara.

"This (police) operation was quickly planned after this suspect said they and the two others he left in Ankara were Islamic State members and planning an attack," Topaca said.

He said police opened fire after the two suspects themselves fired on the security forces.

After "neutralising" the two men, guns and hand grenades were found, Topaca said.

Although the identities and nationalities of the two men have yet to be confirmed, Topaca said they believed they were aged between 25 and 30.

"We believe they were planning an attack likely in the next few days. The weapons, explosives were effective and powerful," he said.

During the past 18 months, Turkey has been hit by a wave of attacks blamed on Islamic State and Kurdish militants, killing hundreds in cities like Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern city of Gaziantep.

The raid comes nearly six months after an Islamic State gunman killed 39 people in attack on the elite Reina nightclub during New Year celebrations in Istanbul.

The shootout took place as Ankara was hosting a special congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that was set to again choose president Recep Tayyip Erdogan as

its chairman. But there was no indication of any link to the congress.
London: Evan Williams, former CEO and co-founder of Twitter, has publicly apologised for the role the micro blogging site might have played in the election of Donald Trump as United States president, media reported.

Trump indicated in March that Twitter played an important role in his election. When asked about that remark, Williams in an interview told The New York Times, "It's a very bad thing, Twitter's role in that."

"If it's true that he wouldn't be president if it weren't for Twitter, then yeah, I'm sorry," Williams said.

Trump has 30 million followers on his personal account on the platform and was known as a prolific tweeter well before he announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for presidency, independent.co.uk reported on Saturday.

Since entering the White House and taking control of the @POTUS (President of the United States) Twitter handle, he has 17 million followers.

The platform was used extensively by his supporters during the presidential poll to advocate him and to denounce Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

"I think that maybe I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Twitter, because I get such a fake press, such a dishonest press. I mean, if you look at  and I'm not including Fox, because I think Fox has been fair to me  but if you look at CNN and if you look at these other networks," Trump told Fox News in March.
London: Ahead of Ramadan, the University of East Anglia, a top UK university, has decided to remove prayer space available on campus for Muslims; the reason for the removal was cited as "lack of space" during exam season.

In a statement, the university said: "As part of a 2 million pound investment in new library study spaces and the complete refurbishment of the University's main lecture theatres the use of a prayer facility near Lecture Theatre 2 will be temporarily unavailable for safety reasons during the building works."

The only daily prayer space available on the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university library, the Independent reported.

Muslim students at the university were told that their Friday prayer space was to be taken away due to a "lack of space" during exam season, the paper said.

On 20 May, the students participated in a public prayer session in the main university square in peaceful protest against the move.

A spokesperson from the UEA Islamic Society said: "We are shocked and appalled that the University, who re-located us ... on the condition that they would investigate a permanent solution which they have failed to produce, would take away our only prayer spaces during exam period and before Ramadan."

Over the past few years, Muslim students at the university have used a lecture theatre for prayer and worship.

The larger Friday worship sessions take place at a separate location by the Blackdale student residences. Both arrangements were set up as a temporary solution while the university discussed plans for a permanent prayer space.

From Sunday, however, the Muslim student community have been left with no designated prayer space, a move students say they had not been invited to discuss. UEA's Student Union has accused the university of discrimination, failing its duties under the Equality Act.

Union spokesperson for welfare, community and diversity, Jo Swo, was quoted as saying by the report that the situation had caused "a tremendous amount of anxiety and inconvenience for Muslim students as it has made them feel observed and treated like an inconvenience to the University". UEA has begun dramatic plans for expansion over the next few years, pledging to recruit up to 3,000 new students by 2030  a rise of 20 percent.

A UEA spokesperson said the vice-chancellor would be meeting with students imminently to discuss the matter.
Riyadh: US president Donald Trump will launch an appeal to confront "Islamist extremism", telling telling dozens of Muslim leaders in a speech that it "is not a battle between different faiths".

"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it," Trump will say in Saudi Arabia, according to excerpts released by the White House.

"This is a battle between good and evil." Trump's hardline attitude towards what he has previously called "radical Islamic terrorism" was one of the most controversial themes of his election campaign, particularly in the Muslim world.

In his speech in Riyadh, he will instead urge Muslim leaders to confront "the crisis of Islamist extremism".

"Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory... If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief," he will add.

"We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live... or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values."

Trump will also appeal to countries in the West Asia play their part in fighting extremism.

"America is prepared to stand with you... But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.

"The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children," he will say.
Boeing (NYSE:BA) announced Sunday it had inked deals for both military and passenger aircraft with Saudi Arabia while President Trump visits the country.

The company said the country intends to order purchase P-8 maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (based on Boeings 737), and has agreed to buy Chinook helicopters and guided weapons systems.

Additionally, Boeing said it would negotiate the sale of up to 16 widebody airplanes to SaudiGulf Airlines. The airline began operating last year and currently uses a fleet of Airbus aircraft.

Boeing also said it would enter a joint venture with Saudi Arabia to provide sustainment services for a range of military platforms, supporting the kingdoms aerospace industry through its Vision 2030 plan. The initiative is based on three themes which includes a vibrant society, thriving economy and an ambitious nation, and aims to connect three continentsAfrica, Asia and Europe in an effort to boost international trade.

These announcements reaffirm our commitment to the economic growth, prosperity and national security of both Saudi Arabia and the United States, helping to create or sustain thousands of jobs in our two countries, said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who also participated in the Saudi-U.S. CEO Forum.
Reince Priebus is making an early return to the White House after traveling with President Trump on his first overseas trip, fueling speculation that the administration is in a crisis and that his position as chief of staff could be in peril.

The White House confirmed to FOX Business that Priebus would be heading back to Washington D.C. after the stop in Saudi Arabia, part of the presidents visit to the Middle East, and insisted this was always part of the administrations plan.

Natalie Strom, assistant press secretary at the White House, told FOX Business, It has always been planned for Reince to return to Washington following the Saudi Arabia portion of the trip. It's a big week in D.C. for the president's agenda with our budget release coming soon and discussions continuing on tax reform, so he's needed back at home for that.

When asked which other officials would be coming home, Strom said, Only a few senior administration officials are staying on for the whole trip, which is typical for these kinds of trips. They're attending the stops that most pertain to their responsibilities. Off the top of my head I know that Secretary [of State] Tillerson and General McMaster won't be on for the entirety."

Still, the timing of Priebuss departure is questionable due to the speculation surrounding the job security of his own post, as well as other White House officials including Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

As FOX Business reported Friday, Priebuss position in the White House is once again in jeopardy as National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney are a few of the candidates under consideration to replace him if the president decides to go that route, according to sources close to the situation.

On Friday, the White House did not deny the possibility that Priebus could be replaced.

The rumor has been going on for months and it hasnt happened yet, Strom told FOX Business.

While the administration may believe its typical for some officials to stay and others to head home, according to experts outside the White House, its unusual for a chief of staff to head home early on such an important trip.

It is not common for a chief of staff to be sent home for a trip like this because the chief of staff is meant to be the most important person sitting next to the president on such trips, said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant.

Sheinkopf also noted that the job security of everyone in the administration is under scrutiny and added that rumors about Priebuss tenure would increase dramatically were he to come home.

Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush, agreed that its uncommon for a chief of staff to head home in the middle of a trip, and that he could be returning to handle the issues coming out of the Trump administration.

Its not the usual pattern, Painter said. People either go on the trip and stay or they dont go at all. Now there may be trouble with the White House staff and thats probably the reason hes heading home. I think there is a lot of disorder  within the White House and we cant have the chief of staff out of the White House if theres so much disorder.

Trump will travel to Israel next where he plans to visit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP)  President Donald Trump called on Middle Eastern leaders to combat a "crisis of Islamic extremism" emanating from the region, casting the fight against terrorism as a "battle between good and evil," not a clash between the West and Islam.

Trump's address Sunday was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as president. During a meeting of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders, he sought to chart a new course for America's role in the region, one aimed squarely on rooting out terrorism, with less focus on promoting human rights and democratic reforms.

"We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said, speaking in an ornate, multi-chandeliered room. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all."

Even as the president pledged to work alongside Middle Eastern nations, he put the onus for combatting terrorism on the region. Bellowing into the microphone, he implored Muslim leaders to aggressively fight extremists: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

The president has been enthusiastically embraced in Riyadh, where the ruling royal family has welcomed his tougher stance on Iran, its regional foe.

Trump slammed Iran for spreading "destruction and chaos" throughout the region. His comments were echoed by Saudi King Salman, who declared, "The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism."

For Trump, the visit has been a welcome escape from the crush of controversies that have consumed his administration in recent weeks. He's been besieged by a series of revelations about the ongoing federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, who had been overseeing the Russia probe.

Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia also served as something of a reset with the region following his presidential campaign, which was frequently punctured by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric. He once mused that he thought "Islam hates us" and repeatedly slammed former President Barack Obama for refusing to use the term "radical Islamic extremism."

Yet Trump himself backed away from the term Sunday as he stood before the region's leaders. He condemned "Islamists" and "Islamic terror of all kinds," but never specifically referred to radical Islam.

And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries  Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen  from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

But on Sunday, Trump was full of praise for Muslim world's history and culture. He declared Islam "one of the world's great faiths."

White House officials said they considered Trump's address to be a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.

Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of America's missteps in the region. That speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticized by a number of the United States' Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.

Trump's speech came amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies. Trump held individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before participating in a round-table with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.

A Sunday meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi underscored the kinship, with Trump saluting his counterpart on the April release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi, who had been detained in the country for nearly three years.

El-Sissi invited Trump to visit him in Egypt, adding, "You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." As the participants laughed, Trump responded: "I agree."

The president then complimented el-Sissi's choice of footwear, telling his Egyptian counterpart "Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes" after their brief remarks to the press.

From Saudi Arabia, Trump will head to Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He'll also have an audience with Pope Francis, meet with NATO partners in Brussels and attend the Group of 7 wealthy nations summit in Sicily.

___

Associated Press writers Vivian Salama, Ken Thomas and Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.
Kanye West has abandoned social media  and fled Hollywood for Wyoming  to find his creative groove, reports the New York Post.

Hes far from any noise. Hes far from Hollywood and is very isolated right now. He wants to get back into his creative groove, a source told the paper of the rapper, who suffered an alleged breakdown last year.

Wests Instagram and Twitter accounts went dark earlier this month. And the fashion-obsessed rapper and Yeezy designer even skipped Anna Wintours Met Gala this month. His wife, Kim Kardashian, attended and said West was home taking some time off and really loving that.

West is reportedly back in the studio, getting inspiration from frequent collaborator Pusha T.

Pusha T has been visiting. He inspires Kanye to write. Kanyes trying to find his creative voice again, and he has people there to help him get, and stay, on track. Hes still a little off and is trying to get himself back, a source said.

Another source close to West says that the rappers stint in the mountains is not unusual.

He likes to work in remote places and be in the middle of nowhere as much as he can be, said the insider.Thats his pattern. Its what he always does. He goes away. Hes done Hawaii, Mexico, Paris, Malibu . . . Its what hes always done. Hes not in some struggle to find his creative voice. Any creative endeavor hes done, theres a start to the process and he wants to figure out what he talks about. Its a creative journey every time and he starts from scratch.

Click here to read more in the New York Post.
The American Revolution  American Revolution I  was fought to secure independence from British colonialists.

American Revolution II is being fought today to undermine the presidency of Donald Trump and return to a corporate structure the Left finds desirable. So profound is the difference between the Left and the rest that there isnt any issue that merits separation.

The call for revolution is heard in the political precincts of the Democratic Party where the prevailing sentiment is Resistance. No matter the issue  even when Trumpians try to appease Dems with their modified version of ObamaCare  the response is rejection.

One might assume that on matters such as national security, the revolutionary guard might be willing to compromise at least temporarily, but you would be wrong. The fight is relentless.

Most Americans who do not read the New York Times are unaware of the deep schism in the political arena. Trump is regarded as anathema. For the Revolutionaries, the 2016 election was illegitimate despite Trumps Electoral College victory. The Left cannot be disabused of this notion.

In fact, like most Revolutionaries, they have challenged all of the existing institutions and assumptions about the past. The radical agenda that worries about where grown men should urinate has taken its battle to every corner of the culture. Trump made a point of challenging political correctness which the Left translates as racist, but for average Americans, Trumps position resonates as common sense.

Even gestures designed to forestall attacks within the United States  like the immigration ban from eight war-torn nations where documentation of new arrivals doesnt exist  were interpreted as a blanket ban against Muslims, and yet another illustration of the Presidents bigotry.

In the febrile mindset of the Revolutionaries, Trump is a danger  presumably a danger to the Republic itself  though they are the ones promoting violence on American campuses when voices are invited that challenge left-wing suppositions about the nation. The Revolutionary even works to undermine the First Amendment, once the bulwark of radical sentiment. Now the view is submit or be chastened by revolutionary hostility.

Despite the claim by Pollyannaish analysts, this movement will not pass any time soon. Trump is and will remain the target until he is out of office. For the Revolutionary, all acts are permitted since Trump brought fascism to Amerika. Of course, most of the self-described Robespierres could not possibly define the evil that drips so naturally from their lips. Trump is the embodiment of the evil and every act, however benign, is further evidence of fascistic leanings.

On a moments notice the Revolutionaries can be roused to action. Intersectionality or the left-wing alliance network has fostered ties among unlikely bedfellows. For example, Black Lives Matter has joined with the Muslim Brotherhood to condemn Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

As is the case in past revolutions, radicals often devour their own. We are not in that stage yet. But the cultural signals are synchronized from Stephen Colbert to Whoopi Goldberg for a very unpleasant unfolding of this revolutionary cycle with many getting hurt and the Republic weakened.

In the case of American Revolution I the umbilical cord was cut, but America grew strong; in the case of American Revolution II the nations institutions are being tested and it is hard to see a positive outcome over the horizon.
President Donald Trump arrives in the Middle East with a large number of issues on his agenda. In Israel alone he is set to grapple with the possibility of moving the U.S. embassy, the chance he will recognize Jerusalem as our capital and the ever-present possibility of restarting the peace process with the Palestinians.

While these are all extremely important causes which are fully supported and encouraged by Israel, they pale in comparison to the main task at hand when the leaders of our two countries meet: grappling with the increasingly growing menace of Iran in our region.

Just recently we witnessed the most horrific manifestation of Irans influence in our region in Syria. The world was outraged, and our hearts ached, as the extent of these crimes against humanity became apparent with the gassing of innocent women and children.

Though there is no doubt that the primary blame for these crimes lies with Damascus, the ayatollahs in Teheran are accomplices in the atrocities taking place every single day in Syria. Assad and his henchmen are puppets of the Iranian regime, propped up with their funding, trained by their military advisers and armed with their weapons.

In Israel, we know firsthand about Iran's attempts to spread terror and violence. Our latest intelligence about Hezbollah in Lebanon shows that this terrorist organization has increased its stockpile from 6,000 rockets and missiles in 2006 to almost 130,000 even more advanced weapons today. We also know that Hezbollah is constantly improving the range and accuracy of their rockets and now are capable of targeting 90 percent of Israel.

This Iranian proxy entrenched along our northern border is placing its weapons in homes, mosques and hospitals with the intention of once again committing a double war crime by targeting our civilians while using Lebanese women and children as their human shields.

Irans Republican Guards Quds Force trains the Hezbollah fighters, funnels money to them and directly provides the terrorists with these deadly weapons. These Iranian arms are sent on convoys over land, smuggled in from the sea and even unabashedly shipped on civilian airlines, like Mahan Air, and then flown into Damascus and Beirut.

Throughout the Middle East, wherever there is terror, death and a complete disregard for human life, there is Iran.

Along our southern border, Irans intentions are clear as well. As Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk, stated last June, "The support offered by Iran to the Palestinian resistance - be it in logistics, training or funds - is unmatched and beyond the capabilities of other countries." This support has been used by Hamas to replenish its weapons supply and today their arsenal is estimated to include over 12,000 rockets aimed at Israel.

At the same time, Hamas is spending millions of dollars on digging sophisticated terror tunnels to try to attack our border communities. They aim to attack kindergartens and community centers with the hope of massacring as many innocent people as possible. Funding for these terror activities comes directly from Iran which has declared that support for this resistance is part of their foreign policy.

The deadly model that Iran has perfected in Lebanon and Gaza is now being reproduced in Yemen as well. There too Iran is supplying extremist elements with advanced weaponry and providing the Houthis with military training. In recent months, this aid has increased.

And, just as in Lebanon and Gaza, the Iranians are smuggling weapons into Yemen either directly on ships, or through Somalia to avoid coalition detection efforts. Recently, Kornet anti-tank weapons and long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching deep into Saudi Arabia have made their way into Yemen courtesy of the Iranians.

Iran does not only threaten our region through proxies. Leaving aside the dangers of their supposedly dormant nuclear program and the ticking clock towards the sunset clause associated with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement, Irans continued testing of ballistic missiles is extremely alarming.

These tests are in direct defiance of the international community. The UN Security Council has clearly stated in resolution 2231 adopting the nuclear agreement that Iran is, "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles." Yet, since that resolution was adopted in 2015, Iran has conducted at least 14 ballistic missile tests. The Iranians intentions for these missiles are no mystery. In fact, just last month they displayed their missiles in a military parade and wrote on one of them: Death to Israel.

Throughout the Middle East, wherever there is terror, death and a complete disregard for human life, there is Iran. This alliance of evil anchored by Iran must be met head on.

We are grateful for Americas leadership in fighting ISIS, standing up to Assad and attempting to assist in finally bringing peace with the Palestinians. Yet as worthy as these causes are, what is needed right now is a concerted effort to confront Iran by stringently enforcing sanctions that are in place, judiciously weighing further possible restrictions and continuing to leave all other options on the table in facing this extremist regime.

As my colleague, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, noted in a recent Security Council meeting, If we are speaking honestly about conflict in the Middle East, we need to start with the chief culprit, Iran. Let us heed these important words and utilize President Trumps visit to the region to renew our joint efforts to stymie the influence of Iran.

Israel, the U.S. and numerous moderate countries throughout the Middle East must work together in pressing on until this regime is isolated and no longer poses a threat to its neighbors and the world as a whole.

Danny Danon is Israels Ambassador to the United Nations.


North Korea might just be the neediest of nation-states. Anytime the worlds attention shifts awaythis time to President Trumps trip to the Middle Eastthe hermit kingdom knows how to return the worlds collective gaze back to the Korean Peninsula, this time firing off another missile.

And we shouldnt be shocked. In fact, North Korea is well overdue to test something much more menacinganother nuclear weapon. That would mark the sixth-time Pyongyang has defied the international community in its long march to develop a nuclear device that can rain down atomic terror not only on South Korea, Japan and U.S. bases throughout Asia  but eventually on the U.S. homeland itself.

So what happens next? Judging by the pace Kim Jung-un seems to be on, we should buckle up and brace for more missile and nuclear tests in the future. Kim doesnt care how much he raises international tension, angers neighbors, his patrons in Beijing or America and its allies. His goal is survival, and the only way to survive when faced with the awesome military might of a superpower is an atomic arsenal that can kill millions at the push of a button.

Thankfully America has options to push back against Pyongyang, as I explained here last week. These include tough sanctions on anyone helping the North Koreans develop nuclear weapons or missiles, the levering of cyber weapons on a grand scale to constrain and raise the costs of missile and nuclear advances, as well as more missile defenses deployed and retained in the area around North Korea.

We must exploit this weakness by working to educate the North Korean people of the abuses of the regimeto help them begin to understand the tyranny they live under.

There is however one solution, the toughest of all solutions, that in all our hearts we know would solve this problem once and for allone that is not for the faint of heart: the eventual change of regime in North Korea.

History tells us we must prepare, and indeed, carefully push for this eventuality. No regime as evil, as sinister, and as dangerous as North Korea the modern day equivalent of Nazi Germany with death camps where the regime tests chemical weapons on its own peoplehas survived forever. The sins of its leaders continue to grow with each passing day, sealing the regimes fateclearly a question of when, not if, it will fall.

Now, to be clear, I am not advocating for U.S. military forces to mass in Northeast Asia and invade. The preparation for such an operation would be conducted in plain view of Kim Jong-un and he would have every incentive to strike firstand with nuclear as well as his vast, and sometimes forgotten, chemical and likely biological arsenals. Indeed, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis just last week explained that a military solution when it comes to Pyongyangs nuclear program would be tragic on an unbelievable scale. But we do have options to help ensure the expiration date of the Kim regime is set in years and not decades.

For example, we do know how North Korea keeps control of its citizensthe brainwashing of its society into believing that Washington and Seoul are the enemy and that they must starve and live in destitution to support an army that is the fourth largest in the world with an economy the size of Laos. We must exploit this weakness by working to educate the North Korean people of the abuses of the regimeto help them begin to understand the tyranny they live under.

Thankfully modern technology affords us ample ways to achieve such a goal. For example, human rights groups are already helping smuggle into North Korea DVD players that access USB sticks packed with video from around the region, proving the promise of a better life. Citizens are also taking matters into their own handshacking government issued cell phones to talk to the outside world as well as trying to flee their prison-of-a-nation in increasing numbers.

The U.S. can help expand the above efforts dramatically. Washington could lead a covert effort, working with human rights and other interested organizations, to educate the North Korea people when it comes to the sins of their leaders. We must help awaken the hopes, aspirations and dreams of a people enslaved far too long. America must weaponize against the Kim regime the most powerful of passionshope for a better future.

To be clear, helping the North Korean regime pass into the dust bin of history wont be easy, and the costs of reunificationeasily in the trillions of dollarswill be a bill not easy to pay. But the costs of a nuclear war, by accident or intent, with millions dead and large sections of Asia and possibly even America turned into atomic wastelands is too grim to bear. Its time to consider a different pathand the most obvious one.
A co-founder of Twitter said hes sorry if the popular social media platform helped put Donald Trump in the White House  as the president has suggested.

In an interview with The New York Times, Evan Williams says Twitters role in Trumps populist rise is a very bad thing.

The president has credited Twitter with his election to the highest office in the land.

When confronted with that notion, Williams said: If its true that he wouldnt be president if it werent for Twitter, then yeah, Im sorry.

The 45-year-old Silicon Valley entrepreneur also said the internet is obviously broken because it rewards extremes.

Williams also said he was wrong thinking that the world would be a better place if there was a platform for everyone to freely speak and exchange ideas.
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Members of key congressional committees pledged Sunday to proceed with aggressive investigations into Russia's meddling into the U.S. election and any ties with the Trump campaign, saying the American people need a full airing as to why former FBI director James Comey was ousted.

Comey was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this month. The former director agreed to testify before the Senate intelligence committee after the Memorial Day holiday.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a member of that committee, said he wants to press Comey as to whether he ever believed the White House was interfering with his work, in light of a spate of news reports that Comey had kept detailed records of his interactions with Trump.

The New York Times reported last week on a Comey memo indicating Trump had urged him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Separately, another Times report said Trump had told Russian officials in a closed-door meeting at the Oval Office that firing Comey "had relieved great pressure on him."

"Did he keep these memos? What do those memos say? And why did he write it? And how did he feel? Did he ever feel like he was being put in a position where he couldn't do his job?" Rubio asked. "There's no doubt that that's the questions that are going to get asked, and asked repeatedly."
President Trump while in Saudi Arabia is getting concrete commitments from Persian Gulf leaders to end radical Islamic terrorism but is not pressing the issue of human rights violations in the region, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday.

There are concrete commitments being made as to how we will work together to defeat Daesh, to defeat terrorism here in the region as well as elsewhere, Tillerson told Fox News Sunday.

Tillerson used the word Daesh, instead of "the Islamic State" or "ISIS," the names Trump frequently has used to describe the terrorist group that has taken control of parts of Syria, Iraq and elsewhere in the Arab World.

Trump, who during his president campaign and presidency has been outspoken about the Muslim religion, has made the focus of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia getting the Arab world to stop radical Islamic terrorism.

However, he has publically avoided mentioning the free worlds concerns about the regions shortcoming on woman and human rights violations.

Tillerson argued Sunday that the issues are in fact being discussed and that stopping terrorism is the first step.

The way you address those human rights issues and womens rights issues is to improve the conditions in the region, he said.

And today, conditions in the region are under a lot of stress because of the threat of terrorism (and) the threat that Iran poses. ... But the primary reason were here today is to confront this threat of terrorism. If we do not defeat Daesh, if we do not defeat these forces of evil, there will be no conditions under which we could even hope to improve the human rights for all the people of the region.

Former President Barack Obama's calls for greater democray in the region were not not well received with leaders.

Trump, Tillerson and other top administration officials arrived Saturday in Saudi Arabia for the start of Trumps first overseas presidential trip.

The nine-day trip will also include stops in Israel, the Vatican in Rome and Brussels.

Tillerson argued the meeting Sunday in Riyadh of the Gulf Cooperation Council is a major step toward dismantling radical Islamic terrorism and that leaders plan to meet again next year to learn whether they have made progress on the issue.
Republicans expressed more dismay Sunday about a recent clash outside a Turkish embassy between non-violent protestors and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's security team but disagreed about what the next step should be.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Fox News Sunday that the incident Tuesday outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington was outrageous and that the Trump administration has expressed dismay and summoned the Turkish ambassador to State Department headquarters.

However, Tillerson said the administration will wait for the outcome of a department investigation, which will likely focus on cellphone videos of the bloody clash, before taking further action.

You don't need any further information, just look at the clip, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said later on the Fox show.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, McCain said the U.S. should throw their ambassador the hell out of the country.

Those were his people and Erdogan's people who were sent out there to confront the protestors, McCain said Sunday. That's not America.

Protestors said they suffered concussions and lost teeth in the melee, which occurred just hours after Erdogan visited President Trump at the White House.

Turkey says the clash was the fault of demonstrators who aggressively provoked Turkish-Americans who had gathered to see Erdogan. The demonstrators said they were attacked by security forces as they peacefully protested. A video shared on social media Thursday showed Erdogan watching the melee.

The State Department prior to Sunday called the clash "deeply disturbing" and insisted there would be a "thorough investigation" to hold those responsible accountable.

Tom Shannon, the acting deputy secretary of State, met Wednesday with the Turkish ambassador, Serdar Kilic, to discuss the altercation.

Turkey's U.S. embassy alleged the demonstrators were associated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade-long insurgency against Turkey and is considered a terrorist group by the United States.

But Mehmet Yuksel, who arrived immediately after the incident and knows almost all of the little over a dozen demonstrators, said they weren't connected with that group. The victims included Americans, he said, and there was no justification for the attack.

Yuksel said one demonstrator seen in video of the attack carrying a bullhorn and being repeatedly kicked is in his 60s. The man suffered loose and broken teeth and had to return Friday to a hospital, he said.

Ceren Borazan, seen on video in a headlock, said in a Facebook post that the attack "popped a blood vessel in my eye."

Among those charged in the incident are Jalal Kheirabadi, 42, of Fairfax, Va., He is charged with assaulting a police officer. Kheirabadi says he was a victim, not an aggressor.

Tuesday's incident isn't the first time violence accompanied a visit by a Turkish leader to the U.S. Last year, violence erupted outside Erdogan's appearance at a nuclear security summit in Washington, and there have been scuffles at the United Nations.

The Trump administration has acknowledged briefly holding two members of Erdogan's detail.

A U.S. official who wasn't authorized to comment publicly on the matter and requested anonymity said the guards were released under a globally recognized custom under which nations don't arrest or detain visiting heads of state and members of their delegations.

The guards are back in Turkey with Erdogan, an authoritarian leader who survived a 2016 coup attempt and on Sunday was reelected as the leader of Turkey's ruling party.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read the full transcript of President Trump's speech to Muslim leaders at Sunday's Arab Islamic American Summit:

Thank you. I would like to thank King Salman for his extraordinary words, and the magnificent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting today's summit. I am honored to be received by such gracious hosts

I have always heard about the splendor of your country and the kindness of your citizens, but words do not do justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place and the incredible hospitality you have shown us from the moment we arrived

You also hosted me in the treasured home of King Abdul Aziz, the founder of the kingdom who united your great people. Working alongside of another beloved leader, American President Franklin Roosevelt, King Abdul Aziz began the enduring partnership between our two countries. King Salman, your father would be very, very proud to see that you are continuing his legacy

And just as he opened the first chapter of our partnership, today we begin a new chapter that will bring lasting benefits to all of our citizens. Let me now also extend my deep and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of the distinguished heads of state who made this journey here today. You greatly honor us with your presence and I send the warmest regards from my country to yours.

Thank you. I know that our time together will bring many blessings to both your people and to mine. I stand before you as a representative of the American people to deliver a message of friendship and hope and love. That is why I chose to make my first foreign visit a trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that serves as custodian of the two holiest sites in the Islamic faith.

In my inaugural address to the American people, I pledged to strengthen America's oldest friendships and to build new partnerships in pursuit of peace. I also promised that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit of cooperation and trust

Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperity in this region and all throughout the world. Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to god

And so this historic and unprecedented gathering of leaders, unique in the history of nations, is a symbol to the world of our shared resolved (sic), and our military that will protect the safety of our people and enhance the security of (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY) and made record investments in our military that will protect the safety of our people and enhance the security of our wonderful friends and allies, many of whom are here (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY) -- closer bonds of friendship, security, culture and commerce

For Americans, this is a very exciting time. A new spirit of optimism is sweeping our country. In just a few months, we have created almost a million new jobs, added over $3 trillion in new value, lifted the burdens on American industry, and made record investments in our military that will protect the safety of our people and enhance the security of our wonderful friends and allies, many of whom are here today

Now there is even more blessed news that I am pleased to share with you. My meetings with King Salman, the crown prince, and the deputy crown prince, have been filled with great warmth, good will, and tremendous cooperation. Yesterday, we signed historic agreements with the kingdom that will invest almost $400 billion in our two countries and create many hundreds of thousands of jobs in America and Saudi Arabia

This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defense purchase. And we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defense companies, the greatest anywhere in the world. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a far greater role in security and operations having to do with security

We've also started discussions with many of the countries present today on strengthening partnerships and forming new ones to advance security and stability across the Middle East and far beyond. Later today, we will make history again with the opening of the new global center for combating extremist ideology located right here in the central part of the Islamic world.

This ground-breaking new center represents a clear declaration that Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combating radicalization, and I want to express our gratitude to King Salman for his strong demonstration and his absolutely incredible and powerful leadership. I have had the pleasure of welcoming several of the leaders present today to the White House, and I look forward to working with all of you

America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture. We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership based on shared interests and values to pursue a better future (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY)

Here at this summit, we will discuss (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY). But above all, we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet history's great test, to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces terrorism brings with it every single time. Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred.

When young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves, it has to be done and we have to let them do it. With God's help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East and maybe even all over the world

But this future can only be achieved through defeating terrorism and the ideology that drives it. Few nations have been spared the violent reach of terrorism. America has suffered repeated barbaric attacks from the atrocities of September 11 to the devastation of the Boston bombings to the horrible killings in San Bernardino and Orlando. The nations of Europe have also endured unspeakable horror. So too have the nations of Africa and South America. India, Russia, China, and Australia have all been victims

But in sheer numbers, the deadliest toll has been exacted on the innocent people of Arab, Muslim, and Middle Eastern nations. They have borne the brunt of the killings and the worst of destruction in this wave of fanatical violence. Some estimates hold that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim. We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading across the planet

It is a tragedy of epic proportions. No description of the suffering and depravity can begin to capture its full measure. The (INAUDIBLE) of ISIS, if you look at what's happening, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others must be counted not only in the number of dead; it also must be counted in generations of vanished dreams

The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity. This region should not be a place from which refugees flee but to which newcomers flock. Saudi Arabia is home to the holiest sites in one of the world's great faiths. Each year millions of Muslims come from around the world to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj

In addition to ancient wonders, this country is also home to modern ones, including soaring achievements in architecture. Egypt was a thriving center of learning and achievement thousands of years before other parts of the world. The wonders of Giza (ph), Luxor, and Alexandria are proud monuments to that ancient heritage. All over the world people dream of walking through the ruins of Petra in Jordan

Iraq was the cradle of civilization and is a land of natural beauty.

And the United Arab Emirates has reached incredible heights with glass and steel, and turned earth and water into spectacular works of art. The entire region is at the center of the key shipping lanes of the Suez Canal, the Red Se, and the Straits (sic) of Hormuz. The potential of this region has never, ever been greater. Sixty-five percent of its population is under the age of 30. Like all young men and women, they seek great futures to build, great national projects to join, and a place for their families to call home

But this untapped potential, this tremendous cause of optimism, is held at bay by bloodshed and terror. There can be no coexistence with this violence. There can be no tolerating it, no accepting it, no excusing it, and no ignoring it. Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith

Terrorists do not worship God; they worship death. If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen and what will be the end result. Terrorism's devastation of life will continue to spread, peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence, and the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered. If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing, then not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life and decent people, all in the name of religion. People that want to protect life and want to protect their religion. This is a battle between good and evil. When we see the scenes of destruction in the wake of terror, we see no signs that those murdered were Jewish or Christian, Shia or Sunni.

When we look upon the strains (sic) of innocent blood soaked into the ancient ground, we cannot see the faith or sect or tribe of the victims. We see only that they were children of God whose deaths are an insult to all that is holy. But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong, and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden. Terrorism has spread all across the world, but the path to peace begins right here on this ancient soil in this sacred land.

America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security, but the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their country, and frankly for their families, for their children. It's a choice between two futures, and it is a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists

Drive them out. Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land. And drive them out of this earth. For our part, America is committed to adjusting our strategies to meet evolving threats and new facts. We will discard those strategies that have not worked and will apply new approaches, informed by experience, talent, and judgment. We are adopting a principled realism rooted in common values, shared interests, and common sense.

Our friends will never question our support and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption. We will make decisions based on real world outcomes, not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms, not sudden intervention. We must seek partners, not perfection. And to make allies of all who share our goals

Above all, America seeks peace, not war. Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion. The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil. Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil. Many are already making significant contributions to regional security

Jordanian pilots are crucial partners against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia and a regional coalition have taken strong action against Houthi militants in Yemen. The Lebanese army is hunting ISIS operatives who try to infiltrate their territory. Emirati troops are supporting our Afghan partners and supporting them strongly. In Mosul, American troops are supporting Kurds, Sunnis and Shias fighting together for their homeland. Qatar, which hosts the U.S. Central Command, is a crucial strategic partner.

Our long- standing partnership with Kuwait and Bahrain continue to enhance security in the region. Our courageous Afghan soldiers are making tremendous sacrifices in the fight against the Taliban and others in the fight for their country. As we deny terrorist organizations control of territory and populations, we must also strip them of their access to funds. We must cut off the financial channels that let ISIS sell oil, let extremists pay their fighters, and help terrorists smuggle their reinforcements

I am proud to announce that the nations here today will be signing an agreement to prevent the financing of terrorism called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, co-chaired by the United States and Saudi Arabia, and joined by every member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It is another historic step in a day that will be long remembered

I also applaud the Gulf Cooperation Council for blocking funders from using their countries as a financial base for terror and for designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, which they certainly are, last year. Saudi Arabia also joined us this week in placing sanctions on one of the most senior leaders of Hezbollah

Of course, there is still much work to be done. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds. We must stop what they're doing to inspire, because they do nothing to inspire but kill. And we are having a very profound effect if you look at what's happened recently. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians

Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear -- barbarism will deliver you no glory. Piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be fully condemned. And political leaders must speak out to affirm the same idea. Heroes don't kill innocents; they save them

Many nations here today have taken important steps to raise up that message

Saudi Arabia's vision for 2030 is an important and encouraging statement of tolerance, respect, empowering women, and economic development

The United Arab Emirates has also engaged in the battle for the hearts and souls, and with the United States launched a center to counter the online spread of hate

Bahrain too is working to undermine recruitment and radicalism

I also applaud Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for their role in hosting refugees

The surge of migrants and refugees living, and just living so poorly, that they're forced to leave the Middle East depletes the human capital needed to build stable societies and economies. Instead of depriving this region of so much human potential, Middle Eastern countries can give young people hope for a brighter future in their home nations and regions. That means promoting the aspirations and dreams of all citizens who seek a better life, including women, children, and the followers of all faiths

Numerous Arab and Islamic scholars have eloquently argued that protecting equality strengthens Arab and Muslim communities. For many centuries, the Middle East has been home to Christians, Muslims, and Jews living side by side. We must practice tolerance and respect for each other once again, and make this region a place where every man and woman, no matter their faith or ethnicity, can enjoy a life of dignity and hope

In that spirit, after concluding my visit in a fabulous place that we're at today, Riyadh, which I've gotten to know so well in so short a time, I will travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and then to the Vatican, visiting many of the holiest places in the three Abrahamic faiths. If these three faiths can join together in cooperation, then peace in this world is possible, including peace between Israelis and Palestinians. I will be meeting with both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas

Starving terrorists of their territory, of their funding, and the false allure of the craven ideology will be the basis for easily defeating them. But no discussion of stamping out this threat would be complete without mentioning the government that gives terrorists all three -- safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment. It is a regime that is responsible for so much instability in that region. I am speaking, of course, of Iran

From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds arms and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region. For decades, Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror. It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this very room

Among Iran's most tragic and destabilizing interventions, you've seen it in Syria. Bolstered by Iran, Assad has committed unspeakable crimes, and the United States has taken firm action in response to the use of banned chemical weapons by the Assad regime, launching 59 missiles at the Syrian air base from where that murderous attack originated. Responsible nations must work together to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria, eradicate ISIS, and restore stability to the region and as quickly as possible

The Iranian regime's longest suffering victims are its own people. Iran has a rich history and culture, but the people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leader's reckless pursuit of conflict and terror. Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it, deny it, funding for terrorism, cannot do it, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve

The decisions we make will affect countless lives. King Salman, I thank you for the creation of this great moment in history and for your massive investments in America and its industries and its jobs. I also thank you for investing in the future of this part of the world, the fertile region -- and it is so fertile -- has all of the ingredients for extraordinary success: A rich history and culture, a young and vibrant people, a thriving spirit of enterprise. You can only unlock this future if the citizens of the Middle East are freed from extremism, terror, and violence

We in this room are the leaders of our peoples. They look to us for answers and for action. And when we look back at their faces, behind every pair of eyes is a soul that yearns for justice and yearns for peace

Today, billions of faces are now looking at us, waiting for us to act on the great question of our time. Will we be indifferent in the presence of evil? Will we protect our citizens from its violent ideology? Will we let its venom spread through our societies? Will we let it destroy the most holy sites on earth? If we do not confront this deadly terror, we know what the future will bring -- more suffering, more death, and more despair. But if we act, if we leave this magnificent room unified and determined to do what it takes to destroy the terror that threatens the world, then there is no limit to the great future our citizens will have

The birthplace of civilization is waiting to begin a new renaissance. Just imagine what tomorrow could bring, glorious wonders of science, art, medicine, and commerce to inspire mankind. Great cities built on the ruins of shattered towns. New jobs and industries that will lift up millions and millions of people. Parents who no longer worry for their children, their families, and who no longer mourn for their loved ones. And the faithful who finally worship without fear

These are the blessings of prosperity and peace. These are the desires that burn with a righteous flame in every single human heart. And these are the just demands of our beloved people. I ask you to join me, to join together, to work together, and to fight together, because united we will not fail. We cannot fail. Nobody, absolutely nobody, can beat us

Thank you. God bless you, God bless your countries, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. Thank you
President Trump Sunday in a highly-anticipated speech to Muslim leaders during his first foreign trip called for unity between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations in the fight to stamp out extremism.

During his second day of his first trip abroad, Trumps speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia addressed the leaders of more than 50 Muslim-majority countries to challenge extremism by cutting off the financing of terrorist groups.

Trump announced the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which is committed to prosecuting the financing of terrorism.

Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God, Trump said.

We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship, Trump added, noting terrorists must be condemned not rewarded. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.

The council comprises Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will sign the memorandum of understanding in Riyadh, according to Reuters.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations, the president added, noting the U.S. is prepared to stand with Middle Eastern nations in pursuit of common security.

The president has been enthusiastically embraced in Riyadh, where the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia has welcomed his aggressive stance on Iran, its regional foe.

According to The Associated Press, Trump slammed Iran for spreading destruction and chaos throughout the region. His comments were echoed by Saudi King Salman, who declared, The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism.

In his first overseas trip as president, Trump also pledged to work with Saudi Arabia to bring peace to the Gulf region and forge stronger economic ties, in large part through a roughly $10 billion arms deal.

That was a tremendous day, Trump said shortly after signing the arms deal. Tremendous investments in the United States. Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

The arms deal is part of large, $350 billion economic packages between the ally nations.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
President Trump Sunday in a highly-anticipated speech to Muslim leaders during his first foreign trip is expected to call for unity in the fight to stamp out extremism.

During his second day of his first trip abroad, Trumps speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a battle between good and evil and urge Arab leaders to drive out the terrorists from your places of worship, according to a draft of the speech.

Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God, Trump is expected to say according to excerpts of his speech. Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination.

Trump will tell Muslim leaders that the only way to combat radical terrorism is if the forces of good are united and calls for countries to do their fair share in the fight.

America is prepared to stand with you  in pursuit of shared interests and common security, he will say.

Trumps centerpiece speech of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia comes after he joined leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in an effort to counter the financing of terrorism. The U.S. has joined leaders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations, Trump will say. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.

In his first overseas trip as president, Trump pledged to work with Saudi Arabia leader King Salman to bring peace to the Gulf region and forge stronger economic ties, in large part through a roughly $10 billion arms deal.

That was a tremendous day, Trump said shortly after signing the arm deal. Tremendous investments in the United States. Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

The arms deal is part of large, $350 billion economic packages between the ally nations.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump were greeting in Saudi Arabia at the airport by 81-year King Salman, in a red carpet ceremony that also included a military flyover in which several jets left a red, white and blue streamers.

Trump called his visit to Saudi Arabia "a great honor" joined the king in a brief coffee ceremony at the airport terminal before heading to his hotel and the official events of the day.

The next stop in the presidents nine-day trip will be Israel and then the Vatican where he will have an audience with Pope Francis. Next, Trump will meet with allies at a NATO summit in Brussels and the Group of 7 wealthy nations in Sicily.

Great to be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump tweeted upon landing in Saudi Arabia aboard Air Force One. Looking forward to the afternoon and evening ahead.

The first lady wore a black pantsuit with a golden belt and did not cover her head for the arrival, consistent with custom for foreign dignitaries visiting Saudi Arabia.

Trump shook hands with the king, compared to then-President Barack Obama in 2009 appearing to bow before then King Abdullah, a move some viewed as a sign of American weakness.

Trump, during his winning presidential campaign and in the first several months of his presidency, has argued that the United States can no longer be the worlds police officer and that other nations must become more self-sufficient in efforts to combat such terror networks as al Qaeda and the Islamic State and in protecting themselves against rogue nations like Iran and North Korea.

After two days of meetings in Riyadh, Trump will travel to Israel and then the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis. Next, Trump will meet with allies at a NATO summit in Brussels and the Group of 7 wealthy nations in Sicily.

The multi-billion dollar arms deal in the clearest terms possible shows the United States commitment to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners and expands economic opportunities, the White House said.

The deal will include tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications and cybersecurity technology. And it will support tens-of-thousands of new jobs in the U.S. defense industrial base, the White House said.

Trump did not address the cameras. But Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Foreign Minister Abdel al Jubeir held a joint press conference.

Jubeir said Trump "certainly has the vision and, we believe, strength to bring about Middle East peace.

He also called the Trumps trip a truly historic visit.

Said Tillerson: Were very proud of this relationship we're embarking on.

He also took a question about a recent news report about somebody within the White House being a person of interest amid ongoing investigations into whether Trump and his associates colluded with Russia to help Trump win the 2016 presidential race.

Tillerson said he had no knowledge about such a person of interest.

White House officials hope the trip gives Trump the opportunity to recalibrate after one of the most difficult stretches of his young presidency. The White House badly bungled the president's stunning firing of FBI Director James Comey, who was overseeing the federal governments investigation into possible Russia collusion.

Trump on Sunday will also hold meetings with more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders converging on Riyadh for a regional summit focused largely on combating the Islamic State and other extremist groups.

Still, the centerpiece of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia will likely be the speech Sunday at the Arab-Islamic-American summit.

White House aides view the address as a counter to Obama's 2009 speech to the Muslim world, which Trump criticized as too apologetic for U.S. actions in the region.

Trump will call for unity in the fight against radicalism in the Muslim world, casting the challenge as a "battle between good and evil" and urging Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press. The draft notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights  topics Arab leaders often view as U.S. moralizing  in favor of the more limited goals of peace and stability.

It also abandons some of the harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric that defined Trump's presidential campaign and does not contain the words "radical Islamic terror," a phrase Trump repeatedly criticized Hillary Clinton for not using during last year's campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer reaffirmed on Sunday that the United States will not return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Attending a meeting of ministers from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries in Vietnam, Lighthizer said that the U.S. favors bilateral over multicultural trade deals, Reuters reported.

There are now 11 remaining countries involved with the TPP trade deal.

Lighthizer, who agreed with President Trumps decision to leave the agreement, added that leaving TPP does not necessarily mean the U.S. wont still be involved.

"The United States pulled out of the TPP and it's not going to change that decision. That does not mean we will not engage in this region," Lightizer said.

The remaining countries held their highest level talks on Sunday and announced that they look forward to continuing the trade deal without U.S. involvement, the news agency reported.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay told reporters that the reaming countries were going to put forward proposals on how to take TPP forward in November.

On January 23, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from any involvement in the TPP trade deal.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, who says he's been appointed an assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security, has denied he plagiarized content in his master's thesis on homeland security, while the Naval Postgraduate School confirmed Sunday that it's reviewing the allegations.

The denial followed a CNN report Saturday saying Clarke, who built a following among conservatives with his provocative social media presence and strong support of President Donald Trump, failed to properly attribute his sources at least 47 times in his 2013 thesis, titled "Making U.S. security and privacy rights compatible."

Clarke wrote in an email to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that "only someone with a political agenda would say this is plagiarism."

The Department of Homeland Security hasn't confirmed Clarke's appointment as assistant secretary, which the tough-talking, cowboy hat-wearing sheriff announced Wednesday during an appearance on a Wisconsin radio talk show. Clarke said he would act as a liaison between DHS Secretary John Kelly and state and local government officials, including mayors and law enforcement, as well as people in the private sector.

The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., removed his thesis from its online archive on Friday, Lt. Cmdr. Clint Phillips, a school spokesman, told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The CNN report said Clarke lifted language from several sources, and footnoted those sources, but did not use quotation marks to show he had used passages verbatim, despite school guidelines saying that material quoted word-for-word must be set off with quotation marks, or presented as indented text for longer passages, and be followed with a proper citation.

Clarke's thesis was replaced on the school's online archive with a message saying, "This item was removed from view at the discretion of the Naval Postgraduate School." The message directed viewers to the archive's policies page, which listed several potential reasons for taking an item down, including not meeting "the School's guidelines for plagiarism, research methodology or integrity of research."

A Sheriff's Department spokeswoman, Fran McLaughlin, told the newspaper that Clarke followed the school's system for writing papers and that the CNN report was biased. She declined to provide additional information when asked by the AP on Sunday, saying in an email, "The sheriff said to follow national media for his response to this smear."

Phillips said the Naval Postgraduate School's "standard operating procedure" is to take down a thesis anytime questions are raised about its validity while the school conducts an internal academic review. He said that review will be "very thorough," and declined to speculate on how long it will take or the potential consequences for Clarke.

"I can't comment on the status of his degree or even on the status of the thesis at this point," he said.

The school's 2013 and 2017 honor codes define plagiarism as "Submitting material that in part or whole is not one's own work without proper attribution. Plagiarism is further defined as the use, without giving reasonable and appropriate credit to or acknowledging the author or source, of another person's original work. ..."

It was a time of turmoil for Clarke and the sheriff's office even before the job announcement and the plagiarism allegations. Seven workers at the county jail he oversees are at the center of a criminal investigation into the dehydration death last year of an inmate who prosecutors say was deprived of water as punishment.

The Milwaukee County prosecutor's office is considering charges against those staffers, based on a jury's recommendation after a weeklong inquest. Clarke wasn't among the seven because prosecutors say he wasn't directly involved in the events leading up to the inmate's death. But the death happened under his leadership, which his critics say was sufficient cause for Clarke's firing.


The co-founder of Twitter apologized Saturday for the social media platforms role in Donald Trumps rise to the White House.

In an interview with the New York Times, Evan Williams said that he recently learned that President Trump said he believes Twitter put him in the White house.

Its a very bad thing, Twitters role in that, he said. If its true that he wouldnt be president if it werent for Twitter, then yeah, Im sorry.

The White House did not respond to a request for a comment on Williams statement, the Times reported.

The 45-year-old Silicon Valley entrepreneur criticized the internet for rewarding extremes calling it broken. Williams said that he was wrong for thinking that the world would be a better place if there was a platform for everyone to freely speak and exchange ideas.

In commencement speech at the University of Nebraska this month, Williams said some would say thats what we deserve for giving the power of tweets to Donald Trump.

Trump has often used Twitter to dispute reports seen in the news. Recently, Trump took to the social media platform to deny that he or his campaign had any involvement with Russia in influencing the results of the presidential election.

On May 12 he tweeted Again, the story that there was collusion between the Russians & Trump campaign was fabricated by Dems as an excuse for losing the election.

He tweeted again later this week calling the medias reporting of the matter the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history.

The Asscoiated Press contributed to this report.
security. A few hundred women have been

claiming gang rape is

Argentina spilled cyanide solution into a handful of rivers in the western San Juan province. This was the third major cyanide spill at the mine in 18 months. An Argentinian court fined Barrick US$9.3-million for spilling one million litres of cyanide into five rivers in September 2015 and is set to impose further fines and restrictions on its operations over its failure to complete mandated improvements that could have prevented the third spill. 270,000 people have signed a petition calling on Argentinas president to shutter the Veladero mine.

2014, reported the

National

was physically threatened" after pursuing environmental concerns about Barrick. My children were threatened. My offices were wiretapped. My staff was bought and the public officials that once controlled Barrick for me became paid employees of Barrick Gold.

On the other side of the globe the Toronto company is pressuring the Tanzanian government to abandon an effort to increase the domestic economic benefits from its natural resources. A majority-owned Barrick subsidiary, Acacia Mining is threatening to

organized a sophisticated scheme of tax evasion in the East African

diplomatic support, the company has aggressively opposed moves to withhold diplomatic and financial support to Canadian companies found responsible for significant abuses abroad. Barrick is part of regional corporate lobby groups the Canadian Council of the Americas and the Canadian Council on Africa, as well as being represented on the Senate of the Canadian International Council and the board of the C.D. Howe Institute. The company

provided at least $60 million (he receives tax credits for donations) to right-wing think tanks such as the Fraser Institute and Frontier Centre for Public Policy as well as the Munk Debates and University of Torontos Munk School of Global Affairs. In 2010 the Fraser Institute gave Munk its most prestigious award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to free and open markets around the globe.
The FBI is investigating a deadly weekend stabbing at the University of Maryland to determine whether it was a hate crime, law enforcement officials said Sunday.



University of Maryland student Sean Christopher Urbanski, 22, of Severna Park, Md., faces charges of first- and second-degree murder as well as first-degree assault after he allegedly attacked Bowie State University student Richard Collins III.

According to charging documents, Collins was waiting for an Uber with two friends on the College Park campus at around 3 a.m. Saturday when a screaming Urbanski approached the group screaming, "Step left, step left if you know what's best for you."

According to the documents, Collins said "no" and was stabbed in the chest with a folding knife. Urbanski was arrested at the scene after several witnesses identified him. Police said the suspect had been drinking.

University of Maryland Police Chief David Mitchell told a news conference Sunday evening that he had called in the FBI after learning that Urbanski was a member of a Facebook group called "Alt-Reich: Nation," where members leave racially charged posts.

Urbanski is white and Collins was black.

"We are here to evaluate that as an ongoing concern with respect to whether or not this was a hate crime," Gordon Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI Field Office in Baltimore, told reporters.

Mitchell also told reporters that Collins was a senior at Bowie State and was set to graduate on Tuesday. Collins was recently commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Artie Lee Travis, vice president for student affairs at Bowie State, said the school hopes the investigation moves forward as quickly as possible.



"Hate has no place in America," Travis said. "Hate has no place on a college campus, where young minds are coming together to try to change the world," he said.



Brian Douglas, who recently became close to Collins when they took a class together, said the man was looking forward to graduation.



"He was just nice, just a good young man all around. You can't find those too often in today's society," Douglas said.



Ciera Sorrell, who also took a class with Collins, said his killing shocked the Bowie State community.



"Everyone is in disbelief," she said. "He seemed so excited to get to live his life and he doesn't have that chance anymore," she said.

University of Maryland President Wallace Loh led students and their families in a moment of silence during Sunday's graduation ceremony.

"We are still in shock that a young man, so full of promise, should have his life cut short, so suddenly," Loh said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and with the entire Bowie State University community."

The two universities are approximately 12 miles apart.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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An American climber has died near the summit of Mount Everest and an Indian climber is missing after heading down from the mountain following a successful ascent, expedition organizers said Sunday.

Roland Yearwood, 50, from Georgiana, Alabama, died on the mountain on Sunday but other details were not immediately known, said Murari Sharma of the Everest Parivar Expedition agency, based in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

Indian climber Ravi Kamar fell sick on his way down from the summit on Saturday and did not make it to the nearest camp, while his accompanying Nepalese Sherpa guide made it to a camp, said Thupden Sherpa of Arun Treks and Expedition.

The guide also fell sick, but he was able to drag himself to the last camp at South Col, located at 26,247 feet, Sherpa said, adding that the guide had frostbite and was hooked to oxygen bottles.

A rescue team of three Sherpas flew by helicopter to Camp 2, from where they were climbing up the mountain to help search for the missing climber.

Kamar and his guide reached the 8,850-meter-high (29,035-foot-high) summit on Saturday at around 1:30 p.m., which is considered late, and not many climbers were around when they were returning back, Sherpa said.

Yearwood is the third climber to die on Everest during the current spring climbing season, which began in March and runs through this month.

The Nepalese Tourism Department issued a record 371 permits this year to people to scale the mountain. The increased number of climbers this year is likely because many people were unable to climb in 2014 and 2015.

The 2015 season was scrapped after 19 climbers were killed and 61 injured by an avalanche at the base camp triggered by a massive earthquake. In 2014, an avalanche at the Khumbu Icefall killed 16 Sherpa guides.

Climbers who had permits for the 2014 season were allowed to receive a free replacement permit until 2019, while climbers with 2015 permits were given only until this year. Climbers normally must pay $11,000 to Nepal's government for a permit.
U.S. and South Korean officials announced on Sunday that North Korea fired a medium-range missile, in the latest ballistics test for a country speeding up its development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

U.S. Pacific Command said it tracked the missile until it landed into the sea.

South Koreas Office of Joint Chiefs of staff released a statement Sunday afternoon stating that the launch came from an area near Pukchang, in South Phyongan Province, and flew eastward about 310 miles.

The White House said it was aware that North Korea had launched a midrange ballistic missile.

White House officials traveling in Saudi Arabia with President Donald Trump said the system, which was last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's most recent tests.

North Korea tested a longer-range missile last weekend, which experts say was a significant advance for a weapons program that aims at having a nuclear-tipped missile that can strike America. The test triggered a new U.S.-backed push for a fresh round of U.N. sanctions against the North.

On Friday North Koreas deputy U.N. envoy said that the country will continue to strengthen its nuclear program as a necessary measure needed to counter U.S. aggression.

Kim In Ryong told reporters that the U.S. hostile policy towards North Korea is the root of all problems and that regardless of U.S. sanctions, Pyongyang would never abandon its nuclear deterrence for self-defense and pre-emptive strike capability.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday at the Pentagon that North Korea is clearly not complying with pressure from the international community.

He stressed the need for a peaceful resolution, stating that a military solution to the standoff with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program would be "tragic on an unbelievable scale."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
At least 25 policemen were killed early Sunday morning when Taliban militants stormed multiple security checkpoints in Afghanistan's volatile southern province of Zabul.

The Taliban initiated the attacks as part of a spring offensive that has inflicted heavy losses on government security forces.

"A group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints in Shajoy district of Zabul province, killing 25 policemen," provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal told AFP. "Many Taliban fighters have also been killed."

He said some 1,000 Taliban fighters stormed the police outposts along the highway leading to the regional hub of Kandahar.

Situated between the restive Kandahar and Ghazni provinces, the southern Zabul province has seen a surge in violence in recent weeks.

A message on the Talibans website claimed that the fighting was continuing.

As the Taliban carried out the Shajoy assault, the neighboring city of Qalat was hit by a barrage of rockets. The militants targeted the police headquarters and the governors guesthouse in Qalat.

Luckily, there are no human losses, but damage has been done to the properties of local people and governmental buildings, Afghanmal said of the rocket attack.

A Shajoy resident told Fox News that the Taliban struck the police checkpoints Saturday and Sunday.

We are unable to go outside due to severe fighting and heavy exchange of fire from last two days, the resident said.

Afghanmal told reporters that six of the 11 districts in the Zabul province were threatened by the Taliban, making for a difficult situation for police. The governor said one district, Khak e Afghan, was under the Talibans total control.

"As the holy month of fasting is approaching next week, we are engaged in attacking maximum government installments and foreign troops to close our offensive," a senior Taliban commander from the eastern city of Jalalabad told Fox News Sunday.

"We are trying to gain maximum attacks in spring offensive to dismantle Kabul," the commander said.

Asadullah Kakar told local journalists that Zabul's provincial government of Zabul has been unable to deal with the stepped-up Taliban threat. He said a request had been made to the central government in Kabul for more assistance.

The Taliban are carrying out multiple attacks, it is difficult for security forces to deal with them, he said.

Meantime, in a separate wave of violence, a German aid worker and her security guard were killed and a Finnish national was kidnapped in Kabul late Saturday, the Swedish relief organization Operation Mercy reported.

President Trump is weighing a Pentagon request to send 3,000 more troops to Afghanistan to deal with the surge in Taliban violence.

Afghan forces have suffered heavy losses since the start of the year.
Thousands of Spaniards have rallied in Madrid to support a no-confidence vote against conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy brought by the far-left Podemos party.

Podemos organized the gathering Saturday to bolster its no-confidence vote against Rajoy's ruling Popular Party, which has been hit by a series of corruption scandals.

The rally under the slogan "We have to throw them out" was held in the Puerta del Sol, a large square in the heart of Spain's capital. Many protesters held signs that read "Enough!" or "Corruption!"

"We are governed by a party that is not a party but is a corrupt institution that has robbed the country," said Jose Ramon de la Valencia, a 45-year-old unemployed worker. "If we don't take over the streets and the parliament, the Popular Party is going to do whatever they want."

Podemos registered its intent Friday to bring the no-confidence vote to Parliament. It is presenting the party's ponytailed leader, Pablo Iglesias, as an alternative candidate to replace Rajoy.

No date has been set for the no-confidence vote but the move appears designed to fail. With only 71 members in parliament, Podemos would need help from other parties to reach the majority needed of 176. No other major party says it will back the move to topple Rajoy.

Iglesias struck a defiant tone at the rally, calling the Popular Party "a mafia-like party."

"The people are not afraid. They are telling the corrupted to 'get lost, we want a Spain of the 21st century," Iglesias said. "This country is better than its parliament and we are showing the way to the future."

Rajoy has been dragged into the most damaging of the corruption cases involving the Popular Party, an alleged kickbacks-for-contracts scheme to finance party activities. Spain's National Court has called Rajoy as a witness in the case. Like his party, Rajoy has denied any wrongdoing.

On Monday, Podemos will present a motion for a separate no-confidence vote against Madrid's regional leader, Cristina Cifuentes, for another corruption investigation involving the Popular Party.
The new U.S. embassy in Israel is set to officially open in Jerusalem on Monday as President Trump has formally recognized the holy city as the countrys capital.

The opening comes after a day of celebratory festivities in Israel juxtaposed with mass protests along the border of Israel that left at least 52 Palestinians dead and more than 1,000 injured Monday. It was the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations that has cast a cloud over the embassy opening.

The Trump administrations decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital was heralded by many pro-Israel activists but decried by Palestinians and Americas Arab allies.

Ahead of the opening, Trump tweeted its a great day for Israel."

Read on to find out why the decision is so contentious  and why it wasnt accomplished before.

Finding the capital

The international community  and until 2017, the U.S.  largely does not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as it is claimed by both Palestinians and Israelis. Like other countries, the U.S. kept its embassy in Tel Aviv, approximately an hour away.

The U.S. moving its embassy could cause significant harm to the U.S. credibility as a mediator for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, said Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs for J Street, a left-leaning pro-Israel advocacy organization.

Williams added that the move could undermine confidence from Palestinians and Arab countries that the U.S. would remain an impartial negotiator in efforts to create peace in the Middle East.

Even seemingly minor changes of Jerusalems status quo  either in fact or in law  have historically had the impact of sparking violence, Williams said.

Support for Jerusalem

Millions of evangelical eyes were on Trump, waiting to see if he would keep his campaign promise to move the embassy, longtime Pastor John Hagee told Fox News ahead of the president's official announcement.

"I can assure you that 60 million evangelicals are watching this promise closely because if President Trump moves the embassy into Jerusalem, he will historically step into immortality," Hagee said. "He will be remembered for thousands of years for his act of courage to treat Israel like we already treat other nations."

"If he does not, he will be remembered as just another president who made a promise he failed to keep which would generate massive disappointment in that strong evangelical base that went to vote for him against Hillary Clinton," he added.

"Trump will be remembered for thousands of years for his act of courage to treat Israel like we already treat other nations."  Pastor John Hagee

Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church, a megachurch in San Antonio, Texas. He founded the nonprofit Christians United for Israel in 2006, as well.

A March 2016 Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans didnt express an opinion when asked if the U.S. embassy should move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But of those who did have an opinion, Americans were split with 24 percent supporting a move and 20 percent disagreeing with relocation.

Congressional authority

Trump isnt the only president to declare his intentions to move the U.S. embassy; both former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush also pledged to move the embassy  only to abandon the idea once in the White House.

Congress approved in 1995 the funding and relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem by 1999. But the law included a stipulation, allowing for presidents to sign continuous waivers to stall the relocation. Every president since had used the waiver in an effort to avoid conflict with the peace negotiations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A King George High School senior who led the effort to create a stronger tobacco-free policy in his countys school system last year has helped persuade Colonial Beach do the same.

Eric Davis, 17, worked with the Y Street program to promote the policy, which was adopted by the Colonial Beach School Board last month.

Y Street is a Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth initiative that trains high school students to promote healthy living. One of its initiatives is the 24/7 Campaign, which it says aims to help schools implement comprehensive policies that prohibit the use of all tobacco products and e-cigarettes anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on school property and at off-site school events.

Other than the School Board, there really was one key player in this story, said Holley Tillman, campaign manager for Y Street. That was Eric.

Davis and the Y Street members surveyed students of Colonial Beach School District in February and found support for a stronger anti-tobacco policy.

Tillman said Davis led the charge, but she helped by gaining the support of the Virginia School Board Association.

In March, the Y Street team discussed the new policy with the Colonial Beach School Board. The board approved it April 18 and it went into effect immediately.

It was received really well, Tillman said. No members of the public pushed back, and the School Board and superintendent were all very supportive of it.

Superintendent Kevin Newman is pleased with the new policy.

Colonial Beach Public Schools is excited to start our partnership with Y Street and becoming the 28th school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia to adopt a 100 percent comprehensive tobacco-free and e-cigarette policy, Newman said in a statement.

Davis, who will attend The University of Virginia on a full scholarship in the fall, said he is excited about the accomplishments at King George and Colonial Beach.

By doing this, we hope to alleviate the illnesses associated with tobacco, he said. But we also hope to show that tobacco does not set a good example for young people.
As a region and a country, we spend a lot of time and resources commemorating and sharing the history of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

A ceremony I attended recently in Westmoreland County was a good reminder that it and the rest of the Northern Neck were a hotbed of action in the less remembered War of 1812.

Who remembers that in the later stages of the war, the British fleet made Tangier Island their base of operation for the war effort in the region, stretching the seams of the island thats just larger than a square mile?

They did, calling it Fort Albion and amassing some 4,500 soldiers and freed slaves.

From there, they could dispatch raiding parties up and down the Northern Neck to burn ships and houses, steal crops and cattle and tangle with American militias in hit-and-run attacks.

The recent event that underscored that history was a ceremony unveiling a grave marker for Pvt. Thomas Bennett Dashiell, a soldier in the War of 1812.

Because Dashiells son Thomas Grayson Dashiell became rector of Cople Parishwhich includes historic Yeocomico Churchit makes sense that the elder Dashiell died at the rectory, in 1859. He was buried in the church graveyard.

The elder Dashiell, who was born on the Eastern Shore in Maryland, received a total of 160 acres of land for his service in the War of 1812. At the unveiling of his grave marker, he was honored with music, a historical recounting of his life and a full color guard from the Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mike Lyman, a past president of the society who presided over the ceremony, noted to a handful of guests that the group is doing all it can to mark the gravesites of 1812 war vets all over Virginia.

And he noted during his remarks and to my questions afterwards that no county in Virginia saw more action during the War of 1812 than Westmoreland.

The trouble the American militias had in the fighting was that the British forces had control of the seas and the superior naval force, said Lyman. That meant that they could show up anywhere with ships carrying the British marines, and the local militias had trouble knowing where to be to fight them.

Lyman noted that major skirmishes took place around Kinsale on the Yeocomico River in Westmoreland County, where the U.S. 301 Bridge crosses the Potomac River at King George County, and at a handful of other spots up and down the Potomac River.

He and representatives of several memorial groups that put wreaths on Dashiells grave noted that the Northern Neck Historical Society detailed the battles, skirmishes and naval confrontations in issues of its historical magazine a few years back.

I thumbed through those recently and was fascinated by the breadth of the action in the Northern Neck.

Yes, Id known that some of the first shots of the war took place on the Yeocomico River near Kinsale, where the commander of an American vessel was shot and killed by British troops in a naval battle that involved a handful of British and American ships.

But I didnt know about subsequent battles where the Westmoreland militia, backed up by American troops from other counties, confronted British raiders in subsequent battles on the Yeocomico Creek near Kinsale, at Sandy Point on the Potomac and at or near Nomini, Rosier and Mattox creeks in Westmoreland County.

Another major skirmish happened at Hollis Marsh, now known as Hollis Island or Sharks Tooth Island, near the modern-day development of Stratford Harbour.

The magazine accounts say that the local militias would hit and retreat from the larger British forces, harrying them enough to eventually make them get back on their boats and away from American fighters who positioned themselves in homes, forests and marshes.

The magazine notes that while the British were successful at destroying homes, disrupting shipping and creating havoc for nearly three years in the region, they were thwarted from their goal of taking Washington and Baltimore.

And from even getting footholds that they could hold in places like Kinsale or Nomini Creek.

And thats why the Society of the War of 1812 is marking those who fought in the war, a worthy endeavor.

For more information on the society, go online to 1812va.org.
Death is not my favorite topic, but Ive learned a lot over the years from the experiences people have had and the various ways theyve reacted to them.

As you might imagine, Ive come away with goosebumps at timesnot because Im afraid of whats out there, in the dark. Its more like the stories have kept me awake, wondering about the possibilities.

Many who lose loved ones are desperate for a sign from beyond, some indication that even though their parents or spouses, children or siblings have died, theyre still connected to those of us left on Earthand keeping a watchful eye over them.

With that in mind, let me tell you a story about Aaron Redd, a 21-year-old from Stafford County whom I wrote about on Mothers Day. In July, he collapsed while doing a fitness run during Coast Guard training and died five days later.

He was an athlete and super active, but he carried the sickle cell trait, which caused a fatal reaction during the intense exercise.

Aaron was made an honorary Guardsman, the Coast Guard has become a second family to the Redds, and Aarons mother, Eileen GavaganRedd, has vowed to focus on her sons fun-loving nature in the midst of her grief. She encourages others to do the same, to embrace your inner Aaron.

One other thing about him. When Aaron played video games, he always logged on as Code Red.

After Aaron collapsed, he was put on life support and monitored by machines and humans. Before the decision was made to end the support, he was taken for one last test.

His older brother, Evan, walked beside the hospital bed carrying him, and paused when a message came over the loudspeaker.

Code Red is out of service.

All signs seemed to be indicating it was the end for Aaron.

When the test was finished, the brothersone hovering protectively over the otherreturned to the room. The hospital hallway was lined with Coast Guardsmen, all standing at attention.

Doctors began to prep Aaron, an organ donor, so his heart could be transplanted into someone elses body.

Soon thereafter, another message came over the loudspeaker.

Code Red is back in service.

The Redds smile at that memory because they believe Aarons heart lives on in another and his joyful spirit continues in everyone who knew him.

Hes back in service, his mother said. Hes here, hes still here.

Like cardinals, butterflies often are considered messengers from the afterlife. Aarons mother said one came through an open window and practically dive-bombed her one day when she was so overwhelmed with sorrow, she could barely move.

The insect hovered in front of her nose until she asked: Aaron? Then, it left as quickly as it had arrived. Within moments, she was inspired to follow a friends suggestion and go get her hair done.

A former co-worker told a story about how much her mother loved dragonflies, and darned if a swarm didnt appear the day of her mothers funeral. Naturally, it wasnt the time of year when the insects should have been out.

At the funeral of one of my relatives, a speaker talked about a birdhouse my uncle had made and how often the man had tried, unsuccessfully, to entice feathered friends to live there. The day my uncles family and friends gathered to pay their respects was the time the wooden structure finally housed birds.

Weve all heard about pennies from heaven. Heres a story thats worth 10 times more.

Soon after the mother of Lou, my companion, died, his sister, Annamaria, started finding dimes everywhere. They were on the ground when she got out of the car, or in the car itself, in the parking lot, in the middle of the bed after shed made it.

She believed a caregiver had stolen money from her mother and wondered if that was the reason she was seeing silver. Annamaria later read that others had found dimes in odd places after a loved ones passing and came to see them as an indication that all was well. The finder often found a great sense of peace along with the dime, and Annamaria came to do the same.

Its been 12 years since her mothers death, and Annamaria doesnt encounter many random coins anymore. She sees that as a sign as well.

I think its when you need it, when you need the comforting and youre in the grieving stage that you find them, she said. When youre OK, theyre OK.
Quick reminder: when trying to figure out what Donald Trump is up to, it always pays to heed Deep Throats advice and follow the loot. The past few days have been busy ones on the Trump money beat. Although the latest developments arent particularly surprising, they add to the picture of a supposedly populist Administration that is actually the richest, most conflicted, and least transparent in living memory.On Monday, ProPublica, the investigative news site, reported that someone had changed the terms of the trust that Trump established before he entered the White House. The trust controls the four hundred or so businesses that Trump owns, and a new clause says that its trusteesTrumps two sons, Eric and Don, Jr., and a family lawyer, Allen Weisselbergshall distribute net income or principal to Donald J. Trump at his request, as the Trustees deem necessary for his maintenance, support or uninsured medical expenses, or as the Trustees otherwise deem appropriate.That language reads like a license for the President to extract as much money as he wants from his businesses, with no public disclosure, while hes still in the White House. For example, it appears to suggest that the trustees could sell a Trump-owned asset anywhere in the world and forward the proceeds to Trumps bank account without informing anybody.Trump isnt taking his annual Presidential salary of four hundred thousand dollars: on Monday, the White House announced that he would donate some of it to the National Park Service. So, he may need income to pay his personal bills and contribute to the upkeep of his family. But legal experts consulted by ProPublica said that the language in the trust was so broad that it was almost unheard of.Its been clear from the start that the arrangements Trump made to separate himself from his businesses, and to avoid conflicts of interest, fall woefully short of what is needed. After Trump announced his plans in January, the director of the Office of Government Ethics, Walter Shaub, Jr., called them wholly inadequate, saying that they failed to meet the standards that . . . every President in the last four decades have met. This latest revelation just confirms how flimsy the divide between Trump and his businesses really is.On Monday, when Sean Spicer, the White House spokesman, was asked about ProPublicas report at his daily briefing, he dismissed the Pulitzer Prize-winning organization as some left-wing blog. Spicer also said he wasnt aware that Trumps trust had been revised. But a copy of the trust document, which ProPublica posted online, shows that Donald, Jr., and Weisselberg signed it on February 10th, just a month after Trump unveiled the trust in its original form.In a tweetstorm reacting to Spicers comments, ProPublica said that it had given the White House an opportunity to comment on the change to the trust before publication. We told the Trump Org & WH what we knew and gave them time to explain. They didnt.The story about Trumps trust came out while journalists and public-interest groups were still digesting a slew of financial-disclosure documents, covering about a hundred and eighty Administration employees, that the White House released on Friday evening, the traditional spot in the weekly calendar for releasing negative news. We already knew that Trumps Cabinet was stuffed with billionaires and multi-millionaires. The news in the financial-disclosure forms is that there are a lot of very rich people working in the White House, too.In fact, a tally made by the Washington Post showed that twenty-seven of the wealthiest White House aides, at the time that they joined the Administration, together had financial assets worth at least $2.3 billion. Gary Cohn, the former president of Goldman Sachs, who is the head of the National Economic Council, reported assets worth at least two hundred and fifty million dollars. Reed S. Cordish, a Baltimore real-estate developer, had assets worth at least a hundred and ninety-seven million dollars. Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, reported assets worth between $11.8 million and $53.8 million. Kellyanne Conway, a White House counsellor, said that she was worth between ten million and thirty-nine million dollars. Even Julia Hahn, a twenty-five-year-old aide to Bannon, reported that she had investments worth between $1.1 million and $2.5 million.But the richest White House employees are members of Trumps family: Ivanka Trump, his daughter, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law. Together, according to the disclosure forms, the couple owns assets worth roughly seven hundred and forty million dollars. Kushners share in his familys real-estate empire accounts for the bulk of that total, but not all of it. Ivanka reported that she had a stake in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., which is located not far from the White House, worth between five million and twenty-five million dollars. During the past fifteen months, shes received between a million dollars and five million dollars in income from the hotel.These figures dont just make a mockery of the claims by Trump and Bannon that this is a populist Administrationthey also have legal implications. Although the President is spared the burden of complying with federal conflict-of-interest laws, White House aides arent. They are obliged to recuse themselves from areas where they might have a personal interest.The disclosure forms showed that Kushner, who until recently ran his familys business, has secured lines of credit through ten big banks, including Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, and Citigroup. These give him a clear interest in the fate of financial regulations. Ivankas ownership of a clothing company, which does business around the world, means she potentially has a stake in trade issues. And because they have both been real-estate executives (Ivanka with her fathers company), they have an interest in any policy measures likely to affect that industry, which certainly include tax reform. (Although they have taken steps to separate themselves from the day-to-day running of their businesses, they both retain ownership stakes.)Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump have so many potential conflicts of interest that if they abide by ethics laws and past White House practices, they wont be able to advise the president on three of his top priorities: Trade, tax reform and Wall Street deregulation, Norman Eisen and Richard Painter, who served as senior ethics lawyers in the Bush and Obama Administrations, respectively, wrote in USA Today on Monday. (The piece was co-authored by Virginia Canter, the head of the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.) The situation is particularly worrying because ethics compliance in the Trump administration has been weak, as evidenced by the White House counsels inadequate response to apparent or actual lapses by several White House staffers.One of the incidents that Eisen, Painter, and Canter were referring to was Kellyanne Conways call earlier this year for people to go buy Ivankas stuffan outburst that earned her a counselling session from White House lawyers. But the situation goes well beyond Ivanka Trumps clothing line. As is evidenced by the popularity of Trumps D.C. hotel among diplomats recently, many foreign governments have reached the conclusion that the best way to curry influence with the Administration is to patronize Trump businesses, and also, perhaps, to make it easier for them to operate overseas.On Thursday and Friday, Trump will host Xi Jinping, the President of China, at his Mar-a-Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida. After a strained start, relations between the Administration and Beijing appear to have improved in recent weeks. That may be partly because, in late February, China granted preliminary approval for thirty-eight trademarks that the Trump business empire had applied for in the country, opening the way for the company to develop a range of Trump-branded businesses, including hotels and condominiums.Chinese foreign-ministry officials insisted that the granting of all these trademarks was routine. But intellectual-property lawyers who know China said that it was unusual, and noted that it came just a couple of weeks after Trump, in a telephone conversation with Xi, said he would honor Beijings One China policy regarding Taiwana key demand of the Chinese.Doubtless, this was all a coincidence. Just as it is a coincidence that Trump has sold a lot of property to wealthy Russians, and that his revised trust places virtually no restrictions on his ability to take out money from his businesses. In kleptocratic regimes, coincidences of this sort tend to be common.
Needing a breakthrough in his longshot campaign for governor, state Sen. Frank Wagner, RVirginia Beach, said Friday that he plans to call a legislative committee meeting to barrage Gov. Terry McAuliffes administration with questions over the governors plan to regulate carbon emissions from Virginia power plants.

Wagner said hell convene an emergency meeting of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, a General Assembly committee he chairs, within a few weeks to investigate the Democratic governors recent directive creating a state-level plan to combat climate change.

In an interview, Wagner said he hopes to call the committee meeting before Memorial Day weekend, just a few weeks ahead of the June 13 gubernatorial primary when hell face former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie and Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart.

Wagner said he wasnt concerned that some might see the move as a use of legislative power to help his political campaign. He said he has a statutory duty to examine regulations that affect small businesses, adding what people perceive is their own damn business.

Is there any good time or bad time?, Wagner said. When youve got something thats this detrimental, the appropriate time is yesterday.

McAuliffe announced Tuesday that he was ordering the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to draft state-level carbon regulations after President Donald Trump moved to undo the federal Clean Power Plan, a climate change initiative then-President Barack Obama championed. Environmentalists praised McAuliffes action as a bold move toward cleaner energy sources, while Republicans condemned it as an executive overreach that could hurt the economy and raise energy prices.

Responding to Wagners plans for a committee hearing, McAuliffes office said the administration would gladly answer questions about the governors use of his lawful authority to direct his own agency heads.

Recent polls show Wagner trailing Gillespie and Stewart. Gillespie, a former political consultant who in 2014 nearly unseated U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., had 38 percent support among likely Republican voters in a recent Washington Post poll. Stewart was at 18 percent, Wagner drew 15 percent and 24 percent of respondents had no opinion.

Wagner, who has served in the General Assembly for 25 years, is pitching himself as the candidate with the most experience in the statehouse. Though Gillespie criticized McAuliffes carbon directive as job-killing and cost-increasing within a few hours of it becoming public Tuesday, Wagner suggested hes the only candidate showing concern and said his opponents probably dont understand the issue.

Gillespie didnt seem to take offense.

Ed is glad to see Frank using his position in the state Senate to help push back against the governors overreach, said Gillespie spokesman David Abrams.

The two Democrats running for governorLt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriellovoiced support for McAuliffes directive. Democrats will also choose their nominee in a June 13 primary.
University of Virginia graduates are entering a polarized world of political upheaval, terror, sectarian warfare and possible nuclear conflict, but Colombian President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos says they should not give in to fear, intolerance and hatred toward those who are different.

Santos, who met with President Donald Trump earlier in the week to discuss drug interdiction efforts, made his remarks in a valedictory address Friday. His son Esteban is graduating from U.Va.

Santos said the time to lead is now, but he warned that failure may be a prerequisite.

The only guarantee is that you will face failure more often than success, Santos said. But if you learn how to use the incredibly valuable lessons that failure offers you to further your goals and dreams, then, and only then, your life will end up being a true success.

Santos said he knows of what he speaks. He said Colombia has a painful history of internal war and violence, including more than 50 years of violent conflict with the Marxist guerrilla organization called FARC.

He estimated that the more than 8 million people have been victims of the violence and more than 220,000 have been killed.

In Colombia, generation after generation became used to violence in their daily lives, in the news, everywhere, like a bizarre alternative reality, he told the audience. Because no one in my country younger than 70 had ever experienced a single day of peace, I set peace as my personal port of destination.

He failed more often than not, he said, as did past efforts to bring the two warring sides together.

We needed to create the conditions to overcome this mistrust, he said. Precisely through failure after failure, defeat after defeat, we were able to create new opportunities and we made what seemed impossible possible.

Santos was a successful commander whose military assaults on FARC devastated the organization. When he was elected president, he took an unexpected tactic to the guerrillas.

When I announced instead that I would seek peace through dialogue, I was called a traitor. Sadly, many in Colombia still think of me that way, he said. And I learned that, ironically, it is much more popular to make war than to seek peace.

His administration negotiated a peace agreement with FARC that, in keeping an election promise, was put to a nationwide vote. It failed by a small margin, but four days later he received the Nobel Prize for his efforts.

Santos immediately began talking with those opposed to the peace agreement. In the meantime, young Colombians protested, demanding an end to the conflict, Santos said.

Our young people, people like you, decided to take their future in their hands, and they went out to the streets, to the plazas, to demand peace now. A new agreement now, he recalled. With this new and unexpected momentum, we went back to the FARC and reopened negotiations. The end result was a better agreement than the original.

The agreement was approved and hostilities ceased, he said.

Santos urged the U.Va. audience to listen to the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote that success is to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

[Colombias] ship is finally arriving at its destination. Not because it was easy, but because it was hard, he said. I urge you to be successful in making a difference, in creating a more compassionate, tolerant, loving world. And let it be said about you that one life has breathed easier because you have lived. Our future depends on your success.
As statues of Confederate leaders fall in New Orleans and symbols of the Confederacy are stripped from flagpoles and buildings nationwide, a Northern Virginia high school named for a Rebel general continues to grapple with whether that name should be stripped from its buildings.

J.E.B. Stuart High School is one of the most racially diverse schools in Fairfax County. About 54 percent of its approximately 2,130 students are Hispanic; 22 percent are white; 13 percent are Asian; 9 percent are black; and 2 percent are multiracial.

Students began lobbying to change the name two years ago after an avowed white supremacist massacred nine black parishioners at a church in Charleston, S.C. Their movement gained traction when a Hollywood producer and school graduate, Bruce Cohen, started a petition with actress Julianne Moore, a fellow graduate, that drew 35,000 signatures.

The students argued that when the county school board named the school after Stuart in the late 1950s, it was trying to send a message to black students that they were not welcome. Those who want to keep the schools name disagree. The school did not admit black students until 1961.

In 2015, the school board opened the door to a possible name change when it amended a policy on naming buildings. A year later, the board established a committee to examine whether the high school should be renamed.

But the committee has remained fractured. Soon, it plans to issue two sets of reports because those who support the name and those who want to change it cannot agree even on historical facts. Tensions have flared as some committee members have accused others of fomenting racism and staging disinformation campaigns. Rhetoric has gotten so hot that some members say they fear appearing at open forums.

Stuart was a U.S. Military Academy graduate who joined the Rebel cause, rising to command the cavalry of Gen. Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia. He was mortally wounded in battle near Richmond in 1864.

George Alber, an NAACP activist who is on the committee, said the two-year debate has been an ordeal filled with rancor and discord.

We could have done this better, Alber said. This has been set up as such an adversarial proceeding. ... Theres no healing, no coming together in the community.

This week, the debate intensified when those opposed to changing the name announced plans for a history tour of local Civil War battle sites where Stuart saw action. The tour, to take place on Sunday, will start at the high school and use a county school bus. It will be led by an amateur historian who agrees that Stuarts legacy is worthy of the honor.

The school system invited the community to the event through email and highlighted it on its website, while some committee members separately circulated a flier featuring the Confederate flag. That shocked many people in the community.

Committee member Vince Nettuno, who favors keeping the name, said the tour is an effort to expand their education as far as what J.E.B. Stuart did during his tenure and why the county decided he was a heroic figure.

Nettuno, a graduate whose daughter also graduated from the school, dismissed concerns about the flier. Nobodys going to go blind looking at that Confederate flag on that flier, he said. Nettuno said organizers were merely trying to be historically accurate and pointed out that it also featured an American flagor, as he called it, the Union flag.

Other committee members who back the name change say they are worried that the version of history pushed by Don Hakenson, who is leading the tour, will be slanted. They see the event as an effort to expand support for keeping the name.

Were concerned about it, said Debbie Ratliff, a committee member who backs the name change. I dont want my tax dollars paying for it.

Hakenson, who has led tours of Civil War sites for 18 years and has written several books on local Civil War history, said that he merely plans to present the facts.

People have their own right to look at things any way they want to, Hakenson said.

Supporters of keeping the name say the other side has unfairly impugned Stuarts legacy without considering historical context. They point out that Stuart freed his slaves, that he had a mixed-race servant and that he was considered a brilliant young tactician who exemplified qualities worth emulating. Many of those who back the name disagree with historians who say that the Civil War was fought over slavery. They also contend that a name change would be too costly.

He also didnt lynch people, said Denise Patton, a committee member and former history teacher. He was a very, very humane officer.

On Thursday night, many members refused to come to the school auditorium for a forum organized by supporters of the name change. Those members who stayed away said that they worried they would encounter hostility because they had been called racists in online forums. At least a half-dozen Fairfax police officers kept watch over the meeting, where people spoke mostly in support of the name change. There were a few who spoke against it, receiving the occasional jeer.

Kayla Longmayer, 14, a freshman at the school who is of mixed race and a descendant of slaves, tearfully shared how hurtful it was to see Stuarts name on the walls of her schoolhouse.

J.E.B. Stuart, Kayla said, her voice quaking, J.E.B. Stuart fought to keep my people enslaved.
More than a thousand people gathered in Elon in Amherst County to celebrate the 25th annual Monacan Indian Nation Powwow on Saturday.

Dancers followed each other around a large circle, stomping and twirling in time to the drum beats and vocalization. Attendees surrounded the circle watching the dancers weave around the arena before they continued to meander about the land, checking out vendors and trying on Monacan jewelry and clothing.

The event took a year to plan and offered performances, vendors and more, Chief Dean Branham said.

When this one is over, well start planning for our next one next year, he said.

The event costs roughly $15,000, most of which comes from the tribes own pockets, Dean Branham said.

We put up money hoping were going to get money back, he said, explaining the event has two main goals, to fundraise and educate. We go into this empty-handed; its a gamble.

The funds raised will go toward paying bills for the tribes museum and office.

The number of people at the event has increased since last year, dancer Ronnie Durie, of Lynchburg, said. The reason? More drums, which in turn means more dancers, and more attendees, Durie said.

You want to dance with a good drummer, he said. If the drummers hot  the feel of it is just spiritual, you know?

Kelly Thomasson, secretary of the commonwealth with the office of the governor, read a letter from Governor Terry Mcauliffe during the event.

Celebrations of this size take hard work and commitment to arrange, so Id like to commend the organizers of this event, particularly Chief Dean Branham. For 25 years, your honorable devotion to the Monacan Nation ensured this wonderful powwow takes place for the surrounding communities, the letter read.

This powwow has educated citizens from all parts of our commonwealth about the Monacan Nation and has helped preserve a culture that has existed for centuries. The Monacan Nation is an integral part of Virginias social and cultural strength.

Educating attendees about Monacan culture and history is one of the goals of the event, emcee Keith Colson said.

We also want people to realize that, you know, this is one aspect of what makes us who we are: the dancing, the singing, the culture, he said. But also the historical contributions, the achievements, not only of long ago, but the achievements of todayand this [powwow] being one of them.

Dean Branham echoed that, saying he hoped the event worked to combat the stigma surrounding Native Americans.

When [attendees] leave, I want them to get over that stigma they have about Native America people, he said. I want them to see who we are, learn about our culture, what we do as Indian people.

Dean Branham said one example of discriminatory behavior toward Native Americans is when people say, Well, you dont look Indian.

The movies and stereotypes have ruined it. They think all Indians should have long black hair, but they dont, he said.

Durie said hes seen negative attitudes and treatment toward Monacans, but has seen it decrease during recent years.

Monacans were not allowed in public schools until the early 1960s, Durie explained.

The blacks had their schools and the whites had their schools, but the Indians of Virginia werent allowed to go to either one of those, he said.

The festivities will continue Sunday with more dancers, vendors and performances.
Carrying torches and standing like a stone wall in front of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in a Charlottesville park, a group of white nationalists on May 13 made their displeasure known about the citys decision to remove the statue there.

Demonstrators chanted blood and soil, which can be traced back to an ideology that ties race to the physical territory of a nation, according to Waitman Wade Beorn, a history lecturer at the University of Virginia.

The concept is that the land on which a people lived is not just a resource; its tied directly to the bloodand by blood, they mean race, Beorn said. Its all racial pseudoscience.

During World War II, the Nazis in Germany believed Aryan people were connected in a spiritual or mythical way to the soil of Germany. Anyone who was not Aryan and living in Germany made the nation less pure, which gave rise to the concentration camps where millions of Jews, Romani and people of other undesired races were murdered.

The idea of blut und bodenor blood and soilgave the Nazis an excuse to get rid of anyone they considered inferior.

In this way, they justified cleansing their own soilGermanyof its enemies, Beorn said.

Led by Richard Spencer, a UVa graduate and a white nationalist, the group on that Saturday night first led a demonstration in the afternoon at Jackson Park.

What brings us together is that we are white, we are a people, we will not be replaced! shouted Spencer, according to video from NBC 29.

At Lee Park that night, the group began chanting blood and soil, Russia is our friend and you will not replace us. At both demonstrations, the group was heard voicing concerns about the disappearance of white heritage.

Beorn, who said he took a class with Spencer at the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill in the mid-2000s, said Spencer often argued with their professor, Christopher Browning, a pre-eminent Holocaust scholar. These days, Beorn said, Spencer denies that the blood and soil chant derives from Nazi ideology.

But a lot of his ideology is right out of the Nazi playbook, Beorn said.

By using the phrase, Spencer and his followers see the South as the soil of the white race, Beorn said. By using language to suggest that white people need to take back their monuments and symbols of history, Beorn said Spencer is masking the elements of his true ideology.

You have a torch-lit mass rally, and people saying blood and soil in relation to a Confederate monumentI think the connections there are pretty clear, he said. I look at this and actually see some similarities between the Nazis and the alt-right movement.

Spencer is a prominent figure in the so-called alt-right ideology, which is an offshoot of conservatism that combines racism, white nationalism and populism.

Beorn also serves as a consultant to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, but said his views do not necessarily reflect those of the museum. He also has written several books about the Holocaust and genocide.

Spencer could not be reached for comment.
MILLIONS are on the verge of starvation as humanitarian crises in Africafrom northern Uganda to Nigeriaintensify.

In this environment of growing despair, the Food for Peace Reform Act, a new bipartisan bill being introduced by Sen. Bob Corker, RTenn., and Christopher Coons, DDelaware, rekindles hope for much-needed changes in U.S. emergency food aid programs. If the bill by two members of the of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passes, it would enable U.S. emergency aid programs to feed an additional 8 million to 10 million people, without additional cost to taxpayers.

The United States is the worlds largest contributor to emergency food aid, accounting for a third of the global food aid spending. Since its launching in the aftermath of World War II, U.S. food aid programs have saved millions of lives around the world. In 2013, American food aid shipments reached 46.2 million people in 56 countries, highlighting the key role that the United States play in fighting hunger internationally.

Despite U.S. leadership, two major flawsthe food sourcing and cargo preference requirementsplague our emergency aid policy and waste taxpayer dollars. Because of these requirements, as much as 60 percent of the emergency aid budget is spent on non-food expenditure, which could be used instead to feed more people around the world. These are precisely the flaws that Sens. Corker and Coons address through their new bill by eliminating sourcing requirement and cargo preference.

First, the food sourcing requirement stipulates that the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Agriculture source more than 90 percent of all food aid from producers in the United States, instead of procuring food aid from cheaper sources located closer to the emergency zones.

Second, the cargo preference requirement mandates that the government ship at least half of that aid using U.S.-flagged vessels at shipping rates that are 46 percent more expensive than for aid shipped at internationally competitive rates.

The U.S. shipping industry has argued for decades that cargo preference is critical to national security, particularly in case of wars that involve transoceanic shipments of personnel and material. But in the last five years, more than 80 percent of food aid under cargo preference was shipped using a fleet that the Department of Defense considers too old and slow for military use. As such, there is no valid national security argument for cargo preference.

These sourcing and cargo preference requirements have created a situation in which major food aid programs, such as Food for Peace, waste up to 60 percent of their total budgets on non-food expenses like higher transportation costs under cargo preference. In comparison, Canada, which requires neither Canadian sourcing nor cargo preference for most of its emergency aid, spends 70 percent of its emergency aid budget on food.

Eliminating the food sourcing and cargo preference requirementas the coming bill proposeswould save the U.S. government up to $350 million a year, or 30 percent of total food aid budget. Such reforms would allow the United States to provide emergency food aid to millions more people around the world, especially in regions of security interest, including Syria, Yemen and South Sudan.

Equally important, eliminating these two requirements would also allow emergency food aid shipments to reach their destination more quickly. Because the ships under cargo preference are old and slow, it takes between four to six months to reach those in need. For landlocked countries such as South Sudan, delivery can take even longer.

The alternativesaid shipped under non-cargo preference ship or sourcing food regionallywould speed emergency food aid delivery by as much as 14 weeks. In emergency situations, such as the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in northern Uganda that the senators describe, response time and delivery speed often mean the difference between life and death.

The United States alone cannot solve all the humanitarian crises around the world. However, by eliminating food sourcing and cargo preference requirements, U.S. emergency assistance can play an even more important role in alleviating human suffering at no additional cost to taxpayers.

At a time when many fear that the United States is losing ground to China and other emerging powers in global leadership, reinforced humanitarian efforts would go a long way toward ensuring continued U.S. leadership in addressing global humanitarian concerns and security interests.

Joseph W. Glauber is a senior fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute and the former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ryan Nabil is a global macroeconomy and agricultural policy research associate at the American Enterprise Institute. Vincent H. Smith is the director of agricultural policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. They wrote this for InsideSources.com.
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Ellen Sturgis, who is the chair of the Alumni Advisory Group, delivers the alumni address during commencement, Saturday at Hampshire College. GAZETTE STAFF/JERREY ROBERTS

Gaye Hill, who is the chair of the board of trustees, speaks during commencement, Saturday at Hampshire College. GAZETTE STAFF/JERREY ROBERTS

Derek Cote, right, hugs Daniel Pearl after they received their diplomas during commencement, Saturday at Hampshire College. GAZETTE STAFF/JERREY ROBERTS

AMHERST  Families filled white tents at Hampshire College Saturday to watch the 306 graduating students finish a four-year trek to getting a degree.

Mild warmth and a light breeze kept the shaded tent temperate, raising spirits of students, faculty and family.

Board of trustees chairwoman Gaye Hill opened the ceremony with congratulations, both to the students and to the families who supported them on their way to graduating. Hill urged students to put their educations  and time  toward social justice work and community building, a theme that continued with each speaker throughout the commencement.

Its wild seeing people Ive known since first year graduate, said graduate Mikaela Gonzalez, 22, who carried a flag as part of the commencement. I am repping my flag  Mexico; I am pretty proud about that. Especially under [President Donald] Trump, being able to rock it on stage is exciting.

Following Hill was Hampshire College President Jonathan Lash. Lash spoke on Hampshires alternative curriculum that promotes portfolios and narrative evaluations rather than grades, and its importance in politically and economically tumultuous times.

Quoting educator and philosopher Paulo Freire, Lash echoed an attitude toward education that contrasts with the narrative of standardized testing in schools: Education occurs when a teacher risks an act of love.

Lash painted a bright picture of the future for Saturdays graduates.

70 percent of you will get jobs that havent been invented yet, he said. Many of you wont get jobs, youll create them.

Next came student speakers, former RAs and best friends Namrata Jacob and Charisse DelVecchio, who spoke together. Their speech added to the theme of community building, and urged graduates toward active resistance against racism and oppressive structures  and they did it with a humorous flair.

Before we do our speech, we have a bone to pick with the class of 2017, Jacob said. What were you all thinking putting me and Charisse on the same stage and entrusting us with the power to address a huge body of people?

After the jokes, the speech took a more serious tone.

Like most of you, the RAs at Hampshire acknowledged that Hampshire College severely lacks any sort of community group or feeling, and we were supposed to respond to that and figure out what to do about that, DelVecchio said. I guess its safe to say that we spent a lot of time thinking about community.

Jacob continued the thought.

Weve learned that surviving and thriving is about more than building community, it is about love, she said. We hear a lot about radical self care at Hampshire, and we talk a lot about taking space for ourselves and cutting out toxic ties  and while we have every right to do that, it facilitates becoming trapped in our own selves, bodies and our own heads.

Keynote speaker Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, assistant professor of African American studies at Princeton and author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, spoke on similar themes, but with a much more political tone. Her speech addressed a normalization of violence and racism that lead to the Trump presidency, which she said reflects American society as a whole.

The president of the United States, the most powerful politician in the world, is a racist megalomaniac, Taylor said. It is not a benign observation, but has meant tragic consequences for many people in our country  from terror-inducing raids in the communities of undocumented immigrants to his disparaging of refugees in search of freedom and respite. He has empowered an attorney general who embraces and promulgates policies that have already proven to have had a devastating impact of black families and communities.

Taylor called on graduates  and everyone else  to work together in dismantling racist systems and shifting public attitudes towards marginalized people in the U.S.

To push the point, Taylor quoted activists like Martin Luther King Jr.  There is nothing more tragic than sleeping through a revolution  and called on the regular people in the audience to fight for what is right.

History reminds us that regular people  not the elites, the wealthy or well-connected, but the regular people  have won against more trying odds than we face today, Taylor said. History reminds us that every important reform from the end of slavery, to the eight-hour workday, to the right to vote and beyond has come from the struggles of normal people.

Ellen Sturgis, class of 1977, gave the alumni address, representing alumni from the first decade of Hampshire College. In her short speech, Sturgis reinforced the idea of donating to Hampshire post-graduation and reminded students of the network of Hampshire alumni they can leverage for future opportunities.

Sturgis also represented the unorthodox manner of Hampshire, wearing no formal graduation apparel aside from her Master of Business Administration hood.

She reminisced on her graduation, where students crossed the stage in costumes, barefoot or with their pets  a tradition that has not changed. Students paraded across the stage, wearing anything from a suit or graduation robe to bedazzled one-piece outfits and casual wear.

Whether they wear caps or costumes, the day is about us, said graduate Yvonne Hamisi, 22. Hamisi, the student moderator for the commencement, studied public health on a pre-med track.

My family is excited  they know that not a lot of people have the privilege of going to school, especially in Africa, because of financial reasons, Hamisi said. So they are really happy they were able to help me out and make it to this area.
Councilwoman Suzie Price and Vice Mayor Rex Richardson are in the running for the city's top political post.
The organizers of a solidarity fair at Central Park in Corvallis found the area had been chalked with offensive graffiti when they arrived on Saturday.

The social justice activists quickly went to work removing the chalk, which contained messages such as "A future for white children," said fair organizer Lisa Gonzales.

"It's a message to intimidate us," she said. "There's a lot of permission right now to express those kinds of views."

During the fair, Jimmy Marr parked his truck just outside the park and played the bagpipes. His truck bore the message "Unjew."

Marr told a reporter he was there as a demonstrator. Other men were carrying signs that said "Open borders for Israel" and "End Israeli apartheid."

"I'm here because there's bound to be people who are tangentially interested," Marr said.

Gonzales called police to the park, but Sgt. Ryan Eaton said Marr was not breaking the law by playing the bagpipes. Eaton said police had been notified of the graffiti but that it was not being investigated at this time.

Marr has previously been arrested for disorderly conduct after blasting offensive speech from a loudspeaker during a Stop Hate! rally in Springfield.

Saturday's event was the sixth annual solidarity fair in Corvallis. Gonzales and others created the event to celebrate International Workers' Day. The fair has expanded to include local social justice and grass roots groups. More than a dozen organizations were present Saturday, including the NAACP Corvallis Branch, Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, a group opposing the death penalty, Oregon Public Employees Union and others.

"A better world is possible and this is how you do it," Gonzales said.

She said the fair allows such groups to network and work together on social justice causes. Organizers moderated conversations on how to organize and led an open mic session.

Gonzales said there appears to be increased energy in organizing and activism since Donald Trump was elected as president.

"In today's day and age, there are more organizations coming together to respond to the current political environment, said John Friedlander, communications coordinator for the NAACP Corvallis Branch.

Froggi VanRiper, a team member for YouCAN Corvallis, was collecting signatures at the fair in support of a proposed city ordinance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Climate change is an issue that knows no geographical boundaries," VanRiper said. "It knows no political boundaries."
Linn-BentonCommunity College has set a public meeting on the expansion of its Corvallis campus at 4:30 pm. Tuesday at the BentonCenter, 757 N.W. Polk Ave.

Members of the public can view the plans and meet the planning team for the project, which will add about 20,000 square feet of classroom space and approximately 200 parking spaces at the current location and property the college purchased at 931 N.W. Reiman St. that is currently occupied by the First Student bus company.

The expansion is being paid for by the $34 million bond measure voters passed in 2014. The bond measure also will pay for projects at the Albany campus and in Lebanon.

In other public meetings

Monday

The city of Corvallis has set a welcoming reception for new library director Ashlee Chavez from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Corvallis branch, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

 The Benton County Budget Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in the Sunset Building, 4077 S.W. Research Way, to deliberate and vote on the countys proposed 2017-19 budget.

 The Adair Village Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 6030 William R. Carr Ave. to hold a public hearing on the Tim Cornelius annexation.

Tuesday

 The Benton County Board of Commissioners will hold an information-sharing meeting at 10 a.m. in the county boardrooms, 205 N.W. Fifth St. The main topic will be updates on the 2040 Thriving Communities Initiative.

 The Benton County Budget Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in the Sunset Building, 4077 S.W. Research Way, if necessary, to deliberate and vote on the countys proposed 2017-19 budget.

 The Corvallis King Legacy Advisory Board meets at 5:15 p.m. at Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 N.W. Highland Drive.

 The Benton County Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the Sunset Building, 4077 S.W. Research Way, for a public hearing on a proposed lot line adjustment for a property near Alpine owned by McDougal Bros. Investments

Wednesday

 The League of Women Voters of Corvallis is hosting a presentation on empowering women as leaders at 7:30 p.m. at the library. Speaking will be local family law and victims rights attorney Lorena Reynolds. The event will be preceded by the leagues annual meeting at 6 p.m. Those interested in joining the group and participating in the meeting should contact Annette Mills at 541-230-1237.

 The Corvallis Planning Commission public hearings on annexations at the La Sells Stewart Center at OSU have been postponed. Both applications were judged incomplete, and the applicants will need additional time to collect the needed information. No new date has been set for the hearings.

Thursday

 The Corvallis Downtown Parking Committee meets at 5 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 S.W. Madison Ave.

 The annual tour of the Rock Creek watershed and the Corvallis Forest leaves at 5 p.m. from City Hall, 501 S.W. Madison Ave. City staffers, watershed board members and forestry consultants will lead the bus tour, which will include stops on forest management and at the citys water treatment plant.

The tour is free but space is limited. To register call the Corvallis Public Works Department at 541-766-6916 or email publicworks@corvallisoregon.gov. Participants should dress for the terrain and for the weather.

Contact reporter James Day at jim.day@gazettetimes.com or 541-758-9542. Follow at Twitter.com/jameshday or gazettetimes.com/blogs/jim-day.
The demolition of the Sunflower House, which now holds the offices of the Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, would be harmful to present and future Corvallis residents, students, and international students.

The diversity within our city has been enhanced by its presence and its many services. It has been a meeting place that has offered the comforts of a home, with its living room, kitchen, offices, and meeting rooms. It has been a showcase for different cultural artifacts, foods, and good will. It has been a center where students can meet safely, present their histories; their life stories, in a welcoming atmosphere.

I have benefited by meeting with students and sponsors in the homestay program of Crossroads International. Our Gondar Sister Cities group has met there to discuss water projects in Gondar, Ethiopia. I have had delicious dinners where we discussed projects for international student-to-student contact, art, teacher exchanges, etc. I sat with the director of Casa Latinos Unitos to discuss its objectives. Each was mutually beneficial for students and residents.

Therefore, I express interest in ways that the community could come together as Corvallis city councilors and staff, residents, and Oregon State University to preserve the building at its present convenient site.

Jeanne Raymond

Corvallis (May 11)
The editorial board at the Democrat-Herald recently entertained a guest, a student from a mid-valley high school possibly interested in pursuing a journalism career.

This student came armed with plenty of smart questions that showed, first, he had done his homework, and second, that he'd likely make quite a good journalist.

At the end of the session, I had a couple of questions for him: Were the other students at his school watching "13 Reasons Why," the controversial fictional series on Netflix examining the death by suicide of a student? And did the portrayal of high school life in the series feel at least somewhat true to him?

First answer: Yes, he said, students were watching the show.

We'll get to the second answer in a bit.

If you have teenagers (or even if you know teenagers), you should know about "13 Reasons Why." You might even want to watch some of it: The series is beautifully acted and made (the first two episodes, for example, are directed by Tom McCarthy, who directed the Oscar-winning movie "Spotlight"). It's riveting television, but it's not pleasant viewing, and the suicide of the protagonist, Hannah, is depicted in graphic detail.

The series has generated controversy and charges that it glorifies and romanticizes youth suicide. Some school districts, including Corvallis, have sent home notices to parents about the show. A school principal in Canada reportedly banned his students from talking about the show while in school. (That always works.) Some experts fear that the series could trigger copycat acts among susceptible young people.

After watching some of the episodes, it's clear that the criticism has merit: Because of the way the plot is structured (it centers on a series of cassette tapes Hannah recorded before her death), Hannah is depicted as seeking a measure of revenge for the events, including bullying and a brutal rape, that lead to her suicide. The graphic display of the suicide runs counter to findings from more than 50 studies that such explicit depictions can be dangerous to people already at risk. The show does not address mental illness, which plays a role in 90 percent of suicides. And Netflix needed (and still needs) to do a better job linking its audience to resources that can offer help to troubled youth. Maybe that will come in season two, which Netflix recently approved. (The online version of this column includes a list of suicide-prevention resources.)

And yet: When I asked that student whether the show seemed to accurately capture high school life today, the answer was yes.

So I asked Ann Kirkwood, the suicide intervention coordinator with the Oregon Health Authority, for ideas on how parents and other adults could talk to the teenagers in their lives about "13 Reasons Why." (As it turned out, Kirkwood was in Corvallis last week, training officials from Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties on a pilot program, Connect, that works to help communities respond to suicide. "What we're trying to do is address the grieving needs of the families and the people left behind," she said.)

I asked about the best way to open discussions with young people about "13 Reasons Why." There must be a better approach than just blurting out "What do you think of that suicide show?" in the middle of the family dinner.

Kirkwood recommended a subtler approach: Start by saying something like, "People are talking about this show. Have you seen it? What do you think about it?" Use open-ended questions. Really listen to the answers. Here's the vital information to get across: Help is available. And suicide always is a tragedy.

Here's an approach that probably won't work: Follow the lead of that principal in Canada and ban everyone in your life from watching or even talking about "13 Reasons Why."

We can pretend "13 Reasons Why" isn't out there, being watched by students. But that's the same general strategy we've taken for years about youth suicide. Look how well that's turned out. (mm)
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Xiaomi Mi Home store is now open in India News oi -Shilpa The first offline store opens in India.

Just a few days back, Xiaomi has launched its first Mi Home Store in India. Located in Bengaluru, it is now open for everyone.

This Mi Home store in India can be considered as a one-stop shop for everything which the company sells in India. This Chinese manufacturer is now looking forward to opening the similar kind of Mi Home stores in other places such as Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Some reports do say that the company is willing to open around 100 such Mi Home stores in India by 2019.

To speak about the products made available in this store, it includes Redmi and Mi series smartphones, headphones, VR headsets, fitness bands, power banks, selfie sticks, and air purifiers. There is also a chance of including recently released Redmi 4A to this list.

Thousands and thousands of Mi Fans have come to our #MiHome today  Humbled by the amazing response that we are getting  @XiaomiIndia pic.twitter.com/V5CFrtCthp  Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) May 20, 2017

Many pictures have been shared by Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi India VP and Managing Director on his twitter account regarding the inauguration of Mi Store.

We have seen how Xiaomi phones have played well in Indian market. According to International Data Corporation (IDC) report, Redmi Note 4 which was made available only through flash sales, was the highest shipped smartphone in the Indian market in the first quarter of 2017.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 launch slated for May 25: Specs, features and price to expect

Now by launching this offline store, there is no doubt in increasing its shipment further in the country. The advantage of an offline store is, the buyers can try out a set of phones before purchasing it and also the out of stock problem seen in online stores can be solved here to some extent. This newly launched store is said to work in collaboration with the company's website, Mi.com/in.

Source

Best Mobiles in India

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DRY FORK  Future Farmers of America chapter members at Tunstall High School have been living out the organizations motto of, Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve, through participation in various career and leadership development events.

Recently the Southside Dairy Association hosted its annual Dairy Show on April 21-22 at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham.

Youth from southern Virginia and across the state competed with dairy cows and heifers in showmanship and conformation classes. The showmanship classes were based on how well the showman trained their animal and the cleanliness of the animal. The conformation classes were based solely on the conformation of the animal.

Tunstall High School senior and FFA chapter president, Savannah Childers, competed in this years show. Over the past several months, Childers has worked with Grandview Dairy in addition to spending time on her supervised agricultural experience, which has been dairy handling. Childers, who has a goal of attending Virginia Tech and majoring in dairy science and double minoring in Education and Biology with plans of becoming an agricultural education teacher.

At the conclusion of the show, childers had been named fitting champion, supreme showmanship champion and cow grand champion. Throughout this process Ive learned patience and perseverance, stated Childers. In order to reach a goal, you must set it first and work harder than ever before to achieve what youve never earned before.

Additionally, the Pittsylvania-Caswell Youth Livestock Association Show and Sale has been an annual tradition for the past 69 years and countless youth have benefitted from their involvement in the program.

This year more than 110 youth exhibited animals including steers, heifers, hogs, lambs and goats on April 28-29 at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex.

Tunstall High FFA had several representatives present for this years event.

Tunstall FFA exhibitors include Adam Watson who showed goats; Mallory Harvey who showed lambs; Megan Pollok who showed heifers; Tessa Honeycutt who showed goats; Wesley Honeycutt who showed goats; and Zoey White who showed steer. Exhibitors earned sixth, fourth, third, second and first place finishes. Adam Watsons breeding doe was selected as the grand champion animal.
To the editor:

The news of the past few weeks brought back memories of Rumpole of the Bailey, a BBC sitcom of the 70s. In one episode, Rumpole was called to defend a member of the Timson clan, a family of notorious south London minor villains. The boy had an alibi: He was supposedly watching TV with some of his family when the crime occurred.

As they were leaving the prison after consulting the boy, Rumpole confided to his solicitor that he was reluctant to put the relatives on the stand because they were all well known to the justice system. And the worst part of it all, he said of the alibi, it might very well be true.

The media have lost their collective minds over the election of Donald Trump. In the past week, we have seen charges of obstruction of justice in a conversation between Trump and former FBI Director James Comey regarding former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn. Comey himself denied that there was any attempt to halt or interfere with the investigation. It was also reported that, just prior to his firing, Comey had asked for more resources for the investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. This was denied by acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe.

We heard numerous calls by the media for impeachment after a meeting between President Trump and some Russian officials, that Trump had somehow overstepped his authority regarding the discussion of classified material and revealed information that he shouldnt have. Our mainstream media also reported the entire senior State Department management resigned and that Steve Bannon pressured Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelley not to weaken immigration bans. Said Kelley, It was a fantasy story. Assuming hes not making it up, whoever his sources are, are playing him for a fool.

This is getting dangerous. The media are so anxious to destroy Trump that they will print or air any story harmful to him, without first verifying it. What will happen if Trump actually does something which endangers the country or breaks a law? Who will believe it? The die-hard never-Trumpers will, but how about the rest of the country, the sane people? I am reluctant to believe anything from the vast majority of the media, given their past record. I dont think Im alone.

The story today is that Comey is saying that Trump tried to get him to drop the Flynn investigation, right after Flynn was fired. Do we believe it? Im suspicious. As I understand it, Comey was required to report any attempts to obstruct justice to the Justice Department immediately, and this supposedly happened in early February. Why wait until now, after he was fired?

Trump has his faults, as we all do. But I believe he is sincere in his desire to reduce the power of the federal government and give some of that power back to the states and the people, where it belongs. In this effort, he is opposed by all of the Democrats, half of the Republicans who are part of the swamp and the vast majority of the media. I wish him well in his efforts. Trump wants to change Washington, but Washington doesnt want to be changed.

ROBERT HUDSON

Pelham, N.C.
GREENSBORO  Even up close, many Felix Semper sculptures appear to be carved from stone.

The finely detailed, expressive features of the busts head and shoulders. The light gray or off-white finish.

Then Semper slowly pulls the head upward, stretching, twisting and contorting its features into something resembling a sci-fi creature.

He reveals its construction from thousands of compressed sheets of white paper, glued, intricately carved and painted. It unfolds like an accordion or a Slinky, then retracts as Semper slowly returns it to its original shape.

Its definitely a conversation piece, he said.

His kinetic sculptures spark conversation in his gallery at Revolution Mill, in a New York exhibition, in online videos and on the streets of New York and Miami, where he frequently displays his art.

His subjects include the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., artists Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, the mythological Daphne, author Ernest Hemingway and Cuban martyr Jose Marti, a popular figure in Sempers homeland.

This month, he took his Notorious B.I.G.  aka Biggie  sculpture to the legendary Avalon Hotel in Miamis South Beach, then captured the scene on video.

Awed passers-by pull out their cellphones to record Semper demonstrating its maneuvers.

Thats brilliant! one spectator says.

Sempers artistic talent extends beyond sculpture, to large and colorful acrylic paintings that combine traditional and graffiti street art styles.

His sculptural materials have expanded, too, to wood, books, found objects and even vinyl records.

Biggie and Pink Hemingway combine wood and paper.

He made Biggies gold-painted crown from wood, to protect the sculptures paper portion from curious hands.

He carved the head of Pink Hemingway from stacked sheets of plywood, then topped it with a paper sculpture of a can spilling pink paint. He covered the base with tree bark.

An interior mechanical device holds the wood layers together, while allowing the authors face to be twisted into new looks.

Most of my work has inspiration from the past but has a very modern twist, Semper said.

Late reggae musician Bob Marley will be his next subject.

I want to go to the next edge and find the new thing, Semper said.

Mara Semper, his wife of 10 years, saw how art pulled her husband out of the doldrums after his home-building business ended in 2009 with personal bankruptcy.

When he takes a sculpture into the streets of New York and Miami, he is sharing that joy with other people and it brings so much joy to his life, she said.

***

Scenes in Sempers paintings draw artistic inspiration from his native Cuba and his younger years in Spain.

He still visits Cuba and the artists colony in the village of Deia, on the Spanish island of Majorca.

Its the most inspiring place for me, he said.

Born in Havana 52 years ago, he moved to northern Spain at age 9 with his parents and sister, Madelin.

I loved Spain, the culture, he recalled I was really exposed to a lot of beautiful things.

From Spain, his family moved to Miami, where his father worked in the construction business.

His mother supported his artistic interests, arranging for art classes and books.

But I guess I needed something more to pay the bills, so I decided to work with my dad, Semper said.

When his sister moved to Greensboro in 1999, Semper, his first wife and their two sons soon followed.

Semper became a homebuilder in 2003 as the industry thrived.

It was a hot time to be a builder, Semper said.

Until 2008, that is, when recession hit.

Semper was left with several expensive spec homes unsold.

When banks didnt want to continue financing them, Semper said, he declared personal bankruptcy in 2009.

It was a really tough time for me, he said..

Homebound in a snowstorm one day, he went outside and spent hours making a snow sculpture.

It depicted a bearded man resembling the god Neptune, his arm around a long-haired woman.

I had never made a sculpture in my life, Semper said.

When Mara Semper saw it, she said, You need to take some sculpture classes. This is so good.

He began to draw. In one day, he nearly filled the house with drawings.

At his wifes urging, Semper took classes in clay sculpting.

And he started to paint. A New York gallery exhibited several of his paintings in a group exhibition.

I started looking at the art world, saying, At my age, if I am going to take this seriously, I have to do something totally different, Semper said.

He remembered working with paper as a paste-up artist in a Miami print shop. He thought of the stacks of paper, and how they moved a bit when cut.

All of a sudden, the sculpture and the paper came together in my mind, he said.

***

The Sempers Lake Jeanette home, its backyard brickwork and Felixs tile-roofed workshop display his artistry.

Here, he creates art for his Revolution Mill gallery. Mara Semper creates a different type of artistry, at Park Place Salon, the hair-styling business they own.

***

Semper started his first paper sculpture, Red Head, about three years ago.

He glued a stack of paper together to resemble a block of wood, then carved it.

At its top, he began to experiment.

He recalled his work as a builder with hollow core doors, and how a fiberboard honeycomb structure inside the door provides strength.

So he glued the top stack of paper in a way that he could expand and retract it.

Semper had carved out his own sculptural niche.

He uses bond paper varying in weight from 20 to 60 pounds.

At first, he used a knife and sandpaper to shape the faces. It was so difficult, he almost gave up.

He developed a special saw and blade. He created a template to glue the paper by hand.

Now a company does the gluing. Lines of glue are spaced 1.5 inches apart on each sheet to create the desired pattern.

I take that block of paper, and I give it a life, Semper said.

Its a lot of paper  more than 7,000 sheets in Biggie alone. His Basquiat sculpture weighs about 70 pounds.

He has created smaller paper sculptures, such as lifelike slices of pizza and a Semper Biggie Burger. Buyers get them wrapped and packaged in a cheeseburger bag.

His Andy Warhol sculpture holds a box of Cheez-Its crackers.

These have zero calories and no nutritional value at all, Semper joked. Theyre very high in fiber, though.

He has found only one other artist that creates work similar to his  Chinese artist Li Hongbo.

Semper now also turns books into sculpture.

He bought books about Marilyn Monroe, glued them at the covers, then carved her face into them and painted it. A plexiglass cover keeps them together.

He did the same with books about his artistic inspiration, Picasso.

Semper wanted to sculpt another admired artist, the late musician Jimi Hendrix  not in paper, but vinyl.

He collected 100 Hendrix vinyl records, then stacked, blow-torched and shaped his face into them.

It was tedious, smelly work. He wore a mask to guard against fumes.

Vinyl records, if you do anything to them, they tend to crack and shatter like a glass, Semper said. I could never do it again as a spec, because its extremely hard.

He carves a wooden sculpture of Bob Marley, with lots of twists.

Pieces of wood in the sculpture will be hinged, opening as much as 20 feet. Each piece of wood will depict writings, poems and paintings.

He is designing a motorized system to open the sculpture to display its interior art.

So far, Sempers paintings have sold better than his sculpture.

He has sold more than 100 paintings, most in the $1,200 range. They can be viewed in his gallery and at Marks Restaurant on Dolley Madison Road.

In comparison, he has sold four sculptures, two of them cheeseburgers.

Yet sculptures take Semper three or four months to create.

He prices them at $20,000 to $40,000, smaller pieces at $5,000 to $10,000.

Book sculptures run in the $5,000 range.

Or you can buy a burger for $800.

To promote his work, he licenses videos on his sculpture to a media distribution company and other sources. The company makes them available to TV stations and other news outlets worldwide. He hopes that will lead to more contracts and sales.

Yes, he is a businessman, Semper said. But its not all about money.

Art is about giving the world what I have, which is my art, he said.
The combination of retirements, transition to chairman, forced departures and sold companies means there will be significant turnover in the 2017 executive compensation survey for corporations and not-for-profits with a major Triad presence.

At least 16 chief executives and presidents will have left those duties in 2016 or 2017 for one of those reasons.

As a result, analysts and economists say it could mean a lowering in overall compensation  at least in the short term  for the new leaders.

Often, when someone is promoted to the top position from within the company, they may not get at first the pay of their predecessor, said John Challenger, the chief executive of Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., a corporate-executive search firm.

When they go outside the company for the best hire, then the previous chief executives compensation becomes the floor for the new negotiations since there is no hiding what the previous person made, Challenger said.

The Winston-Salem Journal takes a look each May at the compensation packages paid primarily in the previous year. The figures are based on annual company regulatory filings and IRS filings.

The 2016 review features 31 corporations, four large not-for-profit health care systems and seven nonprofit community agencies. Each executive made at least $200,000 in total compensation.

The totals for the not-for-profit and nonprofit groups typically reflect 2015 compensation because most have not filed their Form 990 with the IRS for 2016. The form provides information about an organizations finances.

For 11 of the best-paid corporate and two not-for-profit executives with Triad ties, their base salary alone was enough to provide them with a millionaires compensation in 2016. Incentive pay exceeded $1 million for 19 executives.

The chart reflects significant churn from Triad-based companies being sold to out-of-state corporations, such as F.N.B. Corp. buying Yadkin Financial Corp. and Rockwell Collins acquiring B/E Aerospace Inc.

As such, the 2017 chart will reflect the executive compensation of the new owner. That would include the compensation of Nicandro Durante, the chief executive of British American Tobacco Plc if its $49.4 billion purchase of Reynolds American Inc. closes.

Examples of retirement or shifting to chairman include Susan Cameron (for a second time) at Reynolds, Eric Wiseman at VF Corp., Douglas Oberhelman at Caterpillar Inc., Michael Johnson at Herbalife Ltd., Richard Noll at Hanesbrands Inc. and Billy Prim at Primo Water Corp.

Another example was the abrupt retirement in October of John Stumpf as the chairman and chief executive of Wells Fargo & Co. Stumpf forfeited $69 million in compensation  the third-largest amount in corporate America history  as part of the bank resolving its fraudulent customer-account scandal.

Stumpf topped the 2015 compensation chart in salary ($2.8 million) and total compensation ($19.32 million).

But for 2016, he received $2.07 million in salary and total compensation of $4.84 million.

Controversial

executive pay rates

Executive packages have been a hot-button issue in recent years, particularly as the gap between executive and rank-and-file pay continues to widen despite whether overall company financial performance was good or bad.

The 2016 AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch found that the average compensation for a chief executive at a Standard & Poors 500 company was $13.1 million a year in 2016  347 times more money than the average rank-and-file worker at $37,600.

This years report provides further proof that the greed of corporate CEOs is driving Americas income inequality crisis, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement. Big corporations continually find ways to rig the economy in their favor and line their CEOs pockets at the expense of the workers who make their businesses run.

The chart continued to reflect the decision of foremost rewarding top executives based on stock performance rather than profits and revenue.

Corporate America made that shift during the depths of the 2008-11 economic downturn and the height of backlash against executive compensation.

As a result, stock and option awards have become the top compensation category for 22 of the 31 top executives of companies with a significant economic tie to the Triad.

Stock and option awards reflect what the company expects them to be worth over time, based on the companys share price on the date of the award.

Although federal regulators require corporations to declare the value annually, executives typically are required to wait a specified amount of time  often one to three years  to receive those shares or exercise the options.

The prevailing theory is that executives will be more inclined to be prudent with shareholder value, potentially taking less risk, if their own compensation is weighted primarily toward share-price performance.

When the awards are structured appropriately  set up in a way that rewards long-run, sustainable stock price appreciation and not an unsustainable short-term boost related to the illusion of improved short-term corporate earnings  they align the interests of executives with those of the shareholders, said Tony Plath, a finance professor at UNC Charlotte.

Both groups win when the stock price increases, providing the proper incentive to managers to work in the best interest of the shareholders, Plath said.

Douglas Parker, the chief executive of American Airlines Group Inc., received the most stock-option awards with a value of $11 million. In April 2015, American eliminated Parkers annual salary and qualification for incentive pay in lieu of stock awards.

Next up were Caterpillars Oberhelman at $10.8 million and VFs Wiseman at $10.36 million.

For 20 corporate executives, their incentive pay and bonus also exceeded their salary. The biggest gap was for Kelly King, BB&T Corp.s chairman and chief executive, who received $1.07 million in salary and $4.34 million in incentive pay.

Tony Thompson, who stepped down as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.s chief executive on Dec. 31, received at least $3.33 million in salary and $2.78 million in stock awards for 2016 from a change-in-control severance package as part of the July sale of the company to privately held JAB Beech. JAB is unlikely to make public Thompsons normal compensation for 2016.

Not-for-profits, nonprofits also watched

Compensation for not-for-profit and nonprofit organizations has gained heightened scrutiny in recent years as, such as in the case of Forsyth County, they have become among the largest local employers.

For example, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is Forsyth Countys largest employer, with about 12,873 employees.

Making comparisons a challenge is that most not-for-profits and nonprofits declare executive compensations with their annual IRS filings, which means the figures can be 12 to 24 months old when the information is made public on Guidestar.org.

For example, Wake Forest Baptist declared on May 15 the $2.28 million in 2015 compensation for Dr. John McConnell, who transitioned out of the chief executive role May 1. McConnell made just more than $1 million in salary and $458,633 in incentive pay.

Novant Health Inc. declares the compensation for Carl Armato, its chief executive, late each year, with his latest also being from 2015.

Terry Akin, the chief executive of Cone Health, made in 2016 $1.06 million in salary, $525,549 in bonus and incentive pay, and total compensation of $1.73 million.

The pattern of paying more than $1 million in total compensation for not-for-profit health care system executives has drawn criticism from employees, advocates and, increasingly, from some key state legislators.

Some leading Republican legislative leaders note that the health care systems want to be treated as not-for-profits for tax purposes, in particular for sales-tax refunds and local property-tax exemptions, and for public-relations purposes.

The health care systems boards say they need the flexibility to pay corporate-level compensation to their executives to attract the best talent.

For example, the 2015 base salary was $1.31 million for Novants Armato, along with a $1.02 million in incentive pay and total compensation of $2.94 million.

To put their base salaries into context, Armato is ranked sixth among 42 executives, while McConnell ranked 14th.

Supporters of corporate-style compensation levels say nonprofit hospitals need to offer attractive pay to get the best qualified executives.

Wake Forest Baptist said the compensation of McConnell and the other top executives is justified because academic medical centers are very complex organizations that require a special set of skills and experience to manage relationships with physicians and researchers, the university, its patients and community. It said the complexity takes proven talents possessed by a small group of health care executives.

Wake Forest Baptist said the executive committee of its board of directors sets executive compensation levels based on a peer group of 37 academic medical centers and teaching-hospital health systems that includes Duke University Hospital and UNC Hospitals.

Novant has 24,000 employees in its four-state territory, including about 5,000 in the Triad, where it operates four medical centers and Medical Park Hospital.

Compensation debate

David Meyer, a senior partner with Keystone Planning Group of Durham, said he falls into the category of saying higher compensation is warranted for top-level managers.

I will opine that these hospital leaders are going to earn their pay with all the changes and challenges that are facing health care providers during the next five years, Meyer said.

Dr. Roy Poses, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Brown University in Providence, R.I., and a former physician at three academic medical centers, writes a blog called Health Care Renewal in which he frequently tackles the issue of executive compensation.

When health care organizations are asked to justify their executives compensation, they invoke the same talking points: that these payments are necessary to retain executives; that the executives are brilliant and doing extremely hard jobs; and the compensation is set by the market, Poses said.

All three points have been debunked, at least when used to justify the compensation of executives in big, for-profit companies, he said. Yet rarely are the talking points challenged when used to justify hospital executives pay.

Challenger said it is appropriate for some health care systems to compensate top executives similar to corporate levels.

Communities who want the best health care system they can get should support paying the compensation levels required to attract top talent, he said.

The balancing act is that while we want the quality of executive talent at the top of health care systems, we dont want it to contribute to higher overall health care costs.
During the annual Career Expo and RCC Day hosted Rockingham Community College, about 600 community members, RCC students and local high school students received information from local employers and community agencies. RCC faculty and staff shared information about programs of study, the admission process, financial aid and distance learning opportunities at the college.

***

Rockingham Community College nursing student Jennifer Fuller of Reidsville received a State Employees Credit Union Foundation Continuing Education Scholarship for $750 to be used as needed to pursue her education.

The scholarship is funded by the SECU Foundation. The foundation provides 10 $750 scholarships to each of North Carolinas 58 community colleges to pay for short-term training that leads to state-recognized or industry-supported credentials.

***

Rockingham Community Colleges Science Club sponsored a pet-supply drive for the Rockingham County Animal Shelter. The club delivered more than $200 worth of supplies, including dog food, cat food, puppy food, cat litter, blankets and beds to the shelter.

Members of the club washed puppies, walked dogs, played with cats and cleaned kennels.

***

Rockingham County Schools has four juniors who have been selected to attend the North Carolina Governors School this summer: Madison Barham, daughter of Christy and Matt Barham of Reidsville; Collin Lejano, son of Stephanie and Gus Lejano of Ruffin; Kimberly Summerlin (superintendents nominee), daughter of Michelle and Gerald Summerlin of Summerfield; and Lindsey Cox, daughter of Sharon and Donald Cox of Eden.

Barham, Lejano and Summerlin attend Rockingham County High; Cox attends Morehead High.

The Governors School of North Carolina is a highly selective, five-week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts and unique courses.

The program runs June 18-July 26 on two university campuses.

***

The Rockingham Community College Criminal Justice Club explored Washington during the colleges spring break. Lead by Ken Hux, public safety department chair and Anne Wade, associate professor of criminal justice; students toured the United States Capitol, Supreme Court Building, Arlington National Cemetery, the Law Enforcement Memorial and area monuments.

The club is active on campus, holding several fundraisers and community service projects throughout the year.

***

Rockingham Community Colleges Student Government Association officers attended the annual N4CSGA Spring Conference, held April 7-9 in Durham. This is one of two conferences each year for the SGA officers from North Carolinas community colleges.

Also, the officers attended an open house at the Governors mansion hosted by Governor Roy Cooper and his wife, Kristin, who greeted the students at the conclusion of the tour.

***

As the 2017 Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival came to an end, Rockingham Community College Fine Arts Professor Ray Martin received the best in show award for the second consecutive year. Martin received best in show during the 2017 exhibit for his photograph Silver Siblings. During the 2016 exhibit, Martin received best in show for his mixed media work Funny Bones.

RCC Fine Arts students Jordan Alty, Olga Diaz, and Alaina Smith each took home third place ribbons. Alty for her acrylic painting The Derelict, Diaz for her sculpture Lost at Sea, and Smith for her oil painting Leaf by Niggle.

Phil Haralam, RCC fine arts faculty member, received first place honors in sculpture and ceramics for his piece No Defeat and in pottery for Cotton Tea Pot. Last year Haralam also received first place in the sculpture and ceramics category.

Ben Winslow, part-time pottery instructor for the college was recognized with second place in pottery for his piece Dripping Pitcher.

The Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival is supported by the Fine Arts Association of Rockingham County. This was the 73rd anniversary of the festival.

***

On April 27, graduating respiratory therapy students at Rockingham Community College were honored with a pinning ceremony attended by their friends and family, along with faculty, staff, and college administration.

Graduates are: Crystal Carter, Kalynn Dillard, Ryan Joyce, Mignon Manuel, Sabrina Parks, Catlin Rierson, Jennifer Sigmon, Ernest Wilkerson, Brittany Williams.

***

On April 27, eight Rockingham Community College students graduated from RCCs Career College. The Career College at RCC is a one semester integrative post-secondary certificate program of study. This entry-level program provides a foundation for transitioning into a career or additional coursework. The students enrolled further develop reading, math and computer skills along with participation in hands-on experiences.

RCC Career College Class for Spring 2017 earned a certificate in greenhouse/nursery assistant.

Graduates include: Thomas Bergeron, KeShawn Brown, Amanda Decker, Sandra Edwards, Amber Howell, Ashtian Johnson, Izellia Lynn, Misty Michael.

***

Forty-eight students were inducted into Alpha Kappa Pi, Rockingham Community Colleges chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society and the largest honor society in American higher education. To be eligible for membership, a student must complete a minimum of twelve hours of associate degree course work and generally earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students must maintain a high academic standing throughout their enrollment in college.

Those inducted during the spring ceremony were: Hailee Austin, Zachary Austin, Briana Barnes, Courtney Blackstock, Johnnie Brown, Lonnie Burchfield, Abigail Carter, Ericka Carter, Kyle Cayton, Tammy Corum, Ronda Crawford, Brittany Creech, Jeffrey Crosby, Rebecca Daniels, Selena Dillard, Brianna Dove, Allyson Feder, Noell Foster, Courtney Fulton, Jayrin Harris, Sam Harwell, Jo Jones, Daniel Knight, Matthew Lilly, Linda Martin, Savannah Martin, Camille McCollum, Brandi McCoy, Jonathon McDonald, Curtis McGeehee, Amy McKinney, Jennifer Miller, Kevin Mise, Brittany Murphy, Margaret Peele, Morgan Pillar, Savannah Powell, Nancy Price, Sarah Renken, Claire Roberts, Jennifer Robertson, Courtney Shelton, Brittany Sloop, Jennifer Somers, Alyssa Toney, Caitlyn Via, Nancy Villalobos, Owen Wright.

***

The 16 graduating associate degree nursing students at Rockingham Community College held their capping and pinning ceremony May 4.

Candidates included: Jamie Bailey, Donna Braham, Beth Crabtree, Morgan Dishmon, Emily Dixon, Brittany Foley, Sandra Gibbs, Paige Mizelle, Michelle Moore, April Powell, Jennifer Robertson, Jackie Swanson, Amanda Teeters, Heather Tetreault, Suly Villalobos, Kayla Workman.

***

As part of the continuing celebration of the 50th anniversary of Rockingham Community College, students, faculty, and staff observed Arbor Day by planting a paperbark maple tree, courtesy of Bryan Wagoner Tree Farm in Gibsonville, on campus.

In addition to observing Arbor Day, the group acknowledged RCCs effort to be recognized as a Tree Campus USA. Tree Campus USA recognition has been obtained by 237 colleges and universities across the country who have a program in place that manages the campus tree inventory along with tree care and maintenance.

The third observance was the continuing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the college offering classes.

***

The North Carolina Association of Insurance Agents awarded Rockingham Community College business administration student Jean Nguyen of Eden a $1,000 scholarship to be used as needed to pursue her education.

The association established the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina-North Carolina Community College System Partnership Scholarship to be administered by the North Carolina Community College Foundation. The scholarship was established in honor of the 50th anniversary of the North Carolina Community College System.

***

Matthew Coe of Eden was awarded an internship with Duke Energy through its Power Careers Program. Coe has been a student at Rockingham Community College since 2015 and is currently enrolled in the associate in applied science electrical systems technology program. Coe will intern at the Belews Creek Steam Station.
Author: Charles D. Rodenbough

City: Greensboro

Book title: Martinville: a Courthouse, a Battle, a Town, in Guilford County History

Publisher: Diggy POD

What its about: The story of the complete life cycle of a community  the birth, the growth, the maturity, the decline and, ultimately, the death and burial  of the once-vibrant town of Martinville, surrounding the Guilford Courthouse, site of the historical Revolutionary War battle.

The book intricately weaves the elements of people, culture, environment and events into the colorful and strong fabric that clothed a community that was to be the early germination of Greensboro, N.C.

The thoroughness and commitment to documentation, detail and historical accuracy make this a work of historical preservation.

Why I wrote it: Ancient, extinct towns rarely appear on modern maps. They go through stages of decline until one day, they have physically disappeared.

They exist with some authority in the minds of that last generation that remembers when they were and where they were. Then they exist in what has been written in the public and private records and in what people can make up.

This is the stage of historical analysis where we begin to examine this record over against seductive mystery.

In northwest Greensboro, there is a site called Martinville.

Other books Ive had published: Governor Alexander Martin: Biography of a North Carolina Revolutionary Statesman, Pine House: The Day Emancipation Dawned, History Of A Dream Deferred: William Byrds Land of Eden, If The Lord Is Willing And The Creek Stays Low: A Novel Based on the Life and Influence of the Rev. David Caldwell and Rachel Craighead Caldwell, Stealing Andrew Jacksons Head: Captain Samuel W. Dewey with Ryan Ray Rodenbough, What We Lost Of The Greatest Generation: Lt. Victor H. Idol, Jr., Settle: A Family Journey Through Slavery: Volume V of the Sauratown Project.

Where (how) to buy my book: Scuppernong Books, Amazon
Americans love antibiotics. They think of them as magic bullets against common complaints like sinusitis and bronchitis. Many people get miffed if their physician fails to go along with their request for an antibiotic prescription.

Antibiotics are, however, double-edged swords. They save lives when used appropriately. There is no doubt that penicillin revolutionized modern medicine. But when antibiotics are overused, they can lead to bacterial resistance. Such drugs also may have unanticipated side effects.

Few people realize that broad-spectrum antibiotics can dramatically alter the balance of microbes in the digestive tract. Many people discover this the hard way, after taking clindamycin (Cleocin) for a dental or dermatological problem. One reader wrote: I had my teeth cleaned recently; the dentist prescribed clindamycin to combat a possible infection. I took it for 10 days as prescribed and have had a stomachache and diarrhea every day for two weeks. Imodium stopped the diarrhea for a little while, but it came back with a vengeance.

Chronic diarrhea after a course of clindamycin sometimes is a consequence of a type of gut bacteria, Clostridium difficile (C. diff), getting the upper hand. A mother reported: My son took clindamycin for an ingrown fingernail that had become infected. Within a week, he got diarrhea that has been going on for a month. We cultured his stool, and it was positive for C. diff. Hes only 6, and were having a hard time getting the better of this infection with its stomach cramps and diarrhea.

C. diff can be extremely difficult to eradicate. Strong antibiotics sometimes aggravate the situation by killing off good gut bacteria that could help keep C. diff in line. This chronic diarrhea can be deadly, especially in older people.

There are many other serious side effects of antibiotics. One popular class, fluoroquinolones, includes drugs like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin). Doctors should always warn patients that these medicines may affect tendons and cause tendinitis or even tendon rupture.

One reader reported: I had awful sinusitis before I retired. I was on my third round of Levaquin to treat it when I became unable to walk across the room at work. My feet and legs were very painful.

I called my doctor, who said I needed to come in immediately. I was finally able to shuffle slowly and painfully out to my car and drive to the doctor.

She told me to stop the Levaquin and not use any drug in that family again. Years of muscle weakness and excruciating leg pains followed. I still have a burning pain in my right foot that I trace back to the Levaquin.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that this class of drugs can cause irreversible nerve pain. Other serious side effects include neurological damage, retinal detachment and aortic aneurysm (JAMA Internal Medicine, November 2015).

When prescribed appropriately for serious infections, antibiotics are life-savers. They should not be used indiscriminately.

Not only do they lose their power against common pathogens, but they sometimes can cause long-lasting complications.

No patient should ever demand a prescription for an antibiotic unless the physician agrees it is warranted.
GRAHAM  An Alamance County group clashed with another activist group at a planned a Confederate Memorial Day event in Graham on Saturday.

The Alamance County Taking Back Alamance County (ACTBAC) group held the event in response to attacks and destruction of Southern symbols in other cities and states.

North Carolina holds tight to the preservation of history and the truths of the reasons our forefathers took the battlefield to protect the Tar Heel state. North Carolina patriots past and current have a legacy of standing up to the devilish ways of tyranny and corruption. That legacy is alive and well today, the group wrote on its Facebook page.

The group invited any other respectful organizations and individuals to the annual event, adding that the best way to prevent the destruction of our beloved cause was to hold public gatherings.

The Triangle Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) group held a counter-rally during the Confederate Memorial Day event, which included the arrest of five IWW protesters, according to The Times-News of Burlington. IWW called its counter rally Stop white supremacy in Alamance County.

Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson told The Times-News that some of the people attending the Confederate Memorial Day, encourage by the groups leaders, arrived with muskets.

Some IWW members had knives, Johnson said.

Photos from the event show dozens of people carrying Confederate and other flags, wearing Confederate uniforms or Confederate-era clothing, U.S. military tactical gear and clothing in support of President Donald Trump.

This aint Berkeley, The Times-News reported one ACTBAC member shouted at IWW protesters. Youre in Dixieland.

Graham police said that two of the five people arrested Saturday would be charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, two with trespassing and one with injury to real property.

Denice Freeman, of Alamance County, said about 100 to 200 people attended the Confederate Memorial Day event, along with about 25 to 30 counter-protesters. She said the IWW protestors were loud and obnoxious but showed no force against us and made no attempts to cross police tape or to become aggressive.

At no time whatsoever did I or anyone else feel intimidated, Freeman said. We did have a small amount of militia attend and escort us to our cars. Our tags were photographed by the opposition but as all of us carry we dont expect that to be an issue.

Though the Southern Poverty Law Center designated ACTBAC as a hate group earlier this year, calling it a neo-Confederate organization, Freeman said thats totally opposite of what we stand for.

We believe in keeping all history all, the good, the bad and the ugly, Freeman said.

It was never started as a hate event like our opposition portrays us. Everyone is invited.
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STAMFORD  A Kennedy is scouting a new frontier  Connecticut governor.

Ted Kennedy Jr. looked the part of a presumptive candidate for the states highest office Sunday in Stamford, where he joined fellow Democrats in commemorating the upcoming 100th birthday of his late uncle, John F. Kennedy.

The second-term state senator from Branford was a special guest at a local party fundraiser, the latest far-flung excursion from Kennedys home district as he builds support for a potential 2018 candidacy.

The son of the late liberal lion Edward M. Kennedy told Hearst Connecticut Media in a wide-ranging interview the next governor must cultivate a better environment between the public and private sectors to create jobs.

When I think about the skill set that I would potentially bring, it would be my ability to work and bring these groups together that have been traditionally antagonistic and distrustful of one another, Kennedy said. We need a better economic climate in our state. We need jobs.

Kennedy, 55, the subject of national intrigue because of his lineage, said he expects to make a final decision on the race after the legislative session ends next month.

Ive said that Im seriously considering the opportunity, but at this point in time at the end of the session Im trying to manage over 30 pieces of legislation in the Public Health and Environment (committees), said Kennedy, the vice chairman and co-chairman of the respective committees.

That hasnt stopped Kennedy from crisscrossing the state with political aides, who have sought to correct at least one media report and one former colleague from saying that he wont run. Kennedys string of appearances has taken him to Fairfield, Woodbridge, Litchfield, New Britain and the northeastern part of the state.

A logjam of politicians awaits Kennedy if he decides to vie for the job of fellow Democrat Dannel P. Malloy, who is not running for re-election.

I think hes got a bright future no matter what he chooses to do, said Carlo Leone, Kennedys Democratic Senate colleague from Stamford.

Kennedys wife, Kiki Kennedy, is from Stamford. He was joined Sunday by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, both D-Conn., as well as the citys mayor, David Martin. When Kennedy arrived at the Old Town Hall, he was greeted by black and white photos of his notable forebears, highlighted by JFK, who was born May 29, 1917.

These pictures, oh my God, he said in Kennedy cadence.

Kennedy said it was refreshing to focus on his uncles life, rather than his 1963 assassination.

For years, our family has really wanted to focus the nations attention on his birthday, as opposed to that tragic day in November, Kennedy said.

Next year figured to maybe be a new act for Camelot, with Kennedy entertaining a run for governor and his cousin, Chris Kennedy, vying for Illinois governorship. But his cousin is learning a name only goes so far in politics, with the union machine reportedly trying to shove the Robert F. Kennedy son out of the race.

Kennedy said theres no unspoken family rule that would preclude multiple Kennedys from running for governor and that the wealth of billionaire candidate J.B. Pritzker could be a motivating factor for Illinois Democrats.

Chris is a great candidate, Kennedy said. Hes a pro-business candidate and obviously wants to shake things up, and whenever that happens, people are going to take sides.

Kennedy made headlines earlier this year when he introduced a bill that would automatically enroll all Connecticut residents in an organ donation program upon their deaths unless they opt out. The stalled measure was aimed at reducing the number of deaths for people on organ donation lists, but drew the ire of many people. Kennedy said he was trying to catalyze a conversation, and that at least 24 European nations have an opt-out provision on the books.

I knew it was going to be a controversial proposal, he said. We need people with ideas and we need to expand our organ donation. I've been criticized, saying that this is kind of a government takeover of the organ donation process. Some of my ideas may be good and some of them may not be good.

When Kennedy was 12, he was diagnosed with bone cancer, which forced doctors to amputate his right leg below the knee and fit him for a prosthetic limb. Enduring two years of chemotherapy, Kennedy was the subject of a made-for-television movie in 1986.

The Wesleyan- and Yale-educated health care lawyer vaulted onto the political stage in 2014, when was easily elected to fill the Senate seat of retiring Democrat Edward Meyer, a former federal prosecutor appointed by Kennedys late uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

In 2014, Kennedy faced criticism after the state Democrats kicked in an additional $207,000 into his race despite spending limits as a publicly-financed candidate. Of the additional funds, $88,000 came from Kennedy relatives and business associates.

nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy
Today is a big day for Greenwich Reform Synagogue.

On this Sunday morning congregants celebrate the opening of their new building at 92 Orchard St. in Cos Cob. Led by Rabbi Andrew Sklarz, they will affix a mezuzah at the synagogues main entrance and mezuzot on the more than 30 doorways throughout the building.

Mezuzah (plural, mezuzot) means doorpost in Hebrew, and the affixing of mezuzot on doorposts is in keeping with the Biblical commandment: And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.

The mezuzah scroll is a small piece of parchment on which the verses of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21 are handwritten by a scribe and rolled up in a case thats attached at a slant to the doorpost at the right side of the entryway.

These verses from Deuteronomy, which include the commandment to inscribe on your doorposts and your gates the words God has commanded, are the first two sections of the Shema  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One  which is often called the watchword of the Jewish faith.

The mezuzah, which designates the dwelling, or building, as Jewish, is a reminder of the Jewish connection to God through acceptance of the Commandments. On the reverse side of the scroll, is inscribed the word, Sha-dai, which is one of Gods names, the letters of which form an acronym for the Hebrew words meaning Guardian of the doorways of Israel.

This dedication  the designation of the new building at 92 Orchard St. as a Jewish home with mezuzot on all its doorways  is a milestone in Greenwich Reform Synagogues journey.

I recently re-read a column and blog posts I wrote in December 2012 and January 2013 when the synagogue plans were still in an embryo stage. Neighborhood opposition had already reached a fever pitch, even before there was a specific site plan and building design.

The proposed synagogue posed a threat to the residential character of the neighborhood, it was claimed, despite the fact that most Greenwich houses of worship are in residential areas.

It will create too much traffic for a residential neighborhood, it was said. Yet, throughout the decade of the 1980s, until a move to Stanwich Road in 1992, Greenwich Reform Synagogue was at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Riverside, in a quiet residential area  far quieter than Orchard Street  and somehow the combined church and synagogue traffic in this neighborhood posed no problem.

Was there underlying anti-Semitism, some asked? That was firmly denied. The arguments would have been the same for a church, opponents insisted. Maybe yes, maybe no. Theres no point dwelling on this. Its better to look forward, leaving all that behind.

After nearly five years of opposition, including regulatory and legal battles, the synagogue on Orchard Street has finally become a reality. And it has the potential to greatly enhance an interesting neighborhood of mixed uses that include residences, Central Middle School, a Baptist Church, a commercial area with a deli, and just across the street from the synagogue many acres of town-owned public open space that adjoins even more acres of open space at the Montgomery Pinetum.

This open space has a rich history.

This nature preserve was once the estate of Ernest Thompson Seton, naturalist, author, and a founder of the Boy Scouts of America, who sold it to financier Maurice Wertheim in 1912. Wertheim left the property to his daughters, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Barbara Tuchman, and Josephine Pomerance. The town purchased all but about 12.5 acres of the property from the Pomerance and Tuchman families, beginning in 2000.

Less well known is that David Ben Gurion, future prime minister of Israel, attended a meeting at the Wertheim estate on June 7, 1942, before the establishment of the State of Israel. Wertheim, president of the American Jewish Committee, held a meeting on his estate that was attended by AJC and Zionist leaders.

As the mezuzot are affixed this morning, congregants will recite the Shehecheyanu: Our praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this season.

Having reached this season, Greenwich Reform Synagogue now becomes part of the neighborhood.

Alma Rutgers served in Greenwich town government for 25 years. Her blog is at blog.ctnews.com/rutgers/
A bar that might as well be in Brooklyn, circa 2016. Photo: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

New Yorks cocktail culture is balanced, elegant, and luxurious. Its a masterful exercise in well-crafted, standard-bearing sophistication. It is the Brooks Brothers of the cocktail world. Sit down at any of the citys top-tier bars, and service will be gracious, youll be comfortable, and the product will be refined and reliable  too reliable.

Mixology isnt coming to terms with [its future], says Don Lee, a widely respected industry figure. Mixology holds the past on a pedestal. Mixology wants to go back to the 1800s. Indeed, the tenets of mixology, and the details of the speakeasy aesthetic, are now so ingrained in the citys bars that theyve become rote, and a creeping sense of monotony has made New York City feel like a much less interesting place to drink.

I keep seeing the same cocktail with different names, because everyones making the same thing, says Nick Wright, a bartender who worked in London before arriving at New Yorks Suffolk Arms. Its just throwing together  oh, I dunno  gin, basil, and lime. Theyre just pulling cards out of a hat. There are no holy fuck cocktails. He gives another example of a mix thats starting to feel overworked: Mezcal and amaro are trending, so basically every New York bar has a cocktail with mezcal and amaro in it. (Take, for example, the Belfrys Pass/Fail or Mayahuels Hidalgo.)

Damon Boelte, co-owner and head bartender at Grand Army, agrees: You have a lot of newcomers here who think theyre rock stars for mixing gin and cucumber. Maybe they throw cayenne in it or something. And it wont taste bad. But will it be new or original? No. Its safe.

There are exceptions here and there (every bartender interviewed for this story pointed to the NoMad as one bar where creativity is on display nightly), but there is no longer a citywide boom of new ideas like there was several years ago. Of course, saying that New Yorks cocktail scene is in a creative slump is like saying the Super Bowl is a letdown. Its still the Super Bowl. Expectations here are high, and weve been spoiled for a long time  from the explosion of the neo-speakeasy movement, a focus on high-quality (and often fresh-made) ingredients, and the somewhat-recent embrace of advanced-level tiki influence. Yet around the city, bartenders now seem to have settled into a drink-making ethos thats all about sticking to, and honing, the classics, or creating gentle riffs that offer mixed results. In the end, New York doesnt lack good drinks; it lacks conceptual variety.

There is some interesting shit happening now, says Suffolk Arms co-owner Giuseppe Gonzalez. But the creativity is shifting away from the cocktail to different atmospheres and purpose. He adds, NYC aint making crazy drinks, though. I dont really think its our thing.

What gives? New York is supposed to be the countrys hub of artistic innovation, yet bars in Chicago (GreenRiver, Lost Lake), Miami (Broken Shaker, Drunken Dragon), San Francisco (Bourbon & Branch, Smugglers Cove), and Washington, D.C., (Himitsu, Iron Gate) regularly turn out drinks that manage to surprise in ways New Yorks bars dont. At Broken Shaker (which will expand to New York), the vodka-based Sowing Circle combines citrus cordial with green-bean juice. At Himitsu, the Japanese Michelada balances cold-brewed green tea with soy sauce and togarashi. At Wilson and Wilson Private Detective Agency, the bar-within-a-bar at Bourbon & Branch, one winning drink matches gin with sparkling wine and sesame oil.

Anytime youre sticking your neck out in New York, its likely to get chopped off.

Xavier Herit, who worked as a bartender at the shuttered Experimental Cocktail Club, explains his view of it: New York bars are like a tree, he says. It can branch, yes, but the root is the same. Every branch gives the same fruit  I wouldnt mind seeing more. That root, at the moment, can be traced back to bartenders like Gary Gaz Regan and Audrey Saunders  hugely talented, influential figures in the bar world who made a point of emphasizing quality technique over flash and gimmickry. Their approach is in lockstep with the late Sasha Petraskes Milk & Honey, the faux-speakeasy that launched a million imitators. The model was so successful that its been difficult for anyone to try something completely new. A focus on the finer points is imperative, but not if it comes at the expense of innovation and experimentation.

The Sasha Petraske style is so staid that its problematic, says Dave Arnold, the author of Liquid Intelligence and the man behind Booker and Dax, which is now closed, but was for many years New Yorks nerve center of experimental mixology. Youd never want a Little Branch to change, of course, Arnold continues, referencing one of the much-loved bars that Petraske opened in the mid-aughts, but how many Little Branches do you need? How much can you revisit the same success?

In many ways, the Petraske approach was perfect for mid-aughts New York: Eschewing flash and gimmickry for an experience thats rooted in authenticity and attention to detail, it was hipster before hipster lost all meaning. It is the approach that has made New Yorks bars among the best in the world, and something  like the farm-to-table movement in restaurants  that is now understood to be the standard among premier venues. We are spoiling ourselves, Herit says. Were all pretty much doing the same thing. Were happy, but not growing  what kind of happiness is that? We are not in love anymore. This is not love or even art. It is habit.

That sameness has a lot to do with offering customers the experience they expect. New Yorkers, Arnold says, want a very particular kind of luxury. Its surprisingly limiting. There isnt much creative wiggle room, especially when innovation gets dismissed out of the gate as novelty. If youre not on point, New Yorkers are vicious, Arnold continues. Anytime youre sticking your neck out in New York, its likely to get chopped off. The New York bartenders who spent more than a decade refusing to make Cosmopolitans and pina coladas  popularizing the idea of bartenders choice that focused on time-honored combinations of ingredients  created a vocabulary for drinkers that now feels like cliche and jargon.

Its very hard work to make a novel combination of the crap we all have, Arnold says. Maybe we should be more Willy Wonka. Maybe we should be more Disneyland. But you know what? Disneyland doesnt have regulars. The focus is always going to be on regulars, on whatever brings in regulars. Thats where the money is, to be frank.

The bottom line is always looming in New York. Owners want guaranteed sellers, not experimental drinks that might only move a few orders a night. What good is a critical darling if its a commercial flop? Common wisdom in the industry has it that bar owners need their beverage sales to equal about five times the amount that it costs to make those drinks. (As one industry site warns, When your beverage cost goes above 21 percent of your beverage sales, something is very wrong.)

Keep in mind that doesnt include labor or electricity or other costs involved, says Lee, who notes that high-end bars aim to keep drink costs  which include beer and wine, in addition to liquor  at between 13 and 18 percent of drink sales. (Lees seen what he calls vanity cocktails, however, where that ratio is closer to 30 percent. Thats an immediate red flag for owners who need to pay the bills.)

You dont get much creativity that way, Arnold concedes. You get two-for-one margaritas and bottomless mimosas. You get bottle service. But you get paid, too.

The problem isnt just costs, since smart operators will make whatever sells. Bartenders will also pull inspiration from anywhere they can find it  Bar Gotos maraschino-kissed Sakura Martini, for example. But too often, New York cocktails employ a strict adherence to a similar menu template: house originals, a couple drinks served with oversize boulders of ice, coupe drinks that are gently misted with a twist of citrus, etc. Innovations, when they arrive, tend to land with the artificial urgency of an iOS update: coffee cocktails, smoked cocktails  everyone adds a blue drink to the menu. Very few people have the influence to rethink the entire enterprise, but there is at least one bar in the country right now that offers drinks in a truly innovative, unique way  and its in Chicago.

Arnold and Lee both agree that the Aviary, famously opened and operated by the team behind Alinea, is the bar thats currently leading the conversation, as far as cocktail innovation is concerned. The only place in the U.S. thats really trying to do the fine-dining style of cocktails is the Aviary, Lee says. And theyre not a bar. There literally is no bar where you can sit or stand and talk to a bartender.

Its very hard work to make a novel combination of the crap we all have.

The service, recipes, and presentation at the Aviary all break away from the mold that now feels so familiar in New York. One of the bars signature drinks is a combination of rum, passion-fruit puree, Dijon mustard, horseradish, and egg whites. There is, of course, the famous Porthole service piece that manages to offer an entirely new view on cocktails. Other drinks are served in custom Spanish stemware thats shaped like a bird, with wide, flat wings that can hold bites of food. These ideas manage to transcend gimmickry, largely because they often adhere so well. After calling it a bona fide whoop-de-do, a New York Times report clarified the bars appeal: Its evident that considerable thought goes into every aspect of the Aviary, but it never seems like an intellectual exercise. The cocktails are calibrated and complex; they are also, to use a straightforward word, tasty.

Micah Melton, the Aviarys beverage director, welcomes the venues frequently elaborate presentation because, he says, then the flavor of the drink is even more under the microscope. It keeps us on our toes in a way that serving classics doesnt.

The Aviary will expand to New York this summer, with its first new outpost since the original opened in 2011. Melton explains why they thought now was the right time to arrive in Manhattan: New York is just the speakeasy capital of the world. Milk & Honey and all that followed put not just New York on the map, but the U.S. on the map, he says. It created the standard for excellence. But were not looking to compete with PDT or Attaboy, because theyre the standard now. Why would we want to go against that? We want to do something different.

Hopefully, the Aviarys arrival will inspire more of New Yorks bartenders to try to do something that the citys drinkers have never seen before.
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Haiti - NOTICE : Restriction of parking at the International Airport





Irving Mehu, Director General of the National Airport Authority (AAN), informs the general public and users of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in particular, "It is formally forbidden to them to park their vehicles in the parking of the airport after 10:00 pm."



This measure comes into effect from this Friday, May 19, 2017. The AAN has requested the Airport Police Station to unconditionally enforce this provision and to take appropriate action against offenders.



The Directorate General of the AAN count on your full cooperation.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Diaspora : Dany Laferriere decorated with the Order of Montreal, to the rank of Officer





As part of the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montreal, the Mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, in the presence of Bernard Voyer, co-president of the Council of the Order of Montreal, presented at a solemn ceremony at City Hall, the prestigious medal of the Order of Montreal to 17 eminent personalities (3 to the rank of commander - 6 to the rank of officer and 8 to the rank of knight), including the Canadian writer of Haitian origin Dany Laferriere to the rank of Officer.



"As Mayor and Citizen, I am proud to participate in the first official presentation of the Order of Montreal. Today, we honor citizens who dedicate themselves to the common good and the social and economic development of our city. They come from very distinct sectors of activity and each, in their own way and in a remarkable way, invigorate our metropolis and make it radiate here and abroad. By giving the Order of Montreal medal to these 17 eminent personalities, we give them a little of what they so generously donated to Montreal," declared Mayor Coderre.



The Haitian-Canadian writer Dany Laferriere, one of the most renowned contemporary writers, became the first Quebec and Haitian author elected to the Academie Francaise in 2013. His works have gained international success since his beginnings and his brilliant literary career has been crowned with dozens of Prizes and tributes.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16203-icihaiti-literature-dany-laferriere-officer-of-the-order-of-canada.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-14152-haiti-montreal-dany-laferriere-wax-statue-unveiled-at-the-grevin-museum.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-14038-haiti-litterature-dany-laferriere-a-l-academie-francaise-discours.html (in french)



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Petit-Goave : Lawyers celebrate the Feast of St. Yves





On Friday, as part of the celebration of the Saint-Yves, the patron saint of lawyers and the advocate of widows, orphans and deprived persons, lawyers from the Petit-Goave bar in toga, attended to the Church of our Lady at a Mass celebrated by Father Birbeck, who urged them, to learn more, to practice the truth, to contribute to the establishment of the rule of law in Haiti, to fight against prolonged preventive detention, to fight for social justice and to take Yves as a model, as an exemplary lawyer, as a model of man...



After the Mass, the professionals of the law on two ranks (Dean, judges, commissioners, militant lawyers and trainees), led by the very young barrister, Me Alcide Laguerre carrying a long stick to the end of which was the image of a woman, walked on the Grand'Rue of the city to the Louco Night Club under the eyes of a curious crowd.



The Louco commemorative ceremony took place in an atmosphere of fraternity and conviviality. Several speakers from Petit-Goave: Me Alcide Laguerre, Dean Emmanuel Tataille, Government Commissioner Foujy Pierre, but also the Director General of the Ministry of Planning, Me Thimoleon, Deputy of Leogane, Hyppolite, the Treasurer of the Council of the Order, e Anthony Milord, have succeeded on a platform erected for the occasion.



Extracts from interventions:



Alcide Laguerre, President of the Bar :

"[...] Intelligence is opposed to human injustice which is only an evil. It is better to suffer injustice than to commit it. The Magistrates and the lawyers, while fighting against corruption, must inspire confidence and choose Saint-Yves as their compass [...]"



Me Emmanuel Tataille, DDean of the Court of First Instance

"[...] Lawyers must take advantage of this celebration to maintain another relationship with the law. They must become contemporary Saint-Yves, because some of them display behavior that kills justice. The bad practices of the Magistrates betray Saint-Yves. People are suspicious of justice. Bribes, nepotism, corruption, these are the evils that are plaguing our righteousness. We need lawyers, while drawing inspiration from Saint-Yves, accomplish their mission in a perspective of service and contribute to social cohesion and social peace [...]"



Me Foujy Pierre, Commissioner of the Government of the Public Prosecutor's Office :

"[...] Under my administration, the Procuracy of Petit-Goave will become a model of availability for civilian hearings. It will give full satisfaction to the need for justice of the population of Petit-Goave. The commissioner of the Government is responsible for giving jurisdiction to the courts, legalizing civil acts, prosecuting offenders, accompanying peasants in legal proceedings. The role of the Commissioner is crucial in the distribution of justice and, like Saint-Yves, the guarantor of a healthy, fair and loyal distribution of justice [...]"



Me Jacques Stevenson Thimoleon, DG du Ministere de la Planification :

 [...] Tous les avocats, en tant que defenseurs de la veuve et de l'orphelin, doivent tisser entre eux des liens d'union et de symbiose. Ils doivent pratiquer une pedagogie de la droiture. Car le metier d'avocat n'est autre qu'un sacerdoce. Sous l'egide de Saint-Yves et de Notre Dame, je tends la main a tous, pour une reconciliation sincere et effective. La politique a cree, entre nous a Petit-Goave, ma terre natale, des divisions ephemeres. Le ciment qui nous unit ne doit pas etre detruit par des conflits inutiles. Laissons de cote nos discordes et unissons-nous pour le relevement de Petit-Goave [...] .



Deputy of Leogane Jean Wilson Hyppolite :

"[...] I encourage judges and lawyers in the jurisdiction to work with the Government Commissioner to satisfy the people's demand for justice. I renew my desire to accompany the population of the Palmes region and to defend its interests. That the Haitian Nation rises through Justice [...]"



Me Milord Anthony, Treasurer of the Council of the Order :

"[...] To be honored, the lawyer must behave like Saint-Yves. He must not be a liar or a thief. It must be a model"



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20939-icihaiti-patronal-feast-launch-of-the-saint-yves-festivities.html



HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goave)


















Published on 2017/05/21 | Source

One in five employees in Korea is having to work extra-long hours.

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According to Statistics Korea, some 5.3 million people work more than 54 hours a week, up more than half a million from just a year ago.They make up a whopping 20 percent or so of the country's entire workforce.

In 2000 the proportion was more than 42 percent because most employees worked six-day weeks, and it fell sharply thanks to the adoption of a five-day workweek in 2004.

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PRIVATE William James Beales, from Henley, was killed in action in the Great War exactly 100 years ago on Sunday.

He was serving on the front line with the Royal Army Corps in France when he was seriously wounded. He was taken to hospital in Rouen where he died from his injuries. He was just 24.

Pte Beales was married to Gertrude Lily Beales and lived in Chiswick before moving to Henley, first to Greys Hill and then Mount View. His grandson Trevor, who lives in St Annes Close, only discovered all this after the death two years ago of his brother Eric who kept all the information at his home in Northfield End.

Trevor, 71, says: I found all the information about my grandfather when I was clearing my brothers house.

There it all was  marriage certificate, official documents  at the bottom of a wardrobe in my brothers bedroom.

Trevor and his wife Susan boxed up all the paperwork and took it home to sort it. It was only when he decided to have a proper look through it all that he discovered so much about his grandfather.

I was gobsmacked, he says. I never knew his real name. I knew his surname but I didnt know his first name. It was William, the same as my dad.

He also found a Dead Mans Penny, a memorial plaque so called as it was made of bronze and looked similar to the smaller penny coin.

The plaque was issued to the next of kin of all British Empire and service personnel who were killed as a result of war. Trevor also found Pte Bealess army dog tags and a tunic button that was attached to a little key, which would probably have been to his tobacco pouch.

He says: I never knew of any of it. My mum never mentioned it, nor my brother. It gets put in drawers and cupboards and is forgotten about.

I will never get rid of it. My son will have it and I have two great grandchildren so it will pass down. In the meantime, I will keep it like my brother did.
BRISTOL, Va.  Eighty-two fallen police officers will be recognized soon at a new memorial at the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy.

The academys director, Doug Cooley, said officers killed in the line of duty from across Southwest Virginia will be featured on the black granite wall, which will be installed in the next couple of weeks at the Bonham Road facility in Bristol, Virginia.

We batted around the idea quite awhile, said Robin Widener, a criminal justice instructor at Virginia Highlands Community College. My students and I had done a project where we painted a black wall and put a blue line through it.

Widener approached Cooley about a similar project at the academy.

We talked about that for a long time, Widener said.

Last summer, Universal Fibers made a donation toward a memorial.

Universal Fibers Security Manager Rex Carter, whose great-grandfather, Harvey Carter, was killed in the line of duty in 1930, has been involved with the project.

Harvey Carter, a game warden with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, was shot and killed in the Slant section of Scott County while questioning a man. The two began to argue and exchanged shots, according to the Officer Down Memorial page, which tracks information about fallen officers.

Rex Carter said his great-grandfather was struck in the face by a shotgun blast. His body was found 30 hours later. The suspect was charged with murder, but was later acquitted.

Harvey Carter is the 34th name listed on the new memorial.

It brings it closer home, Rex Carter said. Where his name is on the national memorial in [Washington] D.C., which is very honorable, this brings his remembrance back to the region.

He believes a memorial recognizing officers killed in the line of duty is needed in Southwest Virginia.

Many times, Southwest Virginia becomes a forgotten part of the state, Rex Carter said. This really makes an impact for those families of the law enforcement officers. I think its much needed.

With Universal Fibers donation, students at the community college began researching fallen officers in the region. The students used the Officer Down Memorial Page to find names in Southwest Virginia.

Its easy to research what agencies lost officers, but its really hard to research what officers died in a certain area, Widener said. Thats where the trouble came in. They had to go through the list completely to see where each officer had died. If it was in Southwest Virginia, we did a little bit more research to make sure that it was accurate.

Cooley said a committee was created to determine criteria for the wall. He said if a Southwest Virginia fallen officer is listed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., then the officer can be listed on the memorial at the academy.

Those involved in the memorials development said they were surprised by the number of fallen officers in the region. They only expected to find about 50 officers.

It goes to show just how many law enforcement officers just in Southwest Virginia have given their life, Rex Carter said. Thats the neat thing. We realize there was not a regional memorial like this.

Students involved in the research were surprised by the stories, Widener said.

You hear so and so was lost in the line of duty, but when you read what actually happened, some of those stories are just really bizarre, Widener said.

In one case, a prohibition officer, James Sherman Mullins, and Dickenson County Sheriff Pridemore Fleming got into a gun battle on the courthouse steps in 1926.

They got into a shootout on the courthouse steps and killed each other, Cooley recalled. The sheriff is not on the wall.

Fleming was apparently protecting bootleggers and Mullins, who was charged with the task of arresting the makers of illegal whiskey, was prepared to serve warrants on the sheriff, according to a 2013 article in the Roanoke Times.

Mullins and the commonwealths attorney were discussing another case when the sheriff stumbled up the sidewalk and seemed to be under the influence of intoxicants, as the prosecutor later wrote, the newspaper said.

You men get away! Fleming hollered. Scatter.

The men scattered just as Fleming fired numerous shots from a revolver, the newspaper said. Mullins scrambled to the top of the courthouse steps and hid behind a pillar. Fleming fired until he was out of bullets and started to walk away. Mullins, who had lost his right arm in an accident the year before, pulled his revolver from the holster and shot Fleming in the back, the newspaper said.

Fleming died about a half hour later. Mullins had been hit three times, including a wound in his side. He died about two hours later.

Students found many unique stories, including a case involving a police officer stopping a drunk driver. The drunk driver, who happened to be an officer, shot the on-duty officer.

They were really surprised by how many names we have in Southwest Virginia, Widener said.

Many agencies represented on the wall not longer exist.

What this project revealed was there are police agencies that no longer exist that we came across, Rex Carter said. There were a lot of small town police departments that had a line of duty death.

Departments in the former towns of Osaka, St. Charles, Dorchester and Toms Creek no longer exist, but each is represented with a fallen officer.

Cooley once worked with fallen officer Clifford Dicker of the Wythe County Sheriffs Office.

I was working the day he got killed, Cooley said.

Dicker was shot and killed in 1994 by a 15-year-old suspect he was serving papers on.

Since Cliff got killed, weve had several officers killed in Southwest Virginia, Cooley said.

After the memorial is installed, the academy plans to have dedication ceremony.

Widener said there is still more to do with the project, as they hope to reach out to the families of fallen officers, who can call 276-645-3700.
DAMASCUS, Va.  Veteran Appalachian Trail hiker Warren Doyle has trekked the 2,189-mile path 17 times since 1972 and has seen and experienced many changes over the years.

Doyle spoke to guests at Damascus United Methodist Church on Saturday during the 31st annual Trail Days festival.

Since his first hike on the Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, Doyle said a lot more people are using the trail.

Theres a lot more information out there publicizing the trail, said Doyle, who founded the Appalachian Trail Institute.

The work of chambers of commerce and trail communities, as well as social media, has led to an increase in hikers on the trail.

Although thousands of people begin the hike each year, only one in four actually complete the entire journey, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Doyle said he believes its because people are not prepared for the potentially strenuous journey. They move too fast, and carry too big of a load, he said.

Many people go on the trail for solitude, Doyle said, and even though it can be crowded, there are areas where someone can still feel isolated.

In the past 40 years, Doyle said hes seen many changes, from technology to food. The introduction of cell phones has been one of the biggest changes, he said.

If youre feeling down and alone, you can call home for encouragement, he said.

Phones are also helping with rescues. Someone who becomes ill or injured can simply dial 911 for help. But Doyle said there have been many cases of frivolous rescues, especially for those on the trail who are not prepared.

Another big change has been water, Doyle said. At one time, people would simply drink water from streams and springs, but today, he said people bring treated water.

Crime seems to have declined on the trail, Doyle said.

By and all, crime has declined. Its been many years since violent crime has been reported, Doyle said.

Drug use and drug overdoses have been reported on the trail in recent years, he noted.

As for the actual trail, it has increased in length in the past 40 years. Its also focused less on road walking, where the trail utilized roadways, he said. Switchbacks have also been created, rather than steep paths.

The trail is less hard on your knees, Doyle said.

Trail Days activities continue today in Damascus.

For more information about Doyle, visit www.warrendoyle.com.
BRISTOL, Va.  Two local residents purchased the landmark home of the late Bristol historian V.N. Bud Phillips on Saturday as the propertys contents were also auctioned.

About 200 people were on site as friends Florence Fracarossi and Denise Ballard made the winning bid of $87,500 for Pleasant Hill, a historic home built in 1872 on Johnson Street in Bristol, Virginia.

Its kind of a shock, Fracarossi said. It was the spur of the moment.

Fracarossi and Ballard had attended the auction to bid on some of the homes contents. Fracarossi said she was interested in buying a marble pedestal.

The thought of buying the house never even crossed our mind, Fracarossi said.

But the pair, who each own homes in the Solar Hill neighborhood, said they didnt want someone to buy the house, gut it and possibly turn it into apartments, Ballard said.

So at the last minute, they decided to buy it.

Its a landmark, Fracarossi said. People might want to come and look at it. We dont know what were going to do. Right now, we know its going to be taken care of.

They plan to speak to members of the Bristol Historical Association about the home, she added.

Auctioneer Bart Long of Bristol said he was pleased with the sale.

Kimball Sterling, a Johnson City, Tennessee-based auctioneer, said about 450 items were also available for bid on Saturday. Buyers from seven states made bids and Sterling noted many people brought trucks and trailers in order to load furniture and large antiques.

The auctioneer said items available were from the 1850-1870 period, which he described as upper-line Victorian furniture.

Some people came just to own a piece of Bud, Sterling said.

There were many small items available which people could buy from $10-20.

A number of paintings, prints, vases, statues, clocks and quilts were also available. Sterling said many of the smaller items included detailed notes citing where they came from, who made them and when they were made.

Thats important, Sterling said. Its called provenance. Its good for antiques.

Tim Buchanan, president of the Bristol Historical Association, purchased a few items.

Its definitely sad to see it go, but it gives everybody the opportunity to have something of Buds, Buchanan said. It will make him a little more immortal. As long as theyre alive, theyll know where it came from.

Buchanan said he bought a clock, painting and several King family books.

Tim Palmer, an antiques vendor in Abingdon, has known Phillips for about 25 years.

Ive sold him several of these pieces and delivered some to his house, Palmer said. He would give you the tour of the home. He was a wonderful man. He knew everything there was to know about that house.

Palmer purchased a number of pieces of furniture Saturday.

I have a little memory that he gave me, Palmer recalled. He mailed me a business receipt from the town of Big Lick [the previous name of Roanoke]. He said, Since youre from there, I thought you could take care of this and protect this.

The home and its contents sold at low cost Saturday.

He would be sad at the prices, but thats the economy, Palmer said.

Phillips, who wrote several history books on Bristol, had an old desk in his home. It was purchased for the Bristol Historical Association.
Incumbents appear to be re-elected to school board
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Actor Tiger Shroff is living his fan moment, it seems. He has his reasons, too. After all, none other than action legend Sylvester Stallone has wished him luck for the Indian remake of the Hollywood action drama First Blood, which first introduced the character of John Rambo. The message was on Stallones Instagram page. The gesture has floored the 27-year-old Tiger. He replied to Stallone with a heartwarming message.

While Stallone wrote: I actually get excited in my heart whenever young artists get a rare opportunity to reach for the stars! Eye of the Tiger! I am sure he will put his heart and soul into it Replying to the Hollywood star, an overwhelmed Tiger wrote how Stallone is undoubtedly the original hero and that he looks up to him. His message read: Because you were there, we sort of exist, We are all just derivatives of you sir! There will always and only be ONE eye of the tiger for us cubs :raised_hands: you rule the jungle! Thank you so much sir! #RAMBO #RamboRemake.

I actually get excited in my heart whenever young artists get an rare opportunity to reach for the stars! Eye of the Tiger! I am sure he will put his heart and soul into it A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on May 20, 2017 at 11:34pm PDT

The Hindi remake of Rambo, with Tiger in the lead, will be helmed by Siddharth Anand. The movie was announced at the ongoing 70th Cannes Film Festival. A poster of the film that Tiger shared recently went viral. It shows Tiger in an angry rugged look in the backdrop of a hi-tech warzone.

Interestingly, Stallone earlier had doubts about whether the Indian remake would be good enough. But later he changed his view.

I read recently they are remaking Rambo in India !! .. Great character.. hope they don't wreck it . A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on May 19, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

Some people like to read into words and twist them.. good luck Tiger , go fight the good fight, keep punching ,oh , for the Record , I love it when young artists get an opportunity to go for their dreams! A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on May 20, 2017 at 1:17pm PDT

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A massive manhunt has been launched in Jammu and Kashmir after a police constable decamped with four rifles in central Kashmirs Budgam district on Saturday ostensibly to join militant ranks.

Confirming the decamping, deputy inspector general of police, central Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat told HT constable Syed Naveed Mushtaq took away four self-loading rifles.

Mushtaq, a native of south Kashmirs Shopian district, had joined the police force in 2012.

Sources said he might have escaped to join a militant outfit.

In a statement, militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen congratulated Mushtaq for snatching the weapons and said it welcomes him to its fold.

Hizbs operational spokesperson Burhanuddin told local news agency CNS, We salute the valour and bravery of Naveed. He is a true soldier of freedom struggle and we salute him.

He was further quoted as saying that people like Mushtaq were an asset to the nation and they will continue to join our struggle

Mushtaq was deployed on guard duty outside Food Corporation of India facility at Chandpora in Budgam district.

Sources said apart from his own service rifle, Mushtaq also stolen rifles of his three other colleagues.

Some reports claimed that one of Mushtaqs relatives is a militant, but police did not confirm this piece of information.

Over 60 weapons were reportedly snatched from policemen ever since unrest began in the Valley following the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in July last year. But most of them, police sources add, had been recovered.

In a video released in October last year, Wanis purported successor Zakir Rashid Bhat had asked the Kashmiri youth to snatch weapons from government forces to join the militant outfit.

Nearly 90 people joined militancy in Kashmir in 2016. Most of the recruits are reportedly from the volatile South Kashmir region.

In a similar incident, a personal security officer (PSO) of a deputy superintendent of police in Anantnag district escaped with four service rifles in January last year.

After the killing of 22-year-old army officer Ummar Fayaz in south Kashmir earlier this month, a top cop had said that investigators found two empty cases of Insas rifle cartridges that were probably snatched from policemen a few days ago.

Earlier this month, suspected militants had barged into a court complex in Shopian district and snatched five weapons from the guarding policemen.

In March, suspected militants snatched at least four rifles from policemen guarding the residence of a senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Farooq Andrabi in Dooru, Anantnag.

Militants took away four service rifles of security guards of PDP district president in Anantnag in September last year.

Four rifles were snatched from police men guarding the house of a former National Conference (NC) leader in Begam village of Kulgam district in the same month.

Again in September last year a local political leaders house in Bugam village of Kulgam was attacked and a rifle was snatched from the police personnel on duty.

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One morning, while going to school in Allahabad, I read a slogan in Bengali reading: Aamar badi, tomar badi, Naxalbari Naxalbari. It means, my home, your home, Naxalbari. Many years later, while passing through Almora, I again noticed slogans propagating the message of rebellion. What was common both times was the symbol of hammer and sickle next to the slogans. A question came to my mind: Down the generations, which milestones have the Maoist revolution crossed?

It is the appropriate time to discuss this subject because May 25 will commemorate 50 years of the violent Maoist uprising of Naxalbari.

Let me inform the younger generations that during a meeting in West Bengals Naxalbari area in March, 1967, a decision was taken to embark on an armed rebellion in order to bring in a regime that would uphold the rights of peasants and workers. The brain behind this rebellion was Charu Mazumdar. On May 23, during a meeting called with this objective, the police and the revolutionaries clashed with each other. A policeman was killed in the violence. This was just the beginning of the turmoil.

Two days later, on May 25, the police laid siege to a mammoth farmers gathering in which nine women and children lost their lives. Jyoti Basu, who was the states home minister those days, asked the police to strictly carry out the orders.

Earlier this month, after the killing of 26 CRPF personnel on April 24, some people thought the Maoist movement was still going strong. But the truth is that the movement, which began in the name of fighting exploitation, has lost its way. On March 17, 2017, Union home minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha that the number of districts affected by Maoist violence had reduced from 106 to 68. Before that, its influence was spread over 20,000 square kilometres. It has now shrunk to one-fourth of this. It has been an incremental decline over the years. In 2009, the then home minister told Parliament that around 223 districts of the country were affected by Naxalism. In 2011, this number stood at 203. Of these, 84 districts were witnessing violence and 119 districts were influenced by Maoist ideology. Three years later, 80 % of Naxalism-related violence was taking place in only 26 districts. Still, seven states of the nation were affected. At present, just six districts of the country are said to be affected the most by Naxalism.

Some experts give the credit for this to MGNREGA. Also, some state governments assisted by the Central government paid attention to development, along with launching anti-terror operations in the affected areas. Naxalites appear to oppose all kinds of development work. Apart from inflicting damage on all projects carried out by the government machinery, they consider roads to be their greatest enemy. The CRPF soldiers attacked in Sukma were supervising road construction.

The way the imperial Roman armies did it, Maoists, too abduct innocent children. The Romans used to train children to be gladiators even as Maoists glorify them by anointing them soldiers of the peoples revolution. Those innocent children, who are oblivious to the theories of peoples awakening and peoples war, are made to indulge in violence and carry out detective work . Beating up people and mutilating them is, in a way. part of the training regime of Naxalites. The boy who first participates in a massacre is applauded. The advocates of a violent struggle provoke these children to become bloodthirsty: If you dont have the instinct to kill enemies of the class, then you are not fit for the movement, they are told.

No wonder the number of comrades disenchanted by this movement is rising. If 394 Left wing extremists surrendered in 2011, the number rose to 1,442 in 2016. Similarly, 1,840 persons associated with Maoist organisations were arrested last year. A surrendered Maoist militant told the police that he wanted to get married, have children and lead a normal life. He said his dreams had been shattered and he had discovered that those people were not waging any struggle. Just this month two of their area commanders have given up arms. This is the other face of the Maoist slogan: Jal, jangal, zameen, izzat aur adhikar (Water, forests, land, respect and rights).

That is the logic which gives peaceniks the assurance that despite Sukma-like attacks, violence is the last stop in a one-way street. Why dont the Maoist guerrillas understand that they are waging a war for right cause in the wrong manner?

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief Hindustan

letters@hindustantimes.com
A recent PTI report communicated the news that the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has a new Chairman. His name is Braj Bihari Kumar, and he is (so the report says) the author or editor of (hold your breath) 136 books.

The news of Kumars appointment encourages me to write about the first Chairman of the ICSSR, a remarkable scholar unjustly forgotten today. His name was Dhananjay Ramchandra Gadgil. Born in Nashik and educated in Mumbai, Gadgil then took a research degree at Cambridge, writing a landmark dissertation (later published as a book) on industrial growth in India.

With his intellect and background, Gadgil could easily have joined the elite Indian Civil Service. But he chose to forge his own path instead. In 1930, he set up the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune, the countrys first social science institute, run and staffed entirely by Indians with no connections to the British colonial regime.

While nurturing younger scholars, Gadgil continued to do his own research. He wrote important monographs on federalism, on economic planning, and on the sociology of business communities. Keen to combine theory with practice, he played a critical role in the formation of agricultural co-operatives in his native Maharashtra.

DR Gadgil was a scholar of a conspicuous independence of mind. The well-known columnist DF Karaka wrote of him that it would be difficult to find a truer picture of all that is best in the ancient Indian tradition than Gadgil. A slim, gaunt man, argumentative and aggressive on the right occasions, full of courage and with a wisdom grounded in deep knowledge of both theory and facts, Gadgil had devoted himself for many years to the building up of a true school of politics and economics, eschewing all profitable pursuit.

In his politics, DR Gadgil was a classical liberal, opposed to the dogmatism of both Left and Right. He was a close friend of that other principled liberal, BR Ambedkar. Through the 1950s and 1960s, Gadgil made clear his opposition to Soviet and Chinese Communism, writing extensively about the importance of cultural pluralism and human rights. His son, the distinguished ecologist Madhav Gadgil, recalls his father telling him that he detested Communism because it stifled freedom of thought and expression.

In 1969, when the Indian Council of Social Science Research was set up, DR Gadgil was appointed its first Chairman. After Gadgil died in 1971, he was succeeded as ICSSR Chairman by another fine liberal scholar, the sociologist M S Gore. However, the key person in the Council was the Member-Secretary, J P Naik, who built up the institution lovingly and painstakingly. Like Gadgil, Naik was a person of great integrity, who respected good scholarship wherever and by whomever it was done.

The ICSSR incorporated existing research centres such as the Gokhale Institute, the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) and the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), while setting up a network of new research centres across the countrysuch as the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) in Thiruvananthapuram, the Centre for Social Studies in Surat (CSS), the Centre for the Study of Social Sciences in Kolkata (CSSS), and the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS). Eventually, almost all the major states of the Union came to have their own social science research institute, funded by the ICCSR.

I have worked in two of these institutes myself, and closely followed the work of the others. The CDS has produced a series of fine studies on health, education, employment, fisheries, and agriculture. The MIDS has done important work on irrigation and on affirmative action. The CSDS has done pioneering research, admired the world over, on electoral behaviour. Kolkatas CSSS has made a mark with its analyses of the political culture of modern Bengal. The faculty of the IEG have undertaken solid empirical research in demography, macro-economic policy, gender and development, and environmental economics. These studies by ICSSR institutes have shed much new light on the trajectory of economic growth and political development in independent India.

To be sure, there are some institutes that are below par, while every institute has some laggards. And there have been periods when the ICSSR was run by Congress loyalists. On balance, however, when compared to most public sector initiatives the record of the ICSSR is quite impressive. It is far better than that of the Indian Council of Historical Research, set up in 1972. The ICSSR is different from the ICHR in three ways: (i) It has never been a Marxist cabal; (ii) It is not Delhi-oriented but genuinely decentralised, with active research centres across India; (iii) Its constituents have produced a substantial body of research of both practical and theoretical importance.

Founded by visionaries, the ICSSRs later chairmen have included the political scientist Rajni Kothari and the sociologist Andre Beteille, both internationally renowned for their scholarship. Other high-quality, non-doctrinaire, scholars such as T N Madan and R. Radhakrishna have served as its Member-Secretaries.

The new ICSSR Chairman, however, is not exactly a familiar name among the social science community in India. Following his surprise appointment, several newspapers have carried extracts from Shri B B Kumars writings. His views therein may be summarised as: Muslim monarchs and T B Macaulay, wicked; Narendra Modi, wonderful. In a remarkable feat of intellectual legerdemain, the new ICSSR Chairman even blames Muslims for the creation of the caste system.

Defending Shri Kumars appointment, the HRD minister claimed he had written not 136 books but three hundred.

Perhaps Shri Kumars writings are avidly followed in RSS shakhas. But none of the scholars I talked to had heard of even one of his 136 or 300 books. It is said that his special fields are tribal studies and anthropology. These are fields I have done research in myself; yet I have cannot recall seeing Shri Kumars work cited in the scholarly literature.

Despite his prodigious output, the new ICSSR Chairmans impact on the world of scholarship is negligible. On the other hand, among the books Shri Kumars very distinguished predecessors at ICSSR wrote were D R Gadgils The Industrial Evolution of India in Recent Times, Andre Beteilles Caste, Class and Power, and Rajni Kotharis Politics in India, all books discussed and debated by scholars and researchers for decades after they first appeared, across India and the world.

This latest appointment provides further confirmation that the Modi Government has contempt for thinkers and scholars (as distinct from loyalists and ideologues). As a consequence, even the few moderately good academic institutions the country possesses face an uncertain and troubled future.

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Three years ago, millions of aspirational Indians put their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi  not for advancing the Hindutva cause but for an economic turnaround that would win India back its seat at the global high table. My brother-in-law, was one of them. Cogent, informed, able to build and regulate an argument, he acknowledges that the government has yet to deliver on key economic expectations. Yet, that does not have any bearing on his support for Modi. He finds reasons to be optimistic based not on what is being done but on the hope of what the Gujarat strongman can do, as this dinner-table conversation between the two of us illustrates.

Me: Three years on, how do you see the government doing?

Brother-in-Law (BIL): I am still hopeful. These may not be the best of times, but things are getting better.

Me: Hmm.. Hopeful, not confident

BIL: I am hopeful because this government has been able to do things that touch peoples lives. Take the case of the direct benefit transfer scheme and the Aadhaar push. There have been massive savings. Leakages in LPG and kerosene subsidy have been plugged.

Me: DBT was the UPA governments brainchild. It was launched in 2013, when Manmohan Singh was the PM. How can you give all the credit to the current government? Also much of the savings came from softening oil prices in the global markets, as the governments own audit reports point out.

BIL: Yes, that may be true. But would you have had the savings if the DBT scheme was not effective, if there was no push to link it to Aadhaar, if there were no Jan Dhan accounts? This government gave it the teeth it needed. Its coverage now spans the entire country; 27 million fake ration cards have been weeded out, and the Jan Dhan Yojana has been a game-changer. Every Indian now has a bank account and money in it.

Me: Dont you think this is tokenism? The real issues of creating jobs and prosperity remain unaddressed. In fact, people are losing jobs and livelihood; wages are under a squeeze.

BIL: Thats not true. Jobs are being generated, perhaps, not as fast as one would like. The initiatives taken by this government, especially in the infrastructure sector, will soon start paying off. Road construction has picked up. Every day, thousands of toilets are being built. This is the first time sanitation and cleanliness find a prominent place on a governments development agenda. There is a lot happening in infrastructure. I read in newspapers that India has become power surplus.

Me: You can have surplus power when demand lags supply because the economy is sluggish and there are still more than 300 million people in the country with no access to electricity. Also, most of the new power plants that came on stream in the past five years, adding about 1 lakh MW, or 50% more to Indias power generation capacity, were either planned or built during the UPA government, led by Manmohan Singh, who was also your hero once upon a time. How can you give that credit to Modi?

BIL: That is how people see it. The perception is that this government is working. The previous government did have good plans, but was undone by scams. In this government, there is no corruption; there are no scams.

Me: Talking of corruption, the perception about demonetisation was that it will punish corrupt people and unearth black money. The reality turned out to be different.

BIL: But look at the collateral gain. It helped add 91 lakh people to the tax net. Also, the election results in Uttar Pradesh show people supported the governments decision.

Me: You are trying to tweak the argument. You are willing to be patient for this government to deliver, but you dont make the same concession for the previous government. Is it fair?

BIL: I am being objective. You have to understand a key difference. The last government was led by the UPA. This is Modis government. He connects directly with millions and keeps their hopes alive.

Me: And you rest your hope on him because there is no one else to lean on.

(Rajesh Mahapatra is chief content officer, Hindustan Times. He tweets @RajeshMahapatra)

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I cannot remember when I last turned on the television, opened the newspapers or went through social media without learning of some horrific rape. And to my dismay, what used to shock the living daylights out of people is slowly ceasing to do so. The barbarity of some of the rapes in recent times rival if not exceed that of Jyoti Singh in 2012 but it makes headlines far less and preys on the collective consciousness for a shorter time. While talking about this to a friend of mine, I was struck and unsettled by a remark she made. I know I should not say this and it will upset you, but at least, we should in a way be thankful that we dont have girls. I would have died a thousand deaths if I had to worry about her safety every time she went out, she said of our non-existent female offspring.

But, I wondered, are boys all that safe from sexual predators? According to a survey done in Delhi a couple of years ago, sexual abuse of young boys is almost equal to that of girl children but is far less reported or talked about. Somehow, many people believe that boys are not as much at risk as girls. I am not saying that the girl child is less vulnerable than a boy but social circumstances place the boy in danger in different ways. In the first place, there is no societal restriction to boys being in the company of male adults, whether relatives or friends. And it is invariably the known friendly uncle, cousin or family friend rather than a stranger who sexually abuses the little boy.

In a society where manliness and bravery are valued, the boy child is conditioned not to complain, he is not considered as fragile as the girl. From an early age, he is told to be strong, be dominant, be assertive, not to be a sissy and a whiner. In her disturbing film Anatomy of Violence, Deepa Mehta pieces together an account of the lives of the rapists in the Jyoti Singh case. Even accounting for some amount of fiction, at least two of the rapists encountered brutal sexual violence in their youth. Could this have led to their savagery towards the young girl they attacked? It could well be that the bestiality they suffered left them with little notion of right and wrong as evident from some of the remarks made by them during the course of the trial.

Several studies have shown that boys who are sexually traumatised grow up often to be perpetrators of violence. They mask their sufferings in extra aggression, violence towards others, especially those considered weaker and in trying to be dominant. The root cause of their behaviour is rarely addressed in a society like India where vulnerability or admission of sexual assault would be seen as a sign of weakness in a man.

If a boy were to come forward and complain of being raped, chances are that he will not be believed, he will be thought to be a wimp or effeminate and become an object of ridicule. Even when it comes to counselling, the priority is the girl child. But, if we are to protect boys from sexual violence we have to change this mindset. In an advertisement on the theme boys dont cry, the young man whose tears are considered a sign of weakness in childhood and his teenage years, grows up to be a wife beater. Now this may be a generalisation, but the message given to an abused boy is that the violence directed against him is normal and that he too can do the same. Or maybe he feels that this is the only way he can hit back for what he suffered. I am not saying that all young boys who are abused grow up to be violent, but that they need help to overcome the trauma. They need a supportive environment, they should not feel the pressure to be manly and tough. They too should be shielded from the danger of predators as much as the girl child.

A blogger who had been raped by an uncle for years when he was a child wrote that when he finally told his mother, she was shocked. I did not know such things could happen to boys, she said.

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DEHRADUN: BJP chief Amit Shah will arrive in August to review the five-month performance of chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and his nine-member Cabinet, party insiders said.

Shah will be in the state for three days as part of his 95-day countrywide tour during which he will interact with the BJP cadre. During his visit, he will not only meet our party workers and leaders but will also have a meeting with the chief minister and all his nine cabinet members, Cabinet minister Madan Kaushik told Hindustan Times.

But Kaushik neither confirmed nor denied that Shah will review the governments performance.

By August, the TS Rawat-led BJP government will complete five months in power That will be the right time for appraisal of the government. Which is what our party chief will do. Such assessments are justified as they help us understand where we stand in terms of performance, a senior state BJP office bearer said.

The proposed visit is slated at a time when the government is under attack from the media for slow governance. It is also facing criticism for its failure to rein in the bureaucracy and carry out its promise to root out corruption, which was one of the BJPs main poll planks.

On the development front, I dont think the government has taken any major policy decision so far, said Prof MM Semwal of HNB Garhwal (Central) University. Its liquor policy too is no different from that of the previous Congress regime and it couldnt do much to realise its announcement on a partial ban on liquor, he said, adding that some ministers were doing a good job.

Prof LM Joshi of Kumaon University said two months was too early to judge the governments performance. He, however, agreed that the government was unable to make its presence felt, if compared with the Uttar Pradesh government.

The local leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also privately expressed concern over the negative feedback they were getting on the governments performance.

BJP insiders said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has his own mechanism of assessing the state governments performances. Modiji wont go by what the chief minister would brief Shah about his governments performance, a BJP leader said. He (Modi) has his own channels of checking whether it is delivering or not,.

BJP leaders, however, said Shah will be here as part of the partys ongoing nationwide Prashikshan Maha-abhiyan, which is dedicated to its ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. Our party workers across the country are being familiarised with his philosophy of Antyodaya (upliftment of the most downtrodden), BJPs media in-charge Devendra Bhasin said.

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The Delhi government on Sunday said former minister Kapil Mishra was misguided on the Rs 400 crore high security number plate scam, but remained silent on his allegations about the funding of AAP leaders Russian tour.

In a dismissive tone, AAP government spokesperson Nagendar Sharma, a close aide of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, took to Twitter to retort to Mishras allegations that the Russia tour of AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh was funded by a person related to a firm facing probe in the scam.

He said a probe into the scam was first ordered by then-minister Saurabh Bharadwaj of the 49-day AAP government, but the decision was reversed by former Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

In January 2016, the Delhi government again sent the file on the scam to the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) despite the LG having sent it for arbitration on the companys request, Sharma said.

Probe into High Security Number Plates scam was ordered by @Saurabh_MLAgk in 49 days govt in Feb 2014 Then LG Jung reversed the decision 2/n  Nagendar Sharma (@sharmanagendar) May 21, 2017

3/n In Jan 2016 Delhi government again sent the HSNP file to Delhi ACB despite LG having sent the case for arbitration on compnay's request  Nagendar Sharma (@sharmanagendar) May 21, 2017

Hitting out at Mishra, Sharma said he had no clue about what he was speaking, and sought to know who was misguiding him.

Horribly wrong script being handed over to Kapil Mishra - poor fellow has no clue of what he's speaking ! Who is misguiding him 1/n  Nagendar Sharma (@sharmanagendar) May 21, 2017

In another tweet, the Delhi government spokesperson targeted BJP on the matter.

n/n BJP had tried to rake up this issue in June last year but went silent when it came to know that file was lying with its ACB since months  Nagendar Sharma (@sharmanagendar) May 21, 2017

In a jibe, AAP leader Sanjay Singh compared Kapil Mishra to the comedian Kapil Sharma.

Comedy show of Kapil Mishra continues. Till when will media keep showing bundle of lies. First lie was that went abroad to work against the country, and now company of number plate, Singh said.

Mishra has been levelling allegations against AAP and its government ever since he was sacked as water minister for non-performance. He has claimed that AAP had received money through hawala channels and that he had witnessed Kejriwal receiving Rs 2 crore from health minister Satyendar Jain.

Mishra even went on a hunger strike asking AAP to make public the details of foreign tours of five party leaders, but ended it after fainting at a press conference. He also submitted documents to the CBI in support of his charges.

AAP has, however, dismissed Mishras outburst, saying the BJP was behind it and had sponsored his fast.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) may have busted the nations biggest gold smuggling racket. Officials suspect that this syndicate, led by Delhi-based businessman, may have smuggled around 2,000 kg of foreign-mark gold bars worth Rs 600 crore from Dubai through sea routes.

The agency seized 52kg of gold, worth Rs 15 crore, from a consignment imported from Dubai by a Delhi-based firm at Mundra port in Gujarat on Sunday.

The Delhi DRI arrested the kingpin Harnek Singh last weekend for allegedly smuggling more than 300kg of gold bars into the country over the past two years. On May 13, Delhi DRI confiscated 44kg of gold, concealed in rod-type poultry incubators and trucked in a container from the port of Mundra in Gujarat to Singhs factory in the national capital.

After this seizure, we had alerted the ports across the country since we had the information that Singhs consignments are on the way. We are expecting more seizures in coming days. The Gandhidham unit of DRI seized another 52kg of foreign-mark gold on Sunday. Gold was concealed in a metallic frame used as packing material for poultry egg incubator, which was shipped from Dubai, said a DRI official.

Singh allegedly operates with his brother-in-law in Dubai and uses the hawala network to transfer money, bypassing banking channels and leaving no paper trail. Investigators say he doesnt use flights, the preferred transport for gold smugglers, because the risk of getting caught at airports is high. He sticks to the time-tested formula of the 1970s  ship the merchandise on merchant vessels.

The modus operandi is simple. Singh buys a single incubator and a few other devices, such as disassembled poultry egg brooder panels from dealers in Dubai. His brother sends the consignment, hiding around 50kg of gold bars in the metallic case of the incubator.

The gold bars are wrapped in a thick silver-grey paper smeared in adhesive to prevent the metals from making any noise that could raise any suspicion.

We will book him under COFEPOSA (the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act), an act of the Parliament passed in 1974 during administration of Indira Gandhi, to retain foreign currency and prevent smuggling. We will ensure that duty on 2,000kg gold is recovered, the official added.

Investigators said they found proof of the smuggling racket and hawala transactions to Dubai during searches at his home and factory. The DRIs Delhi unit recovered WhatsApp messages between Singh and his relative which confirms the racket and that gold has been smuggled in India at least 24 times in two years. We have been tracking this person for a long time, the officer said.

Singh, who owns a fleet of 11 expensive cars like Porsche, Mini Cooper, BMW and more, is still in jail and his cars may be seized by DRI. Also, he has three big apartments and a large factory that manufactures appliances for poultry farms.

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Two men were killed and five others injured when the SUV they were travelling in first hit a vegetable cart and then a divider before toppling. The accident was reported from Najafgarh-Bahadurgarh road in southwest Delhi on Saturday night. All men were reportedly in their early thirties.

The men from Jind in Haryana, were reportedly on their way to Gurgaon in a Nissan Terrano, to attend a wedding when the accident occurred.

According to the police, the driver, Ajay, was speeding as they were getting late for the wedding. When they reached an empty stretch near the Essar petrol pump, he reportedly tried to speed up and almost hit a cart. In order avoid an accident, he took a sharp turn but lost control over the vehicle and rammed a divider. The car skid for over 100 metres before hitting a tree. It then toppled and skid for another 50 metres before coming to a halt, police said.

The driver and the car owner, Shiv Raj, sitting on the front seat were killed on the spot. Since the front portion of the car hit a tree, that part was completely damaged. Ajay and Raj were completely crushed. Luckily, when the car hit the tree, the rear seat of the vehicle came off and the door opened. The men fell outside the car and sustained injuries on their hands and legs. Those injuries however were not fatal, a senior police officer said. Shiv Raj and Ajay on the other hand suffered severe head injuries which led to their instant death, he said.

A passerby, who was on his way to office, saw the accident and informed police. The car was in a very bad shape and we had to rope in the fire department to help us pull out the occupants. The car was cut open with gas cutters to remove the two men in the front. They were rushed to the hospital and declared dead on arrival, a police officer said.

Three of the other five men were admitted to Rao Tula Ram hospital and are recuperating. Their families have been informed.

Police also said that the vegetable vendor whose cart was hit too had a narrow escape. He too was admitted to a hospital with injuries but was discharged after treatment, a police officer said.

A case in the matter has been registered. A few bottles of country-made liquor have also been recovered from the car, however, it is not clear if the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. We have recovered some bottles but we are not sure if the driver had consumed liquor. It will be clear in the postmortem report, a police officer said.

Raj, police said was the sarpanch of Julana village in Jind.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST), which aims to create a uniform taxation structure across India, is painting a sad picture for the art market in the country. After implementation, it will bring artworks in the slab of 12% tax slab, making them rather more expensive. So far, barring a few states, art was exempted from tax.

This has naturally upset the art community, which fears that the already struggling art industry will suffer more, and that budding artists will now find even fewer buyers.

Erum Khan, an art curator for the past 13 years, says, Art is not a requirement, but a choice. If a show is held, only 2-5% of the works are sold. There are no schemes, no government-driven initiatives, and no incentives for artists. On top of that, GST will lead to higher prices. Artists are already struggling to find a market; what they need is motivation and not a push back.

Ina Puri, a curator with 30 years experience, believes that due to demonetisation, the whole industry is already facing a crisis and taxes will affect it severely. Puri says, Christies auction houses have already stopped working after demonetisation. At the international level, this is a great time, as artists have started getting recognition abroad. But [in India], GST will make it more difficult for us. Look at China. It gave a tax holiday of 10 years to artists.

On the contrary, Sushma Bhel, who has been a curator for 16 years in Delhi, supports the decision. She says, The GST bill will simplify the unstable art market. The documentation of the art Industry is not proper and [this] step will bring a system. Also, we can push the government to use the [tax] money to develop the sector. Im happy that it will mean a proper forum and standards.

The artist fraternity thinks that it will negatively impact budding artists. Natasha Chadha Bhambri, an independent artist who gave a makeover to the District Prison of Gurgaon, says, It will affect the whole community negatively. Buyers bargain with us as if theyre buying a grocery item, and GST will only add to our woes. It might not be an issue for the established artists, who are brand names themselves, but for the budding artists, it will be difficult to even survive solely as artists.

However, the eminent painter Gopi Gajwani believes that taxation is not going to make much of a difference. I feel that there are already very few people who buy artworks, he says. Even if GST adds Rs 10,000 to the [price of an] artwork, an art lover would not shy away from buying it. The market for art is very niche. Besides, we, too, have passed through the phase of a budding artist and survived despite several challenges.

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Sacked Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra on Sunday alleged that the Russia tour of AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh was funded by a person related to a company which is facing probe in a Rs 400 crore scam.

Continuing his tirade against the Arvind Kejriwal government and the party which ousted him for non-performance, Mishra asked the chief minister whether he knew about the source of the tours funding, and why no action was taken against the company after the AAP returned to power.

I have posed nine questions to Arvind Kejriwal as I got details about one foreign tour of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh... When will you make details of all foreign tours of AAP leaders public? Mishra said at a press conference at his residence on Sunday.

He said the firm manufactures and installs high security registration plates in all vehicles in Delhi, the contract for which was awarded by the transport department, and cancelled by the AAP government during its first stint.

The leader said the company was involved in a Rs 400 crore scam, and is now facing an ACB probe.

In a dismissive tone, AAP government spokesperson Nagendar Sharma said Mishra was being misguided about the high security number plate scam, but did not respond to the allegations on the funding of the tour.

After being dumped unceremoniously from Kejriwal cabinet, Mishra had on May 10 started a hunger strike, asking AAP to make public the details of foreign tours of five party leaders: Satyendar Jain, Sanjay Singh, Ashish Khetan, Raghav Chadha and Durgesh Pathak.

However, he ended his fast after six days as he fainted during a press conference.

Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha have defended their foreign tours but Kejriwal has chosen to remain silent on Mishras allegations against him and the party.

Mishra also called upon former volunteers of India Against Corruption, including ex-AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, to join hands to ensure a Kejriwal-free and corruption-free Delhi.

Few people could see through the truth early and left. Few others left after the assembly and MCD elections. I was late to realise the truth... Party ko chhodna nahin chheenna hai (should not leave but snatch the party). We all have contributed in forming this party. We cant leave it just dye to 4-5 corrupt people who have hijacked the party, he said.

Apologising to Yadav and Bhushan, who were booted out of AAP after 2015 assembly elections and went on to float Swaraj India, Mishra said, I am sorry for my conduct, language and my role in their ouster that I did on the advice of Arvind Kejriwal.

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The capitals favourite protest venue - Jantar Mantar  turned blue on Sunday as thousands of Dalits led by the Bhim Army, an organisation fighting for the communitys rights, staged a demonstration against the recent violence in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite being denied permission by Delhi Police to hold a rally, protesters dressed in blue gathered on the call of Bhim Army Ekta Mission, led by 30-year-old lawyer Chandrashekhar to fight against oppression by upper castes.

Cries of Jai Bhim rent the air at Jantar Mantar as several smaller organisations such as Dalit Sangarsh Morcha, Yuva Shakti Dal and youths from different parts of Western UP and Delhi also showed up to lend their support.

The protest comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of Maharana Pratap. The skirmish took place on May 5, when a mob, allegedly from the Thakur community, ransacked and burned down 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members of the community in Saharanpur.

Chandrashekhar, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the clashes between the police and the protesters on May 9, also addressed the gathering. We have come here to fight oppression. If you kill one Chandrashekhar, thousands more will rise. The RSS and Hindu right organisations have been oppressing us for centuries, but we are not weak, he said.

He also gave out phone numbers to protesters to call for help if they were being oppressed. He also said he was willing to surrender to police.

Many protesters said that they had gathered at the site without any organised means for mass mobilisation except for social networking sites and WhatsApps groups that publicised the event. However, there were reports of buses were arranged by local leaders for those who came from Saharanpur.

Sonu Paliwal, 28, a resident of Shimlana village in Saharanpur, said, We are here because there had been repeated incidents of violence against Dalits. The administration in Saharanpur allows the Rajputs to hold march on Maharana Pratap Jayanti but Dalits are not allowed to celebrate Ambdekar Jayanti.

The protestors demanded that cases be registered against those who had perpetrated violence against Dalits on May 5 and affected families be awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

They also demanded that the FIRs lodged against Chandrashekhar and other Dalit activists be cancelled and a judicial probe be initiated into the incident.

Several protesters held posters and banners decrying upper castes while many wore wearing shirts and caps with BR Ambedkars photo printed over them.

Ravi Prakash, convener of Dalit Sangharsh Morcha, said, The Yogi Adityanath government in UP cares more about cows than Dalits. We are not against cow protection but it is human beings whose lives should be protected first. Our brothers in villages of UP live under fear but we will not tolerate it anymore.

We want to show to the government that we can unite and we can fight for our rights, he said.

A senior official of Delhi police said that though the protest was held without permission, no one was detained because it was peaceful.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the corruption allegations levelled by his former cabinet colleague Kapil Mishra as baseless which even the opponents were refusing to believe and said that had there been any substance in the allegations, he would have been in jail by now.

The AAP national convener was addressing party volunteers at a state-level convention at Punjabi Bagh, which was organised to launch a renewed outreach programme, both to connect with the voters besides consolidating the party cadre at the booth level.

Our movement has been under attack over the past few days. Its good because it shows they feel threatened by us. Had there been even an iota of truth (in the allegations), I would have been in jail What can I say against such baseless allegations...people dont believe it, even opponents are not believing (the allegations) Kejriwal was quoted as saying by the partys Twitter handle.

Without taking names, Kejriwal, however, said that he has the courage to take on the corrupt and mighty, but it hurts when you are betrayed by one of your own

As part of the partys strategy to renew the connect of the party with the people, AAP has decided that party legislators and ministers will meet people at 10 am on a daily basis without an appointment.

The convention was organised by the Delhi unit to launch the mera booth sabse majboot initiative aimed at restructuring the AAP at the booth level. The move comes following a realisation in the party that it failed to reach out to people with its governments achievements and that was one of the reasons for partys loss in the municipal elections.

The AAP legislators had also complained of inaccessibility of ministers and the chief minister as one of the reasons for the loss.

Kejriwal announced at the meeting that he will be interacting with party volunteers at 8 pm on the first Sunday of every month through Google hangout.
Clint Eastwood does not rule out making another Western, he said on Saturday as he presented a 25th anniversary restored copy of Unforgiven at the Cannes Film Festival.

US director Clint Eastwood (L) speaks on stage next to General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival Thierry Fremaux on May 20, 2017, prior to the presentation of the 4K remaster of Eastwood's 1992 film Unforgiven at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (AFP)

When I read the (Unforgiven) script 25 years ago, I always thought that this would be a good last Western for me to do, said the 86-year-old actor-director.

And it was the last Western, because I have never read one that worked as well as this one since that. But who knows, maybe something will come up in the future, said Eastwood, who made his name in the TV series Rawhide and the so-called spaghetti Westerns of the 1960s, now considered classics.

Unforgiven won four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for Eastwood who also starred.

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On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to his home state, Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel and 50 of his community youths tonsured their heads on Sunday to kick start Nyay Yatra.

The two-day Nyay Yatra (march for justice) began from Lathidal in Botad and will cover 51 villages before concluding in Bhavnagar on Monday.

Nyay Yatra is for pressing our demands for justice against police atrocities on agitators in 2015 that left 13 youths dead, said Patel.

We are starting yatra from Botad where the PM inaugurated an irrigation project during his previous Gujarat visit.

Patidar community members tonsure their head ahead of PM Modis visit to protest against police killing in 2015. (HT Photo)

Patidars, a financially and politically influential community and BJP supporters for three decades, are up in arms against the state government seeking OBC status. Twenty-three-year-old Patel, who was jailed for nine months and exiled for another six months in connection with two sedition cases, has emerged as the face of the agitation.

Modi will begin the Gujarat visit on Monday from Kutch district where he will inaugurate development projects at Kandla and dedicate Narmada Water pumping station at Bhachau.

On Tuesday, he will inaugurate the annual meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

The five-day AfDB meeting will have in attendance private sector representatives from across Africa, finance ministers from 80 countries besides heads of states from several African countries.

This is Modis third visit to the state in this election year. On April 7, he had visited Botad to inaugurate the Link 2 of the state governments ambitious SAUNI (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) project by formally releasing Narmada water into Krushnasagar dam.

Earlier, on March 8, he had visited Gandhinagar to address women sarpanchs from across the country on the International Womens Day.

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How to behave with couples at public places? Would you punish them at the spot, force them to do sit-ups, frisk and interrogate them, or do nothing?

Some 55 policemen who are members of Uttar Pradeshs anti-Romeo squads were asked the question this week on the orders of the states director general of police following massive criticism of police high-handedness during an ongoing crackdown on sexual harassment of women at public places.

The policemen were participating in a sensitisation programme aimed at correcting public perception about the drive initiated days after Yogi Adityanath took over as the chief minister, but besmirched by allegations of police excesses.

What they were asked was part of a 10-point objective questionnaire to test their tact so that they could tweak their responses while on duty.

<a href="//htnetedit.polldaddy.com/s/are-you-up-to-being-anti-romeo-squad-member">View Survey</a>

The other questions asked included what is the objective of an anti-Romeo squad? Check crime against women, check harassment of girls and women, teach lessons to spoilt brats or to check couples sitting in public places?

Another poser pertained to how the squad members would act while doing the rounds. Should they demand ID card from couples sitting at public places and quiz them, frisk people sitting at public places, scold couples sitting at public places or do none of the above.

Senior police officials were reluctant to share how the policemen who took the test fared, but insisted the sensitization would help in bringing about a sea change to their outlook and brush up the drives public image.

The training programme is aimed at sensitizing them about their work profile, communication skills, gesture and legal aspects of the campaign, said Navniet Sekera, the inspector general of police in-charge of the 1090 women helpline service.

They are being told they do not need to get involved in moral policing or troubling couples. Their work is to ensure that nobody troubled women at public places, outside schools, colleges and in market places, Sekera added.

A copy of the multiple-choice questionnaire handed out to UP cops during the sensitisation programme. (HT Photo)

Though the new chief ministers pet initiative, the anti-Romeo squads have been embroiled in controversies from day one as reports of police excesses poured in from all corners. A movie-going couple was dragged out of their auto rickshaw and dragged to the police station in Lucknow, a young man was forced to do sit-ups in Jhansi and several young men were rounded up in Meerut for accompanying their sisters to the college.

Deputy superintendent of police Babita Singh said answers of the policemen to the questions varied upon their individual backgrounds. Graduates and post-graduates from urban centres had different responses than those from rural areas, she said.

This weeks session that lasted seven hours was attended by sub-inspectors and constables with a trained psychologist and a legal expert in attendance. Similar sessions for higher level officers including DSPs and additional SPs will be held soon.

At the session, most policemen sought help on how to deal with situations where onlookers objected to couples sitting in parks. They were told not to get involved in a harsh interaction but to warn the couples that their actions were causing problem to others, an official said.
Beginning June 3, the election commission has invited political parties to prove that electronic voting machines (EVMs) can be tampered with.

Several parties, led by Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party, have claimed that the BJPs victory in a string of state and civic elections was a result of the manipulation of EVMs and not a reflection of the voter sentiment.

The BJP and the election commission have both denied the charge.

The poll panel while announcing the EVM challenge on Saturday again said the EVMs used by it were tamper-proof and comparing them with the ones discarded by several Western countries was unfair as the systems and technology were different.

EVMs used in The Netherlands, Ireland and Germany were privately manufactured and had no independent certification system unlike a very robust verification and certification system in case of ECI (election commission of India) EVMs, chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi said.

Here is how Indian EVMs are different:

What sets India apart

Data from the NEDAP machines used in the Netherlands is transferred through CDs but the Indian EVMs store data internally. Indian EVMs are stand-alone, direct-recording machines with no possibility of network connectivity with citizens casting their votes at an assigned polling station. Basically it means that the machine cant be accessed remotely or be hacked into. This feature, EC officials say, makes them impossible to manipulate.

The EVMs are manufactured by two PSUs -- ECIL and BEL -- with no third party involved. The software is written in-house. Chips were so designed that if tampered with, machines become inoperable, poll panels officials said.

The Netherlands

Information provided by the EC shows that the machines used in The Netherlands between 1990 and 2007 were manufactured by a private Dutch company, NEDAP (Nederlandse Apparaten Fabriek NV).

In 2006, the government ordered an independent test of the machines. Two independent commissions were also asked to review the security and reliability features.

The machines were discontinued after the commissions said the ministry responsible for holding polls didnt have enough technical knowledge about the machines, forcing officials to depend on external actors for conducting elections. Technology vendors became part of the decision-making process and the ministry was not in a position to exercise effective oversight.

The Dutch organization for applied scientific research said the machines were following outdated standards that were not immune to security threats.

Germany

In Germany, the NEDAP-manufactured e-voting machines were used between 2005 and 2009.

The Bundesverfassungsgericht, or the federal constitutional court of Germany, discontinued the machines in 2009, saying they violated the principle of the public nature of elections. The constitution clearly laid out all steps in the elections process were subject to public scrutiny unless said otherwise, the court said.

Ireland

Ireland used NEDAP machines from 2002 to 2004. Two independent commissions concluded that the machines could not be used because of inadequate safeguards, insecure transfer of data through CDs and inconsistencies in physical security of machines across constituencies.

The United States of America

In 2000 the voting method was reviewed and direct recording electronic (DRE) systems introduced after a dispute in the presidential election.

DRE systems use one of three basic interfaces (pushbutton, touch screen or dial) through which voters record their votes directly into computer memory. Voters choices are stored in DREs via a memory cartridge, diskette or smart cardSome DREs can be equipped with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) printers...

As many as 27 states use direct recording machines. Fifteen of these use paper audit trails. The other voting methods include: optical scan paper ballot systems, ballot-marking devices and the punch card ballot.

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Its 2 am and people are still awake in this village comprising some 1,200 odd families, all Muslims.

Outside mukhiya (panchayat head) Syed Zabiullahs house, a crowd of 100 or more people are in a serious discussion on the lynching of three youth of the village on Thursday by an irate mob in neighbouring Sobhapur village that falls in Seraikela-Kharsawan district.

Senior administrative officials had just left after speaking to the victims families and tried to offer them compensation of Rs 2 lakh each. They flatly declined.

HT travelled to the village, Haldipokhar, around 20km from Jamshedpur to speak to the victims families.

There was an uneasy calm. People havent slept for the last three days. Fear stalked the residents, especially men, who are in various businesses that require travelling to tribal areas.

Courtesy rumours of lifting of children that have spread like wildfire in the last fortnight across the tribal heartland, nine people  five Muslims and four Hindus  have been lynched in four separate incidents. Haldipokhar men now fear for both their lives and livelihood.

Squatted in the midst of community leaders discussing the next course of action, Seikh Imteyaz suddenly gets up and reacts angrily, showing a video grab of his brother Siraj being lynched by the frenzy mob.

On Thursday around 4: 30am, I woke up to his call. He was gasping for breath and asked me to come immediately to rescue him. I picked up my bike and left for the village only to find him being mercilessly thrashed. They chased me too. I fled leaving my brother in the jaws of death, he lamented.

That day four men, three of them from Haldipokhar identified as Sheikh Sajju (25), Sheikh Siraj (26) and Sheikh Halim (28) were lynched. The fourth victim, Md Naeem, 35, was from Ghatsila.

Had the police acted promptly and took action when we called, the killings could have been averted. I kept calling the policemen, but they refused to respond, said Zabiullah.

Three days have elapsed, but the killers are still at large. We have given the police pictures and videos of those involved in the killings. They are known faces and we have identified some. If they are still not apprehended, our lives will be further at risk. This incident will create a big divide in the society here, added Zabiullah.

No political leaders have visited the village. Local legislator Meneka Sardar of the BJP lives barely five kilometers away from Haldipokhar but she hasnt visited the families to at least express condolences.

Villagers have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister through the deputy commissioner on Saturday demanding Rs 25 lakh as compensation, besides few other perks to kin of each dead.
In Tamil Nadu, ever since former chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) revolted against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, it was widely speculated that he had the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Saturday, he himself gave credence to such guesswork by tweeting his intentions of getting cosy with the BJP, only to change it soon after, dropping BJP from the tweet.

A day after calling on Modi in New Delhi, OPS tweeted that his party would take a final decision on an alliance with the BJP after the local body elections in Tamil Nadu were announced.

We will take a decision on alliance with BJP once local body elections are announced, the tweet said.

We will take a decision on alliance with BJP once local body elections are announced.  O Panneerselvam (@Panneerselvam_O) May 20, 2017

His tweet, coming in the forenoon, created a flutter in political circles. Political analysts were quick to point out, See this was always there. Now it is out in the open.

Realising the faux pas, OPS immediately tried to rectify and modified his tweet: We mean that only after the announcement of Local body elections we will think about an alliance with any political party.

We mean that only after the announcement of Local body elections we will think about the Alliance with any political party. https://t.co/G1ZeoV3UBT  O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) May 20, 2017

The BJP is trying to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu and has been eyeing a tie-up with AIADMK for long, but had been spurned by its former boss late J Jayalalithaa. Now, with AIADMK split into two factions, BJP senses a chance for a tie-up.

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The Centre is unhappy with the states, including BJP-ruled Haryana, over complaints from homebuyers that safeguards in a central law were diluted to favour real estate developers and for delaying notification of the rules.

The government enacted last year the landmark law designed to protect millions of homebuyers facing harassment because of limited legal options at times of dispute. Besides, the law is tough on realtors, who are accused of cheating clients and hitching their fortunes to illicit funds.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act covers all ongoing projects that have yet to receive a completion certificate. But Haryana has tweaked its draft rule to keep out the majority of such projects from the laws purview.

Also, the state allows developers to withhold mandatory details such as their PAN, annual income declaration, and land ownership.

Rao Inderjit Singh, junior minister in the housing and urban poverty alleviation (HUPA) ministry, cautioned chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a letter last week that the changes breached the law and will be open to legal challenge and liable to be struck down by the courts.

He said the states draft rules will deprive homebuyers of ongoing projects the benefits the law is supposed to provide.

any dilution of the act would not be appreciated by millions of homebuyers in the state who have been waiting for long to get relief under the act, wrote the minister, the BJPs Gurgaon parliamentarian.

Hundreds of homebuyers in Haryanas two boomtowns, Gurgaon and Faridabad, have alleged that property developers were not delivering flats on the promised time. Many of them have filed suits.

Junior information and broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was among the plaintiffs after he was sold an uninhabitable flat in Gurgaon last November.

The Supreme Court ordered Unitech last October to refund Rs 16.5 crore to 39 buyers, who have invested in the realty firms much-delayed Vista project in Gurgaon.

The real estate sector, which contributes about 9% of Indias gross domestic product, was an unorganised business until the central law was enacted. But to make it operational, states and Union territories were asked to notify their rules by April 30 this year.

Only 18 states and Union territories have done so, some in diluted forms. This includes BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Union housing minister M Venkaiah Naidu asked chief ministers this April to implement the law in its letter and spirit. This May, at a review meeting in Lucknow, he discussed with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath about the state allegedly diluting provisions in the law.

The central rules that act as a template for the states allow 10% of the project or apartment cost as compounding fee  which means a defaulting developer can pay a fine to avoid going to jail. The Haryana rules put it between five and 10%, while UP didnt mention any.

The Adityanath government began redrafting the states rules after Naidus intervention.

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In a fit of rage, a mother killed her three year old son, after he refused to serve her drinking water.

An ill-tempered Puja Devi, 28, strangulated her son Nandan and then doused him with kerosene oil before setting the child on fire. The incident took place at Bagwara village under Kathaiya police station of Bihars Muzaffarpur district, around 105 km north of Patna, late on Saturday.

The police have arrested the accused. They claimed the woman has confessed to having committed the crime.

The incident came to light when villagers detected smoke billowing out of Pujas house. Her husband, Rajendra Mahto, works in Gujarats Surat district. The accused used to stay at her house with her three children, all under 10 years of age. Nandan was the youngest of her three children.

Confirming the incident, Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police Vivek Kumar said, A few months back, the woman tried to kill her eldest son in a similar fashion. She has been arrested and forwarded to the Shahid Khudi Ram Bose central jail under judicial custody.

Sub-inspector of police Suresh Singh, who is investigating the case, said that medical examination of the woman did not suggest that she was medically unsound.

Singh said that the accused was a habitual nuisance monger, who used to pick up a fight with her fellow villagers at the drop of a hat.

He said that an FIR had been registered against Puja on the basis of the statement of her father-in-law and the victims grandfather, Sitaram Mahto.

I got my son Rajendra Mahto married with Puja nearly a decade back. Puja would invariably quarrel with family members. My neighbours, too, were fed up with her intemperate behaviour, said the investigating officer, quoting the elder Mahto.
With national cyber security coordinator in the Prime Ministers Office Dr Gulshan Rai bound for Tel Aviv this week, India and Israel are all set to institutionalise cyber security cooperation in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modis maiden visit to Jerusalem in July.

Israeli and Indian diplomatic sources also confirmed that secretary (Industrial Promotion and Policy) Ramesh Abhishek, along with Invest India team, reached Tel Aviv on Sunday, a day after foreign secretary S Jaishankar left for India after meeting Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu last Friday.

Abhishek will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart to promote investment in India under Modis Make in India initiative besides the defence sector.

Despite India and Israel being close partners in defence and security for the past two decades, the two countries have still to institutionalise cyber security dialogue.

Israel is a leading global power in offensive and defensive technologies, and is one of the very few countries to have the capability of intercepting Net-based communication platforms.

Given that terror and extremist groups world over communicate through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), India looks toward Israeli cooperation in this vital area.

Although it is early days yet, India and Israel would like to exchange notes on protecting national databases from malware and hackers.

The two sides are preparing to set up a dialogue or a joint working group where cyber-experts from both sides could exchange information or technologies for mutual benefit.

Israel is also reaching out to chief ministers of key Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra for one-on-one dialogues with agriculture, irrigation, water and sanitation majors over the coming months in order to cooperate on specific state-related problems.

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An Indian national was arrested from the Pakistani capital on Sunday over possessing incomplete travel documents, local TV channels reported.

Sheikh Nabi Ahmed, who hailed from Jogeshwari East in Mumbai, was arrested from F-8 area of Islamabad.

According to police, the man was detained during routine patrol on May 19, Samaa TV reported.

A case has been filed against him under Article 14 of the Foreigner Act and he has been sent to jail on judicial remand.

Ahmed was taken into custody on May 19 after he failed to produce any travel or visa documents, the Express Tribune reported.

According to police, the Indian national was walking along Nazimuddin Road in F-8 when he was stopped at a check post. Police demanded to check his visa documents after he told them that he was an Indian. However, Ahmed could not produce any document and was taken into police custody, the daily said.

The address on Ahmeds passport is of Jogeshwari (East) but according to the Meghwadi Police, Ahmed sold his property almost five years ago and has now shifted to someplace in Jogeshwari (West), the police said.

Mumbai Police spokesperson Rashmi Karandikar said, It is the matter of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

An official of the Indian high commission, however, said that the mission does not have any information about the arrest so far.

He has been booked for illegal entry and stay in the country under Foreigners Act 1946 and sent to jail on judicial remand, the daily said.

The arrest came days after the International Court of Justice stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against the country.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Jadhavs case is the latest flash-point in the tensions between Pakistan and India.

(With inputs from agencies)
Community leaders, village heads and social activists blame social media for the lynching of nine men on suspicion of child lifting in Jharkhand, a killing spree that has vitiated ties between tribals and the rest of the population.

Over the last nine days nine innocent people have been beaten to death by frenzied mobs in four separate incidents in tribal-dominated East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts.

A WhatsApp message warning against gangs of traffickers accompanied with graphic pictures of wounded and murdered children whipped up fears, driving parents over the edge.

This is the curse of social media, which has become a frenzy in villages. For nearly a fortnight, people were guarding villages with weapons, a tribal leader and BJP state committee member Ramesh Hansda said on Saturday.

He visited some of the violence-hit areas and was trying to calm peoples fear but it was a sensitive issue.

High rate of illiteracy among tribals is a problem, too. People believe every message or picture they receive, without questioning their veracity.

A stranger is viewed with suspicion and is vulnerable.

Police, who have not been able to trace the origin of the widely shared message, have been taken by surprise.

They have not received a single complaint of a child going missing or being abducted in the two areas in the last many days, police said.

As HT travelled to violence-hit villages, tribal youth showed pictures of children, mutilated and killed, received on their WhatsApp groups.

These pictures are being shared widely in tribal pockets. The gullible men and women are reacting angrily to these pictures and taking the law into their hands, said Manoj Purty, a resident of Kudada village in East Singhbhum.

The message asks parents to be vigilant and cites the arrest of suspected child lifters in nearby Jaduguda and Rakha mines.

Hansda, whose BJP is the senior partner in the ruling coalition in the mineral-rich state, has been asked by the party to reach out to tribals to calm their fears.

I sense a conspiracy behind these developments. While I totally disapprove of the mindless killings, I want the administration to dig deep and find out who sowed the seeds of hatred into the innocent tribals minds, former member of Parliament and a prominent tribal leader Salkhan Murmu said.

Local administration, intellectuals, social workers and journalists should come forward to create awareness, he said.

The fear for their children was so deep that people were not willing to listen to any political leader or social worker, Amar Murmu, a resident of Kudada village, said.

Whoever tries to stop them from attacking strangers is branded an agent of child-lifters and is threatened with similar consequences, he said.

Situation would not have spun out of control had police paid attention to villagers complaints.

The police and administration should have been serious when villagers told them about the rumours and WhatsApp messages, said Sini Soren mukhiya of Uttar Kumardi village.

Though five of the victims were Muslims and four Hindus, the murders have also hit ties between the two communities. In Jamshedpur, one of the biggest industrial towns of the state, youngsters from both sides on Saturday blocked roads and attacked police with stones and bricks.
The police on Sunday detained 20 suspects allegedly involved in the Kolhan lynching and sparking tension in Jamshedpur on Saturday.

The situation was under control on Sunday in Jamshedpur city and other parts of Kolhan, with no cases of violence or clashes between groups reported.

A three-member team led by inspector general (operations) Ashish Batra primarily relied on CCTV footage of the violence and pictures clicked on mobile phones to identify the culprits, sources said.

Furious villagers killed seven people on Thursday after a WhatsApp message cautioning them of child-lifters prowling the Kolhan region went viral.

On Friday and Saturday, the news of the killings spread like wildfire in Jamshedpur, causing tension and lawlessness on the streets, with agitators pelting stones on security forces and shops remaining shut.

Six companies of Jharkhand State Police and two companies of Rapid Action Force have been deployed on the streets. Twenty have been detained and the situation is under control, Batra said.

He said rumours about child-lifting sparked the mob violence in bordering areas of East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan, but anti-social elements took advantage of the situation and created tension in Mango and Dhatkidih localities of Jamshedpur city.

Four men from a particular community were lynched to death on Thursday by villagers for suspected child-lifting. A few members of the minority community had mistaken the mob rage as a communal clash, which added to the disharmony in the city.

Section 144 was imposed in areas under Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM police stations from 10 pm on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the police have issued a WhatsApp number seeking information from general public on rumours and updates from across the city.
Thousands of candidates from Bihar appearing for recruitment test for Group-D positions in West Bengal government went berserk on Sunday morning, blocking rail tracks and vandalising New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station.

The written examination for the jobs was held all across West Bengal on Saturday.

A whopping 2.5 million candidates competed for 6,000 Group-D positions, lowest rung of employment in a government. Thousands of candidates were from Bihar.

Police said trouble started at 6am when jobseekers returning to Bihar started boarding even reserved compartments of the Avadh-Assam Express at the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station in West Bengals Jalpaiguri district.

As the passengers who had prior reservations complained, all hell broke loose.

The job aspirants climbed to the engine of the train forcing the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to resort to mild baton charge to disperse them.

But the vandals responded to forces action by blocking rail tracks, pelting stones at the train and damaging railway properties. They even uprooted a lamp post at platform number 3.

Though there is no report of any casualty, train services were disrupted for hours.

Many trains, including the Rajdhani Express, were detained for hours at the station.

The blockade was lifted only after railways promised to run a special train to take them home, a senior railway officer said.

Due to lack of employment opportunities in Bihar, many youth from the state migrate to other parts of the country for jobs. According to a report of the New Delhi-based Indian Institute of Public Administration 4.42 million people from Bihar migrate every year to various states of India. The report was based on a survey conducted in 2009-10.

Experts say the number will not be much different even today. 60 persons per 1000 are unemployed in the state, according to the fifth annual employment-unemployment survey conducted in 2015-16 by the ministry of labour and employment.

Candidates having masters or doctoral degrees too took the test on Saturday for the post of peons and orderlies, the minimum eligibility for which is education up to class VIII.

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Kerala police decided to drop charges against the 23-year-old woman who gashed the genitals of a self-proclaimed godman when he tried to sexually assault her on Friday, as support poured in from various quarters.

Initially, police planned to charge the woman, a final year law student, under sections of self-defence, but dropped the idea when womens bodies raised their voice, saying this will put more pressure on the victim.

A local court has remanded the accused in judicial custody till June 3. Since he is not fully recovered he will be confined to a cell in Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital for some more days.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan also lauded her, saying it was a courageous step, and the government would do everything to support her.

Legal experts said a case against the sexual abuse victimshe told the police that the godman Ganeshananda Theerthapada alias Srihari sexually exploited her since class 10who resorted to action in self-defence, wont stand much in a court of law.

The state womens commission has pledged all support to her. Commission member Prameela Devi said the young woman was forced to take such an extreme step.

The incident is a big warning to all sexual predators, said Congress leader Bindhu Krishna.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan lauded the woman, saying it was a courageous step, and promised all government support. (ANI)

The woman had attacked the godman around 11.30 pm on Friday when he forced oral sex at knife point at her house in Thiruvananthapuram Pettah. She snatched the knife and severed his penis and ran out of the house.

She then called the police control room and said she feared he would kill her. Soon police shifted him to Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital. Initially there were reports that she hid a knife below her pillow and attacked the godman, but police later corrected it.

Admitted in serious condition, plastic surgeons and urology specialists did two surgeries on him to check blood loss and created a temporary urine tract.

When he was admitted, hospital sources said, his penis was almost severed.

To escape from the clutches of law, he initially told the police that he cut his penis himself as an act of penance but later admitted that the woman had attacked him.

The attack on Srihari has put self-styled godmen in the glare again, with police fearing more attacks on them.

When Santhosh Madhavan alias Amritha Chaitanya, a self-styled saffron-clad godman was arrested in 2008 for assaulting many minor girls, several attacks were reported against godmen in the state. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009.

The incident has brought embarrassment to the BJP as some TV channels flashed videos of Srihari sitting with party state president Kummanam Rajasekharan. The accused was also in the forefront of many agitations involving fringe Hindu outfits.

I attended many functions with sanyasis. It doesnt mean all of them are connected with BJP. We favour strong action against him, Rajasekharan said, distancing BJP from the crime.

Police said Srihari turned to spirituality when his small-time hotel business flopped. Donning the garb of an ascetic, he joined the Panmana ashram in Kollam (south Kerala), founded by social reformer Chattambi Swami.

But the ashram has disowned him, saying he left the sect ten years ago and it has no knowledge about his present dispensation. It said the identify card he was carrying was fake.

The woman said Srihari came in contact with her family after her father, a retired government employee, suffered a stroke and was confined to bed. He exploited the familys insecurity and emotional trauma and made them bend to his will.

He started making sexual advances when she was in class 10. She was afraid of telling anybody then, but gathered courage when she started learning law.

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Two minor boys were stripped and paraded with garlands of slippers for allegedly stealing food item from a sweet shop, police said on Sunday.

The shop owner and his two sons were arrested after the incident that took place in Prem Nagar area of Ulhasnagar township on Saturday night, they said.

The children, aged 8 and 9 and hailing from different families, went to the neighbourhood shop where they picked up a packet of chakli (a snack) without the owners permission and ate it. This angered the shop owner, Mehmood Pathan (69), police said.

Mehmood, with help from his sons, caught hold of the duo and chopped off their hair. They then allegedly stripped the minors, made them wear garlands of slippers and paraded them on the street as punishment.

Annoyed over the humiliation and mistreatment of the children, their parents, who reside in the same locality, lodged a complaint with the Hill Line police.

Based on the complaint, Mehmood and his sons Irfan (26) and Salim (22) were arrested around midnight, police said.

The trio was booked under IPC Sections 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person), 500 (defamation) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, they added.
Sunaina Singh is vice-chancellor of the prestigious Nalanda University (NU) at Rajgir in Bihar, which seeks to recapture the glory of the ancient university bearing that name - an international centre of learning from 5th century CE to 12th century CE. She took charge on May 15, just months after the university, envisaged as a centre of inter-civilisational dialogue, was rocked by a sexual harassment case, in March. In her first interview, Singh, who was earlier with the English and Foreign Language University (EFLU), Hyderabad, tells Arun Kumar about her priorities to take forward the one-of-its kind institution. Excerpts:

Recently, NU was in controversy over a sexual harassment case. To prevent a recurrence of such cases, what do you intend to do?

I am a believer in rules and regulations and have zero-tolerance for people who show disrespect to the institution in any way. I intend to ensure that students focus on excelling in their chosen field of study and fulfil the objectives that brought them to the university. Institutional mechanisms will be put in place to deal with and prevent any untoward incident. I have had meetings with students as well as faculty members and the response has been very positive. I will adopt an enlightened approach to build the image of the University. By following rules and regulations we show our respect to our institution. Therefore, the effort will be to establish a transparent and accountable administration. Automation will be a reality soon.

You have come from a central university. How different will NU be, with an entirely new set up?

NU is still at a nascent stage which is when the culture of an institution is established. The advantage is that the university can write its own narrative. It is a huge opportunity and I feel honoured to be here. My top priority will be to establish a culture of excellence - be it in academics or administration. I will also focus on capacity building in order to attract good talent to the University. NU has to be different and prove how India can play a dynamic role in the educational sphere.

What changes will you like to see in NU?

I like my work to speak for itself and I hope to make these changes visible rather than just talk about it. By 2020, things will start taking concrete shape and be visible. So far, we have not made concrete beginning, but I view things optimistically. The minister for external affairs is keen on seeing NU emerging as a strong and vibrant educational centre. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, whom I met after joining, is also highly supportive and has assured us of all help. The new governing board is also very supportive and wants things to shape up fast. After just 12 students in the first year, 50 will graduate this year. The enrolment is 140 at present. We want to increase the intake and courses.

Taking over as VC, as you are, at a time when NU is in a crucial phase, what will be your priorities?

NU should be a symbol of Indias soft power. My immediate priorities will be to focus on ifive areas: nfrastructure development; capacity building; expansion of knowledge domain to attract focused students from across Asia; streamlining governance and library databases and e-resources to be enriched in keeping with the international image of the University. The most important thing is to develop a culture and commitment for research in keeping with the spirit of ancient Nalanda. We will develop a core research cluster so that it could be opened up for inquiries in specific knowledge areas. The focus will be on multi-disciplinary approach, which Indian education system once epitomized.

How soon NU will shift in its own premises?

The construction work on the main campus is in full swing. We hope that we will be able to hold some classes in the main campus within a year. We will also use prefab structures to ensure that we start functioning from there even if it is in a small way. A monitoring committee will be set up to ensure that the construction is timely and meets all the quality requirements.

NU board had, in 2016, decided to start the school of linguistics and literature from the 2016-17 session. Is it on?

I have just joined so I will see how we can go about it. Even if it is not launched from this year, we will have certain modules. Communication is a very important aspect and there is an urgent need for it. From the 2018-19 session it will certainly be on. We have to develop a level of infrastructure for it. The school of international relations and peace studies will be the next one we will focus on. We will review the existing programmes and plan, accordingly.

Any new initiatives?

We also need to have more departments for academic excellence. So far, departments have not come up. Within the existing schools we will create new departments. We also plan to introduce Vedic studies, Indian spiritual tradition and peace studies. The Indian knowledge systems have to be explored. The University may also start some short-term executive programmes on subjects like Mindfulness and Yoga, Sanskrit, cultural anthropology, astronomy, history of science under different schools. Scholars and faculty members will be roped in for them.

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The government of Pakistan and its army will jointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice, the speaker of the countrys parliament said on Sunday.

It is time to be united instead of doing politics on the issue of a terrorist, National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said while talking to media persons in Lahore.

The legal points of the case should be discussed but there should be no politics on the issue, he said, according to a report by state-run Radio Pakistan.

The speaker also said Pakistan would not take any dictation on the issue and will take a decision as per its interests.

This was the same message given earlier by several government officials.

On Saturday, Pakistan's advisor to the prime minister on foreign affairs said the choice of lawyer from Pakistan's side had been done by consensus of all quarters concerned. In this, say analysts, he also meant the Pakistan army.

Sartaj Aziz also said that the ICJ had not given any ruling on providing consular access to Jadhav. There was no operative order on consular access, he said on Saturday.

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Jadhavs case would be taken to its logical conclusion according to Pakistans Constitution and laws. Pakistans stance at the ICJ would be based along these lines, he told reporters.

Amid criticism of Pakistans legal team after the ICJ stayed Jadhavs execution on Thursday, attorney general Ashtar Ausaf Ali said he would represent the country in future hearings at The Hague-based court.

The ICJ ordered Pakistan to stay Jadhavs execution over allegations of spying until its final decision on Indias petition to annul his death sentence.

The ICJ rejected Pakistans argument that it had no jurisdiction in the matter and acknowledged the urgency of Jadhavs case.

Chiding the Pakistan media for presenting a wrong impression of the case, Aziz said Indias perceived victory was like air in a bubble.

The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is under pressure over the ICJ order, with many quarters insisting the choice of legal team and its tactics were wrong.

Syed Khursheed Shah, the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, described the order as a setback and said the governments negligence is evident.
An Indian was allegedly arrested in Islamabad for incomplete travel documents, triggering a police search on Sunday in and near an address in a western Mumbai suburb.

The suspect, Sheikh Nabi Ahmed, is from 755, behind Tabassum hotel, Bandra Plot, Jogeshwari East. But police were yet to locate his family.

Locals said the family used to stay in the area, but sold their home and moved out some years ago.

I do not know about their current address, said a resident, who didnt wish to be named.

The arrest on May 19 aroused curiosity as another Mumbai man, 46-year-old navy officer-turned-businessman Kulbhushan Jadhav, was allegedly kidnapped by Pakistanis from an Iranian port and a military court convicted him of espionage and terrorism.

India and Pakistan are locked in a legal battle over Jadhav in the International Court of Justice.

According to Pakistani media reports, Ahmed was taken into custody after he failed to produce any travel documents when he was stopped at a checkpost on Nazimuddin Road in Sector F-8 of Islamabad.

He was booked for illegal entry and stay in the country, and a magistrate sent him to jail.

An official of the Indian high commission said the mission does not have any information about the arrest.

(With inputs from agencies)
The NDA has an edge in the upcoming Presidential elections and the only way the UPA could overturn it is by roping in regional outfits and independent candidates both in Parliament and states, according to the Congress internal assessment.

The chances of a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate getting elected as the President brightened after the BJPs massive victory in Uttar Pradesh, which accounts for maximum number of legislators vote. The BJP won 312 out of the total 403 seats in the countrys politically important state in the February-March elections.

To counter the number strength of the BJP, the UPA would need to involve in strong persuasion and coalition politics to ensure that a desirable candidate is elected as the President, said the Congress partys research cell in a document prepared for the presidential elections.

In case all MLAs belonging to the NDA parties toe the BJPs line and vote for its desired candidate, the UPA would need to consolidate the support of all its potential allies and other parties at the state level. If this happens successfully, there will be an approximate range of 9-12% margin at the MLA level in favour of UPAs favourite candidate, the document said.

In the document, the Congress has identified Nationalist Congress Party, JD(U), RJD, SP, CPI(M), CPI, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha as its potential allies.

Apart from the Congress, the UPA as of now consists of the Indian Union Muslim League and the DMK.

Even if the UPA successfully consolidates the support of potential allies and other parties in Parliament, the Congress is of the view that a margin of approximately 7-10% votes can still sway the Presidential vote in the NDAs favour.

The UPA must not only ensure that all non-NDA MPs lean towards its choice, but also confirm the strong support at the state level to gain crucial 9-12% votes.

In the combined table of percentage of Electoral College vote share, if UPA ties up with potential allies and other parties both in states and Parliament, the margin to defeat the NDA reduces to approximately 1-3%.

This shows that the deciding factor would be the choice of non-NDA parties, regional parties, independent candidates that hold seats in mostly single digits at both Parliament and state levels, the document said.

After the first count of votes, if no candidate wins by first past the post system (50%+1), then the importance of the second ballot choice takes over, it added.

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In a major education-related scam detected in Bihars Patna district, at least 550 teachers of government secondary and higher secondary schools in the district have been found to be still in service despite being absent from duty for periods ranging from two to five years.

Confirming the unearthing of the scam, Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said the figure of 550 was a provisional figure. The actual number of absentee teachers may well exceed the figure of 1,000 as reports are still to come in from Danapur, Phulwari and Masaurhi nagar parishads of Patna, he said.

Besides, the number of absentee teachers confirmed so far did not include primary school teachers.

The figure of 550 was confirmed during a review meeting held here by the Patna DM, Saturday evening. Data procured from sub-divisions and blocks of Patna district was analysed at the meeting, to arrive at the figure of 550.

The Patna DM has ordered the district education officer ( DEO ) to take immediate action against the erring teachers, failing which he ought to be ready to face action himself.

I have also asked for explanation to be sought from the executive officers concerned of the Patna municipal corporation and the Patna district board, asking why disciplinary action should not be recommended against them, the DM told HT.

Agarwal said all these absentee teachers were appointed on contract basis. Though they were not paid salary by the authorities concerned, the very fact that remained in service and managed their postings, was a matter of great concern as it severely impaired teaching in affected schools.

The administration has also found that the resignations submitted by about 300 teachers of secondary and higher secondary schools are still pending for approval. This was discerned as a ploy, the idea behind it being whenever any absentee teacher wanted to return to work, he/she had only to withdraw his/her resignation letter.

Rules provide for termination of service of any teacher found absent for three months.

Agrawal said he got a whiff of the scam when, while he was touring rural areas, some people complained about the long absence of teachers from schools, causing great problems for their wards appearing for class X and XII board examinations.

In some schools there were no teachers in many subjects while the records showed the teachers were in full strength. As such, I sought a status report on schools from all sub-divisions and blocks of Patna district. When we reviewed the data on Saturday, we realised the huge scale of the irregularity, the DM added.

While 168 teachers were found absent from Patna Municipal Corporation ( PMC) schools, the number was almost double at 291 in schools under the district board. Others absentees were in Barh, Mokama, Bakhtiarpur, Khagaul and other nagar parishads of Patna district.

No state official was available on Sunday to comment on the findings. But there was speculation that the Patna DMs report, once submitted, might serve as an eye-opener for the state government and prompt it to order similar inquiries in the remaining 37 districts of Bihar.
Assuring complete closure of the Kashmir issue on behalf of the Government, Union home minister Rajnath Singh made a strong statement that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat belong to India.

The home ministers assertion came amid continued unrest in the Kashmir valley.

Addressing a public reception at Pelling in Sikkim, Singh accused Pakistan of trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.

But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue, he said, without elaborating.

Kashmir is in a vice-like grip of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July last year. Though there was a brief lull, violence erupted again on April 9 this year when the bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Normalcy has eluded the state since.

Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the polling day and a paltry 7.14% of the electors came out to vote, the lowest ever in the valley since the rise of militancy in 1989.

Bypoll for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat was first deferred and then cancelled by the Election Commission which said the situation in the region was scary.

Students have joined the protests like never before with even girls taking to streets, and fighting pitched battles with security forces.

Around 80 people had lost their lives as violence held the valley in a prolonged stranglehold in the aftermath of the killing of Burhan Wani, who had emerged as the posterboy of militancy in Kashmir.

Rajnath Singh said heads of government of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government in 2014 in an indication that India wanted friendly relations with them.

However, he deplored, there was no change in the attitude of Pakistan which wanted to destabilise India.

We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we will have to change them. After globalisation, one country cant destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it, he said.

The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border.

He also visited the Nathu La border post, besides a few posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-India and Indo-Nepal border respectively.
BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy emphasised that the Ram temple in Ayodhya should be built by 2018, and Article 370 imposed in Kashmir should be dropped by 2019.

Swamy made these remarks during the Narad Jayanti celebrations organised by the Agra unit of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

ASI experts have found remains of the temple at the site where the Babri Masjid stood. Even those contesting in court against the Ram temple say that the mosque was there only for the last 500 years, he said, adding that he would knock on the doors of the Supreme Court in July with regards to his right to worship.

40,000 temples were demolished during the rule of invaders. We have settled for constructing temples at three sites only, including Mathura, Ayodhya and Varanasi. This should be amicably allowed by the Muslims, he added.

In his 45-minute address, Swamy also heaped praise on Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and former prime minister PV Narsimha Rao, but was severy critical of the countrys first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. Former prime minister Narasimha Rao deserves a Bharat Ratna and I expect that the BJP regime will honour him with this much deserved award.

However, coming down heavily on Nehru, Swamy suggested renaming the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Nehru failed in his Kashmir policy. On the other hand, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ensured the merger of 600 smaller states with India.

Calling Article 370 a temporary provision of the Constitution, Swamy said it could be removed by the president on the union cabinets recommendation.

Lauding the Indian Constitution for envisaging equality between genders, he said provisions like triple talaq, which were against Muslim women, could not be allowed to continue.

He also attacked the Congress Party, saying it was time for former finance minister P Chidambaram to be arrested. A day will come when the Congress Working Committee will hold its meeting in Tihar Jail with most of its leaders behind bars for their misdeeds.

Swamy also extended support to the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Criminal activities are happening in UP to malign his governance. Time is required to correct the situation in this state, which has been deteriorating for over a decade.
For Ghulam Mohammad Wani acquittal of his son Gulzar Ahmad Wani in a terror case after spending 16 years in jail is a victory of truth.

Todays verdict means justice is still alive in India, 62-year-old Ghulam said over phone from Lucknow, after a sessions court in Uttar Pradesh absolved Gulzar of all charges in the Sabarmati Express blast case . Truth has finally prevailed.

Over a dozen people were injured after a bomb exploded on the Sabarmati Express in Barabanki district, 25 km from the state capital Lucknow, on August 14, 2000.

Ghulam had come to Barabanki in UP from his village in north Kashmirs Baramulla district to attend the court proceedings that declared his son a free man.

Gulzar, who was pursuing his PhD in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)s Arabic department, was arrested on July 31, 2001. He was 28 years old then.

Since then it has been a long and painful journey for the family. The journey was long and costly, said senior Wani, who retired from a junior level position in J&K power department four years ago.

His mother couldnt come today because of her illness. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), she is alive to see this day, said Ghulam, father of seven children.

The long incarceration meant that Gulzar, the eldest child, did not see marriage of his three sisters and a brother. Two other brothers are studying in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

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About 49 Dalit families of a village in western Uttar Pradesh threatened on Sunday to embrace Islam in protest against alleged partisan police action after violent caste clashes that wounded more than 10 people.

These families in Keshopur-Jafri village of Aligarh district immersed idols of Hindu deities in a public pond in a symbolic step to highlight their intention to switch religion should the alleged harassment by upper-caste Thakurs and police continue.

A dispute over a drain triggered clashes between Dalit and Thakurs in the village on May 17. FIRs were lodged by both sides and 11 people were arrested.

But the Dalits were upset that police didnt arrest the main trouble-maker, a Thakur man, who they say is roaming free and threatening them.

The Dalit villagers alleged that police were harassing them after the confrontation with Thakurs.

Though we lodged complaints with the district administration, officials failed to take action. So we decided to embrace Islam. Today we immersed idols of deities in the village pond in protest, said Chandra Veer Jatav.

Fellow Dalit Hari Singh Jatav accused Thakurs and police of harassing them together.

Our children and women are not going out in fear. So we decided to convert. Police have slapped wrong sections of the IPC on Dalits. If this injustice is not stopped, we will embrace Islam on Friday.

District officials reached the village with a posse of policemen after news of the Dalit threat spread. Sub-divisional magistrate Pankaj Verma assured the villagers that police will take impartial action.

There was no conversion in the village but there is resentment which will be removed, he said.

According to senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pande, people are increasingly using the threat to convert as a pressure tactic. Also, some people are misguiding these Dalits for political advantage.

He dismissed the allegation of biased police action, saying six Thakurs were among the 11 arrested for the clashes. As for the IPC sections, if any application is submitted, impartial action will be taken, the officer said.
Jaydev Unadkats off-cutters sent Mumbai Indians (MI) off-kilter so much they almost keeled over in Sundays IPL 10 final against Rising Pune Supergiant. And then Mitchell Johnson produced a last over so brimming with hostility that despite conceding a first-ball four, MI managed to win the title by one run off the last ball. (RPS vs MI HIGHLIGHTS)

Chasing 130 for their first IPL title, Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) seemed to be in control but the famed MI bowling attack never really let them break loose. 23 was needed off the last two overs and RPS took 12 off the 18th bowled by Jasprit Bumrah with an inside-out six helping skipper Steve Smith bring up his half-century. (RPS vs MI SCORECARD)

Manoj Tiwary then hit Johnson for four but just when all seemed lost, the Australian pace ace struck off successive deliveries. Tiwary holed out to Kieron Pollard and Smith, having anchored the chase so well, was caught by Ambati Rayudu at the point boundary.

In his disappointment, the RPS skipper didnt cross and that meant Washington Sundar had to face Johnson. He managed to scoot a bye and then Dan Christian took a two after Hardik Pandya dropped a stiff chance. The last ball saw a misfield but RPS were never going to run three to force a tie.

After a case of never giving up despite putting up a low score --- RPS hit their first six in the 16th over --- MI players huddled so hard after Sundar was run out that it seemed someone would get hurt. They are the only team to have won three IPL titles and Rohit Sharma the only player to have won this four times.

Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Smith had stabilised RPSs chase after Rahul Tripathis early dismissal, a dodgy decision because replays showed Bumrahs delivery would have missed the stumps. After Rahane went, skippers past and present, MS Dhoni and Smith, couldnt take RPS home and then the jitters jeopardised chances of bowing out on a high.

It also meant that Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, wouldnt eventually be vilified for dropping catches. And that Krunals 47 and his eighth-wicket stand of 50 with Johnson would make the difference between victory and defeat.

This after an evening show that looked to be going wrong almost from when MI elected to bat. RPS bowlers got everything right and encapsulating the effort was Sundar, conceding only 13 in his four overs after opening the bowling with Unadkat.

And they were backed by some tigerish efforts on the field with Smith leading from the front. Smith ran out Ambati Rayudu when he and Rohit seemed to be rebuilding the innings after Unadkat had sent back the MI openers with off-cutters and, in the case of Lendl Simmons backing that with a fine catch, in the space of three balls.

Dan Christian then produced a run-out even more spectacular to dismiss Karn Sharma. Another good effort in the field from Shardul Thakur ensured there wouldnt be a silver lining to Rohits form in this edition. Between the seventh and the 13thovers, RPS used spin for all but one over to choke MI. That RPS fell to an even better bowling effort tells you that not always does the ball play bridesmaid in T20.

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Steve Smiths Rising Pune Supergiant did almost everything right against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 final, except the last few overs.(MI vs RPS: IPL T20 SCORECARD)

Chasing 130 to win, Pune looked primed for their maiden IPL title with skipper Steve Smith leading the charge and the team needing 11 runs off the final over with seven wickets in hand. But RPS could score only nine.

Read | Highlights - IPL 2017 final, Rising Pune Supergiant vs Mumbai Indians: MI clinch record third IPL title

Its a hard one to swallow. I am proud of the way the boys played throughout the tournament. They (Mumbai) were probably below par with 129. It was a tough wicket to get runs, everyone could see that, Smith, who top-scored for RPS with a 50-ball 51, said after the match.

Just couldnt get over the line. We had wickets in hand as well. It was only one or two good overs that we needed to get in front so credit to them. They did a terrific job to restrict us. Its been fantastic, Ive learnt so much from the IPL over the last two years. Id like to thank my franchise.

Read | Mumbai Indians beat Rising Pune Supergiant, become 3-time champions with IPL 2017 win

Who knows where well be next year. Just disappointing to lose, it wasnt the fairy tale finish we wanted.

Australian MItchell Johnson dismissed Manoj Tiwary and Smith off successive deliveries while Dan Christian ran himself out in the final ball of the over which yielded nine runs.

Read | Mumbai Indians masters of IPL 2017 due to players freedom: Rohit Sharma

Smith topscored for his side with 51 off 50 balls while Ajinkya Rahane made 44 upfront but Pune never got the late assault despite having wickets in hand and finished 128-6.
Rising Pune Supergiant will face Mumbai Indians in an all-Maharashtra final in the 2017 Indian Premier League season on Sunday. (PREVIEW)

The match in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad will be the sixth overall meeting between the sides.

While it is a fourth final for Mumbai Indians, it is a first appearance in an IPL final for the Rising Pune Supergiant, and the RPS camp seems very excited to be at this stage.

Hours before the final on Sunday, Rising Pune Supergiant uploaded a video to their social media accounts  Twitter, Facebook and Instagram  of short interviews with three players expressing what playing in the IPL final would mean to them.

Australians Dan Christian and Lockie Ferguson both expressed that it was one of the biggest matches of their career while 17-year-old Tamil Nadu all-rounder Washington Sundar said winning the final could be the most special moment of his life.

I think an IPL final means a lot of anybody, and for someone who is just 17, it really means a lot more than that. A win here will be one of the most special things in my life. Im really looking forward to it, said Sundar.

READ | IPL 2017 final just another game for Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene

Christian said despite the huge prize awaiting the winner, Rising Pune Supergiant players should not get overwhelmed by the occasion.

Its going to be a huge game, obviously. It is one of the biggest matches in my career for sure, Christian said.

As much as it is a final, we still want to take it like any other game. We dont want to get too caught up and get too nervous.

Any final you play is a huge honour and a great achievement. Hopefully we can top off what has been a great season, he added.

READ | IPL 2017 final: Steve Smith says Indian youngsters key in Rising Pune Supergiants success

Ferguson is looking forward to the brilliant atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd awaiting the players in the stadium.

It is the biggest final of my career on an international stage for sure, Ferguson said.

The whole event is getting bigger. Every game, the crowd is getting crazier and Im sure there will be no changes for the final in the same enthusiasm. Im excited for the challenge and Im looking forward to seeing how the Supergiant does.
Residents of a village in Barmer district fought against construction of a power sub-station, and succeeded in saving a pasture land that sustains livestock and wildlife, and acts as a catchment area for five water bodies.

The National Green Tribunal directed the state government on May 16 not to construct the sub-station on the pasture land in Korna village.

The district administration allotted 400 bigha pasture land in September last year to set up the 765/400 KV grid sub-station. The land serves as a catchment area for five water bodies that sustain biodiversity in the village.

The water bodies in the village remain full throughout the year, though those in the Thar desert usually dry up after the rainy season. A water-harvesting system  the pasture land prevents rainwater from flowing out  keeps ponds filled with water.

Apart from birds of local species, migratory birds also come to the water bodies, said Kuldeep Singh of Korna village. The Great Indian Bustard, now only found in Jaisalmer district, was seen in Korna village in 1969. Plant species that died out in the Thar desert are found near the water bodies.

Villagers protested against the allotment of the pasture land for setting up the sub-station, but officials were unfazed.

The big question before us was how to save livestock without the pasture land, said Heeraram Dewasi, a villager. Then we filed a case against the land allotment in the NGT.

During the hearing, the NGT directed the state government to submit a topographic map of Korna village prepared by the Survey of India. It also sought a report on the village biodiversity from the deputy conservator of forest (DCF) of Barmer.

The pasture land in the village serves as a habitat for livestock and wildlife. (HT Photo)

After going through the report, NGTs judicial member Dalip Singh and expert member SS Garbyal asked the state government to look for an alternative land for the sub-station, and restrained construction on the allotted one.

This is a victory of the villagers struggle. Had a sub-station been constructed, the catchment of five water bodies would have been disturbed, said Yashovardhan Sharma, Barmer convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Heritage (Intach).

According to the DCF report, local plant species, such as kair, khejri, jal, and jhadberi, are found on the land, besides wildlife, such as chinkara, peafowl, quails, partridge, coots, and desert fox.

Sanjeev Kumar, officer-in-charge of the Desert Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India, also submitted his report to the NGT after visiting the village. He said 34 species of resident terrestrial (passerine) have been found in Korna village, apart from wetland and migratory birds.

The landscape of the habitat (pasture land) is suitable for free movement of the wildlife, Kumar said.
An alert was sounded, devotees were shut out and a bomb disposal squad rushed to Varanasis famous Kashi Vishwanath temple on Saturday night after a phone call warned of a bomb.

Three rounds of extensive search of the sprawling temple complex, which gets thousands of visitors a day, yielded nothing. The call was a hoax, police said.

At around 9pm, a man called polices helpline and claimed a bomb was planted near Maa Annapurnas shrine on the premises of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

An alert was sounded and senior officers were informed. District magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior superintendent of police Nitin Tiwari rushed to the spot.

Pilgrims were not allowed in the temple for at least one-and-a-half hours. A bomb and a dog squad were called and the premises were checked.

The number from which the warning call came was that of a boy, who lost his phone the same morning. The caller would be found and arrested soon, SSP Tiwari said.

Police have asked its personnel deployed in and around the shrine, which is vulnerable to terror attacks because of the sheer number of visitors it gets, to be vigilant.

Varanasi is one of the holiest places for the Hindus, who come for a dip in the Ganges and to pay obeisance to thousands of temples that line the towns narrow bylanes.

One of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi is also the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stepping up their attack against schools flouting norms pertaining to fee hike, parents wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday and demanded it roll back claiming that it violates the Maharashtra Educational Institutions Regulation of Collection of Fee Act, 2011. They also demanded refund of the amount already paid.

Parents staged a day-long protest at Azad Maidan on Sunday against the exorbitant fee hike by schools for the upcoming academic session. This is the second protest by parents in the past two months.

Though it saw a low turnout in comparison to the previous protest, 3,800 parents who participated supported the cause by giving missed calls to the number publicised by the Forum for Fairness in Education, a parent-teacher group. Organisers said the mega block on the Central line restricted the number of participants.

Several parents couldnt make it to the protest, but showed their support online. This time, the politicians and local MLAs attended the protest and promised to help us in curbing fee hike, said Jayant Jain, president of the forum.

Parents have called for stringent government action against schools that hike fees without their consent or violating the against the school fee act.

The letter to the CM reads: This is to bring to your notice that schools continue to charge exorbitant fees, under different heads, violating all rules and regulations, and even the orders of the education minister...there is huge unrest among parents as there is no one to listen to their grievances.

One of their primary demands is that the government decides implement a few recommendations made by the Shikshan Shulka Samiti across private schools, which according to parents will restrict schools from charging fees under different heads such as activity and security deposit. parents have also demanded upper limit set for all prescribed fees such as computer, library and caution money,among others so that the amount remains reasonable.

The letter states that despite repeated orders from the education department, schools continue to force parents to purchase uniforms, books and stationery items from them, and are selling them at a higher price than the market price.
The battle for Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) intensified on Sunday as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held rallies in Navi Mumbai for the corporations maiden election.

Thackeray, whose party supported the ratification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act in the state legislature, continued to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In his speech at Kamothe, the Sena chief warned against the hazards of voting for its ally in the state government.

If the lotus blooms in Panvel, then the city will turn into muck, Thackeray said.

The first-ever election of the PCMC, which was elevated from a council to a corporation last October by the state government, will be held on May 24.

Thackeray slammed the BJP on issues ranging from farm loan waivers to tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Thackeray said that he has come to Panvel to win the corporation and declared, The saffron flag of Sena will flutter atop the PCMC.

Read: Panvel becomes first municipal corporation in Raigad district

Despite the BJP keen on forming an alliance with the Sena for Panvel civic polls, the latter did not show any interest given the tough stand it has taken against its senior partner in the state government. In the last few days, Sena has resorted to no holds barred attack on BJP, especially Fadnavis pet projects  Jalyukt Shivar and Mumbai-Nagpur super expressway.

In his speech, Thackeray once again criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation. Even after demonetisation, black money and [cross-border] attacks [on Indian soldiers] continue to happen, he said. In his speech announcing demonetisation in November 2016, Modi had said that banning certain currency notes would curb black money and circulation of fake notes by terrorist outfits.

CM takes the lead

Fadnavis, who addressed a rally in Kharghar, said the BJP has kept every word it gave to the

people.

What we promise, we implement. There was a longstanding demand for a municipal corporation; we fulfilled it. Who made Panvel toll-free? he said. You are going to make us victorious, but I have one request, give us full majority.

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Sayali Karlekar, then a first-year undergraduate student at Ruia College, had some time on her hands on Sundays and was interested in learning a new language. She decided to join a diploma course to learn the German language offered at the college's foreign languages centre, mostly because of the novelty of the experience. She soon developed an affinity for the language, and decided to give up her ambition to become a lawyer and started teaching German at the same place instead.

Learning a new language has become easier than before, as a number of colleges in the city are offering short-term programmes in a variety of Indian and foreign languages. While the University of Mumbai (MU) and centres associated with foreign embassies have been running language courses, the colleges make it more convenient and affordable for Mumbaikars to learn new languages. These courses are not limited to students from those particular colleges.

Recently, the History department of Sathaye College in Vile Parle announced starting a four-month course to learn Bengali and a three-month course for Urdu. The department feels that the courses are particularly useful for students researching in Indian history. "We had sent some students researching medieval India to learn Persian. However, it occurred to us that if those students are first taught Urdu, a language which is similar to Hindi and has the same script as that of Persian, they will find it easier to learn Persian. Similarly, the Bengali course is useful for students researching Modern India," said Abhinda Dhumatkar, head of the department.

However, the course has not only attracted history students, but also the people from other walks of life, who want to learn these languages for their cultural significance. "All those who enrolled for Urdu language course are non-Muslims, eager to learn about Muslims and Islam. We will soon expand the courses to include elements of Urdu and Bengali culture as part of these courses," said Dhumatkar.

Many people are learning new languages to boost up their resume. According to Sachin Palekar, the coordinator of Ruia's foreign language centre, the centre attracts business process outsourcing (BPO) employees looking to learn Spanish and French, to communicate with clients in the countries which speak those languages.Many engineers learn Japanese to absorb knowledge available in the language, he said.

Similarly, the one-year diploma course in Urdu being run by Anjuman-i-Islam's Akbar Peerbhoy College of Economics in Grant Road, in association with central government's National Council for Promotion of Urdu Languages, attracts people associated with the film industry, teachers, bureaucrats and police personnel. "The course has received a tremendous response," said Mehmood Shaikh, principal of the college.

Meanwhile, several Sindhi minority colleges in the city such as National College and MMK College, both in Bandra, and Jai Hind College, offer a variety of programmes to learn the Sindhi language. "Nowadays, many people are moving away from their mother tongues. We have been taking efforts to promote the language," said Ashok Wadia, principal, Jai Hind College. "Even non-Sindhis who want to know about the community join these courses," adds Shobha Bhambhwani, who teaches Sindhi in MMK and National Colleges.

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HAMPTON | Doug and Robyn Pralle of Hampton have started a non-profit to provide free flights for those who need to travel a long distance to receive medical treatment.

Compassion Flights officially took off in January.

When Doug was younger, his father was diagnosed with cancer and received treatment in Chicago.

"There were people who did nice stuff for us," he said.

Once a couple of doctors gave Doug and his mother tickets to a Chicago Cubs game while Doug's dad was getting treatment. They even arranged for them to get a limo ride to the stadium.

Doug said that's how he got the idea to do something for those who need medical treatment not available in North Iowa.

Doug, who has been a licensed pilot for 10 years and owns a Cessna 183 plane, flew a few people to get medical treatment before Compassion Flights got its non-profit status.

The first official Compassion Flight was for 8-year-old Elliot Burgos of Mason City, who has a brain tumor.

Doug flew Elliot from Mason City to Mankato, Minnesota, on April 28 for treatment.

Elliot sat beside Doug in the front of the plane. It was an adventure for the little boy, who took over the GPS during the flight under Doug's supervision.

"He did great," Doug said.

The Pralles keep their plane in a hangar at the Hampton Municipal Airport, but Doug flew the plane to the Mason City Municipal Airport to pick up Elliot to make it easier for the family.

Donations to Compassion Flights pay for the cost of the trips.

"We have had good response from the community in sponsoring the flights," Doug said. "It's been great to see the reaction."

Compassion Flights recently received a $5,000 grant from the Franklin County Community Foundation.

The funds will be used to remodel a long-vacant avionics shop adjacent to the hangar where the Pralles' plane is located to create office space for Compassion Flights.

The space also will serve as a waiting room for those going on Compassion Flights.

"We want people to feel as comfortable as possible," Doug said.

Robyn does the paperwork for Compassion Flights, including the applications for flights. The organization has a board of directors that chooses flight recipients from those applications.

The Pralles are looking for more pilots as well as other volunteers.

They are planning a fly-in breakfast at the Hampton Municipal Airport on Labor Day as a fundraiser for Compassion Flights. Hopefully there will be lots of planes there, Doug said.

Compassion Flights will fly people to locations in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and North and South Dakota for medical treatment.

Doug said the organization has access to a couple of bigger planes if someone needs treatment outside that service area and might even be able to arrange for a commercial flight.

Visit the organization's website, compassionflights.com, for more information on how to volunteer, donate or apply for a Compassion Flight.
A 35-year-old passenger was killed after a private luxury bus he was travelling in overturned near Dadar TT junction in Dadar East at 4am on Sunday.

Dadar TT in Central Mumbai is a hub and many buses for outstation destinations such as Pune, Nashik, Goa and other places in Konkan start from here.

Matunga police said the Borivali-bound bus, which was coming from Ratnagiri, hit a divider before it was to take a U-turn, and overturned on the southbound stretch ahead of Parsi gymkhana between Dadar TT circle and Ruia junction.

The deceased identified as Sainath Bhalekar was from Borivali. He was seated next to the driver. After the bus overturned, he fell out of the window and came under the wheels. Thirty-five others, including the driver, have suffered injuries but are out of danger, said Matunga police station senior inspector BM Kakad.

The driver will be booked for causing death due to negligence, the police said.

This is the second such incident in two days. On Saturday, a man died while 17 people, including two children, were injured after a private bus carrying a marriage party toppled in Powai on the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR).

Police said four of the injured are still in critical condition. The accident occurred at Gandhi Nagar junction around 1pm after the Kanjurmarg-bound bus crossed IIT Powai.
The Maharashtra government on Sunday said it will investigate and take appropriate steps to stop the alleged construction of a memorial dedicated to Nathuram Godse, the assassin of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Reportedly, Hindu Mahasabha is constructing the memorial on a private land at Saparde Village, around five kilometres from Kalyan, in the neighbouring Thane district.

Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt raised a point of propriety in the Legislative Council on Sunday and demanded that the state government takes immediate action to stop the construction.

Read: Row erupts in MP after Godse, Ravana called great men, Gonds cow killers

After coming to power with the slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, the true face of the ruling party is coming to the fore proving that they have Man me Ram, dil me Nathuram (Lord Ram in mind and Nathuram in their hearts), Dutt said in the Council.

After the state Legislative Council chairperson Ramraje Nimbalkar ordered the government to respond to the issue, revenue minister and Leader of the House, Chandrakant Patil, said, For any memorial, there are a host of permissions required from the government. We have not given any permission for any such memorial.

Dutt added that these fascist forces, which killed Gandhi, are now raising their heads again and the government is turning a blind eye to it.

Read: Disclose Nathuram Godses statement in Gandhi assassination trial: CIC

Nimbalkar told the government that though its has not given permission for the memorial, the issue needs to be looked into.Following which Patil assured that the government will do the needful and take steps to stop construction of the memorial if under construction.

Now that the member has given us the information, we will investigate and take necessary action, Patil said.

Meanwhile, Dutt asserted that secular parties would stop the construction of the memorial. He said, Godses memorial in Kalyan is a blot on Maharashtra and sends a wrong message across the country and even internationally.

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The father of the seven-year-old boy who allegedly died in a vehicle that was denied passage by protesting homebuyers on the Noida Greater-Noida Expressway on Saturday said that an FIR cannot bring his son back.

A police complaint cannot revive my child. Expressways are lifelines, which help people travel in minimum time. People should understand their responsibilities as a citizen. I hope that no one else has to face such a situation, the man said.

He said that he had pleaded the protesting homebuyers to let him pass but no one paid heed to his request.

Arjun, 25, a farmer and a resident of Nangla Gulela village in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh told HT that his son, Luv Kush, was suffering from a high fever and was being shifted in an ambulance from a hospital in Firozabad to All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

We left Firozabad at 2pm but were stopped by the protesters on the expressway, around 5pm. For half an hour, we remained stuck. As I saw a huge gathering of people, I got down and requested them to allow the ambulance to move, but they were all angry and did not budge, said Arjun.

Arjun said that in the meantime, his son had stopped showing signs of life. He again got down and cried for help, but it did not move the protesters. A person saw me crying and got down from his car. I told him that my son was not well. He checked him with a stethoscope and said that my son was dead. We could only return home, Arjun said.

Seven-year-old Luv Kush had fallen ill on May 18 with high fever and had fainted. Arjun procured medicines from a chemist but the fever did not subside. The boy was then admitted to a hospital in Firozabad on May 19, and the doctors, seeing his deteriorating condition, had advised Arjun to shift the boy to AIIMS on May 20.

The police booked 250 protesters for allegedly hampering vehicular movement on the expressway on Saturday evening. A case was registered under sections 147 (punishment for rioting) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) at the expressway police station.

Senior superintendent of police, Love Kumar, said, We are in touch with the family and have extended our support, in case they want to register a complaint. Their statement will be added to the FIR that has already been registered.

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A windstorm and a spell of rain on Sunday evening caused a breakdown in 20 substations, causing a three-hour outage in Noida. Also, several power lines and electricity poles were damaged.

The windstorm that started at 5.30pm was followed by a downpour that lasted for a half hour. However, there were reports of tree and electric poles falling on power lines in sectors 20, 40, 57 and 71, which disrupted the power supply.

There were reports of breakdown in substations in sectors 11, 16A, 18, 20, 23, 29, 32, 45, 52, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62, 63, 66, 108, 115 and 168.

There was no power supply from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Fortunately, it was pleasant and windy, so we did not find it very uncomfortable. However, life always comes to a standstill without electricity, particularly when one cannot even watch television, Bharat Bhushan, a resident of sector 12, said.

The situation was no different in neighbouring Ghaziabad. A large number of residential localities in the city were plunged into darkness due to power shutdown and outages, following a heavy spell of rain and hailstorm on Sunday evening.

Officials of the electricity department said that power supply to Indirapuram, Kaushambi, Vaishali, Vasundhara, Rajendra Nagar and city areas was majorly affected.

In Vasundhara Sector 4, damage to electricity poles led to outages. In Shastri Nagar, trees were uprooted and damaged a car parked in the vicinity. Officials said that 132kv at Vaishali was also shut down for a brief period after it was reported that a cloth was entangled in the transmission lines.

Our entire 500 personnel and officers are scanning the distribution lines and assessing the damage. The shutdown is also a precautionary measure to prevent any electrocution after rains. It is expected that supply will be restored by late Sunday night. The areas where infrastructure damage has been reported will be taken up on Monday morning, MC Sharma, superintending engineer, Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited, said.

On the other hand, officials from the UP Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL) said that 132kv at Vaishali was resumed after the information was checked.

All our 14 transmission substations, seven each in trans-Hindon and cis-Hindon (city) have resumed supply. We are waiting for the distribution electricity lines to be repaired, after which the power will be restored, said Yatendra Kumar, superintending engineer, UPPTCL.
Union minister and Ghaziabad MP General VK Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the proposed Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims centre.

Besides the pilgrims centre, Dashmesh Vatika, a religious centre for Sikh gurus, is also proposed to come up in the area adjacent to the Hindon on GT Road.

The demand for the facilities gained momentum after the previous Samajwadi Party government set up a Haj House in the area and in July 2016, the corporation board had cleared a proposal for the land of nearly 10,000 square metres for the development of a pilgrims house for Kanwariyas.

During the inauguration of the Haj House, we had requested the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for the development of a (pilgrims) facility. However, the proposal did not take off. Once the new government assumed office, a team of our MLAs met chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who showed positive interest towards the facility, Ashu Verma, city mayor, said.

After assuming office, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had said that a facility for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims should be developed either in Lucknow, Ghaziabad or Noida. The mayor and five MLAs from Ghaziabad met the CM and apprised him about land availability in Ghaziabad.

Later, principal secretary Avnish Awasthi inspected the site and on May 5, the corporation board, again, cleared a proposal for handing over the land, almost free of cost, to the state culture department for developing the site.

In the function organised for laying the foundation stone, it was also announced that Rs54 crore was allocated for the facility.

In the meeting with CM Yogi Adityanath on April 24, I had sought his intervention for the development of the facility in Ghaziabad as the land was available. Funds have also been sanctioned for the facility by the state government and we will come up with a wonderful structure here, the MP said.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar came down heavily on the previous SP and Bahujan Samaj Party governments, who he alleged did not bother to look into the demand for a pilgrims facility.

They only talked about the construction of boundary walls for Kabristan and about slaughterhouses. Land mafias and criminals flourished, the MP said.

Within two months of the Bharatiya Janata Party coming to power in UP, the demand for the pilgrims house was met. The government has cracked down on corruption in development authorities, corporation and even in the electricity department. Encroachments are also being cleared, said Ajay Sharma, city president, BJP.

The programme organised by the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation was also attended by the district magistrate, senior superintendent of police and city councillors.

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The Yamuna Expressway industrial development authority (YEIDA) has refused to contribute 14 hectares for free towards the 135-km Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Union ministry of urban development has called a meeting of YEIDA and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials in Delhi on Monday.

A 22km stretch of the 135km expressway falls in Gautam Budh Nagar. The ring road-like expressway will pass through Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and parts of Delhi. It is likely to take at least 70,000-80,000 vehicles off Delhi roads. The project was proposed in 2005.

NHAI has demanded 14 hectares from the authority for a small stretch that passes through our area near Dankaur village. NHAI officials have sought the land free of cost but we cannot do so because we have spent a huge amount in providing land compensation to farmers for acquiring the land. Let us see if the Central government will bear the cost, Arun Vir Singh, chief executive officer of YEIDA, said.

YEIDA additional chief executive officer Amarnath Upadhyay will take part in the meeting on Monday.

NHAI had set an October deadline for completing the part of the project that falls in Gautam Budh Nagar. In this regard, it is trying hard to resolve farmers issues at the earliest.

We hope that the Centre will pay 50% of the total cost of the 14 hectares required for the expressway. The NHAI and YEIDA can comfortably share 25% of the cost, each. The Centre will resolve the issue at the earliest because NHAI wants to finish the project as soon as possible, the CEO said.

NHAI is to acquire land across 39 villages of Gautam Budh Nagar. Most landowners have sold their land but some of them are demanding a hiked compensation; an issue that the district administration is in the process of resolving.

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Jharkhand is more than a thousand kilometre away from Delhi and as expected, we havent been shaken much by what the eastern state witnessed this week.

In a day-long orgy of violence triggered by a WhatsApp message spreading unfounded rumours of traffickers on the prowl to abduct children, villagers in the interiors of Jharkhand turned into blood-thirsty killers and lynched seven people.

A week earlier, other villagers had killed two others in the same region. The victims begged and pleaded to be spared, but the mob was unsparing. The crime was as brutal as it could get.

Yet, India hasnt reacted with rage and though the story found mention on the front pages of most newspapers, reactions have been muted.

But imagine if seven innocent men were beaten to death in any of Indias big cities and the possible impact? Or worse, if the victims belonged to a particular religion or caste, or the crime was connected to cows?

Our response to a tragedy can be measured by the distance between India and Bharat. Both the perpetrators of the crime and the victims were presumably poor, illiterate and marginalised. But as we dont consider ourselves to be like them, the incident was of little consequence to us, the people sitting in the comforts of major metros.

It would, of course, have been a far bigger story had the murderous mob stopped in the morning after killing three Muslim traders. That would have fitted into the current dominant narrative on rising communal strife sweeping the country. But by evening, several Hindus also fell victim to the mindless violence, and the story lost its sting .

The media coverage of the incident has been perfunctory and is likely to taper off in a few days. There has been no outpouring of collective outrage and there have been no concerted calls to bring the culprits to book.

This just goes to show that our outrage is selective, and also possibly discriminatory.

We chose our subjects carefully, keeping our own interests, biases and that of the audience in mind. Sad that the seven men who died did not seize our imagination.

For a crime to be of any consequence to us, it must now fulfill many criteria. Religious and political contexts are guaranteed ways of capturing our attention. It is even better if crimes involve celebrities.

The men whose lives were snuffed out in Jharkhand did not fall within any of these categories. Besides dying a dogs death, they also died in vain.

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The nine nominated councillors named for municipal corporation house are supposed to play an advisory role without allegiance to any political party.

However, on Saturday, as the BJP Chandigarh unit turned the city saffron to welcome the partys national president Amit Shah, some of the nominated councillors were also eager to change colour.

The most enthusiastic among them was the youngest nominated councillor, Shipra Bansal, who welcomed Shah at the airport by doing a bhangra.

Bansal, daughter of BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary, then rushed back to the BJP Chandigarh headquarters in Sector 33 to repeat the performance, but did not get a chance due to the rush of the party workers.

Nominated councillor Sat Parkash Aggarwal, a former party councillor, was also present when Shah spoke.

Nominated councillor Haji Mohammed Khurshid Ali, and former secretary of BJP, also nominated councillor, Sachin Kumar Lohtiya were also present. A couple of nominated councillors were invited in their capacity as BJP office-bearers and were present on the guest list. Former mayor Kamla Sharma was also present.

MAJORITY ARE BJP SYMPATHISERS

The release of the list of nominated councillors for 2017 reflected the BJPs dominance in the civic body.

Among the nine nominated councillors are former mayor Kamla Sharma; president of minority cell (BJP) Haji Mohammed Khurshid Ali ; and former secretary of BJP Sachin Kumar Lohtiya. Social worker Ajay Dutta, with strong roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is one of the nominated councillors.

Later, a dinner and meeting of BJPs core committee was also held, but most leaders claimed not to have been informed.

FACES VOLLEY OF QUERIES

Amit Shah answered several questions that workers and mediapersons threw at him during the day  from the state of the BJP to the welcome he received.

Decision soon on Chandigarh BJP chief:

The party is well aware of the issue and will take a call on the new president soon.

Extravagant welcome: Not VIP culture

How can banner and hoardings installed for a particular occasion be a problem for anyone?

Congress: Lacks internal democracy

In the BJP, no one knows who will be the next national president. In the Congress, it is clear who will succeed Sonia Gandhi?

Chandigarh civic issues: Approach MP

For city-related issues, residents can approach Sanjay Tandon and Kirron Kher.

BJP:Come a long way

We have seen more defeats than victory in elections. It is just recently that the party has started winning elections.

SIDELIGHTS

Shah welcomed at five reception centres

BJP supporters during Amit Shahs road show in Sector 47. (Karun Sharma/HT Photo)

Dhol beats, saffron flower petals, huge garlands, siropa and sword were what greeted the BJP national president at five reception centres  Motor Market Sector 48, Sector 47, Sector 46, Sector 45 and the crossing of Sector 33/45 en route Kamlam, the partys office in Sector 33, Chandigarh, during his roadshow. Shahs roadshow halted for two minutes at each of these centres

Divide visible, Dhawan not present

Some senior leaders and workers said they were not included on the list of invitees at the party workers function. Former MP Harmohan Dhawan was also not present. The names of former councillors Saurabh Joshi and Satinder Singh were not on the list of invitees. The name of national executive leader of Yuva Morcha Sehdev Salaria was also missing from the list of invitees.

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The centre of a powerful ancient civilisation, Mohenjo Daro was one of the worlds earliest cities  a Bronze Age metropolis boasting flush toilets and a water and waste system to rival many in modern Pakistan.

Some 5,000 years on archaeologists believe the ruins could unlock the secrets of the Indus Valley people, who flourished around 3,000 BC  in what is now India and Pakistan  before mysteriously disappearing.

But they warn, if nothing is done to protect the ruins  already neglected and worn by time  it will fade to dust and obscurity, never taking its rightful place in history.

Everybody knows Egypt, nobody knows Mohenjo Daro, this has to be changed, says Dr Michael Jansen, a German researcher working at the sun-baked site on the banks of the Indus river in Pakistans southern Sindh province.

Jansen is at the forefront of a new effort to promote the site internationally while finding ways to protect what is left.

In summer temperatures can soar above 46 degrees Celsius . There is enormous thermo-stress, says Jansen, adding that salt from the underground water table is also damaging the ruins.

But its more than just the weather and time. Pakistans bloody fight against militancy has also raised the spectre of destruction by an Islamist group, much like Islamic State destroyed the ruins in Syrias Palmyra.

Most horrifying, however, is the wanton disregard for Mohenjo Daro  or mound of the dead  by ordinary citizens.

In 2014 police stood atop the main stupa as hundreds of people swarmed the site to, ironically, commemorate Pakistans cultural heritage  complete with scaffolding, dancing, fireworks, heavy spotlights and lasers.

Sardar Ali Shah, cultural minister in Sindh province, vowed never to let such a thing happen again.

Its like you are jumping on the bed of a 5,000-year-old ailing patient, he told AFP.

Yet today curious visitors still roam the remains with impunity, many leaving rubbish in the once pristine-streets and wells.

Foreigners are afraid

Jansen and his Friends of Mohenjo Daro society aim to promote the site internationally, with plans to recruit Pakistanis around the world for conferences, seminars and debates.

Dr Kaleem Lashari, chief consultant to the Pakistani government over Mohenjo Daro, said they will also digitally archive the Indus script  which has never been deciphered  in hope that making it accessible will increase the sites profile.

At the site itself, he said, technical reviews are being held to examine the water logging issue and other ways to shore up the ruins, while exploring new, modern technology that allows researchers to ascertain what lies beneath the surface in the portions of the city not yet excavated.

But, Lashari says, perhaps the biggest challenge remains Pakistans international image, tarnished by extremism, corruption, poverty, and insecurity. Foreigners are afraid to visit Pakistan and the site because of the chronic issue of law and order, he warns.

All roads lead to equality?

The issues he cites underscore unsettling differences between modern-day Pakistan and the civilisation found among the ruins.

At their peak during the Bronze Age, the Indus Valley people are believed to have numbered up to five million, with Mohenjo Daro their largest and most advanced settlement.

Clay and metallic seals, coins, standardised weighing stones, gold and bronze ornaments, toys and whistles  the bric-a-brac of ancient lives have revealed volumes about thriving Indus trade and commerce.

The layout of the city itself suggests an egalitarian people more concerned with cleanliness than hierarchy, says Dr Jonathan Mark Kenoyer of the University of Wisconsin. In Mesopotamia, the streets went from the city to the palace ... whereas in (Indus) cities all the streets were organised to allow access to the whole city, he says.

Mohenjo Daro had a complex water and waste management system which observers have wryly noted was better than in many parts of Pakistan today.

Only a small portion of the site has been excavated properly, but the most important building appears not to have been a palace or a place of worship, but a massive public bath. Houses had tiled bathrooms and their own cylindrical brick wells, sometimes raised to the second floor to allow for a flush system.

None of this, however,has yet explained why such a powerful, advanced and flourishing civilisation disappeared so abruptly around 1900 BC.

Currently, there is no bid to excavate further among the plans being laid by Lashari and Jansen. It is actually preserved when it is buried, explains Harvard Universitys Dr Richard Meadow. Despite their access to new technologies, that puts researchers in a quandary, especially as they try to understand what happened to the Indus people. As Jansen says, the best way to learn information is to excavate.

But mysteries take time to solve: for now, the researchers say, they will settle for ensuring that Mohenjo Daro endures for a few centuries more.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
Our girl Priyanka Chopra has had a dream run in Hollywood till date as a celeb, global icon and as an actor. However, not all are impressed and she has come in for some criticism as well. But that is for her culinary skills in Indian cuisine.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, known for his acerbic comments on peoples culinary skills on social media, came down heavily on the Bollywood actor, calling the food she cooked recently as dogs dinner.

Heres how it happened. At the chat show What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the host mischievously asked Ramsay to judge dishes cooked by famous celebrities. After trashing American writer and TV personality Martha Stewart, model Chrissy Teigen and US TV personality Kristin Cavallari, Ramsay was asked to talk about khichdi and chicken soup made by Priyanka.

It didnt take Ramsay more than a few seconds to diss it completely. One look at it and he went, Sh*tttttI mean it looks like a dogs dinner. Harsh words... Wonder, what our desi girl has to say about it!

On the work front though, Priyankas on a roll. Quantico has come in for much praise (even winning her a Peoples Choice Award for her role as Alex Parrish). Whats more, her badass act in the upcoming movie Baywatch has created quite a buzz.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
CLEAR LAKE | Sharon L. Lindsay, 67, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 12, 2017, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Per Sharons wishes, her body has been cremated. A celebration of life will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at The Dock, 500 Main Ave., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dr. Pat Hall officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

Family suggests memorial contributions to My Happy Haven-North Iowa.

Sharon was born on June 25, 1949, the daughter of Clifford and Frances (Benson) McFarland in Mason City.

Sharon grew up and attended school in Clear Lake where she was a part of the first kindergarten class at Sunset View Elementary School. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1967 before attending Mason City School of Cosmetology. She was a hair stylist in Clear Lake for 41 years and was always grateful to find a job and talent in a town that was so rewarding. She appreciated her clients and the people she met throughout her career. During her retirement, she spent winters in Nalcrest, FL, and summers in Clear Lake.

Sharon grew up on the south shores of PM Park and enjoyed playing on the island and swimming out to The Princess. She loved to travel throughout Europe and the United States, with her favorites being Hawaii and the Grotto in West Bend, IA. She also liked to rearrange her house and the items in her kitchen cabinets and drawers. Her faith was a big part of her life, and despite being baptized as a child, she reaffirmed her faith by being baptized in August 2016. She was a great mother but an even greater Grammy to her grandson, Brextin, and cherished the times she spent with him.

Sharon is survived by a daughter, Holly (Justin) Platts of Mason City; a grandson, Brextin Platts; a sister, Melinda (Fred) Williams of Burlington, IA; significant other, Roger Wilgus of Nalcrest, FL; two nephews, Dusty Janssen of Burlington and Rob (Jamie) Janssen of Clear Lake; and a great-niece, Brandi Janssen of Clear Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake. 641-357-2193. ColonialChapels.com.
The Cannes Film Festival in these times of heightened security risks -- with long queues, uncomfortable frisking and even an evacuation of an auditorium just before an important Competition title was screened on Saturday evening  has not been able to give us gripping cinema. Or just about. In these four days of the Festival, this writer could manage to find just one movie that was both powerful and moving.

Zhenia (Maryana Spivak) and Boris (Alexey Rozin) are fed up of each other. Both want to start a new life, and their son, Alyosha ( Matvei Novikov), seems like a huge obstacle to this.

An unforgiving image of Russia - Andrey Zvyagintsevs Loveless - deals with parental selfishness and how it shatters, even destroys, the lives of their children. This is a story that an increasingly self-centred Indian community can easily identify with, given the shooting number of marital rifts and divorces, Loveless is a powerful indictment of an unfeeling society from a helmer who earlier gave us a masterful Leviathan.

A constantly bickering couple on the verge of separating find their 12-year-old son missing - a son they were trying to push on to the other. There is one scene which is heartrending: we see the little boy shutting himself in a room and crying after he hears his parents loudly disagreeing on his custody. This is no case of each wanting to keep the boy, but one where neither wants to have anything to do with him.

Maybe a little too long, the film has a much smaller canvas than Leviathan, but this critic found Loveless much more engaging. Zhenia (Maryana Spivak) and Boris (Alexey Rozin) are fed up of each other. Both want to start a new life, and their son, Alyosha ( Matvei Novikov), seems like a huge obstacle to this. Zhenia has found a new lover, an older but a rich man. Boris has a young girlfriend, who is already pregnant.

Will the new partners be willing to accept Alyosha? In any case, both Zhenia and Boris do not want their son. Unbelievably cruel, but true.

Loveless gets into another track once the boy disappears with the police and a voluntary organisation getting into action without any success. Alyoshas one good schoolfriend cannot offer any valuable clue. And it is here that one sees a trace of parental anxiety.

One may argue that Loveless does not have much of a plot, though it cannot be run down on predictability. The end was quite a surprise. However, the helmer infuses useful frills in the form of images on television, and they touch upon just about every subject in Russia. At times, these images appear like a parallel track complementing the main narrative.

Cinematographer Mikhail Kritchman captures the mood of the story by shooting it in mid-winter, the icy landscape drawing us into the life of the cold couple. The bareness in their affection towards each other and towards their son reflects on the greyness of the days.

Hopefully the nine-member jury, headed by the Spanish master, Pedro Almodovar, would be moved by the story of the 12-year-old boy  who finds himself abandoned by his own parents in a world that is turning increasingly loveless.

The director has something interesting to say in the form of a note: I would like to be able to draw parallels between Loveless and Ingmar Bergmans Scenes from a Marriage, transplanted to a different era and acted out by different characters: urbanites devoid of any real self-awareness or doubt, an average middle- class couple today.

Sick of each other after many years of marriage, a man and a woman are going through a divorce. Its an unremarkable situation... Only, both have new projects. They want to turn the page, begin a new chapter of their lives, with new partners and new emotions that will help them to feel complete and full of promise. Past experience has disheartened them a bit, but they remain confident about the future. All that remains for them to do is to unload the burden that stands between them and happiness: their son, Alyosha, a stranger to both of them, who becomes a rag doll that each throws vindictively into the others face

(Gautaman Bhaskaran is covering the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, running till May 28)

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Militants launched attacks on several check points in southern Afghanistan killing at least 20 security forces, a provincial official said.

Gul Islam Seyal, spokesman for the provincial governor in Zabul province, said on Sunday the battles began late Saturday when dozens of Taliban fighters launched coordinated attacks on security posts in the Shah Joy district. At least 10 other security forces, including national and local policemen, were wounded, he said.

Seyal said the Taliban also fired several rounds of mortars on Qalat, the provincial capital.

Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said in a statement the group was responsible for the attacks. He confirmed that Taliban fighters overran police check points in Shah Joy and fired mortar rounds on the police chiefs office in Qalat.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks against Afghan security forces across the country since announcing their spring offensive last month.

Also on Sunday, authorities said a German woman and an Afghan security guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped from a Kabul guest house overnight.

Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the interior ministry, said the killings took place at 11:30 pm local time Saturday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack or the kidnapping. He said Kabul police have begun an investigation.

The German Foreign Office confirmed that a German citizen was killed in Kabul but declined to identify her or provide details on how she was killed.

Karoliina Romanoff, spokeswoman for Finnish foreign ministry, confirmed that a Finnish citizen was kidnapped but had no details. The foreign ministry said in a statement it demands the immediate release of the kidnapped person.

Scott Breslin, a worker at Sweden-based organization Operation Mercy, told Swedish news agency TT that one of its workers was missing and that the organization was holding a crisis meeting.
The Liberal Democrats  the third pole in British politics after Conservative and Labour  hope to win the support of the large number of people who voted to remain in the European Union, and 14 Indian-origin candidates are part of its anti-Brexit appeal.

The party was in a coalition government with the Conservatives under then Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2015, but lost heavily in the 2015 election (reduced to 8 from 57 MPs in 2010). It now hopes to recover by being the only party to promise another referendum on Brexit.

Dadabhai Naoroji was one of the first MPs of the party in its earlier incarnation as the Liberal Party. He was elected from Finsbury Central in 1892, but has struggled to enlist substantial support from the British Indian community.

The party had also fielded 14 Indian-origin candidates in the 2015 election. The Conservative party has fielded 13 Indian-origin candidates for the June 8 election, while Labour has 14 from the community, which had voted largely to remain in the EU.

Positioning itself as the party of Remainers, it has also held out the prospect of reinstating the post-study work visa that was popular with Indian students. The visa allowed Indian and other non-EU students to work for two years after completing studies, but was abolished in 2012.

Party leader Tim Farron told Hindustan Times: It is ludicrous that we take in Indian students, train them, and then as soon as they are skilled and ready to work, the Conservatives boot them out of the country.

British universities are world leaders that attract some of the most talented individuals from India to the benefit of the UK economy. But instead of encouraging them to stay here and contribute to keeping Britain at the forefront of cutting-edge research, this Conservative Brexit government forces them out.

Vince Cable, senior party leader who was Business secretary in the Cameron government, has been critical of the Theresa May governments enthusiasm to forge a free trade agreement with India after Brexit.

He told HT: Her ministers seem not to have taken on board that the attempted EU-India agreement foundered not because of the rest of the EU but, in substantial part, because Britain rejected it, when May was the home secretary.

Attempts to open the UK to more Indian IT specialists and other professionals (the so-called Mode 4) foundered on her objections. The main irritant in UK-India relations is visas. In the absence of creative ideas on freeing up immigration and visiting rights from India, ministers will continue to get a flea in their ear in Delhi. I dont think it (free trade pact) will happen, he said.

LIB DEMS: THE INDIAN CONNECT A list of all the Indian-origin candidates being fielded by the Liberal Democrats Party for the June 8 election in Britain Name Constituency Joe Naitta (Derby South) Rabi Martins (Luton North) Anita Prabhakar (Mansfield) Reetendranath Banerji (South Basildon and East Thurrock) Nigel Bakhai (Ealing Southall) Dave Raval (Hackney South and Shoreditch) Victor Babu (Clwyd West) Name Constituency Isabelle Parasram (Walsall North) Gitanjali Gordon (South Shields) Shweta Kapadia (Arundel and South Downs) Anita Day (Grantham and Stamford) Harrish Bisnauthsing (Leicester South) Marisha Ray (Chipping Barnet) Parmjit Singh (Birmingham, Perry Barr) A list of all the Indian-origin candidates being fielded by the Liberal Democrats Party for the June 8 election in Britain

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Brazil is bubbling over the release of a recording that purports to show President Michel Temer approving payment of hush money to a politician jailed for corruption.

In a matter of days, eight lawmakers have called for impeachment proceedings against the president, the Supreme Court opened a formal probe into the case, and the attorney generals office asked the court to charge Temer with obstruction of justice.

And the Supreme Electoral Court is processing a complaint that could lead to the annulation of 2014 presidential elections in which Temer was the vice presidential candidate of incumbent president Dilma Rousseff, who won re-election in that vote.

The courts ruling could prove decisive for the man serving out the remainder of Rousseffs term after her impeachment and removal from office last year.

If Temer were to leave office for any reason, since he is in the second half of the current presidential term, the constitution provides for a 30-day period during which the speaker of the lower house is in charge, followed by indirect elections in which lawmakers pick the next president.

That new leader -- who could be anyone, although they would have to approved by the Supreme Court -- would serve out the remainder of Temers term, which ends in late 2018.

So for such a 30-day, post-Temer period, in principle the presidency would fall to the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia of the rightwing DEM party.

But some people are objecting to Maia becoming the acting president, among other things because he is under investigation as part of the huge pay-to-play scandal that has engulfed the state-run oil company Petrobras.

The same objections have been raised against the next person in the line of succession, the president of the Senate, Eunicio Oliveira.

After him, next in line is the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Carmen Lucia.

Brazil's President Michel Temer arrives at Planalto Palace in Brasilia. (Reuters Photo)

One idea that has been floated is to hold direct elections for a new president.

But this would require a constitutional amendment that would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the legislature.

And lawmakers so far have expressed no interest in giving up control over the process of succession.

People who support this idea of direct elections question the legitimacy of a Congress in which dozens of lawmakers are under investigation for corruption.

And they also cite an amendment in 2015 to Brazil electoral law to the effect that when an elected official loses their post because of alleged wrongdoing that ends up in court, a fresh election is held to replace that person.

These are the possible outcomes that are triggering the most debate:

RESIGNATION

Temer has categorically ruled out stepping down, but pressure for him to do so is increasing as allies abandon him. O Globo newspaper has said in an editorial that Temer has lost the moral, ethical, political and administrative conditions for staying in power.

It added that if he stays in power, this would threaten the pro-market reforms Temer is implementing to pull Brazil out of a deep recession.

The financial daily Valor has reported that Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles has said that no matter how the crisis ends, he will stay in the government.

IMPEACHMENT

This could take months. If Maia were to accept any of the requests for Temer to be impeached, this would have to go through congressional committees and then be approved in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

This possibility was opened up by the obstruction of justice complaint filed by the attorney generals office. But in order to study this complaint, the Supreme Court needs permission from the Chamber of Deputies in a two-thirds majority vote. And if the court concludes there are grounds to charge Temer, he would be removed from office.

PROCEEDINGS IN ELECTORAL COURT

A nearly forgotten court case involving alleged illegal financing of the Rousseff-Temer ticket in the 2014 presidential election could end up resolving the Temer affair. The Supreme Electoral Court resumes debate on the case June 6 with three days of hearings. Any of the justices can ask for a delay and any sentence handed down can be appealed. Still, some say the court might move quickly because of pressure from this new crisis in Brazilian politics.
Leo Varadkar, son of a Mumbai-born doctor and Irelands first openly gay minister, is in the forefront to succeed Enda Kenny as the countrys prime minister.

If elected, the Irish welfare minister will become yet another Indian origin head of state or government.

Varadkar, 38, is the youngest child of Ashok Varadkar, who met his future wife Miriam, a nurse, while working in the National Health Service in England in the 1960s.

Varadkar, who was a practising doctor before joining politics and being elected in 2007, made news in 2015 when he came out as a gay, an announcement that was initially met with some shock by his father, but who he said was later very supportive.

He faces housing minister Simon Coveney in the contest for the next prime minister, to be decided by June 2.

Kenny stepped down this week as leader after six years as the prime minister. Varadkar is reported to enjoy much support in the ruling Fine Gael party and ministers.

After Kenny resigned, Varadkar said he had given hope to a battered and bruised Ireland in 2011His dedication and determination gave Fine Gael a landslide in that years general election.

But more importantly, he brought this country back from the brink of economic collapse, and offered political stability when countries across Europe were staring into the abyss.

About the top job, a cautious Varadkar told Sky News: Im not counting my chickens. Im really humbled at the level of support I have received from my colleagues and I am really looking forward to the hustings and the debates.

However, his rival, Coveney, said: Leos got off to a good start but theres two weeks to go so well see how that plays out.

Varadkar came out as a gay when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through popular vote.

In a coming-out speech he gave in a radio interview, he said: It is not something that defines me. I am not a half- Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It is just part of who I am, it does not define me, it is the part of my character I suppose.

He minister has campaigned on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws. (with inputs from agencies)

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Pushpa Kamal Dahal  Prachanda will step down as Nepals Prime Minister this week, paving the way for formation of a new government led by Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba as per a pact made last year.

Nepali Congress, the largest party in parliament and the CPN(Maoist Center), which Prachanda chairs, had reached a deal that he would step down once local elections are concluded.

Nepal has successfully held the first phase of elections on May 14 in three provinces and second phase is taking place on June 14. Deuba will hold the second round of local polls as per the understanding made last August.

The parliament is set to convene on Monday, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, a senior leader of the Maoist party, told HT, adding Prachanda will address the House and put in his papers by Wednesday.

NC and the Maoists together enjoy simple majority to form the next cabinet led by Deuba, a former three-time prime minister.

But main opposition CPN-UML is opposing the power transfer, citing the elections code of conduct.

How come one election can be conducted by two PMs? asked UMLs leader Subash Chandra Nembang , who twice chaired the Constituent Assembly.

At a time when election commission does not allow to transfer even a clerk-level staff, how come we are going to change the government, prime minister and ministers?

The poll body has not made its position public regarding the power transfer, but due to political reasons and to hold the local elections successfully, it cannot afford such high political risk, said a leader of Nepali Congress.

After he becomes the premier, Deuba will conduct the second phase of local polls as well as provincial and central elections.

In an interview to Kantipur Daily, Nepals largest selling vernacular newspaper on Sunday, Prachanda made it clear he is eager to step down and ready to hand over the premiership to Deuba.

I had already assured Deuba I will step down once we are done with the first phase of elections. Otherwise, we were all set to hold all elections to the local levels on May 14 but due to some technical and political reasons we could not conduct it. So I am honest and going to hand over the premiership to Deuba, Prachanda said in the interview.

The second phase of local elections is considered crucial in the backdrop of constitution amendment demanded by Madhes-based parties.

The biggest political challenge that Deuba will immediately face is to amend the constitution in order to address the demands of Madhesi parties and increase the numbers of local units as per the ratio of population.

Over 51% of the population lives in Tarai/Madhes region and Madhes-based parties are seeking larger pie of local units in Madhes as per proportional representation.

After Prachanda puts in his papers, the President shall call for formation of the new government on the basis of consensus or two-third majority for seven days or she may revise it for three days.

If chances of such government formation is slim, then the President shall call for formation of the government on the basis for majority votes where Deuba will stake his claim.

As per the agreement between two parties, Deuba is likely to become the prime minister by end of next week, with the support of Maoists.
The mood in Riyadh was in sharp contrast to Washington where pressure is building after fresh claims over the President Donald Trump teams alleged links to Moscow.

On his first foreign tour as the US President, Donald Trump joined in a traditional sword dance welcome ceremony ahead of a banquet at the Murabba Palace in Saudi Arabia.

Video of the dance shows Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross dancing with swords perched on their shoulders as part of a line of men in traditional Saudi garb, CNN reported.

Trump, surrounded by Saudi officials, bops back and forth with a smile on his face, while White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn appear more reserved in their moves.

The traditional mens sword dance is known as the ardah, according to the Saudi Embassy in the United States. The performance combines dance, drumming and chanting poetry, and it signifies the start of notable occasions like religious holidays or weddings, according to the United Nations.

A red carpet was rolled out and staircase rolled up to Air Force One after it landed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh shortly before 10:00 am local time.

Trump and his wife Melania, who dressed conservatively in black but did not cover her hair, walked side-by-side to the tarmac where they both shook hands with King Salman.

Trumps daughter and presidential adviser Ivanka Trump and Trumps son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner exited from the rear of the plane, holding hands as they walked across the tarmac.
Even as his administration fights for its travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump is using the nation that is home to Islams holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism.

Trumps speech, the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a battle between good and evil and urge Arab leaders to drive out the terrorists from your places of worship, according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.

Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words radical Islamic terrorism and criticised his opponent Hillary Clinton for not doing so, that phrase is not included in the draft.

The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States Arab allies as Trump is set to have individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadhs new anti-terrorism centre.

The address also notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights, topics Arab leaders often view as US moralising, in favour of the more limited goals of peace and stability.

We are not here to lecture to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all, according to the copy of his speech.

Two different sources provided the AP with copies of the draft of his remarks, billed as a marquee speech of the trip. The White House confirmed the draft was authentic, but cautioned the president had not yet signed off on the final product and that changes could be made.

Trump may seem an unlikely messenger to deliver an olive branch to the Muslim world.

During his campaign, he mused, I think Islam hates us. And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries-- Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen-- from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nations airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

White House officials have said they consider Trumps visit, and his keynote address, a counterweight to President Barack Obamas debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.
Ahead of Ramadan, a top UK university has decided to remove prayer space available on campus for Muslims, citing a lack of space during exam season as the reason behind its move.

The only daily prayer space available on campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university Library, Independent reported.

Muslim students at the university were told that their Friday prayer space was to be taken away due to a lack of space during exam season, the paper said.

Students on Saturday took part in a public prayer session in the main university square in peaceful protest against the move.

A spokesperson from the UEA Islamic Society said: We are shocked and appalled that the University, who re-located us... on the condition that they would investigate a permanent solution which they have failed to produce, would take away our only prayer spaces during exam period and before Ramadan.

Over the past few years, Muslim students at the university have used a lecture theatre for prayer and worship. The larger Friday worship sessions take place at a separate location by the Blackdale student residences.

Both arrangements were set up as a temporary solution while the university discussed plans for a permanent prayer space.

From Sunday, however, the Muslim student community are to be left with no designated prayer space, a move students say they had not been invited to discuss.

UEAs Student Union has accused the university of discrimination, failing its duties under the Equality Act.

Union spokesperson for welfare, community and diversity, Jo Swo, was quoted as saying by the report that the situation had caused a tremendous amount of anxiety and inconvenience for Muslim students as it has made them feel observed and treated like an inconvenience to the University.

UEA has begun dramatic plans for expansion over the next few years, pledging to recruit up to 3,000 new students by 2030, a rise of 20 per cent.

A UEA spokesperson said the Vice Chancellor would be meeting with students imminently to discuss the matter.

In a statement, the university said: As part of a 2 million pound investment in new library study spaces and the complete refurbishment of the Universitys main lecture theatres the use of a prayer facility near Lecture Theatre 2 will be temporarily unavailable for safety reasons during the building works.
More women than men in China practise yoga and the urge to stay healthy and look young is pushing its rapid popularity in richer cities across the country, according to government-sanctioned research.

Chinas first Blue Book or official research on the ancient Indian tradition found that old links between pure yoga from India and traditional Chinese culture, including Tai Chi and traditional Chinese medicine, have aided the spread of the practice here.

The country now has about 10,800 registered yoga teaching centres, the Blue Book titled China Yoga Industry Development Report said. It was published by the top think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen top the list of cities with most yoga centres, said CASSs Yongjian Zhang, who was among the dozen scholars from different universities who worked on the book from May 2015.

Yongjian was among the delegates present on Saturday at a conference organised at Diaoyutai State Guest House by Yogi Yoga, a Beijing-based training centre that has branches across China. A number of experts from India are attending the conference.

Comparing the practice in India and China, he said: In India, lot of men do yoga but in China it is mostly women in the age group 25 to 40 who practise... In India, many practise yoga because of its philosophy and spirituality. In China, it is more about staying healthy and fit and looking young.

Research found the incidence of yoga centres increased in cities where average income is high.

The spread of yoga is closely linked to the average income of the people and the speed of economic development in China, Yongjian said.

Bucking that trend are three northeastern states of China  Jilin, Lioning and Heilongjiang  which are relatively less developed economically.

In the provincial capitals (in these states), yoga has spread rapidly because women from these provinces have been traditionally considered beautiful. So, the trend among women here is to keep looking beautiful, he said.

In provinces such as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region, yoga is not popular, the study found.

The trend to keep fit in China is also tied to the spread of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions.

This has led many to have more healthy life styles and yoga is considered one way to keep fit, Yongjian said.

He said the research on the subject would continue, adding that scholars are yet estimate the number of practitioners or the total worth of the industry in China.

There is interest to continue (the research) because half among us practise yoga, he said.
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Swae Lee has already given us what should be one of the summers biggest hooks with his guest spot on French Montanas Unforgettable, but hes also been hard at work with his brother Slim Jxmmi on new Rae Sremmurd material.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUVSyEhhWey



Young nas been cooking up that fucking heat, he told fans in an Instagram video. We got another fucking fire project we finna drop on yall real soon.

We gotta keep the chronicles going, he continued, making reference to the two albums Rae Sremmurd have shared in back-to-back years. SremmLife 1, 2  keep the chronicles going.

According to Swae, the new LP, which may or may not be titled SremmLife 3, is nearly complete. Weve about got it cooked up anyway, he revealed. We just gonna drop it on they heads.



Rae Sremmurd released their sophomore album SremmLife 2 last August. It went on to spawn their biggest hit to date Black Beatles, which held the #1 spot on the Hot 100 for 7 non-consecutive weeks.

In April, the Sremm Bros debuted new music at OSU. Swae has also announced plans to release a solo project called Swaecation, which will find him pulling influence from dancehall and Afrobeat. He recently revealed that he had completed a collaboration with Nigerian vocalist Davido on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/_/status/866123940149809153

https://twitter.com/_/status/866146878626254849



Read our August/September cover story with Rae Sremmurd
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Takeshi Ebisu took in the quiet stretch of Harris County prairie, some 40 miles northwest of Houston and half a world from his native Japan. The most memorable thing he saw was a cow walking near a pond.

Three years later, the pasture near the Waller County line has been transformed into a vast and modern manufacturing space, where Ebisu oversees a staff of thousands of engineers and welders, fabricators and warehousers as CEO of Goodman Manufacturing and the place where just about every Goodman, Daikin and Amana air conditioner or heating unit sold in the U.S. and Canada is made.

Ebisu's gleaming domain rises up as a surprise to drivers speeding along U.S. 290 toward Brenham. It covers some 94 acres under a single roof, the equivalent of 37 conventional city blocks, making the plant No. 2 behind a Boeing jetliner-assembly plant on the nation's list of largest industrial buildings.

But its enormity also can be measured in less physical terms, as a multibillion-dollar generator of well-paying jobs to produce and supply the units in the world's biggest market for them. Bob Harvey, president of the Greater Houston Partnership, calls the Daikin Texas Technology Park, named for its Japanese corporate parent, "one of the few projects that actually shows up as far as moving the needle" on the region's gross domestic output.

"It's not often that we have an individual project of that scale," he says.

Indeed, the $417 million facility is expected to put about 5,000 people to work in the Houston area through direct employment and the expected arrival of related businesses. Already, a Chinese company that supplies electric motors to Daikin companies is preparing to build its U.S. headquarters and an assembly plant less than a mile away.

RELATED: Chinese investment in Texas grows; thousands in Houston draw pay from Chinese companies

'A huge deal'

Though it has been in operation since October, the new Daikin plant will celebrate its opening Wednesday with tours, a Clint Black concert and remarks by Gov. Greg Abbott and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

"It is a huge deal," said John Isom, director of the Waller Economic Development Corp.

In all, the campus is expected to generate about $4 billion in annual economic impact for Houston, which is one reason Business Facilities magazine named it the deal of the year nationally for 2015.

The governor's office of economic development has said the project is one of the largest job expansions in Texas in recent memory but couldn't produce an exact figure because the office was not involved in attracting the investment.

Foreign investment

Daikin, a 93-year-old, $24 billion company ranked No. 478 on Forbes' list of the world's largest publicly traded companies, manufactures heating and cooling units in more than 80 countries and sells them in about 150.

The company's move into Houston began in 2012, when it bought Houston-based Goodman Global Inc. for $3.7 billion, making it the largest air conditioner manufacturer in the world, according to Reuters. At the time, Harvey feared a foreign purchase of a well-established local company meant jobs would be shipped overseas.

He was pleased to find the opposite.

"Sometimes foreign investment is seen as hostile, but this is an example of how it creates growth and opportunity," Harvey said.

Daikin planned to move other parts of its international operation to Houston, but the company felt the two local Goodman plants and one engineering center were too small to house the operation it had in mind.

RELATED: Houston AC company Goodman sells for a cool $3.7 billion

Ebisu, a seasoned company executive, was tapped to move to Houston, take the helm at Goodman and oversee the development of a new North American operation.

In an interview at the new Daikin building, beneath a ventilation unit programmed to follow individuals around the room with a light stream of conditioned air, Ebisu named the Goodman acquisition as Daikin's top reason for settling in Houston. He said other factors, like Texas' portfolio of universities, made the decision easier.

"We feel the engineering ability in the Houston area is superb," Ebisu said. "We can acquire quality-talent workers here."

Workers from three Goodman facilities in Houston and one in Tennessee will be relocated to the new Daikin plant, and those facilities will close.

The new plant broke ground in March 2015, opened its distribution center in February 2016 and turned out its first unit in October. Now, 10 assembly lines are churning inside the cavernous space, with 11 more under construction.

From raw materials

From atop a catwalk above the manufacturing floor, at least one of the four tall walls seems always out of site, obscured by the distance inside a building that spans nearly half a mile on its longest edge.

New units come off each assembly line every few minutes. They start as raw materials - coils of copper or packs of sheet metal loaded in through the plant's west bays, then put one by one onto a moving conveyor belt. Machine presses bend parts into shape while workers fit them together and braze them with a blowtorch.

Workers down the line install fans and motors, side panels and electrical hardware, while others operate mechanical arms that perform heavy operations before the units pass through a series of tests. A worker puts on one last sticker, and the units get boxed and stacked and hauled off to a heaping pile in the warehouse, awaiting a space in the back of a big rig.

"It's going straight from raw materials to finished products to our customers in one flow," said Michelle Jack, vice president of general affairs at Daikin and project manager for the Daikin Texas Technology Park.

On the factory floor, managers pedal across the vast distances on large tricycles, while robotic trolleys ferry cargo around marked loops and carts and forklifts move products down highways drawn on the concrete floor.

Outside the factory walls, hundreds of trucks pull in and out daily, dropping off raw materials or picking up HVAC units along 240 docks, then driving them cross country to Daikin's 1,200 distribution locations.

"If you buy Daikin in the U.S. or Canada, it's probably made here," said Rex Anderson, communications director for Goodman.

Suppliers coming

The hub of commerce on such lightly developed land is sure to attract more nearby investment. One Daikin supplier is already setting up shop. And, said Waller Mayor Danny Marburger, "There will be more coming."

"That whole area is going to continue to build up with suppliers and other companies," he said.

Broad-Ocean Motor Co., a China-based manufacturer of electric motors and a supplier to Daikin, already is constructing a 480,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility on U.S. 290, less than a mile from the Daikin plant.

RELATED: Demand for warehouses booms as Houston becomes 'hub of distribution'

That building will be the company's base of U.S. operations and will allow it to provide "localized service to Daikin," said Jason Huang, Broad-Ocean vice president of manufacturing, who relocated from China to Houston last May to oversee the Waller County project.

The company plans to inhabit a third of the space it has under construction and lease out the rest to other suppliers as they move in.

"It shouldn't be that difficult" to find tenants, Huang said. "A lot of suppliers will need to find space nearby for warehousing or manufacturing."

Some city officials said one supplier of packaging material and one supplier of insulation were also on the hunt for a land deal in the area. Others predicted it would boost demand for thousands of homes set to hit the market soon in a handful of new subdivisions built in response to the Grand Parkway.

Introducing new tech

The Daikin plant also could bring a hub of technological innovation.

In addition to manufacturing, warehousing and office space, the facility includes 200,000 square feet of laboratory space for research and development. Rows of fortified chambers can subject heating or cooling units to bouts of heat, cold, rain, pressure or salt spray under the watchful eye of engineers.

Daikin could develop its products at scores of other facilities across the world, but Ebisu said the company wants to develop products specific to this market.

"The American people know best the American people's needs and demands," he said. "Whatever is sold and consumed in that region should be designed and manufactured in the region."

Ebisu aims to introduce new technology to the U.S. market, specifically "variant refrigerant volume," or VRV, a system invented by Daikin in the 1980s that allows for targeted room-by-room heating and cooling. It is also substantially more efficient in terms of power consumption, thanks to electrical inverters that allow for variable speeds at various parts of the unit instead of simple on and off.

Ebisu said the technology already is widely adopted in Japan.

"The U.S. is probably the worst in terms of efficiency of the HVAC unit," he added, citing weak government regulatory standards here that make it hard for the higher-tech units to compete financially. "We'd like to bring those technologies to this marketplace."

Correction: This story has been updated to note correct spelling of Broad-Ocean Motor Co.
Southwest Airlines will add a fourth daily nonstop flight from Hobby Airport to Mexico City starting Oct. 29.

And as the airline continues growing its international service from Houston, it has taken to Facebook with some of that Southwest sass.

Its Facebook advertisement says: "Don't beat around the Bush. Fly international out of Hobby."

Bush refers to Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston's northern airport.

RELATED: Hiatus over, international flights resume at Hobby

"Texans have known our humor and fun since our first flight landed in Houston more than 45 years ago," a Southwest spokesman said in an email. " ... The ad is designed to remind people they don't have to drive North to fly South, as Southwest now offers nonstop service from Hobby to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean."


Nostalgia coursed through the crowd, like so many white wine brunches and margarita happy hours, Saturday night at Toyota Center.

Enduring boy band New Kids on the Block was the big draw, of course. But the show was packaged with polished sets from vocal group Boyz II Men and onetime pop superstar Paula Abdul.

The vibrant, vocal crowd partied like it was 1989.

There were throngs of women in homemade NKOTB T-shirts, their hair in scrunchies and their arms adorned with neon accessories. They fidgeted excitedly in merch lines offering more shirts and posters.

Several husbands stood nearby, idling between bemusement and exasperation. (They reacted most positively to Boyz II Men's cooleyhighharmonies.).

ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH? Take the New Kids on The Block quiz and find out

A nearby mom proudly posted on Snapchat, earning a chorus of oohs from the young girls behind her. The mom in the next seat had no idea what Snapchat was.

It was dozens of strip-mall happy hours happening at once. A girls night out after watching "Bad Moms" and drinking a few too many daiquiris.

The excitement reached peak levels when NKOTB appeared just after 9 p.m. -- and it never subsided. The frenzied energy rivaled that of any current pop superstar.

The guys strutted around the intricate stage, dressed in black, to new song "One More Night." Yes, the New Kids are still releasing music. And it wasn't half bad for a summer pop single.

Donnie Wahlberg is the clear showman here. He's animated and aggressive onstage, often circling the area like a MMA fighter. But every guy -- Jordan Knight, Danny Wood, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre -- earned his own barrage of cheers and squeals.

Every part of the set was turned up to 10, from the music and vocals to the blasts of confetti and streamers that came early in the evening. These guys milk every moment until it's dry.

GET YOUR TICKETS: Here's an updated look at Houston's 2017 concert lineup

Already perky pop hits "The Right Stuff" and "Cover Girl" were given caffeinated makeovers.

It sometimes played like a Chippendales revue. They removed their jackets and revealed bare arms, in unison, to kick off "Dirty Dancing." They lifted up their shirts and thrust their hips into faces at the edge of the stage.

"Hard" was accompanied by visuals of bananas, hot dogs and eggplants. (OK, that was pretty hilarious.)

The guys dispersed into the crowd during "Block Party" and "Tonight," racing up aisles and surfing atop the crowd before landing on a smaller stage near the back of the venue. Women seemed to rocket into air.

The '90s denim made an appearance for a succession of songs that included "Call it What You Want," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)" and flop single "Dirty Dawg."

"The year was 1994, and some of you didn't love us anymore," Wahlberg quipped. In an ironic twist, pockets of the crowd sat down for the first time.

They were all back on their feet for "Step by Step," "I'll be Loving You (Forever)" and "Hangin' Tough," songs that helped turn the New Kids into a pop phenomenon. Judging by the Saturday night response, they're still that for many, many people.

Abdul hasn't properly toured in more than two decades. But her 35-minute set was a reminder of the pop power she once wielded.

She zipped through several singles, in a succession of body-hugging outfits, that ruled radio in the late '80s and early '90s, including "The Way That You Love Me" and "Cold Hearted." It's impressive how well they songs have held up.

And best of all? She danced. No half stepping, either.

Abdul not only kept up with her young dancers -- she flipped, kicked and leapt off a ladder into their arms.

"Opposites Attract" was an homage to her mentor Gene Kelly by way of a "Singin' in the Rain intro. "Rush Rush" soared on lovely visuals and lighting. And Abdul's entire being seemed to sparkle, right alongside the crowd, during "Straight Up" and "Forever Your Girl."

Boyz II Men, now a trio, serenaded fans with a quiet storm of hits and an eager-to-please attitude.

They immediately sent the crowd, who had been waiting to jump out of their seats and sing along, into a frenzy with kickoff "Motownphilly."

The bulk of the set was ballads that showcased their soulful harmonies and complex runs: "On Bended Knee," "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," "Water Runs Dry," "End of the Road."

It was the soundtrack to so many weddings and graduations.

They threw roses into the crowd during "I'll Make Love to You." And the audience subbed for Mariah Carey during "One Sweet Day," the biggest song of the '90s and still the longest-running No. 1 single in Billboard history.

It was all very retro, very loud and very obvious. And it was a whole lot of fun.

twitter.com/joeyguerra

joey.guerra@chron.com




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Activists gathered in front of the Houston Police Department headquarters downtown to protest the enforcement of Senate Bill 4, or the "sanctuary cities" law.

The legislation allows police officers to inquire about a person's immigration status. Law enforcement officials who fail to cooperate with immigration officers may face misdemeanor criminal penalties and hefty fines under the new law. Story continues below





At a recent town hall, Police Chief Art Acevedo assured members of the Hispanic community that the department will take action against profiling by having officers detail in reports why they felt it necessary to check someone's legal status.

RELATED: Mayor, police chief face tough questions about immigration issues

Yet activists still see the possibility of racial profiling under the law.

"Things are bad enough as it is now, it's only going to get worse with this law," said David Michael Smith, protesting on behalf of the Houston Socialist Movement.

A few hours before the protest's start at 3 p.m., Acevedo tweeted out about the protest in both English and Spanish. Providing links to the event's Facebook page, the police chief called on the public not to be "mislead" by the protesters, saying that "SB-4 authorizes police to ask about immigration status, it does not require it."

Smith and others were not convinced.

"While technically true, the fact is officers are going to [ask about a person's status]," he said.

Jonathan Zapeta, with the United We Dream immigrant rights group, worries about a potential increase in the number of deportations as a result of SB 4 which is set to take effect Sept. 1.

He noted that families and communities will be torn apart as immigrants continue to play a pivotal role in society as workers, friends and neighbors.

"If you live in the U.S. I don't believe you don't know someone who is an immigrant," Zapeta said.

Others such as Elizabeth Lozano with the Carnalismo Brown Berets, worry that with police officers effectively serving as immigration enforcers their resources will be diverted away from protecting citizens.

"We still don't know if the federal government will reimburse local law enforcement officers for this," she added.

The protesters chanted peacefully Saturday afternoon with police officers stationed on opposite corners of Travis Street and others since police headquarters keeping watch through the glass walls.

Members of the American Civil Liberties Union were also on the scene. Earlier this month the national group issues a travel alert for Texas as a response to the passage of SB 4.

RELATED: ACLU issues 'travel alert' for Texas over SB4 immigration law

At one point, protesters moved to block a man trying to take photographs of the scene. Organizers said he would not identify himself nor had any press identification with him. Police officers stepped in and the man ultimately left.

The protesters then marched over to Discovery Green to partake in a Black Lives Matter rally.

Scroll through the gallery above to see which municipalities have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities'
Police are searching for answers after a shooting killed one man Saturday at a Clear Lake apartment complex, according to an HPD detective.

Houston police were notified shortly after midnight by patrol officers about the shooting at The Riveria at Clear Lake apartment complex in the 16000 block of El Camino Real.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - With trumpets blaring, cannons booming and fighter jets streaking overhead trailed by red, white and blue contrails, President Donald Trump arrived in the scorching heat of the Arabian desert Saturday hoping to realign the politics and diplomacy of the Middle East by forcefully reasserting U.S. support for Sunni Muslim countries and Israel against Iran's Shiite-led government.

The start of Trump's first trip abroad since becoming president - coming amid the scandals and chaos engulfing his administration - was intended to be a blunt rejection of President Barack Obama's vision for the region. Obama sought a reconciliation with Iran and negotiated a deal intended to keep Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Trump brought a $110 billion arms package and a host of business agreements to Saudi Arabia.

The day proved to be almost everything a besieged White House could have wanted. After weeks of stormy politics and out-of-control news cycles, the president stayed rigorously on script and restrained himself on Twitter. His staff boasted about the business deals being signed, and the visual images beamed to Americans back home showed a president seemingly in command of a world stage.

The Saudis treated him like royalty, with red carpets, lavish meals and American flags flying everywhere. They repeatedly used the word "historic" to describe his visit, gave him a medal, projected a multistory image of his face on the side of the palatial Ritz-Carlton hotel where he was staying, and treated him to a colorful dance display in which his staff joined in with scores of white-robed Saudis and even the president swayed back and forth.

As Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia, Iranians re-elected President Hassan Rouhani, who sealed the nuclear deal. Officials of both countries used the president's visit to press Iran to halt support for terrorism and to stop interfering in the affairs of its neighbors.

"We are closely coordinating our efforts in terms of how to counter Iran's extremism and its export of extremism," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said at a joint news conference in Riyadh with Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister.

Al-Jubeir praised Trump for renewing ties between the countries, and pointed to the "extremely, extremely productive and historic visit."

Stayed on script

For Trump, the warm embrace by the Saudi monarchy was a welcome break from the cascade of bad news in Washington. Even as Air Force One took off from a Maryland air base Friday afternoon, headlines revealed new details about the swiftly expanding investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's advisers.

Questions about those headlines followed Trump across the globe, a reminder of the political troubles dogging him back home. But the president at least initially resisted the temptation to deviate from his diplomatic script to address reports that he had referred to James Comey, the former FBI director, as "a nut job" during meetings with Russian officials in the Oval Office.

At his news conference, Tillerson said he did not have "any information or knowledge" about an unnamed White House official reported by The Washington Post to be a person of interest to investigators in the Russia case.

Throughout his first day as the United States' top overseas ambassador, Trump posed for pictures, shook hands with his hosts and avoided his domestic turmoil.

Trump announced a nearly $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia as evidence of a renewed U.S. commitment to the security of the Persian Gulf region. The package includes precision weaponry that Obama had held up over concerns that it would be used to kill civilians in the war in neighboring Yemen, as well as an anti-missile system.

A forum bringing together U.S. and Saudi corporate executives Saturday also produced a series of multibillion-dollar deals. Among them: Lockheed Martin signed a $6 billion letter of intent to assemble 150 Black Hawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia, and General Electric announced projects it valued at $15 billion.

Critics said the last thing the region needed was more arms. "In the powder keg that is the Middle East, this sale may simply light a fuse that sends the region, and us, deeper down the rabbit hole of perpetual military conflict," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote on HuffPost.

Trump himself had little to say publicly Saturday, calling his first stop of his trip "a tremendous day" that would bring "hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

'Inflated expectations'

During two days in Saudi Arabia, the president is set to meet with dozens of leaders from the Persian Gulf and the wider Muslim world as he seeks to shape a new Middle East coalition. His current embrace of the Gulf nations differs sharply with some of his previous remarks. In 2014, before becoming a candidate for the White House, Trump wrote on Twitter: "Tell Saudi Arabia and others that we want (demand!) free oil for the next ten years or we will not protect their private Boeing 747s. Pay up!"

On Sunday, Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech that White House aides described as a call to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Muslim world to unite against extremism. One senior White House official said the president hoped to "reset" both the global fight against Islamic terrorism and his own reputation for intolerance of Muslims, which was fueled by his campaign call for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." After taking office, Trump signed an executive order to temporarily block visitors from some predominantly Muslim countries, but courts have blocked it pending a legal review.

Trump's royal hosts, whose country was not among those covered by the travel ban, have chosen to ignore that history in the interests of working with a U.S. president who seems to share their goals and will not lecture them about repression of women or minority Shiites in Saudi Arabia, or its brutal conduct of the war in Yemen.

"Traditional Arab allies welcome the U.S. back because they believe it is largely on their terms: a U.S. that is clearly anti-Iran and anti-political Islam, a U.S. that de-emphasizes political reform and human rights, a U.S. that is in business mode and a White House that seems more accessible than in the past eight years," said Emile Hokayem, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

But Hokayem said Arab leaders might be in for a surprise over the long run. "There is a lot of projection and wishfulness in the Gulf view of Trump's America," he said. "There is plenty of inflated expectations."

Tamara Cofman Wittes, a former State Department official who worked on the Middle East under Obama, said Trump's goal of aligning with the Sunni states fundamentally conflicted with his desire for closer relations with Russia, which has sided with Iran in bolstering the government in Syria's civil war. Allowing President Bashar Assad to remain in power in Syria under Iran's thumb is precisely the outcome the Sunni states and Israel oppose, noted Wittes, who is now at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

Greeted by the king

Trump is the only sitting president to make Saudi Arabia the first stop on his inaugural, nine-day trip overseas.

The president and his wife, Melania, emerged from Air Force One against a stark desert backdrop Saturday morning and were greeted on a long red carpet by King Salman, who was leaning on a cane, and other members of the Saudi royal family.

Salman greeted Trump at the airport, a gesture he did not extend to Obama. Later, he bestowed the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, the nation's highest honor, on the new president, draping the gold medal and chain around Trump's neck. Previous recipients of the award include Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, and Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia.

A television microphone picked up the king's remarks to Trump. "Syria, too, used to be one of the most advanced countries," the king said. "We used to get our professors from Syria. They served our kingdom. Unfortunately, they too brought destruction to their own country."

"You could destroy a country in mere seconds," the king told the president, "but it takes a lot of effort."
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Kendall Johnson, 11, gripped a video-game controller tightly and stared at the robot it controlled with as much intensity as if she was defusing a bomb. She had only 150 seconds to guide her robot through a simulated toxic-waste disposal during the C-STEM national competition Saturday at the Health Museum of Houston.

The robot's arm grabbed clumsily for a miniature barrel. The pincer snapped open and closed. Nothing.

A fellow fifth grader, 10-year-old James Lofton, stood beside Kendall and quietly gave suggestions and encouragement. His hands modeled what the robot needed to do next. His right foot tapped anxiously. The seconds ticked by.

The two students from the Beatrice Mayes Institute, a charter school near the University of Houston, were among the several hundred students at the event, which included the robotics competition as well as a science quiz contest, traditional science-fair displays and an array of art related to this year's theme of environmental stewardship.

The event happens in Houston every year, organized by C-STEM Teacher and Student Support Services, a nonprofit group that connects underrepresented students to curricula, events and funding. The founder, Reagan Flowers, started the organization after spending 10 years as a teacher, guidance counselor and administration at Houston ISD schools. Flowers, who got a bachelor's in biology before teaching science, said she saw two problems and an opportunity.

One million scientists

First, jobs in STEM areas  science, technology, engineering and math  outnumber people qualified to fill them, according to Department of Labor data. STEM workers account for 90 percent of foreigners who get H1-B visas for high-skilled jobs that companies can't find Americans to fill, according to the data.

Second, Flowers pointed out, women and minorities are underrepresented in those fields.

Flowers, however, casts the second problem as a solution to the first.

"You are looking at a very large group of people in our country who are just on the bench," she said. "They're untapped talent. And if we're going to stay the innovative country, the place where we're the leader in the free world and everyone wants to be in America, then we can't have all this talent sitting on the sidelines."

Flowers, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta and struggled in elementary school, said she seeks to empower teachers like those who helped her thrive and to give students some hands-on, project-based experience in STEM fields throughout their schooling.

"They've got to be exposed," she said. "They can't dream of being that which they've never seen or experienced."

Flowers said C-STEM takes advantage of kids' natural love of competition to show them real-world applications that keep students such as Kendall engaged in classes, as well as instilling life lessons outside the classroom.

Despite a laser-like focus on her team's robot, Kendall wasn't able to bring the miniature barrel into the proper disposal area, but she got closer than many other teams  meaning that her classmates could continue into the contest's next round. The 20 or 30 people from her school clapped and cheered, led by some older girls from the middle-school cheerleading squad.

But at first she was only frustrated. She hustled away from the robotics area after her round looking defeated.

'It's not over yet'

A teacher caught up with her and gently held her face in two hands. The teacher  Chariesse Simpson, a Beatrice Mayes Institute alumna who returned to teach at the K-8 school  squatted down so she was eye-to-eye with the girl who said she loves taking things apart and trying to put them back together without checking the instructions.

"You can't get frustrated and stop trying," Simpson told Kendall. "It's not over yet."
WALDWICK, N.J. , May 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Total Health Associates has recently released information to raise awareness of the effectiveness of Physical Therapy for pelvic floor weakness and other dysfunctions. One in three women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. These dysfunctions include painful intercourse, incontinence, including exercise-induced urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, back pain and prolapsed organs. Commonly, it is thought that these problems only affect older women. However, these problems can affect women at any point in their lives. Total Health Associates wants to remind people that there is no need to just live with these issues. IT IS COMMON, BUT NOT NORMAL. Physical Therapy exists to address these issues non-surgically.



For years, women were expected to just live with these problems that interfere with their daily life and many times their self-esteem. Today, women and doctors realize that the pelvic floor muscles need rehab just like any other area of the body that is in pain or not functioning properly. If you strain your back or tear your rotator cuff, you might have trouble bending to put on your shoes or throw a ball. You would likely be referred to Physical Therapy to identify and treat these issues. The pelvic floor is no different! When you have a muscle or strain of your pelvic floor it needs to be addressed. If not, if can lead to years or a lifetime of dysfunctions. These pelvic floor muscles are important. They support your bowel, bladder and reproductive organs. They have to be able to stretch during childbirth and withstand the effects of running, heavy weight lifting or even just picking up your child. If you are experiencing trouble with these systems, your pelvic floor should be evaluated properly by a Physical Therapist trained in understanding these issues. A strong and well-coordinated pelvic floor helps just about everything work better. Every woman should be able to make it through a movie without having to go to the bathroom, have sex without pain or simply run, walk or carry items without leaking. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy has been a standard of care in Europe for years but has only recently become more acknowledged in the US, says Jennifer Collard, Physical Therapist

Several types of treatments may be used during pelvic floor physical therapy. These may include exercises, posture and body mechanics training, breathing techniques, soft and deep tissue mobilization, massage, biofeedback and most importantly lifestyle recommendations. Treatments are always private and last approximately 1 hour.

About Total Health Associates

Total Heath Associates offers trained professionals to provide chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and other drug-free non-surgical therapies. They offer these either alone or in combinations as needed. The practice serves Waldwick, Wyckoff, Ridgewood, and the surrounding communities.

Visit their website at http://drstevejones.com/ for more information on their services, hours, and location.
Congressman Al Green was threatened with lynching after he demanded the impeachment of President Donald Trump on the House floor this week.

"You ain't going to impeach nobody. Try it and we will lynch all of you," a caller said in one of several threatening recordings the Houston Democrat played at a town hall meeting Saturday.

"You'll be hanging from a tree," the caller continued.

The calls use graphic racial slurs, some calling Green the n-word. "You are so disgusting," one caller said. "You're scum. You're pathetic."

Green was the first member of Congress to call for Trump's impeachment from the House floor Wednesday. The congressman said the firing of FBI Director James Comey was one of the reasons. Although some Democrats are alarmed about the firing, , Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, would have to participate in impeachment proceedings.

"The president fired the FBI Director who was investigating him and said he did it because of the investigation," Green said. "That's pretty serious. That's obstruction of justice. We believe no person is above the law, not even the President of the United States of America."

The meeting at Fountain Life Center in southwest Houston was high security, filled with police officers milling around the building. Security officials holding wands checked the roughly 100 participants entering into the meeting.

"We are not going to be intimidated," Green said of the threats. "We are not going to allow this to cause us to deviate from what we believe to be the right thing to do and that is to proceed with the impeachment of President Trump."

Focus on process

Green has received threatening messages from callers at his offices in Houston and Washington, said Camille Scott, a spokeswoman for him. They played recordings of the calls at the meeting believed to be the most graphic.

He said he wanted his constituents to be aware of the hateful calls, but the town hall's main focus remained on steps to impeach Trump. The congressman gave a chance for the Houston community to voice their own concerns about the president and ask how they can help with the impeachment process. Some asked Green how they could move the process along and get the word out to others. He urged community members to continue to call their local representatives and show up for town hall meetings.

"I'm expecting the people to stand up and make their voices heard, so that we in Congress will know what their desires are," he said. "When the people express their will, I think it will impact the will of the Congress."

'Have to expose hate'

Robin Paoli, lead organizer of the Houston Women's March in January, condemned the threats against Green during the town hall meeting.

"We stand with you," Paoli said. "We stand with your honorable action of holding the president accountable. I as a white woman stand by my brother and say we will not tolerate those kind of death threats and racial slurs that are being thrown at you."

Green, who represents Texas' 9th congressional district, is serving his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"You cannot allow hate to be hidden," Green said about the voicemails. "You have to expose hate. Hate is a means by which people can be harmed. It's an evil. The best way to deal with evil is to expose."

Kevin Diaz contributed to this report.
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Angry and concerned Houstonians gathered outside the Houston Police Department headquarters downtown Saturday to protest the enforcement of Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" law that they worry could increase instances of racial profiling in Texas.

The legislation allows police officers to inquire about a person's immigration status. Law enforcement officials who fail to cooperate with immigration officers may face misdemeanor criminal penalties and hefty fines under the new law.

"Things are bad enough as it is now. It's only going to get worse with this law," said David Michael Smith, who was protesting on behalf of the Houston Socialist Movement.

Police Chief Art Acevedo assured members of the Hispanic community at a recent town hall meeting that the department will take action against profiling by having officers detail in reports why they felt it necessary to check someone's legal status.

A few hours before the protest, Acevedo tweeted in English and Spanish with links to the protest's Facebook page. The police chief called on the public not to be "misled" by the protesters, saying that "SB-4 authorizes police to ask about immigration status, it does not require it."

Smith and others were not convinced.

"While technically true, the fact is officers are going to [ask about a person's status]," he said.

Jonathan Zapeta, with the United We Dream immigrant rights group, worries about a potential increase in the number of deportations as a result of SB4, which is set to take effect Sept. 1.

He noted that families and communities will be torn apart as immigrants continue to play a pivotal role in society as workers, friends and neighbors.

"If you live in the U.S., I don't believe you don't know someone who is an immigrant," Zapeta said.

Others, such as Elizabeth Lozano with the Carnalismo Brown Berets, worry that police resources currently protecting citizens will be diverted as officers begin to serve as, effectively, immigration enforcers.

"We still don't know if the federal government will reimburse local law enforcement officers for this," Lozano added.

The protesters chanted peacefully Saturday afternoon with police officers stationed on opposite corners of Travis Street and others in police headquarters keeping watch through the glass walls.

Members of the American Civil Liberties Union were also present. Earlier this month, the national group issued a travel alert for Texas as a response to the passage of SB4.
AUSTIN - After two weeks of political brinksmanship, the Texas House on Saturday approved key bills needed to avoid a special legislative session, though a controversial property tax reform measure passed without provisions requiring automatic rollback elections that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and senators had demanded.

Included in the fast-paced actions over just five hours was an agreement between Senate and House leaders on an approximately $218 billion state budget, the single bill the Legislature had to pass before it adjourns May 29, that includes tapping the state's savings account for several one-time expenses including a reported $75 million recommended for the Alamo preservation project in San Antonio.

Among other budget details that were slowly being announced late Saturday: Both chambers agreed to use accounting maneuvers to more fully fund some programs, despite earlier disagreement; additional funding was earmarked for Gov. Greg Abbott's request for high-quality pre-K programs, the Texas Enterprise Fund business-incentive program and film incentives, and many cuts proposed by the Senate to higher education were restored. Public education stands to gain at least an additional $500 million, perhaps more.

The House also approved an important "sunset safety net" measure to extend the life of five state agencies by amending another bill, a signal that House Speaker Joe Straus had gained political leverage over Patrick and the Senate. Straus lieutenants said the votes show the House is not bowing to pressure from the Senate.

Even so, in a statement through his spokesman Alejandro Garcia, Patrick claimed he had "used his leverage effectively" to gain action on his priorities. "The lieutenant governor has already been successful in his goal of a conservative budget that does not use Rainy Day Funds for on-going expenses," Garcia said.

Patrick also had demanded the House approve the Senate's controversial "bathroom bill." House leaders said Saturday night a much-revised version might be considered on Sunday.

On a day when the logjam of key legislation appeared to be broken, after weeks of public bickering and threats between the legislative chambers, the passage of the property-tax reform measure and the safety-net bill, along with an agreement on the budget, signaled that the chances of a special session was likely diminishing.

Top priority

At a time when Texans are increasingly angry about skyrocketing property-tax rates, the issue has been a top issue this session for Abbott, Patrick and Straus -- though there has been disagreement between the chambers about how best to change the current system, with local governments lobbying intensely against any reforms that would limit their ability to cover their rising costs in a state with a mushrooming population and revenues that are heavily dependent on property taxes because Texas has no income tax.

Supporters of the House-passed reform measure contended Saturday its stronger notification requirements about tax hikes and changes in how appraisal boards are set up will benefit taxpayers with more transparency, and will force local governments to annually publicize a "no-new-revenue" tax rate, with a comparison of the rate they are proposing, to allow property owners to challenge the higher rate before it takes effect.

Opponents said rollback-election provisions left out of the House version would have given taxpayers more clout to push back against higher rates, by requiring voters to approve tax rates if revenues from the change were to exceed 5 percent. The House version leaves the "rollback" threshold at 8 percent - and only triggers an election if constituents successfully petition for a vote.

The House-passed tax-reform measure, once finally approved, will go back to the Senate for the negotiation of a final version. That must be agreed to and approved by both legislative chambers within the next week.

The Senate bill had been scheduled twice for votes in the House starting Thursday, delayed each time by procedural and record-keeping miscues that had sent it back to the House Ways and Means Committee to be brought back to life. Rather than bring up Senate Bill 2 for debate on Saturday, the House sponsor of it, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, in an unexpected move instead attached the revised wording as an amendment to Senate Bill 669, a measure making changes to the appraisal review process and arbitration.

"It will end the practice that happens on occasion where a mayor or city council says, 'We lowered your tax rate, but we increased our revenue'," Bonnen said, explaining "if you don't like what's happening on this rate, it tells you the date of the public hearing on that tax rate and it tells you the place."

Bonnen, who had been pushing for property-tax reform all session, said the approved House version will allow taxpayers to see which taxing entity is raising their taxes, before they do it. Under current law, local governments are not required to provide that detail in advance.

Bonnen contended the House version will be "holding everyone accountable."

'This is a farce'

Conservative House Republicans tried, without success, to get the tougher Senate provisions put back into the bill.

Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, derided Bonnen for stripping a Senate-backed provision that would trigger a rollback election if local elected officials raise property taxes by more than 5 percent in one year. At one point, the two lawmakers yelled at one another as they tried to control the debate, underscoring the strong sentiments on each side of the issue.

"This is a farce," Stickland insisted. "This is part of a victory, part of a victory."

Stickland conceded that while the House version "does help alleviate some of the problems, and I would count this as a win  I'm very concerned that this is not the win this body should be producing today.

"Why aren't we going further?" he asked. "Could we put more teeth in your property tax reform?"

Bonnen responded that adding the Senate's rollback to his amendment, as some far-right Republicans had attempted, was not germane to the underlying bill and defended his plan as a sounder policy.

"I also don't believe changing the rollback rate is a panacea for taxpayers," he said. "I actually fear, although I do support the concept, that we will do what we've done in many other instances: setting rollbacks and caps that we then will tell taxpayers if they're going up 3 percent, don't worry about it."

Texans should not have to wait until their property taxes go above a specified percent change before they are allowed to take recourse, Bonnen added.

Before relenting, Stickland said Bonnen's proposal did not go far enough, citing the Republican Party of Texas' platform calling for more sweeping reforms - and eventual abolition - of state property taxes.

Bennett Sandlin, executive director of Texas Municipal League that had opposed the Senate plan, said the agency can "can live with this version."

Bobby Cervantes contributed to this report.
Bayou project

The Bayou Preservation Association applauds the Chronicle's recent endorsement of the Memorial Park Demonstration Project, "Bayou Repair" (Page A13, Tuesday). This project will use a research-based method called natural channel design to repair and stabilize the banks of Buffalo Bayou, in an area suffering erosion that threatens both public and private property, as well as infrastructure.

The natural channel design approach was pioneered by Dr. David Rosgen in the 1990s. Terry Hershey, a founder of Bayou Preservation, encouraged Harris County Flood Control District staff to attend Rosgen classes on the method, and actually funded their attendance on some occasions. Ms. Hershey was a strong advocate of demonstrating its use in the Houston region - thus was born the Memorial Park Demonstration Project.

Our region is crisscrossed by bayous and creeks. The banks of our bayous are often transitions between the built environment and the natural environment of the bayou itself. The interaction between the built environment and our bayous stresses these bank areas, causing erosion and bank failures. The proposed project will address these stresses by incorporating methods that mimic natural processes to strike a balance between the natural and built environment.

Bayou Preservation also seeks to achieve this balance. This is illustrated in our recently updated logo. The proposed project will achieve the desired balance in a way that Terry Hershey strongly encouraged and supported.

Michael F. Bloom, P.E., member, executive committee, Bayou Preservation Association

Stop the appeal

Regarding "Harris County will fight judge's bail reform ruling" (Page A3, May 10), it is inconceivable that our county Commissioners Court would vote to appeal the judge's order to release the eligible inmates. Even worse is the hundreds of thousands of dollars of county money they are spending to fight this humane and just ruling.

Our bail system has been ruled unconstitutional. No one should be kept in jail on misdemeanor charges because they can't afford bail. Now is the time to right this wrong. Commissioners Court needs to drop their objections and get on board to help steer a course towards a more equitable justice system in Harris County.

Margaret Sweeney, Houston

TSU grads had it right

Regarding "Canceled speech" (Page A13, Tuesday), it seems hard for some to fathom that our young electorate may be politically aware of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and his cohorts' agenda. The Texas Southern University graduates know that this Congress is only concerned with laws that benefit the rich and well-heeled. There are proposed tax cuts for the rich to be paid for by cuts in medical care for the poor, reduced regulations, etc. The graduates were right. This would have served as a "photo op" for the senator, who consistently votes against their best interests.

Lena T. Sidney, Houston
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Javier Valdez Cardenas was a swashbuckling investigative reporter and editor - a hard-bitten but poetic journalist with a fedora hat and Clark Kent glasses who might strike a pose or flip you the bird if you requested a portrait in his cluttered newsroom.

Valdez was an author as well as perhaps the best known investigative journalist in Mexico who still dared to regularly publish hard-hitting pieces on the narco-trade in these dark days when so many of his colleagues have ended up in exile, dead or disappeared.

He and his work were too big and bold for any conventional newspaper. His alternative weekly, founded in 2003, is based in the city of Culiacan - ground zero of Mexico's most powerful Sinaloa cartel.

Valdez called his scrappy little paper Riodoce - the 12th river. There are 11 rivers in Sinaloa, a prosperous Pacific coast state that is home to Mexico's tomato fields, some of its beautiful beaches as well as a ruthless multinational criminal mafia. The 12th river, he'd said, is the river of ideas.

On Monday, Valdez was murdered. The same day, another journalist was killed - making the total six for this year so far.

"The assassins pretended to be stealing his car, but fired 12 times with two different weapons. We have no doubt that whoever ordered this crime told the hit men to be sure of their objective," the Riodoce staff reported.

And though Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has promised an investigation, no journalist is counting on him. On Tuesday, reporters all across Mexico marched for Valdez and against impunity. As they protested, they read aloud passages from Valdez's books and columns.

In 2011, Valdez won the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists - an event for which he donned a bow tie and tux and was lauded in New York City as one of Mexico's greatest drug war journalists.

By then, he'd already published books and landed a gig as a correspondent for the left-leaning Mexico City daily La Jornada. And he and his staff also had suffered a grenade attack on their offices. Not long after that incident, Riodoce's website was offline for days as the result of what CPJ calls a "denial of service attack." Threats were constant, yet Valdez told CPJ: "To die would be to stop writing."

It was a duty he "felt deeply," freelance journalist Sara Rafsky wrote: "Javier exemplified a generation of journalists who woke up in the last decade to find they had become war reporters in their own backyards "

Indeed, in his CPJ award acceptance speech, Valdez painted a disturbing picture of what it's like to practice journalism in Mexico: "To do journalism is to walk on an invisible line drawn by the bad guys - who are in drug trafficking and in the government - in a field strewn with explosives."

Many of my fellow investigative reporting friends have taken Valdez's death personally. They have lost a chief in the idiosyncratic tribe whose members dare to take risks to cover the darkest side of corruption.

For years, the Sinaloan's fierce, charismatic writing and his telling of taboo topics attracted dedicated fans and followers. Michel Marizco, an Arizona-based border reporter, was one of the many to seek Valdez's counsel. Marizco recalled being inspired by a Valdez narrative about how a large restaurant temporarily shut its doors when El Chapo Guzman entered. No diners left after the notorious cartel boss offered to cover everyone's tab if they all peacefully handed over their cell phones. It was a typically surreal Sinaloan scene everyone knew about, but no one normally would have dared to publicly describe.

Valdez was exposed to danger in his tiny newsroom, yet he maintained contact with a vast network of investigative reporters and far-flung foreign correspondents. He mentored, guided, inspired. Some of the Americas' toughest journalists counted on his support, including Ginna Morelo, an investigative reporter whose Colombian coastal state is similarly plagued with violence. In her darkest moments, he'd told her: Smile, always smile.

As the murders of journalists mounted in Mexico in recent years, Valdez had protested against the deaths of colleagues and the government's failure to bring the murderers to justice.

In March, Miroslava Breach, a journalist leader in the conflict-torn state of Chihuahua was shot eight times. Breach, like Valdez, was a correspondent for La Jornada. She'd served as a leader for other journalists in her own conflict-ridden state of Chihuahua. She, too, specialized in human rights and organized crime reporting. And she, too, was ambushed while driving her car.

Valdez's response was outrage - and defiance. He tweeted: "If the penalty for covering hell is death then let them kill us all."

Olsen is a senior investigative reporter and deputy investigations editor for the Houston Chronicle. She was director of Investigative Reporters & Editors Mexico project from 1996-98 and for 20 years has volunteered for various nonprofit investigative reporting groups in Latin America.
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SHREVEPORT, La., May 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Healthy Vision Month, Shreveport Eye Clinic has released information on the importance of regular eye exams. These exams allow eye doctors to spot problems before they get worse, monitor existing issues, and ensure that patients have the most up-to-date prescription information if they need glasses or contacts.



Comprehensive eye exams are the foundation blocks of a good eye health program. They allow doctors to see what is really going on inside the eye, and if any problems are found, the information from the exam guides treatment plans. Unfortunately, many people get them either too rarely or not at all. If problems develop, this delayed detection results in vision deterioration that may not have had to take place. Often, such deterioration is permanent.

Suggested intervals for comprehensive eye care exams vary, with some suggesting a repeat frequency as soon as every six months and others suggesting an interval of one or two years between these evaluations. Most eye doctors will make a solid determination about which interval to suggest after first examining a new patient. After the first exam, the current condition of the eyes is used to guide a firm suggestion as to when to come back for another assessment.

"A comprehensive eye exam is not like the ones used to simply determine a patient's glasses or contacts prescription. While visual acuity is still measured, we also look at the retina to see if there is any disease or injury present, check for cataracts, test for glaucoma, and examine the eye for any other problems. This gives us a full view of the health of each of the patient's eyes and allows us to find issues before they show up in the form of obvious vision problems," explained Mary Catherine Clemons, M.D. of Shreveport Eye Clinic.

One of the reasons people shy away from comprehensive exams is the fact that they involve pupil dilation. However, eye doctors note that dilated pupils are temporary, while the effects of untreated eye disease often last a lifetime. Some eye diseases even result in permanent blindness. Therefore, the eye exam is a minor inconvenience in comparison, even when the yearly exam schedule is prescribed.

True comprehensive eye exams are offered by ophthalmologists at Shreveport Eye Clinic. These eye care physicians are also able to provide more advanced treatments than optometrists, such as various types of eye surgery.

About Shreveport Eye Clinic

This eye care center is home to several ophthalmologists and offers a wide variety of advanced care and treatment options. It also provides comprehensive eye exams to patients of all ages.

Visit their website at http://shreveporteyeclinic.com/ for more information on their eye care and eye surgery services.
carotur via Getty Images

When I was approached to make a TV programme about salty snacks I was intrigued.

I think of myself as a healthy eater, but I am very aware that I often grab a bag of crisps particularly on a busy day. As I sat and chatted in a bar with the programme makers they explained that as part of their research they had just been speaking a neuroscientist who had scanned the brains of volunteers and discovered that even looking at a bowl of crisps provoked a reaction in the brain that was as strong as alcohol for an alcoholic. So what is it about the combination of crunch, carb, fat and salt that is making Britain a nation of snackers?

Snacks are a 2.8 billion industry in the UK and we are snacking more and more often.

I definitely wanted to find out more.

Advertisement

Day one of the filming, I found myself on a crisp production line in Yorkshire.

Here you can be in no doubt that this is a massive and clever industry. I watched as a potato was dropped onto the production line and just 14 minutes later it emerged as a bag of crisps. It was still warm! And they take a picture of every single crisp before it goes into the bags. Any crisp that isn't perfect is removed. This is an industry that has perfected the art of making us come back for more. They have teams devoted to developing new flavours every year and they know we are very picky about our crisps.

The TV team asked me to keep a snack diary. Reviewing the videos I recorded, there was a clear pattern. There's one clip of me in a petrol station at 7pm in the evening which seems to sum it all up. I am clutching a packet of Wotsits and explaining that I have skipped lunch, I had no intention of buying a bag of crisps, but as I went to pay for petrol I saw the bags of salty snacks and I couldn't resist it. The neuroscientist was right. Just the sight of a bag of crisps when I was tired and hungry seemed to be irresistible.

When I went to film with Dr Tony Goldstone, the neuroscientist from Imperial College London, he was able to offer me more insights. His latest research suggests that if we eat high carb food, like crisps, it protects our brain from some stress. So, eating a bag of crisps might just make it easier to deal with potentially stressful situations.

Advertisement

Much of the most fascinating academic research on eating snacks has explored whether distraction plays a part in how we eat. Professor Marion Hetherington at Leeds University explained to me that "the double whammy" is to sit in front of a screen at the movies and have an unlimited supply of crisps or popcorn. If they are in a large bowl, not a small individual bag, and we are concentrating on the movie, we just won't stop.

My friends have asked me whether making the programme has changed the way I eat, and I would definitely say it has. I now have much more awareness of what might trigger a snack attack, and accordingly my five bags a week habit is much more under control. I also know that when I do snack on a packet of crisps, if I am distracted or stressed I am likely to eat more than I need as I learned that if you buy a larger sharing bag you will probably eat it all in one sitting, nobody ever seals up a bag of crisps to eat the next day! I have also become far more conscious of my salt intake and try to monitor how much I eat on a daily basis. But snacking is a very difficult habit to stop, especially with a busy lifestyle, I think I am just far more aware of what it is that I snack on now.
Jason Bean valued being able to become bowl eligible with Kansas
Build a Better World Reading Program to Take Place in Adams

ADMAS, Mass.  Children will be able to participate in the Build a Better World reading program to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

The library trustees voted Thursday to allow Library Director Holli Jayko to spend up to $1,500 from the unrestricted passbook account and gifts to fund the initiative for the youth summer reading program.

"Each child that reads this summer will literally reading to build a better world," he said.

She said the program is a statewide initiative to get students to read throughout the summer. Children of all ages receive "money" for completing a book: $1 for a picture book, $5 for a chaptered book and $10 for a chaptered book over a certain number of pages.

"They can see the jar fill up and we will have a chart to get us up to the $1,500," she said. "So they will see as they read that there money is going to this cause."

Jayko said $1,500 is a conservative number based on the amount of books that are usually read during the summer reading program. She said the Friends of the library may also be willing to add to the pot.

Trustee Virginia Duval suggested not capping the amount so if the children raise more money they can turn it over to Habitat for Humanity.

Duval also asked if a Habitat for Humanity project would happen in Adams.

Jayko said the North County branch is based out of North Adams and although they have never done a project in Adams, she said the representative she talked to seemed to think it was a possibility.

The program will be advertised in the schools and will run from mid-June to mid-August.

In other business, Jayko said the library will soon lend mobile hot spots that will allow patrons to take home a small device that will allow them to connect to Wi-Fi in their homes.

"It is still in the planning stages and we hope to have it up and running soon but I wanted you to know we are still trying to keep up with technology," Jayko said.

She said the device will have unlimited data and will cost the library $40 a month. If they want to add a second device it will be another $40.

If the patron does not return the device, the library can turn it off and the company will send a new one. The library has to decide how long the device will be lent out and penalties for not returning it.

It will also be installing a television display received through a grant.

"It will soon become a reality," Jayko said. "It will have pictures, flyers and advertisements."

She said the television is 40 inches and was just under $400.

The trustees also reorganized and James Loughman will continue to serve as chairman and Eugene Michalenko treasurer.

New trustee Brian Bishop, who replaced former trustee David Strzepek, was appointed to take on Strzepek's former role of building maintenance.

"I think thats where I would be more beneficial seeing I have been in construction for 40 years," he said. "It would be nice if Dave was around to pass the baton and give me a tour of the building and the things he was concerned about."

He said one of his first charges would be to see if it is truly beneficial to switch the library heating system to natural gas.

Jayko said the town has considered making the switch using funds from their Green Communities Grant.




iciHaiti - FLASH : Wyclef Jean calls on fans to put pressure on Trump administration





Friday, before his show at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami, Florida, world-renowned hip-hop star Haitian Wyclef Jean alled on his many fans to pressure the Trump administration to allow to nearly 60,000 Haitians to continue to be able to live and work legally in the United States as has been the case since the 2010 Haiti earthquake.



Jean stated that the United States must remember that "there's a workforce of Haitians in every sector of business," of the American society.



Recall that the Haitiano-American community awaits in anxiety, the decision of the authorities of U.S. Homeland Security to renew or not the Temporary Protected Status (TPS), for Haitian immigrants. The Trump administration is due to announce a decision by Tuesday, May 23, 2017.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20959-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20727-haiti-flash-us-immigration-service-recommends-the-end-of-tps.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20895-haiti-flash-tps-the-trump-administration-investigates-the-criminal-record-of-haitians.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20859-haiti-flash-tps-2-senators-and-8-members-of-congress-write-to-john-kelly.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20853-haiti-diaspora-tps-position-of-president-jovenel-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20832-haiti-flash-black-caucus-supports-tps-extension.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20853-haiti-diaspora-tps-position-of-president-jovenel-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20820-haiti-flash-tps-pressures-multiply-on-government-trump.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20779-haiti-flash-tps-16-us-senators-defend-haitians-in-the-usa.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20727-haiti-flash-us-immigration-service-recommends-the-end-of-tps.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20679-haiti-flash-nearly-60-000-haitians-fear-that-trump-will-not-renew-the-tps.html



S/ iciHaiti


















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When Edward Hoppers retrospective at the Tate Modern closed in September 2004, more than 420,000 tickets had been sold. Up to that point, only the acclaimed duo of Matisse and Picasso had beat this record. It is now 50 years since Hopper died and his popularity hasnt waned. What is it about Hoppers brand of melancholy that has struck a chord with so many?

Walking through the rooms of the exhibition was both exhilarating and dispiriting. The vivid colours of Automat (1927) and Nighthawks (1942) against the contrasts of light and shade were sharp, suggestive and familiar. The images of lone individuals in impersonal spaces, with hollowed and dark eyes gazing from windows or down at their drinks, are combined to remind spectators that the default state of humanity is isolation. In Hoppers works, even a buzzing city doesnt remedy isolation, but heightens it.

Born on 22, July, 1882, Hopper later became a prolific artist. His works depict urban loneliness, disappointment, even despair. Hopper continues to be regarded as an important painter of the American imagination, a phenomenon which his urban paintings capture.

In a transforming US of the 20th century, his brand of Americanism offered a counterpoint to the countrys optimism. In this regard his work can be considered alongside the film noir of the Thirties and Forties, and the work of writers such as Raymond Chandler. Like Hopper, the creators of noir and detective texts were concerned with the negative effects of urbanisation and increasing economic disparities. At the heart of Hoppers urban vision are the paradoxes of the foundational democratic myth. We are all created equal, and yet what makes us equal is our absolute, inviolable uniqueness and individualism. Despite the melancholy and longing that haunts Hoppers paintings, his popularity and influence endure.

Hoppers paintings were a source of inspiration for his contemporaries and beyond.

In popular culture, he influenced a diverse range of artists including Alfred Hitchcock, who drew inspiration from his 1925 House by the Railroad for the famous Bates Motel in the latters 1960 film, Psycho.

Traces of Night Windows (1928) can be spotted in Hitchcocks 1954 film, Rear Window, which features Jeffries, a news photographer, whose world shrunk down to the size of a window. Sitting from his flat, he observes Miss Lonelyhearts, a woman so lonely that even death seems like a friend.

House by the Railroad (1925)

Nighthawks is perhaps Hoppers most referenced work in popular culture, influencing Tom Waits 1975 live album, Nighthawks at the Diner. Hoppers cultural reputation was surely cemented when the same diner from Nighthawks was reinvented as Moes bar in episode 18 of season eight of The Simpsons.

The haunting power of Hoppers art derives from his particular brand of realism, one which is sparse, disinclined toward extraneous detail and, ultimately, characterised by what the painting seems to omit rather than what it represents. He turned iconic American spaces such as diners, drug stores, hotel rooms, gas stations and cinemas into spaces reflective of the artists interior realm, spaces of mood, feeling, contemplation of ones position in the world.

Behind the apparent simplicity of the paintings lies great complexity and depth. The lack of details invites the spectator to complete the image by speculating on past and impending events, on the relationships between the characters, and on the desires and anxieties provoked by our own need to examine these characters lives.

Perhaps this is why voyeurism is an overused term in Hopper criticism. A painting such as Night Windows, which positions the viewer in a first-floor flat looking across at a woman bending over in the room opposite, might be superficially considered voyeuristic, but it is better understood as a meditation on the need for connection, and the difficulty of reaching out and connecting with others. Its as much a picture of our own sense of isolation (and, of course, Hoppers) as it is a picture of a vulnerable lone woman.

Night Windows (1928)

Hoppers earliest influences included the French impressionists, particularly Edgar Degas. From these artists Hopper took a fascination with the play of light and a desire to create feelings and ideas in the viewing eye, rather than provide too many representational details.

Another important influence was Robert Henri, who taught Hopper at the New York School of Art from 1900. Henri, whom Hopper called the most influential teacher I had, was part of the Ashcan School of American realist painters. He too was dedicated to an unsentimental depiction of a diverse New York City and came into prominence in the early 20th century. The group also included William Glackens, John French Sloan and Everett Shinn.

One of Hoppers most famous declarations, part of the statement he submitted to Reality journal in 1953, makes clear his approach: Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world.

More than this, though, Hoppers paintings also create a space in which the viewers own inner life can be regarded.

So when we look at another person, Hoppers paintings invite us to ask, what exactly are we looking at? Reflections of ourselves, our desires, dreams and worries? Or somebody utterly other, someone we can never hope to understand or come close to? Are these two things, in the end, the same?

Abstract expressionists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko might have captured more boldly and viscerally a post-war, post-Holocaust America, and the pop artists might have engaged more explicitly with American commodity culture, but Hoppers work continues to entrance because it explores so sincerely these fundamental questions about identity and interpersonal relations.

James Peacock is a senior lecturer in English and American literatures at Keele University. This article was originally published on The Conversation (www.conversation.com)
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An Ivy League student will be graduating with one of the highest accolades after submitting a 10-track rap album for his final thesis, the first to do so in the history of the university.

Obasi Shaw wrote the album, titled Liminal Minds in a year. It was awarded the second highest grade in the department - summa cum laude minus.

Each song is told from a different characters perspective, a format inspired by Geoffrey Chaucers seminal 14th century piece, The Canterbury Tales, and focuses on black identity in America.

 Viral video of student finishing essay in night club was itself an assignment

The20-year-old, originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta said he "never thought it would be accepted by Harvard".

Undergraduates at the university do not need to submit senior theses, but for those wishing to graduate with honours, it is a requirement.

Rather than write an essay, collection of poems or a piece of prose, Shaw decided to try something different.

It was Shaws mother who sparked the initial idea, after noticing her son write raps and perform them at open mic nights on campus.

Poetry's life of grime: Why young rappers are the natural successors to Tennyson Show all 4 1 /4 Poetry's life of grime: Why young rappers are the natural successors to Tennyson Poetry's life of grime: Why young rappers are the natural successors to Tennyson 186160.bin SAM HOFMAN Poetry's life of grime: Why young rappers are the natural successors to Tennyson 186161.bin SAM HOFMAN Poetry's life of grime: Why young rappers are the natural successors to Tennyson 186162.bin SAM HOFMAN Poetry's life of grime: Why young rappers are the natural successors to Tennyson 186163.bin SAM HOFMAN

Changing perceptions of rap, pioneered by artists like Kendrick Lamar, have catapulted the genre into literary acclaim.

The rappers album To Pimp A Butterfly, as well as Nas Illmatic were both added to the Harvard Library in acknowledgement of their cultural significance.

In Shaws first track, Declaration of Independence, he writes: "Behold, what we hold is three-foldBody and spirit to be thrones for free souls. Self is the evidence, please close the freak shows, And depose the evils, our peoples are equals".

Shaw also uses the writings of James Balwdin to talk about slavery and police violence.

Harvard English lecturer and Shaws thesis adviser Josh Bell, was highly impressed with his students creation, praising the album for its fluidity  both as an academic piece and an artistic creation.

The album is available online for free, and Shaw after graduation, Shaw will work as a software engineer at Google.
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Thousands of refugees in Greece are at risk of losing vital support as charities prepare to withdraw services from camps on the countrys hotspot islands, as changes to EU funding are set to leave them out of contract by the end of July.

The Greek government will take over funding and managing support services to the camps on 31 July, but aid organisations fear the prospect of a humanitarian gap resulting from a poorly planned transition.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the islands have received millions of euros from ECHO, the European Commissions humanitarian division, to provide services from laundry and clothing distribution to maritime rescue and child protection.

But officials confirmed this week that the way in which ECHO supports the response to the crisis is changing. As a result, the allocation of funding, as well as the selection of projects to be funded, will soon become the sole responsibility of the Greek authorities.

Reception facilities in the islands will be supported via the national programme, said a European Commission spokesperson. Funding channelled through the national programme is not managed directly by the Commission, but via the national authority responsible in Greece.

A spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the situation is part of the process of moving from emergency response to a sustainable system.

The Greek government will assume greater responsibilities and take over services which are presently provided by UNHCR and the broader humanitarian community, he said. UNHCR supports the government throughout this transition.

But the manner in which the proposed handover has been communicated has raised alarm, with some NGOs and local authorities relying on hearsay and rumours while others have received official instruction.

People just dont know whats going to happen, said Nicholas Millet of Be Aware and Share (BAAS), a Swiss NGO which oversees a school project on the island of Chios. There are no clear plans for handovers or transitions, the Government hasnt said what theyre going to take over or not.

 Tory MP Pauline Latham says people should 'stop being so sentimental' about child refugees

Greek Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas recently described the current situation on the island as reaching breaking point, after a spate of problems including suicide attempts amongst the refugee population and violent attacks by far-right groups.

Whos going to do child protection services on the island? said Millet. Whos going to do education? Whos going to do the food?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) currently runs two restaurants serving eight hundred meals three times a day to refugees on Chios. Director of NRCs Greek programme Gianmaria Pinto confirmed that the NGO would cease its operations there on the cut-off date, but that it would be prepared to resume services quickly if asked to.

Pinto said the decision was communicated to NRC in mid March. The services we provide will keep running until July and then after that its the government  through Greek NGOs, municipalities, whatever they decide.

Pinto encouraged the national and local government to work with NGOs to ensure a safe transition. The municipality has to be informed and they have to start working. If they decide to hire a Greek NGO, fine. If they ask NRC to stay, we are ready to do that.

A spokesperson for Save the Children confirmed that the organisation was also in the dark. Were still waiting for information about funding and operations on the islands, she said. Its unclear yet how camps and services for refugees and migrants will be managed.

On Chios island, two members of the municipal government confirmed this week that they had received no official communication from Athens regarding the change.

Pinto also said he feared for the future of the NRCs recently opened community centre. The day we opened we knew we would have to leave, he said. But its becoming a humanitarian hub, lots of agencies use the space.

Medecins du Monde (MDM) provide medical services on the island of Lesvos, which is home to over 4,000 refugees, according to UNHCR. Their operations in Moria, the islands state-run refugee camp, will stop at the end of May.

According to the president of MDM in Greece, Nikitas Kanakis, the organisation was originally told by the Greek government in March that they would have to leave Moria by the end of April, after which they began reducing staff numbers on the island. Around a week later, Kanakis said, it was clear that they couldnt start. They couldnt find the people they needed and they needed more time.

MDM were subsequently asked to remain on the island for another month. We want to help, but its not easy, because we have announced to staff that their contract has finished. Now we have to ask them to return.

Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Show all 13 1 /13 Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Volunteers walk a group of refugee children towards their school on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children pose at a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Syrian Kurd mother combs Roza's hair, as she prepares to go to a volunteer-run school in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children attend an English language class at the volunteer run school on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children carry vegetables in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A newly arrived Syrian refugee, 13, holds her sister, 2, in a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children pretend they go to school as they play in a refugee camp in the island AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Greek girl walks past a graffiti on her way to a school on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Malian refugee child poses from behind a fence in a makeshift camp AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Syrian Kurd mother combs Roza's hair, as she prepares to go to a volunteer-run school in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Syrian family from Aleppo newly arrived to Greece sits in a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A child carries a broken blackgammon game in a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A child holds onto her mother, Djeneba from Mali, before attending school in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty

Kanakis said a team from the organisation would remain on the island to report on conditions and potential human rights violations within the camp, and expressed concern that vulnerable adults and children within the camp may fall through the cracks during the handover process.

Its not an established team that will move from another place to there, he said. I have a lot of reasons to believe they wont find all the staff that they need. But hopefully they will do it. We are waiting to see.

Its not a bad idea that the state will take over the camps, Kanakis added. The question is just how they will do it, and in a lot of cases they dont have the experience.

Pinto agreed that in terms of ownership and long-term sustainability, it was important to eventually return management of the islands to the national authorities.

In theory this is a good step forward for the government, he said. In practice, though, what NRC doesnt want to see in August is humanitarian gaps. Its now the moment to boil down this political decision into an action plan. We still have time, the end of July is not tomorrow. But its not very far.

Millet said the move had been a long time coming, but needed to be handled well. If the government is going to take over services they need to think about how they effectively transition over from the NGOs. We are supportive of the government to take over the services but we need to know how, and well support it.
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More than 714,000 young people have registered to vote since Theresa May called for a snap election, following a series of social media campaigns urging Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat users to sign up.

Under 25s have sent off nearly 16,000 more applications than any other age group since the Prime Minister made the shock announcement on 18 April.

They made up more than a third of the 150,000 potential voters who registered that day - a spike of around 140,000 in 24 hours.

The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) previously warned young people in the UK face a voter registration time bomb, with the number of school leavers registered to vote dropping by more than a quarter over the past three years.

But figures have surged over recent weeks as social media appeals on Facebook and Snapchat urged youngsters to apply.

Jeremy Corbyn has gained support through the #grime4corbyn hashtag, launched to reflect his popularity with grime artists such as Stormzy and JME.

The Labour leader also reached out to rock and roll fans, making a brief appearance before The Libertines, the British band fronted by Pete Doherty, played at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park.

The party is solidly ahead of the Conservatives with voters under 40 years old, despite being more than 20 points behind in the polls overall, according to a YouGov poll of nearly 13,000 voters between 2-20 April.

But Labour is well behind in the polls overall  by about 20 points  because of a significantly lower expected turnout among young voters and a huge generational divide.

Those under 40 report being significantly less likely to vote than those over 40.

Slightly more than 40 per cent of the younger cohort say they are certain to vote compared with 64 per cent of the older cohort.

The divide in the poll mirrors the split at the European Union referendum, where older voters pulled Britain out of the European Union against the overwhelming wishes of younger voters.

In total, The Register to Vote Service has recorded 714,595 under 25s applying to register between 18 April and 20 May.

The second largest group to register during that period was 25-34-year-olds, who made 698,781 applications.

Numbers for older age groups come in at less than half the latter figure, with 317,908 applications from 35-44-year-olds, and just 27,172 from the over 75s.

But older voters are likely to have registered before the election was announced, and are much more likely to vote.

Just 43 per cent of 18-24-year-olds cast their ballot in the 2015 general election, compared with 78% of people aged 65 or over, according to polling by Ipsos Mori.

Emma Hartley, head of campaigns at the Electoral Commission, told the BBC: "It's really encouraging that so many young people have registered to vote recently, as our research shows that along with students and recent home movers, they are particularly less likely to be registered."

The deadline for registration is 23.59 GMT on Monday 22 May.
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Scotland's party leaders clashed on the issues of independence and Brexit immediately as the first TV debate of the election north of the border got under way.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was first to speak, calling on voters to back her SNP to protect Scotland, which voted to stay part of the European Union in 2016, from an "extreme Brexit".

She also argued supporting the SNP would "protect Scotland's right to make our own decisions" with regard to an independence referendum.

The Tories, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Ukip all oppose a second independence referendum, with Prime Minister Theresa May having said recently that a fresh ballot should not take place until there is "public consent" for it and until the Brexit process has played out.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson claimed the General Election was a "massive opportunity" which gave Scotland "the chance to move on from the divisions of the past".

Addressing voters, the Tory MSP told the BBC debate: "Nicola Sturgeon said she is putting independence at the heart of her campaign. I say enough. Fix our schools, don't split up our country. Champion our businesses, don't put a border at Berwick.

"At this election we can send the SNP a message they can't ignore and with your help we can stop them and in so doing we can get back to the issues that really matter."

Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, said despite Scots having voted against independence and Brexit in 2014 and 2016 respectively, "what we've got is hard Brexit and the SNP hell-bent on a second independence referendum".

She said: "I want a Labour government, but if the polls are right the Tories will be back and they will be more destructive than ever before.

Recommended Scotland bans private firms from carrying out benefits assessments

"So who do you want to stand up to the Tories? Labour MPs who understand your life because they've lived [it] or SNP MPs who will use every bit of Tory cruelty to exploit the case for independence.

"You can reject the Tories and a second independence referendum by voting Labour on June 8."

But Ms Sturgeon told Scots: "You can choose MPs who will do what Theresa May wants or SNP MPs who will stand up for Scotland."

She said representatives from her party are vital at Westminster to "keep a Tory government in check - a Tory government we know from long experience will not have Scotland's best interests at heart".

The SNP leader said: "A vote for the SNP will back our plans to end the Tory cuts that are holding our economy back, damaging our public services and putting more people into poverty.

"A vote for the SNP will strengthen Scotland's hand against an extreme Brexit and a vote for the SNP will protect Scotland's right to make our own decisions."

UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. Stormont and the political situation in Northern Ireland has been in limbo following the collapse of the power sharing executive due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme scandal which implicated the DUP Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Priti Patel, International Development Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Larry the Downing Street cat runs ahead of Michael Fallon Britain's Secretary of State for Defence as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Michael Gove, Environment Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (C) leaves after speaking to the media in Parliament Square. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May (C, L) holds the first Cabinet meeting of her new team. Getty UK General Election 2017 11 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May attends church in her constituency with her husband Philip May, a few days after disappointing results in a general election. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn leaves Labour Party HQ this morning, following a general election yesterday. Parliament is hung, with no individual party gaining an overall majority. Post general election reaction. Rex UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 09: DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (C) holds a brief press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A " Get May Out" demo took place opposite the gates of Downing Street, calling for May to resign, after the shock election results and Mays coalition with the DUP. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 Election workers, George Gaunt and Luca Tragid deliver the first ballot boxes, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh AFP UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Conservative party supporters during an election campaign visit to a bakery during an election campaign visit on June 6, 2017 in Fleetwood, north-west England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images

Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said the 8 June vote was the chance to "build a brighter future" and to "turn away from another divisive referendum and a damaging hard Brexit".

He claimed: "In so many seats across the country it is a straight choice between the Liberal Democrats and the SNP.

"We can win those seats, we can change the direction of the country, we can have that brighter future."

Meanwhile Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie warned social and environmental rights that were guaranteed in the EU would be "in the hands of a hard-right Tory government hell-bent on a bonfire of the regulations".

He added: "We also need to oppose their cuts agenda, it's destroying people's lives, but it's also a failure to invest in the sustainable future our economy needs."

Ukip's Scottish leader David Coburn used his opening statement to make the case for leaving the European Union.

He said: "Ukip is the party of Brexit. We must elect Ukip to the Commons to ensure Brexit means exit."

He also stressed: "Ukip is the party of the British Union. We are completely opposed to a second Scottish independence referendum."

In a heated exchange, Ms Sturgeon accused the Scottish Conservative leader of using independence as a smokescreen for "toxic" policies.

She said: "[Ruth Davidson] says I talk about nothing else, the truth is she talks so much about independence that I can't get a word in edgeways about it.

"Ruth Davidson is using independence as a smokescreen in this campaign because she knows the Tory record and Tory policies are toxic."

Ms Davidson urged the SNP leader to ditch plans for a second independence referendum.

She said: "The country said 'No' and you won't listen to them."

Ms Dugdale also urged the SNP leader to drop the independence referendum.

She said: "We answered the question in 2014. We spent two-and-a-half years debating and we said 'No'. People want to move on from that."

Mr Rennie said the SNP's focus is "always independence".

He said: "It took 44 days for Nicola Sturgeon to publish her Bill on another independence referendum. It took 15 months for them to write their mental health strategy.

"It took two years for us to persuade them to expand nursery education for two-year-olds and it took six years for us to persuade them about a pupil premium.

"For the SNP it's always, always about independence. Today Brexit is the excuse, every other day it could be any other excuse at all.

"They need to cancel this second divisive independence referendum because it's dividing our country and setting us back."
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Hundreds of slavery victims in the UK are being abandoned by the authorities as soon as they are identified, placing them at risk of falling straight back into the hands of traffickers, experts have warned.

Charities said they are left desperately trying to fill in the gaps as vulnerable people fall into destitution, alcoholism and exploitation because of a lack of government-funded care.

Almost 1,400 victims of human trafficking, including cases of sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, were identified by the government's National Referral Mechanism (NRM)  the official framework for identifying victims of human trafficking  last year. Support is provided during the assessment process, which includes giving those fleeing exploitation a place in a safe house, but victims are required to leave the housing just two weeks after a final decision is made.

Theresa May announced on entering Downing Street that Britain would lead the fight against modern slavery, calling it the greatest human rights issue of our time. The Conservative Party has pledged go further on protecting victims of modern slavery in its election manifesto.

Under EU law, member states are required to provide assistance to identified victims of slavery and trafficking in their physical, psychological and social recovery. But charities have warned that such provision does not exist, with victims instead directed to join long waiting lists on the NHS, where the support they require often isn't available.

A damning report by the Work and Pensions Committee also warned people victims were ending up destitute as a result of insufficient support. It found no data is collected on victims after they have been assessed, which it condemned as unacceptable.

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Lara Bundock, founder of the Snowdrop Project, a charity that supports victims of trafficking, said victims were being referred to them suffering from serious mental health problems. They arent getting the psychological support they need and are often living in accommodation that is not in a fit state, she said. Theyre mainly signposted to using the NHS, but there are huge waiting lists, and most NHS places dont know about that entitlement and arent set up to look after those kinds of complex health issues."

It is estimated there are between 10,000 and 13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK, but there are fears that many remain underground, with some reportedly choosing not to apply to the NRM because of a lack of belief that it would place them in a better position.

Under current rules, potential victims of modern slavery in England and Wales receive a minimum of 45 days of support, including accommodation, medical care and counselling in government-funded support, delivered by the Salvation Army.

Ms Bundock previously worked in one of the safe houses, which are managed by the Salvation Army and other subcontracted orgnisations. She said victims would begin to recover, but on leaving would face a "sharp cliff edge" when the support suddenly ended.

We used to get phone calls either from professionals or from the clients themselves saying theyre really struggling and in need of help, but we werent really allowed or able to support or help them, Ms Bundock told The Independent. The issues we saw ranged from alcohol and drug addictions, to not being able to keep on top of their rent, to developing really serious mental health problems to going missing or getting into exploitative relationships again. These people had been taken in and supported, but then suddenly abandoned.

In one case a European woman who had been sexually exploited appeared to turn her life around during her short time in the safe house, but within three weeks of leaving, her mental health had deteriorated and she had fallen into a destructive relationship.

Another former slavery victim, Sara, was employed as a domestic worker in her home country Gambia, when her employer, a diplomat, said she must come to work for her in the UK. She was told she would be able to earn enough to send enough money back to pay for her son to go to school. But when she arrived, Sara was forced to work for three different families located in separate parts of London. I was told I would be working for my employer doing basic house duties, but when I got here, straight away I was working as a slave. Many extra duties were added on, she told The Independent.

Sara was paid 100 a month, and worked from early in the morning until late at night. She slept on the floor in a room with the grandmother, and would be frequently woken up at night to tend to look after a disabled child. After escaping from her employer in 2013, Sara was found to have been a victim of slavery by the NRM, but was not offered leave to remain or given any financial support.

Charity workers warned that because foreign victims are not offered immigration rights after being identified, they are often left with no choice but to be moved to asylum accommodation, which is often substandard and situated far from any support base.

Kate Roberts, head of the Human Trafficking Foundation, said: Once youre in asylum accommodation it is often substandard and there isnt any specialist support. Im not saying its okay to put anyone in really substandard accommodation, but were talking about people who were trafficked, and its often not suitable for those people who are highly vulnerable, have big issues around trust and a need for support.

On the issue of victims being offered no immigration status or rights, Ms Roberts said that while in some cases it would be most beneficial for a victim if they returned to their country of origin, in many cases this could lead to them being re-trafficked. Although their mistreatment may have taken place in the UK, to just return someone to their home country where they may well have been groomed from and where the trafficker may be very powerful and have control over their family, she said.

Recommended Theresa May announces new crackdown on modern slavery

Marissa Begonia, a former victim of domestic servitude who now runs small London-based group supporting domestic workers who have often been trafficked, said many victims she knows choose not to apply to the NRM because they dont believe it will help them. If they escape from this abusive employment, is there something there that would protect them immediately? Nothing. After they escape, they are trapped again in a very manipulative system that pretends to be protecting them, but actually its meant to deport and arrest them, she said.

Anne Read, director of anti trafficking and modern slavery at The Salvation Army, said that while the charity and its sub-contractors were working hard to help victims on their road to recovery, there were no official services in place to do this, and local charities were being left to fill the gaps. At the moment theres no accountability for the outcomes after they leave the service, she said. Theres no overarching body monitoring it. Its not systematic or procedural. Its just people stepping in and filling in the gaps.

A pilot scheme to test ways to strengthen the NRM overseen by the Home Office was completed in March, with work currently underway to assess how to improve the system.
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Almost one million children from poor backgrounds will lose the right to free school meals if Theresa May pushes through cuts in the Conservative manifesto, an educational think tank has warned.

The Prime Minister announced last week that universal free lunches for infants will be stopped if the Tories win the June 8 general election, with free breakfasts on offer instead.

The move will cost families around 440 a year for each child affected and is thought likely to save around 650 million a year, according to the research by the Education Policy Institute (EPI).

The EPI found that those losing hot lunches would include 100,000 from families living in relative poverty, and 667,000 from those it defined as coming from ordinary working families of the kind that Theresa May has said she wants to help.

Those from the poorest backgrounds will still be entitled to a free midday meal.

EPI executive director Natalie Perera told The Observer: Around 900,000 children from low-income families will lose their eligibility for free school meals under these proposals. Around two-thirds of those children are from what the Government considers to be ordinary working families.

The typical annual cost for an ordinary working family would increase under these proposals to around 440 for each child aged between four and seven.

Universal free lunches for infants were introduced under the coalition government by Liberal Democrat education minister David Laws, now the EPIs executive chairman.

The partys former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: This just confirms the sleight of hand from the Conservatives  scrapping universal infant school lunches hits some of the most hard-pressed families the hardest. The offer of free breakfasts won't reach the children who dont come to breakfast clubs.

All Theresa Mays talk of helping the just about managing will ring hollow as long as this regressive decision remains in place.

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But a Conservative spokesman said: We dont think it is right to spend precious resources on subsidising school meals for better-off parents. So instead we will give that money to headteachers, to spend on pupils education instead.

We will make sure all those who need it most still get free lunches  and will offer a free school breakfast to every child in every year of primary school. So the most disadvantaged children will now get two free school meals a day rather than one.

When the pledge was announced, Sarah Olney, the Lib Dem education spokeswoman, said: Margaret Thatcher was know as the milk snatcher. Theresa May will go down as the lunch snatcher.

Additional reporting by PA
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Britain will walk out of Brexit talks unless Brussels drops its demand to charge 100bn (86bn) to leave the EU, David Davis has warned.

The Brexit Secretary said negotiations would be plunged into crisis from the start because the EU refused to discuss a trade deal until Britain agreed to pay the Brexit bill.

Following requests from several member states, EU negotiators revised their initial calculations to increase the liabilities the UK must help pay for.

They include payment of farm subsidies and EU administration fees, which could continue after the UK officially leaves the Union until 2020.

 Brexit not to blame for rising costs of living standards says May

Mr Davis also said he regarded even 1bn as a lot of money as he warned other member states would have to shift their position if they wanted to see progress.

We dont need to just look like we can walk away, we need to be able to walk away, he told The Sunday Times.

Under the circumstances, if that were necessary, we would be in a position to do it.

When asked if he would storm out of the meeting, he said: Wait and see.

Wary of some in the bloc who might want to see Britain punished for leaving, Prime Minister Theresa May has said that unless she gets the kind of deal she wants from Brussels, she will withdraw without any accord.

In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images

Mr Davis also rejected a demand for every EU citizen who has lived in the UK to get full rights to live, work and claim benefits.

How on earth would you manage such an exercise? he asked.

The Conservative manifesto, launched last Tuesday, confirms Britain could still continue to make payments to the EU after it leaves the bloc.

In a separate interview, Ms May told The Telegraph she wanted past contributions to the bloc to be taken into account when working out one of the thorniest issues of the divorce: how much Britain should pay to Brussels when it leaves.

There is much debate about what the UKs obligations might be, or indeed what our rights might be in terms of money being paid in the past. We would look at those, both rights and obligations, she said.

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier told his Commission bosses the EU would focus on securing citizens rights, financial issues and borders, and that he hoped for a deal on these issues between October and December.

If that timetable holds, the EU would be ready to start discussing the shape of its future trade relationship with Britain and a transition period leading to it between December 2017 and spring 2018.

There are plenty of people in the European Union who want this to succeed. There may be some who want it to fail, Mr Davis said.

Im of the view that the likeliest outcome is the outcome we are looking for.
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A parliamentary candidate contesting a marginal seat for the Tories has been linked with a church which has been accused of attempting to cure LGBT people.

Kirsty Adams is standing in Hove and Portslade, near Brighton, a constituency with a large LGBT population.

Ms Adams attended the evangelical Kings Arms Church in Bedfordshire for many years, according to the Buzzfeed website. A 2010 investigation by The Observer exposed the churchs attempts to "cure" gay and transgender members by driving out their "demons" through prayer.

Speaking out about her treatment at Kings Arms, one transgender teenager told the newspaper that a member of the Church tried to convince her she was demonically possessed".

The woman also described church leaders praying over me, calling out the demons. She really believed things like homosexuality, transsexualism and addiction could be fixed just by prayer, all in the name of Jesus."

As well as being a member of the congregation, Ms Adams gave speeches on behalf of the Church at events in 2009 and 2010.

In one of these speeches, she claimed to have healed a deaf man with her bare hands by channelling the power of prayer.

Her husband was also a director of the Church between 2010 and 2013, according to Companies' House records.

The constituency is currently represented by Labour MP Peter Kyle, who is gay.

He said: People who think in the 21st century that being gay is something that needs 'curing' ... need to take a very long, hard think about their own grounding in modern life.

"The most offensive thing that someone standing for high office can do is not give somebody a straight answer to an honest question."

He added: "And regardless of how many LGBT people live locally this is a central issue to public debate and it is absolutely fair that a member of the public should know what somebody who aspires to parliament holds as their core views regarding equality."

Ms Adams said in a statement: I supported the Government as they introduced same sex marriage four years ago, I am committed to all forms of equality.

"I value acceptance of people of all backgrounds, sexes and sexuality. My personal view is that I cant believe in 2017 that I would need to state the obvious, I have never been homophobic and find it disturbing to hear of people who are homophobic.

The LGBT community in Brighton and Hove champion tolerance and fight injustice, I share their desire to make our community a place of acceptance.

"Theresa May said in the Conservative manifesto that it doesnt matter what you background is or who you are, we are here to give you the best chance in life to achieve your potential.
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Eddie Izzard has again declared his intention to become a Labour politician after speaking out in support of Jeremy Corbyn.

The 55-year-old comedian voiced his vision of politics that would get the whole world of seven billion people all having a fair chance.

Izzard, who is releasing a new memoir, Believe Me: A Memoir Of Love, Death And Jazz Chickens, told The Times Magazine: I don't really want to do the politics, but I think I have certain attributes.

You have to be able to distil what are the essences of things that are going on, to see a positive vision forward.

A lot of people with decent values will not go into politics because they feel they are going to get pummelled. I am proud of my country, but I want to reach out to other countries.

He added: I like Jeremy Corbyn. He believes in what he says.

I would much rather have a Labour Party government than a Conservative one led by Theresa May.

UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. 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Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. 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Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images

Izzard, who identifies as transgender, stated that he would be campaigning for Labour in boy and girl mode.

Speaking on the change of political understanding of transgender issues, he said: I do feel we have crossed into a place of more political acceptance.

It's allowed now. I have boy genetics and girl genetics.

That's what I'm pushing for. I think I've got through the net now.

Izzard, who campaigned for Remain in the EU referendum, has donated thousands of pounds to the Labour Party and has floated the idea of running as London mayor.

He has previously announced his intention to enter politics but failed to be elected to Labour's National Executive Committee last year.

Press Association
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Conservative MP Damian Green has quashed rumours he is set to replace Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer after Junes general election.

The Welfare Minister denied he was being lined up for the Treasury role, despite growing speculation in recent weeks a rift has emerged between Prime Minister Theresa May and Mr Hammond.

Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, Mr Green said: Philip Hammond is doing a great job as Chancellor and Im sure will continue to do so after the election.

It comes after Ms May refused to confirm the Chancellor would stay on in her cabinet after the general election.

At a joint press conference last week the Chancellor dismissed reports of a rift between him and the Prime Minister as media tittle-tattle.

UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. Stormont and the political situation in Northern Ireland has been in limbo following the collapse of the power sharing executive due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme scandal which implicated the DUP Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Priti Patel, International Development Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Larry the Downing Street cat runs ahead of Michael Fallon Britain's Secretary of State for Defence as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Michael Gove, Environment Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (C) leaves after speaking to the media in Parliament Square. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May (C, L) holds the first Cabinet meeting of her new team. Getty UK General Election 2017 11 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May attends church in her constituency with her husband Philip May, a few days after disappointing results in a general election. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn leaves Labour Party HQ this morning, following a general election yesterday. Parliament is hung, with no individual party gaining an overall majority. Post general election reaction. Rex UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 09: DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (C) holds a brief press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A " Get May Out" demo took place opposite the gates of Downing Street, calling for May to resign, after the shock election results and Mays coalition with the DUP. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 Election workers, George Gaunt and Luca Tragid deliver the first ballot boxes, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh AFP UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Conservative party supporters during an election campaign visit to a bakery during an election campaign visit on June 6, 2017 in Fleetwood, north-west England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images

However Ms May twice failed to confirm that he would stay on if the Conservatives return to government after 8 June.

Ms May said she was very happy to endorse Mr Hammond but shied away from actually pledging to keep him in the post.

Recommended Damian Green fails to understand the trials of modern working

She added: Weve worked together over the years for many years, longer than we could care to identify. Thats an age-related comment, nothing else, just in case you try and relate anything into that.

Rumours of a split between the pair emerged after the Government took a sharp U-turn on Mr Hammonds plans to raise National Insurance for self-employed workers just days after he delivered his Budget.
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Jeremy Corbyn is eyeing up the "grey vote" after many older Conservatives expressed anger over the Tory manifestos policies  particularly her plans to shake up social care.

Mr Corbyn pledged to protect pensioners from what Labour has termed the triple whammy of misery for over 65s contained within Theresa Mays manifesto.

The Prime Minister upset many pensioners when she announced people will have to start paying for more of their own social care, and may only be allowed to pass on 100,000 to their children once costs are met.

Recommended Quarter of Labour voters want the party to split if it loses election

She also announced the 300 winter fuel allowance will be means tested and the triple lock on pensions will be removed and replaced with a double lock.

Mr Corbyn claims pensioners will be on average 330 a year worse off under the plans laid out in the Conservative manifesto, and has pledged to protect the triple lock, the winter fuel allowance and other pensioner benefits.

The Conservatives have relied heavily on the so-called grey vote since they won power from Labour in 2010 and have often been accused of ignoring younger voters at the expense of older ones, while Mr Corbyn is generally known for his appeal to younger people.

But concerned Tory activists have warned that Ms Mays radical social care plans risk alienating elderly voters in the partys heartlands who fear they will lose most of their savings if they need long-term social care.

Under the Conservative plan, elderly people requiring care in their own home would have to meet the cost, but would be allowed to keep and pass on 100,000.

UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. Stormont and the political situation in Northern Ireland has been in limbo following the collapse of the power sharing executive due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme scandal which implicated the DUP Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Priti Patel, International Development Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Larry the Downing Street cat runs ahead of Michael Fallon Britain's Secretary of State for Defence as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Michael Gove, Environment Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (C) leaves after speaking to the media in Parliament Square. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May (C, L) holds the first Cabinet meeting of her new team. Getty UK General Election 2017 11 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May attends church in her constituency with her husband Philip May, a few days after disappointing results in a general election. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn leaves Labour Party HQ this morning, following a general election yesterday. Parliament is hung, with no individual party gaining an overall majority. Post general election reaction. Rex UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 09: DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (C) holds a brief press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A " Get May Out" demo took place opposite the gates of Downing Street, calling for May to resign, after the shock election results and Mays coalition with the DUP. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 Election workers, George Gaunt and Luca Tragid deliver the first ballot boxes, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh AFP UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Conservative party supporters during an election campaign visit to a bakery during an election campaign visit on June 6, 2017 in Fleetwood, north-west England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images

The value of their homes would be included in that figure, although the money would not be taken up-front so their homes would not have to be sold until after their death.

Mr Corbyn has accused Ms May of creating a war between the generations and of planning an an attack on old age pensioners if she wins the general election on 8 June.

He told an audience in Birmingham: Not satisfied with plunging our social care system into crisis, Theresa May's nasty party has promised more attacks on older people - scrapping the triple-lock on state pensions, removing the winter fuel allowance and asset stripping the ill by forcing those who need social care to pay for it with their homes.

Labour will protect the winter fuel allowance and triple-lock on state pensions to deliver a secure and dignified retirement for all, and spend an extra 45 billion on the NHS and social care over five years, so that older people can get the care they deserve...society should not be setting the future of our young against security for the old. We have the wealth to offer a decent, secure life for all.

 Theresa May wants to change the internet with new regulations

The Prime Minister faced criticism on the doorstep in London from voters who told her the threshold they should be allowed to leave their relatives after paying for social care costs should be higher than 100,000 in the south of England.

One woman in west London told the Prime Minister: Its a very different scenario if you are up north than it is here.

Ms May defended the policy, which some critics have branded a dementia tax, saying it was only fair that people with significant assets and savings should pay something towards the spiralling costs of social care with more people living longer.

She told The Times: Its the first time, I believe, that we have really come forward with that and a plan that both enables old people to have dignity in old age and care that they need. But that is also fair across the generations.

The latest polls show a shift in the direction of the embattled Labour leader, with the Conservatives 13 points ahead according to an Observer/Opinium survey.
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Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has said if he wins the general election his administration would deliver a fair immigration policy, but refused to be drawn on whether he would bring down the numbers coming into the country.

Speaking on Sky Newss Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Corbyn repeated his stance that the free movement of people obviously ends when Britain exits the European Union because its a condition of the membership.

He continued: I want there to be fair immigration based on the needs of our society. That is the proper way of approaching it.

I want us to have a society that works and I cannot get into a numbers game because I dont think it works.

It comes after a report claimed reducing immigration to the tens of thousands could have catastrophic consequences for the British economy. The analysis by the think tank Global Future suggested that the Conservative pledge on immigration, which has never been met since being introduced in 2009 by David Cameron, is backward looking.

It added that a net migration figure in excess of 200,000  double the Governments target  is required to avoid collapse of whole sectors and alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care.

Mr Corbyn also defended his links with IRA-associated rallies in the 1980s, saying that it had been necessary to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

All bombing has to be condemned and you have to bring about a peace process. In the 1980s Britain was looking for a military solution in Ireland. It clearly was never going to work, he said.

UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. Stormont and the political situation in Northern Ireland has been in limbo following the collapse of the power sharing executive due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme scandal which implicated the DUP Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Priti Patel, International Development Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Larry the Downing Street cat runs ahead of Michael Fallon Britain's Secretary of State for Defence as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Michael Gove, Environment Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (C) leaves after speaking to the media in Parliament Square. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May (C, L) holds the first Cabinet meeting of her new team. Getty UK General Election 2017 11 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May attends church in her constituency with her husband Philip May, a few days after disappointing results in a general election. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn leaves Labour Party HQ this morning, following a general election yesterday. Parliament is hung, with no individual party gaining an overall majority. Post general election reaction. Rex UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 09: DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (C) holds a brief press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A " Get May Out" demo took place opposite the gates of Downing Street, calling for May to resign, after the shock election results and Mays coalition with the DUP. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 Election workers, George Gaunt and Luca Tragid deliver the first ballot boxes, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh AFP UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Conservative party supporters during an election campaign visit to a bakery during an election campaign visit on June 6, 2017 in Fleetwood, north-west England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images

Therefore you have to seek a peace process. You condemn the violence of those that laid bombs that killed large of numbers of innocent people and I do.

The Labour leader also said the benefit freeze for working-age people in Britain will eventually come to end after confusion earlier this when the party launched its manifesto in Bradford.
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Labour have continued to cut the Tories lead in the polls after the publication of the party manifestos, as party leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed his message was getting through to voters.

Survation research gave Theresa May's party a lead of nine percentage points with the Conservatives dropping 5 per cent to 43 per cent in a week while Labour enjoyed a 5 per cent boost to 34 per cent.

There was a similar story in four new polls published in the Sunday papers, which put Labour between 35 per cent and 33 per cent, up from the 26 points the party was showing at the start of the campaign.

The YouGov poll for The Sunday Times put Labour on 35 per cent, with the Conservatives nine points ahead on 44 per cent.

Read more

Significantly, this is the first time it has been in single figures in a mainstream poll since Theresa May called the snap election on April 18.

The 35 per cent figure is also the highest showing for Labour in the polls since the Brexit vote last year.

 General Election polls and projections: May 21

It appears Theresa Mays policies on social care and pensions have damaged her partys approval rating among older voters.

A separate Survation survey, conducted entirely after Thursdays Tory manifesto launch, found 28 per cent of voters said they were less likely to vote Conservative because of the social care package, branded a dementia tax by opponents.

The Conservatives said this week elderly people receiving social care would have to fund the entire cost, until they reached their last 100,000 of assets.

The average UK house price stands at 215,847, so the dementia tax would affect many middle-class voters.

Meanwhile, Labour have attempted to woo pensioners with a series of measures including protecting the winter fuel allowance and the triple-lock protection of the state pension.

Mary Creagh, who is defending Wakefield for Labour, said on Twitter: Lots of Tory voters switching to Labour in Wakefield today because of arrogant, complacent Tory attack on pensioners.

One Labour insider characterised the mood in the Corbyn camp as extremely positive, after the Labour leader attracted a crowd of thousands to a rally in super-marginal Wirral West and appeared on stage with The Libertines at a music festival.
Names and faces

Andrea Groom, M.S., APR has been appointed to the position of executive director of corporate communications for St. Peters Hospital. In this role, Groom serves as a key member of the St. Peters senior management team and will provide leadership and direction for the development, implementation, and management of strategic communications for St. Peters.

She has nearly 20 years of experience developing integrated communication strategies and advising executives on communications across various industries and communication platforms.

Groom obtained her Master of Science in communications from Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Mich. and her Bachelor of Arts in communications from Hope College in Holland, Mich. She holds an accreditation in public relations designation. She has served as an adjunct professor for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Neb.; as a member of the board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America West Michigan and Nebraska chapters.

***

John Cassani, DO, MBA, has joined the senior management team at St. Peters Hospital as president of St. Peters Medical Group (SPMG). In this newly created role, Cassani oversees the direction and administration of SPMG strategic, clinical and operation activities for all SPMG hospital and ambulatory-based physicians and advanced practitioners.

He will play a key role in St. Peters ongoing efforts to increase patient satisfaction and access to quality care, and will lead SPMGs physician and advanced practitioner recruitment initiatives, as well as the continuing development of its leadership, governance and operations structures. Cassani brings nearly 35 years of health care experience, ranging from managing partner in a primary care group to serving as president of employed physician groups with up to 255 providers, including 170 physicians and 80 advanced practitioners.

Cassani earned his Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, Okla., and his Master of business administration from the University of Nevada in Reno, Nev. He received his Bachelor of Science in physiology from the University of California in Davis, Calif. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice and is an active member of the Association for Physician Leadership and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

***

The Montana Sheet Metal Workers State Joint Apprenticeship Training Center has announced that Stephen Klippenes, of Merit Mechanical in Helena, has completed a four-year, 6,400-hour apprenticeship program.

For more information on the program, call Dale at 406-533-0112.

***

Awards and honors

Engineering firm named to top 500 list

Morrison-Maierle has been named to the 2017 Engineering News-Records list of Top 500 Design Firms in the country ranking at number 347. The top 500 list, published annually, ranks U.S.-based designs firms, both publicly and privately held, based on design-specific revenue.

With offices in Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Arizona, Morrison-Maierle is one of only a handful of Northern Rockies-based design firms on the list.

News and notes

Community shredding event Thursday

Roger Mathis, a local Farmers Insurance Agent, and Helena Industries are hosting the Shred-A-Box (or two) community shredding event on Thursday, May 25, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Mathis Insurance office located at 1030 N. Montana Ave..

The first two bankers boxes of paper per vehicle will be free of cost for community members. The paper is confidentially shredded by Helena Industries Work First team at their Helena-based vocational campus. The cost for all paper beyond the first two boxes is $.28 per pound. All proceeds from the event support Helena Industries mission to provide vocational and rehabilitative opportunities that empower people with disabilities in our community.

To learn more about the event call Helena Industries at 442-8632 or email info@helenaindustries.org.

***

Energy Corps accepting host site applications

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is accepting applications from organizations in Montana interested in promoting clean energy and energy efficiencies through its Energy Corps AmeriCorps program. The Energy Corps program offers the services of motivated and committed individuals to help with projects involving energy education and outreach, hands-on energy assistance, and community energy planning and organizing.

Host sites for Energy Corps members can be nonprofit organizations, state agencies and local governments, elementary and secondary schools, Indian tribes, colleges and universities, faith-based organizations and similar groups.

Energy Corps members are AmeriCorps members selected through a competitive national application process. These members have at minimum a college degree in a relevant field and typically have workplace and community service experience.

Projects that can be considered for Energy Corps assistance can include hands-on energy efficiency such as weatherization and alternative energy assistance; educating individuals, youth and community groups about proactively saving energy and money in their homes; and organizing communities to develop and implement strategic energy plans. Information about specific projects currently in the works is available at www.energycorps.org/montana-host-sites/.

Call Emily Caponi, Energy Corps program coordinator, at 494-4572 or email her at emilyc@ncat.org for more information and to apply.

***

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). 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.
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Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said it "doesnt really matter how many MPs" Ukip has in an attempt big up the partys future in the face of declining support in the polls.

Mr Nuttall was asked on the Andrew Marr show how his party could act as the guard dogs of Brexit it if has no MPs.

He responded: "It doesn't really matter how many MPs that you have.

"If you think back to 2013, we forced the then British prime minister David Cameron in to offering a referendum he never wanted to give. We didn't have an MP at that time.

"What Ukip needs to do is it needs to be electorally viable, going up in the polls, needs to be doing well in local elections and I predict after this election Ukip will go up substantially and we will do very well indeed."

A recent poll showed Ukip support had slipped to just 2 per cent.

Nicola Sturgeon accuses Theresa May of sending 'Ukip spokesman' to debate for her

He said his party was still strong in areas where it claimed voters before, such as Clacton in Essex and Dagenham in East London.

But as voters flock to the Tories, the anti-Europe party faces the prospect of having no MPs in the House of Commons.

Douglas Carswell was Ukips first elected MP in 2014 after he defected from the Conservatives and won his seat in Clacton.

 Paul Nuttall and Ukip: All you need to know

He announced earlier this year that he would sit as an independent, leaving Ukip without an MP.

Mr Carswell said he would vote Conservative on 8 June and would not stand for the General Election.

The party still has around 350 councillors across the UK.

Mr Nuttalls party wishes to cut foreign aid and reduce net migration to zero, by having the same number of people leaving the country as those coming into the UK over a five-year rolling period.

He is an advocate for the Australian-style points based system with preference given to skilled workers.

Asked if his system would prevent, say, a Bangladeshi family's wish to reunite in the UK, he replied: No, that will be tapered into our immigration policy.

We've got our manifesto launching on Wednesday and all of this will be ironed out and you can come back and interview me on that issue in a couple of weeks.


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Politicians will call an election truce today to honour murdered MP Jo Cox by focusing on what they have in common.

Theresa May and other party leaders will stop campaigning for an hour to remember the Labour MP, who used her maiden speech in the Commons to say: We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.

Her widower Brendan Cox said the move would send a powerful message of unity, coming ahead of the first anniversary of the mother-of-twos murder last June.

He said: Doing so in such a coordinated way will, we hope, send a powerful message that whatever our political disagreements, we really do hold more in common and show a united front against hatred and extremism in all its forms.

Elections are huge moments of national importance and deserve to be taken seriously. But we also need to get a better balance.

We spend way too much time fixated on the areas we disagree with each other and need to create more moments where we come together as a country.

Thats what Im focused on and after polling day, I am sure thats exactly what people all over the UK will be crying out for.

Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London AFP Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures The Union flag at half-mast on top of Portcullis House in London after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (2R) and deputy leader Tom Watson (L) light candles as they attend a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson (rear) arrive to leave tributes at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flowers left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminste, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People react as they look at tributes left for Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A man writes a message at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People stop to look at tributes left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman places candles in tribute to Labour Party MP Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A member of the public signs a memorial for British MP Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London EPA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People sign messages of condolence for MP Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square in London Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flags at half mast outside Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People arrive in Market Square with floral tributes after the death of Jo Co Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley following the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are brought to the scene after the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A police officer carries bunches of flowers at the scene of the shooting of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall REUTERS

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is due to visit an arts centre in Liverpool, while Liberal Democrat Tim Farron will attend a community picnic in Kendal in his constituency and Green leader Caroline Lucas will be at a church project in Brighton.

In Ms Coxs former constituency of Batley and Spen, in West Yorkshire, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green candidates will come together at a farmers event raising money for a special care baby unit.

The mother-of-two, 41, was shot and stabbed multiple times by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in her constituency last June. He was later handed a whole-life prison sentence for her murder.

To mark the anniversary of her death, Mr Cox has organised the Great Get Together from 16-18 June, when thousands of gatherings such as street parties, picnics and coffee mornings will be held across the country.

Press Association
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Dozens of Nigerian schoolgirls have been reunited with their families more than three years after they were kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists.

The 82 were among the 276 girls who were taken from their boarding school in in the northeastern town of Chibok in 2014 by the militant group, sparking an international campaign to ensure their safe return.

Many parents travelled through the night to meet their daughters in the Nigerian capital city, Abuja. The freed girls danced and sang with their families in the street in an emotional reunion ceremony.

"I am really happy today. It is Christmas and new year, I am very happy and I thank God," Godiya Joshua, whose daughter Esther was among those freed, told NPR.

The freed girls will remain in government care for the time being, while authorities conduct psychological and medical assessments.

It is unclear when the girls will be returned to the families for good as 21 Chibok girls who were freed in an earlier release have remained in government care since October last year.

Despite the jubilant celebrations, 113 are still being held by the terrorist group.

Five Boko Haram commanders were released in exchange for the girls and negotiations to free the rest of the group are ongoing.

While the Chibok girls' have received international attention, including support from former first lady Michelle Obama, hundreds of other children remain in Boko Haram captivity.

As many as five hundred children may be missing in Damasak, north east Nigeria, after a separate raid on a primary school, according to Human Rights Watch.

Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Show all 16 1 /16 Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Fifteen year old Nigerian refugee Fati, hugs her mother Mariam while carrying her sister, at the Minawao refugee camp in Northern Cameroon UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Fifteen year old Nigerian refugee Fati, carry her eight month old sister, who she last seen when she was 3 months old, at the Minawao refugee camp in Northern Cameroon. She was abducted by Boko Haram and spend four months in captivity. She was given to a man and forced to be his wife. She was eventually freed by Cameroonian soldiers and have been reunited with her family in a refugee camp in Cameroon UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Nigerian refugee's at the Minawao refugee camp in Northern Cameroon. The conflict in North-East Nigeria prompted by Boko Haram has led to widespread displacement, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, protection risks and a severe humanitarian crisis. This is one of the fastest growing displacement crisis in Africa  one of the worlds most forgotten emergencies, with little attention from the donor community UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Nigerian refugee children at the Minawao refugee camp in Northern Cameroon UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Nigerian refugees line up to receive food aid at the Minawao refugee camp in Northern Cameroon UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Didja Damna (26) with her daughter, 17 month old Ngarvounsia, as she gets treatment at the Maroua hospital in Northern Cameroon UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Didja Damna (26) with her daughter , 17 month old Ngarvounsia, as she gets treatment at the Maroua hospital in Northern Cameroon. Didja have four other children and had her first child when she was sixteen. Ngarvounsia lost weight and have been treated for three day's in hospital and is recovering UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Fadi ,the wife of internally displaced Alagi Dubji feed her daughter, Ina Petal( 13 months) a peanut butter supplement, at their home in Maroua in Northern Cameroon. Ina received treatment for malnourishment and is doing well after she was discharged from the hospital. Alagi and his family had to flee from his village near Maroua after Boko Haram fighters burned down his house.Alagi had 40 children with 26 still alive UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram A malnourished girl gets treatment at the Maroua hospital in Northern Cameroon UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram More than 135 displacement sites have been noted along the border with Nigeria UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Temporary schools in the refugee camp of Kabelewa, counts eight classrooms for 549 pupils. Out of those 549 children, only 12 had already been to school before UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram As the river continues to dry up in April and May, we expect to see an increase in violence in the Diffa region. Both refugees and internally displaced people are affected by the insecurity, fleeing attacks and also fleeing to safer locations ahead of attacks. Generally noticed is a movement from locations near the border towards the inland area along the main road where spontaneous new sites are being created and host villages' population increasing UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Forced displacement in the region of Diffa is becoming regular and is linked to the volatile security situation in the region. Diffa, the Niger's poorest region, has been affected by the consequences of the increased acts of violence in Nigeria, conducted by the armed group Boko Haram, increasingly expanding and targeting the civilian population in Niger - and Diffa region in particular. With water levels starting to fall, the Nigeria-based armed group is seizing the opportunity to cross over the Komadougou River, into Niger from Nigeria UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Fatima Abubakar, 13, in Dar Es Salam refugee camp, Lake region of Chad. Fatima lost five family members during the attack of her small village in Nigeria, in the shores of the lake Chad. She now lives in Dar Es Salam refugee camp, in Chad, with her father, mother and 3 siblings, "The table was all set and we were just about to have our breakfast together when the gunshots started outside. We immediately left in panic. I escaped with my mother. We left in two pirogues. My mothers pirogue had a whole and they put a cloth to stop the water from entering. But they had to come back to shore. I thought I would be forever alone and that my parents were dead. I cried for days. When I met them both days later in Ngouboua (an island in Chad) I couldnt be happier. I sometimes think about our table, where the breakfast was served, and how the house would be now" UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Hafsa Mohammed sews in the UNICEF-supported child friendly space in Dar Es Salam refugee camp, Lake region of Chad. Every childs future starts with a dream and Hafsa Mohammed, 16, has a very clear idea of what she wants to become. She wants to be a successful businesswoman and own a notions store. She now lives in Daresalam refugee camp, Lake region of Chad. I have started again to sew. I used to do it back in Nigeria. My parents encouraged me to do it. It will be useful for me to start my own business and I would be happy to teach others as well, explains Hafsa UNICEF Beyond Chibok: Report shows alarming trends in countries affected by Boko Haram Salta Bintou Hassan is 11. She lost her arm after an suicide attack on Bagasola market in October 2015. After spending two months in the hospital of N'Djamena, she is back with her family. Yet, her life will never be the same UNICEF

Boko Haram has carried out a wave of suicide bombings, assassinations and abductions in Nigeria, and captured large swathes of territory in the north-east of the country since the beginning of the crisis in 2009.

However, the Nigerian military has recently recaptured much of this ground.

The group, which is affiliated with Isis, promotes a version of Islam which makes it haram, or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in a number of activities which its leaders associate with Western society.

According to the United Nations, 2.1 million people have fled their homes as a result of the insurgency.
A black judge has refused to recuse himself from a case over a white police officer's shooting of a black man, accusing his defence lawyers of wrongly injecting race into the case.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin ruled after a contentious hearing in which the defense for police officer Aaron Cody Smith argued the judge should give up the case because of a Facebook post the judge made before he was assigned the trial.

In the post, the judge complained about being stopped by police because he was he was black. Mr Griffin said he lives in the hood and can't take this black skin off.

It comes with the territory, he added.

Defence attorney Roianne Conner argued she wasn't claiming that Mr Griffin was biased, only that judicial ethics rules require judges to avoid even appearances of impropriety.

Griffin didn't buy the arguments, saying: "It troubles me because y'all put race in it."

Smith, 24, is charged with murdering Greg Gunn, 58, on 25 February 2016. The confrontation began when the officer stopped Mr Gunn, who was walking through his neighbourhood shortly after 3am.

Friends said Mr Gunn was walking home from a weekly card game and was shot next-door to the house he shared with his mother.

The defence has said Smith stopped Mr Gunn because he thought he was acting suspiciously, and that he fought with the officer before the shooting.

In a Facebook post two weeks after Mr Gunn's death but before he was assigned the case, the judge wrote that he had been stopped by officers who claimed he matched the description of a man seen in the area with a crowbar.

The post, which did not mention the police shooting, said in part: It was aggravating to be detained when the only thing I was guilty of was being a black man walking down the street in his neighbourhood with a stick in his hand.

Ms Conner said many of the 239 people who commented on Mr Griffin's post compared what happened to him to Mr Gunn's killing, but the judge rejected the argument.

This is not a stop-and-search case. This is a murder case, said Mr Griffin, noting that the officer who first stopped him was black.

The hearing wasn't the first time the defence has raised race as an issue in the case. In a motion filed in December asking a court to move the trial outside Montgomery, the defence portrayed the officer as a victim of racial prejudice.

The city, which is about 57 per cent black, has been infested with racial prejudice and hatred toward Smith because of community leaders and media reports that highlighted the race of those involved, said the motion.

Race has been used as ammunition against the white officer, the defence claimed.

Prosecutors are opposing the defence request to move the trial, which is not yet scheduled.

Associated Press
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China has reportedly killed or imprisoned at least 20 US intelligence assets in the country since 2010, destroying years worth of intelligence efforts in the country

American officials, current and former FBI officials told The New York Times that one operative was allegedly shot and killed in front of his colleagues as a warning against spying. Several other were imprisoned.

US officials described the losses as one of the worst intelligence breaches in decades, comparing it to the number of assets lost in the Soviet Union in the 1980s and 90s, when two prominent US assets worked as double agents for the Soviets. Officials said the breach has destroyed years of network-building within the country.

In 2010, American intelligence-gathering in China was said to be the best it had been in years. But by 2011, US officials realised their sources in the country were slowing drying up. As a result the CIA and FBI launched a joint investigation into almost every operation in Beijing in an attempt to determine the cause.

The investigation is said to have honed in on one man, a former CIA operative living in China, who intelligence officials believe could have been leaking to the Chinese government. However, the US agencies never uncovered enough evidence to convict him.

Another suspect, a Chinese-American who left the CIA several years ago, has denied any wrongdoing. The CIAs top spy hunter, Mark Kelton, is said to be resistant to accusing anyone of espionage without iron clad evidence.

Some members of the investigation, however, are convinced that the breach is the result not of a mole, but of a compromised communications system. They believe the USs encrypted method of communicating with operatives abroad has been hacked by the Chinese.

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The news of the breach comes as the US investigates several intelligence breaches, including one allegedly stemming from China in 2015. That year, hackers accessed the personal data of at least four million current and former government employees, including social security numbers.

Much of the discussion in the US, however, has centred around Russian intelligence breaches. In 2014, suspected Russian hackers compromised the White House and State Department email systems. During the 2016 presidential election, US intelligence agencies believe Russian hackers accessed  and published  emails from the Democratic National Committee.

But officials say China has been particularly aggressive in its espionage efforts in recent years, both before and after 2015. In 2016, for example, a longtime FBI employee with top-secret clearances plead guilty to providing the Chinese government with information. Just this March, longtime State Department employee Candace Marie Claiborne was arrested for concealing extensive contacts with Chinese officials.

The FBI has previously warned of Chinese officials attempting to recruit American college students as spies.

US President Donald Trump has recently softened his stance on China, reneging on a promise to label the country a currency manipulator and inviting the Chinese President to a weekend retreat at his Palm Beach estate. Mr Trump has called the country a key ally in containing the threat posed by North Korea.
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Donald Trump supporters reportedly threatened to lynch an African-American politician who called for the US President to be impeached.

Democrat representative Al Green said he had been menaced with threatening phone calls after he took to the House floor to accuse Mr Trump of obstruction of justice.

He reportedly played a number of voicemails that had been left by supporters of the Republican leader at a town hall meeting in Houston, but told the crowd he would not be deterred by the messages.

"We are not going to be intimidated. We are not going to allow this to cause us to deviate from what we believe to be the right thing to do and that is to proceed with the impeachment of President Trump, he said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

One caller reportedly threatened him with a racial slur before saying he would be hanging from a tree if he continues to push for Mr Trumps impeachment.

"When a person talks about lynching you, we think that's a pretty serious threat," Mr Green said.

Mr Green was the first member of congress to call for Mr Trumps impeachment on the House floor earlier this, citing the Republican leaders dismissal of FBI Director James Comey as one of the primary reasons.

"The President fired the FBI Director who was investigating him and said he did it because of the investigation," he said. "That's pretty serious. That's obstruction of justice. We believe no person is above the law, not even the President of the United States of America."

It comes as a source close to Mr Comey said the former FBI director is now convinced Mr Trump was trying to influence his investigation into Russian collusion in his presidential campaign.
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Donald Trump has signed the largest arms deal in history with Saudi Arabia despite warnings he could be accused of being complicit in war crimes and after blaming Saudi Arabia himself for producing the terrorists behind 9/11.

The President confirmed he had signed a weapons deal with the Saudis worth $109.7 billion, predicted to grow to a $380 billion Saudi investment within 10 years, during his first trip abroad since his Inauguration.

Mr Trumps Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the deal was positive news for American employment and the economy.

Yet a February Gallup poll found that Saudi Arabia is one of the least liked countries by Americans, only slightly less than Russia.

The deal would also appear hypocritical after the President publicly accused the Saudis of masterminding the attacks on the Twin Towers in 2001.

After his election, Mr Trump said Saudi Arabia should be banned from exporting oil to the US, and has accused the country of killing gay people and enslaving women.

Amnesty International accused the President of a glaring omission of human rights on the leaders agenda, and called for the US to stop selling arms to the Saudis to prevent the nations violation of international law via air strikes in Yemen and killing civilians.

 US President Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia

This brazen disregard for human rights and humanitarian law will only serve to further embolden states in the Gulf and around the globe in their pursuit of security at the expense of peoples basic rights, said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA.

According to Kristine Beckerle, the Yemen researcher at Human Rights Watch, the sale puts Americans at risk and exposes US officials to legal liability for "aiding and abetting coalition war crimes".

But in recent months the Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has developed a relationship with Mr Trump, seven months before the President would arrive in Riyadh with his wife, Melania Trump, to kick off his trip overseas and give a speech on how to combat radical Islam.

His national security adviser H R McMaster promised the speech would be direct but inspiring.

King Salman gave Mr Trump the Collar of Abdelaziz Saud, the highest civilian honour and named after the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, who struck a lucrative deal to give their oil fields to US companies. Mr Trump bowed as he received it, the same move he attacked former President Barack Obama for making in 2012.

Saudi Arabia was not included on the original list of seven Muslim-majority countries which were impacted by Mr Trumps executive order to temporarily ban immigration and refugees to the US.

Mr Trump will also meet Israeli leaders on Monday to discuss an Israeli-Palestine peace deal. Critics have voiced concerns that as the US has signed a deal worth almost half a trillion dollars with the Saudis to supply them with arms, which could be used against Israel, the US is unlikely to cross Saudi Arabia to defend its ally.
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Donald Trump will call for nations in the Middle East to stand together against the slaughter of Christians, the oppression of women and warning that Islamic extremists would have an empty, brief life.

And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians, the President will say in Riyadh during his first trip abroad, according to speech excerpts released from the White House.

Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory  piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned.

The President, speaking to leaders from 50 Muslim-majority countries about how to combat religious extremism, had just signed a resolution with GCC countries agreeing not to finance terrorism and to even prosecute individuals who do funnel funds to terrorist networks.

Mr Trump has also signed a $109.7 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, a country that human rights campaigners and the UN accuse of repeatedly breaching international law and committing war crimes.

In the excerpts he did not outline specific ways to combat extremism, but will say: We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes, not inflexible ideology...We will seek gradual reforms, not sudden intervention.

But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them, he will continue.

 Saudi Foreign Minister borrows Trump's 'drain the swamp' phrase

His speech, declaring the combat as a battle between good and evil, was reportedly written by his adviser Stephen Miller, the same man who played a key role in the failed executive order to temporarily ban all immigrants and even green card holders from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The ban followed the former Presidential candidates pledge in December 2015 to ban all Muslims from entering the US. He has been criticised for choosing alleged anti-Muslim advisers and aides in his administration, including Mr Miller, Stephen Bannon and Kellyanne Conway, and failed to publicly condemn the fatal shooting inside a mosque in Canada this year, compared to his usual quick tweets about Isis-inspired attacks.

We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all, the speech reads.

But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong  and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfils their part of the burden.

Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Show all 33 1 /33 Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days in office were marred by a string of scandals, many of which caught the eye of the Independent's cartoonists Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's first 100 days have seen him aggressively ramp up tensions with his nuclear rivals in North Korea Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has warned of a "major, major conflict" with the pariah nation lead by Kim Jong Un Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump dropped the "mother of all bombs" on alleged ISIS-linked militants in Afghanistan, amid an escalation of US military intervention around the globe Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been accused of falling short of the standards set by his predecessors in the Oval Office, including Franklin D Roosevelt Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The tycoon's ascension to the White House came at a time when the balance of power is shifting away from Western nations like those in the G7 group Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Western politicians, including the British Conservative party, have been accused of falling in line behind Mr Trump's proposals Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Brexit is seen to have weakened Britain, reducing still further any political will to resist American leadership Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump's leadership has been marked by sudden and unexpected shifts in global policy Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's controversial missile strike on Syria, which killed several citizens, was seen by some analysts as an attempt to distract from his policy elsewhere Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The President has also spent a large majority of his weekends golfing, rather than attending to matters of state Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Though free of gaffes, a visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping spotlighted trade tensions between the two states Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One major and unexpected setback came when Mr Trump's Healthcare Bill was struck down by members of his own party Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been a figure of fun in the media, with his approval at record lows Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A string of revelations about Mr Trump's financial indiscretions did not mar his surge to the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Outgoing President Barack Obama was accused of wiretapping Trump Tower by his successor in America's highest office Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The alleged involvement of Russian intelligence operatives in securing Mr Trump the presidency prompted harsh criticism Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The explosive resignation of Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who lied about his links to the Russian ambassador, was just one scandal to hit the President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Many scandals, such as the accusation Barack Obama was implicated in phone-hacking, first broke on Mr Trump's Twitter feed Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's election provoked mass protests in the UK, with millions signing a petition to ban him from the country Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump cited a non-existent terror attack in Sweden during a campaign rally Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump stands accused of stoking regional tensions in Eastern Asia Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons North Korea has launched a number of failed nuclear tests since Mr Trump took power Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Theresa May formally rejected the petition calling for Mr Trump to be banned from the UK Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons When Mr Trump's initial so-called Muslim ban was struck down by a federal justice, the President mocked the 69-year-old as a "ridiculous", "so-called judge" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A week after his inauguration, Theresa May met with Mr Trump at the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first days in office were marked by a hasty attempt to follow through on many of his campaign promises, including the so-called Muslim ban Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's decision to ban citizens of many majority-Muslim countries from the US sparked mass protests Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Revelations about Donald Trump's sexual improprieties were not enough to keep him from being elected President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was criticised by many in the press for cosying up to the new President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One of Mr Trump's top aides, Kelly Anne Conway, was mocked for describing mistruths as "alternative facts" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was quick to demonstrate that her political aims did not hugely differ from Mr Trump's Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's inauguration, on 20 January 2017, sparked protests both at home and abroad

It promises the viewers in Saudi Arabia and around the world that barbarism will deliver you no glory.

The speech does not mention radical Islamic terrorism  an omission which Mr Trump criticised his opponents for in recent years  in the excerpts and instead focuses on the term Islamic extremism.

Mr Trumps joining with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in an effort to counter the financing of terrorism was described by White House adviser Dina Powell as the farthest reaching commitment to cut off terrorist funding.

It was signed by the US, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The President's arms deal with the Saudis is expected to grow to an investment of more than $300 billion within a decade. He has also accepted a visit to Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, has discussed lots of beautiful military equipment with the Emir of Qatar and has praised the Emir of Kuwait for the nation's frequent purchases of US military equipment.

He will also visit Israeli leaders and the Pope before returning to the US.
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Donald Trump said the struggle against violent extremism was a battle between good and evil as he urged countries in the Middle East to combat radicalisation.

In the grand King Abdulaziz Conference Centre, with crystal chandeliers and gold-rimmed side tables laden with snacks and sterling silver pens, leaders of 50 Arab and Islamic nations listened to Mr Trumps first official speech to leaders abroad since his inauguration.

Unlike his predecessor in Cairo in 2009, Mr Trump did not issue the traditional greeting of As-salamu alaykum, but insisted he was there to deliver a message of friendship, hope and love.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilisations, he told the room.

This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil.

He promised to show determination to his enemies and to fight violent extremism by gradual reforms, and would not seek to impose our [American] way of life on others.

But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them, he said.

The Presidents speech, reportedly written by White House aide Stephen Miller, at the Arab Islamic American Summit comes after months of engaging in what critics described as anti-Muslim rhetoric, stoking prejudice against Muslims who lived in the US and around the world.

Mr Trump, who blamed Iran for instability in the Middle East, was welcomed by the Saudi King as a friend to his second home country of Saudi Arabia, and the King vowed to confront this scourge [of terrorism] that poses a danger to all of humanity.

The President previously accused Saudi Arabia of masterminding the 9/11 attacks which killed close to 3,000 people, but made no mention of that at the summit. He also did not mention the atrocities committed in Yemen by Saudi Arabia, as he promoted arms contracts between the US and Saudi Arabia.

We will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defence companies, the greatest anywhere in the world, Mr Trump said.

This will help Saudi Arabia to take a far greater role in defence and security and all roles having to do with security.

Donald Trump in Riyadh (Getty)

Human Rights Watch campaigners have argued that US officials are at risk of legal liability for human rights violations by selling arms to the Saudis.

Mr Trump also appealed to Saudi Arabia to let young Muslim men and women create a new prosperity for themselves.

We have to let them do it, he said.

He added that Saudi Arabia and its neighbours had great potential to become a place where newcomers flock, instead of creating an exodus of refugees, as well as to become a new centre of economic activity.

He pointed to 9/11  but did not mention the terrorists' origin  the shootings in an Orlando nightclub last summer and in San Bernardino, as well as the Boston bombings. He acknowledged, however, that Middle Eastern countries had borne the brunt of attacks with 95 per cent of terrorism victims being Muslim.

 Donald Trump joins sword dance in Saudi Arabia

He said Hamas and Hezbollah were also terrorist organisations, like al-Qaeda and Isis, and were responsible for generations of vanished dreams.

Drive them out, he repeated of the terrorists. Drive them out, drive them out of this Earth.

Besides his speech, the President signed a joint vision statement, several private sector contracts, and $110 billion (84.4m) worth of defence cooperation agreements, equating to an investment of around $350 billion (268.5m) over a decade.

As the attendees waited for the ceremony to start on Sunday, US National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn wandered towards the pool of reporters and told them that the Saudis would invest a lot of money in the US and have a lot of US companies invest and build things over here... Theyre going to hire US companies.a bunch of infrastructure related things A lot of money. Big dollars. Big dollars.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer also claimed the Saudi Arabia arms deal was the largest in history and would create thousands of US jobs.

Another main takeaway from the White House was the memorandum of understanding between Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and officials from six Persian Gulf states to prosecute individuals who finance terrorism.

Mr Trump has appointed allegedly anti-Islam aides into the closest circles of the White House, including Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, Kellyanne Conway and KT McFarland.

He previously said he saw Muslims cheering and clapping as the Twin Towers fell, and proposed in December 2015 to ban all Muslims from entering the US.

This intention was scrubbed from Mr Trumps website after he won the election, but was replaced with an executive order banning immigrants and refugees for at least 90 days from seven Muslim-majority countries. The ban was knocked down by a federal judge in Washington. The replacement ban lifted restrictions from green card holders and Iraqis, but was also struck down by federal courts.

The number of hate crimes and attacks against Muslims spiked by 67 per cent in 2015, noted the FBI, the same year Mr Trump was campaigning for President. In the first three months of 2017, the number of attacks against mosques doubled compared to the same period in 2016.

The attacks led to Khizr Khan, the father of the slain American Muslim solider during the Iraq War, to claim last December that American Muslims fear is real.

Before Mr Trump returns to the US, he will meet Israeli leaders and the Pope.

In his speech, he was determinedly optimistic about his mission and the message his words would bring. It was difficult to judge leaders immediate reactions, watching the rows of deadpan faces in the conference centre.

With God's help, this summit could be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East and maybe all the world, Mr Trump declared.
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Donald Trump praised the Egyptian President again during his first overseas trip, saying safety seems to be very strong under the authoritarian leader and accepted the invitation to visit Cairo.

President Trump made the remarks after meeting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during the same week he signed a $110 billion arms deal with the Saudis and will meet Israeli leaders and the Pope.

Mr Trump claimed he was having very, very important talks with President al-Sisi, and that the pair had been talking positively.

I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon, Mr Trump said, adding that President al-Sisi had done a tremendous job under trying circumstance.

Their meeting comes shortly after President al-Sisi flew to Washington DC to visit Mr Trump to improve relations between the two countries, and Mr Trump said he was "very much behind" the authoritarian leader.

The US provides $1.3 billion every year in military aid to Egypt but relations had been strained under former President Barack Obama and Mr al-Sisi was not invited to the White House during his two terms.

 Donald Trump shakes hands with Egypt President El-Sisi and pledges support to his regime

The country has carried out a strong crackdown on Isis since ousting former President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. During the next four years, hundreds of Egyptian police and soldiers have been killed while fighting militants in Sinai.

According to Human Rights Watch, tens of thousands of political dissidents and human rights activists remain in Egyptian jails due to the current President's policies.

Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency last month after two Isis church bombings killed 45 people.

 Has Egypt s Sisi delivered on any of his promises?

Mr Trump will deliver a speech about how to combat extremism, including encouraging countries not to finance terrorism, to a group of Muslim leaders, months after he had tried to ban immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.

His vow to visit Cairo comes after Mr Obama spoke in the city in 2009, addressing millions of Muslims about how they could combat extremism.

President al-Sisi said Mr Trump was a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.

Mr Trump reportedly smiled and said, "I agree."

He was also overheard to compliment the leaders shoes.

Following the meeting in Washington, the Egyptian leader released Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi from detention, an effort that Mr Obamas administration failed to complete.
Helenas memorial to Confederate soldiers, a granite fountain in Hill Park, will soon be accompanied by a plaque explaining it was part of a campaign to assert justice for the Lost Cause.

Though New Orleans and other cities around the country are taking down their memorials to Confederate soldiers, Helena's city commission has instead opted to install a sign explaining the fountain's history.

Proposed language for the sign seeks to give the fountain historical context and in part explains that the United Daughters of the Confederacy openly supported the early Ku Klux Klan in its mission of white supremacy and worked to rewrite school textbooks to distort history by romanticizing the Old South.

City Manager Ron Alles said the city had previously approved the wording for the sign, but the language didn't fit and had to be condensed. Alles said he needs to compare the revision to the original to be sure it meets the intent of that initial language.

Well get a sign up thats separate from the fountain. The fountain stays, its not coming down, he said.

While there has already been a public conversation about the fountain and the need for a sign to tell its story, the location for a sign has yet to be determined, he noted.

The city will pay for the sign, Alles said and added that the sign should be in place in a couple of months.

Both the park and the fountain are contributing elements to the Helena Historic District, said Ellen Baumler, an interpretive historian with the Montana Historical Society.

Because the district is on the National Register of Historic Places, a sign for the fountain, which is a contributing element to the district, could be obtained through the National Register for $35. A bracket to allow the sign to be free-standing would be an additional $7.

The city would also need a sign for the park, as it is a contributing property to the district, she added.

The Helena/Lewis and Clark County Heritage Tourism Council, which helped in the preparation of the original and longer text, wants the public to be able to have access to that in addition to the condensed version that will appear on a sign, said Pam Attardo, the heritage preservation officer.

The use of a QR code on the sign would allow people who are sight impaired and others to use their cellphones to access the complete text, Attardo said and noted that QR code technology is widely used by people with visual impairments.

All new signage also has to meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, she added.

The fountain was given to the city in 1916 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The memorial hardly drew a second glance before a 21-year-old man who had previously been photographed with the Confederate flag shot and killed nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in June 2015, which sparked a robust community discussion about what to do with the Confederate symbol in Helena.

In the wake of the shooting, city Commissioner Andres Haladay sought commission support to ask the City-County Parks Board to rededicate the fountain.

In a June 28, 2015 email to Mayor Jim Smith and members of the commission, Haladay wrote Historians disagree as the multitude of factors that resulted in the Civil War. However, there is no denying the Confederacy was, at a base level, an armed insurrection with a goal of preserving the odious system of slavery in the United States. In light of that legacy, Confederate flags, monuments and fountains cannot be disentangled from their celebrations of violence, separatism and racism. I do not know such celebrations to be welcome in Helena.

He later wrote the commission to say if the goal is to honor those who died in the Civil War, the fountain could be renamed and would be a more meaningful memorial than a one-sided celebration of revisionist history.

During the community debate on the fountain and its place in Helena, Smith wrote the commission at that time to say he didnt support renaming it nor razing it as some had suggested.

Fundamentally, I believe we ought to be very careful before we start obliterating history," he wrote. "That is what totalitarian regimes do.

He noted changes imposed during the height of the French Revolution and that after the Russian Revolution all traces of the Romanov dynasty and the czars were removed from public squares. The same erasing of history occurred in China during the Cultural Revolution.

And he questioned where the move to rededicate the fountain would end. Helena has a Jefferson school, and Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner. There are streets in Helena named for George Washington, who had slave quarters at his Mt. Vernon home, Smith wrote.
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Donald Trump has blamed Iran for supporting and aiding "unspeakable crimes" in Syria under its leader Bashar al-Assad.

Mr Trump, during his speech on combating violent extremism in Saudi Arabia, did not mention Syria's alliance with Russia to carry out air strikes.

Near the end of his speech in Riyadh about forging peace, he argued that Iran had provided Syria with "safe harbour, financial backing and the social standing needed for recruitment [of terrorists]".

"From Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region," he continued.

"For decades Iran has fuelled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror; its a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this very room.

"Among Irans most tragic and destabilising interventions, youve seen it in Syria. Bolstered by Iran, [Bashar al] Assad has committed unspeakable crimes, and the United States has taken firm action in response to the use of banned chemical weapons by the Assad regime, launching 59 missiles at the Syrian air base from where that murderous attack originated."

 Donald Trump joins sword dance in Saudi Arabia

The President was criticised for a "largely symbolic move" of launching dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles at an air base last month without damaging an air strip and amassing a low death toll. Within hours, foreign planes were taking off from the same air base. Mr Trump was also accused of letting Russia know of its plans beforehand, and Russia may have informed Syria.

"The people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leaders reckless pursuit of conflict and terror," Mr Trump continued.

 Trump tells Middle East need to 'drive out' terrorism on their own

"Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate Iran, deny it funding for terrorism, cannot do it, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve."

Mr Trump's speech comes just days after he fired former FBI director James Comey whilst the agency was spearheading an investigation into Mr Trump's alleged ties to Russia before and after the campaign. which the President has denied.

Iran was included on the list of seven Muslim-majority countries that were impacted by Mr Trump's executive order to temporarily ban all immigrants and refugees from travelling to the US. The order was knocked down by federal courts.

New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Show all 27 1 /27 New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People gather for evening prayer at a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Yemeni business owner Musa closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty

The President vowed that he wanted to start a process for peace in the Middle East, but urged nations to "drive out" terrorists from Isis, al-Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah.

He said Middle Eastern nations must do their "fair share" and not expect the US to "crush the enemy for them".

Sam Husseini, communications director for the Institute of Public Accuracy, tweeted, "Iran just had election Saudi Arabia couldn't dream of, has invaded no one (unlike US) and Trump pretends it's the bad guy."

Mr Trump did also not mention atrocities committed in Yemen by Saudi Arabia. He has just signed a $107.9 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, which equates to an investment of more than $350 billion over ten years. He promised the Saudis during his speech that they would get a "good deal" from US defence companies.

He will travel to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Vatican before returning to the US.
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Thousands of pages of internal documents from Facebook have been leaked, revealing the rules and regulations the social media giant uses to decide what can be shared on its platform.

Among the rules detailed in documents obtained by the Guardian are those covering nudity, violence and threats  all things that Facebook has been accused of letting slide in the past.

A threat to kill the US President would be deleted, but similar remarks against an ordinary person would not be viewed as credible unless further comments showed signs of a plot.

Recommended Man dies after setting himself on fire during Facebook Live stream

[Facebook] is not a traditional technology company. Its not a traditional media company. We build technology, and we feel responsible for how its used, Monika Bickert, Facebooks head of global policy management, told the newspaper.

Perhaps the most contentious issue is that of violence. Facebook has come under fire in recent months for allowing videos of rape and suicide  often involving minors  to be shared on the site.

In one instance, a 12-year-old girl live-streamed her suicide on Live.me. YouTube took the video down almost immediately, but it took administrators two weeks to remove it from Facebook, where it received thousands of shares and comments.

In another instance, Facebook appeared to react too soon, removing live-streamed footage of the police shooting of Philando Castile. The firm later called the removal a technical glitch.

(Facebook (Facebook)

The two episodes show the tension Facebook faces between shielding viewers from potentially disturbing content and censoring them from content that may prove useful.

To combat the issue, the social media site has adopted a plethora of different guidelines: videos depicting self-harm are allowed, as long as there exists an opportunity to help the person.

Videos of suicide, however, are never allowed.

Film of child and animal abuse (as long as it is non-sexual) can remain in an effort to raise awareness and possibly help those affected.

We have a really diverse global community and people are going to have very different ideas about what is okay to share. No matter where you draw the line there are always going to be some grey areas, Ms Bickert said.

Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Show all 8 1 /8 Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook Pennsylvania mayor posts racists memes on Facebook Charles Wasko/Facebook

Aside from footage of actual violence, Facebook must also decide how to respond to threats of it  what they call credible threats of violence.

The social media site has an entire rulebook for what is considered credible and what is not.

Statements like someone shoot Trump will be deleted by the website, but comments like lets go beat up fat kids, or I hope someone kills you will not.

A leaked Facebook documents states that violent threats are most often not credible, until specific statements make it clear that the threat is no longer simply an expression of emotion but a transition to a plot or design.

Less dangerous, but just as controversial, are Facebooks rules regarding nudity.

Users have sparked outrage in the past when photographs of their mastectomies, or even re-posts of iconic Vietnam War photos, were deleted from their pages for violating community guidelines.

The site now makes allowances for newsworthy exceptions. like the famous Vietnam War photo of a naked young girl hit by napalm, and for handmade art. Digitally made art showing sexually explicit content is not allowed.

The publication of the rules is sure to spark concern from privacy and free speech advocates alike. But some within Facebook say its not the content guidelines that are the problem, but the ever-growing number of content creators.

Facebook cannot keep control of its content, one source told The Guardian. It has grown too big, too quickly.
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Donald Trump will not use the words "radical Islamic terrorism" during a speech in Saudi Arabia despite criticising Barack Obama for not using the phrase.

Mr Trump often used anti-Islamic rhetoric during his presidential campaign and repeatedly stressed the need to say the words.

The phrase is missing from a draft of Mr Trump's speech.

"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it," the President will say, according to excerpts of the speech released by the White House.

"That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians," he will say.

 Donald Trump appears to 'curtsey' to Saudi king

In excerpts released by the White House ahead of his speech, Mr Trump will call for unity across the Muslim world in the fight against terrorism.

He will tell an audience of leaders of Muslim-majority countries he is "not here to lecture" and "not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship".

"This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations," but "a battle between good and evil," he will say.

The speech is part of a re-set effort with the Muslim world after Mr Trump frequently attacked Muslims on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the United States.

"Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land," he will say.

"The nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them."

Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Show all 33 1 /33 Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days in office were marred by a string of scandals, many of which caught the eye of the Independent's cartoonists Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's first 100 days have seen him aggressively ramp up tensions with his nuclear rivals in North Korea Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has warned of a "major, major conflict" with the pariah nation lead by Kim Jong Un Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump dropped the "mother of all bombs" on alleged ISIS-linked militants in Afghanistan, amid an escalation of US military intervention around the globe Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been accused of falling short of the standards set by his predecessors in the Oval Office, including Franklin D Roosevelt Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The tycoon's ascension to the White House came at a time when the balance of power is shifting away from Western nations like those in the G7 group Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Western politicians, including the British Conservative party, have been accused of falling in line behind Mr Trump's proposals Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Brexit is seen to have weakened Britain, reducing still further any political will to resist American leadership Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump's leadership has been marked by sudden and unexpected shifts in global policy Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's controversial missile strike on Syria, which killed several citizens, was seen by some analysts as an attempt to distract from his policy elsewhere Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The President has also spent a large majority of his weekends golfing, rather than attending to matters of state Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Though free of gaffes, a visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping spotlighted trade tensions between the two states Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One major and unexpected setback came when Mr Trump's Healthcare Bill was struck down by members of his own party Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been a figure of fun in the media, with his approval at record lows Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A string of revelations about Mr Trump's financial indiscretions did not mar his surge to the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Outgoing President Barack Obama was accused of wiretapping Trump Tower by his successor in America's highest office Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The alleged involvement of Russian intelligence operatives in securing Mr Trump the presidency prompted harsh criticism Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The explosive resignation of Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who lied about his links to the Russian ambassador, was just one scandal to hit the President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Many scandals, such as the accusation Barack Obama was implicated in phone-hacking, first broke on Mr Trump's Twitter feed Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's election provoked mass protests in the UK, with millions signing a petition to ban him from the country Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump cited a non-existent terror attack in Sweden during a campaign rally Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump stands accused of stoking regional tensions in Eastern Asia Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons North Korea has launched a number of failed nuclear tests since Mr Trump took power Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Theresa May formally rejected the petition calling for Mr Trump to be banned from the UK Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons When Mr Trump's initial so-called Muslim ban was struck down by a federal justice, the President mocked the 69-year-old as a "ridiculous", "so-called judge" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A week after his inauguration, Theresa May met with Mr Trump at the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first days in office were marked by a hasty attempt to follow through on many of his campaign promises, including the so-called Muslim ban Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's decision to ban citizens of many majority-Muslim countries from the US sparked mass protests Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Revelations about Donald Trump's sexual improprieties were not enough to keep him from being elected President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was criticised by many in the press for cosying up to the new President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One of Mr Trump's top aides, Kelly Anne Conway, was mocked for describing mistruths as "alternative facts" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was quick to demonstrate that her political aims did not hugely differ from Mr Trump's Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's inauguration, on 20 January 2017, sparked protests both at home and abroad

Mr Trump's speech, the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries and comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as the president held individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar.

A meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi underscored the kinship, with Mr Trump saluting his counterpart on the release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi in April, who had been detained in the country for nearly three years.

Mr Sisi invited Mr Trump to visit him in Egypt, adding: "You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible."

As the participants laughed, Mr Trump responded: "I agree."
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An Indian woman cut off the penis of a Hindu holy man who tried to rape her and who she accused of sexually assaulting her for the past eight years, police said.

The 24-year-old law student was at home in the Kerala state capital of Thiruvananthapuram when she was allegedly attacked by Gangeshananda Theerthapada, who claims to be a spiritual healer.

The 54-year-old was reported to be in a stable condition after reconstructive surgery.

 CCTV shows men molesting woman on New Year's Eve in India

Police officer G Sparjan Kumar said the woman fled her home after the attack on Friday night and called police.

When he again visited her home on Friday night and tried to force himself on her, she got hold of a knife and attacked him, Mr Kumar said.

The New Delhi Television news channel said the woman's family knew Theerthapada, who used to visit their home to cure her bed-ridden father.

She told police he would rape her whenever he had an opportunity.

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

Pinarayi Vijayan, the state's chief minister, told reporters it was brave of the woman to take such action.

"It's a courageous and strong act by the woman," he said.

Violent crimes against women have been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted by the government.

Last week, an Indian woman was gang-raped then brutally murdered by men who smashed her skull with bricks in the northern state of Haryana.
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North Korea's secret cyber hackers were probably responsible for the "ransomware" attacks that crippled governments, hospitals and businesses in 150 countries, defectors from the rogue state and internet experts have said.

They pointed to "Unit 180", a special cell in the country's spy agency, saying it may have been behind a series of online raids on financial networks and firms in the US, South Korea and more recently across the world.

Pyongyang branded the suggestion "ridiculous".

However technical evidence is said to link the dictatorship's spies to Lazarus Group, the cybergang allegedly behind last year's $81m (62m) heist of the Bangladesh Central Bank and a 2014 hack of Sony's Hollywood studios.

Security firms claimed that code used in those two attacks had similarities to sequences used in the WannaCry ransomware that created havoc inside the NHS's computer systems on 12 May.

Experts said that Kim Jong-un's regime may be using cyber attacks to raise money.

Kim Heung-kwang, a computer science professor who defected from North Korea in 2004, claimed his former students had joined the country's Strategic Cyber Command.

He told Reuters: "Unit 180 is engaged in hacking financial institutions (by) breaching and withdrawing money out of bank accounts.

"The hackers go overseas to find somewhere with better internet services than North Korea so as not to leave a trace."

Mr Kim said government hackers were likely to pose as traders and businessmen when they travelled abroad.

 North Korea releases footage of simulated White House attack

North Korea expert James Lewis, of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said the Communist state first used hacking to spy on its enemies and harass political targets overseas.

"They changed after Sony by using hacking to support criminal activities to generate hard currency for the regime," he said.

"So far, it's worked as well or better as drugs, counterfeiting, smuggling  all their usual tricks."

No criminal charges have been brought over the ransomware attacks, and there is no conclusive proof linking them to North Korea.

Simon Choi, a director at anti-virus software company Hauri Inc, said that the regime had been mining Bitcoin, the currency used in the ransomware hack, using malicious computer programs since 2013.

Last year, he accidentally spoke to a hacker traced to a Pyongyang internet address about development of ransomware and alerted South Korean authorities.

Recommended Accidental hero who saved NHS revealed

The security company Kaspersky Lab said portions of the "WannaCry" ransomware use the same code as malware previously distributed by Lazarus, a group behind the 2014 Sony hack blamed on North Korea.

But it is possible the code was simply copied from the Lazarus malware without any other direct connection.

Another security company, Symantec, has also found similarities between WannaCry and Lazarus's tools, but said "they so far only represent weak connections. We are continuing to investigate for stronger connections."
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he wants to raise the issue of North Korean missile launches at the G7 summit after the hermit kingdom fired a midrange ballistic missile in its latest missile test.

Mr Abe said he wanted a "thorough discussion" of the launches when the G7 summit meets later this month in Italy.

"I would like to have a thorough discussion about this at the G7 summit," Mr Abe told reporters after a meeting of the National Security Council.

Recommended North Korea fires ballistic missile in latest weapons test

North Korea launched a ballistic missile from its west coast towards the Sea of Japan, and it likely landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japan's top government spokesman said earlier.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said it did not cause damage to ships or aeroplanes.

The rocket was fired from a location near Pukchang, north of Pyongyang, and flew about 500km (310 miles) eastward, South Korea's Office of Joint chiefs said in a statement.

White House officials travelling in Saudi Arabia with President Donald Trump said the system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's most recent tests.

"We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM. This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's three most recent tests," a White House official said.

 Japan PM condemns North Korea missile launch

China had no immediate comment while both South Korea and Japan called emergency meetings of top officials.

"South Korea and the United States are closely analysing the launch for further information," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

"Our military is closely monitoring the North Korean military for any further provocation and maintaining readiness to respond."

In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Show all 16 1 /16 In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun North Korean women soldiers take part in a military parade in Pyongyang on 15 April AFP/Getty Images In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun A huge military parade in Pyongyang marks the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waves during a military parade on 15 April 2017 AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun North Korean soldiers carry flags and a photo of Kim Il-sung during a military parade in Pyongyang on 15 April AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Soldiers march across Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade on 15 April AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun What military experts say appears to be a North Korean KN-08 inter-continental ballistic missile is paraded across Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade on 15 April AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Women wearing traditional Korean dress wave flowers and shout slogans as they pass Kim Jong-Un during a parade in Pyongyang on 15 April AFP/Getty Images In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun North Korean female soldiers march during a parade for the 'Day of the Sun' festival on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on 15 April EPA In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Military vehicles carry missiles with characters reading 'Pukkuksong' during a military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang on 15 April 2017 EPA In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Attendees carry sheets in the colours of North Korea's national flag during a military parade in Pyongyang on 15 April Reuters In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun A soldier salutes from atop an armoured vehicle during a military parade in Pyongyang on 15 April Reuters In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun A North Korean woman cries as she looks towards Kim Jong-un during a parade on 15 April AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun University students carry the national flag and two bronze statues of the late leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il during a military parade on 15 April AP In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Missiles are driven past Kim Jong-un and other high ranking officials during a military parade marking the Day of the Sun in Pyongyang on 15 April Reuters In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waves from a balcony during a parade for the 'Day of the Sun' festival in Pyongyang on 15 April 2017 EPA In pictures: North Korea marks the Day of the Sun Missiles are driven past Kim Jong-un and other high ranking officials during a military parade marking the Day of the Sun in Pyongyang on 15 April Reuters

On Saturday, North Korea said it had developed the capability to strike the US mainland, although Western missile experts say the claim is exaggerated.

"The US mainland and the Pacific operational theatre are within the strike range of the DPRK and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike," North Korea's state KCNA news agency said.

North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
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Isis are conducting chemical weapons experiments on "human guinea pigs" before launching attacks on Western targets, according to secret documents.

The extremist group has reportedly poisoned prisoners by spiking their food and water with compounds used in pesticides that are easy to obtain

Security forces now fear the terror network may hatch a twisted plot to contaminate Western food supplies with formulas that quickly dissolve in liquid.

The experiments were recorded in a stash of papers found hidden in Mosul University after Iraqi special forces recaptured the city from IS fighters.

They reveal one victim was fed thallium sulphate - a colourless, tasteless salt that can be dissolved in water - and began to suffer fever, nausea, and swelling of the stomach and brain before dying in agony ten days later.

Isis described the chemical as an "ideal lethal poison" and claimed to be in possession of an ample amount of the solution to fill demands, according to the documents, which were verified by British and US forces and later obtained by The Times.

Terrorists also injected a nicotine-based compound, said to have no antidote, into another victim who passed out within seconds and died hours later.

 Isis carrying out more suicide bombings than ever before

Ingredients for the poison are contained in cigarettes and vaping supplies, while thallium sulphate is available for sale in many countries including the US.

The chemical weapons report also contained recipes and guides for producing the toxic nicotine compound.

Chemical weapons expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Times: "This is a horrifying throwback to the Nazis who would test nerve agents on live humans. During the Second World War, the Nazis conducted thousands of deadly experiments with mustard gas on prisoners at Sachsenhausen concentration camp, near Berlin.

Isis has recently lost territory in Mosul and now controls just one-tenth of the city following a surge by Iraqi forces in October.

In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research

They are thought to have used Mosul University, one of the largest in the Middle East, to develop chemical weapons for the last three years.

The programme is now believed to have moved to the group's headquarters in Raqqa, Syria.
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Donald Trump should spend his time usefully in Riyadh by discussing how to avoid his Saudi hosts carrying out another 9/11 atrocity in the US instead of making baseless claims of terrorism against other countries, Irans foreign minister has advised.

In his speech to Arab heads of state in the Saudi capital, Mr Trump repeatedly attacked Iran, claiming it funds arms, trains militias that spread destruction and chaos and pointing to Irans support for Syrias Bashar al-Assad as he committed unspeakable crimes.

The US President added that people in Iran had endured hardship and despair under their leaders reckless pursuit of conflict and terror. Earlier, King Salman of Saudi Arabia also railed against Iran calling the country the spearhead of terrorism.

Most of the 19 terrorists who murdered nearly 3,000 people in New York in 2001 were Saudi citizens and there have repeated accusations that members of the Saudi hierarchy were complicit in the attack.

Irans foreign secretary Javad Zarif pointed out Mr Trump had himself previously suggested the Saudis were behind the 9/11 attacks.

Mr Zarif said: He must enter into dialogue with them [the Saudis] about ways to prevent terrorists from continuing to fuel the fire in the region and repeating the likes of the September 11 incident by their sponsors in Western countries.

"You will find out who really knocked down the World Trade Centre because they have papers out there that are very secret. You will find its the Saudis, you will find that is the case.

The baleful shadow of Mr Trump loomed large in the run-up to Irans elections last week in which President Hassan Rouhani was returned to power by a landslide.

While campaigning ahead of the US election, Mr Trump said the 2015 nuclear agreement Tehran signed with international powers was the the worst deal ever and that he was determined to dismantle this disastrous mistake.

Since then the Trump administration, despite grudgingly admitting that Iran was complying with its obligations under the agreement, has made repeated threats against Tehran. This, it was feared, would play into the hands of the hardliners in Iran, who attacked Mr Rouhani for signing the nuclear deal.

After Mr Rouhanis sweeping victory over his conservative rival Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian officials have been more sanguine about Mr Trumps coming speeches in Saudi Arabia and his next stop, Israel, pointing out the US President is bound to play to the gallery when hosted by two countries which portray Iran as the arch enemy.

However, there is now apprehension that the US administration may impose new unilateral sanctions on Iran following entreaties from the Saudis, who are leading a series of Sunni proxy wars against Shia Iran, such as in Yemen.

Senior figures in Tehran claim there are major economic factors at play that are encouraging Washington to play up the Iranian threat.

Speaking before Mr Trump, the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, accused Iran of running a network of terrorism and demanded that it start dismantling the manning and the logistics and everything that they provide to these destablising forces that exist in the region.

Mr Trump has signed a deal to sell $110bn worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia with another $350bn to follow over the next decade. The kingdom is already the biggest client for US military exports.

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 US President himself constantly brought up the issue of arms sales while meeting Arab leaders in Riyadh. He promised Qatars Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, that the two men would discuss lots of beautiful military equipment because nobody makes it like the United States. And Mr Trump noted, in a meeting with Kuwaits Emir, Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, that his country were good customers for US arms.

However, Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani  a leading member of Iranian parliaments Expediency Council and brother of the late former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani  claimed the arms deals may backfire on the Saudis with the same weapons turned against the royal family in the future.

Mr Rafsanjani drew a parallel with Iran's former shah whose regime was toppled by the 1979 revolution. He said: We have seen it all before. The Saudis are spending billions on arms which they dont have the capacity to absorb. At the same time they are facing rebellion at home they are trying to hide and a costly war in Yemen.

The Shah, too, spent billions of dollars buying arms from America, he too had capacity problems. We had 65,000 Americans in Iran, most of them in the armed forces. But then came the revolution and the weapons were used against him and his regime.

We watch what is going on in Saudi Arabia and I think the fate of the Saudi royal family will be the same as that of [the Shahs dynasty] the Pahlavis. There is less and less space in the world for absolute monarchies like the Saudis.
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Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has borrowed a familiar slogan from Donald Trump to say his country's alliance with the United States would help "drain the swamp" of extremism.

Speaking alongside US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Adel al-Jubeir called for an end to antagonism between the US and Saudi Arabia.

He said: "If we can change the conversation in the Islamic world from enmity towards the US to partnership with the US, and if we can change the conversation in the US and in the west from enmity towards the Islamic world to one of partnership, we would have truly changed our world.

"And we would have truly drowned the voices of extremism and we would have drained the swamps from which extremism and terrorism emanates."

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

Mr Trump frequently used the slogan to call for reform of the political establishment in Washington.

Mr Jubeir's comments come after Mr Trump signed an arms sale deal worth around $110bn aimed to boost security in the Arab Gulf region in the face of Iranian aggression.

The military package includes tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications, and cybersecurity technology.

 Donald Trump joins sword dance in Saudi Arabia

Mr Tillerson said the series of military and private sector deals agreed by both sides would send a "strong message to our common enemies."

"This huge arm sales package reduces the burden on the United States to provide the same equipment to our own military forces," he said.

"It lowers demand on our own military, but it also lowers the cost to our own people."
The direction of our country will be decided in the coming months and Im committed to making sure Montanas voice is heard in Washington. Im running to be Montanas next Congressman because Montanans deserve a champion who will stand strong for our values and our way of life.

Im thankful to have built a life, started a small business, and raised a family in Montana.

I fell in love with Montana more than 40 years ago on a class trip backpacking in the Beartooth Mountains. 24 years ago, my wife, Susan, and I chose Montana to raise our four children hunting, fishing, and backpacking on Montanas public lands. And, when we sat down at our kitchen table to start our company, RightNow Technologies, we chose Montana. At the time, people told us building a global hi-tech business in Montana was impossible. Well, we took on the big corporations in one of the fiercest markets, and Montana won. In fact, we created over 500 high-paying Montana jobs.

Im not a government insider. I spent my entire career creating jobs in the private sector  from mowing lawns as a teenager to founding five different start-up companies.

Im not afraid to step up and take on a challenge. Thats why in Congress, you can count on me to stand up to the special interests and help drain the swamp. Ill always put hardworking Montana families first and will fight to bring accountability and integrity to Washington, D.C.

In the last year and a half, Ive traveled over 80,000 miles across Montana, visiting all 56 counties multiple times listening to your concerns. I understand the issues Montanans are facing and my commitment is to ensure your voice is always heard in Washington.

In Congress, Ill fight back against any tax increases. Ill work to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Ill protect the promises our country made to our veterans. Ill fight for our coal and timber jobs and push back against excessive Washington regulations.

Ill fight to repeal and replace Obamacare with real solutions that lower premiums, preserve rural access, and protect Montanans with pre-existing conditions.

Ill always defend Montanans right to hunt, fish, and recreate on our public lands because we must keep our public lands in public hands.

Ill always defend the Second Amendment and stand in strong opposition to any attempts to create a national gun registry.

Ill fight to strengthen our military to defend our interests and destroy ISIS.

Ill protect and defend our border  not allow Montana to become a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes.

Ill support term limits and a ban to end members of Congress from becoming lobbyists. And, Ill hold the politicians accountable  if they cant balance the budget, they shouldnt get paid. No balanced budget, no paycheck.

My word and bond to you is that if elected, I will always be on Montanas side.

I humbly ask for your vote, so that I can be your voice.

Greg Gianforte is the Republican candidate for Montana's lone U.S. House seat.
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The Saudi king has claimed his country's regional rival Iran is the tip of the spear for global terrorism in a speech during Donald Trumps visit to the country.

King Salman said: Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism."

He also warned against those who would finance terrorism, saying: "We will never be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism, in any way or means, to the full force of the law."

Recommended This is the utter hypocrisy of the Trump Administration over Saudi Ara

The address came at a gathering of more than 50 majority-Muslim countries at the Arab summit in Riyadh. Notably, Syria and Iran were absent from the talks.

The accusation that Iran is exporting extremism to the world demonstrated the regional and sectarian tensions that divide Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran.

The Independents Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk argued that Mr Trumps trip to the region would inflame an already electric political climate.

In the televised address, the king told audiences across the world that we did not know terrorism and extremism until the Khomeini revolution reared its head, referring to the 1979 Iranian revolution.

Saudi Arabia and the US recently announced a $110bn (84.4bn) arms deal  the largest in the history of the country.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

Speaking after the king, Donald Trump echoed his sentiments, and blamed Iran for providing Syria with "safe harbour, financial backing and the social standing needed for recruitment [of terrorists]".
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As Donald Trump delivered a key speech in front of heads of state in the strict Islamic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his wife and daughter Melania and Ivanka Trump both appeared without headscarves, even though the US President previously criticised former first lady Michelle Obama for doing the same thing.

As the the President spoke before Middle East leaders in the the country's capital Riyadh, the capital city, the first wife and daughter sat slightly behind him.

Their appearance without headscarves is not unprecedented for the relatives of western politicians or female leaders themselves.

But the fact the President previously admonished Michelle Obama for failing to cover her hair has attracted accusations of hypocrisy.

Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf enemies, Mr Trump tweeted at the time of the Obama visit, including a short-hand spelling for enough.

Hillary Clinton, on trips to Saudi Arabia as Mr Obamas secretary of state, also did not cover her head.

On visits earlier this year, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also shunned head coverings. Former first lady Laura Bush generally went without covering her head, though she once briefly donned a headscarf she was given as a gift.

Recommended Donald Trump went to a man only dance party in Saudi Arabia

Arriving on Saturday for the President's first international tour, neither Melania nor Ivanka covered their long hair as they stepped off the plane. Head coverings are not required for foreigners and most western women go without, but most Saudi Arabia women cover their hair and their face with a veil known as the niqab.

The two women abided by expected norms of modesty by wearing loose-fitting clothing with long sleeved tops in the culturally conservative kingdom.

Recommended This is the utter hypocrisy of the Trump Administration over Saudi Ara

Saudi Arabia adheres to an ultraconservative interpretation of Islamic Sharia law where unrelated men and women are segregated in most public places.

Under the guardianship system, women are banned from driving, although rights advocates have campaigned to lift the ban, which has recently been partially modified.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

Mr Trump, who attracted widespread criticism for comments he made about Muslims during the Presidential campaign, said the US was not at war with Islam, instead defining the fight against terrorist groups as a "battle between good and evil."

He said: "This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.

This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.

This is a battle between good and evil."
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So after inventing fake news, Americas crazed President on Sunday gave the worlds Muslims a fake speech. Donald Trump said he was not in Saudi Arabia to lecture  but then told the worlds Islamic preachers what to say, condemned Islamist terrorism as if violence was a solely Muslim phenomenon and then announced like an Old Testament prophet that he was in a battle between good and evil. There were no words of compassion, none of mercy, absolutely not a word of apology for his racist, anti-Muslim speeches of last year.

Even more incredibly, he blamed Iran  rather than Isis  for fuelling sectarian violence, pitied the Iranian people for their despair a day after they had freely elected a liberal reformer as their president, and demanded the further isolation of the largest Shiite country in the Middle East. The regime responsible for so much instability is Iran. The Shiite Hezbollah were condemned. So were the Shiite Yemenis. Trumps Sunni Saudi hosts glowed with warmth at such wisdom.

And this was billed by CNN as a reset speech with the Muslim world. For reset, read repair, but Trumps Sunday diatribe in Riyadh was in fact neither a reset nor a repair. It was the lecture he claimed he would not give.

Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith, he announced, utterly ignoring  as he had to  the fact that Saudi Arabia, not Iran, is the fountainhead of the very Wahhabi Salafist extremism whose terrorists murder innocent people.

 Melania and Ivanka Trump did not wear headscarves for Trump's Saudi speech

He tried to avoid his old racist radical Islamic extremist mantra and tried to replace it with Islamist extremism but he apparently fluffed his words and said Islamic as well. The subtle difference he was trying to make in English was thus for Muslims no more than a variation on a theme: terrorists are Muslims.

All this, let us remember, came after Trump had sewn up yet another outrageous arms deal with the Saudis ($110bn or 84.4bn) and the proposed purchase by Qatar of what Trump obscenely referred to as a lot of beautiful military equipment. It seems almost fantastical that he should make such a remark only two days before meeting the Pope who in Cairo two weeks ago railed along with the Muslim Sheikh of Al Azhar against the evil of arms dealers.

We are adopting a principled realism, rooted in common values and shared interests, Trump told the Saudis and the leaders of another fifty Muslim nations on Sunday. But what on earth are those values? What values do the Americans share with the head-chopping, misogynist, undemocratic, dictatorial Saudis other than arms sales and oil?

And when Trump said that our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination, were his friends supposed to be the Saudis? Or the Islamic world  which should surely include Iran and Syria and Yemen  and the warring militias of Libya? As for enemies, was he talking about Isis? Or Russia? Or Syria? Or Iran, whose newly elected president surely wants peace with America? Or was he  as part of the Muslim world will conclude with good reason  declaring his friendship with the Sunni Muslims of the world and his enmity towards the Shia Muslims?

Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Show all 33 1 /33 Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days in office were marred by a string of scandals, many of which caught the eye of the Independent's cartoonists Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's first 100 days have seen him aggressively ramp up tensions with his nuclear rivals in North Korea Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has warned of a "major, major conflict" with the pariah nation lead by Kim Jong Un Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump dropped the "mother of all bombs" on alleged ISIS-linked militants in Afghanistan, amid an escalation of US military intervention around the globe Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been accused of falling short of the standards set by his predecessors in the Oval Office, including Franklin D Roosevelt Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The tycoon's ascension to the White House came at a time when the balance of power is shifting away from Western nations like those in the G7 group Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Western politicians, including the British Conservative party, have been accused of falling in line behind Mr Trump's proposals Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Brexit is seen to have weakened Britain, reducing still further any political will to resist American leadership Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump's leadership has been marked by sudden and unexpected shifts in global policy Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's controversial missile strike on Syria, which killed several citizens, was seen by some analysts as an attempt to distract from his policy elsewhere Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The President has also spent a large majority of his weekends golfing, rather than attending to matters of state Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Though free of gaffes, a visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping spotlighted trade tensions between the two states Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One major and unexpected setback came when Mr Trump's Healthcare Bill was struck down by members of his own party Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been a figure of fun in the media, with his approval at record lows Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A string of revelations about Mr Trump's financial indiscretions did not mar his surge to the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Outgoing President Barack Obama was accused of wiretapping Trump Tower by his successor in America's highest office Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The alleged involvement of Russian intelligence operatives in securing Mr Trump the presidency prompted harsh criticism Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The explosive resignation of Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who lied about his links to the Russian ambassador, was just one scandal to hit the President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Many scandals, such as the accusation Barack Obama was implicated in phone-hacking, first broke on Mr Trump's Twitter feed Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's election provoked mass protests in the UK, with millions signing a petition to ban him from the country Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump cited a non-existent terror attack in Sweden during a campaign rally Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump stands accused of stoking regional tensions in Eastern Asia Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons North Korea has launched a number of failed nuclear tests since Mr Trump took power Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Theresa May formally rejected the petition calling for Mr Trump to be banned from the UK Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons When Mr Trump's initial so-called Muslim ban was struck down by a federal justice, the President mocked the 69-year-old as a "ridiculous", "so-called judge" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A week after his inauguration, Theresa May met with Mr Trump at the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first days in office were marked by a hasty attempt to follow through on many of his campaign promises, including the so-called Muslim ban Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's decision to ban citizens of many majority-Muslim countries from the US sparked mass protests Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Revelations about Donald Trump's sexual improprieties were not enough to keep him from being elected President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was criticised by many in the press for cosying up to the new President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One of Mr Trump's top aides, Kelly Anne Conway, was mocked for describing mistruths as "alternative facts" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was quick to demonstrate that her political aims did not hugely differ from Mr Trump's Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's inauguration, on 20 January 2017, sparked protests both at home and abroad

For that, ultimately, was what the Riyadh speech-fest was all about. Take this little quotation: We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes  not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms  not sudden intervention. Now lets parse this little horror. Decisions based on real-world outcomes means brutal pragmatism. Gradual reforms indicates that the US will do nothing for human rights and take no steps to prevent crimes against humanity  unless they are committed by Iran, Syria, Iraqi Shiites, the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah or Yemeni Shiite Houthis.

It was all about partnership, we were supposed to believe. It was about a coalition. You bet it would be. For America is not going to bleed as it did in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the Arabs who must bleed as they fight each other, encouraged by the biggest arms supplier of them all. Thus Trump lectured them on their need to share their part of the burden. The Arabs will be united and strong as the forces of good. If the battle is between decent people of all religions and barbaric criminals  between good and evil  as Trump inferred, it was significant, was it not, that this battle was to start in the sacred land of Sunni Saudi Arabia?

By the time Trump reached the bit in which he threatened the bad guys  if you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned  he sounded like a speech-writer for Isis. Apparently  and unsurprisingly, perhaps  Trumps actual speech was partly the work of the very man who wrote out his much ridiculed (and failed) legal attempt to ban Muslims of seven nations from the United States. All in all, quite a reset. Trump talked of peace but was preparing the Arabs for a Sunni-Shia war. The fawning leaders of the Muslim world, needless to say, clapped away when the mad president of America had finished speaking. But did they understand what his words really portended?
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It was crude stuff. President Trump called on 55 Muslim leaders assembled in Riyadh to drive out terrorism from their countries. He identified Iran as a despotic state and came near to calling for regime change, though Iran held a presidential election generally regarded as fair only two days previously.

He denounced Hezbollah and lined up the US squarely on the side of the Sunni against the Shia in the sectarian proxy war that is tearing apart the Middle East.

The impact of US presidential visits and speeches abroad are generally over-rated and turn out to have far less influence than was claimed at the time.

Barack Obamas speech in Cairo in 2009 about the conflicts in the region was more sophisticated than anything Mr Trump said in Riyadh, but it turned out to denote no new departures in US policy. The same may turn out to be true of Mr Trumps address.

The most important aspect of Mr Trumps two-day visit to Saudi Arabia is that it took place at all. He chose to go first to the worlds most thorough-going autocracy where his speech will be lauded by the state-controlled media.

But the radicalism of what he said can be exaggerated because so far his policies towards Syria, Iraq, Turkey and other countries in the region are so far little different from what Mr Obama did in practice.

Almost all of the 55 Muslim rulers and leaders in the vast hall in Riyadh will have breathed a little easier on hearing Mr Trumps repeated call to drive out terrorism, since they have always described anybody who opposes their authority as terrorists.

This will be a green-light to people like Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to go on imprisoning and torturing Muslim Brotherhood members. American pressure on the ruling Sunni minority in Bahrain to stop persecuting the Shia majority was always tame, but Mr Trumps praise for the islands rulers may make the situation even worse.

Mr Trumps failure to refer to human rights abuses was criticised by some observers, but more serious than his words was his presence in Riyadh before an audience of autocrats.

Saudi leaders will be pleased by Mr Trumps condemnation of Iran as the fountainhead of terrorism. This was the most substantive part of speech and is the one most likely to increase conflict.

The Saudis will see it as a licence to increase their support for proxy wars being waged against Shia movements and communities in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and beyond. Houthi militiamen in Yemen and Shia militiamen in Iraq and Syria are often referred to as Iranian-backed, which may or may not be true, but it is their Shiism which is by far the most important determinant of their political identity.

In targeting them, Mr Trump is plugging the US into the ferocious sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia.

This is not a war that is going to be won by either side, but the stance of the Trump administration will help ensure that it goes on being fought. Ever since Mr Trump was elected, Iraqi leaders in Baghdad have been concerned that a deeper confrontation between the US and Iran will further destabilise Iraq, just as the Iraqi security forces are getting control of the last enclaves of Isis control in Mosul.

An escalation in the war in Yemen by the Saudi backed forces could close the port of Hodeida on the Red Sea coast through which is imported much of the food reaching the 17 million Yemenis on the verge of famine.

In the last years of Mr Obama, US public opinion was increasingly focussed on Saudi Arabia as the country most to blame for 9/11 because 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis as was Osama bin Laden and, according to a CIA report, the private financing for the operation. Senior US officials have repeatedly pointed to financing from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf as essential to the rise of Isis and al-Qaeda type organisations in Iraq and Syria.

Mr Trump himself blamed Saudi Arabia for 9/11 during the presidential election campaign, but this was all forgotten when he spoke in Riyadh. This might have two serious consequences: leaders of the Shia community fear that Isis may be nominally destroyed but the bulk of its fighters could simply join other anti-Shia paramilitary movements in Iraq and Syria.

As for driving out terrorism from Muslim societies for which Mr Trump called, one important aspect of the growth of al-Qaeda type movements has been the way in which Saudi Arabia has used its oil wealth for half a century to spread Wahhabism, its puritanical and fanatical variant of Islam. This has become an increasingly predominant influence over mainstream Sunni Islam, increasing its sectarianism.
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Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau checked off a key promise of his 2015 election campaign last month, tabling legislation to end the countrys prohibition on recreational marijuana.

If all goes according to plan, Canada will become the first G7 country to fully legalise cannabis use, with anyone over the age of 18 set to be able to carry up to 30g of dried or fresh marijuana and consumers able to buy or grow up to four plants at home.

The new bill marks a major notch on the Prime Ministers belt regarding his bid to brand his Government as a progressive power and, whether youre for or against marijuana legalisation, for many Canadians such as myself, it signals that the liberal Government is capable of delivering on its promises.

But before Canadians light up their pipes in celebration, arent there some other more pressing pipe-related plans they should be concerned about? Namely, the Keystone XL and Trans Mountain pipeline projects.

 Matthew Perry admits to beating up Justin Trudeau at school

The controversy surrounding both projects appears to have been more or less quietly dropped out of the news cycle  despite the fact that trouble seems to be steadily brewing for Canadas Prime Minister in his bid to fulfil his Governments pipeline plans without compromising his position as a progressive leader.

Just last week three tribes, representing thousands of indigenous people from Canada and the United States, gathered in Calgary to sign a formal protest against the construction of TransCanadas Keystone XL pipeline.

The Blackfoot confederacy in Canada and the Great Sioux Nation and Ponca Tribe in the US signed a 16-page declaration of opposition to the $8bn project set to transport Canadian crude oil to Nebraska in the US, where the pipeline would link to an existing Keystone pipeline network that would deliver it to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast.

We are in a time of crisis, Piikani Nation Chief Stanley Grier said of the Keystone project, which was approved by US President Donald Trump days after he took office, despite being rejected twice by his predecessor Barack Obama, first in 2012 and then again in 2015.

This crisis is not restricted to native people, but impacts all peoples, Grier warned. If you drink water, if you breathe, you are not immune.

Trudeau was also greeted by protesters in the US on a trip last week to Seattle to discuss climate change, trade and the refugee crisis. Clad in hazardous material suits labelled Keystone XL Toxic Cleanup Crew, protesters gathered outside the hotel where the Canadian Prime Minister was meeting Washington governor Jay Inslee to demand answers on Trudeaus commitment to the environment.

In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Show all 26 1 /26 In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies A man wears a marijuana leaf mask during the annual 4/20 cannabis culture celebration at Sunset Beach in Vancouver, British Columbia AP In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies A lady smokes marijuana on Parliament Hill on 4/20 in Ottawa, Ontario Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies James Reed smokes a joint during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies People sign a 4/20 sign on Parliament Hill on in Ottawa, Ontario Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies A woman smokes marijuana on Parliament Hill on 4/20 in Ottawa, Ontario. Polling released showed strong support in Canada for a government drive to legalise recreational use of marijuana, but many would like the proposed minimum age for consumption to be raised. Sixty-three percent of respondents told the Angus Reid Institute they support legalisation Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies A man smokes marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Reuters In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Demonstrators smoke marijuana during the '4/20 Santiago' rally in favour of legalisation in front of the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, as part of the Global Marijuana March which is being held in hundreds of cities worldwide Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies People play with a mock marijuana joint during a 4/20 party to demand legalisation and to celebrate marijuana culture outside the Senate building in Mexico City, Mexico Reuters In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Adam Eidinger, co-founder of DCMJ, hands out free marijuana joints to DC residents who worked on Capitol Hill as part of the 1st Annual Joint Session to mark '4/20' day and promote legalising marijuana on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Police arrest Rachel Ramone Donlan after she handed out free marijuana joints to DC residents who worked on Capitol Hill as part of the 1st Annual Joint Session to mark '4/20' day and promote legalising marijuana on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Police arrest Rachel Ramone Donlan after she handed out free marijuana joints to DC residents who worked on Capitol Hill as part of the 1st Annual Joint Session to mark '4/20' day and promote legalising marijuana on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Thousands of people gather to smoke marijuana during the '420 Santiago'rally in front of the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies People attend the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Kevin Barron and Lasean Moore of Raleigh, North Carolina, share a joint during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Nic Ruhl takes a pull on a giant hand rolled joint at precisely 4:20pm MDT during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Various cannabis paraphernalia on display at a vendor's stall during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Mo Banez, of Austin, Texas, lights a joint during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies A man displays a large container of cannabis during the Denver 420 Rally at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado. The rally, held annually, is a celebration of both the legalisation of cannabis and cannabis culture. Colorado is one of twenty-six U.S. states along with the District of Columbia that has legalised the use of cannabis either recreationally or medically AFP/Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Sitting in small groups on mats shaded by trees in the Rose Garden just across from the Knesset, participants lit up as the clock struck 4:20 for the local version of the traditional worldwide April 20 pro-marijuana events, known as '420' rallies Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies An Israeli smokes a marijuana joint in Jerusalem during a rally at the Rose garden Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies Sitting in small groups on mats shaded by trees in the Rose Garden just across from the Knesset, participants lit up as the clock struck 4:20 for the local version of the traditional worldwide April 20 pro-marijuana events, known as '420' rallies Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies An Israeli girl poses with a mock marijuana joint in Jerusalem during a rally at the Rose garden, to celebrate 420 and to express their defiance of current laws Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies aelis pass around a marijuana joint in Jerusalem during a rally at the Rose garden, to celebrate 420 and to express their defiance of current laws Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies An Israeli smokes a marijuana joint in Jerusalem during a rally at the Rose garden, to celebrate 420 and to express their defiance of current law Getty Images In pictures: 4/20 Marijuana world rallies An Israeli smokes a marijuana joint in Jerusalem on April 20, 2017 during a rally opposite the Knesset to celebrate 420 and express defiance of current laws AFP/Getty Images

A coalition of environmental groups has further issued its own challenge to the federal permit allowing work on the pipeline project to go through, saying further environmental study is necessary. The group is also looking to use the document signed by indigenous communities to draw attention to the cause, with plans to send it to the United Nations, according to CBC News.

Trudeaus commitment to fighting to protect the interests of Canadas Indigenous communities was central to his election campaign, and its a vow that the Prime Minister has repeatedly renewed during his time in power.

Yet, so far, Trudeau has managed to effortlessly shrug off concerns being voiced by that very community over his pipeline plans, assuring Canadians that if either project posed a serious threat to the environment or indigenous communities, the Government wouldnt be backing them.

The same goes for the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, which is expected to stretch nearly 1,000 kilometres from northern Alberta to the west coast of British Columbia, nearly tripling the existing network's capacity for transport of diluted bitumen from 300,000 barrels a day to nearly 890,000.

Sixteen groups, including indigenous communities and environmental organisations, have filed for a judicial review of the project and there have been concerns that objections from the NDP and Green opposition parties in British Columbia could thwart the expansion projects progress.

The Prime Minister appeared to wave off those concerns on a trip to Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, stating only that his Government was working on getting that balance right, according to CTV News.

Recommended Justin Trudeau to launch plans to legalise marijuana across Canada

Trudeau did not address demands for a judicial review and suggested that opposition parties were wrong to suggest that backing the project calls into question the governments ability to protect the environment and build a better economy at the same time.

Its a tricky tightrope Trudeau is attempting to tread, but thus far the Canadian Prime Minister has proven himself to be a rather skilled acrobat. By focusing the spotlight on his more popular bid to legalise pot, Trudeau has managed to avoid any large-scale scrutiny over some of his more controversial plans.

And it helps that the majority of Canadians seem willing to practise a certain degree of cognitive dissonance in order to accept such assurances and maintain the happy haze that seems to have enveloped the northern country.

But the growing resistance to Trudeaus pipeline plans are smoke signals warning of what's to come once work on the projects begins  and how he responds will provide a more telling picture of just how progressive our Prime Minister really is.
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Britain is in the grip of a mental health crisis. Millions are beset with anxiety and despair which statistics can confirm in depressing detail. Although the reasons for our inner turmoil are complicated, the Tory Manifesto which identified mental health as a burning injustice overlooks a key contributing factor: our spiritual vacuum and insatiable materialism.

Given our intemperate secularism, the British appetite for worship is waning. Not only has our culture written Gods obituary but we are slighted by the very thought of religions pontificating about our excesses and are more self-indulgent today than at any other period in history. In a Unicef report commissioned by the Department for Education, a cycle of compulsive consumerism was cited as a major contributing factor to the onset of mental illness and breakdown of the family structure.

Furthermore, studies indicate causation between materialism and poor psychological health and research suggests materialistic individuals are more susceptible to marital discord and fractured friendships. Nonetheless, reminding someone that they are not the sum of their possessions is a tall order in a society where so many live for instant gratification and find it difficult to attach existential meaning stretching beyond the fancy car, lavish abode and that much deserved job promotion.

As someone who identifies with religion, I feel theres an untapped spirituality which Britons can draw upon to inoculate themselves against the destructive lure of materialism. Although the Prime Minister has pledged the biggest shake up of mental health provision in 30 years by training school teachers to identify signs of depression and pledging more NHS staff to combat the crisis, she seems to be oblivious to how the rat race  that self-destructive and high octane style of living which we misguidedly fashioned for ourselves  is eating Britons from within.

 Andrew Flintoff: Mental health can be a struggle but is not a stigma

In fact, so inebriated are we by the rat race and its empty promise of grandeur, that we find ourselves quickly salivating for another material helping to compensate for the much anticipated but short lived satiation. And while Ill be accused of spiritual snobbery, its my humble submission that we are relentlessly pursuing wealth and riches because deep down inside, theres a genuine yearning for a higher calling which we are desperately seeking to fill.

Whether you identify with religion or not, there is a brutal honesty underlying the wisdom of faith-based communities when highlighting the dangerous attachment to the worlds fleeting pleasures.

Consumerism is not the only culprit. The education system must also be held to account. I can vouch for the anecdotal evidence linking mental health problems with exam stress having taught GCSE and A Level for several years. From experience, the emotional resilience of our children takes a battering given the gross corporatisation of academia. Obsessing over the ordering of league tables and promoting narrow visions of growth which equates achievement with success and underachievement with failure only exacerbates this trend of mutual rivalry, chipping away at the self-esteem of our children.

In all my years of teaching, seldom have I come across students who learn for intrinsic purposes, such as personal enlightenment. The motivating factors are often competing with peers to achieve good grades or gaining admission to a prestigious university so they can be rewarded with a well-paid job. Theres nothing wrong with this on the surface but dig a little deeper and youll realise the rat race is running its course from childhood.

Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Show all 18 1 /18 Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health

If educators and parents embody lifestyles saying we exist only to survive and reproduce, children will naturally inherit the same automated formula and animal existence by reducing themselves to a mere cog in the wheel of the economic machine. Why doesnt our education system foster a sense of personal fulfilment through positive community engagement? Why dont our schools invest as much time and money to pastoral care as they do with convoluted action plans, just to satisfy the unrealistic demands of Ofsted?

Its not just the educational watchdog which is guilty of forcing a superficial criterion for success. Social media is equally complicit in committing our generation to a narcissistic lifestyle disconnected from meaning. Were so emotionally invested in the epidemic of selfies and posturing of riches, inviting not only revulsion from others but also exposing our profound fear of failure. From Snapchat beauty filters to swaggering biodatas, this is more than simply digital oversharing. Our virtual presentations are intended to project abundance but are saturated with despair, as noted by psychologist Dr. Golumb in her book Trapped in the Mirror, which really gets to the heart of the self-mutilation and imposed on us by social expectations.

Recommended Basic income is one solution to our growing mental health crisis

Obsessive materialism generates a perverse sense of unfairness because it heightens our desire for growth simply to avoid the stigma of not keeping up with the Joneses. A spirituality which reinforces that we are more than what we accumulate offers a way out of this dehumanising routine and allows us to breach the impenetrable walls weve artificially created to finally grow out of this playground mentality.

Unless politicians can admit to the self-destruction perpetuated by this spiritual neglect and culture of one-upmanship, the governments decision to increase the budget for child and adolescent mental health services will be addressing the symptoms but not the cause.
Milking cows by hand, feeding calves and making home-churned butter from the surplus milk are still cherished memories for Carmel Kelly of the origin of the Ricketstown Pedigree Shorthorn herd... one of the most successful in the country without an acre of owned land.

Thirty five years ago, the first dairy shorthorn heifer was purchased to form the herd at Rathvilly, Co Carlow. Today, the Ricketstown Pedigree Shorthorn herd has been converted to suckling for beef production in the care of her son, Martin, with 50 head being run on 30 acres of rented land, while Carmel's long association with the traditional Irish breed of livestock continues to earn deserved honour.

She was presented with the Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society National Hall of Fame Award 2017 by GAA President, Aogan O'Fearghail, at the awards ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, which brought back many memories of the Ricketstown herd.

She recalled that the first Dairy Shorthorn heifer was purchased at the dispersal sale of the Moyglare Herd, where her late father, John Farrell, was manager, and the second heifer was purchased from the Ballingarrane Herd the same year.

"We built our herd from these two animals - we milked and fed the calves and made butter with the surplus milk. My Dad, John Farrell, was so proud of us for carrying on where he left off after his retirement on the day of the Moyglare sale," she recalled.

"The RDS Spring Show was the highlight of every year for myself and my three sisters. The competition was very strong - the competitors were Ballingarrane, Friarstown, Glounlea, Nohoval, Cloughdubh, Kilfrush, Fruitfield, Carrowhubbock, Ransboro, Ballyart, Moatfield, Grousehall, Tournant and Loughlinstown, the herd my Dad managed."

In 1983, a year after the herd was founded, the Ricketstown Shorthorns won their first RDS Spring Show rosette, but 1988 became one of the most amazing years ever experienced by a shorthorn herd in the country, winning all the major prizes for the breed at the RDS Spring Show, which included all of the cups in the Shorthorn section, for Best Pair of heifers, Best Female Champion, Best Group and Overall Champion of the Show - the only time it was ever achieved by the same shorthorn herd.

In the early 2000s, four beef shorthorn heifers were imported from the Croxton Park Herd and a stock bull from the Glenariff Herd in the UK.

These were key imports to help build up the quality of the present day pedigree beef shorthorn herd.

The management baton has now been passed on to Carmel's son, Martin - an enthusiastic young man, who has already demonstrated his ambition to continue the herd record, having produced a prizewinning bull at Sterling in Scotland to sell for 6,500.

Awards won by the herd over the years include seven times female champion at the RDS and seven times Tullamore champion, the only herd to win both dairy and beef at the National Livestock Show at Tullamore and top awards at the Cork show six years in a row.

Carmel has served as chairperson and secretary of the Irish Shorthorn Association and was a founding member of the South Eastern Shorthorn Breeders Club, where she served as secretary.

Meanwhile, founder members of the Munster Branch of the Irish Angus Cattle Society, Michael and Sheila Cronin, have been honoured with the society nomination for the breed Hall of Fame Award 2017, which was presented to them at the National Ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone.

Since the establishment of the branch in 1990, the membership has grown from 60 to more than 400, including their own Carter Pedigree Irish Angus herd at Scartaglen, Killarney, which has bred many notable show winners over the years.

In 2012, Michael was elected National Vice President of the Society and served as President in 2014 and 2015, a period which included the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Munster Branch in October 2015.
"Straighten your hat, you're near the Junction," is a saying that was once common throughout the Midwest. It refers to the train journey between Limerick, Cork and Dublin, which necessitates a change at Limerick Junction. Travellers lived in fear of falling asleep, missing the change and waking up miles from home.

In terms of climate change, it's time that we straightened our hats because we're very near the junction. If we sleep through the narrowing opportunity to make changes, the next generation could find themselves living on a hostile planet.

Climate change is the issue of our time; it is the dark shadow at the back of our consciousness in the same way that Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) from nuclear war was the dark shadow in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. We went about with a lingering sense of doom and somewhere in the back of our minds we were conscious of nuclear buttons in Moscow and Washington that could, any day, be pressed, putting paid to life as we knew it.

Nowadays, we all have a finger on a destructive button. Our everyday decisions are having a severe impact on the capacity of the planet to sustain life. In fact we are completely flying in the face of our nature as living organisms in systematically destroying the habitat where our young should be able to survive and thrive.

I know the mention of climate change causes many farmers to go pale. As soon as someone brings it up those who make their living from the land expect the conversation to turn to flatulent cattle and their greenhouse gas emissions. Those accusing farmers of being the primary agents in climate change not only have the wrong end of the cow but often the wrong end of the stick.

The debate about the nature and causes of climate change must be based on fact. Let me state that I regard climate change to be a fact and I also accept that human activity is the major contributory factor to its progress, especially its speed and severity. It is also a fact that modern agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn are the major factor in global warming and climate change.

According to the Irish Academy of Engineering, in 2015 agriculture accounted for 33pc of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. At EU level and at national level this is recognised and the current rural development programme has incentives for 'greening' farming practices.

We have climate change strategies to beat the band and we even have a government minister for climate change. We have signed up to international agreements and as part of our European commitments we have agreed to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 20pc on 2005 levels by 2020 and 30pc by 2030. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) admits that we are not going to hit our targets and could face massive EU fines.

Before we go after farmers and start disabling our most vital industry there is a lot of low hanging 'lifestyle' fruit around that can be tackled in the battle against climate change. Not only can this be tackled painlessly it can significantly benefit those who might regard themselves as victims of this tackling.

Let's look at one issue - transport. In Ireland, according to various experts, between 19pc and 29pc of our emissions are created by the transport sector - cars, buses, trucks, trains and various other vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Changing this will not be easy but the current wave of damning scientific evidence in relation to the harmful effects of diesel engines, especially in congested areas, is giving the Government an open goalmouth in this regard.

I was in south Dublin recently and was shocked at the number of people driving around in pristine, gleaming, gas-guzzling 4x4s. These contraptions, originally designed for field, mountain and forest have become a fashion accessory and a lifestyle statement and as such are an insult to the planet. Tackling these kind of irresponsible lifestyle choices should be a priority before we start messing with the fragile livelihoods of farming families and businesses in the transport sector.

Up to a year ago, in my household, we had two diesel cars. In April 2016, we changed one for a second-hand electric car, not a hybrid, a totally electric car. We live 40km from the city and the range of the car is 150km. Our diesel bill for the electric car's predecessor came to 350 per month, the electric car costs about 30 per month in electricity.

There is little or no servicing aside from tyres and brakes, we don't have to worry about oil changes, filters, fan belts or the like. The road tax is 120 per annum and with its automatic transmission a two-year old could drive it. Most of all, it releases zero emissions.

The vehicle has acceleration the like of which you won't get in any petrol car. And, because the battery is quite heavy and sits under the seats the weight is located in the middle of the car so the road holding is superb. There are plenty of charging points around and the electricity at these is free. Of course that won't last forever.

The electric car has its disadvantages. Normal charging takes a few hours, but with night-rate electricity it charges cheaply while you sleep. There are also fast charging points in numerous locations that will give a full charge in about 30 to 40 minutes.

The cars are dearer than equivalent fossil fuel cars to buy new but a government grant of 5,000 for a new model offsets the initial outlay. Second-hand models are as cheap as similar petrol or diesel cars. The domestic charging point is installed free by the ESB for new vehicles.

The electric car is a no-brainer, particularly for urban dwellers. The newer models have ranges of 250km and more; a relation of mine in Cork recently bought one and drove to Belfast on his first outing.

In 2020, Ireland could be fined over 1bn in fines for breaching our greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. Why not spend that money now on greening our transport system, on encouraging people to open their eyes to the obvious? The environmental and financial benefits to the individuals and to the country would be enormous.
As much as I would love to live in a utopia without taxes (and snakes as long as were going to think big), we live in a world where we have to pay for services we receive. So the only thing I can do to take the sting out of paying taxes, is to work to spend your dollars wisely. There are many programs where judicial cuts would reduce our deficit and spend our tax dollars more wisely.

If you can avoid paying taxes, you should. Thats just being wise with your money. If I can move to Ireland and pay as low as 12.5 percent as compared to 35 percent in the U.S., well then Im going to enjoy some Guinness with my savings. So corporations move and we get 0 percent of 0. So I agree with dropping the tax rates on corporations to 15 percent and letting corporations return to the U.S. to do business.

Another thing that just burns me is when senior citizens whom have worked hard all of their lives and saved money for retirement are penalized on their Social Security payments. You save and pay into Social Security only to have the benefits you paid slashed for being a responsible hardworking American. If you make more than $32,000 including half of your Social Security benefits, you are taxed 50 percent on your benefits. And if you make more than $44,000, your benefits are taxed at 85 percent. So even though you paid into Social Security your entire life, it will be stripped from you because you planned for the future too well.

These are not huge incomes that are being taxed at 85 percent but relatively modest incomes. I dont believe Americans are the governments property, cash cows to be milked until we die. We dont owe the government the majority of our labor for the privilege of existing. The government exists to serve us. We need a change of mindset in this country. Our elected leaders need to quit calculating just how much money they can strip from us before we give up and quit being productive. They need to start thinking about how to make the government work without us needing a high-priced tax accountant to protect our money from the government.

When Im elected I promise to crusade for wiser spending, and lowering taxes. I wont vote for higher taxes because we all know that Congress will spend even more. Its time for a change in America, and thats not going to happen if we send more establishment cronies to D.C. Republicans and Democrats argue about who is going to get the biggest piece of the pie, and neither you or I, will get a taste of that pie. Well be left with the empty pie pan and the dishes to wash.

So when you fill out that ballot, you need to vote Mark Wicks and tell Washington that you are done being used as a cash cow. We are Americans and we expect hard work and wise decisions to be rewarded, not punished by taxation.

Mark Wicks is the Libertarian candidate for Montana's lone U.S. House seat.
For many of those around the 30 mark, the grim reality of emigration or dole queues was almost inescapable just seven or eight years ago.

And for James Healy, the new president of Macra na Feirme, the situation was no different.

After losing his job at an agricultural engineering company in Cork, James, from Kilmartin, Donoughmore, had to weigh up his future at home.

With tens of thousands of talented, highly-skilled young rural people boarding planes with one way tickets to Australia, Canada and the UK, James thought "maybe it's the only option".

Expand Close James Healy, President elect of Macra na Feirme,with supporters following yesterday's election count at the Irish Farm Centre. / Facebook

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But one thing stood in his way - his commitment to Donoughmore Macra.

Sitting down with the Farming Independent during his first week at Macra HQ in Bluebell, Dublin, the 32-year-old, says his local club has played a "invaluable role" in his personal development.

"I grew up in a strong beef and dairy community. My father worked with farm machinery, feeding pens, feeding systems, milking parlours. I spent my summers working with him and on my uncle Pat's dairy farm so I have a great appreciation for how important farming is to rural Ireland," said James whose family also run a small suckler farm.

Macra, a rural youth organisation with 9,000 members aged 17 to 35, was also a topic of discussion in the Healy household. As a child, James vividly remembers discovering a Macra sheaf tossing trophy won by his father, Bernard, in the attic.

"From that day I started asking questions. My father was in Donoughmore club, it was very successful in the 80s and early 90s but then it went into decline and died out," he said.

His agricultural upbringing also attracted him towards a career in the industry.

"At school I was interested but at that point agriculture wasn't really seen as a viable career. You were more encouraged to go get your piece of paper and work in an office," said James who studied engineering at CIT.

While he was studying, a few young people in the parish were identified to lead the resurrection of local Macra club. James was one of them.

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At their first meeting, the eldest of four was elected chair. The group started fundraising and James' interest in competitions flourished.

"Around that time I remember speaking to a former Cork inter county hurler Cathal Casey at a lecture and he told me when he was young it was either the GAA or Macra, they were your options. I played a little GAA but Macra was my passion.

"It had a huge variety on offer, there were competitions on the agri side, public speaking, debating, drama, all kinds of sports, I knew it was something that would allow me to broaden my horizons," he said.

The club's roots and reputation in the community helped bolster members. The close proximity to Cork City, just 30 mins away, was another advantage.

However, the dawn of the Celtic Tiger, slowed the pace.

"The boom brought a new multiculturalism to Dublin which soon spread out to the countryside. There were all these exotic hobbies like surfing. People took up a whole pile of other interests and Macra probably suffered in that maybe it didn't seem as relevant. It had to refocus itself to get members attention," he said.

But the economic crash brought an even bigger blow.

"I was the last in the door at my company so I was the first out. At that point I started thinking about emigrating but I had really settled into Macra and that's probably what stopped me. I was really tied in with the community and didn't want to let anyone down. It gave me a positivity that I wanted to stay," he said.

After holding various positions, winning multiple competition titles, running fundraisers and marketing the club, James knew he had developed key skills that would impress employers. He also completed a diploma in youth development and volunteered at a youth cafe in Greenmount, Cork.

Shortly after he landed a job at Wisetek IT company in Glanmire, where he moved up the chain of command to production supervisor. His swift professional elevation was mirrored in Macra. Roles he has held include: club chair, treasurer, club president, competition secretary, Cork county chair.

"I have a very strong knowledge of the ins and outs of the organisation and it gave me the confidence to step up and take on bigger challenges. You always want to keep moving because you always want to be bringing people on behind you," said James whose three sisters and girlfriend Marie are also Macra members.

After finishing his term as Munster vice president, James took a break from representative roles. He returned to Donoughmore as club member and could hardly contain his delight when they claimed the prestigious 'Macra club of the year' title in 2015 and 2016.

"To see something you had been so integral in starting out get to where it was now, from 15 members to 60, and what we have achieved together for our community, is really special. Macra gives us brand recognition," he said.

After 13 years in the organisation, James entered the race for 36th presidency which he comprehensively won last month.

Just days after his inauguration at the Macra agm in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, James is feeling the weight of the organisation's 73 years of history on his shoulders and he is setting out his own stall.

"Macra was founded by a group of agri advisors, teachers, farmers and Stephen Cullinan. They went out with one vision that it would be member led. I think there has been a small bit of separation between a committed core group who are doing great work, and the rest of the membership and that's something I want to address.

He wants young farmers to drive Macra forward particularly as Brexit and CAP reform loom.

"Young farmers need very strong representatives but they also need to play their part. There is no reason why a young farmer shouldn't join Macra. We want them to come in and be part of our policy direction," said James who already has a personal connection with Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, who is a former member of his neighbouring Macra club in Macroom. James, whose mother works in Donoughmore post office, also believes Macra has the power to reboot ailing towns and villages.

"The most important thing is having people living in rural Ireland. In areas where Macra is not as strong people will say emigration or migration to Dublin and other cities is a huge problem. We need to give young people a reason to come back. Setting up Macra clubs can play a big part as members will feel that sense of responsibility that they don't want to walk away.

"Macra can work both sides of the coin pushing for infrastructure, spreading employment and bringing a vitality and strong bonds to communities. That potential needs to be harnessed," he concluded.
'The era of a cashless society is fast approaching and you can bet your bottom dollar - if you can still find one - that paper and coin-based payments will become a thing of the past within a generation'. Stock photo

The penny hasn't dropped yet for many Irish consumers, but cash is king no longer. The era of a cashless society is fast approaching and you can bet your bottom dollar - if you can still find one - that paper and coin-based payments will become a thing of the past within a generation.

The service industry, for example, is entering an era when the phrase 'keep the change' will soon become redundant. However, change of another sort is coming, but in a different form, and at a relentless, unstoppable place.

That's the verdict of industry experts and is backed by the evidence of trends and surveys.

Such an unprecedented move away from cash will have positive and negative repercussions.

The convenience of contactless payments is a massive boon for consumers, obviously. But a cashless society may come at a cost.

What will the future hold for street beggars and buskers who rely on loose change from passers-by?

Will church plate and church gate collections lose out in a cashless society, or could they benefit from receiving larger donations by moving to electronic payment technology?

What about bar staff who rely on loose change in their tip jars to pay their bills?

The drive towards a cashless society is mainly coming from three sources: governments, consumers and financial institutions. For governments it saves minting, printing and distribution costs, as well as removing the danger of counterfeiting and money laundering.

For businesses, cashless transactions reduce costs and the hassle of managing paper and coin-based income. The technology also reduces security risks. For consumers, cashless technology provides instant access to banking facilities and enormous convenience.

With a little encouragement, Irish consumers are making the switch away from cash. Increasingly they are using debit cards as an alternative to cash, new research shows.

Figures from the Central Bank show there was a 14pc rise in the value of spending on Visa and MasterCard debit cards in retail outlets in March, with a 2.7bn spend. This amounts to an extra 331m transacted on debit cards.

With over 35,000 Irish businesses offering contactless payment facilities, consumers are continuing to make the switch. The Central Bank too is continuing its campaign to turn Ireland into a cashless society by encouraging its own staff to stop using notes and coins by having a cashless HQ in Dublin's docklands.

The massive growth of fintech, peer-to-peer money and digital wallets is changing how people think of money.

Some 60pc of Irish people believe that Ireland will become cashless in the future, with a quarter of 'Generation Z' believing this will happen in the next 15 years, according to findings from Core Media.

'Digital natives', or the so-called Generation Z - those aged between 16 and 21 - will help push new payment options and a tipping point will be reached when they come of age, start jobs, and see their need for banking coincide with their fluency in emerging technologies.

Globally, Scandinavian countries are leading the charge towards cashless societies. More than half of Sweden's 1,600 bank branches neither hold cash nor take cash deposits. Sweden's equivalent of the Big Issue has launched a scheme with tech firm iZettle that lets sellers accept payment by card on their smartphones

Norway's biggest bank has also called for a cashless society.

The Israeli government has strategies in place to eliminate cash from the economy altogether. South Korea is already one of the least cash-dependent nations in the world. It has among the highest rates of credit card ownership - about 1.9 per citizen - and only about 20pc of Korean payments are made using paper money. In Kenya about a quarter of its GNP is through mobile payments app M-Pesa.

Many EU countries have capped the amount that can be legally paid in cash, and India recently withdrew 86pc of its paper money in a bid to eradicate tax evasion.

At home, Cork launched a pilot initiative last year to promote itself as Ireland's first cash-free city. The 'Cork Cashes Out' campaign sought to highlight the benefits for both consumers and businesses of going cash-free. Supported by banks, it led to a 500pc increase in the number of contactless payments in a three-month period.

Shane Doyle, strategy director at Core Media, said the growth of new payments technologies will affect every market, category and brand.

"Our research shows it will become increasingly important for brands to consider opening transaction channels through relevant platforms. As new payment technologies increase, consumers will no longer have the simple choice between cash or card - they will have many other options at their disposal. Businesses will have to follow suit and engage with platforms such as Apple Pay.

"While Millennials - those born between 1985 and 1994 - may be the first to adopt mobile wallets, but Generation-Z is the Irish generation who will lead the real change," said Doyle.
Last week, 3 Ireland reversed its decision on EU data roaming, abandoning plans to restrict travel allocations to 3pc of domestic allowances. But with under a month ago, misinformation still abounds about 'the end of roaming' in the EU. Here's a quick guide to what is true and what is not true.

"On June 15, roaming charges across the EU are being abolished. You will be able to roam like home."

This is half true. Telephone calls and old-fashioned SMS texts will no longer have roaming charges attached to them when used anywhere in the EU. That means that whatever monthly allocation you have in Ireland counts anywhere you go in the EU. But for data, there are strict limits. If you have a good data deal in Ireland, you won't get it across the EU. For example, if you're an iD customer who pays 15 per month for 30GB of monthly data, you'll only get 3GB of data, a tiny fraction of your domestic allowance. The new EU law allows for this, having agreed with mobile operators a formula that lets them drastically restrict the amount of data customers can use when roaming.

"Yes, but these data restrictions will apply to a minority of customers."

No, they won't. According to the most recent Irish telecoms statistics, half of Irish mobile phone subscribers are on prepay plans. These typically cost around 20 per month. That tariff gets you between 10GB and 60GB of mobile data with a number of operators. For instance, one of the most popular mobile plans in the country is 3 Ireland's 20 per month prepay option, which has "all you can eat" data (capped at 60GB). Under the new regime, you'll only be allowed to use 5GB of that plan's data when roaming in the EU. Anything over that will cost you almost 10 per gigabyte.

"But very few people use more than 5GB of data when they're on holidays or travelling for work."

This is utter nonsense. It may be true that people don't rack up 5GB of cellular network data because they have to use wifi hotspots or pay huge roaming fees at present. But they're still using lots of data on their phones. They're still engaging in social media, Netflix and video calls. At home, they can do this on the mobile network because of the mobile data packages they choose. Abroad, these new EU roaming restrictions mean they'll have to watch their usage or face massive bills when they get home.

"Okay, but people can always find a wifi hotspot abroad."

Yes. And because EU citizens won't have access to their domestic data allowances, they'll bloody well have to now. This is what makes the 'roam like home' utterances from the mouths of politicians and European officials so misleading. The whole point of the new law was supposed to be that you could actually use your phone as you would at home, not have to seek out a dodgy hotel reception area on the other side of town to watch a Netflix episode. At home, it's not a problem supplementing your mobile data with wifi, because you have it free in your house, apartment or at work. Abroad, finding reliable wifi is much more difficult, especially in non-urban environments. This is precisely the time when one most needs to rely on mobile data for daily data services that we now depend on.

"It needs to be this way or else operators would have to raise prices at home."

Why? Why does an Irish Vodafone customer have to pay five times the rate of a German Vodafone customer to access a YouTube video when in Germany? Sorry, that smells like pure profit rather than unavoidable cost. The same goes for 3 Ireland customers roaming in Italy or the UK. True, there are many operators that do not have this scale across different European countries. But even here, operators' failure to agree modest interconnection rates among themselves should arguably not come down on the heads of citizens. There are no roaming charges to be paid by an English phone customer using his phone's data in Scotland. Likewise for a Sicilian watching Netflix on his phone while Milan. So in a European single market, why should interoperator pricing remain such an exotic concept? How did such notional sums for notional costs over borders take hold? Operators complain that because Europeans overwhelmingly travel south rather than north for holidays, it would place an unfair burden on the networks taking up the extra load. Therefore, operators are being given until 2023 to keep charging big amounts for data, starting at 7.70 per gigabyte (GB) this year, falling to 2.50 per gigabyte in 2022. While such inter-operator charging may be a current reality, it makes a mockery of a European single market.

"We're trying to protect domestic customers from prices going up because of the roaming costs to us."

If so, Irish operators are having mixed success. The three biggest Irish mobile operators have all raised prices recently. 3 Ireland raised prices the most, on both prepay and bill pay packages (up to 20pc on 25 packages). Vodafone and Meteor are also raising prices. In Meteor's case, it's by stealth. Last week, the operator quietly reduced its top-up period for prepay users to 28 days (starting on June 8). That equates to almost a full month's extra cost each year. Vodafone, which had already shortened its prepay periods to 28 days late last year, is raising some other call charges by as much as 20 cent per minute.

"Look, this is a big improvement on what went before."

This is undeniably true. The EU and the European Commission deserve significant credit for gradually reducing mobile costs over the last decade. But the more EU officials incorrectly say that roaming costs are a thing of history, the more they dilute the achievement.
The last few days saw a victory for common sense, following widespread reports from respected aviation industry commentators that Donald Trump's administration would extend the airline laptop ban to European airports.

Following talks in Brussels between the European Commission and America's Department of Homeland Security, the laptop ban has failed to get off the ground.

It's reported that the EC team "was assured by their US colleagues that the meeting signalled the start of an era of better communication on security issues under President Donald Trump".

Outspoken Washington lobbyist Kevin Mitchell - interviewed for this column in recent weeks - warned that extending the ban, which affects some Middle Eastern and North African airports, to US-bound flights from Europe would be business suicide.

He said that while the current ban "affects 350 flights a week", a ban from Europe "could affect 3,500 flights a week this summer and 65 million passengers per year". In an open letter to the EC, he said: "The economic risk to airlines and the travel and tourism industry is in order of magnitude greater than the threat from pandemics, volcanoes or wars. This is serious."

Mitchell's view that such bans "would slam business travel demand, harming airlines, the travel and tourism ecosystem, organisations fielding business travellers and economic activity levels because of lost transactions. Simply put, the ripple effects of this could create an economic tsunami of the likes of which terrorists are dreaming of but instead it would be at the hand of government directive".

He also argued - in a view shared by many others - that confining laptops to cargo holds in planes, away from cabin passengers, would increase the risk of fire on the 150,000-plus EU-US flights per year, due to "hundreds of lithium batteries stored there" per flight.

While Mitchell is certainly outspoken, the fear of fire was also expressed by a safety expert from the British Association of Pilots, among others.

And the Airports Council International Europe, holding a conference in Cork last week, wasn't pulling its punches either. The ACI, headed by Olivier Jankovec, complained that media rumours of an extension of the ban showed "a lack of meaningful security cooperation between the EU and the US.

"This is not conducive to effective security and potentially compromises trust in the aviation security system."

And, worryingly for Dublin Airport - Europe's fifth busiest for transatlantic services with 179 flights a week - a laptop ban would have caused havoc in terms of operations and security.

For now, laptop bans are off the table, but there's still concern, with officials admitting after the Brussels meeting that other measures are still being considered.

US carrier Delta is to launch a new daily seasonal service between Dublin and Boston next Thursday - operated by Boeing 757-200s.

The numbers 757 might bring back bad memories of workhorse aircraft best suited to US internal routes plying the transatlantic trade in the past. But Delta's 757s are a notch above that, and will offer its well-received First/Business hybrid Delta One. The full-frills cabin offers fully flat-bed seats, mostly with direct aisle access, and a range of seasonal dining options accompanied by wines selected exclusively for Delta by a Master Sommelier.

Other premium perks include Westin Heavenly Inflight Bedding from Westin Hotels & Resorts and TUMI amenity kits featuring products by Kiehl's Since 1851. There's onboard Wi-Fi too, and fares are keenly priced, but seem to be selling fast upfront for the upcoming weeks.

The recent survey of American passengers (over 4,000 interviewed in all), had the surprising revelation that 10pc have had sex in an airport.

The mile high club comes second, with 8pc admitting to lust in the air, despite the cramped spaces found onboard aircraft bathrooms. British Airways' oddly-designed A380 Business Class bathrooms, on the other hand, could host a Roman orgy given their spaciousness (not a recommendation; just saying).

While the hoi polloi admit to antics in airport terminals, it's a bit worrying that 12pc of those who've done the bad deed carried it out in a business lounge.

Disturbing news which gives a whole new meaning to the words 'eight-hour layover'.
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a young mother found dead at her Kilkenny home.

Renars Veigulis (31) appeared before a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court this morning where the Latvian man was charged with the murder of his partner Rita Apine (29).

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She was found at the foot of the stairs at her Freshford home last Sunday afternoon with serious injuries.

She was rushed to St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny but was later pronounced dead.

Det Sgt Sean O'Meara this morning told the court that he formally arrested Mr Veigulis at 8.23pm last night at Kilkenny garda station.

He gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, and that the accused replied "no" after being charged.

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Defence counsel for Mr Veigulis said that due to the seriousness of the charge a bail application could not be made at District Court level.

An application was also made for legal aid, and the accused will appear before Cloverhill District Court on May 26.
Gardai have seized cash and drugs as part of ongoing investigation in south Dublin.

Cannabis herb and resin with an estimated street value of 30,000 along with cash 6,000 was discovered when a flat in the Rathmines area was searched

The seizures were made during an operation carried out by the Dublin Eastern Divisional Drugs Unit in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and is currently detained for questioning under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Dun Laoghaire Garda Station.

He can be held for up to seven days.

The investigation is ongoing.
MISSOULA  The role of a social safety net in America has been at the heart of key debates between Montanas two U.S House candidates.

Both say that the cornerstone federal programs must exist, but often disagree about how directly the government should manage them, the extent to which private companies should be involved, which services to offer, and whether they should be universal or limited to a narrow set of Americans.

Philosophically, the safety net was designed to give people a solid footing even in the toughest times so they could achieve the American Dream, with programs ranging from health care and Social Security to disability services and affordable housing.

Democrat Rob Quist often spoke of his personal experience with safety net programs and in stark terms of defending them from what he sees as an attempt to turn them into corporate profit machines.

I was talking with Pat Williams (the last Democrat to hold Montanas U.S. House seat) and he said from the time he became congressman that the goal of the Republican administrations were to privatize everything. To me, theres a danger in that, said the Creston musician best known as founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band.

Republican Greg Gianforte said the social safety net is one of the four primary purposes of a federal government, along with national defense, making and enforcing laws, and paying for infrastructure.

We need the safety net, but I believe the best path forward is to actually improve the economy so there are more jobs, said the Bozeman tech entrepreneur. We do that by letting people keep more of their hard-earned money, lowering taxes, reducing regulations so people that create jobs can create more jobs.

Health care has been a primary topic of campaign stops leading up to the May 25 special election to fill the seat vacated by Ryan Zinke when he was confirmed as Interior Secretary. Quist has started and ended his campaign with statewide tours to talk about health care, mostly calling for a defense of the Affordable Care Act and condemning the current Republican replacement plan, the American Health Care Act.

We have to resist this, Quist said during an event at Great Burn Brewing in Missoula on Tuesday.

He hammered on the GOP proposal for allowing insurers to charge people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums and changing the way the federal government funds state Medicaid expansions, which he said would kill Montanas program that has insured more than 70,000 people since it launched in January 2016.

Beyond defending the Affordable Care Act, Quist has advocated for a single-payer system, which he said would simplify the whole system and significantly reduce administrative costs driven, in large part, by existing reporting and compliance requirements.

To fight the rising cost of prescriptions, he has suggested that Medicare, the free health care program for the elderly or people with disabilities, should be able to negotiate prices like other federal programs. He also has supported lifting an importation ban on pharmaceuticals, noting his wifes Epipen costs just $20 when relatives buy it for her in Canada rather than the $500 here in the United States.

Gianforte said the federal government has an obligation to all Americans to make health care affordable.

Thats why I believe we should repeal and replace Obamacare, he said, referencing the Affordable Care Act.

He did not fully support the first version of the American Health Care Act and has raised questions about the latest iteration in interviews, saying that preserving rural access and reducing premiums will be his primary concerns when evaluating a proposal.

Gianforte has been criticized, however, for a phone conversation leaked to The New York Times in which he told lobbyists that he was thankful for the House votes that moved the American Health Care Act forward.

Those reforms also could dramatically affect the financial ability of states to continue Medicaid programs expanded under the near-complete reimbursement rates promised in the Affordable Care Act. Montana, for instance, raised the income threshold for people to qualify and allowed all adults  not just single mothers, children and people with disabilities  to receive the government-funded health care coverage.

The Republican reforms discussed in the last several months have proposed capping federal appropriations to states to pay for those expansions, or providing the funding as block grants that would have fewer rules about what types of services must be covered. Some fear those block grants, like similar ones instituted for food subsidy programs, would lead states to tighten eligibility requirements and force people off the programs since money would not go far enough to cover all need.

Gianforte said the government needs to maintain the expanded coverage.

We cant pull the carpet out from under them, he said. But he did not answer questions about the fears that a cap or block grant would do just that and about whether he supports those ideas.

Speaking about health care reforms, but also safety net programs in general, Gianforte said he wants to see tapered benefits so the neediest people receive complete support, with some assistance for middle-class families.

We need to make sure that we dont put incentives that discourage people from getting up on their own feet and being self-sufficient, he said. Some programs have benefits that just fall off a cliff at a certain income level or hours worked per week.

Quist wouldn't say whether he generally supported programs that provide universal benefits, like Medicare, or one that limit aid based on income or other factors, like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Its a complex thing, he said, nonetheless lauding Medicare as an example of why a universal program can work best.

It all comes downs to philosophy about whether youre into service of self or service to others, he said, taking a swing at Republicans in Congress he suggested were looking for more tax breaks for themselves rather than seriously reforming health care.

Universal (programs) are service to everyone. Thats whats been so great about Medicare. Its probably been the most successful program ever instituted. You show your card and youre covered, no questions asked. It takes out the administrative costs," Quist said. "Its a much more efficient system than a system where people have to find an pay exorbitant prices for insurance.

In the final weeks of his campaign, Quist also has argued that he is the best person to defend Social Security. He has seen firsthand how the program can keep American families afloat, he said. As he has done frequently, Quist said when he had health troubles and was facing the possibility of bankruptcy that the ability to take Social Security income early really saved me and my family.

In campaign stops Quist has raised the specter that Republicans, Gianforte among them, want to end or roll back Social Security.

Democrats criticized Gianforte during his failed gubernatorial bid last year for comments he once made about Noah, the Biblical figure who built an ark to survive a catastrophic flood.

Speaking to Montana Bible College students, he reportedly said:  Theres nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement  . How old was Noah when he built the ark? Six-hundred. He wasnt, like, cashing Social Security checks, he wasnt hanging out, he was working.  The role we have in work may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical.

Gianforte declined multiple requests to clarify those comments or address the backlash to them during a Wednesday interview. Instead, he repeatedly said, I will always protect Social Security.

Earlier, he said some of the nations safety net programs do not fit his vision for what those should be  only those services that take care of the people that cant take of themselves  but nonetheless exist because as a society weve decided to have them.

He said Social Security is a contract between the federal government and those recipients who have paid into the system their whole lives.

So we cannot do anything to jeopardize those benefits in anyway, he said.

The Republican administration of President Donald Trump, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, have proposed restructuring many of the nations core affordable housing programs, and also want to cut funding from block grants that pay for the majority of affordable housing built here in Montana for people with low incomes, disabilities or who are elderly. Funding for maintenance of public housing also could be cut dramatically.

Carson has said Trump intends to fund affordable housing initiatives in a to-be-released infrastructure proposal and notes that the government can get more bang for its buck by expanding an existing tax credit program that provides incentives for private developers.

Those tax credits have been criticized by some housing advocates, who say they often do not do enough to guarantee housing is built where its needed most, in part because of market dynamics, and in a way that does not exacerbate existing economic or racial segregation.

A Quist interview ended before he could discuss his views of the housing proposals, and requests Thursday and Friday for additional time were not fulfilled.

Gianforte did not answer some specific questions about the proposals, but said that higher-paying jobs would make housing affordable for more Americans. He also said he generally supports public-private partnerships over programs that are managed entirely by federal agencies.

Very often the private sector can do things more efficiently than government can, he said. If we decide we have a goal as a country, like more affordable housing, Im a fan of incentive programs to help the private sector fulfill that need.
An Irish hotelier has vowed not to "bow down to bullies" after he was threatened for flying the Union flag.

Brendan Rohan, owner of Dunfanaghy Holiday Village at Corcreggan Mill in Donegal, was bombarded with abusive messages from people who were unhappy with the flag being displayed.

He also said that trolls are using Facebook's rating system to hurt his businesses' credibility.

Mr Rohan (64) said that flying the flag of his guests' home country is something he likes to do to help welcome them and he won't give in to intimidation.

Speaking to Independent.ie, he said: "A passerby phoned me to say he objected to the flag, which he called the 'Butcher's Apron' and went on in a very derogatory way about his country's national flag.

"I explained to him that I'm in the hospitality business and I'm not interested in politics or religion, just I like to fly the flag of my guests and on this occasion it was a surprise present for a British couple who were celebrating a special event.

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"I've flown the Union flag like I would for any of my guests that might be here, whether they're Swiss, German, Canadian or whatever.

"Guests have been delighted to see their flag being flown here with respect and maturity, they thought it was great and I think that's the way it should be.

"That's not how it was seen by a passerby, who wasn't even one of my guests, and I don't like how they used it as an opportunity to destroy our image, we've gone from 4.9 out of 5 to 4.3 because they've continually left 1 star reviews."

Mr Rohan, who served in the Irish Army for more than 20 years, spoke about some of the comments he has been subjected to over the past week.

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He said: "Some of them are a bit off the wall, some are pretty derogatory, one guy is trying to incite locals to break all my windows, another guy said if I fly it again there will be no more Corcreggan Mill - so I've obviously reported those to the gardai."

Some of the comments left on the Facebook page include: "The flying of the Butcher's Apron is an insult to Irish people throughout this Island and this premises should be boycotted!"

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Another read: "Not if it was the last place on earth would I step one foot in to where they hang the Butcher's Apron, disrespect on a whole new level."

Despite this, Mr Rohan has said that he refuses to feel threatened.

He explained: "It's a little campaign of intimidation and I won't give in to it, I fully appreciate they have issues with it but I don't and none of my guests have.

"I think this is petty bully boy tactics, which I won't give in to."

He also has said that anyone who has left a poor rating should come and see the holiday accommodation - which includes B&B, a caravan park and glamping - for themselves.

Mr Rohan, who was born near Clones in Co Monaghan, said: "I'd say to the detractors to come and visit, see what we're really about and all the different types of accommodation that are available.

"Then you will see that I give pride of place to our own beautiful flag of union, representing the two main traditions on this island and peace between us.

"In fact, if anything, their campaign has backfired because I am now being inundated with email and telephone bookings by people who did not previously know about our wide range of accommodation facilities and are not only delighted to discover it but are also delighted at this confirmation of our nation's new maturity in welcoming all our guests, equally and respectfully.

"In that regard, I also display the Proclamation of the Irish Republic beside a colour print of King William of Orange, who in my mind should be the nationalist hero for many historical reasons and beside that, a montage print of a group of men who are 85 per cent Presbytarian and Church or Ireland .... the founders of Irish Nationalism and Republicanism."

He also said that he has been uplifted by supportive messages, particularly one from a Republican man in Letterkenny who understands his reasoning.

The message read: "The freedom to nurture grievances is not the freedom that MacDiarmada, Clarke, Connolly, and the others fought and died for, nor one fit for the noble house of Pearse's heart.

"Keep it up! If you were to take it down, or stop flying it, we would be living under tyranny. We fought for freedom.

"The man who can't forgive can never be free, for in denying forgiveness to his neighbour he leaves himself burdened with his own sins."

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The sun shone for the stylish Mercedes-Benz/Louise Kennedy customer lunch at Luttrellstown Castle, Co Dublin. Ciaran Allen, sales manager of Mercedes-Benz in Ireland, welcomed guests whose eyes were dazzled by the sight of the 200,000 S-Class Cabriolet at the door, complete with stunning cream leather upholstery.

After bubbles on the patio, we stepped inside to see the splendour of the castle, which dates back to the 15th century. Formerly the home of chatelaine Aileen Plunket - it was a wedding present in 1927 from her father, Ernest Guinness - the castle in Clonsilla Queen Victoria twice and Victoria and David Beckham got married there in 1999. Louise Kennedy, pictured above right with her sister Caroline, hosted a chic salon show of her favourite SS17 pieces. Guests included Amanda Pratt, Jane McDonnell of The Gloss and (below) Padraic and Aisling Dempsey.

I tipped my hat at Co Monaghan bard Patrick Kavanagh as I passed his statue on the sunny Grand Canal Bank en route to dinner at Forest Avenue. The event marked the launch of the extended Penneys Home collections - and I, for one, am super excited about their rose gold cutlery (coming in September) and those metallic rose PU feather pots. There was a lovely fashion crew there and I chatted with (below) buyer Laura Nolan and PR Stephanie Game.

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Dublin's best-tressed set recently flocked to see (below) Mark O'Keeffe and his Sugar Culture team of hair and beauty virtuosos, who hosted an exclusive summer showcase featuring a lavish runway show in their flagship salon, Brown Sugar, on South William Street.

GRAPEVINE

Next Friday is proving a very busy day for ladies who like to lunch with a purpose. Charity Angels Quest is having its summer fundraising lunch at The Westbury, while at Leopardstown racecourse Breast Cancer Ireland will benefit from a Ladies' Evening of networking, racing and indulgence hosted by the very funny Aisling Bea.

SPOTTED

We spied (3) Darren Kennedy, Catriona Gallagher and James Kavanagh at the launch of Specsavers' Darren Kennedy Recommends 2017 collection at Wilde in The Westbury. So many hats to wear - fashion designer, TV presenter, Irish style icon (and Weekend columnist!) Darren has more pairs of specs than anyone else I know. That all comes from research for his Specsavers Ireland collections, of course, for whom he is also official style ambassador. His latest curated seasonal edits of top frames for men and women go on sale next Monday and include his 'Harry Potter' style (pictured above).

Photo: anthony woods

@bairbrepower
Zing into summer with this light, bright lemon tart that's both luxurious and virtuous...

LEMON CURD TART

This is so thrillingly zingy and the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Lemon curd is one of those things that always shocks me when I have the first taste - it never fails to be more delicious than I remembered.

This is so thrillingly zingy and the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Lemon curd is one of those things that always shocks me when I have the first taste - it never fails to be more delicious than I remembered.

Serves 8. Gluten-free, dairy-free & paleo-friendly

Ingredients

For the filling:

125ml melted coconut oil

125ml honey

3 whole eggs

3 egg yolks

Juice of 3 lemons, zest of 1

For the crust:

240g ground almonds

Pinch of sea salt

3 tbsp melted coconut oil

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 egg, whisked

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C/ 350F/gas 4. Add all of the filling ingredients to the food processor and blitz until combined.

Pour the mixture into a saucepan and place on medium heat. Whisk continuously until the mixture gets nice and thick (about 8 minutes). Make sure you don't let the mixture boil: you should be stirring almost the whole time.

Take the pan off the heat and transfer the lemon curd to a bowl. Cover with cling film so that the film is touching the mixture (to stop a skin forming) and place in the fridge to cool while you make your crust. Combine the ground almonds and salt in a large bowl. Add in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and egg, and mix well.

Grease a 9in tart tin with a removable bottom with a little coconut oil. Press the mixture very tightly into the bottom of the tin and up the sides. Bake for about 12 minutes until golden. Set aside to cool completely.

When everything has cooled, spread the filling evenly into the crust. Chill for 2 hours, then serve.

INDY LOVES

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Dr. Coys is an Irish brand that Ive loved from the beginning. Im all for their emphasis on positive eating and their coconut oil is my favourite on the market. Its organic, unrefined and, in my opinion, tastes better than any others Ive tried. It doesnt hurt that it comes in lovely kilner jars either  my cupboard is full of repurposed ones full of different nuts and seeds. Coconut oil isnt all they do; they have a delicious range of nutritious chocolates, coconut flour and stevia, and Im so happy to see that their products have become much more readily available  theyre popping up in all my local supermarkets. See drcoys.ie.

MY SUMMER SQUEEZE

You can easily make this tart into mini portion sized tartlets that are really cute for summer parties. Instead of pressing the crust into your tart tin, grease a cupcake tin with some coconut oil and then press the mixture very firmly into the bottom and up the sides. Then bake them and fill them as above. You should get 810 mini tarts. If youre short on time, make the curd the day before and just bake the crusts the day of, and fill them right before your guests arrive. You wont need to chill them like you would with the full-size tart as they dont need to be sliced.

SUPER SPREAD

This filling makes a gorgeous lemon curd spread. If you have any extra, store it in the fridge in an airtight jar for 12 weeks and use it on toast or scones; its also really yummy on pancakes. Whether youre using it for the tart or a spread, you can also try adding in some orange or lime zest.

thelittlegreenspoon.com
Country pile? Tick. Flash car? Tick. Helicopter? Tick. Hot tub? Tick. So what do the wealthy folk of this world spend their money on when it looks like they already have everything? The answer, it seems, is their own fiefdom - a private island.

When you imagine islands, you may think of deserted sunny beaches, palm trees and luxury wooden huts, so it may be a surprise to learn that millionaires sometimes opt for Irish islands. They may not be sun-drenched, but that doesn't seem to deter overseas buyers who have the cash to splash.

Cork estate agent Dominic Daly is an expert when it comes to selling islands in Ireland. He currently has five on his books, ranging in price from 150,000 to 1.9m. After over 40 years in the business, Daly has seen it all.

So what kind of people decide that buying an Irish island would be a good idea?

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"Dreamers," says Daly. "People who like the idea of having their own fiefdom, their own laws, their own money. Mainly overseas people. We sold an island last year off Donegal to some Belgians but I don't know why they bought it, because it's not exactly accessible."

The Belgians weren't the only people who had romantic ideas of owning an island. When Michael Jackson spent time in Ireland in 2007, he came to Daly in the hope of bagging a bargain. Daly found himself on a boat with Jackson, his three children and their nanny to view an island off west Kerry.

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"He asked if a security fence could be built around it," says Daly. "He didn't want anyone else to come to the island."

As it turned out, the King of Pop was pretty broke at the time, so it's no surprise that he never came back to Daly to seal the deal.

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Those who have owned Irish islands include John Lennon, Michael Flatley and the lateral thinking guru Edward de Bono. And famously Charles Haughey furnished his own private realm on Inishvickillane.

One island that is currently on the market was bought in 2001 by an American couple with a clearer vision than Jackson. Kevin O'Farrell and Lori Kearney knew the minute they saw Mermaid Isle that it was exactly what they were looking for.

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"The most obvious attraction was its immediacy to the crystal clear sheltered sea," recalls Kevin. "For centuries, the seaside property was owned by generations of people who made a living by catching fish, lobsters, crabs, prawns and scallops. Most of my career has been devoted to designing aquariums and natural history museums. In all of my exhibits, I encouraged visitors to go outside, get wet and meet nature head-on. In aquariums, millions are spent developing artificial tide pools that stimulate nature. At Mermaid Isle, we were surrounded by the real thing, the whole ecosystems, from plankton to invertebrates, to fish, birds, seals and even dolphins."

Mermaid Isle, Illaundrane, Glanlough Lower, is a spectacular 25-acre oceanfront property close to Sneem in Co Kerry, on sale for 1.9m. The sale, through joint agents Majella O'Sullivan and Dominic Daly, includes two striking homes on 12 acres of the mainland. It also consists of half a 26-acre private island, turbary rights to three acres of bog and has over 4,000 ft of shoreline, two hot tubs, boat launches and moorings.

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The main house and the guest cottage have been restored by Kevin and Lori, and both face south over the secluded cove with a hot tub each so you can enjoy the sea views in style.

Kevin says the name of the island came from local seanachies. "Mermaid Isle was named by elders from our three local communities - Sneem, Castlecove and Caherdaniel. The Irish mermaid story is based upon the seal people, selkies, who can remove their sea cloaks and become human. Those selkies come to our door every morning and I join them in my wetsuit," laughs Kevin.

Beatles fans have just missed out on the opportunity to snap up Dorinish Island in Clew Bay. The land bought by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1967 sold last year after a number of years on the market. The couple never got to live on the island themselves but Lennon rented it out to Sid Rawle in the 70s, who set up a commune for about 25 people. The self-sufficient bunch lived in harmony for two years, until bad weather eventually drove them off the island. Beatle Island, as it became known locally, was sold by Ono after Lennon's death.

Rawle wasn't the only hippie who enjoyed the freedom of island living. A group known as The Screamers took over the island of Inishfree off Donegal in 1974. They happily practised their primal scream therapy on the island until they split in 1988.

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For those who like the idea of being lord of their own land, islands currently for sale through Dominic Daly include Shore Island in the Shannon Estuary in Co Clare, and Carbery and Cold Islands in Dunmanus Bay off West Cork.

Shore Island is 30 acres and about 10 minutes off the coast by boat. There is a shell of an old dwelling on the island, as well as a number of old ruins that could be used to create a unique home for someone who values their privacy. It is currently being used to graze cattle and has a guide price of 900,000.

Carbery and Cold Islands have been on the market for a few years. When they initially went on the market in 2007, the guide price was 1.26m. This dropped to 990,000 in 2013, and is now at 599,000; the same price as a four-bed semi in Rathfarnham.

It is a 34-acre island with a new four-bedroom property and its own beach. It also has a sophisticated generator house, which is timber-built with a slated roof in keeping with the main house. The elaborate electrical system is driven by both 500AM wind generator and also a separate 37.5KRB heavy duty generator driven by a four-cylinder Petta engine. There is also a provision for the installation of solar cells to provide an alternative source.

An island that won't break the bank is Mannion's Island, also in Dunmanus Bay off West Cork. The four-acre site is located very close to the shoreline and is accessible all year round.

With a guide of 150,000, the island doesn't come with any infrastructure, but on the eastern side there is a small, sheltered cove that is ideal for swimming or kayaking. Any building on the island would be subject to planning permission. This is for sale through Dominic Daly and Vladi Private Islands (www.vladi-private-islands.de).

For 100,000, Sherry FitzGerald Crowley is selling Roeillaun Island, just north of Clew Bay between Newport and Mulranny in Co Mayo. The 22-acre plot is a handsome site with no dwellings but about 18 acres of the island is of fair agricultural quality.

* Dominic Daly, Cork (021) 4277399

* Majella O'Sullivan (064) 2101

* Vladi Private Island (+4940) 338989, info@vladi.de

* Sherry FitzGerald Crowley (098) 29009
No more petrol or diesel cars, buses, or trucks will be sold anywhere in the world within eight years. The entire market for land transport will switch to electrification, leading to a collapse of oil prices and the demise of the petroleum industry.

This is the futuristic forecast by Stanford University economist Tony Seba. His report, with the deceptively bland title Rethinking Transportation 2020-2030, has gone viral in green circles and is causing spasms of anxiety in the established industries.

Prof Seba's premise is that people will stop driving altogether. They will switch en masse to self-drive electric vehicles (EVs) that are 10 times cheaper to run than fossil-based cars, with a near-zero marginal cost of fuel and an expected lifespan of 1m miles.

Only nostalgics will cling to the old habit of car ownership. The rest will adapt to vehicles on demand. It will become harder to find a petrol station, spares, or anybody to fix the 2,000 moving parts that bedevil the internal combustion engine. Dealers will disappear by 2024.

Cities will ban human drivers once the data confirms how dangerous they can be behind a wheel. This will spread to suburbs, and then beyond. There will be a "mass stranding of existing vehicles". The value of second-hard cars will plunge. You will have to pay to dispose of your old vehicle.

It is a twin "death spiral" for big oil and big autos, with ugly implications for some big companies unless they adapt in time. The long-term price of crude will fall to $25 (23) a barrel. Most forms of shale and deep-water drilling will no longer be viable.

Scotland will forfeit any North Sea bonanza. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela will be in trouble.

It is an existential threat to Ford, General Motors, and the German car industry. They will face a choice between manufacturing EVs in a brutal low-profit market, or reinventing themselves a self-drive service companies, variants of Uber and Lyft. They are in the wrong business.

The next generation of cars will be "computers on wheels". Google, Apple, and Foxconn have the disruptive edge, and are going in for the kill.

The shift, according to Prof Seba, is driven by technology, not climate policies. Market forces are bringing it about with a speed and ferocity that governments could never hope to achieve.

"We are on the cusp of one of the fastest, deepest, most consequential disruptions of transportation in history," Prof Seba said. "Internal combustion engine vehicles will enter a vicious cycle of increasing costs."

The "tipping point" will arrive over the next two to three years as EV battery ranges surpass 200 miles and electric car prices in the US drop to $30,000 (26,800). By 2022 the low-end models will be down to $20,000 (18,000). After that, the avalanche will sweep all before it.

"What the cost curve says is that by 2025 all new vehicles will be electric, all new buses, all new cars, all new tractors, all new vans, anything that moves on wheels will be electric, globally," Prof Seba said.

"Global oil demand will peak at 100m barrels per day by 2020, dropping to 70m by 2030." There will be oil demand for use in the chemical industries, and for aviation, though Nasa and Boeing are working on hybrid-electric aircraft for short-haul passenger flights.

Prof Seba said the residual stock of fossil-based vehicles will take time to clear but 95pc of the miles driven by 2030 in the US will be in autonomous EVs for reasons of cost, convenience and efficiency. Oil use for road transport will crash from 8m barrels a day to 1m.

The cost per mile for EVs will be 6.8 cents (6 cents), rendering petrol cars obsolete.

Insurance costs will fall by 90pc. The average American household will save $5,600 (5,000) per year by making the switch. The US government will lose $50bn (45bn) a year in fuel taxes.

"Our research and modelling indicate that the $10 trillion (9 trillion) annual revenues in the existing vehicle and oil supply chains will shrink dramatically," Prof Seba said.

"Certain high-cost countries, companies, and fields will see their oil production entirely wiped out. Exxon-Mobil, Shell and BP could see 40pc to 50pc of their assets become stranded."

These are all large claims, though familiar to those at the cutting edge of energy technology.

While the professor's timing may be off by a few years, there is little doubt about the general direction.

India is drawing up plans to phase out all petrol and diesel cars by 2032, leap-frogging China in an electrification race across Asia.

The brains trust of Prime Minister Mahendra Modi has called for a mix of subsidies, car-pooling, and caps on fossil-based cars. The goal is to cut pollution and break reliance on imported oil, but markets will pick up the baton quickly once the process starts.

China is moving in parallel, pushing for 7m electric vehicles by 2025, enforced by a minimum quota for "new energy" vehicles that shifts the burden for the switch on to manufacturers. At the same time, global shipping rules are clamping down on dirty high-sulphur oil used in the cargo trade, a move that may lead to widespread use of liquefied natural gas for ship fuel.

This is all happening much faster than Saudi Arabia and Opec had assumed.

The cartel's World Oil Outlook last year dismissed electric vehicles as a fringe curiosity that would make little difference to ever-rising global demand for oil.

It predicted a jump in crude consumption by a further 16.4m barrels a day to 109m by 2040, with India increasingly taking over from China as a growing market. The cartel said fossils will still make up 77pc of global energy use, much like today. It implicitly treated the Paris agreement on climate targets as empty rhetoric.

Whether Opec believes its own claims is doubtful. Saudi Arabia's actions suggest otherwise. The kingdom is hedging its bets by selling off chunks of the state oil giant Saudi Aramco to fund diversification away from oil.

Opec, Russia, and the oil-exporting states are now caught in a squeeze and will probably be forced to extend output caps into 2018 to stop prices falling.

Shale fracking in the US is now so efficient, and rebounding so fast, that it may cap oil prices in a range of $45 (40) to $55 (50) until the end of the decade. By then the historic window will be closing.

Experts will argue over Prof Seba's claims. His broad point is that multiple technological trends are combining in a perfect storm. The simplicity of the EV model is breath-taking. The Tesla S has 18 moving parts, 100 times fewer than a combustion engine car.

"Maintenance is essentially zero. That is why Tesla is offering infinite-mile warranties. You can drive it to the moon and back and they will still warranty it," Prof Seba said.

Self-drive "vehicles on demand" will be running at much higher levels of daily use than today's cars and will last for 500,000-1m miles each.

It has long been known that EVs are four times more efficient than petrol or diesel cars, which lose 80pc of their power in heat. What changes the equation is the advent of EV models with the acceleration and performance of a Lamborghini costing five or 10 times less to buy, and at least 10 times less to run.

"The electric drive-train is so much more powerful. The gasoline and diesel cars cannot possibly compete," Prof Seba said. The parallel is what happened to film cameras - and to Kodak - once digital rivals hit the market. It was swift and brutal. "You can't compete with zero marginal costs," he said.

The effect is not confined to cars. Trucks will switch in tandem. Over 70pc of US haulage routes are already within battery range, and batteries are getting better each year.

Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank England and chairman of Basel's Financial Stability Board, has repeatedly warned that fossil energy companies are booking assets that can never be burned under the Paris agreement.

He pointed out last year that it took only a small shift in global demand for coal to bankrupt three of the four largest coal-mining companies in short order.

Other seemingly entrenched sectors could be just as vulnerable.

He warned of a "Minsky moment", if we do not prepare in time, where the energy revolution moves so fast that it precipitates a global financial crisis.

The crunch may be coming even sooner than he thought.

 The Telegraph
Our visitor maps out a perfect day in Florida's surprise package...

10am: Stroll through Ybor City

Ybor (above) is a city within a city - Tampa's 'Latin Quarter' with a whiff of New Orleans, and formerly the cigar-making capital of the world. Take a guided tour of this grid-patterned red-brick enclave where chickens roam free. Stepping into Jose Marti Park puts you on Cuban soil without having to produce a passport while the former 'mothership' cigar factory is now a Scientology centre.

How: Ybor City Museum, 1818 East 9th Avenue; ybormuseum.org

2pm: Art by the river

The Tampa Museum of Art enjoys a great setting next to a large public park by the river. It's got collections of Ancient Greek and Roman treasures, but the exciting part is its contemporary scene, with fantastic travelling exhibitions and a thrilling mix of Cuban and North American influences. Even the museum itself is a great piece of modern art, seen to most dramatic effect when the sun goes down.

How: 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza; tampamuseum.org.

5pm: Go Gourmet

Take a spin along Bayshore Boulevard to the more sedate side of town, admiring millionaires' homes while joggers and cyclists flash past the lagoon-like Hillsborough Bay. One of the most exciting places to overindulge in Tampa is the Elevage Restaurant at the Epicurean - a hotel/restaurant/cookery school concept infused with a real, feel-good atmosphere. They also happen to have the world's largest private wine collection.

How: 1207 South Howard Avenue; epicureanhotel.com

8pm: Head Downtown

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Tampa's reputation for its rundown city centre has been radically turned on its head. The energetic night-time atmosphere is enhanced by the colour-lit 4km-long Tampa Riverwalk, offering a lively selection of venues in its path. Visitors can drink alcohol as they stroll, as long as they buy it from approved vendors along the way and carry it in specially designated cups. Recommended pitstops include Ulele and Aloft's outdoor poolside bar.

How: thetampariverwalk.com

Do it

Aer Lingus (aerlingus.com) flies direct to Orlando 3-4 times a week. Tampa is a 1.5-hour drive from Orlando. For more to see and do around Tampa Bay, see visittampabay.com
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.
MISSOULA  Robert Stubblefield teaches 130 or so students a year at the University of Montana.

He's taught at UM since 2002, first part time at Missoula College, and the creative writing and composition teacher has worked in the English Department full time since 2004.

The writer serves as the faculty adviser to "The Oval," UM's undergraduate literary magazine. He's also co-coordinator of the Fall Writers' Opus, an annual fundraiser going on eight years that has brought in tens of thousands of dollars for creative writing scholarships and UM literary publications.

Despite his stature on campus, though, Stubblefield is classified as a lecturer, an adjunct position without the protection of tenure. The English Department counts six lecturers in all, and Main Hall notes an estimated 50 on campus.

"Lecturers are an important part of the program," Stubblefield said. "We're not just teaching when we have high enrollment to fill in.

"We've become ingrained."

As UM prepares for another tight budget in the coming school year, though, those lecturers aren't guaranteed funding come spring semester.

President Sheila Stearns said UM has ensured money is available to fund lecturers in the fall semester, and she wants to honor people who have worked at UM for many years. At the same time, the university soon will be giving notice to lecturers in case it isn't able to hire them come spring.

"It will enable both the deans and the university to have more flexibility in regard to second semester," Stearns said.

Yet UM is working to increase enrollment and retention, and by the nature of their teaching, the lecturers provide part of the solution, Stubblefield said.

And a union spokesman said axing the faculty members who carry some of the heaviest teaching loads for less money will affect UM's ability to preserve its status as a top shelf research institution.

***

UM is his alma mater, and Stubblefield returned to teach at the campus where he'd studied with William Kittredge for his own MFA.

A couple of years later, he took a full-time job as lecturer, and he receives full benefits. He's been pleased to be a lecturer at UM, and he's rejected offers to teach elsewhere.

Of course, Stubblefield isn't the only high profile faculty member with a substantial role on campus and without the protection of tenure.

Nancy Cooper, a longtime organist who has played the bells in Main Hall, is an adjunct in the Music Department. Garry Kerr, a teacher who won an anthropology award received by less than 1 percent of faculty in North America, is an adjunct as well.

In the English Department, Stubblefield said lecturers direct programs such as Irish studies, film studies, and eco-criticism.

"We'd like to be part of the solution for the challenges at the university and particularly our programs and department," he said.

In fact, he believes they already are part of the solution.

***

Many lecturers teach larger, lower-division courses, and that means they develop relationships with the youngest students.

When those pupils feel homesick or frustrated with school and want to drop out, lecturers may be the first line of defense in keeping them on campus, Stubblefield said. Sometimes, he said, it's just a 15-minute conversation, but it's an important one.

"They just need somebody to listen to them and know that people care," he said. "I think the people who teach the lower-division and entry-level classes really develop those skills.

"I don't think those skills are to be diminished as we pursue (enrollment and retention). It's really a competitive climate for students right now."

Toward the end of their college careers, Stubblefield helps launch students into graduate programs at esteemed places. In 2015, he received a letter from the University of Iowa thanking him for recommending UM graduate Micah Fields to one of the top writing programs in the country  and asking him to recommend other students.

"I think that's one of the best endorsements," he said. "Micah is exceptional, but also representative, I think, of the type of undergrads we put out."

Other graduates nurtured in the liberal arts education at UM are making valuable contributions to community, he said. In Missoula, one MFA graduate is growing and selling micro greens, and another is one of the founders of the Burns Street Bistro, a restaurant with one of the city's most eclectic menus.

***

This year, Main Hall is again under financial constraints, and its 2018 fiscal year budget must be smaller than the current budget.

UM has estimated that 20 percent to 24 percent of its teaching is done by faculty who work on a part-time or annual basis. Main Hall officials also anticipate the campus will use far fewer adjunct faculty in the coming school year.

As part of its budget work, UM investigated its legal obligations to faculty members. Since it is required to give lecturers with three years or more a semester's notice, President Stearns said UM will likely begin giving notice regularly as a budget precaution; she said the practice gives UM flexibility and is a "best practice" at other campuses.

UM communications director Paula Short said decisions about renewals will be made on a case-by-case basis. She provided this statement from Main Hall about the status of lecturers and other adjunct faculty, "excellent scholars and teachers in our academic community."

"The university will be informing all non-tenurable faculty in a timely fashion if they are to be appointed for the fall semester," the statement said.

"Lecturers ... will be notified before the start of fall semester to provide one semesters notice that they may not be appointed for the spring semester. Decisions on non-tenurable faculty staffing may not be completely finalized until the start of the fall semester, when course registration data is more fully known."

In the future, Provost Beverly Edmond said deans will need to be intentional in their use of adjuncts. She also said tenured and tenure-track faculty will pick up the teaching load adjuncts used to cover.

"With each decision related to hiring faculty, we think first and foremost about how best to serve our students and maximize the impact of our finite financial resources," said the statement from Main Hall. "Non-tenurable faculty are and will continue to be integral to the mission of the university, though  in the near term  the number of appointments will be less than in previous years due to factors including student demand for specific courses, availability of tenured faculty for instruction, and university budgets."

In general, universities used to hire people such as lecturers into tenured positions, but Stubblefield said that change doesn't happen as much anymore.

"As budgets become even tighter, there's probably not as much incentive to do that," he said. "You're teaching a bigger load for lower pay, so that's a good deal."

On the other hand, it may not be a good deal to lose a lower-paid person doing more teaching.

***

Lee Banville, spokesman for the University Faculty Association, said with the same workload, a decrease in use of adjuncts, including lecturers, will mean an increased load elsewhere.

If tenured faculty have to teach more, they'll necessarily have less time to do the research and write the grants that bring money into UM.

"Let's take physics, for example," Banville said. "There's a faculty member over there who landed a very big NASA grant. You're going to see less of that if you're going to teach more introductory classes. And that faculty member does teach intro classes. But it's going to change what this university looks like."

The forecast shift also isn't in line with the most recent strategic plan, which calls for UM to be a top research institution in the country, he said.

"We have people telling us that they want us to do it all, more of everything," Banville said. "And although there may be more capacity to teach, that's going to have to come from somewhere else."

***

In the current employment climate, jobs aren't guaranteed, and he doesn't take his for granted, Stubblefield said.

At the same time, he believes in the contributions he and his fellow lecturers are making to academia, to students, to recruiting, and to society, and he wants to keep doing the work.

"In our department, at least, we have full support from our chair, our dean, and our tenured faculty," Stubblefield said. "And we feel like we're an important part of the program and department, and we want the opportunity to move forward.

"And there needs to be some reassurance. You can't constantly have that distraction of not knowing. It makes it difficult to build and sustain the programs that do recruit those top students."

And UM's creative writing program still does, he said. It has a legacy, and it still attracts students who could have gone to Yale University instead. He personally works with high schools and recruiters in and out of state to bring them to UM.

"I think this program is important to our community in a lot of ways that I don't believe people take for granted. And they support it," Stubblefield said. "But maybe, it's more fragile than we had thought."
The decision by Sligo County Council to fly the Palestinian flag over its offices for the month of May as a stance against Israel is regrettable, according to Ze'ev Boker, Ambassador of Israel to Ireland.

In a statement, Mr. Boker said: "It is surprising that locally elected politicians, whose mandate and competency is for local issues, prefer to indulge in such gesture politics about issues thousands of miles away which are irrelevant to the people of Sligo whom these councillors supposedly represent. There is also a strong note of hypocrisy in this act. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, the only country with free speech, press, politics, the rule of Western law and equal rights for men and women. In short, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that these councillors would dare to live in if they had to make such a choice."

He added that Ireland is respected as a peacekeeper in areas of conflict because of its neutrality, but says Sligo County Council's decision to fly the flag 'runs contrary to traditional Irish practice'.

"Unfortunately, the decision by Sligo County Council is precisely the sort of partisan, biased approach that runs contrary to traditional Irish practice. It is also a symbolic rebuff to the Irish diplomatic position on the Middle East Peace Process which, together with the position of the EU and the UN, supports a fair two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.

He added: "Moreover, by flying the Palestinian flag, what sort of 'Palestine' is Sligo County Council showing solidarity with? Is it with the Palestinian Authority, which rules much of the West Bank and is at least officially committed to the Peace Process with Israel, or is it with Hamas, the Islamic fundamentalist terrorist organization which has ruled Gaza for ten years with an iron fist and Sharia Law?

"Flying the Palestinian flag near the fiftieth anniversary of the 1967 war explicitly condemns Israel for winning that war against its Arab neighbours, in the course of which Israel acquired east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. But, if Israel had lost that war, it would have been annihilated by the combined might of Egypt, Syria and Jordan and the result would have been another Holocaust of the Jewish people."

The Ambassador continued: "Israel has repeatedly given up land for peace. It gave up the Sinai after Egypt made peace in 1979. Today Israel has good relations with both Egypt and Jordan. Israel left Gaza in 2005 to the Palestinians, only to be met with Hamas terror and rocket attacks from that enclave.

"At Camp David in 2000 and again at the Annapolis conference in 2007 Israel offered to give up almost all the territory the Palestinian Authority said it wanted for a final peace settlement, but on both occasions the Palestinian Authority rejected the offer. Israel is still willing to make concessions and to negotiate if the Palestinian Authority agrees to new peace talks.

"The councillors who voted for this gesture should remember that Ireland's own experience of peacemaking in Northern Ireland showed the importance of bi-partisanship, parity of esteem, recognizing the position of two communities and not just one. The kind of biased, hostile activism exemplified by this decision, if carried on in Northern Ireland, would have never have produced peace in that territory.

"I hope to visit Sligo during my time here as Ambassador of Israel. I believe that it is very important to strengthen ties, trade and investment between our two peoples, and the wonderful beauty of the west of Ireland is well known in Israel.

"The decision by the Council does absolutely nothing positive for Palestinians and sadly only gives support to those who hate Israel and its people.
From Jeremy Corbyn trying out musical instruments to Boris Johnson sneaking a look at Robert Pestons interview notes, here is what happened on the General Election campaign trail on Sunday.

Whos had a good day?

The latest clutch of opinion polls show the Labour party is making ground on the Conservatives following manifesto releases.

As Corbyn claimed his message was getting through to voters, four polls for the Sunday newspapers put Labour between 35% and 33%, up significantly on the scores as low as 26% it was recording early in the campaign.

Whos had a bad day?

Theresa May has been accused of extraordinary treachery by actor Hugh Grant for abandoning a Conservative commitment on press regulation.

The actor, known for films such as Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral, has been a long-time supporter of the anti-media intrusion campaign group Hacked Off.

The second part of the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press will no longer take place should the Tories return to government.

Grant told ITVs Peston on Sunday that he felt unbelievable anger on behalf of families who said they had been wronged by sections of the British media.

Quote of the day

We spend way too much time fixated on the areas we disagree with each other and need to create more moments where we come together as a country  Brendan Cox, widower of Jo Cox, who was murdered in her Batley and Spen constituency.

Party leaders decided to stop campaigning for an hour today to remember the Labour MP.

Picture of the day

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn plays an erhu during a community visit to Pagoda Arts in Liverpool with 17-year-old Charlie Wardle.

GIF of the day

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The Twitter account for Peston on Sunday shared a GIF of the humorous moment Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was caught trying to read through Pestons notes, while the presenter was distracted talking to a panel of guests.

Tweet of the day

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After Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green told Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell he didnt understand capitalism live on BBC1s The Andrew Marr Show, Jeremy Vine tweeted McDonnells response.

Vine wrote: Ouch on #Marr. Damien Green: You dont understand capitalism. John McDonnell: Well you certainly do because you made a fortune out of it.

What do the polls say?

According to Press Associations poll of polls, projections for the Conservatives have gone down 1% to 46%, while Labour remains on 32%. The rest of the parties remain lagging behind.
Donald Trump with King Salman and others at the summit (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump has accepted an invitation to visit Egypt from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi

President Donald Trump holds a sword and dances with traditional dancers during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace (AP)

US President Donald Trump has implored Saudi Arabia and other middle eastern countries to extinguish "Islamic extremism" emanating from the region.

Mr Trump described the situation as a "battle between good and evil" rather than a clash between the west and Islam.

In a pointed departure from his predecessor, the US president all but promised he would not publicly admonish middle eastern rulers for human rights violations and oppressive reigns.

"We are not here to lecture - we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship," Mr Trump said, speaking in an ornate room in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

"Instead, we are here to offer partnership - based on shared interests and values - to pursue a better future for us all."

The president's address was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his January swearing-in.

For Mr Trump, the trip is a reprieve from the controversies that have marred his young presidency and an attempt to reset his relationship with a region and a religion he fiercely criticised a candidate.

During the 2016 US campaign, Mr Trump mused about his belief that "Islam hates us".

On Sunday, however, standing before dozens of regional leaders, he said Islam was "one of the world's great faiths".

While running for the job he now holds, Mr Trump criticised President Barack Obama for not using the term "radical Islamic extremism" and said that refusal indicated Mr Obama did not understand America's enemy.

In his Saudi speech, Mr Trump condemned "Islamic extremism", ''Islamists" and "Islamic terror", but not once uttered the precise phrase he pressed Mr Obama on.

He made no mention of the disputed travel ban, signed days after he took office, that temporarily banned immigration to the US from seven majority Muslim countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

Both the original order and a second directive that dropped Iraq from the banned list have been blocked by the courts.

Mr Trump offered few indications of whether he planned to shift US policy to better-fight terrorism.

There were no promises of new financial investment or announcements of increased US military presence in the region.

The president put much of the onus for combating extremists on Mideast leaders: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

Mr Trump's remarks came in a meeting with dozens of regional leaders who gathered in Riyadh for a summit with the US president and Saudi King Salman.

The king has lavished praise and all the trappings of a royal welcome on the new American president, welcoming in particular Mr Trump's pledge to be tougher on Iran than Mr Obama was.

Indeed, Mr Trump and Mr Salman were in agreement on the threat Iran poses to the region when they addressed their fellow leaders: Mr Trump accused Iran of "destruction and chaos" and the king said its rival "has been the spearhead of global terrorism".

The Saudis' warm embrace was a welcome change for the besieged White House.

Officials spent the days before Mr Trump's departure dealing with a steady stream of revelations about the federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and the fallout from his firing of FBI director James Comey.

AP
The attacks on three churches in Egypt left at least 75 people, mostly Christians, dead

Dozens of suspected Islamic militants who allegedly attacked Christian churches in Egypt, killing 75 people, have been referred to a military trial.

At least 75 , mostly Christians, died and scores were wounded in the attacks on a church in Cairo and two north of the capital between December 2016 and April this year.

The 48 suspects will also face charges over links to an attack in January which killed eight policemen at a checkpoint 375 miles south-west of Cairo.

The suspects joined Islamic State and received military training in the group's camps outside Egypt, said the country's chief prosecutor Nabil Sadeq.

Egypt is fighting IS-linked militants who are waging an insurgency focused in northern Sinai and who have recently vowed to go after the country's minority Christians.

AP
MURDERER: Ian Brady died last Monday, more than 50 years after his crimes he committed with partner Myra Hindley

Moors Murderer Ian Brady reportedly asked in his will for his cremated ashes to be scattered in Glasgow's River Clyde and for money raised from publishing his memoirs to go to charity.

The 79-year-old child killer died last Monday after spending more than five decades behind bars for murders committed with partner Myra Hindley.

According to sources, Brady asks in his will to be cremated to the sounds of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, music which tells how a young artist dreams of killing his beloved and is condemned to death.

The killer's will, seen by reporters, also calls for his paintings and photos of himself to be auctioned to pay for the publication of his autobiography, entitled Black Light, with any spare money to go to charity.

In the document, Brady reportedly says: "I do not wish to be viewed by relatives or friends. The coffin is to remain closed. I do not wish any of the staff of Ashworth Hospital to be present at my funeral or cremation."

Brady's body has been released to his lawyer, and the paper said he had asked to be cremated in a non-religious ceremony in his native Glasgow, with his remains to be scattered on the Clyde near the Gorbals area, where he grew up.

But Glasgow City Council has said it would refuse any request for the notorious murderer to be cremated in the area. A spokesman for the authority said: "We have not had such a request but we would refuse that request. We would advise the private crematoria not to accept the request or any such request should it be forthcoming. There has not been any request made."

Brady and Hindley were jailed for life for the killings of John Kilbride (12), 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans (17). They went on to admit the murders of Pauline Reade (16), and 12-year-old Keith Bennett, whose body has never been found.

Terry Kilbride (63), brother of John, condemned Brady's plans, saying: "It upsets me that this monster is trying to make money on the back of what he did to our John and those other kids. It's sickening that he's planned this."

Brady's body had been held under police guard since his death at the high-security Ashworth Hospital in Maghull, Merseyside, at 6.02pm on Monday.

Opening an inquest into his death last Tuesday, senior coroner Christopher Sumner delayed the release of his body to ask for assurances that a funeral director willing to take it had been found.

He also asked for an assurance the ashes of Brady would not be scattered on Saddleworth Moor, where the remains of four of Brady and Hindley's five child victims were found.

At a reconvened hearing on Wednesday, the coroner's court was told by solicitor and executor of Brady's will, Robin Makin, that there was "no likelihood" the ashes would be scattered there. Mr Sumner delayed the body's release until Thursday to allow Merseyside Police to negotiate with Mr Makin about arrangements for the funeral.

 PA
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with Saudi women on a visit to an all-women's business services center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 21, 2017. General Electric and Saudi Aramco are key partners in the center, which provides career opportunities for well-educated Saudi women. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

(Front R-L) Jordan's King Abdullah II, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan pose for a photo during Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

(Front R-L) Jordan's King Abdullah II, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, U.S. President Donald Trump, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani pose for a photo during Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

President Donald Trump delivers a speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit, at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

US president Donald Trump has said Syrian president Bashar Assad has committed "unspeakable crimes" bolstered by Iran.

Mr Trump called upon countries around the world to work together to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

He denounced Iranian aggression in the region in an address to Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia, and said the "longest-suffering victims" are the Iranian people.

He said they have "endured hardship and despair under their leaders' reckless pursuit of conflict and terror."

Earlier, Mr Trump said every nation must shoulder the burden of rooting out terrorism from their countries.

He told the leaders of Muslim-majority countries in Riyadh: "Every nation has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no quarter on their soil."

Expand Close U.S. First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with Saudi women on a visit to an all-women's business services center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 21, 2017. General Electric and Saudi Aramco are key partners in the center, which provides career opportunities for well-educated Saudi women. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) / Facebook

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Whatsapp U.S. First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with Saudi women on a visit to an all-women's business services center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 21, 2017. General Electric and Saudi Aramco are key partners in the center, which provides career opportunities for well-educated Saudi women. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

Mr Trump said terrorist groups "do nothing to inspire but kill" and all countries must work together to "honestly" confront "the crisis of Islamic extremists and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds."

He stopped short of referencing "radical Islamic terrorism" - a term he uses frequently in the US and which he condemned former president Barack Obama for failing to say.

Mr Trump used his first major foreign policy address as president to say the fight against terrorism "is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.

"This is a battle between those who seek to obliterate human life and those who seek to protect it."

He said: "Terrorists don't worship God. They worship death," adding that the US is prepared to stand with those leaders he was addressing in the fight against extremists, but that those countries must take the lead.

He urged them to drive extremists "out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your community. Drive them out of your holy land."

He told the Arab-Islamic American Summit in Riyadh that "95% of the victims of terrorist attacks are themselves Muslims."

He said, in a departure from the sometimes anti-Muslim rhetoric of his presidential campaign, that terrorism must not only be measured by the number of dead, but the number of "vanished dreams."

The US sought a coalition of nations in the Middle East with the aim of "stamping out extremism."

In his address to the Arab-Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Mr Trump vowed to "strengthen America's oldest friendships, and to seek new partners in pursuit of peace."

He promised "that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit cooperation and trust."

King Salman of Saudi Arabia said he was committed to stamping out Islamic State and other terrorist organisations, and called Iran "the spearhead of global terrorism."
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump step off Air Force One upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on May 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Al Murabba Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. Picture taken May 20, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS.

The US and Saudi Arabia have reached a $110bn-plus arms deal, significantly expanding the longstanding security relationship between the two countries, the White House has said.

Hours after landing in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, the Presidents first stop on his foreign trip, Donald Trump and Saudi King Salman signed a series of agreements that included a military sales agreement of about $110bn, effective immediately, plus another $350bn over the next decade.

The White House said this package of defence equipment and services supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia in the face of Iranian threats.

Alongside the United Arab Emirates, the Middle Eastern country is currently conducting a military campaign in neighbouring Yemen against Houthis, a rebel group believed to be financially and militarily supported by Iran.

Expand Close U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Al Murabba Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. Picture taken May 20, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS. / Facebook

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Whatsapp U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Al Murabba Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. Picture taken May 20, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS.

Mr Trump appears to be taking a tougher stance on Iran compared to his predecessor Barack Obama, pleasing Saudi Arabian officials. The Obama administration halted some arms sales to Saudi Arabia last year out of concern that the weapons would be used to bomb civilians in Yemen. The Trump administration has freed up those weapons, which are part of the $110bn package, the New York Times reported.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Saudi Arabia is the top destination for US arms, with the kingdom purchasing about 10 per cent of US exports from 2011 to 2015.

The latest arms deal will also improve Saudi Arabias ability to fight terrorism, the White House said, reducing the burden on the US military to conduct counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf region.

This package demonstrates, in the clearest terms possible, the United States commitment to our partnership with Saudi Arabia and our Gulf partners, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region, and supporting tens of thousands of new jobs in the US defense industrial base, a statement said.
George Manlove, the former CEO of defunct Montana appliance and electronics retailer Vanns, was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison on Friday after being found guilty earlier this year on 170 felony counts related to defrauding the company.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dana Christensen imposed the 63-month sentence at the end of a nearly six-hour hearing in Missoula.

Manlove was not taken into custody right away. The judge allowed him to report by June 20, the day after a hearing will be held to determine the amount of restitution Manlove will owe.

At the end of a three-week trial in February, Manlove was convicted of a litany of charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy for defrauding Vanns. The same jury also decided that Manlove must forfeit $2.4 million in property deemed the ill-gotten gains of his fraud convictions.

In his statement to the court, Manlove said he never felt that he defrauded the company.

"I personally am devastated that Vanns failed on my watch, he said. Trust me, I feel everyones pain."

He had asked the judge for leniency, saying he felt he could still contribute to society and that possibility would be taken away if he was imprisoned.

I think society loses as well, not just me and my family, he said.

Christensen said that while Manlove has a right to continue to believe his innocence, since the trial he has consistently avoided accepting any blame, including repeatedly saying that Paul Nisbet, the former Vanns CFO, was the primary person behind the fraud conspiracy.

This despite Manlove being convicted of racking up more than $67,000 worth personal expenses that he charged to Vanns, and having the company pay for him to attend a graduate program in business, during which he polished his resume and began looking for a new job.

Nisbet was sentenced to 14 months in prison in October but was released earlier this year after the judge amended his sentence due to his cooperation with Manlove's prosecution.

The 12 jurors were not convinced and neither am I, Christensen said. You blame everyone else, the economy, whatever, for what went wrong. This is a level of hubris, some would say arrogance, that defies explanation.

Jay Allen, a former Vanns employee, was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in the summer of 2012.

He said he blamed the former CEO  whom he termed "The Wolf of Brooks Street"  for the loss of his health insurance and life insurance when Vanns went under in 2013 after declaring bankruptcy.

Over the years Mr. Manlove, you branded yourself a visionary. I doubt you saw this day coming, Allen said.

Michael Sherwood, Manloves attorney, asked Christensen to impose a sentence of a year and a day.

Anything more would be revenge or something, but certainly not justice.

After representing more than 1,000 clients, Sherwood said he couldnt think of any who were a finer individual than Mr. Manlove.

Sherwood said the fact that Manlove received a harsher sentence than Nisbet was the prosecutions way of punishing his client for not knuckling under after being indicted in late 2015.

Basically what they are saying is, Oh, Mr. Manlove challenged our authority, Mr. Manlove dared to go to trial, he said.

Manloves wife Jill said her husband was fully committed to the company from the day her father and Vanns founder Pete Vann asked him to move to Missoula to take a leadership role there.

Julie Santorsola, Jill Manlove's sister, said she felt the jury reached the wrong verdict; that her father told her all the former employees were repaid in a civil settlement and that Manlove was not a criminal.

They deserve all of our respects, she said of her sister and brother-in-law.

Prosecutor Adam Duerk recalled another federal sentencing in Texas just over a decade ago. The man in that case, another former CEO, also had letters of support and friends who testified they thought it was impossible he had done what he was convicted of, and that he was a family man who had poured his lifeblood into his company.

That CEO, Duerk said, was Jeffrey Skilling of Enron.

Fraud artists by nature deceive others, the prosecutor said. This case should set the bar for what white-collar criminal defendants should expect if they defraud their companies.
US First Lady Melania Trump did not cover her head when arriving in Saudi Arabia on the opening leg of her husband's first international tour since taking office.

Two years ago, then-citizen Trump criticised then-first lady Michelle Obama's decision to go bare-headed during a visit with her husband in January 2015.

"Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf enemies," Trump tweeted at the time, including a shorthand spelling for "enough".

Saudi women and most female visitors are required by law to wear a loose black robe, known as an abaya, in public. Most women in Saudi Arabia also cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab.

While Melania dressed conservatively in a long-sleeved, black trouser suit accented with a wide, gold-coloured belt, her below-the-shoulder brown hair blew in the breeze.

On visits earlier this year, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also shunned head coverings.

Then-first lady Laura Bush generally went without covering her head, though she once briefly donned a headscarf that she received as a gift. Hillary Clinton, on trips to Saudi Arabia as Obama's secretary of state, also did not cover her head.

Trump's daughter Ivanka, a senior White House adviser who is also accompanying her father, also left her head uncovered.

Saudi Arabia adheres to an ultraconservative interpretation of Islamic sharia law under which unrelated men and women are segregated.
Lt Col Oliver North was implicated over Iran-Contra but there was no definitive proof Reagan authorised the plans. Photo: The Authentic History Center

Those of you awaiting the end of Donald Trump's reign should not hold your breath.

The stories flying out of Washington at warp speed over the past week - the latest being that former FBI director James Comey has agreed to testify before Congress, and that the president bragged to Russian officials about firing him - have been titillating fodder for commentators who brand Trump an irresponsible man-baby. They will no doubt also cast a cloud over his first major foreign trip.

But they are not enough to inflict a fatal wound.

Appointing Robert Mueller to independently oversee the Justice Department's investigation into possible co-ordination between the Russian government and Trump's campaign is the first step to ending this Sisyphean election cycle, but it is only one step.

We should expect the investigation itself to be quite long; Mueller is not a man to be rushed into hasty decisions and investigations of this magnitude have typically been measured in years, rather than months.

But while this scandal might be the size of Watergate, I expect it to take the shape of Iran-Contra. The massive blast radius of Watergate often clouds the fact that it was a set of crimes carried out by breathtakingly stupid, arrogant and unlucky men.

The purported aims were the same (stealing an election), and the president may have engaged in obstruction of justice; for now, that is where the comparisons end.

Iran-Contra was a more nuanced affair - and probably a better guide to how this investigation will play out.

For those unfamiliar with the scandal, senior members of Ronald Reagan's administration facilitated the illegal sale of arms to Iran to ensure the release of hostages in Lebanon (contrary to government policy), with the secondary aim of using the funds from those sales to illegally prop up the anti-communist Contra militia in Nicaragua.

There was never definitive proof that the president authorised this diversion of funds - and while more than a dozen other members of the administration were indicted, only some were found guilty and none served jail time.

President Reagan was never impeached, and his approval ratings at the height of the scandal never dipped below 46pc.

To Reagan's base, the illegality of the arms deal and transfer of cash was outweighed by two worthy goals: the return of American hostages and the fight against communism.

But the whole affair was sufficiently convoluted as to give claims of ignorance a ring of authenticity, and to give voters a headache. Any scandal that can be explained only with diagrams is unlikely to capture the popular imagination.

In the absence of hard physical evidence such as recordings of conversations, this investigation will probably be painful and costly, distract from the president's agenda and produce embarrassing headlines - but it will not result in impeachment or conviction, or diminished support in the president's base.

The caveat is, of course, the president's mouth. The major known unknown of Trump's time in office is what will tumble out of it, or on to his Twitter account, every morning. Up to this point, he has demonstrated the impulse control of a slavering labrador, and in this environment that is dangerous.

Interfering with any of the investigations now under way, or attacking those leading them, could prove his undoing.

Impeachment is a political process, requiring a simple majority in the House to impeach, and a two-thirds majority in the Senate to convict.

Republicans in both houses are understandably reluctant to prosecute a man who remains popular in their constituencies - but if his inability to keep his mouth shut convinces those voters that maybe he is trying to cover something up, that calculus could quickly change.

Those horrified by the elevation of this man to the highest elected office in the land must be comforted by the prospect of impeachment. It must be tempting to allow yourself to believe that, maybe, just this once, Trump has gone too far and is due for a mighty fall.

History would suggest that you place your faith elsewhere.

This investigation will deliver no quick answers and will almost certainly stretch beyond the mid-term elections in 2018. If it turns up nothing more than is already known, it will not finish Trump. And even if it digs up further evidence implicating his aides, there's a strong chance he himself would survive it.

His enemies must look instead to old-fashioned electoral politics. That, in the end, is the only sure way to curtail his power.

Telegraph

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
North Korea has fired another medium-range missile in its latest ballistics test.

The rocket was fired from an area near the North Korean county of Pukchang, in South Phyongan Province, and flew eastward about 500 km (310 miles), said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The US Pacific Command said it tracked the missile before it landed in the sea.

White House officials travelling in Saudi Arabia with President Donald Trump said the system, which was last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's most recent tests.

An official from South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile appeared to be similar to a midrange solid-fuel missile that North Korea fired in February.

The missile fired on Sunday reached a maximum altitude of 560 km (347 miles), said the official.

In February, North Korea used a launcher truck to fire a solid-fuel missile that it calls the Pukguksong (Polaris)-2, a land-based version of a submarine-launched missile the country revealed earlier.

That missile travelled about 500 km before crashing into the sea, according to officials.

The February launch, the North's first missile test after Donald Trump took office, alarmed neighbours because solid-fuel missiles can be fired more quickly than liquid-fuel missiles, which need to be fuelled before launch and require a larger number of vehicles, including fuel trucks, that could be spotted by satellites.

South Korea's new president, Moon Jae-in, held a National Security Council meeting to discuss Sunday's launch, which came hours after he named his new foreign minister nominee and top advisers for security and foreign policy. He did not make a public statement after the meeting.

In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a "challenge to the world" that tramples international efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear and missile problems peacefully, and vowed to bring up the issue as the "main agenda" of this week's G7 summit in Italy.

The launch came a week after North Korea successfully tested a new midrange missile that it said could carry a heavy nuclear warhead.

Experts said that rocket flew higher and for a longer time than any other missile previously tested by North Korea, and that it could one day reach targets as far away as Hawaii and Alaska.

Under the watch of dictator Kim Jong Un, North Korea has been aggressively pursuing a decades-long goal of putting a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year alone, possibly improving its ability to make nuclear weapons small enough to fit on long-range missiles. The country has also conducted a slew of rocket launches as it continues to advance its arsenal of ballistic weapons, which also include midrange solid-fuel missiles that could be fired from land mobile launchers or submarines.

Such tests present a difficult challenge to Moon, a liberal who took over as South Korea's president on May 10 and has expressed a desire to reach out to North Korea.

Pyongyang's aggressive push to boost its weapons program also makes it one of the most urgent foreign policy concerns for the Trump administration, though Washington has struggled to settle on a policy.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the North's latest launch "throws cold water" on the expectations by Moon's government to "stabilise peace and denuclearise the Korean Peninsula."

"Our government is open to the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, but will also maintain a stance of firmly responding to provocations," the ministry said.
Patna, May 21 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): A youth in Bihar was badly beaten up by the police after he shouted slogans in favour of Pakistan during the course of voting at the ongoing civic elections.

The incident took place in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar on Sunday.

Reports quoting local media said the youth had turned up a polling booth to cast his vote but gone angry after finding his name missing from the voters list.

Subsequently, he began creating ruckus at the polling booth and when the local villagers objected to his conduct, he indulged in heated arguments with them and began shouting slogans like Pakistan zindabad (long live Pakistan), witnesses said.

Soon, the police took him into custody and also thrashed him badly for his anti-national activities. Police said severe action would be initiated against him.

(thebiharpost.com)




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You know the relationship with your dog has transcended into a higher realm when it becomes your saviour.

Dogs are not just loyal, they are irrevocably devoted. For the sole reason that you are the only family they have. They are not just your best friend, they are your soulmate and that's precisely how their sixth sense kicks in when something goes awry.

We have innumerable examples of how pooches came to the rescue of their owners and saved their lives. Today, we reminisce about a few of them lest we forget how wonderful dogs are.

1. Owner breaks neck, dog keeps him warm for 24 hours by lying in snow with him

A Michigan man, who broke his neck outside his home in freezing cold, was saved by his pet who laid on top of him for 24 hours to keep him warm. Bob broke his neck after he slipped on the snow while collecting firewood. The temperature at the time was -4 degrees Celcius.

McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital

Bob's five-year-old Golden Retriever, Kelsey kept Bob warm by lying on top of him, kept him awake by licking his face and hands, and barked all through the night for help. Bob was discovered by his neighbour the next morning and was taken to the hospital.

2. Owner gets attacked by armed robbers, dog fights and chases them away

When a Professor and his pet, Leo were returning from their trip to a milk parlour in Mahalakshmi Layout, Bengaluru, they were stopped by a group of armed men who wanted to rob the Professor of his gold chain and other valuables.

BANGALORE MIRROR

Sensing danger, Leo pounced on the man threatening his owner and fought the others off bravely. While Leo busied himself with the robbers, the Professor called for help. By the time his family arrived, Leo had chased off the gang.

3. Owner gets stuck in a burning building, dog shields her from fire

When Che's owner's house caught fire, the dog barked himself hoarse, alerting the neighbours to the mishap who called 911. The incident, that occurred in Philadelphia, had left both Che and his owner unconscious and the pooch was found lying on top of his human's body.

RED PAW EMERGENCY RELIEF TEAM

While Che suffered serious smoke inhalation, his owner suffered 50 percent burns and was admitted in a critical condition.

4. Family gets threatened by cobras, hero Doberman dies warding them off

When a family's life came in danger, their dog was ready to protect them. The incident took place in the Sebekapur village of Gajapati district where four mountain cobras had tried entering the family's house. The Doberman guarding the entrance fought with the snakes and killed them all.

ALLDOGBREEDS/ REPRESENTATION IMAGE

However, the dog collapsed soon after from the poison of the snake bites and died. The villagers organised a funeral for the hero dog before he was buried.

5. Toddler gets lost in Siberian wilderness, gets saved by a puppy

A toddler got lost in the Siberian wilderness for three days before she was saved by her doggy. Three-year-old Karina Chikitova was followed by her puppy into the wild who helped the girl stay warm at nights.

siberian times

A massive search and rescue operation was put in place but when it yielded no results in finding the little girl, it was called off. But soon, the puppy returned home alone after a few days and led the searchers back into the wild where its human lived for 11 days!

6. Owner chokes on an onion, dog jumps on his back to help him breathe

18-month-old Labrador, Lexi played the canine version of a doctor when she saved his dying human from choking on a piece of onion. 67-year-old Alan Spencer from East Yorkshire was certain he would die when he started to choke. But his dog Lexi knew better.

swns

The Labrador leaped into the air and landed bang in the middle of Spencer's back - the impact of which led the onion to shoot right out of Spencer's mouth which saved his life.

7. Owner suffers a seizure, dog bites into his phone to dial 911

This can be the next big training you can give your dog - how to dial an emergency service. When Terry McGlade, a U.S. Marine with a medical condition of PTSD and seizures, experienced one of his episodes, his dog Major did the unthinkable. The dog got out Mcglade's phone out of his pocket and bit into it till he managed to dial 911.

facebook

The responders heard McGlade having a seizure on the phone and immediately came to his rescue. Major had called them 10 times before they could take him seriously!

Time to take the biggest hug out of your bag and rain the love on your paw-dorable thing for being there.
The Yuva Shakti Dal including the Bhim Army, who were denied permission by the Delhi Police, staged a massive protest on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur.

The recent clash between the Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar is the reason for this protest.

PTI

The Dalit protesters are demanding justice from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They also alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government was mistreating the Dalits.

"We have no expectation from the government. So many people are in the hospitals not even a person has come there. This government is against the Dalits. We need justice and justice for the people who are lying in the hospitals," said a protestor.

PTI

The Delhi Police yesterday denied permission for a demonstration by several Dalit unions. The unions had told police that they expected a gathering of over 50,000 people, which prompted police to deny permission.

The issue dates back to May 5, when a mob from the Thakur community allegedly burned and ransacked 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members from the community, in Saharanpur.

Earlier that day, a group of Thakur men wanted to take out a musical procession honouring Maharana Pratap, which had been opposed by Dalits citing lack of permission from authorities.
PTI

The Yuva Shakti Dal including the Bhim Army, who were denied permission by the Delhi Police, staged a massive protest on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur. Read more

Here are more top stories of the day:

1) Kashmiri Youth Given Rs 500 Each For Stone Pelting, Says J&K Deputy CM Nirmal Singh

BCCL

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh today asserted that the youth are paid Rs 500 each for pelting stones in the Valley. This comes after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe on Kashmir separatists over Pakistan funding allegations. Read more

2) This Image Of A Jharkhand Man Begging For His Life Shows Us What's Wrong In These Times Of Mob Justice

Manoj Kumar/HT Photo

Sometimes the viciousness and hatred that people carry within them is not just surprising, but downright horrifying. In a case like this, a picture of Mohammad Naeem has caught the attention of the world which clearly portrays the absolute murder of not just a person, but humanity as well. Read more

3) Gujarati Auto Driver Wants To Shed Religion And Be Called 'RV155677820', Sadly Law Won't Allow It

TOI

A city-based autorickshaw driver, born a Hindu, wants freedom from religion and wishes to be known in government documents as 'RV155677820'. But his desire to renounce religion is stuck as the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act does not have provisions to turn atheist. The Act only allows conversion from one religion to another. Read more

4) Mathunny Mathews Aka Toyota Sunny, Who Saved 1.7 Lakh Indians During Kuwait War And Inspired 'Airlift', Dies At 81

Mathunny Mathews popularly known as Toyota Sunny, who led the Indian expatriate community in Kuwait for more than a century passed away at his residence in Qadisiya in Kuwait on Saturday. He was 81. Read more

5) 'Chaigaram' - A Desi Cafe In London That Helps Refugees, One Masala Chai At A Time

artefactmagazine

A TV programme about Iraqis who fled to Europe has inspired an Indian management consultant to start a chai stall business in London that employs refugees from across the world. Read more
The father of Maldivian blogger Yameen Rashid, murdered recently in capital Male, is in India looking for the government's support in containing the growing radicalisation of the island-nation.

twitter

Weeks after Rasheed's brutal murder, police have arrested seven people suspected of executing the killing. But sources tracking the case in Maldives say there is little interest in going deeper into the cause of the murder. Yameen isn't the only blogger in the island nation to have suffered a terrible fate. In 2014, his friend, Ahmed Rilwan, was abducted and his whereabouts remain unknown till today.

toi

Yameen decided to pursue that case. His death happened at the same place from where his friend had been picked up. "There is growing radicalisation in the vicinity of India. India should help," says Hussain Rasheed, Yameen's father.

Yameen was born in the Maldives but his father brought all four children for their education to India. Yameen went to school in Kerala and trained as an IT professional in Bangalore. Speaking to TOI, Hussain Rasheed says Yameen could have been inspired by talks of injustice he heard from his father. He went back to Maldives, started a school to teach English, and developed a social service app that won a 20,000 euro award. He had a girlfriend in Brussels.

twitter

But his writings on matters social and political attracted the wrong kind of attention in a country which is radicalising at an alarming rate.

Saudi Arabia has been providing the funds and ideology, growing numbers of Maldivians are going to Pakistan to study at madrassas there and even take scholarships to Medina university in Saudi Arabia, thereby being suffused with Wahabi/Salafi ideologies.

Maldives also has the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita enrollment in Islamic State.

Hussain Rasheed himself is associated with former President Mohamed Nasheed's party, MDP, and while Yameen was not politically active, he was opposed to the growing conservatism at home.
Despite the top leadership of the Bhim Army being on the run from the police, a mass mobilisation effort is on in Western UP to ensure that thousands reach Delhi on May 21 to protest against alleged atrocities against Dalits. Hundreds from the community are joining the Bhim Army daily, and lending a hand to the Dalit organisation's members. Through social media and offline means, the word has spread within the community in the region.

Chandrashekhar Azad, wanted for his alleged involvement in the clashes between police and Dalit protesters on May 9, has released a short audio message where he has appealed to all "fellow advocates" and those who believe in Ambedkar's ideology to be present at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Sunday. According to officials in Delhi, permission has been sought for a crowd of 50,000, but that many more are expected, due to which permission could not be given.

In a letter, the deputy commissioner of police of New Delhi district BK Singh expressed fears that more than 50,000 would be present while he denied permission for holding the protest.

PTI

"Jantar Mantar for dharna or demonstration cannot accommodate such a large gathering (50,000 people). There is some intelligence that the gathering will be higher than the intimation given by you," the letter addressed to the organisers read.

Vinay Ratan Singh, national president of the Bhim Army, said on the phone from an undisclosed location, "Many of us (leaders of Bhim Army) have been unable to engage directly in mobilisation efforts as we are being tracked by the police. But our cadres are doing this work. Also, after the atrocities against Dalits in Saharanpur, thousands of well-meaning people have come forward to support us in different ways."

The organisation is mobilizing support through social media. "It reaches lakhs of people. We are using these platforms to spread word about the protest," a Bhim Army member told TOI.

Senior Dalit writer and political activist Chandra Bhan Prasad is among those spreading the word. "I am constantly in touch with my networks on social media and am doing whatever I can to spread the message. The response has been very good," he said.

According to protest organisers, meeting points have been decided, buses have been organised and funds raised. "The response has been fantastic. Around 30,000 will be going from Meerut alone. Those who can't be accommodated on buses will come by train," said an organiser.

PTI

Many Dalits are also saying that the May 21 protest is not just about the incidents of Saharanpur, but about rising violence against Dalits ever since BJP's dominance of national politics began in 2014.

On CM Yogi Adityanath's recent visit to Meerut, Dalits protested as the CM did not garland Ambedkar's statue when he visited a Dalit-dominated area. "It shows the attitude of the CM towards the community. The energy that we are seeing this time as Dalits are organising is inspiring. We will fight this no matter what. Our entire basti will go to Delhi and do whatever it takes for Dalits to have their rights", said Vinay Jatav, a resident of Malin Basti in Meerut.

Vinay Ratan Singh expects upwards of fifty thousand people to be present at the protest. Satish Prakash, a Dalit activist and political analyst, believes that the number could be higher. "People are coming forward voluntarily. The anger is massive," he said.
Two Indian peacekeepers are among the 117 military, police and civilian personnel to be honoured with a prestigious UN medal awarded posthumously for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Rifleman Brijesh Thapa who served with the UN Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Private Ravi Kumar who was deployed with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers to be observed on May 24.

PTI

Indian is the largest cumulative troop contributor. It has provided almost 200,000 troops in nearly 50 of the 71 peacekeeping missions mandated over the past six decades, including 13 of the current 16 missions.

Under the UN Flag, 168 Indian troops have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty so far.

India currently deploys more than 7,600 military and police personnel to UN peace operations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia, the Middle East, South Sudan, Sudan and the Western Sahara.
Leo Varadkar was the clear favourite to succeed Enda Kenny as Ireland's prime minister Saturday as nominations closed for the leadership of the governing centre-right Fine Gael party.

Kenny announced this week he would be stepping down after six years as taoiseach (head of the Irish government) and 15 years as party leader, saying his replacement would take over on June 2.

Reuters

Varadkar, the Dublin-born son of an Indian immigrant father and Irish mother, became the first openly gay cabinet minister in Ireland after coming out in 2015.

He campaigned on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws, although, like the majority of his party colleagues, he is an advocate of tight fiscal restraint.

The 38-year-old won early support for his leadership bid from several senior cabinet members and a majority of his parliamentary colleagues publicly backed him.

He said Friday: "I'm not counting my chickens."

"I'm really humbled at the level of support I have received from my colleagues and I am really looking forward to the hustings and the debates."

But his sole rival, Simon Coveney, was forced to deny that the race was all but over.

Reuters

"Leo's got off to a good start but there are two weeks to go so we'll see how that plays out," he said.

Ahead of the 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) deadline for leadership nominations, Varadkar had secured 45 of 71 available votes from members of Fine Gael's parliamentary party, which comprises national and European lawmakers.

They account for 65 percent of the electoral college, with 22,000 ordinary party members sharing 25 percent. County councillors account for the remaining 10 percent.

Coveney would need to win a significant majority of non-parliamentary votes to win, something that few commentators believe is likely.

Varadkar may seem an unlikely frontrunner in socially conservative Ireland.

But in many ways, he represents a generational shift to a more secular society, particularly in Dublin and other urban areas.

Reuters

He was a doctor before winning a seat in parliament in 2007 and has rapidly risen through the ranks, holding several ministerial portfolios.

Cork-born Coveney, 44, is the current housing minister, who has held the agriculture and defence portfolios.

He was first elected to parliament in 1998 following the death of his father, who held his seat in Cork.

Once a new party leader is chosen, members of the lower house of parliament must confirm him as prime minister, a vote likely to take place on June 13.
Eurogroup chairman Jeroen, in statements to the Dutch Parliament last week, expressed a view that the ambitious 3.5-percent primary budget surplus that the Greek state must post - on an annual basis and as a percentage of GDP - should extend to 2022.
Trump: We Will do Whatever is Necessary to Fix Venezuela

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

May 20, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - US President Donald Trump said Thursday he would work with Colombia to fix Venezuela, as he slapped Caracas with new sanctions.

The sanctions targeted Venezuelas chief judge and seven other members of Venezuelas Supreme Court (TSJ). The sanctions were in retaliation to a controversial TSJ ruling that effectively granted the court with the power to pass legislation without parliamentary approval. The ruling was quickly reversed , but kicked off a wave of opposition violence that has so far left 54 people dead .

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the judges are responsible for a number of judicial rulings in the past year that have usurped the authority of Venezuela's democratically-elected legislature, the National Assembly.

"By imposing these targeted sanctions, the United States is supporting the Venezuelan people in their efforts to protect and advance democratic governance in their country, the treasury head and former Goldman Sachs banker said.

The sanctions on the judges responsible for the ruling include travel bans and the freezing of their alleged assets in the US.

Venezuela has responded by condemning the sanctions.

Its unheard of and unacceptable for the US to impose sanctions on a sovereign and independent public  [institution], violating international and Venezuelan laws, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez stated on Thursday.

Then on Friday, she said Venezuela will take action against the sanctions, describing the judges as victims of imperial aggression.

The United States power structure never misses an opportunity to violate international law, she said.

No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter

President Nicolas Maduro also weighed in, accusing the US of leading the destabilisation of Venezuela.

The announcement of the new sanctions came after Trump held a joint press conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. During the conference, the US leader claimed the world hasnt seen any political crisis as bad as Venezuelas in decades.

People dont have enough to eat. Theres great violence. We will do whatever is necessary ... to help with fixing that, he said.

Trump didnt elaborate on what his administration plans on doing to resolve Venezuelas crisis, though he said he would work with countries like Colombia.

As you know, our nations have had for a long time a strategic alliance, an extraordinary friendship, he said.

Colombia and Venezuela have long had a fickle relationship , occasionally dipping into tension. Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has repeatedly called for the overthrow of Venezuelas government by force, including proposing an international armed intervention. During his time in office, Uribes administration sparked a tense diplomatic stand-off with its neighbours, after bombing a FARC guerilla camp in Ecuador. The incident led to both Ecuador and its ally Venezuela mobilising troops on their borders with Colombia, while similar military preparations were made by Uribes government.
President Donald Trump's Full Speech to Muslim World Leaders

Video and Transcript



President Donald Trump spoke to Muslim World leaders during his first foreign trip as president to Saudi Arabia.

"From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms, and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region. For decades, Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror."



Posted May 21, 2017



Full transcript of U.S. President Donald Trump's address to the Muslim world from Saudi Arabia



I want to thank King Salman for his extraordinary words, and the magnificent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting todays summit. I am honored to be received by such gracious hosts. I have always heard about the splendor of your country and the kindness of your citizens, but words do not do justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place and the incredible hospitality you have shown us from the moment we arrived.



You also hosted me in the treasured home of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom who united your great people. Working alongside another beloved leader  American President Franklin Roosevelt  King Abdulaziz began the enduring partnership between our two countries. King Salman: your father would be so proud to see that you are continuing his legacy  and just as he opened the first chapter in our partnership, today we begin a new chapter that will bring lasting benefits to our citizens.



Let me now also extend my deep and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of the distinguished heads of state who made this journey here today. You greatly honor us with your presence, and I send the warmest regards from my country to yours. I know that our time together will bring many blessings to both your people and mine.



I stand before you as a representative of the American People, to deliver a message of friendship and hope. That is why I chose to make my first foreign visit a trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that serves as custodian of the two holiest sites in the Islamic Faith.



In my inaugural address to the American People, I pledged to strengthen Americas oldest friendships, and to build new partnerships in pursuit of peace. I also promised that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit of cooperation and trust.



Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperityin this region, and in the world.



Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.



And so this historic and unprecedented gathering of leadersunique in the history of nationsis a symbol to the world of our shared resolve and our mutual respect. To the leaders and citizens of every country assembled here today, I want you to know that the United States is eager to form closer bonds of friendship, security, culture and commerce.



For Americans, this is an exciting time. A new spirit of optimism is sweeping our country: in just a few months, we have created almost a million new jobs, added over 3 trillion dollars of new value, lifted the burdens on American industry, and made record investments in our military that will protect the safety of our people and enhance the security of our wonderful friends and allies  many of whom are here today.



Now, there is even more blessed news I am pleased to share with you. My meetings with King Salman, the Crown Prince, and the Deputy Crown Prince, have been filled with great warmth, good will, and tremendous cooperation. Yesterday, we signed historic agreements with the Kingdom that will invest almost $400 billion in our two countries and create many thousands of jobs in America and Saudi Arabia.



This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defense purchase  and we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defense companies. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a greater role in security operations.



We have also started discussions with many of the countries present today on strengthening partnerships, and forming new ones, to advance security and stability across the Middle East and beyond.



Later today, we will make history again with the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology  located right here, in this central part of the Islamic World.



This groundbreaking new center represents a clear declaration that Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combatting radicalization, and I want to express our gratitude to King Salman for this strong demonstration of leadership.



I have had the pleasure of welcoming several of the leaders present today to the White House, and I look forward to working with all of you.



America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecturewe are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.



Here at this summit we will discuss many interests we share together. But above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet historys great testto conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism.



Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred. And young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves and their peoples.



With Gods help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East  and maybe, even all over the world.



But this future can only be achieved through defeating terrorism and the ideology that drives it.



Few nations have been spared its violent reach.



America has suffered repeated barbaric attacks  from the atrocities of September 11th to the devastation of the Boston Bombing, to the horrible killings in San Bernardino and Orlando.



The nations of Europe have also endured unspeakable horror. So too have the nations of Africa and even South America. India, Russia, China and Australia have been victims.



But, in sheer numbers, the deadliest toll has been exacted on the innocent people of Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations. They have borne the brunt of the killings and the worst of the destruction in this wave of fanatical violence.



Some estimates hold that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim.



We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading across the planet. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. No description of the suffering and depravity can begin to capture its full measure.



The true toll of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams.



The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity.



This region should not be a place from which refugees flee, but to which newcomers flock.



Saudi Arabia is home to the holiest sites in one of the worlds great faiths. Each year millions of Muslims come from around the world to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj. In addition to ancient wonders, this country is also home to modern onesincluding soaring achievements in architecture.



Egypt was a thriving center of learning and achievement thousands of years before other parts of the world. The wonders of Giza, Luxor and Alexandria are proud monuments to that ancient heritage.



All over the world, people dream of walking through the ruins of Petra in Jordan. Iraq was the cradle of civilization and is a land of natural beauty. And the United Arab Emirates has reached incredible heights with glass and steel, and turned earth and water into spectacular works of art.



The entire region is at the center of the key shipping lanes of the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, and the Straits of Hormuz. The potential of this region has never been greater. 65 percent of its population is under the age of 30. Like all young men and women, they seek great futures to build, great national projects to join, and a place for their families to call home.



But this untapped potential, this tremendous cause for optimism, is held at bay by bloodshed and terror. There can be no coexistence with this violence. There can be no tolerating it, no accepting it, no excusing it, and no ignoring it.



Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith.



Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death.



If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen. Terrorisms devastation of life will continue to spread. Peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence. And the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered.



If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killingthen not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.



This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.



This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.



This is a battle between Good and Evil.



When we see the scenes of destruction in the wake of terror, we see no signs that those murdered were Jewish or Christian, Shia or Sunni. When we look upon the streams of innocent blood soaked into the ancient ground, we cannot see the faith or sect or tribe of the victims  we see only that they were Children of God whose deaths are an insult to all that is holy.



But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong  and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden.



Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land.



America is prepared to stand with you  in pursuit of shared interests and common security.



But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.



It is a choice between two futures  and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you.



A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.



DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship.



DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities.



DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, and



DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.



For our part, America is committed to adjusting our strategies to meet evolving threats and new facts. We will discard those strategies that have not workedand will apply new approaches informed by experience and judgment. We are adopting a Principled Realism, rooted in common values and shared interests.



Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption. We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes  not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms  not sudden intervention.



We must seek partners, not perfectionand to make allies of all who share our goals.



Above all, America seeks peace  not war.



Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden, if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion.



The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil. Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil.



Many are already making significant contributions to regional security: Jordanian pilots are crucial partners against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia and a regional coalition have taken strong action against Houthi militants in Yemen. The Lebanese Army is hunting ISIS operatives who try to infiltrate their territory. Emirati troops are supporting our Afghan partners. In Mosul, American troops are supporting Kurds, Sunnis and Shias fighting together for their homeland. Qatar, which hosts the U.S. Central Command, is a crucial strategic partner. Our longstanding partnership with Kuwait and Bahrain continue to enhance security in the region. And courageous Afghan soldiers are making tremendous sacrifices in the fight against the Taliban, and others, in the fight for their country.

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Saudis Buy Trump

Trump Trades Advanced Weapons for a $200 Billion Investment



By Max Blumenthal

May 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - President Donald Trumps nine-day-long tolerance tour will continue this Friday with a visit to Saudi Arabia. The junket offers Trump a brief respite from the suffocating atmosphere in Washington, where he faces a mounting campaign fueled by anonymous leaks from intelligence officials that is aimed at nothing less than his impeachment and replacement by a more supplicant Republican.

Trumps ties to Saudi Arabia run deep. During the campaign, even as Trump blamed the Saudi royal family for the 9/11 attacks, he registered eight companies connected to hotel interests in the kingdom. Once Trump was inaugurated, the Saudis returned the favor, paying for rooms at his Washington, D.C., hotel through Qorvis MSLGroup, a Beltway lobbying firm. The rooms were reserved for a group of veterans flown into town by Qorvis to lobby against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) congressional legislation that would allow the bereaved family members of 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi government for its alleged role in the attacks.

Many of the veterans had no idea they were acting on behalf of Saudi Arabia, and some, like Tim Cord, staged an open revolt when they realized they had been deceived. Were sitting in a room full of retired generals, colonels, men who gave 25 years of their life to this country and theyre being lied to by a bunch of young punks who are using the vet angle to make themselves sympathetic. Why do you think a 60-year-old general would want anything to do with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Cord, a veteran of the Iraq war, complained to the website 28pages.org , I mean, thats a pretty heavy thing to assume were all going to be cool with.

Throughout his chaotic tenure, Saudi Arabia has proven to be Trumps most durable foreign ally, even providing him with political cover after the fallout from his Muslim travel ban. Following a White House meeting this March with Trump and his national security team, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman hailed the president as a true friend of Muslims who will serve the Muslim World in an unimaginable manner, opposite to the negative portrait of his Excellency that some have tried to promote.

Ahead of the White House meeting, the Saudis hired a D.C.-based consulting group, Booz Allen Hamilton, to compose a special presentation for the president. Prince Salman walked Trump through the Powerpoint slideshow the firm prepared, outlining a plan to invest at least $200 billion in American infrastructure and open up new business opportunities for U.S. companies inside the kingdom. In exchange, Trump was asked to ink the largest weapons deal in history, forking over the advanced missile defense systems and heavy weapons the Obama had administration had refused to sell. The weapons would then be used to pulverize Yemen.

Trump reportedly accepted Salmans pitch, but only on the condition that Saudis plow their infrastructure investments into the Rust Belt swing statesOhio, Michigan, and Wisconsinthat held the key to his 2020 presidential victory. So far, Trumps foes in the Democratic Party and the organized liberal resistance have shrugged at the reports of his collusion with a foreign theocracy to secure re-election, obsessing instead over nebulous claims of his illicit ties to Russia.

When Trump arrives in Riyadh this week, he plans to deliver a speech that will demonstrate Americas commitment to our Muslim partners, according to his National Security Council Director, Gen. H.R. McMaster. The address will likely have less to do with tolerance than with interests that converge around hostility to Iran, the drive to destroy a government in Yemen that is seen as its proxy, and selling the tens of billions in weapons the meat grinder operation requires. The spectacle will nevertheless give the president the chance to bask in the admiring glow of a Muslim ally, countering his image back home as a glowering bigot.

The 31-year-old aide who composed Trumps speech is Stephen Miller, an ultra-conservative operative who entered the administration under the watch of Steven Bannon, the former Breitbart News editor-in-chief. A key author of Trumps legally nullified Muslim ban, Miller was at the vanguard of a generation of right-wing activists that cohered around the post-9/11 politics of Islamophobia. Orchestrated with the full cooperation of the Saudi royal family, the spectacle of Trumps speech will represent Millers crowning moment, helping him paper over his anti-Muslim past and consolidating his role as one of the presidents most trusted spin artists.

The Islamophobia Industrys Alex P. Keaton

During his days at Santa Monica High School, a bastion of coastal liberalism, Miller distinguished himself as a hyper-active conservative troll in the mold of Alex P. Keaton. The adolescent activist frequently phoned in to the right-wing Larry Elder Show to complain about multiculturalism and the persistent presence of undocumented immigrants, leading to his discovery by David Horowitz, the radical leftist-turned-extreme right provocateur.

In 2007, while Miller was a sophomore at Duke University, Horowitz was busy spreading his  Islamofascism Awareness Week  to campuses across the country. Speaking before College Republican chapters, and often flanked by a cavalcade of grim private security guards, Horowitz railed against Islamic extremism and Islam in general, helping to popularize the narrative of creeping Sharia that paints Muslim immigrants to the West as a radical fifth column.

Horowitzs national campaign provided a new generation of right-wing activists like Miller with a flood of outside resources and the sense that they were leading a transcendent civilizational mission. At Duke, Horowitz recruited Miller to establish a  Terrorism Awareness Project  that aimed to correct what he saw as academias insufficient interest in Islamofascism.

American kids attend school in an educational system corrupted by the hard left. In this upside-down world, America is the villain and Jihadists the victims of our foreign policy, Miller wrote at the time. Instead of opening eyes, we are fastening blindfolds.

As an advisor to the Duke Conservative Union, Miller worked closely with a rising right-wing activist named Richard Spencer. The duo organized screenings of anti-Muslim propaganda films and brought the white nationalist pundit Peter Brimelow to campus for a debate on immigration. After graduation, Spencer emerged as the poster boy of American white nationalism, promoting discredited theories of race science in glossy mainstream magazine spreads. Miller went a more mainstream route, taking a job in the office of Sen. Jeff Sessions, where he helped his boss stifle a plan to put millions of qualified undocumented immigrants on the path to citizenship.

During his days at Duke, Miller got in touch with what he saw as his Jewish roots thanks to Rabbi Ben Packer, an open supporter of the Jewish fascist warlord Meir Kahane and the self-proclaimed rabbi on campus. Packer invited Miller on a trip Israel through the Birthright Israel program, which provides all-expenses-paid tours to young Jewish adults across the West. As soon as Miller arrived, Packer took him straight to the religious nationalist settler communities that surrounded the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.

Stephen [Miller] thanked me for my efforts to show them around and remarked that putting on the Tefilin [Jewish holy phylacteries] at Machpelah was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life, Packer recalled. [Packer, Arutz Sheva] [Michael Brown, EI]

Next, Packer tapped his contacts in Jerusalem to link Miller with a filmmaker who was building on the close bond between the pro-Israel lobby and the new generation of right-wing activists in the West. He was Raphael Shore, a Canadian-Israeli activist who worked at Aish HaTorah. Housed in a giant complex in Jerusalems occupied Old City, Aish was a cipher for millions in donations from wealthy supporters of Israel. The center coordinated directly with Israels Foreign Ministry to amplify Israels public relations across the West. At Aish, Shore oversaw the creation of a film company, the Clarion Project, that became one of the central nodes of Islamophobic propaganda.

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During the 2008 American presidential election campaign, Shores Clarion Fund distributed 28 million DVDs of a film called  Obsession , slipping it into newspapers as inserts that reached residents of swing states around the country. Obsession introduced viewers to the self-styled experts of the Islamophobia industry, from Steven Emerson to Robert Spencer, and to the narrative of creeping Sharia. The mass mailing also capitalized on an ongoing right-wing disinformation effort to portray the Democratic Partys nominee, Senator Barack Obama, as a secret Muslim born outside the United States  a Trojan Horse for a foreign Islamic agenda.

By introducing Middle America to the politics of Islamophobia, Shore had accomplished what Steven Bannon had tried and failed to do when he shopped a script for a documentary about a Muslim takeover of America called the Islamic States of America.

Partners in Extremism

Given Millers role as a pioneer of Islamophobic politicking, it might seem ironic that he has been tapped to compose a speech promoting friendship between Washington and the Muslim world. From the Saudi standpoint, however, geopolitical imperatives have always superseded any concern for the wellbeing of Muslims or Arabs outside its immediate ambit. Since the high colonial days, the House of Saud has functioned as a handmaiden of Western imperial powers, assisting their longstanding goal of undermining Arab nationalism, protecting Israel and stifling the spread of communism.

During the covert war the U.S. waged against Afghanistans Soviet-backed government, Saudi Arabia matched each dollar the CIA spent on the arming and training of the Afghan mujahedin. As Saudi Arabia pumped tens of billions of dollars into propagating its ultra-sectarian strain of Wahhabi Islam across the Middle East, it directed its most zealous citizens into Afghanistan through the Services Bureau funded by private Gulf donors like Osama bin Laden. The covert war contributed directly to the fall of the Soviet Union and simultaneously turned loose the scourge of international jihadism.

The architect of the Afghan trap strategy, former National Security Director Zbigniew Brzezinski, freely acknowledged that the demands of empire outweighed any consideration he might have had for national security. Compared to the Soviet Union, and to its collapse, he commented to the filmmaker Samira Goetschel in 2006, the Taliban were unimportant.

During the Arab Spring, the Saudi military directly intervened to crush a citizen uprising in Bahrain. Thanks to the kingdoms critical assistance, the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet was able to hold on to the base that represented the most important American military asset in the Persian Gulf. Next, the Saudis shelled out millions to prop up Abdel Fatah el-Sisis military junta in Egypt, crushing the countrys first democratically elected government and putting the January 25 revolution to bed once and for all. Across the region, meanwhile, the Gulf monarchy cranked up its private media megaphone and activated Wahhabi religious proxies to drown out the cosmopolitan, reformist politics of the Arab Springs youth activists with regressive, sectarian messaging.

In Syria, Saudi Arabia has reverted to the role it played in Afghanistan, partnering with Washington to propel a proxy war aimed at weakening a Russian ally. Thanks to the flow of arms from Western and Gulf powers, Al Qaedas local affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, has taken control of large swaths of territory and appeared on the battlefield with sophisticated American weaponry. The Syrian rebel group that has received the bulk of Saudi support, Jaysh al-Islam (the Army of Islam), currently controls the city of East Ghouta, where it has paraded captive Alawite soldiers and their wives in cages, using them as human shields. In a video message to his supporters, the groups late leader, Zahran Alloushthe son of a Saudi clericpledged to ethnically cleanse Syria of religious minorities: Oh, you enemies of Islam we will step on your heads, he rumbled into a camera.

In Yemen, the special relationship between Washington and Riyadh has helped generate perhaps the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Thanks to the extensive assistance provided to the Saudi military by both the Obama and Trump administrations, Yemen now faces a rapidly spreading cholera epidemic while child malnutrition is at an  all time high , according to the UN. By reducing the country to a failed state, the U.S. and its Gulf allies have provided a critical shot in the arm to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

In a report published this February, the International Crisis Group concluded , The Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda (AQ) is stronger than it has ever been. As the countrys civil war has escalated and become regionalized, the international conflict resolution group found, its local franchise, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), is thriving in an environment of state collapse, growing sectarianism, shifting alliances, security vacuums and a burgeoning war economy.

As in the past, American foreign policy in the Middle East has sacrificed national security and human rights for the dubious pursuit of empire. The leading edge of its cynical project is Saudi Arabia, the Arab Spring's destroyer, one of the worlds leading exporters of extremism and the top importer of American arms.

Trump and the Islamophobes he has empowered might be seen as the enemy of Muslims back home, but in Riyadh, they are received as natural partners in a geopolitical death dance that grooves to the drums of war.
Home Getting Julian Assange: The Untold Story By John Pilger May 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Julian Assange has been vindicated because the Swedish case against him was corrupt. The prosecutor, Marianne Ny, obstructed justice and should be prosecuted. Her obsession with Assange not only embarrassed her colleagues and the judiciary but exposed the Swedish states collusion with the United States in its crimes of war and rendition. Had Assange not sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London, he would have been on his way to the kind of American torture pit Chelsea Manning had to endure. This prospect was obscured by the grim farce played out in Sweden. Its a laughing stock, said James Catlin, one of Assanges Australian lawyers. It is as if they make it up as they go along. It may have seemed that way, but there was always serious purpose. In 2008, a secret Pentagon document prepared by the Cyber Counterintelligence Assessments Branch foretold a detailed plan to discredit WikiLeaks and smear Assange personally. The mission was to destroy the trust that was WikiLeaks centre of gravity. This would be achieved with threats of exposure [and] criminal prosecution. Silencing and criminalising such an unpredictable source of truth-telling was the aim. Perhaps this was understandable. WikiLeaks has exposed the way America dominates much of human affairs, including its epic crimes, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq: the wholesale, often homicidal killing of civilians and the contempt for sovereignty and international law. These disclosures are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. As a presidential candidate in 2008, Barack Obama, a professor of constitutional law, lauded whistle blowers as part of a healthy democracy [and they] must be protected from reprisal. In 2012, the Obama campaign boasted on its website that Obama had prosecuted more whistle blowers in his first term than all other US presidents combined. Before Chelsea Manning had even received a trial, Obama had publicly pronounced her guilty. Few serious observers doubt that should the US get their hands on Assange, a similar fate awaits him. According to documents released by Edward Snowden, he is on a Manhunt target list. Threats of his kidnapping and assassination became almost political and media currency in the US following then Vice-President Joe Bidens preposterous slur that the WikiLeaks founder was a cyber-terrorist. Hillary Clinton , the destroyer of Libya and, as WikiLeaks revealed last year, the secret supporter and personal beneficiary of forces underwriting ISIS, proposed her own expedient solution: Cant we just drone this guy. According to Australian diplomatic cables, Washingtons bid to get Assange is unprecedented in scale and nature. In Alexandria, Virginia, a secret grand jury has sought for almost seven years to contrive a crime for which Assange can be prosecuted. This is not easy. The First Amendment protects publishers, journalists and whistle blowers, whether it is the editor of the New York Times or the editor of WikiLeaks. The very notion of free speech is described as Americas  founding virtue or, as Thomas Jefferson called it, our currency. Faced with this hurdle, the US Justice Department has contrived charges of espionage, conspiracy to commit espionage, conversion (theft of government property), computer fraud and abuse (computer hacking) and general conspiracy. The favoured Espionage Act, which was meant to deter pacifists and conscientious objectors during World War One, has provisions for life imprisonment and the death penalty. Assanges ability to defend himself in such a Kafkaesque world has been severely limited by the US declaring his case a state secret. In 2015, a federal court in Washington blocked the release of all information about the national security investigation against WikiLeaks, because it was active and ongoing and would harm the pending prosecution of Assange. The judge, Barbara J. Rothstein, said it was necessary to show appropriate deference to the executive in matters of national security. This is a kangaroo court. For Assange, his trial has been trial by media. On August 20, 2010, when the Swedish police opened a rape investigation, they coordinated it, unlawfully, with the Stockholm tabloids. The front pages said Assange had been accused of the rape of two women. The word rape can have a very different legal meaning in Sweden than in Britain; a pernicious false reality became the news that went round the world. Less than 24 hours later, the Stockholm Chief Prosecutor, Eva Finne, took over the investigation. She wasted no time in cancelling the arrest warrant, saying, I dont believe there is any reason to suspect that he has committed rape. Four days later, she dismissed the rape investigation altogether, saying, There is no suspicion of any crime whatsoever.

Enter Claes Borgstrom, a highly contentious figure in the Social Democratic Party then standing as a candidate in Swedens imminent general election. Within days of the chief prosecutors dismissal of the case, Borgstrom, a lawyer, announced to the media that he was representing the two women and had sought a different prosecutor in Gothenberg. This was Marianne Ny, whom Borgstrom knew well, personally and politically. On 30 August, Assange attended a police station in Stockholm voluntarily and answered the questions put to him. He understood that was the end of the matter. Two days later, Ny announced she was re-opening the case. At a press conference, Borgstrom was asked by a Swedish reporter why the case was proceeding when it had already been dismissed. The reporter cited one of the women as saying she had not been raped. He replied, Ah, but she is not a lawyer. On the day that Marianne Ny reactivated the case, the head of Swedens military intelligence service  which has the acronym MUST  publicly denounced WikiLeaks in an article entitled WikiLeaks [is] a threat to our soldiers [under US command in Afghanistan]. Both the Swedish prime minister and foreign minister attacked Assange, who had been charged with no crime. Assange was warned that the Swedish intelligence service, SAPO, had been told by its US counterparts that US-Sweden intelligence-sharing arrangements would be cut off if Sweden sheltered him. For five weeks, Assange waited in Sweden for the renewed rape investigation to take its course. The Guardian was then on the brink of publishing the Iraq War Logs, based on WikiLeaks disclosures, which Assange was to oversee in London. Finally, he was allowed him to leave. As soon as he had left, Marianne Ny issued a European Arrest Warrant and an Interpol red alert normally used for terrorists and dangerous criminals. Assange attended a police station in London, was duly arrested and spent ten days in Wandsworth Prison, in solitary confinement. Released on 340,000 bail, he was electronically tagged, required to report to police daily and placed under virtual house arrest while his case began its long journey to the Supreme Court. He still had not been charged with any offence. His lawyers repeated his offer to be questioned in London, by video or personally, pointing out that Marianne Ny had given him permission to leave Sweden. They suggested a special facility at Scotland Yard commonly used by the Swedish and other European authorities for that purpose. She refused. For almost seven years, while Sweden has questioned forty-four people in the UK in connection with police investigations, Ny refused to question Assange and so advance her case. Writing in the Swedish press, a former Swedish prosecutor, Rolf Hillegren, accused Ny of losing all impartiality. He described her personal investment in the case as abnormal and demanded she be replaced. Assange asked the Swedish authorities for a guarantee that he would not be rendered to the US if he was extradited to Sweden. This was refused. In December 2010, The Independent revealed that the two governments had discussed his onward extradition to the US. Contrary to its reputation as a bastion of liberal enlightenment, Sweden has drawn so close to Washington that it has allowed secret CIA renditions  including the illegal deportation of refugees. The rendition and subsequent torture of two Egyptian political refugees in 2001 was condemned by the UN Committee against Torture, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch; the complicity and duplicity of the Swedish state are documented in successful civil litigation and in WikiLeaks cables. Documents released by WikiLeaks since Assange moved to England, wrote Al Burke, editor of the online Nordic News Network, an authority on the multiple twists and dangers that faced Assange, clearly indicate that Sweden has consistently submitted to pressure from the United States in matters relating to civil rights. There is every reason for concern that if Assange were to be taken into custody by Swedish authorities, he could be turned over to the United States without due consideration of his legal rights. The war on Assange now intensified. Marianne Ny refused to allow his Swedish lawyers, and the Swedish courts, access to hundreds of SMS messages that the police had extracted from the phone of one of the two women involved in the rape allegations. Ny said she was not legally required to reveal this critical evidence until a formal charge was laid and she had questioned him. Then, why wouldnt she question him? Catch-22. When she announced last week that she was dropping the Assange case, she made no mention of the evidence that would destroy it. One of the SMS messages makes clear that one of the women did not want any charges brought against Assange, but the police were keen on getting a hold on him. She was shocked when they arrested him because she only wanted him to take [an HIV] test. She did not want to accuse JA of anything and it was the police who made up the charges. In a witness statement, she is quoted as saying that she had been railroaded by police and others around her. Neither woman claimed she had been raped. Indeed, both denied they were raped and one of them has since tweeted, I have not been raped. The women were manipulated by police  whatever their lawyers might say now. Certainly, they, too, are the victims of this sinister saga. Katrin Axelsson and Lisa Longstaff of Women Against Rape wrote: The allegations against [Assange] are a smokescreen behind which a number of governments are trying to clamp down on WikiLeaks for having audaciously revealed to the public their secret planning of wars and occupations with their attendant rape, murder and destruction The authorities care so little about violence against women that they manipulate rape allegations at will. [Assange] has made it clear he is available for questioning by the Swedish authorities, in Britain or via Skype. Why are they refusing this essential step in their investigation? What are they afraid of? Assanges choice was stark: extradition to a country that had refused to say whether or not it would send him on to the US, or to seek what seemed his last opportunity for refuge and safety. Supported by most of Latin America, the government of tiny Ecuador granted him refugee status on the basis of documented evidence that he faced the prospect of cruel and unusual punishment in the US; that this threat violated his basic human rights; and that his own government in Australia had abandoned him and colluded with Washington. The Labor government of the then prime minister, Julia Gillard, had even threatened to take away his Australian passport  until it was pointed out to her that this would be unlawful. The renowned human rights lawyer, Gareth Peirce, who represents Assange in London, wrote to the then Australian foreign minister, Kevin Rudd: Given the extent of the public discussion, frequently on the basis of entirely false assumptions it is very hard to attempt to preserve for him any presumption of innocence. Mr. Assange has now hanging over him not one but two Damocles swords, of potential extradition to two different jurisdictions in turn for two different alleged crimes, neither of which are crimes in his own country, and that his personal safety has become at risk in circumstances that are highly politically charged. It was not until she contacted the Australian High Commission in London that Peirce received a response, which answered none of the pressing points she raised. In a meeting I attended with her, the Australian Consul-General, Ken Pascoe, made the astonishing claim that he knew only what I read in the newspapers about the details of the case. In 2011, in Sydney, I spent several hours with a conservative Member of Australias Federal Parliament, Malcolm Turnbull. We discussed the threats to Assange and their wider implications for freedom of speech and justice, and why Australia was obliged to stand by him. Turnbull then had a reputation as a free speech advocate. He is now the Prime Minister of Australia. I gave him Gareth Peirces letter about the threat to Assanges rights and life. He said the situation was clearly appalling and promised to take it up with the Gillard government. Only his silence followed. For almost seven years, this epic miscarriage of justice has been drowned in a vituperative campaign against the WikiLeaks founder. There are few precedents. Deeply personal, petty, vicious and inhuman attacks have been aimed at a man not charged with any crime yet subjected to treatment not even meted out to a defendant facing extradition on a charge of murdering his wife. That the US threat to Assange was a threat to all journalists, and to the principle of free speech, was lost in the sordid and the ambitious. I would call it anti-journalism. Books were published, movie deals struck and media careers launched or kick-started on the back of WikiLeaks and an assumption that attacking Assange was fair game and he was too poor to sue. People have made money, often big money, while WikiLeaks has struggled to survive. The previous editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, called the WikiLeaks disclosures, which his newspaper published, one of the greatest journalistic scoops of the last 30 years. Yet no attempt was made to protect the Guardians provider and source. Instead, the scoop became part of a marketing plan to raise the newspapers cover price. With not a penny going to Assange or to WikiLeaks, a hyped Guardian book led to a lucrative Hollywood movie. The books authors, Luke Harding and David Leigh, gratuitously described Assange as a damaged personality and callous. They also revealed the secret password he had given the paper in confidence, which was designed to protect a digital file containing the US embassy cables. With Assange now trapped in the Ecuadorean embassy, Harding, standing among the police outside, gloated on his blog that Scotland Yard may get the last laugh. Journalism students might well study this period to understand the most ubiquitous source of fake news  as from within a media self-ordained with a false respectability and as an extension of the authority and power it courts and protects. The presumption of innocence was not a consideration in Kirsty Warks memorable live-on-air interrogation in 2010. Why dont you just apologise to the women? she demanded of Assange, followed by: Do we have your word of honour that you wont abscond? On the BBCs Today programme, John Humphrys bellowed: Are you a sexual predator? Assange replied that the suggestion was ridiculous, to which Humphrys demanded to know how many women he had slept with. Would even Fox News have descended to that level? wondered the American historian William Blum. I wish Assange had been raised in the streets of Brooklyn, as I was. He then would have known precisely how to reply to such a question: You mean including your mother? Last week, on BBC World News, on the day Sweden announced it was dropping the case, I was interviewed by Greta Guru-Murthy, who seemed to have little knowledge of the Assange case. She persisted in referring to the charges against him. She accused him of putting Trump in the White House; and she drew my attention to the fact that leaders around the world had condemned him. Among these leaders she included Trumps CIA director. I asked her, Are you a journalist? . The injustice meted out to Assange is one of the reasons Parliament reformed the Extradition Act in 2014. His case has been won lock, stock and barrel, Gareth Peirce told me, these changes in the law mean that the UK now recognises as correct everything that was argued in his case. Yet he does not benefit. In other words, he would have won his case in the British courts and would not have been forced to take refuge. Ecuadors decision to protect Assange in 2012 was immensely brave. Even though the granting of asylum is a humanitarian act, and the power to do so is enjoyed by all states under international law, both Sweden and the United Kingdom refused to recognise the legitimacy of Ecuadors decision. Ecuadors embassy in London was placed under police siege and its government abused. When William Hagues Foreign Office threatened to violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, warning that it would remove the diplomatic inviolability of the embassy and send the police in to get Assange, outrage across the world forced the government to back down. During one night, police appeared at the windows of the embassy in an obvious attempt to intimidate Assange and his protectors. Since then, Assange has been confined to a small room without sunlight. He has been ill from time to time and refused safe passage to the diagnostic facilities of hospital. Yet, his resilience and dark humour remain quite remarkable in the circumstances. When asked how he put up with the confinement, he replied, Sure beats a supermax. It is not over, but it is unravelling. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention  the tribunal that adjudicates and decides whether governments comply with their human rights obligations  last year ruled that Assange had been detained unlawfully by Britain and Sweden. This is international law at its apex. Both Britain and Sweden participated in the 16-month long UN investigation and submitted evidence and defended their position before the tribunal. In previous cases ruled upon by the Working Group  Aung Sang Suu Kyi in Burma, imprisoned opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, detained Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian in Iran  both Britain and Sweden gave full support to the tribunal. The difference now is that Assanges persecution endures in the heart of London.

The Metropolitan Police say they still intend to arrest Assange for bail infringement should he leave the embassy. What then? A few months in prison while the US delivers its extradition request to the British courts? If the British Government allows this to happen it will, in the eyes of the world, be shamed comprehensively and historically as an accessory to the crime of a war waged by rampant power against justice and freedom, and all of us. John Richard Pilger is an Australian journalist and documentary film maker based in the United Kingdom since 1962. http://johnpilger.com/ Follow John on twitter @johnpilger The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Click here to comment on our Facebook page
Home Preparing for War on Hizbullah



The US and its Arab allies are drawing up plans to suffocate the movement financially as a prelude to eventual militarily action By Abdel Bari Atwan May 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The US-led war on the Islamic Sate group under the banner of fighting terrorism may be viewed by many, especially by Arab members of the coalition that is waging it, as legitimate. But in our view it increasingly looks like a cover or smokescreen aimed at paving the way, or bestowing legitimacy on, a different war: one aimed at eliminating resistance to Israel in the region, and specifically the Lebanese Hizbullah movement . The US war for Kuwait in 1991 was fought for the same purpose. A trap was set, after careful planning and precise distribution of roles, for Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Its aim was to drag him into Kuwait to provide a pretext for destroying Iraq, aborting its scientific progress and military ascendancy and undermining its regional role. It is no exaggeration to say that the proxy war on Syria war has a similar objective not only to destroy and fragment Syria as an adversary of Israel, but to lure a reluctant Hizbullah into the conflict and thus diminish its enormous popularity and the place it gained in hearts of tens or hundreds of millions of Arabs after its two great victories against Israel: First, when it succeeded in liberating southern Lebanon from Israeli occupation in 2000 after years of persistent resistance, and again in July 2006 when it also fought valiantly and stood fast in epic resistance to an Israeli onslaught that sought to annihilate it. Most of the regional moves currently being made by the US  including Donald Trumps upcoming visit to Riyadh and the Eager Lion military exercises in Jordan  have one ultimate objective: to declare all-out war on Hizbullah. This includes drying up its financial resources and criminalizing the organization, in the same way Saddam Hussein was criminalized and the Palestinian resistance movement prior to that: first during the days of the PLO and its factions, and then with the rise of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other groups that continue to fight Israel. The West has a variety of problems with Iran, and the countrys nuclear ambitions are one of the most prominent. But it is possible to live with, and even contain, these ambitions by various means. However, Irans unforgivable sin in the Wests eyes was to support Hizbullah in Lebanon and transform it into a formidable military force that poses a real deterrent and threat to Israel at a time when the Arab states were surrendering to it. Many have stopped referring to it as the enemy and instead begun building bridges of cooperation and normalization with it and treating it as a strategic regional ally. Hizbullah crossed all American and Israeli red lines by developing a vast missile capability (100,000 missiles according to some estimates) along with fighting skills that most of the regions armies  including the Israeli army  lack, combining attributes of conventional armies with expertise in guerrilla warfare. Moreover, four years of fighting in Syria has further strengthened, developed, and modernized these skills. There have been reports in recent days of an unpublicized closed-door meeting in Washington involving a number of Gulf and Arab states aimed at agreeing a strategy for confronting Hizbullah in the coming period. Participants included Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. This was intended to prepare for the two multilateral summits (with Arab/Muslim leaders and Gulf rulers respectively) that Trump will attend in Riyadh. Reports from this meeting indicate that the joint Western-Arab plan for confronting Hizbullah include imposing financial sanctions on the organizations members, supporters and sympathizers around the world, especially Lebanese expatriates in Africa and Europe who provide financial support for the party or institutions affiliated or close to it. This will involve measures to monitor money transfers and dry up all the partys external funding sources in order to create difficulties for its leadership in financing its political and military structures and its extensive social institutions and activities. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The war on the hardline jihadi groups such as the Nusra Front and IS is drawing towards a close. Nusra is besieged in Idlib, rural Damascus and a few enclaves in rural Aleppo. The recent Astana agreement delegated the task of liquidating it to the so-called moderate Syrian opposition factions backed by the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As for IS, it has lost most of Mosul, and the war to liberate al-Raqqa by the US-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is now imminent, and will begin as soon as sufficient supplies of American tanks, armoured vehicles and missiles have been delivered to these forces. In other words, the destruction of the Islamist groups that are internationally designated as terrorist organizations will open the door wide to the more important war on Hizbullah, not only in Syria but in Lebanon too. It is to begin with an economic war and culminate in a military offensive  as, indeed, the wars on Iraq did. Could this scenario which is being implemented in stages against Hizbullah (and by extension Iran) achieve the same success it did against Iraq  and prior to that against the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, which was ended with the 1982 Israeli invasion? It is hard to give a categorical answer to this hypothetical question. What can be said, however, is that circumstances have changed, and Israel has changed as well. Hizbullah is the pivot of a regional and confessional structure, and has the open and total support of Iran, and of Iraq to a lesser degree. Any war against it will not be easy. If the 1991 scenario succeeded in Iraq, that was due above all to Arab collusion and betrayal, as well as the demise of the Soviet Union which left the US as the worlds unchallenged hegemon. The wars currently unfolding in the region and the conspiracies being hatched are all for the sake of enhancing Israels security and stability and maintaining its military power and supremacy. It is ironic that this is happening around the time of the centenary of the infamous Balfour Declaration and Sykes-Picot agreements. For the task now being undertaken is aimed at consolidating the Zionist presence in Palestine and the region envisaged in that Declaration, while dismembering the states that emerged from the womb of those agreements. This article was first published by http://www.raialyoum.com The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Click here to comment on our Facebook page
Home The Speech That Marked A New Era of US-Iran Confrontation



By Trita Parsi



May 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The speech was interesting in many ways, including his tough line on the Saudis and their allies not doing enough to confront their extremists, urging them to drive the extremists out.



But the most consequential part of it may be his line that Iran must be isolated until it has a different regime that deals with the world differently.



Just when Iranians voted overwhelmingly for openness and engagement with world, Trump clenched his fist and responded by calling for Iran's isolation. It raises the question as to whether the United States wants to lose Iran as an enemy. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Combining isolation with a call for regime change - ironically after the Iranians went and massively participated in their presidential elections - is how the groundwork for the Iraq war was laid.



It is a return to the Bush administrations Iran policy in which Irans all out isolation was sought combined with a refusal to engage diplomatically with Tehran.



Returning to a policy of isolation is a violation of the nuclear deal with Iran. This is yet another measure in which the Trump administration is continuing to violate the deal while giving the appearance that it isnt seeking to kill the deal.



While the call for the isolation of Iran will be welcomed in Riyadh, it will further disconnect U.S. policy in the Middle East with that of the USs EU allies who seek an inclusive security dialogue in the region.



Rather than being a speech that marks the beginning of an era of peace, as Trump declared, it may be remembered as the speech that marked the beginning of a new era of US-Iran confrontation - started by Trump on behalf of the Saudi dictatorship.



Trita Parsi is the founder and current president of the National Iranian American Council, author of Treacherous Alliance and A Single Roll of the Dice. He regularly authors articles in print, and appears on TV to commentate on foreign policy. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Click here to comment on our Facebook page
The man behind the release of all 82 women captured by militant Islamist group Boko Haram has declared that none of the released girls were raped nor touched by the dreaded terrorist group. Only After The Girls AGREED To Marry Them

Zannah Mustapha speaking to BBCs Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani in an interview revealed that it was only after the women agreed to get married that the militants had sexual relations with them and that before the kidnapping of Chibok girls government and his organisation was already trying to negotiate peace with Boko Haram.

The 57-year-old Mustapha said when he arrived for the handover of the 82 Chibok girls freed from Boko Haram after three years in captivity, a militant read out the girls names from a list. One by one, the abducted schoolgirls, now women, lined up along the outskirts of a forest near Kumshe town, on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Each of them was covered from head to ankle in a dark-coloured hijab.

I went ahead of the Red Cross. They [the militants] brought the girls to me, said Mr Mustapha, the lawyer from Borno state in north-east Nigeria. He has been mediating between the government and militants for the release of the Chibok girls and for an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari told the media that his government was willing to negotiate with credible leaders of Boko Haram for the release of the girls. More than 200 of them were abducted a year earlier from the north-eastern town of Chibok, sparking global outrage.

Previous attempts had failed, with different groups coming forward, each claiming to be the militants in possession of the missing schoolgirls. It was Mr Mustapha who succeeded in convincing the Nigerian authorities that this particular group should be taken for what they say, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu told me.

He had dealt with them in the past and they keep to their word, he said. Mr Mustaphas role as a mediator dates back to his founding the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School in 2007, to provide free Islamic-based education to orphans and the poor. When the Boko Haram insurgency erupted in 2009, the school offered admission to the children of soldiers and government officials killed by the militants, as well as those of militants killed by the state. Mr Mustapha then sought the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which began providing free meals to the pupils. He also encouraged parents to form an association which would reach out to other widows and convince them to send their children to his school. The ICRC soon extended its humanitarian services to the mothers, providing them free food and other items every month.

This was at a time when the wives of Boko Haram militants were being arrested and their houses demolished, so Boko Haram saw me and the ICRC as neutral parties, Mr Mustapha said.

During the previous government of President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency, to intervene in the escalating crisis. He then set up a group to discuss peace with Boko Haram. Mr Mustapha was included in it because of the relationship he had forged with the families of Boko Haram militants. After the Swiss ambassador to Nigeria paid a visit to the Future Prowess school in 2012, he arranged for Mr Mustapha to go to Zurich and Geneva to receive formal training as a mediator.

We were already trying to negotiate peace with Boko Haram before the Chibok girls were kidnapped, Mr Mustapha said. The initial negotiation was for a batch of 20 Chibok girls to be released. But, as a sign of commitment to their relationship, Boko Haram added an extra woman, whom Mr Mustapha said was their gift to him, hence the number 21.

When they were released in October 2016, she was chosen by Boko Haram to read out the names of the other 20 women from a list. Mr Mustapha said the 21 women were lined up and asked by Boko Haram militants if they had been raped.

They all said they were not. When a militant approached a woman who was carrying a baby, she said that she was pregnant at the time of her abduction, having got married a few weeks earlier.

The baby girl in her arms, she said, was her husbands child. For some reason, Boko Haram, a group that has cultivated a reputation for brutality, wanted it to be known that it was only after the women agreed to get married that the militants had sexual relations with them. This process of lining up the women, pointing at each one and asking the same question, was repeated at the beginning of May when 82 more women were released. One of about seven Boko Haram militants, who accompanied them, went from woman to woman asking: Throughout the time you were with us, did anyone rape you or touch you? Mr Mustapha said, adding that each of them replied in the negative. None of the second batch of 82 captives came with a child.

But one had an amputated limb and was walking with crutches, an injury she sustained, according to what Mr Mustapha was told, during Nigerian military air strikes against Boko Haram. They all ran You are free today, Mr Mustapha announced to the 82 women after all the names were called out. They all smiled, he said.

He believes that their subdued reaction was as a result of the presence of the militants, all armed with guns, some wearing army camouflage uniforms and boots. Mr Mustapha then took some photographs with the women. The militants also had their video camera on hand and recorded the event. ICRC vehicles eventually arrived. When I told them to go to the cars, they all ran, Mr Mustapha said. Immediately they entered the vehicles, they started singing for joy. Some shed tears.

Mr Mustapha has received a number of accolades for his work with Future Prowess School. He was a finalist for the 2016 Robert Burns humanitarian award, given to those who have saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through self-sacrifice, selfless service, hands-on charitable or volunteer work, or other acts. He was also given a 2017 Aurora Prize Modern Day Hero award, for those whose life and actions guarantee the safe existence of others. However, he described handing over the 82 freed girls to the Nigerian government as the highest point in my life.

I felt that I have done something that is worth saying to the world that I have done this, he said.
A few days ago, multiple media houses reported that the Ekiti State government intervened and stopped the burial of late Nollywood actress, Moji Olaiya from taking place in Canada. A few days ago, multiple media houses reported that the Ekiti State government intervened and stopped the burial of late Nollywood actress, Moji Olaiya from taking place in Canada.

Now, the burial committee has issued a statement denying the reports saying they are yet to get feedback from the state government concerning Moji Olaiyas burial. Read the statement below

Our attention has been drawn to an Encomium Magazine publication dated 20th May, 2017 regarding the above subject matter. We will like to state as follows:

1. It is a considered opinion of this committee to bring back the corpse of our colleague back to Nigeria for a beffitting burial and her 2months old baby to be re-united with her family.

2. Late Moji Olaiya is an indegene and a Cultural Ambassador of Ekiti State. Consequently the State Government was informed and a verbal appeal for support via the Senior Media Assistant to the Governor, Mr Lere Olayinka and as at 2am on Saturday he directed the committee to make official request. THE SAID REQUEST IS YET TO BE MADE.

3. At present, contrary to the news flying around THE COMMITTEE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM EKITI STATE GOVERNOR MR AYODELE FAYOSE.

4. You will recall, prior to this time the general pubic was intimated of the composition of the committee so that friends and media can direct their queries or get accurate information from the right source.

5. We strongly warn against unguarded utterances, half information and publications that may dent the image of the deceased, her family and committee planning for her smooth and decent transition.

6. Thanking you in advance for your co-operation and understanding. We also sincerely appreciate several encomiums, condolencies and support locally and abroad in ensuring we give Late Moji Olaiya the deserving burial.
The President of the Church of Christ in Nations, Dr. Dachollom Datiri, and the Archbishop of Risen Life Evangelical Church, Samuel Okhisarethe , have expressed concern over the atrocities of Fulani herdsmen in the country, with a call on the Federal Government to initiate a legislation that would ban their activities throughout Nigeria.

Datiti described the activities of the armed herdsmen as illegal.He lamented the rate at which they harass, threaten and kill people in their host communities, especially farmers, saying it should be a source of concern to the government.

He said, Any bill enacted against open grazing should be a pronouncement of government.

For us as a church, we condemn in totality, the harassment of anybody from anywhere in this country because it is unconstitutional.

This country belongs to us all, and everybody should be given a fair right to live and practice whatever their business could be.

He added, But it is sheer injustice for the privacy of people to be invaded by herdsmen, who harass people in their domains and inherited lands. It is sheer injustice to allow that to continue in a country like Nigeria.

I dont think the problem is the issue of punishment; they (Fulani herdsmen) should not be allowed in the first place. They should be banned, the government should be seen to be serious about this.

The government does not seem to be portraying to people in this country that they are concerned about innocent citizens being harassed, dealt with and given that kind of treatment.

According to him, the Federal Government should intensify its efforts towards curbing the harassment, threat and killings by Fulani herdsmen in various communities in the country.

Archbishop Samuel Okhisare on his part urged Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity of the country as well as for the growth and expansion of the church.
The Ekiti State Government waded into the planned burial of late Nollwood actress burial, Moji Olaiya slated for yesterday, May 19 in Canada.

Encomium reports that Ekiti State government pleaded that her remains be returned to Nigeria.

The late actresss home state has volunteered to bankroll the shipment of the corpse to Nigeria.

She was expected to be buried according to Islamic rites on Friday until the intervention of the state government.

Her eldest daughter, Adunola, 18, had insisted that her mothers corpse should be brought back to Nigeria.

The actress had died in a Canadian hospital after a cardiac arrest.

She had given birth to her second child in March.
The Oyo state government has inaugurated a seven-man judicial commission of inquiry for the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland.

A statement released on Friday by Yomi Layinka, the spokesperson to Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said the commission would be headed by a retired High Court judge, Akintunde Boade.

According to the statement, the commission was inaugurated by the governor at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governors Office, in Ibadan, on Friday.

It was given four weeks to submit its report, Mr. Layinka said.

Other members of the commission, the statement noted, are a retired permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Onaolapo Ajibola and the states Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry of justice, Wasiu Gbadegesin.

Others are Messrs Joseph Oladele, Paul Ayoola, Ogunniyi Ogunjinmi, and Abiodun Adegbaye, while the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the ministry of justice, Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, will serve as the secretary.

The statement explained that the commission was saddled with the responsibility of reviewing the existing requirements and qualification for ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan, as well as to review the selection process of Olubadan from Otun and Balogun lines.

(It was also mandated) to look into the possibilities of having more beaded crown Obas in Ibadanland, taken into consideration the present size and population of the city, the statement said.

(The panel is also expected) to review the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the proposed change in chieftaincy institution in Ibadaland.

In an address at the occasion, Mr. Ajimobi said that the review was long overdue, considering the fact that the existing declaration made in 1957 was no longer in tune with the current reality and modern trend in Yorubaland.

The primary purpose of this commission is to facilitate the development, modernisation and effectiveness of our traditional chieftaincy system in Ibadanland in particular and across the state in general, the governor said.

Similar exercises will be instituted across the state in order to create the enabling environment for active contribution of our traditional institutions to the socio-economic development of our state.

It is reassuring to note that the membership of this commission is made up of people of an enviable track record of integrity, patriotism and impeccable character who have excelled and continue to excel in their respective fields of endeavour.

Source: ( Premium Times )
The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) says more than 10,000 candidates caught for examination malpractices in the ongoing UTME in Anambra have been handed over to appropriate authority.

Lynda Nwachukwu, the Coordinator of the board in Anambra, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Saturday.

NAN reports that the all computer-based testing (CBT) mode 2017 UTME, which started on May 13 in 642 centres nationwide, ended on May 20.

Ms. Nwachukwu said the examination, which took place in 28 centres in the state, was successful.

There was no disruption of the exercise in any of the examination centres, she said.

The coordinator said the candidates adhered strictly to the requirements of the examination, adding that JAMB provided all the materials required for the examination.

NAN correspondent, who monitored the last batch of the examination, reports that some parents complained of system failure in some CBT centres in the state.

Eucharia Okonkwo, a parent, said her daughter, who wrote the examination at the St Marys High School Ifite-Dunu centre, could not complete the examination due to the faulty computer and network failure at the centre.

According to her daughter, many candidates could not complete the questions in record time because of the faulty system.

Ms. Okonkwo advised JAMB to plan well for examination in subsequent years to avoid the technical hitches that could give the candidates psychological trauma.

Mose Mojekeh, Head, Department of Marketing at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, told NAN on telephone that such system failure in UTME was not acceptable.

According to him, the hiccups could potentially deny young people from Anambra State university admission.

Mr. Mojekeh advised JAMB to urgently collate the number of candidates affected and set another examination for them.

He also decried the practice whereby JAMB sends officials from one state to supervise examinations in another state.

Experience has shown that such officials do not care much about the candidates when problems arise, as they leave them to their fate, the lecturer said.

He called on the management of schools, whose candidates experienced the computer failure, to take their complaints to the State Ministry of Education to present their cases.

JAMB concluded the 2017 CBT UTME on May 20.

Source: Yabaleftonline
In Nigerias political Who Is Who, there are certain men no one can just ignore. These are some of those men.

They make the world tick and broken look beautiful. With the world on their shoulders they make it look like a pair of wings. They are strong men with built-in attraction to spells and magic. Men with sticky thinking. They dot the firmament in sparkles and in rare numbers. They grind down the crusts and make it look beautiful. Like concrete, their cells in Nigeria come very thin but they rule and dominate, imbued with the rule of the wilds: to be bigger and tougher, to hurt or be hurt. Take a look at the exploits of Bola Tinubu, the domino trails of the politics of Olusegun Obasanjo, the thrilling courage of Atiku Abubakar or even the riveting politics, resoluteness and resilience of Nyesom Wike. Examine the Machiavellian antics of Ibrahim Babangida, the valve and onions in the bullish tendencies of Arthur Eze, the inspiring thrusts and fortress of James Ibori, the dynamo and single mindedness in the strides of Ayo Fayose, and the poise, pulsation and bulwark grace of Bukola Saraki. Not even the adroitness of T Y Danjuma can be put down. They all wear their strange beauty like war paints. They are hands-on conquerors, bold, feared, hard to diminish, each in his purpose.

Obasanjo, with a ragged breadth has won many battles in and out of office and still reigns. Tinubu soared high in office like the eagle but out here has demonstrated that his wings are not made of wax. Abubakar has glazed in unassailability never unstuck like the proverbial beetle. Silver years out on a limb; Babangida still holds the ace, never out in the cold. Think of the staying power of Eze, his hold on as many as three presidents and doing what people say he cannot do. They are never broken. Some, like Wike can rise from his ashes like the phoenix. Fayoses never die spirit echoes with his bravado. In jail and out of it Ibori makes things happen in Delta. When Saraki coughs Kwara catches cold. In Taraba and adjoining states, if you trifle with the towering personality of Danjuma you bite the dust. In Ernest Hemingway we learn that the world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. They believe in cause and effect, seizing common occasions to ride on. The world shrinks in their palms. And once they set their hands on the plough their souls are on fire. And they march on.

1. Obasanjo

Without a doubt, Ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo is one of the most favoured among the past leaders who had ruled this country. Apart from being the longest serving elected civilian president under the present political dispensation, he still enjoins tremendous level of goodwill and respectability within the political class. In and out of office, he knows when to pull the string. While in power, he ruled with iron fist. Despite all the criticisms against his alleged profane use of power, Obasanjo had no cause to look back.

Even as a democratic leader, he did not hide his aversion to undue criticism. Within a short while after his swearing in, he literally ran all the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who worked for his emergence out the party. No supporter of the party would forget in a hurry how Obasanjo plotted the removal of Chief Audu Ogbe as the chairman of the PDP for having the gut to write a letter to him complaining about the intrigues of Anambra State politics during the tenure of former governor Chris Ngige.

In his quick reply to the letter, Obasanjo declared Audu as betrayer, saying, I am amused and not surprised by your letter of December 6, 2004 because after playing hide and seek games over a period of time, you have finally, at least in writing, decided to unmask and show your true colour. Whats more! He ordered Ogbe to voluntarily resign and drafted in Col Ahmadu Ali as his successor. And, of course, the Garrison Commander played his role to the satisfaction of his benefactor. In the words of Ali, you must be 100 percent loyal to the national leader of the party or chicken out. And that was it.

Subsequently, prominent figures like vice president Atiku Abubakar, Alex Ekweme, the late Abubakar Rimi, among those who had the gut to show ambition for the presidency, were shown the way out of the party one after the other.

When in the run up to the last general election, the former president publicly announced his exit from the PDP and tore his membership card; many had expected that he would take a permanent retirement from politics. But contrarily, Baba Obasanjo is still very much visible in the political scene, playing the role of a kingmaker. His most recent outing being his meeting with the Minna Generals: Abdul Salami Abubakar (rted), Ibrahim Babangida (retd), over the health matter of President Muhammadu Buhari. The last is yet to be heard of the matter.

2. Tinubu

Other than his current position as the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu earns a lot of respect for his capacity to take a peep into the future and act appropriately. His role in the merger arrangement that culminated in the formation of the party is still fresh in the memory of most Nigerians. For the first time in the history of Yoruba, he succeeded in breaking the traditional Berlin wall between the South-west and the power at the centre, leading the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a landslide victory in the last general elections.

In terms of political strategy, Tinubu towers above his peers. This he had demonstrated as far back as 2003, when he emerged as the only survivor of Obasanjos political intrigues against the South-west governors in that general election. With his prodigious capacity to read events and peep into the future, he was the only governor who survived the massive incursion of the PDP into the South-west. This led him on a regular collision course with the PDP-controlled Federal Government, especially following the creation of additional 36 local council development areas for the state. The prolonged litigation battle that followed the creation of the additional local governments by the Tinubu administration is already a familiar story.

Stories have also been told of how Tinubu circumvented the Afenifere in his bid to secure second term ticket as governor of Lagos State. Unlike most governors elected on the platform of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu met a brick wall obtaining the ticket of his party (AD). Due to the power play intrigues, Tinubu literally became a protege of AD leaders like the late Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo. By the twilight of his first tenure, the Afenifere leaders had become so uncomfortable, feeling that the man they had made was becoming too difficult for them to control. They, therefore, felt the need to curtail his power. Consequently, there was an alleged plot to deny him the ticket of the AD for a second term.

Realising that the party was fast losing its pride of place in the politics of the South-west, Tinubu, a grassroots mobiliser, took a bold initiative of forming the Action Congress (AC). Within a few months, he transformed this new party as the credible opposition to the PDP in the country. In 2003, he sought re-election on the platform of the party and won alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro. Since then, the AD has never remained the same, while the fault line in the Afenifere camp is also yet un-amenable.

Today, nearly all top functionaries in the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari from the South-west are the so-called Tinubu Boys. These include: Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Solid Mineral, Dr Kayode Fayemi, FIRSs Babatunde Fowler, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to mention but a few.

Tinubu is such a person you cannot predict his next political move.

3. Buhari

By virtue of his position, President Muhammadu Buhari is the leader of the APC. Even though he may not be visibly seen dishing out orders as ex-president Obasanjo did in his tenure, he has the final say on all matters that concern the party.

One of the cardinal points of the present administration is to fight corruption and ensure openness and transparency in the conduct of governments business. And, of course, since he assumed power, he has been unwavering in his commitment to deal with the penance. As they say in political parlance, the fear of Buhari is the beginning of wisdom. Even though many of his critics have attributed the dismal performance of the economy to the way and manner the anti-corruption war is being fought, his government has not had any cause to look back.

However, there is now a discordant tune on the raging war among some key members of the party, including the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola, who recently criticized the approach of the anti-graft crusade. This is coming on the heels of the presidents medical vacation. Nonetheless the divergence of opinion on the war, the administration is pushing on.

Meanwhile, Nigerians are awaiting the outcome of the probe panel set up to investigate the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency NIA, Ayo Oke. According to a close ally of the president who spoke with Sunday Sun, no one caught in the act would be allowed to go scot-free. A former minister of information, Prince Tony Momoh, speaking on the hard line position of the president on the anti-corruption crusade had this to day: I think one mistake people make is their lack of understanding of what President Muhammadu Buhari makes with governance. If you are a minister; like my friend, Prof Jerry Gana would say, he will allow you to minister well. If you are a governor, you will govern well. If you are a teacher, you will teach well. He allows you to do your work, but bears responsibility because he cannot delegate responsibility, he can only delegate power and authority. My knowledge of him (Buhari) makes me conclude that he can never abandon his responsibility.

4. Ibori

Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori is keeping a cool head in his Oghara country home after serving a four-year jail term in the United Kingdom for money laundering and other related offences. Iboris conviction came after he had been discharged and acquitted of the same offence by the Nigerian judiciary.

Before he ran into troubled waters, Ibori was one of the movers and shakers of politics in Nigeria. He was said to have allegedly bankrolled election campaign of the late President Umaru YarAdua. Many people believe that the plea bargaining option instituted by the YarAdua administration was to give him with a soft landing.

Since his return from the UK concerns have been raised about his post-prison life. But the excitement and jubilation that heralded his home coming last December has clearly shown that he still remains a man of the people. On arrival in Abuja before proceding to Oghara, the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal Daura, was said to have allegedly had a brief talk with Ibori on how to achieve peace in the troubled Niger Delta region. The belief is that he could influence the Niger Delta militants to lay down their arms against the Federal Government.

For obvious reasons, Ibori may not be visible in the political scene. But recent developments in Delta State have shown that the man is still capable of pulling strings. For instance, there are speculations that the recent impeachment of the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly might have been instigated by Ibori.

5. Fayose

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State represents the face of the opposition in the present dispensation. And as an ardent critic of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), he has remained a thorn in the flesh of the Buhari government.

However, some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party have blamed the current crisis facing the party on Fayose, his counterparts in Akwa Ibom and Rivers State, Emmanual Udom and Nyesom Wike respectively for propping up Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman against the wish of the elders.

For now, the fate of the party is hanging in the balance, as the Supreme Court reserves the final judgment on the case between Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee and Sheriffs faction. While the waiting game lasted, Fayose has vowed to dump the party should the judgment go in favour of the latter group.

Whichever way it goes, Fayose is certainly a strong force to contend with in the politics of 2018 and 2019, especially in Ekiti State. Sunday Sun reliably gathered that his predecessor, Dr Kayose Fayemi, is having his eyes on the governorship seat. Even with the advantage of the federal might, Fayose has minced no words in his determination to make Ekiti State an impregnable fortress for the APC.

6. Eze

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, is a political kingmaker in his native Anambra State and a major donor to political causes in the country. Eze, who is the founder and Chairman of Atlas Oranto Petroleum International Ltd, the largest holder of oil exploration blocks in Africa, also wields remarkable influence in the politics of the South-east geo-political zone and is often looked upon for direction. He is popularly known as the godfather among his loyalists. Although he is not into active politics, concentrating rather on his oil exploration business, which has earned him a place in the current list of top 10 richest Nigerians with a net worth of $5.7 billion, he has been close to the seat of power since the Gen. Sani Abacha junta, who was said to be his close friend.

He was a major financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the administrations of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. During the 2015 presidential election, he openly supported the re-election bid of former president Jonathan to the extent of declaring that anybody fighting Jonathan was fighting God and would perish. But shortly after the presidential election, which Jonathan lost to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, Eze was one of those who visited Buhari just weeks after the election to congratulate him. The visit had fuelled the speculation that despite being a well-advertised Jonathans supporter, he backed Buhari in the presidential election. His place as a close confidant and treasured donor to Nigerian politicians makes him one of the politicians in the country that cannot just be ignored, even though he is always in the background.

7. Danjuma

Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd) has been in the corridors of power since 1966 when, as a Captain in the Nigerian Army with the 4th Battalion in Mokola, Ibadan, he was involved in the counter-coup that claimed the life of the late head of state, Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. A politician, multi-millionaire businessman and philanthropist from Jukun in Taraba State, he was Nigerian Chief of Army Staff from July 1975 to October 1979. He was also Minister of Defence under the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

Danjuma, who is chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), a Nigerian oil exploration and production company established in 1995, is one of Nigerias richest men. He has played active roles in Nigerian politics since the restoration of democracy in 1999 and his political network cuts across the country. Although Danjuma has been close to Nigerias seat of power, that does not deter him from taking a principled stand on national issues and following through to the end.

In 2006, he was one of those that avidly opposed Obasanjos third term bid as civilian president despite his closeness to the former president. In 2010, then acting President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council and he had an unfettered access to Aso Rock. But in July 2014, Danjuma, who also served as Chairman of the Victims Support Fund Committee, which was created by the Jonathan administration to raise fund and supply

aids to victims of Boko Haram insurgency, publicly criticised Jonathans handling of the insurgency, noting that, Boko Haram insurgents appear to be having the upper hand, as they choose where to strike and capture territory. As it turned out, Jonathans perceived poor handling of the war against insurgency was one of the issues that cost him his re-election in 2015.

In his native Taraba State, Danjuma is widely seen as the political leader of the state. He has a firm grip on the state and plays a crucial role in the allocation of power. He is highly revered in the countrys political circles.

8. Atiku

Atiku Abubakar made a foray into the Nigerian political arena in the early 80s and maintains a nationwide political network, which was initially built by his late friend and political mentor, Shehu Musa YarAdua. He also enjoys tremendous wealth, which flows from his many flourishing businesses both within and outside the country. Atiku understands the media and knows how to use it to his own advantage. He has a formidable media team any politician can boast of.

He was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected as the governor of Adamawa State in 1998 on the platform of the party. However, before he could be sworn into office, former president Olusegun Obasanjo recognised his political worth and chose him as his running mate. Obasanjo won the presidential election and he served as the second elected vice president of the country from 1999 to 2007.

Atiku, however, had a frosty relationship with Obasanjo during his second term in office, which arose mainly from his ambition to succeed the latter in office. Meanwhile, Obasanjo, it was rumoured, had vowed never to allow him to taste the seat after he (Atiku) almost used his powerful political machinery to stop him from clinching a second term in office but for the intervention of notable members of the party. But in a bid to realise his ambition, Atiku defected to the defunct Action Congress (AC) in 2006 and was nominated as the presidential candidate of the party. He survived further attempts by Obasanjo and the PDP-led Federal Government to rubbish him and stop him from contesting the election. He, however, didnt win the election.

On April 8, 2010, Atiku returned to the PDP with his associates and contested for the presidential ticket of the party in January 2011 but lost to former president Goodluck Jonathan. On August 31, 2013, Atiku led seven governors of the party and their loyalists to walk out of its national convention following a protracted crisis in the party. The action, no doubt, contributed to the awful performance of the PDP in the 2015 polls. He had rebuffed pleas from the leadership of the party to return to their fold. He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2014.

Although Atiku could not realise his presidential ambition on the platform of the party in 2015, as he lost the partys ticked to President Muhammadu Buhari, his contribution to the success of the party at the poll cannot be over emphasised. Atiku has defied all odds to remain irrepressibly relevant in the countrys political landscape till date.

9. Saraki

The incumbent President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, is a political enigma of sort that cannot be shoved aside in any political setting he finds himself. Saraki came to political limelight riding on the wings of his father, Olusola Saraki, a top-notch Second Republic politician and former Senate Leader (1979-1983). In 2000, former president Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as his Special Assistant on Budget. In 2003, he ran for the office of governor of Kwara State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and won. He was re-elected for a second term in office in 2007.

Nevertheless, Saraki showed that his political teeth had become sharp enough in 2011 when he opposed his sister, Senator Gbemisola Rukayyat Sarakis governorship ambition, which had the blessing of his father. The disagreement forced his father, who dictated the tune of Kwara politics to pull out of the PDP and float the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in a bid to actualise the gubernatorial ambition of his daughter and maybe teach his son a bitter political lesson. Thus, he campaigned vigorously for Gbemisola with scores of his supporters, but she lost the election to her brothers anointed candidate and the incumbent governor of the state, Abdulfatah Ahmed. The younger Saraki also made it to the Senate, literally demystifying his father politically.

From then on, Saraki has waxed in political strength. He is today wearing his fathers shoes as the new godfather of Kwara politics. He was instrumental to the defeat of the PDP in the 2015 general elections as he was one of the influential members of the party that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014. He effectively delivered Kwara to the APC in the 2015 polls and was re-elected into the Senate.

Saraki emerged as Senate president in June 2015 against the wish of his partys leadership, having connived with the PDP caucus in the Senate to secure the coveted seat. Shocked by the development, his partys leadership initially chose to dissociate with him. In fact, they sought to remove him from office by every means possible. But not even a case of alleged corruption instituted against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by the Federal Government at the peak of the crisis could sway the tide against him. When it became obvious to those who wanted him removed that it was an impossible task, as he has succeeded in currying the support of both the APC and PDP caucuses in the Senate, they initiated a fence mending process. And he has remained firmly in charge as chairman of the National Assembly and Nigerias number three citizen. He is indeed one of the political heavyweights of the Fourth Republic.

10. Wike

Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has had a no love lost relationship with the Federal Government since his victory in the 2015 general elections. And he has won all his court cases. Many people had thought that Wike, who contested the governorship of the state on the platform of the PDP, had robbed the APC of victory in the state with the support of the Federal Government, which was then controlled by the PDP. But events of the last two years do not corroborate such view.

The courts had nullified virtually all national and state elections conducted in the state in 2015. Although he succeeded in upturning the judgment of Court of Appeal nullifying his election at the Supreme Court and retaining his mandate, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had to conduct fresh elections into the vacated seats as ordered by the lower courts.

To the former Minister of State for Education, the fresh elections served the purpose of proving himself as a grassroots politician who is loved by his people and dispelling the speculation that the 2015 election was rigged in his favour. The APC only managed to win a few seats amid intimidating federal support, proving as many people had argued that he was the brain behind the electoral victories recorded by the Minister of Transport and former governor of the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, while steering the affairs of the state. Wike has indeed distinguished himself as an outstanding administrator, leader and politician. To the opposition in Rivers State, the fear of Wike is the beginning of political wisdom.
Former minister of state for defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, says he will leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if the Supreme Court affirms Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party on May 25.

Speaking in an interview with the Punch newspaper, Obanikoro stated: One thing that is certain is that if Sheriff wins at the Supreme Court, you will not find people like me in the party again. That is certain. Let us not also forget that all politics is local, Obanikoro said.

Without mincing words, anybody can accuse me of anything. I am pleased with what Governor Akinwumi Ambode is doing in Lagos. If at the end of the day, I have to choose between a progressive like him or continue with a PDP being controlled by Sheriff, I would rather opt for the former.

Let me categorically tell you that the report that I have defected to the APC is a rumour and it is still a rumour. If a personality like me will leave the Peoples Democratic Party to join another party, it will be done in a grand way. I would call a press conference and tell the whole world that I am moving (to another party). I will also explain the reasons for my defection.

He said the crisis that has engulfed the PDP was not good for the countrys democracy, saying Nigerians would lose because they would not have options.

The Lagos politician popularly known as Koro also disclosed that he was never comfortable with the loss of his personal relationship with Bola Tinubu national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said hes happy to have made peace with Tinubu after being on a political warpath since 2006.

He noted that his mending of fences with the former Lagos governor was not meant to serve political interest but rather a personal and Lagos interest.

I was happy that the reconciliation was done successfully. As I have said earlier, a very good friend of mine was also involved in the process. What has happened to me as regards my relationship with Asiwaju Tinubu should serve as a good lesson to the younger generation, Obanikoro said.

Whenever you play your politics, always have it at the back of your mind that when you have disagreements, politically with someone, leave personal relationship out of it. Dont allow your disagreement to affect the personal relationship you have with that person.

I was never comfortable all along that I lost personal relationship with Asiwaju Tinubu. We can always mend fences after political disagreements easily but it is the personal relationship that is crucial.

Source : ( PM News )
13 Boko Haram terrorists were killed by the Nigerian troops on Saturday and arrested 10 others engaged in smuggling in supplies for the group.

In the ongoing clearance operation around the fringes of Lake Chad, troops of 8 Task Force Division have continued to hit the few remaining Boko Haram hideouts and what is left of their logistics holding, said Timothy Antigha,

deputy director, public relations, 8 Task Force Division, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Antigha, a colonel, said, In the last 72 hours, gallant troops operating in Chikun Gudu, Tumbuma Karami and Tumbuma Baba have neutralized 13 Boko Haram terrorists, while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Similarly, troops recovered 3 AK 47 and 1 pump action riffles, assorted riffle magazines and 306 rounds of ammunition, tool box, deep freezer and a Toyota gun truck. In the same vein, troops destroyed 2 other Toyota Hilux vehicles, 1 Toyota truck, 2 Motorcycles and 6 bicycles.

In a related development, troops of 242 Battalion, acting on a tip off, rounded up 10 suspected Boko Haram smugglers. The suspects comprising 6 females and 4 males were arrested in Monguno and Nolwodo Malgori with assorted house  hold items, food stuff and 63, 060 Naira cash.

The suspects are being profiled to determine the extent of their involvement in Boko Haram insurgency.
North Korea on Sunday morning launched a new medium range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan amid U.S president Donald Trumps first international trip to Saudi Arabia.

The missile, is their second missile test in the space of seven days after launching their most successful missile test last week.

The missile flew about 500km and it is believed to have landed in waters off South Koreas east coast, South Koreas military said. New South Korean President Moon Jae-in, reacting to the missile launch, held a National Security Council meeting- this is the second launch test North Korea has had in Moons short time as president, while the White House said the missile had a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Koreas three most recent tests.

In a statement, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said they were at full military readiness and were closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military. On Sunday, North Korean state newspaper Minju Joson threatened more missile launches against the United States.

Minju Joson said: If the US persists in confrontation with the DPRK (North Korea), the latter will show how the crime-woven history of the US is put to an end. Many more weapons capable of striking the US will be launched from this land. This is the DPRKs answer to the Trump administration.
A 21-year-old student who is a candidate in the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was, on Thursday, caught with a gun.

He was arrested during a search at the entrance of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic centre.

A locally-made pistol and two rounds of live ammunition were found on him, according to men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The state commandant of the NSCDC, Bashir Lawal-Kano, told journalists in Lafia that the candidate claims a stranger gave him the gun for safekeeping.

Lawal-Kano said the unnamed suspect would be charged to court for illegal possession of firearms.

He added that even registered guns are not allowed at examination centres.

Source: ( Bounce News )
The demolition of Breeze FM 99.9, radio station in Lafia has been condemned by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa state chapter.

The union described the action carried out by the state government, as an assault on the media and threat to freedom of the press in the state.

The state chairman of the NUJ, Mr. Dogo Shamah, made the statement while addressing newsmen shortly after officials of Nasarawa Urban Development Board demolished the radio house.

Breeze FM 99.9, the first privately owned media outfit in the state, was recently commissioned by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura.

However, on May 12, barely two months after the commissioning, NUDB issued the management of the station with quit notice over allegations that the original plan of the structure had been violated.

Despite explanations given by the management of the station, the board notified it on Friday that the demolition would be carried out on Saturday.

Shammah accused the government of not following due process in carrying out the action.

He declared that the haste with which NUDB demolished the radio station, made it clear that the government took the action to gag journalists in the state from carrying out their legitimate duties

The chairman said, it is an unfortunate development that in a democratic setting, somebody will demolish a radio station serving the common people.

The government needed to accept that there must avenue for people to air their views.

It was the same government that commissioned the station; for the government to come up with violation papers is a mere excuse.

This is an assault on journalists in the state; the government is trying to gag the press and stop people from getting balanced reportage.

Shammah said the state chapter of the NUJ would not tolerate the action, adding that it would write to its national secretariat to take necessary action to avert such development in future.

We will not tolerate this kind of action, and we will call on the national secretariat to take action.

We want the government to appreciate the role of the media and know that there can be no democracy without the media, he said.

He urged journalists in the state to exhibit maturity and be responsible, adding that they should not deviate from their professional duty of unbiased, objective and quality reportage no matter the consequence.

Source : (NAN)
A mob has given two minors an unbelievably brutal treatment after stripping them n*ked and parading them about.

A report by Outlook India has shown revealed that in yet another barbaric incident, the hair of two minor boys were shaved, even as they were stripped and paraded naked with garlands made of slippers for allegedly stealing a snack from a shop on Sunday afternoon.

The incident took place near Ulhasnagar area of Thane, where a 7-year and a 8-year old boy were beaten and allegedly tortured just because they picked up chakli from a shop and ate it without the permission of the owner.

The shop owner named, Mehmood Pathan and his son, even shot a video of this inhuman incident and posted on social media, which drew the ire of people.

Following this, the parents lodged a complaint with the Hill Line Police Station after which the accused were arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act.

They shaved their heads and paraded them naked on the street as the punishment. They should be given justice. The accused must be arrested and should be sent to jail, said the mother of the victim.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Mohan Waghmare said, The owner said the children used to steal food items from the shop very often. So, when they repeated the incident today, the owner of the shop and his son, shaved the hair of the minor boys, and paraded them naked in the locality. We have arrested the two accused under the POCSO Act and other sections of the IPC
On May 12 2017, the law to decrease administrative burdens (Burokratieentlastungsgesetz II) introduced an increase in the threshold for so-called invoices for small amounts from 150 ($165) to 250 (gross). This has been done with a view to simplifying, in particular, cash transactions, the trade in everyday consumer goods and billing through automatic machines.

Simplification for input VAT deduction from invoices for small amounts

The provisions on invoices for small amounts pursuant to section 33 of the German VAT Implementation Code (UStDV) contribute to simplifying input VAT deduction in daily business. According to section 15 of German VAT Act, input VAT can only be deducted where the recipient is in receipt of an invoice that meets the standard invoice requirements of section 14 paragraph 4 of the German VAT Act. As regards to input VAT deduction from so-called invoices for small amounts, the provisions of section 33 of the UStDV provides for only very basic requirements concerning the information stated in an invoice. Contrary to the information provided on regular invoices in accordance with section 14 paragraph 4 of the German VAT Act, it is, in particular, not necessary to state the recipient and the separate VAT amount. The provisions on small amounts do not apply in cases of distance selling, intra-Community supplies of goods or, as regards the reverse-charge mechanism.

Retroactive effect

The amendments have retroactive effect from January 1 2017. However, taxable persons who have received invoices for the amount of 150-250 (gross) since this date can claim input VAT deduction even if the invoices merely contain the information of section 33 of the UStDV.

Practical problems for application remain

The practical problems associated with the application of the new law continue to exist. Information, which is not required but yet stated in invoices, might jeopardise the input VAT deduction, in particular, incomplete or incorrect information concerning the recipient appearing in the invoice. The fiscal authorities may basically deny input VAT deduction on the grounds that the invoice does not meet the requirements of section 33 of the UStDV. This then leads to the paradoxical conclusion that where the address field is empty input VAT can be deducted. However, where the address field is incompletely or incorrectly filled out, the deduction will be denied.

Recommendations

Invoices for small amounts should merely contain the invoice details required in accordance with section 33 of the UStDV. Any additional information carries with it the risk of being incomplete or incorrect and may consequently jeopardise the recipients input VAT deduction.

This article was written by Dr Matthias Oldiges, lawyer at Kuffner Maunz Langer Zugmaier in Munich.
Gardai are appealing for help in finding a teenager missing from Dublin.

Seventeen-year-old Gift Odysanya is described as 5 foot 10 inches tall of slim build with black hair and silver plaits.

She was last seen in Dublin City centre in the early hours Thursday morning.

Anyone who has seen Gift or who can assist in locating her is asked to contact Store St garda station on 01-666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Name: Nicole Bateman

Occupation: I serve as both the Community Marketing Manager for Decatur & Macon County and Executive Director of the Midwest Inland Port

Age: 34

City of residence: Decatur

Whats your idea of a perfect day in Decatur?

A perfect day would be spent with my husband and son exploring our parks and conservation trails, afternoon local shopping, sunset dinner overlooking Lake Decatur, and cap it off with a festival or show. Every day in Decatur could be a fun-filled, action packed, perfect day if you want it to be. The possibilities are limitless.

Why do you think some Decatur residents have a negative perception of their community, and whats the key to changing that?

Lets be honest, Decatur fell on hard times and when a town our size makes national news over and over again in a short amount of time, it develops a reputation  just or unjust  and it made Decatur an easy target for negative stories and we lost our confidence. Think of Decatur like your classmate that was picked on. We all had one. Over the course of years when others repeatedly told him that he was not good enough, he lost his confidence and didnt aspire to achieve more. Until one day, a group of people saw his true potential and assets that could chart a new course for his future. That kid is Decatur.

Did Decatur take a beating? Yes. Do we have a vision for our future? Yes. Are there people working day in and day out to build our self-confidence again? Absolutely. The key to changing the negative self-image: We must quit looking in the past. This is a new era. Decatur has an incredible way of re-creating itself. Renewed lakefront activity, micro-breweries, arts and culture, Fortune 500 companies investing and bringing work TO Decatur. Look around and look forward ... its a transformation! Chin up, Decatur!

How will the development of the Midwest Inland Port affect the average Decatur resident?

Simply put: quality jobs and more people. The Midwest Inland Port is  in short  our multi-modal hub consisting of planes, trains, automobiles, and a ramp. The ADM Intermodal Ramp is the connecting piece to moving goods between rail and truck, and the Decatur Airport is key for air cargo transferred to truck and vice versa. Regional companies have experienced cost savings in both time and dollars when exporting, importing, and distributing goods from the assets that make up the Midwest Inland Port. Now its time to take our message outward and target specific industries to relocate or expand here, and when they do that means more quality jobs and more people moving to the community to fill those positions.

What can the community do to attract and retain more young people?

Were on the right path with the addition of the lakefront development projects and amphitheater, good schools and parks, and multiple transportation options. These are all things that are attractive to young people. We need to create more downtown living with walkability in mind. Young professionals want to live where the action is, but have walkability (or bike routes) to markets, gyms, retail and additional recreation. How great would it be to have a corridor of young professional housing between Downtown Decatur and the West End, with additional bike and walking trails connecting to Lake Decatur where there is additional housing, retail, and recreation?

How do you think the city will be different in 10 years?

I envision lower unemployment, increased median household income, and increased population. Our schools, college, university, and businesses working together to create a workforce pipeline that supports the needs of the expanding business community. Co-work spaces fostering creativity and a business accelerator that puts innovation at the forefront, a vibrant lakefront scene and a bustling downtown that complements activities taking place throughout other parts of the city. I envision a Decatur that tells its own story so well that you can feel the excitement in every restaurant, hotel, school, office, factory, and home you walk into.
DECATUR

Lakeview 1977

Lakeview High School's Class of 1977 will meet for their 40th reunion on July 14 and 15.

An anonymous donor has arranged for a pizza and salad bar get-together at Whit's End, 3663 E. William Street Road, at 7 p.m., Friday July 14. On Saturday, the group will meet for dinner at 5 p.m. at the DAV, 1700 N. Lakeshore Dr., Decatur.

Tickets for the Saturday dinner are $25 per person. RSVP to Laura Hilton Boyd, (217) 468-2186 or visit www.LakeviewClassof77.com.

DECATUR

MacArthur 1979

MacArthur High School's class of 1979 will join the classes of 1977 and '78 for a reunion on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1.

For details and reservations, contact Greg.Fisher@bunn.com, sue.allen@adm.com or wendy.morthland@gmail.com or visit the MacArthur High School Class Reunion 2017 page on Facebook.
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The political blame game is almost always just below the surface in Springfield, but it really becomes thunderous this time of year, when lawmakers are locked in the final gasp of budget talks.

Frustrations are high. Blustering is extreme. Movement is all but nonexistent.

Despite the glacial pace of action, there they are, our elected officials, saying the other side is driving Illinois into the ground. And then neither side budges.

This is the annual ballet under the Statehouse dome. The charade is time-honored and understood well by lawmakers because its been happening like this for decades. Until recently, a budget deal would be struck and we would miraculously survive another year.

But thats not very likely to happen this time, even as the impasse costs $11 million more each day and agencies and schools cut services, our economy suffers and confidence in state government plummets. We havent had a working, complete state budget in two years. As of midnight June 1, that will be three, a humiliating achievement.

Heres how bad it is: Last week, it made news that House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, was willing to talk about Gov. Bruce Rauners plan for workers compensation restrictions and a property-tax freeze.

Talking. A conversation. Sharing of ideas. That was news.

Such dialogue is a big deal because Rauner, a Republican, made those issues the cornerstone of his turnaround agenda in the 2014 election against Gov. Pat Quinn. And hes made those two pieces a condition of signing off on a budget plan, so any movement there is seen by optimists as an indicator that a break-through will happen.

We hope it does. We support Rauner demanding substantive change on property taxes and workers comp, both critical to cutting costs for businesses.

Another positive sign: House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, seemed to signal that hes willing to work with the governor by appointing top surrogates to search for a solution. One option is an agreement that would increase the income tax then make spending cuts.

Democrats are sticking by several requirements intended to help the middle class, as well as a health care measure that protects insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions and closing loopholes so corporations pay a minimum income tax.

Republicans have said these are just overtures  and that Democrats are bluffing and using political-grandstanding to slow progress.

"House Democrats under Speaker Madigan have shown really no good-faith willingness to engage in negotiations for true change, true reforms to our system," Rauner said on Tuesday. "My sense is this is probably a last-minute attempt to create a distraction and derail the senators who seem to be making progress and coming close to an agreement."

Remember, a previous effort, nicknamed the grand bargain, called for increasing taxes, putting steps in place to allow local governments to consolidate, and expanding gambling. It collapsed. Only recently did the Senate plan resurface with pieces that could get support from both sides. For example, local property taxes would be frozen for five years while personal income tax would go from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent for the same period.

Another plan that failed to gain traction would fund universities and social service providers.

For lawmakers, the different options are helpful political theater because both provide a certain amount armor. After all, Democrats and GOP can factually say they offered options and sought compromise. That may be true. But it doesnt make it right.

Time is running out. When June 1 hits, there will be more blame to go around than ever.
URBANA (AP)  University officials in Illinois and the United Arab Emirates have signed a deal to let students study at schools in both places and get engineering degrees.

The University of Illinois' new program with the American University of Ras Al Khaima allows engineering students to get a bachelor's degree from the school in UAE and a master's from Illinois, The News-Gazette reported.

The agreement was initiated by the University of Illinois' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah's School of Engineering. Through the program, students will be able to spend three years at the UAE school and two at the Illinois school, earning both degrees in five years.

University of Illinois Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global Strategies Reitumetse Mabokela, Chancellor Robert Jones and College of Engineering Dean Andreas Cangellaris signed the five-year agreement with officials from the UAE.

A maximum of five students will be admitted to the program annually, contingent on spaces available and the number of qualified applicants. Students must meet all of the University of Illinois civil engineering department's admissions requirements.

Students will pay full tuition at the University of Illinois. Tuition for engineering graduate students from other countries is more than $34,000 annually, as well as an estimated $11,000 in fees, housing and other costs, according to the university's website.

The American University of Ras Al Khaima was founded in 2009 and is styled after U.S. universities.

Mabokela said the University of Illinois has more than 400 agreements with universities outside the country, but not many involve a similar "three plus two" agreement.

"As with our other cooperative agreements, these provide an opportunity for students in other parts of the world, other countries, to study at the University of Illinois, and sometimes down the road they also provide opportunities for our own students," she said.
Social Security is a lifeline for millions of retired workers, so much so that a good 65% of beneficiaries rely on it to provide the majority of their income. But if you're not careful, you might end up losing some of those benefits and struggling financially as a result. Here are three Social Security mistakes that could cause your payments to take a plunge.

1. Filing for benefits early

Though your Social Security benefits are based on how much you earned during your career, pulling the trigger too soon on those benefits could cause your payments to drop. You're eligible to receive your base benefit amount once you reach your full retirement age (FRA). If you're not sure what that age is, you can use the following table to figure it out:

Year of Birth Full Retirement Age 1943-1954 66 1955 66 and 2 months 1956 66 and 4 months 1957 66 and 6 months 1958 66 and 8 months 1959 66 and 10 months 1960 or later 67

Though you're allowed to file for Social Security as early as age 62, doing so will result in an automatic reduction in benefits. Specifically, you'll lose 6.67% of your benefits each year for the first three years you claim before reaching FRA, and 5% a year thereafter. So if, for example, your FRA is 66 and you start taking benefits at 62, you'll slash your payments by 25%. Worse yet, this benefits reduction will remain in effect for as long as you continue to collect Social Security (meaning, the rest of your life).

Unfortunately, an estimated 60% of seniors wind up slashing their benefits by taking Social Security before reaching FRA. Unless you have a pressing reason to file early, such as losing your job or running into a costly health issue, waiting until FRA can help you avoid losing out on some of the money that would otherwise be yours.

2. Not checking your earnings record

Government agencies aren't perfect, and so it's not unheard of for a Social Security record to contain errors. But an inaccurate record could end up costing you big time, because as we touched on briefly above, your Social Security benefits themselves are based on your top 35 years of earnings. If you have a year where you earn $100,000, and that somehow gets erroneously recorded as $10,000, that discrepancy could have a huge impact on how much you're eligible for in Social Security benefits.

That's why it's important to check your earnings record regularly, and report any errors you spot. You only get three years, three months, and 15 days after the year in which income is earned to correct an associated mistake, so it really pays to be vigilant. You can follow these steps to get in touch with the Social Security Administration and straighten up whatever inconsistencies you spot.

3. Not making up for time off

Many workers take time off during their careers for a number of reasons, whether to raise children, care for aging family members, or address health issues of their own. But if you do spend a few years out of the workforce, and you don't take steps to compensate later in life, you might wind up unhappy with the amount you get in your Social Security checks.

Remember, for any year you don't work during your top 35, you'll get a big fat $0 factored into your average. If there are enough of those $0 years, you'll wind up with much less to look forward to in the way of Social Security income.

On the other hand, if you extend your career once your income has peaked, which typically happens later in life, you'll boost your base benefit amount by replacing some of those $0 years with strong earnings. Incidentally, studies have shown that working longer can also be good for your health, so if you have the ability to make up for lost time in the workforce, it pays to take advantage.

Getting the most out of Social Security could spell the difference between a comfortable retirement and one that's wrought with financial stress. Avoiding these mistakes could end up putting thousands of dollars back in your pocket during retirement -- right where that money belongs.

The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

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A little more than a week after a burst water pipe forced Liberty Plaza to evacuate about 200 people, things are finally coming back to normal, one of the property managers said.

Tenants were allowed back in this past Monday, William Daniel, broker in charge and managing partner for Atlantic Coast Commercial.

Firefighters and other responders, including Winston-Salem police, were called to Liberty Plaza, at 102 W. Third St., at 11:14 a.m. May 11.

Daniel said a sprinkler water pipe ruptured on the 12th floor of the building. Cascades of water flowed down the center of the building.

Firefighters on the scene helped tenants grab laptops and other items before the building was shut down on May 11.

Daniel said electricity had to be shut off to the entire building on May 11, and property managers worked with the fire marshal on what needed to happen to get the power turned back on.

Daniel said none of the tenant offices were damaged. Most of the damage was in the core of the building and on the 12th floor, he said.

The building was essentially closed part of the day May 11 and all day May 12, he said. Contractors reacted quickly to make electrical repairs and to dehumidify the building.

The management team was incredibly proactive, he said. We made all the right calls to expedite without compromising safety.

Dan Dockery, the citys chief building inspector, said city inspectors met with Salem Electric and the property managers to figure out a game plan for making electrical repairs.

Daniel said the building has about 28 tenants. Those tenants include the Forsyth County Public Defenders Office and Legal Aid of North Carolinas Winston-Salem office. Two restaurants are also in the building  Thai Harmony and Metas.

Paul James, Forsyth Countys chief public defender, said his employees were allowed back into the office this past Monday.

It should be back to business by Monday (today), he said. Thats when the office will start seeing clients again.

From Wednesday to Friday, most attorneys in the office were out of town attending a public defenders conference.

It will take a lot of repair to get it back to where it should be but its functional, he said. I was very pleased with the buildings response time. They were damn quick.

Daniel said theres still work to be done, particularly with the elevators.

I think we saved some time here by reacting quickly as we did and leaning on the (contractors), he said.
Were in agreement with two prominent Carolina Republican legislators who have announced their support for making Pell grants accessible year-round.

U.S. Rep. Mark Walker of Greensboro and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina support not only the continuation of the Pell grant program, but also asked that the program be accessible once again year-round, the Journals Bertrand M. Gutierrez recently reported.

Year-round access was eliminated in 2010 as part of congressional cost-cutting, but these congressmen are ready to change that back. They recently sent a letter advocating the change to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, the Journal reported. They also sent a copy to Rep. Virginia Foxx, who is the House Committee on Education and the Workforce chairwoman.

Accessing Pell Grants over the course of a whole year enables students to stay on track, complete faster, enter the workforce sooner, and get out of school with less debt to pay back, Walker and Scott said in the letter. We believe the time is now to make this change.

We hope their colleagues, including Foxx, will agree with them.

According to Bethany Aronhalt, press secretary for the House committee, Rep. Foxx supports the flexibility of the year-round Pell grant, but has some concerns with the proposal in the appropriations bill. She believes the year-round Pell should ensure students complete their degree more quickly, and doesnt want them to exhaust their Pell grant before they earn their degree.

Those are valid concerns and should be addressed. But it shouldnt be a difficult problem to solve with a few tweaks.

Pell grants have been an important tool for students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds.

The federal Pell grants not only help to make college more affordable for students, but also bridge the gap, increasing opportunities for students regardless of their economic background. For low-income students without the means to cover summer courses out of pocket, summer Pell can be the difference between graduating in four years and drifting into a fifth year, Jay Davis, a Winston-Salem State University spokesman, told the Journal.

About 76 percent of WSSU students receive Pell grants, Davis told the Journal.

College is much more costly today than in our parents day, placing it out of reach for many, thus consigning them to life with fewer resources and opportunities. According to a Pew Charitable Trusts report, adults without a college degree run a 31 percent chance of living in poverty as opposed to a 5 percent chance with a bachelors degree or higher.

Our state colleges are relatively inexpensive, but still out of reach for many, as tuition has risen more quickly than median household income and low-skill jobs fail to pay enough to save for college. It falls to our legislators on every level to do what they can to help students succeed  for their good and the good of society, which can use more achievers and fewer stragglers.
With the S&P 500 down 1.5% over the past week, it seems turmoil in the Trump Administration isn't doing investors a lot of favors. But give Donald Trump credit where credit is due. His administration is doing great things for one segment of the stock market:

Introducing Uncle Sam: Arms dealer to the world

We know this because late last month, the Trump Administration Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a whole slew of big ticket arms deals in the works -- weapons sales that promise to pour literally billions of dollars of new revenues into the coffers of some of America's biggest defense contractors.

On one particularly big news day, April 28, the DSCA announced that it has notified Congress of no fewer than seven separate pending arms sales that it plans to push through. These deals are aiming to sell:

110 radar-seeking air-to-ground "HARM" missiles to Australia, generating sales of $137.6 million for prime contractors Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA) and Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) .

and . Four P-8A Poseidon submarine-hunting jet aircraft to New Zealand -- a $1.46 billion payday for Boeing (NYSE: BA) .

. 13 76 mm cannon for installation aboard Israeli Navy SA'AR 4.5 and SA'AR 6 Missile Patrol Boats at a purchase price of $440 million. (Italian firm Leonardo S.p.a.'s DRS North America subsidiary will be the contractor on that one.)

Nine Bell 429 light utility helicopters to Slovakia, yielding sales of $150 million for Textron (NYSE: TXT) .

. And five CH-47D Chinook helicopters, sold out of U.S. government surplus to Greece for $80 million.

Also included in the DSCA's list of pending contracts are two directed toward the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, specifically:

A $300 million sale of C-17 Globemaster III logistics support services, with Boeing acting as prime contractor; and

A $33.5 million sale of Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) components, used to protect C-17s from anti-aircraft missile attack, supplied by Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) .

Add them all up, and the global shopping list for U.S. arms comes to more than $2.6 billion in total value, with most of that going to benefit prime contractors Orbital ATK and Raytheon, Boeing, Textron, and Northrop Grumman -- some of the largest defense contractors on the planet, and stalwarts of the U.S. defense industry, each and every one.

And that's just the sales announced on April 28. Since those deals were announced, DSCA has also notified Congress of sales of military apparel to India, MD 530 ground attack fighters to Kenya, and air defense missiles to the United Arab Emirates -- additional billions of dollars worth of revenue for the companies involved.

What it means for investors

President Trump has proposed a new military budget that will feature tens of billions of dollars in increased defense spending for the Pentagon. But already, the President's administration is pushing Congress to approve billions of dollars in new weapons sales to America's allies. Between increased military spending at home and increased sales of military hardware abroad, it's boom times for the defense industry in America.

So is it any wonder that the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEMKT: ITA) is up 16% since the November election? Heck, if every single stock in the defense industry wasn't so clearly overvalued already, I might even buy a few of them myself.

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A panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] on Friday ruled [Opinion, PDF] that the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) [official website] outgoing mail policy calling for a page-by-page content review of inmates confidential outgoing legal mail violated the First and Sixth Amendments of the US Constitution. In reaching this conclusion, the panel applied Nordstrom I standard for Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel, which states: The right to counsel is violated when 1) the government deliberately interferes with the confidential relationship between a criminal defendant and defense counsel and 2) the interference substantially prejudices the criminal defendant.' The panel concluded: We have recognized a defendants ability to communicate candidly and confidentially with defense counsel as essential to his defense and nearly sacrosanct  Thus, prison officials may not read an inmates outgoing attorney-client correspondence.' However, the panel added that prison officials can inspect an inmates outgoing mail, in his presence, to ensure that it does not contain such items as a map of the prison yard, details of guards shift changes, escape plans, or contraband. As to the First Amendment, the panel applied the four-factor Turner tests which asks:

(1) whether there is a valid, rational connection between the prison regulation and the legitimate

governmental interest put forward to justify it; (2) whether there are alternative means of exercising the right that

remain open to prison inmates; (3) what impact accommodation of the asserted constitutional right will have

on guards and other inmates, and on the allocation of prison resources generally; and (4) whether there is an absence of ready alternatives.

The panel concluded that the outgoing legal mail policy failed the four-part test, and thus violated the defendant Scott Nordstroms First Amendment rights due to the more limited threat that outgoing mail poses to prison security, ADCs inability to make a sufficient showing that such mail poses a threat, and because there are readily available, less restrictive alternatives to ADCs policy. The case has been remanded back to the lower court.

Prisoner issues have been prominent across the world. In January, the UK Ministry of Justice released figures demonstrating a record number of suicides and other deaths [JURIST report] in prisons in England and Wales in 2016. Many experts and politicians have attributed the findings to overcrowding and a cut in funding and staffing. Following a clemency order issued by President Pierre Nkurunziza, Burundis government began releasing [JURIST report] scores of prisoner earlier in January. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (ACLU of Hawaii) [Advocacy website] filed a complaint [JURIST report] with the US Department of Justice [official website] in January, stating that overcrowding in the state correctional facilities is resulting in violations of the prisoners Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [official site] approved a special bill [Japan Times report] on Friday allowing the reigning Emperor Akihito [BBC profile] to abdicate his throne. This development comes after the 83-year-old emperor hinted at the negative impact the grueling schedule had on his health during a televised remark last year. The current laws preclude the emperor from retiring, thereby preventing a new heir to the throne from assuming the role until after the current emperor dies. The proposed bill not only allows the emperor to retire voluntarily but also names his successor as Crown Prince Hironomiya Naruhito [Britannica profile]. Notably, this is a one-time abdication provision specifically designed only for Akihito, so as to prevent other monarchs from following suit by taking voluntary retirements. The new bill, to be considered by the Japan Parliament shortly, has created some controversy particularly since it makes no mention of potential female heirs to the throne in the future, despite strong public support for women [NYT report] ascending to the throne. That part of the bill remains unchanged, which would mean that women of royalty who marry would continue to be forced to leave the imperial household. With the passage of this bill, Akihito would become the first emperor since Emperor Kokaku in 1817 to abdicate his throne.

This is not the first time that the subject of female accession to the throne in Japan has been raised. More than ten years ago in November 2005, a government panel concluded [JURIST report] that Japans succession law should be changed to allow the first-born child, irrespective of gender, the right to ascend to the throne. But late Prince Tomohito, Akihitos cousin, disapproved of changing Japans unique tradition and history so easily. The following month the Japanese government set to prepare a legislative proposal [JURIST report] that would have amended the countrys the 1947 succession law, the Imperial Household Law [text; The Imperial Household Agency translation from Japanese], to allow female monarchs. In January 2006 then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi [Britannica profile] expressed his support [JURIST report] by promising to introduce the reform legislation. However, the following month over 1,000 protesters, primarily on the conservative side, gathered in Tokyo to rally against the proposed legislation [JURIST report]. The entire episode came to an abrupt halt ten days later, despite public support for the change, when Koizumi decided against submitting the bill [JURIST report] to parliament in the face of strong opposition from conservative members of his own party and partly in response to the news of Princess Kiko Kawashimas pregnancy becoming public [JURIST report].
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
The Memorial Mile, installed annually by Veterans for Peace, along Atwood Avenue in May 2016.
Dave Stephenson stands next to his car Saturday before racing up Knox Mountain during the 60th Hillclimb in Kelowna. Stephenson is competing in his fourth Hillclimb.
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2016 AP YEAR END PHOTOS - A man attempts to stop protesters from engaging with police in riot gear in front of the Police Department headquarters in Baton Rouge, La., after police attempted to clear the street on July 9, 2016. Several protesters were arrested. (AP Photo/Max Becherer, File)
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I want to touch on what is probably the hottest topic in psychiatry: whether psychologists should obtain prescription privileges. This is topical because Oregon just overwhelmingly passed a law authorizing prescriptive privileges for psychologists, although it is unclear whether the governor will sign the bill.

I endorse psychologists prescribing, and heres why: it would be the single best thing that could happen to psychiatry.

Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous, but heres my reasoning. Psychiatry has boxed itself into a tiny corner of medicine called psychopharmacology. Its a silly way to practice our craft, because the essence of what we do is to understand the mind and to help people live better lives. Drugs are effective but only one of the tools available to us, and we have largely ceded psychotherapy to psychologists and social workers. The result is a fragmentation of care. You see your p-doc for your meds, and you see your therapist for your mind. Each professional is far too busy to communicate with the other.

While there are plenty of patients out there who do so well on meds that they dont need therapy, the majority of patients do best with both meds and therapy. But psychiatrists rarely provide the full package of treatment, because we are trapped in a system of incentives that discourage integrative care. Insurance companies pay more for med visits. Drug companies throw the full force of their marketing machinery into pushing medications. The top psychiatrists find that the road to academic glory lies in psychopharm research. And our anachronistic training system, which requires that psychiatrists attend medical school, selects for practitioners who see people in terms of discrete diagnoses, and who are rarely psychologically minded.

Enter psychologist prescribers. These are professionals who went into their field because they are fascinated by the human mind. From early in their training, they learn about psychiatric diagnosis, psychological testing, psychotherapy, interpreting behavioral science research, neuropsychology, etc. They dont go to medical school, so they learn nothing about such crucial psychiatric topics (being sarcastic here) as gross anatomy, histology, pathology, or the physical exam, nor do they have clinical rotations that psychiatrists draw upon daily, such as Ob/Gyn, surgery, internal medicine, radiology, and others. Thus, psychologists dont learn how to deliver a baby or how to tie a surgical knot, but they do learn how to get at the root of anxiety and how to keep patients coming back for treatment.

Psychologists first obtained prescriptive privileges in the military through the Department of Defense demonstration project, and since then have been awarded privileges in both New Mexico (2002) and Louisiana (2004). The lengths of the training programs vary, though they are typically two year programs incorporating both didactics and a clinical practicum. Many have charged that these two year mini-programs cannot possible produce safe prescribers. But the evidence contradicts this position. There have been no adverse events reported in any of the programs operating thus far.

As the safety data gradually accrues, I predict that psychologists will attain prescriptive privileges in most states over the next 10 to 20 years. We saw the same pattern in the 1970s with nurse practitionerspsychiatrists and other physicians engaged in bitter turf wars initially, arguing that they didnt have enough training, but large scale health services research studies eventually demonstrated that NPs operated competently and safely, and now they are accepted as independent practitioners in most states. As it turned out, there is so much business to go around that psychiatric nurse clinicians have not eaten into psychiatrists practices or incomes. On the contrary, since NPs must receive regular supervision, many psychiatrists have developed side gigs supervising nurses, charging $200 to $300/hourmore than you can make seeing patients.

According to some psychologists I have spoken with, the early experience in New Mexico and Louisiana is that psychiatrists and medical psychologists (thats what they are termed in Louisiana) are accommodating to one another and that psychiatrists are not losing business. But as more and more states approve prescribing psychologists, this will probably change. I predict that patients will vote with their feet and preferentially see prescribing psychologists once they realize that such practitioners provide one-stop shoppingmeds and therapy combined.

And herein lies the great opportunity for psychiatry. As psychologists gradually become serious competitors for our patients, we will have to re-evaluate how we practice and how we are trained. We will have to take a close look at our catastrophically inefficient medical school-based curriculum. We will have to decide which medical courses are truly necessary and which are not. I suggest that the process begin with a work group created jointly by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. Yes, lets get psychiatrists and psychologists in the same room, and create an ideal curriculum for integrative psychiatric practitioners. Lets face it, going to 5 to 7 years of psychology graduate school, then capping it with 2 years of psychopharmacology is not an efficient use of training resources. Its almost as inefficient as going to four years of medical school, one year of medical internship, then three years of psych residency.

There must be a middle pathperhaps a five year program that would interweave coursework in physiology, pharmacology, and psychology from day one. The specifics would require much thought and discussion, and would best be done by reverse engineering. Start with the ideal psychiatric practitioner, list the core competencies such a person requires, and then figure out the very best way to teach those competencies.

On the other hand, organized psychiatry can continue on its current path, which involves throwing millions of dollars into lobbying efforts to fight psychologists. The money is being wasted, I can guarantee that. At the end of the day, we will be on the sidelines as patients flock to prescribing psychologists and our professional sphere constricts further and further into a narrowly defined neuropsychiatry role. We can do much, much better than that.

Daniel Carlat is a psychiatrist who blogs at The Carlat Psychiatry Blog.

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We dont want them here.

President Trump could not have sent a clearer message to Muslim children around the world. In the eyes of our nations elected leader, these kids are not wanted in the United States.

Trumps immigration policies have been focused on keeping radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States, but research in child psychiatry suggests that his rhetoric and policies have the potential to backfire, creating a hotbed for terrorists both at home and abroad. Whats even more frightening  these new terrorists may very well be children.

According to a report from the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, The Islamic State has been mobilizing child soldiers at an ever-increasing rate. Sadly, these children have become executioners in firing squads and beheadings. They have detonated car bombs. They have ended countless lives as foot soldiers. Last December, The Islamic State released a video of children dressed in military uniforms chasing prisoners with handguns. One prisoner is shot point-blank. When another jumps off a roof to escape the children, they fire shots into his dead body.

These children do not just come from Muslim-majority nations. Islamic State rhetoric has reached the Western World, including Europe and the United States. Two schools for child soldiers in Raqqa, Syria are specifically designated for English-speaking youth.

At the last meeting of The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, child psychiatrist Dr. Marie-Rose Moro shared data from her clinic for radicalized youth in Paris. Parents bring their children to Dr. Moro when they are concerned that the children are preparing to join terrorist organizations. Some of these children have already purchased plane tickets to leave the country and join ISIS.

All children long to feel accepted and loved. They want to develop an identity in a society that affirms them and accepts them for who they are. When they arent accepted in their communities, they look for different groups that can provide that acceptance. With an easy Internet search, marginalized Muslim children can find that missing support. The Islamic States online recruitment is sitting there waiting to make these vulnerable children feel welcomed, cared for, like they truly belong.

This raises questions for all of us in the United States  citizens as well as clinicians and policy-makers. How do our Muslim children feel when the president says, We dont want them here? What will they do when he bans Muslims from entering the country? Will they feel supported by the United States, or will they start searching for a community that will give them the caring encouragement thats missing for them here? Our next questions  where will their new community send them to attack, and how will they be armed? Is our nation ready to start fighting its own children?

Jack Turban is a child and adolescent psychiatry resident and can be reached on Twitter @jack_turban. He writes at the Political Minds blog for Psychology Today, where this article originally appeared.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Tributes were paid to a young mother who died last Sunday at a special prayer service this afternoon.

Friends gathered along with members of the local community to say goodbye and pay their respects to Rita Apine, who died after she was found with serious injuries in her home in Freshford.

She was remembered as 'a happy and positive person' who was always wanting to help others.

"She was happy to make friends with everyone no matter what colour their skin was, or their religion or beliefs," her friend Yann Merezkins said.

"She was always trying to help everyone she knew, she was a woman with a strong spirit," he said.

"I want to thank everyone from the Lativan community for being so kind and compassionate in this very sad moment," her friend Irina Semikrasa said adding that Rita 'loved Ireland and Irish people' and was 'full of love' .

Father Pat Comerford said that 'human words fail at a time like this' and prayed for the 'healing of the broken hearts of the friends of Rita'.

The prayer service took place at St Fiacre's Church in Loughboy and the Kilkenny Gospel Choir performed during the ceremony.
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PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) - The European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said on Sunday he was confident an agreement between Athens and its creditors could be found at a meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday in Brussels.

Athens needs funds to repay 7.5 billion euros ($8.4 billion) of debt maturing in July.

"We are very close to an overall agreement," Moscovici told France Inter radio.

"Greece has assumed its responsibilities," he said, referring to measures on pension cuts, tax hikes and reforms adopted on Thursday by the Greek Parliament. "I now wish that we, the partners of Greece, also take our responsibilities," he said.

Moscovici said his optimism over a deal was partly linked to the fact Germany was now aware of the need to find a structural solution to Greece's problems.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed during a call on Wednesday that a deal was "feasible" by Monday. ($1 = 0.8925 euros)

(Reporting by Myriam Rivert and Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Ginger Gibson and Julia Harte | WASHINGTON

U.S. President Donald Trump raised the firing of the FBI director in a meeting with Russia's foreign minister to explain why he had been unable to find areas of cooperation with Moscow, two top administration officials said on Sunday.

"The gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news," National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" program.

On the "Fox News Sunday" show Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump was also trying to convey to the Russians that he was "not going to be distracted by all these issues at home that affect us domestically."

Tillerson and McMaster were present at the May 10 meeting where Trump discussed his firing of James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister and Sergei Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States.

The New York Times, citing officials familiar with an internal White House summary of the meeting, reported that Trump referred to Comey as a "nut job" and said his removal would relieve "great pressure" coming from the agency's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Lavrov denied that the subject of Comey came up during the meeting, according to Interfax news agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to provide the U.S. Congress with transcripts of the same meeting to counter reports that Trump also disclosed classified information to Lavrov about a planned Islamic State operation.

However, neither McMaster nor Tillerson on Sunday disputed that the subject of Comey's dismissal came up in the meeting with Russian officials. Both said that Trump's remarks had been misinterpreted.

A steady drip of revelations about the meeting and the broader issue of Trump administration's ties to Russia have complicated the president's policy agenda and threatened to overshadow his first foreign trip.

Trump arrived on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first leg of a nine-day trip and is due to go to Israel on Monday. The trip also includes stops at the Vatican, a NATO meeting in Brussels and the Group of Seven summit in Sicily.

Last week, former FBI director Robert Mueller was named special counsel to investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Moscow.

Russia has denied any meddling and Trump has said there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia.

Two sources told Reuters on Friday the administration was exploring whether it could use an obscure ethics rule to undermine Mueller's investigation. In response, Representative Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, said on Saturday she would introduce legislation aimed at protecting Mueller's probe.

U.S. lawmakers from both parties have expressed varying degrees of concern about ties between the Trump administration and Russia and the president's handling of the matter.

Republican U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona told "Fox News Sunday" he was left "speechless" by reports of Trump's remarks about Comey in the May 10 meeting.

"I don't know how to read it except that, I'm almost speechless because I don't know why someone would say something like that," McCain said, adding that the president should never have met with the Russian officials.

Republican Representative Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanolpoulos" show he was trying to obtain notes from the meeting and expected to speak to the former FBI director on Monday.

On the same program, Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House panel, called on Chaffetz to subpoena the White House for documents related to the committee's probe into Comey's firing.

Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is also examining Russia's role in the election and possible ties to Trump's campaign, in two weeks. Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican on the panel, told CNN's "State of the Union" program on Sunday he would ask the former FBI director whether he ever felt pressured to not do his job.

"If any president tries to impede an investigation  any president, no matter who it is  by interfering with the FBI, yes, that would be problematic. That would be not just problematic, it would be obviously a potential obstruction of justice that people have to make a decision on," Rubio said.

Rubio emphasized that he will reserve judgment until he has seen all the evidence and heard from sources, including Comey.

(Writing by Amanda Becker; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Tuesday behind closed doors to discuss North Korea's latest missile test at the request of the United States, Japan and South Korea, diplomats said on Sunday.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast on Sunday, its second missile test in a week, which South Korea said dashed the hopes of the South's new liberal government for peace between the neighbors.

The United Nations Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006 and has strengthened the measures in response to its five nuclear tests and two long-range rocket launches. Pyongyang is threatening a sixth nuclear test.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Stuff reports:

Mike Ward thought he was out of politics forever  but then he started a political party with former Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio.

The Creative Alliance is Wards latest venture, one he hopes will encourage the population into thinking differently about New Zealands place in the world.

I thought about it for a very long time  there is a lack of urgency, a lack of optimism and dearth of collaboration, Ward said.

The 74-year-old artist turned former Green MP turned former Nelson City councillor said every political party thought they had the answer but they were unwilling to listen to each other.
On a drizzly morning in late April there was an intoxicating energy emanating from two third-grade classrooms at Madisons Lincoln Elementary. The daily routine was being shaken up by a group of visiting teaching artists with their weekly interruption.

The visiting teachers exclaimed whoop it up and the students replied with sock it to me before the room quieted.

Whoopensocker had arrived.

A concept originally derived by Erica Halverson, Beau Johnson and Amanda Farrar, Whoopensocker is an outreach program that helps children explore the possibilities of imagination from wherever they may be on an academic or personal level.

The skills that kids bring are so broad that its an adventure for us, Halverson said. This kid is super-duper talented as a performer, but doesnt use words. How do we meet that kid where he is at the same time as were meeting a kid who is a very verbal performer, but a reluctant writer?

We expand the practices of engaging kids and what we value. There are so many kinds of kids in the classroom.

Halverson is an assistant professor in the UW-Madison School of Education, director of education for Theatre LILA and  as the kids like to call her  mayor of Whoopensocker City.

Whoopensocker, a colloquial Wisconsin term that means something extraordinary of its kind is based on the curriculum and style of Chicagos Barrel of Monkeys, which Halverson co-founded 20 years ago.

The two-year-old program is a six-week arts residency which brings guest teachers into classrooms for 90 minutes once a week to engage students in active learning, writing and performing based on different topics. This year, Whoopensocker went to Sandburg, Emerson and Lincoln Elementary schools.

An initial residency was held at Sandburg Elementary last year.

According to Halverson, Whoopensocker is a partnership between Theatre LILA and the UW-Madison School of Education.

The artistic side lives with Theatre LILA and the curriculum development comes from UW, she said.

What the program does is allow the students to feel validated in their ideas whether theyre big or small.

Its about trying to get their imaginations going, which is something that adults could benefit from too, said Jessica Lanius, artistic director and co-founder of Theatre LILA.

Its one thing to go to school and write and do your work all the time, she said. But whats really cool is if you write something ... and you hand it to adults to put on stage to laugh or cry or respond to. To me, thats the power in this residency. To have (the students) see that when you put the idea on stage and validate it and say this is what you did. This is the moment you hope the kid feels that they have the power to create something special, to be heard and to have their voices feel validated.

During the six-week program, the students are encouraged to write in their journals using the topic of the week as a guide.

At the end of the residency, the Whoopensocker teaching artists gather the journals and create vaudeville-style plays or musical numbers out of a handful of the writings. Those stories are then performed for the entire school.

On May 31, selections from each of the three schools will be performed at Overture Center.

The Overture Center performance is an excellent opportunity to showcase these stories in a professional setting, Halverson said.

Lanius said its great to see what the teaching artists or the actors come up with from what these children have written.

Meeting students

where they are

Sometimes getting the words out is the trickiest part for the students, but thats an easy fix for the minds behind Whoopensocker.

There was one student who, in their journal, was just writing xs, Lanius said. Erica is so great that she came over and said I love xs! What are you doing there? She tried to meet him where he was. She put a prompt in each triangle of the x and all of a sudden (the student) started filling it in.

What began as a seemingly frustrating moment for the student became a showcase piece that the students enjoyed.

That writing became a piece about not liking things and liking other things, Lanius said.

We ended up staging that piece and it was really funny and playful, she added.

Crafting the writing, no matter its silliness, into a performance piece must coincide with an important theatrical mantra  say yes.

Saying yes means that anything  even the improbable  could happen, but saying yes gives the child the power to create.

Whoopensocker is embracing the experimentation of what if, Lanius said. What if the tooth fairy ate a dinosaur?

Growing the program

Since Halverson co-founded Barrel of Monkeys in Chicago 20 years ago, the world of education has drastically changed. There is little room to offer extra programs like Whoopensocker in an academic environment that is more focused on test taking.

She said schools used to have a lot more flexibility for additional programming, which is no longer the case. So, Halverson is grateful for the schools that have shown that creativity is a priority by allowing Whoopensocker to come into their classrooms.

Before the rise of standardized learning, schools were much more flexible with their time and about what they thought quality learning could look like, she said. They were much more open to the idea that good learning could look more like looking like a tree than filling in a bubble on a test.

Since the second year of Whoopensocker has been successful, organizers plan on holding a week-long training program for teaching artists.

After-school pilot set

In the next school year there will be four schools participating in the program and Whoopensocker will be piloting an after -school program.

The after-school program will focus on performance, with less emphasis on writing, whereas the in-school program is the opposite.

Chances are that not every school is going to need Whoopensocker to come to their classrooms and thats OK, Lanius said.

Whoopensocker gives children the opportunity to feel heard and connected in ways that they may not have before  it circles back to one of the missions of Theatre LILA, which is to bring thought (or creativity) provoking material to the stage.

The world would be a better place if everyone had to take an acting class, Lanius said. If you feel disconnected in the world, how can you feel connected? How can we feel authentically connected?

If everyone could come to the theater or a classroom and feel more connected by finding stories or plays that mean something to someone. We arent telling the same old stories to the same people. Were looking for a different array of voices so they can feel validated, especially young people.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Partly cloudy and windy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy and windy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.
Vietnam War veteran Gregg Vinslauski of Sparta has been driving himself to appointments at the VA Medical Center in Tomah for more years than he can readily count.

Mileage reimbursements for those trips had been in the $12-to-$19 range, he said, until this year, when they inexplicably dropped to about $9. Not a huge difference, but kind of frustrating for the self-described former Marine Corps grunt who got his a shot up for his country.

Vinslauski said he couldnt get a reason for the reduction from Tomah officials, so he made his next trip to SOS.

A message SOS sent to public affairs staff for the VA and the state Department of Veterans Affairs resulted in no response, but there was better luck to be found with Tomahs dedicated public affairs officer, Matthew Gowan, and its beneficiary travel supervisor, Terry Dwyer.

Gowan took down Vinslauskis name and particulars on the afternoon of May 15 and about two hours later he was back to SOS with a two-pronged explanation.

Yes, he said, Vinslauskis reimbursements had dropped from between about $12 and $14 a month to $9 to $10 a month beginning this year.

But then, Vinslauski was being paid for 24 miles whereas he should have been paid for a 19-mile trip, he said. Dwyer said this was the VAs mistake and that Vinslauski is not currently being asked to pay back the over-payments.

The other prong is that Vinslauski used to have an income-based waiver of the deductibles usually applied to mileage reimbursement, Gowan said. The deductibles amount to $3 for an emergency, or unplanned one-way trip and $6 for a round trip, with a maximum total deductible of $18 per month. Waive those and Vinslauskis checks are close to what they were last year.

Gowan said all Vinslauski needs to do to apply for the waiver again is to stop by the travel office the next time hes at the Tomah VA and fill out a form with about 10 boxes on it. He could go to admissions as well, Dwyer said, if theres no one at the travel office.

Vinslauski said he didnt remember having a waiver, but that hell sign up for one the next time hes at Tomah.

They dont tell us a lot of stuff, he said about the VAs communicative abilities, although hes always been pleased with the Tomah VAs care.
Members of the cast for the recenlty ended tvN reality show "Youn's Kitchen" pose in a promotional photo. The Food-and travel realty show's biggest appeal is that it harks back to the viewers' desire to live a slow life in Korea's higly competitive society. / Courtesy of CJ E&M





By Park Jin-hai

When director Na Young-suk, well-known for his "Flowers" reality series and "1 Night 2 Days," came up with the idea of "Youn's Kitchen," some voiced conern that it migh become the same old show.

Food-and-travel reality shows have passed their prime and are now on the wane.

However, viewers' responses to "Youn's Kitchen" have been amazing. Since it premiered with a 6.2 percent viewership in March, the nine-episode show's viewership rose to 14 percent and its final episode aired on Friday. The variety show is the second most popular after MBC's "Infinite Challenge" this month.

The Friday show, starring Youn Yeo-jung, Jung Yu-mi, Lee Seo-jin and Shin Gu, broadcasts how these celebrities open, cook and run a pop-up Korean restaurant on a small island near Bali, Indonesia, all within one week.

In the last director's cut that aired Friday, where they reunited at a cafe in Seoul and talked about their experiences on the island, the veteran actress who was cast as the store owner and lead chef, puzzled over the show's huge popularity, said, "Is this fun (to watch)?"

As she wondered, except one episode where the first restaurant had to be taken down only one day after its opening due to the local authorities' beach-cleaning initiative, no dramatic incidents arose.

At the beautiful beachside restaurant, Youn cooks, actress Jung supports Youn's cooking, actor Lee works as the manager and veteran actor Shin greets customers and receives orders as the waiter.

Through microphones installed at each table, conversations of customers from all over the world about the dishes served and the restaurant were picked up and translated.

Viewers said they found the show relaxing and healing. A watcher said, "As a mother of two, I am reluctant to travel, but the show gave me vicarious satisfaction," while another said, "The show's tension-free, plain and natural storytelling was good and made me think about slow life."

While the cast is tasked with actually operating a business, the show's focus was not selling more food, but providing viewers with a sense of relaxation and healing. Director Na previously said, "The place is like a paradise and it shows an easy, slow and happy life. It's something that is unlikely to happen in real life in particular for the young generations of today. So I thought of perhaps delivering an indirect experience." And the program lived up to that purpose.

Culture critics say the reality show's biggest appeal is that it harks back to the viewers' desire to live a slow life in Korea's highly competitive society.

Culture critic Jung Duk-hyun describes the restaurant as a fantasy workplace, where work and play coexist in one place. "Youn's Kitchen is both a place for work and play. They work in a place where sea turtles are swimming out front. This is in stark opposition to our reality, where the workplace is almost a battlefield and completely separated from any place for play," Jung said.

Another critic Ha Jae-geun mentions an episode where Shin hands over the menu and stands beside customers waiting for them to order. "In the Korean way, waiters stay at the table to quickly receive orders and chefs struggle for time to deliver the order quickly. When Shin didn't recognize this and served in the Korean way, Lee advised him not to. Watching the scene, there came the sudden realization on the part of viewers that there is another way of life other than being hurried and beating others to survive," he said.

"When the kitchen was busy, only the Korean staff and viewers watching it on screen were anxious about the serving time. Surrounded in cut-throat Korean society, where speed is a virtue, the show reveals everybody's fantasy about a slow and easy life, delivering viewers a sense of relaxation and healing."
By Nam Hyun-woo





Kim Kwang-doo,

Nominee for vice chairman of the National Economic Advisory Council

Sogang University Professor Kim Kwang-doo, who was nominated as vice chairman of the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) on Sunday, is a conservative who designed key economic policies for former President Park Geun-hye.



Kim, 71, is an advocate of free markets and designed Park's policies for tax cuts, deregulation and stronger law enforcement. In 2010, he established the Institute for the Future of State to help Park draft economic plans.



After Park's inauguration, however, Kim distanced himself from her and did not take any government posts. The institute also took critical stances on the Park administration's economic policies as well as held joint discussions with progressive economic institutions.



Earlier this year, Kim joined Moon Jae-in's camp as an adviser and drafted the so-called "J-nomics," aimed at job creation driven by expansionary fiscal policy. Kim reportedly made efforts to prevent Moon from adopting overly leftist stances.



Moon said: "Though Kim and I have different ideas on the economy, conservatives and liberalists should unite for the sake of the economy."



Kim graduated from Sogang University and earned his doctoral degree at the University of Hawaii.



The NEAC is a consultative body for the president. It is chaired by the president and it covers national strategies and policies concerned with economic development, social welfare and international economic cooperation.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke plagiarized parts of his 2013 masters thesis, CNN reported late Saturday.

Clarke  who announced this week he would join the Trump administration as an assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security  completed the thesis on U.S. security for the Naval PostGraduate School in Monterey, Calif., the station reported.

Clarke on Twitter late Saturday called the reporter a political hack and a sleaze bag.

Im on to him folks, Clarke wrote.

CNNs report said in the thesis Clarke lifts language from sources and credits them with a footnote, but does not indicate with quotation marks that he is taking the words verbatim.

Among the nearly four dozen instances cited by the news network are those involving sources from the American Civil Liberties Union, the 9/11 Commission Report and the Pew Research Center.
A cover of "Moon Jae-in: The Destiny" special edition / Courtesy of BOOKPAL



The book is most popular among women in 30s



By Kim Jae-heun

Korean President Moon Jae-in's book "Moon Jae-in: The Destiny" released six years ago has topped the bestseller list at local bookstores, a week after his victory in the 19th presidential election on May 9.

The book's first edition was published in June 2011 to reminisce about the late President Roh Moo-hyun's five-year term. It instantly became a bestseller, selling out all 15,000 copies.

Publisher BOOKPAL reprinted the special edition to celebrate Moon's victory with additional photographs of recent candlelight rallies and Moon campaigning during the election period. The special edition is set at a lower price.

The sale of "Moon Jae-in: The Destiny" is particularly notable in online stores as it topped overall best seller list with only sale by subscription at Yes24 and Interpark and it is ranked second in the e-book sale section.

According to the country's largest bookstore Kyobo Book Centre, the sale of the book's special edition increased by 13.4 times after Moon became president.

Kyobo Book Centre revealed the book was more popular among women readers, as 64.3 percent of all buyers were women. Also, readers in their 30s bought the book most.

Over 40 percent of the buyers of Moon's special edition memoir at Yes24, the country's biggest online bookstore, were young women in their 20s to 30s.

The increase in sales of books on the new president reflects people's expectations of Moon to lead the country well and fulfill his public pledge in his time, said Interpark merchandiser Kim Hyun-ko to the local press.

Moon's memoir was first published to celebrate the second anniversary of Roh's death in 2008. It is well known that Moon and Roh were close friends who met while working as civil rights lawyers. They had a long friendship and Roh appointed Moon as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs when he was elected president of Korea.

Moon resigned over his worsening health but returned to Cheong Wa Dae when Roh was impeached.

It is widely known the two shared more than just their political ideas in building a strong friendship. The book recollects Roh's comment during his presidency, "Not Roh Moo-hyun's friend Moon Jae-in, but Moon Jae-in's friend Roh Moo-hyun." The late president gave full credit to his longtime friend Moon and Moon included testimony about Roh's administration and his perspective on his work in helping Roh govern.

The book constitutes four chapters: "First meeting," "Life," "Accompany" and "Destiny." Moon describes the story of his 30-year friendship with Roh from how he first met the late president as a civil rights lawyer to when they become partners on the political scene. Moon remembers Roh as more than a friend. They walk the same path to their destination as presidents of Korea and Moon will carry on the ideas he shared with Roh to build a better country.
By Jun Ji-hye



A group of North Korean defectors said Wednesday that they have lodged a complaint with White House officials against U.S. President Donald Trump's positive remarks about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.



During his interview with Bloomberg News, May 1, Trump said he was "absolutely" willing and would be "honored" to meet with the North's young leader, though such a meeting could only take place "under the right circumstances."



Ten North Korean defectors were visiting Washington, and their schedule included a visit to the White House, according to Park Sang-hak, chief of the Fighters for Free North Korea, who was among them.



"We arrived at the White House about four hours after President Trump's interview was published," Park said.



"We lodged a strong complaint with the National Security Council (NSC) officials in charge of affairs on the Korean Peninsula. We told them how Trump said he would be honored to meet with a flagrant, anti-human criminal."



The defectors noted that the NSC officials told them the media interview was exaggerated to some extent.



White House press secretary Sean Spicer earlier said Trump's use of the word "honored" was because "Kim is still a head of state."



"There is a diplomatic piece to this," Spicer said.








By Jun Ji-hye

North Korea fired a ballistic missile that flew about 500 kilometers, Sunday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

This marked the North's second missile provocation since President Moon Jae-in was sworn in May 10. The first was launched May 14.

President Moon immediately ordered the new chief of the National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, to preside over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) at Cheong Wa Dae. Chung was appointed to the post earlier in the day.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile in the eastern direction at around 4:59 p.m. from the vicinity of Pukchang in South Pyongan Province," the JCS said in a release. "Flight distance is about 500 kilometers."

The JCS noted the characteristics of the missile were presumed to be similar to the "Pukguksong-2" intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) fired in February. At the time, the North's state media said its IRBM used a high-thrust solid fuel-powered engine, marking the first time it tested a solid-fueled, surface-to-surface missile that has more than a medium range.

"South Korea and the United States are analyzing the details of the missile," the JCS said.
















Gov't to strengthen criteria on involuntary commitment of psychiatric patients







By Lee Kyung-min







The government has strengthened criteria on the involuntary commitment of psychiatric patients to better protect their rights.



The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Sunday the Korean Mental Health Act will take effect on May 30. The revised law seeks to halt the decades-old practice under which patients could be placed in mental institutions against their will. The law allowing that went into effect in 1995.



Under the revised law, a doctor can order an involuntary commitment of a suspected patient for only up to 14 days for further diagnosis with the consent of the patient's legal guardians. Up to three months of hospitalization is allowed only after another doctor at a separate state-run hospital agrees with the detention.



Starting May next year, the hospital must submit a report to a special committee within three days of admitting a patient. The committee, comprised of up to 30 members with expertise in psychiatry, law and human rights, as well as recovered mental patients, will determine whether the patient needs hospitalization and notify its assessment to the hospital in no more than 30 days. If the committee decides against hospitalization, the patient must be released.



Such measures are a drastic change from the earlier law that allowed a doctor, without a second opinion, to hospitalize a patient for up to six months with the consent of the patient's legal guardians. The earlier law stipulated the stay be renewed every six months, but the revised law makes it every three months with the agreement of two doctors on the diagnosis.



The strengthened law allows hospitalization only if the patient is both likely to pose a danger to themselves or others and requires hospitalization due to mental illness. The earlier law granted the commitment if only either of the requirements had been met.



The revision comes eight months after the Constitutional Court ruled involuntary commitment unconstitutional last September.



The petition was filed by a woman, 61, surnamed Park, who was taken from her home in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, to a mental institution in November 2013 after her daughter claimed she was suffering from depression. The two had been estranged following a property dispute.



Park used a telephone inside the institution and called one of her friends to help her file an emergency injunction with the Seoul Central District Court seeking release in January 2014.



After release, however, she was readmitted at the request of her daughter, her legal guardian. Park, in response, filed a criminal suit against her daughter for confinement and her daughter agreed to sign a release consent form in exchange for Park dropping the suit. Park underwent a psychiatric evaluation at a separate hospital and was cleared of mental illness.



In a unanimous ruling by nine justices, the court said the law at issue granted a doctor excessive discretion that resulted in great deprivation of a person's right to remain free.



The court pointed out that the law was feared to be abused by individuals involved in financial disputes, citing a lack of proper measures to assess the conflict of interest between all parties involved.



The court also said six-month institutionalization was too long and feared it to be abused as a means of isolation rather than treatment.



Notifying the patient after the admission, not before, also lacked due process, infringing on the patient's right to protest the measure that directly affects their personal freedom, the court said.



The ruling is in line with the World Health Organization (WHO), which reaffirmed its support in March for the ministry's effort toward improving the rights of mental patients.



"We recommend that the Korean government work towards abolishing involuntary admission in the long term in order to bring its mental health legislation more in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)," WHO official Michelle Funk said. "The WHO is willing to support the Korean government in the process."



According to 2013 data by the National Center for Mental Health, of 69,511 patients admitted to mental institutions, more than two-thirds, or 67 percent, were the result of involuntary commitment, far more than in Germany (17 percent), the U.K. (13.5 percent), France (12.5 percent) and Italy (12 percent).



According to data by the National Human Rights Commission, more than 10,000 complaints were filed between 2010 and 2015 over human rights violations in such institutions.




















By Kim Bo-eun







Former President Park Geun-hye's official trial on bribery charges will begin Tuesday.



Bribery is one of the main charges Park faces _ she is suspected of accepting or receiving promises for funds amounting to 59.2 billion won ($53 million) from conglomerates including Samsung.



Although Park was not required to attend pre-trial hearings, she will have to be present for her official trial, at which her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil will also be present. Park's expected appearance on Tuesday will come 53 days since she was detained at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on March 31.



At the trial, prosecutors will elaborate on the 18 charges she faces, and defendants will deliver their pleas on the charges.



Park faces other charges including abuse of power, mishandling classified state information and drawing up a blacklist of artists critical of the government.



Park, who has been flatly denying all of the charges she faces, will likely maintain her not guilty plea at her trial.



Park's legal representatives have been claiming she was not aware of Choi engaging in illegal acts such as receiving money from Samsung, and that she had not been requested to help Samsung with its transfer of management from Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his son Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.



Park and Choi are suspected of having colluded in receiving funds from Samsung in return for facilitating a merger of its affiliates Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, which was designed to increase the junior Lee's control over the group.



The state-run National Pension Service (NPS), which was the largest shareholder of Samsung C&T, voted in favor of the merger, though it would sustain tremendous losses in the deal. Suspicions are that Cheong Wa Dae pressured NPS to support the merger.



Park is also suspected of having ordered other conglomerates such as Lotte Group to provide funds for the Choi-controlled Mir and K-Sports foundations, in exchange for business favors.



Choi has also been denying allegations that she colluded with Park. However, the prosecution believes Choi and Park shared financial interests, and based on this premise, whatever money Choi received could be seen as also being received by Park.



For Park's second trial, which will begin Thursday, she will be the only defendant present.



Meanwhile, hearings will be concluded on Tuesday for former NPS chief Moon Hyung-pyo and former NPS chief investment officer Hong Wan-seon for their alleged involvement in having the agency vote for the merger of the Samsung affiliates.



Hearings for Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who has been indicted on charges of providing funds to Choi, and other group executives will take place Wednesday through Friday.








By Lee Kyung-min







President Moon Jae-in appointed Lee Geum-ro as vice justice minister and Bong Wook as deputy prosecutor general, Sunday.



The appointments follow the resignations last week of their predecessors _ Lee Chang-jae and Kim Joo-hyun.



Lee Chang-jae had been the acting justice minister for more than six months after former President Park Geun-hye appointee Justice Minister Kim Hyung-woong resigned last year following the emergence of the influence-peddling scandal in which Park was implicated.



Kim had been the acting prosecutor general for a week after former Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam, also a Park Geun-hye appointee, resigned four hours after President Moon appointed Cho Kuk as the new presidential secretary for civil affairs on May 15.



The appointment also came two days after former Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office head Lee Young-ryeol and the justice ministry's criminal affairs deputy minister Ahn Tae-geun were demoted amid allegations of bribery and breach of the anti-graft Kim Young-ran Act.



The demotion came after President Moon ordered investigations of the two on May 17, following which the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and justice ministry launched inspection of the two.



The president's order came after allegations emerged on May 15 that the two had an after-work gathering on April 21 during which they gave each other's underlings envelopes containing 700,000 to 1 million won ($620-$890). The gathering, which came four days after former presidential secretary for civil affairs Woo Byung-woo and former President Park Geun-hye were indicted, was for appreciation of the prosecutors' efforts in the months-long investigation.



Lee and Ahn offered to resign, but Cheong Wa Dae refused to accept their resignations, as doing so would halt the internal investigation and the figures involved would not become subject to any punitive measures.



A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said their resignations won't be accepted until the inspections are concluded.



A 22-member inspection team requested 10 individuals present at the dinner to submit written explanations of the event.












President Moon Jae-in on Sunday announced his picks for the new finance and foreign ministers, while appointing his new chief security advisor.



Kim Dong-yeon, president of Ajou University, has been tapped as the new finance minister, who doubles as a vice prime minister, the president said at a press conference.



The earlier-than-expected announcement apparently highlights the importance of economic problems the country is facing and the importance the chief executive places on the economy.



Still, the focus of the latest personnel reshuffle is centered on security as the president also named his nominee for new foreign minister, chief of the National Security Office and two special envoys on security and diplomatic issues.



Kang Kyung-hwa, a special advisor to the U.N. secretary-general, has been named to head the foreign ministry.



Chung Eui-yong, a former lawmaker who has been leading a special security advisory group for Moon since the president came into office on May 10, has been appointed to head the National Security Office.



Moon Chung-in, an honorary professor at Seoul's Yonsei University, and Hong Seok-hyun, former head of a local newspaper and former ambassador to the United States, have been named special envoys for diplomatic and security issues, Moon said. (Yonhap)




President Moon Jae-in, wearing an orange tie with a seal print symbolizing the Dokdo islets, speaks during a briefing on the appointment of the Constitutional Court's acting president Kim Yi-su as the court's chief, at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday. / Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun





President Moon Jae-in is drawing attention not only for his leadership style and drive for new policies, but also for his choice of clothing and fashion items.

In a meeting with the floor leaders of the five parties, Friday, he sported an orange tie with a seal print.

The tie was created by a design brand in 2012, marking a day designated to declare sovereignty over Dokdo. Korea's easternmost islets were home to the seals featured on the tie until the 18th century, but the seals are now extinct. The back of the tie bears the seal's name in English.

Moon sporting the tie is seen as sending a message on the sovereignty of Dokdo, which Japan claims as its territory. It came as Rep. Moon Hee-sang, the special envoy to Japan, was on a trip there.

Meanwhile, the jacket President Moon wore when he went hiking with reporters on the first weekend since he took office has also garnered attention.

Moon's choice of clothing drew a positive reaction from the public, as he was often seen wearing the orange windbreaker. He was seen in the jacket when he went hiking on the day of the presidential election after casting his vote and also at official events over the years.

The manufacturer Black Yak said it would remake the product, which was released in 2013, due to interest in the jacket among consumers.
Yoon Seok-youl



Public lauds maverick' Yoon's past remarks, behavior

By Lee Kyung-min

The appointment of Yoon Seok-youl to head the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (SCDPO), Friday, indicates President Moon Jae-in's move to expedite prosecutorial reform. It also shows Moon's resolve to resume investigation into the corruption scandal that removed former President Park Geun-hye from her post.

The promotion of Yoon to the second-most-powerful post in the prosecution is considered sensational in many aspects.

His predecessor Lee Young-ryeol was five years Yoon's senior at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, where those who passed the state-administered bar exam study before becoming judges, prosecutors or lawyers. Lee offered to resign along with Ahn Tae-geun, the former criminal affairs deputy minister at the justice ministry, Friday, following bribery allegations and breach of the anti-graft Kim Young-ran Act.

Yoon's appointment drew enormous public support due to his past remarks and behavior.

In 2013, Yoon was demoted after revealing during a National Assembly hearing that his superior exerted undue influence to "go easy" on the investigation into the National Intelligence Service (NIS) over its suspected organized efforts of posting online messages supporting then-presidential candidate Park Geun-hye.

Yoon arrested then-NIS chief Won Sei-hoon and his subordinates without seeking permission from his superior, the then-SCDPO head Cho Young-gon.

At the hearing, he said he had great affection for the prosecution and that was why he told the truth. When asked by a ruling party lawmaker whether he made such a remark out of loyalty to a particular powerful figure, he said "I am loyal to where I belong (the prosecution), not to a person."

His remark, then dubbed "insubordination," and subsequent demotion were largely seen as a result of the Park administration overpowering the prosecution by preventing any investigation that could undermine the Park presidency.

Another remark that illustrates his character came shortly after he was chosen as the lead investigator by the independent counsel of Park Young-soo that led the influence-peddling scandal involving Park and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil last year.

When asked by journalists whether his earlier demotion by former President Park would motivate him to go far harsher on Park than needed, he said "If a prosecutor abuses his power to investigate, he is virtually the same as a mobster."

Suspicion against Yoon that he was lenient toward left-leaning political figures calmed down following his move to arrest South Chungcheong Province Governor Ahn Hee-jung, one of the closest aides to former President Roh Moo-hyun, on charges of receiving illegal political funds.

Yoon also arrested Roh Jung-yeon, the daughter of Roh on suspicion for purchasing an apartment worth 1.3 billion won ($1.1 million) in New York using illicit political funds.
By Kim Rahn



U.S. Republican Senator John McCain has reaffirmed that the U.S. would pay the cost of the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea, according to a South Korean special envoy visiting Washington, Sunday.



The remark by the highly respected and influential senator on the country's military policy may brush away the controversy over who pays. This was sparked in late April after U.S. President Donald Trump called for South Korea to pay $1 billion for the anti-missile system against North Korean provocations.



McCain told South Korean officials that the U.S. would pay for the installation, according to Hong Seok-hyun, a former media mogul who visited the U.S. as President Moon Jae-in's special envoy.



Hong met McCain at the Senate office building in Washington, D.C., Friday, following meetings with Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster. McCain is the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and has long led the Republicans.



"McCain also said he is well aware of the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Hong told reporters. "He also said he was angry at the series of North Korea's nuclear and missile tests but called for cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. to better deal with the issue."



The controversy over the cost started when Trump said in an interview that he believed it was fair for South Korea to pay because it was to protect South Koreans. He even said he informed South Korea of the payment, which the South Korean government denied.



The South Korean government said South Korea provides the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) with the site for the anti-missile system and other infrastructure and the U.S. bears the cost of deployment and operation of the system according to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).



The controversy has continued, although other U.S. and South Korean officials, including McMaster and South Korean National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-jin, tried to appease it by saying Trump's comment was made in the general context of the American people's hope for defense cost sharing by its allies.



Some forecast that even if the U.S. pays all the costs for THAAD, Trump's comment may affect the allies' coming discussion to renew their defense cost-sharing deal, known as the special measures agreement. The deal expires next year.



Moon has not only opposed THAAD cost sharing but also claimed the deployment has a procedural problem and should go through the National Assembly's ratification. Trump and Moon are likely to discuss the issue during their first summit slated for late June.




Heres how members of Wisconsins congressional delegation voted on major issues last week.

Note: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, did not vote. By custom, the speaker does not vote except in rare circumstances.

HOUSE

RUSSIAN ELECTION MEDDLING: Voting 230 for and 189 against, the House on Wednesday blocked a Democratic bid to force floor consideration of a bill now in committee that would create an independent commission for probing Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election by electronic means such as hacking and spreading false information. The bill has 197 Democratic sponsors along with Republican sponsors Walter Jones of North Carolina and Justin Amash of Michigan.

A yes vote was to keep the bill in committee.

Voting yes: James Sensenbrenner, R-5th, Glenn Grothman, R-6th, Sean Duffy, R-7th, Mike Gallagher, R-8th

Voting no: Mark Pocan, D-2nd, Ronald Kind, D-3rd, Gwen Moore, D-4th

DEATH SENTENCE EXPANSION: Voting 271 for and 143 against, the House on Thursday passed a bill that would authorize federal courts deciding whether to impose the death penalty to treat as an aggravating circumstance the murder or attempted murder of nonfederal police or first responders. This would raise from 16 to 17 the number of aggravating factors upon which federal judges and juries can base capital-punishment decisions.

A yes vote was to send the GOP-sponsored bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Kind, Sensenbrenner, Grothman, Duffy, Gallagher

Voting no: Pocan, Moore

DISCLOSURE OF DONALD TRUMPS TAX RETURNS: Voting 226 for and 188 against, the House on Thursday blocked a parliamentary attempt by Democrats to force floor debate on a bill now in committee that would require President Donald Trump and future presidential nominees to disclose their three most recent federal tax returns.

A yes vote opposed floor consideration of the disclosure bill.

Voting yes: Sensenbrenner, Grothman, Duffy, Gallagher

Voting no: Pocan, Kind, Moore

WARRANTLESS ARRESTS BY PROBATION OFFICERS: Voting 229 for and 177 against, the House on Friday passed a GOP-sponsored bill that would authorize federal probation officers to make on-the-spot arrests without warrants of hostile third parties they see as hampering their work with probationers. While backers called this an important protective measure, critics said it could violate constitutional safeguards.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Kind, Sensenbrenner, Grothman, Duffy, Gallagher

Voting no: Pocan, Moore

SENATE

RACHEL BRAND, ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Voting 52 for and 46 against, the Senate on Thursday confirmed Rachel L. Brand as associate attorney general for the Office of Legal Policy, where she will oversee the administrations judicial appointments. Brand had been a faculty member at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.

A yes vote was to confirm Brand for the Department of Justice position.

Voting yes: Ron Johnson, R

Voting no: Tammy Baldwin, D

JEFFREY ROSEN, DEPUTY TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: Voting 56 for and 42 against, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed Jeffrey A. Rosen as deputy secretary of the Department of Transportation, where he will oversee daily operations of the agency and its 55,000 employees. A partner in a Washington law firm, Rosen previously served in the George W. Bush administration as the top attorney at the DOT and the Office of Management and Budget. Democrats said he has a weak regulatory record in areas such as enforcing auto-safety and fuel-economy standards.

A yes vote was to confirm Rosen as the second-ranking DOT official.

Voting yes: Johnson

Voting no: Baldwin

KEY VOTES AHEAD

This week, the Senate will debate Trump administration nominations, while the House schedule was to be announced.

 Thomas Voting Reports
President Moon Jae-in, left, announces his appointments of ministers and presidential aides at Cheong Wa Dae during a press conference, Sunday. Standing with Moon are Jang Ha-sung, center, the newly appointed presidential chief of staff for policy, and Chung Eui-yong, the new chief of the National Security Office. / Yonhap



President picks key Cabinet members, security officials

By Jun Ji-hye

President Moon Jae-in tapped Kim Dong-yeon, a veteran bureaucrat and president of Ajou University, as deputy prime minister and finance minister, Sunday.

Announcing seven key figures of the Cabinet and the presidential office, Moon also nominated Kang Kyung-wha, a female career diplomat, as foreign minister.





Kim Dong-yeon, deputy premier nominee

For his chief of staff for economic policy, Moon picked Korea University professor Jang Ha-sung, a chaebol reform activist.

Kim Kwang-doo, a professor at Sogang University, has been tapped as vice chair of the presidential economic advisory committee.

For his security lineup, the President appointed Chung Eui-yong, former permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, as Cheong Wa Dae's national security chief.

Yonsei University professor Moon Chung-in and former JoongAng Media Network Chairman Hong Seok-hyun have been named as Moon's special advisers for unification, foreign affairs and national security.

Among them, the nominees for financial and foreign ministers need to go through National Assembly confirmation hearings.

Moon said during a press briefing that he selected Kim Dong-yeon as the nation's top financial official as he is a "competent economic bureaucrat whose coordination ability and insight into the economy has been verified while he has gone through important posts at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance."

Moon said Kim has the ability to manage crises and push for change.

"I don't have personal connections with Kim, but I believe he will be able to sympathize with the difficulties of the people as he struggled with poverty in his childhood," Moon said.

The President added that one of the most urgent issues of his government, which begins amid low growth and polarization of wealth, is to overcome financial crisis as early as possible and create more jobs.

Change in economic policies

Moon then signaled an imminent shift in his economic policies by appointing Jang, a progressive reformist, as his new chief of staff for policy, a newly created post at Cheong Wa Dae that is tasked with coordinating such policies.

Jang pioneered the nation's minor shareholders' movement and was also a key policy adviser to Moon's rival Ahn Cheol-soo in the lead-up to the 2012 presidential election.

"Jang is a great scholar and activist who has consistently studied the nation's socioeconomic inequality," Moon said. "He is the right man who will push for changes in the nation's economic policies to shift the focus from conglomerate-oriented policies to emphasize small and medium-sized businesses."

Jang, who accompanied Moon at the briefing, said he will work to make a nation that is fair to everyone.

Regarding Kim Kwang-doo, who oversaw Moon's economic campaign platform, Moon said Kim is a reform-minded conservative economist who will help rational liberals and reform-minded conservatives join hands to resolve financial problems.

While explaining his security and foreign policy lineup, the President said Kang, a senior adviser on policy to the U.N. secretary-general, is a qualified figure who will be able to wisely overcome sensitive diplomatic challenges facing the nation as foreign minister.

She has accumulated expertise and a human network while working at the U.N. since 2006, Moon noted.

"Kang was the first-ever female director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is a diplomatic specialist who achieved the highest position in the U.N. among South Korean women," Moon said. "Her appointment is also meaningful in terms of the gender equality of the Cabinet."

Regarding Chung, the new chief of the National Security Office replacing Kim Kwan-jin, the President said Chung has diplomatic capacity as well as a firm grasp of national security.

"Chung is qualified to resolve complicated issues involving security, foreign affairs and economics such as North Korea's nuclear threats, the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and free trade," Moon said.

Chung, who came to the briefing with Moon, signaled a cautious attitude on the THAAD issue, saying, "The decision-making process lacked procedural legitimacy," apparently referring to the former government's rush to agree with the U.S. on the installation despite controversy and protest.

Chung has led Cheong Wa Dae's foreign affairs and security task force since Moon's inauguration, and met with the U.S. delegation last week that visited Seoul to consult on the schedule of the Korea-U.S. summit.

Moon said Hong and Moon Chung-in, the newly appointed special advisers for unification, foreign affairs and national security, will closely work with him and discuss the new government's policy stance and direction.

Hong visited the U.S. last week as the President's special envoy, while Moon Chung-in participated in the two inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007.
President Moon Jae-in's appointment of ministers and Cheong Wa Dae officials show the new government puts reviving the economy and resolving diplomatic stalemates on top of its to-do list.



He tapped Kim Dong-yeon as deputy prime minister and finance minister to cope with low growth and job creation. At the same time, he appointed Jang Ha-sung, who has called for chaebol reform, as presidential chief of staff for policy, indicating he also focuses on addressing economic polarization.



For diplomacy, Moon nominated Kang Kyung-wha as foreign minister and Chung Eui-yong as head of the National Security Office, showing it is urgent to address North Korea's nuclear issue.







Deputy Prime Minister



Deputy Prime Minister nominee Kim Dong-yeon is an economist with insight into macroeconomic policies as well as expertise in budgeting. He has received public attention as he comes from a financially troubled background.



President Moon Jae-in named Ajou University President Kim, 61, as the deputy prime minister for the economy and head of the finance ministry.



He lost his father at age 11 and started to work at Seoul Bank after graduating from high school to be the breadwinner for his family. At night he attended Gukje College, currently Seokyeong University, and managed to pass the exam to become a civil servant at age 25.



Starting his public career at the now-defunct Economy Planning Board, he earned his reputation for budgeting and financial planning. In 2006, he led the team drafting the "Vision 2030" report, the Korean government's first economic master plan.



He served as a presidential aide during the Lee Myung-bak administration before becoming the vice minister of strategy and finance in 2012 and minister of the office for government policy coordination in 2013.



Kim began his academic career at Ajou University in 2015.



President Moon said, "Coming from an underprivileged background, Kim is an economist who can sympathize with the difficulties of the people as well as having the capacity to reinvigorate the Korean economy."



Kim earned a master's degree at Seoul National University and was award his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.







Chief of staff for policy



Jang Ha-sung, the presidential chief of staff for policy, was a professor of business administration at Korea University.



He has long studied economic inequality and has been engaged in activities in reforming the conglomerates' governance structures.



Born in Gwangju in 1953, Jang graduated from Kyunggi High School, majored in business administration at Korea University and was awarded his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. He was the dean of the Korea University Business School and a chairman of the Korea Finance Association.



Jang was the head of the economic democracy committee for the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, the nation's largest civic group. Since the late 1990s, he has focused on Samsung Group's unfair deals among affiliates, being dubbed the "Samsung sniper."



In 2006, he led the initiative of the Korea Corporate Governance Fund, better known as the "Jang Ha-sung fund," through which he sought to boost investments in undervalued Korean companies and raise their value by improving their governance structures.



Although former liberal administrations had attempted to appoint him to government posts, he refused. This is the first time for Jang to take a public post.



Accepting the chief of staff for policy position, which was newly created by President Moon Jae-in, Jang is expected to lead the new president's drive for chaebol reform, along with progressive professor Kim Sang-jo, who was named chairman of the Fair Trade Commission.



During the election campaign, he was an economic adviser to Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party.







Vice chair of National Economic Advisory Council



Sogang University Professor Kim Kwang-doo, who was nominated as vice chairman of the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) on Sunday, is a conservative who designed key economic policies for former President Park Geun-hye.



Kim, 71, is an advocate of free markets and designed Park's policies for tax cuts, deregulation and stronger law enforcement. In 2010, he established the Institute for the Future of State to help Park draft economic plans.



After Park's inauguration, however, Kim distanced himself from her and did not take any government posts. The institute also took critical stances on the Park administration's economic policies as well as held joint discussions with progressive economic institutions.



Earlier this year, Kim joined Moon Jae-in's camp as an adviser and drafted the so-called "J-nomics," aimed at job creation driven by expansionary fiscal policy. Kim reportedly made efforts to prevent Moon from adopting overly leftist stances.



Moon said: "Though Kim and I have different ideas on the economy, conservatives and liberalists should unite for the sake of the economy."



Kim graduated from Sogang University and earned his doctoral degree at the University of Hawaii.







Foreign affairs minister



Kang Kyung-wha, 62, a foreign minister nominee, is known to be the first Korean female to sit in one of the top United Nations posts.



If appointed officially following an Assembly confirmation hearing, Kang will also be the first female to lead the foreign ministry.



Graduating from the department of political science and international studies at Yonsei University, Kang started her career as an announcer-turned-producer for local broadcaster KBS' English service channel.



After receiving a Ph.D. in intercultural communication from the University of Massachusetts, she served as the National Assembly speaker's secretary official for international affairs, associate professor at the English department of Sejong University, and researcher at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS).



In 1998, she joined the foreign ministry as an expert of international affairs, an unusual route different from most ministry officials who must pass the state-run exam.



Her employment was reportedly attributed to her sophisticated performance in simultaneous interpretation for a 1997 phone call between then newly elected President Kim Dae-jung and U.S. President Bill Clinton.



She served as an aide to then Foreign Minister Hong Soon-young, and under the Roh Moo-hyun government she became the second female director of the ministry in charge of international organization affairs.



Kang was appointed as a deputy high commissioner at the U.N. Human Rights Office in 2006, an equivalent in status to the U.N. deputy secretary-general, becoming a pioneering Korean female figure at the international body.



She worked as the chief for then-Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterres' transition team in October 2016, and was tapped as Guterres' senior adviser on policy in December.



She is the only figure who was consecutively given positions by three secretary-generals from Kofi Annan to Ban Ki-moon to Antonio Guterres, according to the U.N. official.







Chief of the National Security Office



Chung Eui-yong, the newly appointed director of the National Security Office, will coordinate the Moon Jae-in administration's foreign and security policies.



Chung, who heads the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), is known as an expert in multilateral diplomacy.



Chung, 71, led a foreign policy team of Moon's campaign during the election campaign, assisting Moon in setting up his diplomatic direction. He recently met senior director for East Asia of the U.S. National Security Council Matt Pottinger who made an official visit to South Korea and discussed the schedule for the Korea-U.S. summit with him.



Born in 1946, he majored in diplomacy at Seoul National University. Chung entered the foreign ministry in 1971 where he started his diplomatic career.



He has worked as the director of the ministry's commerce bureau, diplomatic minister at the South Korean embassy in the U.S., ambassador to Israel, and deputy head of the trade representative in the foreign ministry.



Chung also served as an ambassador to Geneva and the head of the International Labor Organization (ILO).



He was elected as a proportional representative of the then-ruling Uri Party, the predecessor of the current ruling Democratic Party of Korea, in the 17th National Assembly and worked as a member of the parliamentary committee that dealt with issues of the Korea-U.S. free trade deal.



Moon said security and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin, saying the diplomacy expert will be suitable to lead the security team.







Special advisers for unification, foreign affairs, national security



Hong Seok-hyun, who was named special adviser for unification, foreign affairs and national security, is a media mogul who chaired JoongAng Media Network.



He studied electronic engineering at Seoul National University and was awarded a Ph.D. in economics at Stanford University.



He served as Korean ambassador to the United States in 2005 under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. He was once mentioned as a potential candidate for the U.N. secretary-general, along with Ban Ki-moon, the position that the latter assumed in 2007.



Hong quit JoongAng Media Network in March and sought to run in the May 9 presidential election, but later decided not to run.



As Moon's special envoy, Hong visited the United States last week. Cheong Wa Dae said Moon highly appreciated Hong's qualified diplomatic capacity and his vast global network.



Moon Chung-in, another special adviser, was a political thinker during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations.



The professor emeritus of Yonsei University set the framework of Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy.



He participated in inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007 and served as a presidential adviser on East Asia affairs and an international security ambassador of the foreign ministry during the Roh administration.



Majoring in philosophy at Yonsei University, Moon received his master's degree and was awarded his Ph.D. in political science at the University of Maryland. The professor, who taught at the University of Kentucky and Duke University, has a wide network in academic and political fields, especially in the U.S.








/ Screen capture from OECD



By Eom Da-sol

South Koreans are the second-thinnest people among key developed countries, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The OECD's annual "Obesity Update 2017" shows the obesity rate of people aged 15 years and over in each of its member or non-member countries. Korea ranked 34th out of 35 member countries with an obesity rate of 5.3 percent, followed by Japan (3.7 percent). The United States still had the highest obesity rate (38.2 percent).

The data, released May 21, defined people as "obese" when their body mass index (BMI) score is higher than 30 while those with a score over 25 are "overweight."

In South Korea, there were more obese men than women. The male obesity rate was 6.1 percent and that of women 4.6 percent.

The data found that education levels influenced the obesity rate of South Korean women more than other countries. South Korean women topped the "education-related inequality in overweight" index with 6.3 in 2014 out of eight countries. This meant that less-educated women are almost six times more likely to be overweight than those with a higher education. Women from Canada recorded 1.1, those from the U.S. 1.3 and Hungarian women 1.6.

The OECD expects South Korea's obesity rate to increase to 6 percent by 2020 and 9 percent by 2030.
By Meenakshi Pawar



On May 15, the Asia Institute and the Korea Peace Movement  both deeply concerned about the fast deteriorating situation on the Korean Peninsula  brought together their first peace march in downtown Seoul. Institute members feel they must raise their voices before it is too late and our children and dear ones are vaporized in the coming nuclear fire, and inform authorities that something must be done to address the growing concerns of citizens.



A broad section of Korean society participated in the march, including academics, business people, housewives, school teachers and students. Professor Emanuel Pastreich, director of the Asia Institute, opened the event. In his speech, he emphasized that no matter how small we are today, we must take the first step in the right direction. It takes an act of bravery to resist a wrong in society. Having gone through so much pain and suffering in the past few months because of the fear of nuclear war, we can no longer sit quietly in our homes and hope for this terrifying situation to return to normal. He said if others are preparing to wage war, we must come out in the streets and start waging peace.



Pastreich's opening remarks were followed by a passionate speech by Lee Rae-kyong, director of the "Tomorrow" Institute in Seoul. He said peace is not passive. You cannot have peace merely by asking for it. One must actively work for it. One should always be ready to defend peace at any cost. Thus peace requires constant vigilance by all members of society.



Representing the literary section of society, Lee Eum-sim read her newly composed peace poem. In it she hoped the march will help restore peace in her war-torn country. She also expressed her sadness about how materialism and greed are affecting the citizens' peace of mind. In this mad rush of extreme materialism, Koreas beautiful countryside, covered with beautiful mountains and rivers, offers true peaceful bliss. Connecting with nature can give us the true peace we are so desperately seeking.



Yoh Kawanaka of Japan performed a peace dance for the marchers. Through her dance she conveyed her message that only through durable peace can mankind reap its best potential. Peace is a fundamental imperative for the best to come out of us. After the performance, her brief remarks assured the Korean people that the people of Japan seek peace as much as the Korean people do. While there are some misunderstandings about her country in Korea, she brought her message to Korea of peace and love for the Korean people and hoped she can play a role in bringing these two nations closer together.



She emphasized good relations between Korea and Japan is the fundamental requirement for peace in the region. She strongly criticized the Japanese prime minister's efforts to rearm Japan and said it will only lead to death and destruction in the region. She lamented she could not understand why her prime minster has proceeded in that direction when her country experienced so much devastation in the last war. According to her, all efforts to rearm Japan must stop.



Agam Jot Singh, representing the younger generation, posed the question: "If World War I was the war to end all wars, why we are still talking about the war today? Why could war not be wiped from the face of the earth? Why we are still using war to solve our differences? Why can we not solve our problems peacefully?" According to Singh, old people start wars, but the young people pay the price with their blood and lives.



After the speeches, a prayer was led by Professor Lakhvinder Singh for peace not only in Korea but across the world. In his remarks, Dr. Singh hoped that with the election of a new president a golden opportunity has appeared to build permanent peace in Korea. He felt Moon Jae-in is the "man of peace." He encouraged all to pray for President Moon's success and stand by him in this noble cause.



A peaceful march followed in downtown Seoul to make citizens aware of the dangers of nuclear war and what we must do to attain permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.



The march was concluded with a call to march again until permanent peace is brought to Korea, where our children can dream big and fulfill their potential in life.







Meenakshi Pawar is a Seoul-based peace marcher.




Moon's scouts bumble in handling media, diplomatic protocol



President Moon Jae-in's special envoys to big powers have underperformed by speaking too much to the point of being ridiculed by one media outlet in the host country and submitting to out-of-protocols treatment without protest.



These presidential envoys have been engaged in grandstanding for their own promotion that can unreasonably lead the public to raise its expectations for the resolution of difficult diplomatic issues.



Hong Seok-hyun, the former chairman of Joongang Media Network who wrapped up his four-day visit to Washington as special envoy to the U.S., talked to the press as if his 15-minute meeting with President Donald Trump had solved all outstanding issues. Hong was appointed as Moon's special adviser on foreign affairs and security.



"I have achieved more than expected," he was quoted by News1, Korea's private news agency.



Hong said there were no insurmountable differences between Korea and the U.S., disclosing that he planned to contribute to making the Korea-U.S. summit coming in late June a success. Regarding China's opposition to the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, Hong said it was important to help China save face.



But Hong was quoted by the Washington Post saying, "People realized that China is a nation that's not worthy of its size. People for the first time realized that China could be a menace to us." This is an unacceptable breach of the basic diplomatic rules and Hong, as former ambassador to the U.S., should have known better.



The article was the result of his briefing for the editorial board of the Washington Post, also an unusual move for a presidential envoy. The paper put out a lengthy article peppered by hints of sarcasm. It said, "But the reason Hong's meeting with Trump went so well could be that issues the two sides don't agree on were never broached."



Then, there is the issue of photos released by the White House regarding Hong's visit _ one showing Hong and Ambassador to the U.S. Ahn Ho-young showing their backs with Trump sitting across the table in the Oval Office, while the other photo have the two standing between Trump who is sitting at his desk. These photos show the violation of protocol given to the representative of another country's head of state. Hong is known not to have protested.



Then, former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan went to Beijing but failed to act on Beijing's snub through a seating arrangement that made Lee look as if he were an old emissary from a vassal state. During the previous presidential envoys' visits, China allowed them to sit side by side.



After their meeting, China's foreign ministry said Xi told Lee the THAAD issue should be resolved, a typical parochial Chinese move that caught Lee unawares.



Presidential envoys' missions can be best stipulated as follows: They should keep a low profile because their job is to relay the president's messages to leaders of host nations. Therefore, they should watch their words and be extra careful about their behavior. After all, they represent the president and more importantly the country so any questionable act by them is detrimental to the national interest. The trips by Hong and Lee leave a lot to be desired.




By Tong Kim





Less than two weeks in office, newly elected President Moon Jae-in has taken a series of positive actions for the good of the country, even though he assumed the presidency without a normal transition period. Elected with 41 percent of the votes cast, his popularity soared up to 80 percent among the people who watched his fast-paced good performance, his considerate rhetoric, and his non-authoritarian, people-friendly behavior.

At the outset, he declared himself a president of all people, including those who did not vote for him, willing and eager to cooperate with opposition parties which constitute a majority in the National Assembly. He was elected on the three major themes: achieving security and peace on the Korean Peninsula, eliminating the "accumulative wrongs" of the past and creating jobs.

With President Moon's election, in the wake of the dismissal of former President Park Geun-hye by the Constitutional Court, democracy and the rule of law have been restored in South Korea. Moon can only deliver when his policy is supported by the legislative branch of government. The president is already reaching out to the opposition parties in search of their loyal opposition.

The president nominated a candidate for the prime minister for approval by the National Assembly, but he has not nominated cabinet positions, since the law normally requires the recommended nominations from a confirmed prime minister. In the meantime, Moon appointed some secretaries for the office of the president, including a chief of staff. So far so good.

The president is well aware that the most urgent national security issue is the threat of the North Korean nuclear and missile programs. His strategy is based on strong defense and pragmatic diplomacy. President Moon's North Korea policy is becoming clearer and it will likely influence the other relevant countries, including the United States, China, and North Korea.

Last week Moon sent his envoys to Washington, Beijing and Tokyo. With Japan, the settlement of the comfort women issue by the previous administration remains a big problem. In Beijing, THAAD deployment is a stumbling block to the restoration of relations with Seoul: Beijing wants Seoul to undo the deployment.

With Washington, where President Trump is going through a political crisis over accusations of possible collusion with Russia. Trump received Moon's special envoy Hong Seok-hyun in the Oval Office and promised to work closely with South Korea to resolve the North Korean issue. Trump reiterated he will engage the North if the circumstances are right.

There is a triple similarity between Seoul, Washington and Pyongyang in their conditions for dialogue: all three say they will engage "under the right circumstances." Moon said he would go to Pyongyang under the right circumstances that will be helpful to resolving the nuclear issue.

Pyongyang's foreign ministry director-general Choi Sun-hee said the North would also consider dialogue with the U.S. when "the conditions are right." Pyongyang's "right conditions" point to the withdrawal of hostile U.S. policy, suspension of military drills and U.S. willingness to discuss a peace agreement. Pyongyang does not slow down its threatening WMD development. A week ago, it fired another successful intermediate range ballistic missile that can carry a nuclear warhead.

The U.N. Security Council condemned Pyongyang's latest provocation. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley threatened to invoke sanctions against third countries that help North Korea, but also said Washington will consider dialogue if the North's nuclear process comes to a halt, a point some analysts viewed as lowering the bar for dialogue from a change of path to denuclearization.

Also last week in Seoul, Trump's envoy Matthew Pottinger, a senior NSC director for Asia, announced that a summit with President Moon will be scheduled toward the end of June in Washington. The coming summit should produce a basic approach to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean issue and resolve two particular bilateral issues: THAAD and the free trade agreement.

Seoul and Washington, as well as the international community, have made it clear they are not seeking collapse of the North Korean regime or planning to invade the North. Engagement and dialogue should focus first on persuading Pyongyang that it will benefit from denuclearization: it won't bring down the regime or invite an invasion. North Korea is not Iraq or Libya.

What's your take?



Tong Kim is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Korean-American Studies. He can be contacted at tong.kim8@yahoo.com.
Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) CEO Cho Hwan-eik, left, shakes hands with Wendy Sadler, a granddaughter of Harry Bostwick, during a ceremony of donating documents of the late 19th century at its headquarters in Naju, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. Bostwick established the country's first electric utility, which eventually became a part of KEPCO. / Courtesy of KEPCO



By Kang Seung-woo

A Korean utility's efforts to shed light on the country's history of electricity use are bearing fruit as it recently obtained hitherto unknown documents about its origins.

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) said Sunday it received historical records of Hansung Electric Company last week from descendants of Harry Bostwick. A ceremony to mark the free donation took place at its headquarters in Naju, South Jeolla Province.

Wendy Sadler, a granddaughter of Bostwick from Chicago, attended the event, along with KEPCO CEO Cho Hwan-eik and other guests.

Bostwick was one of the two American businessmen who formed a joint venture the Collbran and Bostwick, and agreed with King Gojong to establish Hansung Electric, the nation's first utility on Jan. 26, 1898. The other American was Henry Collbran. Bostwick served as general manager of the utility.

Hansung launched a streetcar service in Seoul in May 1899 and lit its first street lamps on Jongno in April 1900 -- the first-ever lighting in a public area.

"The Korean Empire lit the first electric lamp at Gyeongbok Palace in 1887, eight years after Thomas Edison invented a workable electric light in 1879. It built Hansung Electric under the combination of King Gojong's investment and advanced U.S. technology," Cho said at the ceremony.

"We expect the donation of historical documents will greatly help KEPCO learn about the history of electricity usage in Korea."

KEPCO also plans to make the historical records public, while making them available for various studies in the future.

The donated documents include letters between King Gojong and Collbran and Bostwick, pictures of Hansung Electric's head office and a power plant at Dongdaemun in the early 1900s along with local and international news about the firm.

KEPCO has carried out a history-tracing campaign and a research team at Pai Chai University found the documents owned by the Bostwicks through its research in the United States.

Hansung Electric was renamed Hanmi Electric in 1904 and eventually Kyungsung Electric in 1915. Later, Kyungsung joined hands in 1961 with two more electric firms -- Chosun and Namsun -- to eventually become KEPCO.

As part of the campaign, KEPCO recently changed its founding day to Jan. 26, the date when Hansung Electric opened.

According to KEPCO, it is also seeking out other utility firms, including Kyungsung, to restore the full history of the nation's electric producers.
By Kang Seung-woo

Janssen Biotech has taken Samsung Bioepis to court in the U.S., accusing the Korean company of violating patents for its top-selling drug. Analysts said Sunday Janssen appeared to be trying to delay a Samsung biosimilar drug's entry into the U.S. market.

In April, Samsung won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell Renflexis -- its biosimilar of Janssen's blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis medicine Remicade. It was expected to go on sale in the world's largest pharmaceutical market late this year.

Samsung Bioepis said Janssen, a subsidy of healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey last week, claiming Samsung has infringed on three of its patents. It also asks for damages. Remicade generates nearly $5 billion (5.59 trillion won) in sales a year.

"Janssen's patent lawsuit is an anticipated step. We will continue to proceed with the U.S. launch of Renflexis as planned," a Samsung official said. "Janssen takes issue with the same patents as it did with Celltrion's Inflectra."

Janssen last year filed a lawsuit against Celltrion, a cross-city rival of Samsung Bioepis, with another Remicade biosimilar named Inflectra. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favor of the Korean company, which released the medicine in the U.S. market last November.

Observers expect that the legal action would not delay or prevent the U.S. market launch of the Samsung product, which Merck will take to market in November at the earliest.
Sapiens' author warns of violent conflict between two Koreas

By Kang Seung-woo

Yuval Noah Harari

Countries that master artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology will outrun other countries and eventually dominate the world, said Yuval Noah Harari, the author of bestsellers "Sapiens" and "Homo Deus."

"I can say that AI is likely to be the most important factor in the economic developments of the coming decades. It will change almost every industry and profession, be it transportation, healthcare, education or the military," he said.

Harari said AI will eventually replace or augment human drivers, doctors, teachers and soldiers. "AI might even begin to replace human artists, as it learns how to detect and manipulate human emotions."

The world-renowned author said countries mastering AI would rule the world in the not-so-distant future as those creating steam engines did for the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century.

The potential power of AI and biotechnology is far greater than the power of steam engines and the telegraph, he said.












By Park Jae-hyuk



Korea has become Asia's largest importer of Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles this year, as the two German carmakers sold more vehicles in Korea than Japan for the first time ever.



Chinese motorists buy more Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles than Koreans do. But both firms roll out and sell their models through joint ventures with local Chinese firms. Hence, Korea is the populous continent's de facto leader in terms of Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicle imports.



The Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA) said Sunday that Mercedes-Benz sold 24,877 cars in the first fourth months of this year, while BMW sold 18,115, up 48 percent and 32.4 percent from a year earlier, respectively.



The luxury carmakers sold 21,365 and 15,818 cars respectively in Japan during the January-April period, up just 0.7 percent and 2.2 percent from the previous year.



Based on its larger population and higher income, Japan has remained the largest Asian importer of the two luxury brands. Japan's population is more than double that of Korea and its GDP per capita is 20 percent higher than that of Korea.



But Korea dethroned Japan this year because of a months-long sales ban on Audi-Volkswagen vehicles here. The carmaker stopped selling its vehicles in Korea after the emissions scandal last summer but it did not face such troubles in Japan.



During the sales suspension, Mercedes-Benz and BMW increased their sales in Korea's import car market.



The two combined to sell 57 percent of the import cars in Korea over the four months, up from 41 percent last year. In Japan, however, the figure only edged up from 38 percent to 40 percent.



Analysts expect Mercedes-Benz and BMW will dominate the market for a while.



Although Audi-Volkswagen began to sell some of its Bentley models this March, its Audi vehicles are likely to become available in the latter half of this year.



Also, the sales resumption of Volkswagen models has yet to be decided.



The KAIDA also said BMW sold more cars than Mercedes-Benz in April.



Mercedes-Benz maintained its top position until this March but fell to second place due to a short supply of its popular new E-class model. Lexus came in third in the number of sales, followed by Toyota and Honda.




Which members of Wisconsins congressional delegation play well with others?

According to the Lugar Center and Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy, its U.S. Reps. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, and Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls.

They were the states only current representatives in either house of Congress to rate well for working across party lines in a serious way.

Kind ranks 15th best in the 435-member House of Representatives, while Sensenbrenner is a respectable 65th.

The main activity the researchers tracked was how often each member of Congress sponsored or co-sponsored proposed legislation with members of the other political party.

What we are measuring in this index is not so much the quality of legislation, former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Indiana, explains in his centers report, but rather the efforts of legislators to broaden the appeal of their sponsored legislation, to entertain a wider range of ideas, and to prioritize governance over posturing.

Former U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Sherwood, who retired from Congress this year, also did well in the Lugar and Georgetown analysis. He ranked 90th out of 435 House members for collaboration across party lines.

And we have high hopes for his successor, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Green Bay, who has shown flashes of independence in recent weeks. Gallagher hasnt been rated yet for his willingness to work on bipartisan solutions because he has only been in office five months.

But the former Marine has drawn national attention for seeking answers from his own presidents White House about what Donald Trump disclosed during meetings with Russian officials. Gallagher also has questioned Trumps abrupt firing of James Comey, just as the FBI director was overseeing a probe into whether Trumps campaign worked with Russia to influence the outcome of last falls presidential election.

Gallaghers willingness to question the leaders of his own party suggests he wont be afraid to cooperate across the partisan divide on workable solutions. We sure hope thats the case.

The rest of Wisconsins congressional delegation rated poorly for cooperating in Congress. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wausau, ranked 250th; Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, was 265th; Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, came in at 355, and Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, was nearly last at 426th.

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, wasnt rated because he is the House Republican leader whose job is inherently partisan, according to the researchers. Yet when the Lugar Center and Georgetown first compiled its list more than a year ago, Ryan ranked poorly at 338th.

On the Senate side, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, was slightly below average, ranking 52nd out of 100 senators, while Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, was far back at 75th.

Wisconsin deserves more leaders in Washington who can work together to solve the nations problems.
I am tired of all this talk about the Russians being involved with our elections. Big deal.

The only ones who were affected were the Democrats. The Russians didnt cast one single vote. Not one.

Here is something that makes me mad. How much are these investigations into President Donald Trump costing U.S. taxpayers? The Democrats dont care about the cost.

Maybe they should look into Hillary Clinton's deal to sell uranium to the Russians. How many times did she and former President Barack Obama meet with the Russians?

Enough is enough.

John F. Mckay, Waterloo
Temple Police said a 5-year-old boy drowned in the pool at The Retreat at Western Hills apartment complex on the 600 block of Twin Oaks Drive Friday night.

Temple Police public information officer Shawana Neely said first responders provided emergency medical care to the boy, but he was unresponsive.

Justice of the Peace Duffield pronounced the boy dead at 9:15 PM.

Neely said Temple police are investigating the incident. No other details were immediately available.
Hello! Im Mark Olsen, and welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.

The annual international movie bacchanal of the Cannes Film Festival is well underway, and The Times Kenneth Turan, Justin Chang and Steven Zeitchik are all on the ground in France. Kenny had an overview of the years selections, while Steve asked the question of whether it all matters. Steve also addressed the years looming controversy over the inclusion of two films from Netflix and what that means for cinema culture and the future of moviegoing.

Justin is filing daily reports, including this one on Bong Joon-hos much anticipated Okja and another on Todd Haynes Wonderstruck, which finds the filmmaker back at the festival with the follow-up to his beloved Carol.

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Kenny also talked to Haynes, while Steve interviewed Leon Vitali, longtime assistant to Stanley Kubrick.

We have some fun summertime screenings and Q&As landing on the schedule, which we will be able to announce soon. Keep on the lookout for future events at events.latimes.com.

Alien: Covenant

Ridley Scott returns again to the franchise that helped stake his reputation as a filmmaker with the new Alien: Covenant. Fitting within the story timeline between 2012s Prometheus and the original 1979 Alien, the new film finds a group of would-be colonists landing on a deserted planet and finding it is perhaps not so deserted. The impressive cast includes Katherine Waterston, Michael Fassbender, Danny McBride, Amy Seimetz, Demian Bichir, Carmen Ejogo and Billy Crudup.

In his review for The Times, Justin Chang said, Both the ideas and the splatter are held in much more confident balance this time around.  Unlike Prometheus, which seemed almost reluctant to embrace its B-movie roots, Alien: Covenant is a full-bore horror movie that proudly bears the franchise name, complete with old-school 70s title treatment. The bloodletting begins early and rarely lets up.

The Times Josh Rottenberg spoke to McBride about his appearance in the movie, which is perhaps less unlikely than it might seem. Or, as Scott put it, Id seen Danny on TV and in other things, and he reminded me somehow of Slim Pickens, who most memorably played a B-29 bomber pilot in Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove. I thought, Lets give this a little bit of a nod to Stanley. 

Ann Hornaday at the Washington Post was less impressed. In many ways, whats wrong with Alien: Covenant can be traced to the success of the very first film, which reinvented the sci-fi form and invested it with new dimensions of terror and suspense.  The visionary design elements for which Scott was rightfully venerated in his earlier work are abandoned here in the interest of a gargantuan but by-the-numbers sense of scale.

At the Village Voice, Bilge Ebiri added  Alien: Covenant seethes with self-importance yet is never boring or portentous. It cant come close to matching the greatness of the first two films in the series, but at least Scott seems to understand that these movies thrive on ambition.  Be grateful that Ridley Scott has lost none of his ability to provoke, captivate and infuriate.

And at Vulture, Emily Yoshida posits the films chest-bursting as the best sex scene of the year, adding, Very few films these days are trying to genuinely seduce their audience.  The chestbursters, though. Perhaps they are not the most romantic onscreen subjects, but they are among the most sensual. Yoshida concludes with the inevitable question, Is it too late to get Ridley Scott on the next Fifty Shades film? (Please, someone, make that so.)

Everything, Everything director Stella Meghie is seen at the Bazar Restaurant in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Everything, Everything

Directed by Stella Meghie, Everything, Everything is an adaptation of Nicola Yoons young adult romantic novel about a young woman who lives in a sterile house because of an immune system disorder. The outside world nevertheless comes crashing in, thanks to a new boy next door. The film stars Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson as the young lovers, with Anika Noni Rose as Stenbergs mother.

Reviewing the film for The Times, Katie Walsh declared Stenberg radiant and praised the movies unexpected sense of buoyancy while noting it was best when it examined the darker corners of the story, exploring the psychology and consequences, rather than swooning over the shallow love story. But if a love story is what were going to get, Stenberg and Robinson make a charming pair.

The Times Trevell Anderson spoke to Meghie, a rare woman of color directing a studio movie. Moving forward, Meghie hopes to continue to find a balance between the demands of studio filmmaking and more personal, idiosyncratic storytelling.

Some stories dont fit in the studio system, and Im going to want to tell some of those, she said. And if there is something right in the studio system that I can bring something to, then thats where youll find me.

Reviewing the film for Uproxx, Abbey Bender compared the movie to a Taylor Swift video (in a good way), adding Those looking for a funny or provocative teen film will likely be disappointed, but Everything, Everything possesses enough moments of charm to make the manipulation somewhat forgivable, even if its hard not to wish for a film that explored the darker issues it raises around family and fate in more detail.

Paint It Black

Adapted from the novel by Janet Fitch, Paint It Black is the debut as screenwriter and director from actress and poet Amber Tamblyn. With a ferocious lead performance by Alia Shawkat, the film is an expressive, emotional look at a young woman coming to terms with her boyfriends suicide and the turbulent relationship with his mother (Janet McTeer).

Reviewing the film for The Times, Gary Goldstein noted, The first-time directors feverish vision helps put a unique spin on a familiar story.

I was at the films world premiere as part of last years LA Film Festival, where Amy Poehler lead a Q&A with Tamblyn and Shawkat, and actress America Ferrera asked a question from the audience.

As to the kinds of films she hopes to make in the future, Tamblyn added, I want to make the films that are the most difficult to get financed for the rest of my life. The films I want to make are films like this. I want to make films about [messed] up women who are awesome.

Reviewing the film for the New York Times, Neil Genzlinger added, Its really all about the grieving and about how suicides toll is measured in more than simply a life lost. Its not an easy movie to embrace, but it lingers.

Katie Walsh for the Playlist noted, Tamblyns at no loss of interesting things to say and show on screen, and Paint it Black has some real gems among the jumble, especially Shawkat, who ably shoulders the task at hand, and gives a raw and sensitive performance of a woman dealing with the loss of a lover far too young.

The Commune

Thomas Vinterberg has been a staple of the international arthouse circuit since his breakthrough with 1998s The Celebration. He is the kind of filmmaker it has become easy to take for granted, as he has worked at such a high level for so long. Recent films The Hunt and his version of Far From the Madding Crowd are among his best work, so his new The Commune deserves a look. Collaborating again with screenwriter Tobias Lindholm, Vinterberg this time turns in a semi-autobiographical tale based on his own 1970s childhood growing up as part of a communal living situation with a cast that includes Trine Dyrholm and Ulrich Thomsen.

Reviewing the film for The Times, Robert Abele noted, For all the ways The Commune is built like your typical dissolution-of-a-marriage story, just with wide collars and flared pants, its got some weird rhythms, as if sitcom-y humor, maudlin sentimentality and domestic drama were themselves testy cohabitants vying to be equal partners.

Jeannette Catsoulis at the New York Times compared the film to the recent 20th Century Women while singling out Dyrholms performance as a woman of a certain age coping with uncertain times. It says much for Ms. Dyrholms performance that we never doubt that she will prevail.

At RogerEbert.com, Sheila OMalley said the film doesnt really focus all that much on what happens when you put a bunch of charismatic individuals into one house. The ensemble is just background noise for the main story, a married couple in a midlife crisis. Pretty bourgeois, considering the free love 70s atmosphere. Maybe thats the point.

Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter @IndieFocus.
Charter school supporters and unions spent nearly $15 million to battle each other in last week's Los Angeles Board of Education races, which crossed the finish line as the most expensive school board election in U.S. history.

With the results, charter forces for the first time won a majority on the Board of Education, a shift that could bring big changes to the district. This came from an election like no other, fueled by big-money donations from across the country, giving what are typically local campaigns a national significance.

Its an oversimplification to say the outcome was all about money, but charters spent more ($9.7 million compared with $5.2 million), and their candidates finished first in both races on Tuesdays ballot.

In District 4, challenger Nick Melvoin finished well in front of incumbent Steve Zimmer. In District 6, Kelly Gonez was in first, ahead of Imelda Padilla. That race is close and some votes remain to be counted, but Gonez is widely expected to hold on. If she does, charter-friendly board members would make up a majority on the seven-member school board for the first time.

How much did this election cost per vote?

Based on spending since the March primary, pro-charter outside groups and individuals spent $144 for every vote cast for one of the charter-endorsed candidates. Unions spent $81 for every vote received by teachers union-backed candidates.

Nearly $15 million in outside spending poured in to the LAUSD elections

City records show outside spending by pro-charter groups topped pro-union groups nearly 2 to 1.

Top Charter Groups Amount Top Charter Groups Parent Teacher Alliance Amount $5,144,716 Top Charter Groups California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates Amount $2,837,614 Top Charter Groups LA Students 4 Change Amount $1,325,324 Top Charter Groups Major individual donors Amount $230,785 Top Charter Groups Speak UP - Supporting Nick Melvoin Amount $111,547 Top Charter Groups Students for Education Reform Amount $95,964 Top Charter Groups Charter Total Amount $9,695,351

Top Union Groups* Amount Top Union Groups* United Teachers Los Angeles and affiliated PACs Amount $4,128,206 Top Union Groups* Valley Voters United Amount $617,362 Top Union Groups* Labor Federation and affiliated PACs Amount $398,667 Top Union Groups* Union Total Amount $5,221,273

* Service Employees International spent money on both sides: $169,972 for charter-backed Monica Garcia; $51,494 for candidates endorsed by teachers unions.

Source: Los Angeles Ethics Commission

Which individuals or groups spent the most money?

More information will be revealed with ongoing disclosure filings, but Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix and a Democrat, appears to lead the pack with nearly $7 million donated since last September to California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates. Hastings, like others, does not appear in city filings as a contributor because he gave to the charter association. That association then spent money on the campaign or transferred funds to other pro-charter groups.

One of these affiliated groups is Parent Teacher Alliance. This is not the PTA , but an affiliate sponsored by CCSA Advocates with a name that, on campaign mailers, resembles the better-known and nonpartisan Parent Teacher Assn. That PTA has complained about this similarity.

In city filings, Parent Teacher Alliance ($5.14 million) tops the list of outside spenders. Its money comes largely, perhaps entirely, from CCSA Advocates, which reported transferring $4.53 million to Parent Teacher Alliance in the last four months of 2016.

A small group of wealthy individuals and their foundations are the ultimate sources of funding for the pro-charter groups.

Why did students spend more than a million dollars to defeat incumbent school board President Steve Zimmer?

They did not. The group LA Students 4 Change is a pro-charter political action committee managed by political consultant John Shallman and working in conjunction with CCSA Advocates. In an interview with Times columnist Steve Lopez, Shallman explained that his team recruited a group of high school students, who appeared in flyers and became involved in the campaign. The students were to be compensated as much as $500 for their help.

The primary contributor though was former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, a moderate Republican and Trump supporter, who gave $1 million to this PAC. He gave another $1 million to CCSA Advocates. And he spent an additional $41,398 directly.

Where does the union side get its money?

In city filings, United Teachers Los Angeles is the big spender on the union side, at about $4.13 million. Much of this money came from other teachers unions: American Federation of Teachers, $1.2 million; National Education Assn., $700,000; California Teachers Assn., $250,000.

The union collects an average of $9.50 a month from the 22% of its 32,000 members who have agreed to contribute to political campaigns, totaling about $67,000 a month from January onward. Union members also voted to borrow $500,000 from their strike fund for the election effort.

The teachers union also contributed an undisclosed amount as part of a "We Are Public Schools" media campaign, which includes billboards with positive messages about public schools. Some featured pictures of the candidates the union supported.

How easy is it to figure out the source of the money in the school board races?

Not very. California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, for example, files with state regulators, not the city, and the state requires only a semi-annual report. It wont be possible to look up who gave in the five months leading up to the May 16 election until sometime after June.

Key contributors, however, gave large amounts in the last part of 2016, which was disclosed in the most recent semi-annual report.

Why do the candidates keep saying they ran positive campaigns when piles of mailers seem to indicate otherwise?

The current campaign tactic is to allow the outside spenders, with the lions share of the campaign money, to do the dirty work. The candidates use their shares of campaign money to run positive messages about themselves, emphasizing their good character and how much they abhor negative campaigning. They also usually accuse their opponents of mudslinging, when the outside funders on both sides are doing it.

ALSO

L.A. teachers union faces tough questions in wake of charter election wins

One L.A. campus, divided between traditional school and charters, may offer window into future

A letter sent to some L.A. voters sought to shame them for their voting records  and no one knows who sent it
Biologists are using an underwater microphone to try to guide a humpback whale out of Ventura Harbor.

The sight of the 35-foot-long whale swimming in circles between docks in the Ventura Isle Marina on Saturday afternoon drew spectators and television cameras.

The whale was not injured, said Ventura Harbor Patrol Officer Tim Burrows.

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He added that marine biologists with Channel Islands National Park are broadcasting underwater whale calls to lure the mammal out to sea.

bettina.boxall@latimes.com

Twitter: @boxall
Scorching temperatures across the Southland this weekend have elevated the risk of wildfires, weather officials warned.

David Sweet, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said above-normal temperatures were expected inland Sunday as high as the mid-90s in the valleys.

In addition to the hot weather and low humidity, there is also a higher risk of grass and brush fires because winter rains fed a thick undergrowth, creating fuel for a blaze, he said. Temperatures are expected to drop by midweek as the region experiences an increase of onshore flow, Sweet said.

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Early Sunday morning, Los Angeles firefighters worked to contain a grass and brush fire in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in northeast Los Angeles that burned three-quarters of an acre.

Later, Los Angeles County firefighters were called out around 6:30 a.m. to battle a quarter-acre brush fire along Angeles Crest Highway in Angeles National Forest. No structures were being threatened, according to a county Fire Department dispatcher.

In San Diego County, a wildfire south of Jamul had burned 2,000 acres by Sunday evening and was threatening the community of Dulzura, where residents were alerted to the possible need to evacuate.

Called the Gate fire, the blaze is 70% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It broke out about 11:20 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities sealed off several backcountry roads and evacuated a campground as wind-swept flames roared through rolling, grassy hills at a dangerous rate, Cal Fire said within an hour of the fires start.

Dulzura remains under an evacuation warning, although residents who chose to evacuate were escorted back to their homes overnight, officials said. Fire officials said cooling overnight temperatures and a rise in humidity enabled firefighters to make gains toward containment.

The fire started on a dirt road off California 94 that leads to a Bureau of Land Management recreational area commonly used for target shooting, Cal Fire Capt. Isaac Sanchez said.

When winds pushed the blaze west toward Pio Pico RV Resort and Campground, the facility was evacuated as a precaution. A late-afternoon shift then sent flames southeast toward Dulzura, Sanchez said, where mostly grass and sparse brush were burning.

On Saturday, five air tankers and three helicopters were making water drops at one point, Sanchez said. Fire crews from several agencies were helping on the ground.

Times staff writer Marisa Gerber and Kristina Davis and Pauline Repard of the San Diego Union-Tribune contributed to this report.

ben.poston@latimes.com

Follow @bposton on Twitter.

UPDATES:

6:35 p.m.: This story was updated with new figures on acreage and containment.

2:10 p.m.: This story was updated with details about when temperatures will begin to cool this week.

This story was published at 10:10 a.m.
Seuk Doo Kims dream to ascend Mt. Baldy 1,000 times was cut short. He fell to his death last month on the north side of the mountain.

In a symbolic gesture to help Kim reach his goal posthumously, more than 200 people climbed to the top of the 10,064-foot peak on Saturday.

Hikers pinned white ribbons to their shirts with the message live like Sam.

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The mood on the summit was jubilant, as many shared stories of Kim and celebrated his life. They cheered, prayed, sang, posed for group selfies and attempted to release two white doves, which didnt care to fly in the cold air.

Sam is not here physically with us, but hes in our hearts, hes in our memories and hes in our selfies  hes here in spirit, said Lissinia Aguilar, who helped organize the memorial trek with the local hiking group 3H. This is his mountain.

Kim, who had climbed Mt. Baldy roughly 800 times, died from injuries sustained in a fall northwest of the summit. An autopsy found that he had suffered multiple blunt trauma after falling down a mountain trail, according to the Los Angeles County coroners office.

As was his custom, Kim had parked his car in early April near the trail head at Manker Flats. His family became worried and alerted authorities when he didnt return. Search teams combed the mountain for several days before a sheriffs helicopter spotted his body more than 1,000 feet below the summit.

Kim was known to help distressed hikers by giving them extra food, water or directions.

Ethan Pontz, 37, of Carlsbad said he had gotten caught in a snowstorm in November at the top of Baldy. Facing white-out conditions, he and a friend lost their bearings. In the distance, he saw Kim climbing up the south side of the mountain.

All of a sudden, here comes Sam with icicle eyelashes, Pontz said. He said: Ill help you find the way down, but only on one condition: that you take a selfie with me first.

Kim  who at one point last year ascended Baldy 100 days in a row  had a reputation for being irrepressible on the trail. Hed hand out jelly beans and Doritos, demand other hikers pose for selfies and chat with everyone he met.

His enthusiasm for climbing the mountain made him a minor celebrity among local hikers, most of whom knew him only as Sam. He was vocal about his desire for peaceful reunification of South and North Korea. And he didnt hesitate to show his love of Mt. Baldy  the highest point in the San Gabriel range and Los Angeles County.

Im feeling Gods embrace  this is better than church, Kim had been heard to say while climbing his mountain. My shortcut is the Holy Spirit.

In 1981, Sam and his family moved from South Korea to Southern California, where he worked as a manager at the Bank of Seoul. He later bought and operated a convenience store. At one point, he did not take a day off work for nine years, his son said.

Kenneth Kim told those gathered at the summit Saturday that his fathers death had left his family shocked, but he praised the support of the hiking community.

What really helped us keep going was the spirit of the people here, he said. You guys are just so thoughtful, and you gave us a new sense of positivity and energy to live life the way my dad lived.

Brandon Kim, 13, wrote a tribute to his late grandfather, part of which read: Instead of lamenting his death and shunning the very mountain on which my grandpa passed away, we will do the opposite. We will celebrate his life.  Hiking was more than an activity to him. It was his own little way of connecting with God, of spiritually cleansing himself day after day.

ben.poston@latimes.com

Follow @bposton on Twitter.

ALSO

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San Diego County wildfire is spreading at a dangerous rate

Supporters of Cal State L.A. student activist detained by Border Patrol hold silent rally on commencement day
Chicago police officials have announced policy changes intended to cut back on questionable shootings and other uses of force that have haunted the department for years.

The changes, made after months of revisions, will tighten Police Department rules that experts and advocates have criticized as too permissive of unnecessary uses of force.

The policy changes  expected to take effect this fall  represent a milestone for a department upended nearly 18 months ago by the release of video of a white officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times.

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The revised rules, however, do not go as far in some respects as the rules proposed by Police Supt. Eddie Johnson in October, when the department and Mayor Rahm Emanuel faced more intense federal scrutiny amid the immediate fallout over the video.

The final version of the departments main use-of-force policy substantially resembles the scaled-back proposal Johnson made in March after rank-and-file police complained that his first proposal was too extreme.

In one key change, the policy holds that an officer cant shoot a fleeing suspect unless that person presents an imminent threat to police or others. The rule that has been in place says an officer can shoot any person fleeing after committing or trying to commit a felony using force.

The new policy also calls on officers to use their new deescalation training to try to defuse incidents. But the adopted language is less strict than what Johnson first proposed. Officers have to try deescalation only when it is safe and feasible to do so.

Johnson announced the new rules Wednesday at an event at police headquarters designed to show unity among his command staff, rank-and-file officers and residents.

Johnson was also joined by activist William Calloway, who helped force the release of the McDonald video. On stage during questioning by the media, Calloway greeted Johnson with a handshake and said, Whats up, Supe? He credited the protests over the McDonald shooting with creating change in the department.

This is a big win for us, that our voices were heard, Calloway said.

But he added the caution that it wont be clear how effective the rules are until they are in place.

The policies are yet another point of disagreement between top department officials and the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents rank-and-file officers and whose contract with the city expires this year.

Kevin Graham, elected union president last month, released a statement decrying the anti-law enforcement climate in Chicago. Graham has opposed the idea that the department needs outside oversight or tougher discipline.

Three Chicago police officers have been shot in the last two weeks. The reality is that many offenders do not want to go to jail and they become resistant or combative with officers. These violators determine the level of response by officers, Graham said.

For these reasons, we do not believe that extensive changes should be made to the current use of force policy. Nevertheless, we are always willing to discuss new measures with the superintendent that [ensure] the safety of our officers and [that] of the public, the statement read.

In a break from tradition for a department that has done little to train officers on policy changes, all of the approximately 12,000 officers will receive both computerized and in-person training on the new use-of-force rules, Johnson announced.

Officer discipline has been rare and often light in Chicago, and oversight officials aiming to strengthen accountability have sought changes to use-of-force policies widely criticized as too permissive. More specific rules could give disciplinary authorities stricter standards to apply to officers who use force in questionable circumstances.

The departments force policies drew intense focus after Emanuel was forced in November 2015 to release video from the year before of Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting McDonald as the 17-year-old walked away from police with a knife in his hand.

Furious protests followed, and the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the department. Emanuel, meanwhile, made changes aimed at getting ahead of federal authorities. One of his early moves was to propose new rules on the use of force.

Hinkle writes for the Chicago Tribune.

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President Mike Pence? The question is way ahead of where we are. Theres no solid reason to expect that President Trump will leave office before his term is done, whether by resignation, impeachment or the untried mechanism of the 25th amendment.

But that hasnt stopped anyone from talking about it  from Republicans wistful for the days of a functional White House to Democrats trying to guess which unpalatable future would be worse for their battered party.

And the answer should be straightforward. Pence would be an improvement on grounds of simple competence. He would make the country safer. Under a President Pence, Americans would have less cause to fear that a blundering president might lead us into war with North Korea or Iran.

Progressives would find almost nothing to like in Pences domestic policies. Theres no sugarcoating that. He would be the most conservative president of modern times  easily more conservative than Trump, more even than Ronald Reagan, the rights patron saint.

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He would be the most conservative president of modern times  easily more conservative than Trump, more even than Ronald Reagan.

His economic views are in line with orthodox Republicanism: lower taxes, smaller government, fewer regulations. Pences positions on social issues spring from Christian conservatism: Hes fiercely opposed to abortion, gay marriage and almost any expansion of rights for gays, lesbians and transgender people.

Despite all that, unlike the president, he has read the Constitution and understands its meaning. He would be less likely than Trump to try to pressure the FBI to drop an investigation, to take one example.

He has even defended freedom of the press. He was coauthor of a bill to protect journalists from being compelled to identify their sources, and he founded a bipartisan press freedom caucus  along with, of all people, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale), now one of the top congressional investigators pursuing Trump.

Hes a person of real integrity, said Rick Boucher, a former House member from Virginia who was the Democratic coauthor of the bill to shield journalists. Hes very conservative, especially on social issues. But he does have respect on the other side of the aisle. Hes very serious about public policy, and willing to work with Democrats where theres common purpose.

(That doesnt mean Boucher is ready to endorse his old colleague for president. I was a strong Obama supporter, he said. I wont sleep easy until theres a Democrat in the White House.)

To be sure, Pence already has questions to answer about his short tenure as vice president.

After Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey, Pence vigorously parroted the White Houses initial explanation that Comey was cashiered based on a recommendation from the Justice Department. That wasnt true  and Pence may have known it wasnt true at the time.

Pence has also maintained that he didnt know Trumps first national security advisor, Michael T. Flynn, was under investigation by the FBI when he was appointed. That denial may turn out to be true. Even though Pence was formally the chairman of Trumps transition, he wasnt in the president-elects inner circle when the initial staffing decisions were made. Theres plenty of evidence that even now, Trump aides spend much of their time hiding important facts from each other.

In any case, the FBIs investigation of Flynn is likely to bring any discrepancies to light. (In which case: President Paul Ryan? Thats a matter for another column.)

As a matter of pure politics, its impossible to predict whether a President Pence could improve GOP prospects in the 2018 congressional election or win reelection himself in 2020.

But Pence represents a slice of his own party, the social conservative right, which has never won a presidential nomination, let alone a general election. (George W. Bush ran with their support, as did Mitt Romney, but neither was as rooted among social conservatives as Pence.) Hed have a lot of work to expand his appeal beyond the GOP base, to attract independent Trump loyalists who might blame him for their mans downfall, or spurn him as the kind of establishment politician they abhor.

And, if he were to become president, hed come under immediate pressure from those Trump loyalists to pardon his predecessor for any crimes committed in office or during the campaign. The last time that happened, when Gerald Ford pardoned Richard M. Nixon in 1974, it left the new president vulnerable to a Democratic challenger.

Its tempting, of course, for partisan Democrats to say: Let Republicans continue to struggle in the mess Trump makes. Why give them a chance to right their ship? The worse the better.

But that ignores the risks that would come from allowing Trump to continue exercising the powers of the presidency in both law enforcement and foreign policy. For the next three years, given the limited alternatives, Id opt for President Pence  the sooner the better.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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The moment my son was born, he was placed on my chest and covered with a blanket. I saw people bustling at my periphery, but I remember only stillness as I tried to process that the baby squirming on top of me was not a foreign object. Fifty-five minutes passed before my husband, who had taken notes during our breastfeeding class, shot me a worried look and pointed at the clock: The baby should try to latch in its first hour of life, he said.

I had every intention of breastfeeding, and of doing so until the magical, doctor-recommended six-month mark. I had skimmed the important studies, had familiarized myself with the data. Six months of breastfeeding, several medical institutions had personally assured me, would help ward off infections, obesity, cancer, allergies, hyperactivity and even low IQ. Its this mainstream medical consensus that now leads more than 75% of American mothers to breastfeed their babies, up from fewer than 25% in 1971.

As a millennial mother, I had also picked up on something else: For my generation, breastfeeding has become the ultimate status symbol. I could not possibly count the number of times I was asked while pregnant if I intended to breastfeed my child. Each time, I answered appropriately. Each time, I was met with reinforcing smiles. Though I probably will never be asked if I graduated college with honors, I will be asked how I fed my child for decades to come. Breastfeeding is the Phi Beta Kappa of millennial motherhood. I wanted membership.

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Though I probably will never be asked if I graduated college with honors, I will be asked how I fed my child for decades to come.

But as I would soon learn, deciding to breastfeed is one thing, doing it quite another. The initial process was tiring, uncomfortable and puzzlingly not intuitive. My efforts those first few days required the precision I would imagine is needed to refuel an airplane midair and the technical assistance and sage counsel of lactation consultants, nurses, friends and, of course, Google.

I was able to get a good latch early, though, and at least in the beginning, I felt superior. Not only was I meeting yet another formidable physical challenge, I was nourishing my child with the best possible ingredients, ensuring that he would pass future algebra tests. For extra credit, I pumped and froze a sizable backlog of liquid gold. As weeks became months, my milk supply stayed strong and the baby and I got into a good rhythm. But I would be lying if I said breastfeeding was ecstasy. I would also be lying if I said it was agony. I thought it was fine.

By the three-month mark, however, I was physically and mentally depleted. I started to hope in secret that my supply would dwindle. After managing through two blocked ducts, I switched to pumping into bottles exclusively. My nipples were sore and my breasts ached, but the pain and fatigue were still worth it because, I thought, the baby was much better for it.

I was also bolstered by the company I was in, for we are a generation of addled pumpers. Americas retrograde lack of federal paid leave, combined with the standard recommendation that mothers breastfeed for six months, made this so. Working mothers pump in office broom closets and germy airplane lavatories. To make it all worth it, we trade war stories. The main humblebrag of millennial motherhood is the outlandish place where youve had to pump. I had a friend tell me she shorted out the electricity on an entire floor of a Russian hotel with a hospital-grade pump. Another told of pumping in a cornfield surrounded by stray dogs while on a work trip in Guatemala. Of course, a cottage industry exists to support all this, hawking pumps, nursing bras, pricey classes and oat-filled lactation cookies that promise to enhance ones supply. The go-to spot for lactating moms in Los Angeles is the Pump Station, a boutique with two locations and an REI-grade selection of gear. (Tagline: Where nurturing happens.)

After around four months, we traveled beyond county lines, and the logistical planning required in order to be mobile was dizzying. There were cooler bags of milk that would expire in five days. There were frozen bags of milk that would expire in 24 hours, but which could be used as ice packs for other milk between refrigerators. There were freshly pumped road bottles that would keep for eight hours at room temperature. And there were new bottles that would reenter the system every five to six hours, when I had a chance to pump. One morning at 6 a.m., as I stared mindlessly into the makeshift science lab I had installed in a friends refrigerator, I decided: Im done.

When I began to vocalize my intention to wean my son, desperate for reassurance, I didnt get any. Instead, I got a refrain: You have to get to six months. I got it from friends, from family, from strangers. Only a year and a half earlier, I had made the painful choice to have an abortion due to a very rare birth defect, and was met with profound sisterly support. Now, shy of the standard recommendation by less than two months, the spirit of support had vanished. Did a womans right to choose not apply to breastfeeding?

I soldiered on, but other things started to nag at me. There is an entire generation, Generation X, that was mostly formula-fed. If only one in every four 45-year-olds in this country was breastfed, why arent there pronounced generational consequences? I unearthed a 2014 study done by researchers at Ohio State University and published in the journal Social Science & Medicine that found the benefits of breastfeeding are indeed overstated. I read Emily Osters report for fivethirtyeight.com, aptly titled Everybody Calm Down About Breastfeeding, which explains that much of the data on the benefits is flawed in that women who breastfeed are typically different from those who do not in race, income and education  variables that could affect overall health, in other words. Another recent study out of Ireland raised questions about the IQ correlation. The mounting evidence began to make my 3 a.m. pump sessions, done by the glow of an iPhone flashlight while my husband and baby slept, seem very much for naught.

Somewhere around the five-month mark, I strapped the baby to my body and took him for a hike in Griffith Park. While I negotiated a narrow trail down a steep drop into a canyon, other hikers commented on how cute the baby was, his bootie-clad feet dangling from the carrier. Though I traversed the edge of a vast, wild, sandy canyon, possibly full of sleeping coyotes and rattlesnakes, I was greeted with the smiles and fawning of strangers. Suddenly it hit me: What I was willing to do  and unwilling to do  was downright absurd.

The next afternoon, as I shook up the first bottle of formula and made a weaning plan, I felt free. I imagined uninterrupted sleep, a life untethered by the tubing of a breast pump. The baby sucked down the formula and drifted off into a two-hour nap.

When he woke up, I laid him on the changing table and gasped. A dark red, blotchy rash covered his belly and mouth. I placed a panicky evening call to our pediatrician, who suggested the baby may be allergic to formula or even lactose. Return to breastfeeding immediately until we can assess further, he said. Doctors orders.

Lizzie Garrett Mettler is a writer in Los Angeles.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

Lizzie Garrett Mettler is a writer in Los Angeles.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
Sen. Kamala Harris says she hasnt considered running for president By Phil Willon U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Despite swirling speculation, Californias U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris said shes not giving any consideration to running for president in 2020. Harris was appearing at the annual Code Conference hosted by the tech news site Recode in Rancho Palos Verdes on Wednesday night when site co-founder Kara Swisher asked if she had eyes on the White House. Im not giving that any consideration. Ive got to stay focused, said Harris, a Democrat who was elected to the Senate in November after serving as Californias attorney general. After she won the seat vacated by former Sen. Barbara Boxer, Harris quickly gained a reputation as a potential presidential candidate in 2020. Harris took questions from Swisher alongside Laurene Powell Jobs, a philanthropist and the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs. Though she brushed off the presidential rumors, Harris urged Democrats to try harder to make convincing arguments on issues such as climate change instead of just criticizing those who disagree with them. She told the audience at the posh Terranea Resort where the conference is being held that it would be a mistake to dismiss the concerns of Americans who supported Trump in the November election. She said the issues that concern them  good jobs and the future of their families  are the concerns of all working-class Americans. There is a healthy number of people in our country who are feeling displaced, rightly, Harris said. I think we have to deal with that. Still, Harris dished out plenty of jabs at the Trump administration. She criticized Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions for resuscitating the war on drugs and told him to leave Grandmas medical marijuana alone. Harris also criticized the Trump administrations more hard-line immigration policies, and said she was concerned about allegations of collusion between Trumps campaign and the Russian government. These are serious times. These are not issues we can just sit around with a glass of Chardonnay debating and philosophizing about, Harris said. The decisions that are being made right now are impacting real human beings. Watch the entire interview: Facebook

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Trump wouldnt release his tax returns, so lawmakers move to make it mandatory for Californias primary By John Myers (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Legislation to require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns in order to gain a spot on Californias presidential primary ballot won passage in the state Senate on Wednesday, but only after a tense debate that largely centered on President Trump. Senate Bill 149 was approved on a strict party-line vote, 27-13. The bill now moves to the state Assembly, and was one of the last bills debated during a marathon session at the state Capitol to consider bills before a Friday deadline for action. The bill would require presidential candidates to file copies of their income tax returns with state elections officials for the five most recent taxable years. Failure to do so would mean their name wouldnt appear on Californias presidential primary ballot. The legislation was introduced in December, in the wake of Trumps refusal to disclose his tax returns during the 2016 campaign. The president has continued to reject calls for the information. Hes shaping international policy which could enrich himself, and the American public has no way to know, state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said of Trump during Wednesday nights floor debate. This legislation will help make transparency great again. Republicans denounced the bill as another in a long line of efforts by Democrats in the Legislature to lash out at the election of Trump and the defeat of Hillary Clinton. I get it that some people hate Trump, state Sen. Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) said. Weve got to move ahead. Weve got to get over it. Tensions flared after Anderson tried to amend the bill on the floor  first, to require statewide and legislative candidates to also release their tax returns, and then to require a birth certificate from candidates who want access to the states primary ballot. Both were rejected by Democrats. A legislative analysis of SB 149 said some legal scholars believe the plan, which would be the first of its kind in the nation, would pass muster with the U.S. Constitution. Nonetheless, the analysis concluded that it would probably be challenged in court if signed into law. Facebook

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California Senate moves forward with bill that would overhaul Los Angeles County MTA By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) proposed to revamp the Los Angeles County MTA. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The state Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would expand and reshape the agency that oversees mass transit in Los Angeles County. Opponents of the measure include Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the city and county of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. The bill by Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) was sent to the Assembly for consideration after squeaking by with a 22-11 vote in the Senate. The measure would expand the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board from 12 to 15 members. It would also reduce the number of county supervisors on the board from five to two, remove the appointment of two public members and increase Los Angeles City Council member appointments by the mayor from two to five. This will allow for proportional and fair representation, Mendoza told his colleagues, adding that the board currently is made up of haves and have-nots fighting to get their share. Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) opposed the measure because he said he saw it as Sacramento meddling in local policymaking. But Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Palmdale) supported SB 268. Too much power is concentrated in too few people, he said of the current board. Facebook

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Single-payer healthcare is popular with Californians  unless it raises their taxes By John Myers (Rich Pedoncelli / Associated Press) Almost two of every three Californians in a new statewide poll said they like the idea of a single-payer, government healthcare system, but far fewer support the idea if it includes a tax increase. The poll released Wednesday night by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that 65% of adults surveyed support the creation of a single-payer state healthcare program to cover all of the states residents, and 56% of likely voters approved of the idea. Opinion was sharply divided between Democrats (75% support) and Republicans (66% oppose) who were surveyed. The single-payer proposal under consideration in the state Capitol, Senate Bill 562, assumes at least $50 billion in new taxes to fund the healthcare system. Asked about taxes, support drops to 42% of the adults surveyed and 43% of likely voters. While a majority of Democrats in the PPIC poll continued to support the idea if it means more taxes, support drops substantially among unaffiliated independent voters. The state Senate is expected to consider the single-payer bill before the end of the week. A legislative analysis put the estimated total cost of a new healthcare system that covers all Californians at $400 billion, while an analysis released on Wednesday by supporters provided a $331-billion estimate. The pending legislation by state Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) does not identify what taxes would be raised but makes the enactment of the plan contingent on a full funding proposal. Facebook

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Knowingly exposing others to HIV should no longer be a felony, state Senate says By Patrick McGreevy The Senate voted to no longer make it a felony for HIV-positive people to donate blood or semen without telling the blood bank they are infected. ( (Toby Talbot / Associated Press)) The state Senate on Wednesday voted to no longer make it a felony for someone infected with HIV to knowingly expose others to the disease by having unprotected sex without telling his or her partner about the infection. The crime would be downgraded to a misdemeanor, and the bill would also apply to people who donate blood or semen without telling the blood or semen bank that they have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, or have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, the precursor to AIDS. The measure, which next goes to the Assembly for consideration, was introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who said it is unfair to make HIV/AIDS the only communicable disease given such harsh treatment by prosecutors. These laws are irrational and discriminatory, Wiener told the Senate, adding that the current felony status is creating an incentive not to be tested, because if you dont know your status you cant be guilty of a felony. The measure was widely opposed by Republican lawmakers including Sen. Joel Anderson of San Diego. If you intentionally transmit something that is fundamentally life-threatening to the victim, you should be charged and go to jail, he said. Sen. Jeff Stone (R-Murrieta) said, My friends, its not a gay issue. Its a public health issue. We shouldnt allow someone to play Russian roulette with other peoples lives. Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a physician, voted for the bill and argued that it undermines public health to imprison those with HIV under the current law. Facebook

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Hillary Clinton: I was the victim of a very broad assumption I was going to win By Seema Mehta Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that she has no plans to run for office again, but she plans to remain involved in civic life, particularly helping the Democrats efforts to regain control of the House in 2018. Im not going anywhere, Clinton said at the annual Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes. I have a big stake in what happens in this country. I am very unbowed and unbroken about what happened because I dont want it to happen to anybody else. I dont want it to happen to the values and the institutions I care about in America. And I think were at a really pivotal point, she said. And therefore Im going to keep writing and keep talking and keep supporting people who are on the front lines of the resistance. The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee said she woke up on election day expecting to win. Clinton told the gathering that she was responsible for every decision the campaign made, though she did not believe they caused her surprise loss. She attributed that to several things, including alleged Russian interference in the election and weaponizing stolen information and fake news. She also pointed a finger at the Democrats for falling behind the GOP in using technology and data to target voters, the media for covering her e-mail controversy like it was Pearl Harbor, misogyny and the high expectations many had for her candidacy. I was the victim of a very broad assumption I was going to win, she said, adding that she always expected the race to be close. Trump responded on Twitter, saying that Clinton still refused to accept that she lost because she was a terrible candidate. Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to say she was a terrible candidate. Hits Facebook & even Dems & DNC.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 1, 2017 Clinton, who has increasingly jabbed President Trump, including at last weeks commencement address at Wellesley College, blasted his reported plan to pull out of the Paris climate accord as really stupid because of the economic implications. She described his personality as impulsive and reactive. And she joked about his peculiar overnight tweet about constant negative press covfefe, saying she thought it was a hidden message to the Russians to laughter from the audience. Going forward, Clinton said that she believes that it was realistic for Democrats to retake the House in 2018, notably by focusing on Republican congressional districts she won  including seven in California. She sounded less optimistic about the Senate. Updated at 6:06 p.m.: This post was updated to add President Trumps response to Clintons remarks. This post was first published at 5:41 p.m. Facebook

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California lawmakers take aim again at establishing statewide rules for drones By Jazmine Ulloa A state senator from Santa Barbara is taking another shot at establishing statewide regulations for the use of drones after the budding industry thwarted her efforts to pass similar legislation last year. Senate Bill 347, introduced by Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, would limit disruptive drone use near private property and prohibit the weaponization and reckless operation of the unmanned aerial vehicles. It also would require pilots to obtain insurance and to license, register and mark the aircrafts per federal regulations. The bill moved out of the Senate on Wednesday with a 26-13 vote. It heads to the Assembly for consideration. Speaking on the Senate floor, Jackson urged support for what she called comprehensive drone legislation, saying California needs common-sense rules that provide certainty for everyone and keep the public safe. Washington is not going to be acting on this issue very soon, she said, citing a federal appeals court decision that this month found the Federal Aviation Administration doesnt have the authority to regulate the use of drones by hobbyists. Debate has raged in recent years over just where federal authority begins and ends. And Jacksons attempts at drone legislation last year were blocked amid opposition from lobbyists who argued against creating a patchwork of laws that varied by state. Under Jacksons new proposal, violations would be punishable by a fine of up to $250 or a misdemeanor, and the California Department of Transportation would be tasked with developing liability insurance requirements. It has the support of the California State Assn. of Counties, the League of California Cities and the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assn, but it once again faces tough industry opposition. Facebook

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School districts would be prohibited from shaming students whose parents havent paid for school lunches By Patrick McGreevy Students eat lunch at Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles. (Christina House / For the Los Angeles Times) Students whose parents have not kept their school lunch bills current would no longer go through shaming that includes marking their hand so they cannot be served, under legislation approved Wednesday by the state Senate. The measure by Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) would require school districts to ensure that any student whose parent has unpaid school meal fees is not treated differently, or delayed or denied a nutritiously adequate meal. Hertzberg introduced the legislation after hearing of school districts taking lunch trays from students whose accounts were not current and throwing the food in the trash, embarrassing the students in front of their friends. No more shaming, Herzberg told his colleagues. Dont visit the failures of the parents on their kids. The measure passed on a 39-0 vote and was sent to the Assembly for consideration. Facebook

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Emilio Huerta, undaunted by 2016 loss, is back to challenge Rep. David Valadao By Sarah D. Wire (Sarah D. Wire / Los Angeles Times) Bakersfield lawyer Emilio Huerta came more than 13 percentage points short of winning Californias 21st Congressional District seat in 2016, but he plans to try again in 2018. Huerta, 59, blames his loss to Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) on inexperience and a rash of negative ads at the end of the campaign. We learned a lot in the last campaign. As a first-time candidate there was certainly a lot to learn and I think we did a good job, Huerta said Wednesday. The son of labor icon Dolores Huerta, he has worked for the United Farm Workers union  which his mother co-founded  throughout the Central Valley district. Huerta said Valadaos vote for the Republican healthcare plan shows hes ignoring Valley residents needs because it would end the expansion of the MediCal program, which many of the districts residents use for healthcare. Its going to be a pretty significant issue, he said. He is the first Democrat to announce a bid for the seat. Democrats are heartened by the fact that, while Valadao won the seat with 56.74% of the vote, the district has continued to trend Democratic in voter registration and chose Hillary Clinton for president with 54.72% of the vote. That tells me that there were die-hard Democrats, committed Democrats that vote, Democrats that were not convinced that my campaign should be supported and I think a lot of that has to do with me being a first-time candidate, Huerta said. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has made the seat a target for 2018. The majority-Latino district includes parts of Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown and Democrats say Trump is going backwards if he pulls out of Paris climate pact By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown warned Wednesday that a decision by President Trump to withdraw the United States from a 2015 global climate change agreement could be tragic, and vowed to keep Californias ambitious efforts in place and on track. Here we are, in 2017, going backwards, Brown said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. It cannot stand, its not right and California will do everything it can to not only stay the course, but to build more support  in other states, in other provinces, in other countries. The governor also criticized efforts to the president to dismantle climate change initiatives launched by former President Barack Obama. Trump is going against science. Hes going against reality, the governor said. We cant stand by and give aid and comfort to that. News that the president had either made the decision to pull the country out of the Paris Accord on climate change or was on the verge of doing so drew swift condemnation from California leaders. Brown and other top lawmakers attended the talks in late 2015 that resulted in the international agreement, and insisted on Wednesday that it would not hurt the states own efforts to sharply curtail greenhouse gas emissions. As with so many other matters, from human rights to healthcare, the Trump administration has continued to surrender our nations longstanding role as a global leader, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said. Others pointed out that a decision to remove the United States from the agreement would leave it in rare company among other nations. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that such a decision by Trump would be more than just dumb + destructive. Brown, who leaves Friday for a weeklong visit to China to encourage more climate-change cooperation, predicted any decision to step away would suggest the countrys priorities arent clear. It sends a very muddled message, the governor said during an interview in his state Capitol office. Is the message [that] we like dirty cars and gas guzzlers? And were going to have a coal future? That cant happen. And Brown again suggested that Californias experience on the issue offers a road map for others. If we want to retain and enhance manufacturing, we have to do what California is doing, in clean energy and clean technology, he said. Thats the future of jobs, the future of sustainability. And we better get on board. And California will be right there with the best of them. Facebook

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This Orange County congressmans immigration town hall turned chaotic and led to three arrests By Sarah D. Wire The majority of calls into Rep. Lou Correas Orange County congressional office are about immigration worries and what the Trump administrations enforcement policies mean for Correas many Latino constituents. Theres a lot of fear in my district, he said. So the freshman Democrat has held seven town halls, all focused on immigration and explaining immigrants rights. Theyve been peaceful, with representatives from groups such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles and the Mexican Consulate invited to help Correa answer questions. But as the crowd of about 100 people gathered at Santa Anas Delhi Center on Tuesday evening, Correa knew this time would be different. We had some people there, probably a dozen of them, that immediately had signs that were not complimentary to yours truly, he said. Two women arguing about immigration issues had already gotten into an altercation outside the town hall. They were cited for assault and battery, and barred by police from going inside. Correa told the crowd inside he would give a short presentation about immigration policy coming out of Washington and then have a question-and-answer session. About a dozen people were having none of it. Some of the most tense moments came when Correa started talking about green card holders who served in the U.S. military and have since been deported. Maam, Im trying to be courteous here, he said as a woman kept speaking over him. As soon as I started speaking, it became very clear they were not going to let me speak, Correa said Wednesday. They just got louder and louder. Video of the town hall posted on social media shows people in the crowd yelling Americans first and Illegals have no rights. Correa repeatedly asks them to let him speak. Are you guys going to cooperate, or am I going to have to ask you to leave? he said. About 15 minutes in, as some in the crowd continued to shout and their attention turned to berating a group of counter-protesters, Correa declared the meeting over. A handful of people circled around Correa as he tried to leave, yelling Shame, shame and You guys all want welfare. One womans voice can be heard repeatedly yelling Coward! Police emptied the room amid chants of USA. The crowd streamed into the parking lot, where confrontations quickly started between supporters of President Trump and others who appeared to be focused on Native American rights. Videos posted on social media show men shouting at one another, their faces so close their noses are practically touching. Police officers kept trying to separate the groups. (Warning: The video below includes language that some readers might find offensive.) Santa Ana Police Department spokesman Anthony Bertagna said a man struck a Trump supporter on the head with a pole bearing an anti-fascism flag. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Bertagna said. The man was brought to police headquarters, and a group of about 10 people followed along to protest, he said. Shortly after, the town hall peacefully resumed in a different room with a much smaller crowd, Correa said. Several California members of Congress have held similar immigration-specific town halls or workshops in the last few months as questions swirl about changes to federal immigration policies and enforcement. The purpose of the town halls is to let people know how to follow the law, let them know their legal rights and responsibilities, Correa said. Protesters have characterized it as teaching people who are in the country illegally how to avoid deportation and get federal benefits. Facebook

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California plan for 100% renewable energy by 2045 clears key hurdle By Liam Dillon California will receive all of its power from renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, by 2045 under legislation that passed the state Senate on Wednesday. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) touted his bill, Senate Bill 100, as the most ambitious program in the world. Clean energy is the future, De Leon said. SB 100 ensures that California leads into the future. The measure would also speed up the states goal of reaching 50% renewable energy, changing the deadline from 2030 to 2026. SB 100 passed over objections from Republican senators. Sen. Jeff Stone (R-Temecula) criticized the measure as government getting ahead of technological capacity. What if we cant make that mandate that were putting into law today? Stone said. What its going to do is drive up electricity bills for our businesses. De Leons bill now moves to the Assembly. Facebook

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A new proposal on Californias cap-and-trade program emerges as vote is delayed By Chris Megerian Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced), left. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A coalition of business-friendly Democrats is detailing their own ideas for cap and trade, a centerpiece of Californias fight against global warming, the latest bid in a crowded field of efforts to extend the program. Cap and trade requires polluting companies to buy permits to release greenhouse gas emissions, and lawmakers have been considering a push from Gov. Jerry Brown to extend the program beyond 2020. The new plan would force the program to sunset in 2025, earlier than previous proposals from other lawmakers. It would also direct revenue from the program toward improving air quality and helping agricultural and trucking companies lower their emissions by replacing aging equipment. The plan is also aimed at keeping costs down for industries regulated by cap and trade, allowing them to support green projects known as offsets instead of reducing their own emissions. California must continue to lead the world by implementing a strong climate policy that ensures both a healthy environment for future Californians and growth in all sectors of our economy, Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) said in a statement. The pro-business Democrats plan is the fourth such effort announced by various factions within the states ruling Democratic Party this year with two others emerging from the Assembly and one from the Senate. The plans offer varying degrees of changes to the existing program, either to prioritize pollution reductions in disadvantaged communities or eliminate offsets. Republican lawmakers also have said they want to be part of the cap-and-trade debate. Brown has pushed for a two-thirds supermajority vote of the Legislature to extend the program by the state budget deadline next month. But Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said at a Wednesday news conference that that wasnt going to happen. Cap-and-trade is a very complex issue, De Leon said. Its very arcane. We want to make sure we get it right. De Leon said he hoped for a deal by the end of the year. Read More Facebook

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Senate fails to back bill to delay the Aliso Canyon reopening, but lawmaker will try again Facebook

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California state Senate advances bill to ban smoking and use of e-cigarettes in government housing By Patrick McGreevy Californians would no longer be able to use tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, in public housing and within 25 of those buildings under a measure approved Tuesday by the state Assembly. Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) said the measure builds on a smoking ban approved last year for federal public housing projects by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition to applying the smoking ban to state housing, expansion to include e-cigarettes makes sure the law cover new technology in tobacco use. The bill takes effect by July 30, 2018. Wood said tobacco-related diseases cost taxpayers significant funds each year. This bill will save money but will more importantly save lives, Wood told his colleagues before the vote. The measure is opposed by the Western Center on Law and Poverty, which worries it will lead to more evictions. Facebook

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Californians would not be able to buy more than one rifle a month under bill approved by state senators By Patrick McGreevy Terry McGuire, owner of Get Loaded in Grand Terrace, shows a customer a Cobalt Kinetics BAMF rifle about a week after the 2015 shooting rampage in nearby San Bernardino. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times) Californians would be prohibited from buying more than one firearm in any 30-day period under a measure approved Tuesday by the Senate to reduce straw purchasing and circumvention of gun laws. California already bars people from buying more than one handgun a month. The bill by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) expands the limit to also cover long guns, including rifles and shotguns. The measure, which next goes to the Assembly for consideration, seeks to address concerns that some people buy large quantities of guns and then sell them on the underground market to criminals and others not eligible to own guns. There is no need or reason why a person would need to purchase more than one gun a month, Portantino said during the floor debate. Republicans, including Jeff Stone of Murrieta, opposed the legislation. This is yet another example of the government trying to infringe on the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, Stone said. Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Chico) said he has seen no proof that past gun-control measures approved by the state have made the state safer. Its more of the same that will not decrease violent crime, Nielsen said. Facebook

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California state senators want to stop the public from smoking at California beaches and parks By Patrick McGreevy Californians would be barred from smoking or using electronic cigarettes in state parks and at beaches under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate. Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Concord) said his bill would address the health problems caused by smoking but also the harm done to the environment by discarded cigarette butts and the fire danger posed by the practice. Cigarette butts contain more than 150 toxic chemicals and although small in size, have a huge negative impact on the environment and the animals that live in them, Glazer told his colleagues. A legislative analysis said the bill does not address the concerns raised by Gov. Jerry Brown when he vetoed a similar bill last year. The veto message read, in part, The complete prohibition in all parks and beaches is too broad. A more measured  and less punitive  approach might be warranted. Facebook

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School day wouldnt begin before 8:30 a.m. in California under bill that clears the state Senate By John Myers (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) California teenagers wouldnt be required to start their school day before 8:30 am under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate. The legislation by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) would not fully take effect until 2020, and sparked a lively floor debate over the science on the sleep patterns of middle and high school students, and whether they simply need to go to bed earlier. I expect this would only dispose them to stay up later, said state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber). Another Republican lawmaker, Sen. Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield), said students need to learn what its like in the workforce. Job preparation is what schooling is all about, Fuller said. Unless youre a musician or someone who works nights, you probably did not start in the later morning. Opponents also said the later start time could affect collective bargaining agreements with teachers and other school employees. Supporters, however, pointed to a recommendation for later start times from the American Academy of Pediatrics. A University of Minnesota study linked school start times to sleep deprivation and the rate of car crashes among teenage drivers. The morning sleep time is the most valuable for student health, said Portantino. Their test scores go up, their attendance goes up, their graduation rates go up. The bill would allow rural school districts to obtain a waiver if they couldnt make the change. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) ended the debate with a simple request of the senators on behalf of teenage students. "Lets just let them sleep in a little bit, he said with a smile. Facebook

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More transparency proposed for prescription drug price increases under bill passed by California Senate By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa), shown speaking in March, won Senate approval Tuesday on a bill that would require more transparency on drug prices. (Melanie Mason / Los Angeles Times) Alarmed by skyrocketing prices for some prescription drugs, the California Senate on Tuesday approved a measure aimed at increasing pressure to hold down costs to consumers by requiring more public reporting of price hikes. The lawmakers approved a bill that would require drug manufacturers to notify health plans and state purchasers such as the prison department of increases in the wholesale cost of drugs in writing at least 90 days before the new costs were to take effect. The measure also requires that health plans and insurers notify state regulators of pricing information for the most costly drugs. Were not saying that they cant raise the price. Were just saying notify us, Hernandez said during the floor debate. And if [the price] goes up a significant amount, we should be able to question why. The measure passed by a 26-10 vote with some Republicans, including Sen. Ted Gaines of El Dorado Hills, opposed. Gaines said the pharmaceutical industrys pricing of drugs helps it pay for development of new medications. It funds their research, Gaines said during the debate. The measure next goes to the Assembly, where a similar bill last year failed to win passage. Hernandez said more opponents are talking to him this year about possible compromises, although the bill is opposed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Hernandez said the bill is needed, adding that current regulations allow pharmaceutical companies to reap obscene profits at the expense of the entire healthcare system. Facebook

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California Senate advances bill to make pot use in cars an infraction By Patrick McGreevy San Bruno police officers stop cars at a DUI checkpoint. State officials are proposing to make it an infraction to use marijuana in motor vehicles. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) Just months after state voters legalized the recreational use of marijuana, the state Senate on Tuesday voted to prohibit its use in automobiles because of concerns over drugged driving. A bill by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) makes it an infraction for drivers and passengers to use marijuana in motor vehicles. Stiffer penalties already exist for motorists found to be driving while impaired by drugs. California voters legalized recreational use of marijuana in November although the state does not plan to begin issuing licenses for its legal sale until January. In Washington state, which previously legalized pot, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the number of drivers who had recently used marijuana before fatal accidents doubled from 2013 to 2014, Hill told his colleagues. Washington serves as an eye-opening case study for what other states may experience with road safety after legalizing the drug, Hill told his colleagues before the unanimous vote to approve the measure and send it to the Assembly for consideration. Facebook

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California lawmakers want to give parents at smaller companies 12 weeks of protected family leave By Jazmine Ulloa State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara). (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California lawmakers are once again seeking to expand the states paid family leave program to smaller businesses after Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar measure last year. SB 63, authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), on Tuesday moved out of the state Senate with a 25-13 vote. It now heads to the Assembly for consideration. The legislation, a priority bill for the California Legislative Womens Caucus, would allow parents at companies with 20 to 49 employees to take 12 weeks of leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child  without fear of losing their jobs. Under the current state law, only workers at businesses with 50 or more workers can take advantage of program. On the Senate floor Tuesday, the debate on the issue echoed that of last year. Republican lawmakers argued the bill would kill jobs and hurt small businesses already struggling in California. Those in favor argued progressive family leave policies attracted a strong and healthy workforce. Jackson said her bill would impact only 6.3% of California companies, while helping 16% of its workforce, a population of 2.7 million residents across the state. With so many women in the workforce than ever before, and with so many struggling, two-income families, this is a critical moment in time, she said. Facebook

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Kimberly Ellis files formal challenge over result of state Democratic Party chairperson election By Seema Mehta (Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The candidate who narrowly lost the race to be the next leader of the California Democratic Party on Tuesday filed a formal challenge of the election result. Kimberly Ellis campaign, which was already in the process of reviewing the ballots cast during the state partys convention two weekends ago, said they were filing the challenge to meet a requirement in the party bylaws that such an action must be taken within seven days of the contested act. Our review process is ongoing. Its critical that all formal processes outlined by the CDPs bylaws are followed at this time so that there can be no concern about raising issues in the manner prescribed by our party, said Hilary Crosby, immediate past controller for the state party and an Ellis supporter. Ellis campaign said challenges were also being filed in races for a vice chair, secretary and multiple regional directors. Chris Masami Myers, state party executive director, acknowledged receiving the challenges and said in a statement that they would be reviewed in accordance with the standard practices described in the bylaws. The partys compliance review commission, made up of six members who were appointed during former Chairman John Burtons tenure, will review the evidence and take oral or written testimony before issuing a ruling in mid- to late June. The state party chair race was the most heated and contentious. Longtime party leader Eric Bauman entered the race with advantages, but Ellis made the contest competitive. In the election, held this month at the state party convention in Sacramento, Bauman beat Ellis by just over 60 votes. But amid allegations levied by her supporters of ballot-box stuffing and ripped-up ballots, she refused to concede the race. Her campaign has been reviewing individual ballots for a week. Bauman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Updated at 4:57 p.m.: This post was updated to add additional information about how the review will be conducted. Updated at 3:35 p.m.: This post was updated to add a comment from a state party official. This post was originally published at 2:37 p.m. Facebook

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Darrell Issa gets on his office roof to take a picture of protesters. A mild hubbub ensues By Sarah D. Wire Yes, this is really @DarrellIssa on the roof of his district office building. Too afraid to come speak with assembled constituents below. pic.twitter.com/wCYRjO8Ev8  Mike Levin (@MikeLevinCA) May 30, 2017 It began when one of Rep. Darrell Issas 2018 opponents, Mike Levin, posted an image on Twitter, saying the Vista congressman was hiding on his office roof from hundreds of protesters on the street below. The photo of Issa standing on the roof ricocheted around Twitter, with many comparing it to a scene from the popular television show The Office, and left-leaning media outlets quickly publishing headlines like Darrell Issa Appears to Flee to Building Roof to Avoid Protesters. Like most things, what happened at Issas office appears to have been a bit more nuanced. Issa soon tweeted that he had spent the morning talking with constituents gathered outside the office today, then popped upstairs to take a quick pic!. Multiple images, including one from Levins account and from Issas account, show the congressman on the street with protesters. Spent the morning talking with constituents gathered outside the office today, then popped upstairs to take a quick pic! pic.twitter.com/K2CFdenOIj  Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) May 30, 2017 I just received an unprompted call from @DarrellIssa who said he tried, unsuccessfully to speak with protesters outside his district office.  Joshua Stewart (@jptstewart) May 30, 2017 .@DarrellIssa said the protesters wouldnt' speak with him, so he went up to the roof and took pictures.  Joshua Stewart (@jptstewart) May 30, 2017 The protests occur weekly outside Issas Vista district office, and the congressman has come out to speak with the group at least twice since President Trumps inauguration. Issa narrowly won reelection in 2016 over a novice opponent, and Democrats are targeting his seat in 2018. Issas staff said he tried to speak with all the protesters using their sound system, but was rebuffed. Rally organizer Ellen Montanari said she decided not to hand over the protesters microphone so Issa could take questions from the crowd because he refused to shake her hand before the protest began. He refused to do that, and he said, Step away, you are a protester. And I said I am a constituent,  Montanari said. She said he also made disparaging remarks about the protesters and the signs they carry. Issas spokesman, Calvin Moore, said Montanari cant simultaneously organize people to stand outside our office with Where is Darrell? signs and feign outrage how he wont answer her questions  and then deny him the ability to answer his constituents questions, he said. Facebook

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State Senate Democrats pass bills designed to protect against Trumps possible changes Facebook

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Rep. Adam Schiff says alleged Russian meddling in election was an effort to destroy American democracy By Seema Mehta U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, left, discusses Russias threat to liberal democracies around the world at discussion discussion hosted by Erwin Chemerinsky at UCI. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said Tuesday that the alleged Russian meddling in last years presidential election was about far more than favoring one candidate over another. He said it was an effort to undermine the foundation of American democracy in order to prop up an authoritarian regime in Moscow. Now if you look at this as just a one-off intervention, you might be inclined to dismiss the greater significance of it, or if you listen to the president, you might be inclined to dismiss this as simply efforts to relitigate a lost election, Schiff told several hundred people at UC Irvine. But the significance is really far greater. Quite separate and apart from the desire of the Russians to help Donald Trump and hurt Hillary Clinton was a more fundamental objective, and that was really to tear down at our democracy. Schiff is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, which is investigating allegations of Russian intervention in the presidential election, including the leaking of hacked Democratic emails and contacts between Trump associates and Russians. Trump has declared the investigation the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history on Twitter. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), the former chairman of the committee, recently told hundreds of Republicans at a fundraiser that the investigation is about nothing more than Democrats trying to justify Clintons loss. Nunes stepped down from his position after allegations arose that he mishandled classified information. Schiff said Russian President Vladimir Putin would have reasons for wanting to see Clinton fail and Trump succeed  he believed that the CIA and Clinton were secretly behind mass demonstrations in Russia in 2011, and because Trumps positions on issues such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were more favorable to Russia than Clintons. But Schiff argued the larger point was sowing discord in the U.S., so Putin could argue that American democracy is no better than his government. Talk of rigged elections and surveillance, questioning the independence of the judiciary and freedom of the press  as Trump has done  boost Putins message, Schiff said. And the efforts are not limited to the United States, he added, pointing to allegations that the Russians made an effort to interfere in Frances recent election. The reality is there is new ideological struggle. Its not communism versus capitalism anymore. It is authoritarian versus democracy, he said. This is the broader challenge we are facing. Schiff also warned that there is no way to prevent Russian cyber-spying and that future attempts to interfere with American elections will only be more sophisticated, so voters must be educated. One of the most important conclusions the intelligence agencies have reached is the Russians will do this again, he said. The only real defense is to inoculate ourselves, to educate ourselves about what the Russians have done, why they are doing [it and] what they may do in the future and somehow we have to develop a consensus regardless of which party it helps and which party it hurts  that we will reject it. Facebook

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Rep. Devin Nunes: Democrats are using Russia investigation to justify Clintons loss By Sarah D. Wire (Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA) House Select Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes told hundreds of local Republicans at a recent private fundraiser that congressional investigations into Russias interference in the 2016 election are about Democrats trying to justify Hillary Clintons loss. The Democrats dont want an investigation on Russia. They want an independent commission. Why do they want an independent commission? Because they want to continue the narrative that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are best friends, and thats the reason that he won, because Hillary Clinton would have never lost on her own; it had to be someone elses fault, Nunes told Republicans the day after he stepped away from leading the House investigation. His remarks were recorded on video and provided to The Times. Read More Facebook

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Californias embattled tax board would lose power over staff and funding under lawmakers plan By John Myers Following months of accusations about mistakes and improper use of power by its elected members, the state Board of Equalization could lose substantial power and gain an independent overseer under legislation introduced in the state Assembly. The bill by Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) would shift much of the power over staff and spending authority away from the independent tax board and create a new inspector general to watch over its actions. What were trying to do is make sure that the reform is transparent, Ridley-Thomas said. Thats what I think the moment demands. The plan, introduced as an amended bill just before the Memorial Day holiday, comes in the wake of audits alleging the tax agency made multimillion dollar miscalculations on revenue allocations and that some of its elected members improperly used staff members who were supposed to be focused on tax collection. Earlier this month, Gov. Jerry Brown called the situation a mess and in April asked for an investigation by the state Department of Justice. Four members of the Board of Equalization are directly elected by voters. The fifth, state Controller Betty Yee, serves in an ex officio capacity. The Assembly bill would transfer significant staff decisions to the agencys executive director and would require the Board of Equalizations members to have their operations funded in detailed line items included in the state budget. It would also create an inspector general office and would require the boards members to disclose all ex parte communications with those seeking action by the agency. I think that these issues can be addressed if we keep them in the sunlight, said Ridley-Thomas. Facebook

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New advertising campaign targets lawmakers over votes for climate change policies By Chris Megerian A coalition of California businesses launched a new advertising campaign on Saturday to pressure lawmakers against enacting tighter policies on climate change and air pollution. The campaign includes online videos and television advertising that warn of higher costs for business and residents. It arrives as Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers are debating whether to extend the cap-and-trade program, which requires companies to buy permits to release greenhouse gases, and how restrictive the system should be. The first lawmaker being targeted is Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova), accusing him of allowing unelected state employees to raise hidden taxes on gasoline and electricity because he voted last year for a tougher target to reduce emissions by 2030. Other lawmakers could face similar advertisements. Were locked, loaded and ready to go statewide, said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, which is funding the campaign through an advocacy group called Californians for Affordable and Reliable Energy. The roundtable represents the states largest corporations, including oil refineries and manufacturers who have been critical of climate policies. A dollar figure was not disclosed for the advertising campaign, which will represent a balancing act for the roundtable. It supports the cap-and-trade program as an alternative to more restrictive regulations, but it opposes some of the current proposals to extend it. One measure would tie the program to air quality, targeting a wider range of pollutants than just greenhouse gases, and another would make it function more like a tax and charge higher prices for emission permits. Were at a tipping point here, Lapsley said. We need to get this information out into the public in order to try and create balanced policies. Although polls show broad support for fighting global warming in California, concerns about higher costs for constituents could be influential with some lawmakers who recently passed legislation to raise gas taxes to fund road repairs. Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is facing a recall campaign over his vote. Nonpartisan legislative analysts have said cap and trade could boost the price of gasoline by 24 cents to 73 cents by 2030. Environmentalists have said its inaccurate to tie any single policy to fluctuations in gas prices. Facebook

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California Politics Podcast: The debate among Democrats didnt end at their convention By John Myers The official gathering of California Democrats lasted only three days, but the lingering debate and simmering tensions could keep going well into next years elections. On this weeks California Politics Podcast episode, we look back at the line in the sand drawn at last weeks California Democratic Party convention by some of the partys most passionate progressive activists -- including the blunt speech delivered by an influential labor union leader last weekend. We also discuss big new developments this week on the topic that energized those Democratic activists: a single-payer healthcare system for California. On Monday, a fiscal analysis put a large price tag on legislation to enact that sweeping healthcare change. Im joined this week by Times staff writer Melanie Mason. Facebook

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California lawmakers quietly refuse to stop unlimited cash flowing from political parties to their campaigns By John Myers (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) An ambitious effort to close a widely used loophole that allows large donations from political parties to be funneled into California races was rejected on Friday. The bill by Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) would have made political party money donated to statewide and legislative candidates subject to the same contribution limits as individuals. Under the language of a voter-approved initiative, Proposition 34, money from political parties is exempt from those existing limits. Its a money-laundering scheme that has completely duped voters, Levine said last fall when he first promised to introduce the bill. The proposal was quietly killed, without a formal vote, by the Assembly Appropriations Committee during its biannual session to act on bills placed on the so-called suspense file due to their estimated costs. Committee staff estimated that Levines AB 1234 would have six-figure costs both for enforcement and for placing the issue before voters in 2018. Facebook

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Veteran Democratic operative criticizes Kimberly Ellis for refusing to concede party chair race By Seema Mehta Supporters of Kimberly Ellis make signs, refusing to accept her loss to Eric Bauman for the California Democratic chair post. (Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Veteran Democratic operative Bob Mulholland slammed infighting among California Democrats, and urged Kimberly Ellis, who came up short in a nasty party chair election, to work to unify the party. I  and others did not understand some of your supporters  attacks on those of us who have spent decades or years building the Democrats in California as the most successful political Party in the country, he wrote in an open letter to Ellis on Thursday. He sent the email in the aftermath of the partys rancorous convention last weekend that featured a bitter leadership battle between Ellis, a favorite of newer members including the backers of Bernie Sanders failed presidential bid, and longtime party leader Eric Bauman. After Bauman was declared the winner by a razor-thin margin of just over 60 votes, Ellis refused to concede and demanded an audit of the vote as some of her backers floated rumors of ballot-box stuffing and discarded ballots. Ellis demurred when asked about Mulhollands scathing letter. While our review continues, we are refraining from making any statement that might cause further division, Ellis said. If we hope to truly unify this party, it will require patience by all. Officials with the Ellis campaign have been reviewing ballots this week. A spokesman said they had looked at about two-thirds by the end of Friday and hope to be done by the middle of next week. Joe Macaluso, Ellis strategist, declined to discuss the results and said her team needed to review additional documentation beyond the ballots. Were trying to stay true to our process and not release anything, but were in it, he said. Its an extensive process. Mulholland argued in his public letter that the convention should have showcased the partys message, not intraparty spats. Our annual Conventions should take care of internal business (Platforms, election of Officers, Resolutions, etc.), but more importantly a communication to voters, especially moderate Democrats and Independents about their concerns and issues, Mulholland wrote. If such busy people had a minute to read some news about our Convention, they saw Democrats yelling and arguing about ballots being stuffed, sounding like a Trump event. This Convention failed them. Mulholland listed the partys successes in the state, including Democrats lopsided voter registration edge, its nearly three-decade record of supporting Democratic presidential candidates, its election of female senators since 1992 and its hold of every statewide office, supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature and nearly three-quarters of the congressional delegation. Over the last 29 years, thats a [1.000] batting record, he wrote. Mulholland called on Ellis to hold a news conference with Bauman once she is satisfied with her audit of the vote. Then, he wrote, lets move on. Facebook

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California lawmakers block proposals meant to make it easier to track and report hate crimes By Jazmine Ulloa Graffiti mars the steeple on the Greater Holy Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Compton in January. Cases of vandalism make up close to one-third of reported hate crimes, according to a new report. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers Friday stalled measures meant to help report and track hate crimes across the state, proposals filed amid a wave of incidents reported after the 2016 presidential election. The state Assembly Appropriations Committee shelved bills that would have created new hate-crime reporting requirements for police and a hotline under the attorney generals office for victims wishing to report an attack. Of those bills, a proposal filed by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) initially sought to develop a state government database with the names of felons convicted of hate crimes related to race, religion and sexual orientation. That proposal was amended to instead require every law enforcement agency to forward a summary of a reported hate crime, upon conclusion of an investigation, to the human relations commission within its jurisdiction. But a committee analysis found it could cost the state more than $150,000 to help agencies redact personal information from their records. The committee also shut down bills that would have required police to update policies to address hate crimes and include a checkbox on the front pages of reports that would prominently provide an option to indicate whether a crime was bias-related. Local law enforcement officials have reported a recent rise in reported hate crime incidents. Existing state laws require local and state law enforcement officials to compile hate crime information. California jurisdictions reported a 10.4% statewide increase in those incidents last year. Facebook

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Here were the top six moments from last nights L.A. congressional race debate By Christine Mai-Duc Robert Lee Ahn, left, and Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez sparred in a debate Thursday night ahead of the runoff for the 34th Congressional District seat. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) Attorney Robert Lee Ahn and Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez sparred Thursday night at the first and only debate in the runoff race for the 34th Congressional District seat. The candidates, both Democrats, offered little in the way of policy differences. Both agreed President Trump has racist tendencies, that keeping the Affordable Care Act is a top priority, and that they would fight to protect immigrants rights. Ahn came out swinging, repeatedly calling Gomez an insider whos sponsored by special interests, while Gomez pointed to his work supporting progressive policies in the Legislature and endorsements hes received from left-leaning groups. Here are the top six exchanges: The numbers problem: Gomez again criticized Ahn for a response he gave in an L.A. Times questionnaire that suggested he would negotiate with Republicans to protect parts of Obamacare. Gomez said Democrats need to take a hard line and that Ahn was too soft on support for Medicaid. In case you havent noticed, we have a numbers problem in Congress, Ahn shot back. Until were able to take back the House, were going to have to talk to the other side.

Gomez again criticized Ahn for a response he gave in an L.A. Times questionnaire that suggested he would negotiate with Republicans to protect parts of Obamacare. Gomez said Democrats need to take a hard line and that Ahn was too soft on support for Medicaid. In case you havent noticed, we have a numbers problem in Congress, Ahn shot back. Until were able to take back the House, were going to have to talk to the other side. Gomez fact-checks Ahns name-check: Ahn made the case that voters should send an attorney to Congress to help in the legal battles against the Trump presidency. I will join fellow attorneys and Congress members Ted Lieu and Adam Schiff in the fight, Ahn said to the crowd. Gomez, who spent much of the evening bringing up his legislative experience and vast array of endorsements, responded: I hate to mention it, but, you know, Adam Schiff and Ted Lieu have endorsed me.

Ahn made the case that voters should send an attorney to Congress to help in the legal battles against the Trump presidency. I will join fellow attorneys and Congress members Ted Lieu and Adam Schiff in the fight, Ahn said to the crowd. Gomez, who spent much of the evening bringing up his legislative experience and vast array of endorsements, responded: I hate to mention it, but, you know, Adam Schiff and Ted Lieu have endorsed me. Getting more personal: In discussions about immigration and healthcare, Gomez and Ahn delved a little deeper into their backgrounds. Gomez talked about his young nephew who feared that his mother, a permanent resident, might be deported after Trump was elected. Ahn told the story of how his parents came to the United States with $700 each and cobbled together enough money to open a hamburger stand, eventually building their piece of the American Dream.

In discussions about immigration and healthcare, Gomez and Ahn delved a little deeper into their backgrounds. Gomez talked about his young nephew who feared that his mother, a permanent resident, might be deported after Trump was elected. Ahn told the story of how his parents came to the United States with $700 each and cobbled together enough money to open a hamburger stand, eventually building their piece of the American Dream. Ahn on the attack: Ahn repeatedly criticized Gomez for taking money from corporate interests. Special interests, big pharma, big bankers. ... Its all payback time [for Gomez donors] on Day One, Ahn said. On Day One, I owe the people of the 34th District and thats it. Ahn pitched himself as an outsider who understands the district and whose small-business experience will help him relate to the problems facing everyday residents.

Ahn repeatedly criticized Gomez for taking money from corporate interests. Special interests, big pharma, big bankers. ... Its all payback time [for Gomez donors] on Day One, Ahn said. On Day One, I owe the people of the 34th District and thats it. Ahn pitched himself as an outsider who understands the district and whose small-business experience will help him relate to the problems facing everyday residents. A litmus test: Gomez fought back against the idea that hes a corporate Democrat, primarily by pointing to several endorsements hes received from left-leaning groups. If I was so establishment, I dont think Our Revolution ... would actually endorse me, Gomez said of the Bernie Sanders-affiliated group. If you want a litmus test, thats a litmus test if youre a progressive ... if youre actually able to take on the status quo.

Gomez fought back against the idea that hes a corporate Democrat, primarily by pointing to several endorsements hes received from left-leaning groups. If I was so establishment, I dont think Our Revolution ... would actually endorse me, Gomez said of the Bernie Sanders-affiliated group. If you want a litmus test, thats a litmus test if youre a progressive ... if youre actually able to take on the status quo. Gomez gets skewered on gas tax: As part of his argument that he has fought for the little guy, Ahn expressed outrage that Californias gas taxes will increase July 1, saying theres nothing progressive about the gas tax hike Gomez voted for. We already paid 38 cents per gallon. Where is that money going? Ahn said, echoing a line many legislative Republicans have used. Sacramento politicians, this is what they do, they take our money and they spend it and theres no accountability. Gomez responded by saying public safety was at stake and that fixing roads was the responsible thing to do. If you missed it, you can watch the entire thing here. The election is set for June 6. Facebook

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Rob Reiner, Hollywood bigwigs and Netflix co-founder team up to give Villaraigosas campaign a major cash boost By Seema Mehta (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Hollywood heavyweights are set to host a major fundraiser for Antonio Villaraigosas gubernatorial campaign on June 15, ensuring an infusion of large contributions shortly before a key fundraising deadline. Donors are being asked to contribute up to $29,200 to attend a summer reception at the home of media executive Peter Chernin and his wife Megan, the site of a celebrity-studded fundraiser for President Obama in 2013. Co-hosts include Paramount Pictures chief Jim Gianopulos, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, video game honcho Robert Kotick, comedian George Lopez, Sony chief Michael Lynton, NBCUniversal vice chairman Ron Meyer, producer Rob Reiner, super-agent Rick Rosen, producer Orly Adelson, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain James Costos, former White House decorator Michael Smith and attorney Michael Tuchin. Villaraigosa, the former mayor of Los Angeles, entered the governors race in November. Through the end of 2016, he raised $2.7 million, a respectable haul in a short time period when Democratic donors were reeling from the presidential election and distracted by the holidays. But his fundraising lags behind that of his top rivals, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Treasurer John Chiang. So political observers will be scrutinizing his next financial disclosure report, which will cover the first six months of 2017. The fundraiser occurs 15 days before the fundraising period closes on June 30. Read More Facebook

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A delay on cap-and-trade vote would be a victory for Donald Trump, Gov. Jerry Browns office says By Chris Megerian (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Despite hesitance and resistance from state lawmakers, Gov. Jerry Brown is refusing to budge from his goal of reaching a deal next month to extend Californias cap-and-trade program. The latest tug-of-war on the issue came this week in an email exchange circulated among Capitol staff members and advocates working on climate change policies. Kip Lipper, an environmental advisor for Senate leadership, wrote in a Thursday email that there were no plans to take up a cap and trade reauthorization bill anytime soon. Echoing concerns that have percolated among lawmakers, Lipper said senators were gas tax weary about the possibility of another difficult vote after deciding to raise gas taxes to pay for road repairs earlier this year. The cap-and-trade program, which is a cornerstone of Californias fight against global warming, requires companies to buy permits to release greenhouse gas emissions and could boost the price of gasoline. With votes hard to come by, Lipper wrote, the issue should not be rushed. Camille Wagner, Browns legislative secretary, responded on Friday saying there was no reason to delay. Weve all been meeting for months on this issue, she wrote. We know the areas of agreement and disagreement  now is the time to work through those. She added that NOTHING is more important than getting a deal as soon as possible. This is not a time for retreat or a time to give aid and comfort to Donald Trump by undermining a pillar of Californias bold program to arrest climate change, Wagner wrote. If Californias Cap and Trade falls because we fail to act, climate denial wins. Brown had already faced resistance to his push to reach a deal on cap and trade in June, when the state budget is due. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) previously said we dont have to extend it this year. The disagreement over the timeline for reaching a deal is only one of the disputes surrounding cap and trade. Assembly leaders have raised the possibility of pushing legislation with only a majority vote, an idea the governors office rejected. Brown wants a two-thirds vote to insulate cap and trade from legal challenges. There are also varied ideas about how the program should function in the future. Assembly legislation would modify cap and trade so it also targets local pollution, rather than just greenhouse gases. Senate legislation would make the program function more like a carbon tax. Facebook

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The effort to make tampons tax free in California has been delayed until 2018 By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Legislation to eliminate California sales taxes on the purchase of tampons was delayed Friday by the Assemblys fiscal committee until 2018, a blow to advocates who say the tax is an unfair burden on low-income women and families. The delay imposed on AB 9 is the second setback this month for efforts to eliminate taxes on products for women and children. A separate bill that included a tax-free provision for diapers was killed in a legislative committee on May 8. The bill that was held back on Friday, written by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), would have excluded tampons, sanitary napkins and other menstrual products from sales taxes. A legislative committee analysis estimated the proposal would reduce state general fund revenues by $10.5 million a year. Dozens of other bills with a cost to state government were killed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, while AB 9 was instead reclassified as a two-year bill, meaning it is eligible to be heard again in the second year of the legislative session. Gov. Jerry Brown last year rejected a similar measure that sought to make tampons tax-free, writing in his veto message that tax breaks are the same as new spending  they both cost the general fund money. Facebook

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Outside money spills into L.A. congressional race as election day nears By Christine Mai-Duc Spending by outside groups hoping to influence Los Angeles congressional race is picking up, with less than two weeks to go before the runoff for the 34th Congressional District. Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez and attorney Robert Lee Ahn, both Democrats, are competing to fill the former seat of Xavier Becerra in the June 6 election. Becerra stepped down months ago to become the states attorney general. Spending separate from the candidates campaigns is reaching into the six-figure range, with most of the outside money going to support Gomez, the heavy favorite of establishment Democrats. One group funded primarily by an Ahn donor, Citizens for a Better Government, has spent $40,264 on data, printing and postage for mailers, and $8,000 on treasury services to support Ahns bid. The Latino Victory Fund, which has endorsed Gomez, recently spent $29,640 on direct mail and $30,000 on phone banking and voter canvassing for the candidate. Billboard company Outfront Media LLC has spent $1,973 on billboards for him. Also backing Gomez is a group called Middle Class Values PAC. The group spent $19,653 on mailers supporting Gomez despite not having reported receiving any major contributions so far this year. The groups biggest donors last year were a handful of Nevada casino owners and developers, but most of that money appears to have been spent on Democrats running for Congress in Pennsylvania and Nevada. Outside spending in the 34th Congressional District race has been dwarfed by candidate spending. As of March 31, Gomez had spent $446,455 and Ahn had dropped about $767,315 on his run. New campaign finance figures from both candidates are due at midnight Friday. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Browns budget team drops its hotly debated plans to redefine the states spending limit By John Myers (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) With questions mounting about the legal justification for omitting some $22 billion in expenses from Californias long-standing spending cap, Gov. Jerry Browns administration dropped the plan Thursday while promising to work on the issue again later this year. Browns advisors told the Assembly Budget Committee that this could include some changes in state law to clarify the rules surrounding whats known as the Gann limit, a cap on state spending growth imposed by voters in 1979. The cap has rarely come into play in state budgeting in recent years, as it was loosened by a subsequent ballot measure in 1990. The governors administration said it continues to worry about how the law interacts with other mandates related to school funding. School financing has changed significantly since the limit was first established in 1979, said H.D. Palmer, Browns budget spokesman. Because of that, we continue to believe we need statutory clarifications related to these school funding changes. Legislative analysts warned lawmakers in April that the governor may have been overestimating how much room for spending was left under the cap, a dispute that continued for weeks while lawmakers began drafting plans for formal budget negotiations next month. Earlier this week, state senators again raised concerns about the complex estimates used to determine how much spending the Gann law would allow in the budget year that begins July 1. And they provided an analysis by the Legislatures lawyers that suggested Browns proposal could be unconstitutional. The spending limit is enforced over two fiscal years, which means Brown and lawmakers have time to reconcile different estimates. But absent changes similar to those advocated by the governor, a portion of future tax revenues would have to be split between schools and rebates to taxpayers. Facebook

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California Senate, Assembly advance their own plans on how to spend tobacco tax revenue By Melanie Mason (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Perhaps the biggest budget skirmish that remains unsolved this year is how California should spend revenue from the tobacco tax voters approved last fall. Gov. Jerry Brown wants to put that money to expand overall spending on Medi-Cal, which provides subsidized healthcare for the poor. But the some of initiatives backers, namely doctor and dental groups, have cried foul, arguing that money is meant to go to increasing payments for providers. Now, the Senate and Assembly are weighing in. In plans approved in their respective budget committees this week, both houses stray from Browns proposal to put the money toward general Medi-Cal costs and lay out their own ideas on how to divvy up the revenue. But while both houses reject Browns approach, there are key differences between their proposals. Most significantly, the Assembly would allocate all $1.1 billion in projected tax revenue in the next budget year. The Senate, meanwhile, would spend just under $350 million next year, gradually ramping up spending to $1.1 billion by fiscal year 2020-21. Both houses also would increase provider payments, but in different ways. The Assembly would put around $857 million toward once-yearly incentive payments to physicians and dentists that would be tied to their Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal caseloads. The Senate proposed putting $150 million next year to physician rate increases that would be targeted for those working in high-need areas and specialties. That number would increase in successive years, topping out at $700 million by 2020. The Senate also would put $130 million toward higher rates for dentists. The California Medical Assn., which has been pushing for higher reimbursement rates, praised both houses for including the higher rates, but group spokeswoman Joanne Adams noted that the current Legislature cannot tie the hands of a future governor or Legislature, indicating a preference toward the Assembly approach. Each house would allocate $50 million for reimbursement rates for family planning providers, a priority of Planned Parenthood. And both houses put money toward expanding Medi-Cal to cover young adults up to age 26 who are in the country illegally. The proposal builds on Californias policy of making children without legal status younger than 19 eligible for Medi-Cal, which went into effect last year. Anthony Wright, of the advocacy group Health Access, noted that by expanding coverage for those up to age 26, it would align with Obamacares policy of letting children stay on their parents health insurance until that age. This is a concrete and tangible way to show we are actually taking steps forward in expanding coverage, Wright said. The Brown administration estimates that around 130,000 people would be eligible for Medi-Cal under such a proposal, and such an expansion would cost the state just under $230 million. The Senate proposal would put around $63 million toward that expansion in the upcoming budget year and around $85 million in subsequent years. The Assembly would put $54 million toward the plan. The Brown administration did not take a position on the Medi-Cal expansion proposal, but H.D. Palmer, spokesman for Browns Department of Finance, noted that the Senate was using higher revenue projections than Browns plan, which allows legislators to propose more funding. Palmer said the administration was sticking with its original proposal to use tobacco tax dollars for general Medi-Cal spending. The budgets proposal for Prop. 56 will provide increased funding for healthcare programs and services in a way thats consistent with the measure that voters approved last fall, Palmer said. ------------ FOR THE RECORD May 25, 2017, 4:58 p.m.: A previous version of this article reported that both houses were using higher revenue projections than Gov. Browns budget proposal. The Senate is using higher projections; the Assembly is using the same estimates as the Brown administration. Facebook

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California chief justice says she stands by her decision to speak out against Trumps immigration actions By Jazmine Ulloa California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye on Thursday said she stands by her position that courthouses should be areas where immigration arrests should not occur. Cantil-Sakauye, a former prosecutor who rose through the judicial ranks as an appointee of Republican governors, drew national attention in March after she blasted the federal governments expanded immigration actions, among which she said included stalking immigrants at courthouses. Speaking at a Sacramento Press Club luncheon on Thursday, she said the Supreme Court chambers fielded an outpouring of calls and letters after her comments. Some were profane and angry, from residents living outside the state. Others came from supporters. At Sac Press Club luncheon, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye said she fielded lots of anger, support after courthouse enforcement remarks. pic.twitter.com/6OBrZOfI45  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) May 25, 2017 Many said that as a judge, she should not wade into politics. U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly admonished her in a letter, spurring California state leaders to respond in defense of state policies. On Thursday, Cantil-Sakauye stood by her decision to denounce the actions, saying, If I couldnt speak out as chief justice, I dont know who could. Courthouses in California have numerous programs to encourage people to come forward and ask questions, seek services and mediate issues, Cantil-Sakauye said. If we have a segment [of the population] that is afraid to come, then we are looking at no access to justice, [and] potentially public safety issues, which is antithetical to what the justice system exists for, she said. To me, it is a safe zone, and I ask that courthouses be placed on par with school districts and hospitals and churches. Facebook

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Rep. Darrell Issa says the federal employee insurance program should be expanded to all Americans By Sarah D. Wire Though it wasnt included in the House Republicans healthcare bill, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) still believes Americans should have access to the same insurance plans federal employees pick from, and hes hoping the Senate will embrace the idea. In a letter Thursday, Issa asked the Senate Health Care Working Group to consider opening the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program to more, or all, Americans. Its a national insurance idea thats persisted since the program began in 1960, and a proposal Issa has pitched before. The program allows more than 8 million current and retired federal employees across the country to shop among hundreds of health insurance plans and then apply their employer contribution to whatever plan they choose. Private insurance companies have pulled out of several state insurance marketplaces, where people whose employers dont offer insurance can purchase insurance using a federal subsidy. That leaves people with fewer health insurance choices, a common complaint cited by Republicans as a reason to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Its choice. If the government can maximize choice to you and then subsidize where appropriate based on need, then weve met the two bases for government involvement, Issa said. Issa voted for the American Health Care Act, the GOP bill to roll back much of Obamacare that passed May 4 without Democratic support, but he stresses that he did so just to keep momentum. One of the reasons I voted for this in the House was to keep the process alive so we could do reform, Issa said. Leveraging business models that work is the goal that somebody like me wants to do. Find out what works and invest in it, find out what doesnt work and fix it or abandon it. On Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office said the bill as passed by the House would cause 23 million fewer people to have health insurance by 2026. The budget office, which Congress relies on to analyze the complex legislation, projected that many additional consumers would see skimpier health coverage and higher deductibles. The Senate has essentially said it will write its own version of the bill. Issas letter to his Senate colleagues also urges members to protect people with preexisting conditions, safeguard coverage for people with mental illnesses and protect people near retirement age from a spike in their premiums. Theres still more to be done. This bill is going to be about compromise, and a down payment on change, Issa said. Facebook

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Senate President Kevin de Leon is busy raising campaign funds  but for what office? By Phil Willon Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) stirred up speculation about a possible run for governor or U.S. Senate when he released a slickly produced video just before the California Democratic Partys convention last weekend, but he has remained coy about his future political plans. That doesnt mean he isnt padding his campaign war chest, though. De Leon has two fundraisers lined up in Los Angeles in June, presumably for his 2018 campaign for California lieutenant governor. The question is whether De Leon actually will run for lieutenant governor. In the past, he has said he hasnt made a decision. He has also given his supporters the go-ahead to endorse state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa), a longtime political ally, in the race. De Leons campaign account for lieutenant governor had $1.7 million in the bank at the end of last year. He raised close to a half-million this year, according to state political financial disclosure reports. The first fundraiser in June is being hosted by veteran Hollywood executive Peter Guber and his wife, Tara, in Bel Air on June 8, with suggested contributions ranging from $500 to $2,500. The second is in late June at the Palm in Los Angeles. The fundraiser is hosted by Craig Darian, CEO of the Occidental Entertainment Group, and his wife, Kimberly, as well as Albert Sweet, the founder of the company. The suggested donations are the same as for the earlier fundraiser. De Leon made history in 2014 when he was selected by his colleagues as the first Latino to lead the California Senate. The tenure has been marked by significant action on climate change, immigration and gun control. Facebook

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Volkswagens clean car plan falls short in low-income neighborhoods, California regulators say By Chris Megerian (Markus Schreiber / Associated Press) State regulators have asked Volkswagen to revise its plan to invest in zero emission technology in California, a victory for critics who said the automaker wasnt doing enough in disadvantaged communities. The investment plan, which will total $800 million over 10 years, is part of Volkswagens obligation under a multi-billion settlement for evading pollution rules. California, which is struggling to get enough zero emission vehicles on the road to meet its goals, is eager to move forward, wrote Air Resources Board Executive Officer Richard Corey in a Wednesday letter to Electrify America, a Volkswagen subsidiary. However, Corey wrote, we need more information on how the company will meet its target of spending 35% of its investment in disadvantaged communities, a target set by state regulators in hopes of broadening the adoption of electric vehicles. Corey also asked Electrify America to consider supporting hydrogen fueling stations, rather than just electric chargers. Once the company submits an updated version of its plan, state regulators will consider whether to approve it. Electrify America said it is reviewing the letter. Dean Florez, a member of the Air Resources Board, said the original investment plan had significant holes and included no real investment in disadvantaged communities. He praised the decision to request revisions and said the board should hold VWs feet to the fire. This story has been updated with additional comments. Facebook

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Lawmakers scrap effort to make it easier to pass local transportation taxes By John Myers An effort to boost the chances of local ballot measures raising taxes for transportation needs was quietly killed Thursday in the state Capitol. The proposal, which would have ultimately required changing the California Constitution through a statewide vote, was in response to the high hurdle set decades ago for local taxes earmarked for specific projects. Those kinds of taxes in cities and counties require two-thirds of the vote. The constitutional amendment by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would have lowered the vote threshold to 55% of ballots cast for any transportation proposal. Wiener argued the long list of local transportation projects lacking funds wont completely be erased by the $52-billion transportation plan signed into law last month. And he pointed specifically to examples like a transportation tax plan in the Bay Area last year that garnered 62% of the vote  still slightly shy of the two-thirds mandate. While the effort can be brought back before lawmakers adjourn the current session in the summer of 2018, Thursdays action represented a major setback for transportation groups and labor unions that supported it. The measure was opposed by business and anti-tax advocates. Wiener said he intends to re-introduce the measure in the coming weeks. We must improve and expand transportation throughout our state, which has suffered from decades of underfunding, he said in a written statement. Update 1:29 p.m. This story was modified with additional information regarding constitutional amendments and the legislative process. Update 4:10 p.m. This story was updated with comment from Sen. Wiener. Facebook

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Sex offenders will not be banned without exception from school grounds after state bill is shelved By Jazmine Ulloa State Sen. Connie M. Leyva, right. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The state Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday shelved a bill that would have banned all registered sex offenders from school campuses without exception. Senate Bill 26 by Sen. Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) would have made it a misdemeanor for a registered sex offender to enter any school building or grounds without lawful business. State laws keep registered sex offenders from living near schools. But those who have not been convicted of having sex with a minor under age 16 can visit or volunteer with groups or organizations that work with children if they give proper notice, and are granted permission. They cannot work directly with children. The committee advanced another bill by Leyva that would extend benefits under the Safe at Home initiative to former victims of forced prostitution or labor. Senate Bill 597, introduced with Secretary of State Alex Padilla, passed with a unanimous 7-0 vote. Read More Facebook

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Measure to help California students refinance private loans is shelved By Melanie Mason State Treasurer John Chiang, a candidate for governor, is behind a new effort to help people with student debt refinance their loans. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A measure to help Californians saddled with student debt refinance their student loans was shelved in a key fiscal committee on Thursday. The measure by state Sen. Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) was touted as a way for the state to coax private lenders to offer more favorable interest. The proposal would have carried a $25-million price tag. We will continue to push for sensible solutions to the student loan crisis that provide real relief to the millions of Californians saddled with too much debt, Allen said in a statement. State Treasurer John Chiang, a 2018 gubernatorial candidate, had championed the bill, SB 674, as a way to try to get [Californians] out of debt as quickly as possible. College graduation is supposed to be synonymous with opportunity and prosperity and not a detour into a modern-day debtors prison, Chiang said in a statement. Although I am disappointed SB 674 will not be moving forward, I will continue to use my position as the states banker to invest in Californias young people and its future with innovative solutions that will make it more financially feasible to obtain a higher education, he added. 3:58 p.m.: This article was updated to add comments from Sen. Benjamin Allen and Treasurer John Chiang. This article was originally published at 11:17 a.m. Read More Facebook

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Where bills go to die: Lawmakers begin clearing the suspense file with hundreds of measures in limbo By John Myers (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) From a sales tax exemption on tampons to healthcare rules and marijuana regulation, a massive stack of proposed laws faces a major deadline Friday morning at the state Capitol. To survive, they must clear whats known as the suspense file -- the place where bills that would cost taxpayers money are held in legislative limbo. By law, bills with a fiscal impact must be sent to the floor of the Assembly and Senate by the close of business on Friday. That means its decision time for more than 800 pieces of legislation. The Senates fiscal committee will decide the fate of bills on Thursday; the Assembly will do so on Friday. Bills are generally sent to the suspense file if their projected cost to the state is $150,000 or more. The procedural move was widely used during Californias deficit years as a way for lawmakers to weigh the pros and cons of proposals in light of limited resources. But government watchdog groups have long pointed out that the clearing of the suspense file ends up hiding some of the legislative sausage-making from public view. Thats because bills that dont clear Fridays hurdle are essentially killed without a recorded vote. And neither chamber offers any explanation for why those bills were killed. Decisions on the fate of the suspense file are made in private, hours or days before the public hearing. In the Assembly, the appropriations committee chairperson will simply tell the public that a decision has been made to hold the bill. In the Senate committee, killed legislation wont even be mentioned during Thursdays hearing. That means that no one will know for sure whether a bill is really killed because of its price tag or its politics. Facebook

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Formal apology sought after U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters was cut off during state convention speech By Jazmine Ulloa (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) In my 20 years as a Democratic Party leader, I have never experienced such the type of behavior as I did at the Sacramento Convention hall on Saturday evening.  Darren Parker, longtime chairman of the African American Caucus The California Democratic Party African American Caucus is asking the state party for a formal apology to U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters and its members for what it called disrespect by a private subcontractor at its weekend state convention. Waters, a Los Angeles Democrat known for her comments on President Trump, had been speaking at a caucus meeting during the event Saturday night when the sound to her microphone was cut off. SEE THE VIDEO OF WATERS SPEECH> Read More Facebook

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California sees a rebound in cap-and-trade auction, bolstering key climate change program By Chris Megerian (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) State regulators announced strong results from Californias cap-and-trade program on Wednesday, spurring analysts and supporters to say the system remains solid despite questions about its political future. The program requires oil refineries, food processors, power plants and other facilities to buy permits to release greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly all of the permits offered by the state in its latest auction were purchased, generating an estimated $500 million in revenue. Thats a shift from other recent auctions, where most of the permits went unsold, reducing revenue that state leaders have counted on for 
Citing what he called a battle between good and evil, President Trump urged a summit of Arab leaders Sunday to do far more to fight extremism and terrorism, refining his harsh anti-Muslim campaign rhetoric for a joint call to arms in the birthplace of Islam.

In the first major foreign policy address of his presidency, Trump also made clear that his administration would break with the two previous occupants of the White House by not promoting human rights or democratic reforms in a region rife with rigidly controlled societies.

We are not here to lecture, he said. We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship.

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Yet his speech was notable for putting the onus on his audience  the leaders of more than 50 Arab and Muslim nations packed in an ornate hall under giant glittering chandeliers  to take the lead in combating radicalization and to take on the burden of battling terrorism.

Marrying his stated America first credo with his vow to eradicate Islamic State and other terrorist networks, Trump said nations in the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them and must plot their own course.

Its a choice between two futures, and its a choice America cannot make for you, he said. Drive them out. Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land. And drive them out of this earth.

He also took a carefully veiled swipe at Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim countries that, at least in the past, turned a blind eye to radical clerics and others who raised money or recruited for extremist groups.

There can be no coexistence with this violence, Trump said. There can be no tolerating it, no accepting it, no excusing it, and no ignoring it.

He said America seeks partners, not perfection to pursue peace and security in the region. Invoking God eight separate times, the president also preached the virtues of religious tolerance for followers of all faiths.

Trumps aides had portrayed the speech as a rebuttal in some ways to President Obamas attempts to open bridges to the Islamic world in a famous speech in Cairo in June 2009.

In that speech, Obama called for a new beginning in U.S. relations with Muslim nations. Noting that he was raised in Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, Obama said he felt the need to fight negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.

Trumps rhetoric Sunday was chiefly notable for its stunning contrast with his regular demonization of Muslims on the campaign trail last year.

Back then, he repeatedly warned Islam hates us and called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. As president, he has issued two orders seeking to bar most travel from select Muslim-majority nations; federal judges have blocked both because of what they say appears to be an anti-Muslim motivation.

Trump ended his comments with a harsh denunciation of Iran, a common enemy for most of the Sunni Arab leaders, who listened to his remarks through translation devices.

He did not acknowledge Irans peaceful election Friday, which rejected a hard-line Shiite cleric and returned reformist President Hassan Rouhani to office in a landslide. In contrast, most of the Gulf Arab states are monarchies, and few Arab nations hold regular elections.

Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate Iran, deny it funding for terrorism, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they deserve, Trump said.

A senior White House official told reporters later that an emboldened Iran has united the Arab world in a very unique way.

They are working together extremely cooperatively, and also frankly, cooperating incredibly well with Israel, the official said. Trump will arrive in Israel on Monday morning, his second stop on his trip.

His remarks Sunday to an Arab-Islamic-American summit hosted by the Saudi king were the capstone of a dizzying second day of an eight-day marathon to the Middle East and Europe.

After an elaborate welcome fit for a king on Saturday, he began Sunday with a succession of one-on-one meetings with kings, presidents and emirs from the Gulf region before turning to the two broader gatherings of regional leaders.

Ahead of a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, its six member nations and the U.S. outlined new commitments to move against terrorist financing.

Later Sunday, Trump helped Saudi King Salman open a new center for monitoring and combating global terrorism.

Trumps speech was drafted by Stephen Miller, a White House senior policy advisor who had helped write Trumps now-stalled travel ban. The speech later was revised with input from Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his national security advisor, H.R. McMaster.

During the campaign last year, Trump attacked Obama for refusing to describe terrorist threats as radical Islamic extremism. Obama and his defenders said the term would anger Muslim nations and feed terrorism propaganda that claims America is at war with Islam.

In his speech Sunday, Trump misstated the term twice. An aide said later the president garbled the language because he was just an exhausted guy.

It didnt seem to matter. At least outwardly, key regional leaders were eager to praise Trump for his leadership and in several cases invite him to visit their countries.

The emir of Kuwait called the president Brother Trump, and said he hoped to welcome him one day to the tiny country that a U.S.-led coalition liberated from Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi likewise expressed hope that Trump would visit his country  an invitation Trump seemed more eager to accept  while praising the president as a unique personality who is capable of the impossible.

I agree, Trump responded.

Meeting with the emir of Qatar, Trump said they would discuss the purchase of lots of beautiful military equipment, because nobody makes it like the United States.

Bravo President Trump, tweeted Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirates foreign minister, who said the speech defined an approach toward extremism and terrorism with candid respect and friendship.

Americas role reaffirmed, he wrote in another tweet.

But many Muslims, especially those outside the Gulf states, were less enthusiastic.

The Palestinian group Hamas, which holds sway over the Gaza Strip, condemned Trumps words as a slander against the reputation of the resistance of the [Palestinian] people.

In his address, Trump had lumped Hamas along with Islamic State and Al Qaeda as terrorist groups.

American Muslim groups also reacted with caution, applauding Trumps conciliatory tone, but skeptical of his intentions.

One speech cannot outweigh years of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy proposals  including an attempt to enact a Muslim ban by executive order, which his administration continues to defend in court, said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. New policies and concrete actions  not mere rhetoric  are what is needed to reset relations with the Muslim world.

michael.memoli@latimes.com

For more White House coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter.

Staff writer Brian Bennett contributed to this report.

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A tale of two princes: A kings son and a presidents son-in-law drive Trumps visit

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To Saudis, President Trump has become Abu Ivanka

Get live updates on our Essential Washington news feed

UPDATES:

3:35 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional details.

9:25 a.m.: This article has been updated with additional quotes and background.

8:25 a.m.: This story has been updated with Trumps speech.

This article was first published at 6 a.m.
Theyve been dubbed the two princes, the rising powers behind the thrones in the budding strategic alliance between the House of Saud and the House of Trump.

Jared Kushner married into Donald Trumps family and now serves as the presidents senior advisor. His portfolio of domestic and foreign responsibilities seems to grow heavier by the day.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the Saudi defense minister and head of the state oil monopoly. More importantly, he has emerged from a crowded field of royalty to be second in line to King Salman, his 81-year-old father, who inherited the crown two years ago.

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Starting last winter, even before Trump took office, the two trusted family advisors quietly joined forces to mend U.S.-Saudi relations strained by President Obamas nuclear deal with Iran, which the Saudi rulers opposed, and his moralizing on human rights. which they disdained.

The results were clear Saturday as President Trump arrived in Riyadh  the first stop in his first trip abroad. Kushner and Prince Mohammed kept a close eye on the president and the king during a long day of ceremonial and substantive events, including a roaring military flyover in an azure sky, a tribal war dance by men wearing flowing white thobes and waving huge silver swords, and the signing of a $110-billion arms deal, parts of which began under Obama.

The son of a New Jersey real estate magnate, Kushner, 36, traded his lucrative media and real estate empire to join Trumps inner circle. He has been a rare figure of discretion and focus in a White House that often seems in chaos.

His influence here is helped by his wife, Ivanka, who was at his side Saturday. The first daughter is so popular with Saudi women that the rarely-overshadowed U.S. president is widely known here as Abu Ivanka, or Ivankas father.

At age 31, the deputy crown prince already is such an iconic and influential leader in the conservative Saudi kingdom that he is known simply as MBS. One thing that has added to his popularity: He was educated entirely in Saudi Arabia, not at elite Western universities like other powerful members of the royal family.

An outspoken figure in conservative society, he has crafted an ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 plan designed to gradually modernize his country, shifting from oil dependence to greener energy sources, diversifying the economy and expanding the military and womens rights.

The Vision, which would require dramatic changes in Saudi society, clearly has the kings blessing. It is touted on billboards, on TV commercials, in newspaper advertisements and on social media.

Soon after Trumps unexpected election victory, it was Prince Mohammed who sought to initiate talks with Trump Tower. Kushner, who fielded much of the early diplomatic outreach during the transition, was on the receiving end.

Then in January, shortly after the inauguration, Kushner sat at the presidents side when he first spoke by phone with the Saudi king.

In March, the deputy crown prince huddled with Trump in the Oval Office. Kushner joined the meeting and the lunch in the State Dining Room that followed. The kings son welcomed Defense Secretary James N. Mattis in Riyadh a few weeks later.

And on Saturday, Prince Mohammed merited his own one-on-one meeting with the president, immediately after one Trump had with his cousin and  for now  the anointed first-in-line to the throne, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef.

It was a great day, Trump declared as he met Prince Mohammed. Kushner seemed to agree; he was seen high-fiving national security advisor H. R. McMaster as the day proceeded.

On Sunday Trump will deliver the keynote speech at a Twitter forum intended to focus on how people can utilize social media networks for social good and to counter extremism and terrorism. It is sponsored by the deputy crown princes foundation.

The White House bristles at references to the powerful pair as princelings, seeing a media attempt to overplay their youth and access to power. But they dont deny the partnership helped produce a series of economic and military agreements that Trump could hail on Saturday.

Still, some foreign policy analysts have begun to question whether the White House is putting its finger on the scale in Saudi royal politics.

The previous White House was careful to ensure that we took a balanced approach to the crown prince and the deputy crown prince, each of whom have important strengths, said Eric Pelofsky, former senior director on the National Security Council under Obama.

The deputy crown prince holds a bachelors degree in law from King Saud University, and grew up shadowing his father while he served as governor of Riyadh, learning how to host tribal leaders and Western diplomats.

He seems more Western driven than royal relatives who studied at Harvard and Berkeley, said Ahmed Ibrahim, a Saudi businessman who has met the prince. He was devoted to his dad when he was governor and he got lots of experience in the field. He took it from the ground up from a young age.

His meteoric rise to power  his father passed over dozens of older princes to make him second-in-line to the throne  took many here by surprise, along with his agenda for rapid change.

Backed by his father, the prince has amassed more power than any prior prince, challenging a long-standing system of distributing positions among the royal family.

In addition to the defense ministry, King Salman placed him in charge of the state oil monopoly, the public investment company and economic policy.

The guy is focused and knows how to solve things. He tries to get the best expertise. He doesnt have limits, Ibrahim said. Hes moving so fast and the young generation is trying to make it happen.

The prince has a reputation for opulence. Last year, while vacationing in the south of France, he spotted the Serene, a 440-foot yacht floating off the coast, and dispatched an aide to buy the ship from a Russian vodka tycoon for $500 million.

Big deal; hes got a yacht, said Hoda Helassi, one of 30 women on the monarchys 150-member consultative council. Its the same with Trump.

Kushner is also immensely wealthy, though not as flashy.

His financial disclosure listed hundreds of real estate holdings and other assets totaling more than $700 million. He had to resign from 266 positions and had already divested from connections that represented a conflict or was in the process of doing so as he transitioned to public service

The princes political agenda is making the headlines in Riyadh, not his rich tastes.

He has championed the Saudi-led coalition that is battling Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen, a war that has led to widespread complaints of Saudi airstrikes on medical facilities and civilian targets.

He also is building a regional coalition against Islamic extremists and regional enemy Iran, an endeavor that clearly puts him in sync with Trump.

Hameed Shayagi, a sociologist who works to reintegrate terrorists through a government-run counseling center in Riyadh, said the princes ambition and his ability to connect with young Saudis gives me hope for the future, for sustainability and continuity.

We still have Bedouins, nomads, and we have scientists doing projects with NASA, said Muna Abusulayman, a popular Saudi talk show host. Our culture is ancient, but our country isnt. This is the first time we have a synergy in the deputy crown prince.

We are very pro-monarchy. But we see a need to be more direct, Abusulayman added. What we see as a result of his vision is that hes a very decisive young man. Hes forward. Hes daring. Hes not afraid to speak his mind.

michael.memoli@latimes.com

For more White House coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter.

ALSO

Why Gulf Arab leaders are welcoming Trumps transactional foreign policy

Trumps erratic style and thirst for a deal has some Israeli officials unnerved

Get live updates on our Essential Washington news feed
State Democratic leaders got their first long look at their partys field of 2018 gubernatorial candidates at the California Democratic Partys convention in Sacramento this weekend, with all calling on California to lead the resistance against Republican President Donald Trump.

The raucous event was disrupted by protests and rallies, and led by a party chairman, John Burton, who didnt hesitate to hurl F-bombs toward the rabble rousers. The loudest protests came from Democrats aligned with Bernie Sanders, who demanded party support for a single-payer health care program and that the party stop accepting corporate donations.

The four top Democratic candidates in the running for governor tried their best to tap into that uprising while also cozying up to the party faithful.

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Lt. Gov. Gavin Newson vowed not to accept campaign donations from oil companies on Friday and dished out ice cream to delegates on Saturday. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called for early-childhood education in a speech to Latino delegates, and later snapped selfies with his rival gubernatorial candidates and others in the hall.

We are all Californians. Wear it with pride. This is our moment, Newsom told the Democratic Party delegates gathered at the Sacramento Convention Center. California Democrats: Lets show the world that Donald Trump is the last vestige of a darker, obsolete past and offer a bold, new vision for a progressive and prosperous future.

Newsom, Villaraigosa and rivals state Treasurer John Chiang and former state Supt. of Instruction Delaine Eastin took plenty of shots at Trump, and all laid out political agendas that aligned on issues such as improving public schools and access to college, healthcare for all and protecting immigrant rights.

Each also telegraphed campaign strategies that California voters are likely to see over the next year as the campaign creeps toward the June 2018 primary election.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with reporters at the California Democratic Party convention in Sacramento on Friday. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Chiang emphasized his record of protecting Californias fiscal integrity during the Great Recession while he served as state controller, saying the state needs a keen financial mind in charge to find more money for schools, healthcare and other priorities.

Eastin is using her campaign to focus attention on Californias public schools, which she says are woefully underfunded.

Villaraigosa spoke of the need to create good jobs and higher-quality education to help Californians bypassed by the economic recovery.

This party has to look inside its soul and look in the rearview mirror, and understand that weve got to grow our economy again, Villaraigosa said during an appearance before the partys Chicano Latino Caucus. Weve got to address the fact that the economy is rigged. Its not working for enough people.

Chiang spoke of the need for the Democratic Party to be more inclusive. He shunned rhetoric by some Democratic activists who insisted the party should only support candidates who back all the tenets of the party platform, which would alienate some moderate members of Congress and the Legislature.

Id rather have a Democrat thats with us 95% of the time than someone who against us 95% of the time, Chiang said. Theres going to be Central Valley Democrats back in Washington, D.C., who are representative of the agricultural industry. We want them on healthcare. We might not fully agree with them on other issues.

Villaraigosa and Eastin both received unfavorable speaking slots during the convention, with each taking the stage after voting opened to elect a new state party chairperson. Hundreds of delegates were heading for the exits or already outside the hall when the two delivered their speeches.

The convention also lured a few big-name Democrats who have not filed to run for governor, but around whom there has been speculation about potential bids. . The group included billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon.

Steyer, whose organization NextGen Climate handed out breakfast burritos to delegates Saturday morning, remained coy about his plans, saying only, We are considering our options.

Garcetti made a brief appearance at the convention, speaking at a luncheon hosted by Service Employees International Union delegates and addressing party delegates gathered Saturday afternoon. Garcetti deflected questions about his political future when asked earlier this week, saying hes happy to serve a second term as mayor.

De Leon also didnt tip his hand during his Saturday afternoon convention address. Still, a slick campaign-style video preceding his speech and Run Kevin Run signs floating around the convention hall indicated that he may have an eye on higher office in 2018.

Hector Huezo, a delegate from Boyle Heights, said that although he could back Newsom or Chiang for governor, he would rather see Steyer jump into the race.

Hes a progressive environmentalist and he ran his own business, said Huezo, 34, an organizer for a local transit policy organization. And hes good at agitating Trump.

Jim Mastin, co-chairman of the partys Mendocino County central committee, said he remains undecided, which was one of the reasons he was listening intently all weekend.

I want to know more about what theyre going to do for California, said Mastin, a retired supervisor at Mendocino College. I want them to go beyond Trump bashing.

phil.willon@latimes.com

Twitter: @philwillon

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

Twitter: @cmaiduc

seema.mehta@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATseema

Updates on California politics

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Rallies, F-bombs and a raucous start to the California Democratic Party convention

Californias next governor: Whos running, whos on the fence?

Cursing like a sailor, John Burton helped steer California into deep blue waters
As California Democrats wrap up their weekend convention, progressive activists have said loudly and clearly that they want big money out of politics  a position thats been in the state partys official platform for years.

And yet, the rhetoric is at odds with reality: Since 2000, the California Democratic Party has spent an eye-popping $401.6 million on candidates and campaigns.

Delegates to the state party convention here wrote a resolution asking the party to condemn corporations and lobbyists that finance political campaigns, as they perpetuate a culture of corruption and cronyism. But money from some of those same groups fueled more than $46 million in spending by Democrats on state and federal races last year.

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Thats in stark contrast to the California Republican Party, which at one point in 2012 had less than $200,000 in the bank. In bank ledgers and at the ballot box, Democrats dominate. They havent lost a statewide election since 2006. They hold 41 of Californias 55 seats in Congress and a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature.

A review of campaign finance filings confirms the conventional wisdom that labor unions, representing private sector and government workers, contribute big bucks to Democrats. But so, too, do corporations. In 2016, more than $7.3 million in donations to the California Democratic Partys main bank account came from utility, telecommunications and healthcare companies. Thats more than one-quarter of the cash received for spending on state campaigns.

Tribal gaming is also a big part of the money equation. Ten of Californias most prominent tribes accounted for $2.8 million collected by the party. Real estate interests threw in an additional $1.3 million. Big donations, too, have been accepted from law enforcement groups and insurance companies.

Political Road Map: California campaigns smashed cash records in 2016 

Then there are donations from the oil industry. Late last year, state Democratic Party leaders imposed a ban on oil industry contributions. That decision came less than three months after a consumer advocacy group filed a state campaign finance complaint, alleging the party had quietly moved oil company cash into Gov. Jerry Browns 2014 reelection effort  though much of that complaint was dismissed last week.

Of course, the partys ban came only after collecting some $575,000 from oil interests, including $415,000 from Chevron. The Bay Area company has contributed almost $1.4 million to the California Democratic Party over the past decade. Activists this weekend targeted oil industry dollars for special scorn.

All of that doesnt include the millions of dollars raised by individual Democratic candidates in California, though perhaps it should. Many of those who win on election day later transfer money from their own campaign coffers back to the party.

On Saturday, Democrats protested outside the governors mansion in downtown Sacramento to demand an end to dirty money in politics. Many were supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has urged his followers to take a stand against the influence of big donations.

What happens next depends on the California Democratic Partys new leaders who were elected this weekend  the first real changing of the guard in a generation. The 2018 election cycle has the potential to be huge for Democrats, a statewide referendum of sorts on President Trump. But Democrats may find it difficult to honor the call to change politics when faced with a campaign that demands dollars.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

ALSO:

Political Road Map: Theres not a single California congressional district with Republicans in the majority

Political Road Map: The only thing special about special elections in California is the cost to taxpayers

Updates on California politics
Boy Scouts: Top leaders didnt call Trump to praise speech as the president said By Associated Press The Boy Scouts denied Wednesday that the head of the youth organization called President Donald Trump to praise his recent politically aggressive speech to its national jamboree. Trump told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Wednesday, I got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts saying it was the greatest speech that was ever made to them, and they were very thankful. Politico published the transcript of the interview. We are unaware of any such call, the Boy Scouts responded in a statement. It specified that neither of the organizations two top leaders  President Randall Stephenson and Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh  had placed such a call. The White House had no immediate response to the Boy Scouts denial. Surbaugh apologized last week to members of the scouting community who were offended by the political rhetoric in Trumps July 24 speech in West Virginia. Other U.S. presidents have delivered nonpolitical speeches at past jamborees. To the dismay of many parents and former scouts, Trump promoted his political agenda and derided his rivals, inducing some of the scouts in attendance to boo at the mention of former President Obama. I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree, Surbaugh said. That was never our intent. Surbaugh noted that every sitting president since 1937 has been invited to visit the jamboree. Stephenson told the Associated Press two days after the speech that Boy Scout leaders anticipated Trump would spark controversy with politically tinged remarks, yet felt obliged to invite him out of respect for his office. Hoping to minimize friction, the Boy Scouts issued guidelines to adult staff members for how the audience should react to the speech. Any type of political chanting was specifically discouraged. Stephenson, who did not attend Trumps speech, said the guidance wasnt followed impeccably. Facebook

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Mayor of London again calls on Trump to cancel state visit By Christina Boyle (AFP/Getty Images) The mayor of London has reiterated his calls for President Trumps state visit to Britain to be canceled in the wake of the citys terrorist incident, saying his policies go against everything we stand for. The war of words between the two leaders intensified further Monday evening after Trump criticized Mayor Sadiq Khans response to the London Bridge terrorist attack in two tweets, and the mayor said Trump should not be welcomed in the capital. Since Saturday Ive been working with the police, with the emergency services, with the government and others to deal with the horrific attack on Saturday, Khan said Monday evening. I just havent got the time to deal with tweets from Donald Trump. But when pressed on whether he thinks a state visit for later this year should go ahead as planned, Khan was unequivocal. My position remains the same. I dont think we should be rolling out the carpet to the president of the United States in the circumstances where his policies go against everything we stand for, Khan told Channel 4 news. When you have a special relationship, it is no different to when you have a close mate: You stand with them in times of adversity, but you call them out when theyre wrong. And there are many things about which Donald Trump is wrong. Trump initially criticized Khan hours after the London attack posting on Twitter: At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is no reason to be alarmed! Khans office soon pointed out that the president had, in fact, misquoted Khan, who actually said that Londoners should not be alarmed by the increased armed police presence on the streets. Trump took to Twitter again on Monday to slam the London mayor once more. Pathetic excuse by London mayor Sadiq Khan, who had to think fast on his no reason to be alarmed statement. MSM [Mainstream media] is working hard to sell it! the president wrote. This is not the first time Khan, the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital city, has called for Trumps state visit to be banned. He previously branded Trumps policies on immigration and proposed travel ban on people entering the U.S. from predominantly Muslim countries cruel. An online government petition calling for the invitation to be withdrawn also gathered more than 1.8 million votes. The visit was first announced during Prime Minister Theresa Mays trip to Washington, where she became the first foreign leader to meet the newly-inaugurated president. State visits are personal invites from the British monarch and involve a significant amount of pomp and ceremony, and usually a state banquet. Facebook

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He helped bring down President Nixon. He thinks President Trump is even worse. By Mark Z. Barabak (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) John Dean is a connoisseur of coverups, a savant of scandal, so he can more than imagine what its like inside the Trump White House right now. Its a nightmare, he said, presiding in a high-backed leather wing chair off the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Not just for those in the headlines  political strategist Steve Bannon, jack-of-many-duties Jared Kushner  but for their unsung assistants and secretaries as well. They dont know what their jeopardy is. They dont know what theyre looking at. They dont know if theyre a part of a conspiracy that might unfold. They dont know whether to hire lawyers or not, how theyre going to pay for them if they do, Dean said in a crisp law-counsel cadence. Its an unpleasant place. Dean was a central figure in Watergate, the 1970s political scandal against which all others are measured, serving at the tender age of 32 as President Nixons White House attorney. In that capacity Dean worked to thwart investigators after the clumsy break-in at Democratic Party headquarters, then flipped and helped sink Nixon by revealing the presidents involvement in the coverup. Read More Facebook

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Two decades ago, Washington state Republicans repealed and replaced a healthcare overhaul there. It didnt end well By Noam N. Levey Republicans in the state of Washington didnt wait long in the spring of 1995 to fulfill their pledge to roll back a sweeping law expanding health coverage in the state. Coming off historic electoral gains, the GOP legislators scrapped much of the law while pledging to make health insurance affordable and to free state residents from onerous government mandates. It didnt work out that way: The repeal left the states insurance market in shambles, sent premiums skyrocketing and drove health insurers from the state. It took nearly five years to repair the damage. Two decades later, the ill-fated experiment, largely relegated to academic journals, offers a caution to lawmakers at the national level as Republicans in the U.S. Senate race to write a bill to repeal and replace the federal Affordable Care Act. Its much easier to break something, said Pam MacEwan, who led a Washington state commission charged with implementing the law in the mid-1990s and now oversees the state insurance market there. Its more difficult to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.  And thats when people get hurt. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office echoed that warning last week, when it concluded that the healthcare bill passed by the House last month would destabilize insurance markets in a sixth of the country and nearly double the number of people without health insurance over the next decade. Read More Facebook

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Companies accelerate hiring, adding a robust 253,000 net new jobs, ADP says By Jim Puzzanghera A now hiring sign is seen in Baton Rouge, La., on May 5. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) Companies accelerated their hiring last month, adding a robust 253,000 net new jobs in a sign the labor market remains healthy and the economy is strengthening after a weak winter. The private-sector job creation figures reported Thursday by payroll firm Automatic Data Processing far exceeded analyst expectations and was well above the downwardly revised 174,000 net new positions added in April. Job growth is rip-roaring, declared Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, which assists ADP in preparing its report. Read More Facebook

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All jokes aside, Trumps covfefe tweet sparks questions too By Brian Bennett President Trump sparked a global kerfuffle over covfefe with his bizarrely truncated tweet just minutes into Wednesday, spawning countless jokes across Twitter but also more serious questions for which the White House gave no answers. Press Secretary Sean Spicer, during an unusually short 11-minute briefing in which he insisted he not be on camera, declined to give any explanation for Trumps tweet posted just after midnight. Nor would he translate what the president was trying to say in the garbled message that broke off midsentence. But Spicer told reporters that the public should not be concerned that the president sent what the questioner called somewhat of an incoherent tweet. The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant, Spicer said. Read More Facebook

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Biden launches new PAC, keeping the 2020 door open By David Lauter (Steven Senne / Associated Press) Former Vice President Joe Biden is launching a new political action committee, a platform that will allow him to provide help to favored candidates and, inevitably, boost speculation about a possible run for the Democratic nomination in 2020. The organization, which Biden is calling American Possibilities, will be staffed by a former top political aide to the vice president, Greg Schultz, who is also a veteran of President Obamas reelection campaign. The PAC will allow Biden to raise money that he can use to travel the country, contribute to candidates in governors races this year and congressional and state races in 2018 and generally do the sorts of things that aspiring politicians do to keep their names in the headlines. All that cant help but nurture questions about whether Biden, 74, will try yet again to attain the office he first started running for in 1987. In public appearances, which have taken him to electorally important states, and interviews since the 2016 election, Biden has been sharply critical of the Trump administration, but has also pointed to flaws in his own party. In one interview, he pointed to a bit of elitism thats crept in to the partys approach to working-class voters. At the same time, he has given carefully ambiguous answers when asked about his plans. At a conference in Las Vegas earlier this month, he responded to the question about a presidential run by saying: Could I? Yes. Would I? Probably not. In the announcement for the new group, Biden said that the negativity, the pettiness, the small-mindedness of our politics drives me crazy. Its not who we are. Its time for big dreams and American possibilities, he said. Facebook

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U.S., regions foreign ministers debate Venezuela By Tracy Wilkinson (AFP / Getty Images) The United States and foreign ministers from across the hemisphere met in Washington on Wednesday to attempt to force Venezuelas leftist government and its angry opposition into talks. Hunger and violence have pushed Venezuela to the brink of humanitarian disaster, diplomats say. But Wednesdays meeting of the Organization of American States faced unlikely prospects for success: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro does not trust the organization and has said his nation will withdraw its membership. Some OAS nations, including several U.S. allies in the Caribbean, have criticized the regional bodys efforts as intervention promoted by Washington. But U.S. officials are hoping the sheer weight of the crisis will unite the region to put pressure on Venezuela. Theres more and more concern about what were seeing, and so more and more countries have gotten over their reluctance to question or go against the wishes of the Venezuelan government, a senior State Department official said in a briefing for reporters. Its really hard to stand by and do nothing in the face of the kinds of institutional steps weve seen in Venezuela, and the increasing humanitarian suffering, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, in keeping with frequent administration practice. Although the OAS periodically brings its members foreign ministers together, this is the first time a meeting has been convened to deal with a single topic, U.S. officials said. At the conclusion of Wednesdays session, diplomats said they had discussed two resolutions. One, promoted by Caribbean nations, called on Venezuela to reconsider withdrawing from the OAS. A second more pointed resolution authored by the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Panama and Peru urged the Maduro administration not to go ahead with a constituent assembly that would rewrite the Venezuelan constitution. Many fear it would dissolve the few democratic institutions that remain and favor the ruling Socialist Party. Separately, the Venezuela opposition, emboldened by a string of increasingly massive street demonstrations, sharply criticized Wall Street for extending what it called a lifeline to the Maduro government. At issue is the purchase by Goldman Sachs of Venezuelan government bonds for a reported $865 million, a major discount for paper originally worth $2.8 billion. Goldman Sachs confirmed the purchase of the bonds, issued in 2014 by the state oil company PDVSA, after it was reported in the Wall Street Journal. We are invested in PDVSA bonds because, like many in the asset management industry, we believe the situation in the country must improve over time, Goldman said in a statement. The firm added that it made the purchase through a secondary dealer to avoid direct interaction with the Venezuelan government. That distinction meant nothing to the Venezuelan opposition, which accused Goldman of making a buck off the suffering of the Venezuelan people. The Trump administration previously has targeted the Maduro government, slapping economic sanctions on its vice president and pro-Maduro Supreme Court justices. Facebook

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Former FBI director spoke with new special counsel and is cleared to testify before Senate panel By Joseph Tanfani The special counsel investigating possible links between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign has cleared former FBI Director James Comey to testify before a congressional committee about his contacts with President Trump, according to an associate close to Comey. Comey met with Robert S. Mueller III, whom the Justice Department appointed on May 17 to investigate any Russian ties to the Trump campaign, and Mueller said he had no problems with Comeys testifying, the associate said. Trump abruptly fired Comey as head of the FBI on May 9. The president later said in an interview on NBC News that he was concerned about the FBI investigation into what he called the Russia thing. Comey reportedly wrote internal memos after his meetings with Trump. In one, he wrote that the president had requested he ease up on the FBI probe of Michael Flynn, who served as Trumps national security advisor until he was ousted in February for lying about his contacts with Russian officials. The Senate Intelligence Committee announced on May 19 that Comey had agreed to testify after the Memorial Day holiday. The hearing has not been scheduled. The FBI separately declined a request from the House Oversight Committee to turn over Comeys memos. The bureau said it would need to consult with Mueller before making any decisions. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the committee chairman, said in response that he would not push the matter. The focus of the committees investigation is the independence of the FBI and the events leading to Comeys firing, he wrote. In a separate development, a senior Justice Department lawyer with experience in complex financial fraud investigations has agreed to join Muellers investigation. Andrew Weissman has led the fraud section at Justice, where he oversaw probes into corporate wrongdoing at Volkswagen and Takata. Weissman also is a veteran of the FBI. Weissman is the highest-ranking Justice Department official to join the special counsel office being set up a few blocks from the main Justice building in downtown Washington. Mueller also hired two colleagues from the WilmerHale law firm, where he worked, and brought on a former Justice Department spokesman, Peter Carr, to handle media inquiries. Facebook

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Analysis: In President Trumps wake, divisions mark both Democratic and Republican parties By Cathleen Decker Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez address a crowd at the California party convention in May. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Six months after President Trump breached long-standing political boundaries to win the White House, the nations major political parties still muddle in his wake. On the sun-swept lawn of the Hotel del Coronado two weeks ago, national Republican leaders sipped cocktails and listened to San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, one of the partys brightest lights in the most populous state, praise a brand of moderate Republicanism that looks nothing like the versions coming out of Washington  either the populism of the president or the more orthodox conservatism of congressional leaders. A week later, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez talked in a Sacramento interview of the remarkably constructive debate underway in his party, characterizing its divisions as largely in the past. Within hours, he and other party leaders were booed as they welcomed delegates to a state convention that would be filled with persistent internal warfare on healthcare and other issues. No political party is immune to disagreement; indeed the path to power often relies on combustible ideological diversity. But Democrats and Republicans alike seem particularly adrift and quarrelsome these days. Read More Facebook

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Trump preparing to pull U.S. from Paris climate accord, amid last-minute lobbying By Evan Halper President Trump hasnt made a final decision on whether the U.S. will quit the Paris Accord on climate change, but White House officials indicated Wednesday that he was headed in that direction, setting off a worldwide reaction. A flurry of leaks, counter-leaks and public statements thrust back into the spotlight a decision that has been agonized and untidy even by the standards of a White House known for internal drama. Wednesday morning, when officials told some news organizations that Trump had settled on pulling out of the climate agreement, seemingly everyone in the world jumped in to try to influence or spin his decision, from the Chinese government to the coal industry to the state of California. That offered a foretaste of the reaction Trump likely will receive if he does follow through on his vow to pull the United States out of the 195-nation pact, which President Obama hailed in 2015 as one of his major achievements. Other nations have swiftly moved to take over the leadership role on climate that the United States would be abandoning. Some states have followed suit, promising they would break with Washington to work with other countries in their efforts to contain global warming. During Trumps recent overseas trip, U.S. allies warned him that Americas broader diplomatic influence would be undercut if the administration gave up its seat at the climate negotiating table. All the public lobbying on Wednesday moved Trump to weigh in himself. He knocked down reports that he had decided to withdraw with a tweet announcing that he was still making up his mind. The mixed messages coming out of the White House left open the possibility that the original news reports reflected the views of officials who were aiming to steer the final outcome by presenting withdrawal as a done deal. Trumps schedule for the day includes meetings with advisors hoping to talk him into staying in the agreement, at least to some extent. If Trump does withdraw the U.S. fully from the Paris pact, scientists warn it will be a tremendous setback to the worldwide effort to contain temperatures from rising an average of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The consequences for the United States would extend beyond global warming. It will be a very big deal all over the world, said Todd Stern, the lead U.S. climate negotiator during the Obama administration. There will be consequential blowback with respect to our diplomatic position across the board. UPDATES 9:27 a.m.: This post was updated throughout with staff reporting and additional details. 6:23 a.m.: This post was updated with Trumps tweet. 6:04 a.m.: This post was updated throughout with additional details. Facebook

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U.S. Supreme Court makes it harder to sue police for barging into homes By David Savage The U.S. Supreme Court made it harder to sue police for barging into a home and provoking a shooting, setting aside a $4-million verdict against two Los Angeles County deputies on Tuesday. The money was awarded to a homeless couple who were startled and then shot when the two sheriffs deputies entered the shack where they were sleeping. The unanimous ruling rejected the so-called provocation rule that some lower courts have used. Under that rule, police can be sued for violating a victims constitutional rights against unreasonable searches if they provoked a confrontation that resulted in violence. Read More Facebook

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Trump lashes out at Germany over NATO spending and trade after Merkel questions the U.S. commitment to its allies By Brian Bennett (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images) President Trump took aim at German trade practices and defense spending Tuesday following pointed criticism from Chancellor Angela Merkel that Germany may not be able to rely on its allies. We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change, Trump wrote in a tweet. Last week, White House spokespeople had denied that Trump criticized German trade practices after the German newspaper Der Spiegel quoted him as having done so. Trump unsettled Merkel and other allies during the recent NATO summit when, during his remarks, he did not mention the central commitment members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization make to defend each other. We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017 Trumps policy toward climate change is another point of contention with many European countries. Trump promised during the election to tear up the landmark Paris climate accord. Merkel said the conversation with the U.S. on climate change last week during the G-7 meetings in Sicily, which followed the NATO summit, was extremely difficult. During a campaign speech in Munich on Sunday, Merkel said Germany must rethink how much it can rely on its allies. The era in which we could rely completely on others is gone, at least partially, Merkel said. I have experienced that over the last several days. In a 2014 meeting, NATO defense ministers agreed that each state would move toward a goal of raising military spending to 2% of its annual economic output by the year 2024. German defense spending is below that goal. The U.S. trade deficit with Germany shrank to $65 billion in 2016 from $75 billion the year before. Facebook

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Consumers spend at fastest pace in four months in a sign of spring economic rebound By Jim Puzzanghera (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Americans ratcheted up their spending in April at the fastest pace in four months, in a sign the economy has rebounded this spring after a lackluster winter. The new data also could help push Federal Reserve officials to hike a key interest rate again when they meet in two weeks. Personal consumption expenditures increased 0.4% in April, up from 0.3% the previous month, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Americans had more money to spend, with personal incomes also rising 0.4%  twice the pace of growth in March. Read More Facebook

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White House communications director Michael Dubke resigns By Associated Press White House Communications Director Mike Dubke listens as a reporter asks a question during a press conference in the East Room of the White House on April 20. (Shawn Thew / EPA) White House communications director Michael Dubke has resigned. Kellyanne Conway, White House counselor, told The Associated Press that Dubke handed in his resignation before President Donald Trump left for his international trip earlier this month. In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday, Conway said Dubke made very clear that he would see through the presidents international trip, and come to work every day and work hard even through that trip because there was much to do here back at the White House. Dubke issued a statement Tuesday morning: It has been my great honor to serve President Trump and this administration. It has also been my distinct pleasure to work side-by-side, day-by-day with the staff of the communications and press departments. A Republican consultant, Dubke joined the White House team in February after campaign aide Jason Miller  Trumps original choice for communications director  withdrew from consideration. Dubke founded Crossroads Media, a GOP firm that specializes in political advertising. -- 6:03 a.m.: Updated with Dubkes statement Facebook

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Should Jared Kushner keep his security clearance? Adam Schiff isnt sure By Laura King The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), says hes not sure that President Trumps son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, should retain his security clearance. The California Democrat, who has been a sharp critic of Trump, also said in an interview aired Sunday that national security advisor H.R. McMaster, a highly respected military officer, had been tarnished by his association with the White House. Schiffs comments, on ABCs This Week, came amid growing questions about Kushners contacts with Russian officials before Trump took office. Trump has denounced the latest round of news reports, saying that some of them could be based on fabricated sources. Top Trump aides, including John F. Kelly, the secretary of Homeland Security, pushed back Sunday against the suggestion that there was anything untoward about establishing back channel communications with the Russians during the presidential transition. Schiff said he regretted that McMaster had done so as well, saying he believed the White House used the solid reputations of people like him to back up dubious actions. Sadly, I think this is an administration that takes in people with good credibility and chews them out and spits out their credibility at the same time, said Schiff, who acknowledged that what McMaster said about back channel communications was true in the abstract. I think anyone within the Trump orbit is at risk of being used, he said. Kelly, in separate talk-show appearances on Sunday, said there was nothing untoward about an incoming administration establishing communications with a foreign power in order to lay the groundwork for better relations. Schiff declined to discuss the substance of the allegations regarding Kushners contact with Russian officials during the transition and whether Kushner had been forthcoming about them, but said enough questions had been raised that his access to top-secret intelligence should be scrutinized. I think we need to get to the bottom of these allegations, Schiff said. But I do think there ought to be a review of his security clearance to find out whether he was truthful, whether he was candid. If not, then theres no way he can maintain that kind of a clearance. Schiff was also critical of continuing involvement in aspects of the Russia probe by fellow Californian Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who stepped aside from the probe earlier this year after the House Ethics Committee began investigating whether he had improperly revealed classified information. Nunes remains involved in decision-making about the issuance of subpoenas, Schiff said, adding: I dont think that he should, given that he has stepped aside or recused himself. The committee is investigating Russian entanglements by figures in Trumps circle, including fired national security advisor Michael Flynn, who has been the target of multiple subpoenas. Facebook

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Trump still wide open on climate change, Pentagon chief says By Laura King With President Trump set to make a decision this week about whether the U.S. should remain part of the landmark Paris climate accord, Defense Secretary James Mattis said Trump remains wide open on the issue. During a visit to Europe that ended Saturday, Trump dismayed European allies by refusing to commit to remaining in the 2015 accord during talks with European Union officials in Brussels and at the Group of Seven gathering in Sicily. The president said in a tweet that he will make a decision this week. Mattis, who was present at some of the Brussels talks, said that Trump is still making up his mind, and that he has been inquisitive about other leaders opinions. The president was open  he was curious about why others were in the position they were in, his counterparts in other nations, the Defense secretary said in an interview aired Sunday on CBS Face the Nation. And Im quite certain the president is wide open on this issue as he takes in the pros and cons of that accord. During his European trip, Trump met privately at the Vatican with Pope Francis, who presented him with a copy of his papal encyclical on environment and climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Trump in Brussels, also said he had pressed the issue with the U.S. president, though the White House did not mention that appeal in a summary of their meeting. Facebook

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Homeland Security secretary defends Jared Kushner, blasts Manchester intelligence leaks By Laura King There is nothing inherently wrong with an incoming presidential administration establishing back channel communications with a foreign power such as Russia, Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly said Sunday. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Kelly was asked about reports by the Washington Post and other outlets that President Trumps son-in-law and close advisor, Jared Kushner, sought to set up secret lines of communication with Russian officials prior to Trump being sworn in. The retired general did not confirm the reports, but said the principle of establishing secretive contacts during a presidential transition doesnt bother me and is a legitimate means of building relationships. I think that any channel of communication, back or otherwise, with a country like Russia is a good thing, he said. Kelly did not address a central element of the reports  that Kushner discussed the possibility of using Russian communications channels from a Russia diplomatic outpost to shield from U.S. intelligence surveillance whatever discussions Trump transition officials wanted to have with Moscow. The FBI, a special counsel and multiple congressional committees are probing Russian interference in the presidential campaign and whether the Trump camp colluded in it. The U.S. intelligence community says Russian cyberattacks were meant to boost Trump and harm his opponent, Hillary Clinton. In a separate interview on NBCs Meet the Press, Kelly defended the integrity of Kushner, whose involvement in communications with Russia has brought the investigation closer to Trump personally than has previous scrutiny of others in his campaign circle or the White House. Calling Kushner a great guy, a decent guy, the Homeland Security secretary said the presidents son-in-laws No. 1 interest, really, is the nation. Also in the NBC interview, Kelly excoriated intelligence leaks in the wake of last weeks deadly bombing in Manchester, England. British officials including Prime Minister Theresa May were angered by disclosures about details of the investigation, including the release of the dead attackers name and detailed photos from the bomb scene that were published by the New York Times. Several outlets cited unnamed U.S. officials as the source of the information including the bombers identity. The Times did not say how it obtained the photos. Britain routinely shares intelligence with close allies like the United States with the expectation that it will be kept confidential. Kelly said that failing to keep such secrets could seriously damage intelligence-sharing arrangements with other nations. I believe when you leak the kind of information that seems to be routinely leaked - high, high level of classification I think its darn close to treason, Kelly said. It is not clear what level of classification, if any, the information about the British investigation would have had. Trump himself, who recently caused controversy when he passed sensitive intelligence on Islamic State to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed the location of U.S. nuclear submarines with the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has denounced the Manchester leaks and vowed to track down the source or sources. Facebook

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In tweets, Trump says stories based on White House leaks are fabricated By Laura King President Trump is back  and tweeting. In a Sunday morning series of posts on Twitter, the president repeated his denunciations of the fake media, celebrated the Republican victory in a Montana special election and declared his overseas trip a success. Trump returned to the White House late Saturday after a swing through the Middle East and Europe, the first foreign trip of his presidency. During it, he tweeted only sparingly. While Trump was away, controversy continued to swirl around his White House, with media reports focusing on son-in-law Jared Kushners role in Trump campaign contacts with Russian officials. The GOP healthcare plan and Trumps budget also came under withering scrutiny during the presidents absence. In Sundays tweets, Trump said cascading leaks from within his administration were in fact fabricated lies by news organizations based on sources that did not exist. One tweet was corrected to fix the spelling of exist. It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2017 Trump also complained that the special congressional election in Montana, called to fill the seat vacated when Ryan Zinke became his Interior secretary, was such a big deal to Dems & Fake News until the Republican won. The V was poorly covered, he said, referring to the Republican victory. The victory by Republican candidate Greg Gianforte received extensive coverage. It was widely expected, given Montanas significant Republican edge, but made more suspenseful on the eve of the election when Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault for an incident in which he struck a reporter who had asked him a question. The president received mixed reviews for his inaugural overseas venture. He was praised by some for his outreach to Sunni Arab allies in the Persian Gulf, but continued his administrations practice of making no public criticism of serious human rights violations. In Europe, he rattled allies by declining to explicitly endorse the NATO alliances bedrock common defense pledge or pledge to adhere to the Paris climate accord. Whatever the commentary surrounding the trip, Trump counted it a success. Hard work but big results, he wrote. Facebook

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Trumps international trip underscored what America First looks like on the world stage By Michael Memoli Donald Trump made no secret during the presidential campaign of his disdain for Americas trading partners, his skepticism of longtime alliances and his eagerness to refocus U.S. foreign policy on the single-minded pursuit of American security. That was the largely the president the world got as Trump made his way through the Middle East and Western Europe over the last nine days, Trumps first foreign trip may have produced memorable, and at time cringe-inducing, images of the new president, whether grasping a glowing orb in Saudi Arabia or shoving the prime minister of Montenegro at a NATO meeting in Brussels. But perhaps most profoundly, the trip underscored what America First, as Trump has branded his governing philosophy, looks like on the world stage. Read More Facebook

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Trump says hell decide on Paris climate deal next week By Associated Press Seven wealthy democracies ended their summit Saturday in Italy without unanimous agreement on climate change, as the Trump administration plans to take more time to say whether the U.S. is going to remain in the Paris accord on limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The other six nations in the Group of Seven agreed to stick with their commitment to implement the 2015 Paris deal that aims to slow down global warming. The final G-7 statement, issued after two days of talks in the seaside town of Taormina, said the U.S. is in the process of reviewing its policies on climate change and on the Paris agreement and thus is not in a position to join the consensus on these topics. Trump tweeted he would decide his stance on the Paris agreement next week. The announcement on the final day of the U.S. presidents first international trip comes after he declined to commit to staying in the sweeping climate deal, resisting intense international pressure from his peers at the summit. I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2017 Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who chaired the meeting, said the other six wont change our position on climate change one millimeter. The U.S. hasnt decided yet. I hope they decide in the right way. Gentiloni said climate was not a minor point and that he hoped the United States would decide soon and well because the Paris accords need the contribution of the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron also chimed in on the climate issue, praising Trumps capacity to listen. Macron said he told Trump it is indispensable for the reputation of the United States and the interest of the Americans themselves that the United States remain committed to the Paris climate agreement. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was more downbeat, calling the G-7 climate talks very unsatisfactory. Facebook

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Everyones a winner! Or what to take away from that special congressional race in Montana By Mark Z. Barabak Republicans were celebrating Friday, and relieved, and it was easy to see why: The party hung on to Montanas sole congressional seat even though its candidate faced a freshly lodged criminal charge for physically assaulting a reporter on election eve. Though they fell short in yet another special election  Greg Gianforte won handily, 50% to 44%  Democrats also found reason to be pleased: Their candidate, flawed as he was, continued a pattern of polling better than might be expected  over-performing, to use the political parlance, and that could hold future promise. Its possible, as elections analyst Nathan Gonzales put it, to lose and still have momentum. Read More Facebook

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In commencement address, Hillary Clinton remembers fallout from Nixon, makes subtle jab at President Trump By Kurtis Lee Hillary Clinton delivers the commencement address at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., on Friday. (Josh Reynolds / Associated Press) Hillary Clinton delivered a subtle dig at President Trump on Friday, offering some parallels between his presidency and that of former President Nixon. While delivering a commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College, a private womens liberal arts school in Massachusetts, Clinton, without naming Trump, recalled how many young people in the 1970s reacted to Nixons reelection and later battles with the Justice Department. We were furious about the past presidential election of a man whose presidency would eventually end in disgrace with his impeachment for obstruction of justice, she said, pausing to note she was referring to Nixon. Actually, Nixon was not impeached, though many in Congress, including members of his own party, called for it. Clinton said Nixons resignation came after he fired the person heading the investigation into him at the Department of Justice. In 1973, Nixon ordered Justice Department officials to fire a special prosecutor who was looking into taped conversations recorded in the Oval Office as part of the Watergate investigation. A year later, in August 1974, Nixon resigned. Some political observers  mostly Democrats -- have compared Trumps recent firing of FBI Director James B. Comey, who was overseeing an investigation of possible collusion between Russians and Trumps campaign, to Nixons actions. Last week, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) called for Trump to be impeached. Clinton, who has made few public appearances since Trump defeated her in last years presidential election, also assailed the Republicans new budget proposal. She called the budget, which proposes cuts to education and Medicaid, an attack of unimaginable cruelty on the most vulnerable among us  the youngest, the oldest, the poorest and hard-working people who need a little help to gain or hang on to a decent, middle-class life. In a statement, the Republican National Committee said Clinton was lashing out after her election loss. Clinton graduated from Wellesley in 1969 and last delivered a commencement address at the school in 1992. Facebook

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At G-7 Summit, a day of clarification for the White House By Michael A. Memoli (Sean Gallup / Getty Images) As President Trump met with leaders of the worlds leading economies here Friday within miles of an active volcano, the White House was working to ease a pair of diplomatic eruptions. Trump was due to meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in this coastal Sicilian resort town, amid tensions between their countries, longtime allies, following leaks to U.S. media outlets involving Britains investigation of the Manchester terrorist bombing. Separately, a top White House adviser partially confirmed reports that Trump had said Germany is very bad during Thursdays NATO meetings in Brussels, but clarified that the president was referring only to German trade policies. Trump said, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel, See the millions of cars they are selling to the U.S.? Terrible. We will stop this. Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, acknowledged that Trump made the remark but added that the president doesnt have a problem with Germany. He said his dad is from Germany. He said I dont have a problem with Germany, I have a problem with German trade, Cohn said. Press access to the G-7 meetings has been extremely limited, though the surrounding setting has produced abundant compelling visuals. Editorial press access extremely limited for G7 meetings. But man, pretty pictures & good times for Taormina Chamber of Commerce (via AP) pic.twitter.com/WT2EdKrwJ5  Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) May 26, 2017 Trump tweeted that he expected to spend the day focused on economic growth, terrorism and security. The summit, and Trumps eight-day inaugural foreign trip, ends Saturday. Other allies here were likely to press Trump on another issue: climate change, specifically whether Trump will carry out his campaign promise to pull the United States out of the landmark Paris climate deal. Trump was hoping to better understand the European position, Cohn said. White House officials have said the president will make a decision once he is back in the United States. He knows that in the U.S. theres very strong opinions on both sides but he also knows that Paris has important meaning to many of the European leaders. And he wants to clearly hear what the European leaders have to say, Cohn said. Facebook

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As Trump wavers over Paris climate accord, European leaders give him an earful By Evan Halper Mining operation near Grevenbroich, Germany. (Martin Meissner / Associated Press) With President Trump balking on his vow to shred the Obama-negotiated Paris agreement on climate change, the last place the pacts staunch opponents wanted to see the president is where he will be this weekend  meeting other world leaders unanimous in their warnings that withdrawal from the accord would seriously damage Americas economy and world stature. Trump has repeatedly delayed fulfilling his campaign pledge to move against the agreement. The longer the White House deliberates over Paris, the more Trump seems to be searching for a face-saving excuse to walk back his previous position. The White House indecision over the climate accord  which has the support of every nation except Syria and Nicaragua  reflects a deeply divided worldview in a Trump inner circle now packed with establishment Republicans. The issue also presents yet another policy reckoning for Trump. On the campaign trail, he vowed to strike blows against the existing world order. But on the Paris agreement, as on other matters, he is finding that political backup for such pledges can fade quickly when the moves lack robust support from major U.S. companies or majority voting blocs. Read More Facebook

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Overcoming assault charge, Republican Greg Gianforte wins Montana congressional seat By Mark Z. Barabak Republican Greg Gianforte overcame a last-minute assault charge to win Montanas special congressional election Thursday, keeping its lone House seat in GOP hands and dealing Democrats a setback in their bid to gain a red-state toehold ahead of the 2018 midterm election. Gianforte, 56, a wealthy businessman who ran unsuccessfully for governor in November, had long been the front-runner against Democrat Rob Quist, a professional bluegrass musician making his first run for public office. With more than 90% of the votes counted, Gianforte was holding a healthy lead with just over 50% support. Appearing at an exuberant victory rally in Bozeman, the congressman-elect hushed the crowd and apologized to the reporter with whom he tangled on election eve, reversing his campaigns initial assertion that the journalist was to blame. Read More Facebook

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FBI investigating Kushner meetings, report says; House leader seeks more Comey documents By Associated Press (Andrew Harrer / Getty Images) The chairman of the House Oversight Committee asked the FBI on Thursday to turn over more documents about former FBI Director James B. Comeys interactions with the White House and Justice Department, including materials dating back nearly four years to the Obama administration. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the FBI is investigating meetings that President Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had in December with Russian officials. The FBI and the Oversight Committee  as well as several other congressional panels  are looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. Trump fired Comey on May 9 amid questions about the FBIs investigation, which is now being led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, a former FBI director. Kushner, a key White House advisor, had meetings late last year with Russias ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, and Russian banker Sergey Gorkov. The Post story cited anonymous people familiar with the investigation, who said the FBI investigation does not mean that Kushner is suspected of a crime. Kushners attorney, Jamie Gorelick, released a statement saying: Mr. Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings. He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry. Earlier Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz told acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe that he wants records of Comeys contacts with the White House and Justice Department dating to September 2013, when Comey was sworn in as FBI director under President Obama. In a letter to McCabe, Chaffetz said he is seeking to review Comeys memos and other written materials so he can better understand Comeys communications with the White House and attorney generals office. Facebook

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Banks want higher debit-card swipe fees, but an effort to allow them has crumbled By Jim Puzzanghera Banks had hoped Congress would let them charge merchants higher fees to process debit card purchases, but an effort to allow that has crumbled  a victory for retailers and, possibly, shoppers who might have had to shoulder those costs. In the latest chapter of a long-running fight, a repeal of federal limits on so-called swipe fees no longer will be part of a House financial regulation bill, said the legislations author, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas). Hensarling, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said he decided to strip the provision from the bill because many lawmakers are balking at removing the limits. Read More Facebook

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Appeals court rules against Trump travel ban By David Lauter A federal appeals court has ruled against President Trumps travel ban, upholding a nationwide injunction barring the administration from enforcing the executive order. The ruling is the latest legal setback for Trump on the travel issue and, like several previous court rulings, the outcome rested heavily on his own words. Trumps order restricting travel from six majority-Muslim countries speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination, Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in his ruling. Read the 4th Circuits decision to uphold the block on Trumps travel ban The 10-3 ruling included numerous citations to campaign statements in which Trump called for a ban on Muslims immigrating to the United States. The plaintiffs who have challenged the travel order have argued that it is a disguised version of the Muslim ban that he called for during the campaign. Trumps statements provide direct, specific evidence of what motivated both EO-1 and EO-2, the court said, referring to ther first and second versions of the travel order: President Trumps desire to exclude Muslims from the United States. The 4th Circuit, based in Richmond, Va., is one of two appeals courts that have recently heard arguments on the travel ban. A similar case is pending before the 9th Circuit, based in San Francisco. Read More Facebook

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Obama, in Berlin with Merkel, says world cant hide behind a wall By Erik Kirschbaum Hours before German Chancellor Angela Merkel flew to Brussels to meet with President Trump and other NATO heads of state, she rekindled an old acquaintance with Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama. About 70,000 people packed an avenue by Berlins landmark Brandenburg Gate on Thursday to hear the two leaders speak, with cheers and chants of Barack, Barack! breaking out when the former president took the stage. Without mentioning Trump by name, Obama spoke of the need for universal healthcare and a nuanced approach to immigration in response to security threats. This is a new world we live in  we cant isolate ourselves, the former president declared, with Merkel looking on. We cant hide behind a wall. Obama spoke of this weeks deadly bombing at a pop concert in Manchester, England, saying leaders had to find ways to balance security fears and fundamental rights. One of the biggest challenges is how do you protect your country and your citizens from the kinds of things that we just saw in Manchester, he said. And how do you do it in a way that is consistent with your values and your ideals? Making his first European speech since his presidential term ended, Obama told the crowd he had spent the last four months trying to catch up with my sleep and devoting more time to his family. Im very proud of the work I did as president, he said to more cheers, adding that he considered healthcare reform a signature achievement. Republicans are now in the midst of trying to dismantle his Affordable Care Act. My hope was to get 100% of people healthcare, he said. We didnt quite achieve that, but we were able to get 20 million people healthcare who didnt have it before. Obamas speech was not timed to coincide with Trumps first visit to Europe as president, aides said. The invitation was extended before Trumps trip to Brussels  the fourth leg on multi-stop tour  was scheduled. Facebook

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Macron says he pressed Trump on climate accord By Catherine Stupp French President Emmanuel Macron, who met President Trump for the first time on Thursday, said he urged the U.S. leader to respect the Paris climate accord. The White House, however, did not mention the issue in its readout on Trumps working lunch in Brussels with the newly elected French president. Macron told reporters as he headed into the meeting that climate change would be one of the issues he raised, along with concerns about terrorism and the economy. Afterward, at a news conference, the French president said that in his talk with Trump, he reiterated the importance of the landmark climate accord. No hasty decision on this subject should be taken by the U.S., Macron said. Our collective responsibility is to make sure this commitment remains a global commitment. Referring to the agreement, he added: Its one of a kind. In its readout, the White House said Trump urged Macron to meet NATO commitments on French defense spending and help ensure that the alliance is focused on counter-terrorism. It also said the two leaders talked about the importance of defeating Islamic State and other vital issues. Facebook

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Trump lawyers ask Supreme Court to reject 2nd Amendment claim by men who lost gun rights over nonviolent crimes By David Savage President Trump speaks at an NRA event in Atlanta in April. ( Scott Olson / Getty Images) Trump administration lawyers are urging the Supreme Court to reject a 2nd Amendment claim that would restore the right to own a gun for two Pennsylvania men who were convicted more than 20 years ago of nonviolent crimes. The case of Sessions vs. Binderup puts the new administration in a potentially awkward spot, considering President Trumps repeated assurances during the campaign that he would protect gun ownership rights under the 2nd Amendment. But the Justice Department under Trump has embraced the same position in this case that was adopted under President Obama: to defend strict enforcement of a long-standing federal law that bars convicted criminals from ever owning a gun, even when their crimes did not involve violence. Read More Facebook

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Former Sen. Joe Lieberman withdraws from FBI director search By Associated Press (AFP/Getty Images) Former Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has withdrawn his name from consideration for the role of FBI director. Lieberman interviewed last week with President Trump, who publicly identified him as a leading candidate. But in a letter sent to the White House, Lieberman says hes pulling out. He says he wants to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, given Trumps hiring of one of Liebermans law partners to represent him in the investigation of ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. The White House declined to comment. Several other people interviewed for the job have also withdrawn from consideration. Trump fired former FBI Director James B. Comey earlier this month. Facebook

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At NATO celebration, Trump tells allies to spend more on defense By Michael A. Memoli (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images) President Trump used his first NATO meeting to rebuke member nations who fail to meet the trans-Atlantic alliances defense spending target, saying American taxpayers unfairly are left to pick up the slack. Speaking at dedication ceremonies for NATOs new headquarters, Trump noted that the defense budgets of 23 of the 28 members dont meet a target equal to 2% of each respective nations economic output, while the United States has spent more on defense in eight years than the other 27 combined. Many of these nations owe massive amounts of money from past years, he said. We have to make up for the many years lost. By his scolding, Trump was directly delivering to NATO allies the criticism that was a staple of his nationalist campaign for president. But his lecture came at an event intended to be celebratory, showcasing unity and resolve for the nearly 70-year-old alliance: the dedication of its shining, glass-enclosed new headquarters in Belgiums capital. The ceremony also was meant to call attention to the fact that the only time NATO has invoked its collective defense agreement was on behalf of the United States, after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. Trump stood beside a section of wrenched steel from the downed World Trade Center Towers, a relic NATO calls the Article V artifact, to signify that post-9/11 invocation of the NATO charters article holding that an attack on any one member would be considered an attack on all. Speaking to reporters before the president arrived, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged that the alliance had a long way to go to meet its goals. But its much better than it was just two years ago, he said. The reality is that when we decrease defense spending when tensions are going down, as we did after the end of the Cold War, we have to be able to increase defense spending when tensions are going up. And now we see that tensions are going up. Facebook

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Watch: Trump lectures NATO leaders on defense spending By L.A. Times staff  As NATO leaders looked on, President Trump told NATO members that they must finally contribute their fair share of defense payments. President Trump lectured members of the NATO alliance on Thursday, urging them to pay their fair share on defense. As NATO leaders looked on during a ceremony at the alliances new headquarters, Trump said that member nations must finally contribute their fair share and meet their obligations. The president has been urging NATO leaders to live up to a 2011 decision to increase spending on defense to 2% of GDP by 2024. Trump said 23 of the 28 member nations are not paying what they should and that the situation is not fair to the people of the United States. Facebook

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President Trump promises to review Manchester investigation leaks after anger from Britain By Noah Bierman Trying to head off a diplomatic rift with Britain, President Trump on Thursday issued a statement promising a complete review of possible intelligence leaks related to this weeks deadly terrorist attack at a Manchester concert. Some British officials have suggested that U.S. officials are leaking sensitive information to American media outlets about the investigation into the attack. The New York Times posted forensic photographs collected from the scene of the Manchester concert bombing, which upset British officials. Whether the photographs were provided by U.S. officials or came from some other source is not publicly known. Trump avoided questions earlier Thursday about the possible leaks. His statement came just before he was set to address NATO at its new headquarters in a speech considered pivotal to his first trip abroad as president. British Prime Minister Theresa May was expected to confront Trump over the issue when they meet later in the day. May told reporters as she entered the NATO gathering that she would make clear to Trump that intelligence shared between law enforcement agencies must remain secure. We have a special relationship with the USA. Its our deepest defense and security partnership that we have, she said. Of course that partnership is built on trust, and part of that trust is knowing that intelligence can be shared confidently, and I will be making clear to President Trump today that intelligence shared between law enforcement agencies must remain secure. In his statement, Trump said that the alleged leaks coming out of government agencies are deeply troubling. These leaks have been going on for a long time, and my Administration will get to the bottom of this. The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security. The statement continued with a promise to request the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to

launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the

culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Trump also reiterated said there is no relationship we cherish more than the special relationship between the two countries. Separate leaks within his own administration and related to investigations of his campaign ties to Russia have also been a source of anger to Trump. Facebook

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Montanas congressional election: that assault charge, the Trump factor, and why is it on a weird day (Thursday)? By Mark Z. Barabak Its election day in Montana after a wild 24 hours, with voters deciding who will fill the House seat vacated when Republican Ryan Zinke left to head the Interior Department under President Trump. The contest Thursday has drawn nationwide attention and an extraordinary amount of money  and that was before the GOP front-runner was accused of attacking a national political reporter. The events have turned the contest into one of the strangest in memory. Read More Facebook

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Trump ignores questions about intelligence sharing ahead of NATO meeting By Michael A. Memoli (Peter Dejoing / Associated Press) President Trump refused to answer questions Thursday about concerns among key allies on intelligence sharing with the United States, just as he prepares to join many of them here to inaugurate the new NATO headquarters. During a brief photo opportunity at his first meeting with Emmanuel Macron, Frances newly elected president, Trump for a second time remained silent as a reporter asked about a potential breakdown in the U.S.-United Kingdom intelligence-sharing relationship. British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to press Trump on the issue when they meet later Thursday, after the New York Times posted forensic photographs collected from the scene of the Manchester concert bombing. The acting U.S. ambassador to Britain told the BBC that the leaks were deeply distressing. Speaking to reporters at the site of a NATO leaders meeting, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also deflected questions about whether the incident has led him to reevaluate his nations intelligence-sharing arrangements. We will continue to work with all our allies to keep Canadians and all citizens around the world safe, he said. Ahead of a working lunch with Macron, Trump said terrorism was at the top of the agenda, while also offering his congratulations to the 39-year-old for his tremendous victory. All over the world, theyre talking about it, he said. In addition to terrorism and the economy, Macron said he planned to discuss climate change and energy. His nation hosted the climate summit that produced the agreement under which countries pledged to reduce their carbon emissions, of which the Trump administration is considering dropping out. Trump also ignored a question about whether former national security advisor Michael Flynn should cooperate with the investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Trump has no news conference scheduled with reporters for the entirety of his eight-day foreign trip, which ends Saturday. Facebook

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Trump visits European Union headquarters; EU leaders cite some differences By Catherine Stupp Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, said Thursday that differences remain between the Trump administration and the European Union on Russia, energy and trade. I am not 100 percent sure that we can say today that we have a common opinion about Russia, Tusk, a former Polish prime minister who is sometimes called the other Donald, said after a meeting with President Trump at EU headquarters. Tusk added that while some issues remain open, like climate and trade, the leaders agreed first and foremost on the need to combat terrorism. EU officials were skeptical in advance of Trumps visit. Their concerns were driven in part by the U.S. leaders positive stance on Britains vote last year to leave the bloc. Trump at the time called it a great idea. However, he has since spoken of the importance of European unity. European officials are also concerned that the Trump administration might withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement to limit global warming, and turn away from trade arrangements with the EU. Trumps visit to Brussels marked the fourth leg of his first overseas trip. Before heading into the talks with Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, he spoke enthusiastically about his earlier stops in Saudi Arabia and at the Vatican. His ceremonial welcome last week in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, Trump told the European officials, was beyond anything anyones seen. The Saudis staged elaborate festivities including a traditional sword dance. And the president called his private encounter with Pope Francis on Wednesday very impressive. The president and the pontiff met privately for half an hour, and Francis presented Trump with gifts including a copy of a papal encyclical on climate change. The pope was terrific, Trump said. After the visit to the EUs sprawling new headquarters, Trump headed to a luncheon with the newly elected French president, Emmanuel Macron. The two men were meeting for the first time. During the French presidential campaign, Trump had praised Macrons far-right opponent Marine Le Pen for her tough positions on immigration and borders, but he had stopped short of endorsing her. Facebook

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Manchester attack makes terrorism the focus of Trumps NATO meeting By Michael A. Memoli (Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images) The deadly suicide bombing in Britain and threats of more attacks thrust counter-terrorism to the top of President Trumps agenda for talks with NATO leaders here on Thursday, buttressing his bid to enlist the alliance he had called obsolete to join the fight against Islamic State. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, anticipating the alliance meetings, told reporters flying with the president to Brussels from Rome, where Trump met Pope Francis earlier Wednesday, that Mondays attack in Britain is going to strengthen the resolve in this fight against terrorism. Tillerson stopped short of predicting that NATO would agree to formally join the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, but said it would be a really important step if the alliance did so. The attack, which killed 22 people at a pop concert and was said to be the work of a 22-year-old British man whose family is from Libya, also figured in Trumps brief meeting with the pope at the Vatican. Read More Facebook

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Analysis says 23 million more people would be uninsured by 2026 under GOP healthcare bill By Noam N. Levey (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) An analysis released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office finds that the Republican healthcare bill that passed the House earlier this month would nearly double the number of Americans without health insurance over the next decade. The report likely will complicate Republican efforts to get the controversial bill through the Senate. Read More Facebook

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By throwing Americas lot in with Sunni Arabs, does Trump miss opportunities with Iran? By Tracy Wilkinson On his first official trip to the Middle East, President Trump has resoundingly thrown Americas lot in with Sunni Arab states and cast Shiite Iran as a global pariah, even as Iranians reelected a president who has offered to work with the West. During his two days in Riyadh, Trumps full-throated support for the autocratic monarchies in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as well as his fierce denunciation of Iran, allowed him to claim an historic new coalition of interests. In the next two days, in Jerusalem, he doubled down and argued that Israel and the Arabs should join forces against Iran and along the way, resolve Israels conflict with Palestinians in a grand bargain that has eluded diplomats for decades. But as he departed for Rome on Tuesday, Trump had little to show beyond lofty rhetoric, symbolic visits and a shower of flattery from kings, potentates and a prime minister. Read More Facebook

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Fed officials appear ready for another interest rate hike and are considering how to reduce assets By Jim Puzzanghera Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet L. Yellen (Michael Dwyer / Associated Press) Most Federal Reserve monetary policymakers indicated they were ready for another small interest rate hike -- perhaps as soon as next month -- if economic data strengthened as expected following a weak winter, according to an account released Wednesday of their most recent meeting. Fed officials also considered a plan to start reducing the $4.5 trillion in Treasury and mortgage securities and other assets the central bank has purchased since 2008 in an attempt to stimulate the economy. The plan, which they said likely would begin later this year, would involve slowly allowing some of the maturing securities to be cashed in instead of reinvesting the money in new securities, the meeting minutes showed. The goal would be to avoid roiling financial markets and causing interest rates to jump. Read More Facebook

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So whats with the president and Melania Trump holding, or not holding, hands? By Tom Kington First Lady Melania Trump does not say much in public, but her actions seemed to speak louder than words  or at least sent tongues wagging  when she appeared to rebuff the presidents proffered hand as the couple descended from their plane in Rome late Tuesday. As President Trump looked to take her hand on the steps of Air Force One, Melania Trump quickly moved it out of reach, raising it to her head to adjust her hair. That made for two such episodes in two days. She had appeared to brush Trumps hand away at the airport in Tel Aviv during the previous stop in the presidents foreign tour. Video of that scene, often accompanied by snarky commentary, quickly went viral. Compare that to Melania Trumps positively hands-on visit on Wednesday to a Rome childrens hospital, Bambino Gesu, following the couples visit with Pope Francis. After praying to a statue of the Madonna at the entrance to the hospital, the Catholic first lady smiled cheerfully and chatted to children, posing for selfies and providing a very happy, maternal presence, according to one onlooker. Great visiting you! Stay strong and positive! Much love, Melania Trump, she wrote in the visitors book. Staff at the hospital said Melania Trump had been buoyed by her meeting with Pope Francis, and further proof came when photos emerged of the Trumps quick visit to the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday. As the president and first lady stood together to admire Michelangelos 16th century fresco, the Last Judgment, they held hands. Facebook

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House Intelligence Committee will subpoena Michael Flynn, Schiff says By Sarah D. Wire The House Intelligence Committee is preparing to issue subpoenas to President Trumps former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, according to the committees ranking Democrat, following the lead of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said the House subpoenas will be designed to maximize our chance of getting the information we need for the committees investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign. I think we need to use whatever compulsory [processes] necessary to get the information that he possesses, Schiff said. Earlier this week, Flynns lawyers said he would refuse separate Senate subpoenas for any records about his former business dealings with Russia, citing his constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination. The Senate committee then issued separate subpoenas to two of Flynns businesses, which the panel said were not entitled to 5th Amendment protections. A federal grand jury in Virginia also has issued subpoenas regarding Flynns business dealings with Turkey and Russia, and the newly appointed special counsel investigating the Russia matter, Robert Mueller III, is expected to focus on Flynns role as well. Given the criminal investigations, Schiff said the House panel is highly unlikely to grant Flynns earlier request, through his lawyers, for immunity in exchange for his testimony. He said the panel would need more information about what Flynn would say and whether the testimony would be truthful. It also would need to ensure that granting immunity wouldnt affect the special counsels ongoing investigation, he said. Thats not somthinge I think we would entertain until far later, if at all, said Schiff, a former prosecutor. Certainly count me as very skeptical that we would get to that point. Trump forced Flynn to resign as national security advisor in February after news accounts revealed Flynn had misled White House officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, about his contacts with Russian officials. Schiff spoke to reporters at a breakfast Wednesday hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. Facebook

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Watch live: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos testifies on Trumps budget Follow live coverage from Times education reporter Joy Resmovits: Facebook

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Israel acknowledges pinpoint change needed after Trump intelligence disclosure By Joshua Mitnick After a week of silence, Israel publicly acknowledged for the first time, though in oblique terms, that it was the source of sensitive intelligence that President Trump shared with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week in a White House meeting. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israels army radio on Wednesday that Israeli officials had carried out an internal pinpoint correction after discussing and reviewing the episode. Lieberman did not elaborate, and declined to confirm or deny whether Trumps remarks had endangered an agent of Israel. But he said his government considered the matter resolved. Everything that needed to be clarified with the friends in the U.S. was done, he said. All of the conclusions we had to draw  it was all done. The Israeli defense ministers comments came the day after Trump wrapped up a two-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. When word of Trumps disclosure to Lavrov emerged in U.S. news reports last week, the defense minister and other Israeli leaders confined themselves to expressing public confidence in the two countries intelligence cooperation. Israel did not comment more directly, presumably to avoid embarrassing the U.S. president just before his visit. But Trump himself mentioned the controversy anyway, in an awkward on-camera moment during the trip. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu biting his lip alongside, Trump volunteered to reporters being hustled out of a news appearance: Just so you know, I never mentioned the word or name Israel. Never mentioned it during the conversation. News reports, however, had not said the president mentioned Israel in connection with the intelligence, only that the specificity of his remarks to Lavrov would in all likelihood have allowed the Russians to determine the source. The White House at first denied Trumps disclosure to Lavrov had occurred as reported, but then the president himself tweeted about it, saying he had the right to share information as he deemed fit. Facebook

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Trump calls meeting with Pope Francis an honor By Michael A. Memoli "A very great honor," Trump says to the pope when they began their meeting in the pope's private study pic.twitter.com/NGsbsahAyT  Carol Lee (@carolelee) May 24, 2017 President Trump held a half-hour private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday, declaring it a great honor despite their past public dissension. The unconventional Republican and the first Jesuit pontiff made for an unlikely pair in the Vaticans Apostolic Palace, where Catholic leaders have presided or centuries and American presidents have come or decades. Francis was silent as the two sat across one another at the popes wooden desk to begin the audience at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time. Exactly a half-hour later, the ringing of a bell signified the end of the private encounter. For the White House, the Vatican stop caps a tour through key sites of the worlds three major religions, following stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel, designed to promote tolerance and a united approach to terrorism. When you put it all together, youre really showing that this problem of radical extremism is one of the great problems of our time, a senior Trump aide told reporters Tuesday en route from Israel to Rome, briefing anonymously as is common White House practice. By putting everybody together you can really build a coalition and show that its not a Muslim problem, its not a Jewish problem, its not a Catholic problem, its not a Christian problem, it really is a world problem. In an exchange of gifts after their private meeting, Francis offered the president a medal by a Roman artist of an olive, a symbol of peace. We can use peace, Trump responded. Where Trumps and Francis interests may align on peace and combating terrorism, they disagree sharply on issues like immigration and poverty. Like Trump, the Argentine pope has shown a predilection for unscripted comments that have shaken the staid Vatican bureaucracy, as when he criticized candidate Trumps proposed stricter immigration policies including a border wall as not Christian. Trump fired back, calling the popes remarks disgraceful. Any animosity was not apparent Wednesday, as a meeting between Francis and a larger U.S. delegation ended. Thank you. I wont forget what you said, Trump said. Facebook

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Proposed budget would deeply cut State Department and its programs By Tracy Wilkinson (AFP / Getty Images) The State Department leadership voiced support for President Trumps proposed budget, which would impose deep cuts on spending for diplomacy and foreign aid, but critics vowed to fight to restore the funds in Congress. In a statement, the department said the presidents $37.6-billion request for it and for the U.S. Agency for International Development would support a leaner, more efficient government in line with Trumps America first mantra. If approved by Congress, that would represent a reduction of roughly 30% from the current fiscal year. Nongovernmental agencies that receive State Department support to carry out humanitarian and other work around the globe expressed deep alarm. The State Department statement said its new priorities would include efforts to counter terrorism, support Israel, promote border security and battle transnational crime and the spread of infectious diseases. The statement makes no mention of women-empowerment programs or efforts to fight climate change, issues that rose to prominence under the Obama administration. The proposed budget would allow the United States to remain engaged in the United Nations, but officials would seek a more fair distribution of the funding burden, the statement said. And it would eliminate direct funding for quasi- and non-governmental organizations that serve niche missions. The American Jewish World Service, which fights poverty all over the world through 450 local organizations, said much of its work would be jeopardized. At a time when poverty, human rights abuses, famines and conflicts are wreaking havoc globally, said the groups president, Robert Bank, the United States must not abdicate its long bipartisan tradition of providing development assistance and diplomatic support to the most vulnerable people around the world. Mercy Corps, a U.S.-based development and advocacy organization that works in 40 countries, said gutting development programs was short-sighted and absolutely shameful and could put millions of lives at risk. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, called the budget cruel and mean-spirited and said it would force the United States to abandon our global role as a champion for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. If President Trump thinks the United States can shrink into a defensive crouch without long-term repercussions, hes sorely mistaken, Engel said. Facebook

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Sessions first proposed budget: A crackdown on immigration and violent crime By Joseph Tanfani Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) In the first budget proposal under President Trump and Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the Justice Department is seeking hundreds of millions in new funding to pay for an immigration crackdown on the border and a surge in resources to fight violent crime. Like the Department of Homeland Security budget, which includes billions for expanded immigration detention, more border agents and technology to catch those crossing the border illegally, the Justice Department budget is a reflection of the new get-tough policies promised by Sessions. The budget asks for another 300 federal prosecutors  230 to focus on violent criminals and gangs, and another 70 to concentrate on filing criminal charges on those crossing the border illegally. The shift in the spending priorities are in line with other policy changes ordered by Sessions, including a renewed focus on seeking stiff mandatory minimum sentences for drugs and other crimes. The $27.7-billion budget seeks 450 new attorneys and support workers for the immigration courts, which are now clogged with a backlog of 560,000 cases. There would also be another $50 million for increased immigration detention, plus 40 new U.S. marshal jobs to help take care of the expected increase in immigrants heading to federal court. With Trumps immigration initiatives tied up in federal court, the budget seeks another 15 lawyers to handle that litigation, plus 12 more to help handle property acquisition needed for Trumps promised Southwestern border wall. Violent-crime enforcement would get another $198 million, with the largest amount, $70 million, going toward setting up more anti-violence and gang task forces. Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod J. Rosenstein said more resources are needed because of what he called an alarming increase in the rates of murder and other violent crimes. The department is also asking for another $40 million for more drug enforcement to combat the opioid epidemic, which he said is spreading havoc throughout the United States. Sessions new policies should lead to an increase in prison population, so the budget contains funding to fully open a new supermax prison in Thomson, Ill., with room for 1,500 to 2,000 inmates. The department also wants to put more resources behind the FBIs efforts to counter cyber attacks and to figure out ways around encryption technology, along with another 50 agents to counter foreign intelligence and threats from homegrown terrorists. Facebook

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Economists say Trumps budget proposal doesnt add up By Don Lee President Trumps inaugural budget proposal claims to eliminate the nations deficit in 10 years, thanks largely to faster economic growth that it projects will come from the presidents sweeping tax cuts. Never mind the overly optimistic projections on economic growth. Or that Trumps tax overhaul has not happened yet. Even allowing for both, economists say Trumps budget still does not add up. The administration is counting on generating $2.1 trillion in additional revenue over 10 years from better economic growth. But Trumps budget proposal leaves out the cost, or the revenue lost, from the massive tax cuts. In other words, the economic gains that the administration has said it would use to pay for tax reform is apparently also being counted on to pay for deficit reduction. Some people call that double-counting. You cant use the same money twice, said Marc Goldwein, a senior vice president for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan group that advocates keeping government budgets under control. Lawrence Summers, former Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration and top economic advisor to President Obama, called it an elementary but egregious accounting error. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the right-leaning American Action Forum and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, said the proposal did not necessarily mean there was an outright omission or a double-counting. Its possible that the administration is looking for such strong economic growth to drive significantly extra revenue from payroll taxes, he said, or it could be that Trump officials were using different base lines from which they were drawing their results. But on the face of it, he said, the budget and tax-plan numbers dont seem to match. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has estimated that Trumps plan to cut corporate and individual taxes would cost the federal government about $5.5 trillion over 10 years, adding more than $6 trillion to the national debt. Details of Trumps tax overhaul, however, are still being developed, and its possible that the administration is assuming a revenue-neutral tax plan  although experts say big tax cuts never pay for themselves. On Tuesday, Mick Mulvaney, Trumps budget chief, did not provide a direct answer or explanation to questions about double-counting. Instead, he told reporters that you have to make assumptions about a budget. He went on to say that one of the assumptions that was not made was to take into account the uncollected taxes every year, which he said amounted to $486 billion last year. And we dont assume an additional penny of that being closed as part of our tax reform, said Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget. Of the 3% annual economic growth assumption, Mulvaney responded that the Obama administration in its first couple of years had based its budget on growth of 4.5%. In fact, Obamas first budget proposal as president, in May 2009, assumed economic growth of between 4% and 4.6% for the budget years 2011 to 2013. Since the Great Recession ended in mid-2009, the U.S. economy has been growing on average about 2% a year, and the Congressional Budget Office, the Federal Reserve and most private economists see the economy advancing at about 2% annually over the next 10 years. Alice Rivlin, a former Fed vice chair and director of the Office of Management and Budget under Clinton, said its true that the Obama administrations growth assumptions proved too optimistic. But she noted that those projections were not unreasonable for that time and period in the economic cycle. Then, there was greater potential for growth with unemployment high and many more people than today available for work. Today, the economy is nearing its eighth year of expansion, and the jobless rate is 4.4%, at or near full employment. With the aging of baby boomers, labor force growth slowing, and lackluster productivity gains, economists see the current moderate growth persisting for the foreseeable future. This has been a very long period of growth and were at the high end already, Rivlin said. If we are so lucky to have continuous, steady growth, its not likely to be at 3% or 4% or 5%. Facebook

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Who wins and who loses in Trumps budget The White House Office of Management and Budget sent Congress the presidents inaugural budget today, projecting spending and revenues over the next 10 years. The fiscal package, which include a partial skinny budget from March, reflects President Trumps priorities for the nation, but lawmakers are sure to reject many of the deep cuts in domestic and foreign affairs programs. The departments of State, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Education and Housing, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, are the biggest losers. The winners are the Pentagon and Homeland Security programs. Even with the increases in defense spending and large tax cuts, the administration projects that economic growth spurred by tax cuts will erase annual deficits by 2027. Take a look at some of the numbers released today. Read More Facebook

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What that Montana special congressional race will  and wont  tell us about Trump and his political problems By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Rob Quist is a quintessential cowboy who doesnt seem to relish campaigning in Montanas special congressional election. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) On Thursday, the political world will eagerly look to Montana and a closely fought congressional race for the latest test of Democratic strength and Republican resilience in the turbulent age of Trump. The major candidates and outside groups have sunk more than $8 million into the contest, a huge sum in a state where $250,000 pays for a robust week of television advertising. But for all that money and all the outside interest, the election will turn less on national trends than circumstances close to home: on the personalities and histories of the main contestants, their different campaign styles and, perhaps most of all, on who is regarded as the more authentic Montanan. Read More Facebook

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Terrorist attack in England has conservative media focused on safety of allies By Kurtis Lee (Dave Thompson/Getty images ) Its a sight witnessed all too often: an explosion, screams, people sprinting to safety. Late Monday night, this was the scene at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, after a man with possible ties to Islamic State militants set off a suicide bomb, killing 22 people and, once again, setting in motion a global discourse on how to fight terrorism. President Trump, while visiting Bethlehem, said the attack was committed by evil losers in life. Throughout the campaign and early in his presidency, Trump has said defeating the Islamic State is a top priority. (He reiterated that point in a speech Sunday in Saudi Arabia, urging Muslim leaders to plot their own course in combating terrorism.) In recent months, with attacks in Berlin, Paris and London, conservative media have questioned the safety of Europe and warned that the United States could face similar attacks. With the latest attack, some on the right are again homing in on the safety of our allies. Here are some of todays headlines: 2017 has seen a terror attack attempted in Europe every nine days (Breitbart) The attack in Manchester blankets the home page of the right-wing website. Europe has indeed been the location of high-profile attacks this year. In Paris last month, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on the Champs-Elysees in which a man fired an automatic weapon, killing a police officer. And in March, a man plowed his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, near the British Parliament in London, and then fatally stabbed a police officer. In all, four people were killed and dozens injured in what police called a terrorist attack. The Breitbart piece is an analysis of different terrorist attacks attempted and carried out in Europe since January. Attacks and attempted attacks have taken place in Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Germany, on average every nine days, the piece says. Pences message of civility and open debate lost on those who most needed to hear it (Weekly Standard) The debate over free speech on colleges campuses continues. In recent months, conservative speakers have canceled speeches on college campuses in the face of anticipated protests. And others, who have opted to speak, have faced vocal backlash. On Sunday, as Vice President Mike Pence began to address students at the University of Notre Dame commencement, several dozen stood and walked out of the ceremony. In his speech, Pence talked about civility and open debate, and this piece argues that the m
AFRICA

Workshop

Learn how to plan a trip to Africa like a pro. Get insider tips on what to do, where to go, what gear to pack and how to get off the beaten track.

When, where: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Adventure 16 store, 11161 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Admission, info: Free. (310) 473-4574.

SAN PEDRO

Grunion Fish-tival

Hatch grunion eggs, watch a grunion video and interact with grunion researchers at the festival, then head to the beach to observe the fish.

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When, where: 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro.

Admission, info: $5 for adults and $1 for seniors, students and children. (310) 548-7562

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.
Battleships, cruisers, aircraft carriers, destroyers and other Navy craft put on the light display. Southern California civic, educational, trade and labor organizations held a series of programs emphasizing the importance of world trade -- and the benefits of shipping through the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports.

A short story in the May 27 1946 Los Angeles Times reported:

Despite lack of transportation by Pacific Electric cars and busses more than 10,000 inlanders yesterday visited Los Angeles Harbor to climax a week-long celebration marking Foreign Trade Week. Water taxis, ferryboats and private craft buzzed about the harbor loaded with visitors.

Highlighting the days activities at the harbor was a display by Los Angeles city and Navy fireboats, an aquatic show at Ft. MacArthur and a searchlight display from Navy ships in the harbor at night. ...

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An earlier version of this post appeared on July 21, 2010.

See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here
North Korea on Sunday fired a medium-range ballistic missile, U.S. and South Korean officials said, the most recent in a flurry of ballistic tests that have rattled neighbors in the region.

The rocket was fired from an area near Pukchang, in South Pyongan province, and flew east about 310 miles, according to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff. It did not immediately provide more details.

The White House said it was aware of the missile launch. U.S. officials traveling with President Trump in Saudi Arabia noted that the system used in Sundays launch had a shorter range than missiles fired in three previous tests.

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The U.S. has repeatedly admonished North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over his drive to improve his reclusive countrys missile technology.

The firing last week of a mid-range missile that the North said was capable of carrying a heavy nuclear warhead drew White House warnings that North Korea was a flagrant menace. Experts said that rocket flew higher and for a longer time than any other missile previously tested by North Korea, and that it could one day reach targets as far away as Hawaii and Alaska.

In Sundays test, South Korean officials said the missile landed in the sea. It was tracked by the U.S. Pacific Command.

South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, who took office this month, convened a meeting of top security officials  appointed only hours earlier  to discuss Sundays launch. Moon has said that he wants to try to open talks with the North, but that provocative actions would make that difficult or impossible.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also denounced the test and said it would be the subject of discussions this week with Western allies.

Despite international efforts to rein him in, Kim has been actively seeking to develop an intercontinental missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead as far as the U.S. mainland. North Korea deemed last weeks test a success, saying the missile, capable of carrying a heavy warhead, achieved a longer flight and greater altitude than in previous tests.

South Korea and the United States are closely analyzing the launch for further information, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Our military is closely monitoring the North Korean military for any further provocation and maintaining readiness to respond.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year alone, possibly improving its knowledge on making nuclear weapons small enough to fit on long-range missiles. The country has also conducted a slew of rocket launches as it continues to advance its arsenal of ballistic weapons, which also include mid-range solid-fuel missiles that could be fired from land-based mobile launchers or submarines.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

michael.memoli@latimes.com

Twitter: @mikememoli

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UPDATES:

10 a.m.: Updated with staff reporting, details from White House officials.

3:10 a.m.: Updated to add U.S. comment, a quote from South Korea and background.

2:20 a.m.: Updated to say the missile flew 310 miles.

This article was first published at 1:55 a.m.
Taliban militants launched surprise attacks against multiple police checkpoints in southern Afghanistan and killed at least 25 officers, officials said Sunday.

Officials in Zabol province said that militants from several provinces carried out the attacks against government installations in the provincial capital, Qalat, and three police posts in Shahjoy district late Saturday.

The provincial governor, Bismillah Afghanmal, said 25 police officers were killed and six wounded. The victims included members of both the Afghan National Police and the Afghan Local Police, a U.S.-funded government militia that provides security in rural areas.

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Officials said some civilians had also been harmed, but there were no immediate details.

Reached by phone Sunday, Bakht Mohammad, an Afghan Local Police commander in Shahjoy, said fighting with the Taliban was continuing.

I can see some dead bodies of the Taliban on the ground, Mohammad said, adding that a Taliban leader had been killed in the clashes.

The Taliban fighters are surrounded. We will expel them all.

Atta Jan Haqbayan, head of the elected provincial council in Zabol, said Taliban fighters from three provinces were attempting to capture the district, part of the militant groups drive to increase its share of territory in outlying parts of Afghanistan. The U.S. military estimates that more than 40% of the Afghan population lives under areas of either total or partial Taliban control.

The Afghan security forces suffered big casualties and the fighting is still going on, Haqbayan said. We also have civilian casualties. The [Afghan Local Police] is running out of ammo and isnt getting backup on time.

Tolo News, an Afghan news organization, said that local officials in Zabol complained that they could not immediately reach their superiors to request assistance after the fighting began.

20 police killed as Taliban attack Kabul-Kandahar highway in Zabul, local officials phone TOLOnews as they cant get hold of their superiors.  Lotfullah Najafizada (@LNajafizada) May 21, 2017

Shafiqullah, a 28-year-old school principal in Shahjoy who goes by only one name, said he took shelter in his house and could hear bullets and rocket fire nearby.

The attack was huge, he said Sunday afternoon. But half an hour ago some backup arrived [for Afghan forces] and the fighting resumed.

The reports underscored worries that the Afghan security forces are often outgunned by the Taliban, which is adept at mounting surprise attacks.

President Trump is reportedly weighing whether to send as many as 5,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to increase assistance to Afghan soldiers and police. There are currently fewer than 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

In a separate incident in Kabul, gunmen attacked a guesthouse occupied by foreign aid workers, killing a German woman and an Afghan security guard, authorities said. A second woman, a Finnish national, was missing and Afghan officials believe she was kidnapped.

The two women were members of the staff of Operation Mercy, a Swedish charity organization, said Cathy Stanley, a spokeswoman for the group.

Foreign nationals have often been targeted by armed men and militant groups in Afghanistan. In August, an American and an Australian working for the American University of Afghanistan were kidnapped by gunmen in Kabul.

In January, the Taliban released a video in which the men pleaded with then-President-elect Trump  who was about to be inaugurated  to secure their release. They are still being held.

Special correspondent Faizy reported from Kabul and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

ALSO

To Saudis, President Trump has become Abu Ivanka

A tale of two princes: A kings son and a presidents son-in-law drive Trumps visit

Death by stoning: Battered Syrian city offers a window into life under the thumb of ISIS militants
Even before Jordans King Abdullah II took the microphone, moments after President Trump had finished his address at the summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reactions were already flooding social media.

Bravo President Trump, tweeted Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirates foreign minister, who described the speech as effective and historic and defining [an] approach towards extremism and terrorism with candid respect and friendship.

Bravo President Trump. Effective & historic speech defining approach towards extremism & terrorism with candid respect & friendship.  .   (@AnwarGargash) May 21, 2017

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Americas role reaffirmed, he concluded in another tweet.

That view was echoed by Dubais head of general security, Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, a controversial figure who came out in support of Trumps attempt to temporarily ban travel to the United States from six predominantly Muslim countries.

He tweeted, approvingly, that Iran  which was a major target of Trumps speech  is outside the Islamic worlds matrix in the Riyadh Summit. When you isolate yourself from the world you are isolated.

But many Muslims, especially those outside the Persian Gulf states, were less enthusiastic.

Hussein Salama, a 29-year-old Egyptian aid worker in Cairo, criticized Trump for failing to acknowledge the role Saudi Arabia played, wittingly or not, in the creation of extremist groups such as Al Qaeda.

The problem with this approach is that it totally disregards the fact that Saudi Arabia has provided the ideological structure upon which these organizations stand, Salama said in an interview.

He accused the United States of throwing money at its oil-rich ally and relying on Saudi Arabia to play a role in resolving regional crises without realizing that Saudi Arabia has played a role in creating these crises in the first place.

The speech also elicited a condemnation from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which holds sway over the Gaza Strip. In a statement by spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, the Islamist group labeled the speech a slander against the reputation of the resistance of the [Palestinian] people.

In his address, Trump lumped Hamas together with Islamic State, Al Qaeda and Hezbollah as terrorist groups.

Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land. And drive them out of this Earth, Trump had exhorted Muslim leaders gathered at the summit.

Barhoum criticized Trump for showing total bias to the Zionist occupation, in a reference to Israel. He added that Hamas was a nationalist liberation movement.

Trumps hard line against Iran, which came two days after a landmark election that cemented President Hassan Rouhanis reformist agenda, was seen by some Iranians as a slap in the face.

Just when Iranians voted overwhelmingly for openness and engagement with [the] world, Trump clenched his fist and responded by calling for Irans isolation. It raises the question as to whether the United States wants to lose Iran as an enemy, said Iranian academic and author Trita Parsi in an email statement Sunday.

Combining isolation with a call for regime change  ironically after the Iranians went and massively participated in their presidential elections  is how the groundwork for the Iraq war was laid, Parsi cautioned.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, sent out a wry tweet saying that Iran  fresh from real elections  [was] attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation  a sarcastic reference to Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy whose rulers have forged an uneasy alliance with hard-line clerics who espouse a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Iranfresh from real electionsattacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation. Foreign Policy or simply milking KSA of $480B? pic.twitter.com/ahfvRxK3HV  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) May 21, 2017

Zarif also suggested that Trumps primary interest was in arms sales and other deals with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia that he valued at $480 billion. It was unclear how Zarif arrived at that figure. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Saudi Arabia has agreed to long-term deals collectively valued at more than $350 billion.

Hamid Reza Taraghi, an analyst close to the office of Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, viewed Trumps moves as a way to sell weapons and [do] business.

Amir Kavian, a 53-year-old publisher in the Iranian capital, Tehran, agreed.

This is good for America. They make a fortune from the catastrophe in the Middle East, he said in a phone interview.

He added that the outcome of the presidential election demonstrated that Iran is ready to compromise.

In Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has waged a devastating war against the Houthi rebels who have taken control of the government, thousands took to the streets of the capital, Sana, to protest against Trumps visit to Riyadh. The presidents speech did little to mollify them.

The most disgusting part of the entire speech, Trump praises #Saudi actions in #Yemen. A war KILLED high number of civilians, tweeted Fares Said, a journalist with the Yemen Al-Yawm newspaper.

The two-year conflict in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people. The majority of the deaths have been blamed on a Saudi-led air campaign to which the U.S. has provided logistical support and weapons.

Last year, mounting civilian casualties in the country pushed the Obama administration to suspend the sales of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. Trump reversed the order.

Many in the region were also dismayed by the arms deal that Trump touted in his speech.

Jordanian lawyer Gandhi Amin, in a post on his Facebook page titled Why I Am Sad, listed alternative uses for some of the money, such as ending a cholera epidemic sweeping Yemen or creating a refugee center for all Syrians displaced by war.

The arms deal was also criticized by some American Muslim groups.

Historically, arms trade results in more fighting, more wars, and more extremism, said Salaam Bhatti, a spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in a phone interview Sunday.

While we applaud the president for saying that Muslims are the victims of 95% of terrorism, rather than the arms trade, we ask that nations improve education and invest in proven models for peace.

American Muslim groups reacted with caution, applauding Trumps conciliatory tone even while condemning some of his administrations policies, such as its attempt to enact a temporary travel ban against six majority-Muslim countries.

While President Trumps address today in Saudi Arabia appears to be an attempt to set a new and more productive tone in relations with the Muslim world, one speech cannot outweigh years of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy proposals  including an attempt to enact a Muslim ban by executive order, which his administration continues to defend in court, said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, in a statement Sunday.

We welcome President Trumps recognition of Islam as one of the worlds great faiths, but that recognition does not wipe out years of well-documented anti-Islam animus, Awad added. New policies and concrete actions  not mere rhetoric  are what is needed to reset relations with the Muslim world.

Bulos is a special correspondent. Special correspondents Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran and Omar Medhat in Cairo and Times staff writer Jaweed Kaleem in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Twitter:@nabihbulos

UPDATES:

2:50 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional comments.

This article was originally posted at 11 a.m.
Turkish authorities on May 16 detained more than 300 undocumented migrants in Istanbuls Sultanciftligi neighborhood  mostly from Pakistan and Afghanistan  after Turkish nationals and migrants clashed, resulting in the death of a Turkish man allegedly killed by an Afghan migrant.

Its the latest outbreak of violence between migrants and locals in Turkey in the wake of simmering tensions. Human rights groups say Turkey has fast become an unsafe country for millions of migrants and refugees seeking to resettle in Europe.

Since 2014, Turkey has granted temporary special protection to nearly 3 million Syrians fleeing war, but this status is not available to Afghans, who can only apply for refugee status or political asylum in a third country and remain in Turkey while they await a decision.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at the start of 2017, 120,529 Afghans applied for such a status and were awaiting a decision, but human rights organizations maintain that number represents a fraction of a larger flow of migrants. Every month, hundreds of Afghans from Afghanistan and second-generation Afghan refugees from Pakistan, along with Pakistani economic migrants from Pakistan, cross the Turkey-Iran border.

In March, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak said around 30,000 of the migrants had been prosecuted in 2016, and as many as 3 million could cross in the future. Turkey has since announced it is working to build a 310-mile-long wall along the Iranian border. Human rights groups have said that while Syrians enjoy some protection in Turkey, migrants coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan live a precarious life, with inadequate housing and medical care, and little legal avenues for redress.

The recent detentions in Istanbul have been just one part of a tense week in Sultanciftligi, a lower-class neighborhood that is home to ethnic Kurds and Turks.

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News of stabbings and disappearances have brought thousands of undocumented migrants living there under scrutiny, pushing most into hiding. On a normal afternoon, the neighborhood is teeming with young Afghan and Pakistani men, who spend up to 12 hours a day working in basement garment factories, and living in ramshackle, overcrowded apartments rented out by their employers.

They are all hiding, or they have left, and if any of them walks around outside now, I think they would be in danger, said a Turkish owner of a clothing shop who asked not to be identified.

According to Turkish police and Afghan and Pakistani diplomats, on the evening of May 14, a group of migrants catcalled a Turkish woman, and in response hundreds of locals confronted migrants living in the area. A Turkish man, Ramazan Sahin, 24, was stabbed to death by an unidentified Afghan, at which point scores of riot police and several armored cars arrived to disperse the crowds. But the next day, at Sahins funeral, crowds of locals and migrants again clashed.

Police then responded by raiding homes and rounding up hundreds of migrants.

Adeel Ahmed, 19, said he hid in his room in a nearby neighborhood with 17 other Pakistanis, where they shared videos and pictures of beatings and stabbings from the night before.

We are very, very scared. We dont know who is doing this. Nobody is safe anymore, Adeel said, looking at one of the many videos, one of which showed a migrant being stabbed in the chest with knife.

Rumors of violence by locals have spread among migrants. One such rumor was that six Pakistanis had been killed in Sultanciftligi. Turkish, Afghan and Pakistani officials denied those allegations.

These reports are absolutely false, said Dildar Abro, vice consul at the Pakistani Consulate in Istanbul. The police cordoned off the area, and when they came, because all these people were all illegal, they started running. Someone said someone was killed there, and this person told someone else two people were killed, and this rumor kept going.

But Abro said networks of smugglers operating in the region have made life difficult for migrants, many of whom spent their life savings to come to Turkey in hopes of continuing to Europe, only to find themselves stuck. Every day the Pakistani consulate provides documents to 15-20 people who entered Turkey illegally to return home, and over the last two months, Abro has worked with Turkish police to free scores of migrants held for ransom in Istanbul.

In Istanbuls Vefa district, Abdul Razak, 21, said hes preparing to return to his home in Lagman, Afghanistan, six months after he scraped up $1,300 to be smuggled into Turkey. Razak, like many migrants who find themselves in dire straits in Istanbul, pulls a cart weighing hundreds of pounds through the citys streets to collect plastic, glass and cardboard, to sell to Turkish recyclers. But on Friday, as he was making the rounds, he was attacked by five Turkish men, who he says seemed to be angry because of what had happened in Sultanciftligi.

They stabbed me, in the left arm, and my right leg, said Razak, surrounded by a dozen fellow migrants who are too scared to venture outside their homes. A Turkish shopkeeper saw me and brought me into his shop until the attackers left.

I came here because I wanted to find a way to go to Europe, but now, I cannot go further, and I dont feel safe here either, Razak said.

Farooq and Nazish are special correspondents based in Istanbul.
Pen Argyl Area High School students celebrated their prom Saturday night at Camelback Mountain Resort in Monroe County.

MORE PROM

If these photos have you looking for more prom, check out the photos from last year.

Don't forget to check back to lehighvalleylive.com/prom for full coverage of the celebrations across our region.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS

Don't forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we'll highlight the best pics!

BUY THESE PHOTOS

Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the theft of five guns, a portable band saw and a generator from a Lehigh County property.

The theft occurred between 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Thursday along School House Lane in Lower Milford Township. State police in Fogelsville said the thief broke into a storage trailer on the property, but it's unclear how access was gained.

Those with information are asked to call Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville at 610-395-1438.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A man who robbed Whitehall Pharmacy and shot the clerk Sunday morning later was killed in a shooting by Allentown officers, city police said.

The robbery happened around 8 a.m. at 4117 Main St., Whitehall Township. Police Chief Glen Dorney said the clerk was shot in that robbery and the suspect fled in a white Ford pickup truck.

The suspect headed toward Allentown in the truck. Allentown police spotted the truck at 10th and Chew streets and attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped off. Allentown police officers radioed for backup, Dorney said.

A chase ensued with the pickup eventually ramming two patrol cruisers before being stopped at 19th and Green streets. When officers attempted to arrest the robber, he pointed a handgun at police, Dorney said.

Police fired and shot the suspect, Dorney said, declining to say how many officers opened fire. The pickup truck had five bullet holes in the windshield and 18 bullet holes into the driver's side window at the crash scene.

The robber died from gunshot wounds later Sunday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. Police are withholding the name of the deceased due to the continuing investigation.

The pharmacy clerk remains hospitalized in serious condition and is awaiting surgery, according to police. One officer suffered minor injuries when the patrol vehicle was struck by the suspect; no other officers were hurt.

Dorney declined to say if any officers were being placed on administrative leave following the shooting.

A woman who has lived along North 20th Street for the past four years was getting ready to walk to the store at 8:16 a.m. with her young son when she heard sirens and peered out her window. The woman saw the pickup cut across a lawn on North 20th Street with cruisers following behind, she said.

"They were chasing him back and forth," said the woman, who declined to provide her name for safety reasons. "Next we heard gunshots -- like 10 of them. Then, it got real quiet."

The woman described the incident as "nerve wracking" and feared the safety of neighborhood children with warmer weather.

"All these houses have nothing but kids on that block," she said outside the crash scene. "They ride their bikes. It all happened real fast. We really don't get a lot of this in this area."

The case is currently being investigated by the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Lehigh County District Attorney's office, Lehigh County Coroner's Office and Allentown police.

Reporter Tony Rhodin contributed to this report.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Northampton County man shot by Pennsylvania State Police on Saturday has been identified.

County Coroner Zachary Lysek identified him as 47-year-old Anthony Paul Ardo, of the 1300 block of Good Road in Lower Mount Bethel Township.

Lysek late Saturday said an autopsy had yet to be conducted and Ardo's cause and manner of death were pending the completion of the examination.

He was pronounced dead shortly after 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem Township, said Lysek, who declined further comment.

At a news conference early Saturday night, state police officials said the victim was attempting to kill himself by lighting fireworks around his neck.

Troopers were called to a single-family home on Good Road at the edge of Lower Mount Bethel for a report of a suicidal male who lived there, said Capt. Richard H. D'Ambrosio during a news conference.

The man apparently had a device around his neck with a fuse attached that was later determined to be a fireworks mortar.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
The Laois Heritage Office is encouraging local groups to register events for National Heritage Week 2017.

Heritage Week 2017 will take place from 19-27 August and organisers hope to make 2017 the year that more people learn about and enjoy Irelands nature.

If you can, try to incorporate the theme into your event. From urban wildlife tours to foraging walks to building bee hotels, Heritage Week 2017 is all about being active, having fun and getting involved with our natural heritage.

This year two very special days happen during Heritage Week.

Wednesday 23rd August is Wild Child Day and is dedicated to wild children everywhere.

We encourage you to organise special events for young people on this day, say the heritage office.

Sunday 27 August is Water Heritage Day when we celebrate our most precious natural resource, water, in all its forms from sea to rivers to lakes.

Registration for the printed event guide will close on May 31. Register your event here
Laois Older Peoples Forum, Laois Age Friendly Alliance Group, along with Laois Public Participation Network are proud to announce the launch of the Information Guide to Services for Older People in County Laois.

The Laois Age Friendly County Strategy 2016  2021 which was launched in June, 2016 sets out specific actions to be taken under the 8 (World Health Organisation) Themes that target areas designed to improve the quality of life of older people in County Laois. The Strategy was a direct response to the views gathered from 283 older people over the age of 55 years in County Laois. This Information Guide has been compiled by the Older Peoples Forum in association with Laois Age Friendly Alliance Group. One of the Actions in the Strategy was to produce an Information Guide to address the information needs of older people, in particular the needs of the most vulnerable people in our community. This Information Guide will help create more awareness of the services and support available for older people in the county. Having information more readily available will enhance the lives of older people who make a valuable contribution to our society.

The need for the Information Guide is highlighted by the fact that the Irish population is ageing and the fastest growing age group is those aged over 80 years. In addition, the number of people living alone is anticipated to increase substantially between now and 2021. This trend indicates the need for comprehensible, accurate and easily accessible information on services available to support older people.

It provides advice and information on entitlements, health, housing, home service supports and maintenance, safety and security, social and leisure activities, transport, support groups, useful numbers and contact details and so on. It will be of practical benefit to older people and the organisations and services working with them.

The information in this guide is presented in a clear colour coded format making it easy to use and is free of charge to the over 55s.

The Chairperson of the Older Peoples Forum is Orla OByrne.

"The Laois Older People's Forum hopes that this new Information Guide will help older people, who might feel isolated or lonely, to see all the services and help available to them in County Laois, she said.

 We also hope that this guide might encourage them to join a club or a group of people with similar interests in order to meet new friends and have meetings, get togethers and fun to look forward to."

Further info and copies of the Information Guide can be obtained through Geraldine Moore Delaney, Community Development Section, Laois County Council, County Hall, Portlaoise or by email agefriendly@laoiscoco.ie or by telephone 057 86 64107.
1. I'll light a candle for you...

The first port of call is the church. Candles have been massaging the figures of Leaving Cert results for years. Tis not the brains we have at all. You're mother will have a path worn to the church during the exams and we all know - we needed all the help we could get.

2. Will ya ever get off that fecking yolk...

Clearly now doubting the merits of divine intervention, she wants you to put the hours in. This was the standard call when you were on a computer, a phone, PlayStation, tablet or smartphone while you should have been stuck in the books. 'The screens won't do your eyes any good anyway.'

3. Do you want a few grinds...

Again, the panic is rightly setting into your mother's head now, and she knows a fair few of your classmates are above in Dublin at some specialist grinds course. The offer is made and complete dejection washes over her when you reply with a dismissive, 'Nah, I'll be grand, Ma, honestly.'

4. I'd stick with the honours...

The snob in your mother wants you to do everything at higher level. Even if you think 'Newton's laws of motion' was a song in the 80s, you're still doing honours Physics. Your mother fears the shame of having to follow her bragging about your grades with the qualifier, 'well that was in pass maths, now.'

5. Think of the points...

Another plug for sticking with the honours Irish. 'Sure get a C in the honours and you're on the pig's back - sure isn't that the same as an A on the pass paper. She knows more than you, so you nod along and just drop to pass on the day!

6. Mary said Caoimhe's flying it...

Of course she is! Caoimhe is the stick your mother uses to beat you. She's never missed a day, got 100% in every exam she's ever sat, and is doing two extra subjects for the Leaving. And there's you contemplating ordinary level Irish and taking solace in the fact that you can disregard one subject because they only count the six in the end anyway.

7. How did you get on in the mocks?

The dreaded question that either falls on deaf ears or is met with a complete lie. You couldn't be telling your mother you got 30% in maths in the mocks. She'd take a heart attack, the poor woman. Say you got on grand and be done with it!

8. Well, your sister got 500 points...

Now this figure jumps about 20 points every time she throws at you. Whether it's meant to spur you on or wreck your head, it simply leaves you resenting your sister for doing so well, even though we all know she got around 350! 'Everybody adds a bit on, sure.'

9. You're not doing a tap...

It's a study week and you're rolling out of bed at lunchtime. The mammy is far from impressed and regularly arrives at the bedroom door to shake her head at you in disgust.

10. Well getting out of the bed would be a start...

Again, the sly dig as you're taking a nice lie in for yourself. 'You can't study lying in the bed,' she'd say. She's killed trying to puck orange juice and omega this and omega that into you. 'Have it, it's brain food, I'm telling ya!'

11. You're going to fail it...

She's watched you slouch around the house, grumbling and groaning, and even cleaning the room to avoid the study. She decides to play bad cop for a while in the hope that the fear factor of failing will spark you into action. No such luck.

12. Over the weekend? Do you think I came down in the last shower...

You assure her with this old chestnut - I've the whole weekend and I'll do six hours a day at it. She's not buying it on bit, and she'd be right too. You know well you're going to be lying up watching all the cartoons you watched as a child wishing for those days back again.

13. You have my heart broke...

She's getting worn down now as D-Day looms large. Some of the books have been in your locker for months now and she knows that if she burnt the church down with candles, you're still not going to do well. 'He won't get the first choice, anyway, fecking lying in the bed'

14. You'll be grand....

The mammy instincts kick in again as you now start to panic the night before English Paper 1. Your mantra all along that 'you can't really study for Paper 1' is not having its calming effect anymore, but Mammy has now accepted that what will be will be, and just doesn't want you to take a heart attack.

15. Best of luck now!

She sees you off at the door on the way out. She's done all she can; pushed you, horsed you out of the bed, pucked vitamins into you, scolded you and even encouraged you a little bit................'I'll just go up and light a candle.'
Friends and neighbours of Brian Clarke, Drumshanbo are organising an event to fundraise for a special wheelchair vehicle in the Lough Allen Hotel on July 1.



Married with three children, Brian is currently in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire and requires 24 hour long term care.

Brian and his family's lives changed forever after he fell at his home and sustained life threatening injuries in April 2015.

Brian had to be airlifted to Beaumont Hospital, he underwent brain surgery and weeks of treatment before he became stable.



He was also treated at Sligo University Hospital and Our Lady's Community Hospital, Manorhamilton.

The brain injury means Brian cannot yet communicate or move independently, he needs 24 hour care and a wheelchair accessible vehicle amongst many other medical aides.

All of this comes with a great financial cost.



Brian is described as a hard worker and a man of great faith who loves spending time on his farm and with his family.

The man in his 50s has worked all over Ireland, in the UK, and has made lifelong friendships.

Brian's friends and neighbours have organised a Brian Clarke Care Fund and will hold a special fundraising event and raffle in the Lough Allen Hotel Drumshanbo.



There is a first prize of 1,000 sponsored by Shannon Valley Group, second prize 500 sponsored by O'Brien Crane Hire, Dublin, third prize 200 sponsored by Rose Bank Retail Park, Carrick-on-Shannon.

Alan Clarke, Mickey Clerkin and WEE 3 will be providing live music for the Fundraising Social Night on July 1.

A fundraising account has been set up in Drumshanbo Credit Union for those who will not be able to attend the night.

The account details are: Member 3152

BIC: DRCIIE21XXX

IBAN: IE23DRCI99221600315201.
Theres a super interview with Sutton and Cheam Lib Dem candidate Amna Ahmad in The Pool.

So, who are the Lib Dems now, I ask Ahmad when we meet for coffee. She answers by telling me her issues: she is, of course, against a hard Brexit; she campaigns for NHS funding and sits on Norman Lambs committee on the subject. Shes against grammar-school funding, but not grammar schools per se: I want the comprehensives to have a fighting chance. When I ask how she became a member, she recalls turning 18 the day before the Stop The War demo and identifying with then-party leader Charles Kennedys refusal to support war in Iraq.

But perhaps a more interesting question is: who is Amna Ahmad? When first campaigning in Brixton in 2013, she was accused of being an Oxford-educated careerist with a posh voice. And it was this depiction of her that made her decide to talk about her own life. Yes, she went to Oxford and, yes, her voice could be clarified as posh, but the real story goes something like this: Ahmad grew up in a violent house in one of Londons poorest boroughs, Lewisham. At 15, she called the police to report her father, who was arrested and taken into custody. She and her younger brother and sister were split up and put into care. Ahmad was in care for just a week, because she was turning 16. You were on time every day for school was the only thing my teacher said to me about that week, she laughs. Her brother and sister were only five and seven at the time, however. It was heartbreaking. My brother went on hunger strike. There were issues around cultural sensitives. They made him eat bacon.
Radio 4s PM programme covered Edinburgh West the other night and the profile was surprising in some ways. The Labour candidate, Mandy Telford, was pretty candid about tactical voting to stop the SNP:

Labour is out there fighting for every vote but ultimately we are dead set against the SNP and their desire to have an unwanted second divisive independence referendum. Thats the message we are getting back on the doorsteps very strongly. People will use their votes in whatever way they want to defeat the SNP.

Its a cleverly crafted comment. Shes obviously not endorsing any other candidate but shes summed up the reality of the situation on the ground pretty well.

People want a decent MP who will champion what is important to them and fight their corner. In Edinburgh West they know that Lib Dems deliver on that score. They are also highly motivated to get the SNP and to do whatever it takes to do so. Here and elsewhere I have been staggered by the intensity of peoples desire to see the back of the nationalists for all sorts of reasons. Its primarily independence, but they are also sick fed up of falling school standards and an NHS lurching from one crisis to another.

Our Christine Jardine had this to say.

People are looking for the party who are more likely to beat the SNP and in this election stopping that independence bandwagon is the most important thing. Conservative and Labour voters recognise its the Liberal Democrats who can beat the SNP.

That was certainly backed up by two Tory voters who were interviewed saying that they were voting Lib Dem.

The SNPs candidate said with no trace of irony:

This General Election is not about independence.

Yes, Toni, so thatll be why your First Minister is bringing in legislation for another independence referendum that there is no demand for.

He went on to say:

The unionist parties bang on about independence more than the SNP. We are getting on with the day job.

It was radio, so we couldnt see if he had a straight face or not, but with the mental health strategy being 450 days late, with kids having to wait up to 600 days to even be seen (think of that as a proportion of your education), literacy and numeracy in crisis and climate change targets being routinely missed, they clearly havent got a handle on the day job.

No doubt the SNP conspiracy theorists will have this down as another example of BBC bias but it was a fairly accurate reflection of what we are seeing on the ground. Have a listen to the whole segment here.

The SNP are fighting this hard, though. There is no room for over-confidence and we will need to push as hard as we can for every vote over the next 20 days. We need as much help as possible. If you want to help one of our best prospects with a fantastic candidate, you can find out everything you need to know here.

Lib Dems from all over the country have been pitching up to help. The campaign has a real buzz about it and even todays downpours couldnt dent our determination to get out there. Later in the afternoon the sun came out, but even after an hour and a half of sunshine, I was still pretty soggy. And those in other parts of the constituency were still being rained on.

Some people didnt have the sense to put on a coat.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
Batley and Spen is a gathering of typically independent, no-nonsense and proud Yorkshire towns and villages. Our communities have been deeply enhanced by immigration, be it of Irish Catholics across the constituency or of Muslims from Gujarat in India or from Pakistan, principally from Kashmir. While we celebrate our diversity, what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.

Those were the words of Jo Cox in her maiden speech to the House of Commons

Looking at that just now, Ive just realised that her maiden speech took place just after the House had paid tribute to one of its former members, our Charles Kennedy, who had died two days before. What extraordinary talents those two people were.

Election campaigns are about the debate of different ideas. At their best they should be inspiring and uplifting and full of vision. But political activists of all parties have a lot in common  the dedication, the determination and the exhaustion for a start.

Tomorrow, though, there will be a pause in campaigning in Jos memory, a chance to reflect on the things that unite us rather than divide us. From the Guardian:

Party leaders will halt political activity and instead visit community projects. The parties have asked all their candidates to do the same. Jeremy Corbyn is due to visit a project in Liverpool, while Tim Farron will take part in a picnic in Kendal. The one-hour pause will be at a time of each candidates choosing. In Jo Coxs former constituency of Batley and Spen, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green candidates will attend a farmers event to raise money for a baby care unit. Before she became an MP, Cox worked in the charity and aid sectors. Her widower, Brendan Cox, said that the break would send a positive signal. Doing so in such a coordinated way will, we hope, send a powerful message that, whatever our political disagreements, we really do hold more in common and show a united front against hatred and extremism. in all its forms.

In Edinburgh, Labour have invited candidates from all parties across the city to an event to remember Jo at noon.

At such a huge moment in our history, when we are about to embark on a pretty dangerous journey, I guess what we need to consider is how we build a compassionate, caring, open, generous-spirited culture. In the face of an increasingly polarise political landscape, how do we bring people together and build a consensus around values of collaboration and togetherness?

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
Vince Cable launched a new Lib Dem campaign poster today.

Vote her, get him. Don't settle for Nigel Farage's vision of Britain by voting for Theresa May. #ChangeBritainsFuture pic.twitter.com/wiDXAwBnkA  Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) May 20, 2017

This is how he explained it:

This week has been about manifestos To understand what is going on you have to listen to the voices of the people who are Mrs Mays cheerleaders and admirers. Nigel Farage. He purrs like an elder statesman, his job done. He said of the Prime Minister she is using exactly the words and phrases I have been using for 20 years. Im thrilled He should be. She has adopted wholesale the UKIP model of Brexit. No half measures. Out of the Single Market. Out of the customs union. Out of all the sensible cooperation around science and environment. The agenda of the hard right. And not just on Europe. Do you remember the man who smiled with President-elect Donald Trump in a gold-encrusted lift? Who used his good offices to secure a meeting for our Prime Minister. Her hand-holding. Backing for the Trump administration. The close bonding. The treat of a state visit to come. Not that it achieved anything. The tough American trade negotiators have made it clear that economic size, not sentiment, determines priorities: the EU before the UK. Then, refugees. Nigel Farage posed in front of a poster of Syrian refugees fleeing the war. Spreading fear and distrust. But Mrs May is just as determined to keep foreigners out. Refugees. Students who are not immigrants and help our economy. Essential workers. They all fall under her net immigration target. As George Osborne has reminded us the more thoughtful Conservatives regarded the target as absurd and damaging and she hopelessly failed to meet it in any event. But UKIP is cheering her on. Farage is thrilled for her. And that is because he is the architect in chief of her Brexit strategy. It didnt have to be like this. She could have taken as her inspiration the most politically successful Conservative Prime Minister in peacetime: Margaret Thatcher. But Mrs Thatcher is the creator of the Single Market.The Four Freedoms. Nothing to do with Brussels and Juncker. A British creation and a fine one which served Britain well. But Mrs May wants to trash her predecessors legacy. And this is more than a meeting of minds with the UKIP hard right. There is an alliance. Not a Progressive but a Regressive Alliance. UKIP are standing down in a third of their seats for the Tories. They realise that there is no need for a UKIP candidate when the Conservative will represent them! That is what we believe the public should be reminded of until polling day

Its upset the Daily Mail, so that has to be a good thing, right?

It certainly sums up how the Tories have assimilated the UKIP agenda pretty comprehensively. I shudder to think whats happened to the husky David Cameron hugged. With its harsh measures on social care and destructive restrictions on immigration, its clear that the nasty party is nastier than ever.

These ideas never come out of nowhere. Anything that gets put before the public by any party has usually been tested to make sure that it motivates its target audience to act in a certain way. In a shorter campaign there is less time and capacity for testing, but it will have been done. My husband, though, didnt recognise the face as Farages. He had to think about it for a few seconds before he understood it. And he is pretty switched on to politics. You kind of have to be in this house. I would be lying if I said that it had done anything for me  but then as a peace-loving hippy committed Lib Dem, Im not its target audience.

Accompanied by specific examples of how the Tories have adopted the UKIP agenda on things like brexit and immigration, it could actually make the moderate, centre ground Tory Remain queasy about what Theresa May is doing and encourage them to vote for us. A downside would be that it might also encourage the few UKIP voters left into the Tory fold which would not help us in our target seats.

Whether this and subsequent attacks on the Tories (which I think will be stepped up in the next few days) will be enough to send our poll ratings up again remains to be seen. When we talked about Brexit all the time, we were making small steps forward. Then we got a bit side-tracked into a bit of a retail list of policies that nobody really cares about. 5p for coffee cups is a very worthy idea, but not one which necessarily needed emphasising when were facing Brexit and a crisis in our NHS. In fact, we probably need to be emphasising that if Brexit reduces the size of our economy by as much as most people think it will, havina a small-state government that doesnt much care for public services is a very bad thing indeed.

We seem to have found our way again in the last few days and Tim did well in the debate the other night. This poster probably isnt going to be a game-changer on its own. Sticking with a simple, clear, coherent message will pay dividends for us, I suspect. In Scotland, our pro EU, pro UK, progressive, invest in mental health and education mantra has been reflected in all our press releases and other messaging. Its been pretty disciplined and it is working where it needs to.

What we absolutely should not do is water down one tiny bit of our opposition to the extreme version of Brexit that Theresa May wants to force on all of us. It is really important that we convince people that they should have a final say on the deal. If its a good deal that people want to unite behind, fair enough. All we are asking is that they get the chance to mark the Governments homework.

Tims manifesto launch speech was a good example of the sort of thing we need to be saying all the time. Brexit, health and education are the big things on peoples minds. Lets make sure that they hear what we have to say as they start to cast their votes in just three days time.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
When Willie Goodhart died in January, in our tribute post, we put in a link to a wonderful piece written by his son Benjie during the 2010 election.

In it, he talked about what it was like growing up in a very political household.

It is one of those pieces that enrich your life.

Benjie has done it again with a beautiful article, written with so much love, about the progress of his fathers Dementia. It first became clear that something was wrong during a Today programme interview.

For us  my sisters, my mother and me  the door closing on Dads career marked the beginning of a new era: one that was by turns agonising, baffling, heartbreaking and, I must confess, comedic. Alzheimers affects everyone differently, including those around them  but the ability to laugh at its quirks and peculiarities sustained us all in the darkest times. For almost 50 years of married life, Dad got up in the morning and brought Mum a cup of tea in bed. This came to a rather abrupt halt the morning her cup of tea consisted of orange juice, milk, and some potted shrimps all stirred together. My mother demurred, though Dad consumed his with alacrity and chided her for being fussy. At times like that, it is easier to laugh than to cry. On another occasion, two years ago, Dad took me and my wife to the opera. An opera devotee, it was his last visit: as the lights went down for act three of a rather lengthy German comic opera, he called out in despair, Oh God. A few minutes later, he heckled (I suspect a first for the rarefied audience): Get on with it! My wife and I, being of reasonably sound mind, were inclined to agree. That was also the evening Dad looked at his diary, which he did every five minutes, for reassurance, and read To opera with Benjie. Then he looked up at me. Are you Benjie?

Benjie also wrote about the fantastic quality of care his dad received in the nursing home he moved into for the last year or so of his life and how the staff there remembered him:

An hour after he had died, peacefully and in the presence of people who loved him as he deserved, the night shift staff came in and whispered their quiet goodbyes to Dad. Then the day shift came in and did the same. When they spoke to us, many were in tears, and every one of them mentioned how polite, courteous and kind he was, and how fond they had been of him. My dad had hung on to his warmth and decency, even when everything else had left him. It was just another in a long, long list of reasons to be proud of him.

Again, it is one of those pieces you will be glad you took five minutes to read. In a week where Dementia and social care has been so much in the news, it is particularly relevant.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
LIMERICK citys Dominican sisters are gearing up for the parishs first festival of its kind in honour of Our Lady of Limerick.

The four Dominican sisters, who moved into the priory from Nashville, Tennessee last year, have been busy preparing for a holy triduum - three days of prayer, devotion and family fun.

The three days - May 25, 26 and 27 - will begin with 1pm Mass and devotions, with various events following across the three days.

On Saturday, May 27, a family festival on the Plaza will delight both parents and children outside the church.

There will be food stalls, live music, face painting and much more.

We are going to have different games and booths. There will be bubbles and a photobooth, and traditional carnival games. It will be a good day for families and children, said Sr Beatrice.

For families, just being together is one of the hardest things, because lives are so busy. The day will be great for just being together, and rediscovering the joy of being together as a family. There will be a simplicity to it, added the sister.

The sisters also thanked the local community for the support they have received in organising the events, from parishioners, local business and the gardai. The area around Baker Place will be closed to traffic during the Saturday event.

We have had great support from friends and local families in the parish, and local businesses. The businesses are so involved in the community and they have been so good to donate prizes for raffles and supporting us in these events.

And of course we cant do it without the volunteers and parishioners who are helping out, added Sr Beatrice.

On Thursday, May 25, at 7pm, Eucharistic Adoration and a talk by Fr John Harris O.P. will open the triduum, while on Friday, May 26, at 7pm, the Dominican Sisters will speak about their faith.

The festival is so named after the Our Lady of Limerick statue which resides in St Saviours church, which was a gift from Patrick Sarsfield and his wife Eleanor White to the Dominicans in the year 1640.

He donated the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, which received its Limerick name later in reparation for the crime of his uncle.

Years earlier, Patricks uncle Sir Dominic Sarsfield sentenced Sir John Burke of Brittas, Captain of Clanwilliam, to death, during a time when Catholics were being persecuted.

A lot of people in the parish were praying to Our Lady of Limerick when they thought the church might close, so this is a thank you to her, said Sr Beatrice.

Sr Mara Grace said: When we arrived, we were so amazed to have Our Lady of Limerick in our own church, and this will be a great way to celebrate her.

Since the sisters have arrived, the church and parish has been reinvigorated, according to a pastoral council spokesperson.

In keeping the Church open, not only have they breathed new life into the parish but these bright young ladies have brought so many people back to this fantastic old church.

There have been more Christenings and bookings for weddings in the past 9 months than in the preceding three years cumulatively.
A FEMALE motorist crashed into a stationary Audi A4 after having a row with her partner.

Chloe Madden, aged 26, of Crawford Street, Bruff shouldnt have driven in anger said her solicitor in Kilmallock Court. Ms Madden caused 4,400 worth of damage to the Audi A4 and was fined 700 in court.

She was charged with driving without due care and attention, no insurance, no driving licence and failing to remain at the scene.

Garda Noreen Moloney said she attended Bru na nDeise, Ardkeohane, Bruff on March 28, 2016, after receiving a report from the injured party.

The car was extensively damaged. It was parked outside his house. It happened at some stage during the night. 4,400 worth of damage was caused, said Garda Moloney.

From intelligence received, the garda learned the car that crashed into the Audi was a Toyota Corolla registered to Ms Madden.

I made contact with Ms Madden and she admitted she was the driver. No one else was involved. She had no insurance or driving licence, said Garda Moloney.

Brendan Gill, solicitor for the defendant, said without his clients admission it would have been extremely difficult to prosecute the case.

There is no evidence of her driving. Everything relies on Ms Maddens statement, said Mr Gill.

The solicitor said his client had a row with her partner.

She foolishly drove the car in anger. Her partner did endeavour to make contact with the injured party but it had gone too far. She is 26-years-old and has two children, said Mr Gill.

Judge Marian OLeary asked if the owner of the Audi had been compensated?

Garda Moloney said he claimed through the uninsured drivers fund.

Judge OLeary fined Ms Madden 400 and disqualified her from driving for two years for having no insurance.

In asking the judge to consider no disqualification, Mr Gill said his clients state of mind was very poor.

Judge OLeary upheld the disqualification.

Ms Madden was fined 150 for driving without due care and attention; 150 for no licence; failing to remain at the scene was taken into consideration.

Recognaissance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
GREATER separation of Church and State is needed, but members of the Catholic clergy still deserve to be respected in spite of a series of religious scandals, a Limerick priest has urged.

Fr Seamus Enright, rector of the Redemptorists at Mount St Alphonsus in the city, said he feels the level of abuse directed at the Sisters of Charity over their ownership of the proposed 300 million new national maternity hospital was unwarranted, even given the context of a wider dark background of the Churchs role in other State institutions.

The abuse that was directed at the Sisters of Charity and the demonising of them, Im not sure that you could do it to any other group in Irish society and get away with it, he told the Limerick Leader.

I dont think the Sisters of Charity merited the abuse that was directed at them. I thought it was ageist and sexist, and for all the weaknesses there have been and the difficulties there have been, and what has gone on in Magdalene homes and orphanages, which we wouldnt want to stand over, you have to balance that with the good which has been achieved by the Sisters of Charity, and others like them.

Construction of the new NMH, which is to be located on the campus of St Vincents Hospital, will be paid for by the State, but  according to terms of the current agreement  will be gifted to the St Vincents Healthcare Group, owned by the Sisters of Charity because it owns the land.

Fr Enright said he does not have a view on whether the hospital should be owned by the order given the very complex issues at stake, but can appreciate the arguments for why it should be State owned.

There is no doubt that there is an argument to be had over its ownership, but what disappointed me was that we couldnt seem able to have a rational debate about the ownership without descending into vitriolic abuse being directed at the Sisters. I would have thought they merited more respect than they were given.

Its the same with the prayer in the Dail and the blasphemy law, Im not sure that were able to have respectful conversations without becoming abusive of each other.

Fr Enright said that while Catholics are not entitled to special treatment or special legal protection, in terms of the controversial blasphemy law, which he feels should be abolished, we are entitled to respect and courtesy.

The quality of political discourse in Ireland today seems to be quite negative and abusive. In a society that it as complex as ours is I think we need to discover a polite, respectful way of engaging in conversations from different perspectives. The real challenge in Irish society today is finding common ground, and we wont find it if we abuse each other.

Fr Enright added that he has mixed views about prayer in the Dail.

It wouldnt bother me if they didnt pray in the Dail really. In a society which has changed as much as Irish society has changed, I would wonder is it appropriate, when austerity legislation is passed which has had an extraordinary impact upon the poor, and Id wonder about those incompatibilities.

I can understand why in the 1930s when the Constitution was adopted we lived in a much more homogenous society, but now there are other people in the Dail who are not comfortable with these prayers, so why should they be put in that position.

He is also in favour of the abolition of the blasphemy law, echoing the view of the Bishop of Elfin, Kevin Doran, that God is well able to look after himself.

When I look at a country like Pakistan and see how blasphemy laws are badly used there to persecute minorities, you wouldnt like to think that Ireland was keeping company with that type of a country. When I think of blasphemy laws I think of very repressive countries, like Indonesia, and I dont think thats where Ireland belongs as a society. I wouldnt like to think that were remotely in the same league as those backward countries.

Obviously you have to have freedom of speech, but there should be some sensitivity for peoples feelings as well, and sensitivity for the feelings of religious believers.

He said the remarks made during The Late Late Show by Blindboy Boatclub of the Rubberbandits, who referred to Communion as haunted bread, was not blasphemous, but it was extraordinarily disrespectful.

Fianna Fail deputy Willie ODea agrees that the outdated blasphemy law should be removed. I dont think the Lord needs protection from the law, and the gardai are busy trying to fight enough crimes as it is, he said.

Blindboy Boatclub of the Rubberbandits described Irelands blasphemy law as an embarrassment, following a garda investigation under the law into comments made about God and faith made by the British actor Stephen Fry.

Gardai decided not to proceed with the investigation into comments made by Fry during a television interview with Gay Byrne in February 2015, on the grounds that not enough people had been offended by the remarks.

Countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have very strict blasphemy laws, where people go to jail and get stoned. They can say Well, Ireland has a blasphemy law in its Constitution, and theyre supposed to be the civilised West. We have to stand up to that, Blindboy said in an interview with the Oonagh and Aidan show on iRadio.

Blindboy, who has been accused of making blasphemous remarks in relation to the Eucharist, said that as long as he wears a plastic bag on his head hes engaged in a continual act of artistic performance, so I can say what I like. Its art.

At the end of the day, youd have to be seriously offended by a man who thinks its right to wear a plastic bag on his head. Everybody has a right to be offended, thats a healthy part of free speech. But peoples feelings of hurt doesnt mean that they are right, and thats where it becomes tricky. Its legitimate if your feelings are hurt but that doesnt give you a right to silence another person.

The last time there was a prosecution for blasphemy was in 1855 and there had been none under the 2009 Act.
AS veteran sailors Chris Egan and Dave Bevan know only too well, round-Ireland sailing brings all sorts of weather.

But, in the first week of their latest odyssey, Gangway for Guide Dogs, it was brilliant sunshine all the way up the west coast from Foynes. So calm were conditions at times indeed, there was no wind to sail. We had to use the engine a lot, Chris, who is blind, explained.

But lively weather began to kick in last weekend, forcing them to stay put in Killybegs for a few days.

We are flying it, Chris reported enthusiastically from the Donegal port this week. We have been very lucky with the weather so far. You dont expect to get through the west coast so easily.

Up to Broadhaven in Mayo it was fine but then it got a bit lively, he added.

And his hope was that the sea and winds would calm and let them proceed with their journey this week to Teelin, Arranmore and Tory, all in Donegal.

We have a lot of tricky stuff ahead, Chris said. This is a stretch of coast, he laughed, where you would need your false teeth well stuck in when the wind blows.

Following the launch of their round-Ireland sail in Limerick city, Chris, from Ardagh, Dave from Bruff and Jim Humphreys from Limerick have stopped off at Foynes, Kilrush, Inishmore, Clare Island and Inishboffin. And they have met a great welcome at every stop, meeting up with lifeboat volunteers as well as sailing folk and other locals.

They also passed Eagle Rock, where the Rescue 116 helicopter went down with the loss of four lives. It was, Chris revealed, a solemn moment, and hard to find the right words for what they felt. But, he said: We paid our respects.

The trip, Chris explained, was dreamt up mainly to help raise money for the Irish Guide Dogs Association who depend on voluntary contributions for most of their funding. And over 9000 had been raised before the Altara ever set sail. However, Chris pointed out, it isnt all about fund-raising. It is also about raising awareness, he continued. But it also ties in with Foynes Yacht Clubs campaign to get more people with disabilities out on the water.

Although a veteran yachtsman, Chris is now technically registered as blind since he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa some years ago.

The boat is fine and secure and I dont do anything I cant manage, Chris explained.

This week, as Dave Bevan takes a short break, Chris and Jim have been joined by Gerry Hutton for the next leg of the journey.
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A ram raid at a Lincolnshire Co-op store where the cash machine was taken has happened a year to the day when thieves ripped another ATM from a phone box in a Lincolnshire village.

At around 3am this morning, Sunday May 21, raiders ploughed a JCB into the corner of the Branston store on Station Road, causing extensive damage.

Ram raids with thieves wanting to take cash machines have taken place across the county in recent years and Lincolnshire Live can reveal the places that have been targeted.

Thieves have either attempted to or have carried out ram raids in Lincoln, Donington, Woodhall Spa, Caistor, Sutton Bridge, Retford, Tealby, Horncastle and Hainton.

Take a look at our round-up of the incidents that have taken place across the county over the years...

On this day, May 21 last year, thieves ripped a cash machine from inside a phone box in a Lincolnshire village.

Parts of the machine were left strewn across the street following the incident on Broadway, Woodhall Spa.

A fork lift vehicle has been used in a ram raid on a shop.

A cash machine was removed at about 3am on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from Station Road in Epworth.

In January 2015, a teleporter was used in a ram raid on a Gainsborough shop in which a cash machine was stolen.

Police say the incident happened at the Spar shop on Corringham Road at around 3am today.

In February 2016, a police officer was almost ran over after the botched ram-raid on Friday, February 12.

The JCB was aimed at the Lincolnshire Co-op Jerusalem Road food store at 2.30am in an attempt to steal from the shop.

In March 2016, a stolen pick-up truck was used to ram raid three shop fronts in three separate incidents in Lincolnshire, police believe.

The white Ford Ranger truck, which was stolen from Little Cawthorpe near Louth earlier in the month, is believed to have been used during attempted raids at Tealby, Horncastle and Hainton.

In April 2016, thieves ripped out a cash machine from a bank in Caistor by using a forklift truck and a transit van that had part of the roof cut away.

A group of four masked offenders were seen to be dragging the ATM from the wall of National Westminster Bank in the market place at Caistor before using a forklift to load it into a white transit van.

In May 2016, raiders used a teleporter digger to rip out the ATM from the Co-op store in Sutton Bridge at about 2.26am on Tuesday, May 24, which was found with its money still inside 30 miles away.

The digger was abandoned at the scene and the store has been left with a gaping hole in the wall.

In November 2016, officers were called to the Co-op in Donington, near Boston, after a digger was used to try and remove the cash machine.

This happened at about 3.20am on Thursday, September 29.

While ramming the wall, the digger destroyed the front of the shop with the roof and walls collapsing around it.

Thieves fled the scene empty handed but they were caught on CCTV attempting the ram raid.

In January this year, criminals wrenched metal security gates from their hinges at a Retford industrial estate before targeting three units and escaping with cash, thousands of pounds worth of tools and a car.

The crooks even left the taps running at one firm, flooding the business unit.

According to a tenant of a unit in the Canalside Workshops Industrial Estate on Leverton Road, a rope or chain was tied to the main gates and a truck used to rip them open.

And others believe that a vehicle rammed through the gates, shearing them from their hinges.

Thieves used a white van to ram-raided a designer store in Lincolnshire.

Police say a white van was reversed into the door of the premises causing damage to the shop before thieves made off with a quantity of clothes.

Thieves targeted Brown's Department Store in Gainsborough at about 5.30am on Saturday, April 8.

The store sells designer brands such as Ted Baker, Gant, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour, Superdry, Sandwich, East, Phase Eight and White Stuff.
Apr 27, 2021, 8 AM

Editors Insights  By Donna Houseman

Stamp collectors sometimes frown at what they consider gimmicky formats for stamps, but two stamp issues scheduled for release this year made me smile.

I find particularly clever the nondenominated (49) forever stamp the United States Postal Service will issue June 20. The stamp celebrates the upcoming total solar eclipse that will occur Aug. 21. The total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the United States.

The stamp features thermochromic ink that is activated by the touch of a finger. The warmth of your finger can transform the image of the solar eclipse (a black disk) on the stamp into an image of the moon.

Connect with Linns Stamp News:

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Linns associate editor Michael Baadke provided additional details on the stamp in a story posted April 27. A version of that report also appeared in the May 22 issue of Linns.

This clever design element has captured the attention of the national media. Such coverage can only benefit our wonderful hobby by spreading the word that stamps are fun, entertaining, and just plain cool.

The USPS isnt the first to use thermochromic ink on its stamps. Others have tried it with some success.

Great Britains Royal Mail jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon in 2007 with a sheet of 20 Smilers first-class (1st) stamps (Scott 2487-2491) with 20 labels. The stamps feature the crests of the Hogwarts School and its four houses.

The labels show magic spells or could be personalized for a fee. The magic spell labels were printed using thermographic ink. Human touch causes the labels to reveal what the spells were used for.

In 2016, Royal Mail used thermographic ink on a set of six stamps in three se-tenant pairs (Scott 3546-3551) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Agatha Christies writing of her first crime novel and the 40th anniversary of her death. The stamps featured hidden secrets using microtext, UV ink and thermochromic ink.

Other countries also have used thermochromic ink.

Is thermochromism a gimmick used by postal services to sell more stamps? Absolutely. But if gimmicks attract positive attention and publicity from the national media, stamp collecting can only benefit.

For the record, I also appreciate the whimsy of the round Have a Ball! stamps reported on page 1 of this issue. The stamps feature a special coating that gives them a textured feel, according the Postal Service.

Use these stamps on your mail and share them with noncollectors. What can it hurt? As an added benefit, they might bring a smile to someones face.

Craving more insights from Linns editor Donna Houseman?

Satisfying that urge is easy with a subscription to Linns Stamp News. Sign up here for all the latest philatelic news, columns, and features that make Linns the go-to source for stamp collectors of all abilities and interests!
Charles Lindbergh arrives at Le Bourget, near Paris, in his Spirit of St. Louis aircraft on May 21, 1927.

American aviator Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean on May 21, 1927, without stopping.

On May 20, 90 years ago, after completing several test flights and setting a transcontinental record, Lindbergh hopped aboard his Spirit of St. Louis plane at Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York, and took to the skies for his 3,610-mile (5,800 kilometers) journey. On May 21, after soaring for 33 hours, 30 minutes, Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget Field near Paris, France. There, "he was greeted by a wildly enthusiastic crowd of 100,000," according to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, where the famous single-engine monoplane is on display.

"Our messenger of peace and goodwill has broken down another barrier of time and space," said President Calvin Coolidge of the exceptional flight. [The Sky's the Limit: 15 Key Milestones in Aviation History]

On April 30, 1928, Lindbergh flew the Spirit from St. Louis to Washington, D.C.  the craft's final flight  where he donated it to the Smithsonian.

The so-called Lindbergh boom, in which stocks for the aircraft industry soared and interest in flying skyrocketed, can be attributed to Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, according to the Air and Space Museum. For instance, in 1931, Swiss physicist Auguste Piccard and his assistant Charles Kipfer flew into the history books when they completed a 17-hour flight aboard a hot-air balloon; they were the first to ride a balloon into the stratosphere, ascending to 51,775 feet (15,781 meters).

Lindbergh did not always fly through smooth skies in his personal life. In March 1932, his 20-month-old son was kidnapped and murdered. (The FBI has a detailed account of the kidnapping, murder and investigation that led to the conviction of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, who was put to death by electrocution on April 3, 1936.)

In 1932, Amelia Earhart attempted, unsuccessfully, to become the first woman to take a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic.

Original article on Live Science.
A police officer responding to an emergency call shot and killed an armed suspect Saturday after the man allegedly advanced on officers in the driveway of a Pleasanton home.

Officers went to the home on the 3200 block of Burgundy Drive a 11:40 a.m. after a resident called 911 to report a family disturbance, said Lt. Maria Munayer of the Pleasanton Police Department.
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Tens of thousands of gleeful runners  some plugging along with purpose, others stumbling  streamed along the streets of San Francisco and past Kamila Holmes kissing booth Sunday during the 106th Bay to Breakers. But even the most determined runners had to stop for a smooch when they spotted Pharrell and Paris, two feather-boa-wearing French bulldogs sitting patiently at the makeshift kiosk along Hayes Street.

People love it, said Holmes, 34, who was dressed in a shiny white swimsuit. I heard some people say its the best kissing booth ever.

Holmes and her pooches made up just one of the wild and outrageous scenes along the 7.46-mile race route thats better described as a rolling party of tens of thousands than as a footrace.

Unlike years past, Sundays race came with little trouble. San Francisco police were stationed throughout the course, snatching any undisguised alcohol as they reminded folks to behave themselves.

The throngs of costumed racers first gathered in the hot morning sun at Howard and Main streets, tossing tortillas in the customary prerace ritual, hours before the 8 a.m. start time.

Among them were 29-year-old Carson Rickey, who wore a taco outfit, and Justin Zarozhy, 28, dressed as a banana. That thing is basically a diaper singlet, Rickey said as he pointed at his roommates outfit.

Zarozhy conceded his getup wasnt the most practical for running. Theres gonna be some logistical problems, he said. But its got good ventilation.

As the final waves of runners streamed though the starting gates, the most elite racers had already crossed the finish line at Ocean Beach. Philemon Cheboi, 23, of Kenya got first place for the men in a breezy 34 minutes, 48 seconds. Exactly five minutes later, 23-year-old Buze Diriba of Ethiopia was the first female finisher.

As the onslaught of exhausted runners followed, race emcee Tommy Kansas let them know, Its time to start the party.

And party they did  in buses and bars, on rooftops, balconies, stoops and on the race route.

One such reveler was 49-year-old Eric Anderson. He sported a skimpy thong and had this years theme, Summer of Love, scrawled on his chest in swirly rainbow body paint. He said that hes done the race for 14 of the 16 years hes lived in the city.

It feels like San Francisco, he said. Everyone is so happy. Theyre having fun. Theyre in a good mood. You can forget about everything else thats going on in the world for a few hours.

Some, though, werent looking for a distraction, and instead wore costumes with a political aim.

More for you Live coverage of the 2017 Bay to Breakers race

The 28 female runners of Impala Racing Team donned matching Rosie the Riveter costumes as they ran attached together with a bungee cord. Because of the political atmosphere, we wanted to show that women are strong and powerful, said Camille Matonis, 24, of San Francisco.

Her teammate Liz Louie, 31, said sending a feminist message is especially important this year. As women, its really relevant with whats happening now with Planned Parenthood, Louis said of the Trump administrations effort to cut off funding to the organization. We want to be symbols of strength and grace and female empowerment.

Alcohol was banned as always, but that didnt stop many participants from guzzling booze as they charged through South of Market en route to the notorious slog up Hayes Street.

Joel Chen nursed his hangover with a cleverly disguised water bottle full of vodka alongside his three friends. The pack of 23-year-olds drove up from Los Angeles on Saturday and walked the race in matching black overalls.

We almost didnt make it this morning, Chen said, describing a night of hard drinking that almost put the kibosh on the whole reason they came to San Francisco.

Once over the Hayes Street hill, many pronounced themselves good and plopped down in the shade in the Panhandle while the more serious runners powered through Golden Gate Park to the finish line.

Among the elite racers struggling in the heat was David Urista, 26, of Daly City. He finished the race dressed in a yellow Pikachu onesie in 44 minutes, 21 seconds.

It was fun, said Urista, an assistant cross country coach at San Francisco State University. It was really hot out there.

Jon Brick recycled his Game of Thrones costume from Halloween. Why? People say I look like (character) Jon Snow, said Brick, 31, of San Francisco. He ran with heavy black gloves on for the first half of the race but took them off after they got soaked. It was very hot, he said.

Residents along the route had braced for the onslaught, and many took measures to protect their yards from folks in search of a place to relieve themselves. The 1,000 portable toilets provided by the city also helped.

Marlen Kirby, 46, and Jessica Dobson, 47, live above Central Coffee at Central Avenue and Hayes Street and watched the messy aftermath of the race. There it is, said Kirby, as a man in a Hawaiian shirt vomited in a trash can. Down the block, a glass bottle shattered.

By 11 oclock, when people are peeing outside my door, its not as fun, Dobson noted.

By early afternoon, city cleanup crews followed the few stragglers at the tail end of the race, mopping up any evidence of the massive party. Streets and Muni lines soon reopened, and San Francisco got back to business.

Filipa Ioannou, Catherine Ho and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com, cho@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi, @Cat__Ho, @EvanSernoffsky
WASHINGTON - The committee of seven male rabbis was crystal clear in its report: "A woman should not be appointed to serve in a clergy position."

That stance has been the rule in Orthodox Judaism for thousands of years. But in recent years, a few pioneering Orthodox women have pursued credentials as Jewish spiritual leaders - and four synagogues, including two in the Washington areas, have hired them as clergy.

Now, since those seven rabbis published their report in February, the Orthodox Union that serves as the organizing body for this most religiously traditional branch of Judaism is putting pressure on the four synagogues, urging them to modify the female leaders' roles or face possible expulsion.

At Ohev Sholom, the Northwest Washington congregation that calls itself "the national synagogue," the clergy insist they won't change the role or title of their female leader, Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman.

"Our maharat is a beloved, beloved figure in our community, and people are inspired and in deep appreciation of her spiritual talents," said Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld. "It's not even negotiable."

Yeshivat Maharat, a school established by liberal-leaning Orthodox rabbis, began graduating female clergy in 2013, giving them the title "maharat" - instead of "rabbi," which has been conferred on women in the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements of Judaism for decades but remains reserved for men among the Orthodox.

Ohev Sholom became the first American synagogue to hire a maharat. Three more in the Orthodox Union - Potomac's Beth Sholom, and synagogues in Los Angeles and New York - followed suit.

Herzfeld and Friedman said that the Orthodox Union did not initially complain when Friedman was hired, and only asked Ohev Sholom for a meeting to talk about her position after the rabbinical committee issued its opinion in February. The meeting happened on Wednesday.

The three Orthodox Union leaders who attended the meeting did not respond to inquiries from The Washington Post. A spokeswoman for the OU wrote in an email, "We do not believe it will benefit our private meetings to go public right now, as we don't want to prejudice the ability to have meaningful conversations in an ongoing effort at resolution."

The New York Jewish Week reported that the same three officials also planned similar meetings with the other three Orthodox synagogues employing female clergy. At Beth Sholom, synagogue president David Felsen declined to comment on the discussion with the OU. "Maharat Fruchter is an inspirational and powerful spiritual leader, who along with our rabbi brings a tremendous amount of spirituality to our community," he said about Hadas Fruchter, the congregation's assistant spiritual leader who was ordained by Yeshivat Maharat in 2016.

At Ohev Sholom, Herzfeld and Friedman said that the officials told them they are considering the four synagogues from the OU, and that they would make a decision in the future.

Friedman said that she used the meeting on Wednesday to explain her role in the synagogue. She answers spiritual questions, teaches, gives sermons on the Sabbath and officiates at weddings and funerals. But she does not do what a rabbi does - she is prohibited from leading a prayer service where men are present, to begin with. She too agrees that Jewish law strictly limits what a woman can do.

"I don't lead services, because women don't lead services in Orthodox law," she said. When people ask why she doesn't simply become a rabbi in a more liberal branch of Judaism, she explains, "I really believe in the Orthodox approach to Jewish law."

But she doesn't agree about how those Orthodox laws should be interpreted. The rabbinical report listed numerous explanations for why women should be prohibited from all spiritual leadership, including citing a 12th-century scholar's writing that women should not be kings, and arguing that a traditional prohibition on a woman being a kosher butcher means a woman can't hold any other religious authority over the community either.

Women can and should serve as teachers, counselors and administrators of synagogues, the report said. But they should not take on the regular duties of a rabbi, including officiating at life cycle events or giving sermons.

"We feel that the absence of institutionalized women's rabbinical leadership has been both deliberate and meaningful, and should continue to be preserved," the committee wrote.

According to Herzfeld and Friedman, the OU officials' main objection, when they met on Wednesday, was not to any of the roles that Friedman performs at Ohev Sholom but to her use of the title "maharat." They did not propose an alternate title, Herzfeld said.

"It's not even negotiable to talk about changing the title for the purpose of demeaning her. Why else, if you're comfortable with what she does? And you want to take away her title? That's just demeaning to her," Herzfeld said. "The fact that we're treating her with the respect that we would give a man is what bothers them. That, to me, is a civil rights issue."

Friedman agreed. "Certain people within Orthodoxy just seem to be uncomfortable with women having positions of leadership within the community," she said. She said she will preach her sermon on the subject this week.

The Ohev Sholom community will support her, she said, even if the OU does not. The synagogue took a survey this month to demonstrate Friedman's effectiveness: 161 people said that having a maharat brings value to the congregation, and just two did not.

Friedman's presence has been especially important, Herzfeld said, for women rattled by the revelation two years ago that Barry Freundel, the rabbi at the other Orthodox synagogue in Washington, had been taking illegal photographs of women undressing for the ritual bath. Friedman has been able to counsel women at Ohev Sholom about using the bath and many other sensitive questions, including the complex laws surrounding menstruation and sexual activity that Orthodox women follow.

Women ask her questions, Friedman said, that they would not be comfortable asking a male rabbi. Thanks to her presence, those questions no longer go unanswered.

And the answer they get is based in the traditional Jewish law that everyone in the congregation embraces.

Regardless of the OU's decision, Herzfeld insisted, "We are Orthodox."
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A toy firetruck adorned with red flowers sat at the foot of a collection of balloons, stuffed animals and bouquets Saturday at Ingram Square Shopping Center  an impromptu memorial to Scott Deem, the 31-year-old firefighter who died while fighting a blaze that engulfed the Northwest Side shopping center late Thursday night.

There will be a rosary for Deem on Thursday, officials said, with funeral services on Friday; no other details about time or place were made public Saturday.

There also was no update on the condition of injured firefighter Brad Phipps, who remains in University Hospital. A second firefighter hurt Thursday night, Robert Vasquez, was released from the hospital Friday.

San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Woody Woodward said the departments arson investigation unit along with the state fire marshal and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the investigation into the fire.

As investigators continued working at the site Saturday, passers-by stopped to pay their respects and supply workers with packs of bottled water.

Shaun Pruneda, Melissa Pruneda and their two daughters, ages 7 and 10, braved light rainfall to pay tribute to Deem at the shopping center. Shaun Pruneda said his daughter plays volleyball with Deems daughter at National Youth Sports. Deem regularly volunteered and attended school functions, Melissa Pruneda said, and made sure to attend every volleyball game.

He was a volleyball parent just like we were, Melissa Pruneda said.

He was a great father, Shaun Pruneda said.

Miniature U.S. flags, stars, ribbons and flowers decorated a neon green poster with written tributes to Deem and messages for his family.

Thank you for your brave soul, one person wrote. I pray you rest in peace and strength for the family.

Another wrote, My heart bleeds for your loss. My thoughts and prayers with you all.

Michael OConnell and Theresa OConnell diverted from their normal walking route near Ingram Park Mall to view the scene.

Obviously, he was a brave guy, Michael OConnell said. He went in thinking there were people in there he needed to rescue and lost his life in the process.

A separate tribute sprouted at Station 35 on Culebra Road where Deem worked. And there was a third memorial to Deem in front of the San Antonio Public Safety headquarters at 315 S. Santa Rosa. Fire Chief Charles Hood encouraged members of the public who want to leave tributes to do so at the headquarters building instead of at Station 35 to avoid tying up roadways at the heavily trafficked intersection near the station.

Citizens are also paying their respects online, in writing and financially. A crowdfunding campaign for Phipps had raised more than $14,000 as of Saturday afternoon. Donations to help Deems family can be made at any Generations Federal Credit Union, according to the San Antonio Fire Fighters Association. To make a deposit electronically, the account number is 1000001554997; the routing number is 314088572. Donations also are being accepted at the credit union to help Phipps and Vasquez.

Deem is the first San Antonio firefighter to die in the line of duty in two decades. He left behind his wife, Jennifer, their two children, 13-year-old Dakota and 7-year-old Tyler, and a baby on the way.

Staff Writer Chris Quinn contributed to this report.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
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SAN ANTONIO  Scott Deem, the 31-year-old firefighter who died Thursday night in a massive fire at Spartan Gym, was a father of two and his widow is pregnant with the couple's third child, the fire department announced Friday.

The San Antonio Fire Department, along with Mayor Ivy Taylor and members of city council, mourned the loss of one of their brothers following the death of Deem in a 4-alarm fire Thursday night.

SAFD Chief Charles Hood and Mayor Taylor both addressed the tragedy that occurred in the 6700 block of Ingram Road.

READ MORE: S.A. honors, prays for firefighters killed, injured in 4-alarm blaze on Northwest Side

Last night we had our worst day, Hood said Friday during a news conference.

Hood said the department intends to rally behind Deem's family in this difficult time.

Taylor expressed her condolences for the fire department and Deems family.

One of our best did not make it home, Taylor said during todays news conference.

Deem started with SAFD on Jan. 3, 2011, and was assigned to L35 "A" Shift. He graduated from Southwest High School in 2004 and entered the SAFD Academy in 2011.

He was married with two kids and one on the way. His wife was Jennifer and his children are daughter Dakota, 13, and son Tyler, 7, Hood said.

Two other firefighters were injured and rescued from the blaze.

Robert Vasquez suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged from University Hospital, Hood said. He started with SAFD on Dec. 23, 2006.

Brad Phipps was seriously injured and was transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he remains in critical-but-stable condition, the chief said. Phipps started with SAFD on April 18, 2006.

Hood broke down the minute details of the rescue efforts made Thursday night at the Spartan Gym, which was fully engulfed in flames and producing heavy thick smoke.

RELATED: Firefighter killed, 2 injured in major blaze on Northwest Side

The smoke was so thick  you couldnt see anything, Hood said.

A Mayday call was sounded about 20 minutes into the incident, with two firefighters being listed as being unaccounted for, the chief said.

Phipps was found about 26 minutes into the incident and was immediately transported to Brooke Army Medical Center while fire crews continued to search the structure for the second missing firefighters.

Vasquez was rescued from the blaze 48 minutes into the blaze, Hood said.

After several attempts to try and located one of the missing firefighters, officials, Hood included, decided it was too dangerous to continue searching for Deem, which Hood said was "one of the most difficult decisions of my life."

At 11:34 p.m. Thursday, firefighters were able to see Deem's equipment from outside the structure.

When the found Deems body in the building, they draped the flag from his Station, No. 35, over him as they took him to the medical examiners office, Hood said.

The department will honor Deems memory by having all members of the department walk the building where he died to understand his death and mourn his loss, Hood said.

After that, the department will celebrate his life and career with the department.

We will celebrate Scott Deem that is only befitting a hero in this city, Hood said.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
President Donald Trump has released his budget blueprint, which provides the first portion of his fiscal year 2018 budget request to Congress.

The so-called skinny budget contains cuts to vital HUD programs, including HOME, the Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, and Choice Neighborhoods.

All of these programs have played an important role in ensuring affordable housing in our communities.

However, the presidents budget would provide only $40.7 billion for HUD, which is a 13.2 percent decrease from the fiscal year 2017 budget.

Cuts of these proportions would be devastating to San Antonios economy and affordable housing goals, particularly as the 2017 bond initiative calls for investments to establish affordable housing as a permanent community priority.

Trumps budget, in its current form, would mean a loss of approximately $10 million locally and would prevent San Antonio families from accessing decent, safe, affordable housing.

Federal funding for public housing programs and rental assistance programs is deeply inadequate and has been for years.

SAHA is the largest housing authority in Texas, for instance, and provides housing assistance and supportive services to more than 65,000 children, adults and seniors.

But the need for affordable housing is much greater. There are approximately 30,000 applicants on SAHAs waiting list for Section 8 vouchers, with waiting times varying from four to seven years. All the while, the Housing Choice Voucher administrative fee slows, or limits, the number of vouchers in use.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, estimates suggest that just 1 in 4 eligible people are currently receiving HUD rental assistance because of funding limitations.

If supporters of the presidents proposed skinny budget think more public-private partnerships can help close the funding gap, then they should realize that cutting successful community-development programs, including CDBG and Choice Neighborhoods, will only impede local economic development.

On the contrary, budget cuts will be detrimental to the delivery of health care associated with these programs and actually disincentivize public-private partnerships. In recent years, public-private partnerships have been instrumental in providing model developments, including HemisView Village, Sutton Oaks and East Meadows.

The city and supporters of affordable housing have an unprecedented obligation to educate and inform constituents, as well as federal elected officials, before a full budget proposal is finalized.

The entire community must take action to support housing and community-development programs for the future generations of San Antonians. We need Congress to intervene to help housing agencies preserve our vital housing.

Call your Congress members to tell them a highly personalized story of what these potential cuts would mean for you, your family, your business and the city of San Antonio.

Morris A. Stribling is chairman of the San Antonio Housing Authority, and David Nisivoccia is SAHAs president and CEO.
Culture / Auctions

A Japanese billionaire bought a Basquiat masterpiece for $110.5 million in New York Thursday, setting a new auction record for the 20th century great nearly 30 years after his death, Sothebys said

May 21, 2017 | By LUXUO

The 1982 Untitled of a skull-like head in oil-stick, acrylic and spray paint on a giant canvas was the star lot of the auction season this May, which wraps Friday with more than $1 billion in sales. Sothebys said it was snapped up by the same Japanese entrepreneur, 41-year-old Yusaku Maezawa, who set the previous Jean-Michel Basquiat auction record last year, dropping $57.3 million on a self-portrait.

The $110.5 million price tag was a record for any US artist at auction and the highest at auction for a post-1980 artwork, Sothebys said. I am happy to announce that I just won this masterpiece, Maezawa wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of himself with the picture.

When I first encountered this painting, I was struck with so much excitement and gratitude for my love of art. I want to share that experience with as many people as possible.

Cheers and applause greeted the sale, which almost doubled the previous Basquiat auction record of $57 million. During bidding, the auctioneer offered occasional moments of levity and encouragement. Its a great masterpiece at $98 million dollars, he said to laughter in the room. The $110.5 million price tag includes the buyers premium.

Basquiat, born in Brooklyn to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents died in 1988 of an overdose aged just 27 after a fleeting eight-year career. Untitled provoked a tense 10-minute bidding war in the room and on the telephone, before ultimately going to Maezawa via telephone. The canvas had been virtually unseen in public since being bought in 1984 for $19,000. It was valued pre-sale in excess of $60 million.

 Pantheon of greats 

Sothebys announced that the painting will be housed eventually in a museum based in Maezawas hometown of Chiba, Japan. The house parted with a total of $319 million worth of post-war and contemporary art at Thursdays evening auction, one day after rival Christies sold $448 million at its own version of the same sale.

The subject of much of Basquiats work  ordeals endured by blacks in America  is finding renewed resonance in the wake of nationwide US protests since 2014 about the shootings of unarmed black men by police. Christies sold Basquiats La Hara  an acrylic and oil-stick of an angry-looking New York police officer  for $35 million on Wednesday.

Breaking $100 million for a work which is that recent is definitely extraordinary. I think it just speaks about the talent of this guy, said Gregoire Billault, Sothebys head of contemporary art. Ive never seen so much emotions in such a painting, he said. Hes bringing something never seen before.

Now he goes into the pantheon of great, great artists, said Oliver Barker, chairman of Sothebys Europe. Its as simple as that. Christies announced Thursday that its impressionist, modern, post-war and contemporary sales this week totaled $842.5 million, which it said was up $220 million over its sales last season in November.

Sothebys concludes its week of sales on Friday. Sothebys also sold Roy Lichtensteins Nude Sunbathing for $24 million Thursday and broke records for Keith Haring, Blinky Palermo, Mira Schendel, Wolfgang Tillmans, Jonas Wood and Takeo Yamaguchi.

This season saw a majority of art either coming fresh to market or being offered at auction for the first time in 20 years or more. Pablo Picasso holds the world record for the most expensive piece of art ever sold at auction. His The Women of Algiers (Version 0) fetched $179.4 million at Christies in New York in 2015.
Copies of the newspaper will be available at our stand (F23-25) today, tomorrow and Tuesday. It includes news, interviews and photos and is published during the INTA Annual Meeting being held in Barcelona.

The first issue can also be downloaded from our website (PDF). This has articles on plain packaging, Brexit, KitKat and hashtags, an interview with IACC President Bob Barchiesi and the first part of our exclusive IP STARS research looking at what clients look for in outside advisers.

There are also tips for things to do in Barcelona and our recommendations for which sessions to attend.

Trademark Times is not associated with, or endorsed by, INTA.

Also on our booth you can find copies of our recent magazines, handbooks and supplements, more information on the website and details of our latest subscription offers.

And we have a special gift for practitioners listed in IP STARS: a unique passport for everyone who submitted their photo during this year's research process. Come to the booth to claim yours!
STUART  Dont drink, smoke dip or chew or associate with folks that do, 100-year-old Laura Clifton said.

Thats the advice Lauras mother once told her was the secret to living a long life. As she celebrated a century on the planet this week, it seems the poem held some good idea.

Born in Critz on May 17, 1917, it wasnt long before Clifton moved with her family to North Carolina, where her father purchased land and operated a farm.

Brought into the world in the midst of World War I, Clifton doesnt recall life during the Great War, nor does she remember much about the Roaring 20s.

I wasnt but three years old, Clifton said about the time when the Jazz Era took hold of the States. I guess it was good for me.

The centenarian does recall the years of the Great Depression, but doesnt feel it had a large impact on her family.

We lived on a farm and my daddy raised all of our food we had to eat, Clifton said. Well, except coffee and sugar.

Cliftons family raised chickens on their farm. They sold the hens eggs and purchased other things with the profits, like salt and pepper to season their food. However, chickens arent the only poultry species Clifton remembers living on the farm.

It was ducks, Clifton said. We fed it and it had eggs and we ate the eggs.

Being over 80 years ago, Clifton didnt recall whether or not the duck and chicken eggs had a similar taste.

Cliftons parents had 12 children  five boys and seven girls  but not all lived to adulthood. Growing up, there were 10 siblings, Clifton included.

It takes a big table to fit mom and dad and 10 children, Clifton said.

Clifton married in 1936, only five years before the States took up arms in World War II.

When war broke out, one of her brothers fought in the Navy.

My others were older and they didnt have to go, Clifton said.

Her husband came down with an illness, which also prevented his service.

My husband went and he had some kind of fever, Clifton said. He didnt have to go.

During the war, Clifton found employment at Karastan Rugs in present-day Eden, North Carolina, formerly Leaksville.

Youve seen the coiled rugs? Clifton asked. I coiled those rugs.

Clifton also remembers rationing certain foods during WWII, namely cream and sugar.

Because of those rations, she started drinking her coffee without additives and hasnt deviated since.

Two years after the war ended, Clifton became a member of Stoneville Baptist Church, where she took care of children through the churchs nursery program.

Working in the department for over 20 years, Clifton served long enough to see some of the babies she nurtured turn into adults with babies of their own, for which she also cared.

During her time at the nursery, Clifton and her husband welcomed their first baby, George Clifton.

Wed been married 15 years before we had George, Laura said. We talked about adopting, but God gave me a son.

Seven years later, the Lord blessed the family with another boy, Garry Clifton.

Together, the boys organized gatherings for their mothers special birthday: one at Landmark Center for Laura and her residential friends on Wednesday and a family party on Saturday.

Theyre also actively working toward attaining a special gift for the woman whos given so much to them  100 cards.

When youre 100 years old, what do you want? Garry said. She loves getting cards.

So far, the number of cards isn't too far off of the familys overall goal.

We wanted her to have 100 cards for her 100th birthday, Garry said on Wednesday. As of this morning, she had 78. Were pretty close right about now.

For those interested in joining the card-giving fun, birthday greetings may be sent to Laura Clifton, 227 Landmark Drive, Stuart, VA, 24171.
MARTINSVILLE  The purpose of the New College Institute (NCI) is to help Southern Virginia residents boost their educational levels in various ways, not just through earning degrees, Executive Director Leanna Blevins emphasizes.

That has always been NCIs mission, and it will continue to be, she maintains.

Our model (for providing higher education) is not designed in the way that a traditional universitys is, and thats on purpose, Blevins said. Whereas universities generally decide on degree programs they will provide and continue to offer them for many years, we have to constantly evolve (NCIs programs) based on regional and statewide demand for skills that people need to fill existing jobs.

Based on statistics, she said NCI has helped many people become better educated, and she believes it will continue to well into the future.

No public four-year colleges or universities  which typically are less costly to attend than private ones  are in Southern Virginia. Believing that has led to fewer adults in the region having earned degrees, the state established the institute in uptown Martinsville in 2006 to fill the gap.

NCI provides local access to various bachelors and masters degree programs of partner universities. For the most part, those degrees are ones needed for jobs that area companies and other businesses and organizations have had trouble filling. The institute also offers training and professional development programs designed to be responsive to needs of regional employers.

Students at NCI, who also are students of the universities providing the degree programs in which they are enrolled, have earned 382 undergraduate and masters degrees over the past 11 years.

Officials with the institute when it was established predicted that at least 1,000 students would earn degrees during its first six years of operation, Blevins recalled.

Blevins is NCIs third executive director. Although she has been with the institute since its planning stages, she did not become its top administrator on a permanent basis until last December.

Had she been at its helm in 2006, she would not have predicted such a high number, she admitted. She wonders how some officials at that time apparently decided on a number of at least 1,000.

Still, I would have predicted more (degrees earned already) than what weve had, she said, adding that she is not satisfied with just 382.

In the beginning, we thought it would be easier to increase educational levels in our community, Blevins said.

Overcoming barriers

Prospective college students in the area often have barriers to overcome, both academically and economically, she acknowledged.

One is that students wanting to enroll are not always ready, Blevins said. About 90 percent of the time, she estimated, we have to send students back to the community college to get prerequisites  basic courses they need to be able to succeed in higher-level courses toward degrees.

In providing bachelors degrees, NCI uses a 2 + 2 model in which students go to another higher education institution  usually a community college  to take their first two years of courses and then take two years of higher-level courses in their chosen study fields at the institute.

Many of those students either didnt finish earning a community college education or their grades werent quite what our academic partners would accept  (so) they werent quite ready to enroll (in programs) at the university level, Blevins said.

NCI doesnt set admissions standards for our programs, she noted. And, our partners have the same admission requirements here as they do (for programs) on their own campuses.

Degree programs at the institute are not a watered-down version of a (traditional) university degree, she emphasized.

Some people might not be ready to put in the time and effort needed to earn a degree, or they are not willing to make sacrifices  such as giving up some time with family members and friends  that may be necessary, according to Blevins.

Furthermore, while trying to earn a college education, sometimes life happens, she said. Situations such as family and job matters, a lack of transportation and child care and financial needs can hinder a person in obtaining a degree.

Over the years, Blevins continued, institute officials realized that just opening our doors and having degree programs offered by our partner universities isnt enough.

Students need help to enroll in college and complete their studies, she indicated.

Last year alone, 510 current and prospective NCI students received financial aid and/or advice on what careers or degrees to pursue. The institute will continue to strive to learn about students needs and try to find ways to fulfill those needs, according to Blevins.

NCI has added degree programs and abandoned others, and it will continue doing both as needed, she said.

When a program has low enrollment, its not fiscally responsible to continue that program. We cant offer a plethora of programs and have just two people (students) in each, Blevins said.

Degree programs in accounting, criminal justice and homeland security are among about a half-dozen that have been abandoned. Either not as many students were interested in them as anticipated or when people earned degrees and filled jobs available, the programs no longer were needed, said Blevins.

The programs that have been most successful have been the ones for which jobs were available when students completed the programs, but eventually a job market becomes saturated, she said.

We will constantly strive to increase the number of people who complete our programs, Blevins said, and in doing so, we will find out what employers need and make sure we match educational options to fill those needs.

But providing degrees is only part of what we do, she emphasized.

By the numbers

Statistics show that NCI has helped numerous people become better educated in other ways.

Blevins mentioned, for instance, that 1,221 people have completed at least one component of STAR Telehealth training since the program was established about three years ago. Telehealth is a branch of medicine in which electronic technology is used to diagnose ailments and monitor peoples vital signs and conditions from afar, such as when they cannot travel to out-of-town medical centers for care.

Last year, 94 educators took part in teacher recertification programs, and 375 people attended non-credit lectures sponsored by the institute on various topics, statistics show.

NCIs services are not just for adults.

For example, 105 students have completed NCIs Academy for Engineering and Technology. The dual enrollment program enables high school students to earn college credits while acquiring basic skills and learning about career opportunities in related fields.

Eighty-three middle school students attended learning-oriented summer camps sponsored by NCI last year, and more than 900 students in area elementary schools have participated yearly in a reading program sponsored by the institute and aimed at their age level, statistics show.

We have had a tremendous impact on peoples lives over the years, Blevins said.
COLLINSVILLEThere are two different versions as to what happened the night in 2015 when Sandesh Dhavan's body was found. The judge and those in Henry County General District Court on Friday heard both sides, during the preliminary hearing for Benjamin Rios Tovar.

Tovar faces charges of second-degree murder in Dhavan's death. Dhavan, who was from India, was a 23-year-old student at Southern Methodist University in Texas who was in Henry County on a work-study internship program. He was in Henry County to work assessing the signal of cell phone towers, and Tovar was his driver. His body was found July 7, 2015 in a room at Knights Inn on Virginia Avenue in Collinsville. Dhavan and Tovar shared a room.

During Friday's hearing, Jason Keller of the Henry County Sheriffs Office, the lead investigator in the case, said he went to the room on July 7 and found Dhavan's body on the floor, with massive neck, head and facial trauma, and large amounts of blood on and about him. An autopsy later showed that Dhavan died from multiple stab wounds.

Keller testified that Tovar had fled to Texas, where he was eventually located and placed in custody in the Dallas County Jail. Keller said he and Major Eric Winn of the Henry County Sheriffs Office flew to Texas, and picked Tovar up from the Dallas County Jail on July 22 or 23.

When they were riding in an SUV to the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, Keller said, Tovar voluntarily and without being questioned began making statements and asking questions. Keller said Tovar was asking about legal proceedings going forward, and that he wanted to talk to a lawyer about what he had done, that he is a nice guy. Keller also testified that Tovar said what happened was in self-defense and he didn't want to say too much. At that point, Keller had not read Tovar his Miranda rights.

Keller described Tovars comments as rambling but said he could understand what the man said.

Keller said he didnt know whether at the time Tovar had been served copies of the Henry County arrest warrants but that Tovar had been told he was accused of killing Dhavan.

Keller said he also didnt notice any injuries to Tovar but that he was dressed.

The prosecution, on the other hand, argued that the murder was not done in self-defense. Henry County Commonwealths Attorney Andrew Nester and Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Wayne Withers

contended that Tovar brutally murdered Dhavan, cutting his throat from jugular to jugular and stabbing him repeatedly in the chest. They pointed out testimony heard earlier in the week which said Tovar had been acting strangely toward Dhavan in recent days, possibly over a car lease agreement and gas card.

As evidence, they brought out Lionel Dsouza, who testified that he spent the July 4, 2015 weekend with Dhavan and Tovar. Dsouza said he and Dhavan had studied engineering together in India for several years and had been roomates at Southern Methodist University for a year before coming to Virginia as part of the work-study internship program. Dsouza had been assigned to Lynchburg and given another driver.

But during the July 4 weekend, Dsouza said, he had come down to hang out with his old roommate. During his time in Henry County, Tovar did the driving, he told the court. He acknowledged that Tovar had a knife with a four-inch blade on him during the weekend. At one point, he used the knife to open up a beer can. He never saw Tovar point the knife at anyone, however.

Dsouza also told the court that Dhavan had mentioned Tovar was acting strangely. This allegedly happened after they reviewed procedures of their employer and Dhavan found out he was supposed to have a copy of the vehicle lease and he was supposed to have the gas card. Tovar told Dhavan he had thrown the lease in a dumpster, and turned over the gas card.

Dsouza said Tovar and Dhavan took him back to Lynchburg on Sunday, July 5, and later that day, after 7 p.m., Dsouza called Dhavan after he and Tovar returned to Henry County. Dsouza said that was the last conversation he ever had with Dhavan. Dsouza indicated Dhavan did not mention anything unusual at that time.

Dsouza said he called Dhavan several times throughout the day on July 6 but Dhavan never answered, and the calls went straight through to voice mail. Dsouza said he called Tovar twice that Monday evening but got no answer. Dsouza said Tovar called him about 9:35 that evening and said he was in Dallas, Texas, because of his poison ivy outbreak. Dsouza said he was aware Tovar had experienced poison ivy rash.

Dsouza said he was surprised that Tovar was in Dallas.

When Dsouza inquired about why he had been unable to contact Dhavan, Tovar said Dhavan probably was sleeping and would be working again the next day, July 7.

Hope Fitzgerald, a housekeeper at Knights Inn, testified that she saw Dhavan, Tovar and Dsouza on July 5 when they were getting ready to leave (thats the day they went to Lynchburg), and they all seemed pleasant and getting along, just as they had been before on the few occasions she had seen them.

Fitzgerald said on Monday, July 6, there was a Do not disturb sign on the door to the room, which she had never seen on that room door before. She also said that she didnt see the white car she associated with the room that day.

Suryakant Patel, the owner of Knights Inn, also testified that on July 7 he went to the room that Tovar and Dhavan shared after he was alerted that their company was trying to contact them. Patel said he checked the room and saw a bedspread or blanket on the floor with a leg sticking out, and he contacted police.

Investigator Chris Ashley of the Henry County Sheriffs Office testified that Dhavans neck area was cut and he had stab wounds in the chest area.

Ashley said a prescription with Tovars name was found near Dhavans body, as were a wallet containing Tovars identification and a letter in the wallet. According to a criminal complaint, the letter talked about killing. Certificates of analysis from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science indicated a latent (invisible to the naked eye) fingerprint matching Tovar was found on the letter ending with thank you. SATAN.

After hearing the testimony, Tovars lawyer, Tracy Evans II, argued that the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof  that some witnesses observed Tovar and Dhavan acting pleasantly toward each other, and that there was no confession statement, among other things.

Judge Larry Gott didn't make a judgement either way, as this was a preliminary hearing. Instead, he found enough of a case to certify or send the second-degree murder charge on to Henry County Circuit Court. However, Gott dismissed a second charge against Tovar  unauthorized use of a motor vehicle  for allegedly driving a leased car from Henry County to Texas without permission. Gott said no evidence about the actual lease agreement was presented during the court hearing.
ludlow police cruisers.jpg

LUDLOW - A 34-year-old man shot multiple times in the face Saturday night is recovering from his injuries.

The victim, a Ludlow resident, was shot in the ear, under one eye and was grazed in the neck at about 11:11 p.m. He was treated by the Ludlow Fire Department paramedics and taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield by ambulance. He remains in the hospital, Police Sgt. Daniel Valadas said.

The intestigation showed the man was hit with a pellet gun, Valadas said.

The shooting happened on the 200 block of State Street near the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. Witnesses reported hearing approximately half-dozen shots fired, Valadas said.

Ludlow Police continue to investigate with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police investigation unit tied to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's office, he said.

A Palmer Police K-9 unit assisted in the search, but the dog was not able to follow a scent. Wilbraham Police also helped by searching along the Chicopee River where it parallels River Road and State Street.

The shooting happened in a densely-populated area and police received multiple 911 calls reporting the crime. Detectives are now interviewing witnesses, Valadas said.

The suspect had fled the scene and was described as being a male who is about 6 feet tall. He was holding what appeared to be a handgun, Valadas said.

Currently there is no motive and police are still trying to identify the suspect or suspects, he said.

The road was closed for a short time between Essex and Worcester streets while police investigated the crime, Valadas said.

Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to call Ludlow Police detectives at 583-8305 or send an anonymous text to CRIMES (274637), then type the word SOLVE, and then send the information, he said.
YARMOUTH - A Falmouth man is facing a charge of animal cruelty after driving speedily through a parking lot and into a flock of seagulls on Wednesday, according to The Boston Globe.

The incident took place at Seagull Beach--a popular ocean-side spot in Yarmouth.

22-year-old Brandin Bothelo allegedly drove his 2015 black Honda Civic at a high rate of speed through a large group of seagulls, killing two and injuring a number of others, according to witnesses at the scene.

Bothelo then sped away from the scene.

Police say the incident upset a number of families and witnesses--one of which chased after Bothelo's vehicle and wrote down his license plate number.

The vehicle identification was handed over to police, who subsequently located and interviewed Bothelo about the bird incident.

Bothelo denied intentionally trying to hit the gulls, telling law enforcement that he had driven by the flock but did not hit any of them with his car.

Yarmouth police secured surveillance tapes of the parking lot from Yarmouth's Department of Natural Resources, viewing them Thursday morning.

After observing the tapes, police determined that Bothelo had gone "out of his way to hit the birds," according to a statement released by Yarmouth Police on Friday.

Bothelo was subsequently charged with animal cruelty and operating a vehicle negligently. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court.
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One person was taken to the hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

(Palmer Police photo)

MONSON - One person was seriously injured in a head-on accident that was believed to be caused by a drunken driver.

The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries that were serious but not life threatening in the accident that happened at 2:44 p.m. Saturday, police said.

"Charges for operating under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation are expected," Monson police said.

The accident happened on Route 20 and forced part of the road to be closed for some time. Monson Police were assisted by Palmer Police and Fire departments and the Palmer Ambulance, police said.
NORTHAMPTON -- "I encourage you to take care of yourself. Love yourself, because only people who love themselves have enough love to give to the rest of the world, " said Oprah Winfrey during her keynote address at Smith College Sunday, and the graduating class of 2017 hung on every word.

Smith celebrated its 139th Commencement Ceremony on campus and while every year is special for the graduates and their families, there was a bit more excitement this time around as Oprah Winfrey made her way to the stage.

"I was nervous enough knowing when I was elected class president that I had to make this speech in front of so many people I have the highest respect for, but now Oprah! Really? Well that's Smith for you," said Senior Class President Badriyyah Salem Alsabath.

Before Winfrey's speech Smith College President Kathleen McCartney awarded honorary degrees to several women including Winfrey, former Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins, Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan, Erin O'Shea '88, president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Harvard University professor. Along with Winfrey, fellow honorary degree recipient Henrietta Mann, a Native American education and tribal leader and founding president of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College, was also given a standing ovation by students.

Mann extended her arms to the audience and mouthed "Thank you, I love you," to the crowd.

Winfrey congratulated all of the "Smithies," including Nonkululeko (Morgan) Mpungose, who studied at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which opened in South Africa in 2007 to educate academically gifted girls from impoverished backgrounds. At age 12, Mpungose was handpicked by Winfrey to be among the first 152 students at the school, according to the college website.

Winfrey said Mpungose, along with all of the other graduates, leaves the college with a desire to do something for the world.

"She leaves confident and assured, with her heart on fire to serve a cause greater than her own, a woman of the world. That's what you do here at Smith," she said.

Winfrey also thanked the college for the Black Lives Matter banners hanging outside many buildings in the school.

" Don't think I didn't notice all the Black Lives Matter signs...You all understood that justice for all really matters," she said. "I appreciate that you see the other, notice the other, and recognize that our differences make us a whole nation, a whole wide world."

Winfrey offered up a few life lessons to the graduates including the idea that every person wants to feel validated.

She said that after interviewing thousands of people over the years she noticed a striking similarity in all of them. After an interview or a performance was completed, they all asked her if they had done well, if they "did OK," she said.

"It's because every person just wants to know they were heard," she said. "What I've learned is when you create your work and your life based on an intention to serve with purpose, you will have a blessed life."

Winfrey shared an anecdote about a man she interviewed who almost died in an airplane crash and said he saw the auras of people leaving their bodies as they burned in their seats. Some auras were brighter than others and that made him think they lived brighter lives. Winfrey said she has a prayer for every Smith graduate.

"My closing prayer for you Smithies, (is) that you leave here and live the brightest life," she said.
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Toronto, May 21 (IBNS): The popularity of Yoga is rising all over the world in recent times and Canada is no exception.

"Yoga contributes directly to human happiness," said Satish Thakkar, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) which will be celebrated at the International Centre in Mississauga on June 25 next.

The health benefits of the practice are both physical and mental, he said.

In the 21st century, happiness index has also emerged as an important parameter of economic development, and here again yoga contributes directly to human happiness. It is time for a change in the approach to health care by paying more attention to prevention," he says.

" The advocacy of yoga as an alternative form of health care can bring about a substantive change in reducing health care costs and promoting overall well being of Canadians. Equally, yoga is directly instrumental in enhancing productivity thereby contributing to economic progress Thakkar added.

Giving an emphasis on the benefits of yoga, the third International Day of Yoga will be celebrated at the International Centre in Mississauga on June 25, 2017 where world renowned Yoga guru Baba Ramdev will lead the practice of yoga in the morning while Sister Shivani, with a following of over 200 million, will lead the meditation in the evening.

More than 10,000 people are expected to participate in the IYDC celebrations, said Thakkar who himself does 60 minutes of yoga every day.

Yogas rising acceptance among the masses is because it is inexpensive and inherently simple to practice. All it requires from the practitioner is discipline and dedication.

"Pertinently, by involving the mental faculties as keenly as physicality, yoga transcends from being a mere exercise routine and transforms into an instrument to alleviate both body and mind. Yoga is at the root of the mindfulness and wellness endeavours that advocate a holistic approach to the understanding ones existence both by knowing ones minds and ones body, said the Yoga proponent, the chair of IYDC, the not-for-profit organisation formed in 2015 to promote yoga in Canada.

Organizations with a global footprint engaged in popularising and propagating the virtues of yoga are collaborating with the IYDC for the programme.

According to statistics, yoga has grown by over 70 percent in the United States in the last five years, indicating a spiralling popularity of an ancient form of self-purification and self-actualisation technique which originated in India.

Purely from a commercial standpoint, in the United States, yoga is estimated to be over a $30 billion industry.

In Canada, said Thakkar, the healthcare system is under a severe strain already and the financial burden of a rapidly aging demographic is expected to grow exponentially in the near future. The population of seniors are outnumbering youth, a situation that has major implications on health care budgets.

The situation is going to get aggravated, said Thakkar.

It is time for the Canadian health care establishment to look at alternative forms of medicine. In the 21st century, the practice of yoga has become the most effective means to counter many of aliments whose roots lie in sedentary and static urban lifestyle.

"The Conference Board of Canada has estimated recently that depression related ailments cost the Canadian economy $32 billion and similarly anxiety related ailments cost $17 billion. Yoga has proved to be one of the most effective methods to reduce the both. The practice of yoga also provides soothing mental equilibrium Thakkar added.






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This years Cannes Film Festival is hogging the limelight primarily for two reasons  first is actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchans princess like avatar and second is actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hold on to your seats guys as the Commando actor has announced that he will be starring in the next Terminator movie. Now, if this piece of information does not raise your eyebrows or make your heads turn, lets drop a bigger bomb on you. Filmmaker James Cameron too will be a part of this film. Woah!

 Pacific Western Productions

After delivering blockbusters like The Terminator and True Lies, this deadly duo will be finally reuniting for the next Terminator movie and we cant wait to see them cause some serious kickass destruction together. Honestly, the surprise and shock of the two coming together is much bigger than the predictions of World War 3 made by a mystic a few weeks ago, so its really hard for us to keep calm. While talking to Screen in Cannes, Schwarzenegger said It is back. It is moving forward. He [Cameron] has some good ideas of how to continue with the franchise. He further added, I will be in the movie.

 Reuters

The future of Terminator series went for a toss in 2015 when the movie Terminator Genisys, sans Cameron, failed to impress the audience. Now that the two are coming together for this movie, we cant wait to see them recreate that magic again. But given the number of films Cameron has on his hands, only time would tell which hat he would don for this movie. Arnold was at Cannes to discuss his new environment documentary, Wonders Of The Sea 3D produced by Francois Mantello and directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau and Jean-Jacques Mantello.

Further, Arnold fans have another reason to rejoice as he admitted 'Triplets, a much awaited sequel to the 1988 classic 'Twins', is being scripted! The movie will also star Danny DeVito and Eddie Murphy. The original producer-director Ivan Reitman too is a part of this project.

Source: Screen Daily
Theres nothing better than a chilled beer on a hot summer day to cool us down. And theres a lot of variety of beers available, but, since its release, Bira has completely stood out and has become a favourite among people.

 Bira 91

And, it seems like things are just getting better and better for the brand. Its quite a proud moment for the country, as Bira 91 has been chosen to be served in the UN's North Delegate Lobby to ambassadors, delegates and special guests. The delegates at the United Nations will be sipping on Bira 91 White and Bira 91 Blonde for the whole month of May.

And if that wasnt impressive in itself, this will mark the first time an imported beer has been selected for the program.

 Vivan Mehra

Ankur Jain, the beer companys CEO, will also be attending and participating in a tasting session along with some dignitaries and discussing his long journey to the UN. He was quoted by Outlook India as saying, The United Nations Delegates Lounge is a fantastic space for delegates and other global leaders to share their ideas and come up with solutions to make the world a better place. Now they can do so while enjoying a cold Bira.

 Bira 91

Doesnt it feel nice knowing that the beer youre drinking after a stressful day of work is the same one that UN officials are also having?
Post The Great Khali's hiatus, Indian WWE fans have waited with sore eyes to see another Punjabi' touch ground and smack some wrestlers in the ring. Khali was after all, a wonder wall for us.

 WWE

Luckily for us , Jinder Mahal is the man of the hour, who is ready to put India back again on the WWE map as a champion. Born as Yuvraj Singh Raj' Dhesi, the Indian origin Canadian born wrestler did not really have a dream run. He was a locker room nobody when he started training in Calgary with Rick Bognar.

 WWE

For a long time he competed in the Great North Wrestling(GNW) and in 2010, he finally tried his luck with WWE. Still struggling and paving his way, Mahal instantly became the Taj Mahal' of attention after his feud with The Great Khali stumped everyone, particularly Indian fans. Two Punjabi wrestlers, pitting against each other some foul play of manipulation. It made for some great fodder for fans. He interrupted a Khali kiss cam segment' and slapped the tower house twice!

Wrestling ran in the blood for Jinder. His uncle, Gama Singh was a legend in himself in the 80's and trained with Stu Hart. That influenced Mahal extensively in taking up wrestling. Not many know, but Mahal has a degree in management. Mahal started climbing the Smackdown' charts and winning matches. He formed the 3MB with DrewMcIntyre and Heath Slater and gave tough competition to other existing groups .

His Punjabi ethnicity worked to his advantage. He started wearing turbans to his matches and threatened his opponents in fluent Punjabi, which gave him a unique identity and also gave the WWE someone who could fill the gap that was left by Khali, a Punjabi himself.

 WWE

 WWE

He will be facing Randy Orton today which will possibly be the biggest match of his career. Mahal is confident about his win and has high hopes of facing John Cena in the next feud , who happens to be his dream opponent. Indians have gone berserk in lending their support for the Punjabi Mahal.

Photos from today's rally in India in support of The Majarajah Jinder Mahal pic.twitter.com/9GuzuBphmg  Midnight Rider (@ConfirmedShoot) May 17, 2017

His fans are now waiting to watch this Punjabi sher' devour his opponents like a beast.
Akshay Kumars 2016 movie Airlift was a smashing hit and received great appreciation from the film fraternity and fans alike. He was widely acknowledged for his role of Ranjit Katyal, a successful businessman who helped evacuate nearly 1,70,000 Indians from Kuwait during the 1990 invasion by Iraq during Saddam Husseins reign. This movie was a real-life incident based on the courage and selflessness of businessman Mathunny Mathews, also known as Sunny Mathews or Toyota Sunny. Sadly, Mathews passed away yesterday, aged 81, in his residence in Kuwait.

 Twitter

Actor Akshay Kumar who played Mathews in the movie expressed his grief on Twitter and said that it was an honour to portray Mathews onscreen.

Extremely sad news, was an honour to portray him onscreen. Thoughts and prayers with his family ?? #RIPSunnyMathew https://t.co/WtrMvvRlRN  Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 21, 2017

Reportedly, Mathews worked as the Central Governments unofficial representative in Kuwait during the evactuation process in 1990 uring the VP Singh government. Mathews, who gave away his own security to help others leave safely, was instrumental in the success of this mission which is considered to be worlds largest civilian evacuation in history. In fact, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too expressed his sorrow and said that Mathews services will always be remembered. Talking about his early life, Mathew was 20-year-old went he left for Kuwait in search of job. He initially joined as a typist in the Toyota company and went on to become its Managing Director when he retired in 1989. Post that he started a car rental company and a general trading company.

Source: The Times Of India
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), TelefAnica and FASOCIDE (the Spanish acronym for the Federation of Deaf-Blind Persons Associations) presented the PervasiveSUB technology, ground-breaking software which allows deaf-blind persons to receive and enjoy television content without intermediaries at the same time as the people around them.

PervasiveSUB compiles all the subtitles of television channels and sends them to a central server which forwards them to smartphones or tablets. From there, they are sent to the Braille line of the deaf-blind person thanks to the GoAll app, which integrates the software, is compatible with different Braille lines and makes it possible to control the speed of the subtitles that are captured directly from the TV broadcast in perfect synchronization read the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid website.

The presentation, which took place at the UC3M Madrid-Puerta de Toledo campus, was attended by Angel Garcia Crespo, a UC3M professor and director of the project; Arancha Diaz-Llado, the director of Telefonicas Sustainable Innovation; and Francisco Jose Trigueros Molina, the president of FASOCIDE. Also in attendance was a group of deaf-blind persons who gave a demonstration of how this technology works.

PervasiveSUB, financed by Telefonica, was developed by the research group at the UC3M Pedro Juan de LastanosaInstitute of Technological Development and Promotion of Innovation. Garcia Crespo, who headed the group, stated that one of the big problems deaf-blind persons face is the scant attention they receive, which is demonstrated by the fact that they werent recognized by the European Parliament until 2004.

Diaz-Llado said, At Telefonica we endeavor to become a more accessible company and that way contribute to equal opportunities for all. And although we still have a long way to go, the new inclusive technologies and the digital revolution are the best means to help us get there.

A group of deaf-blind users from FASOCIDE was asked to try this innovative software in Spain and the United States, with very satisfactory results. All the people who have tried it highlight the advantage of being able to access information they previously could not, in real time and without intermediaries, and they have also praised its ability to transmit to Braille lines and the ability to adjust the reading and viewing speed.

Given the success of these tests, the technology has already been implemented on all the national DTT channels and regional DTT channels in Madrid, and it will soon be available in the other autonomous regions of Spain. The research team is now providing this service free of charge to anyone who needs it. Interested parties need only to download the GoAll app, available on OS and Android.

Deaf-blind persons suffer a combined deterioration of sight and hearing, which impedes their access to information, communication and mobility in a way that seriously affects everyday abilities necessary for a minimally independent life. This is why they require specialized services, personnel trained specifically to care for them and special methods of communication.

In Spain, there are around 20,000 deaf-blind persons. To interact with their surroundings, they need the constant presence of an interpreter through whom any visual or auditory stimuli must pass. However, from now on, and thanks to research of the sort done at UC3M, they will be able to receive television broadcasts first-hand and directly in real time and in the same conditions as everyone else.


Image: Screen Grab form www.ndtv.com

Jamshedpur, May 21 (IBNS): A man is fighting severely for his life after being thrashed repeatedly in a village in Jharkhand over allegations that he tried to kidnap children, media reports said.

A violent mob also beat two others as policemen tried to control the raging crowd but failed.

The trio - Vikas Kumar Verma, Gautam Kumar Verma and Gangesh Gupta, were dragged out of a house and beaten to death on Thursday in Nagadih in the state's East Singhbhum district.

According to reports, villagers accused them of kidnapping children.

An elderly woman was also assaulted brutally.


New Delhi, May 21 (IBNS): After the International Court of Justice passed a stay order on Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence by a Pakistani military court, the country's army will now "jointly fight" the Indian national's case with its government at the court, media reports said.

This was reported by the Pakistan state radio, which quoted a top ruling politician.

"Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq says the government and Pakistan Army will jointly fight the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav" in the ICJ, reported Radio Pakistan quoting a speech the politician made on Saturday.

Pakistan had earlier said that ICJ has no jurisdiction in matters of national security.

Jadhav, a former navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court last month after being convicted of spying.

The Attorney General of Pakistan had even said that the order of ICJ does not change the status of Jadhav's case at all but they would come to a "logical end".

Handing out India a big diplomatic victory, International Court of Justice on Thursday stayed the execution of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, ordering Pakistan not to hang him pending a final decision.

"Pakistan should not execute Jadhav pending final proceedings. The decision to stay Kulbhushan Jadhav's execution pending ICJ hearing is unanimous," Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the Court, had said.

The court had asked Pakistan to take "all measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav is not executed till a final decision is taken.

The order comes ten days after India approached the UN's top court for "provisional measure" of protection -- an interim relief -- in the Jadhav case.
Islamabad, May 21 (IBNS): An Indian national has been arrested by Pakistani authorities for allegedly not having proper travel documents, media reports said.

"According to details, he was arrested from F-8 area of Islamabad over possessing incomplete travel documents," Samaa reported.

A case has been filed against the Indian nation under Article 14 of the country's Foreign Act.

He has been sent to jail, media reports said.

The news of the Indian national's came to light at a time when relationship between the neighbouring nations was hit hard over the death sentence given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Pakistani court.

Meanwhile, after the International Court of Justice passed a stay order on Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence by a Pakistani military court, the country's army will now "jointly fight" the Indian national's case with its government at the court, media reports said.

This was reported by the Pakistan state radio, which quoted a top ruling politician.

"Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq says the government and Pakistan Army will jointly fight the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav" in the ICJ, reported Radio Pakistan quoting a speech the politician made on Saturday.

Pakistan had earlier said that ICJ has no jurisdiction in matters of national security.

Jadhav, a former navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court last month after being convicted of spying.

The Attorney General of Pakistan had even said that the order of ICJ does not change the status of Jadhav's case at all but they would come to a "logical end".

Handing out India a big diplomatic victory, International Court of Justice on Thursday stayed the execution of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, ordering Pakistan not to hang him pending a final decision.

"Pakistan should not execute Jadhav pending final proceedings. The decision to stay Kulbhushan Jadhav's execution pending ICJ hearing is unanimous," Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the Court, had said.

The court had asked Pakistan to take "all measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav is not executed till a final decision is taken.

The order comes ten days after India approached the UN's top court for "provisional measure" of protection -- an interim relief -- in the Jadhav case.

Image: Internet Wallpaper
New Delhi, May 21 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone of Headquarters of Sashastra Seema Balas (SSB) 36th Batallion Gayzing in Western District of Sikkim.

Addressing the officers and Jawans in Sainik Sammelen, Shri Rajnath Singh, expressed the hope that the construction of Gayzing Battalion HQs at an estimated cost of Rs.77.88 crore, comprising of Office complex, 213 residential quarters, barrack for Jawans and a hospital on a land measuring 62.466 acres, will be completed by NBCC within stipulated time of 18 months. He said that providing basic amenities to employees of Central Armed Police Forces is one of the top most priority of MHA.

The Home Minister also made an aerial survey of three SSB posts, - Uttarey, Kumukh and Bajrajadhara located at extreme heights and praised the work of SSB in extreme situations of countrys most adverse areas with full dedication. Later Rajnath Singh participated in the Civic Action Programmes of SSB at village Pelling.

Rajnath Singh congratulated DG, SSB, Smt. Archana Ramasundaram, upon her personal initiative, for giving an opportunity to 145 girls from remote and far flung areas, including 20 girls from Sikkim, for educational excursion to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Shimla etc.

The Union Home Minister on Saturday chaired the review meeting of Chief Ministers of States bordering China, in Gangtok.

The review meeting concerning infrastructure and other issues in Indo-China Border states was held for the first time.

Issues concerning border infrastructure including border roads, Border Out Posts, critical infrastructure and coordination between the concerned States and ITBP were some of the main issues deliberated upon in the meeting.

During his three-day visit, the Home Minister visited Nathula Pass and addressed a Sainik Sabha at the ITBP Border Out Post (BOP) Sherathang near Nathu La.

Rajnath Singh also laid the foundation stone of various ITBP projects in Gangtok.

Earlier on Friday, the Union Home Minister met the Sikkim Governor Shriniwas Patil and held talks with the Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Union Home Minister returned after concluding his three-day visit to Sikkim.


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Florida python hunter Dustin Crum recently nabbed the largest snake ever caught in the Florida Everglades.

Everglades National Park is facing an invasion from Burmese pythons, one of the largest snake species on Earth. The adaptable reptile has decimated wildlife, eating anything from birds, to mammals and even alligators.

Crum is working for a state program that pays hunters for killing the invasive snakes. In this case, Crum said he stumbled upon the 16-foot, 10-inch beast by accident.

TEXAS VETS: There's an increase in rattlesnakes biting dogs in Austin

Story continues below...

"I was driving by and caught a shimmer of something," Crum said. "I thought it was an empty water bottle or something reflecting off the sun. When I stopped, I could see it was a big snake."

The python hunter proceeded to catch the reptile bare-handed, a fight he equated to "Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant."

"It's a battle with heavy weights," Crum said. "The snake is all strong, 130 pounds of muscle."

Fortunately, Crum said a python doesn't have much endurance and will tire after fighting for a couple of minutes.

When officials finally measured the nearly 17-foot snake, even Crum was surprised by the size.

FORT BEND POLICE: Don't mess with alligators or we'll ticket you

"I didn't know it was going to be that big, it was fairly fat, but I didn't know it was going to be 16 10," he said. "I was blown away."

Inside the python, officials discovered 78 eggs  or 78 snakes that won't be hurting native wildlife.

"It's kind of like a ghost town with the way wildlife used to be," Crum said. "There's not much left out there. It's a big problem."

Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia, but were brought to North America as exotic pets. Snakes that either escaped or were released by their owners established a foothold in the Everglades, where they have thrived.

Click through above to see which snakes are common in Texas and how to identify them.
The U.S. Army is poised to step into a new world of armor protection if it equips its tanks and combat vehicles with anti-missile technology such as Trophy, an active protection system that cut its teeth with Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

For the past few months, Army leaders have been openly touting the service's accelerated effort to arm the M1 Abrams tank and other key platforms with APS technology to counter the proliferation of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and Russia's aggressive modernization of its armored fleet.

The accelerated APS effort, and the larger, long-term strategy to develop the Modular Active Protection System for the Army's entire combat-vehicle is a new path for a service that's been reluctant to commit to this type of sophisticated protection system in existence for more than two decades.

Now, Army testers are well into an evaluation of a Trophy APS-equipped M1 tank.

The effort is also evaluating the Israeli-made Iron Fist APS and the U.S.-made Iron Curtain, but the Trophy system, designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is the only one of the trio that has seen combat and actually defeated advanced ATGM threats.

Data from militarydotcom.silk.co

Israeli Merkava MK IV tanks equipped with Trophy APS withstood multiple anti-tank missile attacks from Hamas fighters in July 2014 during Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip.

Maj. Mike Meir Walker saw Trophy in action during this operation while serving as a deputy battalion commander in the Israeli Defense Force.

"I had tanks in my battalion that had anti-tank missiles fired at them, and I saw how it intercepted very advanced anti-tank missiles," Walker told Military.com in a recent telephone interview from Israel.

"In my battalion, we had one tank that was hit by an AT system throughout the operation because they turned the Trophy off; they were just parking the tank and that was the only tank that was hit by a missile," he said.

Now the executive officer at the IDF's tank commander school, Walker remembers being a tank commander in Lebanon during Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah when the IDF did not have the Trophy APS.

"The first and foremost difference in the tank commander's behavior -- we used to be a lot more defensive, and we found ourselves sort of hiding on the battlefield and trying to get out of the range of the anti-tank systems," Walker said.

With Trophy, "you feel you have the ability to be more offensive and put yourself out there a little more and allow yourself to accept a little more risk than what we did before," he said.

Military.com beginning in April sought to interview Army subject matter expects for this story, but a spokesman for the service said they weren't available due to the testing schedule.

In an April 5 Army release, Lt. Gen. John M. Murray, deputy chief of staff for financial management (G-8), said the Trophy system "has a great reputation in terms of being effective."

In addition to testing Trophy on the M1, the Army aims to put Iron Curtain on a Stryker and Iron Fist on a Bradley, Murray said.

"The one that is farthest along in terms of installing it is ... Trophy on Abrams," he said. "We're getting some pretty ... good results. It adds to the protection level of the tank. Trophy has an interesting capability, slew to cue. We're finding that we can incorporate that into the installation on the Abrams."

Army leaders said earlier this year that they hope to have APS evaluations completed by this fall so they can make a decision how to move forward with the effort.

Overdue or Right on Time?

Despite the urgency, APS technology is nothing new to the Pentagon's research and development machine. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, began working on active protection in the mid-1980s, but the program was shelved after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Army selected the Quick Kill APS, made by Raytheon Co., to equip its leap-ahead manned ground vehicles under the Future Combat Systems program. The effort died, however, when then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates killed the FCS program in 2009 -- the same year the IDF fielded the first Trophy APS systems.

Nearly a decade later, Russia has become more militarily aggressive around the world, frightening European NATO countries with its aggression into Ukraine and its rapid military buildup and launching airstrikes into Syria to support the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Army generals and U.S. lawmakers have taken notice of Russia's newest tank -- the T14 Armata. The 50-ton tank being developed by Uralvagonzavod is designed to carry a crew of three and features a top speed of as much as 56 miles per hour, a range of about 310 miles and a 125mm smoothbore main gun.

The T14, and the T15 heavy infantry carrier, are also equipped with a new active protection system.

In addition to knocking out ATGMs, the T14's Afghanit APS is rumored to have successfully stopped high-speed depleted uranium-cored kinetic-energy penetrator tank rounds, a capability of concern to Army leaders.

Murray told the Senate Armed Services Committee's Airland Subcommittee in late March that he did not believe the third-generation M1 Abrams, built by General Dynamics Corp., currently has overmatch over modern tanks such as the T14.

But some defense experts question the hype over the T14's capabilities.

While "it's possible" that the T14's APS can stop high-speed KEP tanks rounds, "it only addresses horizontal threats; it's more oriented toward insurgent warfare," according to a former defense official with acute knowledge of APS technology, who asked to remain anonymous.

Unlike other APS technologies, the Russian Afghanit APS does not protect against missiles that attack from above, such as U.S. Javelin or Hellfire anti-tank missiles, he said.

One reason the Army has waited until now to develop an APS strategy is because the theater of operations, which focused on Iraq and Afghanistan, didn't require such expensive hardware, according to James Hasik, a senior fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council.

Instead, the Army opted to field relatively inexpensive, stand-off cage armor that wrapped around vehicles such as the Stryker and performed fairly well against rocket-propelled grenades.

And while Russia has reportedly stopped buying the T-90 to develop the T-14, this next-generation tank is believed to still be in testing and not yet operational.

The Russians "are going to be producing probably a handful of those things for a while," Hasik said. "The Russians just don't have that much money -- they have the same problems we do. We'd love a massive military build-up, but we also wouldn't like to pay the taxes to make that happen."

In late February, President Donald Trump outlined his fiscal 2018 budget priorities, pledging to increase defense spending by $54 billion, a roughly 10 percent increase across the services. The administration's defense spending request for fiscal 2018, which begins Oct. 1, is expected to be released on Tuesday.

Right now, the U.S. Army has very formidable armored fighting forces, but "what the M1 lacks is robust protection against heavy anti-tank missiles," Hasik said.

"If there is a war in Europe, in which NATO forces and Russian forces end up fighting on the ground -- on the Russian side, the majority of that fighting is going to be done with T90s and BMP2s, BTR90s ... and lots of anti-tank missiles," he said.

Trophy in Battle

On a hot July day in 2014, Walker remembers watching his tanks move into an anti-armor ambush on the outskirts of an urban area in the Gaza Strip on his IDF battlefield situational awareness system, similar to the U.S. Blue Force Tracker.

In the tanks that were fired upon, the tank commander "hears it on his radio. In his ear phones, he hears, 'You are being fired at right now,' " Walker said.

Once armed, the Trophy system really operates by itself, he said. Its 360-degree radar detects the incoming missile threat, notifies the commander of the direction the threat is coming from, and fires a countermeasure that's designed to knock out the main warhead on the threat missile.

"Not only does the system intercept, but the tank commander knows what is coming and he knows what he has to do it about it," Walker said. "The system gives you a direction from where the missile was being fired, so I can point the whole battalion toward that threat."

Related Video:

The challenge for any APS system involves more than just knocking a threat out of the sky, said Mike O'Leary, director of business development for survivability and lethality at Leonardo DRS, the American firm that is marketing Trophy in the U.S.

"The real performance measure of the system is not can you hit the threat, but can you hit the threat without allowing any residual jet, shrapnel, whatever to penetrate the tank or put the vehicle or the crew in danger because there is still residual junk that will fly toward the platform after the intercept," O'Leary said.

O'Leary said he was not authorized to talk about the specific platform Trophy is being tested on but did say that Trophy has performed well in the Army's evaluation.

"It's doing exceedingly well from our perspective," O'Leary said.

Iron Fist on the Bradley is also "moving along," Murray said. But there was a problem installing the system on the Bradley, due to the size, weight and power requirements of the system, in addition to space constraints on top of the turret of the Bradley, he added.

A Danger to Friendly Troops?

Murray, along with other senior leaders, has expressed concern over the risk to dismounted soldiers who are near a vehicle when an APS fires a countermeasure at an incoming missile.

"Anything that shoots off an armored vehicle, 'x' amount of meters, and makes something blow up, is not good for the integrated dismounted/mounted operations," Murray said. "So we have some concerns about tactics, techniques, and procedures and how we adjust those."

A similar risk has always existed with the reactive armor used on U.S. vehicles, O'Leary said.

"Reactive armor is an explosive charge; the threat hits it, and it creates an outward blast," O'Leary said. "And it has its own radius of potential danger to anyone standing in the vicinity."

Militaries have adopted reactive armor and have adapted their tactics, techniques and procedures to deal with that, O'Leary said.

The alternative is "not only the destruction of my vehicle but also the lives of anywhere from three, four or even nine or 10 personnel inside the platform, so that is a big tradeoff and that is a commander's call on the ground," he said.

The Iron Curtain APS, produced by ARTIS LLC -- was initially developed by DARPA in 2004 to deal with the risk to dismounts. Instead of shooting toward an incoming threat, Iron Curtain shoots straight down at the ATGM at very close range.

The IDF also weighed this issue when it was making the decision to field Trophy, Walker said.

"We did have those same concerns ... but if you had dismounts next to that tank and that tank was hit by a missile, it would be a lot worse," he said.

"Dismounted soldiers who are next to a tank on any battlefield might get hit. That's why they don't walk in the middle of the street next to the tank but stick to areas where they have an advantage.

"There is a risk, but the risk is a lot smaller than the tank being hit the ATGM."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related Video:
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...
Guwahati, May 21 (IBNS): A top leader of banned NDFB (S) was gunned down in a gun fight with security forces in Assamas Chirang district on Sunday evening, officials said.

Based on specific intelligence with regards to presence of a militant camp in the dense jungles of Manas reserve forest, army troops along with Assam police had jointly launched operation at the area at around 1-30 pm on Sunday.

On the identification of the location, the party moved towards the area and observed a Black Tarpaulin, as the column was taking position to cordon off the area, it was subjected to heavy automatic fire from that direction. The column retaliated with controlled fire, in which a militant was killed, an army official said.

The slain militant was identified as Jwrimiya Muchahary alias M Jwrimin and security personnel recovered one M16 automatic rifle, a 9mm Baretta pistol in addition to a large quantity of ammunition and other warlike stores in possession from him.

Jwrimiya Muchahary alias M Jwrimin was Self Styled Commanding Officer of 3rd battalion of NDFB(S) and he was recently appointed as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the outlawed.

The individual was deeply involved in the Adavasi massacre of December 23, 2014 and the gruesome killing of the innocent Bodo girl Priya Basumatari in August 2014 on the suspicion of being an informer, the army official said.

Top army and police officials had rushed to the area and cordoned the jungle area.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

Story by Jessica Haynes of MLive | jhaynes1@mlive.com

The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business hosted the Positive Business Conference on May 11 and 12. The event focuses on positive approaches on running and organizing a business and includes workshops, speakers and networking opportunities.

Heres some takeaways from presentations by company officials from Amazon and Whole Foods who spoke during the conference.

Don't Edit

Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

'The most customer-centric company'

Melissa Eamer is the vice president in customer experience at Amazon and talked about "mental models" the company uses to create a positive business impact for employees and customers. She has been with Amazon for 17 years, in roles ranging from product development to Kindle and retail businesses.

Eamer earned her masters in business administration from the Ross School of Business in 2000. She told a crowd of more than 400 people the companys vision has stayed true over the years.

Our vision was and is to be the most customer-centric company. There was such a strong vision for where we were headed, we were able to ignore all the eternal noise and believe in that passion, Eamer said.

Don't Edit

How Amazon uses mental models

The company has outlined overall policies called mental models that set behavior and expectations for Amazon employees.

Mental models inform how we hire to how we organize our teams and set goal for them, how and what we reward, how we think about failure, how we make decisions and ultimately have become the underpinning of our culture, Eamer said.

She compared her time at Amazon to her educational days at Ross, saying one of the things she loved most about her time at the university, was being surrounded by people, like the folks in this room, who wanted to change the world and had the energy and the passion to do so.

Don't Edit

Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

Interviewing for Amazon

Eamer recalled her interview with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in which she was asked to solve a brain teaser involving algebra.

I wasnt actually able to solve the problem in the interview, but I did walk him through how I would solve the problem, said Eamer. No one that day was able to solve it. What was important was how a candidate handled the fact when under pressure, they solved the problem.

She advised students in the crowd that Amazon looks for potential employees who show grit and have a pioneers mindset. It is also important to try something new occasionally, like the Treasure Truck project she was put in charge of despite some misgivings.

I was skeptical when I first heard about it, Eamer said.

Later she appreciated the project for giving her the chance to build and launch something that could impact millions of customers and see the joy it brought to so many faces.

It was so much fun to be able to see that, Eamer said.

Don't Edit

The thing about corporate culture

Like it or not, corporate cultures are hard to change, Eamer said, and can be an advantage or disadvantage.

It is created slowly over time by the people and events, by the story of past success and failure, Eamer said. We dont think our approach is the right one, its just ours.

Amazons culture includes thinking long-term, measuring performance against what is put into a product or service, and being the best place in the world to fail, she added.

To invent, you have to experiment, Eamer said. If you know in advance its going to work, its not an experiment.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

What sets Amazon apart

Our culture isnt for everyone. We describe ourselves as peculiar. That means were often misunderstood, Eamer said.

She attributed the results and success of Amazon to the thought processes the company uses to shape its policies and build its identity for both employees and customers.

It helps that so many Amazon employees are also customers, and can take on that perspective when necessary, Eamer said.

Don't Edit

Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

On that notorious New York Times article

Eamer answered some questions at the end of the presentation, including her take on the New York Times article in 2015 that called out Amazon for business practices former employees said pushed them to their limits and prompted some to cry at their desks.

The article was difficult for Eamer to read, in part because what was being reported was so different from her own experience. As a working mother with two daughters, she told the audience the work-life balance expectation at Amazon was not well-portrayed.

I didnt recognize the company that was described there and it felt really unfair, Eamer said. I do not see people crying at their desks. I just dont it was an accurate portrayal on many levels.

If she could change anything about Amazons corporate culture, Eamer said it would be in terms of diversity in senior leadership.

I would like to see more women represented, for example, more diverse populations, Eamer said. Im confident we will apply some innovative approaches but we certainly havent solved the problem yet.

Before leaving the stage, Eamer said the crowd was asking hard questions like Amazons turnover rate but she liked it.

It reminded me a lot of grad school. That means we often dont agree with each other, Eamer said about starting at Amazon. You very quickly realize whether thats something you like and enjoy and that invigorates you, or its not.

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Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

The impact of Whole Foods Market

Walter Robb is the chairman of the Whole Kids Foundation and Whole Cities Foundation and sits on the Board of Directors of Whole Foods Market. It was his third time visiting the Ross School of Business, during which he talked about how business is perceived today and its impact on communities.

Theres a lot of negativity out there about business, Robb said. The fact is nobodys talking about the positive stories out in the world.

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Hunter Dyke | hdyke@mlive.com

Find a role model

Robb discussed the role model he found as a young man: Albert Schweitzer, a French-German philosopher who later found his calling as a medical doctor and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952.

It was Schweitzer who first showed Robb the importance of purpose, of knowing when it is found and the need to continue searching for it throughout life.

Purpose is a living thing, Robb said. Keep asking yourself this question every year to keep track. It is an 'alive thing' that you can use to guide yourself to your highest potential as a human being?

That mission is important to Whole Foods, as well, Robb pointed out, saying We are not retailers with a mission. We are missionaries who retail.

You put the mission and the purpose first. The retail comes an expression of the mission, Robb said. Whole Food stores are a canvas on which we paint the mission, and team members are a way the mission comes to life. Its expression, over and over again.

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Jessica Haynes | jhaynes1@mlive.com

Why the Detroit store is meaningful

June 5, 2013 was one of Robb's proudest moments in his career as a grocer, with the opening of the Detroit Whole Foods store at 115 Mack Ave.

People thought we were an elite company, Robb said. People thought we only served a certain kind of people. We didnt start in this to bring food to some people. Healthy food is something that should be available to everybody.

The decision to move into the Detroit market was preceded by years of conversations with the public and Detroit officials, which made it apparent the choice to open a store there would have the positive impact the company wanted to make.

It ended up being Detroit that was the place where all these things came together, where purpose became real, became tangible, Robb said.

The opening of the store was a moment of hope and belief, and a moment of change, Robb said.

All the negativity, all the cynicism, just for a moment, was suspended, he said. It was so powerful to me to realize after four years of work we had come to that moment.

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His advice to students

You cant always see what the full form of what is going to be, Robb said. You dont know where it (life) is going to go. If you did already, it wouldnt as exciting. It wouldnt be as rich.

He advised University of Michigan students in the crowd to do what feels right, and continue to find their own way and keep their minds open to new possibilities.

When pondering what is part of the next chapter of his life, Robb said perhaps he would become a UM professor and prompted some claps and laughs from the audience.

Robbs final words at the conference were to have courage with purpose.

Its not that you dont have fears or doubts, everybody has them, Robb said. The courage is that quality in your heart that lets you do it anyways. Even if you have those fears, you keep going.
Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

BY AMY SHERMAN | asherma2@mlive.com

The Michigan's Best team of Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez have been touring distilleries across the state to see what is brewing and developing in this exciting, somewhat new, industry here in Michigan.

We've visited distillers in Grand Rapids, Southwest Michigan, Holland, and the Traverse City region so far, with more visits to come this week.

The level of craft of the spirits being produced here has greatly increased over the last few years. In addition to the quality of the base spirits themselves improving, the cocktail scene surrounding this growth is equally awesome.

Distillers are now priding themselves on also being expert mixologists, with most making all of their own mixers, syrups, tonics, and bitters. Some even go as far as making their own soda in order to ensure the very best cocktail for you to enjoy that showcases their liquor.

Make a trip to visit one of Michigan's craft distillers, and try something as familiar as a gin and tonic, or something totally crazy like a "Sunny Day" from Grey Skies in Grand Rapids, which has both lemon and balsamic vinegar in it. The addition of Michigan spirits takes all of these cocktails into a new realm. Thank you to the creative bartenders behind them, you are doing a great service to our state.

As always, please enjoy responsibly.

If you'd like to follow along on our journey, please do:

Amy Sherman on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram

John Gonzalez on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram

Michigan's Best complete coverage at mlive.com/michigansbest.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Grapefruit Tarragon Gin and Tonic

Round Barn Winery, Brewery and Distillery, Baroda

This gem of a cocktail has the perfect balance of tart, sweet, with a good kick of 269 gin for fun. Tarragon simple syrup brings a note of anise to the drink that really accents the botanicals in the gin, while the fresh grapefruit brightens the whole drink.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Burning For You

Gray Skies Distillery, Grand Rapids

My mouth is watering over this cocktail just writing about it. They are making everything here at Gray Skies, and that attention to detail really shines through. Charred pineapple that has been steeped in rum adds both sweetness and smoke. Add in spicy Thai basil, fresh, fiery ginger and just a hint of sugar, and this is one fantastic cocktail.

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Emily Rose Bennett | Mlive

Blackberry Bramble

New Holland Knickerbocker, Grand Rapids

Featuring the very Michigan, very delicious, and very unique Blue Have blueberry gin from New Holland, the Bramble is a deceivingly simple concoction of lemon, simple syrup, blackberry puree and the gin. It's a balanced fruit bomb, with the notes of both berry and herbs combining for incredible flavor. Head up to the Zeppelin room to try this one.

See our whole visit to New Holland Knickerbocker in Grand Rapids, and other cocktails we tried.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Spirit of Apple Brandy

Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay

Not a mixed cocktail, but still an excellent drink. Try this one after dinner to feel very European, as you sip it straight up. The aroma is all apple fruit, with a strong kick to help you digest. Each batch at Black Star is distilled individually according to what that fruit needs at that time. These are classic eau de vie's to enjoy sip by sip.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Ginger Grant

Vander Mill, Grand Rapids

They've just added draft based cocktails at the Grand Rapids location of this local cidery, and boy, are they good. The cocktails here are cider based, yet still have locally produced spirits in them. Two are available on tap now, the "Gin and Juice", on the right, and the "Ginger Grant", left. That Ginger, she's a real peach. Vodka, lime juice, ginger juice, and Vander Mill's own Ginger Peach Hard Cider combine into a fizzy little glass of awesome. Goes down real easy, for a light, refreshing drink.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Heartbreak Lemonade

Bier Distillery, Comstock Park

They make their own soda at Bier Distillery, as well as all their simple syrups and other infusions. You can get this refreshing drink made with either vodka or gin, and featuring fresh lemon juice, cranberry, ginger syrup and soda. Bright, clean, and a great way to feature the well made sprits from Bier.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Barrel Aged Gin and Tonic

Coppercraft Distillery, Holland

If you like the herbaceous quality of a good gin, you are going to love this drink. Featuring barrel aged gin, which rounds out the liquor, and brings out notes of caramel, and house made tonic water, it's the simple addition of a clove studded orange peel that brings this over the top. The aroma as you stick your nose in this glass is incredible, while the drink itself allows the gin to shine.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Chipotle Bloody Mary

Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City

We've tried just a few Bloody Mary's during our time, and the one at GT Distillery still surprised us. Using chipotle infused vodka, this is one twangy drink. Super yummy, using Detroit made Mclure's mix, the smokey spiciness of the chipotle really shines in this drink. Add pickled asparagus and blue cheese stuffed olives, and you've got a better morning. Or afternoon.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Cherry Maple Whiskey

Civilized Spirits, Traverse City

We didn't try mixed cocktails at Civilized, which is located at the North Peak Brewery/ Jolly Pumpkin tasting room up on Old Mission Peninsula. Instead we joined master distiller/brewer Mike Hall in his laboratory and pulled tastes right off the barrels. His soon to be released Cherry Maple Whiskey is already great, but will be incredible by the time he bottles it. Look for a fantastic blend of maple and cherry, with the warmth of the spirit. Let's hope he bottles it by fall, it would be the perfect drink for that time of year.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Coyote Call

Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville

Unique, fresh, very different, delicious were just some of the words we used to describe this cocktail. Rum mixes with a spicy homemade jalapeno syrup, and then fresh cilantro, mint and lime are added. A burst of crazy flavors, we couldn't stop drinking it.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Lavender Gimlet

Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks

They've got quite a selection of spirits at Journeyman, and a huge still, that you can totally check out from the above at their beautiful Southwest Michigan location. This Gimlet is a sure taste of summer. It features their Bilberry Black Heart Gin, which has the Michigan native bilberry in it, as well as 11 other botanicals. This crispy liquor then gets infused with lavender, and freshened up with both lime and grapefruit. Not sweet, all refreshing.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Polish Falcon

Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids

Long Road's riff on a Moscow Mule is available on tap at this distillery that is located on Grand Rapids West Side. It's a well balanced drink, served in a silver mug, with fresh mint to lend major aromatics. House made vodka, ginger beer, and lime create a bright drink, where all the attention to detail creates a masterpiece.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

Olivia De Havilland

Mammoth Distilling, Central Lake

This cocktail elicited oohs and aahhhs before we even tried it. The color, which comes from hibiscus juice, has a great kick from Mammoth's Old Dam Gin, while simple syrup and mint round out the flavors. Feel very classy while you sip from the traditional coupe, and enjoy the warm atmosphere in Central Lake.

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Amy Sherman | asherma2@mlive.com

New Holland Old Fashioned

New Holland Brewing, Holland

A classic cocktail, improved by the high quality sprits, and beer, that are coming out of New Holland. They've been brewing beer here since 1997, and distilling since 2005, so they've had time to dial their product in, and it shows. This deceptively simple cocktail features their delicious Beer Barrel Bourbon, which spends time in their Dragon's Milk beer barrels. To double on on this flavor, the bartenders here make a Dragon's Milk simple syrup to add to both chocolate and orange bitters in this drink. Add one huge ice cube, and a classic is reborn.

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Emily Rose Bennett | Mlive

Other Michigan's Best fun:

Check out some of the other cool things we found on our search for Michigan's Best Bloody Mary.

25 other great cocktails from around the state you must try.
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By John Serba | jserba@mlive.com

Nineteen seventy-six was a monster year for Bob Seger. So big, it spilled over into 1977, a time when Seger grew from local Joe and regional rock star to platinum-selling household name.

Which means 2017 marks the continuation of the celebration of the 40-year anniversary of our Detroit-born heros crossover success. Is that a bit of a convoluted stretch? Sure. But any reason is a good reason to crack a six pack, get out your wonderfully crackly vinyl copy of Night Moves and revel in the warmth of nostalgia. Heres a look back at Bobs big break.

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But first, a decade of toil

Known as a poster boy for blue-collar rock and Midwestern-style hard work, Segers legend includes a decade - roughly 1966-76 - of gigging at pretty much every dingy bar and dusty county fair across Michigan. He enjoyed a whiff of mainstream success in 1969 when Ramblin Gamblin Man hit No. 17 on the singles chart, and he just missed the top 40 with Katmandu, from 1975s Beautiful Loser record, his first with crack backing unit the Silver Bullet Band.

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'Live Bullet' gets the ball rolling

In Sept., 1975, he recorded Live Bullet at Cobo Hall, and released it in April of 76. It would eventually be deemed one of the all-time great live albums, and its versions of Turn the Page and Tina Turner cover Nutbush City Limits are staples of classic rock radio. Key word being eventually. At that point, Seger played in front of tens of thousands at the Pontiac Silverdome, yet famously only drew crowds in the hundreds in Chicago. But things were about to change.

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Finally, a breakthrough

On Oct. 2, 1976, Seger released the studio album Night Moves, and everything changed - maybe even the world, a little bit. It pushed Bob and the Bullets into arenas nationwide, and eventually would sell six million copies, equaling the sales numbers of Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, to whom he frequently drew comparison.

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'Night Moves': Seger's definitive song

Three singles from "Night Moves" charted, the title track being the first. Released in Dec. of '76, the reflective, mid-tempo number, driven by piano and acoustic guitar, is a nostalgic paean to young love and heartbreak; Seger said he wrote it when he was "almost 30 talking about when I was 17," and was inspired by the film "American Graffiti." It took him six months to fine-tune it. The track peaked at No. 4, his biggest hit until 1982, when "Shame on the Moon" hit No. 2 (his 1987 track "Shakedown" would be his only No. 1 hit).

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'Mainstreet'

The second hit was Mainstreet, released in April, 1977. Its another earnest reminiscence (about Ann St. in Ann Arbor, where Seger grew up), more of a ballad than Night Moves, its primary guitar melody a monster hook, now instantly recognizable, and the perfect clear, buttery complement to Segers plaintive rasp. It charted at No. 24.

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'Rock and Roll Never Forgets'

Third: "Rock and Roll Never Forgets," the album's opening track, which peaked at No. 41, but is forever a live favorite - Seger closed the setlist from his most recent concert tour with it, the capper on the second of two encores. The song is about how the spirit and energy of rock music makes you feel young despite your age; it's a thematically poignant closing number, considering Seger was 69 during his last tour, in 2015. (He's been off the road since then, and is closing on his 72nd birthday.)

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(Of course, its worth noting the direct ancestral line from Rock and Roll Never Forgets to Segers 1979 hit Old Time Rock and Roll, another sweet slice of nostalgia and concert staple. Were off on a bit of a tangent, I know, but its a track we cant help but revisit, considering Tom Cruise made it immortal in 1983s Risky Business.)

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Two more quality cuts

But back to Night Moves - 1977 also marked the release of two other singles, which didnt chart, but showed their durability by popping up frequently on Segers recent setlists: Sunspot Baby, a shuffling, she-left-me blues-rocker; and The Fire Down Below, an ode to male lust, cruising, appropriately, on a horn-driven, Detroit-soul groove.

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Now, a multi-platinum star

Night Moves became Segers first platinum record, eventually selling six million copies. It marked the beginning of a decade of creative and commercial prosperity: the follow-up album, 1978s Stranger in Town (which featured a few more classics in Weve Got Tonite, Old Time Rock and Roll and Still the Same), also went sextuple-platinum; 1980s Against the Wind sold five million; 1982s The Distance sold two million; and 1986s Like a Rock sold three million.

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Seger continued to write, record and tour until the mid-1990s. Following a successful 1996 tour, he took a 10-year sabbatical to be with his two young children, and kept a low profile, living in the Detroit suburb of Orchard Lake Village. His 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction started his resurgence; in 2006, he released the album Face the Promise, which went platinum, and launched a highly successful concert tour at Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena. He has since enjoyed his most enthusiastic audiences right here in his beloved Michigan, where he grew up, lives and works.

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More on Bob Seger

Bob Seger to perform at DTE Sept. 9, 2017

Bob Seger's DTE show sells out before public tickets go on sale

Bob Seger lyrics that work as (bad) pickup lines

Bob Seger live review: Detroit icon carries the torch for Michigan pride
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Lawrence, a man of many talents, plays a song on the keys, to ask Nicole if she would please say yes with ease
YPSILANTI, MI - Senator Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, will meet with residents on Monday, May 22, for a coffee hour in Ypsilanti, to discuss current issues in the legislature.

Warren is meeting with residents from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Room 352 of the Eastern Michigan University Student Center, 900 Oakwood St., in Ypsilanti.

Discussion topics will include the state's budget, the proposed closure of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System, recent legislation proposing changes to land acquisition for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the future of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy Michigan Plan.

Warren represents citizens living in Ann Arbor, Milan, Saline and Ypsilanti, as well as the townships of Ann Arbor, Augusta, Pittsfield, Salem, Superior, York and Ypsilanti.
A University of Michigan student reported being sexually assaulted about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, May 21 in the 1100 block of East University Avenue, near Prospect Street and south of the university's main campus.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Police are investigating a reported sexual assault of a University of Michigan student walking home early on the morning of Sunday, May 21 in Ann Arbor, police say.

The 21-year-old woman told police she was walking home about 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1100 block of East University Avenue, near Prospect Street and south of the university's main campus, when she was approached from behind by an unknown man, Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Matthew Lige said.

The man grabbed and assaulted the woman, Lige said. She was later treated at the University of Michigan emergency room.

The assault is being investigated as forced sexual contact, or third-degree criminal sexual conduct, Lige said.

The suspect is described as a college-aged white man with dark-colored hair, wearing a T-shirt and jeans, Lige said.

Those with information on the incident are asked to contact the Ann Arbor Police Department tip line at 734-794-6939 or email tips@a2gov.org.
Michael Douglas Poole, Sr.

FLINT, MI -- A Flint man who was convicted of brutally killing a 12-year-old girl and her mother has once again had his request denied to withdraw his plea and take the case to trial.

The man, 47-year-old Michael Douglas Poole Sr., took the request to withdraw his two no contest pleas to first-degree felony murder to the State of Michigan Court of Appeals in 2016 in hopes of overturning a Genesee County judge's denial.

Poole is currently serving life in prison without parole for the 2013 killing of 12-year-old Cherish Hill-Renfro and 44-year-old Yolanda Hill at their Atherton East apartment.

In an unpublished opinion filed on Tuesday, May 16, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Genesee County Chief Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille was justified in denying the request from Poole, who claimed that his trial lawyer was ineffective in investigating his mental health history and in the plea process.

Now-retired state appellate defender Randy Davidson, who represented Poole in the appeal, argued that his client was not provided an independent psychiatric exam before entering his plea and that he may not have been mentally fit to answer to the charges.

Poole underwent a psychiatric exam with state-appointed doctors prior to his preliminary exam and was found competent to stand trial for the killings. However, his original trial attorney, Douglas Theodoroff, never asked for a second exam with a doctor independent from the state, which is allowed by law.

Theodoroff, who has practiced criminal law in the Flint area for more than two decades, testified during the appeal hearing that Poole had a prior history of mental illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but he didn't believe he needed a second exam.

Poole allegedly told Theodoroff that he wanted the case to move forward and never asked for an independent exam, despite being advised of its availability from his attorney.

During the initial appeal hearing before Yuille, Theodoroff read excerpts from a letter Poole wrote to Flint District Judge M. Cathy Dowd -- who heard his original case -- explaining that Poole also wanted to forgo a preliminary exam so the case could advance to circuit court.

"He was very distraught about the situation," Theodoroff said.

Poole testified that he was never made aware that he could have had an independent exam and now wants the chance to take his case to trial.

However, in their ruling, Michigan Court of Appeals Judges Michael J. Talbot, Kirsten Frank Kelly, and Stephen L. Borrello wrote that Poole's "characterization that [Theodoroff] failed to act on his mental illness is not factually correct" and that Yuille did not abuse his discretion in denying Poole's motion to set aside his plea.

Poole's current state appellate defender, Sofia Nelson, declined to comment on the case.

The first-degree murder charges Poole pleaded to are the most-serious criminal convictions in the state since they carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

Previously, Davidson called Poole's plea to the charges "legal suicide" due to their severity, arguing Poole should be allowed to undergo an independent exam.

Police testified during an October 2013 preliminary exam that Poole admitted to killing both victims.

"He said that he remembered he killed Yolanda for no reason," Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Bill Jennings said during the exam.

Jennings said that Poole admitted to then killing the 12-year-old girl after she woke up to take a shower and asked if her mother was still sleeping. He admitted to choking both victims, police said.

Poole's mother testified during the exam she and her two daughters found the victims' bodies in the upstairs bedrooms of the apartment.

Poole initially also faced first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges, but those were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

He has served multiple previous stints in prison, according to state records.

He was sentenced to two years, eight months to four years in prison in 1990 for assault with a dangerous weapon, 4-20 years in 1996 for conspiracy to deliver/manufacture less than 50 grams of cocaine and two years, 10 months to 15 years in 2004 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and distribution/manufacture of an imitation controlled substance.
DETROIT, MI -- A Delta flight headed to Seoul, South Korea dumped fuel over Lake Michigan for an hour before landing safely back at Detroit Metropolitan Airport Saturday.

Delta Spokesman Trebor Banstetter said Flight 159 took off with 375 passengers from Detroit at 4:48 p.m. Saturday. A light indicating there possibly was an open maintenance panel on the outside of the aircraft came on about 30 minutes later.

When fuel is jettisoned at high altitudes it evaporates before reaching the ground. No jet fuel would have actually reached the lake, Banstetter said.

"The pilot chose to return to Detroit out of an abundance of caution," Bandtetter said. "After releasing fuel in order to reduce the landing weight, the aircraft landed without incident."

Circling Lake Michigan, the plane dumped fuel for about an hour so it could safely land back in Detroit. The plan touched down shortly before 7 p.m..

The plane will be looked at by maintenance crews, and the airline accommodated passengers with a new aircraft.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Holland High School students celebrated their prom in the fun and playful space of the Grand Rapids Children's Museum Saturday, May 20.

The students explored the hands-on activities on both floors of the museum, when they were not dancing to their favorite songs.

The young ladies looked beautiful in their stylish prom dresses and the fellas were awfully sharp in their tuxedos and suits.

There was a lot of laughter and mingling among classmates. MLive's The Grand Rapids Press was there to capture all the memorable moments.

Prom season continues in West Michigan through next weekend and MLive will continue to cover as many as possible to highlight the annual rite of passage.

More MLive prom coverage from this season:
Mumbai, May 21 (IBNS): A truly International collaboration, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir, directed by Ken Scott and starring Indian actor Dhanush, rolled in Mumbai this week.

The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir is produced by Brio Films, Vamonos Films, M! Capital Ventures, Little Red Car Films, Impact Films, Aurora Global Media Capital, Scope Pictures, TF1 Studio and Aleph Motion Pictures.

The film is based on The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir who got trapped in an IKEA wardrobe by Romain Puertolas.

The screen play of the film is by Puertolas and Luc Bossi (Brio films) and has a conglomeration of production houses from 3 different continents. The shooting has commenced earlier this month and is expected to be shot in Mumbai (India), Brussels (Belgium), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France).

Producer Luc Bossi of Brio Films says, The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir is also an out of the ordinary production adventure, creating through its producers, locations and talent a unique bridge between India, Europe and Hollywood. It's cast reunites actors from more than 15 countries and an International Indo-French-Belgian-Italian crew with a common passion and goal: Tell a universal story full of laughs and emotions.

Adds Aditi Anand of Little Red Car Films, What an incredible experience to be working with a power packed crew and cast chalkfull of talent. Couldn't have asked for more!

Speaking about the film, actor Dhanush says, So happy to be a part of this film with collaborators from 3 continents, looking forward to an extraordinary journey ahead.

Taking the enthusiasm further, Director Ken Scott adds, "I'm super excited to be working with Dhanush who is so talented and great great great to work with.

"In our endeavor to be associated with productions that appeal to the global audiences, we are delighted to be part of this mega production with Dhanush, his first international project, along with a host of international award winning stars" adds Saurabh Gupta, Managing Director & Co-Founder.

Samir Gupta of Impact films, says,"The incredible combination of an International best-selling book translated and sold in 36 countries across the globe, a successful Hollywood director, an ensemble international cast who have acted in previous Oscar winners, and an Indian superstar in the lead role is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"As co-production specialists, Aurora Media is pleased to expand our producing and financing footprint into South Asia with this project and its partners. The commercial appeal of the film's story, its cast and talent pool behind the camera will be a defining step towards structuring more organic and mutually beneficial collaborations between producers in Europe, Asia, and North America in the near future," observes Justin Deimen, Group Managing Partner and Head of Investments, Aurora Global Media Capital.

Starring the inimitable Dhanush in the titular role of the Fakir, the film, as the name suggests, marks an extraordinary journey in the life of Aja aka Ajatshatru (Dhanush).

After the death of his mother  the Fakir takes on a journey to track down his father  a man he never knew. The quest takes him to Paris and soon, he realizes his destination is all set to change his journey.

From falling in love to brushing shoulders with a Hollywood star, to dodging hit-men and being held as a hostage in a bureaucratic war the Fakirs life goes hilariously awry the moment he steps into Parisian soil, despite his best intentions.

Other than Dhanush who shot to fame internationally with his single Why this Kolaverdi and has been hugely appreciated in films like Raanjhaana, Shamitabh and more; The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir also stars French actor Berenice Bejo (known for the Oscar Winner The Artist), American actor Erin Moriarty (last seen in Blood Father with Mel Gibson) and Somalian American actor Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) amongst others.

The film has music by Nicolas Errera, while Amit Trivedi has also composed two hindi songs in the film. Vincent Mathias is the DOP, and the production design is by Alain-Pascal Housiaux and Patrick Dechesne, costume design is by Valerie Ranchoux and Philippe Bourgueil will be editing the film.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Union High School students "Hollywood Nights'' themed prom was celebrated at Fifth Third Ballpark's exclusive Pepsi Stadium Club Saturday, May 20.

Students stepped into the upscale venue decked out in stylish prom dresses and sleek tuxedos and suits, mingled before hitting the dance floor.

It was a memorable night as students mingled among friends, laughed and danced the night away to the hottest songs.

MLive and The Grand Rapids Press was there to celebrate with them and capture the memorable moments.

Prom season is underway in West Michigan through May and we will cover as many as possible to highlight the annual rite of passage.

More MLive prom coverage from this season:
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Nurx, a San Francisco startup, is offering an app that allows women to get prescription birth control without seeing a doctor. (Photo courtesy of Nurx)

An app that allows women to get prescription birth control delivered to their door without a doctor's appointment is now available to Michigan women.

The app is offered by Nurx, a California mobile health platform that also offers Plan B, an emergency contraceptive for women to use immediately after sex, and PrEP, a HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

The app allows women to choose a birth control method and enter their health information, which is reviewed by a doctor, who writes the prescription. The prescription is filled by Nurx, which delivers the medication to the patient's home.

Dr. Debra Taubel, a Kalamazoo gynecologist who is not affiliated with Nurx, said she is familiar with the app and says it's a "very honorable" idea, although it has some downsides.

"In theory, it's a great idea," Taubel said. "But there are so many forms of birth control that you can't get through an app."

Nurx officials said it offers a short-term alternative for women who have trouble accessing doctors.

Dr. Jessica Knox, the company's medical director, said birth control is not a medication that requires a visit to the doctor, and countries that allow women to get birth control pills and rings without a prescription do not see an increase in health problems.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for women with insurance, since birth control is one of the mandatory covered expenses under the Affordable Care Act. For uninsured women, Nurx waives the consultation fee and says it can provide contraceptives for as little as $15 a month, according to Nurx.

The company started in California, New York, Illinois and Washington, D.C., and is now expanding to other states.

Knox said an additional benefit of the app is women may be more likely to offer accurate information on their sexual health and history when they're doing it online versus telling someone in person.

She said that most of Nurx's patients are women in their 20s and 30s. Some don't have time for a doctor's visit to get a birth control prescription, and others may find it hard to get to a doctor because they lack transportation or live in an area where it's hard to get an appointment.

Research shows that access and affordability are key to lowering the number of unplanned pregnancies, Nurx officials say.

About half of Michigan's pregnancies are unintended, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Tabuel said the app "is a good stop-gap measure" for sexually active women who need birth control quickly. But said long-acting contraceptives, such as IUDs, are now the recommended contraceptive for most women.

Birth control pills and rings are subject to patient error, which can lead to an unintended pregnancy, Taubel said. "Patients make mistakes because they don't use it consistently or they use it incorrectly."

Taubel said she recommends that women see a doctor and get a long-term contraceptive.

Knox said that Taubel's critique is "very legitimate."

"If we could, I'd give an IUD to everyone," Knox said.

But "we have to meet patients where they are," and not all women want a long-lasting contraceptive, she said. "You have to provide the birth control that fits their lifestyle."
strike.JPG

Jackson Communications Workers of America picket Saturday, May 20, outside the AT&T store at 1419 N. West Ave.

(Danielle Salisbury/MLive.com)

JACKSON, MI - As they were across the country, AT&T employees in Jackson walked off their jobs, striking for job security, better wages and affordable healthcare.

About eight members of the Communications Workers of America Local 4100 stood Saturday, May 20, outside the store at 1419 N. West Ave. They hoisted signs and waved to motorists who honked their horns in support.

AT&T reports billions of dollars in quarterly profits and reportedly pays its CEO Randall Stephenson more than $20 million a year, but employees are not seeing any significant pay increases or bonuses. "Something is not right," said Marty Koch, 46, of Lake Somerset, a field technician tasked with cellular towers maintenance.

All the others who joined him on the sidewalk were store employees and fellow union members, working under an expired contract since February. They are largely concerned with maintaining their jobs.

Jobs have gone overseas and at any time, AT&T could close the corporate store or turn it into a third-party authorized retailer, which pay and train employees less, said Tim Baldwin, 27, of Jackson, who works in sales.

Laurie Goss, 44, said there has been talk of assuring there are equal numbers of corporate stores and authorized retailers.

She is a sales support representative, a job she says is "underrated."

"We are the first person they see when they walk in the door and customer service is their No. 1 goal," she said, standing on the sidewalk with her son, 24, who was supporting the effort.

Goss, however, makes less than $35,000 a year and works full-time.

Jackson employees were puzzled by widely reported corporate statements that some AT&T employees make $115,000 or more.

Baldwin said: "I don't know anybody who makes that type of money."

AT&T says it has offered employees "generous" pay and benefit increases, according to Fortune magazine.

"A strike is in no one's best interest, and it's baffling as to why union leadership would call one when we're offering terms in which our employees in these contracts ... will be better off financially," an AT&T spokesman told Reuters.

Two managers were standing at the door inside the Jackson store, which remained open Saturday. They declined to comment, deferring to corporate communications.

Union members said managers were brought in to keep the Jackson store open during the strike, which spans 36 states, involves a reported 40,000 workers and is to end Monday.

Baldwin said he would have gone to work Saturday and Sunday.

"I'd rather work for a fair contract."
KALAMAZOO, MI -- A scholarship for Western Michigan University medical students was created in honor of retiring President John M. Dunn.

The WMed announced Saturday that a $2.2 million endowed fund will cover $100,000 in tuition for eligible WMU graduates who are admitted to the Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine degree program.

The scholarship fund is endowed with $2.2 million in financial contributions from community leaders, members of the university's Board of Trustees, Borgess Health, and Bronson Healthcare. An initial funding target of $1.2 million was exceeded due to generous community support.

The announcement was made at the 2nd Annual Imagine Gala by Ken V. Miller, who is both chair emeritus and a current member of the WMU Board of Trustees.

"This scholarship fund in honor of Dr. John M. Dunn recognizes the key role he has played in developing Kalamazoo's medical school and, perhaps more importantly, it benefits our WMU graduates who are moving on to attend the medical school," Miller said Saturday. "Students have always been, and will continue to be, what is most important to President Dunn."

I am overwhelmed with pride and love for this community. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. https://t.co/btVyGsBqGt  John M. Dunn (@johnmdunnWMU) May 21, 2017

In 2011, the medical school was formed through a collaboration of WMU, Borgess Health, and Bronson Healthcare.

Dunn serves as the founding chair of the medical school board and will continue in that role until his retirement. Dunn, who has served as the university's eighth president since 2007, announced his 10 years at the helm will end on July 31.

"When you're from a small town in southern Illinois you learn that it's about everybody, it's about other people, it's about trying any way you can to improve our society and make things better," Dunn said Saturday.

Edward Montgomery, 61, was voted in as Western Michigan University's ninth president on Wednesday, April 12. He comes to Kalamazoo after a career in academia and government.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- President Donald Trump will use the nation that is home to Islam's holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism Sunday, as he works to build relationships with Arab leaders.

On the second day of his first trip abroad, Trump sought to demonstrate that he'd made progress with an agreement with Gulf Arab states on countering terrorist funding.

Under the memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Cooperation Council announced in Saudi Arabia, participants are pledging to prosecute the financing of terrorism, including individuals. The White House did not immediately release the document. But White House adviser Dina Powell said she hoped the deal with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would be the "farthest reaching commitment to not finance terrorist organizations" and would lead to prosecutions.

Trump's Sunday speech, the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a "battle between good and evil" and urge Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press. He also said that in about two weeks he would hold a news conference about the nation's efforts fighting terror.

Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words "radical Islamic terrorism" -- and criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for not doing so -- that phrase is not included in the draft.

It does, however, mention "the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires," according to excerpts released by the White House Sunday, ahead of the speech.

The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as Trump held individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.

A Sunday meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi underscored the kinship, with Trump saluting his counterpart on the April release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi, who had been detained in the country for nearly three years.

El-Sissi invited Trump to visit him in Egypt, adding, "You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." As the participants laughed, Trump responded: "I agree."
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will be meeting on May 25 at the Vienna Convention to discuss whether the cuts in oil production should be extended in the wake of surging US output. Minister of State of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmerndra Pradhan will also attend this crucial OPEC meeting.

OPEC members in November last year had agreed to cut 1.2 million barrels a day of oil production and during this meet the members will contemplate whether to extend the current six-month production-cut deal beyond the mid-2017 expiration, and whether agreed-upon reductions should be increased.

As India imports 80 percent of its crude requirement from oil reserves located in OPEC member countries, this meeting is important for the country. It will also help government to deliberate upon various options available for oil and gas imports in the international space.

Two countries, Russia and Saudi Arabia, the largest of the 24 oil exporters that agreed to cut output for the first six months of the year, said on Monday that they favor a nine-month extension of the curbs.

Why are these prolonged curbs needed? It is required to reduce global stockpiles to the five-year average, reiterated energy ministers of the worlds biggest crude producers. OPECs Kuwait and Venezuela, and non-members Oman and South Sudan also support the proposal.

Many of the OPEC members are backing this proposal says a monthly report from the International Energy Agency released on Tuesday. The report pegged OPECs member compliance with the cuts at 96 percent.

What could be the probable outcome from the meeting?

OPEC members may decide to end the output-cut agreement altogether.

OPEC may extend the current production-cut agreement by six months.

What the market has to say?

Opinions are divided whether the extension to curb oil production will be sufficient. Some see the extension as enough to drain inventories back to average levels, while others expect rising US shale output to swamp the deal.

In any event, to a large degree the OPEC extension is already priced into the market, and an increase in prices will probably be modest.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the launch of the Jan Dhan Yojana, or the Scheme for People's Wealth, in New Delhi August 28, 2014.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh today asked party supporters to join social media to combat Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'biggest strength of faking news' ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing an event here, Singh contended the Congress- led UPA had to taste defeat in the 2014 general election notwithstanding its "good" performance as it could not properly refute the BJP's "disinformation campaign" against it.

The AICC general secretary charged Modi and the RSS-BJP combine with engaging in communal politics and alleged they are "threat" to the country's unity.

He also reiterated the need for bringing together group of people who are "anti-BJP and anti-RSS" to halt the BJP juggernaut.

"We lost the 2014 polls despite doing a good job. Why? Because we could not refute properly the disinformation campaign by RSS-BJP.

"Fake news is the biggest strength of Modiji. We need to contemplate how we combat it ahead of 2019 polls," he said.

The Rajya Sabha member asked the attendees to not care two hoots about "Modiji's troll army" when they try to show "mirror" to those voters who are not members of any party but are "influenced" by the prime minister.

He asked the supporters to follow Twitter handles of the Congress and its vice president Rahul Gandhi to hit back at the BJP.

At one point during his speech, Singh sought to counter the BJP's slogan of "Congress-free India" saying the people need "fear-free India".

The leader also charged the ruling party with using central agencies like CBI and ED to deter opposition leaders.

Singh reiterated that the Election Commission should revert to use of paper ballots for the next Lok Sabha polls.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast on Sunday, South Korea and Japan said, a week after it tested an intermediate-range missile which experts saw as an advancement in the reclusive state's weapons program.

The missile was launched at 0759 GMT from a location near Pukchang, 60 km (36 miles) northeast of the capital Pyongyang, an area where North Korea attempted to test-launch another missile last month but failed, South Korea's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The missile flew about 500 km (310 miles), it said. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and no damage to ships or airplanes was reported.

An official traveling with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia said the White House was aware of the launch and noted that the missile had a shorter range than the three previous tested by North Korea.

China had no immediate comment while both South Korea and Japan called emergency meetings of top officials.

"The flight range was 500 km and South Korea and the United States are closely analyzing additional information," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

It was the second missile test by North Korea since South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office 11 days ago. The two sides remain technically at war despite a truce ending their 1950-1953 conflict.

Last Sunday, the North tested-fired an intermediate range missile that flew further and higher than those previously tested.

Moon won this month's election on a platform of a moderate approach to North Korea and has said he would be willing to go to Pyongyang under the right circumstances, arguing dialogue must be used in parallel with sanctions.

North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programs, even from China, its lone major ally, calling them legitimate self-defense.

It has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland.

On Saturday, it said it had developed the capability to strike the U.S. mainland, although Western missile experts say the claim is exaggerated.

"The U.S. mainland and the Pacific operational theater are within the strike range of the DPRK and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike," North Korea's state KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Saturday.

North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity
Seoul, May 21 (IBNS): North Korea has conduced another missile test, South Korea claimed on Sunday.

"North Korea fired an unidentified projectile from a site this afternoon from the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do (South Pyeongan Province)," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement as quoted by country's Yonhap News Agency.

Last week, North Korea had fired what it had said a new type of rocket.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Pyongyang to return to the path of denuclearization saying the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a threat to peace and security in the region.

The Secretary-General condemns the launch of another ballistic missile by the DPRK, the Spokesman said in a statement.

He added that that launch violates Security Council resolution, and said that Guterres calls on the DPRK to ensure full compliance with its international obligations.

DPRK fired the missile while the UN chief was in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum. Addressing President Xi Jinping, Guterres highlighted the shared aims of Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as deepening connectivity in infrastructure, trade and finance.

The missile was reportedly fired from a base in the north-west DPRK, near the border with China.

Later in the day, the UN Security Council also strongly condemned the ballistic missile launches. In a press statement, the Council expressed utmost concern at DPRKs highly destabilizing behaviour and flagrant and provocative defiance of the body by conducting the missile launches in violation of the countrys international obligations under relevant Council resolutions.

As such, the Council members vowed to fully implement all measures imposed on the DPRK and strongly urged all other Member States to do so in an expeditious and serious manner. They also stressed that the DPRKs illegal ballistic missile activities are contributing to its development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and are greatly increasing tension in the region and beyond.

Further to the statement, the Council emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action and stressed the importance of working to reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula and beyond. To that end, the Council demanded the country conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests.


May 21, 2017 Talking Tactics, Lacking Strategy - The Generals On Syria And Iraq On Friday Secretary of Defense [General ret.] Mattis, General Dunford and Special Envoy McGurk on the Campaign to Defeat ISIS held a press briefing. A transcript is available. My first thought after reading its was: "These people live in a different world. They have no idea how the real word works on the ground. What real people think, say, and are likely to do." There was no strategic thought visible. Presented were only some misguided tactical ideas. One purpose of the briefing was obviously to souse the Saudis in preparation of Trumps weapons sales campaign there. There was no mention at all of any (Saudi financed) Jihadis in Syria or elsewhere besides ISIS. Questions about Kurdish or Iraqi paramilitary groups were answered with trash talk about Iran. Besides that some notable points were made. Dunford of the Joint Chiefs of Staff remarked at one point that the Raqqa campaign was not delayed by the decision of Trump's National Security Advisor Flynn to temporarily halt the Obama order to launch that operation. He thereby rejected the accusations in a McClatchy news piece that Flynn's decision significantly delayed the campaign and that he was motivated by Turkish payments to him. A MoA piece had listed that McClatchy report as fake news. Turkish consulting payments to Flynn had ended three month earlier, the decision was reasonable and the Raqqa campaign was not delayed by it. Dunford confirmed that. The recent unprovoked and illegal U.S. air attack on a Syrian Army contingent moving towards the al-Tanf border station with Iraq was probably a local decision taken by an over-eager U.S. commander on the ground. Dunford said: Our commanders on the ground felt like they were threatened at that point. And their rules of engagement allow them to do that. We've gone back and -- and -- and had a conversation at every level now to ensure that those kinds of incidents don't take place again. Last night, I -- I made a commitment that they wouldn't happen again if our forces weren't threatened. And everybody understands what the rules are. So, that's what's going to prevent it in the future. As I understand this Dunford means: "Our people on the ground screwed up and were emphatically told not to do such again." There was no eagerness shown by any of the speakers to get into a fight with Russia. They emphasized coordination with Russia but their understanding of that seems very one-sided. Russia has not confirmed any coordination or de-conflicting in south Syria. Neither Russia nor the Syrian government and its allies want the U.S. to operated in south-east Syria and they will do their best to prevent further moves. There will therefore be no "coordination" for any movement of U.S. proxies in the area. Ehsani, a reasonably neutral Syrian observer, remarked on the press briefing of that incident: Number of reporters naturally asked about recent coalition strikes on "Iranian assets" near al Tanaf. The responses were noteworthy

Mattis followed that up by saying strike was self-defense against what looked like offensive forces that seemed to be Iranian-directed.

Mattis further explained that he believed (could not confirm) that Russians had asked those forces to stop the advance but failed to do so

Dunford then described how US & Russian forces decided to increase level of communication even further to avoid such incidents in future

The need, desire and enthusiasm for "De-conflicting" with the #Russians was heard repeatedly during the press conference

Generals admitted that #Syrian theater is fraught with dangers and risk of accidents and increased communication with #Russia will help As predicted in piece on the incident the Syrian Army continues to move towards al-Tanf despite the U.S. bombing attack. It is now also pushing on a second axis in Suweida along the Syrian-Jordan border. The attacked main movement from the north-west received reinforcements and continues, it is claimed, under air cover. Al-Tanf is a Syrian border station on Syrian grounds and the Syrian government has all rights to take control of it. Norwegian government media reported that Norwegian troops were now occupying al-Tanf. Who cares? Al-Tanf is not a place where a presence of Norwegian or any other U.S. proxy troops has any legitimacy. The Syrian government had stated that it will take control of that station. That's it. There is no need for "de-conflicting" in the area because the U.S. and its proxies have no legitimate reason to be there. "De-confliction" in the area is very simple. Just stay away. Ehsani spent had some additional thoughts on the press briefing: Reporters also asked about role of #Turkey and how unhappy Ankara is with US cooperation with #SDF . Responses were both clear & awkward

All 3 repeated how #Turkey is an important ally which they visited so many times recently BUT that on this issue our views differ

Let us not forget that #Turkey reportedly asked for firing of @brett_mcgurk and here he was explaining how they are important ally BUT... As to what happens after #ISIS is defeated, @brett_mcgurk stressed that US will not be into "nation building" but in "stabilization" mode

@brett_mcgurk then made sure to mention that US will NOT work with #Assad regime during stabilization effort. He then said following:

@brett_mcgurk proclaimed that "people of #Raqqa are unanimous that they don't Syrian regime to come back". This was remarkable statement

@brett_mcgurk is an extremely effective, smart & able individual. His statement on #Raqqa post #ISIS has many implicit implications

@brett_mcgurk comment can easily be construed as supporting partition of #Syrian post #ISIS. This is only meaning of #Raqqa sans SY State Interestingly, not a single reporter asked about strategy and fate of none #ISIS jihadists belonging to other groups

Press conference failed to mention the words #Nusra #Alqaeda #Turkustani #Ughurs #Muhaysni even once. I have just received reports that Muhaysni held an important meeting in Maara't al Nuaman #idlib yesterday to help implement new strategy

#Syrian jihadists have just been advised to shave their beard & join #FSA groups if need be in order to re-organize, re-arm, re-position

New jihadist strategy is to look none-jihadist. Muhaysni & others are drawing parallels to how 09/11 perpetrators did so & succeeded

Recent report by @jenanmoussa on life in #Idlib was contrary to new momentum behind changing jihadi appearance, hence strong reaction Given @brett_mcgurk remarks on #Raqqa & reports of de-Jihading the appearance of #Idlib, ATTEMPT TO PARTITION #SYRIA NOW IS MORE REAL But that attempt seem to be divorced from reality. I sincerely doubt that any operation to conquer Raqqa city will happen anytime soon. The only troops available for that are Syrian Kurds of the YPG. But the Kurds demanded public political guarantees from the U.S. for their future autonomy in exchange for efforts (and many casualties in their rows) in the city of Raqqa. The U.S. can not give such a commitment as its NATO partner Turkey is adamantly against that. In the press briefing the generals declared that isolating ISIS and blocking its fighters from moving out is now the most important issue for them. I understand that as hint that there is a plan for a siege of the city of Raqqa but no for moving into it. There is another, (the third?), attempt to whitewash al-Qaeda in Idleb. The State Department has refrained from putting the again renamed al-Qaeda organization there onto its foreign terrorist entities list. Supporting it under the new name is thereby arguably still legal. The Arabic version of the Qatari al-Jazeera channel is now defending and promoting al-Qada in Syria leader Jolani who practically rules over Idleb But the recent TV report by Jenan Mussa (vid) proves without doubt that Idleb is controlled by al-Qaeda in Syria and that it is pushing to implement its brutal version of Islamic law. There were some feeble attempts to debunk it and to sell al-Qaeda under its new name Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a reasonably moderate local Syrian force. The Saudi/Qatar paid Jihadist promoter Charles Lister fronts the meager efforts. But such efforts have failed before. Al-Qaeda can not be reformed. The Saudi financed al-Qaeda in Idleb is competing with the now Turkish controlled Ahrar al-Sham Jihadis. Today Ahrar al Sham's headquarter in Idleb was blown up by two suicide bombers. Up to 40 people were killed including some high commanders. A first Ahrar statement blamed ISIS for the attack but within the local context an al-Qaeda attack seems much more likely. It is quite doubtful that such an incident will result in further support for the attempted al-Qaeda whitewash. Especially Turkey will note that its proxy force was the one that was hit. It controls the borders of Idleb through which supplies must come in. It has no interest in pampering al-Qaeda. The statements of the generals and diplomats in the Defense Department press briefing seemed divorced from the realities on the ground. The Russian positions on the U.S. attempts in the south-east and "de-conflicting" were misrepresented, No reality based plan or timetable for the Raqqa campaign was evident. The festering situation in Idleb was not mentioned at all. There was no strategic plan visible behind the delusional talks about tactical items. Ehsani feels that the strategic U.S. plan is to partition Syria. But where are the real preparations for that? What does "stabilization" in Raqqa mean? Who will pay the teachers there from which source of income under who's long term control? No "nation-building" means no money for such efforts. Brett McGurk still dreams of replacing the Syrian president Assad with some pliable leader who can control the country. The "hope" for that is six years old and long gone. What is his plan to achieve that? What is he drinking? Trump has given the generals the authority to solve the issues in Syria and Iraq. Neither the generals nor McGurk gave the impression of having the necessary capabilities to achieve such. Posted by b on May 21, 2017 at 17:41 UTC | Permalink Comments
Kabul, May 21 (IBNS): Unknown gunmen has shot dead a German national in Afghanistan capital Kabul, media reports said.

The gunmen also shot dead the German national's Afghan bodyguard.

A Finland citizen has been kidnapped, media reports said.

Acting MoI spokesman Najib Danish told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident happened in seventh police district on Saturday night.

He told both the slain and abducted nationals worked with an NGO. They lived in a guest house.

The deceased Afghanistan national has been identified as Abdul Shakoor.

Police have started investigating into the matter.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Image: Wikimedia Commons
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State Rep. Tom Craddick delivered again for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Craddicks behind-the-scenes work means UTPB has the funding to start chemical and electrical engineering degree plans 18 months earlier than anticipated.

The board of regents for the University of Texas system had approved the two programs last week, but funding wasnt approved for the upcoming biennium. Craddick worked with committee chairmen in the House and Senate John Zerwas of the House Appropriations Committee and Jane Nelson of the Senate Finance  to make sure that funding would be there in the General Appropriations Act.

In April, the Texas House approved a budget that included more than $1.6 million in funding over the biennium for the UTPB College of Engineering. The Senate version of the budget  Senate Bill 1  did not include funding for the College of Engineering.

Because there were differences in the House and Senate budget, a conference committee with members from each body was appointed to reconcile the differences.

In the final version of the state budget as proposed by the conference committee, UTPB is set to receive an additional $1.6 million in funding for the electrical and chemical degree plans (amounting to an extra $800,000 each year). Overall, the UTPB College of Engineering is expected to be appropriated more than $3.2 million for the biennium.

The UTPB engineering program is growing in leaps and bounds," Craddick said. "With the recent groundbreaking of the engineering building, the development of the petroleum and mechanical degree programs and the expected expansion of electrical and chemical degree programs, I recognized that UTPB was in need of additional funding to build upon the success of the engineering program, so I negotiated with the conference committee to ensure extra funding was appropriated for this upcoming biennium.

In the 2015 legislative session, UTPB received tuition revenue bonds to build an 80,000-square-foot School of Engineering Building at the Midland campus next to the CEED and the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, southeast of the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 1788 and State Highway 191. Groundbreaking for the $52 million building took place earlier this spring.

One in every 10 students at UTPB reportedly study some form of engineering.

We all know that the Permian is a leader in the oil and gas industry, Craddick said. The expansion of the engineering program at UTPB will help to ensure that our area has the educated workforce that we need to develop our natural resources and keep our great state as a leader in the industry.

House approves Craddicks royalty reporting bill

Craddick also reported Saturday that House Bill 129, a bill to clarify royalty payment reporting requirements, is headed to the governors desk.

HB129 will help clarify royalty reporting requirements set forth in the Texas Natural Resources Code. The bill requires the payor to provide the information required by law along with the check stub, unless the royalty owner provides consent to receive the information in some other manner.

For my constituents and all royalty owners throughout Texas, this is a big deal, Craddick said. For years, royalty owners have been receiving information about their royalty payment with their check stub. However, all of a sudden and without consent, some payors stopped sending printed out information with the check and instead referred people to a website link to set up an account, log in and download the information. We needed a legislative fix to ensure that royalty interest owners received their payment information in a manner that they prefer.

To alleviate internet security concerns and allow for ease of payment information accounting, House Bill 129 will help royalty owners receive their payment information in a format that they consent to, Craddick said. I am thrilled that the Texas Legislature approved this clarification in the law for the hundreds of thousands of royalty interest owners in Texas.
WALLINGFORD  In 2007, former Police Chief Douglas Dortenzio wrote in a 17-page report that the departments staffing is adversely affecting services.



Ten years later, the department has not added any new staffing and continues to fall well below state averages for officers per capita, but Police Chief William Wright says the absence of new staffing has not jeopardized public safety.



Were OK, Wright said about the number of officers. We could use more, but were OK



The department has 71 sworn officers, which includes all administrative positions. Wright said the department is adequately staffed, but adds that ideally he would have about 80 officers to meet the state average for officers per capita based on the towns population of about 45,000.



For years, town officials have debated whether to spend money to add officers, with each costing around $100,000 annually in salary and benefits.



There was always this back and forth and this battle over whether to add officers, Town Council Vice Chairman Tom Laffin said.



The department received funding for 75 officers from the mid-90s until 2007, when the town cut funding for four positions that were vacant due to start of the economic recession, according to Wright. The department has remained at 71 officers since.



While the town maintains relatively low crime rates compared to surrounding towns, Wright said additional staffing would help in addressing problems such as vehicle burglaries and drug sales. But Wright also recognizes that the towns financial constraints make adding new positions difficult. Wright originally planned to ask the mayor for funding to hire two new patrol officers in his budget request earlier this year, bringing the total officers up to 73. The officers would have been added to the departments patrol division, Wright said prior to submitting his budget request to the mayor in March.



I need more help on the streets, Wright said in February. It comes to a point when the problem outgrows the resources you have.



But two economic factors  proposed cuts in state funding and a lack of growth in the tax base  ultimately dissuaded Wright from asking the mayor to fund the two positions.



Wright said he also recognizes that his agency isnt the only department in town that needs more staffing.



Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed a budget in February that cut the towns state aid by $10.1 million. The funding is not expected to return, making town officials hesitant to add recurring costs, such as new positions, to the budget. Malloys revised budget proposal released in May would cut funding to the town even further, by $14.1 million.



After Dortenzio wrote in 2007 that the department needed to add staffing, Dickinson responded by saying public safety is very important to our community, but we need to be careful not to over respond and we need to hold costs at reasonable levels.



Wright said last week that its possible that the new positions would have led to a decrease in overtime, potentially offsetting some of the expense of new officers. Earlier this month, the Town Council debated whether to add about $213,000 in spending to fund the two officers.



Republican Councilor Chris Shortell presented a plan that would raise the mill rate by .05 to pay for the positions. The average homeowner would have paid an additional $8.



In pitching his proposal, Shortell said from the drug epidemic to the increase in car thefts, the challenges we face as a community are not going away, nor are they getting easier. You can just read the paper or look at social media to realize that.



We are talking about our police department, which we have been told for years is understaffed, he added. This is not a problem that will just take care of itself, and it is not sustainable. I cant sit here as a councilor and do nothing.



The plan to raise taxes to add two officers received support from Laffin, who said weve kind of staved off (adding officers) as long as we could.



We cant allow the fiscal failures and irresponsibilities of Hartford to dictate something as quintessential as safety for our town, Laffin said.



Other councilors said that while they support public safety, funding should not be allocated if a department head does not formally request it.



When we talk about public safety, we bring a lot of emotion into it, Republican Councilor Joe Marrone said. The facts for me are simply that the chief said, when he testified before us, that we were OK with the staff that we have. I do believe the chief when he says that. I dont think hes trying to play a role for the mayor.



The positions were talking about, quite simply, were not asked for, Democratic Councilor Vincent Testa said. To me, if somebody does not ask for something, I have a very hard time granting it.



Dickinson, a Republican, contended that the two additional officers are not imperative for public safety.



The police chief is not saying that we are at risk. He would have had the positions (in his budget proposal), Dickinson told the council. Were not at risk because we dont have two more people. It would be nice to have, but given (the financial challenges) we face...I really cannot be supportive of increasing staff unless theres clear evidence that not having two more officers is jeopardizing safety.



The council ultimately rejected Shortells proposal 6-3, leaving police staffing at 71 sworn officers for the 2017-18 fiscal year.



Unaffiliated Councilor John Sullivan voted against the new positions, saying he would have voted in favor if the chief requested them.



If the chief needed a couple more officers, I think Chief Wright would have been more vocal about it and asked for it. And if he would have asked for it, he would have gotten it, Sullivan said.



Despite the below-average staffing, the town maintains one of the lowest crime rates among comparatively sized towns.



A recent study conducted by the National Council for Home Safety and Security ranked Wallingford as the 34th safest town in Connecticut. The study looked at crime statistics for violent crimes and population, along with other research.



Wright attributes the success to hard work by officers and cooperation by community members.



We have a workforce thats incredibly hard working, diligent, and dedicated to the task at hand, Wright said.



According to statistics provided by police, officers made nearly the same number of total arrests in 2016 as they did a decade prior  1,924 arrests were made in 2007, compared to 1,922 in 2016. In that period, annual arrests generally ranged between 1,900 and 2,100, with the exception of 2008 and 2011, when arrests totaled 1,748 in both years.



While total arrests have not increased, Wright said, the demands on law enforcement have changed and grown significantly in the last decade.



As an example, Wright noted that officers recently began carrying naloxone to administer to overdose victims. Naloxone was previously only administered by town firefighters. Wright also cited several of the departments recent community outreach initiatives.



That doesnt always show up in an arrest statistics. Its hard to quantify that, Wright said.



Looking ahead to future years, Wright said while hed like to add officers, constructive thought needs to be given.



Well have to see what the total picture looks like, he said.



mzabierek@record-journal.com 203-317-2279 Twitter: @MatthewZabierek






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State Sen. Carlos Urestis legal defense could be facing a potential setback even before he begins in earnest fighting the criminal charges against him.

San Antonio attorney Mikal Watts on Friday said federal prosecutors have indicated they will seek to disqualify him from defending Uresti in at least one of two indictments unsealed Tuesday.

Prosecutors likely will file a motion contending Watts has a conflict of interests because he previously represented Denise Cantu, a Harlingen woman identified in one of the indictments as Victim 1. In all likelihood, Cantu will be a witness against Uresti in that case.

Uresti and Watts represented Cantu in a 2010 wrongful-death case after the rear tire on her Ford Explorer blew out, causing the SUV to veer into a grassy median, roll over and kill her 13-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son and two friends.

Cantu won a large legal settlement and later, said to be at the suggestion of Uresti, invested the bulk of the proceeds in fledgling frac-sand company FourWinds Logistics, which ultimately went bankrupt in 2015 and folded. Cantu lost most of her $900,000 investment.

Uresti failed to disclose to Cantu that he was collecting a commission and a cut of the profits on her investment, the indictment states. Uresti also gave Cantu legal advice regarding investing in FourWinds despite also representing the company, the document adds.

Uresti is facing 11 counts in the indictment, including securities fraud, wire fraud and acting as an unregistered securities broker. Hes facing two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and money laundering in the second indictment. He has denied the allegations.

On Friday, Watts disputed that he had a conflict that would lead to his removal from the case.

My attorney-client relationship with Denise Cantu ended at the end of that (wrongful-death) case, Watts said. The law is that when the task is performed and the case ends, the attorney-client relationship ends absent an agreement in writing by the parties to continue it. I havent talked to Denise Cantu in five years, and unless and until she decides to hire me on another matter that I agreed to accept representation on, I am no longer her lawyer.

Watts added the work he performed in Cantus case is not substantially related to the criminal case against Uresti. San Antonio lawyer Jorge Aristotelidis also is on the Democratic senators legal team.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell, one of the prosecutors in the criminal cases against Uresti, declined to comment Friday.

Cantu opposes Watts representing Uresti, according to Oscar R. Alvarez, a McAllen lawyer who filed a lawsuit against Uresti on Cantus behalf this year in an attempt to recover some of the money she lost in FourWinds.

Denise does not think its fair, Alvarez said. Watts and Uresti both used to represent her, and now theres a conflict between them (Cantu and Uresti) and (Watts is) taking sides.

Bruce Campbell, a Dallas attorney specializing in legal ethics, said its difficult to predict whether a judge would remove Watts from the case.

Its going to come down to a question of whether the matters are substantially related or not, Campbell said. Thats going to be the linchpin of that issue, unless Mr. Watts has obtained a waiver from Ms. Cantu.

Cantu never signed a waiver of conflict with Watts, Alvarez said.

Prosecutors may have another reason for seeking to remove Watts: He could be called as a witness.

I anticipate that will be one of the arrows in their quiver that they will shoot at me, Watts said. But the law frowns on that because of the potential for abuse.

Watts said he didnt know whether prosecutors will try to remove him as Urestis attorney in the bribery case, in which Uresti also is accused of funneling money from a Reeves County businessman to a former county judge to secure a medical services contract for a jail complex.

Uresti faces up to about 200 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines if convicted on all charges in the two indictments.

In an unrelated case, federal prosecutors in San Antonio this year persuaded a U.S. magistrate judge to remove the lead defense lawyer for the president of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club because he might have a conflict of interests. U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad said the lawyer might be forced to be a witness to dispute the allegations of two of his former clients.

Watts said theres always an ulterior motive when a motion to disqualify a lawyer is filed.

Youre trying to weaken your opposition, he said before sharing a conversation he said he had with Urestis prosecutors.

I said, I see why you guys want to disqualify me, Watts said. After, I would not want to tangle with a man with such considerable criminal law experience as me. We all had a big laugh about it.

The punchline is that the nationally renowned plaintiffs lawyer has defended only one criminal case in his entire career  his own.

In 2015, Watts was indicted on charges of making false claims and identity theft in relation to litigation involving BP over the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Watts defended himself during the trial and ultimately was acquitted by a jury on all 66 charges.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi May 21 (PTI) Four persons have been arrested for allegedly robbing a truck loaded with cell phones worth over Rs 1 crore in north Delhis Burari, the police said today.

Santosh, the driver of an Eicher Canter, had informed the police that he was robbed on the intervening night of May 18 and 19.

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While he was driving the truck loaded with 7600 Karbonn mobile phones from Okhla Industrial area to Zirakpur, a tempo overtook him near Burari flyover, the police said.

Two persons came out of the tempo and said that it was an accident. When Santosh got down from the truck, he was overpowered, his hands tied and he was dumped in the tempo. Meanwhile, one of their associates drove away with the canter.

Later, they dumped him in Mundka and the Canter was also dumped in the nearby area.

A team was formed and the four accused--Sanjay alias Jaiveer, Mohd Salman, Sarvan Kumar and Salman--were arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Jatin Narwal said.

The stolen cell phones have been recovered.

The gang members targeted loaded trucks plying during late night driven by solo drivers. The accused became friends while they were lodged in Tihar Jail. PTI SLB AAR

--- ENDS ---
As hundreds of Deer Park High School seniors cross the stage at graduation May 26 into a new chapter of their lives, Christian Hermez will have many things to reflect on.

The son of a Lebanese father and American mother, he has seen what determination can do.

"My father moved here 43 years ago and had nothing in his pocket," Hermez, 18, said of his dad, Nicolas. "He was a welder and moved up the ranks in his job until he was able to save enough money to start a restaurant and catering business. He built them up slowly and they were successful. He has taught me the importance of work ethic and leading with your heart first."

His family owns and operates Olive Tree Mediterranean Grill in Pasadena, an endeavor where Hermez plays a large role in day-to-day operations.

"I started working there, sitting on a stool, when I was very young. Now I help my family run the restaurant," he said.

Initially, Hermez planned to attend the University of Houston for a degree in business and entrepreneurship. But a tip from his mom, Katherine, inspired him to take a high school class that led him down a slightly different path.

"My mom told me that women love men who can cook and men who can dance; so I joined a culinary class," he said. "The first year was strictly studying. We learned the science behind food. This year, we competed in a culinary competition and did very well."

A team of Hermez and two other classmates placed sixth out of 300 competitors at the regional level, allowing them to advance to the state level, where they placed first. On July 3, the trio will compete in Nationals, held this year in Tennessee.

More Information Deer Park High Graduation What: Deer Park High School Graduation When: 7 p.m. May 26 Where: Abshier Stadium, 710 San Augustine St., Deer Park, TX 77539 See More Collapse

"It was very exciting," Hermez said. "We've been preparing for this and are ready to put our hearts into it."

Winning the competition didn't just bring bragging rights but opened doors.

"I was approached by scouts from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin who offered me a scholarship," Hermez said. "I love the restaurant business, but my plan wasn't to be a chef; I wanted to get into commercial real estate. But I looked into the school and realized what value it would be if I could go there for two years and become a chef then come back to U of H for my business degree. So, that's what I'm going to do."

He will attend the school's two-year program with all cost covered except for $8,000.

Hermez gives credit to his other teammates, Ivan Vences and Lorenzo Morales.

"We have become very close," Hermez said.

They are brothers, he said, in addition to his already-large family.

"I have 60 cousins spread all over the world," said Hermez, who has a younger brother, Anthony. "We have family in Canada, Norway, Lebanon - they're everywhere. Having a family that big and that full of love really helped shape who I am."

Hermez attributes his tenacity and zest for life to his parents' influence.

"My parents spoiled me in the best way," he said. "They spoiled me with love. The never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. They guided and made suggestions. My dad told me that when you start something, you have to finish it."

That perseverance factored into the Eagle Scout project Hermez recently completed.

"When my dad was running a catering company, after an event he would take his truck down to homeless people and pass out the leftover food. He never wanted to see anyone hungry. So, when I had to do a project for Eagle Scout, I decided it would be good to feed hungry families," Hermez said.

Through a series of meetings and community organization, the senior collected filled an 18-wheeler with canned good to donate to a local food bank.

"That was such a blessing from the community," he said. "That food alone was enough to feed 800 families of four, or more than 3,000 people."

While many seniors are planning vacations and much-needed time off after graduation, Hermez is getting things lined up for a smooth transition to college.

"We normally take a trip to Lebanon to visit family," he said, "but this will be a busy summer. I want to find two people to replace me at the restaurant and I want to find a job in Austin before I start school. I think it would be healthy for me to work and go to school, so I want to secure some stable position there before August."

His recommendation to underclassmen: Don't be afraid.

"I think people can be afraid to try new things and this holds them back," he said. "If I could give anyone advice, it would be to face the things you want to do, regardless of how scared you might be."

Nicolas Hermez couldn't be more proud of the soon-to-be graduate.

"I am the most proud father in the world," he said. "I have the most beautiful, disciplined, Christian boys - I am so very blessed."

Christian said his successes have come from a lifetime of lessons taught by his dad.

"My dad has always taught me that if there's something in your heart and you have passion for it - do it," he said. "There's no failure in that. So that's how I'm going to try to live my life."
Last year, Bob Buckhorn stood on a Navy warfare boat and fired blanks from a .50-caliber machine gun as a crowd watched. The Tampa, Florida, mayor was just "rescued" from his mock captors as part of a military demonstration in Florida.

At this year's Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, Buckhorn talked about that experience and joked about pointing the machine gun at reporters atthe 2016 event.

"I've never seen grown men cry like little girls, for when that gun goes off those media folks just hit the deck like no one's business," Buckhorn said in his opening remarks Tuesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "It's great payback. I love it."

Buckhorn did not actually point at anyone in particular during the demonstration. A video taken by a Fox News affiliate shows him moving the machine gun in different directions as he fired blanks.

Still, his joke has been a topic of conversation among journalists, specifically those who've faced danger on the job. Many said the remarks were inappropriate, especially at a time when the free press has become the president's verbal punching bag.

"I know how it feels to stare down a live weapon and realize that your life hangs by a finger-twitch," freelance writer Susan Katz Keating said on the Military Reporters and Editors Facebook page. "I do understand the impulse to smack back at your adversaries in good fun, but this really isn't all that funny."

Keating said she'd been held at gunpoint while covering a conflict zone in Northern Ireland. She and others also argued that by pointing the machine gun, Buckhorn violated a basic rule on firearm safety: Never point a gun unless you're ready to actually shoot someone.

"Those of us who have been to war and been shot at would naturally dive for cover not knowing what he's doing," Greg Mathieson, who spent three decades photographing war zones, wrote on the Facebook page. "It's not a game, nor funny. Maybe he needs to spend a week in Syria and see how funny it really is."

Travis Tritten, a national security reporter for the Washington Examiner, said Buckhorn's handling of the firearm was more concerning than what he said.

"POTUS has said far worse," Tritten said on the Facebook page. "I'd just wave it off."

The Washington Post was unable to reach Buckhorn on Sunday. But according to the Tampa Bay Times, he called the angry reaction "silly" and said his comments were made "entirely in fun, tongue in cheek."

"They were not meant to be a reflection of my relationship with the media. I am the first one to defend the Fourth Estate. I am the product of it. I grew up with ink on my fingers. But you can't be so politically correct that you lose the humor of the situation," said Buckhorn, whose father was a wire-service reporter.

Buckhorn, a Democrat, isn't the only politician to make a joke about violence against journalists.

The day after he made his comments, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly was caught on a hot mic joking with President Donald Trump about a ceremonial saber presented to the president during the commencement ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

"You can use that on the press, sir," Kelly told Trump.

"Yeah, that's right," Trump said, as Kelly laughed.

The New York Times reported last week that Trump urged then-FBI Director James Comey during a private meeting in February to consider imprisoning journalists for publishing classified information. Comey's associates told the Times and The Washington Post that Comey had kept a detailed account of the meeting, in which Trump condemned leaks to the press.

"Reporting on classified information is a bedrock right of journalists, and so I guess it's only natural, given his past statements, that Trump wants to take that away," Trevor Timm, executive editor of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, told Poynter. "Any prosecution of reporters for publishing true information about our government would strike at the very heart of press freedom."

More than 1,200 journalists have been killed on the job since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. About 450 have been exiled since 2008, and nearly 260 were imprisoned in 2016. Nine were killed this year.

Buckhorn's name had been floated for the Florida gubernatorial race next year, but he announced in March that he won't be seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
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A traffic stop near the Texas-Mexico border led to a surprise for Customs and Border Protection agents.

Severiano Solis, Port Director at the Hidalgo Port of Entry, said agents on May 14 discovered 188 pounds of liquid methamphetamine hidden in the gas tank of a vehicle pulled over for a secondary inspection.

BIG BUST: Feds seize $3 million in narcotics at the border

Solis said in a statement that the drugs were worth $3.7 million. Story continues below





Agents stopped the 2008 Chevy Silverado, which was driven by a woman from the U.S., for a secondary inspection.

The vehicle was seized and the driver was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations agents.

Scroll through the above gallery to see the biggest drug busts along the Texas-Mexico border as well as what items smugglers use to hide narcotics tucked away in vehicles
SAN ANTONIO -- A man is facing DWI charges after dragging a San Antonio police officer, with his vehicle, who attempted to wake him up after he fell asleep in the drive-thru of a Whataburger on the far North Side early Sunday morning.

San Antonio Police Department were called to the Whataburger in the 18300 block of Blanco Road near Loop 1604 around 5 a.m. to check on a man who had fallen asleep at the wheel while in the drive-thru.

Once the officer arrived, she parked the patrol vehicle in front of the suspect as a precaution to prevent the suspect from driving off said SAPD spokesman Ofc. Douglas Greene.

As the officer approached, police said it was apparent the suspect was asleep in the driver's side of the vehicle.

"In attempt to get the vehicle turned off, the officer reached inside the passenger's side and was attempting to turn off the vehicle," Greene said. "The driver suddenly woke up and punched on the gas, and the vehicle went in reverse."

Officials said the officer was dragged nearly 15-20 yards before the vehicle crashed into a tree.

The unidentified officer suffered injuries to her legs, arms and face that are non-life threatening. She was taken to University Hospital in stable condition.

"We are thankful that she did not get caught underneath the vehicle at the time that the individual was reversing," Greene said.

The suspect was taken into custody and is facing DWI charges, police said.

Additional charges could be filed, such as aggravated assault on a police officer, depending on the outcome of the investigation. Police are investigating to determine whether the individual was startled or attempting to flee the location.

nbautista@express-news.net

Twitter: @_NBautista
By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Updating with additional inputs)

Peshawar, May 21 (PTI) At least six policemen, including an officer, have been killed and another injured in two separate attacks in Pakistan.

Four policemen were killed when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Pakistans restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province yesterday.

The policemen were returning from an operation in Kamal Khel area of Kohat district when militants ambushed their vehicle, police said.

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A Station House Officer (SHO) and an additional SHO along with two constables died in the firing, police said, adding that the firing was sudden which suggests that it was a pre- planned attack.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a separate attack, a pair of motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire on a police van in an upscale neighbourhood in the southern port city of Karachi yesterday, killing two policemen and wounding another.

The policemen were sitting in their stationary police van near Daud More when they were fired upon, Dawn quoted Gulshan Superintendent of Police Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto as saying.

Two policemen, an ASI and a head constable, were killed, it said, adding that an injured head constable was admitted to a hospital.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an extremist militant group considered close to the dreaded Islamic State outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack. PTI AYZ/MRJ MRJ

--- ENDS ---
To make a point, the self-labeled Texas House Freedom Caucus recently killed two bills aimed at curbing maternal deaths.

To make that same point, the Texas House Freedom Caucus killed a bill to prevent school lunch shaming. The group also killed legislation to stop sexual coercion of minors via the Internet. All told, the Texas House Freedom Caucus killed more than 100 pieces of legislation on the local and consent calendar, including a very important sunset safety net bill to keep key agencies running.

Their grievance? Freedom caucus members felt their priorities were sidelined by House leadership, so they used parliamentary rules to squash other priorities. Like keeping mothers alive and making sure kids at school are fed.

House Bill 1158, authored by Republican state Rep. Sarah Davis, would have linked new mothers in Medicaid to services. House Bill 2403, authored by Democratic state Rep. Shawn Thierry, would have studied whether race and socioeconomics limit black expectant mothers from services.

These were important bills because Texas has seen a surge in maternal mortality rates in recent years, and black women are especially vulnerable. These were bills that would have saved lives. Killing them didnt serve anyone  and its a pretty churlish way to make a petty point.

Much of the same goes with state Rep. Helen Giddings bill to prevent school lunch shaming. It would have required school districts to provide a two-week grace period for students when their school lunch accounts lack funds. And it would require the districts to notify parents and assist them, if necessary, with a free or reduced lunch application. The idea is that no student should be denied food, much less be mocked for being poor.

These bills may come back from the dead as amendments to other bills or via Senate companion legislation.

We hope so, but playing so recklessly with quality bills that will address very specific issues is to play recklessly with peoples lives. It reflects selfish and narrow and indiscriminate thinking.

The backstory here is the death also of the Houses sunset safety net bill, or HB 3302. The legislation keeps a number of agencies from shutting down.

Because the House version has died, the onus shifts to the Senates version of the bill. As The Texas Tribunes Ross Ramsey has observed, if the senates bill doesnt pass, Gov. Greg Abbott will have to call a special session, opening the door for the Texas Freedom Caucus to get more of what it wants.
One of the biggest challenges ex-felons face after they are released from prison is finding a job.

Theyve served their time, but the punishment often continues in the workforce. Thats why a second chance is often the key to a bright future.

Enter the Bexar County 2nd Chance Job Fair. It will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Expo Hall, Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St. More than 80 employers will be on hand as well as numerous nonprofits and service providers

This is a worthy community endeavor for employers and job seekers alike. The brainchild of Precinct 4 Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr., the 2nd Chance Job Fair is open to anyone regardless of how long that person has been out of the workforce or criminal history.

The sooner ex-felons are hired, the better. Research has shown connecting ex-felons to jobs quickly makes them less likely to end up back in jail or prison.

Yes, there are risks to hiring ex-offenders, but there are also many incentives. Employers are eligible for federal income tax credits, and the Texas Workforce Commission offers free bonding to reduce risks. Most important, employers have the opportunity to help a person dramatically change the arc of his or her life. Its not charity. Its work. But the benefits of work for the motivated are undeniable.

There is still time for employers to register for a free table at the job fair. Any businesses interested can call the Bexar County Reentry Services Center at 210-335-8744 for more information. Prospective workers can call that same number if they need assistance with resumes, interviewing skills, clothing or other forms of support.

Heres to turning second chances into opportunities.
Ahmad, who is also president of FBCCI, added that it has been proven that improved Indo-Bangla relationships have led to development of both nations, both politically and economically.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Chairman of the top business organisation Nitol-Niloy Group of Bangladesh believes that 'Bangladesh-India' business relationship is better right now than any time in the past.

The country's top organisation of the business community FBCCI's president Ahmad said, "To promote development of the two countries, their business sector should flourish and gain importance. He also told India Today, "We have historical links with India since the birth of the country; we will not be able to move forward leaving each other."

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INDO-BANGLA RELATION AT PEAK

The observations have proved that the improved Indo-Bangla relationships have also led to the development of nations both politically and economically. The political relationships of both the countries were at peak in 1974, but declined gradually. After PM Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to India, a huge change is visible in the mindset of the people. It is now time for the trade and business community to utilise the great friendship among the two countries.

ROLE OF INDO-BANGLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

The Indo-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry was started around 12 years ago, when the relationship between the two countries especially in trade and investment was poor. The Indo-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry has played an important role in trying to get Bangladesh goods to India with total market access. In fact, Bangladesh has not explored the export industry in depth so far leaving no great investment opportunities for India in Bangladesh. Next agenda of the Indo-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry is to create more investment and export options in Bangladesh. Creating potential investment options shall be the key focus.

TRADE BALANCE SYSTEM OVER INDO-BANGLA BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

The bilateral trade balance between the two countries only favours India. Although India had removed all import taxes on Bangladeshi goods in 2011, we did not see any significant growth of Bangladeshi exports to India, whereas Bangladeshi imports from India have grown even more. While we appreciate Indian products coming to Bangladesh, but growth of some Bangladeshi exports also has to flourish in India as well. Hence, we are encouraging Indian investors who are producing in Bangladesh, to look into the prospect of exporting the Indian branded goods back to India.

IMPACT ON BILATERAL TRADE AFTER MILITANT ACTIVITIES IN BANGLADESH

Well, militancy is everywhere. I can see it in Europe, I can see it in India also. It is everywhere. The best part in Bangladesh is that the government is totally alert and continuously working towards the removal of all militant activities in Bangladesh. The government stands clear on not to encourage any militancy in Bangladesh. With changing times, countries reluctant to visit Bangladesh have a changed opinion. Henceforth, a great influx of foreign investors and foreign visitors to Bangladesh is being seen. We do not feel that militancy could dent any confidence in the foreigners visiting Bangladesh as it is a safe country to visit, invest and travel to.

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Also read: Family returns to India after 13 months of imprisonment in Bangladesh

Also read: 28 youngsters detained on charges of homosexuality in Bangladesh

--- ENDS ---
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has been a part of the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad. Our global vision is to be a leading foods company in Africa providing high quality and affordable products in the most convenient ways to consumers through world class brands like Golden Penny Flour, Golden Penny Semovita, Goldenvita, Golden Pasta and Golden Noodles. The Company's flagship brand, Golden Penny, remains one of the best known and the preferred brands amongst bakers, confectioneries and consumers in Nigeria.Ability to develop project scopes and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibilityDevelop a detailed project plan to track progress and maintain comprehensive project documentationPerform risk management to minimize project risksUse appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in project scope, schedule and costsMeasure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniquesEnsure resource availability and allocationManage the relationship with the client and all stakeholdersCoordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projectsEnsure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budgetHave a solid understanding of application programming, database and system design.Be able to lead and negotiate businessHave a thorough understanding of how to interpret customer business needs and translate them into application and operational requirements.Be able to apply general organizational knowledge of the business and systems processes in problem analysisFirst degree in Information Technology Management or related disciplineBusiness Analysis, Prince 2 /PMP Certification.5 to 9 years direct experience using enterprise-wide requirements, management systems and methodologiesExperience with Agile delivery methods.Knowledge of all phases of software development including requirements analysis, design, coding, testing (integration, user, and performance), debugging, implementation, and support.Technical and/or process improvement project management experience.
Bemil Nigeria Limited is a wholly indigenous company which has been at the forefront of providing Security Management, Cash-In-Transit /Valuable Protection and Security Consultancy & Training since its inception in 1978.BNL has been servicing the critical service needs of sectors where security and safety concerns are paramount. We provide client-specific solutions and strive to grow our business with clients; creating value through long term partnerships, synergies and continuous improvement in service delivery.Advices on sound recommendations and decisions in relation to an individuals vetting status.Continuously develops, documents and manages an effective security vetting procedures in order to meet the company's needs.Conducts background checks and verifications on all employees.Provides the strategic and tactical direction for vetting activity within the company, to ensure that current and future needs of the organization are met.Records details on inquiries, comments, complaints and records details of actions taken.Ensures strict compliance with the Company's Policies & Procedures.Should be able to ride a motor bikeOther duties as required in line with your skills, experience and role.Plans, develops and manages clients' security services, including gathering of security information and conducts risk assessment of prospective facilities.Assists in recruiting.Administers payroll and maintains employee records.Attending to Guards salary complaints.Processes & issues promotion and Salary review letter.Processes clearance for exit staff.Ensures all staff are assigned to a Pension Administrator.Conducts Staff welfare check on all employees of the company.Ensures the implementation of Post Orders for locations.Prepares periodic schedules and ad hoc security system reports; gathering data and prepares recommendations regarding system improvements.Ensures that locations are run smoothly- no short manning, materials and equipment are adequate and in good conditions.Ensures strict compliance with the Company's Policies & Procedures.Applicants should send their CV's to:careers@bemilnigeria.com30 June, 2017
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends much of her time in Asia and is currently researching a book about textile artisans. She also writes regularly about legal, political economy, and regulatory topics for various consulting clients and publications, as well as scribbles occasional travel pieces for The National.

Motherboard ran an interesting piece this week, Apple Is Lobbying Against Your Right to Repair iPhones, New York State Records Confirm, reporting on the money Apple, Verizon, and other tech trade associations are spending to thwart right to repair legislation pending in nearly a dozen states, including New York.

I first wrote about some these initiatives in January of this year, in this post, Waste Not, Want Not: Right to Repair Laws on Agenda in Some States, which discusses New York efforts as well as other initiatives to reject the throwaway culture, not only for electronics but also for other items.

Motherboard has been following this topic closely. From the latest account:

The bill, called the Fair Repair Act, would require electronics companies to sell replacement parts and tools to the general public, would prohibit software locks that restrict repairs, and in many cases would require companies to make repair guides available to the public. Apple and other tech giants have been suspected of opposing the legislation in many of the 11 states where similar bills have been introduced, but New Yorks robust lobbying disclosure laws have made information about which companies are hiring lobbyists and what bills theyre spending money on public record.

Apples not the only company seeking to kill the New York legislation, and a motley crew of others seek the same general objective, as Motherboard reports:

According to New York States Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Apple, Verizon, Toyota, the printer company Lexmark, heavy machinery company Caterpillar, phone insurance company Asurion, and medical device company Medtronic have spent money lobbying against the Fair Repair Act this year. The Consumer Technology Association, which represents thousands of electronics manufacturers, is also lobbying against the bill.

BoingBoing last week in Apple, CTA and Big Car are working in secret to kill New Yorks Right to Repair legislation spelled out details of the nub of company objections:

The companies are especially opposed to rules that ban using [Digital Rights Management] to prevent the use of third-party parts and spares  its become common practice to embed just enough software handshaking in replacement parts to invoke section 1201 of the [Digital Millennium Copyright Act], which makes it a felony to bypass effective means of access control for copyrighted works. A manufacturer who designs their device to use (copyrighted) software to validate spare parts  something John Deere has become notorious for  can then invoke the DMCA to make it a felony, punishable by a five-year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine, to make compatible components.

The BoingBoing article highlights a further irony:

Every company lobbying against competitors making compatible products has benefited greatly from their own competitive compatibility products: for example, Apple ran a high-profile, extremely successful marketing campaign (the Switch campaign) that advised potential customers on how to use Apple products to access files created with Microsoft products.

Classic Collective Action Problem

What popped out from the Motherboard account was the discrepancy between the resources being spent by Apple and other anti-right-to-repair forces, compared to those in favor of a right to repair. Again, from Motherboard:

The records show that companies and organizations lobbying against right to repair legislation spent $366,634 to retain lobbyists in the state between January and April of this year. Thus far, the Digital Right to Repair Coalitionwhich is generally made up of independent repair shops with several employeesis the only organization publicly lobbying for the legislation. It has spent $5,042 on the effort, according to the records.

Now, just to be clear and to reinforce a point made in the Motherboard article thwarting right to repair laws is only one of many issues that Apple et als lobbyists are no doubt acting on, so to make a straight up comparison of total resources spent by concerned companies no doubt overstates the magnitude of the discrepancy with respect to this single issue.

Still, this seems to provide an example of the classic collective action problem, as adumbrated in economist Mancur Olsons 1965 classic, The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Groups, about the big gap between what small groups can and are willing to spend to achieve a policy objective that benefits them significantly and what larger groups up to the size of the total electorate can and will spend in money and time that harms them overall, but in a more diffuse way. Put another way, small concentrated groups with a common objective find it easier to organise to secure large benefits. Although the larger public may very well benefit from a completely different policy, large groups find it difficult to organize effectively to fund and pursue their policy goals.

Olsons work is by no means the first or only on the topic, and the basic idea has been extended in many other works on how money shapes political outcomes, perhaps most significantly in Thomas Fergusons Golden Rule: The Investment Theory of Party Competition and the Logic of MoneyDriven Political Systems. (I want to note in passing that Ferguson, Paul Jorgenson, and Jie Chen earlier this month published an important paper on how political money shapes Congressional votes, Fifty Shades of Green: High Finance, Political Money, and the U.S. Congress, which I intend to discuss at length if a future post).

Apple Loses its Innovation Mojo

Its been quite some time about a decade since Apple launched the iPhone, its last major product innovation. Since then, the company has instead crapified some of its previous innovations for instance scuppering the MagSafe that prevents clumsy MacBook users such as myself from damaging our laptops when we inevitably trip over the power cord (and which had once caused me to have to pay out heavily for a new motherboard for a Sony Vaio, which wasnt so protected). Others have written on this site and elsewhere about other changes Apple has made to Macs that reduced their attractiveness to more savvy computer users.

So, given its recent record and with its foreknowledge of exactly what types of products are on the drawing board and in its pipeline, I suppose Apple thinks it makes sense to double down on strategies such as tied repairs to try and squeeze out revenue from its customers.

Apple India Update

As for another potential source of revenues, in December of 2016, I posted another piece, Apple Chases Indian Smartphone Market By Asking Modi Government for Manufacturing Deal, discussing the financial incentives the company was seeking to penetrate the worlds second largest smartphone market: India. Although by volume, India is the second largest such market, as I discussed in that post, smartphones only account for about 30% of the total India mobile phone market.

As this WSJ account noted this week, Apple Assembles First iPhones in India, the Indian market looms particularly large, as Apple has seen the slowing of its Chinese sales which previously were a big component of the companys overall growth.

This week we saw rah-rah reports such as this one in TechCrunch, Apple starts assembling iPhones in India in play for the worlds fastest growing smartphone market, as well as the WSJ count mentioned above heralding Apples foray into smartphone production in India.

Local accounts, such as this one in Livemint, Apple starts selling Made in India iPhones on trial basis, have been much more skeptical about what the company has actually achieved to date especially in light of the fanfare with which Tim Cook in December announced its demands. Over to Livemint:

Earlier, Karnataka IT minister Priyank Kharge said that the making of iPhones in India would help Apple lower prices and gain a foothold in the Indian market. He had also expressed hope that it would bring in much needed taxes to the state as well. Apple wants to bring its component manufacturers to India to make parts and export finished phones and is seeking tax concessions on import of key components.

Yet notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has failed to cave on key points, according to LiveMint contrary to what many had expected would be its response when Apple requested financial incentives to expand its Indian market presence. As I noted in my piece cited above, Apple currently has less than a 5% Indian market share. Now, Im just speculating wildly here so please indulge me but it seems that the relevant decision makers may have decided that Apple needs more sales in India more than India needs more iPhones, especially if to secure more of those would require significant state support or concessions:

However, the central government has rejected most of the demands of the US company. Kharge also had said if the centre was keen on taking on China, it should not give special treatment to Apple alone, but to other players like Samsung and Lenovo also if they are desirous of opening manufacturing units in India. Kharge had said the government should also give companies, including Apple, certain timelines, subsidies and incentives to create a level-playing field.

And, if my speculation above regarding actions taken or equally likely, inaction allowed, that being a time-honored bureaucratic response to an uncomfortable request is indeed correct, all I can say is: Jai Hind!
The Beatles: Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band 50 years on Telegraph

The good daughter New Statesman

Why kale is everywhere: How food trends are born Chicago Tribune

Is My Password Secure? NIST Advises Against Periodically Changing Passwords International Business Times

The ancient game that saved a village BBC

THE DRY SEASON IS COMING: INDONESIA READIES TO FIGHT FOREST FIRES, SINGAPORE TAKES ON HAZE SCMP

Syraqistan

Health Care

Nurses heckle Democratic leader, threaten legislators over health care Sacramento Bee

Big Brother IS Watching You Watch

Brexit

In Tumult of Trump, Jon Corzine Seeks a Wall Street Comeback NYT. Hoo boy. I guess in the good ole USA, masters of the universe are also TBTF. Give that man his second chance!

Dubious Corporate Practices Get a Rubber Stamp From Big Investors NYT. Quelle surprise! Seriously, make time for Gretchen Morgensons latest.

GOP talks of narrowing blue-slip rule for judges The Hill

North Korea?

China?

TPP

Trump Transition

New Cold War

Imperial Collapse Watch

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
A 21-month-old boy at the center of a state-wide Amber Alert Friday was reunited with his mother in San Francisco Saturday night, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.

The boy, who was reported missing Thursday, was located the following day in Los Angeles after being taken by 30-year-old Jason Lam, who shared custody with the boy's mother, according to the district attorney's office.

Two members of the district attorney's office flew to Los Angeles to retrieve the boy. They reunited him with his mother in San Francisco just before 8 p.m. Saturday.

Sandra Machado, a case manager for the San Francisco Sheriff's Department's Survivor Restoration Program, spoke on behalf of the mother. Through Machado, the mother expressed sincere gratitude to the list of law enforcement agencies, news outlets and people on social media who helped locate her son.

"Thank you all for helping in getting my son back," the mother's statement read. "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

Alex Bastian from the San Francisco District Attorney's Office expressed a similar sentiment.



"We're very happy," he said. "For us, anytime we have a child that comes back to the loving arms of his mother, we're ecstatic and all the hard work, this is what it's all about."

After Lam failed to return the boy to his mother, the mother was able to get her hands on a court order indicating that she had sole physical custody of the child, according to Bastian. Authorities then commenced an investigation and found that Lam had been acting erratically as of late. That's when they worked on activating an Amber Alert.

Security footage captured inside a Menlo Park store Thursday recorded Lam and the boy walking around. Several hours later, a ping from Lam's cell phone alerted police to his new location in Southern California, according to the California Highway Patrol.

After the Amber Alert reached the southern portion of the state, a shopper recognized Lam's car and called police. He was later detained roughly six-hours after the Amber Alert was activated.
A body, believed to be 20-year-old Michael Doherty, has been found in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Police said that the body was discovered around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in thick underbrush in an area of dense woods, about 450 feet from Interstate 495.

At this time, there is no positive identification, but police said the body is that of a white male and they believe it is Doherty.



The 2015 Xaverian Brothers High School graduate was last seen leaving a gathering of about 25 childhood friends on Phyllis Lane in Franklin at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. He had just returned home from college at Duke University for summer break two weeks ago.

His parents reported him missing when he didn't return home from the party. His family said Doherty texted his brothers asking for a ride at 12:30 a.m., but they were already asleep. Doherty ultimately decided to walk roughly a mile to his home.

His cell phone last pinged near the intersection of Oak Street Extension and Schofield Road in Franklin at 1:08 a.m. Sunday. It's behind that intersection, down a railroad path, that one of his shoes and his T-shirt were found. Another shoe was found on the other side of Mine Brook.

Investigators now think that Doherty crossed a marsh and ended up at Maplegate Country Club before becoming confused and doubling back into the marsh, in the opposite direction of his home.

Police said that, although an investigation is ongoing, there is no evidence of foul play.

Franklin Chief of Police Tom Lynch held a brief press conference Saturday evening to address the discovery of the body.

"The thoughts and prayers of all the members of the Franklin Police Department and all of the agencies that participated in the search for Michael go out to the Doherty family in this time of great tragedy," said Lynch.

Later on Saturday evening, Kristen Brown, the spokesperson for Duke University, issued a statement.

"We have heard the sad news about the police report and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Doherty family during this difficult time," she said.

Despite these statements, the body has yet to be officially confirmed as Doherty.

"Positive confirmation will not be available until the office of the chief medical examiner has issued its findings," said Lynch.


Four people were killed and at least 30 others, including a 9-year-old boy, have been wounded in shootings across Chicago since Friday night.

A man was killed and a teenage boy was wounded in the weekends most recent shooting Sunday afternoon in the West Side Austin neighborhood.

The shooting happened about 2:40 p.m. in the 100 block of North Parkside. An 18-year-old man was shot in the back and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. His name has not yet been released. A 15-year-old boy suffered a gunshot wound to the shin and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition stabilized.

Earlier Sunday, a 46-year-old man was shot to death in the Gage Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side. He was walking on the sidewalk about 3:45 a.m. in the 2700 block of West 55th Street when a male walked up to him and shot him in the head. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died, according to Chicago Police. His name has not yet been released.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, a man was killed and two other people were wounded in an Austin neighborhood shooting on the West Side. The group was walking in the 4900 block of West Hubbard when shots rang out and they were all struck. A 34-year-old man was shot in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

His name has not yet been released. A 23-year-old woman was shot in the left hand and a 33-year-old man was shot in the left shoulder. They were both also taken to Stroger Hospital, where both of their conditions were stabilized.

About 12:20 a.m. Saturday, 53-year-old Tina Brown was found dead with a gunshot wound to her head inside a home in the 8000 block of South Essex in the South Chicago neighborhood, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office. The shooting might have stemmed from a domestic issue. An autopsy ruled Browns death a homicide.

The 9-year-old boy was grazed by a bullet at 8:11 p.m. Saturday in the Marquette Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side. He was traveling in a vehicle in the 2500 block of West 69th Street when someone fired shots in his direction, police said.

He suffered a graze wound to the head and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was listed in good condition. The shooting may have stemmed from an altercation between the vehicles driver and the shooter.

At least 26 more people were wounded in shootings across the city between late Friday and Sunday morning.

Last weekend, 21 people were shot in the city, leaving six dead.
By Press Trust of India: Moradabad/Bareilly, May 21 (PTI) Facing criticism over the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today alleged that opposition parties were trying to create "anarchy" in some places and warned of strict action against those taking the law into their hands.

Addressing a function in Moradabad, he said criminal elements, who had a free run over the last 15 years and created jungleraj in the state, cannot change in a day and were trying to make "mischief" but his government was taking steps to rein them in.

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"Some people have been spoilt over the last 12-15 years, and their habits will not change in a day. They are still trying to do mischief in some areas.

"I want to warn them again that they should mend their ways or be ready to face the consequences. We will not let any farmer, labourer, trader or daughter suffer," he said addressing a gathering after distributing wheelchairs to the physically challenged at village Ratupura.

He claimed that the crime rate has come down after his government took charge and the situation will improve further in coming days. He said those violating the law will not be spared, regardless of their political affiliation.

"Law and order in the state has improved but at some places opposition parties are trying to create arajakata (anarchy). Party workers should expose and thwart such attempts," Adityanath said in Bareilly while addressing party workers.

"Our main priority is to establish rule of law in the state. I want to assure the people of the state

that if someone tries to take the law into their hands, the government and the administration will deal with them firmly," he said.

The CM said his government had cracked down on the anti- social elements, and cited the anti-Romeo squads against eveteasing and shutting down of illegal slaughterhouses.

"Every person in the state is feeling safe .... Criminals should leave the state or be ready to go to jail," said Adityanath.

The CM said he was visiting every division to take stock of the law and order situation and development work there.

Citing his governments achievement, he said while sugarcane farmers have got their dues, power supply in the state has improved.

There is an 18-hour electricity supply in rural areas and a 24-hour supply in urban areas, he said. The CM said that the situation can improve further in villages if illegal connections are checked.

Adityanath said that empowerment of the disabled and the poor was among the top priorities of his government.

He also held a meeting of divisional officers at circuit house in Moradabad before leaving for Bareilly, where he reviewed the law and order situation. The CM directed the officials not to spare the guilty and also "not to harass the innocent".

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A group of dalits gathered outside the meeting venue in Moradabd with black flags to protest the violence in Saharanpur.

Recent incidents like caste clash in Saharanpur and communal violence in Bulandshahr, Sambhal and Gonda have led to criticism by Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress of ruling BJP which came to power in UP on the plank of improving law and order.

"This government has clearly failed to fulfil its foremost constitutional duty of providing peaceful and secure life to the people," BSP chief Mayawati said yesterday.

"There has been continued attack on traders who are considered the vote base of the BJP and they are observing bandhs... Saharanpur and Mathura incidents have exposed the reality of the tall claims made by the Yogi Adityanath-led government... protests against electricity woes have become common," she had claimed.

While clashes between Thakurs and Dalits had rocked Saharanpur, two jewellers were shot dead in Mathura.

The chief minister, while meeting party workers in Bareilly, said they should highlight the work of Narendra Modi government and actively participate in "mera ghar, BJP ka ghar" campaign as a better connect with the people will help in "exposing criminal elements".

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He said that planning for district development will be done with the help of representatives of district BJP units. He also sought names from local BJP organisation for district planning committee. PTI CORR ABN RT

--- ENDS ---
A statewide Amber Alert was canceled in Indiana Sunday morning after a missing 1-year-old was found safe.

Columbus police issued the alert around 12:25 a.m. CST, saying Solomon Rhoades was last seen at 8:30 p.m. EST on Saturday in Hope, Indiana, which is located about 45 miles south of Indianapolis.

Solomon was thought to be in extreme danger, according to Columbus police, who believed he had been abducted by 43-year-old Andrea Rhoades. [[423453424, C]]

The alert was canceled at 11 a.m. EST. The Hope Police Department posted on its Facebook page that the child and the woman were "located unharmed."

Further details on the incident were not immediately available, and it was not clear it any charges would be filed in the case.
A woman was found dead inside a trash container on Chicago's Northwest Side Saturday afternoon.

Kelena Hamilton, 37, was discovered dead in the 2100 block of N. Laramie Ave. in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood at around 1:23 p.m., according to Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiners office.

Hamilton, who lived in the Rosemoor neighborhood on the city's Far South Side, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.

A police source said she was found in a trash container and any injuries she suffered were not immediately apparent.

Area North detectives were conducting a death investigation.
Elon Musk has written a letter to Connecticut residents urging them to support a bill that would allow Tesla to sell directly to customers in Connecticut.

The letter, originally published in the Hartford Courant, encourages residents to support HB 7097, a proposed bill that would authorize the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue a dealers license to electric vehicle manufacturers. Tesla operates non-franchised dealerships to make direct sales to customers.

Previous bills that would allow for Tesla to sell in this manner have failed in part due to opposition from traditional car dealers. Connecticut has nearly 300 auto dealers that employ about 14,000 people, according to the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association, the group staunchly opposed to allowing Tesla's direct sales.

Tesla Motors manufactures electric cars that dont require the same maintenance as traditional automobiles with internal combustion engines. They also use a different business model than other auto companies. The company operates in more than 20 states and owns each of the stores where it sells cars directly to consumers.

Musk argued in his letter than consumer should have the right to purchase a gasoline-powered vehicle or an electric vehicle directly from dealerships, and claimed that Connecticut was losing business to New York and Massachusetts by failing to allow Tesla sales.

Your elected officials have a choice, Musk wrote. They can vote to cede jobs to surrounding states, or choose a path that helps the state close its budget gap and build upon its history as a place for innovation and business growth.
A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash in Manchester Saturday.

Police said that around 6:15 p.m. the motorcycle was traveling west on West Middle Turnpike when it was struck by a car turning left from the driveway at Wickham Park. The 29-year-old motorcyclist was seriously injured and rushed to Hartford Hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition. Police said he was not wearing helmet.

The 18-year-old driver of the car suffered non-life threatening injuries and was also taken to Hartford Hospital. A passenger was taken to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center with minor injuries and two other passengers refused treatment on scene.

The crash is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Justin Gaudino at 860-533-8651.
A Mississippi teenager charged with murder in the death of a 6-year-old told investigators that the boy was actually shot by another of the three teen suspects, according to an investigator's sworn statement.

The Associated Press obtained the sworn statement Friday from a source with knowledge of the case involving the death of Kingston Frazier. The boy was found shot to death at the side of a dead-end road inside his mother's abandoned car, hours after someone stole the Toyota Camry from a supermarket parking lot.

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Rusty Clark said in the sworn statement filed in connection with the case that 17-year-old Dwan Wakefield of Ridgeland told Clark and another investigator 19-year-old Byron McBride of Pickens was at fault.

"During this interview, Wakefield implicated Byron McBride as the person who actually stole the vehicle and shot and killed Frazier," Clark's statement said.

When asked for further comment, MBI spokesman Warren Strain declined, saying "the court document speaks for itself."

Wakefield, McBride and 17-year-old D'Allen Washington of Ridgeland are being held without bail in Madison County, just north of Jackson, awaiting Monday morning court appearances. It's unclear if any of the three have lawyers.

Though all three are charged with capital murder, only McBride could face the death penalty. The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed the death penalty for crimes committed by people younger than 18 in 2005.

Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland said Kingston was shot multiple times. District Attorney Michael Guest said authorities are still looking for the gun used to kill Kingston but are confident they have enough evidence against the three teen suspects to proceed without it.

"I do not believe that it is anything other than a crime of opportunity," Guest said, saying there was no evidence of any deeper plot besides stealing a car that Ebony Archie left running with her child inside. He said he didn't believe anyone else was involved.

Security video shows that after Archie left her car about 1 a.m., another car drove up and a man got out and then drove off in her Camry. Frazier was in the back seat.

Archie's family members told local news media Friday that she had picked up her son from his grandmother after going out with friends to celebrate her birthday and was going into the Jackson supermarket to buy party supplies to celebrate Kingston's kindergarten graduation, which was scheduled Friday.

"She feels guilty for the fact that she decided to go inside the store and leave the car running when she went inside the store," David Archie, Ebony Archie's uncle, told WLBT-TV.

The car was found eight hours later, abandoned in a muddy ditch about 15 miles (20 kilometers) north of Jackson in Gluckstadt. People continued to stream to the site Friday afternoon, with some leaving small memorials. One note said "Kingston R.I.P. Sweet angel fly high. You are loved and will be missed. Prayers for your family."

Guest wouldn't say if any of the men have confessed, but Clark's statement made clear that at least Wakefield has talked to investigators. Guest said investigators are gathering surveillance video from near where the car was abandoned, as well as seeking mobile phone evidence that could indicate the whereabouts of the suspects.

Breeland said an autopsy was completed and the boy's body was released to a funeral home. However, no funeral arrangements had been scheduled as of Friday afternoon.

Guest said Washington is currently under indictment for armed robbery in Madison County. Court records the other two men have no criminal history as adults.

This story has been corrected to show only 19-year-old Byron McBride could face the death penalty.


A big donation to the Fisher House in Dallas will help keep kids busy while their family members receive treatment at the Dallas VA Medical Center.

The Veterans Network Employee Resource Group at NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 recently donated books, games, movies, and coloring books to the Fisher House.

There's now a special section set up inside the house just for the kids.

The Fisher House offers a place for Veterans to stay, with their family members, while receiving treatment at the VA Hospital.

That includes kids that may need to stay as well, so the goal of "Adam's Corner" was to give those kids a place to be a kid.

NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 employees cut the ribbon on "Adam's Corner" on Saturday.

"Adam's Corner" is named after Cpl. Adam Garcia who died while serving in Iraq back in 2006. Adam was 20 years old at the time. His mom, Cynthia, is the Assignment Manager for Telemundo 39.

NBC 5 News

NBC 5 News

NBC 5 News

NBC 5 News

NBC 5 News
Protesters who said they were beaten by the Turkish president's security detail in Washington are speaking out about the incident.

A protester who says she was beaten by the Turkish president's security detail outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington is speaking out about the attack.

Video shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's bodyguards violently breaking up a protest outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington following Erdogan's meeting with President Trump Tuesday.

"I was there for democracy and for human rights, it was a peaceful demonstration," protester Ceren Borazan said.



Borazan said one of Erdogan's bodyguards put her in a headlock. The headlock she described is visible in the video. She said it caused the blood vessel in her left eye to pop.

Borazan and the other protesters showed up to the ambassador's residence to demonstrate against Erdogan and bring attention to repression in Turkey, she said.

Several others were injured during the violence.

"They were beating me in the head," Lucy Usoyan, a protester, said.

Mehmen Tankan, another protester, said that a Turkish bodyguard attacked him.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Thursday that America "should throw their ambassador the hell out of the United States of America." Borazan agrees with with McCain's statement.

"There should be something," she said. "All I want is justice."
Two women were killed when an 84-year-old man opened fire inside a popular South Florida restaurant Saturday afternoon, police say.

The incident happened Saturday afternoon at the Latin Cafe located at 7360 Coral Way in Miami. According to police, the victims, who were identified as Yenat Guardado, 38, and Madlin Guardado, 39, were working at the restaurant, when a gunman entered the restaurant.

Crime scene tape surrounding #LatinCafeteriaRestaurant in #Westchester after reports of a shooting. @nbc6 on the scene gathering the info pic.twitter.com/dGi3AXOzUA  Amanda Plasencia (@AmandaNBC6) May 20, 2017

Police said the gunman, Jose Reina, approached the victims and began shooting, striking them both. Madlin was killed on the scene. Yenat was airlifted to the hospital, where she later died.



According to police, the Reina fled the scene in a green Jeep Cherokee. Police eventually caught up to him at about 3:30 in the afternoon. They found Reina dead inside his car at Bird Road and SW 112th Avenue from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police continue to investigate this incident.
The mother of the 11-year-old boy who died after collapsing on the track field at Miami Northwestern High School invited family and friends to celebrate what would have been her son's 12th birthday on Saturday.

On Saturday, Renae Peters celebrated what would've been Kaleb Harris' 12th birthday by releasing 100 balloons into the sky at Range Park in Miami.

"Kaleb cared about everybody, he was very compassionate, and he loved everyone," Peters said. "Kaleb was a shining star. I mean, I just wish we could've had more time with him. Unfortunately, that wasn't in his plan. Kaleb had the most loving spirit and soul that any boy could have."

Back in early March, Kaleb, a sixth grader at Florida International Academy, was warming up for his after-school track club meeting at Miami Northwestern when he suddenly collapsed. Kaleb was unconscious and not breathing when he was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

The sixth grader leaves behind his mother, grandmother, four sisters and a new-born nephew. His family said he loved his siblings and doing whatever it took to make people around him happy.

"Kaleb loved making people smile, he loved doing things for people, he loved being there for you in anyway he could possibly help," said Susie Pounds, grandmother of Kaleb Harris.
"No matter who the actor is, they should be cautious while saying something and is praising those who opposed him." says Minister SP Velumani.

By Pramod Madhav: After Rajinikanth's speech about the system being corrupt and instructing his fans to be ready when the cry for war is given, Team EPS' SP Velumani took offence while BJP's H Raja cautioned Rajinikanth not to follow Dravidian ideology of Periyar.

SP Velumani, the Minister of Municipal Administration asked, "Why Rajinikanth had not talked about his co-actor Sathyaraj (Kattappa of Baahubali) over his objectionable comments on Cauvery dispute."

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"He's given various interviews but when Sathyaraj gave his voice for the Cauvery water dispute along with many he was only targeted during his movie release (Bahubali 2) in Karnataka and Rajinikanth did not speak then" accused the minister.

The Cooperative society minister assured that there is proper maintenance of law and order and that he can't accept Rajinikantjh's speech of the system being corrupt here.

"No matter who the actor is, they should be cautious while saying something. He is praising those who opposed him", he claimed about Rajinikanth praising MK Stalin, Anbumani Ramadoss and Seeman.

Where as BJP National Secretary H Raja, cautioned Rajinikanth to be aware of Periyar's way is an athiest and him being a theist should make it.

"Peiryar's way is against Hinduism and we are having doubts about Rajinikanth embracing Periyar's ideology as he has praised Stalin and Seeman", said H Raja.

Rajinikanth in his earlier speech made it clear that his ancestors are from Kancheepuram and if anyone wants to throw him out of the state, he'll go back to Himalayas. Thus making it unclear if he would embrace Dravidian ideology while entering politics or being a theist would go for an alliance with BJP.

The present political situation in the southern state presents him with the best chance. With the AIADMK suffering from a civil war and DMK boss M Karunanidhi's health not on his side, Thalaivar has probably the best chance to take charge of the state.

ALSO READ:

Politics to join Rajinikanth?! Tamil superstar may launch own party; don't do it, says friend Amitabh Bachchan

ALSO WATCH:

Rajinikanth does not clarify on joining politics, but says get ready for war

--- ENDS ---
A woman standing in front of her Queens home was shot in the lower torso, police said.

The 22-year-old was outside her home Friday afternoon on Union Hall Street and Guy R. Boulevard in Jamaica when someone fired several shots, the NYPD said.

She was taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition, police said.

A black Nissan Maxima with no front license plate was seen leaving the area, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, a 35-year-old man was shot to death on Saturday.

Gavin Adams, of Brooklyn, was found in a car in East Flatbush with gunshot wounds to his head and torso, the NYPD said. He was pronounced dead at Kings County hospital.

No one has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
A 22-year-old University of Maryland student has been charged in the stabbing death of a Bowie State University student early Saturday morning in College Park, Maryland.

Sean Christopher Urbanski, of Severna Park, Maryland, was charged with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of the unidentified student from Bowie State.

Lawyer information for Urbanski was not immediately available.

The victim was at a bus stop with two friends near Montgomery Hall on Regents Drive about 3 a.m. Saturday, when Urbanski allegedly attacked and stabbed him, police said. He was seriously injured and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"It never gets any worse than this," University of Maryland Police Chief David Mitchell said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. "When I sat with the victim's father, who is a military veteran, and his pastor and we shed tears together...I can tell you, it rips your heart out."

A Bowie State University student was attacked and killed at the Univeristy of Maryland just a day before graduation ceremonies are set to start at both schools. News4's Darcy Spencer reports the stabbing was unprovoked.

The altercation appeared to be random and unprovoked, according to Mitchell.

"The assailant in this case approached and, totally unprovoked, stabbed the victim in the chest," Mitchell said.

The victim's friends then called 911. University police responded and took the suspect into custody by the bus stop where the stabbing happened, Mitchell said.

Police said the victim's name would be released after his relatives were notified.

"I met with his family earlier today. Needless to say, they're very distraught. They're shattered, but they do know that the assailant in this case has been arrested, and he will be appropriately charged," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the suspect had been drinking but would not comment on what effect, if any, that had on the incident.

A university surveillance camera captured the attack.

A student who attended Bowie State University was killed after he was assaulted in an unprovoked attack on the University of Maryland College Park campus early Saturday morning, police said.

The president of Bowie State University, Mickey Burnim, said counseling services will be available to students and a moment of silence will be observed during the school's commencement on Tuesday.

"Our first thoughts of condolence go to the family for this tremendous loss of a son, who had the promise of a bright future. Our prayers of concern also extend to those within the Bowie State University community as we try to cope with this tragic loss of life.

"As we struggle to deal with our emotions, lets find appropriate ways to express our sorrow and hope for justice. Lets remember our words and actions have the power to heal and the power to hurt. Let's strive to use our actions to bring comfort and peace."

University of Maryland President Wallace Loh said, in a statement, commencement exercises at UMd. on Sunday would also have a moment of silence.

"Words cannot express my deep anguish over this horrific tragedy. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim, and to the entire Bowie State community. I ask that every member of our campus community join me in keeping the victims family in their thoughts and prayers.

"There is strength in our unity as we grieve. For this reason and in solidarity with the Bowie State community, we will honor a moment of silence to begin tomorrow's commencement exercises.
An investigation is underway after a couple was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers at a carnival in Northeast Philadelphia.

A woman who did not want to be identified told NBC10 she was at the annual Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church Carnival Friday night with her two sons, ages 4 and 5. She was waiting for her husband to pick them up when a group of about 20-to-30 teenagers approached her and attacked her, according to police.

The woman said a teen girl punched her and knocked her over and other teens continued to hit her.

"I was kicked and hit by both teenage boys and girls and my phone was stolen all while my kids watched and screamed asking them to stop hurting their mom," the woman said.

At least one of the teens hit the womans husband in the back of the head when he arrived, police said.

"I was scared," the woman said. "I was looking at my kids crying. I was trying to fight my way out but I couldn't because they were all screaming, 'Kick her in the face.'"



Her husband suffered a gash to his head and other injuries.



"I have two black eyes," he said. "A small cut underneath my eye. Numerous lumps and abrasions all over my head."



The woman said she has attended the carnival for years and even went to school at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She believes the annual carnival needs more security.

No arrests have been made in the attack and police continue to investigate. They have not yet released a description of the suspects.

An organizer for the carnival released a statement saying they were unaware of the incident the woman described, but did confirm that there was a fight around 9:20 p.m. Friday involving several girls.

"When the fight was broken up, the girls went in different directions on the church grounds," Michael Skelly said.

The organizer said another incident then occurred a short time later in which a group of four to five children ran through the ride area of the carnival looking to fight with someone. Skelly said that the second incident did not lead to a fight.

He is unaware of any other fights that security guards and police officers had to break up other than the initial fight between the group of girls.

"At the time of the first large movement of people, additional officers were called," he wrote. "When the crowd made the second transition across the midway, the carnival was closed and the police officers very effectively cleared the grounds by 9:50."

Skelly said the number of police officers and security personnel would be increased for Saturday night. They also closed earlier than the scheduled time of 9:30 p.m.



The Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church carnival is a week-long event that takes place every May. The event raises money for the Parish.

In 2012 two teens were stabbed during an attempted robbery at the carnival, according to police.


Officials found the body of an unidentified male in the Delaware River in the Torresdale section of Philadelphia Sunday afternoon.

The body was discovered in the water around 4 p.m. near the Linden Avenue Boat Ramp.

A 16-year-old boy had gone missing in the area two days ago. Police say the boy went swimming in the Delaware River near Linden Avenue with three other people around 10:15 p.m. Friday. The three other people returned to the banks of the river but the 16-year-old never made it to shore, prompting a search.

Police have not yet revealed the identity of the person they found Sunday or whether or not he is the missing teen.



This story is developing. Check back for updates.




Authorities say a woman was found dead in a North Philadelphia fire that appears to be suspicious in origin.

Police said the blaze at the home in the 2100 block of West Susquehanna Avenue was reported shortly after 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

Fire department responders reported finding a 35-year-old woman in a second-floor bedroom. She was pronounced dead shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday. Her name wasn't immediately released.

Police said the fire marshal had determined that the blaze was suspicious in origin. There's no word on the cause. No arrests were immediately announced.

CORRECTION (May 24, 2017, 9:58 p.m.) An earlier version of this article stated the victim was pregnant which was initially reported by police. Police later determined the victim was not pregnant.


Police in Prince William County, Virginia, arrested a man who may be involved in an attempted abduction.

Keith Richard Griffin, 43, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was charged with abduction and malicious wounding. He was arrested Saturday at his residence.



Police said a woman said she was walking in the area of Castile Court, in Woodbridge, around 5:10 a.m. Saturday, when she was approached by an unknown man. She said the man grabbed her and tried to pull her to an unknown area.

Investigators said there was a struggle, and the victim eventually broke free.

Griffin is being held without bail and has a July court date scheduled.
In a post Friday, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg said his wife, Priscilla Chan, announced they are spending their five-year wedding anniversary in rural Maine.

Some years we've gone to Japan or France. This year we're spending our honeymoon in rural Maine, the post said.

According to WCSH-TV, Zuckerberg and his wife kept things low-keyed and planned a surprise wedding - disguised as a celebration for Chans graduation from medical school. Being a surprise, the CFO of Facebook was unaware of the wedding plans for May 19 when he told Zuckerberg that the companys IPO process would be ready on May 18.

With IPOs, the process goes on for a while and you just go public when everything is ready. When I originally set the date for our surprise, we had no idea when the IPO would be, said Zuckerberg in the post.

The newlyweds had to cut their honeymoon short and later decided to do one every year in celebration.

WCSH-TV said that theres no way to guess where exactly the couple will be staying considering Maine topped the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data as the most "rural" state in the U.S., with 61.3 percent of the population living in "rural" areas.


CAP Food Shop  Surrey Chapel CAP Food Shop  Surrey Chapel

This food project, run by Christians Against Poverty from Surrey Chapel in Norwich does exactly what it says on the tin...people who are struggling are taken for a food shop!

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) clients who are unable to make ends meet financially, who are often in quite desperate situations, are accompanied to the supermarket with one of the CAP volunteers who will pay for the shop.



Project Manager John Graver explains, We try to go to one of the discount supermarkets, so the money goes further, and the clients put what they need in the trolley. Well spend a minimum of 50 and it could be up to 150 for a family. In some cases, clients are on such a low income that CAP Food Shop will continue to buy food for them until their situation has stabilised.



A common response to CAP Food Shop is for people to burst out crying. People are amazed and always ask, Why are you doing it?



John said, We want to bless our clients and show Gods love in practical ways.



CAP has always done this for people  John has been involved for 17 years and has experienced the joy of helping people in this way right from the start. This is just one of the ways that people are helped through CAP  in additional to the free debt counselling service and job club.

Factfile
By ANI

SURAT: Yet another attempt to conceal demonetised notes was busted as the Surat Police arrested five persons owing to the possession of the same.

On Sunday, the police nabbed five persons in possession of notes worth Rs. 5,81,70,500.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive was rolled out on November 8 last year, imposing a ban on the circulation of Rs. 500 and 1000 notes, with subsequent circulation of Rs. 2000 notes that were printed to balance the cash flow.

Citizens were allowed to exchange their notes until December 31, 2016, following which the ban would be imposed. However, in case of NRIs living abroad, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revealed that they would be given time till June 30, 2017 to exchange notes up to Rs. 25,000. Anybody possessing money more than the aforementioned limit would be deemed as an offender.

Under the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, which was passed in March 2017, it is illegal for Indian citizens to hold more than ten notes of the invalid currency after March 31, 2017.

SURAT: Yet another attempt to conceal demonetised notes was busted as the Surat Police arrested five persons owing to the possession of the same. On Sunday, the police nabbed five persons in possession of notes worth Rs. 5,81,70,500. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive was rolled out on November 8 last year, imposing a ban on the circulation of Rs. 500 and 1000 notes, with subsequent circulation of Rs. 2000 notes that were printed to balance the cash flow. Citizens were allowed to exchange their notes until December 31, 2016, following which the ban would be imposed. However, in case of NRIs living abroad, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revealed that they would be given time till June 30, 2017 to exchange notes up to Rs. 25,000. Anybody possessing money more than the aforementioned limit would be deemed as an offender. Under the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, which was passed in March 2017, it is illegal for Indian citizens to hold more than ten notes of the invalid currency after March 31, 2017.
Indian climber Anshu Jamsenpa from Arunachal Pradesh created mountaineering history on Sunday when she climbed Mount Everest twice in a span of five days.

By India Today Web Desk: After preparing for 38 days for her Mount Everest climb, Anshu Jamsenpa unfurled the Indian flag at Mount Everest for the fourth time on May 16, and became first Indian woman to do so.

FYI || Arunachal woman becomes first to unfurl tricolour on Mount Everest for fourth time ||

TWICE IN 5 DAYS

Jamsenpa created mountaineering history again on Sunday when she climbed Mount Everest twice in a span of five days.

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Anshu unfurled the Indian tricolour on the mountain's crest on May 16 at 9 am, and completed the feat for a second time at 7.45 am, on Sunday.

She thus climbed the world's highest mountain twice in 118 hours and 15 minutes and set the record for a double ascent in a single season.

Anshu also became the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest five times in a record time.

Everest Summitter Association (ESA) General Secretary Lhakpa Rangdu Sherpa made the official announcement from the Everest Base Camp on Sunday morning.

Woman from Arunachal Pradesh does it again. Actually she has done it for the fifth time now.

ANSHU JAMSENPA'S PAST RECORD

Anshu Jamsenpa on May 16 had historically scaled the Mount Everest for the fourth time becoming the first Indian woman to do so.

Meanwhile, Indian Naval Ensign also was planted atop Mount Everest by the Indian Navy team, earlier today.

Indian Naval Ensign planted atop Mount Everest by the Indian Navy team, earlier today pic.twitter.com/Vcdanm5YQx- ANI (@ANI_news) May 21, 2017

Also Read || Dalai Lama blesses Mt Everest mountaineer Anshu Jamsenpa ||

--- ENDS ---
By ANI

KAUSHAMBI: In a shocking display of disregard for humanity, a man was forced to carry the body of his dead wife on a stretcher after the hospital authorities refused to render an ambulance service to him.

The deceased, identified as Malti Devi, was experiencing labour pain when her husband, Mahesh, rushed her to CHC hospital in Sarai Akil. Malti, who was suffering all night, was allegedly not attended to by the duty doctors. Seeing her condition take a turn for the worse, the doctors on duty next morning referred her to another hospital owing to the severity of her health.

However, Mahesh claimed that in spite of this, no ambulance was given to them for over an hour, in spite of him repeatedly persuading the authorities. Subsequently, when the ambulance was given, Malti was taken to the district hospital, where she was declared dead upon arrival.

Later too, the hospital authorities refused to provide an ambulance for his wifes body unless he paid a bribe of Rs. 800.

In a helpless situation with no money in hand, Mahesh was forced to carry the body on a stretcher.

KAUSHAMBI: In a shocking display of disregard for humanity, a man was forced to carry the body of his dead wife on a stretcher after the hospital authorities refused to render an ambulance service to him. The deceased, identified as Malti Devi, was experiencing labour pain when her husband, Mahesh, rushed her to CHC hospital in Sarai Akil. Malti, who was suffering all night, was allegedly not attended to by the duty doctors. Seeing her condition take a turn for the worse, the doctors on duty next morning referred her to another hospital owing to the severity of her health. However, Mahesh claimed that in spite of this, no ambulance was given to them for over an hour, in spite of him repeatedly persuading the authorities. Subsequently, when the ambulance was given, Malti was taken to the district hospital, where she was declared dead upon arrival. Later too, the hospital authorities refused to provide an ambulance for his wifes body unless he paid a bribe of Rs. 800. In a helpless situation with no money in hand, Mahesh was forced to carry the body on a stretcher.
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: In a joint operation by the Punjab police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday, security forces arrested two extremists having links with a terror module that was planning attacks in Punjab.

Sources said the two terrorists have been identified as 28-year-old Sher Singh from Kartarpur in Jalandhar and 40-year-old Mann Singh from Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur. They were arrested on the Indo-Pak border while trying to recover the weapons buried in the Indian territory brought from Pakistan.

A huge cache of arms was seized that included an AK-47 rifle with three magazines and 157 live rounds, an MP 9 modified rifle with two magazines, five 7.62 mm pistols with nine magazines and 205 live rounds of ammunition, a 9 mm pistol with two magazines and 77 live rounds and five hand grenades; a 0.32 bore revolver with 39 live rounds; a 315 bore rifle with one magazine and 17 live rounds.

The arms and ammunitions seized during the operation were found buried close to the Indo-Pak border and the suspects had been provided with the co-ordinates of the spot. They had reached the border early on Sunday morning and were trying to look for the spot when the BSF personnel nabbed them.

During preliminary interrogation, both terrorists reportedly told the police that their module was raised and indoctrinated by an Canada-based Sikh hardliner, Gurjivan Singh, who had made two trips to Punjab in the last six months. He had arranged the arms and ammunitions for their operations through his Khalistani contacts in Pakistan.

They also disclosed that Gurjivan Singh had been in touch with them for the past two years and had motivated them to commit terror strikes in Punjab. In his last two trips, Singh had imparted them theoretical training in handling AK-47rifles.

They had also gone to Uttar Pradesh with him to procure arms but failed to get any. So he promised to get arms and ammunition from his Khalistani contacts and ISI handlers in Pakistan.

During questioning, Mann Singh also confessed he had visited Pakistan many times and was in touch with some Khalistani terrorists there. Further interrogation of the suspects is in progress and immigration records are being retrieved to track Gurjivan's movement.

CHANDIGARH: In a joint operation by the Punjab police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday, security forces arrested two extremists having links with a terror module that was planning attacks in Punjab. Sources said the two terrorists have been identified as 28-year-old Sher Singh from Kartarpur in Jalandhar and 40-year-old Mann Singh from Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur. They were arrested on the Indo-Pak border while trying to recover the weapons buried in the Indian territory brought from Pakistan. A huge cache of arms was seized that included an AK-47 rifle with three magazines and 157 live rounds, an MP 9 modified rifle with two magazines, five 7.62 mm pistols with nine magazines and 205 live rounds of ammunition, a 9 mm pistol with two magazines and 77 live rounds and five hand grenades; a 0.32 bore revolver with 39 live rounds; a 315 bore rifle with one magazine and 17 live rounds. The arms and ammunitions seized during the operation were found buried close to the Indo-Pak border and the suspects had been provided with the co-ordinates of the spot. They had reached the border early on Sunday morning and were trying to look for the spot when the BSF personnel nabbed them. During preliminary interrogation, both terrorists reportedly told the police that their module was raised and indoctrinated by an Canada-based Sikh hardliner, Gurjivan Singh, who had made two trips to Punjab in the last six months. He had arranged the arms and ammunitions for their operations through his Khalistani contacts in Pakistan. They also disclosed that Gurjivan Singh had been in touch with them for the past two years and had motivated them to commit terror strikes in Punjab. In his last two trips, Singh had imparted them theoretical training in handling AK-47rifles. They had also gone to Uttar Pradesh with him to procure arms but failed to get any. So he promised to get arms and ammunition from his Khalistani contacts and ISI handlers in Pakistan. During questioning, Mann Singh also confessed he had visited Pakistan many times and was in touch with some Khalistani terrorists there. Further interrogation of the suspects is in progress and immigration records are being retrieved to track Gurjivan's movement.
Ravi Shankar By

As the Modi government looks to complete three years in the driving seat, Opposition leaders have collected at 15 Gurudwara Rakabganj Road, the war room of the Congress party. The agendahow to keep your marbles in the age of Modi. Present are Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, and other Opposition leaders.

Sonia: Narendra Modiji is celebrating three years in power! If this goes on, I tell you our prospects are colder than gazpacho.

Rahul: Dont trip, mummy. Weve got our achievements too.

Sonia: (wryly) Which are?

Rahul: Why, celebrating three years in the Opposition. Lets throw a party!

Akhilesh Yadav: Weve been thrown out, bro. The Modi wave whamsauced us in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We got Manipur in the bag, but Amit Shah bagged it instead with a bang.

Gaurav Gogoi: BJP banged us in Assam, too, earlier. And it was Goa, Goa Gone.

Digvijay: Goa was a moral victory.

Sonia: Id call it an immoral defeat Diggy boy, with MLAs defecting to the BJP. You messed up in Goa like a gau rakshak in a butcher shop. Too busy with calamaris in Calangute and balchao in Baga to ask the governor first to invite us to form the government?

Digvijay: Thats unfair. I was distracted, looking for saffron cops picking up Goan Muslim boys. After all whats more ideologically importantprotecting the minorities or forming a government? (Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh nod approvingly.)

Kanishka Singh: Chief, lets not forget we are a minority in the Parliament and most states.

Gogoi: Hear hear.

Nitish Kumar: Im neither here or there if Laluji is thrown in the clink. Then Ill be in a minority in my own government like a Catholic in a madrasa. There goes my dreams of being a PM candidate. (sobs)

Akhilesh: (Tapping Rahul on the shoulder) And Ive become a minority in my own party, thanks to the election deal with my bro here.

Rahul: Dont let your ego be punctured like your cycle tyres, bro. At least I led the party to victory in Punjab. We must throw a big bash.

Mayawati: Your victory? Youre being bashed everywhere. I dont think Amarinder will be amused.

Rahul: You dont talk, behenji, your assets are your liabilities. Ill lead us to victory in 2019.

Sonia clears her throat in embarrassment.

Naveen Patnaik: Then weve as much a chance of winning in 2019 as an ice cube in summer.

Nitish: You gonna lead us in 2019? Is it because the courts no longer treat suicide as a crime?

Rahul: Then I wanna be the consensus candidate for president.

The leaders look at him in horror.

Chorus: Consensus? We havent lost our senses.

Rahul drops to the floor bawling, thumping the floor with his fists. Sonia gives him a lollipop.

Sonia: Dont sweat it son, I promise to make you the president of our party.

Partly mollified, he sits up.

Rahul: Well, Modi wants a Congress-mukt Bharat. Ill show him whos the boss. Ill sabotage his dream. Itll be me wholl make India a Congress-mukt Bharat.

Sonia faints.

As the Modi government looks to complete three years in the driving seat, Opposition leaders have collected at 15 Gurudwara Rakabganj Road, the war room of the Congress party. The agendahow to keep your marbles in the age of Modi. Present are Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, and other Opposition leaders. Sonia: Narendra Modiji is celebrating three years in power! If this goes on, I tell you our prospects are colder than gazpacho. Rahul: Dont trip, mummy. Weve got our achievements too. Sonia: (wryly) Which are? Rahul: Why, celebrating three years in the Opposition. Lets throw a party! Akhilesh Yadav: Weve been thrown out, bro. The Modi wave whamsauced us in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We got Manipur in the bag, but Amit Shah bagged it instead with a bang. Gaurav Gogoi: BJP banged us in Assam, too, earlier. And it was Goa, Goa Gone. Digvijay: Goa was a moral victory. Sonia: Id call it an immoral defeat Diggy boy, with MLAs defecting to the BJP. You messed up in Goa like a gau rakshak in a butcher shop. Too busy with calamaris in Calangute and balchao in Baga to ask the governor first to invite us to form the government? Digvijay: Thats unfair. I was distracted, looking for saffron cops picking up Goan Muslim boys. After all whats more ideologically importantprotecting the minorities or forming a government? (Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh nod approvingly.) Kanishka Singh: Chief, lets not forget we are a minority in the Parliament and most states. Gogoi: Hear hear. Nitish Kumar: Im neither here or there if Laluji is thrown in the clink. Then Ill be in a minority in my own government like a Catholic in a madrasa. There goes my dreams of being a PM candidate. (sobs) Akhilesh: (Tapping Rahul on the shoulder) And Ive become a minority in my own party, thanks to the election deal with my bro here. Rahul: Dont let your ego be punctured like your cycle tyres, bro. At least I led the party to victory in Punjab. We must throw a big bash. Mayawati: Your victory? Youre being bashed everywhere. I dont think Amarinder will be amused. Rahul: You dont talk, behenji, your assets are your liabilities. Ill lead us to victory in 2019. Sonia clears her throat in embarrassment. Naveen Patnaik: Then weve as much a chance of winning in 2019 as an ice cube in summer. Nitish: You gonna lead us in 2019? Is it because the courts no longer treat suicide as a crime? Rahul: Then I wanna be the consensus candidate for president. The leaders look at him in horror. Chorus: Consensus? We havent lost our senses. Rahul drops to the floor bawling, thumping the floor with his fists. Sonia gives him a lollipop. Sonia: Dont sweat it son, I promise to make you the president of our party. Partly mollified, he sits up. Rahul: Well, Modi wants a Congress-mukt Bharat. Ill show him whos the boss. Ill sabotage his dream. Itll be me wholl make India a Congress-mukt Bharat. Sonia faints.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Commissioner of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Anurag Tewari (36), who was found dead in Lucknow on Wednesday, had been threatened by unknown persons and he had disclosed about this to his family members, according to his brother.

The 2007 batch officer, who was posted in Bengaluru, was found dead by the roadside near a government guest house in Lucknow.

Speaking to Express, Mayank Tewari said his brother Anurag was harassed by senior people in the Karnataka government. He was threatened by some people and he had told us about this many times. In fact, when my parents planned to come to Bengaluru in March, he stopped them. He knew that his life as well as that of the family members were under threat. Some officials and ministers could be involved, he said.

Anurags salary was withheld for five months, his leave applications were rejected and he was harassed by senior bureaucrats in the state government, Mayank alleged.

When Anurag was posted as Deputy Commissioner in Bidar, he did not face any problem. After he moved to Bengaluru and took charge as Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies, he got to know about a major scam. In fact, he conducted investigation and had some major leads, he said.

Mayank also claimed that Anurag knew that the wife of a senior officer was involved in the alleged scam. I do not know who the officer is, but tenders in the department were given to people from one village. He had prepared a report to be given to Central Bureau of Investigation. But senior officials and other bureaucrats stopped him, he said. Demanding a CBI probe into the death, Mayank said, I have Anurags messages which he sent a few weeks back. I will give it to the investigating agency. If required, I will come to Bengaluru and meet CM Siddaramaiah, he added.

On Friday, BJP Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Kharandlaje wrote a letter to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adithyanath wherein, quoting her sources, she said , A multi-crore scam was unearthed in the Department of Food and Civil Supplies which was being investigated by Tewari. I learnt he had prepared a detailed dossier of the said scandal. Anurags brother too expressed fear of powerful people being involved in the crime. Since the incident involves two states, the probe should be handed to CBI, she said in her letter.

He never complained about anything: Khader

Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader said since January 4, when Anurag took charge as Comissioner, he worked for only 37 out of 157 days. Tewari had gone to Punjab as an election observer, then on training to Mussorie. He wanted further leave from May 8 till June 5. Our department secretary Harsh Gupta had approved his leave application and forwarded it, but it was rejected by Chief Secretary Subash Chandra Khuntia because he had already taken leave for many days.

When asked about Anurags salary being withheld or harassment by senior officials, Khader said none of these issues were brought to their notice. The state government does not interfere with IAS officers. He could have written to the CM, Chief Secretary, Minister or even the governor. None of these issues were raised earlier. I am getting to know about it only now, Khader added.

BENGALURU: Commissioner of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Anurag Tewari (36), who was found dead in Lucknow on Wednesday, had been threatened by unknown persons and he had disclosed about this to his family members, according to his brother. The 2007 batch officer, who was posted in Bengaluru, was found dead by the roadside near a government guest house in Lucknow. Speaking to Express, Mayank Tewari said his brother Anurag was harassed by senior people in the Karnataka government. He was threatened by some people and he had told us about this many times. In fact, when my parents planned to come to Bengaluru in March, he stopped them. He knew that his life as well as that of the family members were under threat. Some officials and ministers could be involved, he said. Anurags salary was withheld for five months, his leave applications were rejected and he was harassed by senior bureaucrats in the state government, Mayank alleged. When Anurag was posted as Deputy Commissioner in Bidar, he did not face any problem. After he moved to Bengaluru and took charge as Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies, he got to know about a major scam. In fact, he conducted investigation and had some major leads, he said. Mayank also claimed that Anurag knew that the wife of a senior officer was involved in the alleged scam. I do not know who the officer is, but tenders in the department were given to people from one village. He had prepared a report to be given to Central Bureau of Investigation. But senior officials and other bureaucrats stopped him, he said. Demanding a CBI probe into the death, Mayank said, I have Anurags messages which he sent a few weeks back. I will give it to the investigating agency. If required, I will come to Bengaluru and meet CM Siddaramaiah, he added. On Friday, BJP Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Kharandlaje wrote a letter to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adithyanath wherein, quoting her sources, she said , A multi-crore scam was unearthed in the Department of Food and Civil Supplies which was being investigated by Tewari. I learnt he had prepared a detailed dossier of the said scandal. Anurags brother too expressed fear of powerful people being involved in the crime. Since the incident involves two states, the probe should be handed to CBI, she said in her letter. He never complained about anything: Khader Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader said since January 4, when Anurag took charge as Comissioner, he worked for only 37 out of 157 days. Tewari had gone to Punjab as an election observer, then on training to Mussorie. He wanted further leave from May 8 till June 5. Our department secretary Harsh Gupta had approved his leave application and forwarded it, but it was rejected by Chief Secretary Subash Chandra Khuntia because he had already taken leave for many days. When asked about Anurags salary being withheld or harassment by senior officials, Khader said none of these issues were brought to their notice. The state government does not interfere with IAS officers. He could have written to the CM, Chief Secretary, Minister or even the governor. None of these issues were raised earlier. I am getting to know about it only now, Khader added.
By PTI

BHUBANESWAR: Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, released on bail by the Orissa High Court two days ago in the Rose valley chit fund scam, was admitted to a Kolkata hospital after his return from Bhubaneswar today.

Accompanied by his wife and party MLA Nayana Bandyopadhyay and a doctor from Bhubaneswar, the TMC parliamentary party leader was wheeled out of the airport in the presence of his family members and the party supporters. Bandyopadhyay was then taken to a private hospital on EM Bypass and was admitted there, the party sources said.

Earlier after completion of formalities, he was discharged from a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he was undergoing treatment while in judicial custody. He was then taken to the airport in an ambulance.

While Bandyopadhyay claims he is innocent and it would be proved in time, his wife Nayana said they would never forget the love and affection they got from the people of Odisha. The Orissa High Court gave bail to Bandyopadhyay on May 19.

He was arrested by the CBI for his alleged role in the Rose Valley Group chit fund scam. The bench of Justice J P Das released the TMC leader on bail against a deposit of Rs 25 lakhs in a nationalised bank, and bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the same amount. While releasing the TMC MP, the high court stipulated that he would submit his passport to the trial court and join the investigation as and when required. While probing the chit fund scam on direction of the Supreme Court, the CBI had arrested Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata on January 3. The CBI has also arrested another TMC MP Tapas Pal for his alleged role in the scam. The agency earlier accused Rose Valley chairman Gautam Kundu and three others of defrauding investors from across the country of more than Rs 17,000 crore.

BHUBANESWAR: Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, released on bail by the Orissa High Court two days ago in the Rose valley chit fund scam, was admitted to a Kolkata hospital after his return from Bhubaneswar today. Accompanied by his wife and party MLA Nayana Bandyopadhyay and a doctor from Bhubaneswar, the TMC parliamentary party leader was wheeled out of the airport in the presence of his family members and the party supporters. Bandyopadhyay was then taken to a private hospital on EM Bypass and was admitted there, the party sources said. Earlier after completion of formalities, he was discharged from a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he was undergoing treatment while in judicial custody. He was then taken to the airport in an ambulance. While Bandyopadhyay claims he is innocent and it would be proved in time, his wife Nayana said they would never forget the love and affection they got from the people of Odisha. The Orissa High Court gave bail to Bandyopadhyay on May 19. He was arrested by the CBI for his alleged role in the Rose Valley Group chit fund scam. The bench of Justice J P Das released the TMC leader on bail against a deposit of Rs 25 lakhs in a nationalised bank, and bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the same amount. While releasing the TMC MP, the high court stipulated that he would submit his passport to the trial court and join the investigation as and when required. While probing the chit fund scam on direction of the Supreme Court, the CBI had arrested Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata on January 3. The CBI has also arrested another TMC MP Tapas Pal for his alleged role in the scam. The agency earlier accused Rose Valley chairman Gautam Kundu and three others of defrauding investors from across the country of more than Rs 17,000 crore.
Ankur Sharma By

NEW DELHI: With a flurry of corruption scandals rocking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and its ministers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was operating without any ministerial portfolio, will be given cabinet responsibility. Strategists in the AAP have worked out a plan under which Kejriwal cannot work without responsibility, especially in the environment where several ministers are facing corruption charges. Kejriwal will share Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodias work.

Delhi secretariat is nowadays busy discussing Kejriwals portfolio, expecting him to be CM with portfolio. Top officials and AAP MLAs claimed that Kejriwal will get some portfolio soon, especially in the wake of the AAPs poor show in the MCD elections. At the dinner party hosted by Kejriwal last week, the issue was discussed. The final decision will be taken by senior leaders, mainly Sisodia and Kejriwal.

After MCD poll debacle and the Kapil Mishra controversy, top leaders are coming back to basics. The party is also keen to remove tag of CM without portfolio and we are expecting a decision soon, an AAP MLA said. According to sources, more than 50 MLAs and their families had attended the party while senior leaders gave a miss.

In the last one month, the Opposition has been continuously alleging that Kejriwal has no portfolio and is running from his duty. Mishra also raised questions over Kejriwals attendance. The CM is overseeing every ministry but is not directly involved. BJP and Congress have alleged that Kejriwal is the only CM in the country who has no portfolio, a party source said.

According to AAP insiders, assigning portfolio to Kejriwal is a part of the partys changed strategy to reunite with people in the ground. The party has started Mera Booth Sabse Majboot campaign and has appointed 3,500 Mandal Adhyaksh to regain public trust. The AAP has decided that every single person associated with the party, whether it is the CM, other ministers, MLAs, councillors or party office-bearers, will have to take charge of organisation building in their own polling booth, minister Gopal Rai said.

NEW DELHI: With a flurry of corruption scandals rocking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and its ministers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was operating without any ministerial portfolio, will be given cabinet responsibility. Strategists in the AAP have worked out a plan under which Kejriwal cannot work without responsibility, especially in the environment where several ministers are facing corruption charges. Kejriwal will share Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodias work. Delhi secretariat is nowadays busy discussing Kejriwals portfolio, expecting him to be CM with portfolio. Top officials and AAP MLAs claimed that Kejriwal will get some portfolio soon, especially in the wake of the AAPs poor show in the MCD elections. At the dinner party hosted by Kejriwal last week, the issue was discussed. The final decision will be taken by senior leaders, mainly Sisodia and Kejriwal. After MCD poll debacle and the Kapil Mishra controversy, top leaders are coming back to basics. The party is also keen to remove tag of CM without portfolio and we are expecting a decision soon, an AAP MLA said. According to sources, more than 50 MLAs and their families had attended the party while senior leaders gave a miss. In the last one month, the Opposition has been continuously alleging that Kejriwal has no portfolio and is running from his duty. Mishra also raised questions over Kejriwals attendance. The CM is overseeing every ministry but is not directly involved. BJP and Congress have alleged that Kejriwal is the only CM in the country who has no portfolio, a party source said. According to AAP insiders, assigning portfolio to Kejriwal is a part of the partys changed strategy to reunite with people in the ground. The party has started Mera Booth Sabse Majboot campaign and has appointed 3,500 Mandal Adhyaksh to regain public trust. The AAP has decided that every single person associated with the party, whether it is the CM, other ministers, MLAs, councillors or party office-bearers, will have to take charge of organisation building in their own polling booth, minister Gopal Rai said.
NEW DELHI: Before the Big Fat Indian Wedding became part of India-slang the Sikh clergy had issued a diktat in the late 70s that weddings in Punjab should be simple gurdwara affairs with minimum number of guests including family members. No more.

In accordance with Sikhisms purist origins, a Delhi businessman Dr Raju Chadha has been successful in reviving this forgotten rule. In a landmark decision promising wide ramifications for the Sikh community, its top five priests have passed a resolution banishing ostentation weddings and religious ceremonies to be held at gurdwaras. It also aims to reduce the financial burdens on families.

Chadha, chairman of the Wave Group, played a major role in simplifying wedding invitations. He said, Families spend a lot time and money on extravagantly designed cards for multiple wedding occasions and on distribution. Why cant cards be digital affairs to emailed or sent on WhatsApp to save money and energy? Chadhas family is known for their business acumen and philanthropic work, with a pioneering edge in the field of community reforms.

The tycoon recollects his sisters wedding in 1976a simple affair held during the day, an unlikely event in wealthy Sikh families. Though rich families can afford big weddings, they should respect the canon and hold traditional weddings in gurdwaras, Chadha said. The new resolution, which will be made public soon demands the Sikh Sangat to solemnise Anand Karaj (marriage ceremony) in a gurdwara. Both the girls and boys side should reach the gurdwara on time to perform the ceremony. If possible the wedding should be followed by langar in the gurdwara itself. Bhog ceremonies should consider the time and cost factor.

In accordance with the Rahat Maryada the core conduct of the Sikhs all functions should be kept very simple so that minimum expenditure is incurred . Chadha lives by the core value of his religion. Human beings are equal above caste or status. To bring the community together, rich and poor alike should hold simple wedding ceremonies at gurdwaras.

NEW DELHI: Before the Big Fat Indian Wedding became part of India-slang the Sikh clergy had issued a diktat in the late 70s that weddings in Punjab should be simple gurdwara affairs with minimum number of guests including family members. No more. In accordance with Sikhisms purist origins, a Delhi businessman Dr Raju Chadha has been successful in reviving this forgotten rule. In a landmark decision promising wide ramifications for the Sikh community, its top five priests have passed a resolution banishing ostentation weddings and religious ceremonies to be held at gurdwaras. It also aims to reduce the financial burdens on families. Chadha, chairman of the Wave Group, played a major role in simplifying wedding invitations. He said, Families spend a lot time and money on extravagantly designed cards for multiple wedding occasions and on distribution. Why cant cards be digital affairs to emailed or sent on WhatsApp to save money and energy? Chadhas family is known for their business acumen and philanthropic work, with a pioneering edge in the field of community reforms. The tycoon recollects his sisters wedding in 1976a simple affair held during the day, an unlikely event in wealthy Sikh families. Though rich families can afford big weddings, they should respect the canon and hold traditional weddings in gurdwaras, Chadha said. The new resolution, which will be made public soon demands the Sikh Sangat to solemnise Anand Karaj (marriage ceremony) in a gurdwara. Both the girls and boys side should reach the gurdwara on time to perform the ceremony. If possible the wedding should be followed by langar in the gurdwara itself. Bhog ceremonies should consider the time and cost factor. In accordance with the Rahat Maryada the core conduct of the Sikhs all functions should be kept very simple so that minimum expenditure is incurred . Chadha lives by the core value of his religion. Human beings are equal above caste or status. To bring the community together, rich and poor alike should hold simple wedding ceremonies at gurdwaras.
Manish Anand By

Congress



As the NDA government completes three years at the Centre, options for Congress are limited except for the fact that it can position itself as a rallying point for the Opposition unity to take on the rampaging Brand Modi.

The Presidential election slated for July-end throws up an opportunity and going by the current trend, the Congress has embarked upon the path to provide leadership, as majority of regional satraps have so far stuck to the ritual of visiting the 10 Janpath abode of Sonia Gandhi.

If all goes well, the country will see a formidable united Opposition candidate to take on the ruling BJPs nominee. Victory or loss in the Presidential poll may not be of great consequences for the Opposition, but a united campaign may catapult the Congress as the core of forces staging a fight-back against the ruling BJP. It can make 2019 contest quite meaningful.

Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party

The Uttar Pradesh giants will take some time before they recover from the electoral shock defeat. Instead of being positive to recover their lost ground, the Samajwadi Party needs to put its own house in order, and Bahujan Samajwadi Party requires measures to neutralise the impact of demonetisation.

BJP with a historical mandate appears to have gone overboard by installing Yogi Adityanath (a Thakur), in the Lucknow saddle, who has alienated the formidable Brahmin lobby and BJPs traditional vote base among the non-Yadav OBCs. Muslims are feeling isolated and political irrelevance, and Dalits are looking for political re-assertion. The Saharanpur, Moradabad, Samli and Sambhal districts have shown samples of caste churning.

Under such circumstances, SP-BSP could see an opportunity to break the fragile Hindu caste unity, which propelled the saffron surge at the Centre and in the state. The process has begun with Dalits at the district level starting to look for fresh leadership under BSP. Even Muslims have shown inclination towards aligning with the Dalit forces. This leaves little option for Akhilesh Yadavs SP but to have an alliance with the BSP to ensure a formidable challenge to the BJP in 2019.

Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United)

Bihar still appears to be the weakest link in the grand Opposition unity. The BJP at the Centre seems to have sensed it well and thus has activated Central agencies against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family members. This in a way also helps Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) as a vulnerable RJD gives ample room for Kumar to manoeuvre well to prolong his rule in the state.

Lalu, a staunch Sonia Gandhi loyalist, has recently made no bones about his intent that at any cost he would ally with the Congress. However, instead of taking on the BJP, Lalu Prasad, given the situation he is caught in following the income tax raids, is fighting a survival battle.

With Nitish announcing his decision to withdraw from the Prime Ministerial race in 2019 and also deciding not to field his party candidates in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections even after making strong initial overtures, it seems hes content with his current role in Patna. In the political circle, talks are also doing the rounds that he might turn out to be a knot in the Opposition unity if BJP throws up party stalwart L K Advani as the official candidate in the Presidential election.

Biju Janata Dal

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will complete four consecutive terms when the state goes for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 2019. That anti-incumbency is taking monstrous proportion seems evident with dissent in the ranks of the BJD hitting the headlines. Patnaik decimated the Congress in the state, but his worry is the saffron rise, as the BJP, barring the coastal parts, made substantial gains in the recent panchayat elections.

Patnaik seems unnerved that BJP chief Amit Shah has no reservation in importing leadership in regions where the saffron outfit is weak. Shah is eyeing disgruntled elements in the BJD to pole-vault to power in Bhubaneswar.



With BJP training guns on Patnaik, BJDwhich was seen as part of the NDA-plus due to its softness to Modiis hinting at moving closer to the Opposition. Though Patnaik met his West Bengal and Bihar counterparts, his rabid anti-Congressism makes him a fence-sitter in Indian politics.

Trinamool Congress

With the CBI baying for blood in the chit fund and Rose Valley scams, Trinamool Congress is wary of the party leaders netted by the investigative agency. With the CBI heat rising against the TMC leaders, Banerjee also has to worry for the fact that West Bengal is the top most state in the list of Amit Shah for the expansion of the BJP. The recent by-election has dropped enough hints that the BJP is emerging a challenger in the state despite lacking credible local leadership in the state.



With the BJP on her home turf, Banerjee has gone on an overdrive to challenge Modi in 2019 by reaching out to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and other influential leaders. The TMC is also seen bonding well with the Congress in both the Houses of Parliament. The TMC-Congress alliance in the state, besides a formation of a large Opposition front, is the talk of the town.

Congress As the NDA government completes three years at the Centre, options for Congress are limited except for the fact that it can position itself as a rallying point for the Opposition unity to take on the rampaging Brand Modi. The Presidential election slated for July-end throws up an opportunity and going by the current trend, the Congress has embarked upon the path to provide leadership, as majority of regional satraps have so far stuck to the ritual of visiting the 10 Janpath abode of Sonia Gandhi. If all goes well, the country will see a formidable united Opposition candidate to take on the ruling BJPs nominee. Victory or loss in the Presidential poll may not be of great consequences for the Opposition, but a united campaign may catapult the Congress as the core of forces staging a fight-back against the ruling BJP. It can make 2019 contest quite meaningful. Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party The Uttar Pradesh giants will take some time before they recover from the electoral shock defeat. Instead of being positive to recover their lost ground, the Samajwadi Party needs to put its own house in order, and Bahujan Samajwadi Party requires measures to neutralise the impact of demonetisation. BJP with a historical mandate appears to have gone overboard by installing Yogi Adityanath (a Thakur), in the Lucknow saddle, who has alienated the formidable Brahmin lobby and BJPs traditional vote base among the non-Yadav OBCs. Muslims are feeling isolated and political irrelevance, and Dalits are looking for political re-assertion. The Saharanpur, Moradabad, Samli and Sambhal districts have shown samples of caste churning. Under such circumstances, SP-BSP could see an opportunity to break the fragile Hindu caste unity, which propelled the saffron surge at the Centre and in the state. The process has begun with Dalits at the district level starting to look for fresh leadership under BSP. Even Muslims have shown inclination towards aligning with the Dalit forces. This leaves little option for Akhilesh Yadavs SP but to have an alliance with the BSP to ensure a formidable challenge to the BJP in 2019. Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United) Bihar still appears to be the weakest link in the grand Opposition unity. The BJP at the Centre seems to have sensed it well and thus has activated Central agencies against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family members. This in a way also helps Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) as a vulnerable RJD gives ample room for Kumar to manoeuvre well to prolong his rule in the state. Lalu, a staunch Sonia Gandhi loyalist, has recently made no bones about his intent that at any cost he would ally with the Congress. However, instead of taking on the BJP, Lalu Prasad, given the situation he is caught in following the income tax raids, is fighting a survival battle. With Nitish announcing his decision to withdraw from the Prime Ministerial race in 2019 and also deciding not to field his party candidates in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections even after making strong initial overtures, it seems hes content with his current role in Patna. In the political circle, talks are also doing the rounds that he might turn out to be a knot in the Opposition unity if BJP throws up party stalwart L K Advani as the official candidate in the Presidential election. Biju Janata Dal Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will complete four consecutive terms when the state goes for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 2019. That anti-incumbency is taking monstrous proportion seems evident with dissent in the ranks of the BJD hitting the headlines. Patnaik decimated the Congress in the state, but his worry is the saffron rise, as the BJP, barring the coastal parts, made substantial gains in the recent panchayat elections. Patnaik seems unnerved that BJP chief Amit Shah has no reservation in importing leadership in regions where the saffron outfit is weak. Shah is eyeing disgruntled elements in the BJD to pole-vault to power in Bhubaneswar. With BJP training guns on Patnaik, BJDwhich was seen as part of the NDA-plus due to its softness to Modiis hinting at moving closer to the Opposition. Though Patnaik met his West Bengal and Bihar counterparts, his rabid anti-Congressism makes him a fence-sitter in Indian politics. Trinamool Congress With the CBI baying for blood in the chit fund and Rose Valley scams, Trinamool Congress is wary of the party leaders netted by the investigative agency. With the CBI heat rising against the TMC leaders, Banerjee also has to worry for the fact that West Bengal is the top most state in the list of Amit Shah for the expansion of the BJP. The recent by-election has dropped enough hints that the BJP is emerging a challenger in the state despite lacking credible local leadership in the state. With the BJP on her home turf, Banerjee has gone on an overdrive to challenge Modi in 2019 by reaching out to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and other influential leaders. The TMC is also seen bonding well with the Congress in both the Houses of Parliament. The TMC-Congress alliance in the state, besides a formation of a large Opposition front, is the talk of the town.
By PTI

LONDON: The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) held a protest against Pakistani "brutalities" in the restive Balochistan outside the Pakistan High Commission here.

The protesters accused the army of the illegal abduction of Baloch women and unleashing bloodshed in the region.

"The protest rally was aimed at highlighting and exposing continuous Pakistani army brutalities and bloodshed in Balochistan before the world," BRP president of UK zone Mansoor Baloch said in the statement.

Apart from this, the illegal abduction of Baloch women from different parts of Balochistan including Dera Bugti and Bolan was highlighted, the statement said.

From the Pakistan mission, the group marched up to 10 Downing Street to stage a protest outside British Prime Minister Theresa Mays official residence.

"In past few days, Pakistani forces targeted civilian population and abducted dozens of Baloch during military operation in Dera Bugti, Kohistan Marri, and Kech," BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said in Geneva.

Bugti said that Pakistani forces used their full military might against and indiscriminately targeted Baloch civilians.

"Similarly, Pakistan army conducted offensive in different areas of Dasht, Kech and targeted civil populace, harassed and tortured women and children. The Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies abducted and taken dozens of Baloch innocent civilians to an undisclosed location in Dashts Jam Mohammad, Zyarathi and other adjacent areas," he added.

The group has urged the international community to join in their protest against Pakistans action and condemn the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was against the will of the Baloch people.

LONDON: The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) held a protest against Pakistani "brutalities" in the restive Balochistan outside the Pakistan High Commission here. The protesters accused the army of the illegal abduction of Baloch women and unleashing bloodshed in the region. "The protest rally was aimed at highlighting and exposing continuous Pakistani army brutalities and bloodshed in Balochistan before the world," BRP president of UK zone Mansoor Baloch said in the statement. Apart from this, the illegal abduction of Baloch women from different parts of Balochistan including Dera Bugti and Bolan was highlighted, the statement said. From the Pakistan mission, the group marched up to 10 Downing Street to stage a protest outside British Prime Minister Theresa Mays official residence. "In past few days, Pakistani forces targeted civilian population and abducted dozens of Baloch during military operation in Dera Bugti, Kohistan Marri, and Kech," BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said in Geneva. Bugti said that Pakistani forces used their full military might against and indiscriminately targeted Baloch civilians. "Similarly, Pakistan army conducted offensive in different areas of Dasht, Kech and targeted civil populace, harassed and tortured women and children. The Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies abducted and taken dozens of Baloch innocent civilians to an undisclosed location in Dashts Jam Mohammad, Zyarathi and other adjacent areas," he added. The group has urged the international community to join in their protest against Pakistans action and condemn the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was against the will of the Baloch people.
By AFP

KABUL: Gunmen have attacked an international guest house in Kabul, killing a German woman and an Afghan guard, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

A Finnish woman is missing and presumed to have been kidnapped in the raid late Saturday, officials added.

The guest house was run by a Swedish NGO Operation Mercy, whose director Scott Breslin told local news agency TT that the organisation is holding a crisis meeting.

"A Finnish lady was kidnapped from police district (three) last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter.

A Finnish foreign ministry spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that a Finnish citizen has been kidnapped in Kabul.

"We can confirm that we know about this but we are not giving details at the moment. The only thing we can say is it is not known who the kidnappers are," said spokeswoman Karoliina Romanoff.

Operation Mercy's Breslin told TT in a brief statement: "We know that she's missing, we will send out a press release later."

The attack highlights growing insecurity in Afghanistan, which is in the grip of an insurgency waged by the Taliban and other groups.

The kidnapping of foreigners has been on the rise, with criminal gangs staging abductions for ransom or handing the victims over to militant groups.

In August last year gunmen wearing military uniforms kidnapped two professors of the American University of Afghanistan in the heart of Kabul.

The two, American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weekes, appeared in a Taliban hostage video that surfaced in January, the first apparent proof that they were alive.

KABUL: Gunmen have attacked an international guest house in Kabul, killing a German woman and an Afghan guard, the interior ministry said on Sunday. A Finnish woman is missing and presumed to have been kidnapped in the raid late Saturday, officials added. The guest house was run by a Swedish NGO Operation Mercy, whose director Scott Breslin told local news agency TT that the organisation is holding a crisis meeting. "A Finnish lady was kidnapped from police district (three) last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter. A Finnish foreign ministry spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that a Finnish citizen has been kidnapped in Kabul. "We can confirm that we know about this but we are not giving details at the moment. The only thing we can say is it is not known who the kidnappers are," said spokeswoman Karoliina Romanoff. Operation Mercy's Breslin told TT in a brief statement: "We know that she's missing, we will send out a press release later." The attack highlights growing insecurity in Afghanistan, which is in the grip of an insurgency waged by the Taliban and other groups. The kidnapping of foreigners has been on the rise, with criminal gangs staging abductions for ransom or handing the victims over to militant groups. In August last year gunmen wearing military uniforms kidnapped two professors of the American University of Afghanistan in the heart of Kabul. The two, American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weekes, appeared in a Taliban hostage video that surfaced in January, the first apparent proof that they were alive.
By Press Trust of India: Boston, May 21 (PTI) Scientists have identified an antibody that can promote the immune systems ability to fight different types of cancer and reduce tumour growth, making it an attractive candidate for immunotherapy.

In a new study published in the journal Science Immunology, researchers from the Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH) in the US found that the antibody that can precisely target regulatory T cells which in turn unleashes the immune system to kill cancer cells.

advertisement

Researchers, who were studying the underpinnings of multiple sclerosis, found that the antibody decreased tumor growth in models of skin, brain and colon cancer.

"My team studied a subpopulation of T cells that are supposed to prevent autoimmune disease, we had an idea," said Howard Weiner, from BWH.

"If cancer is the opposite of an autoimmune disease, we could turn our investigations around and think about how to restore the immune systems ability to prevent cancers growth," Weiner said.

T cells (Tregs), which help maintain the immune systems tolerance of self, can also promote cancers growth by preventing the bodys immune system from detecting and attacking cancer cells.

The researchers found that they could precisely target Tregs using an antibody that locks in on a molecular complex thats uniquely expressed on the cell surface of Tregs.

The team developed these anti-LAP antibodies initially to investigate the development of multiple sclerosis, but realised that their work had implications for the study of cancer.

Previous studies have shown that LAP+ cells are increased in human cancer and predict a poor prognosis. Being able to target these cells could offer a new way to treat the disease.

In the current study, researchers studied how well anti- LAP antibodies could work in blocking the essential mechanisms of Tregs and restoring the immune systems ability to fight cancer.

They found that anti-LAP acts on multiple cell populations to promote the immune systems ability to fight cancer, including increasing the activity of certain types of T cells and enhancing immune memory.

"In addition to studying its therapeutic effect, we wanted to characterise the mechanism by which the anti-LAP antibody can activate the immune system," said Galina Gabriely, a scientist in the Weiner laboratory.

"We found that it affects multiple arms of the immune system," said Gabriely. PTI MHN MHN

--- ENDS ---
By AFP

PESHAWAR: Unidentified gunmen have shot dead four policemen in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said Sunday.

The gunmen opened fire on the duty officers late Saturday in a village in Kohat district, some 80 kilometres (49 miles) southwest of Peshawar.

"Gunmen opened fire on their official vehicle from both sides of the road, all the four policemen died on the spot," Javed Iqbal, a district police officer in Kohat, told AFP.

A second police official in Kohat said the attackers fled during the darkness.

PESHAWAR: Unidentified gunmen have shot dead four policemen in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said Sunday. The gunmen opened fire on the duty officers late Saturday in a village in Kohat district, some 80 kilometres (49 miles) southwest of Peshawar. "Gunmen opened fire on their official vehicle from both sides of the road, all the four policemen died on the spot," Javed Iqbal, a district police officer in Kohat, told AFP. A second police official in Kohat said the attackers fled during the darkness.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: India cannot claim victory in Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at the International Court of Justice as the court has issued "just a procedural order", the lawyer who represented Pakistan in the case has said.

Khawar Qureshi said Jadhav's case is more about political point scoring than about the law.

"The order issued by the ICJ is just a procedural order to enable full hearing. It certainly is not a victory for India by any means," Geo TV quoted Qureshi as saying.

"It was very clear that the court didnt want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consulor access, which he had," he said.

Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him.

"It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented.

He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying.

"My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added.

"It was very clear that the court didnt want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consulor access, which he had," he said.

Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him.

"It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented.

He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying.

"My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added.

ISLAMABAD: India cannot claim victory in Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at the International Court of Justice as the court has issued "just a procedural order", the lawyer who represented Pakistan in the case has said. Khawar Qureshi said Jadhav's case is more about political point scoring than about the law. "The order issued by the ICJ is just a procedural order to enable full hearing. It certainly is not a victory for India by any means," Geo TV quoted Qureshi as saying. "It was very clear that the court didnt want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consulor access, which he had," he said. Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him. "It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented. He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying. "My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added. "It was very clear that the court didnt want to hear about the merits or the jurisdiction. The court wanted to be satisfied whether commander Jadhav had been denied consulor access, which he had," he said. Qureshi criticised the Indian government and the media for running a vicious and baseless campaign against him. "It is very disappointing that India should stoop to this level. I understand that someone said I had charged 720,000 in legal fees pounds. Where did this figure come from? This is nonsense," he lamented. He also cautioned the Pakistani media not to pick up everything India is saying. "My fees were not even 10 per cent of what the Indian propaganda suggests. I cancelled another professional commitment with another government to travel to Pakistan urgently. I gave a 30 per cent reduction on my fees, besides covering the cost of two of my juniors' fees," he added.
By PTI

RIYADH: Even as his administration fights for its travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump is using the nation that is home to Islam's holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism.

Trump's speech, the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a "battle between good and evil" and urge Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.

Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words "radical Islamic terrorism" and criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for not doing so that phrase is not included in the draft.

The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as Trump is set to have individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before then participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.

The address also notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights topics Arab leaders often view as US moralising in favor of the more limited goals of peace and stability.

"We are not here to lecture to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all," according to the copy of his speech.

Two different sources provided the AP with copies of the draft of his remarks, billed as a marquee speech of the trip.

The White House confirmed the draft was authentic, but cautioned the president had not yet signed off on the final product and that changes could be made.

Trump may seem an unlikely messenger to deliver an olive branch to the Muslim world.

During his campaign, he mused, "I think Islam hates us."

And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

White House officials have said they consider Trump's visit, and his keynote address, a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.

RIYADH: Even as his administration fights for its travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump is using the nation that is home to Islam's holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism. Trump's speech, the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a "battle between good and evil" and urge Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press. Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words "radical Islamic terrorism" and criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for not doing so that phrase is not included in the draft. The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as Trump is set to have individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before then participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center. The address also notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights topics Arab leaders often view as US moralising in favor of the more limited goals of peace and stability. "We are not here to lecture to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all," according to the copy of his speech. Two different sources provided the AP with copies of the draft of his remarks, billed as a marquee speech of the trip. The White House confirmed the draft was authentic, but cautioned the president had not yet signed off on the final product and that changes could be made. Trump may seem an unlikely messenger to deliver an olive branch to the Muslim world. During his campaign, he mused, "I think Islam hates us." And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House. That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing. White House officials have said they consider Trump's visit, and his keynote address, a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.
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By Press Trust of India: next Parliament session

New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) A private members bill that seeks to make the Bhagavad Gita compulsory reading in schools and recommends de-recognising institutes that do not follow suit may come up for discussion in the next session of Parliament.

"The noble thoughts and teaching of the Bhagavad Gita will make the younger generation better citizens and enrich their personality," the bill moved by Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri said.

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The bill, called the Compulsory Teaching Of Bhagavad Gita As a Moral Education Text Book In Educational Institutions Bill, 2016, stated every educational institution should "compulsorily" teach the Gita as moral education, but said it did not apply to minority schools.

"The government should de-recognise schools that do not comply with the provisions of this legislation," it added.

Bidhuri said in the bill, introduced in Lok Sabha in March, that it was time "sincere efforts" were made to spread the teachings of the Gita.

"It is highly deplorable that such literature containing infinite teachings for all age groups is neglected by our educational institutions," Bidhuri said.

The book contains teachings that range from thoughts on spiritual awakening to lessons on leadership and management, the MP said.

"Many great thinkers from our time such as Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Albert Einstein have all deliberated upon its timeless teachings," he said.

The government would need to make provisions of Rs 5,000 crore for implementing this legislation, and would also entail a non-recurring expenditure of about Rs 100 crore, he stated.

A Lok Sabha bulletin said, "The President, having been informed of the subject matter of the ...Bill ... recommends to the House the consideration of the Bill under clause (3) of article 117 of the Constitution."

The dates for the next session are still to be decided. PTI JTR SMN BDS

--- ENDS ---
Three-year-old Rope-Swings From Mountain in 'Daring' Video, Internet Cheers Her on
New Delhi: After Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has defended an army officer who reportedly used a Kashmiri man as a human shield against stone-pelters during the recent bypoll-related violence in the Valley.



Speaking to CNN-News18, Rijiju said Amarinders demand for a medal for Major Gogoi was encouraging. "Forces have human rights too," Rijiju said.



If our soldiers are doing something to protect themselves, how can you denounce that? You cannot. After all, forces are also human beings. They also need to protect their lives. Indian forces are very responsible. We believe in human rights. We honour human rights. But at the same, we carry the right to protect ourselves, Rijiju said.



Speaking at CNN-News18's town hall where paramilitary personnel were also present, Rijiju said the government was committed to do everything that is required to help our forces.



He was responding to CRPF Commandant Harshvardhan who shared his experience of being posted in Naxal-affected area of Abujmarh in Chhattisgarh.



'After a Naxal attack, one of our boys was sinking. We kept him alive just by giving him false hope that the rescue helicopter was reaching in a few minutes. The chopper came after two hours. Even if only facilities like immediate rescue helicopters are provided, the forces will be much more motivated," Harshvardhan said.



Rijiju assured that after a review meeting held recently with chief ministers of Naxal-affected states, a decision was taken to upgrade and procure helicopters.



He, however, added that while the government was committed to its forces, it would not tolerate acts of indiscipline, a reference to a video by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur who alleged that jawans were being served bad quality food. The video went viral and Bahadur was eventually dismissed from service.



"We did a full inquiry on his allegations. I called up the DG of Border Security Force after the video went viral. But the enquiry found no merit in his allegations. Yes, because of bad weather some items couldn't reach, but that happens in areas like the Line of Control. There is a mechanism to complain. Senior officers visit posts and ask about facilities. I myself ask if food and other facilities are okay when I visit the posts. You can't breach procedure and discipline in the force, Rijiju said.



In a free-wheeling discussion, the minister also took questions from paramilitary personnel on disparity in pension, benefits and risk allowance to Army and paramilitary forces. He was asked if it was fair for BSF martyr Prem Sagar to get less compensation than Army martyr Paramjeet Singh  both were killed and beheaded by the Pakistan army in Krishna Ghati sector of J&K on May 1. Rijiju responded by asking them to not compare.



"The service conditions of the two forces are different. The length of service is different. We are doing all that is required to adequately compensate our paramilitary. When I went to pay my respects to martyr Prem Sagar at the Delhi airport, I enquired about the compensation too. We are aware of the sentiments, but don't compare is what I request, the minister said.
Kolkata: In a bid to reduce the number of cases pending before it, the Calcutta High Court will hold special sittings during the summer vacation to hear cases that were instituted prior to 2000.



The move has, however, been opposed by the Bar Association which has passed a resolution against it on the grounds that of the two-week vacation, the court will hold sittings on nine days.



While supporting moves to reduce pendency of cases, the association has sought filling up of vacancies of judges. The Calcutta High Court has at present 35 judges, while it has a sanctioned strength of 72 judges, according to the website of the high court.



The High Court's registrar general, Sugata Majumdar, said in an order published in the cause list (schedule of cases to be heard by the court) that "it is the solemn desire of the Acting Chief Justice (Justice Nishita Mhatre) to organise special sittings of the benches of this High Court during summer vacation, in order to hear pending cases which were instituted prior to January one, 2000."



The high court, which will be on vacation from May 22 to June three, will hear such matters on five days during this period.



In addition to these special sittings, vacation bench which hears urgent matters will also sit on four days during this period.



These special sittings will be held on May 22, 24, 26, 29 and June two, while the vacation bench will sit on May 23, 25, 30 and June one, according to the cause list published by the high court administration.



The move has been opposed by the Calcutta High Court Bar Association, which said its members will not attend the special sittings.



"We want reduction in the number of pending cases, but the lawyers also need some respite during the gruelling summer," Calcutta High Court Bar Association general secretary Suranjan Dasgupta told PTI.



"Out of two weeks of summer vacation, the court will have special sittings on five days, while there will be another four days of vacation bench," Dasgupta said.



"What will be left of the vacation then," he asked, adding that the association has passed a resolution that its member lawyers would not attend the special sittings.



"We want the issue of filling up vacancies in the judiciary to be taken up urgently in order to address the problem of pendency of a huge number of cases before the high court," he said earlier this week.



"Nearly three lakh cases are pending before the high court at present," executive member of West Bengal Bar Council Ashok Bakshi said.



"While pendency of cases has to be reduced, five days of special sitting will not vastly change the scenario," Bakshi, a senior advocate, said, adding "the vacancies in the judiciary are required to be filled up."
New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had no reason to presume that then Coal Secretary H C Gupta recommended a non-compliant private firm for coal block allocation in Madhya Pradesh, a special court has said.



Special Judge Bharat Parashar, who convicted Gupta for irregularities in allocation of Madhya Pradesh based Thesgora- B Rudrapuri coal block to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL), noted that the former coal secretary made "dishonest misrepresentation" before Singh.



Singh, who had to act only upon the recommendations of the Screening Committee of which Gupta was the chairman, was then holding the portfolio of Ministry of Coal (MOC) besides others.



The court said there was no reason for the Prime Minister to presume that the guidelines had not been complied with.



It said it was "apparent" that Singh proceeded to consider the Screening Committee recommendation on the assumption that the applications must have been checked in MOC for their eligibility and completeness or that the guidelines must have been duly followed even by the Committee.



"While forwarding the file to Prime Minister as Minister of Coal for approval of the recommendation of the Screening Committee, it was nowhere mentioned by any of the MOC officers, much less by Gupta, that the applications have not been checked for their eligibility and completeness," it said.



Gupta, who was the Coal Secretary from December 31, 2005 to November 2008, then joint secretary K S Kropha and then director K C Samaria in the Coal Ministry were held guilty by the court for irregularities in allocating the coal block to the firm.
There is no one clear view about the CPEC in either India or Pakistan. News18 spoke to two Indian analysts and two Pakistani analysts to understand the implications of the project for both countries.

Urdu newspapers generally go along with every establishment view, including this one. Common people and businesspersons also have huge expectations of future growth. Only some English language newspapers  which are much less read  occasionally raise questions of what CPEC may cost Pakistan in the long run, Dr. Hoodbhoy told News18 in an email interview.

But the devil lies in the details. There are fears that Pakistans CPEC committee has allowed only Chinese companies to set up units in the seven economic zones along the corridor.

On the Indian side, strategic thinker Brahma Chellaney thinks the lack of transparency in CPEC is a matter of concern to India. He thinks the boycotting of the Belt and Road Forum by India was not wrong.

Jacob opined that Indias non-participation in the Belt and Road Forum sent out a message that needed to go out, but having skipped it, now what?

That, in a nutshell, is how successive Pakistani prime ministers have described the countrys all weather friendship with China. This was before the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), one of the key projects in Chinas massive One Belt One Road infrastructure project spanning Eurasia, came into being.The metaphor is apt: The CPEC will run from the Karakoram Mountains and end at Gwadar port. The transportation networks, energy projects and special economic zones will use plenty of steel. It remains to be seen if the relations between the two nations will be as smooth as honey.Source: The Times of IslamabadLast weekend, 29 heads of states attended the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended while India decided to skip, citing concerns about sovereignty, as the CPEC runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.However, New Delhi is also uneasy about the strategic implications of the project that will increase Chinese presence in Pakistan.First, some bare numbers.The only figures available for the CPEC in the public domain is that the aggregate amount of Chinese investment, which was earlier pegged at $48 billion, has now increased to nearly $57 billion. Crucial details are missing: what are the terms of the loan; what is the level of equity and debt; would debt be convertible to equity, thus laying the ground for Chinese ownership of Pakistani assets; what are the terms of repayment or penalties for default? How were bids evaluated, and by whom? Were tax incentives provided?In short, there is lack of transparency, notwithstanding Dawn newspapers investigative report on the CPEC master plan. Within Pakistan, there is euphoria about the CPEC. Radio stations broadcast advertisements and jingles on China-Pakistan friendship, the metaphorical higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the oceans, according to Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, a professor of physics and mathematics, and commentator on Pakistani politics.That Pakistan needs the investment is not in dispute. The economy is stagnant and desperately in need of cash, according to Anjum Altaf, a fellow at the Consortium for Development Policy Research in Lahore.On the other hand, Chinas industries have overgrown domestic markets and are still producing an excess of steel, cement, electronics and power. On paper, CPEC seems like a win-win situation for both countries.I am also worried about the low level of environmental standards. Even within China these are poor as well as poorly implemented. In Pakistan, these could be dropped altogether, Dr. Hoodbhoy said.Then there is the question of repayment of loans. Will the OBOR projects, including CPEC, leave behind a trail of unsustainable debt burden for participating countries, as India alleges?The paucity of data about what is being negotiated makes this difficult to verify. Anjum Altaf is of the opinion that this will not be the case, though it depends on what exactly is being negotiated between the countries, which is not clear.Dr. Hoodbhoy though says that at some point the relationship between the two countries will become quite a bit less sweet than honey, because of Chinas dislike for Islam. By law, newborns in Xinjiang province cannot be named Muhammad or have names that identify them as Muslims, fasting is forbidden as are burqas, Dr. Hoodbhoy said, adding, If Chinese presence in specially created enclaves grows, and if the relationship becomes asymmetrical beyond a point  such as Chinese entering Pakistan without visas but Pakistanis being required to have Chinese visas  then sweet will turn sour.Dr. Hoodbhoy also added that there is no cultural contiguity between China and Pakistan, but Pakistan and India shared a common cultural heritage. He said that he doubted if Pakistan would become a client state of Chinas.Three years ago, we had asked China to come clean on the policy. They never gave us a transparent idea, and now they have suddenly come up with CPEC. The lack of transparency is definitely a cause of concern for India, Chellaney told News18.However, Jabin Jacob, a senior researcher at the Institute for Chinese Studies, Delhi, has a slightly different position. Jacob thinks that although stressing the violation of sovereignty by New Delhi was correct, India also has potential benefits from joining the CPEC. It is an opportunity for us to shape and influence events there, to ensure we have a hand in directing South Asias economic integration, Jacob told News18.Skipping the conference was the easy part. Now the question is  what next? The Chinese will go ahead with it anyway. And this is going to be the major geopolitical initiative in the coming decade. In that time you cant sit still, you have to engage, you have to be open to ideas and approaches. Thats where the challenge is, he said.Chellaney, on the other hand, said the CPEC is simply unacceptable to Indian strategic interests. China has created issues on Dalai Lama coming to Arunachal, which is not even embroiled in major dispute. And now, China decides to run a corridor via one of the most widely disputed lands. How is that acceptable?
Pakistan, which announced the sentence on Jadhav on April 10, claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju has said that India may have opened Pandoras box by going to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the death penalty handed to Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistans military.In a Facebook post, Katju said the serious mistake by India makes it certain that Pakistan will now approach the world court over the Kashmir issue.ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav Case is a Rare One at the International Court of Justice People are gloating over India's victory before the International Court of Justice regarding Kulbhushan Jadhav. My own opinion is that it was a serious mistake for India to go to the ICJ on this issue, as we have played into Pakistan's hands, and given it a handle to open up many other issues, Katju, the former chairman of the Press Council of India, said.Pakistan must be very happy that we went to the ICJ over a single individual's fate, as now they can raise all kinds of issues, particularly Kashmir, in international fora, to which we had always objected till now. By going to the ICJ we may have opened up a Pandora's box, the Facebook post said.ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav Case to be Taken to Logical Conclusion as Per Law: Pak ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav Verdict: Don't Get Too Excited, Shiv Sena tells Govt India had approached the ICJ on May 8 and earlier this week, the Hague-based court, the UNs highest judicial body, stayed Jadhavs execution till proceedings were pending.
Nitish Kumar has been one of the few leaders in the Opposition who praised Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive.

By India Today Web Desk: In yet another sign of the growing bonhomie between the BJP and Nitish Kumar, BJP president Amit Shah said there was no reason for his party to be critical of the Bihar chief minister as the latter has had a corruption-free record.

"Nitish Kumar ka kuch pakda gaya hai kya," asked Amit Shah while replying to a question on why the BJP is going soft on Nitish Kumar and if this hints at a 'ghar wapsi' for the Bihar chief minister.

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"We are being unnecessarily critical of him," said Amit Shah at the India Today Editors' Roundtable while maintaining that the BJP is critical of Lalu Prasad Yadav because of the alleged corruption charges levelled against him.

NITISH-MODI ADMIRATION CLUB

Nitish Kumar has been one of the few leaders in the Opposition who praised Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive. The admiration has been mutual with the Prime Minister appreciating the Bihar chief minister for enforcing an alcohol ban in the state.

Nitish Kumar had also lauded the Modi government for surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the border.

The Bihar Chief Minister, who has a strained relationship with alliance partner Rashtriya Janata Dal and its chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, had recently suggested that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should try to build a consensus on the presidential candidate by talking to all parties, while favouring a second-term for President Pranab Mukherjee.

On the issue of the next president of India, Shah said deliberations on the presidential candidate are still on. On whether RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat could be considered to be the next president, Shah indicated it was a non-question since Bhagwat has already said he is not interested in occupying Rashtrapati Bhavan.

BJP WILL COME TO POWER IN BENGAL

The BJP president also said that he is confident of forming governments in Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura. "I can see the wave of parivartan in Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura," said Amit Shah, while dismissing Mamata Banerjee's allegations of playing the communal card in West Bengal.

"I will go to West Bengal as many times as possible and will work towards bringing a BJP government in the state," Amit Shah said.

ON RAJINIKANTH AND KASHMIR

On growing speculations about superstar Rajinikanth's foray into politics, Amit Shah said that "only Rajnikanth can decide when he wants to join politics. From our end, every good person is open to join politics".

When asked about the Narendra Modi government's three-year report card, Amit Shah trained guns on the previous UPA government and said "if you have got a pit in legacy then you will first spend time filling that pit".

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The BJP president, while listing out the achievements of the Modi government, said that the current government had to spend a lot of time in repairing the damage done by its predecessor.

On the situation in Kashmir and the Hurriyat expose by India Today, BJP president assured that security agencies will tackle the problem. "We don't want to run away from it (Kashmir problem), but I just want to ask Congress leaders that who created the Kashmir problem," said Amit Shah.

Also Read:

How Parrikar became CM: Gadkari reveals what happened on that night in Goa

Amit Shah's master-plan for Narendra Modi 2.0 in 2019Watch Video: India Today Editors' Roundtable: Amit Shah speaks on 3 years of Modi government

--- ENDS ---
It is, therefore, a matter of concern that Justice Dalveer Bhandari, the Indian judge on the 11-member bench of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which is hearing Kulbhushan Jadhavs case, opted to comment on the merits of the case. It is intriguing that the former Supreme Court judge made the comments even though the matter is still pending final adjudication before a panel of judges, including him.

Bhandari, in the interview, said he is delighted that the International Court rose to the occasion and saved a person from the gallows.

Consular access is the ultimate relief India has sought by moving the ICJ, which said on Sunday that this request will be considered after the break. Isnt it a case of clear bias when a judge makes his opinion public while the matter is still sub-judice before him? What is the judicial and objective worth of his lengthy declaration before the ICJ on this dispute when he has already expressed his mind?

When CNN-News 18 approached Bhandari, his family members responded by saying the former SC judge did not want to comment on the matter because it is still sub-judice. But it was incumbent upon the experienced judge to consider this crucial legal aspect and exercise restraint when he spoke earlier. The damage has already been done.

A judges bias taints a case. Fairness of a trial dwindles when judges have links  social, political, financial or even ideological, with litigants or their lawyers. In India, judicial precedents lay down that even a valid perception of bias is sufficient to allow a different judge take over the case.ALSO READ | Cleric Offers Rs 20 Lakh to 'Garland Sharif With Kulbhushan Jadhav's Shoes' In an interview published in The Indian Express newspaper a day after the ICJ stayed execution of Jadhav until its final decision, Bhandari had described the ICJ order as a hugely satisfying interim pronouncement which is a great diplomatic victory for India.ICJ, seated in The Hague, is the judicial wing of the United Nations. It acts as an international umpire in disputes between States. So, the neutrality of those adjudging the contentions is of paramount importance to the nations willing to submit to its jurisdiction.Jadhavs is perhaps the most contentious dispute between India and Pakistan at this moment, and it is likely to shape up the course of future diplomacy between the two countries. Politics and diplomacy are playing out at their best while the ICJ endeavours to adjudicate the case on the basis of international laws and conventions.Bhandaris comments, in a situation as delicate as this, would have not gone unnoticed and might trigger a controversy.But the law and the jurisprudence calls upon a judge not to be delighted by the outcome of a case he is hearing since that shows his personal interest and thus a bias. A judge can always be satisfied that he was able to discharge his duties as a neutral arbitrator of law and facts, but he is not to be delighted by what he decides.Strangely, even though Bhandari acknowledges that the larger issues, which have been raised by the dispute, will be taken up by the court after a break, he goes on to comment upon the facts of the case  something, the ICJ bench has maintained, ought to be examined later.The former judge, who was appointed at the ICJ in 2012 as Indias representative, holds the view that Pakistan unfairly denied consular access. What more remains to be adjudicated when one of the 11-judge bench at the ICJ has already formed his final opinion in the matter?Bhandaris statements may be inadvertent or a result of his zeal, but propriety is where it fails completely when a judge comments on a merit of a case still pending before him.With Pakistan raising several points to challenge the ICJs interim order, Bhandaris statements in the public domain could be further damaging, and might come handy to the opposite side looking for a reason to call the proceedings vitiated in law.
New Delhi: An Indian national was arrested on Sunday from Islamabad's F-8 area for not carrying complete travel documents.



A case has been filed against him under Article 14 of the Foreign Act, PTI quoted Samaa TV as reporting.



He has been sent to jail on judicial remand, the report said.



The arrested Indian national has been identified as Sheikh Nabi, a Mumbai resident. Nabi has been booked under the Foreigners Act, 1946. Islamabad Police have obtained a 14-day judicial remand of Nabi.



According to police, the Indian national was walking along Nazimuddin Road in Sector F-8 when he was stopped at a check post. Police demanded to check his visa documents after he told them that he was an Indian. However, Ahmed could not produce any document and was taken into police custody, the Express Tribune reported.



Sources told CNN-News18 that Indian High Commission learned of Nabi's arrest only through media reports, and no official intimation has been made to them as yet.



The arrest comes days after Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence - awarded by a Pakistani military court in April - was stayed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.



India had asserted that Jadhav was arrested from Iran, where he had been conducting business, while Pakistan claimed to have arrested him from the restive Balochistan province for anti-national activities.
Bengaluru: Thirty five-year-old Shantakumar, working as a daily wage labourer in the city was washed away in the storm water drain on Saturday night at Kuruarahalli, Basaveshwaranagar.



According to officials, at around 9 pm the rain water started flowing into the drain, drowning the labourer. The rescue teams were immediately deployed, but are yet to recover the body.



Bengaluru Mayor, G Padmavati said I visited the spot at 12.30 am after the incident took place. It was difficult to find the body as the storm water drains was recently de-silted and the body would have drowned by now.



The city received a good share of its pre-monsoon showers in the last two days. According to the met department, Bengaluru received 2cms rainfall on Friday and 4.8cms on Saturday. The average rainfall for the city in the month of May is 11cms. The department has predicted more rains in the coming week.



As reported by Reshma Ravi
New Delhi: He was known as one of the heroes who made possible the largest civilian evacuation in known history. And the main inspiration behind the 2016 Bollywood historical drama Airlift. Indian businessman Mathunny Mathews aka Toyota Sunny died aged 81 in Kuwait on Friday after being part of the tiny emirate's fortunes and trials for over six decades.



On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army swept across Kuwait catching more than 1.7 lakh expat Indians, a large number of them from Mathews's home state of Kerala, in a war they had nothing to do with.



The occupation caught the world largely unawares and took the Iraqi Republican Guard only two days. The Kuwaiti forces put up a token fight before fleeing to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.



The emir himself escaped to Riyadh, his brother was shot dead by the invaders. Kuwait became the 19th province of Iraq and all the embassies in its capital, including India's, were officially shifted to Basra.



As the Iraqi army squatted on occupied territory, Mathews was among a small group who drove all the way to Baghdad to meet visiting external affairs minister IK Gujral. Soon, New Delhi negotiated with Saddam for the safe return of its citizens.



Newspaper accounts showed how Mathews rejected a safe exit and stayed back to help and support tens of thousands of Indians as they travelled across the warfront from Kuwait to Jordan capital Amman to be flown back home.



The airlift, which began in the first week of September 1990, lasted 59 days and involved 499 sorties. Mathews was among the last to leave.



Makers of Airlift recently acknowledged that Ranjit Katyal, played by Akshay Kumar, was a fictional character based on Mathews and another Indian businessman, Harbhajan Singh Vedi.



The real-life hero had reached Kuwait by ship in 1956 at the age of 20 when the Middle East was wracked by the Suez Canal crisis. He came to be known as 'Toyota Sunny' as he worked his way up leading automobile dealer Al-Sayer.



He also headed the Indian school, the Indian Arts Circle and many social organisations, serving as patriarch for many Indians who later came to work and live in the oil-rich emirate.



Those who visited his family home in Keralas Kumbanad would recall the long dining table with trays of food for those who went to him with their problems.



Mathews died at his residence in Qadisiya in Kuwait. He will be airlifted to India one last time, for the funeral rites to be held at his native place Eraviperoor.




"But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, without elaborating.

"Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir," Singh said.

Pelling (Sikkim): Amidst the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the NDA government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.Addressing a public reception in this western part of the tiny Himalayan state, Singh said Pakistan had been trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.The home minister's statement assumes significance as it comes at a time the Kashmir valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9 when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held.Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent.The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the "scary" situation in Kashmir.Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces.Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani.Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries.However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan's attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India."We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said.The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border.He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively.
The incident occurred on Friday night when the woman chopped off the self-styled godmans penis after he allegedly tried to rape her again. She then called the police who rushed the accused to hospital where an emergency surgery was performed on him. But the doctors were unable to re-attach his penis as 90% of it had been severed.

He has been booked under Section 376 (Rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO).

Reacting to the news, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed the woman's act as "brave" and "courageous". "It was a courageous step, no doubt about it," he told reporters.



Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that a 23-year-old law student who chopped off the penis of a godman who had been raping her for eight years should have approached the police instead.Speaking to CNN-News18, the lawmaker from Thiruvananthapuram said, There is something gratifying about such swift justice but she would have better taken the matter to the police rather than taking the law into her own hands (sic).""I sympathise with her, as most people would. But we need a society where justice prevails, not one where every individual seeks it with a knife in her hand," Tharoor added.According to a police complaint filed by the woman, the accused, identified as Swamy Gangeshananda, a member of the Kollam-based Panmana Ashram, had been raping her at her home for the last eight years. The woman said he first raped her when she was 16 years old.The accused had initially told the police that he had cut off his penis himself as he no longer needed it. But he later changed his statement to say that he was mutilated by the woman when he asked her to press his legs.In the police complaint, the law student has said that her mother was also sexually abused by the accused. Her father suffered a paralysis attack a few years ago. They were followers of the ashram, local media reported.
Cannes 2017 is turning out more than just a glamorous affair for Bollywood's leading ladies. Deepika Padukone made her enchanting debut, Aishwarya Rai continued her beguiling streak and now it's Sonam Kapoors turn to shut down the red carpet with her dramatic appearances.Anyone well acquainted with Sonam's choices, knows how she loves to take a step ahead every time she steps out. The 31 year-old actress, who arrived at the French Riviera on Friday along with her sister cum stylist Rhea, opted for a prismatic sari for the media interactions on day 1.With a look that edgy, the curiosity to know whats in store for the red carpet, only piqued. And now heres her much-anticipated look from the Cannes 2017 red carpet.In a pastel pink Elie Saab gown, Sonam looked resplendent as she sashayed down the red carpet. She amped up her look with slightly loose low bun at the back unlike any of her previous hairstyles.The bell sleeves and the little train is adding the quintessential drama Sonam is known for and is only adding to the embellished chiffon ensemble.Quite interestingly, the actress warned fans that she hadn't prepared much for Cannes this time as she and her Rhea have been in other stuff."This year, since we are busy doing so many other things, I have not prepared much for Cannes. Usually, my sister Rhea styles me and she is busy making the film 'Veere Di Wedding'. I was busy shooting for two films and promoting our fashion brand Rheson. But since it is a cosmetic brand, and it is all about looking beautiful, I believe that you look beautiful if only happy from within. So I am just doing that," she said.


"It is only in the BJP that a worker who used to paste posters today became the national president of party on the basis of his hard work and merits. It can never happen in any other party except the BJP," Shah said while addressing a gathering of intellectuals in Chandigarh on Saturday evening.

"All other parties, I do not want to take names be it in Punjab, Maharashtra, Bihar, all these parties have lost internal democracy one by one," he claimed.



"Every worker gets a chance to move forward. Our organisation gives a platform to a worker to perform. The party gives a platform to contribute for the betterment of the nation. That is why there is no deficiency of leadership in the BJP," he noted.



"What are the principals of Congress? When the Congress was formed, it slowly became the platform of freedom. All kinds of people like leftists, rightists, who wanted to fight for freedom joined the Congress," he said.

He said that after India got freedom, (Mahatma) Gandhi ji had said it (Congress) should be disintegrated as its work had completed.

BJP chief Amit Shah on Sunday observed that political parties whose internal democracy is not intact, can never contribute towards making the country's democracy stronger."Parties who do not have internal democracy can never make the nation's democracy stronger. It is internal democracy of our party wherein the son of a tea seller became the prime minister of the country and is now leading the nation," he said, adding that, "this is why the BJP is growing day by day."He also took a dig at other political parties where internal democracy was almost "finished".He said that in order to make the country's democracy stronger, running a party democratically was the first and foremost condition.Shah said the BJP has internal democracy and it holds elections at booth and Presidential level every three years.He said the BJP surged ahead through struggle and never faced division.Shah hit out at the Congress while accusing it of lacking any principles and remaining limited around dynastic politics."Today, I wanted to ask what are the principles of the Congress. The principles of the BJP are very clear. We want to take the country forward with a principle of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas," he said.Congress was not a party. It was a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to get freedom, Shah claimed."But it was not disintegrated... The Congress slowly remained limited around dynasty," he alleged.The BJP at present has emerged as the single largest party in the world with a strength of over 11 crore members, he said.
Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party on Sunday said its president Sharad Pawar has rejected Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's proposal to be the opposition's candidate in the country's presidential election.



"There was a meeting between Pawar and Gandhi, in which the issue of candidates for the post of president was also discussed. Pawar clearly informed Gandhi that she should consider somebody else's name," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI here.



"I am not keen on contesting," Pawar was quoted by Malik as telling Sonia Gandhi in the meeting that took place in New Delhi in the last week of April.



Asked if it was the Congress which proposed that Pawar should contest the presidential election, Malik said, "Unless there was a proposal, why would he say no?"



At a recent rally in Mumbai, Pawar had stated that as the NDA has enough numbers to get its candidate elected, the election for the president's post was not likely to throw any surprise.



The NCP has 11 MPs and some 50 MLAs across the country.
Mumbai: In a shocking statement, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday batted for barring the Prime Minister and state chief ministers from holding poll rallies to ensure a level-playing field for all the parties.



"The PM and CMs make all kinds of announcements while holding election rallies. When the party in power makes promises, it weighs heavy on the minds of people compared to the assurances given by the leaders of other political parties," PTI quoted Thackeray as saying.



Addressing a rally in run-up to the Panvel municipal corporation polls, Thackeray accused the functionaries of ruling parties not meeting their poll promises later.



He said while CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a package of Rs 6,500 crore for Kalyan-Dombivali municipal corporation and PM Narendra Modi announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar, not a rupee was given after the elections.



He said after India's surgical strike against Pakistan, the nation has conducted several strikes on Indian territory.



"There is fresh news now that another Indian has been arrested... again false cases will be filed and he will be hanged. Why is Pakistan not scared of you?" he questioned.



The PM should be thinking how to make the nation stronger rather than strengthening his party and similarly, the CM, instead of going to every nook and corner for holding rallies, should be mulling ways to improve farmers' plight and the law and order situation of the state, Thackeray said.



Taking a dig at the Election Commission for challenging political parties to hack their EVMs, Thackeray said if parties had the intelligence to hack EVMs, they would not hold election campaigns.



"This is like somebody goes to police to complain of theft in his house and police ask them to prove their house has been robbed. It is your duty to ensure EVMs are not tampered with and so you (the EC) should check your machines not us," he said.



Responding to the rumours of a mid-term poll in the state in wake of an internal survey predicting two third majority for the BJP, Thackeray said a survey should instead be done on the problems being faced by the people.



Thackeray said in Tamil Nadu bypoll after late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's death, a BJP worker complained of money being distributed and the entire election got postponed.



"Here too we want this to happen... if anybody gets caught distributing money, polls should be postponed," he said.





(With inputs from PTI)
BM Sharma or Breeze Sharma has become the first Defence Civilian of the Indian Navy to reach the summit of world's highest peak- Mount Everest.

By Asian News International: In a historic moment, BM Sharma, popularly known as Breeze Sharma, on Saturday morning, became the first Defence Civilian of the Indian Navy to summit Mount Everest, possibly being the first Defence Civilian to achieve this rare feat as well.

In his first attempt to conquer the Everest in 2015, an earthquake-induced avalanche hit the Everest Base Camp, thus obstructing his vision to complete the feat. However, despite being buried under heavy snow, Sharma managed to get out and even helped local authorities in the rescue operations conducted to help those who were fatally injured.

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BREEZE BREAKS HER RECORD

Subsequently, the Nepal government extended the permit for two years, thereby enabling Sharma to attempt once more and eventually succeeding.

In 2016, Breeze Sharma gained rookie entry in the world's toughest foot race, 'Badwater', a 135 mile-long race in the United States.

Sharma successfully completed it and earned himself the position of being the second and the fastest Indian at the event.

This year, he broke his own previously-held record of 24-hour Treadmill-Running Asian Record by clocking 202.50 km.

--- ENDS ---


Accusing the Congress of being Pakistan's voice on a host of issues, BJP spokesperson G V L Narsimha Rao said the the party must explain why its government hired Khawar Qureshi in the "very sensitive" Enron case.

"What was the compulsion that the UPA government hired Qureshi?... Over the last few years we have seen several incidents of the Congress speaking in support of Pakistan. It was speaking in Pakistan's voice on the surgical strikes as well," Rao told reporters.

Rao named Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Mani Shankar Aiyar as instances of Congress leaders allegedly speaking in support of Pakistan.

The Pakistani-origin lawyer who represented Pakistan in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had been hired by the UPA government in 2004 to argue an arbitration case, the BJP said on Saturday.The Congress-led UPA government had changed the legal team representing India in the arbitration case against the US firm over the controversial Dabhol power project, he said.This was a question linked to "patriotism", Rao told reporters.Citing the example of Harish Salve, who was the lead counsel for India at the ICJ this week, he said it was surprising that the UPA government could not find an Indian lawyer to represent the country in such a sensitive case.The ICJ this week stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistan on charges of espionage and subversive activities. While Pakistan claims he was nabbed from Balochistan, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
Gul Islam Seyal, spokesman for the provincial governor in Zabul province, said Sunday the battles began late Saturday when dozens of Taliban fighters launched coordinated attacks on security posts in the Shah Joy district. At least 10 other security forces, including national and local policemen, were wounded, he said.

Militants launched attacks on several check points in southern Afghanistan killing at least 20 security forces, according to a provincial official.Seyal said the Taliban also fired several rounds of mortars on Qalat, the provincial capital.The Taliban did not immediately claim responsibility but they have stepped up attacks in Afghanistan since announcing their spring offensive last month.Also on Sunday, authorities said a German woman and an Afghan security guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped from a Kabul guesthouse overnight.Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the killings took place at 11:30 p.m. local time Saturday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack or the kidnapping. He said Kabul police have begun an investigation.Karoliina Romanoff, spokeswoman for Finnish Foreign Ministry, confirmed that a Finnish citizen was kidnapped but had no details. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement it demands "the immediate release of the kidnapped person."Scott Breslin, a worker at Sweden-based organization Operation Mercy, told Swedish news agency TT that one of its workers was missing and that the organization was holding a crisis meeting.
Attention journalists and law enforcers, we are innocent. Please search us if you can find anything. We are locked from outside. Please rescue us," Abuzafar Mia wrote on the social media website.

We've found some jihadi books and leaflets inside the residence. We'll interrogate them and if they are actually innocent, we'll definitely release them immediately," Hasan told AFP.

Five young Bangladeshis accused of being Islamist militants surrendered to authorities Sunday, an official said, after a lengthy siege that prompted questions about heavy-handed police tactics.Elite counter-terror troops surrounded a one-storey house in the central district of Narsingdi on Saturday afternoon after a tip-off that Islamist extremists were holed up there.The information came from militants arrested in April after a raid on an extremist hideout that left 10 people including a senior police officer dead, said Rapid Action Battalion spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan.The five young men in Narsingdi had "surrendered peacefully, which was our main goal", after a siege that lasted more than 20 hours, he told AFP.But the incident raised questions about police tactics after one of the five alleged Islamists took to Facebook to profess his innocence, urging authorities not to storm the building.Suspected militants in Bangladesh - and sometimes their families - are often killed during police raids on so-called hideouts.An estimated 70 extremists have been killed by police since July when authorities launched a crackdown in the wake of a cafe attack that left 22 dead."There are serious doubts about these counter-terrorism operations and the official narratives of these raids," said one rights activist, speaking on condition of anonymity.Nur Khan Liton, another prominent activist, said the police version of events was always provided after raids but little questioning occurred beyond that."Most of the alleged militants get killed in the raids. Those who are arrested are not made available to talk publicly," he told AFP, adding it was not always clear whether those killed were actually extremists.RAB commander Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan said the accused would be released from custody if proven innocent.Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of attacks in recent years, with scores of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and religious minorities killed.The Islamic State group and Al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for a number of attacks but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied their involvement, blaming local outfits instead.
Riyadh: Even as his administration fights for its travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump is using the nation that is home to Islam's holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism.



Trump's Sunday speech, the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a "battle between good and evil" and urge Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.



Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words "radical Islamic terrorism"  and criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for not doing so  that phrase is not included in the draft.



The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as Trump is set to have individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before then participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.



The address also notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights  topics Arab leaders often view as U.S. moralizing  in favor of the more limited goals of peace and stability.



"We are not here to lecture  to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all," according to the copy of his speech.



Two different sources provided the AP with copies of the draft of his remarks, billed as a marquee speech of the trip. The White House confirmed the draft was authentic, but cautioned the president had not yet signed off on the final product and that changes could be made.



Trump may seem an unlikely messenger to deliver an olive branch to the Muslim world.



During his campaign, he mused, "I think Islam hates us." And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries  Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen  from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.



That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.



White House officials have said they consider Trump's visit, and his keynote address, a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.



Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of America's missteps in the region. That speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticized by a number of the United States' Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.



Saudi Arabia's leaders soured on Obama, and King Salman did not greet him at the airport during his final visit to the kingdom. But on Saturday, the 81-year-old king, aided by a cane, walked along the red carpet to meet Trump as a fleet of military jets swept through the sky, leaving a red, white and blue trail in their wake. During a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court, the king awarded Trump the Collar of Abdulaziz al Saud, the theocracy's highest civilian honor.



Trump bent down so the king could place the gold medal around his neck. Saudi Arabia has previously bestowed the honor on Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Obama.



The president's stop in Saudi Arabia's dusty desert capital kicked off his first foreign trip as president, an ambitious, five-stop swing that will take him through the Middle East and into Europe. He's the only American president to make Saudi Arabia  or any Muslim-majority nation  his first overseas visit.



Trump arrived in Riyadh besieged by the fallout from his controversial decision to fire FBI Director James Comey and more revelations about the federal investigations into his campaign's possible ties to Russia. But escaping Washington for the gold-plated embrace of the Saudi royal family  a decor not so unlike Trump's own Manhattan home  appeared to give the president a boost.



The president was largely kept out of earshot from reporters, rendering them unable to ask about the tumult back home. But he did make a brief utterance to the press pool, deeming the proceedings "a tremendous day."



Trump is scheduled to leave Saudi Arabia, home to Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, early Monday to head to Israel.
US President Donald Trump is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to deliver a speech on Islam.

Seven days after he took office, Trump had signed an executive order, temporarily banning the entry of Muslims into US from seven Muslim-majority countries. However, the move drew a lot of flak, and the order was, subsequently, stayed by a federal judge.

President Trump, during the run-up to US Presidential elections, had repeatedly attacked Muslims and even supported a permanent ban on them.

I think Islam hates us. There is a tremendous hatred there. We have to get to the bottom of it, Trump had told CNN in a March 2016 interview.

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"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil."

"From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region," Trump said.



"We are not here to lecture -- we are not here to tell other people how to live... or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership -- based on shared interests and values," Trump said.



"I think Islam hates us. There is a tremendous hatred there. We have to get to the bottom of it," Trump said in a March 2016 interview with CNN.

Trump, who travels on Monday to Israel and the Palestinian territories before visiting the Vatican, Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings, is taking his first steps on the world stage as he faces increasing scandal at home.

: US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Islamic leaders to take a stand against violence done in the name of religion, describing the struggle against extremism as a "battle between good and evil".In a highly anticipated speech in Saudi Arabia, Trump lashed out at Iran, accusing Tehran of fuelling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror" and calling for its international isolation.Saying he came with "a message of friendship and hope and love", Trump told dozens of Muslim leaders that the time had come for "honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism".The speech came on the second day of a visit to Saudi Arabia, part of Trump's first foreign tour that will take him next to Israel and the Palestinian territories and then to Europe.The White House has sought to draw a clear distinction during the visit with Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, who Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Arab allies saw as lecturing and soft on their Shiite rival Iran.Trump did not hesitate to single out Iran in his speech."Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it."He appealed to Muslim nations to ensure that "terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil" and announced an agreement with Gulf countries to fight financing for extremists.Introducing Trump, Saudi King Salman called Iran "the spearhead of global terrorism".Unlike the Obama administration which would often raise concerns over civil liberties with longstanding Arab allies, Trump had made no mention of human rights during his visit so far.Some 35 heads of state and government from Muslim-majority countries were in Riyadh for the Arab Islamic American Summit, mainly from Sunni states friendly to Saudi Arabia.Much of the focus during the summit was on countering what Gulf states see as the threat from Iran, which opposes Saudi Arabia in a range of regional conflicts from Syria to Yemen.Trump's speech was touted as a major event -- along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world by Obama in Cairo in 2009.It was especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administration's attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and his previous remarks on Islam.In December 2015, Trump told a campaign rally he was calling for a "total shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on".His words shocked many Americans, with Trump detractors noting that the US Constitution prohibits religious discrimination.Still, Trump was welcomed warmly in Saudi Arabia, where he and the first lady, Melania Trump, were given an extravagant reception by King Salman and the rest of the Saudi royal family.The first day saw the announcement of hundreds of billions of dollars in trade deals, welcome news for Trump as he faces mounting troubles at home linked with the probe into alleged Russian meddling during last year's election campaign.Among the agreements was an arms deal worth almost $110 billion with Saudi Arabia, described as the largest in US history.The trade deals announced on Saturday were said to be worth in excess of $380 billion, and Trump proudly declared the first day of his visit "tremendous".On Sunday he held a series of meetings with other Arab leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Bahrain's King Hamad.The meeting with Sisi -- an avowed fan of the president -- was especially warm and Trump said he would "absolutely" be putting Egypt on his list of countries to visit "very soon".Trump referred to Sisi as "my friend" and Sisi said the US president was a "unique personality" and "capable of doing the impossible", to which Trump responded: "I agree!"Trump even complimented Sisi on his footwear, saying: "Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes. Man..."Sisi has faced harsh criticism of his human rights record since he led the military overthrow of Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi in 2013.The last week has seen a string of major developments in Trump's domestic woes, including the announcement that James Comey, the former FBI chief fired by Trump, has agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the US elections.Reports have also emerged that Trump called Comey "a nut job" and that the FBI has identified a senior White House official as a "significant person of interest" in its probe of Russian meddling.
Seoul: North Korea fired off an "unidentified projectile" Sunday according to South Korean defence officials, a week after its latest missile launch.



"North Korea fired an unidentified projectile at Pukchang, South Pyongan province in the afternoon today," the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.



There was no further information given about the nature of the projectile.



Last week Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile named the Hwasong-12 its longest-range missile yet, according to analysts.



It was its 10th launch this year, after dozens in 2016, as it accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States -- something President Donald Trump has vowed "won't happen" .



Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across the South and Japan.
Sadiq, however, didnt elaborate on how exactly the military would join the case at the world court. The army enjoys considerable influence in Pakistan which has witnessed three military coups.

The Nawaz Sharif government has been under fire for its handling of the Jadhav case at the ICJ, with many questioning the decision to go to the world court in the first place.

Pakistans military will jointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav case with the civilian leadership at the International Court of Justice, state-run Radio Pakistan quoted a leading politician of Nawaz Sharifs ruling PML-N as saying.Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq says the government and Pakistan Army will jointly fight the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in International Court of Justice (ICJ), Radio Pakistan reported."It is time to be united," Sadiq was quoted as saying by Pakistans The Nation newspaper. "Pakistan will not take any dictation on the issue and it would do whatever would be in its interest."It was military court that sentenced Jadhav, 46, to death on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities". India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities after retiring from the Indian Navy but Pakistan claimed to have arrested him from Balochistan on March 3, 2016.The ICJ this week stayed Jadhavs execution pending proceedings and upheld Indias right to consular access, a request Pakistan has denied as many as 16 times.Sadiqs statement comes just when Pakistans military and government are emerging from the aftermath of a media leak about an alleged rift between the two power centres in the country over the sacking of Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Sharifs top aide.Fatemi was dismissed for his alleged role in leaking details of a high-level meeting during which the civilian leadership reportedly confronted the army over their alleged reluctance to combat militancy in Pakistan, PTI reported.
NEW YORK (AP)  In the current run-up to the "Twin Peaks" revival, viewers know almost nothing about what to expect. At the same time, they know everything they need to.

There will be no critics' reviews to tip them off before the series debuts at 9 p.m. tonight. Showtime has kept its episodes under wraps. Instead, it has been teasing fans with splashes of hype.

FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper was known to celebrate "a damn fine cup of coffee," but what viewers have been privy to before his reappearance wouldn't add up to a demitasse.

On the other hand, the "Twin Peaks" faithful have a pretty good idea of what's ahead in the 18 episodes.

Agent Cooper (played by returning lead Kyle MacLachlan) will be back in the weird little hamlet of Twin Peaks, Washington, a quarter-century after the original ABC series aired. He will presumably be investigating one or more fresh crimes that stir eerie echoes of a mystery that, way back when, nettled the nation: "Who killed Laura Palmer?"

Among 217 listed cast members, MacLachlan's fellow returnees include Madchen Amick, Richard Beymer, David Duchovny, Sherilyn Fenn, David Patrick Kelly, Sheryl Lee, Peggy Lipton, Harry Dean Stanton, Russ Tamblyn, Ray Wise and Grace Zabriskie.

They are joined by such newcomers as Jim Belushi, Michael Cera, Richard Chamberlain, Laura Dern, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Vedder and Naomi Watts.

Original architects Mark Frost and David Lynch co-wrote this new series, with Lynch directing, surely guaranteeing that "Twin Peaks" Redux will replicate its predecessor's Lynchian mix of the macabre, campiness and conspicuous obscurity.

The original series eventually  though not nearly soon enough for its viewers  revealed who had killed homecoming queen Laura Palmer. But that was never the point. The point was to transport the audience to a "Twin Peaks"-addled state of mind, where those viewers would be constantly challenged, provoked, amused and confounded.

Including TV critics.

"I've watched every episode," declared the Los Angeles Times' Howard Rosenberg a month into its run, "and I'm hopelessly behind and confused, but loving it. I think."

But too many other viewers weren't so sure. All too soon, legions of them simply gave up.

After its explosive launch in April 1990, the series hemorrhaged audience. By June 1991, "Twin Peaks" seemed as lifeless as Laura Palmer. ABC pronounced it dead, leaving only a cult of loyalists to grieve over the corpse.

For anyone now who wants to discover or refresh themselves on what the fuss was all about, those 30 episodes are available for bingeing on Netflix.

But how to fully grasp their impact?

Recall that "Twin Peaks" erupted in a TV realm confined to four broadcast networks and public television. The closest thing to groundbreaking drama was Vietnam War-set "China Beach" and sleek-and-sexy "L.A. Law." Or you could watch "Full House" and "MacGyver" (some things never change).

No wonder Rosenberg was at least as grateful as he was puzzled: "So much of television is so rigidly mainstream as well as simplistic, transparent and without mystique that you almost snap your neck doing a double take when sighting a series as gratuitously bizarre and magnificently opaque as 'Twin Peaks,'" he cheered.

No wonder The New York Times' John J. O'Connor marveled, "Nothing like it has ever been seen on network prime time."

No wonder The Washington Post's Tom Shales hailed it as "just this side of a godsend."

No wonder it made such a splash in that shallow pool of TV sameness. What's truly impressive looking back has nothing to do with what "Twin Peaks" was meant to be about, if anything, but the waves it made as a TV disrupter, waves felt ever since in the swelling ocean of programs.

It's worth recognizing that the home for "Twin Peaks" was a mainstream broadcast network, where it was deemed to be failing when its audience sank below 11.6 million TV homes.

By comparison, only 9.6 million households were tuned to a recent week's MOST-watched show. That show was "NCIS," which is just one among nearly 500 scripted series beckoning viewers this year on nearly countless broadcast, cable and streaming channels.

That all adds up to an embarrassment of riches some observers have, by chance, dubbed Peak TV.

"Twin Peaks" helped pave the way for the inventive, bizarre and mind-bending pleasures Peak TV is now offering more and more of  shows like "American Gods," ''Sense8" and "Mr. Robot."

The question before was "Who killed Laura Palmer?" The big questions facing "Twin Peaks" this go-around: Can it hold its own against the stiff competition? Can it clear the ever-higher bar of TV artistry that, a quarter-century ago, it set?
Between 2010 and 2012, China killed or imprisoned up to 20 sources working for the CIA, a report in US media said.

By India Today Web Desk: From the last few weeks of 2010 to the end of 2012, China killed or imprisoned up to 20 sources cultivated by the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States's premier spy agency, a New York Times report said.

The US daily spoke ten current and former unnamed American officials to reveal how the Chinese systematically destroyed what had become the CIA's most productive spying operation in China. According to the report, the Chinese counter-intelligence killed at least a dozen of the CIA's sources.

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One source, three American officials reportedly said, was shot dead in front of his colleagues at a government building in China. The act was likely meant to serve as a message to others who may have been working for the CIA.

According to the NYT report, by 2010, the CIA had managed to build a vast network of spies in China, cultivating sources within the bureaucracy in Beijing. Some of the sources were Chinese nationals who the CIA believed had become disenchanted with government corruption in China.

By 2010, thanks to the CIA's intelligence operation, the Americans were receiving some of the best intelligence they had gathered in years in China, a top priority for the agency. However, by early 2011, the intelligence started drying up and American officials soon started to realise that some of their Chinese sources were starting to disappear.

This set off alarm bells in the US, prompting the CIA and the Federal Investigation Agency to begin an investigation. Working out a secret facility in US, the probe looked into each and every aspect of the CIA's China operation. Nearly all officials at the United States embassy in China were probed, NYT reported.

The investigation started taking more urgency as more CIA sources started disappearing in China. By 2013, the joint CIA-FBI probe concluded that China had been successful in crippling the US's intelligence operation in China.

WAS IT A MOLE?

Notably, NYT reports that the probe failed to discover exactly what happened. The investigators considered the possibility of a CIA insider had leaked information to the Chinese. The probe even narrowed down upon a possible suspect.

However, other officials rejected the mole theory and instead believed that US operatives had become sloppy with their spy tradecraft, using the same routes to travel and meeting sources at the same locations, making it easier for Chinese counter-intelligence to identify American spies' movements.

According to the NYT, the probe also found how Chinese counter-intelligence bugged restaurants where US operatives met their sources and even infiltrated the meeting spots with waiters who were actually spies.

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Another theory was that the Chinese had been able to crack the cover method the Central Intelligence Agency used to communicate with its sources.

The CIA-FBI investigation, however, did not reach upon a final theory. The CIA has tried to rebuild its China operation, but it is a money and time consuming effort, the NYT report notes.

ALSO READ | US says Chinese Sukhoi-30 jets intercepted American radiation-sniffing plane

ALSO READ | North Korea accuses CIA, Seoul of plot to assassinate Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang

ALSO WATCH | Trump says China could have hacked Democratic emails during US presidential polls

--- ENDS ---
In a time of nonstop surprises in Washington, were about to experience a reassuringly familiar ritual.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration will deliver to Congress the presidents proposed budget for fiscal 2018  and it will land with a thud.

Dead on arrival, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in March.

Graham was reacting to Trumps preliminary, so-called skinny budget, with massive hikes in defense and deep cuts in foreign aid and the State Department, along with other domestic programs.

Declaring the presidents budget dead is part of the familiar scenario on Capitol Hill.

We generally  no matter who the president is  we dont pay a whole lot of attention to the presidents budget, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told Bloomberg News on Tuesday.

The presidents budget does serve a purpose. As a blueprint of where he wants to bulk up or starve programs, its worth more than a thousand impulsive tweets about his values.

As a political document, it lets him say he has delivered on campaign promises  and blame Congress if his proposals go nowhere.

Trumps first four months in the White House have been a brag, bumble and blame festival. His America first campaign has devolved into a Trump first presidency that has left in its wake disappointment, if not yet disillusionment, among long-suffering supporters.

They are in a downward spiral right now, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said of the White House.

In Trumps self-centered world, though, hes always the victim. Look at the way Ive been treated lately, he told the graduating class at the Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, especially by the media. No politician in history  and I say this with great surety  has been treated worse or more unfairly.

Trump and his chief strategist Steve Bannon want to deconstruct Washington. To that end, the budget reportedly will call for $800 billion in entitlement cuts over 10 years, including to Medicaid, envision fantastic economic growth of 3 percent a year, and result in a balanced budget in 10 years.

But its a starting point, not a road map.

We share some of his priorities, McConnell said. He and other Republicans favor spending more on defense, but they insist tax cuts must be paid for. Tax cuts will have to be revenue-neutral, he said.

In 1981, Ronald Reagan proposed higher defense spending, tax cuts and reductions in dozens of domestic programs aimed at shrinking the size of the federal government. Congress went along with about 60 percent of the proposed spending cuts, but the national debt still soared.

There already is pushback on Trumps proposals to cut the State Department, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, public education, the arts, and safety net programs.

For example, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee in charge of NIH funding, said at a hearing Wednesday he was very proud Congress approved a $2 billion increase, to $34.1 billion, in NIH funding in 2017. Trump had sought a $1 billion cut.

Cole and other lawmakers plan to fight Trumps proposed $5.8 billion cut in NIH funding for fiscal 2018 as well.

With crises du jour from the White House dominating the news and Congress, Trumps agenda seems to be slipping away.

His much-promised tax cut is somewhere over the rainbow, along with the $1 trillion plan to rebuild the nations crumbling infrastructure. A GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare finally passed the House, but the Senate is proceeding slowly.

McConnell pointedly said hed like less drama from the White House, although that seems unlikely, given the personality of the man in the Oval Office.

In another ritual of Washington, Republican leaders will be working against the clock to wrap up budget negotiations and avoid a government shutdown when the fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Thats a heavy lift, especially with the government running up against the debt ceiling this fall as well.

So watch for Republicans to ignore most of Trumps budget proposals. Hell win a few victories  and blame others for his defeats.

Mercer writes from Washington. Email her at marsha.mercer@yahoo.com. 2017 Marsha Mercer. All rights reserved.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) The CBI has urged a special court here to award the maximum punishment of seven years jail term to former coal secretary H C Gupta for cheating and criminal conspiracy in allocation of a coal block to a private firm.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who has held Gupta guilty in the case, will pronounce his judgement on the quantum of sentence on July 22.

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Gupta, who was the coal secretary from December 31, 2005 to November 2008, then joint secretary K S Kropha and then director K C Samaria in the coal ministry were held guilty by the court for irregularities in allocation of the Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL).

Senior public prosecutor V K Sharma told the court that the convicts had committed an economic offence and urged it not to grant any leniency to them.

He submitted that economic offences were graver than the other crimes and should be dealt with firmly.

The convicts, however, sought leniency, citing old age and no previous conviction in any other case.

On May 19, the court had convicted Gupta, Kropha and Samaria. It also held the firm and its managing director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia guilty of the offences, including cheating.

The court, however, acquitted chartered accountant Amit Goyal in the case.

The CBI had in October 2012 lodged an FIR in the matter, but on March 27, 2014 it filed a closure report.

The court rejected the closure report on October 13, 2014 and summoned Gupta and others as accused.

The CBI had alleged that the firm had misrepresented its net worth and the existing capacity, adding that the state government had also not recommended the firm for the allocation of any coal block.

The court had on October 14 last year framed charges against them, observing that former prime minister Manmohan Singh was kept in the "dark" by Gupta, who had prima facie violated the law and the trust reposed in him on the issue of coal block allocation.

Ten more coal scam cases are pending against Gupta and the proceedings are going on separately. The Supreme Court had last year dismissed his plea seeking a joint trial in all these cases. PTI UK SC DIP

--- ENDS ---
Mustapha Project goes beyond call

This is just one of the heart-wrenching stories John experienced in her years of rescuing and finding homes for abused, stray and abandoned dogs across the country through The Mustapha Project.

She started the project as a way to raise money to donate to and raise awareness of the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA).

Now, the one-woman organisation is spending money to treat and house dogs rather than collecting it.

John, 31, started the project in 2014, selling T-shirts and buttons with animal-friendly slogans, and forwarding the proceeds to the TTSPCA. It was named after her late grandfather, Mustapha John, who owned many animals including ducks, chickens, goats, and dogs. It was at his side that she developed a love for animals, which moved her to volunteer at TTSPCA during her teenage years.

It began as a way to take her mind off troubling circumstances.

When she returned to TT after studying Anthropology at St Johns University in New York, John spent much of her time with her grandmother who was suffering from breast cancer. Later, while working at the Office of the Prime Minister, her uncle, who worked with her father in their grocery, was killed.

She left her job to help her father.

It was the sudden change of having your independence to working in the grocery seven days a week from morning to night, I was going mad. I had to do something and animals were always my passion. Because of her time constraints with work, she could not volunteer on TTSPCAs schedule but she still wanted to help so she started the Mustapha Project.

All of a sudden the project started changing into something more.

People would dump unwanted puppies in my yard, find a dog somewhere and bring it to me, or people got my number off Facebook and called me to say a dog was injured on the Beetham. My thing is, if I know about it, it would gnaw at me until I do something about it. So it grew into something I really wasnt expecting. At the moment, John has 15 dogs at home and about 20 dogs under the project for which she is looking for homes. These do not include the dozens of dogs for which she has already found homes.

John stressed that she does not have a shelter so when she rescues a dog, she would take it to a veterinary clinic to which she is affiliated in Arima, Chaguanas or Diego Martin and pays for the animals treatment as well as to board it until it is adopted.

She told Sunday Newsday she owes one Arima clinic $4,000 in boarding fees alone, and a Diego Martin clinic $7,000 for boarding two dogs for a year.

Since the number of dogs she cares for has dramatically increased over the past two years, John now depends on donations and fundraisers to take care of the animals.

She promised if a person notices a particular dog on her Facebook page and wants to support it, she would use any money donated on that dog alone. If they are inclined to, the person could also visit the clinic and follow up on the dog, and give the money to the veterinarian.

At the end of the day, they are happier now. They are getting food, they are in a safe environment, there are people around them who would pet them so they are experiencing love they never had.

So right now it doesnt matter to me that they are running up a bill. I will try to sort that out later. John has asked people to foster a dog for a month or more if they can not adopt. In this way, the dogs could be socialised so that they could make the transition to a home more easily. She assured that she would take care of the dogs medical expenses and pay for food.

She also hoped people would adopt some of the dogs so that she could rescue more.

She said some of the dogs were older, have behavioural problems because of abuse or of the way they previously lived, and some were disfigured in fights or accidents. She said she had difficulty getting homes for the healthy dogs and realised it would be even more difficult to get the troubled ones adopted.

Because of this, she has kept many of these knowing that no one but a true animal lover would want them.

Her screening process for adoption, however, is a bit strict.

She believes every dog deserves to have an owner but not everyone deserves to have a dog.

She insists on checking the home of anyone who wants to adopt in order to make sure it is a safe environment. She also has to talk to the perspective owner because she needs to feel that the person would take good care of the dogs. She said having a lot of money or a big house does not mean a person would be a good owner, but they have to be financially able to care for the animal.

Everyone may not agree with my methods but at the end of the day these are my rescues. They come like an investment to me. Buddy (her newest rescue) ran up a bill of $8,000. I cant just give him to anyone passing in the road. I need to make sure my money does not go to waste and that they will be well taken care of and happy for the rest of their days. ITS ABOUT PASSION Although John works alone, she has a great support network of friends, family, and people she met through the project  people who provide transport, help with fund raisers, and listen to her when she needs to talk.

She said this was not the life she had planned for herself as she studied Anthropology at St Johns University in New York and graduated a year early. She intended to go back to do her Masters and even got a partial scholarship, but she refuses to leave her father to work in the grocery alone, or leave the dogs without someone to give them the amount of care and attention she does.

At the end of the day, having as pet is like having a child. It is your responsibility, a commitment from the time you take that dog on for as long as the dog lives, not just until its not cute anymore...

I know not everyone is in a position to help but at the end of the day change starts with you. People say its just a dog but its still a living, intelligent creature with feelings. John encourages people to spay and neuter their dogs, not only because it helps control the population, but as it allows females to live a longer, healthier life and males become less aggressive.

Really and truly, with the amount of stray dogs out there, why would you want to add to that problem by breeding your dogs? She recalled the many times people called and ask her to find homes for their dogs puppies after keeping only one. She stressed that having pets spayed and neutered, or taking them to the TTSP CA was more humane than dumping defenceless puppies in a drain or a river.

When it comes to abused dogs, she advised people to report the matter to TTSP CA since she has no legal grounds to take the dogs. I try to encourage people to speak up, do something because thats the only way these kinds of things will come out. These animals cant speak for themselves so its up to us, who are supposedly the more intelligent being, to do something. She also believes the government needs to put stricter laws in place to deal with cruelty to animals, in addition to increasing the penalties.

Anyone willing to donate to the Mustapha Project can do so at any RBC branch, account number 110000000496745.
Visual Poetry at Indian Heritage exhibit

The theme of this years exhibition, Historical Links to Contemporary Convergences, featured a wide variety of media from paintings, giving patrons a full experience into early East Indian life and customs in Indentureship- era Trinidad.

Curator for the exhibition and artist, Richard Rampersad said that while he was pleased with the overwhelming response of both artists and patrons to the event, there is still room for improvement as fine art exhibitions remain a relatively new phenomenon in Central Trinidad. Despite this, however, Rampersad praised both artists and patrons for their support, adding that, Approximately 200 guests turned out to the exhibition on the first week alone so thats definitely something to be proud of. Its really heart-warming to see so many people take an interest in not just Indian culture but Trinidadian culture.

The fact that we have drawn such a crowd shows that art has and continues to illustrate the concerns and interests of a society. Rampersad also noted that many of the contributors for this years exhibition were young artists and came from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, adding that the diversity of the artists are yet another testament to art as a universal language which transcends cultural boundaries The majority of the pieces we received were from younger, lesser-known artists which goes to show how art is still alive and well in Trinidad. It was truly refreshing to see the diversity of the different artists There was a plethora of different ethnicities and cultures and while some might look at this event as an exclusively Indo-Trinidadian affair, the intention was to also celebrate Trinidads cultural diversity and the power of art as a symbol of oneness. Rampersad explained that the pieces on display were for sale and following the exhibition, will be sold.

Whether first-time visitors or seasoned art enthusiasts, patrons were treated to a variety of styles and media ranging from bright, upbeat paintings featuring snapshots of life in rural Trinidad to darker, charcoal sketches depicting important social issues including spousal abuse and alcoholism.

Sunday Newsday spoke to veteran artist, Nalini Roshell Singh, whose piece, Prayers at the Sea blended bright colours with hazy silhouettes to give a haunting rendition of tradition and gender in colonial-era Trinidad.

Singh said that she was thoroughly impressed by the works of her fellow artist, adding that the event has motivated her to focus on her craft Having so many different gifted artists here to showcase their work was truly a spectacle of its own. The depth, meaning and detail that was taken up by watching these pieces was nothing short of incredible. The entire event has motivated me to raise my standards as an artist. Sunday Newsday also caught up with impressionist artist, Jadon Matthews who was also on hand to display some of his pieces, which included an eye-catching 12 x 14 inch charcoal drawing of an Indentureship era, East Indian midwife, entitled Big Broom. Matthews hyper-realistic style and broad but detailed shading caught several eyes and made him a crowd favourite. Speaking with Sunday Newsday, Matthews said that he was overwhelmed by the response his pieces have garnered and was motivated to pursue his passion with renewed vigour It was truly an unforgettable experience and to see that something I created cause such a response in persons really does wonders for the soul, it makes me feel that even though I still have a lot of work ahead of me, that Im at least on the right track. Matthews added that he was honoured to be a part of the exhibition which celebrates the creativity and innovation of Trinidads next generation of creatives, A lot of the entrants are younger folks and its important we get this opportunity to network and get some feedback for out pieces. Local art enthusiast, Glenroy Cummings attended the exhibition on Thursday and referred to the pieces visual poetry, adding that he was proud to see the variety of themes and styles captured by the artists and was surprised to see the crowd that the exhibition had drawn. Its not often you get to see this level of care and dedication from such young artists, you go from happy and upbeat paintings to more dismal, serious works in an instant.

The use of the colours to convey a message meshes well with the overall atmosphere of the works. The exhibition is available for public viewing during the week from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm until June 3.
GOVT WILL PASS TAX

The issue of the property tax is certainly one of certainty because there are multiple ways in which the proper tax can be implemented, he told Sunday Newsday.

But, ideally, it is proper to wait to hear what the court has to say on Monday and otherwise and we will speak further on that. The Government heads to the Court of Appeal, tomorrow, seeking to reverse the ruling of Justice Frank Seepersad in relation to the implementation of the controversial property tax.

Seepersads ruling on Friday in the San Fernando High Court followed submissions by Senior Counsel and former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, who filed for judicial review on behalf of applicant Devant Maharaj, a former Peoples Partnership government minister.

Seepersad, who ruled that the stay would remain in effect until May 31, until further notice, said there was a strong arguable case that the property tax could be struck down or the process by which the Government is seeking to enforce it, justifiably reviewed in the courts. Citizens were initially expected to submit their completed property valuation forms, tomorrow, at the designated offices.

However, Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced in a statement on Tuesday that the deadline has been extended to June 5, following the overwhelming response of citizens to the exercise.

The Opposition has consistently questioned the Governments timing in seeking to implement the property tax, arguing that citizens are already under extreme pressure to survive in the economic downturn.

They also have called for clarification on certain aspects of the exercise.

Yesterday, Al-Rawi, when asked if the Government will ultimately claim victory in executing the property tax, simply gave a synopsis of the most recent challenge to its implementation.

The matter before the court on Friday is an application for leave for judicial review and for interim relief, he said. That matter came prematurely to the court in my view in so far as the claimant had requested a response to a pre-action protocol and requested that that be done by Friday, by Friday meaning at the close of business.

Notwithstanding that fact, the applicant went to court, even though they had yet to allow Friday to pass and the judge considered the matter.

It was ex parte-opposed, meaning they gave the lawyers for the State, for the Commissioner of Valuations a call, and said look, we have a matter and we proceeding with it. That being the case, the matter was opposed. The judge gave an order that they are granting leave for judicial review. Al-Rawi regarded the leave for judicial review as a very low threshold. It essentially means that you have an arguable case that the matter will go to judicial review and you deal with it there and the judge also gave interim relief in relation to a press statement. The AG said the Government was subsequently advised by their attorneys to appeal Seepersads order tomorrow at 9 am.

The appeal will be dealt with at the court. We will certainly be guided by the highest courts in the land and certainly the confusion created will be addressed once we hear what the courts have to say. In relation to the Oppositions claim of victory in Seepersads ruling, Al-Rawi told Sunday Newsday, It is not the first time we have heard the Opposition Leader claim victory in defeat. At the end of the day, one cannot complain that the separation of powers operates.

There is a Judiciary in the country and people have the right to approach the courts and we will deal with the matter and the outcome from the court. Asked what would be the Governments advice to citizens in the wake of the ruling, Al-Rawi said: It will be improper of me to answer that question because there is a judicial order which is under appeal. So, I dont want to be inciting a contempt of court, one way or the other.

At the end of the day, we must await the due process of the deliberations of the court and we can certainly speak with clarity after that.
Let prisoners see their children

He recalled Singh, who had subsequently been placed on suicide watch at the St Anns Psychiatric Hospital, once hugged his wife and mother when they visited him at the institution in 2002, declaring his three children were keeping him alive.

Singhs children, Adesh, Sharda and Rajiv, who were 16, 14 and seven, respectively, at the time, were unable to see their father because children must be 18 and over to visit patients in the Forensic Ward.

Singh, who was acquitted, died of a massive heart attack at the Westshore Medical Centre, Cocorite, in November 2008. Khan revisited Singhs ordeal, last Saturday after Superintendent of Prisons Programmes and Industry, TT Prisons Service, Charmaine Johnson, made an appeal for all mothers incarcerated at the Womens Prison to be given the opportunity to celebrate with their children during its annual Mothers Day function.

Johnson said while it has been the custom to have only a few mothers celebrate with their children at the function, that must now change.

It really tugs at me to see the kids here coming to come and visit with their moms but it tugs at me even more when we have to choose a certain amount of mothers. We have to decide who comes out for the children to spend the day with and that destroys me, she said.

So, I am making a pledge, once I am in the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, that from next year every mother who has a child and is in the Womens Prison would be allowed to have their children here with them. Johnsons appeal resonated with Khan, so much so that he feels strong consideration must be given to allowing children to visit more frequently their incarcerated parents.

I remember Dhanraj Singh had that problem and that is why I feel strongly about it because I saw the destruction, his children were around primary school age at the time and he was unable to see them for the years he was in jail. By the time he came out a free man, everything was finished, done, Khan told Sunday Newsday during an interview on Friday.

The former health minister said he intends to table a motion next week in Parliament, calling for a mechanism to be established whereby children can regularly visit their parents in prison, some of whom may be receiving lengthy terms. Khan said he had already spoken to National Security Minister Edmund Dillon about the motion and he has agreed to meet with me to discuss it. Khan argued that the existing system places untold hardship on children, many of whom have to be left to their own devices when their parents are imprisoned.

We are talking about childhood care, looking at a bunch of children who are being displaced indefinitely and that is the direction I am looking at. I am taking the focus off the inmate and putting it on the children. It is not about punishing the inmate but taking care of the children. That is the whole direction I am going to take, he said.

This is not about inmates. That is the mistake everybody is making.

It is about children to be able to see their parents. As Khan sees it, the word inmate promotes negativity in the minds of most people.

People will say, Nothing for them.

They do the crime, let them suffer. But we have to look at the children aspect of it and not being able to see their parents. That bond has been broken. As the country grapples with youth violence and indiscipline, some being perpetrated in schools, Khan argued that a childs prolonged absence from his or her parents could lead to mental problems and their heading in an abnormal direction. Many of the children, Khan said, may be exposed to sexual, emotional and physical abuse with nowhere to turn.

He said when the parents are eventually freed, the bond between parent and child is more often that not, gone.

So, you end up now with a situation in the society that you really dont want but that you are fostering. Khan claimed programmes in which children were allowed frequent visitation have worked successfully in San Francisco and other parts of the United States.

Child psychologists looked at the problem years ago and they showed a correlation between parents being snatched away by the protective services and leaving the children there, in the hands of other people and not being able to see them under the age of 18, he said.

The damage, psychologically, that occurs with these children as a result of that and being in foster homes and not being taken care of properly, to not be able to touch and hold their parents, we end up with people who hate the system and they tend to be the criminals of tomorrow. According to Khan, visitation programmes in other jurisdictions are executed in congenial settings.

What they have done in other parts of the world is designate an area in the prisons, which is non-prison- oriented, like how a hospital room might look, and the parents meet the children there under supervision.

They may even help them with their homework, read a book to them. And it is allowed for weekly visits, birthdays and different things. They may even have a cake and blow out the candles. That is what I am hoping to get done. San Franciscos one family programme Checks by Sunday Newsday revealed that initiatives to help inmates bond with the children have worked successfully in San Francisco, according to reports.

In a special report titled, Bonding Behind Bars, carried in a September 2016 edition of The Chronicle, Sunday Newsday learnt that children are allowed to see their parents as part of San Franciscos One Family Visitation Programme.

The report alluded to the experience of a 12-year-old boy, named Sean Sanchez, who regularly visited his imprisoned father.

The boy wont just speak to his dad. As part of San Franciscos One Family visitation programme, hell be able to hug him, sit close, play a board game together. He can lean in to tell him what happened at school that week  and how much he misses him.

Theyll be together for 90 minutes. Most kids with jailed parents cant do that, Jill Tucker wrote.

Tucker noted that while county jails across the country restricted visits to opposite sides of a glass partition, only a handful, including San Franciscos main facility in San Bruna, allowed contact visits between jailed parents and their sons and daughters.

But there was a downside to the trend, Tucker observed.

The intimate visits cost more and have raised security concerns.

Still, research suggests the visits may benefit both parent and child.

Maintaining contact with a locked-up parent reduces anxiety and mental health issues among the children while reducing recidivism among the parents, according to Shared Sentence, a recent study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a Baltimore organization focused on child health and welfare.

For inmates, just one family visit of any kind can reduce recidivism by 13 percent, according to a 2011 Minnesota Department of Corrections study of 16,000 inmates.

There is no question that the bond is really nurtured when (children) come for a visit, said Ruth Morgan, the founder and director of Community Works West, a Bay Area non-profit organisation addressing the effects of incarceration, which oversees San Franciscos One Family programme.

We know it benefits the parent in jail. Its one thing that really inspires them to change their life. Balance mental health Child and educational psychologist Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor said she supported calls for widespread visitation between children and their incarcerated parents.

However, she said the plan must take into consideration the holistic development of both groups of people, particularly in the area of mental health.

Because one of the things I think about inmates is that they feel they no longer have a connection to family so that their mental health deteriorates, she said.

As regards mothers, one of the things that increases mental health is attachment to family in the social context and the attachment between a mother and child or a father and his children, that I think, if it is broken, creates a lot of issues.

And, if the thrust is that visits between parents and children would facilitate a connection I am all for it and I agree with it. On the flip side, Nakhid- Chatoor said: We still have to look at the long term and short term goals because, on the other hand, it is argued that we dont want prison to be a place where people feel that they are given all of these benefits and you are in prison, because you are in a place where your benefits are taken away from you because of the crime that you have done.

So, we dont want the argument to be that benefits are still given to you while you are in prison.

That is why I say that the first thing to be looked at is what are the long and short term goals of the plan. Nakhid-Chatoor said mental health must be the focal point of any plan for rehabilitation.

If that is the key, then it is an excellent plan. But the entire thing must be looked at holistically.
Govt files appeal, UNC claims breach of House rules

Supreme Court Registrar Jade Rodriguez confirmed this to Sunday Newsday yesterday, saying she received the notice of appeal via e-mail.

That notice of appeal was sent to the attorneys-at-law for Mr (Devant) Maharaj, she said in a brief response.

I have an undertaking that the notice will be filed on Monday, which is the 22nd of May and as a result of that, I have fixed an appointment with the Court of Appeal for 9 am on Monday in the east court, Court of Appeal, Hall of Justice.

Rodriguez said the quorum tomorrow will include Justices of Appeal Peter Jamadar, Gregory Smith and Judith Jones.

Earlier yesterday, the United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar claimed Government had not served the Opposition with any legal notice of its appeal.

As a result, the party signalled its intention to move a motion in the House of Representatives to bring Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and, or, Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert before the Privileges Committee for deliberately and wilfully misleading the Parliament and attempting to unduly apply pressure and influence on the Judiciary in a politically sensitive case in which the governments illegal conduct is being challenged. But in an immediate response, Al-Rawi yesterday dismissed the Oppositions proposed motion as arrant nonsense, claiming Governments action in appealing the ruling was well above board and in sync with standard legal practice.

In a strongly worded statement, Persad-Bissessar said the UNC never received any notice of an appeal.

Our legal team led by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan SC, has not been served with any notice of appeal in this matter, the party said, one day after Seepersad ruled in the San Fernando High Court that a temporary stay had been placed on the implementation of the property tax.

The stay will, in the first instance, remain in effect until May 31.

G o v e r n m e n t , through Al-Rawi and Imbert, announced on Friday in the Lower House that they intended to challenge Seepersads ruling in the Court of Appeal, tomorrow.

However, Persad- Bissessar said when official enquiries were made of the Supreme Court Registrar about Governments plan they were advised that no appeal has been filed and the Court of Appeal has not convened any emergency session at 9 am on Monday to hear the Governments supposed appeal against the property tax judgment. The UNC is concerned, to say the very least, that the Government can make such reckless, false and misleading claims in the Parliament to deceive the population and pour scorn on the undoubted legal victory for the people, she said.

We see this as an alarming and disturbing last ditch attempt by the Government to save face and apply pressure on the Judiciary. She added: For the Government, through its Attorney General and/or Acting Prime Minister, the two most senior members of Cabinet, to exert such naked and raw political pressure on the judicial arm of the State is a serious breach and fracture of our Constitution which enshrines the separation of powers.

The Judiciary is insulated and protected from this kind of disturbing and dangerous political interference as the undoubted consequences of a government meddling in the administration of justice is dictatorship and oppression. The UNC called on Government to apologise to the public and Judiciary for its hypocritical, deceptive and self-serving statements which have no basis in fact. We challenge them to produce any evidence to substantiate the reckless statements as we now know it to be completely untrue, she added.

Lamenting that Imberts reckless statements have been widely reported in the media, the UNC leader said the audio-visual record of the Parliament sitting showed Al-Rawi also made this statement during his contribution after the landmark judgment.

These statements were made by the Government in Parliament in a clear attempt to do political damage control and give the false impression that the Governments appeal was meritorious and hence warranted the immediate convening of the Court of Appeal in an emergency session within forty-eight hours. Al-Rawi again dismissed the Oppositions motion against himself and Imbert.

I understand that they have threatened to take Minister Imbert and me to the Privileges Committee.

That is arrant nonsense largely because the position that we volunteered to the Parliament is a position of fact born out by the statements of the attorneys- at-law who represent the State and their information to us, he said.

Al-Rawi took umbrage at the Oppositions condemnation of the States attorneys in the matter.

I can say that the attorneys for the Commissioner of Valuations include Russell Martineau, Senior Counsel, Deborah Peake, Senior Counsel, Ravi Heffes-Doon and that for the Attorney General, the team includes Fyard Hosein, SC and Rishi Dass.

Effectively, therefore, the UNC is saying that these very reputable attorneys, have dome something wrong. That has got to be the epitome of foolish statements. It is just to be ignored. It is a storm in a tea cup.
JSC chides CoP on total policing

Last Friday, Minister of Public Utilities Fitzgerald Hinds, who chairs the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security, laid in the Lower House the JSCs First Report (2016 to 2017) on the status into the probes of the Police Service and Police Complaints Authority (PCA) into the events of March 23, 2015.

The report asked what action was taken on the JSCs previous report (2014 to 2015) on the matter, what is the status of the PCAs report and what has Williams done to ensure no recurrence.

In its general findings, the report said, The Acting Commissioner of Police has taken no further action, disciplinary or otherwise, in relation to the day of total policing. It said this inaction was due to the acting Police Commissioners view he couldnt act until the PCAs probe was done (under the PCA Act, section 48).

The report said the PCAs investigation has been completed, with its draft report now under review to assess the evidence gathered, with the PCA saying the matter is not yet closed.

The PCA had challenges to complete its investigations and a lack of resources.

No disciplinary action has been taken against any officer involved in the day of total policing, added the JSC report.

The actions of officers involved in the day of total policing may have compromised the national security apparatus of Trinidad and Tobago and the comfort and safety of its citizens. The report also said, The committee recommends that the Commissioner of Police (CoP) should act with alacrity in dealing with matters of discipline which do not fall within the purview of the PCA. It urged the commissioner to carefully note the JSCs past recommendations.

The JSC advised that the PCA complete its investigations in an efficient and timely manner, such that the public interest is best served. Also, the line ministry should assess the PCAs resource needs to ensure the PCAs work is not hindered.

The committee wanted to find out who knew what beforehand about the 19 roadblocks conducted nationwide by officers from 19 police stations across six of the nine police divisions in Trinidad and Tobago.

These roadblocks had the effect of severely inconveniencing the public and costing the economy millions of dollars as business activities came to a halt. The resulting massive nationwide traffic gridlock led to public outrage. The committee said there should be a probe of the role of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), the TT Police Service Social and Welfare Association and Inspector Roger Alexander.

The relationship between the officers conducting the roadblock exercises and those attending the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association meeting on the 19th March 2015 at the offices of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) should be investigated.

The role of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) in relation to the provision of security of the Parliament should be immediately reviewed. The committee also wanted to know of the levels of awareness of Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Garfield Moore and Snr Supt Joanne Archie of roadblock exercises.

There was a breakdown of communication systems within the TTPS as intelligence agencies such as Heads of Divisions and Branches, Cyber Crime Unit, Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit indicated that they were unaware of any planned roadblock exercises.

For a brief moment, First Division officers who were in charge of six police divisions and Second Division officers who were in charge of six police stations lost control of their divisions and stations respectively, to a small group of junior officers. The report urged greater clarification of the jurisdiction of the PCA, CoP and Professional Standards Bureau in disciplining officers.

The director of the PCA advised that nothing stops a commissioner from dealing with disciplinary and organisational matters within his remit, pending the conclusion of an investigation commenced by the PCA. The director further added that clear disciplinary issues exist for the CoP to address.

As such, the committee is of the view that the Ag CoP had a duty to treat with matters of discipline.

Certainly it is the commissioners duty to ensure that acts labelled malicious obedience are recognized and identified as such and that he condemns all such acts in clear and unambiguous terms. The report concluded, The committee is disappointed that after almost two years, not a single officer involved in the actions labelled malicious obedience on the day of total policing has been made to face disciplinary action. The JSC said this is due to the commissioners decision not to proceed as he thought he was stopped in law from any action until the completion of the PCAs investigation, but queried this.

The PCAs remit is to investigate criminal offences involving police officers, police corruption and serious police misconduct, while the Commissioner of Police has legal responsibility for the exercise of disciplinary control over police officers pursuant to Section 123A of the Constitution.

Discipline of police officers therefore remains within the purview of Commissioner of Police who should exercise urgency when dealing with matters of discipline which arise from investigations into the day of total policing.
Serve TT, as Stretch did

So Rev Dr Knolly Clarke said yesterday during the homily at the three-hour funeral service for Rennie Stretch Dumas, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Portof- Spain. Another funeral service is expected to be held on Wednesday in Tobago.

Clarke said churches, political parties, and other organisations had become so exclusive, that they had no use for people of different positions and ideologies.

We can not tolerate different things. We cannot recognise that Trinidad and Tobago is a diverse society... we have lost the art of listening and dialogue. He said Dumas, 61, was a man of many talents who was involved in all aspects of national development.

He said if the people of Trinidad and Tobago were going to build up this country as Dumas did, we would have to do so as a community of communities. If this mans life meant anything to you, we must change. All of the speakers described Dumas as a man of many talents who served his country and the Peoples National Movement (PNM). They said he was a man who understood people and so was patient and empathetic.

Listing some of Dumas accomplishments, Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis said he served as president of the UWI Guild; an executive member of TTUTA; a senator; a member of the House of Representatives; a government minister; member of the General Council and Central Executive of the PNM; and as an executive member of the PNMs Tobago Island Council.

Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and the PNM, and the Womens League, Robinson-Regis described Dumas as a good and decent man, and as the voice that bridged the two islands.

He gave us strength in times of trouble, wisdom in times of uncertainty, and generosity in times of happiness... He was always by our side... It was because he was a man who understood people, that in the darkest days of 2000, 2001, he lit the lamps of hope at many firesides as we traversed the length and breath of Trinidad and Tobago and released so many from the chains of despair, that by 2002, we were able to convince the nation that we were worthy of their trust. Former PNM minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid told the audience Dumas was one of the most underrated politicians, a true intellectual powerhouse and he loved Dumas as a brother.

He said although Dumas was a mountain of strength and power in the Parliament, Rennies superior generosity and wisdom were to be found, not in academia, but in his understanding of people. In addition Abdul-Hamid said, He had the courage to stand on his principles, even at great personal cost. At a time when it was fashionable to ridicule, humiliate and persecute Patrick Manning, Rennie Dumas refused to join the herds stampeding in desperate search of high political office. Delivering the eulogy, William Benjamin, a friend of Dumas for 30 years, was the most emotional.

He said he could not believe it when Dumas died because he was too young. In fact, he said he visited Dumas a few weeks before his death, and Dumas was an eternal optimist. He said Dumas felt confident all he needed to do was strengthen his body, undergo the surgery, and he would be back on his feet.

While that was not the outcome, Benjamin said he was happy his friend lived his life well, had done so many good things, and was loved.

He described Dumas as gracious and warm, full of love, a man with a joy for life, a scholar, counsellor, a proud father and loving companion, an educator, and an integral part of the PNM in Tobago.

Benjamin said Dumas was a walking encyclopaedia of the social, political, and economic landscape of Tobago, and that Tobago had lost a community man and a champion who understood the institution of democracy.

It seems of little consequence now that there were political differences or objections to his legislative product, his approach to development, and his style of leadership... What matters now is that feeling of loss. That personal sense of emptiness which most Tobagonians and Trinidadians feel because Rennie, our Stretch, has left us in the prime of his life, he said.

After the eulogy, Benjamin began to sing Hear Me Calling, Great Redeemer by Fernando Ortega.

He was not able to finish as he broke down in tears and had to be helped from the platform.
One Eye Monster rules

The event was the first annual Advocates of the Blind and Vision Impaired calypso competition held at the Grand Stand, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. The show was held in association with the National Carnival Commission and featured 12 contestants.

Nyol Manswell took first place with his song One Eye Monster.

Appearing on stage with a fake machine gun Manswell sang about the monster of crime that destroyed both the guilty and the innocent, the rich and poor. He also sang that the monster was given room to roam by bad economics and social tricks, and criticised selfish people in politics and a lack of backbone from the church.

This generation angry and the monster thirsty, only humans could fill its belly, he sang.

Manswell questioned whether the situation would be turned around after we hit rock bottom and called on citizens to seek help from God. He also took home the prize for best social commentary.

Second place went to Janelle Findlay and her song Woman Shall Prevail. A song of lamentation, Findlay mentioned a number of murder cases including: Shannon Banfield, found dead at IAM Ltd on Charlotte Street in December last year; 16-year-old student Rachael Ramkissoon whose body was found in a track in San Raphael in January; and WPC Nyasha Joseph whose body was found in the Gulf of Paria in March this year.

Women are under attack by men who should watch we back, Findlay sang.

She said the murder victims had gone to a better place and urged women not to be blind to the writing on the wall, the signs of abuse.

Third place went to Curtis Phillip with his humorous song Maticor about him attending a Hindu wedding and getting so drunk that he took off all his clothes.

Other winners on the night were: Darryl Joseph for best humorous performance with his risque song Cant Suck At All about a woman teaching a man to suck fruits; Akil Ryan for road march for his song Gyal Taker in which he boasted of his prowess with women and wined with dancers on stage; and Kishon Phillip for peoples choice with his song Morals in which he lamented the loss of morals in society and issues such as vagrancy and crime.

All of the songs in the competition were either written by the performers or by a blind or visually impaired person.
Congress has raised 'Matter of Propriety' stating that state government should immediately intervene and stop the construction of the memorial of Nathuram Godse.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: During second day of Maharashtra Assembly's special session for GST today, Congress leader and member of legislative council Sanjay Dutt raised 'Matter of Propriety' that state government should urgently intervene and stop the memorial of Nathuram Godse which is getting constructed at Saparde village near Kalyan.

Raising the matter, Dutt pointed out that after coming to power, promising 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas', the Mask of the ruling regime was being replaced with their true face coming forth, which proved that for them it was actually 'Munn pe Ram, Dil mein Nathuram'.

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Dutt stated that the fascist forces who killed Mahatma Gandhi are now blatantly raising their heads once again to continuously throttle Bapu's ideals and teachings, while the government was consciously turning a blind eye to it.

Dutt asserted that Congress along with all secular forces will not allow it to happen, no matter what.

Nathuram's memorial coming up in Kalyan is a blot on progressive Maharashtra and sends a very wrong message across India and even internationally. Hence the government should immediately intervene to stop it and also take strict action against those initiating so, as also against those government authorities who have failed to take prompt action in the matter.

NCP has also taken objection to this under construction memorial. NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said "Government has to be blamed for this.

"In 2014 we had opposed the celebration of Nathuram's birth anniversary if government would have stopped that celebration this day could have not come. It's unfortunate to see his memorial getting constructed. We strongly oppose this."

Senior Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil told government will look in to this matter.

Also Read || Will take steps to stop construction of Godse memorial: Patil ||

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Public vex with banks

The questioning took place during the third sitting of Parliaments Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Finance and Legal Affairs, Tower D, Wrightson Road, Port-of- Spain.

Ramadhar asked Baptiste, Do you appreciate the level of animosity in the general public towards banks, generally, in relation to the fees, whether applied recently or in the past? Are you aware of a high level of animosity in relation to bank fees? Saying he was not, Baptiste said he did however know about some significant concern among the general public and certainly among our own clients. This, he explained, was why RBL has introduced new services to address pain points identified in its customer surveys.

This did not seem to satisfy Ramadhar, who repeated his question.

To which the banker replied, I would say theres concern, which is the word I used previously. Apparently still seeking a direct response to animosity, Ramadhar instead asked, Are you aware of any level of animosity? I would say no, Baptiste responded.

Changing the question to the publics anger about bank fees, Ramadhar sought an answer for the fourth time.

Those are very strong words that are being used; animosity and anger, Baptiste pointed out.

We (RBL) are very aware that our clients remain concerned over the level of fees. We do everything that we can possibly do to redirect our clients, to show them the options that are available; with respect to the payment of fees, and we are satisfied that once we are we able to communicate and clarify, that the clients do understand. Baptiste had informed the JSC that in the last three years, RBL has introduced a number of new products in mobile and internet banking; all of which are free to use.

Saying the JSC has no problem with profitability, Ramadhar pointed out that it does appreciate that bank fees are discretionary.

If you wish to lower your level of profitability, you can adjust your fees. Do you? Ramadhar had also made mention of RBLs corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme; The Power to Make a Difference.

Commenting on that first, Baptiste said, RBL is renowned in TT for our CSR...We spend over $20 million annually. With respect to fees versus profitability, an analysis of the fees contribution to the banks profitability will show that the fees actually account for a very small portion of the total income earned by the bank. One of the main drivers of our fee structure is really the cost of providing services, and you would actually see that as we are able to redirect our clients into alternative channels or products, the fee might actually go down while the operating expenses go down a little bit more. So...your profitability might actually improve. Speaking specifically about RBLs Trinidad operations, Baptiste told the JSC that its customers are most concerned about fees related to actual counter (in-branch) transactions on their accounts. He added that those fees account for seven percent of total income, which would be about 10 percent of RBLs profitability.

This prompted Ramadhar to say, It is within your remit then, to adjust your fees way down, having regard with the small percentage that it would affect your profitability. Will you consider it? No, was Baptistes answer, to which Ramadhar immediately asked Why? Because as I was telling you, Baptiste stated, there are a number of variables that go into the determination of a fee, the most important of which is the operating cost associated with providing the service. We look at the cost associated with providing the service and we seek to see whether there is a balance between what we can recover from the cost of that service and what we can offer in terms of alternative channels. Baptiste cautioned that if banks were to remove all service fees, the most expensive services and products offered by the bank could end up earning the same revenue as the least expensive.

While customers would no longer have to worry about which service is most affordable or free, Baptiste seemed to argue that RBL would not be able to continue evolving its operations to meet customers needs in an increasingly digital world.

From the banks perspective, having invested all this technology and capital into mobile and internet banking solutions, you end up with a situation where; as a country and as an organisation, youre not moving forward because from a clients perspective, its the same cost, Baptiste stated.
There Was No Red Wave,

'That's for Darn Sure'
Sonia Gandhi launched the campaign at Veer Bhoomi on the occasion of 26th Death Anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today launched party's signature campaign for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Assembly. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra were the first to sign and endorse the campaign.

Congress President launched the campaign at Veer Bhoomi on the occasion of 26th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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The Mahila Congress also launched its nationwide aggressive campaign to build pressure on the government.

"We want Rajivji's dream of women empowerment to be fulfilled in coming Monsoon Session of Parliament. We will do door to door campaigning, signatures would be taken and then memorandum will be submitted to President of India on August 20 (birth anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi)," said Mahila Congress President Shobha Oza.

The Mahila Congress will also launch a social media campaign for the same.

ALSO READ:

Congress to launch signature campaign on Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary for 33 per cent reservation for women

Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his 26th death anniversary

WATCH:

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The Da Vinci Code has sold so many copiesthat would be at least 80 millionthat it's bound to turn up in book donation piles. But at one charity shop in the UK, it's been donated so heavily that the shop has posted a sign propped up on a tower of Da Vinci Code copies that reads: "You could give us another Da Vinci Code... but we would rather have your vinyl!" The manager of the Oxfam shop in Swansea tells the Telegraph that people are laughing and taking pictures of the sizable display: "I would say that we get one copy of the book every day." He says people buy them "occasionally," but with vinyl sales up 25% in the past year, they'd rather take records.

Dan Brown's book isn't the only one that shops like Oxfam struggle to re-sell. Last year, Oxfam was hit with a large and steady supply of Fifty Shades of Grey, and it similarly begged donors: "Pleaseno more." But Brown has a particular kind of staying power. The Da Vinci Code was published in 2003, and within six years Brown had booted John Grisham from the No. 1 slot on the list of writers whose books were most often donated to Oxfam's 700 shops, reported the Guardian at the time. The Independent in 2012 reported Brown's best-seller was the most-donated book for the fourth year running. (See why Dan Brown took heat from the Philippines.)
At least one longtime Donald Trump ally wasnt pleased with the president picking up an award in Saudi Arabia. Thats actually putting it mildly: "Candidly this makes me want to puke," tweeted Roger Stone after Trump was pictured receiving the Order of Abdulaziz, the nation's highest civilian honor. He used the hashtag "#JaredsIdea," suggesting that the decision to accept the award came from son-in-law Jared Kushner. Presidents Obama and George W. Bush had previously received the honorTrump famously criticized Obama because he "bowed" to the Saudi kingand Stone is unhappy that Trump decided to accept it, too. "Instead of meeting with the Saudis," he wrote, Trump "should be demanding they pay for the attack on America on 9/11 which they financed."

As CNN notes, the tweets come as Trump appears to be trying to distance himself from his one-time campaign adviser. After reports emerged that Stone was among those who advised Trump to fire FBI chief James Comey, the president responded on Twitter. "Have not spoken to Roger in a long time," he wrote. "Had nothing to do with my decision." Those interested in learning more about Stone should check out the new Netflix documentary, Get Me Roger Stone, writes Rick Jervis at USA Today. He'd heard of Stone before the film, "but I had little idea of the depth of his influence he's had on American politics the past five decades and on the current White House tenant." (Read more Roger Stone stories.)
North Korea fired off yet another missile on Sunday, but the latest salvo shot down South Koreas new governments hopes of extending any olive branch, reports Reuters. Combined with an earlier test in the week, Seouls foreign ministry was blunt, calling the tests "reckless and irresponsible actions throwing cold water over the hopes and desires of this new government and the international community for denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula. The latest missile flew only about 350 miles, notes the BBC, toward the Sea of Japan. That range is shorter than those of the Norths last three launches, notes the White House, adding that President Trump is aware of the latest launch. (Read more North Korea stories.)
President Trump is making headlines not only for what he did say in Saudi Arabia, but for what he didn't say. Specifically, he did not utter the phrase "radical Islamic terrorism" when addressing Muslim leaders from around the world. That's a departure for Trump, who used the phrase frequently on the campaign trail and criticized opponents who failed to do so. National security adviser HR McMaster had been among those encouraging the president to drop the phrase, which is largely seen as offensive in the Muslim world, and McMaster seems to have won the day.

In excerpts released in advance, the White House had shifted to a more subtle phrase of "Islamist extremism." In the actual speech, however, Trump veered from that slightly and used the word "Islamic" instead of Islamist several times, notes the Washington Post. For example, when referring to the fight against terrorism, Trump spoke of honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds. Earlier, McMaster told ABC News that the president would use whatever phrase he wants. "But I think it's important that, whatever we call it, we recognize that these are not religious people," he said. They are "enemies of all civilizations" who seek "to cloak their criminal behavior under this false idea of some kind of religious war." (Read more President Trump stories.)
Katahdin Woods and Waters is 87,000 acres in Maine that former President Obama designated a national monument in his final months in office. But you're going to have to use Google Maps to get there, because there are no road signs in the area directing drivers to it, reports the Guardian. That's because Gov. Paul LePage is refusing to install signs to the monument. It's one LePage opposed, and he successfully lobbied the Trump administration to review whether Obama's order was valid; until that federal review is complete, there won't be signs on four main roads to Katahdin, state officials announced Friday. "What we don't want to do is commit taxpayers' money to signage ... without knowing that it [the monument] is in place and that everyone is on board with it," a state DOT rep tells the Bangor Daily News.

It's a move being called "spiteful and destructive" by Lucas St. Clair, the son of Roxanne Quimby, the woman who donated the land she bought with the fortune she made at Burt's Bees. "Its one of the most irresponsible things he could do for the region," says St. Clair, who also uses the words "petty" and "sophomoric." He points out that Katahdin is only under review because the governor requested it and indicates the governor won't even let signs paid for with private funds be put up. Katahdin is among 27 monuments under the Interior Department review, which is due to conclude Aug. 24. "The fact that our governor is blocking signage is telling people that the region is not open for business," says the Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce president. (Read more Paul LePage stories.)
Dozens of graduates and family membersabout 150 of them, per one reportsilently stood and walked out Sunday as Vice President Pence began his address at Notre Dame's commencement ceremony. Pence, the former governor of Indiana, was invited to speak after Notre Dame students and faculty protested the prospect of President Trump being invited to become the seventh US president to give the commencement address. Pence spoke briefly of Trump during his 15-minute speech, praising his speech to the leaders of 50 Arab and Muslim nations earlier in the day in Saudi Arabia. Pence said the president "spoke out against religious persecution of all people of all faiths," reports the AP.

Earlier in the ceremony, valedictorian Caleb Joshua Pine urged a "stand against the scapegoating of Muslims" and criticized Trump's push to build a wall along the Mexican border. Cassandra Dimaro and her parents were among those who walked out. Dimaro told the South Bend Tribune that it was a show of solidarity "for those of us impacted by the policies of the Trump administration." Pence didn't comment on the walkout, which was expected, but he did deride the concept of "safe spaces" at America's colleges and added: "This university (Notre Dame) is a vanguard of the freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas at a time, sadly, when free speech and civility are waning on campuses across America." Pence wasn't the only VP to give a commencement speech this weekend. (Read more Mike Pence stories.)
North Korea on Sunday launched an unidentified projectile, just a week after Pyongyang carried out its most successful ballistic missile test, South Korean military has confirmed.

Seoul : North Korea on Sunday launched an unidentified projectile, just a week after Pyongyang carried out its most successful ballistic missile test, South Korean military has confirmed.

"North Korea fired an unidentified projectile from a site in the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do, South Pyeongan province, and it flew for about 500 km," Yonhap news agency quoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying in a statement.

On May 14, North Korea launched the a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile which flew for about 30 minutes and landed in water 100 km south of Russia's Vladivostok region, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet, reports CNN.

North Korea has attempted at least 10 missile launches on seven occasions since January.
Donald Trump accused Cuba's communist government of despotism

Washington : The US President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Cuba's communist government of despotism but said it would never be able to extinguish its people's desire for freedom.

Trump's remarks were included in a White House statement congratulating Cuban-Americans and the Cuban people on the Caribbean island's independence day, which is celebrated on May 20, Efe reported.

"The Cuban people deserve a government that peacefully upholds democratic values, economic liberties, religious freedoms and human rights, and my administration is committed to achieving that vision," Trump said.

During the campaign, Trump was the only Republican candidate who supported then-President Barack Obama's decision to restore full diplomatic ties with Cuba, but he later adopted a harsher line toward the island as he pursued votes in the all-important state of Florida, home to a large Cuban exile population.

Shortly before his successor's inauguration, Obama said Trump and his team would realise that it made no sense to, among other things, bar US residents from traveling to Cuba and stop US companies from investing on the island while the rest of the world is able to do those things.
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By Press Trust of India: yrs of its inception

New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) All seems not well with the countrys only full-fledged cadaveric bone bank. Lack of awareness and misconceptions about such donations have led to the facility remaining almost a non-starter even after 18 years of its inception.

The dismal figures at the bone bank at the AIIMS say it all. The bank, which was set up in 1999, has received just 24 cadaver donations so far. More so, there has been no donation in the last two years.

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"Lack of knowledge coupled with misconceptions and religious sentiments are major problem. Even after being set up in 1999, the first bone donation was not until 2001," Dr Rajesh Malhotra, the chief of AIIMS Trauma Centre and who had started the bank, said.

People think that taking out bones will mutilate and disfigure the body and the limbs will dangle, he said, adding "Well, it does not."

Once the bones are taken out, the body is reconstructed and shape and structure of the limbs are restored by putting wooden sticks and stuffing it up with cotton and wool. Even knee caps are made with cotton and wool.

"So, after taking out the bones, which usually takes 10 minutes, we spend the next 30 minutes on stitching up the body so that aesthetically it looks good and the dignity of the donor is maintained.

"All that the relatives of the deceased will be able to see is a stitch, like that is visible after surgery," Malhotra explained.

The cotton wool also absorbs any fluids oozing out and the body is not left in a puddle of blood after the procedure.

The donated bones can be used for various purposes. They can replace a lost segment of bone due to cancer, infection or injury. Also it can be used to fill up cavities or holes left by major cancer surgeries, the doctor said.

Bones from cadavers have to be retrieved within 12 hours. If a body is refrigerated, then the time frame extends up to 38 hours. They are then tested for HIV, hepatitis or any other infection.

If this procedure is followed and the bones then stored at -70 degrees, these can be preserved for around five years, Malhotra said.

Thousands of cancer and trauma patients need bone transplants in India every year, while only 35 per cent of them get these.

Bones can be donated by people even when they are alive, Malhotra said.

"Suppose, a child has deformity of spine and undergoes a surgery to correct it. During this, the ribs which are taken out can be conserved and used in another person."

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Also in hip replacements, femur bone is taken out which can also be used to fill up cavities or give attachment to the socket, Malhotra said.

"Even in such cases, we test the blood for infections like HIV, Hepatitis and repeat these tests after six months," he said.

While several countries have set up bone banks to cater the increasing demands, India has only few bone banks out of which AIIMS, New Delhi has one of the oldest and the only cadaveric one. PTI PLB ZMN ARK

--- ENDS ---
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New Delhi:

Protests have intensified against caste disturbances in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and thousands of Dalit activists led by Bhim army gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday.

Various Dalit groups and their members gathered at the protest site on Sunday, despite being denied permission by the Delhi Police. Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar, who is wanted by Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly trying to instigate people, was also present at the event.

Slogans were raised against casteist exploitation and atrocities on the basis of caste.

News reports further claimed that Gujarat youth Dalit leader Jignesh Mawani and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar were among those who joined the protesters.

Security in New Delhi has been increased after Dalit activists threatened to launch a protest in the National Capital despite the A denial of permission by Delhi Police. "They have not taken prior permission but we will not remove them forcefully. We will wait and watch until they do it peacefully,"A DCP New Delhi told media on Sunday.A



A In preparation of the unlikely unrest, Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory order in New Delhi. Barricades have been put in and around Parliament. Paramilitary force along with armed police and district unit deployed.A

Saharanpur clash: Protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar by Dalit organizations including Bhim Army pic.twitter.com/pAI7NY9AJE a ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 21, 2017

A

50,000 plus Bhim Army preps to march on Delhi

Top leaders of Bhim Army have been running a mass mobilisation effort in Western UP to ensure that thousands reach Delhi on May 21 to protest against alleged atrocities against Dalits.A



Chandrashekhar Azad, wanted for his alleged involvement in the clashes between police and Dalit protesters on May 9 released a short audio message where he appealed to all "fellow advocates" and those who believe in Ambedkar's ideology to be present at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Sunday.A

According to officials in Delhi, permission has been sought for a crowd of 50,000, but that many more are expected, due to which permission could not be given.



In a letter, the deputy commissioner of police of New Delhi district BK Singh expressed fears that more than 50,000 would be present while he denied permission for holding the protest.



"Jantar Mantar for dharna or demonstration cannot accommodate such a large gathering (50,000 people). There is some intelligence that the gathering will be higher than the intimation given by you," the letter addressed to the organisers read.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
By India Today Web Desk: Thousands of people today held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, protesting alleged anti-Dalit violence in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur. The protest was called by an organisation known as the Bhim Army and photos shared on Twitter showed Jantar Mantar covered in a sea of blue caps and placards.

One independent journalist on Twitter said that more than 50,000 people had gathered at the protest site, though the number could not be independently verified. Videos posted on social media showed the protesters chanting slogans and getting their sacred wrist threads snipped as a form of protest.

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The agitation is over the May 5 clash between Thakurs and Dalits in Saharanpur. The protesters have put forth three demands: A judicial probe into the May 5 Saharanpur violence; compensation for the Dalits whose homes were torched in the clashes; action against Thakurs involved in the rally commemorating Maharana Pratap and the violence that ensued on May 5.

The Saharanpur issue has taken on a political angle in recent days with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati just yesterday slamming the Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh government, which she said has failed to ensure peace.

The city of Saharanpur has seen simmering tensions ever since the May 5 clashes between members of the Dalit community and Thakurs.

The clashes erupted after some Dalit residents in Shabbirpur raised objections over a Thakur procession that was playing loud music.

Things took a turn for the worse when the district administration refused to allow the Dalits permission to hold a 'mahapanchayat' on May 9. The gathering was called to demand compensation and relief for those affected in the May 5 clash.

However, the refusal to grant permission sparked a round of protests by the Dalits, who clashed with policemen.

The police has registered cases in the matter, allegations have been raised that Thakurs as well as Dalits have been falsely charged.

The May 5 clashes followed a different clash in Saharanpur in April, over an Ambedkar Jayanti rally. BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma was among those ultimately booked for that incident.

(With inputs from Parbina Purkayastha)

ALSO WATCH | 10 arrested for Saharanpur violence, FIR registered against BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma

(With PTI inputs)

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi:

Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia while speaking at an Aaj Tak event in Delhi said his party will form government at the centre after 2019 general elections. Scindia also batted for Rahul Gandhis elevation as party chief and said Rahul should now become the Congress President to strengthen the party.

Rahul should become the party president and the Congress will be strengthened under his leadership. The party will succeed in forming the government in 2019 elections, Scindia said at the event.

Scindias remarks came amidst a raging debate in the party over Rahuls elevation as the party chief. While some Congress leaders are advocating his elevation, some other party leaders are of the opinion that Congress president Sonia Gandhi should not retire now.

Taking a jibe at BJPs Congress-mukt Bharat campaign, Scindia said the government and the ruling dispensation was fomenting intolerance in the country.

If the country has to be kept undivided and peaceful, then it has to be based on the strong foundation of communal harmony. Development and progress can be made on a strong foundation only, he said.

Also Read: BJP hijacked Ram temple issue from Congress: Samajwadi Party

The Congress leader also attacked Modi government on its Pakistan policy and said the govt was indulging in saree and shawl diplomacy while Jawans were being killed on the border.

Many jawans are being killed on the border. There were so many ceasefire violations at the border. Kashmir is burning today, he said, accusing the government of failing to control the situation.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Election Commission on Saturday declared open house on electronic voting machines. The body, which is responsible for successfully running the largest democracy in the world, has dared parties to tamper with its EVMs  but there are some rules.



The rules of Election Commissions EVM Challenge or Hackathon:

Date: June 03, 2017



Venue: Nirvachan Bhawan, Delhi



Participants: National and state parties which contested assembly polls in five statesUttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab. Each party can nominate up to three persons (Indian nationals) to take part in the challenge.



Goal: To prove ECI-EVMs can be hacked



#Participants will have to prove that the EVMs used in the assembly elections in the five states were tampered with to favour a particular candidate or political party by altering the results stored in them.



#The claimants will have to alter the results in the control units used during these polls in exactly the same conditions in which EVMs remain under the technical and administrative safeguards of the EC after elections.



#Under part two of the challenge, the participants will have to prove that the EVMs used in the assembly polls were manipulated before or on the poll day.



Enrolment method: The parties willing to participate in the EVM challenge must confirm their interest to the commission by 5 pm on May 26, 2017 through the email and the details of the nominated members must be furnished.



Duration of challenge: Four days approx., depending on the number of participants.



Rules of hacking:

#Participants will choose four EVMs from the ones used in recent assembly elections



#Each participating group will be given four hours to hack the machine.



#No participant shall be allowed to change the motherboard of EVMs and take the machines home to prove at a later date that they can be tampered with.



#Participants can physically examine EVMs to check circuits, chips and the motherboard.



#Parties will be allowed to press any sequence of buttons on the control unit or voting machine or both. The parties can also use of any external wireless or bluetooth or mobile phone device or transmitter.



#At their own cost, participants can accompany the chosen EVMs from the warehouses to the Commission headquarters in New Delhi during transportation.



#The participant would be considered to have failed the challenge if the EVM stops functioning due its inbuilt anti-tampering mechanism.



#Also, the challenger would be considered to have failed if it showed the result of the booth where it was used during the assembly polls even after manipulation.



Jury: The challenge would be judged by members of the Technical Expert Committee of the EC mainly to ensure that the rules are followed and the machines are not damaged. They are independent of the Commission and do not charge anything for their service.

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Kancheepuram(TN):

How Prime Minister Narendra Modi could meet AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) leader O Panneerselvam but not the farmers or himself, who wanted to take up their cause with him, said DMK Working President MK Stalin on Sunday.

Stalin said he was not finding fault with the meeting between Modi and the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in Delhi two days back, but sought to know why he had no time for farmers from the state, who had been staging protest in the national capital for long.

Panneerselvam was not holding any position now and was only a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) but he was given appointment by Modi on short notice, Stalin said.

What I am asking is, you (PM) are aware of the plight of farmers who are facing so many difficulties. They held protest in Delhi for almost 50 days.

But the Prime Minister never gave an appointment to them.. They said you (PM) may not heed their demands but atleast give an audience for their satisfaction to hear them out, he said.

Stalin was speaking after participating in his partys desilting of a water body in this district where he also operated an earth mover.

Also read: Former Tamil Nadu CM O Paneerselvam meets PM Modi, seeks funds for state

The DMK leader recalled that he, as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly had recently chaired an all-party meeting to discuss farmers problems in Tamil Nadu.

Among the resolutions passed there was to meet the Prime Minister and convey to him the decisions taken in the meeting, he said.

The Prime Minister could atleast meet him on behalf of all party leaders even if he could not grant an audience to all of them, he said.

We had sought appointment (with Modi) and are waiting.. But there has been no response from the Prime Ministers Office (so far).

Prime Minister is meeting someone (Panneerselvam) who is holding no post.. But he doesnt meet the LOP who has so much responsibility to discuss farmers problems, Stalin said.

Panneerselvam had met the Prime Minister in New Delhi on May 19 to discuss issues concerning Tamil Nadu.

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New Delhi:

One person was killed and 34 others injured when a bus overturned on early Sunday morning in Dadar area of Mumbai.

The incident took place in the midnight Saturday. The police officials rushed to the spot. A case has been registered in Park site police station.

The injured were taken to nearby public hospital. On Sunday morning, the civic authorities removed the bus from the spot.

It is believed that the driver might have lost control over the vehicle and rammed into the divider.

1 dead, 34 injured after a bus overturned in Mumbai's Dadar earlier today pic.twitter.com/4Dddtaq1Ju  ANI (@ANI_news) May 21, 2017

Also Read | Hyderabad: Andhra minister P Narayanas son killed in road mishap

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Srinagar:

Kashmiri separatists were questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for the second day on Sunday in connection with its probe into the role of LeT chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA further questioned Farooq Ahmad Dar alias 'Bitta Karate', Javed Ahmed Baba alias Prince alias Gazi in Srinagar regarding their involvement in raising, collecting and transferring funds through hawala and other channels for terror funding in Kashmir.

The central probe agency is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and the use of these funds in fuelling the unrest in the Valley, the NIA spokesperson said in a statement.

The NIA has also collected details of 13 accused charge-sheeted so far in the cases in the Valley in the recent past, pertaining to the damage caused to schools and public property as part of the larger conspiracy to perpetuate violence and chaos in Kashmir.

Substantial progress has been made and the probe is continuing, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Read more: Kashmir is ours and NDA govt will bring its permanent solution: Rajnath Singh

The NIA team, headed by the Additional Director General, had asked Naeem Khan, Farooq and Baba to appear before it for their explanation on an expose on a television channel where they had claimed to be receiving funds from Pakistan.

After initial reluctance, the three separatists fell in line and were questioned separately by the team of NIA, which named them in its Preliminary Enquiry (PE) on Saturday.

In a statement, the NIA's spokesperson said that the agency questioned Dar at Srinagar regarding the hawala and terror funding issue.

The NIA is also probing all angles of the funding of separatist leaders.

The NIA team will also be gathering evidence collected by the Jammu and Kashmir Police about the burning of schools as Khan had claimed that the educational institutions were targeted as per the plans hatched from across the border.

The schools were targeted last year after banned Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

Besides these three, NIA has named Saeed and Geelani in the PE, which precedes the filing of a case.

Read more: J&K: 4 militants, 3 soldiers dead in encounter at Naugam sector in north Kashmir

Khan, who was suspended by Geelani from Hurriyat on Saturday, was seen on television during the sting operation purportedly confessing to receiving money from Pakistan-based terror groups.

The NIA's PE alleged that the separatists were receiving funds from the LeT chief to carry out subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley, including pelting security forces with stones, damaging public property and burning schools and other government establishments.

The NIA took cognisance of the news item related to a recording of conversations between a TV reporter and leaders of separatist groups operating in the Kashmir Valley in this regard.

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New Delhi:

The next plenary session of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is likely to be held in Swiss capital Bern next month, but the chances of any breakthrough on Indias entry into the elite group still look slim, given Chinas persistent opposition to it.



India had officially applied for membership of the grouping which controls export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology in May last year.



The matter came up for discussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June last year, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling Indias bid on the ground that it was not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).



Ahead of the next NSG plenary session, official sources say, India has renewed its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, France and Russia.



China has been pressing for a two-step process which includes setting up criteria - a standard for admissionfor the inclusion of countries that are not signatories to the NPT. Beijing also equates Indias case with Pakistan, which, too, has applied for the NSG membership.



The issue of Indias membership is expected to be discussed at the Bern meet, but the status quo still remains, a senior official says.



Indicating that there was no change in Chinas position towards Indias NSG bid, Chinese Ambassador here Luo Zhaohui at an event last month had said, On the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue, we do not oppose any countrys membership, believing that a standard for admission should be agreed upon first.



India has repeatedly said that China is the one country which has been blocking its bid.



The two sides conducted two rounds of talks between Chinas nuclear negotiator Wang Qun and Indias then secretary for disarmament Amandeep Singh Gill on September 13 and October 31 last year.



The NSG consultative groups meeting in November last year also ended like the Seoul plenary session. It remained inconclusive on Indias application as China continued to oppose the entry of non-NPT nations and called for a two-step non-discriminatory solution for admission of such countries into the grouping.



Over the last one year, India has tried to get more support for its NSG bid, but not all its efforts have proved to be successful. For instance, Turkey has agreed to support Indias bid to the group, but it also favours Pakistans bid. New Zealand has also not given any concrete assurance on supporting Indias bid.



Prime Minister (John Phillip) Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider Indias membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible, a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart John Key said after the latters visit to New Delhi in October last year.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Mumbai:

Election Commission should bar the prime minister and the chief ministers from holding poll campaign rallies to ensure a level playing field for various political parties, urged Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday.

"The PM and CMs make all kinds of announcements while holding election rallies. When the party in power makes promises, it weighs heavy on the minds of people compared to the assurances given by the leaders of other political parties", Thackeray said, addressing a rally here in run up to the Panvel municipal corporation polls.

Thackeray accused the functionaries of ruling parties not meeting their poll promises later.

He said while CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a package of Rs 6,500 crore for Kalyan-Dombivali municipal corporation and PM Narendra Modi announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar, not a rupee was given after the elections.

He said after India's surgical strike against Pakistan, the nation has conducted several strikes on Indian territory.

Read more: Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Shiv Sena asks govt not to get over excited about ICJ verdict

"There is fresh news now that another Indian has been arrested... again false cases will be filed and he will be hanged. Why is Pakistan not scared of you?" he questioned.

The PM should be thinking how to make the nation stronger rather than strengthening his party and similarly, the CM, instead of going to every nook and corner for holding rallies, should be mulling ways to improve farmers' plight and the law and order situation of the state, Thackeray said.

Taking a dig at the Election Commission for challenging political parties to hack their EVMs, Thackeray said if parties had the intelligence to hack EVMs, they would not hold election campaigns.

"This is like somebody goes to police to complain of theft in his house and police ask them to prove their house has been robbed. It is your duty to ensure EVMs are not tampered with and so you (the EC) should check your machines not us", he said.

Responding to the rumours of a mid-term poll in the state in wake of an internal survey predicting two third majority for the BJP, Thackeray said a survey should instead be done on the problems being faced by the people.

Read more: Election Commission dares parties to tamper with EVM: Here are the rules of 'EVM Challenge'

Thackeray said in Tamil Nadu bypoll after late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's death, a BJP worker complained of money being distributed and the entire election got postponed.

"Here too we want this to happen... if anybody gets caught distributing money, polls should be postponed", he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

There are many healthy foods available that are said to lower the cholesterol levels. But now the scientists have come up with a good heart muffin to keep a check on the cholesterol levels. The muffin has been developed by the reasearchers from University of Queensland.

Almost three grams beta glucans is found in muffins. Beta glucans is a healthy fibre which occurs naturally in the cell walls of oats and cereals and has cholesterol-lowering properties, according to UQ Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences scientist and keen baker Nima Gunness.

"There is good evidence that three grams or more of oats beta glucan consumption a day can help reduce cholesterol levels," Gunness said, adding, "I wanted to turn my discovery into a product, like a muffin, that people could eat to help reduce the amount of cholesterol in their blood stream, lowering the risk of heart disease."

Gunness, who perfected her low-fat blueberry muffin recipe over several months, noted, "The trick was to avoid making the muffin gluggy from all the extra oat bran and beta glucan fibre."

UniQuest which is now UQs commercialization company and a UQ Business School student are looking for opportunities for the muffins to be packaged and frozened and be sold in supermarkets, cafes and healthy food outlets around the country.

"We are not suggesting that people go off any cholesterol-lowering medication," Gunness said, adding "Rather, we are aiming to provide a convenient, healthy and very tasty way of helping to reduce cholesterol levels."

Dr Gunness is working with Australian food company Priestley's Gourmet Delights through Uniquest in order to manufacture and taste-test a batch of good heart muffins.
New Delhi:

A new bacteria on the filters of International Space Station (ISS) was discovered by the researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and named Solibacillus kalamii in order to honour the late president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who was also a popular aerospace scientist.

In 1963, Kalam had his early training at NASA. After that he set up Indias first rocket-launching facility in Thumba of Kerala.

"The name of the bacterium is Solibacillus kalamii, the species name is after Dr Abdul Kalam and genus name is Solibacillus which is a spore forming bacteria," said Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran, senior research scientist, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group at JPL.

For a period of 40 months, the filter on which new bug was found remained on board the ISS. The filter is called a high-profeciency particulate arrestance filter or HEPA filter. This part is the housekeeping and cleaning system regimen on board the international space station.

According to Venkateswaran, though the bacteria Solibacillus kalamii has never been found on earth till date, it is not an extra-terrestrial life form.

I am reasonably sure it has hitch hiked to the space station on board some cargo and then survived the hostile conditions of space, explained Venkateswaran.

Being a fellow Tamilian, I am aware of the huge contributions by Dr. Kalam, he said.

The bacteria has not been characterized by Venkateswaran team fully but he gives hints that the new bug could be a key source for chemicals that can act as protection against radiation change.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

If it's not the change of heart, at least a change in tone of US President Donald Trump as he calls Islam one of the worlds great faiths during his much-awaited speech in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

President Trump urging Muslim nations to combat radicalisation said the fight against terrorism is a battle between good and evil, and not a clash between the West and Islam.

The speech is seen as a reset in Trumps tone after his harsh campaign rhetoric on Muslims stirred concern in the Islamic world.

We are not here to lecture - we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship, instead, we are here to offer partnership - based on shared interests and values - to pursue a better future for us all, said Trump.

Speaking in Riyad Trump said, "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.

However, Trump did not use the term radical Islamic terrorism as it is considered offensive by many Muslims and he was standing before the regions leaders.

Also Read: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif likely to meet US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia

Earlier in the past, he has criticised Muslims and even said in an interview - I think Islam hates us.

And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven Muslim countries - Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen - from entering the United States.

But today, Trump was full of praise for Muslim worlds history and culture. He declared Islam one of the worlds great faiths.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Terming it an act of indiscipline, the party has sought explanations from the councillors asking them to reply at the earliest. The party leadership has also decided against giving any key responsibility to these councilors in the newly constituted municipal corporations.

By Rakesh Ranjan: In a major fallout of the May 16 felicitation ceremony hosted by Union minister Vijay Goel, the Delhi BJP has issued showcause notices to its councillors who attended the function against the party 'directive'.

Terming it an act of indiscipline, the party has sought explanations from the councillors asking them to reply at the earliest. The party leadership has also decided against giving any key responsibility to these councilors in the newly constituted municipal corporations.

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The development comes a day after Mail Today reported that the appointment of three leaders, considered close to Goel, as leaders of the House was put on hold by Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari.

WHY IS DELHI BJP LEADERSHIP MIFFED?

The controversy came after Goel hosted a reception party for BJP councillors at his official residence on May 16, which was attended by a host of Delhi BJP leaders including MPs Ramesh Bidhuri and Pravesh Verma, apart from nearly 50 councillors.

A general secretary of Delhi BJP had conveyed to councillors against attending the function against the party president's wish. "Such felicitations are organised by the state unit president. Councillors who attended the function have been asked to explain what necessitated their attendance at Goel's residence against the party's stand," a Delhi BJP leader said.

Sources said three councilors - Shikha Rai, Jai Prakash and Santosh Pal - have mainly been held responsible by the state unit.

APPOINTMENTS UNLIKELY

The party has taken serious note of their 'inability to effectively convey the message of the party president to newly elected members'. These leaders were tipped to become the leader of the House in South, North and East MCDs. However, their appointment is now unlikely. Interestingly, Tiwari had earlier tweeted announcing Rai's appointment as leader of the House in SDMC. Sources said they may also be deprived from heading various statutory and ad hoc committees in the corporations.

"It is a clear act of indiscipline BJP has been out of power in Delhi for 20 years. If the party fails to put up a united front, it will continue to struggle. The central BJP leadership has tasked the Delhi BJP president with ending infighting in the state unit," a source close to Tiwari said.

Mail Today tried contacting Goel but he couldn't be reached.

Also read: Manoj Tiwari skips Vijay Goel's function for MCD victors. Is he wary of Union minister's interest in Delhi?

Also read: Manoj Tiwari eats with slum dwellers; takes jibe at Kejriwal, says work is done here, not in AC rooms

--- ENDS ---

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Washington:

The Chinese government systematically dismantled CIA spying operations in China starting in late 2010 and killed or imprisoned at least a dozen CIA sources over the next two years, according to a media report.



The New York Times in its report cited 10 current and former US officials, who described the intelligence breach as one of the worst in decades. They spoke on condition of anonymity.



The report said US intelligence and law enforcement agencies scrambled to stem the damage, but were bitterly divided over the cause of the breach. Some investigators were convinced there was a mole within the CIA, while others believed the Chinese had hacked the covert system the CIA used to communicate with its foreign sources. The debate remains unresolved, the paper said.



The CIA, which declined to comment to the Times, also declined to comment on Saturday to The Associated Press.



The number of CIA assets lost in China rivalled those lost in the Soviet Union and Russia as a result of the betrayals by both CIA officer Aldrich Ames and FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who were arrested in 1994 and 2001, respectively, the report said.



As many as 20 CIA sources were killed or imprisoned in China over a two-year period, the Times said, citing two former senior US officials.Investigators suspected a former CIA operative of being a mole but failed to gather enough evidence to arrest him and he is now living in another Asian country, the report said.



Those who rejected the mole theory attributed the losses to sloppy American tradecraft in China. By 2013, the FBI and CIA concluded that China no longer had the ability to identify American agents, the Times said.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Seoul:

Just a week after a previous launch sparked international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions, North Korea on Sunday test-fired a ballistic missile which travelled some 500 km.

South Korea's new President Moon Jae-In called a National Security Council meeting in response to the latest launch, Yonhap news agency reported.

The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it could not yet identify the type of missile fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province but it travelled about 500 km (311 miles).

"Our military is closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military and we are keeping a full military readiness", a statement said.

The Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile fired on May 14 flew some 700 km -- further than any previous North Korean ballistic missile -- and according to Pyongyang could carry a nuclear warhead.

Read more: US would consider talks with North Korea if nuclear, missile tests halt: Nikki Haley

Analysts said it represented a significant step forward in the North's weapons capabilities as it accelerates efforts to develop an inter continental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.

The launches, and a threatened sixth nuclear test have fuelled tension with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed that such an ICBM launch "won't happen". Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across the South and Japan.

With an imputed range of 4,500 kilometres the Hwasong-12 also puts US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach. The UN Security Council met behind closed doors last Tuesday to discuss tightening sanctions on North Korea after its May 14 launch.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States was working with China, Pyongyang's main ally, on a new sanctions resolution and warned that all countries must step up action against North Korea or face measures themselves.

"We all have to send a sign to North Korea, and that is: No more. This is not play time. This is serious. These threats are not welcome", Haley told reporters ahead of the meeting.

"If you are a country that is supplying or supporting North Korea, we will call you out on it", Haley said.

The North says it needs missiles and nuclear weapons to deter any attack by the United States.

State newspaper Minju Joson Sunday threatened more launches.

Read more: Indian-origin techie from Google suspects ransomware attack to North Korea

"If the U.S. persists in confrontation with the DPRK (North Korea), the latter will show how the crime-woven history of the U.S. is put to an end", it said.

"Many more 'Juche weapons' capable of striking the US will be launched from this land. This is the DPRK's answer to the Trump administration", it said, referring to the national philosophy of "Juche" or self-reliance.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Thiruvananthapuram:

Matthunny Mathews, prominent Indian businessman in Kuwait, who was instrumental in Iraqi invasion in 1990 with the safe evacuation of stranded Indians, passed away in Kuwait.

81-year-old Mathews, who hailed from Kumbanad in Pathnamthitta district, was ailing for some time and passed away on Saturday, media reports here said.

Expressing his condolence, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday that during the 1990 Gulf war Mathews had helped thousands of Indians to flee the gulf nation and his services would always be remembered.

By not taking efforts to save his own life and property, Mathews had done yeoman service to bring his countrymen, who had lost everything in the war, safely back, Vijayan said.

Read more: Suicide bomb attack kills 35 in Iraq, ISIS claims responsibility

"He provided food and drinking water to the stranded Indians and we remember it with gratitude", Vijayan said.

The V P Singh government had in 1990 carried out the biggest evacuation during the gulf war when over 1.50 lakh standard Indians had been safely brought back by flight. At that time Mathews had functioned as the Central Government's "unofficial representative" in Kuwait to coordinate the evacuation process, the Chief Minister said.

Popularly known as 'Toyota Sunny', Mathunny Mathews was said to be the inspiration of Akshay Kumar's character in Bollywood film 'Airlift'.

"Extremely sad news, was an honour to portray him onscreen. Thoughts and prayers with his family", Akshay Kumar said in a tweet.

Mathews, left for Kuwait 1956 at the age of 20 in search of job. He joined as a typist in the Toyota company and rose to become its Managing Director when he retired in 1989.

Read more: Indian national arrested in Pakistan for not carrying visa

He started a car rental company and a general trading company in 1990 and was also the Chairman of Jabriya Indian school.

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Islamabad :

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for Saudi Arabia on Sunday to attend an US-Arab Islamic summit where he may meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the conference.

Prime Minister Sharif was invited by Saudi Arabias King Salman bin to attend the Arab Islamic American Summit. The issue of terrorism and relations between the US and Muslim countries are expected to dominate the summit.

On the sidelines of the summit, Sharif is likely to meet the world leaders who will be attending the conference, including Trump, the Geo News reported.

During the two-day visit, Sharif will also hold talks with Saudi leadership and will discuss several economic and security agreements.

Sharif will also visit Masjid-e-Nabawi. Trump reached Riyadh on Saturday on his first trip abroad since taking office.

Also Read | PM Sharif, not Army, in control of Pakistan's India policy: Basit

Trump is the only American president to make Saudi Arabia, or any majority Muslim country, his first stop overseas as president.

After two days of meetings in Riyadh, Trump will travel to Israel, have an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, and meet with allies at a NATO summit in Brussels and the Group of 7 wealthy nations in Sicily.

Also Read | Panamagate: Imran Khan demands Sharif's resignation

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New Delhi:

US President Donald Trumps first Saudi Arabia visit has reportedly been successful as the two countries have not only signed deals in excess of USD 380 billion, they also extended cooperation against terrorism by declaring sanctions on senior Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine and Muhammad al-Isawi, a leader of the Islamic State group's operations on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.



Agreements worth more than USD 380 billion have been signed between Riyadh and Washington on the first day of US President Donald Trumps visit, the Saudi foreign minister said on Saturday.



The two countries signed a series of agreements, Adel al-Jubeir told reporters at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. He said the total value of investments... (is) in excess of USD 380 billion.



Arms deals between Saudi Arabia and the United States



Washington inked arms deals worth almost USD 110 billion with Riyadh, a White House official confirmed.



This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, the official said.



It will also bolster the kingdoms ability to contribute to counter-terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the US military to conduct those operations, the official added.

Read | Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif likely to meet US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia



The official did not provide details of the agreements with Riyadh, which is one of the worlds biggest defence spenders.



A preliminary deal worth USD 6 billion to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia was separately announced at the Saudi-US CEO Forum held in Riyadh during Trumps visit.



The programme to support the final assembly and completion of an estimated 150 S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters will support around 450 jobs in the kingdom, said a forum statement.



US defence contractors are major suppliers of weapons to Saudi Arabia, which for more than two years has led a coalition conducting air strikes and other operations against rebels in Yemen.



The new deals come despite mounting pressure on Washington from rights groups to stop arms sales to Riyadh, which has come under repeated criticism over civilian casualties in Yemen.



Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced the creation of a new military industries firm as part of the kingdoms efforts to boost defence production.



The kingdoms Public Investment Fund said the new government-owned company, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), aims to become one of the worlds top 25 defence companies by 2030.



The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in an April report that Saudi Arabia last year was the worlds fourth-largest military spender, spending USD 63.7 billion.

Read | Democrats want impeachment of President Trump for his alleged involvement in obstruction of justice



Sanction on Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine



Washington and Riyadh issued their first joint terrorist designation blacklisting a Hezbollah leader.



Hashem Safieddine is head of the executive council of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese armed movement which Washington has branded a foreign terrorist organisation.



The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the United States in designating Hashem Safieddine, the State Department said in a statement. As a result, any of his assets held in Saudi Arabia are frozen, and transfers through the Kingdoms financial sector, are prohibited.



Separately, the departments Bureau of Counterterrorism tweeted that this marked the first-ever State Department and foreign nation joint terrorist designation, underlining the close cooperation between US and Saudi officials.

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Top sources say the front-runners for the post in North and South corporations were loyalists of Vijay Goel and their nomination has been withheld by the Delhi unit leadership over participation of councillors in a felicitation ceremony organised by the Union minister.

By Rakesh Ranjan: Notwithstanding the brute majority the BJP enjoys in the three municipal corporations, the party is undecided over electing the leader of the House in the civic bodies. While the North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations conducted the first meeting of the House on Thursday and Friday, there was no leader from the ruling party to manage the floor of the House.

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BJP HAS NO LEADERS IN MCDs

Interestingly, the AAP has already appointed leaders of opposition in the three MCDs. Sources said infighting within the Delhi BJP is primarily responsible for the delay. It is for the first time that the MCDs have begun functioning without the leaders of the House, who are responsible for setting the agenda and managing affairs in the House meetings. The mayors on the other hand preside over the proceedings of the House.

FRONT-RUNNER ALL VIJAY GOEL LOYALISTS

While several names were floating for the post of leader of the House in the three civic bodies, the BJP leadership has so far failed to officially nominate any of them. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said the party is considering names and an announcement could be made in a day or two.

However, top sources claimed the front-runners for the post in North and South corporations were loyalists of Vijay Goel and their nomination has been withheld as a fallout of the felicitation ceremony organised by the Union minister for newly elected councillors.

Over 50 BJP councillors had attended Goel's felicitation ceremony, which did not go down well with Tiwari who was conspicuous by his absence. "As a matter of practice, the leader of the House is nominated along with the mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee chairman. This is a strange situation where the first meetings have been conducted without a leader on the treasury benches," a senior BJP leader said. While the North and South MCDs have officially begun their functioning; the East MCD will hold the first house meeting on Monday. "We are considering names and a suitable leader will be nominated soon," Tiwari said.

Also read: Delhi BJP wants Babar Road to be renamed after Ummer Fayaz, Army officer martyred in Shopian

Also read: Manoj Tiwari skips Vijay Goel's function for MCD victors. Is he wary of Union minister's interest in Delhi?

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Even as Connecticuts population is dropping, hundreds of new apartments around the area can be expected to fill up without any trouble

In communities including Milford, Ansonia and Shelton, developers are planning new construction or reuses of existing structures that would add hundreds of units aimed mostly at millennials and empty-nesters. Officials say its a sign of changing demand.

The market is definitely shifting toward a need for rental apartments, said Julie Nash, Milfords economic development director.

That citys largest development in the works is a 342-unit apartment building at 553 West Ave., which was proposed by landscaping company Grillo Services and is going through the city approval process.

I really see a market for people that are downsizing that are now being taxed to death, said L.J. Grillo, vice president of the company. The other market is young professionals since were close to the Yale (University) area.

Grillos project would consist of two buildings with parking garages, a community pool and walking trails and would be mostly one- and two-bedroom apartments, with 19 three-bedroom units. Grillo said the company plans to sell the land to a developer who would construct the complex if it is approved.

I think the location is fantastic, he added, noting the easy access to Interstate 95 and its proximity to downtown and city beaches.

In Ansonia, the proposed apartments are also close to or within the downtown area. The last apartments created on Main Street proved popular, said Sheila OMalley, economic development director.

Weve seen that they filled up quickly so theres a need, she said. The hundreds of units planned for the downtown, including more than 100 at the old Farrel processing plant on East Main Street, will target millennials and empty nesters by providing one- and two-bedroom options in a walkable area.

We want you living downtown, she said. We want you going to our restaurants. We have these old unused or underutilized buildings that just need to be repurposed.

She said she believes there are enough apartment-dwellers to go around, especially since she expects people from outside the city to be interested in the new units. And she noted each community in the region serves different price points and populations.

With rents in the $1,500 range for a two-bedroom, Ansonia, for example, is more affordable than Shelton, OMalley said. There are people looking for a lower price but it doesnt mean you have to sacrifice either, she added.

Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti said its the cost factor driving the need for more apartments. Connecticuts economy is driving this, he said. Connecticut is an expensive place to be.

Instead of buying a home, more people are choosing to avoid the taxes and rent, Lauretti, a gubernatorial candidate, surmised.

Shelton has seen its share of proposed apartment buildings, with hundreds of units planned in several large developments, including the controversial Towne Center at Shelter Ridge which would consist of at least 375 apartments, retail, restaurants and office space on 121 acres.

The high-density developments have led the group Save Our Shelton to battle the development plans before zoning and in court. John Anglace, president of the Board of Aldermen, also recently complained about the density proposed for Bridgeport Avenue.

When is enough enough? Anglace asked members of the Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting in March.

Nash, Milfords economic development director, said she believes millennials are driving the apartment boom. They dont want to have cars, they want to bike places, she said. Theres a lot of millennials looking for these low-stress, easy-to-move apartments.

She said shes noticed many of the people looking for apartments are also looking for communities where they have access to services they may not need immediately.

A millennial can move here and they can then get married and buy a house here, she said. And when they become seniors they can move back into apartments. Its a trend were seeing. Theres a huge shift in what people are looking for.

ktorres@hearstmediact.com; 203-330-6227
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) The transport department of the Delhi government has made mandatory the installation of speed governors in taxis and cabs operating in the national capital.

The decision comes after a recent notification of the union road transport ministry which made installation of speed governors in commercial vehicles compulsory.

The move is intended to reduce road accidents by limiting the maximum speed of taxis and cabs at 80 kmph.

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According to a Delhi Traffic Police data, 1,622 and 1,671 people were killed in 2015 and 2014, respectively, in road accidents in the city, while over 16,000 people were left injured in the two years.

The government decision to limit the maximum speed covers all cabs, including the ones operated by aggregators like Ola and Uber.

"The city transport department has made installation of speed governors in cabs and taxis mandatory following the Union transport ministrys recent notification," an official said.

However, taxis unions have opposed the decision and threatened to launch a stir if it is not rolled back immediately.

Taxi drivers cannot afford the cost of speed governors and hence, the Centre should withdraw the notification, said Rajender Soni, general secretary of Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union.

"A speed governor is installed at a cost of around Rs 10,000. If the decision is not withdrawn, taxi drivers will launch a serious of protest against the Delhi government and Centre," Soni said. PTI BUN KIS

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Transforming $2,500 into a Fortune 500 company worth billions of dollars in 50 years has shaped the views of W.R. Berkley founder and Executive Chairman William Berkley.

While sitting at the head of a conference table in W.R. Berkleys headquarters, perched on a sloping hillside on Steamboat Road overlooking downtown Greenwich, Berkley said one of the most important things hes learned is the importance of honoring your commitments.

Berkley launched the firm with a Harvard Business School classmate in 1967 as an investment management company called Berkley Dean & Co.

Anyone can make excuses, he said, but the best people find a way to deliver on their promises. As evidence, he cites an experience from 1968 that hell always remember.

Keeping promises

One of Berkleys former bosses at Fidelity Investments said he wanted to buy a 20 percent equity in the young company, Berkley said. But the mans lawyers wouldnt allow him to follow through. Still, he handed me a check for $25,000 and said, Lets call it a consulting fee. I know you were counting on it.

That generosity left an impression on Berkley, he said, and hes tried to run his business with the same commitment to customers, employees and investors. I was an unimportant part of a rich persons life, but he still found a way to honor his word, Berkley said.

That track record breeds a trusting work environment, he said, which is important for a company that relies on many employees to stay at the company for upwards of 15 years. In the late 1990s, after the company had changed its name to match its transition into the insurance and reinsurance business, gone public and surpassed $1 billion in revenue, a time came for Berkley to show employees the power of his promises.

Around the turn of the century, W.R. Berkley stopped selling several types of insurance and began consolidating its regional offices. That meant some people lost their jobs, Berkley said, but, I promised not to let anyone go until they found another job. ... I still remember when the last person found a place to go.

To run a good business, you make a lot of commitments and employees have to be able to trust you. You cant get that trust if you take a time out.

State travails

Looking back over W.R. Berkleys 50 years and how the business environment has evolved, Berkley discussed Connecticuts economy and his view that the states education system is lagging.

Berkley and his co-founder Paul Dean moved their homes and families to lower Fairfield County when it was much more rural in 1969, Berkley said. In the years following, they also moved their headquarters to Greenwich, opening first on River Road in Cos Cob before they landed in their current space 15 years ago.

When the pair moved their business to Connecticut in the 1970s, the states business climate was a motivating factor, Berkley said, adding it was very unlike now.

It takes a long time to evolve into the place were at now, but its evolved and its become a far less friendly environment to businesses, he said.

Berkley is one of a slew of wealthy Connecticut residents who have exited the state in recent years. I moved to Florida three years ago, he said. The only question now is how long until you move?

The states problems that are pushing successful residents away arent limited to taxes, Berkley added. Its also where and how the Legislature spends money, he said. The state used to have the best education system but now were at the bottom. These are hard issues to confront, but we have to. ... Theres no sign anyone in Hartford will be making changes anytime soon.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Connecticut ranks No. 4 nationally in the quality of its K-12 education. The state has the fourth-highest percentage of residents with bachelors degrees and the third-highest percentage of advanced degrees.

But the biggest change thats upended the business climate in W.R. Berkleys 50 years, the founder said, was not a recession or bad policy. Its the digital age and how information travels with no delay, Berkley said. You have to change every day to keep up.

Still, his conclusions are more optimistic than some.

Before the printing press, there were a lot of scribes, he said. They all found a way to survive.

Contact the writer at mbennett@greenwichtime.com
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Any parent can tell you that teenagers are impulsive, that they often act or react without thinking about the consequences.

Scientific research has underlined the point, showing the brain, particularly the area that controls behavior, doesnt mature until age 25.

Now this scientific point is being made in a new arena: the courtroom. Defense attorneys have begun to argue older teenagers, who are often tried as adults, should not be considered wholly responsible for their actions.

That argument arose during the murder trail of Garfield Sanderson, 23, who is accused of shooting Jeiel Kingston three years ago in front of a White Street nightclub.

Judge Cara Eschuk, in state Superior Court in Danbury, at first ruled against a defense request to allow expert testimony about what science has to say about brain development, saying it wouldnt necessarily shed light on Sandersons state of mind on the night of Kingstons death.

We dont know if his brain was fully developed or not, Eschuk said.

But eventually she agreed to permit testimony by Yale psychiatrist Dr. Madelon Baranoski, who told the jury the frontal lobe of the brain, which regulates impulses, doesnt mature until the mid-20s.

Whether that is enough to sway jurors wont be known until the conclusion of Sandersons trial, which resumes this week.

But the issue was a definite factor in January, when Judge Kevin Russo sentenced Emanuel Harris, now 20, after he was found guilty of a killing committed when he was 17. Harris, who had been convicted of manslaughter in the fall, was tried as an adult.

Russo spoke at length during the sentencing hearing about the pain and loss experienced not only by the victims family, but by Harris, an aspiring boxer whose dreams were dashed in an instant.

I must consider, and I have considered, as mitigating factors, the hallmark features of adolescence, as well as scientific and psychological evidence showing the differences between a childs brain development and an adults brain development, Russo said before ordering Harris to serve 14 years in prison.

Adolescence, he quoted from the pre-sentencing report, is marked by a period of reckless and impulsive behavior, often with limited regard for consequences.

Dante Gallucci, the attorney who represented Harris, said last week there is a big difference between a 17-year-old and someone in their 40s, in terms of their ability to control themselves.

The courts wont allow it to be a free pass, he said, but its a tool that can be used to adjust the sentencing and punishment based on the mental capabilities of the defendant.

Dr. Charles Herrick, chairman of the psychiatric department at Danbury Hospital, underlined Baranoskis point about the slow development of the frontal lobe.

The development is delayed for a reason, he said. The longer it takes, the more opportunity for complex development, and that requires time and experience for the brain to fully mature. That development demonstrates what we see in (a young persons) behavior  easily distracted, struggling with decision-making, overly emotional responses  and all of those things can play a role in whether someone pulls the trigger or not.

Of course, Herrick notes, brain development isnt the only factor in behavior, particularly criminal behavior. Environmental factors, including the circumstances of childhood and the child-rearing practices of caretakers, can have a significant effect.

If someone grows up in a violent household and has an immature brain, they may have a tendency to lash out more, he said. But people are not violent by nature. An immature brain may not manifest itself in violent behavior; it can also make someone more generous or more forgiving.

The science has led some to question whether the age limit for juvenile offenses should be increased. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed several years ago to raise the age from 18 to 20. The proposal was defeated, but more recent proposals suggest some privileges extended to juveniles should be allowed to defendants up to age 21.

Its really a cultural decision that can be informed by science, Herrick said. But ultimately the society has to decide where to draw the line. Ultimately, I think we are heading toward a society that will treat people up to the age of 25 in a different category.

Danbury States Attorney Stephen Sedensky said raising the age of juvenile offenders could call into question whether young people should be allowed to join the military, vote, get married or enjoy other benefits conferred when they turn 18.

Rather, he said, the judicial system in Connecticut has developed an extensive inventory of diversionary programs that can be applied in cases of young adults so rehabilitation, and not punishment, is the objective. Such programs include drug education and those aimed at youthful offenders.

We have so many avenues, and we have for years, for people to obtain services, Sedensky said. We do have a safety net for people that can prevent them from having a criminal record.

Herrick said programs like these may be exacly what is needed.

Its interventions like these that can cause the least harm and are the most likely to support positive development, he said.

dperrefort@newstimes.com
Mail Today has learnt that 30 police stations have been selected in the Capital that will be upgraded with better facilities for the complainants.

By Chayyanika Nigam: Delhi Police are in an image makeover mode. Commissioner Amulya Patnaik has realised early why the city police are not a "hot favourite" of Delhiites on delivery and public image scale. The early resolution of case and patient facilitation of the victims and complainants would be key for the image makeover of the city police department - something that he knows and has started to work in that direction.

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Now, to enhance the public dealing at the police stations, up gradation of the public facilitation desk has been started. Apart from the special training given to the cops, they are planning to install tea and coffee vending machine by spending from their own expense. The senior officials have been talking to have a deal with popular brands of teacoffee to place their machine at the police station.

However, the visitor won't be served free tea or coffee, but he/she can pay to buy a cup while being at the police station. The water dispenser that has to be installed will be for free, though.

Mail Today has learnt that 30 police stations have been selected in the Capital that will be upgraded with better facilities for the complainants. Whenever a complainant will approach a police station, he/she will get proper reception desk where a public relation officer would be addressing him/her. Soon after taking over the charge as police chief in February, Patnaik has inducted 60 women public facilitation officers in 20 police stations with an aim to make facilitation desk more responsive and effective.

THE UP GRADATIONS

These women officers remain available in police stations 24x7 in three shifts. These women officers were properly trained and duly sensitised for this job as they were selected only after an interview and three days of extensive training.

Apart from own officers, male officers have been selected and are currently undergoing basic behavioural training in public dealing. These cops are from sub-inspector level to a constable. Almost a year ago, public facilitation desk was set up in majority of police stations. According to a senior police official, they have succeeded in satisfying the complainants or the visitors. The list of police stations for induction of public facilitation officers and up gradation of the desk is in possession with Mail Today.

It includes police stations of Chanakyapuri, CP, Tilak Marg, South Campus, Defence Colony, New Friends Colony, CR Park, Jyoti Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Janakpuri and Paschim Vihar.

WHY THE UP GRADATIONS?

Apart from the districts, the up gradation of public facilitation desk would also be done at New Delhi railway stations and Rajiv Chowk Metro station.

Speaking to Mail Today, SBK Singh, special commissioner of police (north zone) said,"Upgradtion of the public facilitation desk and special training provided to the cops is a very good imitative. As this desk is the first place of interaction between the cops and the complaint and once the complainant is satisfied half of the problem is solved. Then starts the work of the investigating officer to solve the case."

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According to Delhi Police, the visitors and complainants would invariably make a complaint that they didn't find a duty officer at the facilitation desk or a station house officer and the investigating officer in the police station as a result of which they had to wait for hours to meet them. To address their grievances, it was decided to induct women public facilitation officers in few police stations on experiment basis. In due course, this facility will be extended in other police stations of Delhi, police said.

ALSO READ | Delhi police cracks the whip on traffic violators, recommends suspension of 80,000 driving licenses

ALSO READ | Traffic jams considerably reduce risk of road accidents in Delhi

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The management of Okomu Oil Palm Company in Edo, said on Sunday, that it had spent N20 million on whistle blowers who saved the company from incurring losses.The companys Managing Director, Mr Graham Hefer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the company had adopted whistle blowing policy for over 10 years now.Hefer said that the company adopted the policy to prevent theft of its produce such as palm fruits and rubber as well as prevent its staff from illicit operations within and outside the company.He said that the policy had been very rewarding to the company and commended the Federal Government for adopting the policy to prevent corruption in government offices. He said that of the companys 33,000 hectares of farmland, 18,000 had been used for palm tree cultivation while 8,000 hectares was being used for cultivation of rubber trees.The managing director said that the company planned to cultivate additional 1,000 hectares of rubber trees in 2018.He said that the company had some challenges including lack of power supply and bad roads which affected its cost of production.Hefer said that the challenges also made it difficult for the company to compete effectively with its contemporaries outside the country.He told NAN that the company had spent about N200 million on its corporate social responsibility programme in the last two years and also budgeted N250 million for it this year.Hefer said about 27 youths from the host and neighouring communities currently studying in universities across the country were enjoying the companys scholarship scheme.We provided bole holes, built schools, built town halls and assisted the police in repairing their vehicles.We are motivated to carry out the projects because of the good relationship we enjoy with the host and neighouring communities of Okomu Oil Palm Company, he said.
Worried by late implementation of capital projects due to late commencements, Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has issued a presidential directive, which will henceforth (until a constitutional amendment) mandate the executive to submit budgetary proposals to the National Assembly latest by September of every year.This move is sequel to the realisation that capital votes components of budgets, which have an over-bearing impact on the citizenry, normally get the least implemented percentage due to weather conditions like rains, which hampers earth moving equipment during road construction, while the recurrent portion of budgets, which entails spending on government personnel always get 100 per cent implementation.Also under the new vista, which comes into force with the 2017 budget, no locally made goods/ services substitutes shall any longer be imported into the country as part of measures to check graft in procurement in public service, as well as, boost revenue diversification sources locally and create employment opportunities.All these are coming on the heels of the cloud of uncertainty that envelope the recently passed 2017 fiscal plan, which assent and implementation still remain a subject of controversy. In a chat with The Guardian, the Director General of Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, said the issue of faithfully implementing the budget can only come up after a careful perusal of the document.We can only say if the budget is implementable after a careful scrutiny of it. We are going to take our time and go through the document. How long this is going to take, I cant tell you. This is dependent on the volume of intervention by the National Assembly.He added that work on the 2018 budget has already commenced with the call on MDAs to submit their personnel emolument requirements for 2018.However, after the National Assembly Presidential Liaison Aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, last week contradicted themselves on who would assent to the budget, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Acting President, Laolu Akande, informed that his principal would sign the budget, hence there was no need for apprehension.Two days latter, Osinbajo followed up with the issuance of three Executive Orders (Presidential Orders), two of which have to do with budget preparations and procurement, fast-tracking budget implementation, guarding against graft as well as saving funds for implementation of government plans and programmes.The orders according to Osinbajo are in line with the authority vested in him as the acting president, said a release by Akande.On budget, the order directed as follows: All agencies, whether or not listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, shall, on or before the end May every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, their schedule of revenue and expenditure estimates for the next three financial years.All agencies shall, on or before the end of July every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, their annual budget estimates, which shall be derived from the estimates of revenue and expenditure as projected in their three-year schedule.A joint committee of the ministries of finance, and the budget and national planning shall review such estimates and ensure their conformity with the national plan and the financial and budgetary regulations before processing them for approval and early transmission to the National Assembly, the order stated adding, supervising ministers and heads of agencies as well as the chief executive officers of government owned companies shall verify that the process of preparation, harmonisation and collation of budget estimates are as stipulated in relevant laws and guidelines, as well as, ensure strict compliance with this Executive Order.Meanwhile, joining the ongoing debate on who would assent to the 2017 fiscal plan, Abuja-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ade Okeaya-Inneh said: My view is that once you write a letter in accordance with section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, automatically, the vice president becomes the acting president. It doesnt matter what word is used. If they are trying to introduce all kinds of things, then there is a major constitutional crisis looming, he warned.For Managing partner, Bank Oki, Oyesanya and Co. Adekunle Oyesanya (SAN): If he (Osinbajo) is acting as the president, then there is nothing he cannot do, including signing the budget. It doesnt look as if they are even coordinated. What does the constitution even say about the office of the acting president? Does the constitution say that an acting president cannot do certain things? The opinion of the cabal is immaterial. What matters is what the law says.If the grundnorm, the fundamental law of the land says an acting president can do everything that a president can do, then what are they saying? Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on his part said Osinbajo cannot only sign the budget, but can deploy armed forces and declare a war. There is nothing, according to him, he cannot do, stressing that the budget is a small thing among the things he can do.His words: Osinbajo as the acting president is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it stands today, under Section 5 and 145 of the 1999 Constitution. So taking the budget to London for Mr. President to sign is unconstitutional. It is an aberration and it constitutes a legal and constitutional anathema. There cant be two obas in one palace or two emirs in one palace. There cant be two popes in the world. Having transmitted a letter to the senate that he was traveling abroad on health ground under Section 145, the vice president automatically assumes power of the acting president. Section 145 says that the vice president will act in that capacity for as long as the president is away. Until then, Osinbajo remains the acting president that has all the power to do anything that the president can do. And that includes signing the budget, it includes declaration of war, it includes deployment of the armed forces to ward off external aggression.It includes presiding over the Federal Executive Council and the Council of States meeting and giving instructions to the ministers. That includes controlling the entire apparatus of government under section 153 to 159 of the Constitution. That includes exercising all powers of the president under section 5 of the 1999 Constitution. So, it does not therefore matter whether the letter was written as coordinator.According to him, even if the letter had referred to Osinbajo as sweeper of Aso Villa or cook in chief of Aso kitchen or messenger in Aso villa, the nomenclature or description does not matter at all. So, all the noise being made by the shenanigans, the cabals and the lurking hawks, all go to no issue at all, as far as this constitutional matter is concerned, he insisted.Similarly, a constitutional lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) said vice president Osinbajo is Nigerias acting president, even though a letter was sent to the national assembly saying he will coordinate affairs of government pursuant to section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.According to Hon, since it was written pursuant to section 145, the provisions of section 145 becomes applicable automatically. The National Assembly noticed that slight error. I prefer to call it slight error even though there may be more to it, and it addressed it by confirming him as acting president. So, any interpretation that is otherwise, that is contrary to the spirit and letter of the Constitution is void. He can sign the budget, he stated.In his own view, Samuel Zibiri (SAN) said Osinbajo is acting and therefore can sign the budget. Acting means that he is stepping into the shoes of the president, he argued.In a related development, two members of the House of Representatives, Messrs Olajide Olatubosun, and Ossai Nicholas Ossai have reiterated the need to the reform the countrys budgeting process.The duo, who spoke separately to The Guardian argued that the measure would surely curb the recurring problem of delays in budget passage.Ossai who is the chairman of the House committee on Ethics and Privileges said: The delay is coming from the executive. It is expected that the budget would be committed in the first week of October to the National assembly. If it takes the executive the whole year to prepare a budget, do you expect the National Assembly to pass the budget within two weeks?The lawmaker who represents Ndokwa Federal Constituency of Delta State continued: It is not possible because in passing the budget, you must take into cognizance the performance of the past budget and you must be able to reach out to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make sure you scrutinise them and determine the performance of the previous budget before you are able to address the future budget.Olatubosun, who is a member of the House Committee on Appropriation, expressed doubts if the delay in the passage of the 2017 budget impacted negatively on the economy. According to him: If you recollect the last budget was signed into law on the May 5, 2016 and it was stated in the Act that the capital component of the budget was for one fiscal year. That means it wont expire until the midnight of May 4 2017. So, what that means is that from January to that day, there was a budget that was running. Most Nigerians thought it was from January to December 2016. The capital component of the budget was being implemented, funds were being released and if you go round the country you see some projects that are being executed.However, I wont say that the delay in the passage of the budget has not got any impact considering the fact that in Nigeria, the government is the major spender. But what I have just said is that if you are talking of any delay, the only period that we did not have a capital budget now is between May 6 and today (last Friday) and that is just about twelve days. So it is not like we dont have budgets in January. No. The Appropriation Act for last year covered the period from May 6, 2016 to May 5 of 2017.
"One of the largest increases in cocaine seizures in the past five years has been observed in Ecuador, where the amount of cocaine seized rose by over 242 per cent, amounting to 50 metric tons in 2014," the UN's International Narcotics Control Board wrote in its 2015 report

.

In the first two months of 2015 alone, Ecuador saw a fivefold increase in illegal-drug seizures compared to 2014.

Spanish authorities say they worked with Ecuadorean police to stop a freighter off the South American country's coast carrying more than 5.5 metric tons of cocaine headed to Spain.Spanish national police also said another boat, a Venezuelan fishing vessel, was intercepted with 2.4 metric tons of cocaine.The Interior Ministry said Ecuadorean agents boarded the ship nearly 3 nautical miles off the coast of Santa Elena province, according to the Associated Press.A statement issued on Monday said the ship was loaded with Colombian cocaine in the Pacific and was to travel through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic to Europe. The statement, seen by the AP, said the shipment was organized by a drug-trafficking ring based in northeastern Galicia.Police found 176 bags of cocaine concealed in the cargo and arrested the 20 men on the ship. One of them was a Spaniard allegedly belonging to the Galician trafficking ring. Four other people were arrested in Spain.News site El Comercio called the seizure the largest in Ecuador's history.The seizure of nearly 8 metric tons of cocaine comes after a week in which Ecuadorean authorities intercepted 3.5 metric tons of the drug in four operations, according to El Universo.The first bust was May 4, when a coast guard patrol stopped a boat near the Galapagos Islands with two Ecuadoreans and a Colombian aboard, finding 964 kilograms of cocaine reportedly destined for Central American.A day later, in the small fishing town of Anconcito on Ecuador's central coast, police seized more than 500 kilograms of cocaine and arrested 23 of Ecuadoreans allegedly involved in trafficking drugs to the US.On Saturday, police aided by dogs discovered more than a metric ton of cocaine hidden in a container with a commercial banana shipment (a popular smuggling method for traffickers) destined for Belgium.On Sunday, police in a fishing town about 100 miles northeast of Quito found another metric ton of cocaine that was about to shipped by sea.The latter two seizures yielded no arrests.Ecuador, perched between major cocaine producers in Peru and Colombia, has long been a transshipment point for the drug.Recent years appear to underscore how the country has quickly become a major transit point for drug traffickers.At the beginning of March 2016, US officials in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, intercepted 154 pounds of cocaine valued at $2 million that had come from the Ecuador. That bust was preceded by two operations off Ecuador's coast that netted about 3,200 pounds of cocaine.2016 saw Ecuadorean authorities seize 110 metric tons of drugs, particularly cocaine.Through November 2016, the country had intercepted 61 metric tons of that drug, exceeding the 59 metric tons of it captured throughout 2015.In one incident already this year, authorities in Ecuador seized 2.3 metric tons of liquid cocaine mixed with oil and set to be shipped to Mexico.Ecuador's rising prominence in the drug trade is likely the result of a number of factors  not all of them domestic.In Colombia, the ongoing peace process with the left-wing FARC rebels has pulled some of those rebels out of the drug trade, allowing criminal groups to move in, especially in the production hotspot of Narino , which borders Ecuador.Cultivation of coca, cocaine's base ingredient, is also booming in Colombia for a variety of reasons, including decreased eradication efforts and increased economic incentives.Inside Ecuador, smuggling efforts have been facilitated by powerful criminal networks  Colombian and Mexican groups among them. Maritime routes also appear to have grown in popularity as the country's fishermen struggle to find work.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Washington has agreed arms deals with Saudi Arabia worth almost $110 billion, a White House official said Saturday, the first day of President Donald Trumps visit to the traditional US ally.This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, the official said.It will also bolster the kingdoms ability to contribute to counter-terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the US military to conduct those operations, the official added.
Professor Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), says the founding fathers of the party would reform it to correct some of its lapses.Utomi told the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the party had to be reformed to refocus it to its founding ideals.The founder and former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party said some of the founding fathers were more committed to building APC as an enduring political party.According to him, however, some people are more interested in taking titles in the party, rather than building it.Im a member of the APC; Im one of the real founding members of the APC.Forget that because some of us committed more to building real stuff and others rushed to take titles; but we founded the APC.Its not been what we thought it would be; lets be very honest, the party has under-performed, the partys structure has been poor.The party leadership has been poor; government and the party have not worked well together.But we shall reform it from within by Gods grace and make it work better.We have to wish on Gods grace and hope that things work differently. Anything that works, that will make a difference, I will do, he said.Utomi, a professor of political economy and former Special Adviser in the Second Republic government of former President Shehu Shagari, said he was not ambitious for political power.According to him, however, he is more interested in whatever will bring relief to the Nigerians from the hardship they have faced under successive administrations.All my career, all my life, Ive always been willing to do anything no matter how sacrificial it is to advance the common good of our people.The thing that I have never cared for is pursuit of power for the sake of power. Im not looking for anything, Im quite happy with the fortunes that my circumstance has brought to me.But if there is a serious group of people who really are motivated by one thing and one thing alone  service to the people.Making it a kind of life we live better, more harmony among the people of Nigeria, I will be very pleased to do anything  Councillor, President, just name anything.So I have no problem about engaging for serving if it will lead to real progress, not to a title, I dont believe in titles.We must begin to look at leaders who dont seek titles and who can make a difference without a title, he said.Utomi who is the Director of Lagos Business School, decried what he described as the triumph of politics and the politicisation of everything in the country.According to him, We are not thinking development, not thinking growth of our country, not thinking our children and their future, were thinking politics.Many of the people in positions of authority are so consumed by politics; they dont think about the Nigerian people.I think this obsession with who is winning the next election, can take Nigeria completely away from the path of development.If you say good morning, they say is he against Buhari, is he for Tinubu, is he a Jonathan person; we dont have public conversation of quality that can help us change our country for good.Take a very simple issue; the government is very concerned about corruption, nothing can more interest me than corruption because its done fundamental damage to Nigeria.But because of the triumph of politics, if you talk about corruption, you get the spin immediately because of the way we have managed the whole corruption issue, as a flood of issues.
The army has dominated Falgore forest in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State, after flushing out armed bandits, cattle rustlers an...

The army has dominated Falgore forest in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State, after flushing out armed bandits, cattle rustlers and other criminal elements from the forest. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, announced this on Saturday at Falgore at the end of exercise Harbin Kunama  Scorpion Sting.The army launched the special exercise in 2016 in Kaduna and Zamfara states to deal with those criminal activities. On April 19, it launched Harbin Kunama II in Southern Kaduna and extended it to part of Plateau, Kano and Bauchi states. Buratai said that although the exercise had come to an end, troops would remain in the vast forest which stretches from Kano through Saminaka in Kaduna, up to Jos in the North-Central to secure it. According to him, during the exercise, many bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and armed were arrested, while large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered.He said the various exercises conducted by the army across the country such as Crocodile Smile and Python Dance were aimed at ensuring security and safety. Buratai said Falgore forest had been turned into a training ground for the army. Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, who witnessed the closing of the exercise, said that the bandits and rustlers found a safe haven in the forest from where they terrorised the people.He expressed happiness that the army had been able to flush them out, thereby making it safe for the people to carry out their legitimate activities.He said that the state government would construct a dam in the forest to provide water for herdsmen to curtail their movements, thereby reducing incident of farmers/herdamen clashes in the area. The governor assured the army and security agencies of support not only to secure the forest but the entire state. The Chief Whip in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Alhassan Doguwa also commended the army for clearing bandits from the area. He promised that the house would give the army support to enable it discharge its constitutional roles.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has advocated provision of special funds for the power sector and approval for th...

Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has advocated provision of special funds for the power sector and approval for the infrastructure Ministries to utilise all funds released even after expiration of a financial year.According to a communique from the ministry yesterday, Fashola made the call during the Retreat for Directors, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals and Head of Units of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in Abuja.The theme of the retreat was teamwork for optimal productivity.The retreat, said the communique, noted that there was the need for the National Assembly to amend the Public Procurement Act 2007 with a view to reducing the time frame of the procurement process.Fashola said there was the need for procuring entities to strictly adhere to the approved threshold as contained in the Procurement Guidelines issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, 2007 and other extant rules.The minister advised procuring entities to always have in place, the procurement planning committee and fast track the procurement process based on budget proposals without necessarily waiting for the passage of the Appropriation Act.He sought support from highest political levels in the implementation of the Ministrys projects in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007, guidelines and other extant rules governing public procurement.He said that there was the need to compel foreign companies involved in construction projects to sublet certain components of the projects to local/indigenous contractors with a view to building their capacity.The minister advised thorough scrutiny of payments to consultants for project supervision in order to obtain maximum value for money.
Forrmer CEO and co-founder of Twitter Evan Williams has publicly apologised for the role the micro blogging site might have played in the election of Donald Trump as US president, media reported.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Evan Williams, former CEO and co-founder of Twitter, has publicly apologised for the role the micro blogging site might have played in the election of Donald Trump as US president, media reported.

Trump indicated in March that Twitter played an important role in his election. When asked about that remark, Williams in an interview told the New York Times, "It's a very bad thing, Twitter's role in that."

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"If it's true that he wouldn't be President if it weren't for Twitter, then yeah, I'm sorry," Williams said.

Trump has 30 million followers on his personal account on the platform and was known as a prolific tweeter well before he announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for presidency, independent.co.uk reported on Saturday.

Since entering the White House and taking control of the @POTUS (President of the United States) Twitter handle, he has 17 million followers of that account.

The platform was used extensively by his supporters during the presidential poll to advocate him and to denounce Hillary Clinton.

His detractors also well utilised the platform.

"I think that maybe I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Twitter, because I get such a fake press, such a dishonest press. I mean, if you look at - and I'm not including Fox, because I think Fox has been fair to me, but if you look at CNN and if you look at these other networks," Trump told Fox News in March.

ALSO READ | New Russia probe leaks threaten to derail Donald Trump's foreign trip

ALSO READ | Saudis welcome Donald Trump with gold medal, receive arms package

ALSO WATCH | India Today Conclave 2017: 'Find your humanity, find your truth', Waris Ahluwalia tells Donald Trump

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Troops of the 3 Battalion and 22 Brigade yesterday rescued about 998 persons from Boko Haram insurgents in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Troops of the 3 Battalion and 22 Brigade yesterday rescued about 998 persons from Boko Haram insurgents in Maiduguri, Borno State.The Nigerian Army Headquarters said the operations leading to the rescue were carried out by the troops with some civilian JTF.Director Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, in a statement, said: Following confirmed information about the presence of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in some villages around Ngala, troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigeria Army on Friday along with some civilian JTF embarked on fighting patrol to the area.The patrol team had a fierce encounter with the terrorists at Ndufu which they decisively dealt with before proceeding to clear Muktu and Muzuri as well as nearby communities within the area.Although some of the terrorists fled to various directions on sighting the troops, the patrol team was able to neutralise nine terrorists, destroyed their Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory and rescue 998 persons.Those rescued were 125 at Ndufu, 802 at Muktu and 71 persons at Muzuri. The troops also vaccinated all children under the age of five with polio vaccinations despite the fierce battle.Usman added: In addition the troops recovered an AK-47 Rifle Magazine, 2 Boko Haram terrorist flags, 4 Motorcycles, 2 Solar Panels, 2 already prepared IEDs, Detonating cords and other explosive making components.It is gratifying to note that 3 Battalion has maintained its status as one of the best fighting unit in the theatre as they did not sustain any casualty or injury during the operation.
The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) says more than 10,000 candidates caught for examination malpractices in the on-going UTM...

The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) says more than 10,000 candidates caught for examination malpractices in the on-going UTME in Anambra have been handed over to appropriate authority.Mrs Lynda Nwachukwu, the Coordinator of the board in Anambra, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka on Saturday. NAN reports that the all computer-based testing (CBT) mode 2017 UTME, which started on May 13 in 642 centres nationwide, ended on May 20. Nwachukwu said that the examination, which took place in 28 centres in the state, was successful.There was no disruption of the exercise in any of the examination centres, she said. The coordinator said that the candidates adhered strictly to the requirements of the examination, adding that JAMB provided all the materials required for the examination.NAN correspondent, who monitored the last batch of the examination, reports that some parents complained of system failure in some CBT centres in the state. Mrs Eucharia Okonkwo, a parent, said her daughter, who wrote the examination at the St Marys High School Ifite-Dunu centre, could not complete the examination due to the faulty computer and network failure at the centre. According to her daughter, many candidates could not complete the questions in record time because of the faulty system.Okonkwo advised JAMB to plan well for examination in subsequent years to avoid the technical hitches that could give the candidates psychological trauma. Dr. Mose Mojekeh, Head, Department of Marketing at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, told NAN on a telephone, that such system failure in UTME was not acceptable. According to him, the hiccups could potentially deny young people from Anambra State, university admission. Mojekeh advised JAMB to urgently collate the number of candidates affected and set another examination for them. He also decried the practice whereby JAMB sends officials from one state to supervise examinations in another state.Experience has shown that such officials do not care much about the candidates when problems arise, as they leave them to their fate, the lecturer said.He called on the management of schools, whose candidates experienced the computer failure, to take their complaints to the State Ministry of Education to present their cases. NAN reports that the JAMB concluded its CBT on May 20.
A Nigerian labour union that had called for the shutdown of all Exxon Mobil Corp facilities in the Niger Delta has suspended its strike ...

A Nigerian labour union that had called for the shutdown of all Exxon Mobil Corp facilities in the Niger Delta has suspended its strike at its Rivers state branch in the oil production hub, two union representatives said on Saturday.Reuters had been unable to verify independently whether members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had shut the companys facilities in the region on Friday, and oil industry sources said there was no impact on production.The strike has been suspended, said Chika Onuegbu, who represents PENGASSAN in Rivers state.Onuegbu and a senior PENGASSAN official, who also said the strike in Rivers state had been suspended but did not want to be identified, said the move followed a ruling by an industrial arbitration panel.Nigerian labour unions have held a number of strikes in the last few months over the dismissal of oil industry workers.The latest industrial action was in protest at the sacking of 150 workers in December, of which 82 were PENGASSAN members.Strikes by Exxon workers in Nigeria at the end of last year did affect output, delaying loadings by weeks.
VOORHEES -- Students from Cedar Creek High School arrived in style for their 2017 prom Saturday evening at The Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees.

NJ Advance Media was there to capture images of some of the students as they arrived for the celebration.

Check back at nj.com/southjerseyproms for other local high school prom coverage from schools in South Jersey. And be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom.

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Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? When viewing the images on a desktop computer, look for a link in the photo caption to purchase the picture. You'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more.

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Let's see your prom photos. Post your pictures on Twitter and Instagram with #njprom. We'll retweet and repost our favorites on Twitter @njdotcom and Instagram @njdotcompix.
MAYS LANDING -- A convicted sex offender investigators say sexually assaulted and impregnated a 12-year-old girl was sentenced Friday to 20 years in state prison.

Joseph Anthony Caracciolo. (Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office)

Jose Anthony Caracciolo, 50, who is already serving a 25-year federal prison sentence for transporting the girl out of state for sex, previously pleaded guilty in September 2014 to first-degree aggravated sexual assault, according to a statement from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

Investigators first became aware of Caracciolo's crimes in New Jersey in April 2013, when police in Egg Harbor looked into the girl's pregnancy, according to a criminal complaint filed in Camden federal court.

Police learned that in July 2012, Caracciolo -- going by the alias "Joe Crillo" -- had traveled from New York to New Jersey and then taken the girl to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to have sex with her, prosecutors said.

Investigators later intercepted phone calls between the victim and Caracciolo, who was 48 at the time, in which he admitted being the father of the child and expressed concern the girl's parents would discover text messages between the two of them.

At the time of the sexual assaults, Caracciolo -- who has a lengthy criminal history -- was wanted out of California for failing to register as a sex offender, the complaint states.

The prosecutor's office said local, state and federal investigators ultimately tracked Caracciolo to New York City, where he was arrested on Sept. 17, 2013. He was indicted on the state charges that October.

Court records show Caracciolo pleaded guilty to the federal charges in January 2016.

Under the terms of the No Early Release Act, Caracciolo must serve at least 17 years of his state prison sentence before he's eligible for parole, and is required to register under Megan's Law, according to the Prosecutor's Office. He will be under parole supervision for the rest of his life.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
HAMILTON-- An Atlantic City government employee who stole money paid by the public to rent meeting rooms at the city's All Wars Memorial Building was sentenced on Friday to three years probation, authorities said.

William Hadley, 56, of Egg Harbor Township, pleaded guilty to theft on March 29 as part of a plea deal calling for him to receive probation, pay $3,350 in restitution and forfeit his public employment, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.

Hadley was the building coordinator of Atlantic City's All Wars Memorial Building, known locally as the Old Soldier's Home, when he was charged in August 2016 with multiple counts of theft and one count of official misconduct.

Authorities said Hadley deposited money orders intended to rent meeting rooms by the public into his own personal bank account. Following his arrest, Hadley was suspended without pay by the city.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CARLSTADT - When Jeff Alino was a student pilot working to obtain his instrument rating in 2010, his Piper Warrior developed engine trouble over Austin, Texas.

"There was an issue with the fuel selector. We had to do an emergency landing," Alino's instructor, Jerry White, recalled on Thursday.

"We worked together as a crew and we landed the plane without incident," White said. "He was pretty calm - he was fine."

On Monday, Alino, 33, and an unidentified pilot were killed when their Learjet 35 crashed on Kero Road in an industrial section of Carstadt on approach to Teterboro Airport. The plane exploded, setting three warehouses on fire and destroying 13 vehicles.

The Bergen County Medical Examiner identified Alino through a fingerprint. Identification of the other pilot has taken longer because investigators are testing the victim's DNA, a county official said.

A cause for the crash, which occurred during a period of high wind gusts, has not been determined.

White - who said he spoke with Alino by phone last week - says he can't stop wondering what went wrong.

"In a Learjet there is always two pilots who are there to back each other up," White said. "How did a lapse in judgment cause this (crash)? Or was there a mechanical problem?"

White described Alino as "an average student with strengths in some areas and weaknesses in others." Under pressure, however, Alino "aways performed fine," the instructor said.

He added that Alino was successful in obtaining his instrument rating, which made him eligible to fly in clouds.

Friends and family members say Alino died what he loved doing - piloting a plane.

"He always talked about how much he loved flying," said David M. Mallow, owner of Barrister Cigars of Union.

Mallow met Alino about five years ago when he first came into his tobacco store on U.S. 22 West.

Their friendship grew as Alino developed an affinity for coffee-infused cigars, Mallow said.

"He flew charter flights, but he wanted to fly the big planes," Mallow said. "He was a young pilot, an avid flier."

Mallow said he learned of the accident and Alino's death on social media.

"I was extremely depressed about it," he said. "It was a loss of a good life."

Jeffrey Alino was born in Union County and attended local schools. He graduated Union High School with the Class of 2003 and was living in Los Angeles at the time of his death.

Alino joined the Civil Air Patrol in February 2012 and was a member until the day he died, according to Julie Debardelaben, the national organization's deputy director of public affairs.

"He did complete a number of professional development courses within the Civil Air Patrol," Debardelaben said. "The courses are meant to strengthen one's skills as a pilot. And he appeared to be doing that."

Debardelaben said at one point Alino obtained the title of aerospace education officer working with one of the patrol's squadrons.

In the days after the crash, those who knew Alino took to social media to mourn and remember him.

"He was a young man who loved life and had a passion for flying," Collin Hughes of Las Vegas wrote on Facebook. "I will miss those phone calls from him that always started out with him saying, 'Hey Buddy.'"

"We will miss your smile, laughter, passion to live life and upbeat self," a cousin from California, Janice Luna, wrote on Facebook. "The skies will miss you but now you've earned your wings and are soaring above us."

The NTSB investigation could take more than a year to complete, but a preliminary report may be available sooner, an official said Tuesday.

The contents of a cockpit voice recorder are being analyzed in Washington, D.C., the official said.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
SHAMONG TWP. -- A fire which burned through a 300-acre swath of Wharton State Forest has been "contained," an official says.

The blaze was first reported about 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the Bards Bridge area on the western edge of the forest.

By late afternoon the fire had been 50 percent contained, according to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Bob Considine.

He said New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews still on the scene were "mopping up hot spots."

According to Considine, no structures were damaged. There was no other property damage reported, he said. The residents of the 25 to 30 homes in the area did not need to be evacuated, he added.

Forked Neck Road was closed during the day and will remain shut down Saturday night except for local traffic.

About 30 firefighters from the Forest Fire Service battled the fire. Considine said 10 brush trucks, two water tankers, two tractor and plow units, and one helicopter for observation had been deployed to the scene.

Firefighters established the 300-acre perimeter around the blaze and began setting backfires to gain control.

On its website, the Forest Fire Service listed the forest fire risk for Saturday in the area of the Wharton State Forest blaze as moderate.

Wharton spans three counties -- Atlantic, Burlington and Camden -- and is located in the heart of the New Jersey Pinelands.

Considine said that along with New Jersey Forest Fire Service staff, representatives from the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, and New Jersey Department of Transportation were on the scene.

He said the agencies established a plan if smoke from the still-burning fire becomes an issue overnight.

Considine said Forest Fire Service staff will be patrolling the fire area overnight.

Officials have not said what they believe caused the blaze.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CAPE MAY -- Students from Lower Cape May Regional High School celebrated their 2017 prom on Saturday night as they arrived in style at Cape May Convention Hall.

NJ Advance Media was there to capture images of some of the students as they arrived for the celebration.

Check back at nj.com/southjerseyproms for other local high school prom coverage from schools in South Jersey. And be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom.

BUY THESE PHOTOS

Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? When viewing the images on a desktop computer, look for a link in the photo caption to purchase the picture. You'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Let's see your prom photos. Post your pictures on Twitter and Instagram with #njprom. We'll retweet and repost our favorites on Twitter @njdotcom and Instagram @njdotcompix.

Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @photoglori. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- Three firefighters were sent to the hospital while fighting a one-alarm fire in a Bramhall Avenue home this morning.

One firefighter suffered a burn to his neck and the other two were injured when they fell through a hole inside the three-story house near Randolph Avenue, city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said. One of those firefighters had a leg injury and the other had a back injury and suffered an electrical shock.

All three of the firefighters have been released from the hospital, Morrill said. None of the injuries were life threatening.

The one-alarm fire started in the living room on the second floor of the home, according to Morrill. The call came in at 10:45 a.m. and the fire was under control in 30 minutes, Morrill said.

There was extensive damage to the second floor and water damage on the first and third floors, she said.

None of the home's residents were injured. One has been relocated to stay with a family member.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Morrill said.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
By Press Trust of India: helpline

New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) The Delhi University has undertaken a slew of measures to enrol more African students, including extension of deadline for online registration for foreign nationals, and responding to their queries via email and phone.

The Foreign Students Registry (FSR) of the DU has received over 300 applications from African nationals, the university said in a statement.

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"To increase the number, the university will be extending online registration deadline for foreign nationals from 20 April to May 31," it said.

The FSR office said its staff will take special care in handling queries of African students.

It said it will answer questions from African students on fsr@du.ac.in and fsr_du@yahoo.com and respond to phone calls on 91-11-27666756.

The DU statement said the university has received an enthusiastic response from the ambassadors of various African countries.

"They have also shown a positive inclination in instituting scholarships for their students for pursuing courses at the DU," it added.

"The varsity is committed to reaching out to international students which will result in strengthening social, cultural and political ties between us," the varsitys registrar said in the statement. PTI CPB TIR

--- ENDS ---
JERSEY CITY -- A municipal ID program intended to help residents who entered the country illegally is ready for final adoption at this week's City Council meeting.

Jersey City would be the latest New Jersey municipality to provide a local ID to residents. Newark, Paterson and Union City are among those who have already established their own.

Municipal IDs are used by undocumented immigrants who have no valid form of government ID they can use to open bank accounts, sign leases and more. The cards would cost $15 for anyone over 18 and $7 for children, veterans, the disabled and senior citizens.

The council gave initial approval to the ID program on April 12. At the time, Council President Rolando Lavarro said local IDs would allow undocumented immigrants to have "access to the mainstream of society."

The Center for Migration Studies, a nonpartisan research center, estimates that roughly 22,300 Jersey City residents entered the nation illegally, nearly 10 percent of the total population.

The council on Wednesday is also scheduled to give final approval to a measure targeting puppy mill pet stores as well as one that would require residents to wrap mattresses in plastic before disposing of them.

Fears of bed bug infestations are at the heart of the mattress proposal. The ordinance says wrapping mattresses, box springs and bedding headed to landfills will protect the community and sanitation workers who have to handle them.

The helpful folks in Jersey City's law department even define mattress, just to be safe, as "(a) a fabric case filled with resilient material (such as cotton, hair, feathers, foam rubber or an arrangement of coiled springs) used either alone as a bed or on a bedstead; or b) an inflatable airtight sack for use as a mattress." That's the word-for-word Mirriam-Webster definition of mattress.

The council meets on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- The public-school district would receive revenue from tax-abated properties under a measure up for initial approval by the City Council this week.

Jersey City has faced growing criticism over its aggressive use of tax abatements, which provide no funding for its 28,000-student school district. The ordinance before the council this week would require abatement revenue - known as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) - to be shared with the school district at the same rate local property taxes are.

"We need to take steps to ensure that our schools are properly funded," said Councilman Chris Gadsden, a sponsor of the ordinance and a Lincoln High School vice principal. "I think this is a step toward that."

State law allows the city to keep almost all of the revenue generated by PILOTs (the county receives a 5 percent slice). The proposal from Gadsden, who is co-sponsoring the measure with Councilman Michael Yun, a vocal critic of the administration's abatement policy, would send an amount to the school district equal to what would be due to the district if the abated property were taxed conventionally.

In Jersey City, about 26 percent of a homeowner's tax bill goes to the school district.

It is unclear how much additional revenue the school district would receive under the plan, which would affect future tax abatements. The city expects to collect $137 million via PILOTs this year. Local taxpayers kick in $114 million to the district, which has an operating budget of $580 million.

Last month, Mayor Steve Fulop issued an executive order diverting 10 percent of PILOTs to the school district. The order came after local activists put pressure on Fulop to follow through with a 2013 campaign promise to divert some abatement revenue to school funding.

City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill told The Jersey Journal the Fulop administration is "100 percent supportive" of the Gadsden/Yun measure (Ord. 17-069).

Bill Matsikoudis, who is challenging Fulop in November's mayoral race, was a driving force behind the ordinance. Matsikoudis, who was corporation counsel under Fulop's predecessor, said with more families staying in Jersey City and renewed efforts targeting state funding to city schools, he decided now was the time to act.

"There is a growing consensus that tax abatement revenue should be shared with schools, just as conventional property tax revenue is, because it will it help our schools in the face of a probable state cut in aid and make it less likely that the city grants abatements that are not needed since the city will not be taking all the revenue," Matiskoudis said in a statement.

The council meets on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
The New Jersey School Ethics Commission has found probable cause that Jersey City school board member Lorenzo Richardson violated state ethics rules when he asked the state commissioner to toss Schools Superintendent Marcia V. Lyles' new contract.

The ethics rules bar school board members from taking private action that may compromise their school boards and from representing anyone other than the board in a proceeding involving the school district they serve. The ethics commission on April 25 found probable cause that Richardson violated both of these rules in his action regarding Lyles' contract.

The matter will now move to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.

Matt Schapiro, who filed the complaint against Richardson, argued that Richardson's actions exposed the district to litigation from Lyles.

"The Ethics Commission's findings confirm that a Jersey City Board of Education trustee, sworn to act on behalf of the Jersey City Public Schools, should not file a lawsuit against the Jersey City Public Schools," Schapiro said in a statement to The Jersey Journal.

Schapiro ran unsuccessfully for a spot on the school board in November. He has been a vocal supporter of Lyles, who was hired in 2012.

Requests for comment from Richardson, a Lyles critic first elected to the board in 2014, were not immediately returned. He argued to the commission that his actions never exposed to the board to potential litigation, and he noted that Lyles never threatened any legal action.

The Richardson case was a chapter in the convoluted history of Lyles' contract renewal.

The school board's attorney has argued that when the board did not take action on Lyles' contract renewal in December 2015 that the pact automatically renewed. Richardson missed that December meeting.

Lyles' critics on the board attempted twice to force the board to vote on whether to renew Lyles' 2012 contract. When that effort failed, Richardson asked the state education commissioner to force a board vote on the matter.

The commissioner ruled in December that Lyles' contract did automatically renew, citing a state law that says a schools superintendent is reappointed automatically for another, identical term when the school board neither reappoints her to a new term nor provides written notice of their intention not to reappoint.

Lyles' old contract expired last June. The new one extended her term to 2020.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
CLINTON - A large crowd turned out Saturday for a parade and party to mark the 125th anniversary of the Clinton Fire Department and the 50th anniversary of the Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad.

Although the weather was cool and there was some light rain earlier in the day, hundreds lined the parade route, which ended at Hunts Mill Park where food was served and the Craig Sailer Project performed. More photos from the parade can be found here.

A number of other fire companies, rescue squads and ambulance companies also took part in the parade, as did local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops and the North Hunterdon High School Golden Lions Marching Band. Fire companies from Clinton, N.Y., and Clinton, Conn., were among those attending.

"We've got about 50 fire companies, rescue squads, and ambulance companies coming from all over," said rescue squad volunteer EMT Rebecca Setnicky, a parade organizer and daughter of squad Chief Frank Setnicky.

The joint celebration is very appropriate for both departments. "Not only do we often work emergency scenes together, but many of our members have served both organizations over the years," Frank Setnicky said.

Clinton Lifetime Volunteer Rose Milligan served as the squad's grand marshal. A member of the Squad since 1977, Milligan has held every office in both operations and administrative side, except sergeant.

"To be grand marshal is certainly an honor," she said. The Squad's Day Room is named after her and her late husband, Robert Milligan.

"The parade is just another example of how well the fire department and rescue squad have always worked together," said fire department Capt. Scott Wintermute.

Clinton fire department volunteer and parade committee co-chairman Mike Clancy said being asked to help organize the parade is a special honor for him. "I was chairman of the fire department's 100th anniversary parade 25 years ago, in 1992," said Clancy, who has served with department for 35 years. "It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun. I can't wait."

Milligan said she hopes those who attended also reflect on the dedication of the volunteers who serve in both the fire department and rescue squad, adding she hopes some may be inspired to join.

"It's a great experience," Milligan said. "It's the joy of knowing you're helping somebody that really needs help."
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Maureen Himebaugh still clings to the last birthday gift her red-headed son left wrapped before he disappeared from her Cape May home more than 25 years ago: a troll doll. She lives in the same house and has the same phone number -- in case he ever returns.

Wilfredo Gonzalez, 62, remembers the last time he heard his sister's voice more than three years ago when she called him for his birthday and sang to him. She went missing in Miami, Fla. a day later.

Heidi McCallum dabbed away tears when she talked about how how many lives her daughter Meg touched before she went missing in Long Branch in March 2015.

"She was my best friend," McCallum, of Montvale, said. "I just need to know what happened to her."

Stories like these poured from the walls of Rutgers University Saturday as families of New Jersey's missing persons gathered for the state's first-ever "Missing in New Jersey" event. Organized by New Jersey State Police, the event brought together about 30 families with missing persons cases connecting them with law enforcement resources, DNA testing, and other families in similar situations.

"We're trying to provide a sense of hope for the families ... they've suffered in silence," said State Police Sgt. Joel Trella, who borrowed the idea for the event from Michigan.

"This is nothing more, nothing less than law enforcement believing that there's a way they can help," state Attorney General Christopher Porrino told NJ Advance Media. "And them outreaching their hands and pulling together a group like this of all the different disciplines to help people find their missing loved ones."

State police said about 14,000 - 16,000 missing persons cases are reported every year in New Jersey. While a majority of those are solved, authorities said there are more than 1,100 long-term missing persons cases (someone missing for more than 30 days) and 300 cases of unidentified human remains in the state.

"I used to speak to her almost every week," Gonzalez, of Jersey City said of his missing sister, Noemi Gonzalez, as he held back tears. "It's very difficult not to speak to her anymore."

Gonzales, who wore a large pin with his sister's name and photo, said he's doing everything he can to find answers. He and his two sisters-in-law had the insides of their mouths swabbed for a DNA sample at a table set up by the Attorney General's Office and State Police.

"I feel bad for everybody," Gonzalez said, tears building up in his eyes. "Before you see it in the paper and it's like OK somebody is missing. Now that you have somebody from your family it's like wow."

The four-hour event attracted local, state and federal law enforcement officials, who vowed to work together to solve these cases.

"We are committed to getting you answers," State Police Colonel Rick Fuentes told the crowd. "We're applying science in ways we didn't have 20 years ago ... we're going to do as much as we can for you."

"This is all about closure, getting to closure for some of the families," Fuentes told NJ Advance Media. "There's a support element that's going to build beyond this meeting that we're holding, where people will share wisdom, they'll have someone to talk to, they're finding similarities among their stories, we're simply providing the environment for that."

Some family members who found their loved ones comforted those who were still searching. Abby Potash, of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said she lost her son for eight months in 1997-98 when a family member kidnapped him from Hamburg.

"You feel totally out of control," Potash, who now lives in Virginia said. "You feel helpless."

Himebaugh, who lost her 11 and a half year old son when a fire broke out in her area, told other families to always keep their loved one's picture in the public eye in case anyone could help like the case of Jaycee Lee Dugard, a kidnapped girl found 18 years later.

"The pain, the pain never goes away but it does get easier," Himebaugh, 65, said. Her son will turn 37 on May 23. "I'm not going to give up hope," she said kissing the troll doll her son gave her.

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.
UPDATE: No criminal charges to be filed in fatal boat crash in Point Pleasant Offshore Grand Prix

POINT PLEASANT BEACH -- One person was killed and another was seriously injured in a powerboat collision Sunday afternoon at the Offshore Grand Prix races when one boat became airborne and ran over another race boat, officials said.

Mayor Stephen Reid said that one boat, Smith Brothers CRC, was airborne when it came down on top of another boat, the Repeat Offender, causing three people to be thrown into the water and killing one man aboard the Repeat Offender.

Reid and Toni Potthoff, president of the New Jersey Offshore Powerboat Racing Association, identified the man killed in the accident as David Raabe, the throttle man for the Repeat Offender.

The helmsman of the Repeat Offender who was badly injured was identified as James Byrne, 35, of Nutley, Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, said.

He said the Repeat Offender for an unknown reason crossed in front of the Smith Brothers CRC, causing the collision.

Potthoff said the crash occurred in the ocean at the first turn in the race, off Bridge Avenue in Bay Head.

Reid said the transom of the 26-foot Smith Brothers CRC was ripped off in the collision and sank. The two on board, brothers Rich and Pete Smith, were thrown into the ocean but were rescued.

Rich Smith, 53, of Souderton, Pa, who is the throttle man, and Pete Smith, 50, of Riverton, who is the helmsman, refused medical attention but agreed to go to Ocean Care Center to provide blood samples, Della Fave said.

Coast Guard Petty Officer David Micallif said three Coast Guard vessels, including two 29-foot response boats and an 87-foot cutter, had already been on hand for the race as a precaution when the accident occurred, and that they took part in the rescue effort. The Coast Guard counted the Smith brothers among the injured.

He said a third Coast Guard craft, an MH65 Dolphin helicopter that had been on a training mission, was diverted to the scene and provided air support after the accident was reported.

Several spectators told NJ Advance Media they noticed rough waves before the crash. Micaliff declined to comment on conditions at sea.

A witness, Tom Parr, said he was watching the race with his son over by Jenkinson's Aquarium and began to realize something was wrong after the first lap. Parr and his son saw people in black t-shirts and emergency officials near the Coast Guard station at the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach.

"There were grown adults standing there crying," Parr said.

"It's a shame," said another race attendee, Pat Kowalonek. "Everyone wanted to have a good time but it turned into a tragic accident. I feel terrible for the driver and the families."

Byrne was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune with critical injuries, Reid and Della Fave said. Della Fave said Raabe, 40, of Forked River, sustained serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m.

All four men were wearing full helmets, Della Fave said.

The Repeat Offender, similar in length to the Smith Brothers CRC, is listed on the roster of The Jersey Boyz powerboat team. Attempts to reach the team leadership and race organizers for comment Sunday afternoon were not immediately successful.

A New Jersey State Police spokesperson told NJ Advance Media the agency was assisting with the response to the wreck.

Winds were gusty at times but it was not immediately known whether that was a factor in the crash.

Erin Petenko and Steve Strunsky contributed to this report.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, Patel and his supporters launched Nyay Yatra from Botad district, highlighting their demands, including inclusion in the OBC category for reservation.

By Press Trust of India: Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and his 50 supporters today shaved their heads alleging atrocities that their community has faced under BJP government.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, Patel and his supporters launched a march for justice. They embarked on Nyay Yatra from Botad district, highlighting their demands, including inclusion in the OBC category for reservation.

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"Along with the 50 PAAS members, I decided to get our heads shaved to highlight the atrocities committed by this government on our community in the last two years. Now, we are embarking on the Nyay Yatra to seek justice," Hardik told reporters.

The march, which commenced from Botad, would pass through around 50 villages and end in neighbouring Bhavnagar city.

THE BATTLE FOR QUOTA BEGINS AGAIN

A few days back, Hardik had announced restarting of the quota stir in Gujarat and said his main goal was to defeat the ruling BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls.

The 23-year-old quota leader had accused the state government of dilly-dallying on the issue of reservation to Patel community and warned that the ruling party would face consequences in the assembly polls if it did come up with a definitive plan on the issue at the earliest.

Hardik's move came ahead of Modi's scheduled two-day visit to his home state from tomorrow. The PM is slated to attend the annual general meeting of African Development Bank and other programmes.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also read

FROM THE MAGAZINE: Hardik's predicament

Mumbai civic polls: Hardik Patel to campaign for Shiv Sena in Mumbai

--- ENDS ---
Once elected, members of the Public Service Commission typically have an easy time hanging onto their jobs. Voters dont know much about them or their work, and the only real money in the campaigns has traditionally come from utilities and others 
Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. High 76F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Low near 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 76F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
A national conference in Omaha May 24-27 will send two tour buses to Council Bluffs.

Two groups from the Neighborhoods USA 42nd Annual Conference on Neighborhood Concerns, centered at the CenturyLink Center and Hilton Hotel in Omaha, will be shuttled to the Bluffs Friday to check out a few of its historic neighborhoods.

The purpose of the Neighborhoods USA Conference is to give neighborhood leaders some tools and allow attendees from different places to exchange ideas for neighborhood improvement, said Roxanne Nielsen, conference coordinator.

The event will offer 56 different workshops, 18 tours and several keynote speakers. More than 800 people have signed up to attend.

The conference is held in a different city each year, she said.

This is the first time the NUSA conference is coming to the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, said Morgan Wade, associate director of place-based strategies at the 712 Initiative, who serves on the steering committee for the event. Its (open to) anyone who wants to learn more about neighborhood work and connect with people from all over the country.

Four Bluffs neighborhoods are gearing up for their visitors, Wade said. One tour group will visit the Fairmount Park, Gibraltar and Bayliss West neighborhoods, and the other will go to the Lincoln-Fairview Neighborhood. Each tour is four hours.

We were very fortunate to have both these tours approved by the NUSA Tour Committee, he said.

The tours are offered to give conference attendees a glimpse of what other neighborhoods have done, Nielsen said.

Its really all about sharing ideas so things going on in that neighborhood can perhaps be replicated in other parts of the country, she said.

The tour of the Bayliss West, Gibraltar and Fairmount Park neighborhoods will include a mixture of house tours, strategic stops and drives past landmarks, said Sharon Babbitt, president of the Fairmount Park Neighborhood Association.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Shea House and Farnsworth House on South Eighth Street in the Bayliss West Neighborhood and stop at several sites and listen to a guide tell about its history.

They will stop at the Historic General Dodge House, where they will have an opportunity to tour it at a reduced rate.

The group will go to the Masonic Temple for a spaghetti lunch, then drive past the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Historic Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and stop at Kirn Park, Babbitt said. There, passengers can get out and hear an account of the parks history and the collaboration between the City of Council Bluffs and nearby neighborhood associations that went into restoring it.

Participants will also stop and tour the Eiseman House and Cavin House on Park Avenue. The Eiseman House is in the process of undergoing an extensive restoration, and the Cavin House has already been redone, she said.

The neighborhoods will hand out reproductions of an old map that shows where the Ogden Hotel and other historic buildings once stood  as well as a tour booklet and other gifts, she said.

The Lincoln-Fairview Neighborhood tour will include stops at the Lincoln Monument and Fairview Cemetery, where visitors can view the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial and take a walk through the cemetery, with a guide pointing out the graves of prominent people in the citys history, Wade said.

Registration for the conference is now closed, but more information is available at nusa.org.
FONTANA, Calif.  A Council Bluffs man being pursued by the US Marshals Service was arrested Friday for allegedly holding a child in a locked room in deplorable and inhumane conditions and abusing her, authorities said.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said in a statement they located and arrested Frank French, 72, on charges of false imprisonment, four counts of child endangerment with bodily injury and two counts of child endangerment.

It was previously reported French held the alleged victim against her will for years, but Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said that was incorrect.

French is accused of abusing the victim for years. He locked her in her room for days, but not for years, Wilber clarified.

French fled Council Bluffs after learning of warrants for his arrest, police said, and evaded authorities for several months.

French was found and arrested without incident after an investigation by the US Marshals Southern District of Iowa Office and the Fugitive Task Force.

Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody thanked the marshals service for their efforts so French can be brought back to Iowa and tried in court here.
Participating in a discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable conference, Harsimrat Kaur today said, "AAP and Arvind Kejriwal hobnobbed with Khalistani (terrorist), who three decades ago caused serious wrong that led to fighting between Hindus and Sikhs."

By India Today Web Desk: Union Minister for Food Processing and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur blamed her party's defeat in Punjab Assembly election on Aam Aadmi Party and its convener Arvind Kejriwal.

Participating in a discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable conference, Harsimrat Kaur today said, "AAP and Arvind Kejriwal hobnobbed with Khalistani (terrorist), who three decades ago caused serious wrong that led to fighting between Hindus and Sikhs."

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"AAP resorted to sacrilege and blamed it on the Akali-BJP government. And, only a few days before the election, a bomb blast took place in Punjab. This scared people and at that time media was saying that SAD-BJP was losing the poll. People then decided that they will not vote for AAP because of its dubious links. They finally went with the Congress," Kaur said.

However, Harsimarat Kaur did not stop at Kejriwal. She held that 'misleading propaganda and false promises' made by Captain Amarinder Singh made people believe that the incumbent government was not doing enough.

DOWNFALL FOR KEJRIWAL HAS BEGUN

The Akali leader further said that Punjab exposed the real face of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP, which was being 'projected by media as the party heading to form government in the state'.

"Punjab began the downfall of Arvind Kejriwal. It exposed him and his party's real face. Now people of Delhi know what they stand for. That is why they lost in Delhi - first bypoll and then the municipal corporation election," Harsimrat Kaur said.

In response to a question, Kaur said, "Not only me, everyone in Punjab is happy that Kerjiwal did not become Chief Minister of Punjab." She further said, "Very soon Kejriwal will go to jail in defamation case."

WHAT ELSE HARSIMARAT KAUR SAID

Kaur said that Punjab did not get enough focus from big leaders of the BJP as the election was being held along with that in Uttar Pradesh, which was politically very important. "Not enough focus was given to Punjab," Kaur said. "The 100 per cent FDI in retail was a revolutionary reform in food processing sector. We have created an environment so that food processing could be encouraged in the country," Kaur said at India Today Editors' Roundtable.

On a question of wasted of food grains in the country, Harsimrat Kaur said, "Wastage of one-third food is the global trend. But in the West it happens in plate while in our country it happens in transport. We don't have enough infrastructure as it is capital intensive while the return is seasonal."

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She said that FDI has been increasing in food processing sector. "The year has just begun and we have seen a 40 per cent increase from last year in FDI. There are still certain issues, which I have raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The same are being considered by the Commerce Ministry."

"We have changed the way FSSAI used to function. Earlier, people who wanted to invest money used to complain that FSSAI was not clearing their proposals. We studied and changed the approval system from product-based to ingredient-based. Now, you can make anything from about 12,000 ingredients and don't require to get a clearance from FSSAI," Harsimrat Kaur explained when asked how the government is improving the work environment for industry.

Kaur slammed Captain Amarinder Singh government of Punjab saying that in such a short, the state was witnessing a collapse of administration. She accused him of trying to sell electricity to Pakistan due to his personal relation while the people of Punjab were facing huge power cuts. When asked to clarify, Kaur said, "I won't say that he is doing it for personal relation. Everyone knows about it. I won't say it. I will just say that he has sought permission to sell power to Pakistan while people and farmers of Punjab are facing power shortage."

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On the question of justice for 1984-riots victims, Kaur said, "The Narendra Modi government has formed an SIT. Now there is a ray of hope that justice will be done. For past 33 years, the Congress tried to tell people that it was riot when it was genocide in which people of only one community were killed. But, Congress tried to propagate a false narrative of the genocide."

--- ENDS ---
Survivors described the cries and shrieks of dying passengers as heart-rending. And one recalled the last voice he heard was that of a little child in a cabin.

When the Eagle Lines S.S. Schiller left America on its voyage to Hamburg, Germany, it carried 6 kegs of gold valued at $300,000; 250 mail bags; 800 bales of cotton and 4,000 bushels of corn. It also carried 254 passengers and 118 crew members.

On the morning of April 18, 1875, a crowd had gathered at the train depot at Perry Street in Davenport to wish a group of Iowans farewell. They were going by train to New York, where they would board the Schiller. There were 18 Davenport residents and three from other parts of the state traveling to the east coast.

The Schiller left American shores on Wednesday, April 28. The liner was described as one of the best of modern steamships. It was valued at $800,000. Its commander, Captain John G. Thomas, had years of experience.

According to the Cedar Falls Gazette, all went well until the night of May 7, when disaster struck. Dense fog had rolled in as the Schiller approached the Scilly Isles, a cluster of islands off the southwest coast of Great Britain.

The seas were violent. Captain Thomas ordered the sails taken down and the engines to proceed at half speed. About 10 p.m. the Schiller struck a reef. Winds bumped the ship into the rocky ledges several times. The darkness was intense as passengers and crew scrambled to save themselves and their families.

There were only a few lifeboats. When some of the crew took off in one of them and refused to return for passengers, Captain Thomas pulled out his revolver and shot over their heads. But they refused to return.

There was chaos on the ship. Waves swept the decks, carrying victims away into the ocean. The smokestack fell, crushing people.

People clung to the masts  parents grasping a child in one arm as they gripped the mast with the other. About 3 a.m. Captain Thomas was swept overboard as he tried to help his passengers.

Thus perished a brave man, one of the passengers remarked later.

Early in the morning, rescue boats arrived from nearby St. Agnes. Only 37 people survived the terrible catastrophe. Most of the Iowans died, but three survived.

The Davenport Daily Gazette reported that among the dead was Davenport jeweler, P.A. Paulsen (spelled Paulson in some accounts), who left behind five daughters, whose mother had died several years before. His sister and husband took in the children. His eldest daughter had begged him not to take the voyage because she had frightening premonitions about it. He had purchased his tickets at the very last moment.

Mathias Frahm, a well-known brewer in Davenport, also died. Emma Hansen, wife of a prosperous farmer, and her only child died. Charles Frahm survived; his twin did not. It was reported their mother swooned at the news of the disaster. Benton County residents, John Joens and his wife, also survived.

The Eagle shipping company sent a telegram back to Davenport stating that the Joens were tolerably well.

However, after being rescued, the couple remained in Germany for several months. They were so traumatized by the events that they couldnt be persuaded to board another ship. And, it was reported in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye that Mrs. Joens never slept on the return voyage.

A year after the disaster the Cedar Falls Gazette reported that a curious lawsuit was being pursued over a life insurance policy of one of the Davenport victims.

Surviving family members of a couple who had died were squabbling over the $5,000 policy. It was up to the courts to decide who had died first in the disaster. If the husband died first, the wifes family was entitled to the money. If the wife died first, the husbands family inherited.

The paper speculated that there would be very little money left for relatives in any event because the lawyers would get most of it.
Nearly 60 percent of adults with a mental illness didnt receive help last year, according to research done by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

To help change this, NAMI recently launched a new, month-long public campaign for May 2017 called Into Mental Health. The campaign, which has themes of being inspired, informed and involved, is targeted at the sharing of information and resources to support those who experience a mental health condition.

A closer look at NAMIs research reveals that one out of every five adults experience a mental illness and around 10 million Americans live with a serious mental illness each day.

Stigma, along with a lack of information about resources and treatment, impedes these individuals from getting the help and support they need. NAMI suggests that things like blame and isolation can prevent someone from reaching out and engaging in appropriate support and treatment, which can have disastrous consequences.

Without intervention, individuals with mental illness are at a heightened risk for homelessness, incarceration, chronic medical issues and suicide. Students may experience an increased risk of falling behind and dropping out.

NAMIs research findings show that, across the nation, individuals with untreated mental illness also lose out on over $193 billion in earnings each year.

To combat these consequences, the new campaign highlights the stories of average, relatable people living with mental illness and encourages others to share their stories as well. It also helps spread accurate information about mental health conditions, treatments and outcomes.

For example, todays treatments for serious mental illness are 70 percent effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life, according to NAMI.

To help the campaign spread, NAMI encourages communities, agencies and individuals to focus on information sharing and provides sample messaging on their website, www.nami.org.

 Wendy Kaiser is the executive director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network, a Council Bluffs nonprofit agency that seeks to make an impact in the mental health and substance abuse fields through a collaborative effort to bring nonprofits across southwest Iowa together.
More than 100 attended the annual Pottawattamie County Republicans Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner Friday night, headlined by keynote speaker U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas.

Despite rainy weather, spirits seemed high as other speakers mingled with the crowd, like Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary of State Paul Pate and Auditor of the State Mary Mosiman.

Cotton, 40, stayed busy shaking hands and seeing familiar faces. His wife, Anna Peckham, grew up in Cuming County in Nebraska, he said, so hes familiar with the area. Hes also hard to miss, usually head-and-shoulders taller than anyone hes chatting with.

Plus, last election he campaigned for State Sen. Dan Dawson. When Cotton was invited back to speak tonight, he was more than happy to oblige, he said.

The Republican party has made strides in Iowa, especially under (Gov. Terry Branstads) leadership, Cotton said.

He commented on the turmoil and divisiveness the country has seen this year as a failure of Democrats to accept losing the 2016 general election.

We have problems to solve. Health care, crime and more. (President Donald) Trump won because he addressed concerns people have, he said.

On the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, Cotton said while some have benefited from the increase in health care coverage, the plan has made things worse in other regards.

Thats my focus, to make sure we can give the opportunity so everyone has access to health care, he said.

Cotton stopped to shake hands with resident Doug Krasne, who said Cotton seemed nice.

He strikes me as a common sense man. Not a lot of bluster, which is what we need right now in the senate, Krasne said. I like him.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Cotton said he is not currently planning to run for president in 2020. That year he will be up for re-election in Arkansas, he said.

Reynolds, too, was busy making the rounds with supporters. With Branstad picked as Trumps ambassador to China, Reynolds will soon become governor, and she said shes looking forward to a seamless transition.

We just wrapped up this legislative session and have things to finish, while I plan to travel Iowa again like I do each year, Reynolds said. Were looking to build a consensus with supporters and take the next step to move Iowa forward.

On the top of her list was comprehensive tax reform, Reynolds said.
The word wanderlust means a desire to travel and explore.

With a play on words, an Oakland-based organization has just launched the website WanderLoess in the hope it stirs interest in discovering the many arts and cultural activities available in rural southwest Iowa.

One of the reasons were doing this is because the amenities in rural southwest Iowa are not well known nor advertised so were trying to promote them, said Lance Brisbois, project coordinator for Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development. There are a lot of small town museums that people in those areas know about, but people in Council Bluffs or Omaha or those traveling through the area may not know. There are also a lot of artists that people arent familiar with.

Brisbois described WanderLoess  the Loess referring to the nearby Loess Hills  as a museum and folk school without walls, where the public can learn about the wide variety of arts and cultural amenities the region has to offer.

The WanderLoess website includes an interactive map of arts and culture sites, as well as an events calendar. Information comes from a variety of sources and people are encouraged to add more sites and events.

The map includes museums, public art, art studios and galleries, historic buildings and sites, libraries, ghost towns, historic trails, and nature.

The site will also be a place for people to share ideas and skills with others through classes, lessons, and field trips.

WanderLoess was conceptualized in 2015 during a regional planning process, according to Brisbois. The name started with an Instagram hashtag by a group of bicyclists in the Loess Hills and has grown to include any exploration of southwest Iowa, he said.

Funding for WanderLoess is provided by the Iowa West Foundation.

For those would like a site or an event added to the website, email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org.
DES MOINES  Planned Parenthood on Thursday announced it will close four of its 12 clinics in Iowa after the new Republican-led Legislature cut its state funding this year.

The Council Bluffs clinic will remain open.

Local affiliate Planned Parenthood of the Heartland said the closings, slated for June 30, will hurt access to reproductive health care in Iowa, especially in rural areas. More than 14,600 people visited the impacted clinics  located around the state  in the past three years.

This is a case of extreme Iowa politicians deciding they know whats better for a womans health than the women actually seeking care, with devastating consequences, said Suzanna de Baca, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, in a statement.

The clinics set for closing are located in Sioux City in northwest Iowa, Bettendorf in eastern Iowa and Burlington and Keokuk in southeast Iowa. It will reduce the number of Planned Parenthood facilities in the state that provide abortions from eight to five. More than 30 employees within the organization will be laid off.

A Planned Parenthood of the Heartland spokeswoman said Friday the Council Bluffs Health Center is not at immediate risk of closing.

At this point, there are no plans for further closings, said Susan Allen, director of communications and marketing.

Allen said Planned Parenthood officials had been looking at their options ever since talk began of ending government funding for the organization and had considered the need, access, support and financial condition of each clinic before announcing the upcoming closure of four of its Iowa facilities.

They attempted to find a solution where the greatest number of Iowans in the largest number of cities could continue to be served. Allen said she is most concerned about patients in Keokuk, which is in a more rural area than the other clinics slated for closure.

In Keokuk, there are no Title X health centers within 45 minutes, so there are really some gaps, as far as providers that can pick up those patients, she said. Were very concerned for all of them. This was not a decision that was made lightly.

Last year, 10,000 visits to Planned Parenthoods Iowa clinics were made by Medicaid subscribers, Allen said.

Planned Parenthood also announced it was closing its only clinic in Wyoming and five clinics in New Mexico and Colorado. Wyoming will join North Dakota as the two U.S. states without a Planned Parenthood presence.

Republican lawmakers in Iowa agreed last legislative session to give up millions of dollars in federal Medicaid money in order to create a state-run family planning program that excludes clinics affiliated with abortion services or referrals.

The new state family planning program will cost the state about $3 million; the previous setup with the federal government allowed Iowa to pay about $300,000 through a 90 percent to 10 percent match.

Iowa faced tough budgeting decisions this year, and the costly new program was approved as a GOP priority despite statewide budgeting constraints and drastic agency cuts.

Iowa Republicans have long-sought to defund Planned Parenthood as well as promote legislation restricting abortions.

This year, they also approved a ban on most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and added a 72-hour waiting period to get an abortion. The waiting period has been temporarily halted amid a legal challenge.

While several states have attempted to remove state funding for Planned Parenthood, few have done so by forgoing Medicaid family planning reimbursements altogether. Texas, in 2011, took similar action and created a family planning program.

Amid budget constraints, its now reversing course and asking for a waiver that would allow them to receive federal money again while still excluding abortion providers.

A report found that 30,000 fewer women were served in the Texas family planning program following the changes. More than 80 family planning centers also closed in Texas, a third of which were Planned Parenthood affiliates.

The current system that used federal Medicaid money will expire June 30, according to the Iowa Department of Human Services. Participants will automatically be transferred to the new state-run program, which covers the same services as long as they are not sought at a clinic offering abortions.

Department spokeswoman Amy McCoy said participants will need to bring proof of coverage to receive those services.

No state dollars are used to pay for abortions in Iowa, though anti-abortion groups and Republicans have argued that giving money to Planned Parenthood indirectly helps pay for the medical procedures.

The cut was part of the states roughly $7.2 billion budget, which was approved recently by outgoing Gov. Terry Branstad. Hes expected to soon become U.S. ambassador to China. He prioritized the defunding move during his final session in office.

Ben Hammes, a spokesman for the governor, cited data he claims will ensure there are family planning services in every corner of the state. He said in an email the governors office was proud of the Legislatures move.

The pro-life movement is making tremendous strides in changing the hearts and minds, to return to a culture that once again respects human life, Hammes said.

Anti-abortion groups celebrated the news that the clinics would shutter and suggested that other health centers could absorb the patients.

This is good news for families in the state of Iowa, Maggie DeWitte, director of Iowans for Life, said in a statement. There are many quality community health centers in Iowa that provide comprehensive health care to women and families across the state. And they do so without taking the life of precious human beings.

Congressional Republicans are seeking to cut Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for the poor and disabled, with the House earlier this month passing a health care bill that would do just that. Republican-led states also have sought to block taxpayer money from supporting the organization.

Planned Parenthood and its supporters have tried to push back against the measures, arguing they could lead to gutting services for the millions of people who rely on the organization for their health care.

 Sandhya Somashekhar of The Washington Post contributed to this report.
A lot of good people live in Council Bluffs (and southwest Iowa too).

You may not recognize them, but the positive things that happen in our communities are because these previously unnamed people care enough to make it so.

Starting today, and running Tuesday through May 28, The Nonpareil will publish its annual Faces of the Community sections. Each day will focus on the individuals, groups and organizations who are working to make our little corner of the world a great place to live, work and play.

In todays section, Faces of Education, youll be introduced to people like Matt Twit and Aaron Mulvaney.

As a special education teacher for Council Bluffs Community School District, Twit works with students diagnosed with autism.

As the schools first blind-only student, Mulvaney is enrolled in the residential Post Senior Learning for Ultimate Success program, which provides transitional support to high school students who have met their course requirements but havent graduated.

On Tuesday, the Faces of Health section will highlight people such as Mark Peters and Jennifer Ratliff.

After operating a full-service small animal clinic for 30 years, Peters, a local veterinarian, makes house calls for the ease and comfort of his furry patients.

Ratliff is a therapist and coordinator of the RSafe program at the Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families.

In the Faces of Service section, which publishes Wednesday, youll find stories about local residents like Dan Flores and Peter Heineman who go above and beyond typical commuinity service.

Flores, a lieutenant with the Council Bluffs Police Department, is an active board member at Centro Latino.

Heineman, director of quality assurance at Bellevue University, is also band president of the Omaha Pipes and Drums, a constant source of music at both fun and solemn events.

On Thursday, the Faces of Recreation section will tell you about the men behind Keg Creek Brewery in Glenwood and how their dream of great beer in a great town came to fruition.

Friday in the Faces of Business section, meet the movers and shakers in southwest Iowas economic developments like Vicki Overly and her staff (including office dog, Gus) at Add-It-Up Tax and Bookkeeping Service.

In the Faces of Neighbors section on Saturday, be inspired by stories like that of LaVonda Herrick, an 81-year-old grandmother (and great-grandmother) who volunteers at Community of Christ Thrift Store.

And finally, on May 28, reaquaint yourself with local history of the Faces of Legacy section, which will focus on the stories of people who made a difference in our community. People like Norm Filbert, who died more than a decade ago, but whose legacy lives on in the local theater scene.

The Nonpareil staff has worked hard in the last few months to bring these stories and pictures to the public.

We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed writing them.
The police on a tip off, raided the house of one Krishnan, a resident of Bithan village under Bhiwani district and recovered the contraband.

By Manjeet Sehgal: In a major crackdown against drug smugglers in the state, the Haryana Police on Sunday seized 15.5 quintal poppy husk from a Bhiwani-based drug smuggler, police sources told India Today.

The police on a tip off, raided the house of one Krishnan, a resident of Bithan village under Bhiwani district and recovered the contraband. The arrested smuggler is member of an inter-state gang involved in narcotic smuggling.

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"We have arrested the accused, who is a member of a gang active in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. We recovered 15.5 quintal poppy husk from his possession. The consignment had arrived on Friday from Rajasthan. The supplies were meant for Haryana and neighbouring Punjab," a police department spokesperson said.

The accused smuggler during his interrogation told the police that he has links with drug smugglers in Punjab and Haryana, and used to smuggle large quantities of banned drugs. He would store the drugs in his own house and then courier the same to his counterparts in Punjab and Haryana.

Krishnan has been remanded to police custody. His remand is likely to provide important leads to the police to reach the kingpins of the gang.

It is worth mentioning here that a number of highway dhabas (roadside eateries) alongwith the National Highway 1, are dens of drugs where the truckers and people alike get supplies of poppy husk.

Also read: Punjab: Amarinder Singh government orders crackdown on drugs; 485 peddlers arrested in 10 days

Also read: Gurgaon: How gangster Satish murdered 9 people while on parole for 'good behaviour'

--- ENDS ---
Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific returned to the airport after a bird crashed into its right side of nose, when it was flying at a low altitude, after 35 minutes of flight.

By Ashish Pandey: Cathay Pacific Cx 646 flight had a narrow escape when it was hit by a bird before flying into its full altitude in the wee hours on Sunday.

The plane took off at 1.49 AM with 244 passengers on board from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad and was scheduled to land at Hong Kong airport at 9.40 AM.

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The twin engine Airbus A330-300 plane, however, returned to the airport after a bird crashed into its right side of nose, when it was flying at a low altitude, after 35 minutes of flight.

The airlines staff comforted the panic-stricken passengers at a private hotel before the flight left for Hong Kong some time later.

ALSO READ:

Indigo aircraft collides with aerobridge at Jaipur airport, none injured; probe ordered

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing at Raipur airport after bird hit

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Wheat board to host annual budget meeting

LINCOLN  The Nebraska Wheat Board will hold its annual budget meeting at the Hampton Inn, 635 Cabela Drive in Sidney. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. MDT on May 31 and conclude at 1 p.m. on June 1. The meeting will recess from 6 p.m. on May 31 until 8 a.m. on June 1.

The meeting will include decisions on project funding for fiscal year 2017-18. It will also include reports from NWB board members, contractor reports and a review of upcoming events and travel. An executive session is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Thursday. The public is welcome to attend any open portion of the meeting. Interested individuals may contact the NWB office for a copy of the agenda or for more information.

The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the check-off of 0.4 percent of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds in programs of international and domestic market development and improvement, policy development, research, promotion and education.

4-H contests help youth prepare

The Dawson County 4-H Life Challenge, Horticulture Judging, Photography Judging and Weed and Grass Identification contests will be on June 1 at the Dawson County Extension Office meeting room in Lexington at the fairgrounds.

The contest is open to all 4-Hers regardless of project enrollment

The 4-H Life Challenge contest starts at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:45 a.m. The 4-H Horticulture Identification and Judging begins at 10 a.m. with registration at 9:45 a.m. The Photography Judging contest follows at 11 a.m. with registration at 10:45 a.m. The new Weed and Grass Identification and Judging contest registration will be done when contestants complete other challenges and are ready to commence.

Contestants will be awarded ribbons and placing medals for their efforts.

These contests help youth prepare for competition at the state contests later in the year.

Workshop for cattle producers set for June 7

Nebraska Extension will be hosting a risk management workshop for cattle producers from 1:15 to 3 p.m. on June 7 at the Red Willow County fairgrounds community building in McCook.

Cattle producers will learn how to reduce risk exposure associated with cattle marketing and forage production to achieve a profitable outcome in uncertain times.

Topics covered during the workshop will include determining your cost production, marketing tools to protect against price declines and programs for protecting against weather related forage losses. Specific topics covered during the workshop will discuss new and existing marketing options, insurance options and disaster programs available to cattle producers.

The workshop does not have a cost for attending and a meal will be provided, but registration is required to ensure an accurate meal count. For more information and to register, call the Nebraska Extension Office in Red Willow County at 308-345-3390.
NPPD awards $1.5 million construction contract for Ogallala operations center

COLUMBUS  The Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors has awarded about a $1.5 million construction contract with Steele Roofing and Construction Inc. of North Platte. It will be used to complete renovations on what will be the new Ogallala Operations Center.

The Ogallala Operations Center will combine three existing NPPD facilities in Ogallala, a retail customer service/distribution center, a substation garage/shop building and a telecommunications/substation technician building.

Consolidating our operations will provide efficiencies and improve customer service, NPPD Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Kent said.

The new facility will be located in the former Bomgaars retail store at 300 South Clarice Road.

By renovating an existing facility, the District is maximizing our customer value and getting a prominent location when compared to a greenfield facility, Kent said.

The new location provides high visibility for NPPD and its customers and continues NPPDs presence in Ogallala and the surrounding communities it serves.

Renovations are expected to be completed in early 2018.
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce has announced that Mitch Hunt has been selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska Class X.

Hunt is the owner of Huntrex LLC in Broken Bow. Huntrex services clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses. Huntrex serves a wide swath of industries including manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and television. Hunt received a specialization in entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland in 2015. A specialization is a rigorous online program developed by the University of Maryland and facilitated by Coursera. Hunt continues to refine his knowledge and leadership ability through experience, online courses and programs such as Leadership Custer County and Leadership Nebraska.

Hunt is a member of many local organizations including the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce, Custer Economic Development Corporation, Custer County HEROs Program and serves as president of the Broken Bow Area Rotary Club. Hunt is marketing chair for the 2017 Cattlemens Ball of Nebraska.

Hunt, a fifth generation Nebraskan, grew up on a farm west of Arcadia. He now lives and works in Broken Bow.

Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout Nebraska, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state.

Participants are selected from different regions of the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. All candidates must have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future.

The program consists of six sessions covering a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic development, healthcare, education, agriculture, government and policy development. Class X begins with an orientation in June and will end in February 2018 with a commencement ceremony in Lincoln. Sessions will be conducted throughout various locations of the state.
Ron Daly has always dreamed of visiting the land of his ancestors, but hes never had the chance. Now hes battling terminal cancer and his friends are determined to make his dream come true.

Daly taught music at Sutherland Public Schools for 11 years and North Platte Community College for five. Now, he gives music lessons at Kittles Music.

He came in the other day and was talking about how he always wanted to go to Ireland, said Rob Martinson, another instructor.

The discussion led his co-workers to start looking for a way to make it happen.

Eight years ago, Daly was diagnosed with colon cancer.

They thought they got it all, Daly said.

Recently, severe back pain had him in the doctors office. A blood test was used to measure markers for cancerous tumors, and Daly said his result was 40, while the average is 3.5. Doctors determined that he has cancer in his lymph nodes.

Theres no cure, Daly said.

Daly has chemotherapy every three weeks. His symptoms have been mild and hes been able to keep giving lessons.

Ive always loved music, Daly said. It just excites me to see the light come on in their eyes when they get it.

He also loves his heritage. Dalys great-grandfather George Henry Higginson Daly came to the United States from Ireland when he was 10 years old. He sailed out of Cobh, formerly Queenstown, which was also the Titanics last port of call.

I want to see it, Daly said. I also want to see Dublin, Killarney  a lot of those places.

The staff at Kittles is asking for the communitys help to get Daly to Ireland. Donations can be made at Kittles Music, 106 E. Fifth St., or by calling 308-532-2911. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Donations can also be dropped off at Equitable Bank.

If the funds raised exceed the cost of the trip, the extra money will be put into the Ron Daly Scholarship Fund for students who would like private music lessons.

Daly said he and his wife, Marsha, hope to make the trip at the end of the summer.

Thank you to everybody that contributes, Daly said. This is something I didnt expect, nor do I feel like I deserve. Its very humbling to know people would want to give to something like this.
Trey Allison had looked forward to the Family Fishing Day at Maranatha Bible Camp since a field trip with his class from McDaid Elementary School.

As days of rain shifted to snow Saturday, he and his dad, the only two outside participants as of noon, fished on the camps lake, even after the camp announced an alternative day for Saturday.

While a number of events were postponed Saturday and Sunday due to the snow, others shifted accommodations, making sure the show went on. Im not much of a fisherman, said Trent, who held an umbrella for Trey as the boy held his pole. But the kids having fun.

Inside the camps dining hall, an outdoor ministry group from North Platte Berean Church warmed up with hot cocoa. Mike Morrill, an event organizer, asks that participants who plan to attend next Saturday call ahead.

In Gothenburg, residents filled the First United Methodist Church for the Trails West Fest, which was originally planned to take place in Ehmen Park. Despite about five of the events activities being canceled, kids still made tortilla tents and watched weaving demonstrations. Historical speakers took the stage throughout the day.

You kind of do what you can, you know? said June Blauvelt, a manager of the Pony Express Station and Historical Museum, which coordinates the event with Gothenburg Historical Museum.

The festival began last year to bring awareness to the many historic westward trails that took place through Central Nebraska. The event also gave children a chance to experience historical living and bring families together, Blauvelt said.

The snow that blew across the North Platte area didnt stick to the ground, but from the weeks totals, the city saw nearly 2 inches of precipitation, with more than half of an inch falling Saturday, said Jaclyn Gomez, a meteorologist with North Plattes National Weather Service Office.

North of North Platte, residents in Thedford woke up to 3.5 inches of snow, and reports came from Mullen of 2 inches of snow. Callaway also reported 2 inches of snow Saturday, Gomez said.

Rain was expected to continue through Saturday evening, and the weather service issued a frost advisory from 3 to 8 a.m. Sunday in northwest to southwest Nebraska, from Holt to Deuel counties. However, Gomez expected a drier Sunday. Temperatures are expected to climb to the 60s through Wednesday, about 5 to 10 degrees below average. Warmer temperatures may begin Thursday.
By Press Trust of India: Kolkata, May 21 (PTI) Howrah railway station is set to go green with the installation of three megawatt rooftop solar panels on platform sheds.

"We are executing a three megawatt rooftop solar project for eastern railway at a cost of Rs 21 crore which will probably be the largest rooftop solar project in the Indian Railways," RaysExpert director Rahul Gupta told PTI.

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RaysExpert is a renewable energy service company, engaged in the project.

Confirming the development, eastern railway CPRO Ravi Mahapatra said that 14 platform sheds will be used to setup the rooftop solar panels.

Gupta said they will sell power at Rs 5.49 per unit for the next 25 years to eastern railway.

"Financial closure is done and we expect to execute the project in the next three months," he said.

According to estimates, 50 to 60 per cent of the power demand at Howrah station can be met through solar energy.

Gupta said that the eastern railway will make sizeable saving in electricity cost after the implementation of the project.

Rooftop solar projects are gaining popularity in government buildings due to the subsidy provided by the Centre to the tune of 15 per cent, making projects viable for both service providers and buyers. PTI BSM AYP RG AYP

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Lucknow, May 21 (PTI) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the UP police to probe the death of Karnataka- cadre IAS officer Anurag Tiwari is meticulously studying the case from all angles before submitting its report. "The SIT team is yet to submit its report as it is going through all the possible clues and angles meticulously. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has recreated the scene in its probe," Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow, Deepak Kumar told PTI. So far during the probe, it has been found that there was no return ticket of the officer to Bangalore as reported in sections of the media, he said. The SIT was constituted under Circle Officer, Hazratganj to probe the death of the young IAS officer on May 18. Asked to comment on the family members of the deceased alleging that it was a case of murder, Circle officer Awanish Kumar Mishra said they have not got any application for registration of FIR so far. The officer was found dead on May 17 under mysterious circumstances on a roadside in the high-security Hazratganj area here, hardly a kilometre away from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. As opposition members raised the matter vociferously in the state assembly, the government informed the House that the deceased was about to expose scams worth thousands of crores of rupees under the Congress-led government in Karnataka. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khannas response came amid allegations from opposition benches that Tiwari, 36, posted as commissioner in the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs in Bengaluru, was murdered. The opposition members tried to corner the ruling BJP over the law and order situation soon after the House met for the day. Tiwari, a 2007-batch IAS officer, was staying at the Meera Bai guest house with a batchmate after attending a mid-career training programme at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. He was in his sleepwear when he was found dead, on the day which also happened to be his birthday. "My son was very honest. Corrupt officers did not like him. They must have somehow got him murdered," his father B N Tiwari had said in Bahraich, his native place. Tiwaris brother Mayank, when contacted, said that the family members will meet the SSP tomorrow and give him an application to register an FIR against unknown persons in the case. Mayank has also written a letter to the Prime Ministers Office demanding a CBI enquiry into his brothers death. In his letter, he said his brother was an honest officer and wanted to work for the betterment of society. "A few days back, Anurag had told me that he had tumbled upon a major scam in the Food and Civil Supplies department of Karnataka, which he wanted to inform the PMO and CBI," Mayank said in the letter. He also alleged that there was pressure on Tiwari to withdraw the report which could have nailed senior officers and ministers, had it come in the public domain. The family members are also likely to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to demand justice for Tiwari. Sushila Devi, the deceased officers mother, made a fervent appeal to the prime minister and chief minister demanding justice for her son. She said she wanted to know why an honest officer was killed. She also mentioned that her son never went for a morning walk.

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Police had earlier said there was an injury on his chin and did not rule out that he may have been hit by a vehicle during his morning walk. PTI ABN SMI KUN

--- ENDS ---
Purdue University Northwest

Locations: 2200 169th St., Hammond; 1400 S. U.S. 421, Westville

Phone: 219-989-2400 (Hammond), 219-785-5200 (Westville)

It certainly raises an eyebrow when a regional offshoot of Purdue University bests the West Lafayette mothership for the title of Best College/University, but Purdue University Northwests assistant vice chancellor of media relations and communications Wes Lukoshus says that the two institutions shared educational DNA and values are what shine though at every level.

By offering nearly 70 undergraduate and graduate level degree programs, Purdue University Northwest prepares our students for jobs, careers and graduate study in the proud tradition of Purdue academic excellence, he explains.

But what really sets PNW apart, he believes, is the universitys commitment to experiential learning, providing students with the integration between traditional classroom/laboratory and textbook lessons and the applied learning that occurs in a real world environment.

Purdue University Northwest takes pride in helping our students learn how to learn and think critically, Lukoshus says. This not only prepares them for the challenging jobs and careers of the present, but also for those emerging opportunities that will play a huge part in driving the future of economic development regionally, nationally and worldwide.

SECOND PLACE

Valparaiso University

Location: 1700 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso

Phone: 219-464-5000

THIRD PLACE

Purdue University

Location: 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette

Phone: 765-494-4600
Faith Church

If you attend services at any one of Faith Churchs six area locations, you know its members are dedicated to their motto: restoring the world one relationship at a time. That happens through our many ministries, explains senior pastor Bob Bouwer. The churchs campuses include one in Illinois and another in the Dominican Republic. Ministries range from worship services to tutoring elementary school children to addiction recovery and grief support.
Gina Guarino



Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Location: 20 U.S. 30, Schererville

Phone: 219-864-5015

As far as Im concerned, no home is too large or too small, says Gina Guarino, broker/associate/team leader, Gina Guarino Group at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage based in Schererville. I give every client the same level of service at my very best.

Describing herself as someone who truly loves what shes doing, Guarino says she

offers a unique experience by always putting the needs of her client first as well as using the most current technology and being super responsive and attentive.

Having the right professionals on her team also makes the difference.

Its a dynamic market and a tedious process, says Guarino. Ive created a team of experts to make sure every detail of the transaction is handled professionally. My team and I work vigorously to pursue all of our clients' goals.

For Guarino, having the trust and support of her clients is deeply moving. I am immensely grateful by the expression of confidence people have in me, she says. Thank you.

SECOND PLACE

Bill McCabe

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Location: 421 W. U.S. 30, Schererville

Phone: 219-865-4392

THIRD PLACE

David Taylor

Century 21 Affiliated

Location: 8080 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point

Phone: 219-661-3003
Centier Bank

Multiple locations

Phone: 219-756-2265

Customers remember how they were treated long after they forget how much they paid for a product. Thats why Centier Bank feels honored for their recognition as Best in the RegionBest Customer Service.

Customer service starts with a caring heart, says Leslie Kiefer, senior partner of retail banking. At Centier, we hire associates with that in mind and provide ongoing training in customer service and care.

Being a private, family-owned bank, Centier specializes in getting to know their customers and doing the little things that people really appreciate, according to Kiefer.

At Centier, we know you by name, she says. Our efforts to be number one in customer service are unmatched in todays local market.

In 2016, Centier surpassed $3.5 billion in total assets and $3.0 billion in total deposits, making it the largest bank in Northwest Indiana. But they havent gotten too big to remember that customer service is number one.

With every parade, every stop at a local business, we are so grateful to hear residents of Northwest Indiana say, Thats my bank! Kiefer adds. We plan to be your choice for customer service for generations to come. Thank you to all who voted Centier!

SECOND PLACE

Alberts Diamond Jewelers

Locations: 711 Main St., Schererville; 2173 Southlake Mall, Merrillville

Phone: 219-322-2700 (Schererville), 219-769-1976 (Merrillville)

THIRD PLACE

Strack & Van Til

Multiple locations

Phone: 219-924-7588
Brumms Bloomin Barn

Location: 2540 45th St., Highland

Phone: 219-924-1000

Jerry Brumm, co-owner of Brumms Bloomin Barn in Highland with his wife Nancy, says he feels lucky to have beaten the odds. Weve been around since 1970 and weve seen a lot of gift boutiques come and go. Its tough to be a small business and we wish the others were still around.

Their secret to long-term success? We buy unique gifts that big box stores and other independent stores dont have, Brumm explains. We have good quality merchandise at a good price and keep it fresh, new and well displayed. The store carries gifts for the home and has expanded into other areas, including a wide selection of womens clothing, jewelry and handbags.

Brumm also attributes his ability to withstand cyclical retail trends to the attentiveness, knowledge and friendliness of his sales staff. He notes that they are professional and always willing to assist customers in finding the perfect item.

Holidays at Brumms Bloomin Barn are usually celebrated with special events, giveaways, food samplings or a free gift with purchase. Most notable, says Brumm, is the Christmas Open House, held the first Sunday in November, which draws a multitude of customers into the store to see the array of holiday-themed merchandise. Throughout the year, Brumms hosts ladies nights and also offers a loyalty program that rewards customers with a percentage off of their purchase when they accumulate a required number of points.

Brumm says he stands by his stores slogan: Quality and service arent expensive . . . theyre priceless.

SECOND PLACE

The Shrine of Christs Passion

Location: 10630 Wicker Ave., St. John

Phone: 219-365-6010

THIRD PLACE

Little Green Apple Hallmark

(formerly Marias Hallmark)

Locations: 923 Ridge Road, Munster; 10827 Broadway, Crown Point

Phone: 219-836-5025 (Munster), 219-661-0420 (Crown Point)
Kohls

One of the most popular programs is Kohls Cash, which offers customers the opportunity to take advantage of online shopping, free pickup in stores and shopping in stores using cash they earned during a previous purchase. Kohls also thanks its loyal customers with the Yes2You Rewards program, which allows shoppers to earn points they can then apply to future purchases.
Indianas two largest independent grocers, Strack & Van Til and Marsh down in central Indiana, ended up in bankruptcy court in recent weeks amid one of the toughest environments for supermarkets in decades.

Neither grocer may survive, despite being woven into the cultural fabric, with a rich tradition of serving shoppers over generations. Jewel-Osco is looking to buy the 19 remaining Strack & Van Til and Town & Country stores, and suggested it could rebrand them as Jewels. Marsh warned it could lay off thousands of workers across the state if it doesn't find a buyer within 60 days.

The challenges faced by Strack & Van Til and Marsh are ones that have been affecting the industry nationwide, Indiana University Northwest Assistant Professor of Economics Micah Pollak said. The grocery industry is built on razor-thin profit margins coupled with highly perishable products such as produce, meat, dairy and prepared foods. As a result, sudden upheavals in the industry can be difficult for firms, and especially smaller independent chains, to weather.

Strack & Van Til has coped with changes to the grocery industry, including the arrival of Whole Foods in Northwest Indiana, the emergence of non-traditional competitors like Menards and online rivals like Blue Apron.

In the case of Strack & Van Til, they fought hard to adapt by expanding higher-end offerings, updating stores and experimenting with new services like home delivery, Pollak said. Unfortunately, these changes are very capital expensive. With such narrow profit margins, the grocery industry is hard-pressed to turn on a penny, much less a dime.

University of Indianapolis Associate Professor of Finance Matthew Will said local grocers can only survive if they innovate or find a niche consumers will pay for.

Remember, this is not a big business conspiracy, he said. This is consumers deciding who wins and loses. Amazon, Zappo, Jet, etc., did not exist 15 years ago. And now they may put Macy's, Sears, etc., out of business. Even Walmart is closing stores. No one is or should be immune from progress.

But there are consequences.

The loss of consumer choice is bad, Will said. The failure of a company, unable to satisfy consumer demands, is a normal part of economic progress. People will still buy the same amount of groceries. Some will merely change where they shop. It may be an emotional loss for the region, but their failure is a result of consumer choice... The new Super Meijers and Super Krogers drove Marsh out of business. They have greatly enhanced the shopping experience. Marsh did not.

Consumers will ultimately lose out if Strack & Van Til vanishes from the Northwest Indiana landscape, Pollak said.

What this means for Northwest Indiana and the state is continued consolidation in the grocery industry, a more limited range in terms of where to shop and what is available, and very likely higher prices, he said. We will likely have fewer independent grocery businesses, at least until the grocery industry stabilizes further.

Hes especially concerned about the future of the discount Ultra Foods stores, which sometimes served low-income communities. Most are slated for closure, and Strack & Van Til parent company Central Grocers is still trying to find a buyer for the remaining three Ultra stores in Highland, Merrillville and Kankakee.

Many of these stores are the sole grocery store in lower-income areas that would otherwise be vast food deserts, Pollak said. "Some Ultra Foods have already been closed, and without a prospective buyer more may close. The closure of these stores risks significantly expanding the problem of food deserts in Northwest Indiana, which has dire consequences on the health of our residents and ultimately represents a burden on all Hoosiers.

Highland resident Chadd Huizenga said he would love to continue to have a local, independent supermarket chain in Northwest Indiana.

It is good for the local economy, he said. The money people of the Region spend gets recycled back into the Region. Also, more people of the Region are employed.

Highland-based Strack & Van Til once operated 38 stores, grossed more than $1.1 billion a year and employed more than 4,000 in Northwest Indiana alone. It was a staple of Region life  its catered fried chicken, for instance, was widely enjoyed at social gatherings, business functions and church get-togethers. As lore would have it, people have even averted wedding reception catastrophes with last-minute runs to Stracks.

What is more important to me, is maintaining a cultural identity, Huizenga said. In Northwest Indiana, Strack & Van Til is part of our local identity. We are different from the rest of Chicagoland, because we shop at Strack & Van Til, not Jewel or Mariano's. With the global culture becoming more homogenized and bland, it is important to maintain local culture and identity. This is what makes Northwest Indiana 'Da Region.'

He hopes prospective owner Jewel-Osco at least preserves the Strack & Van Til name.

When it comes down to it, it is just a name, but names are important, he said. The name of our grocery store is what keeps Northwest Indiana from being just another boring bland Chicagoland suburb like Orland Park.

Valparaiso resident Dawn Brown considered the Strack & Van Til on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso her store, her Stracks. She visits weekly and counts on employees to tell her which cantaloupe is the sweetest, gets recipes from the meat department, chats with stockers and has favorite cashiers she'll wait longer to see. They'll ask about her daughter's school and swimming, and brag about their grandchildren. The baggers know she wants paper inside of plastic.

"The Deli folks started treating my 1-year-old with a slice of co-jack cheese," she said. "As the years went by, my daughter gained confidence by standing in line on her own to ask politely for her piece of cheese. I know it is a small thing, but it is one of her favorite memories of learning to be independent."

Her daughter's Girl Scout troop has sold hundreds of boxes of cookies at the Valpo Strack & Van Til, which also helped her swim club by donating boxes of fresh fruit for races.

"Change is inevitable, and a national corporation will more than likely be purchasing my Stracks," Brown said. "What I want them to know is that it will not matter what name is on the sign. What will matter will be the employees inside the store. They are the heartbeat that keeps the business alive. It is my hope that the future buyer will remember that fact and treat them with the respect they have earned over the many, many years inside the store."
Northwest Indiana offers a variety of camps that keeps kids engaged while educating them.

Since we are trying to promote STEM education in elementary schools and get children interested in STEM careers, Camp Invention is the perfect introduction to the possibilities these careers offer after high school and college, said JJ Boylan, principal at Warren Elementary School in Highland.

Camp Invention is a five-day camp that presents kids with hands-on projects and challenges. The curriculum encourages problem solving, teamwork and innovation. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Warren Elementary is one of eight schools hosting Camp Invention this summer in the Region and is for kids entering first grade through sixth grade.

The Challenger Learning Center in Hammond offers camps for kids from kindergarten-age to 15.

Most camps are only one day but educate kids on a variety of things such as engineering, robotics, rocketry, astronaut training, space exploring, etc.

The underwater camp is a two-day camp where kids between the ages of 11 and 15 learn how astronauts become spacewalk ready by training in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. In this camp, kids receive basic scuba training and then perform underwater training exercises.

4-H offers camps for members and nonmembers for all ages. For example, Round-Up is for students who have completed seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Campers will have an opportunity to see what college life is like and live in a Purdue residence hall for two nights. They also will attend classes that will expose them to a variety of careers  these classes are created specifically for Round-Up campers.

4-H Round-Up is very cool. It is offered each summer on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette. Its a great way to explore careers and get a taste of college life, said Julie Jones, extension educator with 4-H Youth Development Purdue Extension-Lake County. Many who attend decide that they want to join 4-H. 4-H is open to all youth in grades K-12. Members live in cities, suburbs and rural areas. Our clubs meet year-round.

The Humane Society Calumet Area hosts Critter Camps over the summer.

The Humane Society of Calumet Area not only has the animal shelter as a subsidiary but also a wildlife rehabilitation center in Valparaiso as well. The wildlife rehabilitation center is also holding summer camps, so HSCA will have six summer camps this year for the very first time  three that are domestics centered and three that are wildlife centered, said Nicole Harmon, wildlife educator for Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

These camps are open to children between the ages of 7 and 12 and have a limit of 15 campers per session. Each week will feature presentations, interactive activities and crafts centered on domestic or wildlife species.
LOWELL  The Tri-Creek School Board has awarded contracts for more than $4 million in the second phase of construction at Lowell High School.

The work includes erecting the Advanced Mechanical Trades Building where the bus garage once stood.

Derek Anderson of The Skillman Corp., which was retained for project management, told the board there were 27 total bids in seven categories.

At a total cost of $4,385,650, Anderson said, "It's pretty close to where it should be." He noted a greenhouse was added after the $4 million estimate.

Business Manager Dana Bogathy said she, Anderson and others will be working on three bid alternates. The largest is the installation of solar panels on the new trades building, while changes in interior painting include different colors to identify the building's mechanical systems. Infrastructure is being considered, as is using chain link rather than a masonry wall outside the building, she said.

Architect Tom Kuhn with Carras, Szany, Kuhn & Associates said he's working closely with Midwest Wind & Solar, the Griffith firm handling solar projects at the district's three elementary schools, to determine specifics now that the contracts have been awarded for the building.

Superintendent Debra Howe said the new building will use considerable electricity but added the district has worked hard to reduce its NIPSCO bill.

The winning contractors and their bids are: Berglund Construction, $2,779,000; Kwiatkowski Masonry, $351,995; Oosterbaan & Sons, $48,280; Shambaugh & Son, $44,975; Mechanical Concepts, $100,500; Gatlin Plumbing & Heating, $448,000; and Midwestern Electric, $572,000.

The first phase of construction at the high school was largely interior, and bids came in at less than estimates for a total of $1,050,540.

The board also approved payments to The Skillman Corp. for additional services to be provided outside the original scope. That includes $148,865 for additional work at the high school and $18,500 for administering and managing the Lake Prairie Elementary School mound system project.
By India Today Web Desk: Indian Envoy to Maldives Akhilesh Mishra applauded the crew of Indian Navy Dornier, ALH, INS KIRCH and their Maldives National Defence Force colleagues for ensuring the success of a humanitarian operation on Sunday.

INS Kirch had rescued a Maldivian landing craft Maria 3.

The ship's forward ramp had collapsed due to which it was unable to propel.

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The act displayed traditional spirit of India-Maldives friendship and partnership.

(Credits: Mayank Pratap Singh)

"I feel very proud of the professionalism, unflinching courage and commitment to duty displayed by the Indian Naval officers in undertaking the search and rescue operation in an extremely challenging weather," Ambassador Mishra said, reported ANI.

All crew members are safe and the MNDF has been informed, confirmed the Kirch.

A joint boarding party to provide assistance was sent with first light.

The Indian Navy had sent INS Kirch and a Dornier aircraft to help Maldives in locating the landing craft which went missing two days back.

The landing craft was travelling from K Thulusdhoo, an island in Maldives to L Gan, another island. It had six persons on board.

Also Read:

Indian Navy rescues merchant vessel from pirates in Gulf of Aden

Breeze Sharma becomes first Indian Navy Defence Civilian to scale Mt Everest

Also Watch:

Indian, Chinese Navy rescue bulk carrier OS 35 from pirates in Gulf of Aden

--- ENDS ---
VALPARAISO  The City Council will interview four candidates to fill its Valparaiso School Board appointment this summer.

City Attorney Ethan Lowe said the council received six applications, but two of the six applicants did not reside within the geographical boundaries of the city.

That leaves Robert J. Behrend, Ron Donahue, Kristen McMurtrey and Adam Rengstorf as the final applicants for the School Board position currently held by Jim Jorgensen, Lowe said.

Interviews of the four candidates will take place in a special public meeting of the council. The public is invited to attend and observe, Lowe said.

The meeting is slated to begin at 5 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 166 Lincolnway. A second round of interviews will take place at a special council meeting on June 26 and action on the appointment will be taken at the council's regular meeting that evening.

The Center Township Board is also in the process of selecting a new School Board representative to replace Mark Maassel, said Trustee Doug Miller.

Miller said the board received four applications by deadline, but is considering whether to accept the two applications rejected by the city because of the residency requirements.

Miller said the Township Board only considers residents who live in unincorporated Center Township.

The township board will meet in executive session on May 31 to review applications and determine who they will interview. A public meeting will take place at 7 p.m. June 7 at the Porter County Administration Center, 155 Indiana Ave., to hold public interviews of the final candidates and to make the appointment.
GARY  Gary City Court has the largest to-do list in Indiana.

The Steel City's municipal court has more than 203,000 pending misdemeanor charges, infractions and ordinance violations, according to the most recent Indiana Supreme Court's caseload statistics report.

That is more than all the pending misdemeanor charges, infractions and ordinance violations in Lake County's other municipal courts, or all of the courts in Marion County which contains Indianapolis, or all the courts in any of the 90 other remaining Indiana counties.

Judge Deidre Monroe said she and Gary City Clerk Suzette Raggs have been working to dispose of this backlog, which swelled due to years of negligence by previous administrations.

She said they cannot be instantly wished away by some judicial decree. Some citizens and officials have said the city court should just dispense with the cases. But Monroe said it is not that easy.

"You can't close these cases out until they are properly disposed of," the judge said.

Monroe has presided since 2000 over a docket that reflects the troubles of this blighted city.

Many arrested for minor criminal offenses are transients who post a bond to win jail release and then disappear, leaving their unresolved cases far behind.

The city aggressively writes public nuisance tickets for run-down properties, but the cases languish in court since they have little success finding owners to take responsibility.

Raggs inherited an office in 2003 that was still operating with an outdated paper filing system where many records were misfiled or missing.

Monroe said, "Every week they bring me an old file someone found, and we have to try to dispose of the case. Some files don't even have any paperwork in them, so we have to get together with the prosecutor.

"If it is an old case, the prosecutor will dismiss it, unless it involves guns or operating a vehicle while intoxicated," Monroe said.

Missing people mean open cases

She said many of the defendants in the backlog haven't appeared, despite having posted bonds meant to ensure their return.

An Indiana State Board of Accounts audit made public in January states the city clerk's cash bond and trust registers had balances totaling more than $724,000.

Raggs said, "While it is true that there are older cases for which neither the defendants nor (bond) posters can be found to return bond money balances, the court and the clerk have been working to disburse these monies through the court-ordered forfeiture process since 2008."

Monroe said she and the city clerk gather between 50 and 100 old cases several times each year, send notices to the people who posted the bonds to be in court or forfeit the money, which they then use to pay court costs. They transfer the remainder to the state's unclaimed property fund.

The judge said many cases arise from the city's efforts to use city ordinances to eliminate overgrown, trash-filled lots and unsafe buildings.

"We have really ramped up code violations. We have properties with roofs caving in. Those are abandoned properties, and you cannot do anything with them," Monroe said.

She said a significant number of the cases involve arrests for people driving on suspended licenses.

"You cannot dispose of those until the people get an attorney and pay their tickets," she said.

She said in too many cases the drivers come back to court and still don't have valid licenses, and those who fail to appear are beyond the court's reach. She said she cannot issue a bench warrant for their arrest since it is only a traffic infraction.

Raggs said, "Often people just don't have the income to pay the fines and fees."
INDIANAPOLIS  U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., once again is the most bipartisan member of Indiana's congressional delegation, though new U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., also is winning plaudits for working across party lines.

Donnelly ranked second among the nation's 100 senators on the recently released 2016 Bipartisan Index, a measure created by The Lugar Center, led by former U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., and Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.

It rates bipartisanship based on how often a member of Congress co-sponsors legislation introduced by a lawmaker of the opposite party, as well as the frequency with which a member's proposals attract early supporters from the other side of the aisle.

"By shining a bright light on members' bipartisan activity  or lack thereof  we hope to encourage them to work together when writing or co-sponsoring legislation, and to raise the level of cooperation and civility," said Lugar and Edward Montgomery, dean of the public policy school.

Donnelly consistently has come in either second or third for Senate bipartisanship through the first four years of his six-year term, something he said Hoosiers rightfully expect.

"Good ideas aren't exclusive to one party or the other," Donnelly said. "As the hired help for Hoosiers, my job is to work in a bipartisan way to get things done for the hard-working people of Indiana."

"I believe that we achieve more when we work together, and I will continue to work with anyone willing to partner with me to make progress for Hoosiers and the American people."

A new partner

Donnelly said Young, who took office in January, has become a key ally in his efforts to solve problems vexing Indiana and the nation.

For example, the Senate last week unanimously voted to advance to the House their jointly sponsored Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act.

If eventually signed into law, it would provide federal grants and other resources for local police officers seeking peer mentoring or other mental health assistance for job-related issues.

"During National Police Week we honor the men and women in blue who literally answer the call to serve and protect our communities every day," Young said. "Passage of this bill will help ensure that they have access to the services they need to remain ready to serve."

LaPorte County Sheriff John Boyd agreed the measure will provide meaningful support to unsung heroes in communities throughout the Region and the state.

"It is common knowledge that a policeman's life expectancy is shorter than the average due to the extreme stress they face," Boyd said. "We appreciate the efforts of Sen. Donnelly and Sen. Young in guiding this bill through the Senate and encourage the same action in the House."

The two Hoosier senators also have worked together to secure federal aid for East Chicago families displaced by the city's lead contamination crisis, as well as jointly collaborated with U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, to advance South Shore Line improvements.

"Sen. Young is demonstrating that a strong work ethic, a desire to solve problems, and a willingness to candidly communicate and collaborate with others regardless of their political affiliation can produce positive results for the people of our state and nation," Visclosky said.

"I look forward to continuing to find opportunities where we can work together to create jobs and transform the economy of Northwest Indiana and our state."

Will bipartisanship survive?

Young replaced U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., who chose not to seek re-election last year and recently was appointed by President Donald Trump to be U.S. Director of National Intelligence.

Coats was among the senators least likely to work across the aisle, ranking 82nd out of 100 on the Bipartisan Index.

In contrast, Young's willingness to collaborate with Democrats extends back to his House service where he scored roughly in the top quarter of the 435 representatives for bipartisanship.

Visclosky ranked just one slot below Young at 121st.

The two Indiana congressmen expected to compete next year in a Republican primary for the right to challenge Donnelly were considerably more partisan in their legislative behavior.

U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Brownsburg, was 278th in the Lugar rankings, while U.S. Rep. Luke Messer, R-Shelbyville, came in 309th  making him the least bipartisan current member of the Indiana delegation.

Lugar acknowledged that there's nothing wrong with members of Congress sponsoring some legislation that appeals only to members of one political party.

But he said those lawmakers who consistently see their work through a partisan lens are failing to live up to the standard of cooperation expected by the nation's founders and still needed today to solve the country's problems.
VALPARAISO  More than 250 people joined the Visiting Nurse Association of NWI at Central Park Plaza to walk in memory of loved ones at the 16th annual VNA Stroll for Hospice.

Prior to the kickoff of the walk, VNA President and CEO Ann OHeir welcomed the crowd. Thanks to the generosity of so many, the VNA remains a vital support system in our community, providing hospice care and services such as VNA Meals on Wheels and grief support for children at the VNA Phoenix Center. OHeir also invited veterans to the front of the crowd to be honored for their service and lead the stroll.

Families joined together as teams, competing for the top prizes by raising pledges to support their stroll. Each winning team and individual received a commemorative Stroll for Hospice brick in appreciation of their efforts. This year, Team CSI rounded up the most sponsors of their walk and the Jack Johns Team raised the highest amount in sponsorships. Individuals receiving awards were Carol Koss, who raised the most money in memory of her husband Bill Koss, who was a VNA Hospice volunteer, and Bill Beck, a longtime VNA Hospice volunteer. This years largest team was Team Rick and Buzz, with 26 team members.

All those who collected pledges in support of their walk were entered in a drawing to be named the 2018 VNA Stroll for Hospice grand marshal and Denise McDermott was selected to lead the walkers next year.
VALPARAISO The most intense tornado to hit Porter County followed a path along Ind. 8 from Hebron to Kouts on May 26, 1917.

The 1917 tornado, which killed five people in Porter County and today would be rated a severe EF-4 storm, was one of 63 tornadoes in one of the worst tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Hebron-Kouts tornado, members of the Valparaiso University Department of Meteorology gave visitors at the Porter County Museum a free lesson in meteorology Saturday.

Bart Wolf, a VU professor of meteorology, talked about how thunderstorms and tornadoes form, what happened during the 1917 tornado and how to protect against loss of life and property.

Nearly 80 percent of the worlds tornadoes occur in the United States and most of the 1,300 annual U.S. tornadoes occur in April, May and June, Wolf said.

May has more tornadoes than any other month of the year, he said.

About 86 percent of all tornadoes are weak, rated only EF-1, while 13 percent are considered strong, from EF-2 to EF-3. Only 1 percent is violent, with a rating of EF-4.

Thats what the 1917 tornado was, Wolf said.

In early 1917, the U.S. had just entered World War I, he said. The average home price was $5,000 and the hourly wage was 22 cents. Television hadnt been invented, only 8 percent of homes had telephones and even owning a radio receiver was prohibited in wartime.

Also prohibited was forecasting tornadoes, which were more commonly called cyclones.

They didnt want to panic people, Wolf said. Radar and air balloons had not been invented yet, and there were no warning sirens. Even if you had warnings, you couldnt listen to them.

The Hebron-Kouts tornado was part of one of the worst tornado outbreaks across the U.S. in which 383 people were killed by 63 tornadoes that would all be rated at least EF-2 today.

Wolf said that although there is not a lot of data about the Hebron-Kouts tornado, researchers have learned that hail measuring 2 inches to 3 inches was common during the storm and damage exceeded $500,000, which would be nearly $9.5 million in todays dollars.

The tornado traveled 100 miles over two hours and 46 minutes until it dissipated in Kouts, he said.

Local response by volunteers, including the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts was swift, said Wolf, and many of the injured were treated at the Christian Hospital in Valparaiso.

Although tornadoes were not rated on the EF scale until 1971, researchers consider the Hebron-Kouts storm to be the most historically significant tornado to ever hit Porter County.

Wolf stressed having a plan during tornado season, and knowing the difference between a tornado watch, when conditions are right for a tornado, and a tornado warning, which indicate a tornado has been spotted on radar or seen by an individual.

He said if a warning is issued, homeowners should go to the center of their basements under the stairs.

If you have a helmet, wear it, Wolf said. Head injuries are the No. 1 cause of death.

Wolf advised against opening the windows, which will take your roof off, and refraining from hanging on in a corner of the basement.

Damage tends to collect in corners, he said.

Mobile home residents should immediately vacate their home and go to a storm shelter.

You only need an EF-1 to wipe out a mobile home.
Schoolchildren are accustomed to true/false questions on exams. They read a statement and determine whether it's true or false. For adults, though, discerning the truth is becoming more difficult.

Indiana Humanities hosted a conversation on "truthiness" recently at Dish Restaurant in Valparaiso, one of a series of conversations held across Indiana that day. It was the first time Indiana Humanities held its Chew On This program outside Indianapolis, said George Hanlin, the nonprofit's director of grants.

The conversation prompted a wide-ranging discussion of news consumption, particularly national and international news.

Some participants make a point of reading multiple sources of information to get a balance of views, but one noted that algorithms feed similar material, not divergent views, to online consumers.

Yet another noted while newspapers label commentary as opinion, some TV news channels don't tell viewers when they aren't offering straight news.

Several at that Indiana Humanities forum made pointed remarks about President Donald Trump, whose repeated remarks about "fake news" have sparked a national debate on whether we live in a "post-truth" era.

Trump uses hyperbole on a regular basis, unlike any other modern president. That makes it more difficult to figure out whether he really believes what he's saying, is laying out an extreme bargaining position or if he's simply the presidential version of the bombastic PT Barnum.

But this debate on the truth goes far beyond Trump himself.

We are the divided states of America, in which even the fact-checkers, the scientific community's consensus and public opinion polls are viewed with skepticism by many Americans.

How can we make sound judgments based on facts when we can't even agree on what's factual?

News literacy has become a buzzword in the news media. News consumers need to recognize the difference between fake news and real news, a more difficult task in the digital age.

Facebook and other social media sites have begun to work with the news media to flag fake news when it's posted online.

That's a good start.

Individuals should look carefully at the URL associated with a story posted online. There's a big difference between .com and .cn, for example. And is there a physical address and contact information for the staff on the website where you found the story?

That's just some of the news literacy we need to be teaching. News consumers in the modern era need to use their critical thinking skills to find the truth, just as the participants in that Indiana Humanities event said they do.

After that dinner, facilitator David Hoppe said he was glad everyone contributed to the dialogue and listened as well as spoke. But can that happen on a national scale?

"We may be past the point where debate is possible, genuine debate," Hoppe said.

Political tensions have increased to the point at which residents of one local retirement community have been told not to talk politics with each other.

So a left-leaning resident reported that a right-leaning resident asked him to go out for coffee. Each week, they're now discussing issues and gaining appreciation and respect for the other's point of view.

That's my challenge to you. Find someone you might not agree with and listen to their point of view. Start by talking about things you can agree on  the weather, the menu, the beauty of sunsets. Talk about your work life, your family, your childhood. Then work your way into deeper waters, including the news of the day. You might find yourself becoming friends even as you agree to disagree on certain subjects.

We'd get closer to becoming the United States of America again.
Our Region brims with any number of good causes overseen by nonprofits, many of which both desire and need more resources.

But in general, it's the bastion of private donations, not public coffers, to further the missions of private, nonprofit entities.

It's why Porter County government officials would be wise to resist overtures from The Caring Place, a private domestic abuse shelter, to tap $1.6 million in public proceeds from the county's previous hospital sale.

We don't doubt the benefit The Caring Place, based in Valparaiso, has held for sheltering survivors of abuse in the Region.

It's also clear the 100-year-old house doesn't meet current space needs and that its overall infrastructure may very well need major upgrades.

The organization is in the midst of a $2.8 million fundraising campaign, hoping to build a new 8,000-square-foot facility to house up to 45 people.

We wish them well and implore any willing private donors to open their hearts and pocketbooks to a good cause. But county leaders shouldn't entertain aiding that private campaign with a requested $1.6 million in public hospital sale proceeds.

Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, wisely observed last week that the county faces immediate outstanding obligations of more than $3 million and as much as $25 million in needed capital projects.

Some of the overdue needs include upgrades to the county's emergency radio network and renovation at the administration center, Valparaiso courthouse and north county building in Portage.

Those are the types of public projects the county's hospital sale money should fund.

We understand The Caring Place carries a community value.

The facility also has potential political pull from various corners of county government. Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds has noted domestic violence is the No. 2 public safety problem in Porter County.

We don't argue with the severity of this problem throughout our Region, state and nation.

But Reynolds wife, Debbie Reynolds, is director of client services for The Caring Place. Channeling public funds to a private facility with such close ties to county elected officials would raise further questions of impropriety.

In the bigger picture, the county has far too many of its own direct government needs to become a piggy bank for private interests, no matter how worthy.

The county would do well to focus on those direct needs and avoid funneling public dollars to private concerns.
SOUTH BEND  Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday delivered a call for leadership to the University of Notre Dame's newest graduates, urging them "to be men and women of integrity and values" and to stand up against the suppression of free speech.

"Notre Dame is a campus where deliberation is welcomed, where opposing views are debated, and where every speaker, no matter how unpopular or unfashionable, is afforded the right to air their views in the open for all to hear," Pence told students at the commencement ceremony.

But about 150 people, about half students and the other half family members, didn't stay to hear the message. As they promised last week, they staged a walkout as Pence took the stage, quietly lining out of Notre Dame Stadium. Some boos came from the audience as the students began to leave the field.

This year's commencement was laced with politics and calls for open minds and the right to free speech, balanced against a show of that right by protesters.

In his speech, Pence praised Notre Dame for maintaining an atmosphere of civility and open debate. And while he didn't directly address the students who walked out, he referenced the waves of protests that have swept across colleges.

"Far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness, all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech," the vice president said.

Pence also said his life's greatest honor has been serving as vice president to Donald Trump, and he referred to a speech Trump delivered in Saudi Arabia in which the president spoke against religious persecution and the killings of people of all faiths, including Muslims.

Pence, a Protestant evangelical who was raised Catholic, urged the graduates to live according to the religious principles they learned at Notre Dame and to "have faith that he who brought you this far will never leave you nor forsake you, because he never will."

The students and family members who walked out of the Pence speech gathered outside the stadium, where they were greeted with applause by a handful of faculty members. The students exchanged hugs and high-fives before moving the tassels on their caps from right to left, signifying they had graduated, and then clasping hands to sing the university's alma mater.

Cassandra Dimaro, a double major in English and liberal studies, said the walkout was a show of solidarity "for those of us impacted by the policies of the Trump administration as well as the rhetoric the Trump administration has used."

She held a bouquet of flowers, and her cap was lined in rainbow colors and read: Here, queer, get over it.

She was joined in the walkout by her parents, Bill and Sue Dimaro, of Dallas.

"We love our daughter and we support her. And No. 2, we need to show the world that there has to be tolerance, and we need to be more inclusive and wrap our arms around one another, even if we have different beliefs," Bill Dimaro said. "Im standing with my chest puffed out right now for what she (Cassandra) did."

One student, Erin McNamee, didn't walk out but instead stood near her seat in the front row of graduates throughout Pence's speech, with her back turned to the vice president. The top of her cap featured rainbow stripes and the phrase "I am unbreakable."

"I supported the walkout but felt like walking out would be like forcing me out of my graduation," McNamee said later.

Before the commencement ceremony began at about 10 a.m., dozens of protesters lined Angela Boulevard near campus, holding signs and voicing their objections to Pence. They targeted the former Indiana governor's views on abortion, gay rights, gun control and immigration.

Groups such as We Go High! of St. Joseph County, Michiana Alliance for Democracy, South Bend Equality and Planned Parenthood Community Action Partners of Northwestern Indiana took part in the peaceful street protest.

Earlier this year, students and professors had warned against inviting Trump to speak at commencement, and the university's president, the Rev. John I. Jenkins, talked about fearing a repeat of the "circus" of protests that accompanied President Barack Obama when he spoke in 2009.

Inviting the vice president to speak seemed to solve many of the university's concerns, although he still drew protests.

In his introduction of Pence, Jenkins lamented the "deep divisions" in the United States.

"Too often," he said, "the love that fires our passion is twisted into a hatred for those who disagree."

The priest stressed the need for open ears and minds.

"At Notre Dame, we must strive for something higher. We must speak the truth we know and challenge the injustice we see," he told the crowd. "But we must also listen to those who disagree, care for the bonds that join us together and find ways to build a society where all flourish."

And then he gave a glimpse of why Pence was invited to speak.

"Even those who disagree with Mike Pence recognize him as a man of principle. I do as well," Jenkins said. "And I'm proud to call him a friend."

An earlier speaker, 2017 valedictorian Caleb Joshua Pine, delivered his own pointed statement, commenting on recent debates about refugees, immigration and Islam.

"Our generation must stand against the scapegoating of Muslims," he told his fellow students, before urging them to fight for "freedom of all religions, not just our own. Otherwise, none of us are free."

Pine, who was born in the U.S., raised in China and majored in Arabic and peace studies, also drew loud applause when he talked about how people and nations are connected and the power of reaching out with "every-day acts of love."

"If we are going to build walls between American students and international students," he said, "then I am skewered on the fence."

While several presidents have delivered Notre Dame's commencement address, Pence was the first sitting U.S. vice president to do so. University officials said this year's commencement drew a record crowd, with an estimated 24,000 graduates, employees and guests in Notre Dame Stadium.
Another group is boycotting the Puerto Rican Day Parade because a controversial figure will be honored.

This time it is the Lieutenants Benevolent Association.

The LBA is asking its members not to participate in the event on June 11.

It is also asking them to boycott corporations that are still funding the parade, and not vote for local officials who pushed for Oscar Lopez Rivera's release come election time.

It says honoring him is an insult to all members of law enforcement, especially those of Puerto Rican descent.

Lopez Rivera was released from prison last week.

The Puerto Rican nationalist spent nearly four decades in custody for his ties to an extremist group.

It was responsible for more than 100 bombings across the country, including one in Manhattan, but Lopez Rivera was never linked to any specific attack.

Earlier this week, longtime parade sponsor Goya Foods said it would not take part in this year's parade, citing a business decision.

The NYPD Hispanic Society and the Rafael Ramos Foundation have also pulled out.
The entrepreneur, who contested from Vintry ward in the City of London county, has become the first India-born woman to be elected as a councillor to a ward in the UK.

By Press Trust of India: A 43-year-old UK entrepreneur has become the first India-born woman to be elected as a councillor to a ward in the UK.

Rehana Ameer, who was born and raised in Chennai, contested from Vintry ward in the City of London county as an independent candidate.

She was elected as a councillor to the Court of Common Council, becoming the first India-born woman to be elected to the City of London Corporation.

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"As an elected councillor, my key focus areas are road safety, improved air quality, mental health and better representation of all types of businesses as part of the Brexit negotiations," Rehana told PTI.

She aims to promote the city's businesses in international markets and develop the city's presence overseas.

The City corporation is the richest local authority in the country which controls the 1.3 billion pounds city cash fund. The City of London is divided into 25 wards and elected councillors represent each ward.

ALSO READ | Trump appoints Indian American Neil Chatterjee to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

ALSO READ | US: Indian-American prosecutor Preet Bharara fired by Donald Trump after refusing to quit

--- ENDS ---


GOP Should Back Away From Trump in 2024 Wed., Jul. 6, 2022 Trump has allegedly told his inner circle hes considering officially announcing his second run for the White House as early as this month. Heres why it would be a bad idea for the GOP to get behind him.
The Indian national was arrested from F-8 area of Islamabad and has been sent to jail for judicial remand.

By India Today Web Desk: An Indian national has been arrested in Islamabad on Sunday allegedly over incomplete travel documents. According to Pakistan local media, a case has also been filed under Article 14 of the Foreign Act.

According to police, the man identified as Sheikh Nabi, a resident of Mumbai, was detained during routine patrol in F-8 area of the capital on May 19 after he failed to produce any travel or visa documents.

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According to police, Nabi was walking along Nazimuddin Road in Sector F-8 when he was stopped at a check post. Police demanded to check his visa documents after he told them that he was an Indian. However, he could not produce any documents and was taken into police custody.

An official of the Indian High Commission, however, said that the mission does not have any information about the arrest so far.

The arrest came days after the International Court of Justice stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against the country.

The "suspicious person" has been booked under the Foreigners Act, 1946. Police have also obtained 14 days judicial remand through a magistrate.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that it is ascertaining facts regarding the arrest of the Indian held in Islamabad, allegedly for incomplete travel documents.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also read: Madhya Pradesh: Two naxal funding operatives arrested in Balaghat

Also read: UPA hired Pakistan's lawyer in Kulbhushan Jadhav case at ICJ to represent India in 2004, alleges BJP

WATCH VIDEO HERE

--- ENDS ---
A Council Bluffs man who was pursued by the U.S. Marshals Service has been arrested in California after being accused of holding a child in a locked room and abusing her.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office said in a statement that they located and arrested Frank French, 72, accusing him of false imprisonment, four counts of child endangerment with bodily injury, and two counts of child endangerment.

Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said French had locked a child in her room for days.

French fled from Council Bluffs after learning of warrants for his arrest, police said, and evaded authorities for several months.

French was found and arrested without incident Friday after an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Southern District of Iowa office and the fugitive task force.

Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody thanked the marshals service for its efforts so French can be brought back to Iowa to be tried.
SIOUX CITY (AP)  A former U.S. Postal Service worker in northwestern Iowa has been sentenced to probation for stealing items from the mail he was supposed to deliver.

Federal prosecutors say Kirk Baird, 42, of Sergeant Bluff was sentenced in a Sioux City federal court Friday.

He pleaded guilty in March to one count of theft of mail by a postal service employee. At his plea hearing, Baird admitted that from August to October he removed cash and gift cards from items in the mail at least 22 times.

Baird originally had faced up to five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
LINCOLN  The days of fines and probation for crimes linked to sex trafficking are coming to an end in Nebraska.

State lawmakers last week passed a bill that dramatically increases penalties for those who create the supply and demand for human trafficking. A minimum of one year in prison is likely for panderers and solicitors in such transactions. If children are exploited, both the pimps and johns could spend the rest of their lives in prison.

One of the most significant bills of the 2017 session also marks a major achievement for state senators, law enforcement officials and womens advocates who have worked for more than a decade to reveal the extent of an invisible crime and take steps to eradicate it.

No votes were cast against Legislative Bill 289, sponsored by State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln. Still, a couple of senators raised a key question: Will harsher penalties for human trafficking make a difference?

As a general rule, where there is a demand, a supply will develop, said State Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, a former prosecutor. It may be a bit of a deterrent, but a solution it probably isnt.

Advocates and experts say they are unaware of research that would show whether tougher punishments produce a noticeable drop in trafficking activity. While more scientific studies on human trafficking are being done, its still a growing area of research, one said.

But supporters of the bill, which awaits an expected signature from Gov. Pete Ricketts, also argue that the risk of significant prison time will almost certainly curb trafficking. And the legislation makes an important statement that Nebraska will no longer slap wrists when it comes to the exploitation of humans for sex or labor, said Meghan Malik, trafficking program manager for the Womens Fund of Omaha.

Its child rape, she said. Were talking about children being raped multiple times a day, being beaten by their traffickers, being moved around and isolated. To think those individuals only could have gotten probation for that is unimaginable.

Each month in Nebraska, 900 people are sold for sex, often more than once, according to a report by the Human Trafficking Initiative. The report stated that almost 400 of those are considered at moderate to high risk of being trafficked.

The report also showed that Nebraskas commercial sex market skews toward children and minorities. One in five people is advertised on websites with phrases indicating that she or he is young. And African-Americans make up half of all individuals sold for sex in Nebraska, despite representing just 5 percent of the population.

The average age when a child is first commercially trafficked and exploited is 13, Pansing Brooks said.

Because those forced into sex slavery have historically been treated as prostitutes  defined as adults who willingly sell sex  helping policymakers understand what human trafficking is and that it exists in Nebraska was a challenge, said Al Riskowski, who worked on the matter when he was director of the Nebraska Family Alliance.

It was hard, even for legislators, to comprehend the extent of the problem in Nebraska, he said. That was the first obstacle to overcome.

Amanda McGill Johnson of Omaha, a former state senator from Lincoln who sponsored key trafficking legislation during her time at the State Capitol, remembered how 38 lawmakers voted for a bill in 2006 that would have allocated $1.5 million to services for women getting out of prostitution. But because the women were called prostitutes instead of trafficking victims, then-Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed the measure as an objectionable use of tax dollars. Support trickled away, and a veto override failed.

McGill Johnson and other senators began working on the issue and gradually building support for bills to help victims. One measure started a volunteer task force to help define the extent of trafficking in the state. Another bill in 2013  quickly signed by Heineman  increased penalties for those who sold children for sex. The same bill also made it so that children could no longer be charged with prostitution, recognizing that no child has the capacity to choose to sell herself or himself.

The Legislature adopted a similar bill, sponsored by Pansing Brooks, that gave adult victims of sex trafficking immunity from prostitution charges. That change was important because women arrested for prostitution often relied on pimps to bail them out of jail, which made it even more difficult to break away from the trafficking cycle.

Pansing Brooks and McGill Johnson said the fight against human trafficking got a boost when Attorney General Doug Peterson made it a key issue after taking office in 2015. Peterson has devoted full-time staff to combat trafficking and started a task force that has provided training to more than 600 law enforcement personnel and service providers.

Such training is critical so police and prosecutors can take effective action against traffickers and buyers. In addition, its important to immediately address the needs of victims, who can be essential to obtaining convictions.

Now with the passage of LB 289, the state has made the punishment more closely fit the crime, supporters said. And the bill has taken aim at the patrons of commercial sex.

I absolutely think we need to put pressure on the demand side, McGill Johnson said. If people werent out there looking to purchase sex there wouldnt be an industry built up around it.

Under current law, most offenses tied to sex trafficking carried no minimum penalties. The most severe punishment is one to 50 years in prison for trafficking a minor under 16 or using force to traffic a minor.

Those same crimes now will come with penalties of 20 years to life. Trafficking or soliciting an adult victim will be punished with a sentence of one to 50 years.

Someone convicted of pandering now is looking at probation or a maximum of four years in prison. Under the new law, pimps will face one to 50 years.

The new penalties are among the most severe possible for human trafficking, Peterson has said.

That penalty is in measurement to how much we value the violation against our communities, he said.

Equating the crimes of trafficking and soliciting while enacting longer prison sentences are trends in both the federal government and the states, said Shea Rhodes, director of the Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

A former prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, Rhodes said she believes the harsher penalties more properly fit the crimes. And she believes the movement to help the victims of sex trafficking can help law enforcement conduct effective investigations.

But there is scant research to suggest that tougher punishments will deter people from engaging in highly profitable criminal enterprises.

Im not even sure the penalties are something thats going to work, but Im hopeful, she said.

Crysta Price, a researcher at Creighton University and co-director of the Human Trafficking Initiative, said that as with most complex problems, policy shouldnt be viewed as a one-and-done fix.

Its easy to dismiss legislation on the grounds that it wont completely solve a problem, she said. LB 289 is one piece, an important piece, to a set of policy solutions.

While the bill primarily focuses on punishing offenders, it also includes several pieces intended to help victims feel confident about coming forward and assisting in prosecutions.

Victims are more likely to disclose information about their trafficking experience with law enforcement if theyre confident that theyd never have to see the trafficker again, Price said.

Dave Lemoine of Omaha thinks the new penalties will work. The former FBI special agent successfully investigated a network of sex traffickers in Billings, Montana, in 1999, before the term was in wide use.

The investigation included local police, but because Lemoine was involved, the cases were prosecuted in federal court, and the 10 traffickers received prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years. Had they been charged under the Montana law at that time, they would have been out after six months.

But in 2001, Montana enacted much more stringent penalties for trafficking and soliciting. By the time he left Montana in 2005, Lemoine said trafficking activity in his area was practically nonexistent.

He testified in support of the Nebraska bill at a public hearing. He applauded lawmakers for getting it passed.

If it were up to the retired agent, those penalties would be posted on signs at every highway and bridge coming into Nebraska.

I think its a good bill, but its only going to be as good as we publicize it, he said.
Compared with U.S. Rep. Don Bacons three previous town halls, Saturdays gathering in South Omaha was tame.

About 200 people gathered at the Disabled American Veterans building at 4515 F St. to hear the congressman respond to written questions submitted by attendees  the same format Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, has used for all of his town hall meetings.

The audience asked the most questions about Bacons support of the House GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Bacon repeated the comments he gave at last weeks town hall in Bennington:

He supports the GOP plan and thinks the individual market has become unaffordable for many Nebraskans.

I think (the GOP plan) will make it cheaper, Bacon said over a short-lived burst of booing from the crowd. Others in the audience shushed them, telling opponents to let the congressman answer the question.

This town hall was much more civil than his past ones, said Michael Davis, 35, of Omaha, a Bacon supporter. The crowd seemed a lot more moderate.

Nicole Engles, 32, thought the minimal heckling on Saturday was because of less-pointed questions.

I think yelling can sometimes play a role when hes meandering around tough questions, Engles said.

Scott Williams, 35, of Omaha said he thought Bacon missed an opportunity to address some of the news that has unfolded in the past week  namely, details surrounding the investigation into ties between President Donald Trumps campaign team and Russia.

He should have discussed it further, Williams said.

On that issue, Bacon repeated the answer he gave at last weeks town hall: Right now, theres no direct evidence of collusion. After that answer, the audience erupted  not with booing, but with laughter.

Bacon later stumbled over his answer to a question about whether he supports impeachment of Trump, saying, finally, Lets let the investigation do their thing.

The congressman, who later Saturday held a town hall meeting in Elkhorn, received applause for saying he supports a compassionate way forward to legal status for immigrants working in the U.S. He said building a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border wouldnt address the problem of immigrants overstaying their visas.

It felt at times like he was pandering to the crowd, Engles said. Though looking around, I wished the South Omaha community was more represented.

In response to a few questions about Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos focus on school choice, Bacon said he thinks decisions about charter schools and vouchers for private and religious schools should fall to the states.

Rebecca Barrientos-Patlan, a South Omaha community advocate and one of the moderators of the meeting, said she thought Bacon let each side be heard.

The congressman is a human man  hes not going to have the right answer for everything, she said.

But the only way to learn is to listen, Barrientos-Patlan said. I think he and the crowd did that.
By Press Trust of India: Male/New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) The Indian Navy has traced a Maldivian landing craft with six crew members, three days after it went missing while travelling between two islands in the Maldives.

A Dronier aircraft of the Navy first located the landing craft -- Maria 3-- 120 nautical miles east of Male last evening following which INS Kirch reached out to the ship and provided required assistance.

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The Navy yesterday had sent the INS Kirch and the Dornier aircraft for search and rescue operation for the missing vessel.

"The ships forward ramp had collapsed due to which she was unable to propel. INS Kirch has confirmed that all crew members are safe," Navy Spokesperson Capt D K Sharma said in New Delhi.

The landing craft was travelling from K Thulusdhoo, an island in the Maldives to L Gan, another island, on Thursday when it went missing.

Indias Ambassador to Maldives Akhilesh Mishra applauded the crew of the Indian Navy and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for their coordination and cooperation in locating the missing ship.

"I feel very proud of the professionalism, unflinching courage and commitment to duty displayed by the Indian Naval officers in undertaking the search and rescue operation in an extremely challenging weather," he said.

The Indian Navy personnel also called on the Indian envoy.

The MNDF is the security organisation of Maldives responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the the island nation. PTI MPB NSA

--- ENDS ---
Update on allowances this week:

The revised allowance structure as per the recommendations made by the 7th Pay Commission would be announced this week, sources have confirmed. The Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) is looking into the recommendations following which it would be presented before the Union Cabinet next week, the source also said.

The 7th pay commission had proposed a total of 196 allowances; a Committee of Allowances was formed under the Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa to screen them.

Good news round the corner:

The employees' union has been pressing for an update. A member of the union informed OneIndia that they are hopeful that the proposal regarding the allowances would be cleared by next week.

Government sources informed that the E-CoS is looking into the recommendations on allowances made by the 7th Pay Commission. It would submit its report to the Union Cabinet following which the same would be cleared the source also confirmed.

E-CoS meet this week:

The recommendations made by the Ashok Lavasa-led review committee regarding allowance structure were to be tabled before the E-CoS after consideration by Department of Expenditure. The committee of secretaries will table the proposal for implementing the recommendations made by the 7th Pay Commission, complete with the suggestions from Committee of Allowances, will be presented before the Cabinet for approval.

The E-CoS meet will be presided over by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha. Officials from Home Affairs, Finance, Health and Family Welfare, Railways, Personnel and Training and Post will also take part in the meeting.

7th Pay Commission to bring smiles:

Central government employees say that they are frustrated with the wait. However government sources say that their wait will not go futile and there would surely be an update by next week.

The Seventh Pay Commission was constituted in February 2014 to review the principles and structure of emoluments of all central government civilian employees, including defence forces and submitted its report on November 19, 2015.

Modi wants employees to be happy:

Once the recommendations as per the pay panel are recommended it would cost the government's exchequer Rs 29,300 crore. Government employees have been saying that the meagre salary hike following the 7th CPC's recommendations undermined their self-worth. For them the hope is that the updates on allowances would be announced next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is keen that the the central government employees get a good deal.

All representations will be taken into account:

After submitting the report to Jaitley, Lavasa had said the committee has taken into account representations made by various stakeholders. The report will now be examined by the empowered committee of secretaries and following that it will be placed before the Cabinet, he said.

Out of total 196 allowances, it had recommended abolition of 52 and subsuming of another 36 into larger existing ones. The Pay Commission had recommended increasing the HRA in the range of 8 per cent-24 per cent.

OneIndia News
CBSE Class 10th results 2017 to be on Bing search, here is how you check

CBSE 12th Result 2017: Expected this week, how to check

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The CBSE 12th Result 2017 is likely to be declared this week.. The long wait for students is expected to come to an end. The results of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class 12th can be checked on the official website.

CBSE class 12 results will be declared on May24, according to India Results Website. As per the report, board will be notifying the date one day before the results to be made available for the students. Last year, the CBSE board announced the 12th results in the last week of the May.

How to check CBSE Class 12 result 2017:

Log in to results.nic.in , cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in .

, or . Click the link CBSE Class 12th results 2017

You will be directed to a new page

Enter the roll number, date of birth and other details.

After filing the details, click on 'submit'.

The marks will be displayed on the screen.

Download

Take a print out

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 10:16 [IST]
IRCTC update: 151 trains cancelled on Nov 09; here is the complete list

Defence ministry approves to private investment policy in military platforms

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, May 21: The defence ministry on Saturday broadly finalised a much-awaited policy under which select private firms will be roped in to build military platforms like submarines and fighter jets in India in partnership with foreign entities.

Seen as a major initiative, the 'strategic partnership model' aims to create a vibrant defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country through involvement of both the major Indian corporates as well as the MSME sector.

A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, the top decision making body of the Defence Ministry, gave the go-ahead to the SP model after deliberating on it for the second time this week.

The finer details of the new model is yet to be finalised.

"Breaking new ground, the DAC under the chairmanship of Defence Minister, Arun Jaitley, on Saturday finalised the broad contours of a policy aimed at engaging the Indian private sector in the manufacture of high-tech defence equipment in India," the defence ministry said in a statement.

Initially, the policy is expected to be implemented for manufacturing fighter aircraft, submarines and armoured vehicles. It is expected to be expanded to other segments at a later stage.

The Defence Ministry said that the policy envisages establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with Indian defence majors through a transparent and competitive process wherein they would tie up with global OEMs to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.

"The policy will give a boost to the 'Make in India' policy in the defence sector and set Indian industry on the path to acquiring cutting-edge capabilities which will contribute to building of self-reliance in the vital sector," the ministry said.

Referring to sectors identified to implement the policy, it said additional segments may be added in future.

"Appropriate institutional mechanisms will be set in place to implement the policy," the minister said.

Last week, Jaitley had a meeting on the SP model with representatives of defence arms of leading groups including Larsen and Toubro, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Infra, Tata Group, Punj Lloyd, Adani Group and Bharat Forge Ltd.

At that meeting, some industry representatives had favoured a level playing field and expanding the industry base by allowing entry of new players.

It was learnt that some officials had also raised concern about possible "judicial intervention and federal audit" in case of award of successive orders to one 'strategic partner'.

The SP model was proposed by the Dhirendra Singh Committee in July, 2015. It had said that for the 'Make in India' initiative to become wider in the defence sector, the government should adopt a strategic partnership model, whereby a private firm is chosen for the development of a specific identified platform.

Last year, the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had announced that the policy on SP model would be unveiled soon.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 9:32 [IST]
Why make even murder of a Dalit girl into a national Tamasha

UP BJP chief to workers: Have tea with Dalits, make them understand votes are cast on nationalism, not caste

Delhi: Thousands of dalits protest in Jantar Mantar

India

oi-Madhuri

Despite permission denied by the Delhi Police, the Dalit activists held a rally on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in Delhi protesting against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur.

The unions had told police that they expected a gathering of over 50,000 people, which prompted police to deny permission.

However, members of the Bhim Army said they have already arrived in Delhi and will go ahead with the protest.

The development comes a day after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of B R Ambedkar.

OneIndia News
MMMUT Alumini seeks thorough, independent probe

College Friends and Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology Alumni held a candle march demanding that there be a fair investigation into the death of Anurag.

At HSR BDA Complex

Demanding justice for his classmate, his college colleagues conducted a candal march in Bangalore's HSR BDA Complex on Sunday evening and said that there should be a CBI probe into the death of Anurag Tiwari as soon as possible.

Family writes to PMO; Demands CBI probe

Brother of IAS officer Anurag Tiwari, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Hazratganj area wrote a letter to the Prime Minister's Office demanding a CBI enquiry into his sibling's death. In the letter he mentioned that Tiwari had tumbled upon a major scam in the Food and Civil Supplies department of Karnataka, which he wanted to inform the PMO and CBI. He also alleged that Tiwari was forced to withdraw the report which could have nailed senior officers and ministers, had it come to light.

Siddaramaiah writes to Adityanath for thorough probe

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath requesting him to ensure that it is thoroughly investigated by a competent team of investigators and professionals. He also assigned two IAS officers Abhiram Shankar and Pankaj Kumar Pandey to acquire more details on Tiwari's death.

IAS officer's death:

Tiwari was found dead under mysterious circumstances, in the high-security Hazratganj area in Lucknow, hardly a kilometre away from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The IAS officer had come to Lucknow after attending a mid-career training programme at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussorie on the day he was found dead. He was found lying a few metres away from the entrance of his guest house in his night clothes.
By India Today Web Desk: Five mortal shells were fired from Iran into Balochistan's Chagai area today evening, reported Geo TV.

According to reports, no casualties have been reported so far.

Pakistan shares a 900 kilometre long porous border with Iran and the two countries had in 2014 decided to boost intelligence coordination to wipe out terrorists from the border region.

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The ties between the two neighbours got stressed after ten Iranian border guards were killed at Mirjaveh on the Sistan-Baluchistan border by the Pakistan-based Sunni terror outfit, Jaish al-Adl or "The Army of Justice".

Iranian police said the guards were killed by long-range guns and called on Islamabad to assume ultimate responsibility for the crime. The Sistan-Baluchistan province in south-east Iran has long been plagued by drug smuggling gangs and separatist militants.

(With ANI inputs)

--- ENDS ---
Imran Khan discharged from hospital, to resume long march from same point where he was shot

This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how

India lost both money and case after appointing Pak's ICJ lawyer

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

On Saturday several media outlets reported how the UPA had appointed Khawar Qureshi, Pakistan's ICJ lawyer in Kulbhushan Jadhav case to defend India in the Dabhol power project case. Qureshi's arguments before the International Court of Justice was rejected and a stay on the execution as sought by India was granted.

Over a decade back. India was forced to face arbitration at an international tribunal in the US initiated by Enron over the closure of Dabhol power project.

Salve who had quit as solicitor general of India in November 2002, was retained as India's counsel at the arbitration tribunal. To manage the highstake arbitration over Dabhol against Enron, the government chose Fox and Mandal law firm.

Salve who was told about this decision said that he would continue to charge a concessional fee to continue arguing in the case.

However Fox and Mandal was informed by the government to hire Khawar Qureshi. India lost both the case and also plenty of money to Qureshi which was paid as legal fees.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 8:30 [IST]
Girl should have approached to cops instead of chopping off his genitals, says Shashi Tharoor

India

oi-Madhuri

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said that rather than taking the law into her own hands, the law student who chopped off the genitals of a godman who had been raping her for eight years should have approached the police.

"There is something gratifying about such swift justice but she would have better taken the matter to the police rather than taking the law into her own hands (sic)," Tharoor said speaking to CNN-News18.com.

The incident occurred on Friday night when the woman chopped off the self-styled godman's genitals after he allegedly tried to rape her again. She then called the police who rushed the accused to hospital where an emergency surgery was performed on him.

However, the doctors were unable to re-attach his genitals as 90% of it had been was severed. The predator identified as Hari is currently being treated at Thiruvananthapuram medical college.

According to a police complaint filed by the woman, the accused, identified as Hari, a seer of the Kollam-based Panmana Ashram, had been raping her at her home for the last eight years. The man who abused the girl when she was 15 years old allegedly continued to rape her over the last eight years.

OneIndia News
Woman, her two children mowed down by train; Suicide not ruled out

PM to flag off South India's first 'Vande Bharat Express' on Nov 11

Vande Bharat Express rams into cattle near Atul station in Gujarat, third incident this month

Vande Bharat Express first trial run between Chennai-Mysuru begins: 5 facts to know

Lokmanya Tilak rail derailment: ATS team rushes to investigate

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Uttar Pradesh, May 21: A team of the Anti-Terrorism Squad leaves for Unnao, UP to probe Lokmanya Tilak Superfast Express train derailment.

Eight bogies of Lokmanya Tilak Superfast Express derailed at Unnao railway station in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. No casualties or injuries have been reported yet, according to news agency ANI.

Uttar Pradesh: 8 bogies of Lokmanya Tilak Superfast Express derailed at Unnao railway station. No casualties/ injuries reported pic.twitter.com/JhgbP6eriT  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 21, 2017

The cause of the derailment is yet to ascertained.

OneIndia News
'Shaurya Diwas': Rajnath Singh says J&K entered new era of peace & prosperity after Article 370 abrogation

Pak committing atrocities against people in PoK, will have to bear consequences: Rajnath Singh

India's defence a notch higher with launch of 75 vital BRO projects in 6 states and 2 UTs, including J&K

Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh

NDA government will find permanent solution to Kashmir issue: Rajnath

India

pti-PTI

Kathmandu, May 21: Amidst the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the NDA government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.

Addressing a public reception in this western part of the tiny Himalayan state, Singh said that Pakistan had been trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.

"But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, without elaborating.

Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent.

The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the scary situation in Kashmir.

Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces.

Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani.

"Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir," Singh said.

Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries.

However, he said that there had been no change in Pakistan's attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India.

"We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said.

The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border.

He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 15:16 [IST]
LeT commander behind killing of Army Major among two militants dead in Kashmir encounter

Self styled militant of UPRF gunned down in encounter

Security forces gun down top NDFB (S) commander in Assam

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Army's Red Horn Division along with Assam Police on Sunday gunned down a National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) militant in Assam's Chirang district, said reports.

M16 Automatic Rifle, 9mm Baretta Pistol in addition to large quantity of ammunition and warlike stores recovered from neutralized terrorist pic.twitter.com/gLGbjvfYrU  ANI (@ANI_news) May 21, 2017

Large quantities of ammunition, M16 Automatic Rifle, 9mm Baretta Pistol were among the other items recovered from the militant, identified as Jwrimiya Muchahary alias M Jwrimin.

The militant was a self styled commanding officer of 3rd battalion of NDFB(S) and he was recently appointed as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the outlawed group.

Muchahary was allegedly involved in the massacre of tribals on December 23, 2014.

The security forces launched an operation on Sunday afternoon in Manas reserve forest based on a specific intelligence input.

On May 9, an SSB sub-inspector and a suspected NDFB (S) militant were today killed in an encounter in the Chirang district.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 22:46 [IST]
IRCTC update: 151 trains cancelled on Nov 09; here is the complete list

Tamil Nadu: OPS tweets on alliance with BJP, deletes it later

India

pti-PTI

Chennai, May 21: A tweet by O Panneerselvam, leader of the Puratchi Thalaivi Amma faction of AIADMK, on a possible alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party after the declaration of civic polls kicked up a storm on Saturday.

"We will take a decision on alliance with BJP once local body elections are announced," the tweet from Panneerselvam's twitter handle @OfficeOfOPS said.

The tweet, however, was later removed with the faction clarifying that it will decide on the tie-up with 'any party' only after the local body poll dates were declared.

In an apparent damage control move, the media team of the faction clarified that the alliance could be with any party depending on the situation.

"We mean that only after the announcement of local body elections we will think about the alliance with any political party," another tweet from the @OfficeOfOPS handle said in a clarification.

Former chief minister Panneerselvam had revolted against AIADMK chief V K Sasikala in February this year, alleging he was forced to make way for her to the state's top post.

Later, he led a host of MPs, MLAs and senior leaders to form a faction of his own.

He had also fielded E Madusudanan for the now cancelled RK Nagar bypolls, supposed to be held on April 12, against AIADMK Amma Deputy General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran. BJP had nominated Gangai Amaren for the election.

The Election Commission had cancelled the bypoll over the use of money power to influence voters.

The proposed merger talks between the two factions led by Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami, has remained a non-starter owing to the former's insistence on the expulsion of Sasikala, Dhinakaran and their family members from AIADMK.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 10:01 [IST]
Melania, Ivanka arrive in Saudi without headscarves, Trump had slammed Michelle for the same

International

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

US first lady Melania Trump and first daughter Ivanka Trump, who are accompanying President Donald Trump on his Saudi Arabia visit, arrived in the country without headscarves. This is not unprecedented as many visiting leaders have chosen not to sport scarves, but what is interesting is that Trump had lashed out at Michelle Obama in 2015 for the same.

When former US president Barack Obama had visited Saudi in 2015 to pay respects to the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Trump had slammed Michelle for not wearing a headscarf.

"Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf enemies," Trump had tweeted then.

Even Hillary Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May and former US first lady Laura Bush had not worn headscarves during their visit to Saudi.

Both Trump women were conservatively dressed as is the custom in Saudi, they wore long pants and dresses that covered their arms and legs.

The first lady wore all black, with long sleeves and flared pants, cinched with a wide, metallic gold belt, while the first daughter sported a black-and-white dress with splashes of magenta, said reports.

Donald Trump is on a nine-day, five-country visit across the Middle East and Europe.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 21:25 [IST]
At least 18 dead in Russian missile attack on Odesa

Chinese dragon may fume as much but won't spit fire on Taiwan

N.Korea conducts another missile test

International

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Seoul, May 21: North Korea on Sunday launched an unidentified ballistic missile, which flew over 500 km, just a week after Pyongyang carried out its most successful missile test, South Korean military has confirmed.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in immediately convened a National Security Council meeting to discuss the communist neighbour's provocation, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile in the eastern direction at around 4.59 p.m., from the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do, South Pyeongan province," the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said in a statement.

It said South Korea and the US are analysing details, including the type of the missile and its exact trajectory.

It marked Pyongyang's eighth missile test this year.

On May 14, North Korea test-fired what is believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile from Kusong, North Pyongan province.

The Hwasong-12 missile travelled around 700 km for 30 minutes before it landed in water 100 km south of Russia's Vladivostok region, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

On April 29, Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile from a Pukchang area but it exploded in mid-air minutes after lift-off.

IANS
My party-BJP have different ideologies but common aim of uplifting poor: Nepal ex-PM Prachanda

Former Nepal PM says removed from office for including Kalapani

Nepali woman scales Mt Everest with message against human trafficking

International

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Kathmandu, May 21: A Nepali woman has summited Mt Everest with the message to fight against human trafficking, becoming the first to climb the worlds highest peak for women empowerment and gender equality, according to UN Women Nepal.

Kanchhi Maya Tamang, a trafficking survivor, has also become the first woman from the Tamang community of Nepal to summit Mt Everest.

Tamang was seen holding a poster stating "We are people, not property" in an undated photograph taken on the mountain. She is herself a trafficking survivor, reported Himalayan Times.

Associated with UN Women, Tamang, along with Pemba Dorje Sherpa climbed Mt Everest with a message to "Fight Against Human Trafficking", said Gyanendra Shrestha, a liaison officer in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Tamang was accompanied by 19 other climbers from Japan, Australia and India.

IANS
Imran Khan discharged from hospital, to resume long march from same point where he was shot

This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how

Pakistan says ICJ ruling can't trump domestic law in Jadhav case

International

oi-Madhuri

Irked by International Court of Justice's ruling in the Khulbhushan Jadhav case,

Pakistan's civilian government on Saturday asserted that the stay on the Indian national's execution cannot override domestic law.

While addressing reporters, Sartaj Aziz, foreign policy adviser to PM Nawaz Sharif said,"They cannot override a country's laws allowing the death penalty. If according to our laws, someone gets the death penalty, they can't nullify it.''

He further said that Jadhav had confessed to carrying out espionage and terrorist activities inside Pakistan. ''Not only was Jadhav an Indian citizen, he was in fact an officer in the Indian Navy using a fake passport. He was sentenced according to the country's law," said Aziz.

It also said that since the Pakistan's position in this case is strong and would be clear when the actual hearing begins. Meanwhile, Indian dismissed it saing thst there was no such procedure.

Pakistan on Saturday said that it will handle the case 'according to our own laws', Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

The Jadhav issue would be treated as an espionage case and dealt with according to Pakistani laws. The Minister also said Jadhav's arrest helped avert several incidents of terrorism in Pakistan.

The comments came two days after the International Court of Justice told Pakistan to put on hold Jadhav's execution.

OneIndia News (with inputs)

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 6:52 [IST]
A doctor in Jaipur was badly beaten up by the relatives of a patient who died while undergoing a treatment. The doctor has received 46 stitches on his head and also broken his nose.

By India Today Web Desk: A doctor was badly beaten up by the relatives of a patient who died while undergoing a treatment. Dr Ajay Bansal, owner of Bansal Hospital, has received 46 stitches on his head and also broken his nose.

After the attack, he was rushed to SMS Hospital where more than 400 doctors gathered as the news of the attack spread.

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Also read: Doctor kidnapped, released after paying ransom of Rs 7.5 lakh

Resident of Jaipur's Adarsh Nagar area, 55-year-old Ratan Lal Saini was admitted in Bansal Hospital after he complained of chest pain. After he died while undergoing treatment, the doctors of Bansal Hospital alleged that the family members went on rampage and attacked Bansal with sharp-edged objects.

However Ratan Lal Saini's son, Virender Singh, has lodged an FIR claiming negligence on doctor's part while providing treatment to the patient.

Also read: Mumbai: Resident doctors' stir enters day 4 as another Sion Hospital physician attacked

After the incident, hundreds of private hospitals in Jaipur decided to remain non-functional at least till noon on May 20, 2017 to protest the alleged attack. Out of the 450 private hospitals, nearly 300 remained shut as reported by ThePinkCityPost.com .

Jaipur police has booked Bansal hospital's doctors for negligence and also registered an FIR against the family members apparently involved in the attack.

--- ENDS ---
'Enduring defeat of IS must be the goal'

Trump ousts Tillerson as Secretary of State, replaces him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo

Trump enters US state department for first time as his favourite Mike Pompeo takes over as secy

Rex Tillerson hopes Rouhani will dismantle terrorism network

International

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday said recently re-elected Iranian President Hasan Rouhani should use his term to dismantle a network of terrorism.

Tillerson, who is accompanying US President on his Saudi Arabia trip, also hoped Rouhani restores freedom of speech in his country and puts an end to ballistic missile testing.

Trump was earlier critical of former president Obama's administration for lifting economic sanctions from Iran.

Tillerson also called for ending the threat posed by the Islamic State in the region. In the Yeman civil war, Saudi Arabia supports the government while Iran backs the rebel Houthi group.

Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday on a two-day trip, beginning his first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump has also signed an arms deal with Saudi. According to the White House, this deal will bolster security in the face of Iranian threats and the package demonstrates the US commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Monday, May 22, 2017, 1:05 [IST]
Are you awake?: EAM Jaishankar recalls when he got a call from PM Modi at midnight

Taliban raid kills 20 policemen in Afghanistan

International

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Afghanistan, May 21: At least 20 Afghan policemen were killed on Sunday when Taliban fighters stormed multiple security outposts in the volatile southern province of Zabul.

A group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints in Shah Joy district of Zabul province, killing 20 policemen," provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal told reporters, adding that at least 15 others were wounded in the fighting.

Taliban raid kills 20 policemen in southern Afghanistan: Officials - AFP  ANI (@ANI_news) May 21, 2017

Taliban militants launched their annual spring offensive normally marking the start of the fighting season, though this winter the Taliban continued to battle government forces. An attack on a military base in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif left at least 135 security forces dead last month.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 12:40 [IST]
Trump likely to announce bid for presidency next week

Trump participates in traditional Saudi sword dance

International

ians-IANS

By Ians

Riyadh, May 21: US President Donald Trump along with other male White House officials participated in a ceremonial sword dance in Saudi Arabia outside the Murabba Palace.

Trump arrived here accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday on a two-day trip, beginning his first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Video of the dance shows Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross dancing with swords perched on their shoulders as part of a line of men in traditional Saudi garb ahead of a state dinner, reports CNN.

Trump, surrounded by Saudi officials, bops back and forth with a smile on his face, while White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn appear more reserved in their moves. The traditional men's sword dance is known as the 'ardah'.

The performance combines dance, drumming and chanting poetry, and it signifies the start of notable occasions like religious holidays or weddings. Other world leaders have similarly participated in the ardah.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security in the face of Iranian threats and the package demonstrates the US commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region.

Trump also held meetings with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his government, including the powerful Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On Sunday, Trump will participate in a meeting with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as a summit with leaders and representatives from around 50 Middle Eastern and Islamic countries.

Parallel to these meetings, a forum for the fight against terror and extremism is to be held, sponsored by the Saudi-led anti-terror military coalition.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.

IANS

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Story first published: Sunday, May 21, 2017, 13:03 [IST]
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Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Shabir Shah have been placed under house arrest to prevent their participation in the rally.

By India Today Web Desk: The authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in old city areas of Srinagar and put separatist leaders under house arrest to foil a proposed rally called by the separatists, to maintain law and order situation in the Valley.

"The restrictions have been imposed to maintain law and order. These are preventive in nature", a senior police officer said.

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"Restrictions have been imposed in areas falling under the jurisdiction of five police stations of Srinagar including Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Khanyar, Rainawari and Safa Kadai," the police officer added.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Shabir Shah have been placed under house arrest to prevent their participation in the joint separatist rally.

Separatists have called a rally on Sunday at Eidgah ground in Srinagar to commemorate the death anniversaries of two senior separatist leaders Mirwaiz Maulana Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone killed by unknown gunmen.

The separatists have reiterated their appeal to people of Kashmir to peacefully march towards the the slain separatists' graveyard in Eidgah.

Mirwaiz Farooq was killed inside his Nigeen residence by gunmen on May 21, 1990 and another senior separatist leader, Lone was killed at the Eidgah ground by gunmen on May 21, 2002.

Separatists had announced a week long remembrance programme called the 'Hafta -e-Shahdat' (Martyrdom Week) which ends on May 21.

NAEEM KHAN SUSPENDED

Meanwhile, Hurriyat has suspended its leader Naeem Khan after an India Today expose showed him boasting about spreading unrest in the Valley with funding from Pakistan.

Along with Naeem Khan, caught on camera were Tehreek-E-Hurriyat's leader Gazi Javed Baba and JKLF chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar (Bitta Karate).

Naeem Khan's suspension from the party comes even as he continues to allege the sting by India Today was a fabricated story and the video was doctored.

(With inputs from IANS)

ALSO READ:

Hurriyat suspends Naeem Khan 5 days after India Today expose on truth behind Kashmir unrest

#HurriyatTruthTapes: Cornered Naeem Khan says not accountable to Indian media as NIA begins probe

ALSO WATCH:

Naeem Khan: Hurriyat tapes are doctored, I'm not accountable to Indian media

--- ENDS ---
Rumble 03 Nov 2022

The highest place in the world mt Everest . It is also known as the roof of the world. It is situated in Nepal.
autoevolution 05 Nov 2022

Just a little over a week separates us all from the moment when NASA will once again try to send the Space Launch System (SLS)..
The Rio Olympic silver medallist started slowly but rallied to dip ahead of Asuka Cambridge, who finished .03 seconds behind the American, while another Japanese, Shuhei Tada, came third in 10.35.

By Reuters: Veteran American sprinter Justin Gatlin fended off the challenge of a host of Japanese hopes when he won the men's 100 metres at the Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki on Sunday, crossing the line first in 10.28 seconds.

The Rio Olympic silver medallist started slowly but rallied to dip ahead of Asuka Cambridge, who finished .03 seconds behind the American, while another Japanese, Shuhei Tada, came third in 10.35.

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Any hopes of clocking a fast time were scuppered by a 1.2-metre headwind at the Todoroki Stadium, although Gatlin said he was pleased with his performance in testing conditions.

"It was a tough wind, but the competition was even tougher going against some of the future stars of Japan," the 35-year-old was quoted as saying by Kyodo. "They put together a good race, and they're going to be formidable opponents.

"I've been a little bit injured, not being able to train as hard as I want to, but I've been working on my finish and it helped out today."

Canada's Aaron Brown won the men's 200m in a time of 20.62, while Bulgaria's Ivet Lalova-Collio doubled up to claim the women's 100 and 200m.

--- ENDS ---
Global Low Power Wide Area Internet Of Things Market To Be Driven By Growing Demand From Asia Pacific

http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/708816

MarketResearchReports.biz has added a new research report to its repository of research documents on the telecommunications industry. The report, titled Low Power Wide Area Internet of Things: Market Forecasts and MNO Approaches offers a comprehensive overview of the global low power wide area Internet of Things market. The report studies the industry chain structure and analyzes the upstream and downstream components of the market. It studies the development trends in the market that would define the future growth. Information about the latest low power wide area Internet of Things technologies has been included in the report. The report further profiles some of the key players in the market.Low power wide area (LPWA) IoT technologies in unlicensed spectrum are rising in terms of adoption and coverage. Standardized LPWA IoT technologies for usage in licensed spectrum are expected to become available later this year. LPWA IoT technologies are preferred over cellular, short range wireless, and other connectivity options as they offer a number of benefits such as low cost, low power, and broad coverage. Hence, the report projects the global LPWA IoT market to grow rapidly. During the period between 2015 and 2020, the LPWA machine-to-machine (M2M) connections are estimated to grow from 20 mn to over 860 mn while the cellular M2M connections are anticipated to grow from 310 mn to 715 mn.Among the key regions in the global LPWA IoT market, North America has been the leading region owing to the adoption of Random Phase Multiple Access (RPMA) devices across private networks. The presence of key players has also boosted the growth of the market in this region. While Western Europe is expected to emerge as the largest regional market in terms of LPWA connections by 2017, Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold over 46% of the overall market by 2020. The deployment of LPWA networks is projected to be slower in developing markets as the focus on M2M is limited. Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe are expected to account for 14% of the total LPWA connections by 2020.For Sample Copy, click here:Describing the competitive landscape, the report profiles some of the key players operating in the global LPWA IoT market such as RPMA, SIGFOX, and LoRa. The report provides detailed information about the top three contenders in the market including their business model, capability, level of adoption, degree of coverage, and industry support. Mobile network operators are focusing on a number of different approaches depending on market maturity, local market conditions, degree of focus on M2M, and degree of international exposure. A majority of operators are waiting for the commercialization and ratification of 3GPP standard LPWA technologies.To order report Call Toll Free: 866-997-4948 or send an email on sales@marketresearchreports.bizMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Report Reveals Key Factors Influencing Africa Oil Storage Industry Till 2020

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MarketResearchReports.biz has added a new market intelligence report to its repository on the power sector. One of the latest reports collected in its database is titled Oil Storage Industry Outlook In Africa To 2020 - Capacity And Capital Expenditure Forecasts With Details Of All Operating And Planned Terminals. This report documents the details of all oil storage terminals  operating and planned  within Africa. The report takes into account the current details of the industry and formulates an industry forecast till 2020.The report is a descriptive gateway to understanding the key factors that are affecting the Africa oil storage industry. The industry include terminals that store crude oil, chemicals, and/or petroleum products within Africa. A large part of the data provided in the report pertains to details on storage terminals, such as the terminals name, storage capacity, operator name, and the type of commodities stored. The report does this for all planned and active terminals.The report additionally offers an outlook on the total expenditure of capital resources in terms of various major regions on an annual basis. It also provides the oil and chemical storage plans of each African country till 2020.Additionally, the report offers comparisons of the top nations in the Africa oil storage industry in each of its major regions in terms of contributions to the industry. This includes industry contributions made through planned terminals, i.e. new build terminals, as well. All planned terminal activities announced in the Africa oil storage industry will be considered to calculate regional contribution to the industry.The report also sheds light on the latest developments in the Africa oil storage industry in terms of country level contracts and recent tenders. The scope of the report includes providing a user with the latest data from the Africa oil storage industry on all storage terminals. To do so, the report focuses on a historical period from 2010 to 2015 and then provides forecast data till 2020.For Sample Copy, click here:The report thus helps a user obtain the most up to date data pertaining to the Africa oil storage industry that is available on planned and active storage terminals across the continent. While doing so, the report also helps figure out the various segments in the industry and the opportunities that may be available in them. The report helps its users in making the right business decision based on the strength of the analysis prepared on the historical data, as well as the predictive analytics performed for the industrys forecast period.From the point of view of industry competition, the report assesses the Africa oil storage industry and its competitive landscape. This analysis can help the users of the report in gauging the strength of their competitors and therefore take the right steps ahead into successfully expanding their business scope in the Africa oil storage industry.To order report Call Toll Free: 866-997-4948 or send an email on sales@marketresearchreports.bizMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global CRM Market To Witness Rapid Growth Thanks To New Product Launches By Leading Market Players

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MarketResearchReports.biz has recently added a new market research study to its huge database of research reports. The research study, titled Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Market Report: 2016 Edition, offers a thorough analysis of the global CRM market, focusing on the major growth drivers, current trends, and challenges. The research study presents an in-depth study of the global CRM market, focusing on the major geographical segments and vendor analysis.Cardiac rhythm management is considered as a well-established division of the overall cardiology devices market. CRM is a segment of cardiology that involves dealing with disorders related to the hearts rhythm. CRM relies on several devices including implantable pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), and other CRM monitoring devices. CRM devices are widely used for the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias, especially ventricular arrhythmias and superventricular arrhythmias. The demand for CRM devices has been rising as they are very efficient in reducing the number of sudden cardiac deaths.The growing consumption of alcohol and tobacco, growing obese population, increasing healthcare expenditure, and increasing prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias are some of the key factors expected to fuel the growth of the market in the forecast period. In addition, the increase of irrigated RF Ablation Catheter Devices and primary prevention on the rise worldwide are further estimated to drive the global CRM market throughout the forecast period. On the flip side, the environment issues and regulatory concerns are the major challenges for the players operating in the market.For Sample Copy, click here:Some of the prominent developments and trends in the global CRM market are increasing demand for a leadless pacemaker, new product launches, growing adoption of subcutaneous ICD, and the introduction of quadripolar lead devices. These trends are estimated to offer potential opportunities to market players and drive the global CRM market throughout the forecast period.Developing nations are providing remarkable potential for major players to establish an increased number of distribution channels across the globe. Nevertheless, higher costs of living and low reimbursement schemes impose extreme pricing pressure on market entrants. Several technologically advanced devices are unaffordable in developing nations owing to the limited financial resources available. As a result, substantial reductions in cost are anticipated in the next few years as distribution becomes global. There are several players in the global CRM market that are developing value-tier platforms so as to enable and boost the sale of lower-cost devices.Furthermore, the research study talks about the competitive scenario of the global CRM market, including detailed analysis of the major players operating in the market. The financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments of the major players have been included in the scope of the report. Some of the leading players mentioned in the research report are Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, and Medtronic.To order report Call Toll Free: 866-997-4948 or send an email on sales@marketresearchreports.bizMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Scindia has called for urgent recalibration of the strategy of Congress to stay relevant in the fast changing political spectrum of the country.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress chief whip Jyotiraditya Scindia has called for urgent recalibration of party's strategy to stay relevant in the fast changing political spectrum of the country.

Taking part in the discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable conference, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that it was high time for the Congress to take certain decisions about the future course of action.

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"We need to internally correct ourselves," Scindia said in response to a question on the functioning of the Congress party.

Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "It is important for us to take decisions today and we must take decisions expediently and we must move forward with alacrity."

In response to a question on infighting within the Congress, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the party "will have to move from 'mera, tera to humara' attitude".

FOCUS ON STATES

Scindia said that Congress needed to focus on states for its revival. "First of all we have to concentrate on states. In many states, people want a change." The Congress must have strategy for states, he said.

Scindia also said that the Congress should form different strategy for different states. He said that that party is working a strategy, which would be out in a couple of months. The Congress will work on its strategy for all future Assembly elections leading upto the parliamentary polls in 2019.

Suggesting that Congress should desist from negative campaign based on the criticism of the ruling dispensation, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the party should build its electioneering on its vision of development for a state instead of attacking the incumbent government.

ON RAHUL GANDHI

Responding to another question, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that "Rahul Gandhi should become (Congress) president tomorrow."

"I feel that we should move ahead under his leadership. We will form government in 2019 under his leadership," Scindia expressed hope.

Scindia dispelled the notion that Rahul Gandhi is 'no match to Prime Minister Narendra Modi' saying, "Rahul Gandhi can definitely match Modi. He will challenge Modi and the Congress will go to people with the blueprint that party and Rahul Gandhi are working on."

ALSO READ | How Manohar Parrikar became CM: Nitin Gadkari reveals what happened on that night in Goa

Watch Video: India Today Editors' Roundtable: Congress needs new ideas, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

--- ENDS ---
On April 30, the congregation of Christian Celebration Center honored Pastor Joel and Donna Stocker for their 31 years of faithful leadership. On May 7, Stocker and Jeff Hlavin, the superintendent of the Michigan District Assemblies of God, officiated the installation of Pastor Keith and Lacei Grabill.

After serving as youth pastors and missionaries in several locations, the Grabills and their three children moved to Midland in June of 2009 to serve as CCCs youth pastors. In November of 2016, they were then elected to be the new lead pastor.
Mishra took to Twitter and hinted at another expose. "So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? Was Arvind Kejriwal aware of it?," he tweeted.

By India Today Web Desk: Former Delhi minister Kapil Mishra today again took a dig at Delhi Chief Minister and questioned the funding of party leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh's Russia trip.

Mishra took to Twitter and hinted at another expose. "So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? Was Arvind Kejriwal aware of it?," he tweeted.

So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? AK ?? ?? ??? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? 11 ???; Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishraAAP) May 21, 2017

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Mishra, whose vociferous campaign against Kejriwal continues in full steam, entered its third round on Friday as he leveled a new set of charges against the AAP chief.

The sacked minister dropped a bombshell on friend-turned-foe Arvind Kejriwal claiming that the Delhi chief minister and AAP received money through hawala network. Mishra even showed a powerpoint presentation to journalists during a press conference in New Delhi today as evidence to back his claims that the Aam Aadmi Party received funds from shell companies.

"Arvind Kejriwal is keeping mum despite me providing clinching evidence of his corrupt practices. It is evident from this presentation how AAP forged letter heads to shell companies. These letter heads were fake," the sacked Delhi water supply minister said.

Mishra also rejected a Delhi businessman's claims that he had donated Rs 2 crore to the AAP. Mukesh Sharma, a property dealer and tobacco trader, had claimed he donated the money through a demand draft on March 31, 2014.

ALSO READ | Kapil Mishra vs Arvind Kejriwal Round 3: Ex-Delhi minister claims AAP received funds through hawala

ALSO READ | Kapil Mishra promises to expose Arvind Kejriwal's biggest lie today

ALSO WATCH | Kapil Mishra claims Aam Aadmi Party received funds through hawala

--- ENDS ---
BLOOMINGTON  A year of analyzing and creating through computer science has some Twin City high school students itching for more real-world projects in school.

Its interesting to see the ways they approach and dissect problems, weigh risks, identify feasibility and make decisions. Its cool to see that maturation of their minds, said Allen Hays, instructor for problem solving with computer programming at Bloomington High School.

From October to April, State Farm employees mentored students from BHS, Normal West and Normal Community high school in select computer science classes.

The groups used science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to solve a problem within the community or insurance industry by creating an app or piece of software.

BHS junior Bo Stinson worked with classmates to develop an app that could help college students better manage loans and contact financial professionals with questions.

This felt like a more realistic approach to learning than current standardized testing, said Stinson. It wasnt just pages of multiple-choice answers. We had to identify a problem and solve it. Its better to have open projects like this in school because you can really use your own ideas.

His group partner, Mahlik Helm, a BHS senior, said the group ran into coding problems during the project and had to work through the issues as a team.

It gave us the chance to see what it would be like working on a similar project for a big company, said Helm. This was a more practical way to learn. Itd be cool if more classes had projects like this, giving us freedom to learn.

The joint STEM project with State Farm and area high schools was organized by the Illinois Science and Technology Institute. Other businesses throughout the state were connected with 38 high schools for the project.

One group from each high school was invited in April to the STEM Challenge Student Showcase in Chicago to present their research.

Sophomore Rylan Hambleton and freshman Dominick Saylor were chosen to represent BHS. Their project focused on the use of drone technology to make insurance claims during catastrophes.

Our project is innovative because it would make the claims process more cost- and time-efficient. I really learned a lot of teamwork skills and how to successfully combine ideas, said Hambleton.

Sally McCullers of Bloomington is a manager in IT systems at State Farm. She gave pointers and encouraged the drone team to think outside the box.

My role was to keep the brainstorming flowing and get the group to very clearly articulate what they wanted to do, said McCullers.

She said the group studied drone licensing and regulations, battery life and range of motion.

We need to continue to bring real-life examples into the classroom to educate and energize students about career fields they can be a part of in the future, said McCullers. If something doesnt feel like school work now, maybe down the road the same subject wont feel like work.

Students at NCHS and Normal West explored ways to insure self-driving vehicles and reward systems for safe driving.

Another BHS group designed a direct donation network for community members who need financial assistance. Through referrals from churches and homeless shelters, individuals can request donations from volunteers to pay for things like groceries and down payments.
What Trump Administration appointees lack in reticence they make up for in certitude. Take Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Just two weeks after being shown his stately office at the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) South Building, Perdue announced a major makeover of it: he invoked a 2014 Farm Bill directive to create a new USDA post, undersecretary of trade, by eliminating an existing post, undersecretary of rural development.

Administration officials described this demotion of Rural Development as an elevation, explained the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), because the new trade salesperson would report directly to the Secretary

But thats selling baloney as steak, commented the NSAC, because All undersecretaries, including the undersecretary of rural development, already report directly to the Secretary so the assertion is misleading...

Not to Secretary Perdue, who mentions daily that his main goal as USDA boss is to be American agricultures unapologetic advocate and chief salesman around the world.

As such, creating an Undersecretary for Global Ag  even if you have to strip American rural communities of, first, their megaphone inside USDA and, later, their funding  is, well, apparently the way its going to be. Besides, this is Americas destiny, explained Perdue when announcing the undersecretary swap May 11.

The men and women of American agriculture are hardy people, he said, many of whom were born into the calling of feeding America and the world.

Sonny the Salesman knows you have to sell the sizzle to sell the steak.

The USDA redo fits perfectly with the administrations broader goal to revamp key U.S. trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and the hope to negotiate more bilateral deals like the just-announced, 10-point deal with China that will reopen the nation to American beef exports.

Typical of this White Houses announcements, though, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross went overboard in his bragging about the China deal. It was a herculean accomplishment, claimed Ross, that amounted to more than has been done in the whole history of U.S.-China relations on trade.

That was too much even for the never-in-doubt editorialists at The Wall Street Journal, who noted May 15 that the deal was modest and the move to open its beef markets was mostly a restatement of a promise made by the Chinese premier last September.

But the agreement does signal Mr. Trump has pulled back from protectionism, added the Journal  much to the relief of American farmers and ranchers. U.S. ag exports, after all, have averaged about $140 billion per year since 2010.

Still, if the White House is now in a trade-is-good phase  which easily could change the next time our mercurial president hops on Twitter  bigger trade deals, like the renegotiation of NAFTA, pose enormous challenges that wont be sorted out over the dessert course.

For example, American dairy groups want Canada to dismantle its milk quota system so U.S. fluid milk and dairy products can, literally, flood north. What would American negotiators have to give the Canadian prime minister and his Liberal colleagues for them to agree to that deal?

Hint: The moon and stars would be the starting point, not the end point.

So, too, with Mexico, where negotiators now are at an impasse on a standing U.S. deal that allots Mexico 53 percent of all U.S. refined sugar imports. The U.S. wants that promised access cut to 15 percent. Mexicos reply, understandably, is Hey, pal, we had a deal.

Moreover, its ag minister defiantly noted May 16, that if the U.S. imposes import duties on any of the now-in-limbo Mexican sugar, he would be willing to react in-kind with duties possibly targeting U.S. fructose.

That would slap U.S. corn growers silly because Mexico buys 79 percent of all American high fructose corn syrup exports (1.1 million metric tons out of a total 1.4 MMT in calendar year 2015).
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NORMAL  Retired long-serving members of the McLean County Unit 5 school board were honored with a reception Saturday at Normal Community West High School.

Gail Ann Briggs left the board this year after serving 41 years, one of the longest terms in Illinois. John Puzauskas left his seat this year after 12 years.

Thats an immense amount of time dedicating selfless hours to the community and district. Thank you for your legacy and example. In the future work of the board, I hope you still see a little bit of yourselves, said Jim Hayek, Unit 5 board president.

Briggs said the three weeks since her last board meeting have been busy. She has been presenting grants from the Beyond the Books Education Foundation, helping organize the Fourth of July parade in her hometown of Towanda and getting around to writing a long list of thank-you notes.

She said she was touched to see former colleagues and students at the event.

I highly respect everyone who served on the board in the past. Its because of the folks we follow that allow us to build on, she said.

Among visitors was Kenneth Uphoff, 93, of rural Hudson, who served on the school board from 1964 to 1973 and left the table three years before Briggs was elected.

We have much of the same ideas when it comes to board decisions, said Uphoff. Its amazing that anyone would be willing to serve that long and regularly.

Stacie Lange, first-grade teacher at Towanda Elementary, attended Unit 5 schools and has grown close to Briggs.

Gail Ann has made a huge impact on the Towanda community and the entire district, said Lange. She has a wonderful and caring heart for children and she is so supporting of teachers. She feels education is important in all aspects.

Peg Kirk of rural Hudson is a former teacher of English and speech at Normal Community High School. She formerly served as president of the Unit Five Education Association and made a close connection with Briggs.

It was sometimes hard to convince board members to associate with the union, but we were well-acquainted with Gail then. She is such a hard worker and has a deep understanding of what makes the school system work, said Kirk.

Puzauskas said the fact that he is no longer a board member really sank in after the latest meeting, when he read about the outcome in The Pantagraph.

Things have been quiet, but Im still very much attached to Unit 5, he said. Its great to listen to the stories from all these folks and its an honor to see everyone here.

Gary Niehaus served as Unit 5 superintendent from 2007 to 2014 and stopped by to congratulate Briggs and Puzauskas, whom he said were known as leaders for the district.

Gail was always our mentor and shepherd that got you where you needed to go, he said. John was a leader who was always supportive of administration during tough times.
In the years before the Civil War and for several decades afterward, Bloomingtons African-American community embraced alternatives to the Fourth of July holiday.

After all, the triumphant narrative of Independence Day rang hollow to many black Americans when there were still some 4 million of them in bondage. And even after the wars end, African-Americans preferred to celebrate their independence on days reserved for the singular trials and travails, and hopes and ambitions, of their people.

The biggest African-American holiday in this period was known as First of August, or more generally Emancipation Day, and the all-day affair usually included a procession, afternoon picnic, speeches on the state of black America and an evening of music and dancing. The First of August holiday commemorated the anniversary when slaves were freed in the British West Indies, Aug. 1, 1834.

From available evidence, the first such Emancipation Day was held in Bloomington on Aug. 1, 1859. This gathering also doubled as a fundraiser for the local African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church building fund and Sunday school (Wayman AME today).

Tickets were 25 cents, with discounts for families, and could be purchased at Hiram Underhills barbershop across from the American House, a hotel on Front Street. Underhill was African-American, as were most barbers in 19th century Bloomington.

On this summer day in 1859, a procession, likely including the better portion of Bloomington-Normals African-American community and a good number of blacks from nearby towns and cities, assembled at the new AME church on North Center Street and paraded to Majors Grove, a wooded, park-like spot on the city's north end.

Nineteen-year-old Edward Joiner, born free in Illinois and barbering for Underhill at the time, made what was said to be his debut as a public orator. Joiner, a future minister (he was licensed to preach in the AME church around this time), exhorted his brethren to put their own shoulders to the wheel, and improve themselves in knowledge and dignity of character, as an essential means to realizing their aspirations.

The First of August celebration of 1862 offered more than the usual spirit and interest, occurring as it did in the midst of the Civil War. A former slave identified as E. Hutchens gave the afternoons first address. His style of speaking was plain, forcible, and correct, sometimes bordering on eloquence, but never approaching highfalutin, remarked The Pantagraph. He gave a glimpse of slave life, and dwelt at length upon the duty of his brethren in the free states, to educate their children, elevate their moral and religious character, and fit them for the higher position which he dared to hope they would soon be allowed to enjoy.

After 1870, Emancipation Day was often held at different times of the year. New Years Day became a favorite date for two reasons. On Jan. 1, 1808, the federal government banned the importation of slaves into the United States, the earliest day permitted by the Constitution. And Jan. 1, 1863, marked the effective date of Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in parts of the Confederacy still under rebellion. Sept. 22 was also a popular date to hold Emancipation Day, for on that day in 1863 Lincoln first issued his proclamation.

Other Central Illinois communities, including Clinton, Decatur and Pontiac, held their own Emancipation Day programs (whether annually or occasionally), and when possible a party of Bloomington residents, sometimes numbering 50 or more, would make the trip as a show of solidarity and friendship.

On Jan. 1, 1875, in what was described as the grandest demonstration ever made by the colored citizens of the city of Bloomington, Emancipation Day festivities began with a procession from the African-American Baptist church on Lee Street (now Mt. Pisgah on West Market Street) to Phoenix Hall on the south side of the courthouse square.

A second emancipation celebration was held later that year, on Aug. 11, and included a program and picnic at the old west-side fairgrounds. The day-long event, reported The Pantagraph, was quite well attended and highly enjoyed by our colored brethren of Bloomington and neighboring towns, and also by a number of white persons.

Currently on display at the Atlanta (Ill.) Museum 20 miles south of Bloomington is a poster-size announcement for a Sept. 22, 1875, celebration marking the 12th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The gathering, which included Benjamin Franklin Rogers Brass Band of Springfield and a grand, old-style barbecue, was held on the Union Agricultural Society grounds outside of Atlanta.

Emancipation Day remained popular throughout the 19th century. In the summer of 1894, for instance, Bloomingtons Miller Park was the site of a large celebration. Swelling the crowd were African-American delegations from Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Peoria, Springfield and elsewhere.

There were sporadic emancipation celebrations in Bloomington as late as the mid-1950s, though by that time they had taken the form of a picnic for African-American children.

Today, the heir to Emancipation Day is Juneteenth. Sometimes known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the announcement, made on June 19, 1865, abolishing slavery in Texas.

On Jan. 1, 1884, the Rev. C.S. Smith of Bloomingtons AME Church delivered a fiery Emancipation Day address at Central Music Hall in Chicago. Less than two decades after the Civil War, the promises of emancipation and reconstruction had, in the face of violence and intimidation, given way to white-only rule, disenfranchisement and segregation.

And what of colored soldiers of the late rebellion, those who lifted the Stars and Stripes from the dust of treason, and planted [it] on libertys universal throne? asked Rev. Smith. In times of war they fought to defend and protect the nations life, and in times of peace it is the duty of the nation to defend and protect them, he replied, boldly asserting that a government powerless to maintain the liberty of its citizens  ought to perish beyond the memory of God and man.

Smith was uncompromising in his condemnation of the American South and a federal government complicit in denying African-Americans basic political and civil rights. I care nothing about the so-called rights of the states, he concluded, when my liberty is jeopardized and my constitutional privileges trampled on and denied."
Rajnath Singh's statement assumes significance as it comes at a time when the Kashmir valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9, when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held.

By Agencies: Amidst the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today that the NDA government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue and even went ahead to assert that "Kashmir", "Kashmiris" and "Kashmiriyat" are an integral part of India.

"We understand that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat are ours. I assure you that we will come up with a permanent solution to end the issue," Rajnath Singh said.

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The Home Minister's statement assumes significance as it comes at a time when the Kashmir valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9, when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held.

Rajnath Singh, while referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, said that leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries. However, Pakistan's attitude towards India and its want to destabilise the country remained the same.

"Pakistan Prime Minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony not just to join hands, but to be cordial thereafter. But Pakistan continues to carry out acts of violence on the name of Kashmir, just to destabilise us. We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," said Singh.

CHECK-POST VISIT

The Home Minister even visited a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively.

Singh lauded the efforts of the SSB in curbing acts of violence along 'sensitive borders' and also appreciated the people of Sikkim in their cooperation towards the Sashastra Seema Bal's initiatives.

Earlier on Saturday, Singh chaired a meeting with the Chief Ministers of five Himalayan states on the issue of the Sino-India border in Gangtok.

REVIEW MEETING

During the meeting, attended by the Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, Rajnath reviewed the security issues in the areas along the border.

The objective of the meeting was to strengthen the coordination of the Centre with these States, to improve the overall border security.

Discussions on the border infrastructure work undertaken by the Home Ministry, Border Area Development Programme and coordination issues between the states and the Indo-Tibetian border police, were also held during the meeting.

ALSO READ:

Differences exist between India and China on border issue: Rajnath Singh

We will strike unannounced: Rajnath Singh on Krishna Ghati beheadings

--- ENDS ---
At the outset of their new book, "Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign," Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes note that adviser David Plouffe prioritized three goals for Clinton to win: "It was important to have the right culture and mission, to manage Bill Clinton and to effectively target Latino voters."

We know how well that turned out.

Later in the book, which is a stunning indictment of the poor leadership, judgment and instincts that led to Clinton's loss, Allen and Parnes detail how Clinton tried but struggled to make inroads with Latino voters, as well as African-American ones, even though they were key constituencies.

The Clinton campaign ignored pleas to court Latino voters in Nevada  heavy-hitting surrogates like former New Mexico governor and first Hispanic presidential candidate Bill Richardson were disregarded. And the campaign left Emmy Ruiz, Clinton's Nevada point-person, without enough resources to compete in the predominantly Latino state, according to Allen and Parnes.

Not detailed in "Shattered" but worth mentioning: The Clinton campaign once unsuccessfully attempted to appeal to Spanish speakers by using Spanglish and implying she was just like your grandmother. This spurred an immediate social-media backlash because, let's face it, unless your grandma is a multimillionaire, Clinton is nothing like your abuela.

And, less than a month from Election Day, those Hispanics who had not decamped to supporting Bernie Sanders or who were secretly rooting for Donald Trump learned from a WikiLeaks email dump what Clinton's campaign thought of Hispanics: They were needy and easy to appease with just a few phone calls.

"Richardson is still on TV a lot, especially on Univision and Telemundo and, notwithstanding the fact that he can be a [expletive], it was worth getting him in a good place," read one email included in the October 2016 WikiLeaks revelations.

These vignettes, in addition to Clinton's ham-handedness with African-American voters and myriad other missteps, led Allen and Parnes to this conclusion: "White voters punished her for running a campaign so focused on minority voters. ... The more she catered to them, the more she pushed away other segments of the electorate."

So let's recap: Clinton took Latinos for granted, Trump demonized them in order to get votes from the white, working-class voters Clinton turned off with her outreach to minorities, and Gary Johnson and Jill Stein barely had the resources to reach critical masses of any kind of voters, much less Hispanic ones.

Is it any wonder, then, that, despite all the hoopla about the "sleeping giant" finally waking up, national Latino voter turnout was even lower in 2016 than in 2012?

According to new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, the high-water mark was in 1992 when 51.6 percent of the Latino electorate came out to vote. More recently, 49.9 percent helped Barack Obama win in 2008, 48 percent turned out in 2012 and just 47.6 percent voted last November.

It must be noted that the Hispanic share of voters has gone up every year since 1980, culminating with 9.2 percent of all voters in 2016, meaning that there were more total Hispanic voters who cast ballots, even though fewer eligible Latino voters as a whole turned out.

In the run-up to the election, what I heard from Latino advocacy organizations across the country was that campaign outreach from both parties was paltry and that investments from national get-out-the-vote organizations were not made in Hispanic communities until the last minute.

At this point, one might intuit a classic chicken-or-egg conundrum: Political parties may not invest in Latino voters because they think Hispanics won't vote anyway, and Hispanics may not be interested in voting because candidates assume their vote is either a foregone conclusion or a lost cause.

Each of those assumptions would be a big mistake because the Latino vote has always been and will always be up for grabs.

Even Trump garnered eye-popping amounts of Hispanic votes (28 percent of Latinos, similar to Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008, according to the Pew Research Center), despite the real-estate mogul's degrading anti-Hispanic and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

You don't need to be a political scientist to figure out a few simple truths: In raw numbers, more and more Hispanics will cast ballots in upcoming elections  as has been the case for the past 36 years.

And whoever wants to win their votes in 2020 will be rewarded if they start making investments in Latino voter education and outreach right now.
When Ralph and Ellen Smith arrived in Bloomington-Normal in 1959, they found that Jim Crow was still alive.

Sure, there were some changes since World War II. Movie houses no longer forced African-Americans to sit in the back rows. At Miller Park, swimmers could now swim anywhere, no longer just in segregated areas.

But Jim Crow was still around, lurking behind each For Sale sign and every restaurant managers frown.

For it was only four years before the Smiths took up residence here that a visiting black soloist dined at a leading restaurant  at a table set up behind a screen so white diners would not see him. No hotel was open for him.

And in Normal that year, where Ralph would soon begin teaching at Illinois State Normal University, only five (of 295) homeowners would sign a Covenant of Open Occupancy that Campus Religious Center students carried around, a simple promise to rent a room to any student regardless of their race.

Housing discrimination was one focus among many for Ralph and Ellen throughout their years here  from 1959 right up to Ralphs death on May 3.

In 1960, shortly after their arrival from Buffalo, N.Y., Ralph helped organize a Freedom of Residence (FOR) group. FORs first project was to ask ministers to distribute cards to their congregants urging non-discrimination in rentals and sales. About one-fourth signed.

Ralph became president of the NAACP, confronting Realtors who gave the same arguments used everywhere to keep out blacks  that an owner must have the right to rent or sell to anyone he chooses.

Ralph and Ellen then teamed up with an African-American  usually Merlin Kennedy, who arrived the same year as the Smiths  to test whether Jim Crow was dead here. Merlin would reply to a rental advertisement:

Sorry  we just rented that.

Some 30 minutes later, the Smiths would arrive:

Yes  come right in. Would you like to rent this apartment?

Ralph recalled some 21 instances of this.

But Ralph Smiths concerns reached far beyond housing discrimination. In 1965, he and Kennedy traveled to Mississippi to help blacks register to vote. And when the McLean County Economic Opportunity Corporation was established, Ralph and others in the US activist group became its leaders and helped gear it toward such things as funding Head Start and helping people in low-income neighborhoods fight legal and job discrimination.

Ralph was for equal opportunity in every facet  housing, hiring, recalled Charles Morris, who led campaigns at ISU to open up hiring and enrollment. Ralph believed deeply in equal opportunity, and practiced it.

Jack Porter, who worked closely with the Smiths, recalled how thoughtful Ralph was.

I cant imagine him shouting, he said. But it was wrong to assume that his quiet demeanor was in any way a contradiction to his determination. He was relentless, impatient with injustice.

Others recalled how Christian beliefs formed the underpinnings for everything Ralph Smith did. His minister at the United Methodist Church in Normal, the Rev. Kent King-Nobles, said that Ralph explained it was his Christian faith that led him to get involved in social justice issues  that this was what it meant to be a Christian.

The Campus Religious Centers founder, Rev. James Pruyne, agreed: It was clear  positions he took were based on his religious beliefs.
SPRINGFIELD  For the third year in a row, the three men at the center of Illinois politics are circling inside the Capitol, and nobody is pulling any punches.

In one corner is Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, in the other are Democratic leaders Michael Madigan and John Cullerton. The goal: Pass a budget before the end of session on May 31.

The past two years have seen lawmakers come up short, both sides throwing in the towel, as an untold number of Illinois residents suffer through the longest gap between budgets of any state in the country.

Lawmakers remain optimistic they can come to terms, but how close the two sides are to an agreement depends on whom you ask.

A spokeswoman for Rauner deferred questions for this story to an opinion piece the governor wrote last week in the Springfield State Journal-Register and several subsequent news conferences.

In the op-ed piece, Rauner reiterates many of the policy stances he's taken during his first term, arguing he'd support a tax increase, but only with fundamental changes to what he sees as a "broken system."

Weve been trying to negotiate a good deal for taxpayers for more than two years, Rauner wrote. But we wont be pressured by special interests, insiders and career politicians to take a bad deal for taxpayers.

Much of the spotlight remains on the battle of wills between Rauner and Madigan, the powerful longtime speaker of the House and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

While Rauner has painted Madigan as a career politician who bows to special interest, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown points to the budgets passed since Madigan became speaker in 1983, saying Madigan worked with governors and legislators of both parties to get them approved.

As Ive said, the governor needs to look at himself in the mirror and ask that figure that he sees, Why did you screw up this state budgeting process? Brown said.

The spring session has seen much of the budgeting focus in the Illinois Senate, where months of bipartisan talks have seen senators taking swings at passing a "grand bargain" budget that would include items as varied as a property tax freeze, gambling expansion, workers' compensation reform, an income tax increase and changes to the school funding formula.

Those talks failed in March, when Republicans pulled their support. Last week saw another effort in the Senate, including expanding gambling, changing state purchasing rules, pension reform, changing the school funding formula and allowing the state to borrow $7 billion to pay down some the states $14.1 billion backlog of bills.

But work to pass a bill to implement necessary cuts to get to the previously approved $36.5 billion spending plan failed, and bills to reform workers' compensation or raise taxes were never called for a vote.

I was under the impression we had reached an agreement on the budget, Cullerton said after the vote.

I think there were significant reforms that were done today, said Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, shortly after the Senate voted Wednesday. But the better course of action would have been to move the items that were in agreement, then go back into the room and make sure the budget balances, get the language finalized and then put it for a vote.

Rauner has publicly been cordial when addressing the Senates effort to pass a budget, but he did not mince words when asked about Madigan and House Democrats during a stop Tuesday in Springfield.

House Democrats, under Speaker Madigan, have showed no good faith willingness to engage in negotiations, Rauner said.

He also addressed a recent move by Madigan to have four top Democrats in the House negotiate with the governors office over non-budgetary items, referring to it as an effort to derail budget talks in the Senate.

Brown dismissed the governors concerns, saying the House wants to work with Rauner on ways to improve the states economy.

How did we get here?

Those who watch Illinois politics say the budget impasse represents a "perfect storm" of conflicting personalities and years of poor planning.

Those decisions stretch back decades and include both parties, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield.

He cited the pension strain created by the "crooked bargain" at the end of Republican Gov. George Ryans tenure, when thousands of longtime state employees were allowed to retire early so the incoming Democratic administration could fill the openings with their own people.

He also pointed out the overall tenure of convicted Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in federal prison after being convicted of corruption, and the 2008 recession as events that already put Illinois in a perilous fiscal position well before Rauner took office.

The recession significantly changed the way the state handles its budgeting, said Jak Tichenor, interim director at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Previously, a majority of spending was related to federal mandates such as Medicaid, making for a fairly predictable budget process. Lawmakers negotiated over discretionary spending such as K-12 and higher education funding, but Tichenor said they would enter those negotiations knowing state revenue was stable.

But if you go back to 2008 to the great recession ... state revenues just went off a cliff, he said. You had appropriation committee chairs at the Capitol looking at balance sheets and saying, Well Im trying to fund a $32 billion budget, and I only have $24 (billion) to $25 billion in income.

And thats where you started to see the real allocation of pain and scarcity instead of budget making as we traditionally did it.

A temporary income tax increase approved by lawmakers and then-Gov. Pat Quinn in 2011 moved the personal tax rates from 3 to 5 percent and the corporate tax from 4.8 to 7 percent, which helped to pay down some of the bill backlog. But the increase expired in 2015, reducing the rate for individuals to 3.75 percent and to 5.25 percent for corporations.

The motivation behind letting it expire was so the newly-elected Rauner could negotiate a new budget with the Democratic-led House and Senate.

Two-and-a-half years later, the two sides have only managed to agree to a stopgap budget in 2016 that provided some money for struggling universities and social service providers. Most spending has been court-ordered.

Redfield said from the start, Rauner and the Democrats seemed to underestimate one another, specifically when Rauner started to sell his "turnaround agenda" that included the creation of local right-to-work zones and other measures perceived to be anti-union.

I think the initial set of demands the governor was putting out there was overly optimistic in terms of what one could get a Democratic legislator to agree to, Redfield said. That clearly got negotiations off on a very bad start, and we never got to the point where we could get an acknowledgement from both sides that they were sharing power and they needed to make compromises.

Tichenor agreed, saying, The governor may have underestimated just how strong the Democrats' resolve was not to turn their backs on their traditional allies, as well as the Democratic leaders may not have appreciated how strongly the governor felt about trying to impose some of those turnaround agenda items in exchange for a tax increase.
On Friday Patently Apple posted a report titled "SoftBank's Chief Masayoshi Son follows President Trump to Saudi Arabia to Officially Launch $100 Billion Fund." The trip indeed delivered what was expected. The world's largest private equity fund, backed by Japan's Softbank Group and Saudi Arabia's main sovereign wealth fund, said on Saturday it had raised over $93 billion to invest in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics. In addition to Softbank and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the new fund's investors include Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment, which has committed $15 billion, Apple Inc, Qualcomm, Taiwan's Foxconn Technology and Japan's Sharp Corp.

Reuters reports that "The next stage of the Information Revolution is under way, and building the businesses that will make this possible will require unprecedented large-scale, long-term investment," the Softbank Vision Fund said in a statement.

Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, chairman of Softbank, a telecommunications and tech investment group, revealed plans for the fund last October and since then it has obtained commitments from some of the world's most deep-pocketed investors.

The new fund made its announcement during the visit of President Donald Trump to Riyadh and the signing of tens of billions of dollars worth of business deals between U.S. and Saudi companies. Son was also in Riyadh on Saturday.

The new fund said it would seek to buy minority and majority interests in both private and public companies, from emerging businesses to established, multi-billion-dollar firms. It expects to obtain preferred access to long-term investment opportunities worth $100 million or more."





The deal began with SoftBank's Masayoshi Son, Japan's richest man visiting then President-elect Trump in December 2016. The Softbank and Foxconn contribution to the deal would be close to $50 billion as noted in the graphic above of a presentation sheet used in Son's pitch.

Last month Patently Apple posted a reprot titled "Foxconn to make 'Capital Intensive' Investment in the U.S. that will be revealed at a Special Event this Summer." Foxconn's Chairman Terry Gou stated at the time that "We are planning a number of investments in America. This project will include both capital-intensive and skilled labor-intensive and high-tech investment." In respect to timing, Gou added that "I think we will share with you in the summer, maybe a few weeks."

The high paying jobs that the Fund will support cover various industries such as mobile computing, communications infrastructure, computational biology, consumer internet businesses and financial technology.

Bloomberg adds in their report that Masayoshi Son said in a statement today that "SoftBank has long made bold investments in transformative technologies and supported disruptive entrepreneurs. The SoftBank Vision Fund is consistent with this strategy and will help build and grow businesses creating the foundational platforms of the next stage of the Information Revolution.' Yasir Alrumayyan, managing director of Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, said the fund will help his countrys strategy of developing 'a diversified, knowledge-based economy.' Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chief executive officer of Mubadala, said the SoftBank fund 'perfectly complements' the companys strategy to become an investor in high-growth technology companies."

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
The United States and The Netherland Embassies in Ghana have pledged support for the countrys fight against illegal mining. According to the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson, the fight against galamsey needed to be sustained to save the countrys environment and natural resources from further degradation and pollution.



Figures from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources indicate that more than 230,000 kilometres of land have been destroyed by galamsey activities whiles over $2.3 billion from such illegal activities had been transferred out of the country without the payment of royalties.



Water quality



Mr Jackson said the embassy was aware of the dangers galamsey operations posed, particularly to water quality.



The work we have been doing around galamsey has been around water quality. We will continue to do that working with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the new Ministry of Water and Sanitation.



The other thing we have been doing is to assist with natural resource management and helping communities to gain value from preserving the resources, making use of trees in a sustainable way, harvesting different vegetables and nuts and other farm produce and adding value to them and marketing, he stated this after a tour of the Atiwa Forest and some galamsey sites and a courtesy call on the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin II, in the Eastern Region.



The constant activities by the galamseyers is polluting the countrys rivers, compelling the Ghana Water Company to expend more resources in the treatment of water.



Support



In October last year, the US government launched a $25-million project in Ghana to ensure the effective management and utilisation of natural resources in northern Ghana.



On a possible US support for transforming Atiwa into a national park, he said We can also provide some technical expertise. We have people from our national parks service to provide expertise. USAID was responsible for the creation of Kakum. We can look at that model.



Netherlands intervention



The Deputy Head of Mission of the Netherland Embassy in Ghana, Ms Caecilia Wijgers, said the Dutch government would continue in its support in the fight against galamsey activities through an environmental non-governmental organisation, AROCHA.



She said as part of the programme, local communities were being engaged through alternative livelihood activities that would reduce their dependence on forest and mining resources.



Ms Wijgers further stressed the need for an effective collaboration among stakeholders on the galamsey menace.



Background



Accra and its environs depend largely on the Atiwa range for water supply to its over three million residents in addition to four million others in some parts of the country, but the reserve is said to be under attack from illegal miners, chainsaw operators and farming activities.



The entire 237-kilometre square reserve is surrounded by mining concessions which expose it to further encroachment as well as pollution of water bodies in the area. The Birim is said to be the worse affected.



Research



Traces of two heavy metals, arsenic and mercury, found in the river in a research conducted by the Water Research Institute (WRI) are said to be harmful, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).



Although the WRI found small traces of the dangerous chemicals in the river, the WHO has indicated that those quantities can still cause serious health problems, including threats to the development of the unborn child.



According to the WHO, arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form and water contaminated with the chemical used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops posed the greatest threat to public health.

Source: Daily Graphic









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed satisfaction so far with the outcome of his tour of the countries in the ECOWAS region, as the set objectives prior to the commencement of the tour are being met.



It will be recalled that the purpose of the tour of the ECOWAS countries, as outlined by the presidency, was to afford President Akufo-Addo the opportunity to introduce himself, as the new Ghanaian leader, formally to the governments and peoples of our neighbouring countries, explore and deepen our bilateral relations with them, and reiterate Ghanas full commitment to the ECOWAS project.



According to the President, Everywhere I have been so far, I have been met with a lot of enthusiasm and warmth, because people are reassured about Ghanas role in ECOWAS, and, to me, that is very important. If we can make a success out of ECOWAS, it will help us a lot in the economic development of our country.



With Ghana having the second largest economy in West Africa, and being the second biggest country in terms of population and ECOWAS, President Akufo-Addo stated that what these tours are trying to do is to reassure the ECOWAS world that we are still very much engaged.



The President made this known on Saturday, May 20, 2017, when he interacted with the Ghanaian community resident in Cape Verde, as part of his 3-day tour of that country.



Touching on the issues back home in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that the Asempa Budget, the first budget of his administration, outlined the economic vision of his government, as well as point to the direction in which his government wanted the country to head.



We believe that if we can empower and stimulate the private sector in Ghana, those who do their own businesses and take risk, if we can strengthen them, it will be the quickest way we can develop our economy and thereby create jobs and bring prosperity to our country, he said.



To this end, the President indicated that a lot of taxes that had been irritating many private sector operatives were removed. GH1 billion in taxes was taken out of governments revenue, in order to have this money remain at the level of private businesses for them to be able to reinvest it in the economy.



President Akufo-Addo, just as he has done on his tour of West Africa, reiterated the commitment of his government towards fulfilling the promises he made to Ghanaians in the run-up to the December 2016 elections.



The Free Senior High School Policy, he said, is on its way to being fulfilled, indicating that his government will fund the cost of public Senior High Schools for all those who qualify for entry from the 2017/2018 academic year onwards.



On the revival of the National Health Insurance Scheme, President Akufo-Addo noted that his government has found it necessary to find the money to stave the scheme off collapse.



The scheme has been threatened by mismanagement and by huge indebtedness. We are now having to systematically liquidate the arrears so that the service providers can be encouraged to provide services for NHIS card holders. I am hoping that within 18 months, all the arrears of the NHIS would have been settled, so that we can have a secure future for the scheme, he said.



On the agricultural sector, the President told the gathering that the programme for Planting for Food and Jobs launched in Goaso a month ago is the answer to the twin-problem of the migration of youth to city centres in search of non-existent jobs, as well as an end to the disgraceful spectacle of Ghana importing food stuffs from neighbouring countries.



The programme, he noted, has so far employed 1,200 extension officers, and an additional 2,000 more officers will be employed in 2018. Additionally, the programme, he stated will in its first year target some 200,000 farmers.



Visits to CERMI, National Data Centre



On Saturday, May 19, President Akufo-Addo visited the Centre for Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance (CERMI).



CERMI was established to build capacities on the different technologies of renewable energy such as solar, photovoltaic and wind. By the year 2020, Cape Verde aims at achieving a 100% penetration rate of renewable energy in use in all parts of the country.



The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, whose Executive Director is Mr. Mahama Kappiah, a Ghanaian, is working closely with CERMI to this end.



President Akufo-Addo was also taken on a tour of Cape Verdes National Data Centre (NOSi), which was established in August 2015. The Centre aims at providing services in areas such as finance, distance higher education, research and development of software, and other solutions in the field of new technologies.



According to Jorge Lopes, Coordinator of NOSi, who took President Akufo-Addo on the tour, this infrastructure allows us to store and process the data safely. From this centre, Cape Verde can offer storage services and data processing, software development, "hosting" websites, etc., to institutions, national and international, amongst others.



President Akufo-Addo was also taken to Cidade Velha, the portuguese word for "old city". A former capital of Cape Verde, it is the oldest settlement in Cape Verde, and is currently the seat of the Ribeira Grande de Santiago municipality.



The old city was the first European colonial settlement in the tropics. Some of the planned original design of the site is still intact, including a royal fortress, two towering churches and a 16th century town square. Today, Cidade Velha is an Atlantic shipping stop and center for Creole culture. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.













Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A man has been arrested after causing a disturbance on an American Airlines flight to Honolulu, after his fellow passengers became so concerned about his actions that they duct taped him to his seat mid-journey.

The passenger, identified as 25-year-old Anil Uskanil, had previously been arrested after a worker at Los Angeles International Airport claimed to have seen him walk through a security door in the terminal, towards an airfield ramp.

In a statement to the media, police claimed that Uskanil had been drinking but did not meet the criteria for public drunkenness; he was given a court appearance notice for misdemeanour trespassing and then released.

After boarding his flight in the early hours of the morning, the mans fellow passengers noted that he looked dishevelled, and he allegedly sat in a number of first class seats before being moved to his own near the back of the plane.

Eyewitnesses say that at one point, he retrieved a laptop that he had left in a seat-back pocket in the first class cabin, and he was later seen walking towards the front of the plane, carrying the device.

He was very quiet, moving very sluggish, a fellow passenger told The Associated Press. He was trying to approach the cabin, like where the captain is.

Laptops are not currently banned on U.S. domestic flights, but have been outlawed in carry-on baggage from a number of international destinations, over security concerns.

A flight attendant reportedly became concerned about Uskanils behaviour and proceeded to block the aisle with a drinks cart, telling him youre not coming in here.

Eyewitnesses say that he attempted to push past the cart, at which point, several passengers grabbed him from behind and lashed him to his seat with duct tape, where he remained for the rest of the journey.

A pair of F-22 Raptors from the Hawaii Air National Guard were scrambled, and went to meet the plane, escorting it to Honolulu, where the passenger was led off in handcuffs.

First look of suspect, 25-year-old Anil Uskanil being escorted off American Airlines flight #31 by the FBI. #honolulu pic.twitter.com/QqGbd2IwAY  Shanell Wolslagel (@SJWolslagel) May 20, 2017

The Department of Homeland Security has said that all U.S. flights will be monitored as a matter of caution after the incident, but no further disturbances have been reported.

Source: Chicago Tribune.

Photo: John Gress / Getty.
Floats and a mud pit.

That's the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby for you.

The annual event, which is sponsored by the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, celebrated its 10th year on May 20 with a flotilla (floatilla, if you will) of handmade, human-powered moving sculptures. This ranged from a giant Star Wars AT-AT Walker to a fleet of Care Bears on bikes.

The floats had to navigate a 3-mile route throughout the neighborhoods of Kensington and Fishtown including an obstacle course and the fearsome mud pit.

This isn't the only "strange" Philadelphia event.

The mud pit had multiple victims this year, as each float tried their best to make it across. Those that got stuck were helped out by other participants and the event's judges.

You can see the mud pit (and floats) in action in the video below.

The Derby was also an arts festival, with stalls selling hand crafted soaps, jewelry and clothing.

Curious as to who the brave derby participants were? Here's a list, with their float names listed first:

"The Bike-B-Q" - Adam Franklin

"Gentry's Fried Fish" - Club 8

"Bald Spot Comics - Greg LeBold

"The Care Bear Bike Clan" - Crazy Bike Clan

"H4CK3RS" - Hive76

"Reptilikus" - The Embassy of the Reptilikan Empire Planet Gliphorz-72C

"The Galactic Whale" - Neighborhood Bike Works Space Riders

"PMA Bike Ride" - Side Show Joe

"The Hamm's-ster" - The Hamm's-sters

"Mario Star's" - H.A. Brown Elementary

"Workshop Brain" - Workshop School

"Tool Box" - Workshop School

"Chad Chariot" - Chad

"Sorcerer's Apprentice" - Peanus

"Huntington Ace" - Joshua Trott

"Dr. Waffles and the Rates of Nick" - Nicholas Janetos

"Killer Kinetics" - Death Mobile

Philadelphia Brewing Company

Want more stories about Philadelphia? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love.
Farooq Ahmed Dar and Ghazi Javed Baba were on Sunday questioned for a second consecutive day by the NIA, following a special investigative report by India Today that exposed how separatist leaders were ready to bleed the Kashmir Valley for money.

By India Today Web Desk: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday questioned JKLF chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar (alias Bitta Karate) and Tehreek-E-Hurriyat leader Ghazi Javed Baba for a second consecutive day, days after a special investigative report by India Today exposed how separatist leaders were ready to bleed the Kashmir Valley for money.

Yesterday, the agency had quizzed Dar, Baba and Hurriyat's provincial President (Geelani Faction) Naeem Khan in the case.

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Earlier this week, the NIA launched a probe into funds flowing in for stone-pelters from Kashmir, and asked India Today for the raw and unedited footage of its investigation.

In the investigation, top Kashmiri separatists were caught boasting about burning down schools and government institutions to spread unrest in the Valley. Caught on camera were Naeem Khan, Ghazi Javed Baba and Bitta Karate.

Naeem Khan has called India Today's sting a fabricated story, and said he isn't accountable to the Indian media , only to Hurriyat leaders and the local media.

When asked about getting funds from Pakistan, Khan refused to answer the question, but said a movement needs money and that people are supporting and funding it.

(Inputs from ANI)

Operation Villains of Valley videos: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

ALSO READ | Caught on Camera: How Pakistan funds Kashmiri separatists to burn the Valley - India Today Exclusive

ALSO READ | Exclusive: NIA team wants raw footage from India Today after expose on Hurriyat's Pakistan link

WATCH VIDEO | NIA grills Hurriyat leaders for second consecutive day

--- ENDS ---
A Jonestown, Lebanon County man was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police on multiple charges of sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in 2015.

Dustin Lee Miller, 31, was arrested for rape, criminal attempt to commit rape, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, selling or furnishing liquor or malt brewed beverages to minors and harassment.

Dustin Lee Miller, 31, of Jonestown, Lebanon County.

Police said at least two incidents took place between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015 at a location in Union Township, Lebanon County.

The victim was eight at the time of the incident.

The victim reportedly told police Miller attempted to pull her pants off and have sex with her.

On another occasion, the victim told police Miller forced her to watch pornographic videos and asked the victim to try some of the things they saw in the video.

Police said when Miller was interviewed he told them the victim came onto him during the incidents and was the sexual aggressor.

Miller was arraigned by Judge Carl Garver and committed to the Lebanon County Correctional Facility on $250,000 bail.
Swatara Township Police are asking the public to help them locate a man who they say is part of a criminal investigation.

Police said they are looking for Corey Vazquez, 29, who earlier on May 20 was allegedly involved in an attempted assault of a child.

Swatara Township Police are are asking for help locating Corey Vazquez, 29.

Vazquez made threats against himself before disappearing, according to police who said his family is worried about him.

Police said they need the public's help to ensure both Vazquez's safety and to speak with him about the allegations.

In the meantime, police said a criminal complaint is being filed to request a warrant for Vazquez's arrest.

Anyone who believes they have seen Vazquez or know of his whereabouts is asked to call 911.

Police are calling this an active investigation and said more information will become available.
WILLIAMSPORT-A woman sought for six months has been arrested on charges that she tried to sell her newborn daughter.

Keanaendigo M. James, 22, whose last known address was in Williamsport, was taken into custody Thursday following a traffic stop in Montoursville. James last year tried to sell her baby for $1,700, according to police records.

She was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail on charges of theft and dealing in infant children.

Montoursville police also charged her with driving without a license and operating a vehicle out of inspection.

James did not sell her daughter, who was born July 21, and the infant is safe with the biological father who took her from the hospital, Lycoming County chief Detective William Weber said.

According to the arrest affidavit, James on April 27, 2016, entered into an agreement that was notarized to give her daughter right after birth to the sister of the woman who paid the $1,700.

When the sister did not get the baby, the woman who paid the $1,700 filed a civil suit on Sept. 6 in the office of District Judge Allen P. Page III to get her money back.

At an Oct. 25 hearing, James admitted she owed the $1,700 and agreed to a judgment against her for that amount.

Page said he learned for the first time a baby was involved while was asking questions about the use of the $1,700. He immediately contacted the district attorney's office, he said.

That led to Weber's investigation. He said he spent the better part of November looking for James before filing the criminal charges in December.

James is a dancer in men's clubs and spent time in New Jersey in addition to Williamsport, Weber said.

She wanted to give up her baby "for the best interest of my unborn daughter," Weber said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Voter turnout for last Tuesday's primary election was abysmal.

Republican strategist Charlie Gerow (PennLive file)

There's no real story there. The so-called "off-year" primary was the down stroke of the four-year election cycle, an election where only the most hardcore voters showed up.

What was interesting was the fact that statewide voter turnout was largely unchanged from previous primaries of this variety.

After all, this was the first statewide election in the Trump "resistance" era--a time when an energized anti-Trump electorate were supposed to flood to the polls with a surge of enthusiastic energy. They would send a message that would begin the roll into the mid-term elections next year, their promoters promised.

One place that saw a larger than usual turnout was The City of Brotherly Love where turnout was somewhere around 18 percent.

That doesn't sound like much--and it isn't--but it significantly eclipses the 13 percent who showed up for the same primary eight years ago.

What sparked the increase in Philadelphia participation was not a mass anti-Trump fervor, but the opportunity to select a new District Attorney to replace disgraced (and criminally charged) incumbent Seth Williams.

Larry Krasner, a far-Left Democrat who's spent the last three decades defending criminals, emerged from a crowded Democratic field as the party's nominee.

His victory was fueled by more than a million bucks of "independent expenditures" pumped into the race on his behalf by even farther-Left billionaire George Soros. Krasner's primary night celebration was punctuated by a profanity-laced chant from his supporters denouncing the Fraternal Order of Police.

Even in a city that's registered 7-1 Democrat over Republican, that sent up more than a few warning flares.

The head of the local FOP called the anti-police chanters "the parasites of the city."

This followed publication of an open letter from a large group of prosecutors, many of them Democrats, denouncing Krasner and raising a host of questions about his fitness for the office.

Christine Flowers, a Philadelphia lawyer and PennLive Opinion contributor, summed things up this way: "Perhaps it's wrong to blame all of Philadelphia for what happened, because only a small percent actually ventured out to slit our collective throats with their votes, but the results are the same: we are doomed."

The primary in Philadelphia is reflective of the increasingly left-wing dominance of the Democrat Party.

Two years ago the primary got them Jim Kenney as mayor. Now they've got Larry Krasner as the front-runner for DA. The craziness multiplies.

What remains is the fact that the "resistance" didn't show up elsewhere in the commonwealth.

It was an ordinary off-year primary, with lots of signs and few voters. The activists that had been predicted simply didn't show up.

The Krasner victory in the Democratic primary points up their real dilemma. They've lost touch with the working class Democrats who have been the core of their constituency for years.

The lunch box crowd isn't used to anti-cop venom. They're not happy about constant efforts to chip away at their take home pay through higher taxes and they're not part of any "resistance."

Instead many of them are voting Republican, accounting for GOP success in a state where Democrats still outnumber them by a million registrations.

While Sen. Bob Casey doesn't seem too terribly concerned about his own constant drift to the Left, Governor Wolf apparently is.

"The Most Liberal Governor in America" is trying his darndest to look less like the resistance and more like the mainstream. How far he can run from his record may well be the key to his campaign for re-election.

Meanwhile Republicans see a true opportunity. Energized by their victories in the state in November, they're working hard to win the seven appellate court seats up for election this year. They believe victories there will propel them into 2018 with additional momentum.

This week Paul Mango joined Scott Wagner in the race for the Republican nomination for governor.

House Speaker Mike Turzai alerted members of the state GOP that he's seriously considering a run and Attorney Laura Ellsworth is also said to be ready to announce.

Congressman Mike Kelly let it be known that he's decided against a run for governor, but is thinking about the U.S. Senate seat.

The large number of high quality candidates jockeying for the right to carry the Republican banner next year says it all.

Far from being scared out of races by the so-called "resistance" they see the realistic probability of taking seats away from the Democrats precisely because of the excesses of the extreme left wing.
By Press Trust of India: Jammu, May 21 (PTI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said Kashmir youth are ready to defy separatists and be part of the development journey led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Responding to a volley of questions on Kashmir from media persons during Round Table Media Conclave, he accused the separatist leaders as well as so-called mainstream Kashmir- centric leaders of "doing" greatest harm to their own people.

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"These leaders are not faithful either to Kashmir or to the cause of so-called Jehad or freedom which they proclaim to fight for.

"If they were honest to the so-called cause of freedom, they would have set an example by first offering their own children to become martyrs and go down in the history like Guru Gobind Singh," he said.

Kashmir youth are ready to defy separatists and take the benefit of being part of the development journey led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

Rejecting the observation that people of Kashmir were alienated, Singh said, on the contrary, the youth of Kashmir today is much more closely connected with mainstream India than ever before.

Living in a global world and closely connected with each other through internet and other means, he said, the youth of Kashmir today understands that his stake and future is best served by a Modi-led dispensation, so that he does not remain deprived of the benefits which have been availed in the last three years by youth in the other states of India.

"This was evident when, the other day, for a mere 700 vacancies of the post of Police Sub-Inspector, more than 68,000 young boys and girls came out to try their luck without being intimidated by terror or the perpetrators of terrorism", he said.

When asked why the Modi government was not acting against the separatists and others, Singh said, decisive action has been initiated and the results of the same will be seen very soon.

He said, the perpetrators of terrorism are as much responsible as the terrorist himself. None of them would be spared, which was also reiterated by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during his press briefing at Srinagar, he added.

Taking a dig at the Congress party, Singh said, what the Modi Government inherited in Kashmir was a baggage of over six decades of sins committed under the rule of Congress and its allies. Today, now when we are trying to redeem their sins, they are holding conclaves so that the Kashmir pot keeps boiling, he said. PTI AB SMJ

--- ENDS ---
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani prepares before a televised speech after he won the election, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, May 20, 2017. Rouhani says that the message of Friday's election that gave him another four-year term is one of Iran living in peace and friendship with the world. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
New East Jordan trail to be named for Don and EIleen Klein
Pippa Middleton and husband James Matthews leave St. Mark Church in Englefield, west of London, on May 20, 2017 following their wedding ceremony Saturday. Dress by British designer Giles Deacon Read more

I knew Pippa Middleton  the stylish author, socialite and sister of Princess Kate  would surely have a fantastic wedding gown of her own when her special day arrived

It turned out I was absolutely right.

Pippa Middleton, 33, known for stealing the show at Princess Kate's wedding six years ago in the sharpest, figure-grazing bridesmaid dress ever known to man, wed 41-year-old millionaire financier James Matthews on Saturday in a lacy, capped-sleeved number by British designer Giles Deacon.

I give this nuptial look a solid A.

Shortly after the wedding, Deacon, known for his extravagant red carpet celebrity frocks, told the fashion world that indeed, he was the man behind Middleton's gorgeous gown. He was "thrilled" to work with Middleton.

The bespoke gown was beautiful in its simplicity. It was hand appliqued, Deacon said in a statement, to create the illusion that the the gown, with it's demure high neckline and organza and tulle skirt, was fashioned without seams. The heart-shaped cut-out in the back made for a perfectly alluring touch. British milliner Stephen Jones made Middleton's tulle veil. And the bride's tiara was courtesy of jeweler Robinson Pelham. Middleton's ivory, satin pumps were non other than Manolo Blahnik.

Deacon also designed mother of the bride Carole Middleton's pale pink coat dress. Classy.

And then there was Princess Kate's rosy, pink confection. The calf-length dress, with its built-in peplum detailing and long sleeves, came exclusively from The House of McQueen, where designer Sarah Burton currently sits at the helm. This vintage, 1950s style dress, in my opinion, is delicious. The fascinator, not so much.

The children in the bridal party  which included the bride's royal niece, Charlotte and nephew, George  were dressed in ensembles provided by the Spanish-based children's wear brand Pepa & Co. Something about those olive, kiddie knee-pants is just divine.

And we would be remiss not to mention the princes. Royal brothers William and Harry were nearly identically dressed in bespoke suits with dapper, double-breasted vests. What a handsome way to complete a royal wedding.
Bill Cosby hadn't spoken publicly for more than two years, and given the risk of anything he said being used against him in either the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas or the court of public opinion, I had little expectation as to what he might reveal to me. To my surprise, our 30-minute conversation this past week was quite illuminating.

A post-interview media analysis by SiriusXM detailed that coverage of the interview reached a national television audience of nearly 20 million viewers, and the interview also played on local news outlets in more than 100 cities across the country. There was no uniformity among the headlines.

Many outlets, such as the Inquirer and Washington Post, highlighted that Cosby revealed he would not testify on his own behalf. Several, including the Huffington Post, noted that he regarded the volume of accusers as "piling on." Others, such as People magazine, reported that he said he "never" lost the support of his wife. All of that is true. But to me, the person who conducted the interview, they miss the bigger takeaway from the discussion. Considered in total, the half-hour conversation was a road map of Cosby's defense.

I prepared for the interview as I would a deposition, and with the knowledge that merely speaking with him would earn me scorn. (It did.) My intention was to be fair but direct, courteous but not a lackey. And mostly, to let him speak. At my disposal were three audio cuts supplied by his public relations representatives: statements of support from daughters Erinn and Ensa, and a lengthy interview conducted with Cosby by Erinn using questions prepared by documentary filmmaker Michelle Major. Playing select portions of that sound and having him react generated a wide-ranging conversation.

We've all seen the film footage of Cosby slowly entering the courthouse to face charges of aggravated indecent assault. The man I spoke with, possessing an unmistakable hearty laugh, was not mentally infirm. While he regarded himself as "unsighted," his 79-year-old mind was sharp. And though his answers were often meandering, he nevertheless made his points.

He dismissed my question as to whether he was seeking to influence jurors ("You can't aim at jurors") but maintained his eye on his goal ("Well, things were rescinded, and I'd like to get those things back"). He was partially accepting of daughter Ensa's opinion that there is racism at play ("Could be, could be. I can't say anything, but there are certain things that I look at and I apply to the situation. There are so many tentacles, so many different  nefarious is a great word  and I just truly believe that some of it may very well be that"). And he said he'd been subjected to media bias ("I also feel that there are many filmed things, and writing as well, that people can take what you say and insert it and it will mean something altogether different").

Cosby presented himself as a victim being ganged up on by his accusers ("I think that the numbers came because the numbers prior to the numbers didn't work"), who not only intend to deny him his reputation, but are also willing to punish those still willing to pay to watch him perform ("But I will ask this question  if a man is then free to go where he wants to go, free within the law to do what he wants to do, and he offers himself in concert for people to buy tickets, why would people threaten the hall, threaten the people who booked the show, when in fact the people who are coming are those who are buying tickets?").

He sees a legal system manipulated by lawyers that limits his ability to defend himself in front of a jury of his peers ("But I just don't want to sit there and have to figure out what I believe is a truthful answer as to whether or not I'm opening a can of something that my lawyers are scrambling"). Still, he displayed no anger or bitterness in his tone. Ironically or deliberately, the man who faces the highest-profile sexual-assault trial in recent memory, invoked a quotation from a feminist icon, Gloria Steinem ("The truth shall set you free, but first it might piss you off").

While Cosby did say he has no intention of taking the stand in his own defense ("No, I do not"), there is nothing binding in that announcement. He can change his mind, and it's entirely possible that his purpose was to impact the amount of time prosecutors prepare to cross-examine him. It's also possible that things said by him to me could be introduced at trial, though I'm hard-pressed to identify what part of the tape could come back to haunt him. Cosby was measured. He didn't take the bait when I asked him whether his many accusers are all lying ("You know better" and "I won't and I cannot answer that. It's really not fair and you know that, because all I have to do is say something similar to that and the next thing I know  whoever is  saying 'Defamation, defamation, defamation' ").

At the end of the interview, Cosby said "I just hope I'm not in trouble now, man," which itself generated a headline from the New York Post. I thought his concern was justified given that he'd invoked race and revealed his trial posture. But within hours of the airing of the interview he tweeted me thanks for "integrity, ethics, and clarity," so it was obvious he believed he'd made his points.
Security forces and infiltrators were engaged in a gunfight that lasted for over 12 hours. Four terrorists and four Army jawans were killed during the gunfight.

By Ashraf Wani: Four infiltrators and four Army jawans were killed in an ongoing operation near Nowgam sector of Kupwara district in Kashmir Valley.

A group of heavily armed militants infiltrated across the Line of Control in Nowgam sector on Saturday.

They were engaged in a gunfight that lasted for over 12 hours. Four terrorists and four Army jawans were killed during the gunfight.

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Operation is still going on.

Also Read

Jammu and Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed, as many Army jawans martyred in Nowgam sector of Kupwara

--- ENDS ---
The primary after a presidential election typically is something less than an afterthought, but what happened in polling places across the suburbs of Philadelphia last week might qualify well as historic.

As many Democrats showed up to vote in an off-year election in Delaware County as Republicans, who have dominated local government for more than a century. That was unprecedented, said David Landau, head of the county Democrats.

In Montgomery County, more than 50,000 Democrats showed up to cast ballots -- double the 2013 number.

After being devastated by the loss of the White House in November, party leaders in the politically pivotal Philadelphia suburbs say they are jubilant over what they see as the first tangible sign that months of Trump rage might be turning into electoral muscle.

Delaware County GOP chief Andrew Reilly acknowledged a Trump effect. "This happened because the frustration, the perception, that Donald Trump is not a legitimate president," Reilly said. "We expected it."

It's not that Republicans stayed home; their numbers were comparable to other off-year elections, based on unofficial returns. It's just that Democrats came out.

Ordinarily, the primary after a presidential election is a pro forma exercise involving low-profile or ignored races for judgeships, county and municipal offices and school-board seats.

Not this time in the Philadelphia region.

Statewide turnout was unexceptional, but in Philadelphia's neighboring counties, energized Democratic voters elected school board members and fended off challenges from Republicans who also filed as Democrats. In Bucks County, a dozen Democrats defeated Republicans by winning both their own and the Republican primaries.

Democratic voters supported candidates who were new to the political system -- running for seats that, in prior years, would have been conceded to Republicans without so much as a Democrat in the primary.

Usually, it's the Republicans who come out while the Democrats stay home.

"It's a new day," said Delaware County's Landau. He said the 26,600 Democrats who voted Tuesday marked the highest number ever to cast a ballot in a post-presidential-year primary there, far surpassing the previous high, 18,000.

"I think this is the first time in at least a decade that we've turned out more Democrats than Republicans on a municipal primary day -- and it wasn't even close," said Eric Nagy, executive director of Bucks County's Democratic Party.

In Chester County, where Democratic presidential nominess Hillary Clinton outperformed Republican Trump in November by more than 25,000 votes despite a GOP registration advantage, 18 percent of Democrats came out to vote on Tuesday, compared with just 10 percent four years ago.

"These aren't trends," said Val DiGiorgio, the Chester County party chief who is the new state chair. "It's one primary. Doesn't make a trend."

Democratic Party leaders said they already had begun to handicap the prospects of gains in next year's midterm elections.

"County [party] leaders feel pretty strongly that if we have momentum built in 2017," said Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Joseph Foster, "that will be extremely important for 2018."

The collar counties, among the most populous in the state, are crucial to statewide and national races.

But if DiGiorgio was worried about the Democrats' surge on Tuesday, he was not letting on.

He did, however, suggest that Republicans would not let the results wash off their backs as the parties now head toward the general election in November.

"To the extent that they're seeing higher intensity on their side," DiGiorgio said, "I thank them for letting us know -- and we'll make sure we're on our A-game."
By Press Trust of India: By Manish Sain

New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) Gaping at a seed almost invisible to the naked eye through a microscope in a cold and quiet lab over several nights does not sound like something an aspiring writer would do.

But for American geobiologist Hope Jahren, author of Lab Girl, this was the routine she followed over and over again -- and which finally gave the scientist her own, true identity.

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Her autobiography traces a woman scientists life from being a curious child in her scientist fathers lab to becoming a successful university professor and researcher.

The book, launched in India recently, has been making waves. It explores the authors personal and career growth parallel to that of a plant, as she fights against gender discrimination.

Jahren, whose roots are Scandinavian, grew up in the US with three older brothers. One of her earliest realisations about herself, she writes in the book, revolved around the fact that she was a woman in a world dominated by men.

As a child, she would spend long hours in her fathers laboratory. She was five when she thought "whatever I was, it was less than a boy".

Looking back at those early days, Jahren writes how she spent the day "pretending to be a girl" and transformed into a scientist in the evenings.

"While I pretended to be a girl I spent my time deftly grooming myself and gossiping with my girlfriends about who liked whom and what if they didnt...

But in the late evenings I would accompany my dad to his laboratory, when the building was empty but well lit. There I transformed from a girl into a scientist, just like Peter Parker becoming Spider-Man, only kind of backward," she writes.

The feeling of being the only woman or being a minority in the scientist fraternity continued to haunt her as she grew up.

She records episodes where she was told "you cant possibly be what you are".

"Then I cringed as, one by one, the people to whom I was being introduced sized me up and down, each of them wearing a look with which I was very familiar. It was the look that says, Here? That cant be right; theres a mistake here somewhere."

Public and private organisation all over the world have studied the mechanics of sexism within science, she points out.

"In my own small experience, sexism has been something very simple: the cumulative weight of constantly being told that you cant possibly be what you are," she writes.

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From her first real research finding till she became a mother, the 47-year-old scientist, a professor at Oslo University, always found a connection between the important incidents of her life and her own her line of work.

In the autumn of 1994, Jahren found that the most basic part of a Hackberry fruits seed pit was made of opal. It was an incident that the author felt changed her life.

"While looking at the graph, I thought about how I now knew something for certain that only an hour ago had been an absolute unknown, and I slowly began to appreciate how my life had just changed.

She recalls how she stood and looked out of a window, waiting for the sun to rise.

"...eventually a few tears ran down my face. I didnt know if I was crying because I was nobodys wife or mother- or because I felt like nobodys daughter- or because of the beauty of that single perfect line on the readout, which I could forever point to as my opal," she says.

Years later, after a long and painful pregnancy clouded by suicidal depression, she would hold the baby in her arms and see her second opal in him.

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"When I wake, I hold my baby and I think about how he is my second opal that I can forever draw a circle around and point to as being mine," the scientist mother states.

Originally published by Alfred A Knopf, the book also chronicles Jahrens relationship with her friend and colleague Bill and her scientist husband Clint Conrad. PTI MAH BDS TRS

--- ENDS ---
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Audition for Malaysia First JAV Male Actor in Kuala Lumpur

In a very interesting news unrelated with places and foods, Japan AV company Tokyo Dreams will be coming to Kuala Lumpur to look for male porn actors. You probably have heard about their JAV audition in Singapore, they did find some potential male actors according to SundayRegister.com. A total of 25 men attended the auditions but only five were selected and given contract for training in Tokyo Japan.

Tokyo Dreams, the Japanese AV studio based in Tokyo pans to hold their first casting in Kuala Lumpur in June 2017. Studio recruitment manager Shime Tashiaki hope to find more talented actors in their Malaysian auditions. Actors will need to perform a scene from their favourite JAV titles but in front of the entire camera crews.

Okay, for those who are so eager to meet Maria Ozawa recently who visited Kuala Lumpur, now you stand a chance to become Malaysias first JAV male porn actor. You will be in action with JAV actresses professionally and getting paid for it.

According to PressUnion.Org for the Singapore auditions were subject of tight secrecy and the producers will not publically announcing the time or location in advance. Thus, the actual location of the audition and timing will be revealed last minute with clues. Thats the reason only 25 men managed to solve the clue and found the actual audition in a venue in Geylang.

For those who wants to try their luck for KL auditions, expect the same tactic will be used to reveal the venue and timing.

We are not sure the legality of the KL audition as this is not a usual audition or maybe there will be it will only pure casting only. According to SundayRegister.com, the timing and location for the KL auditions will be announced when a venue is booked and the date to be from mid to late June.

So whoever who wants to be JAV male porn actor, this is your chance. Remember, Japanese Yen exchange rates is good right now so the pay will be good.

The talk of audition for Malaysias first JAV male actor has been ongoing for the past few years. Like we mention the legality of the audition will be in questioned on whether is pure casting or some action will be included. So who wants to be Malaysias first JAV male porn actor?

Please take note that we are unable to confirm the authenticity of the sources from PressUnion.Org and SundayRegister.com.

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
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The reason why Fox Newss ratings are declining can be seen in a report from Bret Baier on Fox News Sunday that was loaded with pro-Trump propaganda that called the current presidents trip to Saudi Arabia better than former President Obamas.

Video:

Transcript via Fox News Sunday:

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me say that you have a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.

TRUMP: I agree.

(LAUGHTER)

BAIER: Talk of new relationships.

TRUMP: There wont be strain with this administration.

BAIER: And new arms deals.

TRUMP: Nobody makes it like the United States.

BAIER: The Saudis pledged to buy $350 billion of U.S. military equipment and weapons over ten years and more than $160 billion of Saudi investment in U.S. companies this year. President Trumps first foreign stop has been filled with foreign pageantry, a stark contrast to the Saudi trips by President Obama, who was never greeted at the airport by the king and had a chilly relationship, largely over his administrations dealings with Iran.

This trip, the Saudis are already dancing in step.

The reason why Fox News is losing to MSNBC in the ratings is because they continue to push happy stories about a president that much of the country cant wait to impeach. Fox is caught in the same trap that has captured the Republican Party. Trump is popular with their viewers, but his popularity is small and with a relatively narrow segment of the population. Fox News cant afford to turn on Trump, but his unpopularity is dragging the network down.

Fox News has always pushed an alternative reality to their viewers, but since the President watches Fox, the network now has to do their part to massage Trumps ego, and report utter nonsense like Trumps trip to Saudi Arabia is more successful than Obamas because of who met Trump at the airport.

Segments like this are why Donald Trump is the anchor that is helping to sink Fox News.
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Hundreds of Notre Dame graduates walked out on Vice President Mike Pence as he began his commencement address at the university on Sunday.

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Clip from Fox News:

The videos above are todays reminder that the Republican Partys problems wont be solved by replacing Donald Trump with Mike Pence in the Oval Office. Everything that Trump has politically touched is tainted, including the Vice President. Pence has his own problems and bushels of lies hanging over his head in relation to the Russia scandal.

Mike Pence is not popular. The idea that Pence could replace Trump and all would be well is a fantasy that has been embraced by Republicans that dont want to deal with size and scope of the damage that Trump is doing to their party.

The scandal isnt going away, and replacing Trump with Pence wont solve the problem.
According to the police, the bus belonged to Lucky Travels and around 40 people were travelling in it when the accident took place.

The mishap occurred at around 3 in the morning on Sunday.

By Hemender Sharma: Six people have been reported killed while over 20 were injured when a bus carrying them fell into a gorge near Jogitikaria village about five kilometres from the Dindori district head quarters in Madhya Pradesh.

The mishap occurred at around 3 in the morning on Sunday.

Five of the six dead have been identified while the sixth body is yet to be identified.

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Those who have been identified are Rohit Sahu of Jabalpur, Sanju Barman of Kundam, Surjeet Mudia of Bedhaghat, Avdhesh Kumar of Bihar and Rahul Sheikh of Kolkata.

The injured have been admitted to the Dindori District Hospital.

Out of the injured, seven persons were seriously injured and have been referred to the Jabalpur Medical College.

According to the police, the bus belonged to Lucky Travels and around 40 people were travelling in it when the accident took place.

Dindori district collector Amit Tomar has announced a cash compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family members of the dead.

Also Read:

Madhya Pradesh: 3 on the way to attend PM's Amarkantak event killed in bus accident, 25 injured

Jharkhand: 8 killed, 56 injured after bus overturns near Ranchi

--- ENDS ---
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 74F. Winds E at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 71F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
This story was compiled from dozens of interviews with some of those forced to give up their homes in the early 1959s when the Savannah River Site was built, present and former workers at the bomb plant, scientists, environmentalists, lawyers and government officials. Information also was gleaned from government documents, Congressional testimony, newspaper articles, and scientific and medical studies. Additional detail came from histories written about the plant and recordings of recollections of workers, engineers and scientists. The newspaper also relied on Louise Cassels book The Unexpected Exodus, detailing her memory of what it was like for her and some other residents in the South Carolina town of Ellenton who were forced by the government to abandon their homes to make room for construction of the Savannah River Plant.

The casualties

Nationwide, more than 114,000 workers from the government's nuclear weapons facilities have filed claims and more than $13.5 billion in compensation and medical bills have been paid out under Labor Department's Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program adopted in 2000.

At the Savannah River Site more than 10,000 workers have filed claims under the program and more than $1 billion has been paid out.

About half of all the cases are denied because demonstrating a link between illness or death and exposure to hazards at the nuclear weapons facilities remains a daunting task in what was a secret environment where workers couldnt even tell their spouses what they did.
The Balaghat Police has arrested two people, who allegedly extorted money on behalf of the Maoists.

By Hemender Sharma: Increased Naxal activity has been reported from parts of Madhya Pradesh that border Maoist affected region. According to a top source, the Naxals have declared a separate zone for Gondia, Balaghat and Rajnandgaon that is called the GBR zone.

Gondia is in Maharashtra, Balaghat falls in MP and Rajnandgaon is part of the Naxal affected area in Chhattisgarh.

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"As Naxals face the heat in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, the Maoists are looking for a safe haven for hiding in the border districts of Balaghat and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh," a top MP police officer told India today.

The Balaghat Police has arrested two people, who allegedly extorted money on behalf of the Maoists and passed it on to the banned outfit.

Both of the people were arrested from the Balaghat district. One of them, named Ruplal and the other, Jaipal Varkade.

Rs 2.5 lakh was recovered from the possession of the two accused and a case has been registered against them at the Langi police station.

According to Balaghat District SP, Amit Sanghi, the two had extorted the money from unidentified contractors working in Balaghat and were on their way to pass it on to the Naxals.

They have confessed of working for the Malajkhand Dalam that is trying to establish itself in the Balaghat district.

The money recovered had been hidden in rice sacs by the two men, the police added.

In the recent past, police have received complaints from construction and tobacco leaf contractors of alleged extortion attempts being made by Naxal fronts in Balaghat district.

Instances of Naxals torching construction machinery have also been reported from the district.

Security forces after the recent attack on CRPF personnel in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh have changed their strategy and have started to tighten the noose around sympathizers of the banned outfit in Chhattisgarh.

The strategy seems to be paying off at the moment as several top Naxali commanders surrendered before security forces last week.

The anti-Naxal unit that is part of the intelligence wing of the Madhya Pradesh Police is keeping a close watch on the situation in Balaghat and Umaria and has apprised the political leadership of the state about the recent developments in districts bordering Naxal affected areas of Chhattisgarh.

Also Read:

Sukma Maoist attack: Two Naxal commanders were killed by CRPF jawans

Sukma attack: Why Naxals succeed attack after attack in Chhattisgarh

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Also Watch:

Who is Hidma, naxal leader believed to be mastermind of Sukma attack?

--- ENDS ---
The latest anonymous leak/news story, the New York Timess nut job scoop, troubles me for at least three reasons. First, its disturbing that this kind of leaking occurs. In one week, among other leak-grounded stories, (1) Politico reported, based on a leak that must have originated with someone close to President Trump, that the president screamed at the television in response to a story about the FBIs Russia investigation and asked aides why it wouldnt go away; (2) the Washington Post reported that, at a meeting with very few attendees, Trump told Russian officials about confidential information obtained from a foreign government; (3) the New York Times reported what Trump apparently said to Russian officials about Comey and the FBI investigation at the same meeting.

In the case of the nut job leak, someone in the administration reportedly read quotations from the confidential memo that memorialized what was said during the meeting.

I dont see how an administration can function effectively in the face of this kind of leaking about what the president says and does in private or highly confidential settings.

It has been said that, in contrast to the mainstream media, Trumps supporters took their man seriously, but not literally. Its difficult, though, to take seriously a president who cant stop leaks about how he reacts to what he sees on television or what he says in private meetings with the Russians.

Its even more difficult when that president rode into the White House in part on a reputation for toughness and the ability to exercise control over subordinates. He was going to drain the swamp. Instead, he seems, inadvertently, to be cultivating one inside the White House.

Second, as Scott argues, it is troubling that Trump would crudely insult James Comey, a patriotic if sometimes misguided public servant, when talking to foreign officials, especially officials of a non-ally or an adversary. This isnt Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill having nothing to hide from one another. This is, as Scott says, the president talking to the Russians as though they are his (and our) trusted friends.

Why did Trump choose to do so? Not, I hope, because he actually considers the Russians his trusted friends. But the most plausible alternative explanations arent reassuring either.

One is insecurity, the same force that seems to drive his constant boasting. Another is that Trump, in saying he no longer feels pressure over Russia, was signaling a new flexibility in dealing with Putin and his government. This would be the rough equivalent of when President Obama told Russias president he would be more flexible once the 2012 election was over.

Trumps statement would be less objectionable in one sense because it would not demonstrate an intent to deceive the American electorate. But it would suggest that the political pressure Trump faces over Russia has influenced his policy up until now  a rather damning admission.

Third, Trumps statement about the pressure over Russia being relieved appears to reflect a serious miscalculation of the impact of firing Comey. The firing created a political maelstrom which had congressional Republicans, as well as the Deputy Attorney General, running for cover.

Trumps statement to the Russians seems to confirm reports that Trump thought there would be little criticism of the Comey firing, given that Democrats dont like him. The naivety of that view is staggering.

Its true that with the appointment of Robert Mueller, things have calmed down and probably will become calmer yet in the medium-term. But Rosenstein hadnt appointed Mueller (or, reportedly, told Trump he would do so) when Trump met with the Russians. In any event, there would have been no need to appoint Mueller to calm things down had Trump not sacked Comey.

Before the sacking, the Trump administration was, to some degree, at the mercy of a tough prosecutor-type over whom it had some control. Now, the Trump administration is, to a greater degree, at the mercy of a tough prosecutor-type (from the same school of prosecution at the previous guy) over whom it has virtually no control and who would be more difficult to discredit. In addition, Trumps standing, including among congressional Republicans, has been harmed.

A successful presidency does not depend on major legislative accomplishment in the first 100 days. It depends more on establishing a stable, loyal team and gaining public confidence by avoiding unforced errors during the early days of an administration.

To accomplish these two things, President Trump needs quickly to step up his game.
President Trump just concluded his speech to the assembled leaders of 50 Muslim countries assembled to hear him in Riyadh. The ever popular New York Times quotes a bit from the speech in the course of reporting and opining on it in the story by Peter Baker and Michael Shear. I cant find either a transcript or video yet.

Here I would like briefly to offer a few preliminary impressions and comments. They have to be checked against the text when it is available.

Watching the speech as a supporter of President Trump, I was proud to be an American.

As advertised by the senior administration official who briefed us on it last week, the leaders of 50 Muslims countries turned up to hear President Trump. It was an impressive sight.

The implicit message of the speech was that the United States has turned a page. Trump called out the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kind. It seems to me the speech was intended to induce a reaction in the audience: Toto, Ive a feeling were not in Obamaworld anymore.

By contrast with President Obamas Cairo speech, representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood were nowhere to be seen. The fake history served up by President Obama in that speech was abandoned. Indeed, the nemesis of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt  President el-Sisi saluted President Trump just before the speech: You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.

Nevertheless, I was struck by elements of continuity with the Bush and Obama administrations in the speech in its expression of respect for Islam. There was continuity as well in the condemnation of Islamist terrorism as a perversion of the faith. This was Trump in a presidential mode.

Trump expressly declined to press for human rights in Muslim countries: We are not here to lecture. We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all. Here there was continuity with the Obama administration and a departure from one theme of the Bush administration.

It was striking to hear President Trump express support for Christians and Jews (mostly long gone) in Muslim countries.

The Trump administration is serious about defeating Islamist terrorism at its source. It has developed means toward the end. We will have to examine them in due course.

President Obama and Secretary Clinton humiliated the United States in the so-called reset of American foreign policy with Russia. Putin got the message that he now had a mostly free hand to do his dirty work. We are still living with the consequences.

President Trump declared a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy away from that of the Obama administration with respect to Iran. We will not now treat Iran as a friend of the United States to be conciliated and appeased, but rather as an adversary to be opposed. President Trump will support the Sunni Muslim world in its contest with Iran.

UPDATE: RealClearPolitics has posted the video and transcript here.
Union leaders under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, have suspended their strike at its Rivers state branch, two union representatives said on Saturday.

The union had earlier called for the shutdown of all Exxon Mobil Corp facilities in the Niger Delta region, in protest of the sacking of 150 of its members.

Reuters reports that oil industry sources said there was no impact on production, despite the threat of shutdown by the union.

Leaders of the union, however, said that the strike had been suspended in Rivers State.

The strike has been suspended, said Chika Onuegbu, who represents PENGASSAN in Rivers State.

Mr. Onuegbu said the move followed a ruling by an industrial arbitration panel.

PENGASSANs chairman in the Port Harcourt zone, Azubike Azubike, later said the industrial action had not been suspended elsewhere in the country.

The strike is still on nationwide, especially in Exxon Mobil facilities across Nigeria. We are still talking with Exxon Mobil management, he said.

Nigerian labour unions have held a number of strikes in the last few months over the dismissal of oil industry workers.

Strikes by Exxon workers in Nigeria at the end of last year did affect output, delaying loadings by weeks.

The latest industrial action was in protest at the sacking of 150 workers in December.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that 82 of the affected workers were PENGASSAN members.

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The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, is considering a six or nine-month extension in reduction of crude output, PREMIUM TIMES has gathered.

An OPEC panel reviewing scenarios for the oil producer groups meeting next week is looking at the options in an attempt to drain inventories and support prices.

The oil producers also aim to facilitate a deeper cut in output, OPEC sources told Reuters on Friday.

Already, Saudi Arabia and Russia, a

non-OPEC state  both worlds top two oil producers  have agreed on the need to prolong the current cuts until March 2018.

But Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih, said extended curbs would be on the same terms.

OPECs national representatives and officials from its Vienna secretariat met on Wednesday and Thursday, sources said.

Their panel, the Economic Commission Board, was due to conclude talks on Thursday, but they finally ended on Friday, OPEC sources added.

Among the scenarios being considered by the panel are a six or nine-month extension with a possible deeper cut, reports said.

All options are open, an OPEC source said, adding that a deeper cut in output was an option depending on estimated growth in supply from non-OPEC producers, mainly U.S. shale oil firms, among other scenarios.

The ECB does not set policy and its meeting precedes the gathering of OPEC and non-OPEC oil ministers on May 25 to decide whether to extend beyond June 30 their deal to reduce output.

On Friday, oil prices headed for a second week of gains, trading above $53 a barrel, on growing expectations that producers would agree further steps to support the market when they meet next week.

In November 2016, OPEC, Russia and other producers originally agreed to cut production by 1.8 million barrels per day for six months from January 1.

Nigeria, Africas largest economy, relies on oil proceeds as its main revenue source.

The nation looks forward to an extension of the output cut by members of the oil producers group, Ibe Kachikwu, the minister of petroleum, said in May.

Oil prices have gained support from reduced output but high inventories and rising supply from producers not participating in the accord  particularly U.S  have limited the rally, pressing the case for extending the curbs.

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By Press Trust of India: From Arunav Sinha

Lucknow, May 21 (PTI) The RSSs Muslim wing will organise iftars on Fridays in Uttar Pradesh this Ramzan and serve only cow milk and its products to drive home the message of save the cow and that consumption of its meat invites diseases.

Mahiraj Dhwaj Singh, national co-convenor (organisation) of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, said it is for the "first time" that people who observe roza (fast), will be ending it with a glass of cows milk.

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MRM was formed in 2002 at the initiative of the then RSS chief KS Sudarshan to allow the Sangh to reach out to Muslims.

"Emphasis will be laid on the use of cow milk and other dairy products at the iftars. And, it will be for the first time that such an iftar will be held in Uttar Pradesh," Singh told PTI.

Citing the benefits of cow milk, he claimed, "Even Muslim scholars are of the view that cow milk is good for health and ghee made using this milk is medicine. This ghee is used as base is preparing various ayurvedic medicines also," adding consuming cow meat invites a number of diseases.

He also said that during Ramzan, special prayers will be offered in which appeals will be made to protect the cow.

"All living beings (animals, birds, trees and plants) owe their existence to Allah. If we adopt a humane approach towards them, we will incur His blessings," the senior MRM office bearer said.

"During Ramzan, prayers will be held. A message to end animosity and spread love, bonhomie and brotherhood will be disseminated. Message to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation will be spread. Programmes will be held to pledge for development of the country, while upholding its sovereignty," he said.

Singh also said that MRM volunteers will pledge to spread love and brotherhood. "Lets make a prosperous Bharat. Lets take a pledge to resolve the ongoing Ayodhya dispute amicably," he said.

Welcoming the move of the MRM, Waseem Raini, president of Lucknow-based Pasmanda Muslim Samaj, Muslim organisation, said, "If different sweets such as pedhaa and other edible items made using cows milk are served during iftar, we have no objections. This will eventually increase the bonhomie and brotherhood between Hindus and Muslims." PTI NAV ZMN BSA AAR

--- ENDS ---
President Donald Trump and King Salman of Saudi Arabia have signed a 110-billon dollar Joint Strategic Vision Statement, promising close collaboration to counter violent extremism.

The deal is also to disrupt terrorism financing and advance defence cooperation.

The White House said in a statement that the package of defence equipment and services supported the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region in the face of Iranian influence and related threats.

Trump met today with the custodians of the two Holy Mosques  King Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Nayef of Saudi Arabia, and the Deputy Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was also there as President Trump and King Salman participated in the signing ceremony for almost 110 billion dollars worth of defence capabilities.

This package demonstrates the United States commitment to our partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region, potentially supporting tens of thousands of new jobs in the United States.

Additionally, it bolsters the Kingdoms ability to provide for its own security and continue contributing to counter-terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on U.S. military forces, said the statement.

Moreover, Trump expressed his strong support for Saudi Arabias economic reform and promoted U.S. companies as ideal partners for Saudi Arabias economic transformation as illustrated by the many deals signed by U.S. companies during the Presidents visit.

The White House said the Presidents meetings underscored the deep and longstanding commitment of the U.S. to the security, stability and prosperity of Saudi Arabia and demonstrated the Presidents confidence in the future of U.S.-Saudi relations.

Mr. Trump, according to the statement, also emphasised working jointly to address challenges to regional peace and security, including defeating ISIS and al-Qaeda, countering Irans destabilising activities and resolving conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

Trump and his wife, Melania, had on Friday embarked on their first foreign travel since he took office in January.

The trip is an eight-day five-stop travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome, Brussels, and Sicily and Mr. Trump is expected to return to Washington DC on May 27. (NAN)

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The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) says more than 10,000 candidates caught for examination malpractices in the ongoing UTME in Anambra have been handed over to appropriate authority.

Lynda Nwachukwu, the Coordinator of the board in Anambra, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Saturday.

NAN reports that the all computer-based testing (CBT) mode 2017 UTME, which started on May 13 in 642 centres nationwide, ended on May 20.

Ms. Nwachukwu said the examination, which took place in 28 centres in the state, was successful.

There was no disruption of the exercise in any of the examination centres, she said.

The coordinator said the candidates adhered strictly to the requirements of the examination, adding that JAMB provided all the materials required for the examination.

NAN correspondent, who monitored the last batch of the examination, reports that some parents complained of system failure in some CBT centres in the state.

Eucharia Okonkwo, a parent, said her daughter, who wrote the examination at the St Marys High School Ifite-Dunu centre, could not complete the examination due to the faulty computer and network failure at the centre.

According to her daughter, many candidates could not complete the questions in record time because of the faulty system.

Ms. Okonkwo advised JAMB to plan well for examination in subsequent years to avoid the technical hitches that could give the candidates psychological trauma.

Mose Mojekeh, Head, Department of Marketing at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, told NAN on telephone that such system failure in UTME was not acceptable.

According to him, the hiccups could potentially deny young people from Anambra State university admission.

Mr. Mojekeh advised JAMB to urgently collate the number of candidates affected and set another examination for them.

He also decried the practice whereby JAMB sends officials from one state to supervise examinations in another state.

Experience has shown that such officials do not care much about the candidates when problems arise, as they leave them to their fate, the lecturer said.

He called on the management of schools, whose candidates experienced the computer failure, to take their complaints to the State Ministry of Education to present their cases.

JAMB concluded the 2017 CBT UTME on May 20.

(NAN)

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The Nigerian Army stepped up security measures at its facilities across the country this week, after rumours of a budding coup detat rattled its leadership, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

Although the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, stressed in a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo that all threats had been neutralised and democracy would not be truncated, military sources informed PREMIUM TIMES that covert intelligence operation aimed at forestalling Nigerias descent into dictatorship had been set in motion across the country.

The sources said military authorities during the week ordered a covert intrusion into activities of personnel as one of a string of emergency measures to preempt coup.

Covert intrusion involves sending secret operatives into military gathering, units, formations and other establishments to get information and early warning of any threat to national security, sources told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday.

Speculation about a military takeover of power gripped the nation during the week after Mr. Buratai disclosed in a statement that it caught wind of consultations between military officers and politicians.

The May 16 statement, signed by Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, did not say if anyone was taken into custody in connection with the consultation nor did it elaborate on the nature the threat.

Mr. Buratai only said unnamed politicians approached unidentified military personnel for political reasons and warned his men to desist from getting involved in politics while in service.

Measures before panic

Days before coming to public with the warning, the Army leadership had activated some measures to foil any coup plots within its ranks, sources said.

Last week Tuesday, Mr. Buratai abruptly rejigged Army units and formations with a random transfer of senior officers.

Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole counterinsurgency force in the Northeast, and Adeniyi Oyebade, General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Armys 1st Division in Kaduna, were amongst those affected by the shake-up.

Military sources have now confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the development was in connection with the suspicious moves amongst some military officers.

Our sources did not say that any of the affected officers was connected to the alleged talks with politicians.

Instead, the redeployment is one of such measures to prevent any officer from staying too long in a place and becoming too popular or enthrenched , sources said.

The Army leaderships decision was informed by an advance information from deliberate information and intelligence gathering effort, it was further learnt.

A few days after the reshuffle, Mr. Buratai held a meeting with Mr. Osinbajo, during which he briefed the acting president on worrisome developments in the Army and assured that there was no cause for panic.

The Presidents ill-health; the uncertainties

Tensions in the military came amidst heightened concerns over President Muhammadu Buharis ill-health.

Not a few Nigerians have expressed worry over Mr. Buharis ability to return to office in full capacity since he flew to London penultimate Sunday for his latest treatment regimen.

On Friday, Aisha Yesufu, a BringBackOurGirls activist who backed Mr. Buharis campaign for president, urged the National Assembly to impeach him if he failed to resign on health grounds.

The president had earlier spent 50 days in London on medical examination from mid-January to March, although the presidency declined to state precisely his ailments.

For the latest trip, the State House said: the length of the Presidents stay in London will be determined by the doctors.

The presidents ill-health had also generated controversy about succession within the polity.

Some voices from Northern Nigeria have suggested that the region be allowed to keep the presidency under a special arrangement if Mr. Buhari ceased being the president.

But the Constitution stipulates that the vice-president assumes power should the president vacate the position for any reason.

When former President Umaru YarAdua passed on in office in 2010, he was immediately succeeded by his vice, Goodluck Jonathan, who had been acting for several months before the death.

It remained unclear if the alleged consultation amongst military officers and politicians had links with the succession matter.

Persona non-grata

Western governments and civic groups have expressed strong opposition to any military takeover of power in Nigeria.

The United Kingdom said during the week that it would not entertain any non-democratic change of government.

Our position is very clear: we stand for democracy, we stand for the democratic process and we stand for change if that is what the people themselves want, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, told reporters in Abuja Wednesday. That has to be a choice the people make and not a choice that is imposed upon them.

Alarmed by the rumours, civic groups called on the Nigerian Army to fish out those responsible for the alleged consultation for political reasons.

The suspected military officers must be immediately identified, investigated and punished according to extant laws if found culpable to protect the subsisting democratic and the rule of law, anti-corruption campaigner, Debo Adeniran, said in a statement Thursday.

Mr. Adeniran said Nigerian citizens will no longer tolerate a return to dictatorship.

Nigeria cannot afford to repeat history by tolerating military rule again, even for a second! Military rule belongs the past, its dead, and buried, Mr. Adeniran said.

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Four internally displaced persons, IDPs, in Dalori-1 Camp of Maiduguri, Borno State, have been beheaded by the Boko Haram, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

They were reportedly beheaded while hunting outside the camp on Saturday.

The four victims were on Sunday buried by their fellow displaced persons.

Two other IDPs who were among a 12-man hunting troop were yet to be accounted for on Sunday evening.

It took a search team to find the four beheaded bodies some few kilometres from the Dalori camp along the Maiduguri-Bama road.

Sources familiar with the incident said the attacked IDPs who were also volunteer members of the local vigilante, Civilian-JTF, often go to the bush to hunt for games which they either cook to beef up their protein needs or sell to earn some cash.

It was supposed to be another normal hunting day for the 12 men on Saturday, but unfortunately, they ran into a gang of Boko Haram insurgents who attacked and beheaded four of them.

Six of the IDP hunters managed to run back late afternoon of Saturday to inform us at the camp that they were attacked by Boko Haram fighters, said an IDP from Bama who identified himself as Alai Goni.

When we waited for the six others to return and they did not, we decided to go in search for them. About 6km away from the camp, we came to a riverbank and we saw a man watering his horse. The man simply pointed to us where the corpses of the four slain men were dumped. We became suspicious of him and we had to arrest him and bring him to the security personnel at the gate of Dalori-1 camp.

Unfortunately, we could not immediately find the decapitated heads of three of them; we only found three bodies without their heads, while the fought one whose head was not separated from his body, had some kind of sharp word forcefully driven into his forehead.

The source said the heads of the four beheaded persons were later found early Sunday morning, after which they were prepared for burial at about 9 a.m.

Unfortunately, we have not heard from the other two missing IDPs and we are not sure if they are still alive or dead, he said.

Dalori camp is about 1.5km from the University of Maiduguri that has been a target for Boko Haram suicide bombers in the past weeks.

The leader of the Civilian-JTF, Abba Kalli, who also confirmed the incident, blamed the victims for embarking on such dangerous expedition, after they had been severally warned that it was dangerous for them to wander away from the camp.

It was indeed a sad occurrence for us yesterday, he said.

Four of them were beheaded; two were captured and taken away, while the rest six managed to escape. We have severally warned them going even 2km kilometres away from their camps in that axis is very dangerous because the Boko Haram insurgents were there in the bush. But they refused to heed to warning, by insisting on going to hunt in the bush.

They have been buried according to the Islamic rite this morning, said Kalli who confirmed that the slain victims were all IDPs from Bama who later volunteered to be members of the Civilian-JTF.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources at the camp that the slain persons were named Wali Fanne, Ibrahim, Chacha, and Baba Karemi.

Residents living around the camp, have expressed concern over the increasing attacks around Maiduguri, as they called on the state government and security operatives to increase surveillance in that part of the Borno capital that is increasingly becoming porous for Boko Haram attacks.

Neither the police nor the military has issued any statement on the latest incident.

The Boko Haram insurgency has caused about 100,000 deaths since 2009.

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Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), says the founding fathers of the party would reform it to correct some of its lapses.

Mr. Utomi, a professor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the party had to be reformed to refocus it to its founding ideals.

The founder and former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party said some of the founding fathers were more committed to building APC as an enduring political party.

According to him, however, some people are more interested in taking titles in the party, rather than building it.

Im a member of the APC; Im one of the real founding members of the APC.

Forget that because some of us committed more to building real stuff and others rushed to take titles; but we founded the APC.

Its not been what we thought it would be; lets be very honest, the party has under-performed, the partys structure has been poor.

The party leadership has been poor; government and the party have not worked well together.

But we shall reform it from within by Gods grace and make it work better.

We have to wish on Gods grace and hope that things work differently. Anything that works, that will make a difference, I will do, he said.

Mr. Utomi, a professor of political economy and former special assistant in the Second Republic government of former president Shehu Shagari, said he was not ambitious for political power.

According to him, however, he is more interested in whatever will bring relief to the Nigerians from the hardship they have faced under successive administrations.

All my career, all my life, Ive always been willing to do anything no matter how sacrificial it is to advance the common good of our people.

The thing that I have never cared for is pursuit of power for the sake of power. Im not looking for anything, Im quite happy with the fortunes that my circumstance has brought to me.

But if there is a serious group of people who really are motivated by one thing and one thing alone  service to the people.

Making it a kind of life we live better, more harmony among the people of Nigeria, I will be very pleased to do anything  Councillor, President, just name anything.

So I have no problem about engaging for serving if it will lead to real progress, not to a title, I dont believe in titles.

We must begin to look at leaders who dont seek titles and who can make a difference without a title, he said.

Mr. Utomi who is the Director of Lagos Business School, decried what he described as the triumph of politics and the politicisation of everything in the country.

According to him, We are not thinking development, not thinking growth of our country, not thinking our children and their future, were thinking politics.

Many of the people in positions of authority are so consumed by politics; they dont think about the Nigerian people.

I think this obsession with who is winning the next election, can take Nigeria completely away from the path of development.

If you say good morning, they say is he against Buhari, is he for Tinubu, is he a Jonathan person; we dont have public conversation of quality that can help us change our country for good.

Take a very simple issue; the government is very concerned about corruption, nothing can more interest me than corruption because its done fundamental damage to Nigeria.

But because of the triumph of politics, if you talk about corruption, you get the spin immediately because of the way we have managed the whole corruption issue, as a flood of issues.

(NAN)

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The management of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) would like to bring to the attention of Nigerians that the recent WannaCry or WannaCript ransomware attack has been contained and Nigeria was largely spared from the attack due to the massive enlightenment campaign, awareness and proactive measures put in place to swiftly deal with any reported incident. The efforts of all stakeholders in the IT industry are highly commendable and appreciated.

Reports have shown that computer networks in more than 150 countries and more than 200,000 people had been affected by this attack, considered to be one of the biggest cybersecurity attacks in recent history. Traces in Nigeria appeared to be isolated cases as no major incident is reported in the country.

As IT systems have now become part of our lives, the need for all to be vigilant and proactive as far as security is concerned cannot be overemphasized. For users of Microsoft systems, the following steps are recommended:

 Old operating systems should be upgraded to the latest version ( of Windows 10). This will enable them get the latest protection from Microsoft;

 The recent security update released by Microsoft, MS17-010, should be installed as soon as possible; and

 Where necessary, Windows Defender Antivirus should be enabled as it helps in detecting this ransomware and similar attacks.

For systems that have been attacked, tools have been developed to unlock the files locked by this ransomware  the WannaDecrpyt or Wannakey. They have been found to have successfully decrypted systems infected with the ransomware.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is an Agency under the Federal Ministry of Communications. The Agency was created in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and co-ordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(j) of the Act mandates NITDA to advise the Government on ways of promoting the development of Information Technology in Nigeria including introducing appropriate information Technology legislations and ways of enhancing national security and the vibrancy of the industry.

We therefore call on all citizens, especially critical stakeholders in the IT industry, to support NITDA in this onerous task by always following best practices as well as being proactive in the way information and systems are handled. These will help in minimizing risks of attacks as well as possible loss of vital information.

Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FBCS

Director General/CEO

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Corporate Headquarters, Abuja

21st May, 2017

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The House of Representatives member representing Surulere Federal Constituency, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday donated 501 E-Learning tablets to secondary school students in his constituency.

Mr. Gbajabiamila, who spoke at the public presentation of the tablets, said the donation was one of his campaign promises of providing life changing empowerment programmes to his constituents.

While we were campaigning for your mandate I did not only appeal to parents and constituents of voting age, I went to our children who are beneficiaries of todays programme in their various schools to seek their support, said Mr. Gbajabiamila, an All Progressives Congress member who serves as the Majority Leader at the Lower House.

Even though I was aware that they were not old enough to vote, I saw in them a future that blooms beyond politics.

The E-Learning tablet, also called Gbaja Tab, is an ultra-light Android tablet with FlexTutor Learning App that has four segments  book; e-Library; pre-loaded tutorial videos; and online class, and assessment test and exam.

The book segment has 117 textbooks for Junior Secondary One to Senior Secondary Three as well as SAT candidates; the West African Examination Council syllabus; and novels such as Oliver Twist.

The tablet also has word processing applications for Word, Excel and PowerPoint; a battery life of 6,000mAh; and a solar panel that charges the battery once there is sunlight.

Mr. Gbajabiamila said the selection process for beneficiaries of the tablets was made without political consideration.

The school management presented to us a list of their brilliant Surulere students who were thereafter taken through ICT lesson on the special educational features of the E-Learning tablet, he said.

For the purpose of this first edition, we have specifically targeted SS 2 students who will be preparing for their finals. I am fully confident that the Gbaja Tab will complement the Educate Lagos and Eko Project of the Lagos State government.

The beneficiaries were students drawn from Government College, Eric Moore, Lagos; Iponri Estate Senior High School; Akintan Senior High School; Gbaja Girls Senior High School; Community Senior High School; Ajigbega Senior Secondary School; Ansarudeen Senior High School; Zumratul Islamiyyah High School; and Stadium Senior High School.

Originally meant to be given to 500 students, Mr. Gbajabiamila said he added an extra tablet after his family received a visit, three days before, from two 17-year-old SS 2 students who are twins.

One of them has her name on her schools list of beneficiaries while the others name didnt make (it), apparently because shes not as brilliant. So, she was at the house rolling on the floor and cried and cried.

I believe the saying that we should not separate what God has joined together is not applicable only in marriages.

The lawmaker also clarified that the tablets belong to the deserving students and not their schools, a point which drew rapturous applause from the students in the hall.

I have facilitated this learning project and will need parents and teachers to monitor its usage by their wards, he said.

More importantly, parents need to know Gbaja Tab is transferrable to other children in the family as it contains textbooks for all secondary classes.

Some of the students interviewed by PREMIUM TIMES said the tablet would help them in their class works.

It will help me with my assignments and also browse through the scheme of work before the teacher comes, said Yewande Ramon, one of the beneficiaries.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it will stage an anti-corruption walk on Tuesday to further encourage Nigerians on the need to shun corruption.

A statement from the EFCCs head of media and publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the walk will hold simultaneously in 10 states of the federation where the commission currently has offices.

According to the statement, the walk which will be led by the acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, is part of activities to mark the second year of this administrations fight against corruption.

The ruling All Progressives Congress led by President Muhammadu Buhari will on May 29 attain its second year since the party assumed leadership of Nigeria, and began its plan to fight corruption in the country.

According to the statement, the EFCC, says it will involve various stakeholders from major sectors of the economy in the rally.

The EFCC walk against corruption is expected to feature stakeholders from diverse sectors including the organized labour, youth organizations, women groups, civil society organizations, and lots more. The exercise is expected to hold simultaneously in all the cities where the EFCC currently have offices. These include Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Gombe, Ibadan, Benin, Maiduguri, Kano and Kaduna.

In Abuja, the walk is expected to take off from the EFCC head office in Wuse 2, with brief stop at the Unity Fountain where invited groups are to join the procession, the statement said.

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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday urged Nigerians, especially political leaders, to stop blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigerias challenges.

Mr. Okowa spoke in Benin at the end of a seven-day convention of the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International (RACAI).

The convention had the theme: Too Faithful to Fail.

The governor, a member of the opposition PDP, said that Nigerians should support the president instead of the undue criticism.

He urged Christians to constantly pray that the nation would surmount its numerous challenges.

According to him, Delta had many challenges shortly after he took over power, but the challenges were surmounted with the help of prayers.

I refused to be disturbed or regret being in power at that difficult moment. Apart from plans made to tackle the problems, we embarked on prayer, especially the one we organise every May 29, since 2015.

This is a way to say thank you God, we still believe and trust in you. The church must continue to pray for this country.

If you do not pray and you continue to complain about the nations woes, you are not a Christian.

When our nation is sick, we as a people are also sick. We should take the burden of the country as that of ourselves, he urged.

The Pastor of RACAI, Charles Osazuwa, said that it was time Nigerians took responsibility of proffering solutions to the nations numerous challenges.

He said that the convention was to sensitise Nigerians to the need to contribute their best to solving the countrys problems.

In the course of this conference, knowledge has been imparted on the people; when the people apply it, it will make a significant difference in their lives and that of the country.

It is time for individuals to rise up to take responsibilities rather than complain, he urged.

(NAN)

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The developers of the three-storey building which collapsed in Ilasamaja in Lagos, Thursday, criminally unsealed a stop work order on the building and continued construction before eventual collapse, the Lagos State Government has said.

Speaking to journalists after an assessment of the collapsed site, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowose, said the building in question was disapproved by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), but the developers illegally broke the seal to continue work.

At least, three people died and 19 others injured when the building collapsed at around 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Mr. Anifowose said LASBCA officers in charge of the area where the incident occurred had, two weeks before the collapse, disapproved the development because it was being built contrary to building regulations.

This particular building had been monitored and had been sealed off, said Mr. Anifowoshe, a Town Planner.

Our officers had come back to monitor for compliance but they were prevented by hoodlums from carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

Yesterday, before the collapse, our officials were there again but were chased back to the office to reinforce when this tragedy happened.

We had actually served all the necessary statutory stop work notices and this is evident in our records that the building was sealed off but this developer broke the seal twice and continued with the illegal development and this is the result of the illegality, the Commissioner said.

He said the building was sealed off based on the evidence that the materials found on site were substandard, aside the fact that the developers had no development permit to embark on the construction.

Mr. Anifowose said the government was unhappy with the rate of illegal developments within the state.

Despite deploying officers to monitor development to prevent such ugly occurrences, some wicked, irresponsible and unscrupulous developers still carryout nefarious illegality, he said.

Once a building is sealed off, the seal should not be broken. It is dangerous and is a criminal offence punishable under the building control law.

Already, Mr. Anifowose said the state government had opened investigation into the matter and would not hesitate to sanction any developer who violates the law.

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In response to a question if the government is planning to something to check terrorism in Kashmir and rein in Pakistan at the border and LoC, Jitendra Singh said that the government won't inform media before planning a surgical strike.

By India Today Web Desk: Speaking at India Today Editors' Roundtable conference, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said that the government would do something very concrete and decisive with regard to terrorism and cross-border aggression by Pakistan.

In response to a question if the government is planning to something to check terrorism in Kashmir and rein in Pakistan at the border and LoC, Jitendra Singh, "Did we tell (media) before we carried out the surgical strike? We talked about this only after the operation had been done. We will not tell you what we are going to do."

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Responding to the follow up question is something being planned, Jitendra Singh said, "We will definitely do something decisive. But, I can't tell you what that would be. The security agencies will do whatever is required."

"You will see the results yourself," Jitendra Singh said.

KASHMIR UNREST IS A PROBLEM OF 350

Jitendra Singh said asserted that the youth of Kashmir 'wants to be part of the development agenda of the Narendra Modi government.'

There are certain elements in the Kashmir Valley who are stoking trouble and they are not more than 350 in number, Jitendra Singh said. "This chapter of disturbance in Kashmir will come to an end very soon," Singh said while declining to give a time-frame in which the government would execute its plan. Refusing to divulge the details about how the government is preparing to deal with terrorists and their supporters, Jitendra Singh said that "this will be a decisive policy," full of "courage, conviction and consistency" aimed to resolving the problems.

ON TALKS WITH HURRIYAT

Jitendra Singh refused to buy the argument that Hurriyat is an 'important' stakeholder in resolving Kashmir issue.

"Our agenda of alliance in Jammu and Kashmir says that we will talk to stakeholders. But who are the stakeholders. Are Kashmiri Pandits not a stakeholder? Are Sikhs and Ladakhis not stakeholders? Are 65 per cent youths of Kashmir Valley not stakeholders," asked Jitendra Singh.

On a specific question on Hurriyat, Jitendra Singh said, "Hurriyat too (is a stakeholder). But, why only Hurriyat?" The Modi government has maintained that till Hurriyat talks of separatism and 'supports' terror, it will not talk to their leaders.

Jitendra Singh invoked former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in defending government's decision not to talk to Hurriyat. He said, "You can't shake hands with someone who has clenched fist. This is not me who says this. Indira Gandhi had said this."

ENGAGEMENT WITH KASHMIRIS

The Union Minister in the PMO claimed that the youths of Kashmir Valley wants to "progress with the mainstream India". "Just three days back, 68,000 boys and girls came out for 700 vacancies in the Jammu and Kashmir Police. This is a reflection of their choice. This shows that they want to progress and engagement with them is on," Singh said.

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Youth forms 65 per cent of the population of Kashmir Valley and they are 'more engaged with us emotionally' now than earlier, said Jitendra Singh, who comes from Jammu and Kashmir.

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Smriti Irani spares Rahul Gandhi on his father's death anniversary, says Achhe Din are already here

Uma Bharti on Babri Masjid demolition: I want to know what the conspiracy is all about

--- ENDS ---
States in North East Nigeria have adopted proactive measures against the outbreak and control of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis, CSM.

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria in the region indicated that the states have made adequate logistic arrangements and set up rapid response teams to combat the disease.

The report also said that while some states have acquired the CSM vaccines, others made contingency arrangements with the Federal Government to fight the scourge.

In Bauchi, the Executive Chairman of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Adamu Gamawa, told NAN that unused vaccines procured in 2016 were mopped up by the federal government and allocated to states most severely affected by the disease.

Mr. Gamawa said the remaining few doses left were used in vaccinating people considered to be at high risk of contracting the disease.

He refuted reports that the vaccines were being sold by operators of private health facilities in the state.

We normally allocate these vaccines to private operators for easy access by the people and they account for them.

Since we do not have single dose at our disposal now, there is no way they could have acquired the vaccines and sold to people.

We have not received any complaint from the public that the vaccines were being sold to them, he said.

However, the chairman said that efforts were being made by the agency to procure the vaccine.

He called on the people to report suspected cases of CSM to the nearest health facilities for prompt action.

From Adamawa, the State Government has confirmed receiving enough CSM vaccine from the federal government through the support of the World Health Organisation.

Bapetel Pariya, Director Public Health, State Ministry of Health, who disclosed this to NAN in Yola, said that the vaccines were provided last month when the state recorded an outbreak of CSM.

We received enough vaccines from the federal government, with the collaboration of the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, Pariya said.

According to him, government has provided enough doses of CSM type `C to all the 21 health facilities in the state.

So far, we have not received any complaint about non-availability of the vaccines and we are ready to deal with any case of sabotage, he assured.

On its part, the Gombe State Government said it had concluded arrangements to procure the vaccine.

Kennedy Ishaya, the state Commissioner for Health, told NAN that pending the procurement of the vaccines, government had already purchased drugs worth N4 million and distributed to government and private hospitals across the state.

He said that so far, there were no reported cases of meningitis in state.

In Borno, health workers in the state commended the state government for providing enough vaccines in public hospitals towards preventing an outbreak of the disease.

A cross section of the workers told NAN in Maiduguri that the present administration took proactive steps to avert an epidemic in the state.

Zara Balami, a Nursing Superintendent at the Maryam Abacha Children Hospital in Ruwan Zafi, said that the provision of adequate vaccines by the government had helped curtail the outbreak of the disease.

Some years back, we used to record large number of cases of meningitis in this hospital, but I am happy to say that we have not recorded any case yet.

In spite of this we have a stockpile of vaccines in the hospital in case of emergencies, Mrs. Balami said.

Mary Misheliza, a health worker at the Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, also confirmed that the state has a stockpile of vaccines.

I think government has done so well in the area of preventing meningitis outbreak this year.

Most importantly the idea of massive vaccination has actually helped in preventing an outbreak of the disease, Ms. Mishelia said.

The state Commissioner for Health, Haruna Mshelia, said that government had set aside 200,000 doses of vaccine for meningitis as a proactive measure against any outbreak.

Mr. Mshelia said that the state had earlier carried out a vaccination capable of protecting the vaccinated for a decade.

Between 2012 and 2014 the whole state was covered with a special type of meningitis vaccine that lasts for 10 years.

However, we have over 200,000 doses in our stores for outbreak response, should there be any case, he said.

(NAN)

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The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on both the federal and state governments to encourage private entrepreneurs to invest in the power sector.

He made the call while delivering a keynote address at a two-day conference in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of Kano state.

NAN reports that the conference is part of the week-long activities organised by the state government to celebrate the anniversary.

He said there was urgent need to encourage private investors to invest in the power sector with a view to promoting socio-economic activities of the people in the country.

According to him, investment in the power sector was necessary in order to ensure economic growth and development in the state in particular and the country at large.

We must invest in the development of Kano and the country at large.

The monarch, who lamented the current power shortage in the country, noted that majority of the industries in the state had collapsed or stopped production due to inadequate power supply.

He, however, called on the Kano state government to continue to give priority attention to education with particular emphasis on girl-child education.

Education holds the key to our development. We must continue to give priority attention to the sector because it is the bedrock of any development, he said.

Government should also give priority attention to the agriculture and industrialisation because they are key to moving the state and country forward, he said.

He noted that with the collapse of the nations industries, the country was now importing three million pairs of shoes from China annually.

We must be ready to change our way of thinking; if we must be able to face the challenges and ensure economic growth and development of the state. he added.

NAN reports that the conference was attended by prominent personalities from within and outside the state.

(NAN)

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There is a discernible absence of the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis Type C vaccine in public health institutions across many states in the South West Zone and Kwara, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, has revealed.

NAN gathered from health authorities that this may not be unconnected with the fact that there had not been any major outbreak of the disease in the zone.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Azeez Adeduntan, confirmed that the state had no stock of the vaccine for the Neissria Meningitis Type C presently ravaging some states in northwest Nigeria.

This, he said, was because there was no need for the vaccine as the state was not affected by the epidemic.

This new epidemic we are recording presently is a Neissria Meningitis Type C.

We dont have the Neissria Meningitis Type C in Oyo state and there has been no need to vaccinate against it.

But if any public health care agent, clinic, centre is caught selling vaccines in Oyo, they would be seriously sanctioned.

We are building a well-structured primary health care facility and structure in Oyo state and we would not allow any derailment of our programme by unscrupulous health agents, he said.

However, Mr. Adeduntan said that adequate doses of vaccines against Meningitis A, the type administered on babies and adults in some Northern parts of the country, were available.

Once a can is opened, it has to be exhausted for the time frame stipulated for its effectiveness.

If it is hoarded and gets expired, it could lead to very serious medical complications in the country.

The epidemic of meningitis which recently broke out in Nigeria is different from the one we used to have in the past, the commissioner noted.

He said that the World Health Organisation, WHO, had instituted a mass vaccination campaign using the new conjugate vaccine called the MenAfriVac-A in about 16 out of 26 countries, including Nigeria.

He said further that the Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) was making the vaccine available for free.

Olufunmilola Lola-Dare, a Community Health Physician, said it would be an anomaly to sell vaccines as their importation and distribution were the exclusive preserve of the federal government.

The Federal Ministry of Health distributes these vaccines to the state governments who make them available to community health centres, secondary health centres, state government hospitals and the tertiary health care centres.

These are the 57 federal teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centres, Mrs. Lola-Dare said.

The expert added that private operators in the health sector are not excluded in the distribution channel while all vaccines are supplied free.

NAN reports that random checks conducted in major pharmaceutical stores in Ibadan revealed that CSM vaccine was not available.

A pharmacist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the storage and preservation of vaccines were expensive due to irregular power supply, adding that this can result in a loss.

Our source said that since the Oyo state government had announced that there was no meningitis case recorded in the state, having the vaccine in stock was needless.

In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Akeem Yusuff, the Noncommunicable Disease Focal Person in the Ministry of Health, similarly said the CSM vaccine was currently not available in Ogun.

He told NAN that the federal government had prioritised the states that were given, noting that vaccines are deployed in areas where outbreaks of meningitis were recorded.

According to Mr. Yusuff, the state only has vaccines for the Type A meningitis, yellow fever and other diseases requiring vaccination for travellers.

For now, we dont have the vaccine because it was provided for priority states where there was a breakout.

Since we dont have a breakout, it wasnt supplied to us.

We, however, have the Type A vaccine for meningitis and yellow fever for people travelling out of the country who are in need of Yellow Card, he said.

NAN checks in some pharmaceutical stores in Abeokuta also confirmed that the vaccine was not available.

In Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Gbenga Adepoju, the Director of Public Health in Osun, said that the health ministry does not have the CSM vaccine in stock since there was no outbreak of the disease in the state.

MR. Adepoju, however, said that the state had put all necessary logistic arrangement in place to bring in the vaccine in less than 24 hours in case of CSM outbreak.

He said keeping the vaccine when there was no outbreak would negate the principle of vaccine storage and preservation.

Mr. Adepoju said that the ministry had provision of vaccines for those who might want to travel out of the country since they need the Yellow Card before they would be allowed to do so.

Since the CSM vaccine is what you must take before anyone can travel out of the country, we have provision for that.

But when it comes to mass vaccination, we will need support from the federal government which it has agreed to give to any state that has an outbreak.

I still maintain that Osun is free from CSM and that is why we dont store the vaccine.

And since we dont have it, I dont think there should be panic buying.

That notwithstanding, we have been proactive in making sure that we stay on guard so that we dont have an outbreak.

The issue now is that there is no point in keeping the vaccine since we dont have an outbreak while those that have an outbreak are suffering from lack of it.

But notwithstanding, in case there is an outbreak in the state, we have a proactive logistic arrangement in place to bring in the vaccine to the state, he said.

Mr. Adepoju, however, warned residents of states where there had been outbreaks against buying the vaccine in stores, saying it might not have been well preserved.

Similarly, the Ekiti State government said there was no outbreak of the current CSM epidemic in the state.

It also said, however, that proactive logistic arrangement had been put in place to tackle an outbreak, adding that adequate provisions had been made for the procurement of needed vaccines and oral drugs, with N80 million set aside in the 2017 budget.

The state Commissioner for Health, Olurotimi Ojo, told NAN in Ado Ekiti said that the amount was part of the N2.8 billion budgeted for the health sector.

A survey conducted by NAN in Akure also revealed that the vaccine for CSM might not be available in Ondo State.

Kayode Owoyele, a resident, said: May be the vaccine is not available because there are no cases of CSM in the state.

I have not heard of any vaccine for CSM in this state either from the state or federal government.

I also havent seen or heard of anyone with meningitis in this state as we have heard of cases in some other states, he said.

But Olubukola Adesola, another resident, urged government to make the vaccine available even if there were no cases of meningitis in the state.

She advised the government to be proactive and ensure that the vaccine was in public pharmaceutical stores to ensure adequate response to an outbreak.

In Ilorin, the Commissioner for Health in Kwara, Atolagbe Alege, said that the state had not ordered for the CSM vaccine because no case of the disease had been reported.

The commissioner explained that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has the sole mandate to distribute the vaccine to any state in need.

He said the state had not recorded in any outbreak and there would be no need for any resident to patronise the chemist to buy the vaccine.

Mr. Alege, however, noted that the state government was monitoring cases of outbreak of meningitis and other diseases to ensure prompt response.

The commissioner added that the state Ministry of Health had put a unit on standby to tackle any reported incident.

(NAN)

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The Oyo state government has inaugurated a seven-man judicial commission of inquiry for the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland.

A statement released on Friday by Yomi Layinka, the spokesperson to Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said the commission would be headed by a retired High Court judge, Akintunde Boade.

According to the statement, the commission was inaugurated by the governor at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governors Office, in Ibadan, on Friday.

It was given four weeks to submit its report, Mr. Layinka said.

Other members of the commission, the statement noted, are a retired permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Onaolapo Ajibola and the states Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry of justice, Wasiu Gbadegesin.

Others are Messrs Joseph Oladele, Paul Ayoola, Ogunniyi Ogunjinmi, and Abiodun Adegbaye, while the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the ministry of justice, Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, will serve as the secretary.

The statement explained that the commission was saddled with the responsibility of reviewing the existing requirements and qualification for ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan, as well as to review the selection process of Olubadan from Otun and Balogun lines.

(It was also mandated) to look into the possibilities of having more beaded crown Obas in Ibadanland, taken into consideration the present size and population of the city, the statement said.

(The panel is also expected) to review the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the proposed change in chieftaincy institution in Ibadaland.

In an address at the occasion, Mr. Ajimobi said that the review was long overdue, considering the fact that the existing declaration made in 1957 was no longer in tune with the current reality and modern trend in Yorubaland.

The primary purpose of this commission is to facilitate the development, modernisation and effectiveness of our traditional chieftaincy system in Ibadanland in particular and across the state in general, the governor said.

Similar exercises will be instituted across the state in order to create the enabling environment for active contribution of our traditional institutions to the socio-economic development of our state.

It is reassuring to note that the membership of this commission is made up of people of an enviable track record of integrity, patriotism and impeccable character who have excelled and continue to excel in their respective fields of endeavour.

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A former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, on Saturday berated the state government for proposing to review the chieftaincy declaration of Ibadanland.

Earlier on Friday, the Oyo State government had inaugurated a seven-man judicial commission of inquiry for the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland.

A statement released on Friday by Yomi Layinka, the spokesperson to Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said the commission would be headed by a retired High Court judge, Akintunde Boade.

But speaking in Ibadan on Saturday, Mr. Ladoja said the people of Ibadan had a long-established, rancour-free tradition of succession to the throne which should not be broken.

The Accord Party chieftain also added that the succession order had become the envy of many cities and states across Yorubaland and beyond.

He, therefore, wondered why Mr. Ajimobi left other important issues such as the perennial crisis in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) unattended, to focus on the Ibadan chieftaincy.

Mr. Ladoja, who governed Oyo state between 2003 and 2007 under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said, LAUTECH was ranked the best state university and fifth overall during my governorship.

SUBEB was also number one in the whole country during our time. But today, Oyo State ranked 24 out of 36 states in WAEC.

It is strange that the state government that should be thinking of how to clear the backlog of salaries is busying itself with things like this. In Oyo State, we are no longer the pace-setters in education.

The government has bitten more than it can chew and it has become overwhelmed. That is why it is looking for distraction everywhere.

Mr. Ladoja wondered what Mr. Ajimobi aimed to achieve with the proposed review, adding that if the decision is allowed to pass, it would lead to crisis in the state.

He said, What concerns the government with the processes and procedure for the emergence of Olubadan?

The crisis this decision will create will linger forever if allowed to pass.

The people of the state should think very well about the crisis being created by the current government through this policy, the former Oyo governor added.

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The Ogun State Government has cautioned herdsmen to stay off the premises of its newly constructed model schools across the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Modupe Mujota, gave the advice at a press conference on Saturday in preparation for the maiden edition of its education summit.

The official said herdsmen have been sighted with their cattle grazing within the premises of some of the colleges still under construction.

Ms. Mujota, however, noted that the affected colleges were still under the care of contractors, and have not been handed over to the state.

She said it was, however, necessary to caution the herdsmen.

The Ogun governments announcement follows that by similar educational institutions including the University of Ilorin and the University of Uyo warning herdsmen to stay off their premises.

Speaking on the education summit, Ms. Mujota said it is aimed at addressing issues affecting the sector with a view to proffering solutions to them.

She said education stakeholders from the 36 states of Nigeria would converge in Ogun to brainstorm on salient issues bordering on the sector towards engendering policies that would revitalize the sector.

The theme of the summit is Affordable Qualitative Education, Pursuit of Excellence, she said.

Education is a right and not a privilege, Ogun State has with a sense of duty and responsibility made education first in its Five Cardinal Programmes since it came on board.

We have in the beginning of this year had an agenda setting session with His Excellency where each of the Five Cardinal Programmes were strongly reviewed, and as an anchor of that interaction

We ae set to hold an education summit where all stakeholders in the education sector can come together, deliberate on the successes of the past with considerable investment made by the administration so as to review the outcome so far and also propose the next step, she said.

Ms. Mujota said the summit, scheduled to hold between May 22 and 23, would have participants drawn from private and public schools, Parent Teachers Associations, market women, religious associations, State Universal Basic Education Board, Teaching Service Commission, past commissioners and permanent secretaries.

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By Press Trust of India: Photos: PTI5_21_2017_000034A PTI5_21_2017_000035A PTI5_21_2017_000044B PTI5_21_2017_000042B

New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 26th death anniversary.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by son and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, daughter Priyanka Gandhi and son-in-law Robert Vadra, paid tributes to the late leader at his memorial, Veer Bhumi, here.

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A host of other Congress leaders also visited the memorial, as the nation remembered the countrys sixth prime minister who was assassinated on this day in 1991 in Tamil Nadus Sriperumbudur.

"Remembering my father today. A leader driven by love, compassion & a deep generosity of heart. We miss him," Rahul tweeted.

Sonia also launched a signature campaign of the Mahila Congress today favouring the passage of Women Reservation Bill. It aims to ensure 33 per cent seats for women in state Assemblies and Parliament.

The signature campaign has been launched simultaneously by all Mahila Congress units across the country and will continue till August 10 this year.

On August 20, the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, the signatures collected from all district Mahila Congress units, in support of the passage of the bill, will be handed over to the President of India, Mahila Congress chief Shobha Oza said.

She said the All-India Mahila Congress would build up pressure on the NDA government for the passage of the bill at the earliest so that the unfulfilled dream of Rajiv Gandhi becomes a reality.

To remember the former prime minister, the women wing of the Congress also organised a blood donation camp meant exclusively for women at the AICC headquarters here.

The Indian Youth Congress had organised another programme in the evening to mark the occasion, but had to cancel it due to heavy rains. PTI SKC KIS

--- ENDS ---
iStock/Thinkstock(HANOI, Vietnam) -- Members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership have decided to revive their controversial trade deal without the United States.

This comes after Trump signed an executive order in January withdrawing the U.S. from the trade agreement. But the 11 remaining countries met in Hanoi, Vietnam, this weekend to get the deal back on the table -- and they agreed to keep the door open for the U.S.

But the Trump-appointed trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, said the U.S. would not return to the TPP.

"The United States pulled out of the TPP, and it's not going to change that decision, Lighthizer said at a news conference.

"I believe at some point there will be a series of bilateral agreements with partners in this part of the world," he added. "Bilateral negotiations are better for the United States."

The bid to resuscitate the TPP, which wouldve covered 40 percent of the global economy, was led by trade ministers from Japan, Australia and New Zealand, according to the BBC.

The remaining 11 countries pushing on with the deal are Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court Bar Association and the Lahore High Court Bar Association have said they would launch a countrywide movement if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif doesn't resign on the Panama Papers scandal in seven days.

According to a report by The Dawn, the two bar associations in a joint declaration said that following the Supreme Court's order on the Panama Papers case, the Prime Minister should no longer hold the position and resign within seven days.

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This comes after the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Lahore High Court Bar Association members clashed with the lawyers supporting the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML_N) government. The incident took place at the all Pakistan lawyers' representatives' convention on May 19.

SCBA President Rasheed A Rizvi was locked in the Lahore High Court's library by PML-N lawyers. The locks were broken by SCBA members and Rizvi was released during the ruckus.

Police were called in to control the situation.

"Both bar associations are of the view that in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Panama Papers case (that questioned the moral authority of the premier to rule), PM Nawaz Sharif should no longer hold his office and should therefore resign," a joint statement issued by the both bar associations said after their convention in Lahore.

It said the judgement in the Panama case has clearly indicted Sharif and his children for financial improprieties and corruption and a joint investigation team has been formed to probe him.

"For fair and independent inquiry against the premier, Nawaz Sharif should step down till the final report of the JIT. In case he does not resign till May 27 the lawyers throughout Pakistan will launch a nationwide campaign and movement to ensure his resignation," the statement said.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said come what may Sharif will not resign and he will remain prime minister till May 31, 2018.

The case against Sharif emerged last year after the Panama Papers leak linked his children to offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands in relation to the purchase of upmarket property in London.

Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also Read:Pakistan's plan ahead after Nawaz Sharif govt slammed on ICJ's Kulbhushan ruling

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif feels the heat as Opposition slams government for mishandling Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at ICJ

Also Watch:

Pakistan Police registers case against Nawaz Sharif for 'hate speech against Army'

--- ENDS ---
( Read 29585 Times)

Source :

Udaipur. Prof. Hemendra Singh Chandalia , Professor of English in Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (Deemed) University has been nominated by the government of India as a nominee of the President of India in the Court of Banaras Hindu University, which is the apex policy making body of the university. Prof. G.C. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University in his letter to Prof. Chandalia informed that the Ministry of Human Resource development has issued an order to this effect. The role of the Court in BHU is to advise the President and other authorities of the University on policy issues. This nomination is for a period of three years.Prof. Chandalia has earlier served the Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh from Feb. 2012 to Feb. 2014 as Head of the department, Dean, Officer in charge examinations and Officiating Vice Chancellor. He has also served as UGC Visiting Fellow ar Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Odisha in the sessions 2010-11, 2014-15 and 2015-16. Besides, he has been a member of the boards of studies of MDS University, Ajmer, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, VM Open University, Kota, Central University Haryana, Central University Rajasthan, Kishangarh, Amity University, Jaipur amd member , committee of courses, Board of Secondary Education , Ajmer. He was also a member of the committee formed by the government of Rajasthan in the chairmanship of Prof. Kasturirangan, former Chairman ISRO. Prof. Chandalia has visited Peoples Republic of China, Srilanka and Thailand in pursuit of various academic assignments.
ATLANTIC CITY  Twelve people were arrested on drug and weapons charges in a sting targeting the Marina District and Atlantic Avenue, police said Saturday.

The operation was conducted after residents complained about drug activity, police said. Detectives seized two handguns, cocaine, marijuana, money from narcotic distribution and a vehicle used in the transportation and distribution of narcotics.

Those charged include:

Kali Sloan, 34, of Atlantic City, unlawful possession of a weapon, controlled dangerous substance and defaced firearm, certain person not to possess a weapon and contempt

Michael Fletcher, 32, of Atlantic City, unlawful possession of a weapon, controlled dangerous substance and defaced firearm

Daquan Cook, 22, of Atlantic City, possession of CDS, intent to distribute CDS and intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone

Cleopatra Williamson, 25, of Atlantic City, possession of CDS, intent to distribute CDS and intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone

Jabril Hall, 26, of Atlantic City, possession of CDS, intent to distribute CDS and intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone

Raymond Fitzgerald, 19, of Somers Point, possession of CDS, intent to distribute CDS, intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school zone and intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone

Ismael Hebron, 26, of Atlantic City, possession of CDS and intent to distribute CDS

Sean Thompson, 45, of Atlantic City, possession of CDS, intent to distribute CDS and intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone

Brian Holt, 25, and John Stevens, 40, of Atlantic City; John Chow, 29, of Egg Harbor Township; and Anthony Ciaral, 27, of Ventnor, CDS possession

Anyone with information about the case or narcotic information is asked to call the police Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858. Information may be texted to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD. All texts are anonymous.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  The Towne of Historic Smithville is preparing to expand, something officials hope will create jobs and add to the regions tourism.

The township Planning Board approved the first steps of a new development plan this month for a 19-acre lot across Route 9 from the Smithville Inn.

It is planned be developed into a combined residential and retail area, including a proposed 62-room hotel with shops, a gas station and convenience store and two senior living communities.

Mayor Don Purdy said the hospitality and retail portions of the development would add to Smithvilles tourism appeal.

I think the most important thing about this project is it can create jobs and create a good planned atmosphere for Smithville, Purdy said.

The vacant lot at 2 N. New York Road is valued at $1.3 million and had an annual tax obligation of $41,439. Any development of the land would increase the ratables for the township.

The senior living communities would include an assisted living facility with 40 one-bedroom units and a cluster of 48 one-bedroom townhomes, according to the Planning Board application.

Tony Coppola, lead partner of the Towne of Historical Smithville LLC, said the project would benefit the neighborhood, bringing needed lodging and residential development.

Once the site of an antiques store and bar, the empty lot has been used as additional parking during events.

Tracy Walsh, innkeeper at the Colonial Inn, is looking forward to the expansion.

Walsh also owns the train and carousel amusements and is the daughter of Ed and Wendy Fitzgerald, who own the Village Greene at Historic Smithville.

The families that own the areas of Smithville came together to form the Towne of Historic Smithville Partnership.

The community of Smithville began with the Smithville Inn, built in 1787 by James Baremore as a one-room tavern along a stagecoach route.

A small town developed, but most of the area stayed rural until the 1950s, when Fred and Ethel Noyes purchased the colonial buildings and renovated them into a tourist attraction. They sold the towne, consisting of 2,200 acres, to the American Broadcasting Corp. in 1974. The Village Greene shops opened in 1988.

In the 1990s, a community developed around the retail area. The Towne of Smithville, LLC purchased several of the retail and hospitality properties, including the Smithville Inn, and they were approved for renovations in 1997.

Historic Smithville consists of 60 shops and three restaurants and is surrounded by residential communities, including the Four Seasons active-adult retirement community and Mallards Landing condominiums.

Most of us that are 55 and older are here all the time, said Val Varga, of Bayville, who was shopping recently with his wife, Donna.

If they keep it small, unique like this, theyll be fine, Donna Varga said.

The project is still in the early stages, with some permits pending and no construction dates set. Final plans still need to be submitted to the Planning Board for approval.

Shoppers and business owners said they were glad to hear the area would retain its historic look.

It definitely would have to be in the same character and old style of Smithville, said Vincent Breslin, owner of Out of Ireland gift shop. This is the attraction.
NEW BRUNSWICK  Three Atlantic City residents drove two hours Saturday morning in hopes to find a way to bring Dashand Stokelin home.

Stokelin, now 37, went missing Nov. 23 after he was last seen on N. North Carolina Avenue in his grandmothers car. Stokelin hasnt been seen or heard from since.

It feels like nobody has been doing anything, said Denisha Molley, 29, Stokelins sister. I want somebody to do something, I want to know that theyre looking for him.

From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, dozens of people, including Stokelins family, filed in and out of the Rutgers New Brunswick student center for the State Police event called Missing in New Jersey, to connect with one another and find out information on missing person cases.

More than 30 families signed into the event, some looking for answers about missing parents or children. Upon entry, the attendees grabbed a yellow bracelet with Missing in New Jersey branded on it, and a yellow ribbon with the name of a missing person and the date they were last seen.

Im grateful for anything theyre doing, the fact that theyre trying, this is the most anybody did, Molley said.

Lt. Lou Andrinopolous, of the State Police Missing Persons Unit, said this event was made to give families an outlet for hope, and to try to find ways to bring the loved ones home.

I have no idea what you go through day in and day out, he said the crowd. But this event is about you and you alone.

People with long-term missing loved ones  more than 30 days  were asked to bring two biological relatives of the missing person, police reports or dental and body X-rays, photographs and other identifying documents. At the event, there were several stations behind the multipurpose room for people to provide that information.

Family could check whether their case was active and open with the National Crime Information Center and whether there was an entry in NamUs, or the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

Stokelin was recognized as missing, but was not entered into NamUs. Molley, Stokelins grandmother Nancy Stokelin and his girlfriend sat down with a representative to make an entry for him. Molley and Nancy Stokelin also gave a cheek swab DNA sample.

Since Stokelin initially went missing, his loved ones have not heard many updates. They were looking for a reminder their case was still being looked at.

Nancy Stokelin has been taking care of some of Stokelins five young children.

What do you say to them? she asked.

Some families comforted each other with hugs, and others took home literature from organizations that help families of the missing. They connected with each other from around the state, and were able to ask police questions in an open forum.

Maureen Himebaugh, whose 11-year-old son, Mark, disappeared 25 years ago, came to the event to speak to the families as well. Her son was last seen Nov. 25, 1991, at Cape May County Park South, heading toward a playground with an unidentified girl.

I went through a lot, said Himebaugh, 65, who lives in the Del Haven section of Middle Township. Here I am still standing proof to show you that you will survive.

Himebaugh has said she will not pass up an event that could lead to her son coming home. But she came to speak to the grieving families about how she has dealt with it all for more than two decades.

Its calmed down, but the pain never goes away, Himebaugh said.

She talked about doing things her son would want her to do, and encouraged others to do that, in addition to keeping photos of their loved ones out there. Stokelins family came with a handful of printed photos, some from when he was young.

Before a slideshow and a candlelight vigil for the missing, a banner was available for people to sign, adding messages to their missing loved ones or a message of support.

Christine Sanford, 29, of Atlantic City, Stokelins girlfriend, wrote on the banner before heading out for the day.

Das, I miss you so much, she wrote. I pray everyday we find you safe.
By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, May 21 (PTI) She believed if she raised a slogan from the worlds highest peak she would be heard.

Her message: Fight Against Human Trafficking.

Kanchhi Maya Tamang, a trafficking survivor, summited Mt Everest with the message yesterday, becoming the first to climb the worlds highest peak for women empowerment and gender equality, according to UN Women Nepal.

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She is also the first Tamang woman from Nepal to scale the 8,848-metre peak.

Tamang also carried a banner through her arduous trek that read, "we are people, not property".

Not alone in her belief, the returnee migrant worker from Sindhupalchowk - a three-hour drive from capital Kathmandu - was accompanied by 19 other climbers who found a fair weather to make final summit pushes.

Tamang reached the peak at 6:00 am, officials said.

In association with UN Women, Tamang and Pemba Dorje Sherpa climbed Mt Everest to spread the message from the roof of the world.

It was the first time that someone climbed Mt Everest for womens empowerment and gender equality,

"Dorje has scaled Mt Everest 16 times," said Gyanendra Shrestha, a liaison officer at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Besides Kanchhi Maya and Pemba Dorje, the 19 other climbers included nine Nepalese and the rest were foreigners.

Everest has seen a record number of climbers this season due to a backlog resulting from the 2014 and 2015 avalanches.

More than 375 climbers from around the world have been waiting for weather to improve to make summit attempts.

As many as 25 climbers, including six Indians, stood atop the worlds highest peak from the Tibetan side after nine rope-fixing Sherpas opened a climbing route to the summit point earlier this month.

Officials say nearly 150 climbers will make their final summit pushes from north side within the next couple of days. PTI SBP ABH PMS

--- ENDS ---
NEW YORK, May 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC praised President Trump for his clarion call on Muslim countries to take responsibility for leading the fight against Islamist extremism. "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities," he said.

"Honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires," said Trump, "means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews and the slaughter of Christians."

Addressing more than 50 Arab and Muslim heads of state in Riyadh today, the president said that "the nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children."

"President Trump's refreshing honesty is welcome and needed in describing the Islamist extremist threat that developed in the Middle East years ago, and spread across the region and around the world," said David Harris, CEO of AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, which has frequently traveled in the Sunni Arab world over the past nearly three decades. "We agree that the fight against Islamist extremism is a battle between the forces of good and decency, on the one hand, and evil and a death cult, on the other, and that victory depends, above all, on what Arab and Muslim nations do to counter and defeat this violent, deadly scourge."

Trump asserted that the U.S. relationships with Muslim countries are based on "shared interests and values," and they will continue to partner in fighting the extremist threat. To that end, he urged the Muslim leaders to ensure that "terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil," and announced an agreement with Gulf countries to fight against the financing of terrorists.

Harris also praised Trump for his unflinching words on Iran and the regime's support for terrorism and destabilizing involvement in Syria and other countries. "The people of Iran have endured hardship and despair due to their leaders' reckless pursuit of conflict and terror," said Trump.

"And he could not have been clearer in his description of Hezbollah and Hamas as the terrorist groups they most assuredly are," Harris added.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


CINCINNATI, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Carew International, a leading provider of sales training programs, has added Selling with Social for Sales Professionals as a permanent program among its sales and sales leadership training offerings due to the popularity of its pilot program. Carew CEO Jeff Seeley believes the response to social selling training is reflective of its potential impact and a dire need in the market place to harness its power. "Our pilot program in April sold out - the interest was overwhelming," said Seeley. "Social media is an incredibly powerful selling tool, but it is also complex and changing at the speed of light. Our customers trust Carew to provide top-tier social selling expertise with the very latest insights and best practices."

Carew International CEO Jeff Seeley

To deliver the social selling training, Carew has partnered with renowned sales and social selling expert, blogger and speaker Mario Martinez, Jr. Martinez is CEO and founder of M3Jr Growth Strategies and has worked with sales and marketing teams from some of the largest brands in the world.

"Selling with Social for Sales Professionals is not about modest incremental sales growth," continued Seeley. "Leveraging social media for sales growth is a game changer and will create an immediate competitive advantage for any organization that deploys it."

Carew's next open enrollment session of Selling with Social for Sales Professionals will be a two-day program, August 8-9, in Cincinnati. For more information or to register, contact Carew at 800.227.3977, [email protected] or visit us online. This social selling program is also available as a private, dedicated training session delivered on site for individual companies.

About Carew International

Carew International is a leader in the professional development industry, providing innovative, high-impact solutions for performance improvement with sales training, social selling and sales leadership training. For more than 40 years, Carew has delivered unique, comprehensive and renowned development programs to fulfill its mission of creating value, supporting dramatic bottom-line results and acting as a strategic asset to customers worldwide. Carew International is a privately-owned company headquartered in Cincinnati. For more information on Carew development programs, or upcoming sales training events, contact us at 800.227.3977, [email protected], or visit us online at www.carew.com.

Contact: Mary Ann Lynn

Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations

Carew International, Inc.

Phone: 513.706.0476

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Carew International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.carew.com


MOSCOW, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

ElcomSoft Co. Ltd. updates Elcomsoft Phone Breaker, the company's mobile acquisition tool, with the ability to recover deleted notes from the user's iCloud account. ElcomSoft has discovered that any notes that are marked as "deleted" are being kept in the cloud for undefined periods of time, way past the advertised 30-day period. Both Windows and Mac versions of Elcomsoft Phone Breaker can now extract deleted notes directly from the user's iCloud account. The oldest note extracted with Elcomsoft Phone Breaker was five years old.

Elcomsoft Phone Breaker 6.50 is the only tool on the market that can access notes deleted more than 30 days ago. While users can still access notes they've deleted by checking the Recently Deleted folder, that folder only contains notes deleted up to 30 days ago. Elcomsoft Phone Breaker 6.50 goes way beyond that.

In addition, ElcomSoft updates Elcomsoft Phone Viewer, the company's lightweight forensic tool to help experts view and analyze information extracted with Elcomsoft Phone Breaker. The updated Viewer adds the ability to filter existing and deleted notes.

"We did it again," says Vladimir Katalov, ElcomSoft CEO. "After recovering deleted photos and Safari browsing history from iCloud, we now add the ability to recover deleted notes from the same source regardless of how much time has passed after the deletion. The oldest record we've been able to pull was deleted back in 2012."

About Elcomsoft Phone Breaker

Elcomsoft Phone Breaker is an all-in-one mobile acquisition tool to extract information from a wide range of sources. Supporting offline and cloud backups created by Apple, BlackBerry and Windows mobile devices, the tool can extract and decrypt user data including cached passwords and synced authentication credentials to a wide range of resources from local backups. Cloud extraction with or without a password makes it possible to decrypt FileVault 2 containers without lengthy attacks and pull communication histories and retrieve photos that've been deleted by the user a long time ago.

About ElcomSoft

Founded in 1990, ElcomSoft Co.Ltd. develops state-of-the-art computer forensics tools, provides computer forensics training and computer evidence consulting services. Since 1997, ElcomSoft has been providing support to businesses, law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies. ElcomSoft tools are used by most of the Fortune 500 corporations, multiple branches of the military all over the world, foreign governments, and all major accounting firms.

For more information visit https://www.elcomsoft.com/eppb.html

Olga Koksharova, [email protected] , fax US, toll-free: +1-866-448-2703, UK +44-870-831-2983

SOURCE ELCOMSOFT Co. Ltd.
BEIJING, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Belt and Road (B&R) initiative, China's massive development strategy to strengthen economic ties with the countries across the Eurasian landmass, has attracted the attention of many hi-tech companies across the country who are seeking to share their experience in big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things with countries and regions along the initiative's route.

iSoftStone recently completed Phase I of the E-Village project in cooperation with Bangladesh. The project is the first smart agriculture initiative between China and Bangladesh. iSoftStone listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011, then later chose to delist and is now operating as a private company. The company now has nearly 120 branches in 55 cities worldwide and over 38,000 employees, operating businesses on different continents, including North America, Asia and Europe.

Through the E-Village project, iSoftStone has deployed information and communication technologies to implement food safety standards and sustainable agricultural development in rural communities across Bangladesh, including providing farmers with a full suite of solutions, from seed selection to selective crop marketing. The project leverages advanced tools and technologies, with communication equipment and sensor-based technologies as the main tools, and is expected to help enhance the level of digitalization being applied to agriculture in Bangladesh, a country that is still heavily and overly reliant on traditional farming practices.

In addition, iSoftStone plans to bring its rich experience and innovative ideas in smart city construction and information technology services to Haryana, India as well as work hand in hand with its strategic partner, Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and services company Huawei, in participating in the planning and implementation of the digital transformation of Indonesia's tourism industry.

As one of China's leading technology service providers, iSoftStone has taken on for itself as a mission the digital transformation of its enterprise clients and the construction of smart cities in the Chinese market.

The mission has led to iSoftStone building an urban cloud service platform in Sanming, Fujian province, one of the Chinese cities along the B&R route, and in assisting in the establishment of big data industry clusters in several Chinese cities, one of the first being Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. The company is also working with the government of Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Autonomous Region in southern China, to build out the region's big data innovation and incubator base. iSoftStone is involved in similar projects in more than 100 cities across China.

The B&R initiative has provided a mechanism for iSoftStone's expansion into overseas markets and an opportunity for the company to apply its rich technology experience in China's smart cities as well as in smart agriculture and smart tourism, in countries and regions beyond the borders of its home market. B&R opens the way for Chinese firms to expand internationally, rather than being solely dependent on infrastructure construction. This kind of technology innovation export is expected to become an important part of the international development roadmap for many Chinese firms.

SOURCE iSoftStone
NEW YORK, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Noya Fields Family Charitable Funds (www.noyafieldsfamily.org) announces a 2017 grant to Suited for Success in general support to help launch its veterans job training program, Vets For Success. It will focus on the underserved members and military veterans of the greater South Florida community to provide new employment skills and job readiness training.

"This is a program that is very personal to our family. Nikki's grandparents served in the Navy during World War II," said Ken Fields. "Last year we were honored to be one of the co-sponsors for the annual gala in support of veterans and this year we're incredibly excited to see that energy transformed into what we all hope will be a sustainable and permanent effort to help those who have served our country."

Vets for Success is designed to provide educational and vocational opportunities and life skills for underserved members and military veterans of the diverse South Florida community. By preparing individuals to retain gainful employment, we will increase individuals' ability to secure permanent housing, reduce dependence on public assistance, increase financial stability and self-esteem, and propel individuals to economic self-sufficiency. In its inaugural year, the Vets For Success program hopes to serve approximately 75 military veterans and family members.

About Suited For Success:

Suited for Success (www.suitedforsuccess.org) addresses the problem of unemployment and under-employment among low-income residents of Miami-Dade by providing employment skills training and interview suiting. Our training and suiting programs are designed to prepare the clients for the requirements of the work world and to ensure that they are able to meet the challenges of seeking employment armed with the self-confidence and knowledge needed to be successful. Founded in 1994, Suited for Success and its Dress for Success Miami women's program have served over 60,000 individuals.

About Noya Fields Family Funds:

The Noya Fields Family Group of charitable funds supports by way of direct grants and strategic partnerships a wide range of philanthropic endeavors with a focus on the environment, human civil liberties, education and the arts.

Contact:

Ken Fields

Noya + Fields Family Fund

[email protected]

917-975-3345

SOURCE Noya Fields Family Fund

Related Links

http://www.noyafieldsfamily.org


WASHINGTON, May 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz today urged Arab nations to promote a genuine partnership with the United States of America and fight "the forces of evil and extremism" together. He made the remarks at the historic Arab Islamic American Summit today in Riyadh, where he and U.S. President Donald Trump urged more than 50 leaders from the Arab and Muslim world to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.

King Salman thanked President Trump for visiting Saudi Arabia on his first official trip abroad. He praised the Kingdom's partnership with the U.S., which he said was aimed at achieving "peace, security and positive development."

"We are meeting today at this summit to express the seriousness in taking rapid steps to promote a genuine partnership with the friendly United States of America in a way that serves our common interests and contributes to achieving security, peace and development for all mankind, which is confirmed by our Islamic religion," said King Salman.

"Due to our responsibility before God and then before our peoples and the world, we have to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism whatever their source," said King Salman.

King Salman criticized Iran for "rejecting good neighborliness" and instead pursuing regional expansion, engaging in criminal behavior, interfering with other countries' internal affairs and violating international law.

"The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of terrorism since the Khomeini revolution until today," said King Salman.

Following the Summit, King Salman and President Trump inaugurated the Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. The Center will work to counter and prevent the spread of extremism by promoting moderation, compassion and productive dialogue.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office
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A South Korean military official declined to confirm the report but said the military was analysing the launch.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, United States during an operational test at 12:03 a.m., PDT, in this April 26, 2017 handout photo. Michael Peterson/USAF/Handout via REUTERS

By Reuters: North Korea fired an unidentified projectile on Sunday, South Korea's military said, a week after it test-fired a mid-long range missile which experts said marked an advancement in the reclusive state's missile programme.

The missile flew about 500 kilometers (310 miles) and was believed to have landed in waters off its east coast, South Korea's military said.

South Korea's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the projectile took off Sunday afternoon from a location near Pukchang, an area where Pyongyang attempted to test-launch another missile last month but failed.

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The office did not give further details, but Yonhap News Agency said it was not believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), citing an anonymous source.

A South Korean military official declined to confirm the report but said the military was analysing the launch.

North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes, even from China, its lone major ally, calling them legitimate self-defence.

It has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland.

"Today the US mainland and the Pacific operational theatre are within the strike range of the DPRK and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike," North Korea's state KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Saturday.

Also Read:

Amid rising tensions with North Korea, US test launches unarmed ballistic missile

North Korea test-fires ballistic missile in defiance of world pressure

--- ENDS ---
10-4 Systems, a leader in supply chain visibility software and customer experience today announced that Gartner Inc. has cited 10-4 Systems as a real-time visibility platform for supply chain integration.

According to Gartners March 2017 Magic Quadrant for Transportation Management Systems report securing capacity, driving efficiency and improving customer service are strong motivators for investing in a TMS. The research indicates that The business case is underpinned by an overriding objective to reduce transport costs.

Gartners research also examines the Growing Importance of Visibility and references their 2016 User Wants and Needs Survey, which indicates that supply chain visibility remains the No. 1 supply chain initiative. The research states that Customers have increasing demands around real-time visibility to their orders. And TMS customers are looking for their vendors to provide this capability as part of the TMS  or through integration with real-time visibility platforms.

Travis Rhyan, CEO and President, 10-4 Systems said, We believe being mentioned by Gartner for our real-time visibility platform is a recognition of the investment we have made in meeting the needs of our customers and helping to shape the future of transportation. Our technology harnesses the power of Big Data and is seen by our customers as part of the digital transformation that is driving their companies, and our industry, forward.

Gartner subscribers can view the new 2017 Magic Quadrant for Transportation Management Systems at http://www.gartner.com.

James Sembrot, Sr. Director, Logistics Strategy, Anheuser-Busch, and Gartner Analyst, Bart DeMuynck, will be discussing 10-4s real-time visibility at the Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference in Phoenix, May 23-25: Case Study: New Technologies in Transportation to Apply in a Disruptive World. For more information about the conference: http://www.gartner.com/events/na/supply-chain

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About 10-4 Systems

10-4 Systems is a technology company with deep roots in the transportation and logistics industry. We deliver a multimodal information platform for intelligent supply chain visibility that harnesses the power of Big Data. Our solution securely aggregates shipment and location data and pushes out analytics that help companies make meaningful decisions that have a positive impact on their bottom line. With offices in Boulder, Colorado and Grand Rapids, Michigan we help Global 500 companies understand, embrace, and benefit from a comprehensive supply chain technology experience. For us, its not just about tracking. Its total supply chain visibility that is shareable and customizable to meet the needs of our customers and their customers. Its not just the who and the where - but the when, why, and how shipments are moving across the globe. http://www.10-4.com
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL  Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka ONeal was officially welcomed to the Joint Munitions Command during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony on May 12.

Command Sgt. Maj. ONeal assumed her duties as the senior enlisted adviser by receiving the commands colors from Brig. Gen. Richard B. Dix, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command and JMC commanding general.

As JMCs senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. ONeal will serve as the commanders "right arm" and assist Brig. Gen. Dix in supporting the ammunition mission.

"The Change of Responsibility Ceremony is a tradition in military organizations," said Brig. Gen. Dix. "As we say goodbye to one legend, we welcome another, Command Sgt. Maj. ONeal, whos getting ready to write her own history. Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the first female command sergeant major of the Joint Munitions Command. I look forward to your leadership and guidance."

Many JMC staff members, Rock Island Arsenal senior leaders and Quad-Cities area community leaders attended the ceremony to greet Command Sgt. Maj. ONeal and her daughter, Chanel.

In addition, Brig. Gen. Dix thanked Command Sgt. Maj. Walton Jones, who served as JMCs senior enlisted adviser for the past two and a half years. Following the Change of Responsibility Ceremony, he retired after completing more than 28 years of service to his country. He was recognized for his outstanding performance with three Department of Defense awards and numerous certificates of appreciation.

"Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jones, we have been blessed and the United States Army has been blessed for your years of faithful service," said Brig. Gen. Dix. You have done everything this command has needed and then some. We honor and respect you, and I want to say, 'Thank you.'"

Command Sgt. Maj. ONeal is a native of Chicago and was raised in East Point, Ga. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1989. She has held a variety of leadership positions during her career, and she recently served as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command.
DAVENPORT  A congressional proposal to extend Medicare to all Americans received vocal support at seven rallies in Iowa on Saturday, including a small gathering in the East Village.

In the Village Theater, 15 people listened to speeches from state Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport, Dr. Jeffrey Maurus, a retired longtime Rock Island obstetrician-gynecologist and public health director, and Davenport activist Bob Babcock before debating the issue among themselves.

U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., this year introduced Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act. The bill has accumulated 110 House sponsors, including Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa City. Soon, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is expected to introduce a version in the Senate.

Medicare is the health care plan for people older than 65, and the proposal to extend it to all Americans is a response to ongoing problems with the affordability of health insurance and efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Maurus, former medical director of the Family Planning and Womens Health Program at the Rock Island County Health Department, said the Medicare for All bill doesn't have much chance with a Republican-dominated Congress, but it's "an important blueprint going forward" in reigning in costs for average Americans and improving health care outcomes.

"Everything in Medicare for All is an ideal we should be working for and hopefully obtaining incrementally," Dr. Maurus said. "Obviously with the current Congress, nothing is going to happen before 2018 at the earliest."

"It's morally and financially responsible," he said. "It has the potential to reduce cost and complexity."

Rep. Kurth said the United States lags behind every other developed country in providing health care.

"In fact, every developed country in the world has a program of health care which they provide for their citizens, and I'm thinking that we consider ourselves so very, very fortunate to be living in the US of A, and yet health care is one of our needs that has not been taken care of," she said.

"And I think it's time that we step up. To me, the importance of government, what government is, is to help lift people up. Health care is one of the issues that needs to be protected by our government."

Mr. Babcock said that not providing access to health care has deep costs.

Those who don't have access, he said, "get sicker, and it costs more money because they wait. And it becomes a life-threatening situation for people. ... It's harder for them to be good parents, it's harder for them to maintain employment, and so on. It kind of hurts the economy.

"Not providing health care is just plain stupid," he said.

Dr. Maurus said the United States spends more than $3 trillion a year on health care, almost 18 percent of the gross domestic product, amounting to about $10,000 per person. That's by far the most of any country in the world, he said.

Yet, in terms of overall health measurements, the U.S. ranks 80th in the world, according to a health-care quality index that resulted from a recent global study.

"Ten percent of our citizens get the greatest health care in the world, but when you look at the average, there are 79 other countries in the world that have better health outcomes, longer lives, lower rates of chronic illness, lower maternal and child mortality," Dr. Maurus said.

"We don't look good. ... There are countries, at least in maternal child health, like Costa Rica that outperform the United States, on average."

There are several reasons health care costs are so high in the U.S. For example, he said, "We're the only country in the world that doesn't negotiate with our pharmaceutical industry," even for government-led programs. Consequently, he said, Americans go to Canada and spend "half as much money for the same drug."

Rallies were also held in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Iowa City, Des Moines and Sioux City.

Mr. Babcock read a statement from Rep. Loebsack, who he said was attending the rally in Iowa City.

"We know that the Republicans will keep pushing through an agenda to rip away 24 million Americans' health insurance" by attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the statement read, "and we must continue to push back against their appalling proposals and ensure every Iowan has access to the health care they need and deserve."
China is the only country resistant to India's NSG bid, meanwhile India resumes its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries.

By India Today Web Desk: The next plenary session of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is likely to be held in Swiss capital Bern next month, but the chances of any breakthrough on India's entry into the elite group still look slim, given China's persistent opposition to it.

India had officially applied for membership of the grouping which controls export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology in May last year.

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The matter came up for discussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June last year, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling India's bid on the ground that it was not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

RESISTANT CHINA

Ahead of the next NSG plenary session, official sources say, India has renewed its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, France and Russia.

China has been pressing for a two-step process which includes setting up criteria - a standard for admission - for the inclusion of countries that are not signatories to the NPT. Beijing also equates India's case with Pakistan, which, too, has applied for the NSG membership.

The issue of India's membership is expected to be discussed at the Bern meet, but the "status quo" still remains, a senior official says.

Indicating that there was no change in China's position towards India's NSG bid, Chinese Ambassador here Luo Zhaohui at an event last month had said, "On the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue, we do not oppose any country's membership, believing that a standard for admission should be agreed upon first."

India has repeatedly said that China is the "one country" which has been blocking its bid.

The two sides conducted two rounds of talks between China's nuclear negotiator Wang Qun and India's then secretary for disarmament Amandeep Singh Gill on September 13 and October 31 last year.

INDIA's NSG BID

The NSG consultative group's meeting in November last year also ended like the Seoul plenary session. It remained inconclusive on India's application as China continued to oppose the entry of non-NPT nations and called for a two-step "non-discriminatory" solution for admission of such countries into the grouping.

Over the last one year, India has tried to get more support for its NSG bid, but not all its efforts have proved to be successful. For instance, Turkey has agreed to support India's bid to the group, but it also favours Pakistan's bid.

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New Zealand has also not given any concrete assurance on supporting India's bid.

"Prime Minister (John Phillip) Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible," a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart John Key said after the latter's visit to New Delhi in October last year.

ALSO READ:

India has capability to make 2600 nuclear weapons: Pakistan

ALSO WATCH:

What if India fails to become part of Nuclear Suppliers Group?

--- ENDS ---
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran's moderate President Hassan Rouhani trounced a hard-line challenger to secure re-election Saturday, saying his country seeks peace and friendship as it pursues a "path of coexistence and interaction with the world."

Friday's election was widely seen as a referendum on the 68-year-old cleric's push for greater freedom at home and outreach to the wider world, which culminated in the completion of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal that hard-liners initially opposed.

The nuclear deal won Iran relief from international sanctions in exchange for limits on its contested nuclear program. But Iran continues to suffer from high unemployment and a dearth of foreign investment, putting pressure on Rouhani to show he can do more to turn the sluggish economy around.

Rouhani highlighted his desire for further outreach  and with it, the prospect of creating jobs through outside investment  in his victory speech.

"Today, Iran  prouder than ever  is ready to promote its relations with the world based on mutual respect and national interests," he said in a televised addressed flanked by photos of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his predecessor, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran's 1979 revolution.

Iran "is not ready to accept humiliation and threat," he continued. "This is the most important message that our nation expects to be heard by all  particularly world powers."

Rouhani secured a commanding 57 percent of the vote in a race that drew more than seven out of every 10 voters to the polls. His nearest rival in the four-man race, hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi, won 38 percent of the vote, according to official tallies that covered more than 99 percent of votes cast.

Although considered a moderate by Iranian standards, Rouhani was the favorite pick for those seeking more liberal reforms in the conservative Islamic Republic.

He appeared to embrace a more reform-minded role during the campaign as he openly criticized hard-liners and Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary force involved in the war in Syria and the fight against the Islamic State group in neighboring Iraq.

That gave hope to his supporters, who during recent campaign rallies called for the release of two reformist leaders of the 2009 Green Movement who remain under house arrest. The two figures, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi, both endorsed Rouhani, as did Mohammad Khatami, another reformist who served as Iran's president from 1997 to 2005.

Many female drivers held out the V for victory sign and flashed their car lights on highways to celebrate the win in Tehran's affluent north.

"I feel that I did a huge thing. I voted for my country's future," said one, 32-year-old Sarah Hassanpour, who wore a loosely fitting headscarf covering only the back of her head. "I am so happy, because there will be no war and insecurity."

As night fell, tens of thousands of Rouhani backers celebrated by pouring into the streets of downtown Tehran, setting off fireworks and chanting in support of Mousavi.

Many wore ribbons of Rouhani's color purple as well as green in support of the opposition leaders under house arrest.

Rouhani was first elected in 2013 with nearly 51 percent of the vote.

Cliff Kupchan, chairman of the Eurasia Group, said the landslide win gives Rouhani a mandate he lacked in his first term.

"Though he'll remain a centrist, Rouhani will be more aggressive in pursuing reforms," he predicted, though he cautioned the path would not be easy.

"Rouhani will continue to face an uphill climb on political reform; the hard liners will dig in around education and other issues," he wrote. "But working with a centrist parliament, he will begin to ease the political darkness that followed the 2009 election."

Iran's president is the second-most powerful figure within Iran's political system. He is subordinate to the supreme leader, who is chosen by a clerical panel and has the ultimate say over all matters of state.

Election officials repeatedly extended Friday's voting hours until midnight to accommodate long lines of voters, some of whom said they waited hours to cast their ballots. Analysts said a higher turnout would likely benefit Rouhani.

Rouhani's first comment on the win highlighted the limits on expression that still exist in Iran despite his promises for greater openness.

"Great nation of Iran, you are the winner of the election. I humbly bow down before you. I will remain loyal to my promises to you," he wrote on Twitter, which is banned by government censors but followed widely by Iranians able to get around the curbs.

Raisi, his nearest challenger, is close to Khamenei, who stopped short of endorsing anyone in the election. Raisi ran a populist campaign, vowing to fight corruption and fix the economy while boosting welfare payments to the poor.

Many of Raisi's critics pointed to his alleged role condemning inmates to death during Iran's 1988 mass execution of thousands of political prisoners, and feared a victory for the hard-liner could worsen human rights in Iran and put the country on a more confrontational path with the West.

The two other candidates left in the race, Mostafa Mirsalim, a former culture minister, and Mostafa Hashemitaba, a pro-reform figure who previously ran for president in 2001, each garnered fewer than half a million votes compared to Rouhani's more than 41 million.

The Tehran Stock Exchange rallied after the election results came out, extending a recent winning streak to close nearly 1 percent higher at its highest level in three months.

One of the first world leaders to congratulate Rouhani was Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose government is strongly backed by Tehran. He congratulated him for the "confidence that the Iranian people gave to him to go forward in boosting Iran's status in the region and the world."

Iran's president oversees a vast state bureaucracy employing more than 2 million people, is charged with naming Cabinet members and other officials to key posts, and plays a significant role in shaping both domestic and foreign policy.

All candidates for elected office must be vetted, a process that excludes anyone calling for radical change, along with most reformists. No woman has ever been approved to run for president.
During a visit to Silicon Valley, I had an interesting encounter with a salesperson of the future: a robot. And it gave me a hint of what much of the workforce may look like sooner than many people think.

The robot -- a tall, white tower with cameras on its sides and a dome-shaped sensor on its top -- was moving along the entrance corridor of a giant Lowes home improvement center, and stopped in front of me when I approached it.

Hi there. Is there something I can help you find? it asked with a slightly feminine-sounding voice. I responded that I was looking for a light bulb, and a big tablet on the robots chest immediately showed me about a dozen different types of bulbs, each one with a photo and price.

When I told it which one, the robot said, That item appears to be on aisle 12. Would you like me to take you there? I said yes, and the robot said, Sure. Follow me. And off it went.

A new study by the McKinsey Global Institute says that robots like this one and other forms of automation will dramatically impact at least half of our jobs by as early as 2035. In Latin America and Asia, the impact of automation may be bigger, because more people work in repetitive manufacturing or agricultural jobs that can be easily replaced by robots, the study says.

Automation may affect more than 51 percent of the jobs in Mexico, Colombia and Peru; about 50 percent in China, India and Brazil; 48 percent in Argentina; and 46 percent in the United States and Canada, the study says.

The McKinsey study paints a pretty optimistic picture, saying that only 5 percent of worldwide jobs will be fully automated, and that most jobs will be only partially replaced by machines. Most people will work alongside robots that will take over the most tedious parts of their jobs, productivity will increase, and countries that embrace automation will become more prosperous, it says.

Marco Mascorro, CEO of FellowRobots, the company that created the robot sales assistant that helped me out at the Lowes store, told me that his machine has not eliminated any jobs. The robot, which in addition to helping customers spends much of its time scanning the stores shelves to see if there are any missing items, has relieved salespeople from having to do boring inventory work, he said.

In the past, employees had to spend hours walking up and down the aisles to find which items needed to be restocked, Mascorro said. Now, the robot does that. And employees can spend more time doing what they enjoy the most, which is using their expertise to give advice to customers on things such as how to fix their kitchen sink.

But most economists and futurists I interviewed in Silicon Valley readily admit that the coming wave of automation will rattle the global workforce. While technology in the past has always produced more jobs than it killed, it is now advancing at such a fast pace that it may create greater unemployment, they said.

With robots starting to work at stores; super-computers taking over parts of the jobs of bankers, lawyers and accountants; and soon-to-come self-driven cars that will replace millions of truckers and taxi drivers, the problem is that everything is happening at the same time, says Vivek Wadhwa, a Carnegie Mellon University futurist and author of the new book The Driver in the Driverless Car.

Yes, there will be some new jobs created, but those jobs will be a tiny fraction of the ones we will lose, Wadhwa told me.

My opinion: While economists figure out whether the next wave of the automation revolution will be good or bad for the workforce, countries should start a serious discussion about what to do with the workers who will be displaced by technology.

In the United States, the debate has already started. But, amazingly, in Latin America and Asia  where according to the McKinsey study the impact of automation will be the biggest  the discussion has not even begun.
A top Pakistani politician today said that the Pakistan Army and government will jointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice. It was the military that had sentenced Jadhav to die in the first place.

By India Today Web Desk: The Pakistan Army will reportedly take on a more prominent role in the Kulbhushan Jadhav death penalty matter. The country's ever-powerful military, which was the one to sentence the former Indian Navy officer to death in the first place, will join the Pakistani government to fight Jadhav's International Court of Justice case, a state media report said.

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Radio Pakistan, a state-run broadcaster, on Sunday reported a top Pakistani politician as saying that the Pakistani government and the army will "jointly" fight India's ICJ petition on the Jadhav death sentence. The comments were made by Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of Pakistan's national assembly.

Sadiq did not expand on what he meant while saying that the army and the government will jointly fight the case.

Sadiq was further reported to have said that Pakistan should be united and not play politics on the Jadhav issue. Following the ICJ staying Jadhav's execution, prominent Pakistani figures, including Opposition figures like Imran Khan, have questioned the Nawaz Sharif-led government over the issue.

Several Pakistanis have also slammed that the government for being under prepared, with some, including former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, even saying that Islamabad should have simply ignored India's petition at the ICJ and should not have appeared at the World Court.

'PAK DID NOT LOSE'

On Saturday, Sartaj Aziz, the foreign affairs advisor to PM Nawaz Sharrif, held a press conference on the Jadhav issue and said that it was wrong to say that Pakistan had lost to India at the ICJ. "The ICJ has only asked Pakistan to stay Jadhav's execution until it arrives at a decision," Aziz said.

Notably, the Jadhav ICJ case falls under the ambit of Aziz, who is Pakistan's de factor foreign minister. Aziz yesterday also said that Islamabad would constitute a stronger legal team to defend against India's claim at the World Court.

However, Aziz also defended the lawyers who off against India's Harish Salve-led team. Aziz said the team had "only five days to prepare for the appearance, adding that the decision to send Khawar Qureshi (the lawyer who represented Pakistan) was a unanimous one".

Pakistani publication The Nation also reported a diplomat saying that Islamabad has received and is considering an appeal filed by Jadhav's mother against the Indian's death sentence.

The review petition was reportedly filed on April 26 and a copy of the appeal was delivered to Pakistan's foreign secretary by India's High Commissioner in Islamabad.

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court and the sentence was confirmed by Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. Jadhav was convicted on charges of espionage.

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India slamming Pakistan for carrying out a secretive trial said Jadhav was not a Research and Analysis Wing spy, as claimed by Islamabad, and vowed to do everything necessary to secure his release.

ALSO READ | How Pakistani media reported ICJ stay on Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence

ALSO READ | Kulbhushan Jadhav and the league of extraordinary men: 5 'spies' you need to know about

ALSO WATCH | Kulbhushan Jadhav verdict: Wrong to say Pakistan lost at ICJ, says Sartaz Aziz

--- ENDS ---
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IWPR, April 28, 2017

By Mohammad Ibrahim Spesalai

Rising numbers of children in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar are suffering from malnutrition, according to local health officials, with more than 36,000 in need of assistance.

Ahmadullah Faizi, head of public nutrition at Kandahars department of public health, told IWPR that their most recent figures, from December 2016, showed that 20,157 children were suffering from moderate malnutrition. A further 16,000 were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Faizi explained that this indicated a rise of nearly 4,000 children from two years ago. The true number was likely to be even higher, he continued, noting that his figures only accounted for those children whose parents were able to seek treatment at public health centres.

Malnutrition is a countrywide problem in Afghanistan. A recent UN report found that 1.8 million people need assistance for the condition, including at least 1.3 million children under the age of five.

However, across the country, only around 250,000 children had been admitted for treatment as of September 2016.

Malnutrition amongst children leads to both short and long term irreversible health problems. Growth may be stunted and cognitive development harmed, and lowered resistance means that children are more vulnerable to disease.

Nearly 70 children were known to have died in Kandahar as a result of malnutrition last year, Faizi said.

Child malnutrition was a problem in a number of areas in Kandahar city and the centres of the provinces 17 districts including Maiwand, Panjwai and Zhari, he continued.

The reason that more children in some areas of Kandahar city are malnourished is because many families have been displaced and fled from Zabul, Uruzgan and Helmand provinces, and moved to Kandahar city where now they are living in poor conditions, Faizi said.

The real crisis, however, lay in more remote areas where security was very poor and there were soaring levels of unemployment.

The situation had been made worse by increased fighting, an economic slowdown since most coalition forces left in 2014 and a sharp rise in the number of returnees from Pakistan.

Across the country, both floods and drought have hit local agriculture hard, while locust infestation and crop diseases have also taken their toll.

EMERGENCY FEEDING

At Mirwais Hospital, Kandahars largest health-care centre, 34 children are currently in-patients receiving treatment for severe malnutrition.

Some mothers told IWPR that they were just too poor to be able to feed their children properly.

My six-month-old son suffers from this condition, said Raxia, who had travelled from her home in the village of Waish village of Spin Boldak district. He was losing weight and seemed weaker day by daytheres no clinic in our village and our family has not been able to feed him enough milk. He spent a week in bed and finally I had to bring him here.

Guldasta, from Talokan village in Panjwai district, added, My son has been malnourished and too thin ever since he was born, his situation is getting worse day by day. Now Ive brought him here, please God he will be treated.

Bibi Amina, from Sangisar village in Zhari district, said she had been there for more than two weeks with her young son, having been unable to access treatment closer to home.

We took our kid to a clinic in our village but they told me there was no treatment and I should take him to Mirwais hospital. Eventually we brought my kid here and now his health situation appears somewhat better.

According to the UN, only 60 per cent of Afghans have any access to healthcare, with provision being weakest in more remote parts of the country. Of the health facilities that are available, only 54 per cent provide any form of nutrition services.

Kandahar officials say that they are attempted to boost the availability of help for with malnutrition.

Previously we didnt have much space or many beds to admit children, but this year weve increased the number of beds from 90 to 120 and can now treat more patients simultaneously, said Muhammad Siddiq, head of the Mirwais childrens department.

The Kandahar health department has also set up 48 static and 38 mobile centres in Kandahar city and the districts to combat child malnutrition.

Faizi said that it was vital for parents to seek help if they were concerned about their children, adding, I call on families not to keep patients at home but instead take them immediately to healthcare centres.

He explained that all cases of malnutrition were referred to local clinics, where each malnourished child was monitored and checked weekly for a four-month period to chart their condition.

These clinics provide two types of supplemental feeding, both of them for free. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) are high-energy products provided by UNICEF that deliver around 550 calories per 100 grammes, and are used to treat severe acute malnutrition.

Ready-to-use complimentary foods (RUCF) are distributed via the World Food Programme and are intended to treat moderate malnutrition.

Siddiq emphasised that a long-term strategy was crucial to dealing with child malnutrition. While he agreed that that the lack of security and widespread poverty was exacerbating the problem, raising public awareness was also vital.

Simply eating more locally available and nutritious foods, particularly eggs and dairy products, could make a real difference to child health.

Currently, in addition to our health services, we also provide information on how to prevent malnutrition, and we hope that if families put our advice into practice It will benefit them greatly, Siddiq concluded.

Shamsuddin Tanvir, head of the childrens department at the Kandahar office of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), also said that addressing malnutrition needed to be part of a more wide-reaching strategy.

Without better security and economic development, particularly in the districts, malnutrition would spiral out of control, he continued. Local health professionals had already warned the AIHRC about an impending humanitarian disaster if child nutrition was not improved.

This is a concern for our office, Tanvir said. We want the local authorities and the government to improve security, prevent migration and displacement and create jobs in order to empower people and improve their financial situation, so that they will be able to buy proper food and prevent their families from becoming malnourished.

Others argue that if security was improved in more volatile parts of Afghanistan, people displaced to Kandahar could return home and contribute to agricultural production.

Kandahar activist Haji Faiz Mohammad said that local resources had been put under immense pressure due to the burden of caring for people displaced from the districts and neighbouring provinces.

Unemployment is the source of all misery, he said, arguing that the government needed to prioritise a local job creation scheme.

If we want to get rid of social problems, we need to address peoples fundamental needs, and thats providing work which allows people to become self-reliant.
While talking about job creation, Piyush Goyal cited the example of the NDA-1 regime and said then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also took time to take the economy out of the slumber.

By India Today Web Desk: When asked if job creation has been one of the biggest challenges of the Narendra Modi government, Union minister Piyush Goyal said that the BJP manifesto never gave a figure of 1 crore jobs every year.

"Our government's initiatives are praiseworthy," said the Minister of State with Independent charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines at the India Today Editors' Roundtable.

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The Union minister was enumerating the government's achievements when India Today's Managing Editor Rahul Kanwal said it was Narendra Modi, then the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, who promised one crore jobs to youth every year if the BJP is voted to power, at a rally in Agra on November 22, 2013.

At this, the Union minister quickly changed tack and said the government would like to create more than one crore jobs for youth every year.

DEMONETISATION A HISTORIC DECISION

While talking about job creation, Piyush Goyal cited the example of the NDA-1 regime and said then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also took time to take the economy out of the slumber.

The minister rubbished Opposition's allegation that demonetisation drive was carried out by the Modi government to save banks and said that such charges only show that the Opposition acknowledges that banks were destroyed during its regime.

Piyush Goyal called demonetisation a "historic" decision, and said that people have understood the decision and have thanked Narendra Modi in every election.

He refuted charges of interfering in the Reserve Bank of India's functioning and said that the amount of money that came back to the RBI post demonetisation will be shared in due time.

ABOUT UDAY AND URJA

Asked about the Opposition's allegations that most schemes launched by the current government have been UPA schemes, including the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) under the Power Ministry, Piyush Goyal said Suresh Prabhu first thought of financial restructuring of discoms.

Pitching UDAY as a holistic scheme, the minister said that states such as Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, where discoms have been running into losses, are also getting back in shape.

The minister also discussed the URJA app, Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan Mobile, which will provide users with details on scheduled and unscheduled power cuts. So far 30 per cent of the feeders are linked to the app, but by December the government aims to connect all the feeders with the app, Piyush Goyal said.

Also Read

Harsimrat Kaur blames Arvind Kejriwal for Punjab defeat but also says downfall of AAP has begun

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If you want to be on social media, be a bhakt: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

Smriti Irani spares Rahul Gandhi on his father's death anniversary, says Achhe Din are already here

--- ENDS ---
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UPDATE:

Reports are coming in, via the Eurobricks Forums , that the 75191 Jedi Starfighter with Hyperspace Ring has been found at a single Smyths Toys shop in Liverpool. While this would seem that this has been put out early, this set has been officially released in branches of Toys "R" Us in Singapore and has Brickfinder.net has posted a review of it already.According to our smashing and nice great mates at Brick Fanatics this set is actually an exclusive to Smyths Toys in the UK, breaking with the expectation that Toys "R" Us would carry this set as a global exclusive.
The police came to know about the death through media reports as there were no information or complaints from victim's family.

By Press Trust of India: A seven-year-old boy, suffering from high fever, reportedly lost his life here last evening as the ambulance that was taking him to AIIMS in New Delhi got stuck in a traffic jam caused by a home-buyers protest over non- delivery of their flats.

The Noida police said that it had taken note of the media reports about a child's death but had not received any complaint or information in this regard, till now.

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According to reports, the boy, Luv Kush, a resident of Firozabad, was being taken to AIIMS in an ambulance as he was suffering from high fever.

An Agra doctor had reportedly referred him to AIIMS.

Satish Chandra SHO Expressway police station said,"We had received information about home-buyers blocking the expressway. A police team was sent there and the protesters were dispersed. Regarding the death of the boy, we have no information from victim's family. We came to know through media reports."

A FIR has been registered against 250 protesters under sections of the IPC dealing with rioting and unlawful restraint, a police official said.

SSP Love Kumar said the "Police was trying to connect with the victim's family members."

ALSO READ:

6 people beaten to death in Jharkhand on suspicion of being child lifters

Greater Noida: Boy dies under mysterious circumstances, parents blame Nigerian neighbours

--- ENDS ---
An Indian national has been arrested in Islamabad for not possessing travel and visa documents, a media report said.

Sheikh Nabi Ahmed, who hailed from Jogeshwari East in Mumbai, was taken into custody on May 19 after he failed to produce any travel or visa documents, the Express Tribune reported.

According to police, the Indian national was walking along Nazimuddin Road in Sector F-8 when he was stopped at a check post. Police demanded to check his visa documents afterhe told them that he was an Indian. However, Ahmed could not produce any document and was taken into police custody, the daily said.

He has been booked for illegal entry and stay in the country under Foreigners Act 1946 and sent to jail on judicial remand, the daily said.

An official of the Indian high commission, however, said that the mission does not have any information about the arrest so far.

The arrest came days after the International Court of Justice stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against the country.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Jadhavs case is the latest flash-point in the tensions between Pakistan and India.
Speaking at the India Today Editors' Roundtable in Delhi today, HRD minister Prakash Havadekar said that anti-India sloganeering is not encouraged on campus.

By India Today Web Desk: Open discussions are encouraged on college campuses but anti-India sloganeering is not, said Union minister Prakash Javadekar at the India Today Editors' Roundtable today.

"What remains within the ambit of the Constitution and democracy is always welcome," said the Human Resource Development Minister in the Narendra Modi government, adding that slogans such as "Afzal tere kaatil zinda hai" are not part of open discussions on campus.

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THE ICSSR CHIEF APPOINTMENT ROW

The HRD Minister defended the decision to appoint B B Kumar as the chairman of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The ICSSR chairman's appointment has been mired in controversy following reports that at least 10 dead scholars were named in the collegium that appointed B B Kumar.

Asked if the Narendra Modi government is trying to saffronise academic appointments, Prakash Javadekar shot back and said critics like Ramachandra Guha are not the final arbiters in this case.

Past ICSSR Chairmen have included those great scholars DR Gadgil, Rajni Kothari, and Andre Beteille. Now we have this semi-literate Sanghi.- Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) May 9, 2017

"Past ICSSR Chairmen have included those great scholars DR Gadgil, Rajni Kothari, and Andre Beteille. Now we have this semi-literate Sanghi," historian Ramachandra Guha had tweeted on the appointment.

The HRD Minister said that B B Kumar has researched on Islam and written several books, and his appointment as the ICSSR chief is based of merit.

NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY NEXT YEAR

Asked about the delay in the much-awaited National Education Policy, Prakash Javadekar said the policy will be finalised in the next one year.

Enumerating his ministry's achievements, the HRD Minister said that the government is bringing in more accountability in learning outcomes.

He said the Centre will now give the state governments the right to detain a student at Class 5 and Class 8 after two attempts. "The Right to Education focused on input, we have changed it from input to outcome," Javadekar said.

Also ReadSmriti Irani spares Rahul Gandhi on his father's death anniversary, says Achhe Din are already here

Jyotiraditya Scindia on Rahul Gandhi: Congress needs to correct itself, take decisions with alacrity

--- ENDS ---
Firing yet another salvo at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Sunday alleged that a businessman being probed for a Rs 400-crore scam funded the foreign tours of two top Aam Aadmi Party leaders.

Delhi government spokesperson Nagender Sharma dismissed the allegations and said that Mishra had been given a horribly wrong script.

Mishra posed nine questions to his friend-turned-foe Kejriwal including whether he was aware that a Russia trip of AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh was sponsored by a man who is being probed for a Rs 400-crore high-security number plates scam.

Mishra also apologised to ex-AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, who were expelled from AAP in April 2015 for anti-party activities after they questioned Kejriwals leadership. They floated a new political party Swaraj India last year.

He said that he was working on the directions of Kejriwal and was responsible for their ouster.

While reiterating that he will stay in the AAP to cleanse it, the rebel leader, who has been suspended from the partys primary membership, invited former India Against Corruption volunteers to help him make Delhi corruption-free and Kejriwal-free.

The former minister alleged that there was a scam of high-security number plates that came to the fore during the AAP governments first stint and is currently being probed by the Anti-Corruption Branch.

Some of the companies that are being probed have a direct link with the person who funded their (Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh) trip, Mishra alleged.

The AAP government had awarded the contract to a firm for high-security number plates but it was later terminated on the basis of a fact-finding committees report, that was constituted by the then Transport Minister Sourabh Bhardwaj.

Delhi government spokesperson Nagender Sharma rubbished Mishras allegations in a series of tweets and said that Mishra had no clue of what he was talking about.

Probe into High Security Number Plates scam was ordered by @Saurabh_MLAgk in 49 days govt in Feb 2014. Then LG Jung reversed the decision.

In Jan 2016 Delhi government again sent the HSNP file to Delhi ACB despite LG having sent the case for arbitration on companys request, he posted on Twitter.

Sharma also said that that the Bharatiya Janata Party had tried to rake up this issue in June last year but went silent when it came to know that file was lying with the Anti-Corruption Branch for months.

Poor fellow has no clue of what hes speaking ! Who is misguiding him, he said.

The posts were retweeted by Ashutosh.

Mishra, who had trained his guns at Kejriwal soon after he was sacked from the ministry, had accused the Aam Aadmi Party chief of taking bribe. He had said that Kejriwal had opposed demonetisation as he allegedly had links with hawala operators.

I have realised the wrongdoings in the party now. Many people realised these things before and left. But we have to ensure that the party is not left to some corrupt people, he said.

He had been on a six-day fast to protest the AAPs refusal to disclose the details of the foreign trips of five party leaders.
North Korea on Sunday tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile on Sunday from a location near Pukchang .

At a time when United States President Donald Trump is considering diplomatic and other options including sanctions to counter the threat posed by North Koreas nuclear prgramme, Pyongyang fired an unidentified projectile showing its defiant behaviour to the international community.

There are reports that the missile has the capability to strike Alaska and Hawaii if fired on a normal, instead of a lofted trajectory, The Independent reported.

However, it still remains unclear whether the missile can carry a heavy nuclear warhead.

The projectile took off on Sunday afternoon local time from a location near Pukchang, according to the statement released by South Koreas office of joint chief of staff.

Donald Trump told South Korea that Washington was willing to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis through diplomatic channels but under the right and conducive conditions.

Pyongyang launched Hwasong-12 on May 14 that landed in water 60 miles south of Russias Vladivostok region, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

North Korea has launched at least 10 missiles on seven occasions since President Donald Trump took office in January.
The National Investigation Agency on Saturday quizzed three Kashmiri separatists in connection with its probe into the role of Lashker-e-Tayyaba chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA team, headed by the additional director general, had asked Nayeem Khan, Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' and Gazi Javed Baba to appear before it for for their explanation on an expose on a television channel where they had claimed receiving funds from Pakistan.

After initial reluctance, the three separatists fell in line and were questioned separately by the team of NIA, which named them in its preliminary enquiry on Friday.

In a statement, the NIA's spokesperson said that the agency questioned Dar at Srinagar regarding the hawala and terror funding issue.

"The questioning of Naeem Khan and Ghazi Javed Baba is still going on. They have also been asked to produce certain documents for examination. The hotel in Srinagar in which the sting operation took place, has been identified. The NIA team is completing formalities of identification of room, collection of records," the spokesperson had said on Saturday.

The NIA is also probing all angles of the funding of separatist leaders.

'The NIA has collected the copies of the FIRs of about 150 cases and analysing these FIRs registered in the valley in the recent past, regarding damage caused to the schools and public property as part of the larger conspiracy to perpetuate violence and chaos in Kashmir. The probe is continuing,' the statement added.

The NIA team will also be gathering evidence collected by the Jammu and Kashmir Police about the burning of schools as Khan had claimed that the educational institutions were targeted as per the plans hatched from across the border.

The schools were targeted last year after banned Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

Besides these three, NIA has named Saeed and Geelani in the PE, which precedes the filing of a case.

Nayeem Khan, who was suspended by Geelani from Hurriyat on Saturday, was seen on television during the sting operation purportedly confessing to receiving money from Pakistan-based

terror groups.

Geelani suspended Khan's National Front from the basic membership of the Hurriyat Conference until the clarification of all the related issues comes to fore and the truth comes

out, a spokesman for the hardline leader said.

Khan had held a press conference here in which he claimed that the video was "doctored" and challenged the channel to run his full video instead.

"The video is doctored, simulated and a collage of bits and pieces. It does not have a shred of credibility. The agenda of Indian media is to defame the Kashmir struggle and pro-freedom leadership," he said.

The NIA's PE alleged that the separatists were receiving funds from the LeT chief to carry out subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley, including pelting security forces with stones, damaging public property and burning schools and other government establishments.

The NIA took cognisance of the news item related to a recording of conversations between a TV reporter and leaders of separatist groups operating in the Kashmir Valley in this regard.

IMAGE: Hurriyat Conference Leader Nayeem Khan addressing a press conference on the allegations of receiving funds from Pakistan in Srinagar on Saturday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Thousands of Dalit rights activists, led by the Bhim Army, on Sunday gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to raise their voice against the caste-based violence in Saharanpur city of Uttar Pradesh.

IMAGE: Dalit community members hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday.

Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Around 5,000 people participated in the protest despite being denied permission by the Delhi Police.

The protesters demanded that cases be registered against those who had perpetrated violence against Dalits on May 9. They also demanded that the affected families be awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar, who is accused of sharing an objectionable video on social media and disrupting the communal harmony in Saharanpur, was also present at the event.

The activists also demanded that the FIRs lodged against Chandrashekhar and other Dalit activists be cancelled and a judicial probe be initiated into the incidents of clashes at Saharanpur.

Meanwhile, the police stepped up security at the protest site.

IMAGE: Around 5,000 people participated in the protest despite being denied permission by the Delhi Police. Photograph: PTI Photo

However, the event went off peacefully, police said.

The protesters had initially said that the gathering would be close to 50,000, which is why the permission was denied, said a senior police officer.

Clashes had erupted on May 5 in Saharanpurs Shabbirpur village after some of its Dalit residents refused to allow a procession by Thakurs (upper caste men) to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap.

Members of the Dalit community had then tried to hold a mahapanchayat on May 9 in Gandhi Park in the city to demand compensation and relief to those affected in the May 5 clashes but their request was turned down by the administration, following which they took to the streets.

In the violence that followed, Dalit protesters allegedly set fire to a police post and over a dozen two-wheelers in several areas of the city.
United States President Donald Trump offered a message of unity on Sunday as he called on the Arab world to confront extremism during a highly anticipated speech in the birthplace of Islam.

Speaking in Riyadh, Trump suddenly switched to a supportive tone in his call to combat violent extremism.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilisations, Trump said in his highly-anticipated address at the Arabic Islamic American Summit.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh. Photograph: Johnathan Ernst/Reuters

>> We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership.

>> The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and frankly for their families and for their children.

Its a choice between two futures and its a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists.

Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth.

IMAGE: (From Front R-L) Jordan's King Abdullah II, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, US President Donald Trump, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani pose for a photo during Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh. Photograph: Johnathan Ernst/Reuters

>> Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith.

>> This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilisations. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil.

>> That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.

>> Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory -- piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned.
United States First Lady Melania Trump decided not to wear a headscarf while accompanying her husband President Donald Trump on his first state visit to Saudi Arabia.

Her decision, gaining attention on the social media, is consistent with custom for female foreign dignitaries visiting the kingdom.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also shunned head coverings during visits this year.

Incidentally, Trump had criticised former first lady Michelle Obama for not wearing a headscarf during her visit to Saudi Arabia in January 2015 with then President Barack Obama.

Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf enemies (sic), he had tweeted.

Trump's daughter, Ivanka, a senior White House adviser who is accompanying her father, also did not cover her head.

Under the kingdom's strict dress code for women, Saudi women and most female visitors are required to wear a loose, black robe, known as an abaya, in public.

Most women in Saudi also cover their hair and face with a veil.

But covering one's head is not required for foreigners, and some Western women choose to forego the headscarf while in Saudi Arabia.

As Obama's secretary of state, Hillary Clinton also did not cover her head on visits to Saudi Arabia.

IMAGE: US first lady Melania Trump with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at the Royal Court in Riyadh on saturday. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
The White House on Saturday announced that the United States has sealed an arms deal worth $350 billion (Rs 22.75 lakh crore) with Saudi Arabia, which comes as President Donald Trump began an official visit to the Muslim-majority nation.

The agreement, which is worth $350 billion over 10 years and $110 billion (Rs 7.15 lakh crore) that will take effect immediately, was hailed by the White House as a significant expansion of (the) security relationship between the two countries, reports the CNBC.

This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the Kingdom's ability to contribute to counter terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the US military to conduct those operations, the White House said in a statement.

The US-Saudi partnership has been fraught with controversy since the 9/11 attacks, which culminated last year in a Congressional vote to allow 9/11 families to sue the country for its suspected links to the attackers.

Saudi Arabia is the primary destination for US arms sales, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, with the Kingdom purchasing nearly 10 per cent of US exports from 2011 to 2015.

The weapons deal also gives Trump a victory to merchandise abroad.

IMAGE: President Donald Trump, flanked by White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, second from right, and chief economic advisor Gary Cohn, right, delivers remarks to reporters after meeting with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman, left, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
After Jallikattu, whole of Tamil Nadu came together against the Petroleum ministry's nod to dig wells near Cauvery basin to extract hydrocarbons.

By Pramod Madhav: Threatened by the protests, the government of Tamil Nadu agreed not to give any permissions to dig wells near Cauvery basin for hydrocarbon extractions. The protest was soon called off.

Unfortunately, one of the students who participated in the movement claimed that she was humiliated by cops who made her and other girl students stand nude in front of them.

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Valarmathi, a journalism student from Periyar University said that she was travelling from Coimbatore to Neduvasal along with six other students on April 15.

"We were stopped at Neduvasal train station and asked to get down by cops who said that they wanted to question us. They took us to the magistrate around 8.30 pm and we were remanded and our mobile phones were confiscated," said Valarmathi.

"At 1 pm, we were taken to the prison, that is where they told us to undress. When we protested, five cops surrounded us and forcefully made us remove our clothes and checked us three times."

Outraged by the action, Valarmathi and her friends now want a judicial inquiry into the matter. They even want the officers responsible to be suspended, as they wanted to put an end to the atrocities that occur inside the prison, which goes unquestioned.

ALSO READ:

Jallikattu 2.0: Students agitate in Tamil Nadu in solidarity with farmers' Jantar Mantar skull protest

Tamil Nadu: Protest against hydrocarbon extraction intensifies; EPS assures no permissions were given

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, May 21 (PTI) Qatar Airways, which had announced its plans to set up an airline in India along with the Gulf nations sovereign wealth fund over two months ago, has not yet approached the government with its proposal.

However, the government is applying its "mind" on bringing the rules and regulations regarding ownership and control of an airline in conformity with the new FDI norms, according to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

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"With regard to a particular airline (Qatar Airways) approaching the government, I dont think anyone has approached yet," Raju told PTI.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker had on March 8 said in Berlin that his airline was joining hands with the investment arm of Qatar Government to start a domestic airline in India with a 100 per cent investment.

"We are doing this because the Indian government has opened up the foreign direct investment in (setting up) an airline in India," he added.

Last June, India allowed foreign investors -- barring overseas airlines -- to own up to 100 per cent stake in local carriers by liberalising FDI regulations. Currently, foreign airlines are allowed to invest only up to 49 per cent in Indian carriers.

However, the revised norms provide room for overseas airlines to partner with a foreign non-airline player to set up a 100 per cent foreign-owned carrier in India.

At the same time, the existing rule still mandates that substantial ownership and effective control (SOEC) of an airline must vest with Indian nationals. The chairman and two-thirds of the board must comprise Indians.

"SOEC has to be looked into definitely. What should be the case, we have to come across. We are applying our mind. we need to have regulations which are meaningful and sustain growth in the sector," Raju said.

Meanwhile, a senior Civil Aviation Ministry official said the government is working out modalities of aligning various rules and regulations in line with the FDI decision.

"We are in that process. Presently, we are working out the modalities of aligning our rules and regulations in line with the FDI decision," the official said.

Significantly, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) -- comprising Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir -- have been vociferous about their opposition to foreign entities owning an Indian carrier. PTI IAS RAM NP

--- ENDS ---
From 2-7 to sectional champs, Monrovia has one question: 'Why not us?'

high-school
The exiled former head of Cambodias opposition party on Friday urged the international community to help ensure free and fair elections in his country, saying Prime Minister Hun Sens government is seeking to eliminate its competition ahead of polls later this year.



In an opinion article in the Phnom Penh Post, Sam Rainsy, who resigned as longstanding Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) president last month, described an atmosphere of fear and intimidation facing the opposition as it prepares for commune and general elections set for June 2017 and July 2018, respectively.



We know the upcoming elections cannot and will not be free with the current atmosphere of fear and intimidation, as evidenced by the increasing number of arrests and imprisonments of government critics, said the former opposition leader.



Please help ensure, at least, that the elections are fair enough to include the participation of the only opposition party represented in Parliament: the CNRP, he said.



Under fallacious pretexts, the government of Hun Senwhose ruling party has dominated Cambodias political landscape for 38 yearsis seeking to dissolve the CNRP in order to avoid electoral competition.



Sam Rainsy has been in exile since late 2015 after his conviction on charges of defamation that supporters say were questionable rulings by a court system beholden to Hun Sen.



He resigned as CNRP chief in February in order to preserve the party in the face of a new law that bars anyone convicted of a crime from holding the top offices in a political party.



The law, which was approved by the National Assembly on Feb. 20, passed with 66 votes by the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), despite a CNRP boycott of parliament in protest. The law is expected to be signed for final approval early next week.



The CNRP has meanwhile named acting leader Kem Sokha as party president. The party also named Eng Chhai Eang, Mu Sochau and Pol Ham as vice presidents.



New law



On Friday, CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann told RFAs Khmer Service that the CPP seeks to prevent the opposition from standing in the countrys upcoming elections by adopting the political party law.



This new law is narrowing the activities of political parties, instead of making it easier for them to do things like participate in the election, he said.



But ruling party spokesman Sok Eysan told RFA that the CPP has no intention of dissolving political parties and said the government was working to ensure a smooth election process ahead of the two polls.



He dismissed Sam Rainsys appeal as meaningless because the former opposition leader is no longer head of the CNRP.Sam Rainsys only concern is self-promotion because he doesnt want the public to forget him, Sok Eysan said.



He is adrift in the ocean and there is no way for him to return to his party, which has found a new president, so bye bye to Sam Rainsy.



Amid the back and forth, head of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL) Kul Panha reminded all stakeholders Friday that the Paris Peace Accords of Oct. 23, 1991which ended the Cambodian-Vietnamese Warguarantees all parties the right to freely compete in Cambodias elections according to democratic principles.



But despite this provision, the opposition remains wary.



A version of the new political party law approved earlier this week by Cambodias Senate contained an amended Article 44, which allows the state to dismantle any political parties deemed secessionist or subversivea provision ordered by Hun Sen.



Hun Sen last week warned that he would deploy the military against any political party seeking to overthrow his government.



Reported by Vuthy Tha for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sarada Taing. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.



CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story erroneously stated that the National Assembly approved the bill on Feb. 20 with 44 votes by the CPP.
Cambodias government on Thursday rejected a report by a U.K.-based watchdog that warned of large-scale deforestation and illegal sales of timber across the border to buyers in Vietnam, saying its findings do not present an accurate portrayal of the situation.



In a May 8 report, entitled Repeat Offender: Vietnams persistent trade in illegal timber, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) said around 300,000 cubic meters of timberincluding endangered rosewoodhad been smuggled out of protected areas to Vietnam with the help of local authorities through some U.S. $13 million in bribes between November last year and March 2017.



The EIA separately published 2016-2017 sales invoices from Cambodian companies and Vietnamese import data on Tuesday showing the total import value of Cambodian timber to Vietnam amounted to around U.S. $300 million since January 2016, despite Cambodias implementation of a ban on the trade that month.



At the time the May 8 report was published, Cambodias Ministry of National Defense rejected its findings outright, while the Ministry of Environmentwhich is responsible for forest conservationacknowledged that illegal deforestation is occurring in the country and pledged to investigate the EIAs claims.



On Thursday, just ten days after the release of the report, Ministry of Environment spokesperson Sao Sopheap dismissed its findings that Cambodian officials are often complicit in deforestation and smuggling, saying the EIA failed to recognize the countrys efforts to combat the problems.



It does not reflect [the reality] of the fact that we have been working to crack down on and prevent such offenses, he told RFA's Khmer Service.



We also dont allow any largescale destruction, as mentioned [in the report]. That is why I said it does not reflect what we have made efforts on and practiced in reality.



Sao Sopheap did not specifically address the EIAs findings with regard to illicit cross-border trade volume other than to suggest that the scale was not as serious as reported, although he acknowledged that his statement was not based on a ministry investigation of the allegations.



I did not base this conclusion on any kind of verification, he said.



The ministry will need additional time to thoroughly study the EIAs report, he added, without providing a timeframe for its investigation.



Sao Sopheap referred questions about what kind of data the Ministry of Environment is using to verify the EIAs findings to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.



Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries deputy director Keo Oum Malis said that his ministry had only issued licenses to Cambodian companies exporting furniture to China through Vietnam since the ban on timber exports to Vietnam went into effect last year, but never for trading unprocessed logs.



We dont issue licenses  because during the 2016 campaign, the government prohibited any export of whole timber [to Vietnam], he said.



The campaign suppressed [the smuggling of] more than 60,000 cubic meters of timber.



The governments response to the EIA report came days after Cambodias National Police issued a report accusing a company owned by business magnate Kith Meng of using its license to clear land for a reservoir for the Lower Sesan 2 hydropower dam as a cover to launder illegally logged timber before selling it across the border in Vietnam.



On Thursday, EIA senior campaign official Jago Wadley told RFA that by issuing its report and other documentation his organization intended to warn the Cambodian government of the scale of the logging problem and assist in investigating and addressing it.



The information will help Cambodia conduct law enforcement against illegal logging and timber smuggling in Cambodia, that is costing Cambodia's economy millions of dollars, while enriching Vietnam's government and timber traders, he said, referring to the data the EIA released on Tuesday.



It is their job to use all information that will assist in the eradication of forest crime."

Wadley urged Cambodias authorities to act against all individuals, regardless of how senior they may be, who are involved in illegal trade by fining or jailing them, in accordance with the countrys existing laws.



EU response



Ouch Leng, chairman of the Cambodia Human Rights Task Force, also weighed in on the EIA report Thursday, telling RFA that those who purchase timber from Vietnamincluding European Union (EU) member nationsshould source their wood elsewhere in order to end deforestation in Cambodia.



When asked about its view of the EIA findings, the Brussels-based European Commission (EC)which proposes and implements EU policysaid in a statement that it took the report very seriously and had called on both Cambodia and Vietnam to look into the allegations of illegal timber smuggling.



We expect the authorities of Cambodia and Vietnam to urgently investigate the reported illegal activities and take firm action against individuals and companies found to be involved in illegal logging and related trade, as well as to take steps to prevent any such activity in future, the statement said.



Reports such as the one recently published by EIA also provide useful information with respect to the implementation of the EU Timber Regulation, which prohibits placement of illegally-harvested timber on the EU market and obliges EU operators to exercise due diligence to ensure the legality of their supply chain.



The EC said the EIA report also demonstrated the importance of a May 11 agreement between the EU and Vietnam on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, which it said aims to strengthen cooperation in combatting illegal logging, improving forest governance and promoting trade in legally produced timber.



It noted that the EU had stopped funding a community protected area in northeast Cambodias Virachey National Parkone of the protected areas mentioned in the EIA reportin 2015 amid allegations of illegal logging activities there.



Reported by Sel San for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, May 21 (PTI) Qatar Airways, which had announced its plans to set up an airline in India along with the Gulf nations sovereign wealth fund over two months ago, has not yet approached the government with its proposal.

However, the government is applying its "mind" on bringing the rules and regulations regarding ownership and control of an airline in conformity with the new FDI norms, according to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

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"With regard to a particular airline (Qatar Airways) approaching the government, I dont think anyone has approached yet," Raju told PTI.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker had on March 8 said in Berlin that his airline was joining hands with the investment arm of Qatar Government to start a domestic airline in India with a 100 per cent investment.

"We are doing this because the Indian government has opened up the foreign direct investment in (setting up) an airline in India," he added.

Last June, India allowed foreign investors -- barring overseas airlines -- to own up to 100 per cent stake in local carriers by liberalising FDI regulations. Currently, foreign airlines are allowed to invest only up to 49 per cent in Indian carriers.

However, the revised norms provide room for overseas airlines to partner with a foreign non-airline player to set up a 100 per cent foreign-owned carrier in India.

At the same time, the existing rule still mandates that substantial ownership and effective control (SOEC) of an airline must vest with Indian nationals. The chairman and two-thirds of the board must comprise Indians.

"SOEC has to be looked into definitely. What should be the case, we have to come across. We are applying our mind. we need to have regulations which are meaningful and sustain growth in the sector," Raju said.

Meanwhile, a senior Civil Aviation Ministry official said the government is working out modalities of aligning various rules and regulations in line with the FDI decision.

"We are in that process. Presently, we are working out the modalities of aligning our rules and regulations in line with the FDI decision," the official said.

Significantly, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) -- comprising Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir -- have been vociferous about their opposition to foreign entities owning an Indian carrier. PTI IAS RAM NP RDS

--- ENDS ---
Lizzie Drucker-Basch has renovated a few old houses here and there and went looking for one in Richmonds Jackson Ward.

The Henrico County resident came away with a neglected three-story commercial building at 10 W. Leigh St. that once served as a Masonic lodge, an insurance office and a dance hall or speakeasy.

Drucker-Basch plans to covert the building, built in 1911 and vacant since the late 1970s or early 1980s, into 14 or 15 apartments.

When I first saw it, everything had fallen in  everything from the ceiling was hanging in midair, she said.

Cheesy ceiling grids and fake wood paneling had come unglued. On a recent rainy day, the first-level floor was a puddle. Birds flew in and out of second-floor windows. A construction bridge on the second floor sagged too much to cross.

But something about the history, tall windows and high ceilings spoke to her.

I came here looking for a house; I didnt come here looking for a Masonic lodge. I thought I would always do single-family residential, Drucker-Basch said.

This project, her first big one, is a 13,860-square-foot Renaissance Revival building that the city describes as very poor for age.

She is finalizing plans and will submit applications in the next couple of weeks for a special-use permit to the city and for tax credits with the Department of Historic Resources to offset the cost of renovations.

A wide, open room on the second floor was once a ballroom and dance hall. Drucker-Basch envisions a place in its heyday similar to the Roseland Ballroom in New York City where African-American bands once played jazz.

She has heard that blacks visiting Richmond may have rented rooms at the lodge during segregation.

The top floor was used by the Masons for fraternal operations.

The first floor was commercial. During the mid-1900s, the building was a sales office for Durham, N.C.-based North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co., one of the most influential African-American businesses in U.S. history.

This history is intriguing, Drucker-Basch said. Architecturally, were trying to salvage as much as we can.

That includes a sales records board and a stamped tin ceiling uncovered during a recent demolition.

A grand staircase  most likely ascended from the first floor  starts oddly on the second floor. Drucker-Basch hopes to refurbish it and extend it down to the first floor.

She and her husband, Russell Basch, bought the building in September for $505,000. They initially placed their bid in July, but didnt get it.

I was disappointed. I was bumming, she said.

Their bid was accepted after the first sale fell through.

The city assessed the property for $296,000 this year, up from $256,000 last year  the same as the previous five years.

Drucker-Basch has budgeted $1.2 million for the renovation and hopes to finish by the beginning of next year.

It always takes longer and costs more than you think it will, she said.

Because the building has taken so long to stabilize, the architect wasnt able to get to the back of the third floor until very recently.

Bruce Shirley, principal at Ratio PC, is the architect.

I have seen some rough buildings; they can look scary when you first see them, said Ben Adamson with Richmond-based Corinthian Construction, the general contractor on the project.
The latest dispatch from Africa arrived from Alex Paullin:

With sore shoulders and tired legs, completely weighed down by our gear and equipment, we ambled into Maseru like pack mules. It is still difficult to catch my breath and decipher my brains staticky thoughts and feelings about this place.

He and his buddy Chris Volosevich had landed in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, a landlocked country in southern Africa where they were working out the cobwebs of jet lag, assimilating themselves into a culture Paullin has grown to appreciate, digging the local street food and music, and getting back to work. Volosevichs first impressions became a blog post that Paullin shared via email.

Paullin, 26, a Chesterfield County native and graduate of Monacan High and James Madison University, is chasing a dream and going to extremes to make a difference. He is the founder of Conservation Music, a nonprofit that aims to use music to educate residents of rural developing communities about conservation and sustainability.

Quite simply, Paullin envisions a world in which the memorable, emotional and unifying power of music contributes to the healing of the Earth.

Which, of course, is not so simple at all. But then neither is the way this all came to be.

Paullin began playing piano at age 6 and guitar at 10. Later, he grew to love the outdoors, including serving as a rock-climbing and white-water kayaking guide. His academic choices in college reflected his varied interests. He majored in geographic science with four minors: environmental science, environmental studies, geology and jazz studies.

The question became: What was he going to do?

I was caught between music and environmental conservation; the needle was kind of bouncing back and forth, Paullin said in a phone interview from his parents home in North Chesterfield, just before flying back to Africa in April. He has spent much of the past two years in Africa, and is now back for an additional nine months.

He loved music, and his band, Philosophunk, was doing well. After earning his degree, he put his studies to use at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, where his grandfather worked in the map department long ago and where he worked as a research intern in the standards and practices department. His grandfather died when Paullin was age 6, but Paullin grew up surrounded not only by his grandfathers artifacts from around the world but also by his adventurous spirit.

However, he felt totally drawn to neither music nor conservation by themselves.

I was just trying to calculate the answer to this equation of who I was, he said.

The equation  like Paullins stories of his journey of discovery  was meandering and interesting and included a job helping lead an expedition in search of an ancient mountain fortress in Lesotho. That trip proved to be a steppingstone to another adventure along the 1,000-mile-long Okavango River, from the headwaters in Angola  where he had to be careful not to roll over land mines while searching for campsites  all the way to the Kalahari Desert where the water literally ran out. For the first one-third of the trip, he documented the land-based team of scientists along on the journey; for the final two-thirds, he climbed in a canoe and paddled the rest of the way.

During the long days of paddling the river  through conversation and reflection  he figured out how music and environmental conservation fit together in the puzzle of his life.

I realized that I could actually put them together, he recalled, and not only could I do it, but I should do it.

He was uniquely positioned in that he could relate to musicians and conservationists, and he determined there most certainly was a need in a place where people rely on the food they grow, but their topsoil is washing away, springs are drying up and theres no wildlife to hunt and eat.

The environment is something that not many people are advocating for there, he said.

Paullin started out, as he put it, cruising around Southern Africa on a rusted-out old motorbike, going into villages and making connections with musicians, then hanging out and making music. He doesnt stay for a day or two, hand out a few brochures, lecture the locals about whats right and wrong and then blast out to the next village.

The post-colonial attitude of foreigners coming and telling everybody what they should do is not always well-received, he said.

So, Paullin tries to get to know the people and collaborates with local musicians  singing in local languages and in local styles  to create music that spreads helpful messages about farming methods, the importance of sustainable land use and other critical issues that might not seem the mostly likely information to be imparted in song: climate change, erosion, overfishing, deforestation and poaching, among others. Music can be a more powerful tool than mere words in driving home a point, said Paullin, who can see himself working in Africa for years to come.

And its more effective, Paullin said, that he is not the messenger.

Were using the power of music and the power of local spokespeople, he said. I try to stay in the background as much as I can to empower these musicians to be the spokespeople for their brothers and sisters.

Conservation Music records the music and disseminates it by way of video, national broadcasting services, social media and live events. A documentary is in the works.

Many young nonprofits seem to do the whole Going out to help Africa act wrong, focusing on the gifts and talents they can solely provide to those in need, wrote David Young of National Geographic in an email about Conservation Music. Young was Paullins supervisor during his internship, and he has followed the ascent of Conservation Music. But Alex and Conservation Music found a just solution to the problem of the overused voice for the voiceless idea: They let local people speak for themselves. Or more specifically, sing and play for themselves.

Paullin no longer works alone now that Volosevich, his friend and drummer from his band, accompanied him to Africa on this trip. He has a team of volunteers in Virginia doing social media, administration and blogging, and Paullin is feeling momentum. He was invited to give his first TED Talk before he returned to Africa, and a fundraising effort is underway at Indiegogo. To this point, funding has come from previous crowdfunding efforts, benefit concerts back in Richmond played by Paullins band, and from Paullins pockets. He also has joined the Cultivating the Globally Sustainable Self Summit Series.

Were severely underfunded but also incredibly ambitious, he said. Point being, we wont be sitting and waiting for funding before getting our hands dirty. The work must be done.

I think this is my calling.
If youre like me, you donate blood. You know a life in peril can be saved by the generous gift of this most precious bodily fluid and dont hesitate to sacrifice an hour of time, the pain of a needle stick and maybe some temporary light-headedness.

The American Red Cross reports that 21 million pints of blood products are transfused in the United States every year. Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood. Our bodies 10 pints of blood deliver life-sustaining oxygen to every living cell. Without blood, we die.

Blood donors rarely witness the power of transfusion, or the tragedy when its unavailable. As a surgeon with Doctors Without Borders, Ive had occasion to observe both.

On Christmas Day 2014, in a hospital near the Syrian border of Jordan, I was called urgently to attend to a Syrian man wounded by a barrel bomb with horrific injuries on his chest and leg. We gave him one unit of blood and asked for more, as he was in deep shock, then rushed him to our operating theater. I surgically addressed each leaking blood vessel, which included opening his chest to staunch the hemorrhage. At first I felt optimistic with my repairs. We just required more blood to fill the tank and restore circulation.

But it never came. The hospital blood bank was empty and the next closest source was an hour away. It was maddening and heart-breaking to watch a salvageable patient lose his pulse, then his heartbeat, then expire right before my eyes. All for lack of blood.

I saw the opposite in South Sudan last year. Caring for civil war victims in the capital city, Juba, we received a 5-year-old girl shot by a government soldier in her shoulder a week earlier and now near death. Her arm was dead, with gas gangrene creeping toward her chest, and she was too anemic from blood loss to survive surgery. We resuscitated her with IV fluids and antibiotics and, as we had no banked blood, we begged her family to donate blood to transfuse her. I had scant hope time would allow her survival.

Although it took hours, transfusions of her parents blood sparked astonishing improvement. I still had to amputate her arm at the shoulder, but that abruptly halted the gangrenes progression  the first step in her ultimately miraculous recovery, her grateful parents witnessing their critical contribution to her survival.

Another incident in South Sudan provided a third perspective. In the small village of Agok, our hospital frequently lacked blood, so our international staff of doctors and nurses was encouraged to donate. I had just donated a pint myself, when I was implored urgently to operate upon a youth injured during interclan fighting. A gunshot had torn through his spinal cord, kidney and colon, producing a huge, hemorrhaging hole in his back. We quickly packed the wound and began transfusing. It was then I looked up and noticed the blood flowing into this kids veins was the very unit I had just donated! From that point on, I performed the most meticulous surgery imaginable, cognizant that any uncontrolled blood loss was a waste of my very own. This surreal situation gave me a new appreciation for the precious nature of the blood donors gift, every drop a sacrifice of life-saving potential.

Christians like myself are also mindful of the ultimate gift of blood: that shed by Jesus on the cross, a sacrifice on our behalf, in payment of our sins to enable forgiveness by and reconciliation with God. Whereas one unit of my blood might save one life, Christs blood  spilled down to the last drop  can save an entire world of sinners who have faith in his bloods power of salvation.

To me, the needle stick and ebb of vital crimson plasma link the blood donor, in a small yet symbolic way, to the altruistic sacrifice of Jesus. However, like any gift, that donation only finds its worth when accepted by its intended recipient. Many might hesitate to accept a strangers blood unless life truly depended upon it. Like human blood, Jesus gift is one we must consent to receive, but Christians believe the benefits go beyond anything mortal blood can correct. With the gift of blood, it is equally blessed to give and to receive.
TNCC chief's remark comes amidst strong signals from the actor over his possible political plunge.

By Press Trust of India: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Su Thirunavukkarasar today said that he believes Tamil 'Superstar' Rajinikanth will not join any national or regional political party but will only float his own party.

"As a friend who has known him for 35-40 years what I think is he will not join any national or regional party. He will only float a new party," the TNCC chief he said.

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His remarks comes amidst strong signals from the actor over his possible political plunge, besides BJP's efforts to woo him to join the national party.

Speaking to reporters after participating in the 26th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he said if Rajinikanth floated a new party, it will be upto him to decide on alliance.

The actor had earlier this week made statements about politics and the system being rotten.

He had asked his fans to be prepared for a "war", saying in olden days kings seldom maintained massive standing armies but the men will always turn up when a battle ensued.

He had noted that though he was not interested in politics, he would, nevertheless, show "money-minded people" the door if he took the plunge.

The statements by Rajinikanth had sparked off a series of debates about his possible political entry, reminding of the similar hysteria in 1996 when he openly defied the then Chief Minister, late J Jayalalithaa, asking people to vote against her government.

He had also backed the DMK-TMC (Tamil Maanila Congress) combine which swept the elections then.

WATCH:

ALSO READ:

Has Rajinikanth made up his mind to join politics? His friend answers

Rajinikanth will join politics, for sure. The question is when?

--- ENDS ---
Candidate style is a big driver in the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Ralph Northam is not wildly telegenic and his halting, Eastern Shore drawl perhaps conveys to the uninformed the unfortunate impression that he is anything but a highly educated neurologist who repaired broken soldiers during the first Gulf War and repairs broken children in South Hampton Roads.

Tom Perriello, a former congressman who has spent more time out of office than in, is a quick study, with a riveting dark-eyed gaze and an urgent, debating-society delivery that could make a laundry list sound important, though he prefers to intone about the menacing consequences of the Trump presidency.

The dramatic contrast in style is a distraction from a more significant difference: that in pursing political careers, Northam and Perriello  both of whom broke in about a decade ago  chose different paths.

For Northam, it was Richmond. For Perriello, it was Washington  and beyond. That is, until Donald Trump got in the way.

In 2009, when Northam  as a freshman state senator who had defeated an entrenched Republican in 2007  successfully carried legislation banning smoking in most bars and restaurants, Perriello  as a freshman member of the U.S. House who had defeated an entrenched Republican in 2008  was thrown into the fight over Obamacare that would contribute to his loss for a second term in 2010.

In 2011, when Northam was running for re-election in a competitive district that spanned from the Eastern Shore to the Middle Peninsula, Perriello was racing to Africa on behalf of the National Democratic Institute, promoting peace and democracy in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Egypt, where authorities detained and interrogated him for 12 hours before he was put on a plane out of the country.

In 2013, when Northam was standing for lieutenant governor  a part-time job that would allow him to run full time for governor  Perriello was endorsing Northams opponent for the Democratic nomination, Aneesh Chopra, a former Virginia secretary of technology and fellow Obama follower who would serve as the White House chief technology officer.

There was Perriellos outspokenness on a Virginia issue  as an officer of liberal, Washington-based think-tank Center for American Progress, his gig before the U.S. State Department as an Africa envoy. Perriello attacked GOP legislation in the General Assembly requiring trans-vaginal ultrasounds for women seeking abortions. Northam is credited with helping defeat the bill.

Next came Perriellos brief flirtation for governor that only succeeded in privately annoying 2013s supposed consensus nominee, Terry McAuliffe.

McAuliffe, as governor, is publicly angry with Perriello, fearing that his last-minute, insurgent challenge to 2017s supposed consensus nominee  Northam  will needlessly divide the Democratic Party, diminishing its chances of winning in November.

In electing their governor  even in a heavily suburban state in which the majority of people who live here are from somewhere else  Virginians choose someone who will walk, work and live among them, not a rarely seen emissary to a figuratively distant national capital.

Northam and Perriello, as affluent natives of rural Accomack and Albemarle counties, respectively, have irrefutably deep roots here, perhaps lending a hint of sentimentality to their candidacies; that they aspire to lead the commonwealth that made them.

But when it comes to issues that on a daily basis have defined Virginia politics for most of the past decade  health care, abortion rights, firearms controls, ethics, taxes, transportation, gay rights, education, energy, the environment, and redistricting  Northam, if only because his orientation from the beginning has been state-level rather than national, should have it all over Perriello.

Northams ability to convey that message and, more significantly, to press Perriello on his absence from many of the fights over these issues, as well as his comparative unfamiliarity with the partisan Richmond arena in which they unfold, is limited, in part, by an inability to communicate with the polish and poise that Perriello nimbly displays.

Not that Northam doesnt get off the occasional zinger. During a debate this past Tuesday in Norfolk, Northam described Perriellos position on abortion rights as multiple choice. It was a reminder that Perriello opposed abortion coverage under Obamacare  a vote he has to live down along with his alliance with the gun lobby in resisting an assault-weapons ban.

Thats where paid advertising comes in, never mind that Northam says little in his commercials. But the ads are about projecting an everyman image, not about eviscerating Perriello. To do that would be a sure sign of panic by Northam, who  following the release of a recent Washington Post poll showing him neck-and-neck with Perriello  discreetly circulated among supporters an internal survey that put him ahead by 17 percentage points.

Further, the national narrative that is dominating the campaign  that the gubernatorial election in Clinton-carried Virginia will be viewed outside its borders as a referendum on Trump  neatly complements Perriellos leitmotif: No matter the concerns of state voters, they invariably are affected by the presidents controversial practices and policies.

Be it the Muslim ban that threatens Virginias diversity, promoting carbon fuels by backing natural gas pipelines such as two that would bisect the state, and keeping rich friends close and rich corporations closer  an attitude, Perriello implies, Northam seemingly shares because he takes big-dollar contributions from big business, including Dominion, the energy giant.

Perriello is by no means innocent on the money front, relying on a few contributors with Wall Street pedigrees for more than half of the $2.2 million that he raised in the first quarter of 2017. That is another measure of a top-down, nationally anchored campaign that knows to be attentive of Washington reporters because their work is closely followed by the donor class.

But maybe Perriello learned that from another candidate this year who believes the road to RVA runs through D.C.: Republican Ed Gillespie.
In downtown Lynchburg, music is not only being heard from Community Markets Hill City Keys piano  its being seen as well.

Over the past month, Vector Space co-founder and director of education Adam Spontarelli built a 3-D printed robotic arm to create what he calls piano art. The contraption made its debut Saturday.

Attached to the piano is a microphone that detects the notes played. That information is transmitted via Wi-Fi to a receiver at the Academy Center of the Arts down the street from the market.

The 3-D arm was created and programmed to move and drop paint onto canvas  according to the notes played.

The piano will always be listening and recording what people are playing and transmitting that data to this robotic arm, Spontarelli said. These are all things that anyone could make.

For example, if someone plays an A chord on any octave, the elbow of the arm will move clockwise and drop one of four colors (yellow, red, blue and green) on the canvas. If a B chord is played, the elbow will move counterclockwise.

The pump draws the paint through the tubing and onto the canvas, he said.

The project was funded by a $1,200 grant from the citys Arts and Culture grant fund. Vector Space, based in downtown Lynchburg, is a nonprofit makerspace for people interested in so-called STEAM fields  science, technology, engineering, art and math  to collaborate, invent, discover and build the things that interest them.

Vector Space has been in talks with the Academy for more than a year trying to determine how to combine art and engineering.

Evan Smith, director of outreach at the Academy, said there are a lot of things coming out of STEAM in the city and that the piano art is a great opportunity for the two organizations to collaborate.

This shows how the arts and science can work together to create something exciting, he said. The community can see something exciting and what we can do when we work together.

He added he hopes the Academy continues to work with Vector Space in the future on more projects.

Were excited to keep this going with them, and were happy to be able to do something this interesting over the summer, he said.

Libby Fitzgerald, founder of Hill City Keys, said she doesnt know much about the technological side of the project but that she is happy to see one of the seven pianos downtown being used for something different.

All along Ive been trying to come up with programming around the piano other than random people playing, which is great and I love it, but beyond that, what else can we do for programming? she said.

She said the project adds to the usage of the pianos in a variety of ways.

I cant even conceive how this works, but Im curious to see, she said. Im fascinated to know how it will work and am happy as can be the pianos are being used for it.

Spontarelli said he hopes the project will spark questions from residents about engineering and inventions.

Were trying to show that learning and being creative and doing challenging and ambitious things is rewarding and worthwhile, he said. The point of this project is to get people interested in these things.

He is encouraging people to sit down at the piano and play a song and then pull up their phone and watch the robotic arm on a livestream that Vector Space has set up on its blog, then go down to the Academy and see what they have created.

Although he has tested the project at his home, Spontarelli admitted that he was not sure what would happen after its set up for everyone to use.
This is the final installment in a four-part series on Americas Industrial Revolution and the political responses it sparked. Go to Richmond.com to read the entire series.

On Sept. 14, 1901, President William McKinley died from a gunshot wound delivered by a crazed assassin two weeks earlier. Republican Party leaders were stunned by the recent string of events. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, former Republican governor of New York and hero of the Spanish-American War, would now occupy the White House, something the party bosses viewed with grave concern.

They had put the popular Roosevelt on the ticket to help ensure McKinleys re-election in 1900, despite the fact that many of them thought he was a reckless maverick.

Everything went according to plan after the election with a safe, traditional Republican in the White House. The assassins bullet, however, changed everything. While McKinley fit the profile of the non-activist presidents who had held office the previous half-century, Roosevelt was almost the opposite.

At age 42, he was the youngest man to hold the office, and unlike most of his predecessors, Roosevelt was anything but a hands-off president. The worst fears of traditional Republicans became reality when Roosevelt began using his office as a bully pulpit to promote an activist government to serve the interests of most Americans over those of the few masters of big business.

He called for a Square Deal for all Americans  businessmen, laborers, farmers, and consumers. He implemented stronger federal control of corporations by attacking the large trusts and monopolies that had squelched competition; by giving more authority to the Interstate Commerce Commission; and by protecting the countrys natural resources.

He received congressional support for the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Meat Inspection Act to protect consumers from hucksters and unscrupulous food producers. More than any previous president, he took bold steps to protect some 230 million acres of the countrys wilderness from unchecked development.

***

The Progressive Movement clearly had an ally in President Roosevelt, and it did not end when he completed his next term, which he won in a landslide. Clearly, his activist presidency resonated well with the American public. For that matter his popularity helped ensure the election of his handpicked Republican successor, William Howard Taft, in 1908.

Although Taft continued breaking up monopolies and trusts, he seemed unable to control the Republican conservatives, who tried to reverse many of Roosevelts initiatives. He himself was more conservative than Roosevelt, and he took issue with many of the reformers and their demands for immediate action. A lawyer and judge by profession, he preferred a slower and more deliberate pace for reform legislation.

Tafts less-than-vigorous pursuit of reform raised the ire of his predecessor to such an extent that it led to a civil war within the Republican Party. The conflict grew so intense that Roosevelt challenged Taft for the Republican nomination in 1912, splitting the party wide open.

Frustrated that the incumbent Taft had his re-nomination locked up, Roosevelt and his supporters walked out of the Republican convention and launched a third party, the Progressive Party, better known as the Bull Moose Party. Their platform advocated expanding the powers of the federal government to bring about more reform and regulations.

With the Republicans torn asunder, the Democratic Party, which had elected only one man as president since 1860, saw victory within its grasp. The native Virginian and strong reform governor of New Jersey, Woodrow Wilson, received the nomination and won the election by taking only 42 percent of the popular vote, but receiving 435 electoral votes to Roosevelts 88 and Tafts paltry 8.

***

Once in office, Wilson pursued an aggressive reform agenda. He created the Federal Reserve, giving the country a regulated currency. He pushed legislation that established the Federal Trade Commission to prohibit unfair business practices. He supported the ratification of the 16th Amendment that resulted in a graduated income tax, requiring wealthy Americans to pay a higher percentage on their earnings. And he addressed a number of social issues, such as greatly restricting child labor and limiting the hours of railroad workers.

Despite these many reforms, some of his policies were backward-looking. Following the example of his native South, he implemented formal segregation in the federal government. For example, government buildings in Washington were required to have white and colored bathrooms. Appointments to federal jobs through civil service became increasingly difficult for African-Americans to obtain.

Perhaps the most controversial piece of legislation coming from Wilsons administration was prohibition. Approval in 1919 of the 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of intoxicating spirits, has been described as the greatest failure of a social experiment in American history. The amendment resulted in a huge illicit liquor enterprise and an explosion of organized crime. Within 14 years, it became the only amendment to be repealed in its entirety.

World War I and its aftermath dominated Wilsons second term, as did a nearly fatal stroke, taking his attention away from continued domestic reforms.

The United States emerged from the war as the most powerful nation on Earth economically, but the American public had grown weary of Wilsons activist government and reform in general.

A severe postwar recession contributed to a landslide victory in 1920 for Republican presidential candidate Warren G. Harding, who ran on a ticket pledging a Return to Normalcy and a repudiation of the progressive agenda of political and social reform.

There would be no bully pulpit presidents for another 12 years, when Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected in a landslide in the depths of the Great Depression.

***

What can we learn from the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era? Some critics contend that we are experiencing a new Gilded Age. They argue that during the past few decades, corporations and elected officials (many representing safe gerrymandered districts) have rolled back many of the gains made by working and middle-class people during the Progressive Era.

They point out that despite its great wealth, the country now has the highest level of income inequality in 90 years. Most disturbing to these critics is that federal and state tax cuts benefited the wealthy at the expense of the poor and many in the middle class.

Advocates on the other side of the political spectrum, however, argue that government has become more intrusive than ever, thereby stifling the economic potential of the nation and interfering with our individual freedoms.

In his run for the White House, candidate Donald Trump pledged to return America to greatness by slashing regulations, easing government controls, and reforming the tax code, among other things. Once elected to office, much like Theodore Roosevelt, the president has used his own bully pulpit to implement his campaign pledges.

But a hundred-plus days into his presidency, little of his agenda has been carried out, despite having Republican majorities in both houses of Congress. Why? Is it his political inexperience? Is it his confrontational style? No doubt those are factors, but I think it is something more fundamental.

A century ago, conditions in the country were as problematic, if not more so, than they are today; yet three successive presidents were able to bring about major reforms to address the issues. One of the keys then was that reform and progressive thinking crossed party lines. Two of the three progressive presidents were Republicans.

Through compromise, cooperation, and effective persuasion, they were able to work with Congress to bring about needed reform. They found viable solutions to the problems created by the painful transition from the 19th century to modern America.

Today, anyone who cooperates with members of the opposing party is an anathema. Cooperation within both parties also has become more difficult. The rhetoric has become increasingly confrontational. Fealty to party or faction within a party appears more important than loyalty to country. It is unfortunate that todays monumental challenges are not being met by either side of the political spectrum.

Perhaps the time has come for introducing fundamental change in the way we govern ourselves, much as the American people did a century ago.
By Don Just

Over the course of my career, I was president of a bank by the age of 29, and later led two ad agencies. I once dined with Aristotle Onassis in Monte Carlo, and hunted ducks with Uzis in Nicaragua.

So I guess you can say Ive led an interesting life. But not as exciting as my teaching at the VCU Brandcenter. You may not know our graduate school, but you know our work. If youve ever watched the Super Bowl, youve seen it firsthand in commercials created by alums for Audi, Sprint, and Aflac, among others.

You also see the work of our students in the community when you pass an RVA bumper sticker, participate in the Massey Challenge, support Side by Side or over a dozen other local causes.

In a city just ranked in the top 20 nationwide in culture and the arts, it is no surprise that the VCU Brandcenter has grown and flourished, too. Weve become a part of the fabric of this community, benefiting from and contributing to its creative energy.

***

It all started 20 years ago with the vision of an executive at The Martin Agency, Diane Cook-Tench. Her idea for a new kind of school was so far-reaching that it attracted global advertising legends like Jay Chiat, Dan Wieden, Bill Westbrook, Caroline Jones, Jon Steel, and my former partner, Mike Hughes.

They met in a crowded room at Martin to sketch out an approach to teaching advertising, branding, and creativity that was unique to the field of education. Supported by VCU President Eugene Trani and later Mike Rao, the school hiried a well-known faculty and staff.

Over a decade ago, after retiring from the agency I led, I started teaching at the Brandcenter. As impressed as I was with the school from a distance, I can now say that I had no idea just how remarkable the Brandcenter really is. The program teaches students with diverse backgrounds how to apply creative problem-solving to almost any challenge. Students can choose among five tracks: copywriting, art direction, communications strategy, creative brand management, and experience design. Upon completion, they earn a master of science degree in business/branding.

Its a select group: smart, talented, and most of all, hungry. And faculty members are demanding. The students begin the program afraid  and progress through confused, concerned, crushed, and crying before things start to click. They start to get it right. They make presentations that impress their irascible professors. They create work that satisfies the needs of real companies they work with.

Finally they start to gain confidence. They know what good work looks like and they wont settle for less.

***

This was once a school of advertising; now it is much more. Students still do ads, but theyve expanded their skills to get involved with everything that affects a brand. Package design, product design, retail experiences, digital experience, social, earned, paid and every other kind of media, 3D modeling, virtual reality, wearables, and a whole lot of things that dont have names yet.

We have agency leaders who come here just to take notes about what tomorrow looks like.

And while were on the subject of tomorrow, there is another thing that has changed. Our sense of responsibility. Our students dont just want to make better advertising. They want to make advertising as a field, better. And by extension, the world.

Carolyn Hadlock, a principal and executive creative director at Young & Laramore, put it this way, This program puts out bright, passionate people who want to change the world through advertising. I have no doubt they will. Many of them already have.

And you will continue to see our students work, including a Virginia Tourism Corp. awareness campaign that launches this fall.

For this project to succeed, we needed a fresh approach that would look at the problem and propose different solutions. I am always blown away by the creative thinking of the Brandcenter students. They delivered big time, said Chris Canfield, vice president at Virginia Tourism.

Its been a long, interesting ride, but the past 20 years is just the beginning. Every day I walk into class and Im reminded that the best is yet to come.
Navy: Switch mistake led to 94,000-gallon jet fuel spill

VIRGINIA BEACH  The Navy has explained how it spilled 94,000 gallons of jet fuel around Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach: A switch was left in the wrong position overnight.

Officials said the fuel was mistakenly routed on May 10 into a 2,000-gallon tank, instead of a tank that can hold 880,000 gallons, local news outlets reported. The much smaller tank overflowed, and the spill wasnt discovered until the next morning.

The Navy said at a news conference Friday that theyre still investigating how the switch ended up in the wrong position.

Officials said 25,000 gallons of the spilled fuel ran off the base and polluted waterways. As of Friday, an expected two-day cleanup had taken nine days and counting.

Montgomery sheriffs office removing religious decals

CHRISTIANSBURG  The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is removing Bible verse decals that have adorned the backs of its patrol cars since March.

The decals say: Blessed are the peacemakers ... Matthew 5:9.

Montgomery Sheriff Hank Partins announcement Thursday that the decals would come off came after county officials began asking questions and amid criticism from the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Virginia branch of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The Sheriffs Office said the decals were donated by a company that designs graphics for the office.

The ACLU of Virginia and the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised concerns that the decals could be seen as promoting one religion over another.

Chemicals found in water used by Eastern Shore town

CHINCOTEAGUE  NASA is providing extra drinking water for Chincoteague after chemicals used in firefighting foam were found in wells on the Wallops Flight Facility property that supply the town.

Town Manager Jim West said Chincoteague worked out the arrangement with NASA after testing over the past several weeks found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in four of the towns seven wells.

NASA said firefighters previously conducted training with a firefighting foam that contained the compounds, which were once used in a wide variety of consumer products but have mostly been phased out. The potential health effects of human exposure arent fully understood.

NASA said all tests on finished drinking water showed that it was safe. But some individual wells had levels beyond a health advisory limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Runway built for unmanned aircraft at Wallops Island

WALLOPS ISLAND  Gov. Terry McAuliffe has helped launch a $5 million runway dedicated to drone research and development on the Eastern Shore.

The governors office said Thursday that he also flew in an aircraft that can be piloted remotely.

The NASA Wallops Flight Facility said the governor didnt use the new runway, but one of NASAs larger airstrips on its main base a few miles away, The Daily Press reported. A pilot was aboard the plane as backup.

Virginia Space, which manages the state-owned Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, is seeking customers for the airstrip. Officials say the 3,000-foot long runway built for unmanned aerial vehicles or systems on the north end of the island is the only one of its kind in the country.
Rajiv Gandhi was scheduled to an election rally at Sriperumbudur. He was in such a hurry to reach there that he flew from Vishakhapatnam without his personal security chief.

By Prabhash K Dutta: In the two years before Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, India had witnessed political instability. The Second Janata experiment had failed and Congress had once again become the lone political option and alternative.

Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was more than confident of getting back to power in the mid-term Lok Sabha elections of 1991. Rajiv Gandhi was on a campaign spree. Rajiv Gandhi believed that he was going to be the prime minister again. His election campaign was vigorous.

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Incidentally, Rajiv Gandhi's campaign remained unmatched in energy and public response in the country till Narendra Modi came on the scene with his own brand of electioneering for the 2014 polls.

FATE TOOK RAJIV TO MADRAS

It was around 6 o'clock in the evening when Rajiv Gandhi finished his poll meetings in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam and planned to leave for Tamil Nadu. His chopper was being readied for the flight to Madras - as Chennai was known as then - where a host of Congress leaders including GK Moopanar, Margatham Chandrashekhar and young Jayanthi Natrajan, were in attendance to welcome the Congress supremo.

Rajiv Ganndhi's pilot, suddenly, informed him that the chopper had developed some technical snag and flying to Chennai wouldn't be possible. A disappointed Rajiv Gandhi headed towards the state guest house.

While Rajiv Gandhi was still on his way to the guest house, the police team escorting him received a wireless message that the chopper was ready to fly. Rajiv Gandhi made an about turn and headed again towards the airport.

Rajiv Gandhi's pilot Captain Chandok would later reveal that the engineers of King's Airways had fixed the technical snag in the communication system of the chopper.

Rajiv Gandhi was in such a hurry and so eager to reach Chennai that he didn't even bother to inform his own personal security chief OP Sagar, who was traveling in a separate van. Rajiv went to Madras without his personal security team, who were on their way to the state guest house at Vishakhapatnam.

CHENNAI TO SRIPERUMBUDUR

Minutes before 8.30 pm, Rajiv Gandhi was received by the Congress leaders at Madras airport. Rajiv Gandhi had to address an election rally at Sriperumbudur that night. He was already late for the rally.

Rajiv Gandhi got into a car along with M Chandrashekhar, GK Moopanar and Ramamurthy. Jayanti Natrajan would follow him in another car.

It was already 10.10 pm on May 21, 1991, when Rajiv Gandhi reached Sriperumbudur. A huge gathering was there waiting for Rajiv Gandhi. A song was being played showering praise on Rajiv Gandhi invoking name of his mother Indira Gandhi.

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Separate galleries had been made for men and women in the crowd. Rajiv Gandhi first went towards men's section and then headed towards the gallery where women were cheering for him.

Among the crowd was a young woman of around 30, who moved towards Rajiv Gandhi purposefully. A woman police constable, later identified as Anusuya, tried to stop the woman but Rajiv Gandhi intervened and directing to let her cross the fence.

"Don't worry. Relax," Rajiv Gandhi had said to Anusuya, the policewoman. These were his last words. Few seconds later, Rajiv Gandhi's own prediction made seven years ago came true.

RAJIV GANDHI'S PREDICTION

Indira Gandhi's close associate PC Alexander, whose presidential candidature was opposed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi years later, has written his book, My Days With Indira Gandhi, that he saw Rajiv Gandhi and his wife fighting in the corridor of AIIMS in New Delhi after the assassination of the former prime minister in 1984.

Rajiv Gandhi told Sonia that the Congress party wanted him to take oath as the prime minister after Indira Gandhi's death. Sonia Gandhi, wrote Alexander, was dead against the idea. "No, they will kill you too," Alexander quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying in his book.

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Rajiv Gandhi, Alexander wrote, replied saying that 'I don't have an alternative. I will anyway get killed.' This was October 31, 1984.

On May 21, 1991 LTTE's suicide bomber Dhanu triggered the bomb as she bent to touch Rajiv Gandhi's feet and the former prime minister attempted to lift her.

It was 10.21 pm, the investigation diary noted.

There was blood and human flesh everywhere. Rajiv Gandhi's body was identified from his Lotto shoes and Gucci wrist watch. His body was lying near his security in-charge Pradeep Gupta.

AT 10, JANPATH, NEW DELHI

It was around 10.25 pm on the fateful night that Sonia Gandhi received a call from someone asking if everything was fine. The Gandhis had been preparing to retire for the day. Rajiv Gandhi's personal secretary Vincent George had left for home.

Sensing trouble, Sonia Gandhi immediately summoned for Vincent George, who had just reached home to be greeted with a phone call from Madras. He had got the bad news. When Sonia Gandhi called up Vincent George, he was already on the phone call fom Madras.

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Sonia waited for Vincent George to finish the phone call but Rajiv Gandhi's personal secretary could not immediately muster courage to tell her what had happened over phone. Vincent George rushed back to 10, Janpath. Now, he informed the Gandhis about what happened at Sriperumbudur.

By that time, many Congress leaders had started gathering at 10, Janpath. Sonia Gandhi's wails could easily be heard by them.

PRIYANKA IN CONTROL

Writing Sonia Gandhi's biography, Rashid Kidwai said that she had an attack of asthma as she cried inconsolably. Sonia Gandhi was not in a position to have control over anything at 10, Janpath. No one knew what needed to be done.

Suddenly, Priyanka Gandhi gathered herself and asked Vincent George to arrange for their travel to Madras, where the body of Rajiv Gandhi was being taken to.

Meanwhile, the then President R Venkataraman called up to offer his condolences. On learning that the Gandhis were planning to go to Madras, he advised not to go there as the situation was bad.

But Priyanka Gandhi insisted on going to Madras. Some three hours later, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka reached Madras only to be told that they could not see the face of Rajiv Gandhi. He was lying in a coffin.

INVESTIGATION

The investigation of the case was handed over to a special team under CRPF IG DR Karthikeyan. The team found out that it was an LTTE plot.

Seven members of LTTE were arrested. However, main conspirator Sivarasan and his associates committed suicide consuming cyanide capsule.

It was a fast-paced investigation. The charge-sheet was filed before the first death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.

ALSO READ:

What if Rajiv Gandhi is killed? CIA wondered about this 5 years before he was assassinated

Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his 26th death anniversary

ALSO WATCH:

I'Day special: A look back at Rajiv Gandhi's political journey

Sivarasan's diary reveals plot to kill Rajiv Gandhi

--- ENDS ---
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Erik Gatenholm and Hector Martinez are the Henry Fords of the 3-D biotech printer business.

Until Ford came along with his Model T, automobiles were too sophisticated and too expensive for all but the elite.

The co-founders of Cellink saw the same thing happening with 3-D biotech printers. Few could afford high-precision printers with six-figure stickers. For many labs, the choice was between the Rolls-Royce of printers or the horse-and-buggy days of casting simple three-dimensional tissue samples with molds to conduct medical experiments.

Gatenholm and Martinez took a different approach. Just as Ford sought to build a car for everyman, the duo sought to build a bioprinter for every lab.

It still does the purpose. Still gets you from A to B, CEO Gatenholm said. If youre a student driver at 16 or 17, do you really need all that is on a Rolls-Royce? No. They need a pedal, a gear to shift, a seat and wheel to get them where theyre going.

Cellink launched its line of printers slightly more than a year ago from offices in Blacksburg and Sweden. The company had preorders lined up before its launch and now has installed them in hundreds of labs in 30 countries, including Gatenholms alma mater, Virginia Tech.

Its been insane, he said of the demand. Were now starting to see customers publish work with this equipment, and its amazing. I couldnt imagine a year ago that wed be there.

Building a nose

On a recent Friday morning, Martinez, the companys chief science officer, and Gatenholm, along with a few other representatives of Cellink, were in Tech professor Scott Verbridges Laboratory of Integrated Tumor Ecology. They were installing the printer and teaching researchers how to use it.

The cube-like printer is about the size of a table-top microwave and has the slick white finish of an iPhone.

Though its considered a basic bioprinter, what it does is rather sophisticated. Scientists select the type of tissue they want to study and mix those types of cells  such as collagen for skin  with a goo-like medium called bioink and then program the printer to make a particular body part, such as a nose.

A window allows viewers to watch as ink jets move with precision, squeezing out the mixture and building layers of tissue in a petri dish. When its done, the dish contains a little transparent nose with nasal cavities.

Without a 3-D printer, scientists would first need to cast a mold and then use it to build a structure.

It gets complicated when trying to make a complex gradient, said Patrick Thayer, Cellinks chief bioink officer. A lot of tissue is not just one cell type. Its four of five. Using the printer, you can put the material where you want it much easier.

Its difficult to do that with a mold. Plus, if you want to study cancer, you want to have cancer cells in their native environment. But you dont want to do that just once. You want to do it a thousand times, he said. You might have so many different compounds you might want to see. With the printer you can make the same complex structure a thousand times.

Verbridges lab studies cancer in its environment. Researchers look at the relationship between tumors and surrounding tissues to determine what prompts or retards the tumors growth and how bacteria interacts with the relationship.

Until now, they had been building simple tissue samples by using molds.

The 3-D printer is a nice in-between of the really simple cultures and the animal model that is very complicated and hard to control, Verbridge said.

This is going to give us flexibility to print up more complicated, more sophisticated shapes and multi-cell type structures that are difficult with the traditional molding, he said. Its similar to other kinds of fabrication with 3-D printing where you go from traditional machining to prototyping with more complex structures that are a challenge to mold.

Hacking the perfect machine

The idea for building a printer came when Gatenholm and Martinez were graduate students in Sweden.

Martinez, a mechanical engineer, was intrigued by tissue engineering applications in medicine and by the work that Eriks father, Paul Gatenholm, was doing. He is a professor of biomaterial engineering at Chalmers University of Technology and at Virginia Tech. Martinez became one of his doctoral students.

Meanwhile, Erik Gatenholm had enrolled in the University of Gothenburg to pursue a masters degree in business, economics and law.

He said his father introduced him to Martinez.

We had the same passion and interest in 3-D printing, Gatenholm said. Hector had this really cool gel.

The gel, or bioink, is a medium that binds with human cells to form the new tissue. Different media are needed to form different tissue types. Some experiments are done on just one type of cell found in a particular tissue; other research requires more types of cells that add to the complexity.

Martinez was developing a versatile bioink that he and Gatenholm teamed up to commercialize. Then they expanded their business vision to capture a larger market.

From the business process, we realized its cool to sell ink, and universities are buying it. But the printers are so expensive, Gatenholm said. So if we could make a fairly cost-effective printer, we could sell it to everyone, and that would make our business grow. Then we realized this is a great industry.

Gatenholm said most bioprinters cost about $150,000. They decided to build one that could sell for $20,000 and offer half off to universities.

They could sell the printer and the ink, educate researchers on how to use it and collaborate with them to create new lines of ink and more sophisticated, inexpensive printers.

At night, they worked on their prototype by using pieces of an old 3-D printer and syringes.

Word spread about their plans, Gatenholm said, and orders were placed with half-down deposits that helped to launch the product.

By the time we had it started, we already had customers, he said.

Cellink is now in 30 countries.

The printers are built in Sweden, but Gatenholm said they hope soon to make arrangements with suppliers in order to manufacture them in Blacksburg as well.

Cellink has grown to 23 employees since its start in January 2016. The company has raised $4 million through sales and investors and is showing a profit, he said.

What were really looking for is talent, he said. We need biomedical engineers and mechanical engineers. And Blacksburg is where he said hes hoping to find them.

Cellink is also beginning to build and sell more sophisticated printers to keep up with demand as the science develops.

We start simple and increase our knowledge base and jump to the next step, Martinez said. Someday, he expects the science and engineering to advance to be able to print replacement tissues.

I started working with the field in tissue engineering, trying to imitate our body. I see our body as a perfect machine, he said. We just have to hack it.
One of the great things about newspaper writing is, you learn new stuff every day. Thursday and Friday, I learned that America has a vast network of circus history enthusiasts. Theyve helped tie up a few loose ends from Thursdays column about collector Paul Caldwell.

If you recall, by the early 1970s, the mild-mannered Roanoke schoolteacher had acquired one of the largest circus memorabilia collections in the United States. Caldwell began his collection as a young boy in the 1930s. In September 1974, at age 50, he was murdered in a robbery at his private circus museum on Maple Avenue in Old Southwest.

One of the questions left hanging was what became of Caldwells enormous collection that included posters, costumes, circus props, a program dating to the 1880s and personal effects of Buffalo Bill Cody, P.T Barnum and the Ringling brothers. The collection had more than 25,000 items.

Another question: What happened to the luxurious, six-room circus railcar Caldwell acquired? It was donated to Caldwell  and Roanoke  by Rudy Bundy, a former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus executive.

Thanks to some kind folks in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Minnesota and elsewhere, we have some but not all of the answers. One major mystery remains.

Well start with Caldwells collection. His widow, Sue Walker Caldwell, sold it in 1977 to Earl Schmid, a retired civil engineer and circus fanatic from Pittsburgh.

The acquisition was documented in the Oct. 10, 1977, edition of The Circus Report, a newsletter that billed itself as Americas Favorite Circus Weekly. Its still published today by Bill Biggerstaff of Las Vegas, Nevada.

For this information, Im indebted to Jim Dalmas of Oxford, Pennsylvania, who noted that those old newsletters are archived on a website, CircusHistory.org. Dalmas also sent me Schmids 2002 obituary from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Schmid had quite a career. He worked as a design engineer on the original plans for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to the obituary. That led to a long stint in the Army Corps of Engineers, where he worked on flood control projects in Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. He served in the Navy during World War II and retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Army Corps in 1973. He spent the next 29 years as an avid circus memorabilia collector.

His daughter Betty Jean DeFazio now lives in Orangeburg, South Carolina. As with Caldwell, her fathers interest in the circus stemmed from experiences as a young boy, she said.

Back then, When the circus came to town, it was the big event of the year, DeFazio told me. To him, the logistics of it were fascinating.

She said the choicest pieces of Schmids collection, including much of what he acquired from Caldwell, were donated to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, after her fathers death. Other pieces went to the Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, Indiana.

DeFazio said she still owns a significant share of the collection, such as posters, and shes willing to part with those. (If youre interested, drop me an email and Ill reply with her contact information.)

With Ringling Bros. pending closure, this is a part of history that will never be replicated, DeFazio said.

From a message board on CircusHistory.org, I found a clipping from Billboard Magazine dated December 1958. It was a brief article noting that Caldwell had recently started a petition drive with his mother requesting that Ringling Bros. begin performing in tents again rather than exclusively in arenas. More than anything else, it indicates Caldwell got national attention as a circus buff even before his passion was covered by The Roanoke Times.

Another message on that board, about Frump Frump the Mill Mountain Zoo elephant, noted that her original name was Wells and that she was acquired from Ringling Bros. Red Unit, led by Gunther Gebel-Williams. He was a Polish emigre and famous animal trainer who made appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and many other television programs.

What about the circus railcar? That had been owned by Rudy Bundy, a Ringling Bros. executive who lived in Florida. Bundy donated the 85-foot-long car to Caldwell in April 1970. Both the donation and the arrival of it in Roanoke later that month were documented by The Roanoke Times.

Ned Kronberg, a circus buff who lives near St. Paul, Minnesota, suggested the car might be at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. That town is where the Ringling brothers got their start.

Pete Shrake, the museums librarian, confirmed it owns a railcar formerly owned by Bundy. Known as Car 66, its in storage in one of the museums warehouses and is not in displayable condition, Shrake added. The museum acquired it in 1998 from collector Hank Fraser of Ruston, Louisiana.

The provenance for the railcar indicates it was built by the American Car and Foundry Co. and had been a military medical car. Ringling Bros. bought it in 1947, and Bundy purchased it in 1960. That jibes with newspaper clippings about Bundy donating it to Caldwell. With some fanfare, Car 66 was welcomed to town April 10, 1970.

But the museum records make no mention of Bundys donation, or its time in Roanoke. Shrake said the records list Bundy as owner from 1960 to 1985 and Fraser as the owner thereafter, until the museum bought it. So theres still a bit of a mystery as to when it left Roanoke and why.

I also heard from a few of Caldwells former students at Woodrow Wilson Junior High. One was Bert Graham, who now lives in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Like another former student, Robert Freis, he fondly recalled Caldwells minor speech impediment, and the teachers toupee.

As a proud 60s graduate of Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and, I think, one of Mr. Caldwells science classes, I can confirm with certainty that Wingwing Browhers and Banum and Baywee is a pronunciation sometimes used by Mr. Caldwell to the hidden delight of his students, Graham said.

He added: Mr. Caldwells toupee was really bad.

Another was Fred Umberger of Christiansburg, one of Caldwells students around 1960.

It was almost cruel that his name had all those Ls in it, Umberger wrote of Caldwells lisp. But even more memorable about Caldwell was his peculiar idea about the human lifespan, Umberger added.

Paul was always willing to tell you his theory that people had a certain number of years of energy in them and that we were all burning up a little bit every day. Therefore, rather than stand at the front of the class, he would prop his leg up on the lab table and put his weight on that. He also said that going up and down stairs would burn up extra time (seconds or minutes?) of your life.

Umberger noted that President Donald Trump recently has indicated he hews to the same unusual belief.

A third former student, Bob Adams, recalled Caldwell dissecting a deer head in class that had been donated by a local hunter, and explaining all of its parts to the class.

He probably would have been a wonderful surgeon, Adams wrote.

Finally, I heard from circus memorabilia collector Tom Goodale of Lexington.

As a child growing up in Marshalltown, Iowa, my mom would annually take me to the railroad yard to watch the unloading of the circus train and then a parade with elephants, lions and tigers in cages, clowns and acrobats trouping down Main Street. That became a much anticipated event for me through the years.

I began collecting circus poster art over 30 years ago. Many of these are framed and hang on the walls of my home. Shows such as Russell Brothers Pan Pacific Circus are no longer existing. Others like Christiani Brothers and Cole Brothers still tour annually.

In October 2011, when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey appeared in what is now the Berglund Center, I was selected from the audience to receive an imprint of the foot of one of the elephants which is also framed and in my dining room.

Paul Caldwells zeal is much more intense than mine. I have enjoyed keeping my memories intact. I will be in Nassau County, New York, [today] to see the final performance of this American tradition. While I am sad to see it close, I am grateful for having had it in my time.

Tom, we hope you have fantastic fun at the final performance of The Greatest Show on Earth.
There have been differences between India and China regarding the International Border and the Home Minister acknowledged the same.

By Manogya Loiwal : Home Minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day tour to Sikkim. During his visit he has made a maiden trip to Nathu la Pass and Sino - India Border.

In the past, there have been always been differences between India and China regarding the International Border and Line of Actual Control.

The Home Minister acknowledged the same and said that there are perception based differences between India and China on border issues and both the countries are engaged in bilateral talks to further relations.

(Credits: Chewan K. Dahal/Sikkim)

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Singh further asserted that relations between the two countries are good which has resulted in a drop in incidents of transgression on the border.

CONNECTIVITY PROBLEM IN BORDER AREAS

The home minister added, "Since the Indo-China border is undemarcated, we have to be very vigilant while guarding the borders. It is the inhospitable conditions near the border which make patrolling extremely difficult but in spite of these odds, our forces are doing a great job."

(Credits: Chewan K. Dahal/Sikkim) (Credits: Chewan K. Dahal/Sikkim)

Singh also expressed concern over the problem of connectivity in the border areas and said that we need to overcome these challenges and strengthen basic infrastructure in border areas. He called upon the states to remove obstacles like land acquisition and clearances in border infrastructure development.

Pointing out that the thinning of population and the migration from the border areas is a cause of concern, the Home Minister said the Centre is focusing on consolidated development of model villages in border districts.

REVIEW MEETING

Earlier, in the review meeting attended by Chief Ministers of Sikkim Pawan Chamling, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu and Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat, Rajnath Singh said that impetus should be given on infrastructure and peace along the Indo-China border. He said the Centre was doing everything feasible for overcoming challenges in the border terrain.

(Credits: Chewan K. Dahal/Sikkim)

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling briefed Singh about the border area development programme implemented by the army, paramilitary and the State government to meet the special developmental needs of people living in remote and inaccessible border areas.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat and Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu also spoke on the issues concerning development.

Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh were represented by their respective Home secretaries in the meeting that saw deliberations on issues concerning border roads, border out posts, critical infrastructure and coordination between the concerned States and ITBP.

(Credits: Chewan K. Dahal/Sikkim)

Home ministry secretary (border management) Sanjeevanee Kutty and ITBP director general Krishna Choudhary and others also shared details about the programmes and initiatives during the meeting.

Home minister visited Nathula Pass and addressed a Sainik Sabha during his visit to the ITBP Border Out Post (BOP) Sherathang near Nathu La.

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Also Read:

We will strike unannounced: Rajnath Singh on Krishna Ghati beheadings

Home Minister Rajnath Singh chairs meeting of CMs of states bordering China

Also Watch:

As China fumes, Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal's Tawang cancelled, to visit Bomdilla now

--- ENDS ---
Economy News The Shocking Election That Saved Israel S Economy | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The March 2021 elections had $66 million saved for pandemic expenses ... In June, the Israel Democracy Institute stated that Israel's economy would suffer a cost of nearly $840 million due ... Read More Netanyahu looks to be back in power, but his new far-right coalition partners are likely to make his life difficult. Read More Its a familiar problem for millions of Israelis who have endured soaring consumer prices for years, failing to fully benefit from an era of rapid economic ... But in Israel  where 400g ... Read More For the fifth time in four years, Israelis went to the polls, and once again, no clear victor immediately emerged. Read More In addition to the Knessets budget, estimates of the overall cost of the elections to the economy are far higher. Earlier this year, an estimate from the Israel Democracy Institute put the cost ... Read More On top of that, CBS News released ... while in this election cycle weve heard from candidates on a range of issues, Id remind you that when push comes to shove, "Its the economy, stupid." ... Read More Get the full experience.Choose your plan Israels perennial headlines obscure a greater reality, which is that the Mideast nation of nine million is an economic juggernaut. It has the fastest ... Read More Polls show an election that either Netanyahu could win or Lapid could fight to a draw, but turnout will be key Israels next prime minister may well be decided by those who dont vote on ... Read More 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 Morning Brief: Can Britains Economy Be Saved? Can Britains Economy Be Saved?... | View Comments () Welcome to todays Morning Brief, where were looking at the uncertain future of Britai ... Read More a bad sign for Democrats as they head into the final decisive weeks of the 2022 midterm election campaign. More than 90 percent of voters are concerned about the U.S. economy and inflation ... Read More
Health News Oman S Ministry Of Health Extends Phase One Of National Measles Vaccination Campaign | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Health Minister Feras Al Hawari speaks during the launching ceremony of 2023-2030 National Nutrition Strategy, on Sunday (Petra photo) AMMAN  The Ministry of Health on Sunday launched the 2023-2030 ... Read More The Ministry of Health the World Bank and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) yesterday signed a One Health agenda ... will see the nations food quality being ... Read More The ministrys ... is one of the Federal Ministries of Nigeria concerned with the formulation and implementation of policies related to health. It also serves as Secretariat to the National ... Read More The governments COVID-19 vaccination programme is in its final leg with the Health Ministry deciding against ... population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 92% ... Read More The Taliban Ministry of Public Health announced the launch of the sub-national polio vaccination campaign on Monday in ... rounds of national campaigns and one round of sub-national campaigns ... Read More New Zealand was promised health improvements with the creation of two new national health authorities, but logos are the only thing that's changed so ... problem from the Ministry [of Health ... Read More The Ministry of Health has engaged stakeholders to validate the national health security policy ... allowing the government to properly preserve people's health and establish the Ghana Centre ... Read More Experts say that's an ... Health Misinformation." The 22-page report singled out social media for rewarding "engagement rather than accuracy" and quoted one study that found false news stories ... Read More The Biden administration says the COVID-19 public health emergency will continue through Jan. 11 as officials brace for a spike in cases this winter WASHINGTON -- The Biden administration said ... Read More "On this World Mental Health Day, its a great opportunity to ... may not want to run," Aoun told Fox News Digital. If this happens, first try to run one block, then two blocks  gradually ... Read More The Peruvian Public Prosecutor's Office has opened preliminary proceedings at the facilities of the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC) and the Ministry of Health for an ... Read More
Health News Health Officials Indiana Headed Into Peak Tick Season | RobinsPost News & Noticias

INDIANAPOLIS  Indiana health officials have confirmed the first flu-related death of the 2022-2023 flu season and are encouraging ... the child, an IDOH news release said. Read More Indiana health officials confirmed the first flu-related death of this year's flu season, which typically runs from October through May. Every year hundreds of Hoosiers get the flu, and some ... Read More (WDRB) -- Indiana health officials announced the state's flu-related death of the 2022-23 season. The Indiana Department of Health made the announcement in a news release Friday afternoon but ... Read More US health officials are becoming increasingly concerned about this years flu season  and are already ... but its starting to tick up in the Southeast in particular. ... Read More He added that the summer's declining COVID numbers, coupled with years of mild flu seasons could lead people to head into the holiday season with ... has ended Public health officials also worry ... Read More DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (WUPA) -- Health officials are urging the public, especially Black and other minority communities, to get flu shots early this season, as reports are showing widespread flu ... Read More MATHIS, Texas  With flu season and a rise in upper respiratory infections top of mind, health officials want to remind the public we are still seeing cases of COVID-19, In San Patricio County ... Read More According to San Diego County public health officials, more than 1,650 San Diegans have been diagnosed with a lab-confirmed case of influenza this season ... does not peak until December or ... Read More Indiana health officials are encouraging Hoosiers to get vaccinated against influenza after confirming the first flu-related death of the 2022-23 flu season. No additional information about the ... Read More INDIANAPOLIS (WANE)  Indiana health officials are encouraging Hoosiers to get vaccinated against influenza after confirming on Friday the first flu-related death of the season. Every year ... Read More
Health News Despite Health Care Wall Vermont Legislature Made Changes | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Voters in Vermont on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights in the state, including abortion. Here in Vermont, voters took responsibility to protect care wherever ... Read More Were gathering news, updates, analysis, and results from high-stakes races across Massachusetts and the United States. Follow along. Read More Democrats care most about abortion rights, while Republicans are most concerned about inflation, according to the poll. Independent voters also named inflation and abortion as the most important ... Read More Election Day has begun in the U.S., with control of Congress and of state capitals hanging in the balance. While many have already voted early in-person or submitted mail-in ballots, voting concluded ... Read More Republican J.D. Vance bests Tim Ryan in Ohio Senate race. Democrat Josh Shapiro defeats Trump-backed Doug Mastriano in PA gubernatorial contest. Read More US midterm election will be held on Nov. 8, but early voting is already underway and candidates are making their closing arguments. Follow CNN for the latest election news and updates. Read More With four days to go, Democrats are seeing the limits of their focus on abortion. Republicans have a chance to win veto-proof supermajorities in Wisconsins State Legislature. Read More With scant oversight, schools routinely physically restrain students or confine them alone in small rooms. Parents dont always know. Abuses and discrimination occur. Children are traumatized, injured ... Read More Were gathering news, updates, analysis, and results from high-stakes races across Massachusetts and the United States. Follow along. Read More Flipped 1 seat 29 seats not up for election Jonathan Weisman A hard-fought victory by Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, over the celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz flipped a Senate seat from ... Read More Florida state department tells DoJ that federal election monitors wont be permitted  follow all the latest news ... Read More
Digital media is a fact of life and one cannot deny it, it's reach is immense, said Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore at the India Today Editors' Roundtable.

By India Today Web Desk: If everyone on social media is a bhakt, then I would say you should also become a bhakt if you want to be on social media, said Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

The comment by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in the Narendra Modi government came on a question on the presence of an army of bhakts on social media.

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Digital media is a fact of life and one cannot deny it, it's reach is immense, said Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore at the India Today Editors' Roundtable, adding that Prime Minister Modi and Union minister Sushma Swaraj are among the most-followed world leaders on Twitter.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION

On asked about the violence in Kashmir and the illegal broadcast of Pakistani and Saudi Arabian channels in the Valley, the minister said that in such scenarios district administrations have the power to confiscate the entire equipment and shut down the cable network.

"Counter propaganda is not the work of Information and Broadcasting Ministry but that of the Home Ministry and Defence Ministry," Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said.

Regulation of social media is not a long-term solution, he said on the internet ban in Kashmir.

DISSENT IS NOT ANTI-NATIONAL

When asked if the Modi government is averse to dissent, the minister said, "The amount of dissent against the Prime Minister is unprecedented but he takes it in his stride which means that dissent is acceptable".

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that dissent is not ant-national and it strengthens the democracy.

Asked if he would agree with his cabinet colleague's "presstitute" remark, Rathore said he is not aware of the word's meaning.

On the Narendra Modi's government's plan for the future, Rathore said, "Acche din is a journey and the standard to determine what is acche din should get higher".

--- ENDS ---
Politics News Russia Accuses Western Media Of Interfering In Its Internal Politics | RobinsPost News & Noticias

"We have interfered [in U.S. elections], we are interfering and we will continue to interfere," said Yevgeny Prigozhin. Read More Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 24, 2022. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz ... Read More Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- both of whom have been sanctioned by Washington and European countries -- has admitted Moscow interferes with U.S. elections ... Read More Western sanctions have sharply curtailed Russias ability to replenish the munitions it is using in Ukraine, according to a new analysis from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence ... Read More Russias allegations have been strongly refuted by Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO, which have in turn accused Moscow of trying to launch its own ... Read More Neither the Pentagon nor the State Department offered details about the Russian notification, which came as Russia accuses Ukraine of plotting to use a dirty bomb on its own territory, a move the ... Read More There is broad and general agreement that the rise of digital media, like Facebook and Twitter, has intensified polarization and made politics more conflictual. But there is less agreement around ... Read More At a trade congress in early October Olaf Scholz, Germanys chancellor, declared that he always knew Russia would use its energy resources ... provoking a barrage of Western sanctions ... Read More LEILA FADEL, HOST: Now, Iran denies sending Russia kamikaze drones. The U.S. accuses Iran ... more attention to its alliance with Russia, as well as China, as its ties with Western powers have ... Read More To round up everything thats going on, the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast crew tries to rank the electoral significance of some of the biggest stories in the news right now. They also ask ... Read More A political deadlock has thrust Bulgarias president into a role of uncommon power, posing risks to Western efforts to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine. After a ... Read More
Elections News Political Road Map Democrats Not Only Dominate California Elections The Party Is King Of Campaign Cash | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The "red wave" many Republicans were hoping for in congressional races failed to materialize Tuesday night, and control of the House of Representatives has not been called in either party's favor as ... Read More A string of too-early-to-call California U.S. House races remains in play and might end up determining whether Republicans seize control or Democrats hang on to power. With ... Read More The 2022 midterm election is less than two weeks away, with control of Congress and key statehouses at stake. Our reporters are covering contests across the nation. Read More
Elections News Iran Political Prisoners Had Boycotted The Sham Elections | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Dubai-based Al-Arabiya assembles tweets from Iran about the ... The facility holds political prisoners, including foreigners. Interrogations there have routinely involved torture. Despite government ... Read More Irans state-run IRNA reported that there were clashes between prisoners in one ward and prison personnel, citing a senior security official. The official said prisoners had set fire to a ... Read More Iran's central prison for detaining political prisoners was in flames Saturday ... State media denies that the blaze had any connection to the protests, however. At least four prisoners were ... Read More Knowing that Evin prison had experienced sit-ins, demonstrations and unrest in the one month since Irans protest ... sources from political prisoner families confirmed the news. Read More Irans judiciary ... The judiciarys Mizan news agency offered the new toll, saying the prisoners died Sunday of their injuries. It said all those dead had been held on theft charges. Read More The judiciary's Mizan news agency offered the new toll, saying the prisoners had succumbed ... holding political prisoners as well as those with ties to the West who have been used by Iran as ... Read More A huge fire blazed Saturday at a notorious prison where political ... CBS News has learned. Shargi, an American-Iranian dual citizen , has been wrongfully detained in Iran since 2018. Read More was extinguished hours later and that no prisoners had escaped. Ten people remain hospitalized with four in critical condition, according to Irans Mizan News agency. Those that were killed in ... Read More Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev met with top Iranian leaders in Tehran on Wednesday as the two nations pledged to deepen relations to counter pressure from the US and its allies. Read More A huge fire blazed at a notorious Iranian prison where political ... been used by Iran as bargaining chips in international negotiations. Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American who had been furloughed ... Read More
Elections News Iran Reformists Sweep Tehran Council Elections Agencies | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Protests in Iran raged on streets into Thursday with demonstrators remembering a bloody crackdown in the country's southeast, even as the nation's intelligence minister and army chief renewed threats ... Read More In his message congratulating Abdul Latif Rashid's election as the President of Iraq ... He also hoped that the relations between Tehran and Baghdad would develop and deepen even more. "Iran has ... Read More The meeting started today with a focus on the prospects and opportunities hosted by Irans Deputy Foreign Ministry for Economic Diplomacy in Tehran, Iran ... virtually participated in the 21st Annual ... Read More Flames and thick smoke rising from Tehrans Evin Prison had been ... nationals, Borrell said in a Tweet Sunday. Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported Saturday that there were clashes ... Read More DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi returned to Tehran ... to Irans theocracy since the mass protests surrounding its disputed 2009 presidential election. Read More Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus push for the Americans to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal was detrimental ... with the US, he said. With the elections a week away, Gantz stressed ... Read More Amid mass unrest across Iran following the death of Mahsa ... 1 A photo released on October 16 by the Iranian Mizan News Agency shows a corridor inside Tehran's Evin prison after deadly violence ... Read More To really understand an election, you have to understand the motivations ... We've got the data for it: tens of thousands of interviews in our CBS News polling over the year where people ... Read More United Arab Emirates -- Iran's judiciary raises the death toll in fire at Tehran prison to at least 8 prisoners killed amid nationwide protests. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events ... Read More Iranian climbing champion Elnaz Rekabi has arrived back in Tehran after sparking ... Province was quoted by the Meezan news agency, which is close to Iran's judiciary, as saying Salehi was ... Read More Protests in Iran raged on streets into Thursday with demonstrators remembering a bloody crackdown in the countrys southeast, even as the nations ... Read More
Elections News Png S Media Council Unveils Updated Code Of Ethics As Guide For Elections | RobinsPost News & Noticias

What are the midterm elections? Midterm elections occur every four years, halfway through a presidents ... News. On Twitter: @RealKyleMorris. Election season is here! Get the latest race ... Read More Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Twitter say they're taking steps to prevent the spread of misinformation about voting and elections ... news outlets like the AP, which is part of ... Read More Theyre school board elections, and thats a big problem for families nationwide. In 37 states, school board elections arent held in conjunction with statewide or national elections. Read More The midterms are elections that occur halfway through a president's four-year term. All 435 seats in the U.S. House are up for election, as well as 35 seats in the Senate. Thirty-six states and 3 ... Read More This year's elections have the possibility to significantly shake up the balance of power in Washington for the remainder of President Joe Biden's term, as well as which party holds control of ... Read More Election season is here. D.C. voters have a lot to consider during the 2022 Midterm Elections, with races for the citys next mayor, members of the D.C. Council and more. Mark your calendar ... Read More To really understand an election ... of interviews in our CBS News polling over the year where people have expressed themselves and how they see politics. Here's what we learned from it all ... Read More Here's how to prepare for in-person ... CBS3 spoke with senior CBS News political correspondent, Major Garrett, about the upcoming midterm elections, and how and why mail-in ballots could take ... Read More
Elections News President Hasan Rouhani S Landslide Victory In Iran Shows That Elections Alone Do Not Make A Democracy | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The 2022 midterm elections will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The midterms are elections that occur halfway through a ... Biden's future in office? Again, midterm elections do not include the ... Read More Biden predicted in May that his fellow Democrats would make gains ... Nov. 8's elections. The White House, while realistic, has stuck publicly to that message of hope. "The president and his ... Read More What are the midterm elections ... the presidency is not on the ballot during midterm election years, the midterms generally serve as a litmus test for the presidents popularity halfway ... Read More We can do better. We've got the data for it: tens of thousands of interviews in our CBS News polling ... And that's the point. We'll follow them all the way through election night itself with ... 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 on national and local politics. This year's elections have the ... Read More President Joe Biden is often compared to Jimmy Carter, but his best midterm election scenario is to be another Ronald Reagan. As Reagan approached his first-term election, the Federal Reserve had ... Read More Theyre school board elections, and thats a ... for president. A similar trend has played out from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania to Idaho and Montana, among many others. Voters may not be ... Read More Here's how to prepare ... The sooner you do it, the better," Schmidt said. CBS3 spoke with senior CBS News political correspondent, Major Garrett, about the upcoming midterm elections, and how ... Read More We call on the news media to urgently communicate that this is not an ... must 1) make threats to democracy clear, 2) protect Americans against disinformation and 3) treat elections as if they ... Read More AS Zimbabwe hurtles towards the 2023 elections ... by President Mnangagwa, were held in Buhera Ward 24, Mutare Ward 18 in Manicaland, Midlands Takawira Ward 6 and, Mashonaland Centrals ... Read More Midterm elections typically have lower voter turnout than presidential elections ... determined by who gets the most votes. But research shows that the policies that winning elected officials ... Read More
Potus News Updates From The California Democratic Convention Pelosi Says Gop Is Stonewalling Investigation Into Trump And Russia | RobinsPost News & Noticias

"And so listen, it was a personal note and it was one between me and the speaker, just to reflect those sentiments." ... Read More On Friday, just hours after news broke that House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, was the victim of a violent attack in their home, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was speaking at a Republican ... Read More As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ... Trump had called Zelensky and threatened to withhold military aid unless the Ukrainian president opened an investigation into President Joe Bidens son. The ... Read More UPDATE, 7:10 AM Friday ... have continued to try to pin blame on Pelosi for the attack that was fomented by Trump. Related Story Jimmy Kimmel Says Trump Jokes Cost Him Fans, Was Prepared To ... Read More House Democratic ... stemming from Trumps efforts to obstruct then-special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. But Pelosi finally embraced ... Read More House Speaker Nancy Pelosi goaded former President ... The committee formally issued a subpoena to Trump on Friday, asking him to testify after a months-long investigation and series of hearings. Read More House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that she does not regret threatening to punch then-President Donald Trump ... Democratic leadership as they campaign ahead of the November midterms. I ... Read More Trump and Pelosi have ... Cheney did not say what the panel would do if Trump refuses to cooperate with the subpoena. If he testifies, she said, "he's not going to turn this into a circus." ... Read More They include New York Attorney General Letitia James' investigation into Trump and his business practices, the House committee's probe into the January 6 attack on the Capitol and Trump's actions ... Read More Russia said it targeted military and energy facilities. But some of the missiles smashed into civilian areas ... an independent Belarusian military analyst, says Belarus could host some 10,000 ... Read More Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia ... authorities say Ukrainian troops fired rockets at a major hydroelectric power plant in the southern Kherson region. Russian news agencies carried ... Read More
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Potus News Next Stop For Trump Is Israel In Pursuit Of Ultimate Deal | RobinsPost News & Noticias




Potus News Trump Terrorists Do Not Worship God They Worship Death | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Trump says 'survival' was more difficult than being POTUS in new doc Trump says 'survival' was more difficult than being POTUS in new doc Trump says 'survival' was more difficult than being POTUS ... Read More And now, in order to make our country successful, safe and glorious again, I will probably have to do it again, he added. The 45th president was greeted with chants of we want Trump ... Read More The report describes attempts by top officials to link protesters to an imaginary terrorist ... had they not failed, would have seemingly served to legitimize President Trumps false claims ... Read More I already had seen some gleefully misogynistic anti-Clinton paraphernalia  Hillary sucks but not ... Trump-style Republicans. Perhaps the most important thing journalists can do as they ... Read More Donald Trump, now relegated to a far-right streaming video website as larger right-wing outlets like Fox News distance ... supports not shutting down the federal government by allowing his caucus to ... Read More A newly obtained Secret Service message from that day shows how angry President Trump was about the outcome. Quote, "Just FYI, POTUS is pissed. Breaking news, Supreme Court denied his lawsuit. He is ... Read More a special agent warned other members about Trump's response. Just fyi. POTUS is pissed, reads the message, dated Dec. 11, 2020. breaking news - Supreme Court denied his law suit. Read More We recognize that a subpoena to a former president is a significant and historic action, Chairman Bennie Thompson and Vice Chair Liz Cheney wrote in the letter to Trump. We do not take ... Read More I will probably have to do it again." Trump advisors and those around him told Fox News Digital that they believe it is not a question of "if" Trump is going to run for president again in 2024 ... Read More Donald Trump isn't a defendant in the Trump Organization's New York state criminal fraud trial, but will potential jurors be able to separate the ex-president from the company that made him famous? Read More A longtime Trump attorney oversaw an internal investigation of the Trump Organization's tax practices in 2017 and 2018, leading the company "to do things ... stacks of papers they said were ... Read More "In order to make our country successful, safe and glorious again, I will probably have to do it again ... would be made. Trump has continuously toured America this year to not just tout his ... Read More
AAP leader and RTI activist Dinesh Chadha said that a 30 tonne truckload of sand will now cost nearly Rs 40,000 to the buyers, if they buy it legally and only Rs 17,000 if bought illegally.

By Manjeet Sehgal: Having won the Assembly elections on the promise that Punjab will be freed from sand mafia and the common people will get cheaper sand and concrete to construct houses, the Congress may not be able to keep its promise as the mafia will continue to rule the state, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said.

AAP leader and RTI activist Dinesh Chadha said that a 30 tonne truckload of sand or gravel will now cost nearly Rs 40,000 to the buyers, if they buy it legally. He said that the Punjab government has now fixed Rs 1000 including royalty to the Environment Fund and District Mineral Foundation Fund. Trucks usually load upto 30 tonnes and transportation of sand or gravel to nearby cities cost Rs 10,000.

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"While the legal sand truck will cost Rs 40,000, an illegal truck is available at Rs 17,000. Why would one pay half of the amount to the government when the same sand is available at half the price? If the new mining policy is enforced, the suppliers will resort to illegal mining to lower the prices or to save themselves from losses as the new policy has more taxes," Chadha said.

UNCHECKED UNSCIENTIFIC MINING

The AAP leader said that the state government's new mining policy will also jeopardise the fragile river beds and surroundings because of the unchecked unscientific mining and over-exploitation of natural resources.

"While on one hand common people would pay extra for sand-gravel under this policy; on the other hand, natural resources will be depleted and harmed because of the unscientific methods that are used in illegal mining. The people staying in areas near mining quarries will have to face grave consequences owing to this illegal plunder of natural resources," the activist added.

Chadha, while on one hand appealed to the the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to save the ecosystem, he also requested Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to cancel the auction process and make the same, people, environment and business friendly.

The Punjab government on Saturday had auctioned 89 mines (1.30 crore tonnes of material/sand and gravel) for a whopping Rs 1026 crores. Each quintal will now cost Rs 789 besides Rs 60 per ton as royalty, Rs 6 per ton as Environment Management Fund, Rs 20 per ton as District Mineral Foundation Fund and Rs 125 per tonn as internal transportation between mining sight and crushers.

GOVERNMENT PREPARED TO DEAL WITH ILLEGAL MINING

Refuting the allegations, a state government spokesperson on Sunday said the government has made strict provisions in the new mining policy to check illegal mining and blackmarketing of construction material.

"To curb the rampant illegal mining, the new government has ordered major steps to unshackle the sand mining business from the control of the mafia, with impactful initiatives to bring in greater transparency in the system and processes related to mining. These include physical checks, including the establishment of a robust mechanism at the district level where ADC and SP level officers are working as nodal officers to check illegal mining," the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson added that a detailed review is being conducted every month by the District Mineral Foundation and State Mineral Foundation. The Department of Mining is also mulling stationing of retired Army personnel at mining sites through Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO).

"The department is also strengthening its technological processes to ensure stringent checks at various steps of the mining business, including centralised slip generation system through i3MS system, as used in Odisha and recommended by the government of India. The department is also planning to introduce satellite-based monitoring, for which preliminary work has already been initiated. CCTV cameras will also be used at critical places, for which a pilot project will soon be launched in Ludhiana," the spokesperson said.

Also read: Madhya Pradesh: Mining mafia fires indiscriminately at police during raid in Morena

Also read: Harsimrat Kaur blames Arvind Kejriwal for Punjab defeat but also says downfall of AAP has begun

--- ENDS ---
Science News Connecticut Criminal Courts Wrestle With Science Of Brain Development | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The Connecticut Supreme Court is on the road Wednesday hearing two real-life cases at Eastern Connecticut State University. Its part of the On Circuit program that was started in 1986 to ... Read More But a new study enlists some real estate thats a bit more unconventional: the brain of a rat. Implanted clusters of human neurons grow bigger and more complex than their cohorts grown in dishes ... Read More A new study by the group published on Oct. 7 in Science Advances shows that that early deprivation continues to affect brain development well into adolescence. "We know from years of animal work ... Read More A 10-year-old boy in Connecticut was hospitalized after a black ... not respond to a request for details about the attack by NBC News on Monday night. The boys grandfather and a neighbor ... Read More Exposure in utero to a specific flame retardant, or to its individual brominated (BFR) or organophosphate ester (OPFR) components, resulted in altered brain development in newborn rats. A new ... Read More The same is true of local news, which often devotes ... Most Americans approach going to court like going to the DMV  that is, they only go when they have to. Thats unfortunate, because if more ... Read More "Collectively, we provide support for a relation between nap transitions and underlying memory and brain development ... from the field of sleep science and, ultimately, yield science-based ... Read More A 250-pound black bear mauled a 10-year-old boy playing in his grandparents' backyard in Connecticut and tried to drag him away before the animal was fatally shot by police, authorities said. Read More Hear an outstanding panel of thinkers debate how Connecticut should move forward in the post-pandemic economy. Read More By its nature, this scanning method cannot capture real-time brain ... science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her work has appeared in The Scientist Magazine, Science ... Read More Experts tell NBC News its hard to compare the relative ... when a federal judge finally released Connecticut from the decades of court oversight spurred by the Childrens Rights lawsuit ... Read More Even though we might not have something directly involved with the Court of Criminal Appeals, it does affect the overall judicial system, said Brian Smith, a political science professor at ... Read More
Technology News Iowa Police Hope New Technology Will Help Solve Cold Case | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Detectives with the Orange County Sheriffs Office Cold Case Unit say new forensic genetic genealogy technology has ... remains to process DNA they hope will help track down the victim's family ... Read More In Story County, a Roland-Story High School student is charged in an assault case. 17-year-old Kade Blume faces one count of felony assault as an adult. Sign up for our Newsletters Story County ... Read More There's a renewed effort to solve cold cases ... Sheriff's Office has 489 cold cases that date back to 1964. The hope is that adding more of the latest in DNA technology will help investigators ... Read More Can you help solve the homicide of Kevin Beard? Photo of Beard is courtesy of the Lansing Police Department. Beard was found dead on Aug. 4, 2004, after police responded to a shots fired call on ... Read More MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Merced police are hoping the public can help solve a 19-year-old cold case. Back on October 4th, 2003, 18-year-old Francisco Javier Huerta was shot and killed while ... Read More Advanced DNA technology helps Aurora police solve cold case 02:28 Police in Aurora have identified a murder suspect wanted in a 2006 cold case. Detectives have identified suspect Salvador ... Read More The confession came from 75-year-old barber Martin Motta, whose arrest would not have been possible without new DNA technology that proved crucial in solving ... to science to help ID the human ... Read More On Thursday, Oct. 27, Michigan Technological University brought its acclaimed Unboxed Challenges program to Heritage High School in Saginaw Township as part of its mission . . . Michigan ... Read More SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intermountain Forensics, experts in cold case DNA analysis, announced the addition of a dedicated satellite lab for forensic genetic genealogy with new partner ... Read More After provincial police solve 22-year-old crime, time for Montreal's cold case unit to step up, advocates say When the Surete du Quebec solved a killing from 2000, it was the first big success ... Read More The Oakland Police Department is asking for the public's help in solving an unsolved murder ... information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anyone with more information is encouraged ... Read More Iowa's rural bridges are the worst in the nation, according to a new national report. More than one-fifth  21 percent  of Iowa's rural bridges are structurally deficient, according to a ... Read More
Technology News Ericsson Showcases Its Technology In Ghana | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) demonstrates remote-controlled machines and automation as part of its Experience 5G showcase at GITEX Technology Week 2019 in Dubai, Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC ... Read More The good news is they are no longer quite so alone. The ONE organisation with whom I have been travelling in Ghana has ... engagement then its most effective secret weapon is technology. Read More ROSSLYN, South Africa: Nissan is bringing its revolutionary new technology ... The Navara is also assembled in Ghana with long-time Nissan partner and distributor, Japan Motors. We are proud to ... Read More The Products Executive at Dophil Roofing Systems, Bernard Mensah Adelashie, has underscored the importance of adopting green technology methods in Ghanas construction space. According to him ... Read More The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana(BoG) Mrs Elsie Addo ... to prioritise quality data, invest in its people and utilise modern technology to reduce budgetary allocation," she stated. Read More Bantu Blockchain Foundation has expanded its footprint in blockchain technology to Ghana, noting that considering ... It is Nigerias most authoritative news media available on all platforms ... Read More Direct contribution of travel and tourism to employment in Africa 2019, by country Travel and tourism's direct contribution to employment in Ghana 2008-2019 Total contribution of travel and ... Read More Lenovo will host its annual global innovation event, Tech World, for the eighth consecutive year. This years virtual event will showcase how Lenovo's smarter technology is empowering people ... Read More Nike is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic sneaker by highlighting NYC  a city that [arguably] put the shoe on the map and its diverse ... anyone from Ghana wont feel far from ... Read More Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana ... technology is clearly behind the curve. RCBs should endear to reorganize their business modalities to remain relevant, the ... Read More DUBAI, 14th October, 2022 (WAM) -- The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has showcased, during its participation in the 42nd edition of GITEX Technology Week, the advanced tech solutions and systems and ... Read More
Travel News Travel Insurance Why You Shouldn T Leave Home Without It Travelsmarter | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Should You Buy Travel Insurance ... Invest in Insurance If You're Going Abroad If you're planning an international trip, you shouldn't think twice about buying insurance, Elliott says. Read More And its important to stress that some insurances fall into this camp too and simply shouldnt ... youll need based on how many bedrooms there are in your home. Driving without car ... Read More That's why it's important to compare travel insurance ... up to you. Everyone's circumstances (trip length, dates, ages, destinations and other travel plans) are different, so there isn't a ... Read More Is it a good idea to sell your home and take advantage of the inflated prices while you can? Heres who should consider selling their homesand who shouldnt. Anyone trying to sell should ... Read More The cost of travel insurance decreased 6% over the last week, and decreased by 2% over the last month, averaging $266.76 per trip. Read More Cancel for Any Reason coverage doesn't fly. With so many exceptions, is travel insurance even worth it? Walch says it costs 4% to 10% of a trip, so for a $3,000 trip, you could expect to pay up to ... Read More Table of Contents HTH travel insurance plans and costs Which HTH travel insurance plan is best for me? How to choose an HTH plan online What isnt ... Youll travel once and then come home. Read More How travel insurance generally works For those who arent familiar with travel insurance, it basically works like this: Your personal insurance covers you when youre at home. Travel insurance ... Read More After so many pandemic delays and cancellations you may be tempted to click and purchase some add-on travel insurance when booking a flight or trip online. But in most cases, the coverage isnt ... Read More There are plenty of reasons to buy travel insurance but saving money and potential headaches are top of mind. And inflation certainly doesn't help. The price of plane tickets is expected to spike ... Read More
Us News Ministry Denies Intercepting Us Planes | RobinsPost News & Noticias

On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin observed a part of the so-called annual Grom exercises of Russias nuclear forces. A statement from the Kremlin said: Under the leadership ofVladimir Putin, a training ... Read More Sir Simon Mayall claimed Vladimir Putin was "running out of options" and continuing to pursue his invasion of Ukraine is beginning to be an "existential" threat to him and the image of Russia. The ... Read More The new air defense systems arrive as Ukrainian authorities are trying to cope with massive Russian attacks on their electrical power systems. Read More We will continue to seek Mr. Assanges extradition to the United States, a US Department of Justice ... including two Reuters news staff. It then released thousands of secret classified ... Read More Russia launched a fresh barrage of missile strikes on key infrastructure facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday. Follow live updates here. Read More DICTATOR Vladimir Putin has signalled Russia could make a withdrawal from Kherson after calling for an evacuation of the region. The Kremlin leader announced that civilians should not ... Read More They said it was standard practice for superyachts to use code names, according to people familiar with the investigation, and denied helping hide anyones identity. FBI agents intercepted ... until ... Read More The US defence department on Wednesday added Shenzhen-based DJI Technology Co, the worlds largest maker of consumer drones, to a list of Chinese companies that it deems to be connected to ... Read More Ukraines immediate needs continue to be additional air defences, the Department ... to intercept about half of them. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the US ... Read More As winter looms, Moscow escalates missile attacks on vital utilities such as hydro plants, substations and dams ... Read More Moscow has claimed it will publish proof that British specialist troops were involved in a drone attack over the weekend on Russias Black Sea Fleet. It comes as the British ministry of defence ... Read More Intercepted Russian missile falls in Moldova. A Russian missile shot down by Kyiv landed in a Moldovan village bordering Ukraine on Monday, causing damage but no casualties. "A ... Read More
Us News Turkey Man Detained On Us Plane Just Wanted 1st Class Seat | RobinsPost News & Noticias

A man flying JetBlue from Kennedy Airport to Detroit was arrested Monday afternoon after he allegedly masturbated on the two-hour flight. Read More The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office have arrested a man on a charge of human trafficking ... A male passenger was also seated in the front seat. The suspect was identified as Frank Ramos ... Read More (WMC) - A woman is in the hospital and a man is detained after a crash in Frayser Thursday night. The crash happened just before 10 ... include the headline. Like us on Facebook to see similar ... Read More On October 20, Wander Wisdom published a story about a passenger on a plane who was sitting in first class. Maresa Friedman ... and was asked to give up her seat for an elderly or pregnant person, she ... Read More A man was arrested outside the US Capitol carrying multiple unregistered guns and ammo in a suspicious van, the US Capitol Police said. Tony H Payne was arrested on Wednesday and charged ... Read More A Georgia man who claimed he wanted to drop documents off at the Supreme Court on Wednesday was arrested for carrying guns on US Capitol grounds, according to authorities. Tony Payne, 80 ... Read More Turkish police on Wednesday detained the head of Turkeys Medical Association ... ties to outlawed Kurdish militants and for "making news inciting hatred were also detained in widespread ... Read More CARACAS (Reuters) - The last five members of an Iran-linked cargo plane grounded in Argentina arrived in Venezuela on Friday, according to footage from Venezuelan state television, after being ... Read More A New York City man was arrested on Friday after allegedly fatally stabbing a man who confronted him for his bad manners, according to police. On Sept. 20 at around 11:30p.m., Joan Nunez ... Read More The Washington Times reported citing local media of New Jersey, News 12 New Jersey, that the passengers flying in business class spotted the snake while the plane was taxiing after landing. Read More BROWARD COUNTY, Fla.  Broward Sheriffs Office deputies have taken a man into custody after they say he barricaded himself inside a home near Fort Lauderdale Monday night. The scene was still ... Read More This bullying is not correct, foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a news conference in southern Turkey on Friday. We dont think its right for the US to use it as an element ... Read More
Us News Us Refuses To Add Sailors Names To Vietnam Memorial | RobinsPost News & Noticias

After more than two decades of detective work, the Wall of Faces, a project to find a photo for every service member listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, was completed in August, ahead of the ... Read More A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C  made to travel to cities throughout the United States so more people can see the Memorial without the burden of traveling. Read More The Vietnam War memorial helped change how veterans were perceived, ushering in an era of healing, remembrance and homage. Read More The New Albany Plain Township Historical Society is raising money to build a Vietnam War memorial honoring a local sailor who was killed in action. Dennis Keesee, executive director of the ... Read More Five US states are asking voters if they want to ... There has been criticism for years over prison labour as many convicted prisoners who refuse to work could be denied visits and phone calls ... Read More If the Navy can collect an average of four-thousand pounds of trash on Californias most remote island, it tells us there ... several sailors had to do earlier this month. Add this to your ... Read More Some of us are great at attaching names ... If you want to name one of the unnamed individuals, click on the photo and then on Add a name. You can either choose from your contact list or type ... Read More PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona has refused the federal government's demand to take down double-stacked shipping containers it placed to fill gaps in the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying it won ... Read More US energy department research links megablazes in the west to hail, deluges and risk of flash floods in central states Images showing thick clouds of wildfire smoke drifting thousands of miles ... Read More Albany was just recognized by U.S. News & World Reports latest ranking of best places to live in the country. New Yorks capital ranks 21 in the survey, and number one place to live in New ... Read More saying it wont do so until the U.S. moves to construct a permanent barrier PHOENIX -- Arizona has refused the federal government's demand to take down double-stacked shipping containers it ... Read More
Us News Russian Standard Releases Its Limited Edition Faberg Bottle To Us And Canada | RobinsPost News & Noticias

in what appears to be an escalation of a recent campaign protesting the US government's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Airport websites that were affected by Killnet's DDoS attacks ... Read More In the short term, that appears to be good news for Russia, and bad news for the US and its allies. In the longer term, a fractured relationship could be disastrous for Saudi Arabia. Read More "Our countries made clear that we all reject Russias transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory ... is a breaking news reporter for ... Read More The United States and its Western allies have been bracing for potentially large-scale, destructive cyberattacks on key industries and critical infrastructure by Russia ... for us a matter of ... Read More "Obviously, we're concerned about these allegations that the Russians raised, them, not us ... Russias transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its ... Read More Nonetheless, he stated that he consulted with the US and Russian officials and is cautiously optimistic regarding negotiations for Griner and Whelans release. Last month, Coordinator for Strategic ... Read More You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Moscow and Washington confirmed that US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke on Friday and that the war in ... Read More WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Russian ... US-led initiative that gathers defense officials from more than 50 nations each month to discuss ways to support Ukraine ... Read More and bring to justice those whose illegal acts undermine the rule of law and enable the Russian regime to continue its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a ... Read More Later on Monday the top US spy chief said Russia has been firing its precision munitions at an unsustainable rate, leaving them reliant on lower-end weapons and technological band-aids that ... Read More Meanwhile, US ... with Russia. We have seen no evidence of that at this moment. On the contrary, we see Russia doubling and tripling down on its aggression, Blinken told a joint news ... Read More Letter signed by 30 leftwing representatives from puts pressure on US presidents Ukraine strategy ... Joe Biden to pursue direct engagement with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while still ... Read More
Us News Gambia Press Release Itfc Signs Us 210 Million With The Gambia For Supporting Its Strategic Sectors | RobinsPost News & Noticias

BANJUL, Gambia ... Press, the Director of Health Dr. Mustapha Bittaye confirmed the wave of child deaths from acute kidney injury, sending shockwaves across the country of 2.4 million people ... Read More Banjul, Gambia ... Press, the Director of Health Dr. Mustapha Bittaye confirmed the wave of child deaths from acute kidney injury, sending shockwaves across the country of 2.4 million people ... Read More BANJUL  Gambia has launched ... to The Associated Press the wave of child deaths from acute kidney injury, sending shockwaves across the country of 2.4 million people and around the world. Read More The Strategic Petroleum ... the SPR has dropped to its lowest level since 1985. Stockpiles have fallen to just under 445 million barrels from their pre-release levels of just over 612 million. Read More (CNN)  The tight US labor market started to show signs of loosening ... to just 10.8 million, according to estimates on Refinitiv. Some of the largest decreases were in sectors such as finance ... Read More September 26th is The Last Of Us Day and HBO is marking the occasion with the first trailer for its highly anticipated ... While there's no specific release date as yet, The Last of Us will ... Read More About 2.55 million middle ... administered survey of US students in grade six thorugh 12 and was administered from January 18 to May 31 of this year. The CDC press release notes that changes ... Read More With the finalisation of negotiations between Iran and the United States to release ... its nuclear programme. Iran has repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions, as well as guarantees ... Read More SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio, Oct. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a test press release from Cision's PR Newswire. Please Disregard. This is a test press release from Cision's PR Newswire. Please Disregard. Read More The tight US labor market started to show signs of loosening in August. The number of job openings dropped to 10.1 million from 11. ... The decline is likely welcome news to the Federal Reserve ... Read More
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea of the income tax department whether the North Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) is a corporation established by the Uttar Pradesh government under the state industrial development law or not.

A bench of Justices R K Aggarwal and A M Sapre has said it will look into the appeal filed by the I-T department against an order of the Allahabad High Court which held that NOIDA is a corporation established under the Act and, therefore, banks are not liable to deduct income tax at source on fixed deposits.

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The apex court has also refused to grant any stay on the high court direction to the I-T department and asked the banks to file their counter affidavit in four weeks.

Appearing for Punjab National Bank, counsel Pankaj Garg, assisted by another lawyer Milind Garg, told the bench that the appeal of the I-T department is not maintainable as NOIDA is a corporation established by the state law and banks are not under the statutory obligation to deduct and pay the income tax.

The dispute on the issue first arose in 2013, when the I-T department imposed a tax liability on the banks for non- deduction of TDS on the interest income on fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) of NOIDA.

Against the decision to levy tax, the banks preferred an appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (CIT-A), saying the NOIDA is a corporation.

The appeal was decided in favour of the banks and, thereafter, the department preferred a petition before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), which again decided in the favour of the banks.

The department then moved the Allahabad High Court against the order of the ITAT, but once again the appeal was decided against it.

The IT department appeal before the apex court has said that the issue for consideration is whether NOIDA is a corporation entitled for exemption from deduction of income tax at source under the provisions of a notification issued in 1970 under the Income Tax Act.

It has said that the high court erred in holding that NOIDA is covered under exemption from TDS under the Income Tax Act and the assesse banks are not liable to deduct tax at source on interest paid to the NOIDA on its FDRs. PTI MNL ABA SJK RKS SC DIP

--- ENDS ---
Us News Police Florida Suspect Led Us To 2 Dead Bodies | RobinsPost News & Noticias

(WFLA)  Two suspects died after police said a Florida jewelry ... say When police arrived, one suspect was found dead at the scene. Orlando police told WESH 2 News that the other three suspects ... Read More A Florida man jumped into a river to evade arrest after leading police on a pursuit across multiple ... need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to ... Read More A gunman has opened fire at a high school in the US state of Missouri ... and she was able to run out. Police Commissioner Michael Sack said during a news conference that the shooter was about ... Read More Tallahassee police officers responding to reports of the shootout in the parking lots of a liquor store and restaurant Saturday night saw a man fire into a crowd and then run toward a fast-food ... Read More A Florida police officer reacted ... Bergeron and Toki tracking down suspect Jon Winter, 47, who was cowering in a storage closet of another home. Toki led the way and bit Winter's wrists. Read More 7 shot, 1 dead after fight leads to Tampa bar shooting; suspect still at-large, police say Four other men and two women were also shot. Julie Le who lives across the street told News Channel 8 ... Read More Earlier that night, police were called to a dispute at the bar Bleachers which involved the suspect ... where he was pronounced dead. A procession led their bodies to the state medical examiner ... Read More Police say a Georgia toddler who was reported missing by his mother last week is believed to be dead and his mother has been named a suspect in ... and interviews has led us to the conclusion ... Read More Dallas police identified a suspect in custody after a shooting at Methodist Dallas Medical Center on Saturday morning left two hospital employees dead ... said in a news release Saturday afternoon. Read More A central Illinois police chief says two officers conducting a traffic stop have been shot and wounded by a suspect who died ... He was pronounced dead at a Decatur hospital, the chief said. Read More Shooting in Decatur leaves two officers wounded and a suspect dead 00:22 DECATUR ... but he failed to comply, Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel said in a news release. When one of officers ... Read More
Us News Itfc Provides Us 1 Billion For The Development Of Member Countries | RobinsPost News & Noticias

USDA Announces $1 Billion Debt Relief for 36,000 Farmers By DAVID PITT, Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The federal government announced Tuesday a program that will provide $1.3 billion ... Read More ITFC was among other 15 Saudi and regional entities, where Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO ITFC received a certificate by Mr. Yazeed Al-Humied, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments during the ... Read More US bans advanced tech firms from building ... Ever since that change, Meta has been trying to come up with ad products that provide advertisers with the level of detail that they used ... Read More Some EU Countries Want Billion-Euro Chip Plan to Also Fund Current Chips By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Some EU countries want the bloc's billion-euro chip plan to fund the production of ... Read More It sets an ambitious goal of planting and regenerating more than one billion new trees on U.S. soil over the next decade. According to Lytle, the goal of 1 billion trees planted ... volunteering your ... Read More The federal government announced Tuesday a program that will provide $1.3 billion in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure. The U.S ... Read More It sets an ambitious goal of planting and regenerating more than one billion new trees on U.S. soil over the next decade. According to Lytle, the goal of 1 billion ... All of us have a role ... Read More
World News Comic Book Fans Fill Iowa Events Center At Wizard World Comic Con | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Jim Halsey, who once operated the largest country music agency in the world out of Tulsa, is bringing a legends of music memorabilia display to the con as a bonus attraction. Chelseas John ... Read More (CBS DETROIT) - Motor City Comic Con hits the Suburban Collection Showplace ... surrounded by pop-culture fans alike. "When I put on a costume, it's like I slip into a different role. Read More They allow fans to meet their ... digital and in-person events. With that in mind, we've assembled a list of upcoming comic book conventions happening all over the world. Please keep in mind ... Read More On comic book covers and inside the pages of graphic novels Latino comic fans are seeing more superheroes that look like them. Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, a graphic novelist, created "La ... Read More Differing perspectives are encouraged and fans will be free to express themselves during the World Cup, as they have done during other events hosted in Qatar, a Qatari government official ... Read More Fandom Fest, an event dedicated to comic book and pop culture, was held Saturday at the Abingdon Library. Approximately 500 people attended the event, according to the Harford County Public Library. Read More Queen Elizabeth's Life Features in a New Comic Book By Alicia Powell NEW YORK (Reuters ... 19 after a day in which Britain and the world paid her a final farewell, in a dazzling show of pomp ... Read More The free and family-friendly event will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 5 in Northeastern State Universitys University Center ... book and video game characters often represented within comic ... Read More PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)  Rhode Island Comic Con will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Nov. 4, and run for three days. Mark Brettin, Breckin Meyer, John Carroll Lynch, Keegan Allen, Zachary Levi, ... Read More Tens of thousands of Mexicans heading to Qatar have been warned to leave the tequila at home as authorities seek to avoid a World ... fans and the Qatari authorities. A special help center will ... Read More I mean, its a bloody World Cup. The biggest sporting event on the planet ... Read the latest World Cup news on Metro.co.uk's dedicated page. When I lived in Qatar, I knew gay people from ... Read More
World News Saudi Arabia U A E Pledge 100 Million To World Bank S Women Entrepreneurs Fund | RobinsPost News & Noticias

U.S. officials warned that the Saudi move could imperil more than $100 million in active foreign ... either you support the rest of the free world in trying to stop a war criminal from violently ... Read More KUALA LUMPUR: A former AmBank managing director told the High Court in Najib Razaks 1MDB trial that the ex-prime minister wanted to open accounts with the bank ... US$100 million from Saudi Arabia. Read More They seem prepared to spend whatever it takes, as LIV announced it has upped its total purse to $300 million, a $100 ... the world, are in Saudi this week is for one thing: money. Theres ... Read More PARIS  Scammers stole cryptocurrency worth roughly $100 million from Binance, the worlds biggest exchange for ... cryptocurrencies are being used to fund terrorism, circumvent sanctions ... Read More Saudi Arabia giga-projects that were devised  in part ... but will contribute just 1.5 percent to the Crown Princes target of 100 million annual visitors by 2030. The Red Sea Project will cap guests ... Read More KUALA LUMPUR: A senior banker today revealed Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) knew about the US$100 million which expected to come into Datuk Seri Najib Razak's personal account in 2011, the High Court ... Read More Peter Coker Sr, 80, Peter Coker Jr, 53, and James Patten, 63, were charged by the U.S. Department ... Inc. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest ... Read More He is a professor of law at Yale University and was a clerk to U.S. Supreme Court ... will happen in Hans Niemanns $100 million defamation lawsuit against world chess champion Magnus Carlsen ... Read More Freeze warnings, watches and frost advisories are in effect for over 100 million people from eastern Colorado to the Appalachians -- and all the way south to the Gulf Coast. Read More The total cost likely to be much less than $100 million ... COP27 U.S. looks to companies to fund more of energy transition at COP27, article with image 2:20 PM UTC Macro Matters Bank of Canada ... Read More Freeze warnings, watches and frost advisories are in effect for over 100 million people from eastern ... West will have pushed across the country's eastern half, bringing a quick end to this ... Read More
World News Ap Exclusive World Health Organization Spends 200 Million A Year On Travel Far More Than It Spends On Many Diseases | RobinsPost News & Noticias

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP)  Earths warming weather and rising seas are getting worse and doing so faster than before, the World Meteorological Organization ... clear how many people were ... Read More United Nations - The World Health Organization published a 132-page report that found 500 million people ... U.S. $27 billion a year between 2020 and 2030. "We need more countries to scale up ... Read More WHO Head in Middle East 'Disturbed' by Abuse Reported by AP By MARIA CHENG, AP Medical Writer LONDON (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization ... based on more than 100 confidential ... Read More 12 (UPI) --The World Health Organization ... 19 outbreak with more than 70 positive cases, prompting the National Science Foundation to pause travel to the continent. World News // 5 hours ago ... Read More Projections based on those that responded suggest the NHS as a whole spends ... efficient health services in the world, spending a far lower proportion on administration costs than comparable ... Read More ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)  Oct. 10 marks World Mental Health Day and this years theme centers on making mental health a global priority. The World Health Organization said the pandemic created a ... Read More Monday is World Mental Health Day. To mark the day, the World Health Organization has launched ... and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic, the U.N. ... Read More This milestone was achieved when the World Health Organization ... million additional cases of anxiety disorders. Beyond the personal tragedy, the economic cost is staggering  a $1 trillion a ... Read More More than 280 million people around the world ... mental health professionals and leading efforts to "de-stigmatize mental illness as we have done with cancer, HIV and many other diseases that ... Read More Staffers at the World Health Organization ... million last year to address health issues in a country riven by war -- one in which nearly 90% of the population lives in poverty and more than ... Read More LONDON (AP)  Staffers at the World ... 115 million last year to address health issues in a country riven by war  one in which nearly 90% of the population lives in poverty and more than ... Read More
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) Top nuclear scientists today welcomed the government nod to 10 indigenous pressurised heavy water nuclear reactors and said it will bring India to the "frontline of the global nuclear manufacturing and supply chain".

The Union Cabinet had earlier this week cleared a proposal to indigenously build 10 atomic reactors, the largest ever approval granted for such facilities in one go.

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Indias installed nuclear power capacity is 6,780 MW from 22 operational plants. The new reactors will add another 7,000 MW to it.

"(This) has sent out a strong message of the robustness of our domestic nuclear programme," a statement issued by the Department of Atomic Energy quoted top scientists who have served the body in the past.

These include Dr Anil Kakodkar, who was one of the key players behind the Indo-US nuclear deal; Dr M R Srinivasan, under whom fast breeder reactors got a boost; Dr R K Sinha under whose watch the Kudankulam project materialised.

All of them have headed the Atomic Energy Commission in the past.

"The decision to construct reactors in fleet mode is unprecedented in the history of Indias atomic energy programme and demonstrates the determined vision of the present government to pursue accelerated expansion of nuclear power to ensure the nations energy security and meet Indias clean energy commitments," the statement read.

The total share of nuclear power in the country currently stands at a measly 3.5 per cent.

The 10 reactors would be built at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh, Kaiga in Karnataka and Gorakhpur in Haryana.

With likely manufacturing orders of close to Rs 70,000 crore to the domestic companies, the project is expected to help transform Indian nuclear industry and generate more than 33,400 jobs in direct and indirect employment. PTI PR JC GVS

--- ENDS ---
A federal budget deal reached by Congress on April 30 includes approximately $150 million for two transit projects in California.

The budget deal keeps the federal government operating through September and Congress will vote on the deal this week.

Representatives from Caltrain said the deal includes $100 million for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP). Caltrain says approval of the 2017 budget and execution of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) by the Federal Transit Administration would make more than 25 percent of Caltrains total $647 million Federal funding request immediately available to start construction of the project.

An FFGA was recommended in January following a full assessment of the projects merits. However, the decision was delayed by the Trump Administration while the 2018 budget recommendations were being developed.

We are cautiously optimistic, that bipartisan approval of the budget will be a signal that the administration plans to follow through with a commitment to invest [in] Caltrain electrification so we can put thousands of Americans to work and do our part to help drive the national economy, said Caltrain Executive Director Jim Hartnett. Since the news of the delay in authorizing our FFGA, this is an encouraging sign that the efforts of our congressional delegation and the employers and riders who have joined us in advocating for this project are having an impact.

Another California transit project, the OC Streetcar, also saw $50 million included in the budget deal for the project.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is developing the project, which is expected to cost about $298 million overall. OCTA has been working with the Federal Transit Administration through the federal New Starts program. Other funding is coming from various state and local sources, including Measure M, the countys half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

Were thrilled to see the federal government continue to join us at the local level in recognizing what a strong transportation project this is, said OCTA Director Miguel Pulido, also the mayor of Santa Ana. Weve earned support from our local residents and businesses and were happy to partner with the federal government to get the OC Streetcar up and running. This project returns our federal tax dollars to Orange County, leading to additional jobs and increased economic development.

The House and Senate have until midnight Friday, May 5 to pass the budget deal.
Private equity firm Blackstone Group L.P. (BX) and the Public Investment Fund or PIF of Saudi Arabia announced Saturday that they are launching $40 billion investment vehicle to finance infrastructure renovation in the United States. Saudi Public Investment Fund or PIF will contribute $20 billion to the new vehicle, while the remaining $20 billion will be raised from "other investors,"

Blackstone and the PIF signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the project, which will depend on further negotiations. The MoU is non-binding and the parties will continue their negotiation to agree definitive documentation.

Overall, through the equity in this vehicle and additional debt financing, Blackstone expects to invest in more than $100 billion of infrastructure projects, principally in the United States.

The firm has invested in more than $40 billion of infrastructure-related projects globally over the last 15 years. This vehicle launches a new for Blackstone with PIF as a strategic partner. This collaboration between PIF and Blackstone is the culmination of a year's discussions between the two institutions, which began in May 2016.

H.E. Yasir Al Rumayyan, Managing Director of the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: "The Public Investment Fund's international investment strategy is built upon establishing strong global partnerships and identifying opportunities to maximize sustainable returns for the people of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to partnering with Blackstone, a recognized leader with a strong record of achievement across its extensive infrastructure projects. This potential investment reflects our positive views around the ambitious infrastructure initiatives being undertaken in the United States as announced by President Trump, and the strategic opportunity for the Public Investment Fund to achieve long-term returns given historical investment shortfalls."

Blackstone President Hamilton E. James said: "There is broad agreement that the United States urgently needs to invest in its rapidly aging infrastructure. This will create well-paying American jobs and will lay the foundation for stronger long-term economic growth. Blackstone has the talent, scale and experience to be an effective private sector partner in filling the massive infrastructure funding gap. We thank PIF for its strong endorsement of the United States and its vote of confidence in our country and Blackstone in making this investment."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Japan will on Monday release April figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Imports are expected to rise 14.8 percent on year after jumping 15.8 percent in March. Exports are called higher by 8.0 percent, slowing from 12.0 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is pegged at 520.7 billion yen, down from 614.7 billion a month earlier.

Japan also will see final March figures for its leading and coincident indexes; the previous readings were 105.5 and 114.6, respectively.

Taiwan will provide April data for unemployment; in March, the jobless rate was 3.84 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
While Smriti Irani was very vocal about what the government is doing, she refrained from making any political statement on Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

By India Today Web Desk: Union Minister Smriti Irani, known to take on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on every single occasion, today chose not to attack him saying that 'it is the death anniversary of his father'.

Smriti Irani was taking part in a discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable in New Delhi today.

In response to a question on the poll promises made by the BJP before the 2014 parliamentary polls, Smriti Irani said that 'Achchhe Din depends on how you describe it'.

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"There were 2 crore women working in smoky kitchens. They got LPG connections. If you ask them, they will tell you that their Achchhe Din has come. There are 7 crore citizens, who have got money for business under Mudra Yojana. If you ask them, they will say Achchhe Din has come."

"This government has given the citizen an opportunity to take part in policy making by sending their suggestions to the Prime Minister directly. If you ask those who have taken part in the policy making they will say Achchhe Din has come. This government cares for citizen's betterment," Irani said.

'WILL SPARE RAHUL TODAY'

While Smriti Irani was very vocal about what the government is doing, she refrained from making any political statement on Rahul Gandhi, who she is intending to contest against in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi parliamentary constituency.

On a question on Rahul Gandhi, Smriti Irani said, "Today is the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. I will not make any comment on Rahul Gandhi. I will not attack him. It will not be in good taste."

"I will spare him (Rahul Gandhi) today, when he mourns the death of his father. It is not my style to attack at such times," Smriti Irani said.

'AMETHI IN FOCUS'

However, Smriti Irani reiterated her charge the Amethi has not progressed under the Congress for '60 years.'

"What I saw in Amethi three years ago hurt me deeply. It was not because I am a politician but because I am a human being and a citizen," Smriti Irani said.

"One day, I saw an old woman picking up grains of pulses from mud in Amethi. I asked are you collecting this for your animals. She said, no. We will cook daal in the evening. This keeps me going back to Amethi," Smriti Irani said.

Smriti Irani also accused the previous Samajwadi Party government of Uttar Pradesh of ignoring Amethi for political convenience. She said, "The SP government ignored Amethi because they did not want an imbalance in their equation with the top Congress leadership."

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ALSO READ | Is BJP waiting for Nitish's ghar wapsi? Amit Shah keeps you guessing

ALSO READ | Jyotiraditya Scindia on Rahul Gandhi: Congress needs to correct itself, take decisions with alacrity

WATCH | India Today Editors' Roundtable: Smriti Irani says Achhe Din are already here

--- ENDS ---
Perturbed by the last week's income tax raids at his 22 locations in Delhi and Gurgaon, RJD chief Lalu Prasad has called for organizing anti-BJP rally in Patna on 27th August.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Perturbed by the last week's income tax raids at his 22 locations in Delhi and Gurgaon, RJD chief Lalu Prasad has called for organizing anti-BJP rally in Patna on 27th August. BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who has been making sensational expose regarding Lalu's "benami" properties to the tune of Rs 1000 crore has taken potshots at RJD chief's proposed rally calling it a "Benami Sampatti Bachao Rally".

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"Through his proposed rally, Lalu wants to protect his benami property which he acquired during his tenure as railway minister and from fodder scam," Sushil Modi said.

Lalu has invited several national leaders like Congress president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Bannerjee and former Uttar Pradesh CM's Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to participate in the rally. Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Mamata Bannerjee has given consent to attend Lalu's anti-BJP rally. Modi said that the RJD chief has always used power as license to carry out massive loot.

"There is great deal of fear amongst leaders who have acquired benami properties over the years and therefore these leaders are now uniting with Lalu to protect their illegal wealth," Modi said.

Criticizing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Modi said that despite him demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to crack down on benami property holders, he maintained a stark silence over Lalu's benami properties.

"If Nitish Kumar attends Lalu's rally then it will be proved that he is also standing with corrupt politician," said Sushil Modi.

--- ENDS ---
Turnout for general election less than expected for Saline County

Ballots are still being counted as of Wednesday, but it seems the turnout for the 2022 general election was lower than expected by the county clerk.
By Press Trust of India: violence

New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) Thousands of dalit rights activists, led by Bhim Army, today gathered at the Jantar Mantar here to raise their voice against the caste-based violence in Saharanpur city of Uttar Pradesh.

Around 5,000 people participated in the protest despite being denied permission by the Delhi Police.

The protestors demanded that cases be registered against those who had perpetrated violence against dalits on May 9. They also demanded that the affected families be awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

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Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar, who is accused of sharing an objectionable video on social media and disrupting the communal harmony in Saharanpur, was also present at the event.

The activists also demanded that the FIRs lodged against Chandrashekhar and other dalit activists be cancelled and a judicial probe be initiated into the incidents of clashes at Saharanpur.

Meanwhile, the police stepped up security at the protest site.

However, the event went off peacefully, police said.

"The protesters had initially said that the gathering would be close to 50,000, which is why the permission was denied," said a senior police officer.

Clashes had erupted on May 5 in Saharanpurs Shabbirpur village after some of its dalit residents refused to allow a procession by Thakurs (upper caste men) to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap.

Members of the dalit community had then tried to hold a mahapanchayat on May 9 in Gandhi Park in the city to demand compensation and relief to those affected in the May 5 clashes but their request was turned down by the administration, following which they took to the streets.

In the violence that followed, dalit protesters allegedly set fire to a police post and over a dozen two-wheelers in several areas of the city. PTI SLB SRY

--- ENDS ---
Lisi Toma of Vailele and Malie dreams of the day when they have their own steady supply of running water.

The 56-year-old mother looks after her grandchildren.

The main problem theyre facing is having no water of their own.

Water is what we are struggling to find. Its something we are praying for, she told the Village Voice.

For me, taking care of my grandchildren is not a difficult task. Its fetching of water thats difficult.

Its not easy to try and live everyday and at the same time while doing your usual chores; you have to remind yourself to fetch water because I have kids at home.

That is why I have made this one of my main responsibilities everyday because we dont have a water tank, gallons or any big containers to store water in so we just use what we have; our pots and buckets.

My brother who lives across the road is where we get water from and its a good thing hes my brother because imagine if it was someone else, they would probably get tired of us coming over for water all the time.

Lisi said they have been coping with this situation for a while.

When Village Voice asked if they have discussed this issue with the Samoa Water Authority, Lisi said she does not know.

My children are the ones who are working so they are the only ones who understand situations as that.

Im getting older and my understanding of things is limited.

I just know that we really need water, I need water so I can be able to sleep at night and looking forward to another day, knowing that we have already got our own water.

But thats only a dream.

Thats why Im asking for help in this matter because getting water is not easy.
Sharing what women are already doing to conserve, study and sustainably use the ocean will inspire, spark creativity and self-confidence in young women and our societies as a whole - Easter Galuvao

The action of women is a key part of reaching Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Under Water. At the United Nations Ocean Conference from 5  9 June in New York this year, an event on day one will showcase womens actions and strategies for including women in ocean management.

The UN Ocean Conference is co-hosted by the Governments of Fiji and Sweden. Fiji will also be featured in the special event titled Healers of our ocean: Asia-Pacific women leading ocean action to achieve SDG14.

Our goal for the event is to highlight the need for engagement of Asia-Pacific women in marine sciences and ocean management, and increased inclusion of women in marine management planning, said Sefanaia Nawadra, Head of UN Environments Pacific Sub-Regional Office.

At the community level, women have the most potential to be instigators of change, being the main food providers for their families and thus de-facto managers of their communitys ocean resources.

At the academic level, statistics show in the last five years over 50 per cent of the graduates, both Bachelors and Masters Degrees, from the University of the South Pacifics Marine Science Programmes, are women.

Despite the growing number of women enrolling in marine science university programmes, women accounted for only 18% of fishery science and management staff in Pacific islands, according to a 2011 study. In contrast, women accounted for more than 60% of administrative and clerical staff in government fisheries divisions.

Women use and hold important knowledge of many marine resources and spaces, but including womens voices in governance decisions requires key strategies acknowledging the social and cultural traditions in the Pacific.

Sharing what women are already doing to conserve, study and sustainably use the ocean will inspire, spark creativity and self-confidence in young women and our societies as a whole, said Easter Galuvao, Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Governance Division at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

SPREP is boosting gender equality in all our work and recognises our Pacific women, who value and depend on our ocean.

SPREP is one of 18 partners on the Healers of our ocean: Asia-Pacific women leading ocean action to achieve SDG14 event, which will take place on 5 June in New York, from 3  4.30pm in Conference Room 12.
While we expected it, the day we feared would soon arrive has finally been confirmed. On page 2 of your Sunday Samoan yesterday, the story titled Cabinet confirms end of production for Yazaki contained the bad news.

That is the nations biggest private employer, Yazaki EDS Samoa Ltd, is set to officially shut its doors on 25 August 2017.

On that day more than 700 workers will find themselves unemployed.

Where will they go? What will they do? What about their families who depend on these employees as they are the breadwinners?

These are tough questions. But they are relevant and we must starting asking them a little more persistently now.

Keep in mind that one employee represents an average of 10 or more people who depend on them every day, every week. We are talking about workers who contribute to their families, churches, villages and their communities. It means the impact of the closure would be enormous.

The worst part is the fact the impact is going to be heaviest on some of the poorest members of this country, people who are already struggling to survive on measly incomes. The fact many of the employees of Yazaki are in this category.

But our problems dont end there. Lets not forget that hundreds more workers are expected to lose jobs at the Samoa Tuna Processors (S.T.P.) in American Samoa with the companys canning operations shutting down indefinitely due to adverse business conditions. The knock on effect this will have on Samoa will not help. It is another cruel blow we did not need.

It goes without saying that these are difficult times. Its not just difficult for the families; its also difficult for the government as they try to work out what to do.

So far, weve been repeatedly assured that the government is looking at ways to minimise the impact of the closure. The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, for instance said there are some options.

I think in two or three years we will be able to provide for them, he said. Obviously with the investment in the submarine cable and the sorts of opportunity that will come in terms connectivity.

There are also ongoing discussions with some fishing companies who are expressing interest in investing here and looking at expanding on what they are doing.

With that said, Minister Sili said there is no need to panic.

Its just a matter of firming up on some of those interests and looking at what we can do to make sure that yes we can create jobs. In tourism, if it works well, there will be another area where there will be more opportunities for people to work in.

Minister Silis optimism is commendable. But it sounds vague, just like everything this government has said ever since the announcement was made to close Yazaki.

In a two months time, we will literally have hundreds and hundreds of people without jobs.

In a country with unemployment and crime figures are already through the roof, we are heading for an unquestionable disaster. This is not the time for abstract and vague answers. This is the time for details.

We are talking about real people with real needs.

When those needs are not met and when desperation sets in, the social and economical problems we are seeing today will only get worse. Thats a future we dont want. What do you think?

Have a pleasant week Samoa, God bless!
The former President of Bluesky, Aoee Adolfo Montenegro, has vehemently denied allegations against him in a civil lawsuit filed by Bluesky in American Samoa.

Yesterday, Aoee, who was also the Companys Chief Executive Officer, issued the denial in a statement he released to the Samoa Observer.

The accusations against me contained in the lawsuit recently filed against me by Bluesky are unfounded, and I look forward to clearing my name at the appropriate time, Aoee said.

According to Talanei, the civil lawsuit against Aoee and his company, A.C.M.A Management Consulting Inc, is for compensatory, consequential and punitive damages for an amount according to proof at trial and for punitive damages from the defendants.

The lawsuit alleges that despite earning hundreds of thousands of dollars each year as C.E.O of Blueskys family of companies in the South Pacific, Aoee and his company, A.C.M.A Management Consulting Inc. exploited their position of trust and authority with Bluesky.

The lawsuit claims they improperly assigned a property lease of a house renovated by Bluesky to A.C.M.A, Montenegros company, while also diverting business funds for Montenegros personal use without the knowledge or consent of shareholders of BlueSky.

A.C.M.A is a management company Aoee set up to provide management services for Blueskys companies in American Samoa and Samoa.

Aoee declined to discuss the details of the lawsuit.

But he said he is saddened by how things have turned out.

After so many positive, energetic and constructive years helping Bluesky grow throughout the South Pacific to the benefit of Amper SA as the controlling shareholder, it is unfortunate that things are ending on such a sour and malicious note, he said.

The success we enjoyed at Bluesky was based on adhering to high standards and our core values, which included Placing the Customer First, Team Work and Integrity.

For so long as Bluesky teams stay true to the core values and uphold the high standards, the teams will continue to enjoy success and earn the respect of their customers and communities they serve.

The same is true for me as well: I will continue to stay true to the core values and uphold high standards in order to earn the respect of others and be a positive force for the betterment of our communities.

According to the lawsuit, under the last management agreement between Bluesky and A.C.M.A which was effective in April 2014, A.C.M.A agreed to provide the services of Montenegro as President and C.E.O of Bluesky in American Samoa and Blue Sky Samoa.

Montenegros compensation package according to the suit included a salary of $260,000 per year, an annual bonus of up to $130,000, a stay bonus of up to $100,000, housing and transportation expenses including a vehicle not to exceed $109,000 per year, a daily per diem of $110, tuition reimbursement for children of $20,00 per year for two children, a travel allowance of up to $60,000 per year plus health and life insurance reimbursements of up to $36,000 per year.

Other benefits included free internet and cell phone usage, gym fees in both Samoa, and 20 paid vacation days per year.

Aoee also enjoyed the use of company housing in American Samoa, Samoa and Cook Islands.

The lawsuit further indicate that Aoee while C.E.O converted a home leased by Bluesky on Canco Hill to his company, A.C.M.A, without authorization.

He is accused of engaging in unjust enrichment of himself at Blueskys expense.

In doing so, Bluesky alleges that Aoee breached his fiduciary duty to Blue Sky when he illegally transferred the lease property to his company and spent $50,000 of company money on renovations of the home.

This action is a breached of his duty of loyalty to act in good faith and not to commit acts of fraud, bad faith or willful tortuous misconduct and that he breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing implicit in the management agreement between Bluesky and A.C.M.A by, in bad faith, unilaterally converting property of Bluesky for his personal use and benefit and doing so without proper notice or adequate consideration to Bluesky.

The suit states that in 2015, Blueskys parent company Amper was facing financial struggles resulting in a capital shortfall.

Seeing an opportunity, on or about January 2015, Montenegro through counsel Barry Rose formally notified Amper and Bluesky of his intention to organize an investor group to purchase certain equity interest in Bluesky and ASH, the American Samoa Hawaii Cable, of which ASG is a minority shareholder.

The suit alleges that Montenegro, while CEO of Bluesky made both direct and indirect efforts to disrupt and or frustrate the planned buyout of Bluesky, even after Blueskys parent company had signed a letter of intent with Fiji company Amalgamated Telecom Holdings, and after Montenegro had been instructed by Amper to facilitate the sale of Bluesky to ATH.

Meanwhile Montenegro headed a group of investors who made an offer to buy Bluesky. The suit also indicates that an investigation is underway into the various dealings of Montegnero.

Bluesky anticipates moving the court to amend the complaint once sufficient evidence to support additional causes of action is obtained.

In addition to compensatory, consequential and punitive damages from Montenegro and ACMA in an amount according to proof at trial, the suit seeks declaratory judgment that the home at Canco Hill belongs to Bluesky and a lease agreement that Montenegro effected assigning the home to ACMA is null and void.

Bluesky also wants all its funds and assets that were coming led with Montenegro and ACMAs to be reimbursed or returned.
The use of certain drugs for medicinal purposes in controlled situations is one of the projects the Samoa Law Reform Commission is reviewing.

This was revealed in their Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2016, among other projects.

This came after a Term of Reference from the Attorney General in 2015 for the S.L.R.C to review drugs related legislation in Samoa to minimise drug related harm.

According to the S.L.R.C annual report, this includes reviewing the statutory regime to control and regulate drugs (ie the Narcotics Act 1967).

The S.L.R.C also looked into the classification of drugs.

They also reviewed appropriate offences and penalties in terms of drug related offences.

Another project they worked on was the reviewing of medicinal use of certain drugs in controlled situations.

Furthermore the S.L.R.C was asked to conduct a review of the support and treatment services and rehabilitation facilities for drugs defendants and monitoring of offenders.

The Commission is currently undertaking preliminary research, analysis and consultation in preparation of an Issues Paper, according to the annual report.

LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ON ABUSE POWER OF MATAI

The S.L.R.C Annual report indicates that a discussion paper on Pule a le Matai Sao has been completed.

The move came after the Term of Reference from Prime Minister to SLRC on 28 April 2015 to consider legislative measures to address concerns about reported abuse of power by some Matai Sao (normally over decisions relating to matai titles and customary land).

According to the report, the Commissions work on this project started in March 2016, resulting in a Discussion Paper which was submitted to Cabinet on 5 May 2016. There was also public consultations on this project in October 2016.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF CEO, DISCUSSION PAPER

Another project the SLRC was working on in FY16 was the discussion Paper on the Ministerial and Departmental Arrangements Act 2003. The aim of this project is to achieve consistency in general functions and powers of Chief Executive Officers. The Commission is finalising the Discussion Paper, says the annual report.

ALCOHOL REFORM

The SLRC report also acknowledged the completion of the final Report on Draft Alcohol Control Bill. This is a comprehensive review of alcohol related laws in Samoa with the objective of reducing harm caused by alcohol abuse.

Key issues include liquor licensing and enforcement; alcohol taxation and pricing; availability of cheap liquor; advertising and promotion of alcohol; age restrictions; and responsibilities of village councils and others.

It was approved by Cabinet on the 27 April 2016. In addition the Commission submitted as part of its Final Report a draft Alcohol Control Bill reflecting its recommendations which was approved by Cabinet on 25 May 2016.

NEW COURT RULES ON CIVIL PROCEDURES PROPOSED

The SLRC annual report says that new court rules are expected to be developed reflecting recommendations in the final report on the review of Supreme Court Civil Procedure rules, and magistrate Court Civil Procedure Rules which is ongoing.

The Commission will consult with the AGO (Attorney Generals office), judiciary and members of the Law Society before finalising the report. New court rules are expected to be developed reflecting recommendations in the final report.

CONVENTION ON ELIMINATION DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

The SLRC also conducted public Consultations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

This review investigates the level of compliance of Samoas legislation with CEDAW and provides suggestions on how Samoa should meet its international obligations under this convention.

Following Cabinet approval of the Discussion Paper on 22 July 2015, the Commission held four Public Consultations in Upolu and Savaii in September and October 2015.

These public consultations recorded the highest turnout by the public of any consultation the Commission has carried out. This was partially attributed to assistance by MWCSD (Ministry of Women Community Social Development) informing Sui Tamaitai o Nuu and Sui o Nuu and distributing invitation letters.

A significant number of written submissions were also received on this project. The Final Report is being drafted and close to completion.

DISCUSSION PAPERS ON PROPERTY LAW ACT

There was also a review and discussion Papers on the Property Law Act 1952 review. Its ongoing and this project was referred to the Commission on 18 August 2014 by the Attorney General and involves reviewing the Property Law Act 1952 (Samoa) and the Property Law Act 2007 (NZ).

Due to the sheer size and complexity of the reference and the lack of senior staff, this project was put on hold. Work resumed in April 2016 and currently the Commission is developing Discussion Papers (DP).

The annual report indicates that two DP have been drafted and include a review of Parts 1-3 of the Property Law Act 2007 (NZ) (on preliminary provisions, general rules relating to dispositions, instruments, transactions & property, and mortgages) and parts of the Property Law Act 1952 (Samoa).

The DPs refer to specific provisions and make comments and recommendations concerning their suitability for inclusion in new property laws for Samoa, with any necessary modifications identified to make them applicable in the Samoan context. The report also notes that discussion papers one/two are close to completion.
Participating in a discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable, Ravi Shankar Prasad today said, "Maximum number of suffers of triple talaq are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar."

By India Today Web Desk: Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today mounted an offensive on Opposition leaders including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BSP chief Mayawati and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over the issue of triple talaq.

Participating in a discussion at India Today Editors' Roundtable, Ravi Shankar Prasad today said, "Maximum number of suffers of triple talaq are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar." "Why Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee are silent on triple talaq? This is vote bank politics, Prasad said.

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WHAT ELSE RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD SAID

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Triple talaq is not the question of religion and worship. It is the question of gender justice, gender dignity and gender equality."

"We have not challenged triple talaq in the court. A Muslim woman, who suffered due to the practice of triple talaq, has challenged this. The Supreme Court sent us a notice. We only responded to the notice," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Prasad further said, "I am proud that the Muslim woman thought that she could go to the court when Modi government is at the Centre as it would stand by us on the issue of triple talaq."

"Rajiv Gandhi bent on Shah Bano. Modi government is with suffers of triple talaq. We will not bend," Prasad said. Ravi Shankar Prasad had raised the issue of triple talaq during the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Facing questions at India Today Editors' Roundtable, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Why should social issues not be raised in politics? Why only slaughterhouses be raised in politics?"

Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed Kapil Sibal for comparing the practice of triple talaq with Ram calling both as matter of faith. "What does Kapil Sibal want to say with his comparison? Ram was an ideal being while triple talaq is evil practice. A comparison between the two is disgusting." On the question of the Supreme Court clearing the deck for restoring conspiracy charges against BJP leaders including LK Advani and Union Minister Uma Bharit, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "I had been LK Adavni's lawyer. I believe there is no evidence against Advani. Till proven guilty every accused is innocent under the law. Our cabinet colleague will come out clean."

"Modi government is working on the agenda of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. The government came to know about Karimul Haq of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. His mother died as there was ambulance to take her to hospital. He took a vow that he would take every sick person in need to hospital on his bike. He has saved lives of 2,000 people. PMO got into touch with him. The Prime Minister spoke to him. He is being given Padmashri. This is how we function," Prasad said. "This country is as much of the Muslim as of Hindus or Chirstians. Our job is to provide equal opportunity to everyone," Prasad said. On the question of cow vigilantism, Prasad said that PM Modi has clarified it so many times that no one would be allowed to take law in their hands in the name of protection of cows. "Some people don't like Modi. They don't like that he was born in a poor family and became PM and doing good job," Prasad said.

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On the question if the BJP is warming up to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We did not leave Nitish Kumar, he left us. Now he is in alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav, who and whose family members are facing charges of corruption. The question is how comfortable 'Sushasan Babu' is with Lalu Prasad Yadav."

Is the BJP concerned about attempt by the Opposition parties to stitch a grand alliance on the lines of Bihar? Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "This is not Mahagathbandhan. This is an alliance of fear. They are scared of Narendra Modi."

On the question of conflict with the judiciary, Prasad said, "We have fought for judicial independence. There is no clash. But, we wanted to improve functioning of judiciary. We brought NJAC, which was set aside by the Supreme Court. But, we have accepted it."

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Later, Prasad questioned the efficiency of collegium system to appoint judges in the higher judiciary. He said, "Before collegiums system was introduced, many judges of high calibre were appointed in the higher judiciary," adding that if collegium system was producing judges of similar calibre. "Collegium system has produced Justice (CS) Karnan."

Also Watch: India Today Editors' Roundtable: Ravi Shankar Prasad questions the efficiency of collegium system

Also Read

Harsimrat Kaur blames Arvind Kejriwal for Punjab defeat but also says downfall of AAP has begun

If you want to be on social media, be a bhakt: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

Smriti Irani spares Rahul Gandhi on his father's death anniversary, says Achhe Din are already here

--- ENDS ---
CITY COUNCILS

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad City Council will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. In open session at 6 p.m., the council will hold a hearing and discuss permits for a four-story building with 17 multi-family residential condo units at 2501 State St.; will consider rescinding the Drought Response Level 2  Drought Alert Condition; and will hear reports on the city budget and the city code review.

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ENCINITAS

The Encinitas City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave., to discuss a proposed lease of city-owned property at 750 Leucadia Blvd., to Habitat for Humanity for two affordable rental homes; and to hold a hearing on solid waste collection rates.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido City Council will meet in closed session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council Chambers, 201 N. Broadway, to discuss litigation and labor negotiations. In regular session at 4:30 p.m., the council will consider the second reading of changes to its sign ordinance; and will consider creating a zoning category of very high multi-family residential, and then rezoning 186 parcels of land between Sixth and 15th avenues and South Escondido Boulevard and Centre City Parkway into that category.

OCEANSIDE

The city of Oceanside is seeking community input on a grant-funded habitat enhancement project at Loma Alta Creek near South Coast Highway. This project is in a conceptual phase; implementation depends on securing grant funds. An open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday in the Civic Center Library Community Room, 330 N. Coast Highway. RSVP to Justin Gamble at Jgamble@ci.oceanside.ca.us or (760) 435-5093.

SAN MARCOS

The San Marcos City Council will meet in special session at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1 Civic Center Drive, for evaluation and employment negotiations for the city manager and city attorney. In regular session at 6 p.m., the council will hold a hearing and discuss an ordinance setting massage establishment license and outcall massage license fees, and one to regulate massage businesses in the city. The city will also consider the second reading of an ordinance amending and updating the citys water-efficient landscape standards.

SOLANA BEACH

The Solana Beach City Council is scheduled to meet in special session at 5 p.m. Wednesday in City Council Chambers, 635 S. Highway 101.

VISTA

The Vista City Council is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, to discuss the citys General Plan 2030 and business license fees.

The Vista City Council has scheduled a second public hearing at 6 p.m. May 30 at the Vista Civic Center to review possible district boundary maps for the citys new by-district elections.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

DEL MAR

The Del Mar Union School District board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Del Mar Hills Academy, 14085 Mango Drive.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido Union School District board will hold a special joint meeting with the Escondido Union High School District board at 6 p.m. Monday at the district office, 2310 Aldergrove Ave., to discuss declining enrollment.

The Escondido Union School District board will meet in closed session to discuss litigation, labor negotiations and property negotiations at 6 p.m. Thursday at the district office, 2310 Aldergrove Ave. In regular session at 7 p.m., the board will hear an update on the Local Control Accountability Plan, and consider an independent contractor agreement with Lifestyles In Focus for the GOT HEALTH annual wellness event Aug. 11 at Grape Day Park for no more than $1,700.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside Unified School District board will hold a board workshop/innovation showcase at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 2111 Mission Ave. The regular board meeting will be at 6 p.m., when the board will consider a request to hire Keenan & Associates part-time for loss control services aimed at reducing workers compensation claims. At 7 p.m., a public hearing is scheduled on the College and Career Access Pathways Partnership Agreement with MiraCosta Community College. A closed session to discuss labor negotiations and litigation will follow.

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., for a workshop on facilities and attendance.

The Solana Beach School District board invites the public to give input on the districts Local Control and Accountability Plan from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at Carmel Creek Elementary School, 4210 Carmel Center Road, San Diego. All state school districts are required to develop a plan, which is intended to ensure that districts provide high-quality instruction for all students. The LCAP describes how the district intends to meet these goals.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
El Cajon, a hub for refugees and one of the regions most ethnically diverse communities, celebrated its melting pot image on Saturday by hosting a citizenship ceremony for immigrants from more than 54 different countries.

The ceremony was part of the annual America on Main Street festival that aims to show appreciation and respect for the citys diversity, and thousands who attended the festival enjoyed food and music from around the globe. El Cajon is home to an estimated 60,000 recent immigrants from Iraq and parts of Africa alone.

At the citizenship ceremony, the benefits of ethnic diversity and the greatness of America took center stage.

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1 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 16 Roya Jamshadey, originally from Afghanistan, was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 16 Shun Ueno, originally from Japan was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens in a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 16 Abby Bogels originally from New Zealand was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America in a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 16 Maria Tomas, with American flag in hand, lays in the lap of grandmother, Eusebio Antonio while waiting for the naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street to begin. Her dad, Pascual, originally from Guatemala was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America in the ceremony and became naturalized U.S. citizens. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 16 Duaa Saeed, originally from Jordan, was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became naturalized U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 16 Duaa Saeed, second from left, originally from Jordan, was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens in a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 16 About 100 people from about 54 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 16 Jean Dustan, originally from the United Kingdom was one of about 100 people from about 54 countries who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Centennial Plaza near El Cajon City Hall to kickoff El Cajons, America on Main Street festivities. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)

We wanted to get a nice representation from around the world because were celebrating America on Main Street, said Melissa Maxim, a field officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in San Diego. Naturalization is a great celebration of our values as Americans.

She said its rare for citizenship ceremonies to be held any place other than downtown San Diegos Golden Hall, which hosts a monthly ceremony where roughly 1,000 to 1,500 people get naturalized, Maxim said.

The nearly 100 new citizens on Saturday included immigrants from places with similar cultures to the United States, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, and places with far different cultures, such as Burundi, Afghanistan and China.

Taking a public oath is a requirement for citizenship and the last step in the process.

We love it here, weve made it our home and we want to continue making it here, said Jean Dustan, 53, an El Cajon resident who moved to America nine years ago from the United Kingdom.

Esther Nininahazwe, an 18-year-old immigrant from Tanzania living in City Heights, said she has felt welcomed in San Diego and wanted to make things permanent.

I want to feel like Im at home, she said of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Padma Puothukuchi, a 33-year-old immigrant from India who lives in Poway, said she and her husband faced struggles here, but persevered.

Its the land of freedom, she said. There is great opportunity here.

But the city has also had its share of racial turbulence, especially in the wake of the fatal shooting in September of Alfred Olango, an unarmed Ugandan refugee, by an El Cajon police officer.

The shooting was followed by multiple protests and questions about racial unrest in El Cajon.

Residents and community leaders interviewed at the festival said those protests have distorted the citys image. They agreed there is some racial tension, but said El Cajons different ethnic groups mostly live in harmony.

It is a very diverse community but I dont see the problem these people are talking about, said Toma Gabriel, who was manning a festival booth for Shadow Mountain Arabic Congregation. Of course you have incidents here and there, but thats normal among different ethnic groups in any society.

Cyndy Reynolds, who was at a booth celebrating local African-American culture, agreed that there is mostly harmony among the citys ethnic groups, but said the melting pot description would be going too far.

I would call it a salad bowl, she said.

An increasingly popular metaphor for ethnic diversity, the salad bowl concept envisions many different cultures combining like the ingredients of a salad, but retaining their own distinct qualities instead of melting together.

Reynolds said many of the protests after the September police shooting were staged by people from outside El Cajon.

There is some turbulence and frustration here, but from what I can tell a lot of people came from outside the community to protest, she said.  I wonder how many people protesting were actually from this community.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
May has undoubtedly been a challenge for President Donald Trump.

There was pushback from Democrats and Republicans after he abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey and the near daily bombshell news reports about possible links between the presidents circle and Russia.

And, most recently, there was the appointment of a special counsel in the Justice Department to dig into any Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

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Talk about a roller coaster, Jesus. These things are happening every single day, Akarn Somo, a San Diego delegate at last years Republican National Convention and Trump supporter. Im a political junkie and even I cant keep up with it.

But despite the turbulence, Somo is holding tight. His perspective of Trump hasnt changed since he went to the nomination in Cleveland to support Trump, and the president certainly satisfied his expectations in the first few months of his term.

If you look at all the substance, he far exceeded it. He did exactly what he said he was going to do, Somo said.

Thats the thing  Trump supporters and detractors in San Diego County say the new president has lived up to the expectations that were formed during his whirlwind campaign. But whether thats refreshing or terrifying depends on ones politics.

I think they were stupid ideas to begin with, Penny Rossi said as she sat outside the shops at Bonita Centre. And following on with them just adds onto it.

She was one of about a dozen people from around San Diego County interviewed Thursday about their thoughts on the new president. People who loathed Trump during his campaign still do (perhaps a little bit more these days), just as his supporters continue to back him and the job hes doing. There was little to no shift in how supporters and opponents viewed Trump from the campaign to his inauguration and through the last two hectic weeks, according to this street-corner analysis.

Six months after the election, the rest of the countrys overall support for Trump dropped to the point where, statistically, the nation today looks a lot like San Diego County when polls closed. On Nov. 8, 36 percent of county voters supported Trump. A poll by Gallup conducted May 8-14 found the president has a 38 percent approval rating. Another 56 percent disapprove of the way hes doing his job  the same percentage of county voters who cast ballots for Hillary Clinton.

As elsewhere, the partisan divide on Trump is acute here. A San Diego Union-Tribune/10News poll conducted this past week by SurveyUSA asked county residents if Trump had abused his power: 56 percent said yes and 35 percent said no. Among Democrats, 88 percent agreed theres been abuse of power, while 67 percent of Republicans did not.

The tone of the local discourse doesnt reflect the disagreements. In contrast to the heated rhetoric coming out of Capitol Hill and posted in the comment sections on websites, county residents interviewed were incredibly polite and rather calm when discussing one of the most controversial men in America.

They were also quick to bring up how how family members or good friends have different views than their own, and how their relationships are as strong as ever. One man, a fisherman on the Ocean Beach Pier who did not want to give his name, said hes a staunch Republican just as much as his wife is a committed Democrat. Theyre still happily married, he noted.

Another encouraging discovery: these people have tuned-in to government in a way that would make civics teachers giddy. As much as there were widespread perspectives on the president, many were familiar with Trumps more notable policies, some even to the wonk level.

I think its insane, there are so many things hell take away. Hell only keeps the things he likes and will benefit things like him, and eliminating things that are Democratic, Celia Pinon said, referring to the Republican health care bill the president supported. Shes a 17-year-old high school student who is getting a head start on a bachelors degree with classes at Grossmont College.

Trump and his supporters insist changes had to be made because the existing health care plan fashioned under President Barack Obama had become too costly for many and, in their view, was on the verge of collapse.

The local commenters also noted Trumps self-confidence, or hubris (depending on ones perspective). But across the spectrum, the San Diegans agreed he has at least attempted to accomplish many of the major promises from his campaign.

Among them: attempting to build an expanded wall between the United States and Mexico, signing an executive order aimed at stopping people Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. (blocked in court), and seeking to repeal Obamacare with an alternative health care plan.

He did exactly what he said he was going to do, said Cesar Vera, another person fishing on the OB Pier.

He works for a non-profit organization that helps kids from tough circumstances, and he said he didnt like Trump as a candidate because he seemed to attack him and the youngsters he cares about. A lot of his kids are worried that the government is going to come after their parents in immigration sweeps.

Im not going to bash the guy, but his thoughts on running the country were  very one sided, said Vera, a 21-year-old San Diegan. Im not sure if Im the only one who thinks this way, but it was to benefit him. And Im not just saying it because Im Latino. And I know a lot of Latinos who voted for him.

Trump the president is exactly what he expected from Trump the candidate, he said.

The sweeping proclamations at campaign rallies turned out to be more than just talk, Michael Carey said as he walked the Imperial Beach coast at sunset with a red Solo cup in his hand.

I, along with other people, didnt think he would maintain it, that he had just done it for the campaign and then would change, he said.

Carey, who worked in the labor movement and is now semi-retired, didnt support Trump. He wore a Bernie Sanders shirt and described himself as a bit further to the left than a socialist. Still, he said that Trump the candidate was able to tap into a type of energy that hes now trying to maintain as president to keep his supporters behind him.

Bianca Melchor said people shouldnt expect Trump to get everything done right away and that its too early to tell if he is fulfilling the promises he made while running for the office.

Sitting on a blanket on the sand in Imperial Beach watching the sunset with her family, the 24-year-old from Chula Vista said she followed the election and liked Trump and his confidence.

As he was campaigning I thought he had a lot of good points, but they were controversial. I was intrigued by him, she said.

But as a woman of color, she took offense about the comments he made about women and Mexicans. And when he became president, she didnt like his decision to approve the Dakota Access Pipeline, or the health care bill he backed because it would hurt poor people.

A lot of lower-class people got snipped out of that and he didnt care about them, she said.

She said shes undecided about how hes leading, and it might be premature to give the new president a report card, or to definitively say if hes living up to her expectations.

I dont think weve given him enough time, she said. Ask me in a few years.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
When I was letters editors a few years ago, the most common complaint I would receive from readers was that a letter contained a factual error that was allowed to be printed as a true statement.Sometimes there was indeed an error, but most of the time it was a point that could be debated.

Letters editor Andrew Kleske, whos been in the post for the past three years, will hear similar complaints from readers.

Here is an example from reader Gloria Espeseth of San Carlos, who emailed her thoughts to the Readers Representative last week:

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She points to a letter on Tuesday critical of some writings in the Koran. She says the letter selectively quotes 3 verses from the Koran and then calls them principles of Islam. This would be as if someone quoted Leviticus 20:9 (All who curse father or mother shall be put to death; having cursed father or mother, their blood is upon them.) and then declared this to be the Christian principle for dealing with child/youth rebellion.

I know that selective verses regarding violence from the Christian Bible are not included in public school social studies texts, nor should they be. If we persist in promoting the idea that Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram are mainstream Islam, then we must also teach that Jim Jones, David Koresh, the Ku Klux Klan, and others like them represent mainstream Christianity.

My main point is this  by now, we should have had enough Letters to the Editor in this vein whereby any newly arrived letters like this one are sent to the trash can rather than given precious space in the communitys dialogue on public matters. Your space is so limited that readers deserve the best, clearest thinking on the critical issues of the day, covering all sides of issues from clear, defensible positions.

I believe Espeseth makes an intelligent argument, and its a fair rebuttal to the letter. I also believe, though, the letter writer was stating an opinion, as compared to making a factual error.

On the other hand, the premise of an April 30 letter was rendered moot, I think, because of a factual error. The writer criticized the mainstream medias coverage of climate change because he said a U-T political reporter covered a San Diego climate march and not the science reporter.

The reporter who covered the April 22 march was Joshua Emerson Smith, the U-Ts environmental reporter. I think the letter writer might have confused Smith with U-T politics reporter Joshua Stewart.

Kleske said he thought the reader was saying U-T science reporter Gary Robbins should have covered the march, and he didnt consider possible confusion over two reporters named Joshua.

As letters editor, I grew wary of letters that tried to make a point by going heavily into technical details that would have taken hours to fact check.

Kleske doesnt see a problem with technical-heavy letters, but for letter writers it might not be the best route to get published.

With each letter, the amount of fact-checking required is weighed with the importance of the point being made, Kleske said. Since letters are opinions, sometimes a simple statement on a position is better than a long, fact-filled defense intended to support the opinion. Readers only get 150 words to make their points so they have to be pretty clear and concise.

On most subjects, the letters that rise to the top tend to be the ones that keep it simple, take a stand and offer a solution to the problem addressed.

Kleske sees letters as a way for readers to have conversations. He likened it to people chatting at a barbecue. As such, he freely allows letter writers to share their opinions.

It is obviously our goal to present only those letters that stick to the facts as we know them or as they are presented by credible news outlets, Kleske said. However, letters are opinions so writers are given some leeway in expressing what an event or finding means, which is where paths diverge. The writer who says a certain belief is a hoax and the one who says it is proven fact may use the same findings to make their cases.

Kleske will give letters their first vetting. If facts appear off, he might ask the writer for links to reports supporting the claim.

Once approved for publication, the letter gets a final read by other opinion desk editors. Our group keeps a pretty close watch on the news of the day and general history of the subjects, and online resources have made fact-checking a lot easier than in the past, Kleske said.

If we fail to catch a factual error, we rely on our readers to point them out with a rebuttal, and we welcome that addition to the conversation, he said.
Jordans King Abdullah II paid a rare visit to the West Bank on Thursday in a show of support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas successful bid for U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Jordanians spoke out sharply against Israels latest plans to build thousands of new settler homes in response to the Palestinian move, including initial plans to revive a contentious project east of Jerusalem.

The project, known as E1, would separate the West Bank from east Jerusalem, the Palestinians hoped-for capital, and drive a big wedge between the northern and southern flanks of the West Bank.

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The settlement policy is not only rejected from our side as Arabs and Palestinians, but also by the whole world, Abdullahs foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, said.

Neither the king nor Abbas commented publicly after the meeting.

But Abdullahs arrival gave a high-profile boost of support to the U.N. bid, which has come under fierce Israeli criticism. Jordan is one of just two Arab countries with a peace agreement with Israel, so the kings public support was significant.

The U.N. resolution recognized a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip - territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel rejects a return to its 1967 lines and says a future border must be reached through negotiations.

The new settlement plans have drawn widespread international condemnation, with the U.S. and key Israeli allies in Europe all urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call off the plans.

Netanyahu, during a visit to Germany on Thursday, vowed to press forward with E1, insisting the territory would remain under Israeli control as part of any future peace agreement.

Abbas and the king are political allies, and last met Sunday in Jordan, during one of the Palestinian leaders frequent stops in the neighboring kingdom. But Thursdays visit was just the third time the king has visited the West Bank, and the first time in more than a year.

The king received a red carpet welcome with military honors at Abbas government compound in the West Bank after landing in a helicopter Thursday morning. Jordan has the largest Palestinian refugee community outside the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel accuses the Palestinians of trying to circumvent the negotiating process by seeking U.N. recognition. Although the vote did not change the situation on the ground, the international community endorsed the Palestinian position on future borders with Israel. Israel refuses to return to its pre-1967 lines.

In addition to the E1 project, Israel has responded to the Palestinians U.N. move by cutting off a regularly scheduled $100 million tax transfer to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority, and announced plans for several thousand new homes in existing settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Israels monthly tax transfers to the Palestinians - the result of taxes and customs duties that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians - are a key element in the Palestinian government budget. The government has already struggled to the pay the salaries of its tens of thousands of workers.

In a statement, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called on the international community to press Israel to release the funds and urged wealthy Arab countries to send $240 million a month to keep the government afloat while Israel withholds the money. Israel has taken similar measures in the past, ultimately releasing the money under international pressure after several weeks.
WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT, Ariz. (AP)  Before an expanse of grassland and pueblo ruins in northern Arizona was declared a national monument, it was home to hundreds of Navajos whose ancestors returned to settle the area after a forced march to an eastern New Mexico internment camp.

Slowly, the Navajo families left Wupatki National Monument too, either voluntarily or under pressure by the National Park Service, which sought to eliminate private use of the public land it managed. Only one Navajo woman remains.

When 89-year-old Stella Peshlakai Smith dies, her residency permit dies with her, ending forever the Navajo presence at Wupatki.

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The Peshlakais have vowed to fight for the land surrounded by the Little Colorado River valley, snow-capped mountains and towering mesas, where their sheep once grazed freely. Support for the family is mounting among state and tribal officials, but its up to Congress to decide whether they can stay.

This family has had a homestead there for generations and generations, years, and we want that to be made right, Navajo Nation lawmaker Walter Phelps said.

Smith estimates that dozens of extended members of her family would move back if given the chance.

An exhibit at the Wupatki visitors center highlights the struggle between the Peshlakais and the Park Service, and hints at the broader story of American Indian ancestral lands across the country that have become public property.

One 1970 letter on display is from the Park Service to a former U.S. senator from Arizona. It says: At no time have the Navajos who grazed within the monument had any title in the land. ... In the absence of appropriate legislation, these lands could not be surrendered to the Peshlakai family. We believe such legislation would not be in the public interest.

Its the same position that monument Superintendent Kayci Cook Collins takes today. She said tribal members connected to Wupatki are able to conduct ceremonies there, and the Peshlakai family can visit Smiths homestead. But reserving property for the Peshlakais could invite other tribes, whose ancestors built pueblos and traded goods at Wupatki, to lay claim to the land.

In general, units of the National Park Service are not managed to hold private residences on public land, she said. The situation the National Park Service tried to be sensitive to does not exist for the other families.

Smith was born at Wupatki a month before it became a national monument, and was raised there by her father, Clyde Peshlakai, who acted as the monuments custodian. Clyde Peshlakai is credited with discovering the Wupatki blowhole, a geologic feature that forces cold air from the ground and sucks in warm air. His burial site is a two-room stone house visible from the road that loops around the monument.

Along the rugged road that leads to Smiths home are reminders of Navajo homesteads: old sheep corrals, wooden logs pitched for a sweat lodge and a traditional Navajo dwelling where Smiths great-grandfather, Peshlakai Etsidi, is buried. Etsidi was among thousands of Navajos who endured cold, disease and starvation in the U.S. governments attempt to relocate them to Bosque Redondo near Fort Sumner, N.M., in whats known as the Long Walk.

Etsidi returned to northern Arizona around 1870 after the Navajos signed a treaty with the federal government that defined a reservation for the tribe.

The reservation did not include land that would become Wupatki National Monument, where Etsidi and other Navajos resettled. Their children made a playground of its low-lying grasslands, sandstone outcroppings and scrub brush. Herding sheep, a staple of Navajo tradition and a sign of wealth, was an everyday task.

But the Park Service feared overgrazing and asked Navajos to move their sheep off the monument at times and imposed herd limits. Members of the Peshlakai family said they were forced to move beyond the Little Colorado River.

Elsie Tohannie said she was in her late teens or early 20s when a former monument superintendent told her the family couldnt live there.

Now 82, she resides with her family in Flagstaff but has vivid memories of Wupatki. She moves her hands as if creating scenes of the landscape that her family says is the source of countless stories of her childhood.

Absolutely it bothers me, she said of leaving the land where she grew up. Its something no one can recognize, the pain.

Another family member, James Peshlakai, has no desire to return to a place under Park Service control. He was born about a quarter-mile from the Wupatki visitor center in 1945. He recalls his mother, Katherine, being evicted while he was in school in Flagstaff and hitchhiking to the monument to find her alone with her sheep. He said he and his siblings fashioned a shelter from tree branches and blankets that they lived in during the winter before going elsewhere.

By that time, Katherine Peshlakai had separated from Clyde Peshlakai. James Peshlakai said he later intervened when the Park Service asked his father to sign a land-use permit, but the elder Peshlakai declined, saying I want this land for my children.

James Peshlakais daughter, Democratic state Rep. Jamescita Peshlakai, has introduced a resolution in the Legislature for Arizona to declare its support of the Peshlakai family and their continued residency within the national monument. The Navajo Nation Council has passed a similar resolution.

Sadly, its a story typical of every Native American family in the Americas, she said.

No request to allow the Peshlakais to live at the monument has been submitted to Congress, but the family has an advocate in Democratic U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. The congresswoman said that while federal land-management policies have evolved over the years, we cannot forget that the people who have emerged with the land are inseparable.

Across the West, few American Indians remain on lands that have become iconic tourist destinations managed by the federal government. The Grand Canyon set aside a housing complex for Havasupai tribal members displaced by the national park. Navajos also live at Canyon de Chelly National Monument near Chinle, but the land is Navajo-owned, and the monument is jointly managed by the tribe. The 38 sites in four states that make up the Nez Perce National Historical Park include reservation land.

Smith has a rare letter of authorization from the Park Service allowing lifetime residency at Wupatki. Her daughter, Helen Peshlakai Davis, gave up a right to pursue residency at the monument in exchange for land north of Flagstaff.

Davis said the Park Service didnt fully explain what she was signing, and she contends the agreement should be invalidated. In Navajo belief, she is tied to Wupatki land because her umbilical cord is buried there beneath a sheep corral.

The Park Service believes the agreement should stand.

While the Peshlakai family once had free reign of the monuments more than 35,000 acres, Smith now lives on a much smaller plot without the sheep she once had but with amenities like electricity and running water that she grew up without. Smith said any Navajo family who traces their ancestry to the clans that settled the area should be welcomed back.

It belongs to them ... everything thats here, Smith said through a Navajo interpreter.
Trump, who generated controversy with his push to ban many Muslims from entering the United States, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilizations.

By Reuters: US President Donald Trump called on Arab leaders to do their fair share to "drive out" terrorism from their countries on Sunday in a speech that put the burden on the region to combat militant groups.

Trump, who generated controversy with his push to ban many Muslims from entering the United States, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilizations.

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"America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security. But nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them," Trump told leaders of 55 Muslim majority countries representing more than a billion people.

"The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and frankly for their families and for their children," he said.

"It's a choice between two futures and its a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists.

"Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth," he said.

AMERICA FIRST

Trump's "America first" philosophy helped him win the 2016 election and has rattled allies who depend on US support for their defense. The president, who is struggling to contain a brewing political scandal at home, made clear in his address that Washington would partner with the Middle East but expected more action in return.

"Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land," he said in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a nine-day tour that includes Israel, Italy and Belgium.

The speech in a gilded hall bedecked with chandeliers is part of an effort to redefine his relationship with the Muslim world after Trump frequently attacked Muslims on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the United States.

Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who set aside his campaign rhetoric about Muslims and focused on his desire to crack down on Iran's influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in Obama.

Trump's signature phrase "radical Islamic terrorism" was not included in the speech, according to excerpts released in advance by the White House.

Instead, he used the term "Islamist extremism", which refers to Islamism as political movement rather than Islam as a religion, a distinction that he had frequently criticized the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama for making.

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TRUMP'S BAN ON MUSLIMS

As a candidate, Trump proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States. In office he ordered temporary bans on people from certain Muslim-majority countries, which have been blocked by courts that ruled they were discriminatory.

JOINT FIGHT, ROYAL WELCOME

Introducing Trump, Saudi King Salman described their mutual foe Iran as the source of terrorism they must confront together.

"Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are ... The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism."

Iran is a Shi'ite Muslim country. The groups that the United States has been fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere since the September 11, 2001 attacks on Washington and New York are mostly Sunni Muslims, and enemies of Iran.

The United States and Gulf Arab countries announced agreement to coordinate efforts against the financing of terrorist groups.

Trump's welcome in the region was put on display during a series of individual meetings with Arab leaders.

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He praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, telling him, "You have done a tremendous job under trying circumstances". The Obama administration had a difficult relationship with Sisi, who came to power after leading a military coup in 2013 during which hundreds of demonstrators were killed, and has since jailed thousands of opponents.

Trump promised to schedule a trip to Egypt soon, and he singled out the Egyptian's choice of footwear, a pair of shiny black shoes. "Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes," he said.

To Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Trump declared that the two nations had a lot in common and "there won't be strain with this administration."

The king lauded the relationship and said it had led to "great stability in the region and prosperity". Bahrain is home to the US fleet in the Middle East. Its Sunni Muslim royal family rules over a majority Shi'ite population and was occasionally rebuked by the Obama administration for harsh treatment of opponents.

Trump's Riyadh visit kicks off his first presidential trip abroad, with Saudi Arabia the first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe.

The speech came as Trump tried to escape the fallout from his May 9 firing of former FBI Director James Comey amid accusations he was trying to stop a federal investigation into his campaign's ties with Russia last year.

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The New York Times reported Trump called Comey a "nut job" in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week. The Washington Post said the probe had reached into the White House to include a Trump adviser, who was not named.

Also Read

Saudis welcome Donald Trump with gold medal, receive arms package

New Russia probe leaks threaten to derail Donald Trump's foreign trip

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: London, May 21 (PTI) Ahead of Ramadan, a top UK university has decided to remove prayer space available on campus for Muslims, citing a "lack of space" during exam season as the reason behind its move.

The only daily prayer space available on campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university Library, Independent reported.

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Muslim students at the university were told that their Friday prayer space was to be taken away due to a "lack of space" during exam season, the paper said.

Students yesterday took part in a public prayer session in the main university square in peaceful protest against the move.

A spokesperson from the UEA Islamic Society said: "We are shocked and appalled that the University, who re-located us... on the condition that they would investigate a permanent solution which they have failed to produce, would take away our only prayer spaces during exam period and before Ramadan".

Over the past few years, Muslim students at the university have used a lecture theatre for prayer and worship. The larger Friday worship sessions take place at a separate location by the Blackdale student residences.

Both arrangements were set up as a temporary solution while the university discussed plans for a permanent prayer space.

From Sunday, however, the Muslim student community are to be left with no designated prayer space, a move students say they had not been invited to discuss.

UEAs Student Union has accused the university of discrimination, failing its duties under the Equality Act.

Union spokesperson for welfare, community and diversity, Jo Swo, was quoted as saying by the report that the situation had caused "a tremendous amount of anxiety and inconvenience for Muslim students as it has made them feel observed and treated like an inconvenience to the University".

UEA has begun dramatic plans for expansion over the next few years, pledging to recruit up to 3,000 new students by 2030 ? a rise of 20 per cent.

A UEA spokesperson said the Vice Chancellor would be meeting with students imminently to discuss the matter.

In a statement, the university said: "As part of a 2 million pound investment in new library study spaces and the complete refurbishment of the Universitys main lecture theatres the use of a prayer facility near Lecture Theatre 2 will be temporarily unavailable for safety reasons during the building works". PTI UZM ZH UZM

--- ENDS ---

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Union minister Uma Bharti said she was a part of the Ram Mandir Andolan but wants to know what the conspiracy in the Babri Masjid demolition case is all about.

By India Today Web Desk: Unaffected by the Supreme Court order that she be tried for conspiracy in the Babri Masjid demolition case, Union minister Uma Bharti said she was a part of the Ram Mandir Andolan.

"I want to know what the conspiracy is all about," said Uma Bharti, who is the Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in the Narendra Modi government.

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Speaking at the India Today Editors' Roundtable, the BJP firebrand leader said that she will not resign from the cabinet at the "behest of the Congress which had imposed Emergency".

GANGA CLEANING PROJECT ON TRACK

Uma Bharti dismissed talks of slow progress of the Namami Gange project--the cleaning of Ganga is Narendra Modi's pet project--and said that her ministry will meet the October 2018 deadline for ridding the 2,525-km-long river of filth.

"I am working on a timeline. We launched the first phase in July last year and we will deliver in October 2018," the minister said, adding that Ganga was not an issue in the 2014 General Elections but was put in the BJP's election manifesto.

On reports about only 18 per cent of the total Rs 20,000 crore funds being utilised so far for the Namami Gange project, Uma Bharti said she will not spend a penny if it not required.

NO MODI-YOGI COMPARISON

When asked if lack of cooperation from state governments delayed the Namami Gange project, Uma Bharti said, "I never faced a problem in Uttarakhand but I faced problems with the Akhilesh government".

A confident Uma Bharti said that in case of a delay in the project, she would hold herself responsible for it.

Bharti called comparisons between Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unjustified and said both have different challenges to deal with.

Uma Bharti credited Narendra Modi with helping her learn the ropes of running a ministry and working around the bureaucracy.

ALSO READ | Jyotiraditya Scindia on Rahul: Congress needs to correct itself, take decisions with alacrity

ALSO READ | Is BJP waiting for Nitish Kumar's ghar wapsi? Amit Shah keeps you guessing

ALSO READ | How Manohar Parrikar became CM: Nitin Gadkari reveals what happened on that night in Goa

Watch Video: India Today Editors' Roundtable: Uma Bharti questions conspiracy charge in Babri case

--- ENDS ---
Donald Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with a nearly $110 billion deal to take effect immediately.

By Indo-Asian News Service: US President Donald Trump and leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries -- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates -- began a summit meeting here on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of Trump's first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

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Trump arrived here on a two-day visit accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and other White House senior officials on Saturday.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the meeting, news reported.

MoU ON COUNTER TERRORISM

Minutes before the summit started in the King Abdulaziz Convention Centre, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Nayef signed a memorandum of understanding to create a counter-terrorism centre, which is set to be based in Riyadh.

Following this meeting, US President Donald Trump is set to participate in a summit with about 50 leaders and representatives from Muslim-majority countries.

Upon his arrival on Saturday, Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with a nearly $110 billion deal to take effect immediately.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security "in the face of Iranian threats" and the "package demonstrates the US' commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region."

On Saturday night, the American President also participated in a ceremonial sword dance outside the Murabba Palace ahead of a state dinner.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.

--- ENDS ---
GulfNav reported a first quarter profit of AED8.8m ($2.4m) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to AED6.3m in the same period a year earlier.

The company noted the improved quarterly result came after it successfully settled legal cases and entered into various global partnerships.

We are moving with confidence towards achieving our strategic plans, enhancing our global business reputation, improving our capabilities and operational efficiency as well as our ability to be more competitive without compromising on quality, said Khamis Juma Buamim, md and group ceo of GulfNav.

GulfNav is the only specialist marine services and shipping company listed on the Dubai Financial Market.
By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Updating with quotes)

Chennai, May 21 (PTI) DMK Working President M K Stalin today flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at "short notice" but giving no time to him to apprise him of farmers cause, a charge junked by the BJP.

Stalin rued that the PM could meet AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction leader Panneerselvam, "just an MLA" but spared no time for him, either as the leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly or a farmers representative whose cause he wanted to take up with him.

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Referring to Panneerselvams meeting with Modi in Delhi on Friday, Stalin said the latter gave the former chief minister appointment on "short notice."

"What I am asking is, you (PM) are aware of the plight of farmers, who are facing so many difficulties. They held a protest in Delhi for almost 50 days."

"But the prime minister never gave an appointment to them. They said you (PM) may not heed their demands but at least give an audience for their satisfaction to hear them out," he said.

Stalin recalled that as leader of opposition (LoP) in the Tamil Nadu assembly, he had recently chaired an "all-party meeting" to discuss farmers problems in the state.

One of the resolutions passed in that meeting was to meet the prime minister and convey to him the decisions taken in the meeting, he said. The prime minister could have meet him at least on behalf of the all party leaders even if he could not grant an audience to all of them, Stalin said.

"We had sought an appointment (with Modi) and are waiting. But there has been no response from the Prime Ministers Office (so far)." "The prime minister is meeting someone (Panneerselvam) who is holding no post. But he doesnt meet the LoP, who has so much responsibility to discuss farmers problems," he said. Stalin said Panneerselvam is only a member of the legislative assembly (MLA). Hitting out at Stalin for his criticism of the prime minister, the BJPs state unit said it was "not proper" for him to level such charges against Modi. "The prime minister knows when to meet whom and under what circumstances," BJP state unit president Tamilisai Sounderrajan said. The prime minister was not saying no to meeting people and was meeting those from the lower strata of society too, she said.

She recalled that Modi had recently met, among others, some local body representatives from Tamil Nadu.

He had also met agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, she said, in an apparent reference to the prime minister releasing a book by the scientist.

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"Therefore these accusations made against the prime minister are for politics and nothing else," she added. PTI SA APR RAX

--- ENDS ---
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Somewhere toward the middle of Saturdays game, some tape measures broke trying to keep up with the monstrous homers the As were belting.

Mark Canha smoked a solo shot out to left, 453 feet from home plate, to open the fifth inning. Two batters later, Khris Davis crushed a 429-foot homer to center. And with one on and two outs, Chad Pinder hit one of the two longest drives by an As player in the history of the building, certainly post-Mount Davis, which went up in 1996: He put a two-run moonshot into the plaza reserved level above the suites in center field.

In the sixth, Jed Lowrie added a solo homer into the seats in right, a mere 409 feet, as the As hammered Boston 8-3.

Pinders 460-foot shot off Noe Ramirez was the most prodigious. Mark McGwire (1996) is the only other As player to put a ball into the plaza reserved section.

Honestly, its one of those swings where you kind of just black out, Pinder said. You see it and you hit it and dont know what happens after.

Oakland doesnt maintain longest-homer data, but certainly the rookies blast is among the top three or four. Colorados Larry Walker (1999), the Giants Jarrett Parker (2015) and Seattles Nelson Cruz (2016) are the only others to hit balls into the plaza reserved section. Yoenis Cespedes first homer at the Coliseum in 2012 was measured at 462 feet, but it struck the facing just below the plaza level, demonstrating the difficulty of accurately measuring homers. In fact, ESPN, which measured that Cespedes shot, pegged Pinders drive at 483 feet, but Statcast, with 460 for Pinder, is considered the standard for measurements.

Has Pinder ever hit a ball that far before?

No, he said. Theres no chance.

Former As third baseman Josh Donaldson, who knows the Coliseums dimensions well, responded to The Chronicles tweets about Pinders homer first with Oh my and emojis with a staring face and two flexed biceps, then a follow-up that read: big boy pop.

It was amazing, said Davis, who leads the As with 13 homers. Hes got a great swing; that was impressive, though.

With all those balls flying out, the inning was a long one, so manager Bob Melvin took starter Sean Manaea out. Manaea was not complaining about the run support, though.

Hitting four home runs is really cool to see, especially how far they went, Manaea said. Its something you dont see every day, really fun to watch.

Oaklands first runs of the day, for contrast, came in much less muscular fashion.

In the second inning, former As starter Drew Pomeranz walked Trevor Plouffe and Pinder, and with one out Josh Phegley tapped a swinging bunt in front of the plate. Catcher Christian Vazquez jumped out to field it, then threw wildly past first. Both runners came across and Phegley wound up at third, but the umpiring crew conferred and Pinder was returned to third and Phegley to second because the ball had rolled into the Boston bullpen and become stuck. A dead ball in that area, according to Coliseum ground rules, results in runners advancing two bases.

Melvin came out and was quickly ejected by third-base umpire Mike Winters. My issues werent with the ground rule, Melvin said. I had other issues.

Pinder later scored on Rajai Davis bunt single.

Manaea went five innings and allowed three runs, two earned, before Frankie Montas turned in three scoreless innings of relief.

Oakland has taken the first three games of the four game series; the As are 14-8 at home.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser
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A BART train derailed in Daly City, forcing the evacuation of 24 passengers and causing major delays throughout the transit system Saturday afternoon, officials said.

The wheels on the two middle cars of a nine-car train came off the tracks at 2:55 p.m. immediately after it had left Daly City on its way to Balboa Park Station, said BART spokesman Taylor Huckaby.

The trucks, or wheel axles, came off of the rail several feet on two cars, Huckaby said of the Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train. I dont have any details on how it happened, but we are investigating.

Nobody was injured in the incident, but emergency crews had to unload and escort two dozen people back to the Daly City Station platform, about 250 feet from where the train had stopped.

Service was stopped between Balboa Park, Colma, San Francisco International Airport and Millbrae until single-track service was resumed at 4 p.m. Huckaby said service was delayed across the entire system throughout the rest of the day.

Muni provided buses between Daly City and Balboa Park, while SamTrans buses picked up passengers between Colma and Daly City.

Were going to be single-tracking until the end of service at midnight, Huckaby said Saturday afternoon. Whenever we have one problem in the system, it throws off the schedule in the rest of the system.

Huckaby said there is no evidence the derailment was caused by an operator error. He said the disabled train would be removed by the start of service Sunday, in time for the Bay to Breakers race.

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We are not expecting this incident to affect service to tomorrows Bay to Breakers event, he said. BART will still be opening early at 6 a.m. with long trains to accommodate those participating, and we strongly encourage people to use BART to get there.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
In Napa Valley, where rural traditions have long collided with tourists racing to palatial wineries and bachelorette parties spilling from brigades of luxury buses, a plan for a private helicopter pad in the grape-bearing hills is seen by some as a step too far.

Christian Palmaz, son of the wealthy inventor of the coronary stent, wants to fly his twin-engine chopper to and from his estate and family wine business east of the city of Napa, at the foot of Mount George. The 32-year-old pilot and president of Palmaz Vineyards says traveling by air will make it easier to tend to affairs elsewhere.

But as with a growing number of projects in ever-expanding Wine Country, longtime Napa County residents are voicing concern. Last week, dozens of people, many wearing red Heli-NO T-shirts, packed a county hearing in downtown Napa to protest not only the potential for overhead noise, but also what some described as the creep of an existential threat.

If the success of the wine industry defines much of the North Bay, so does the tension over its reach and its glitz. Hostilities recently peaked over an ambitious push by the owners of St. Helenas Hall Wines to take grape production off the valley floor into unspoiled oak forests. The bid was approved by the county after years of debate, but is being challenged in court.

To the north, residents have questioned plans to boost wine tourism with two $1,000-a-night resorts in tiny Calistoga. And to the west, in the Russian River Valley outside Santa Rosa, celebrity chef Guy Fieris proposal for a fancy tasting room was rejected amid broader anxiety over the expansion of wineries doubling as event centers.

When is enough, enough? asked Dan Mufson, president of Napa 2050, which formed two years ago to organize opposition to new development. People with lots of money are coming in here and doing whatever they want. Theyre not the ones on the tractor, though. They dont have any sense of the land.

The conflict over growth, Mufson said, has bubbled over with the helipad proposal because its personal  an assault on peoples homesteads, he called it.

Critics of Palmazs plan say approval of the countys first private landing pad in more than a decade will open the door to more such facilities. Its only a matter of time, they say, before noisy helicopters become as ubiquitous across the fields and rolling hills as prix fixe meals and $25 wine tastings.

I dont want to have helicopters flying over, said Robert Pursell, 46, whose home butts up against Palmaz Vineyards. I was out on my pool deck on a Friday and a big black helicopter flew a couple hundred feet above the ground. It was like World War III.

While commercial helicopter tours to wineries are illegal in Napa County, private landing pads are not. They simply require a special use permit. The last to apply for one was Los Angeles Chargers owner Alex Spanos, who withdrew his 2005 request amid public outcry.

Only six permits have been approved since 1965, according to county officials. Many residents with an interest in flying, and the means to own a chopper, have opted to respect the status quo. Or they sneak into the skies without a permit.

Palmaz says he has no intention of ducking any rules.

A lot of people have told me, Your biggest mistake is asking for permission, he said in an interview. But I dont want to be looking over my shoulder.

Palmaz, who applied for his heliport permit in 2014, said hes been working to resolve concerns of neighbors ever since. He plans to locate his landing pad and an adjacent hangar on the backside of the familys Hagen Road property, where it wont be a nuisance. Hes also agreed to limit his travel to personal use  not ushering in wine buyers or conducting other winery business  with no more than four arrivals and four departures a week.

At a meeting of the Napa County Planning Commission on Wednesday, a sound specialist hired by the family presented a noise contour map to suggest that the buzz of the helicopter wont extend to nearby homes. A county-sanctioned environmental study confirmed that disruptions would be minimal.

Palmaz lives on the familys 600 acres with his wife and son. The property, which the family bought in the late 1990s, is known not only for its Cabernet Sauvignon, the flagship varietal in the Coombsville sub-appellation, but an 18-story cavern built into the slopes of Mount George, where the wine is produced and stored.

Palmaz is also seeking to put a private heliport on family land in rural Plumas County, where planners say theyve never encountered such a request and are reworking local codes to try to accommodate it.

Planning commissioners in Napa County listened to comments from the public about the helipad, but did not make a decision last week. A vote is yet to be scheduled.

Apprehension over development comes as the number of wineries in the valley has increased fourfold since 1995, to roughly 500 today. Winery growth has been accompanied by a boom in hotels, restaurants and tasting rooms, which has brought traffic congestion and housing shortages as well as increased pressure on water supplies and wildlife habitat.

County Planning Director David Morrison said valley residents have done a lot of soul-searching to try to balance economic, environmental and lifestyle issues.

Its not as if its a laissez-faire Wild West where wineries can be plopped down wherever they want. There are a lot of restrictions, Morrison said.

One of the most significant pieces of regulation was a 1968 agricultural preservation ordinance, the first in the nation to keep urban development from encroaching on farmland. Since then, the county has been slowly, often painfully, fine-tuning its growth limits through new laws and lengthy civic discussions, many of which have come in the past few years.

Certainly some of the crowds (at public meetings) are larger, Morrison said. And we are seeing more appeals of Planning Commission decisions, and were seeing more of those appeals going to litigation.

What the county is seeing less of, Morrison said, is neighbors working directly with neighbors to hammer out disagreements.

The wineries have been on both sides of the development wars, as well as the debate over Palmazs helicopter. Industry representatives say producers have been mindful of protecting the fabric of Wine Country.

The strains that have come with growth, many in the trade say, are a small price to pay for becoming one of the worlds premier winemaking regions and a place so many want to visit  or live.

Our economy is doing pretty good, said Tom Wark, a marketer and publicist who has long written a blog about the wine business. And the reason its doing good is the industry itself has done a great job of stewarding the valley.

Theres no sign the conflict will ease. County planning documents estimate that 4,000 spots remain where new wineries could be built  parcels 10 acres or larger  with about 80,000 acres of land available for new vineyards.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
Robert Mueller, the newly named special counsel looking into possible ties between President Trumps 2016 campaign and the Russians, certainly made his presence felt during his three-year tenure as Northern Californias top federal prosecutor.

A registered Republican, Mueller was chief of the Justice Departments criminal division in Washington when he landed the job as U.S. attorney in San Francisco in 1998. President Bill Clinton named him to the job, after getting a strong recommendation from Muellers friend and boss, then-Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder. Another Democrat who provided a big push: then-Sen. Barbara Boxer.

According to legal observers, Muellers smarts, professional demeanor and dogged determination in going after everything from gang killings to white-collar crime and public corruption restored order and morale to an office that had drifted under his predecessor, Michael Yamaguchi, forcing his resignation.

He was put in here to clean up shop... and he pretty much did it, said San Francisco attorney Kevin Ryan, who succeeded Mueller in the San Francisco post in 2002.

He was a hands-on boss who was good to his word, said defense attorney Stuart Hanlon. I cant say that of everyone who has held that office.

Muellers office also made its presence felt at San Francisco City Hall when FBI agents began dogging trucker Charlie Walker, a buddy of then-Mayor Willie Brown who decades earlier had done time in San Quentin State Prison for fraud.

Walkers trucking deals, political ward heeling and birthday fundraisers for the mayor had been the talk of the town for years, and now he was the subject of an investigation into minority contracts in the building of $2.8 billion International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport.

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The probe into Walker came up short  although Walkers daughter was eventually one of 14 people who pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the sale of Section 8 vouchers at the San Francisco Housing Authority.

Mueller got the U.S. attorneys office back working, agreed attorney Peter Keane, who was dean of Golden Gate University Law School at the time. And if I were Trump, Id be worried.

S an Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
In the fierce competition to perfect self-driving cars, almost no one wants to go it alone.

Big automakers with autonomous vehicle programs have forged alliances with tech companies that, in many cases, are working on the same thing.

Silicon Valley companies, which often prefer designing products to building them, have sought out dance partners with decades of manufacturing experience, even as they fight among themselves over patents and personnel.

The last two years have seen a frenzy of deal-making. This month alone, chipmaker Nvidia announced a partnership with Toyota; BMW reported an alliance with both Intel and auto parts supplier Delphi; and the ride service Lyft teamed up with Waymo, the self-driving car division of Googles parent company, Alphabet.

For the automakers, forging a partnership with a tech firm or buying a promising startup can give them an edge  or a way to hedge their bets in case in-house efforts are falling behind.

If they perceive this will get them to where they want to be six months earlier, it may be worth it, said Ed Hellwig, senior editor at the Edmunds.com auto information service.

He also suspects its a way for the established car companies to show Wall Street that theyre on top of a change that could soon revolutionize their business.

Theyre buying some of these companies and investing, if only to change the public perception that theyre not doing enough, Hellwig said.

See a guide to the increasingly complicated web of alliances.

Waymo

Google kicked off the heated race to create self-driving cars when it first showed off its bubble-shape autonomous prototype in 2010. Now the Mountain View giant has renamed its self-driving effort Waymo and is forging alliances to bring its technology to market.

The most fruitful of those partnerships, so far, is with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which agreed last year to integrate Waymos sensors and software into specially made Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Last month, Waymo CEO John Krafcik said his company would add 500 robot Pacificas to the 100 already running tests on public roads. Waymo is also asking for volunteers in Phoenix who want to ride the Pacificas on a regular basis.

In December, Honda reported that it was in talks to tap Waymos technology, although Honda has its own in-house autonomous driving program.

And on May 14, Waymo and San Francisco ride-hailing service Lyft acknowledged their partnership, although few details have been released. Bear in mind, Waymo is locked in a bitter legal fight with Lyfts much larger San Francisco rival, Uber, whose self-driving program was until recently led by a former Google engineer. Lyft and Uber both want to use robot taxis.

Uber

Uber has been particularly aggressive in its deal-making, although one of the arrangements led to the courtroom fight with Waymo.

That would be Ubers $680 million purchase in August of Otto, a self-driving truck startup founded by Anthony Levandowski, formerly of Google. (In 2013, Google took a stake in Uber, but that relationship soured some time ago.) Waymo has accused Levandowski and Uber of conspiring to steal trade secrets. Uber has denied any knowledge of the engineers alleged misdeeds.

August turned out to be a busy month for Uber. The company agreed to sell its China operations to Chinese rival Didi Chuxing  which is also developing autonomous vehicles  in return for an 18 percent stake in Didi. And Volvo agreed to build cars capable of incorporating Ubers self-driving technology, with the two companies devoting a combined $300 million to the effort.

In January, Uber and German auto giant Daimler, the parent of Mercedes-Benz, reached an agreement for the ride service to use Daimlers self-driving cars on its network.

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Lyft and GM

In addition to the new partnership with Waymo, Lyft has another big ally in the self-driving race: General Motors. The Detroit automaker invested $500 million in Lyft in January 2016, citing a shared vision of on-demand autonomous vehicles. Five months later, GM placed an even bigger bet on self-driving technology, buying San Francisco startup Cruise Automation for $1 billion. Cruise has installed its autonomous technology in a fleet of electric Chevy Bolts now circling San Francisco streets on a daily basis.

Ford

Not to be outdone, Ford Motor Co. CEO Mark Fields announced last year at the companys fast-growing Silicon Valley lab that it would start making robot taxis by 2021. And in February, Ford said it would invest $1 billion for a majority stake in Argo AI, a Pittsburgh robotics company stocked with veterans of Google, Uber and Carnegie Mellon University.

Ford also joined with Chinese Internet giant Baidu last year to invest a combined $150 million in Velodyne , a Morgan Hill company that makes lidar (the laser equivalent of radar) for self-driving vehicles. Velodyne then used some of that money to open a factory in San Jose. Baidu, meanwhile, is also developing autonomous vehicles.

Intel and Nvidia

Sensing a huge new market for their goods, chipmakers Intel and Nvidia, both of Santa Clara, have been avidly seeking out partners among the automakers.

Intel agreed in March to spend a stunning $15.3 billion for Mobileye, an Israeli company whose software interprets images from the cameras now embedded in many cars. And on Tuesday, Intel joined an alliance with BMW and Delphi, one of the worlds largest auto-parts suppliers, to create a self-driving platform. Delphi already has a pilot project to operate self-driving taxis in Singapore. BMW joined with automakers Daimler and Audi last year to buy digital mapping company Here for $3.1 billion. (Intel announced in January that it would acquire a 15 percent stake in Here for an undisclosed amount.)

Nvidia formed a partnership with Toyota this month to develop autonomous driving systems. Nvidia already has a long-running partnership with Audi on self-driving technology and supplies chips to Tesla, which has largely avoided partnerships with its self-driving rivals.

In January, Nvidia announced a joint effort with Mercedes-Benz to develop a car together in 12 months.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF
SACRAMENTO  Eric Bauman was elected chair of the California Democratic Party on Saturday, winning a tight 1,493-to-1,431 victory over Kimberly Ellis of Richmond, capping a heated battle to replace outgoing chair John Burton, longtime San Francisco legislator.

Bauman, 58, is a Los Angeles nurse who is the partys vice chair and a political operative. The longtime party organizer was endorsed by many elected officeholders.

Ellis, 43, had promised to overhaul the party by challenging it to be more progressive. Her supporters  many clad in fuchsia shirts that read Unbossed and Unbought  gave a nod to Ellis refusal to accept contributions to her campaign from tobacco and oil companies and other corporate interests.

Even though the top two candidates largely shared similar progressive positions on the major issues, the race was seen as illustrative of the divisions among California Democrats  and of the national party.

Those splits shrouded the partys three-day convention, which ends Sunday. Several times over the weekend, fissures ruptured between the partys progressive wing  the Sen. Bernie Sanders-friendly, more activist-driven faction whose signature issue is passing a single-payer health plan  and its more traditional stalwarts.

If you dismiss progressive values and reinforce the status quo, dont assume that activists in California and around this country are going to stay with the Democratic Party, RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United and a progressive leader, warned delegates Saturday before the vote.

Many booed and heckled Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez during a Friday speech, and others tried to interrupt an address to the delegation Saturday by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount (Los Angeles County).

At both events, the famously profane Burton tried to defuse the demonstrations, often while dropping four-letter words, by pointing out that it was superfluous to protest because Democrats support single-payer health plan.

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One-two-three, everybody say it: single payer! Burton said, leading the crowd in a chant. Now are you f happy and can be courteous to the speakers?

Ellis said she was running to redefine what it means to be a Democrat.

Speaking after Ellis to the same womens group Saturday, Bauman said: Our party doesnt need to be redefined. Our Democrats dont need to be redefined because each and every person in this room knows what it means to be a Democrat.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Californias shelters for abused and neglected children are supposed to be temporary refuges for the states most vulnerable population.

Instead, a Chronicle investigation has found that some of the states county-run shelters for foster children are serving less as refuges and more as incubators for the criminal justice system.

The shelters are the first stop for children who have been taken from their parents by county social workers. They arent designed to be long-term care facilities, and there arent many of them. California has 58 counties, but only nine counties currently have shelters (and two shelters are scheduled to close by the end of the year).

The shelters also serve a relatively small number of Californias foster children. About 5,400 of the 85,000 children who spent time in California foster care last year passed through the shelters.

Yet these obscure facilities were responsible for an astounding number of contacts with law enforcement in recent years: more than 14,000 calls to police and sheriffs departments in 2015 and 2016.

Police and sheriff interventions led to at least 485 arrests, citations and detainments for alleged criminal offenses. Most of the incidents that led to arrests were minor, at best  small damage to shelter property and altercations with staff members or other children that didnt cause serious injuries.

Theres no excuse for why these minor incidents  which any reasonable adult would expect from a population of confused and traumatized children  should lead to handcuffs and criminal charges.

In many of the institutions, the attitude is you can call police anytime you think something wrong has happened, and there should be a higher duty when it comes to parenting children, said Maria Ramiu, a senior staff attorney for the Youth Law Center. If children are disobeying the rules, you implement disciplinary systems.

The problems appear to be especially bad at the Mary Graham Childrens Shelter near Stockton, in the Central Valley. That facility, which housed 515 children last year, called the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Department nine times a day on average last year. It relied on law enforcement more than any other shelter in the state.

While many of the calls were for assistance in locating foster children who had left shelter grounds without permission, The Chronicle found that staff in shelters also called for infractions as slight as jabbing a caregiver with a candy cane.

Californias Department of Social Services says its aware of the problems and is working with the shelters on reforms.

Were currently in a reform process, and were working with the counties to build more capacity with their therapeutic capacities and available housing for these children, said Michael Weston, the departments deputy director of public affairs. The ultimate goal is ... that no child will stay at these shelters longer than 10 days.

The reform process to which Weston refers is linked to AB388, a 2014 law requiring oversight on the role of law enforcement in foster youths lives.

Recognizing that too many foster children were being swept up in the school to prison pipeline, AB388 requires a series of new licensing standards and accountability measures for group facilities serving foster children. Many child welfare organizations and county facilities have said theyve already seen positive changes from the reforms, but they wont be fully implemented for years.

Were talking about a five-year window for the whole state, Weston said.

Change needs to happen faster.

One simple solution would be to retrain shelter staff in new disciplinary methodologies  and hold them accountable for their results.

What a lot of schools and juvenile centers have done in recent years, to reduce suspensions, is to institute positive behavioral management systems, Ramiu said. You have to retrain your staff to reinforce good behavior, to use alternative means of discipline and to reserve calling the police for true emergencies. Its not easy, but its more like parenting. And thats what we should be doing with children, not putting them into correctional situations.
Heres what we learned about Ruben Navarrette Jr. from his May 16 column: He thinks we shouldnt protect hardworking undocumented residents from President Trumps mass-deportation machine because it is like kicking white people in the teeth.

Their fear of losing the white majority in coming decades has been heightened by the presidents politically expedient portrayal of immigrants as a lawless community.

The fact is, study after study has shown undocumented residents commit fewer crimes and are incarcerated at a much lower rate than those born in the country.

Yet, under the Trump administration, arrests of undocumented residents have increased nearly 40 percent from the same time period in 2016, including 10,800 people with no criminal record  a 150 percent increase. Trump wants to commandeer local police to help deport the very people who contribute so much to our culture and economy.

When local police enforce immigration laws, they rapidly lose the trust of the undocumented community. Crimes go unreported for fear of arrest and deportation. The perpetrators roam free to strike again. Our communities become less  not more  safe.

My legislation, SB54, the California Values Act, will prevent state and local law enforcement agencies from acting as agents of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Instead, it will keep them focused on what works best  community policing  rather than rounding up folks who in many instances assist police in solving crimes rather than commit them.

A newly released report by state Attorney General Javier Becerra that dispels the fallacies spread by the Trump administration about sanctuary policies cites several examples of how the cooperation of undocumented residents led to arrests and prosecutions.

The report also quotes several local law enforcement officials from across the land who stressed the importance of maintaining the trust of communities they serve.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck put it this way: When you create a shadow population ... that fears any interaction (with law enforcement), then you create a whole population of victims, because they become prey for human predators who extort them or abuse them because they know they wont contact the police.

Furthermore, a recent study found that counties that do not cooperate with ICE are safer and enjoy a stronger economy.

In California, 1 in 10 workers is undocumented, approximately 3 million in all. They pay an estimated $3 billion in state and local taxes annually. They contribute $180 billion annually to our states GDP. To attack them, as the president has, is to attack our economy and prosperity.

Undocumented workers contributions to Social Security, without the expectation of drawing benefits, has helped keep the program afloat. For instance, in 2010 undocumented workers contributed $13 billion to Social Security while only receiving $1 billion in benefits  a net gain of $12 billion for the program.

Californians will not squander their precious public safety dollars to tear apart families, detain Dreamers (undocumented adults brought to the U.S. as children) or deport the people who have helped make California the sixth largest economy in the world.

We will not be intimidated by the Trump administrations gun-to-the-head method to undermine the fundamental values that make our state and nation great.

Navarrette and I could agree on this: The immigration crisis is the result of Congress failure year after year to fix our dysfunctional immigration system by creating a path to citizenship.

State Sen. Kevin de Leon, D- Los Angeles, is the president pro tempore of the California Senate.
SACRAMENTO  Californians wont pick their governor until November 2018, but one story line is emerging among the Democrats battling to replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown: Because they largely agree on the issues, the race to lead the worlds sixth-largest economy is likely turn more on style and biography.

The top four announced candidates for governor have been busy, collectively raising $20 million. The campaign kicked into a higher gear this weekend as they courted the more than 3,000 delegates and grassroots activists who filled the Sacramento Convention Center for the three-day California Democratic Party convention.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom  the front-runner in early polls who has raised more ($13 million) than his next three competitors combined  hosted a nighttime party featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and Common, and scooped ice cream at an LGBT benefit Saturday afternoon with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

His announced rivals, including state Treasurer John Chiang, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former state school Superintendent Delaine Eastin, were more low-key, barnstorming caucus meetings for women, Latinos, environmentalists and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists.

Meanwhile, two other potential candidates mull jumping into the race: billionaire San Francisco environmentalist Tom Steyer and state Senate leader Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles, who is termed out of office next year.

Heres a look at what other Democrats were doing at the convention:

John Chiang: Though he has been elected to two statewide offices, Chiang playfully acknowledged that his jobs, while important  being state controller and treasurer, his current gig  are not the most high-profile positions.

As he moved through the convention this weekend, Chiang revealed a self-deprecating humor that he hopes will help him challenge two big personality, big city mayors.

Im sexy. Im fascinating, Chiang said, before turning serious. I think most people relate that Im a good, decent guy who is older brother John, their next-door neighbor who really works hard, who takes care of them. People like people theyre comfortable with.

The child of Taiwanese immigrants who was raised in suburban Chicago, Chiangs family was one of few Asian American households in the neighborhood. Vandals spray-painted gook and other epithets on the family home.

Those experiences fuel his desire to protect Californias immigrants.

For so many in our communities, especially those who are recent immigrants  they get left behind, Chiang told the Chicano Latino caucus at the convention.

Insiders see Chiang as the sleeper candidate in the race. Hes raised nearly $5 million so far, second only to Newsom, and much of it by tapping into a network of Asian American donors he has cultivated over the past two decades.

Antonio Villaraigosa: At a mini-gubernatorial candidates forum sponsored by Latino Democrats at the convention, the moderator asked: Trump: How are you going to take him on?

When it was Villaraigosas turn, he opened with a phrase that is central to his campaign: Ive got a track record.

I took on Pete Wilson, Villaraigosa told the audience, recalling how he helped register a million Latino voters during the Republican governors terms in the 1990s, which included attempts to push anti-immigrant legislation for those entering the country illegally.

Villaraigosas worldview was shaped by a difficult childhood. His father was an alcoholic who beat his mother and left the family when Villaraigosa was 5. He was tossed out of one high school and dropped out of another before a teacher spotted something in him. He was accepted under affirmative action guidelines to UCLA  a move that put him on a track that led him to being speaker of the Assembly and later, mayor.

The theme of his campaign is the two Californias. While the economy is booming in much of the Bay Area and other coastal regions, many parts of inland California remain mired in poverty.

This party has to look inside its soul, said Villaraigosa said. This economy is rigged. Its not working for enough people.

Delaine Eastin: The former Bay Area legislator and state schools chief is a late arrival to the governors race. Although she started talking about a run last year, she didnt officially open her campaign until late February.

It wasnt an easy decision for someone who has been out of elective office for more than 14 years, when she ended her second term as superintendent of public instruction.

Honestly, Ive been watching from the sidelines for some time and getting more and more upset, Eastin said.

Education at all levels is the go-to issue for her campaign, which is no surprise for a woman who has a Union City elementary school named for her.

Budgets are statements of our values, she said. If we can build a sexy, high-speed rail system and prisons, we can figure out how to pay for universal preschool.

The 69-year-old Eastin, who now lives in Davis, was born in San Diego and grew up in the Bay Area.

Paul Kuroda/Special to The Chronicle

At the convention Friday, Eastin was on the move with a lean entourage, dropping by meetings of Democratic interest groups and giving them what they wanted to hear.

I wrote the biggest landfill cleanup bill in California history, she told the environmental caucus, adding that she was a lifetime member of the Sierra Club and every other environmental group.

And of course we should ban fracking in California, Eastin told the cheering crowd before putting her signature on a prominently displayed sign where she and other candidates for governor pledged not to take contributions of more than $200 from the oil industry and to put Californians public health over oil industry profits.

This race is going to be a heavy lift, Eastin said. As of last week, Eastin had only raised about $60,000 for her campaign.

I was never supposed to win any of my races, she said. All I can do is work hard, build my social media and dont stop trying.

Gavin Newsom: Its a different situation for Newsom, who announced his run for governor in February 2015, just weeks after he was sworn in for a second term in the states No. 2 spot. After an aborted  and quickly redirected  run for governor in 2010, the former San Francisco mayor figured he wouldnt fool anyone by saying he still hadnt decided about his plans for 2018.

In that time, Newsom has helped push the successful ballot measure to legalize marijuana in the state and backed another measure to toughen the states gun laws.

While recognizing that he and Brown had their disagreements early on, Newsom, 50, now has plenty of praise for the governor, who he says did an exemplary job of triaging the state and pulling California up from looming fiscal disaster.

The governor established one principle that is profoundly important, the lieutenant governor said. He proved you dont have to be profligate to be progressive.

As governor, Newsom said, his focus would be on economic development, trying to make sure all parts of California share in any economic good times.

Were looking at building peoples skills, not just at development, he said. Were going to focus on growing the economy and making that growth inclusive. We cant be ideological.

Newsom was born in San Francisco and grew up in Marin County, where he now lives with his wife and their four children. He was elected mayor in 2003, re-elected four years later and resigned with a year left in his term after being elected lieutenant governor.

Visibility isnt a problem for Newsom, who was everywhere over the weekend, speaking to delegates, reporters and anyone who would stand still long enough. After years in local and statewide offices, Newsom also is no stranger to the little hiccups that dog every politician.

For example, when his microphone started to cut in and out as he was speaking to the rural caucus, Newsom had a quick response.

Not only do I recognize that this mike is not working, but I know that Sacramento isnt working either, he said.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer, and John Wildermuth is a Chronicle staff writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com, jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli, @jfwildermuth
ALBUQUERQUE  They were just a bunch of old business records belonging to New Mexicos oldest and largest sign-making shop, the last of the manufacturers from neons midcentury heyday.

No longer needed and deemed a fire hazard, the file drawers were moved outside and placed on pallets under a tree.

Ellen Babcock spotted them during one of her many visits to Zeon Signs as part of her interest in sign-making and the installation of public artwork on unused signs in Albuquerque.

Thanks to her curiosity, she was about to strike gold.

The University of New Mexico sculpture professor found hundreds of yellowing envelopes containing folded drawings of some of the memorable neon signs on Route 66, one of the first roads in the U.S. highway system. It spanned more than 2,400 miles, from Chicago to the West Coast.

The sketches detailed signs for gas stations, motels, burger joints, bowling alleys, dry cleaners and coffee shops. In some cases, they were the only records left of the beacons that lit the famous highway from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Finely drawn and just gorgeous, Babcock said of the first drawing she unfolded.

It was for the marque of a movie theater in the town of Grants, west of Albuquerque.

Aside from the sketches, the files included material lists, purchase orders and other correspondence between the designers and business owners who were looking to attract customers.

Babcock and Mark Childs, an associate dean and professor at the University of New Mexicos school of architecture, turned the find into a book in 2016. New Mexico preservation officials last week honored them for their work to salvage the historic drawings.

The professors say the designs marked the beginnings of what would become touchstones for travelers and people who lived along the historic highway, which crossed eight states.

They were meant to be memorable in peoples minds, Babcock said of the old signs. They were shared icons, these shared images that bind a community.

Some of the signs created by Electrical Products of New Mexico  now Zeon Signs  are still standing in Albuquerque, home to the largest uninterrupted segment of Route 66 left in an urban area. A few have been rehabilitated; many more are dilapidated and have long been dark.

Finding the sketches was a matter of serendipity, Childs said.

Theyre beautiful pieces, both for their original artwork and their sense of history, and I think they also represent from an urban design viewpoint a couple of different things, he said. One of them is this idea that there can be playfulness, which in some times and some eras we dont allow ourselves to think of that.

Babcock and Childs spent a summer combing through the dusty files.

More recently, archivists at the universitys Center for Southwest Research finished cataloging the collection and placing the sketches in protective sleeves. Plans call for the collection to be scanned and made available online.

Babcock got to see the results of the librarys preservation work last week, acknowledging the sketches could have been lost forever had Zeon Signs decided to trash them after the fire marshals visit.

Im so glad I did this. It was just out of whim, an impulse, she said of opening that file drawer behind the old Zeon building.

In researching the sketches, the professors talked with people who worked on the original signs. Babcock likened it to a sport in which workers would scale tall buildings and balance on cranes to install neon, change lightbulbs or solve engineering problems in an effort to create the most outrageous signs.

That kind of competition fostered a certain craft and advancing of the material to see just how far you could take neon and aluminum and how wild you could get with these designs and how intricate you could make the shapes and how you could make the neon bend in these amazing ways, she said.

It was really just an era of high craft and intricate design.

Susan Montoya Bryan is an Associated Press writer.
Over the last year, meal-delivery businesses have mostly served up pessimism. Several have closed their doors, the most recent being Maple, a venture-backed New York startup. Others, including Munchery, Postmates and Zesty, all in San Francisco, have cut workers. Sprig, also in San Francisco, which is backed by Accel and other venture capitalists, is burning through $850,000 a month and is reportedly seeking a buyer.

But venture capitalists arent giving up on the dream of getting food delivered cheaply through an app. Theyre just trying to find ways to do so with fewer subsidies, or even profitably. One promising niche is the hungry office worker. Investors recently put $30 million into Eat Club, which delivers lunches in the Bay area and Los Angeles. The Palo Alto company, which said its profitable, plans to use the money for an expansion to New York.

Eat Club offers similar options to Munchery or Sprig, with about 20 entrees per day, but delivers only to offices with 20 or more employees. Workers can order from an app or website. By delivering an offices meals together, the company estimates it costs 90 percent less per dish compared with on-demand startups. Eat Club said that its couriers drop off 20,000 meals a day, mainly to midsize technology companies such as Flipboard. Eat Club declined to say how many corporate customers have signed up, but said it expects to generate $50 million in revenue this year.

Global investors had high hopes for on-demand meal delivery, doling out $4.1 billion in 2015, according to research firm CB Insights. Startups competed by offering elaborate marketing campaigns and steep discounts to customers. Venture capitalists quickly learned that food delivery is a difficult business. In 2016, investments in the industry dropped to $1 billion, and some startups began to fold.

As investors tighten their belts, companies are looking to cut costs or sell out. Square held talks last year about selling its delivery app Caviar. Munchery, which burned through about $120 million, dismissed employees and recapitalized its stock in March. Sprig hasnt received funding since 2015. While it looks for a buyer, Sprig has started selling its food through competing apps, such as Caviar, to keep its kitchens busy. Sprig declined to comment on deal discussions.

Theres still reason to be optimistic. Morgan Stanley predicted that the U.S. food delivery market could grow from $11 billion today to as much as $210 billion at some point in the future.

Eat Clubs road to profitability since it started seven years ago by cooking meals in company-owned kitchens could be a model.

Brian Frank, who invests in young food companies through his FTW Ventures fund, said working with offices might be the best option for meal delivery.

Food delivery is going to be in demand, no matter what, said Frank, whos not an investor in Eat Club. Selling directly to businesses, rather than fickle consumers, he said, could be a more stable source of revenue and reduce the complexity of logistics.

But the era of free lunch is over, says Howard Hartenbaum, a partner at venture firm August Capital. He said his firm looked at more than a dozen delivery companies before investing in Eat Club. He estimated that it takes about $12.50 to deliver a single meal on time in most U.S. cities.

It has become obvious that you cant make money on individual deliveries; the cost of a single meal is too low to hide your associated fees, Hartenbaum said. Who wants to subsidize a company with no path to profitability?

ZeroCater, which delivers buffet-style meals prepared by local restaurants to offices, got a little extra cash in August, when it raised $4 million from investors. But the catering business has challenges, too. Zesty, another catering startup backed by Y Combinator, Peter Thiels Founders Fund and others, said it has struggled to meet the lofty projections it set for itself in 2016. In January, the company cut about 20 percent of its staff before expanding to a third market, San Jose, this month.

Chris Hollindale, co-founder and chief executive officer of Zesty, said: To be responsible and make our business stronger, we had to downsize.

Olivia Zaleski is a Bloomberg writer. Email: ozaleski@bloomberg.net
Marshawn Lynch is back in his native Oakland, and he isn't afraid to flaunt it.

The star running back and Cal graduate led a massive parade of bicyclists through the streets of Oakland on Saturday afternoon.
JERSEY CITY, N.J.  This is my paint gear, George Anthony Morton said, apologizing for splatters that only he could see on his black T-shirt. He had spent the afternoon at his easel, painting a portrait of someone he had asked to pose for him.

This hasnt gotten to the stage where its satisfactory yet, he said, but he was upbeat  he had two more sessions with her. Hopefully, Ill be able to refine it..

Every artist has a story. Morton wants his to be about where he is going: the Florence Academy of Art, in Italy. He is to attend a six-week workshop there starting in July.

That is unusual. He applied and was accepted, and is the only student from the academys American branch, the Florence Academy of Art U.S., who will be going. But it is not as unusual as the part of his story that he does not want dominating the conversation, the part about where he has been, which is federal prison. He served nine years and six months of an 11-year sentence after pleading guilty to a drug charge in Missouri, where he grew up.

All my 20s, said Morton, 33, who now lives in Jersey City.

He was released three years ago and ordered to check in with a supervising officer regularly for 10 years. Last month, Judge Gary Fenner terminated the supervision requirement.

Early termination of supervised release is fairly unusual, said Harlan Protass, a Manhattan lawyer. There typically has to be a very good reason for a judge to terminate a term of supervised release.

Mortons application to end his parole mentioned learning to paint in prison. It mentioned murals he painted in the officers mess halls in the two prisons where he did his time.

The application mentioned that in 2015, he began studying at the Florence Academy of Art U.S., in the Mana Arts complex here in Jersey City. In 2016, he won the schools award for the best portrait of the year.

In February and March this year, he spent one day a week in the Metropolitan Museum of Arts copyist program, creating interpretation of masterpieces with his easel set up in galleries. In April, one of his paintings was in a gallery show in Sag Harbor, N.Y., in the Hamptons. The painting sold before the show opened.

Morton is well aware that when he completes his studies in December, he will be the first African American to graduate from the Florence Academy of Art U.S. To be an artist, to be an American artist, to be an African American artist  I dont take it lightly, Morton said.

Morton dropped out of school when he was in seventh grade. He was arrested for selling drugs when he was 19 in Kansas City, Mo., where he was living.

He now describes his arrest, trial and sentencing as almost like a cry for help. Morton continued: I wanted something better for myself.

James Barron is a New York Times writer.
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Tens of thousands of gleeful runners  some plugging along with purpose, others stumbling  streamed along the streets of San Francisco and past Kamila Holmes kissing booth Sunday during the 106th Bay to Breakers. But even the most determined runners had to stop for a smooch when they spotted Pharrell and Paris, two feather-boa-wearing French bulldogs sitting patiently at the makeshift kiosk along Hayes Street.

People love it, said Holmes, 34, who was dressed in a shiny white swimsuit. I heard some people say its the best kissing booth ever.

Holmes and her pooches made up just one of the wild and outrageous scenes along the 7.46-mile race route thats better described as a rolling party of tens of thousands than as a footrace.

Unlike years past, Sundays race came with little trouble. San Francisco police were stationed throughout the course, snatching any undisguised alcohol as they reminded folks to behave themselves.

The throngs of costumed racers first gathered in the hot morning sun at Howard and Main streets, tossing tortillas in the customary prerace ritual, hours before the 8 a.m. start time.

Among them were 29-year-old Carson Rickey, who wore a taco outfit, and Justin Zarozhy, 28, dressed as a banana. That thing is basically a diaper singlet, Rickey said as he pointed at his roommates outfit.

Zarozhy conceded his getup wasnt the most practical for running. Theres gonna be some logistical problems, he said. But its got good ventilation.

As the final waves of runners streamed though the starting gates, the most elite racers had already crossed the finish line at Ocean Beach. Philemon Cheboi, 23, of Kenya got first place for the men in a breezy 34 minutes, 48 seconds. Exactly five minutes later, 23-year-old Buze Diriba of Ethiopia was the first female finisher.

As the onslaught of exhausted runners followed, race emcee Tommy Kansas let them know, Its time to start the party.

And party they did  in buses and bars, on rooftops, balconies, stoops and on the race route.

One such reveler was 49-year-old Eric Anderson. He sported a skimpy thong and had this years theme, Summer of Love, scrawled on his chest in swirly rainbow body paint. He said that hes done the race for 14 of the 16 years hes lived in the city.

It feels like San Francisco, he said. Everyone is so happy. Theyre having fun. Theyre in a good mood. You can forget about everything else thats going on in the world for a few hours.

Some, though, werent looking for a distraction, and instead wore costumes with a political aim.

The 28 female runners of Impala Racing Team donned matching Rosie the Riveter costumes as they ran attached together with a bungee cord. Because of the political atmosphere, we wanted to show that women are strong and powerful, said Camille Matonis, 24, of San Francisco.

Her teammate Liz Louie, 31, said sending a feminist message is especially important this year. As women, its really relevant with whats happening now with Planned Parenthood, Louis said of the Trump administrations effort to cut off funding to the organization. We want to be symbols of strength and grace and female empowerment.

Alcohol was banned as always, but that didnt stop many participants from guzzling booze as they charged through South of Market en route to the notorious slog up Hayes Street.

Joel Chen nursed his hangover with a cleverly disguised water bottle full of vodka alongside his three friends. The pack of 23-year-olds drove up from Los Angeles on Saturday and walked the race in matching black overalls.

We almost didnt make it this morning, Chen said, describing a night of hard drinking that almost put the kibosh on the whole reason they came to San Francisco.

Once over the Hayes Street hill, many pronounced themselves good and plopped down in the shade in the Panhandle while the more serious runners powered through Golden Gate Park to the finish line.

Among the elite racers struggling in the heat was David Urista, 26, of Daly City. He finished the race dressed in a yellow Pikachu onesie in 44 minutes, 21 seconds.

It was fun, said Urista, an assistant cross country coach at San Francisco State University. It was really hot out there.

Jon Brick recycled his Game of Thrones costume from Halloween. Why? People say I look like (character) Jon Snow, said Brick, 31, of San Francisco. He ran with heavy black gloves on for the first half of the race but took them off after they got soaked. It was very hot, he said.

Residents along the route had braced for the onslaught, and many took measures to protect their yards from folks in search of a place to relieve themselves. The 1,000 portable toilets provided by the city also helped.

Marlen Kirby, 46, and Jessica Dobson, 47, live above Central Coffee at Central Avenue and Hayes Street and watched the messy aftermath of the race. There it is, said Kirby, as a man in a Hawaiian shirt vomited in a trash can. Down the block, a glass bottle shattered.

By 11 oclock, when people are peeing outside my door, its not as fun, Dobson noted.

By early afternoon, city cleanup crews followed the few stragglers at the tail end of the race, mopping up any evidence of the massive party. Streets and Muni lines soon reopened, and San Francisco got back to business.

Filipa Ioannou, Catherine Ho and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com, cho@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi, @Cat__Ho, @EvanSernoffsky
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Images shot by local photographer Michael Troutman document the Soberanes Fire's destruction deep in Big Sur's forests, and rebirth that followed.

The Soberanes Fire ignited on July 22, 2016, before it spread over 132,000 acres from the rugged Big Sur coastline into the remote terrain of Carmel Valley.

Mid-Coast Fire Chief Cheryl Goetz remembers the day the Soberanes Fire started like it was yesterday. Goetz was out of town on when she got the call -- her canyon was on fire.

Flames from an illegal campfire in Soberanes Canyon had sparked the disaster, and it moved fast into Palo Colorado Canyon.

Goetz raced from the Sierra Nevada mountains to help lead her crew in the firefight of their life.

"We got here to find that the fire had more than doubled, it had jumped and spread itself all the way over to Garrapata Canyon at that point, so it had gone from very small to we knew it was going to be very bad," Goetz said.

The fire started on a Friday, and by Saturday, it had destroyed 57 homes in Palo Colorado. Goetz delivered the news to homeowners.

"I know that when you lose your home, it's like losing a family member it, it's losing part of you and I couldn't imagine these people waking up and finding out that their home was gone because it is on the front page of the newspaper somewhere," she said.

Among the firefighters and first responders were journalists and photographers taking pictures of the sheer destruction in some of the hardest hit areas, and at times there was tension between the landowners and the visitors.

One of those photographers was Troutman, a local photographer who had friends within the canyon. Troutman took it upon himself to document the event and quickly became very involved in the disaster.

"My wife and I were both heavily involved with this fire, she really dedicated herself to the relief effort, food and of course I just poured myself into this project," he told KSBW.

The fire has been out for months, but Big Sur is still trying to recover, and winter storms made problems even worse.

Storms in January and February creeks to flood, roads to fail, and even brought down a bridge on Highway 1. Palo Colorado Road, was one of the roads that failed and residents who dealt with the fire this past summer found themselves trapped for weeks at a time this winter.

Goetz said while Palo Colorado Road is maintained by the county, most of the other roads in the canyon are maintained by residents. Winter storms have done serious damage to the private infrastructure and it is estimated repairs will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some of the money coming from people who lost homes in the fire.

Since the fire got started the Community Foundation for Monterey County has been taking the lead on fundraising for the relief effort and starting the Soberanes Fire Fund, then this winter it started raising funds for Big Sur relief in response to winter storm damage.

"We just moved from one disaster right into another disaster," said Dan Baldwin CEO for the Community Foundation.

The Community Foundation raised, about $1 million for fire victims, and this winter it raised $227,000 for storm victims.

East Village Coffee in Monterey opened a new Soberanes Fire exhibition Tuesday with Troutman's images, and proceeds will go to the Big Sur Land Trust and Big Sur Relief.

The failure of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and other closures along Highway 1 have made parts of Big Sur inaccessible to drivers shutting down businesses and complicating the lives of about 400 residents. Some of the damage a direct result of debris flows washing down from the burn scar during winter storms.

The scar itself is showing signs of life with green grass and wildflowers popping up but some worry about how long the effects of the burn will be felt.

In areas where it burned hot the soil may be fragile for years and in areas where it burned slow the fuel loads are still present.

The Mittledorf Preserve is an example of the latter issue. All 1,057 acres of the preserve burned during the fire.

The property is managed by the Big Sur Land Trust and employees say the fire backed through the preserve over five days last summer enter habitat zones impacted by sudden oak death during the drought.

"We are really concerned that those fuel loads will create the conditions for a catastrophic fire through our canyon," said Patrick Riparetti the stewardship project manager with the Trust.

The preserve sits in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains and is home to the largest redwood in Monterey County, as well a strand of rare madrone, bob cats and other wildlife.

"Just full of life and that property burned during the fire, and took on all of this damage during the storms and the aftermath of that," Riparetti said.

Winter storms wreaked havoc on the preserve in January and February, destroying the BSLT's trail system, and even washing out the one and only access road into the preserve.

BSLT cares for 40,000 acres of land and Mittledorf wasn't its only concerned during the Soberanes Fire. The conservation organization was an active partner on the fire, putting five of its properties into service for firefighters to get access to the flames.

President and CEO of BDLT, Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, knew the fire needed to be documented, which, brought her together with Troutman.

"When Michael approached us just shortly after the fire started it just seemed to be the perfect sort of set circumstances to bring him in to really help us tell this really unfolding story," she said.

BSLT and KSBW helped Troutman get access to the wildfire.

"It's been a huge privilege to be able to access these areas both during the fire and afterwards," he said.
Firdia Lisnawati/AP

SYDNEY  She has riveted Australia for more than a decade, the everyday Aussie beach girl who somehow sparked diplomatic rows, furious protests and a media bonanza on par with Americas O.J. Simpson trial. She is so notorious Down Under that she needs no last name: Shes just Schapelle.

Next week, after an exhaustively chronicled stint in a Balinese prison for smuggling marijuana to the Indonesian island, Schapelle Corby is expected to return to Australia. Her homecoming marks the climax of a tale that divided and in many ways defined Australia, where the obsession with the woman the nation once protectively dubbed Our Schapelle has not faded, even if belief in her innocence has.
WINDSOR -- The newly appointed Windsor police chief is already experienced in this position and knowledgeable about the community.

The Windsor City Council recently voted to appoint Travis Boyer as chief on a permanent basis after he had served as interim chief since January 2016, when Sean McQueen left this post to take a job in the private sector.

Boyer, 41, has served with the Windsor Police Department since 2012, after previously being employed by the Lake Land College Police Department for three years. He and his family have resided in Windsor since 1994.

Newly elected Windsor Mayor Tom Tull said Boyer is a natural fit to serve as chief on a permanent basis. He said Boyer is already experienced in this post and has carried out his law enforcement work in a professional manner during his time with the police department.

In addition, Tull said the police chief is knowledgeable about Windsor and its residents and he is very engaged in this community.

Windsor is a good community. I like it. The community has been very good to me, said Boyer, who grew up in Bunker Hill in Western Illinois.

Boyer said residents of small towns, like Windsor, get to know each other well and will go the extra mile to help each other. He said Windsor residents feel comfortable stopping by the police station on Main Street to speak to him in person.

I think people really appreciate being able to walk through the front door and deal directly with the chief of police who knows what is going on in the community, Boyer said.

In addition, Boyer said he and the Windsor school districts administrators keep in regular contact with each other and he often visits the school campus to take part in student programs there.

If they need something, they know I am only a phone call away, the police chief said.

Boyer said he has been excited to serve with the Windsor Police Department at a time when the town is experiencing economic development. He said some of these projects have included the construction of the new Windsor Food Center building a few years ago, the recent opening of the Windsors Pub restaurant, and the upcoming construction of a Dollar General store.

The police chief said more motorists on Illinois Route 16 are stopping in Windsor to have a meal, purchase groceries and fuel up their vehicles. Boyer said this increase in visitors has creates some traffic issues in town, but this is a good problem for a small town..

Additionally, Boyer said his appointment as police chief on a permanent basis follows the election of a new mayor and three new council members to the Windsor City Council.

They are a very proactive, moving forward kind of council, which means more work for me, but its a good kind of work, Boyer said of community development efforts.

Boyer said the Windsor Police Department is staffed by eight offices, some full time and others part time, and is planning to hire an additional officer.

As part of a small-town police department, Boyer said he and his officers recognize they cannot handle every issue on their own. Consequently, he said they work closely with the Shelby County Sheriffs Office.

They have been phenomenal to deal with. I think we have a great working relationship, Boyer said. He added that his department also works closely with Windsors volunteer firefighters and ambulance crews.
1 Rebel exodus: The final batch of opposition fighters and their families began leaving a besieged neighborhood in the central Syrian city of Homs on Saturday, a move that would bring the countrys third-largest city into full government control for the first time in years. Syrian state TV and an opposition monitoring group said that about 400 people, including 103 gunmen, left the al-Waer neighborhood heading toward the northern town of Jarablous that borders Turkey. When the evacuation of rebels from al-Waer ends, it will bring the city under full government control for the first time in more than five years. Government forces in recent years captured one Homs neighborhood after another, until opposition fighters were isolated in al-Waer; the siege of the district began in 2013.

2 CIA crackdown: The Chinese government systematically dismantled CIA spying operations in the country starting in 2010, killing or imprisoning more than a dozen sources over two years and crippling intelligence gathering there for years afterward, the New York Times reported. Current and former U.S. officials described the intelligence breach as one of the worst in decades. Some were convinced that a mole within the CIA had betrayed the United States. Others believed that the Chinese had hacked the covert system the CIA used to communicate with its foreign sources.
SEOUL  North Korea fired a missile Sunday, a week after its successful test of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, South Korean officials said.

The missile took off from a location near Pukchang, northeast of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, and flew 310 miles before falling in waters off the countys east coast, the South Korean military said in a statement.

The U.S. Pacific Command said it had detected and tracked a medium-range ballistic missile that was launched by the North about 9:59 a.m. Hawaii time and landed in the Sea of Japan. It said that the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.

In a statement, the White House said: We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM. This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Koreas three most recent tests.

The Japanese military said it was analyzing the height and trajectory of the missile. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that with the missile test coming just a week after the most recent test, the North was trampling on the international communitys efforts aimed at a peaceful settlement.

Choe Sang-Hun is a New York Times writer.
Touring three Frank Lloyd Wright houses in two days will make a visitor sure of two things.

No. 1: The brilliant, phenomenally talented architect envisioned houses that remain functional as well as beautiful well over half a century after construction.

No. 2: This eccentric, irascible man would have caused occasional  perhaps regular  bouts of apoplexy in homeowners tying their dreams and finances to him.

Consider Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr., who saw the cost of his weekend home, Fallingwater, rise from an estimated $30,000 to $155,000 in the mid-1930s, when skilled laborers on the project earned 75 cents an hour.

Travelers can explore the legacy and lore of Wright with a trip to Pennsylvanias Laurel Highlands, about an hours drive southeast from Pittsburgh. Here visitors will find three Wright houses open for tours and two others designed by an apprentice using techniques of the master.

The three Wright houses offer a range of his residential work, from the fantastic design of Fallingwater to the livability of the Duncan House, which I got to experience firsthand with an overnight stay.

Department store owners Liliane and Edgar Kaufmann wanted a weekend home where they could escape the smog and heat of Pittsburgh.

Wright delivered with Fallingwater, which blurs the lines between indoors and out. A breathtaking masterpiece of glass and cantilevered concrete perched above the rushing waters of Bear Run, Fallingwater exemplifies Wrights principles of organic architecture.

Incorporating the giant boulders of the hillside, the house melds with the rhododendron- and hemlock-dappled landscape. Crashing water is heard throughout the home, and breezes enter from all sides as windows and doors open to the world.

Everything about the house is intended to draw the visitors eye to the outdoors, from the seven terraces to mitered glass windows that eliminate visually jarring mullions. Indeed, about half the homes total square footage  5,330  is made up of terraces.

Walking through Fallingwater, one gets the idea that no detail, no matter how small, was overlooked.

One of the joys of a tour, though, is hearing about the bumps in the project. For example, Fallingwater was built without window screens, a decision that didnt last long after the Kaufmanns  and mosquitoes  moved in.

Slightly less grand but no less stunning is Kentuck Knob, seven miles southwest of Fallingwater.

I.N. and Bernardine Hagan, friends of the Kaufmanns, appreciated the beauty of Fallingwater but wanted a house that could be a year-round home. For them, Wright envisioned a wood and stone house with an interior that seems cozier and more practical than Fallingwater.

Whereas Fallingwater is all concrete and glass and hard edges, Kentuck Knob is warm woods and inviting public spaces. It employs Wrights trademark technique of compression and release, and it has the typical enormous stone fireplace.

But Bernardine Hagan asked for  and got  elements she considered essential for a practical home. Despite Wrights initial reluctance, he gave her a larger dining room for entertaining. He also gave her a larger kitchen, although he refused to eliminate the claustrophobic, 21-inch-wide hallway that doing so created.

Wright never visited the Kentuck Knob site, which allowed Hagan to surreptitiously add attic storage under the roof peak, something he wouldnt have approved. Wright believed attics, garages and basements did nothing but aid clutter.

Comprising 130 acres, Polymath Park holds three Usonian homes, one designed by Wright and two by Peter Berndtson.

Originally, Polymath Park was intended to be an enclave of 20 to 24 similar homes, but only the Balter and Blum houses were constructed  in the 1960s  because those families opted to keep the property to themselves. After their deaths, Polymath Park went through several owners before coming into the hands of CEO Tom Papinchak, who opened the houses to guests.

Wrights Duncan House, now on the property, is a transplant to the Laurel Highlands, having been moved from Lisle, Ill., a decade ago.

The Usonian homes, which aimed to bring Wrights design to a wider audience by holding down costs, have fewer of the elaborate features of the custom properties.

For the Duncan House, the buyers had options for finishes, such as a choice between stone or concrete block, to help with the bottom line. But the houses still had enough on-site craftsmanship that they werent as affordable as envisioned. The Duncan House cost $34,000 in 1957, compared with the average of about $20,000.

All three of the houses offer comfortable living areas, large fireplaces and open views to the outdoors.

A fourth Usonian house is expected to be moved to the property late this year.

I dont know what I was expecting.

There was no Aha! moment, no magical transportation to another world during my night in a Frank Lloyd Wright home. The stay at Duncan House was comfortable and relaxing, without drama.

And maybe that was the revelation in the end: This was a design that simply worked.

Visitors can book lodging in Polymath Parks three Usonian homes, including the 2,200-square-foot Duncan House. My husband and I stayed here, along with friends, taking the opportunity to notice things we would have missed if wed merely walked through.

The house was approachable, with features well ahead of their day. The kitchen, for example, bears design elements that remain common: an island with seating; recessed lighting; and a pot rack over the cooktop. Blind hinges give the cabinetry a sleek, modern look.

Although the Duncan House employs Wrights compression-and-release tactic  juxtaposing areas of constriction and openness  the house is warm and welcoming, with a layout that will feel familiar to anyone who grew up in a 1960s ranch. We spent hours simply talking and relaxing in the open living area.

Visitors can appreciate the amount of storage built into the home, and they can enjoy the large bedrooms, much bigger than at either Fallingwater or Kentuck Knob, where Wright apportioned small sleeping areas to encourage people to congregate in public spaces.

But I found one area where I was totally unnerved.

Wright preferred to leave windows uncovered, which works well in a living room or kitchen. But in the bathroom, I felt like a fish in a bowl as I showered, even though only deer or a coyote might be outside to see in.

Duncan House guests have free run of the ground level, but the original kitchen, with a pale pink refrigerator, is mostly for show. Be sure to look inside, though, to see the Lazy Susan shelves.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- For students, the New Dorp Comic Con is motivation to tap into their creative side: Making homemade costumes, artwork and crafts to sell.

For New Dorp teacher Arthur Vallario, who organizes the annual convention, the annual event is a way to put a smile on his students' faces.

"This year, I really wanted to focus in on having local comic book artists," said Vallario, who teaches fine art. "Being able to bring these worlds together -- that of students and professionals -- makes everything worthwhile."

JHU & COMPANY

The second annual New Dorp Comic Con took place in the school at 465 New Dorp Lane on Saturday, attracting dozens of comic fans.

JHU Comics of New Dorp, Comic Book Jones of Mariners Harbor, Hypno-Tronic Comics of St. George and 20 other vendors showed support for the local comic scene of Staten Island.

The afternoon event also consisted of 15 costume contests -- honoring an array of fandoms -- in the school's auditorium, raffles and a lunchroom full of vendors and gaming centers.

The main event was the student art gallery -- placed mack in the middle of the event. The gallery paid tribute to the work of students in the Academy of Fine and Dramatic Arts (AFADA) program.

COSPLAY, ALL DAY

Characters from "Star Wars," "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "The Avengers" roamed the halls as a jam-packed day of costume contests and comic book master panels took place.

Jennifer Rose -- a New York-based cosplayer -- has been designing her own costumes for 12 years. She gave some solid advice for those wanting to venture in the field.

"Be fearless," said Rose. "Just jump in, get into it and have fun."

Check out the gallery above for a glimpse of the good times.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Ten-year-old Nikita Chernin, a fifth-grader at PS 38 in Midland Beach, has inspired his classmates with a quote by Mark Twain: "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

Displayed on bulletin boards in the school, Nikita's favorite quote from one of his favorite authors has prompted other students to share their random acts of kindness on sticky notes.

"Ashley has been so kind to me ever since I came to this school," wrote Sabina. "She has comforted me all this time. She is my best friend. I couldn't ask for more."

This fall, PS 38 fifth-grader Nikita Chernin will attend the school named for one of his favorite authors, Mark Twain Intermediate in Brooklyn. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"During gym class, Rinaldo was kind to Ela by giving her the ball," another note says.

"Yusuf offered to give his cupcake to a student who did not have one," shares one more.

Kindness is key at PS 38, where building character is just as important as building skills in math, science and language arts.

When Hurricane Sandy devastated the Midland Beach area in 2012 but spared PS 38, the school became a safe haven and donation center where kindness was multiplied. The staff went door-to-door to homes and shelters until all children were accounted for.

Assistant Principal Tueta Ulaj, left, and Principal Nancy Murillo join kindergartners at recess. From left are students Rebecca Cohen, Diora Doda, Amina Durakovic, Kenneth Sakariasen, Syriana Glenn, Dori Zeferino and Victoria Rusak. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"Our teachers went into the neighborhood to find our kids," recalls Principal Nancy Acosta Murillo. "We were strongly impacted, but we forged ahead and stayed open for our families. When life hands you obstacles, you need to rise above the challenges."

CULTURE OF KINDNESS

Finishing her second year as principal and her 14th year at PS 38, Murillo has worked hard to establish a culture of kindness and collaboration. Photos of school events decorate every inch of available wall space in hallways and classrooms - even outside the front entrance of "our cozy little school," as she describes it.

Parent involvement is a priority. The recent Fancy Day drew a crowd of mothers to classrooms for refreshments, everyone dressed in their finest outfits for the pre-Mother's Day occasion and photo op.

PS 38 Principal Nancy Murillo greets kindergartner Nicolas Lopez, wearing a bowtie for Fancy Day and joined by his mom, Jessica Fontana. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

Tucked between Midland and Lincoln avenues, shaded by trees and adjacent to a public park, the one-story school building with an attached annex has been an inconspicuous part of the neighborhood since 1955.

But inside PS 38, there is nothing inconspicuous about the work being done. State test scores last year were up 15 percent in English language arts and 4.9 percent in math.

That's a big accomplishment for a student body that is transient, Murillo explains. Of the current 389 students, 23 percent are ENL (English as a New Language) learners and 22 percent have special education needs.

Third-graders Ethan Sverdlov and Austin Castillo read "Autumblings," a book of poetry. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"That's 50 percent of our population," Murillo points out.

The enrollment fluctuates throughout the year as families move in and out from Russia, Poland, Mexico, China, Albania and from other boroughs.

PS 38 is well-equipped to handle its diverse student body. The school-based support team includes a psychologist, a social worker, a speech teacher, an occupational therapist, a family worker and a teacher dedicated to IEP, the Individualized Education Program for special education students.

PS 38's school-based support team includes, from the left, Karen Feldman, Cristina Smith, Judith Anastasio, Theresa Smith and Marissa Colonna. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

Murillo works in tandem with Assistant Principal Teuta Ulaj and appreciates her staff's dedication.

"I don't do my job alone," she says. "My staff gives 200 percent. They work hard and are more than willing to buy into the vision. It really does take a village to raise a child."

PASSIONATE ABOUT LITERACY

Principal Murillo grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from City College. She also holds a sixth-year certificate in leadership and administration from the College of Staten Island.

First-graders Joshua Hernandez and Nicholas Kawa join their teacher, Delta McKeon, on Fancy Day at PS 38. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

Her first teaching position was at the Buckle My Shoe private nursery school in Tribeca. After transitioning to the public school system, she taught kindergarten and third grade at PS 188 on Houston Street and first grade at PS 44 in Mariners Harbor. She also taught fourth grade and literacy at a school in the South Bronx.

Murillo, the mother of two and a resident of North Brunswick, N.J., joined the PS 38 staff in 2003 as the literacy staff developer. She was named assistant principal in 2007 and principal in 2015.

Her passion for literacy motivates her to continue a partnership between PS 38 and the Reading and Writing Project of Teachers College at Columbia University.

Gabriella LaGrange and Caroline Dziurawiec, third-graders at PS 38, close their eyes to envision a poem as it's read aloud in class. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"Growing up, I always found books under the Christmas tree," she says, crediting her mother for instilling a lifelong love of reading. "I used to turn off the lights, hide under the covers and dive into the pages of those books."

She also "played classroom" with her brothers and sisters. "I had no idea that would be my future," she smiles.

She is pleased with the progress at PS 38.

Fourth-graders Gianna Rios, Imani Loncke and Yarah Rowaid display the teapot cards they made for their mothers. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"When I arrived, it was a very traditional school. All the desks were around the perimeter of the room. It's very rewarding to know I helped shift the culture of the building and bring it to where it is today."

Beginning in kindergarten, today's PS 38 students work in teams to develop opening statements about a topic and progress to arguments and rebuttals.

There should be a buzz of interaction in all classrooms, Principal Murillo says.

Eleven-year-old twins Carla, left, and Deeanna Saborido spend time with school aide Joanna Trezzino, who will retire next month after 36 years at PS 38. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"Every child has strengths. We need to give children the tools they need to see their strengths. We want them to believe they can be anything they want to be. The possibilities are endless."

She understands the impact of a strong K-to-5 experience.

"These first learning experiences will help shape who these children are," she says with conviction. "Our motto is, 'Believing in children, inspiring young minds.' And it all starts here."
Don Walton Political reporter/columnist Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column. Follow Don Walton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The 2017 Legislature didn't move the needle much.

It was a session that focused on current revenue challenges without much attention to building future opportunities.

It was budget and taxes, and this year's senators were playing defense.

Much more pessimism than optimism in the legislative chamber this year, most of it fixed on substantial economic challenges in the agricultural sector.

This was a conservative Legislature from its first day when a coalition of conservatives, buttressed by what turned out to be remarkably cohesive and dependable reinforcements in the freshman class, took control with election of a slate of conservative senators to leadership positions.

It was clear from Day One that this was not going to be a collaborative legislative session. This was going to be us and them.

Whereas the 2014 election produced a highly independent and individualistic freshman class, the 2016 class appears to be far less individualistic or flexible.

Much more often than not, the majority of freshman members voted as a bloc.

Although he did not get his tax reduction package, this probably was Gov. Pete Ricketts' most successful legislative year. He had his way on the fiscal 2017-2019 state budget, and he began to win veto override battles in his third year.

The only big defeat was a package of income tax cuts and property tax reductions that appeared to be far more weighted to income tax reduction when senators and their constituents are far more focused on property tax reduction.

There's some political danger wrapped into all of that as the governor prepares to seek re-election next year.

Who wanted income tax cuts? Mostly the business community.

Who wanted property tax reductions? Mostly rural Nebraskans and urban homeowners.

And that translates roughly into voters.

The cry for property tax reduction in Nebraska west of Lincoln comes largely from Republicans. That's who lives out there on farms and ranches and in small towns.

They may not have prevailed in the Legislature, but they have the power to dominate statewide Republican primary elections.

That's where their real political power rests and it is substantial when you consider that Nebraska currently appears to be locked into a political period where governors and U.S. senators essentially are chosen in Republican primary elections.

So, let's watch where this goes next.

Will there be an initiative ballot proposal that puts property tax reduction front and center in 2018?

* * *

Nebraskans went right ahead and built their stunning State Capitol building in the midst of the Great Depression, looking ahead to the future with optimism and confidence.

That's not quite the mindset today.

This legislative session focused on dark economic forecasts and declined to revisit any tax breaks, credits, incentives or exemptions to ease the impact of its budget decisions on the future.

And that provided another reminder that once you eliminate or cut a tax, lotsa luck ever recovering any of it even when revenue might be needed to build the state.

Hanging over this year's budget debate is the stunning figure that Paul Schumacher laid before his colleagues: Legislative tax cuts -- largely income tax reductions -- over the past 10 years are reducing potential state revenue by an estimated $700 million a year.

Politically speaking, those revenue sources are gone.

* * *

All of this helps set the table for the 2018 election year.

Gov. Pete Ricketts will be seeking re-election to a second term.

Sen. Bob Krist has announced that he may challenge Ricketts in the Republican primary election. If Krist gets in, it makes it easier for others to follow.

Democrats clearly face a steep uphill challenge.

The past will tell you that Democrats win in Nebraska only when Republican incumbents are bloodied in a GOP primary. But that's the past and the present may be different; there hasn't been a truly competitive gubernatorial general election race since 1998 and that's two decades ago.

The 2016 legislative elections brought in a new band of conservative Republicans supportive of the governor; if that happens again in 2018, the Legislature could tip more conservative a couple of years from now.

* * *

Finishing up:

* Ernie Chambers, responding to fellow senators who say they are there to vote the way their constituents want: "I'm not an echo, I am a voice."

* Secretary of State John Gale has prepared a detailed guide to help policymakers as they determine future election systems and the type of technology that would be needed to support them.

* Odd legislative session: Slowed for the first 30 days by a standoff over the filibuster rule; rushing to an early end on Tuesday with final adjournment. As senators depart, you will hear the tires squealing.

* OK, let's do baseball now.
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The 2017 Nebraska Legislature session seemed last week to be ending much the way it started: With division and an organized effort by a take-charge core of first-year senators who made it clear they have an agenda: less government, less spending.

Last Wednesday, when senators tackled budget overrides, the debate was particularly one-sided with override supporters doing almost all of the talking.

But the vote came out much the same every time, in favor of the silent override opponents.

Twenty-one to 25 senators voted several times against overriding $32.7 million of Gov. Pete Ricketts' line-item budget vetoes for Medicaid provider rates and probation administration. Supporters came up short each time of the 30 votes needed to restore the money.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus described that Wednesday as "a bit of a re-enactment" of the first day of the session, in which a group of conservative senators prearranged voting for leadership positions and put their choices in place.

Last week's override debates and votes were about politics, not common sense, as Nebraskans expect, Schumacher said.

"Those type of prearrangements avoid transparency, avoid accountability, deny the public transcripts of the reasoning behind decisions," he said, "and are attempts at raw exercise of power."

One of the hardest votes, senators said, was the Appropriations Committee's proposal to override $32.4 million in funds that would be used to keep Medicaid provider rates from going down.

When that failed, Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, who has a daughter with disabilities, asked senators at least to save $6.5 million for developmental disability aid. Service providers and people with disabilities were in the Rotunda during the debate, watching senators through the glass doors at the back of the chamber or from the balcony.

"At some point, you have to decide what's right for your constituents," Krist told senators. "You have to decide what's right for your community. You have to decide what's right for those people who cannot advocate for themselves. You have to make a decision and you have to look in the mirror tomorrow morning."

But Krist's motion failed, too, getting only 27 of the 30 needed votes.

The senators sustaining Ricketts' vetoes were well-organized, Krist said the day after the vote. They were not going to talk about the override motion or who was going to be hurt, because they already had their minds up.

Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks said what happened Wednesday was "a direct slam on those in the margins, the developmentally disabled, the children who are state wards and part of the juvenile justice system ... and the probation issues that we've been fighting for in the Judiciary Committee."

* * *

Accusations have been made throughout the session, and at Wednesday's debate, that those voting against the overrides were simply following the governor's orders, so he would support them when it was time for re-election.

Several senators who voted against the overrides denied they were told how to vote. There are like-minded people on any given issue, they said, and it was no secret how they felt about limiting government spending.

"Nobody's pulling our strings," said Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings.

"It wasn't a vote that I relished doing. But at some point in time you just have to say, 'OK, that's enough,'" Halloran said.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson said he was surprised there were enough votes to sustain the vetoes.

"I really was. I didn't think there would be as many who felt the way I did," he said. "I would have bet anybody fifty bucks that we didn't have the votes to stop anything, other than the minor, little stuff."

Friesen said his decision to vote against the overrides was not easy, but he kept going back to his belief that the Legislature wasn't cutting the budget enough. He made a promise during an earlier debate he was going to vote against the budget for the rest of the session, because senators were not making needed cuts.

To vote for an override would have made him a hypocrite, he said.

Friesen said rather than cutting provider rates, he would rather have seen $30 million more cut from the University of Nebraska appropriation, or the 2.5 percent increase in state aid to schools cut.

"You're telling me that school districts can't cut back a little bit?" Friesen said. "To me that was an easy target nobody tackled."

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard didn't feel compelled to join the debate because it was no surprise to anyone he was for more cuts and less spending. He still believes the Legislature will be forced to come back to Lincoln later this year for a special session to make further cuts.

Much of the rhetoric from those who wanted the overrides had to do with shaming senators into following their lead, making them appear cold-hearted, senators said.

"What value is there standing up and refuting that?" Erdman said.

He said information he received during the debate gave him confidence that current provider rates for nursing homes and people with disabilities would be covered.

"If they don't, then we're going to have a talk," he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, when override supporters were lining up their votes, information had circulated from the governor's office and the Department of Health and Human Services that, because of savings in several areas, provider rates probably wouldn't be cut after all.

But that information was given only to select senators, in what Omaha Sen. Burke Harr called a "whisper campaign."

"I feel like we were set up to fail," Harr said. "Why didn't (Ricketts) tell us earlier about these savings? In round-one debate, round-two debate and final reading, we were never told about it. And we were never told about these savings in his veto override letter."

Courtney Miller, director of the state division of developmental disabilities, sent an email Friday to an unknown list of recipients to explain the provider rate funding. She said the Legislature appropriated about $304 million for two years of services for people with developmental disabilities. The governor vetoed $6.4 million of that.

"I want to assure you the line-item veto of funding in the ... budget will not mean providers will receive rate reductions or that individuals we serve will receive service reductions," Miller wrote.

* * *

Despite the hard lines senators have set on issues that have been debated this year, and strong differences between conservative and more moderate or progressive senators, progress was made and learning took place, some senators said.

"What we learned this session was if you want to get something done, you've got to ... reach across party lines," Harr said, "because there are enough votes on each side to stop anything from happening."

To do something about economic development or property taxes will take urban and rural, Republicans and Democrats, he said.

Lobbyist Don Wesely, who formerly served in the Legislature, said he saw progress among senators this session in working together.

"I can see where there are folks that learned a lot this session, and a lot of us have a lot of hope for them," he said.

At some point, Schumacher said, newer senators will realize they have authority and responsibility as legislators, rather than people obligated to another branch of government.

Overall, Pansing Brooks said, she feels positive about this session and the short session to come.

"I found that there are people I can work with so I look forward to next year," she said. "And I continue to basically believe in the good hearts of everyone and that we will be able to find some common ground to move forward."

But there are still concerns about the way this session has gone.

What is bothersome to Schumacher, he said, is that usually this close to the end, senators have disposed of a number of bills. This year, there are many bills parked on second round with only half their debate finished.

"If those things begin to move as an avalanche when we reconvene next year, some really bad policies could be adopted in a very unthinking manner ... moved or doomed by a back-room meeting," he said.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The pressure on Canberra's public hospitals continues to rise, with 7 per cent growth in admissions in 2015-16, despite the ACT having the lowest rate of preventable hospital admissions in the country.

The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on admitted patient care shows hospital admissions were up 3.7 per cent for private hospitals and 3.3 per cent at public hospitals nationally in 2015-16.

Growth in admissions continues at Canberra's public hospitals, consistent with growing demand for health services across the nation. Credit:Karleen Minney

While data was not reported for the ACT's private hospitals, aggregated data for Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce showed 7.2 per cent growth in 2015-16 alone.

The report showed admissions at Canberra's two public hospitals rose an average of 2.6 per cent a year between 2011-12 and 2015-16, from 97,455 in 2011-12 to 108,041 in 2015-16.
Concentrated solar power uses the sun's heat, rather than its light, from a field of heliostat mirrors. Credit:James Brickwood In a report to ARENA last September explaining why the project was cancelled, CS Energy pointed to steam pipes that rusted in the Queensland climate and "rapidly moving clouds". "That's rubbish," says Ian Canham, who managed the site for Areva Solar from 2011 to 2013. "That just means [the clouds are] going to get out the way and the sun's going to come out again. Solar works extremely well when the sun's out." A veteran project manager with 30 years' experience, Mr Canham detailed a litany of planning, management and communication failures, compounded by the "aggressive" management style of Areva Solar's US-based executives. Mr Canham said pipes had rusted when they were left uncollected at the Port of Brisbane during the 2011 floods because of a dispute between Areva and shipping company DHL. As a result only 20 per cent of them were useable.

That's the saddest thing. The people who made the decisions, they're all on fat salaries and they're sweet. Dalby businessman Hermes Speziali. Meanwhile, a shipment of steel Areva imported from China was of such poor quality it had to be buried as scrap; then a company in Newcastle making another key component went into administration. He said at one stage Areva flew 40 workers to the site from the US but they arrived without appropriate safety gear or training. "They had no safety boots, they thought it was alright to go on site with normal shoes. I said: 'Pack them back on the plane'." Mr Canham estimated that Areva received between $45 million and $48 million for the project but spent as much as $95 million, representing a loss to the company of nearly $50 million.

According to Mr Canham, the head contract required regular site visits by the funding bodies. "ARENA never came to the site," he said. "They were supposed to come every three months. They were really into this solar thing and they never came once. "With the state government  the same thing. Never saw anyone." CS Energy was "very tolerant" of Areva, he said.

"Why CS Energy didn't terminate the contract I don't know  they could have done." CS Energy told Fairfax Media in a statement that "the decision to halt the project meant that CS Energy avoided spending in excess of $50 million to complete a project with significant technical and commercial issues. "CS Energy reached commercial agreements with ARENA and Areva Solar relating to the finalisation of the Solar Boost Project. The details of these agreements are commercial in confidence." The "compact linear fresnel" technology developed by former UNSW researcher Dr Mills has been successfully used elsewhere. It was first rolled out at a prototype solar thermal plant in Bakersfield, California in 2009 and later to build the world's largest such scheme at a power station in Rajasthan, India. Meanwhile, in Queensland delays and technical problems led to Areva storing 3000 solar reflectors in a former potato paddock at Dalby owned by local company Nortask, prompting a two-year legal dispute in the Supreme Court in Brisbane between the two companies that remains unresolved.

Mr Canham, who was retrenched by Areva in May 2013, provided evidence for Nortask. In a statutory declaration filed as an exhibit in the case, he warned of Areva Solar's plans to withdraw entirely from Australia, predicting that "the political embarrassment to all tiers of government would be immense". He noted that the background to the project's difficulties included a serious legal dispute brewing between the Areva group, which is controlled by the French government, and Australia over uranium mining rights in the Kakadu. Nortask owner, Dalby businessman Hermes Speziali, said those responsible for the scheme "owe a duty of care to the people of Queensland and people of Australia ... who subsidised this project". He said his company had tried to find potential buyers for the thousands of unused solar reflectors "and we couldn't find any takers". "If [CS Energy] walk away, or they're mothballed, there can't be any value [in them]," he said.

"That's the saddest thing. The people who made the decisions, they're all on fat salaries and they're sweet. "I'd be wanting someone's balls on a plate if I was to end up in such a predicament." CS Energy said it was decommissioning the solar thermal site at Kogan Creek and "salvaging what it can in the most value accretive way for the business". It declined to reveal details of the contractual requirements for site visits and referred Fairfax Media to ARENA and the Queensland government. Queensland energy minister Mark Bailey's office, in turn, referred enquiries about site visits back to CS Energy. ARENA declined to answer detailed questions about inspections, saying only that it "takes a proactive approach to contract management. This can include site visits".
Warnings of electricity blackouts next summer due to a lack of generation capacity should be used by government to implement a series of measures to avert the looming crisis, the Grattan Institute has warned in a new report.

Last summer, wild weather and a lack of generation capacity saw blackouts in South Australia, with pressure on the national grid pushing Victoria and NSW close to the brink as well.

Since then, the closure of the Hazelwood power station in Victoria has placed further pressure on electricity supplies, making it all but inevitable restrictions on power usage will be imposed if demand surges as temperatures rise through summer.

Already the operator of the electricity and gas markets, the Australian Energy Markets Operator, has warned that a lack of generators could result in power shortages, primarily in South Australia, and also Victoria.
One of the world's biggest retailers continues to register trademarks in Australia, despite insisting it has no plans to set up here.

German discount supermarket Lidl  which will open stores in the US next month, offering up to 50 per cent off rivals' prices  has trademarked the words LIDL TO GO and LIDL YOU.

Lidl is owned by the privately held Schwarz Group, one of the world's largest retailers. Credit:Adam Berry

LIDL TO GO is the chain's convenience assortment. LIDL YOU is a streaming service.

A Lidl representative told Fairfax Media the chain had "no plans" to enter Australia.
Donald Trump has turned himself into a lame-dog president; for the time being at least, the United States is of no use to Australia or anyone else. The internal battles to unseat the usurper will occupy Washington politics for the next two years. And the US economy will continue to lag.

In the meantime, China will push to enhance what it regards as its natural sphere of influence: the South China Sea. But its ambitions extend further. It wants to dominate world trade and greater influence over international affairs. It is playing its cards carefully, but playing them nonetheless, particularly in Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In view of China's restless ambition, and American distraction, Australia ought to take the Association of South-East Asian Nations more seriously.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to play off China and the US. He has partly succeeded. He has held the US but not entirely China, which pushed back. Nonetheless, China has promised aid for infrastructure, soft loans and fishing concessions. Chinese investment in the Philippines is burgeoning, particularly in the property sector; US investment is stagnant.
Patrick White's first play has long lost its capacity to shock an audience as it once did, but as demonstrated in this skeletal staging directed by Kate Gaul, its subversively exuberant spirit endures.

The Ham Funeral: Eliza Logan, who plays Mrs Lusty.

Written in a substantially ruined and gloomy London in the immediate post-war years, The Ham Funeral charts the progress of young poet (played here by Sebastian Robinson) lodging in a dank boarding house owned by a taciturn ex-wrestler Will Lusty and his wife Alma, a woman "in her dangerous forties, ripe and bursting".

One day, after fatally exerting himself in a short speech, Will (Johnny Nasser) drops dead, leaving a distraught Alma (Eliza Logan) and the confused poet  who has never seen a dead body before  to arrange the funeral and host a wake for the erstwhile landlord's estranged relatives.

According to White's scene setting instructions, the poet symbolically descends from garret to basement as the play unfolds. The Griffin stage can't offer that as a possibility. Instead, Gaul and designer Jasmine Christie confine the action to one level, a shiny-floored abstract space whose only permanent feature is a steel bench, simultaneously suggesting commercial kitchen and autopsy table.

The rest of the "great, damp, crumbling house" is conjured in the mind by composer Nate Edmonson, whose surround sound underscore makes it seem like a malevolent living presence. Hartley T.A. Kemp's lighting throws a dreamlike pall over the action.
CSIRO's re-embracing of climate change research will be underlined on Monday when the national science agency announces a new centre partly funded by Chinese interests.

Based in Hobart, the $20 million centre will examine the role oceans will play in future climate change, including their influence on floods and drought. It will be half funded by China's Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology.

The Centre for Southern Hemisphere Oceans Research will also look at the capacity of seas to keep absorbing carbon dioxide  more than 90 per cent of heat has been taken up by oceans in recent decades  and the expected impact of melting Antarctic ice shelves.

The announcement comes a year after CSIRO came under fire for a proposed restructure that involved a shift away from "science for science sake" and towards corporate partnerships and work that could be sold.
It's already begun.

Robocalls are at work in the Omaha legislative district of John McCollister undermining the state senator and framing the opposition arguments he will encounter in his re-election bid next year.

"Would you be more or less likely to vote for Sen. McCollister if you knew he voted to give taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants in the Nebraska Legislature?" the robocall begins after a benchmark question measuring whether the recipient has a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the state senator.

Questions about the death penalty and tax increases quickly follow.

"A shot across the bow," McCollister says.

The table is being set for an opposition campaign to try to oust the first-term senator next year when McCollister, an independent-minded Republican who describes himself as "a moderate Republican," faces re-election after exercising his own independent judgment on hot-button issues as a member of the nonpartisan Legislature for four years.

That independence has put him directly at odds with Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts on some key issues, with McCollister voting to override high-profile gubernatorial vetoes and not supporting Ricketts on major tax and budget issues.

Most recently, McCollister did not provide a vote for a cloture motion to free the big package of income tax cuts and property tax reductions that the governor championed from a filibuster.

Instead, he joined a dozen other senators who chose to be recorded as present and not voting on the motion, which fell six votes short of approval.

In 2016, the governor struck back at several senators who were fellow Republicans but opposed him on veto overrides, providing endorsements and campaign finance support to other Republicans who stepped forward to challenge and eventually oust them.

Taylor Gage, the governor's spokesman, said that "neither the governor nor his team" organized the early flurry of robocalls in McCollister's legislative district and they "only became aware that robocalls had occurred when mentioned by Sen. McCollister on the floor of the Legislature."

But the senator said he has no doubt that Ricketts will be coming after him.

"All of us know that he looks at voting records and if you're not absolutely obedient, you would pay a price," McCollister said during an interview in his Capitol office.

"I've never even considered that," he said. "I have always voted my conscience and I try to stay true to my principles. I am willing to put this job at risk."

Now, McCollister said, "I anticipate the governor will be heavily involved in 2018 (and) that he's looking for an opponent."

A couple of hours earlier, McCollister had stepped directly into the bull's-eye during a legislative floor debate on motions to override the governor's line-item budget vetoes.

"This is absolute political hardball," McCollister said as he surveyed conservative Republican members of the 2016 freshman class lining up in almost lock-step support for the governor's vetoes.

"He's calling in his chips," McCollister said.

"Do I fear for my political future?" he asked. "I don't. If I get beat next year, that's OK. I can look at myself in the mirror."

McCollister and Ricketts know each other well; as former executive director of the Platte Institute, McCollister worked for Ricketts for four years.

"He's smart, hardworking, true to his word," McCollister said in describing the governor. "He could look at a financial statement and understand it faster than anybody and he was a fairly decent boss."

But McCollister and Ricketts haven't had a meaningful conversation in the last two years, the senator said.

The governor did send him a birthday card recently with a handwritten message: "Dear John, Happy Birthday! I hope you and Deb can take some time to relax and celebrate. Best wishes, Pete."

The distancing began in 2015 when McCollister voted to override the governor's veto of a bill repealing the death penalty, a measure increasing the state gas tax and a proposal to allow the young immigrants who have legal presence in the United States as so-called DACA youths to acquire Nebraska driver's licenses.

McCollister subsequently voted to override a Ricketts veto of a bill that allows DACA youths  who are protected by former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive action  to earn professional and commercial licenses to work in the state.

And last week he voted to override a number of the governor's budget vetoes.

As did some other senators who are Republicans and members of that independent 2015 freshman class. Some of those senators also voted to override Ricketts' veto of the bill to repeal the death penalty.

If there is going to be a gubernatorial hit list, it probably wouldn't end with McCollister.

In 2016, Ricketts successfully targeted three incumbent senators who were Republicans, providing endorsements and financial support to their Republican opponents who are state senators supportive of the governor today.

McCollister says he is ready to fight to retain his seat.

After the 2016 legislative session adjourned, he immediately went door-to-door in his district, even though his re-election bid was two years away.

McCollister, the son of former Republican Congressman John Y. McCollister, represents an economically and politically diverse Omaha legislative district that stretches from 72nd to 144th streets.

It's a district that previously was represented by Brad Ashford, who was elected as a Democratic congressman in 2014. Ashford is a neighbor who lives just down the street.

Registered Republicans hold a 9 percentage point edge over registered Democrats; McCollister won a tight race in 2014, defeating Matt Lathrop  brother of former state Sen. Steve Lathrop  by 511 votes.

With the Legislature poised to end its 2017 session Tuesday, McCollister already has ordered his "walk list," which will profile neighborhoods and individual households as he begins to once again knock on doors in preparation for a primary election almost a year away.
Up to 7500 asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat have been given four months to apply for refugee status or face deportation.

Branding them "fake refugees", Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says they have until October 1 to provide detail about their protection claims. He says some have refused to lodge protection claims while others have refused to give even basic information about their identities.

"This is a very serious situation and it's costing Australian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year," Mr Dutton said on Sunday. "Money that could be spent on education, on health, on police, on other services in the community. Now we aren't going to tolerate that any longer."

Many arrived without identity documents on boats run by people smugglers up to seven years ago under the previous Labor government, he said.
Just 7 per cent of voters want money from the federal government's northern Australia investment used to prop up Adani's giant coalmine, while nine times that number say they would prefer taxpayer cash going towards renewable energy or education infrastructure.

A new poll ReachTEL poll has found just 6.8 per cent of people support the idea of using public money to support coal mine projects such as the Indian mining conglomerate's controversial Carmichael proposal, which would be Australia's biggest coalmine.

Adani has parted ways with construction contractor Downer. Credit:AAP

Adani is seeking a $1 billion concessional loan from the Turnbull government's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to build a railway for the mine. The application will be assessed by the fund's independent board but the government supports the plan.

But the new poll of nearly 3000 people  commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation  suggests the public wants NAIF investments made elsewhere. Even among Coalition voters there was only 10.5 per cent support for public money going into coalmine infrastructure.
Peter Dutton's war on "fake refugees" is misleading, based on a false premise and dangerous in that it pre-empts a fair hearing of claims for refugee status.

The message is that thousands of asylum seekers who arrived on boats in the Labor years have not lodged protection claims because they are not refugees and are intent on taking the taxpayer "for a ride" and "conning" the system.

"One down, many to go": Peter Dutton welcomed the axing of Yassmin Abdel-Magied's program. Credit:Andrew Meares

Quite simply, the Minister for Immigration has not provided the evidence to sustain this charge.

The crackdown is based on the premise that the intransigence of the asylum seekers is the problem when immigration and human rights lawyers insist the vast majority are desperate to present their case for protection as about 22,000 in the legacy caseload have already done.
BEEP. B-BE-BEE-BEEP. Beep beep. If there's a soundtrack to Vietnam, it's this  the polite Morse code tapped out by motorcyclists threading their way through a country where motorbikes outnumber households. Unlike many Australian drivers, who lean on their horns in annoyance or frustration, Vietnam's motorcyclists are simply making their presence known.

Still, this dissonant symphony of horns can be intense for a first-time visitor. You might be fooled into thinking Hanoi, renowned for its French colonial charms, would be a peaceful haven. Wrong. A 2014 report estimated the capital is home to 2.4 motorbikes per household, which means there's a constant buzz in the air (as with flies, you soon learn to filter this noise out). There's talk of a metro rail system (the first line is scheduled to open next year) revolutionising the city's transport but, in the meantime, the trick to crossing the roads is to shadow the locals as they step out into the endless stream of traffic. Don't freeze, keep walking and you'll be just fine.

Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, is home to 2.4 motorbikes per household. Credit:Daisy Corlett / Alamy Stock Photo

On my first visit to Vietnam, I become obsessed with these motorbikes (some observers credit them with keeping the cities free of the gridlock that paralyses other Asian metropolises such as Bangkok). Specifically, I love how the xe om (motorbike taxi) drivers use their bikes as a bed, reclining on the seat, feet dangling over the handlebars as though their bike is as wide as an ocean. Sometimes, while waiting for a fare to happen along, they swivel the other way, transforming the bike into a comfy sofa. Occasionally, grooming is done in the tiny rear-view mirrors.

Then there's the sport of spotting how much can be crammed onto a motorbike. It's nothing remarkable to see a family of five wedged onto one bike. On a rural road, I spot a guy with two porcine pillion passengers (the full-size pigs carried in wicker baskets). The list grows: a towering pyramid of fresh flowers, cages packed with honking geese, fresh vegetables for the market, armfuls of corn, rattan chairs, paintings, hula-hoops, balloons  even a full-size wardrobe.
Some world leaders like to tweet, others like to power walk with their wives and counterparts. Justin Trudeau, however, enjoys photobombing unsuspecting constituents in his spare time.

Canada's Prime Minister was photographed over the weekend while out running and accidently made his way into a frame of high schoolers en route to their school formal.

In the shot, a group of students stand in their best dresses and rented tuxedos while Trudeau, in shorts and a T-shirt advertising a small Canadian winery called Norman Hardie, trots through in the background like a gazelle directed by David Attenborough.

No one in the photo, which was taken in Vancouver and posted on Twitter, nor the photographer, appeared to notice the politician running by.
Things weren't much better when she finally went home. Stacey turned to alcohol and marijuana in her teens for "momentary escapes" from reality as she battled depression and anxiety But as she hit her 20s, Stacey's outlook began to change. She was living with a boyfriend, working in administration (she had limited use of the fingers on her left hand) and was leading a "pretty normal life". She accepted Option A was no longer on offer; she now had to decide how to live Option B. "Ultimately it came down to a simple choice: do you let it ruin your life? Or do you embrace it? I chose to embrace it to make my life better." That choice led to action. Stacey ran for the NSW parliament at the 2007 state election, volunteered in the Solomon Islands as a peer mentor for people with disabilities, assisted the Red Cross in Cambodia, and became an ambassador for former professional surfer Layne Beachley's Aim For The Stars Foundation, which helps young women to achieve their dreams. "People would say to me, 'Stace, how did you end up being so positive and ambitious, even though you've had so many setbacks?' " She realised that instead of continuing her downward spiral after the accident, choosing to pick herself up and thrive was preferable.

Stacey tapped into her "competitive streak" to motivate her to continue achieving and has wowed others with her resilience. She's now a keynote speaker on that topic, as well as founder of the Academy of Resilience, through which she aims to broaden the reach of her approach to life. Stacey's current life is worlds away from anything her 12-year-old self could ever have envisioned. If she could speak to the scared little girl in that hospital bed, she would reassure her that while her life wouldn't turn out as planned, "that's not necessarily a bad thing". Nowadays, Stacey feels she's been given a "really unique experience in life", for which she is "incredibly grateful". If the accident hadn't happened, she says she would never have met the incredible people she has, nor would she have been given such amazing opportunities. "Having this happen to me was actually a positive thing." CHERYL DUFFY, 52 Sydney, NSW

Cheryl Duffy . Credit:Suuplied Devastated, Cheryl tried to keep life as normal as possible for her children. She threw herself into work and tried to maintain the usual household routine. But inside, she was in a "very dark place". She still loved Andrew. ("You can't just switch off and not love someone any more.") At work, she would run into him often. "I'd then have to duck away into a meeting room and compose myself because I'd get very teary." Depressed and anxious, Cheryl began comfort-eating and piled on 20 kilograms. She socialised occasionally but had no interest in dating again, for fear of getting hurt. She continued on the same path  pining for her old life  for six years.

Two years ago, that all changed. One night, Cheryl went to the pub with a group of friends and  because of space issues  they were seated with another couple. "They were a second-time-around married couple, very lovey-dovey and affectionate." They all started talking. When Cheryl said she was divorced and hadn't dated since, the woman said she could see that, as Cheryl had "no spark" in her eyes. The woman added that she was in the same boat after her own divorce, and that a recovery program had helped her move on. "I basically had an 'a-ha' moment; that I was pining for my old life and living in limbo. I couldn't have my old life, but I wasn't moving forward, either." Cheryl embarked on the recovery program the woman had told her about and began seeing a psychologist. She sold the family home, started eating healthily, began dating and quit her job, so she no longer ran into Andrew. She's now passionate about helping others through divorce. She's penned a book, The Divorce Tango, and holds workshops. A year ago she met her new partner, Tom*, who has given her a fresh outlook on love.

"When you're married for 20 years, it's not all the romance it used to be. But I used to think, 'Well, what do you expect? You're just very comfortable with each other.' Now I realise I deserve to have someone who adores me and thinks I'm the best thing that's ever happened to them." Though Cheryl spent six years yearning for Option A, she's now thriving in Option B. "Divorce isn't the end of your life  it's a new beginning." RACHEL NOBLE, 40 Sunshine Coast, Queensland Rachel Noble.

In 2011, Rachel was a busy stay-at-home mother to her four children, aged nine, seven, three, and 20 months. Her husband, Euan, was a kidney specialist, and Rachel had applied to do a graduate diploma in secondary school teaching. But Rachel's world came crashing down on October 4, when Hamish, her youngest child, passed away in a tragic backyard accident. "It was earth-shattering, beyond devastating," Rachel recalls. "The amount of pain and grief  was just all-consuming." The months after Hamish's accident were a blur. Euan took a few months off work. "We basically sat and stared into the distance, or at each other, wondering what on earth we were going to do." Swamped by grief, the couple tried to function for the sake of their children, hoping to make them feel as loved and as safe as possible. It wasn't easy. "The best advice I was given was to take it one day at a time. For me it was literally one breath at a time, until I could function one minute at a time." Sometimes Rachel would make it to lunchtime before collapsing and sleeping for the afternoon, exhausted by her grief. Slowly, Rachel learnt to "contain" her sadness, "not because the grief lessened or the heartache lessened, but because I learnt to live with it over time". Hamish became a "fuel" for Rachel's life, as she wanted to honour his memory with all she did. "I wanted him to know, if he was watching me, that love never ends." Rachel's love continued to grow when baby Finley arrived in 2013. "We knew a new baby would never replace Hamish  but we knew he'd possibly be a real source of joy for us  and he has been."
A large crowd of students walked out of the Notre Dame commencement ceremony on Sunday in protest of the speaker, Vice President Mike Pence, who delivered a speech that mixed platitudes about bright, dream-filled futures with a lengthy rebuke of political correctness on college campuses.

As several dozen students in caps and gowns quietly exited the graduation ceremony, the vice president praised Notre Dame, one of the nation's most prominent Catholic universities, as "a vanguard of freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas." Other schools do not measure up, he said.

"While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterised by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness - all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech," he said. "These all-too-common practices are destructive of learning and the pursuit of knowledge, and they are wholly outside the America tradition."

The protest began as Pence began his remarks at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, where degrees were conferred on 2081 students. Online video of the ceremony showed a large number of young people filing out of the stadium as the vice president began to congratulate the graduates and their families. Around them, the audience erupted into a mixture of boos and applause.
The Education Directorate says it is reviewing the use of non-teaching spaces as classrooms after offering demountables to a Belconnen school previously forced to base students in its library.

Aranda Primary parents earlier this year spoke against classes being taught in the school's library and community room, arguing the situation was unfair on students learning in those spaces and those who wanted to access them for their intended purpose.

The Education Directorate is reviewing its policy of allowing classes to be based in rooms such as libraries.

After first describing the situation as "not uncommon", the directorate has now offered the school two transportable classrooms for 2018.

An Education Directorate spokeswoman said the use of what were traditionally not classrooms as teaching spaces was being examined as part of a broader review of capacity. Other schools have also complained of space constraints.
Canberra's public school principals reported being threatened, assaulted or injured at an average of more than one incident per fortnight in 2016.

New figures from the Education Directorate revealed 30 incidents of occupational violence against principals in Canberra's 87 government schools last year alone.

There were 194 reported incidents of violence against teachers and principals combined to July 31.

Independent Education Union NSW/ACT secretary John Quessy said the issue was not isolated to the government system.
When an unexpected expensive bill arrives in the mail, almost half of Australian consumers aren't prepared to challenge it with their provider, a new survey has found.

The consumer survey of more than 2000 people found 42 per cent were reluctant to question the high cost if it was more expensive than normal.

Despite bill shock, nearly half of Australian consumers don't take up expensive bills with their providers.

The survey also found half of those people would be likely to pay the expensive bill and try to save money to make sure the next one wasn't as high.

Baby Boomers were the most likely to question an expensive bill, with 72 per cent responding they would take the issue up with their provider, compared to 49 per cent of Generation Y.
The news just kept coming 18 years ago for the Radford girls, one announcement after another that turned family holidays into diaper-filled chaos in a matter of months.

Today its a different kind of chaos  caps and gowns, diplomas and parties marking the bittersweet space between the past and future.

High school graduation, multiplied.

Eight caps and gowns. Eight high school diplomas. Three graduation parties. Two graduation ceremonies. Two sets of twins. One set of quads. Three moms heaving a very big sigh of relief.

We made it, said Gina Germer, the oldest of the married Radford girls. We survived to talk about it.

Gina, Julie and Jody Radford were born within three years of each other, raised in Seward by their parents. Gina has a twin brother.

That should have been a clue.

The three girls married. Julie Hartman and Germer stayed in Seward and middle sister, Jody Navratil, moved to Lincoln. By the mid-1990s, both Julie and Gina had children  Jared and Jordan, cousins born four years apart.

Jody and her husband Mark had been trying to have children for seven years and in 1997  the year a record-breaking October snowstorm brought virtually everything in Lincoln to a screeching halt  it happened.

Jody suspected she might have more than one baby and was eager for the ultrasound to find out for sure. Could it be twins? Triplets, even?

The snowstorm had killed the power at her doctors office, so she and her husband drove to Omaha, where they learned they were having quadruplets.

I think we were in total disbelief, Jody said. That was the longest car ride home from Omaha.

Their doctor encouraged them not to make the news public for three months, but Jody called her sisters when she got back to work in Lincoln.

Six months later, Julie Hartman she went in for her own ultrasound  to the doctor all three sisters shared  and the doctor said, "Guess what?"

I said, Please tell me theres just two, Julie said.

Six months later, on May 28, 1998, Jody gave birth to four babies: Dylan, Mitchell, Drew and Mackenzy. They were seven weeks early, small but healthy. The boys all were 4-something pounds. Mackenzy just 2.5.

Four months later, Julie had twin boys Grant and Michael.

Two weeks before Julie's twins were born, Gina found out she was pregnant with twins, the doctor now getting used to sharing this sort of news with the Radford girls.

I thought Oh, my God, said Gina. I was like Julie. Twos doable.

On Feb. 8, 1999, Gina gave birth to Jaycie and Jayden.

And Grandma and Grandpa Radford went from being grandparents of two to 10, in the space of nine months.

I think mom was just in shock, said Julie. She said What are we going to do with all these babies?

The first years were the craziest, especially at the Navratil home, where Grandma helped, as did Jody's sisters  when they could. The church ladies came over help feed the infants, nannies from Southeast Community College interned there.

As their kids grew up, the sisters had garage sales  no hand-me-downs for eight cousins all the same age  so the clothes were in good shape, eight cribs lined the driveway, along with tricycles and toys and books.

People stood in line, said Gina.

The families celebrated holidays together: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Fourth of July.

We knew it was awesome that they would all grow up together, Gina said. We had a great support system. These kids had grandparents that never grew tired of watching them.

Grandma did need a little help buying Christmas presents. And graduation, well, thats a lot of grandkids.

She had to go to the ATM a few times for grad cards, said Julie.

When they were little, the cousins never realized a family with quadruplets with two sets of twins for cousins was unusual.

It just felt normal, said Dylan Navratil, one of the quads. Its what its been like our whole lives.

When they started kindergarten, the cousins' pediatrician gave them T-shirts that said Class of 2017 is ready to start.

Last week, Grant and Michael Hartman and Jaycie and Jayden Germer graduated from Seward High School. On Sunday, Dylan, Mitchell, Drew and Mackenzy Navratil will be among the 312 graduates from Pius X High School.

Theyre all heading to college  the quads to Nebraska Wesleyan, the Germer twins to Wayne State College, one of the Hartman boys to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the other to Southeast Community College.

They all attended each others graduation parties, another family celebration brimming with cousins.

Their moms are relieved and happy  and really looking forward to the month of May coming to an end.

Im not sad, said Julie. Im so happy theyre ready for their next step.
Five mystery objectors stand in the way of the release of emails that shed light on how residential colleges at Sydney University feel about a review into their sometimes controversial culture.

Fairfax Media revealed on Saturday that Australia's oldest university had refused access to correspondence between the colleges and their officials with university top brass over the so-called Broderick review into college culture.

A redacted email sent to vice-chancellor Michael Spence.

The vast bulk of the nearly 190 pages from some 130 emails identified in the application and released to the Herald under freedom of information laws was redacted.

Amongst the information redacted were the identities of three correspondents in 10 emails exchanged with the university's chancellor Belinda Hutchinson, vice chancellor Michael Spence and the review's head Elizabeth Broderick.
Proposed changes to NSW planning system do not go far enough to weed out avenues for corruption and potentially introduce new vulnerabilities, according to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The ICAC, whose investigative powers have often examined flaws and loopholes in the state's planning system, has expressed concerns with the government's plan to bolster the powers of the Secretary of the Department of Planning as part of major reforms to the state's core piece of planning legislation.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption has raised concerns over proposed reforms to the state's planning system. Credit:Peter Braig

The corruption body is among more than 140 agencies, councils, and community groups that have lodged written submissions to the NSW government's proposed reforms to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

In a letter accompanying the submission, ICAC commissioner Reginald Blanch said the state's planning system "is a particular area of interest to the Commission, given it has been the subject of numerous corruption prevention and investigation reports."
A woman has died after being struck by a minibus in Crows Nest on Sydney's lower north shore.

Police believe the woman, understood to be in her 20s, was heading towards the city on the Warringah Freeway when she stopped due to a flat tyre, shortly before 12.40am on Sunday.

After another motorist stopped to help the woman she was hit by a minibus travelling in the same direction and died at the scene.

The incident occurred in lane three of five on the Warringah Freeway.
Air traffic controllers at Brisbane Airport had a difficult job on Sunday morning, as thick fog lingered causing flights in and out to be delayed or diverted.

By 8am, the airport website showed a total of nine flights had been delayed and one diverted due to the low visibility.

The Brisbane CBD shrouded in fog on Sunday morning. Credit:Wendy Hughes

"Fog is usually short-lived, but this is quite a thick one," a Brisbane AIrport spokeswoman said.

"If you're flying today definitely check our website, app or your airline and expect potential delays."
Staff at the state's largest prison are meeting on Monday to address frustrations and fears over prisoner violence amid rapidly increasing overcrowding.

Queensland's already over-capacity prisons have added another 500 inmates in just eight months despite a Palaszczuk government promise to address the problem.

The Wolston Correctional Centre got one star. Credit:Greg Henderson

Officers at another major Queensland prison have already called for better tools to stop prisoner assaults as concerns of violence grow across the state.

The moves come as promising water polo player Cole Miller's killer Armstrong Renata and another prisoner from the Woodford Correctional Centre appeared in court on Wednesday to face two charges of assaulting corrective services officers, who were sent to hospital.
A man who went home after he was savaged bashed at a party south of Brisbane has been rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Police say five men attacked the 37-year-old in the front yard of a Beenleigh home, where a party was being held on Saturday night.

The man was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital after his condition deteriorated following the assault.

Others who were at the party intervened to stop the vicious assault and the attackers fled.

"The man returned to his home address in Beenleigh, however his condition deteriorated overnight," police said on Sunday.
The Australian Academy of Science will induct 21 new fellows on Monday at Canberra's Shine Dome.

The new cohort lifts the academy's total number of fellows to 534 scientists.

Professor Evans Lagudah's researches disease resistance in plants to help address global food security. Credit:Australian Academy of Science

And along with accepting the rare and esteemed honour, each was given 10 minutes to speak about their research contribution to science and how they began in the field.

Former Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb took the opportunity as one of the 21 to reflect on curiosity - how it sparked his passion for science and was a key to ensuring Australia's future would be bright.
A teenage boy has been charged over an alleged violent home invasion in Melbourne's outer west on Sunday morning.

Police say a group of between six to eight men allegedly broke into a house in Sassafras Way, Rockbank about 3am and threatened the occupants before assaulting a 42-year-old man.

Jade Ribeiro, whose family was attacked in a home invasion in Rockbank. Credit:Channel Seven

The 16-year-old faced an out-of-sessions hearing on Sunday and has been charged with a range of offences including aggravated home invasion, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, theft of a motor vehicle and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He has been remanded to appear at a Children's Court at a later date.
WA Police have charged a man with grievous bodily harm after a woman was found with life-threatening injuries inside a Perth apartment stairwell in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The woman, believed to be in her thirties, was located unconscious in the stairwell of a Murray Street building at around 2.05am.

The woman's family has been notified. Credit:Marina Neil/Fairfax Media

St John Ambulance attended the scene and took the woman to Royal Perth Hospital.

Police executed a search warrant at a residence in Dundas Road, Inglewood. A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged.
Unvaccinated children will be excluded from daycare centres and kindergartens if attempts to educate their parents on the benefits of immunisations fail.

The WA State Government announced they would join the national 'no jab, no play' push, with Premier Mark McGowan confirming this in writing to the Prime Minister earlier this week.

The State Government has joined the national 'no jab, no play' push. Credit:Thinkstock

Health Minister Roger Cook said the Health Department would engage in a renewed effort to work with 'anti vax' families in an effort to ensure they understood the benefits and importance of immunisation. But the government would take a 'fair but tough' approach.

"If parents are refusing to protect their children and the other children that they come in contact with, by not immunising their kids, we will have to exclude them," he said.
WASHINGTON -- The pleasant surprise of the first 100 days is over. The action was hectic, heated, often confused, but well within the bounds of normalcy. Policy (e.g., health care) was being hashed out, a Supreme Court nominee confirmed, foreign policy challenges (e.g. North Korea) addressed.

Donald Trump's character -- volatile, impulsive, often self-destructive -- had not changed since the campaign. But it seemed as if the guardrails of our democracy -- Congress, the courts, the states, the media, the Cabinet -- were keeping things within bounds.

Then came the last 10 days. The country is now caught in the internal maelstrom that is the mind of Donald Trump. We are in the realm of the id. Chaos reigns. No guardrails can hold.

Normal activity disappears. North Korea's launch of an alarming new missile and a problematic visit from the president of Turkey (locus of our most complicated and tortured allied relationship) barely evoke notice. Nothing can escape the black hole of a three-part presidential meltdown.

* First, the firing of James Comey. Trump, consumed by the perceived threat of the Russia probe to his legitimacy, executes a mindlessly impulsive dismissal of the FBI director. He then surrounds it with a bodyguard of lies -- attributing the dismissal to a Justice Department recommendation -- which his staff goes out and parrots. Only to be undermined and humiliated when the boss contradicts them within 48 hours.

Result? Layers of falsehoods giving the impression of an elaborate cover-up -- in the absence of a crime. At least Nixon was trying to quash a third-rate burglary and associated felonies. Here we don't even have a body, let alone a smoking gun. Trump insists there's no there there, but acts as if the there is everywhere.

* Second, Trump's divulging classified information to the Russians. A stupid, needless mistake. But despite the media hysteria, hardly an irreparable national security calamity.

The Israelis, whose asset might have been jeopardized, are no doubt upset, but the notion that this will cause a great rupture to their (and others') intelligence relationship with the U.S. is nonsense. These kinds of things happen all the time. When the Obama administration spilled secrets of the anti-Iranian Stuxnet virus or blew the cover of a double agent in Yemen, there was none of the garment-rending that followed Trump's disclosure.

Once again, however, the cover-up far exceeded the crime. Trump had three top officials come out and declare the disclosure story false. The next morning, Trump tweeted he was entirely within his rights to reveal what he revealed, thereby verifying the truth of the story. His national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, floundered his way through a news conference, trying to reconcile his initial denial with Trump's subsequent contradiction. It was a sorry sight.

* Is it any wonder, therefore, that when the third crisis hit on Tuesday night -- the Comey memo claiming that Trump tried to get him to call off the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn -- Republicans hid under their beds rather than come out to defend the president? The White House hurriedly issued a statement denying the story. The statement was unsigned. You want your name on a statement that your boss could peremptorily contradict in a twitter-second?

Republicans are beginning to panic. One sign is the notion now circulating that, perhaps to fend off ultimate impeachment, Trump be dumped by way of 25th Amendment.

That's the post-Kennedy assassination measure that provides for removing an incapacitated president on the decision of the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet.

This is the worst idea since Leno at 10 p.m. It perverts the very intent of the amendment. It was meant for a stroke, not stupidity; for Alzheimer's, not narcissism. Otherwise, what it authorizes is a coup -- willful overthrow by the leader's own closest associates.

I thought we had progressed beyond the Tudors and the Stuarts. Moreover, this would be seen by millions as an establishment usurpation to get rid of a disruptive outsider. It would be the most destabilizing event in American political history -- the gratuitous overthrow of an essential constant in American politics, namely the fixedness of the presidential term (save for high crimes and misdemeanors).

Trump's behavior is deeply disturbing but hardly surprising. His mercurial nature is not the product of a post-inaugural adder sting at Mar-a-Lago. It's been there all along. And the American electorate chose him nonetheless.

What to do? Strengthen the guardrails. Redouble oversight of this errant president. Follow the facts, especially the Comey memos. And let the chips fall where they may.

But no tricks, constitutional or otherwise.
Kabul: Afghanistan's controversial first vice-president, who has been under investigation and virtual house arrest for months on accusations of assault, flew to Turkey on Saturday for "medical tests", according to his aides and Afghan government officials.

But human rights groups, Afghan analysts and others said they suspect that Abdul Rashid Dostum, 63, an ethnic Uzbek militia leader and former army general, had flown into exile to avoid prosecution, possibly in a deal with the government. He has not been charged with any crime.

Afghan Vice-President Abdul Rashid Dostum is seen weeping during a song rendition on the day of the alleged abduction. Credit:ATV Afghanistan

"Vice-President Dostum does have a judicial case pending, but he has gone to Turkey for health tests. We pray for his health and return," Shah Hussain Murtazavi, a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, told journalists on Saturday afternoon.

Last December, an elderly Uzbek politician named Ahmad Ishchi accused Dostum on national TV of ordering his militia guards to imprison, beat and rape him. The powerful warlord claimed the charges were a political plot, but the incident put Ghani under strong foreign pressure to bring him to justice.
Britain has introduced tough new rules which mean cigarettes and tobacco products must be sold in plain green packets and feature prominent, graphic health warnings.

Public health experts in Britain have long advocated for tighter controls on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products, often citing the decline in Australia's smoking rate as proof that plain packaging works.

Australia has had the backing of the World Health Organisation to introduce plain packaging. Credit:Department of Health

A study by the Department of Health found that as a result of the plain packaging laws, there were 108,228 fewer smokers in Australia in the period between December 2012 and September 2015.

Even after controlling for a range of variables, including excise tax increases, and socio-demographic factors, the researchers still pointed to plain packaging and graphic health warnings as the reason why more than 100,000 Australians were able to kick the habit.
Donald Trump delivers his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Seated from left, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Ivanka Trump and her husband senior adviser Jared Kushner. Credit:AP "We are adopting a principled realism, rooted in common values, shared interests and common sense The [US will] make decisions based on real-world outcomes, not inflexible ideology  wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms, not sudden intervention." This is Trump's first venture abroad as president  after Saudi Arabia, he travels to Israel and the West Bank, to Rome and other points in Europe. The Riyadh, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Rome stopovers are billed ambitiously by the White House as a bid to "broadcast a message of unity" to Jews, Christians and Muslims. President Donald Trump listens during a ceremony to mark the opening of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh on Sunday. Credit:AP "What President Trump is seeking is to unite peoples of all faiths around a common vision of peace, progress and prosperity," his National Security Adviser HR McMaster said in scene-setting briefings for reporters ahead of the trip  no small feat for a man who has been accused of anti-Semitisms and Islamophobia and has locked horns with the Pope.

In that context the Riyadh speech was keenly awaited. U.S. President Donald Trump, right, holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday. Credit:AP "Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: barbarism will deliver you no glory - piety to evil will bring you no dignity," Trump offered. "If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned." But for all the White House prepping on what has been described as a pirouette by Trump away from the stridency of his campaign rhetoric, much of it attributed to aides no longer on his staff or whose wings have been clipped, when it came to three critical words, the president stumbled. President Donald Trump talks with Saudi King Salman as they pose for photos with leaders at the Arab Islamic American Summit. Credit:AP

We're talking about "radical Islamic extremism". A cornerstone of Trump's election campaign was Obama's refusal to utter those words. Pre-released excerpts of the Riyadh speech revealed that the White House had come up with a new, halfway house  "Islamist extremism"  which is more narrowly focused on terrorist ideology than on all followers of one of the world's major religions. But as he often does, Trump veered from his script, using both words  "Islamic" and Islamist". "That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds," he said, leaving unclear if he had merely stumbled; or, with a wary eye on core supporters at home who had cheered his anti-Muslim stump speeches, he was deliberately ignoring the plea of McMaster and others for greater subtlety.

"The president will call it whatever he wants to call it," McMaster told ABC News ahead of the speech. "But I think it's important that, whatever we call it, we recognise that these are not religious people and, in fact, these enemies of all civilisations, what they want to do is to cloak their criminal behaviour under this false idea of some kind of religious war." Obama, and George W Bush before him, had taken the position that terrorists had perverted Islam  not that Islam was terrorist. In the 2016 campaign, Obama berated Trump for "yappingfall[ing] into the trap of painting all Muslims with a broad brush and imply[ing] that we are at war with an entire religion, [thereby] doing the terrorists' work for them". At the time, Trump countered that "anyone who cannot name our enemy is not fit to lead this country"  and he pointedly used the phrase "radical Islamic extremism" in his inauguration address. Saudi officials seemingly were happy to go along with Trump's implicit invitation that his past rhetoric be forgotten  including his 2016 Facebook stab of the kingdom for keeping "women as slaves and kill[ing] gays" and his suggestions that Riyadh might have been complicit in the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington. Insisting Saudi Arabia was committed to "fighting all forms of terrorism", King Salman of Saudi Arabia said: "We say to our Muslim brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters everywhere, that one of the most important goals of Islamic sharia is protecting life, and there is no honour in committing murder.

"Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance." As Trump had, Salman focused on Iran as the regional bogyman, branding it as a terrorist state. "These odious acts are the products of attempts to exploit Islam as a cover for political purposes to flame hatred, extremism, terrorism and religious and sectarian conflicts." The Riyadh speeches will percolate in the region and around the globe world. But the juxtaposition of two related matters were proof that this is an imperfect world. As vote counting confirmed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's reelection on Saturday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told a press conference in Riyadh that Washington hoped Tehran would "restore the rights of Iranians to freedom of speech, to freedom of organisation, so that Iranians can live the life that they deserve". Standing beside Tillerson was Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, whose government denies its citizens the same rights  and ranks more poorly than Iran on the Washington-based Freedom House's Freedom in the World index.
Mr Trump called for a "coalition of nations" in the Middle East with the aim of "stamping out extremism". US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hands a note to US President Donald Trump during a meeting with leaders at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh on Sunday. Credit:AP "This is a battle between good and evil," he said. "Drive them out of your places of worship, your communities, your Holy Land and the Earth." His words were a step back from the anti-Muslim rhetoric he repeatedly delivered across the US at fiery rallies during his successful presidential campaign. First Lady Melania Trump listens as her husband speaks. Credit:AP

The speech was aimed at easing concerns that the administration's policies deliberately discriminate against Muslims. During last year's presidential campaign and in his first months in office, Mr Trump railed against "radical Islamic terrorism" and sought to temporarily ban people from various Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. He even expressed an openness during his campaign for the concept of a registry for Muslims living in the US and declared, "I think Islam hates us." However in his speech in Riyadh, he described Islam as "one of the world's great faiths." He said he hoped the summit would mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread it across the world, but he said Muslim-majority countries needed to take the lead in fighting radicalisation. "The nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them," the president said.

"The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their country and frankly for their families and for their children." He also said peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians was achievable, however his comments sparked immediate criticism from Islamist Palestinian group which controls the Gaza Strip. Hamas said Mr Trump's description of the group, which linked it to terrorism, showed his "complete bias" towards Israel. "The statement describing Hamas as a terror group is rejected and is a distortion of our image and shows a complete bias to the Zionist occupation (Israel)," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement. Mr Trump's criticism of Iran echoed a speech made earlier in the day by Saudi King Salman, who said Iran's ruling powers represented the "tip of the spear" of global terrorism.

"Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are," he said. "The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism." The king also said in the televised speech that Saudi Arabia would not be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism. "We will never be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism, in any way or means, to the full force of the law," he said. Mr Trump has held a series of bilateral meetings in Riyadh that have had a heavy focus on terrorism, including one with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after which the US president declared that "safety seems to be very strong" in Egypt.

Speaking through a translator on Sunday, Mr Sisi described Mr Trump as "a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." Mr Trump vowed to visit Egypt to further the relationship. "I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," he said. Mr Sisi, he said, had "done a tremendous job under trying circumstances". The Egyptian president has launched the toughest crackdown on Islamists in Egypt's modern history since toppling President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. Hundreds of Egyptian soldiers and police have been killed fighting militants in Sinai.
Bangkok: Eleven Asia-Pacific nations, including Australia, agreed on Sunday to salvage a massive free trade deal that US President Donald Trump pulled out of days after taking office in January.

Australia's Trade Minister Steve Ciobo pushed for the agreement at a meeting in Vietnam to "launch a process to assess options" to bring the Trans-Pacific Partnership into force.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay, who chaired the meeting, left open the possibility of the US rejoining the TPP despite Mr Trump saying he prefers bilateral free trade deals.

Mr McClay said each country had to consider both economic values and the strategic importance of the agreement "but in the end there is a lot of unity among all of the countries and a great desire to work together to come up with an agreement."
Beirut: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticised US President Donald Trump for sealing an arms deal and other investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars with Saudi Arabia, Tehran's arch-rival in the Middle East.

Zarif's comments came hours after Trump, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, urged Arab and Islamic leaders to unite and defeat Islamist extremists.

Trump on Sunday singled out Iran as a key sponsor of militant groups, sending a tough message to Tehran the day after Hassan Rouhani won a second term as Iran's president.

"Iran - fresh from real elections - attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation. Foreign Policy or simply milking KSA of $480B?," Zarif wrote in a Twitter post, referring to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Homs: Hundreds of Syrian rebels and their families left the last opposition-held district of Homs on Sunday, completing a deal that brought the whole city back under President Bashar al-Assad's control for the first time since the start of the war more than six years ago.

Homs Governor Talal Barazi said "the city of Homs is completely clear of weapons and militants after completing the reconciliation deal in al-Waer district," Syrian state TV reported.

A Syrian opposition fighter, left, prepares to leave during the last batch from rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Waer in Homs, Syria, on Saturday. Credit:SANA/AP

Government forces backed by the Russian military have already moved into many areas of al-Waer, state media said.

Some 700 fighters and their families, a total of nearly 3000 people according to Barazi, left aboard buses on Saturday and Sunday in the final phase of the evacuation of insurgents from al-Waer. Government troops had long besieged the last opposition-held area in a city that was one of the early centres of the anti-Assad uprising.
Man in his 60's was severely beaten north of Montana Avenue

This pricey home north of Montana was not related in any way to the subject of this story.

Santa Monica Police say they are searching for two suspects in the severe beating of a resident during a possible home invasion robbery Monday North of Montana Avenue.

The assault occurred in the 500 block of 17th Street, just after 3 p.m. according to Lt. Saul Rodriguez, SMPD's Public Information Officer.

The victim was "assaulted pretty severely" and treated by paramedics at the scene, Rodriguez said. He was taken to a local hospital where he remains in serious condition.

Police are investigating the incident as a possible home invasion robbery, Rodriguez said, adding that the victim is a man in his 60's.

The Police Department issued a community alert on Tuesday that said it "will immediately be deploying additional officers in the community to address your safety concerns."

"We encourage all residents to remain vigilant and call the police if you see something or someone suspicious," the alert said.

"Due to the sensitivity of the investigation and condition of the victim, no additional information may be released at this time," Rodriguez said.
Kuehl doesn't want her hard earned power diminished by elected officials in Sacramento

They have been called "the most powerful elected officials in the United States." Due to a County Charter left over from 1870, and the lack of political will among voters to expand the Board of Supervisors, just five County Supervisors control an LA County Budget exceeding $26.35 Billion, and represent, as best as possible, 10,000,000 residents of Los Angeles County.

Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza, who lives in the small Los Angeles County city of Artesia, proposed the plan as an amendment to the California Constitution.

The amendment would require all counties with a population above 5 million in the 2020 Census to have supervisors representing no more than twice the population size of two congressional districts. In effect, this would increase the number of supervisors to 9 from five.

"It's hard for me to believe that elected representatives in counties outside LA, would welcome the specter of Angelenos removing their right to local self-determination," Kuehl said."Nor do I imagine that voters in Northern California should have the right to vote on a constitutional amendment to change the governance structure of a county hundreds of miles to the south."

In other words, Kuehl doesn't want her hard earned power diminished by mere elected officials in Sacramento. One of those is State Sen. Ben Allen, who is sponsoring the legislation. He said:

The Los Angeles County Grand Jury did a comprehensive study of the county's governance structure and concluded the public would be well served by an expanded board of supervisors and an elected chief executive. I support the reforms proposed by the Grand Jury which are now reflected in SCA 12.

There have been at least two attempts in the last 20 years to increase the Board of Supervisors' size by amending the County Charter. Voters turned down both measures, responding to a campaign that this would slightly increase the cost of the Board of Supervisors. A constitutional amendment such as this one, would require approval by two-thirds of the State legislature, and by a majority of California voters.

Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles, is the most populous county in the United States. Its population is larger than that of 42 individual U.S. states. It has 88 incorporated cities and many unincorporated areas and at 4,083 square miles, it is larger than the combined areas of the U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island. The county is home to more than one-quarter of California residents and is one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the U.S. Its county seat, the City of Los Angeles, is also its most populous city at about four million.

The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration where the Board of Supervisors meets.

The Government of Los Angeles County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution, California law, and the Charter of the County of Los Angeles. Much of the Government of California is in practice the responsibility of county governments, such as the Government of Los Angeles County. The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, health care, and social services. In addition the County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas.

It is composed of the elected five-member Board of Supervisors, several other elected offices including the Sheriff, District Attorney, and Assessor, and numerous county departments and entities under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer.

Some chartered cities such as Los Angeles and Inglewood provide municipal services such as police, libraries, parks and recreation, and zoning. Other cities arrange to have the County provide some or all of these services under contract. In addition, several entities of the government of California have jurisdiction coterminous with Los Angeles County, such as the Los Angeles Superior Court.
President Donald Trump isn't the only American leader with a puzzling fondness for Russian president Vladimir Putin's regime.

Consider, for example, the chant that was caught on local television footage as it was shouted by several dozen torch-carrying protesters who rallied against removal of a Confederate monument in a Charlottesville, Virginia, park last Saturday.

"Russia is our friend!" they shouted. "Russia is our friend!"

What, many observers must have wondered, did Russia have to do with the Confederacy?

Not much, except in the minds of such key leaders of the alt-right as Richard Spencer, who spoke and carried a torch in Charlottesville, where he once attended the University of Virginia.

Spencer is widely credited with coining the term "alt-right" to describe his Americanized version of Euro-nationalism that seeks a whites-only state. He also is famous for being punched in the face in a video-recorded street attack that went viral on YouTube and for being thrown out of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) convention this spring. You know that you're way out in the far-right field when you're thrown out of CPAC.

Beneath his digital-age jargon and elegantly soft-spoken manner, Spencer offers a rehashed version of traditional doomsday visions of "white culture" under assault by a rising tide of feminists, nonwhites and other scapegoats for all white miseries.

"What brings us together," he told the crowd at an earlier rally Saturday, "is that we are white. We are a people. We will not be replaced."

Yet Spencer also shows a curiously deep admiration for Russia, which he has called "the sole white power in the world." His former wife is Russian writer and self-described "Kremlin troll leader" Nina Kouprianova. Writing and blogging under the pen name Nina Byzantina, she regularly follows Kremlin talking points.

Like Spencer, she has defended Syria's butcher president -- and Putin ally -- Bashir al-Assad, describing reports of civilian deaths in Aleppo as "fake news."

Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke, who has eagerly embraced the alt-right movement, has traveled to Russia several times to promote his book "The Ultimate Supremacism: My Awakening on the Jewish Question," according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Rising self-described white nationalist Matthew Heimbach also has praised Putin's Russia as "the axis for nationalists," according to an interview by Business Insider.

"I really believe that Russia is the leader of the free world right now," he told the news website. "Putin is supporting nationalists around the world and building an anti-globalist alliance, while promoting traditional values and self-determination."

Heimbach leads the Traditionalist Workers Party which, like Spencer's American Policy Institute, is listed as a "white identity" hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Leading American alt-right figures like "race realist" Jared Taylor also attended a right-wing conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, two years ago, organized by a fringe nationalist Russia group. Taylor, according to Business Insider, called the United States "the greatest enemy of tradition everywhere."

It may be only coincidental that white nationalists cheer Russia as "our friend" two days before President Trump was reported to have revealed "highly classified" secrets to two high-ranking Russians in the Oval Office. But both episodes raise questions about how much Putin may be actively engaged in sowing divisions in this country.

We know from past behavior that Putin cares much less about what we Americans think of him than what his own people think of him. With his tightening despotic control over speech and Russian media, he promotes a return to the dominant "Mother Russia" of the czars and the Soviet Union.

The computer hackers and fake news purveyors who serve as an underground propaganda army in his behalf aim to undermine the West's faith in democracy and its institutions. When it comes to corruption, human rights and empire-building, Putin wants you to believe that Western democracies are no better than his Russia.

President Trump curiously seemed to defend that line in an interview with then-Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly. Trump boldly suggested that we were no better than Putin when it comes to being "a killer." That's breathtaking.

If nothing else, we know that Putin is delighted to see us Americans divide ourselves against one another. That's how he gained almost unquestioned control in Russia. Dividing Americans against one another is something that the alt-right also is delighted to do.

The rest of us need to show them, in the words of the late Rodney King, that we still know how to get along.
Warm up to winter with ski film, adaptive skiing, Mushing 101 and more
SAN DIEGO -- These days, when friends ask how I'm doing, I give them an honest answer. I say, "I'm struggling."

You see, my profession is driving me crazy. I have a job that requires me to stay on top of current events and follow every bounce of the daily news cycle.

Switching between CNN and Fox News is like visiting different planets. Between White House press releases, talk radio, the internet, 24-hour cable news and social media, I feel like I'm standing in front of a fire hydrant that's gushing out information.

And, unfortunately, in the era of President Trump, a lot of misinformation.

I've decided that digesting too much media is unhealthy. It makes you cynical and distrustful.

A Facebook friend put it well when he said: "You spend all your time in the sewer, and soon everything looks like a rat."

True enough. But when you're covering politicians, there is no shortage of vermin.

I envy my friends with regular jobs who can parachute in and out of news stories. A lot of them only watch the infotainment shows of pseudo-journalists like Fox News' Tucker Carlson and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. My friends get the gist of the day's events and then shoehorn what they hear to fit their political leanings. They're fine with that.

Recently, I had a chat with an English professor at a small college in Southern California. She spends her days reading books, teaching students, grading papers and discussing great literature with colleagues. When our conversation veered into politics -- and, specifically, the immigration debate -- she wrongly insisted that Barack Obama had only deported illegal immigrants who committed crimes. She was out of her depth. I tried to set her straight.

It didn't work. She may have been ignorant, but she was blissfully so. To her, issues are cut and dried. Her world makes sense. It has good guys and bad guys, correct positions and incorrect ones.

Writing about politics, especially with Trump in the White House, I don't have the luxury of living in a black-and-white world. All I see is gray. Nuance is the new normal.

Now that much of the media has given up the role of referee and suited up to play in the arena, it's clear -- with the recent barrage of what the left considers major scoops and the right dismisses as "fake news" -- that the objective of this game is to destroy Trump.

Which is poetic, given that it was the media who helped create Trump. Remember when Ted Cruz attacked Trump for having "New York values" during the Republican primary, and the New York-based media annihilated Cruz?

Now it seems like half the country can't stand the other half. Many conservatives think that Trump is doing fine and the media are terribly unfair. Many liberals think that Trump is terribly unqualified and the media are doing great.

And yet, I believe there is a third group of Americans who think that both Trump and the media are behaving horribly, that their attacks on one another have become less rational and more emotional. When a guest recently questioned a newspaper story based on the accounts of anonymous individuals, CNN host Kate Bolduan wagged her finger, yelled at him, and accused him of "attacking sources."

This group doesn't care for Trump, yet they find the media's breathless coverage of this White House unappealing and unwatchable. The more time they spend watching cable news, the more confused they get. They don't know what to believe or whom to trust.

So they're tuning out. They're not paying attention to political news anymore.

"Sick and tired! It's gotten to where I don't trust any news," says one Facebook friend.

"I change it to the news after it's been on for 10 minutes. The first 10 minutes are reserved for partisan non-news," says another.

A liberal friend who was raised in New York and didn't vote for Trump told me she no longer watches the news. It doesn't seem honest, she said. To her, it's just noise.

We've heard that America is facing a "constitutional crisis" because Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. We've been warned of a "national security crisis" because Trump allegedly shared sensitive intelligence with the Russians.

But the media are missing the biggest story of all. Because of their excesses, and their feverish feud with the White House, there seems to be a growing number of Americans who don't care what either side has to say.

Our country is suffering through an information crisis.
PLYMOUTH  The men who helped build this town were soldiers before they were farmers, Union Army veterans who laid a foundation of service in the northeast corner of Jefferson County.

Weve had someone serve in every armed conflict since the Civil War, said Tom Brandt, president of the Plymouth Improvement Association. I can show you the tombstones of people who served in the Spanish-American War. We lost two guys in the first world war.

He begins with this history lesson, because it's important to the story he wants to tell about whats happening now, why Plymouth is up in arms over a long-lost war memorial.

So Brandt continues. They lost three men to combat in World War II. They had men serve in Korea and Vietnam. They lost one boy in Panama, another in Iraq. They even had a sailor aboard the USS Cole when it was bombed in Yemen.

Plymouth isn't a big town. The sign on the west end of the community puts the population at 477; on the east, 409. But it takes tremendous pride in the sacrifices it made for the country, Brandt said.

All the veterans Ive ever known here are pretty proud of their service, he said. Every day is Veterans Day in Plymouth.

And every Veterans Day in Plymouth is big. It was a regional party for decades, with a parade during the day, a dance band in the auditorium at night. They still have speeches and ceremony, and they still draw hundreds of people.

But there's been a breach in this town's display of patriotism since 1960, when one of Plymouth's earliest war memorials, a gift from the Navy to honor the Union Army vets, was hauled down the highway on what was believed to be a temporary loan to the county historical society.

It's still there, on display 20 miles away at the Fairbury City Museum.

The rare 1880 Gatling gun  a deadly game-changer for the military after the Civil War, capable of spraying .45-70-caliber cartridges as quickly as a soldier or sailor could turn the crank  can be seen Saturday and Sunday afternoons in a corner of a former classroom, a $100,000 weapon in front of a mannequin wearing a Ku Klux Klan robe.

* * *

Brandt is a farmer  beans, corn, cows and pigs  not a historian. But he and others have spent months researching a gun he hadnt known existed, and how it ended up in Plymouth, and then in Fairbury.

I grew up here and I didnt know a damn thing about this. About 15 years ago, Im talking to a guy who runs the antique store. Hes telling me this story about the Gatling gun and Im thinking, Hes full of it. How could we have a Gatling gun and I didnt know it?

The Civil War veterans who helped build Plymouth also chartered a Grand Army of the Republic Post  like an American Legion or VFW club, but for Union Army vets. The Strain Post 201 opened in 1885, named after Cpl. William Strain, a settler from Illinois.

In 1911, the post started planning a war memorial to honor fallen soldiers, and the Navy gave it a Maxim-Nordenfelt gun, a turn-of-the-century weapon that had been aboard the USS Kentucky. It was big, 600 to 700 pounds, and befitting of a war memorial.

All Plymouth had to pay was the $27 postage.

The Navy asked for it back four years later, returning it to service as an anti-aircraft gun during World War I.

The next year, it sent a Gatling gun to Plymouth as a replacement. The 183-pound weapon is often mistaken for the first machine gun, Brandt said. But a machine gun has one barrel; this one had 10, fed and fired with the turn of a crank.

It was small compared to its predecessor, but it seemed to be in working condition, Brandt said.

It was also rare. Of 367 Grand Army of the Republic posts in Nebraska, Plymouth's was one of three to receive a Gatling gun, said Dave Wells, historian of the Civil War Veterans Museum in Nebraska City. Juniata got one, though it's disappeared, and Minden received two, which are on display in the courthouse.

They never knew what they were going to get. If they would pay the shipping cost, they could have the gun.

Today, 130 to 140 Nebraska towns still have Grand Army of the Republic memorials  statues, cannons, obelisks, church windows. Many are in cemeteries.

Civil War vets were sending a message, Wells said: A country should never have to wage war against itself.

They wanted something to remind all of the coming generations of what they had been through, and basically say, 'Don't make the same mistake.'

* * *

Five years after it got the Gatling gun, Plymouth's Strain Post 201 closed; all but two of the town's Union Army vets were dead.

Plymouth wasn't alone. All across Nebraska, posts were folding as their members died. The last man standing in the state was Michael Bondell; when he went to his grave in 1948, the final post, in Beatrice, went with him.

The Gatling gun moved around town for decades. Brandt gathered stories from old-timers who remembered it at the fire hall, the jail, the co-op, even outside.

All the guys cranked this gun. I've got six guys in that time frame who played with that gun.

Like Darrel Niemeyer, whose father chaired the village board in the 1950s and managed the elevator.

I touched it, the 73-year-old said. And I turned the crank handle once or twice.

He can remember seeing the big, bronze gun inside his father's elevator  though only for a few weeks  and maybe at the fire hall. He thinks he saw it on a float at the Veterans Day parade.

But that's the trouble with trying to read the wisps of distant history. It's difficult to know what's real, Niemeyer said.

The problem is, these memories are somewhat unreliable, going back 60-plus years.

* * *

In 1999, Paul Shada thought he was on to something. The former village board member had been studying old meeting minutes when he learned what had happened to Plymouth's Gatling gun, and when.

It was a form stating it was on loan to the Jefferson County Historical Society. I thought I found a gold mine.

The minutes from the May 1960 meeting were clear: By a unanimous vote, Plymouth's board loaned the gun to the historical society in Fairbury, but stipulated it was to be returned at the boards request.

Shada went to Fairbury. I brought the sheet along and said, 'Oh, by the way, this was on loan to you in 1960. I thought you should know.' A week later, they sent me a letter stating: 'Here's a copy of a letter that you gave it to us.' We basically lost all rights.

It was true. Two years after the board voted to loan the gun, chairman Ed Jacobs signed a paper making it permanent.

And this is where it gets a little contentious.

Fairbury is the county seat, where people in Plymouth pay their property taxes. But many of them work and shop in Beatrice, in Gage County, because it's closer.

Also, Fairbury's population peaked in 1950 with nearly 6,400 people; now it's almost half that. Plymouth's population has fluctuated  up in the 2000 census, down in 2010  but it's held steadier.

There's always been some friction. Plymouth has never been in Fairbury's orbit, Brandt said. The joke is another 20 years, we'll just move the courthouse here, because we'll still be here.

So when Fairbury produced proof it was given the gun, Plymouth's promoters paused. They looked, and looked again, but couldn't find meeting minutes authorizing the mayor's action.

And by then, almost everybody from that era was gone. Plymouth had no way of knowing what had happened nearly 60 years ago. But it had some suspicions.

This has always been the smoke and mirrors, Brandt said. The drama. That Fairbury stole the gun.

* * *

In Fairbury, the Gatling gun is on display in a old elementary school classroom filled with rifles, artillery shells, early Fairbury photos and the KKK mannequin.

Museum Board President Ben McBride spent hours  draining a can of WD-40 and a quart of motor oil  freeing the frozen gun, so it moves as freely now as it did when it was built nearly 140 years ago.

Recently, McBride was happy to show the gun in action, spinning the crank, rotating the barrels, smiling as the room filled with rapid-fire popping.

But he bristled when Brandt started talking to him about a recent appraisal from a firearms expert.

Brandt pointed to the base of the barrels: We're missing the Colt badge here.

I don't know why you keep saying, 'We,' McBride said.

Brandt brushed it off. But later, he'll criticize its display. This was supposed to be a war memorial, available for all to see, not an exhibit in a museum.

This gun just sits there; there's not even a sign saying it was donated by Plymouth. It just sits there next to a Ku Klux Klan mannequin. Really?

For months, Brandt and others have been trying to convince Fairbury to let them return the gun for three days in August, for Plymouth's 125th anniversary.

All we're asking for is to exhibit it so that these older people can see the gun one more time, and the younger people will know we had a gun, Brandt said.

But Fairbury has concerns. It needs to ensure the gun is safe if it hits the road, said city administrator Collin Biesler.

It's not like we don't want to loan it. But if it's as truly valuable as some people believe, we want to make sure it doesn't wander off, Biesler said.

That won't happen, Brandt promised. Legion members would watch it during the day, and these young hotshots  who offered to bring their own guns  volunteered to guard it at night.

Plymouth also paid for its appraisal, hiring firearms expert Dave Sanders of Lincoln. His grandparents lived in Minden, and he remembers that town's Gatling guns outside the courthouse.

One of the things that made me so happy to work on this, I spent a lot of time there as a kid. I remember climbing on them.

The former Cabelas gun library buyer inspected the gun in Fairbury, took photos and consulted with experts. He checked databases for comparable sales, though only a few change hands every year.

It's a pretty interesting piece of history, Wells said.

And in pretty good shape. Its missing the Colt badge and magazine, but the action is free and it could likely shoot again.

His opinion: This gun is worth $100,000.

If Fairbury agrees to loan the gun, it will likely make Plymouth get it insured, Brandt said. If that's what it takes, and it's not more than a few hundred dollars, Plymouth will pay.

That weapon is interesting enough. Think about it, Brandt said. A Gatling gun. You only see those in movies. It's just cool.

If I tell a 70-year-old guy I'm going to show him a Gatling gun, I can turn him into a 7-year-old in minutes, he said. As stupid as that sounds, I'm right.

It's also important. This is a somber piece of history, a part of Plymouth's past that still exists today.

I guess I got obsessed about it. Initially, it was about a Gatling gun. But it's become about a war memorial to me.
Three months from today (May 21), a shadow of darkness will travel across the United States in the middle of the day. The portion of the country that falls under this shadow will experience a total solar eclipse, an incredible phenomenon that occurs when the moon completely covers the disk of the sun. Here are just a few of the things you'll need to know as you count down to this rare experience.

On Aug. 21, 2017, the total solar eclipse will be visible along a 70-mile-wide (113 kilometers) band stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. The region where the moon completely covers the sun  called the "path of totality"  will pass through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Observers in the U.S. (including in Alaska and Hawaii) positioned outside of this band will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. The partial eclipse will also be visible from the rest of North America, Central America and part of South America.

A total solar eclipse on Earth is possible only because of a fortunate geometrical coincidence. The diameter of Earth's moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun's, but the sun lies about 400 times farther away than the planet's satellite. As a result, the moon is just the right size to completely block the light from the sun. [Where to See the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, State by State]

On average, a partial solar eclipse occurs somewhere on the Earth between two to five times a year. During a partial eclipse, the moon blocks only part of the sun's disk, appearing to take a bite out of the star as seen from Earth. A total solar eclipse is rarer, happening approximately once every 18 months.

A diamond ring is one of the phenomena that occurs in the last few seconds before totality during a total solar eclipse. (Image credit: Ben Cooper/Don Hladiuk)

The duration of this summer's total eclipse will depend on your location, but at most, it will last for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. This will happen along the center of the path of totality.

REMEMBER: Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. See our complete safety guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

What to expect on eclipse day

Skywatchers planning to observe the eclipse should obtain eclipse glasses; even multiple pairs of sunglasses will not be strong enough to protect your eyes. People using telescopes should obtain solar filters. Once the moon has completely blocked the disk of the sun, however, observers can view the hidden atmosphere of the sun with the naked eye. Be sure to read our complete guide on safely viewing a total solar eclipse to avoid damaging your eyes.

During the eclipse, observers will experience twilight conditions at midday. Because of the rapid darkening during such an event, animals have been known to become confused, with birds halting their songs and cows sometimes heading back to the barn, according to Rick Fienberg, press officer for the American Astronomical Society and an eclipse aficionado. Temperatures can drop 10 or more degrees as the sunlight disapears, Fienberg told Space.com, and Mercury and Venus, often hidden behind the sun in the daytime, can become visible, as can some of the brighter stars.

The sun's atmosphere, typically invisible to skywatchers on Earth, becomes visible during a total solar eclipse. Shown here is an image created by various NASA probes, which use special equipment to study the sun's extreme atmosphere. (Image credit: NASA/ESA/SOHO/SDO/Joy Ng and MLSO/K-Cor)

As the moon edges between the Earth and the sun, hidden features of the solar atmosphere can also become visible. The sun's magnetic field controls the star's atmosphere, so the gas surrounding the sun is shaped into jets, ribbons and loops created by the magnetic field lines. This region of the atmosphere, called the corona, is usually obscured by the sun's brighter body, but during the eclipse, as the light from the heart of the sun is covered, skywatchers can catch a glimpse of this and other atmospheric features.

During the last few seconds before the moon entirely covers disk of the sun, the thinning crescent of light will break up into a series of small dots that look like beads on a string. These features, known as Baily's beads, are named for the British astronomer Francis Baily who discovered them. When only one bead remains, paired with the circular band of light created by the layer of the sun's atmosphere, it can look like a diamond ring.

Some NASA representatives predict that Aug. 21, 2017, may be one of the worst traffic days in history. Although roughly 12 million people live within the band of totality, approximately 25 million reside within a day's drive of it. NASA predicts that the population inside the path may double on eclipse day. Make sure to plan extra time for travel, so you can focus your time and energy on enjoying the spectacular site of a total solar eclipse.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd at @NolaTRedd, Facebook or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement
WHITECLAY  The saga of this century-old source of alcohol isn't over, even if beer sales here never resume.

State lawmakers, nonprofit groups and Native and non-Native entrepreneurs gathered over the weekend to discuss transforming Whiteclay, once dubbed "skid row on the prairie," into a corridor of new services and businesses just down the road from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Ideas included a detox-and-rehabilitation center, a "maker" space established with help from Nebraska Innovation Campus, a YMCA, a sporting goods store, even a public park with a memorial acknowledging Whiteclay's 113-year legacy of serving alcohol to Oglala Lakota people from their dry reservation to the north.

"Going forward, as a Lakota business owner, I see a lot of great things that can happen here," said Sam O'Rourke, who owns property in Whiteclay. "Right now my wheels are turning on what am I going to do."

Transformation here has already begun.

Whiteclay's four beer-only liquor stores closed indefinitely three weeks ago, and the state Department of Health and Human Services recently paid to level a pair of eyesore buildings that once bookended this unincorporated village in northwest Nebraska.

Since then, vagrants who roamed the streets here have nearly vanished. Some have even sobered up, said Bryan Brewer, a former tribal president who fought to close the beer stores.

"God has really transformed Whiteclay," said Norma Blacksmith, an Oglala tribal elder who serves on the board of Whiteclay's Lakota Hope ministry.

And while Pine Ridge drinkers can find other sources of booze, there is little evidence that closing Whiteclay beer stores has led to outbreaks of crime or drunken driving in surrounding communities.

An appeal of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission's order to close the stores could be decided by the Nebraska Supreme Court as soon as next month.

Even if the Liquor Commission's ruling is reversed, state officials have hinted that criminal charges for alleged bootlegging and other issues could await the beer store owners if they reopen.

No criminal charges have been filed, but bootlegging is among the allegations in a separate regulatory case against the beer stores that was filed by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office before the stores were shut down.

None of the store owners attended this weekend's meetings, which took place Friday and Saturday and were hosted by members of the Legislature's newly formed Whiteclay task force.

About 40 people attended the Friday evening session, held in a back room at the 555 Building. The former bowling alley, which stood vacant for years, is now being renovated to serve as a thrift store, business-incubator space and headquarters for a Christian ministry called Serve Ventures.

Serve Ventures CEO Paul Bertelson of Minneapolis says he hopes to have the space reopened this fall.

A related group called Whiteclay Redo, launched by Lakota Hope minister Bruce BonFleur, is actively seeking investors for projects in the area.

"Whiteclay could be a gold mine," BonFleur said.

Sens. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln and Tom Brewer of Gordon, leaders of the legislative task force, celebrated the apparent progress.

"We may never have another opportunity to have so many positive things in one place at one time," Brewer said.

Others, such as Winnebago activist Frank LaMere and former Oglala Tribal President Bryan Brewer, warned the group not to forget Whiteclay's history.

The memorial was Bryan Brewer's idea. He suggested that it contain an apology from Nebraska to the Lakota people:

"We were wrong. We are sorry for what we did. We are sorry for destroying a nation."
Two young Lincoln students, Becca Walker and Ellie Mahony were among winners in the 2017 Why I Want to Go to College writing contest, sponsored by the Nebraska State Treasurers Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers. They were recognized Sunday, May 21 prior to the Storm Chasers vs. Reno Aces game at Werner Park in Papillion.

Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg recognized the winners at home plate before the afternoon game. Walker and Mahony were first and third, respectively, among entrants in the First Congressional District.

Winners receive contributions to Nebraska Educational Savings Trust college savings plans, ranging in value from $500 for third place, $1,000 for second place, and $2,000 for first place. Three winners were chosen in each of Nebraskas three U.S. congressional districts.

A record 1,847 entries were received this year from across the United States. Preliminary judging was done by students and faculty in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha with final selections made by Stenberg.
Wilaya of Awserd (Refugee Camps), May 21, 2017 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, praised the positions of the African Union towards the maneuvers of the Moroccan occupation state, which showed its adherence to its principles and resolutions and its determination to complete the liberation of Africa, with the decolonization of Western Sahara, the last colony on the continent.

The President of the Republic praised, in a speech during supervising the commemoration of the 44th anniversary of the outbreak of the armed struggle, brothers in the African continent, who has firmly defended the issue of Western Sahara as an African issue.

The African Union, which adheres to its position, is today subjected to a frenzied attack by the Moroccan occupying state, which seeks by all means to undermine its unity, cohesion and credibility, added the President of the Republic. (SPS)

062/090/TRA




Youre on the cusp of a business milestone: your first year to post $1 million in revenue. Time to celebrate. But better keep the party short as you now have to gear up for a new and probably more challenging phase in your career as an entrepreneur.

Recording your first million means your business is growing and succeeding. But as you rack up more sales and more marketplace wins, youre bound to encounter more and sometimes bigger hurdles. Chances are youll need more people, more skills, more money and, most important of all, more patience and wisdom.

That was certainly my experience when my company, BlueVine, hit the million-dollar mark a couple of years ago. And thats what many other small businesses on the verge of becoming significantly bigger go through. For most fast-growing small businesses, reaching that milestone means important changes. Here are four of them:

Be ready to hire more people.

You probably took on multiple roles as you were starting your business. You were head of the company, as well as the accountant, the press release writer, the social media manager and the cleaning guy.

You brought on more people as the business grew. By the time you close in on the million-dollar mark, your human resources needs are likely going to be bigger and more complex. Youre no longer just the head of the company with an immediate staff.

You need people to focus on more specialized functions, from finance to sales to marketing. Eventually, if you continue to grow, you need a management team in place to make strategic decisions.

Related: Strategically Discussing Strategy

Hiring itself becomes a formal process. When youre a small company, you hire people based on who you hear is looking for a job. So you rely on your network or the networks of friends. When youre already around 10 people, your search for talent becomes more sophisticated, involving professional recruiters and advertising.

Let me stress an important point here: as you become a million-dollar company, hiring and growing your organization will be one of your primary concerns. In fact, thats where I think BlueVine stumbled a bit. We should have hired faster and more aggressively. When your company is growing fast, you simply cant underestimate the importance of talent.

Be ready to make changes in the way you operate.

Like most entrepreneurs, you may have started your small business based on a basic legal structure, as a sole proprietorship or a partnership, perhaps. You may have had to change this as you got bigger, transforming the business into an LLC or a corporation. Now, you may have to make more changes in your legal structure as you get bigger to ensure that you have the necessary legal protections in such areas as liability, taxes, contracts and intellectual property.

This is an area where some business owners make serious mistakes. Many of these legal issues are complicated and its usually best to get proper legal representation and advice, especially when youre already a million-dollar company. This is leads us to another question: should you just pay for the services of an outside attorney or is it time to set up your own legal team?

This question applies to other needs and functions, including marketing, customer support, and accounting and finance. You need to consider these needs very carefully. At BlueVine, I actually wish we had invested earlier in some of our processes. As your business grows, you need to invest to keep up with that growth. Otherwise, you end up spending more time and money to realign your support functions in the future.

Be ready to rethink the way you finance your business.

Chances are you started your business with the help of your personal savings or your credit card or money from friends and family. You later turned to other types of financing, including bank loans and business lines of credit.

For a consumer, debt is something you try to avoid as much as possible. For a business owner, debt is a tool. Managed properly, debt can help your business stay afloat and even grow. And when youve reached the million-dollar mark, your financing should evolve and potentially grow as you take on bigger challenges, whether its more competition or the need to expand.

Related: Debt vs. Equity Financing: Which Way Should Your Business Go?

You could bring in new investors, but that would dilute your ownership. Smart debt financing may be a better to way to grow and scale. Also, remember that working capital is not just about financing. Its also about what terms you give your customers and how you manage your expenses.

For example, you could begin to decide to buy certain supplies or inventory in bulk to reduce expenses. When your business was small, the differences in costs may not be a big deal. But as you start getting bigger, how you structure these financial transactions starts to matter.

Heres another example: if you are getting paid by your customers on net-30 day terms, instead of being paid on delivery, that makes a big difference when you start getting to large amounts. Its not a big deal if the transactions involve just a few thousand dollars. But if youre floating 30 days worth of sales worth $100,000, youre essentially providing $100,000 of financing to your customer.

Be ready to transition from entrepreneur to CEO.

The million-dollar mark is also when you start making the transition from being an entrepreneur to a CEO. When you become a larger company, you start embracing the mindset of a CEO. Not only do you need to work with more people, you also have to learn to empower and inspire the people you are leading.

This is not always a natural thing to do for small business owners. Entrepreneurs typically want to do everything themselves, but this is not sustainable when youre running a larger company. You become disruptive to your business for the simple reason that you dont scale. You cant make multiple copies of you.

You need to get comfortable with the fact youre going to need to hire and trust more people. Ideally youll make the right hires and bring in good people. But in no way will even the best hires do things exactly as you would. Theyll have their own style and ways of doing things.

Many entrepreneurs fail in this. Its hard for them to let go, to make the transition from doing everything or knowing everything to being able to trust other people to do what needs to be done for the business.

Related: Why The Best Leaders Delegate?

This attitude shift is also important when it comes to an important area: mistakes. You need to be able to accept that you and the people who work for you can and will make mistakes. Accepting and dealing with mistakes are part of the journey. Thats part of building a business.

This point was underscored to me by one BlueVine executive who felt that I was being too much of a micromanager and who asked me to step back a bit. Give me accountability, the executive said. And if I screw this up, fire me. But give me accountability. Let me do what I need to do my way.

That really resonated with me. In the beginning you feel that youre accountable for everything so you feel that you need to control everything. I actually stepped back after that, and we were able to move forward.

Related:

Your First $1 Million: How to Prepare For a Business Milestone

Why These 10 Companies Turning 100 or Older in 2017 Still Matter

Penning A Success Story



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
P olish born Dr Alex Hershaft believes he survived the Warsaw Ghetto in order to commit his life to stopping the oppression of animals in the meat industry.

Speaking at the final leg of his European tour at the Jewish Museum in London this week, 82-year-old Alex told the astonishing story of how his harrowing experience resulted in a lifelong passion for animal rights.

Having survived the Warsaw Ghetto after his Father was captured and murdered by the Nazis, Alex escaped to Europe followed by the US and Israel, respectively.

Following a successful career as an environmental chemist, a work trip to a slaughterhouse made him realise his true vocation. As a result in 1976 he co-founded the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) and became a vegan in 1981.

Dr Hershaft with fellow survivors on a boat to America

He says of his experience:

"This is when I finally realised that there was a valid reason for my surviving the Holocaust and a valid way to repay my debt for surviving. This is when I resolved to spend the rest of my life fighting all forms of oppression."

Ever since, Alex has spent the rest of his life campaigning for the rights of farm animals; as a member of the Advisory Council of Jewish Veg in America, Patron of the Jewish Vegetarian Society, and the current President of FARM.

Vegan cookbooks - in pictures 1 /10 Vegan cookbooks - in pictures Browse our pick of the best vegan cookbooks... The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon Creator of award-winning vegan blog Oh She Glows, Angela Liddon knows a thing or two about making non-dairy meals look and taste amazing. The gorgeous photographs in this book will keep you motivated, while tempting recipes like Creamy Avocado Pasta and Chilled Chocolate Espresso Torte will encourage you to cook more. 11.89, Amazon, Buy it now Ms Cupcake: The Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town by Mellissa Morgan The idea of baking without dairy and eggs might sound odd, but the recipes in this colourful book  written by the creator of Londons first all-vegan bakery  prove that you can still make indulgent treats free using simple substitutes. Choose from fabulous entrees such as blueberry almond crumble muffins, strawberry cheesecake and coconut bounty cupcakes. 12.91, Amazon, Buy it now The New Vegan: Great Recipes, No-Nonsense Advice & Simple Tips by Aine Carlin Following the success of her first book  Keep it Vegan, author and blogger Aine Carlin returns with this inspiring read full of useful tips and easy-to-follow recipes. Try her filling casseroles on rainy days or the strawberry galette when you need a sweet pick-me-up. 9, Wordery, Buy it now Thug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*** The authors behind popular food blog Thug Kitchen have created a fun, humorous and informative cookbook thats just the ticket for those who are completely new to veganism. From Broccoli Burritos to Baked Spanish Rice, youll find something for every mood and occasion. 11.89, Amazon, Buy it now Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen Paperback by Kathy Patalsky Who knew kale salad could taste so good? This beautifully-presented book contains a range of approachable recipes that will help you turn those basic ingredients into something wonderful  think BBQ peanut burgers and cashew pot pie. 14.88, Amazon, Buy it now Keep it Vegan by Aine Carlin Upon its inception, Carlins popular Pea Soup Eats blog was welcomed with open arms by the then underrepresented vegan community. Even non-vegans will be sated by the food on offer- dishes such as Sweet Potato Sushi and Watermelon Bulgar Wheat Salad are satisfyingly substantial- and its a great book to have on hand if youve got to entertain someone whos meat free. 10.49, Amazon, Buy it now 15 Minute Vegan by Katy Beskow We can all have excellent culinary intentions, but when pushed for time and money can often end up reaching for something quick and instantly satisfying like a frozen pizza or shop-bought tortellini. Vegans, on the other hand, dont have this luxury as limited options in the prepared food aisles mean they really have to think ahead. Thank goodness, then, for this new 15 minute book, offering up meat and dairy free meals that can be whipped up in an instant. We particularly love the sound of the breakfast burritos and butternut squash macaroni. 10.50, Amazon, Buy it now

He compares the treatment of animals in the meat industry to his experience within a concentration camp, including the use of branding and witnessing piles of body parts on a regular basis.

Jimmy Pierson, Director of ProVeg UK who coordinated his tour, said of Dr Hershaft:

His life story is unique and compelling - from suffering unimaginable injustice and oppression first-hand to dedicating his life to freeing others from the same. All of us who hope for a kinder world will, I am sure, be deeply moved by his presentation.

Watch the video to find out more about Alexs remarkable story.
T wo men were rushed to hospital after one was stabbed and the other assaulted on a busy road in south-east London.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident in Brownhill Road in Catford at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

Officers and paramedics attended the scene, near the junction with Rushey Green, and found two men suffering injuries, police said.

One man, aged in 30s, was rushed to hospital with stab injuries. His condition is unknown.

A second man, in his 20s, was taken to hospital with assault injuries.

Police said his injuries are not life threatening.

A spokesman for the Scotland Yard added: Officers from Lewisham are investigating.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.
A teenager has become the seventh person to be arrested following the murder of a father-of-two in north London.

The 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Jonathan McPhillips, 28, in Islington on February 25.

Mr McPhillips was seriously stabbed before collapsing outside cocktail bar Be At One on Upper Street in the early hours of the morning.

He was rushed to a hospital in east London but died three days later surrounded by his family.

Forensics: Police probing the double stabbing in February

The young man arrested today was taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody.

A 24-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, a 20-year-old man and two 21-year-old men had all already been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 45-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of helping an offender.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the murder, as well as another stabbing which also happened on Upper Street on the same night.

After police were called at 12.40am to the attack on Mr McPhillips, officers discovered a 17-year-old boy had also been knifed.

He was taken to an east London hospital and has since been discharged.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3775, or to give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
A teenage moped driver has been rushed to hospital after a crash during a police chase on a major road in north London,

The police car and moped collided on the North Circular Road near the junction with High Road, East Finchley, shortly before 5pm on Sunday.

The Met confirmed the officer was trying to stop the rider of the moped at the time of the crash.

The 17-year-old moped rider  who was one of a group of four mopeds  injured his leg and was taken to hospital by paramedics, police said.

A large police cordon was put in place and massive tailbacks were reported.

A Met Police spokesman added: The moped rider has not been arrested.

The three others stopped briefly at the scene and then rode off. There was no other injury.

As is routine in such cases, officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards have been informed.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call officers from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command via 101.
P olice were forced to pull a Taser on a violent and aggressive man who brandished a kitchen knife in front of shocked customers in Tesco in east London.

Officers raced to scene of the incident in Tesco Extra in Highbridge Road, Barking, at about 12.30pm on Sunday.

When they arrived security staff had managed to lock the man in a room, however he was still armed with the knife, police said.

He had smashed the security glass of the door and injured himself as he tried to escape.

An image posted by Barking and Dagenham Police on Twitter shows the damaged door, with blood visible on the woodwork.

A Met Police spokesman said: As the male was still armed with the knife and it being unknown if he had any further weapons on him, he was challenged by Taser officers, where he was talked into a position of control and quickly handcuffed.

He was then arrested for being in possession of a pointed and bladed article, namely a five inch kitchen knife and for causing criminal damage.

He remains in an east London police station where the investigation continues.
P olice guarding parliament seized a knife from a visitor just days before a terror attack shook the heart of Westminster, it has been revealed.

PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death by Khalid Masood on March 22 as he guarded parliament during the horror attack.

Masood had ploughed a car into crowds on Westminster Bridge killing four civilians.

According to the Daily Express, a bladed instrument was confiscated at the gates of the political hub on March 20.

Hero PC: Keith Palmer was stabbed to death / Metropolitan Police

A further three knives and eight offensive weapons have been snatched from visitors to the Palace of Westminster this year, the results of a Freedom of Information request revealed.

Tory candidate for Bournemouth East Tobias Ellwood, who fought to save the life of hero PC Palmer, described the discovery as worrying but said it showed police searches were effective.

London Terror Attack Floral Tributes at Westminster - 27 March 2017 1 /16 London Terror Attack Floral Tributes at Westminster - 27 March 2017 Hero MP Tobias Ellwood looks over the flowers left in tribute to the victims of the attack in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn He paused at the solemn scene in Parliament Square this morning Jeremy Selwyn Flowers from Prime Minister Theresa May amongst tributes to the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack outside the Palace of Westminster Jeremy Selwyn Two school children look at the floral tributes Jeremy Selwyn A woman observes the flowers pinned to the Carriage Gates where the attack took place Jeremy Selwyn Outpouring of support: flowers at the scene of the attack in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn Three police officers stand in front of the floral tributes Jeremy Selwyn A female police officer pays her respects at the scene Jeremy Selwyn A woman in jogging attire stops to remember the victims of the attack Jeremy Selwyn A man looks at floral tributes to the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack outside the Palace of Westminster Lauren Hurley/PA Police officers stand in front of the floral tributes Jeremy Selwyn Labour MP Hilary Benn passes floral tributes to the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack outside the Palace of Westminster Lauren Hurley/PA

Figures obtained by the newspaper showed officers assigned to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit seized two bladed instruments and four offensive weapons in January.

The following month they confiscated three offensive weapons.

Another offensive weapon plus two bladed instruments, including the knife used to stab PC Palmer, were seized in March.

Sir Hugh Orde, chairman of the UK Police Memorial Trust, said: "These figures show the dangers faced by unarmed police officers every single day. Keith Palmer faced such a danger with extraordinary heroism and paid with his life."
A group of Chiswick residents have raised nearly 100,000 to transform an ugly railway bridge into a community mural documenting how the area has changed over time.

Local group Abundance London decided to re-vamp the road under the Turnham Green railway bridge after becoming sick of sitting at the bus stop and looking at the eyesore.

Karen Liebreich, a local author and one of the organisers of the project, said: The area is truly truly ugly.

You come out of Turnham Green station and it is the main route that people take to the High Road and it is an eyesore.

Organisers: Sarah Cruz, left, and Karen Liebreich

We became sick of sitting at the bus stop and having to look at it.

Ms Liebreich came up with the idea  along with fellow organisers Karen Wyatt and Sarah Cruz  four years ago.

But, after securing permission from Transport for London, a request for funding from Hounslow Council went unanswered for three years - so they accepted defeat.

Mural: An artist's impression of the design

But then, out of the blue, we got this letter saying that they had set aside 15,000 for the project," Ms Liebreich said,

And so since then we have been raising the rest of the 95,000. We have 5,000 to go now."

The mural will be made with metallic sheets and will measure 27 metres on each side of the road.

It is made up of 16 images of the same loop of river, dating back from 1593 to present day.

The maps  which include diagrams of the first train line and bomb damage during the Second World War  will illustrate how the area has changed over the centuries.

Ms Liebreich said they group had been touched by the way the community had got behind the project.

I think it is because this is something we are doing ourselves, within the community, as opposed to it being done for us, she said.

The mural has had support from local organisations and schools, and even includes work from artists such as Sir Peter Blake and William Hogarth.

The group is hoping to install the piece in October.

For more information, visit chiswicktimeline.org
B oris Johnson has been caught sneaking a peek at Robert Pestons interview notes before a live interview on ITV.

Snaps emerged of the Tory politician rifling through the sheets of paper as the host spoke to Nicholas Soames and Labour candidate Jess Phillips during Peston on Sunday.

The interviewer later shared images of the gaffe on Twitter and wrote: Here 's Boris stealing and copying my homework (ie reading questions I planned for him, while I interviewed @NSoames & @jessphillips).

Speaking on the show, Johnson launched a fresh attack on Jeremy Corbyn warning he could not be trusted to lead the Brexit negotiations if he gained power in the General Election on June 8.

As the latest clutch of opinion polls showed the Conservatives' lead over Labour narrowing, the Foreign Secretary said Labour had no clear position on Britain's future relationship with the EU.

"We are at a critical phase in the history of this country. We have to get Brexit right. I am genuinely alarmed by the idea that it could be handled in just 11 days after the election by Jeremy Corbyn," he said.

General Election polls and projections: May 21

"I do not for the life of me understand how he is supposed to go and sit at that table in Brussels on day one of the talks when he hasn't got a clue whether he wants to stay in the single market or the customs union and he has a completely unintelligible position on immigration.

"They are going to look at him and have him for breakfast. It think it will be deeply damaging to the interests of this country."

Mr Johnson also defended controversial plans set out by Theresa May in the Conservative manifesto to overhaul the system of funding social care, saying the Prime Minister had shown "bravery" in addressing a crucial issue.

"This is necessary. We face another two million over the age of 75 in the next ten years. We have to do something about the huge costs of social care," he said.

"I think it is a mark of Theresa May's bravery and candour with electorate that she is doing this. It shows the strength and purpose she will bring to everything she does if we are re-elected."

Additional reporting by Press Association.
T ory ministers have been forced to defend controversial plans to overhaul the funding of social care amid signs they could be hurting the party's election prospects.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Theresa May had shown "bravery" in tackling the issue in the Tory election manifesto at a time when an ageing population was putting increasing pressure on resources.

His defence came after four opinion polls for the Sunday newspapers saw Labour close the gap on the Conservative party.

One survey, by YouGov for the Sunday Times, saw the Tory advantage narrow to just nine points.

And with the Tories' poll lead apparently diminishing, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron warned the new system - which he dubbed the "dementia tax" - would become Mrs May's version of the poll tax which led to Margaret Thatcher's downfall.

"My prediction is it will bring her down," he told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

General Election round-up: May 21

Under the Conservative blueprint, the planned 72,000 cap on care costs - due to be implemented in 2020 - would be scrapped.

Instead people would not have to pay for their care if they have assets of below 100,000 - including the value of their home - rather than the current threshold of 23,500.

While payment could be deferred until after a person has died, those receiving care in their own homes - and not just those in residential care - will be liable to pay.

Critics warned that under the changes people with conditions such as dementia would be faced with bills running to tens of thousands of pounds.

Mr Johnson acknowledged that there were concerns about the plan but insisted that the "broad thrust" was right.

General Election polls and projections: May 21

He told ITV's Peston on Sunday. "This is necessary. We face another two million over the age of 75 in the next 10 years. We have to do something about the huge costs of social care.

"I think it is a mark of Theresa May's bravery and candour with the electorate that she is doing this. It shows the strength and purpose she will bring to everything she does if we are re-elected."

Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green insisted the plan would not change - although he said they would be publishing a green paper covering both health and social care over the summer.

He said the proposals meant that elderly people would be assured of being able to pass on at least 100,000 to their family when they die.

"This removes the terrible decision of how long you try and keep someone at home or maybe put them into residential care which is a real decision that many families struggle with," he told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show.

"That decision needn't be influenced by financial considerations any more.

"Everyone knows there will be a decent inheritance for them, nobody will have to lose their home during their lifetime or the lifetime of their surviving spouse."

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Labour would return to the care cap originally proposed by the economist Sir Andrew Dilnot.

He told The Andrew Marr Show: "That gives the certainty to people about how much they will pay.

"Dilnot's proposal was also to have a threshold as well so there would be enough for your children to inherit if you had those assets.

"But he said this basic principle, which is the NHS principle, you pool the risk and in that way people are not left, as he said, on their own."

Additional reporting by Press Association
A London headteacher has slammed the Conservative manifesto pledge to replace free school lunches with free breakfasts for infants.

Jack Sloan, who describes himself as a headteacher at a medium sized primary school in London, uploaded a scathing post on Facebook which has been shared 24,000 thousand times and received more than 13,000 likes.

In the post he says Tory manifesto says primary schools will provide free breakfasts for all. Does this mean they also pay the staff to serve them? Mr Sloan implies that the real cost isnt the actual food, but the support that is needed I can afford some Rice Krispies, but enough adults to dish them out on an already reduced budget I cant afford.

He also lists various other school cuts he has to deal with, stating Oh, and the 22k subsidy paid to keep our after-school provision open has just been cut to zero.

And because of the changes to benefits entitlement, our Pupil Premium funding is dropping by thousands year on year.

Mr Sloan also quotes the Conservative manifesto which promises to input an extra 4bn to schools by 2022 to ensure no school budgets are cut.

He added he does not think this figure takes into account the extra costs needed to staff the free breakfasts, or to balance out the cuts and increased costs in other areas.

The Conservative manifesto pledged last week to cut universal lunchtime meals for infants.

It promises instead to save 60m a year by offering a free breakfast to all children under the age of 11 claiming there is good evidence to suggest that school breakfasts are at least as effective in helping children to make progress at school.

Mr Sloans post came as the Education Policy Institute announced the plan would hit 900,000 children of struggling families, including 100,000 children who are in relative poverty and would no longer receive a free lunch.

Hundreds of people have commented on Mr Sloans post criticising the plan.

Kane Hedde wrote in my experience (father of two) most kids dont get to school until just before the bell rings, so what time will the breakfasts be served? This is a very bad idea as most kids will miss out, at least at lunchtime the kids are mostly at school and benefit from free dinners.
P oliticians on the election trail will today put campaigning on hold in honour of murdered MP Jo Cox.

Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and other party leaders will stop campaigning for an hour to remember the Labour MP, who was killed last June.

Her widower Brendan Cox said the move would "send a powerful message" of unity, coming ahead of the first anniversary of the mother-of-two's murder.

He said: Doing so in such a coordinated way will, we hope, send a powerful message that whatever our political disagreements, we really do hold more in common and show a united front against hatred and extremism in all its forms.

Brendan Cox said the hour pause will send out a "powerful message". / PA

"Elections are huge moments of national importance and deserve to be taken seriously. But we also need to get a better balance.

"We spend way too much time fixated on the areas we disagree with each other and need to create more moments where we come together as a country.

"That's what I'm focused on and after polling day, I am sure that's exactly what people all over the UK will be crying out for."

Jo Cox pictured on her wedding day / Jo Cox Foundation/PA

Mrs Cox, who was MP for Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire, used her maiden speech in the Commons to urge unity. She said: "We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will today pause campaigning on a visit to an arts centre in Liverpool, while Liberal Democrat Tim Farron will take a break from a community picnic in Kendal in his constituency. Green leader Caroline Lucas will be at a church project in Brighton.

In Mrs Cox's former constituency of Batley and Spen, in West Yorkshire, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green candidates will come together at farmers event raising money for a special care baby unit.

The mother-of-two, 41, was shot and stabbed multiple times by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in her constituency last June. He was later handed a whole-life prison sentence for her murder.

To mark the anniversary of her death, Mr Cox has organised the Great Get Together from June 16 to 18, where thousands of gatherings such as street parties, picnics and coffee mornings will be held across the country.

Additional reporting by Press Association.
G irls in the UK are at risk of being forced to undergo female genital mutilation, a High Court judge has warned.

The senior judge told professionals including police, social workers, teachers and medics must be aware of warning signs and know how to help.

Mr Justice Keehan, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, has outlined his thoughts in the foreword to a new book about female genital mutilation (FGM) and the law.

"The practice of female genital mutilation remains widespread across the globe, especially in parts of North Africa, but a substantial number of mutilations are reported to have been undertaken in this jurisdiction," says Mr Justice Keehan.

"Accordingly, the risk to girls and young women living in this jurisdiction is not limited to being taken abroad to be subjected to FGM, but includes the risk of having the mutilation performed in this country.

"It is vital in order to prevent FGM that health and social care professionals, local authorities and law enforcement agencies have a clear understanding of the socio-cultural reasons for the practice of FGM, the factors which may indicate a girl or young woman is at real risk of being forced to undergo FGM and of the effective legal steps which can and must be taken."

Female Genital Mutilation Law and Practice, written by barrister Zimran Samuel, offers guidance to protective measures available.

Reporting by Press Association.
P rince George appeared to have a tantrum at his aunts wedding when his mother seemingly told him off for stepping on the brides dress.

The three-year-old acted as page boy during the marriage of Pippa Middleton, 33, to millionaire hedge fund manager James Matthew on Saturday.

Clad in gold bloomers and a white shirt George, and his two-year-old sister Charlotte, who was a flower girl, received applause from adoring onlookers as they arrived at the church in Englefield.

However, pictures emerged following the ceremony of Kate giving her son a ticking off.

Ticking off: George appeared sulky as Kate looked stern / Rex Features

George appeared to be crying, and later sulking, outside the church while the Duchess of Cambridge looked stern.

According to the Daily Mail, the reason behind the scolding may lie in video footage which shows the royal tots trampling on their aunts dress.

Bride Pippa Middleton and groom James Matthews arrive for wedding 1 /26 Bride Pippa Middleton and groom James Matthews arrive for wedding REUTERS PA Getty Getty Images AP Newlyweds: Pippa Middleton and James Matthews kiss as husband and wife. REUTERS Mother and daughter: Kate and Princess Charlotte. Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Royal wave: Prince George as he leaves the wedding of his aunt. REUTERS Kiss: Husband and wife Pippa and James. REUTERS Duchess: Kate walks with the children as she tells them to be quiet. Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Vintage: Father and daughter arrive in a 1951 Jaguar Mk V car, for her wedding to James Matthews. AFP/Getty Images Duchess of Cambridge: Kate arrives with the pageboys and flower girls for the wedding of sister Pippa. AP Beaming: A veiled Pippa arrives at the church. AP Expectation: Kate and the children wait for bride Pippa. AFP/Getty Images Children: Kate waits for the bride. AP Special day: Shortly before entering the church. AP Entrance: Pippa Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton shortly after 11.15am for her wedding. AP Father of the bride: Michael and daughter Pippa. AP Entrance: Kate tends to sister Pippa's wedding dress train. AP Stunning: Beaming bride Pippa wore a dress by British designer Giles Deacon. AP

The pair joined a junior bridal party of several page boys and flower girls.

Prince Harry and Prince William, George and Charlottes father, arrived at the event together with no sign of Harrys girlfriend American actress Meghan Markle.

Although, he reportedly drove from the reception in the Berkshire estate to Kensington Palace to pick up his partner following the ceremony.
F acebook posts about killing Donald Trump are banned but violent threats against other people are often allowed to remain untouched, an investigation based on leaked guidelines has claimed.

A dossier apparently containing dozens of training manuals and internal documents obtained by the Guardian newspaper claims to offer an insight into how content posted by Facebook's users is moderated.

It shows "credible violence" such as posting the phrase "someone shoot Trump" must be removed by the staff because he is a head of state.

However, generic posts stating someone should die are permitted as they are not regarded as credible threats, the newspaper claims.

Staff are told videos of abortions are allowed to remain on Facebook as long as they do not contain nudity, while footage of violent deaths does not have to be deleted because they can help create awareness of issues such as mental illness, the Guardian said.

Donald Trump 100 Days as President - In pictures 1 /88 Donald Trump 100 Days as President - In pictures 20 January 2017 Donald Trump (L) is sworn in as the 45th US president by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in front of the Capitol in Washington AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump,former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama at the US Capitol after inauguration ceremonies at the in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump takes the oath of allegiance during his swearing-in ceremony on January 20, 2017 at the US Capitol in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President elect Donald Trump (C) arrives for the swearing-in ceremony on in front of the Capitol in Washington AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania walk the inaugural parade route with son Barron on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and the first lady Melania Trump dance at the Liberty Ball at the Washington DC Convention Center following Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th President of the United States, in Washington, DC, on 20 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and the first lady Melania Trump dance at the Armed Services ball at the National Building museum following Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th President of the United States, in Washington, DC, on 20 January 20, 2017 AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he waits at his desk before signing conformations for General James Mattis as US Secretary of Defense and General John Kelly as US Secretary of Homeland Security, as Vice President Mike Pence and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus look on in the Oval Office of the White House on 20 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 Police pepper spray at anti-Trump protesters during clashes in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump (C) gestures as the first lady Melania Trump (center L), Vice Presidant Mike Pence (L), his wife Karen (2L) and family look on at the Liberty Ball at the Washington DC Convention Center following Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th President of the United States, in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 20 January 2017 Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner salute the crowd after dancing on stage during the Freedom ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on 20 January 2017 in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 21 January 2017 Demonstrators gather at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado, during the Women's March on 21 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 21 January 2017 Demonstrators protest near the White House in Washington, DC, for the Women's March on 21 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 23 January 2017 US President Donald Trump holds up an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership after signing it in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on 23 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 25 January 2017 US President Donald Trump signs an executive order to start the Mexico border wall project at the Department of Homeland Security facility in Washington, DC, on 25 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 25 January 2017 Greenpeace protesters unfold a banner reading "Resist" from atop a construction crane behind the White House AFP/Getty Images 26 January 2017 US President Donald Trump salutes as he steps off Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland upon his return from Philadelphia AFP/Getty Images 26 January 2017 Demonstrators protest President Donald Trump's plan to build a border wall along the United States and Mexico border in Chicago, Illinois AFP/Getty Images 27 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May speak during a press conference at the White House AFP/Getty Images 27 January 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks after signing executive orders alongside US Defense Secretary James Mattis (R) and US Vice President Mike Pence on 27 January 2017, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 27 January 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks following the ceremonial swearing-in of James Mattis as secretary of defense on January 27, 2017, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin from the Oval Office of the White House on January 28, 2017, in Washington, DC. AFP/Getty Images 31 January 2017 Senior Advisor Jared Kushner (L) and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly (R) listen while US President Donald Trump puts his papers away at the beginning of a meeting on cyber security in the Roosevelt Room of the White House January 31, 2017 in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump holds an executive memorandum on defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria after signing it in the Oval Office of the White House AFP/Getty Images 31 January 2017 Judge Neil Gorsuch speaks, after US President Donald Trump nominated him for the Supreme Court, at the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 31 January 2017 Demonstrators gather outside of The United States Supreme Court after President Donald Trump announced Neil Gorsuch as his nominee to fill the seat of former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonin Scalia in Washington, DC, on 31 January 2017 AFP/Getty Images 1 February 2017 US President Donald Trump (2L) congratulates Rex Tillerson (seated) after he was sworn in as Secretary of State as his wife Renda St. Clair (R), and Vice President Mike Pence (L) look on in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 1 February 2017 US President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka walk to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 3 February 2017 US President Donald Trump chats with reporters on board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, bound for Palm Beach, Florida AFP/Getty Images 4 February 2017 Zeina, who did not want to give her last name, takes part in a protest against US President Donald Trump outside the White House AFP/Getty Images 4 February 2017 Demonstrators holding placards take part in a protest against US President Donald Trump outside the US Embassy in London AFP/Getty Images 6 February 2017 US President Donald Trump sits down for lunch with troops during a visit to the US Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida AFP/Getty Images 7 February 2017 US President Donald Trump holds up a gift given to him by county sheriffs following a meeting as they pose for photos in the Oval Office of the White House AFP/Getty Images 13 February 2017 National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (centre) attends a joint press conference by US President Donald Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the East Room of the White House on 13 February 2017 in Washington AFP/Getty Images 15 February 2017 US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk into the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 15 February 2017 Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arrive for a joint press conference by US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room of the White House AFP/Getty Images 15 February 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, as they arrive at the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 16 February 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the White House AFP/Getty Images 26 February 2017 An activist paints the wall between the United States and Mexico during a demonstration against US President Donald Trump on the border of Ciudad Juarez with Nuevo Mexico, Chihuahua State, Mexico AFP/Getty Images 26 February 2017 View of the paintings made by activists in the wall between Mexico and United States during a demontration against US President Donald Trump on the border of Ciudad Juarez with Nuevo Mexico, Chihuahua State, Mexico AFP/Getty Images 27 February 2017 Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway (L) checks her phone after taking a photo as US President Donald Trump and leaders of historically black universities and colleges pose for a group photo in the Oval Office of the White House before a meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence in Washington AFP/Getty Images 28 February 2017 US Vice President Mike Pence (L), US President Donald Trump (C) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) clap during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 2 March 2017 US President Donald Trump salutes as he arrives onboard the pre-commissioned USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in Newport News, Virginia AFP/Getty Images 2 March 2017 US President Donald Trump salutes as he walks to Air Force One prior to departing from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia AFP/Getty Images 3 March 2017 Sandy Adams holds up a placard during a protest outside St. Anthony Catholic school in Orlando, Florida during a visit by US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images 3 March 2017 US President Donald Trump walks off Air Force One after arriving in Orlando, Florida AFP/Getty Images 7 March 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures as he surprises visitors during the official reopening of public tours at the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 10 March 2017 People rally during the Native Nations Rise protest in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 15 March 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Nashville, Tennessee AFP/Getty Images 17 March 2017 US President Donald Trump and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands after a press conference in the East Room of the White House AFP/Getty Images 20 March 2017 US President Donald Trump arrives for a 'Make America Great Again' rally at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky AFP/Getty Images 21 March 2017 S President Donald Trump reacts after signing a bill increasing funding for NASA in the Oval Office at the White House AFP/Getty Images 23 March 2017 Protesters dressed as medical staff march towards the Federal Building during a "Save the Affordable Care Act" rally in Los Angeles, California AFP/Getty Images 23 March 2017 US President Donald Trump sits in the drivers seat of a semi-truck as he welcomes truckers and CEOs to the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 23 March 2017 Health care activists hold placards during a rally at Freedom Plaza during a protest in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 28 March 2017 US President Donald Trump (C) speaks before signing the Energy Independence Executive Order at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 28 March 2017 Surrounded by miners from Rosebud Mining, US President Donald Trump (C) signs he Energy Independence Executive Order at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 29 March 2017 US President Donald Trump addresses the Womens Empowerment Panel in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC AFP/Getty Images 1 April 2017 People wearing masks of US President Donald Trump take part in the 32nd Annual April Fools Day Parade in New York AFP/Getty Images 3 April 2017 Translators watch as Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) and US President Donald Trump shake hands in the Oval Office before a meeting at the White House AFP/Getty Images 6 April 2017 US President Donald Trump (L) sits with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) during a bilateral meeting at the Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida AFP/Getty Images 6 April 2017 Donald Trump is in a meeting with his National Security team and being briefed by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford via secure video teleconference after a missile strike on Syria while inside the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility at his Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. on April 6, 2017 The White House via Reuters 15 April 2017 A man gets sprayed with a chemical irritant as multiple fights break out between Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters in Berkeley, California AFP/Getty Images 15 April 2017 Protestors take part in the "Tax March" to call on US President Donald Trump to release his tax records in Los Angeles, California AFP/Getty Images 17 April 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump walks to the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House AFP/Getty Images 17 April 2017 Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House EPA

All "handmade" art showing nudity and sexual activity is allowed but digitally made art showing sexual activity is not, the newspaper claimed.

Facebook will also allow people to livestream attempts to self-harm because it "doesn't want to censor or punish people in distress", it added.

The leak is likely to reignite the debate between freedom of expression, safety and censorship on the internet.

Last week Theresa May outlined plans for widespread reform of cyberspace.

She said the internet had brought "a wealth of opportunity, but also significant new risks which have evolved faster than society's response to them".

Outlining plans under a future Tory government, she said: "We want social media companies to do more to help redress the balance and will take action to make sure they do."

Under the plans, social media firms will have to take action to stop search terms directing users to inappropriate sites.

Monika Bickert, head of global policy management at Facebook, said: "Keeping people on Facebook safe is the most important thing we do.

"(Founder) Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that over the next year, we'll be adding 3,000 people to our community operations team around the world - on top of the 4,500 we have today - to review the millions of reports we get every week, and improve the process for doing it quickly.

"In addition to investing in more people, we're also building better tools to keep our community safe.

"We're going to make it simpler to report problems to us, faster for our reviewers to determine which posts violate our standards and easier for them to contact law enforcement if someone needs help."

Additional reporting by Press Association
RACINE  Eighteen years ago, Chaniqua Tabor had to sit out prom.

She had just given birth to her daughter, Laijay, at the beginning of the school year. She did all her friends hair and makeup but couldnt attend the big event.

So when Laijay, now a senior at Horlick High School, attended Saturdays prom and Post Prom festivities, her mother got to live vicariously through her.

Watching her face ... light up and feel like a princess, Tabor said, is everything.

Laijay and her boyfriend, Isaac Graham, were two of roughly 1,500 to hit the red carpet Saturday as they headed to Racines biggest party, the Rotary Post Prom at Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St.

Seniors from the areas nine high schools braved chilly and wet weather as they converged for a night of dancing, games and food. Students began arriving at 8:20 pm, pulling up  with a police escort  in buses, limousines, classic cars and convertibles.

Students were, as the Post Prom theme put it, Diamonds of the 90s. The theme was a nod to the fact that most of this years crop of graduating seniors were born in 1998 or 1999, and for the most part will be the last graduating class to be born in the 90s.

Back to school

Tabor was in a familiar role Saturday, helping Laijay prepare as she did for her friends many years ago. As Laijay said, her mother took care of pretty much everything.

Im happy that she gets to do all this because I know she didnt get to go to hers, Laijay said. Im happy she gets to experience it with me.

Later on Saturday, she acted as driver for Laijay and Graham, who joked that he was basically another accessory for Laijay.

Tabor, 35, was attending Bay View High School in Milwaukee at the time she had her daughter. Missing events like prom weighed on her mind, she said.

I was definitely thinking about it the whole time, Tabor said. I just missed those things.

But she (Laijay) is worth it.

Tabor still finished her high school degree and this fall plans to enroll at Gateway Technical College in the colleges administrative professional associates degree program.

She will go back to school just as Laijay heads to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
In recent years more growers in the central high plains are moving toward direct harvest of dry edible beans instead of the conventional method of undercutting/windrowing, and then combining.

Direct harvest is accomplished by one pass with the combine. About half the time a crop desiccant herbicide is applied pre-harvest when direct harvesting beans.

Currently in the Panhandle more than 20 percent of growers are direct harvesting their dry beans. Other growing regions such as North Dakota, Michigan and Canada are using direct harvest for the majority of their dry bean harvest.

Direct harvest has several advantages: There are fewer harvest operations; beans are less vulnerable to wind and moisture because they are not placed in windrows; there is little soil disturbance, leaving more residue on the field; and less soil passes through the combine if harvested correctly.

Disadvantages to direct harvest include a later harvest date, higher potential harvest loss, need for a proper flex header, a need to learn a new system, and less availability of bean varieties as prostrate varieties are not suitable for direct harvest.

Harvest loss is often the major concern with direct harvest of dry beans. Using the conventional harvest method, an average of about 1 bushels per acre total harvest loss can be expected in good conditions. This is based on research done in a two-year study on 24 farms by the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center. If conditions are poor with significant wind or rain after cutting, bean yield losses can go up significantly.

Further data gathered by the Panhandle Center indicate that direct harvest losses for pintos would average about 3 bushels per acre, and great northerns around 4 bushels per acre, if good field practices are followed. Many factors play into this harvest loss, but total harvest losses can be minimized to an acceptable level with a suitable upright bean variety, proper level field conditions, good weed control, the correct combine header, proper combine and header settings, and favorable weather.

Survey of harvest loss from grower fields

Eighteen different fields were surveyed during the fall of 2015 that were direct harvested, and harvest loss counts were taken. The range of yield losses we measured demonstrate that care must be taken when planning to direct harvest.

Total harvest loss ranged from 1.5 to 11.7 bushels per acre on the direct harvest fields sampled. The primary reasons for harvest loss exceeding 4 or 5 bushel per acre were: using non upright varieties, field surfaces that were not level, weather events that weakened plants and lowered pod height, and improper combine speed or header adjustments during harvest.

It is very important to determine harvest loss in order to make adjustments to your combine during harvest to reduce loss, or to determine what went wrong to improve your system next year. To accurately determine harvest loss you must get off the combine and do some loss counts. Two pinto or great northern beans per square foot is about a one bushel per acre harvest loss.

For an extensive guide to the direct harvest system, and more accurate means to determine harvest loss, see Direct harvest of Dry Edible Beans, EC309, on the University of Nebraska web site (extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec309.pdf).

Direct Harvest Variety Trial

In the 2016 growing season UNL collaborated with the Kelley Bean Company in cooperation with a grower in Box Butte County to conduct a direct harvest variety trial near Alliance, with four varieties replicated four times. The beans were planted with a drill at 15-inch row spacing. Plant populations ranged from 100,000 to 120,000 plants per acre. The varieties were planted on June 7 and harvested Sept. 16 with a Case 7088 combine and a Case (by MacDon) 2162 flex draper head (30 foot). The crop was desiccated on Sept. 6.

Torreon, La Paz, Sinaloa and Monterrey varieties were compared. These are all good upright pinto varieties suitable for direct harvest. They are classified as a 2b upright indeterminate bush type bean as opposed to the type 3 prostrate plant types. See Nebraska Dry Bean Variety Trials to observe the growth types of different varieties (http://cropwatch.unl.edu/varietytest/othercrops).

The accompanying graphs show results of this trial. The top graph compares yields. These four varieties had yields ranging from 43 to 45 bushels per acre. These were good yields and would have been better if the field had not been damaged by an early August hail storm.

The bottom graph shows harvest lost. Torreon had a significantly higher harvest loss than the other three varieties at 3.6 bushels per acre. This may be due to a slightly higher yield and beans being a little dryer at harvest due to maturity.

The pod height at harvest of these varieties was not significantly different ranging from 83 to 85 percent of the pods being 2 inches or more above the soil surface. We generally like to see the pod heights above 90 percent for direct harvest, but the hail knocked the plants down somewhat. The varieties showed no significant difference in yield when analyzed statistically.

The take-home message is to choose a good-yielding variety of upright structure and do everything possible to minimize harvest loss by using farming practices suitable for the direct harvest system.
With the growing season upon us, farmers are planting their crops and getting them established. They want to know what works best, yields the most, and, especially, what is most profitable during these tight economic times. Some want to compare products or practices on their own farm, or see information from other farms or industry studies.

How should a basic study be set up or laid out in the field? One common approach is to divide a field in half and compare the halves, or compare two fields in close proximity and see which variety or practice yields highest. This approach can end with very misleading results because of the variability that exists across a field or fields due to many factors. Some sources of variability include: variations in soil type, topography, varying management practices, drainage, pesticide residues, disease pressure, compaction and weather events.

Just as you can count on yield monitor results varying across a field, you can also count on sources of variability (from the list above) impacting study results if a study compares two halves of one field or two fields across the road from each other.

A better approach, which more accurately estimates future performance of a treatment, is to put out replicated studies with random placement of treatments in each replication. This simply means that the same treatment is put out more than one time across the area of study to be assured that treatment performance is not based on location in the field. Replication from three to six times is common in most agricultural studies.

The more replications, the more reliable the results. It is also a good idea to repeat the replicated comparisons for more than one year to test performance over more environments, and come to stronger conclusions and estimations of real differences between treatments.

As an example, this description of an on-farm trial completed in 2016 illustrates how replication affected the results. This study compared two systems commonly used in planting pinto beans in Nebraska. The two treatments were applied and replicated six times with random placement.

The first treatment was 30-inch rows with a population of 90,000 plants per acre; the second treatment was 7.5-inch rows with a population of 120,000 plants per acre. (See the photo at the bottom of the accompanying graphic.)

This was a large field trial, with each treatment being 60 feet wide by 1,400 feet long. (The randomization was laid out as illustrated in the table at the top of the accompanying graphic.)

When average yields were calculated from the two treatments in the six replications, the 7.5-inch treatment yielded 8 bushels per acre more than the 30-inch treatment. The 7.5-inch rows with 120,000 population yielded 52 bushels per acre, and the 30-inch rows with 90,000 population yielded 44 bushels per acre.

Statistical analysis of yield data (at the .05 probability level), showed a significant difference in yields, with the least significant difference being 2 bushels per acre. This means that due to variability within the study, a yield difference of less than 2 bushels per acre would not indicate any treatment differences.

During early August a hailstorm damaged the field, with the most significant damage occurring on the half of the field containing replications 4, 5 and 6. If the field had just been split with one treatment on each side, results would have looked different. Combining the 7.5-inch treatments from the hailed side of the field, the average yield is 49 bushels per acre. Combining the 30-inch treatments together on the side with minimal hail, average yield would have equaled 45 bushels per acre. This equals a difference between treatments of 4 bushels per acre, half the difference that was detected by the full, replicated trial.

Conversely, if all the 30-inch treatments had been on the side of the field that received the most hail, yield for this treatment would have been 43 bushels per acre and yield for the 7.5-inch treatment on the side receiving minimal hail would have equaled 54 bushels per acre, for a difference of 11 bushels per acre. (This is illustrated in the bar graph in the middle of the accompanying graphic.)

It is clear that spreading the six replications out across the field resulted in a more accurate estimation of the impact of these systems on yield than splitting the field in half. In all three layouts, the 7.5-inch treatment yielded the most. The split field design either exaggerated or diminished the yield advantage of the 7.5 inch treatment, depending on which treatment was exposed to the heavier hail damage (See the bar graph.)

Poorly laid out field studies can generate misleading data and can lead to incorrect conclusions. Also keep this in mind when you are looking at data from other studies. Today, with GPS guidance, it is relatively easy to put in replicated, randomized studies, even on large field-scale comparisons.
For nearly 100 years, dry edible beans have had a substantial economic impact in western and southwestern Nebraska communities. In the early 1920s, following a trip to Idaho, Chester B. Brown planted the first field of great northern beans on his farm north of Morrill. According to the United States Department of Agriculture the first record of dry bean production in Nebraska was in 1921 with 1,000 planted acres. By 1978, Nebraska dry bean production had increased to 125,000 acres.

Due to the growth in dry bean production, a dedicated group of dry bean growers formed a grass-roots effort to strengthen the dry bean industry in Nebraska. This effort led to the organization of the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association (NDBGA), which adopted by-laws in November 1982. The early members of the NDBGA were active in developing a framework whereby they could promote dry beans grown in Nebraska. The NDBGA worked with the University of Nebraska and local processing company representatives to establish a mechanism to fund promotion and research activities to further the dry bean industry in Nebraska.

In 1987, Senators John Weihing and Dennis Baack sponsored LB 145, which formulated the Dry Bean Resources Act, establishing the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission (NDBC) and the dry bean check-off program. Governor Kay Orr signed LB 145 into law on March 30, 1987. Beginning Aug. 1, 1987, the NDBC started collecting the dry bean check-off that was established at six cents per hundredweight, with four cents paid by the grower, and two cents paid by the processor, and was collected at the time of sale. NDBC is comprised of nine members. six grower representatives and three processor representatives. Seven of the members are governor appointed positions and two growers are appointed at-large by the Commission.

NDBCs mission statement was established to position Nebraska as a leader in the dry bean industry, to increase the consumption of dry beans on a local, national and international basis by utilizing a program of research, consumer education and promotion. NDBC has collaborated with the University since 1987 to develop research programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff.

One of the early achievements from the collaboration between the University of Nebraska, NDBGA and NDBC was the release of the pinto bean variety Chase, a variety resistant to rust and common bacterial blight, developed by Dr. Dermot Coyne, and released in 1993. Fortunately for the Nebraska bean industry, several faculty members at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center were interested in researching dry edible beans. Dr. Robert Wilson, Weed Specialist; Dr. Dermot Coyne, Dry Bean Breeder; David Nuland, Horticulturist, who provided early variety trials, and was the first editor of The Bean Bag; C. Dean Yonts, Irrigation Specialist; and John Smith, Machinery Specialist, were among the early research faculty interested in researching areas of concern identified by the Nebraska dry bean industry. Several of these individuals spent their careers with the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center and have contributed greatly to the dry bean industry. A recent achievement of NDBCs funding was Dr. Carlos Urreas release in 2010 of the great northern variety Coyne named after the late Dr. Dermot Coyne.

Since 1987, NDBC has identified international promotion as an area of importance and has been a dues-paying member of the National Dry Bean Council, recently undergoing a name change to the US Dry Bean Council (USDBC). USDBC acts as the liaison between industry and the United States government, and is in charge of administration of grants through the USDA funded Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD).

Historically, Nebraska has been the leading producer of great northern beans in the United States and the second largest producer of pinto beans. Research funding provided by NDBC, along with the continued domestic and international promotional projects, have contributed to stabilizing the dry bean industry in Nebraska. In 2016, Nebraska was the third largest producer of all dry beans in the nation.

Research and promotion have been critical to the accomplishments of the dry bean check-off, and were even more excited about what the future holds for the dry bean industry in Nebraska, said NDBC Chairman Courtney Schuler. Increasing our promotional activities through the use of social media is a great way to promote our industry and demonstrate how important Nebraskas agriculture is to our states economy. Every generation, fewer individuals are directly related to agriculture, and its critical for us to continue to tell our story.

Learn more about the Nebraska dry bean commission and the Nebraska dry bean industry at www.nebraskadrybean.com, and follow NDBC on Facebook and Pinterest using Nebraskadrybean.
BRIDGEPORT  It wasnt until 1955 that Trinidad Benham began its permanent residency in the North Platte Valley dry bean business community. That year, Trinidad Bean & Elevator purchased the old Burlington Railroad roundhouse south of the tracks at Bridgeport. In the beginning it was mostly used for storage.

Things picked up when in 1963 Trinidad installed an elevator and processing equipment. At that time, the turntable was used to unload trucks. In 1974, the Bridgeport pinto bean building was built by W.O. Paxton from Sterling, Colorado.

Another momentous occasion occurred in 1978 when Trinidad Bean and Elevator merged with Benham & Company, which was founded in 1939 in Texas.

In 1990, the corporation removed the turntable in order to update their bean processing capabilities. The turntable remains on the property as an important piece of railroad history.

The Bayard plant was constructed in 1975. The railroad coal sheds were removed to make space for the Bayard facility. The Alliance plant, originally Earhardt Bean Elevator, was purchased in 1978. The Imperial property was purchased from D&D Bean Cincinnati/Greeley in 1979. It has processed popcorn and pintos since its first days of operation.

All Nebraska locations are receiving and processing facilities, except Gering, which will be a receiving site for the second time with the 2017 harvest.

Trinidad had its beginnings in 1917 when the company was founded in 1917 in Trinidad, Colorado. In 1933, the operation moved to Denver, Colorado. Following several decades of expansion, the Denver office now has 89 employees, and manages work globally across all of Trinidad Benhams lines of business, including food service foil products.

The company is proud of its humble beginnings as a family owned company. The company believes its success is based on its entrepreneurial spirit, passion for competition and 100 percent ownership by its more than 750 employees. It also credits loyal customers and worldwide business partners for its success.

Jeff Lund, vice president of bulk operations, encourages the public to visit local operations and learn more about the company at www.trinidadbenham.com/100years/.
LINGLE, Wyo.  During its February meeting, the Wyoming Bean Commission allocated funds for several research projects. Several of them are at the University of Wyoming Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle, Wyoming, and include new as well as continuation of 2016 efforts following a hail storm that destroyed research plots.

According to SAREC Director John Tanaka, the storm only slowed progress.

Some of the projects got delayed from last years hail storm here at SAREC, he said Thursday afternoon. The dry bean nursery was totally wiped out. They will be replanting the nursery in a few weeks if the weather cooperates.

Tanaka also noted that a Dry Bean Research Survey was mailed the week of May 15 to 200 of 259 growers identified in a research effort. The recipients were randomly selected.

We hope that any producers who receive the survey will take the time to fill it out and return it, he said.

Proposed projects included:

Edible Dry Beans as Part of Improved Crop Rotation in Wyoming: Continuing research on improving yields and profits, both short term and long term. Short term  reduce tillage and maintaining better soil moisture. Long Term  providing growers with new management alternatives and upright cultivars. Total budget request - $5,320.

Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery (SAREC Lingle Edition): Two common nursery locations, Powell and Lingle which provide resources to growers with variety of plots, often new crops to growers. Total budget request  $795.

Screening Dry Bean Genotypes for Drought Tolerance in Wyoming: Continued studies in both Powell and Lingle. Powell having 36 dry bean verities planted with two irrigation treatments and three row plots. Lingle having 23 dry bean varieties planted, two irrigation treatments, and four row plots. Study was measured with soil moisture and different depths, but was compromised with July 2016 hail storm. Total budget request  $6,000. A new fertilization level and methods of delivery study presented with a budget request - $6,600.

Late Season Weed Control in Dry Beans: Continuation of study  challenge: nightshade (berries) and Venice Mallow and the problem of them interfering with crop harvest and quality as well as seed production failures. Total budget request  $5,000. New project for pulse crops for the Big Horn Basin- potential pulse crops: chickpeas, dry peas and lentils. 2-year study with the request of $4,750 per year.

Dry Bean Soil Borne Disease Management with In-Furrow Fungicides: To determine if a single in-furrow fungicide application at planting is sufficient to protect the dry bean crop until harvest from soil borne diseases. Last years trial was compromised by hail storm. Total budget request  $4,000.

Included in the projects at Lingle are the dry bean soil-borne disease management with in-furrow fungicides, and cultural methods for improving direct harvest efficiency in dry edible beans.

The soil-borne disease management project received the complete $4,000 request. The project goal is to determine if a single in-furrow fungicide application at planting is sufficient to protect the dry bean crop until harvest from soil-borne disease impacts. New biological fungicides will be evalated along with conventional fungicides. Results will assist growers in selecting the most effective fungicide treatments for season-long control. The grant provides for travel, supplies, student labor, and salary and benefits for a research scientist.

A proposed direct haresting efficiency project is focused on reducing the potential for harvest losses. In this instance, to evaluate the impact of different dry bean germplasm (market classes, as well as varieties with a market class) in how they respond to previous crop residue or cover crops. The information will be critical to developing recommendations on best practices for direct dry bean harvest for Wyoming. The $15,000 request will cover space rental at SAREC, undergraduate summer labor, travel, and material and supplies for three years.
RACINE  It didnt take long for members of Racines Beth Israel Sinai Congregation to feel comfortable in their new home at 3009 Washington Ave., according to Shelly Vielie, congregation president.

Late last year, the congregation sold the synagogue it had built and occupied since 1953, at 944 Main St. And, by January, they had moved into the vacant office building on Washington Avenue, which had been home to Steinberg Financial services.

Their new building is smaller, Vielie said, but has an intimate feel to it and is very nice. No major renovations were required to convert it into a synagogue, and the space is surprisingly suited to being a house of worship, he said.

Those people who have been coming have felt the warmth of the place, said Viele, who has belonged to Beth Israel Sinai for about 10 years.

Financial decision

The main reasons for the move were financial, according to both Vielie and Rabbi Martyn Adelberg of Beth Israel Sinai. Like other faith communities in the area, Beth Israels congregation has shrunk in recent years and the cost of maintaining the Main Street building had become too much.

We had a choice of either saving the building or saving the community, and we chose to save the community, Adelberg said.

And  with costs at their new home being about half of what they were at the former synagogue  for the first time since he came to Beth Israel in 2000, money is no longer an issue, he said.

Such change can be difficult, especially when members have an emotional attachment to a place of worship. The congregation lost some members with the move, and a couple new ones have joined since, bringing the number of families at Beth Israel now to about 30, Adelberg said.

It is an active congregation, and is looking to grow, the rabbi said.

Something for all

Everyone is welcome at Beth Israel, no matter what their faith, Adelberg said. Services are traditional, but a lot of the prayers are in English. And he invites anyone who would like to learn about the Jewish faith to come to the synagogue for Saturday morning services and Thursday evening classes, as well as social events, which he said are geared toward modern sensitivities.

Beth Israels kitchen is kosher, and all are welcome to share the Kiddush meal, served after Saturday Shabbat services, which begin at 9:45 a.m.

Ours is a synagogue where everyone can feel comfortable and, at the same time, can feel a real connection to an ancient faith, Adelberg said.

He also invites anyone interested in the Jewish faith to check out his new Facebook page, New Jewish Outreach (www.facebook.com/rabbimartyn), or to connect with him via email, at rabbimartyn@gmail.com.

Gifted teacher

Bob Katzman, who came to Beth Israel less than two years ago, said that Rabbi Adelberg is one of the main reasons he and his wife joined the congregation. Adelberg is not only a good preacher, but a gifted teacher who makes learning interesting, Katzman said.

He has played a pivotal role in my life, said Katzman, who moved to Racine from Illinois, in retirement. If you have questions, hell answer them. Hes the kind of person who sees a problem and he fixes it. And he does it right now.

Katzman said he also likes the cozy atmosphere of the new synagogue, and hopes that people in Racine will support Beth Israel.

You dont have to be Jewish to come here, he said.

New museum

Visitors are also welcome to visit the small museum that has been set up in the new synagogue, where a variety of Jewish artifacts and other items from the congregations history are on display. Many of the items  Torahs, tallises (shawls), paintings, silver, yahrzeit (memorial) plaques and more  had been in storage at the old building, Vielie said. And eventually, they hope to put more out on display.

The museum, and the rest of their new home, is a work in progress, Vielie said. But right now, his goal is to reach out to people who might be looking for a place to worship and learn about the Jewish faith.

We know we still have a lot to do to survive, Vielie said. And were getting there.

For more about Beth Israel Sinai, including service and class times, go to www.bethisraelsinai.org.
In President Donald Trumps race to make "America Great Again, it appears his mouth is about two laps ahead of his brain. It took only four months into his presidency to have a special investigator assigned to look into allegations of Trumps campaign involvement with Russian officials. Add to that Trumps meeting with some of those same Russians where he reportedly said former FBI director James Comey was a nut job and that firing him relieved a lot of pressure on his presidency.

Add to that Trumps reportedly spilling the beans to Russians on classified information from Israeli intelligence. Add to that his firing of Acting Attorney General Sally Yates for disagreeing with him on stopping people from several Muslim countries form entering the United States.

But before we all start using the I word (impeachment), which has been tossed around in Washington like candy thrown from parade floats, lets step back and look at why Trump got elected in the first place.

The American electorate has been upset for a long time because Washington is broken. Regardless of who has been president in the last 20 years, the serving president has been unable to overcome the seemingly eternal partisan war taking place on Capitol Hill. If our intention was to have our elected representatives point fingers and spend all their energy on their party gaining or regaining power, then we have been successful. On the other hand, if our intention was to elect representatives to go to Washington and tackle the really big issues we face, then we have failed miserably.

Trumps message about draining the swamp resonated with millions, so we deviated from the status quo and elected Trump, an outsider that would shake Washington to its core. Well, folks, that is happening, but not the way we hoped for. If the first four months are any indication, it is becoming clear that Trump is missing the target and shaking up the very foundations that makes America great, the rule of law, which is led by the FBI and the Constitution that is preserved by the Justice Department.

As a voter I was looking for disruption, not destruction, for draining the swamp not sinking the ship. If Trump is unable to navigate these treacherous seas, then the leaders of the Republican party need to step up and deliver on promises we continue to fall for when they asked us, and we gave them control of the House, the Senate and the White House.

For years they have promised us a smaller more responsive government, to get rid of waste fraud and abuse, affordable health care, tax and immigration reform and balanced budgets. Instead it appears we are going to get Senate and House investigations, special prosecutors, increasing division among party lines, and more political pollution from a stagnant swamp mired in its own inertia.

So where are we going to turn to for leadership? The answer to that question is exactly who the Star-Herald endorsed for president. Seeing no visionary and redeeming qualities in either Clinton or Trump, the Star-Herald turned to the American people to get us through the next four years. Just two weeks before the election we endorsed you, yes, you!

We wrote at that time, "So, who do I think is best positioned to lead this country? You! It is hard work. It takes perseverance, and you have that. It takes a record of accomplishment, and make no doubt about it; we the people built this country. We settled it from coast to coast. We broke sod in the Great American Desert and found a way to help feed the world and led in innovation, manufacturing and production. We built great cities and fought for freedom whenever we were needed to protect the American way of life. If that is not a record of accomplishment I dont know what is. We have had strong presidents and weak ones, but the constant, regardless of who occupied the White House was us, the American people who thrive and survive through the toughest of times. And we will do it again whether our next president is Clinton or Trump, and in four years, well get another chance to get this right.

Our endorsement continued, "You see, I have much more faith and confidence in you and the American people than I do in either Trump or Clinton. I believe you are more honest. You have years of experience in balancing budgets, educating children and helping out those less fortunate than others. You have character and a strong sense of patriotism. And man, do you have vision! You can clearly see the issues that face our country, and you see that very little is being done in Washington to work together to solve these issues.

Right now, I see an administration in chaos, a Congress that failed to hear our message, and a growing divide fueled by political parties. I also see the vision and desires of the American people, somewhat blinded by the cloud of frustration that many of us feel from a federal government, self imprisoned by the chains of overwhelming partisan ideology.

We simply cannot allow the American Dream to sit on the shelf any longer. The time for us to govern is now, and that means hard work, something we are really good at. The election is over but our job is just beginning. Let your feelings be heard by communicating with those we elected. Write, call, email your representatives and let them know they need to go to work now or come the next election we will once again be looking for someone who will do our work, not theirs.

Thats how I see it. How about you? greg.awtry@starherald.com.
DUBAI  Boeing Co. said on Sunday it had signed several defense and commercial deals with Saudi Arabia including for the sale of military and passenger aircraft during a visit by President Donald Trump to the kingdom.

The announcement is the latest in tens of billions of dollars in deals signed between U.S. and Saudi firms since Trump arrived in Riyadh on Saturday.

Boeing said Saudi Arabia has agreed to buy Chinook helicopters, associated support services and guided weapons systems, and intends to purchase P-8 surveillance aircraft.

The total value of the deals or how many aircraft Saudi Arabia intends to buy was not given in the statement announcing the agreements.

A Boeing spokesman declined to comment beyond the statement. The U.S. State Department announced in December plans to sell Saudi Arabia CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters and related equipment, training and support worth $3.51 billion.

Saudi Arabia is seeking closer defense and commercial ties with the United States under Trump, as it seeks to develop its economy beyond oil and leads a coalition that is fighting a war in Yemen.

These announcements reaffirm our commitment to the economic growth, prosperity and national security of both Saudi Arabia and the United States, helping to create or sustain thousands of jobs in our two countries, said Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg.

Boeing also said it would negotiate the sale of up to 16 widebody airplanes to Saudi Gulf Airlines which is based in the country's east in Dammam.

Boeing did not say which aircraft it was negotiating to sell to the privately-owned commercial airline. Saudi Gulf, which started operations last year, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Boeing will also establish a joint venture with Saudi Arabia to provide "sustainment services for a wide range of military platforms," the statement said, whilst a separate joint venture would "provide support for both military and commercial helicopters."
Uber drivers have been complaining that the gap between the fare a rider pays and what the driver receives is getting wider. After months of unsatisfying answers, Uber Technologies is providing an explanation: Its charging some passengers more because it needs the extra cash.

The change stems from a feature introduced last year called upfront pricing. By guaranteeing a certain fare before customers book, Uber said, it provides more transparency. But it continued paying drivers using the old model, a combination of mileage, time and multipliers based on geographic demand. The difference between those two calculations could be the future of Ubers business.

Daniel Graf, Ubers head of product, said upfront pricing couldnt be summed up in a simple formula. Uber applies machine-learning techniques to estimate how much groups of customers are willing to shell out for a ride, calculating riders propensity for paying a higher price for a particular route at a certain time of day, he said. For instance, someone traveling from a wealthy neighborhood to another tony spot might be asked to pay more than another person heading to a poorer part of town, even if demand, traffic and distance are the same. Uber calls this route-based pricing.

Uber began on Friday communicating the changes to drivers. It will start reporting the price a passenger pays on each ride, though it will stop breaking out its percentage of the fare. It will also send an updated terms of service agreement reflecting the new fee system to drivers. Route-based pricing is now limited to 14 cities where Uber offers its carpooling service.

Graf said Ubers pricing techniques had grown incredibly sophisticated. He oversees a team called marketplace at headquarters in San Francisco thats staffed with economists and statisticians. Graf, a former Google and Twitter executive, sees financial engineering as a competitive advantage, one way that Uber can stay ahead of Lyft and other ride-hailing operators.

Google search is very simple to do; its very complex whats happening behind the scenes, Graf said. The same thing here. Taking a trip is easy. To make this all work in a whole market, and sustainable, is really, really hard.

In the process, pricing became something of a black box for passengers and another source of tension with drivers. Drivers accused Uber of cutting them out of income they were entitled to and misleading them about its plans.

During the last year, Uber had attributed price discrepancies to the uncertainty around estimating fares, even as it was experimenting with techniques designed to exploit the imbalance between what customers were willing to pay and what drivers would take. The Rideshare Guy, a popular blog among drivers, conducted a study in New York City published in May, finding widespread disparities between rider fares and driver pay. Workers werent happy.

It is immoral and unethical behavior, said Chris Estrada, who drives for Uber in Riverside, Calif.

Uber has faced a torrent of scandals this year, including a trade secrets lawsuit, sexual harassment allegations, a brief boycott over its ties to the administration of President Donald Trump and a video showing the chief executive officer arguing with a driver over falling fares. Two of the longest-running criticisms of the seven-year-old company are ones that are sometimes at odds: It loses too much money, and it pays drivers too little. The company told Bloomberg in April that it lost $2.8 billion in 2016, excluding its China business.

In the case of upfront pricing, Uber may move closer to resolving investors concerns about losses but could alienate drivers along the way. You know our numbers, Graf said. We do want to run and operate a sustainable business.

Uber said it wasnt hoarding the additional revenue generated from route-based pricing but was reinvesting much of it into increasing the number of trips, subsidizing UberPool usage and paying bonuses to drivers. Christian Perea, who writes for the Rideshare Guy, said drivers would appreciate the added transparency about how much passengers are paying. That is a big deal, he said.

As Uber experiments with pricing models, complexity could introduce new problems. Society is more willing to accept wealthy people paying higher fares, said Chris Knittel, a business professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But if the repercussion of lower fares in lower-income places is longer wait times, thats probably what they want to keep an eye on.

With such a dramatic change to pricing, its not just drivers Uber has to worry about upsetting.

They could really lose the trust of the riders, said Glen Weyl, a senior researcher at Microsoft who is studying Uber with the companys cooperation. Microsoft is an investor in Uber. Its a very dangerous moment for them, but there are good economic reasons to do it.

Uber is a company filled with over-optimizers who will continue to tinker with prices in hopes of finding equilibrium.

If things are not balanced, we create levers to motivate people to make it balanced again, Graf said. Theres choices, right? Always. Theres never, I have to use Uber.
Criminal complaints Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19:

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: journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts.

Shamarionte D. Adams, 1500 block of Blake Ave., Racine, obstructing an officer.

Mary M. Barron, 1000 block of Pearl St., Racine, disorderly conduct, use of a dangerous weapon, and bail jumping.

Sean L. Bergmann, 3200 block of Moorland Ave., Racine, criminal damage to property, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Jennalynn Berzinski-OBorn, Gramling Lane, Dousman, burglary of a building or dwelling.

Agron Besiri, 6800 block of 100th Place, Pleasant Prairie, criminal damage to property, and criminal trespass.

Nicholaus J. Biedrzycki, 300 block of Lewis St., Burlington, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing an officer.

Rodney C. Bonner, 5900 block of W. Fulton St., Chicago, Ill., battery, and disorderly conduct.

Brandon A. Bose, 1500 block of N. Humboldt Ave., Milwaukee, operate motor vehicle while revoked.

Brandon A. Bose, 5100 block of Schoen Road, Union Grove, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct.

Talyiah B. Brown, 1100 block of Reiley Court, Racine, burglary, commit battery on a person, disorderly conduct, and recklessly endangering safety.

Antonio X. Cade, 300 block of Cliff Ave., Racine, criminal damage to property, domestic abuse assessments, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct.

Joseph A. Carlo, 7500 block of E. Christmas Cholla Drive, Scottsdale, Ariz., possession of narcotic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

Jade D. Carvell, 1700 block of West Blvd., Racine, retail theft, and bail jumping.

Edward L. Casper, 300 block of N. Milwaukee St., Waterford, receiving stolen property.

Amber R. Daniels, 4300 block of Durand Ave., Racine, obstructing an officer, and bail jumping.

Hope L. Day, 5700 block of N. 92nd St., Milwaukee, retail theft.

Candace N. Dorsey, 900 block of Hamilton St., Racine, operating a motor vehicle without owners consent.

Javontae M. Everton, 1600 block of Hamilton St., Racine, failure to report to jail.

Jerry G. Ferrell Jr., 1800 block of Villa St., Racine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of marijuana, and use of a dangerous weapon.

Calvin O. Finley, 2400 block of 19th St., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and criminal damage to property.

Andrew L. Fischer, 600 block of Foxtree Circle, Burlington, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct.

Jerry L. Fordham Jr., 2000 block of Franklin St., Racine, possession of narcotic drugs.

Darin J. Foxcroft, Racine County Jail, possession of marijuana, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.

Idona E. Gordon, 1100 block of Irving Place, Racine, intimidation of a witness, burglary of a building or dwelling, battery, and disorderly conduct.

Donique M. Harrrison, 1500 block of Albert St., Racine, substantial battery.

John D. Hinze, 1000 block of College Ave., Racine, bail jumping, domestic abuse assessments.

Aveon D. Howard, 1600 block of Washington Ave., Racine, obstructing an officer, and possession of marijuana.

India A. Howard, 500 block of 11th St., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and criminal damage to property.

Emma E. Jackson, 2300 block of Grove Ave., Racine, personal identity theft for financial gain.

Julia M. Jarlsberg, 1100 block of N. Sunnyslope Drive, Mount Pleasant, bail jumping.

Kenneth J. Knotek, 2100 block of Shoop St., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and crime against an elderly or disabled person.

Lynnze K. Kucko, 200 block of E. Rawson Ave., Oak Creek, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James Losiniecki, 11400 block of W. Ryan Road, Franklin, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, operating with prohibited alcohol concentration, and bail jumping.

Timothy L. Mack, 1500 block of Taylor Ave., Racine, physical abuse of a child, and intentionally cause bodily harm.

Stacy L. Marsh-Law, 200 block of Ohio St., retail theft.

Marvon Q. Martin, 900 block of Wilson St., Racine, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and criminal damage to property.

Octavia R. Massey, 1200 block of Geneva St., Racine, unauthorized use of an entitys identifying information or documents.

Christopher K. Mayfield, 1800 block of Roosevelt Ave., Racine, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.

Michael R. Mayweather, 1100 block of Albert St., Racine, criminal damage to property, bail jumping, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

William A. McClain, 700 block of N. Memorial Drive, Racine, criminal damage to property, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Michael L. McCutcheon, 500 block of 11th St., Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, and disorderly conduct.

Yolanda L. Miller, 2200 block of Washington Ave., Racine, manufacture/deliver cocaine, and bail jumping.

Tiara L. Monroe, 1000 block of 10th St., Racine, bail jumping, and obstructing an officer.

Giovanni Morrow, 2200 block of Kentucky St., Racine, battery, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Amanda M. Northrop, 8300 block of Shady Lane, Burlington, retail theft.

Marquiese L. Peet-Williams, 2800 block of Wright Ave., Racine, battery.

Licela Perez-Hernandez, 1700 block of 12th St., Racine, battery, domestic abuse assessments, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, and intimidation of a victim.

Brian R. Peterson, 1900 block of Rose St., La Crosse, fraud on an innkeeper, and bail jumping.

Howard E. Powell, 1400 block of 11th St., Racine, disorderly conduct, and bail jumping.

Allen L. Reed, 1600 block of Packard Ave., Racine, recklessly endangering safety, possession of a firearm by a felon, possess illegally obtained prescription, and bail jumping.

Terry Reed Jr., 1400 block of Warwick Way, Mount Pleasant, possession of marijuana.

Antonio C. Rhinehouse Jr., 700 block of 10th St., Racine, intimidation of a witness, burglary of a building or dwelling, battery, and disorderly conduct.

Deangelo Richardson, 2000 block of Washington Ave., Racine, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.

Douglas A. Richmond, 600 block of W. State St., Burlington, sexual assault of a child by a person who works or volunteers with children, and sexual assault of a student by school staff.

Kevin J. Sell, 800 block of Grand Ave., Racine, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct.

Phillip M. Silva, 3900 block of S. 76th St., Milwaukee, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operate a motor vehicle while revoked.

Jeremy S. Smith, 2800 block of Douglas Ave., Racine, bail jumping, disorderly conduct, and obstructing an officer.

Aaron J. Soeth, 400 block of Storle Ave., Burlington, possession of a controlled substance, possess illegally obtained prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cassandra J. Strike, 2000 block of S. 94th St., West Allis, forgery, uttering a forgery, and theft.

Clint L. Tillman, 2500 block of Taylor Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and bail jumping.

Charles H. Town, 1200 block of Shermer Road, Northbrook, Ill., attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer, hit and run attended vehicle, resisting an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Arthur L. Vaughn, 700 block of Wisconsin Ave., Racine, intimidation of a witness.

Jerome T. Walker, 1700 block of Ninth St., Racine, resisting an officer, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Shyla V. Wilks, 3900 block of N. 62nd St., Milwaukee, possession of cocaine.

Isaiah D. Wooten, 600 block of Ninth St., Racine, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of cocaine.
Updated at 7 p.m. Monday with more details

ST. LOUIS  A man was shot by a police officer and taken to a hospital around noon Saturday in the 4200 block of South Broadway.

Police said the man used his vehicle as a weapon and drove at an officer, who opened fire. The man was listed as being in critical condition at an area hospital. No police officers were injured.

A police report Monday identified the man as a 39-year-old white male. The report also said the officer involved in the shooting is a 28-year-old white male with more than 3 years experience.

On Sunday, acting St. Louis Police Chief Lawrence OToole said the officer was in a marked patrol car about 11:40 a.m. when he spotted a red Chevrolet Blazer that police had been looking for connection with a felony committed earlier in the week.

The Blazer was stopped in a parking lot when officers approached. The driver took off and drove toward one officer, who fired several shots at the suspect.

They observed the vehicle driving in the area and attempted to stop it, and it took off at a high rate of speed, OToole said.

OToole said the officer feared for his life when he fired the shots. The chief added that several people had witnessed the incident.

The officer was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a police investigation.
ST. LOUIS  Samantha Rivera, accused of faking her nursing credentials to get work at a St. Louis hospital and a New Mexico college, couldnt pass a basic skills test, the co-owner of the staffing agency that caught her said.

Rivera is facing federal charges of health care fraud and identity theft for allegedly posing as a nurse in the intensive care unit and a geriatric psych ward at St. Alexius Hospital.

She also has a pending arrest warrant from New Mexico, where she faces accusations that she spent months teaching nursing without a license or having graduated from nursing school.

A state official said the schools faculty concealed her ruse and did not report her as an imposter after she was fired.

St. Alexius Hospital staff have not returned messages seeking comment. The company that owns St. Alexius did not return a call.

The Warson Woods staffing agency that placed Rivera at St. Alexius, ATC Healthcare Services, did not return a message left by a reporter last week.

Riveras probable attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Charles Banks, declined to comment in detail on the case. He said she had no criminal history, other than several traffic-related offenses, and had spent no time in jail.

Its been a difficult time, he said. Were just trying to get her home.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Katherine Harris, said that Rivera had probably treated a not insignificant number of patients at St. Alexius because she was there for three months.

A spokeswoman said Missouris Department of Health and Social Services was reviewing the case.

Rivera grew up in New Mexico, and public records show she also may have lived in Maryland, Montana and Virginia. She never graduated from college, although shes accused of posing as a trauma nurse with a masters degree and teaching experience.

Among the mysteries of her case: How did she acquire enough knowledge or hoodwink her peers and supervisors to enable her to last months as a hospital nurse and a nursing teacher? Did she ever have any medical training? And were any patients injured during her shifts?

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dorothy McMurtry said investigators were still working on those questions.

Investigators were alerted to someone posing as a nurse and moving from place to place. We wanted to stop it. So we moved quickly to get it charged, McMurtry said.

So far, she said, she has not identified any place where Rivera may have received medical training.

A failed test

On March 9, shortly after Riveras employment at St. Alexius ended, Rivera applied for a job with Alternate Nurse Staffing Solutions in Chicago, charging documents show.

The firms co-owner Jennifer Tse said the first red flag was Riveras score on a basic test of ICU skills.

She failed her test  like awful, miserable, Tse said. You wouldnt fail this test if you were a skilled ICU nurse.

Office manager Joshua Kibert alerted Tse and her husband to the test results and to his suspicions about a copy of Riveras nursing license.

I could tell it was a fake from the beginning, Tse said, citing numbers and formatting that were wrong and text that was crooked, as if it had been copied and pasted onto the paper license.

But Tse didnt want to alert Rivera about their suspicions.

They discovered that Riveras Social Security number didnt match records for the nursing license she claimed to have from New Mexico. She said she graduated from the University of New Mexico and then worked at the hospital there. The university had no record of that.

Tse said that she became offended and worried. Im going to get in a car accident, and Im going to wake up, and shes my nurse.

The staffing firm called the human resources office at St. Alexius to alert them. They were freaking out. It was an awkward call, Tse said.

The firm reported Rivera to the boards of nursing in Illinois and New Mexico and went to various law enforcement agencies to seek action, but no one seemed to think it was as urgent as Tse did.

I was so afraid that if I did not ... get someone to arrest her, she was going to move on.

Finally they reached the inspector generals office at Health and Human Services who, she said, took it seriously.

Agents came to the Alternate Nurse Staffing Solutions offices and staff called Rivera in. She was arrested.

Tse said both ATC Healthcare Services and St. Alexius Hospital should have verified Riveras educational and job claims.

Two people messed up big time, she said.

But she also doesnt know how Rivera got away with it this long and wonders if anyone was injured or killed under Riveras care.

In the ICU, she said, this is like life, or death.

A fake teacher

Criminal charges filed in New Mexico last month say that Rivera taught nursing at Brown Mackie College in Albuquerque before she came to St. Louis. She was hired despite a background check that could not verify her education and employment, nursing board records show.

She taught 14 students in a Care of Children and Adolescents course in October 2015 but received poor student evaluations and was re-assigned to assist a clinical instructor in a November 2015 Care of Adults course at a homeless shelter, records show.

That teacher did not think she had the skills to serve as a clinical instructor, records show. Staff subsequently learned that Rivera had falsified transcripts claiming a masters degree in nursing from Georgetown University, a letter from the college to the nursing board says. Other documents say Rivera claimed she had worked as a flight paramedic in 2002.

On Dec. 14, 2015, then-nursing program director Shirley McGraw began reviewing Riveras file and was unable to verify her license with the nursing board. She confronted Rivera, and it became clear she was not being honest about her background, the college wrote in a response to the nursing board.

Rivera was fired the next day, but the nursing board claims that college staff failed to notify the board, as required, that Rivera was a so-called nurse imposter.

The nursing board claims that Rivera was not fired until after board staff arrived at the school for a routine site visit, during which staff credentials are verified, said Demetrius Chapman, executive director of the New Mexico Board of Nursing. Riveras credentials were not presented, he said.

The board didnt find out about Rivera until receiving an anonymous note in February 2016, he said.

An investigation resulted in sanctions for faculty for failing to report Rivera, he said.

Rivera also received the highest possible sanction for a non-nurse by the board  a $1,000 fine. He said she had not responded to the boards complaint nor paid the fine.

School representatives have not returned messages seeking comment.

Chapman said the schools passing rates were poor, and they were looking at involuntarily closing before deciding to do it voluntarily.

In 2015, Brown Mackie owner Education Management Corp. agreed to pay $95.5 million to resolve claims that it exaggerated the job prospects of students and illegally paid recruiters and agreed to forgive $102.8 million in student loan debt.

Last year, the company announced it would close nearly two dozen Brown Mackie schools nationwide.

Chapman, who called the case extremely egregious, said that he forwarded information about Rivera to the New Mexico Attorney Generals office and local prosecutors, and also filed a police report.

But he said, It just wasnt a priority for them.

Working in St. Louis

Rivera applied for a job with ATC Healthcare Services on Sept. 13, 2016. Special Agent Stacey Jordan of the office of inspector general of Health and Human Services said in an affidavit that Rivera said she had been an ER nurse in a level-one trauma center.

She used a hyphenated last name, part hers and part that of a real nurse with the same first name whose license number Rivera used, Jordan wrote.

Rivera worked at St. Alexius from Nov. 28, 2016, to Feb. 23, 2017, when her contract was not extended. She worked in the ICU and Geropsych Unit, Jordan wrote. Rivera assessed patients, performed medical treatments and administered medications, she said.

Harris, the Office of Inspector General spokeswoman, said Rivera was moved from the ICU because something was off or she was not a good fit there.

Chapman said that it would be extremely difficult to pass as a trained nurse in the ICU.

There is no way I could function for two hours in an ICU without being outed, said Chapman, who started his nursing career in St. Louis.

A Missouri-licensed nurse whose LinkedIn profile lists her as a nurse at St. Alexius commented on the case on Facebook, writing, We all suspected. She knew NOTHING and had to be told and/or guided. Had to do pumps and blood draws (etc.) for her. She was a pain so sent her to gero-psych.

The nurse did not return messages seeking comment.

Chapman said the staffing agency and the hospital should have verified Riveras license and the claims on her resume.

If I am the chief nurse ... I feel its incumbent on me to verify the license and, in essence, the safety of new hires.

Warson Woods Police Sgt. Gene Tisius, who is seeking charges against Rivera from St. Louis County prosecutors, said his investigation so far had found no one has been injured or suffered as a result of Riveras time at the hospital.
WATERFORD  After a few bumps, Gateway Technical College is on track to begin a fire medic program scheduled for fall 2017 in the Village of Waterford.

Gateway is currently in the process of forming a contract with the village to pay $1,500 a month to use Station No. 1 located at 122 Second St., year-round indoors.

Bill Whyte, Gateways senior vice president of operations, said the amount of time for the contract hasnt been determined.

Most of our leases are 10 years but Im not sure what were going to write into this one yet, Whyte said, adding that many Gateway leases are a series of one-year leases that can be automatically renewed up to 10 years.

Issue with selection

In April the village discussed a complaint that was filed stating that the village was unfairly selected as the training site even though there were no other submissions

Whyte said Gateway was looking for a place to put the program and had a request for proposal (RFP).

We only had one response, from the village, Whyte said.

Village president Jim Schneider said other fire chiefs objected to the location of the training facility.

They felt there were other places that were equally qualified, Schneider said.

The core of the complaint, Schneider said, was there wasnt enough time for other facilities to have a chance to bid. Whyte confirmed that the school had given a deadline of a few weeks.

According to village board meeting minutes, the village attorney sent a letter to the Wisconsin Technical College System Board informing them that the village has met all the requirements and the issue has no merit because it is frivolous and based on relationships and emotions.

Also, the Wisconsin Technical College System Board needed three support letters from fire chiefs from three different area districts.

Gateway was able to get six support letters and will submit them to the Wisconsin Technical College System Board along with a copy of the lease and a description of the use of the property.

We actually reissued the RFP in December with a 90-day response period, Whyte said.

Again, the village was the only bidder.

Its taken a while to respond to all the concerns that were issued, Whyte said about the process. I dont believe that theres any reason to believe that it wont go through.

Schneider said if it passes the state and Gateway boards, he believes it will be approved by the village.

This is a contract that goes together for use of the facility and weve already had one in place before this unraveled, Schneider said. I dont think (the contract) would be a major issue. We passed it before.

According to officials with the Wisconsin Technical College System, no information on this contract has been received by the board and in order for it to be considered for the July 11-12 meeting, materials must be received 45 days prior to the meeting.
MADISON  This week, the Joint Committee on Finance is scheduled to take up Gov. Scott Walkers proposal for an increase in the personal care fee-for-service rate for an industry in crisis right now, according to advocates.

Personal care workers help those with disabilities and chronic conditions for daily living, such as eating, bathing and dressing as well as activities to help them live independently in a residential setting, including meals, housework and shopping for food and clothes.

Demand is high. The U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics reports as many as 52,200 personal care workers are employed in Wisconsin and that number is expected to rise to 80,000 by 2024.

While Walker is recommending a 2 percent increase for each year of the biennial budget, the committee also is considering an increase of as much as 3.2 percent and the possibility of no increase at all.

The money from the state through Medicaid is funneled through Family Care, which has Managed Care Organizations. Each health care provider has a different rate theyve been able to negotiate with the MCOs.

The total cost to personal care providers for wages, supplies and other overhead is estimated to be $18.59 an hour, according to the Wisconsin Personal Services Association; the state reimbursement rate is currently $16.08 per hour and has not changed since 2008.

Amy Mlot, public relations and program development director for Societys Assets, a Racine-based personal care worker agency, said it is extremely difficult to get by when the industry really needs a 15 percent increase in the rate.

Our agency is fortunate that Medicaid is not our only source of revenue, Mlot said. We provide a variety of services to the community. This diversification is the only way we have been able to serve the community for the past 41 years, given the low Medicaid reimbursement rate.

Caregiver crisis

Personal care workers are the lowest paid in the health care industry, with a median annual wage of $21,390, creating a situation where an estimated 49 percent of workers are on some form of public assistance, according to the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute. According to the Wisconsin Personal Care Association, the turnover rate is as high as 67 percent.

Crystal Miller, president of Frontida, a company that runs community-based assisted living homes in five counties, including Racine, said it costs nearly $7,000 to replace workers.

I lost a $13-an-hour employee to Uline for $18 for their warehouse. Thats what were dealing with. It is really, really hard, Miller told Alfred Johnson, the director of DHS Bureau of Assisted Living, when he spoke in Sturtevant last week.

The average personal care worker in the state makes about $10 per hour, according to the report to Joint Finance, which is scheduled to take up the matter Thursday in Madison.

Bipartisan support

In a statement, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he supports an increase.

I support Gov. Walkers proposed increase in reimbursement rates for personal care workers. The state has one of the worst reimbursement rates in the nation and we need to have more competitive wages, Vos said.

State Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said he supports the governors increase. State Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Somers, said a 15 percent increase is out of the question if the state wants to have a balanced budget but he said he supports some form of rate increase for personal care workers.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Riyadh on Sunday to attend the Arab Islamic American Summit on the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz.

The premiers delegation comprises several government officials and media persons, including foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz and lawyer Akram Sheikh.

The summit is being attended by around three dozen leaders of Islamic countries, including the prime ministers of Bangladesh and Malaysia, and presidents of Afghanistan, Egypt, as well as US President Donald Trump.

According to sources, Prime Minister Sharif will apprise the forum on Pakistans efforts in combating terrorism and extremism and share success strategies. The countrys issues with Afghanistan are also likely to come under discussion with the Saudi King

Prime Minister Sharif will also join world leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony of the World Center Against Extremism, a counter-radicalisation initiative by the Saudi government.
The Journal Times investigation into group homes started after a criminal complaint filed against several workers at a group home.

Two employees of a group home in the 100 block of Howland Avenue, Racine, were charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct charges after a physical fight on Jan. 5 at the home between the employees over work schedules.

Not long after that in March, The Journal Times learned of an incident at a different group home in the 2100 block of Sutton Drive in Mount Pleasant where a group home resident entered a neighbors home unannounced and started drinking and spilling two-liter bottles of soda.

During an investigation into the incident it was learned that the Mount Pleasant group home employee was sleeping at the time and not watching the residents as he was supposed to be doing. He was subsequently fired.

These incidents brought up red flags about area group homes.

Over the course of two months of investigation, Journal Times reporter Jon Brines has dug into what many are calling a personal care worker crisis. There is a shortage of workers willing to take the low-paying jobs, and those who do take them are often going through poverty issues of their own, leading to additional scheduling difficulties. Furthermore, complaints pertaining to personal care workers and facilities are up.

We had 1,200 complaints last year and we are on pace this year for 1,500 complaints, according to Alfred Johnson, director of the Bureau of Assisted Living of the Wisconsin State Department of Health Services, who was in Racine County last week to meet with care providers.

Johnson said that, for example, citations for supervision issues are one of the top citations for the first quarter of this year, meaning workers are too busy to avoid problems in care. In many cases, that is likely because of the worker shortages.

Crystal Miller, president of Frontida, blamed new high-profile businesses in the area, such as Amazon, for raiding the pool of entry-level workers and paying them upwards of $18 per hour. In comparison, home care providers receive about $10 per hour.

Last year, 49 percent of personal care workers in Wisconsin relied on some form of public assistance to get by, according to the New York-based Paraprofessional Heathcare Institute.

Ashley Wricks, human resources director of Home Harbor Assisted Living, said that percentage is higher in Racine County.

Because of poverty issues, Gitz said shes seeing workers with food insufficiency and their own housing insufficiency.

They dont have reliable transportation, and health care schedules dont align with the bus routes, Gitz said.

To help with the crisis, the governor has proposed an increase in reimbursement rates for personal care workers, a proposal expected to be taken up this week. Gov. Scott Walker is recommending a 2 percent increase for each year of the bi-annual budget and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he supports an increase.

The state has one of the worst reimbursement rates in the nation and we need to have more competitive wages, Vos said.

However, Amy Mlot, public relations and program development director for Societys Assets, a Racine-based personal care worker agency, said the industry really needs a 15 percent increase in the rate.

The total cost to personal care providers for wages, supplies and other overhead is estimated to be $18.59 an hour, according to the Wisconsin Personal Services Association, however, the state reimbursement rate is currently $16.08 per hour and has not moved since 2008.

The 2 percent per year that the governor has proposed is a good start. But legislators must continue to watch this issue and watch how the personal care industry is managed and monitored.
The draft CTA is of concern to all Sri Lankans, without exception View(s):

The perception that Sri Lankas proposed Counter-Terror Act (CTA) will affect only those of one community or another engaging in terrorist activities and is therefore, of incidental concern to the citizenry at large is a misapprehension that is most unfortunate.

CTA poses dangers beyond the PTA and the PSO

Let us be clear. Vaguely drafted laws that seriously abuse civil liberties are not selective as to the categories of individuals to whom they apply. If Sri Lanka has learnt anything during all its painfully felt historical and lived-in experiences since the 1970s, it is precisely this. And abusive laws used with impunity against those who dissent and exercise freedom of expression, information, thought and conscience are not strange creatures to us, even as the West comes to terms with what are still relatively new realities of terror in its midst.

For decades, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance (PSO) were employed arbitrarily against the Sinhalese as well as Tamils and Muslims. It would be a mistake therefore to frame short sighted responses to the draft CTA otherwise. No community in this country can claim an exclusive right to victimhood under one particular law or the other. The deleterious impact of a dangerously vague counter-terror law will be to all citizens. This is something we have seen in the past and will continue to see again in the future, absent sufficient vigilance.

If this proposed policy framework is adopted as a Bill in its current form, the risks it poses to Sri Lankans of all ethnicities are far more than the PTA and the PSO combined. And there is another pertinent factor. In the past, the over-reach of emergency law was restricted through courageous and determined interventions by the highest court in the land. Individual judges paid the price for that resistance. But is that resistance to be expected now, from the judiciary in response to a law containing such vague and over-broad definitions of what constitutes terrorism and terrorism related offences? The answer to that question can only be in the negative, with a few bold exceptions.

Bringing back confessional statements made to police officers

Some of the more glaring flaws in the Cabinet-approved CTA were adverted to in these column spaces previously. A complete lack of policy direction is well illustrated by the fact that offences and terms discarded in earlier revised drafts of the CTA as vague on a legal basis (such as unity) as accepted by the drafters themselves in explanatory notes to the document, have now been brought back with nary an explanation.

Further, earlier revisions had accepted the fact that confessionary statements to police officers should not be admissible, even if the burden is shifted to the prosecution to prove that it was made voluntarily. But now, that has now shifted back. Confessions to police officers are again admissible subject to some conditions that offer little protection in Sri Lankas highly abusive detention conditions.

For example, it is stipulated that an attorney-at-law may be present during the time that a suspect is interviewed and his/her statement is recorded, if such interview and recording of the statement is carried out by a Superintendant of Police and will be subsequently used in a judicial proceeding. But this is a fragile protection indeed. It is a statement of fact that lawyers in the magistrates courts frequently collude with police officers.

In the nineteen nineties, many of these issues were taken to the Supreme Court in the form of fundamental rights petitions and the Court passed severe strictures on the concerned lawyers. These are no ad hoc linkages between the police and lawyers. Instead the nexus is well established. Indeed, lawyers practicing in those courts often rely on police to bring them cases where they can extract fees to appear on behalf of unfortunate citizens arbitrarily arrested by state agents without the suspect having any say in the matter.

Nexus between lawyers and the police

In one singular instance among a myriad other similar cases, this columnist was part of a legal team which, in the late nineteen nineties, successfully challenged the detention of an engineer of Tamil ethnicity who was arrested purely because he happened to stammer when subjected to ad hoc questioning while using public transport.

His identity card was taken but was marvelously found the next day (quite unknown to him) in the possession of an attorney-at-law when, after being kept in a prison cell, this slightly built and self effacing gentleman was produced in court. In questioning that took place before the Supreme Court, it was discovered that this identity card had been passed over to the particular lawyer by the arresting police officers. When asked to pay money to the lawyer, the petitioner (J. Gnanamuttu) refused, stating that he had no money whereupon the lawyer turned hostile.

Gnanamuttu was then brought before the magistrate, allowed to sign a personal bond and asked to appear in court on a later date a week hence on which subsequent date, he was discharged. In deciding the matter in his favour, the Court (presided over by then Chief Justice G.P.S. de Silva) expressed its perturbation in remarkably strong language. In that case, relief was given to the petitioner but this was in better times when the Court was generally inclined to uphold its constitutional role.

Excellent legal standards no longer in force

The torture of Sinhalese petitioners under anti-terrorism laws was met with equally stern responses. Excellent legal standards laid down in regard to state accountability were consistently followed by judges. During the past close to two decades however, all that changed.

The credibility of Sri Lankas judiciary in addressing questions of legal accountability for human rights abuses suffers in terms of both reality and perception. Vigilance, even to the limited extent seen earlier, is not evidenced now.

Merely being satisfied with the presence of a lawyer during the recording of a confession by a suspect enveloped in the abusive conditions of detention and under threat of torture (if not subjected to torture already) or relying on a magistrate to provide safeguards will only further institutionalize de facto abuses. This is a classic example of protections which may work in a functional Rule of Law system but will fail miserably here.

These are warnings that should be taken heed of when the next version of the CTA, probably in the form of a Bill, is brought before the luckless citizens of this land.
As a small business owner that cant afford a fancy accountant that has their name on the side of an office building, Im left both confused and mad after I do my taxes each year. As a business that files under the individual tax code, like most small businesses in Wisconsin, I dont get to take advantage of the loopholes we hear so much about in political attack ads.

With more than 75,000 pages in the federal tax code, any business owner like me that is honest with themselves knows that we pay more in taxes than we probably need to because its impossible to decipher the code. That needs to change now.

Senator Tammy Baldwin talks a lot about the need to help small businesses and the ridiculous special treatment some large corporations get. I agree, so thats why Id hope Baldwin will support Republican efforts to reform the tax code by lowering rates, cleaning out loopholes and making the code easier to understand.

Plans have been proposed by Republicans in Congress and the White House that would do just that. Plans that would help small businesses and large corporations alike by leveling the playing field at home while also making us internationally competitive again. Partisan politics aside, Baldwin needs to support small business by supporting these Republican efforts.

Jordan Karweik

Waterford
They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Shel Silverstein would have known.

He got his own back on Sylvias mother  the woman immortalised in the 1972 hit song of the same name. You know it.

Sylvias mother says Sylvias busy, too busy to come to the phone. Sylvias mother says Sylvias trying, to start a new life of her own.

The song is autobiographical  writer Shel Silverstein drawing on his own unsuccessful attempt to resuscitate a failed relationship.

Sylvias mother says Sylvias happy So why dont you leave her alone?

A new chapter in the story behind the song has filtered through to Tauranga this week.

Shel embellished the story, says Dennis Locorriere  the man who put his distinctive and soulful voice to Silversteins song and who will be in town for a Dr Hook gig at Baypark Arena next week. But not much.

It was certainly true he called this young woman and the mother answered and she wouldnt let him speak to her.

Shel, a forlorn young man calling from a Chicago phone booth, absolutely heartbroken after learning his recent ex was leaving town to marry someone else. He calls one last time to say goodbye, to get an explanation, to rescue the situation perhaps.

As the song goes, Sylvias mother wouldnt have a bar of it.

And Sylvias mother says Thank you for callin

And, Sir, dont you call back again.

Many years later in a Dutch TV interview Sylvias mother, a Mrs Louisa Pandolfi, would explain herself.

He (Shel) was very upset. I just tried to tell him it was over. In the song it kind of indicates I was rather brusque. I dont think I really was. But maybe it came through to him that that way.

Locorriere saw the interview. He applauds her style. There she is, Sylvias mother, shes 90 and still disputing the lyrics which I thought was charmingly feisty. And theres Sylvia  I am looking at the woman I have been singing about. I think wow, oh, my God.

In the TV interview with Sylvia herself, she said she didnt know what she might have said to Shel had she taken his call. Probably would have thought, shit, whys he calling today? She recalled their relationship being a delicious thing.

He would write to me all the time, he would call me up, we would fight and stop writing and talking and then start all over again.

It could have been nothing but that. Dennis Locorriere tells The Weekend Sun. But Shel being very young, very creative and feeling pretty slighted, came up with this brilliant song. But still, he wouldnt let it go.

He called Sylvias mother to tell her he had written a Dr Hook song about her and it would be playing on the radio soon. What he apparently didnt tell her was that in the song he had changed her name from Mrs Pandolfi to Mrs Avery  simply because Pandolfi didnt quite fit in.

Shel said when she tells everyone, all her friends and family, that a song all about her was going to play on the radio, theyre going to think she is nuts because its not her name in the lyrics. No Louisa, no Mrs Pandolfi, only a Please Mrs Avery..

So all those years later Shel thought he had scored one over her  got one back. Nothing more dangerous than a man scorned.

And on the back of that TV interview Locorriere and Sylvia caught up in London for lunch. She was a museum curator. She was lovely, she was great. Their love story had happened when they were very young and a long time ago. They had lost touch but she still called Shel Shellie. We each knew stuff about the man the other didnt know so it was lovely to share.

Sheldon Allan (Shel) Silverstein, author, poet, songwriter, illustrator and screenwriter died 18 years ago but the legend lives on in his music.

People will know Shel more than they think, says Locorriere. He also wrote Boy Named Sue for Johnny Cash and The Unicorn for the Irish Rovers.
The Green Party has announced new policy aimed at families, including an up to $220 a week Parental Tax Credit for those who cant get paid parental leave.

The announcement is part of their Budget for All Mothers policy package, which also includes extending sick leave to 10 days.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei says the policy package is aimed at reducing time and money pressures for parents, and improving long-term outcomes for children.

"We want every single Kiwi kid to have a great start to life. Thats a Green Party priority, and we make no apologies for that," says Metiria.

"Under the Green Party plan, anyone who cant get paid parental leave will be able to access the Parental Tax Credit of up to $220 a week. Its fair and its right to have universal support for every baby born in New Zealand.

"We will also make wahakura baby pods available to every family in New Zealand, providing a safe sleeping space and essential items for babys first few months.

"Every parent I know struggles to balance their commitment to work and to their kids. The Green Party will extend sick leave to 10 days, to allow parents and whanau to take time off when needed to look after sick kids, and other people who are dependent on them.

"We will extend before-school, after-school and holiday care subsidies to include all children from low-income families, whether their parents are working or not. No child should be left out because their parent doesnt have a job.

Council of Trade Unions secretary Sam Huggard believes working people will welcome the announcement of more paid sick leave.

This is a great announcement. More sick leave is something that lots of working people need, especially those with caring responsibilities for other members of their families.

According to the State Services Commission, most working people are using a minimum of eight days of sick leave annually. So for those working people on the legal minimum of five days they are either needing to take unpaid leave or annual leave.

An increase to ten days would also bring New Zealand up to the same level as our Australian neighbours.
This is a dream project for me, being able to connect with locals, the community, people. Its the heart of what I do, says acclaimed artist Graham Mr G Hoete.

The Tauranga Moana artist, of Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui descent, is currently collaborating with Farmlands on a largescale art project which has been dubbed HeART of the Community.

Graham says this year hell be producing large, locally-inspired murals on 15 of the rural supply chains stores which aim to promote community pride in rural towns throughout New Zealand.

Farmlands approached me while I was working on the Prince mural in Minnesota, they mustve seen me on TV and I guess they liked what I was doing and thought we need to collaborate with this Mr G guy, he says with a laugh.

Earlier in May, Graham completed the first of the 15 murals on the side of Farmlands Paeroa on Grey St, and says he worked with local Paeroa staff and stakeholders on how it should look.

He explains an important aspect for him was making sure the mural featured the name Paeroa, because when translated into English it means long ridge.

When you look around Paeroa thats all you see, an imposing, awesome ridge stamping its presence. That was the main inspiration for me, and it was surprising how many of the locals didnt know what Paeroa meant, so its cool to be kind of educating people too.

The mural also highlights how crucial a role the horses played historically in town during the 1800s, Clydesdales, draught horses and the like.

With the Paeroa mural now done and dusted, Graham will be heading south to Invercargill to repeat the process, followed by Putaruru in the Waikato.

And if Invercargill and Putaruru are anything like what Graham experienced in Paeroa, hell be a very happy man.

I had little kids yelling out to me hey mister, watch me do a wheelie, a 93-year-old ask me to spray paint her walker, a Maori guy from the Coromandel brought me a punnet of mussels he collected while diving, there was one guy I talked to who was like a fourth-generation horseman and farrier.

It was a real privilege to meet these people. Small town New Zealand has this precious dynamic about it and its really cool to be able to connect with that.
UPDATED 1.20PM: State Highway 29 is down to one lane heading northbound to Tauriko from the roundabout.

A police spokesperson says the driver of a tow truck has been taken to hospital after their leg was injured in an accident involving another vehicle.

EARLIER:

A person has suffered leg injuries after a crash on State Highway 29 in Tauriko.

The incident happened at around 12pm today near the roundabout joining Route K.

A police spokesperson says a car and a tow truck were involved in the crash.

She says an ambulance was requested, and is responding from Greerton.

She could not confirm whether the vehicles were blocking the road, although a caller to the SunLive hotline earlier thought it looked as though one lane could be affected.

At the scene? Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz
Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School students attended their prom Saturday evening at 916 Riverside in Central Square.

Above is our gallery of photos from the event.

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Students of DeRuyter Central School celebrated at their junior/senior prom Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Cazenovia Country Club.

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Students of Fayetteville-Manlius High School attended their prom Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Sheraton University, 901 University Ave. in Syracuse.

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Students of Marcellus Senior High School celebrated at their senior ball Saturday, May 20, 2017. Before the event, they met at the school for their annual "Crystal Ball Cruise."

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After reports of water intrusion in the tunnel leading to what is supposed to be a doomsday seed vault, Norwegian authorities are now working their way to fixing the problem. The efforts are to ensure that the world's final backup seed vault is kept safe and impenetrable.

Water Intrusion In Svalbard

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was made to be the world's backup plan where scientists and nations can store their seeds and deposit them when needed. However, what was supposed to be an impenetrable vault that can stand the test of time experienced an unexpected flooding incident.

On its website, the seed vault is described as "well above sea-level," hence is protected from flooding. However, the very thing that's supposed to preserve the seeds  permafrost  seems to have caused the flooding problems. Because of recent heat waves that brought Arctic temperatures up to 7 degrees Celsius above normal, the permafrost melted and entered the vault's tunnel.

"The tunnel was never meant to be water tight at the front, because we didn't think we would need that. What happens is, in the summer the permafrost melts, and some water comes in, and when it comes in, it freezes. It doesn't typically go very far," said Cary Fowler, one of the creators of the seed vault.

Extra Precautions

Though the water intrusion incident was quickly controlled and the seeds were kept safe at -18 degrees Celsius, the Norwegian government is making serious effort to ensure that the seed bank will no longer experience any sort of water breaches that can compromise the world's seed storage in the future.

The extra precautions being made by the government come in the form of water-proofing the 100-meter- long tunnel into the mountain, and digging up trenches that would lead melted water and the occasional rain away from the vault.

Further, they have also removed any heat-producing electrical equipment from the tunnel, and installed pumps in case of any future flooding.

The World's Backup

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has already proven itself to be useful before. For instance, when scientists of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas were unable to access their own seed vault in Syria, they were able to withdraw their earlier deposits to Svalbard in order to set up a new seed bank in their headquarters in Beirut. They have since returned their earlier deposits of 50,000 seeds after stabilizing the seed bank in Beirut.

Though Svalbard was designed for future disasters on a global scale, this shows how important what Svalbard is doing and safeguarding for many nations right now. It also shows the importance of being prepared and taking extra precautions, especially since the Arctic region is clearly not free from the effects of climate change.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Brazil's president-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, met this Wednesday in the country's capital with the leaders of the National Congress: the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur... | Read More
3 more weeks for local governance law to come into effect

As the vote count for the first phase of local level elections is almost over, the newly elected peoples representatives will have to wait for at least three weeks to get the laws to exercise all their powers.
Beauregard Quarters apartments are under construction downtown at America and Napoleon Streets. The population of downtown Baton Rouge has increased by 5 percent over the past year, thanks to an increase in new apartment developments. There are now 9,099 people living in the neighborhood.
One of Louisiana's three remaining abortion clinics is blaming a 2015 rewrite of the state's abortion facility regulations for the dwindling number of such clinics in the state.

Hope Medical Group for Women claims the revamped abortion clinic licensing standards were unnecessary and intended merely to hinder the clinics' operations.

The Shreveport clinic is asking state District Judge Janice Clark, of Baton Rouge, to strike down the rewritten abortion clinic regulations.

"The regulatory burden imposed by the Regulations was a significant factor in the recent closings of two out of the previously five facilities that provide abortions in Louisiana," Hope Medical Group's attorneys argue in a lawsuit filed last month against the Louisiana Department of Health.

Department of Health spokesman Bob Johannessen said Thursday the department cannot comment on pending litigation.

The department has acknowledged previously that some language changes in the rewritten rules go beyond mandates from state lawmakers.

Hope Medical Group calls the revamped rules a "transparent attempt to legislate" by the department.

"The Regulations overhauled the regulatory framework previously in place, vastly expanding its scope, and imposing additional onerous regulations that far exceed the authority which LDH has been delegated," the clinic's suit alleges.

But the Department of Health also has described the rule changes as "designed to better protect the health and lives of Louisiana women."

Hope Medical Group contends, however, that "legal abortion is one of the safest procedures in medical practice."

New Orleans lawyer Ellie Schilling, one of the attorneys representing the clinic, declined Friday to elaborate on the lawsuit.

At the time they were published in their final form in April 2015, critics said the rewritten licensing standards were part of a move by then-Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration and leaders in conservative Southern states to chip away at access to a legal procedure by adding limitations.

Hope Medical Group argues the 20 pages of regulations not only add burdensome paperwork requirements and demand duplicate filings but also make it easier for Louisiana to cite an abortion clinic for deficiencies and pull its license.

"These requirements do not improve patient health and safety; they simply increase a clinic's administrative tasks, paperwork, and costs to the point of being untenable  especially considering the small medical staff at each facility," the clinic states in its suit.

The state's other abortion clinics are Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge and Women's Health Care Center in New Orleans. Bossier City Medical Suite closed earlier this year, and Causeway Medical Suite in Metairie shut down last year.

Clinic's closure in Bossier City leaves 3 abortion providers in Louisiana NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Abortion rights advocates say an abortion clinic in northwestern Louisian

"LDH has the authority under the Regulations to impose fines on a clinic, revoke a clinic's license, or refuse to renew a clinic's license, based on any deficiency cited at a survey  regardless of the severity of the deficiency, and even when LDH has determined that the deficiency does not present any threat to health and safety," Hope Medical Group's suit adds.

The lawsuit also says the regulations allow the department to invalidate an existing facility's license if the clinic decides to change its location.

"This requirement raises due process concerns by ... improperly hindering a clinic's ability to serve its patients in the most appropriate manner, including moving to a new location to account for changing patient needs or due to security concerns," Hope Medical Group alleges.

The regulations, which were proposed in December 2014, sparked more than 1,800 comments filed in opposition.

The suit claims the Department of Health chose not to consider or respond to public comments and to, instead, "hurry" the regulations into law.
The Senate Finance Committee expects to reveal its version of the state budget on Memorial Day, giving the first glimpse of how far apart the upper chamber is from the spending plan passed by the House.

For now, the Senate budget-writing panel is hearing from stakeholders about the impact of cuts to their budgets in the fiscal cycle that starts July 1.

The state budget totals about $29 billion, including federal funding that is largely out of legislators' control, but the biggest hang-ups involve the shifting of just few hundred million dollars.

Senate Finance Chair Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, said the Senate is trying to figure out the best way to spend the state's resources, after the House passed its version of the budget with few hearings this session.

"At the end of the day, do you want what's best for your public? If the public keeps telling us they don't, we'll give them average, and that's what they are getting today," LaFleur said.

The House passed its version of the budget on May 4. It opted to fully fund the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, TOPS, that had been slashed this year. The House didn't fund the Louisiana Department of Health to the level the department's leaders say it needs to continue current services.

The two sides must agree on a state spending plan by June 8, the end of the regular session. Usually, a deal is hashed out on the final day of the session, with most of the negotiations taking place behind the scenes.

Senate leaders have indicated they also are inclined to fully fund TOPS this year, as the House plan would, but they are still working out where the cuts will fall.

Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has called the House version of the budget a "nonstarter."

"It is a terribly irresponsible document," Edwards said Wednesday. "It lacks courage."

To fund TOPS, the House-backed plan would give the Department of Health about $436 million less than it requested. Department leaders have said that will lead to deep cuts in mental health services and the state's response to the mosquito-carried Zika virus.

Latest Louisiana budget forecast holds steady, signaling shift toward stability Louisiana's budget forecasting panel got a rare bit of good news on Tuesday: The state's bud

Over the past several days, the Finance Committee has heard from various agency heads about their budget needs and what the state could lose through cuts.

One by one, most asked that their budgets not be cut, but it's unclear how the state would be able to stave off any cuts without an increase in revenue, and the House tax committee has been cool to major revenue-generators this session.

One of the recurring themes: State agency heads are bothered by the high turnover rates in their departments, as state employees have in many cases gone years without pay raises and have taken on increased work when positions have gone unfilled.

"My gosh, I've lost some good people," Inspector General Stephen Street said.

Street said he has been hiring people who have retired and can take lower salaries, but that contributes to less institutional knowledge when they leave. "We've lost some quality people," he said.

During his monthly call-in radio show Wednesday, Edwards said that the Legislature, which has less than three weeks left until the regular session must end on June 8, is running out of time to address future budget concerns beyond this year. "Every day it looks more and more likely that we'll have to have a special session," he said.

Legislation meant to address the looming $1 billion "fiscal cliff" the state faces when a temporary sales tax hike ends in July 2018 has failed to gain traction this session.

Edwards, a Democrat, put forth a series of revenue-generating proposals before the session started, but none has gone anywhere. The GOP-controlled House hasn't passed any major tax legislation this session.

"Quite frankly, I'm disappointed in how behind the Legislature is, particularly in the House," Edwards told his radio listeners.

The House opted to set aside 2.5 percent of the revenue that is projected to be available in the coming year to provide a "cushion" for any potential shortfall. Louisiana has experienced 15 mid-year deficits in the past nine years.

On Tuesday, the Revenue Estimating Conference, which sets the budget limit for the Legislature, met and agreed on a modest decrease in the nearly $9.4 billion in state revenue that will be available to spend.

"We've never done that before," LaFleur said of the House's move.

He said he understands the thinking behind it, but the state has grappled with repeated cuts that have reduced the ability to raise state workers' pay and led to dips in funding for programs.

"It's prudent to save some of the money, there's no doubt about it ... It just doesn't make sense to underfund those programs," he said.

"That's one of the things we'll have to work through on the Senate side," LaFleur added.
Last week the Louisiana Legislatures House of Representatives witnessed the beginnings of Washington-style divisive behavior in its membership. Shame on members of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus for instigating it.

Over the past 18 months, state Democrats from the governor on down generally have complained, if inauthentically, about divisiveness in governing. They mistakenly define divisive as disagreeing with their tax-and-spend agenda and ludicrously suggested that this means opponents work for special interests rather than for the state as a whole.

But that kind of get-along-go-along philosophy at the Capitol hasn't served Louisiana well. It's produced government that spends beyond its means and too often on the wrong things: moviemaking; parishes, ports, and underused bridges instead of on roads; more expensive nursing home care for people with disabilities rather than on home- and community-based solutions; and on a negative income tax that pays people to work less productively, among other things.

But the opposition to this status quo, mainly Republican, has largely rested on principled arguments and a respect for the democratic process, not a drive to create controversy for its own sake.

Our Views: With pressing Louisiana issues, House debate shows monumental stupidity With the state budget swimming in red ink, and no coherent plan afloat in the Legislature to

There was political theater aplenty, though, when, in a move similar to some publicity stunts undertaken by their national counterparts, Black Caucus members walked out after the House passed HB 71 by GOP state Rep. Thomas Carmody. It mimicked moves in Congress since the beginning of 2016, when various Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives brought their chambers business to a halt through a sit-in over gun control, left the room protesting womens issues, and boycotted Republican President Donald Trumps State of the Union address.

Carmodys bill would prevent local governments from altering, removing, relocating, or destroying a memorial located on public property that commemorates specified wars, including the Civil War. The same would apply to objects dedicated in memory of or named for any historical military figure, historical military event, military organization, or military unit. However, it would allow local governments to call elections that, through a majority vote, could override the prohibition.

Importantly, the bill doesn't speak to the suitability of Confederacy-related monuments, such as those which New Orleans officials recently and controversially removed. The legislation merely asserted the states constitutional authority to decide which powers local governments could exercise and how.

Yet during the bills debate, a stream of Caucus members, all Democrats, both through questions and in statements, bitterly attacked it as supporting racism. Dispensing with rational argumentation that stayed on subject, they emoted that letting people directly decide whether to change the status, if not banish, an object made them feel hurt. Ironically, considering that they injected controversy by steering the conversation disingenuously away from the bills actual meaning, the protesting lawmakers also alleged it sowed division.

When the measure passed with all Caucus members present against it, Caucus members filed out. They subsequently missed votes on a number of measures. The next day, Caucus Chairman state Rep. Joseph Bouie inaccurately and offensively said the tally showed deep-rooted belief in white supremacy.

That unwarranted insult only compounds the irresponsibility Caucus members displayed over the matter. Deliberately and needlessly inflaming passions, they hijacked something neutral to engage in grievance politics and score political points. Meanwhile, by walking out of the chamber, they left constituents voiceless during the latter part of the legislative day.

They acted destructively, not constructively, sacrificing honest debate to induce conflict. Hopefully the bills next stop in the Senate will feature authentic deliberation instead of political posturing.
Animal parts and trophies stored at CNP to be destroyed

Wildlife parts and trophies, stored for around 20 years, at Kasara, the headquarters of the Chitwan National Park are going to be destroyed on Monday.
The bitter debate at the State Capitol over Confederate statuary is threatening another old monument: the Democratic Party in Louisiana.

For many blacks, the removal of these monuments brings peace of mind and puts to rest a conflict that represents enslavement for their great grandparents and disenfranchisement for their parents.

Many whites fight to keep the monuments because they believe their history should be preserved.

But idealistic themes gave way to ferocious rhetoric.

Supporters of House Bill 71, which throws up protections for Confederate monuments, told African-American opponents to get over it and chanted  after the measure passed the House Monday on a 65-31 vote  that they had won the South back. Opponents recounted rapes, casual brutality and the basic inhumanity of bondage.

Everyone knew how the Republicans would vote. The surprise was that almost a third of the Democrats bolted, either approving the pro-Confederate legislation or out of the chamber when the voting machine was open.

Invariant gossips, legislators and lobbyists opined last week that the anger exposed a cleavage between Democrats who did and those who didnt. The intraparty bickering could cripple Gov. John Bel Edwards efforts to raise revenues, strip back tax breaks for businesses and other legislative initiatives, they predict. He needs every Democrat on the same page.

With 61 Republicans and three independents who kowtow the Republican line, House Majority Leader Lance Harris, of Alexandria, needs to flip only six Democrats to have the super majority.

Sponsored by a Shreveport Republican who believes secession is legal and that slavery wasnt the root cause of the Civil War, HB71 would forbid local government from removing monuments, renaming buildings connected to any war, without a public vote.

For white Democrats, the Confederate monuments bill is poison.

Consequently, when the voting machine was opened, 13 Democrats either voted for the measure or were absent. Two urban legislators  Shreveport Rep. Barbara Norton, who is black, and Rep. Neil Abramson, who represents much of Uptown New Orleans  were among the nine MIA Democrats when the voting began. Ask them and they'll say they had reasonable business that took them away from the House Chamber. (For instance, Abramson says he had an excused absence to work on the capital outlay budget.) Eleven of the Democrats who didn't vote or voted for the measure represent conservative rural districts with more equal numbers of black and white voters than most House districts in Louisiana.

Even if all 13 had voted against the measure, the bill still would have passed. (It's a awaiting a committee hearing in the Senate now.) The 105 seat House has 41 Democrats, 24 of whom are African American.

Disciplined conformity has never been a hallmark of Democrats.

But House Democratic Caucus Leader Gene Reynolds, of Minden, was criticized by the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, New Orleans Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, for being absent when the vote was taken. Rep. Malinda White, of Bogalusa, says one of her bills was killed because of her Yea vote.

Reynolds, like most of the 13, refuses to talk about it, moving instead to platitudes about the need to put this behind us and focus on the peoples real concerns, like the budget.

Democratic Rep. Edmond Jordan, of Brusly and rarely seen without a smartphone in his hand, says the emotions were ginned up among a small minority who found each other on social media. Then, the click-addicted mainstream media turned up the volume with its coverage.

In any population you have extremists, but by no means do I believe that you are hearing the voices of the vast majority of the people of Louisiana, Jordan said.

Bernie Pinsonat, who makes his money by polling voters for political candidates, dismisses all the chatter about a shattered Democratic Party in 2017. The votes were about the 2019 elections, he said.

White Democrats are being eliminated one by one. And voting for this would cause them more problems at home than they have already with all the money being spent by all these Republican special interest groups to kick them out of office. Pinsonat said, estimating that Democrats would have to spend $15,000 to $20,000 to defend the inevitable attack ads that will stem from this one vote.

That reality goes a long way to explain why Edwards, the only Democrat elected statewide, has stepped so gingerly around this issue.

Historically, governors have exerted their influence to smother problematic legislation in committee, thereby saving lawmakers from having to make such votes. Party leaders warned Edwards of the potential pitfalls early in the session, but the governor did nothing.

When asked about this, Edwards refused to comment beyond his remarks during Tuesdays news conference.

At that time, Edwards allowed that the Confederacy certainly is an important part of Louisianas history, and he loves history. I took every history elective I could when I went to West Point. But, while it is certainly part of our history can we say its the best part?
The Fairfax Media takeover story has more subplots and twists than an Agatha Christie novel, so it is fitting that it is now playing out in public at the select committee on the future of public interest journalism.

"If the consortium does acquire Fairfax, neither I nor any other member of the consortium wishes to become a newspaper editor," TPG's local boss Joel Thickins told the inquiry on Friday afternoon  and everyone must have breathed a sigh of relief that he cleared that one up.

"I am happy to state that if TPG is successful in acquiring Fairfax, we would commit to maintaining its charter of editorial independence," added a very on-message Thickins.

As for all of that fuss about further cuts to Fairfax's thinning editorial ranks  he assured everyone that private equity is a much safer place to handle the "transition" from tired old print to new media.
The notion of "crisis" is invariably set to a sliding scale.

Depending on who you are, or where your sentiments lie, a crisis could be a chipped nail. Or it could be two pop-eyed maniacs in a room wrestling over a comedy joystick marked "Global Destruction".

But this column isn't even about the United States/North Korea relationship.

It's about the Trump/Reality relationship and  more centrally  whether the most recent week in Donald Trump's busy life in fact constitutes a proper crisis, or more of a chipped nail sort of thing that has been inflated to doompocalyptic proportions by the shallow hyperventilations of the fake news lamestream media.
Several of Marx's other predictions, including the increasing concentration of market power among a few firms and the rise of a powerful and crisis-prone finance sector, are also standing the test of time. But The Economist must, however, draw the line at Marx's characterisation of capitalism's inevitable "immiseration" of the poor, pointing to the success of the welfare state and minimum wage in protecting workers. Overall, concludes The Economist, Marx was good at identifying the "disease" at the heart of modern capitalism, but he did not, in his advocacy of a mass revolution by the workers, identify an appropriate cure. At which point, your scribe felt safe to take another sip of one's Earl Grey and conclude that not all had gone topsy-turvy in this world. But it remains true that one no longer needs to be a communist to observe that modern capitalism is in crisis. It is increasingly clear that capitalism, as a system for organising economies by liberating individuals to make private transactions, is not a system that lends itself to increasing equality, as was once hoped. The post-World War II era of greater equality now stands as the aberration, giving way to rising inequality as the central tendency.

The selfish impulse at the heart of capitalism may still be the most powerful motivator to action, to progress and to innovation, known to human kind. But it is also proving a baser instinct, in need of greater external restraints. Increasingly, the rent-seeking and cronyism once dismissed as the purview of the Third World is on display in the world's biggest economies, most notably the United States where even the most innovative tech companies have amassed huge market power. At home, in the space of just one week, we witness big bank bosses colluding to fight a modest new levy to bolster the public purse; the strange spectacle of the greatest Treasury secretary of the past few decades turned into a bank spokesman; and the exposure of a tax evasion racket allegedly led by the son of a deputy commissioner of the Tax Office. In an essay titled "A few big firms" for The Monthly magazine, Australia's Labor shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh and ANU researcher Adam Triggs document a worrying concentration of power in corporate Australia into the hands of the few. Not only is the big end of town increasingly getting into bed with each other  with a record 3057 mergers and acquisitions in 2007, compared to just 346 in 1990  but every year there are fewer little guys setting up shop. In the 2000s, the number of new businesses created each year grew by around 17 per cent. In the 2010s, this has fallen to 13 per cent.

From the big bank scandals of CommInsure, Storm Financial and Timbercorp to Murray Goulburn's decision to retrospectively cut prices for dairy suppliers; from the creation of faux craft beer brands like White Rabbit, Little Creatures and Kosciusko by the big brewers, to Nurofen's suite of misleading "targeted pain relief" products: big business is flexing its muscles. "We are seeing a rise in firms using their market power for anti-competitive purposes to the detriment of small businesses, workers and consumers," Leigh and Triggs conclude. "And we are seeing a rise in anti-consumer conduct which is reducing the incentive of firms to compete on the price, quality and effectiveness of their goods and services." Increasingly it's clear that capitalism and the rule of free markets is an ideal to which we should strive, not some innate state of being waiting to be unleashed from excessive government control. The invisible hand of markets has, in fact, always required the strong arm of state to support it, by guaranteeing property rights, minimum standards for workers and imposing strong laws against collusion. And now, more than ever, that arm needs strengthening.

As Leigh and Triggs note, healthy markets and strong competition is good for consumers and workers, driving capital owners to be more innovative and driving better choice and product quality for consumers, and conditions for workers. Leigh and Triggs propose a range of policies to help improve markets, including a crackdown on "non-compete clauses" for employees, more sensitive planning and zoning laws, easier visa access for entrepreneurs, bigger penalties for misleading advertising, and giving the ACCC the power to conduct random "market studies" to identify problematic industries, like happens in Britain and was recommended by the 2015 Harper review of competition. The Economist prescribes stronger anti-trust or pro-competition laws, a crackdown on chief executives' salaries, shutting the revolving door between politics and business and giving greater attention to the increasing casualisation of work. Capitalist's most fervent advocates would do well, as The Economist has, to concede the flaws in their system. Because capitalism needs fixing, not overthrowing. But if it comes to it, the masses can be surprisingly undiscerning, throwing the baby of free trade away with the bathwater of rising inequality and cronyism.
Biodiversity and tourism

In 1992, the United Nations adopted the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at a conference held in Nairobi, Kenya.
A key crossbench senator has made his party's support for the Turnbull government's new bank levy conditional on the tax applying to foreign banks.

And the leader of the Nick Xenophon Team, Senator Nick Xenophon, has also flagged concerns about the government's decision to keep the proposed laws under wraps until they are introduced into the parliament.

But the push from crossbench powerbroker has been rejected by the government, with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann saying the major bank levy was designed to boost the competitiveness of smaller banks, including foreign ones.

Senator Xenophon told the ABC's Insiders program he supported the 0.06 per cent levy, which would apply to Westpac, NAB, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ and Macquarie and is designed to raise $6.2 billion, in principle but suggested the levy should be more broadly applied  and the extra money used to compensate victims of bank fraud.
Senior Turnbull government minister Christopher Pyne has accused Catholic schools of mounting a "dishonest" campaign against the Coalition over school funding but predicts it won't gather much public support.

The Catholic education system is preparing to run a major nationwide campaign against the government over its so-called "Gonski 2.0" education reforms, warning it will result in higher fees and school closures.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has "fixed" school funding, says frontbencher Christopher Pyne. Credit:Scott Barbour

The schools are aiming to mobilise thousands of parents to build a grassroots letter and phone campaign to run alongside social and mainstream media ads to force the government to change course.

But Mr Pyne believes the campaign will fail.
The article included Tobey Maguire in the trend, although that's a reach. Maguire appears to be firmly entrenched in the acting out phrase, while Ben and Brad have reached a level of atonement, at least publicly. But although The Daily Beast appeared to have limited sympathy for these emotionally troubled superstars, it's worth unpacking what might be going on at a broader level. At least so we can attempt to understand what on earth Pitt meant when he told GQ: "It's the laughter of the African mother in my experience  it's got to come from the blues, to get R&B." It's easy to make fun of Pitt's raw, if confused, musings, but let's not forget that Jennifer Garner hosted her own tell-all last year in Vanity Fair, in which she admitted to the deep loneliness  and unrelenting heartbreak  a divorce can bring. Angelina Jolie herself had to hold back tears when questioned directly about the split, so before we accuse these handsome Hollywood heavyweights of performative sadness, we have to remember: if your fame is as big as the potential profit from your forthcoming movies, the magazine tell-all is less about airing dirty laundry and more about assuring audiences that everything is going to be OK. And, if you've had an affair with the nanny or had an altercation while intoxicated on a private jet, then you have to show that you've taken a long, hard look at yourself.

Here's the problem. If you're a white male, introspection is probably not going to come all that easy to you. Men are socialised to externalise and submerge emotional problems, as Pitt himself mentioned in the article, saying: "I'm personally very retarded when it comes to taking inventory of my emotions. I'm much better at covering up." Affleck has his own complicated history that seemed to culminate not just in his divorce, but before that, during publicity for Batman, and the birth of the Sad Ben Affleck meme. Buzzfeed claimed Affleck's sadness was due to his existential war with himself. "Affleck has an issue with shame," wrote Anne Helen Peterson, citing his almost constant discomfort with himself. It's little wonder Affleck was once compared to another fictional golden American  Don Draper  who could scarcely bear the handsome charm he was blessed with. So both men feel uneasy in the role they're given, so what? This is not a divorce trend but rather a gender-based one. Women, both famous and non-famous, are being told almost constantly by society to check themselves. Look at Jennifer Lawrence, who has to consistently push back against shaming trolls. Look at Amy Schumer, and Lena Dunham. Look at Hillary Clinton  all have to weather abuse.

Women are told: watch what you wear, where you go, who you date, what you say, don't nag, don't act crazy, don't raise your voice. As a gender we internalise society's demand that we search for fault first within ourselves. The upside of this is that when things go wrong in life, we can, generally speaking, look at our part in it and steer it before it goes off-course. White heterosexual men are not policed by society. They have no need, therefore, to check and see  not just if they are wrong, but why their behaviour might be hedging toward the extreme. Loading Some people are born introspective, others have introspection thrust upon them. But if you grow up, as both Pitt and Affleck have, in a world that tells you you're a golden god, you will skilfully and unknowingly avoid pain of any kind.
An injured horse that was isolated and tested for Hendra virus, has returned "negative" results according to Biosecurity Queensland.

The government department would not say what was wrong with the animal for privacy reasons, but confirmed it did not have Hendra virus.

A horse at the Brookfield Show was quarantined after fears it could have been infected with Hendra virus. Credit:Michelle Smith

The 20-year-old animal was being unloaded at the Brookfield Show when it slipped and fell, hitting its head and later becoming unwell on Sunday morning.

An update from the Brookfield Show Society said the horse had showed some neurological symptoms upon its arrival and as a result officials took no chances.
A man has been rushed to hospital after his leg was crushed by a concrete slab in a workplace incident on the Gold Coast.

Paramedics were called to Mortensen Road at Nerang just after 7.30am after a report a 55-year-old man was trapped under a concrete slab on a work site.

The man's leg was crushed when a concrete slab fell from a crane. Credit:Nine News Brisbane

A Workplace Health and Safety spokesman said initial inquiries suggested a 1.7 concrete fence panel was being lifted by a loading crane when it fell and crushed the man's right lower leg.
They're in heaven. Not the thousands of dogs or their owners, although they're pretty happy too, but the dogless.

For dog lovers with allergies, tiny apartments or hectic work schedules the Million Paws Walk is a unique chance to live vicariously through others.

Wiggles the tri-coloured border collie and George the black labrador at the Million Paws Walk at the South Bank Parklands. Credit:Jorge Branco

By no means do they outnumber the 5000-odd donating walkers filling South Bank Parklands with fur, costumes, yapping and barking for the RSPCA fundraiser. But they're there.

"I heard it on the radio but we sort of took a chance to come and look at the boats and now the dogs," Stirling Mawby said, as he and wife Myra and son Arthur, 2, watched the pooch parade go by.
Good morning, it's the start of the working week once again and we're in for some glorious sunshine and a very autumnal top of 20. Enjoy it.

And so the weekend was quite the spectacle, as shoppers piled into Aldi to snap up snow gear at bargain prices. This journalist was one of them  and in Sunshine no less, possibly as a tribute to the weather, possibly because it's close to home. Who knows? And does it really matter?

And so the bargains were snaffled and bought and ferried home, where they were poked and prodded and cooed over.

There had, early last week, been a hope for some super-cold weather to test whether the pants would serve their purpose. But the mercury refused to cooperate and the pants-testing plans were abandoned lest the wearer die from heatstroke.

The cold will come. But not any time soon. Might have to test them in Antarctica. Now there's a notion
A pram with a two-month-old baby inside has been pushed into the path of an oncoming car in Melbourne's south-east.

Police were called to Oaklands Way in Pakenham just after midday on Saturday and have taken a woman to hospital for assessment. She was with the baby when police arrived.

Detectives say the pram was pushed across Oaklands Way, near Hartland Circuit, between midday and 12.30pm, forcing the driver of a white Ford Falcon to veer out of the way.

No one was injured.
Three women stranded on a cliff face in Melbourne's west have been returned to safety after a dramatic three-hour rescue operation.

The trio became stuck on a rock wall inside Werribee Gorge State Park, a popular bushwalking and rock-climbing area near Bacchus Marsh, about 2.30pm.

Acting Senior Sergeant Barry Hills said the women - a 23-year-old from Brooklyn, a 28-year-old from St Kilda and a 34-year-old from Geelong West - had decided to go for a walk, "and unfortunately they took a right turn instead of sticking to the path and they've become lost".
A Perth woman has been ordered to pay $4000 in fines after the RSPCA found two dogs starving and flea infested at her Medina property in 2016.

Tamahne Ketchup, 29, was issued a direction notice by RSPCA WA when an inspector responded to a cruelty complaint regarding her two Shar Pei dogs, Marna and Parley.

Parley on the day of the rescue. Credit:RSPCA WA

The pair were found in an extremely poor condition, with no food or clean water available to them.

The inspector returned to the property two days later to ensure the direction notice was being followed, but found the dogs' conditions had not improved and there was no evidence fresh food or water had been provided.
EC, ministry review security situation for Phase II vote

The government has identified potential boycott by the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, activities of the Communist Party of Nepal led by Netra Bikram Chand and the open border with India among the security threats for the second phase of local level elections scheduled for June 14.
The Perth community has rallied around the owner of a dog that was stabbed and killed while on a walk on Wednesday.

Four-year-old labrador Luna was at Apple Blossom Drive in Mirrabooka with her 22-year-old owner at around 6pm when the attack occurred.

Luna's owner visited the reserve to read the tributes made by the local community. Credit:Jerrie Demasi- 9 News Perth

Luna later passed away as a result of her injuries, and a 37-year-old man was charged with the stabbing.

A GoFundMe fundraiser set up in memory of Luna has raised $1890 towards a funeral and any emotional support required by her owner.
Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian President Michel Temer on Saturday attacked the billionaire whose secret recording of a conversation between the two men has fuelled a corruption scandal leading to widespread calls for Temer's resignation.

In a brief but combative television address to the nation, Temer levelled explosive charges against his accuser of insider trading and manipulation of the audio tapes.

Brazilian President Michel Temer delivers a new statement following the release of a tape allegedly demonstrating him condoning bribery payments. Credit:Getty Images

Temer contended that Joesley Batista, 44, an heir to the JBS global beef empire, profited immensely from currency and stock trades in the days before the recording was made public. The president insisted he would not quit despite facing an uproar over their taped discussion about obstructing graft inquiries.

"He committed the perfect crime," Temer, 76, said of Batista, accusing him of lucrative trades in futures markets after negotiating a plea deal with investigators. The president also called Batista a "criminal", claiming he had fled to New York.
But then, later that day: was that a ? A bow? Surely not, some insisted, after watching Trump bend his knees, slump forward and bob his head to let King Salman place the honorary collar of Saudi Arabia's founder around his neck. He's just "bending over," one supported suggested.

"He's receiving an award." "More of a squat than a bow." The White House did not immediately respond when asked if Trump had softened his position on bowing, after criticising Obama about it on more than one occasion. Whatever he was doing with the king, Trump appears to have left his Washington troubles only to walk into the same quagmire of diplomatic body language as so many presidents past.

Trump sure wouldn't, at least, as he made clear on Twitter several times before his presidential campaign. And during it. Many observers could not resist a superficial comparison to the past when he began his foreign tour.

"Trump shakes hands with Saudi leader, doesn't bow as Obama appeared to do," as Fox News put it. "How Trump just greeted Saudi Arabia's king is remarkably different than how Obama did in 2009," the Blaze remarked, noting that Trump shook the king's hand (though Obama has done that too) and his wife did not wear a hijab (neither did Michelle Obama.) But on the homepage of the Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, and the snarky feeds of many Trump critics, focused on a different picture. And while some insisted Trump's little dip could not compare to his predecessor's manifold acts of humility, one of the president's top political backers made no excuses:

In fact, Trump bowed no more or less than other presidents who have worn the collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud, which the kingdom bestows as an honour on foreign dignitaries. Trump did it. Obama did it. Bush did it. And  at the risk of recalling that other great controversy  Russian President Vladmir Putin did it too.
Nutson's Weekly Automotive News Digest May 15-21, 2017: GM Leaves; A Nutty Professor; Dieseling; Camry Succumbs To RAV-4; Autonomous; Instant Bridge And More







AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO, May 21, 2017; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, Senior Editor and Chicago Car Guy along with fellow senior editors Steve Purdy and Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, give you TACH's "take" on this past week's automotive news in easy to digest mega-tweet sized nuggets.

If you are a car and driving fan like we all are here at The Auto Channel, you can easily "catch up" or put these stories in context by searching the past 25 year's 2,014,009 pages of automotive news, automotive stories, articles, reviews, archived news, video, audio, rants and raves accessible from The Auto Channel's Automotive News Archive.

Hey TV viewers, you can now enjoy The Auto Channel TV Network "Free and Clear" on WHDT Channel 3 in Boston and on many local cable systems. All South Florida auto fans can continue to watch The Auto Channel TV Network on WHDT-TV Channel 9 in West Palm Beach as well as cable channel's 17 and 438, channel 9 Miami. WHDN launched its full schedule (including The Auto Channel)of broadcasting in the Naples-Fort Myers market on digital PSIP channel 9.1 channel, look for us Hulu and on TUNAVISION.

Nutson's Nuggets: May 21, 2017

* Buzz in the automotive business world the past few weeks has centered around the revaluation that electric car maker Tesla has a market capitalization (a measure of a companys value based on stock price and amount of stock in existence) exceeding Ford and GM, in spite of those traditional company's much bigger size and reach. Tesla founder and CEO said this week he does not quite understand why that is the case and asserted it is higher than we have any right to deserve. The new mainstream Tesla Model 3, due on the market later this year, may determine whether that investor optimism is justified.

* In a continuing effort to focus the company on more profitable markets GM CEO Mary Barra announced this week the company is pulling out of India, South Africa and East Africa by the end of the year. Barra expects those moves will save the company around $100 million per year and allow them to put more resources into R&D for such futuristic priorities like autonomous mobility. Earlier this year GM began the process of divesting itself of its European Vauxhall and Opel brands.

* In the deadly Takata air bag matter, there's a proposed settlement in a class-action case. Toyota, BMW, Subaru and Mazda are set to pay a total of $553 million to current and former owners and lessees of 15.8 million vehicles. The money is meant to reimburse them for car rentals or other expenses  like lost wages, towing charges or child care  incurred while waiting for their cars to be repaired.

* No more gasoline or diesel cars, buses, or trucks will be sold anywhere in the world within eight years. The entire market for land transport will switch to electrification, leading to a collapse of oil prices and the demise of the petroleum industry as we have known it for a century. This is the futuristic forecast by Stanford University economist Tony Seba. Prof Sebas premise is that people will stop driving altogether. Really!

* A report published this week in the journal Nature says that government lab tests don't accurately measure diesel vehicle exhaust as it actually occurs in real-world driving. They don't say vehicle makers are cheating; they say the test is not simulating real-world conditions. We use the education analogy: Do you teach to a curriculum or do you teach so that students can pass a standard test?

* Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Department of Justice has prepared a law suit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles regarding that companys failure to disclose emissions management software used in 3.0-liter diesel engines powering about 100,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Ram pickups. While negations continue between the company and the government it appears the latter is ready to move should the talks fail to produce an agreement. The vehicles referenced in the suit are from model years 2014 to 2016.

* Meanwhile, FCA US announced it has formally filed an application for diesel vehicle emissions certification with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its 2017 model-year Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles. It may take weeks or even months for this process to be completed, but the news is that they will still have diesels.

* In spite of the popularity of diesels in European automobile markets, Volvo appears to be ready to give up on that powertrain. Volvo CEO Haken Samuelsson told Reuters he expects ever more stringent emissions requirements will force them to move to hybrid and electric propulsion systems. The new diesel engines they just launched will probably be their last, he said. Volvo, along with its sister brand Lynk & Company expects to launch it first full-electric car in 2019.

* You're not quite ready for an autonomous car but don't want to drive yourself. Lincoln Chauffeur provides clients with a carefully screened, highly trained driver when needed. The driver also can conduct other errands while clients attend their engagements. Introduced in Miami earlier this year, Lincoln is expanding its pilot chauffeur program to San Diego.

* Germany has decided to allow self-driving cars on its roads for testing. They will require someone to be on board ready to take over and also a black box to record all events and whether the car or the driver was making decisions and doing the driving. The data will be stored for six months and handed to law enforcement officers on request.

* Our friends at The Detroit Bureau reported this week that the Toyota Camry, best selling car for the past 15 years is being supplanted for that honor by Toyota's small crossover RAV4, a change expected by Toyotas U.S. boss Bob Carter. The trend in the U.S. light vehicle market has been consistently moving from cars to crossovers and SUVs over the past decade or so. Toyota's worldwide president Akio Toyoda reported to the press a 20% slump in profits for the past quarter and questioned whether they had the right product mix for the U.S. market.

* Transportation secretary Elaine Chao was in Atlanta Thursday to celebrate the reopening of that Interstate 85 bridge that collapsed less than two months ago as the result of a fire. Seven weeks to completely replace a major freeway bridge was previously unheard of but the quick release of $10 million in emergency funds from the Federal Highway Administration along with some regulatory shortcuts honchoed by the state of Georgia are partly credited for the quick repair . Before its collapse that bridge carried nearly a quarter million vehicles per day.
The best online brokers in Australia for 2017  TheBull Stockies

Each year we ask you to tell us which online broker is your favourite. And for the past 9 years weve collated the results for TheBulls Stockies Awards.

TheBull is pleased to announce the winner and finalists of the 2017 Stockies Awards for best online broker across all categories, including CFDs, forex, share trading, options, warrants, margin lending, SMSFs, ETFs as well as the top stock forum.

TheBulls Stockies Awards are set firmly in the tradition that traders and investors are the best judge of the top online firms to deal with in Australia.

Winner: Best Online Broker

Winner: Best Margin Lender

Winner: Best Options Broker

Each year CommSec raises the bar in a neverending quest for competitive edge and perfection. And each year, voters reward CommSec with multiple Stockies awards.

CommSecs recipe for success is relatively straightforward. Brian Phelps, general manager for CommSec Retail Distribution, says: These awards reflect the high standards of quality service and innovative products we offer our customers as Australias largest online share trading platform.

We want all our customers to make informed investment decisions  from the highly experienced trader to someone just starting to invest. The continual improvements in our platform and the support we provide our customers remain at the heart of our competitive edge in todays market.

And we will ensure that we remain the number one broker of choice.

Winner: Best CFD Broker

Winner: Best Forex Broker

IG is a global firm with a loyal and growing client base. IG isnt one to rest on its laurels, as it continually invests in technology to enhance the user experience. Simply, IG clients have the latest technology at their fingertips.

Chris Weston, IG head of research, says: We have featured prominently in TheBulls CFD and FX awards for a number of years. This is always pleasing, as we have invested a considerable amount of resources into creating an offering that puts clients first, while providing them with the best in class technology. Its always pleasing to see these measures resonate with clients.

IG has cut the costs to trade FX and various indices in recent times and is now one of the cheapest brokers in the market. Clients are compelled to trade with IG for its diverse product range and strongest financial position in the industry.

Protecting client funds has always been paramount for IG.

IG has pushed for greater client protection across the industry for many years, Weston says. The Federal Government has introduced reforms that heighten protection of client money, which is fantastic.

We feel the reforms will go a long way to protect clients and its brought Australia in line with other global standards.

Winner: Best Self Managed Superannuation Fund Provider

Winning the award is recognition for hard work, says Mark Pankhurst, ANZs wealth head of superannuation, pensions and investments.

The hard work weve done ensures our SMSF offering is simple and effective for our customers, Pankhurst says.

Whats particularly pleasing about this award is its voted by traders and investors who know the market and whats on offer. To get their seal of approval in such convincing fashion shows us were on the right track.

However, we know its a very competitive industry with no room for complacency. So while were thrilled with the award, well stay focused on delivering for our customers.

Winner: Best Warrants Broker

Excited and delighted was the response from Darren Moglia after learning Westpac Online Investing had once again won a Stockies award.

Westpac Online Investing is delighted to win the best warrants broker award again in 2017, says Moglia, head of online investing. Warrants are such an easy way for customers to increase the leverage of their portfolio and our platform is recognised as the best place to access warrants.

Trading warrants is as easy as trading shares on Westpac Online Investing. You can even search by warrant security type, which allows you to see all available exercise prices and expiry dates.

Clients can also set up free alerts and conditional orders that enables them to take a profit or stop loss. So clients can manage their position even when theyre away from the market.

Winner: Best Exchange Traded Funds Provider

Its great to be recognised by TheBull.com.au for our ETF offering, says Robin Bowerman, Vanguard Australias head of market strategy.

He says investors worldwide have become more focused on broad diversification, low investment costs and transparency.

And we feel as though Vanguard has successfully led the way in promoting these values in Australia, Bowerman says. Vanguard ETFs reflect these values, offering individual investors powerful tools that provide access to entire markets or market segments for a very low cost.

Our commitment to low costs isnt a marketing ploy, its in our DNA. Our client-first ownership structure and culture enables us to pass along economies of scale as fund assets grow.

With all major asset classes now represented by ETFs, investors are able to use the products to construct robust portfolios that are diversified across and within asset classes.

Winner: Best Stock Forum

Voters left no doubt that HotCopper remains a most popular online stock forum.

HotCopper chief executive Ben Newport says its a thrill to be recognised as Australias best stockmarket forum for another year.

Were extremely grateful for the support we get from TheBull and its audience, Newport says.

Last year was big for HotCopper, with the company reaching all time membership numbers and listing on the ASX. Our member base continues to grow strongly, making us Australias largest finance discussion community, and its a testament to the users, members and moderators that contribute to our forum.

Our immediate focus this year is on improving the site experience and providing new features that add value for members. Weve got several projects in development, including our mobile app, so stay tuned for some exciting releases over the coming months.



>> BACK TO THE NEWSLETTER: Click here to read other articles from this weeks newsletter
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/05/2017 (1998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dying to send a reply? Stay alive. Dont text and drive.

Still texting and driving? C U Soon!

These are the stark messages displayed on the sides and rear of a white hearse driving along Steinbach and area highways.

ADRIANA MINGO | THE CARILLON Dave Redl stands with The Last Responder Project hearse.

The hearse isnt part of a funeral procession and its not being driven to a cemetery. Instead, Steinbach resident Dave Redl is at the wheel of an aggressive approach to curb texting while driving.

Redl came up with the idea the project, called The Last Responder, after he was asked if he was interested in buying a hearse.

Honestly, it was from God, said Redl, about the idea to pursue his project. I bought the hearse out of random. I had a phone call asking if I wanted to buy a hearse and the price was right.

Originally, Redl intended on cutting up the hearse and turning it into pieces for a race track.

I went to bed one night and said, Hey. Lets do this for good instead of turning it into something for the race track, said Redl. That was in December. Now, six months later, Redl is hitting the road with his hearse and bringing The Last Responder Project to communities across the province.

The reason [the project is based around] a hearse is because you automatically think of death. The hearse was designed for one thing and one thing only and thats to haul deceased to their final resting place, said Redl.

Redl said he plans to take the project to schools, trade shows, and community events to put on presentations and mock crashes. In fact, he will give his first presentation in Virden this weekend.

The Last Responder Projects message is to remind people of the serious consequences of texting and driving.

Its an aggressive approach to anti-texting and driving. Its probably the most unique [approach] in the world. No one has taken the approach that I have, with using the hearse, said Redl.

Ive had recognition from RCMP, firefighters, STARSthey all love the idea, he said.

Inside the hearse, Redl has a real casket which he will use at presentations for students to pledge not to text while driving.

Students will get dip their thumb in a red ink pad and put their finger print on the casket, representing that they wont text and drive, said Redl.

I took that approach because when I was in school, they had us sign a piece of paper not to drink and drive. I forgot about that a week later. If you have to physically touch a casket, thats something that will be engraved in your mind.

Redl also has a headstone marked with another dont text and drive message hell bring with him to events

Going forward, Redl has ambitious goals for the project to get to the point where its nation-wide and there are chapters in every major city.

The hearse is our mascot and its what were basing it around. I want to have one all-around North America, eventually worldwide, said Redl. And yes, I do see that happening.

Redl doesnt receive any grants for the project and is currently funding it out of pocket.

Its a slow start because we arent funded by anyone. Basically the whole project is funded by me and I have a few sponsors who are helping out. As for any government fundingtheres no such thing for me, said Redl.

But, if I could just change one persons attitude towards texting and drivingthe jobs done, said Redl.

Visit The Last Responder Project on Facebook or online at www.lastresponderproject.com.
Election preparations begin in eastern region

As the vote counting of the first phase local election nears completion, poll activities are gradually gaining momentum in the eastern region where the elections are set for June 14.
This weekend, LGBTIQ immigrants from countries of the former Soviet Union held the first ever Russian-speaking pride march in New York City. Several hundred people marched down the boardwalk in Brighton Beach. The gloomy weather and occasional rain did not dampen the jubilant atmosphere.

The organizers, some of whom recently received asylum in the U.S. after fleeing persecution in Russia, felt the march was needed. They perceive that many of their Russian-speaking neighbors in Brooklyn and elsewhere in New York have not adopted the tolerant values of the city, instead still clinging to the widely-accepted homophobia of their ex-Soviet homelands.

I was shocked how many people still retain the same attitudes and values toward our LGBTIQ community, not welcoming us because we are queer, said Lyosha Gorshkov, co-president of the Russian Speaking American LGBT Association, who came up with the idea for the march. They dont see us, and I decided we have to do something to make Brighton Beach safe for all of us.
Substance-abuse specialists, health care workers and law enforcement will be part of a panel at Blinn College on Tuesday for a town hall meeting designed to educate the public on opioid abuse and the nationwide epidemic surrounding it.

"We need people to come because they need to learn about opioids and how dangerous they are and how easy it is to become addicted," said Mary Mattingly, director of prevention services and founder of the Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, or BVCASA.

The meeting will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in room F-120 of the student center at the school's Bryan campus. Hosted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Region 7's Prevention Resource Center and the Community Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness Partnership, the event will feature a panel of nine substance abuse and pharmaceutical specialists, a nurse practitioner, an emergency preparedness coordinator and representatives from the College Station and Bryan Police Departments, among other guests.

Opioid abuse is an epidemic that is ruining families and ending lives across America. It knows no socioeconomic bounds, and the numbers indicate a steady climb in opioid overdose deaths; the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that about 35,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2015, a roughly 150 percent increase since 2002. Since 1999, the Centers for Disease Control reports, opioid overdoses have quadrupled.

Though the epidemic does stretch across socioeconomic lines, opioid overdoses affect whites disproportionately more than people of color across the U.S. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports 1,038 people died of opioid overdoses in Texas in 2015, 895 of whom were white, 85 of whom were black and 281 of whom were Hispanic, mirroring other states' data showing that opioid overdose deaths disproportionately affect non-Hispanic whites.

Mattingly said Brazos Valley doesn't "have as big of a problem here as the Northeast," but "our goal is to try and focus on prevention so that we don't get to an epidemic state." Texas is not among the five states -- West Virginia, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Ohio and Rhode Island -- the CDC listed as having the highest rates of deaths due to drug overdoses in 2015; moreover, the Lone Star State was not listed as having a statistically significant increase in the rate of drug overdose deaths between 2014 and 2015, unlike many Northeastern states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Massachusetts, among others.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price announced in April that HHS would administer a total of $485 million to all 50 states to combat the opioid crisis; Texas has received about $27 million for prevention and treatment services for drug abuse, of which Mattingly said organizations statewide focused on prevention of opioid abuse -- such as BVCASA -- will get between five and 10 percent.

Because the state is requiring prevention resource centers to hold public forums to educate communities on what's happening in the Northeast, Mattingly said BVCASA is holding their town hall to educate the public on the dangers of opioid abuse.

Mattingly said she had lobbied for one the town halls to be in Bryan because of the large population of college students in Bryan-College Station, recalling the 19-year-old Texas A&M University fraternity member who died of an accidental opiate overdose in August 2016.

The BVCASA founder said the data her organization uses to track opioid abuse and overdoses in the area is two years old, limiting their ability to understand how prevalent opioid abuse and overdoses are in the Brazos Valley.

"Our data is old. We don't know how serious the problem is," said Mattingly, adding that if patients still have access to opioids through legal prescriptions, haven't entered the criminal justice system, sought treatment for addiction or experienced withdrawal of the drug, they're likely suffering in silence. Mattingly said BVCASA's data would be more up-to-date if hospitals, ERs and EMTs shared data on the numbers of people who seek treatment or overdose on opioids, but the health organizations have been reluctant, citing HIPAA privacy concerns.

She said the lack of recent data leaves BVCASA somewhat in the dark in terms of how prevalent opioid abuse is across Brazos Valley, since it's not an "in-your-face problem," and because lack of access to prescription opioids "hasn't become an issue for a lot of people."

"My gut feeling is it is here and we just don't know it," she said.

Alva Ferdinand, assistant professor at Texas A&M University's Health Science Center School of Public Health, said "it's not uncommon for data to be a bit behind." Ferdinand said that it takes time to put together accurate, readable data for researchers to analyze.

"It takes time to do," she said. "We want to use data that is correct. Data is not one of those things you want to rush."

Mattingly said BVCASA will buy a prescription pill dropbox with some of the federal money, to "give people a place to dispose of medications they no longer use" and put those medications out of the reach of younger children or grandchildren who could steal the drugs and take them to "pharm parties." Mattingly also cautioned against flushing prescription opioids down the toilet, since that puts the drugs into the water system.

One of the goals of Tuesday's town hall, Mattingly said, is to inform the community of how to respond if they see someone who has overdosed on opioids.

"If we can teach the community what to do, and to not be afraid to call 911, we will have made a major impact," she said. The ultimate goal of the event, she said, is to prevent a future epidemic in the Brazos Valley and tell the community how dangerous opioids are and where they can get help if they're abusing or suffering from addiction.
Local representatives to be oriented on their powers, responsibilities

As the local federal units have got an immense authority of governance in villages, cities and towns, unlike in the past when they merely worked as the Centres service delivery units, the government has decided to provide an intensive orientation within a month to the chiefs and deputy chiefs on their powers and responsibilities.
November 18, 1928 - May 18, 2017

Louis Pavlock, 88, of Stoneham, died Thursday evening, May 18, 2017, at CHI St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan.

A gathering of family and friends will take place Monday, May 22, 2017, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home of Navasota. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 am Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11323 County Road 304 in Stoneham. The rite of committal will follow in St. Joseph Church Cemetery.

Louis was born Nov. 18, 1928 in Plantersville to Brunus and Pearl Tomkivits Pavlock. He served his country during the Korean War in the US Army. Louis married Dorothy Ruth Smith on October 3, 1953 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Houston. Louis retired in 1988 from ABB Vetco Gray as a machinist after 40 years of service and returned to Grimes County at that time where he enjoyed the outdoors.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Pavlock of Stoneham; sons, Robert Pavlock of Sugar Land, Carl Wayne Pavlock and wife Maura of Stoneham and Curtis Pavlock and wife Angie of Brighton, CO; a sister, Mary Weaver of Pasadena, TX; 3 grandchildren, a step grandson and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

You are invited to sign the guestbook and leave condolences for the family at www.lindleyrobertsonholt.com.
Oct. 24, 1927 - May 15, 2017

Charlene (Stevenson) Strawn died at age 89 on May 15, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Celebration of Life Service will be 4 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Texas.

Born in Dallas she went to the University of Texas, married Robert Kirk Strawn, and graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida, where she also received a Master of Arts in Speech Therapy.

She is survived by three sons, Terry Strawn of Austin, Steven Strawn and his wife, Laura, of Austin, and Robert Strawn and his wife, Gari, of College Station; and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Hospice Austin www.hospiceaustin.org. To share condolences with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.
It is rare to get bipartisan support for anything in Washington, D.C., but last week saw praise from both Republicans and Democrats for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate President Donald Trump's alleged ties to Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. Members of both parties in Congress celebrated the decision by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to appoint former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller to head the independent investigation of the ties.

It has been obvious to many people for some time that a special prosecutor is needed. Sure, Congress has started an investigation into the allegations that the Trump presidential campaign improperly interacted with Russian officials, backed by assertions that Russian interfered with the 2016 presidential election. Unfortunately, the Senate is not able to conduct a creditable investigation into much of anything. Its members simply are too political, too dedicated to scoring points for their party over the other. It all is tied into the need to get re-elected every two years.

An independent prosecutor, though, is not beholden to anyone for election to anything. And, if nothing else, Mueller will be independent. He served 12 years as director of the FBI under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. In fact, Obama asked Mueller to stay on past the normal 10-year term. He ran the FBI as it should be run, free of political intrigue and influence. No hint of scandal ever attached to Mueller and there should be no question that Mueller will follow the investigation wherever it leads and whomever it encompasses.

President Trump at first reacted in a statement: "As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know -- there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issues that matter most to the future of our country."

But then, in a televised diatribe, the president called the Russia investigation a "witch hunt," adding that even his enemies know there is no connection with his campaign and Russia. "I think it is totally ridiculous. Everybody thinks so."

Sorry, Mr. President, but many people -- in fact polls indicate most Americans -- don't think so. They believe there was -- and still may be -- an improper relation with Russia.

The president did himself no favors by firing FBI Director James Comey, who was conducting a probe into the Trump-Russia links. Doing so in the midst of the investigation certainly cast doubt on the president's motives. The changing reasons for the dismissal didn't build confidence in the president, either.

Comey reportedly said the president had tried to get him to call off the investigation, but he refused.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that President Trump, in a closed-door meeting with top Russian officials, called Comey "crazy' and a "real nut job." Comey may be many things, but he is neither crazy nor a nut job. The report is based on a notes of the meeting taken by a White House functionary in the room during the meeting.

Trump, The Times reported, went on to say he "faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off."

At the same time, The Washington Post said a senior White House adviser is under investigation for involvement in the alleged Trump-Russia coordination. Already acknowledged is contact with the Russians by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and a top adviser.

While Mueller is independent in his investigation, he isn't immune from interference by Trump. The president has the authority to fire a special prosecutor for any reason, although he risks undermining his presidency if he does so.

On Oct. 20, 1973, in the midst of the Watergate investigation, President Richard Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was getting to close to implicating Nixon in the break-in of Democratic headquarters and the subsequent cover up. A man of principle, Richardson refused to do so and immediately resigned under pressure from Nixon, who then turned to Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus, who also resigned rather than fire Cox. Nixon then turned to Solicitor General Robert Bork, who did fire the special prosecutor.

That didn't stop the investigation and, less than 10 months later, Nixon resigned in disagree, facing impeachment and conviction in Congress.

President Trump could fire Mueller, but the consequences for his presidency would be dire.

We applaud the appointment of the special prosecutor -- especially one of the unimpeachable credibility of Robert Mueller -- and we urge Trump and his administration to be responsive to inquiries as the probe continues. The investigation will be expensive, and it will take months if not years to finish, but it will settle once and for all whether Donald Trump's campaign for the White House did or did not have improper contact with Russia.

If the president is innocent, as he claims, then he should not fear the probe. If he is not, the reality is bound to come out in some way or another. The American people, Trump supporters and his detractors, deserve nothing less than the honest, complete truth.
Tomorrow the UNC Law School will be hosting a one day conference on the April 3, 1948 Jeju massacre (also known as the uprising). This is part of an on-going, international effort to bring attention to the violence on Jeju island that ran from April 1948 through May 1949 in which thousands of residents of the island were killed as part of anti-communist suppression. The efforts have led to extensive discussion in Korea, Japan, and more recently the United States about the massacre and the role of both the Korean government and to a lesser extent the United States' military in suppressing the uprising. And since 2000 there has been the Jeju 4.3 Committee, which has led efforts at documenting the history, memorializing it, and repair -- what we often call transitional justice. As part of this on-going effort, we are hosting a meeting of scholars of Jeju 4.3, victims and their families, and scholars of transitional justice on May 22. Here is the schedule:

Welcoming remarks by Ko Chang Hoon, Jeju National University, Republic of Korea; Yun Kuung Yang and Sang-soo Hur, Jeju People Association; Ho-jin Kang, Juju Residents Association for Autonomy; Oui-soon Park, Jeju Residents Solidarity for Authonomy.

Part 1: Recognition, Responsibility, Reparations and Asian Democracy in relation to Taiwan 2.28 Massacre, Jeju 4.3 Grand Tragedy, and Other Cases 9:30-10:45

Moderator Al Brophy, UNC Law School

Jeh-Hang Lai, Professor Emeritus National Central University Taiwan, R.O.C., The 2.28 Uprising as a Turning Point in Taiwan Political History

Hope Elizabeth May, Central Michigan University, Recognition and Responsibility: The Moral Relevance of Pre-UN history to the Jeju Tragedy

Chang Hoon Ko, Professor Emeritus of JNU, Chair of World Association for Island Studies, South Korea, Jeju World Peace Island Treaty JWPA: From Darkness of Jeju 4.3 Grand Tragedy to Brightness of Jeju World Peace Island Vision, 1947-2017

Discussant: Sung-bin Koh, Professor, JNU, South Korea

Part 2: Theoretical Issues of Reparations and Reconciliation in Relation to Jeju 4.3, 11-12

Moderator Kunihiko Yoshida, Hokkaido University, Japan

Al Brophy, University of North Carolina Law School, Memorialization of Reconstruction: The Case of Ku Klux Klan Violence in 1870s North Carolina

Carlton Waterhouse, Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indiana University, Slavery Reparations and Social Dominance Theory

Kaimi Wenger, Thomas Jefferson Law School, Micro-Reparations

Discussant: Professor Roy Tamashiro, Webster University, USA

Buffet Lunch at UNC Law School, 12-1:15

Part 3: Genocide Cases and Ways of Reparations 1:15-2:15

Moderator: Carlton Waterhouse, Robert H. Mckinney School of Law, Indiana University

Speakers: Kunihiko Yoshida, Hokkaido University, Japan, Taxonomies of Reparations Compared to Other Asian cases

Timothy Webster, Case Western University Law School, World War II Litigation in East Asia: Individual Litigation and Group Disappointment

Robert Westley, Tulane University Law School, Building a Norm of Redress Through Reparations Activism

Part 4: Social Healing Through Jeju Peace Academy, Communication and Dark Tourism, 3-3:45

Moderator: Hope Elizabeth May, Central Michigan University, Social Healing Through Jeju World Peace Academy

Roy Tamashiro, Webster University, USA, Jeju 4.3: Planetary Consciousness and Psychosocial Processes for Social Healing and Reconciliation

Dr. Ae-Duck Im, Chang Hoon Ko, (JNU) and Rachel Brooks (Fulbright English teacher September 2014- August 2016, USA) South Korea, Social Healing Through Generational Communication

Part 5: Final Discussions 4-5

Audience

I will take advantage of the location here in Chapel Hill to talk about a key moment of transitional justice in the United States -- the movement away from slavery and towards freedom in the wake of Civil War and how that was undone simultaneously through violence and appeals to the "rule of law" here in Orange County and in surrounding counties. This is a piece of a project I've been working on regarding the memorialization of Saunders Hall on the UNC campus. I've been working on this project for a while and am excited to have the chance to talk about this work that links a micro history of William Saunders and the Klan to larger themes in what "rule of law" meant in the United States during the difficult times of Reconstruction and its end (what was once known as the period of "redemption").
Not over yet

That the first phase of the local elections has been held is a great achievement. The government and the Election Commission (EC) deserve to be complimented on this feat; they have overcome several hurdles along the way.
Check out formal fashion, hike Starr's Cave and more this weekend in SE Iowa
NPC prepares formula for fund distribution

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has devised a formula for distribution of financial resources among local bodies, which, if approved, could end the confusion over allocation of funds for authorities at the grassroots and expedite the process of formulating budget for the next fiscal year.
NORWALK  Homeowners can expect to hear from the Norwalk Tax Assessors Office starting late this summer as part of the citys 2018 property revaluation.

Starting in August, the office will send in stages data mailers to more than 26,000 residential property owners citywide, seeking details about their properties.

Every residential property is going to get a form that asks them to verify certain property characteristics for their property  the number of bathrooms, whether it has air-conditioning, whether theres been any updates, said Norwalk Tax Assessor Michael J. Stewart. The more people that answer honestly and openly, the fairer the assessment is going to be for everyone.

The state-required revaluation is intended to accurately determine property values as of Oct. 1, 2018.

Residential properties account for 26,680 of nearly 30,000 properties citywide. While the upcoming 2018 revaluation will rely on an outside appraisal firm and data mailers being sent to homeowners, roughly 7,500 properties will be inspected, Stewart said.

Stewart said the inspections will be done where they are determined necessary after his office and the appraisal firm review sales information and other data.

On Tuesday evening, the Norwalk Common Council will consider hiring Tyler Technologies, at a cost not to exceed $680,000, to assist the Tax Assessors Office with the 2018 revaluation. A review panel recommended the company over two other firms that bid for the work, according to Norwalk Purchasing Agent Benjamin Luce.

The committee believes that Tyler will deliver the most value for the City versus the other two firms, and the City is saving money by going with the partial revaluation versus the full revaluation, Luce wrote in a letter provided to the council.

When seeking a consultant, the city requested pricing for two options: a partial inspection of 7,500 parcels and a full inspection of 29,000 parcels.

Before launching the revaluation, the Tax Assessors Office will hold at least three presentations to explain the revaluation to the public.

Stewart hopes to see the revaluation completed by November 2018 and preliminary valuation notices mailed to property owners the following month.

The last citywide revaluation was conducted in 2013. Since then, major development has occurred in Norwalk as evidenced by apartment and other construction. How that will impact homeowners remains to be seen.

If you get the same increase in residential (value) as you do in commercial, the result is not changing the dynamics a lot, Stewart said. If you get a 10-percent (increase) in residential and a 15-percent in commercial, residential is still going to be carrying the bulk.

rkoch@hearstmediact.com
Grand Island Northwests musical Sister Act received several honors from Omaha Performing Arts fourth annual Nebraska High School Theatre Awards program.

The production was one of 10 from across the state named as an Outstanding Musical Theatre Production and also earned one of 10 awards for Outstanding Ensemble.

Addisyn Dupler was one of 10 lead actresses earning honors for her role as Delores Van Cartier in Sister Act. Others in the cast earning honors (again among 10 honored statewide) were Dalton Elliott as Monsignor OHara (supporting actor) and Jadeyn Stutzman as Sister Mary Robert (supporting actress).

Grand Island Senior High student Jo Jo Vazquez is one of 10 supporting actors earning honors for his role of Sonny in Senior Highs production of In the Heights.

David Shack Sackschewsky, vocal music director at Northwest, received the Outstanding Educator Award.

In addition to earning lead actress honors, Dupler is one of 12 finalists for the Broadway Leagues National High School Theatre Awards program. The 12 finalists were selected through an audition process. From this group of finalists, one actor and one actress will be nominated to represent Nebraska at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program in New York later in June. The two nominees will be announced live onstage at this years awards showcase.

Winners will receive their awards at the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase at 7:30 p.m. June 8 at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha. Modeled after the Tony Awards, this red carpet event will feature performances by more than 350 students from 60 Nebraska schools, with awards for outstanding productions, top ensembles and performers, and artistic excellence behind the scenes. Representatives from all participating schools will perform in the awards opening and closing numbers. All showcase performers will work with leading local musicians and a professional Broadway choreographer during the week leading up to the awards.

General admission tickets are $10; call Ticket Omaha at (402) 345-0606 or visit TicketOmaha.com.
BLAIR  Danish bioscience giant Novozymes plans to invest another $36 million in its plant here, saying it is counting on the ethanol industrys continued growth.

The expansion adds to a string of economic development triumphs for Omahas small neighbor to the north.

Within a few weeks, the Blair plant will double fermentation capacity of enzymes that ethanol plants use to squeeze more starch from each kernel of corn, said Kyle Nixon, the plants general manager. With the expansion, perhaps a half-dozen new hires will be added to the workforce of about 125 people.

But the investment in new tanks and related appurtenances where ethanol-encouraging enzymes are fermented from freeze-dried fungus marks Novozymes as certain that the Iowa and Nebraska corn/ethanol/cattle cycle is worthy of continued aggressive investment. The company has annual revenue of about $2 billion.

We are very optimistic, Nixon said in an interview after a press conference last week. There is nowhere else that can do this.

He was talking about Blair, not far from the border between Iowa and Nebraska, the two largest ethanol-producing states in the union. While Novozymes doesnt make ethanol, its enzymes molecules that act on other molecules to unlock chemical reactions allow ethanol plants to get more ethanol per kernel.

It has all made Blair, population about 8,000, something of a bio-agriculture hub after Minnesota-based ag giant Cargill built an ethanol plant there some 20 years ago. Not far from Novozymes, it has doubled its corn crushing in five years, now consuming 300,000 bushels a day. Last year, Cargill said a Swiss partner announced plans to invest $60 million in Blair to produce an artificial sweetener. Since 1995, more than 1,200 jobs have been created in Blair related to ag science.

Ive got the easiest mayoral seat in the state, said Blair Mayor Jim Realph. Ive got more jobs than people.

Lisa Scheve, executive director of the Gateway Development Corp., Washington Countys business recruiting authority, called it another remarkable economic development win for Blair.

This solidifies us as a major player in biofuels globally, Scheve said.

The optimism is based on the ethanol economy. The alcohol-based fuel is the standard additive gasoline companies use to boost octane in clear formulations, leading to the common E10, with 10 percent ethanol. More retail chains are adopting E15 blends, while exports of U.S. ethanol are reaching record levels as developing nations look to it as a solution to their air pollution problems.

This is how we grow Nebraska, Gov. Pete Ricketts said at the event Tuesday at the Blair plant. These are great, high-paying, high-skill jobs, and this is a great commitment to our bio-sciences industry.

In 2015 Ricketts visited with Novozymes officials on a European trade mission and pitched them on expanding the Blair plant to serve the states increasing ethanol production.

U.S. ethanol plants are expected to produce about 16 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol in 2017 under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard formulated after laws last decade mandated the blending of renewable fuels into the gasoline supply.

But it is a lot more than motor fuel, said Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. It is generating this kind of capital investment, and it is enzymes, advanced chemicals and investment in research and development.
SCRIBNER  One of Scribners first major business ventures in the past 10 years has been given the green light to issue industrial development bonds for the endeavor.

Sense Natural Products will use the bonds for its new $16.4 million soybean processing plant after receiving Scribner City Council approval to issue up to $17 million in bonds. The plant could bring 15 to 20 jobs to town.

Bonds will be used to pay for a 6-million-bushel capacity soybean processing plant that will manufacture 145,000 tons of soybean meal for poultry, swine and equine purposes and 5.8 million pounds of raw degummed soybean oil for poultry and swine producers, equine and dairy topping oils, and premium pet food manufacturing, said David Dennis, SNP chief operating officer.

This is a strong project, said Chix Miller, a Macon, Ga.,-based attorney representing the bonding company. The tax base will be increased significantly by the infusion of capital that this project will produce.

Sense officials have a soybean crushing mill at 137 Pebble St. and are negotiating to buy the former Northeast Nebraska Biodiesel plant along Highway 275 from Grains States Biofuels in West Point. Plans call for a new building also to be erected at Highway 275 and Pebble Street.

If the plant complex is valued at $10 million at completion, it will represent one-third of the citys property valuation, said Mayor Ken Thomas.

The council gave 4-0 approval recently for the bonds after a required federal public hearing. But an April vote on the issue was 3-2 with the mayor breaking the deadlock so that the project could move forward.

Northeast Nebraska Biodiesel started on Railroad Street or Highway 275 in 2006. The plant, which had the capacity to produce 5 million gallons of biodiesel annually, closed in 2009 because of high soybean prices. Dodge County property records show that Grain States Biofuels in West Point bought the plant in 2010.

Sense Natural Products sought a similar resolution for industrial bonds from the Dodge County board earlier this spring.

On March 29, Supervisor Gary Osborn of Fremont expressed concern about a quarterly report that R&D USA  Sense is a division of R&D USA had yet to achieve a profit as of Aug. 31, 2016, with a deficit of $22.39 million and net loss of $723,614.

At that time, Osborn questioned if R&D would use industrial bonds to pay off debt.

Mike Baumert, the Scribner council president, asked if R&D or Sense Natural Products is applying for bonds, noting R&D was listed as the company when it met with the Dodge County board.

Dennis replied R&D obtained an industrial bond inducement from Dodge County for a plant in 2015, but bond investors backed out because of a large bird flu epidemic. R&D subsequently sold some shares and technology to Sense Technologies, and assets were transferred to Sense last fall.

Dennis told City Attorney Jim McNally that its current building and former biodiesel plant have tax increment financing attached to the deeds. As a result, both will stay off the tax rolls until the TIF expires.
Planting season is always stressful for farmers. Soil temperature, moisture, planting time, seed selection and pesticide program  all are critical factors to consider.

However, things dont always go as planned. If the weather cooperates, plenty of rain in the spring allows for good germination, emergence and above-ground growth.

As always, however, Mother Nature has a good sense of humor. Its sunny and 75 degrees one week, cold and snowing the next  followed by 80-degree temps and finishing up with rain.These patterns make it difficult for farmers to get their crops planted on time.

Before the snow flew a few weeks ago, many farmers were planting corn as fast as possible. Then it snowed, we had warm temperatures, and then rain delays.

I have heard some reports of soil crusting in the area, especially on fields that were planted prior to the early-season snowfall. Soil crusting tends to occur when:

-- Planting in wet soils.

-- Using intensive tillage over the planted row.

-- Heavy rainfall occurs after planting.

Crusted soils can delay or even inhibit seedling emergence and growth. This is an issue for both corn and soybeans that were recently planted. If seedlings cannot properly emerge, they might die, and then farmers will have to consider the option of replanting or switching to a different crop.

The longer it takes for seedlings to emerge, the longer they are exposed to seedling diseases already present in the soil. Normally, losses wont be too large, especially if a seed treatment is used. However, it could result in a stand loss if crusting is an issue.

If crusting is an issue in your fields, there are options to consider.

If tillage is a viable option in your operation, rotary hoeing may be a useful tool to help break up the crusting. However, hoeing can cause stand loss and seedling damage, so the farmer will have to decide if rotary hoeing is worth the stand loss. Some farmers are strictly no-till, so this is not a good option for them.

Regardless if your operation is no-till or till, irrigation can be a viable option. A light irrigation over the field can be beneficial to soften the soil and allow seedlings to emerge. But be sure to check what your pre-plant or pre-emergence herbicide plan is to determine if supplemental irrigation is OK. Depending on the herbicide, activation with irrigation may cause seedling damage.

If your crop is emerging slower than expected, take a walk in the field and see if soil crusting might be the culprit.

Tractor safety

If you have a teen, ages 14 or 15, who will be helping on your farming operation this year, consider sending them to a Nebraska Extensions Tractor Safety and Hazardous Occupations Course.

Federal law prohibits youths under 16 years old from working on a farm for anyone other than parents or legal guardians. Certification received through this course grants an exemption to the law, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and do field work with specific mechanized equipment.

All on-site classes begin at 8 a.m. End times will vary, depending on the number of participants. Central Nebraska course sites include:

-- May 30-31  Kearney Fairgrounds, (308) 236-1235.

-- June 13-14  North Platte West Central Research and Extension Center, (308) 532-2683.

-- July 10-11  Grand Island College Park, (308) 385-5088.

Participants must submit registration forms at least one week before the course. Cost of the course is $60, which includes educational materials, instruction, supplies and lunches.

The registration form is available through your local UNL Extension Office, either in person or online.

Sarah Schlund is the Dawson County Extension educator in crops and water, and serves Dawson, Buffalo and Hall counties. Contact her at (308) 324-5501 or by email at sarah.schlund@unl.edu.
Hamilton plans to deliver all-fiber network directly to homes

AURORA  Hamilton Telecommunications is expanding its fiber network to serve all its subscribers within the Hamilton Telephone local exchange in Hamilton County and the surrounding areas with direct fiber optic connections.

The company is implementing plans to deliver fiber to the home for customers in the communities and rural areas of Aurora, Hampton, Giltner, Marquette, Hordville, Stockham, Phillips, Doniphan and Trumbull. The company has begun the project to transition 100 percent of its customer base to fiber.

Hamilton began burying fiber to connect its offices in 1982. Over the next 35 years, Hamilton continued to invest in its fiber infrastructure. Upon completion of a multi-year project that placed fiber cabinets within three miles of every customer, the company began looking toward the final step to having an all-fiber network.

Last summer, Hamilton began expanding its fiber network in Hampton. With that construction already in place, Hamilton will continue its work there, making Hampton the first community in the service area to have fiber installed directly to every customers home.

Riekes recognized as Dealer of Excellence

Riekes Equipment Co., which has a branch at 1806 S. North Road in Grand Island, has received the Yale Dealer of Excellence Award for 2016.

The award goes to a top performing dealer for exhibiting focused leadership and continuous commitment to customers. This is the 12th consecutive year that Riekes has received the award.

Riekes is a material handling company that sells and services equipment such as forklifts, hoists, pallet jacks and other material handling products. It has six branches throughout Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.
I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army:

T

I

P

S

1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army
Number of local entities will be increased: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called upon Madhes-centric parties to participate in the second phase of local polls to be held on June 14 saying that he was putting utmost effort to amend the constitution to meet the aspirations of Madhes-centric parties.
Home Federal Bank announces promotions

Home Federal Banks board of directors recently approved promotions at its annual meeting.

Steve Kunzman has been named chairman of the Board, succeeding Brett Duff, who remains on the board. Kunzman joined Home Federal Bank in 1988 and serves as president and chief executive officer. He has served as chairman of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp., Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, Heartland United Way, Fonner Park, Grand Island Community Foundation and St. Francis Foundation. He currently serves on the boards of the Nebraska Bankers Association and CHI Health St. Francis.

Tammy Erickson has been promoted to first vice president and chief financial officer. Erickson has been with Home Federal since 1998 and has most recently been vice president, accounting manager. She graduated from the Colorado School of Banking and Grand Islands Leadership Tomorrow.

Brandon Bowley has been promoted to assistant vice president. Bowley joined Home Federals business banking area in 2015 after more than five years of banking experience with consumer, home and business lending. Bowley is a member of Leadership Tomorrow and serves on the board of the Central District Health Department.

Mitch Hamik has been promoted to assistant vice president. Hamik joined Home Federal in 2015 and serves as risk management officer, overseeing the banks loan review and loan compliance. He has more than eight years of public accounting and banking experience in various positions with Central Nebraska firms.

Avery honored as Realtor of the Year

Alvin A. Avery with Action Property Management in Grand Island was honored as the 2017 Nebraska Realtor of the Year during the Nebraska Realtors Association Convention and Exhibition on April 10 through 12 in La Vista.

The Nebraska Realtor of the Year, the highest honor awarded by the association, is given to a member who exemplifies service not only to the association but also to the community and the real estate industry at large.

Avery is a former state association president and serves on the nominating, governmental affairs, forms, RPAC local fundraising and license law committees and the Past Presidents Advisory Council.

He is a past president of the Grand Island Board of Realtors, has received the Realtor Mark of Excellence for several years and recently completed a six-year term as commissioner for the Third Congressional District on the Nebraska Real Estate Commission.

Schmitz joins Grand Island accounting firm

Colleen Schmitz has joined Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth, certified public accounts, in Grand Island.

Her duties include preparing payrolls, assisting clients with QuickBooks and monthly accounting services.

A Doniphan native, Schmitz attended North Lake Community College in Texas, studying accounting and bookkeeping. She has more than 20 years experience serving clients with their bookkeeping needs.

NebraskaLink hires Gottula as account executive

Kristin Gottula of Kearney has been hired as an enterprise account executive for NebraskaLink.

She is based in Kearney and serves central and western Nebraska, including Grand Island.

Gottula sells a full suite of communications services, including Ethernet transport and direct internet solutions. Her accounts include city, county and state municipalities; educational institutions; health care; financial; manufacturing; and agricultural facilities.

She comes to NebraskaLink following 10 years at Frontier Communications, where she received a number of sales awards, including recognition as the top-producing small business account executive in the U.S. She has 16 years experience in sales management, product marketing, sales operations, investor presentations and technology solutions.

Gottula can be contacted at (402) 325-1378, (308) 293-2603 or by email at Kristin.gottula@nebraskalink.com.

Foss and Andresen attend 2017 Audiology NOW!

Audiologists Craig Foss and Kimberly Andresen of the Hearing Clinic in Grand Island recently attended the 2017 Audiology Now annual conference of the American Academy of Audiology in Indianapolis.

More than 6,000 audiologists, hearing health care providers and audiology students attended the four-day conference.

Andresen attended a conference that examined improvements made over the last decade in identifying, diagnosing and treating infants and children with hearing loss.

Foss attended Auditory Intervention Outcomes in Dementia, which showed that intensive auditory training can impact bottom-up and top-down processing in listeners with cognitive decline.

Foss and Andresen can be reached at (308) 384-2101.
Growing up in Pawtuckett, R.I., Austin Fortier never had anything to do with corn. Saturday morning, he was standing in it up to his waist.

During a grain engulfment rescue class, Fortier stood in a gravity wagon unable to move because he was surrounded by No. 2 yellow corn.

Fortier, 24, is a volunteer firefighter in Plattsmouth. He volunteered to be a victim in the Nebraska Fire School class, which is why he was standing in a grain cart, halfway buried in corn.

I could wiggle my toes, but that was it, Fortier said when he was back on the ground.

He couldnt have gotten out of the grain cart if hed wanted to

As a kid, Fortier never saw corn around Pawtuckett. Because hes a newcomer to farming, the other firefighters referred to him as East Coast as he was baptized in corn.

The class was part of the 80th annual Nebraska State Fire School, which runs Friday through today. Not only does the school have a strong economic impact, it should also make Grand Islanders feel safe. With 1,200 firefighters in town, chaos didnt stand a chance.

Many of the classes take place at Fonner Park, but not all. Saturdays grain engulfment rescue class was held at Global Industries Research and Development Center at 1819 E. Seventh St.

Instructor Craig Berg and the students spent a lot of time inside a metal building, where the focus was on a Demco gravity wagon that holds 650 bushels.

Outside, another instructor demonstrated how to properly cut holes in bins.

Berg showed students how to rescue both conscious and unconscious victims. Later, they were planning to do a multi-person rescue.

Berg used a probe stick to demonstrate how to find a body underneath the grain. Sounding like Shakira, Berg said hips arent going to lie when looking for a persons legs.

The firefighters fashioned together metal panels and pushed them down into the grain cart. In removing the grain, Berg told the firefighters to get the pressure off the farmers chest as soon as possible. Hes going to feel every bucket removed off of his chest, Berg said.

Sometimes rescue workers have to use their hands to find the person trapped.

In an interview, Berg said he was stressing the first responders safety first and foremost. He was also telling them how to get down to a victim without completely engulfing the victim or making the situation worse.

In making a grain rescue, the key thing is to take your time. Time is the enemy in many rescues, but firefighters need to be efficient yet methodical in how they operate because grain does not have a mind, Berg said. When it starts to flow, itll put us where it wants to. In that situation, We lose.

In addition to bins and grain carts, people can be engulfed in flat storage areas.

Generally when elevators are loading trains, you dont get a chance to rescue, Berg said. It becomes a recovery because the grains coming in so fast, he said.

Disaster can also occur in semi-trucks. In Canada a couple of years ago, a farmer lost three of his kids in the back of a semi when they were unloading out of a double hopper bottom, Berg said.

When it comes to trapping farmers, corn presents a greater danger than soybeans or wheat. Its generally the last to get put in, said Berg, who lives in Elbow Lake, Minn. If people dont dry corn, it contains a lot of moisture and its close to winter time. The corn freezes. When its time to move it, it hasnt thawed out.

Firefighters have to deal with many variables in rescuing someone trapped by grain. If a farmer hits a couple of bolts on the way down, for instance, he might be bleeding.

Grand Island firefighter Pat Sheehan said grain engulfment rescue is technical, getting everything just right.

Its also extremely stressful, Sheehan said. Firefighters have to stay mindful about what needs to be done.

The rescue is time-consuming. You want to get the guy out instantly. But its a slow process to get all the equipment up on the bin and down to the victim. In addition, with people everywhere  family members yelling, everybody wanting to help  just keeping the organization and your command structure going is one of the toughest parts.

Most farmers know how to prevent a grain tragedy, Sheehan said.

People should never get in a bin when you have an auger running or grain flowing, he said.

Anytime you enter a bin, you should have a rope tethered to you.

And somebody should be at that doorway, watching you, Sheehan said. You never go in a bin by yourself. You always have somebody on the outside watching what youre doing, seeing, so if you do pass out or go down or something happens, youve got somebody there to call for help.

When a rescue is necessary, more than likely the person wasnt following all the rules he should have.

You are in there by yourself or doing something you shouldnt have been doing. Thats typically when an accident or an incident happens, Sheehan said.

The farmer might have been trying to take a short cut, thinking I can just sneak in this bin quick, do this and sneak back out.

But he doesnt always make it.
Frank and Lisa Wylie are starting a Marine Corps League detachment in Central Nebraska because they want to help other former Marines.

The detachment, which will serve Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney, will be the fifth such unit in Nebraska.

Former Marines are invited to a gathering at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Chicken Coop in Grand Island. Eligible to join are honorably discharged Marines, as well as former Navy Corpsmen or chaplains who served with Marine units. Marine Corps reservists and people on active duty are also welcome.

The group needs 20 members in order to form a detachment.

The Wylies, who have lived in Grand Island for four and a half years, are former Marines themselves. A native of Goldthwaite, Texas, Frank was a Marine from 1992 to 1996. Lisa, whos from Weeping Water, was a Marine from 1994 to 1997.

Right after ones discharge, you want nothing to do with the Marines, Frank said. Youve had enough of it.

But as time goes on, you miss being around fellow Marines, he said.

Thats one benefit of joining a Marine Corps League detachment.

The main purpose of the group is to help former Marines, Frank said. If theres a fellow veteran in the area who needs a hand, theyd like to provide it.

We want the former Marines to know were here, Frank said.

Theyll also help veterans of other military branches. The Wylies were among a group of Marine Corps League members who helped an Army veteran move into a Grand Island apartment in April.

The Wylies are currently members of the Cornhusker detachment of the Marine Corps League. That Lincoln-based group, headed by Dave Ossian, is very active.

The other Nebraska detachments are in Omaha, Fremont and Beatrice.

Another detachment may be in the works in Sidney.

The Wylies want to get the Central Nebraska group going so they can do some good, Wylie said.

Maybe a former Marine is down on his luck, or just needs somebody to talk to, Frank said.

The Wylies are lucky, Lisa said. Because theyre married, theyve always had a fellow Marine to talk to.

The group is also ready to provide support for the families of reservists.

The Central Nebraska detachment also plans to support the student veterans association at Central Community College.

The local group got together Nov. 10, which is the Marine Corps anniversary. Theyve since met at the Chicken Coop a few times, but they need to get signatures from 20 people to get a charter and move forward.

The group plans to meet monthly.

The Marine Corps League was stated by 1923 by John A. Lejeune, who was then commandant of the Marine Corps.

The couple met at Camp Pendleton.

The Marine Corps, they point out, is a brotherhood. As the saying goes, youre always a Marine, even after your active duty ends. Semper Fidelis stands for always faithful.

His time in the Marines, Frank says, gave him discipline and direction. It also provided him training for a job.

Being a Marine changed his life. I feel like I owe the Marine Corps something, he said.

For more information, call Frank Wylie at (402) 519-3093.
Netflixs new series 13 Reasons Why warns viewers about the realities of high school encounters with bullying, sexual assault and suicide, but it has caused mental health professionals to warn those same high schoolers about something else: the show itself.

Julia Hebenstreit, administration director at the mental health organization the Kim Foundation in Omaha, said there are more than 13 reasons why the show could be dangerous.

The book-adapted show follows Clay Jensen as he realizes the 13 reasons behind his friend Hannahs suicide. Before dying by suicide, Hannah recorded seven double-sided cassette tapes to explain to 13 people their involvement in her decision to end her life.

The show covers underage drinking, drug use, bullying, sexual assault and, ultimately, suicide. Hebenstreit said the show addresses important issues high schoolers face, but it presents those issues with graphic scenes, inaccurate reactions and no resources.

The storyline revolves around Hannahs suicide, which is shown in full detail. The 17-year-old girl cuts her wrists alone in a bath tub, screaming until she bleeds out. Leading up to Hannahs suicide are reasons 11 and 12, which involve sexual assault and rape. The instances are shown at length and in detail.

These are troubling details because it can be triggering for vulnerable people who are suffering silently, Hebenstreit said. And it can be traumatic for people who are recovering from similar experiences.

Hebenstreit said the show creates a clear path for vulnerable people: Bullying, assault and loneliness lead to suicide.

It leaves a road map for what to expect in high school, Hebenstreit said, a road map misleading students to a dangerous outlook.

Dave Miers, counseling and program development manager for mental health services at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, said the show doesnt make other options obvious.

Most individuals who are bullied do not die by suicide, Miers said. They reach out and find productive ways to cope.

Hebenstreit and Miers also note that the series does not give resources or show an accurate representation of what happens when individuals seek help.

Teachers, friends and family dont see warning signs, and when Hannah reaches out to a guidance counselor, her cry for help is dismissed. Miers and Hebenstreit stressed how dangerous this sequence could be for vulnerable people.

Seeking help is the best thing to do, and a counselor would never react that way, Miers said. But, in the series, that help wasnt there, and teenagers could interpret that seeking help is negative or useless.

Dawn Deuel-Rutt, a social worker for Grand Island Public Schools, said she is confident a dismissive response would never happen in GIPS.

Deuel-Rutt said the school district has a mental health support system that is admired by experts: The district boasts extensive training for 100 percent of staff, intervention policies and an at-risk student screening process.

The school district knew about 13 Reasons Why before its Netflix release generated more than 3.5 million tweets on Twitter. The districts Success Academy alternative high school program had been featuring the book as the focus of its Great Stories Club book club.

Our conversations didnt start by watching graphic scenes on Netflix, Deuel-Rutt said. Instead, GIPS students responded with open and challenging questions.

The GIPS resources and dedicated staff allow students to engage in honest conversations, which is why Deuel-Rutt is confident the district will help students recognize the inaccuracy of the series.

Deuel-Rutt said the show glamorizes suicide with its glib sense of humor, and Miers said the plot itself is inaccurate: Suicide is not a revenge plot or a chance for the outcast to find respect and redemption.

Ive worked with students whose family members have attempted and completed suicide, Deuel-Rutt said. What is depicted in the show is not reflective of their real-life experience.

Chelsie Spahr, a sophomore at Grand Island Senior High, said some accuracy peeks through the series.

Ive experienced bullying and rumors, Spahr said. The show gave an idea of how words and actions can affect a person. I know a lot of people hide the effect, and then you dont realize it until youre too late.

But Spahr said she didnt like the scenes that show the teachers uselessness.

It shows that asking for help is bad, and thats not how it is, she said.

Since the show was released, Deuel-Rutt said GIPS saw an increase in screenings of at-risk students, but the bump could depend on variables other than the show. Grand Island Senior High also saw an increase in students reaching out, which staff said could be attributed to the show.

Deuel-Rutt said the school is there to support the students reaching out.

You can have 100 kids that are fine and one thats not fine, Deuel-Rutt said, and were not OK with that.

Despite its negatives, Deuel-Rutt, Hebenstreit and Miers said the show could provide a valuable platform for conversation. The three professionals advised parents to watch the show with their children and to be comfortable asking questions and having honest conversations.

Theres a possibility for this show to be a positive experience, Deuel-Rutt said. But there needs to be that support.
Pioneer Park serves an important role in Grand Islands park system.

The one block-sized park provides some greenspace in the downtown area. Having park space in an area where more residential living space is being built improves the quality of life. Being able to walk to a park on a nice day is a nice amenity for people living downtown.

However, area business people complain that the image of the park has soured over the years. They say it has become a gathering place for homeless people and they often see alcohol consumption, people sleeping and relieving themselves and fights in the park, as reported in the Independent last week.

The police have increased their presence at the park in recent weeks, which is a vital first step in making the park an attractive place that all Grand Island residents would want to visit. The police should be encouraged to continue this increased presence. Its certainly not a crime to loiter in a park, but offending, illegal and unsafe activities should be discouraged and stopped as much as possible.

Also improving the park will be the Hall County Historical Societys renovation of the fountain, which sits in the center of Pioneer Park. The fountain has been dismantled because of damage and now a snow fence surrounds the empty shell.

The Historical Society has been raising funds to restore the fountain to its original 1907 look. The fountain was called the Three Graces and featured Greek goddesses and a Greek statue.

The cost of the restoration is $83,900 and the Historical Society hopes to have the funds raised this year so the work can be completed yet this year.

That should help revitalize the park and make it more attractive. The challenge will be to keep it from being vandalized, and again, the police will play a major role in preventing that from happening.

Another way to improve the park, and its perception, would be for the city or community groups to hold events there. Years ago, Art in the Park and other events were commonly held at Pioneer Park. Many of these events in subsequent years outgrew the park and moved elsewhere.

Perhaps in the future a community concert or cookout could be held there. Certainly, when the renovation of the fountain is completed programs could be held detailing its history and the renovation project.

The city is rightly putting more time and effort into Pioneer Park. Its image needs to be improved so it is considered family-friendly, especially with the funds and work being put into the fountain.

Pioneer Park can once again become a gathering place for people from across Grand Island, but it will take a lot of work and effort.
PIA template draft to be finalised soon

The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) is all set to finalise the draft of the project investment agreement (PIA), a contractual document in which the board will sign with foreign investors once their investment proposal is endorsed by the government.
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In search of more empathetic police by Editor Nasional

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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Sun, May 21, 2017 11:41 1999 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a1cc633 1 National Semarang,manslaughter,Semarang-police-academy Free

The Central Java Police have named 14 cadets suspects in the beating that led to the death of second-year cadet Second Brig. Mohammad Adam at the Semarang Police Academy.

All the suspects come from the third year, Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono told reporters late on Saturday evening.

The suspects are identified only by their initials. CAS is the main suspect, while the others are suspected to have acted as accomplices, specifically AKU, GJN, RAP, RK, RLW, GCM, EA, JED, MB, CAE, HA, IZ, and PGS.

"The suspects played different roles [in the case], ranging from beating, directing, to ensuring that the beating was undetected by the police academy trainers," Condro said.

(Read also: Taruna Nusantara killer sentenced to 9 years in prison)

The fatal beating took place inside storehouse Flat A Graha Taruna on early Thursday morning at 1:30 a.m.

Adam sustained injuries to his lungs, which led to his death.

The suspects will be charged with Criminal Code articles 170 and 56, which carry a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Police Academy headmaster Insp. Gen. Anas Yusuf has apologized to the family of the victim, adding that the institution would be held responsible for the case.

Anas added that the academy would conduct an immediate evaluation of the case.

The police's internal affairs division, which is led by Brig. Gen. Rudolf Albert, will question some academy trainers, including Adj. Comr. CFR, Adj. Comr. AB and Adj. Comr. DAKG. (dmr)
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Linkedin Hasyim Widhiarto (The Jakarta Post) Sanur, Bali  Sun, May 21, 2017 14:38 1998 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a1d132a 1 Business yacht,yachters,tourism Free

The government has pledged to intensify its efforts to improve services for international yachters visiting the archipelago. By improving services for yachters, the government hopes to expand the countrys growing maritime tourist industry.

Indroyono Soesilo, chairman of the Tourism Ministrys taskforce to accelerate the development of the maritime industry, highlighted the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 105/2015 on foreign yacht visit management as an important milestone in the governments efforts to streamline the sector.

Under the regulation, foreign yachts and their passengers and crews can access administrative and immigration support when they enter one of 18 selected ports, such as Benoa Port in Bali, Sabang Port in Aceh and Belawan Port in Medan.

I understand that [the tourist] visa period is too short. [With the regulation] yachters now can have their visas extended for six months, Indroyono said on Saturday evening in Sanur, Bali, during a ceremony to welcome hundreds of participants of the 2017 Fremantle to Bali Ocean Classic yacht race and rally and their family members.

(Read also: Indonesia raises bet on lucrative cruise industry)

Immigration authorities currently grant foreigners permission to visit Indonesia for a maximum of 60 days.

Indonesia has seen the arrival of hundreds of yachts  mostly sailing yachts  annually over the past decade. It now hopes to lure in super-yachts, or yachts measuring over 24 meters and operated by professional crews, to the archipelago.

To support such a goal, the Tourism Ministry has been joining hands with international yachting communities to introduce the countrys potential maritime tourist destinations. It also supports them in organizing yachting events such as the biennial Fremantle to Bali Ocean Classic.

For this years edition, the event attracted nearly 100 participants who sailed in a dozen of yachts to Benoa Port, located some 1,400 nautical miles from their point of departure at Western Australias Fremantle Port.

Topics : yacht yachters tourism
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Linkedin Isabel Reynolds (Bloomberg) Tokyo  Sun, May 21, 2017 10:16 1999 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a1cb85f 2 World Japan,population,workers Free

Japan is the worlds senior citizen. Decades of improving life expectancy and falling birth rates have produced a rapidly aging and shrinking population. The demographic shift is threatening the existence of rural communities, contributing to a ballooning public debt and starving the economy of labor.

In Tokyo, there are twice as many job vacancies as applicants.

The government is scrambling to cope, with policies aimed at boosting fertility and support for working mothers, a push for greater job automation and a softening of the nations traditional aversion to immigration.

Japans population of 127 million is forecast to shrink by about one-third in the next five decades. The proportion of over-64-year-olds  currently about a quarter  is expected to reach 38 percent in that time frame, intensifying the financial and care burden on the working-age population.

In a country where over-50s are commonplace on building sites, 86 percent of employers struggled to fill vacancies last year. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who aims to keep the population above 100 million, has introduced policies to curb excessive working hours and provide more care facilities for children and the aged.

But progress has been slow, and moms and pensioners alone cannot plug the labor shortfall.

Other remedies include Abes robot revolution, a plan to quadruple the size of the robotics industry by encouraging automation in everything from rubber factories to care for the elderly.

The prime minister, sensitive to the publics reluctance to open the doors to foreigners, has relaxed restrictions in a piecemeal fashion while avoiding the term immigration.

His measures since taking office in 2012 have contributed to an increase in the number of overseas workers to more than a million, double that in 2008.

A so-called internship program attracted cheap labor from Asia to farms and factories, and foreigners can now become housekeepers or tourist guides in special deregulated zones.

With a life expectancy of 87 years, Japanese are among the longest-living people on Earth.

After a post-World War II baby boom that lasted only three years, birth rates dwindled as people flocked to Tokyo and grew richer. Thanks partly to cramped housing, long commutes and a lack of nearby family support, the capital has the nations lowest fertility rate.

Annual births in Japan dipped below 1 million for the first time on record in 2016. Yet high-quality health care has helped extend life expectancy by nearly three decades over the past 60 years. That longevity comes at a cost: Swelling spending on health and pensions mean Japans unable to rein in public debt thats more than double its gross domestic product. (The US national debt is 6 percent bigger than GDP).

In the government budget, social security accounts for one-third of spending and debt servicing one-quarter. And while numerous European countries, from Italy to Ukraine, experience fewer births than deaths, many have higher unemployment than Japan and are more open to immigration.

An aging population brings dire implications for a countrys finances, according to the International Monetary Fund. Yet the electoral muscle of the elderly  who are far more likely than the young to vote  has made it hard for politicians to do much more than trim their pensions and other benefits.

Faced with spiraling retirement payouts, Abe has pushed the national pension scheme to invest in riskier assets in a bid to improve returns.

And while the Japanese recognize more than any nationality that an aging population is problematic, most remain wary about immigration.

Among the reasons: the desire to preserve the countrys cultural identity and the potential impact on ultra-low crime rates. That hasnt stopped Abe vowing to provide the worlds fastest path to permanent residency for skilled workers.

With other Asian countries also getting older, experts warn Japan may struggle to attract the numbers of foreigners it needs (647,000 a year, according to a United Nations report).

The internship system, which attracts mostly Chinese workers and pays less than the minimum wage, has been cited by the US State Department for cases of forced labor.

Meantime, efforts to lure people away from family-unfriendly Tokyo, including relocating government agencies, have been largely unsuccessful, except for the promotion of Fukuoka, an expanding magnet for startups. (dmr)

Topics : Japan population workers
Local polls brief

An elected ward member of Likhu Village Council-1 died of heart attack on Saturday.
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Linkedin Wahyoe Boediwardhana (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya, East Java  Sun, May 21, 2017 20:37 1998 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a1d4364 2 National KNKT,ship,boat-accident Free

The National Transportation Safety Commission (KNKT) will investigate a truck onboard the ill-fated KM Mutiara Santosa I ferry that caught fire in Masalembo waters off Madura Island in East Java. The tragedy claimed five lives over the weekend.

From several witnesses, the fire started from a green truck covered in blue tarpaulin parked on the first deck. The crew and passengers initially managed to put down the fire, however the blaze started again. An explosion erupted when the tarp of the truck was opened. The explosion shocked the passengers, who then immediately tried to flee as the fire amplified, KNKT head Soerjanto Tjahjono said.

We will focus on the truck. Who was the owner and what was the cargo? he said on Sunday at the Search and Rescue post at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, East Java.

Once the investigation is complete, a team from the commission will draw up new standards to prevent dangerous cargo from getting onboard ships.

The vessel, heading to Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, from Surabaya, caught fire on Friday afternoon.

Surabaya Search and Rescue Office head Mochammad Arifin said the joint team evacuated 197 people onboard. This figure does not match up to the ships manifest. However, there are no reports of missing family members among the survivors.

The joint team has officially ended the search for victims, but will continue to monitor the situation for the next seven days.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, May 21, 2017 17:33 1998 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a1d3467 1 News Tourism-Ministry,Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,National-Awakening-Day Free

To commemorate National Awakening Day, which fell on May 20, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya launched the #KebangkitanPariwisata (Tourism Revival) hashtag on social media as a way to elevate the Tourism Industry.

There are three general objectives that the ministry is working toward.

The first is to be the best digital tourist destination in the world, Yahya said.

Read also: Indonesian tourism gets ready to face digital invasion

Under Arief Yahya, the Tourism Ministry has launched a business-to-business online platform called Indonesia Travel Exchange that is free for practitioners in the tourist industry, including small and medium enterprises.

The second goal is to improve tourist village homestays. This year, the ministry targets adding 20,000 more homestays to reach a target of 100,000 homestays by 2019.

The third goal is to make tourism the leading sector and core component of the nations economy.

Read also: Semarang to release 4,700 lanterns on 470th anniversary

Currently, the tourist industry is the biggest contributor to Indonesia's GDP and foreign exchange.

Some 10 percent of national GDP comes from the tourist sector, while $US1 million of foreign exchange is able to create $1.7 million dollars of GDP.

The tourist industry also accounts for 9.8 million jobs, or 8.4 percent of the countrys job market.

In terms of providing employment opportunities, the industry has displayed a 30 percent increase over the last five years. (asw)
A virtual version of the machine that was used to encrypt Hitlers messages sent during the Second World War has been created in honour of the British code breaker who cracked the original.

The online Lorenz SZ42 has been made available 100 years after the birth of Bill Tutte, the Bletchley Park mathematician who worked out how the device scrambled messages sent by Hitler to his generals despite never seeing it in action.

A work in progress update on #VirtualLorenz. I am currently working on a few walk-through examples to show how to use the Lorenz. pic.twitter.com/gMJY1VOsjP  Virtual Colossus (@VirtualColossus) October 22, 2016

The SZ42 was used by the Nazis in the war and was composed of 12 wheels and a number of switches that muddled up text into secret code, producing more than 16 billion billion combinations.

But a duplicate message sent in error by the Germans gave the British a key insight into how it worked and Tuttes data analysis finally figured it out.

His continued analysis led to the development of the first set of computers, the Colossus, which helped crack many more codes for the remainder of the war.

Bletchley Park, the home of the British code breakers (Chris Radburn/PA)

The virtual Lorenz allows anyone to encrypt their own messages, see the machines inner workings and hear its authentic sounds. Users can also connect to others on the site at the same time and communicate via an encrypted channel.

Professional programmer Martin Gillow, who spent months working on the virtual device, told the BBC: Creating this made me realise what Bill Tutte was up against.

He added that he would like people to know as much about Tutte as they do about fellow Bletchley code breaker Alan Turing.

Turing is known for cracking the code of Enigma, another machine used by the Germans in the war prior to the more complex and advanced Lorenz.
Located just off the coast of Northwest Africa, nestled amongst the other Canary Islands, is the small isle of La Gomera.

Despite the rich cultural history and spectacular landscapes that characterise La Gomera, this little paradise is often neglected by tourists.

The hidden gem is a concentrated hub of diverse cultures which literally flavour local life  La Gomeras food is a fantastic fusion of African and Latin American influences, which build on a base of traditional Spanish cuisine. The local people of La Gomera take a great deal of pride in their fertile and diverse land and this is echoed in their culinary culture.

Gomerans hold particular pride for their array of wine, cheese and pastries, produced using local ingredients and traditional methods.

Wine

Many of the Gomeran wines are a result of hand-picking methods at the various vineyards across the island. Look out for La Gomeras signature full-bodied white wines made from forastera blanca grapes; these grapes grow nowhere else in the world, making this wine unique to the island.

Cheese

Make sure to try Queso blanco  a smoked goats cheese which is a staple in many of La Gomeras dishes  and Almogrote  a dip consisting of cheese, garlic, pepper, chillies, tomatoes and olive oil.

Pastries

A multitude of pastries are available on the island; local cakes, cookies and donuts frequent the counters of local restaurants. Do not miss the islands palm honey which travmedia.com labelled the queen of Gomeran gastronomy; not only is this thick, dark syrup used to sweeten various dishes, it is also well-known for its health benefits. This honey is frequently used amongst locals to heal injuries and ailments  it is a core part of Gomeran culture.

Gomerans have a deep sense of respect and appreciation for their surrounding natural environment, which underpins local food production. Taking great care and pride to source local ingredients using sustainable methods, this island continues to be a flourishing natural wonder.

Therefore, a trip to La Gomera would not be complete without hiking one of the many trails across the island; have a wander through the forests of Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and up the rugged mountains to reach one of the spectacular viewpoints overlooking the island. A magnificent layer of clouds frequently sweeps through the park providing a mystical and romantic atmosphere for daily hikers.

Not only does this beautiful island offer delicious, authentic food and a spectacular backdrop, it is also rich in history. In addition to a long history of revolts and conquest, this island was visited by Christopher Columbus on his way to America for the very first time. Amongst the colourful houses which comprise La Gomeras towns are various military forts, towers and buildings which housed both the local rulers of the time and Columbus during his stay.

La Gomera has so much to offer and will delight everyone  from travellers who are dreaming of a relaxing beach holiday to those who want an adventurous hiking trip.

If you need further temptation, check out some videos from the tourism website.

Imagine sipping a local wine and nibbling at La Gomeras local breads and cheese following a day spent wandering through Garajonay national park.

Or trying a local seafood dish in one of the bustling town squares or seaside restaurants.

Or enjoying a cocktail, flavoured with the local palm honey, on a beautiful sandy beach watching the sun go down.
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Rape accused fugitive held after 30 years

Police have arrested a fugitive accused of raping a girl in Dharan, Sunsari, 30 years after the incident.
Sustainable tourism

The homestay programme in the Tarai Arc Landscape has been creating ample opportunities for wildlife conservation and for uplifting livelihoods of local people contributing to sustainable tourism.
Vote counting in Bharatpur resumes after 16-hour halt

Vote counting resumed in Bharatpur Metropolitan City after nearly 16 hours on Saturday morning following an all-party agreement.
Two days after being granted conditional bail by the Orissa High Court in the Rose Valley chit fund scam, Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay was on Sunday discharged from a private hospital here.

The MP will undergo further treatment in Kolkata, hospital sources said.

Bandyopadhyay was granted conditional bail on health grounds on May 19 after he spent four-and-half months in jail for alleged involvement in the scam.

The High Court had asked him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 25 lakh and surrender his passport.

During his treatment at the Apollo Hospital here, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited him during her visit to Odisha last month.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested the TMC lawmaker from Kolkata on January 3.

Another TMC MP Tapas Pal was also arrested by the CBI in the scam.
The situation in Jamshedpur was tense but under control on Sunday, a day after it saw large-scale protests over the lynching of seven persons, including four Muslims, suspected of being child-lifters.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed in two areas of Jamshedpur, while additional security force personnel have been deployed, authorities said.

"The situation is under control. Section 144 has been imposed in two areas of Jamshedpur. The Rapid Action Force and additional forces have been deployed," Asish Batra, IG Jharkhand Police, who is camping in Jamshedpur told IANS.

Rumours of 'bacha chor' or child lifters has claimed several lives in the state over the past fortnight, with maximum number of deaths being reported from Jamshedpur region followed by Bokaro and Dhanbad districts.

The Muslim community members, protesting the killing of four of their community members, staged agitations at several places in Jamshedpur on Saturday. The protest turned violent in which several policemen were injured. Police had to resort to lathi-charge, and used tear shells and fired in the air.

In the last two months, irate village mobs attacked men on the suspicion of being child lifters, in which several persons lost their lives while many others sustained serious injuries.

On Thursday, separate incidents of violence in Raj Nagar village of Seraikela-Kharsawa district and Bagbera Police Station area of East Singhbhum districts claimed the lives of seven persons suspected of being child lifters. One man was also killed in Bokaro.

The Jharkhand government has already announced compensation of Rs.2 lakh to the kin of each of the victims.

Last week, three persons were killed on the same charges in Seraikela-Kharsawa district.

Of the 11 people killed in Jamshedpur and Seraikela-Kharswa district four were from the Muslim community and rest were Hindus.

Jharkhand Police has appealed to people not to heed rumours and also brought out advertisements in local dailies asking people to approach the police in case of such rumours, which were being spread through WhatsApp groups.

According to the WhatsApp rumours, child lifter gangs are abducting children for kidney transplants.

The Muslim community members allege that animal traders were being targeted and killed in Seraikela-Kharswa district, but the district administration refuted the charge.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has sought the central government's support to ensure all-round development in Arunachal Pradesh.

"Arunachal started very late in the development sphere, and this calls for continued support from the Centre as it is 100 per cent dependent on it," Khandu told Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the first review meeting of the India-China border infrastructure on Saturday.

The Chief Minister, however, said the state is moving towards self-reliance as it was coming up with policies to tap vast resources to convert these into capital.

Besides Khandu, the meeting held at the Chintan Bhawan here was attended by Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti (Jammu and Kashmir), Virbhadra Singh (Himachal Pradesh), Trivendra Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand) and Pawan Kumar Chamling (Sikkim).

Citing connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh as the biggest hurdle to development, Khandu specifically raised concern over migration of people away from the border areas due to lack of basic public facilities and called for steps from the central government to prevent it.

He, however, praised the initiative of New Delhi to build a frontier highway in the state connecting 11 districts bordering China.

The Chief Minister also informed the Home Minister of declining public perception of the Border Roads Organisation's (BRO) work efficiency, which ground level BRO officials attributed to decrease in the BRO's funds.

Appreciating the Home Ministry for enhancing the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) fund from Rs 900 crore to Rs 1100 crore this year, the Chief Minister, however, said when these BADP funds are broken down among the states, Arunachal gets very little.

He also raised the issue of the state's inability to pay 10 per cent share for release of BADP funds, and requested the Union Home Ministry to take up the matter in the next cabinet meeting.

On Arunachal's support to central paramilitary forces, the Khandu said that the state cabinet has decided to grant Rs.50 lakh instead of an earlier Rs.2 lakh ex-gratia for the central forces jawans who are martyred while on duty in Arunachal Pradesh.

Khandu said those troopers left physically disabled in action will be granted Rs.10 lakh instead of Rs.1 lakh ealier.
The NDA government was ready to bring a law to stop the triple talaq in the Muslim community, if necessary, said Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday.

"Our government has made its stand very clear on triple talaq. If necessary, it will bring a legislation against it.. after allowing the community to reach a consensus through deliberations," said Naidu on the margins of a campus event here.

Naidu's remarks came days after the Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on multiple petitions on the constitutional validity of the practice of a Muslim man divorcing his wife by pronouncing the word talaq thrice in one instance. A section of Muslim women have opposed the practice.

A five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, heard the issue for six days from May 11 during which parties, including the central government, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board and others made submissions.

Asserting that the community itself should come forward towards ending the practice, Naidu said like the Hindus, Muslims too should put an end to such social evils.


India is formulating a policy on maintaining and sharing science infrastructure so that R&D facilities do not remain limited to academia but are also accessed by industry, according to a senior bureaucrat of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.

"The idea is to create infrastructure which becomes shareable, which becomes sustainable and is also accessible to our industry. A whole lot of scientific infrastructure is not available to our industry. We are going to come up with a policy this year, about maintaining, sustaining and effectively using scientific infrastructure in a shared way," Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, told IANS in an interview on the sidelines of a DST Conclave here.

A web portal is being envisaged to implement the policy, Sharma said.

"Indian institutes have R&D labs. We will tell people about the models by which they can share the infrastructure in a transparent way. So in a website, anybody can book a slot and put in a request to access instruments in different labs," he explained.

Talking about broad contours of the policy, he said it would also aim to reduce redundancy and duplication of scientific equipment in institutions.

"Since it's a policy, not a law, the challenge lies in implementation. We have to make people aware of the idea contained in the policy, let them see the value for themselves. That's the only way," he said.

One example of such infrastructure sharing is the EU-funded PAERIP project to share resources between Europe and Africa. PAERIP created the first-ever inventory of research infrastructure in the two continents.

At the DST Conclave, where the ministry took stock of the R&D situation across institutes, Sharma also flagged a key issue: The lack of coordination among institutions.

"One issue is coordination among institutions where they are doing similar things. So it makes sense for them to do it together. The new policy on sharing infrastructure will also help in that direction," he said.

In addition to the science infrastructure policy, a major thrust this year would be on the Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System (CPS) programme.

CPS is a mechanism controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, tightly integrated with internet and its users.

Computing and communication system bridges with the physical world are referred to as Cyber Physical Systems. CPS are physical and engineered systems whose operations are monitored, coordinated, controlled and integrated by a computing and communication core.

"This year we will start a new programme in cyber physical systems which includes deep learning, smart machines, machine intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), etc. We have to start making preparations for it now in terms of generating capacity, human resources and infrastructure," he said.

In addition, Sharma said, India has initiated collaboration on cyberspace with Israel, IoT & BigData with Japan, robotics and advanced materials with South Korea.

"Much more is in the pipeline in emerging areas of research," he said.

To shore up the number of women in IITs, Sharma said 50,000 girls in high schools will be prepared for admission in technical training institutes.

"We are targeting 50,000 girls in high schools, a certain percentile from the top, to prepare them for leadership positions in IITs, especially in those institutes where representation is low. It's not only technical training but also looking at the cultural aspect.

"Often, women are thinking maths is not really for them while their parents don't want to send them away from home and there are the expenses involved. So we have to look into all these aspects," he added.
BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said the problem in Jammu and Kashmir was not widespread but centered around just "three and a half districts" in the valley.

Addressing an Aaj Tak Editors round-table on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's completion of three years in office, Shah said the BJP government was making every effort to bring peace to Kashmir Valley, which has been on the boil for the past many weeks.

"The problem in Kashmir is a problem of three and a half districts," Shah said, apparently referring to two south Kashmir districts and Srinagar where violent anti-government protests have been rampant.

The situation has worsened due to protests by college and school students in Srinagar and parts of south Kashmir.

Shah said the Kashmir issue was not just six months old but has been lingering on since decades. He blamed the previous Congress government for causing the problem but didn't elaborate.

"(The) Kashmir problem emerged because of the Congress. We (the Modi government) have been taking steps to win hearts (of Kashmiris," he said.

Shah recalled how Modi reached Kashmir "before the (then) Chief Minister" Omar Abdullah reached out to people when a disastrous flood hit the valley in September 2014.

The BJP chief said the security forces were maintaining strict vigil on the situation in the state and checking cross-border infiltration of militants from Pakistan.

He said the Modi government had "made more efforts to improve relationships with Pakistan than any other government".
Upbeat after a continuous stream of electoral successes, West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government completed six years in office on 20 May- but the landmark also came in challenging times for the ruling party, with the CBI and other central agencies probing graft charges allegedly involving many of its leaders.

It was on May 20, 2011, that Mamata Banerjee took oath as Chief Minister at the head of a Trinamool Congress-Congress government after ousting the 34-year-old Left Front regime. The LF was left with a meagre share of 60 of the 294 seats in the assembly polls, as it was decimated by the Trinamool Congress-Congress-Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) combine.

Since then, much water has flown down the Ganga, with the Trinamool going from strength to strength in the state  as Banerjee snapped ties with the Congress both at the centre and the state, and started expanding her party's base by marginalising the Congress in its bastions and roping in its leaders and elected representatives one by one.

By the time the assembly polls were held last year, the Trinamool had become strong enough to singlehandedly take on a newly formed Congress-Left Front alliance. In the vote count, the Trinamool won a massive 211 seats, decimating the Congress-LF combine.

Nearly a year has passed after Banerjee was sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time on May 27, 2016 but the Trinamool has retained the winning momentum in all the by-polls to Lok Sabha and assembly seats and elections to civic bodies held since then.

"Didi" (as Banerjee is affectionately called) has had more reasons to cheer, as the Supreme Court struck down the land acquisition made by the erstwhile LF government for the Tata Motors'Nano project in Hooghly district's Singur in 2006, and ordered the land be returned to the cultivators.

As the Trinamool had spearheaded the Singur anti-land acquisition protests, which  coupled with a similar peasant protest in Nandigram  played a major role in its victory in 2011, the Banerjee administration went on the fast forward mode and returned physical possession of land to the peasants.

However, simultaneously, the state's political landscape has shown some signs of change, with the BJP making a strong pitch to unseat a gradually weakening LF and the Congress and emerge as the main alternative to the Trinamool with backing from the NDA central government.

The BJP's aggressive politics was all the more evident during Ram Navmi this year when Hindu rightwing groups, affiliated to the RSS, organised grand rallies, not seen before in the state.

But more crucial for the Trinamool could be the ongoing investigation by central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Serious Fraud Investigation Office into the Saradha and Rose Valley Chit fund scams.

Two Trinamool MPs Sudip Bandopadhyay and Tapas Pal were arrested in connection with the Rose Valley scam. Bandopadhyay got bail a day back, but Pal still languishes in custody.

In the past also, a number of Trinamool leaders were arrested or interrogated in connection with the Saradha scam.

But what could be more worrisome for the Trinamool is the CBI probe ordered by the Calcutta High Court into the purported sting operation videos uploaded by the Narada news portal that showed a dozen Trinamool heavyweights  state ministers, MPs and MLAs included  allegedly taking wads of currency notes in lieu of a pledge to dole out favours to a fictitious firm.

With the CBI filing an FIR against all those purportedly seen accepting money in the videos, the next twist in the unfolding drama could come when it files a report before the high court of its progress in the probe.
A day after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stayed the execution of retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Friday said his country would abide by the courts ruling as a responsible member of the International community. In an interview to The Statesman, Basit said Pakistan was not in the habit of indulging in flip flops to cater to ad-hocism.

As a responsible member of the ICJ and international community we have to adhere to principles, laws and abide by our bilateral and multilateral obligations, Basit said.

He said like all other countries in the world, Pakistan too does not concede sovereignty when it comes to security issues. You must understand that Commander Jadhav has been convicted of sabotage and terrorism in Pakistan. Now staying his execution from our perspective is inconsequential in the sense that he was not being executed yesterday, he said. He added, "According to our own procedures, if it all his mercy petition was dismissed he would have been executed by end August or during that time frame. So there was no emergency involved."

Jadhav was sentenced to death after Pakistans military court found him guilty of espionage.

Basit said staying Jadhavs execution is a provisional order and the ICJ has very clearly said it would not have any bearing on the final judgment.

On consular access to Jadhav, Basit said the ICJ in its provisional order discussed the issue in the context of plausibility, so there is no ruling on the issue of consular access.

He said Pakistan was considering providing strong evidence against Jadhav in the ICJ to prove his involvement in terrorist activities. We need to understand as to why Commander Jadhav was captured. Why was he in Pakistan, and on what charges he was convicted.

He is not an ordinary citizen. He was convicted for sabotage, subversion and terrorism, so this context should be kept in view.
Pehlu Khan was killed last month in one of the numerous instances of the emerging trend of terrorism, Gautankwad.This indicates the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, designed to induce terror and psychic fear for political or religious purposes. It seems to be perpetrated by state actors who are supposed to condemn it. This obsession with cow protection seems to have emerged from the Hindutva culture. But one wonders how successful they can be in cow worship since Indias rural community seems unwilling to rear cows any longer.

The BJP Chief minister of Chhattisgarh stated that he would hang anyone who harms a cow. Following this, the BJP Chief minister of Gujarat declared that cow protection is one of the most eminent principles to save the world from both moral and spiritual degradation. A similar response was given by a Minister of Rajasthan on the lynching of Pehlu Khan by cow vigilantes who suspected Khans consumption of beef. The Rajasthan minister subtly defended the violent mob by asking the police to act against both sides, those who indulge in illegal acts of cow slaughter and Gau rakshaks who violently condemn it.

The intended propaganda through these statements, surely, has fed into the morals and practices of several cow vigilantes. Moreover, the state has been using indirect means to promote the actions and ideologies of the Gau rakshaks. The alleged beef eaters or cow slaughterers were denied adequate medical care in state hospitals; this eventually led to the death of Pehlu Khan. But before analysing the impact of the success of the cow vigilantes to get the beef ban implemented, one needs to learn the legality and scope of the beef ban across India.

A senior Union minister, M Venkaiah Naidu, commented on a brutal murder of an alleged beef eater, stating that One can eat his food of choice, but avoid eating that food which is prohibited as per our Constitution,. However, this statement seems inconsistent with the Directive Principles of State Policy: The State shall endeavor to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle. This nonenforceable directive principle essentially lays down curbs on slaughter. Nowhere in the Constitution of India is there any prohibition on consuming beef.

Different states vary in prohibiting beef consumption and cow slaughter. Most of the northern and western states of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat have draconian laws on cow slaughter with severe punishment of 10 years along with a maximum fine of one lakh rupees. The southern and south eastern states like Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have a conditional ban. They allow cow slaughter with the condition of fit for slaughter, meaning those cows and bulls that are unfit to breed or work. There is no ban in Bengal, Kerala and northeastern states such as Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim  except Assam, where a fit for slaughter certificate is required.

This diversity in laws among regions indicates the religious flavor of the beef ban. The Hindu dominated states in Indias north and west have a blanket ban with severe punishment as compared to a conditional or no ban in areas with a lesser Hindu population. It is interesting to see how the play of active religious sentiment can regard cow slaughter as a bigger crime than violent crimes against humans such as molestation, causing grievous harm and physical assault (all have sentences below 10 years imprisonment).

Cow vigilantes have been successful in getting the beef ban implemented in many populous regions of India. However, how congruent the effects of the ban are with the aim of cow protection is questionable. The vigilantes fail to realize that to enhance the cow population and protect the species, banning slaughter is not an effective means.

Cows and bulls are a source of livelihood for rural India through their use in the fields, for dairy products and for meat consumption. The beef ban has driven farmers to the verge of penury, creating severe economic distress in Indias agrarian society. The prices of cattle have fallen across the country, especially where there is a blanket ban on cow slaughter, leaving the farmers to suffer in poverty. It has also left millions of farmers, already reeling from bad harvests due to back-to-back droughts and unseasonal rains, struggling to sell animals they can no longer feed or water. The farmers have expressed their resentment towards the BJP government, questioning whether they want the farmers or the cattles existence. The beef ban has not only been anti-rural Indians but also anti-cow population itself. This causes one to question whether Gautankwad, which claimed to protect the depletion of the cow population through a forced beef ban, has been successful in its goals.

As per 2016 statistics, there has been an increase in the cow population in areas where there is no ban on cow slaughter, such as north-eastern India. Slaughter of cattle is mostly of the bulls (male). Its only the old, diseased, unproductive females that may end up being slaughtered. There seems to be a declining utility of the bull for farmers due to more sophisticated mechanisms of agriculture. The blanket ban on beef has further discouraged the agrarian societies from rearing bulls.

Cows (female cattle) are reared carefully to produce large number of future generations. Once old, sick and infertile, they are sold for slaughter. They refrain from slaughtering young, healthy, agile cows which are available for milking and reproduction. However, after the imposition of the ban, the resale value of the slaughter-house-bound cattle has diminished. Large stocks of old and weak cows are unable to provide any other service like milk production or ploughing. They merely act as a poor investment without any resale value.

The primary use of cows was the multiplication of the cattle stock for further resale value which is no more possible in states pursuing the beef ban. The ban on the usual slaughter for food and hide for the leather industry acts as a disincentive for the farmers to raise them.

The blanket ban on beef should be relaxed by the northern and western states to accommodate the interests of not only the rural community but for cow population itself.

The writers are, respectively, a third-year student and a Professor of Law at the Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat.
The formal action has yet to begin, the countdown to the election of the next President has started ticking. The NDA seems to have met with success by roping in parties in Andhra and Telengana ~ possibly the AIADMK too, while there has been no dearth of consultations among Opposition groups to present a common candidate and hopefully push the contest down to the wire. Everyone emphasises that a consensus would be desirable, little more than lip-service appears to have been paid to that cause. The track-record confirms that there have been close contests in the past, what takes place a few weeks hence could be no different. What, however, does generate apprehensions is that the political divide has never been as pronounced as today, and that a bitter campaign could demean the high office.

True that there have often been strained relations between the President and the Prime Minister, yet the choice of someone deemed unacceptable to the Opposition could further complicate an already delicate situation. The innards of our democracy presently do not inspire confidence that the system will survive a stand-off. The outgoing President has not had a comfortable draw-down to his tenure, that does not augur well for his successor.

In an ideal situation it would be the task of the ruling party/combine to try and present a candidate whom the Opposition would have few reservations about, but since the process of consultation has yet to commence the time to forge a consensus could be running out. This triggers worries that the NDA does not see the election of the President very differently from the series of elections which it has won recently. True that the ruling entity would seek an ideological soul-mate for Rashtrapti Bhavan, yet the prospects of an RSS activist holding that office trouble the minority communities. For despite the lofty slogans, the Modi-Shah combine has a reputation of trampling over those who do not see eye-to-eye with them. Not that the Oppositions conduct is pristine. Its leaders have made no secret of their deeming the Presidential poll a curtain-raiser to the next Lok Sabha election.

It is a pity that they have been dropping names, even when adding that the person would agree to contesting only if the choice was truly broad-based. Floating the idea of a second term for the incumbent is also fraught with more than pin-pricks. The larger picture being that the electors ~ MPs and MLAs ~ are too small-minded to select the right person for the onerous job. In that context it can only be hoped that the debate will not degenerate to the level of the last Lok Sabha, and recent Assembly polls. The Head of State merits more elevated consideration.
Sensing the direction of the wind, the AIMPLB has now changed tack. In a desperate attempt to protect its monopoly, it is now advocating that the nikah-nama, which is a contract for marriage between consenting adults can have clauses for invoking the triple talaq by both husband and wife.

Apart from the question of how many Qazis in the country would abide by this diktat, it also brings out the tenuous nature of their argument about triple talaq being fundamental to Islam.

Even the analogy of Muslim majority countries, which have abolished triple talaq, might not be valid and appropriate in the Indian situation in view of the fundamental rights to equality before law (Article 14), right against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex (Article 15), and right to life and personal liberty (Article 21) guaranteed in our Constitution.

But we may still draw some very useful lessons. The objective of equality and gender justice are perhaps best served by the Tunisian law, the Tunisian Code of Personal Status, 1956, under which a husband cannot unilaterally divorce his wife through verbal pronouncements; he has to first consult a judge and convince him. Marriage and divorce are controlled by the State, and all divorce proceedings must be held before a judge, with a courtdirected effort at reconciliation being mandatory.

Each party has the right to ask for divorce, but each has to convince the judge about the reasons thereof. The judge can order a compensation to be paid by either the husband or the wife, depending on which party has been harmed by the other. Iraq was one of the first Arab countries to replace shariah courts with government-run Personal Status Courts in 1959.

According to Iraqs Personal Status Law, three verbal or gestural repudiations pronounced at once will count as only one divorce, but both husband and wife can ask for separation which is to be decided by the court. Sri Lanka, a Buddhist nation, has also enacted a law for the minority Muslims that allows divorce through talaq by the husband only, after notifying a Muslim judge (Qazi) and after 30 days to allow for reconciliation attempts by relatives and elders.

In Pakistan, the husband must pronounce talaq in three successive menstrual cycles, not in a single sitting. Most Muslim nations, including Bangladesh, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar have adopted a similar law on triple talaq, which is based on the interpretation of the 13th century Egyptian scholar Ibn Taimmiyah.

In Pakistan, the husband must first give notice to a Government appointed council that will attempt reconciliation before the divorce becomes valid. The wife does not have the power to seek separation, but can remarry her ex-husband after divorce.

By allowing a similar system, the harshness of the existing practice in India can surely be minimised, and some sections of the clergy can perhaps be brought around, but that will fall short of the needs of gender justice and fundamental rights.

The fact of the matter is that talaq is inherently discriminatory against women and denies them not only their rights but dignity as well. Tahir Mahmood in his book, Introduction to Islamic Law, co-authored with Saif Mahmood, had quoted the Deobandi theologian Ashraf Ali Thanvi (1863-1943) ~ A man pronounces a revocable talaq. He reconciles and resumes cohabitation. A few years later, under some provocation he pronounces a revocable talaq once again. On recovering from the provocation, he again resumes cohabitation. Now two talaqs are over. Thereafter whenever he pronounces a talaq it will be counted as the third talaq which will dissolve the marriage forthwith.

The right is absolute for men; women will always be at the receiving end, whether they receive the three talaqs in a single or three separate sittings. The logical inference is only a uniform civil code, as mandated in Article 44 of the Constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy, which says that the State shall endeavour to secure for citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.

This can resolve all the contradictions that will arise from substitution of the present system with any other system that derives its sustenance and sanctity primarily from religion. A commendable example is Turkey, which under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had adopted the Swiss Civil Code in 1926, discarding the Islamic laws governing divorce and marriage.

The code was revised in 1980, but still remains insulated from religious footprints. We have to bite the bullet and recognize unapologetically that religion here is at the root of the problem.

As long as we give primacy to religious considerations in matters of marriage, women will continue to suffer from inequality and discrimination, and the ostrich-like mentality of the AIMPLB will continue to rule the roost.

In fact, that is how it came into existence in the first place, by exploiting the persecution complex among members of the minority community.

In the early 1970s, Indira Gandhi had tried to control the dominance of the Sharia Law of 1937 applicable to Indian Muslims, and the then law minister H R Gokhale introduced the Adoption Bill in Parliament declaring it as the first step towards the Uniform Civil Code.

This predictably sparked an outcry among the Muslim clergy who started whipping up passion over what it called the Governments attempt to subvert shariah law applicable to Indian Muslims through parallel legislation.

The first meeting of several Muslim organisations to save the shariah was convened at Deoband at the initiative of Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Minnatullah Rahmani and others, followed by a convention at Mumbai in December 1972, which unanimously decided to create the AIMPLB.

It was finally set up in April 1973, and ever since, it has consistently asserted that Sharia is beyond reach and scope of Indias courts of law, including the Supreme Court, as in its opinion, secular courts do not have the authority to either interpret or apply Sharia, which is based on the Quran and the Hadith, which are above any man-made law. In its self-appointed role as the sole arbiter of Muslim destiny in secular, democratic India, the AIMPLB may have taken upon itself the onerous task of saving the minority Indian Muslims from the persecution of majority Indian Hindus.

The point is, once you remove the words Muslim and Hindu, only Indians remain ~ with no majority or minority ~ but equal in every respect before law (today they are guided by different sets of laws) enjoying equal rights and privileges under the Constitution.

That can happen once the Shariah is no longer allowed to control the lives of Indian Muslims, and their freedom to worship and follow their religious practices are left to individuals, as in most religions. AIMPLB cannot allow it to happen, since it then loses its raisondetre. In no other religion and perhaps in no other country, least of all in any democracy, are the clergy, or the mullahs allowed to wield so much power by the State. At the time of Independence, the plight of Hindu women was no different from the plight of Muslim women today; in many respects, it was worse.

They suffered from various forms of discrimination and inequality ~ in marriage, divorce, inheritance, widow remarriage, abortion, dowry, job opportunities etc. But legal reforms initiated in 1955 and 1956 had removed most of these inequalities in respect of Hindu, Sikh and Parsi women.

Of course, legislation alone cannot be effective in addressing gender disparity in a predominantly agrarian society, in which women are ignorant of their rights and continue to suffer from deeply entrenched patriarchal practices and mindset.

Traditional beliefs shaped by religion still restrict the growth and liberty of women from all religions in rural India.

But a beginning at least has been made for other communities, while for Muslim women, time has stood still.

The Shah Bano case has been distressing enough; it has been an indelible blot on our secular credentials and the proclamations on equality are hollow.

Let us try to redeem ourselves this one last time. Let us not shy away from demanding a uniform civil code for all.

The BJP with its electoral power can bring this about. Then there will be no need to enact a separate law for Muslim divorce, in case the Court annuls triple talaq not only as something that is not integral to the practice of Islam, but also as something that violates the Indian Constitution.

And the BJP will still have an assured vote-bank of most of the 84 million Muslim women living in India.

(Concluded)

The writer is a commentator and the views expressed are personal.
Even as his administration fights for its travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump is using the nation that is home to Islam's holiest site as a backdrop to call for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism.

Trump's speech, the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will address the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries to cast the challenge of extremism as a battle between good and evil and urge Arab leaders to drive out the terrorists from your places of worship, according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.

Trump, whose campaign was frequently punctuated by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric, is poised to soften some of his language about Islam. Though during the campaign he repeatedly stressed the need to say the words radical Islamic terrorism and criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for not doing so that phrase is not included in the draft.

The speech comes amid a renewed courtship of the United States' Arab allies as Trump is set to have individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar, before then participating in a roundtable with the Gulf Cooperation Council and joining Saudi King Salman in opening Riyadh's new anti-terrorism center.

The address also notably refrains from mentioning democracy and human rights topics Arab leaders often view as US moralising in favor of the more limited goals of peace and stability.

We are not here to lecture to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all, according to the copy of his speech.

Two different sources provided the AP with copies of the draft of his remarks, billed as a marquee speech of the trip. The White House confirmed the draft was authentic, but cautioned the president had not yet signed off on the final product and that changes could be made.

Trump may seem an unlikely messenger to deliver an olive branch to the Muslim world.

During his campaign, he mused, I think Islam hates us. And only a week after taking office, he signed an executive order to ban immigrants from seven countries Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the United States, a decision that sparked widespread protests at the nation's airports and demonstrations outside the White House.

That ban was blocked by the courts. A second order, which dropped Iraq from the list, is tied up in federal court and the federal government is appealing.

White House officials have said they consider Trump's visit, and his keynote address, a counterweight to President Barack Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo.
Olympic gold medalist Kaetlyn Osmond can't wait to skate in front of Newfoundland crowd for her first performance since COVID

When Kaetlyn Osmond steps on the ice at the Mary Browns Centre in St. Johns next month, it will be the first time the Marystown native has performed on ice in front of an audience since before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. It's also the ...
But the tribe has a long way to go
Actress Kangana Ranaut has announced that she is turning director with her home production Teju in which she will play an elderly woman.



"I will play an 80-year-old woman in my first directorial Teju. The film will be about every old person I know and have loved. It will also be a lot about me as I am older than my years," Kangana said in a statement issued here.



About the role, Kangana says, "She (her character) is a warm, vibrant woman, full of life, who doesn't feel old at all."



The "Rangoon" star says she was raised by her great grandparents and that she understands the plight of senior citizens.



"By the time I was a toddler, my great grandmother was in her eighties. I grew up around old people and it pains me to see senior citizens largely ignored in any community, society or country. Teju is a woman perched on the threshold of death but not yet ready to leave the world."



The National Award-winning actress, who is also penning the script of the film, says it will touch upon issues like mortality and the essence of existence but not in a way that is dark, depressing or boring.



Kangana says she will produce the film under her newly launched banner, Manikarnika Films, jointly with her Tanu Weds Manu and Simran producer and friend Shailesh Singh.



The film goes on floors in December and is scheduled to release by 2018 end. It will be shot in the Himalayas.



"Teju will showcase Himachali life and culture which have largely gone unexplored in our mainstream cinema as filmmakers only use my part of the country as a beautiful setting for their songs," she adds.



The 30-year-old actress is at the centre of fresh controversies after writer of her upcoming film Simran, Apurva Asrani accused her for taking credit for his work in the movie.



Soon after the Simran row, filmmaker Ketan Mehta sent Kangana a legal notice for "hijacking" his dream project Rani of Jhansi: The Warrior Queen. But she recently announced another film titled Manikarnika  the Queen of Jhansi with director Krish.
Keeping the 2019 assembly elections in mind, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah will visit Telangana from May 22 to May 24 and then tour Andhra Pradesh on May 25. Shah's visit is also aimed at giving a boost to the saffron party's attempts to spread its wings in the south part of the country.

While the BJP is in alliance with the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh, in Telangana, the party looks for a political revival to make it an alternative to the Telangana Rashtra Samiti. BJP has five MLAs and one MP in Telangana.

Though 2019 is still far away, with talks that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao might announce early elections, the BJP is preparing to face such scenario and Shah will do what he is best at by interacting with booth-level workers in Nalgonda district. He will kick-off the 15-day 'Vistarak Yojana' programme scheduled from May 29, where BJP workers will reach out to 35,000 booth committees.

Shah will also meet voters and take part in a door-to-door campaign and have lunch with a few people. He will also hold a brainstorming session with party leaders to prepare a road map for the upcoming elections, as part of the 'Mission South' programme.

If KCR believes in vaastu and pujas, the BJP is not far behind. Hundreds of bikes with UP registration, which were used during the UP election campaign and are considered 'lucky' have already arrived for campaigning during Shah's visit. Several heavyweights are expected to reach Hyderabad in the coming days, and the BJP believes the state is the stepping stone for their entry into the south. The party also has coined new lines, 'The BJP is the only alternative. We want to win Telangana.'

The state unit of BJP is also looking at winning the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat which has gone to the AIMIM since 1984. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who is the current Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, considers this as his fiefdom and has not allowed anyone to enter this stronghold.

State BJP president K. Laxman said, "Amit Shah is a master strategist. He likes to challenge the unchallenged. Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat has not been within reach of any party for 40 years. We want to break the pattern. MP Asaduddin Owaisi has failed in delivering good governance in his constituency. It has become more backward.

While the BJP is leaving no stone unturned in making Amit Shah's visit a grand success, the state Congress is also in its own efforts to make party vice-president Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit on June 1 a big hit. Rahul's visit comes a day ahead of the TRS celebrating its third formation day on June 3.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has also planned a massive public meeting, calling it 'Telangana Praja Garjana' at Sangareddy district where Rahul will release a 'chargesheet' over the 'failures' of TRS government in the last three years. The Congress will highlight issues of farmer suicides, unemployment among other issues.

While Telangana will be the focal point with Shah spending three days here, his visit to Andhra Pradesh has also got tongues wagging. Rumours have it that the BJP might not continue with its alliance with the TDP in the 2019 elections. However, Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, while reacting to the rumours, said The BJP and TDP are working together well. Our expansion in Andhra Pradesh should not be an objectionable thing as it is natural for political parties to grow on their own. Its very premature to draw conclusions at this stage on an alliance with TDP in the next polls.
Under political fire at home, US President Donald Trump sealed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia on Saturday on his maiden foreign trip as he struggled to shift attention from the aftermath of his firing of the director of the FBI.

The arms deal, plus other investments that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said could total up to $350 billion, was the central achievement of Trump's first day in Riyadh, first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe.

Speaking to journalists after a ceremony to exchange agreements, Trump said it was a "tremendous day" and spoke of "hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs. So I would like to thank all of the people of Saudi Arabia."

King Salman gave Trump a remarkably warm greeting, meeting him at the steps of Air Force One on arrival, shaking the hand of Trump's wife, Melania, riding with Trump in his limousine and spending most of the day with him.

But the political turmoil back in Washington consumed the headlines in the United States and cast a long shadow over the start of Trump's trip, which will include stops in Israel, the Vatican, Italy and Belgium.

His firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey on May 9 and the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Trump's 2016 presidential election campaign ties to Russia have raised the question of whether he tried to squelch a probe into allegations of a Russian connection.

Fanning the flames was a New York Times report that Trump had called Comey a "nut job" in a private meeting last week in the Oval Office with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and ambassador Sergei Kislyak. The Times quoted briefing notes of the conversation.

Amid a mood of frustration, officials on board Trump's Riyadh-bound presidential plane scrambled to coordinate on responding to the story with staff in Washington and those who had just landed in the Saudi capital.

Asked for a response, the White House said that for national security reasons, "we do not confirm or deny the authenticity of allegedly leaked classified documents."

Russia's Interfax news agency on Saturday quoted Lavrov as saying he had not discussed Comey with Trump. "We did not touch this issue at all," the minister said.

In another development, the Washington Post said a White House official close to Trump was a significant "person of interest" in the investigation into possible ties with Russia.

Tillerson, asked about the story, said he did not know who the "person of interest" was.

Against that backdrop, Trump soldiered through a long day of diplomacy.

Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir called the results of Trump's meetings with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz "the beginning of a turning point" between the United States, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies.

Both he and Tillerson made clear the arms deal was aimed at countering Iran on a day that Hassan Rouhani was re-elected as Iran's president.

Tillerson said Rouhani should use his second term to end Iran's ballistic missile testing and stop promoting extremism in a volatile region.

He said he had no plans to talk to his Iranian counterpart but that he in all likelihood he would do so "at the right time."

Al-Jubeir said Trump and King Salman agreed that action had to be taken to ensure Iran did not continue "aggressive policies in the region."

Trump's trip has been billed by the White House as a chance to visit places sacred to three of the world's major religions, while giving him time to meet with Arab, Israeli and European leaders.

Contrast with Obama visit

King Salman gave a more favorable welcome to Trump than he had granted last year to Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, who was seen in the Arab kingdom as soft on Iran and hesitant on Syria.

Trump and King Salman seemed at ease with each other, chatting through an interpreter. At the royal al-Yamama palace, the king draped around Trump's neck the King Abdulaziz medal, the country's top civilian honor.

At the end of the day, Tillerson and US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, holding swords, were seen participating in a ceremonial dance at Marraba Palace with a Saudi group.

As Trump arrived for dinner with the king, a spectacle awaited him: Men dressed in long white turbans and carrying swords swayed and chanted in unison to beating drums in a courtyard. Trump, clearly enjoying himself, smiled and swayed, even seeming to dance a little at the center of the group.

Syrian civil war

During their conversation earlier in the day, the king was overheard lamenting the Syrian war. Trump ordered air strikes against a Syrian airfield in April in response to a chemical weapons attack by government forces against civilians.

"Syria too used to be one of the most advanced countries. We used to get our professors from Syria. They served our kingdom. Unfortunately, they too brought destruction to their own country. You can destroy a country in mere seconds, but it takes a lot of effort," he said.

Trump's response could not be heard.

The arms package includes a pledge by the kingdom to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia, in a $6 billion deal expected to result in about 450 jobs in the kingdom.

National oil giant Saudi Aramco was also expected to sign $50 billion of deals with US companies on Saturday, part of a drive to diversify the kingdom's economy beyond oil exports, Aramco's chief executive Amin Nasser said.

US technology and engineering conglomerate GE said it had signed $15 billion of agreements with Saudi organisations.

Trump is to deliver a speech in Riyadh on Sunday aimed at rallying Muslims in the fight against Islamist militants. He will also attend a summit of Gulf leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.

Shortly after taking office, Trump sought to block people from several Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States, but the travel ban has been blocked by federal courts.
North Korea on Sunday launched an unidentified projectile, just a week after Pyongyang carried out its most successful ballistic missile test, South Korean military has confirmed.



"North Korea fired an unidentified projectile from a site in the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do, South Pyeongan province, and it flew for about 500 km," Yonhap news agency quoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying in a statement.



On May 14, North Korea launched the a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile which flew for about 30 minutes and landed in water 100 km south of Russia's Vladivostok region, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet, reports CNN.



North Korea has attempted at least 10 missile launches on seven occasions since January.
Today it seems to me providential that fate should have chosen Braunau on the Inn as my birthplace. For this little town lies on the boundary between two German states which we of the younger generation at least have made it our life work to reunite by every means at our disposal.

Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

Like most small towns in Austria, Braunau am Inn, too, is quiet, and quaint. Located on the banks of the Inn on the border with Germany, the town also enjoys the historical significance of being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. The German dictator was born on the second floor of a guest house here on April 20, 1889. More than a century later, the house remains mired in controversies and legal battles.

While Hitler had spent only a few months of his life here, over the years, it has developed into a major attraction for neo-Nazi followers, much to the discomfort of the Austrian government. Jakob Dachler, whom we met near the house, warned us to exercise caution while taking photographs. The police are suspicious of people who show extraordinary interest in the house. You must be familiar with what happened to the Hitler lookalike, said Dachler. He was referring to the arrest of Harald Zen in February after he posed for photographs outside the house in a 1940s-style dress, complete with a haircut and moustache resembling Hitler. Austria has very tough laws against the glorification of Hitler.

As part of this anti-Nazi campaign, the Austrian government chose to take over the 17th century building from its owner Gerlinde Pommer last December. The house was with the Pommers since 1912 except for a brief period during the Nazi rule, when it was bought by Hitlers private secretary Martin Bormann, on behalf of the Nazi party. The house was returned to the Pommers in the 1950s. To prevent it from turning into a neo-Nazi shrine, the Austrian government took it on lease in 1972 and sublet it to various tenants.

The last tenant, an organisation for disabled people, however, moved out in 2011 after Gerlinde Pommer refused to carry out renovations. The Austrian government, which has been paying nearly 5,000 a month as rent for the house, then offered to buy it, but Pommer refused.

Subsequently, in December, the parliament passed a law to expropriate the house, a seemingly unprecedented decision by a western democratic government, said Dachler. The government told the parliament that it was taking over the house as no other historical property exists in Austria that holds such a special, global and political meaning. The debate on the expropriation bill was conducted late at night, well past the television prime time, clearly indicating the governments discomfort in handling the delicate issue.

The government, however, appears clueless about what to do with the building. It had set up a 13-member expert committee to study the issue, and according to its recommendations thought of demolishing the building. The foundations can remain but a new building will be erected. It will be used by either a charity or local authorities, Wolfgang Sobotka, the Austrian interior minister had announced in October. But it seems the minister had overlooked the fact that the house was in a heritage zone and its demolition was illegal under existing federal laws. The house is under cultural heritage protection because it is an old house in a historic old town, so this solution seems to be out of the question, said Constanze Jeitler, a doctoral scholar at the Central European University, Budapest, who specialises on the Hitler home.

Pommer has, however, approached the Austrian constitutional court to declare the expropriation law unconstitutional. The matter is pending before the court.

The locals in Braunau want the debate to be over, but they dont want the house to be demolished or the facade to be radically changed. But, according to Jeitler, they are also confused about what to do with the building. Some are in favour of turning it into a documentation and education centre about Nazism and the Holocaust, some want it to be turned into a facility for persons with special needs. The matter remains in limbo till the constitutional court gives its decision.

Europes landscape is dotted with such buildings with intimate links to its past, some of them memorable, some forgettable. But wilfully erasing those memories, even as part of the fight against neo-Nazism, might not be the best course of action.

The example of Berghof, one of Hitlers headquarters at Obersalzberg in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, is instructive. Hitler used it as a vacation residence and command centre for ten years. Most of it was destroyed during the final phase of World War II, but what remained became a favourite meeting place for the neo-Nazis once the war was over. The exasperated Bavarian government finally chose to dynamite the remains on April 30, 1952the seventh anniversary of Hitlers suicideand posted do not trespass signs to keep visitors out.

Yet, the number of visitors actually increased after the demolition, and in no time, it became one of the largest unadvertised tourist attractions in Germany. And, it also turned into a shrine for the neo-Nazis. It finally forced the government to set up the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre near the location, acknowledging its importance. There is a lesson in it for the Austrian government as it awaits the decision of the constitutional court about the Hitler house in Braunau.
The box that holds you and your companions has been labelled and sent off along a conveyor belt to a vast despatch warehouse that runs 24 hours a day.

You are popped into a box with a dozen other identical volumes by an efficient and hardworking employee of CreateSpace, the publishing arm of the giant online retailer Amazon.

Youve just been manufactured on one of the most sophisticated print-on-demand printers in the world in the city of Columbia in the state of South Carolina in the USA.

LETS imagine that youre a book. Youve got a bright shiny cover with a distinctive Papua New Guinean theme. Below your title is the authors proudly displayed name.

Amidst this hive of activity you are quickly bundled into a truck with hundreds of other boxes and speed through the night to a waiting freighter aircraft. The time between you being printed, packed and despatched is 4 hours.

Two hours later you arrive in Louisville, Kentucky, and are transferred to another aircraft heading for Honolulu in Hawaii. You arrive there the following morning.

From Hawaii you and your companions are put on an aircraft heading for Sydney in Australia. You arrive there on the afternoon of the next day. By midday 1 days later you are on an aircraft heading for Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

From the time when you were printed and packed 3 days have elapsed.

Then, when you get to Port Moresby, something unexpected happens.

You are put on a musty shelf in a dark warehouse and left there. The days go by and you and your companions wonder whats happening.

Two weeks later you are still sitting on the shelf. At night you can hear rats running over the top of your box and during the day, when it rains, water drips from a leak in the roof onto you and your companions.

Through a soggy split in your box you see another battered box a short distance away on the shelf. You think you are looking into a mirror because you can see an exact copy of yourself sticking out of the box.

That afternoon you hear voices. Two men are standing by the shelf taking books out of the battered box. One of them hands the other several twenty kina notes.

Wonem displa? What about those ones? the man handing over the money asks, pointing in your direction.

No, you cant have those, the other man replies, They are priority freight replacements for the ones youve got, theyve got a tracking number, its too risky.

Another couple of weeks goes by. Then one day you feel your box move. A man puts a sticker on the box and carries you and your companions to a waiting truck.

A few days later you are on an aircraft winging your way over mountains and into the highlands.

You are put on another shelf and sit there for a week and then moved again. Suddenly you see light. Someone has opened your box. A hand comes and picks you up. You see an excited man staring at you.

Its my book, at last, doesnt it look terrific? the man says to his companion.

You feel a warm glow enveloping your pages. It seems like you have arrived home. It has taken you two months since you arrived in Port Moresby.

Fanciful? Not really. My story is based on an actual shipment of Pukpuk Publications books from America to Papua New Guinea.

The contrast between the super efficiency that happens in the USA and Australia and what happens in Papua New Guinea is real.

I know this because I organise the shipments and have to try and track them down when they get lost in the maw of inefficiency and corruption that is Papua New Guinea.

CreateSpace is really understanding. They know all about the problems around shipping stuff to third world countries like Papua New Guinea. They are a big company and can afford a certain level of loss.

Pukpuk Publications, on the other hand, is a backyard, non-profit outfit that exists on a shoestring budget that needs regular top ups of my own dollars to make it work.

The situation I described used to occur only occasionally. Nowadays it happens regularly. Getting a consignment of books delivered successfully without delay to an author in Papua New Guinea is now unusual.

It is symptomatic of the state of the nation. Things are falling apart at all levels, both public and private.

Amazon will soon be moving to Australia. It will cut down freight costs considerably and make delivery times even shorter.

But it wont affect what happens in Papua New Guinea. Things will only get worse.

At some point in the near future Pukpuk Publications will have to stop sending books to Papua New Guinea. It is too expensive, too stressful and too time consuming, both for us and our authors.

Its a shame but a sad fact.

Footnote: Keith Jackson tells me that, of five boxes containing a total of 50 books he ordered for PNG, only one arrived at its destination. It contained just two books. He, like me, is disillusioned that this once fairly reliable supply chain has fallen apart - PF
There are companies out there that specialize in making wigs (sheitels) from ones own hair.

Generally speaking, these companies do it for those undergoing chemotherapies rl, but others are also doing it. These companies state that the hair needs to be healthy enough to withstand the hand tying process. They require a minimum of 8 ounces of hair in order to make a custom wig, and point out that the average woman has 3-4 ounces of hair on her head. The cost is about $1000 and the length of the sheitel is 3 inches shorter than the hair submitted.

Our question, however is not in regard to the cost or the process. Our question is what the halacha is regarding using ones own hair for a sheitel. Is it permitted, forbidden, or a machlokes?

A BRIEF HISTORY

Lets first take a look at the history of wigs before we get to our specific question. The human hair wig as we know it first appeared in ancient times, then virtually disappeared after the fall of Rome in 473 CE. It then reappeared in the last six centuries.

We find that the Egyptians wore wigs to protect against the hot sun. They attached the wigs to their head using beeswax and resin. The Assyrians, Greeks and Romans also used wigs.

The term wig, by the way, is short for periwig.

IN THE MISHNA

The Mishna in Shabbos (6:5) also attests to the use of wigs, and the Gemorah later on clearly shows that it was done for beauty. Both Rashi and the Meiri explain that it was worn so that she would appear to be a baalas sar  having [much] hair.

Rashi in Bechoros (7b) seems to add more information. He writes (DH nehenim bsaarah), The women who had little hair used to attach (or tie) the hair of other women to their hair and this is called peah nachris.

THE WIG IN HALACHA

The Ramah (75:3) discusses the halacha of reciting the Shma in front of a woman who is wearing a wig. The Ramah writes that it is permitted to recite it. The Mishna Brurah explains that it is because he holds that this, the wig, is not considered sar bisha ervah.  the hair of a woman is forbidden. There is a view that is of the opinion that wigs are forbidden because they are still considered the hair of a women which is ervah.

TWO VIEWS ON WIGS

Most Ashkenazic Poskim (See Igros Moshe Even HaEzer Vol. II #12) and families, however, followed the lenient opinion regarding wigs. Indeed, the Kaf haChaim (OC 75:19), Mishpetai Uziel (EH Mahadurah Tanina #74), and Yaskil Avdi (Vol. VII EH #16), all prominent Sefardi Poskim also permit the wig. On the other hand, Rav Chaim Palaji (Ruach Chaim EH 21) and Rav Ovadiah Yoseph zatzal (Yabia Omer V EH 5:4), however, follow the stringent view forbidding wigs for Sefardic women.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita stated that the Chazon Ishs wife wore a wig (cited in Meir Oz Vol. III page 829) as did his mother. He also ruled that if a Sefardi studied in an Ashkenazic Yeshiva he may allow his wife to wear a wig, otherwise, she should cover her hair with a kerchief.

All this, of course, relates to a wig with another womans hair, but what about ones own hair?

WITH ONES OWN HAIR

The Mishna Brurah (75:15) cites two views in this regard. The first view he cites is that of Rav Yoseph Ben Meir Teumim (1727-1793), author of the Pri Magadim. The Pri Magadim is of the opinion that use of a Peah Nochris, a sheitel, is permitted. The Mishna Brurah then states that it is indicative in the language of the Pri Magadim that he permits the use of ones own hair in the manufacture of it as well.

THE STRINGENT VIEW

After quoting the Pri Magadim, the Chofetz Chaim then cites the view of the Mogen Giborim (written by the two brothers-in-law, Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson [1808-1875] and Rav Mordechai Zev Ettinger [1804-1863] and published in two parts) who were stringent in this manner and forbade it.

It is also interesting to note that manuscripts of Rav Teumim have been found in the Bodleian Library at Oxford (1:1500:16419) of his work entitled Aim LaBina mentioned by R. Avrohom Meir Livshitz Breizel printed in 2014 which show that days before he passed away, Rav Teumim retracted his whole heter for wigs entirely. Nonetheless, we have a dictum that an authors more authoritative work will set aside a lesser work that he wrote, even if he wrote it later.

Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita (Chut Shaini Shabbos III page 272) writes praised be the one who, in her tznius, can fulfill the halacha according to all opinions. It is clear that Rav Karelitz Shlita believes that, ideally a woman should be stringent in accordance with the view of the Magain Giborim. What, however, is the view of the Mishna Brurah? What is normative halacha?

The earliest source who discusses the topic is Rav Yehoshua Boaz Ben Shimon Boruch (d. 1557) of Northern Italy, the author of the Shiltei Giborim. He writes on tractate Shabbos (64b) that the wig is permitted and it makes no difference whether it is her own hair or that of another woman. He also shows that this is clearly referring to a married woman because the Gemorah states that she wears it so that she not be found unappealing in the eyes of her husband.

The Levush, however, forbade the use of a persons own hair, disagreeing with the Darchei Moshe in (YD 303) who indicates that it is permitted. The Ateres Zkainim also understands the Ramah as permitting it with ones own hair.

THE BEER HAITEVS VIEW

It would seem that the fact that Beer Haitev does not even cite the more stringent view of the Levush is indicative that he holds the halacha is clearly like the Ramah  permitting it. This is borne out by the fact that in Even haEzer (Siman 115) he just cites the view of the Shiltei Giborim without bringing any dissenting view which forbids it.

CONCLUSION

When the Mishna Brurah cites one authority and then a second one who is stringent, the general understanding that he rules in accordance with the first view (heard from my Rebbe ztl, Rav Henoch Leibowitz ztl  a relative of the Chofetz Chaim).

Also, generally speaking, the Pri Magadim is more authoritative than the Mogain Giborim. This combined with the view of the Shiltei Giborim would indicate that as a matter of pure halacha, notwithstanding the recommendation of Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita, it would be permitted to use ones own hair.

However, the fact that the Mishna Brurah cites the view forbidding it as well  indicates that it is not being unduly strict to be machmir.

As in all matters of halacha, however, one should always ask ones own Rav or Posaik as to how to conduct oneself.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
President Donald Trump basked in Saudi Arabias lavish royal welcome Saturday as he left behind, at least temporarily, the snowballing controversies dogging him in Washington. Trump rewarded his hosts with a $110 billion arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements.

That was a tremendous day, tremendous investments in the United States, Trump said during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.

The visit to the kingdoms capital kicked off Trumps first foreign trip as president, an ambitious, five-stop swing that will take him through the Middle East and into Europe. He is the only American president to make Saudi Arabia  or any Muslim-majority nation  his first overseas trip.

Trump arrived in Riyadh besieged by the fallout from his firing of FBI Director James Comey and more revelations about the federal investigations into his election campaigns possible ties to Russia. Escaping Washington for the embrace of the Saudi royal family appeared to give Trump a boost.

After an overnight flight, the president was greeted at the airport by King Salman, which was notable given that the monarch did not show up last year to welcome President Barack Obama on his final visit to Saudi Arabia.

Trump descended the steps alongside first lady Melania Trump, who wore a black pantsuit and gold belt, but did not cover her hair in the ultra-conservative kingdom, in keeping with the traditions of Western delegations.

As Trump and the 81-year-old king, who was aided by a cane, walked along the red carpet, military jets swept the sky, leaving a red, white and blue trail. During a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court, Salman awarded Trump the Collar of Abdulaziz al Saud, the kingdoms highest civilian honor.

Trump bent down so the king could place the gold medal around his neck. Saudi Arabia has previously bestowed the honor on Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Obama.

Trumps warm welcome reflected the degree to which Saudi Arabia had become disillusioned with Obama. The Saudis deeply distrusted Obamas overtures to Iran and were frustrated by his restrained approach to the Syrian civil war.

As Trump arrived, Iranians had just re-elected Hassan Rouhani  one of Obamas partners in the landmark accord aimed at curbing Tehrans nuclear ambitions  for a second four-year-term as president, validating his push for greater freedoms and outreach to the wider world. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he hoped Rouhani would use his new term to begin a process of dismantling Irans network of terrorism.

Trump made no substantial remarks on his first day abroad and spent most of his time shuttling between opulent palace ballrooms with the king. The two were overheard discussing natural resources and arms, and Salman bemoaned the destruction caused by Syrias civil war.

The most tangible agreement between the two leaders was the $110 billion sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia that is effective immediately and could expand up to $350 billion over 10 years. The deal includes tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications, and cybersecurity technology. The State Department said the agreement could support tens of thousands of new jobs in the United States.

Trump was joined on the trip by the CEOs of several major U.S. companies, which announced their own agreements with the Saudis. Among them was a $15 billion arrangement with GE focused on power, oil and gas, and health care.

The president was trailed on the trip by a large number of advisers, including Tillerson, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon. Trumps son-in law, Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka, both senior advisers, were also part of the official delegation.

Ivankas presence dominated Arabic Twitter traffic, with the phrase bint Trump  Arabic for daughter of Trump  trending.

The Saudis welcome appeared to lift the spirits of Trumps beleaguered staff, ensnared in a seemingly endless cycle of negative stories involving Comeys firing and the intensifying Russia investigations. After a lavish lunch with the Saudi delegation, Kushner high-fived national security adviser H.R. McMaster.

Later Saturday, Trump was greeted by a traditional troupe of Saudi drummers and sword-waving dancers. Trump smirked and bopped to the beat as he made his way through the crowd.

On Sunday, Trump and the king were to join more than 50 regional leaders for meetings focused on combating the Islamic State group and other extremists. The president was to give the signature speech of his trip, an address that aides view as counter to Obamas 2009 speech in Egypt to the Muslim world. Trump has criticized Obamas remarks as too apologetic for U.S. actions in the region.

Trump planned to urge unity in the fight against radicalism in the Muslim world, casting the challenge as a battle between good and evil and appealing to Arab leaders to drive out the terrorists from your places of worship, according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.

The draft also notably did not contain the words radical Islamic terror, a phrase Trump repeatedly criticized his 2016 president rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton, for not using during last years campaign.

After two days of meetings in Saudi Arabia, Trump was scheduled to travel to Israel, meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican, attend a NATO summit in Brussels and join the worlds major industrial nations at a Group of Seven gathering in Sicily.

(AP)
A black Texas congressman said Saturday that hes been threatened with lynching by callers infuriated over him seeking impeachment of President Donald Trump.

U.S. Rep. Al Green held a town hall meeting and played recordings of several threatening voicemails left at his offices in Houston and Washington, the Houston Chronicle reports .

The seven-term Democrat told the crowd of about 100 people that he wont be deterred.

We are not going to be intimidated, Green said Saturday. We are not going to allow this to cause us to deviate from what we believe to be the right thing to do and that is to proceed with the impeachment of President Trump.

One male caller used a racial insult and threatened Green with hanging from a tree if he pursues impeachment. Another man left a message saying Green would be the one impeached after a short trial and then he would be hanged, according to the recording.

Green took to the House floor on Wednesday to say he believes Trump committed obstruction of justice and no ones above the law.

Trump, a Republican, has dismissed criticism of his firing of FBI Director James Comey amid the agencys investigation of possible links between Russia and Trump campaign associates.

Green said he wanted his constituents to be aware of the hateful calls hes since received.

When a person talks about lynching you, we think thats a pretty serious threat, said Green, a former president of the Houston branch of the NAACP, according to his congressional website.

(AP)
Soon after they boarded a flight to Honolulu, Mark and Donna Basden found a laptop computer in a seat pocket in front of them.

The couple assumed someone on a previous flight left it there. But a flight attendant said it probably belonged to a man who was in the bathroom.

A man Donna Basden described as a disheveled looking fellow emerged and Mark Basden gave him the laptop. The man scowled, took the laptop and opened it and closed it and then tried to sit in another first class seat, Mark Basden said.

Authorities say that moments later, the man  identified as Anil Uskanli, 25, of Turkey  had created so many problems on American Airlines Flight 31 on Friday from Los Angeles to Honolulu that he had to be immobilized with duct tape in a seat until the plane landed in Honolulu. Uskanli was taken into custody after the plane, escorted by two fighter jets, landed.

As authorities on Saturday investigated what happened, it was not clear whether Uskanli intended to harm anyone. He now faces a possible federal charge of interference with a flight crew, Paul Delacourt, special agent in charge of the FBIs Honolulu office, told reporters in Hawaii.

Halfway through the six-hour flight, the Basdens saw the same man again holding his laptop with something over his head that they thought was a towel or a blanket.

He was very quiet, moving very sluggish. He was trying to approach the cabin, like where the captain is, said another passenger, Grant Arakelian.

At that point, a flight attendant ran down the aisle with her serving cart and blocked the entrance to first class, said passenger Lee Lorenzen, of Orange County, California.

She jammed the cart in that the doorway and she just said, Youre not coming in here,' Lorenzen said.

The man pushed the cart, trying to get through but passengers came up behind him and grabbed him. He spent the rest of the flight restrained in a seat with duct tape.

This unfortunate incident highlights the tremendous professionalism of Americans team members, and specifically, in this situation, our flight attendants, American Airlines said in a statement. Their decisive actions ensured the safety of everyone onboard the flight. We are proud of our crew and are grateful to them for their actions.

Bob Ross, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, on Saturday said attendants who represent the last line of air travel defense managed to defuse a high-risk situation

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly was briefed on the midair disturbance, according to a statement from the department. There were no other reports of disruptions, but the department said it monitored all flights Friday as a precautionary measure.

Passengers among the 181 flying on Flight 31 staffed with six crew members took notice of Uskanli before the jet took off from Los Angeles.

Before he boarded the flight to Hawaii, Uskanli was also arrested at Los Angeles International airport for opening a door that led onto an airfield ramp, according to Los Angeles Airport police.

He immediately walked up to somebody and said, Where can I get something to eat?  Los Angeles airport spokesman Rob Pedregon said. He walked right up to somebody. He wasnt trying to go somewhere or do something illicit.

Though airport police smelled alcohol on Uskanlis breath he was not intoxicated enough to be held for public drunkenness, so they cited and released him.

Uskanli provided police a home address in the affluent Santa Monica suburb of California. A Linkedin page for someone with his name says he attended film school in London until this year.

The incident was not that unusual, Pedregon said. We have all these fire doors and people get confused because theyre walking around, and some people do breach it, he said.

(AP)
President Donald Trump will arrive in Israel on Monday, 26 Iyar, on another leg of his first trip to the region since being elected. If he holds to his announced schedule, President Trump will become the first president to visit the Kosel.

Following is the US presidents announced schedule. Changes are expected.

12:15PM: Air Force One landing on Monday followed by official ceremony

1:10PM: Chopper takes Mr. Trump to Jerusalem (Trumps entourage includes over 20 choppers)

1:15PM: Meeting in the Presidents Residence with President Rivlin

2:30PM: Church of the Holy Sepulchre

3:15PM: Kosel

4:00PM: King David Hotel

6:00PM: Meeting with PM Binyamin Netanyahu

7:15PM PMs hosts official dinner including Mrs. Trump & Mrs. Netanyahu

Tuesday, 27 Iyar

10:00AM: Meeting with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in Bet Lechem. Possible visit to the Church of the Nativity

1:00PM: Laying a wreath at Yad Vashem

1:30PM: Mr. Trump to give an address, main address of his visit, at the Israel Museum.

4:30PM: Departs from Ben-Gurion Airport for Italy.

Traffic & Police Preparations

No less than 10,000 policepersons are involved in security the president during his brief stay, including elite units and other agencies including the Shin Bet. Police have been meeting with Secret Service representatives and aspects of the presidential visit have been drilled and rehearsed.

Arrangements have been made for Mr. Trump and his 1,000-person delegation at the King David Hotel, the entire hotel, as has been done in the past for security reasons. It is reported the presidential suite has rocket-resistant windows among other protective features.

There will be interruptions in the Jerusalem light rail schedule as well as buses. Drivers are strongly urged to check with police and/or download the Jerusalem Municipality app which provides traffic updates including street closures. One may also use Waze, which will reportedly by up-to-date with the presidential visit.

There will also be changes for many domestic flights at Ben-Gurion. Hence, passengers are urged to inquire which terminal the will be departing from.

It will be a difficult two days for many Jerusalem residents, including parents of children attending kindergarten on King David Street as they have been informed the facilities will be closed during the presidential visit.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
There was the Politico report that Mrs. Ivanka Trump was given a rabbinical pass to be mechalel Shabbos by flying on Air Force One this past Shabbos as President Trump headed to the Mideast on his first international flight, landing in Saudi Arabia. It is pointed out that while her rabbi was quoted as giving her the rabbinical pass, he was not mentioned by name.

According to Yediot Achronot, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein told Machane Tzioni party leader MK Yitzchak Herzog that he never gave such a heter despite reports to the contrary. He is quoted telling Herzog the reports are fake news and that he has not been in contract with Mrs. Ivanka Trump for a number of weeks. Rabbi Lookstein is known to be Mrs. Ivanka Trumps rav.

The very same issue created a similar storm regarding Inauguration Day, at which time her rabbi reportedly gave her permission to ride in a limo due to Security concerns.

Mrs. Trumps rabbi is Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, who is responsible for her giyur. Rav Lookstein is the longtime Mora Dasra of Congregation Kehillat Yeshurun on the Upper East Side of Manhattan as well as an elder among the Modern Orthodox rabbonim in the USA and the RCA. He is a well-respected Orthodox Rav but nevertheless, he came under fire when Israels Supreme Rabbinical Court would not recognize his giyur. There was some back and forth on the matter as the Chief Rabbis came under attack for their decision.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A team of salvage experts hoping to recover billions of pounds worth of gold from deep-sea shipwrecks are looking for investors to back their treasure hunt.

Britannias Gold has launched a 5m equity fundraising for their exploration of ships sunk in the First and Second World Wars.

Records of which ships carried gold have been lost, but Britannias Gold believes it has found them by analysing the timing of departures and records of US banks that were expecting to receive shipments.

The firm is focusing on 20 shipments in the North Atlantic, which it believes could contain as much as 4.5bn worth of gold.

The minimum investment is 1,000 and Britannias believes that although any gold found is lawfully owned by the British Government, precedents set by other large salvage operations mean that potentially the bulk of its value would be kept by the firm and its investors.

It will initially focus on three shipwrecks just off the west coast of Ireland, but is keeping their names secret to keep away rival salvagers.

In 2013, US salvagers recovered 48 tons of silver from merchant ship Gairsoppa which was hit by a torpedo from a German U-boat near Ireland in 1941.
The owner of British Airways has hit out at Heathrow Airport over its plans to nearly double the number of UK destinations it will offer after expansion.

Heathrow has written to the Government asking it to ringfence a proportion of the slots it expects to become available  if a third runway is built  for flights to and from UK destinations.

Flights within the UK accounted for 6 per cent of Heathrows total passenger numbers last year. It argued that introducing more destinations could dramatically increase this figure.

Flying into trouble: BA owner IAG said that the best way to encourage domestic flights would be to ensure Heathrow is fairly priced

It said it plans to offer 14 UK destinations, up from the current eight. But BA owner International Airlines Group said: Its not in Heathrows gift to increase domestic flying from the airport.

Airlines, not airports, decide where to fly based on profitability.

The airline group said that the best way to encourage domestic flights would be to ensure the airport is fairly priced.

It added: Its hard to make routes viable if airlines are charged more at Heathrow than any other airport. If costs are low, flights will follow.
TAX DEAL

Formula 1 owner Liberty Media reportedly paid just 6.9m in tax last year despite having underlying profits of 350m and turnover of 1.4bn.

The company books revenues at its UK companies which are in turn funded by large loans from its offshore businesses.

Driving force: The company books revenues at its UK companies which are in turn funded by large loans from its offshore businesses

The interest from the loans is then used to reduce profits for tax purposes.

INSOLVENCY RISK

Discount fashion chain Store Twenty One is expected to declare insolvency this week after its largest backer, the State Bank of India, decided to withdraw support.

CEO HUNT

The boss of Direct Line, Paul Geddes, is said to be in the running to become the next chief executive of ITV, following Adam Croziers decision to quit.

DEBT DOUBTS

Former BHS owner Dominic Chappell will appeal a court decision to place his investment firm Retail Acquisitions into insolvency.

PAY PROBLEMS

Ben van Beurden, chief executive of Shell, will face a grilling over his 7.4m pay packet at its AGM this week.

TECH FRAUD

A technology firm backed by Elton Johns husband David Furnish has become the subject of a major fraud investigation. Lawyers are looking into claims that millions of pounds were funnelled from software developer Ve Interactive into separate companies owned by founder David Brown, his ex-wife and his girlfriend.

WALKIE TALKIE

Investors from Hong Kong are reportedly eyeing up a 50 per cent stake in the Citys Walkie Talkie skyscraper.
Nicholas Daines, Hollywood stuntman and TV presenter, is grateful he has a pension and a property because it gives him peace of mind...when he is jumping through windows.

Daines, a former team Great Britain gymnast, has won awards for his work on blockbuster Harry Potter and Mission Impossible movies. He can command daily fees of 20,000 risking his neck on set.

But before he made it in Hollywood and as a wildlife documentary presenter, he used to be homeless and spent months sleeping in a rat-infested basement.

Nicholas Daines has a pension and a property because it gives him peace of mind

Today, the super-fit 44-year-old can often be found in his Jacuzzi on the rooftop of his private London bachelor pad while enjoying a glass of red. An ambassador for the conservation charity Orangutan Appeal, he also gets a huge kick out of releasing rehabilitated orang-utans back into the wild.

What did your parents teach you about money?

To save and not get into debt. It was always drummed into me how much things cost and how important money was. My father was a commercial pilot and my mother was a stay-at-home mum.

There were four of us kids and although we always had what we needed, we did not get everything we wanted. Money was tightly controlled. There was not a lot of it to spare.

How much pocket money did you get as a child?

Three pounds a week, from the age of nine until I could get a paper round. My parents were keen I worked for any money. I was also acutely aware my gymnastics training was costing them a lot so I wanted to earn my own spending money as soon as I could.

For about three years, from the age of 11, I got up ridiculously early and did at least one four-mile paper round every morning. Because I am small, sometimes on a Sunday I would actually fall off my bike with the weight of the papers.

Hes an expert on risk but stuntman Nicholas Daines is safe with money

Then after school, I would do gymnastics training for three-and-a-half hours every day. I would get home at 8.30pm or 9pm and be up again at 6am for the paper round. It taught me to be disciplined.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

Yes, when I took myself off to Hollywood when I was 21. I had always dreamt of being in the movies so I went there without much money, not realising how expensive it would be. I ended up homeless. I did not sleep on the streets  I would stay in hostels or sleep on friends couches. I did that for five months. It was a tough period.

I used to survive on Doritos, which cost 69 cents. That was the cheapest food I could buy and two bags of those would fill me up. Well, not really. I was always hungry.

Then I got lucky. A friend of a friend offered me the empty basement of his property to live in for free while it was being renovated. It was a wreck, full of rat traps.

Sometimes there would be this strange, horrendous smell where I was sleeping. Then I would wake up and find a dead rat. But at least my housing crisis had come to an end. All I cared about was that I was in Hollywood with an agent, going to auditions. It was exciting.

Have you ever been paid silly money for a job?

Yes. I have done lots of commercials over the years. If you add up all the fees and royalties I get paid, it is crazy money. It is not unusual for me to earn 3,000 an hour.

The one that really stands out is a Burger King commercial. I got paid 20,000 for running across some desks and diving through a plate-glass window with a burger. The idea was the burger was so cheap it was a steal.

Admittedly, it was a dangerous stunt. If you do not detonate the glass with explosives at just the right time as you jump through it, you will just smash into the window. Luckily it all went well and I only had to do it twice.

What is the most expensive thing you have bought just for fun?

A 6,000 trip to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon in 2005. I stayed in a five-star luxury resort in the middle of the jungle in Ecuador for a week. Normally, I rough it in the jungle so it was a real treat for me.

What is the biggest money mistake youve ever made?

Not buying a ten-bedroom property in Cape Town in 2000 for the equivalent of 95,000. Every bedroom had either a mountain or a sea view. It was a no-brainer but the rand was so volatile at the time I decided not to go ahead. Today, that place is probably worth 1.7 million.

What has been your best money decision?

Buying my two-bedroom home on the Welsh Harp reservoir in North London. I love living there. It is private, I have a roof deck with a Jacuzzi where I will sit and watch the sunset, overlooking the water.

Nicholas Daine is an ambassador for a conservation charity

I bought it off plan four years ago for about 300,000. Judging by how prices have gone up since then, it could well have more than doubled in value.

I knew it was going to be a good investment. It was offered on one of those first come, first served sales from Barratt, so the night before the sale I put my sleeping bag on the pavement and slept outside the gate to get it.

That is how much I wanted it. I was the first one there. Recently, I bought a one-bedroom property in the same development as a long-term buy-to-let investment.

Do you save into a pension or invest in the stock market?

I started saving into a pension when I was 28 because my dad kept nagging me to do it. I invest a small percentage of my income every month into a low-risk balanced fund. I am too busy to invest in stocks and shares outside of my pension.

I sometimes think about getting into it, but right now, I do not have the time.

What is your one little luxury you like to treat yourself to?

My work is physically demanding so I will have a 60 massage once every fortnight.

I also love South African red wine and will often treat myself to a 20 bottle of wine from the Meerlust Estate and drink it sitting in my Jacuzzi.

If you were Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the first thing you would do?

I would double the money we currently put into education and the National Health Service.

I think educating the next generation and investing in doctors are the most valuable things we can do as a society.

Do you think it is important to give to charity?

Yes, everyone can do their bit. I am an ambassador for conservation charity Orangutan Appeal and getting involved with it has been the best thing I have ever done.

I drop everything when they call and help in any way I can. I recently helped release two rehabilitated orangutans back into the wild. I am about to go to Borneo again to support the charity. I donate at least a month of my time every six months. It is rewarding.

What is your number one financial priority?

To build up my savings for when I retire. What I do in my work is dangerous. Knowing I have got a pension and some property gives me peace of mind.
Thousands of former Royal Bank of Scotland shareholders will this week bring an 800 million legal claim against the bank over its 2008 rights issue.

The action will result in RBSs former chief executive Fred The Shred Goodwin being questioned in court over the banks failure.

Shareholders who lost thousands of pounds as a result of the rights issue claim they were misled about the banks solvency.

Quizzed: Fred The Shred Goodwin faces court quiz in 800 million claim

John Bradney, a 75-year-old retired chartered accountant from Rye, East Sussex, lost 10,000. He told The Mail on Sunday this weekend: I would like the money back, but almost more important to me is seeing the former executives explain what they did and why they did it.

Goodwin, who was ousted from the bank during the crisis and has not spoken publicly about those events since 2009, will be cross-examined about his role on June 8.

Bradney plans to attend the hearing to hear Goodwins testimony. He says he relied on assurances given by the former chief executive when he invested.

Former shareholders say RBSs inherent weaknesses were not adequately disclosed or fairly represented to investors by the prospectus.

RBS, alongside co-defendants Goodwin and three other former executives, says the prospectus contained all the information necessary.
Although chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio has undoubtedly done a super job turning the Lloyds banking giant into a profitable, dividend-paying company, the recovery has come at a high price.

The branch network has been culled  by a woodcutter on steroids  as have staff numbers.

Payment Protection Insurance mis-selling continues to cost the bank a small fortune in compensation bills  17 billion and rising  while the bad smell from the past mis-selling of other financial products (complicated plans linked to the stock market) still lingers.

'Lloyds has great adverts... now it's about the customers' says Jeff Prestridge

Of course, I love the advertising Lloyds is now employing to demonstrate the bank has stood by our side for more than 250 years. Indeed, a series of posters boasting about its prowess currently line one of the underpasses into Londons Westminster Tube station.

They draw in viewers as if they were works of Banksy. I, for one, was temporarily mesmerised.

Yet they are only adverts, marketing messages. The fact remains that the banks commitment to customer service has improved little under Horta-Osorios watch.

If you dont believe me, check out Fairer Finances website. It ranks financial companies according to how good and transparent their products are  and how helpful they are when customers complain.

Apart from mortgages, where it gets a bronze rating (Yorkshire gets gold), the bank does not get a look in, though its offshoot Halifax fares better. There are a host of other providers doing things better than Lloyds.

While others shut branches, Metro has amassed a million accounts

Well done Mr Horta-Osorio for saving one of Britains most iconic brands.

But it would be nice if you were to take the next step and rid the bank of some of its nastier practices. Poor complaints handling, not listening to customers.

May I suggest you spend today reading Vernon Hills book, Fans! Not Customers. While you have been lopping dead wood, Hills Metro Bank has amassed one million accounts by making fans out of customers. No adverts.

It just provides such a good customer experience that account holders recommend the bank.

It is difficult to defend the fund management industry when those entrusted to look after our hard-earned money are the only ones reaping rich rewards.

Hero: Well done Mr Horta-Osorio for saving one of Britains most iconic brands

After details emerged of the 35 million bonus pot that key employees of investment houses Aberdeen and Standard Life will gorge on once the two marry, we now discover that M&G boss Anne Richards was paid 3.9 million for just seven months work last year.

While Ms Richards may be good at her work, her bounty sticks in the craw when you review the pretty raw deal some of M&Gs loyal fund investors are receiving.

For example, the 3.2 billion M&G Recovery fund has delivered an overall return of just short of 39 per cent over the past five years.

This compares with a peer group average of 83 per cent and a return from the FTSE All Share of 77 per cent. Woeful.

The funds ongoing charge is 0.9 per cent, equivalent to 2.9 million of annual revenue for M&G. A nice earner for hapless performance  although less than Richards remuneration for seven months hard graft.

No wonder American giant Vanguard, renowned for no-nonsense, low-cost investment management, sees an opportunity to become the investment equivalent of Lidl here in the UK.

Yorkshire Building Society may be cutting branches but it offers some of the best deals in the mortgage forest.

Last months lowest ever priced mortgage  0.89 per cent and still available  has now been followed by a best-buy offer targeted at first-time buyers. It is priced at 3.25 per cent, fixed for the first two years, and may seem expensive compared to the previous 0.89 per cent deal but borrowers only require a five per cent deposit.

It comes with a 995 fee  such costs are now par for the course  although the mutual is dangling a conker before borrowers with a 250 cashback upon completion.

Given the continued difficulties first-time buyers are experiencing getting their feet on the housing ladder  despite the launch of Government initiatives such as the Help to Buy Isa and the Lifetime Isa  the woodcutter deserves to be praised on this occasion.

Other lenders should adopt its friendliness to aspiring home buyers.
Florismart, an online flower market for florists across Europe, has secured 1.3 million through the private equity growth investor Beaubridge under the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

The website brings together exporters, wholesalers, and growers in one transparent marketplace, enabling florists to buy direct from a variety of sources and save up to 20 per cent on cost as layers of the supply chain are removed.

Chief executive Steve France, who sits on the board of the British Florist Association, said: I have been in the industry for 15 years, but my background is business analysis and data.

Blooming: Chief executive Steve France, who sits on the board of the British Florist Association

I worked for a large insurer, but the flower industry attracted me because theres a lot of data.

I set up Arena Flowers, one of Londons largest florists, with a friend in 2006. In about 2008 we were contacted by the likes of Moonpig asking if we could do their bouquets. It got massive and we were doing about 10 million a year in turnover.

And then I was having to fly to Kenya and Columbia and really get to understand the industry in a different way.

I had the idea for Florismart because when you are buying that quantity  we were buying about 100,000 a week in flowers  it puts you in a really good position. Exporters would just compete for my business.

With the aim of decreasing reliance on European flower imports, Florismart also plans to put logistics in place to link florists with local growers. Florismart now has 850 independent florists signed up.
Sir,



I refer to your editorial in the Times SUNDAY of May 7, 2017. I agree with most of the content of your article. The state of this country is indeed becoming very worrying.



There is no accountability in government which is manifested by the poor state of the economy and in particular at the moment the shortage of diesel at depots and the stalling of essential road works.

Another blatant example of the lack of care and foresight is the current situation of VOCTIM institution. I remember about 30 years ago, the German Government contributed millions to the founding of this excellent facility that was to produce young artisans and craftsmen and women who would get this economy moving.



Look at it now. It has degenerated into a leaky, dilapidated mess where students are treated as if they are in primary school. Is government not ashamed by allowing this state of affairs to prevail?Maintenance is an essential part of development. You cannot just accept a multimillion contribution from foreign countries and then sit back and expect the place to run on its own without any year on year financing for maintenance and staffing welfare improvement.



The contrast created by the concentration of scarce funds into few high level and costly projects is surprising and puzzling to say the least in the present context.

You are right to criticise the parliamentarians for having only narrow financial interests with regards to their function in the State mainly because they are not there to see their views on the political economy of the country implemented. Their attempt to have the recent budget changed was slapped down in no uncertain terms by the head of government.

There was no personal satisfaction in seeing their ideas or measures to improve the welfare of their constituencies implemented. SO they turn to terms and conditions to at least ensure that they and their families get something out of this demoralising career. As it has been said before, they are mere rubber stamps.



I take exception to your issue with your dismissal of the interruption in the South African Parliament over the last few years. You describe the actions of the EFF and the DA and other opposition parties as chaos and you say it is something you would not want to see being emulated here in Swaziland. I would want to point out that in a parliamentary democracy, these kinds of scenes are not unknown when one is dealing with stubborn government anywhere in the world and are only expected when dealing with a regime as intransigent and allegedly corrupt as South Africas President Jacob Zuma.



They need people to stand up and face down gross waste of taxpayers money and the steadfast refusal of the government to admit its faults and change its ways, Very similar, if not exactly the same, scenes like what is happening in South African Parliament are played out in Parliaments of many countries from the UK to Greece, Bulgaria and South Korea and are shown on television from time to time. But the Parliaments are still there; they survive those outbursts and settle down to do the work of legislating.



Swaziland needs the experience of genuinely open discussion and the answering of questions in the debate of issues; it is never all plain sailing, but it is certainly not a chaos or anarchy once the dust settled. There is a falsehood doing the rounds here at eSwatini that democracy equals bad mannered and disgraceful scenes in Parliament and for that reason should not be welcomed or even contemplated. This is a complete misunderstanding of democracy. After all, to make an omelette, you need to break eggs.



Graham Hall

Mbabane
MBABANE  The 2017 army recruitment exercise continues to be marred by controversy as more and more recruits are being sent back home for having been admitted illegitimately.



Latest reports indicate that a further 18 were sent packing yesterday after investigations uncovered that they did not go through the recruitment process.

One distraught parent who spoke to the Times SUNDAY following the return of his son yesterday disclosed that in order for her child to be admitted to the army she paid E50 000 to a senior army official.



The son did not go through the normal process where aspirant soldiers were made to undergo fitness training in their respective constituencies where one male and one female who outshone them all were recruited to join the army.



My son had already spent three months undergoing training with the army and I am shocked that he has now been sent back home. We had to pay E50 000 for him to be admitted to the army. We were given a bank account to deposit the money into. The man who gave us the bank account is amongst the armys top brass, the mother said.



However, she claimed to have forgotten the identity of the army official as well as the account number but remembers that it is held with First National Bank.

I got to know the army official through a relative whom I had informed of the need for my son to get employment. We were in a desperate situation, she said.
MBABANE  A managing director of one of the countrys financial institutions has engaged his lawyers to block the Times of Swaziland SUNDAY from pursuing an article that touches on him allegedly practising witchcraft.



This publications reporter, Kwazi Masuku, first called the MD and posed questions to him concerning the allegations but the latter requested that he be sent a questionnaire which he said he would respond to.



However, the MD then went to his lawyers, who contacted the Times Human Resources Manager, Silindile Mngomezulu, as well as Times SUNDAY Editor Sifiso Sibandze to register their concerns about the article.

The lawyers, from a reputable law firm, followed this up with a letter addressed to the Times SUNDAY editor through which they registered their concerns.



Even before you send the questionnaire, we wish to bring to your attention that the intended article which you wish to publish insinuates a conduct which is prohibited in terms of the Crimes Act in particular Section 75 thereof, the letter states.



The section being referred to reads: Any person who imputes to another the use of non-natural means in causing any disease in any person or property or in causing injury to any person or property or shall name or indicate another as a wizard or witch or who by means of pretended supernatural power indicates anyone as being responsible for or the cause of any injury to any person, animal or thing shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine of E1 000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years.



The lawyers said it was their view that the said allegations against the MD were devoid of any truth or substance. They said the allegations insinuated a false and misleading picture about a very high and respectable member of society.
MBABANE  Former SPTC Chairman Simon Mthunzi has dropped a bombshell, detailing how Minister of Information Communications and Technology Minister Dumisani Ndlangamandla allegedly refused to facilitate the boards audience with His Majesty King Mswati III.



This, as well as allegations that minister Ndlangamandla wanted to influence board decisions directly are the reasons why he believes he was removed from being Swaziland Post and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) board chairman.

In a tell-all interview, Mthunzi told the Times SUNDAY that the boards mission was to explain the unbundling process of the SPTC to the head of state.



He said the fact that the board was able to make other arrangements through the help of cabinet irked the minister, who did not want them (board) to honour His Majestys invite which had been extended.



The former chairman said that so sensitive was the matter that even the minister appointed by cabinet to accompany them to the royal residence disappeared into thin air moments before they were to appear before His Majesty.



This is one of the reasons that had caused the minister to unceremoniously revoke my appointment as SPTC board chairman.

Mthunzi said after the board had successfully met with the countrys leader, the minister, in anger, told him in the presence of other board member s that he would be removed and replaced.



He accused me of by-passing him yet he had told me that he did not want us to see the King.
LAVUMISA  Businessman who doubles as Nkilongo Member of Parliament Hans Steffen has bought a farm for E7.5 million from businessman and Senator Walter Bennett, which has a government school built on it.



The school in question is Ntsubane Primary School. The farm which Bennett bought for E600 000 is registered as Ingwavuma Estates Limited and he bought it on September 22, 2016, through his company trading as Haywal Limited, where he is a Director.

The farm was granted by Gerhardus Francois in his capacity as director of Ingwavuma Estates Limited. The land in question which is 262, 0610 hectares is Portion 1 of Farm No. 726 in the Lubombo District.



The decision to sell the farm to Steffen was taken in a meeting of the board of directors of the company at Nsoko on May 17, 2016. Steffen bought the farm through a company trading as O.K.H Farms Limited.



The Times SUNDAY has learnt that the residents of the area are very much aggrieved at the latest developments as they claimed that for years, they have known that the certain portion was on Swazi Nation Land. This publication was told by the affected families that they had been settling in the area in question for time immemorial hence establishing farming fields to grow crops to earn a living. As a result, they allege that the land was unfairly taken away from them.



Besides the school, the residents claim that there are three boreholes within the farm that were provided by government which serviced the community members. Of the three boreholes, this publication was made to understand that one of them (boreholes) is the schools water source.



The group of residents are of Nsubane in Lavumisa and their Chief is GasawaNgwane. While admitting that the senator had done a lot for the development of the community, a faction of the residents are not pleased with the sale of the farm as they claim the land in question is Swazi Nation Land, and therefore belonged to them.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Muslim leaders to take a stand against violence committed in the name of religion, describing the struggle against extremism as a "battle between good and evil".

In a highly anticipated speech to dozens of leaders of Muslim countries in Saudi Arabia, Trump lashed out at Iran and softened his tone on Islam by rejecting the idea of a battle between religions.

He also avoided criticising his Saudi hosts and assembled leaders of Arab and Islamic nations on any human rights violations in their countries  a clear break from the practice of his predecessor Barack Obama.

"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil," Trump said.

His stance was later underlined by his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, in a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart.

"The president is clearly indicating that this fight of good against evil has nothing to do with religion. It has nothing to do with country. It has nothing to do with ethnicity," Tillerson said.

Trump\s address was the centrepiece of his visit to Riyadh, which started on Saturday with the announcement of billions of dollars in trade deals with Saudi Arabia and continued Sunday with the speech and meetings with Arab leaders.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that Washington may be "milking" Saudi Arabia.

"Iran  fresh from real elections  attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation. Foreign Policy or simply milking KSA of $480B?" Zarif tweeted of the US-Saudi trade deals days after the re-election of Iran\s President Hassan Rouhani.

The Saudi visit is the first leg of an eight-day foreign tour  Trump\s first as president  that will take him on Monday to Israel and then the Palestinian territories and on to Europe.

His speech sought to rally Islamic leaders behind a renewed push to tackle extremism, with Trump urging religious leaders to condemn violence and governments of Muslim countries to make further efforts to end support for extremists.

"Of course, there is still much work to be done. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds."

Advance excerpts of the speech had Trump using the term "Islamist terrorism"  an apparent softening in tone  but the president veered off-script in his delivery.

Trump appealed to Muslim nations to ensure that "terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil", and announced an agreement with Gulf states to combat financing for extremists.

"A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship! Drive them out of your communities!" Trump said.

The president made no mention of human rights during his visit, and in the speech insisted: "We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live."

In another move sure to please his hosts, Trump accused Saudi Arabia\s regional rival Shiite Iran of fuelling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror".

"Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it," Trump said.

Some 35 heads of state and government from Muslim-majority countries were in Riyadh for the Arab Islamic American Summit, mainly from Sunni states friendly to Saudi Arabia.

Much of the focus was on countering what Gulf states see as the threat from Iran, which opposes Saudi Arabia in a range of regional conflicts from Syria to Yemen.

Introducing Trump, Saudi King Salman called Iran "the spearhead of global terrorism" and also vowed to "eliminate the Islamic State group".

Washington is leading a coalition battling IS, a Sunni Muslim jihadist organisation, in Syria and Iraq, and Trump said he would hold a press conference "in about two weeks" on how the US is faring in the battle.

Trump\s speech was touted as a major event  along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world by Obama in Cairo in 2009.

It was especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administration\s attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and his previous remarks, including a 2015 statement that "Islam hates us".

Reacting to Trump\s address, the Council on American Islamic Relations said "one speech cannot outweigh years of anti-Muslim rhetoric", and urged "concrete actions to reset relations with the Muslim world".

Trump was welcomed warmly in Riyadh, where he and first lady Melania Trump were given an extravagant reception.

The first day saw the announcement of hundreds of billions of dollars in trade deals, welcome news for Trump as he faces mounting troubles at home.

Among the agreements was an arms deal worth almost $110 billion with Saudi Arabia, described as the largest in US history.

On Sunday he met Arab leaders including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar\s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Bahrain\s King Hamad.

The meeting with Sisi  an avowed fan  was especially warm, and Trump said he would "absolutely" be putting Egypt on his list of countries to visit "very soon".

Trump called Sisi "my friend", and Sisi said the US president was "capable of doing the impossible", to which Trump responded: "I agree!"

Trump, who travels on Monday to Israel and the Palestinian territories before visiting the Vatican, Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings, is taking his first steps on the world stage as he faces increasing scandal at home.

The past week has included the announcement that James Comey, the former FBI chief fired by Trump, has agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the US elections.

Reports have also emerged that Trump called Comey "a nut job" and that the FBI has identified a senior White House official as a "significant person of interest" in its probe of Russian meddling.

SOURCE: AFP
Times' Game of the Week Preview: No. 4 Mapletown vs. No. 5 South Side

No. 5 South Side gears up to stop the top-scoring No. 4 Mapletown Maples and star running back Landan Stevenson in the quarterfinal Class 1A matchup.
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SCHENECTADY  The lights were bright on Broadway  OK, maybe it was State Street, but Broadway's only half a block away  as thespians, musicians, dancers, masters of stagecraft and many other young denizens of the stage gathered Saturday at Proctors for the inaugural High School Musical Theatre Awards.

The awards, organized and presented in partnership with the Times Union, were created to recognize and encourage the work of student performers, crew members and their teachers and mentors in musical and theater departments throughout the region.

"We're celebrating the achievements of young people," said Philip Morris, Proctors CEO, kicking off the evening with Times Union Editor Rex Smith. It was a night of lively song-and-dance numbers, sincere accolades and deafening cheers from a packed audience.

Snagging Best Musical from an original field of 16 competing high schools was "Phantom of the Opera," staged by Niskayuna High School, which also won awards for technical execution and set construction.

Jaynie Parmenter won Best Actress for her title performance in "Mary Poppins" at Voorheesville High School, which also won for choreography and ensemble.

"A few words of advice, if I may, from a very special friend of mine: To any of you out there who wants to pursue anything, anything can happen if you let it," said Parmenter, quoting a lyric from the play.

Winning Best Actor, for his performance as Jean Valjean in Queensbury High School's "Les Miserables" was Patrick Shannon.

As Best Actor and Actress winners, Shannon and Parmenter will head to New York City  and the other Broadway  on June 26 to compete in the Nationals at the Minskoff Theatre on West 45th Street in Manhattan. Ben Platt, currently starring on Broadway in "Dear Evan Hansen," will host.

"Jaynie and Patrick, we expect a bunch of stories when you're back from New York," Morris said.

Sixteen judges spent five weeks this spring watching the musical productions of 16 high schools from Warrensburg to Schoharie. The nominees were announced May 1 at Proctors. Saturday's awards ceremony was marked by the flair and fizz of musical theater, with students performing nuggets from the competing schools' productions.

The opening number, "Something About This Night" from "Finding Neverland," featured students from all 16 schools. Excerpts from the productions nominated for best musical then followed, dotting the night with hoofing and harmonies: "I'd Do Anything" from Albany High School's "Oliver!," "Jitterbug" from Bethlehem High School's "The Wizard of Oz, "One Day More" from Queensbury High School's "Les Miserables," "Masquerade" from "Phantom" and "Step in Time" from "Poppins."

Two medleys showcased the singing prowess of nominees in the best actor and actress categories, and the closing number, "Brand New Day" from "The Wiz," once again rounded up players from all 16 schools.

Every discipline had its moment in the spotlight.

"Certainly when we're happy, we dance," said Orlando Pigliavento, president of the Orlando School of Dance, introducing the award for Best Choreography Execution. "Choreography is an extension of the personalities that inhabit the musical and complete the world that it creates," Asked Albany Pro Musica artistic director Jose Daniel Flores-Caraballo, extolling the importance of choral singing in the award for best ensemble: "Can you imagine 'The Wizard of Oz' without Munchkin?"

But for all the energetic performances on display, the awards recognized those behind the curtain, too. "For every person on stage, there is someone backstage to allow the production to run effortlessly," said youth advocate and media educator Prince Sprauve of Told By Us Productions, presenting the award to Niskayuna for technical execution. "We salute each and every crew member ... for they, too, are stars."

The complete lineup of winners:

Best Musical: "The Phantom of the Opera," Niskayuna High School.

Best Actor: Patrick Shannon as Jean Valjean, "Les Miserables," Queensbury High School.

Best Actress: Jaynie Parmenter as Mary Poppins, "Mary Poppins," Voorheesville High School.

Best Supporting Actor: Vinnie Canale-Rouse as Lumiere, "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," Hudson Falls High School.

Best Supporting Actress: Natalie Davey as Celeste, "Godspell," Warrensburg Jr./Sr. High School.

Best Ensemble/Chorus: "Mary Poppins," Voorheesville High School.

Best Choreography Execution: "Mary Poppins," Voorheesville High School.

Best Student Orchestra: "The Wizard of Oz," Bethlehem Central High School.

Best Set Construction: "The Phantom of the Opera," Niskayuna High School.

Best Technical Execution: "The Phantom of the Opera," Niskayuna High School.

abiancolli@timesunion.com  518-454-5439  @AmyBiancolli
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump basked in Saudi Arabia's lavish royal welcome Saturday as he left behind, at least temporarily, the snowballing controversies dogging him in Washington. Trump rewarded his hosts with a $110 billion arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements.

"That was a tremendous day, tremendous investments in the United States," Trump said during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.

The visit to the kingdom's capital kicked off Trump's first foreign trip as president, an ambitious, five-stop swing that will take him through the Middle East and into Europe. He is the only American president to make Saudi Arabia  or any Muslim-majority nation  his first overseas trip.

Trump arrived in Riyadh besieged by the fallout from his firing of FBI Director James Comey and more revelations about the federal investigations into his election campaign's possible ties to Russia. Escaping Washington for the embrace of the Saudi royal family appeared to give Trump a boost.

After an overnight flight, the president was greeted at the airport by King Salman, which was notable given that the monarch did not show up last year to welcome President Barack Obama on his final visit to Saudi Arabia.

Trump descended the steps alongside first lady Melania Trump, who wore a black pantsuit and gold belt, but did not cover her hair in the ultra-conservative kingdom, in keeping with the traditions of Western delegations.

As Trump and the 81-year-old king, who was aided by a cane, walked along the red carpet, military jets swept the sky, leaving a red, white and blue trail. During a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court, Salman awarded Trump the Collar of Abdulaziz al Saud, the kingdom's highest civilian honor.

Trump bent down so the king could place the gold medal around his neck. Saudi Arabia has previously bestowed the honor on Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Obama.

Trump's warm welcome reflected the degree to which Saudi Arabia had become disillusioned with Obama. The Saudis deeply distrusted Obama's overtures to Iran and were frustrated by his restrained approach to the Syrian civil war.

As Trump arrived, Iranians had just re-elected Hassan Rouhani  one of Obama's partners in the landmark accord aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions  for a second four-year-term as president, validating his push for greater freedoms and outreach to the wider world. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he hoped Rouhani would use his new term "to begin a process of dismantling Iran's network of terrorism."

Trump made no substantial remarks on his first day abroad and spent most of his time shuttling between opulent palace ballrooms with the king. The two were overheard discussing natural resources and arms, and Salman bemoaned the destruction caused by Syria's civil war.

The most tangible agreement between the two leaders was the $110 billion sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia that is effective immediately and could expand up to $350 billion over 10 years. The deal includes tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications, and cybersecurity technology. The State Department said the agreement could support "tens of thousands of new jobs in the United States."

Trump was joined on the trip by the CEOs of several major U.S. companies, which announced their own agreements with the Saudis. Among them was a $15 billion arrangement with GE focused on power, oil and gas, and health care.

The president was trailed on the trip by a large number of advisers, including Tillerson, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon. Trump's son-in law, Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka, both senior advisers, were also part of the official delegation. Ivanka's presence dominated Arabic Twitter traffic, with the phrase "bint Trump"  Arabic for daughter of Trump  trending.

The Saudis' welcome appeared to lift the spirits of Trump's beleaguered staff, ensnared in a seemingly endless cycle of negative stories involving Comey's firing and the intensifying Russia investigations. After a lavish lunch with the Saudi delegation, Kushner high-fived national security adviser H.R. McMaster.

Later Saturday, Trump was greeted by a troupe of Saudi drummers and sword-waving dancers. Trump smirked and bopped to the beat as he made his way through the crowd.

On Sunday, Trump and the king were to join more than 50 regional leaders for meetings focused on combating the Islamic State group and other extremists. The president was to give the signature speech of his trip, an address that aides view as counter to Obama's 2009 speech in Egypt to the Muslim world. Trump has criticized Obama's remarks as too apologetic for U.S. actions in the region.

Trump planned to urge unity in the fight against radicalism in the Muslim world, casting the challenge as a "battle between good and evil" and appealing to Arab leaders to "drive out the terrorists from your places of worship," according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press.
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy speaks at his Executive's Volunteer Award ceremony held at the Albany County building Monday, April 24, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. McCoy said he hasn't assisted any of his 10 relatives who work in local government in getting their jobs. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less Albany County Executive Dan McCoy speaks at his Executive's Volunteer Award ceremony held at the Albany County building Monday, April 24, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. McCoy said he hasn't assisted any of his 10 ... more Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN Buy photo Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close For Capital Region officials, it's all in the family 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan still bristles when she recalls how her father, who also served as the mayor of the village, didn't let her work in the summer recreation program like other teenage children of Green Island employees.

John J. McNulty Jr., who died in 2009, didn't think it was ethical. He had also been Albany County sheriff and an influential member of the county's Democratic party.

But McNulty-Ryan said she believes relatives have as much of a right to work in government as other citizens. Her brother, Jack J. McNulty III, has a $77,527-a-year job as the village's treasurer. And her daughter, Kristin Swinton, has a $73,509-a-year job at the Green Island Power Authority  where McNulty-Ryan is the chairperson.

"I swore when I went into this I'm not going to penalize people because I'm here," McNulty-Ryan said. "I don't give anything to anybody that doesn't deserve it or isn't going to work hard."

Despite decades of federal and state civil service requirements meant to curb nepotism  favoritism that helps relatives  as well as efforts by some municipalities to adopt stricter ethics laws, many Capital Region leaders have multiple relatives employed in their government agencies, or working in nearby municipalities controlled by the same political party. A two-month Times Union examination of municipal payrolls and other public records found at least 11 local elected officials who have at least three relatives each working in local government  some employed in the same office as the elected official.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy has 10 people who are either related to him or his wife working in the county or Albany city governments. Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino, who this past week announced she will end her 16-year run as the county's leader, has a handful of relatives working in Rensselaer County government  three of whom are related to her son-in-law.

Local officials provided various explanations for their family members' government employment: that their relatives scored high on required civil service exams; that they were hired before the officials were elected; that they are only related by marriage, or that they work in another department.

But experts in government ethics say such hiring not only can erode public trust and transparency in government, it can make an environment ripe for poor productivity, mismanagement and, in the worst cases, malfeasance.

"It calls into question the process  has it been fair and impartial?" said Hana Callaghan, director of government ethics at Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics in California. "It also calls into question the duty of loyalty  are (the elected officials) acting in the best interest of the public? Is this person truly the best person for the job, or did they get the job because of their relationship?"

For example, three of McCoy's siblings work for Albany County, not including other relatives who are related to McCoy's wife through marriage. The Democratic county executive has maintained that some relatives are only distantly related, and that he has not hired a relative since he was elected to his current post in 2011.

In Republican-controlled Rensselaer County, Jimino's son-in-law, Aaron Simard, is a correction officer at the county jail. Both his parents and brother also work for Rensselaer County. Jimino also has a niece who is a caseworker in the county Department of Social Services. Jimino said her niece, her daughter's mother-in-law and her son-in-law got their jobs by meeting civil service requirements.

"I don't think we should preclude people from being able to be tested and appointed off a civil service list because of a relationship," Jimino said. "I don't supervise any of (my relatives) directly."

But Callaghan, the ethicist, said that ultimately a relative's boss would have to answer to the elected official. "From a managerial standpoint, will people be afraid to criticize their work? It's not in the best interest of the public when you create a fearful situation," Callaghan said.

Critics have also targeted the civil service system, saying there are many subjective parts of the hiring process that go beyond doing well on an exam. Residency in the municipality, education, professional experience and in some cases psychological exams can be cited as reasons for hiring. Also, multiple people can get the same high score on a test  allowing officials to pick whomever they want. Albany County states on its civil service website that "having a high score does not guarantee that you will be hired. The canvass and interview are equally important parts of the selection process."

McCoy was the focus of criticism late last year after his nephew, Nicholas Vita, who scored 76th on a civil service test, was appointed an Albany city firefighter. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, who is a political ally of the county executive, said any suggestion of favoritism was bordering on slander and denied any undue influence in hiring McCoy's relative.

But many of the jobs that relatives get do not have civil service requirements.

Jonathan Desso, the son of North Greenbush Supervisor Louis Desso (who is also Rensselaer County's deputy mental health commissioner), was hired to be Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove's confidential assistant in 2015. The hiring came almost two years before his father, then a North Greenbush town board member, was elected supervisor. The younger Desso, who previously worked for 10 years as an executive for Target, said he got the now $81,789-a-year job on his own merits.

"I'm quite confident if I said the wrong things and didn't have the qualifications, (Abelove) wouldn't have me in this position," Desso said.

Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan's family has been deeply rooted in town government for more than two decades. Her husband, Joseph, is a retired Colonie police officer who served on the town board through the late 1990s and was himself a one-time supervisor candidate. Paula Mahan's son, also Joseph, got hired for a job in the town's building department in 1999. She has two other relatives  brother-in-law Stephen Mahan and nephew Michael Kennah  who work in the water department and were hired before her husband or herself became elected officials.

In March 2016, the supervisor's other son, Paul, got an exempt job as a part-time criminal investigator for the Albany County public defender's office. A former Guilderland police officer, Paul Mahan has had his own run-ins with law enforcement, pleading guilty to Department of Environmental Conservation violations for attempting to find deer with a spotlight in Colonie and Guilderland on two separate occasions in 2013 and 2014.

Paul Mahan started in the county public defender's office around the time of Public Defender James Milstein's departure; Milstein did not respond to a request for comment about the hire. Paula Mahan's spokeswoman Sara Wiest said Mahan's son knew someone in the public defender's office, heard there was an opening and applied for the position. He made $7,996 in the job before leaving after six months.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors member Matthew Veitch, who is elected to represent the city of Saratoga Springs on the board, said the Veitches are also continuing a family tradition of public service; his grandfather worked as a Saratoga Springs urban planner in the 1960s. Currently, Matthew Veitch has four relatives working in the city government he represents, including his brother, Gregory, who is the Saratoga Springs police chief.

"All of the focused energy was to work for the people of the city," said Veitch, who noted that Gregory Veitch and another brother became police officers before he was elected supervisor. "That was instilled in us."

Meanwhile, there are relatives of elected officials  like the mayor of Green Island  who not only work in the same government, but in the same office, the Times Union found.

Rensselaer County Clerk Frank J. Merola's daughter-in-law, Michelle, is computer system supervisor in his office. The $37,397-a-year job did not require a civil service. "She's an excellent employee who does a great job," Merola said. As far as any ethical questions about the situation, Merola said, "I don't see it."

Saratoga Springs DPW Commissioner and former Saratoga County Supervisor Anthony "Skip" Scirocco's son, Mark, works in the department with him as a water meter service worker. Scirocco, who has three other relatives who work in county government, said his son scored No. 2 on his civil service exam. "He was more than qualified," the elder Scirocco said. "There is no reason he shouldn't have the job."

Cohoes, unlike many other municipalities, has an ethics law that specifically bans city employees from hiring or supervising relatives. But newly elected Mayor Shawn Morse, the former chairman of the Albany County Legislature, still hired his uncle  the former mayor of Cohoes  as his assistant last year.

Morse's uncle George Primeau, who had decided not to seek re-election because of his battle with cancer, died about six months after his appointment to the new city post.

Morse told the chairman of the Cohoes ethics board at the time that despite Primeau being his assistant, his uncle had a different boss  Ralph Signoracci, a fellow county legislator who Morse had also hired at Cohoes City Hall.

More Information Capital Region leaders and their relatives who work in local governments* Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy: 10 Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino: 6** Saratoga County Board of Supervisor Matthew Veitch: 5 Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan: 5 Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan: 4 Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse: 4 Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works Anthony "Skip" Scirocco: 4 Rensselaer County Clerk Frank J. Merola: 3 Albany County Legislator Gary Domalewicz: 3 Albany County Legislator Gil Ethier: 3 Albany County Legislator and Democratic Majority leader Frank Commisso Sr.: 3 *The number of relatives could be more; officials have confirmed the number posed by the Times Union. The number includes those who currently employed or who have worked in government in recent years. ** Includes Jimino's brother, Patrick Madden, who was elected as Troy mayor in 2015

When asked about the matter recently by the Times Union, Morse said he thinks his city's nepotism law is "worthless." Morse's cousin's wife is also an executive secretary in his office; he has a cousin who is a Cohoes firefighter, and a brother-in-law who recently got a job in the city's Department of Public Works.

"I've helped hundreds of people get jobs, and I'm not going to not help somebody because they have a relationship to me? That's crazy," Morse said. "I'm in a small city. I'm related to half the God-darned city. If somebody has a problem with who I hire, I apologize. They can take that to the voting booth if I had done something inappropriate."

lstanforth@timesunion.com  518-454-5697
Joe Anderson, of the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, stands with Rocco, a two-year-old German shepherd. Rocco is a registered therapy dog and has been a part of the funeral home since he was puppy.
Election results: Check out results from various races across the state
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER The layoffs of 185 workers are part of a program euphemistically labeled "Special K," a scaling back of distribution centers all across the country, the Kansas City Business Journal reported.
David Zimmerman's time at the top post will be temporary, but it comes at a crucial time as the city gears up for the summer and combats a rising homicide rate. The interim chief said he plans to continue engaging with the community and work to ease residents' concerns.
Kansas legislators adjourned for the weekend after little progress on big issues like school funding and the state's budget gap. When they reconvene Monday, they'll be only days away from the 100th day of their annual session, which is supposed to be their last.
Saudi Arabia has expressed its intent to procure more than $28 billion worth of Lockheed Martin integrated air and missile defense, combat ship, tactical aircraft and rotary wing technologies and programs, the company said.



At Lockheed Martin, we are proud to be part of this historic announcement that will strengthen the relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Lockheed Martin chairman, president and chief executive officer Marillyn Hewson.



We are especially proud of how our broad portfolio of advanced global security products and technologies will enhance national security in Saudi Arabia, strengthen the cause of peace in the region, and provide the foundation for job creation and economic prosperity in the US and in the kingdom. These agreements will directly contribute to His Majestys Vision 2030 by opening the door for thousands of highly skilled jobs in new economic sectors.



The announcement includes:

 Letters of Offer and Acceptance and a Memorandum of Intent covering government-to-government sales of Lockheed Martin programs to include integrated air and missile defense systems, multi-mission surface combatant ships, radar systems, surveillance systems, tactical aircraft and rotary wing programs.



 A Letter of Intent, between Lockheed Martin and Taqnia, to form a joint venture to support final assembly and completion of an estimated 150 S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters for the Saudi government. The program supports work for more than 450 US jobs including in Connecticut at Sikorsky and throughout the US supply chain and also supports KSAs Vision 2030 by creating an additional 450 jobs in the kingdom, developing local capabilities through technology and skills transfer, thus enhancing the US-Saudi global security partnership.



 A Memorandum of Understanding between Lockheed Martin and Saudi Arabian Military Industries for the parties to work together to build defence capabilities in the KSA to support Vision 2030 and provide for localisation efforts associated with Multi-mission Surface Combatants and Aerostats.



Once fully realised, the programs in this announcement will support more than 18,000 highly skilled jobs in the US and thousands of jobs in Saudi Arabia as part of maintaining and modernising these platforms over the next 30 years. These programs help the Saudi government realise its Vision 2030 objective of building its domestic technology capabilities and skilled workforce, the statement said.



Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. - TradeArabia News Service


The fourth Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), the Middle East's largest cybersecurity event, opened today in Dubai with more than 100 exhibitors and technology pioneers showcasing latest innovations.



Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, head of security for the Emirate of Dubai, opened the event, which is running concurrently with the Internet of Things Expo (IoTx) 2017 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from May 21 to 23.



The GISEC has attracted major regional and international cybersecurity suppliers, providers and investors, with top industry experts, decision makers and business leaders gathering to discuss the latest online threats, trends and solutions.



More than 10,000 visitors will discover cutting-edge technologies and best practices to tackle advancing regional cybercrime at the expo, a statement said.



Lt Gen Tamim toured the exhibitions halls, guided by Dubai Polices latest innovation, an autonomous robot policeman, which harnesses the Internet of Things (ioT), Artificial Intelligence and the latest smart technologies, making various stops to interact with exhibitors. The opening delegation stopped at the stands of UAE-based cybersecurity specialists Darkmatter, Spire Solutions, the UK Pavilion, Dubai Police, Cisco, GBM, Oracle, SAP, Lenovo, and DigiRobotics.



According to Gartner, governments in the Middle East and North Africa are projected to spend $11.6 billion on IT products and services in 2017  a forecast covering investment on internal services, software, IT services, data centre systems, devices and telecom services.



Cybersecurity remains a major concern for economies globally and the UAE, much like the wider region, is no exception. GISEC plays a pivotal role in bringing together industry leading technology providers and investment decision makers to discuss cybersecurity challenges, share expertise on how to tackle current and future threats and make themselves more secure online moving forwards, said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions & events management, DWTC.



Supported by Smart Dubai, Dubai Police and the National Cybersecurity Center KSA, GISEC is hosting more than 500 international delegates and features notable global security experts, including public sector representatives of the GCHQ, the UK Governments Communications Headquarters, and the US Cyber Consequences Unit; as well as private sector visionaries from HSBC, EasyJet, Wells Fargo and GSK among others.



The three-day GISEC conference programme features sessions led by more than 75 high-profile speakers, including todays keynote address titled Defend, Deter and Develop  Boosting cyber resilience at the national level delivered by Conrad Prince, the UKs Cyber Ambassador and former Deputy Director and Head of Operations of GCHQ.



GISEC also features a series of ground-breaking technology exhibitions, demos by leading vendors and workshops by ISC2, while a dedicated Start-up Show is giving innovative start-ups a bespoke platform to showcase the latest cutting-edge products and solutions driving the smart tech sphere.  TradeArabia News Service


Dubai Police has welcomed a new member to its force and he is super smart. He is ready to engage with Dubais residents and millions of tourists across the citys streets.

The worlds first operational robot policeman, officially joined the line of duty today, greeting guests at the opening of the 4th Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), including Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim, head of security for the Emirate of Dubai, who opened the show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

The autonomous Robocop, standing 170 cm tall and weighing 100 kg, is equipped with an emotion detector which can recognise gestures and hand signals from up to 1.5 m away. The Robocop can also detect a person's emotions and facial expressions  whether the individual is happy, sad, or smiling - and has the ability to change his expression and greetings accordingly to put people at ease.

When patrolling the streets, the Robocop which harnesses Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and the latest smart technologies, can use its facial recognition software to help police officers identify and catch offenders, as well as broadcast live video feeds.

With an aim to assist and help people in the malls or on the streets, the Robocop is the latest smart addition to the force and has been designed to help us fight crime, keep the city safe and improve happiness levels, said Brigadier-General Khalid Nasser Al Razzouqi, director-general of Smart Services at Dubai Police. The launch of the worlds first operational Robocop is a significant milestone for the emirate and a step towards realising Dubais vision to be a global leader in smart cities technology adoption.

The Robocop will patrol the halls of GISEC until Tuesday evening before moving to high-density areas of the city. The RoboCops wide-ranging skills include the capability to map the insides of a building and navigate its path automatically via its self-control and drive feature.

With a built-in tablet device, people can complete smart police services through Robocop using credit cards for payments, resulting in an enhanced customer service experience. Robocop can also transmit and communicate in six languages, including Arabic, English and more. Additionally, it can chat and interact, respond to public queries, shake hands and offer a military salute.

Adding value to the existing police force, the robots integrated system allows it to be linked to various social media channels, such as Twitter, as well as artificial intelligence systems, mobile applications and websites, among others. TradeArabia News Service
Eight major players in the power sector have presented their technical bids for a power grid link between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, said a report.

The list includes Saudi Arabias NCC, Korean group Hyundai, Indias Kalpataru Power Transmission and KEC International and Chinas State Grid Corporation and Energy China, reported Daily News Egypt.

The qualified companies will be then requested to present their financial offers in July, it stated.



The winning company will establish a 450-km-long air-transmitter line from Badr Citys transformer station to Nabq station, as well as an 850-km-long aerial transmission line between Nabq station through the Tabuk transformers to the East Madina station, said the report.



Under this project, the switch stations in Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be linked by land cables, in addition to a submarine cable of 500 kV, which is to cross the Gulf of Aqaba at a length of 16km.



In parallel, three companies presented their technical offers for electric switches, in which the Saudi side will take over the examination of offers and will contract with the winning company, stated the Daily News Egypt report.



The companies applying include Siemens, IPP, and General Electric. The technical offers will be examined for a period of three months, it added.
Maldives' first Hotelier Summit will be hosted on July 12 from 9am to 1pm at Dharubaaruge.



The summit, which is a major component of Travel Trade Maldives (TTM), is aimed to act as a platform whereby stakeholders of the industry would meet in one place to discuss the future of tourism in the Maldives.



The summit offers a solution-oriented platform that facilitates face-to-face meetings, networking activities, and information exchange amongst the most elite assemblage of hotel owners and general managers.



Panels are scheduled to take place at the summit in which more than 80 general managers from resorts and hotels of Maldives is set to take part and various topics are set to be discussed that are significant to the Maldivian tourism industry.



Notable attendees include Head of Ministries, Travel Weekly, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Representatives from Expedia, Trip Advisor, IITM, Air Asia and American Express.



World tourism is seeing an ever increasing growth, with the Maldives government planning to develop over 50 resorts before the end of 2018. The major focus of the summit will address matters and discuss ways in which demand would meet the ever growing supply planned for the tourism industry of the country while looking at the future. - TradeArabia News Service
With water levels continuing to rise early last week, Fair Haven had a problem.

The village was running low on sandbags.

The state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services had sent a sandbagging machine to Fair Haven, but it was needed in Jefferson County  another county along Lake Ontario that's been impacted by flooding.

With the sandbagging machine on the way out, Fair Haven built a stockpile of 10,000 sandbags. Officials hoped that would last them awhile before they would need to either get the sandbagging machine back or pick up sandbags from a neighboring county.

But the sandbag supply started to run out. As of Monday, there were 2,000 sandbags remaining.

As the Cayuga County Office of Emergency Services and Fair Haven Mayor Jim Basile developed a plan for acquiring more sandbags, the state delivered some good news: The village would be sent a new sandbagging machine, 10,000 more sandbags and a National Guard unit would be deployed to assist with the sandbag filling operation.

The state's support didn't stop there. On Friday, a mobile command center was set up in Fair Haven to assist residents with emergency permits to address shoreline erosion or filing insurance claims due to flooding in their homes.

"The focus is to have a central place where people can come and get as much service as they can," said Ken Lynch, executive deputy commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Lynch was one of several state officials who visited the village Friday.

The state Department of Financial Services also had a presence in the village. Laura Evangelista, the agency's deputy superintendent for insurance, said their main focus was to assist residents with insurance-related matters.

Representatives reviewed residents' policies to determine if they had flood coverage. Evangelista estimated that they have assisted about 500 people in 10 counties affected by flooding.

One question Evangelista is hearing a lot is about coverage for outdoor damage, such as docks that have been submerged in water and land erosion. She wanted to reiterate that homeowners' insurance covers the physical structure, not docks and other property that's not attached to the home.

Basile lauded the state for its response and the assistance provided to the village, especially the mobile command center's presence Friday. Whether it's insurance claims or permits to repair outside damage, he said those are "administrative activities" that need to be addressed.

"I think it's great that the state is being proactive and getting that ball rolling now," he said.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

Almost six months after Jasjit Singh Bunny, son of a former Punjab minister, the late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, allegedly thrashed an AAP worker at his house in Sector 9, the Chandigarh Police have registered a case against him. Bunny is a former SAD MLA.

An AAP worker, Parkash Chand, a resident of Phase XI, Mohali, was allegedly thrashed by Bunny in November last year. Bunny was arrested under preventive measures that day.

Bunnys medical examination was conducted and the report had revealed that he was drunk at the time of the incident. He had entered into an altercation with the AAP worker and thrashed him.

The police said the case had been registered on the basis of the medical report of the victim after taking a legal opinion.

The case has been registered under Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC against the accused at the Sector 3 police station.

On the day of the incident, Bunnys mother Sarabjit Kaur, who was the APP candidate from Dera Bassi in the Assembly elections, and AAP worker Parkash Chand had returned from a political event when Bunny thrashed him over some issue.
The world in general, and India especially, should be pleased with the re-election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. That he beat his Conservative competitor, Ebrahim Raisi, by a landslide should strengthen his bargaining credentials both at home and abroad since security and foreign policy in Iran is firmly in the hands of conservative agencies close to the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. The testing times for Iran are bound to continue. US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with Iran-hating neo-cons. And he has already blessed the Saudi Arabia-led Sunni military alliance which has no love lost for the Shia-majority Iran and its allies such as the Houthis and Bashar al-Assad.

Rouhanis victory has significance beyond Iran because his conservative rival, Raisi, would have preferred to take Irans Western adversaries head on. A confrontationist approach is a sure-fire recipe for more turmoil in an unsettled region, especially when reason, perseverance and forbearance are in short supply on the other side, as is the case currently in the White House. Raisis domestic policies of expanded subsidies would have strained the exchequer and the opposition to greater personal freedoms would have stirred discontent among Irans Internet savvy youth.

Rouhani's victory means a steady hand on the Iranian tiller. His moderate credentials should ensure that barring the US, the other signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) will be more inclined to ease the sanctions. Rouhani has the mandate to deepen Irans integration with the mainstream of global commerce and that means a disincentive for its conservative establishment for extra-regional adventures. For India, Rouhanis re-election will mean that the plans to develop a linkage to Afghanistan and Central Asia will remain in place. India was slow off the mark when the JCPoA was signed as the Modi government's focus was on the Arab countries. India should grab the opportunity provided by Rouhanis re-election to activate plans for greater energy and ties. It will be easier to forge security ties since the Taliban is anathema to both Iran and India. Both countries also share concerns about a Pakistani leading the so-called Sunni military alliance.
THE Election Commission has agreed, much belatedly, to allow political parties an attempt at hacking electronic voting machines (EVMs). Beginning June 3, the programme is in response to doubts being expressed by certain parties regarding the inviolability of the machines at the heart of our democratic system. Any effort to reinforce trust in the crucial piece of equipment can only be welcomed. The Chief Election Commissioner rightly stressed that the hacking challenge should not be seen as a matter of prestige, rather an exercise to reinforce the EVMs reliability. That should be the approach on both sides, and the smallest of lessons learnt or weaknesses spotted should be recognised and acted upon.

Certain conditions and rules have been laid down for the challenge. The foremost is that the hackers would not be allowed to make any physical changes within the machine. That is a fair condition because such a change would not be possible under the actual administrative and security measures that apply to the conduct of polling. However, the commission may consider two alterations in the challenge rules. One, it may give access to an actual machine in advance to the hackers so that they may study it thoroughly to identify vulnerable spots. This is both fair and logical because it is reasonable to expect that somewhere in the country, over the years, unscrupulous elements would have got access to real machines. The second change is that the media may be allowed in to make it a public exercise. There are bound to be different versions subsequently, and this will help make the process more transparent.

More important than the EVMs, what is at stake here is the credibility of our electoral system, and peoples faith in it. Towards that end, the EC would do well to revisit all of its procedures of calling, scheduling, securing, and holding the elections. During elections, it should go out of its way to not only be but also seem to be fair. The country cannot afford to have doubts cast on the integrity of our electoral system. Let India be an example of holding the most trustworthy elections.
New Delhi, May 21

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is likely to appear as accused before a special court on Monday in a disproportionate assets case.

Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal had on May 8 issued summons against Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh and others for appearance on May 22.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Besides the 82-year-old Congress leader and his wife, Chunni Lal Chauhan, Joginder Singh Ghalta, Prem Raj, Vakamulla Chandrasekhar, Lawan Kumar Roach and Ram Prakash Bhatia have also been asked to appear.

The chargesheet, running into over 500 pages, has claimed that Singh had amassed assets worth around Rs 10 crore which were disproportionate to his total income during his tenure as a Union minister.

The final report, filed against Singh and eight others for the offences including forgery and corruption, arrayed around 225 witnesses and 442 documents.

The report also named as accused LIC agent Anand Chauhan, who is at present in judicial custody.

Chauhan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on July 9 last year in a separate money laundering case related to the DA case.

The matter was transferred by the Supreme Court to the Delhi High Court, which on April 6, 2016 had asked the CBI not to arrest Singh and directed him to join the probe.

On November 5 last year, the apex court had transferred Singhs plea from the Himachal Pradesh High Court to the Delhi High Court, saying it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, but simply transferring the petition in interest of justice and to save the institution (judiciary) from any embarrassment.  PTI
Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 21

The recent displacement of border inhabitants from the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district has once again exposed the casual approach being adopted by the PDP-BJP government in constructing concrete community bunkers for which the amount has been sanctioned by the Central government.

Official sources said that in December 2015, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had sanctioned Rs 3 crore for 60 bunkers on the borders for civilians as a pilot project.

Out of the 60 sanctioned bunkers, only 35 have been constructed so far. Each bunker can accommodate 20 persons during emergency. The state government, however, has failed to utilise the funds sanctioned for 60 bunkers, a source said, adding that the work on the remaining 25 is yet to be started or is going on at a snails pace.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had admitted on the floor of the Assembly on January 23 this year that just 35 bunkers had been constructed under the Border Action Development Programme (BADP) in the border areas of Jammu district.

The sources said that in 2015, the state government had made a proposal to the MHA for constructing 20,125 community-type bunkers along the Line of Control and International Border for the safety of residents living in border areas of J&K. Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri and Kupwara districts were selected for these bunkers. The total cost of the project was Rs 1,000 crore.

The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs in its 203rd report, which was laid before the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on April 11 this year, has also flayed the state government for adopting delay tactics in constructing bunkers. The committee is headed by former Home Minister P Chidambaram.

Though Minister for Rural Development Department (RDD) Abdul Haq Khan did not respond to repeated phone calls, Minister of State for RDD Sunil Sharma, who belongs to the BJP, said he would look into the matter. I will check who is responsible for adopting a casual approach towards constructing bunkers in border areas, Sharma told The Tribune.

House panel slams sluggish approach

The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs in a report presented before the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in April 11 this year stated: The committee is anguished to note the sluggish progress of the project to construct bunds, metalled roads and bunkers along the fence in the Jammu sector. The committee feels that lack of adequate all-weather connectivity in border areas will keep the border in Jammu region vulnerable to external threats like infiltration. The committee, therefore, recommends that the ministry should fast-track the project to construct roads, bunds and bunkers along the fence and start the construction work at the earliest.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 21

Voice for Rights, an NGO, formally launched J&Ks first helpline named Dial for Protection for reporting the human rights violations, at Amar Singh Club here today.

Minister of Social Welfare Sajjad Gani Lone was the chief guest on the occasion while Jammu Divisional Commissioner MK Bhandari was the guest of honour.

While unveiling the number 1800-1800-304, Lone said it was indeed a great initiative and social work needs compassion.

It is a great pleasure to be here for the inauguration of this project. This particular NGO approached me and I found it to be a very good initiative, Lone said, adding that the involvement of NGOs in rectifying and fighting against social issues was indeed a good sign. He added that across the world people were suffering due to the human rights, especially child rights, violations.

As our country grows economically, human rights violations hamper its progress. It is an important step that the NGOs are coming up with such projects, he said, adding that the biggest problem was selective definition of wrong.

A wrong is a wrong... be it in Delhi, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir or any part of the world. I am very happy that an NGO came up with a stringent and unambiguous definition of wrongs, he said, adding that being a part of the social welfare department, he believes that such initiatives on the part of the NGOs were much needed.

Earlier, giving details about the project, Voice for Rights chairperson Deepika Singh Rajawat, advocate, said Dial for Protection would start working from the Jammu province and will eventually venture into other parts of the state.

As J&K is believed to be a conflict-ridden state, wherein conflict holds the prime position due to which social issues, including general human rights violations, remained unattended, she said, adding that this helpline would help in highlighting the issues pertaining to the human rights violations and will save/help victims from getting further victimised by providing them timely legal and other assistance.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 21

Two militants and a soldier were killed on Sunday as an encounter in north Kashmir's Nowgam sector, where army had intercepted a group of infiltrating militants, entered second day.

Two militants and two soldiers were killed in the gunfight yesterday.

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The gunbattle had ensued when alert Army jawans had foiled an infiltration bid by the militants.

"Two more terrorists were killed today while another soldier attained martyrdom," an Army official said.

Update Naugam ops; Total 4 terrorists eliminated before they could infiltrate frm Pak controlled territory. 1 soldier martyred today @adgpi  NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) May 21, 2017

Overall, the number of militants killed in the encounter had risen to four, while three soldiers attained martyrdom in the operation, he said.

"The sanitisation operation is on along the LoC," the official said, adding that four weapons and other war-like stores had been recovered from the encounter site.  With PTI inputs
Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 21

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched an investigation to trace the policeman who fled from his post along with four rifles yesterday, becoming the third constable in recent years to desert the force.

Two senior officers said the police were examining the constables family links and trying to ascertain if he was, in any way, in contact with militants in the region.

Syed Naveed Mushtaq, a constable in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, fled from his post in central Kashmirs Budgam district on Saturday evening. He escaped with four self-loading rifles, the police said.

We are examining his family links to check if he was related to any active militant, a senior police official said. Mushtaq is a resident of Nazneenpora village in south Kashmirs Shopian district.

Nazneenpora village was also home to Farooq Hurra, a militant who was killed in a gunfight in March this year and was reportedly a friend of the constable.

The police have registered a case against Mushtaq in Budgam police station and are probing which militant outfit he has joined. We are investigating which organisation he has joined. We are also investigating if he had frequently and unauthorisedly been absent for long durations, the official said.

Mushtaq had stolen four self-loading rifles from a guard post in Budgam district of central Kashmir on Saturday evening when the other policemen, who were on duty with him, had gone to offer prayers.

He is the third constable to desert the police force in the past two years.

Earlier, a police constable, Naseer Ahmad Pandit, guarding a senior Cabinet minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government, had fled with two assault rifles in March 2015, becoming the first policeman in recent years to switch sides.

Pandit, who later became a close associate of militant commander Burhan Wani, emerged as a senior militant in south Kashmir. He was killed in Shopian district in April last year.

In January 2016, another police constable Shakoor Ahmad had fled with four assault rifles. He was arrested before he could make contact with militants after several months of manhunt.
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 21

The authorities here today foiled the proposed Eidgah march of separatists to commemorate Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Ghani Lone on their death anniversaries.

Meanwhile, a shutdown called jointly by the separatists hit life across the Valley.

In view of the separatists call to march to Eidgah, where the two leaders are buried, the authorities had imposed restrictions in the areas falling under the police stations of Khanyar, Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Rainawari and Safakadal in Srinagar.

District Magistrate, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone said the restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure and to avoid any law and order problem.

The movement of separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was also restricted as a precautionary measure.

Normal life was affected across the Kashmir valley in response to the shutdown call jointly given by the separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik  to commemorate the slain leaders.

All shops and business establishments remained closed and normal traffic was off the roads. While private vehicles and autorickshaws were seen plying in some areas, the public transport was off the roads in most areas.

The flea market and the footpath vendors were also not seen along Residency Road today.

Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was killed by unidentified gunmen at his Nigeen residence on May 21, 1990, months after militancy erupted in Kashmir. At least 50 others were also killed when security forces opened fire on mourners at Hawal in Srinagar following his death.

Senior APHC leader Abdul Ghani Lone fell to the bullets of unidentified gunmen 12 years later at a commemorating rally at Eidgah on May 21, 2002.

Meanwhile, hardline APHC chairman Syed Ali Geelani has condemned the detention of Hurriyat Conference leaders and placing curbs on the movement of people on the death anniversaries of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Ghani Lone. He termed the restrictions a kind of state-sponsored terrorism.

Disallowing people to commemorate their martyrs is unethical, said Geelani, adding that people will be left with no alternative other than to take the issue in their hands and resent through all possible means, a Hurriyat Conference spokesman said.

Restrictions in Srinagar
Bollywood actor Kajol may cease to be a member of the Prasar Bharati board for repeatedly missing meetings.

Kajol was appointed a part-time member of the board, which oversees the functioning of public broadcasters All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan, last year.

According to the provisions of the Prasar Bharati Act, members who are absent without taking permission for three consecutive board meetings are understood to have vacated the office.

The Information and Broadcasting ministry (I&B) had sent a letter to Prasar Bharati seeking details on whether Kajol had attended recent meetings, sources said.

It was learnt the actress had not turned up for three consecutive meeting held this year, without apparently notifying the board.

The I&B ministry is now examining the matter, the sources said. The issue of Kajols repeated absence had also figured in a recent meeting of the Prasar Bharati board. The actress was nominated as a member of the board last year for three years.

A spokesperson for the actress said she had missed the meetings because of several factors. Unfortunately she had not been able to attend the last 3-4 meetings due to prior professional commitments and also due to a family emergency on medical grounds through most of this year, the spokesperson said, adding that she had attended earlier meetings. She regrets that she has been unable to attend the last few meetings due to circumstances beyond her control, the spokesperson said. PTI
SURESH DHARUR

Two southern film stars  Rajinikanth and Pawan Kalyan  have set off ripples in political circles. Rajinikanth, the demi-God of Tamil cinema, has been dropping hints about his possible entry into politics while Pawan Kalyan, who has a massive following among the youth in Andhra Pradesh, is gearing up for an electoral plunge in 2019 General Elections.

The speculation is that Rajinikanth, 66, has made up his mind to enter politics, apparently driven by the political vacuum following the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. If he takes the political plunge, it would be a game-changer in Tamil Nadu.

Amid reports that Thalaivar would soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his millions of fans expect him to repeat the feats of MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, the two matinee idols who went on to become successful mass leaders. Rajinikanth recently wrapped up his five-day interaction with fans in Chennai wherein he spoke about the need to change the rotten system and asserted his Tamil identity, the bedrock of Dravidian politics. Let us face the war when it comes, he declared, sending his fans into a rapturous roar. All this is seen as an indication of his political plans.

Film glamour has been inexorably linked to politics in Tamil Nadu. If MGR and Jayalalithaa had dominated the state politics in the past, Vijayakanth made a low key entry in 2009. DMK patriarch MK Karunanidhi is a celebrated script writer and a long-time associate of MGR.

Similarly, Andhra Pradesh politics too had its share of celluloid glamour. The legendary actor late NT Rama Rao strode the film industry and politics like a colossus. Within nine months of floating TDP, NTR stormed to power in 1983. After his death in 1996, many film personalities tried their luck in politics but could not succeed. Megastar Chiranjeevi founded Praja Rajyam in 2009 that merged with the Congress. He ultimately became a Rajya Sabha member

Chiranjeevis younger brother Pawan Kalyan, referred to as Power Star by his fans, is all set to test his political fortunes. Known for his outspokenness, Kalyan declared that his three-year-old political outfit Jana Sena will field candidates for the 2019 General Elections in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

During the 2014 poll, Pawan had backed the NDA, saying he was a fan of Modi. He had even campaigned for the BJP-TDP combine, which helped N Chandrababu Naidu to come to power.
New Delhi, May 21

The BJP does not support cow vigilantes or citizens taking law into their own hands, Union Minister Smriti Irani said on Sunday.

Asked about the so-called anti-Romeo squads and cow vigilante groups in Uttar Pradesh after the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government came to power, Irani said: Everyone should work within the ambit of law. If somebody flouts laws unconstitutionally they will not get support from the BJP.

Speaking at the India Today Editors Roundtable event here, she said the Prime Minister and all BJP leaders believe that law cannot be taken into the hands by a vigilante or citizen. It has to be enforced by the police.

Asked about her CottonIsCool campaign, the textiles minister said her ministry wants sales of cotton to rise so that farmers associated with the crop can benefit.

Besides, she said the Textiles Ministry is trying to reduce the turnaround time for exports from the sector, which is 45 days at present as compared to 15-20 days in countries like Bangladesh, by talking to other ministries like commerce.  PTI
Pelling (Sikkim), May 21

Amidst the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the NDA government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.

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Addressing a public reception in this western part of the tiny Himalayan state, Singh said Pakistan had been trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.

But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue, he said, without elaborating.

The Home Ministers statement assumes significance as it comes at a time the Kashmir Valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9 when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held.

Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent.

The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the scary situation in Kashmir.

Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces.

Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani.

Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir, Singh said.

Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the Home Minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries.

However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistans attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India.

We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country cant destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it, he said.

The Home Minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border.

He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border, respectively.  PTI
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 20

Pakistan today struck a defiant posture and denied that the stay order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav was a setback for the nation.

Sartaj Aziz, the de facto foreign minister of Pakistan, said at a press conference in Islamabad that they would now strengthen their ICJ legal team. He said the court didnt order consular access, but only stayed the execution.

It was a consensus decision to appoint Khawar Qureshi as our lawyer. Everyone was satisfied with his arguments. Some are saying we had 90 minutes, why we used only 50  a substantive argument can be given in just 10 minutes, said Aziz.

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The ICJ had on Thursday stayed the execution of Jadhav, a former naval officer who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for espionage. India, after 16 requests for consular access, finally moved the ICJ fearing Jadhavs life may be at risk. The Thursday ruling was unanimously in Indias favour.

There, meanwhile, has been some confusion on whether Pakistan is willing to accept the ICJ order.

Pakistans Punjab Province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah today said the country would accept the court order. Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, however, said Jadhavs case would be taken to its logical conclusion according to the countrys laws. Khan is regarded to be a confidant of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Former President Gen Pervez Musharraf made even more damning statements when he claimed that Jadhav was more dangerous than Ajmal Kasab.
Pelling/New Delhi, May 21

Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today, asserting that the Modi government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem.

The Home Minister's assertion came amid continued unrest in the Kashmir valley.

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Addressing a public reception here in this tiny North-Eastern state, Rajnath Singh accused Pakistan of trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.

But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue, he said, without elaborating.

Kashmir is in a vice-like grip of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July last year. Though there was a brief lull, violence erupted again on April 9 this year when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Normalcy has eluded the state since.

Rajnath Singh said heads of government of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government in 2014 to indicate India wanted friendly relations with them.

However, he deplored, there was no change in the attitude of Pakistan which wanted to destabilise India.

We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we will have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it, he said.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, BJP president Amit Shah said there was no need for an iota of concern over the situation in Kashmir that has witnessed months of unrest, and asserted the Central Government would control it soon. There is a big gap between the reality and the projection. The trouble in Kashmir is confined to three and a half districts, he claimed.

The government was keeping a sharp vigil over the situation and the Valley had witnessed several spells of unrest in the past too, he said.

The BJP president attacked the Congress for criticising the government, claiming it had no right to do so as the Kashmir problem was an outcome of the policies of its governments since Independence.  PTI
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 21

Three years after Daman Singh, the writer-daughter of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh revealed the life story of her parents to the world, the biography penned by her has returned to the stands as a Punjabi translation.

Manmohan te Gursharan: Ik Ankahi Dastaan, the translation of Daman Singhs original, Strictly Personal, was launched by the former PM at his residence this evening.

Present at a short private ceremony (the family wanted it that way) to mark the release were Gursharan Kaur, Daman Singh, translator Deep Jagdeep Singh and publisher Gurmannat Singh of Lahore Books, Ludhiana.

Notwithstanding its low-profile launch, the translation is expected to be well received among the Punjabi-speaking readership for the range of topics it covers.

Deep Jagdeep Singh notes, For years, the Communists have mostly attacked the former Prime Ministers economic theory of reforms politically. I hope this translation helps the Punjabi intelligentsia understand Dr Singhs theory better and then engage with it at a more academic level. The chapter which deals with the 1991 economic reforms that Dr Singh ushered as the then Finance Minister was the most difficult for me to translate and also the most significant.

Deep Jagdeep, who studied B Com from Panjab University in distance education mode, says capturing the nuances of Dr Singhs economic theories in Punjabi language was a humongous task for want of terminologies in the language.

I must confess that I got this prestigious project because of my love for Punjabi, my mother tongue. But the problem is that Punjabi lovers dont get to study their chosen subjects in the language of their choice. Even today, professional subjects are taught in English in both PU Chandigarh and Punjabi University Patiala. When I had to translate the component on the former PMs economic reforms into Punjabi, I was at a loss for the correct terminologies. I somehow managed, the translator told The Tribune today.

Other important chapters in the translation capture the early life of Manmohan Singh, a boy from a non-descript village who rose to become PM and whose path of economic liberalisation still guides the Indian growth story.

I particularly enjoyed translating the story of Dr Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaurs companionship through sun and shade. Gursharan Kaur is a woman of many talents and a gifted classical vocalist. She is also someone the former PM always consulted through periods of struggle in his life. The book throws a lot of light on those details of Dr Singhs life, says the translator.

The work also speaks of Manmohan Singhs Lok Sabha election loss from South Delhi in 1999 after his wife Gursharan advised him not to contest.

Daman Singh, the biographer, had in 2014 around the launch of the book, described her fathers election loss as a huge personal blow to her.
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 21

The Congress-led Opposition is still working overtime to get the numbers on its side for the Presidential poll in July.

Sources in the Opposition say the fight wont be easy and it would take efforts to unite not just the larger non-NDA partners in the battle, but also the smaller outfits and fence sitters whose votes can tilt the result in the opponents favour. The margin this time is very small and the Opposition has a fair chance of putting up a fight provided it ropes in the smaller parties, regional outfits that are undecided, Independents and fence sitters, said a senior Congress leader.

For the past week, the Congress, which is leading the efforts to unite non-NDA parties, has remained silent on who a consensus candidate could be. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, earlier being considered for the contest, has ruled himself out. Among names still being heard as probables are JD-U chief Sharad Yadav and former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

The sources dont rule out further discussions to forge a consensus which may elude the names under discussion at present. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, who met Sonia Gandhi recently, hinted to the elusive consensus when she said, We have a lot of time, we will meet again.

Opposition leaders say its a must to put up a fight this time to send a message against a raging atmosphere of intolerance. Ex-minister and Congress veteran Kishore Chandra Deo said, In the current political scenario marked by intolerance, vigilantism, assault on institutions, and what happened with peoples mandates in Goa and Manipur, non-BJP parties have a responsibility to unite in the fight, even if symbolic, for the cause of democracy and secularism.

This week, Sonia Gandhi is expected to meet BSP chief Mayawati to take the debate forward.
New Delhi, May 21

With the NDA keeping mum over its nominee for the presidential poll, major Opposition parties have intensified efforts to finalise a joint candidate for the top post.

Asked about who would be the NDA's presidential candidate, BJP president Amit Shah today told a TV channel that a decision on the issue was yet to be taken.

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"Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first," he said. He rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal to field RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, saying the Sangh had itself rejected the idea.

Despite BJP's emphatic victories in UP and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top Constitutional position. The KCR Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana have already promised to back the NDA nominee in the election.

Meanwhile, the Opposition wants to put up a candidate with impeccable secular credentials," said sources. PTI
Shahira Naim & Prateek Chauhan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi/Lucknow, May 21

A fortnight after the violent Dalit-Thakur clashes in Saharanpur, thousands of Dalit rights activists descended on Jantar Mantar here today to protest police bias. It was a sea of blue at the site, despite the Delhi Police reportedly refusing permission to approximately 50,000 activists from UP, primarily from Saharanpur and Meerut, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat to gather there.

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The activists sat in neat rows, each donning a blue cap with Bheem Army written on it. Many carried placards of Jai Bheem as well as the Buddhist insignia. Significantly, at least 180 Dalit families from three villages in Saharanpur Idhari, Roopadi and Kapoorpur  have embraced Buddhism in recent days. On Saturday, the converts immersed idols and calendars of Hindu deities into a canal, claiming they were following their mentor Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar who had likewise embraced Buddhism in 1956 along with his followers.

The UP Police blame the Bheem Army Ekta Mission for the violent protests against the Thakurs in Shabbirpur village on May 5 and then again on May 9. Today, the Dalits passed a resolution with three demands  a judicial probe into the May 5 violence, compensation for the Dalits whose homes were torched and action against the Thakurs.

Surfacing in public after almost a fortnight, Bheem Army founder Chandra Shekhar vowed not to give up their fight. Claiming that atrocities against the Dalits had increased under the Yogi government, he gave a call for a march to Saharanpur on May 23 that would end with a memorandum, demanding a fair probe into the caste clashes, to the district magistrate.

JNU leader Kanhaiya Kumar also participated in the protest. After so many years of Independence, Dalits continue to face atrocities at the hands of Thakurs. This will not be accepted. The UP Government must take the blame. We will mobilise more support for our cause through the social media, he said over the phone.

Claiming the support of thousands of well-meaning people, Bheem Army national president Vinay Ratan Singh said they had submitted a copy of the resolution to the President and the PM.
New Delhi, May 21

Firing yet another salvo at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Sunday alleged that a businessman is being probed for a Rs 400-crore scam funded the foreign tours of two top Aam Aadmi Party leaders.

Delhi government spokesperson Nagender Sharma dismissed the allegations and said Mishra had been given a "horribly wrong script".

Mishra posed nine questions to his friend-turned-foe Kejriwal, including whether he was aware that a Russia trip of AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh "was sponsored by a man who is being probed for a Rs 400-crore high-security number plates scam".

Read: Kapil Mishra starts campaign to rid AAP of few corrupt people

Mishra also apologised to ex-AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, who were expelled from AAP in April 2015 for "anti-party activities" after they questioned Kejriwal's leadership. They floated a new political party Swaraj India last year.

He said he was working on the directions of Kejriwal and was responsible for their ouster.

While reiterating that he will stay in the AAP to cleanse it, the rebel leader, who has been suspended from the party's primary membership, invited former India Against Corruption volunteers to help him make Delhi "corruption-free" and "Kejriwal-free".

The former minister alleged that there was a scam of high-security number plates that came to the fore during the AAP government's first stint and is currently being probed by the Anti-Corruption Branch.

"Some of the companies that are being probed have a direct link with the person who funded their (Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh) trip," Mishra alleged.

The AAP government had awarded the contract to a firm for high-security number plates but it was later terminated on the basis of a fact-finding committee's report, that was constituted by the then Transport Minister Sourabh Bhardwaj.

Delhi government spokesperson Nagender Sharma rubbished Mishra's allegations in a series of tweets and said that Mishra had no clue of what he was talking about.

"Probe into High Security Number Plates scam was ordered by @Saurabh_MLAgk in 49 days govt in Feb 2014. Then LG Jung reversed the decision.

"In Jan 2016 Delhi government again sent the HSNP file to Delhi ACB despite LG having sent the case for arbitration on company's request," he posted on Twitter.

Sharma also said the BJP had tried to rake up this issue in June last year but went silent when it came to know that file was lying with the Anti-Corruption Branch for months.

"Poor fellow has no clue of what he's speaking ! Who is misguiding him," he said.

The posts were retweeted by Ashutosh.

Mishra, who had trained his guns at Kejriwal soon after he was sacked from the ministry, had accused the Aam Aadmi Party chief of taking bribe. He had said that Kejriwal had opposed demonetisation as he allegedly had links with hawala operators.

"I have realised the wrongdoings in the party now. Many people realised these things before and left. But we have to ensure that the party is not left to some corrupt people," he said.

He had been on a six-day fast to protest the AAP's "refusal" to disclose the details of the foreign trips of five party leaders.  PTI
Geyzing (Sikkim), May 21

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured the central paramilitary personnel that he will personally check every month that any complaint registered by them on an app launched by his ministry is speedily addressed.

The minister was speaking as he joined the jawans of the the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), posted in the inhospitable terrain of Indo-Nepal border in Sikkim, for a special lunch or bada khana organised by the force.

Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Sikkim, reached the headquarters of the 36th battalion of SSB and took stock of the situation along the international border.

He interacted with the jawans and sought to know the problems faced by them.

As the border guarding force had organised a bada khana, the Home Minister joined them in the vegetarian lunch comprising puri, vegetables, dal, rice, papad, kheer and gulab jamun.

Singh asked the jawans to register their problems on the recently launched mobile application of the Home Ministry.

I will personally check the app every month and see whether action is taken on the problems registered or not, he said.

The mobile-based grievance redressal app was launched by Singh early this month against the backdrop of incidents where jawans had taken to social media to voice their complaints.

Singh had said he gets emotional when he sees the jawans and officers working in difficult areas.

The centralised app is for five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB besides the Delhi Police.

Four months ago, BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav had created a stir when he took to social media to complain about alleged bad quality food being served to troops. Quite a few such videos followed in quick succession.

The SSB is tasked to guard the 1,751-km-long Indo-Nepal border.  PTI
New Delhi, May 21

It was Good Friday on April 6 in 2007, a holiday. Renu Takhelabams husband had driven out on his scooter to a local market. Hours passed and he did not return. Renu grew anxious, their nine-month-old son bawled.

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Meanwhile, Mung Hangzos corpse lay unattended in a local hospital.

Hangzos death had become another statistic in the decades-old separatist insurgency in Manipur where security forces are armed with a law, even older than the insurgency, which gives them wide powers to raid homes, detain suspects and even kill on grounds of public order.

Earlier this month while the Indian government was defending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) at a United Nations forum, Renu and other Manipuri widows were busyon the Supreme Courts orderdocumenting cases of 1,528 men, women, and children  all victims of extra-judicial killings or fake encounters.

An imprint was also left by a singular protest by 12 imas (mothers), who undressed themselves in front of the Kangla Fort in Manipurs capital Imphal in 2004, holding aloft a banner reading Indian Army Rape Us against the killing and rape of a young girl, Thangjam Manorama.

But unnoticed in the campaign are activists such as Renu and Edina Yaikhom, the widowed foot soldiers of the movement, all in their 30s, who lost their husbands about 10 years ago.

These women have been quietly marching on against all odds, debilitating diseases and inner demons  a journey marked by few triumphs and numerous setbacks.

One July evening in 2008, Edina sat restless, waiting for her cabbie husband to return. He was usually home before dark.

In a few hours, a few relatives walked in, wearing whites, the colour of mourning. Edina went blank and collapsed, the sudden trauma of her husbands death leaving her partially paralysed.

A year later, in another part of the state, Neena Ningombams husband had gone out for a stroll after lunch.

Around dinner time, she heard of his death on the 9 pm TV bulletin.

The alleged extra-judicial killings in Manipur have followed a pattern over the years  of men disappearing and being found dead.

Fighting against AFSPA are members of the Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association or EEVFAM. The acronyms pronunciation sounds like the local word for bloodstain.

Mostly made up of young widows, the newest, albeit the strongest, troops in the relentless battle against AFSPA, the group has focused on filing court petitions demanding accountability for the killings.

Babloo Loitongbam, a human rights activist, recalls how the judicial battle was conceived over a few cups of coffee in Delhi University, sometime in 1980.

Youths, who had come to study in universities here, were discussing how the mainland differed from their native land, he said.

At that point, AFSPA was introduced in Manipur. The Patsoi Langjing incident in which CRPF killed four civilians including a pregnant woman triggered anger against the law.

The first PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against it was taken up on October 10, 1980, he told PTI.

Around 36 years and multiple PILs later, we are finally here, he adds. His organisation, Human Rights Alert, and EEVFAM, are co-petitioners in the ongoing case against AFSPA in the apex court.

AFSPA is based on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance of 1942, which was issued during the Quit India movement. It allows army personnel to use force, even to the extent of causing death, in order to maintain public order, and also grants them executive powers to enter and search any premises and arrest without any warrant.  PTI
Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, May 21

Police teams of Muktsar and Fazilka districts along with excise sleuths today conducted a massive raid along a canal at Kattianwali village in the Lambi Assembly segment.

They found some bhathis of illegal distilleries running, destroyed nearly 10,000 litres of lahan (raw material for preparing hooch), seized a dozen drums and booked 10 persons under the Excise Act.

Notably, a similar raid was conducted last Sunday by nearly 100 policemen and a huge recovery was also made, but the menace continues.

A police officer said in the last five months, they had booked 45 persons for preparing hooch at this place. We destroyed above 58,000-litre lahan and 840 bottles of illicit liquor this year. However, those involved in this illegal trade are not ready to quit this practice. This place is located amid huge wild growth and whenever we go there, bootleggers manage to flee before our arrival, he said.

Meanwhile, a liquor contractor said during the Vidhan Sabha elections, even the Election Commission had tried to stop this illegal activity, sent a team of the CRPF too, but failed in its attempt. The illicit liquor is supplied from here to many parts of the state and Delhi. It also affects our business, but no permanent solution has been found to date, he added.

Balkar Singh, SHO, Kabarwala police station, said, Efforts are afoot to catch all those involved in preparing hooch. A number of persons were arrested in the past. We booked eight persons by name and two unidentified ones for preparing hooch at Kattianwali today.

He added, If the wild growth is cleared, we may be able to catch the bootleggers easily.

Meanwhile, some residents of the neighbouring villages alleged that it was a well-operated nexus between some politicians and policemen.

65,000 litres of raw liquor recovered

abohar: The police on Sunday raided the banks of Chanankhera village again near the Abohar-Malout road and seized about 65,000 litres of raw lahan that had been dumped by digging pits and covering by wild shrubs. While the drums and other material used for illegal distillation was taken into custody, raw liquor was destroyed on the spot. About a dozen vehicles ferried policemen to the forest-like area to conduct raid on a tip-off. Abohar SP Amarjit Singh Matwani and DSP Gurbinder Singh Sangha monitored the action in which officials of Excise Department also assisted. The illicit liquor was also to be supplied to other segments in the state. A case has been registered. OC
Tribune News Service

Amritsar/Bathinda, May 21

As many as 11 persons were killed and 27 others injured in two accidents in Amritsar and Bathinda districts of Punjab on Sunday.

Seven persons, including three women, were killed and nine others injured when an SUV hit a stationary auto-rickshaw and a car at Umranangal bypass near Beas, 35 km from Amritsar.

The incident occurred when the SUV, heading towards Amritsar from Delhi, rammed into the three-wheeler and the car which were parked on the national highway.

Due to a blind U-turn, the driver of SUV could not see the vehicles parked near the roadside dhaba and rammed into them, police said.

The SUV dragged the auto-rickshaw and the car several feet away, they said.

Among the occupants of the three-wheeler and the car, seven were killed while nine sustained injuries in the accident, police said.

The passengers, who were on their way to the Golden Temple to pay their obeisance there from Nangal Saroa and Nasrala villages of Hoshiarpur district, had halted at the dhaba to buy refreshments, they said.

The deceased have been identified as couple Komalpreet Kaur and Avatr Singh, Kamalpreet Kaur, Sewa Singh, Sarbjit Kaur and Harbhajan Singh. The identity of the seventh is yet to be ascertained.

Among the injured, a one-and-half-year-old baby was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition, police said.

In another accident, four persons were killed and 18 seriously injured after a head-on collision between a PRTC bus and a canter at Jethuke village near Rampura Phul in Bathinda district in the morning.

The collision was so severe that both vehicles were badly damaged.

Three persons died on the spot, while one succumbed at the hospital in Rampura Phul, the police said. They have registered a case.

The bus of Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation was travelling to Chintpurni in Himachal Pradesh from Bathinda.

As the bus reached near Jethuke village it had a head-on collision with the Canter.  With agency inputs
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

The BSF and Punjab Police in a joint operation on Sunday claimed to have busted a terror module with links to Canada and Pakistan, and arrested two terrorists who were planning to target "enemies of the Panth".

The security forces also seized a huge cache of arms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, five hand grenades, a modified machine-pistol (MP), five pistols and over 450 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres from the duo, who were arrested from Indo-Pak border area while trying to recover the weapons pushed into the Indian territory from Pakistan.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Mann Singh (40) and Sher Singh (28) from Sri Hargobindpur (Gurdaspur) and Kartarpur (Jalandhar), respectively, were arrested from the Ramada area in Amritsar.

Preliminary interrogation of the terrorists has revealed that their module was raised and indoctrinated by a Sikh hardliner, Gurjivan Singh, based in Ontario, Canada, who had made two trips to Punjab in the last six months, and arranged the arms and ammunitions for their operations through his Khalistani contacts in Pakistan.

The duo has revealed that Gurjivan Singh had been in touch with them for the past two years and had motivated them to commit terror strikes in Punjab.

They also revealed that during his last two trips to Punjab, Gurjivan Singh had imparted them theoretical training in handling arms, including AK-47 rifles.

They also told the interrogators that they had travelled with Gurjivan Singh to Uttar Pradesh to procure arms but had been unsuccessful. Subsequently, Gurjivan had promised to arrange the arms and ammunition for them through his Pak-based Khalistani contacts and their ISI handlers.

During interrogation, Mann Singh also confessed to having made several visits to Pakistan and to being in touch with some Khalistani activists there.

A Punjab Police spokesperson said the arms and ammunitions seized during the operation were found buried close to the Indo-Pak border and the suspects had been provided with the co-ordinates of the spot.

They had reached the border early on Sunday morning and were trying to look for the spot when the BSF personnel nabbed them.

The consignment recovered at their instance included five 7.62 mm pistols with nine magazines and 205 live rounds; a 9mm pistol with two magazines and 77 live rounds; an AK 47 rifle with three magazines and 157 live rounds; a MP 9 modified rifle with two magazines; five hand grenades; a .32 bore revolver with 39 live rounds; a 315 bore rifle with one magazine and 17 live rounds.

Further interrogation of the suspects is in progress and immigration records are being retrieved to track Gurjivan's movement.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

The state government has decided to release another 70 lakh tonnes of mining capacity to meet the demand for sand and bring its price under control.

With the generation of a total capacity of 3 crore tonnes, the government is looking to fill the demand-supply gap, thus effectively decartelising the mining business and stabilising the price of sand.

An official spokesperson said the mining policy was aimed at providing sand at reasonable price to the people and revenue generation for the state.

With 70 lakh tonnes of additional capacity set to be released soon, the total quantity of sand in the market will go up to 3 crore tonnes, including 1 lakh tonne already available,. This would be more than sufficient to meet the current estimated demand of 2 crore tonnes.

The spokesperson said the conditions of mine allotment under the new policy had built-in checks against hoarding and speculation by contractors, who were required to deposit security and advance payment by May 23. In case of failure, the earnest money deposited would be forfeited and the mine would be re-auctioned immediately, with the said contractor being blacklisted for future contracts.

Review policy: AAP

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday asked the government to review its mining policy, adding that the just-concluded auction of mining sites would have disastrous consequences for the environment and cause the prices of sand and gravel to go through the roof. In a press release, AAP leader Dinesh Chadha said going by the data provided by the government, a tipper of sand and gravel would cost at least Rs 40,000 to the end consumer. He said the contractors, in a bid to avoid losses, might conduct large-scale illegal mining in the vicinity of the auctioned areas. Chadha said the common man would have to pay much more for sand and gravel under the new policy, while natural resources would be depleted due to the non-scientific methods used in illegal mining. He asked the Union Environment Ministry to intervene in the matter.
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 21

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has accused the previous SAD-BJP government of not utilising the grants sanctioned by the Centre for upgrading the fire-fighting system.

Punjab was the only state in the country that failed to upgrade its fire-fighting system. All other states spent crores of rupees to strengthen their fire stations, he told the media at Christian Medical College and Hospital here today.

He visited the hospital to enquire about the health of four firefighters injured in a fire that broke out in a local textile factory on May 11.

Had they (firefighters) been provided with proper equipment and safety kits, they would have escaped unhurt, Sidhu said. He termed firefighters bahadur (brave) and jaanbaaz (daredevil).

The Centre had issued Rs 91 crore to Punjab to upgrade its fire services. Of the first instalment of Rs 45 crore, the Department of Local Government spent only Rs 17 crore. The balance amount lapsed after March 31, 2017, the minister said, adding that forget about the second instalment. The previous government failed to utilise the first instalment. As a result, the fire-fighting system is ailing.

As the state government failed to produce the utilisation certificate regarding the usage of grant, Punjab was put in a red zone by the Centre, Sidhu said.

The previous government did tremendous damage to the state. The Congress government is in a damage-control mode. Give us a few months and it will produce results, he added.

Meanwhile, Sidhu said four firefighters, who were hurt in the May 11 fire incident in Ludhiana, would be honoured during the Annual Fire Service Week in April next year.

These brave firefighters will be awarded with medals for showing exemplary courage to save others lives. I will make sure that the Fire Department becomes one of the best in the country, he said.
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 21

The SGPC has offered help to Sikh victims, who were tortured in Pilibhit jail in early 1990s.

A day after The Tribune highlighted the plight of Pilibhit survivors, SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar today deputed senior SGPC officials to follow their case.

Three days ago, the SGPC gave Rs1 lakh each in compensation to the families of Sikhs who were killed in a fake encounter in 1991. In all, 11 Sikhs were killed, families of only four could be identified.

The story of 28 Sikhs tortured in Pilibhit jail during 1993-94 remained unheard of. Then SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra had announced a compensation of Rs1 lakh to the deceased and Rs50,000 to the injured ones. But Rs11,000 was given to the families of the deceased and Rs5,000 to the injured ones.

Besides, the SGPC did not fulfil its promise of providing the survivors with jobs.

The SGPC sympathises with the victims and their families. I have deputed Chief Secretary Harcharan Singh and Personal Secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhura Kohna to help survivors. The victims can contact them anytime. The SGPC is bound to support Sikhs, who were tortured, Badungar said.

On intervening night of November 8-9, 1994, seven Sikhs were killed inside Pilibhit jail and 21 others suffered injuries. They were all booked under the TADA .

One of the survivors, Trilok Singh, who lives in Amritsars Rasoolpur village, said affidavits from three families of the deceased were submitted with the Allahabad HC.

We could trace three families. All are poor. Tej Kaur (80) had lost his son Bacchittar Singh during police torture. She lives in Bhagwanpura village near Amritsar. Theres no one to look after her. Another family is of Tarsem Singh. His son Gurminder Singh (24) is a labourer at Chhina village in Amritsar. The third victim was Karaj Singh. Since he was unmarried, his younger brother Kuldeep Singh has submitted an affidavit on his brothers behalf, Trilok said.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 21

The Border Security Force along with the Amritsar rural police today claimed to have busted a terrorist module and recovered a huge quantity of arms from their possession. Two persons have been nabbed in this connection.

The terrorist module was being operated by a Canada-based terrorist identified as Gurjeevan Singh Kadian, claimed the police.

Gurpal Singh, DIG, BSF, and Amritsar rural police chief J Elanchezian said alert BSF jawans noticed suspicious movement of an SUV in the forest area on a Dhussi bandh between the administration base and the Chandigarh border outpost. The jawans informed the company commander of the Kamalpur border outpost.

The BSF intercepted the vehicle and found two Nihangs with arms and ammunition, including a .315 bore rifle with a magazine, a .32 revolver and rounds. The BSF immediately called Ramdass police SHO Vipin Kumar and a case was registered against them on charges of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and Foreign Act.

The accused were identified as Maan Singh of Samrai in Gurdaspur and Sher Singh alias Sarabdeep Singh of Kartarpur. During a preliminary probe, they said they had come to retrieve a consignment of arms and ammunition on the instructions of Canada-based terrorist Gurjeevan Singh. They said the arms were to be used in terrorist activities. They were reportedly deputed to revive terrorism in Punjab and make new recruitments for the militant outfit.

On their information, another police party and a BSF team searched the Ravi river gap area. More arms and ammunition were recovered from elephant grass at the designated point.

We recovered a 7.62-mm pistol with nine magazines, a 9-mm pistol with two magazines, an AK-47 with three magazines, an MP-type modified rifle with three magazines and five hand grenades from the spot, said DIG Gurpal Singh.
Peshawar, May 21

At least four policemen were killed on Sunday when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified militants in Pakistans restive north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The policemen were returning from an operation in Kamal Khel area of Kohat district when terrorists ambushed their vehicle, police said.

A Station House Officer (SHO) and an additional SHO along with two constables died in the firing, they said.

The police have cordoned off the entire area and started a search operation in Lachi tehsil to nab the attackers.  PTI
Riyadh, May 21

US President Donald Trump, struggling to shake a brewing scandal at home, will attempt a reset on Sunday with the Islamic world after frequently attacking Muslims on the campaign trail last year and trying to ban many from the US.

Trumps afternoon speech at an Arab Islamic American Summit (4:20 p.m. local/9:20 a.m. EDT) will include appeals for Muslims to unite against the threat of Islamist militants.

Whether he would use his signature campaign phrase radical Islamic terrorism to describe the threat was unclear. His speech was still being worked on late on Saturday, and some advisers were cautioning him against using the term.

Trump started his day in individual meetings with Arab leaders.

He praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, telling him, You have done a tremendous job under trying circumstances. Trump promised to schedule a trip to Egypt soon.

Separately he told Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani they would discuss lots of beautiful military equipment because nobody makes it like the United States. In a meeting with Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Trump declared that the two nations had a lot in common and that despite previous tensions, there wont be strain with this administration. The king lauded the relationship and said it had led to great stability in the region and prosperity.

Swords, beating drums

Trump also has individual meetings scheduled with the leaders of Kuwait and Oman.

The President on Sunday also will convene the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council as part of his effort to counter Iran with a NATO-like Arab force.

Trump and the leaders will establish a center aimed at cracking down on the ability of Islamic militants to spread their message.

Trumps Riyadh visit kicks off his first presidential trip abroad, with Saudi Arabia the first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe.

Trump drew the ire of Muslims during his presidential campaign by calling for a ban on them entering the United States. His attempt early in his presidency to ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations has been blocked by the courts.

The speech comes as Trump tries to escape the fallout from his May 9 firing of former FBI Director James Comey amid accusations he was trying to stop a federal investigation into his campaigns ties with Russia last year.

The New York Times reported Trump called Comey a nut job in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week. The Washington Post said the probe had reached into the White House to include a Trump adviser, who was not named.

Trump showed little sign of the pressure during a day of diplomacy on Saturday during which he was warmly welcomed by Saudi King Salman.

At a royal banquet on Saturday night, Trump walked into a colorful spectacle: Men in ceremonial dress and carrying swords chanted in unison to beating drums in a courtyard. Trump, clearly enjoying himself, smiled and swayed, even seeming to dance a little at the center of the group.

A strong wind later blew sand through the area. Reuters
Kandahar (Afghanistan), May 21

At least 20 Afghan policemen were killed in Taliban ambushes in south central Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday, as security forces sought to dislodge insurgents in multiple districts.

Fighting is ongoing in Zabul province, where the police were attacked in Shah Joi district, provincial governor Bismullah Afghanmal said. He said the Taliban had ambushed police in the areas of Chino and Ghulam Rabat.

The report we have right now indicates that 20 policemen are martyred and 10 others are wounded. The number may increase, Afghanmal told Reuters.

Dozens of Taliban, who have been waging a 16-year-long insurgency against the Western-backed government in Kabul, were also reported killed and wounded, Afghanmal said.

Reinforcements sent to the area where the police had been ambushed were also attacked, said Gul Islam Seyal, a spokesman for the Zabul governor.

Fighting was also ongoing in Zabuls Dai Chopan district, but the extent of casualties was unknown, Afghanmal said.

In neighboring Ghazni province, Taliban fighters launched a three-pronged attack on parts of the provincial capital on Friday, driving a Humvee packed with explosives into the entrance of a district governors compound during the assault.

Separately on Sunday, Taliban claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Saturday on a bank in Paktia province, which left at least six people dead, including three attackers. Reuters
London, May 21

The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) held a protest against Pakistani brutalities in the restive Balochistan outside the Pakistan High Commission here.

The protesters accused the army of the illegal abduction of Baloch women and unleashing bloodshed in the region.

The protest rally was aimed at highlighting and exposing continuous Pakistan Army brutalities and bloodshed in Balochistan before the world, BRP president of UK zone Mansoor Baloch said in the statement.

Apart from this, the illegal abduction of Baloch women from different parts of Balochistan, including Dera Bugti and Bolan was highlighted, the statement said.

From the Pakistan mission, the group marched up to 10 Downing Street to stage a protest outside British Prime Minister Theresa Mays official residence.

In the past few days, Pakistani forces targeted civilian population and abducted dozens of Baloch during military operation in Dera Bugti, Kohistan Marri, and Kech, BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said in Geneva.

Bugti said Pakistani forces used their full military might against and indiscriminately targeted Baloch civilians.

Similarly, Pakistan Army conducted offensive in different areas of Dasht, Kech and targeted civil populace, harassed and tortured women and children. The Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies have abducted and taken dozens of Baloch innocent civilians to an undisclosed location in Dashts Jam Mohammad, Zyarathi and other adjacent areas, he added.

The group has urged the international community to join in their protest against Pakistans action and condemn the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was against the will of the Baloch people.  PTI
Kabul, May 21

Gunmen have attacked an international guest house in Kabul, killing a German woman and an Afghan guard, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

A Finnish woman is missing and presumed to have been kidnapped in the raid late yesterday, officials added.

The guest house was run by a Swedish NGO Operation Mercy, whose director Scott Breslin told local news agency TT that the organisation is holding a crisis meeting.

A Finnish lady was kidnapped from police district (three) last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter.

A Finnish foreign ministry spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that a Finnish citizen has been kidnapped in Kabul.

We can confirm that we know about this but we are not giving details at the moment. The only thing we can say is it is not known who the kidnappers are, said spokeswoman Karoliina Romanoff.

Operation Mercys Breslin told TT in a brief statement: We know that shes missing, we will send out a press release later.

The attack highlights growing insecurity in Afghanistan, which is in the grip of an insurgency waged by the Taliban and other groups.

The kidnapping of foreigners has been on the rise, with criminal gangs staging abductions for ransom or handing the victims over to militant groups.

In August last year gunmen wearing military uniforms kidnapped two professors of the American University of Afghanistan in the heart of Kabul.

The two, American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weekes, appeared in a Taliban hostage video that surfaced in January, the first apparent proof that they were alive.  AFP
Seoul, May 21

North Korea fired off an unidentified projectile Sunday according to South Korean defence officials, a week after its latest missile launch.

North Korea fired an unidentified projectile at Pukchang, South Pyongan province in the afternoon today, the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

There was no further information given about the nature of the projectile.

Last week Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile named the Hwasong-12 its longest-range missile yet, according to analysts.

It was its 10th launch this year, after dozens in 2016, as it accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United Statessomething President Donald Trump has vowed wont happen.

Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across the South and Japan.

White House says aware of launch, notes shorter range

Riyadh: The White House said on Sunday it was aware North Korea had launched a medium range ballistic missile (MRBM) and noted its range was shorter than recent tests.

"We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM. This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea's three most recent tests," a White House official said.

US President Donald Trump is traveling in Saudi Arabia.  AFP/Reuters
Seoul, May 21

North Koreas main spy agency has a special cell called Unit 180 that is likely to have launched some of its most daring and successful cyber attacks, according to defectors, officials and internet security experts.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

North Korea has been blamed in recent years for a series of online attacks, mostly on financial networks, in the US, South Korea and over a dozen other countries.

Cyber security researchers have also said they have found technical evidence that could link North Korea with the global WannaCry ransomware cyber attack that infected more than 3,00,000 computers in 150 countries this month. Pyongyang has called the allegation ridiculous.

The crux of the allegations against North Korea is its connection to a hacking group called Lazarus that is linked to last years $81 million cyber heist at the Bangladesh central bank and the 2014 attack on Sonys Hollywood studio.

The US government has blamed North Korea for the Sony hack and some US officials have said prosecutors are building a case against Pyongyang in the Bangladesh bank theft.

No conclusive proof has been provided and no criminal charges have yet been filed. North Korea has also denied being behind the Sony and banking attacks.

North Korea is one of the most-closed countries in the world and any details of its clandestine operations are difficult to obtain. But experts who study the reclusive country and defectors who have ended up in South Korea or the West have provided some clues.

Kim Heung-kwang, a former computer science professor in North Korea who defected to the South in 2004 and still has sources inside North Korea, said Pyongyangs cyber attacks aimed at raising cash are likely organised by Unit 180, a part of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), its main overseas intelligence agency.

Unit 180 is engaged in hacking financial institutions (by) breaching and withdrawing money out of bank accounts, Kim told Reuters. He has previously said that some of his former students have joined join North Koreas Strategic Cyber Command, its cyber-army.

The hackers go overseas to find somewhere with better internet services than North Korea so as not to leave a trace, Kim added. He said it was likely they went under the cover of being employees of trading firms, overseas branches of North Korean companies, or joint ventures in China or Southeast Asia.

James Lewis, a North Korea expert at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Pyongyang first used hacking as a tool for espionage and then political harassment against South Korean and US targets.

They changed after Sony by using hacking to support criminal activities to generate hard currency for the regime, he said.

So far, its worked as well or better as drugs, counterfeiting, smuggling  all their usual tricks, Lewis said.

Cost-effective, deniable

The US Department of Defense said in a report submitted to Congress last year that North Korea likely views cyber as a cost-effective, asymmetric, deniable tool that it can employ with little risk from reprisal attacks, in part because its networks are largely separated from the Internet.

It is likely to use Internet infrastructure from third-party nations, the report said.

South Korean officials say they have considerable evidence of North Koreas cyber warfare operations.

North Korea is carrying out cyber attacks through third countries to cover up the origin of the attacks and using their information and communication technology infrastructure, Ahn Chong-ghee, South Koreas Vice-Foreign Minister, told Reuters in written comments.

Besides the Bangladesh Bank heist, he said Pyongyang was also suspected in attacks on banks in the Philippines, Vietnam and Poland.

In June last year, police said the North hacked into more than 1,40,000 computers at 160 South Korean companies and government agencies, planting malicious code as part of a long-term plan to lay the groundwork for a massive cyber attack on its rival.

North Korea was also suspected of staging cyber attacks against the South Korean nuclear reactor operator in 2014, although it denied any involvement.

That attack was conducted from a base in China, according to Simon Choi, a senior security researcher at Seoul-based anti-virus company Hauri Inc.

They operate there so that regardless of what kind of project they do, they have Chinese IP addresses, said Choi, who has conducted extensive research into North Koreas hacking capabilities.

Malaysia link

Malaysia has also been a base for North Korean cyber operations, according to Yoo Dong-ryul, a former South Korean police researcher who studied North Korean espionage techniques for 25 years.

They work in trading or IT programming companies on the surface, Yoo told Reuters. Some of them run websites and sell game and gambling programs.

Two IT firms in Malaysia have links to North Koreas RGB spy agency, according to a Reuters investigation this year, although there was no suggestion either of them was involved in hacking.

Michael Madden, a U.S.-based expert on the North Korean leadership, said Unit 180 was one of many elite cyber warfare groups in the North Korean intelligence community.

The personnel are recruited from senior middle schools and receive advanced training at some elite training institutions, Madden told Reuters.

They have a certain amount of autonomy in their missions and tasking as well, he said, adding that they could be operating from hotels in China or Eastern Europe.

In the United States, officials said there was no conclusive evidence that North Korea was behind the WannaCry ransomware, but that was no reason to be complacent.

Whether or not they are directly involved with ransomware doesnt change the fact that they are a real cyber threat, said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of prominent US security firm CrowdStrike Inc, added: Their capabilities have improved steadily over time, and we consider them to be a threat actor that is capable of inflicting significant damage on US private or government networks. Reuters
Riyadh, May 21

US President Donald Trump called on Middle Eastern leaders to combat a crisis of Islamic extremism emanating from the region, casting the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil, not a clash between the West and Islam.

Trumps address today was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as president.

During a meeting of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders, he sought to chart a new course for Americas role in the region, one aimed squarely on rooting out terrorism, with less focus on promoting human rights and democratic reforms.

We are not here to lecture - we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship, Trump said, speaking in an ornate, multi-chandeliered room. Instead, we are here to offer partnership, based on shared interests and values, to pursue a better future for us all.

Even as the President pledged to work alongside Middle Eastern nations, he put the onus for combating terrorism on the region. Bellowing into the microphone, he implored Muslim leaders to aggressively fight extremists: Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities.

The President has been enthusiastically embraced in Riyadh, where the ruling royal family has welcomed his tougher stance on Iran, its regional foe.

Trump slammed Iran for spreading destruction and chaos throughout the region. His comments were echoed by Saudi King Salman, who declared, The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism.

Trumps trip to Saudi Arabia also served as something of a reset with the region following his presidential campaign, which was frequently punctured by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric. He once mused that he thought Islam hates us and repeatedly slammed former President Barack Obama for refusing to use the term radical Islamic extremism.  Reuters

A battle between good and evil

"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians."  US President Donald Trump
Ankara, May 21

The Turkish police killed two suspected Islamic State militants in a clash during a raid on an apartment in the capital Ankara overnight, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Sunday.

It said the two men killed were believed to be planning an attack and police seized guns and grenades in the apartment in an operation launched after a tip-off from a suspect detained in Istanbul.

The raid occurred ahead of the ruling AK Partys congress in the city on Sunday, when it was expected to elect President Tayyip Erdogan as leader after constitutional reforms approved last month in a referendum granting him sweeping new powers.

Ankaras Governor Ercan Topaca told Anadolu at the scene of the raid that the detained suspect, an Azeri citizen, was still being questioned in Istanbul and was believed to have brought the two men to Ankara by car, Anadolu said.

Islamic State militants have been blamed for bomb and gun attacks in Turkey in the past, including an attack on Istanbuls main airport which killed more than 40 people last June and a New Years Day shooting in an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39.

NATO member Turkey is part of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State and launched an incursion into Syria last August to drive the jihadist group and Kurdish militia fighters away from its borders. Reuters
(By Tsem Rinpoche)

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country where the majority (70%) of the population are Buddhists of Theravadan tradition. However, Sri Lankan Buddhism is unique because, in addition to focusing on the practice of attaining self-liberation through ones own effort, they adopt the practice of Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara.

Within the Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition, Avalokiteshvara is also identified as Natha Deviyo or Lokeshvara Natha (Natha), who lives in Tushita heaven and is destined to become the future Buddha Maitreya. Natha is believed to possess omniscience and come to earth from time to time to help those in need regardless of their religious denomination.

The adoption of Avalokiteshvara Worship in Sri Lanka

The adoption of Avalokiteshvara worship within the Sinhalese Buddhist tradition originated from the ruling Sinhalese monarchs. The kings were given the power to take the necessary measures to create conducive conditions for the spiritual well-being of the sangha (lokottara) and the material well-being of his lay subjects (laukika). Therefore, due to the compassionate nature of Avalokiteshvara, he was perceived as the source of protection for the Sinhalese kingdoms of the past. According to John Clifford Holt, the Professor of the Humanities in Religion and Asian Studies at Bowdoin College, in his book, Buddha in the Crown: Avalokitesvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka,

in the traditional Sinhala belief that a righteous and powerful Buddhist king could become a bodhisattva on the path to nibbana. Buddha in the Crown: Avalokitesvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka by John Clifford Holt; p. 53

For these reasons, the concept of Bodhisattva worship is accepted within the Sinhalese Buddhist tradition. During the reign of Gampola Dynasty (1341  1415), Avalokiteshvara is localized and identified as Natha.

The tradition of worshiping Avalokiteshvara experienced a major setback when the Portuguese colonized Sri Lanka between 1505 and 1658. The Portuguese destroyed many temples and holy images as they tried to enforce the Christian religion to the Sinhalese people. After the Portuguese left Sri Lanka, Avalokiteshvara resurfaced as a significant protector deity. The monarchs from the Kingdom of Kandy (1469  1815) often depicted themselves as the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara or Natha to legitimize their power. As mentioned by the art historian, Nandana Chutiwongs, that Kandyan kings  or some of them at least  regarded themselves to be the earthly manifestation of Natha, their dynastic god.

In one image, an important Kandy monarch, King Vimala Dharma Surya I (r. 1592  1604), is depicted as wearing a cap with a Buddha image and holding a lotus in his hand like the late Medieval Period depiction of Avalokiteshvara in Sri Lanka. According to John Clifford Holt, Given the needs for religiopolitical legitimation at the time of the founding of Buddhist kingship in Kandy, it is not surprising that Vimala Dharma Surya would have presented himself publicly in a manner that emphasized symbols projecting the image of the bodhisattva/ god/ king. King Vimala Dharma Surya I ruled Kandy during a turbulent period. He gained his reputation as a powerful monarch after he was successful in overcoming two Portuguese attacks in Kandy, the Campaign of Danture (1594) and Battle of Balana (1602). Until today, Avalokiteshvara is still known as the protector deity of the Sri Lankans.

Iconography of Avalokiteshvara in Sri Lanka

The iconography of Avalokiteshvara is deeply influenced by the Sinhalese religious culture and the political situation at the time. For this reason, Avalokiteshvaras depictions within the Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition embody the royal power, the quality of altruistic compassion, and ascetic determination.

Early Medieval Period

In the early Medieval Period in Sri Lanka, Avalokiteshvara was often depicted as an ascetic with simple ornaments. Images from this period depict Avalokiteshvara in variant positions of the fluid rajalilasana (the posture of royal ease) with facial expressions reflecting relative degrees of composure or equanimity.  Avalokitesvara is portrayed as a source of great worldly potency yet has remained serenely detached from the surrounding conditioning process of samsara. (Buddha in the Crown: Avalokitesvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka by John Clifford Holt; p. 77). The statues from this period have lokottara orientation.

The followings are examples of Avalokiteshvara images from early Medieval Period in various positions.

Image 1: In this image, Avalokiteshvara is depicted in the position of deep meditation or full samadhi with his hair supported by a simple crown. In this posture, Avalokiteshvara does not wear his usual ornaments of royal bracelet and rosary.

Image 2: In this image, the standing Avalokiteshvara is surveying the world with his compassion. He adopts an ascetic profile with a calm facial expression. His upper body is entirely nude, and he wears a simple waistband.

Image 3: In this image, Avalokiteshvara is ready to act, and yet he is completely at ease. His facial expression is relaxed and comforting.

The 8th century Situlpahuva Avalokiteshvara is considered as the earliest image of Avalokiteshvara in Sri Lanka. The statue was discovered in Situlpahuva within the jungle of Yala National Park. The iconography of the image emphasizes the tendency of Sinhalese from the early Medieval Period to portray Avalokiteshvara as an ascetic.

Late Medieval Period

In the late Medieval period, the depiction of Avalokiteshvara underwent a transformation from an ascetic to the guardian deity of the Sinhalese people. Avalokiteshvaras depictions from this period have a strong resemblance to the Sinhalese monarchs. His crown resembles a lotus, and his hair is fashioned as a crown (jatamakuta) with an embedded Buddha Amitabha image sitting in a meditative position. The hands are painted, and his earlobes are unusually long to signify his great destiny (mahapurusa). He wears royal attire (dhoti) and elaborate ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces, armbands, and yajnopavita, a hand-spun cotton thread, that adorns the arms and torso. The statues from this period have a laukika orientation.

Avalokiteshvara Images at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Many Buddhists believe that Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is situated on the sacred ground that was visited by Buddha Shakyamuni eight years after he had gained enlightenment. The temple was destroyed during Portuguese colonization but was later rebuilt with the support of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha of Kandy (r. 1747  1782), who was credited for reviving Buddhism in the present-day Sri Lanka. In addition to the famous reclining image of Buddha Shakyamuni, the temple also houses an-18ft stone statue of Avalokiteshvara and another smaller image of this Bodhisattva.

The 18ft Avalokiteshvara image at Kelaniya temple is typical of the images from the late Medieval Period. The Bodhisattva is depicted as wearing elaborate ornaments. His right-hand holds a lotus, and his left-hand holds a flask filled with ambrosia. Two protector deities, Bahirawa, guard the steps toward his altar.

Protector deities, Bahirawa, guard the steps heading toward the 18ft Avalokiteshvara altar. Click to enlarge.

Another Avalokiteshvara image at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Sri Lanka. Click to enlarge.

Other Images of Avalokiteshvara in Sri Lanka

Click on the following image to download John Clifford Holts book, Buddha in the Crown: Avalokitesvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka.

Click on the image to download the book in PDF form.

Semnyi Ngalso Chenrezig. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more beautiful thangkas.



Sources:

Holt, John Clifford; Buddha in the Crown: Avalokiteshvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka; Oxford University Press Inc.; 1991

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buduruvagala

http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/lanka/matara/we01.html

http://www.buddhanet.net/sacred-island/sigiriya.html

http://archive.is/gqrt#selection-59.1-81.14

http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.com/2016/09/avalokiteshvara-in-sri-lanka-natha.html

http://www.photodharma.net/Sri-Lanka/Kelaniya/Kelaniya.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/theravada_1.shtml



For more interesting links:



Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 13 of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, allowance is made for fair dealing for purposes such as non-profit research, private study, criticism, review or the reporting of current events. The Operator and author(s) of TsemRinpoche.com, a not-for-profit blog, do not claim ownership on the intellectual property rights of the contents, images and/or videos reproduced in this article. Any subsisting intellectual property rights shall belong to the legal owner of the contents, images and/or videos.
Owasso resident Andrea Taylor, founder of A Twist of Fate, has received national recognition by being honored with a Rare Impact Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

Taylor was recognized at NORDs 2017 Rare Impact Awards held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. on Thursday, May 18.

It was very overwhelming and very touching to know that all the work were doing is being noticed on such a large scale, she said. I think what weve accomplished in three years is amazing.

The Rare Impact Awards, attended by over 400 guests, are held annually and presented to individuals who are going above and beyond to make a difference for people with rare diseases.

Taylor organized A Twist of Fate, a 501c3 nonprofit patient group for arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS), to help raise awareness of the disease.

ATS is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the lengthening and twisting of arteries throughout the body that can cause severe complications during infancy and early childhood.

The organization has not only brought a great deal of attention to this life-threatening condition, but also to the rare disease community as a whole, Taylor said.

Taylors son was diagnosed with ATS in 2010 when he was two years old; in 2014, she decided to establish A Twist of Fate.

This was to capture the attention of medical professionals all over the world, she said. Also, to support other patients and families, and to help find a cure.

The nonprofit is already making an impact for patients and serving as a model for other patient organizations that specialize in rare diseases.

Recently, A Twist of Fate was awarded a second grant that will allow its members to fly families nationwide to Little Rock, Ark., for another meeting.

A Twist of Fate has successfully petitioned the Center for Disease Control to implement the ICD Code for ATS, Taylor said. Also, it started the International ATS/Carrier Patient Registry to help drive research.

Also, the organization has created the first center of excellence for ATS, which is based out of the Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock.

Patients can visit the center and see multiple doctors in different specialty areas all in one visit rather than having to schedule (multiple) appointments on various days, and the doctors coordinate on treatment plans, Taylor said.

A Twist of Fate will open a second ATS/Carrier Multidisciplinary Clinic in Belgium this summer.

If there is something that will change the landscape for your rare disease or organization, do not give up, Taylor said. You can open up so many avenues; we started out with just a few patients, and now we are changing the world for people with ATS.

For more information on ATS or A Twist of Fate, visit atwistoffate-ats.com.
Correction: This story incorrectly reported the date Terence Crutcher was fatally shot. The story has been corrected.

The minister who was a voice of calm among angry protesters Wednesday night after the acquittal of Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby was a longtime friend of Terence Crutcher, the man Shelby fatally shot Sept. 16.

Shelby was cleared of a first-degree manslaughter charge in the shooting of Crutcher, an unarmed black man, in a case that attracted national attention.

When the verdict was announced late Wednesday, an angry crowd spilled out onto the streets of downtown Tulsa.

I was helping calm things down, because anything violent wouldnt be wise, said the Rev. Mareo Johnson, pastor of Seeking the Kingdom Ministries, which meets in the downtown Tulsa City-County Library.

I told them this is not the time (for violence), and that is not the way, he said in a Friday phone conversation.

Theres a better way for change. I was encouraging people to keep things in hand,  to come together in unity as a people and come up with solutions.

Johnson said he lived in the same north Tulsa neighborhood as Crutcher and had known him for years.

He said he has been involved in the case from the beginning, organizing protests at the courthouse right after the shooting to demand that Shelby be charged.

He was in the courtroom for most of the trial, including the closing arguments Wednesday, but didnt want to be there for the reading of the verdict.

Instead, he sat on a bench just outside the courtroom.

I thought she was going to be found guilty, he said.

I was disappointed. I was hurt and upset.

I just walked out of the courthouse. I didnt say nothing to nobody.

When a crowd began to assemble on the street, Johnson said, he realized violence was a possibility, but he didnt expect it to happen.

There were people there that were saying they just wanted to peacefully protest, he said. And it ended up peaceful, which was encouraging.

Johnson said that in the days ahead he will be encouraging the community to work together in unity for justice, economic growth, and equal opportunity in employment and education.

We have to become aware that there is a problem, he said.

Its time for all of us, as a collective, to come together and make changes to better our race relations.

For us to go further, we have to do something different as a city, he said. We have to break down the barriers.

People talk about one Tulsa, but until the racial barriers are broken down, well be closed to being one Tulsa.

Johnson said he is a Tulsa native who attended Edison High School and other schools. He has studied psychology at Tulsa Community College and is a 2014 graduate of Victory Bible College.

He is head of the Black Lives Matter Tulsa group and also is chairman of legal redress for the Tulsa branch of the NAACP.

Johnson founded Seeking the Kingdom Ministries in 2014. The church has been growing slowly but surely, with attendance of up to 30 people.

He said the church has done a lot of work with the homeless in Tulsa.

He calls himself a community activist, and he said church leaders have encouraged him in his work.

They believe, too, that it is time for a change  for justice and equality and fairness in life.
Four years into throwing The Hop Jam, Taylor Hanson isnt showing any signs of slowing down.

We want people to get excited about coming to The Hop Jam before they know who is going to be here, Hanson said. We want to create a pattern for a great experience.

This year, the fourth for the festival that features beer tastings and concerts, close to 70 breweries will fill downtowns Brady Arts District starting at noon Sunday.

Music headliners include Hanson, Kongos, Mayer Hawthorne, John Fullbright and more.

When Taylor Hanson and his brothers first came up with the idea for The Hop Jam, they knew they wanted to serve as a megaphone for Tulsa and Oklahoma breweries.

The Hop Jam is one of many things helping to spread the news that craft beer has a home in Tulsa, Hanson said. Tulsa has a chance for craft beer to be part of its brand and part of its identity.

More breweries have opened in the Tulsa area since that first year and many more are expected to open in the near future.

Cabin Boys Brewing is one of a handful of new breweries coming to Tulsa soon that will be setting up a tent during The Hop Jam. The brewers participated in the Oklahoma Craft Beer Festival last weekend in Oklahoma City and are ready to pour in their hometown.

We had a great response (at Oklahoma Craft Beer Festival), they were really loving our beers, said Ryan Arnolds, one of the co-founders of Cabin Boys Brewing. We realized that word-of-mouth was spreading about our Belgian quad, and people kept coming back for more.

Cabin Boys will bring four ales to the festival, a blackberry saison, a citrus IPA, a stout and that Belgian quad the previous festivalgoers enjoyed so much. Its a small introduction to the many kinds of beers Cabin Boys Brewery plans to brew when the brewery and taproom opens on Seventh Street and Utica Avenue later this year.

Arnolds, who founded the company with his best friend Austin McIlroy, said they started planning the brewery four years ago before any of the current changes in regulations overseeing breweries. But within the past year and a half, theyve starting sprinting toward the finish line.

We started brewing as a passion, that turned into an obsession and then a realization that we could turn it into a business because there are so few breweries in the state, he said. Its so cool to be on the new wave of craft brewing coming to Oklahoma. Were really riding the front part of that wave.

Cabin Boys Brewing recently was approved by the city to begin retrofitting its new space for the brewery. Arnolds said theyll start as soon as Monday after The Hop Jam and estimated an opening as soon as this fall, if all goes according to plan.

The brewery is in good company with established breweries in the Pearl District, including Marshall Brewing Co. and Dead Armadillo.

Tulsas continuing growth in the industry, via breweries opening and changes in regulations, is well worth celebrating, Hanson added.

Theres still a long way to go as a community to figure out Tulsas future  we cant be known for oil and gas forever, he said. Were embracing it. Its interesting to our community and the culture is thriving. The food scene is an example of that, its an environment that can support that.

The gates for the The Hop Jams beer side of the festival will open at 2 p.m. for the Hop Snob VIP ticket holders and 3 p.m. for others.

The free concert portion of the festival will start at the same time as the beer festival, 3 p.m., and is free to attend.

Hanson will headline the festival, which will also kick off a 25th anniversary tour. Before its performance, the Tulsa trio will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Other performers include Mayer Hawthorne, Kongos, John Fullbright, Castro and Johnny Polygon. Count Tutu is this years Tulsa World opening band contest winner, and runners-up in the opening band contest were Sam Westhoff, The Lonelys, Jesse Joice and The Young Vines.

Were a couple of years off from turning this into a multiple-day event, Hanson said. Its continually growing, and were refining the experience for everyone  the brewers, their fans and the festivalgoers.

Participating local brewers

405 Brewing Co.

Elgin Park Brewery

Anthem Brewing Company

Bitter Sisters Brewing Company

El Valley Brewing Company

COOP Ale Works

Marshall Brewing Co.

Nothings Left Brewing Co.

Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing

Renaissance Brewing Co.

Roughtail Brewing Co.

American Solera

Kolibri Ale Works

Twisted Spike Brewing Co.

Bricktown Brewery

Cabin Boys Brewery

The Willow Family Ales

Black Mesa Brewing Co.

Hanson Brothers Beer Co.

Iron Monk Brewing Co.

Participating National & International Brewers

Abita

Crazy Mountain Brewing Company

Nobel Rey Brewing Co.

Against the Grain Brewery

Alpine Beer Co.

Destihl Brewery

North Coast Brewing Co.

Evil Twin Brewing

Almanac Beer Co.

Anchor Brewing

Founders Brewing Co.

Oskar Blues Brewery

Brewery Ommegang

Flying Dog

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Angry Orchard Hard Cider

Full Sail Brewing Co.

Great Divide Brewing Co.

Paradox Beer Co.

Propolis Brewing

Austin East Ciders

Green Flash

Avery Brewering

Rahr & Sons

Rogue

Big Sky Brewing Co.

Bold Rock Hard Cider

Lagunitas Brewing

Sam Adams Brewery

Santa Fe Brewing Co.

Sierra Nevada

J. Wakefield Brewing

Lakewood Brewing Co.

Cascade Brewing

Boulevard Brewing Co.

Lazy Magnolia

Clown Shoes

Core Brewing Co.

Crane Brewing

Left Hand Brewing Co.

Sixpoint Brewery

Stone Brewing Co.

Luncky Bucket Handcrafted

Tallgrass Brewing Co.

Mad River Brewing

Unibroe
Cyrus Avery called it his favorite road. To some, it was the road to nowhere. Still others felt it should never have been built.

Since 1958, the 3.5-mile, two-lane scenic byway has been known as Avery Drive, named for the man most remembered as the father of the Mother Road, Historic Route 66.

It runs from West 21st Street near Chandler Park to Oklahoma 97 in south Sand Springs.

Idyllic Avery Drive, a hilly, winding riverside road embraced by dense woods and foliage, is how Tulsa World reporter Manny Gamallo described it in 1990. To one side is a steep slope broken by occasional rocky bluffs and inviting trails. On the other side, breaks in the trees offer glimpses of a quietly flowing Arkansas River.

The road is popular with bicyclists and rock-climbing enthusiasts.

But it has been plagued by numerous landslides and shifting pavement, making it one of Tulsa Countys costliest stretches of road to maintain.

In 1990, then-Tulsa County Commissioner John Selph said Avery Drive should never have been built because of unstable rock formations beneath it, but it will never be shut down.

One of the earliest historical accounts of the area was by physician and naturalist Samuel Washington Woodhouse, who accompanied the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers in 1849 when they were surveying the boundaries of the Creek Nation in Indian Territory.

Lost City outlaw gangs

While camped along the Arkansas River with the surveyors, Woodhouse kept a diary in which he sketched the weathered limestone formation, known locally as Lost City, on the south side of the river.

Avery said the term Lost City came from the fact that the massive cliffs looked like buildings.

In the old days, outlaw gangs used the rocks as a hideout, Avery told The Tulsa Tribune in 1956.

He said early settlers in wagons had worn trails on either side of the river that were later acquired by the railroads.

When Red Fork was a pretty good cow town and before Tulsa was thought of, travelers used to ferry across the river and take the trails on which the Frisco and Katy railroads are now built, Avery said.

Avery was a Tulsa County commissioner when he began building what was then known as the River Road to link Sand Springs and Tulsa. He brought convicts from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary to begin construction in 1914. They started on the Tulsa end only to be blocked by a rock quarry, and work halted in 1915. Avery left office in 1916, and his successor abandoned the project.

For a period, he said, the governor referred to it as the Whiskey Road because so many Tulsans traveled the route to Keystone for liquor.

But Avery didnt give up. Twenty years later, he resumed work using labor provided by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal agency that employed millions of people during the Great Depression. This time, he started on the Sand Springs end.

And it only took 40 years

Again, work halted over right-of-way issues at the site of the quarry where a large stone-crusher operated. The road to nowhere, as the Tribune branded the project, was tied up in court for decades because the quarry owner and Tulsa County could not agree on the value of the land.

Finally, 40 years after construction started, the two sides reached agreement and 85-year-old Cyrus Avery got to see his dream road completed in 1956.

But problems were not over for the scenic road.

From 1972 until the early 80s, the old rock quarry was used as a landfill, accepting all manner of solid, liquid and sludge waste, including jet fuel, acids, caustics and solvents.

In 1973, World reporter Ralph Marler and photographer J.R. Jones visited Avery Drive after the county closed it due to dangerous cracks in the pavement. Torrents of discolored, foamy water cascaded from the landfill site and seeped into the road base, acting as a lubricant, Marler reported, and causing part of the road to slide downhill toward the Frisco tracks and the river.

The Environmental Protection Agency in 1988 designated the area as the Compass Industries Superfund site. The EPA completed its cleanup of the site in 1991, delisted it in 2002 and continues monitoring it.

In 2011, Tulsa County laid a fresh coat of asphalt on Avery Drive, at a cost of $700,000.

I fully expect it to settle again, said county engineer Tom Rains, but this fix will hold for a while.
Officer Betty Shelbys contentious trial in some respects pitted the Tulsa County District Attorneys Office against the Tulsa Police Department.

As the dust settles after 12 jurors found Shelby not guilty of manslaughter in Terence Crutchers death, the two agencies must set aside differences that came to light during the trial and continue performing their roles in the criminal justice system.

Homicide Sgt. Dave Walker on Thursday gathered reporters to address what he said were attacks against himself and his agency. Walker, who was the lead investigator on the case, is a central figure in the conflict between the agencies.

He said a working relationship remains between the District Attorneys Office and police department.

Were not school kids. Were not going to take our reports and go home, Walker said. We have to work with them.

We dont have to like them by any stretch of the imagination ... They dont have to like us, but by golly weve got a job to do.

In a statement Friday, District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler expressed confidence in the ability of prosecutors and police to work in tandem.

Kunzweiler said his office in 2016 filed 7,000 felony and 7,000 misdemeanor cases. There also were several hundred juvenile-related cases and several thousand traffic cases.

All of these cases involve different victims  whether they are merchants, individuals, or society at large, Kunzweiler wrote. I am confident that prosecutors and law enforcement will focus their attention, as they should, on each of those individual victim cases and will work towards jointly accomplishing the justice which those victims are entitled to.

Our public should expect nothing less.

Police Chief Chuck Jordan didnt respond to the Tulsa Worlds request for comment for this story.

Jerad Lindsey, Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police chairman, said well just have to wait and see how the working relationship emerges from the Shelby case.

The FOP filed an ethics complaint against Kunzweiler days before the trial began, alleging he rushed to the decision to unfairly charge Shelby without probable cause.

He said the two agencies will work through the situation as adults and paid professionals.

At no time did I question his professionalism, Lindsey said. I questioned his judgment.

Questions about preferential treatment of police officers were also raised during and after the Shelby trial.

Earlier on Thursday  prompting Walker to speak out  Crutchers twin sister called for Walker to be fired.

Tiffany Crutcher said trial testimony showed preferential treatment was given to Shelby by police investigators. An example given was Walker playing Shelby the video of the shooting before interviewing her, which Walker later explained is department policy, whether I agree with it or not.

During closing arguments Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Gray questioned the different way the police department treats officers who fatally shoot people. Gray also referenced how a bunch of officers have expressed displeasure at Kunzweiler and himself.

We think its wrong to give officers special treatment. They dont, Gray told jurors, referring to Shelbys defense attorneys.

The Shelby jury also acknowledged the matter of differential treatment of police officers who use deadly force. But in a letter filed with the district court and released on Friday, the jury foreman noted that whether officers should be treated differently than a citizen regarding a deadly force encounter was considered to be outside of the scope of evidence required to reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge against Shelby.

The Jury discussed this matter briefly, and by consensus would recommend that the policy be reviewed and reconsidered by the TPD Chief of Police and TPD administrators, the jury foreman wrote.

Lindsey, the FOP chairman, said a suspect constitutionally doesnt have to give a statement, exercising their right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent. Or the suspect could give a statement at a later time

A suspect also can exercise his or her right to an attorney and ask to see video before giving a statement, Lindsey said.

I dont think (Shelby) was necessarily afforded anything a citizen wouldnt be, if they just ask for it, he said.

Walker noted that he wasnt inside the courtroom to hear closing arguments, so what he knows comes from other people.

If they have an issue with the way we do business, the district attorney is the chief law enforcement official in this community. He can certainly come across that tarmac or order me to his office, Walker said. Weve done that many times. Weve argued many times. Never not face-to-face or phone-to-phone or whatever. Not where I cant respond.

Walker expanded on his trial testimony that he disagreed with and felt disrespected by Kunzweilers decision to file a charge without consulting with him. Walker said his department is the best at investigating homicides, whether its our own or not.

He invited prosecutors and their investigators to go ahead and handle what homicide detectives do.

Any of those people can come out there in the middle of god dang night and do what we do. And if thats what they want done, well stay in bed, Walker said. It wont change what occurred. We dont change the facts.

But Walker reiterated that prosecutors and police will still be able to work together in spite of the contentious nature of the Shelby case.

Theres still bad people out there that need to be prosecuted, and were not going to let that go, he said.

Twitter: @JonesingToWrite
Oklahoma troops killed while fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan are the focus of a memorial exhibit that will be on display Friday at the Tulsa World.

The exhibit, Remembering Our Fallen, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Tulsa World building, 315 S. Boulder Ave., in observance of Memorial Day.

Its free and open to the public.

Visitors are invited to view the exhibit, pay their respects and sign the memorials guest book.

Coffee, water and cookies will be served.

Publisher Bill Masterson said the World is thrilled to be able to host the traveling memorial.

These men and women gave their lives for our country and for our freedom, he said. It is up to us to honor them, to thank them and to keep their memories alive so that their bravery and sacrifice is never forgotten.

Oklahoma is one of 19 states that have a Remembering Our Fallen exhibit. Together the exhibits represent 60 percent of the men and women killed in the countrys wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to write a letter to a service member through the A Million Thanks organization, a nonprofit effort that supports our active, reserve, and veteran military by sending millions of letters of thanks and encouragement directly to our service members.

To view the exhibit, visitors can use the Worlds main entrance on Boulder. A different entry will be available for those in wheelchairs, with walkers, and those who do not do well with stairs. The exhibit is on the first floor, but a few steps lead to the display room.

Remembering Our Fallen is scheduled next for exhibition at the Tulsa Air & Space Museum on June 10-11.

For more information on Remembering Our Fallen, including how to bring the traveling memorial to your community, visit tulsaworld.com/rememberingourfallen.

For more about A Million Thanks, visit amillionthanks.org.

tim.stanley @tulsaworld.com

Twitter: @timstanleyTW
Amazon premieres the 4 part doco Le Mans: Racing is Everything explores the Mount Everest of motorsports, the gruelling, non-stop 24-hour car race that has taken place annually in Le Mans, France since 1923.

This is directed by James Erskine (American Masters) and produced by Victoria Gregory (Man on Wire, Senna), and their production company, New Black Films (The White Room, One Night in Turin).



Le Mans: Racing is Everything offers unprecedented access to the entire 24 hours of the race, while exploring the storied legacy of Le Mans and the generations of drivers who have braved the course. Le Mans: Racing is Everything embeds with teams Porsche, Audi, Nissan, Toyota, Aston Martin and Rebellion as they race to build their cars and compete in what is one of the highest attended single-day sporting events in the world. Featured drivers include Australian Formula 1 legend Mark Webber; German three-time Le Mans champion Andre Lotterer; Nico Prost, son of legendary Formula 1 driver Alain Prost; and English teenage gamer Jann Mardenborough, who at the age of 19 was given a slot on Team Nissan after winning an e-Sports racing competition.

Friday 9th June on Amazon Prime.
There was always going to be fallout over Sunday Night and 60 Minutes both chasing the Cassie Sainsbury story in head to head stories last night.

Lawyers for Sainsbury tried to stop a Sunday Night story going to air with a failed court injunction yesterday -despite her fiance Scott Broadbridge co-operating with producers. He told reports Denholm Hitchcock -bizarrely- that he has not been paid for the interview.

A judge ruled against the injunction application, allowing Seven to screen its report which raised questions about whether she had been working for cleaning company owned by her uncle. He denied the claim, while Sainsburys own father said his daughter and fiance had been planning a trip to Colombia months earlier.

Nine not only revealed Broadbridge was himself a person of interest to Colombian authorities but alleged Sainsbury has a secret past as a sex worker in a Sydney brothel.

An unidentified co-worker told reporter Tom Steinfort that Sainsbury had flown in from Adelaide for clients, but had lied about her mother being dead.

60 Minutes Liam Bartlett and producers took Sainsburys mother and sister to Bogota, where they met her behind prison walls.

Sainsbury is facing a minimum of 21 years and 4 months if convicted.
A displaced Libyan boy from the city of Sirte sits on a mattress distributed by the Red Crescent in Alarbaeen, Libya, in 2016.  UNHCR photo

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today that it is stepping up its presence and programmes in Libya in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis resulting from conflict, insecurity, political instability and a collapsing economy in the North African country.

Amid the increasing complexity of refugee and migrant movements through and from Libya, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Tripoli on Sunday (21 May). During his stay, he met refugees and migrants in some of Libyas many detention centres.

I was shocked at the harsh conditions in which refugees and migrants are held, generally due to lack of resources, Grandi said. Children, women and men who have suffered so much already should not have to endure such hardship.

Some 300,000 Libyans have been displaced by ongoing conflict. In all, more than 1.3 million people  including internally displaced people (IDPs), as well as vulnerable Libyans, host communities, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers  are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Libya have been affected by the collapse of law and order, absent or insufficient health care assistance, essential medicines, food, safe drinking water, shelter and education. In response to this situation, UNHCR is ramping up its existing humanitarian operations in the country, and is strengthening cooperation with IOM to leverage the respective strengths of both organizations.

We should not underestimate the challenges of operating in an unstable and volatile environment such as Libya today, Grandi said. Our ability to access and effectively deliver much needed protection and assistance is a constant challenge. The people we are trying to help and my staff live and work under enormous strain and risks.

In addition to new offices and community development centres for refugees and asylum seekers, UNHCR is also scaling up its presence in places of disembarkation for people rescued or intercepted at sea, in close cooperation with IOM and other partners. At the same time, access and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in detention facilities run by the Libyan authorities will be increased, focusing on lifesaving humanitarian activities and advocating for the release of detained refugees and asylum seekers. In the last year and a half, UNHCR has been able to secure the release of more than 800 vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. The UN Refugee Agency is trying to find durable solutions for them.

UNHCR will also boost its programmes to assist Libyan IDPs and host communities who are in dire need of improved access to basic services, which have severely deteriorated as a result of the crisis. Among other activities, small-scale community-based projects of immediate impact are envisaged for the benefit of host communities, displaced persons, refugees and asylum seekers.

Libya continues to be the main departing point for refugees and migrants seeking to reach Europe. The High Commissioner was accompanied to Tripoli by his newly appointed Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean Situation, Vincent Cochetel, who will be coordinating UNHCRs cross-regional response to the complexities of mixed migration movements across the Mediterranean, and by UNHCRs Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Amin Awad.

For more information on this topic, please contact:

In Geneva:
Samsung is getting some big news this week. The Korean electronics giant has just unveiled the Tizen 4.0 OS, the later version of the open source Linux-based Tizen OS. Samsung made the huge announcement at this year's TDC event.

At this year's Tizen Developer Conference (TDC) event, the Korean-based Samsung Electronics unveiled the newest iteration of its Tizen open source operating system, the Tizen 4.0. Samsung showed off to the big crowd the newest version of the Linux-based OS and claimed that new OS has a wider range of mobile device applications, the ZDnet reported.

The Tizen Developer Conference (TDC), an annual technical conference for global developers, is actually a tech-focused event that showcases Tizen's new technologies and products. The Tizen Developer Conference (TDC) was first held in 2012, the time when the company first announced to the world it Linux-based Tizen 1.0 operating system.

Since then, the Tizen OS has been developed and has evolved into Tizen 4.0, which support a wide variety of Tizen-enabled devices. To further expand the Tizen ecosystem, Samsung has decided to build a relationship and strengthening the cooperation with Samsung ARTIK, Broadlink, Commax, and Gympse.

Today, Tizen 4.0 now comes not only in the Linux-based version for sophisticated devices, the open source has grown even bigger. The Tizen OS has been extended to include low-specification devices such as bulbs, thermostats, and scales.

In addition, the tech giant has also entered into a collaboration with the Redmond-based Microsoft, which involved developing an application for Tizen. This means that developing Tizen applications can be easy now, using the software giant's Microsoft's.NET and Xamarin UI framework, the FossBytes reported.

Finally, the Korean company has also introduced a new module in its ARTIK IoT module series. The ARTIK053 is a lightweight IoT chipset with integrated real-time processing. It also an affordable IoT solution with high-performance and hardened security for next-generation products like the smart home appliances.

The new module uses the Tizen 4.0 and is now optimized for use in low-data devices. Samsung first introduced the ARTIK modules to the market in 2016, and since then, has diversified the module line-up to encompass the super high-end to the low-end.
To say military service runs in the Family might be an understatement for Col. Barbara Herrington-Clemens and her husband Ken Clemens. Between them and three of their five children, they have more than 120 years of military service and eight deployments.

March 17, 2017 - Members of the Clemens Family, with more than 120 years of military service, stand in front of the Family home in Port Clinton, Ohio after three of them returned from overseas deployments. Pictured are retired Senior Master Sgt. Ken Clemens (clockwise from front row, left), Col. Barb Herrington-Clemens, Capt. Chelsea Migura, Staff Sgt. Rich Clemens, Staff Sgt. Drew Clemens and Sgt. 1st Class Zach Migura. (Ohio National Guard courtesy photo) Herrington-Clemens enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in 1981, while Ken, a retired Ohio Air National Guard senior master sergeant, enlisted in 1982. Two decades later, two sons, Drew and Rich, and a daughter, Chelsea, followed suit. It makes me very proud of them to serve our country. The military is not for everyone, so we are very blessed to have our children serving in our military, Ken said.



Staff Sgt. Rich Clemens, who works at the Ohio National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Columbus, said his parents played a big role in his decision to enlist.



Had my parents not been in the military, I am not sure that I would have known anything about it and I probably would not have enlisted. Their knowledge and experience with the Guard made it an easy choice to make, especially since it has always been a part of my life, Rich said.



Its because of his parents that Staff Sgt. Drew Clemens of the 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) has continued his military career.



I was at nine years service and took a six-year break before I re-enlisted, Drew said. They encouraged me not to give that up. It was a big decision as a father of four with two deployments already under my belt, but it was definitely the best decision I had made in a long time.



Having a Military Family has provided Capt. Chelsea Clemens Migura with a lot of support through the years. Her father transferred from the Army Guard to the Air Guards 200th RED HORSE Squadron and joined her when the unit deployed.



During my deployment to Iraq my dad was with me. I cannot put into words what this meant to me as a 20-year-old in a war zone. My Family at home sent us care packages and letters to let us know we were in their thoughts and being supported, Chelsea said of the experience. She is currently in the Air Force Reserve and lives in Texas with her husband, Zach, who is in the Army Reserve.



Herrington-Clemens echoes her daughters sentiment about the importance of Family support.



My father was a career Marine and my older sister was Air Force, so my Family understood what service and training requirements demanded of the service member and their Families. I would never have stayed in the service if it had not been for the amazing support of Family members who loved and prioritized the needs of our kids exactly like we did as parents, she said.



That tradition continues today, as the Family pitches in to help look after Drews, Richs and Chelseas children when they leave for training or an extended deployment.



Employer support is also important to a career in the National Guard, as a majority of the Soldiers and Airmen in the Family have full-time civilian jobs. It can be a challenge for employers to be without an employee for days, weeks or months at a time. Chelsea said shes been blessed to have understanding employers and supportive co-workers when her absences meant their workload increased.



I am always upfront in interviews that while my current military service may impact my civilian career, it is also responsible for some of my best experiences and developed many of my strengths, she said.



While the next generation of the Family is still too young to enlist, Drew and his siblings agree they would like to see their children follow in their footsteps.



I will absolutely encourage my children to pursue a military career, he said. Mainly because there are great education benefits, but it also creates discipline and brotherhood. By Stephanie Beougher, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Provided through DVIDS

Copyright 2017 Comment on this article
ABCNews.com(NOTRE DAME, Ind.) -- A group of graduating seniors from the University of Notre Dame turned their backs on their own graduation ceremony in protest of Vice President Mike Pence, who gave their commencement address there on Sunday.



The protests, which were organized by a student activist group at Notre Dame called We Stand For, were staged in response to "marginalized people affected by Pence's politics," according to a Facebook post published by the group last week, which urged students to join them in the walk out.



"We invite all students, faculty, and families who will be attending the Commencement ceremony to walk out with us as we take back our graduation and show our dissatisfaction with the University's selection of Mike Pence as honored speaker, the group wrote. "We also will walk out in dignity and solidarity with all marginalized people affected by Pence's politics, both on this campus and throughout our nation."

Video of the protest shows students leaving the facility without any signs of disruption. Many of them were wearing rainbow colored accessories in solidarity with LGBTQ politics.

The speech marked a homecoming of sorts for Pence, who served as the governor of Indiana while many of the students who graduated Sunday were attending school there.



Aside from those who walked out on him, Pence was greeted warmly by the students, some of whom booed the protesters.



The vice president used the opportunity of the speech to advocate for free speech on college campuses, and criticize what he called "administration-sanctioned political correctness."



While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness  all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech, he said in the address.



He called the atmosphere of policing speech "destructive of learning and the pursuit of knowledge."



The vice president has received harsh criticism from LGBTQ activists, who view him as an opponent of their agenda. Pence is seen by some as a proponent of so-called gay conversion therapy, a highly controversial process of attempting to alter a person's sexual preference, sometimes through physical abuse, that has been banned in multiple states.



As a candidate for Congress in the 1990s, Pences campaign website included a statement that fueled the belief that he was in support of conversion therapies for gay youths.



Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior, the website said, under a header reading, The Pence agenda.



Asked about the campaign language, a spokesman for Pence told ABC News that Pence was calling for federal funds to be directed to groups that promoted safe sexual practices and said "any assertion that Vice President-elect Pence supported or advocated for conversion therapy is patently false and is a mischaracterization of language from a 16-year old campaign website."



Earlier this year, President Donald Trump let stand an Obama-era order protecting the rights of some LGBT workers, and was widely regarded as being more accepting of LGBTQ issues than his running mate.



Pence told ABC News in the wake of that decision that he sided with Trump.



I think throughout the campaign, President Trump made it clear that discrimination would have no place in our administration, Pence told ABC News in a "This Week" interview that aired in February, responding to the potential for misalignment on issues of sexuality in the administration. He was the very first Republican nominee to mention the LGBTQ community at our Republican National Convention and was applauded for it. And I was there applauding with him.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
AUBURN  The staff of Auburn Regional Media Access realizes that the "media" part of the station's title is always changing.

A new studio at the 108 Genesee St. public access station addresses that change. The 320-square-foot space, unofficially titled the "DIY Studio," can be used at no cost to produce talk shows, podcasts or any other project area creators seek ARMA's help realizing, Managing Director Cathy Tripiciano said Friday.

So far, the studio has a green chromakey wall for background effects and black ceiling tiles designed to absorb sound. When the studio opens sometime this summer, Tripiciano said, it will have cameras, lighting, a control panel and more production equipment. Construction was supported by ARMA's operating budget, which comes from a fee of about a dozen cents that's attached to Auburn residents' cable bills and then passed through the city, she continued. The station is looking at matching grants and public donations to fund the equipment's purchase.

The studio is the next step in ARMA's mission of supplying the Auburn community with not just a platform to air content, Tripiciano said, but the tools to create it.

"We're aware people don't watch TV like they used to anymore. And we're aware people can just shoot something on their phone now," she said. "But we want the community to realize there is this asset they can use. Especially now, there are so many people who want to share information, or have a public discourse. You can't necessarily do that with an iPhone."

Since starting in 2012, the public access station has been used primarily as a free space for nonprofits to share information, said Tripiciano and staffer Steve Gage. Churches broadcast times for pancake breakfasts, chicken barbecues and other events, as well as videos of services. Groups like Save Owasco Now share educational videos related to their causes. The station also airs video of Auburn City Council and Cayuga County Legislature meetings, plus public media programs like "Democracy Now!"

Along with that content, though, are programs created for ARMA. Musician Rachael Tissot goes out and about in "Porch Talk," former Auburn Mayor Guy Cosentino takes viewers "Inside Government" and, at his archive room in the Cayuga Community College library, Ormie King hosts "Talking Sports" with a list of guests that's booked a couple years out, Gage said.

The station airs on channels 12 and 98 on Spectrum (formerly Time Warner), and 31 on Verizon. It reaches a little outside the Auburn area, Gage said, into towns like Owasco, Sennett and Throop.

Though ARMA has no ratings system like Nielsen, Gage said, word of mouth about its programming is good. He and Tripiciano believe the station's local focus is one of its strengths.

"You can put things on YouTube and they go out there to everyone, but sometimes a smaller target audience is much more valuable," she said. "Local is important."

That's one reason the ARMA staff hopes that its new studio coaxes more local creators to make use of its services. Another is its accessibility: From borrowing an otherwise pricey camera to scheduling studio time to seeking the TV production expertise of Tripiciano and Gage, everything is free, she said.

The station's only requirements are that users show their licenses as proof of their Auburn residency, and that they air whatever they create on the station. Even then, Tripiciano said, Auburn creators will retain ownership rights  meaning they can still upload to Youtube, SoundCloud and anywhere else the content they made with the help of their local public access station.

"If someone has an idea and they're enthusiastic about it and they really want to do it, then we want to air it," Tripiciano said.
Nguyen Thi Cuc, chairman of the Vietnam Tax Consultants' Association

Resolution 35/NQ-CP dated May 16, 2016 on supporting and developing companies by 2020 stipulated that government agencies are not allowed to inspect and examine companies more than once a year. However, as of now, companies continue complaining about being inspected and examined too often. Does this mean that government agencies widely disregard this resolution?

If the government wants to ensure that companies are inspected at most once a year, the Government Inspectorate (GI) should work with the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAOV) to review all legal documents on inspection, especially sector-specific inspections, examinations, and auditing, in order to combine them into one and ensure that the different agencies recognise each others inspection results. The government agencies should also publicly announce their inspection, examination, and audit plans so that they will not overlap. They should not hold inspections when there is no reason to do so, especially in tax-related matters.

However, as of now, there are still no instructions regarding this. Therefore, companies are still inspected more than once a year by different government agencies and the contents of the inspections overlap. Companies talked about this problem a lot in so many conferences and forums. This problem was also discussed by the National Assembly, without any merit, so far.

I hope that after the prime minister issued Directive No.20/2017/CT-TTg, government agencies will soon build specific regulations regarding this. Then companies can focus on doing their job, decrease costs, and raise competitiveness, instead of meeting with inspection delegations all the time.

In 2016, the tax authority collected VND17.16 trillion ($760 million) through inspections. In the first four months, it collected VND3.6 trillion ($160 million) in tax companies failed to declare and VND7.8 trillion ($345 million) in tax arrears from 2016. Without inspections, how can the government prevent tax evasion?

Inspection is a function of the government. However, too many inspections are a waste of time and effort and a breeding ground for corruption.

Besides the tax authority, there is also SAOV, GI, sector-specific inspectors in social insurance, labour, finance, and the environment.

Companies feel like they are subjected to control and abuse by the government instead of being protected along to produce economic growth for the country. I suggest they work together to decrease the number of inspections and prevent wasting time and effort for both the companies and the government agencies.

There seems to be an implied understanding among government agencies that they have to find a violation when they come knocking on the door. To circumvent this, some companies commit a small violation for the agencies to find so they can walk away after a job well done.

Inspections are meant to prevent violations, but it should also find companies that comply with regulations on tax, customs, social insurance, and the environment and reward them accordingly, marking an example for other companies to follow.

In 2016, the Hanoi tax authority inspected a foreign-invested company and not only found no violations but also gave it a tax refund because it was not updated on some new tax regulations. I think there should be a reward for companies that do not commit violations, so that more and more companies will follow the correct example.

The tax authority said that some companies even request inspections. Is this true?

To be exact, companies want the tax authority to check their taxes. According to current regulations, companies calculate, file, submit, and account their tax on their own. Sometimes they are afraid that they miscalculated somewhere. If they declare less than they have to submit, they will be subject to a fine and may get blacklisted by the tax authoritythe repercussions are far too severe.

Joint stock companies pay dividend after accounting their tax. Then, if the tax authority discovers mistakes, they have to submit more tax, but the dividends cannot be retrieved. This is why at times its more beneficial to be audited out of turn.
Egyptian authorities have referred 48 people to military trial for their alleged involvement in three deadly church bombings.

Islamic State had claimed responsibility or the suicide blasts that targeted churches in December and April.

Egypt's public prosecutor said some of the suspects allegedly formed terror cells in Cairo and the southern province of Qena, to carry out the attacks.

A December bombing targeted Cairo while Coptic churches were attacked in April in Tanta and Alexandria. More than 70 people were killed.

Following the April attacks, Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency.
Health ministers of the G20 leading economies, meeting for the first time Saturday, agreed to work together to tackle issues such as a growing resistance to antibiotics and to start implementing national action plans by the end of 2018.

Germany, which holds the G20 presidency this year, said it was an important breakthrough that all nations had agreed to address the problem and work toward obligatory prescriptions for antibiotics.

Pandemics

Saying that globalization caused infectious diseases to spread more quickly than previously, the 20 nations also pledged to strengthen health systems and improve their ability to react to pandemics and other health risks.

By putting global health on the agenda of the G20 we affirm our role in strengthening the political support for existing initiatives and working to address the economic aspects of global health issues, the communique said.

The results of the meeting will feed into a G20 leaders summit in Hamburg in July.

Overprescription

While the discovery of antibiotics has provided cures for many bacterial infections that had previously been lethal, overprescription has led to the evolution of resistance strains of many bacteria.

An EU report last year found that newly resistant strains of bacteria were responsible for more than 25,000 deaths a year in the 28-member bloc alone.

Germany has argued that even having a discussion about it will help raise public awareness about the problem. The G20 also said they agreed to help improve access to affordable medicine in poorer countries.


Unknown gunmen have killed a German aid worker and her Afghan security guard in Kabul before kidnapping a Finnish woman who worked for an aid organization.

A Finnish Foreign Ministry spokesperson is reported to have confirmed a Finn has been taken hostage, and that there is no information yet on the kidnappers.

There has been no claim of responsibility.

The overnight violence took place outside a guesthouse on the Darulaman road of the capital city, housing staff of the Swedish charity Operation Mercy, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry.

Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said a third foreigner was rescued and an investigation into the incident is under way.

Incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Kabul have long posed a challenge for Afghan authorities and have discouraged foreign nationals from moving freely in the city.



Separately, Taliban insurgents have killed 20 Afghan police personnel and wounded at least a dozen more in the volatile southern province of Zabul.

Provincial Governor Bismillah Afghanmal told VOA the casualties occurred late Saturday after insurgents attacked security outposts in the Shajoy district. He added that assailants also suffered major casualties but gave no figures.



The governor said fighting was still raging in the area. Security officials have confirmed to VOA the Taliban has overrun several outposts.

The conflict zone is located on the main highway linking Kabul with the southern city of Kandahar.



Local officials are reported to have made calls to Afghan television stations in their bid to seek attention after failing to get hold of senior authorities for help.

A Taliban spokesman, while claiming responsibility for killing Afghan forces and capturing outposts, said its fighters are currently attacking more than a dozen "enemy" posts in the area to try to capture them.

The Islamist insurgency has ramped up its so-called spring offensive across Afghanistan in a bid to extend its territorial control. The Taliban controls or influences nearly 50 of 407 Afghan districts.

The fighting comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is considering whether to send additional troops to the embattled country to strengthen NATO's existing mission of training, advising and assisting Afghan security forces to enable them reverse insurgent gains.
After a 30-year battle, indigenous groups on Australias Cape York peninsula are celebrating the return of more than 160,000 hectares of tribal land. It has been handed back to three aboriginal clans by the Queensland state government.

It was opposition to the worlds first commercial space terminal in the mid 1980s that galvanized the Indigenous land rights movement in the Cape York peninsula. Aboriginal campaigners said plans to launch U.S. satellites using Soviet rockets from the site at Temple Bay in northern Australia would have destroyed sacred sites. Conservationists also argued the plan would harm the area's unique biodiversity.

After a long fight stretching back decades, more than 160,000 hectares of land have been returned to traditional tribal owners.

Andrew Picone, the northern Australia campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation said it was the first time indigenous campaigners had joined forces with environmentalists.

Back in the 1980s when the spaceport was first proposed traditional owners launched their own campaign against that spaceport and they had their own legal proceedings as well. They asked for support from the conservation movement because we were also interested in the natural and cultural values of the Cape, so it was one of the first alliances you could say between Indigenous groups and the conservation movement, he said.

About a third of the land returned to indigenous control will be used to create Australias newest national park. This will be owned and jointly run by aboriginal groups and should provide jobs in eco-tourism to communities that have had high rates of unemployment.

As all are economic dividends there are significant spiritual benefits, too. Indigenous leaders say the land handover will give them unfettered access and control of sacred sites.

Aboriginal Australians revere the land, and consider it to be the Mother of creation that is full of secrets and wisdom.

The Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was an historic day after formally handing control of the land on Cape York back to indigenous groups.

There are now 28 aboriginal-owned and jointly-managed National Parks on Queenslands Cape York Peninsula, covering more two million hectares.
Nearly 130,000 undocumented Afghan refugees have been forced by the Iranian government to go home this year, heading to an uncertain future with the resurgent Taliban now holding more than 40 percent rural territory in Afghanistan.



Hundreds more are ousted each day from Iran, in line with Irans target of sending 600,000 back to Afghanistan by the end of the year.



Last week, 7,695 Afghan refugees returned from Iran, 60-65 percent of whom were deported involuntarily, said Hafiz Ahmad Miakhel, spokesman for the Afghanistan Ministry of Refugees and Returnees. The majority of them were young individuals, but some were families, including women and children.



Kabul says the unprecedented influx of returnees has strained post-arrival services by the government and refugee agencies, especially with Pakistan also sending Afghan refugees home.

The swelling numbers of deportees from Iran and high unemployment in Afghanistan lead to concerns that some of young returnees may join the Taliban or other militant groups. The large influx may also fuel a rising crime rate in a country already shaky from terror attacks and a high death rate among the security forces.

More than two million Afghans live in Iran, according to Afghan government estimates. Most settled there after fleeing war and conflict in their homeland. About 950,000 are classified as refugees.

Involuntary deportation



Of the 440,000 Afghan refugees who returned to Afghanistan from Iran last year, over 157,000 were deported, the majority of whom were young individuals who were residing illegally in Iran, Miakhel told VOA. The involuntary deportation is a clear violation of bilateral and trilateral agreements.



According to Miakhel, Iran has closed the main Islam Qala border crossing for the past few months for unspecified reasons, and refugees are returning through alternative border crossings, which lack facilities to accommodate high numbers.



As a result, more than 2,000 people crowd each day through Nirmorzs Malik border crossing, which cannot accommodate more than 1,000 people a day, Miakhel said.



In November 2012, Iran issued regulations allowing police and custom authorities to expel about 1.6 million undocumented foreigners by the end of 2015. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have returned or deported from Iran.



The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the number of undocumented returnees from Iran since New Years Day was 127,935 through May 13.



Rights violations charged

While many Afghans have been allowed to go to Iran for jobs that Iranians dont want, pressure has been rising for most to be sent home. While there, they lack basic rights and access to economic opportunities. Rights groups have accused the Iranian government of maltreating them.



The violations, according to Human Rights Watch, include physical abuse, detention in unsanitary and inhumane conditions, forced payment for transportation and accommodation in deportation camps, forced labor, and forced separation of families.



The rights group says Iranian authorities deport Afghan refugees summarily, without allowing them the opportunity to prove they have a right to remain in Iran, or to lodge an asylum application.



Some refugees claim arrests for no reason, particularly in Tehran. Police counter that most arrests are for involvement in the drug trade.



Kabul says it is trying to facilitate voluntary repatriation of refugees from Iran and Pakistan as the refugee issue is sometimes used as a leverage against Afghanistan.



Iran has sent thousands of Shi'ite Afghan refugees to Syria to fight alongside forces of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Irans elite Revolutionary Guard forces in support of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Irans army recruits them with promises of Iranian citizenship and improved living standards for their families.



Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last year promised the Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah to offer legal status to Afghan refugees instead of expelling them. But according spokesperson Miakhel, Tehran has not yet executed a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries two years ago.
Weeks after Jakarta elected a governor whose campaign called for Islam to dominate politics and society, the leader of Indonesia's  and the world's  largest Islamic organization has appealed for strengthening secular values.

The remarkable request went out to hundreds of people representing Indonesia's ethnic and religious diversity, who attended an interfaith dialog held by the Alliance of Arek Suroboyo on Thursday in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city after Jakarta.

K.H. Said Aqil Siradj, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, demanded a return to Indonesia's founding principle, now on the official seal  "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," or "Unity in Diversity"  and maintaining the nation's philosophical roots, codified in the Pancasila, a governing document, and the 1945 Constitution. Other religious and community leaders echoed his remarks.

That Said Aqil Siradj attended the gathering was newsworthy even before he spoke in favor of secularism.

Secular values

The gathering convened with the stated goal of strengthening support for the secular values of nationalism and patriotism, and Said Aqil Siradj's remarks countered the growing movement to transform Indonesia into a nation ruled by Sharia, or Islamic law.

His organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, was founded in 1926 in Surabaya to counter the rise of Wahhabism, the puritanical Islam favored by Saudi Arabia. Nahdlatul Ulama has more than 40 million members.

Since 1980, Saudi Arabia has been using education to quietly spread its form of Islam in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The impact of that effort may have played a role in the religious tensions surrounding the Jakarta governor election, won on April 19 by Anies Baswedan, who turned to Islamic hard-liners for support. His opponent, incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Chinese Christian better known by his nickname, Ahok, was accused of blasphemy for reciting a verse from the Quran.

After a trial that ran during the campaign, he was sentenced earlier this month to two years in prison.

According to Said Aqil Siradj, radical rhetoric spreads through sermons delivered during Friday prayers.

"These sermons are supposed to remind worshippers to be more devoted, to have moral values, to be more pious," he said. "They should not be verbal abuse. How dare they! If they want to badmouth other faiths, do it outside the sermon. If they do this during a Friday sermon, then the Friday prayer is not acceptable."

Indonesia is a nation of more than 17,000 islands, at least 300 ethnic groups and about 740 languages and dialects. And while about 88 percent of the Indonesia's 260.6 million people are Muslim, the government recognizes five other official religious traditions  Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

Against change to government

Those favoring political Islam and the implementation of Sharia "are trying to eliminate everything related to the noble values of our archipelago and ancestry," said Sidharta Adhumulya, a Taoist leader, who exhorted the public to rise up against any attempt to change the government. "So do not let the Javanese sungkem [a way of honoring an elder by kissing his hand from a kneeling position] or the tradition of wearing a konde [a Javanese bun-like hairstyle] become haram," or forbidden under Sharia.

"Indonesia's independence came about because all tribes, all religions, fought for it," said Tofan Hidayat of the Chinese-Indonesian Society of East Java, referring to the overthrow of Dutch colonial rule after World War II.

Said Aqil Siradj expressed hope that the Indonesian people would return to the Constitution and embrace "Unity in Diversity" and the Pancasila, which sets forth five "inseparable and interrelated principles: a belief in the one and only God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives, and social justice for the whole of the people of Indonesia."

"Let's return to the principle we agreed on, the Pancasila," he said. "If each person only fights for his own ideology, this is what happens  chaos. The Pancasila already contains Islamic values, if you're a Muslim. The belief in God, brotherhood, justice, nationalism and the principle of discourse, these are all the principles of Islam. What is the problem for Muslims?"

Nadia Madjid contributed to this report, which originated on VOA's Indonesia service.
British Prime Minister Theresa Mays lead in the opinion polls has narrowed after her Conservatives and the Labour opposition published their policy plans this week, with one survey showing the gap between the two parties halving to nine points.

May had been on course for a landslide with a majority of up to 150 seats, opinion polls had indicated in the early stages of campaigning ahead of the June 8 national vote.

Four polls Saturday however showed the Conservatives with an expected vote share of between 44 and 46 percent, still easily ahead of the Labour Party at 33 to 35 percent, but pointing to a smaller projected majority of about 40 seats.

A YouGov poll showed her lead had halved to 9 points in a week.

On Thursday May launched pledges for the government to adopt a more interventionist stance in an attempt to attract traditional Labour supporters.

She also set out plans to transfer a greater share of the cost of caring for elderly people from taxpayers to those who can afford to pay for their own care, including property owners who are the basis of support for her party, and to restrict a currently universal winter fuel payment for older people.

YouGov found that 40 percent of the public opposed the policy changes for the elderly, while 35 percent were supportive, the Sunday Times said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Conservatives policies would set the young against the old in a war between generations.

He claimed pensioners will be 330 pounds ($430) a year worse off under the plans set out in the Tory manifesto. His partys policies promised to renationalize mail, rail and water services, increase taxes on the highest earners and clamp down on corporate excess.

May attempted to turn the focus of her campaign back on the Labour leader on Saturday.

The cold hard fact is that if I lose just six seats I will lose this election, and Jeremy Corbyn will be sitting down to negotiate with the presidents, prime ministers and chancellors of Europe, she said in a Facebook post.

She set out her plans for the economy as Britain enters thorny two-year divorce negotiations with the 27 other members of the European Union, and has called an election purportedly to strengthen her hand in those talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump raised the firing of his FBI director in a meeting with Russia's foreign minister to explain why he had been unable to find areas of cooperation with Moscow, the White House national security adviser said on Sunday.

"The gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news," H.R. McMaster said in an interview on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

Reports that Trump boasted to Russian officials of firing former FBI director James Comey to relieve "great pressure" from a law-enforcement probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election engulfed his administration in turmoil just as Trump left for his first foreign trip as president on Friday.

"I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job," Trump said during a May 10 meeting with Russian officials, according to a report by The New York Times that cited a document summarizing the meeting and an unnamed U.S. official.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied that Comey had come up during the meeting, according to Interfax news agency.

McMaster also said in Sunday's interview that the central purpose of Trump's conversation with Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to Washington was to confront Russia on areas where the United States considers them disruptive, such as Syria.



McMaster criticized sources who told reporters that Trump had disclosed highly classified information to the Russian officials in the meeting about a planned Islamic State operation.

"In a concern about divulging intelligence they leaked actually not just the information from the meeting, but also indicated the sources and methods to a to a newspaper. I mean it doesn't make sense," McMaster said."
The European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said on Sunday he was confident an agreement between Athens and its creditors could be found at a meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday in Brussels.

Athens needs funds to repay 7.5 billion euros ($8.4 billion) of debt maturing in July.

"We are very close to an overall agreement," Moscovici told France Inter radio.

"Greece has assumed its responsibilities," he said, referring to measures on pension cuts, tax hikes and reforms adopted on Thursday by the Greek Parliament.

"I now wish that we, the partners of Greece, also take our responsibilities," he said.

Moscovici said his optimism over a deal was partly linked to the fact Germany was now aware of the need to find a structural solution to Greece's problems.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed during a call on Wednesday that a deal was "feasible" by Monday.
China killed or imprisoned 18 to 20 CIA sources from 2010 to 2012, hobbling U.S. spying operations in a massive intelligence breach whose origin has not been identified, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Investigators remain divided over whether there was a spy within the Central Intelligence Agency who betrayed the sources or whether the Chinese hacked the CIA's covert communications system, the newspaper reported, citing current and former U.S. officials.

The Chinese killed at least a dozen people providing information to the CIA from 2010 through 2012, dismantling a network that was years in the making, the newspaper reported.

One was shot and killed in front of a government building in China, three officials told the Times, saying that was designed as a message to others about working with Washington.

The breach was considered particularly damaging, with the number of assets lost rivaling those in the Soviet Union and Russia who perished after information passed to Moscow by spies Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, the report said. Ames was active as a spy in the 1980s and Hanssen from 1979 to 2001.

The CIA declined to comment when asked about the Times report on Saturday.

Began in 2010

The Chinese activities began to emerge in 2010, when the American spy agency had been getting high quality information about the Chinese government from sources deep inside the bureaucracy, including Chinese upset by the Beijing government's corruption, four former officials told the Times.

The information began to dry up by the end of the year and the sources began disappearing in early 2011, the report said.

As more sources were killed the FBI and the CIA began a joint investigation of the breach, examining all operations run in Beijing and every employee of the U.S. Embassy there.

The investigation ultimately centered on a former CIA operative who worked in a division overseeing China, the newspaper said, but there was not enough evidence to arrest him.

Some investigators believed the Chinese had hacked the CIA's covert communications system.

Still others thought the breach was a result of careless spy work including traveling the same routes to the same meeting points or meeting sources at restaurants where Chinese had planted listening devices, the newspaper said.

By 2013, U.S. intelligence concluded China's ability to identify its agents had been curtailed, the newspaper said, and the CIA has been trying to rebuild its spy network there.
More than 100 graduating students at the University of Notre Dame walked out Sunday as Vice President Mike Pence began his address at their commencement ceremony.

Pence was chosen to give the commencement address at the nations most prominent Catholic university - even though the school ordinarily invites newly inaugurated presidents to give the address in their first year of office. Thousands of students and faculty members had signed a petition asking Notre Dames president, the Rev. John Jenkins, not to invite President Donald Trump.

Pence had been the governor of Indiana, the Midwest state where the university is located.

The planned protest was organized by a student organization WeStaNDFor, which said in a release that it was primarily protesting Pences opposition to gay rights, his attempts as governor to prevent Syrian refugees from resettling in Indiana, his support of Trumps immigration travel ban, and his opposition to sanctuary cities that do not enforce federal immigration laws.

Before Pence spoke, valedictorian Caleb Joshua Pine urged a "stand against the scapegoating of Muslims'' and criticized Trump's push to build a wall along the Mexican border.

The Notre Dame protest comes after Bethune-Cookman University students booed, chanted and turned their backs on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during her commencement address at their ceremony earlier this month. At times the booing was so loud, the Florida schools president admonished the students, If this behavior continues, your degrees will be mailed to you. Choose which way you want to go.

Like Pence's selection at Notre Dame, students at the historically black college criticized its administration's pick of DeVos ahead of the ceremony.
The United Nations Security Council plans to have an emergency meeting Tuesday in response to North Korea's latest ballistic missile test.

Uruguay's mission to the U.N. said the meeting was requested by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

North Korea said Monday it is now ready to mass produce intermediate-range ballistic missiles and deploy them to its army.

Seoul's military said the missile was fired Sunday afternoon from South Pyeongan province and flew about 500 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan. It was Pyongyang's second missile test in a week and 10th this year.

A joint chiefs statement said, "Our military is closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military and we are keeping a full military readiness."

In response to North Korea's earlier tests, U.S. President Donald Trump dispatched a naval strike group to waters off the Korean peninsula as a warning to the communist regime to end its nuclear weapons development program.

But Secretary of State Rex Tillerson rejected the idea that the U.S. pressure against North Korea is not working.

"Were early in the stages of applying the economic pressure as well as the diplomatic pressure to the regime in North Korea," Tillerson told Fox News. "Hopefully, they will get the message that the pathway of continuing their nuclear arms program is not a pathway to security, or, certainly, prosperity. The ongoing testing is disappointing, its disturbing, and we ask that they cease that because until they cease that testing, clearly, they have not changed their view. But I think were early into the game of putting pressure on them."

David Benham, spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Command, said the U.S. will "continue to monitor North Korea's actions closely" and "stands behind our ironclad commitment to the security of our allies in the Republic of Korea and Japan."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a National Security Council meeting at the presidential Blue House to discuss the missile launch. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the latest test a "challenge to the world."

North Korea has conducted a variety of missile tests since the beginning of last year at an unprecedented pace.

A week ago, Pyongyang launched a missile in an unusual high altitude ballistic path that indicated it might be a new two-stage liquid fueled rocket capable of flying up to 4,500 kilometers.

North Korea said then that it had successfully conducted a newly developed mid-to-long-range missile test, supervised by leader Kim Jong Un and aimed at verifying the capability to carry a "large scale heavy nuclear warhead."

The official news agency KCNA quoted Kim as accusing the United States of "browbeating" countries that "have no nukes," and warning Washington not to misjudge the reality that its mainland is in the North's "sighting range for strike."

That test, according to a White House statement, should serve as a call for all nations to implement far stronger sanctions against North Korea.
He removes his own jacket, brushing off an aide who tried to take it off like a butler. He takes questions from journalists without vetting them first. He gets a $3 lunch with employees at a Blue House cafeteria and tweets about his adopted cats and dogs, who found a new home in the presidential palace.

That may seem unremarkable elsewhere, but newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-ins common man touch is being feted in a country more used to authoritarian rule by aloof leaders.

High approval ratings

Moon has hit approval ratings not seen in South Korea for nearly a decade by standing in deliberate contrast to his disgraced and impeached predecessor, Park Geun-hye. She was widely reviled for her disconnected style even before the damaging bribery scandal that brought her down in March.

The infatuation may be short-lived if Moon fails to deliver on key election promises that resonated with the public, such as boosting jobs and welfare, reforming powerful family-run conglomerates and easing tensions over North Koreas fast accelerating weapons programs.

Naturally, Moon is having a honeymoon period, said Daniel Tudor, an author of several books on Korean society and politics who briefly advised the Moon campaign. So far everything Moon has done has shown that he has emotional concern for the average person.

Moons approval rating hit 75 percent, according to polling firm Realmeter. Parks was at 55 percent in her first week in 2012, before hitting an all-time low of 4 percent in March.

Message to public

Moon won election with just more than 40 percent of the votes. Much of his popularity among voters and supporters, most of whom are between 20 and 40 years old, was attributed to his down-to-earth and humble demeanor  an image he has maintained since becoming the most powerful person in the country.

Photos of Moon, 64, and his advisers strolling around the grounds of the Blue House presidential office with iced coffees in their hands went viral on social media and ran on major newspapers in Moons first few days.

The photos were no accident. Moon himself discussed such photo opportunities with his closest aides, to try to send a message that he will continue to communicate with the public, a spokesman for Moon said.

Sensitive to the influence-peddling scandal that brought down Park, Moon has also made a conscious decision to sideline some of his closest friends and advisers.

Yang Jung-chul, one of Moons closest aides and an instrumental member of his campaign, wrote in a memo to friends and journalists this week that his dream came true when Moon got elected, and it was now time to leave.

Let me have the right to be forgotten, Yang wrote.

Some moments unscripted

Other moments are unscripted. A short clip showing Moon refusing help from an aide with his jacket, which he casually hung on the back of his chair, was a hit on social media, along with pictures of his good-looking bodyguard and some of his cabinet appointments.

Photos of a younger Moon in his days as a special forces soldier wearing a beret and fatigues have been retweeted thousands of times.

He has moved his pets into his official residence, much to the delight of netizens. Tori, a rescue dog, will soon join South Koreas First Cat, who moved into the Blue House this weekend, the Moon spokesman said.

Park left her nine pet dogs behind when she left the Blue House in March after the Constitutional Court upheld a parliamentary impeachment motion against her, drawing criticism from South Korean animal rights activists.

All Korean presidents end up hated, Tudor said, referring to the fact that nearly all former presidents, or their family members and key aides, have been embroiled in scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office. Moon might at least have a fair chance to buck that trend.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the U.S. has expressed its "dismay" to Turkish officials about last week's clash in which Turkish security personnel apparently attacked demonstrators in Washington.

Tillerson told Fox News Sunday that Turkey's ambassador to the U.S. has been told that last Tuesday's violence was "simply unacceptable."

"There is an ongoing investigation," he said, adding that he will wait on the outcome of that probe before deciding on a more formal response.

The clash broke out between Turkish security personnel and protesters outside the Turkish ambassador's residence during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Washington.



Protesters say they were attacked by Turkish security forces as they demonstrated peacefully. Turkey blamed the clash on the demonstrators, claiming they aggressively provoked people who had gathered to see Erdogan.

VOA's Turkish service recorded images at the scene that indicated the Turkish security detail suddenly turned on the demonstrators, knocking them to the ground and kicking them until American police pushed the Turks away. The video showed Erdogan standing beside his limousine, watching the brawl.

U.S. officials briefly detained two members of Erdogans security detail, but they were soon released, under customary diplomatic protocols granting immunity to aides accompanying a visiting dignitary.

Some U.S. lawmakers have demanded the United States take stronger action, including Republican Senator John McCain, who called for the Turkish ambassador to be expelled.


President Donald Trump is proposing drastic cuts in many education programs but expansion of programs that favor charter schools, according to The Washington Post, which published a story earlier this month based on a leaked document.

The document is similar, however, to a preliminary budget outline, referred to as "the skinny budget," that the Trump administration released in March.

The newspaper said the proposed budget would cut $9.2 billion from the Department of Education, a 13.6 percent reduction from its current level.

Chad Miller, a former congressional staff member and current director of education policy for the American Action Forum, told VOA that Trump's proposed cuts to the Department of Education were no surprise, given the president's public statements.

"He is definitely looking at shrinking the footprint of the Department of Education," Miller said, "but along with the shrinking budget proposals, I think he has put forth proposals to spend money or target money elsewhere to produce more benefit for the students."

The big winner in the education budget would be charter schools, including those that are privately operated but get funds from states or local school districts. The charter school program, which provides incentives for implementing school choice in local districts, would receive $500 million, a 50 percent increase.

Interest from states

Clare McCann, senior policy analyst for the New America think tank in Washington, told VOA an increase in federal funds for charter schools could attract a lot of interest.

"If states find a pot of money that they can use for education, even if it is not for their traditional public schools, I think it is likely that they would flock to that," McCann said.

Critics say providing government funds to private charter schools could undermine the public school system and hurt schools serving poor neighborhoods. Supporters, however, say charter schools provide students from poor areas a better choice.

Both Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos are champions of school-choice programs, but they also support local control and fewer federal restrictions.

The education budget would cut $700 million in grants that support disadvantaged students and nearly $500 million from a work-study program. It would also end the loan forgiveness program for graduates who work in public service jobs  people like social workers, rural doctors and teachers.

"On the whole, it may make it harder for borrowers who plan to go into public service to have their loans paid down quickly, but on the other hand, I think they did try to mitigate some of those issues with their income-based repayment plan proposal," McCann said.

Loan repayment plans

The proposed change to the income-based repayment plan would help undergraduate students pay off their loans more quickly. Currently, graduates can pay 10 percent of their income over a 20-year period and have the balance of their loans forgiven.

Under the Trump proposal, the payment would be increased to 12.5 percent of their income and the term would be shortened to 15 years.

In a speech scheduled for Monday, DeVos is expected to present details from the official education budget. After the president officially releases his overall budget, it will be up to Congress to either approve or modify what it contains.

McCann said some of the programs targeted for cuts have strong support from constituents, who could put pressure on lawmakers from both parties to either ignore or tone down some of the proposals, including the plan to cut the public service loan forgiveness program.

"Instead of eliminating public service loan forgiveness, they might limit the amount you can have forgiven, or make some tweaks as to who is eligible that would reduce the cost of the program," she said.

Changes inevitable

Because Republican majorities control both houses of Congress, McCann said it is likely lawmakers will try to give the president most of what he wants in the budget. However, he added, some changes are inevitable.

Miller, formerly a professional staff member on the House Education and Workforce Committee, said constituents who favor programs slated for elimination will defend them.

"It is really hard to eliminate a program from the federal budget," he said. "Certainly, you could see cuts from year to year, but to eliminate something like the after-school program would be a difficult challenge for the administration."

Miller said the same goes for the elimination of the public service loan forgiveness program and other proposed cuts. He also said the success of many of Trump's budget proposals would be tied to his success in bringing about tax reform in Congress.
I want to thank King Salman for his extraordinary words, and the magnificent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting todays summit. I am honored to be received by such gracious hosts. I have always heard about the splendor of your country and the kindness of your citizens, but words do not do justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place and the incredible hospitality you have shown us from the moment we arrived.

You also hosted me in the treasured home of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom who united your great people. Working alongside another beloved leader  American President Franklin Roosevelt  King Abdulaziz began the enduring partnership between our two countries. King Salman: your father would be so proud to see that you are continuing his legacy  and just as he opened the first chapter in our partnership, today we begin a new chapter that will bring lasting benefits to our citizens.

Let me now also extend my deep and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of the distinguished heads of state who made this journey here today. You greatly honor us with your presence, and I send the warmest regards from my country to yours. I know that our time together will bring many blessings to both your people and mine.

I stand before you as a representative of the American People, to deliver a message of friendship and hope. That is why I chose to make my first foreign visit a trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that serves as custodian of the two holiest sites in the Islamic Faith.

In my inaugural address to the American People, I pledged to strengthen Americas oldest friendships, and to build new partnerships in pursuit of peace. I also promised that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit of cooperation and trust.

Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperity  in this region, and in the world.



Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.

And so this historic and unprecedented gathering of leaders  unique in the history of nations  is a symbol to the world of our shared resolve and our mutual respect. To the leaders and citizens of every country assembled here today, I want you to know that the United States is eager to form closer bonds of friendship, security, culture and commerce.

For Americans, this is an exciting time. A new spirit of optimism is sweeping our country: in just a few months, we have created almost a million new jobs, added over 3 trillion dollars of new value, lifted the burdens on American industry, and made record investments in our military that will protect the safety of our people and enhance the security of our wonderful friends and allies  many of whom are here today.

Now, there is even more blessed news I am pleased to share with you. My meetings with King Salman, the Crown Prince, and the Deputy Crown Prince, have been filled with great warmth, good will, and tremendous cooperation. Yesterday, we signed historic agreements with the Kingdom that will invest almost $400 billion in our two countries and create many thousands of jobs in America and Saudi Arabia.

This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defense purchase  and we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defense companies. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a greater role in security operations.

We have also started discussions with many of the countries present today on strengthening partnerships, and forming new ones, to advance security and stability across the Middle East and beyond.

Later today, we will make history again with the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology  located right here, in this central part of the Islamic World.

This groundbreaking new center represents a clear declaration that Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combatting radicalization, and I want to express our gratitude to King Salman for this strong demonstration of leadership.

I have had the pleasure of welcoming several of the leaders present today to the White House, and I look forward to working with all of you.

America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.

Here at this summit we will discuss many interests we share together. But above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet historys great test  to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism.

Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred. And young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves and their peoples.

With Gods help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East  and maybe, even all over the world.

But this future can only be achieved through defeating terrorism and the ideology that drives it.

Few nations have been spared its violent reach.

America has suffered repeated barbaric attacks  from the atrocities of September 11th to the devastation of the Boston Bombing, to the horrible killings in San Bernardino and Orlando.

The nations of Europe have also endured unspeakable horror. So too have the nations of Africa and even South America. India, Russia, China and Australia have been victims.



But, in sheer numbers, the deadliest toll has been exacted on the innocent people of Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations. They have borne the brunt of the killings and the worst of the destruction in this wave of fanatical violence.

Some estimates hold that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim.

We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading across the planet. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. No description of the suffering and depravity can begin to capture its full measure.

The true toll of ISIS, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams.

The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity.

This region should not be a place from which refugees flee, but to which newcomers flock.



Saudi Arabia is home to the holiest sites in one of the worlds great faiths. Each year millions of Muslims come from around the world to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj. In addition to ancient wonders, this country is also home to modern ones  including soaring achievements in architecture.

Egypt was a thriving center of learning and achievement thousands of years before other parts of the world. The wonders of Giza, Luxor and Alexandria are proud monuments to that ancient heritage.

All over the world, people dream of walking through the ruins of Petra in Jordan. Iraq was the cradle of civilization and is a land of natural beauty. And the United Arab Emirates has reached incredible heights with glass and steel, and turned earth and water into spectacular works of art.

The entire region is at the center of the key shipping lanes of the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, and the Straits of Hormuz. The potential of this region has never been greater. 65 percent of its population is under the age of 30. Like all young men and women, they seek great futures to build, great national projects to join, and a place for their families to call home.

But this untapped potential, this tremendous cause for optimism, is held at bay by bloodshed and terror. There can be no coexistence with this violence. There can be no tolerating it, no accepting it, no excusing it, and no ignoring it.

Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith.

Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death.

If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen. Terrorisms devastation of life will continue to spread. Peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence. And the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered.

If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killingthen not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.



This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.



This is a battle between Good and Evil.



When we see the scenes of destruction in the wake of terror, we see no signs that those murdered were Jewish or Christian, Shia or Sunni. When we look upon the streams of innocent blood soaked into the ancient ground, we cannot see the faith or sect or tribe of the victims  we see only that they were Children of God whose deaths are an insult to all that is holy.

But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong  and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden.



Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land.



America is prepared to stand with you  in pursuit of shared interests and common security.

But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.

It is a choice between two futures  and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you.



A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.

DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship.

DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities.

DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, and

DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.

For our part, America is committed to adjusting our strategies to meet evolving threats and new facts. We will discard those strategies that have not worked  and will apply new approaches informed by experience and judgment. We are adopting a Principled Realism, rooted in common values and shared interests.

Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption. We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes  not inflexible ideology. We will be guided by the lessons of experience, not the confines of rigid thinking. And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms  not sudden intervention.



We must seek partners, not perfection  and to make allies of all who share our goals.



Above all, America seeks peace  not war.



Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden, if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion.



The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil. Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil.

Many are already making significant contributions to regional security: Jordanian pilots are crucial partners against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia and a regional coalition have taken strong action against Houthi militants in Yemen. The Lebanese Army is hunting ISIS operatives who try to infiltrate their territory. Emirati troops are supporting our Afghan partners. In Mosul, American troops are supporting Kurds, Sunnis and Shias fighting together for their homeland. Qatar, which hosts the U.S. Central Command, is a crucial strategic partner. Our longstanding partnership with Kuwait and Bahrain continue to enhance security in the region. And courageous Afghan soldiers are making tremendous sacrifices in the fight against the Taliban, and others, in the fight for their country.

As we deny terrorist organizations control of territory and populations, we must also strip them of their access to funds. We must cut off the financial channels that let ISIS sell oil, let extremists pay their fighters, and help terrorists smuggle their reinforcements.

I am proud to announce that the nations here today will be signing an agreement to prevent the financing of terrorism, called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center  co-chaired by the United States and Saudi Arabia, and joined by every member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It is another historic step in a day that will be long remembered.

I also applaud the Gulf Cooperation Council for blocking funders from using their countries as a financial base for terror, and designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization last year. Saudi Arabia also joined us this week in placing sanctions on one of the most senior leaders of Hezbollah.

Of course, there is still much work to do.

That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.

Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory  piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and YOUR SOUL WILL BE CONDEMNED.

And political leaders must speak out to affirm the same idea: heroes dont kill innocents; they save them. Many nations here today have taken important steps to raise up that message. Saudi Arabias Vision for 2030 is an important and encouraging statement of tolerance, respect, empowering women, and economic development.

The United Arab Emirates has also engaged in the battle for hearts and souls  and with the U.S., launched a center to counter the online spread of hate. Bahrain too is working to undermine recruitment and radicalism.

I also applaud Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for their role in hosting refugees. The surge of migrants and refugees leaving the Middle East depletes the human capital needed to build stable societies and economies. Instead of depriving this region of so much human potential, Middle Eastern countries can give young people hope for a brighter future in their home nations and regions.

That means promoting the aspirations and dreams of all citizens who seek a better life  including women, children, and followers of all faiths. Numerous Arab and Islamic scholars have eloquently argued that protecting equality strengthens Arab and Muslim communities.

For many centuries the Middle East has been home to Christians, Muslims and Jews living side-by-side. We must practice tolerance and respect for each other once again  and make this region a place where every man and woman, no matter their faith or ethnicity, can enjoy a life of dignity and hope.

In that spirit, after concluding my visit in Riyadh, I will travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and then to the Vatican  visiting many of the holiest places in the three Abrahamic Faiths. If these three faiths can join together in cooperation, then peace in this world is possible  including peace between Israelis and Palestinians. I will be meeting with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Starving terrorists of their territory, their funding, and the false allure of their craven ideology, will be the basis for defeating them.



But no discussion of stamping out this threat would be complete without mentioning the government that gives terrorists all three  safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment. It is a regime that is responsible for so much instability in the region. I am speaking of course of Iran.



From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms, and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region. For decades, Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror.

It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room.

Among Irans most tragic and destabilizing interventions have been in Syria. Bolstered by Iran, Assad has committed unspeakable crimes, and the United States has taken firm action in response to the use of banned chemical weapons by the Assad Regime  launching 59 tomahawk missiles at the Syrian air base from where that murderous attack originated.

Responsible nations must work together to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria, eradicate ISIS, and restore stability to the region. The Iranian regimes longest-suffering victims are its own people. Iran has a rich history and culture, but the people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leaders reckless pursuit of conflict and terror.

Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate Iran, deny it funding for terrorism, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they deserve.



The decisions we make will affect countless lives.

King Salman, I thank you for the creation of this great moment in history, and for your massive investment in America, its industry and its jobs. I also thank you for investing in the future of this part of the world.

This fertile region has all the ingredients for extraordinary success  a rich history and culture, a young and vibrant people, a thriving spirit of enterprise. But you can only unlock this future if the citizens of the Middle East are freed from extremism, terror and violence.



We in this room are the leaders of our peoples. They look to us for answers, and for action. And when we look back at their faces, behind every pair of eyes is a soul that yearns for justice.

Today, billions of faces are now looking at us, waiting for us to act on the great question of our time.

Will we be indifferent in the presence of evil? Will we protect our citizens from its violent ideology? Will we let its venom spread through our societies? Will we let it destroy the most holy sites on earth? If we do not confront this deadly terror, we know what the future will bring  more suffering and despair. But if we act  if we leave this magnificent room unified and determined to do what it takes to destroy the terror that threatens the world  then there is no limit to the great future our citizens will have.

The birthplace of civilization is waiting to begin a new renaissance. Just imagine what tomorrow could bring.

Glorious wonders of science, art, medicine and commerce to inspire humankind. Great cities built on the ruins of shattered towns. New jobs and industries that will lift up millions of people. Parents who no longer worry for their children, families who no longer mourn for their loved ones, and the faithful who finally worship without fear.

These are the blessings of prosperity and peace. These are the desires that burn with a righteous flame in every human heart. And these are the just demands of our beloved peoples.

I ask you to join me, to join together, to work together, and to FIGHT together  BECAUSE UNITED, WE WILL NOT FAIL.

Thank you. God Bless You. God Bless Your Countries. And God Bless the United States of America.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Sunday for Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism, telling dozens of Arab and Muslim leaders at a regional summit in Riyadh it was "a battle between good and evil."

Trump, in his first overseas trip as president, said the U.S. wants a coalition of nations "who share the aim of stamping out extremism.

"This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations," Trump said. "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it."

WATCH: Trump Delivers Message of Friendship, Hope, Love

Trump, who is seeking to ban Muslims from six majority-Muslim countries where terrorist attacks have occurred from entering the U.S., did not use the contentious phrase "radical Islamic terrorism," as he frequently has in U.S. speeches. Instead, he called on the Muslim leaders to honestly confront "the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires.

"Will we be indifferent in the presence of evil?" he asked.

Focus on Iran

Trump singled out Iran, accusing Tehran of contributing to instabililty in the region.

"From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region," Trump said.

Trump said battling terrorism "means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians. Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory  piety to evil will bring you no dignity."

'Not here to lecture'

He said, "America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecturewe are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all. Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith."

"Terrorism has spread across the world," Trump said. "But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land," stressing that "America is prepared to stand with you  in pursuit of shared interests and common security."

"United we cannot fail," he said.



The speech drew polite applause for about 20 seconds but there was no standing ovation except from the U.S. official delegation.

Jocelyne Cesari, who focuses on Islam and world politics at Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, said the language used by Trump in his speech was a "clear departure from his domestic" remarks on Islam.

"He has never made this difference that he made in this speech between Islamist radical ideology and Islam as such... but what it will mean in terms of policy and implementation is not clear," she said.



Gulf Cooperation Council

Ahead of the speech, the U.S. president has been meeting with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss differences with Iran and how to deal with the country, and how to crack down on Islamic militancy.

Trump's speech is a surprising turn for the president in the wake of his America First rhetoric and campaign statements calling for a total Muslim travel ban, which he then softened to call for a more limited travel ban from the six Muslim-majority countries. His effort has been blocked by U.S. courts, although Trump is appealing the ruling.

Saudi Arabia is an unprecedented destination for an initial overseas visit by any U.S. president, but the oil-rich nation, which has deep, long-standing energy and defense ties to the United States, was not included in Trump's travel ban edict.

Earlier Sunday, on the second day of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump held bilateral talks with the Arab leaders of Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Kuwait.

In talks with Bahrain's King Hamad Isa Al-Khalilfa, Trump said "Our countries have a wonderful relationship together, but there has been a little strain, but there won't be strain with this administration." The Trump administration decided this year to go ahead with the multi-billion-dollar sale of military jets and related equipment. The sale had been held up during the Obama administration by human rights concerns.

Trump accepted an invitation to visit Egypt during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Trump said, "We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon." Trump said there are "some very important talks going on with Egypt" and acknowledged the country's help with the release of U.S. aid worker Aya Hijazi, who had been held captive for three years.

Arms deals



On Saturday, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Trump signed a nearly $110 billion agreement to bolster the military capabilities of Saudi Arabia.

The defense deal, effective immediately, was one of a series agreements the two countries signed to enhance their military and economic partnerships, including a second defense pact with options valued up to $350 billion over the next 10 years.

"It was a tremendous day," Trump said while meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at a Riyadh hotel. "Jobs, jobs, jobs," the president said in a reference to the potential job creation opportunities the agreements provide.

The White House said in a statement earlier the defense deals will create new opportunities for U.S. companies in the Middle East region and support "tens of thousands" of new jobs in the U.S. defense industry.

The White House statement also said the deals will help both countries more effectively address common threats.

Included in the defense agreements is a $6 billion pledge to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to result in the creation of 450 jobs in Saudi Arabia.

The military package also includes combat ships, tanks, missile defense systems, and cybersecurity technology.

Additionally, American conglomerate General Electric said Saturday it signed $15 billion in agreements with Saudi organizations. Saudi Aramco said it expected to sign $50 million in deals with U.S. companies in an attempt to diversify the kingdom's economy beyond oil exports.
U.S. President Donald Trump will deliver an address Sunday in Riyadh to dozens of Arab and Muslim leaders at a regional summit focusing on combating extremism.

Ahead of the speech, the U.S. president has been meeting with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss differences with Iran and how to deal with the country, and how to crack down on Islamic militancy.

Earlier Sunday, on the second day of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump held bilateral talks with the Arab leaders of Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Kuwait.

In talks with Bahrain's King Hamad Isa Al Khalilfa, Trump said "Our countries have a wonderful relationship together, but there has been a little strain, but there won't be strain with this administration." The Trump administration decided this year to go ahead with the multi-billion-dollar sale of military jets and related equipment. The sale had been held up during the Obama administration by human rights concerns.

Trump accepted an invitation to visit Egypt during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Trump said, We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon. Trump said there are some very important talks going on with Egypt and acknowledged the countrys help with the release of U.S. aid worker Aya Hijazi, who had been held captive for three years.

Sissi told Trump the U.S. leader has a unique personality that allowed him to do the impossible. Trump said, I agree.



Trump was also overheard complimenting el-Sissi's shoes.

In talks with Bahrains King Hamad Isa Al Khalilfa, Trump said, Our countries have a wonderful relationship together, but there has been a little strain, but there wont be strain with this administration. The Trump administration decided this year to go ahead with the multibillion-dollar sale of military jets and related equipment. The sale had been held up during the Obama administration by human rights concerns.

He next met with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.



With Trump were Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Senior White House Adviser Jared Kushner, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell were among those present.

Address to Muslim leaders

But the centerpiece of the day, if not the visit, will be his address to leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries.

In a draft of his upcoming speech obtained by The Associated Press, Trump will urge the Muslim leaders to drive out the terrorists from your places of worship.

It is a surprising turn for the president in the wake of his America First rhetoric and campaign statements calling for a Muslim ban backed by subsequent orders attempting to limit travel on six Muslim-majority countries.

Saudi Arabia is an unprecedented destination for an initial overseas visit by any U.S. president, but the oil-rich nation, which has deep, long-standing energy and defense ties to the United States, was not named in the travel bans.

Arms deals signed

On Saturday, Trump and his host, Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz, signed a nearly $110 billion agreement to bolster the military capabilities of Saudi Arabia.

The defense deal, effective immediately, was one of a series agreements the two countries signed to enhance their military and economic partnerships, including a second defense pact with options valued at up to $350 billion over the next 10 years.

It was a tremendous day, Trump said while meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at a Riyadh hotel. Jobs, jobs, jobs, the president said in a reference to the potential job creation opportunities the agreements provide.

The White House said in a statement earlier that the defense deals would create new opportunities for U.S. companies in the Middle East and support tens of thousands of new jobs in the U.S. defense industry.

The White House statement also said the deals would help the countries more effectively address common threats.

This package of defense equipment and services supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the kingdoms ability to contribute to counterterrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the U.S. military to conduct those operations, the statement said.

Included in the defense agreements is a $6 billion pledge to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Black Hawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to result in the creation of 450 jobs in Saudi Arabia.

The military package also includes combat ships, tanks, missile defense systems and cybersecurity technology.

Additionally, American conglomerate General Electric said Saturday that it had signed $15 billion in agreements with Saudi organizations. Saudi Aramco said it expected to sign $50 million in deals with U.S. companies in an attempt to diversify the kingdoms economy beyond oil exports.

Trump receives kingdom's highest honor

Earlier Saturday, King Salman presented Trump with the kingdoms highest civilian honor during a meeting at the Royal Court in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The two leaders also signed a vision statement vowing to work closely to combat terrorism as Trumps wife, Melania, daughter Ivanka, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner looked on.

After Trump and the others entered the court to the music of bagpipes, King Salman decorated him with the gold King Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal.

The trip began with King Salman greeting the Trumps at the airport. They walked along a red carpet into the Royal Hall, a terminal at the airport, where they talked briefly. Minutes later, the Trumps and the Saudi king left the airport in a motorcade, heading to the city along a route with deserted streets.


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has formally extended the state of emergency declared after a failed 2016 military coup, saying the decree will remain in place until the country finds "welfare and peace."

Erdogan spoke Sunday in Ankara to tens of thousands of his followers and members of his ruling (AK) Justice and Development Party, which convened to re-elect their party co-founder to the post.

The state of emergency permits Erdogan and his Cabinet to issue decrees without parliamentary approval or judicial review.

Erdogan's announcement and his return as party chief came four weeks after Turkish voters narrowly approved a national referendum greatly expanding presidential powers.

The April 18 vote created a powerful executive presidency that largely sidelines Turkish lawmakers and the office of prime minister. Under the constitutional amendments, Erdogan will also set the national budget and appoint judges to the high court and the constitutional court.

Critics, including prominent human rights organizations, have argued the reforms are tantamount to creating an elected dictatorship. Erdogan and his supporters claim they will create a less cumbersome system of government better able to confront terrorism and a sluggish economy.

Tens of thousands jailed in crackdown

Under emergency rule, more than 47,000 people have been arrested and 100,000 others dismissed from public service for alleged connections to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Erdogan has accused the cleric of fomenting the July 15, 2016, uprising that left more than 260 people dead. Gulen has denied involvement.

Erdogan's address comes just days after his visit to the White House, where he sought to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to scrap a U.S.-led military alliance with Syrian Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State extremists in northern Syria.

Erdogan's efforts appeared unsuccessful. The Turkish leader also drew sharp U.S. public criticism when, hours after the White House visit, he was shown outside the Turkish embassy in Washington standing by as his bodyguards assaulted protesters opposed to his rule.
The World Health Organizations regional chief for Africa reports prospects for rapidly controlling the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo are good.

While not underestimating the difficulties that lie ahead in bringing this latest outbreak of Ebola to an end, Matshidiso Moeti told VOA she is very encouraged by the speed with which the government and its national and international partners have responded to this crisis.

I am quite optimistic because this is a government that is experienced at this, and which has got off to a very quick start and we are already on the ground with the partners.

We are getting logistic support from WFP [World Food Program] and from the U.N. mission. So, I am quite optimistic, Moeti said.

WHO has reported 29 suspected cases, including three deaths since Ebola was discovered in a remote region of DRC on April 22. This deadly virus causes fever, bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea. It spreads easily through bodily fluids and can kill more than 50 percent of its victims.

This is the eighth recorded outbreak of Ebola in DRC since 1976. The outbreak was first detected in Bas-Uele Province, a densely-forested area in northeastern Congo near the border with the Central African Republic.

Outbreak isolated

Moeti calls the remoteness of the area a mixed blessing.

She said that there was little likelihood of a rapid expansion of the outbreak to other localities due to population movement as happened in West Africa. Although, we are keeping a close eye on the Central African Republic ... where we are concerned that there is insecurity there.

She said it was difficult to operate and carry out surveillance or investigations in this area because the road network leading there was not very well developed and we have to drive long distances, not in a car, but have to use a motorbike.

To remedy this, she said the government had fixed up a landing strip to enable helicopters to fly in the experts and material needed to deal with this crisis.

Moeti, a South African physician, replaced Luis Gomez Sambo of Angola as WHO regional head for Africa in January 2015 after he was criticized for his lackluster leadership in handling the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The World Health Organization has come under scathing criticism by the international community for its slow and inept response to that unprecedented epidemic. By the time WHO declared the Ebola epidemic at an end in January 2016, the deadly virus had killed 11,315 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

Experience put to use

During a recent visit to Kinshasa, Matshidiso Moeti said she saw how the hard lessons that have been learned from this tragic experience were being applied in DRC.

What I observed was that the government itself was very quick in getting out to this remote area from the central level.

So, they sent a team from Kinshasa within a day or two of getting this alert to go and investigate and from the provincial level very rapidly, the government got down into this local area, she said.

Moeti is leading a reform process to transform the WHO in the African Region into what she called a more responsive, accountable, effective and transparent organization.

She told VOA that this process was a component of WHOs global reform effort and she would be rolling out the plan during a side-event on May 22, the opening day of this years World Health Assembly.

She said the reform program focused largely on how to improve measures for more quickly and efficiently tackling emergencies and communicable diseases.

Clearly, as we saw very starkly with the Ebola outbreak, an outbreak can quickly transform into a big humanitarian crisis with all sorts of impacts.

While the job of health reform is far from complete, Moeti said, I am really pleased to say that we are starting to see how those changes that we have made are making a difference in how we operate.
Developments Friday concerning President Donald Trump include his plans to meet dozens of Muslim leaders on first trip abroad as president; The New York Times reported Trump told Russian officials earlier this month former FBI Director James Comey was a "nut job'; Comey later Friday said he would publicly testify at a Senate hearing on the Russia investigation; and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified to the U.S. House:

Trump to Meet Dozens of Muslim Leaders During Saudi Visit -- Saudi Arabia is an unprecedented destination for an initial overseas trip by any U.S. president. But Donald Trump is making it his first stop on his first presidential foreign journey. It is all the more surprising in wake of his "America First" rhetoric and campaign statements calling for a Muslim ban backed by subsequent orders attempting to limit travel from six Muslim-majority countries.

Fired FBI Head Comey Agrees to Testify Publicly Before Senate -- The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee says former FBI Director James Comey has agree to testify publicly about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The heads of the Senate Intelligence Committee announced in a statement Friday that Comey would testify before the panel after May 29.

Senior White House Official Said to Figure in FBI Probe -- The Washington Post is quoting unidentified sources that report the FBI investigation into possible ties between Trump's political organization and Russia has identified a current senior White House official as a significant person of interest in the case. The senior official now under scrutiny is said to be someone close to the president, the newspaper said, attributing its report to people familiar with the matter. The senior official was not identified further, but the Post said the FBI probe was expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Rosenstein Stands by Memo Recommending Comey Be Replaced -- Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is sticking by his memo that preceded President Donald Trumps firing of FBI Director Comey. I wrote it. I believe it. I stand by it, Rosenstein said Friday during his closed-door session with lawmakers at the House of Representatives.

Israel, Palestinians Gear Up for Trump Visit -- President Trump is wasting no time trying to succeed where his predecessors have failed. He will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories on Monday and Tuesday of next week, hoping to revive peace talks that collapsed three years ago. His goal is what he calls the ultimate deal that would bring an elusive peace to the Holy Land.

Mattis: Trump Ordered Acceleration in Fight Against IS -- Trump has ordered an "accelerated operation" against Islamic State jihadists in Syria, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday. Mattis called it a "tactical shift," saying the military would move away from operations designed to shove IS fighters out of seized locations, and instead focus on "surrounding the enemy in its stronghold."

Trump Approval Numbers Drop to New Low -- A new poll says public approval of President Trump has dropped to its lowest level since he was inaugurated, with the drop in confidence centered among Republican voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Friday indicates only 38 percent of U.S. adults now approve of the president, while 56 percent said they disapprove of his performance. The remaining 6 percent said they had "mixed feelings" about the president.

Trump Takes First International Trip as President -- Trump begins his maiden international trip as U.S. president Friday, leaving the White House awash in a slew of controversies that has some politicians invoking comparisons to the Watergate scandal that brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon.

To Trump Supporters, Real Story Is About Leaks and Sabotage -- To the White House and its supporters, the big story in Washington isn't the investigation into possible Trump campaign ties to Russia. It's about leakers working to undermine the president.

Russian FM Mocks US Media over Intelligence-sharing Reports -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday mocked U.S. news reports suggesting President Trump inappropriately shared sensitive intelligence with him about terror threats involving laptops on airplanes. He joked that some U.S. media were acting like communist newspapers in the former Soviet Union and not offering real news.

Trump Faces Diplomatic Hurdles During Visit to Holy Land -- U.S. presidential trips are an opportunity to project power and burnish statesmanship. But they come with diplomatic dangers and potential pitfalls, too. For Trump, several of those await in Jerusalem and Bethlehem next week.

Vice President Pence Avoids Political Fray Surrounding Him -- Vice President Mike Pence has stepped gingerly through the chaos engulfing the White House -- offering loyalty to his boss, while trying to avoid the spreading stain of scandal. It hasn't been easy, and it's getting harder by the day.

Worldwide Effort Set to Keep Trump Happy on 1st Trip Abroad -- When President Trump sits down for dinner in Saudi Arabia, caterers have ensured that his favorite meal - steak with a side of ketchup - will be offered alongside the traditional local cuisine. It's all part of a worldwide effort to accommodate America's homebody president on a voyage with increasingly raised stakes given the ballooning controversy involving his campaign's possible ties to Russia.

Ivanka Trump to Take Part in Presidential Trip -- Ivanka Trump will travel with the president to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Italy on his upcoming foreign trip, a White House official said. A senior adviser to President Trump, Ivanka Trump will be present for six days of the nine-day trip, which begins Friday, the official said. She'll join her father for some events, but will also hold some of her own, the official said.

Why Trump's Combative Trade Stance Makes US Farmers Nervous -- A sizable majority of rural Americans backed Trump's presidential bid, drawn to his calls to slash environmental rules, strengthen law enforcement and replace the federal health care law. But last month, many of them struck a sour note after White House aides signaled that Trump would deliver on another signature vow by edging toward abandoning the North American Free Trade Agreement. Farm Country suddenly went on red alert.
The Washington Post is quoting unidentified sources that report the FBI investigation into possible ties between President Donald Trump's political organization and Russia has identified a current senior White House official as a significant person of interest in the case.

The senior official now under scrutiny is said to be someone close to the president, the newspaper said, attributing its report to people familiar with the matter. The senior official was not identified further, but the Post said the FBI probe was expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

FBI agents assigned to the investigation are said to remain keenly interested in Trump aides who were influential during last year's political campaign but either did not join the new administration or have already left the government, such as former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Watch: Trump Embarks on Foreign Trip Hoping to Leave Washington Turmoil Behind

Who's the subject?

Current administration officials who have acknowledged contacts with Russian officials include Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and two of his Cabinet members, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The latest development in the Trump investigation was published Friday while the president was traveling to Saudi Arabia on the first leg of his first trip abroad as president  a series of diplomatic visits that the White House hopes will shift attention away from the political firestorm triggered by the dismissal last week of former FBI Director James Comey.

Despite reports of a significant person of interest and an intensifying investigation, those watching developments closely in Washington say there is no indication yet that the filing of any criminal charges is imminent, or even likely. But the Post report does signal that the probe of the Trump team's involvement with Russia has reached the highest levels of the U.S. government.

Mueller could shift focus

Earlier this week, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to lead the government's investigation of Russian meddling in U.S. politics.

The case began last July as an effort to determine whether any Trump associates coordinated their campaign activities with Russian operatives, but it has since broadened to consider whether any financial crimes were committed by people close to the president. It is unclear whether Mueller's leadership will affect the direction of the probe, but the Post said he is already bringing in new people to work on the team.

A small group of lawmakers known as the Gang of Eight was notified of the change in tempo and focus in the investigation at a classified briefing Wednesday evening, the newspaper reported, again attributing its information to people familiar with the matter.
 What exactly does the United States want from our country?

 The United States is seeking to generate here in your country a civil war of the genre it launched at the beginning of this decade in some countries in North Africa and the Middle East  the so-called Arab Spring, where they pitched in combat brothers against brothers to weaken the regions governments by funding highly radicalized terrorist groups that we are witnessing right now sowing terror.

 How do you think that this strategy is going to function?

 Even though it is not clear what groups from here are supporting the United States achieving its goal, I take note that it has several military bases in a neighbouring country. Thus clearly danger is in the making. For starters, the US is going to carve up the population by trying to radicalize it.

 How do you think it is going to bring about this division?

 First, the US will try to convince the Venezuelans that this government will first be displaced and then replaced by another government. The idea is that the people will lose confidence in the government and public institutions. Once this seed has been planted in their minds, the hope is that people will be convinced that Historys writing is on the wall and that there is nothing they can do about it. This would be similar to what has taken place in the Arab countries; of course, the only people to have survived threats of this type are precisely those that have remained united. In the case of Venezuela, it is worth emphasizing that the Commander Hugo Chavez scattered the seeds of nationalism throughout the country and the germination of such seeds is important to tackle the situation before us.

 But why exactly does this Northern country want this?

 Let me take you back to 2001: after the Twin Towers collapsed and the Pentagon was attacked, there was no objection to the US flouting all fundamental rights; it was then it began to start attacking each one of the Near East states; the next step will be Latin America. From the beginning of the nineties, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States set itself up as the incontrovertible world power. By this time, it was already conscious of what it had to do in order to achieve this; if it was necessary, it had to lose many things. If it had to lose both its arms, it would be ready to do it.

 What would be the role of the mass media in this plan and how should we compare its information policy with that employed in conflicts in the Arab states?

 For us, these demonstrations that have taken place in Venezuela have been evidently covered by international media to present an image which is very different from what is actually occurring. As for what occurred yesterday (Monday) on the motorway (Francisco Fajardo), it was magnified to show that war has erupted in Venezuela and that opposition is no David. The truth is that I saw for myself this demonstration and noted just how poor turnout actually was. Also the impression the media had wanted to give to the Western World is that people are dying of hunger in Venezuela simply because the government is not giving them anything to eat.

 What opinion do you have on the press coverage on the harassment and aggressions, in one form or another, chiefly in the United States and in some European countries, of persons that support the Bolivarian Revolution and its President?

 The question that must be posed is why the media is lying? It is illogical, and senseless; yet clearly, the response must be that these media form part of the military policy the US is pursuing to establish a basis for war (ius ad bellum). In the Pentagons command room there are military groups that are not there to see what is actually going on but simply to plan together; for example, with people from Reuters Agency and of course they rely on the participation of a pool or group of international media. With all these elements, it is claimed to create a negative image of some Government officers by charging them of being drug traffickers or being involved in crimes of corruption or assassinating their own people. To implement this plan, it is necessary to fund and form groups for terrorist actions to attack public institutions and to create an inverse effect. The one exception is the television channel, Telesur, which presents facts as they are.

Of course, to reach this goal, a plan has also been drawn up to slow down communications between Venezuela and the rest of the world. I have spent four days in Venezuela and it has been very difficult for me to communicate by telephone. I had to have recourse to applications like whats app, for example, applications which are under US control.

 What is going to happen to countries classified as US allies but which also have affinity to us because they are part of Latin America?

 It is unclear if this attack will be strictly limited to the countries of North East South America (Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador), or directed against the Latin America in its entirety; but, if we go by documents declassified in 2004 by the Pentagon, it is not anticipated that it will strike any of the following: Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. We must keep in mind that from 2004 to now, many things have happened in Brazil and Mexico, because of which the US strategy could have changed.

 What perception do you have of Venezuela following your four day stay?

 I believe that the Venezuelan people are really motivated to preserve their gains. To the extent that the people are gaining confidence in the country, of course, Venezuela is doing well. Also, it is very important that the Venezuelans seek alternative means, different to the US allies, to be able to provide information on what is actually happening. They could use VoltaireNet for example as such a vehicle.
Bryan Fuller. Photo: Andrew Toth/2017 Getty Images

At a panel at Vulture Festival on Saturday, Bryan Fuller thrilled an adoring audience with his childhood memories of the Snake River Killer, who terrorized the Idaho-Washington border area in the late 1970s. I grew up in a very small town in eastern Washington state, and there was a serial killer in that town, the man behind NBCs Hannibal and Starzs American Gods told fans. This was my childhood.

It was very Lynchian in that it was small-town America that was perverted in a very appie-pie way. Fourth of July, somebody would go missing. The carnival comes to town, somebody would go missing, Fuller said. And there was a mythology that evolved in the town around the brown van that one of the victims was spotted talking to before she disappeared.

Another part of the local lore weaved around a suspected triple murder at a theater. These two girls who were walking by the [Lewiston] Civic Theater got lured in by the killer, then the janitor showed up, interrupted them, and was also murdered. Then [the killer] disposed of the three bodies, Fuller said.



Adding to the mystique, the killer was never caught, and the town was divided by the question of the killers true identity. Vulture TV critic Matt Zoller Seitz, who hosted the panel, echoed the audiences thoughts: Thats a movie I would like to see. Perhaps directed by Bryan Fuller?


Photo: Chris Haston/NBC

At a Vulture Festival panel Sunday, the cast of The Carmichael Show explained why they changed a line about Barack Obama being shot in the first season*  the live studio audience was just too shook up by it. The show does two tapings of every episode to get fresh reactions to the jokes, which allows them to refresh and rewrite things between tapings. The shows creator and star Jerrod Carmichael said his background as a stand-up made him not want to tell the same jokes to the same people. You know the audience is lying to you if you have one audience, he explained.

During a taping in season one, Jerrod thought it would be funny to run in and say I just heard Obama got shot, said David Alan Grier, who plays Carmichaels dad on the show. And the whole audience just left us. For the second taping, the line was tweaked to reference Oprah Winfrey being shot instead. The idea being, it would still be sad  but not quite as devastating to the audience as Obama.

* This post originally stated that the line was said while taping The Carmichael Shows upcoming third season. It has since been corrected.
Stephen Colbert. Photo: Bryan Bedder/2017 Getty Images

Stephen Colbert is feeling a little overwhelmed these days. It feels like things are on fire, and Im not a fireman, the Late Show host told Frank Rich at the Vulture Festival today. Im a guy who dances next to the fire and says, Lets all admit this is on fire. Do you think this should be on fire? Is that something we want to burn today for one mans ego?

Hes speaking, of course, about the Trump presidency  a topic about which Colbert has been strikingly and famously articulate. But how will it end? Colbert foresees a bitter surrender. Trump will leave and declare leaving office a victory because he went in to make the changes that he wanted, and shake up the system, and now the job is done and you are welcome, Colbert said. And that seems completely plausible to me.

If Trump doesnt toss in the towel, Colbert hopes that Democrats will get it together for the midterms. If he stays on, and doesnt go anywhere, but is just hamstrung, it seems like the best thing you could hope for is this grinding status quo that gets you to the 2018 midterm elections, he said. And then, if the Democrats have just two Saltine crackers in their skull to rub together and can get control of either house of Congress, then you can have a serious investigation that is public.

He believes the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as an independent counsel in the investigation of the Trump campaigns Russian ties is a good idea, but also thinks there need to be an honest evaluation of Trumps time in office. Mueller is going to be great, but there needs to be a public coming-to-Jesus on what Trump means and what we are willing to accept as governance or as our standard, Colbert said.

Because the fire we are dancing next to is really our norms and our standards and our principles. And are we willing to burn everything for a golden calf  who is Donald Trump  just for vindictivenesss sake? Because our politics have become a bastion of vindictiveness, Colbert said. People who felt they were being treated cruelly decided to respond with an act of cruelty, and Donald Trump is an act of cruelty. But there needs to be a reckoning.

Still, Colbert sees a kind of bright side. Sort of. The one good thing about Donald Trump, Colbert mused, is that he himself is such a redolent turd that we have to examine how we allowed that thing in the food chain.
As most Doctor Who fans know, were rapidly approaching the end of Steven Moffats era. Theres no question his showrunning tenure has been a divisive one, but at least here in the States, it was on his watch that the show attained such immense popularity. He has scripted more stories and filled more minutes than any other writer in the shows history. (Due to the classic series serialized format, though, he hasnt written the most episodes.) Youd think hed have run out of ideas by now, but as Extremis proves, thats hardly the case. If the previous five episodes nestled you into a comfort zone of sorts, Extremis aims to knock you flat on your back. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again: Moffats greatest strength is his unpredictability.

First, lets talk vault, which is perhaps the only predictable aspect of Extremis. Presumably, Missy (Michelle Gomez) is inside. I say presumably only because we never see the Doctor open it and view Missy on the inside, despite the chronicling of the events that led up to her imprisonment and a blind Doctor in the present whispering to Missy from outside the vault. However, this wraparound tale tells of events a long time ago (in the shows timeline, seemingly some time after the events of The Husbands of River Song), in which Missy has been condemned to execution by an unnamed race who developed the technology to destroy a Time Lord for good. But why Missy? Why now? What has she done? These questions go unanswered, so while were given the answer to whos in the vault, that answer gives way to a whole new batch of questions.

The robed figures, led by Rafando (Ivanno Jeremiah, Humans), bring the Doctor in to perform the execution. It is custom to have a member of the condemneds species pull the lever, and as Rafando points out to the Doctor, Your people are not easy to come by. Nardole shows up with Rivers diary in hand. The poetry of the words of his recently deceased wife affects the Doctor, and alters his attitude toward the situation before him. When it comes time to do the deed, hes jiggered with the mechanism and weakened Missy rather than killed her. The vault that would have held her remains now becomes her prison. This is also seemingly where the partnership between the Doctor and Nardole began, though where the events of Dr. Mysterio fit in is unclear.

In the present, the recently blinded Doctor moans through the vault door, They cant know Im blind, Missy. No one can know. Memories are so much worse in the dark. He wears the sonic shades, which translate basic visual information to him, like who is nearby and their basic stats. He receives an email with the subject Extremis, and the opening credits roll. In extremis is a Latin phrase meaning in the farthest reaches or at the point of death.

The rest of the episode is an elaborate simulation: a test created by an alien dead-set on conquering Earth, to see what obstacles it would have to overcome in order to succeed. It stands to reason that the Doctor would be one of them, if not the obstacle. Of course, we dont find any of that out until the end of these disturbing events, which are presented as part of the ongoing story. For recapping purposes, however, its best to start with the revelation. The story is told in the form of an email sent to the present-day Doctor from the shadow Doctor in the simulation. It is unclear exactly how much of what we see is also seen by the Doctor  were privy to numerous scenes that the sonic shades were not around to record  but he certainly appears to have gotten the gist of it all by episodes end.

The shadow Doctor stands alone in the dark. He has no need for lighting as he is blind in the simulation as well. The lecture hall suddenly fills with people, his shades kicking into overdrive attempting to identify everyone. Cardinal Angelo (Corrado Invernizzi) is followed by none other than the Pope (Joseph Long). They plead with the Doctor. He must come to the Vatican and read an ancient manuscript entitled Veritas. All who have translated and read it before have committed suicide: They read Veritas, and chose Hell. Before going to the Vatican via TARDIS, they stop off in Bills apartment, and in one of the episodes only humorous scenes, the sudden appearance of the Pope and his clergymen send Bills date Penny running for the door. Extremis has great fun cracking wise at the expense of religion.

At the Vatican, the Doctor, Bill, and Nardole are taken to the Hereticoma, the library of forbidden and heretical text, deep inside of which is the Veritas. There, a priest, Piero (Francesco Martino), secretly translated the text and emailed a copy to CERN. He then shoots himself. In order to read the text, the Doctor produces a piece of Gallifreyan tech that will allow him to see for a short time, but its painful to use and will cost a future self  something. Because the Doctor doesnt want Bill to know of his condition, he sends her and Nardole away, and they find themselves embroiled in their own horrific discoveries via a portal that leads them to the Pentagon and then to CERN, where they begin discovering the truth. Everyone at the facility has gathered together to commit ritual suicide. A clock counts down the minutes, while they all get progressively hammered. Nardole spies loads of dynamite under the tables of the room. When they demand answers, the truth  the Veritas  is revealed through a simple game of number guessing. No matter how many times everyone in the room guesses, they all guess the same number, including Bill and Nardole. They run from the room back into the portal entry spot seconds before the explosion. There, the truth becomes even clearer when Nardole reaches outside of the projection, only to disappear from existence. It is an utterly chilling chain of events (the CERN sequence is the stuff of nightmares), but no more so than what the shadow Doctor encounters back in the Hereticoma.

The villain reveals itself as a being of grotesque horror  demon is the only word that leaps to mind, although the creature is credited as Monk in the end credits. It doesnt want the Time Lord to read the Veritas, and an unnerving chase ensues. Eventually the Doctor reads it, and makes his way through a portal into the Oval Office (the dead president is yet another unsettling touch) where Bill finds him thanks to a trail of blood from his wounds. He knows. She knows. There is nothing left to do. She disappears from existence. The Doctor does the only thing a computer simulation can do, and thats email another computer  in this case, the sonic shades worn by the real Doctor  and the story comes full circle.

This hour of Doctor Who is surely unsuitable for young children. Hell, its disturbing for adults. Everyone, aside from the shadow Doctor in his final moments, gives up. What else is there to do upon realizing you dont actually exist? Has any other episode in the entire Doctor Who canon presented darkness and hopelessness on this scale? It is irrelevant that it wasnt real, because it was real to every single person in the simulation.

Odds and Ends

 Ace bits: The Doctors coat in the execution scenes, Murray Golds soundtrack, Matt Lucas is brilliant this week, and basically all of the dialogue throughout the script.

 As I understand it, this is the first part of a three-part story line.

 Im no papal authority, so I had to look up Pope Benedict IX, whom the episode presents as female and someone whom the Doctor had a good time with. In fact, Benedict IX was a man and quite a scandalous pope at that. I wonder why Moffat altered that history?

 Is the fact that the Doctor has the sonic that was destroyed last week a clue that this is a shadow world?

 The Master was previously executed  by the Daleks  in the TV movie.

 Moffat seems to have added to the Time Lord physiology canon: They now have three brain stems.
Edgar Wright. Photo: Andrew Toth/2017 Getty Images

Few directors can weave musical cues into their films quite like Edgar Wright, as evidenced by a body of work that includes Shaun of the Dead (killing zombies to Queen!), Spaced (a telepathic gunfight to the Bluetones!), and The Worlds End (pub-hopping to the Doors!). So, naturally, music was the main topic of conversation during Wrights Vulture Festival panel on Saturday afternoon, but when the chat steered its way to his newest film, Baby Driver, music took a backseat to his thoughts on an additional cinematic topic: the use of green screens for car chases.

After attendees were treated to the opening scene of Baby Driver  its pretty epic, prepare yourselves accordingly  Wright was quick to explain just how difficult it is to film a truly authentic car-chase sequence. Ive done some car stuff in Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End, and even in Shaun of the Dead, but nothing to this extent, Wright told the crowd. Car chases are as painstaking to make as they are to watch. Theres no easy shot  every shot needs to be safe. Everything takes a long time.

But perhaps most interesting, Wright emphasized the importance of filming car chases fully in their natural high-speed element, as opposed to shooting the vehicles passengers in a separate green-screen studio.

Another thing that we did in this sequence, which sort of flies against what people are doing in other movies now  not mentioning any names of any current, big car-chase movies  but a lot of those actor shots are on green screens, Wright explained. Those guys are nowhere near the rest of the action  usually thats on a practical level. They might be shooting in Atlanta and other people are in Iceland, or something. Again, not mentioning any names. But we shot all of the actor shots for real on the freeways.

By doing this, Wright thinks you get a dimension to actors performances that wouldnt otherwise be possible. You can see that in the languages of the actors on screen  in real time, theyre thinking, Are you crazy? he continued. Jon [Hamm] and Ansel [Elgort] are all on the I-85. It adds so much realism to it.

Baby Driver comes out on June 28. Until then, speculate wildly as to who Wright is mildly dissing.
Michael Shannon. Photo: Andrew Toth/2017 Getty Images

Michael Shannon may be the hardest working man in show business. Yet, for a man who has basically lived on film sets  he was in eight movies last year, one of which (Nocturnal Animals) earned him an Oscar nomination  hes a bit wary of them. They basically are like a petri dish for boredom and silliness, Shannon told New York film critic David Edelstein in a conversation at Vulture Festival Saturday night.

I try to not say much, he says. People think, Oh, youre in character or whatever. Its like, No. I dont come here to talk. I just want to say whats written and go home.

Unlike theater, which can take real muscle in rehearsals, film sets can move more slowly. You go on a film set, its like, Youre going to say five lines today, and its going to take 12 hours, he said. I go into my little room in the trailer and I turn all the lights out and I just lay on the floor like a vampire. And then they knock. Im like, Okay, Ill go. What am I going to do  knit?

Shannon, who has two small children, says hes just conserving his energy. I take advantage of the quiet time. Its my nursing home. Sometimes Ill take advantage of this time, like, well, Ill just look at my script, read, work, study, think about things.
Its wild to think that Dwayne Johnson first hosted SNL in 2000. Back then, he was still The Rock, just taking baby steps out of the WWE ring. While his star has risen, and Johnson has become famous worldwide for dishing one-liners while scowling in the Furious franchise and singing about his pecs in Moana, hes become a more confident actor and comic. His SNL outings have toyed a lot with the beefcake bod and public persona  see everything from the Rock Obama to his Tough Guy opening song  but hes been more than willing to look absolutely silly doing it. This season finale also marks his fifth time hosting the show, while its sadly the last show for both Bobby Moynihan and Vanessa Bayer.

Hallelujah Cold Open

Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) sits at a piano, playing and singing Leonard Cohens Hallelujah, his face puckered in concentration. Trump is joined by Kellyanne Conway (Kate McKinnon), Mike Pence (Beck Bennett), Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Aidy Bryant), Eric Trump (Alex Moffat), Donald Jr. (Mikey Day), and two Melanias (Scarlett Johansson and Cecily Strong). They all sing along and then Trump says, Im not giving up, because I didnt do anything wrong, but I cant speak for these people. Unlike the first time SNL had a politician sing this song earlier this season  Hillary Clinton (McKinnon) sang it pretty somberly after the election  this one is played for laughs, with lots of witty moments and knowing looks. Its a wink to those SNL watchers who have been with it all season, a way of acknowledging that things have come full circle (in a sense).

Dwayne Johnson Monologue

The cool and confident Johnson, clad in all black, finally addresses the rumors that hed like to run for president: I want to put this to rest, and just say once and for all  Im in. Though Baldwin shows up to give the former wrestler a Five-Timers robe, Johnson already has a running mate in mind: the much beloved Tom Hanks. No one can seem to agree on anything anymore, except for two things, Hanks says. Johnson adds, Pizza and us. The actors list their qualifications, including the idea that Hanks could reassure ruffled citizens with the commanding yet comforting tone he learned doing ten different WWII movies, and decide theyre probably even more qualified than the current president. Its a welcome drop-in from Hanks, and a cheery way to start the show  whether or not the Rock is actually serious about his plan.

Cartier Ad

This commercial parody follows around a magnetic woman at a glamorous party (Vanessa Bayer) who also happens to have anxiety. To fill that little gap in her life, her adoring partner (Beck Bennett) gives her the only accessory a girl could want: a 14-karat-gold fidget spinner encrusted with princess diamonds. You give her the sun, the moon and the stars, says the voice-over. But for now, give her something to distract her. As rich folks swirl around her on a rooftop, she marvels at the device on her thumb. That way, her boyfriend doesnt have to think about how low her Uber rating is and why she says things like, Theres nobody good here. This feels a lot like SNLs perfume-ad parody Red Flag, but theres still a lot to enjoy about this takedown of the messy and mediocre.

WWE Promo Shoot 2

Rival wrestlers KoKo Watchout (Johnson) and Trashyard Mutt (Moynihan) stand face-to-face to talk trash about one another before facing off in Wrestlemania. While Mutt is happy to talk about bringing the smackdown from the top rope, KoKos attacks get personal. Turns out Mutt is not only impotent, but he is adopted and spends his days doing Katy Perry karaoke in homemade costumes alone in his room. It just gets worse from there. This sketch is a sequel to a sketch with the same players from the Rocks hosting gig in 2015; it cant touch the novelty of the first time it was on, though its just as ridiculous and playful. And this time, KoKos final accusations get even freakier.

Rap Song

Big Chris (Kenan Thompson) is introducing a few rappers from the New Money Crew who will drop a verse on his new track: Shantasia, Yung Bitch and, okay, SnoCone. But hold on, here comes Sloppy Moses, Skiffle, and  David S. Pumpkins? The list of guests just gets longer and longer, much to Big Chriss chagrin. The sketch is simple but very funny, and worth it even if just for the ever-expanding list of silly rapper names. (It also reflects the reality of the massive rosters on some current hip-hop hits.) This one will definitely get passed around online, even if people just witness the gross glory that is Pregnasty.

Scorpio

Would-be comic-book hero Scorpio (Johnson) swoops into the office of friend and journalist Linda (Strong) to talk about his plans to defeat the evil Maximilian. Before shell let him go, though, she wants to talk about the amazing design and construction of his costume. All the little flourishes impress, including that little zipper on the side and its earthy color story. Linda is so impressed, she invites friends to stop by and check it out too. They all ask questions like, Your superpowers include impeccable tailoring? Scorpio gets so wrapped up in the attention, he forgets about his mission and considers opening some sort of boutique. Maximilian, meanwhile, blows up the city. The little world this sketch creates is cute and diverting, and does make you wonder about all those heroes at their sewing tables late at night.

Jurassic Park Ride

As happy couple Gene and His-Wife-Who-Will-Never-Be-Named (Kenan Thompson and Vanessa Bayer) prepare to take a ride on the Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal Studios, theyre joined by a loud guy (Johnson) and his British girlfriend Gemma (Strong). While Gene seems to get along okay with the noxious interlopers, his wife is insulted and doused with water as the others on the ride stay dry. This is another return to a setup from an earlier Johnson-hosted episode, and all the same bits return: The loud boyfriend talks boners and Gemma sings a half-baked song. The character combo of Gemma and the boyfriend is great, and the crew deserves praise for pulling off the mechanics of the ride, but the sketch itself gives diminishing returns.

Enhancement Drug

The latest in erectile-dysfunction medicine is Xentrex, according to one adamant construction worker (Johnson) who hit 50 and found himself needing a bit of a boost. When he asked his doctor about Xentrex, that medical professional said, Whats Xentrex? After looking at the ingredients, the doctor added, If you put that junk in your body, itll kill you. The construction worker wasnt phased, despite the long list of side effects including trouble swallowing and coma. Now, despite dealing with bleeding and cold bones, that construction worker is proud of his boners. Its an unnerving, well-constructed, and funny take on the pharmaceutical testimonial.

Weekend Update

Naturally, Update went after all the turmoil in the White House this week. Regarding Trumps avowal that he never asked James Comey to stop the Russia investigation, Colin Jost asked, Who are you going to believe, the director of the FBI or the guy whos definitely lying? There are some good zings about Trump calling Comey a nut job, what made him share intelligence with Russian emissaries, and what itll feel like when Trump gives a speech on Islam in Saudi Arabia. (Its like Mike Pence giving a toast at a gay wedding.) Nervous, garbled weather reporter Dawn Lazarus  Vanessa Bayers most recent Update character  makes another appearance because its a last show and I gonna sneak that in. Like always, Lazarus keeps it sunny while fumbling through weather cliches and saying things like, Stay hydrated and water that mouth.

The second half features jokes about a new Kickstarter for a mens romper called a romphim (As in, the victim of the beating was wearing a romphim) and a new workout venue that looks like a prison and has exercises developed by former inmates (So you may want to shower at home.). Then Drunk Uncle (Bobby Moynihan) makes his final appearance, talking about kids these days who dont get summer jobs and just want to know, Is this pomegranate juice gender-fluid? He also gets mad about La La Land losing the Oscar and women playing Ghostbusters before he tried to cajole Jost into playing Russian roulette with him. Its been some time since Drunk Uncle made an appearance, and the pause energized the character. Of course, it also helps that its Moynihans last show.

RKO Movie Set

In 1948 at RKO Studios, a young leading man named Brock (Johnson) and an established leading lady named Janet (Bayer) prepare to shoot the first scene of their new film, Murder by Numbers. When Janet farts and calls cut because she made a mistake, the trajectory of the sketch is set. Its one, long fart joke, and the foley artists deserve credit for producing a range of high-pitched squeakers and pant-splitting butt-blasters. (When certain insistent barks fill the air, both Johnson and Bayer break and shoot looks at the techies just off-camera.) No, this sketch wont make the annuls, but that isnt how it was designed. Sometimes, a sketch is just aimed at the funny bone of the 12-year-old in all of us.

Worlds Most Evil Invention

Wow. This sketch goes darker than nearly every other SNL sketch in recent memory, and it just might be a one-of-a-kind product-placement sketch. The International Mad Scientist Society gathers to judge which of their inventions is the most evil, and the usual suspects step forward with their shrink rays and freeze rays. Then, a guy in a lab coat who identifies himself only as Roy unveils his nefarious new invention: a child-molesting robot that is capable of molesting twice as many kids as a human molester in half the time. The other scientists balk, though Roy swears he just went in a slightly different direction, citing Mussolinis evils as where the goalposts are. Then, to top it off, he invites all the scientists out for hamburgers at White Castle. Roys carefully reasoned argument and the flabbergasted reactions of the cartoonish scientists make it work; the shock is also funny. Either White Castle said, Well be happy with whatever gets us any kind of attention at all, or somebody has a vendetta against the burger chain.

Wingman

Because he lacks confidence around women, a lonely guy at a bar (Johnson) lets the bartender (Bennett) talk to cute women in his stead. After the bartenders secret little chats, these ladies are apparently interested  but only if its a threesome or another configuration that also involves the bartender himself. The lonely guy is just not interested. Especially not when you throw in Carlos (Moynihan), another weirdo bar employee whos ready for action. This one becomes quickly repetitious and the pacing is a little labored, so it never quite hits.

Senior Video

At a gathering to celebrate the Millwood High School graduating seniors, the teens (Moynihan, Strong, Bennett and Mooney) perform an unpolished sketch show with appearances from Deadpool, the Stranger Things kids, and a remix of this years Oscar Best Picture mix-up. While the principal (Johnson) counts down the days until he and all the kids can hang out and go drinking, the cafeteria lady (Leslie Jones) takes it on the chin for serving bad roast beef. The content of the sketch mirrors that of self-serving teens, but its hard to argue with writers who want to give Moynihan and Bayer a few last minutes of stage time.

This episode definitely feels like a finale, insofar as there are a lot of excellent sketches that may have been held back for this week and a few calculated risks that pay off. Most everything in the first half shines, and the commercial parodies and the video segment are particular highlights. On its own, the mad scientist sketch makes the second half. Though Johnson didnt do anything too far out of his range, he came to play and deserves credit for his commitment to Roy and the child-molestation robot. This also feels like a fitting send-off to Moynihan and Bayer, who get fun, meaty parts in sketches and time to show off on Update.
The Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau applauds a proposed trade deal that would end Chinas 13-year ban on American beef entering the country, saying Texas cattle raisers would benefit.

Any improvement in the export market likely means better prices for the rancher, Farm Bureau spokesman Gene Hall said. In markets like China, where the middle class is starting to emerge, there is going to be demand for American beef, especially premium cuts, which we in Texas do better than anyone else.

The Trump administration has entered a 10-part agreement with China that eases access to that market for producers in the United States, including the beef industry. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the pact May 12 after a meeting last month between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a Washington Post story.

China will allow U.S. beef imports under the deal by July 16, according to The Washington Post.

Flimsy health issues

China had discontinued U.S. beef imports because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, Hall said.

There were a few BSE cases discovered here, but were long past that, he said. Its one of those flimsy health issues that lasts longer than it should. It became a pretext for protectionism. Weve been shut out of the Chinese market for a long time. The opportunity to compete again comes as welcome news.

Neil Walter, who has raised cattle near Oglesby since 1980, said he fully supports having China open up its shores to our beef.

Walter said he maintains a cow-calf operation and sells his young calves at auction to those who feed them out and process them. He will not personally sell beef to China but thinks lowering trade barriers will improve prices for everyone.

Cattle prices are pretty strong right now, Walter said. I think (buyers) are possibly anticipating a good market overseas.

He said more beef is produced in the U.S. than the domestic market can consume, and cattle raisers rely on exports.

Its a matter of give-and-take, Walter said. We like good prices for those who grow cattle, but we understand that the consumer has to buy our product. Really high prices can make beef prohibitively expensive, which hurts the consumer and us in the long run.

Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemens Beef Association, released a statement praising the trade deal.

Its impossible to overstate how beneficial this will be for Americas cattle producers, and the Trump administration deserves a lot of credit for getting this achieved, Uden wrote in the press release.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed support for the lowering of trade barriers with China in a statement he released on the Texas Department of Agricultures website.

President Trump said he would work to give us better deals on trade with China, and he has delivered on his promise, Miller wrote. This deal has been in negotiations for quite some time, but the president was able to get it moving. We couldnt be more excited here in Texas, the No. 1 cattle-producing state in the nation.

Miller also wrote in the statement he had worked to reopen exports to China for several years and has traveled with a delegation to China to work on the issue.

Several published reports note the United States will face a battle from other countries already sending beef to China.

Beef producers have never shied away from competition, the Farm Bureaus Hall said. Being shut out is the problem.
Hewitt-area leaders hope to secure a state grant and improve a Hewitt Drive intersection that serves as a popular pedestrian route to Midway Middle School and Midway High School.

The Hewitt City Council is submitting an application to the Texas Department of Transportation for a grant of about $500,000 and has received vocal support from Midway Independent School District for the project at Panther Way and Hewitt Drive. The Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization, local interest group Mothers of Midway, and state Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, are also supporting the citys bid for the grant.

Mayor Travis Bailey said the city always hopes to receive grants to support its work to improve the community.

We put our name in the hat and hope for the best, Bailey said. It would be nice to have, and weve had a couple little minor accidents there.

In a widely publicized incident in October 2015, an SUV turning left from Panther Way to Hewitt Drive struck Midway crossing guard Debra Richter as Richter pushed a child to safety. The student wasnt injured, but the SUV knocked Richter to the ground, dragged her a bit, and came to a stop with its right front tire on top of her left leg.

The student and crossing guard have fully recovered from the accident, but it is imperative that improvements are made to avoid future incidents, Anderson wrote in a letter of support for the grant. The plan outlined by the citys application would specifically address the safety concerns that have been expressed to me by local constituents.

Peak traffic

The intersection experiences peak vehicle and pedestrian traffic while students are going to and from school, City Manager Adam Miles said. The intersection is a primary crossing point for Midway Middle School students and Midway High School students, Miles said.

Local TxDOT officials recently expanded the school zone and made other minor improvements to the area.

But the pedestrian crossing is not compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The proposed project would make the intersection fully accessible and add spots for pedestrians to wait for a cross signal, according to the proposal. The project would also add sidewalks in front of the middle school and make connections across sidewalk gaps along Panther Way.

It is important to note there is other pedestrian traffic crossing F.M. 1695 (Hewitt Drive), the application states. EMSI is primarily a low-income employer. Their call facility is located at this immediate intersection.

Likewise, residents of the adjacent Brookside Apartment complex use this crossing to get to the convenience store and other nearby businesses via this intersection. Some residents of the Brookside Apartment complex work across F.M. 1695 (Hewitt Drive) at EMSI.

The project is expected to cost $575,579. If the grant is approved, the local match would be about $53,000.

Miles said he wont know until August or September if the city will receive the grant.

TxDOT controls farm-to-market roads, including Hewitt Drive, so the city cant move forward with work on the intersection on its own, Bailey said.

The moneys there, and somebodys going to get it, Bailey said. Why not us?
There have been no town-hall opportunities for a public discussion with Congressman Bill Flores on the American Health Care Act during both recent congressional recesses. The Trib has done a public service by printing his views on the Affordable Care Act and the newly passed American Health Care Act in the May 14 paper. Thats one side. Theres another that needs to be heard, as well as careful explanations of his arguments that sound nice and reasonable except when one finds out what they mean in policy and practice. You are invited to have his column in front of you as you read this one.

First, the column is predicated on the conclusion that the ACA is a failed enterprise. It is not a failed enterprise for 20 million people who now have health-care insurance and did not have it in the past. Yes, premiums have gone up. They were steadily rising before the ACA. We have no way of knowing whether premiums would have gone up if the ACA had not been enacted but national studies indicate the ACA has helped slow the rate of the rise in overall health-care costs. The ACA did certainly launch in a failed fashion, thanks to an incompetent IT firm and its poorly designed program. The problems got fixed, but stigma stuck.

Did it indeed put bureaucrats in Washington in charge of your health care? For the most part, no. Not anymore than they already have been with Medicare and Medicaid, which cost far less to administer than most insurance companies. Bureaucrats in Washington are dedicated public servants, just as Congressman Flores presumably is. I would rather have an argument with a Washington bureaucrat about my health care than the kinds we have had with insurance companies before the ACA.

Second, Insurance companies are leaving some of the exchanges, delighting the GOP who have made no effort to improve the exchanges and, in some cases, made intentional efforts to ensure they do not work. Congressman Flores does not mention the change slipped into a budget bill by Sen. Marco Rubio which withdrew funding to help protect insurance companies during the first few years from oversized losses until the kinks got worked out. Without public support from many states, fewer people signed up than expected. Many who did were sicker than expected, but at least they got insurance. With the GOP wanting to repeal rather than fix at every turn, its no wonder insurance companies became leery about the ACA. Insurance companies answer to stockholders, not to the public. The ACA has not prevented many insurance companies from making huge profits and their executives being paid exorbitant salaries.

Third, the AHCA provides relief from Obamacare taxes. Yes, it does, in the form of huge tax breaks for the more well-to-do, not for the everyday person. It repeals the mandate to purchase insurance, yes, but keeps the threat of You better not let your insurance expire or you will be paying much higher rates.

The ACA has, Flores would have us believe, stifled job creation. Where is the evidence? The jobless rate has gone down and down since its inception. For many, it enables them to go to work with an assurance that a major source of stress in their lives and the lives of their families is covered.

Watch out for those words limited options for patients and providers and restoring the free market to access quality, affordable health-care options. What the AHCA means is that insurance companies would be set free to develop plans that may cost less but will also cover far less. Good luck finding plans that will cover a standard set of expected benefits, including mental-health care, maternity care and pre-existing conditions. The ACA requires all plans to do so.

Tax credits

Do we want to go back to the days of people buying plans, thinking they were covered, and then finding out they are not? Could the GOP have advocated for a fix that costs less and covers far less? Yes. But that also belies the very notion of a common, good quality insurance plan which everyone hopes they dont need but is crucial when your time comes.

The AHCA substitutes an age-based tax credit for subsidies based on income. But it also means insurers can charge far more as people age. Most estimates indicate that people pre-Medicare will end up paying far more than the increased subsidies will cover.

We will see a robust market with increased choices and lower costs because the AHCA establishes a Patient and State Stability Fund (a fancy name for high-risk pools) for those with complicated and pre-existing conditions. Those lower costs come from taking people with complicated and pre-existing conditions out of the typical insurance market and/or selling cheaper policies with less coverage.

Yet high-risk pools have proven not to work in most cases. The proposed Patient and State Stability Fund is already woefully underfunded. So much for stability. The GOP eliminated risk corridors several years ago, which were essentially a stability fund for the ACA, not just for people with complicated and pre-existing conditions. Who is getting targeted here?

Make no mistake, we are protecting the most vulnerable. Unless, that is, you ever let your insurance lapse. If you do and have a pre-existing condition, you can be sure a new policy will charge much, much more.

The most vulnerable also include those covered by Medicaid. Flores says, Medicaid expanded to include able-bodied adults, thus raising the boogeyman of the able-bodied person who obviously must not be working. Medicaid has always included able-bodied adults, just adults without the ability to pay.

Market-driven

We should be asking: Why is it that many businesses rely on the government to provide health insurance and other benefits for their employees who make close to minimum wage and are thus living in poverty? Thats also market-driven, but one does not hear the GOP talking about the government subsidies for those businesses. Or about the fact that anyone who does receive health care through an employer is also subsidized by the government because the businesses can write off those costs on their taxes.

Finally, the AHCA does not modernize and strengthen Medicaid. States already have flexibility within Medicaid to address state priorities through Medicaid, just as Texas is trying to do right now with a waiver that brings Medicaid funds for womens health care while excluding Planned Parenthood, a violation of federal policy. Current Medicaid recipients will be grandfathered in, but block grants inevitably lead to cuts in services and a hold on any new ones.

Texas infant mortality rate

The AHCA proposes elimination of some $800 billion in Medicaid over 10 years, to the consternation of many governors, both Republican and Democrat, who have seen Medicaid expansion under the ACA as the best way to provide health care to millions of citizens living in their states.

Texas has not done so, which means Texas has one of the worst rates of infant mortality and maternal health in this country  closer, in fact, to the rates of third-world countries. Where does that $800 billion go? It is strikingly close to the amount of money going to the well-to-do by lowering or eliminating the taxes which have helped pay for the ACA.

Congressman Flores ends with the promise of creating a health-care system that is patient-focused, market-driven, competitive and affordable for all families. Another version might truthfully say, insurance company-focused, profit-driven, putting people with low incomes and pre-existing conditions in competition with wealthier and healthier people, and affordable, but perhaps worthless, for all families.

For someone focused on the importance of the market and results, with a good business background, why did Congressman Flores and his colleagues not want to wait for a cost and outcome score by the Congressional Budget Office, so everyone could see and understand the fine print in their national insurance policy? Are we supposed to leap, then look?

The AHCA passed by the House is like a dinner that sounds so good but tastes so bad. Be very careful with the marketing and advertising, from both parties, and go for hard facts. One might expect more honesty from a public servant who, on this issue, just turns out to be another politician spouting a choreographed line.
President Donald Trump labeled the investigation of alleged ties between Russia and his 2016 campaign a witch hunt twice on Thursday.

The American people dont agree, and now weve learned that federal enforcement definitely doesnt agree. Indeed, if Trump is the witch, the hunt just got closer to the witch again.

The Washington Post is reporting that the investigation, which was placed under the guidance of special prosecutor and former FBI director Robert Mueller on Wednesday, is now probing a senior White House adviser who is close to the president.

The news suggests that this is not simply a broad look at possible misdealing by some of the many underlings and former aides in Trumps orbit of associates, but that its getting pretty close to the president of the United States himself. An investigation that once seemed as though it could be focused on any number of the people around him who have been linked to Russia (Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Carter Page, etc.) now seems to be getting specific. And given Flynn, Manafort and Page arent in the White House, this is about someone else  someone of significant stature who has worked closely with Trump as president.

The Posts report also indicates the investigation is getting more serious  a direction in which its been trending for a while. First there was then-FBI Director James Comeys announcement in March that the probe was focusing not just generally on Russian hacking but on alleged ties between Russia and the Trump campaign; now we learn its pointing more toward the top.

We still dont know what will come of this  and its worth emphasizing that there is still no publicly available evidence of actual collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Even Democrats are urging caution when it comes to drawing conclusions, recognizing the folly of over-playing their hand and having this all turn out, in the end, to look like precisely the witch hunt Trump says it is. The same goes for the news media covering the juiciest of stories.

But at the very least, its getting tougher and tougher for Trump to make the claim that this is a complete nothing-burger, conjured from nothing more than Democrats hard feelings about losing the 2016 election  which Trump argued Thursday. (That argument makes very little sense, by the way, given Comey has said the FBI launched the probe in July 2016, well before Democrats lost the election.)

And its not just what investigators are doing; its what the American people are saying. A Monmouth University poll released Thursday showed 73 percent of Americans think the investigation should continue. Just 24 percent thought it should be shut down. Even 50 percent of Republicans said it should continue.

And a few weeks ago, a Quinnipiac University poll showed 7 in 10 Americans were either very (46 percent) or somewhat (24 percent) concerned about Trumps relationship with Russia. That number has risen from 6 in 10 back in March. Forty percent of Republicans were at least somewhat concerned in the new poll.

Trump is no stranger to damaging his own credibility with wild, counter-factual, conspiratorial claims about any number of topics. And he certainly has an interest in downplaying an investigation that includes him, the president of the United States.

But Trumps ongoing claim that this is a witch hunt just isnt borne out by what we know of the investigation, and the American people and even lots of Republicans are convinced of that.

At this point, Trump would be far better served offering a real defense of himself rather than tying all of this to some deep-state conspiracy to make him look bad. This has gotten far beyond that.
Fifty years ago some farsighted leaders in our community realized Waco would be better served if the existing, separate historical societies, each with its own house museum, combined into one unified organization. It became known as the Historic Waco Foundation and, under the direction of the Waco Foundation, it was chartered on March 2, 1967.

The primary mission of this new organization was to maintain the three house museums, train docents for them and open them to the community. It has done this for the past 50 years and hopefully will continue for the next 50. We believe that learning our local history and preserving our local historic landmarks gives the youth and adults of our community a greater pride in our city and a better understanding of all that makes Waco such a great place to live.

This history is your history  your past, your present and your future. We need your help in preserving it. We need for you to be a part of our organization.

Most Wacoans are aware Historic Waco Foundation owns and operates four beautiful historic house museums (we added a forth house museum in 1980), but did you know we have so much more to offer? Some of our more recent programs and events have included:

Family Skadoos: family-friendly events that combine educational activities, games and house tours that are fun for all members of the family

Insightful exhibits such as Footprints of African Americans in McLennan County, which explored rarely told stories of African Americans in our community.

Fall and spring lectures: free to the community and designed to explore various stories from history, showing how they relate to Waco and McLennan County.

Traveling Trunks, a series of educational trunks, each with a separate historic topic and packed with historical objects, costumes, books, lesson plans and more: all a teacher needs to bring our local history to the classroom.

Our upcoming documentary by award-winning director Chris Scott titled What about Waco? This film explores Wacos history in a new and fascinating way.

Over the last few years, visitation to historic house museums has declined all around the country. Sadly, this is true in Waco as well. With loss of this revenue as well as the decline of our bingo income from the HWF bingo games at Buckeye Bingo, Historic Waco Foundation has become more dependent on our membership for survival. This has also caused us to rethink our mission and our programming.

The mission of Historic Waco Foundation is to preserve the heritage of Waco and McLennan County for future generations and to present enriching historical experiences for audiences of all ages. Going forward we will continue to provide tours of our houses, telling their stories and the stories of the families that built them. These families also helped build Waco. We also plan innovative programming for our houses highlighting their place in the community. In the future we will host a series of outdoor concerts at East Terrace, an exhibit of early Texas maps at McCulloch House, an interactive exhibit of Victorian toys and games at Earle-Napier-Kinnard House and new exhibits in the Exhibit Hall at Fort House similar to the current Uniting the Home Front: Waco in World War I, which continues through June.

We will continue to offer the acclaimed Christmas on the Brazos with our beautifully decorated houses as a gift to the community. Were also working with a great group of volunteers to bring back the popular Brazos River Festival in 2018.

Our volunteers work diligently, but we need more of them for house committees, program committees and on our board of directors. Most of all, to maintain our houses and continue these programs, we need more members of the Historic Waco Foundation. For this reason we undertake a Golden Anniversary Membership Drive with the goal of tripling our membership. If you agree preserving our history is important, we want you to be a part of Historic Waco Foundation.

For 50 years, Historic Waco Foundation has worked to preserve our diverse and vibrant history. Please consider joining us as we continue to provide enriching educational experiences to citizens of all ages for the next 50 years.
As the Trump presidency enters its fourth month, conservatives are eager for more legislative successes, more nominations and confirmations of judges and rapid confirmation of a new FBI director. Given the charges of collusion and obstruction that have dogged Donald Trump and his administration from before he took his oath of office as president, the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special prosecutor to oversee the Justice Departments inquiry into those charges is a greatly encouraging development.

In Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has made an excellent choice that will allow Republicans to again concentrate on turning the country around.

Its true that I have opposed a special prosecutor in the past for two reasons. First, if the allegations of the politicization of the IRS during Barack Obamas presidency didnt warrant a special prosecutor, then one certainly isnt necessary now. Second, I feared the individual chosen as special prosecutor would not be another Jacob Stein  the independent counsel who efficiently investigated charges against Attorney General-designate Edwin Meese when Meese was nominated for that job, clearing Meese within months. Instead, the appointee would be another Lawrence Walsh, who let his investigations into the Iran-contra affair metastasize over years and years.

The bar is lower for Republicans, of course, and so the media joined in clamor for a special counsel here whereas the IRS scandal didnt ignite such demands. But set that aside. With the right professional in the job, it is, as a practical matter of politics and government, better to go this route than to prolong the media frenzy about whether such a professional is needed.

Mueller is not just a seasoned investigator and prosecutor, a decorated combat veteran of the Marines, a widely respected former head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. attorney and of course director of the FBI. He also represents the potential for a decisive end to the Russian probe. He brings such credibility that if and when he says there is no there there, responsible media will accept it.

There is no telling where Muellers investigation will go or how long it will take, but I have confidence that if it can be concluded quickly because the charges of collusion are baseless, he will follow that path, indifferent to critics of his conclusions or his timeline. Hes a serious person who has led the battle against terrorism and knows that serious threats and crimes merit close inspection and indeed prosecution but political disputes robed in baseless charges do not.

If the president and his team did nothing wrong  and there is only innuendo, no hard evidence they did  Mueller will reach that conclusion quickly. If former national security adviser Michael Flynn and others are innocent of the many charges leveled at them, they too should be happy that a straight shooter such as Mueller is in charge of saying so.

Someone was going to have to make the final call and Democrats (not all, certainly, but the responsible ones) will accept Muellers conclusions. In the interim, the president and Congress can refocus on saving the health-care system from its ongoing collapse, rebuilding the military, reforming the tax system and staffing up the judiciary. They will be able to do so because Rosenstein found the right person to serve.






Join the dialogue

I applaud Baylor Universitys Public Deliberation Initiative, which was the subject of local civic leader Ashley Bean Thorntons May 11 column, Building Better Citizens. Encouraging students to engage in well-informed, intelligent and humble conversation with all kinds of people while addressing a broad range of potentially controversial topics is vitally important work, especially considering our present political discourse. Partisanship and factionalism are too often the norm and our divisions can be toxic, causing some to abandon our highest democratic ideals in favor of cold pragmatism.

Thornton is right: In our world, we need spaces where we can learn to listen empathetically to our neighbors, renew our commitment to one another and envision our common future. The university is a wonderful place to practice the requisite virtues of a democracy. The community is the next step and, as she notes, they have already been invited to participate in Baylors PDI.

Up next: Washington.

Benjamin A. Simpson, Woodway

EDITORS NOTE: Baylor Universitys Civic Life Summit, which focuses on these issues, will be held June 1-2 at the Mayborn Museum. Speakers include former congressman Chet Edwards. Registration is required.

Compromise sought

In response to Sandy Jamesons May 17 letter in the Trib, I want to clarify the process that occurred before the downtown Tax Increment Financing Zone board meeting. City Center Waco executive director Megan Henderson and I did sit down and try to come to a compromise the week before the meeting. The main issues were aesthetic placement of buildings on the lot facing Elm and the height of the cottages. We could not come to a compromise on these two points as it affected the walk-through park-like setting for all to enjoy as well as requiring that the cottages look commercial with a height similar to the Lula Janes building.

Im always eager to have a conversation to see if we can find a common ground  but this time it was not possible.

Nancy Grayson, owner, Lula Janes, Waco

Hollow ideology

How can some Texans be so contradictory and ambivalent? They ponder a religious-objection adoption bill to make it more difficult for people of different faiths or gender preferences to adopt. Yet most conservatives continue to be anti-abortion.

It would seem to me that abortions would decrease if adoption reforms went toward making it easier to provide children a healthy, loving family rather than posing hurdles and complications in the process of legally binding a new member to a family.

Linda Reichenbach, Waco

Thinking 2020

I think Ive got it: First female president: Sally Yates. Bet she assembles top-notch advisers!

Bill Sharp, Waco
More than 300 passengers stranded in Los Angeles airport after their Qantas flight to Melbourne was aborted on Saturday night were supplied a pillow and a blanket and told to sleep in the terminal during their 12-hour wait.

The wife of a Melbourne man on board the plane said only a third of the flight's 500 passengers were offered a hotel room.

The others were given a blanket, a pillow and food vouchers and told to get some sleep while they waited for a replacement flight.

Shauna Lye, wife of Melbourne lawyer James Alsop, said Qantas staff had told passengers there was a shortage of available hotel rooms in LA.
Phillips started her business five years ago and decided to use a charge card rather than a credit card for her business expenses.

The owner of marketing company MaxMediaLab uses an American Express platinum charge card for everything from printing to restaurant bills, allowing her to rack up serious points.

Lynette Phillips has over a million rewards points and she's not afraid to use them.

"I did spend some time reviewing all the cards," she says. "When I started my business, a big thing for me was cash flow. I was very conscious of it, as there is always the stress of paying the staff and salaries. It was very good for my business to make sure whatever I did at whatever stage, the business could afford it. I still today have no credit cards."

Lynette Phillips, founder of MaxMediaLabs, has over a million American Express points.

Phillips' business has grown to employ 35 staff and turn over $10 million a year counting Audi Australia, Moet & Chandon, eBay, L'Oreal Paris, and Ralph Lauren among its clients.

She pays a hefty $1500 annual fee for her charge card, but says what she claims in points and perks makes up for it.

"I do a lot of travelling and entertaining, so the points system works really well for me," she says. "If I host an event at Catalina or Rockpool, I can put all that on my American Express and I get a lot of points."
Gay couple, Andy Brough and Simon Curtis with their 7 weeks old baby, Adaline. Credit:Eddie Jim But Mr Everingham said due to strict laws in Australia most couples were still eventually forced to go offshore. Altruistic surrogacy is legal in every state in Australia except the Northern Territory. While it is illegal for a person to pay for sperm, eggs or surrogacy, reasonable expenses in surrogacy arrangements can be covered. Since 2010, the Victorian government's Patient Review Panel has approved nine gay couples to enter into altruistic surrogacy arrangements. One of those couples is Andy Brough and Simon Curtis. The were trying to have a baby for five years before they met Carla. They had a surrogate in India, but she miscarried at 21 weeks and, when they went to try again, the Indian government changed the law to restrict surrogacy to heterosexual couples.

Back home, Andy's sister-in-law offered to be their surrogate using donor eggs, but they stopped after two failed IVF transfers. That's when the egg donor, Carla, offered to carry for them using her own eggs. She has three daughters under 10 and wasn't planning to have any more children. But she loved her pregnancies and after meeting the couple as their donor she formed a close bond with them. When a person acts as surrogate as well as egg donor, known as a traditional surrogacy, clinics in Victoria won't assist with the sperm transfer. They did the transfer themselves at home; and alternated days using both fathers' sperm. Shortly after their first attempt, Carla told the boys she was pregnant over dinner at a restaurant, with the help of wait staff who delivered a wrapped parcel. Inside was a positive home pregnancy test. "It felt right," says Simon. "Like everything had been leading to that."Carla said the pregnancy was nothing like what she went through with her three girls. She didn't bond with this baby in the same way.

"The whole joy of the pregnancy was about bringing happiness to these guys rather than having the outcome of having a new baby for yourself," she said. "I wasn't thinking of names or decorating nurseries or any of those things that you normally do when you have a baby." And the couple were there every step of the way. They went to every antenatal appointment, got a copy of every ultrasound. When the baby moved, Carla would send them videos. "We discussed early on that we would be as apart of this as we possibly could," says Andy. After the birth, staff at Box Hill Hospital had arranged two rooms side by side - one for the boys, and one for Carla - where they stayed for two days. Carla spent time with Adaline every day for the first week of her life, which helped as her hormones adjusted after the pregnancy, she said. A recent survey of 150 members of a private Australian Facebook group for surrogates shows more than half are carrying for couples they previously did not know. It also found that more than one third of surrogates were carrying babies for gay male couples. One in 10 surrogates, like Carla, donated their own eggs as well as carrying the baby. Carla has donated eggs to eight couples, both gay and heterosexual. All eight have had babies and two have gone on to have another two. There's plans for four more siblings next year. She keeps in touch with all of the families.
Seoul: North Korea has fired a medium-range ballistic missile, a week after it managed to successfully test a mid-long range missile which experts said marked an advancement in the reclusive state's missile program.

South Korea's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the projectile took off Sunday afternoon from a location near Pukchang, an area where Pyongyang attempted to test-launch another missile last month but failed.

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, has vowed to develop a nuclear-armed missile capable of striking American territory. Credit:AP

The missile travelled nearly 500 kilometres before falling in waters off the country's east coast.

The United States confirmed North Korea's latest missile launch in a statement on Sunday.
Washington: US President Donald Trump raised the firing of the FBI director in a meeting with Russia's foreign minister to explain why he had been unable to find areas of cooperation with Moscow, two top administration officials said on Sunday.

On the Fox News Sunday show Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Mr Trump was also trying to convey to the Russians that he was "not going to be distracted by all these issues at home that affect us domestically."

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told the ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos program the president used the sacking of James Comey to explain a lack of US-Russia cooperation.

"The gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news," he said.
Riyadh: With trumpets blaring, cannons booming and fighter jets streaking overhead trailed by red, white and blue contrails, US President Donald Trump arrived in the scorching heat of the Arabian desert Saturday hoping to realign the politics and diplomacy of the Middle East by forcefully reasserting US support for Sunni Muslim countries and Israel against Iran's Shiite-led government.

The start of Trump's first trip abroad since becoming President - amid the scandals and chaos engulfing his administration - was intended to be a blunt rejection of president Barack Obama's vision for the region. Obama sought a reconciliation with Iran and negotiated a deal intended to keep Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

The day proved to be almost everything a besieged White House could have wanted. The President stayed rigorously on script and restrained himself on Twitter. His staff boasted about the business deals being signed, and the visual images beamed to Americans back home showed a President seemingly in command of a world stage.

The Saudis treated him like royalty, with red carpets, lavish meals and American flags flying everywhere. They repeatedly used the word "historic" to describe his visit, gave him a medal and projected a multi-storey image of his face on the side of the palatial Ritz-Carlton hotel where he was staying.
Discovery Park to kick off "Let It Glow" light show Friday
Five organizations have been awarded grants to monitor water quality in Michigan lakes and rivers.

The state Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission divided $51,000 among the groups under the Michigan Clean Water Corps Program.

The Missaukee Conservation District will monitor macroinvertebrates and stream habitat conditions in the Upper Muskegon River and Manistee River watersheds.

Jamestown Charter Township/Trinity Christian Reformed Church will monitor macroinvertebrate and habitat conditions in Rush Creek, a Grand River tributary.

Muskegon River Watershed Assembly will add macroinvertebrate and habitat monitoring sites along creeks within the Muskegon River watershed.

Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway will develop a macroinvertebrate monitoring program along the Rabbit River in Allegan County.

St. Joseph County Conservation District will conduct a road/stream crossing inventory within the St. Joseph River watershed.
A bit of the Cornish countryside is moving into South San Francisco Street.

The Cornish Pasty Co. opened its doors this week, joining the cornucopia of Southside restaurants with tastes from around the world that have made a home on the street.

Theyre like a pot pie that you eat with your hands, said founder Dean Thomas, who grew up in Saltash, Cornwall, in England.

According to Thomas, the pocket meal was traditionally made by miners wives or mothers. In the 1800s, there were numerous tin mines in the Cornwall area. Traditional pasties were stuffed with meat and vegetables at one end and a sweet -- usually fruit -- filling at the other. The sweet end was marked so a miner would know where to start eating. They would have a thick crimp of dough on one side that made the perfect handhold for eating. This crust was usually left as a treat for the ghosts that supposedly inhabited the mines.

Miners usually werent able to wash up before lunch and their hands were often coated in dust and arsenic from the mine. When the miners started emigrating to the U.S. to work in mines in the Midwest, they brought their pasty recipes with them.

The Cornish Pasty Co. offers more than 40 different types of pasty on their menu. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Thomas is a cook and came up with many of the recipes himself. The ingredients in each pasty are carefully layered so that you get a bit of each in every bite.

Theres the traditional Oggie with steak, potatoes, onion and rutabaga, with a side of red wine gravy or ketchup. The miners used to call oggie, oggie, oggie when it was time to eat.

Another favorite is bangers and mash, which includes pork sausage, red wine gravy, grilled onions and mashed potatoes.

The restaurant also has a Mexican pasty for those craving a taste of the Southwest. It includes Mexican-spiced steak, potato, egg, hatch chili and cheddar with a side of sour cream and salsa.

Looking for more of a comfort food? Try the Pilgrim, which is a miniature Thanksgiving dinner wrapped up in pastry, with roasted turkey or chicken, sweet potatoes, grilled onions and stuffing served with red wine gravy and cranberry sauce.

The restaurant also serves pasties that are vegan and vegetarian and one that includes salmon. The sides include a variety of English favorites like chips (French fries), roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, beans and coleslaw. There are also soups and salads for those who may not be wanting a pasty.

Thomas started The Cornish Pasty Co. in 2005, shortly after moving to Arizona. It began with one restaurant in Tempe and has now grown to seven restaurants scattered across Arizona, with one in Las Vegas.

Its not really a franchise, Thomas said. All of the restaurants are owned by employees, like Ryan Hays, the owner of the Flagstaff restaurant, who worked his way up the ranks from a waiter to manager at one of the locations in the Phoenix area.

The Flagstaff restaurant took the place of Mias Lounge. The Flagstaff icon closed its doors last summer after nine years on South San Francisco. The bar was a favorite hangout of Flagstaff locals and students.

Thomas and Hays said they tried to keep some of the old place intact. The curvy bar is the same and the patio is still out back, but the DJ booth, pool tables and dance floor are gone, replaced by recycled church pews and long tables. Hays said he plans to have some local beers from Wanderlust and Mother Road breweries. There are no TVs so youll have to catch the big game somewhere else, but theres plenty of music.

The first Cornish Pasty Co. was so tight on space that it didnt have room for a TV, Thomas said. When they noticed that customers didnt really miss the TVs, they left it that way when they moved into a larger location. It provides an atmosphere thats conducive to talk. A place where you can take your family or meet friends after work for a drink and bite, he said.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/05/2017 (1998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New Democrat MP Niki Ashton, who has come under fire from Bnai Brith Canada for comments and actions it sees as supporting Palestinian terrorists, says she is obligated to speak out in the face of injustice.

Michael Mostyn, Bnai Brith Canadas chief executive officer, said the Jewish advocacy group is upset Ashton  who is running for the federal leadership of her party  attended a rally in Montreal remembering the Nakba. Ashton also posted photos on her Facebook page showing her in front of posters depicting the likeness of Ahmad Saadat, the jailed leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Mostyn said the Nakba is an Arabic term criticizing the founding of the modern state of Israel, while the PFLP is described as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.

Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press files Manitoba MP and NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton during a leadership debate in Montreal.

We take this very seriously, Mostyn said Friday. We take the comments seriously and the photos she chose to post seriously, too.

In a statement provided to the Free Press, Ashton said, I have consistently spoken out for peace and justice in the Middle East, including for Palestinians.

Many, including the Canadian Labour Congress and Amnesty International, have shown their support for the hunger strikers who are opposing inhumane conditions. As someone who is completing a PhD in peace and conflict studies, it is clear to me that one must speak out in the face of injustice, whether here at home or abroad.

Canada must return to its traditional role, supporting a balanced position and a just peace in the Middle East.

Ashton, the MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, had posted on Facebook she was honoured to stand with many in remembering the Nakba.

It was also powerful to join many at a rally in solidarity with those on hunger strike in Palestine today. The NDP must be a voice for human rights, for peace and justice in the Middle East.

I am inspired by all those who in our country are part of this struggle for justice.

Mostyn said Ashton failed to say most of the hunger strikers had been imprisoned for committing terrorist attacks that killed Israeli civilians. He said Saadat is a murderer who served a 10-year sentence for assassinating Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi.

This is the leader of a listed terrorist organization, and here we have an MP seeking to lead her party  and possibly the country, too  promote a symbol of a banned terrorist group, he said. It doesnt get any worse than that.

Mostyn called on Ashton to apologize.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/05/2017 (1998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 37-year-old Brandon man has been charged in connection with an Amber Alert in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police issued an the alert at 3 a.m. Sunday after being called to a home in the Rainy River District over a report of a domestic dispute. After discovering a man had fled in a car with a two-year-old girl, they issued the alert. Police cancelled it around 8 a.m. when the man and child were found. The girl was in good health.

The man faces a number of criminal charges, including three counts of assault, one count of choking in order to overcome resistance, one count of mischief, one count of taking a car without consent, and one count of driving while impaired. He also faces charges under the Highway Traffic Act, including failure to properly wear a seatbelt.

The man, who is in custody, is expected to appear in court Monday via teleconference.
Despite the rainy weather, Minnesota City didnt give up its birthday celebration and annual Stand Still Parade.

At the beginning of the celebration, Minnesota City was proclaimed as the oldest city in Winona County and the Baptist Church as the oldest in the county as well.

Founded in 1952, Minnesota City celebrated its 165th anniversary and honored Howard Volkart, Jean Gardner and Lola Denzer as members of the community who have dedicated themselves to serving the town.

We want to make it special for them, Susan Althoff, community member and organizer of the event, said.

Important contributors to the event were the Minnesota Council, Minnesota City Historical Association and Winona Foundation, that helped to pay some of the expenses.

Althoff said the parade had planned on setting up food trucks, bands and several attractions for the kids, but some of them had to be moved inside the fire hall. She expected to see more than 300 people, but she understands many wont be able to attend the parade on a rainy day.

To plan and organize the annual parade, Althoff started last October, getting the approvals to close down the streets and find some volunteers to help set up.

Everybody had to do their part, Althoff said.

Most people were gathered inside the fire hall, and others were visiting the historical archives at the Baptist Church. On the main street, a couple food trucks were serving hot dogs and local products.

A group of people had also gathered around Artist Curtis Ingvoldstad, who was curving out pieces of wood with a chainsaw and creating small artistic pieces.

At the first Baptist Church, Postmaster Sherri Genkinger was showing attendees the names of former postmasters and said she has been the first female since 1852. She was also using a new stamp design for Minnesota Citys celebration for public letters.

Community member Lisa Yeager attended the event for the first time and said she enjoyed looking at old tractors. Her daughters, Madison and Megan Denzer, liked seeing the wood being cut.

By the end of the day, I would love for people to communicate and interact at a family-friendly event, Althoff said.
Kris and Cliff Goeller both grew up south of Beaver Dam near Highway G, so it seems fitting that they should one day return to the land of their births.

Fitting but remarkable, considering that they had to leave behind a highly successful business in Florida. That metal welding and fabrication business occupied their lives for 30-plus years.

The couple was married in 1972, and went to Florida in 1986. It was a family connection that led them to relocate.

My husbands uncle owned a business in Florida and he wanted us to come and learn it, Kris said. Then, when he was ready to retire, he would sell it to us.

Cliff was raised on a farm and is a whiz at all things mechanical. The skills he learned growing up served him well.

Kris grew up on a farm as well, and although she is not particularly mechanical, she does know how to deal with people. She was the face of the business in Florida, doing everything that Cliff did not as far as customer contact and support were concerned.

Although they built a home in Florida and made it into a showplace, most of their waking hours were spent at work.

We took our first real vacation from it in 2015 after we sold the business, Kris said. We bought an RV and we were gone for three-and-a-half months. The furthest west we went was Montana, and then on our way back to Florida we stopped here in Wisconsin. We spent six weeks here, and that was the most we spent here in the 30 years we were gone. Then, one day I caught my husband looking on the iPad for real estate. I asked, Honey, whats this all about? He said, Well, I thought we could move back home. So began our search for a place to live.

That fit in with Kriss ambition to build one more house. (They had built one on Shaw Hill Road in 1981).

They saw some properties, but nothing that really excited them. Then Kris remembered that some land on Highway G, overlooking the Beaver Dam River, had once been for sale. At that time a tumbledown house stood on the site, occupied by Orville Callies. Kris contacted his son, Larry, who lives adjacent to the land and had demolished the old house after his fathers death.

He didnt know me and was looking at me like, Who are you? It turned out that he had bowled with my uncle. He was concerned that we might be loud, and might be bad neighbors, but after we sorted it all out he said yes, that the property was for sale.

Shortly after the purchase of six acres, on and overlooking the river, was completed.

Kris and Cliff did a lot of site work to insure good views, removing lots of trees and clearing what had grow wild for many years.

After we paid for it my husband started right in, Kris said. He manned the chain saw, and I picked up the branches and put them on piles.

The search for a contractor led to Maertz and Haase of Beaver Dam, and they agreed to take on the project. Time was ticking, however, and the couple returned to Florida before snow started to fly. They listed their Florida home, which sold quickly, and began the search for a plan for their new home in Wisconsin.

Inspiration came from house plans found on the Internet. With minor alterations that is what now stands in Wisconsin.

The house is actually very similar to the one they built in Florida, although there was one very big change.

I wanted a basement, said Cliff. The waters too close to the surface there, but here you definitely need one.

There is another significant change, which is the use of barn boards salvaged from a nearby property once owned by Cliffs grandparents. The barn was constructed in 1903.

Their farm is just across the road, and it has been rented out since 1986 when Grandma died, Cliff said. I bought the farm so it would stay in the family and the same people have been renting the house ever since.

Cliff salvaged the boards himself, and will finish dismantling the structure this summer. Many other boards were salvaged to share with relatives, and a fireplace company wants the old beams to use as rustic mantels.

Thatll be good, said Cliff. Were big on repurposing.

Attractive red-tinted planks (presumably of old growth northern white pine) now cover a long wall in the Goeller house, giving it an atmosphere coveted by interior designers, builders and many, many clients. Another attractive feature is the original battens used to cover the gaps where the barn boards meet. Cliff managed to save them as well.

Another change in the floor plan was enclosing what was supposed to be a deck, providing an indoor dining space.

Were not deck people, Cliff said. The people that have them dont use them, so this made a lot more sense to us.

Even without a deck, however, there is no lack of connection to the outside.

This house is all about the views, Cliff said.

Both recall many instances seeing deer, wild turkeys and even an eagle that grasped a fish from the river and ate it on a rock on the opposite bank.

That was amazing to watch, Cliff said.

First floor rooms were rearranged to make the most of the space available.

We moved one bedroom to the basement, Kris said. That allowed us to make the upstairs bedrooms bigger, and to make everything handicapped accessible.

Were getting older, Cliff said. All the doors are wider and you can get into the showers with a wheelchair.

Wood accessories include red oak flooring, hickory beams in the great room, a hickory wall display made to match the kitchen cabinets and a custom-built hickory staircase from the first floor to the basement.

Furnishings include things both old and new, including many country items that were gathered in Wisconsin, traveled to Florida and returned to Wisconsin. Those things include stoneware crocks, arts and crafts furniture, family antiques and collectible items  some gathered by family and friends and many found at huge flea markets in Florida.

Souvenirs from Florida include an original oil painting of a bayou scene with live oaks dripping Spanish moss; and a lamp supported by three happily jumping frogs.

A console table and matching mirror feature inlaid ginkgo leaves and insects, crafted by a New York artist. Those themes are also part of the arts and crafts movement, and although modern, recapture the historic theme.

Although they built their Florida home before HGTV, Kris has gotten ideas from that network for the Beaver Dam house.

Thats my favorite thing to watch, she said. I dare say that a couple ideas from those shows are here in our house.

One such idea is the bank of barn doors built by Mike Maertz and rolling on antique tracks salvaged from the earlier mentioned family barn.

The lower level, exposed to reveal panoramic river views, is Cliffs domain. Highlights include a projection TV, motorcycle art and souvenirs, and an array of sexy Snap-On Tools clocks given to customers as thanks for their business.

Kriss decorating touches on the lower level included a corrugated metal ceiling in one of the bedrooms, with orange walls to honor Cliffs enthusiasm for Harley Davidson motorcycles.

It is not a small house by any means (approximately 5,000 square feet with a detached workshop for Cliff), but it fills up with family members during holidays and special events.

We had everybody here for Easter and friends from Florida, and we all enjoyed it, said Kris. We realized after we finished it that it was bigger than we had originally planned.

Still, we wouldnt change a thing.




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All Systems Go For New Community Health Centre in Cefn Mawr

This article is old - Published: Friday, May 19th, 2017

Campaigners have vowed to continue pressing for the brand new health facility the community of Cefn Mawr deserves.

The campaign for a new health centre for the village was launched in October 2015 following concerns about the building condition and parking provision of the current Caritas Surgery in Cefn Mawr.

In March 2017 it was announced that plans for a new health centre had taken a step forward, with a public consultation due to be launched.

Councillor for Cefn ward, Derek Wright and chairman of Cefn Community Council, Ken Bathers recently attended a stakeholder meeting organised by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to discuss the proposals.

Cllr Wright said: A very positive meeting took place at Ty Mawr Country Park and it feels like were making real progress now. Another workshop will be held next month to agree what the facility needs to offer and then were looking at six to nine months to develop the business case. Its all systems go.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates launched a petition calling for a new facility for the area which gathered 2,000 signatures. Parliamentary candidate Susan Elan Jones and Ken Bathers, chairman of Cefn Community Council, have also been involved in the campaign.

Mr Skates said: Susan has been pressing hard for a new health centre for the people of Cefn, and it Im delighted our pressure is beginning to pay off. The health board have listened to weve had to say and things are really progressing.

Ms Jones, who is seeking re-election as Clwyd South MP, said: This has been something weve fought for for a long time and Im determined for the brand new health facility the community deserves to come to fruition as soon as possible.

Cllr Bathers said: Once the business case is developed and completed, the approval process would be expected to take another six to 12 months. As soon as we have that, we could have our new health centre within a year.

He added: This is an issue which has come up time and time again, and Im thrilled things are now getting moving. Id like to thank Ken and Susan for their determination and dedication to getting things to the stage where this is now very much a reality.
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) - Officials with the Hinds County Sheriff's Office says they have one person of interest in custody and continue to search for a second suspect in the kidnapping and shooting death of 6-year-old Kingston Fraizer.

18-year-old Dwan Diondro Wakefield, of Ridgeland, was taken into custody on Holmes Avenue in Jackson just before 11 a.m. on Thursday in the kidnapping and slaying of the little boy.

Officials say a second person, who they are calling a suspect in this case, is identified as 18-year-old DeAllen Washington. He is described as a black male, 5'10, 160 lbs. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Washington are asked to contact the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.

Police found the boy dead of a single gunshot wound in the backseat of a stolen car in Gluckstadt, a Jackson Police Department spokesman said.

The stolen Toyota was found on Gluckstadt Road at a dead end behind the ABC warehouse.

A multi jurisdictional investigation is underway involving Jackson Police Department, Hinds County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Madison County Sheriff's Office. All agencies are working collectively on this case.

Fraizer was last seen Thursday morning at about 1:15 at the Kroger at 4910 I-55 North in Jackson before he was allegedly kidnapped.

According to the Hinds County Sheriff's office, his mom, Ebony Archie, arrived at Kroger and ran inside the store for a few minutes. She allegedly left her car running and her son inside the car.

Within a short time, authorities say two subjects pulled up to Archie's Honda.

MBI says the second vehicle involved, a Honda Civic, has been found. The passenger of the Honda, a 6 foot tall black male, got out of his car and jumped in Archie's car with the child inside. Both cars sped away.

If anyone has any information on this case, please call the MBI at 855-642-5378.
Syrian rebels started leaving the last opposition-held district of Homs city on Saturday in the final phase of an evacuation deal that will see President Bashar al-Assad's government take back the area.

Fighters took with them their light weapons, as agreed, and boarded buses along with women and children. Many were headed for insurgent-held Idlib province in Syria's northwest, or the town of Jarablus on the border with Turkey.

At least four buses had left al-Waer by mid-afternoon, and dozens more were expected to follow, to bring more than 2,500 people out of the district long besieged by government forces and their allies in the country's civil war.
The Ministerial Committee on the Struggle Against Violence, headed by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, has authorized the establishment of a police unit that will operate in about 15 of the largest medical centers in the country to ensure the safety of their medical staff.

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Throughout 2016, in a joint initiative by Erdan and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, a trial was held in six public hospitals where nine officers were stationed in each to help against the rising trend of violence against the hospitals staff.

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center staff protest the death of Tovah Kararo

Following a noticeable improvement reported by the staff and visitors to those hospitals, the ministerial committee authorized last week the expansion of the trial into an actual police unit that will work in the 15 biggest hospitals in the country.

Following the establishment of the unit, a directory under both the Public Security Ministry and the Health Ministry will also be established. Financed by both ministries, 26 police officers will be recruited to the unit and allocated to guard the hospitals.

A survey held to test the trial reported that more than half of the staffs in the hospitals were exposed to verbal violence in 2016, mostly the security guards, nurses and doctors.

According to the survey, about a third of the cases were caused by long waiting times, whereas about 4% of the cases stemmed from discontent over visiting hours or results of tests.

The survey also showed the results of the trial, showing a drop in cases of violence in the hospitals were it was held. For example, in Rambam Hospital the number of cases of violence against the hospital staff was reduced to 169 in 2016 from 412 in 2015 and in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center the number of cases dropped to 404 in 2016 from 649 in 2015.

"The new plan is essential in fighting the violence against the medical staff in hospitals across the country," said Erdan on Wednesday. "It is a moral duty towards those who save the lives of citizens in the medical wards and expose themselves to threats and violence.

"We have, for the first time, brought a solution to a very important social security challenge. The lives of the medical staff in hospitals are not to be forfeited, and for that we have built a professional plan of the highest standard that will give the security required to treat the patients."

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
Israeli security forces arrested 10 wanted suspects in the West Bank overnight Saturday.

They are suspected of beng involved in terror activity and violent rioting.

In addition, the IDF and Shin Bet also arrested several senior members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Ramallah overnight.
The IDF will hold military exercises in the Beit She'an area starting Sunday and throughout the week.

During the exercises, there will be an increased presence of security forces in the area and explosions will be heard.

Military exercises will also be held in the Upper Galilee and the Lod area, where there will also be an increased presence of security forces.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the exercises were planned in advance to maintain forces' preparedness.
As part of last weeks White House scoop race, one of the New York Times reports was dedicated to US President Donald Trumps sour and dark mood. According to the report, he turned against most of his aideseven the apple of his eye, his son-in-law Jared Kushnerdescribing them in a fury as incompetent.

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Kushner was one of the people who had urged Trump to fire FBI Director James Comey. Trump listened to him and thought he would be applauded for the move. Today, its possible that both of them regret it.

That same Kushner is one of the central pillars in organizing the presidents first trip outside the United States, a trip which Trump himself is already referring to as historic. Trump asked his advisors and Kushner to prepare grandiose plans for him which would show the world that he is better than former President Barack Obama, and that he is succeeding where Obama failed.

Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia, Saturday. The plan to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital has been disrupted by massive pressure from Muslim countries (Photo: AP)

At first, Trump was very eager to give a speech in Masada, a place he had first heard about from a Jewish friend in New York. In 2011, way before he became president, Trump looked into the possibility of holding the Miss Universe Pageant, which he had owned at the time, in Masada. That plan fell through, and when Trump began his preparations for the visit, he insisted that the site be put at his disposal to allow him to issue a major call for peace in the region from there. But his plan to speak there as president was called off almost as quickly as it was organized, likely due to the heavy heat.

Its no coincidence that Trump chose Saudi Arabias capital, Riyadh, as his first stop outside America: He wanted to show his respect for the Saudis, as well as to prove that they are much more favorable towards him than towards Obama, who he often compares himself toin a way his advisors have often described as obsessive.

A source in the White House told Yedioth Ahronoth that Trump had already reached understandings in his conversations with the Saudis, who were ready for far-reaching reconciliation moves towards Israel in a bid to advance regional peace, subject to considerable progress in the Palestinian issue. His big plan is to create a coalition of Sunni Muslim states against the Islamic State, and in order to enlist everyone to the mission he has promised the Saudis that he will present an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

According to the information, the president promised the Saudis a lot of weapons, as well as an adoption of extensive parts of the Saudi initiative. In the talks between the Americans and the Saudis there were a few promises the Saudis have yet to commit to, like strengthening their relations with Israel in different fields and allowing Israeli flights over the Saudi airspace. All this, according to the plan, will lead to the point in which Trump will present the ultimate deal between Israel and the Palestinians, and Saudi Arabia will agree to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

Between Trumps attempts to give his first foreign trip as president a festive and historic touch, he tried to organize an official flight of journalists to accompany him on his journey. In this case too, he was quite unsuccessful. Together with another Israeli journalist, I received all the required approvals from the White House to join the official plane. Hours before takeoff, however, the Saudis informed the White House that they would not issue a visa for the two Israeli journalists. A decade ago, when I accompanied President George W. Bush on his trip to Riyadh, the Saudis had no problem seeing an Israeli reporter on their soil. This time, the Saudis gave Trump a hard timeand at the very last minute.

And what about the embassy? As first reported by Yedioth Ahronoth about a month ago, Trump has backed away from his election promise and decided not to move the American embassy to Jerusalem for now, but he does plan to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. That is about to be disrupted too, in light of the massive pressure from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other Muslim countries. According to a source in the administration, the White House is working on a formula which will allow the president to recognize west Jerusalem as Israels capital while leaving the east Jerusalem issue for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

In the meantime, the White House has been trying to evade an issue over which there is supposed to be a consensus between Israel and the United Statesthe Western Wallfollowing the report that American diplomats refused to let Israelis tour the site with them, claiming that it was West Bank territory. National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster ignored the question whether the Western Wall was part of Israel twice during a press conference, and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer went as far as saying in his briefing that the Western Wall is clearly in Jerusalem. Theres one statement that everyone agrees on, even the Palestinians.

In this state of affairs, Trump is arriving in Israel as a weakened president, who will find it difficult to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump caused damage to Israel when he uncovered classified information, and Israels government sees itself as a victim now. It should receive a diplomatic cuddle, rather than a bulldozer on the head. So at least as far as Trump is concerned, its hard to see him concluding his trip with actual results. On the day before his departure, I have learned, there were people at the White House who believed he should not have gone through with the trip at all.

It could turn out like Bill Clintons trip to Moscow and Northern Ireland, a veteran White House reporter told me. He went on a peace mission, but the media kept asking him about Monica Lewinsky, because that was the affair on the agenda. What people remembered from that trip was the gloomy image of Hillary Clinton, who accompanied him against her will. When the journalists asked her how she was feeling, she nodded and said in a cracked voice: Coping, somehow.

Trump wanted to arrive in the Middle East like a storm, with a lot of hot air, to do what his predecessors had failed to doopen a route for comprehensive regional peace. Now, with a new affair popping up at any given moment, presenting him in an even more delusional light, and with his closest associates at the White House confessing that they cant stand living in the shadow of this insanity, it is unlikely that Trump will accomplish his main mission in this trip: To establish his status as the uniting and reconciling leader of the free world. No politician in history has been treated worse or more unfairly, Trump said on Thursday. History will judge.
Israeli intelligence officials reportedly shouted at their American counterparts in meetings over news reports that US President Donald Trump disclosed highly classified information to Russia, possibly compromising an important source of intelligence on the Islamic State and Iran, Foreign Policy cited a US defense official as saying.

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Israel, the defense official said, didn't expect Trump to endanger "one of their most sensitive of accesses."

"To them, it's horrifying," the official told Foreign Policy. "Their first question was: 'What is going on? What is this?'"

From left to right: Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, Trump and Russia's Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak (Photo: EPA)

In a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavror on May 10, Trump divulged confidential information about a planned ISIS plot, which was later revealed to have been provided by Israel

American news agencies, who attributed the information to an undercover agent in Syria, claimed that it warned ISIS was making progress on building a specialized bomb that could be masked and carried inside of laptops, which could help explain the recent US ban on large electronics on flights from Middle Eastern airports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump (Photo: Reuters)

The defense official explained that for Israel, "ISIS is not that big of a concern. We have a partner that has done us a favor. They went out of their way to support us in a campaign against ISIS, that they have no real skin in."

The Israelis were then further angered by the fact the Trump administration failed to address the issue with them in the 48 hours that followed the breaking of the news, the defense official said.

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Israel , the security cabinet will convene on Sunday afternoon to approve a series of relief measures for the Palestinians as part of the American president's efforts to restart peace talks.

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The relief measures include the expedited development of industrial areas in Jalamah and Tarqumiyah in the West Bank, two projects that have been stuck for a long time, as well as the approval of Palestinian construction in Area C, a contentious issue among some of the government's ministers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman support the relief measures and believe they will help improve Palestinian civilian life.

Government meeting (File photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The proposed relief measures have been waiting on the government's table for approval for a long time. Netanyahu rejected the same measures during the Obama era, because at the time he saw it as a reward for violence.

But Trump's envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt has been pushing to approve the relief measures, as part of his effort to promote projects that would improve the Palestinian economy and create a positive atmosphere that could facilitate the resumption of peace negotiations.

During a meeting in Brussels two weeks ago, Greenblatt initiated a meeting between Israel's Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi and the Palestinian ministers of finance, energy and water, asking them to promote joint projects and discuss the lifting of restrictions.

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon also pushed for the relief measures. Kahlon met with his Palestinian counterpart last week and the two agreed to renovate and upgrade the Allenby Bridge border crossing that connects Jordan and the West Bank and have it opened 24 hours a day.

According to recent reports, Trump is formulating a plan to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians under American mediation. The talks will be limited in time and include active involvement of the US administration, but Washington will not force terms on the two sides. The Americans will also try to recruit moderate Sunni states to aid in the talks, primarily Saudi Arabia.
The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced Sunday it has signed a $630 million deal with the Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

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As part of the deal, the IAI will provide BEL with the naval version of the aerial defense system Barak 8 for four Indian Navy ships.

Barak 8 aerial defense system (Photo: IAI)

The deal was part of the "Make in India" initiative by the Indian government to encourage national and multi-national companies to manufacture their products in India. BEL will be used as the main contractor for the project.

India successfully conducted a test of the missile system before the deal's signing. After the target was launched, the MF-STAR surveillance track and guidance radar installed on the Indian Navy ship the INS Kochi identified the threat and tracked it on its flight path. The data was then transferred to the weapon control center that launched the intercepting missile at the target.

According to the IAI, the missile was properly launched and steered itself towards the trajectory of its target. During its flight, the missile located its target using its homing system, adjusted its flight course accordingly, and successfully made contact and destroyed it.

Barak 8 test (Credit: IAI) (:  )

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"This deal joins a series of deals made between the IAI and Indian defense authorities over the past decade, and strengthens the company's status as a global leader in the field of aerial defense," said IAI President and CEO Joseph Weiss.

"The deal with Indian company BEL constitutes a step up in our relationship with the Indian industry as part of the Make in India policy. This unique project demonstrates the tight cooperation between the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the IAI, and the armies of both nations."

Photo: IAI

IAI General Manager and Executive VP Boaz Levy added that "The IAI is currently in the midst of an expedited process to provide the systems to India."

The LR-SAM system, otherwise known as the Barak 8 (Lightning in Hebrew) is an Indian-Israeli surface-to-air missile (SAM), designed to defend against any type of airborne threat including aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles and fighter jets. It was developed in a joint effort between the IAI and the DRDO.

Photo: IAI

The system's main features are its long range, a two way GPS data link, an active radar seeker missile, 360 degree coverage, vertical launch and multiple simultaneous engagements capabilities.

In April, the IAI announced that it has struck a deal worth almost $2 billion to supply India's army and navy with missile defense systems, describing it as Israel's largest ever defense deal.

IAI said that it would supply the Indian army with the Barak 8 aerial defense system, including medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications and control technology to the tune of $1.6 billion.
Dozens of Israeli and American fighter jets concluded the joint annual Juniper Falcon exercise this weekend, during which they simulated different operational scenarios.

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The main objective for the fighter jets training over southern Israel was to destroy mobile enemy targets (such as anti-aircraft missiles).

Juniper Falcon exercise (:  ")

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The Israeli and American pilots also practiced evading advanced aerial defense measures and enemy fighter jets that were trying to disrupt the mission.





Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Some 30 fighter jets participated in each sortie. They did not use live fire, but rather drilled different scenarios against one another, with some of the jets on the offensive and others on the defensive.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The exercise included F-15 planes, the biggest among the IDF's fighter jets, from the Israel Air Force's 69th Squadron, which flew alongside American F-15 planes.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The exercise lasted two weeks. It constitutes part of a series of joint training exercises between the two nations' air forces in recent years.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The IAF's next major training exercise will be Blue Flag later this year and include other regional air forces.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

"The training exercise was complex, with a deepening cooperation, and led by the IAF's Red Squadron," said a senior IAF officer. "This training exercise is important as we face the situation around us, the dynamic nature of the different fighting fronts in the area, and operations by world powersall of these create uncertainty. In this exercise, we incorporated the most advanced threats we see in the region."
Newspapers in Saudi Arabia were jubilant on Sunday following the celebratory start of US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, whic included dancing, lots of smiles and signing ofas Trump would sayhuge deals.

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Trump and the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Photo: AFP)

The Saudi newspaper Okaz published a cartoon of a Saudi and an American holding hands with fingers laced and the sun rising in the backgrounda symbol of the dawn of new relationship between the two nations. This was all under the headline "Riyadh and Washingtona strategic vision and a lasting alliance."





Even though Riyadh gad good relations with Washington during the Obama administration, the Saudis often criticized Obama's flexibility towards Iran and his weak response to the war in Syria.

The cover of Okaz newspaper

The famous Sadi-owned and London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat published a caricature showing a wreath placed on a grave labeled "Obama Policy."

Meanwhile, Saudi newspaper Al-Madina published a cartoon of the US and Saudi Arabia shaking hands, crushing ISIS and Iran's ayatollah in their grasp.

It wasn't all positive though, as some criticized Trump and the welcome that Saudi officials gave him, showing Trump circling the Kaaba (the building at the center of Islam's most sacred mosque) with money spilling from it, and another showed him walking on a carpet being rolled open by a Saudi man, with the carpet looking like a cashier's check.

The message in these is clear: bribes are the driving force behind the Riyadh-Washington relations.

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz expressed concern on Sunday morning regarding the massive arms deal signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia during US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh.

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The military sales deal amounts to about $110 billion effective immediately, plus another $350 billion over the next 10 years.

After signing the deal, Trump spoke of "hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

Some of the arms included in the US-Saudi deal.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars in arms deals is something we need to get an explanation for," Steinitz said ahead of Sunday morning's government meeting. "Saudi Arabia is a hostile country and we need to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge is maintained."

"This is not a country that we have diplomatic relations with," he added, noting that it "is still a hostile country and nobody knows what the future holds."

"I hope we'll receive clear answers to that soon. This is definitely something that should trouble us," Steinitz went on to say.

Minister Yuval Steinitz (Photo: Reuters)

Minister Ayoob Kara also raised the issue during the Likud ministers meeting on Sunday, asking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu whether he wasn't concerned of the fact Saudi was becoming "a world power with military superiority over us." Netanyahu told him he will discuss the matter during the cabinet meeting.

The package includes American arms and maintenance, specifically 115 M1A2 tanks, four warships, THAAD missile defense system, maritime security, radar and communications, and cyber security technology.

The THAAD missile defense system

The deal also includes a pledge to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk S-70 helicopters in Saudi Arabia to the tune of $6 billion.

Lockheed Martin CEO warmly welcomed in Saudi (Photo: Reuters)

American media reported that Saudi also purchased MIM-104F (PAC-3) Patriot batteries, while Bloomberg reported on a deal Saudi signed with Boeing that could reach $3.5 billion to buy an additional 48 CH-47 Chinook helicopters and other equipment.

CH-47 Chinook helicopter

The White House said in a statement that the package of defense equipment and services is aimed to boost security in the Arab Gulf region in the face of Iranian aggression.

It is also meant to bolster the kingdom's ability to contribute to counterterrorism operations across the region, "reducing the burden on the US military to conduct those operations."

It was described by Vice Admiral Joe Rixey, chief of the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, as "the largest single arms deal in American history."

An American battle ship, the kind included in the deal

In addition to the arms deal, national oil firm Saudi Aramco said it signed $50 billion of agreements with US firms. Energy minister Khalid al-Falih said deals involving all companies totaled over $200 billion, many of them designed to produce things in Saudi Arabia that had previously been imported.

A deal between Saudi Basic Industries Corporation and the American Exxon Mobil, a company until recently headed by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, was signed to build a $20 billion chemical complex.

Trump signs arms deal with Saudi (: )

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But Trump doesn't plan to stop with Saudi Arabia. During his visit to Riyah, he also met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Sunday morning.

Trump said ahead of the meeting that he and the Emir will discuss the purchase of "lots of beautiful military equipment."

He added that "no one makes" military equipment like the United States and said a deal would create jobs for the US and security for Qatar.

M1A2 tanks (Photo: GettyImages)

The American president also met with the King of Bahrain, saying the two countries "have a wonderful relationship" but "there has been a little strain."

He vowed to improve things further, but did not specify what tension he needed to resolve. The two countries have had a long-term military alliance though the US was critical of Bahrain's response to uprisings during the Arab Spring.

Kobi Nachshoni contributed to this report.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he hoped to visit Cairo soon, praising President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a meeting between the two in Saudi Arabia.

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Speaking through a translator, Sisi described Trump as "a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." As the participants laughed, Trump responded: "I agree."

Trump said he was having "very, very important talks" with Sisi.

Trump and el-Sisi

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"We've really been through a lot together positively," said Trump, who is on his first foreign visit since taking office.

"I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," he said. Sisi had "done a tremendous job under trying circumstance".

Trump and al-Sisi (Photo: AP)

Sisi has launched the toughest crackdown on Islamists in Egypt's modern history since toppling President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. Hundreds of Egyptian soldiers and police have been killed fighting militants in Sinai.

Last month, Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency after two church bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 45 people.

Sisi went to Washington last month for talks with Trump intended to improve relations that had been strained under President Barack Obama.

Photo: AP

Egypt is one of Washington's closest allies in the Middle East, receiving $1.3 billion in US military aid annually.

Trump thanked Sisi for his help with the release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi last month. Trump and his aides had engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to gain her freedom after attempts by the previous Obama administration failed.
Gaza's ruling Hamas terror organization delivered death sentences on Sunday to three Palestinians it ruled had taken part in what it said was an Israeli-directed assassination of one of the Islamist group's senior commanders.

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A Hamas security court said the three men had confessed to the killing of Mazen Fuqaha, a Hamas military wing commander, who was shot in the head and the chest in his car on March 24 near his Gaza home.

"The field court has sentenced the three convicted of carrying out the crime of the assassination of martyr Mazen Fuqaha to death," said Brigadier-General Naser Suleiman, chairman of the Hamas-run military judiciary.

Photo: Reuters

Hamas convicted all three, aged 44, 38 and 38, of collaborating with Israel. It said that one of the men, a 38-year-old former Hamas member named Ashraf Abu Layla who was ejected over 'moral transgressions,' carried out the actual shooting and the other two had provided Israeli security agencies with information about Fuqaha's whereabouts.

The Shin Bet did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment on Hamas's allegations.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman attributed the death to an internal power dispute in Hamas.

Ashraf Abu Layla, in the striped shirt (Photo: Reuters)

Israel jailed Fuqaha in 2003 for planning attacks against Israelis and sentenced him to nine life terms. He was released in 2011, as part of a group of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners whom Israel freed in exchange for captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Israeli media said that after Fuqaha's release and exile to Gaza he continued to plan attacks by Palestinian militants in the West Bank.

Photo: Reuters

Palestinian and International Human Rights groups have repeatedly condemned the death penalty, and urged Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to suspend it. Palestinian law says President Mahmoud Abbas, who has no actual control over Gaza, has the final word on whether executions can be carried out.

Hamas has sentenced 109 people to death and executed more than 20 of them under its judicial system since 2007, when the group seized power from Abbas in a brief civil war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispersed the party leaders' meeting after ministers Moshe Kahlon, Yariv Levin and Miri Regev announced that they would not come to the welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump in Ben Gurion Airport.

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"If none of you is comingfrom the way I see it this meeting is over," Netanyahu said, then addressed his Cabinet Secretary Zahi Braverman and told him to "speak to all the ministers and clarify to them that they are required to attend."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: AP)

Several ministers apparently did not want to attend the ceremony after they were told that there won't actually get to meet Trump or speak to him and because they were told to arrive at the airport at 10:00two hours before his plane landsand they were reluctant to do so due to the closure of the roads.

IDF preperations for Trump's welcome ceremony (Credit: Hagai Dekel)

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In the meanwhile, the last preparations for the ceremony are being held in Ben Gurion Airport. Dozens of soldiers were rehearsing ahead of the welcome ceremony, set to start with the landing of Air Force 1 tomorrow after noon local time.

Trump's visit schedule Monday and Tuesday

Police commissioner Roni Alsheikh visited the airport and examined the police preparedness. The American Black Hawk pilots who were specially flown to Israel in a convoy consisting of 45 Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft flew over Route 1 and the Jerusalem mountains as part of the preparations.

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

Photo: Reuters

The Defense Ministry is in charge of the logistical preparations for the 40-minute ceremony. Among other things, a facility was built in the airport able to accommodate hundreds of guests, VIPs and officials and about 300 journalists from Israel and around the world

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) decided Sunday to prevent the incarcerated former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from meeting his lawyers.

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Olmert's lawyer Shani Illouz arrived at the prison ahead of a hearing regarding Olmert's upcoming release which is scheduled for next month, passed the security check and was then told that she is not allowed to meet her client.

Ehud Olmert (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Olmert's second lawyer Eli Zohar was told beforehand that he would not be allowed to meet with his client and so did not travel to the prison.

The IPS says that this decision was made following the recent seizure of classified information found in Olmert's prison cell and at the possession of his lawyer.

Saturday, the IPS ordered that Ehud Olmert be denied prison vacations and telephone calls until further notice, except for conversations with his lawyerswhich has now also been disallowed.

The IPS is checking whether the classified materials found in the possession of Olmert and his lawyer are related to the book Olmert is writing in prison, where he is serving time after having been convicted of corruption. The matter was transferred to senior officials in the Ministry of Justice for treatment, and they will consider what to do next.

Olmert before his last furlough (Photo: Dana Kopel)

Thursday, one of Olmert's lawyers visited him in prison. The documents were seized during that visit. Additional documents were also seized that lacked approval from the person responsible for information security in the Ministry of Defense.

As a result of the incident, that person ordered the investigation of the matter and involved the intelligence services of the IPS.

The prisoner's lawyer issued a statement that claimed: "Olmert does not need any authorization regarding his ties to Israel's national security. He never leaked, either during his term or since, anything sensitive to security or intelligence matters that could have harmed the State of Israel.

"During his prison sentence, Olmert wrote an autobiographical book about his life and his actions concerning social, economic and defense issues. This book was transferred in its entirety to (the Military) Censor over two months ago and no one, especially Mr. Olmert, has any intention to publish it without their approval.

"Beyond the book, no classified information was leaked, transferred or published by Mr. Olmert."

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
US President Donald Trump called on Arab leaders to do their fair share to "drive out" terrorism from their countries on Sunday in a speech that put the burden on the region to combat militant groups.

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Trump, who generated controversy with his push to ban many Muslims from entering the United States, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilizations.

"America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security. But nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them," Trump told leaders of 55 Muslim majority countries representing more than a billion people.

"The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and frankly for their families and for their children," he said.

"It's a choice between two futures and its a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists.

"Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth," he said.

Trump's "America first" philosophy helped him win the 2016 election and has rattled allies who depend on US support for their defense . The president, who is struggling to contain a brewing political scandal at home, made clear in his address that Washington would partner with the Middle East but expected more action in return.

"Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land," he said in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a nine-day tour that includes Israel, Italy and Belgium.

The speech in a gilded hall bedecked with chandeliers is part of an effort to redefine his relationship with the Muslim world after Trump frequently attacked Muslims on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the United States

Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who set aside his campaign rhetoric about Muslims and focused on his desire to crack down on Iran's influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in Obama.

Trump's signature phrase "radical Islamic terrorism" was not included in the speech, according to excerpts released in advance by the White House.

Instead, he used the term "Islamist extremism," which refers to Islamism as political movement rather than Islam as a religion, a distinction that he had frequently criticized the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama for making.

As a candidate, Trump proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States. In office he ordered temporary bans on people from certain Muslim-majority countries, which have been blocked by courts that ruled they were discriminatory.

Regarding peace efforts in the region, Trump said: "For many centuries the Middle East has been home to Christians, Muslims and Jews living side-by-side. We must practice tolerance and respect for each other once againand make this region a place where every man and woman, no matter their faith or ethnicity, can enjoy a life of dignity and hope.

"In that spirit, after concluding my visit in Riyadh, I will travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and then to the Vaticanvisiting many of the holiest places in the three Abrahamic Faiths. If these three faiths can join together in cooperation, then peace in this world is possibleincluding peace between Israelis and Palestinians. I will be meeting with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas."

Introducing Trump, Saudi King Salman described their mutual foe Iran as the source of terrorism they must confront together.

"Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are ... The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism."

Trump, for his part, added, "It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room."

Iran is a Shiite Muslim country. The groups that the United States has been fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere since the September 11, 2001 attacks on Washington and New York are mostly Sunni Muslims, and enemies of Iran.

Segment from Trump's speech in Riyadh (: )

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The United States and Gulf Arab countries announced agreement to coordinate efforts against the financing of terrorist groups.

Trump's welcome in the region was put on display during a series of individual meetings with Arab leaders.

He praised Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, telling him, "You have done a tremendous job under trying circumstances." The Obama administration had a difficult relationship with Sissi, who came to power after leading a military coup in 2013 during which hundreds of demonstrators were killed, and has since jailed thousands of opponents.

Trump promised to schedule a trip to Egypt soon, and he singled out the Egyptian's choice of footwear, a pair of shiny black shoes. "Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes," he said.

To Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Trump declared that the two nations had a lot in common and "there won't be strain with this administration."

The king lauded the relationship and said it had led to "great stability in the region and prosperity." Bahrain is home to the US fleet in the Middle East. Its Sunni Muslim royal family rules over a majority Shiite population and was occasionally rebuked by the Obama administration for harsh treatment of opponents.

Trump's Riyadh visit kicks off his first presidential trip abroad, with Saudi Arabia the first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe.

The speech came as Trump tried to escape the fallout from his May 9 firing of former FBI Director James Comey amid accusations he was trying to stop a federal investigation into his campaign's ties with Russia last year.

The New York Times reported Trump called Comey a "nut job" in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week. The Washington Post said the probe had reached into the White House to include a Trump adviser, who was not named.
The Islamist Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip on Sunday rejected US President Donald Trump's linking it to terrorism and said his description of the group showed his "complete bias" towards Israel.

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Trump addressed the leaders of 55 Muslim countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and said they must take the lead in combating radicalization.

"The true toll of ISIS, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams," the American president said in his speech.

Hamas militantsthey don't consider themselves terrorists. (File photo: Reuters)

"The statement describing Hamas as a terror group is rejected and is a distortion of our image and shows a complete bias to the Zionist occupation (Israel)," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement.

After Trump spoke at the special conference in Riyadh, King Abdullah II of Jordan addressed the leaders. He called on the American president to work towards a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: "Mr. President, a second and equally vital challenge is a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian cause, based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative. This can bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and guarantees peace for all Israelis, Arabs, and Muslims.

"No injustice has spread more bitter fruit than the absence of a Palestinian state. This is the core issue for our region, and it has driven radicalism and instability beyond our region and into the Muslim world."

The king added: "Safeguarding Jerusalem must be a priority. The holy city is a strategic linchpin, vital to relationships among the three monotheistic faiths. Attempts to create new negotiating facts on the ground will have a catastrophic impact."
Palestinian activists are calling for a "Day of Rage" when President Donald Trump visits the West Bank on Tuesday.

A group calling itself the Supreme National Leadership Committee is calling for public demonstrations across the West Bank. The committee includes various Palestinian political factions, including President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.
Dozens of security prisoners who were hunger striking in prisons throughout the country were taken Sunday to Wolfson Hospital in Holon and HaEmek in Afula. The Israel Prison Service expects dozens of additional prisoners to be taken to hospitals in the coming hours.

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In the course of examinations conducted by IPS doctors for security prisoners, who have been on hunger strike for more than four weeks, the doctors decided that the medical condition of some of the prisoners requires medical attention at the hospital.

Supporters of the hunger strikers

Hundreds of security prisoners opened an indefinite hunger strike last month in order to improve their conditions in Israeli prisons. The leader of the struggle was Marwan Barghouti. The prisoners' demands document includes the installation of public telephones, similar to telephones installed for criminal prisoners.

The prisoners already transferred to hospitals were under heavy IPS security. According to estimates, dozens of security prisoners will be taken to hospitals across the country in the coming hours.
Events to celebrate the quinquagenary of Jerusalem's reunification kicked off on Sunday night at an event attended by the president and prime minister. The official semicentennial takes place on Jerusalem Day, observed this year on May 24.

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At a ceremony held on the backdrop of the Old City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked: "Fifty years ago we returned to the heart of our capital and our country, and 50 years ago we did not conquerwe liberated.

Drones spell out '50' above Jerusalem (Photo: Mizmor Productions)

"With the bravery of our soldiers and with the love of our people, Jerusalem was reunited and so, today, I say to the world with a loud and clear voiceJerusalem was and always will be the capital of Israel. The Temple Mount and the Western Wall will always remain under Israeli sovereignty."

In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel wrested control of the eastern part of the city from Jordan. The ceremony was also attended by the new US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.





Drones spell out 'Jerusalem' above the capital (Photo: Mizmor Productions)

Drones form a Star of David above Jerusalem (Photo: Mizmor Productions)

The Old City (Photo: Mizmor Productions)

(Photo: Mizmor Productions)

At an event held earlier that evening with the participation of the US ambassador, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, ministers and members of Knesset, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely remarked: "Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish People and in the Six-Day War the heart began to beat once again in the Land of Israel.

"We all hope to see the US embassy in Jerusalem, but it is no less important to see a renewal of construction in Judea and Samaria after years of stagnation under the previous administration.

"The Trump administration is the first US administration to emphasize that settlements are not an obstacle to peace. It is important, therefore, that we proceed with construction. Kindergartens, schools and homes of Jewish families are not preventing peace. On the contrary, they represent the renewal of life in the Land of Israel.
The Arab-Israeli Monitoring Committee, headed by former MK Mohammad Barakeh, announced a strike and a day of rage in the sector on Monday, in solidarity with the 35-day security prisoners' hunger strike.

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The strike will include businesses and public places, but not schools and medical services.

The demonstrators created a human chain from Megiddo Junction to Gilboa Prison.

Demonstrators in support of the hunger strikers

In the villages of Ara, Baka al-Garbiyeh and other places, protest tents were erected, among which were family members of prisoners. In addition, there are demonstrations in support of prisoners in several Arab towns. "We will send a message to US President Donald Trump, who will visit Israel tomorrow, and call on him to intervene in the prisoners' struggle and stop their humiliation and the prohibition of meeting with their relatives," the committee said.

The head of the monitoring committee Barakeh, said that the government wishes to break the hunger strike, but claimed the prisoners' demands are reasonable: "In an unprecedented move, we gathered as components of the leadership of the Palestinian people from all areas of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and in Jerusalem and in Israel, and announced a general strike that will include all Palestinian people wherever they may be, demanding a response to the prisoners' strike."

"The aim of the strike is to show the world, and also the American president, Netanyahu's attempts to market a normal life under occupation. It's a complete lie. We must show the truth that after 50 years of occupation the Palestinian people have not surrendered and want to establish their state alongside Israel," he continued.

He then added that Trump supports Israel's refusal policy, and is therefore "not a fair mediator between the Palestinians and the Israelis."

Barakeh

Said Masarwa, a resident of Wadi Ara, said on Sunday, "We all support the just struggle of the prisoners and we will continue to do so until the government of Israel stops humiliating them. Everyone should know that the prisoners are our greatest heroes and we are prepared to do everything for them without giving up. It's unjust preventing prisoners from seeing their relatives and treating them with such cruelty."

Dozens of security prisoners who ae hunger striking in prisons throughout the country were taken to Wolfson Hospital in Holon and HaEmek Hospital in Afula. The Israel Prison Service expects dozens of additional prisoners to be evacuated to hospitals across the country.
DUBAIA senior United Arab Emirates official said on Sunday the re-election of moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani could be a chance for Tehran to reset "its troubled relations" with its neighbours.

Relations between Gulf Arab states, including the UAE, have been strained over fears that Tehran was interfering in their affairs, including in Syria and Yemen, fomenting unrest and sectarian tensions. Tehran denies these allegations.

Rouhani beat his main challenger, hardline judge Ebrahim Raisi, in presidential election on Friday, garnering more than 57 percent of the vote.

It was not immediately clear if the comments by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash reflected any change in Arab states' views of Iran. US President Donald Trump's criticism of Tehran was well received at a summit of Arab and Islamic leaders with him in Riyadh on Sunday.

In a tweet about Rouhani's election victory, Gargash said: "With Pres(ident) Rouhani's re-election, one hopes Iran reset its troubled relations with neighbours. Let Tehran not squander another opportunity."
Changes to how depreciation can be claimed on residential properties, following the release of the 2017-18 federal budget, will cost some investors thousands of dollars, while potentially having a negative effect on housing affordability despite being designed to do the exact opposite, experts warn.

The new measures, which were announced on May 9, read as follows:

From July 1, 2017, the Government will limit plant and equipment depreciation deductions to outlays actually incurred by investors in residential real estate properties. Plant and equipment items are usually mechanical fixtures or those which can be easily removed from a property such as dishwashers and ceiling fans.

This means property investors can only claim depreciation on dishwashers, fans, and other fixtures theyve paid for themselves, presumably by purchasing the property brand new. Previously, investors who bought established properties could continue to claim depreciation on those items going forward.

While these changes may not sound like a big deal, it could prove costly in the short term and could set off a chain of events that would culminate in housing affordability suffering even more than it already is, according to Tyron Hyde, director of Washington Brown.

Investors need these deductions early on. Not so much down the line, because the value has gone up and theyve increased the rent, Hyde said.

He calculated the effects on the hip pocket and found that for an $800,000 apartment in a development released this year, an investors savings on depreciation over the next decade would amount to around $110,000. This is down from the $140,000 the investor would have made prior to the introduction of the new measures.

However, if the $800,000 property was built in 1997, an investor who buys it now can claim $61,000 over the next 10 years. Previously, the investor could have claimed $100,000.

On the other hand, the buyer of a $600,000 apartment built in 1986 can now claim absolutely nothing over the next 10 years. Previously, the buyer could have claimed $17,000.

You might see investors now holding onto a property for longer, because they know they wont get depreciation on their next property, Hyde said, adding that the flow-on effect would further exacerbate the housing supply shortage crippling the southeastern capitals. They should be looking at the supply-side issue. Supply is the real problem [for housing affordability] and this will do nothing to help that problem.

The changes have been grandfathered, meaning they will only apply to investors who purchase property after May 9, 2017. The government expects the changes to save the federal budget about $260m.

Related stories:

What Investors Need To Know About The New Budget

Urban Taskforce Supports New Housing Affordability Policies
New Delhi: Bollywood stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon's upcoming film 'Raabta' is impressing the audience with the fresh chemistry of the lead duo, all thanks to its interesting trailer and fun-filled promos. The filmmakers recently released another dialogue promo of the movie and, oh boy, this time the on-screen couple looks too cute to miss.

Directed by Dinesh Vijan, 'Raabta', based on reincarnation, is releasing on June 9. The flick is produced by Bhushan Kumar of T-Series and Homi Adajania apart from Dinesh.

The movie also features Rajkummar Rao in a key role. He will be seen playing a man aged 324.
New Delhi: The Congress`s women`s wing, Mahila Congress, on Sunday launched a signature campaign seeking early passage of the Women`s Reservation Bill in Parliament.

The campaign was launched by Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the occasion of the 26th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial Veer Bhoomi here.

Her son and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also endorsed the campaign by putting their signatures.

The nationwide signature campaign, aimed at pressurising the Narendra Modi government for passage of the bill -- which envisages 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies, will continue till August 10.

"On August 20, the birth of Rajiv Gandhi-ji, the signatures collected from across the country will be handed over to the President," said Mahila Congress President Shobha Oza.

"We will build up pressure on the NDA Government for the passage of the Women`s Reservation Bill as early as possible," she added.

Passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, the bill has since been pending in the Lok Sabha.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar on Sunday informed the Legislative Council that the continuation of VAT on petroleum products and alcohol will be decided by the Goods and Service Tax Council in the next five years.

Replying to a debate on the Maharashtra Goods and Service Tax Laws (levy, amendment and validation) Act 2017 in the Upper House, he said that it is not possible even for the Centre to shift the tax rate of 25 percent on petroleum products under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in one go.

Kesarkar, who is Minister of State for Finance and Planning, clarified that the state has already decided not to hike tax on diesel as it is consumed by goods transport vehicles and any rise would correspondingly affect prices of commodities like vegetables, fruits, foodgrains and other products.

He said VAT on diesel is hence transferred on petroleum products.

"The tax structure under the GST regime will be reviewed by the GST Council after five years," he said.

Responding to concerns raised by members on tax on agriculture, Kesarkar assured that the tax on agriculture income will remain zero percent.

Replying to queries over effect of demonetisation on the tax revenue collection in the state, Kesarkar said that post-demonetisation the states revenue income has risen by 14 percent.

On concern raised by Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde over recovery of unpaid revenue dues after GST comes into effect on July 1, he said that the Act provides for savings and validation clause that takes care of recovery of unpaid dues.

"The revenue of state will rise as more people are brought under the GST regime," he said.

The house later unanimously passed the tax laws bill which was passed by the legislative assembly on May 20.
New Delhi: In an alarming study, the world's most endangered marine mammal vaquita porpoise may go extinct by 2018 if they are not saved.

Known as the 'panda of the sea' because of its distinctive markings, the vaquita is endemic to the Upper Gulf of California.

Unsustainable fishing practices and illegal wildlife trade driven by demand for the swim bladder of a critically endangered fish also endemic to the region, the totoaba, has caused the vaquita population to plummet in recent years.

Listed as the most endangered cetacean in the world these mammals are often accidentally killed in gillnets which were banned for two years in 2015.

"Yet again, we bear witness to the devastating impacts of the illegal wildlife trade. But vaquita aren't even the target of this crime - they are innocent bystanders, paying the highest of prices," said Leigh Henry, Senior Policy Advisor for Wildlife Conservation at World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

WWF has recommended an immediate, permanent ban on gillnets and remove and destroy ghost nets, to prevent the vaquita and other marine species from being caught.

"Having discovered the vaquita less than sixty years ago, we humans have now brought it to the brink of extinction," said Jorge Rickards, acting CEO of WWF-Mexico.

"Their incredibly low numbers are a stark reminder of how our efforts to protect this incredible species and its habitat are falli

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Bollywood diva Sonam Kapoor recently flaunted her desi side by donning a prismatic saree at her first appearance during Cannes Film Festival 2017. Her outfit is not only being loved by her fans, but it also winning a lot of appreciation from critics.

Her unicorn coloured saree has been designed by NorBlack NorWhite, a label created by Canadian-born designers Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar. Check out some of her most gorgeous pictures which were shared online by a fan club:

Sonam teamed her saree with a white crop blouse, which lent a sporty element to her look.

The 31-year-old actress' sister and her stylist, Rhea, took to Instagram to share pictures using the hashtag #SportySpice to describe her look.

Sonam will be walking the red carpet as L'Oreal Paris India brand ambassador.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said the BJP retained power in Goa despite winning only 13 of the 40 seats in the assembly elections as the "party was working (to cobble up a majority) while the Congress leadership slept".

"The Congress leaders told me you did a wrong thing in Goa. But I told them 'Your leader was sleeping while we were working'," Gadkari said at India Today's Editors' Roundtable Conference here.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister rejected Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's charge that Gadkari bribed Goa legislators for their support.

"I am not a person who cuts political deals. I am a man who does everything openly. I did not carry any money to anyone in Goa. I don't do such things. I fight and get things done," Gadkari said.

Even though the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 17 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to form the government in Goa with only 13 seats, leading to allegations of horse trading.

Gadkari said Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party met him at a Goa hotel where Sudin was staying and offered his party's support to the BJP on the condition that he is made a minister.

"Then came Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward Party, who has been a Congress man his entire life. But he was being tortured by the Congress for the past five years," the Minister said.

Gadkari said Sardesai also wanted ministership, to which the BJP agreed.

Both MGP and GFP had won three seats each.

The BJP leader added that both Sardesai and Dhavalikar had another condition -- (then Defence Minsiter) Manohar Parrikar be made the Chief Minister.

Gadkari said once that had been settled, the BJP turned defeat into victory while the opportunity slipped from the hands of the Congress.
New Delhi: Local residents of Keldha village under Valsad district of Gujarat are in major distress as the acute water crisis in the area is taking a toll on their daily lives.

The locals have to walk at least 5 kilometers to fetch water for their daily need.

In the absence of any relief from either rain or winds, the temperature is also soaring in the city besides acute water shortage in the area.

"In the morning people come from the nearby villages to fill water. Because of this there is always a long line. We have other work like cooking, cleaning the house etc. So we generally come during the night to fetch water," said a local to ANI.

"A large number of big packages are announced for the people by the Government of Gujarat through the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojna but cannot provide drinking water for the people. Today the condition of the residents of villages and villages around it has become so much worse that they go they have to go walk kilometers to fetch water. So, due to lack of sleep we are also facing difficulties," said another villager

According to reports, Gujarat's foodgrain production has been on the decline in the past few years, when the state didn't receive sufficient rains.

As per the latest Socio-Economic Review of Gujarat, production of foodgrains during 2015-16 is estimated at 61.92 lakh tonnes compared to 77.95 lakh tonnes in 2014-15, a drop of 20.5%. The fall is even sharper when compared to the 2013-14 figures, when the production was around 93.82 lakh tonnes.
New Delhi: The BJP is yet to take a decision on its candidate for the upcoming Presidential polls, even as the party virtually rejected Shiv Sena's proposal for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to be the ruling combine's nominee.

Replying to a question on the BJP-led NDA's candidate for the Presidential polls in July as the Opposition was already working on putting up a joint candidate, said BJP President Amit Shah told a TV channel in an interview that a decision is yet to be taken.

"Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first," he said.

He also rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal regarding Bhagwat, saying that party has itself ruled it out.

To questions on Kashmir, Shah said there was no need for even an "iota of concern" over the situation in the state which has witnessed months of unrest, and asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government will control it soon.

"There is a big gap between the reality and the projection" of the Kashmir situation and the trouble was confined to "three and half districts", he said.

The government was keeping a sharp vigil over the situation and the Valley has witnessed many spells of such unrest in the past, before the situation has normalised, he said.

Shah also attacked the Congress for criticising the government, claiming that it had no right to do so as the Kashmir problem was an outcome of the policies of its governments since independence.

Terming the lynching of seven persons in Jharkhand by a mob over abduction rumours as an "isolated and stray incident" which happens in a country of 125 crore people, the BJP chief said it would not be appropriate to link such cases of violence to his party.

People should look up the crime data to find out if cases of violence have increased under the BJP governments, he said.

To a question if Tamil superstar Rajinikant will join the BJP, Shah said the decision has to be taken by the actor himself and his party welcomed all good people to its fold.

Ahead of the Modi government's third anniversary, he said it has won the people's trust and added that the poor have the belief that it was working for their welfare.

In a democracy the "biggest certificate is the people's verdict" and the masses have time and again underscored their support for the BJP-led NDA government, he said in a reference to the BJP's win in several state polls.

The Modi government has been able to rid the country of the politics of casteism, family rule and appeasement, and turned the focus on the politics of performance, he claimed.

While the UPA government was accused of scams running into Rs 12 lakh crore, even rivals of the NDA government have not levelled a single charge of corruption against it, Shah claimed.
Chandigarh: BJP national president Amit Shah on Saturday termed the CJI verdict in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case in the Hague as a very big achievement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and blamed the previous Congress-led dispensation for the Kashmir problem.

Shah welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order, which stayed the execution of former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, and said that it is "a very big achievement" for the government.

Responding to Congress allegation that the NDA government failed to control the situation in Kashmir, Shah said, "What else Congress can say. Kashmir problem emerged because of Congress."

He expressed confidence that the Modi-led NDA government would soon be able to control the present situation of unrest in the Valley.

Concerned over the "disturbed" situation in the Valley, the Congress had formulated a policy-planning group for Jammu and Kashmir on April 19, to take forward the peace initiative in the state.

The policy-planning group is chaired by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and includes former Home Minister P Chidambaram and CWC members Karan Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad, besides the J-K Congress in charge Ambika Soni.

The Congress has been critical of the Centre as well as the PDP-BJP coalition government over the handling of the situation in J-K since July last year.

Asked about Kashmiri students indulging in stone pelting at the security personnel, Shah said such situations had emerged in the past as well.

"Kashmir faced such situations several times since 1989 (since onset of militancy in the state). It is not for the first time that such a situation had erupted and these situations were controlled.

Whenever security agencies adopted a tough stand, such situations arose. I am confident that this situation will soon be controlled," PTI quoted Shah as saying while addressing the media here on Saturday.

Praising the three-year old regime of Modi government at the Centre, he said the NDA government has worked for the upliftment of poor, downtrodden, labourers and farmers.

He said the present government at the Centre has taken a bold step like demonetisation to contain spread of black money to a large extent and boost country's economy.

Earlier, a large number of BJP workers and supporters accorded a grand welcome to Amit Shah at the airport here this morning and organised a roadshow, while escorting him to the party office in the city.

The BJP chief is on a 110-day country-wide tour, which began in Jammu last month. His tour will be in two phases-- 95 days and 15 days. With an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Shah is travelling across states to strategise and find ways to strengthen the party at the grass-root level.

Shah was received by Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon, the party's local MP Kirron Kher and others.

"Chandigarh is the fourth place on Shah's itinerary for the 95-day tour which began with his visit to Jammu on April 29. The BJP chief has also visited Himachal Pradesh and Tripura," Tandon said.

(With PTI inputs)
Male/New Delhi: The Indian Navy has traced a Maldivian landing craft with six crew members, three days after it went missing while travelling between two islands in the Maldives.

A Dronier aircraft of the Navy first located the landing craft - Maria 3 - 120 nautical miles east of Male last evening following which INS Kirch reached out to the ship and provided required assistance.

The Navy yesterday had sent the INS Kirch and the Dornier aircraft for search and rescue operation for the missing vessel.

"The ship's forward ramp had collapsed due to which she was unable to propel. INS Kirch has confirmed that all crew members are safe," Navy Spokesperson Capt DK Sharma said in New Delhi.

The landing craft was travelling from K Thulusdhoo, an island in the Maldives to L Gan, another island, on Thursday when it went missing.

India's Ambassador to Maldives Akhilesh Mishra applauded the crew of the Indian Navy and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for their coordination and cooperation in locating the missing ship.

"I feel very proud of the professionalism, unflinching courage and commitment to duty displayed by the Indian Naval officers in undertaking the search and rescue operation in an extremely challenging weather," he said.

The Indian Navy personnel also called on the Indian envoy.

The MNDF is the security organisation of Maldives responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the the island nation.
New Delhi: There seems to be no end in sight to Arvind Kejriwal-Kapil Mishra tussle. Kapil Mishra on Sunday addressed a press conference to expose Arvind Kejriwal and corrupt leaders in AAP. Here is everything he said during conference:-

- Kapil Mishra poses 9 question to AAP and Arvind Kejriwal

- Sheetal Prasad Singh is accused of scams in many companies: Kapil Mishra

- Sheetal Prasad Singh funded Ashutosh and Sanjay Singh's Russia trip: Kapil Mishra

- There are 4-5 corrupt people in the Aam Aadmi Party, we need to throw them out: Kapil Mishra

- Ashutosh and Sanjay Singh have hijacked AAP

- Whoever wants corruption-free Delhi, should join 'Let's Clean AAP' campaign, says Kapil Mishra

- I profusely apologise to Prashant Bhushan ji and Yogendra Yadav ji,we should have paid heed to their views back then: Kapil Mishra, according to ANI

- Kapil Mishra begins his press conference

- Sacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra on Sunday continued his assault on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and questioned the funding of the Russian trip by party leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh.

- Mishra who is adamant on exposing the alleged scams in the AAP cadre, took to the Twitter and hinted his day's agenda while pointing fingers at two leaders of Kejriwal bandwagon.

- "So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? AK     ?    11 ," he tweeted.

So who has sponsored Russia trip of Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh? AK     ?    11  May 21, 2017

- Mishra, whose vociferous campaign against the Delhi Chief Minister continues in full steam, entered its third round on Friday as he leveled a new set of charges against Kejriwal.

Mishra dropped another bombshell on friend-turned-foe Kejriwal claiming that the party received money through 'hawala network'.

Mishra showed a powerpoint presentation in a press conference as 'evidence' to back his claim that the party received funds from shell companies.

"Arvind Kejriwal is keeping quiet despite me providing clinching evidence of his corrupt practices. I have also presented evidence on the Hawala case last Sunday. It been one week, but no one from the AAP has come up with any clarification. It is evident from this presentation how AAP forged letter heads to shell companies. Even the letter heads were fake," he said.

Mishra also challenged Kejriwal to inform the Income Tax Department that the donation amount received by AAP was from Mukesh Kumar.

"I will prove two things. Aam Aadmi Party gets fund from Hawala operators...They are avoiding my questions. The video which was tweeted by Kejriwal on Twitter on Thursday was fake. The Letterhead of companies, who gave donation to Aam Aadmi Party are forged. I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to tell Income Tax Department that the donation was received from Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh Kumar's company is a bank defaulter. How can he donate Rs 2 crore to Aam Aadmi Party?" he added.
Bengaluru: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said he was not aware of any possible meeting between actor Rajnikanth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Rajnikanth is a great actor. Modi is a great leader. If he wants to meet the Prime Minister, there is no problem", Naidu told reporters here.

He pitched for the AIADMK ending factionalism to provide a stable government in Tamil Nadu to fulfil the promises of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Centre wants factionalism in AIADMK to be sorted out to ensure a stable government to fulfil the promises made by Jayalalithaa to the Tamil Nadu people, he said.

The Centre would not interfere in the internal matters of AIADMK, but only wished for a stable government in Tamil Nadu, Naidu said.

He said the BJP had not made any choice between O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami. "We have no preference," he said.
New Delhi: A Mumbai-based businessman has been arrested in Islamabad for allegedly not having complete travel documents, media reports said on Sunday.

Sheikh Nabi Ahmed was arrested from Islamabad's F-8 area on May 19 but the incident came to light only after the Pakistani media reported it today.

Ahmed, a Mumbai resident, was sent to 14-day judicial custody after his arrest under Article 14 of Pakistan's Foreign Act, the Pakistani channel Dunya TV reported.

When contacted, the Mumbai Police told PTI that Ahmed lives in Jogeshwari (East) with his family.

The Pakistani authorities, however, have not yet informed India about the arrest.

Citing MEA sources in New Delhi, NDTV reported that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has not yet been informed about the detention,

The arrest comes amid a bitter fight between the two nations over Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence by a Pakistani military court.

The order has been stayed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following an appeal by India.

The Pakistan Army's powerful military court had sentenced Jadhav to death on charges of espionage but New Delhi maintains that he is innocent.
New Delhi: On the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi`s death anniversary, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday launched a signature campaign for 33 percent of seats in Assembly and Parliamentary elections for women.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi`s daughter Priyanka Gandhi and son-in-law Robert Vadra also endorsed it by signing the campaign.

With this, the Mahila Congress has launched a nationwide aggressive campaign to build pressure on the Government to get the Women Reservation Bill be tabled and Passed in Parliament.

Mahila Congress President Shobha Oza told ANI, "We want Rajiv ji`s dream of women empowerment be fulfilled in coming Monsoon Session of Parliament. We will do door-to-door campaign, signatures would be taken and then memorandum will be submitted to President of India on August 20."

Paying tribute to the great icon Rajiv Gandhi, Oza further informed that they have organised blood donation camps across the state in which most of the women are donating blood to save the life of an individual.

This campaign will last till August 20, late Rajiv Gandhi`s birth anniversary.It was during former Prime Minister Deve Gowda`s tenure that Women`s Reservation Bill was introduced in 1996.

While the bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, is still has a `pending` status in the Lok Sabha.
London: For Twitter playing a role in the election of Donald Trump as US president, former CEO and co-founder Evan Williams of micro-blogging site has apologied in public.

Trump indicated in March that Twitter played an important role in his election. When asked about that remark, Williams in an interview told the New York Times, "It`s a very bad thing, Twitter`s role in that."



"If it`s true that he wouldn`t be President if it weren`t for Twitter, then yeah, I`m sorry," Williams said.



Trump has 30 million followers on his personal account on the platform and was known as a prolific tweeter well before he announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for presidency, independent.co.uk reported on Saturday.



Since entering the White House and taking control of the @POTUS (President of the United States) Twitter handle, he has 17 million followers of that account.



The platform was used extensively by his supporters during the presidential poll to advocate him and to denounce Hillary Clinton.



His detractors also well utilised the platform.



"I think that maybe I wouldn`t be here if it wasn`t for Twitter, because I get such a fake press, such a dishonest press. I mean, if you look at -- and I`m not including Fox, because I think Fox has been fair to me, but if you look at CNN and if you look at these other networks," Trump told Fox News in March.

With IANS Inputs
Srinagar: Authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in old city areas of Srinagar to prevent a rally called by separatists.

Police said restrictions had been imposed in areas falling under the jurisdiction of five police stations of Srinagar including Nowhatta, M.R.Gunj, Khanyar, Rainawari and Safa Kadal.

"The restrictions have been imposed to maintain law and order. These are preventive in nature", a senior police officer said.

Separatists have called a rally on Sunday at Eidgah ground in Srinagar to commemorate the death anniversaries of two senior separatist leaders Mirwaiz Maulana Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone killed by unknown gunmen.

Mirwaiz Farooq was killed inside his Nigeen residence by gunmen on May 21, 1990 and another senior separatist leader, Lone was killed at the Eidgah ground by gunmen on May 21, 2002.

Separatists had announced a weeklong remembrance programme called the 'Hafta -e-Shahdat' (Martyrdom Week) which ends on May 21.
New Delhi: As long as the Hurriyat Conference supports terror and separatism, the government would not hold any reconciliatory dialogue with them, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.

Singh also refused to accept the argument that Hurriyat is an 'important' stakeholder in resolving the Kashmir issue.

"Our agenda of alliance in Jammu and Kashmir says that we will talk to stakeholders. But who are the stakeholders.

Are Kashmiri Pandits not a stakeholder? Are Sikhs and Ladakhis not stakeholders?

Are 65 percent youth of Kashmir Valley not stakeholders," India Today quoted him as saying.

Asked if Hurriyat is a stakeholder, Singh said, "Hurriyat too (is a stakeholder). But, why only Hurriyat?"

He added that till the Hurriyat 'supports' terror and separatism, the government will not talk to their leaders.

Singh invoked former prime minister Indira Gandhi in defending his government's decision not to talk to Hurriyat.

"You can't shake hands with someone who has clenched fist. This is not me who says this. Indira Gandhi had said this," he was quoted as saying.

He said the Kashmiri youth want "progress" and not violence.

"Just three days back, 68,000 boys and girls came out for 700 vacancies in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

This is a reflection of their choice. This shows that they want to progress and engagement with them is on," the report quoted Singh as saying.
Srinagar: A total of four terrorists were killed and three Indian soldiers were martyred in Nowgam operation, as per reports on Sunday.

The operation had started yesterday.

Tweeting about the operation, the Army confirmed:

Update Naugam ops; Total 4 terrorists eliminated before they could infiltrate frm Pak controlled territory. 1 soldier martyred today @adgpi  NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) May 21, 2017

It was reported yesterday that two militants and two soldiers had been killed in a fierce encounter as the Army had foiled an infiltration bid in Naugam sector of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

"An infiltration bid was foiled by alert troops along the LoC in Naugam sector. Two infiltrating terrorists were killed," an Army official had told PTI.

He had added that two soldiers had attained martyrdom in the operation.

Northern Command, Indian Army had also tweeted yesterday:

#JKOps Two terrorists attempting infiltration in Naogam Sect, Kashmir eliminated. Two soldiers martyred in ongoing op @adgpi  NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) May 20, 2017

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today that the NDA government would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.

Addressing a public reception in Sikkim, Singh said that Pakistan had been trying to destabilise India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir.

"But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, without elaborating.

"Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir," Singh said.

Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the HM said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries.

However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan's attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India.

"We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said.

(With PTI inputs)
Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh): In a tragic incident, at least six pilgrims were killed and 28 others injured when a bus carrying them turned turtle in Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.

The mishap occurred on Saturday midnight when around 40 pilgrims were headed to Amarkantak from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh .

At the ghat section near JogiTikariya village, the driver who was reportedly asleep lost control and the bus fell into the ghat.

According to reports, four people were killed on the spot, while two were pronounced death at the hospital.

Out of the injured, seven persons were seriously injured and have been shifted to the district hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Cabinet minister Om Prakash Dhurve who visited the injured at the hospital announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the deceased and victim's families.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Sunday assured the Legislative Council that it would take steps to stop the construction of a memorial of Nathuram Godse being built by an organisation in Saparde village near Kalyan in neighbouring Thane.

The government's assurance came after the state Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar today directed the government to ensure that the construction of the memorial was stalled.

As per reports, Hindu Mahasabha is constructing the memorial of Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, at Saparde village, 6 kms from Kalyan and land has been acquired for the purpose.

Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt raised the issue in the Council through a point of propriety and demanded that the state government should urgently intervene to stop the construction of the memorial.

"After coming to power by promising 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas', the mask of the ruling regime is being replaced with their true face coming forth, which proves that for them it is actually 'Mann pe Ram, dil mein Nathuram (Lord Ram in mind, Nathuram in heart)," Dutt said.

"The fascist forces, who killed Mahatma Gandhi are now blatantly raising their heads once again to continuously throttle Bapu's ideals and teachings, while the government is consciously turning a blind eye to it," he added.

Dutt asserted that Congress, along with all secular forces, will not allow it to happen, no matter what.

"Nathuram's memorial coming up in Kalyan is a blot on progressive Maharashtra and sends a very wrong message across India and even internationally," he said.

Hence, the government should immediately intervene to stop it and also take strict action against those initiating it, as well as the authorities concerned who have failed to take prompt action in the matter, Dutt said.

Responding to Dutt's demand, Leader of the House, revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said that the government has not given permission for any such memorial.

Chairman Nimbalkar said it may not have permission, but if someone is constructing Godse's memorial, it should be stopped.

Patil then assured that the government will initiate steps to stop it.

"We will conduct an inquiry into the matter and appropriate action would be taken against people involved into construction of the memorial," Patil said.
Bhubaneswar: The opposition Congress and BJP on Sunday hit out at the ruling BJD in Odisha accusing it of failing on all fronts amid rampant corruption, misrule, farmers' miseries and sluggish industrial activity.

"BJD had promised to transform Odisha, but pushed the the state backward because of misrule, corruption, neglect of farmers and farm sector and inefficiency for the last 17 years," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan told reporters here.

Mocking at BJD for celebrating completion of three years of its fourth term in power, Harichandan said the state witnessed growing unemployment as the Naveen Patnaik government failed to give momentum to industrial activities.

The Congress leader lashed out at the BJD regime for the fate of mega steel projects like Posco and ArcellorMittal.

While the ruling BJD is making tall claims about development to mislead people, the state's debt burden has sky-rocketed to Rs 65,000 crore in the last 17 years from Rs 18,000 crore in year 2000 when the regional party assumed power, Harichandan said.

The condition of farmers remained miserable and many of them committed suicide due to crop failure and debt burden, he claimed adding though BJD promised to irrigate 10 lakh hectare land in five years, barely one lakh hectare had been irrigated in last three years.

Though BJD had given a guarantee in its 2014 election manifesto that all villages will get safe drinking water, 98 per cent houses in rural areas are deprived of piped water till date, the PCC chief claimed.

Around 18 per cent of people are still forced to drink contaminated water from ponds, nullahs and canals, he said.

Electric supply was promised to all houses, but 33 lakh families are still deprived of power supply, Harichandan said adding agriculture sector is yet to get free electricity.

The promise to provide cold storage in every block remains hollow as only 33 of the 108 cold storages in the state are functioning at present, he said.

Stating that many BJD leaders are embroiled in chit fund scams, Harichandan said the scandal involved corruption to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore which ruined around 30 lakh families in the state.

As atrocities against women soared, about six rape incidents are being reported everyday in the state, he said adding, law and order situation remained pathetic though the chief minister held the home portfolio.

The state government failed to provide work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGA), forcing around five lakh people to migrate outside the state in search of jobs, the PCC chief claimed.

Speaking in the same vein, BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan alleged that major industrial projects failed to take off in Odisha and several of them backtracked.

Because of lack of necessary support and cooperation from the state government, industrial houses are now reluctant to invest in Odisha, he alleged.

Accusing the BJD government of neglecting the MSME sector, he said this important sector is capable of providing a large number of jobs.
Chandigarh: As many as 11 persons were killed and 15 others injured in two accidents in Punjab on Sunday, the police said.

Seven people lost their lives when the driver of a speeding sport utlity vehicle lost control over it and it hit vehicles parked outside a roadside eatery in Beas town, around 40 km from Amritsar.

The victims were sitting in a stationary auto-rickshaw when the SUV hit it. They were on way to Amritsar to offer prayers at the Golden Temple.

Four persons were killed and 15 others injured in a collision between a state-run bus and a truck on the Rampura Phul-Barnala highway on Sunday morning.

Three persons died on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at a Rampura Phul hospital.
Chandigarh: Specialist and super-specialist doctors from leading medical institutions will treat patients in government and civil hospitals at least once a week, Punjab minister Brahm Mohindra said on Sunday.

The Health and Medical Education minister made the announcement after holding meetings with the managements of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana and Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana.

He asked the hospitals to spare specialist and super-specialist doctors, at least once a week, to treat patients coming to government hospitals.

The minister said super specialists from the departments of cardiology, neurology, oncology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and others will be available in the civil hospitals.

"While the programme will start from Ludhiana, it will be extended all over the state," he said.

Mohindra noted that as part of the government's agenda to provide affordable medical treatment to common people, he had been working out arrangements with leading medical institutions across the state to spare their specialist and super-specialist doctors for government hospitals.

"The programme is likely to be launched in the month of June," he added.
New Delhi: Property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle Residential (JLLR) will hire about 650 professional brokers and invest about Rs 150 crore this year to expand its presence in both offline and online housing brokerage market.

Last month, global property consultant JLL sold its India residential brokerage arm 'JLLR' to its former country head Anuj Puri for an undisclosed amount.

"We currently have presence in eight major cities of the country with around 350 brokers. We will hire 650 more professional brokers this year to take our strength to 1,000," JLLR's new chairman Anuj Puri told PTI.

He said the company has already added 100 brokers in the last one month.

Puri, who quit JLL India in February this year after serving 10 years in the company to start his own venture, said the company will invest about Rs 150 crore to expand offline and online brokerage business.

JLLR is a profitable company with a revenue of about Rs 70 crore in 2016 calendar year.

Puri said the company is targeting a modest growth in revenue in 2017 at Rs 100 crore as focus this year would be on putting the entire business structure in place.

"In the next five years, we are targeting to reach Rs 1,800 crore revenue," he said, adding that the total size of Indian housing brokerage market is about Rs 18,000 crore.

"Our platform will ensure client satisfaction and solution through a digital to delivery framework which is being put in place through investment on building online system for lead generation and offline brokers for fulfilment of client requirement," Puri said.

Excited about the business opportunities in housing sector, Puri said the institutional residential brokerage will gain momentum after the new real estate law come into force from this month under which even property agents and agencies have to be registered with the regulatory authority.

"In fact, even property brokerage houses will come under the ambit of RERA, meaning that agents or agencies operating in smaller pockets who did not hesitate to foist inferior or flawed properties onto their clients will be wiped out.

"No longer will buyers who used the services of such brokers in the past risk winding up with properties whose defects become evident only after the deal is done," he said.

Puri said he will retain the JLLR brand for now but later rename it to reflect the new ownership structure.

Anuj Puri had joined JLL in 2007 when his company Trammell Crow Meghraj (TCM) merged with JLL India. He has total 22 years of experience in the Indian real estate sector.
125 YEARS AGO

From 1892: During the summer months a refrigerator car will be run over the tracks of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad starting in Albuquerque and passing through Flagstaff on its way to the coast.

The Public Library is now in its new quarters in the Norris Building where a table has been placed in the rear room and the librarian Mr. Gibson does all he can do to make the visitor feel at home.

A croquet ground as a sort of an annex to the Public Library has been made on the lots owned by G. A. Brayton on San Francisco Avenue.

The stage fare for a round trip to the Grand Canyon is now $20, low enough, considering the distance of 63 miles and that it is made in only one day.

A spur is being put on the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad at Cosnino for the use of the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company. They will then be able to load a large supply of their logs there to their mill here.

Mrs. W. C. Bayless while returning from her fathers ranch had her cart wheel strike a large rock so that she was thrown to the ground. The cart was undamaged although she was badly bruised and luckily had no broken bones.

A light shower Tuesday laid the dust nicely.

100 YEARS AGO

From 1917: The Sunday closing move on the part of our merchants is a good one. There is no reason why any of the business places should be kept open on that day. The merchants and their clerks need one day of rest.

S. J. Lewis of Ash Fork was in town on Tuesday and reports business in that place as good, with work on the new railroad line being rapidly pushed forward.

C. F. Babcock is building a neat cottage on the site between the railroad tracks.

N. G. Layton left on Tuesday for his coal claim near Cedar Ranch. Messrs. Layton, Fairchild and Dramond are the locators of this claim and will sink a shaft on the discovery vein.

Yin Lee the Laundryman calls attention to the fact that he cleans and presses all kinds of clothing. He is one of our most reliable citizens. Work entrusted to him will be done well and promptly returned.

Justice of the Peace Gibson had one of Flagstaff's soiled doves known as Red Head and a male attendant before him on Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace. He fined the woman $10 and the man $15. A looker-on in the court did not like the proceedings and made such a disturbance the Judge fined him $25 for Contempt of Court.

You are welcome to call at the New York Store at all times, but if you call before buying elsewhere we will save your money. If you call later all you can do is know how much money you have lost. K. J. Knackard.

75 YEARS AGO

From 1942: The City Council approved an order requesting the construction of cement sidewalks in several locations. They must be constructed within 15 days of owners receiving notice. It also approved a motion to hire another fire truck driver.

The Chamber of Commerce has given up finding housing for incomers. They have no listing left and more do not seem to be forthcoming.

The Fire Department was called out for a fire in the Repair Shop at the Saginaw Lumber Mill on Monday. It had been extinguished before they arrived but not before several hundred dollars of damage had occurred.

The City Council has voted to fund canned milk for needy children for the remainder of the school year upon the recommendation of School Nurse Aline Bergstreaser. The need developed following the end of the Hot Lunch Program.

The ranks of Naval Aviation Cadets are now open to High School Graduates who are 19 years of age and not over 27 years old if they are unmarried. Previously this opportunity was only open to college graduates. Every man will have a chance to fly an airplane.

Mail addressed to American Prisoners of War and interned civilians in the Far East may now be sent through the International Red Cross in Geneva.

H. 71 Fri. L. 21 Wed. No rain.

50 YEARS AGO

From 1967: The City Council has approved a water line to provide water to the concessions at Buffalo Park at a cost not to exceed $1500. The water will come from the tank located immediately beside the park and will require a pressure tank, a small pump and a 2 line.

The Council also voted to buy from the State the 160 acres upon which our sewer plant is located. Mayor Rollins Wheeler pledged his support for the success of the Jobs for Youth campaign sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Bayless Bingo. Get your free game card today. Save the newspaper game slips or just copy the numbers onto your card. They all count toward a Bingo..

The Army Wage Board has raised the payroll of 422 employees at the Navajo Army Depot an average of 11 cts an hour.

Trade up to a color TV with 227 square inches on its picture screen. The deluxe Shelby model has a contemporary style console with a genuine walnut oil finish and a front mounted color control panel. Only $489.95 at Harpers Furniture Compoany, 15 N. Beaver.

The unofficial SUN poll on one-way streets ended this week with1324 against and 167 in favor.

Spring sure has arrived -- a buffalo cub was born in Buffalo Park on Wednesday.

Milk Shake Sale at Dairy Queen, 600 Mikes Pike. Regular Shake 30 cts. Live a little at Dairy Queen.

H. 76 Wed. L.23 Mon. Clear all week. We.ve had a Dry Winter the Forest Fire Danger is already at EXTREME.

25 YEARS AGO

From 1992: History buffs followed the old mail route to the Grand Canyon this past weekend. 41 men women and children dressed in old style clothing over modern warm under-clothing departed from Kendrick Park where a temporary Post Office had been set up in the store.

The original departure location was at the Bank Hotel, however since the new roadway now covers the earlier length of the old route Kendrick Park was chosen. Having been sworn in as Honorary U. S. Mail agents they could have been a part of a Hollywood casting call with their 3 resurrected covered mail wagons and 21 mounted horses. The Post Office was open for 2 hours and mail could be mailed and delivered as addressed. There was even a special Post Office Stamp created for the occasion.

Although the original route was accomplished in about 10 hours with 10 men and three stops to change the horses this event lasted for three days with overnight camping stops.

The Carson & Barnes Circus were busy Tuesday unpacking and setting up at Fort Tuthill preparing for their performances Wednesday at 4:30 and 8 pm. Admission Children $5 Adults $8.

3 M Billboards has presented another offer. This one includes a complicated exchange to be made that would include smaller billboards within city limits and additional bill boards beyond city limits in the county. So far there has been no response from the county,

H. 68 Thurs. L. 32 Mon. Rain all week. The months total came to 3.07 making this the soggiest May in 77 years according to Larry Riggs of the National Weather Service at Pulliam Air Port.
New Delhi: The Milky Way's most mysterious 'alien megastructure' star, also known as Tabby Star  named after Tabetha Boyajian, lead researcher of the team that observed the celestial body in 2015  has been an object of intrigue due to its strange nature.

Discovered by the NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, the KIC 8462852 has had scientists propose many theories to explain strange irregularities in its brightness, with one speculation being that the changes in brightness could be signs of activity associated with intelligent extraterrestrial life constructing a Dyson swarm.

The SETI Institute's initial radio reconnaissance of the star, however, found no evidence of technology-related radio signals from the star.

The Boyajian Star, as it is also known, is in the news once again since astronomers have observed that its started dimming once more.

As per reports, on Friday, May 19, a sudden dip in brightness of the Tabby Star observed in the skies, resulted in many astronomers pointing their telescopes at the star to decode its curious signals.

Located some 1,300 light years away in the constellation Cygnus, the star dimmed by up to 22 percent before returning to normal at the time it was discovered showing the mysterious changes in 2015.

According to the Deccan Chronicle, in the following year, a review of old photographic plates revealed that the star dimmed by 14 percent between the year 1890-1989, and has faded by another 3 percent over four years, as detected by the Kepler Space Telescope.

Jason Wright, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State, broke the news on Twitter, urging amateur and professional astronomers to point their telescopes towards Tabbys star and to provide spectra results for further analysis.

ALERT:@tsboyajian's star is dipping



This is not a drill.



Astro tweeps on telescopes in the next 48 hours: spectra please!  Jason Wright (@Astro_Wright) May 19, 2017

Soon, Tabetha Boyajian herself tweeted about the dimming:

During a live webcast later, Jason Wright said, At about 4 a.m. this morning I got a phone call  that Fairborn [Observatory] in Arizona had confirmed that the star was three percent dimmer than it normally is. That is enough that we are absolutely confident that this is no statistical fluke. Weve now got it confirmed at multiple observatories, I think.

Whatevers causing the star to get dimmer will leave a spectral fingerprint behind, Wright said during the webcast. So if there is a lot of dust between us and the star  it will block more blue light than red light. If there is gas in that dust, that gas should absorb very specific wavelengths and we should be able to see that. And so, weve been eager to see one of these changes in one of these dips of the star so we can take some spectra.

Its difficult to predict when and how long a dimming event would occur, which is why astronomers make it a point to schedule professional-grade telescope observations weeks or months in advance. We need to have a network of people around the world that are ready to jump on [and observe it], Wright said.

Fortunately, Tabbys star is not too faint and so there are a lot of observers and telescopes  that have graciously agreed to take some time out of their science to grab a spectrum for us [tonight], as reported by the Inquistr.

The behaviour of the star is indeed baffling and there is no established explanation to the irregularities it so often displays, yet.

Below is the archived live stream with Jason Wright:

(Video courtesy: BerkeleySETI)
New Delhi: The enigmatic universe harbours countless secrets within it, compelling scientists to put in every effort to delve deeper in order to extract information about its existence and consequent evolution.

The universe is also home to numerous super-massive black holes, which emanate incredibly bright and luminous distant points of light called Quasars.

Using the positioning of these quasars, scientists have now managed to create the largest, very first map of the large-scale structure of the universe.

"Because quasars are so bright, we can see them all the way across the universe," said Ashley Ross of the Ohio State University in the US.

"That makes them the ideal objects to use to make the biggest map yet," said Ross.

The super-massive back holes are placed right in the centre of the quasars, which give them the brightness.

As matter and energy fall into a quasar's black hole, they heat up to incredible temperatures and begin to glow. It is this bright glow that is detected by a dedicated 2.5-metre telescope on Earth.

"These quasars are so far away that their light left them when the universe was between three and seven billion years old, long before the Earth even existed," said Gongbo Zhao from the National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In order to make their map, scientists used the Sloan Foundation Telescope to observe an unprecedented number of quasars.

During the first two years of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey's Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), astronomers measured accurate three-dimensional positions for more than 147,000 quasars.

The telescope's observations gave the team the quasars' distances, which they used to create a three-dimensional map of where the quasars are.

However, to use the map to understand the expansion history of the universe, they had to go a step further, using a clever technique involving studying "baryon acoustic oscillations" (BAOs).

BAOs are the present-day imprint of sound waves which travelled through the early universe, when it was much hotter and denser than the universe we see today.

However, when the universe was 380,000 years old, conditions changed suddenly and the sound waves became "frozen" in place.

These frozen waves are left imprinted in the three- dimensional structure of the universe we see today.

The results of the new study confirm the standard model of cosmology that researchers have built over the last 20 years.

In this standard model, the universe follows the predictions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity - but includes components whose effects we can measure, but whose causes we do not understand.

(With PTI inputs)
Lucknow: Hours after he was granted bail in the Babri Masjid demolition case, former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti expressed confidence that a grand Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya.

"I have already said I was the one who felled the dome of the mosque... the dilapidated building where the Ram Lalla temple was situated.

"If I am sentenced to death or given a life-term, I am ready to embrace the punishment. But my earnest desire is that a grand temple of Ram Lalla is built in Ayodhya," he told reporters here.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea of the income tax department whether the North Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) is a corporation established by the Uttar Pradesh government under the state industrial development law or not.

A bench of Justices R K Aggarwal and A M Sapre has said it will look into the appeal filed by the I-T department against an order of the Allahabad High Court which held that NOIDA is a corporation established under the Act and, therefore, banks are not liable to deduct income tax at source on fixed deposits.

The apex court has also refused to grant any stay on the high court direction to the I-T department and asked the banks to file their counter affidavit in four weeks.

Appearing for Punjab National Bank, counsel Pankaj Garg, assisted by another lawyer Milind Garg, told the bench that the appeal of the I-T department is not maintainable as NOIDA is a corporation established by the state law and banks are not under the statutory obligation to deduct and pay the income tax.

The dispute on the issue first arose in 2013, when the I-T department imposed a tax liability on the banks for non- deduction of TDS on the interest income on fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) of NOIDA.

Against the decision to levy tax, the banks preferred an appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (CIT-A), saying the NOIDA is a corporation.

The appeal was decided in favour of the banks and, thereafter, the department preferred a petition before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), which again decided in the favour of the banks.

The department then moved the Allahabad High Court against the order of the ITAT, but once again the appeal was decided against it.

The IT department appeal before the apex court has said that the issue for consideration is whether NOIDA is a corporation entitled for exemption from deduction of income tax at source under the provisions of a notification issued in 1970 under the Income Tax Act.

It has said that the high court erred in holding that NOIDA is covered under exemption from TDS under the Income Tax Act and the assesse banks are not liable to deduct tax at source on interest paid to the NOIDA on its FDRs.
Kabul [Afghanistan]: Afghanistan's embattled Vice President, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum has left for Turkey, another long exile for the former warlord amid a criminal investigation into rape accusations leveled against him.

Ahmad Eshchi, former deputy head of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, on Saturday rejected reports that the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum has left Afghanistan for Turkey for medical reasons and said that he "had been exiled to Turkey," Tolo News reported.

"Dostum has been exiled unofficially, due to a number of considerations by government aimed at preventing from challenges (in assessing Dostum case) as well as investigating his (Dostum's) case properly and ensuring justice in this respect," Eshchi said.

General Dostum, a powerful ethnic Uzbek warlord has been fighting for political survival for months following allegations that he rape d and tortured a political rival.

After those accusations were made public, the government of Ashraf Ghani asked General Dostum to surrender for questioning.

As a part of a deal, Afghan government has begun to favour exile as a solution rather than openly moving against the vice president, who is still popular among his northern Uzbek constituency and has threatened violence in the past.

The human rights activists have been critical of consecutive governments reaching deals with General Dostum, after decades of accusations against him of war crimes and other brutality.
Dhaka: Five young Bangladeshis accused of being Islamist militants surrendered to authorities Sunday, an official said, after a lengthy siege that prompted questions about heavy-handed police tactics.

Elite counter-terror troops surrounded a one-storey house in the central district of Narsingdi on Saturday afternoon after a tip-off that Islamist extremists were holed up there.

The information came from militants arrested in April after a raid on an extremist hideout that left 10 people including a senior police officer dead, said Rapid Action Battalion spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan.

The five young men in Narsingdi had "surrendered peacefully, which was our main goal", after a siege that lasted more than 20 hours, he told AFP.

But the incident raised questions about police tactics after one of the five alleged Islamists took to Facebook to profess his innocence, urging authorities not to storm the building.

"Attention journalists and law enforcers, we are innocent. Please search us if you can find anything. We are locked from outside. Please rescue us," Abuzafar Mia wrote on the social media website.

Suspected militants in Bangladesh -- and sometimes their families -- are often killed during police raids on so-called hideouts.

An estimated 70 extremists have been killed by police since July when authorities launched a crackdown in the wake of a cafe attack that left 22 dead.

"There are serious doubts about these counter-terrorism operations and the official narratives of these raids," said one rights activist, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Nur Khan Liton, another prominent activist, said the police version of events was always provided after raids but little questioning occurred beyond that.

"Most of the alleged militants get killed in the raids. Those who are arrested are not made available to talk publicly," he told AFP, adding it was not always clear whether those killed were actually extremists.

RAB commander Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan said the accused would be released from custody if proven innocent.

"We`ve found some jihadi books and leaflets inside the residence. We`ll interrogate them and if they are actually innocent, we`ll definitely release them immediately," Hasan told AFP.

Bangladesh has been reeling from a spate of attacks in recent years, with scores of foreigners, secular writers, atheist activists and religious minorities killed.

The Islamic State group and Al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for a number of attacks but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied their involvement, blaming local outfits instead.
Beirut: A bomb attack killed at least 14 Syrian insurgents at a headquarters for the powerful Islamist Ahrar al-Sham group on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

Two blasts including at least one suicide attacker hit the base in a village east of Saraqeb in Idlib province, the British-based Observatory reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Photos circulated on social media showed bloodied corpses and a blackened motorbike outside a small building in the village. The pictures could not immediately be verified.

Idlib is a rebel stronghold, but some insurgent factions have fought among themselves this year, including in clashes that pitted groups aligned with Ahrar al-Sham against groups that joined the al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance.

Syrian government forces have taken advantage of rebel infighting, particularly a separate spat further south near Damascus, to recapture territory from insurgents in the six-year conflict.
Washington: At least 20 US spies were killed or imprisoned by the Chinese government between 2010 and 2012, crippling the country's information-gathering, a media report has said.

It was not clear whether the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was hacked or whether a mole helped the Chinese to identify the agents, officials told the New York Times.

The CIA has not commented on the report, the BBC said on Sunday.

One of the informants was shot in the courtyard of a government building as a warning to others, the NYT report quoted an official.

Four former CIA officials spoke to the NYT, telling it that information from sources deep inside the Chinese government started to dry up in 2010. Informants began to disappear in early 2011.

The CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) teamed up to investigate the events in an operation one source said was codenamed Honey Badger.

The NYT report said this investigation had centred on one former CIA operative but there was not enough evidence to arrest him. He now lives in another Asian country.

In 2012, an official at China's Security Ministry was arrested on suspicion of spying for the US. He was said to have been lured into the CIA.

No other such arrests appear to have reached public attention during that time.

Matt Apuzzo, a New York Times journalist who worked on the story, told the BBC: "One of the really troubling things about this is that we still don't know what happened."

"There's a divide within the American government over whether there was a mole inside the CIA or whether this was a tradecraft problem, that the CIA agents got sloppy and got discovered, or whether the Chinese managed to hack communications," Apuzzo said.

A few years later in 2015, the CIA pulled staff out of the US embassy in Beijing, after a hack blamed on the Chinese state exposed information about millions of US federal employees.

If the events of 2010-2012 were helped by a similar hack, it was not one that was made public.

The disappearance of so many spies damaged a network it had taken years to build up, the New York Times report said, and hampered operations for years afterwards.

It even prompted questions from within the Barcak Obama administration as to why intelligence had slowed.

Officials said it was one of the worst security breaches of recent years.
Riyadh: US President Donald Trump and leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries -- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates -- began asummit meeting here on Sunday, officials said.

Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of Trump's first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump arrived here on a two-day visit accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and other White House senior officials on Saturday.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the meeting, Efe news reported.

Minutes before the summit started in the King Abdulaziz Convention Centre, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Nayef signed a memorandum of understanding to create a counter-terrorism centre, which is set to be based in Riyadh.

Following this meeting, US President Donald Trump is set to participate in a summit with about 50 leaders and representatives from Muslim-majority countries.

Upon his arrival on Saturday, Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with a nearly $110 billion deal to take effect immediately.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security "in the face of Iranian threats" and the "package demonstrates the US' commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region."

On Saturday night, the American President also participated in a ceremonial sword dance outside the Murabba Palace ahead of a state dinner.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.
New York: Robert O'Neill, the former Navy SEAL who claims to have fired the shots that killed Osama Bin Laden, said that ahead of 2011 Abbottabad raid, he gave departing gifts to his children and believed that he won't be able to meet his family again.

Recalling about the preparations he made before he left for the trip,Neill said that he arranged a last meal with his children and offered them "never coming back" gifts and also had a "last conversation" with his father, fearing of not returning.

"As depressing as that sounds ... I wasn't afraid, I was just focused," O'Neill said, adding "We were preparing to not come home."

Believing that the mission was "one way," and none of his team would make it out alive, Neill said, "My father and I talked. We would talk before a lot of missions, he would joke like, 'I wish I could go with you!' I would say, I know, Dad, I wish you could, too. I said I am with some great guys. That was the last conversation."

O'Neill participated in more than 400 missions during his time with the SEALs. Despite his concerns, the raid on bin Laden's Pakistan compound "wasn't even one of the most difficult targets we've been on," he said.

Neill described his group as a group of combat veteran navy SEALs.We'd all done it hundreds and hundreds of times. t was the best team I've ever been a part of," he said.

We were prepared for all possible contingencies that could arise during the Osama mission . that "it had been an honor to serve with the best people in the world."

"I remember thinking how cool they were, how professional, smooth,fast, nobody panicked," he recalled.

"Our tactics took over. We didn't know what the inside looked like,but that didn't matter. I was able to watch as we slowly went up the stairs. And when we got to the top, I was in position where I turned a corner and I did what any SEAL, any Ranger, any special operator would have done. I saw bin Laden, and he was a threat, he was not surrendering, and so I took -- I treated him as if he were a suicide bomber, which I assumed he was, and I shot him in the face three times."
Moscow: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would not allow the United States to treat his country as a colony.

"It`s the way how they handle it. You treat me as if I am your colony still? You must be kidding. Why would I allow it, why would I allow you to treat me as if I am your colonial governor? We are an independent country. We will survive, we will endure. We can go hungry, but this time, I want my country treated with dignity," Sputnik news quoted Duterte, as saying.

It`s not the first time that the Philippines leader has launched an attack on Washington.In October last year, Duterte stated that it was "time to say goodbye" to the United States` use of Philippine land for military bases, secured by a deal signed by Duterte`s predecessor.

In November, Duterte said that Manila intended to cooperate with Moscow and Beijing rather than with Washington, but did not rule out cooperation with then-US President-elect Donald Trump.
Gaza City: A court in the Gaza Strip on Sunday sentenced three men to death over the assassination of a Hamas military commander that the Islamist movement accused Israel of masterminding.

After a trial that lasted four days, two of the accused were sentenced to be hanged and one to be shot, the military court announced.

The assassination of Mazen Faqha in the middle of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on March 24 shocked the Islamist movement and raised the possibility of a new round of violence with Israel.

Hamas immediately blamed its arch-enemy, with which it has fought three wars since 2008, and implemented strict border restrictions on those seeking to leave the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has not confirmed or denied the accusations.

In Sunday`s court ruling, the chief suspect, Ashraf Abu Leila, 38, was sentenced to hang after being convicted of murder.

Hisham al-Aloul, 44, was also sentenced to hang, and Abdallah al-Nashar, 38 and who had been a member of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas`s presidential guard, will face the firing squad. They were convicted of collaborating with Israel.

Al-Aloul had entered the court yelling pro-Hamas slogans such as "long live the resistance".

The verdict was announced by the head of the military court, Nasser Suleiman, with none of the accused`s relatives present.

They were led away by security forces as onlookers gathered to watch.

The verdicts cannot be appealed.

Faqha, 38, had been in charge of forming cells for Hamas`s military wing in the occupied West Bank.

He had spent years in an Israeli jail before being released as part of a 2011 prisoner exchange deal.

After the arrest of the main suspect, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya pledged that "punishment will be carried out against the murderer".

Last week, Hamas released what it said was a recording of the confessions of the accused.

Images allegedly showed three men, presented as the murderer and his two accomplices, confessing to their roles, although their faces did not appear.

No independent bodies had access to the suspects, and the images and recordings were impossible to verify.

"Widespread coercion, torture and routine deprivation of detainees` rights by Hamas security services in Gaza call into question whether these confessions were in fact voluntary or may have been extracted under duress," Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch director for Israel and the Palestinian territories, said last week.Shortly after Faqha`s killing, the security services launched a campaign against so-called collaborators.

On April 6, Hamas hanged three men accused of collaborating with Israel in cases unrelated to Faqha`s death.

Executions in the Gaza Strip have drawn intense international criticism, though Hamas has pressed ahead.

Hamas says Faqha played an important role in major assaults, including a suicide attack in the Israeli settlement neighbourhood of Gilo in east Jerusalem in 2002 that killed 19 people.

They 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 him to nine life sentences plus 50 years, but he was released in a 2011 deal for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier Hamas had held for five years.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade for a decade, while Egypt`s crossing with the enclave has also remained largely closed in recent years.
Riyadh: US President Donald Trump along with other male White House officials participated in a ceremonial sword dance in Saudi Arabia outside the Murabba Palace, the media reported.

Trump arrived here accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday on a two-day trip, beginning his first foreign trip as President that includes visits to Israel, the Vatican City, Belgium and Italy where he is to take part in NATO and G7 summits.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also travelling as part of the presidential entourage.

Video of the dance shows Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross dancing with swords perched on their shoulders as part of a line of men in traditional Saudi garb ahead of a state dinner, reports CNN.

Trump, surrounded by Saudi officials, bops back and forth with a smile on his face, while White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief economic adviser Gary Cohn appear more reserved in their moves.

The traditional men's sword dance is known as the 'ardah'.

The performance combines dance, drumming and chanting poetry, and it signifies the start of notable occasions like religious holidays or weddings.

Other world leaders have similarly participated in the ardah.

Britain's Prince Charles donned traditional robes and a sword as part of his tour of the Middle East in 2014, and former US President George W. Bush in 2008 held a sword, CNN reported.

Ahead of the dinner, Trump sealed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with nearly $110 billion to take effect immediately.

According to the White House, this deal will bolster security "in the face of Iranian threats" and the "package demonstrates the US' commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region."

Trump also held meetings with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his government, including the powerful Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On Sunday, Trump will participate in a meeting with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as a summit with leaders and representatives from around 50 Middle Eastern and Islamic countries.

Parallel to these meetings, a forum for the fight against terror and extremism is to be held, sponsored by the Saudi-led anti-terror military coalition.

He will fly to Israel later on Sunday.
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. The Texas House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 191, titled Recognizing the Armenian Genocide, on May 19, thus making The Lone Star State the 46th state in the U.S. to officially classify and commemorate the 1915-1923 annihilation of Ottoman Turkeys indigenous Armenian community as genocide, Armenpress was informed from The Armenian Weekly.

We are grateful to the Texas House of Representatives for standing on the right side of history by making their dynamic state the latest member of our Union to unequivocally and vociferously honor the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide despite overwhelming Turkish opposition, remarked Armenian National Committee of America  Western Region (ANCA-WR) Chair Nora Hovsepian.

This incredible victory, which achieves universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Western Regions 19 states, was possible because of the outstanding unity and activism demonstrated by the diverse Armenian community of Texas, the unflinching leadership of State Representative Scott Sanford and his fellow lawmakers, as well as the dedication and persistent work of our grassrootsANCA-Houston and ANCA-Dallasand staff. While many Texan-Armenians and community groups were instrumental in the passage of and building ground for HR191, I would like to specifically recognize the former ANCA-Dallas founding chair Lucia Nazarian for initiating Texas recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as Focused Advocacy President Brandon Todd Aghamalian and University of Texas Austin Professor and Armenian Church of Austin representative Mihran Aroian for their leadership in bringing the Armenian community together to make this important recognition a reality, continued Hovsepian.
The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day?

Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount.

Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists.
The Martin Center has been covering the Kafkaesque case of Marquette University professor John McAdams since it first broke several years ago. Professor Howard Kainz first wrote about it in " Firing Professor McAdams: When a Catholic University Collides with Political Correctness ."He explained the substance of the problem between the university and McAdams, which was the latter's criticism of the way a graduate teaching assistant (Cheryl Abbate) had handled a student who'd questioned why the ethics course she was teaching would not go into same-sex marriage.McAdams, a tenured professor of long service had merely written on his personal blog comments that would never have occasioned any interest from the university if it hadn't been for the fact that a male was criticizing a young female over a matter where she was advancing the "progressive" idea that discussing same-sex marriage could be offensive to some students.The administration then turned a tiny dispute over a course into a firing offense. Marquette's top brass felt the need to make an example of McAdams, first banning him from campus as if he were a terrorist, then deciding to suspend him without pay for two semesters for having spoken his mind.That impartial watchdog for free speech on campus, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), has twice put Marquette on its list of "worst schools" over its attack on Professor McAdams. FIRE condemns Marquette for its wrote about the case just over a year ago, after McAdams had filed suit against the university for breach of contract. The key issue in the case was whether the university's president, Michael Lovell, could terminate McAdams because of his refusal to apologize for his behavior and having criticized the university for its treatment of him.A state court judge in Wisconsin has recently issued his decision in the case and he sided with Marquette, deferring to the school's disciplinary procedures and finding no breach of contract. Judge Hansher reasoned that while academic freedom is important, the university had "legitimate grounds" for preventing professors from expressing public criticism of graduate students. And since the school followed all its policies and provided McAdams with adequate due process, he had no legal complaint.That decision will be appealed and there is good reason to think it will be reversed.One reason why is that Marquette's approach to the discipline and termination of McAdams was not fair. The Faculty Hearing Committee that decided to sanction him should have been composed of impartial members, but one of the members had shown that she was against him by having signed a petition favoring his removal.Another reason to believe this ruling will be overturned is that the university actually did not follow its procedures for the offense for which McAdams now faces punishment. He was given a two-semester suspension by Marquette for his criticism of Ms. Abbate, but that is not the issue now.Writing on the American Association of University Professors' Academe blog , John K. Wilson explains: "McAdams' suspension endorsed by the Faculty Hearing Committee and approved by the administration ended five months ago. McAdams is now facing an ongoing, permanent suspension for a completely different offense for which he never received any charges, any hearing, or any FHC ruling for any kind of punishment."The reason why the prospect of a permanent ban from Marquette hangs over McAdams is that he has not apologized for his initial remarks and accepted his punishment, as unilaterally directed by President Lovell. As Wilson puts it, McAdams faces the loss of his professorship just "for having the wrong opinions about his suspension."In short, he is being punished for a new "thoughtcrime" against Marquette.John Wilson and I disagree on many issues, but here I tip my hat to him for his principled defense of free speech on campus. No matter whether or not you side with Cheryl Abbate on same-sex marriage should be irrelevant to the case. If you believe that people in an academic setting should feel free to speak their minds, then Marquette has done something harmful in suspending McAdams for his blog and now for firing him because he won't confess to his sins.Also finding fault with Judge Hansher's decision is Tom Kamenick of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which has been representing McAdams. Kamenick writes In other words, the judge erred in deferring to Marquette's view of its contractual obligations regarding Professor McAdams rather than undertaking a dispassionate analysis himself. An appellate court might well find the judge's deference to the university grounds for reversal.But suppose that the court's decision stands. What would it mean?It would mean that a professor, even one holding tenure, can be terminated for writing something critical of a junior faculty member (or conceivably anyone on the faculty or affiliated with the school) if administrators declare it "harmful." The once solid ground of academic freedom to say what one thinks will become thin ice that can crack any time someone complains that a professor's statement is too hurtful. Administrators who like Henry II want to want to be rid of a "troublesome priest" will be able to scour his statements and writings for words that are over a very fuzzy line, then hold show trials where the accused is presumed guilty.To avoid getting "McAdamsed" (the academic equivalent of "Borked') faculty members will refrain from criticism that might offend one of the people on our campuses who like using their victim status as a sword against those who disagree with them.John Wilson is right in calling this decision
SUNDAY, May 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The first prescription of an antibiotic that the average U.S. adult with pneumonia receives is now ineffective in about a quarter of cases, a new study finds.

In these cases, more or different antibiotics were needed, or the patient's condition worsened to require ER admission or hospitalization within a month of the antibiotics being taken, the research team said.

The results are "concerning," because "pneumonia is the leading cause of death from infectious disease in the United States," said lead researcher Dr. James McKinnell, an infectious disease specialist at LA BioMed, a California-based research foundation.

Speaking in a news release from the American Thoracic Society, he added that, "the additional antibiotic therapy noted in the study increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and complications like C. difficile infection, which is difficult to treat and may be life-threatening, especially for older adults."

Infectious disease experts have sounded the alarm for years on the growing problem of antibiotic resistance -- germs mutating around these lifesaving drugs.

One expert who reviewed the new findings said they highlight that threat.

The fact that a quarter of pneumonia patients failed their initial antibiotic therapy, "could be related to change in the bacterial resistance in the community," said Dr. Bushra Mina, who directs the medical ICU at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. And he noted that with pneumonia, "a certain percentage" of cases are caused by viruses, for which antibiotics are useless.

In the new study, McKinnell's team tracked data from nearly 252,000 adults who were prescribed antibiotics to treat pneumonia contracted outside of a hospital ("community-acquired"). Patients were cared for at either a doctor's office or other outpatient facility.

Just over 22 percent of the patients did not respond to their initial prescription of antibiotic treatment, the study found.

"Our findings suggest that the community-acquired pneumonia treatment guidelines should be updated," McKinnell said. Any update should include data on what risk factors leave patients vulnerable to antibiotic failure, he added.

According to their new findings, one key risk factor is age.

"Patients over the age of 65 were nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized compared to younger patients" after adjusting for other risk factors, McKinnell said. Because of this, "elderly patients are more vulnerable and should be treated more carefully, potentially with more aggressive antibiotic therapy."

Two other experts in pulmonary infections said the study did have its flaws, however.

Dr. Howard Selinger is chair of family medicine at Quinnipiac University's school of medicine in Hamden, Conn. He said the study was unclear on how the pneumonia diagnoses were made -- in many cases, what doctors thought was an antibiotic-responsive illness might have been viral bronchitis or other disease that antibiotics won't help.

For this reason, Selinger said, "I strongly doubt 25 percent resistance to multiple different classes of antibiotics." Instead, many of the cases in the study may have been viral to begin with, Selinger said.

Dr. Alan Mensch, a pulmonologist at Northwell Health's Plainview Hospital in Plainview, N.Y., agreed. He said that too few of the patients in the study had the "gold standard" sputum (phlegm) test that is needed to confirm a bacterial, not viral, infection.

But he said there is still much to learn from the findings. "Clearly, the current guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia published in 2007 by the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Disease Society of America need updating," Mensch said.

Any update should include protocols to better identify the cause of a pneumonia, and perhaps quicker hospital admission for elderly patients who haven't responded to drug therapy,' he said.

The study was slated to be presented on Sunday at the American Thoracic Society's annual meeting, in Washington, D.C. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The American Lung Association has more on pneumonia.
Even though Oklahoma's once-busy death chamber has been quiet for more than 2 years, the state Legislature continues to prepare for the return of executions.





A bill allowing Oklahoma Department of Corrections staff to handle drugs, like those involved in lethal injections, sailed through the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Thursday. House Bill 1679 now heads to Gov. Mary Fallin's desk.





The measure exempts any corrections employee and anyone who participates in the execution process from the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. Fallin signed a similar bill in 2016 allowing corrections staff to store lethal drugs at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Before that measure became law, only physicians and hospitals could obtain the necessary licenses to house those drugs.





The bill is designed to allow staff to handle lethal injection drugs without first attaining the medical licensing that is currently required, said author Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford. The state Corrections Department, with legal assistance from the attorney general's office, requested the bill.





"(The attorney general's office) said that this was very important to get this done, because (execution staff) could be considered to be operating illegally without the license," he said.





The bill easily passed through the state Senate in April.





"I believe if a physician colleague of mine wants to help carry out something that is legal in the state, to make it ... easier on the person that's being executed, I see nothing wrong with that," said Sen. Ervin Yen, R-Oklahoma City, who is a licensed physician, during the Senate reading of the measure. "I'm not saying that I would want to participate, but I have no problem with a colleague of mine doing that."





Both bills were borne out of necessity, following the postponement of Richard Eugene Glossip's execution in 2015. Glossip's lethal injection was halted less than 2 hours before it was set to begin once staff discovered the state Corrections Department received the wrong lethal drug for the execution.





A grand jury later found the state Corrections Department lacked any verification process to ensure the proper drugs were obtained and administered. The department is rewriting its execution protocol, which must be approved by the state attorney general before it goes into effect and the state can resume administering the death penalty.





Oklahoma has not performed an execution in more than 2 years, the longest gap since the mid-1990s. The last inmate to be put to death by lethal injection in Oklahoma was Charles Frederick Warner in January 2015. An investigation by The Oklahoman later revealed Warner had been executed using a drug, potassium acetate, the state was not authorized to use.





No other state has ever used potassium acetate in a lethal injection, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!

: The Oklahoman, May 20, 2017
Industrial goods manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. HON recently launched indigenous software to support its increasing portfolio of connected industrial workers. The comprehensive safety software platform  Honeywell Sotera  is likely to help customers fortify their safety management program in order to keep the facilities and personnel safe. The software is further expected to boost employee productivity by eliminating undue safety-related tensions, while reducing compliance and administrative costs through lower downtime.



Honeywell Sotera will support two-way communication facility with connected workers at remote locations, providing automatic safety alerts to avert any crisis along with real-time awareness of potential pitfalls and the ability to respond to such situations. With such innovative products, customers can monitor the safety of its workers and optimize their field operations to avoid outages and unplanned maintenance to ease administrative burden.



Earlier this week, Honeywell announced the start of commercial operations in its new manufacturing plant in Geismar, LA. The facility will manufacture HFO-1234yf, sold commercially as Solstice yf, to meet the increasing demand for this environment friendly air conditioning refrigerant for the auto industry.



Developed indigenously, Solstice yf has a global-warming-potential (GWP) of less than one. This is lower than carbon dioxide and 99.9% lower than R-134a  the most widely used refrigerant in the automotive industry  with a GWP of 1300. R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon and is usually held responsible for producing extensive greenhouse gases. Consequently, several countries and industries are increasingly looking out for other alternatives like Solstice yf in order to phase out this pollutant.



Honeywell has invested significantly to build this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Louisiana, which is likely to become the worlds largest producer of Solstice yf. In the process, the company created several jobs in the area to boost the economic development of the region. With a ramp up in production, 40 million cars are expected to use Solstice yf by the end of 2017, up from its present tally of 20 million. Higher adoption of this refrigerant across the globe will reportedly reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by over 30 million cars from the road.



With such state-of-the-art products, Honeywell aims to gain a competitive edge over its rivals and augment its revenues. The company has outperformed the Diversified Operations industry in the last three months with an average return of 4.7% as against a decline of 1.7% for the latter. We remain impressed with the inherent growth potential of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. Some better-ranked stocks in the industry include 3M Company MMM, Bunzl plc BZLFY and Crane Co. CR, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Story continues





3M has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9.7%. It surpassed estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 1.3%.



Bunzl has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 7.5%.



Crane has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10.1%. It surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters for an average positive earnings surprise of 8.4%



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(Corrects to Foundation for Defense of Democracies instead of conservative Foundation for Defense of Democracy, paragraph 5)

By Yeganeh Torbati and Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - The re-election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is unlikely to change the skepticism with which he is viewed by the Trump administration as the public face of a government opposed to U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East, former U.S. officials and analysts said.

Rouhani, a cleric who, with foreign minister Javad Zarif broke the taboo of holding direct talks with the United States and reached an international deal in 2015 to curb Iran's nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions, won 57 percent of the vote in Friday's election.

He defeated Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric and acolyte of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in Iran's complex, hybrid system of theocratic and republican elements.

President Donald Trump's administration seems likely to want to keep putting pressure on Iran over its weapons programs and what it sees as Tehran's destabilizing efforts in the Middle East, analysts said.

"I think the Trump administration will remain pretty consistent on this issue. So I don't expect any change" in U.S. policy toward Iran, said Reuel Marc Gerecht, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and a former CIA Iran specialist.

Despite the nuclear deal, the United States still considers Iran a "state sponsor of terrorism."

When Rouhani was first elected in 2013, it was taken as a sign that Iran's leaders might be more open to the West and would change the confrontational stance they had taken against the United States and its allies in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

While Khamenei gave Rouhani some leeway to negotiate the nuclear deal, other reforms he sought at home, especially greater political freedoms for Iranians, were stymied by Khamenei and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Story continues

There was no immediate reaction to Rouhani's victory from the Trump administration. Trump is visiting Iran's main regional rivals, Saudi Arabia and Israel, on his first foreign trip.

While Trump, a Republican, has harshly criticized the nuclear accord struck under predecessor President Barack Obama, a Democrat, he has kept it alive while signaling a desire to confront Iran more directly.

Washington says Tehran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the Hezbollah political party and militia in Lebanon, have helped destabilize the Middle East.

Ahmad Majidyar, an expert with the Washington-based Middle East Institute, forecast growing tensions between the United States and Iran over Iraq and Syria, where U.S.-backed forces and Iran-supported Shiite Muslim militias are fighting Islamic State.

"Washington and Tehran are de facto allies in the fight against Islamic State," Majidyar said. "But now ISIS is on the verge of defeat, we see signs of tensions between Iranian backed- militia forces and the U.S. forces," he said.

By coincidence, the United States on Wednesday faced a deadline for renewing sanctions waivers that would maintain the nuclear deal. Trump decided to do so, but also imposed narrow sanctions against two Iranian defense officials and an Iranian company that the U.S. government said were linked to Iran's ballistic missile program.

Rouhani's re-election is likely to make it harder for the Trump administration to galvanize international support for European Union, United Nations sanctions or other tough action, analysts said.

Rouhani and Zarif have presented a more conciliatory face to the world, traveling often to European capitals and in Zarif's case, conversing easily in fluent English and giving frequent interviews to Western media.

"It makes it much more difficult to isolate Iran internationally when you have a foreign minister like Zarif," said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington.

Without sanctions such as those that slashed Iran's oil revenues and barred it from the international financial system, which were effective because China and Iran's other Asian oil customers cooperated, the U.S. is left with more targeted measures against individuals, companies or organizations that assist in Iran's ballistic missile program or are found to have violated human rights.

"The last thing the Chinese are interested in doing is enacting new sanctions against Iran," Sadjadpour said. (Reporting By Yeganeh Torbati and Jonathan Landay; Editing by John Walcott and Grant McCool)
nayuop wrote:

bb wrote: Interesting question indeed. I think you just found a loophole.



Technically you are a citizen of another country. However, you do have an SSN, credit history, and potentially even can qualify for Financial Aid through FAFSA, and when you enter the US, apply for a job or really do most things, you are grouped with the US Citizens. There is very little difference between the two indeed.



Based on my research, schools seem to treat PR's differently - some have 3 categories, some group them with Internationals and I am sure some even put permanent residents in the same category as US citizens. So the answer may shift depending on the school. However, in the majority of cases, I think you will be considered an international applicant since in rankings (e.g. US News, the delineation is specifically US Citizens vs. Foreign Nationals). This is a positive as you are a "safe" international applicant. You won't have issues with H1B or finaid.



Your advantages vs. other international applicants:

1. You can apply later and usually in the last deadline while international applicants usually are precluded due to visa from applying in the last round

2. You may be perceived as more competitive/desired applicant since you won't have the challenges of H1B crippling you after graduation

3. You can finance your education easier and borrow money from a variety of sources





P.S. Do you see less competition in the US side of things and more on the International side? If there is a school you have in mind, I would reach out to the Admissions team and ask them which category you would be considered under (probably have to give a bit of background - did you get your green card at the age of 3 or 23).

hi, BB, thank you for explaining about this cases

so I have a question. I am permanent residents (3 years green card holder with SSN and ...) but I got my bachelor from another country (Iran), so should I apply as an international student or domestic? and do they need my GPA grade like U.S system (0-4) because mine is from 20? thanks hi, BB, thank you for explaining about this casesso I have a question. I am permanent residents (3 years green card holder with SSN and ...) but I got my bachelor from another country (Iran), so should I apply as an international student or domestic? and do they need my GPA grade like U.S system (0-4) because mine is from 20? thanks

HelloBasically your situation is like mine. I have been pursuing this MBA dream for less than three years that i am in the State.During this time, i have visited several universities, the most important and well-known of which are GSB, Harvard, Columbia and Stern. Meanwhile, i have been attending many events here in New York and have been talking with many universities' admission staff.That from which student group will you be considered is simple: you are considered a domestic student, Period. However, the problem arises with your education qualification. If your documentation is in English you need to talk with your targeted universities and explain your case, exactly what i did, and ask for guidance. Different universities normally respond differently to inquires such as yours. The least of which is that they will ask you to evaluate your degree and will probably address you to WES, ECE and some other companies whose main functions is assessing credentials acquired abroad.Also, universities have web pages that basically explain situation such as yours and address the applicants what they need to do.What do you need to do is however is to first create your plan of action, choose your universities, search their web pages and if your situation is not addressed by information provided on the web page, contact the admission office of that specific university and asked for guidance and help.Meanwhile, If interested, since we both speak Farsi, though from two different countries, i will be pleased to share my experience with you and learn from yours.All the best with you plan and sorry if i stepped in.
Nigerians have always responded well to technology and we are a part of the increasing progress of technology in the world, whether it has to do with being an employee at a major tech giant in the world or maybe just doing something innovative on social media.

Some young Nigerians have gone so far that they are part of those people who make big decision at tech giants and they have become well known and respected all over the world.

Legit.ng came across the profile of one of those geniuses, Chukwuemeka Afigbo and so many others who have become top echelons at tech giants.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo is a hardworking Nigerian man who works at Facebook as the Strategic Product Partnerships for Facebook in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

Meet talented Nigerian man Chukwuemeka Afigbo who works with Facebook

You may think Afigbo got the opportunity to work at one of the biggest technology companies in the world because he was just lucky or maybe because he did not grow up in Nigeria.

Before he became the Chukwuemeka Afigbo that we all know and admire, Afigbos education was like every other Nigerian, he went to Command Secondary School Abakaliki, Ebonyi state and Government Secondary School Owerri, Imo state.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo has worked with Google Africa

In 1997, he went ahead to study Electrical Engineering in the University of Nigeria, NSUKKA, Enugu state and graduated in 2002. He later went to Carleton University, Canada in 2006 for his Masters degree in Engineering and Technology Innovations.

READ ALSO: Meet Remi Dada, very talented Nigerian man who works with YouTube Africa

Chukwuemeka Afigbo with colleagues at Facebook

Not long after he finished his Masters in 2008, Google noticed his talents and gave him a job as the Program Manager of Developer Relations in 2011. At Google, Afigbo worked to develop the Sub Saharan African (SSA) technology ecosystem.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo with another Nigerian Aniedi Udo-Obong who works at Facebook

While at Google, the genius developed a project called Kesa. Because internet is unreliable and expensive in SSA, the project helped to provide access to content developers around the region.

Even with all his success in the industry all Afigbo thinks about is how to develop technology in Nigeria, during an interview with, Lawerence Moroney, Google Developer Advocate, Afigbo expressed that he got the name Kesa from an Igbo word which means distribute.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo with Lawerence Moroney the Google Developer Advocate

The tech genius started working for Facebook in 2015 and since working there till now he has focused his work on helping developers in Africa and the Middle East to succeed.

All Afigbo has ever done is to make Nigeria and the whole of Africa grow in technology, he also played a huge part in Mark Zuckerbergs visit to Nigeria in 2016.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo with Mark Zuckerberg in Nigeria Photo Credit: Co-Creation Hub

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

Afigbo is not a genius who is all work and no play, he is also a family man, he got married to his wife, Chioma Afigbo, in April, 2013 and they have a beautiful son together Obichukwu Afigbo.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo and his wife getting hitched

Chukwuemeka Afigbo with his wife and son

Keep flying high and make Nigeria proud #technigeria

Meanwhile, watch Mark Angel and Emmanuella on Legit.ng

Source: Legit.ng
1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process.

2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive.

3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents.

4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance.

Vote

View Results
George Soros gave Ivanka's husband's business a $250 million credit line in 2015 per WSJ. Soros is also an investor in Jared's business.
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
Northern Cape police commissioner Risimati Shivuri used a helicopter intended for fighting crime to fly 4km for a Wimpy breakfast, according to the Sunday Times.

The report stated that Shivuri used the state helicopter to visit the Wimpy in Colesberg last week.

It further stated that, in the same week, Shivuri used the helicopter to fly 30km to fetch a jacket he forgot at Gariep Dam.

The SAPS did not deny Shivuris alleged antics, stated the report. The helicopter was intended to be used for crime-prevention operations, according to feedback.

The DA has requested the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to investigate the matter, stating that the two flights cost the taxpayer R1,500 and R6,000 respectively.

The opposition party said the province only has one helicopter and one plane meant for chasing car thieves and tracking criminals.

Fikile Mbalula, the Minister of Police, recently stated that he plans to launch an age of e-policing.

His goal is to raise the public perception of the South African Police Service and help stamp out corruption.
Judge Levon Arazyan, who is accused of taking bribes, does not accept the charge brought against him.

His attorney, Hovik Sukiasyan, on Tuesday told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He noted that Judge Arazyan refused to testify as a suspect, and he has not yet testified as a defendant, too.

Sukiasyan added that his client has health problems.

He has diabetes, which is three times higher than normal, he said.

As reported earlier, Judge Levon Arazyan of the first instance court of Armenias Ararat and Vayots Dzor Provinces was arrested on Monday.

On May 11, the National Security Service officers detained Arazyan after taking a bribe, and a criminal case was launched.

According to the materials of this case, the judge considered the case related to G.Sh, who is accused of arrogation. Arazyan demanded $600 for imposing a penalty.

According to the respective arrangement, the bribe money was to be handed to the judge several days after the court ruling, and it was given to him in his office in the Vedi town court building.
In a small sanctuary in Singapore's oldest church, the Very Reverend Father Zaven Yazichyan conducts a traditional Armenian Divine Liturgy service.

Though he lives in Myanmar, Father Zaven, 36, travels here about five or six times a year to conduct a Divine Liturgy at the 182-year-old Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, according to Straits Times.

With only an estimated 80 to 100 Armenians living in Singapore, there is no resident priest for the tiny community here, and there has not been one since the 1930s. But its loyal worshippers are not about to let this pillar of Armenian identity, formally recognized as a national monument in 1973, fade away.

Ani Umedyan, 35, a volunteer at the church who has worshipped there for nine years, moved to Singapore with her husband from Armenia in 2008 and speaks passionately about seeing it grow.

When I first started worshipping here, there were only about 20 or so people. Now that more expats have come, there are more people and we are happy to see the church crowded with about 40 to 50 people at each service, said the musician.

When asked what keeps him motivated to keep flying back to conduct services for such a small crowd, Father Zaven said: Every soul is important. Even if there are only a few people, it is my duty and honor to minister to them.

Another draw for the Armenian community here is music. The Armenian Heritage Ensemble was established in 2009 to encourage learning of the history and culture of Armenians.

The aim is to expose people to the church, to our culture and our heritage through music, said one of the churchs four trustees, Pierre Hennes, 44.

Another trustee, Gevorg Sargsyan, 35, added that the concerts bring life to the church.
Poland and Slovakia will increase defense spending

Audi presents new crossovers Q8 e-tron

Benny Gantz: Israel has an opportunity to strike Iran's nuclear facilities

Samvel Babayan: Russia will withdraw peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh

Hungarian government sets price ceiling on eggs and potatoes

Benny Gantz: Israel does not have the production capacity to supply Ukraine with air defense systems

Germany must adopt energy-saving measures in face of skyrocketing inflation

Beglaryan: Azerbaijan continues and will continue its policy of genocide and hatred against the Armenian people

Kiev believes it is too early to talk about withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson

Raisi: Relations between Tehran and Moscow have a bright future

Taliban virtue representative kills minor for refusing to marry

Meeting held at Ministry of Defense

Kaljurand: A fair peace agreement, that will guarantee the rights and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, is needed

ATMs closed at night in Germany because of increasing number of break-ins

Moldova to request 450 million from EU amid fears of stopping Russian gas supplies

Kazakhstan plans to make knowledge of Kazakh obligatory for obtaining citizenship

Vladimir Putin to visit Armenia

Ayoob Kara: Israel and Azerbaijan must act together against Iran

Macron: France ends its military mission in Africa

Military forces of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey take part in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline protection exercise

Shoigu orders withdrawal of troops across Dnieper River

Swedish parliament will vote to change constitution for NATO membership on November 16

Reactor at nuclear power plant in southern Sweden stops unexpectedly due to turbine malfunction

Margaret Thatcher's dressing table case sells for $145

Zakharova comments on Azerbaijani attacks on Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh

Israel may reconsider its position on military aid to Ukraine because of threat from Iran

Tehran expresses readiness to play role in resolving conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Zakharova: Russia closely coordinates with Armenia and Azerbaijan on preparation of peace treaty

U.S. cut its oil production forecast in 2023

Gen. of Justice: Armenia is already going to abyss

MFA says Russia promotes comprehensive settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations

Australia to ban former military pilots from working in China

Ministry: 1,034 participants of 44-day Karabakh war declared disabled

Russian Security Council Secretary accuses Western intelligence services of organizing unrest in Iran

Niagara Falls is illuminated in colors of Azerbaijani flag through efforts of Azerbaijani Embassy to U.S.

'Armenia' bloc: Authorities going to peace at any cost legitimize change of power

Dollar falls, euro rises in Armenia

FT: Taiwan plans to establish drone production, allocated $1.6 billion

Azerbaijan's 'Horst Wessel' for Iran: Baku media replicates 'murder story'

Tesla recalls 40,000 electric cars because of problems with power steering

Sky News: Russia handed over Javelin, NLAW and Stinger missiles to Iran in exchange for drones

Russia has record number of Armenia migrants outflow

Stoltenberg says NATO summit will be held in Vilnius on July 11-12, 2023

Iranian Interior Ministry: Organizers of riots in Iran were trained in 8 unfriendly countries

Europe fills its gas storage facilities almost 100% before cold season

Greece MPs visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Strasbourg city council adopts resolution on supporting Armenia

Ohanyan: We see hope in Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan format regarding Karabakhs future

Turkey says it will not focus only on Russian gas

David Babayan says Azerbaijan makes propaganda against Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh

Former ECHR judge: UN Security Council does not consider Karabakh's separation illegal

Shavarsh Kocharyan says current PM took step of declaring Armenia aggressor

AraratBank underwrites FINCA UCO bonds

First ombudsperson says current Armenian authorities are illegitimate

Armenian National Committee of America: Dr. Oz Defeated in Pennsylvania Senate race

Head of Turkish Ministry of Agriculture: 10.1 million tons of grain exported from Ukrainian ports

Putin and Lukashenko discuss upcoming CSTO meeting by phone

Armenia legislature discusses issues of residents of Karabakhs Kashatagh region handed over to Azerbaijan

President pays tribute to martyrs of 3rd Artsakh war

Australian pedophile sentenced to 129 years in Philippines

Japan says North Korea launches alleged ballistic missile

British cabinet minister resigns after recent harassment allegations

Eleving Group member Mogo applies the best practices in Armenia

Artsakh FM: Azerbaijan will have to take new realities into account in near future

Iran MFA. Azerbaijan president's reaction is incomprehensible

Parliament speaker considers transit visa requirement for Armenia citizens at Poland airports worrisome

Pashinyan: Armenia-Cambodia warm relations have great prospects for development

Karabakh state ministers advisor: Aliyev statement was once again filled with confessions of use of force

Javier Colomina: NATO supports normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations

Copper falls in price

Iran official: Goal of $3bn trade with Armenia will be realized under this government

Karabakh FM: Azerbaijan has become more aggressive, brazen with Turkeys support

MOD: Artsakh army units did not open fire towards Azerbaijan positions

Oil prices go down

Armenia Security Council chief briefs Poland Senate vice-speaker on regional developments

Azerbaijan fires at Armenia positions

Gold prices go down

Newspaper: Armenia law enforcement agencies operative intelligence teams to enter several officials houses

US midterm elections virtually over, counting of votes underway

US State Department: Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs agreed to continue meetings, direct dialogue
STEPANAKERT.  The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces 80 times, from late Saturday night to early Sunday morning.

During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired more than 950 shots toward the position-holders of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) Defense Army, and with different-caliber shooting weapons, the defense army informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

But the Artsakh defense army vanguard units are in full control of the frontline, and they continue confidently carrying out their military watch.
French Foreign Fighter for IS Dies, Details on Death Thus Far Unknown
The Milwaukee Common Council recently passed a resolution calling on Milwaukee County, the State of Wisconsin and the federal government to prioritize prevention and address crime holistically to reduce incarceration.

The resolution states that African-Americans in the city, county and state have been disproportionately affected by incarceration. It adds that incarceration "disrupts families and communities, and a record of incarceration is a significant barrier to subsequent employment."

The resolution calls for the county, state and federal governments to pass legislation that would do away with mandatory minimum sentences, treat youth offenders "as deserving of compassion" and ensure they are receiving the necessary rehabilitation and support services.

The Common Councils action has no practical effect. The state legislature is considering a slate of bills that would make it easier to incarcerate youth offenders, lengthen mandatory minimum sentences and increase the scope of crimes they apply to. Another state bill would give slightly more leeway for individuals to have certain offenses expunged.

The city resolution notes that African-Americans comprise 6.6 percent of Wisconsins population but 42 percent of the men and 24 percent of the women incarcerated in Wisconsin State correctional facilities. It also states that 12.6 percent, or one in eight African-American working-age men in Wisconsin were incarcerated, nearly double the 6.7 percent average rate in the United States.

The measure was supported by Alds. Nik Kovac, Russell Stamper, Jose Perez, Cavalier Johnson, Chantia Lewis, Robert Bauman and Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton.

Johnson, who represents District 2, spent his "most formative years" in the 53206 ZIP code, an area that accounts for 10 percent of the citys crime despite housing only 4 percent of its population, he said. The ZIP code, where 94 percent of residents are black, is also Milwaukees poorest, with a poverty rate of almost 48 percent and a median yearly household income of $22,238.

The idea that harsher penalties and stricter enforcement deters individuals from engaging in crime is simply false, Johnson said.

"We dont want to be like a dog chasing our tail," he said. "Weve been doing the same thing for decades, trying to throw the book at people and trying to lock people behind bars for longer periods of time and hoping that action alone turns our neighborhoods around in a positive way."

Johnson added, "I think that one of the things that were losing is this idea that we are all human, and that we are all connected, and that we all need to invest in one another."

The resolution also notes that investment in job access and training, public transit, education and art are essential to keep people from interacting with the criminal justice system in the first place.

In the wake of the resolution, community leaders are saying the city must acknowledge its own role in the situation.

"Theyre passing the buck," said Shanyiell McCloud, founder of Clean Slate Milwaukee, which helps individuals expunge their criminal records. "Its all politics."

She said much of the incarceration issue revolves around access to employment in Milwaukees low-income central city communities. "Theres a lack of jobs, period; theres a lack of businesses; theres a lack of higher education opportunities. You literally have to leave the community to seek out those things."

She added that mass incarceration also is an issue of disproportionate enforcement, from the police who arrest individuals to the judges who sentence them.

According to a 1999 Stanford University study, 13 percent of illegal drug users were African-American, exactly their proportion of the national population. However, "35 percent of those arrested for simple possession and a staggering 74 percent of those sentenced for drug possession" were black.

"We really need to start, just structurally, changing how we look at things, how we view things," said Sharlen Moore, executive director of Urban Underground and a founding member of Youth Justice Milwaukee, a campaign advocating for juvenile justice reform. "We have to have some sort of shift (in thinking) in order for us to see any sort of tangible result."

"If we did the same thing to suburban neighborhoods  you know, if we policed them the same that we police communities of color  we would find the same things," said Moore.

Individuals and organizations in Milwaukee have increasingly called for a change in police strategy, and for the city to prioritize preventative services. In February, the ACLU of Wisconsin filed a class action lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) alleging its policies and practices violated peoples constitutional rights and that the way they are applied is racially discriminatory.

MPD, whose budget was 45 percent of the citys total budget in 2016, received $23 million more in 2017, while alternative approaches have failed to secure additional investment.

Moore said the community needs to come together in order to "activate our elected officials."

"I think, [as a] community, we have to put more pressure on those individuals to do the things that we need to do, because, at the end of the day, we pay their salary  they are public servants  they work for us," she said. "And if [theyre not doing] what we need them to do, then we need to find somebody else that will."
When Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank announced a global fund for high-tech investments in partnership with Saudi Arabia, founder Masayoshi Son said he was focused on the 'Internet of Things,' artificial intelligence and robotics

Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank said, with Saudi partners, it has raised nearly $100 billion in pledges to launch a major global fund for long-term, high-tech investments.

The SoftBank Vision Fund has received participation from industry titans and the likes of Apple, Qualcomm, and Taiwan's Foxconn and collected pledges totalling more than $93 billion so far, the fund said in a statement Saturday.

"The fund is targeting a total of $100 billion of committed capital, with a final close within six months," it said.

SoftBank announced its partnership with Saudi Arabia in October, with its flamboyant founder Masayoshi Son declaring that he was focused on the "Internet of Things," artificial intelligence and robotics.

Son was among the first business people to meet Donald Trump after his November election victory and pledged to invest $50 billion in the United States, winning open praise from the then-president-elect.

The announcement comes as Trump visits Saudi Arabia as a part of his first overseas tour as president.

"Technology has the potential to address the biggest challenges and risks facing humanity today," Son said in the statement.

"The SoftBank Vision Fund... will help build and grow businesses creating foundational platforms of the next stage of the information revolution," he said.

SoftBank has said it will put up about $25 billion for the Vision Fund over the next five years, while the Saudi public investment fund's contribution could reach $45 billion.

 2017 AFP
Campaigners Friday pleaded for more help for millions of children in conflict zones who are missing years of school, revealing only two percent of humanitarian aid funds goes towards education. More than 250 million children around the world don't go to school, according to Unicef, and one quarter of the world's school-age children live in areas threatened by war. After six years of war in Syria, almost a million Syrian children refugees live in Lebanon and Jordan and more than half of them are still not receiving any education, said Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save the Children UK. "You will wipe out a whole primary school generation, before the international community even moves on education," he told a conference in The Hague. "I think what we need is universal plans of action for all refugee children... no refugee child should be out of school more than a term or two terms," he added at the Hague Institute for Global Justice. International advocate for children's rights, Graca Machel, the widow of Nelson Mandela, said: "It's time perhaps we rethink how we address what we call humanitarian settings." "We have been focusing on providing food, health, water," she said, adding that "only two percent of humanitarian funds go to education" and urging the UN Security Council to look at the issue. There was also a focus on South Sudan where a civil war has left tens of thousands dead since 2013 and displaced some 3.5 million people. More than half of South Sudan's primary school kids, and those in the first classes of secondary school, are no longer receiving any schooling. "We need to look at the lack of education as an emergency situation," said American actor Forest Whitaker, UNESCO special envoy for peace and founder of the Whitaker Peace and Development initiative. Founder of the Education Above All (EAA) campaign, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al-Misnad, mother of the Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, said there was "an unprecedented crisis" with education being used as "an instrument of war". "Education is the cornerstone of sustainable development," she added. "We cannot construct a building if the cornerstones keep getting destroyed. Nor can we construct a durable building without investing in education as a tool in post-conflict recovery". Chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda highlighted how often in war zones schools are turned into training bases for militias, children are kidnapped to be indoctrinated as child soldiers, spies and sex slaves. Despite the horrors they endure, children still often retain an irrepressible optimism. "They still believe they are going to be doctor or an engineer," said Watkins, adding "we need to keep that hope alive".
RIYADH (Reuters) - The United States and Gulf Arab countries will sign an agreement on Sunday to coordinate their efforts against the financing of terrorist groups, a senior White House official said, as U.S. President Donald Trump visits the region. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will sign the memorandum of understanding in Riyadh, where the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is holding a summit with Trump. "It's the, we hope, farthest reaching commitment to not finance terrorist organizations that (the U.S.) Treasury will be monitoring with each of their counterparts," said Dina Powell, White House deputy national security adviser for strategy. "The unique piece of it is that every single one of them are signatories on how they're responsible and will actually prosecute the financing of terrorism, including individuals." The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Western officials believe that people living in wealthy Gulf countries have been an important source of funding for Sunni Islamist groups fighting in Iraq and Syria, including Islamic State and al Qaeda. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Mark Potter)
There are no secrets to be found in the "Malta Files", a cache of leaked documents being pored over by European newspapers, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insisted Saturday. Having come under pressure after his family became embroiled in the Panama Papers scandal, the premier earlier this month called new polls for June 3. "Nothing in the Malta Files is actually secret. Claims of offshore companies in Malta are factually incorrect," he told reporters. "We will be solid against this attack which we had long seen coming," he said, alluding to the allegations. Muscat was elected with a strong majority in 2013 but his tenure has been riddled with allegations of corruption and mysterious dealings with countries such as Azerbaijan. News outlets have started publishing their Malta Files findings and more information will be released over the next two weeks, just before the elections. The Panama Papers scandal involved a massive data leak from the Mossack Fonseca law firm that revealed the secretive offshore entities used by many of the world's wealthy to stash assets. The months-long "Malta Files" investigation into tax evasion, money laundering and corruption has mobilised 49 journalists in 16 countries, according to the French online news site Mediapart. The journalists have a list of people and entities linked to 53,247 companies registered in Malta, thanks to a 150,000-document cache. - 'A competitive system' - German authorities last week said they had opened a probe involving up to 2,000 companies registered in Malta on suspicion of tax fraud, after receiving an anonymous tip. The Maltese premier, however, defended his nation's tax regime. "I say we have a competitive system, and the complaint of other countries is not that these companies must not exist, but that they want the tax these companies pay," he said. Malta, a Mediterranean island with a population of only 430,000, is an EU member and it currently holds the bloc's rotating presidency. According to Mediapart Malta, the island's arrangements deprive other countries of $2 billion (1.8 billion euros) of tax receipts per year. Among the 13 news outlets participating in the investigation are Belgium's Le Soir, German daily Der Spiegel, Italian magazine L'Espresso and Spanish daily El Mundo. Some French business leaders have registered yachts on the island to benefit from lower taxes and social charges, reducing the costs of crews on the vessels, according to Mediapart. L'Espresso reported that Italian nationals owned "by far" the largest amount of companies on Malta, around 8,000. Last month thousands took to the streets in Malta to protest against corruption after an investigation revealed hidden offshore companies of the country's energy minister, Konrad Mizzi, and his chief of staff, Keith Schembri.
At least 20 Afghan policemen were killed early Sunday when Taliban fighters stormed multiple security outposts in the volatile southern province of Zabul, officials said, as the insurgents escalate their annual spring offensive. Local officials made desperate calls to Afghan television stations to seek attention as they were unable to get hold of senior authorities for help, highlighting the disarray in security ranks. The coordinated attack is another stinging blow to NATO-backed Afghan forces. It comes just a month after the Taliban killed at least 135 security forces in northern Balkh province, in the deadliest insurgent attack on an Afghan military base. "This morning, a group of Taliban fighters armed with heavy and light weapons launched coordinated attacks on several police checkpoints in Shah Joy district of Zabul province, killing 20 policemen," provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal told AFP. A district official told AFP that at least 15 others were wounded in the fighting. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on their website. The raid, the latest in a series of brazen Taliban assaults, underscores the insurgents' growing strength more than 15 years since they were ousted from power by the US invasion of 2001. Taliban militants launched their annual "spring offensive" in late April, heralding a surge in fighting as the US tries to craft a new Afghan strategy and NATO considers sending more troops to break the stalemate against the resurgent militants. The offensive normally marks the start of the fighting season, though this winter the Taliban continued to battle government forces. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last month warned of "another tough year" for security forces in Afghanistan. His comments came after Taliban fighters dressed in army uniforms and armed with suicide vests attacked a military base outside the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif last month, killing at least 135 policemen and soldiers. The brazen attack prompted fury in Afghanistan, leading to the resignations of defence minister Abdullah Habibi and army chief Qadam Shah Shaheem. The US State Department denounced the "barbaric, unconscionable" attack, but stressed that America has no intention of giving up on the country despite more than 15 years of brutal war. The Pentagon has asked the White House to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan to break the deadlocked fight against the Taliban. US troops in Afghanistan number about 8,400 today, and there are another 5,000 from NATO allies, who also mainly serve in an advisory capacity -- a far cry from the US presence of more than 100,000 six years ago.
President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel (not pictured) at a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 15, 2017. (Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As a candidate and president-elect, Donald Trump was widely popular in Israel, especially on the right. For the first time, it seemed, an American president would be unreservedly sympathetic to the demands of West Bank settlers and supportive of its ambitions.

Trumps pointed rhetoric toward Iran and his sharp criticism of the Iranian nuclear deal, the appointment of the right-wing lawyer David Friedman as ambassador to Israel, and the presence by his side of his Orthodox Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were believed to assure that he would look the other way when it came to the ever-controversial settler agenda for territorial expansion. A poll taken not long after the election showed that 83 percent of Israelis considered Trump pro-Israel. (In contrast, 63 percent said that Barack Obama was the worst president for Israel in the past 30 years.)

That was then.

Now, as Israel prepares to receive Trump on his first trip abroad as president, things look very different. Just as Trump has upended political norms and expectations in Washington, he has confounded the expectations of much of the Israeli public and political establishment. His brash unpredictability has earned him the sobriquet Mr. Balagan  a word that translates roughly to hot mess  bestowed in an op-ed by the journalist Nadav Eyal.

Last falls election results led to the expectation (or, on the left, the fear) of free rein for Israels right-wing government to expand settlements on Palestinian territory in the West Bank and annex existing ones to Israel. In the first several months after the election, Israel announced plans for more than 5,000 new homes on the West Bank. And Trump was widely expected to be the first American president to live up to his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a gesture toward recognizing Israels claim to the whole of Jerusalem. This, in turn, would sideline the aspirations of Palestinians to establish a state in the West Bank, with its capital in East Jerusalem.

Story continues

President Trump listens as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at their joint news conference on Feb. 15. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

But Trumps remark to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during the latters visit to Washington in February, that Id like to see you hold back on settlements a little bit, came as a surprise  although the administration hasnt formally articulated a settlements policy.

Naftali Bennett, the education minister in Netanyahus government, expressed his disappointment at a meeting of his far-right Habayit Hayehudi party. During the campaign, [Trump] often talked in praise of settling throughout the Land of Israel and about moving the [American] embassy to Jerusalem, Bennett said. From his election to now, his tune has changed, and the impetus behind the change is not entirely clear.

And in the weeks leading up to the visit, a series of diplomatic disagreements and misunderstandings have ramped up tensions. One flashpoint was a dispute about whether Trump would be accompanied by an Israeli politician on his visit to the Western Wall, a request by Netanyahu to which the government attached considerable symbolic importance. But the U.S., not wishing to send a signal that could be interpreted as endorsing Israels claim to the holy site, rejected the idea. A heated argument about whether Trump would give a speech at Masada, an ancient military fortress that is a national symbol of the historic connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, resulted in changing the venue to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man passes by a Jerusalem billboard welcoming President Trump, who will pay a two-day visit to Israel and West Bank on May 22 and 23. (Photo: Oded Balilty/AP)

The Israeli government has been downplaying the tensions. Trumps unpredictable temperament has Israeli politicians on both sides worried about an unintended slight causing a serious rift between the two countries.

Then there was the stunning debacle of Trumps careless blurting of top-secret Israeli intelligence to the Russian ambassador and foreign minister. Israels spy agencies were reported to be outraged and horrified over the blunder, which they feared could endanger an Israeli agent operating in ISIS territory. Officially, the Israeli government has sidestepped the issue. It is telling that while most newspapers put it on the front page, Yisrael Hayom (Israel Today)  often considered a mouthpiece of the center-right Likud party, supported by the casino magnate and Trump backer Sheldon Adelson  buried the story in its back pages.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, President Trump and Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak at a meeting in the Oval Office on May 10. (Photo: Alexander Shcherbak/Tass via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Israeli left is feeling notably less apocalyptic than it did four months ago. One reason was the apparent shift in Trumps attitude toward Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. With so much instability in the region, the plight of the Palestinians has become a less salient issue for neighboring Arab states, reducing international pressure on Israel to move toward a permanent peace. In addition, Abbas is 82 years old and unpopular among Palestinians; commentators have been discussing a succession crisis for years. But by inviting him to the White House earlier this month, Trump bolstered Abbas and made him more relevant, even if the American presidents promise of a deal within a year turns out to be no more fruitful than all the peace initiatives that preceded it.

Still, the Israeli right took notice when national security adviser H.R. McMaster announced that Trump would affirm his commitment to self-determination for the Palestinians during his visit. It awakened fears that the Trump administration was succumbing to what the right views as the fallacy of treating the Palestinian leadership as a potential partner for peace  an idea the right vehemently rejects.

Some elements on the left, meanwhile, are treating Trumps visit as an occasion to mobilize Israelis around renewing the peace process. The nonpartisan grass-roots organization Darkenu (Our Way) has organized a campaign to unite the majority of Israelis who favor a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to pressure Netanyahus government to cooperate with Trump on what the president has called the ultimate deal. The campaign, which has posted more than 100 billboards in Hebrew throughout Israel, is rooted in the conviction that Trump is a pragmatic negotiator who wont sell out Israeli interests.

President Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House on May 3. Trump welcomed Abbas as the U.S. president weighs how to approach a Middle East conflict that has eluded resolution for seven decades. (Photo: Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg)

Polly Bronstein, CEO of Darkenu, said in an email: President Trump has reawakened the political discourse and the hope that Israel will re-enter negotiations in order to achieve a deal. The pragmatic approach that requires responsibility from both sides and does not point an accusing finger at Israel may be the approach that will succeed. We call on the prime minister and the Knesset to say YES to a political settlement and to separate from the Palestinians! 

In fact, there are some on the left who  with appropriate caution and caveats think Trumps ignorance and belligerence may be an advantage because his desire to make a deal is fueled by self-interest and egotism rather than just good intentions, which havent been notably productive in the region. Journalist Orly Azoulay wrote last week:

His predecessors had deep knowledge: Bill Clinton was able to draw every alley in Jerusalem on a napkin to indicate where Israeli sovereignty will begin and end in a future agreement. Barack Obama thoroughly understood the Israeli anxieties and the Palestinian aspirations. George W. Bush knew what he was talking about too. They all failed when they reached the main obstacle called the 1967 borders.

Trump is running a White House that has spiraled out of control, where there is a mixture of madness and chaos, but he stands tall when it comes to the ultimate deal he wants to achieve between Israel and the Palestinians. Perhaps in the place where the experts have crashed, the man who knows nothing about anything will manage to do something with the tricks of a businessman who hates fussy arguments and whines about deprivation.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on May 19, prior to his departure on his first overseas trip. (Photo: Alex Brandon/AP)

Although self-reliance is central to the Israeli ethos, Israelis also recognize the indispensable role that American support in plays protecting the nation from hostile neighbors and international censure. Now their fate, like it or not, is at least partly in the hands of a political amateur who has, at least rhetorically, laid waste to decades of American foreign policy in many parts of the world. The Israeli public has watched this drama unfold from a distance. But now it is coming right to their doorstep, and they can only wait, with varying degrees of hope and apprehension, for the next eruption from the mercurial Mr. Balagan.

Ben Manson is a freelance journalist in Tel Aviv.

_____

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New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, provides regulated gas distribution, and retail and wholesale energy services. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 564,000 residential and commercial customers throughout Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets. The Clean Energy Ventures segment invests in, owns, and operates commercial and residential solar projects situated in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. The Energy Services segment offers unregulated wholesale energy management services to other energy companies and natural gas producers, as well as maintains and transacts a portfolio of physical assets consisting of natural gas storage and transportation contracts in the United States and Canada. The Storage and Transportation segment invests in natural gas transportation and storage facilities. It provides heating, ventilation, and cooling services; holds commercial real estate properties; and offers solar equipment installation, and plumbing repair and installation services, as well as engages in the water appliance sale, installation, and servicing activities. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Wall, New Jersey.
The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2017 may be one step closer to reality. The bill, sponsored by Senator James Lankford (R-OK), made it through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently. It is aimed at streamlining and improving the regulatory process for American small business.

If made law it would put more pressure on government agencies to carefully analyze how the regulations they put in place impact small businesses.

U.S. Small Business Bill Curbs Burdensome Government Regulations

Small businesses have frequently complained of unreasonable and burdensome government regulations, which they say are out of touch with reality.

The International Franchise Association (IFA), representing more than 733,000 franchise businesses across the country, for example, have long decried policies such as the National Labor Relations Boards joint employer standard and the Department of Labors overtime rule. In an official release applauding the bill, IFAs President and CEO Robert Cresanti claimed recently these policies are shutting the door on opportunity and small business entrepreneurship.

The passing of the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, together with two other pieces of regulatory reform also sponsored by Lankford, aim to reverse this issue and ensure small business needs and priorities are fully taken into account early in the rule making process.

The two other pieces of legislation the Committee passed are: The Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act and the Early Participation in Regulations Act.

Im pleased that these commonsense bills have been passed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to improve the regulatory process and make government more transparent, said Lankford in a press release announcing the passing of the bills in the Committee.

Small Business Regulatory Reform Bills in Review

The Senate Committee also passed the Federal Agency Customer Experience Act that Lankford pushed as a Republican cosponsor, bringing the total number of his small business bills passed Wednesday to four. Here are those four bills in review:

1. Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S. 584)

The bill passed committee with a roll call vote of 8-6.

If it becomes law, it would require federal agencies to analyze the total impact of regulations on small businesses and close loopholes agencies use to avoid compliance with the earlier Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement and Fairness Act of 1996.

The law would also waive fines for first time paperwork violations.

2. Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act (S. 577)

The bill passed the committee by voice vote.

If it becomes law, it would require agencies to provide a 100-word plain language summary of every rule when issuing general notice of proposed rule making.

3. Early Participation in Regulations Act (S.579)

The bill passed committee with a roll call vote of 11-3.

If it becomes law, it would require publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for major rules in the Federal Register at least 90 days before an agency publishes its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

4. Federal Agency Customer Experience Act (S.1088)

The bill passed committee by voice vote.

If made law, it repeals a federal requirement limiting government agencies from getting public feedback about their own customer service.

Im pleased that a bipartisan group of Senators approved the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act and Early Participation in Regulations Act; these bills will help improve the regulatory process by giving the American people more involvement in the process, Lankford added in the release announcing the passing of the bills. And the Federal Agency Customer Experience Act is a good bill that will make sure the federal government is more responsive to the American people.
In the protracted case  lasting for seven years  the criminal panel of the Kosice II District Court acquitted all ten defendants in the case of abused Roma children from the Lunik IX borough.

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Most of the ten police offers have now been released from service or sacked; they were charged with the crimes of extortion and abusing the powers of a public official. The head of the panel argued on May 17  as cited by the SITA newswire  that the prosecutor failed to prove, both at the first and second hearings, that the crime took place in the way described. The evidence is not convincing enough, she added.

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The verdict is not yet in effect, as the prosecutor immediately appealed .

Read also:

Read also: Court ignores video in Roma abuse case Read more

The lower-instance court has not admitted the video, made by the police officers and documenting the abuse, into evidence. This was compounded by the fact that the testimonies of the accused policemen have been different and contradictory since the beginning of the investigation and this has only worsened over the course of the years.

The case goes back to May 13, 2010.

According to the indictment, police officers brought six young Roma aged between 10 and 16 to Kosice-South police station on March 21, 2009. The Roma were suspected of robbing an elderly woman. The police allegedly attempted to intimidate the boys - who could not be prosecuted due to their age  with a police dog, which bit three of them.

Subsequently, the minors were forced to slap and then kiss each other. The mistreatment continued in the buildings basement, where the suspects were ordered to strip naked in ten seconds, while police officers recorded a video. One of the boys was allegedly suspended over a handrail, beaten and forced to say the name of his mother.

A police officer was accused of putting a pistol to the head of another boy and asking him whether he wanted to be shot. The same defendant was supposed to have ordered the Roma boy to lick his boots and hit another boy with a shovel.

The police officers recorded everything that happened with their mobile phones and were sending short videos to their colleagues. One of the officers probably edited the videos and transferred them to a DVD which was sent to Sme editorial who published the video.
Libraries are full of much more than just books and card catalogs. There are archives, historic documents and books, computers, activity rooms and sewing machines. Yes, sewing machines!

The regionr libraries offer a plethora of activities, training and programs for community members to take part in, including Microsoft Office training, computer programming courses, sewing time and genealogy programs and assistance.

The majority of local libraries are part of the Evergreen Indiana program, which allows participating libraries in Indiana to use card catalogs and borrow items from other member libraries. Jenna Anderson, marketing specialist at the Kendallville Public Library said, Anyone with an EI card has access to just about everything we have.

Participating EI libraries in the area are Carnegie, Eckhart, Waterloo-Grant Township, Butler, Garrett, LaGrange, Kendallville, Noble County and Ligonier.

What does your library offer? This list, compiled from several libraries in Steuben, Noble, LaGrange and DeKalb counties, showcases just a few of the different things each library has to offer to people in the area. Each library has a variety of activities going on constantly for patrons to get involved with. See something you like? Contact the library to learn more about the program.

Carnegie Public Library of Steuben County  322 S. Wayne St., Angola

 High-speed internet access via Wi-Fi

 Cultural education programs for all ages

 Ancestry.com for libraries

 Reciprocal borrowing with Fremont Public Library, available at no cost to patrons

 eBook, audio book and digital movie downloads

Fremont Public Library  1004 W. Toledo St., Fremont

 Husqvarna sewing machine, available by appointment

 Computer and eReader classes, regularly scheduled or individual help available by appointment

 Ancestry.com for libraries, for use in facility only

 Welcome baby kits, offered to every newborn in the library service area to introduce baby and family to library services

 Reciprocal borrowing with Carnegie available at no cost to patrons

Garrett Public Library  107 W. Houston St., Garrett

 Free one-on-one computer literacy instruction for senior citizens

 Genealogy and local history club led by Kerry Baumgartener

 Access to more than 8,000 digital materials through the Northeast Indiana Digital Library

Eckhart Public Library  603 S. Jackson St., Auburn

 Laptops and chromebooks that can be used in the library on wireless internet

 Wi-Fi hotspots and eReaders available for checkout

 Telescopes, microscopes, metal detecting kit and KitchenAid mixer all available for checkout with a library card

 Tech Tutor appointments, one-on-one sessions with librarian on how to use technology. These can be booked by calling 925-2414, ext. 120.

 Teen library and Willennar Genealogy Center

Waterloo Grant Township Public Library  300 S. Wayne St., Waterloo

 Open Wi-Fi for patrons

 Computers in sections for teens and adults

 Overdrive and Freegal for eBook and audio downloads

 Summer reading and craft programs planned, contact library at 837-4491 for more information

Butler Public Library  340 S. Broadway, Butler

 Kidney Smart chronic kidney disease education offered Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

 Tai chi classes offered every Thursday at 6 p.m.

 Mobile hot spots are available for checkout

 Summer reading program features weekly programs and guests

 Childrens computer center loaded with educational games to play while at the library or for research

 Minecraft Mania for all who can play Minecraft on their own, third Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

 Pokemon Club meets the second Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

 Lego Club for children in kindergarten through fifth grade meets the last Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

Kendallville Public Library  221 S. Park Ave., Kendallville

 Mobile internet hotspots, available for checkout and for reservation

 The Cortex, a MakerSpace, complete with a 3D printer, iMac computers, a Cricut explore, digital sewing machine, embroidery machine and VHS to DVD converter

 CortexKits, technology available for checkout, include a GoPro, telescope, microscope, metal detector, Raspberry Pi, Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot, and soon an Atari Flashback 7.

 Overdrive downloadable eBooks and audio books

 Minecraft server, available to anyone who comes in and wants to play, also used on Thursdays for Minecraft Mania events.

 Ask KPL & Book the Cortex, one-on-one technology training sessions, either using technology in The Cortex or on devices patrons bring in with questions.

Noble County Public Library  120 S. Jefferson St., Cromwell, 813 E. Main St., Albion and 104 Ley St., Avilla

 eBook collection to download to Nooks, Kindles, smartphones or tablets

 Ancestry.com use in library

 Rooms available for reservation, reserve at myncpl.us

Ligonier Public Library  300 S. Main St., Ligonier

 eBooks, audio books and more available for download

 Story time and book clubs

 Computers available for patron use with printing

LaGrange County Public Library  203 W. Spring St., LaGrange, 250 Depot St., Shipshewana, and 133 N. Main St., Topeka

 Second Saturday Book Club meets at 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month

 Overdrive eBook loaning program

 County history department that contains microfilm, cemeteries index and part-time volunteers on staff to assist with any questions

 Ancestry.com library edition access
By Keith Coffman

DENVER (Reuters) - Colorado's governor on Friday pardoned a convicted armed robber released from prison decades early, but who now faces deportation to Cuba, from where he fled as a child during the 1980 Mariel boat lift.

The decision by Governor John Hickenlooper was the latest wrinkle in legal maneuvering surrounding Rene Lima-Marin, 38, who was ordered freed from a state prison this week after a clerical error that cut short his original sentence.

In 2000, Lima-Marin was convicted of aggravated robbery with intent to kill, kidnapping and other charges stemming from a crime spree that he and an accomplice committed in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

The trial judge sentenced him to a total of 98 years in prison, to be served consecutively. However, a clerical error on a sentencing document stated that the prison terms for each of the offenses were to be concurrently, reducing expected time served to 16 years.

According to court documents, Lima-Marin became a model prisoner during his incarceration and was paroled in 2008. He successfully completed his parole, found a steady job, married and became a father.

After six years of freedom, prosecutors noticed the error in the sentencing calculation, and Lima-Marin was sent back to prison.

His lawyers appealed, and this week Arapahoe County District Court Judge Carlos Samour ordered Lima-Marins release, citing his successful rehabilitation.

"No other remedy will result in justice in this case," Samour ruled.

But after Lima-Marin was freed again this week, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took him into federal custody, citing a deportation order that was issued based on his felony convictions.

Lima-Marin's immigration lawyer, Hans Meyer, then requested a pardon, which Hickenlooper, a Democrat, granted on Friday.

"Given the extraordinary circumstances of this case and Mr. Lima-Marin's demonstrated ability to live successfully in the community ... it would be unjust for Mr. Lima-Marin to suffer further consequences for his convictions," Hickenlooper said.

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Meyer cautioned that the pardon does not guarantee federal authorities would not move ahead with deportation proceedings.

"We hope that ICE and the immigration court will also work with us in the interests of justice to reopen Rene's immigration case, restore his lawful permanent resident status, and reunite this family once and for all," Meyer said.

ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok said the pardon does not change his agency's position.

"Rene Michael Lima Marin currently has final orders of removal from a federal immigration judge," Rusnok said.

Lima-Marin was just 2 when his family joined an estimated 125,000 Cubans fleeing the Caribbean island nation in boats to the United States in a mass exodus permitted by then-Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

(Editing by Steve Gorman & Simon Cameron-Moore)

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gives a televised speech after he won the election, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, May 20, 2017. Rouhani says that the message of Friday's election that gave him another four-year term is one of Iran living in peace and friendship with the world. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- As Iran's chief nuclear envoy, Hassan Rouhani earned the nickname "diplomat sheikh" when negotiators in 2004 reached a deal that saw the Islamic Republic halt all its enrichment of uranium.

Over 10 years later, it would be Rouhani as president who would strike a bargain with world powers to again limit Iran's atomic program, showing once more the cleric's pragmatism in slowly engaging with the West.

But Iran's contested nuclear program represents only one part of the identity of the 68 year old, who decisively won a second term on Saturday. He opposed the reign of Iran's shah in the entourage of the Islamic Republic's founder Ruhollah Khomeini, held sensitive defense posts during the country's long 1980s war with Iraq and allegedly served on a committee that targeted government opponents abroad for assassination.

Rouhani, while opening Iran to the world, remains firmly a part of its small, clerically ruled power structure. And yet while not promising widespread changes, he increasingly has criticized hard-liners, showing a deft touch for balancing the various competing powers within Iran.

"I said it is good for centrifuges to operate, but it is also important that the country operates as well and the wheels of industry are turning," Rouhani said during his first presidential campaign in 2013.

Born in Nov. 12, 1948, Rouhani grew up in Sorkheh, a small town in Iran's northern Semnan province. His father, who supported the Shiite family with profits from a small spice shop, was one of the first in their town to perform the hajj, a religious pilgrimage to holy sites in Saudi Arabia required of every able-bodied Muslim once in their life.

Rouhani joined the seminary and soon fell under the sway of Khomeini. At 16, he became a spokesman for the exiled cleric. Rouhani would become a law school student at the University of Tehran and lived for a time in London before returning to Iran, then in the grips of Khomeini's Islamic Revolution.

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Rouhani soon had many roles in the new Islamic government, including serving as a lawmaker, reorganizing the military and overseeing Iran's state broadcaster, a valued mouthpiece for Khomeini.

After Iraq started the 1980s war with Iran, Rouhani held several defense positions, including serving as the head of Iran's National Air Defense Command. He later joined the Supreme National Security Council, a powerful body overseeing defense and security issues, reporting directly to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He also served as a national security adviser to then-President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whose realist attitude toward the world Rouhani later would emulate.

During this time, rights groups allege Rouhani served on an extraconstitutional committee that planned the assassination of opponents and exiles abroad. Rouhani during this time also reportedly told an Iranian newspaper that the country "will not hesitate to destroy the activities of counterrevolutionary groups abroad." Rouhani has not addressed the allegations.

In 2002, after then-U.S. President George W. Bush described Iran as being in the "axis of evil," details of Iran's nuclear program were revealed by the Iranian exile group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. Rouhani soon became Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and reached a deal with European nations to suspend uranium enrichment.

But the election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threw those negotiations into disarray. After heated arguments with Ahmadinejad, Rouhani resigned as negotiator. Ahmadinejad resumed the program, leading to a series of crippling international sanctions.

After authorities stopped Rafsanjani from running for president in 2013, Rouhani became his standard-bearer. He squeaked out a first-round victory. He entered office at an auspicious moment, as U.S. President Barack Obama earlier had agreed to secret talks with Iranian officials in Oman to see if negotiations were possible.

Rouhani seized the opportunity. In September 2013, he and Obama spoke by telephone, the highest-level exchange between the two countries since the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis in Tehran. By 2015, the deal with world powers was struck.

Speaking later that year at the United Nations, Rouhani said he viewed the deal as "not the final objective but a development which can and should be the basis of further achievements to come."

"I say to all nations and governments: We will not forget the past, but we do not wish to live in the past," Rouhani said. "We will not forget war and sanctions, but we look to peace and development."

The nuclear deal led to Airbus and Chicago-based Boeing Co. signing multi-billion-dollar deals with Iran for airplanes and sent Iranian crude back into many markets. But Iran's weak economy and high unemployment stubbornly remained, in part over foreign firms' trepidation about entering Iran.

Meanwhile, hard-liners and the Revolutionary Guard continued to detain dual nationals, as well as artists and journalists in a crackdown on dissent. The Guard also launched ballistic missiles, including two that had "Israel must be wiped out" written on them in Hebrew.

During his re-election campaign, Rouhani began criticizing hard-liners more stridently than he had in his first four-year term. His rallies also saw people chant for detained leaders of the 2009 Green Movement, which challenged Ahmadinejad's disputed 2009 re-election. Freeing those men had been a promise from his first campaign, one that remains unfulfilled.

But for Rouhani, pragmatism has long been a way of life. Rouhani served as a military conscript under the shah though opposing him. He also recounted in his memoir sneaking into Iraq at age 18 to visit Khomeini in exile.

A smuggler demanded he be low profile and take off his turban, something other clerics may have refused. Rouhani didn't hesitate in removing it.

'We arrived safely and that is what mattered," Rouhani recounted.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap . His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz .
By Joyce Lee and Se Young Lee SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean retail giant has shelved controversial expansion plans, while a large bank made hundreds of contract jobs permanent after President Moon Jae-in took office vowing to reform the family-run conglomerates that dominate the economy. The 64-year-old liberal leader campaigned on a platform of curbing the power of the conglomerates, or chaebol. On Wednesday, he nominated an economist nicknamed "chaebol sniper" for his shareholder activist campaigns as head of the antitrust regulator. Moon has yet to spell out his reform agenda, and the fractured parliament, controlled by conservative and moderate politicians, would likely only support modest changes, given the chaebol's outsized role in the economy. But some companies are choosing to stay out of the crosshairs even before they see any legislation. Business lobby groups say they will work with Moon in creating jobs - the president's No.1 priority according to his advisers. South Korea's four biggest chaebol groups - Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG - account for half the country's stock market value. They released full-page ads after Moon's election, featuring his photo and saying they "will be with (President Moon) to make a better country." "They don't want to be the first to cause some kind of a problem," said Chang Sea-jin, professor of business administration at National University of Singapore. "It's time to be very careful." Big business, however, has largely stayed silent on Moon's call to create jobs, underscoring the challenges in delivering on his signature agenda. Moon pledged to create 810,000 public sector jobs and has chastised the chaebol for not hiring. Moon has vowed to end the practice of pardoning convicted corporate criminals and to break the nexus of business and politics that was once again exposed in the scandal that led to the ouster of former president Park Geun-hye and the arrest of Samsung chief Jay Y. Lee who is accused of bribing Park. Both are undergoing trial on criminal charges and have denied any wrongdoing. The conglomerates helped transform South Korea into Asia's fourth-largest economy. But critics say they have used their cosy ties with the government to crowd out smaller businesses. They also blame the chaebol's complex web of cross-shareholdings among group companies and opaque governance for the so-called "Korea Discount" - meaning their shares are typically undervalued in comparison to their global peers. 'FALL OUT OF FAVOUR' Within days of Moon's election, Shinsegae Inc, South Korea's third-largest department store operator, indefinitely postponed a land purchasing agreement for a new store it was planning to build in Bucheon, southwest of Seoul. Small business owners near the site have been protesting the plan. During the campaign, Moon pledged to place limitations on large shopping complexes, including on where they could be built, in order to protect smaller firms and self-employed shopowners. "I understand Shinsegae postponed the deal because of concerns that if they sign immediately after the start of the new administration, they will fall out of favour and be disadvantaged," Kim Man-soo, mayor of Bucheon City, posted on his Facebook. A Shinsegae official said the company had already scaled back the shopping mall project in late 2016, so as not to hurt traditional markets. He declined to elaborate. Shinsegae was spun off from Samsung in 1997, and Jay Y. Lee's aunt is its chairwoman and single-largest shareholder. Another shopping mall project in northwest Seoul by Lotte Shopping Co Ltd, which had been in the works for four years, may be scrapped all together. Lotte, Shinsegae's bigger rival, bought land for the mall in 2013, but the city of Seoul, whose mayor is a member of Moon's liberal party, has not approved construction. Lotte filed an administrative lawsuit against the city in April asking for a resolution. With Moon's election, Lotte has effectively given up on the project, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, citing a high-ranking Lotte official. A Lotte spokesman denied the report. The South Korean unit of Citibank, on Tuesday offered to turn all of its roughly 300 long-term temporary workers into regular workers "in pursuit of a broader benefit." JOBS DILEMMA Kim Sang-jo, Moon's nominee as next chairman of the Korea Fair Trade Commission, told reporters on Thursday he was in no hurry to unravel the cross-shareholding structures. The commission sets policies and decides cases related to fair competition. Reform was never about destroying or disbanding chaebols, but about inducing them to grow and add jobs, Kim said. South Koreas 10 largest companies only employ about 1 million of some 19 million actively employed in the country, the 54-year-old Kim said. While theres no change in our belief that cross-shareholding is a serious problem, we have to weigh benefits and administrative costs of any such reform" Kim said. "We have limited capital to push for policy changes and it is important to set priorities. But company officials and experts say structural problems make hiring easier said than done. Though tech giants, such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Inc, are posting big profits and building new plants in South Korea, their production lines are largely automated and require less manpower than before. Other top employers such as Hyundai Motor are looking to build more overseas to cut costs, while shipbuilders are downsizing amid a painful restructuring. (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Se Young Lee, additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Bill Tarrant)
DeepMind Mustafa Suleyman

Google DeepMind

DeepMind's work with the NHS has been in the spotlight again this week after a regulator referred to one of the company's key partnerships with the NHS as legally inappropriate.

The Google-owned research lab is working with several NHS trusts but its first NHS deal with Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is proving to be the most troublesome.

The deal with The Royal Free was quietly signed in September 2015 and it gave DeepMind permission to process 1.6 million NHS patient records from November 2015 to November 2016. The records belong to patients that have visited Royal Free Hospital.

DeepMind said it needed access to the medical records to help it test its kidney monitoring mobile app, which is called Streams and has the potential to save lives by sending out alerts to clinicians when their patient's condition suddenly deteriorates.

But medical records contain some of our most private information, including things like whether a person has had an abortion or what a person's HIV status is, as well as our full names and addresses.

DeepMind and The Royal Free have insisted from the beginning that the patient data is safe and that they're taking all the necessary precautions with it. DeepMind has also said on multiple occasions that the patient records cannot be seen by parent company Google and that they will not be passed onto a third party.

DeepMind Streams

Google DeepMind

From day one, DeepMind and The Royal Free have also insisted that the deal is legally sound on the basis that the Streams app is providing "direct care" to patients  something that automatically assumes "implied consent" on the patient's behalf.

But the deal's legal basis doesn't stand up

A letter leaked to Sky News and published on Monday shows that the National Data Guardian (NDG), Dame Fiona Caldicott, wrote to The Royal Free in February 2017 to let them know that the legal basis for the data-sharing deal that they used to test Streams was "inappropriate".

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"Given that Streams was going through testing and therefore could not be relied upon for patient care, any role the application may have played in supporting the provision of direct care would have been limited and secondary to the purpose of the data transfer," she wrote. "My considered opinion therefore remains that it would not have been within this reasonable expectation of patients that their records would have been shared for this purpose."

Those words can't have gone down well with execs at DeepMind or The Royal Free.

So if "direct care" wasn't the legal basis for the data-transfer deal then what was? DeepMind and The Royal Free are yet to specify another legal basis for their deal, possibly because it doesn't satisfy any of them.

Julia Powles, a technology law professor at Cornell University, told Business Insider: "Any other basis required approval in advance  and DeepMind had no such approvals."

The NDG highlighted in her letter that there is a gap in the current legislation on the legal bases for transferring NHS data and it looks as though DeepMind agrees. In a memo sent to DeepMind Health's review board that was seen by Business Insider, DeepMind agreed, saying the NDG's findings "exposed a guidance gap about how hospitals should test new systems."

There are a number of other legal bases that data transfer deals between the NHS and a private company can fall under when identifiable patient information is involved. They include:

Consent  this involves asking each of the individuals involved if you can use their data. Given the number of patient records that DeepMind wanted access to, this may not have been realistic.

Section 251  this is a section of the NHS Act 2006 that permits a patient's sensitive identifiable data to be shared without their explicit consent for some purposes other than their care. It was introduced when the Department of Health recognised that there were essential activities of the NHS, and important medical research, that required the use of identifiable patient information.

Public interest  confidential medical information can also be disclosed when there is a case sufficient to override both the duty of confidence owed to an individual and also the public interest in keeping health records confidential. "The threshold for disclosure will be a relatively high one," the government wrote in a data sharing and protection document in 2007.

Jenny Westaway, a spokesperson for the NDG, told Business Insider: "There are other legal bases that could be used to share data if the right conditions are met but I don't want to give the impression by naming other legal bases that these are valid.

"If they (DeepMind and The Royal Free) are now seeking to suggest that another legal basis would have been viable, I think it's up to them to say what that legal basis is and how they met it."

The NDG is a non-statutory body (the bill to make it statutory failed this month) so it has no real power to issue any form of punishment. However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's main data watchdog, is carrying out its own investigation into whether the deal was legal under the Data Protection Act and a verdict is expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

It's likely that DeepMind and The Royal Free will try and hold off providing any further statements on the legal basis for their deal until that verdict is made public.

If the ICO concludes that the deal wasn't legal, then DeepMind and the Royal Free can expect some form of punishment, which will likely be issued in the form of a fine.

NOW WATCH: 15 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do

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SEE ALSO: DeepMind is boosting its PR team as the company expands
Tucked high into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside of Cimarron, Philmont Scout Ranch has long been a draw, with some 23,000 scouts and adults leaders visiting the site every summer for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.

The ranch also features several areas that the general public may visit and find interesting, said Bryan Hayek, marketing manager for the ranch.

The Kit Carson Museum at Rayado pays tribute to Kit Carson and Lucien Maxwell, who founded a settlement in the area in the mid-1800s. In 1950, the Boy Scouts of America built an adobe museum focused on that era.

Staff at the Kit Carson Museum dress in period clothing and demonstrate frontier skills and crafts, Hayek said, including blacksmithing, cooking, shooting, and farming.

Each museum room is outfitted with reproduction furniture and objects typical to New Mexico in the 1850s, he said.

While located on the ranch, its several miles from ranch headquarters and features the Rayado Trading Company, which will take visitors back in time as they browse through reproduction tools and equipment, moccasins and blankets.

The oil baron Waite Phillips first gave the Boys Scouts its first chunk of what would become Philmont with a 36,000-acre gift in 1938. In 1941, the family gave the Scouts another 91,000.

The 28,400-square-foot, Spanish Mediterranean styled Villa Philmonte  which was the family summer home  remains intact and functions as a museum today. Touring the home with guides gives visitors a sense of what it was like to live in rural New Mexico in the 1930s and how Philmont came to be.

The Seton Memorial Library is dedicated to the works of naturalist, author and illustrator Ernest Thompson Seton.

Seton wrote and illustrated numerous scholarly and popular articles, stories, and more than 40 books about wild animals. The books include Wild Animals I Have Known, Animal Heroes, The Biography of a Silver Fox, Life Histories of Northern Animals, Wild Animals at Home, and Lives of Game Animals.

Among the illustrated works on display, the Triumph of the Wolves and The Pursuit are two of his most noted.

Next to Philmont, the 11,000-acre Chase Ranch was established in 1869 and remained in operation through 2012 when the last remaining family member died, leaving it to a foundation. A year later, the foundation turned it over to the Boy Scouts in return for an agreement to preserve the heritage and history of the ranch.

The main ranch house and grounds have been turned into an educational museum for both Philmont participants and the general public.

The historic adobe ranch house showcases a way of life from the settler days 150 years ago as it weathered the Colfax County land grant war, territorial and statehood periods and contemporary times.

In direct contrast to the peacefulness at Philmont, nearby Cimarron was a wild-and-wooly Old West town known more for its gunslingers who passed through than its residents of yore.

The St. James Hotel and Restaurant, for instance, was a favorite hangout of folks like Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Clay Allison, Black Jack Ketchum, Billy the Kid and Thomas James Wright.

In 1872, gunfights were not uncommon. Historians list 26 people killed at the establishment over the years, while plenty of bullet holes remain in ceilings and walls.

Occupants say spirits roam the creaky staircases and spooky halls with tilted chandeliers. The hotel has been featured in several TV programs about the paranormal on the Biography, A&E and SyFy.

While there are no ghosts at the Old Aztec Mill Museum, the stone structure built in 1864 is now a museum featuring the old millstones and other historical artifacts, including pictures of Black Jack Ketchums hanging.
After her veto of all higher education and legislative funding, Gov. Susana Martinez has suggested that any remedy for the budget crisis is conditional on a major overhaul of New Mexicos gross receipts tax structure.

As a state representative and longtime small business owner in Deming, Im an enthusiastic supporter of tax reform. Its desperately needed and long overdue.

However, I share the concerns of many of my colleagues  including Senate Finance Chair John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, and House Appropriations & Finance Chair Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup  that a special session is not the appropriate venue to attempt a major initiative like tax reform.

Moreover, as a former board member of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, I am passionately committed to ensuring that tax reforms are the result of an open, transparent, public process.

Gov. Martinez agrees with legislators that the special session should be as short as possible  preferably a single day  to resolve the immediate crisis without running up a tab on taxpayers of more than $50,000 per day.

There is no way to properly tackle tax reform in a short special session. Sufficient time is needed to analyze different proposals and amendments, hold public hearings and legislative debates, and provide New Mexicans with adequate opportunity to monitor the issue and express their opinions to their legislators. At the very least, that process would take weeks.

Presumably, Gov. Martinez and House Republicans are proposing that tax reform be negotiated in advance of the special session, behind closed doors and out of the public eye. Their goal is to get a deal done so it can be rubber-stamped in a short special session, without all the fuss and muss of public hearings and debate.

This is a terrible way to craft public policy and conduct government business.

As elected officials, we serve the public, and we cant do the publics business in darkness  not if we want to maintain the publics trust. They have placed their faith in us, and the least we can do is tackle major policy issues in the public domain, where they can watch us, agree with us or argue with us.

Where most New Mexicans dont have the opportunity or luxury of monitoring the minutiae of tax policy debates, the media serves an important role as their watchdog. If anyone should be up in arms about a backroom tax reform deal, it should be the media  and as the owner/operator of a media outlet in Deming, Im concerned at the lack of outrage.

As I see it, the choices Gov. Martinez is giving New Mexicans are: 1) a long special session that could cost a million dollars or more, or 2) a back-room deal on taxes that hasnt been subject to public or media scrutiny.

I, for one, choose door No. 3: a short special session to fix the immediate crisis by closing tax loopholes and modernizing fees in proposals that have already been subject to significant public vetting and have already earned relatively broad support.

Then, in the interim before the 2018 session, we can invest the time, energy and effort in carefully crafting tax reform in full view of the public and media.

That is how we get this right.
A Republican attempt to repeal former President Obamas rule clamping down on the release of methane from oil and gas wells failed in the Senate by the slimmest of margins this month, and now Sen. Tom Udall wants to do away with the obscure law that almost allowed it to happen.

Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, and Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J., introduced legislation last week to scrap the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn agency rules in the early days of a presidential administration with a simple majority in each chamber. Udalls proposal has pretty much zero chance of making it to President Trumps desk in the Republican-controlled Congress, but it shines a spotlight on one way the legislative branch can check the executive without actually passing laws.

Since Trump took office, Republicans have used the Congressional Review Act to reverse more than a dozen Obama-era rules including those meant to protect broadband privacy, expand background checks for mentally ill gun buyers and reduce coal waste runoff into streams. The so-called CRA was enacted two decades ago but has been used only once to roll back a presidential directive before this year. The law allows 60 legislative days to repeal a presidents executive regulations after they leave office. The deadline has now passed for using the policy tool to kill Obama-era rules.

Udall likened the law to using a sledgehammer when a chisel is needed.

The CRA never should have been passed into law, and its past time to repeal it, Udall said last week.

Obamas methane rule, which has a major impact in oil- and gas-rich New Mexico, was headed for what looked like likely repeal by Republicans before three Republicans, including Sen. John McCain, opted to side with Democrats and block the move at the last minute. The measure passed the House but failed in the Senate 51-49 on May 10. Udall and Sen. Martin Heinrich, also a Democrat, both voted against repealing the rule limiting the greenhouse gas emissions. ICF International, an independent consulting firm, estimates New Mexico loses about $100 million worth of methane from venting and flaring annually on federal and tribal lands in the state. The New Mexico senators votes raised some eyebrows among the states influential oil and gas producers who say adhering to the rule is expensive and wanted to see the regulation abolished.

Republicans, who were champing at the bit to repeal even more Obama-era rules, have said the reversals they did pass under the CRA helped correct a dramatic and unnecessary expansion of government.

After years of talk about cutting red tape, it is now actually happening, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said in April after the first round of CRA repeals cleared Congress. We are reversing the Obama administrations most recent and last regulatory onslaught.

Its no secret that rural America is hurting.

Our nations least populated and most geographically remote areas are lagging far behind urban areas in job creation, availability of quality health care, income, internet access and the list goes on. New Mexico, with its vast and remote rural areas and weak economy, is particularly susceptible to these discouraging trends.

As the ranking Democrat on the Joint (House-Senate) Economic Committee, Sen. Martin Heinrich is trying to spread some awareness of the problem. Last week, he released a report titled Economic Challenges in Rural America. The report is short on detailed policy suggestions but it highlights some eye-popping problems. For example, it points out that 39 percent of Americans in rural areas lack access to broadband internet, compared to just 4 percent of urban Americans, according to the Federal Communications Commission. How can kids or job seekers or telecommuters  or practically anyone  function effectively in the 21st Century economy without reliable internet access?

Heinrich does generally advise congressional action that would cost significant money: rural infrastructure improvements, investment in broadband technology, and tax credits, training programs and grants that encourage private investment in rural areas. It remains to be seen if the Democratic lawmaker and some of his Republican colleagues who represent rural areas can agree on any of this.

Heinrich, who is up for re-election next year, has been quite active in his new role on the Joint Economic Committee. You can read his report on rural America, and others, here: www.jec.senate.gov

Congratulations to Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., for receiving the Circumnavigator Diploma from the National Aeronautics Association in recognition of his solo expedition around the world in a small single engine aircraft last year.

Pearce, an avid and longtime aviator and Vietnam veteran, received the recognition in his office last week. Pearce said he undertook the mission in honor of veterans who served and sacrificed their lives for the United States.

Email: mcoleman@abqjournal.com. Go to abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
New Mexico lawmakers will gather in Santa Fe on May 24 for a special session called by Gov. Susana Martinez to address the states budget dilemma.

Thats dilemma as in the fact that our government-dependent state, still trying to crawl out of the Great Recession and wracked by the plunge in oil prices, has burned through nearly all of its $700 million in reserves and doesnt have a budget in place for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The state constitution requires a balanced budget, and the Legislature, with both Houses controlled by Democrats, passed one back in March. But it was based on $350 million in various tax hikes and fee increases that were promptly vetoed by Martinez  as she had promised to do.

After red-lining the tax hikes, she also vetoed the entire appropriation for higher education and the Legislature because there was no money to pay for them, leading some lawmakers to ask the Supreme Court to invalidate the vetoes. The justices opted to stay out of the dispute for now, correctly saying it wasnt ripe for adjudication. They didnt comment on the merits.

With the wind out of those political sails, that puts us back to square one. Sort of.

The governor always said the higher ed veto was a temporary measure and that the money would be restored in the special session. There will still need to be some money shifted around and some cuts to get us to balanced and replenish reserves. Meanwhile, while Martinez has always pledged she would not approve new taxes, she has said she is agreeable to increases that occur as part of a broader tax overhaul. Thats a major concession on her part.

Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, has crafted a bill that would overhaul the states gross receipts tax code, doing away with a pile of exemptions, deductions and credits. While thats a tax hike for those who havent been paying anything, it would lower the overall rate for New Mexicos gross receipts tax (GRT) system, which is generally regarded as one of the nations worst. Gee, what a surprise. To say it has so many holes that it resembles Swiss cheese is closer to understatement than hyperbole.

The Legislature debated Harpers bill, which also took on GRT pyramiding in business-to-business transactions, during the regular session. There was almost unanimous agreement that major changes in the tax system are needed. But, predictably, a plethora of high-paid lobbyists worked hard and successfully to protect many individual exemptions, trotting out various doomsday scenarios and putting the heat on legislators.

So HB 412 went by the wayside and we ended up with the stalemate in which we now find ourselves.

But in reality, some version of Harpers legislation might well be the only way forward  unless House Republicans cave in and override the governors veto of tax increases.

Political cynicism aside, this is a real chance to make fundamental changes. Lawmaking is about debate and compromise, and Harper is working on changes that will seek to address concerns that have been raised while still meeting the goals of finally having a GRT system that is fair, doesnt punish New Mexicans, particularly low-income ones, and no longer wreaks economic havoc on small businesses by pushing up costs and making them less able to compete with out-of-state vendors.

Yes, there are those who say we need to study this more. But we have enough studies to keep a fireplace in operation through a cold winter. They have led to nothing, and perhaps thats the real goal of many who are pushing that option. A delay-and-study would, however, be a bit of an economic boon  for lobbyists.

And yes, there are those who say the economy is improving a bit and that new revenue estimates narrow how much new money we need. Oh, and oil and gas is going to come back big time. Or, as they say in New Orleans, Laissez les bon temps rouler!

But weve seen this movie, and its sequels, before and know that too often they end with an oil price crash and a state budget crisis. Oil and gas is a great industry that contributes much. But oil is a commodity and we dont control the price. The Saudis and others do.

Fundamental change is tough. We dont know the details of the new overhaul plan that will be presented, but we do have a blueprint. And its a blueprint for a better and more competitive New Mexico.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexico lawmakers will head back to the state Capitol this week for a budget-balancing special session, and legislative Democrats and Republicans appear to agree on at least one point: They want it resolved fast and effectively.

But theres little agreement on how much additional revenue  if any  will be needed to fund state government operations for the coming year, and whether an overhaul of the states clunky gross receipts tax system should be part of the special session mix.

Republican Gov. Susana Martinez called the special session after vetoing big chunks  including all proposed funding for legislative branch agencies and state colleges and universities  out of a budget bill approved in March by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and also axing a proposed $350 million package of tax and fee increases to help pay for it.

The two-term Republican governor has urged lawmakers to approve sweeping changes to the states gross receipts tax code in the special session, instead of standalone tax increases, while also restoring funding to the vetoed areas.

There has been decades of complaining about these loopholes, Martinez told reporters last week in Santa Fe. We can study this to death, or we can actually have the courage to do something about it.

However, most Democratic lawmakers  and some Republicans  have expressed wariness about fast-tracking the tax overhaul legislation, which stalled in the Senate during this years 60-day session due to concerns about its potential impact.

Some lawmakers have indicated support for a 90-day study of the state tax code, which would allow for more vetting of potential changes before the 2018 legislative session.

Sen. Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, the vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said the Legislature should focus on restoring the vetoed funding for higher education and legislative branch agencies.

I think we need to fix the problems the vetoes got us into, Cisneros told the Journal. Essentially, thats all we need to do.

He said he thinks lawmakers should be able to wrap up their work in a day or two or three, at best, and said many lawmakers would prefer to hold off on the tax overhaul legislation.

The last thing we want to do going into the special session is adopt a measure thats going to disrupt state government, Cisneros said.

But some House Republicans, who have resisted Democrats calls to override the governors budget vetoes, say a refusal to compromise could lead to more finger-pointing  and more vetoes.

If you want to play chicken, I dont think (the governor) is going to blink, said Rep. Jimmie Hall, R-Albuquerque. I dont think the Democrats want to be the ones to shut state government down.

Hall said hes hopeful for a quick resolution to the special session, but said hes bringing a weeks worth of clothes to Santa Fe just in case.

Higher ed anxiety

For colleges and universities, theres millions of dollars at stake in the special session.

The governors veto struck down roughly $745 million in proposed state general fund dollars  and more in other state funds  for 17 institutions around the state, including the New Mexico Military Institute and the New Mexico School for the Deaf.

While Martinez has said she has a plan to restore funding, the vetoes have led to anxiety among university leaders, professors and students with just six weeks remaining until the start of the new budget year on July 1.

Marc Saavedra, the executive director of the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, said university officials are planning for a 1 percent spending reduction in the coming year  as was proposed in the original budget bill  but are hoping to avoid additional cuts.

We feel pretty confident the governor and the Legislature are going to get this worked out as soon as possible, Saavedra said.

He also said the longer the situation drags on without a funding bill being enacted, the more instability will build around New Mexico campuses.

Martinez met Friday with several top-ranking Democratic lawmakers and, after the meeting, a spokesman said the governor is confident there will be an agreement on funding measures, including for higher education.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, sounded a similar tone after emerging from the closed-door discussion.

I left the meeting with the sense that were going to get the higher education funding restored and that were close, Wirth said in an interview. That really is the number one priority.

Partisan tensions

The special session will begin roughly two months after the 60-day regular session ended with Martinez  who has stuck to a no tax increase stance since taking office in 2011  chastising lawmakers for relying on tax hikes to balance the states $6.1 billion budget.

Since then, a group of top legislators filed a court challenge over the governors line-item vetoes of all proposed funding  roughly $779 million in all  for legislative agencies and colleges and universities, arguing Martinez had overstepped her authority.

However, the state Supreme Court earlier this month rejected the challenge, saying it was too early to weigh in on the matter.

Theres also been a back-and-forth exchange of volleys between the Governors Office and top-ranking Democratic lawmakers, with Martinez staffers derisively referring to legislative leaders as Santa Fe trial lawyers and key legislators accusing the governor of being fiscally irresponsible.

The politically charged atmosphere could make finding common ground on tax code changes a tricky proposition.

Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, the architect of the tax legislation, has said that eliminating more than a hundred gross receipts tax breaks and lowering the base rate could help get New Mexico out of an economic death spiral.

His special session legislation has not yet been unveiled, but is expected to be pared back from the previous version, with built in trigger points that would allow some revenue-generating provisions  such as a reduction of the current tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals  to take effect before the rest of the bill.

But its unclear if the retooled bill can win enough support in the Legislature to make it to the governors desk.

We shouldnt be worried about legacies; we should be worried about passing good policy, Sen. Clemente Sanchez, D-Grants, said in a recent interview.

Tax reform or more spending cuts?

The special session will play out against a backdrop of a sluggish economy.

New Mexico already had its top bond rating downgraded last fall, and credit rating agencies will likely keep a close eye on the special sessions outcome to determine whether additional adjustments are necessary.

After two consecutive years of budget cuts prompted by a steep revenue downturn, top Democrats say any additional spending reductions could do lasting damage to agencies and programs in a state thats had the nations highest jobless rate for three straight months.

Weve cut and weve cut  I think theres a bipartisan recognition now that more cuts arent the solution, Wirth said.

But Martinez has said increasing taxes on New Mexico families and small businesses given the current economic climate would be just as misguided and has pointed to the recent defeat of a soda tax levy in Santa Fe as evidence of voters feelings.

Were working on overall tax reform, the governor told reporters last week. I want to see a budget pass, but I (also) want to lower the gross receipts tax.

She has also advocated for shoring up the state reserves, by earmarking unspent infrastructure funds and taking money from legislators retirement account  though some claim that move would be unconstitutional.

Journal Capitol Bureau reporter Dan McKay contributed to this report.

At a glance

A special session of the New Mexico Legislature begins at noon on May 24 at the state Capitol in Santa Fe. Some key facts:

Session agenda  Funding higher education and legislative branch agencies, tax overhaul legislation, creating a rainy day fund, confirming university regent nominees and more.

Length of session  Unspecified, but can last no more than 30 days.

Cost of session  Could exceed $50,000 per day, based on recent special sessions.

Legislative breakdown  Democrats hold a majority in both chambers, with a 38-32 edge in the House and a 26-16 advantage in the Senate.
The number of certified foster families in New Mexico has grown by more than 20 percent over the last two years, but state officials say more needs to be done to meet growing demand.

There are nearly 1,300 foster families across New Mexico, according to the latest figures provided by the state Children, Youth and Families Department. That includes full-time foster parents as well as those who are available only for emergency situations or to provide respite for foster families.

Child welfare officials are pushing in New Mexico to raise awareness of the continued need as May marks National Foster Care Month throughout the country.

Monique Jacobson, head of the state child welfare agency, said during a recent interview that the increase in foster parents is partly the result of efforts to boost retention by providing more support for those willing to take in children in the states custody.

The agency is also helping those who are interested in becoming foster parents to better navigate what can be a rigorous monthslong certification process.

What we wanted to do was make sure that those who are doing it for the right reasons, that are in it because of their heart and because its their purpose, that were giving them the support they need so they dont have to drop out for reasons that are within our control, she said.

But Jacobson and others have acknowledged that the state has more work to do, since the number of children in custody has been steadily climbing since 2011. Now, there are more than 2,600 children in the system and not enough foster parents to go around.

The problem is seen across the U.S., with officials pointing to a high turnover rate and the unwanted consequences that come from children having to be moved to new families or be sheltered in agency offices until suitable homes can be found.

In New Mexico, child welfare workers are focusing first on identifying relatives who can provide a safe place for children until they can be reunited with their parents.

Jacobson said children in state custody do better when they are placed in familiar settings with people they know.

State Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, who grew up in foster care, sponsored a bill during the last legislative session that would have given relatives first right of refusal when authorities are trying to place children with families.

The bill would have required background checks, home inspections and a signed affidavit to ensure the child wouldnt be return to the parent until the family crisis was resolved.

The Democrat-controlled Legislature passed the measure, but it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

I know of hundreds of situations where families came forward, but it became a complete nightmare for them to become a foster parent, if at all, said Padilla, who plans to reintroduce the bill.

Jacobson acknowledged that the certification process is tough, but that its designed to make sure children are kept safe and that people arent using the system for financial benefits.

She also said the new navigation program is helping prospective foster parents as they wade through the system and that some of the changes sought by lawmakers are being done administratively, such as making placement with a relative a priority.

New Mexico expects to spend more than $31 million in state and federal matching dollars on foster care during the current fiscal year that ends next month. That includes food, clothing and other reimbursements to foster parents, care for children who are in residential treatment centers and childcare costs.
A state historic marker commemorating the life of New Mexico homesteader Mollie Klapp and the history of dryland farming in central New Mexico will be dedicated at a roadside event south of Moriarty on Wednesday, the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division and the Department of Transportation announced.

Having a grandmother in an unmarked grave has troubled me most of my life, said Mary Jean Kelso, an author and granddaughter of Klapp. I have been searching for a way that she could be remembered when families no longer were fluent with oral history.

The dedication begins at 11 a.m. at the intersection of N.M. 41 and Madrid Avenue near Moriarty.

Mollie Klapp was born in Illinois in 1862 and moved to Oklahoma, where she was widowed with seven children. After the birth of her last child in 1900, she moved to New Mexico and grew pinto beans in Estancia Valley, where climate and sandy soils are suitable for dryland farming. By 1916, 2.5 million pounds of pinto beans were being harvested and shipped from central New Mexico each year.

Klapp remarried and continued to farm. But she suffered from mental illness and was institutionalized at the state hospital in Las Vegas for 20 years. She worked as a laundress and was buried on hospital grounds in 1933.

This subject allowed us to establish an historic marker that touches on the important history of dryland farming, pinto beans, and homesteading in New Mexico in the context of the life of a brave woman whose story illustrates the hardships many homesteaders experienced, said Rick Hendricks, state historian and chairman of the Cultural Properties Review Committee, which approves marker texts and locations.
Water rights in the East Mountains and Estancia Valley are always a contentious subject, especially with a planned water pipeline that has been proposed by the Estancia-Moriarty-Willard-Torrance County Water Association.

A letter that was prepared by a lawyer for the state Land Grant Consejo against the pipeline was presented to the Mountainair Town Council on Tuesday evening by Jason Quintana.

I dont know about the rest of you (councilors) but I am totally OK with signing the letter, Mountainair Town Councilor Peter Nieto said. I am totally OK with doing a resolution and Im totally OK with forming a (joint powers agreement).

The letter is the first step in a process that may include a resolution and possibly a joint powers agreement between Mountainair, the land grants and acequias in the Estancia Basin. The letter will be sent to Santa Fe.

The proposed pipeline will run from Willard to Moriarty along N.M. 41. There have already been letters of support of the pipeline sent in from the Town of Edgewood and the City of Moriarty.

Should the pipeline be installed, water from one end of the Estancia Basin would be transported through the pipeline to another area that was in need. If the place where the water was removed needed water, then EMWT would sell the water back at wholesale prices. Quintana said that he attended an EMWT meeting and asked what the wholesale prices were and was told that nobody knew because the prices fluctuate.

I called it  and I may be politically incorrect  they want to be the Pablo Escobar of water, Quintana said. They will control all of the water and the rest of us can buy our little bits and pieces as we can afford it.

EMWT Board Member George Immerwahr was in attendance and did not respond to the quip comparing the water authority to the late Mexican drug lord and head of the Medellin drug cartel.

The EMWT Association has applied for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Grant, the New Mexico Water Trust Board, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, New Mexico Finance and Administration Department Local Projects Grant, capital outlay and others to fund the pipeline.

Water rights have also been discussed but rights cannot be purchased until the preliminary engineering report is completed. At the Estancia Basin Resources Association (EBRA) meeting in January, it was stated very plainly by EMWT Board Chairman Bobby Ortiz that EMWT does not intend to take water rights from the land grants.
A man has been charged with murder in a Friday morning shooting that left one man dead in southeast Albuquerque, according to a spokesman from the Albuquerque Police Department.

Marcos Xavier Herrera, 27, was arrested in the fatal shooting death of James Jaquez, 37, that occurred on the 500 block of Cauga SE, officer Simon Drobik said.

The incident started early Friday morning when Jaquez got in an argument with his girlfriend, according to an arrest warrant filed in Metropolitan Court.

According to the warrant, Jaquez and the woman got in a fight after he allegedly accused her of cheating on him. After he left the house, she went outside to discover that her tires had been slashed. She filed a police report.

Later that morning, the woman invited a friend over to help fix her tires, according to the criminal complaint. The friend brought Herrera with him to help.

When Jaquez came to get back to his belongings, he and Herrera got in an argument, according to the warrant. A witness told police he heard a gunshot and yelling from the house.

Jaquez showed up later at a hospital with a gunshot wound, where he died.

Hererra was arrested the following day in northwest Albuquerque. When police searched his cars, they found 14 ounces of meth, other illegal drugs, and a handgun, according to a criminal complaint filed against him.

Herrera is charged with an open count of murder in Jaquezs death, along with trafficking meth and felony possession of a firearm.
The American Technology Council (ATC) will hold its first session next month, according to industry sources who obtained the inaugural meetings agenda earlier this week. The gathering will see major Silicon Valley tech giants including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook meet with officials from the White House to discuss a wide variety of topics, including government modernization and immigration of high-skilled workers, the latter of which might prove to be a friction point between the United States government and tech companies. Its currently unclear whether the meeting will be presided by President Trump personally, though Vice President Pence is expected to helm the session in case of Trumps absence. The ATCs first gathering will be held on June 19, according to the same source.

Trump established the ATC with an executive order signed in late April that described the newly formed task force as Washingtons latest attempt to overhaul its information technologies and related frameworks with the goal of making the administration more efficient. Jared Kushner, Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law was reportedly one of the main proponents advocating for the establishment of the ATC and despite the polarizing nature of many of the current administrations policies, the formation of the new task force wasnt largely criticized by the opposing Democratic Party and was largely seen as a bipartisan move. The White House previously said that the ATC is aiming to modernize its IT infrastructure with the goal of allowing the general public to communicate with the administration more easily, though it didnt provide more details on how it intends to fulfill those goals. Its understood that top government officials who are members of the ATC still dont have firm policies in mind and will only start drafting more concrete plans later this year, following consultations with the countrys largest tech companies and other experts in the field.

According to recent reports, the task force intends to overhaul the federal process of purchasing computer hardware and software, in addition to tackling immigration in the Silicon Valley. While it remains to be seen how quickly will the ATC proceed with its agenda, an update on its activities is expected to follow shortly.
Foursquare is the Switzerland of the global tech industry, the companys Chief Executive Officer Jeff Glueck said in a Friday interview with Jim Cramer on CNBCs Mad Money. The top executive of the New York City-based discovery service said that the firm made the right move by entering big data that led it to discover unlimited possibilities in a wide variety of industries. The recently appointed CEO asserted that there is no limit to how many fields big data will be able to disrupt in the future, adding that Foursquare intends to be in the center of that trend. The company currently boasts a massive database of mapped places that consists of approximately 100 million locations and is working with around 100,000 clients, including half of the top 100 largest advertisers on the planet.

Foursquare was in a unique position to seamlessly enter the big data market due to its widely popular search-and-discover service and is currently in the process of expanding its already large client list even further while simultaneously improving its mapping and analytics technologies. The companys new business focus revolves around tracking and identifying economic and demographic patterns around the world with the goal of serving relevant information to its clients that are aiming to sell their products and services in an efficient manner. Glueck said that each business has a unique fingerprint, which is why the company is looking to provide its clients with a highly customizable and specialized big data service that allows them to maximize their potential.

While Foursquares brand isnt as valuable as that of Facebook and Google, the company is said to have developed a system thats just as accurate at identifying peoples needs and movements as the solutions from the largest tech giants on the planet are. The firms services are being used by everyone from Snapchat and Uber to Twitter, and Foursquare is adamant to continue acting as the Switzerland of the tech industry by working together with everyone without aligning itself with any particular party, Glueck said. It remains to be seen how that strategy will work out in the long term but more details on the companys operations and performance will likely be available shortly.
A Lenovo representative on Saturday surprisingly confirmed that the unannounced Moto Z2 Play will feature a 3,000mAh battery. The employee known only as Auxen took to Twitter to respond to one user who was telling Lenovo that if recent rumors about the Moto Z2 Play featuring a 3,000mAh battery were true, the company was making making a big mistake. While not directly addressing the criticism, the employee using Lenovos official Twitter account wrote that the Moto Z2 Play will indeed feature a 3,000mAh lithium-ion battery, adding that the unit wont be removable. Its unclear whether the source of the information was acting on their own or if the revelation was a conscious decision from Lenovos marketing team, but regardless, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) confirming rumors regarding specifications of an officially unannounced device is not a common occurrence.

In light of the fact that Lenovos entire Moto handset lineup that the company is planning to release by the end of the year was recently leaked online, its possible that the Chinese tech giant opted for a more unconventional approach to promoting its handsets and garnering some extra publicity. Even so, its unclear why the phone maker would decide to start its wave of rumor confirmations by verifying a relatively negatively perceived aspect of the device  the fact that its battery was downgraded by 510mAh compared to last years Moto Z Play. Seeing how the same employee later came back to the same tweet chain to post a link to a Lenovo Community thread on the advantages of non-removable batteries, the company may be trying to preemptively comment on the weaker points of its upcoming phone, though that doesnt make the latest turn of events any less unusual.

While the 2016 Moto Z Play also featured a non-removable battery, industry insiders are speculating that lowering its capacity will allow Lenovo to ship a significantly thinner phone while still not significantly sacrificing its battery life seeing how the upcoming device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 thats more energy efficient than the Snapdragon 625 that was built into its predecessor. More details on the Moto Z2 Play will likely be available in the coming weeks.
T-Mobile announced its plans to increase some customer fees next month, noting that its looking to recover certain losses that its been subjected to in the past and is still incurring them to this day. The third largest mobile service provider in the United States will be increasing its Regulatory Programs Fee (RPF) & Telco Recovery Fee (TRF) as of June 10. The company uses those fees to comply with certain government programs and cover costs related to third-party facilities and services. The RPF is set to be increased from $2.71 to $3.18 for voice lines, while the TRF will amount to $1.16 for data lines as of June 10, up from $0.98. Former customers of SunCom Wireless  a Pennsylvania-based wireless carrier that T-Mobile acquired for $1.6 billion and rebranded under its name in 2008  were previously exempt from paying the Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee, but will start being charged its full amount as of next month, T-Mobile said, adding that only customers who switch to its T-Mobile ONE Taxes & Fees Included plan or are already paying for it will be able to avoid the extra monthly charge.

The Bellevue, Washington-based company said that the latest fee changes are part of its standard price adjustments that usually follow major reviews of its third-party services and government program compliance reviews. T-Mobile reviews its related compliance costs on a regular basis and adjusts customer fees in an effort to accurately charge its customers depending on their plan of choice, the firm said, adding that its T-Mobile ONE plan that includes additional costs was launched precisely to accommodate consumers who prefer not to think about additional fees. The fees themselves are not to be mistaken for a government-imposed tax as theyll be retained by T-Mobile and reinvested into the aforementioned sectors with no exceptions.

Refer to the source link beneath this writing for a more in-depth explanation of T-Mobiles decision to raise its Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee. The move comes shortly after the Deutsche Telekom-owned mobile service provider posted financial results for yet another successful business quarter and directly confirmed it will discuss a potential merger with Sprint later this year.
In mid-March Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell received a stern letter from the office of Arizonas senior senator.

The letter from Sen. John McCain focused on the largest contractor on the 2.4 million-acre Four Forest Restoration Initiative, or 4FRI. The company, Good Earth Power AZ, had thinned just 8,332 acres of the contract's 300,000-acre goal, despite being halfway through the contracts 10-year time period.

McCain called the lack of progress by Good Earth profoundly disappointing and wanted to know what the Forest Service was going to do about it.

As the largest stewardship contract in the agency's history reaches its midway point, there is broad recognition that it has missed the mark in a big way.

(The contract) is generally the point of 4FRI that is considered the biggest failure, Scott Russell, the Forest Services chief executive of the 4FRI project, told the Coconino County Board of Supervisors in April.

With that point acknowledged and accepted, the Forest Service and the 4FRI stakeholder group are now redirecting their focus and resources to parts of the project that have already proven more successful or have potential to turn the tree-thinning program around.

Its a pivot many see as crucial to accelerating 4FRI toward its original goal of mechanically thinning 50,000 acres a year over 20 years in order to begin restoring Arizonas fire-adapted ponderosa pine forests before they burn up instead.

But whether this attempt to reinvigorate and refocus the project, which includes a Forest Service effort to develop a new strategic plan for 4FRI, will be the reboot it needs remains to be seen.

This is an important moment in time for 4FRI, Coconino County Supervisor Art Babbott said during an April meeting on the project. We need to be able to hoist a flag up that shows a direction and a path forward that is realistic and also engaging and provides energy.

A CONTRACT REPEAT?

For its part, the Forest Service is developing a strategic plan to better guide its work on 4FRI into the future. Among the components, one has garnered the most attention. It calls for the agency to put out a request for proposals from timber industry businesses on their best ideas to thin and remove biomass  a term that refers to small trees, limbs and treetops  across 200,000 to 500,000 acres on 4FRIs west side around Flagstaff and Williams.

If the strategy sounds familiar, it should. A similar, large-acreage RFP resulted in the 300,000-acre contract initially awarded to Montana-based Pioneer Forest Products, which had plans to make furniture and other wood products from timber and turn the leftover biomass into biodiesel.

But it was just a year and a few months later that Pioneer, faced with a lack of financing, got the Forest Services approval to transfer its contract to Good Earth Power AZ in September 2013.

This time around, there are good reasons to believe the process will end differently, Russell said. He explained that at the time the Forest Service awarded the first contract, the required environmental analysis on the designated forest parcels had not been completed, which meant there was no guarantee that legal challenges to the analysis wouldn't delay the start of logging work for years, Russell said.

With that in mind, the Forest Service designed a contract that was very risk averse, he said. It didnt promise much and, because of that, couldnt ask for much in return in terms of work completed on the ground, Russell said.

That means that despite thinning so few acres, Good Earth is still in compliance with the terms and conditions of its contract.

Now, the required environmental analyses have been completed on more than 500,000 acres within the 4FRI footprint, clearing them for mechanical thinning work. That will mean the Forest Service can not only require more of bidders but will likely attract a stronger slate of them, said Ethan Aumack of the Grand Canyon Trust, a longtime member of the 4FRI stakeholder group.

Already, the new RFP concept has garnered interest from new management at the helm of Good Earth Power AZ (see related story, Page A5) as well as Brad Worsley, CEO of the Snowflake-based biomass plant Novo Power and partner in the Novo Star sawmill. Worsley said he is working diligently to become a bidder on the RFP with a plan to build a biomass plant on the west side of the 4FRI footprint.

The only way we see this working is to try to replicate the success on the east side (of the project) and that begins with a biomass facility, he said.

The lingering question, however, is whether the Forest Service will reform the way it evaluates bidders to ensure a more reliable and capable contractor. The Forest Service said it is committed to issuing an RFP that reflects lessons learned from the first process, and will take into consideration nine standards developed by the stakeholder group that address things like contractor financing and firm accountability mechanisms.

Without a much more rigorous evaluation process, awarding a new RFP will serve no purpose whatsoever, said Pascal Berlioux, executive director of the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization and a member of the stakeholder group.

The Forest Service plans to release the request for proposals in the fall and, depending on what responses come in, it could award one large contract, several smaller ones or none at all if the bidders dont make the cut, Russell said.

Many eyes are watching how the process unfolds to see if the model of industry-funded, rather than government subsidy-funded, thinning can actually work this time.

If the Forest Service can successfully award a contract, Berlioux said, "chances are we have solved 4FRI."

On the flip side, if the RFP process fails to attract viable bids that would help answer whether the model is actually viable, said Travis Bruner with the Grand Canyon Trust. If its not, then the initiative will have to reassess, said Aumack. The Forest Service will either have to reduce its thinning goals, bring in significant additional federal subsidies or use managed and prescribed fire much more aggressively, he said.

EAST SIDE SUCCESS

While 4FRI has been dogged by slow progress in the western portion of the project, Berlioux said he repeatedly reminds people that industry-funded thinning has been working beautifully on the east side in the White Mountains. In 2016, loggers thinned 15,000 acres without any subsidies, proving the model isnt flawed, its an issue of execution, Berlioux said.

The Forest Service has acknowledged the east sides progress as well and it has promised to offer 15,000 acres per year in timber sales or stewardship contracts on that side of 4FRI.

To help its employees follow through on that commitment, the Forest Service last year committed an extra $10 million per year to help complete the preparation work like resources surveys, timber volume estimates and tree marking that need to happen before thinning or prescribed fire can move forward. So far the Forest Service has fallen behind its prep goals, though, saying it plans to have 37,000 acres prepared for mechanical treatments this year, far below the 54,000 it had originally anticipated.

ANOTHER PHASE

In addition to accelerating work on the ground, the Forest Service is in the midst of a second environmental review process to make way for thinning, prescribed fire and ecological restoration work across another 1.2 million acres that stretch from the Happy Jack area to east of Pinetop-Lakeside across the Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves and Tonto national forests.

Many said the process is looking positive so far, crediting the diverse group of stakeholders for keeping up energy and momentum on the project.

Considering the threat that wildfire continues to pose to the region's ponderosa pine forests, the project must keep moving forward, no matter what the obstacles, Aumack said.

There really is no other option except to keep striving toward landscape-scale restoration and we dont have a better model...than the collaboration weve developed over past several years, he said.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Writers and artists have appealed to Polands top leaders to stop the logging in Europes last primeval forest.

The letter by some 230 people to Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Beata Szydlo revives the controversy surrounding the governments decision to intensify logging in the Bialowieza Forest in eastern Poland.

The forest is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Environment Ministry argues that its saving the woods youngest, human-planted parts, mainly spruce trees, from an invasion of bark beetles, thus preserving it. But environmentalists and the European Union say too much of the forest is being felled, including areas not necessarily affected by the bark beetle.

Among the signatories to the letter are Nobel Prize-winning German writer Herta Mueller and Polish filmmakers Agnieszka Holland and Jerzy Skolimowski.

The forest covers around 60,000 hectares (148,260 acres) in eastern Poland and stretches into Belarus, where it covers an even larger area, of 87,000 hectares. It is home to hundreds of animal and plant species, including bison, lynx, moss and lichens.

The ministry says some 4,000 hectares (9,885 acres) of the forest is deadwood now, because of the bark beetle infestation.
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Unfound Daisies by photographer and writer Edgar Harutyunyan leads the list of YEREVAN BESTSELLER project of ARMENPRESS.

The book is about complex human relationships: love, friendship, betrayal. This is the authors second book.

Mark Arens Where Wild Roses Bloom remains on the second position, just like last week.

The story describes the inner world of an Armenophobic Turkish former serviceman, when he, already an old man, suddenly hears a lullaby song that reminds him of his mother and later finds out that the song is in Armenian: realizing his parents were Armenians. He spends his remaining life searching the graves of his parents, without knowing that it was a misunderstanding.

Oscar Wildes The Picture Of Dorian Gray comes next in the bestselling list of the week. Dorian Gray is the subject of a full-length portrait in oil by Basil Hallward, an artist who is impressed and infatuated by Dorian's beauty; he believes that Dorian's beauty is responsible for the new mode in his art as a painter. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, and he soon is enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life.

Boys in Zinc by Belarusian writer and journalist Svetlana Alexievich is ranked 4th in this weeks bestselling list. Certain of her books won Nobel Prize. Hovhannes Ayvazyan translated the books into Armenia.

Edgar Harutyunyans another book Art of Devotion or Ode to Rose returns to the list and is ranked 5th.

Spencer Johnsons Who Moved My Cheese is 6th in the list. Published on September 8, 1998, Who Moved My Cheese is a motivational business fable. The text describes change in one's work and life, and four typical reactions to those changes by two mice and two "little people," during their hunt for cheese. A New York Times business bestseller upon release, Who Moved My Cheese? remained on the list for almost five years and spent over 200 weeks on Publishers Weekly's hardcover nonfiction list. It has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide in 37 languages and remains one of the best-selling business books.

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury comes next. Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel published in 1953. It is regarded as one of his best works. The novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The title refers to the temperature that Bradbury understood to be the autoignition point of paper.

The Alchemist by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho is ranked 8th. The novel is about having a dream and the dedication to making it come true, coupled with love, kindness and the ability to recognize a new country.

"1984" by George Orwell ranks the 9th in the list. The book is labeled as banned in many countries of the world.

Aram Pachyans Goodbye, Bird concludes this weeks list. The book describes the inner world of a man who has been demobilized from the Army.

The following bookstores took part in a survey for the bestseller project: Bookinist (53-74-13), Armenian Book (54 07 06), Zangak (23 26 49), and Edit Print (52 08 48).

YEREVAN BESTSELLER presented by Angela Hambardzumyan
YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Armenia Jassem Mohammed Al Qasimi congratulated the Armenian Government on the successful parliamentary elections, WAM news agency reports.

On May 18 the UAE Ambassador attended the first session of Armenias newly-elected Parliament.

During the session President Serzh Sargsyan delivered speech during which he congratulated all political forces and wished them productive work. The President said two years before when the concept of constitutional reforms was being adopted, he believed that Armenia is going to enter a turning period in near future which will be promising in its nature, but also responsible. Today, that day came, and I congratulate all of us. I congratulate you doubly since in this important period you are the first and major ones taking steps towards establishment of new public administration system, the President stated.
YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on May 20 paid a working visit to Garni and Goght communities of Kotayk province, press service of the Presidents Office told Armenpress.

Accompanied by acting Vice Prime Minister, Minister of International Economic Integration and Reforms Vache Gabrielyan, acting Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan, acting Culture Minister Armen Amiryan, heads of local and regional governmental structures and other high-ranking officials, the President toured Garni historical-cultural museum-reserve.

President Sargsyan got acquainted with investment programs on latest technical opportunities for the development of infrastructures and organization of tourism visits to the museum-reserve, as well as the process of road construction and other works to be carried out under the Local Economy and Infrastructures Development Program, the potential investment programs at public-private sector format, as well as talked to Garni community residents.

During the tour it was reported about the process of implementation of instructions tasked earlier by the President during the working consultation aimed at discussing priorities of Kotayk province, the opportunities to develop tourism potential.

Within the frames of the visit President Sargsyan also visited Goght community. The President visited Geghard Monastery, got acquainted with the process of organization works in the territory of Monastery under the Local Economy and Infrastructures Development Program, and gave respective instructions.






MPV

SUV

The big one is the fuse box on the wrong side, something UK reviews of Peugeot and Citroen models never shut up about. But the similarities come as no surprise, as the Crossland X is based on Peugeot's 2008 and its engines are shared too. The review from Carwow recommends going for one of the 1.2-liter turbo engines instead of the diesel, but that's really up to you. Perhaps the most interesting conversation we can start using this review regards the comments about styling. James Batchelor says the Crossland X "looks like anwith a raised ride height. It doesn't look like a properlike a Renault Captur does. But overall, it's better than the Vauxhall Meriva."The only part where we disagree is about the Captur looking like an SUV because it too is MPV-like, but he did say this stuff is subjective.Most buyers prefer small SUVs over MPV precisely because of the looks, so the Crossland X might have shot itself in the foot. Or has it? Any mature buyer would see that this has a bigger trunk and that it's done away with the Meriva's stupid suicide doors. But we should also look at the unsuccessful Fiat 500L compared to the 500X or the fact that Renault replaced the Modus with the Capur. Tell us what you thin!It would be cool to see just how much the Crossland X contributed to GM selling Opel. The Americans bought stock in PSA about five years ago but abruptly cut their ties. A few collaborative projects remained, however, including this one and the Grandland X. Crossovers built on Peugeot's platform could have revealed Opel's hidden potential.In Britain, the Crossland X starts at 16,555 , making it 2,285 more than the Meriva it has replaced, a car which Opel had to develop pretty much by itself. So they could be looking at tens or even hundreds of millions of profit.
The Bahamas is the first neighboring country to the U.S. to accept BasicMed as a medical qualification for U.S. pilots flying in its airspace. BasicMed went into effect on May 1 and allows pilots to fly up to five passengers on day or night VFR or IFR pleasure flights (not for compensation or hire) in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds without a Third Class medical. But most other countries adhere to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines that require standardized medical examinations by designated doctors every two to five years, depending on the pilots age. Earlier this year AOPA asked Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas to accept BasicMed as a standard for visiting U.S. pilots and the Bahamas has accepted it in its entirety. Canada and Mexico have not approved BasicMed, but Canada is considering a variation of the relaxed medical regime that matches its own regulations.

Canadas recreational pilot license does not require a formal Transport Canada medical but it does require family doctors to sign a declaration that the pilot has never been treated for any of the disqualifying conditions that civil aviation medical examiners look for. The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association has recommended Transport Canada allow BasicMed pilots to fly in Canada under the same conditions as Canadian recreational license holders. However, the Canadian license is a lot more restrictive than BasicMed. In Canada, BasicMed pilots would be limited to flying with only one passenger in an aircraft capable of holding four people or less and fly only day VFR. AOPA says its still working with Canada and Mexico on BasicMed acceptance.
All I can say is, I want my $28 back. Thats what the FAA dinged me when I registered my drone, probably because I checked the commercial-use box. Or for some other reason I wasnt paying attention to. Now, as youve read, a court has declared the FAA registration program null and void because it violates the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.

Heres the specific language and its unambiguous. SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT. (a) IN GENERAL.Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use.

This could not be any plainer. John A. Taylors legal challenge of the regulation was thus a slow pitch that an appeals court for the D.C. circuit smashed out of the park, leaving months of work by the agency as just so much bureaucratic detritus. How could the FAA lawyers have missed this? My guess is they didnt miss it, but thought their broad authority to regulate everything that flies would suffice to defeat a challenge. Or, they knew the regulation was on an indefensible legal foundation and would be challenged. And this will force Congress to rewrite the law, perhaps to give the FAA broader statutory authority with regard to drones.

This is not necessarily a good thing because whenever you give Congress the opportunity to write new statutory basis for regulation, you never know what youre going to get and its even odds youll get something worse. So thats where we might be heading.

Ignoring the underlying statutory basis for registration for a moment, there are two salient questions here: Does the proliferation of drones represent a realistic threat to public safety and would regulating these aircraft reduce that risk? This begets a third question: Is there a better way to deal with drones?

In my opinion, drone proliferation does represent a risk to the public and, as a subset, a threat to pilots and passengers of manned aircraft. I think the risk is small and totally overblown by many pilots, but its inarguable that the risk is greater than zero. To the question of whether drone registration can enhance safety by forcing a would-be drone pilot with no aviation experience to slog through a form citing chapter and verse on basic regulation, I circle back to the third question. Whats the better way of doing this? Does it even have to be done at all?

As is my wont, Id address this by first trying to understand the risk. Is there any data to look at? Any accident pattern? Any serious statistical study of the collision risk for aircraft or for people on the ground? No, there isnt. Its all anecdotal and thus theres a tendency to measure the risk in the worst possible way: emotionally. The risk is twofold. Whats the probability of a collision and what are the consequences if one occurs?

At AUVSIs Xponential two weeks ago, there were several technical sessions on counter-drone technology. This is such a hot topic that 65 companies are plying the counter-drone market. Not many products are available or being sold, but the interest is there. In one panel, Lt. Brook Rollins, who heads the drone division for the Arlington, Texas, police department, was asked about specific incidents involving drones. Finally, I thought, someone will give us direct reports on the menace this new technology represents.

Nope. Rollins said all the reports were anecdotal sightings and complaints, with no direct specifics. The same can be said of the hundreds of drone sightings the FAA says its getting from pilots. There were 1274 of these for an eight-month period in 2016 or about five a day.Fewmaybe noneare buttressed by anything remotely resembling actual verifiable data. But the sheer number of sightings and the 820,000 drones the FAA has already registered play better in press reports to suggest an out-of-control risk to civilization that Congress is inevitably urged to do something about. It flirts with the definition of mass hysteria.

And it will eventually get more complicated and difficult when Amazon and others start to fly delivery drones at low altitude and local communities attempt their own regulation to assuage noise and privacy complaints. Theres little established law to address any of this. Its likely to be written, if you will, on the fly. With the heavy hand of regulation, the FAA is attempting to normalize what is in no way normal. Or if it is normal, its normal that any new technology as fundamentally disruptive as small drones are will ignite chaos and we are living through a storm of it with no easy solutions in sight.

About a year ago, just after the FAA put the registration requirement in place, the Heritage Foundation empaneled a group of experts to talk about drone registration from the perspective of ineffective over-regulation. John Taylor, who won the suit against the FAA, was on the panel. You can see the entire discussion here. If any consensus emerged it was that the risk is overstated and registration is too burdensome. I agree with the former, but doubt the latter. A $5 fee and 10 minutes online isnt a burden worth complaining about. ($28 is another matter.) I take the point that the enforcement penalties may be a little harsh for the felonious crime of flying an unregistered drone.

But if registration is not effective in achieving anything, its then just a waste of time. Initially, I thought registration was an acceptable means of forcing drone operators to read through requirements and restrictionswhich the registration process doesand even though it was done mainly for optics, it was an acceptable tradeoff. It at least promised to make otherwise ignorant buyers somewhat cognizant of the rules and the risks, the ins and outs of airspace and the concerns of others.

But now I think theres a better way. At the point of salethat is, in the boxinclude an easy-to-read document that explains the rules and offers an online training course. Yeah, not that many people will read it or go online, but many are blowing off registration, too. And we are essentially criminalizing people for failure to comply.

As Ive said before, the rest of it falls into the nature of risk from new technologies measured against the benefits. Its no different than cars replacing horses or trucks replacing carriages. We learned to accept that car crashes were an unavoidable collateral downside of cars and the same will have to happen with drones, mitigated by what actually happens in the real world. In other words, adjust the regulations to suit the evolving reality of the threat. Thus far, the drone fatality record remains unblemished. And a lot more people were and are killed by cars than will ever be killed by drones, including the kind that shoot things.
When Trump received The Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace in Saudi Arabia, he bowed ever so slightly to the Saudi leader presenting it to him.

In 2009, when Obama greeted the Saudi King with a bow (which the WH later denied), conservatives and GOP members were not happy about it.

Although Trump shook the Saudi King's hand when they first met, he slightly bowed after receiving the medal, as seen in the video above. But the right-leaning press has been relatively quiet on the matter, or if they are addressing it, they're spinning the news to be pro-Trump.

Fox News headline: "Trump shakes hands with Saudi leader, doesn't bow as Obama appeared to do"

2009 conservative coverage:

The NRSC: The campaign arm for Republican senators ran a web ad using an image of Obama and the king to solicit donations. "Should America Bow To A King?" the ad asked, with a "Yes" and "No" option, the latter highlighted in red. The fundraising campaign came with a statement from NRSC Executive Director Rob Jesmer:

"President Obama paid fealty to Saudi King Abdullah by bowing to him at the G-20 Summit in London. ...it's becoming increasingly apparent that our new President would rather be accepted and befriended by his new friends abroad, than preserve America's reputation and leadership as the world's pre-eminent superpower."

Washington Times editorial: "In a shocking display of fealty to a foreign potentate, President Obama bowed to Saudi King Abdullah ...The bow was an extraordinary protocol violation."

Shot: "Press outlets have been conspicuously silent on Mr. Obama's bow."

"Press outlets have been conspicuously silent on Mr. Obama's bow." Chaser: "Mr. Obama is proving that one can be elected president without knowing how to behave presidentially."

American Thinker blog: "I am quite certain this is most unbecoming of the President."

Fox News: "American presidents do not bow to anyone. They do not bow to heads of state, monarchs, potentates, popes or any other mere mortal. When President Obama bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia earlier this year the White House rushed to spin it away. They claimed that it was not a 'bow' at all. The White House stated that the president was 'stooping' to look the feeble king in the eye while shaking hands."

The kicker: "Well, you can fool some of the people some of the time. The pictures and the video said it all. Obama bowed to the Saudi king."

But, Roger Stone, former advisor to Trump's presidential campaign and strategist/lobbyist for Republican candidates, tweeted:

Candidly this makes me want to puke #JaredsIdea pic.twitter.com/tAeEWUXfI1

 Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) May 20, 2017
Seeking to reset both his own and his country's relationship with the Muslim world, President Trump will declare Sunday during a major speech in Saudi Arabia that he hopes the United States and Islamic countries can share "a hopeful future" while "stamping out extremism" together.

Trump also plans to sign an agreement among the U.S. and Persian Gulf countries to increase cooperation in tracking and prosecuting financiers of terror.

Why it matters: Trump's address, to the Arab-Islamic-American summit, follows an administration effort to get the Muslim world to take action in a united front against terrorism. This is part of a White House effort to shape a new Middle East coalition, with the aim an eventual Middle East peace agreement.

What he'll say: Trump will tell more than 50 leaders from the region: "Our vision is one of peace, security and prosperity in this region, and in the world. Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism, and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor God."

Trump will tell more than 50 leaders from the region: "Our vision is one of peace, security and prosperity in this region, and in the world. Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism, and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor God." Another newsy passage from Trump's speech, via the Washington Post's Ashley Parker: "This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations. ... This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life and decent people of all regions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil."

from Trump's speech, via the Washington Post's Ashley Parker: "This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations. ... This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life and decent people of all regions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil." The backdrop: The speech at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center follows a busy first day of Trump's maiden international trip, with announcements that aides called proof the administration is capable of results, despite the Russia frenzy back home. The deliverables include what Sean Spicer called the largest single arms deal in U.S. history  a sale of military equipment totaling $110 billion.

Axios has learned that on Sunday, Trump will also sign a memorandum of cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council countries to set up a task force to track funding that fuels terrorism (from both institutions and individuals), with the intention of prosecutions.

King Salman of Saudi Arabia is expected to say at at the summit: "I speak on behalf of all my brothers, the leaders ... gathered here today, in saying that we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who supports or finances terrorism, in any shape or form, and will apply justice to its fullest."

is expected to say at at the summit: "I speak on behalf of all my brothers, the leaders ... gathered here today, in saying that we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who supports or finances terrorism, in any shape or form, and will apply justice to its fullest." The U.S. Treasury Department will be involved in implementation. The message from the administration to the participating countries: You have to share the burden with us in fighting Islamic State terrorism.

Later, Trump will attend the inauguration of a Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Projects will include the digital monitoring of the spread of radical ideology, based on a successful model used by the United Arab Emirates.
21 May 2017 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend:

President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Bandar Hajjar met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as part of his working visit to Saudi Arabia, the Uzbek national news agency (UzA) reported May 21.

The meeting participants discussed the cooperation of Uzbekistan and IDB in the development and implementation of projects in healthcare, education, energy, housing and utilities and irrigation.

Uzbekistan has been an IDB member since 2003. The bank takes part in co-financing of the projects in healthcare, education, agriculture, irrigation, power engineering, transport and private enterprise support.

At present, the total amount of the IDB loan funds and investments in the Uzbek economy is more than $1 billion for 38 projects.

A decision was made to develop a specific program of actions for the exchange of delegations of various levels to expand the scope of the partnership.

Mirziyoyev and Hajjar also discussed the possibility of the IDB participation in establishing an international research center at the memorial complex of Imam Al-Bukhari in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The center will specialize in the study of the rich spiritual heritage of the thinkers of the East who made an invaluable contribution to the development of mankind.

Following the talks, a memorandum of understanding was signed.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By the time this column appears in most papers to which it is distributed, Mothers Day 2017 will have come and gone. Nonetheless, Im going to talk about mothers  one in particular.

To begin with, assuming one believes his or her mother is worthy of admiration, then said esteem ought to be expressed on a frequent basis and not reserved for the second Monday in May. Also, and with due respect to greeting card companies, said expressions of gratitude are best delivered intimately, as in phone calls, hand-written notes, or, best of all, in person.

With full awareness of the fact that the risk is immense, Im going to risk attempting an answer to the question What constitutes a good mother? I feel Im qualified to answer the question because I was blessed with a good mother. She was far from perfect, but then so are we all. She was at times irritating, infuriating, and even at times downright weird, but Im sure I gave her more to complain about than she gave me.

Nonetheless, she never complained. Not that she was an enabler, because she was far from that. My upbringing (Mom was single for most of the first seven years of my life) was very libertarian. She gave me lots of freedom while always insisting that I accept full personal responsibility for my actions. She gave me the greatest of freedoms, in fact  that being the freedom to fail. I took her up on that offer often enough in my younger years, by the way. In the process, Im sure I caused her more than my rightful share of disappointment, but she loved me steadfastly through thick and thin.

Mom was fond of telling me that she was giving me a rope long enough to hang myself with, and hang myself I sometimes did, at which point she would tell me I was going to lie in the beds Id made and stew in my own juices. She also told me I was going to pull my own wagon, a training that led, eventually, to charting my own course in a profession that frowns on members who wont adhere to the party line (if interested, search John Rosemond Kentucky).

Mom was a feminist before feminism became popular. She chose single motherhood and fought tooth and nail for a doctorate in botany when women were far from welcome in the all-male life-sciences departments of most American universities. In the way she lived her life, she taught me that women are interesting people, or are fully capable of being  a capacity they will fall far short of if their children are the be-all, end-all of their existences, which I was not. Mom did not spare telling me that I was but one of her responsibilities. I was not the whole shebang. All children should be given that gift by their mothers.

She also taught me, by example, that authority resides legitimately in females. I was, I admit, afraid of her. Mind you, she never yelled or spanked. She just radiated a complete confidence in the authority she held over my life. She was the personification of Because I Said So. She was not highly involved with me. Rather, it was my job to keep her from getting involved.

I could go on and on about her affection, her marvelous sense of humor, her endless reservoir of knowledge, and the time and patience she gave to training my intellect (yet she rarely helped me with homework  back to that pulling my own wagon thing).

Ill close by simply saying that my mother  Emily Webb of Charleston, S.C.  was a good mom; or, certainly good enough. Every kid deserves a mother that good. If your mom was good enough, make sure you tell her so more than one day a year.
MADISON  For 11 hours a day Steve Salmon secludes himself in his office, decorated as a shrine to the Green Bay Packers, to work alone  save for the company of his sweet tempered cat Lindy.

Most people wouldnt find such long hours ideal, but for Salmon, it means getting one step closer to his dream of becoming a well-known author.

Someday people will know me, he said at his home in April.

Salmon, 49, is living with severe cerebral palsy which affects his muscle control. He has trouble speaking or using his hands and arms and must use a wheelchair to get around.

His mother Mary was told to institutionalize him when he was in nursery school and he was placed into special education programs in grade school.

When he was 18-years-old he was labeled unemployable by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, but he knew he could take on the world. He was determined to prove DVR wrong and set off to college.

I earned my liberal arts degree from Madison College in the early nineties, but I wanted a bachelors, Salmon said in an email. I transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where I majored in English with a minor in writing.

Inspired by Christy Browns autobiography My Left Foot, Salmon was determined to be an author following graduation.

If Brown could overcome cerebral palsy and find success in authorship he could too, Salmon said.

Instead of typing using his feet, however, he uses Morse code signals by pressing the sides of his head against pads called buddy buttons that are attached to his wheelchair. The buttons then translate the Morse code into text. He is then able to draft his books and send emails to his publishers, care team, loved ones or anyone else he needs to chat with. This program was an advancement from a previous program which transcribed Salmons speech.

All that I wanted was a chance to succeed, he added.

And succeed he has. In the last several years, Salmon has published five novels, acquired a literary agent and made appearances at several book signings as well as the Wisconsin Book Festival.

The last two years, however, have had their fair share of growing pains since Salmon lost his mother suddenly after a heart attack in July 2015.

Following his mothers death, Salmons life was turned upside down.

Everything changed overnight when my mother passed away, he said. She made all of my decisions for me except for writing and publishing ... Imagine losing your parent after living with them for forty-seven years and you have a special relationship with her, but now who is taking care of you and where are you (going) to live?

The blur of events that came after losing his mother are outlined in one of Salmons latest books, a memoir, titled Its a New Life! Mom is Gone. In it he describes the drastic changes that his life took since then.

From living in a group home to being able to roam the city, the changes in Salmons life have been both difficult and freeing at the same time.

Going out on his own around Madison would have been unheard of when my mother was living, Salmon said. Now he enjoys heading out to the bars, the farmers markets and Memorial Union, which are some of his favorite places.

Another recent book by Salmon, A Very New Day, is about a middle school boy with cerebral palsy who begins mainstream schooling after having been in special education programs  something that Salmon himself experienced as a young man.

He said he spent most of his time in the special education classes staring at the wall waiting for a teacher to help him.

Salmon is currently working on a book where the main character finds love and success with his writing. Hes hoping its a sequel to Its a New Life.

He can do anything, this guy is amazing, Tina Schwartz, Salmons agent and owner of The Purcell Agency, said.

While many authors find a niche and keep their work in that area  Salmon doesnt work that way. Hes written everything from a childrens book to his memoir, which includes adult content.

Hes just checking off all the boxes, Schwartz said. They say write what you know. Hes going in every direction which his life touches ... Hes a super hard worker and he does whatever it takes, its really refreshing.

Salmon uses his books and writing to communicate his story to the world even if that story is told through someone elses lens. Its his clearest voice and means of communication.

He said his story is the long path against tremendous odds to becoming an author full-time.

Although he gets frustrated with the recent changes in his life, his mothers devotion to him is what motivates him to keep reaching for his dream of being a well-known author.

Recently, I have realized that my mother is my inspiration for my books, Salmon said. She gave her entire life for me to pursue my dream to become an author and have a career ... It would be easy for me to quit. There are times that I want to when things are going wrong and demands are piling up.

Its on me to solve problems and to think ahead before problems develop. Im an author and I have to keep moving forward ... I owe it to my mother to keep pushing onward.
Waters Corporation, a specialty measurement company, provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through two segments, Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products, and post-warranty service plans. It also designs, manufactures, sells, and services thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry instruments; and develops and supplies software-based products that interface with its instruments, as well as other manufacturers' instruments. Its MS technology instruments are used in drug discovery and development comprising clinical trial testing, the analysis of proteins in disease processes, nutritional safety analysis, and environmental testing. The company offers thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry instruments for use in predicting the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers, metals, and viscous liquids for various industrial, consumer good, and healthcare products, as well as for life science research. Its products are used by life science, pharmaceutical, biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic, and governmental customers working in research and development, quality assurance, and other laboratory applications. Waters Corporation was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts.
'Drive terrorists out of this earth': Donald Trump tells Arab leaders they must confront Islamist extremism

President Donald Trump today called on Arab leaders to confront 'Islamist extremism' in a speech in Saudi Arabia when he attempted to rebuild bridges between his administration and Islam.

In a speech that won a resounding ovation from leaders of the Arab world, he described terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a battle between religions, or a clash of civilizations.

He told the Middle East leaders that they must not wait for America to act before they deal with Islamist extremism.

'This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it,' he said. 'That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.'

The speech, broadcast live on the White House Facebook account, was a deliberate change of tone, or 'reset', from his previous attacks on Muslims, including his two controversial attempts to introduce a Muslim travel ban. During the election campaign he said: 'I think Islam hates us.'

Speaking in Riyadh at an Arab Islamic American Summit, he said: 'Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land. The nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.'

He said: 'Above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet history's great testto conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism.

'Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred.

'And young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves and their peoples.

'God's help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East  and maybe, even all over the world.

'But this future can only be achieved through defeating terrorism and the ideology that drives it.'

He was honoured by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who presented him with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court.

In what is being termed as a nine-day tour of world religions, after Saudi Arabia, Trump will visit Jerusalem, where he will meet the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem. He will then deliver remarks at the Israel Museum celebrating the unique history of Israel and of the Jewish people.

He will also meet Israeli Prime Minister oBenjamin Netanyahu. They will be joined by First Lady Melania Trump and Sara Netanyahu for a private dinner.

He will meet the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Bethlehem and urge Palestinian leaders to take productive steps toward peace as well as visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall.

He will then go to Rome to see the Pope, as well as the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.

Earlier, Trump praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, telling him, 'You have done a tremendous job under trying circumstances.' He promised to visit Egupt soon. And he told King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, that they had much in common and 'there won't be strain with this administration'.
Legendary actor Steve McQueen died with the Bible of evangelist Billy Graham in his arms

Hollywood icon Steve McQueen, who accepted Christ months before he was diagnosed with fatal cancer, died clutching legendary evangelist Billy Graham's Bible, California pastor Greg Laurie's new book on the salvation of the "King of Cool" explains.

Laurie, senior pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and a well-respected evangelist, will release his new book, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, on June 13.

In an interview with The Christian Post this week, Laurie explained that the book will serve as the most in-depth account of McQueen's fairly unknown path to Christ in the last days of his life. The book was co-written by Marshall Terrill, who has written five books on McQueen and, according to Laurie, is an "expert on all things McQueen."

The book includes interviews conducted by Terrill and Laurie with people who were close to McQueen and can attest to his spiritual transformation, such as McQueen's widow, Barbi, the pastor of McQueen's church, McQueen's flight instructor and even a metabolic technician who served McQueen in the days leading up to his death.

"There was a statement that McQueen made, which was, 'My only regret in life was that I was not able to tell others about what Jesus Christ did for me,'" Laurie said, quoting what McQueen had told Pastor Leonard DeWitt of Ventura Missionary Church before he died.

"I thought, that's a wrong that needs to be righted," Laurie added.

According to the book, McQueen, who was known for his roles in movies like "Bullit," "The Magnificent Seven," "The Great Escape," and "The Towering Inferno," began attending church services at DeWitt's church in 1979. After about three months, he introduced himself to DeWitt and asked to meet him for lunch.

At the lunch meeting, which Laurie said occurred about six months before McQueen was diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer in December 1979, McQueen asked a number of spiritual questions.

Laurie asked DeWitt in an interview what kind of spiritual questions McQueen asked him in that lunch meeting.

"Leonard remembered that Steve wanted to know if the Bible can be trusted. He wanted to know if all of his sins can be forgiven. He wanted to know what being a Christian looked like," Laurie said. "I think McQueen was trying to wrap his mind around it."

At the end of the meeting, DeWitt asked McQueen if he had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. McQueen responded by saying that he came forward during one of DeWitt's invitations in church to accept the Lord.

According to Laurie, it was people like Sammy Mason, a flight instructor who shared the Gospel with McQueen when he was learning to fly, and stuntman Stan Barrett, who debated McQueen about religion and Christianity earlier, who really sowed and watered the seeds that allowed DeWitt to harvest McQueen's faith.

Laurie said that McQueen was only a "baby Christian" when he was given the terrible news that he had cancer.

But as McQueen sought unorthodox cancer treatment in Mexico, it was evident that he was taking his commitment to Christ seriously.

"Now that he had become a believer, one of the first things he does when he arrives in Mexico at a center where he was going to receive some of these treatments is he starts talking to the lady (Teena Valentino) about his faith in Christ. I thought that was very interesting that he was initiating conversations with people about it," Laurie said.

"He had organized a time to feed a lot of the other cancer patients there in the clinic. He wanted to join them. It was a little food that they weren't supposed to eat but he was sort of treating them. He wanted to go spend some time with them but he wasn't able to do it because he was feeling so sick," Laurie continued. "So he made a recording that he played for them. In that recording, he prays for them and he talks about his faith in Christ."

As McQueen's days wound down, he expressed the desire to meet with Graham, who at the time was one of the most visible faces in evangelical Christianity. Luckily, DeWitt was able to reach out to some of his connections, who alerted Graham about McQueen's request.

According to Laurie, Graham met with McQueen at least twice during McQueen's final days  once at McQueen's ranch in Santa Paula and right before McQueen was flown to Mexico to have cancerous tumors removed in November 1980, a trip McQueen would not return from alive.

"I know they had a lengthy meeting where they talked in depth about a lot of things in Steve's life," Laurie told CP. "Billy was really impacted by Steve and felt his conversion was genuine because all Steve wanted to talk about was his faith."

Before going their separate ways, Graham gave McQueen his Bible.

In the early morning hours of Nov. 7, 1980, the 50-year celebrity was pronounced dead at a hospital in Juarez.

According to the book, McQueen's son, Chad, went to the hospital around 6 a.m. that morning and found his father's eyes open, with his hands clutching the Bible that Graham had given him. Nobody could give an explanation for how the Bible had gotten into McQueen's hands.

"He was holding onto that Bible and I think he probably was praying," Laurie told CP. "He could tell that his condition was worsening. No one was with him in those final moments of his life in that room because when they came in, he had already died. He probably saw that Bible, or maybe he was already holding and reading it and just held onto it. There it was under the sheet, as I am told. They pulled the sheet back and found the Bible."

Laurie first shared McQueen's salvation story at SoCal Harvest 2016 last August. At the time, Laurie said he had heard that McQueen died with Billy Graham's Bible open to John 3:16. However, Laurie told CP that in researching for the book, neither he nor Terrill could prove the John 3:16 claim to be factual. However, Laurie said that multiple sources, including Barbi McQueen, have confirmed that McQueen died gripping Graham's Bible.

Laurie also plans to release a documentary film on McQueen's salvation that will be released Sept. 28. The film will be directed by Jon Erwin, who directed films like "October Baby" and "Woodlawn." The film will be shown at 1,000 theatres across the nation for one night only and will also be available on iTunes and other platforms.

Laurie and Harvest Crusades will be hosting Harvest America 2017 on June 11 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which will feature musical performances by MercyMe, Trip Lee and NEEDTOBREATHE. The event will be livestreamed across the nation.

This article was originally published on The Christian Post.
Yale Universitys president recently provided a window into the modern universitys self-conceptionan understanding embraced by both liberals and conservatives but flawed in essential ways. A primary purpose of a Yale education, President Peter Salovey told Yales freshman class last year, is to teach students to recognize false narratives. Such narratives, Salovey claimed, are ubiquitous in American culture: My sense is that we are bombarded daily by false narratives of various kinds, and that they are doing a great deal of damage. Advocates may exaggerate or distort or neglect crucial facts, Salovey said, in ways that serve primarily to fuel your anger, fear, or disgust. (Salovey repeated this trilogy of anger, fear, and disgust several times; it was impossible not to hear a reference to Donald Trump, though Salovey tried to stay nonpartisan.)

According to Salovey, the Yale faculty is a model for how to respond to false narratives: they are united by a stubborn skepticism about narratives that oversimplify issues, inflame the emotions, or misdirect the mind, he said.

Two things can be said about Saloveys theme: first, it is hilariously wrong about the actual state of stubborn skepticism at Yale. Second, and more important, Salovey mistakes the true mission of a college education.

To assess whether Yale is, in fact, a bastion of myth-busting, it is necessary to return to one of the darkest moments in Yales history: the universitys response to a shocking mass outbreak of student narcissism in October 2015. The wife of a college master had sent an e-mail to students, suggesting that they were capable of deciding for themselves which Halloween costume to wear and didnt need oversight from Yales diversity commissars. (Halloween costumes have been the target of the PC police nationally for allegedly appropriating minority cultures.)

The e-mail sparked a furor among minority students across Yale and beyond, who claimed that it threatened their very being. In one of many charged gatherings that followed, students surrounded the college master, berating him for the pain that his wife had caused them. One female student was captured on video violently gesturing at the master and shrieking, Be quiet! as he gently tries to answer her tirade. She then screams: Why the fuck did you accept this position [of college master]? Who the fuck hired you?

Of all the Black Lives Matterinspired protests that were sweeping campuses at that moment, Yales shrieking-girl episode was the most grotesque. In reaction, Yale groveled. President Salovey sent around a campus-wide letter declaring that he had never been as simultaneously moved, challenged, and encouraged by our communityand all the promise it embodiesas in the past two weeks. He proclaimed the need to work toward a better, more diverse, and more inclusive Yaleimplying that Yale was not inclusive and thanked students for offering him the opportunity to listen to and learn from you. That the shrieking girl had refused to listen to her college masteror to give him an opportunity to speakwas never mentioned; she suffered no known repercussions for her outrageous incivility. Salovey went on to pledge a reinforced commitment to a campus where hatred and discrimination have no place, implying that hatred and discrimination currently did have a place at Yale. Salovey announced that the entire administration, including faculty chairs and deans, would receive training on how to combat racism at Yale and reiterated a promise to dump another $50 million into Yales already all-consuming diversity efforts.

If ever there were a narrative worthy of being subjected to stubborn skepticism, in Saloveys words, the claim that Yale was the home of hatred and discrimination is it. There is not a single faculty member or administrator at Yale (or any other American college) who does not want minority students to succeed. Yale has been obsessed with what the academy calls diversity, trying to admit and hire as many underrepresented minorities as it possibly can without totally eviscerating academic standards. There has never been a more tolerant social environment in human history than Yale (and every other American college)at least if you dont challenge the reigning political orthodoxies. Any Yale student who thinks himself victimized by the institution is in the throes of a terrible delusion, unable to understand his supreme good fortune in ending up at one of the most august and richly endowed universities in the world.

But the ubiquitous claim that American campuses are riven with racism is not, apparently, one of the false narratives that Salovey had in mind. Not only did the president endorse that claim, but the husband-and-wife team who had triggered the Halloween costume furor penned a sycophantic apology to minority students in their residential college: We understand that [the original e-mail] was hurtful to you, and we are truly sorry, wrote Professors Nicholas and Erika Christakis. We understand that many students feel voiceless in diverse ways and we want you to know that we hear you and we will support you. Yales minority students may feel voiceless, but that feeling is just as delusional as the feeling that Yale is not inclusive.

So Saloveys claim that Yale resolutely seeks out and unmasks false narratives is itself a false narrative. But is the routing of false narratives even an apt description of what a college education should ideally be? It is not, even though that goal, in different iterations, is widely embraced across the political spectrum. The most urgent task of any college is the transmission of knowledge, pure and simple. American students arrive at college knowing almost nothing about history, literature, art, or philosophy. If they aspire to a career in STEM fields, they may have already picked up some basic math and physics, and possibly some programming skills. But their orientation in the vast expanse of Western civilization is shallow; they have likely been traveling on a surface of selfies and pop culture with, at best, only fleeting plunges into the past.

A postmodern theorist, the prime product of todays university culture, would immediately object that there is no such thing as neutral knowledge. But this hyper-sophisticated critique is irrelevant to the problem of widespread student ignorance. There exists a bedrock of core facts and ideas that precede any later revisionist interpretation. They would include, at a bare minimum: the events that led to the creation of the nation-state in Europe; the achievements of Greco-Roman civilization; familiarity with key works of Shakespeare, the Greek tragedians, Twain, Dickens, Wordsworth, and Swift, among others; an understanding of genetics and the functioning of neurons; and the philosophical basis for constitutional democracy, among hundreds of other essential strata of the human geology.

The concept of false narratives is simply irrelevant to the vast bulk of what students do not know. Before you can challenge a received narrative about the past, you should be expert in its established contours. President Salovey gives examples of the Yale facultys overturning of distorted narratives. One example was undoubtedly selected to resonate with more conservatively inclined listeners and readers: a professor of medieval history who allegedly demonstrated the religious roots of the secular legal tradition. Such scholarship is an essential part of any university; but when it comes to undergraduates, it would be triumph enough if Yale gave them even a foggy notion of the difference between medieval canon law and British common law.

Moreover, it is inaccurate to define a received understanding of the common-law tradition as a false narrative, a term that connotes an ideological agenda and that is itself highly ideological. That Salovey would insert the work of a medievalist into the false narratives conceit reflects several streams in contemporary academic thought. In the 1970s, a fantastical idea took hold throughout the humanitiesthat the goal of criticism was to unmask the alleged deceptions afflicting, and perpetrated by, texts. The assumption was that all language carried hidden meanings that either subverted alleged power structures or reinforced them. The French philosopher Paul Ricoeur labeled this outlook the hermeneutics of suspicion. Ricoeur traced its roots to Marx, Freud, and Nietzsche, who advanced the view that humans live in a tissue of lies and illusions about the world, whether with regard to economic relations, the rational self, or philosophical truth.

A less precious antecedent to Saloveys false narratives paradigm is the progressive-education mantra from the late 1990s that critical thinking should be the goal of education. The Internet has made the allegedly mindless transmission of facts obsolete, the educrats proclaimed, since students can always look up such boring things as facts on the Web. Instead, schools should cultivate in their students the capacity to think critically. A typical exercise was to have students deconstruct an advertisement to expose all the ways that big bad corporations were trying to dupe consumers. The critical thinking idea conveniently let teachers off the hook for failing to teach their students anything, by declaring that there was nothing substantive that needed teaching anyway.

But the false narratives idea really came into its own with the rise of academic identity politics. To the modern academic, the quintessential false narrative facilitates the oppression of victim groups by white heterosexual males. Salovey hits all the requisite notes in his final example of a Yale professor debunking a false narrative. Professor Hazel Carby [a black feminist theorist] wrote a telling remark in her foreword to a book called Silencing the Past, Salovey says, highlighting the power of challenging false or incomplete narratives about the marginalized: We learn how scanty evidence can be repositioned to generate new narratives, how silences can be made to speak for themselves,  Carby wrote. Predictably, the book that Carby was introducing blames the West for distortions regarding a Caribbean slave revolt, the Holocaust, the Alamo, and Christopher Columbus.

In the realm of daily politics, it may be fair to say that we are awash in false narratives. But the past is filled with accomplishments that are not narratives or not false in the sense intended by the phrase false narratives. These accomplishments should be approached with humility and reverence. The task of both scholar and student should be to understand them on their own terms.

Conservatives have, of late, stressed a process-oriented notion of education that shares certain similarities with the false narratives approach. This emphasis reflects their understandable revulsion at the silencing on campus of politically incorrect views. Education should be about reasoned debate and the airing of all opinions in the pursuit of the truth, critics of campus political correctness say. Students should take courses from professors who challenge their views and should attend lectures by visiting scholars whose ideas they find uncongenial, Princeton professor Robert George recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal. Students should not be so deeply in love with [their] opinions as to not listen to others who see things differently, George asserted.

This ideal of the Socratic academy is so reasonable that it may seem foolish to quibble with it. Of course, students should engage with ideas that they disagree with rather than silencing anything that challenges their worldview. But there is a universe of knowledge that does not belong in the realm of opinion. It would be as absurd for an ignorant 18-year-old to say: I have an opinion about early Mediterranean civilizations, but I am willing to listen to others who see things differently, as it would be to say: I have an opinion about the laws of thermodynamics, but I am willing to listen to the other side.

The free-speech model of education tends toward a focus on the present. The issues about which students are going to have the strongest opinions concern current political and policy matters: Is Donald Trump a fascist? Is immigration enforcement racist? Does the criminal-justice system discriminate against blacks? Which bathrooms should trans individuals use? The fact that only one answer to these questions is acceptable on college campuses is indisputably a problem. But they are not the questions that undergraduate education should focus on; there will be time enough after students graduate to debate current affairs. While defenders of the open university rightly fight for free speech, they should not lose sight of the knowledge that is the universitys core mission to transmit. If students had been more deeply immersed in acquiring that knowledge and less taken with challenging false narratives about the marginalized, we might not have seen the narcissistic campus meltdowns after the last presidential election.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
Last week, Le Havre noted and celebrated one-year of weekly calls from the AIDAprima.

After a visit at the harbour station, the Le Havre Cruise Club representatives invited Captain Jens Janauscheck to a ceremony, at the Shipowner's house, a heritage site om Le Havre.

Laurence Besancenot, Deputy Mayor of Le Havre, handed him a celebration plaque which symbolizes the architecture of Le Havre.

She highlighted the outstanding five-month program of events which will be launched on May 27 on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Le Havre.
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WASHINGTON (TNS)  Most Americans think of child marriage as a vestige of a bygone era. And yet in every state, people younger than 18 are allowed to marry.

Some states set minimum ages for brides and grooms  sometimes as low as 13 or 14  and usually require the permission of a parent, judge, or both before a minor can wed. But laws in about half the states allow children of any age to marry, as long as they receive the proper permission.

That may be changing. This year legislators in 10 states have introduced bills to raise the marriage age. Proponents say updating marriage laws, which in many states are more than a century old, will help protect children from being pushed into marriages by parents and predators. Some lawmakers, disturbed by instances of pregnant girls heading to the courthouse to marry older men, argue that marriage licenses should not be given to men who have committed statutory rape.

Young brides who say they were forced down the aisle are backing the efforts, as are justices of the peace who say current law requires them to approve marriages between young girls and older men.

Fourteen was just ridiculous, said New York Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Democrat who sponsored a bill this year that would align the age for marriage with the states age of sexual consent, 17. Minors still would need parental and judicial permission to marry.

Proponents of raising the marriage age had some success in Virginia, where girls under 16 were permitted to marry if they were pregnant. A law enacted last year requires 16- and 17-year-olds to be given adult status from a court before they can marry.

But Republican Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill on May 11 that would have made New Jersey the first state to outlaw marriage for anyone under 18. Under state law, people under 18 need parental permission to marry, and those under 16 must also have a judges consent.

In California, a Senate bill to eliminate the process that allows those under 18 to marry was weakened in committee last week after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California said the measure unnecessarily intruded on the right to marry. The current version of the bill would require Family Court Services to interview both parties and a parent to ensure no one was being coerced to marry.

Kevin Baker, legislative director for the ACLU of California, said the group was concerned about forced marriage, but we wanted to make sure we werent also sweeping in voluntary marriages.

And in New Hampshire, where girls as young as 13 and boys as young 14 are permitted to marry with parental consent and a judges approval, legislators in March voted down a bill to raise the marriage age to 18. Critics said judges should be able to approve young marriages in exceptional circumstances, such as a pregnancy or in cases when someone is joining the military.

In Missouri, where children as young as 15 can get married with a parents permission, state Rep. Jean Evans, a Republican, introduced a bill to raise the marriage age after hearing that counties close to the states borders were seeing more young women come in to get married. In one 2016 case, an Idaho man drove his 15-year-old daughter to Missouri so she could marry the 25-year-old man who had impregnated her. In 2014, the most recent year for which numbers are available, 158 16- and 17-year-olds and 23 children who were 15 or younger got married in Missouri, according to the state.

Her bill, passed by the House in March, would allow those under 18 to get married only after a judge approves it and determines there is no evidence of coercion. Those under 17 would not be able to marry someone older than 20, a relationship that could violate the states statutory rape law.

Jeanne Smoot with the Tahirih Justice Center, a gender equality group that has pushed legislation in several states, including New Hampshire, to raise the marriage age to 18, said people who want to marry someone young look for nearby states with looser laws where perhaps only one parents signature is required or where they may not have to face a judge.

Certainly thats the kind of destination wedding reputation no state should want, and yet they already have it, Smoot said.

Child marriages represent a small share of total marriages in the U.S., but still number in the tens of thousands. Nearly 60,000 15- to 17-year-olds, nearly five out of every 1,000, were in marriages in 2014.

Those who marry as children face a unique set of potential legal complications, particularly if they want to leave the marriage. In some states, people under 18 are not permitted to get divorced. Most domestic violence shelters wont accept people under 18. And because they are legally still children, those who try to escape a marriage may be returned by social services to the parents who approved the marriage in the first place.

In many states, women who were married as young girls have been leading advocates for the bills.

Trevicia Williams said she was 14 when her mother picked her up from school and took her to a Houston courthouse to marry a 26-year-old man. Her husband was the nephew of the head of the church her family attended and had recently gotten out of prison.

It was my moms way of getting rid of me, to be honest, of getting rid of her problems. She saw the responsibility of raising children to be so overwhelming, Williams, 47, said. When he hit me the first time I called my mom and asked if I could come home and she said, No.

Williams is pushing for a bill passed by the Texas Senate this month that would bar people under 18 from getting married, except for those who are emancipated, or given adult status, by a court. In Texas, which has the second- highest rate for teen marriage in the country (6.9 of every 1,000 15- to 17-year-olds, second only to West Virginias 7.1 per 1,000), current state law allows children of any age to get married if they get a judges permission.

Much of the debate centers around whether adolescents are mature enough to make decisions about their future, and whether parents and judges can be trusted to advise them.

Girls who get married before they turn 18 are a diverse group: pregnant teens who either want to or are pressured to raise their child within wedlock; girls from strict religious communities or social backgrounds in which arranged marriages at a young age is common; girls with an abusive home life whose parents struggle to care for them.

Its definitely not one group, one religion, one ethnicity, said Fraidy Reiss, founder of Unchained At Last, a New Jersey-based group that helps young women escape marriages that have been arranged or coerced.

The one thread we see is theyre mostly female, said Reiss, who was raised in a Hasidic Jewish community in New Jersey and married at 19 to a man chosen by her parents. She gathered marriage data from 38 states and found that only 15 percent of child marriages included a boy.

And though the girls come from different backgrounds, they often arrive at similar outcomes. Research shows young marriage routinely ends in divorce  those who marry under 18 have a 70 percent chance of getting a divorce compared with about 50 percent in the general population  and married girls are less likely to continue their education.

New Jersey state Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, a Republican who sponsored the bill there, said child marriage should be outlawed because of the many ways it harms girls.

Its the patterns of domestic violence, the pattern of poverty, failure to continue education, all the signs for advancement in our society are affected by this, she said.

Many people in favor of raising the marriage age also view current law as a way for predators to escape the consequences of having sex with young girls.

There are still a lot of kids under 16 and pregnant who are showing up to get married and rather than someone saying, We should be arresting this guy for statutory rape, theyd say We should give them a marriage license, said Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, who sponsored the law that raised the states age to marry.

But attempts to raise the marriage age have also faced opposition from legislators who argue that adolescents, with their parents help, can make responsible decisions about whom to marry, and that teens facing adult consequences should be able to get married.

Those joining the military may want to marry to ensure a significant other receives spousal benefits. They may even be a minor themselves  people can join the military at 17 with parental permission.

And, some argue, teens facing pregnancy should be able to marry if they want to.

Itd be ridiculous to say they cant get married and force children to be born out of wedlock, said Missouri state Rep. Bill White, a Republican. He voted in favor of Missouris bill once it allowed emancipated minors to marry.
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Limited, ML Integration Group Limited, ML Integration Limited, ML Integration Services Limited, MV Healthcare Services Private Limited, Mannesmann AG, MetroHoldings Limited, Mezzanine Ware Proprietary Limited (RF), Mirambo Limited, Misrfone Trading Company LLC, MobiFon S.A., Mobile Commerce Solutions Limited, Mobile Phone Centre Limited, Mobile Wallet VM1, Mobile Wallet VM2, Mobile by Sainsburys Limited, Mobiles 4 Business.com Limited, Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited, Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd, Mobilvest, Motifpros 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Multi Risk Indemnity Company Limited, Multi Risk Limited, ND Callus Info Services Private Limited, Nadal Trading Company Private Limited, Nat Comm Air Limited, National Communications Backbone Company Limited, Navtrak Ltd, Netforce Group Limited, Netgrid Telecom SRL, Number Portability Company (Proprietary) Limited, ONO, Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited, Oni Way  Infocomunicacoes S.A, Oskar Mobil S.R.O., Oxygen Solutions Limited, P.C.P. (North West) Limited, PPL Pty Limited, PT Network Services Limited, PTI Telecom Limited, Peoples Phone Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Group Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Limited, Plex Limited, Plustech Mercantile Company Private Limited, Prime Metals Ltd., Project Telecom Holdings Limited, Quickcomm Software Solutions, Radio Opt GmbH, Rian Mobile Limited, SBC SMART CITY 1517 B.V., SMMS Investments Pvt Limited, Safaricom Limited, Safenet N.P A., Sarmady Communications, Scarlet Ibis Investments 23 (Pty) Limited, Scorpios Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Silver Stream Investments Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Ltd., Singlepoint Payment Services Limited, Siro Limited, Spar Aerospace (Nigeria) Limited, Sport TV Portugal S.A, Starnet, Stentor Communications Limited, Stentor Limited, Storage Technology Services (Pty) Limited, T.W. Telecom Limited, T3 Telecommunications Limited, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern Beteiligungs GmbH, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG, TNAS Limited, TSM NZ Limited, Talkland Airtime Services Limited, Talkland Australia Pty Limited, Talkland Communications Limited, Talkland International Limited, Talkland Midlands Limited, Talkmobile Limited, Tele2 Italia SPA, Tele2 Spain, Telecom Investments India Private Limited, Telecommunications Europe Limited, Ternhill Communications Limited, The Cobra Group, The Eastern Leasing Company Limited, The Old Telecom Sales Co. Limited, Thus Group Holdings Limited, Thus Group Limited, Thus Limited, Thus Profit Sharing Trustees Limited, TnT Expense Management LLC, Tomorrow Street GP S.a r.l., Tomorrow Street SCA, Torenspits II B.V., Townley Communications Limited, Trans Crystal Ltd., UMT Investments Limited, UPC Nederland Holding I B.V., UPC Nederland Holding II B.V., UPC Nederland Holding III B.V., Unified Communications, Uniqueair Limited, Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH & Co.KG, Usha Martin Telematics Limited, VAPL No. 2 Pty Limited, VBA (Mauritius) Limited, VBA Holdings Limited, VBA International (SL) Limited, VBA International Limited, VEI S.r.l., VM SA, VND S.p.A, VSSB Vodafone Shared Services Budapest Private Limited Company, Verwaltung Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH, Victus Networks S.A., Vizzavi Finance Limited, Vizzavi Limited, Voda Limited, Vodacall Limited, Vodacash s.p.r.l., Vodacom (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business (Angola) Limitada, Vodacom Business (Ghana) Limited, Vodacom Business (Kenya) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group Services Limited, Vodacom Business Cameroon SA, Vodacom Business Cote Divoire S.A.R.L., Vodacom Congo (RDC) SA, Vodacom Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Group Limited, Vodacom Insurance Administration Company (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Insurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom International Holdings (Pty) Limited, Vodacom International Limited, Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Life Assurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom Payment Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No.2 (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Tanzania Limited Zanzibar, Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited Company, Vodacom UK Limited, Vodafone (NI) Limited, Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited, Vodafone (Scotland) Limited, Vodafone 2, Vodafone 4 UK, Vodafone 5 Limited, Vodafone 5 UK, Vodafone 6 UK, Vodafone Albania Sh.A, Vodafone Alternatif Telekom Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Americas 4, Vodafone Americas Virginia Inc., Vodafone And Qatar Foundation L.L.C, Vodafone Asset Management Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Automotive Electronic Systems S.r.L, Vodafone Automotive France S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Iberia S.L, Vodafone Automotive Italia S.p.A, Vodafone Automotive Japan K.K, Vodafone Automotive Korea Limited, Vodafone Automotive SpA, Vodafone Automotive Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, Vodafone Automotive Telematics Development S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Telematics S.A, Vodafone Automotive UK Limited, Vodafone Belgium SA/NV, Vodafone Benelux Limited, Vodafone Bilgi Ve Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Vodafone Business Services Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions Limited, Vodafone Canada Inc, Vodafone Cellular Limited, Vodafone Central Services Limited, Vodafone China Limited (China), Vodafone China Limited (Hong Kong), Vodafone Connect 2 Limited, Vodafone Connect Limited, Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited, Vodafone Corporate Limited, Vodafone Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Czech Republic A.S., Vodafone DC Pension Trustee Company Limited, Vodafone Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Data, Vodafone Distribution Holdings Limited, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E., Vodafone Elektronik Para Ve Odeme Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Empresa Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, Vodafone Empresa Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Vodafone Enabler Espana S.L., Vodafone Enterprise Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Austria GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Bahrain W.L.L., Vodafone Enterprise Bulgaria EOOD, Vodafone Enterprise Chile SA, Vodafone Enterprise Communications Technical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Denmark A/S, Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited  Czech Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited  DubaiI Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Finland OY, Vodafone Enterprise France SAS, Vodafone Enterprise Germany GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Global Businesses S.a r.l., Vodafone Enterprise Global Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network HK Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network Pte. Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Hong Kong Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Italy S.r.L, Vodafone Enterprise Korea Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Luxembourg S.A., Vodafone Enterprise Netherlands BV, Vodafone Enterprise Norway AS, Vodafone Enterprise Regional Business Singapore Pte.Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Singapore Pte.Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Spain S.L.U.  Portugal Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Spain SLU, Vodafone Enterprise Sweden AB, Vodafone Enterprise Switzerland AG, Vodafone Erste Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Vodafone Espana S.A.U., Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited, Vodafone Euro Hedging Two, Vodafone Europe B.V., Vodafone Europe UK, Vodafone European Investments, Vodafone European Portal Limited, Vodafone Finance Limited, Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Finance Sweden, Vodafone Finance UK Limited, Vodafone Financial Operations, Vodafone Financial Services B.V., Vodafone Fixed Ltd, Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Foundation Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Gestioni S.p.A, Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited, Vodafone Global Content Services Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Italy) S.R.L., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Japan) K.K., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Vodafone Global Enterprise Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Russia LLC, Vodafone Global Enterprise Taiwan Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Telecommunications (Hellas) A.E., Vodafone Global Network Limited, Vodafone Global Network Limited  Slovakia Branch, Vodafone Global Services Private Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Group (Directors) Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Pension Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Services GmbH, Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited, Vodafone Group Services Limited, Vodafone Group Services No.2 Limited, Vodafone Group Share Trustee Limited, Vodafone Hire Limited, Vodafone Holding A.S., Vodafone Holdings (Jersey) Limited, Vodafone Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Holdings Europe S.L.U., Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Receivables Pty Limited, Vodafone IP Licensing Limited, Vodafone India Digital Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone India Services Private Limited, Vodafone India Ventures Limited, Vodafone Institut fur Gesellschaft und Kommunikation GmbH, Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited, Vodafone International 1 S.a.r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone International 1 S.a r.l., Vodafone International 2 Limited, Vodafone International Holdings B.V., Vodafone International Holdings Limited, Vodafone International M S.a r.l., Vodafone International Operations Limited, Vodafone International Services LLC, Vodafone Investment UK, Vodafone Investments (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Investments Australia Limited, Vodafone Investments Limited, Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Ireland Distribution Limited, Vodafone Ireland Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Marketing Limited, Vodafone Ireland Property Holdings Limited, Vodafone Ireland Retail Limited, Vodafone Italia S.p.A., Vodafone Jersey Dollar Holdings Limited, Vodafone Jersey Finance, Vodafone Jersey Yen Holdings Unlimited, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Field Services GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Kundenbetreuung GmbH, Vodafone Kenya Limited, Vodafone Leasing Limited, Vodafone Libertel B.V., Vodafone Limited, Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone M-PESA SH.P.K., Vodafone M-Pesa S.A, Vodafone M.C. Mobile Services Limited , Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Vodafone Malta Limited, Vodafone Marketing UK , Vodafone Maroc SARL, Vodafone Mauritius Ltd., Vodafone Mobile Commerce Limited, Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited, Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited, Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited, Vodafone Mobile Network Limited, Vodafone Mobile Operations Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Multimedia Limited, Vodafone Nederland Holding I B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding II B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding III B.V., Vodafone Net Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Network Pty Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Limited, Vodafone Next Generation Services Limited, Vodafone Nominees Limited1, Vodafone ONO S.A.U., Vodafone Oceania Limited, Vodafone Old Show Ground Site Management Limited, Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited, Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited, Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V., Vodafone Panafon UK, Vodafone Partner Services Limited, Vodafone Payment Solutions S.a r.l., Vodafone Portugal  Comunicacoes Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Procurement Company S.a r.l., Vodafone Property Investments Limited, Vodafone Pty Limited, Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., Vodafone Retail (Holdings) Limited , Vodafone Retail Limited, Vodafone Roaming Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Romania S.A, Vodafone Romania M - Payments SRL, Vodafone Romania Technologies SRL, Vodafone Sales & Services Limited, Vodafone Satellite Services Limited, Vodafone Servicios SL.U, Vodafone Servizi E Tecnologie S.R.L, Vodafone Servicos Empresariais Brasil Ltda., Vodafone Shared Services Romania SRL, Vodafone Specialist Communications Limited, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland Gemeinnutzige GmbH, Vodafone Technology Solutions Limited, Vodafone Teknoloji Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Tele-Services (India) Holdings Limited, Vodafone Telecel-Comunicates Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Telecommunications (India) Limited, Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S, Vodafone Towers Limited, Vodafone UK Content Services Limited, Vodafone UK Investments Limited , Vodafone UK Limited1 , Vodafone US Inc, Vodafone Ventures Limited1 , Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG, Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited, Vodafone Yen Finance Limited , Vodafone m-pesa Limited, Vodafone-Central Limited Vodaphone Limited, Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A., VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V, Vodata Limited , Vouchercloud SA (Pty) Ltd, Wataneya Telecommunications S.A.E, Waterberg Lodge (Proprietary) Limited, Wayfinder, Wheatfields Investments 276 (Proprietary) Limited, Wireless Interactions & NFC Accelerator 2013 B.V., Woodend Cellular Limited, Woodend Communications Limited, Woodend Group Limited, Woodend Holdings Limited, XB Facilities B.V, XLink Communications (Proprietary) Limited, Your Communications Group Limited, ZUM B.V., ZYB, Zelitron S.A., Zesko B.V., Ziggo B.V., Ziggo Bond Company B.V., Ziggo Deelnemingen B.V., Ziggo Finance 2 B.V., Ziggo Financing Partnership, Ziggo Holding B.V., Ziggo Netwerk B.V., Ziggo Netwerk II B.V., Ziggo Services B.V., Ziggo Services Employment B.V., Ziggo Services Netwerk 2 B.V., Ziggo Zakelijk Services B.V., and Zoranet Connectivity Services B.V..

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Avangrid, Inc., an energy services holding company, engages in the regulated energy transmission and distribution, and renewable energy generation businesses in the United States. The company operates through Networks and Renewables segments. It is involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and distribution, transportation, and sale of natural gas. The company also operates renewable energy generation facilities primarily using onshore wind power, as well as solar, biomass, and thermal power. It delivers natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial, and institutional customers through its regulated utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; and sells its output to investor-owned utilities, public utilities, and other credit-worthy entities. In addition, the company generates and provides power and other services to federal and state agencies, as well as institutional retail and joint action agencies; and delivers thermal output to wholesale customers in the Western United States. It owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.3 million customers in New York and New England, as well as owns and operates 8.8 gigawatts of electricity capacity primarily through wind power in 22 states. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Orange, Connecticut. Avangrid, Inc. is a subsidiary of Iberdrola, S.A.
CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. The company also focuses on worksite and group sales for businesses, associations, and other membership groups by interacting with customers at their place of employment. In addition, it provides fixed index annuities; fixed interest annuities, including fixed rate single and flexible premium deferred annuities; single premium immediate annuities; supplemental health products, such as specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity products; and long-term care plans primarily to retirees and older self-employed individuals in the middle-income market. Further, the company offers universal life and other interest-sensitive life products; and traditional life policies that include whole life, graded benefit life, term life, and single premium whole life products, as well as graded benefit life insurance products. CNO Financial Group, Inc. markets its products under the Bankers Life, Washington National, and Colonial Penn brand names. The company sells its products through agents, independent producers, and direct marketing. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface.

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Donors of all blood types are needed. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and provide a drivers license or two other forms of identification. To schedule an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.
United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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.
The traditional school environment of class periods, tests and homework assignments isnt for everyone. Just ask Brandon Le.

The 18-year-old senior at 7 Rivers Community High School is one of five students that will be graduating from the charter school on Monday. 7 Rivers was created three years ago on a model of individualized and project-based learning where students learn concepts through hands-on learning rather than completing chapters and quizzes.

Le came to 7 Rivers as a sophomore after a teacher at Logan recommended he check out the program. Le said he preferred the nontraditional approach of the school and was one of the first students to enroll at the school.

I learn better when the task is hands on, he said. I am not a fan of sitting down at a desk and reading all day.

One of the projects Le said he really enjoyed involved researching the use of the illegal drug methamphetamine in La Crosse County. He was free to pick the topic he wanted to approach and then had to incorporate skills such as English and communications in writing a report and filming his presentation as part of his final project.

It gives you a lot of flexibility to learn, he said. There are multiple ways to learn things.

Keachen Abing, one of two advisors who helped found 7 Rivers, said the idea came about five years ago when parents of children at the La Crosse Design Institute, a project-based charter hosted at Longfellow Middle School, voiced their support for a high school level program.

Abing was a teacher at Logan High who worked to make the idea a reality. He worked with parents and the district to plan what a high school charter would look like as well as visiting similar types of schools across the state.

7 Rivers started with about 40 students in the ninth and 10th grade, and enrollment has remained relatively steady over the years. The charter also has changed and adapted as new grades were added and the student demographics shifted.

Student projects have gotten larger, moving from shorter-term activities to semester or year-long works. The charter also has worked to connect students with the community by inviting guest speakers, requiring students to use a human source for each of their projects and promoting community service with a 40-hour volunteering requirement.

The project-based format was a big change for senior Alethia Knutson, who moved to La Crosse with her mother and older sister during her freshman year. Knutson was comfortable with the traditional school environment but said she has had a lot of fun with the different projects and activities she has worked on as a student.

It is cool because I get to choose what I want to work on, she said. But it is also hard because there are so many options.

Her sophomore year, Knutson said she wrote a book of 30 poems in 10 different styles, while last year she researched the history of ash trees and ash borer in La Crosse in order to make a brochure letting people know what kinds of trees they could plant to replace the lost trees.

Knutson said she really enjoys English and writing and has been accepted at Minnesota State University-Moorhead where she plans to study English and publishing. Both she and Le are excited for graduation and proud of all they have done as 7 Rivers students.

I wouldnt be what I am today without this school, she said. What weve achieved is pretty amazing.

I learn better when the task is hands on. I am not a fan of sitting down at a desk and reading all day. Brandon Le
In UW-Madisons rural health care immersion program, disaster and crisis response is a key piece of the curriculum. But instead of discussing hypotheticals, the programs nursing students gained hands-on experience last week as they aided in northwestern Wisconsins tornado relief effort.

Clinical assistant professor Pamela Guthman is leading a team of seven nursing students in the Community and Public Health Immersion Clinical program in Rusk and Barron counties in northwestern Wisconsin. The group of rising seniors arrived in Rusk County a week ago to learn about the necessity of health care providers and health educators in rural and underserved communities.

Then a tornado blighted the area Tuesday.

The students partnered with the American Red Cross on Saturday to aid in the recovery efforts, specifically for those who were displaced after the tornado destroyed a trailer park in Cameron.

What were going to be doing is helping people who have been devastated by the loss of their homes, Guthman told the State Journal. We know that housing is very closely related to a persons mental health.

The tornado killed one man and left 25 others injured, and while the students did not provide immediate medical attention, their service was still needed, Guthman said.

The students helped by interviewing people affected by the tornado, providing those people with health and housing information and directing them toward specific resource centers.

People are coming and saying they only need a little something when the whole side of their house is missing, said student Emily Menting, of Oconomowoc. But they say that others have it worse than them.

Rusk and Barron counties have long been under-resourced, Guthman said. This creates a health disparity on its own, but she said the lack of resources affects relief when a disaster hits.

When we have a lack of resources, that is compounding our ability to bounce back, Guthman said.

Guthman said one of the goals of the program is for the students to learn a sensitivity for the challenges of rural communities. Guthman said while health care professionals working on acute crises are needed in the area, professionals focusing on prevention are in very short supply.

We go into the community and see what the community is doing and what they need, said Tenzin Kunsang, who moved to Madison from India in 2002.

Kunsang said when resources are distributed by the government or other organizations rural places are just ignored.

Rural communities often dont have access to the health care opportunities people in more urban areas take for granted. Cell phone reception and internet access are limited and fewer doctors practice in rural areas, which has led, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, to higher rates of chronic illness in people from rural areas.

Public health nurses are important in rural areas, Guthman said, because they can work with individuals on care plans as well as families, communities and organizations. Public health nurses are important to coordinating public health efforts like educational programs and disease prevention plans, and they are able to work as expert advocates for disparaged communities.

There are so many ways you can be involved in the community as a nurse, Menting said.
ATS 2017, WASHINGTON, DC -- In a new study that analyzed data from the large French CUB-REA database, high volume intensive care units (ICUs) were found to have lower death rates from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) than low and moderate volume ICUs. The researchers also found that, overall, among the 35 ICUs in the CUB-REA registry, ICU mortality decreased despite an increase in ARDS severity. The study was presented at the 2017 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

ARDS is a common disease affecting 10 percent of patients admitted to ICUs. ARDS occurs when fluid builds up in the tiny, elastic air sacs in the lungs. This buildup reduces oxygen levels in the bloodstream, depriving organs of the oxygen they need to function.

"Our study is the first to look at a large and regional database that suggests patients with ARDS admitted to centers caring for large numbers of people with ARDS may have better prognoses than in centers with a lower case volume," said lead author Martin Dres, MD, of the AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere Charles Foix, Service de Pneumonologie et Reanimation Medicale, Paris, France. "We hope our research fuels further discussion regarding global quality of care and global management in the setting of ARDS."

Dr. Dres and colleagues looked at CUB-REA data for 316,000 ICU stays taking place between 2000 and 2014. They assessed the difference in ARDS severity using the SAPS2 scoring method, which measures the severity of disease for patients admitted to the ICU. They also looked at ARDS-related mortality for low, moderate and high patient volume ICUs. They statistically adjusted their analyses to account for severity of illness and other confounding factors.

The researchers found that 18,022 ICU stays between 2000 and 2014 were related to ARDS. Overall ICU prevalence of ARDS was 8.3 percent, while its prevalence progressively increased from 6.5 percent in 2000 to 10.5 percent in 2008. Prevalence then decreased to 7.2 percent in 2014.

During this time, SAPS2 severity scores increased from an average of 52 to 58 (with 52 representing a predicted 50 percent mortality rate). ICU mortality gradually decreased over these years, from 57.9 percent to 45.5 percent, and hospital mortality decreased from 59.1 percent to 48.4 percent. SAPS2 scores were highest in high-volume ICUs, while high volume ICUs had 51.5 percent mortality; moderate volume ICUs had 54 percent mortality; and low volume ICUs had 55.2 percent mortality rates. Length of stay was also lowest in high volume ICUs.

"Further studies are warranted to confirm and delineate our results and determine whether regionalization of patients with ARDS should be recommended," said Dr. Dres.

He added: "Since submitting our research abstract, we have confirmed our findings with several methods of case volume calculation for a shorter duration of time (2000-2012). This allowed us to confirm our preliminary results with a more homogeneous population."

###

Contact for Media: martin.dres@aphp.fr

Abstract 6524

Effect of High Volume ICUs on Mortality in ARDS Over 15 Years

Authors: M. Dres1, T. Pham2, P. Aegerter3, B. Guidet4, L.J. Brochard2, A. Demoule5, G. Geri3; 1AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere Charles Foix, Service de Pneumologie et Reanimation Medicale - Paris/FR, 2St Michael's Hospital - Toronto, ON/CA, 3Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris - Boulogne Billancourt/FR, 4Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris - Paris/FR, 5AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere Charles Foix - Paris/FR; CUB-REA investigators

Introduction: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a common disease affecting 10% of patients admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and associated with a crude ICU mortality ranging from 30 to 40% (1). As the management of ARDS patients requires a complex, well organized, and technically sophisticated level of care, we aimed at investigating whether there is or there is not a relationship between patient's outcomes and case-volume ICUs. A secondary objective was to assess trends in patients' characteristics, outcomes, and management between 2000 and 2014.

Material and Methods: The French CUB-REA database includes 35 ICUs, which collected 316,000 individual ICUs stays between 2000 and 2014. ARDS were identified from the hospital coding system. We assessed the difference in severity (SAPS2) and ICU mortality between tertiles of case volume. To reach this goal, multivariate analysis using mixed models was performed to adjust for severity of illness and other confounding factors.

Results: Between 2000 and 2014, 18,022 stays were related to ARDS. Overall, ICU prevalence of ARDS was 8.3%. ICU prevalence of ARDS progressively increased from 6.5% in 2000 to 10.5% in 2008 and then decreased to 7.2% in 2014 (p<0.001).

During this period, SAPS II increased from 52 [37-71] to 58 [41-75] (p<0.001) whereas both, ICU and hospital mortality, gradually decreased, from 57.9% to 45.5% (p<0.0001) and from 59.1% to 48.4% (p<0.0001) respectively.

The three ARDS case volume tertiles were: low volume (?37 admissions per year), moderate volume (38-67), and high volume (>68). SAPS2 was significantly higher in high volume ICUs as compared to low and moderate volume ICUs: 61[43-80] vs. 53 [39-72] and 56 [41-74] respectively (p<0.001). As compared to low and moderate volume ICUs, high volume ICUs were characterised by lower ICU mortality: 51.5% vs. 54.3% and 55.2% respectively (p<0.0001) and lower hospital length of stay: 15 [5-31] days vs. 18 [7-36] and 17 [6-35] (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that ICU mortality in high volume ICUs was lower than in low and moderate volume ICUs (Odd ratio 0.72, 95%CI, 0.65-0.79).

Conclusion: Between 2000 and 2014, among ICUs of the CUB-REA registry, despite an increase in ARDS severity, ICU mortality decreased. There was a significantly lower ICU mortality in high volume ICUs.

Reference

1. Bellani G, Laffey JG, Pham T, et al.: Epidemiology, Patterns of Care, and Mortality for Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Intensive Care Units in 50 Countries. JAMA 2016; 315:788-800

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dacia Morris

dmorris@thoracic.org

ATS Office 212-315-8620 (until May 17)

Cell Phone 917-561-6545

Session: A15 Critical Care: The Future of Critical Care? Regionalization and Closing the Gender Gap

Abstract Presentation Time: Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m. ET

Location: Room 146 C (Middle Bldg, Street Level), Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Patients suffering from severe lung disease could see their lives transformed thanks to a 'game-changing' clinical trial carried out by UK experts and led by the team from the Lane Fox Respiratory Service based at Guy's and St Thomas' in London.

The HOT-HMV trial (Home Oxygen Therapy-Home Mechanical Ventilation), which involved giving selected patients a breathing machine to be used in their home in addition to oxygen therapy, was found to reduce readmissions to hospital following an acute infection.

The results of the trial, which have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), were announced today at the American Thoracic Society's prestigious annual conference in Washington, DC.

In the UK alone, approximately 30,000 people die from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) every year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that COPD will be the world's third largest killer disease by 2020.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis. This disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness.

Respiratory experts Professor Nicholas Hart and Dr Patrick Murphy, who co-ordinated the UK-wide trial from St Thomas' Hospital, said the trial results could pave the way for a complete change in the way that the most severely affected COPD patients across the world are treated.

Professor Hart explains: "The only current treatment we have to give these patients is oxygen therapy, but now we can give them oxygen as well as a ventilator in their home. We have managed to reduce the likelihood of readmission to hospital by almost 50%.

"In the trial we used a home ventilator that co-ordinates itself with the individual patient's breathing. The mask ventilator machine works by blowing in air and oxygen to keep oxygen levels high and carbon dioxide, the waste gas, low."

The trial was carried out thanks to funding and equipment from manufacturers Philips Respironics and ResMed, and Guy's and St Thomas' Charity.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is one of the world's biggest killers, but the addition of a home ventilator to oxygen treatment reduces admissions to hospital as well as maintaining quality of life.

Ronnie Ward, 74, from Brighton, has suffered from COPD for five years and uses his home ventilator every night, to support his breathing. Since being recruited for the trial, he and his wife Julie, 55, have had to make far fewer trips to hospital.

"Ronnie was in and out of hospital, sometimes spending weeks and months on the wards. Coming back and forth and spending so much time in hospital was stressful and very demoralising," she says.

"We were finding that just weeks after he'd been discharged from hospital, Ronnie would need to be readmitted because he was struggling to breathe again. Using the breathing machine every night has taken a lot of pressure off us."

Meanwhile, the trial follow up will continue, as patients are monitored for survival rates over the next three and five years.

"These results are extremely promising but the work will continue. So far we have found that patients using home oxygen with a home ventilator device are two-thirds less likely to be readmitted within 28 days," says Professor Hart.

"This is very important because not only does it maintain a patient's quality of life but also it has the potential to significantly increase our ability to care for these patients without the need for a hospital stay. At Guy's and St Thomas' around 1,000 patients are admitted each year with COPD. If we can keep them comfortable at home for longer, this will have a big impact."

###

Notes for editors

1. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that COPD will be the world's third largest killer disease by 2020.

2. Approximately 3 million people in England have COPD, however, just under 1 million have a confirmed diagnosis. Approximately 23,000 die each year in England (5th most common cause of death) (NHS Medical Directorate - COPD, 2012).

3. The total annual cost to NHS from COPD is estimated at 800 million which equates to 1.3million per 100,000 (NICE, Feb 2011). Annual cost of lost productivity to the economy in England is put at 3.8billion - 25% of the people with COPD are prevented from working.(NHS Medical Directorate - COPD, 2012)

4. The trial was randomised and consisted of 116 patients who were receiving treatment at hospitals across the UK, including Guy's and St Thomas'.

5. Contact: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust tel: 020 7188 5577 or e-mail: press@gstt.nhs.uk. Out of hours, please call our pager bureau on 0844 822 2888, ask for pager number 847704 and give the pager operator your message.

6. Guy's and St Thomas' provides more than 2.3 million patient contacts in acute and specialist hospital services and community services every year. As one of the biggest NHS trusts in the UK, with an annual turnover of more than 1.3 billion, we employ around 15,000 staff. http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk

7. Guy's and St Thomas' is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts. http://www.kingshealthpartners.org
PITTSBURGH, May 21, 2017 - Following the tragic and widely publicized death of Rory Staunton, 12, from undiagnosed sepsis in 2012, New York became the first state to require that hospitals follow a protocol to quickly identify and treat the condition.

The mandate led to widespread controversy in the medical community as to whether such steps would have saved Rory or anyone else's life.

Now, five years after the boy's death, a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine-led study covering nearly 50,000 patients from 149 New York hospitals is the first to offer scientific evidence that "Rory's Regulations" work. The announcement--which gives fuel to other states pursuing rapid sepsis care initiatives--will be made today at the American Thoracic Society's International Conference in Washington, D.C., and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Sepsis--a condition that arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs--is the No. 1 killer of hospital patients, and more than 1 in 5 do not survive. At least 1.5 million sepsis cases occur in the U.S. annually.

"There is considerable controversy about how rapidly sepsis must be treated," said lead author Christopher W. Seymour, M.D., M.Sc., assistant professor in Pitt's departments of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine, and member of Pitt's Clinical Research Investigation and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center. "Some question the benefit of rapid treatment with protocols, saying they can have unintended side effects and be a distraction in busy emergency departments. After reviewing the data, we can finally say that faster is better when it comes to sepsis care."

Rory's Regulations require hospitals to follow protocols for early identification and treatment of sepsis, and submit data on compliance and outcomes. The hospitals can tailor how they implement the protocols, but must include a blood culture to test for infection, measurement of blood lactate (a sign of tissue stress) and administration of antibiotics within three hours of diagnosis--collectively known as the "three-hour bundle."

Seymour and his team found that 83 percent of the hospitals completed the bundle within the required three hours, overall averaging 1.3 hours for completion. For every hour that it took clinicians to complete the bundle, the odds of the patient dying increased by 4 percent.

"With the implementation of Rory's Regulations, New York State has been a leader in the fight against sepsis. Thanks to Governor Cuomo for recognizing the need for statewide evidence-based protocols and the work of the New York State Sepsis Advisory Workgroup, we have a system in place that quickly identifies sepsis cases, collects data and allows for ongoing communication with hospitals to improve care of their septic patients," said Marcus Friedrich, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., medical director, New York State Department of Health Office of Quality and Patient Safety. "It is my hope that with this study, combined with the efforts of the New York State Health Department, other states will see that this is a model for combating and improving sepsis-related outcomes and reducing mortality rates."

The results come on the heels of an international analysis of several clinical trials, one led by physicians in Pitt's School of Medicine, none of which found a benefit from a standardized approach to treating sepsis when compared to good physician judgment.

Senior author Mitchell Levy, M.D., professor of medicine in the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, explains that those clinical trials picked up after the initial urgent resuscitation period was over, and that more than 3 out of 4 sepsis patients in those trials had received elements of the three-hour bundle before they went on to the intensive care unit for further evaluation.

"When the patient is newly diagnosed and possibly still in the emergency department is when it is most important to check the boxes of the three-hour bundle," Levy said. "Minutes matter, and it is critical to perform the correct tests and get the patient antibiotics as fast as possible."

In an editorial in the same issue of NEJM, Tina Batra Hershey, J.D., M.P.H., of Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health, and Jeremy M. Kahn, M.D., of Pitt Public Health and Pitt's Department of Critical Care Medicine, as well as CRISMA, examine the potential of additional state sepsis mandates in light of Seymour's study and the regulations. The pair note that Rory's Regulations represented a major shift in the use of health policy to improve the quality of health care, rather than using market-based incentives and reimbursement penalties.

"Sepsis is a public health crisis worthy of a policy response," they state in the editorial, while also noting that any such policies should give hospitals the flexibility to ensure they can evolve as the science of sepsis care advances. "More direct efforts are needed to ensure that the government response to sepsis maximizes benefits, minimizes harms, and remains responsive to a complex and evolving evidence base."

###

In addition to Seymour, Friedrich and Levy, study authors are Hallie C. Prescott, M.D., M.Sc., Theodore J. Iwashyna, M.D., Ph.D., both of the University of Michigan and VA Center for Clinical Management Research in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Foster Gesten, M.D., of the New York State Department of Health; Gary S. Phillips, M.A.S., and Kathy M. Terry, Ph.D., both of IPRO in Lake Success, New York; Stanley Lemeshow, Ph.D., of Ohio State University; and Tiffany Osborn, M.D., M.P.H., of Washington University.

This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R35GM119519 and K08GM115859, and VA Health Services Research & Development grant 11-109 13-079. Phillips received personal fees from IPRO for conducting statistical analyses.

About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

As one of the nation's leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998. In rankings recently released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt ranked fifth among all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support.

Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region's economy. For more information about the School of Medicine, see http://www.medschool.pitt.edu.

http://www.upmc.com/media

Contact: Allison Hydzik, University of Pittsburgh

Office: 412-647-9975

Mobile: 412-559-2431

E-mail: HydzikAM@upmc.edu

Contact: David Orenstein, Brown University

Office: 401-863-1862

Mobile: 401-527-2525

E-mail: david_orenstein@brown.edu
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio  The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently introduced two new nutrient management tools intended to help farmers track planting conditions, and conserve nutrients.

The Ohio Applicator Forecast is a new online tool designed to help nutrient applicators identify times when the potential nutrient loss from a fertilizer or manure application is low.

Secondly, the Ohio Agricultural Stewardship Verification Program is a pilot certification for farmers who protect farmland and natural resources by implementing best management practices on their farms.

Both programs are voluntary and were announced by Ohio Agriculture Director David Daniels, at an event at Drewes Farms in Custar, May 17.

Daniels said the new tools amount to impactful steps that will merge the ideas of precision farming and precision conservation.

Balancing act

He said the agricultural community continues to take the necessary steps to maintain productivity, while protecting natural resources and reducing nutrient runoff across the state.

The Ohio Applicator Forecast takes data from the National Weather Service, predicting potential for runoff to occur in a given area. The forecast takes snow accumulation and melt, soil moisture content and forecast precipitation and temperatures into account, giving farmers timely information when they are making nutrient application decisions.

Theres a whole mix of things a farmer can look at to help guide him through and make the best decisions, about nutrients and even when to plant, Daniels said.

Brian Astifan, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center in Wilmington, Ohio, said the weather service looks forward to working with Ohio farmers to reduce nutrient runoff.

Stewardship program

The Ohio Agricultural Stewardship Verification Program will certify farmers in targeted watersheds in Henry and Wood counties who apply and meet criteria developed by ODAs Division of Soil and Water Conservation.

Criteria for the certification include developed nutrient management plans, accurate soil tests and documented best management practices, among others. The program will begin as a pilot with an intention to expand the program to all of Ohio.

The stewardship program will handled by ODA, and provides a verifiable way to measure what a farm is doing.

This isnt just what they claim to do, it whats theyre verified to be doing, Daniels said.

ODA plans to continue reaching out to farmers and applicators in the coming months to make them aware of these new and beneficial tools.

Those interested in applying for the Agricultural Stewardship Verification Program in Henry and Wood counties can visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District office. For the Ohio Applicator Forecast, visit http://agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/OhioApplicatorForecast/oaf.aspx.
Three recent accidents involving older farmers and agricultural workers has spurred on the National Farmers' Union to highlight the importance of safety to those in the industry.

The accidents serve as a reminder that safety on farm remains an important issue for all those in the industry, the NFU said.

On 1 May a farmer in Scotland was killed in a cattle-related accident. On 2 May a farmer suffered fatal injuries when a section of the tree he was working on fell and crushed his tractor. On 9 May a person fell from the open edge of a mezzanine floor in Somerset.

The NFU said: "The accidents occurred in different sectors, in different parts of the country and in different circumstances. However one common factor in all three accidents is age, all the victims were aged 65 or over.

"The risk to older people in the farming industry is not a new thing. Over the past 10 years 30% of fatal accidents in agriculture occurred to people aged 65 plus.

"It is very common for people over the normal retirement age to continue in active roles in farming businesses. The wealth of knowledge and experience that older famers possess is invaluable for the industry but at the same time it must be recognised that a decline in agility and resilience is inevitable with advancing years and needs to be taken into account.

"An example of a risk is lone working. Ways to manage this risk might include: Letting other people know when and where a person might be working alone, keeping in touch by mobile or two-way radio and agreeing times to report back in."
Many investors bought shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A -1.39%) (BRK.B -1.35%) so they wouldn't have to worry too much about their investment. After all, who better to trust with your money than Warren Buffett and his team? However, there is one major worry among Berkshire shareholders: What happens when Warren Buffett is no longer leading the company?

The biggest worry of Berkshire's shareholders

It's fair to say that many Berkshire investors bought shares because they wanted Warren Buffett to be calling the shots with their investment dollars. And that makes sense  in the half-century that Buffett has been at the helm, Berkshire has not only beaten the market, but delivered unheard-of returns to shareholders.

Well, Warren Buffett is now 86 years old, and his right-hand man Charlie Munger is 93. And while I certainly hope Buffett and Munger both live well into their 100s, the reality is that neither will be running Berkshire forever. Buffett has suggested before that he might actually retire at some point.

When Buffett isn't running Berkshire anymore, who will be?

In his 2014 letter to shareholders, marking 50 years since he'd been running Berkshire, Warren Buffett laid out his vision for the next half-century at the company. While we don't yet know who is next in line to succeed Buffett as CEO, and probably won't until the time comes, he did offer some hints.

He said that Berkshire's directors believe in hiring future CEOs from within, and that candidates should be relatively young. Buffett has now spent 52 years at the helm of Berkshire, and ideally, the next CEO would do the same. He went on to say that the board has selected his successor, who will be ready to assume the job the day Buffett is no longer running the show, and he is confident that this individual will do as good of a job as he has -- even better in some respects.

In addition, Buffett has expressed his wishes that his son, Howard, be made a non-executive chairman, specifically to act quickly if the company's new CEO isn't working out.

As far as Berkshire's investments are concerned: Buffett's two stock-picking lieutenants, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, have been entrusted with investing more and more of Berkshire's capital in recent years. The idea is that they will be in charge of the company's vast portfolio after Buffett is gone, and will also help the next CEO evaluate acquisition prospects.

In short, Buffett feels that the mechanisms are in place for Berkshire's business trajectory to continue in perpetuity, so investors shouldn't worry about Berkshire Hathaway in the post-Buffett era.

It doesn't matter much who is in charge at Berkshire

Warren Buffett once said, in reference to Berkshire's investment in Coca-Cola, that one of the reasons he loves Coca-Cola's business is that "a ham sandwich" could run the company. In other words, Coca-Cola is such a smooth-running business, and requires so little effort from the person sitting at the CEO's desk, that the company would likely do just fine no matter who is in charge.

The same logic applies to Berkshire. Buffett takes a notoriously hands-off approach with the managers of Berkshire's subsidiaries. For example, Tony Nicely, the CEO of GEICO, is generally left alone to run the operation as he sees fit. As Buffett said in his succession-plan discussion: "The extraordinary delegation of authority now existing at Berkshire is the ideal antidote to bureaucracy."

And while Buffett is responsible for the majority of Berkshire's stock portfolio, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs have been given more and more responsibility in recent years, and have done an excellent job.

The bottom line is that while Buffett and Munger won't be running the show at Berkshire forever, there's no reason for shareholders to worry about Berkshire's business over the long run.

Having said that, I completely expect Berkshire's stock to take a short-lived nosedive once Buffett either steps down or dies -- and if that happens, it should be viewed as a major buying opportunity.
America is a nation that really loves its debt.

According to recently released data from the Federal Reserve in December, aggregate U.S. credit card debt crested the $1 trillion mark for the first time since 2008. This closely followed the news that outstanding auto loans in the U.S. also topped the $1 trillion mark as of the second quarter of 2016.

Student-loan debt is crippling

But when it comes to outstanding debts (mortgages excluded), nothing can top student loans. Currently, Americans are cumulatively saddled with $1.44 trillion in student-loan debt, and college students in the graduating class of 2016 walked away with an average of $37,172 owed. That's up 6% from 2015. It means the average student-loan payment for a borrower aged 20 to 30 is about $351 a month.

A recent survey from American Student Assistance found just how burdensome student-loan debt can be. Of the slightly more than 500 employees surveyed between the ages of 22 and 33 with student-loan debt, 56% were either worried about repaying their student loans all the time (26%) or often (30%).

Worst of all, most normal pathways to bankruptcy (chapters 7 or 13) don't provide relief from student-loan debt. That means defaulting on student-loan debt may entitle the federal government, based on a more than two-decade-old law, to garnish up to 15% of your Social Security benefit during retirement to help repay what you owe.

Not going to college means no student-loan debt, but as we've also seen based on data from Pew Research Center, it'll put you at a potential socioeconomic disadvantage. Data from February 2014 (in 2012 dollars) found that millennials aged 25 to 32 with a bachelor's degree or higher were earning an average of $17,500 more annually than those same-aged millennials with only a high school diploma. A degree is becoming more of an expectation than the exception to the rule these days, which means passing up college to avoid student-loan debt may not be a wise trade-off.

Could this bill solve the student-loan debt crisis?

So, what's a person to do?

At least a few members of Congress believe they have the answer.

Introduced in the House of Representatives in February, a bipartisan bill (H.R. 795) known as the "Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act" would look to reshape the U.S. tax code by allowing businesses the ability to make contributions toward your student-loan debt on a tax-deductible basis. In other words, student-loan contributions from an employer would be treated similar to a 401(k) contribution.

Currently, most 401(k) contributions from an employer are tax-deductible for the company. The employee sees benefits, too, because these contributions grow on a tax-deferred basis. However, employer contributions toward their employees' student loan debt aren't tax deductible. In fact, most employers have to count a student-loan debt contribution as income for their employee, meaning the company gets taxed on it. This is why even though it's an attractive means by which to recruit and retain talent, few businesses actually offer a student-loan contribution perk.

H.R. 795 would rewrite the portion of the U.S. tax code to allow businesses to make student-loan debt contributions to the employee or directly to the lender of the employee on a tax-deductible basis. Presumably this would be great news for all parties. Businesses receive a healthy tax deduction and have yet another way to retain talent, while their workforce gets a big burden lifted off their backs. Consumers may even have more in the way of monthly income to put away for retirement. Imagine that!

Of course, with Congress working on healthcare reform and tax reform simultaneously, there is no guarantee that this student-loan debt measure has enough momentum to even make it to the next stage of the legislative process.

Here's what you can do

Though it'd really be a nice boost if Congress stepped in and provided a smart pathway to alleviate the student-loan debt crisis, consumers simply can't count on Capitol Hill to come to the rescue. Here are a few things to consider as a parent or student that may help alleviate your student-loan debt burdens.

To begin with, formulate and stick to a household budget. A 2013 Gallup poll found that just 32% of households stuck to a detailed monthly budget, essentially meaning that 68% of Americans probably don't have a good bead on their monthly cash flow. Understanding the ins and outs of your cash flow is imperative in order to adjust your saving and spending habits. If you've got four, five, or six digits in student loan debt, you need to be taking special care to repay this debt. Having a budget in place should allow you to optimally meet your loan obligation.

Getting started on a budget is also easier than ever. Budgeting software can be found online these days, and in many cases it's free or available for a nominal cost. You may even be able to formulate your saving plan entirely online by providing the software with your monthly saving goal.

Second, consider getting a part-time job while you're in college. The earlier you get out into the workforce, the quicker you'll be able to save for your future. In addition, you may even be able to gain lucrative experience in your field of interest, which can help when you graduate and are looking for a career-based job.

Lastly, take into strong consideration the return on investment (ROI) of your college of choice. A pricier college doesn't always mean a higher salary once you graduate, or throughout your working career. For instance, the annual PayScale College ROI report ranks more than 1,000 colleges based on their ROI. In essence, PayScale looks at what a person would be expected to earn over a 20-year period versus what it typically costs for an in-stage or out-of-state resident to obtain a degree at said university. What you'll find is that sometimes the best option might be a local state college, which can be considerably cheaper than sending your son or daughter off to more renowned college.

The student-loan debt crisis isn't going to solve itself. Be proactive while simultaneously crossing your fingers that Washington wises up and provides businesses with an attractive means of rewarding their workforce in the years to come.
Milking cows done right is a pleasurable experience for both the cow and the milker.

The cows can be taught to calmly enter the parlor on their own, watching and sensing cues from the milker in the parlor and crowd gate behind them. A certain challenge of milking cows is to get the milkers all on the same page, following the same protocols for cow entry and milking procedure. Our goal is to make the milking process the same every day for the cows, regardless who is milking them.

Cows are creatures of habit. As far as milking is concerned at our farm, milking starts out in the barn when an employee brings a pen of cows to the parlor to be milked. The cows know its time to be milked. They know the pusher is simply opening the gates so they can go to the parlor, and they leave their stalls or the feed manger and go. (If the same employee goes to a pen, not at milking time, the cows are generally more cautious or concerned about why that person is in the pen with them.) We calmly bring the cows to the holding area and drop the crowd gate behind them.

Cow entry from the holding area into the parlor is the first potential obstacle we face milking cows. If there is anything different from normal, the cows notice and typically balk at entering. Different noises, smells, milker cues or an upset milker could all slow down entry into the parlor. If the milker is relaxed and follows procedure, the cows are relaxed and enter the parlor by themselves.

Proper handling of cows prior to and during milking is important to help ensure release of a milk letdown hormone, oxytocin, for maximum milk removal. Adequate stimulation during pre-milking udder preparation causes oxytocin release from a cows pituitary gland to her blood supply. Through the blood supply, oxytocin quickly reaches the udder and effects contraction of the muscles around the alveoli, literally causing the milk there to be squeezed from the alveoli into milk ducts of increasing size and ultimately into the teat cisterns to be removed by milking.

Loud noises, the presence of strangers and/or rough handling of cows can frighten them. Fright results in the release of adrenaline, and the net effect of that is the cancellation of the positive milk letdown action of oxytocin. Air entry through the teat cup during unit attachment can cause enough teat end pain to hinder the oxytocin effect through adrenalin release as well.

Our milking procedure is quite simple: dip, strip and dry, and then attach the milking unit. The units automatically remove themselves when the cow is finished milking. We dip teats again after the milking units come off.

We dont use water to clean a cows udder. Teat dip is a liquid disinfectant formulated for rapid bacterial kill and teat skin conditioning. We dip each teat with it after we first strip a couple squirts of milk out of each teat. Stripping stimulates oxytocin release and allows us to check for mastitis in the milk. Drying the teats with an individual clean washcloth continues to stimulate oxytocin release and removes sand and teat dip from the teats.

Timing of milking unit attachment, in relation to the oxytocin surge, is critical to maximize the amount of milk harvested. We like to see the units go on the cows 60 to 90 seconds after the start of udder prep. We prep four cows at a time, attach units, post dip cows already milked, prep four more cows and so forth. Our milking employees learn a rhythm that achieves adequate oxytocin stimulation, clean teats, timely milking unit attachment and post dipping  all while releasing cows from the parlor and giving the cues for another line of cows to enter.

Procedural drift among members of our milking crew is arguably the most challenging management issue when milking a herd of cows. We need to continually reinforce the fundamentals of milking procedure and how all the steps fit together for maximum milk letdown, udder health and employee satisfaction. Adequate training, staff meetings, and sharing milk production and quality numbers with the crew encourage us all to continually work toward correct and consistent routine while milking.

Then the cows like to come to the parlor, the crew likes milking them, and the boss likes the effect of our total effort on the milk check.

Everybodys happy.




Haiti - Economy : Chaos and Confusion on the Dajabon Border Market





Friday in Dajabon, chaos and confusion prevailed for several hours in the binational weekly market, following an order from the authorities in Port-au-Prince (according to information gathered at the border), prohibiting the entry first of thirty Dominican products, before being generalized in total confusion to almost all the products usually sold on the market.



The situation provoked strong tensions and blockages for more than a kilometer along the Massacre river, because of the Haitian traders who tried despite the ban, to go to Haiti with the Dominican merchandise they had bought.



The Association of Merchants of Juana Mendez strongly protested for this surprise ban and forced the mayor of this city to intervene as mediator in this case to allow the lifting of this measure. By noon, the Dominican products most in demand by Haitians, were again authorized and business activity has resumed normally...



The Association of Dominican merchants hopes to have explanations in the next few days about the reason for this sudden ban, in order to allow trade to continue normally on both sides of the border.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agriculture : 12 Haitian scholars begin their Master in the USA





In an effort to increase the number of highly trained Haitian researchers and extension personnel, the U.S. Feed the Future initiative project "Appui a la Recherche et au Developpement Agricole" (AREA), is committed to subsidizing the training at Master level of 20 Haitian students at the University of Florida (UF), University of Illinois and Louisiana State University.



A group of 12 students will be leaving Haiti on May 20th to attend English language training this summer to prepare for admission to their graduate programs at the University of Florida and Louisiana State University beginning this August. They will join two Haitian students who started their programs at UF in January. Some of the topics that the students will research include disease and pest management in rice and sorghum, optimizing water use efficiency, nutrient management and post-harvest technologies for major food crops, and climate smart production techniques to optimize crop productivity. The remaining 6 students are expecting to leave Haiti in the coming fall.



One of the students will be working under the supervision of two researchers from the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead to tackle major challenges (mainly disease and nematode) faced by banana growers in Cabaret, Arcahaie and Montrouis regions. The two researchers visited Haiti last month and met with the Vice Dean for research at FAMV and the Head of the plant production department at MARNDR to discuss their involvement in that research program.



During their graduate programs, the students will work with the public and private sector in Haiti to promote agricultural modernization, and provide research-based information and recommendations for farmers to improve food security in the country. Every graduate student will have a research professional from Haiti on their graduate committee who will provide guidance and support to their graduate research work. "Through the student research projects, we will connect agricultural experts in Haiti to the experts at our U.S. university partners," confirmed Dr. Lemane Delva, Director of Research for the AREA project. And according to Dr. Rose Koenig, a UF faculty member and Interim Director of IFAS Global "At the University of Florida our faculty looks forward to mentoring and interacting with these talented and dedicated students. Their research will provide solutions to some of the major food production challenges in Haiti and lead to improved household food security and livelihoods".



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Security : Bad weather, rescue operations are active in the field





Following the bad weather of recent days, the human balance has increased from 5 to 7 people and 19 fishermen disappeared on the Cotes des Irois, Dame-Marie and off Anse d'Hainault. The material damage is considerable, especially in agriculture and road infrastructures. Torrential rains caused flooding of most rivers, overflowing of dry ravines and flooding in the most affected departments.



The Civil Protection structures participated in various rescue operations and carried out preventive evacuations at Anse d'Hainault, Pestel (Cayemites) and Port-de-Paix, where a total of 500 people were placed in temporary shelters. Relief operations that continued throughout the day of 18 May, are maintained in areas mostly affected by persistent rains, which have left nearly 3,000 families affected throughout the country, including more than 1,600 in the Nippes .



At the same time, measures to assist the population began, notably in Nippes, where 145 families were assisted. In the South, 120 food kits were distributed to families.



On the other hand, technicians of public works and workers ave multiplied their interventions on several stretches of road damaged or cut off by runoff due to floods and landslides, notably at Arniquet, Port-Salut and Roche-a-Bateaux (South) and Marfranc (Grand'Anse) and also in Port-de-Paix in the North-West. Teams are also working in some flooded neighborhoods, for remediation work.



Volunteers of the Civil Protection were also deployed in several cities for cleaning. It should be noted that according to forecasts of the National Center of Meteorology, the meteorological situation prevailing in the great Antilles is likely to cause stormy showers on some departments of the country this weekend.



Given the cumulative rainfall recorded in Haiti and the 100% saturated soils, especially on the southern peninsula of the country, the Ministry of the Interior is calling on people in areas at risk of floods and landslides. To take extra precautions and to apply the usual safety precautions because of the heavy showers that continue to hit some parts of the country.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20980-haiti-flash-partial-assessment-of-the-bad-weather-5-dead-19-missing.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Security : Prison Break at the National Penitentiary





The Chief Inspector Gary Desrosiers, deputy spokesman for the National Police of Haiti (PNH) confirmed that 3 prisoners : Civil Fils (accused of kidnapping and forcible confinement), Arnel Joseph and Etienne Nelson (accused of armed robbery and association of criminals), escaped from the National Penitentiary on Wednesday at about 5:00 am, explaining that the inmates had managed to get out of the prison by piercing a wall before climbing the surrounding wall height of 7 meters...



A fourth detainee, Kener Telsaint aka "Ti coq" was shot dead by an agent of the National Prison Administration (APN).



Gary Desrosiers, announced that 14 agents of the APN are currently under investigation by the General Inspectorate of the National Police of Haiti (IGPNH), to determine their responsibilities and possible complicities.



Seee also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20013-haiti-flash-nightmare-at-the-national-penitentiary.html



TB/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Words of sympathy from the Minister of the Interior

Following the torrential rains that killed 7 and made 19 missing persons, Max Rudolph Saint-Albin, Minister of the Interior and Local Government, presents his sympathies to the families and relatives of the disappeared. The Directorate of Civil Protection deplores the fact that most of these deaths are related mainly to the fact that people tried to cross streams at the time of the floods, despite prohibitions and instructions. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20980-haiti-flash-partial-assessment-of-the-bad-weather-5-dead-19-missing.html



Moise promises a Haitian flags factory

On May 18 in his speech Jovenel Moise promised to facilitate the establishment of a textile factory in Arcahaie in order to allow the manufacture of the Haitian flag.



Fire of a tank truck

The traffic was blocked on the "Route de l'Amitie" at the level of teh localioty "Huit-Cents-Metres", following a spectacular road accident where a truck of gasoline spilled and caught fire near the bridge of the "Vallee de Jacmel". Firefighters traveled to the area to try to control the violent fire in the presence of the Police, of South-East Departmental Delegate, the Deputy Mayor of Jacmel and civil protection officials. The fire was finally mastered in the night from Thursday to Friday. The accident caused no casualties, a house was evacuated temporarily and traffic on the "Route de l'Amitie" was partially restored.



Fuel : Fanmi Lavalas mobilizes

The Fanmi Lavalas party described the decision of the new government team to raise fuel prices as a "provocation" and announced a mobilization to force the government to reverse this unpopular measure.



Read also ultimatum of Moise Jean-Charles https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20978-haiti-news-zapping.html



First 100 days of Moise (Video)

"My first 100 days in power bear the mark of a redefinition and restructuring project. Project supported by: the fight against corruption, curbing waste, reducing the state's lifestyle, setting a legislative agenda, setting up the public service observatory, the caravan of change, the massive investment decisions in agriculture, tourism, the subcontracting industry, digital, education, environment, housing, security and public health," declared President Jovenel Moise in a special program around his first 100 days as Head of State.







Public policies for Haiti and DR

This week, a workshop on public policy recommendations for Haiti and the Dominican Republic was held in Port-au-Prince. An initiative of the Binational Observatory for Migration, Environment, Education and Trade (OBMEC).



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20390-haiti-policy-preliminary-recommendations-of-the-binational-observatory.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15955-haiti-politic-official-launch-of-the-binational-observatory.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Ask Matt ... what's going up on Fifth Avenue West?

The old Raynor garage door building has changed hands.

Q. What is going on with the old garage door business on 5th Avenue?

Rolf Marti is the new owner. As a new Laurel Park resident who frequently passed by the brick front building at 1628 Fifth Avenue West, he learned that it was up for auction. He bid on it and got the 3,000-square-foot building on a half-acre of land and is now renovating it for lease. The previous owner let the building go, said Marti. There was a lot of water damage from a leaking roof and we had to take out the entire floor.

Marti had a janitorial business in Florida so the renovation work is a first for him but the retiree seems to enjoy the challenge. He will eventually shell in the walls and add a roof. He is still unsure if the unique design on the exterior brick will remain. In addition to the Indoors, Inc. garage door company, the building has been home to Kathys Ceramics and long before that it was a coal company evidenced by the old rusty coal scales still on the site.

Q. Unclaimed Yellowbook phone directories draw attention to unoccupied homes. Is tossing the Yellowbooks in driveways littering?

Littering? Probably, but good luck in your pursuit of justice. Yellowbook is produced by Hibu Inc. with headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The company produces a landline telephone directory for many communities and delivers it free to every business and residence in the county. Hibu hires temporary delivery people who are paid by the number of books delivered. Delivery personnel are admonished to place the book on the hinged side of the front door of each residence. This is a far cry from where most books land  in your driveway and the driveway of your neighbor who might be on vacation.

So whats a disgruntled resident to do? Well, most people throw the books away or toss them on their neighbors front doorstep.

Yes, the internet is littered with gripes about Yellowbooks delivery system. I found a guy in Chattanooga who, after filing a complaint, actually got a response from the Hibu people. The company gave him a toll-free number for grievances (1-800-373-3280) which I tried but then quickly ran out patience.

I checked with Hendersonville and Laurel Park officials and it seems that very few complaints are registered, at least not enough to pursue the littering issue. A word of caution when dealing with Hibu  just remember these guys know where you live.

* * * * *

Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The spectacle of Trump and of cronies such as alt-Neo-Nazi Steve Bannon hobnobbing with the Saudi monarchy, of the president curtsying to King Salman and receiving a huge gold medal from him (for what, bashing Islam relentlessly?) was made all the more seedy by its juxtaposition to the elections in Iran. These were won by center=right Hassan Rouhani, giving him a second term as president, even though he was opposed by Irans hard liners.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor Iran is what you might call a democracy. But Iran has a more flexible political system.

President Hassan Rouhani, who won a second term on Saturday, castigated his main political opponents on the right as having been jailers of the people for the past few decades. Rouhanis signal achievement was the nuclear deal with the UN Security Council and an attempt to open to Europe. He attracted the support of youth, women and liberals in Iran.

The Saudi monarchy hasnt been denouncing its jailers. And while it has all along had friendly relations with the West, those are at the level of oil sales, not values.

Saudi Arabia is arguably the worlds last absolute monarchy. Even constitutional monarchies have been abolished in much of the world. Absolute monarchy is the top endangered species of comparative politics. It is also fragile and clunky. It has no feedback loop. The king and his circle do what they want. Does the Saudi public really want the Yemen war? We dont know. Polling of that sort would not be allowed. Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the son of the current king, is only 31 and the reckless and arguably genocidal Yemen war appears to have been his idea. Public debate not welcome.

Trump just sold the deputy crown prince another $110 bn worth of high-tech, state of the art weapons. Yemen is having a cholera outbreak and is on the verge of mass starvation.

The Saudis have allowed municipal elections (2005, 2011, and 2015). In the third such elections, in 2015, the citizens elected 2/3s of city council members on 284 municipal councils, and the king appointed the rest. The king appoints the mayor. The city councils have very little policy-making power; they oversee garbage collection. Although the late King Abdullah, a moderate reformer, allowed women to vote and run in 2015, vanishingly few were elected.

Provinces? The king appoints the governor. The national Consultative Council, the embryonic national parliament? The king appoints the members. The cabinet? You guessed it.

Nor is there any freedom of the press. Critics of the Saudi government are routinely imprisoned arbitrarily for as much as a decade or more, and sentenced to flogging, i.e. torture as many as a 1,000 strokes.

Not only has Saudi Arabia stood for absolutism at home, it has mobilized to destroy populist and democratic movements in the region. Arguably it was a major force behind the derailing of the brief Egyptian experiment with parliamentary democracy. It suborned liberal Syrian revolutionaries into a fanatical Salafism (the Jaysh al-Islam) that threatened Alawite Shiites and other Syrian minorities and preached against democracy. Behind the scenes it has pushed a destabilizing fanatical Salafism throughout the Muslim world.

It is not true, as many American observers keep saying, and as Donald Trump has said, that the Saudi monarchy was entangled in 9/11 (thats ridiculous do you know what it did to their stock portfolio?). Nor does the Saudi government deliberately spread terrorism. I dont think they realize that in Sunni societies, their hard line Wahhabism (coded as Salafism outside the kingdom) is not quietist or loyalist, as Wahhabism is in Saudi Arabia. It tends to turn radical.

The Saudis can be pragmatic. They supported the secular government of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt to the hilt, and the current regime in Egypt, backed by Riyadh, hates political Islam. The Saudis want the Egyptian army at their beck and call and want no competitors for religious charisma, whether the Muslim Brotherhood or Khomeinist Shiism.

The Saudis are the most problematic American ally. The alliance was driven by oil and Communism. Since neither are likely to be important in 2040, youd have to short the stocks of this particular alliance.

In contrast to the Saudis, who talk nice to our faces about the United States even if they dont actually approve of us, the Iranians are stuck in 1979, chanting Death to America and demonizing the US. The Iranian system is dual. It has a clerical theocracy, run by the Leader or Guide (Rahbar) (they dont actually call him the supreme leader in Persianthat is Western Orientalism). The clerical Leader is head of the armed forces and intelligence and appoints the judiciary and the commissions that censor newspapers and vet candidates.

The Leader is not, however, exactly a dictator. The system has a little bit of wriggle room, and a few feedback mechanisms. There are fairly aboveboard parliamentary and presidential elections. But although the elections themselves are usually not very fraudulent, the candidates are vetted by the ayatollahs and liberals and leftists are not allowed to run. It is sort of the mirror image of the US states that have imposed voter suppression. Iran controls the candidates, not who can vote for them.

Iran also has no freedom of speech or the press, and when newspapers push the limits that are closed. People are arrested and tortured for speaking their minds.

On the other hand, Iranian centrists nowadays have much more power, through the president and parliament, than do any Saudi centrists that might exist.

Although the US politicians brand Iran the major supporter of terrorism, this charge is not true. The Israeli squatters on the West Bank are terrorists, and the US implicitly backs them. The US backed death squads in Central America, i.e. terrorists. The US backed the Mujahidin in Afghanistan, who engaged in a great deal of terrorism against Afghan leftists and feminists. The US brands groups it does not like, such as Hizbullah in Lebanon, as terrorists. But most of Hizbullahs efforts were aimed at getting the Israeli army out of Occupied South Lebanon. That isnt terrorism. Nowadays Hizbullah is fighting al-Qaeda and ISIL in Syria (though it also fights more moderate Sunni rebels). Also not terrorism.

Iran could make sense as a US ally if stupid sorts of politics did not intervene on both sides. At some 80 million, it is a substantial country and a huge market. Its GDP is similar to Polands. The US and Iran could do a lot of business with one another.

So on the day the Iranian public bucked the countrys Leader and the other hard liners and put centrist President Hassan Rouhani back in for a second term, the American president was being feted with gold metals in an absolute monarchy that spreads an anti-Western Salafism around the Muslim world.

And this is the same president who has endlessly bashed the Saudis in particular and Islam in general.

Electric cars will be as cheap as gasoline cars, probably by the early 2020s, and after that oil will quickly become worthless. How will that change this screwy picture?



Related video:

AFP: Irans Rouhani: a moderate cleric open to the world
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TeleSur |  

Some Southern cities are rethinking the appropriateness of keeping such emblems on public property. Not Alabama.

Alabama lawmakers on Friday approved a bill that prohibits the removal of Confederate monuments and other long-standing historical markers.

The bill, passed in both the House and Senate, prohibits the relocation, removal, alteration, renaming, or other disturbance of any architecturally significant building, memorial building, memorial street, or monument that have stood for more than 40 years on public property.

Its very important that we address this issue to protect the history that made us who we are today as a state and as a country, the bills Republican sponsor Sen. Gerald Allen said. The role that our state played in the formation of the history of this nation is very important.

Opponents to the bill said it is disrespectful to African-Americans because it would preserve Confederate monuments and memorials related to slavery and which many people believe champion the racism of the past.

You say we are protecting history. We are not protecting history. We are protecting monuments that represent oppression to a large part of the people in the state of Alabama, Sen. Hank Sanders, an African-American Democrat from Selma, said.

The Confederacy was made up of states that attempted to preserve slavery in the South and secede from the United States in the Civil War of 1861 to 1865.

Over the past several years, memorials to the Confederacy have fallen out of favor in some Southern places.

In 2015, Alabamas then-Gov. Robert Bentley ordered to remove the Confederate flag from the state Capitol after the shootings in a South Carolina church killed nine African-Americans.

Allen had offered a similar legislation since then, criticizing the politically-correct movement.

Officials in New Orleans recently have been removing several Confederate monuments, including one of Jefferson Davis, president of the pro-slavery Confederacy and P.G.T. Beauregard, a Confederate general.

The legislation states changes to names or memorials installed between 20 and 40 years ago would need permission from a new state committee.

It would also apply to schools named to memorialize people. Such schools cant be renamed without approval from the committee, but can relocate or make renovations.

The legislature will be sent to the desk of Governor Kay Ivey to be signed into law.

Local entities that violated the law, as determined by the attorney general, would be subject to a $25,000 fine, according to the bill.

Several House Democrats said it could stifle ongoing construction on historical places throughout the state.

In 10 days [if Ivey signs the bill,] any construction going on would have to stop, Rep. Dexter Grimsely said. History is haunted in less than 10 days in Alabama.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

News: Alabama bill aims to save Confederate monuments
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Maan News Agency |  

RAMALLAH (Maan)  Palestinian factions in the central occupied West Bank city of Ramallah have called upon the Palestinian people to partake in a Day of Rage on Tuesday, during the planned visit by US President Donald Trump to the occupied Palestinian territory.

Trump left the US for his first trip abroad as commander-in-chief on May 19, arriving in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. He is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday, to meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

The following day, Trump will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, and then stop in occupied East Jerusalem, to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Western Wall  reportedly to become the first sitting US president to visit the contested holy site that stands adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Trump first met with Abbas in Washington D.C. earlier this month , and with Netanyahu in February.

In a statement released Saturday titled: A call for unity and assimilation with our brave prisoners, Ramallah-based Islamist and nationalist factions urged the public to join rallies to express their rejection to the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel under US sponsorship.

The statement called for a three-hour strike on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for a general strike on Monday in the occupied West Bank, the besieged Gaza Strip, and Israel, to coincide with Trumps visit.

Members of the Higher Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel have affirmed their support for the strikes, initially called for by the Palestinian national committee set up to support a mass hunger strike in Israeli prisons that entered its 34th day on Saturday.

The hunger strikes committee also called for activists in West Bank villages and rural areas to continue blocking off roads to traffic , particularly for Israeli settler vehicles, in an expression of solidarity for the hunger strike.

Popular protests demanding that Israel meet the demands of hunger strikers have erupted into violent clashes with Israeli forces, most recently on Friday , since the strike began more than two months ago.

Signatories of the statement also highlighted that they opposed the United States bias with the Israeli occupation, as a growing number of Palestinians have expressed disillusionment to peace talks brokered by consecutive US administrations that have simultaneously pledged billions in military aid to Israel .

Trumps plans for his first diplomatic visit abroad have been fraught with the chaos and controversy that has come to define his presidency.

Reports emerged last week that Trumps national security adviser H.R. McMaster twice refused to say whether the Western Wall is part of Israel, while American diplomats at the US consulate in East Jerusalem told representatives of Netanyahus office that the Western Wall was part of the occupied West Bank, and refused to hold talks with Israeli officials about arrangements for Trumps planned visit to the site.

During a visit to Israel on Monday , Trumps pick for US Ambassador to Israel, pro-settler David Friedman, chose the Western Wall as his first stop, later to meet with the Israeli prime minister who called Jerusalem the eternal capital of the Jewish people when greeting Friedman .

Meanwhile, on Friday, the White House circulated a video publicizing his itinerary that showed a map of Israel that cut out the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Golan Heights.

While Israel occupied the territories in 1967, Israel extended Israeli law to the Golan Heights, but does not claim sovereignty in the West Bank  though many right-wing Israeli lawmakers continue to advocate the West Banks annexation and consider illegal settlements built on Palestinian land part of Israel.

The map angered Israeli officials, and likely also alienated Palestinians for listing Trumps schedule in both West Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank as under the heading Israel.

The US presidents visit also comes after Trumps provision to the Russians of intelligence Israel gave the US in secret, to the outrage of Israeli intelligence officials.

Trump has remained largely elusive regarding his policies on Israel-Palestine, as he has expressed his support for Israels illegal settlement building on Palestinian territory in the past, while also making statements critical of settlements following his inauguration.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to bring about a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and claimed that coming to a peace agreement is  not as difficult as people have thought over the years.
By Oh Young-jin





China fears environmental contamination and earthquakes that may be triggered by North Korea's underground nuclear tests, possibly bringing Beijing to the breaking point of its patience with its blood-sealed but increasingly defiant ally, a Chinese scholar said during an interview Friday.

"Chinese people in the northeast region that borders North Korea are fearful that they will fall victim to contaminated water and seismic disruptions from its nuclear blasts," Professor Zhu Feng of Nanjing University told The Korea Times. The interview was held before his lecture on the Korea-China-U.S. relationship, sponsored by the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies.

Punggye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, which has served as the site for four of the five nuclear tests and will certainly accommodate a sixth, is within hundreds of kilometers of population centers in northeastern China. It is also quite close to Mt. Baekdu, a volcanic mountain that some experts fear may have another big eruption after the one in 946.

Zhu said this is part of the reason for what he calls "the Mar-a-Lago consensus," named after the Florida retreat where Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump had their summit. One key agreement is to cooperate for the resolution of the North's uncontrollable nuclear program.





Professor Zhu Feng

"President Xi is not as strongly bound by the two countries' old ties as the older generations who fought against the U.S. in the (1950-1953) Korean War are," Zhu said, adding that Xi's patience is wearing thin because of the North's continued provocative acts.

He attributed the Trump-Xi rapport to Beijing's "massive feeling of detestation" for the North's leader Kim Jong-un for his nuclear ambitions at the risk of compromising Xi's modernization efforts for China.

Then, he suggested a Seoul-Beijing-Washington grand bargain on the endgame that will "overturn" the North diplomatically and peacefully. He didn't say whether this means the ouster of its young dictator.

Regarding China's proposal for a peace treaty that replaces the current truce on the Korean Peninsula, he said: "China wouldn't insist on the U.S. withdrawal from the South as a condition for the peace regime." This contradicts the North's argument for the U.S. pullout that should be followed by the peace treaty, which causes the South and U.S. to be wary of any such a suggestion. The North and China regularly call on the U.S. for peace talks but have never clearly declared that the U.S. withdrawal won't be a precondition for it.

Regarding Beijing's strong-arm tactics on Seoul's accommodation of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery against the North's missile attacks, Zhu said that it is a small matter that has been taken out of proportion.

"It is not a big issue," he said. "I think that Beijing handled it poorly, considering Seoul's strategic importance." But he said it has now turned into a matter of face as Seoul neither gave notice nor consulted with Beijing in making its announcement of the deployment, which took Beijing by surprise.

He also dispels the conventional belief about China's hegemonic aspirations as myth.

"The U.S. is a superpower. China is not," he said. "We don't know when China will have power equal to the U.S. and we don't have any intention to hasten that date and get engaged in a hegemonic war with the U.S." As things are unfolding, his assertion doesn't mean that China will accept U.S. leadership in its back and front yard such as the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.

Zhu is an international relations expert keenly following Korean affairs and has an extensive network in Korea.

Asked whether his views on such issues as the North belong to the majority in China, he affirmed it might but cited his scholastic freedom for his frank expressions.

Footnote: I talked to Professor Zhu Feng about 20 minutes before his lecture that lasted two hours. My impressions evolved during those three hours. First, I asked myself "Can it be true?" and then "What if?" His observations about Chinese President Xi Jinping detesting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are hardly surprising, but I wondered whether it could lead to a significant change of policy, since Xi's dislike of Kim is known publicly _ perhaps China may put real pressure on the North to derail its nuclear program.

About Beijing having no hegemonic ambitions, my immediate response was "Really?"

Then I thought that we might be overly suspicious of China's intentions when all it wants is to keep an eye on its neighboring areas. Maybe our China fear is based on our imagination fueled by the outside world's portrayals of it as a new beast that can't wait for its turn to dominate globally.

I am not convinced by Zhu's claims that it will come down to China being a benevolent white knight that is patiently gaining qualifications to replace the U.S. Or I wouldn't go to the extent of giving his claims the benefit of the doubt. It's not his fault but history and current affairs have provided enough grounds for our China fear that one lecture couldn't dispel them. But the convincing part of Zhu's lecture and interview came when he talked about China's "indecision," meaning that the Chinese and their leaders are not so clear-minded about the future path of their country. This national indecision explains why Beijing's concern about the North is not just about a major refugee crisis as the outside world thinks, but even though there are more other urgent issues at stake, it gets frozen. And China's projection of power in the South China Sea may not be a step to push the U.S. from the region and have Asia to itself. Rather, China is in the middle of trying to come to its own conclusions. That gives the rest of the world a window of opportunity to influence China and help it turn into a responsible leader rather than become a feral beast.

Oh Young-jin is The Korea Times' chief editorial writer. Contact foolsdie5@ktimes.com and foolsdie@gmail.com.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Iran Elections

Once again the hardliners and moderates are confronting each other in the coming Iranian elections on May 19. There are over 100 candidates in the field. The moderates are led by Ebrahim Raeisi and the religious conser-vatives are likely to be led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a former President. The countrys Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had tried to prevent a contest by asking Ahma-dinejad not to take part in it. In the 2013 elections, a moderate, Rohani, had been elected the President, defeating the hardliners.

Ebrahim Raeisi, a moderate, is the new head of Irans most important and rich shrine, Imam Reza in Mashhad, and besides the shrine owns motor car factories. He is the protege of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. This may result in a split in the vote of the hardliners and keep the reformists vote together. After Irans nuclear deal with six major powers, concluded in 2015, the reformists re-election appears assured. But the fruits of lifting the UN sanctions on Iran, in curbing its nuclear programme, have been slow in coming. The hope of investments coming in has not been fulfilled. Instead, US President Donald Trump has been critical of Iran, tightening his countrys sanctions and continuing to prevent it from trading in dollars.

Khameneis faction dominates the elections and appears to have the power to approve candi-dates for the election. It controls the army, Revolutionary Guards, judiciary and the state television. Its masked men have been targeting the social media, arresting demonstrators and making it difficult for hardliners to carry on their election activity. The phone app., telegram and uncensored Persian news channelswhich had helped the reformers in the last parliamentary votedo not seem to be in favour of hardline candidates.

The recent mild economic improvement may have given support to Irans Western engagement a boost and checked the hardliners from conducting a campaign for their success.

Whatever be the election results, Irans presence and influence in Iraq has been growing steadily. So has it in Syria. Iran has 95 military advisers in Iraq. The Americans still have some 5800 soldiers there, four big military bases, they control its skies and are more powerful. But the Iranians have penetrated almost every organ of the Iraqi state. Their forces in Iraq are five times that of the US. Its very large Quds Force, the foreign element of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, of over 100,000 men, commanded by General Suleimani, has most of its men in Iraq since 1979. More than 20 per cent of Iraqis are Shia and have their allegiance to the Ayatollahs, religious leaders based in Iran. The Iraqis have one Grand Ayatollah of their own, in Ali Sistani of the city of Najaf, but he is old and after him the Iraqi Shias are likely to follow Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran.



The involvement of Iran in Iraq has been decades long. After Irans Islamic revolution of 1979, its Shia religious leaders have been recruiting people of their faith, expelled by Iraqs President, Saddam Hussein. After the Iraq-Iran war, these returned to their homes in southern Iraq. Their men now patrol the Baghdad streets as the religious police. Some Iraqi militias even have political representatives in the countrys Parliament.

They have in Iraq well-armed Hashad brigades, which play a major role in fighting and have ousted the Islamic State forces from Mosul. Last year, Iranians were asking for a visa-free entry into Iraq for its pilgrims to the Iraqi religious city of Najaf, which was not allowed. After his visit to Washington in March, the Iraqi President, Abadi, has been trying his country to take a more Arab position from a pro-Iranian one taking root. There was talk of reducing the size of the more than 100,000-strong pro-Iranian Hashad brigades. That did not happen. Attempts were made to strengthen Iraqs pro-Arab position.The Saudi Arab Foreign Minister visited Iraq after 27 years and Saudi planes started flying pilgrims to the religious city of Najaf.

To maintain its position in Iraq, Iran then sent a new Ambassador to it, who is a friend of Gen Suleimani, the commander of the well-armed, large and powerful Iranian Quds Force.

But the feeling in the country is while the Iraqi Government is pro-American, most of its people are pro-Iran. Some Iraqis think that Iran is the ultimate guarantor of Iraqs stability and not the United States. Quite a bit of anti-American propaganda goes on among the Iraqi armed forces.

The author is a veteran journalist with wide knowledge of developments in West Asia and the Arab world.
BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut.
Second in a two-day series

Who was Derrick Barnett and what was the connection, if any, between him and Mike and Nora Dimuria, found murdered in their Red Lakes home north of Williams May 1?

The answer to the second question hasn't emerged. Barnett, arrested on two counts of first-degree murder, is in a Colorado jail and isn't talking.

The answer to the first emerges from court records and talking with Barnetts former girlfriend of 12 years and mother of his three children. She described him as an emotionally unstable substance abuser with a violent streak.

Barnetts legal troubles began in 2005 when he was charged in Grand Junction, Colo., on felony counts of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations.

He was found guilty of the burglary charge that caused over $15,000 in damages, according to reports.

He was sentenced to four years of probation for the crime.

According to his former girlfriend Breawna Wilkins, Barnett had gone on a drinking binge and vandalized parts of the Colorado Mesa University Amphitheater.

This first arrest came at the start of an on-again, off-again relationship between Barnett and Wilkins that spanned 12 years, three kids, and multiple convictions for Mike and Nora Dimurias accused killer.

May 2013 was a turning point for the couples relationship, according to Wilkins.

Barnett began shooting methamphetamine and physically abusing Wilkins -- one incident lead to a felony assault conviction.

He beat me up in 2013 and I almost lost my son, Wilkins said.

That incident resulted in broken ribs, a fractured shinbone and a concussion, according to Wilkins.

In May 2014 Barnett was convicted of felony stalking after he began constantly waiting for Wilkins and calling her office, where she worked as a benefits eligibility technician in Mesa County.

Barnett was convicted of being a habitual offender of domestic violence in 2015.

After his 2015 conviction, Wilkins said that Barnett genuinely tried to better himself.

No drugs, no infidelity, no jealousy and no abuse, Wilkins said. He started to be a great father for his kids.

Posts from Barnetts Facebook account show that in the three months before April he was upbeat. He began posting pictures of tattoo sketches he had drawn and posting scripture.

His love endures forever. Psalms 136, Barnett posted on Feb. 5. Waking up and seeing the bright beautiful blue sky. Thank you Lord for another day of sobriety. Life is good. God is an artist.

However, as the months went on Wilkins said that Barnett once again began to be abusive and Barnetts public and private personas changed rapidly.

In public he was sweet, loyal and religious. He was like the big brother, the protector, Wilkins said. But in private he was jealous and violent -- he was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

April 7 was the last time Wilkins saw Barnett. Wilkins said Barnett kicked down her door and began to strangle her before leaving abruptly.

Wilkins called police and Barnett has an outstanding warrant for assault by strangulation, according to Dolores Sheriffs Office.

It is unclear why Barnett was in Williams when he allegedly shot and killed Mike and Nora Dimuria on May 1 at their isolated home in Red Lake north of town.

According to Wilkins, Barnett was hiding in Williams, where his father and grandmother both live.

Wilkins also said that Barnetts father attempted to turn him in to police, according to a conversation she had with Barnetts mother.

The Coconino County Sheriffs Office did not confirm why Barnett was in the area.

Barnetts family, whose names have been withheld because they are not charged with a crime, did not respond to a request for comment on Wilkins account of events before Barnett's arrest.

Despite her experience with Barnett, Wilkins said she was surprised that he was potentially responsible for a double homicide.

I always thought he would kill me, Wilkins said. But I never thought he would have the ability to hurt two grandparents. He was always nice to everyone else. I just feel like this could have been prevented.

Wilkins also said that her heart goes out to Mike and Nora Dimurias family.

I am so very, very sorry for your loss, Wilkins said as she sobbed over the phone. You are in my prayers.
The following companies are subsidiares of Nokia Oyj: AO Nokia Solutions and Networks, ATG Germany GmbH, Aircom International, Alcatel - Lucent, Alcatel Centroamerica S.A., Alcatel IP Networks Limited, Alcatel Lucent, Alcatel Lucent Middle East North Africa DMCC, Alcatel Lucent Teletas Telekomunikasyon A.S., Alcatel SEL Unterstutzungs GmbH, Alcatel Submarine Networks, Alcatel Submarine Networks Brazil Ltda., Alcatel Submarine Networks Denmark ApS, Alcatel Submarine Networks Hong Kong Limited, Alcatel Submarine Networks Marine, Alcatel Submarine Networks Norway AS, Alcatel Submarine Networks UK Ltd, Alcatel Submarine Networks USA Inc., Alcatel de Venezuela C.A., Alcatel-Lucent Angola Limitada, Alcatel-Lucent Benin SA, Alcatel-Lucent Centro Caribbean Holding Limited, Alcatel-Lucent East Africa Limited, Alcatel-Lucent India Limited, Alcatel-Lucent International, Alcatel-Lucent International Holdings Inc., Alcatel-Lucent Managed Solutions India Private Limited, Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria Limited, Alcatel-Lucent Pakistan Limited, Alcatel-Lucent Participations, Alcatel-Lucent Participations Chine, Alcatel-Lucent Portugal S.A., Alcatel-Lucent RT International B.V., Alcatel-Lucent Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd., Alcatel-Lucent Services International B.V., Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell Information Products Co. Ltd., Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (Cabo Verde) Lda, Alcatel-Lucent Trade International AG, Alcatel-Lucent UK Limited, Alcatel-Lucent Ukraine SC, Alcatel-Lucent Vietnam Limited, Amber Networks Inc., Antelec, Apertio Ltd., Avvenu, Bell Laboratories Inc., C-Dot Alcatel-Lucent Research Centre Private Limited, Camilec, Comptel, Comptel Communications EOOD, Comptel Communications Holdings Limited, Comptel Communications India Private Limited, Comptel Communications Limited, Comptel Communications Oy, Comptel Communications Sdn Bhd, Comptel Oy, Comptel Palvelut Philippines Inc., DeepField, Diamond Lane Communications, Digiskin UK, DiscoveryCom Inc., Dopplr, ETA Devices Inc., Eizel Technologies, Elenion Technologies, Elenion Technologies LLC, Enpocket, Epistrophe Limited, Europe*Star Limited, Evolium, F5 Networks Inc., Hunan Huanuo Technology Co. Ltd., IRIS Service Delivery UK Ltd, IRIS Telecommunication Austria GmbH, IRIS Telecommunication France, IRIS Telecommunication GmbH, IRIS Telecommunication Poland sp. z o.o., IRIS Telekomunikasyon Muhendislik Hizmetleri A.S., InTalk Corporation, Intellisync Corporation, Intellisync LLC, Ipsilon Networks Inc., LCC International's U.S., LLC "Nokia Solutions and Networks Ukraine", Loudeye Corp., Lucent Technologies GRL LLC, Lucent Technologies Investment Co. Ltd., Lucent Technologies Nanjing Telecommunications Co. Ltd., Lucent Technologies Networks (Thailand) Limited, Lucent Technologies Nicaragua S.A., Lucent Technologies Philippines Inc., Lucent Technologies Qingdao Telecommunications Enterprises Co. Ltd., Lucent Technologies Qingdao Telecommunications Systems Ltd., MRAC Inc., Matra Nortel Communications, Mesaplexx Limited, MetaCarta Inc., Metrowerks Corporation, Mformation Software Technologies India Pvt Ltd, Motally, NE-Products Oy, NGI Industrial (NGI), Nakina Systems, Nassau Metals Corporation, Navteq, Network Alchemy Inc., Nokatus Insurance Company Designated Activity Company (DAC), Nokia (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Nokia (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Nokia Apps Distribution LLC, Nokia Arabia Limited  100.0, Nokia Asset Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Nokia Bell NV, Nokia Canada Inc., Nokia Costa Rica S.A., Nokia Denmark A/S, Nokia Display Technics GmbH i.L., Nokia Dominican Republic S.A.S., Nokia Egypt S.A.E., Nokia El Salvador S.A. de C.V., Nokia Electronics Bochum GmbH i.L., Nokia Federal Solutions LLC, Nokia Hong Kong Limited, Nokia India Private Limited, Nokia Innovations Japan G.K., Nokia Innovations Oy, Nokia Innovations US LLC, Nokia Investment Management Corporation, Nokia Investments Oy, Nokia Ireland Limited, Nokia Jamaica Limited, Nokia Kunststofftechnik GmbH i.L., Nokia Networks (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Nokia Networks S.R.L., Nokia New Zealand Limited, Nokia Operations de Guatemala S.A., Nokia Operations de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Nokia Paraguay S.A., Nokia Puerto Rico Inc., Nokia Services Pty Limited, Nokia Services and Networks Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Nokia Shanghai Bell (Hong Kong) Limited, Nokia Shanghai Bell Co. Ltd., Nokia Shanghai Bell Lao Sole Co. Ltd., Nokia Shanghai Bell Philippines Inc., Nokia Shanghai Bell Software Co. Ltd., Nokia Siemens Networks Afghanistan LLC, Nokia Siemens Networks Algerie SARL, Nokia Slovakia A.S., Nokia Solutions Networks Iletisim A.S., Nokia Solutions and Networks (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks (Suzhou) Supply Chain Service Co. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks AB, Nokia Solutions and Networks Argentina S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Asset Management Oy, Nokia Solutions and Networks Australia Pty Ltd, Nokia Solutions and Networks B.V., Nokia Solutions and Networks Baku LLC, Nokia Solutions and Networks Bangladesh Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks Bolivia S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Branch Operations Oy, Nokia Solutions and Networks CCC, Nokia Solutions and Networks CJSC, Nokia Solutions and Networks Chile Ltda., Nokia Solutions and Networks Colombia Ltda., Nokia Solutions and Networks Czech Republic s.r.o., Nokia Solutions and Networks EOOD, Nokia Solutions and Networks Ecuador S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Ethernet Services Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH & Co. KG, Nokia Solutions and Networks Hellas Single Member S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Holding Osterreich GmbH, Nokia Solutions and Networks Honduras S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks India Private Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks International Holding GmbH, Nokia Solutions and Networks Investment (China) Co. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Israel Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Italia S.p.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Japan G.K., Nokia Solutions and Networks Kazakhstan LLP, Nokia Solutions and Networks Kft., Nokia Solutions and Networks Korea Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Kuwait Company W.L.L, Nokia Solutions and Networks LLC, Nokia Solutions and Networks Lanka (Private) Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks MEA FZ-LLC, Nokia Solutions and Networks Management GmbH, Nokia Solutions and Networks Morocco SARL, Nokia Solutions and Networks Myanmar Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks Nederland B.V., Nokia Solutions and Networks Nicaragua S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Nigeria Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Norge AS, Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy, Nokia Solutions and Networks OU, Nokia Solutions and Networks Pakistan (Private) Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks Peru S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks Philippines Inc., Nokia Solutions and Networks Portugal S.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks S.R.L., Nokia Solutions and Networks S.p.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks SIA, Nokia Solutions and Networks Schweiz AG, Nokia Solutions and Networks Serbia d.o.o. Beograd, Nokia Solutions and Networks Singapore Pte. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks South Africa Pty. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Sp. z.o.o, Nokia Solutions and Networks System Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Taiwan Co. Ltd., Nokia Solutions and Networks Tanzania Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks Tashkent LLC, Nokia Solutions and Networks Technical Services Vietnam Company Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks TraffiCOM Kft., Nokia Solutions and Networks Tunisia SA, Nokia Solutions and Networks UK Limited, Nokia Solutions and Networks Venezuela C.A., Nokia Solutions and Networks d.o.o., Nokia Solutions and Networks d.o.o. Banja Luka, Nokia Solutions and Networks d.o.o. Sarajevo, Nokia Solutions and Networks do Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda., Nokia Solutions and Networks telekomunikacijske resitve d.o.o., Nokia Solutions and Networks Osterreich GmbH, Nokia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Nokia Spain S.A., Nokia Technologies (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Nokia Technologies (UK) Limited, Nokia Technologies Oy, Nokia Technology Center Philippines Inc., Nokia Technology GmbH, Nokia Teknologia Oy, Nokia Training Center Russian Federation, Nokia Transformation Engineering & Consulting Services Spain S.L.U., Nokia UK Limited, Nokia US Holdings Inc., Nokia Unterstutzungsgesellschaft GmbH, Nokia Uruguay S.A., Nokia West and Central Africa SA, Nokia of America Corporation, Novarra Inc., OOO Nokia Solutions and Networks, OOO RTK  Network Technologies, OZ Communications, OZ Communications HK Limited, P.T. Lucent Technologies Network Systems Indonesia, PT Nokia Solutions and Networks Indonesia, Pishahang Communications Networks Development Company (Private Joint Stock), Plazes, Plum, R.F.S. (UK) Limited, RFS Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, RFS Holding GmbH, RFS India Telecom Private Limited, RFS Italia SRL, RFS Radio Frequency Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., RFS Radio Frequency Systems (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Radio Frequency Systems (Africa) Pty Ltd, Radio Frequency Systems (S) Pte Ltd, Radio Frequency Systems France, Radio Frequency Systems GmbH, Radio Frequency Systems Inc., Radio Frequency Systems Pty Limited, Radio Frequency Systems de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Ramp Networks Inc., Redback Networks Inc., Rooftop Communications Corporation, SAC AE Design Group Inc., SAC Wireless, SAC Wireless LLC, SAC Wireless of CA Inc., SRA Computer C.V., STC, Sega.com Inc., Smarterphone, Societe de Telecommunication Camerounaise  Sotelcam, Space Time Insight, Symbian Limited, Symbian Ltd, Tahoe Networks, Taiwan International Standard Electronics Limited, Technophone Ltd, Telekol Group, Trolltech (Qt Development Frameworks), Twango, UAB Nokia Solutions and Networks, Unium, User Interface Design, Vertu Holdings Oy, Vienna Systems Corporation, Western Electric Company Incorporated, Western Electric International Incorporated, Withings, Zyzyx Inc., bit-side GmbH, cellity AG, earthmine, and gate5 AG.

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PNM Resources, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The segment generates electricity using coal, natural gas and oil, nuclear fuel, solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had owned or leased facilities with a total net generation capacity of 2,168 megawatts; and owned 3,426 miles of electric transmission lines, 5,751 miles of distribution overhead lines, 5,765 miles of underground distribution lines, and 250 substations. The segment also owns and leases communication, office and other equipment, office space, vehicles, and real estate. The TNMP segment provides regulated transmission and distribution services. As of December 31, 2021, the segment owned 983 miles of overhead electric transmission lines, 7,297 miles of overhead distribution lines, 1,408 miles of underground distribution lines, and 113 substations. The segment also owns and leases vehicles, service facilities, and office locations throughout its service territory. The company serves approximately 806,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers and end-users of electricity in New Mexico and Texas. PNM Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1882 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Embraer S.A. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aircrafts and systems in Brazil, North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Commercial Aviation; Defense and Security; Executive Jets; Service & Support; and Other segments. The Commercial Aviation segment designs, develops, and manufactures a variety of commercial aircrafts. The Defense and Security segment engages in the research, development, production, modification, and support for military defense and security aircraft; and offers a range of products and integrated solutions that include radars and special space systems, as well as information and communications systems comprising command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. The Executive Jets segment develops, produces, and sells executive jets. It also leases Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 executive jets in the super midsize and large categories; Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets in the midlight and midsize categories; Phenom family executive jets in the entry jet and light jet categories; Lineage 1000, an ultra-large executive jet; and Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, disruptive executive jets in the midsize and super midsize categories. The Service & Support segment offers after-service solutions, support, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for commercial, executive, and defense aircrafts; provides aircraft components and engines; and supplies steel and composite aviation structures to various aircraft manufacturers. The Other segment is involved in the supply of fuel systems, structural parts, and mechanical and hydraulic systems; and production of agricultural crop-spraying aircraft. The company was formerly known as Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. and changed its name to Embraer S.A. in November 2010. Embraer S.A. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Cardinals were aggressive in trying to sign Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert, but general manager John Mozeliak sensed the 19-year-old would end up elsewhere, writes Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. Robert proved Mozeliak correct when he agreed to sign with the White Sox on Saturday. Ultimately, St. Louis wasnt up to paying north of $50 million, including a 100 percent overage tax, for Robert. When youre looking at the overall investment, its real and historically there are not too many players that sign for that many dollars, said Mozeliak. Its really hard to justify those types of dollars for any player with a lack of a proven track record. No matter how you try to equate the Cuban league or his international experience, its very hard to calibrate what that means to here.

More from two other National League cities:
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Pretoria (AFP) - Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Pretoria on Saturday, angered by a rise in violence against women and children in South Africa, including killings and sex attacks.

Answering the call by a group calling itself "#Not In My Name" the protesters, most of them men, marched through the streets of the South African capital behind a woman symbolically dressed head to toe in white.

"The time to take collective responsibility for our shameful action is now," said Kholofelo Masha, on of the protest organisers, who described himself as "a loving dad, brother and uncle".

South African men have remained quiet on the issue for too long, he added: "You hear a lady screaming next door, you decide to sleep when you know there is a problem next door... No man should beat a woman or rape a woman while you're watching".

Reports of the rape and murder of women and girls have been front-page news recently in South Africa, which has some of the worst crime rates in the world.

According to official figures, a women is killed by someone she knows every eight hours somewhere in the country and one woman in five has been subjected to at least one act of violent aggression in her life.

The killing of Reeva Steenkamp by her boyfriend, Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, drew global attention to the issue of domestic violence in South Africa.

South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday visited the home of the parents of a three-year-old girl who was raped and killed.

"We as the citizens of this country must say enough is enough," Zuma said then. "This is one of the saddest incidents I've come across. It's a crisis in the country, the manner in which women and children are being killed."

The ruling African National Congress has called the wave of violent acts "senseless and barbaric" while the main opposition Democratic Alliance party has denounced the "failure to make South Africa safe for all," and has called for a national debate on the problem.
At least one person was found dead on her farm at Alavanyo-Kpeme in the Volta Region, following sporadic gunshots in the area Friday. The body of the middle- aged woman yet to be identified, has since been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

This brings to four, the number of persons killed in the renewed rivalry between residents of Alavanyo and Nkonya communities within a period of one month.

The two communities have been at each others throat for more than a 100 years over a land covering an area of 6,459.82 acres that experts say is fertile for agrarian purposes.

Residents desert the communities after clashes resume

Last week, a 12-year-old primary school boy, Prince Kwakutsey, was shot in the chest by unidentified gunmen who stormed his parents home. A similar exchange of fire in April, resulted in the death of two persons in the volatile area of the Region, prompting the security to dispatch a team of investigators there.

But Crime Officer at the Volta Regional Police Command, ASP Wonder Dobgevia told Joy News the situation is under control. He said although the "security has intensified patrol in the area", no arrests have been made yet.

"Meanwhile the security intensified patrol within the area so there is calm. Investigation is in progress. We havent made any arrests yetSince its murder it should be investigated [for us] to know the perpetrators.

Dr Archibald Letsa

Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa said the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has dispatched a contingent of army and police personnel into the two communities.

He suspects the series of recent attacks were in reaction to the April attack in Nkonya. We see that as a reprisal attack.

Listen to ASP Dogbevia in the attached audio:

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Jerry Tsatro Mordy
I have listened to the vividly expressed views by some radio programme presenters, special guests to some radio studios and radio phone-in callers on the issue of the Ashanti Regional Attorney Generals advice to discontinue with the prosecution of the Delta 8 culprits. The discontinuance of the case was based on lack of credible evidence without which there could be no successful prosecution and conviction of the alleged culprits.

Unavailability of credible evidence always militates against the successful prosecution of any court case by any rational judge unless the judge dotes on prejudice as his way forward for deciding cases in which case he/she stands to be accused of corruption, unprofessionalism and a misfit in the law profession.

According to the Regional State Attorney or whoever they are, there is no sufficient credible evidence able to lead to the successful prosecution and conviction of the said-culprits hence the irrelevance of prosecuting the culprits but to discharge and acquit them of any wrongdoing.

I am not here to argue about the ethicality of his/her action but my disagreement with how and why people are inviting His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo into the melee of the judgment; requesting him to intervene to ensure that justice is done. Many commentators, especially those affiliated to the NDC; think the judgment is completely wrong and very political, lopsidedly tipping the scale in favour of the NPP as the culprits had worked for NPP hence are part of the NPP.

I have not enough time on my hands to deliberate on the pros and cons of their arguments; however, I shall talk about why the President should steer clear of the case.

His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a known incorruptible individual who believes in the rule of law for every citizen of the country or for every human being. In any democratic governance where the President or the Prime Minister believes in absolute rule of law and democratic dispensation of policies, they completely allow for the independence of the three organs of government as well as the independence of the media.

The three organs of government as I shall define to a person, who is not conversant with politics, but an insult on their intelligence for me to say who are not politically savvy, are;

The Executive (the part of a government that is responsible for making certain that laws and decisions are put into action) The Legislature (a deliberative body of persons, usually elective, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state; the branch of government having the power to make laws, as distinguished from the executive and judicial branches of government) The Judiciary (the part of a country's government that is responsible for its legal system, including all the judges in the country's courts).

The independence of each branch of government from the other in the exercise of their functions in a democracy brings about a healthy and properly functioning government that lives and delivers to the collective reasonable expectation of the governed or the citizenry. It brings about separation of powers thereby guaranteeing and strengthening the inhered checks and balances to prevent the Executive branch especially, from excessive abuse of power.

His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who I preferably call as Joseph, Moses or David of our time, come to liberate Ghanaians from the untold hardships, corruption, lawlessness, practice of selective justice and utterly create, loot and share of state funds and properties by the unrivalled incompetent former President John Mahama and his NDC-led administration, has declared not to meddle in the affairs of the other branches of government. He has avowed to ensure that justice and the rule of law apply same as are enshrined or entrenched in the nations constitution and/or the Criminal Code 1960 (Acts 29 ), etc.

Therefore, I do not see the logic behind peoples, especially the NDC sycophants, calling on the President to intervene to overturn what they see as an irresponsible decision taken by the Regional State Attorney to discontinue with the prosecution of the Delta 8 for lack of credible evidence although to them, there is more than enough evidence already in the pubic domain to nail the Delta 8 to the prosecutorial cross or simply put, to judicially crucify them.

By calling on the President to intervene without which they may see him as being supportive of the said sad or dubious decision for the fact of the Delta 8 being NPP activists, are they not egging on the President to usurp the powers of the judiciary or to meddle in their affairs hence infringing the cardinal pivot of separation of powers and checks and balances on which democratic dispensation revolves?

When the late ex-Prime Minister Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia in the Sallah case led him to make the infamous no-court pronouncement, it has since been held against him as one of his major failures. Why? Because he interfered with the operational functions of the judiciary thereby seeking to control that arm of government to derail the adored exponential factor of checks and balances, the beauty and essence of democracy.

Here is a President who has resolutely determined to ensure that the rule of law and justice operate as enshrined in our constitution without him ever seeking to interfere with the processes of any of the two arms of government. However, here are some aggrieved persons who are far worse in criminalities calling on the President to chuck away his quality of respect for the individuality of the three organs of government to step in to condemn and direct the judiciary because they seem to have cocked up with the Delta 8 judgment.

Yes, the Attorney General is the Presidents principal lawyer and legal adviser and hence part-Executive and part-judiciary. The main Attorney General, Ms Gloria Akufo has decided to look further into the decision taken by her representative in the Ashanti region. Why then the hullaballoo about making radio statements and programmes directed at obliging His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akfufo-Addo to renege on his principled attitude of incorruptibility and non-interference in the functions of the other two arms of government to simply get involved in this case? Although he was an astute lawyer, he is not obliged by his beliefs and current position to usurp the powers of the judiciary. Period!

The failures of African Presidents have always been their desire to control all the three arms of government hence committing acts of corruption, lawlessness and other acts of pure stupidity and other nation-wrecking activities with impunity, the bane of the continental Africas socio-politico-economic advancement.

I do strongly believe that two wrongs never make right. Therefore, I do not believe one bit in the nonsensical criminal equalization to justify one political partys weaknesses and crimes because the other party did the same or did far worse. If not so, I would have ordered the NDC to shut up their chirping beaks on this issue for their rallying behind the call and signing of petition to release the premeditating Montie trio murderers (Messrs Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe, Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn) from prison and thronging to visit them at Nsawam prison during their short incarceration was far worse than the action taken by the Delta 8 culprits.

Did the Montie 3 not decide and threatened to murder some identified Supreme Court judges? Did they not threaten to arrange a mentioned man to marry the Chief Justice, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood, by force, thus, rape her?

Did they not claim to be working for President Mahama and the NDC upon all the insults, threats and lawlessness they were spewing on air to the admiration of the NDC government and party although in contravention with the laws of the land?

The NDC must give us a clean break from their double-standard nonsense!

In all these, I blame nobody other than Hon Albert Kan Dapaa, the Minister for National Security, but who is deficient in knowledge about security matters. Had it not been the way he prejudicially unprofessionally handled the case initially, threatening and determined to jail the Delta 13 culprits, we would not have come to the stage where the United Nations had to wade into the Delta Force saga. That is what you get and the price you pay when you appoint a scheming individual into your government. So, no wonder that His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has come under the barrage of condemnations and prodding to act against his well-defined principles of incorruptibility and non-interference in the other arms of government by the NDC of whom news presenter Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong (KABA) is an adversarial champion.

KABA disgusts me a lot whenever he discusses or presents programmes that have the likelihood to put the NPP in the firing line whereas he does so differently when it comes to the NDC. He is a shame to the womb that conceived and gave birth to him, I must confess. He must be fair in the presentation of his programmes.

Rockson Adofo
21.05.2017 LISTEN

To be frank with the dear reader, I did not know what to make of the alleged request by the Yagbonwura, or the Paramount King of the Gonja people, to Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia to help raise funding for the construction of a modern palatial mansion that sparked a firestorm of fury among some Gonja leaders (See Gonjas Fume Over Yagbonwuras Request to Dr. Bawumia for a Modern Palace MyNewsGh.com / Modernghana.com 5/20/17). But it is quite obvious that the critics of Yagbonwura Tuntumba Borisa, I, were or had been motivated by ethnic and ideological sentiments and concerns.

In all likelihood, the fact that former President John Dramani Mahama is himself a Gonja native of some remarkable royal standing in the Gonja sub-nation is something that does not make such request sit well with the critics who, by the way, appear to be largely the relatives and clansmen of the former President. But what is clear is that the Yagbonwura appealed to Vice-President Bawumia because his initial request to then-President Mahama may very well have been rebuffed; and perhaps rightly so, because it is not the legal and/or constitutional obligation of either Presidents or Vice-Presidents to facilitate the modernization of the palatial mansions of our traditional rulers, even the most prominent and/or important among these rulers.

The Mahamas, as most of our readers may already know, are not exactly cozy with the Bawumias or their Mamprusi/Mamprugu neighbors. Indeed, in the lead-up to the 2016 general election, we had an uncle of former President Mahama virulently accuse the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, father of Ghanas current Vice-President, of having politically undermined the fortunes of the Gonja people and that of Mr. Emmanuel Mahama, father of former President John Mahama, the first postcolonial Northern Regional Minister. Somebody from the same Mahama Clan would later attempt to mend matters by calling the members of the Mamprusi/Mamprugu community and their Gonja counterparts brothers and kinsfolk.

Whatever the reality on the ground may be, the request by Yagbonwura Tuntumba Borisa, I, for Vice-President Bawumia to assist with the construction of a modern palace for the Paramount King of the Gonja people is not as offensive as the news headlines made it seem. The Yagbonwura merely requested that some of the budgetary allocations to the various Gonja traditional councils be earmarked for the purpose.

It was not as if the Yagbonwura had asked the former Deputy-Governor of the Bank of Ghana to divert some funds from the national budget for the purpose. It also well appears to me that there ought to already exist some institutional and/or constitutional arrangements by which the various chieftaincy paramountcies receive some form of regular remittances from the central government.

At any rate, the photograph of the Gonja Kings palace that accompanied the news story captioned Gonjas Fume Over Yagbonwuras Request to Dr. Bawumia for a Modern Palace looked quite impressive and historically appealing to me. I guess what I am trying to suggest here is that even if a new modern palace, whatever the latter means, get constructed, the historical genius of the Gonja architects and artists that is proudly and pleasantly reflected by the old or present palace must be preserved. Which simply means that the new palace must be built elsewhere. Eventually, the old palace could be converted into a nationally designated museum or landmark of some sort to attract tourist revenue.

I also dont know the response that the Yagbonwura received from Vice-President Bawumia, both publicly and privately, but it does appear to me that while some prominent members of the Gonja State genuinely felt embarrassed by the request, nevertheless, it is he who wears the shoes who knows exactly where it pinches. A voluntary call to all Gonja-born Ghanaians resident at home and abroad, as suggested by some of the critics of the Yagbonwura, could be organized to supplement the effort.

I am also inclined to suspect that the National House of Chiefs and its various regional and local branches all have some budgetary allocations that could be tapped into. Then also, the Yagbonwura could reach out to foreign donors who care about the preservation of our indigenous cultures for the purpose.

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
21.05.2017 LISTEN

We all witness constantly this craze, memorization and obsession with Social Media. Every year, more and more billions of dollars are spent worldwide on amazingly elaborate eorts to establish and maintain a social media presence; and this number of billions of dollars is going to increase every year, especially with live-streamed videos in Social Media  think of the Red Bull event of live-streaming the gentleman who set the world record by skydiving from 128,000 feet.

But, is there really any ROI at any Social Media investment?

(FYI: Almost in all Social Media ROI Studies people chose to use Facebook because it is the most dominant social network. Also, Twitter advertising is almost new and one can assume that Facebook findings would apply to most of the other popular platforms as well.)

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How important is a Like?

I was reading yesterday the Whats the Value of a Like at the March -April 2017 issue of the Harvard Business Review.

The published results were clear:

Social Media Likes do not affect a customers behavior or lead to increased purchasing. Put another way, liking a company that offers flu shots does not translate into getting a flu shot. Liking a brand on Facebook had no enhancing effect on the purchasing habits of friends. The good news is that there is a way to convert Likes into sales, and its straight out of the 20th-century marketing playbook: advertising. Facebook posts indicating that a Facebook friend is using a productnot just that he or she likes itincrease the chances that a member will use the product too. The effect is pronounced when product users send their friends personal messages of recommendation (This tactic can raise privacy issues  this is why Facebook discontinued its social adsones showing the profile pictures of friends who like the product at hand). If a brand decides not to spend money advertising, it can use its social media channels to gain intelligence from its most loyal customers. Almost by definition, the people who go to the trouble of finding a brand on social media will be its most devoted, and thus most valuable, customers. These customers are a great asset: they will enthusiastically provide feedback to improve product development, management, and delivery; defend the brand against unjustified complaints; and be early adopters of and evangelists for new offerings.

What does all this mean for marketers? Just pull marketing (companies try to pull customers in through social media and other channels) is not enough on its own to result into sales lead. You still need to also use/ utilize the old & traditional push marketing (companies promote and advertise their goods and services).

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So, what is the Business Value of Social Media?

According to the State of the American Consumer: Insights for Business highlighting findings from Gallup's comprehensive ongoing study of the American consumer from 2008 through 2014:

62% of U.S. adults who use social media say these sites have no influence on their purchasing decisions and only

5% say they have a great deal of influence.

I hope that you do understand that just because your organization buys for example 100.000 Twitter Followers or a 100.000Likes or 100.000 fake reviews (statistically one in 3 reviews is fake), all these will not translate into sales or any other form of ROI.

Also just because you tweet or facebook something, it does not mean that all of your audience will see it.

A Nov 2014 Forrester study found that:

posts from top brands on Twitter and Facebook reach just 2% of their followers (note: thats followers, not new customers) and

(note: thats followers, not new customers) and only 0.07% of those followers actually interact with those posts.

Other recent research studies have found out that traditional offline consumer opinion surveys (when they use representative samples) are better at predicting sales than clicks, number of website visits or page views, positive or negative social media conversations.

The famous 2014 comScore Study, indicated that more than half of online display ads appear on parts of a web page that are not viewable. In other words, hope that only 50% of your intended ads are not seen by anyone for at least a second!

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Social Media ROI

If you google it, the internet is full of advice on how to develop models and how to calculate any Social Media ROI.

The reality is that most companies do not have the right measures for Social Media investments (they rarely even have any ROI measures and KPIs) or they measure social ROI in a vacuum. But to justify an investment by activity and not outcomes is a tautology  we advertise because we advertise  not a meaningful business argument; that is wrong business practice.

People -including Marketers of course- tend to get overexcited and hyped about new technologies and they do misallocate resources in desperate acts of wishful thinking, resulting in a completely wasteful use of social media.

People tend to compare Social Media to PR: another area where companies often spend lost of money but without any clear, focused or verifiable objectives

Maybe we should forget all traditional ROI and focus on firstly understanding the consumer usage of social media instead of calculating the returns in terms of customer response.

"If you're measuring social media on ROI, you already don't get it." (author unknown)

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And the reality is

Like with anything new, with Social Media too, great expectations are common and missing the goal is understandable: it takes time for both practicing/ using new tools and learning their optimal usage.

You might have heard it that "the beauty of Social Media is that it can generate engagements." Can it? How often? How much? In what circumstances? Does Inbound Marketing really works? How can it work for your organization?

At present, there are just weak and often non-existent links between social media activity and consumer behaviour.

It seems that for most people Social Media might be really more about awareness, not sales. Please have a look at the image attached to this article.

According to the most recent 2016 DMA Social Media Survey (https://dma.org.uk/uploads/ckeditor/Social_Data_Integration_2016.pdf), less than 10% believe that they can see a return on investment using Social Media.

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In Conclusion

Business success requires linking customer-acquisition efforts with a coherent strategy. So, make sure that you do have a clear Strategy relating to your expectations for Social Media and its ROI which as a corporate expenditure should be measured, monitored and justified. And, embrace the Customer Loyalty notion.

Sure, you should invest in Social Media, but do it wisely and consciously. And, may I kindly suggest that you -please- focus on Organic Growth?

.

Thank you,

Spiros.

.

Spiros Tsaltas is a seasoned Technology & Operations Executive and Management Consultant; he is also a former University Professor (RSM MBA, CUNY, etc). Spiros has hands-on experience on setting up all sorts of Startups both in the US and in Europe. He is an active transformational leader and strategist who has also years-long experience with Boards of Advisors and Boards of Directors. He is currently assisting a couple of Ghanaian companies with the setup of their BoDs.

Spiros Tsaltas is associated with a unique Customer Loyalty Startup: HireLoyalty (www.HireLoyalty.com) which is coming out of stealth mode in the next few months.

As a NED (Non Executive Director) Spiros is also associated with HIREghana (www.HIREgh.com) and can be hired via them.

We welcome all your comments/ remarks/ feedback at [email protected]

 2017 Spiros Tsaltas and  2017 HireLoyalty

Primamry Aim For Using Social Media
21.05.2017 LISTEN

Hitler's main talent was his speech making prowess,and his speech skills appealed to Germans embittered and disillusioned by the outcome of the war.He denounced Jews, capitalists and vowed to rebuild German greatness. We all know what happened under his rule,he abandoned his promises and avowed principles and unleashed pain unprecedented in the annals of our global political history. Politics in Ghana is gradually gaining notoriety in the subregion because of the primitive style of politicking introduced into the system by this administration.

People have started chastising Professor Mills and John Mahama for introducing the "father for all" concept and their chastisements seem to be gaining support because of current happenings in the country, sacking of workers perceived to be sympathizers of the NDC in our civil and public institutions, harsh treatment being meted out to former appointees and functionaries of the NDC,and other primordial steps by this administration. We witnessed few of these primitive activities in 2009 but were not sanctioned and given official backing by the administration.

These acts of impunity led to the father for all concept introduced into our body politic by Professor Mills to protect the unitary character of our great nation. It is unfortunate the clergy, civil society organisations, intellectuals,social commentators who few years ago were constantly on the heels and toes of the Mahama administration, have suddenly gone quiet allowing the current administration to enjoy unlimited space and freedom in perpetuating their obnoxious policies and plans on innocent citizens. This phenomenon of terrorising and intimidating political opponents was introduced into our body politic ( fourth republic) by the NPP.

After the 2000 victory, leadership of the party and its supporters saw themselves as people who have lived too long in exile so must clear every space for their occupation. Young men who described themselves as Security Operatives took over our ports and many of our state institutions. Some Ghanaians ( workers) who out of fatigue and other reasons voted against the NDC were all sacked and that painful treatment meted out to these new converts of the Npp led to the abysmal performance of the Npp in 2004 after all the goodwill it enjoyed among Ghanaians. What our intellectuals, pastors,civil society organisations etc must know is that their continuous silence is dangerous for our democracy.

Democracies end abruptly because of the negative activities we witnessing on the political landscape, and it happened to us years ago.We shall all suffer if we carelessly allow fringes to occupy the political space,our freedom will be curtailed, we shall end up moving backwards, this is what we must all have in mind as we put up the absurd pretences and the ostrich game. It is unfortunate this administration is taking us back to the primitive days after Prof Mills through his calm posturing had moved us closer towards the middle line. The NDC folks who complained about the concept stand justified now which is unfortunate.

Professor appointed into his government persons who hitherto were perceived as anti- NDC, he appointed people based on competence, Mr Yamson and other achievers were brought on board to support the administration and he allowed some persons appointed by the Kufour administration to finish their tenure. Just after the 2008 election our papers published that Dr Paul Acquah was going to be kicked out but the man was allowed to finish his tenure and was later appointed alongside Kwabena Duffour,Henry Martey and Oteng Adjei to oversee the restructuring and development of Tema Oil Refinery and Ghana's crude oil supply.Professor Mills kept in office the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocobod who was appointee by Kufour, and allowed Mr Bediako of the Npp who constantly attacked Prof,to go back to the food and drug board as its PRO.

President Mahama adhered strictly to that noble concept introduced by his boss by bringing on board all persons who could help in Ghana's economic reconstruction without looking at political colours. He invited people like Dr Paul Acquah, Kwame Pianim, Professor Addae, Professor Addai, Franklin Cudjoe, Cassley Hayford, Dr Amoako etc to be part of the brainstorming forum ( Senchi Economic Forum) and invited Otumfuo and other intellectuals to discuss the wage burden on the economy and how to manage it.

Known NPP businessmen who openly claimed were financiers of the NPP were allowed to operate their businesses without unnecessary interruptions and even said nice things about President Mahama, at Senchi, Professor Addai who led one of the committees openly described Mahama as a humble leader who opens up to everybody who gets closer.

At Aburi Girls Senior High School during the schools anniversary celebration, we all heard Rev. Prof. Martey describe President Mahama as the most humble leader he has seen and told President Mahama before all gathered that he will always remember him in his prayers, President Kufour adopted him as his political son because of the self discipline the former President displayed in office,some persons who have been appointed into this administration constantly visited the former President and most of them established businesses under Mahama.

Nana Akufo-Addo's own company ( mobitel) was established under the NDC and operated as one of the powerful companies in the country,Delta Bank and other companies owned by Npp stalwarts were established under NDC administrations, Ken Ofori-Atta's Phytto Rikker ( Gihoc Pharmaceuticals Company) was purchased under Jerry Rawlings's NDC administration. Why are we going back?

I fear for this great nation, the NDC operatives will stand justified in all courts of public opinion if they decide to unleash same harsh if not harsher treatment on perceived Npp operatives when (if) the take over power in future and I am just imagining what our noble pastors etc will say.

The spoil system being practiced by this administration nearly collapsed the America political system and led to the assassination of President James Garfield. It was Garfield's own party member who killed him. Guiteau who killed the President,carried that heinous crime because the President failed to appoint as Ambassador to France.

Pastors, party folks, civil society organisations,the intellectuals and the American society in general did not put up absurd pretences rather, they vehemently protested against the " job for the boys" and sacking of opposition elements leading to the passage of the Pendleton Act and later,the Hatch Act of 1939. This courageous step reduced the practice of the spoils system in the United States.

In Ghana,we heard the Delta Force operatives and witnessed their brutish activities all because they feel excluded,attacked the regional security head because they wanted their choice to have been appointed. The danger is forming up,the experimentation is ongoing and if not checked,we shall all gnash our teeth one day.

Professor Addai chastised President Mahama over what he wrongly described as nepotism,where is the good Professor,is he not seeing or hearing what is going on,the kind of people being appointed to sensitive positions and their links to the President.

What I know is that President Mahama hails from Bole in the Northern Region, his Chief of staff hails from Kwahu, his spokesperson from Kwahu, his communication minister,a Kwahu ,his deputy chief of staff, an Ashanti, etc., he appointed Major Gen Obed Boamah Akwa as the Chief of Army Staff someone who was an aide to Kufour and interestingly, has been appointed the Chief of Defense Staff by this administration.
21.05.2017 LISTEN

Cape Coast, May. 21, GNA - Twenty-two students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have been rusticated after investigations cited them for their involvement in a clashes between students of the University, University of Ghana (UG) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in March this year.

The clash which occurred during the hall week celebration of the Atlantic Hall left three students seriously injured.

The 22 students, most of whom were executives of the Atlantic Hall and members of the 55th Hall Week celebration Planning Committee were rusticated for two semesters except the President of the Hall, Enoch Bart Plange, who was to serve four semesters.

They are made up of level 100, 200, 300 and 400 students.

It could be recalled that three students were seriously injured in a clash between students of the University Of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Friday March 17.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) learnt that two students were stabbed in the stomach and the other brutally assaulted when entering his hall from night studies.

The students from KNUST and UG were invited for a 'power night' event at ATL Hall of UCC as part of activities to mark the Hall Week celebration.

GNA sources said a misunderstanding ensued between the students when porters of Oguaa Hall refused to allow some naked vandals from the UG, Unity and ATL Halls from entering the hall.

The students began throwing stones at each other and in the process several property, including the Bus of Oguaa Hall and vehicles belonging to some lecturers, were destroyed, the witness said.

The witness said some of the irate students turned their anger on the police and military personnel who were dispatched to the campus to maintain law and order. The police cum military personnel were, however, able to restore calm on the campus.

GNA

By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA
21.05.2017 LISTEN

Accra, May 21, GNA - Mr Dabre Tanko, a Senior Social Development Officer of the Amasaman Department of Social Welfare has urged parents to be sociable to their children to encourage free flow of information.

He said: 'unfriendly parents sometimes make their children to become rebellious and keep matters for themselves.'

Mr Tanko gave the advice at a sensitisation programme on family and child protection at Oduman in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

It was organised by the ActionAid Ghana, a non-governmental organisation under its 'End Child Marriage Campaign Project' which is being implemented in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong Ahafo, Central and the Greater Accra Regions.

Mr Tanko asked parents to acquire birth certificates for their children in order to defend their cases anytime the children, especially girls were abused.

'Sometimes the body features of girls under 18 years deceived some men to force the girls into unlawful sex and marriage to the detriment of their education and so the availability of birth certificates will authenticate their arguments on their age,' he said.

He said caning as part of punishment in schools had been banned, 'anyway caning is not the only means of disciplining a child and parents could adopt other forms which will not be injurious to their children.'

Mr Tanko advised parents to monitor the movement of their children so that they would not engage in negative activities such as; smoking, alcoholism and other vices.

He said it was the responsibility of all citizens to protect the child and it should start from the home, before the community and the nation at large.

He called on community members to come together and report anti-social activities in their areas to duty bearers like the Social Welfare and Community Development Departments, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service and the Assemblies for redress.

Police Inspector Lydia Asante of the Amasaman DOVVSU who spoke on defilement and rape said having carnal knowledge of a girl below the age of 18 is a defilement either by consent or not; and having forced sexual intercourse with an adult woman is a rape and both offences were liable to long term prison sentences by court.

Inspector Asante therefore entreated men to shun such temptations.

GNA
Apam (C/R) May 21, GNA - Ruth Taylor Development Foundation, an Accra-based humanitarian non-governmental organisation has presented assorted items worth GHS 2,500.00 to the Mephibosheth Training Centre (MTC), an institution for physically and mentally challenged children, at Apam in the Central Region.

The items included; bags of rice, cooking oil, detergents, soft drinks, boxes of biscuits, toiletries, amongst others.

Ms Ruth Taylor Nyarkoah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, said the donation was expected to help relieve the school of its financial burden and insufficient logistics that the school had.

She said the organisation is committed to supporting the physically challenged and less privileged children in the society.

She urged Ghanaians to show love, tender care and support to children and adults with intellectual disability and not to discriminate against them.

Ms Hannah Jehu-Appiah, who received the items on behalf of Mr Joseph Jehu-Appiah, the Founder of MTC said the timely donation would solve some of the socio-economic challenges facing the children.

Ms Jehu-Appiah said the school, established in 2005, offered therapy and mobility devices for persons with disability and assisted children with autism.

She said the centre trained children from Kindergarten to Junior High School and currently had a population of 85 students both male and female.

She commended the NGO for the gesture and called on other benevolent institutions and philanthropists to come to their aid to help develop the children.

GNA

By Kwamina Tandoh, GNA
Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - Suspected Boko Haram jihadists killed six people fighting alongside the military in two separate incidents in northeast Nigeria, vigilantes told AFP Sunday.

Four of the slain vigilantes were hunting in the bush near a camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of the city of Maiduguri when they were seized in a daytime attack.

Vigilante Musa Ari said the attackers were riding motorcyles when they seized six people. Four were later found with their "throats slit".

"Four of our colleagues were killed yesterday (Saturday) by Boko Haram gunmen while they were hunting. Two others are missing and we believe they were taken away by the terrorists," added vigilante Babakura Kolo, speaking from Maiduguri.

In a separate suspected Boko Haram attack on Saturday night, two other vigilantes died after two female suicide bombers detonated explosives in the town of Konduga.

"One of the bombers detonated her explosives close to a group of vigilantes... after they were asked to identify themselves," said vigilante Ibrahim Liman.

"A dusk to dawn curfew has been placed on women in the town following a spate of suicide bombings," he said.

The attacks underline the vulnerability of rural communities in northeast Nigeria at a time when authorities are encouraging people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict to return to their homes and try to rebuild their lives.

On Monday Boko Haram gunmen on motorcycles killed six farmers who were working on their land in Amarwa village near Maiduguri in preparation for the rainy season.

The Islamists have in recent weeks intensified suicide bombings in and around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram, with the university campus repeatedly attacked in recent days.

The eight-year Boko Haram conflict has killed 20,000 people and displaced millions from their homes, triggering a food crisis in the ravaged region.

Although Boko Haram has been substantially weakened by the Nigerian military, the group is still capable of launching deadly raids and suicide bombings, putting many people still at risk.
A new government arrives with its own vision but is often thwarted by unexpected fiscal realities which shape its eventual progress. For the new NPP administration, not only has this been the case, but internal eruptions within the partys own ambit have also added to the distractions. All the problems of governance that have bubbled to the surface, boil down to one basic cultural imperative. The corruption of the administration of law and particularly its enforcement in Ghana. One of our weakest institutions is the Ghana Police Service, which continues to be a major risk to the administration of justice in the country.

Freedom and Justice our motto is. We enjoy freedom to the point of chaos. There are no political prisoners to speak of but is there justice in Ghana for most? There is no social justice, if the ordinary requirements of daily living are generally out of reach for most. The functions of governance are financed by a tax to GDP ratio of 20%, though better than many African countries, this points to the need for much needed functional transformation of all our institutions of revenue acquisition from local government units, all the way up to central government. The reality is that nothing works because we only pretend to pay for services and most income earners do not contribute to the revenue base.

No society can grow and progress without order. We continue to be a largely emotional and non-analytical society, with little regard for real facts, data and knowledge. We are for the most part a non-science based society, explaining everything from chronic leg ulcers, mental illness and meningitis epidemics with a catch all cause, "spiritual". Those who have facts, data and real knowledge, are terrorized by the loud and ignorant into silence and obscurity.

This is the context within which we attempt to compete in the global marketplace. We must begin a revolution of reason and mass education or we will continue to stumble aimlessly in the search for a better life of our citizens.

The current Galamsey crisis is emblematic of our disordered and corrupt processes of the administration of law and policing, in particular. Greed, abuse of power and a callous disregard of the long-term costs to society have perpetuated this completely home-grown disaster. In Ghana, people seek posts or positions not as an opportunity to serve the nation. The word missing in describing public roles is responsibility. This word strongly implies accountability, which never appears as an actor on the public stage. As long as we continue to be ambivalent about holding individuals accountable for their actions, within the public space, little will change in Ghana. This requires courageous, determined and fearless leadership in addressing the cancer within our own national experience.

So how do people acquire land for Galamsey? If land is illegally acquired for this purpose from chiefs, are they held legally responsible for the cost to society in the form of poisoned water, destroyed flora and fauna, unregulated deaths in mining pits and the spread of malaria from all those abandoned pools and pits? Some people have to be held responsible as part of the remedy to this horrendous attack on the environment and our own very future as a nation.

Who is responsible for inspecting if surface miners are licensed and are mining in an ecologically sustainable manner? Minerals Commission? Police? Environmental Protection Agency? Who has failed in their duty to the nation? These problems have not occurred magically. Real people, not faceless people, as we like to say, are responsible for these problems, living in plain sight.

How would thousands of Chinese find their way to Amansie West, if immigration laws are not being flouted? Are Ghanaian immigration authorities doing their job? If not, how are they being held accountable? The Chinese are not to blame. They are merely a symptom of a very chronic and destructive national disease. Of course, if they have broken laws, they must pay the price as well. They may also be most helpful in leading us to the central Ghanaian players in this national tragedy.

It is very painful to watch Ghanaians on viral videos engaged in an activity which will shorten their lives from mercury poisoning, though at the point of death, they will ascribe their fate to spiritual attacks and the like; saying they have a right to destroy drinking water sources and deforest the land in pursuit of fools' gold. The long term costs to everyone as they pursue their near term riches, do not even occur to them. They present themselves as having no choice but there is always a choice. The government speaks of resettling Galamsey workers. This whole phenomenon is again a symptom of the failure of successive governments from both major parties to educate our young people and provide them with skills for fully participating in a growing and otherwise potentially competitive economy. Gold has always been in the ground (Lord knows we were the Gold Coast) but we have never been suicidal as a society in its pursuit. This is because we used to be a reasoning society with leadership that enforced the law. No society with functioning law enforcement agencies should look like many districts look right now.

No self-respecting culture will prostitute its environmental legacy as we have done with a parliament, a judiciary and an executive presidency looking on as spectators, as has happened in Ghana. At some point, our leaders have to be true to their sworn oaths to serve and protect us. Chiefs, Ministers, Police and all other officers of the land involved, must be identified and prosecuted. The cost to the country is unspeakable. We will need hydrologists, engineers, soil scientists, foresters, public health experts and more to repair the damage caused, over the next generation's life time. Against this background of the cost of restoration, it makes no sense that seized equipment is burnt randomly by undisciplined youth in affected districts. Everything has value. This is often lost on Ghanaians.

Invincible or Invisible Forces? I don't know which is correct, as these words are used interchangeably in the Ghanaian press as if they are synonymous. Illiteracy rules and nobody cares! These unruly youth crop up after each change of government, seize public toilets, toll booths and other state and municipal properties because their parties have won. Again, the idea of personal responsibility is foreign to these groups affiliated with our political parties and they are openly enabled by political leaders for short-term reasons. The youth of political parties have no training in the ethics of citizenship and have no education on the ideological basis of their parties. They plunder and pillage state properties, defy courts of law and are slapped on their proverbial wrists. The failure of the prosecution to progress in current case of the so called Delta Force before the courts is another indication of poor professionalism and ineptitude of the Ghana Police Service. This is a failing institution all round and the administration of justice suffers for it.

Irresponsibility in Ghana is so entrenched that, even at post offices, the paid staff hold parcels hostage until they are paid a bribe by the recipients. In every corporate para-statal organization, such acts of unrestrained corruption and theft thrive under the supervision of those paid to ensure the public is served. This is the culture of impunity and disorder that pervades all levels of our society.

In this context, while I understand the basis of the One district-One factory policy of the NPP government, the dangers of placing $1m in the hands of ill- prepared and poorly trained party apparatchiks are immense. My firm belief is that every district should identify key sanitation projects and start there. I also believe the districts should also raise 5-25% of the $1m depending on their tax base, as a partial match and have clear business plans vetted by independent business reviewers before a pesewa is allocated and spent.

Sanitation is a key problem with implications for health, education and tourism sectors, addressing it adds to the potential for attracting more investments and capital to poorer districts.

Investments must be made in early childhood education, adult literacy, civic education and resource support of peasant farmers before we leap frog to factories, or these projects will end up as white elephants, suffering the same fate as the old state corporations of the first republic. The human resource element, though nuanced, is critical to the success of such a transformational national project.

We must learn to get the simple things right first before we build cities on the hill tops.

T. P. Manus Ulzen is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Alabama and Author of Java Hill: An African Journey  A historiography of Ghana

[email protected]

www.javahillelmina.wordpress.com

Twitter: @thaddeusulzen

www.javahillelmina.com
Accra, May 21, GNA - More than one million African children have benefitted from social enterprise development in Africa in the last five years, according to a new report released by Reach for Change Africa.

Reach for Change Africa is a non-profit organization that runs incubators, accelerators and other customized programmes to help local social entrepreneurs develop sustainable organisations that impact the lives of children, youth and women.

The organisation, which, this year, is marking its 5th anniversary themed 'Accelerating Impact. Driving Change', also reported that over 300 early-stage social entrepreneurs were supported to develop organizations that are improving the lives of children, youth and women in seven African countries.

Since it was first launched in Accra, Ghana in 2012, Reach for Change Africa had provided crucial business development support for social entrepreneurs who, in turn, used their social businesses to impact over one million children.

The report, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency said as a result, over 435,000 African children were protected from mental abuse and threats, over 308,000 children were provided with high quality education, and over 156,000 children were supported to develop and live healthy lives.

'The social enterprise movement is really starting to take off in Africa, and we are honoured to be a part of this movement for change,' said Amma Lartey, Reach for Change Africa's Regional Director.

'With the right supports, social entrepreneurs have the potential to lead Africa's development and impact millions along the way.'

In the report, a number of social entrepreneurs from the seven countries where Reach for Change Africa operates, explained how the organization's programmess helped them to develop their social ventures.

'Being in the Incubator has helped me develop a scalable model,' said Carolyne Ekyarisiima, the founder of Apps & Girls in Tanzania.

Apps & Girls is a social enterprise that is bridging the gender gap in ICT through coding clubs, workshops, exhibitions, hackathons, boot camps and competitions for girls and young women.

Since joining the Reach for Change Incubator, Ms Ekyarisiima has scaled her organisation from just one location to 21 clubs in Dares-Salaam.

'This year, I spoke with my mentor at Reach for Change about the possibility of franchising my social enterprise and got great feedback."

"This led me to apply for the NEXTGEN franchising competition and because of the great influence and impact of the Reach for Change Incubator, I was among the winners! Now I am looking into scaling Apps & Girls across all of Tanzania and other African countries,' she added.

The report said the Reach for Change Incubator also helped James Kofi Annan build a social enterprise that's fighting child-trafficking in Ghana.

'I owe a debt of gratitude to Reach for Change. Its Incubator programme brought direct benefits to me and to Challenging Heights. Today, Challenging Heights is a well-respected global leader in the fight against child trafficking.' said James Kofi Annan.

It said from the age of six to 16, James Kofi Annan was enslaved, starved, abused and forced to work in appalling conditions.

It noted that after managing to escape and turning his life around, James was determined to prevent other children from experiencing the same thing.

It noted he founded challenging Heights, an organisation that rescues and rehabilitates children from slavery, identifies and educates vulnerable children and establishes income-generating initiatives in at-risk communities and empowers youth and families to help prevent child trafficking.

It said since joining the Reach for Change Incubator in 2013, James had more than quadrupled Challenging Heights annual budget and was implementing a five year strategic plan, developed with support from Reach for Change.

It said most importantly, he had impacted the lives of over 8,000 Ghanaian children.

The five year anniversary report also details Reach for Change's plans for the future.

It said over the course of the next five years, the organisation plans to run additional accelerators to increase the number of African social entrepreneurs that they reach, enriching the social enterprise ecosystem across Africa through research, and implement new programming, such as the rapid scale programme for more established social entrepreneurs in the growth phase of their development.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
President Nana Akufo-Addo has revealed that his government is in the process of identifying alternative sources of livelihood for persons affected by the clampdown on illegal mining activities across the country.

According to President Akufo-Addo, a cabinet committee has been established and headed by the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimping Boateng, to this effect.

The committee, he added, will also implement governments strategy on combating the illegal mining menace.

Addressing the Ghanaian community resident in Conakry, on Thursday, May 18, 2017, the 2nd day of his 3-day visit to that country, President stated that one of the advantages of campaigning is that you get to see Ghana. It is the exposure I had in this last campaign of what was actually going on in the field that hardened my decision, God-willing if I was to win the election, to make the fight against galamsey one of my priorities.

With the christening of Ghanas first modern city as Elmina, to wit The Mine by the Portuguese, President Akufo-Addo stated that as far back as the 15th century, there was the recognition that mining was important for the countrys economy.

But what we cannot have happen is for mining to compromise our future environment. 60%, we are told, of the water bodies in Ghana have been affected by illegal mining activities. That is unacceptable. We are not out to attack Chinese or Canadians or whoever. We are saying that we want people to respect the laws of our country and make sure that our environment does not suffer from mining, and that is what we are going to do, he added.

Describing aluminum as the metal of the future, President noted that Ghanas experience with the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO), which saw Kaiser, operators of the smelter, import bauxite from Jamaica, means that we need an integrated aluminium industry in Ghana  right from the mining of the bauxite to alumina, and the refining of alumina into aluminum.

It was his hope that by the end of this next sitting of Parliament, a bill establishing an Aluminum Development Authority  the vehicle principally responsible for putting together the whole of the infrastructure that is required for the exploitation of the countrys bauxite resources at Nyinahin and Kyebi  will be passed.

Aluminum is the metal of the future, and we have substantial quantities of the raw material in our country. We need a strategy that will ensure value-addition, and not just exporting it in its raw form. There is no future in the export of our raw materials. But, that, we must add value inside our country, create jobs, and at the end of the process we will have aluminum, he added.

It is for this reason, President Akufo-Addo stated, that former President Kufuor bought VALCO, so that it will be part of this process for an integrated aluminum industry in Ghana. Very soon the plans will be out.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Additional files from Graphic online
I sat in the makeup chair for what felt like hours. It was November 2014, two years before the presidential election. I was about to make my first and only appearance on the Fox News Sunday show Media Buzz.

The Fox News makeup treatment is unlike any other in journalism. It involves false lashes, layers and layers of foundation and heavy applications of come-hither lip gloss. While caking cover-up onto the dark circles under my eyes, the makeup artist gossiped about a Democratic senator who, hours after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, had been cranky about how shed coifed his hair.

Can you believe that? she said. Look up for me. I obeyed.

Sexing up female reporters  even those from The New York Times  was part of the Fox News look as conceived by Roger Ailes, the television impresario who died on Thursday at age 77. He wanted women to appear a certain way while delivering the news, and as sexual harassment lawsuits last year revealed, he had specific ideas about how women should treat him off-camera, as well.

While Mr. Ailes doled out attractive female anchors in revealing outfits as eye candy, his empire thrived partly on its audiences widespread fear of the only woman who has ever had a real shot at the presidency, the person I was there that day to discuss: Hillary Clinton.
Instead, his handpicked successor, Joao Lourenco, the defense minister popularly known as JLo, rallied supporters at a mass gathering in the capital.

Mr. dos Santos may be the force of the present, he said. Yet I am seeing a citizen, wearing a red tie, Mr. Lourenco said of himself, who with your support is going to be the force of the future.

Such words would have been unutterable just a few months ago in Angola. But now, in a rare moment for Africa, a strongman whose image has become inseparable from his countrys and whose tenure has spanned generations, says he is going to step down  voluntarily.

For many Angolans, an Angola without Mr. dos Santos at the top is hard to imagine.

Our president is omnipresent, said Luaty Beirao, 35, a rapper and critic of the government who, like most Angolans, was born after Mr. dos Santos became president. Hes on our money. Hes on our IDs. Hes in our heads. Hes everywhere.

Mr. dos Santos, known as much for his inscrutability as his political longevity, has not given a public reason for stepping down. But he will leave behind a coterie of leaders like President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, 93, who has been in power for 37 years, and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, 74, who has ruled for close to 38 years, beating Mr. dos Santos by just a few weeks.
To the president and his advisers, human rights concerns can be an impediment to the flow of commerce between countries and a barrier to beneficial partnerships for the United States. In their view, trade equals jobs and prosperity, and concern about human rights too often backfires, getting in the way of efforts by the United States government to increase all three.

As they see it, the big mistake that President Barack Obama made was to publicly shame countries rather than to first build working relationships based on common interests. Only then, they say, can the president privately raise human rights concerns. Aides point to Mr. Trumps success in persuading Egypts president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to release an American aid worker.

We are not here to lecture, Mr. Trump said in a speech here on Sunday. We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.

Mr. Tillerson outlined the approach during a speech this month to State Department employees that distinguished between American values and American interests. If we condition too heavily that others must adopt this value that weve come to over a long history of our own, it really creates obstacles to our ability to advance our national security interests, our economic interests, he said.

It doesnt mean that we dont advocate for and aspire to freedom, human dignity and the treatment of people the world over. We do, he added. But that doesnt mean thats the case in every situation.
It was a night of milestones on Saturday Night Live, which in the final episode of its 42nd season, said goodbye to the longtime cast members Bobby Moynihan (who is joining the CBS sitcom Me, Myself & I) and Vanessa Bayer (who confirmed her departure in a bittersweet Instagram post).

Was it also a retirement party for Alec Baldwins impersonation of President Trump, a role that Mr. Baldwin has played all season and occasionally suggested he did not expect to have for quite so long? (Look, Id love to keep doing this per my availability, Mr. Baldwin told The Hollywood Reporter this week, but I have other things Im going to do, so I guess well figure it out.)

Rather than answer that question, the cold open of this weekends S.N.L., hosted by Dwayne Johnson, seemed to wonder what would be left of a Trump administration for Mr. Baldwin to come back to in the fall.
Twin Peaks returns, and what it brings with it is perhaps the biggest mystery of all. And Joanne Froggatt  thats Anna Bates of Downton Abbey to you  taps into her sinister side.

Whats on TV

TWIN PEAKS 9 p.m. on Showtime. David Lynch and Mark Frosts eerie murder mystery returns more than a quarter-century after its cancellation in an 18-part limited series directed entirely by Mr. Lynch. But what happens this time around is almost anybodys guess  episodes werent made available for review  except for the cast: the original members Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Sheryl Lee, Madchen Amick and Peggy Lipton, and the newcomers Naomi Watts, Laura Dern, Michael Cera, Jim Belushi and Jennifer Jason Leigh. And apparently a hefty helping of pie. The first two episodes will be broadcast here, with the second two arriving at 11 p.m. on Showtimes streaming and on-demand platforms before being shown on television next Sunday  after which its one new episode each week. Check out the first two seasons, from 1990 and 91, on Hulu, iTunes and Amazon.
Toward the end of 1989, Andrea Petersen, then a sophomore at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, was transformed from a slightly silly sorority girl to a terrorized shut-in in just a few weeks time. Thats how she describes the onset of panic attacks and their confusing aftermath in On Edge, her new memoir about having what was eventually diagnosed as several forms of anxiety. The book also looks back at the history of our understanding of the various disorders under the umbrella of anxiety, and surveys the latest attempts to combat them. Below, Petersen, a contributing writer at The Wall Street Journal, tells how she overcame worries about disclosing her experiences, whats changed (and what hasnt) in treatment, and more.

When did you first get the idea to write this book?

Ive been dealing with anxiety since I was a child, so I guess you could say Ive been gathering material for it for most of my life. But I got the idea to write about it around a decade ago. I started writing more mental health stories, and realized its a really exciting time in anxiety research. And theres been a perplexing rise in the diagnosis among young people, mostly college students. So I realized there was a good journalistic story there as well as my own.

For a while, I was too worried about what would happen to me professionally if I outed myself as having mental illness. Not that I was worried about being fired or demoted, but just that people would feel like they needed to tiptoe around me. As I started writing about college mental health, I spent time with young advocates, and I was blown away by their willingness to let me use their photographs and details about their mental issues in the paper. I thought its time to do my part to help chip away at the stigma. I wanted to provide insight for those who suffer from it, and for the people who love them. It can be difficult for those who dont have it to understand how impairing it can be.
1. President Trump was able to get away, at least physically, from a cascade of developments in Washington that have made a tumultuous political landscape even more turbulent.

He set out Friday on his first overseas trip as president. The first stop on his nine-day trip: Saudi Arabia, where he received a gold medal from the king and made a speech denouncing Islamist extremists and calling terrorism to a battle between good and evil to be fought by decent people of all religions.

Jared Kushner, Mr. Trumps son-in-law and adviser, helped negotiate a $110 billion weapons deal with the Saudis beforehand. Critics worry that his diplomatic interests and his familys interests may become entangled.
Americas biggest television networks invited advertisers to New York institutions like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center last week, giving them an early glimpse at their fall lineups and treating them to lavish parties and a parade of stars including Stephen Colbert, Kim Kardashian and Tony Romo, all with the aim of attracting billions of dollars in advertising by the end of the summer.

The tradition dates to the 1960s, when viewing habits were entirely different. And while the networks have spent the past few years trying to convince marketers of their digital prowess despite falling ratings and new platforms for watching TV, Silicon Valley seemed to cast an especially long shadow this year.

There was lots of talk about brand safety and snarky comments from the stage about online giants like Facebook and Google  NBCUniversals sales chief said that an algorithm could not have predicted the success of This Is Us or the latest season of Saturday Night Live  but there was also an acknowledgment that, although the television ad market remains remarkably strong, the shift to digital platforms is undeniable, and their continued growth is inevitable.

Most networks are starting to recognize that the standard model of 18 minutes of 30-second spots in a 60-minute show will never grow and is probably not sustainable, said Ben Winkler, the chief investment officer at the agency OMD. Just making more compelling shows is not going to solve that problem.
Caroline Ann New and Michael John Cappon were married May 20 at Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pa. Richard A. Cataldi, a friend of the couple who was ordained through American Marriage Ministries for the event, officiated.

Ms. New, 33, is the director of donor communications for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and received a masters degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.

She is a daughter of Patricia E. New of Menlo Park, Calif., and Dr. William New Jr. of San Francisco. The brides father, who is retired, was an anesthesiologist at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, Calif. He also founded two companies that designed and developed medical devices: Nellcor, in Hayward, Calif., and Natus Medical in San Carlos, Calif. Her mother is a registered nurse in Menlo Park.

Mr. Cappon, 36, is studying for a bachelor of science degree in horticulture science at Temple University. He is also a landscape designer at Urban Jungle, a store in Philadelphia.
Michelle Ker and Jacob Daniel Locke were married May 15 at the Superior Court Marriage Bureau in Washington. Paul Trudeau, the branch chief for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, officiated.

Ms. Ker, 27, works in Washington as an economics and trade policy analyst at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a masters degree in international affairs from George Washington University.

She is the daughter of Hsiao-Ying Chen of Gaithersburg, Md., and Hsien-Liang Ker of Wilmington, N.C. The brides father is the research and development manager at CDB, a manufacturer of orthodontic brackets in Leland, N.C. Her mother is a transportation security officer for the Transportation Security Administration at Dulles International Airport outside Washington.

Mr. Locke, 28, is an analyst at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. He graduated from American University, from which he also received a masters degree in international affairs.
Sarah Krinsky and Daniel Novick are to be married May 21 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Rabbi Rachel Ain, a friend of the couple, is to officiate.

The couple met in 2013 at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where they are students.

The bride, 26, graduated summa cum laude from Yale. She is a rabbinic fellow at Congregation Bnai Jeshurun in New York.

The brides parents live in Los Angeles. Her father, Glenn Krinsky, is a lawyer specializing in health care at the firm of Jones Day in Los Angeles. Her mother, Miriam Krinsky, is a former federal prosecutor and the executive director of the nonprofit Fair and Just Prosecution, a national network of recently elected prosecutors, and also a lawyer in Los Angeles.

The groom, 27, graduated from the University of Virginia and is a rabbinic intern at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in New York.
He played a formidable villain for DC Comics, and now hell do the same for Marvel: Tom Hardy has signed on to lead Venom, a spinoff movie in Marvels expanding universe.

Mr. Hardy will play Eddie Brock, a vengeful reporter who fuses with a powerful alien parasite to become Venom. The character was previously played by Topher Grace in the 2007 film Spider-Man 3, as one of the web-slingers main antagonists.

Venom, a Sony production, is projected for release on Oct. 5, 2018; Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) will direct.

Venom was introduced in 1988 and has floated through the Marvel Universe, appearing alongside not just Spider-Man but also Iron Man, Deadpool and the Hulk. Hes the latest in an extensive and growing web of Marvel characters onscreen. Tom Hollands Spider-Man first showed up in 2016s Captain America: Civil War, and hell soon be seen in his own movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, arriving this summer.
And in New Jersey, those progressives are showing up in droves. More than 8,000 protesters flooded the streets of Trenton on the day of the womens march in Washington after Mr. Trumps inauguration, one of the largest demonstrations in the state in generations.

What you have here is a movement in search of a leader, said Jeff Tittel, the director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, a left-leaning environmental group. Thats why I think this race becomes important, because who wins it could become a national leader of the progressive movement.

The platforms of the main Democratic contenders read like a wish list of the progressive movement.

All support the legalization of marijuana beyond medical purposes. They also endorse raising the minimum wage to $15 from $8.44. Each candidate has endorsed some variation of a millionaires tax. They have portrayed their infrastructure plans, at least in part, as having environmental benefits because better rail transit takes cars off the road.

Jim Johnson, an under secretary of the Treasury during the Clinton administration, has laid out a plan for statewide universal prekindergarten, a liberal cause trumpeted by progressive elected officials like Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York.

Ray Lesniak, the state senator, is an aggressive defender of animal rights and environmental issues, including an appeal against the settlement Exxon Mobil struck with Gov. Chris Christie in 2015 for cleaning up marshes and waterways.

And John Wisniewski, a state assemblymen who was Mr. Sanders campaign chair in New Jersey, has essentially made a progressive platform his entire campaign: a single-payer health care system and tuition-free college for certain students, among other promises.
JERSEY CITY  This is my paint gear, George Anthony Morton said, apologizing for splatters that only he could see on his black T-shirt. He had spent the afternoon at his easel, painting a portrait of someone he had asked to pose for him.

This hasnt gotten to the stage where its satisfactory yet, he said, but he was upbeat  he had two more sessions with her. Hopefully, Ill be able to refine it, he said.

Every artist has a story. Mr. Morton wants his to be about where he is going: the Florence Academy of Art, in Italy. He is to attend a six-week workshop there starting in July.

That is unusual. He applied and was accepted, and is the only student from the academys American branch, the Florence Academy of Art U.S., who will be going. But it is not as unusual as the part of his story that he does not want dominating the conversation, the part about where he has been, which is federal prison. He served nine years and six months of an 11-year sentence after pleading guilty to a drug charge in Missouri, where he grew up.
Wajahat: Mustafa, I think we can agree that one consistency for a thoroughly inconsistent Trump presidency is his love affair for authoritarian leaders: Erdogan in Turkey, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Egypt, Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, and now the Saudi royal family.

This is, I believe, one of the most troubling aspects of this speech and the shift in American policy under Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson  a complete abandoning of even paying lip service to civil liberties, free press, human rights. Our foreign policy no longer seems guided by even the pretense of these American values. We know that governments like Saudi Arabia and Egypt use terrorism as an excuse to crack down on all opposition and political participation. (Look at the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, for example.) And we know that a lack of economic opportunities, political freedoms and human rights are what create conditions for extremism to thrive in Middle East. Oh, the irony!

Mustafa: That is all true. But to his credit, Trump put this realpolitik in an acceptable format: We are not here to lecture. That sounds good to a lot of people in the Middle East. Sometimes Western preaching of human rights, when its wrapped up in self-righteousness, can backfire.

Still, the current alternative  a United States that says, I dont care about what autocracies do to their people, as long as they serve my interests  is really bad for the world. It is even bad for the United States interests in the long run.

Wajahat: Trump said he was in Saudi Arabia to offer partnership based on shared interests and values. Well, what do you see as the shared interests and values for the United States and the Saudis since we seem to agree that clearly it isnt human rights?

Mustafa: The shared interests and values in this case seem to be twofold: Lets fight the terrorists, like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. And lets do business. None of these are wrong, of course. But there is also the problem of human rights violations in regimes such as that of Saudi Arabia  or Egypt, or elsewhere. As I understand, Trumps message is, we dont care about that part. But is this what the United States really stands for? It is up to the American people, of course, but I would hope to see some more aspiration to help make the world a better place.
PITTSBURGH  When Uber picked this former Rust Belt town as the inaugural city for its driverless car experiment, Pittsburgh played the consummate host.

You can either put up red tape or roll out the red carpet, Bill Peduto, the mayor of Pittsburgh, said in September. If you want to be a 21st-century laboratory for technology, you put out the carpet.

Nine months later, Pittsburgh residents and officials say Uber has not lived up to its end of the bargain. Among Ubers perceived transgressions: The company began charging for driverless rides that were initially pitched as free. It also withdrew support from Pittsburghs application for a $50 million federal grant to revamp transportation. And it has not created the jobs it proposed in a struggling neighborhood that houses its autonomous car testing track.

Blame is being pointed in many directions. While Mr. Peduto had trumpeted his relationship with Ubers chief executive, Travis Kalanick, he didnt get any commitments in writing about what the company would provide for Pittsburgh. That became an issue in Pittsburghs Democratic mayoral primary this month, with Mr. Pedutos challengers criticizing his relationship with Uber and one calling the company a stain on the city. (Mr. Peduto won the primary.)
After Mr. Rudy said that the rights for Mr. Streeter to present the show had never been granted, Mr. Streeter acknowledged that the situation was complicated. Both parties agreed that by November, they were discussing rights for a Portland production of Virginia Woolf with the understanding that the Albee estate would have to approve casting choices; last week that discussion fell apart after Mr. Streeter made clear his desire to add depth by casting a black actor as Nick.

Albees record on nontraditional casting is complex.

In a 2010 book, Albee in Performance, the playwright is quoted expressing concern about the casting of black actresses in the role of Martha, who is the daughter of the colleges president, in Virginia Woolf. That would instantly raise a lot of questions, since its a totally naturalistic play, he said. Is this a black college? Do we have a black president of a white college? Not very likely.

But eight years earlier, in 2002, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival staged Virginia Woolf with a black actress, Andrea Frye, playing Martha. Its director, Tim Bond, now a professor at the University of Washington, said the theater had sent the cast members photos and descriptive biographies to Albee, and they were approved. Mr. Bond also recalled a 2000 production of the play at Howard University with a black cast; Albee reportedly assisted with the production.

I think the play would work beautifully with any number of approaches to cross-cultural casting, Mr. Bond said. Its a play about the human condition, and any person should be able to play any one of those roles.

There have been black actors in other Albee plays, including a production now running in London of The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, which features a white actor (Damian Lewis) and a black actress (Sophie Okonedo) in the lead roles.

In theater, unlike in film, writers (and their estates, after their deaths until copyrights expire) retain oversight of their works, and no one is questioning that the Albee estate has the right to approve or reject casting decisions. And debate over casting is not infrequent. Just two years ago, the playwright Katori Hall added a requirement (barring an exemption from her) that black actors play the two roles in her play, The Mountaintop, after a college production cast a white actor as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And the Gershwin estate has long insisted that Porgy and Bess have a black cast.
A large crowd of students walked out of the Notre Dame commencement ceremony on Sunday in protest of the speaker, Vice President Mike Pence, who delivered a speech that mixed platitudes about bright, dream-filled futures with a lengthy rebuke of political correctness on college campuses.

As several dozen students in caps and gowns quietly exited the graduation ceremony, the vice president praised Notre Dame, one of the nations most prominent Catholic universities, as a vanguard of freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas. Other schools do not measure up, he said.

While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness  all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech, he said. These all-too-common practices are destructive of learning and the pursuit of knowledge, and they are wholly outside the America tradition.
WASHINGTON  Republicans on Sunday inched away from President Trump amid mounting evidence that he may have sought to interfere in the federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

In a sign of growing anxiety, several important Republicans expressed discomfort with Mr. Trumps firing of the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, who had been leading the agencys inquiry into whether Mr. Trumps associates colluded with Russian officials. But the Republicans stopped short of explicitly criticizing Mr. Trump.

If any president tries to impede an investigation  any president, no matter who it is  by interfering with the F.B.I., yes, that would be problematic, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on CNNs State of the Union. It would be not just problematic. It would be, obviously, a potential obstruction of justice that people have to make a decision on.

Mr. Rubio and other Republicans hewed to a line repeated often on Capitol Hill last week: that they need more information about Mr. Comeys termination, particularly in light of a report by The New York Times that Mr. Trump told Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting that Mr. Comey was a nut job and that his firing had taken off the pressure on the president.
Mr. Downton, who must use this pen name because he is contractually prohibited from writing publicly about politics under his real name, excoriates the news media for relying on whispers of anonymous sources. Read more 

_____

 W. James Antle III in The Week:

Remember, neither of Americas impeached presidents, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, was actually convicted and removed from office via such a Senate vote. Why? Because its really, really hard to do.

Mr. Antle has bad news for those dreaming of impeachment for Mr. Trump: Its not going to happen. Or, at least, its much harder than you think. Read more 

_____

 Roger L. Simon in PJ Media:

Congress should absolutely go back to their day job  enacting legislation  immediately. It might be hard work and less glamorous than pontificating about the state of the nation or the malfeasances of the current administration  they may actually have to read something  but it was what they were elected to do, what we pay them to do.

Now that Robert S. Mueller III has been appointed as special counsel, Mr. Simon writes, members of the House should dispatch with their commentary on the scandals plaguing the White House and return to the work of passing laws. Let the capable Mr. Mueller handle the investigation, he argues, while Congress tackles health care, tax reform and infrastructure. Read more 

_____

From the Left
The first issue of the Afghan womens magazine covers standard ground, like fashion tips during pregnancy and interviews with young pop artists about their love lives.

There is also more serious fare, like an article about breast cancer and an essay on a proposed family law that has been delayed for years by conservatives who oppose the safeguards it would bring.

Yet the magazine, Gellara, differs in one crucial respect from most womens periodicals around the world: It could provoke anger, or worse.
BEIJING  From China, with love. Or something more insidious?

For weeks, Chinese have been debating the meaning of a superhero-size statue of Karl Marx headed to Trier, the German town where the political philosopher was born. An attempt to spread Communist revolution back to democratic Germany? A joke?

The 18-foot work by the sculptor Wu Weishan is a gift from the Chinese government and is to be unveiled next May as part of wider commemorations for the 200th anniversary of Marxs birth. Marx is officially revered in China, the last major Communist state after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

This noble-looking Marx gazing into the future expresses the confidence of todays China in its own theories, path, system and culture, Mr. Wu wrote in Peoples Daily, the party newspaper, in January describing a visit he made to Trier last year to conceptualize the work.

Mr. Wus vision prompted controversy in Germany after a model was unveiled in Trier in March. Historians and politicians asked whether it was appropriate to honor so uncritically a man whose ideas led to dictatorship, including in the former East Germany. In April, Triers City Council gave final approval to the gift but whittled down its size by more than two feet.
When he bought his first mobile phone, in 2001, he was so nervous he did not make a call for nearly a week. When he finally did, he blurted out: Friend, I have bought this mobile. Is this your number and your name? I am Babulal! The next day his phone stopped working and he returned to the shop, telling the salesman that something was wrong with the phone.

I had no idea what to do, Mr. Neti said. He said, Your balance is over.

But this experience in no way prepared Mr. Neti for his first encounter with the smartphone, which he spotted about a decade ago in the hand of a computer operator in Taradands local administration building.

The official was an agreeable sort, and Mr. Neti began borrowing his phone for two- and three-hour stretches. He went on Google, searching for the word Gondwana, the name for the Gond tribes traditional land.

It was as if I had opened up history, the history of Gondwana, he said. It seemed fascinating. You didnt have to buy a book. The earth map came up as round, and part of it was Gondwana. Ireland, Gondwanaland, Switzerland. I was fascinated. No sooner would I see a mobile than I would run over.

Only after some time, he recalled, did Mr. Neti realize it was possible to search for terms other than Gondwana.

It seemed, he said, as if I was diving into a sea with no bottom to it.

This marked the beginning for Mr. Neti of a wide-ranging inquiry about the world surrounding him. He was interested, for example, in knowing whether the residents of other countries worshiped Ram, the Hindu deity and, upon discovering that they did not, hastened to inform his neighbors of this startling news. He decided to fact-check the assertion of a childhood friend, who is from the Yadav caste, that the Yadavs had been present at the creation of the earth and learned this was not a universally accepted view.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea fired a missile on Sunday, a week after its successful test of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, South Korean officials said.

The missile took off from a location near Pukchang, northeast of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, and flew 310 miles before falling in waters off the countys east coast, the South Korean military said in a statement.

The United States Pacific Command said it had detected and tracked a medium-range ballistic missile that was launched by the North around 9:59 p.m. Hawaii time and landed in the Sea of Japan. It said that the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.

The launch was made while President Trump, who has pressed China to rein in the nuclear ambitions of the Norths leader, Kim Jong-un, was on a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe.
KABUL, Afghanistan  In a two-pronged attack in a southern Afghan province, the Taliban shelled the provincial capital city with rockets and then raided police outposts in a neighboring district, killing at least 20 officers and wounding six others, officials said on Sunday.

The provincial governor of Zabul, Bismillah Afghanmal, said that as many as 1,000 Taliban fighters stormed the police outposts in the Shajoy district, along the highway to the regional hub of Kandahar, in an early morning attack.

As the assault in Shajoy was unfolding, the neighboring provincial capital city of Qalat was shelled with a barrage of rockets. Some landed on the governors guesthouse and the police headquarters nearby.

Luckily, there is no human losses, but damage has been done to the properties of local people and governmental buildings, Mr. Afghanmal said of the attack in Qalat.
ISTANBUL  In a signal that Turkey faces indefinite rule by decree, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday that a state of emergency, introduced as a temporary measure after last years failed coup, would continue until the country achieved welfare and peace.

The state of emergency allows Mr. Erdogan and his cabinet to issue sweeping decrees without parliamentary oversight or review by the constitutional court, giving him an almost untrammeled grip on power.

So far, the decrees have allowed Mr. Erdogan to jail more than 40,000 people accused of plotting a failed coup, fire or suspend more than 140,000 additional people, shut down about 1,500 civil groups, arrest at least 120 journalists and close more than 150 news media outlets.

In late April, a decree issued under the state of emergency was used to block access to Wikipedia.

Despite international criticism of these measures, Mr. Erdogan said on Sunday that the state of emergency will not be lifted, according to Anadolu Agency, a state-owned news wire. Until when? Until the situation reaches welfare and peace.
TEHRAN  Iranians came out in force to dance in the streets this weekend, breaking Islamic rules, to celebrate the re-election of President Hassan Rouhani by a large margin.

Emboldened by the election results, others gathered in the capital, Tehran, to begin demanding what they hope a second term for Mr. Rouhani will bring: the release of opposition figures, more freedom of thought and fewer restrictions on daily life.

Mr. Rouhanis supporters also expect the victory to bolster his outreach efforts to the West and the pursuit of more foreign investment in Irans ailing economy. His win, with 57 percent of the vote, came the same weekend that President Trump was meeting with Saudi and other Arab leaders to discuss, in part, a strengthened alliance against Iran.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  President Trump on Sunday pivoted away from his strident assessment of Islam as a religion of hatred as he sought to redefine American leadership in the Middle East and rally the Muslim world to join him in a renewed campaign against extremism.

Addressing dozens of leaders from across the Muslim world who had gathered in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump rejected the idea that the fight against terrorism was a struggle between religions, and he promised not to scold them about human rights in their countries. But he challenged Muslim leaders to step up their efforts to counter a wicked ideology and purge the foot soldiers of evil from their societies.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations, Mr. Trump said in a cavernous hall filled with heads of state eager to find favor with the new president. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life and decent people, all in the name of religion, people that want to protect life and want to protect their religion. This is a battle between good and evil.

The presidents measured tone here was a far cry from his incendiary language on the campaign trail last year, when he said that Islam hates us and called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.


infrastructure

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This week has been designated "National Infrastructure Week" by the US Chambers of Commerce, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and over 150 affiliates. Their message: "It's time to rebuild." Ever since ASCE began issuing its "National Infrastructure Report Card" in 1998, the nation has gotten a dismal grade of D or D+. In the meantime, the estimated cost of fixing its infrastructure has gone up from $1.3 trillion to $4.6 trillion.

While American politicians debate endlessly over how to finance the needed fixes and which ones to implement, the Chinese have managed to fund massive infrastructure projects all across their country, including 12,000 miles of high-speed rail built just in the last decade. How have they done it, and why can't we?

"Public-private partnerships are a good deal for investors but a bad deal for the public. The federal government can generate its own credit without private financial middlemen. That is how China does it, and we can too."

A key difference between China and the US is that the Chinese government owns the majority of its banks. About 40% of the funding for its giant railway project comes from bonds issued by the Ministry of Railway, 10-20% comes from provincial and local governments, and the remaining 40-50% is provided by loans from federally-owned banks and financial institutions. Like private banks, state-owned banks simply create money as credit on their books. (More on this below.) The difference is that they return their profits to the government, making the loans interest-free; and the loans can be rolled over indefinitely. In effect, the Chinese government decides what work it wants done, draws on its own national credit card, pays Chinese workers to do it, and repays the loans with the proceeds.

The US government could do that too, without raising taxes, slashing services, cutting pensions, or privatizing industries. How this could be done quickly and cheaply will be considered here, after a look at the funding proposals currently on the table and at why they are not satisfactory solutions to the nation's growing infrastructure deficit.

The Endless Debate over Funding and the Relentless Push to Privatize

In a May 15, 2017, report on In the Public Interest, the debate taking shape heading into National Infrastructure Week was summarized like this:

The Trump administration, road privatization industry, and a broad mix of congressional leaders are keen on ramping up a large private financing component (under the marketing rubric of 'public-private partnerships'), but have not yet reached full agreement on what the proportion should be between tax breaks and new public money--and where that money would come from. Over 500 projects are being pitched to the White House... Democrats have had a full plan on the table since January, advocating for new federal funding and a program of infrastructure renewal spread through a broad range of sectors and regions. And last week, a coalition of right wing, Koch-backed groups led by Freedom Partners . . . released a letter encouraging Congress "to prioritize fiscal responsibility" and focus instead on slashing public transportation, splitting up transportation policy into the individual states, and eliminating labor and environmental protections (i.e., gutting the permitting process). They attacked the idea of a national infrastructure bank and . . . targeted the most important proposal of the Trump administration . . . --to finance new infrastructure by tax reform to enable repatriation of overseas corporate revenues . . . .

In a November 2014 editorial titled "How Two Billionaires Are Destroying High Speed Rail in America," author Julie Doubleday observed that the US push against public mass transit has been led by a think tank called the Reason Foundation, which is funded by the Koch brothers. Their $44 billion fortune comes largely from Koch Industries, an oil and gas conglomerate with a vested interest in mass transit's competitors, those single-rider vehicles using the roads that are heavily subsidized by the federal government.

Clearly, not all Republicans are opposed to funding infrastructure, since Donald Trump's $1 trillion infrastructure plan was a centerpiece of his presidential campaign, and his Republican base voted him into office. But "establishment Republicans" have traditionally opposed infrastructure spending. Why? According to a May 15, 2015 article in Daily Kos titled "Why Do Republicans Really Oppose Infrastructure Spending?":

Republicans -- at the behest of their mega-bank/private equity patrons -- really, deeply want to privatize the nation's infrastructure and turn such public resources into privately owned, profit centers. More than anything else, this privatization fetish explains Republicans' efforts to gut and discredit public infrastructure . . . . If the goal is to privatize and monetize public assets, the last thing Republicans are going to do is fund and maintain public confidence in such assets. Rather, when private equity wants to acquire something, the typical playbook is to first make sure that such assets are what is known as "distressed assets" (i.e., cheaper to buy).

A similar argument was advanced by Noam Chomsky in a 2011 lecture titled "The State-Corporate Complex: A Threat to Freedom and Survival". He said:

[T]here is a standard technique of privatization, namely defund what you want to privatize. Like when Thatcher wanted to [privatize] the railroads, first thing to do is defund them, then they don't work and people get angry and they want a change. You say okay, privatize them . . . .

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Michael Arria (for Vice): "Can anyone remember life before 'Ask Your Doctor' ads?" This question opens Martha Rosenberg's Born with a Junk Food Deficiency: How Flaks, Quacks, and Hacks Pimp the Public Health and hangs over the proceeding chapters.



Kellyanne Conway reads Born with a Junk Food Deficiency

(Image by Martha Rosenberg) Details DMCA



Even the most hardened cynic will be taken aback after reading Rosenberg's powerful examination of Big Pharma and Big Food, their influence and reach severely miscalculated by an often passive public. It's a text [that] serves as an instrument of combat against the forces which damage our health while marketing us junk and drugs we don't need. Rosenberg was nice enough to answer some questions for me regarding how harmful trends and bunk science have become prevalent in our health industry.

Arria: Your book examines the enormous prevalence of antidepressants in our culture. How did the pharmaceutical lobby develop such a firm grip on our medical industry?

Rosenberg: Direct-to-consumer drug advertising, which began in the late 1990s, is the biggest reason for Big Pharma's outsized power. It doesn't just sell antidepressants, sleeping pills, allergy pills and "Purple Pills" (while infusing broadcasters with major revenue), it sells depression, insomnia, allergies and acid reflux disease. DTC advertising has produced a nation of hypochondriacs taking pills for disease "risks" and sometimes actually wanting diseases in order to take highly advertised pills. DTC advertising has reduced doctors to order takers and gate keepers who cater to increasingly self-diagnosing and self-prescribing patients. Nor are doctors immune to the ad messages. Like Wall Street and the chemical industry, Big Pharma is also able to buy friendly laws and, some even say, friendly regulation.

Arria: What is the role of the government, specifically regulatory agencies, in protecting us from potentially harmful drugs and foods? Have those meant to provide oversight been subverted or do you perceive it as a matter of collusion?

Rosenberg: While obviously the FDA and USDA, which I discuss a lot in Born with a Junk Food Deficiency, are pledged to protect public health, in many ways they really serve industry. The USDA seeks to support good nutrition and prevent obesity but it also helps Big Food market milk and cheese and other fattening foods and buys up surpluses. It is supposed to keep meat safe but protected the identities of US ranches with mad cow disease, putting producers before consumers.

The FDA judges itself on how many drugs it approves, not rejects, and often works in lockstep with industry rushing its blockbusters to market. Vioxx is one example of putting Big Pharma before patients, but bone drugs like Boniva and Fosamax seem to be next, with risks only surfacing after manufacturers got their money. I do not think it is collusion as much as enmeshment.

Arria: Many of the food polemics published in the last five years take aim at the health risks associated with meat, but stop short of connecting these personal choices to the wider issue of animal suffering. You certainly do not. Could you talk a bit about why you think the treatment of animals deserves a prominent spot in our discussions about the future of food?

Rosenberg: US consumers have a tradition of rejecting products produced from cruelty, whether grape and lettuce boycotts decades ago because of farm worker abuse or the more recent boycotts of products from overseas sweatshops. Yet consumers don't exercise the same moral judgments with animal products for several reasons. First, in some cases they are unaware because they don't follow TV and online news. But more often, they want to believe that abuse they see on the Web is the exception and not behind the actual food they're eating, which would present a moral choice. Some people also believe the concept of "cruelty" isn't meaningful when the animal is supposed to die.

My research leads me to believe that appalling norms have been industry standards until recent Web expose's--like in the egg industry. Even if people don't care about animal suffering, operations that abuse animals invariably abuse workers, their neighbors, the environment and the health of those eating their products (because of high levels of veterinary drugs used).

Arria: The subjects you cover will, no doubt, generate indignation. What would you say to someone who wants to do something to fight back against these forces, beyond their own personal food choices?

Rosenberg: I'd say that talking to each other, to local and national food outlets, to lawmakers and voting with your wallet can be effective. When breast cancer activists got angry enough about endocrine disrupters like parabens and fragrance in cosmetics (which are linked to breast cancer), brands with no parabens and fragrance appeared in major stores. When enough people said "we're drinking what?" about rBGH in milk, rBGH-free milk appeared at mainstream outlets and major restaurants. And look what happened with "pink slime." Welfare reforms are also happening like Burger King Corp. promising to phase out cruel gestation crates for sows and battery cages for laying hens.
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Readings for 6th Sunday of Easter: ACTS 8: 5-8; 14-17; PS 66: 1-7; 16, 26; I PT 3: 15-18; JN 14: 15-21

I'm presently in Michigan working hard on a book I'm writing about critical thinking.

Meanwhile, my wife, Peggy, is off in Cuba teaching a class of Berea College students there. So I've had lots of time to invest in my project. And I've nearly finished another draft.

This weekend, my sister, Mary, has come to our cottage in Canadian Lakes for a very welcome visit. Unfortunately, however, the weather has been cold and rainy. So we spent some time watching a startling Netflix series. It's called "The Keepers." It's a shocking account of an unsolved 1969 murder of a young Catholic nun in Baltimore.

Sister Cathy Cesnik, disappeared shortly after confronting authorities about widespread sexual abuse at the prestigious Keough High School, where she taught English. Two priests there used the confessional to identify young females who would be vulnerable to their sexual depredations. Eventually they ended up sharing their victims with school outsiders including police officials. The priests had become pimps who threatened their victims and their families with death if they revealed their abuse.

The young women were so traumatized that the priests' threats kept them silent for years.

Finally, however, some of Sr. Cathy's former students decided to investigate her murder. One thing led to another, and eventually more than 50 women came forward with their shocking tales which brought to light not only cover-ups by the Baltimore archdiocese, but that implicated the Baltimore Police Department as well.

The story with its cynical use of religion to exploit innocent children led to long conversations with my sister about our Catholic backgrounds, about our own experiences in Catholic schools, about confession, and church teachings in general. We found ourselves sympathizing with those (including close friends and relatives) who have left the church as irredeemably corrupt. No wonder, we agreed, that "former Catholics" represent the second largest religious "denomination" in the country (with 22.8 million), behind members of the official Catholic Church at 68.1 million.

Yet, as human beings, those people (all of us) retain a spiritual hunger. So many former Catholics (and others) identify themselves as "spiritual, but not religious."

Today's liturgy of the word gives us an idea of what that identification might mean. They call us to realize the fact that the Spirit of Christ resides in everyone -- and in all of creation. It's not dependent on going to church, being a Catholic or even a Christian. Rather, it depends on simply opening our eyes and on waking up to the Spirit's presence everywhere, despite the self-induced sleep and blindness of "the world" -- and, I would add, despite the corruption of hypocritical churches.

And where does the Spirit reside? The answer is surprising. The Spirit of Christ is closer to us than our jugular vein. John the Evangelist has Jesus say as much in today's Gospel reading. Listen to the description again for the first time.

Jesus says:

I am in the Father. You are in me. I am in you.

Could anyone be clearer about it? We are all temples. Our bodies, not buildings are the churches that matter. There is nothing in Jesus' teaching about confession, ritual, priests, doctrine. It's simply about opening our eyes and embracing the truth that God's Spirit is like the very air we breathe. It's like Paul will later say in his Areopagus speech about the "Unknown God" (Acts 17:28): Everyone lives and moves and has being in God's Spirit.

Recognizing that and acting accordingly is what spirituality (vs. religion) is about. As Jesus says in today's Gospel, such recognition will have us keeping his commandments: to love God wholeheartedly and our neighbor as ourselves. And, of course, loving our neighbors as our self does not mean loving them as much as we love ourselves. It means loving them because they are our self -- the Self that is one with God. Put more simply: All of us are one. That's the essence of Jesus' teaching.

But that recognition can happen only if we become holy in the sense indicated in today's first reading. There Philip (and later Peter and John) invoked Christ's Spirit on Samaritans -- the traditional enemies of Jews. Significantly, the apostles do so while laying hands on the Samaritans' heads. Their action symbolically brings together the left and right sides of the brains of those they touch. The ritual shows that experiencing the Spirit calls not just for logic, but for intuition as well. The Spirit is the one who makes us whole, not simply right or left-brain dominant. "Holiness" means wholeness in that sense -- integrating what we know logically and by intuition.

That's what spirituality means!

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"We are in the midst of a profound change of paradigms: from seeing the world as a machine to understanding it as a network. Rob Kall has interviewed many of the leaders, both thinkers and activists, of this global cultural transformation. In this eminently readable book, he weaves their statements, values, and ideas into a coherent and inspiring whole. Bottom-Up is a joy to read!"



Fritjof Capra, author of The Web of Life and The Hidden Connections, coauthor of The Systems View of Life


The 36th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

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Reprinted from robertreich.org

European governments, preparing for a round of major summits with Donald Trump, are wary.

I spent much of the past week speaking with officials and cabinet ministers in Europe. All they wanted to talk about was Trump.

Here, in summary, are the most frequent remarks I heard from them, and from others in my travels, in rough order of frequency:

1. Trump is unstable, and we're not going to count on anything he says or commits to.

2. Trump doesn't support NATO or European integration.

3. Trump is actively encouraging racist nationalists in our country.

4. Trump is allied with Putin to bring Europe down.

5. There's no doubt Trump worked with Putin to win the U.S. presidential election.

6. If Trump's polls drop too low, he'll start a war in order to get Americans to rally around him. (Opinions varied on whether Trump's war would be with North Korea, Iran, terrorists in Nigeria, or an escalation in Syria, Iraq, or Afghanistan.)

7. How did you Americans come to elect this ego-maniac? (Others called him an infant, moron, ignoramus, fool.)

8. He's another Berlusconi (or Franco, Mussolini, Salazar, Hitler).

9. We remember fascism. We never thought it would happen in America.

10. The world depends on American leadership. We're very worried.

My overall impression: Anti-Trump sentiment is even stronger in Europe than it is in the U.S. If Trump expects his European trip to give him a reprieve from his troubles at home, he's mistaken.
Good people don't smoke marijuana.

- Jeff Sessions

Gage ain't nothin' but medicine.

- Louis Armstrong



Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

- Matthew 5:7 (The words of Jesus Christ)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has sent a memo to all federal attorneys (those he hasn't fired) setting in motion a radical reversal of the trend toward bi-partisan reform that has been building for at least a decade in the criminal justice system and the drug war. The memo states: "Any inconsistent previous policy of the Department of Justice related to these matters is rescinded, effective today." This flies in the face of a movement that has led to 30 states to reform their criminal justice systems in the area of mass incarceration. Sessions would, from the top down, re-establish "the sort of mass incarceration strategy that helped flood prisons during the war on drugs in the 1980s and 1990s," according to The New York Times. "We're going to double down on an approach everybody else has walked away from," says Kevin Ring, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums. Sessions has personally emphasized a particular disdain for marijuana, as in the remark cited above. The federal government, of which Sessions is the top lawman, has adamantly refused to ease its marijuana laws as state after state modifies or legalizes their laws.



A call to prayer, a pipe and Jeff Sessions in the Times

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As I read this stuff, all I can think is Attorney General Jeff Sessions is a guy who needs to smoke a doobie. It must be incredibly stressful being attorney general in an administration in tragic free-fall, especially after he was forced to recuse himself on the intense Russia collusion investigation due to lying about his own meetings with Russians. Meanwhile, profound change is in the air as the nation's business is rapidly being consumed into a wildly expanding internet-connected world that threatens to unravel life as we know it. Narrow-minded concerns like re-toughening sentencing for drug offenses seems dangerously out-of-synch with the times. There is so much research on the tenets of harm reduction as an alternative approach to incarceration and the ideas of a "war" on drugs that to suddenly wind the clock backwards now is tantamount to a crime in itself. One has to wonder: What's up with this fellow from Alabama?

One of the ironies of the drug war is that while weed is being legalized locally, it remains illegal under federal statutes. But that should not stop Mr. Sessions from at least trying grass to see what the hubbub is all about. Expand his thinking. He could do like William Buckley famously did and take some rich friend's yacht (I'm sure he can find a rich friend with a boat) out beyond the 12-mile-limit to do his reefer. Or, much more relaxing, he could declare he's acting under local jurisdiction (remember how conservatives like Mr. Sessions used to passionately advocate for states' rights, instead of the other way around); he could smoke his spliff in the comfort of his home in the District of Colombia, the city where he works. Many people may not know this, but it's perfectly legal in D.C. to possess under two ounces of pot and smoke it in a private residence. It would be perfectly legal for President Donald Trump to light up a bone in the private quarters of the White House; he would have to consult with his attorney general if he wanted to take a hit in the public Oval Office.

I don't mean this suggestion disrespectfully -- or even sarcastically. I'm dead serious. As in: Please, can we lighten up and focus on what's really important? As in: By all means, yes, let's discourage pot use among tender young minds, as we improve the less-than-stellar education of those young minds with better curricula in areas like history and critical thinking. We're now shamefully a basket-case nation in education compared to places like Finland, where kids are taught how to think. (Which seriously raises the question: In a marketing-based, consumer culture, is critical thinking subversive?) In an open-minded, educative spirit, I honestly think it would benefit us all if Jeff Session were to learn what it practically means to smoke marijuana. I submit it would open his moral outlook to a wider range of human empathy in a nation where he serves as attorney general; that is, it would help get him out of the narrow world he has fashioned in his mind. He'd begin to understand that pot is nowhere near as socially dangerous as alcohol -- a legal intoxicant the country went through a difficult period trying to outlaw. That period, as we all know from the movies, succeeded only in giving us Al Capone, corrupt cops and help in establishing a powerful criminal underworld.

Mr. Sessions might also begin to realize the issue of pot has absolutely nothing to do with God and his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Sessions, who is a favorite among evangelicals, was appointed attorney general by the deeply spiritual Donald Trump. Earlier, President George W. Bush assured us the ideas of Jesus Christ were tops in his mind and, thus, a fine guide on how to run the country. We can't be sure whether Jesus Christ would have fired James Comey or whether he would have colluded with Russians. It's likely Jesus Christ would have turned the other cheek and forgiven Mr. Comey for not swearing 100% discipleship. But, truth be known, it's absurd to suggest anyone can really know what Jesus Christ would do in a modern context. Which means one is left to imagine what Jesus Christ would do: imagination and metaphor construction are how the philosophers suggest we humans make sense in our heads out of the chaos of life. So all we can know for sure is that the answers to all these questions are somewhere in the attorney general's deeply religious mind and in his powerful hands.

A New York Times article recently reported on research that showed many conservatives don't really care what politicians like Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions believe or even about the policies they pursue; what they most love about these fellows is how they smack down liberals and leftists and like to rub their noses in the fact Hillary Clinton lost the election. It appears to be the case that calling leftists terrible names and ridiculing them with that special sadistic edge may be a better high than doing a bong hit while listening to the Moody Blues' "Tuesday Afternoon."

Jeff Sessions seems a likeable, diminutive, gnome-like fellow. I'm sure he's the life of the party, even if he only drinks red Kool Aid. I perceive a kindly quality about him; I'd even say there's something incongruously "cute" about his facial aspect. Every time I see him on TV, he always seems a bit perplexed and a little vulnerable. Maybe that has to do with the possibility, in the midst of this crazy Russia-collusion hysteria, he can hear the bloodhounds baying in the woods and is having second thoughts about signing on with the Trump insurgency. In European myth, gnomes were dwarfish figures who lived underground and spent their lives guarding buried treasure. As attorney general, you might say he guards our constitutional system of laws, and many people go on and on about how the Constitution of the United States is our national treasure. So maybe there's something to the Sessions-as-gnome idea. It would be interesting to see what comes up on an Ancestry.com search, where people can send in a gob of spit and "Discover what makes you uniquely you." Like the story about a "white" police sergeant from Michigan who was shocked to learn from Ancestry.com that he was 18 percent African, it's hard to say what impact discovering gnome DNA in his genes would have on Mr. Sessions and his career.

I'm re-reading Kurt Vonnegut's wonderful novel Slaughterhouse Five, and Vonnegut has the classic absurdist rejoinder for all this cultural towel-snapping and horsing around: "So it goes." Life is a many-hued carnival, something Mr. Sessions might be more accepting of if he took an evening with some of his hipper friends to get out of the straight-jacket of madness he's strapped himself into, put on a classic Alabama anthem and inhale on one of those nifty vaporizers. Visualize our gnomish attorney general with a gentle buzz leaning back in his Barcalounger, his trusty dog Jeff Davis asleep by his side, listening to those great fiddles on "Song Of The South." Lord have mercy!

Cotton was short and the weeds were tall." / But Mr Roosevelt was gonna save us all. ... / Momma got sick and daddy got down. / The county got the farm and they moved to town. / "Papa got a job with the TVA." / He bought a washing machine, then a Chevrolet. .../" Song o' the south." / Sweet potato pie and shut my mouth. /" Stonewall and Gone With the Wind." / Ain't nobody lookin' back again.

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Macron President, Emmanuel Macron campaign poster, Paris

(Image by Lorie Shaull) Details DMCA



The new French president, Emmanuel Macron, who was thrust into the French presidential race as a pro-European Union counterweight to prevent the election of National Front leader Marine Le Pen, appears to have more than a casual relationship with the United States. While he worked within the Ministry of the Economy as both a special inspector and as minister, Macron oversaw the virtual theft of strategic French industries by American firms having strong links to the U.S. Intelligence Community.

The hacking of the computers of Macron's En Marche! campaign movement by unknown parties yielded some interesting material. Defenders of Macron contend that the computer files released were either fake or extraneous information. However, one set of files dealing with the virtual theft of France's top information technology giant by individuals connected to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is exactly the type of files one would expect the Macron campaign would keep. Macron's first job in the French government was to protect the interests of French companies from foreign competition and, most of all, acquisition.

The move by the American intelligence services to acquire French smart card technology leader Gemplus International began in 2001 and the operation was largely complete by 2004, the year Macron became an Inspector of Finances in the French Ministry of Economy. French industry has long been a target for surveillance and/or acquisition by American companies and the CIA has played an important role in such economic warfare operations. For example, the French electronics firm Thomson-CSF was long a top target for U.S. National Security Agency and CIA surveillance.

Documents concerning the successful takeover of Gemplus, along with its main factory in Gemenos, Bouches-du-Rhone, France, by an American firm called Texas Pacific Group (TPG) are included in the tranche of files lifted from the En Marche! computers. TPG first acquired Gemplus shares in February 2000. In 2006, Gemplus merged with Axalto to form Gemalto and the effective U.S. control of the firm was complete.

In September 2002, Alex Mandl, an American native of Vienna, Austria, and a former President of AT&T, chairman and CEO of Teligent, board member of the CIA's venture capital firm IN-Q-TEL, and member of the board of the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute, was named CEO of Gemplus International. He continues as the executive chairman of Gemalto.

As a result of the disclosures of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, it is now known that the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), working with the NSA, successfully penetrated the SIM cards used by Gemalto. The GCHQ/NSA successfully intercepted mobile communications using encryption-enabled Gemalto SIM cards in Afghanistan, Yemen, India, Serbia, Iran, Iceland, Somalia, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The GCHQ-NSA attack also targeted Gemalto SIM card personalization centers in Japan, Colombia. and Italy. The NSA and GCHQ hack of Gemalto's SIM chips by their joint Mobile Handset Exploitation Team (MHET) represents perhaps the largest NSA interception operation in history, one that saw billions of mobile calls and text messages successfully intercepted and decoded by NSA and its Bitish partner. More sinister is the inclusion of Gemalto SIM card identification data in the CIA's database of cell phones targeted in U.S. drone strikes.

En Marche! internal documents point to four French government agencies having conducted investigations into the Gemplus takeover. They are the Renseignements ge'ne'raux (RG) (General Intelligence), Direction de la surete' du territoire (DST), the Industry Ministry, and Macron's Economy Ministry.

The French corporate press, which lavished Macron with praise, a former Rothschild banker, describes the Gemplus documents as having nothing to do with Macron. The French media argues that Macron was a mere student at the elitist French civil service academy, the Ecole nationale d'administration (ENA) until he graduated in 2004. However, as the leaked documents clearly indicate, the Gemplus takeover was still being investigated by the French government when Macron became an Inspector within the Economy Ministry in 2004. Since Macron's role was to ensure that French companies were free of foreign attempts to stymie French economic growth, his performance, as seen in the loss of French jobs to foreign interests, was abysmal.

It is very likely that En Marche's files on the Gemplus takeover were to have backup information at the ready in the event Macron's role in covering up details of the American takeover of Gemplus were to become public. Any political party must be prepared to confront revelations exposed by opposition research into their candidates. It is also noteworthy that one of En Marche's few published policy planks stated it was Macron's policy to monitor but not prevent foreign ownership of strategic French industries and businesses.

In 2008, Macron left government to join the Rothschild & Cie Banque. He also became a leader in the neoconservative-heavy French-American Foundation, which counts among its alum Hillary Clinton, General Wesley Clark, and former World Bank president Robert Zoellick.

The operative question about Macron is: what did he know about the Gemplus takeover and when did he know it? En Marche's Gemplus files, contained in a folder labeled Macron and dealing with the American takeover, read like a John LeCarre' spy novel.

One file, marked Confidential , and sent to Stefan Quandt of the billionaire Quandt family of BMW and Daimler fame in Germany, deals with Gemplus's plummeting stock value in 2001 amid extremely tense relationship and clashes between the main people at the top echelons, and breakdown of communication with the personnel. As a result, the bulk of them is completely unmotivated today .

As an inspector within the Economy Ministry, it is astounding that Macron would not have been aware of the violation of French law that occurred with the American takeover of Gemplus. This is also described in another Gemplus file from his campaign, which points to the situation regarding Gemplus's post-U.S. takeover: Irresponsible statements, often followed by reversals on site closures and firing of personnel, even before consulting with their representatives (as the law and common sense requires) .

The Quandts are very publicity-shy and there is a good reason for it. Guenther Quandt manufactured Mauser firearms and anti-aircraft rockets for the Third Reich. He divorced his first wife, Magde Quandt, after they had one child, Harald Quandt. Magde then married Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. Stefan Quandt, who was involved in the takeover of Gemplus, is the son of Harald Quandt's half-brother Herbert Quandt.

The negative information on Gemplus resulted in a January 24, 2002 report from Goldman Sachs that urged the company to continue with its American-directed restructuring to maintain market health. Although he was a student at the ENA at the time, there is scant information on what projects to which Macron was assigned from 2001 to 2003 by his civil service professors.

Other Gemplus-related files in the En Marche! folder include those related to one of the principals of Gemplus, Ziad Takieddine, a French-Lebanese Druze arms broker and graduate of the CIA-linked American University of Beirut. Takieddine helped engineer the American takeover with the help of Herr Quandt. Takieddine has helped conclude major French arms deals with Libya, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Accused of money laundering in the British Virgin Islands by his ex-wife, Takieddine is also the uncle of Amal Alamuddin, the wife of actor George Clooney. Takieddine is also a bitter political foe of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who lost out in the presidential race in 2017 to rival conservative Francois Fillon. Macron edged out Fillon in the first round of the presidential election, coming in second ahead of Fillon's third place finish.

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Reprinted from www.dailykos.com by Joan McCarter

Speaker Paul Ryan is trying out the Trump regime's favorite defense against damning news--focus on the leaker rather than on the content. In this case, it's the release of a transcript with a slip of the tongue from Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy about Donald Trump being on Vladimir Putin's payroll, a "joke" that Ryan immediately threatened all of those present to forget ever happened. Ryan is in full deflection mode trying to cover up what he and others in Republican leadership--we're looking at you, Mitch McConnell--knew about Russia's interference in the election on behalf of Trump and when they knew it.

Friday morning, Ryan told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that the recording was "a cause of concern" for him and other Republicans. "I've never seen anything like this," the speaker said. "There was somebody who taped a meeting a year ago where our majority leader cracked a joke and then they released the tape of that joke out just a few days ago and that's a pretty bizarre thing to happen. So obviously that's a cause of concern of ours."

He's never seen anything like this? How about watching the Russians hacking the DNC, getting a briefing from the Ukrainian prime minister which detailed the attacks and the sophisticated propaganda Russia was conducting against it and other European nations, and then brushing off the suggestion that Putin was controlling the possible Republican presidential nominee? That's pretty bizarre and unimaginable. And that's exactly what happened.

But let's not let Ryan and McConnell off that easy, because that private June meeting the transcript is from isn't the first time Ryan heard about any of this stuff.

A full year before this meeting, in the summer of 2015, congressional leaders including McConnell and Ryan's predecessor John Boehner were briefed on Russian hacking attempts on the DNC. It strains credulity to believe Ryan wasn't read into these details when he took over as speaker.





Click Here to Read Whole Article
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
Ajit Pai, who now chairs the Federal Communications Commission, has taken the first official steps to destroy the free and open Internet by proposing the end of Title II net neutrality rules on May 18. This would be a giveaway to Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and other large Internet Service Providers that would allow them to control access to content on the Internet and charge users more fees.

Chairman Pai, a former lawyer for Verizon, is an example of the revolving door between government and industry that serves big business interests, and not the people. Pai has demonstrated during his first few months as chairman that he will say anything, including obvious lies, to serve the telecom industry.

We must act quickly to save the Internet from going the road of cable TV where people can only see what they can afford. This is also an opportunity for the people to challenge corrupt corporate power and a sold out federal agency.

In the Washington Post, former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler writes, along with two US Senators:

"For as long as the Internet has existed, it has been grounded on the principle of net neutrality -- that what you read, see or watch online shouldn't be favored, blocked or slowed down based on where that content is coming from. Net neutrality means that cable companies can't reserve the fastest Internet speeds for the biggest companies and leave everyone else in the slow lane. . . .That's why it's so alarming to see that the Federal Communications Commission, a federal agency that's expected to help protect the Internet, is planning to roll back net neutrality rules."

How We Win

There is no doubt that if the people mobilize we can stop this big business take over of the Internet -- but, as John Eggerton writes, people must mobilize or we will lose it. This is an issue that connects all of us and all political issues as the Internet is an essential tool for education, organization and mobilization.

We began the campaign to protect our Internet by going to Ajit Pai's neighborhood. It is important to highlight that he is the one driving this process. We delivered door hangers to his neighbors. Then we held a four-day peaceful vigil on the sidewalk at the end of his driveway. We had an overwhelmingly positive response from his neighbors and people driving by. Many neighbors came out to speak with us, said they supported net neutrality and brought their children to learn about the issue. On May 16, we protested in front of the FCC by trashing computers to demonstrate that without the Internet, our computers are useless.

Here are our next tasks:

- Make Pai's corporate giveaway politically toxic so politicians of both parties in power are forced to intervene on behalf of the people. Politicians need to know that the people are angry that the Internet is being destroyed and that those who do not work to protect it will pay a heavy political price. We need phone calls, emails, petitions, sit-ins, protests at their offices and town halls.

- Highlight Ajit Pai's ties to the telecom industry and how the policies he puts in place now will reward him with a multi-million dollar annual income when he returns to it. His self interest should not come before his duty to represent the public interest. Harold Feld, who has covered Internet policy for 20 years, outlines the ways in which Pai is acting like he is still a Verizon lawyer, Pai needs to be made personally into someone with whom no politician wants to be associated.

- Point out the constant false statements being put forward by Pai. While he says the opposite, Title II net neutrality rules are essential for a fair market because they allow the Davids to challenge the Goliaths. To keep the Internet a place of innovation, creativity and economic activity, everyone must be able to go wherever they want to go on the Internet, put up websites with the same speeds and service as big business sites and compete. The net neutrality rules of 2015 created record investment in the Internet; upending them will create confusion and derail investment. Pai is even lying about advocates of net neutrality, such as Free Press and Popular Resistance.

- Highlight the critical importance of the Internet remaining free and equal for all with no discrimination for diversifying media and opening up political dialogue. Commercial media is concentrated in the hands of six corporations, now ISP's like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T are buying commercial media (e.g. Comcast owns NBC, AT&T is buying CNN). Without net neutrality, ISPs will be able to control what people see on the Internet by prioritizing their content and minimizing other voices. There is a growing number of independent and non-profit media outlets, as well as social media, that diversify our sources of information. Non-commercial media coverage has been critical for the Black Lives Matter movement, Occupy, Fight for $15, and other efforts to organize. The anonymous leaking of documents to show people what governments and corporations are doing is only possible with an open Internet.

- Comment on the proposed FCC rule. Tell the FCC to keep Title II net neutrality rules. John Oliver explains the issue in this monologue, which resulted in 1.6 million comments being sent in to the FCC (hundreds of thousands came from pro-repeal groups that used bots to steal people's identities and submit comments, but Pai has not denounced this violation of the law and privacy). However, the rule making did not start until this week, so people need to comment now. Click here for simple step-by-step instructions to submit a comment. In the 2014/15 campaign 3.7 million people commented, almost all for Title II net neutrality. We need to break that record this time.

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For much of the last century, Nimbin, a village of roughly 1600 inhabitants near the NSW border with Queensland, abided an unremarkable farming existence at the teat of the dairy industry. It was a picturesque town situated in a densely forested valley, ripe for cosmopolitan discovery. This finally happened in 1973, when the Australian Union of Students relocated its Woodstock-esque Aquarius Festival from east coast metropoles to the misty hinterland, giving birth to Nimbin as we know it today: the alternative lifestyle capital of Australia.

Its a civic history plucked straight from conservative nightmare or liberal fantasy, depending on which way you look at it. Legend has it that many Aquarians stayed on after the scheduled 10 days to populate the outback commune of their dreams.

That the festival was never resurrected after 1973 appears to confirm this, but even though the lifespan of Aquarius was shorter than most Shannon Noll tours, another festival soon materialised to take its place.

Nimbin MardiGrass celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month, and despite my heritage as a straight edge teen who cradled Minor Threat CDs in my Discman like an MRA cradles his ego, I felt compelled to attend, ready to project my existential crises onto a cannabis festival sharing my age. What self-serving insights could I glean from something that had also grown up during the Howard years and graduated into neoliberal deadlock? Was MardiGrass battling the pains of quarter-life crisis? Was I?

In truth, the history of Nimbin holds key clues to understanding much about our nations confused relationship with drugs, so it was with muted enthusiasm that I boarded the overnight Greyhound to Byron Bay. Its afternoon on the first day of this three-day festival when I arrive, but the main strip is subdued. The organisers seem unfazed, however, explaining that a workday is a workday. Tomorrow is Saturday, when the fun will really begin.

It takes minutes to traverse the town centre, which spans a 250 metre stretch of road occupied by businesses flogging identical selections of toasted sandwiches, slogan T-shirts and drug paraphernalia. When I check into my hostel, Im handed a laminated sheet outlining the house rules, one of which forbids drumming between 10pm and 8am. Surely those are the Real Drumming Hours? Let the people smash that mf bongo.

As promised, Saturday proves to be decidedly livelier. The pedestrian pace in town has slowed to a crawl as crowds inch past food truck queues and buskers, who jostle with face painters and dreadlock threaders for priceless sidewalk real estate. Every hippie cliche is on display here: denim-vested crust punks herding large, excitable dogs, hemp-clad environmentalists glued to the vegan stalls, barefoot doofers faithfully circling the rave tent.

The ultimate trope emerges as I loiter outside a cafe that morning in a desperate attempt to find reception. A man sidles up and hooks me with a line about the obscene waste of taxpayer money funnelled into policing the festival. I nod, eyeing the three riot cops standing a few metres away, who have so far only exercised their duties to look bored, and strut up and down the main street as Billie-Joe Armstrong would in a Green Day music video.

Slowly, our conversation turns to the ideological corruption of bipartisanship, of the parliamentary system as a whole, and before I know it, my mind is in freefall, somersaulting over the idea that I may have made a new  dare I say it  comrade. When it comes time to go our separate ways, he hands me a flyer.

After this incident, I begin to notice signs everywhere: beaming old men proclaiming the neurotoxicity of car headlights, pamphlets warning of chemtrails lying discarded in the gutter.

Not long after this unsettling encounter, I meet Clancy and Dane, two 25-year-old men from Byron Bay, for whom weed culture is nothing new.

They are passing through to support a friend running a medicinal marijuana stall, but are sceptical about legalisation, preferring to advocate decriminalisation. Seeing friends succumb to addiction is a story familiar to them both, but particularly for Clancy, who has sworn off pot. He grew frustrated with the groggy, clouded state he routinely found himself in after smoking and gradually drifted away from old friends who were forming the habit of smoking daily.

Clancy (left) and Dane.

Proclaiming the virtues of cannabis is the bread and butter of MardiGrass, so its no surprise the drugs negative effects do not feature in the official agenda. But, it seems reluctance to acknowledging the psychological and social harm of drug dependence can be alienating to those who find the festivals unchecked positivity reductive.

This certainly holds true for Zac, a 25-year-old filmmaker from Melbourne who believes harm minimisation, not legalisation, should be the primary focus of drug law reform.

I have friends for whom smoking weed is a big problem, intimately connected to their mental health, he tells me. This doesnt seem to be a point people are making here though. I guess that would mean recognising that sometimes weed can be really damaging, which is not the kind of thing you put on a placard at a pro-cannabis rally.

The unspoken paradox on display here is that in many ways, Nimbin needs the states tough-on-drugs stance to survive. Without it, the illicit novelty of MardiGrass would crumble, and so too would the pillars of the towns economy.

This is precisely why the war on drugs is a zero sum gameit cannot be lost or won. Like any single-issue platform, drug legalisation is not a miracle cure for capitalist ills. Improving access to adequate healthcare (especially in relation to mental health), childcare, housing, education and income support is a vital first step in fostering communities capable of withstanding the austerity currently pushing many into the depths of drug dependence.

The case for drug law reform is inseparable from the case for a robust welfare system. Malcolm Turnbulls advice to the Australian public of dont do drugs transcends moral paternalism. It is an admission that the Coalition fundamentally opposes the very idea of a strong social safety net, and indeed, is committed to further eroding existing social provisions, as shown by the welfare drug testing scheme proposed in the federal Budget.

Questions about what a drug-permissive society would look like remained largely unasked, but to fault the festival for its parochial politics is to misunderstand it. The resistance of MardiGrass lies embedded in its culture. For all its stoner stereotypes and commodified spiritualism, there is an earnest warmth to the spontaneous conversations struck up between strangers on the street, the joyful abandon of hundreds dancing to a drum circle in the middle of town, and the communal healing of enjoying oneself without fear or shame.

Bundjalung smoking ceremony.

MardiGrass shows us that the work of the drug legalisation campaign cannot rest solely in town hall debates or online petitions. Much of the gruelling, day-to-day labour of the movement rests in building connections and community, in humanising drug users and destigmatising addiction.

At 4:20pm on Sunday, in a fitting end to the festival, organisers released a huge inflatable joint into the air as thousands rushed to fill the main street, stopping traffic in their wake. With one hand blazing and the other reaching towards the sky, people came together, shoulder to shoulder, trading puffs, parading this strange, plastic cargo through town.

It was a glimpse of what community organising could achieve, and I couldnt help but imagine this was the image of grassroots power Aquarius Festival sought to bring to life 44 years ago.

Photos: Xiaoran Shi.
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.




Joint cooperation with MENOG & RIPE NCC to help further utilise DNSSEC in developing Saudi Internet Domain Name System

By: Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications

End

-- UAE, May 21, 2017 - The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), represented by the Saudi Network Information Center (SaudiNIC), recently hosted a workshop on the Domain Name System Security Extension (DNSSEC). The workshop was held at CITC's headquarters on 9 May 2017 in Riyadh in coordination with the Middle East Network Operators Group (MENOG) and RIPE NCC. The event was aimed at raising awareness and promoting the adoption of DNSSEC within national networks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This complements efforts to further develop the Saudi Internet Domain Name System (.sa) and (.), using DNSSEC technology.The workshop highlighted DNSSEC's role as a complete set of technical specifications, designed particularly to secure and protect information provided by the Domain Name System (DNS), which uses the Internet Protocol (IP) system. The workshop offered an ideal platform to provide participants with an overview on the benefits and advantages of adopting DNSSEC and how to activate it for both Authoritative DNS servers and DNS resolvers. Those who took part also gained knowledge about managing DNSSEC encryption keys and enabling DNSSEC in the Root Servers, while identifying the latest trends in DNSSEC at all national, regional and international technical levels.Dr. Ibrahim Al-Freih, General Manager of Internet Services, Communications and Information Technology Commission, said in his opening speech: "The workshop was held in line with our commitment to monitor, track and utilise the rapid development of the international communication and information technology sector. We strive to adopt the best innovations that can help us achieve our ambitious vision to advance Saudi Arabia's ICT sector, in accordance with the highest standards of competitiveness with the objective of better serving the investors and customers alike."He went on to add: "The importance of the workshop stems from the pivotal role played by the DNSSEC based on the Public-Key Cryptography, in terms of enhancing security in the DNS and raising the level of verification of the source as well as the validity and reliability of information within the system, which contributes in the reduction of cyber-attacks, especially on authentication protocol data interception, also known by (man-in-the-middle)".Eng. Chafic Chaya, Regional Communications Manager ME, RIPE NCC, noted in his opening speech that the organisation is delighted to cooperate with the Communications and Information Technology Commission and the Saudi Network Information Center in organising the latest workshop. He expressed the RIPE NCC's commitment to providing all kinds of technical support and assistance to its members in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, noting the significant progress recorded by the Kingdom in its deployment of IPv6 and DNSSEC. "Our strategic partnership with CITC and the success of the workshop has enabled us to intensify our efforts in organizing similar trainings and awareness activities, yielding positive results in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is taking early steps to transform into an integrated knowledge economy," concluded Eng. Chaya.The workshop was preceded by two-days training session on DNSSEC, dedicated for the Internet Service Providers and the banking sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Aside from offering a major boost to cybersecurity capacity-building efforts in the Kingdom, this enabled participants to acquire a better understanding of DNSSEC, equipping them with the expertise, knowledge and capabilities necessary for its optimal application in their networks, applications and services.
Princess Maria Amor of Royal Kingdom of Maharlka Darussalam received an award from the New York Women of Honor Banquet Committee.

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admin@wecareforhumanity.org WCH Secretariat

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-- The New York Women Committee held it's 3edition of thelast May 19, 2017 at the Hilton Hotel, JFK, New York.According to its initiator and host,, "The New York Women of Honor Banquet, is a forum for the recognition of women who have and are still greatly impacting the lives of other people positively both locally and internationally;women who through selfless service are making lives better for others".One of the 5 illustrious honorees was none other than,, Founder and President ofand Chairman of theheld annually at the United Nations. The Princess was considered for the award for her various humanitarian works allover the world in the fields of education, health, eradication of poverty, human rights and women and children empowerment.In her acceptance speech she said, "Women of Honor is a big recognition which comprises being Women of Courage. We, women will battle any calamities and obstacles just to achieve our goals. Women os Honor is also Women of Commitment- we are committed to be part of eradicating poverty, eradicating inequality and violence! Women of Honor are Women of Action, we are doers, not talkers, we execute our vision and we live our passion! And most of all Women of Honor are Women of Love, Compassion and Sprituality, for no matter how hard we try, if it's not for our love for God and mankind which is our driving force, we will not go anywhere. Humanitaranism only works if the foundation is spirtuality.", an applauded remark of Princess Maria. She ended by thanking everyone including Ms. Mabel Okonyia and Frances Ndika, "this is the best gift on my birthday itself (May 21), being honored as one of the Women of Honor!".The other four honorees who also shared the stage of honor are Her Highness Princess Pulcherie Simpson-Abomey Princess of Benin, Mrs. Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome-founder of #bringBackOurGirlsNYC, Mrs. Jacqueline Fox-Pascal- former Director of Citywide Asthma Initiative and Mrs. Evelyn Renea Williams- cancer survivor.
Nautical Channel has teamed up with WOW, a pay-TV operator in Bermuda, to provide watersports content from around the world to the island, beginning a week before the start of the 35th Americas Cup.

During the Americas Cup in Bermuda, Nautical Channel will provide various programmes to its global audience, including Americas Cup Insight  a six-part series dedicated to the preparation of the teams, the protagonists and the new technology; daily updates with web sensation, Nic Sailor Girl Douglass; and Americas Cup Classics, covering the events golden moments.Those living in Bermuda will be able to watch Nautical Channel on WOW by subscribing to the HD package. The channel will be alongside local channels ZFB HD and ZBM HD, and subscribers will have access to all the latest live and recorded watersports action from around the world including but not limited to Extreme Sailing Series, Volvo Ocean Race, World Kiteboarding League and World Surf League.We are so excited to have sealed such a strategic agreement with WOW and have Nautical Channel launch just a week before the most important event in the sailing calendar, said Andrew Miller, Nautical Channel MD. Bermudans will be able to enjoy the action on the water as well as get the round-up and insight when relaxing back home.
Afghan officials say militants attacked several checkpoints in the countrys south, killing at least 20 security forces, as gunmen stormed a guesthouse in the capital, Kabul, killing a foreign aid worker and a local security guard.



Gul Islam Seyal, spokesman for the provincial governor in Zabul Province, said on May 21 that the battles began late the previous day when dozens of Taliban fighters launched coordinated attacks on security posts in the Shah Joy district.



He said at least 10 other security forces, including national and local police officers, were wounded.



Seyal said the Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attacks, also fired mortar rounds on the provincial capital, Qalat.



The attacks in the south came as officials said a German woman and an Afghan security guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped from a Kabul guesthouse overnight.



No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack late on May 20 on the guesthouse in central Kabul run by the Swedish charity Operation Mercy.



"A Finnish lady was kidnapped from [a] police district last night at 11.30. A German lady and an Afghan guard were killed," said Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry.



He said Kabul police have begun an investigation.



Finnish authorities confirmed that one of its citizens had been kidnapped, adding that they were investigating the incident in coordination with Kabul authorities.



"At the moment, the identity of the kidnappers is not known. Finland urges immediate release of the kidnapped person," the Finnish Foreign Ministry said in a May 21 statement.



Operation Mercy is an NGO that works with rural communities on issues such as reducing infant mortality and women's empowerment.



Aid workers have become increasingly targeted across Afghanistan, especially in Kabul, in recent years.



Judith D'Souza, a 40-year-old Indian employee of the Aga Khan Foundation, was rescued in July, one month after she was kidnapped near her residence in Kabul.



Katherine Jane Wilson, an Australian aid worker, was kidnapped in April in the city of Jalalabad. She was released in March.



The spate of attacks came as Taliban militants launched their annual spring offensive in late April, prompting a new surge of fighting in the country.

With reporting by AFP and AP
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered Russian troops to withdraw from the west bank of the Dnieper River in the partially occupied Kherson region of Ukraine, another retreat amid a number of setbacks for Moscow on battlefields in Ukraine's east and southeast.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

"Begin to pull out troops," Shoigu said at a televised meeting with the commander of Russian troops in Ukraine, Army General Sergei Surovikin, on November 9, adding that the withdrawal must be implemented in "the nearest future."



"The lives of the Russian military personnel are always a priority for us. We must also take into account threats imposed on the civilian population and make sure that all civilians who chose to leave can do so," Shoigu said. "We also need to start withdrawing the troops and undertake all necessary measures to secure the move of military personnel, arms, and equipment to the other side of the Dnieper."



Kherson was the first city fully captured by Russia during what Moscow calls a "special military operation" and the only regional capital controlled by the Russians since the offensive began on February 24.



Ukraine's forces for weeks have been capturing villages as they advance toward the city, and Kremlin-installed leaders in Kherson have been evacuating civilians.

Earlier on November 9, the Moscow-installed deputy head of the Kherson region, Kirill Stremousov, died in a car crash.



Shoigu's order came after Surovikin said it was impossible to deliver supplies to the city of Kherson and other areas on the western bank of the Dnieper River.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces were strengthening their positions "step by step" in the south.



"There is a lot of joy in the information space today, and it is clear why, but...the enemy will make no gifts to us," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.



Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelenskiy, said earlier on Twitter that the Ukrainian side sees "no signs that Russia is leaving Kherson without a fight."



Part of the Russian group remains in Kherson city, he said, adding that additional reserves are being sent to the region. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, are "liberating territories based on intelligence data, not staged TV statements," he said.



Zelenskiy has suggested that the Russians could fake a retreat in order to lure the Ukrainian Army into an entrenched battle in Kherson city.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden said Moscow's order to withdraw from Kherson was "evidence of the fact that they have some real problems with the Russian military."

Moscow and Russian-installed officials in Kherson have said for weeks that they are evacuating residents of Kherson -- both the city and the region -- to "other parts of the Russian Federation" for their safety. Ukraine has said the Russian move amounted to their forced deportation.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the withdrawal announced by Shoigu is "part of an overall pattern or picture we have seen over the last month that Russia has absolutely lost the momentum."



But Stoltenberg also cautioned against underestimating Russia.



"They still have capabilities," he said in an interview with Sky News during a visit to London. "We have seen the drones. We have seen the missile attacks. It shows that Russia can still inflict a lot of damage."

Kherson is considered by many military analysts as the most important of the four partially occupied Ukrainian regions that Russia announced as annexed in September.



It controls both the only land route to Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimean Peninsula and the mouth of the Dnieper River that bisects Ukraine.



Earlier on November 9, Russia launched multiple suicide drones on Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, wounding people and damaging civilian facilities, the head of the regional military administration said, as fierce battles were under way in the eastern Donetsk region and in the south.



"The occupiers attacked the area massively with kamikaze drones, said Governor Valentyn Reznichenko. Ukrainian air defense destroyed some of the drones, but others hit targets. The Russian forces also used drones in an attack on the city of Dnipro, targeting a logistics enterprise. Reznichenko said four employees were wounded, and three of them are in serious condition in hospital.



Russian forces also bombarded the Nikopol district in the region with Grad missiles and heavy artillery. Reznichenko said the shelling damaged private houses, a factory, and a power line, but people were not injured.



Zelenskiy vowed Ukraine will not surrender a single centimeter of our land in Donetsk, where heavy fighting has been under way, and he thanked Ukrainian troops who are holding positions in the Donbas region.



The epicenter of the battle for the industrial region of Donetsk is around the towns of Bakhmut, Soledar, and Avdiyivka.



"The activity of the occupiers remains at an extremely high level -- dozens of attacks every day," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address late on November 8.



"They are suffering extraordinarily high losses. But the order remains the same -- to advance on the administrative boundary of the Donetsk region. We will not yield a single centimeter of our land," he said.

Donetsk is one of four Ukrainian regions Russia said it annexed in September following referendums deemed as sham by Kyiv and its Western allies.



Fighting had been going on there between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatist forces since 2014, the same year Russia illegally annexed Crimea.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and CNN
China hosted an international conference for the ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR) trade transportation network on May 14-15.

The conference brought together leaders from 30 different countries, including three presidents from Central Asia -- Kazakhstans Nursultan Nazarbaev, Kyrgyzstans Almazbek Atambaev, and Uzbekistans Shavkat Mirziyaev.

Central Asia borders China, and one could say Chinese projects in Central Asia were a basis for the concept of OBOR.

OBORs promise of enhanced trade and greater global connectivity is enticing but there are many aspects of OBOR that remain unclear. For example, who is paying for it.

On this week's Majlis podcast, we discuss Central Asias role in OBOR.

Moderating the discussion was RFE/RL Media Relations Manager Muhammad Tahir. From Bishkek, Przemtslow Ozierski, the deputy director of the Central Asia Strategic Center for Analysis, Dialogue and Development took part in the talk. From London, Dr. Raffaello Pantucci (@raffpantucci), director of International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute, joined in. From Spain, Nicolas de Pedro (@nicolasdepedro), a research fellow in charge of the post-Soviet space at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, contributed his insight to the discussion. And I really enjoy the big picture stuff, so I said something also.

OBOR seeks to link more than 60 countries by road, rail, and sea in a new global trade network. Beijing has estimated some $1 trillion will be invested into developing this network.

Chinese President Xi Jinping first announced plans for OBOR in September 2013, but its origins go back to the 1990s when Beijing decided to develop the oil-rich Tarim Basin in Chinas western Xinjiang region.

Pantucci recalled, "There was this huge push to develop the west because the Chinese thought they needed to develop their western regions, so the investment and the attention was really in Xinjiang, but then theres no kind of logic to developing Xinjiang if the regions around it arent [developed]."

China made its first widely publicized entry into Central Asia in 1997, when it signed an agreement with Kazakhstan to construct an oil pipeline from western Kazakhstan to Xinjiang.

Between 2000 and 2010, fueled by Chinese loans and investment, a network of roads, railway lines, and pipelines was built between Central Asia and China.

OBOR already existed in Central Asia before Xi articulated it as a much grander project.

OBOR would enhance this infrastructure and turn Central Asia from an end-of-the-line region for trade with China into a transit region for trade extending from China into the Middle East and Europe.

In one of the promotional videos released ahead of the May OBOR conference, one actor says OBOR is "Chinas idea but it belongs to the world."

De Pedro said, "The Chinese are saying that the project is really neutral from a geopolitical and if you want from an ideological point of view." But he added, "Its mainly perceived, at least by the Central Asians, Russia, and Western Europeans, as a project which has huge geopolitical and strategic implications.

Central Asia does not have much choice except to open the regions doors to OBOR. The discussion noted that since the Central Asian states became independent in late 1991 upon the collapse of the Soviet Union, only China has really stepped in economically.

Speaking about Kyrgyzstan, Ozierski noted, "ts very important for Kyrgyzstan touse the OBOR projects...to escape from its landlocked perspective and open for the world.

That is true for all the Central Asian states, and new routes to China have already opened up new possibilities for trade.

But it comes at a cost.

Central Asias infrastructure has improved and continues to improve with Chinese help. But the Central Asian governments have been taking huge loans from China to implement these projects.

Pantucci said in some cases "these loans are being taken on with a certain level of care and attention and theres a thought to how are we going pay it back." But he added, "In some Central Asian contexts, you do question how ultimately that money is going to get paid back."

Kyrgyzstans Finance Ministry just reported the countrys debt to Chinas Exim Bank is some $1.54 billion, some 40 percent of Kyrgyzstans foreign debt and an amount Kyrgyzstan will be hard pressed to repay.

Similarly, China is Tajikistans biggest creditor, with Dushanbe now owing more than $1 billion, more than 40 percent of that Central Asian countrys external debt, and again a sum that seems beyond Tajikistans ability to pay back.

Ozierski said he believed there would come a time when China would have to write off some of this debt. But with China already having extended billions of dollars of loans for projects around the world and preparing to make another $124 billion available to help finance OBOR, writing off debts could spark a financially disastrous domino effect from poor nations involved in OBOR.

And de Pedro referred to an article from Pakistans Dawn newspaper last October that looked at Chinese projects and funding in Pakistan, taking the view of "the China-Pakistan corridor as a sort of new East India company, basically meaning that the pattern is a very colonial pattern."

There is another aspect of massive Chinese investment in Central Asia that now seems unavoidable and that is what security role China might play in the region in the interests of protecting its investments.

De Pedro said, "At some point, China will need to take a bigger role" in Central Asian security, despite distrust from not only the Central Asians but Russia as well.

The panel noted that China has been slowly increasing its security cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, despite larger regional organizations already involved in the region, such as the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Pantucci pointed out China has some doubts about the ability of the CSTO or the SCO to stem the problems of Islamic extremism in South and Central Asia. So, in August 2016, China created a new group with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan to fight terrorism, an organization Pantucci said that was "very much focused around Chinas concerns in those countries."

Pantucci said that despite what many think about Chinas intentions with the trade routes or OBOR in general, "I dont think this has all been very centrally planned out from Beijing."

"What is the consequence of when you, as a country, go into a country like Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan and become suddenly within the space of a short period of time the biggest sort of economic player in this country?" Pantucci asked.

The Majlis podcast looked at these matters in greater detail and discussed several other important facets of Central Asias growing connections to China and OBOR.

Listen to or download the Majlis podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes.
CHISINAU -- A protest march organized by Moldova's LGBT community on May 21 in the capital, Chisinau, was halted after just several hundred meters as police sought to avert a confrontation with participants in a counterprotest made up of "Orthodox priests and believers."



Scores of participants in the LGBT march, who were wearing white shirts with the logo of the No Fear social campaign, were evacuated in buses by police after eggs and water were thrown at them by those attenting the counterprotest.



The march had been called to protest what members of the LGBT community perceive as antigay legislation in Moldova.



Meanwhile, Moldova's pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, who has been critical of the LGBT community and its march, which he said contradicted "our traditional values," attended a separate counterrally in downtown Chisinau, called the Traditional Family Festival.



Dodon was accompanied by his children and was photographed with other children and parents.



On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, 10 ambassadors to Moldova issued a joint statement voicing hope that the LGBT march would take place without incident.

The statement was signed by the envoys of the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Iraqi military officials say the territory controlled by Islamic State (IS) militants in western Mosul has been reduced to 8 square kilometers, but the area includes the Old City, where the heaviest fighting of the campaign is likely still to come.

Iraqi special forces on May 20 said their troops had taken the area assigned to them but added they were ready "to support any other forces if we are ordered to by the prime minister."

Local reports say the militant group is now clinging to three neighborhoods -- Al-Shafaa, Al-Zinjiji, and the Old City. The districts are aligned along the western bank of the Tigris River.

The current offensive is aimed at capturing the densely populated and narrow Old City, where an estimated 500 IS fighters are believed to be holding out and using civilians as human shields.

The Old City houses the mosque where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his so-called caliphate in 2014.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's regional gathering in Jordan on May 20, Iraqi President Fuad Masum said he hoped Mosul would be fully liberated "in the next few days."

Iraqi forces backed by U.S. and coalition air support in October began the battle to liberate Mosul, the last major stronghold of the IS extremists in Iraq.

The eastern half was retaken earlier this year, and troops are facing fierce IS resistance in more heavily populated western Mosul.

IS fighters captured Mosul in 2014 as they gained wide swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in battles against government troops.

However, U.S.-led coalition forces have made major gains against the group, both in Mosul and in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the last major IS stronghold in that country.

The United Nations on May 18 said that up to 200,000 more people could flee Mosul as fighting in the city intensifies.

The numbers of people who are moving are now so large, its becoming more and more difficult to ensure civilians receive the assistance and protection they need," UN humanitarian coordinator Lise Grande said.

And despite the government forces gains in Mosul, two deadly bomb attacks claimed by IS in other parts of Iraq killed at least 27 people.

Near the oil-rich city of Basra, a suicide bombing at a checkpoint killed at least eight people  five civilians and three soldiers -- and wounded 41 others on May 19, the local military commander said.

IS claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement, saying it targeted Shi'ites.

The militant group also claimed responsibility for the double suicide bombings in the capital, Baghdad, that killed at least 19 people and injured 33.

With reporting by AP, dpa, Al-Masdar Al-'Arabi and The Independent
Some 1,000 people participated in a gay-pride march in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, on May 20 to protest actions by lawmakers they say will restrict their rights.



U.S. Ambassador Hans Klemm and some 30 other ambassadors were among those expressing support for the marchers and calling for the protection of LGBT rights.



The march has been held the past 13 years in Romania, which decriminalized homosexuality in 2001.



This years protest focused on an initiative recently approved by lawmakers that could amend the constitution to state that marriage is a union between a man and woman.



Current wording states marriage is a union between "spouses."



The marchers observed a moment of silence as they passed the Russian Embassy to express solidarity with gays in Chechnya.



The European Parliament on May 18 called on the authorities in Chechnya to allow international human rights organizations to conduct a credible investigation into the alleged crimes against men perceived to be gay in the North Caucasus republic amid reports many have been detained and tortured.



In nearby Moldova, leaders of the LBGT community said they will hold a march in Chisinau on May 21 to protest what they perceive as antigay legislation.



Moldovan President Igor Dodon has criticized the march, saying the "actions contradict our traditional values."

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, dw.com, and Interfax
Over the past five years, Iranian officials and state media have touted the "indigenous" ingenuity in the Islamic republic's mass-produced Mohajer-6 combat drone, which Russia has deployed in its war against Ukraine.

But a new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, has found that electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 are far from homegrown.



The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of such technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes  dual-use technology.

The presence of these components in the Mohajer-6 does not mean their producers are in violation of U.S. or EU sanctions, and RFE/RL does not have evidence that this is the case.

The investigation also found Mohajer-6 components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm that said it was "very sorry" that its products were being used in war.

At least one major foreign-produced component of the Mohajer-6 has previously been identified by reporters in a Mohajer-6 recovered from the battlefield by the Ukrainian military: an engine made by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products.

But Ukrainian intelligence assesses that the Iranian combat drone contains components from nearly three dozen different technology companies based in North America, the EU, Japan, and Taiwan, the Schemes investigation has found. A majority of these companies are based in the United States.



A Schemes reporter who personally inspected the foreign-made drone parts identified components produced by at least 15 of these manufacturers.

These include parts made by the U.S. technology firm Texas Instruments, which said in a statement that it does not sell into Russia or Iran and complies with applicable laws and regulations.

To identify these components, Schemes reporters examined parts of the Mohajer-6 drone that the Ukrainian military shot down over the Black Sea near the Mykolayiv region coastal town of Ochakiv. They also reviewed Ukrainian intelligence records on the sources of these components.

The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China.

Both Western officials and experts on illicit technology transfers say Iran has built a broad, global procurement network using front companies and other proxies in third countries to obtain dual-use technology from the United States and the EU.

"Exporters will look at the request coming from the [United Arab Emirates] or another third country, and they'll think that they're selling to an end user based there, when really the end user is in Iran," Daniel Salisbury, a senior research fellow with the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL.

In September, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions specifically targeting Iranian companies that Washington links to the production and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for deployment in its war on Ukraine. Fighting rages with no sign of an end more than eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion on February 24.

"Non-Iranian, non-Russian entities should also exercise great caution to avoid supporting either the development of Iranian UAVs or their transfer, or sale of any military equipment to Russia for use against Ukraine," U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement announcing the sanctions.

Chinese Cameras, California Chips

Development of the Mohajer-6, the latest model in a series of drones Tehran has used since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, began in 2017, while mass production began the following year. During a ceremony commemorating the Islamic Revolution, then-Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said that the new tactical drone could perform surveillance, reconnaissance, as well as help destroy targets.

Hatami extolled what he described as the drones domestic design, a portrayal echoed in later reports by Iranian media.

"The homegrown drone was made through cooperation among the army, Defense Ministry, and Quds Aviation Industries," the English-language Tehran Times quoted an Iranian military official as saying in July 2019.

The dismantling of the Mohajer-6 drone recovered by the Ukrainian military shows that the UAV is packed with foreign components.

One of these parts is a bright-orange real-time mini-camera produced by the Hong Kong-based company RunCam Technology. Documents seen by Schemes show that Ukrainian intelligence has also identified RunCam as the producer of the camera, which likely assists in remote guidance of the drone.

Founded in 2013, RunCam is involved in the development and production of so-called "first-person-view" real-time cameras. "Our users are our friends," the company's website states. The site says that RunCam has two authorized Iranian dealers.

Reached by Schemes for comment about the use of its camera in the Iranian drone deployed by Russia in its war on Ukraine, RunCam said in an e-mailed response: "We are very sorry to know that RunCam's products were used in warfare. RunCam is specialized in producing products for model aircraft hobby. We never contact any customer related to military."

The provenance of the Mohajer-6 drone-s thermal-imaging camera is more difficult to determine. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment reviewed by Schemes indicates it could be the Ventus Hot model produced by Sierra-Olympic Technologies, based in the U.S. state of Oregon, but that it also resembles a cheaper analog available for sale by the Chinese company Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology.

Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology said in an e-mailed statement that the company did not "have any business with Iran," because "it will affect our business." The company said it specializes in marine services and is not involved in manufacturing. It also said that it did not have a single successful order for its online advertisement of the thermal-imaging camera resembling the one recovered from the Iranian drone.

Sierra-Olympic Technologies did not respond to a request for comment on the possible use of its thermal-imaging cameras in Iranian combat drones in time for publication.

Microchips recovered from the drone also featured the logos of the California-based company Linear Technology Corporation and its parent company, the Massachusetts-based semiconductor company Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). ADI did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment on the possible use of its technology in the Iranian combat drone.

Schemes reporters also observed among the components of the Iranian drone a voltage step-down converter produced by Texas Instruments. The company said in an e-mailed statement that it "does not sell into Russia, Belarus, or Iran."

"TI complies with applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we operate, and does not support or condone the use of our products in applications they weren't designed for," Texas Instruments said.

Schemes reporters also saw several components produced by the California-based technology manufacturer Xilinx, whose parent company is the multinational semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), also based in California.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, one of these Xilinx components was integrated into a video data-link module located in the wing of the Mohajer-6 that helped carry out attack missions.

"This module transmits information from the board to the missile head. That is, guidance for the missile. With the help of this module, it was possible to guide the missile to the target," a Ukrainian military intelligence representative told Schemes.

AMD did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

'No Authorization'

Previous media reports about the components of the Mohajer-6 drone, including by CNN, have shown evidence that its engine was produced by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, whose parent company is the Quebec-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).

The Canadian company responded to the reports on October 21, saying in a statement that it "has not authorized and has not given any authorization to its distributors to supply military UAV manufacturers in Iran or Russia."

"As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we started an investigation to determine the source of the engines," BRP said. .

But Schemes reporters found that the authorized Rotax distributor listed on the Austrian manufacturer's website advertised itself as a Rotax aircraft engines distributor for Iran as recently as December 2020.

The distributor, the Italian company Luciano Sorlini S.p.a., has posted multiple magazine advertisements on its websites in which it describes itself as a Rotax distributor for numerous countries. Prior to January 2021, Iran was listed among these countries.

The Rotax website also lists a Tehran-based company -- MahtaWing -- as an official service center for its engines. The company, known in Persian as Mahtabal, conducts repairs of Rotax engines, including the Rotax 912 iS, the engine that was found in the Mohajer-6 combat drone recovered in Ukraine.

BRP said in an e-mailed statement on November 4 that while Luciano Sorlini S.p.a. is the appointed distributor of Rotax aircraft engines in Iran, "since 2019, no Rotax engines have been sold in Iran, and we will not sell any engines to Iran moving forward."

The Canadian company said it had "internal controls" that "significantly" restrict the sale of its products for military purposes.

"For example, the sale of any BRP product to operators with any military activity in Iran, Turkey, and Russia is strictly prohibited," BRP said. "We conduct our business in compliance with all EU, Canadian, and U.S. applicable regulations."

BRP described the Iranian company MahtaWing as a "local service center" that "offers maintenance services for previously sold aircraft engines."

Shahriar Siami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report.
U.S. President Donald Trump slammed the Iranian regime during a landmark speech on May 21 in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. Speaking at the Arab Islamic American Summit, attended by more than 50 regional leaders, Trump criticized Iran for bolstering Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his "unspeakable crimes." Trump also encouraged the leaders to "pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve."(Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a "coalition of nations" in the Middle East to come together with the aim of "stamping out extremism" during a landmark speech on May 21, the second day of his visit to Saudi Arabia.



In his address to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, before more than 50 regional leaders, Trump also accused Iran of fueling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror" and called for its international isolation.



Trump put the onus in the fight against extremism on the region, telling Muslim leaders that they must "drive out" the terrorists in their countries



"A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists," he said. "Drive them out. Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of the holy land."



Trump promised "that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others, but to outstretch our hands in the spirit of cooperation and trust."



"This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations," Trump said. "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil."

"We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump added. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership based on shared interests and values."

WATCH: Trump Urges Arab, Muslim Leaders To 'Drive Out The Terrorists'

Trump's stance was later underlined by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart.

"The president is clearly indicating that this fight of good against evil has nothing to do with religion. It has nothing to do with country. It has nothing to do with ethnicity," Tillerson said.

Much of the focus during the summit was on countering what Gulf states see as the threat from Iran, which opposes Saudi Arabia in a range of regional conflicts from Syria to Yemen.



Sitting alongside Trump, Saudi King Salman declared, "The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism."



Trump himself criticized Tehran for supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying Tehran's support allowed Assad to commit "unspeakable crimes" during Syria's six-year civil war.



"From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region," Trump said.

"Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it," he added.

Tillerson added that Tehran has Iran continued "its hegemonic activities in this region."

"We will continue to take action through sanctions and we will continue to encourage others in the global community to take action as well so that Iran understands this is not acceptable," he added.

Earlier on May 21, Trump met with leaders of the countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh. The Gulf Cooperation Council consists of six Arab nations which are traditional allies of the United States -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump's address was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as president.



The speech is one of the key moments of his first foreign trip, which will also take him to Israel, Vatican City, a Group of Seven meeting in Sicily, and a NATO gathering in Brussels.



It was closely watched given the anti-Muslim comments by Trump during his presidential campaign and his attempt after his inauguration to institute a temporary U.S. entry ban on nationals and refugees from several Muslim-majority countries, although not including Saudi Arabia.



After leaving Saudi Arabia, Trump will arrive in Israel for a May 22 meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a visit to the Western Wall and the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

With reporting by AP and Reuters
Bir lehlu (Liberated Territories), 18 May 2017 (SPS) -The government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (the SADR) and the Frente POLISARIO, announced today the detention of a second vessel carrying a cargo of phosphate rock illegally mined and sold from occupied Western Sahara. The motor vessel Ultra Innovation was detained last night in Panama under court order while transiting the Panama Canal en route to Canada.

The motor vessel is carrying phosphate rock, estimated at 55,000 tonnes and valued around $6 million USD is considered to be bound for Agrium Inc. through the Port of Vancouver, consistent with a pattern of shipments for the company and a chartering of vessels managed by the Danish firm Ultrabulk A/S.

The m.v. Ultra Innovation,part of a fleet of bulk carriers constructed with financial assistance from Canadas Canpotex potash export consortium, of which Agrium is a part owner, had been tracked prior to its arrival late last month at El Aauin on the coast of Western Sahara. Ultrabulk ships have featured in about one-third of shipments to Agrium since the company announced in September 2011 that it would begin imports from Morocco.

Mr Emhamed Khadad, member of the Frente Polisario, leadership and the senior SADR official responsible for natural resources, remarked that: We are optimistic this second recourse to applying the law to bring an end to the blatant, theft of a resource belonging to a people under occupation will demonstrate our resolve.

The May 1 interdiction of a cargo passing through South Africa and todays step in Panama, are part of ongoing measures to seek justice against in the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara and enhance the rule of law in the advancement of self-determination for the Saharawi people.

From the outset of shipments for the company into the Port of Vancouver in the second half of 2013, the SADR government has attempted to engage Agrium, routinely protesting individual shipments and in 2016 rejecting an inadequate human rights evaluation done on request of the company as failing to explain the essentials facts of occupation and serious human rights abuses in that part of Western Sahara held by Morocco.

A basic starting point to thinking about Western Sahara, remarked Khadad, is the conclusion of the International Court of Justice in 1975 that Morocco does not have any territorial right or claim to Western Sahara. Then add to this the pronouncement of the UN General Assembly that the territory is occupied. Theres nothing complex about territorial annexation and a selling of what is stolen property  in the face of our repeated constant protests  out the front door of our house. After years of calling for an end to this trade and seeking creation of United Nations oversight of our resources until its commitment to provide a referendum of self-determination of the Saharawi people is fulfilled, it was time to resort to the rule of law in the international order.

The detention of the two vessels, that in South Africa on May 1 and was bound for the New Zealand importer Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited (54,000 tonnes; $7 million NZD), follows a case brought for the Saharawi people in the Court of Justice of the European Union. The case, with an appeal issued by the full court, concluded that Morocco had no territorial rights or claim in Western Sahara, and that a European Union free trade agreement could not extend to operate in the territory.

The court particularly noted that the consent of the Saharawi people was needed for the trade or otherwise agreements concerning such things as natural resources.

Khadad explained that: The Saharawi people wanted their government to act. We could no longer tolerate the myth that the mining and export of phosphate rock was somehow a benefit to that part of our people under occupation inside Western Sahara. And our people in the refugee camps havent seen anything from the trade. Consider this: A high quality phosphate rock for agricultural fertilizer is sold at a profit and benefits the nutrition of children in countries such as Canada and New Zealand. Meanwhile, the rightful owners of the resource, including Saharawi children, face poor food security in refugee camps. The injustice of this situation could not be more apparent.

It is expected following such legal steps that Saharawi government authorities would take legal action against all the conspirators in the illegal trade of resources of Western Sahara and would pursue individual ship owners for future cargos, including later civil claims against them in specific countries where port calls are made.

he detention of the cargo aboard the Ultra Innovation comes one day before the South Africa High Court is scheduled to consider its May 1 direction for interdiction of the New Zealand bound cargo.SPS

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WILLIAMS -- It was lunchtime on a breezy Wednesday as John Moore walked down the streets of Williams. The city's cowboy hat-wearing mayor greeted passersby, waved to employees in store windows and bantered with tourists, even edging his way into one Chinese couples selfie of downtown.

Less than 15 years ago this time of day you would walk downtown and there would be no people, no cars, Moore said.

In this former logging town that lies smack in the middle of a massive forest restoration project, the focus, at least for the mayor, is squarely on tourism.

Tourism is our business, Moore said as he made his way down Railroad Avenue.

Mike Besler tells the same story.

Besler owns three souvenir stores in downtown Williams with his wife, Jacque. When the couple arrived in town 15 years ago, there were cracked windows, empty spaces downtown and when 5 p.m. came around, businesses would close their doors, Besler said.

Now, his store stays open until midnight in the summer and he isnt even the last one to close. The off season has shrunk drastically and no longer is a time when business owners completely close up shop and head out of town for a few months, Besler said.

Instead of Flagstaff, where stores close later in the evening and bars open to cater to 20-something crowds, in Williams its the stores that have their doors open late, Besler said.

Moore even ventured to say that Williams has surpassed Flagstaff when it comes to its downtown.

Besler credits three tourism mainstays -- Bearizona Wildlife Park, the Grand Canyon Railway and Williams' Route 66-centric downtown -- for bringing a constant stream of tourists to the city. Williams also gets many visitors headed to or from Grand Canyon National Park and when the park sees visitation climb, as it has in the past five years, Williams businesses see that bump, too, he said. Gas prices that are still relatively cheap also nudge up visitation, Besler said.

With two new hotels in town and another one under construction, development reflects a growth in tourism as well, he said.

At the same time, the city has its struggles.

Housing is the biggest challenge in Beslers opinion. The citys workforce is service-oriented and the housing simply isnt affordable for people who are working those lower-wage jobs, he said. The limited housing stock makes it hard for business owners to find employees, he said. He has workers who commute from Ash Fork and Flagstaff.

Elizabeth Goodrich, who is one of Beslers employees at Colors of the West, said she was lucky to find an affordable place to rent for $500 per month. But even then she wasnt getting anywhere with so much of her paycheck going to rent every month, so she moved back in with her parents who also live in town.

Moore is aware of the housing shortage as well. The city doesnt have the money to offer something like incentives for affordable housing, he said. Instead, the city needs to let developers know that it is business-friendly and will work with them on things like streamlining permits, he said.

In truth I think we don't get as many developers as we might get if we did not have a reputation of being a tough community to develop in, Moore said. But those days are gone.

The city has eliminated impact fees it once charged developers for permits and Moore insists that its other hookup fees are very affordable.

It also wasnt too long ago, in March 2015, that the city emerged after a year from the highest level of water restrictions. A dry winter had drawn down lake levels and, for a time, the city was operating with only one groundwater well.

The restrictions allowed water to be used only for household necessities and prohibited things like washing cars or watering lawns. They also didnt allow the city to issue any new building permits.

Since then, the city has sunk a new well that was confirmed to have water, though a pump hasnt been installed yet, and it has three other functioning wells.

The city is keeping a more careful eye on lake levels now, Moore said. He said it seems as though building permits have bounced back as well.

FOREST FOCUS

While housing and water are certainly important, ask James Perkins about the biggest threat facing the city, and he will respond with one word: fire. Perkins has lived in Williams for more than 50 years and owns Perkins Timber Harvesting, a logging company that has thinned thousands of acres around Flagstaff and Williams.

Now, he said its his goal to fireproof Williams, a job that requires reducing tree densities and clearing out smaller ladder fuels to make the forest less prone to high-severity fire.

He says getting through every fire season is like dodging another bullet.

Im so worried about these big fires burning up our town, he said.

Thinning the forests around Williams could completely change its future, he said.

One month a fire can come in and burn the town. The next month if it is thinned, it won't, he said.

Perkins' connections to logging in Williams run deep. His father moved the family to the area in 1966 to start work as a pulp wood logging contractor for Snowflake-based Southwest Lumber Mills. Perkins began logging at 15 and graduated from Williams High School, as did his four children and 11 grandchildren. He started his own company in 1976 and has been running it ever since.

His company has grown every year for the past three years and he has plans to hire two to three more people in the next couple of months.

While he loves the city, he said the narrow focus on tourism can be a challenge.

Its hard in Williams to do anything that doesn't really really support tourism, he said.

Moore said the city is certainly interested in forest restoration as it relates to the municipal water supply, which depends on runoff from Bill Williams Mountain. But anything more detailed about the workings of forest thinning are probably lost on most people, he said.

A lot of people if you ask in a general survey wouldn't even know what 4FRI was, he said, referring to the 2.4 million-acre Four Forest Restoration Initiative that encompasses much of the forest around Williams.
Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through three segments: MedSurg, Rhythm and Neuro, and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. It also provides medical technologies to diagnose and treat rate and rhythm disorders of the heart comprising 3-D cardiac mapping and navigation solutions, ablation catheters, diagnostic catheters, mapping catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories; spinal cord stimulator systems for the management of chronic pain; indirect decompression systems; and deep brain stimulation systems. In addition, the company offers interventional cardiology products, including drug-eluting coronary stent systems used in the treatment of coronary artery disease; percutaneous coronary interventions products to treat atherosclerosis; intravascular catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters, fractional flow reserve devices, and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as various peripheral vessels; and structural heart therapies. Further, it provides stents, balloon catheters, wires, and atherectomy systems to treat arterial diseases; thrombectomy and acoustic pulse thrombolysis systems, wires, and stents to treat venous diseases; and peripheral embolization devices, radioactive microspheres, ablation systems, cryotherapy ablation systems, and micro and drainage catheters to treat cancer. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Dollar General Corporation, a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, Midwestern, and eastern United States. It offers consumable products, including paper and cleaning products, such as paper towels, bath tissues, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, disinfectants, and laundry products; packaged food comprising cereals, pasta, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, sugar, and flour; and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine. The company's consumable products also comprise snacks, such as candies, cookies, crackers, salty snacks, and carbonated beverages; health and beauty products, including over-the-counter medicines and personal care products, such as soaps, body washes, shampoos, cosmetics, and dental hygiene and foot care products; pet supplies and pet food; and tobacco products. In addition, it offers seasonal products comprising holiday items, toys, batteries, small electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid phones and accessories, gardening supplies, hardware, and automotive and home office supplies; and home products that include kitchen supplies, cookware, small appliances, light bulbs, storage containers, frames, candles, craft supplies and kitchen, and bed and bath soft goods. Further, the company provides apparel, which comprise casual everyday apparel for infants, toddlers, girls, boys, women, and men, as well as socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes, and accessories. As of February 25, 2022, it operated 18,190 stores in 47 states in the United States. The company was formerly known as J.L. Turner & Son, Inc. and changed its name to Dollar General Corporation in 1968. Dollar General Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Southern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc and lead. It operates the Toquepala and Cuajone open-pit mines, and a smelter and refinery in Peru; and La Caridad, an open-pit copper mine, as well as a copper ore concentrator, a SX-EW plant, a smelter, refinery, and a rod plant in Mexico. The company also operates Buenavista, an open-pit copper mine, as well as two copper concentrators and two operating SX-EW plants in Mexico. In addition, it operates five underground mines that produce zinc, lead, copper, silver, and gold; a coal mine that produces coal and coke; and a zinc refinery. The company has interests in 82,134 hectares of exploration concessions in Peru; 493,533 hectares of exploration concessions in Mexico; 246,346 hectares of exploration concessions in Argentina; 29,888 hectares of exploration concessions in Chile; and 7,299 hectares of exploration concessions in Ecuador. Southern Copper Corporation was incorporated in 1952 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Southern Copper Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Americas Mining Corporation.
The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A  Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited.

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Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
The May long weekend is the traditional kickoff to cottage season. But long before the snow melted this spring, equity-rich baby boomers from the city had been turning up the heat on resort-area real estate.

Agents in Muskoka and Haliburton say most of the action is down to a new breed of older buyer: 50-somethings, cashing out and driving north to retire or telecommute. Many maintain a condo in the GTA or they go south in the winter.

Torontos runaway real estate market, which has only recently started to cool, is still radiating heat into cottage country, according to Mike Taylor, an agent with Port Carling Chestnut Park and president of the Lakelands Association of Realtors, which represents 680 realtors in Muskoka, Haliburton and Orillia.

Its latest statistics show waterfront property sales up 5.1 per cent this year to date, compared with 2016. The value of that property, however, surged 51.4 per cent year over year in April, to $118.1 million. The median price of $485,000 was up 30.4 per cent from last April.

We havent seen a slowdown like the Toronto market has over the last month as yet, but it may be filtering our way. As the end of May comes and we are getting more listings put on the market for waterfront, it will be interesting to see how that all plays out, Taylor said.

But many cottages never hit the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that provides real estate association data. A lot of agents find a buyer and seller before the property even goes on the market, said Bob Clarke, a Port Carling-based broker.

He said the inventory of listings is at historic lows  down about 30 per cent from 2015 levels. Prices, however, are up about 26 per cent on the small lakes and about 41 per cent on the big three lakes: Muskoka, Joseph and Rosseau.

Typically, Muskoka doesnt see a lot of bidding wars and vacation homes can sometimes take up to two years to sell. But Clarke said competitive offers have been popping up since the fall, with many properties selling in a day, and it isnt even high season.

Were putting places out there and getting 30 showings in a day and a half, said Clarke, who is president of Royal LePage Lakes of MuskokaClarke Muskoka Realty.

The trouble is, he said, this is supposed to be the slow season. Usually only 12 per cent of the companys transactions occur in the first four months of the year.

In Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, entry-level homes in the $229,000 to $279,000 bracket are selling for $30,000 or $40,000 over asking, he said.

Torontonians have hit the Lotto Max jackpot and they come up here and say, Who cares? Whats $299,000 instead of $279,000? Clarke said.

Ninety minutes east, Troy Austen, with Team Haliburton Highlands Re/Max, says one of his clients put it best.

He said he felt like hed won the lottery, Austen said. I just sold my house for $1 million. I can make the same money with what I do in Haliburton and I bought a 50-acre farm  no mortgage  and money in the bank.

Austen usually spends his winters travelling. Hes been all over the world because once the snow flies, the cottage market typically shuts down.

Not this year.

This year it never stopped. Real estate left over after the summer continued to sell and buyers were on the prowl even after the lakes froze.

Its my 22nd year (in the business) and Ive never seen it this busy in the winter, he said.

Its not just housing trends and demographics. Austen said the Internet has finally put Haliburton on the map for its relative affordability and proximity to the city.

The taxes are way less, the prices are way less and, coming out of the GTA, were anywhere from two hours to two hours and 45 minutes from downtown, he said.

Although less expensive cottages always sell faster, every price range right now is hot and active up to $1.5 million in Haliburton County, Austen said.

Buyers, he said, are looking for a dream home.

Everybodys looking for a 400-foot frontage lot or teardown, Austen said. All of the contractors are booked a year and two years out. Its good for the economy.

The same quest is taking a toll on the traditional fabric of Muskoka, says Hugh Nichols, a Re/Max North Country agent in Gravenhurst. Cottaging has become more sophisticated, he says.

I dont think its so much an escape where you went up to the cabin and your mom didnt yell at you when you left your wet bathing suit on the floor. Now theyve got them finished with granite countertops and drywall, and carpeting or hardwood floors throughout. Your mom would die if you left your bathing suit on the floor now, he said.

The demand is for three-season (cottages) where 10 years ago people were happy with a seasonal cottage. We have investors and contractors who are buying them to improve them or rebuild to flip, or weve got investors who are buying to rent, said Nichols, who admits entry-level cottages for young families are limited.

It is possible, but thats not our major market. Id like to see that again. I dont see a lot of 40-and-unders buying, he said.

Last week, Nichols said, there were only seven waterfront properties listed under $500,000. The lowest was a cabin for $179,000 on a narrow bend of river. It might suit a kayaker but you couldnt water-ski there.

On the big three lakes, there were 51 properties listed with an average price of $3 million.

Privacy is still the key factor when it comes to price. Up here, the definition of privacy is when you can stand on your front deck naked and nobody can see you. You need 200 feet of waterfront to do that  the younger people know theyll have to pay to get a smaller waterfront where you can see the neighbour, he said.

A boathouse requires similar water frontage.

Theres not much call for the rustic cottages of a generation or two back, says Clarke, who is also a builder.

Places Im building now have 20-seat theatres; we have walls of glass that open to the outside; gas and wood fire pits; butlers pantries. And those are the ones that are $10 million-plus and theyre often the least used, he said.

Custom builds are so popular, Clarke said. We are very quickly reaching the point where we do not have vacant lots on Rosseau, Muskoka and Joseph. Theyre basically (as scarce as) hens teeth.

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Its pre-dawn in the Sonoran Desert near the Western U.S.-Mexico boundary, where I have been magically whisked barefoot and bewildered by advanced cinema technology, and a ragged group of migrants is heading toward me.

I cant walk! a voice cries in Spanish, as an exhausted middle-aged woman falls to the sandy ground, which is dotted with scrub bush and stunted cacti. A younger woman goes to her aid, and I rush over to try to assist, but I go unnoticed.

As I try to make sense of the half-dark horizon  is that red light in the sky the planet Mars?  the migrants, about a dozen in all, start yelling and running for cover behind the rough vegetation. I join them, my heart racing, as I realize the red light is an approaching helicopter, with a powerful searchlight that strafes the desert floor. The sand is cool on my feet and I can feel the wind of the chopper blades as I think of a scene from Apocalypse Now.

The helicopter is joined by Humvees containing U.S. Border Control cops from nearby Arizona, who are on the prowl for illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America.

Put your hands on your head where we can see them! the cops shout. Get on your hands and knees!

I obey the instructions, as do the migrants, as I begin to understand what it must feel like to be one of the thousands of desperate people who each year attempt to enter the U.S. illegally, through a desert route so hot and desolate, parts of it are referred as The Devils Highway or Road of the Dead.

The incredible scene Im describing is from Carne y Arena (Flesh and Sand), a next-level virtual reality installation at the Cannes Film Festival by Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (The Revenant, Birdman) and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubeski, Oscar winners both, who want to give people an idea of what it really feels like to be a person so desperate to start a new life in America, theyre willing to risk their lives to get in.

This is unlike any VR experience Ive ever had, and the most immersive movie experience Ive ever engaged with. Suddenly, the future world of science fiction seems very here and now.

The installation is in a hangar in a small airport, about a 20-minute drive along the Riviera waterfront from the centre of Cannes. Little explanation is given as I am escorted by a guide to a room roughly 50 feet square, located behind a billboard-sized piece of corrugated steel that used to be part of the actual boundary wall between Mexico and Arizona. It was previously used as makeshift helicopter pad for U.S. troops fighting the Vietnam War.

Dont be afraid to interact with the installation, the guide says, as she points me to a door where I am to enter alone. Experience it less as a journalist and more as a human being.

Through the door is a small antechamber where a sign instructs me to remove my shoes and socks and place them in a locker in the wall. On another wall are shoes, bags and other possessions left by migrants who have attempted the desert border crossing, many succeeding but a significant number failing  6,000 of them dying in the sand over one seven-year stretch.

A buzzer sounds and a light flashes, instructing me to pass through another door. Inside the dimly lit room, with sand on the floor, three men greet me and help me to put on an Oculus Rift VR headset that fits like a snug helmet, but also cover my eyes and ears. Im also fitted with a small backpack attached to a large suspended cable that looks like a robotic umbilical cord.

The men tell me to freely walk around, but warn that if I feel a buzzing in my back  like a cellphone vibrating in your pocket  I am about to hit a real wall. All I have to do is step back and head in another direction.

And then I am in the desert scene described above, for an experience that lasts just six-and-a-half minutes but creates a memory that will last a lifetime  especially the moment where one of the border cops notices me, shines his flashlight in my eyes and orders me to get on my hands and knees, with hands on my head.

I comply, but lose my balance and fall onto one of the migrants, or rather into him. I briefly see his beating heart as I right myself and get back onto my knees. He hasnt noticed me because I am virtually present, physically invisible, to quote the installations slogan.

No experience in Carne y Arena will ever be the same for any visitor, Inarritu says in notes for the installation. We created a truthful alternate space where you as a visitor will walk alongside the immigrants (and into their minds) with infinite possibilities and perspectives within a vast landscape, but you will go on your own terms.

When the experience ends and I am led through yet another door to a small room to retrieve my socks and shoes, I linger at a photo display on the wall. It shows the faces and tells the personal stories of the real people of all ages I saw in the VR desert, who told their stories to Inarritu. Some even contributed the clothing they wore while making their dangerous cross-border treks.

I do not wish this journey on my worst enemy, says Jessica, 17, from the Honduras, who travelled to Mexico and then across the desert to Arizona because friends told her the U.S. is a paradise of work.

I know that most of us are good people, says another migrant, a 22-year-old from El Salvador named Francisco.

Tell that to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a great wall between Mexico and the United States, to keep out the rapists and criminals he claims are among the Mexican immigrants seeking new homes in America.

Carne y Arena is premiering at Cannes as the first-ever VR pick for the festivals Official Selection. After Cannes it will have its begin a tour that includes Milan, Los Angeles and Mexico City, with more places likely to come.

Its not yet ready for mass consumption  just 100 people per day can view Carne y Arena  but it points to a fast-approaching future when we wont just be watching movies, well be inside them, experiencing stories in ways that we have previously only dreamed of.

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When a new national journalism startup launches this summer, it will be funded largely by universities and powered by academics, but aimed at as broad a public audience as possible.

Its a new twist in the information landscape.

The Conversation is a web-based modelof what is being called academic journalism, which is really just a way of distinguishing it from news journalism, says Alfred Hermida, director of the journalism school at the University of British Columbia and a co-founder of the project with colleague Mary Lynn Young.

Essentially what were talking about is explanatory journalism, written by academics working with a team of editors, he says. So journalism that provides greater context and explanation for things that are happening in the news. And of course this happens already in journalism. Its not completely new.

But there is less of that kind of journalism in Canada as the news industry declines. And thats one of the challenges here. The reality is that newsrooms are increasingly short-staffed. Were not trying to replace the newsroom, but rather were complementing and enhancing the journalism in Canada through this different approach.

Read more: The Prairie pioneers of collaboration

You cant have too much information, Hermida notes. And when you look around and see whos being paid to produce thoughtful analysis on relevant topics  well, academics are.

There are really smart academics in Canada doing remarkable work, who can help us understand our world, not just locally, regionally, nationally but internationally. And they increasingly want their research to be more broadly known and understood. They want to participate in the public discourse.

The Conversation is a network that began in Australia in 2011 and has since spread to the U.S., the U.K., France and Africa. Its an interesting model: The stories, which range from politics and science to culture and religion, are published on each countrys website but are also available free for republication  by anyone, anywhere, online or print  under a Creative Commons licence.

More than 400 Canadian academics had registered as wanting to contribute to The Conversation globally before the Canadian edition was even announced.

Yes, there will be a website called The Conversation Canada that you can go to, says Hermida, but the big emphasis is on outreach to audiences where they are  and getting the material published beyond The Conversation.

Worldwide, The Conversation attracts 4.8 million users per month, says Scott White, a former editor-in-chief of the Canadian Press news service who has just been named editor of The Conversation Canada. But through republication, that number goes up to 35 million.

There will be daily newsletters and pushing it out through Facebook and Twitter, he says. But the thing I like about this is that because its Creative Commons, more people can get to use it. And that will be a big part of our goal, to work with as many partners as we can to use the content.

White is meeting with traditional and new media across the country to discuss running Conversation material, and he has reached an agreement with The Canadian Press to distribute content to its clients on a separate channel from CPs own news wires.

Ive seen the content of the other international Conversation sites, and its very good, and its timely, says CP executive editor Gerry Arnold. Theyre quite nimble, they react well to providing analysis and insight and context to developing events, and I think it will resonate with serious journalists in Canada who are looking to add that type of independent commentary to what theyre doing.

The publics appetite for intelligent, fact-based information seems to be growing, says David Estok, vice-president of communications at the University of Toronto, which is a founding member of The Conversation Canada.

He links this with two stories in particular: I think it was shortly after Brexit and of course with the rise of Trump in the States that the sites really took off, Estok says. There was this recognition of a real need for high-quality, analytical, what were calling academic journalism. It was these people who are experts and evidence-based who were taking on a more journalistic approach and presenting their findings and their thinking.

And of course since then weve had a lot of coverage of fake news, alternative facts, continuing challenges facing media.

The Canadian edition is aiming for a soft launch this summer and to be in full production by Sept. 1, says White. Its a small team to start  White and three journalists to commission and edit material in collaboration with the academic contributors  and they want to cover as wide a spectrum as possible in the five or so stories they will be able to handle each day.

But the experience at other national Conversation sites is that science and technology are of particular interest to audiences, so they will be a focus here. In Canada, at one time, there would have been a lot of people assigned to cover science, all the STEM (science, technology, engineering, medicine) areas, White says. People had universities as a beat, and thats harder and harder for them to do now.

So will news outlets pick up the stories? White doesnt see why they wouldnt. Each article is accompanied by a disclosure statement from the academic to identify any funding or affiliations. Each article is edited by a journalist.

And each article is free.

But if its all free, whats the business model?

The Conversation Canada is set up as a non-profit organization, funded mostly by university membership fees but also with foundation money and federal research grants. Hermida wont give a number yet for how many universities are members, though he says they represent a cross-section of Canadian regions and school sizes. The site will be almost entirely in English but will have a French-language section, and will translate some articles, Hermida says. A separate Canadian site in French is under discussion, led by an academic group in Quebec.

Weve been working on securing at least a three-year runway for The Conversation Canada, but weve also been working on a 10-year financial model to lead toward sustainability, he says.

More university membership is a key part of that. The U.K. edition started in 2013 with the support of 13 universities; it now has six dozen. Its newsroom has grown from seven journalists to more than 20.

Were convinced that this is of such benefit to the academic sector because in some ways it helps them achieve their mission, which is unlocking the amazing expertise they have and making it accessible to the broader public, says Hermida.

He uses the Australian edition as an example: on the website, 80 per cent of the audience is non-academic.

Now within that, theres a significant audience of teachers, theres an audience of people working in government policy, theres people working in health care and medical services. So you can see some professions would have an interest here, he says. But its not a website for academics.

Hermida and Young wont be involved in The Conversation Canada operations, but they will continue doing research on whats working well, what topics resonate with Canadians.

From a research perspective, The Conversation Canada is our lab to investigate the impact of explanatory academic journalism, Hermida says.

And while, there is no magic bullet to keeping the public informed in the face of a declining news industry, cautions White, this is part of the solution. Not the entire solution, but I think it can be a really important part.

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OTTAWAJagmeet Singh speaks to his phone, which captures video of his smiling face in front of the Gothic facade of Canadas Parliament.

Sup everybody?! he asks, addressing his audience of 47,000 on Instagram.

I can never get over how cool that looks right there in the background  Look at that! So nice!

It was the Ontario politicians debut on the Hill, the day after he declared his candidacy for the federal NDP leadership at a rally in Brampton, where he has held a seat at the provincial level since 2011. Through the day, Singh expounded the broad strokes of his vision in a series of interviews and periodically updated his online audience in the upbeat cadence that has become his trademark.

This is campaigning Singh-style: a mixture of millennial colloquialism and social media posturing with earnest appeals for justice and a more inclusive Canada.

Whether it can win him the mantle of NDP leader, or subsequently help him wrench power from Justin Trudeau, is an open question.

Whats clearer at this point is that his style, both sartorial and as a politician, has earned him some hype. Good luck finding an article about him that doesnt mention his fancy menswear  his proclivity for tailored suits once landed him in the pages of GQ  or social media prowess.

His team has been able to build a pre-campaign buzz, said Karl Belanger, a longtime activist who has worked for Jack Layton and current leader Thomas Mulcair, commenting on the months of speculation about Singhs candidacy.

Every campaign was taking him seriously and waiting for him to make his move, Belanger said.

(The race) is shifting into a third gear.

With five months to go before New Democrats vote, Singh welcomes the early attention hes received. The task now is to transform his lustre in some political circles into support from party members and later, if all goes according to plan, the Canadian electorate.

He sat down with the Star for a wide-ranging interview at the National Press Building in Ottawa. He wore one of his signature, bespoke suits and a pink turban, which he unwrapped and replaced with an orange one partway through the interview. Conveniently enough, Singh explained, orange is both the Sikh colour of celebration and the shade of choice for the party he wants to lead.

If people see that Im dynamic and exciting and approachable, thats a good thing, Singh said.

But I want to get beyond that, to getting to the point where we dont only talk about and campaign on progressive ideas, we actually implement them.  Not just that feel-good appearance, but we have that feel-good policy and substance thats going to back it up.

Singh, who is now 38, was born in Scarborough as the eldest of three children, but grew up in Windsor after a brief stint living in Newfoundland.

He entered public life in 2011, when he ran federally for Jack Laytons NDP. But he wasnt carried to Ottawa with the Orange Wave. Instead, Singh landed at Queens Park that year as part of an NDP caucus that held the balance of power in Dalton McGuintys minority Liberal government. He was the first MPP in Ontario to wear a turban and also the first NDP politician to win a seat in Peel Region.

Coupled with his re-election in 2014, when he grew his share of the vote even as several NDP seats in the Greater Toronto Area flipped to the Liberals under Premier Kathleen Wynne, Singh positions his breakthrough in Peel Region as a harbinger for what he believes he can do as federal NDP leader  win.

Singh also had thoughts on the 2015 campaign under Mulcair, in which the NDP appeared poised to jump from Official Opposition to government, only to crash back into third place. Singh said the frequently heard analysis that Trudeau outflanked the NDP and stole left-leaning voters highlights how his partys progressive policies  national child care and pharmacare, for instance  werent properly communicated.

Mulcair simply didnt connect with Canadians, he said.

At the end of the day, there wasnt an emotional connection.

Singh said hes demonstrated that his style of campaigning can fix that.

Weve used social media in a unique and interesting way. Weve put forward content thats interesting, thats fun, but thats also packed with substance and ideas and values, he said.

Well use the strategies weve already used, but use them on a larger scale.

Singhs pitch to the party membership is that hes the sole candidate that can bring back voters who ditched the NDP for Trudeaus Liberals in the last election and also broaden the partys appeal to people whove never supported it before. He argued he can speak to everyone from urban cyclists and artists to new Canadians from diverse cultures and indigenous peoples.

Brad Lavigne, a longtime NDP strategist who was campaign manager for the Orange Wave election in 2011, told the Star that this is why hes volunteering for Singhs leadership.

Hes got the ability to connect with a cross-section of Canadians, he said.

Two potential obstacles for Singh include his status as an outsider in the parliamentary precinct, as well as what Belanger said was his lack of notoriety in Quebec, a key province in any federal election that provided the bulk of Laytons breakthrough in 2011.

Singh also said he hasnt decided when or where hell run federally if he wins the leadership, and whether hell still try to come to Ottawa as an NDP MP if he loses.

On the caucus front, Singh said he will win support by showing he can draw in people whove never voted NDP before. Essentially: build it and they will come. Plus, as Lavigne pointed out, Layton didnt have significant caucus support when he won the leadership in 2003.

Asked how he would win votes in Quebec, Singh expanded on a story he told at his campaign launch rally. In Grade 7 or 8, he realized there were parallels between the experiences of French Quebecers and his Punjabi-speaking parents in India, before they emigrated to Canada.

They faced a scenario where their language wasnt respected, he said. Understanding my parents helped me understand Quebec, and understanding Quebec helped me understand my parents.

You cant help but be compelled by that.

Singh acknowledged that his narrative might not be enough, and said he will roll out the specifics of his policy platform in the coming months. For now, he would only highlight broad areas of focus: electoral reform; climate change; reconciliation with indigenous peoples; and inequality.

He accused the Liberals of unjustifiably accepting precarious work as the new status quo, breaking their vows to change the electoral system and treat indigenous peoples with respect and of showing a lack of leadership by maintaining the previous governments greenhouse gas reduction targets.

They sold something that looked good and sounded good, and at the end of the day it wasnt actually what (voters) were told it would be, he said.

Thats the sense of dissatisfaction that people have, and I think its going to grow.

In other words, the path to power for Singhs NDP will be to convince enough people who voted Liberal in 2015 that Trudeau has betrayed them.

It just has to become Singhs NDP first.

JAGMEET SINGH ON HOT TOPICS

On his style as defence from racism:

I started wearing colours as a way to disrupt peoples negative stereotypes, or maybe just their assumptions.  When you dress in a well-fitted suit, well-tailored, it acts as armour to insulate you from these types of stereotypes.

On the NDP:

We need to be bold and unapologetic. I think that far too often New Democrats apologize for wanting to make peoples lives more just and more fair.

On calling out Donald Trump:

To have credibility on the international stage, we need to be strong on our beliefs when it comes to human rights. We need to have consistency on our beliefs of justice. We cant pick and choose when its easy.

On NAFTA:

We have to look at the interests of Canadians. Does it benefit the everyday Canadian or does it benefit an elite, small portion of Canadians?

On his vision for Canada:

I want to see a truly inclusive Canada, and I mean that in every way, in every sense of the word. Inclusive in the sense that every Canadian, every person, can realize their dreams.

Read more about:

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HANOI, VIETNAMCanada is prepared to start talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and is confident it will get a successful outcome, Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Sunday.

When you start a discussion you start with saying, Well, were the first client, Champagne said on the sidelines of a meeting of Asia-Pacific trade ministers in Hanoi. NAFTA, negotiated more than two decades ago, has been amended about 11 times so we said were happy to sit at the table, he said.

Robert Lighthizer, the new U.S. trade representative, has begun the process for renegotiating the three-way agreement with Canada and Mexico, issuing a 90-day notice to Congress.

Read more:

Reworked NAFTA could have labour, environment benefits: Freeland

On trade, Trump bellows but Canada keeps it cool: Tim Harper

Canada is ready for talks with U.S. about updating NAFTA, Freeland says

During his election campaign, President Donald Trump called NAFTA a disaster that cost millions of U.S. jobs and crippled the U.S. manufacturing sector. A few weeks ago, he was considering whether to pull out of the agreement entirely.

Champagne said some parts of the deal could be modernized, citing e-commerce, but he wouldnt say whether Canada had any limitations for the discussions.

We are very prepared and we are taking that very seriously, but well put things on the table when it comes to the time to negotiate, he said. I am confident, if history has been guiding us, that if we succeeded 11 times that we are likely to succeed again.

Champagne said he had a good first meeting, with Lighthizer in Vietnam during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum gathering. Whatever discussions you have start from the premise of a very fruitful relationship, he said.

Champagne also met Sunday with the 11 remaining members of the trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal from which Trump the U.S. in one of his first acts as president. The TPP would have included 40 per cent of the global economy.

Some nations are pushing to continue with the TPP despite the loss of the U.S., arguing that too much effort went into negotiating it and that there are benefits for remaining countries, though some have been less committed.

In Hanoi, there was a sideline meeting on Sunday of TPP-member nations and ministers agreed to start a process to put it into force, according to a joint statement. They will ask senior trade officials to arrange how to take the continue the partnership and report back by the APEC leaders summit in November.

Canadas always been clear: we will look at whatever options would be to the net benefit of Canadians and Canadian workers, Champagne said. This is very much now at the stage of looking at options.

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The October 1973 Yom Kippur War, known in the Arab World as the Ramadan War, showed the risks to Israel of underestimating dangers to national security, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. It is the classic intelligence failure in Israeli history and it happened because the military establishment was captivated and captured by what they called The Concept of Arab Intentions  a preset world view that did not contemplate the possibility of an all-out assault. In an excerpt from Why Dissent Matters, William Kaplan looks at a key idea that came out of the post-war inquiry, The Tenth Man.

The Tenth Man is a devils advocate. If there are 10 people in a room and nine agree, the role of the tenth is to disagree and point out flaws in whatever decision the group has reached.

Killing the messenger is self-defeating. AMAN, the Israeli forces directorate of military intelligence, had to change the way it did business, and in the aftermath of the Agranat Commission it created two new tools: the position of the Tenth Man, also referred to as the Revision Department, and the option of writing different opinion memos.

The task was to generate intelligence estimates that ran contrary to Research Department assessments  This approach was important because it allowed for the consideration of a number of possible intentions of the enemy, including those deemed less probable than others.

After all, the opposite might be true. If this system had been in place in October 1973, AMAN would have produced two assessments: the first indicating on the basis of the overwhelming evidence that the Concept was defunct and that war would begin, and the second that the Concept continued. Faced with these alternative assessments, Israels political leadership would have almost certainly called up the reserves even if it decided, for political reasons, to let Egypt and Syria launch their attacks.

The Tenth Mans job is to challenge conventional and received wisdom. The aim is to look at things creatively, independently, and from a fresh perspective, to engage actively with and to reconsider the status quo. Tenth Man analysts search for information and arguments that contradict theses constructed by the intelligence communitys various production and analysis departments. One anomaly is sufficient to refute a thesis, or at least to warrant a re-examination.

The Tenth Man also looks at subjects that have not, but perhaps should, receive attention, and it provides a sounding board for lower-level analysts who wish to raise issues that might not otherwise be considered at senior levels in the chain of command.

The task of the Tenth Man is to explore alternative assumptions and worst-case scenarios, and they can do so without fear of damage to their careers. Can the same data used to support one conclusion also be used to support another? Applying that simple test to the evaluation of the intelligence accumulated in September and October 1973 would immediately have led to competing intelligence assessments.

The Tenth Man has high status within AMAN: it is free to obtain any intelligence data it needs and to criticize existing views. Its reports cannot be ignored; they must be considered. Tenth Man reports go directly to the director of military intelligence  the position Eliyahu Zeira held  as well as to all the major decision makers, including the prime minister and the minister of defence.

The idea of the Tenth Man is not a panacea. Many seasoned intelligence professionals think it is ridiculous; more importantly, it is seen as unproductive because it doesnt work. Thats what the eminent historian Walter Laqueur concluded. The Tenth Man was without conspicuous success.

In the intelligence world, the detractors criticize it as pseudo-intelligence, beginning with a preordained conclusion that the contrary of something is correct, instead of following the evidence no matter where it goes. There is also some reason to believe that the routine use of this mechanism ritualizes it and results in it being ignored. Benny Gantz, the IDF chief of staff, observed: We need an organizational structure that encourages all ranks to be critical, to cast doubt, to re-examine basic assumptions, to get outside the framework.

There are those who claim that these contrary opinions have never changed the intelligence assessment, while proponents insist that such opinions are an extremely important educational tool. Persuading professionals to assume the role of permanent critic also presents certain practical difficulties in recruitment and retention as team players advance and unhappy campers are isolated and ostracized.

Pluralism in decision making is no guarantee against getting it wrong, but its the right approach and it transcends any particular time and place. Israel is not alone in facing threats to its national security: the challenges are international.

The enemy will launch a ground war, an air war, a nuclear war; it will use chemical weapons; it will engage in a single act of terrorism or multiple acts; it will hit at home or hit abroad. We actually cannot rule anything out, at least not without evidence of capability and an understanding of intentions.

Golda Meir, Israels prime minister, did not stand up to the military when she instinctively knew better and understood she should do so. AMAN was an arm of the military. A case can be made that, in a country like Israel, intelligence gathering and assessment are opposite sides of the same coin.

But, in general, the military, where hierarchy, discipline and obedience govern, is probably not the best institution to assess intelligence. Soldiers see threats and want to destroy them. Fair enough  that is their job. But public-policy decisions are more complicated and nuanced, and need to consider all possible angles. In October 1973 the information was good, but it was poorly evaluated. Chaim Bar Lev  the person after whom the [fortification] line was named  summed up the situation in these words: The mistake lay in the evaluation of the intelligence data and not in the absence of accurate and reliable information.

Obviously, hindsight is perfect. And it would be beyond naive to believe that there will always be time to consider carefully every option in the midst of a true crisis. In general, people really do try hard to get their decisions right, and they deserve some understanding when they get them wrong. Still, what could be worse than getting them very badly wrong by not even considering actual available evidence?

Ultimately, the Israelis deceived themselves: their adherence to the Concept, their belief in their military superiority, their inability to consider a limited military campaign with a political objective, their racism, and many other factors led them down the path to disaster and the very real possibility of national collapse. They did not put themselves in the shoes of their enemies when they should have examined everything from the perspective of the other guy.

The Concept was not, Moshe Dayan, Israels minister of defence during the Yom Kippur War, later recalled, the invention of a mad-genius  but it emerged from very critical information which we thought was the best one could have acquired. {+ } That may have been true once, but the Concept should have never been chiselled in granite.

Forty years after The Blunder, which is how Israelis immediately began to refer to the failure to anticipate and properly prepare for the surprise attack, Zeira was asked what went wrong. He had a number of explanations, some self-serving, others not, and two that would have been wise if they had not been so predictable: The first mistake was that we did not understand that the Egyptians main problem was shame  If I had understood this point, I would have understood that they desperately wanted a victory, even a small one.

His second mistake was related to the first: We did not have a mechanism for probing the soul of the Egyptian people. But just like the amassing enemy forces, both explanations were sitting in plain sight.

Israels founding prime minister, David Ben Gurion, had identified the real threat to Israels security years earlier. Referring to Egyptian President Anwar Sadats predecessor, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the Arab defeat in 1948, Ben Gurion said: Nasser is suffering from a psychological injury; he is humiliated, and he will not make peace before he has healed his injury, in other words before scoring a victory over Israel. {+ } A Tenth Man could have pointed this out.

The day before the Egyptians and Syrians attacked, Zeira advised the prime minister not to worry about the evacuation of Russian personnel from Egypt and Syria. If the Soviets were leaving because they feared war, they do not know the Arabs very well, he told Meir.

In fact, it was Zeira who knew nothing. The Israelis suffered a mental blackout that completely impaired their intelligence assessments and decision making. Not only did they not see what they were seeing, their governing assumptions about their enemies were just wrong, whether based on racism, myth, fantasy, or plain wishful thinking.

When Israel rejected Egypts realistic peace initiatives, when Egypt acquired advanced jet fighters, Scuds and Surface-to-air-missiles, when Sadat out-thought his enemies and came up with a good plan, he caught Israel and its military and political leadership by surprise even though every action he took was in plain view in broad daylight.

It even turned out, though the information was suppressed for many years, that the IDF had actually obtained the battle plans for the Syrian offensive in April 1973 (with an update courtesy of the CIA at the end of September) but did not believe them. The intelligence was completely accurate, in terms of manpower, materiel, location, approach and strategy.

This type of self-inflicted blindness was not unique to Israel and its leaders (battle-hardened rugged individualists). Wooden-headedness, the source of self-deception, celebrated historian Barbara Tuchman wrote, is a factor that plays a remarkably large role in government. It consists in assessing a situation in terms of preconceived or fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any contrary signs. It is acting according to wish while not allowing oneself to be deflected by the facts.

Why Dissent Matters: Because Some People See Things the Rest of Us Miss by William Kaplan (McGill-Queens University Press) Available at bookstores across Canada on May 27. This excerpt has been edited for clarity.

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Olivia Nuamah, executive director of Pride Toronto, has had to rebuild her organization from the ground up but you would never guess from her demeanour that shes in the midst of organizing North Americas biggest LGBTQ parade.

Or that Pride is facing massive pressure to reverse a ban on police in uniform, as well as police floats and booths, a decision made at the organizations annual general meeting in January.

Since then, hundreds of LGBTQ community members have pledged to boycott the celebrations and there is a petition with thousands of names asking that police be allowed to march.

Toronto city councillor John Campbell plans to table a motion at council this week  and include the petition  to pull a $260,000 grant from Pride, a request first made by an internal network of LGBTQ officers in the Toronto force.

Yet there is no doubt in Nuamahs mind that the month-long festival, which begins June 1, will be a success.

I dont know what failure looks like, she says assuredly, shaking her head slightly from side to side before uttering the words during an interview in Prides Berkeley St. offices at the beginning of May.

The 45-year-old Toronto native is calm and assured, despite joining Pride in February and having only months to pull together a $4-million festival.

Olivia has stepped up and immersed herself in all this work, and its come together, says Alica Hall, co-chair of Prides board. Its really quite amazing.

Nuamah was recruited after former executive director Mathieu Chantelois resigned in August amid accusations by staff that he was abusive as well as racist, sexist and transphobic, comments cited by Global News from an email it said was allegedly written bystaff. The email wasnt verified, and Chantelois denied the allegations.

The accusations came on the heels of last years parade, when Black Lives Matter, the honoured guests, lit flares and staged a dramatic sit-in. It only ended when Chantelois agreed to a list of demands that included banning uniformed officers in the parade. He later recanted.

It was a decision that left hurt feeling on both sides.

Pride lost a couple of key volunteers, who resigned over Chanteloiss reneging on his promises, and some staff quit or moved on to other jobs.

Residents were walking up to our offices, knocking on our door, berating our staff, says Hall. We had to shut down our office a number of times, in July and August.

Then later, the vote at Prides AGM to officially ban uniformed officers was devastating to some LGBTQ members of the Toronto force.

Police Chief Mark Saunders says he decided in February that his officers wouldnt march in uniform because the issue was distracting from police efforts to build a better relationship with the LGBTQ community.

It wasnt an easy decision by any stretch of the imagination and I consulted with a lot of people, Saunders said in an interview Friday. He said there is no order that his officers cant march in the parade out of uniform, although he says from a security perspective he doesnt want them to identify themselves as police.

Its not clear if any of it will have an impact on the festival, which last year expanded from a week to a monthlong celebration and drew record crowds.

We feel like we are doing the right thing, says Nuamah.

Olivia Nuamah has never shied away from difficult decisions.

Five years ago, she left her job in Toronto as executive director of the Atkinson Foundation and moved back to England, where she had lived with her husband since graduating from U of T, and where her two sons were born.

But months later, she would make a decision not only to come out, but to come back to Toronto, to pursue a relationship with a woman that she met here while working at the foundation. (The foundation, devoted to social and economic justice, was started by former Star publisher Joseph Atkinson.)

I was 40, says Nuamah. I kind of thought, OK, second half of my life, she says about the decision, which she more or less woke up to one day. It sounds so crass, but yet, but it was a bit like that . . . I could always access being in a same-sex relationship.

And it was never stigmatizing to me. I never found it particularly difficult. And maybe that was a part of my own kind of awakening.

Nuamah and her partner, Becky McFarlane, live in Torontos west end with her two boys, ages 13 and 11. McFarlane is senior director of The 519, a City of Toronto agency that offers support services for LGBTQ residents. The boys father  who Nuamah calls loving and supportive  visits them every six weeks and flies over to spend all summer with them.

Nuamahs parents divorced when she was young. But unlike her own separation, the split was acrimonious and Nuamah was sent from Toronto at age 6 to live with her maternal grandparents in Ghana for two years.

Her father was a difficult man, says Nuamah, but she was close to him then. After the divorce, he moved to Florida, where he married and had more children. Nuamah only spoke to him twice before his death a few years ago.

It was hard, for sure, she says.

Her mother was a cleaner at the Intercontinental Hotel and the two lived together in an apartment in Moss Park.

Though raised an only child, Nuamah was surrounded by family and friends who came to Canada in the late 70s during the same wave of Ghanaian immigration as her parents. Many of them settled in nearby Toronto Community Housing, and Nuamah says she always felt part of a community. She describes her upbringing as incredibly enjoyable.

But her mother wanted her educated outside of her largely poor, immigrant community and sent her to Jesse Ketchum, a public school in a more affluent neighbourhood near Bay St. and Davenport Rd., where she thought Nuamah would get a better education.

My mother could see the choices on offer, and so just felt if I was surrounded by people with different aspirations I might have different aspirations myself, says Nuamah.

The decision was right for her, she says. By her teens, her childhood friends were dropping out of school and having children of their own.

It was one of the reasons she decided to leave for England after she graduated in 1994 from U of T, with a joint social anthropology and international development studies degree.

She moved to Manchester and then to London, where she was director of the race equality council in Newham, an ethnically diverse borough in the eastern part of the city.

The council, an advocacy group, fights for residents who faced discrimination in education, employment or housing, or violence.

At the time, it was one of many groups that pushed for a public inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager stabbed in an unprovoked attack while waiting for a bus in Newham in 1993.

His parents tried for years to get justice, blaming a botched police investigation for the failure to get a conviction for the white teens charged with his murder.

When a public inquiry was finally held, the man overseeing it, former high court judge Sir William Macpherson, blamed institutional racism in the police force for the sub-par investigation, and said it was caused by unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people, according to the Guardian newspaper.

Nuamah says her time in Newham influenced her views on race.

You are subject to different outcomes as a result of being a person of a different skin colour, she says. And there is no place where that is not proven to be the case.

Nuamah went on to work for the British department of health, implementing policies to reduce poverty and improve services to marginalized communities. She earned a masters in social anthropology of children and childhood development from Londons Brunel University.

In 2010, she was named the executive director of the Atkinson Foundation and more recently, held the same position in Innercity Family Health, which delivers health care to homeless communities in Torontos downtown east side.

Nuamah describes herself as a committed community worker.

I knew very early on that I wanted to do what I am doing now.

When Pride came calling, Nuamah was ready for the job.

She could see for herself that the organization was struggling with issues of race. There had also been complaints that Pride was becoming too corporate, instead of community-based, and that Pride had a top-down organizational style dominated by white, gay males. Historically, the group has also had to ease tension among competing factions.

Alica Hall, co-chair of the Pride board, says the LGBTQ community had grown and there was a concern that Pride didnt represent gay women, who were now at the centre of the movement, or women-identified folks, racialized people  mostly the parties and the programming were reflective of one particular experience, she says.

Nuamah mentioned to a colleague that maybe she should apply for the job.

My leadership style was much more facilitative, says Nuamah. And there was a sense that the organization wanted greater facilitation, which means getting groups of stakeholders together and negotiating a way through difficult issues, and creating a greater sense of collaboration.

She would need those facilitation skills.

Nuamah started work with two staff members, one of whom left at the end of the first week.

For the first three weeks there was a lot of discussion about how Pride Toronto would move forward. There was also a pressing need for staff. Five people were hired by the end of March, and two more in April. Pride now has a staff of 10, including some contract employees.

In three weeks, Nuamah says, festival planning was up and running, largely due to 53 volunteer team leads who co-ordinate aspects of Pride.

What makes this festival so special is volunteers lead it, says Nuamah. For the most part, they co-ordinate the content, they co-ordinate the delivery. Another 2,000 or so volunteers work on the weekend of the June 25 parade.

Around the same time, when Saunders announced in mid-February that his officers wouldnt march in Pride, it gave her some breathing room, so that she could move forward.

To be honest, when they pulled out, I thought it was so generous, says Nuamah. I thought heres a service who is watching an organization, and the members of that organization really struggle with its relationship with the police. And theyre being very vocal about it.

And so what a considerate thing to do as a police service  to step back, engage in willing dialogue with those people that have expressed concern about their relationship with you. And then try to plot a way forward.

Typically, hundreds of officers from 10 police forces march in the parade, all wearing their uniforms, including guns, sometimes riding in armoured vehicles, says Nuamah.

There is a real issue about what it means to celebrate inside the parade with the sight of weapons, and the sight of sirens, which are all associated, in this community, with very negative outcomes, she says.

Meanwhile, for the officers, Pride is a lot about asserting your identity, says Councillor John Campbell. And what Pride is now doing is asking the gay and lesbian police officers, and those that support the community, to deny their identity.

The councillor has met with Pride to try to broker a pact between police and the organization. He recently suggested in an email to Nuamah that a small contingent of 10 to 20 police officers could march.

I gather that in the past its taken on the air of almost a police funeral because they were from Halton, Durham, York, he says of the sheer number of police who participate. I said why not let a small contingent of Toronto police officers  just march. Seriously, how bad could that be?

On Friday, Vancouver Pride announced it had reached a deal to let police march in its parade. About 20 per cent of officers will be in uniform and the remainder will wear T-shirts that say City of Vancouver and walk with other city employees. Organizers have banned sirens and marked police cars.

Pride Toronto issued an open letter asking LGBTQ police officers to march  out of uniform  suggesting they join community organizations, city employees or even create their own group. Saunders says he doesnt know if any of his officers will participate as civilians.

The standoff could see the city pull the $260,000 grant if Campbell has his way.

In 2016, the organization got about $800,000 in government grants. Sponsors made up roughly half the $4.4-million that Pride received. In return, the festival brings in $600 million to the city over the course of the month, according to Hall.

Bryn Hendricks, a Metis LGBTQ activist who has helped organize the online petition that Campbell plans to introduce at council, is also trying to start a process to ban Black Lives Matter at this years parade.

He says the group has an agenda to try to turn the annual event into a protest movement. Hendricks says he will organize a competing event for next year if police arent allowed to march.

To Hall, the allegations are ridiculous, since the two groups are separate entities.

I think that theres a belief that because there are more black people involved with pride, they must be part of BLM, she says. Because weve hired the most qualified candidate, and that happens to be a black woman, that therefore she is also a tool of BLM?

(Black Lives Matter did not respond before deadline.)

There will be plenty of time after Pride to talk about how police can participate, Nuamah says. And perhaps shes the perfect person to have those conversations.

Nuamah has a compelling leadership style, says Hall, and doesnt shy away from the issues. She becomes quite enthused about identity politics and dealing with multi-stakeholder conflict.

In fact, it was Prides divisive issues that attracted her, Nuamah says.

When the job came up it was an opportunity for me and I thought to myself well maybe I can help move it from rhetoric to something tangible because I myself am a person of colour.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIATheyve been dubbed the two princes, the rising young powers behind the gilded thrones in the budding strategic alliance between the House of Saud and the House of Trump.

Jared Kushner married into Donald Trumps family and now serves as the presidents ubiquitous senior adviser. His portfolio of domestic and foreign responsibilities seems to grow heavier by the day.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the Saudi defence minister and head of the state oil monopoly. More importantly, he has emerged from a crowded field of Saudi royalty to be second in line to King Salman, his 81-year-old father, who inherited the crown two years ago.

Starting last winter, even before Trump took office, the two trusted family advisers quietly joined forces to try to mend U.S.-Saudi relations strained by president Barack Obamas nuclear deal with Iran, which the Saudi rulers opposed, and his moralizing on human rights, which they disdained.

The results were clear Saturday as Kushner and bin Salman kept a close eye on the president and the king during a long day of ceremonial and substantive events, including a roaring military flyover in an azure sky, a tribal war dance by men wearing flowing white thawbs and waving huge silver swords, and the signing of a $110-billion arms deal, parts of which began under Obama.

Read more:

Trump receives royal welcome in Saudi Arabia

U.S. first lady shuns head scarf for Saudi Arabia visit END

The son of a New Jersey real estate magnate, Kushner, 36, traded his lucrative media and real estate empire to join Trumps inner circle. He has been a rare figure of discretion and focus in a White House that often seems in chaos.

His influence here is helped by his wife, Ivanka, who was at his side Saturday. The first daughter is so popular with Saudi women that the rarely overshadowed U.S. president is widely known here as Abu Ivanka, or Ivankas father.

At age 31, the deputy crown prince already is such an iconic and influential leader in the conservative Saudi kingdom that he is known simply as MBS. On thing that has added to his popularity: He was educated entirely in Saudi Arabia, not at elite western universities like other powerful members of the royal family.

An outspoken figure in conservative society, he has crafted an ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 plan designed to gradually modernize his country, shifting from oil dependence to greener energy sources, diversifying the economy and expanding the military and womens rights.

The Vision, which would require dramatic changes in a conservative society, clearly has the kings blessing. It is touted on billboards, on TV commercials, in newspaper advertisements and on social media.

Soon after Trumps unexpected election victory, it was bin Salman who sought to initiate talks with Trump Tower. Kushner, who fielded much of the early diplomatic outreach during the transition, was on the receiving end.

Then in January, shortly after the inauguration, Kushner sat at the presidents side when he first spoke by phone with the Saudi king.

In March, the deputy crown prince huddled with Trump in the Oval Office. Kushner joined the meeting and the lunch in the State Dining Room that followed. The kings son welcomed Defence Secretary James Mattis in Riyadh a few weeks later.

And on Saturday, bin Salman merited his own one-on-one meeting with the president, immediately after one Trump had with his cousin and  for now  the anointed first-in-line to the throne, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef.

It was a great day, Trump declared as he met bin Salman. Kushner seemed to agree; he was seen high-fiving national security adviser H. R. McMaster as the day proceeded.

On Sunday Trump will deliver the keynote speech at a Twitter forum intended to focus on how people can utilize social media networks for social good and to counter extremism and terrorism. It is sponsored by the deputy crown princes foundation.

The White House bristles at references to the powerful pair as princelings, seeing a media attempt to overplay their youth and access to power. But they dont deny the partnership helped produce a series of economic and military agreements that Trump could hail on Saturday.

Still, some foreign policy analysts have begun to question whether the White House is putting its finger on the scale in Saudi royal politics.

The previous White House was careful to ensure that we took a balanced approach to the crown prince and the deputy crown prince, each of whom have important strengths, said Eric Pelofsky, former senior director on the National Security Council under Obama.

The deputy crown prince holds a bachelors degree in law from King Saud University, and grew up shadowing his father while he served as governor of Riyadh, learning how to host tribal leaders and western diplomats.

He seems more western driven than royal relatives who studied at Harvard and Berkeley, said Ahmed Ibrahim, a Saudi businessman who has met the prince. He was devoted to his dad when he was governor and he got lots of experience in the field. He took it from the ground up from a young age.

His meteoric rise to power  his father passed over dozens of older princes to make him second-in-line to the throne  took many here by surprise, along with his agenda for rapid change.

Backed by his father, the prince has amassed more power than any previous prince, challenging a long-standing system of distributing positions among the royal family.

In addition to the defence ministry, King Salman placed him in charge of the state oil monopoly, the public investment company and economic policy.

The guy is focused and knows how to solve things. He tries to get the best expertise. He doesnt have limits, Ibrahim said. Hes moving so fast and the young generation is trying to make it happen.

The prince has a reputation for opulence. Last year, while vacationing in the south of France, he spotted the Serene, a 440-foot yacht floating off the coast, and dispatched an aide to buy the ship from a Russian vodka tycoon for $500 million U.S.

Big deal; hes got a yacht, said Hoda Helassi, one of 30 women on the monarchys 150-member consultative council. Its the same with Trump.

Kushner is also immensely wealthy, though not as flashy.

His financial disclosure listed hundreds of real estate holdings and other assets totalling more than $700 million. He had to resign from 266 positions and had already divested from connections that represented a conflict or was in the process of doing so as he transitioned to public service.

The princes political agenda is making the headlines in Riyadh, not his rich tastes.

He has championed the Saudi-led coalition that is battling Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, a war that has led to widespread complaints of Saudi airstrikes on medical facilities and civilian targets.

He also is building a regional coalition against Islamist extremists and regional enemy Iran, an endeavour that clearly puts him in sync with Trump.

Hameed Shayagi, a sociologist who works to reintegrate terrorists through a government-run counselling centre in Riyadh, said the princes ambition and his ability to connect with young Saudis gives me hope for the future, for sustainability and continuity.

We still have Bedouins, nomads, and we have scientists doing projects with NASA, said Muna Abusulayman, a popular Saudi talk-show host. Our culture is ancient, but our country isnt. This is the first time we have a synergy in the deputy crown prince.

We are very pro-monarchy. But we see a need to be more direct, Abusulayman added. What we see as a result of his vision is that hes a very decisive young man. Hes forward. Hes daring. Hes not afraid to speak his mind.

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On Friday, a slew of alarming headlines emerged regarding the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Water had apparently breached this fail-safe trove of the planets seeds that is supposed to protect earths food supply in the event of a doomsday scenario.

The alleged failure of the vault, buried deep into an Arctic mountainside, had occurred after warmer than usual temperatures had caused a layer of permafrost to melt, sending meltwater gushing into the entrance tunnel and presumably putting the worlds most diverse collection of crop seeds at risk, according to the Guardian.

Arctic stronghold of worlds seeds flooded after permafrost melts, the newspaper announced.

The Arctic Doomsday Seed Vault Flooded. Thanks, Global Warming, Wired stated.

Read more: Seed bank in Arctic may be humanitys ultimate backup plan

Though water did get past the vaults threshold, none of the seeds had been damaged. But a spokeswoman for Statsbygg  a group that advises the Norwegian government, which owns the vault  cautioned that it might only be a matter of time before they were.

A lot of water went into the start of the tunnel and then it froze to ice, so it was like a glacier when you went in, Statsbygg spokeswoman Hege Njaa Aschim told the Guardian of the water breach. She added that officials were now observing the seed vault around the clock to minimize all the risks and make sure the seed bank can take care of itself.

The question is whether this is just happening now, or will it escalate? Aschim asked.

On Saturday, Statsbygg seemed to walk back some of those comments in a statement published on the seed vaults website. Yes, there had been season-dependent intrusion of water into the outer part of the seed vault, but the group was now taking precautionary measures to make improvements to the outer tunnel to prevent future occurrences.

The seeds in the seed vault have never been threatened and will remain safe during implementation of the measures, the statement read.

According to the statement, the proposed improvements include removing heat sources, such as a transformer station, from the tunnel, as well as constructing drainage ditches on the mountainside to prevent meltwater from accumulating around the entrance. In addition, waterproof walls would be erected inside the tunnel. Finally, to be better safe than sorry, Statsbygg says researchers will closely follow the development of permafrost on Svalbard.

The seeds are safe and sound, tweeted the Crop Trust, an international non-profit group that helped establish the Svalbard vault in 2008.

So which is it? Is the fact that some water seeped into a fail-safe vault no big deal? Or are we as a human race doomed to die, starving and cropless, in the event of global catastrophe?

The answer is more measured. Representatives for Statsbygg and Crop Trust did not immediately respond to an emailed interview request Saturday. However, Crop Trust on Saturday twice retweeted a Popular Science article that seemed to indicate the situation was not as dire as had been initially reported.

In my experience, theres been water intrusion at the front of the tunnel every single year, Cary Fowler, an American agriculturist who helped create the seed vault, told the magazine. Though he was not at the vault to observe the incident, he noted that flooding was probably not the most accurate word to describe what happened.

The tunnel was never meant to be watertight at the front, because we didnt think we would need that, Fowler told Popular Science. What happens is, in the summer the permafrost melts, and some water comes in, and when it comes in, it freezes. It doesnt typically go very far.

However, that doesnt mean that the underlying cause for the melting permafrost  warming temperatures  should be ignored.

At the end of the day we have to realize that in a sense, everything is relative with this initiative, Fowler told the magazine. This whole planet is warming, and that includes Svalbard.

Global warming has been particularly noticeable in the Arctic regions, and the melting of permafrost is only one consequence; another includes the melting of major glaciers, which could lead to a dramatic sea-level rise, as The Posts Chris Mooney reported.

Currently, the vault holds nearly 900,000 seed samples, from maize and sorghum from Africa and Asia to barley and eggplant from Europe and South America. It has the capacity to store up to 4.5 million crop varieties, or about 2.5 billion seeds, according to the vault website.

Inside, imposing concrete walls shelter those seeds at minus-18 degrees Celsius (minus-0.4 degrees Fahrenheit). From the outside, only a portion of the entrance is visible as it juts out at an angle from the snow and ice. It looks like the type of structure you might get if you commissioned I.M. Pei to design an Arctic hideaway for a James Bond film.

When they chose to build the seed vault on Svalbard, the site was chosen for its accessible location, geological stability, low humidity levels and its perch well above sea level. Officials just hadnt anticipated the permafrost would melt into the entrance.

Theres no doubt that the permafrost will remain in the mountainside where the seeds are, Marie Haga, head of Crop Trust, told Reuters. But we had not expected it to melt around the tunnel.

For his part, Fowler has always maintained confidence in the seed vaults ability to endure natural or man-made disasters. In 2015, he told then-Guardian reporter Suzanne Goldenberg that perhaps an atomic bomb dropped on top of the mountain would be the only thing that could destroy the vault. Fowler repeated those sentiments to Popular Science on Friday.

We did this calculation; if all the ice in the world melted  Greenland, Arctic, Antarctic, everything  and then we had the worlds largest recorded tsunami right in front of the seed vault ... what would happen to the seed vault? Fowler told the magazines. We found that the seed vault was somewhere between a five and seven story building above that point. It might not help the road leading up to the seed vault, but the seeds themselves would be OK.

In other words, there are no guarantees about humanity in that scenario. But the seed vault is probably going to be fine.

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MAIDUGURI, NIGERIANigerian troops fought Boko Haram in the Lake Chad area on Saturday, killing 13 of the Islamic extremists and arresting 10 others, including six women believed to have helped smuggle supplies to the insurgents, an army spokesman said.

Meanwhile witnesses said four civilians out hunting for food near a displacement camp in the northeast were beheaded by suspected Boko Haram militants.

Soldiers from the 8 Task Force Battalion spent 72 hours clearing the location where the Boko Haram fighters were hiding, said battalion spokesman Col. Timothy Antigha. Many other Boko Haram fighters were wounded by gunfire, he said.

Read more:

Nigeria president releases names of 82 freed Chibok girls

Nigerian hunters now on trail of Boko Haram

The troops, operating in the Chikun Gudu, Tumbuma Karami and Tumbuma Baba areas recovered three AK 47 rifles and one pump-action rifle, assorted rifle magazines and 306 rounds of ammunition, a tool box, a freezer and a Toyota truck, he said.

In a related development, army troops, acting on a tip off, rounded up 10 suspected Boko Haram smugglers, he said. The suspects, six females and four males, are being investigated to determine the extent of their involvement with Boko Haram, he said.

Since the army regained control of most of the Sambisa Forest area in northeastern Nigeria from Boko Haram in December 2016, Nigerian troops have pursued the extremist fighters in areas where they have fled.

Boko Harams violent campaign to seize Nigerian territory to enforce strict Islamic Shariah rule is responsible for the deaths of thousands and has displaced about 3 million people, mostly women and children, since 2009. Thousands have been kidnapped by Boko Haram, including nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2015.

Five Boko Haram commanders were released in exchange for the freedom of 82 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by the extremist group three years ago, a Nigerian government official said Sunday.

Joyous scenes occurred in the capital, Abuja, Saturday when 82 newly freed Chibok schoolgirls were reunited with their families. Nigerias government negotiated with Boko Haram, with help from Swiss officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to secure the freedom of the young women from Chibok in return for the release of five extremist commanders.

On Sunday, witnesses in the northeast said a 12-person hunting team had come under attack near Maiduguri.

Six managed to escape the attack while two others are still missing, according to Abba Kalli, an official of the Civilian-JTF, a local youth vigilante group helping the soldiers to fight Boko Haram.

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SEOULNorth Korea fired a solid-fuel ballistic missile Sunday that can be harder for outsiders to detect before launch and later said the test was hailed as perfect by leader Kim Jong Un.

The official Korean Central News Agency confirmed the missile was a Pukguksong-2, a medium-to-long range ballistic missile also launched in February. South Korea and the U.S. had earlier described Sundays missile as medium-range.

The Pukguksong (Polaris)-2 is a land-based version of a submarine-launched missile. The missile advances North Koreas weapons capabilities because solid-fuel missiles can be fired faster and more secretly than those using liquid fuel, which much be added separately and transported to a launch site using trucks that can be seen by satellites.

Read more:

Why does North Korea hate the U.S.? Lets go back to the Korean War

Newest missile could carry nuclear warhead, more tests coming: North Korea

The rocket was fired near the county of Pukchang in South Phyongan province and flew eastward about 500 kilometres, an official from South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. It reached an altitude of 560 kilometres, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, citing office rules.

The U.S. Pacific Command said it tracked the missile before it fell into the sea.

KCNA said the test was intended to verify technical indexes of the weapon system and examine its adaptability under various battle conditions before deployment to military units. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the launch from an observation post and approved its deployment after analyzing the results with officials and finding them perfect, the state news agency said.

The February launch was the Norths first missile test after President Donald Trump took office. Sundays launch followed one a week earlier of a rocket that flew higher and for a longer time than any missile the North has previously launched and could one day reach targets in Hawaii and Alaska. North Korea called that launch a success test of a missile that could carry a heavy nuclear warhead.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday it was too early to know if the international pressures being exerted on North Korea to discourage its weapons programs were having an impact.

Were early in the stages of applying the economic pressure as well as the diplomatic pressure to the regime in North Korea, Tillerson said on Fox News Sunday. Hopefully they will get the message that the path of continuing their nuclear arms program is not a pathway to security or certainly prosperity. The ongoing testing is disappointing. Its disturbing.

South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, held a National Security Council meeting to discuss Sundays launch, which came hours after he named his new foreign minister nominee and top advisers for security and foreign policy. He did not make a public statement after the meeting.

In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a challenge to the world that tramples international efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear and missile problems peacefully. He vowed to bring up the issue at this weeks G-7 summit in Italy.

At the United Nations, diplomats from the U.S., Japan and South Korea said they requested a Security Council consultation on the missile test. The closed discussion will take place Tuesday. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting had not been officially announced.

Under third-generation dictator Kim Jong Un, North Korea has been advancing its decades-long goal of putting a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Its two nuclear tests last year may have improved its ability to make nuclear weapons small enough to fit on long-range missiles. And each successful rocket launch is seen as improving or expanding the range and capabilities of its missile arsenal.

The test of a Pukguksong-2 might be part of attempts to stabilize the system before operationally deploying the missiles, said Kim Dong-yub, an analyst at Seouls Institute for Far Eastern Studies.

Kim said theres also a possibility that the North is conducting engine tests and other experiments as it pushes for the development of a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that could potentially reach the U.S. mainland. If the North ever obtains a solid-fuel ICBM, it would likely be a rocket powered by a cluster of several Pukguksong-2 engines, Kim said.

Missile tests such as Sundays present a difficult challenge to Moon, a liberal who took over as South Koreas president on May 10 and has expressed a desire to reach out to the North. Pyongyangs aggressive push to improve its weapons program also makes it one of the most urgent foreign policy concerns for the Trump administration.

South Koreas Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Norths latest launch throws cold water on the expectations by Moons government to stabilize peace and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

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MOSCOWRelics of Saint Nicholas, one of the Russian Orthodox Churchs most revered figures, arrived in Moscow on Sunday from an Italian church where they have lain for 930 years. Intense media coverage accompanied the arrival, underlining the churchs influence in post-Soviet Russia.

After reaching Vnukovo airport, a glass-topped metallic ark bearing one of the saints ribs was visited by a long stream of pilgrims who bowed and kissed the container. It was then taken to Christ the Savior Cathedral, the enormous Moscow church that is a reconstruction of a cathedral dynamited in 1931 by officially atheistic Soviet authorities.

The relics are to be moved to St. Petersburg in mid-June before being returned a month later to the church in Bari, Italy, where they have been kept since 1087. Large crowds of Orthodox faithful are expected to visit the relics in Russia.

An agreement to send the relics to Russia was made last year between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill during the first meeting of the heads of the Russian and Roman Catholic churches.

At the cathedral, Kirill said Nicholas is credited with many miracles and with the deliverance of the Fatherland and our people from many, many historical catastrophes.

Nicholas, who is known in the Russian church as Nikolai Chudotvorets (the Miracle-worker), was the Bishop of Myra, now the Turkish city of Demre. He is revered for reports of his generosity.

One story attached to him is that he provided gold coins as dowries to three daughters of a poor man who worried that they would remain unmarried and fall into disrepute. According to some versions of the story, the coins were thrown through a window and landed in stockings hanging up to dry.

The story is the precursor of the Christmas tradition of children hanging stockings to receive gifts; the name Santa Claus is a variant of Saint Nicholas.

Among the miracles attributed to him is that he persuaded merchants to unload grain from a ship to feed a town suffering from famine and that the grain was replenished when the ship reached its final port.

State TV news channel Rossiya-24 devoted hours of live coverage to the departure of the relics from Bari and their arrival in Moscow, at one point showing split-screen shots of the plane taxiing at the airports in both cities.

Although Russia officially is secular, the moral authority of the Orthodox Church has grown steadily under President Vladimir Putin, who sides with the church in promoting traditional family values. The churchs opposition to gay rights is seen as a driver of Russias law banning dissemination of so-called gay propaganda to minors.

Orthodox activists have forced the closure of some art exhibitions and last year succeeded in banning a provincial theatres planned production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

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JERUSALEMPresident Donald Trump has cast the elusive pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians as the "ultimate deal." But he will step foot in Israel having offered few indications of how he plans to achieve what so many of his predecessors could not.

Trump has handed son-in-law Jared Kushner and longtime business lawyer Jason Greenblatt the assignment of charting the course toward a peace process. The White House-driven effort is a sharp shift from the practice of previous U.S. administrations that typically gave secretaries of state those responsibilities.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

Kushner and Greenblatt were to accompany Trump on his two-day visit, set to begin Monday and include separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Trump also planned to visit the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem and the Western Wall, an important Jewish holy site.

On the eve of Trump's visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet approved several confidence-building measures, including construction permits for Palestinians near their cities in parts of the West Bank that had previously been off limits, a senior official said. Under interim agreements 60 per cent of the West Bank, known as Area C, site of Israel's settlements, is under Israeli control and Palestinian development there has mostly been forbidden by Israel.

Speaking on condition of anonymity in line with protocol, he said the package also includes economic concessions and opening the border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan.

White House aides have played down expectations for significant progress on the peace process during Trump's stop, casting it as more symbolic than substantive. Yet Trump may still need to engage in some delicate diplomacy following revelations that he disclosed highly classified intelligence Israel obtained about Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISL, with top Russian officials, without Israel's permission.

Read more: Trump urges Arab leaders to fight crisis of Islamic terrorism in major speech

Israel also has expressed concern about the $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia that Trump announced Saturday in Riyadh. Yuval Steinitz, a senior Cabinet minister and Netanyahu confidant, called Saudi Arabia "a hostile country" and said the deal was "definitely something that should trouble us."

Trump's first overseas trip as president comes as the dynamics between the United States and the region's players are moving in unexpected directions.

While Israeli officials cheered Trump's election, some are now wary of the tougher line he has taken on settlements: urging restraint but not calling for a full halt to construction. Trump has retreated from a campaign pledge to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, bending to the same diplomatic and security concerns as other presidents who have made similar promises.

Palestinians, who viewed Trump's victory with some trepidation, are said to have been pleasantly surprised by Trump's openness during a recent meeting with Abbas in Washington.

A senior official who was part of the Palestinian delegation said Trump is planning to try to relaunch peace talks, with a goal of reaching an agreement within a year. The Trump administration rejected a request from the Palestinians to push for an Israeli settlement freeze, but promised to sort out the issue during peace negotiations, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Jibril Rajoub, a senior Palestinian official close to Abbas, said Trump was a "serious president" who "seeks to have a real deal, not just managing the conflict."

David Friedman, the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, told the newspaper Israel Hayom that Trump's goal at the start is simply "to begin a discussion that would hopefully lead to peace."

Friedman attended a celebration Sunday with Netanyahu of Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, days after the White House declined to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the area.

The area is home to sensitive religious sites, including the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray. Israeli officials are on edge over the U.S refusal to say the Western Wall is part of Israel.

Israel considers the entire city to be its capital. The international community says the fate of East Jerusalem, claimed by the Palestinians, must be resolved through negotiations.

The last round of peace talks, led by then-President Barack Obama and his secretary of state, John Kerry, fell apart in 2014.

Greenblatt has quietly done much of the heavy work for the U.S. thus far. The low-profile Greenblatt, who spent about two decades as a lawyer at the Trump Organization before joining the White House, has travelled to the region twice since the inauguration and is in weekly contact with pivotal players from both sides.

Aaron David Miller, a Middle East peace adviser to Democratic and Republican secretaries of state, said that despite Greenblatt's positive reviews in the region, there are limits over how much influence he, or any American officials, can have over the process.

"The issue over many years has not been the mediator in the middle  it's the guys sitting on the other sides of the mediators," said Miller, now a vice-president at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Israeli officials say they are largely in the dark about what ideas Trump might present for peace or what concessions he may demand. Hard-liners who dominate Netanyahu's government grew particularly concerned when White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster voiced support last week for Palestinian "self-determination."

Naftali Bennett, leader of the nationalist Jewish Home Party, lamented "a kind of change in the spirit" of Trump's positions since he was elected in November. He urged Netanyahu to reject Palestinian statehood and insist that Jerusalem remain under Israeli sovereignty forever.

While Netanyahu in the past has expressed support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, he has been vague about this goal since Trump took office.

Trump's trip began in Saudi Arabia and takes him, after Israel, to the Vatican for an audience with Pope Francis, to Brussels for a NATO summit and to Sicily for a meeting of leaders of the Group of Seven major industrial nations.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAPresident Donald Trump on Sunday implored Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries to extinguish "Islamic extremism" emanating from the region, describing a "battle between good and evil" rather than a clash between the West and Islam.

In a pointed departure from his predecessor, Trump all but promised he would not publicly admonish Mideast rulers for human rights violations and oppressive reigns.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

"We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said, speaking in an ornate room in the Saudi capital. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all."

The president's address was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his January swearing-in. For Trump, the trip is a reprieve from the crush of controversies that have marred his young presidency and an attempt to reset his relationship with a region and a religion he fiercely criticized a candidate.

During the 2016 U.S. campaign, Trump mused about his belief that "Islam hates us." But on Sunday, standing before dozens of regional leaders, he said Islam was "one of the world's great faiths."

Read more: Trump receives royal welcome in Saudi Arabia

While running for the job he now holds, Trump heartily criticized President Barack Obama for not using the term "radical Islamic extremism" and said that refusal indicated that Obama did not understand America's enemy. In his Saudi speech, Trump condemned "Islamic extremism," ''Islamists," and "Islamic terror," but not once uttered the precise phrase he pressed Obama on.

Some of Trump's wording on the issue also changed from his prepared remarks. A White House official later said that was not intended and attributed it to the president being "just an exhausted guy."

Trump made no mention of the disputed travel ban, signed days after he took office, that temporarily banned immigration to the U.S. from seven majority Muslim countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. Both the original order and a second directive that dropped Iraq from the banned list have been blocked by the courts.

In some ways, Trump delivered a conventional speech for an American politician. He pledged deeper ties with the Middle East to tackle terrorism and encouraged more economic development in the region. He heralded the ambitions of the region's youth and warned that the scourge of extremism could tarnish their future.

Trump offered few indications of whether he planned to shift U.S. policy to better fight terrorism. There were no promises of new financial investment or announcements of increased U.S. military presence in the region. The president put much of the onus for combating extremists on Mideast leaders: "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

White House officials said they considered Trump's address to be a counterweight to Obama's debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo. Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of America's missteps in the region. His speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticized by a number of America's Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.

Trump's remarks came in a meeting with dozens of regional leaders who gathered in Riyadh for a summit with Trump and Saudi King Salman.

The king has lavished praise and all the trappings of a royal welcome on the new American president, welcoming in particular Trump's pledge to be tougher on Iran than Obama was. Indeed, Trump and Salman were in lockstep on the threat Iran poses to the region when they addressed their fellow leaders: Trump accused Iran of "destruction and chaos" and the king said its rival "has been the spearhead of global terrorism."

The Saudis' warm embrace was welcome change for the besieged White House. Officials spent the days before Trump's departure dealing with a steady stream of revelations about the federal investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russia and the fallout from his firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Read more: U.S. congressional committees pledged to aggressively investigate Trump-Russia connection

The president, who is known to tear asunder the White House's plans with a provocative tweet or offhand comment, has largely stuck to the script for opening days of the trip. Apart from Sunday's address, he's made no substantial remarks, other than exchanging pleasantries with other leaders.

Before the speech, Trump held individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar.

His meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi underscored their burgeoning kinship. Trump praised el-Sissi for the April release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi, detained in the country for nearly three years.

El-Sissi invited Trump to visit him in Egypt, adding, "You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." As the participants laughed, Trump responded: "I agree."

The president then complimented el-Sissi's choice of footwear: "Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes" after their brief remarks to the media.

Trump cut short his program in Saudi Arabia, abruptly skipping an event aimed at highlighting how social media can be used to combat extremism. He sent his daughter, Ivanka, instead.

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ISTANBULPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned as leader of Turkeys ruling party Sunday, pushing back criticism that his tenure has curtailed freedoms and polarized the country as he vowed to serve the nation and combat terror.

The Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, re-elected Erdogan, its co-founder, at a congress where he was the only candidate for chairman. A narrow victory in a referendum last month to expand the powers of the Turkish presidency allows him to be both the head of state and of a political party.

Speaking to tens of thousands of people in Ankara, Erdogan said he was back after 998 days of separation from the party and outlined a vision for its immediate future and elections scheduled for November 2019 with new executive and grassroots teams.

Read more:

Erdogan claims victory in historic Turkish referendum, as opponents warn of dictatorship END

As Turkish president meets Donald Trump, confrontation seems inevitable

Canadas Turkish community on edge as government crackdown continues

This congress is the AK Partys rebirth, he said before the vote. AK Party is not just its voters party, its the party for all of our 80 million citizens.

Elected with 1,414 votes, Erdogan set the partys course for what he called a new era of reforms.

The upcoming months will be a period of soaring in all areas, including combating terror, the economy, expanding rights and freedoms and investments, the president said.

Erdogan was forced to cut his formal ties to the party when he became the countrys first directly elected president in 2014. Last months referendum eliminated a constitutional requirement mandating that presidents be neutral and cut ties with their political parties.

Critics say the referendum transforming Turkeys parliamentary governing system to an executive presidency was marred by allegations of election fraud. The vote took place under a state of emergency imposed in the wake of last years failed coup.

Erdogan defended the state of emergency and said it would remain in place until the situation reaches peace and welfare. He said it had not affected civil rights.

Turkey blames the network of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for the July 15 coup attempt that left nearly 270 dead  a charge Gulen has denied.

Under the state of emergency, more than 47,000 people have been arrested and 100,000 dismissed from public service for alleged connections to the cleric and groups Turkey deems terror organizations. A dozen lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish opposition party, including its co-presidents, are behind bars along with some 160 journalists.

Calling the purge necessary for the countrys survival, Erdogan said, Nothing in Turkey will be like what it was before July 15. A new era has begun in combating terror organizations inside and outside our countrys borders.

Hours before the congress convened, two suspected Daesh militants were killed in an Ankara police operation. Police said they recovered weapons and explosives. Turkeys state-run news agency said the men were believed to be planning an attack in the capital.

The operation follows a string of attacks blamed on Daesh, which led to Turkeys cross-border operation into northern Syria to combat both IS and U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militants.

Erdogans meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week resolved little of the discord over his administrations decision to more heavily arm Syrian Kurdish militants as part of the fight against IS.

Turkey considers the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, in Syria a terror organization and an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade-long insurgency against the Turkish state.

Erdogan has said he would retaliate if the YPG posed a security threat, signalling more cross-border operations.

Those who use terror organizations to keep us in line will soon recognize their mistakes, he said. We would be glad to solve our problems with our friends and our allies. But if that option is no longer there, we cannot sit with our hands tied.

Erdogan also criticized Turkeys European allies, saying, We do not have to tolerate the European Unions two-faced attitude.

Erdogan called on the EU to grant visa-free travel to Turkish citizens, give promised aid for migrants hosted in Turkey and to speed up Turkeys accession bid in return for the countrys work in curtailing the flood of migrants to Europe.

Despite everything, our choice is still to continue with the EU, he said. The decision here belongs to the EU.

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Abuse of fentanyl, the highly addictive opioid pain medication, is taking a menacing toll across Canada.

Opioid-related overdoses killed 1,400 Canadians last year. To label the situation a coast-to-coast crisis is a massive understatement.

Fentanyl can be found in knock-off prescription painkillers, in party drugs and even in cocaine.

The fact that other drugs are being laced with fentanyl means that drug users often havent actively sought out the thrill of fentanyl and dont even realize what theyve done until its too late.

My firm, Navigator, has recently conducted a nationwide survey on public opinion relating to the fentanyl crisis in Canada.

Today, only half of Canadians say they are familiar with fentanyl-related issues. Whats more troubling is that those most vulnerable, those aged 16 to 17, are least familiar. Only 4 in 10 teens are aware of the crisis.

The impact has, to date, been uneven across our country and so, therefore, has awareness. For example, 70 per cent of British Columbians express awareness compared to only 49 per cent of Torontonians.

The fentanyl crisis has spread so quickly, the public hardly noticed it was happening. Government officials didnt notice it either. As a result, it went largely unaddressed. And as so often happens, issues affecting the poorest or most vulnerable among us are the last to be noticed. It has only been as the crisis has transcended class lines and begun affecting suburban teenagers that the outcry has begun.

Also, problematically and mistakenly, the fentanyl issue has been seen primarily as a matter of criminal justice.

If it is to be dealt with successfully, it must be seen as a matter of public health. In a hospital, a person who dulls their pain with fentanyl is a patient. On the street, that same person is a criminal.

Fortunately, the current federal government has broken with its predecessor on this issue and we are starting to make progress in treating the fentanyl crisis as the public health crisis it is.

Perhaps the biggest challenge has been that the public at large has not felt, so far, that the fentanyl crisis affects them. They continue to believe it is a problem faced by addicts and drug abusers, who rely on illegal substances. There has been little public sympathy, and many people perceive fentanyl to be of little risk to them, far removed from everyday life.

It is a situation that has striking parallels to the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, an indelibly tragic mark on Western societys record of compassion.

The existence of a life-threatening public health crisis that has no prevention plan in place would usually cause moral outrage. The outbreak of SARS and H1N1 both saw heightened government action, panicked media coverage and widespread agreement to address the issues.

But, in both the HIV/AIDS and fentanyl crises, the general population has viewed the victims as foreign. HIV/AIDS was long dismissed as a gay disease, a consequence of living an immoral lifestyle.

Action was taken only once those ostensibly moral judgments were challenged.

Far too many people died an unnecessary death. Western nations sat idly by as a crisis ravaged a class of people they did not deem to be important enough, or moral enough, to be worth saving. Famously, President Reagan never even uttered the words HIV or AIDS even at the height of the pandemic.

A similar crisis is developing around fentanyl. Drugs are seen as taboo by large segments of the population, and drug laws provoke passionate political responses.

As was the case with AIDS, many people believe fentanyl will never be an issue for them personally. In public policy debates, the well-being of drug addicts is rarely of prime consideration.

But its becoming clear fentanyl is an issue that will affect all Canadians.

Moving forward, the issue requires immediate and formal co-operation among government agencies, law enforcement groups, elected officials at all levels, the emergency management infrastructure, educators, civil society, parents and families.

It is simply not enough to sit idly by while the most vulnerable among us die of a preventable situation. This is not the first time we have found ourselves in such circumstances and we must be vigilant that it not happen again.

The fentanyl crisis, an insidious one, threatens to undermine the lessons we learned from health crises of the past.

Canada can, and must, do better.

Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist.

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After months of internal fighting, the Trudeau government has finally done the right thing and joined a growing global movement to support so-called Magnitsky sanctions against gross human-rights violators in Russia and around the world.

The move brings Canada in line with a number of our allies that have already chosen to impose sanctions on individual rights violators, rather than just countries. The United States, Britain and Estonia have adopted similar legislation and Lithuania is currently considering a draft Magnitsky Act.

The sanctions are named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who blew the whistle on a major oligarch-perpetrated tax fraud in his country and was imprisoned and beaten to death in 2009 after he refused to recant.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freelands support for a Senate bill enacting the sanctions comes on the heels of a Commons foreign affairs committee recommendation that Canada punish human rights violators by freezing their assets and denying them visas.

Its a step supported by both opposition parties. As Conservative foreign affairs critic Peter Kent put it: These [sanctions] are for the jailers, those who take directions from superiors to brutalize, to kill, to intimidate and to move ill-gotten gains around the world.

But despite the apparent consensus, the road to this point has been difficult. The Trudeau Liberals promised on the campaign trail to create a Magnitsky Act, but backed off once in office because former foreign affairs minister Stephane Dion opposed it.

After a decade of the Harper government's moral posturing on foreign policy, Dion vowed to take a more pragmatic approach. He argued that the legislation would alienate President Valdimir Putin just as Canada was undertaking efforts to re-open a dialogue with Russia. (Relations have been strained between the two countries since Putin annexed Crimea in 2014.) And Dion was also concerned that adopting the sanctions might hurt Canadian companies wanting to do business in Russia.

That may well be. The Russian embassy in Ottawa issued a statement last week denouncing the Canadian government for supporting the bill. If the Canadian Parliament approves this sanctions legislation, the relations between our countries, which are already experiencing difficult times, will suffer significant damage, it warned.

Whether that's true, or just a bully's threat, Canada cannot afford to sacrifice its leadership on human rights issues to appease a country that is using its power to expand its boundaries and stifle free speech and democracy, not only in Russia but around the world.

Dion was right that Harper's simplistic moralizing often undermined our diplomatic objectives, but in his own approach he too often erred in the other direction, creating the appearance of a moral vacuum.

In any case, Dion's efforts appeared to do little to endear Russia to us. Putin continues to refuse to lift a travel ban it imposed on Freeland in 2014, despite her being named to cabinet in 2015. Nor has he stopped pro-Moscow websites from launching a smear campaign against the foreign minister earlier this year focusing attention on the fact her maternal Ukrainian grandfather was a Nazi collaborator.

As human rights activists vehemently argue, Canada can hardly stand back and do nothing as the list of Putins murdered foes grows.

In addition to Magnitsky, the victims include opposition leader and human rights champion Boris Nemtsov, journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya, liberal politician Sergei Yushenkov, former secret service officer Alexander Litvinenko, lawyer Stanislav Markelov, journalist Anastasia Baburova, and human rights activist Natalia Estemirova.

The government is right finally to move ahead with these sanctions. If the global movement to adopt Magnitsky acts spreads, abusers around the world will find it increasingly difficult to commit their crimes with impunity. If there are practical costs to this, so be it. At some point moral values must trump pragmatic concerns.

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La Jolla Pharmaceuticals' (LJPC) - Get Free Report LJPC-501 quickly reversed dangerously low blood pressure in patients suffering from a severe form of shock, but the drug did not improve total organ function or reduce mortality, according to results from a phase III clinical trial presented Sunday.

Raising blood pressure was the main goal of the LJPC-501 study, so La Jolla likely has enough data to win FDA approval of the drug next year.

Convincing hospitals to purchase LJPC-501 without evidence of improved longer-term outcomes for shock patients could prove to be more challenging for La Jolla, which carries a market capitalization approaching $1 billion.

"I am sure there will be ongoing debate about this," said Dr. Rinaldo Bellomo, an intensive care doctor at the University of Melbourne, Australia and an investigator in the LJPC-501 study.

Distributive shock is a life-threatening condition most often caused by sepsis, in which blood pressure falls to dangerously low levels despite adequate cardiac function. The tissue and organs of distributive shock patients, starved of oxygen-rich blood flow, start to fail and can lead to death.

Distributive shock is typically treated with vasopressor drugs (catecholamines and vasopressin) that constrict blood vessels to raise blood pressure.

In its phase III study known as ATHOS-3, La Jolla enrolled 341 critically ill patients with distributive shock that was not responsive to high doses of vasopressors. Half of the patients in the study were treated with LJPC-501 on top of their vasopressor regimen, while the other half received a placebo plus vasopressors.

LJPC-501 is a synthetic form of human angiotensin II that also raises blood pressure, but in a different way from the currently approved vasopressor drugs.

Three hours after the start of treatment, 70% of the LJPC-501 patients achieved a pre-specified target blood pressure increase compared to 23% of placebo patients. The difference was statistically significant, achieving the primary endpoint of the study.

La Jolla first announced top-line results from the ATHOS-3 study in late February. The study is being presented today at the American Thoracic Society annual conference and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Sunday's ATHOS-3 presentation and publication includes data not previously disclosed from important secondary endpoints tracking patient outcomes in the hours and days following treatment with LJPC-501.

After 48 hours, LJPC-501 did not improve total organ function compared to placebo. Both LJPC-501 and placebo patients showed a similar, one-point average increase on the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Higher SOFA scores indicate worsening overall organ function.

When looking at just cardiovascular organ function, a subset of the total SOFA score, LJPC-501 did show a statistically significant improvement compared to placebo at 48 hours. La Jolla believes this result is clinically significant outcome because it shows LJPC-501 can help doctors wean distributive shock patients off higher, more toxic doses of catecholamines.

LJPC-501 demonstrated a 22% reduction in the risk of death after seven days compared to placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. After seven days, 29% of the LJPC-501 patients died compared to 35% of placebo patients.

"The ATHOS-3 trial is an important study because it provides intensive care clinicians with very strong data that angiotensin II [LJPC-501] is an effective and safe vasopressor drug when added to other vasopressor drugs in the management of shock," said Bellomo, the Australian intensive care doctor and investigator in the study.

"The mortality data suggest the need for larger trials to test whether angiotensin II [LJPC-501] therapy increases survival in this very sick group of patients," he added.

Lead ATHOS-3 study author Dr. Ashish Khanna of the Cleveland Clinic believes it's a mistake to brush off the significance of having another class of drug to raise blood pressure in critically ill shock patients.

"What it means for the bedside clinician is we have now completed this jigsaw puzzle of three different pieces -- catecholamines, vasopressin and now angiotensin -- needed for a robust blood pressure response. With all three, we should be able to achieve a system where we can keep them balance so we can actually do good service to the human body. We supply patients with what is needed, keep their blood pressure normal, prevent organ injury and then fix the source of the problem," said Khanna.

If LJPC-501 is approved and widely adopted by hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units to treat the most at-risk distributive shock patients, peak sales could reach $500 million annually, according to Cowen analyst Phil Nadeau. He has an outperform rating on La Jolla.

"Our consultants says there is a desperate need for new options in the CRH patient population, and that any agent that demonstrates an ability to increase blood pressure will be adopted," Nadeau wrote in a recent research note. CRH refers to distributive shock patients who don't respond to first-line treatment with catecholamines.

Last March, soon after La Jolla announced initial blood-pressure results from the LJPC-501 study, two experts weighed in more skeptically about the utility of the drug absent significant improvement in outcomes.

Dr. Jim Russell, chair of the ATHOS-3 data safety monitoring board, told BioCentury, "Clinicians already have a number of choices. I don't think uptake in the market will be very big without further studies. In particular, I think we probably need a larger study powered for a clinically meaningful endpoint such as organ dysfunction, or mortality, or both. We need to see at minimum a significant increase in vital organ function. Many clinicians would say you need to see a significant decrease in mortality."

Russell is a professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia. He did not respond to an email seeking further comment on the new data from the ATHOS-3 study presented Sunday.

Similarly, Dr. Scott Manaker of the University of Pennsylvania told BioCentury in March, "I'm not sure why one would use angiotensin II to simply increase blood pressure if it's not going to lead to improved long-term outcomes."

Asked Friday to provide additional perspective on the new LJPC-501 data, Manaker said, "Thanks for the invitation but I am declining discussions with financial entities for a variety of reasons."

La Jolla CEO George Tidmarsh did not respond to an email seeking comment.

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Adam Feuerstein writes regularly for TheStreet. In keeping with company editorial policy, he doesn't own or short individual stocks, although he owns stock in TheStreet. He also doesn't invest in hedge funds or other private investment partnerships. Feuerstein appreciates your feedback; click here to send him an email.
The United States has expelled about 326 Somali nationals since January.

That number is greater than the total for all Somalis expelled from the country in 2016.

This is the third consecutive year in which the number of Somalis deported by the U.S. government has risen. The rising numbers have increased immigrants fears of raids, detentions and deportations.

The deportations of Somali citizens appear to be part of a larger movement, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. It found that in the first three months of 2017, the U.S. government ordered the deportation of more than 1,200 Africans. Citizens of Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia and Kenya have received the most removal orders.

Recent deportation orders are undoing a ten-year-long trend. From 2006 to 2016, the number of Africans deported every year fell from 2,100 to about 1,000. If the trend continues, four times more Africans will be deported by the end of this year than during 2016.

Sudden increases

Last week, the U.S. government expelled 67 Somali nationals. That was the third time Somalis were deported in 2017. But even with the recent increase in Somalis deported, the rate at which they are removed is still less than half the average for all immigrants.

Generally, immigrants from African countries are much less likely to be removed from the United States than other immigrant groups.

People from Africa represented less than 0.4 percent of individuals deported from the United States in 2016. That is partly because most immigrants moving to the U.S. are from non-African countries.

The Pew Research Center notes that in 2015 less than five percent of all immigrants to the U.S. were from Africa.

Compared to all nationalities, citizens of African countries are about 10 times less likely to be deported. In 2016, one of every 1,087 African immigrants was deported from the United States. That year, one of every 94 foreign citizens was removed. Those numbers come from the Pew Research Center, the Migration Policy Institute and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Last week, the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) reported that on April first 4,801 Somali nationals had received final orders of removal. The U.S. government had delayed deportations of Somalis because of a civil war in the country. But in 2012, officials decided Somalia was stable enough that Somalis in the U.S. illegally could be safely returned to their homeland.

Rejected asylum requests

Immigrants face deportation when they are found guilty of crimes. But deportations of non-criminal immigrants are more common. Some of those removed last week had asked for asylum, but were denied.

Hundreds of African refugees have been resettled in the United States this year. They include 1,679 refugees from Somalia and 334 from Sudan. Both countries are named in President Donald Trumps executive orders limiting travelers and immigrants from some majority-Muslim countries for 90 days. But federal judges have blocked enforcement of those orders. The Trump administration has appealed to higher courts to overrule the judges.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

VOAs Salem Solomon reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

__________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

consecutive  adj. following one after another

according  adv. as stated by or in

trend  n. a general movement or direction

stable  adj. firmly established; not changing
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An official website of the United States Government
Business leaders are reacting to a new trade deal between the United States and China.

The deal includes initial agreements on agricultural trade, financial services, investment and energy.

Some observers say the agreements do little to help the United States, and fail to deal with issues concerning the Chinese market. But others say the trade deal is evidence of progress.

The deal is part of the 100-day plan announced after a meeting between the Chinese and U.S. presidents last month. The plan opens up Chinese markets, mostly for finance industries and industries based on commodities, such as mining and agriculture.

Robert Atkinson is president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. He said the trade deal fails to identify issues facing advanced industries that are important to Americas economic future.

In a statement, Atkinson said the deal gives China the ability to use its massive foreign reserves to buy up American companies in advanced industries. He urged the administration of President Donald Trump to stop thinking mainly about the U.S. trade deficit with China.

Atkinson wants U.S. officials instead to consider two-way trade and demand real changes in Chinese policies toward American knowledge- and technology-based industries.

The deal means nothing

Derek Scissors is with the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy research group in Washington. He said the trade deal means almost nothing since China has promised to reduce restrictions on American businesses before.

Scissors does not think that the U.S. trade deficit with China will be reduced this year. He urged the Trump administration to pressure China to reduce the amount of money it gives to state-owned companies. He noted if that happens, foreign businesses will be able to capture a larger share of the Chinese market.

Scissors also wants the administration to work on reducing Chinese involvement in the theft of intellectual property. He said the United States should threaten action against China as a way to cut down on the illegal copying of American products.

Small steps forward...

Christopher Balding is a professor with the Peking University HSBC Business School. He said the deal between China and the United States is not a major agreement. But he thinks it is a step forward for the Trump administration.

Balding told VOA that China has used what others have called a delay-and-diversion policy and has waited for years to do what it promises to do. He said some of the promises were made when China became a member of the World Trade Organization in 2000.

Balding said the United States does not have the ability to force China to open its market. But he said China appears to react to the messages written by Trump on the social networking website Twitter. He said those Tweets may give the U.S. some untraditional influence in pushing China.

C.Y. Huang is a partner at the financial services company FCC Partners. He said it is important for American companies to demand full access to the Chinese market. But he warned that the Americans are being beaten by their fast-growing Chinese competitors.

China is no longer afraid of opening up its market and competition from the United States, Huang told VOA.

Deal might reduce U.S. trade deficit with China

The Trump administration says the trade deal is a major one. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said China will open its market to American beef exports by the middle of July. At the same time, the United States will begin to permit imports of cooked poultry from China.

China will also let American-owned companies working in the country provide credit rating and electronic payment services. Chinas UnionPay already controls much of the electronic payment services in the country.

Ross said the trade deal will help to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China -- which reached $347 billion last year.

This is more than has been done in the whole history of U.S.-China relations on trade, Ross told reporters at the White House. He said the deal will go a long way to reducing the trade deficit.

Im Mario Ritter.

Joyce Huang wrote this story for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

initial adj. taking place at the beginning

advanced adj. having or using new and modern methods

reserves n. money kept for a special or future use

diversion n. something that takes attention away from what is happening

access n. a way to get near or into something
Toronto in June is a beautiful place. What better way to plan a visit than meet up with your friends and colleagues at the Canadian Urological Association Meeting, June 24-27, 2017. Fantastic central location to explore our largest city, the very best Canadian specific Urology CME, wonderful speakers, great social events and best of all, scientific and social interaction with people who are living the same experiences as you in our Urology universe.



We invite all members of the Canadian Urological Association, those who want to become members, those who are interested in Urology, our friends in industry, residents, and medical students. This year we extend our invitation to the Urology Nurses of Canada, who for the first time will be having their official annual meeting along with the CUA Annual Meeting.



Our scientific program committee co-chairs, Dr. Robert Siemens and Dr. Tony Finelli, are planning a unique scientific meeting with a special slate of national and international speakers, podium and poster presentations. New this year will be a special theme that will focus on lessons for clinical practice with all presenters (guest lecturers and all scientific, course and panel presenters) finishing with a final Take Home Message of practical value to all our attendees.



Our local organizing committee co-chairs, Dr. Michael Leveridge and Dr. Dean Elterman are planning exciting events for the Opening Reception, Fun Night and Presidents Banquet, that will highlight what Toronto has to offer.



Connecting and networking with friends (old and new) and colleagues around science, education and social events is what makes the Canadian Urological Association Meeting so special. Dont miss the 72nd Annual CUA meeting in Toronto in June 2017.



J. Curtis Nickel, CUA 2017 President
At least 141 people, mostly soldiers in strongman General Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army, were killed Friday during an attack on an airbase in southern Libya, according to the militias spokesman.

Spokesman Ahmad al-Mismari told AFP the attack on the Brak al-Shati airbase was carried out by a militia loyal to the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli.

"The soldiers were returning from a military parade. They weren't armed. Most of them were executed," he said.

Other victims in the attack include civilians who work at the airbase and others who were just in the area, he said.

The GNA condemned the attack and denied any involvement. It promised to investigate the attack and said it would suspend Defense Minister al-Mahdi al-Barghati until those who are responsible are identified.

Rival militias have been vying for supremacy in Libya since 2011 when an uprising removed longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi from power.

The LNA refuses to accept the legitimacy of the GNA and instead supports a rival authority in the east.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he cannot forgive or forget what Sweden has put him through, following an announcement by Swedish prosecutors that they have dropped their rape case against him.

Assange has been living at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012 under virtual house arrest to avoid being detained in connection with the Swedish rape investigation, which began seven years ago. He said he has suffered a terrible injustice, without ever being charged with a crime.

Despite Friday's announcement in Sweden, the Australian-born former journalist and computer programmer remains at the Ecuadorean Embassy. British police say they will arrest him on a charge of jumping bail if he tries to leave. Assange also faces a possible sealed U.S. indictment against him.

Open to talking with U.S. officials

Speaking to reporters from the embassy's balcony, Assange said his legal team would reach out to British authorities. He added that he would be happy to discuss his situation with U.S. Justice Department officials.

Ecuador's foreign minister, Guillaume Long, said Britain should now grant Assange safe passage, and repeated his government's offer of asylum to the Australian whistle-blower.

Swedish authorities announced Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny decided to discontinue the long-running investigation of suspected rape, while saying she was unable to judge whether Assange was guilty or not. The case can be reopened if Assange comes to Sweden, she added.

Assange has always claimed the charges against him were politically motivated.

Watching Assange since 2010

The U.S. Justice Department has been investigating Assange since at least 2010, when WikiLeaks published thousands of stolen U.S. security files.

Last month, CIA Director Mike Pompeo said in a speech in Washington that WikiLeaks directed a U.S. Army intelligence analyst to intercept specific secret information that overwhelmingly focuses on the United States.

U.S. intelligence agencies also contend Russia used WikiLeaks to publish emails by former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during last year's U.S. presidential election.
U.S. President Donald Trump focused Sunday on a major address to Muslim leaders at a summit in Riyadh, but back home the day's news shows were dominated by talk of his firing of FBI chief James Comey and investigations into the Trump campaign's links to Russia.

Two key Trump officials, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, told interviewers that at a May 10 White House meeting with two Russian diplomats, Trump brought up Comey's ouster the day before in an effort to show how "distracted" he had been by Comey's investigation of possible Trump campaign collusion with Moscow interests to help him win the election.

According to a New York Times report Friday, Trump told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow's U.S. ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, that Comey was "a real nutjob" and that his removal would relieve "great pressure." Some opposition Democratic lawmakers say that Trump's dismissal of the official investigating him amounts to obstruction of justice, an impeachable offense.

Another Times story said Comey's notes from a February meeting with Trump the day after he fired his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, showed that he urged Comey to drop his probe of Flynn's calls to Kislyak.

McMaster told ABC, "The gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news."

Tillerson told Fox News that Trump was also trying to convey to the Russians that he was "not going to be distracted by all these issues at home that affect us domestically."

Republican Senator John McCain, a frequent Trump critic, told Fox News that he was "almost speechless" that Trump would describe Comey in such negative terms. The White House has not denied Trump's attack on Comey while condemning leaks of the Oval Office meeting.

"I don't know why someone would say something like that," McCain said, but stopped short of saying Comey's firing was an effort to impede the FBI's investigation.

"I don't think it was a wise thing to do," McCain said. "Mr. Comey was highly respected and highly regarded and so I can't explain it."

Even with Trump dismissing Comey, Robert Mueller, Comey's predecessor as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the country's top law enforcement agency, was named this past week as special prosecutor to investigate Russia's meddling in the election and whether any Trump aides colluded with Moscow to boost Trump's chances of defeating his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton.

The U.S. intelligence community has concluded Moscow hacked into the computer of Clinton campaign chief John Podesta, with the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks subsequently releasing thousands of his emails in the weeks just before last November's election, depicting embarrassing behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic operatives to help Clinton win the party's presidential nomination.

Another Republican lawmaker, Senator Marco Rubio, said, "If any president tries to impede an investigation ... no matter who it is, by interfering with the FBI, yes, that would be problematic. That would be not just problematic, it would be obviously a potential obstruction of justice that people have to make a decision on."

Rubio said, however, that he would reserve judgment until he has heard Comey's public testimony before a congressional panel in the coming weeks about his contacts with Trump.
This is one of our most exciting volcano tours! Halmahera, North Sulawesi and the Sangihe Islands are not only very scenic and interesting as well as nearly unspoiled by tourism, but also home to some of the country's most active (and often erupting) volcanoes, inclduing Dukono, Ibu, Lokon, Soputan and Karangetang.
American University graduate student Kwame Gayle said he was angry when someone hung bananas from nooses on campus. It occurred the same day a black woman became student government president.

Gayle, from Jamaica, recently graduated with a masters degree in international education. He said, I found the entire incident disturbing, but also that some of the conversations we had involved explaining to people why it was so wrong.

There are many reasons why American University officials called the incident racist. The nooses were once used to hang black people.

Gayle said he doesnt know whether the banana incident and other hate incidents at other colleges will cause foreign students to reconsider attending college in the United States.

I think theres long been a realization that as a person of color, you may run into situations or issues connected to race, he said.

Research in February by higher education groups found that 38 percent of the 250 colleges questioned reported a drop in international student applications.

Just last year, the number of international students at American colleges topped one million for the first time ever, according to the Institute of International Education.

Margaret Everett is Vice Provost for Internationalization and Dean of Graduate Studies at Portland State University. The school has seen a big drop -- about 23 percent  of graduate applicants from India.

Everett said a change in Indias currency makes American colleges more expensive. The other reasons for the decrease are concerns about immigration policies and fears of violence.

The concerns about violence followed the February shooting in Kansas of two engineers from India, she said. One of the men died. The man accused of the shooting told the engineers that they did not belong in the United States, witnesses told police.

As a parent myself, I would imagine having all sorts of concerns about even adult children and whether they will be safe and treated well thousands of miles from home, Everett said.

Incidents at other colleges

American is not the only college to report recent incidents of hateful behavior. At the University of Maryland, someone hung posters in March that said America is a white nation and that many immigrants should be sent home.

Also in March, someone dropped two copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, inside a toilet at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Bilal Ayub is president of Alpha Lambda Mu at the University of Texas at Dallas. It is one of seven mostly Muslim fraternities at American college campuses. He called the Quran incident very troubling. But he said it is not representative of his college, where one out of four students are from outside the U.S.

There have been cases, again isolated, but I think we feel safe and feel like we have a place at the University of Texas, Dallas that always has been supportive of diversity, said Ayub. He is nearing degrees next year in business.

Colleges trying to be more welcoming

Some colleges open up centers to help international students with their study. Some even serve food from their native countries. About 100 colleges posted videos with the same message for international students, You are Welcome here.

Losing international students could be very costly to American colleges. Most international students pay full tuition, which is often double what state residents pay to attend a state university.

He studied in US and now his children are doing the same

Ivan Baquerizo is a real estate developer and engineer from Ecuador in South America. He attended Tufts University in Massachusetts in the late 1980s as an international student.

Now, he has one daughter studying architecture at Pratt Institute in New York. One son is about to study engineering at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and another is applying to American colleges.

As a parent, of course I worry, Baquerizo said of reports of new immigration policies and hostility toward international students. But he believes attending a good American college is the best life experience someone can have.

I'm Bruce Alpert and I'm Dorry Gundy.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

banana - n. a long curved fruit with a thick peel that is yellow when it is ripe

noose - n. a large loop at the end of a rope that gets smaller when you pull the rope and that is used to hang people

disturbing - adj. deeply troubling

conversation - n. a discussion

application - n. a formal and usually written request for something such as admission to a school

bar - n. a business where alcoholic drinks are sold

toilet - n. a large bowl attached to a pipe that is used for getting rid of bodily waste and then flushed with water

fraternity - n. an organization of male students at a U.S. college

architecture - n. the art or science of designing and creating buildings
Copies of the fiscal 2018 budget come off the production run at the Government Publishing Office in Washington, on May 19, 2017. The Trump administration is expected to release the budget on Tuesday. (Jim Lo Scalzo/European Pressphoto Agency)

President Trumps first major budget proposal on Tuesday will include massive cuts to Medicaid and call for changes to anti-poverty programs that would give states new power to limit a range of benefits, people familiar with the planning said, despite growing unease in Congress about cutting the safety net.

For Medicaid, the state-federal program that provides health care to low-income Americans, Trumps budget plan would follow through on a bill passed by House Republicans to cut more than $800 billion over 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that this could cut off Medicaid benefits for about 10 million people over the next decade.

The White House also will call for giving states more flexibility to impose work requirements for people in different kinds of anti-poverty programs, people familiar with the budget plan said, potentially leading to a flood of changes in states led by conservative governors. Many anti-poverty programs have elements that are run by both the states and federal government, and a federal order allowing states to stiffen work requirements for able-bodied Americans could have a broad impact in terms of limiting who can access anti-poverty payments  and for how long.

Numerous social-welfare programs grew after the financial crisis, leading to complaints from many Republicans that more should be done to shift people out of these programs and back into the workforce. Shortly after he was sworn in, Trump said, We want to get our people off welfare and back to work. . . . Its out of control.

Trumps decision to include the Medicaid cuts is significant because it shows he is rejecting calls from a number of Senate Republicans not to reverse the expansion of Medicaid that President Barack Obama achieved as part of the Affordable Care Act. The House has voted to cut the Medicaid funding, but Senate Republicans have signaled they are likely to start from scratch.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

[Senate hard-liners outline health-care demands with Medicaid in the crosshairs]

The proposed changes will be a central feature of Trumps first comprehensive budget plan, which will be the most detailed look at how he aims to change government spending and taxes over his presidency. Although Trump and his aides have discussed their vision in broad brushes, this will be the first time they attempt to put specific numbers on many aspects of those plans, shedding light on which proposals they see making the biggest difference in reshaping government. Congress must approve of most changes in the plan before it is enacted into law.

Trump offered a streamlined version of the budget plan in March, but it dealt only with the 30 percent of government spending that is appropriated each year. In that budget, he sought a big increase in military and border spending combined with major cuts to housing, environmental protection, foreign aid, research and development.

But Tuesdays budget will be more significant, because it will seek changes to entitlements  programs that are essentially on autopilot and dont need annual authorization from Congress. The people describing the proposals spoke on the condition of anonymity because the budget had not been released publicly and the White House is closely guarding details.

The proposed changes include the big cuts to Medicaid. The White House also is expected to propose changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, though precise details couldnt be learned. SNAP is the modern version of food stamps, and it swelled following the financial crisis as the Obama administration eased policies to make it easier for people to qualify for benefits. As the economy has improved, enrollment in the program hasnt changed as much as many had forecast.

(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

An average of 44 million people received SNAP benefits in 2016, down from a peak of 47 million in 2013. Just 28 million people received the benefits in 2008.

SNAP could be one of numerous programs impacted by changes in work requirements.

Josh Archambault, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative think tank, said that giving states the flexibility to impose work requirements could lead to a raft of changes to programs ranging from Medicaid to public housing assistance.

One of the encouraging things about putting this in the budget is that states will see if it works, he said. States will try it.

SNAP already has a work requirement, which typically cuts benefits for most able-bodied adults who dont have children. But states were given more flexibility during the recent economic downturn to extend the benefits for a longer period, something that split conservatives at the time.

Michael Tanner, a welfare expert at the libertarian Cato Institute, said the U.S. government spends between $680 billion and $800 billion a year on anti-poverty programs, and considering wholesale changes to many of these initiatives is worthwhile, given questions about the effectiveness of how the money is spent.

Were not seeing the type of gains we should be seeing for all that spending, and that would suggest its time to reform the system, he said.

Many critics have said work requirements can include blanket ultimatums that dont take into account someones age, physical or cognitive ability, or limitations put in place by the local economy. Benefits from these programs are often low, and hardly replace the income someone would earn from a job. And critics of stricter work requirements also believe it could pave the way for states to pursue even stricter restrictions, such as drug tests, that courts have often rejected.

After The Washington Post reported some of the cuts Sunday evening, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Trump was pulling the rug out from so many who need help.

This budget continues to reveal President Trumps true colors: His populist campaign rhetoric was just a Trojan horse to execute long-held, hard-right policies that benefit the ultra wealthy at the expense of the middle class, he said.

The proposed changes to Medicaid and SNAP will be just some of several anti-poverty programs that the White House will look to change. In March, the White House signaled that it wanted to eliminate money for a range of other programs that are funded each year by Congress. This included federal funding for Habitat for Humanity, subsidized school lunches and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, which coordinates the federal response to homelessness across 19 federal agencies.

[Graphic: What Trump cut in his budget]

Leaked budget documents, obtained by the think tank Third Way, suggested other ways the White House plans to change anti-poverty funding. These documents show a change in the funding for Social Securitys Supplemental Security Income program, which provide cash benefits for the poor and disabled. Its unclear, though, what those changes might look like. A White House official said the Third Way document was out-of-date and would not comment on specifics in their files.

Medicaid, SNAP and the SSI program are now classified as mandatory spending because they are funded each year without congressional approval.

Trump has instructed his budget director, former South Carolina congressman Mick Mulvaney, that he does not want cuts to Medicare and Social Securitys retirement program in this budget, Mulvaney recently said, but the plan may call for changes to Social Security Disability Insurance, seeking ideas for ways to move people who are able out of this program and back into the workforce.

A key element of the budget plan will be the assumption that huge tax cuts will result in an unprecedented level of economic growth. Trump recently unveiled the broad principles of what he has said will be the biggest in U.S. history, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a Senate panel last week that these tax cuts would end up creating trillions of dollars in new revenue, something budget experts from both parties have disputed.

The tax cuts would particularly benefit the wealthiest Americans, as Trump has proposing cutting the estate tax, capital gains and business tax rates.

The indications are strong this budget will feature Robin-Hood-in-reverse policies in an unprecedented scale, said Robert Greenstein, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank.

The White House will use its presumed new revenue from the tax cuts combined with broad spending cuts to claim that its changes would eliminate the budget deficit over 10 years. The budget deficit is the gap between government spending and tax revenue, and there has been a deficit in the United States every year since the end of the Clinton administration.

But the Trump administration on Tuesday will say its plan to cut spending, roll back regulations and cut taxes will bring the United States back to economic growth levels that represent about 3 percent of gross domestic product.

Mulvaney told the Federalist Society last week that the economic growth is needed to balance the budget, because spending cuts alone would be seen as too draconian.

I think weve trained people to be immune to the true costs of government, Mulvaney said. People think government is cheaper than it is because weve allowed ourselves to borrow money for a long period of time and not worry about paying it back.

Combined, the tax cuts and spending cuts on anti-poverty programs would signal a sharp reversal of Obamas legacy by pursuing big tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, a large increase in military spending and major changes to anti-poverty programs.

Its premise is that the creation of more wealth will help all Americans succeed, and the Trump administration believes that some anti-poverty programs have created a culture of dependency that prevents people from re-entering the workforce.

White House budget proposals are a way for an administration to spell out its priorities and goals, setting benchmarks for Congress to work with as they decide how much spending to authorize. Trump has an advantage working with two chambers of Congress controlled by his own party, but even many Republicans have said they wont back the severity of some of the cuts he has proposed, particularly in the areas of foreign aid.

Ron Haskins, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, who played a lead role in drafting the 1997 welfare changes in Congress, said Trump will need to find new support from Republicans in Congress if he is going to achieve the welfare-related overhauls hes seeking.

I dont think the Republicans on the Hill are going to feel a strong compulsion to follow the president, Haskins said. They are not afraid of him.

In addition to the myriad cuts, the budget will include some new spending.

Beyond an increase in the military budget and new money for border security, the White House is expected to call for $200 billion for infrastructure projects and an additional $25 billion over 10 years for a new program designed by Ivanka Trump that would create six weeks of parental leave benefits.
Ajit Pai, chairman of the U.S Federal Communications Commission, speaks in Barcelona in February. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)

When French voters resoundingly elected a centrist president rather than a right-leaning antiglobalist this month, one reason may have been the nations news media.

As a French newspaper editor commented: We dont have a Fox News in France.

The United States certainly does have one. Pretty soon, it may have the equivalent of two.

Sinclair Broadcast Group has struck a deal with Tribune Media to buy dozens of local TV stations.

And what Fox News is for cable, Sinclair could become for broadcast: programming with a soupcon  or more  of conservative spin.

Already, Sinclair is the largest owner of local TV stations in the nation. If the $3.9 billion deal gets regulatory approval, Sinclair would have 7 of every 10 Americans in its potential audience.

Thats too much power to repose in one entity, Michael Copps, who served on the FCC from 2001 to 2012, told me. Sinclair would have 215 stations, including ones in big markets such as Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago, instead of the 173 it has now.

Theres no reason to think that the FCCs new chairman, Ajit Pai, will stand in the way.

Already, his commission has reinstated a regulatory loophole  closed under his predecessor, Tom Wheeler  that allows a single corporation to own more stations than the current 39 percent nationwide cap.

And Pai has made no secret of his deregulatory fervor. The former Verizon lawyer, an FCC commissioner for five years, is moving quickly.

We need to fire up the weed whacker and remove those rules that are holding back investment, innovation and job creation, Pai said in a speech late last year.

Copps, now an adviser to Common Cause, puts an entirely different spin on the new FCCs approach: They believe in a corporatized media.

The stakes are high  and not just for Sinclairs business interests. Theres evidence that when Sinclair takes over, conservative content gets a powerful platform.

When Sinclair bought Washingtons WJLA-TV in 2014, the new owners quickly moved the station to the right, as my colleague Paul Farhi repeatedly has documented. It added conservative commentary pieces from a Sinclair executive, Mark Hyman, and public affairs programming with conservative hosts. (The deal would give Sinclair a second Washington station, WDCW.)

And Sinclair regularly sends must-run segments to its stations across the country. One example: an opinion piece by a Sinclair executive that echoed President Trumps slam at the national news media and what he calls the fake news they produce.

Some of Sinclairs local journalists objected  this commentary, they reasonably complain, is presented as though it were part of the news report.

During the presidential campaign, Trumps message came through loud and clear on Sinclairs stations, many of which are in small or medium-sized markets in battleground states such as Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, even bragged, according to Politico, that the campaign cut a deal with the media conglomerate for uninterrupted coverage of some Trump appearances.

Is there a link between such content  and the expectation of more  and the loosening of federal rules?

Tim Karr, strategy director at Free Press, an advocacy organization that opposes media consolidation, certainly thinks so.

Its legitimate to suggest a quid pro quo  a trade of policy favors for favorable media coverage, Karr told me.

Sinclairs Rebecca Hanson, a senior vice president, objected: With respect to Sinclair, this speculation is patently false. In an email, she insisted that the companys content is not partisan, but rather based on impartial local news reporting.

An FCC spokesman declined to comment on Karrs assertion.

It may be going too far to say that conservative content has a direct tie to federal policy decisions. And its probably not even a necessary element.

We already know that the Pai-led commission believes in deregulation that will help a company like Sinclair grow into an even bigger behemoth.

We already know that Sinclairs audience reach probably will be immense, and its political influence wide  just like Fox in the cable world. (Foxs parent company, 21st Century Fox, also tried to buy the Tribune stations.)

And we already know that Sinclair makes conservative programming a part of its offerings, in some cases taking decision-making out of the hands of local news people.

The long march of media consolidation is a given. Thats a shame, because local TV news is still fairly well-trusted, while public trust in the media as a whole is scraping bottom.

But as former FCC commissioner Copps put it: The bazaar is open as its never been open before.

For more by Margaret Sullivan visit wapo.st/sullivan
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser isnt blaming her city administrator, deputy mayor or former chancellor of schools about the findings of an inspector generals report that detailed a pattern of favoritism for kids of politically connected parents. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

The fallout from findings that a former schools chancellor misused her authority to place children of top D.C. officials in coveted schools seemed clear. From city hall, where council members were inundated with calls last week, to neighborhood email groups, where parents fumed, there was outrage that well-connected people had stepped ahead of everyone else in the citys notoriously competitive school lottery.

But the mayor doesnt see it that way.

Muriel E. Bowser has refused to cast blame on her city administrator, her deputy mayor or her former chancellor of schools, despite an inspector generals report that detailed a pattern of favoritism for kids of politically connected parents.

Inspector General Daniel Lucas found that former schools chancellor Kaya Henderson misused her authority by specially placing the children of well-connected people in desired schools, allowing them to bypass the lottery that determines school placements for thousands of families across the city.

The beneficiaries included two senior members of Bowsers cabinet, former D.C. mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Roberto J. Rodriguez, who served in the Obama White House as an education adviser, as well as the director of a foundation that works with the school system and one of Hendersons graduate school classmates.

Henderson received 10 requests for special placements in 2015 and granted seven, the inspector general found. His investigation examined just the 2015 lottery season and did not include the rest of Hendersons tenure, from November 2010 to September 2016.

On a call-in radio program Friday, two days after The Washington Post published the confidential report from the inspector general, Bowser was asked whether she was slow to acknowledge public anger over the situation.

Well, actually, Bowser began, and then she launched into a recitation of ethics advice that public officials will get in the future before seeking special consideration for their children.

Bowser defended City Administrator Rashad Young and Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden, saying they had availed themselves of the help that any parent could request from the chancellor.

If she had a regret, the mayor seemed to say it was regarding public perception.

I am deeply sorry that we have to  that theres any doubt about the decisions that were made by any member of my team, Bowser said.

Thats . . . outrageous, said Denise Krepp, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission commissioner who let loose an expletive to underscore her point. Krepps family was among thousands in the city that played the school lottery and failed to win its first choice school.

I didnt call the mayor or the chancellor and ask for a placement, because you dont. If its a pure lottery system, you dont do that, said Krepp, a former Obama administration appointee. They manipulated it, and its very clear-cut. I dont understand why the mayor hasnt come out and said it was wrong  she should have.

[Secret report shows special treatment for public officials in DC school lottery]

Lucas did not conclude that Henderson committed any crimes, but he said she violated guidelines and forwarded his findings to the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability for further action. Investigators were focused on Henderson and did not address whether the public officials she helped had abused their positions.

Council members, however, thought there was plenty wrong.

As a parent, if I believed my child possibly missed out on an opportunity because of special treatment for connected people, Id be pissed, said Robert White (D-At Large).

Council member David Grosso (I-At Large), who chairs the education committee, said he wants to review discretionary placements beyond 2015 to see how frequently they were made and why.

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and the director of the citys ethics commission cast doubt on Bowsers proposal that the commission review all future requests for special school placements from public officials. They said it was not clear what criteria would be used to evaluate whether a request for special placement is appropriate.

For Bowsers critics, the lottery is another example of ethics concerns that have pulsed through other initiatives. Early on in her tenure, Bowser and her supporters were forced to abandon a political action committee over perceptions of pay-to-play politics. Last year, the council threw out the mayors plan to build several shelters for homeless families, after The Post reported the land deals would have profited some of the mayors top donors. A council report also is pending into allegations that Bowsers administration pressured officials to award lucrative stadium contracts to the firm of another top donor.

That overlay has made [the lottery investigation] possibly seem even worse to people, council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) said. It can obviously feed that whole narrative and thats an additional danger for her right now.

Bowser promised last year that she would run for a second term, and with the Districts Democratic primary just over a year away, the mayors staff has been planning to transition into campaign mode this summer.

Cheh said the effect of the school lottery scandal on Bowsers reelection is still to be determined.

I dont think they fully appreciated the intensity of the reaction because they were looking at it somewhat antiseptically  did anyone break the law? No, well, okay, Cheh said. But this is the kind of behavior that people react viscerally to. Theres a long line and when people cut, thats infuriating.

In an interview with The Post on Wednesday, Bowser, who does not have children, said it was not on her radar that people could seek discretionary school placements or that before the IG report there were ethical concerns about how political appointees used the procedure.

Bowser maintained that public officials like Young, the top appointed official in her administration, need clearer guidelines about how to approach the gray area ofdiscretionary placements.

You ask me, did he do anything wrong? Well, he asked, it appears, or contacted the chancellor, it appears, with some questions about the school where he was matched, so if he cant have any contact with the chancellor, perhaps, that was a piece, a question, he could ask to the ethics board  hey, Im a parent, Im going to be a DCPS parent, but I have some additional questions  all of, any public official would benefit from that, Bowser said.

The closest the mayor came to apologizing was on Kojo Nnamdis show on WAMU-FM (88.5) last Friday. I do get why people are angry, she said. I get angry if I think someone is jumping in line in front of me, and I recognize how important these school decisions are for families. . . . I am not happy about anybody having that view of our cabinet members, and we will change it.

Bowsers deputies, who referred questions from The Post to the mayors office, took to social media to defend themselves.

I didnt game the system. I properly applied and my kids attend the school they got through lottery, Young wrote in a tweeted response to criticism by political consultant Chuck Thies, who managed the campaign of Bowsers opponent in the 2014 election, then-Mayor Vincent C. Gray.

Thies countered, At minimum, you missed a deadline and got special treatment that parents who arent politically connected dont receive.

Young tweeted back: I had no ability to enroll my kids. I had no dc address, no utility bill, no pay stub with dc withholding. I didnt ask for a favor.

Young, who had been the city administrator in Alexandria, Va., before Bowser announced his hire in late 2014, had not yet moved into the District when he entered the lottery in spring of 2015.

He won seats for his two sons at Murch Elementary School, a high-performing school in Northwest, but did not enroll by the May 1 deadline. The chancellor arranged for Young to claim the seats months later, after Young and his family moved to a $1.2 million house outside the Murch school zone and east of Rock Creek Park.

According to the inspector generals report and the lottery rules, if a family does not enroll by the deadline, the seat is forfeited and the school should have moved on to the approximately 800 other families on the Murch waiting list.

In a post on Facebook, Snowden also defended how the chancellor placed her son at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan, a DCPS school with a waiting list of more than 1,000 students.

Like every parent, I take the responsibility of raising my babies very seriously, Snowden wrote. As is the right of any District parent, I petitioned DCPS to secure a discretionary placement, and I am grateful that Chancellor Henderson was able to assist in securing a seat at a school that fit my childs unique needs.

Snowdens child was placed at the school despite the fact that he did not appear to have prior Montessori schooling  a requirement for admission.

Dan Ridge, a 42-year-old computer scientist and ANC commissioner on Capitol Hill, sends his two children to a private Montessori school in the hope that they will one day be matched to Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan through the school lottery.

He said he was galled that Snowden was able to both bypass the lottery and evade the requirement that her son have previous Montessori schooling.

After reading the details in the IGs report, Ridge said, the mayors defense of Snowden rings hollow.

The report completely undercuts the mayors claim that Snowden asked for a discretionary transfer in a manner available to every parent, Ridge said. He said that it was possible Bowser had not actually read the report before she spoke out in defense of Snowden and Young, but if she had read this report, its simply dissembling to say that her staff did nothing wrong by asking.

Its appalling, Ridge said. This is a big deal for a lot of families.
An Alexandria gym terminated the membership of white nationalist Richard Spencer last week after he was confronted by a Georgetown University professor who recognized him and lambasted him over his alt-right views.

C. Christine Fair, an associate professor at Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service, said she was working out at Old Town Sport&Health on Wednesday when she spotted Spencer, president of the white-nationalist National Policy Institute.

Fellow gym patrons had told Fair how Spencer had been seen at the gym earlier that week, she said. When she recognized him as the man working out on the gyms second floor, she approached him. At first, she said, Spencer denied who he was.

Are you Richard Spencer? she asked him, describing the encounter in an online post. No. I am not, he replied.

I said, Of course you are, so not only are you a Nazi  you are a cowardly Nazi,  Fair said in an interview, invoking a common characterization of Spencer. I just want to say to you, Im sick of your crap  that this country belongs [to people like you]. . . . As a woman, I find your statements to be particularly odious; moreover, I find your presence in this gym to be unacceptable, your presence in this town to be unacceptable.

(YouTube/Ryan Crumpler)

[Lets party like its 1933: Inside the alt-right world of Richard Spencer]

(Spencer has denied he is a Nazi. During a white-nationalist conference in November, Spencer was seen on video shouting Hail Trump! as crowd members replied with Nazi salutes.)

In comments to BuzzFeed, which was first to report the encounter and the termination of Spencers membership, Spencer said he denied his identity because he wanted to avoid a confrontation.

I said no because I wanted her to go away, he told the outlet.

Spencer could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday. But he provided an image of his termination letter to BuzzFeed and told the outlet that he didnt know why the gym revoked his membership. He described himself as a well-behaved member who strayed from controversy.

He told BuzzFeed that he was considering fighting back against the gym, but the article did not specify the type of action he might take.

Sport&Health Clubs did not respond to emailed questions Sunday. When asked by phone whether Spencers membership has been suspended, an employee who identified himself as a manager at the Old Town gym replied no comment.

For Alexandria residents, the incident marked another chapter in a tense relationship with the public figure, who from his Old Town office advocates the alt-right, a small, far-right movement that seeks a whites-only state.

Spencer was punched in the face in downtown Washington on Inauguration Day by an anti-Trump protester and most recently was seen leading tiki-torch-wielding demonstrators in a Charlottesville protest of plans to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

[White nationalist Richard Spencer leads torch-bearing protesters defending Lee statue]

Fair said in her online post she loudly identified [Spencer] as a neo-Nazi. Eventually, Fair said, Spencer asked for a trainer  a black woman  to help get him out of the confrontation.

Seriously? This superior race of a white man needed the help of a female African American? What kind of martial race member is he? Fair wrote in her post.

Fair continued to prod Spencer, and another gym member  apparently unaware of who he was  stepped in to defend him. Fair said she told the woman to Google him.

Right now youre being ignorant, and youre actually enabling a real-life Nazi, Fair said she told the woman.

Finally, Fair said, the general manager confronted her for allegedly creating a hostile environment for gym patrons by loudly decrying Spencer. Fair responded that Spencers views create a hostile environment for gym employees who are women and people of color.

Despite his silence on the matter Sunday, Spencers Twitter feed provided insight into how he was reacting to the loss of his gym membership. He retweeted a message asking whether the termination of his membership means we can start kicking Jews and coloreds out of our business establishments?

He also retweeted a message from someone saying they hoped hed sue. In another instance, he retweeted an apparent Wikipedia edit weight-shaming Fair, a common theme of attacks against Fair, who said she is comfortable in my skin.

[After Trump victory, attendance rises at annual white nationalist conference in D.C.]

For Fair, the incident triggered a swarm of crude, hateful and anti-Semitic social-media postings and voice mails. Fair said she was contacted by a corporate representative for the gym last week, who informed her that Spencers membership had been terminated. The gym wanted her to come in to provide more information about the incident.Id do it again, she said of the episode. I told the fellow, I think we can have a deal here: You dont let any more Nazis in, and I wont be making a scene. 
THE REGION

Local ofcials warn of measles exposure

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is investigating a potential measles outbreak in portions of the Washington region after a patient admitted to Childrens National Medical Center in the District was diagnosed with the potentially deadly and highly contagious virus.

The patient was diagnosed with measles on Friday but had been rendered medical aid in Maryland, including at Prince Georges Hospital Center, in the days before the diagnosis.

The Maryland Department of Health, which is working with the health departments in the District and Prince Georges County, said it is informing people who were in certain locations in the District and Maryland about the diagnosis out of an abundance of caution.

[Everything you need to know about measles.]

Most people in the United States are vaccinated against measles, so the exposure is considered a low risk. But for those who havent been vaccinated, the virus is extremely contagious, and 90 percent of people who are not immune can contract measles from being near a single infected person. The virus can live on a surface or hang in the air for as long as two hours after an infected person has coughed or sneezed.

Individuals who are concerned about possible exposure and vulnerability to measles should contact their primary health care provider or local health department before visiting a provider office or health care facility, the Maryland Department of Health said in a statement. Taking these steps reduces the chances of potentially exposing other people to measles.

The infected patient contracted measles outside the United States and developed symptoms upon returning, the department said. About the third to seventh day after being infected, a rash begins to appear on the face that will spread to the rest of the body, according to the Maryland health department. But it could take more than two weeks for someone to develop symptoms.

Between May 8 and May 15, the patient was in public spaces in Prince Georges County and the District, including the Department of Social Services and Social Security buildings in Hyattsville. The measles patient was also in the Prince Georges Hospital Center Emergency Department and on May 9 rode the No. 12 public transit bus to and from Prince Georges Hospital Center.

The patient has been in isolation since May 13.

 Perry Stein

The DISTRICT

Trash re causes delay on Yellow, Green lines

Metro briefly suspended some service on the Green and Yellow lines Saturday while the fire department put out a small trash fire in the LEnfant Plaza station.

The D.C. fire department responded to reports of smoke at the station just before 2 p.m. and discovered a very small smoldering trash fire about 100 feet from the train platform, fire department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said. The fire was put out with a hand extinguisher and there were no injuries, according to Maggiolo.

There is no reason to believe it was anything nefarious, he said.

Metro tweeted that the incident prompted it to temporarily suspend service and offer shuttles between the Pentagon and Mount Vernon Square stations on the Yellow Line and between the Waterfront and Mount Vernon Square stations on the Green Line for a short time Saturday afternoon.

 Perry Stein

Man is fatally stabbed in Southwest home

A 49-year-old man was fatally stabbed inside a Southwest Washington home early Saturday morning.

Police say they responded to a report of a stabbing around 3:30 a.m. on the 100 block of Joliet Street SW. Inside the residence they found Derrick Roach suffering from a stab wound.

D.C. Fire and EMS transported Roach to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not made an arrest in the case and are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or send a text to 50411.

 Perry Stein
World of Beer in Rockville already bans smoking in its outdoor dining area, but many restaurants and bars do not. The Rockville City Council will vote Monday on whether to ban all outdoor smoking in sidewalk cafes and outdoor dining establishments. (BT/Bill Turque/The Washington Post)

In an increasingly smoke-free world, the outdoor restaurant table has become a kind of last redoubt for lighting up in public.

But on Monday, the Rockville City Council is expected to eliminate that refuge by passing a ban on smoking or vaping in outdoor dining areas and bar patios.

The suburban Maryland city of 66,000 would become the largest Washington-area locality to snuff out the practice and would join a lengthening list of jurisdictions nationwide.

As of last month, more than 230 cities and counties, four states (Hawaii, Maine, Michigan and Washington) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico mandated smoke-free outdoor dining and drinking, according to Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, a lobbying group. That includes just one other community in the Washington region  La Plata, Md., population 9,000, about 35 miles south of the nations capital in Charles County.

While the health risks posed by secondhand smoke have been well understood for many years, much of the focus has been on indoor exposure. A growing body of more recent research indicates that, under certain conditions, outdoor tobacco smoke can be just as harmful, both to nonsmokers and workers who wait tables. Some studies show that air quality inside smoke-free restaurants also suffers from outdoor smoke.

I think people have this false sense of security that when they are outside, exposure to secondhand smoke isnt much of an issue, said Rockville City Council member Julie Palakovich Carr, the bills sponsor and a biologist by training. I think its an important health issue for our community.

The ordinance would cap more than a decades worth of measures by Rockville, Montgomery County and Maryland to ban smoking in government buildings, workplaces, parks, playgrounds, and inside drinking and dining establishments. Effective in 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will prohibit smoking in all public housing units and common areas.

Smoke-free space has become so much the norm it is widely assumed that the ban covers virtually every public area. That is especially true in Montgomery, which has built a reputation  and drawn some criticism  as a nanny state, with laws mandating healthy vending machine offerings and barring trans fats from restaurant menus.

I guess you can still smoke in this county, if you dig a bunker a couple hundred feet below the surface and nobodys around and you make sure its enclosed, quipped Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Terrence J. McGann, a nonsmoker, during a hearing last week on another health-related law, this one barring the use of certain pesticides on private lawns in the county.

A walk through Rockville Town Square during lunchtimes and happy hours last week found few smokers at outdoor tables, most of them not eager to talk about the issue  and some under the impression that a ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas was already in place.

I didnt know you could do that, said Madison Bump, 26, a smoker who works for a nonprofit in downtown Rockville, who added that he is extremely cautious about where he lights up.

I think among our generation, many smokers feel ostracized. Were like lepers, he said.

While Carr is sponsoring the ordinance, the real energy behind the proposal is Adam Zimmerman, a Rockville resident who became concerned about his young daughters exposure to secondhand smoke during outings on the square.

In 2013, he lobbied the council for a ban on smoking in city parks  including the civic green on the town square  which the council passed two years later. Then he turned his attention to the outdoor tables bars and restaurants that line the square.

When we walk inside of a restaurant wed be shocked if someone was smoking a cigarette inside, said Zimmerman, 35, a senior associate for a communications firm that works with nonprofits. We should have the same expectation on an outdoor patio.

The measure has drawn only modest opposition from Rockville bar and restaurant proprietors. They are less concerned about protecting smokers than with what they see as the latest in regulations that plague small businesses.

My main concern is that we have too many laws. Too many laws and spending a lot of money enforcing them, said Sudhir Seth, who owns Spice Xing, an Indian restaurant on Gibbs Street off the Town Square.

Seth, 59, who smoked for 37 years before quitting a year ago, said Rockville officials should be more concerned about expensive parking and the lack of top-line retail stores downtown. This will be another nail in the coffin, he said.

There is stronger pushback from owners and customers of Rockvilles hookah lounges, which are also covered under the proposal. The states clean-air law treats them as tobacco retailers, because they usually serve no food. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says secondhand smoke from hookahs, flavored tobacco smoked through a water pipe, also poses health risks to nonsmokers.

The owners of Sams Hookah Bar & Cafe on Rockville Pike have collected 200 signatures on a petition opposing the ordinance. The business is wedged into a shopping strip. The outdoor tables, which owner Marvin Motaghi said generate important extra income, look out onto a driveway next to a mattress store, where pedestrian traffic is rare.

I dont agree with it whatsoever, Motaghi, whose family has been in business for 18 years, said of the ordinance.

Without an outdoor smoking area, were going to barely make ends meet, he said. Were not a franchise where we can grab money from one store and put it into another.
Jean Fritz, the author of nearly 50 books for children, most of them fast-paced, vividly written works of history and biography, died May 14 at a retirement home in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. She was 101.

The cause was complications from pneumonia, said her son, David Fritz.

Mrs. Fritz began her literary career by writing conventional fiction picture books for children, but she turned to history when she realized the facts were more exciting to me than my own stories.

Part of her inspiration for exploring American history came from her childhood, which was spent in China, where her parents were missionaries.

I was American, but I didnt feel like an American, she told the Times in 2003. It didnt help that a British bully at the school she attended often taunted her about the country she scarcely knew.

Every day at recess, Mrs. Fritz said in 1990, that boy came up to me and said, George Washington is a stinker. So I had to fight. I was the only one there to defend my country.

In 1958, she wrote her first historical book, The Cabin Faced West, based on a family story about her great-great-grandmother, who encountered George Washington on horseback in a remote part of western Pennsylvania and invited him to join her family for supper.

Mrs. Fritz embarked on a series of books on heroes of the Revolutionary War, followed by others on explorers, presidents and historically significant women, including voting rights advocate Elizabeth Cady Stanton and author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her books were illustrated by a variety of artists, including Tomie de Paola and Margot Tomes.

Mrs. Fritz did monumental amounts of research for her books, including visiting the places where her subjects had lived. All the dialogue in her books was taken from the historical record.

At her best, historian Elisabeth Griffith wrote in the Times in 1986, Mrs. Fritz is a skillful biographer and a graceful, entertaining writer.

Most of her books were aimed at children at least 8 to 10 years old. She plunged right into the story, often beginning with descriptions of childhood.

Harriet Beecher had always understood that, along with her sisters, she was second best in her family, Mrs. Fritz wrote in her 1994 book on Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Toms Cabin.

On June 14, 1811, when shed been born, her father had grumbled to a neighbor, Wisht it had been a boy! Of course her father was disappointed. He was Lyman Beecher, a minister in Litchfield, Connecticut, and he was collecting boys. He wanted lots of Beecher preachers in the family.

When she was young, Mrs. Fritz said in a 1990 interview, history held little interest to her.

I kept thinking as a child that there was more than I was being told, more than just dates and wars, she said. I wanted to get acquainted with the people.

Jean Guttery was born Nov. 16, 1915, in Hankow, China (now Hankou). Her parents often spoke wistfully of the United States, which Mrs. Fritz did not visit until she was 12.

My interest in writing about American history, she later wrote, stemmed originally, I think, from a subconscious desire to find roots  I felt like a girl without a country.

She grew up mostly in West Hartford, Conn., and began writing stories as a girl. She was a 1937 graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., and later worked as a textbook researcher and studied childrens literature at Columbia University.

After her marriage in 1941, Mrs. Fritz lived in San Francisco and Tacoma, Wash., and reviewed childrens books for local newspapers. In 1951, she and her family settled in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., where she worked as childrens librarian. She wrote her first book for children in 1954.

Her husband, Michael Fritz, a laboratory manager, died in 1995. Survivors include two children, David Fritz of West Milford, N.J., and Andrea Pfleger of Woodstock, N.Y.; and two grandsons.

Mrs. Fritzs 1982 book Homesick: My Own Story, drawing on reflections from her childhood, won an American Book Award for childrens fiction. She wrote another autobiographical volume, Homecoming, in 1985.

She received many honors for her work, including a National Humanities Medal presented by President George W. Bush in 2003.

Among other subjects, Mrs. Fritz wrote about the Constitution and such historical figures as Benjamin Franklin, Pocahontas, Christopher Columbus, Alexander Hamilton, George Washingtons mother, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.

The question I am most often asked, is how do I find my ideas? Mrs. Fritz wrote in a personal essay. The answer is: I dont. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book.
In and around the man-made canyon formed by the office buildings on L Street NW in downtown Washington, a burglar has been at work since the beginning of the year, D.C. police said.

Someone, police said, has been entering office buildings, then going into individual offices, taking things and fleeing.

On Friday, the police said, Phillip Andrew Lomax, 57, of Southeast Washington was arrested on a warrant and charged with second-degree burglary in connection with a burglary last weekend in the 1900 block of L Street.

After investigating, the police said, they charged him in 21 other, similar burglaries.

Most were on weekends, since April, and most were clustered within two or three blocks of L Street.

In all, police said Saturday, Lomax was charged in nine L Street burglaries, six of them in the 1900 block.

Charges also included four burglaries on M Street, just north of L Street, police said, and four around the corner from L.
A Woodbridge man was arrested Saturday for allegedly attempting to abduct a woman near his home earlier in the day, police said Sunday.

Prince William County police said Keith Richard Griffin, 43, was being held without bond in the incident.

According to police, a 33-year-old woman had been walking in the neighborhood about 5:10 a.m. Saturday when Griffin approached her and tried to pull her away.

A struggle ensued and the suspect assaulted the victim, causing minor injuries, police said in a news release.

Shortly thereafter, the woman broke free and called police. The incident occurred near Griffins residence, at Castile Court and Oakwood Drive in Woodbridge, police said.

Griffin was charged with abduction and malicious wounding, police said. He is due in court on July 11.
For the sixth year, volunteers plant trees in a field at the Flight 93 National Memorial as part of a re-forestation initiative. (Jeff Swensen/For the Washington Post)

A few dozen people spread out on a bumpy, bulldozed hillside, piercing the ground, twisting up the dirt, digging holes and planting delicate seedlings.

Someday this rocky former mining site will be covered with tens of thousands of baby trees rising out of the ground. But volunteer efforts to plant along this Southwestern Pennsylvania expanse arent meant to cover up what happened here. Instead, the trees are meant to help people remember.

On Sept. 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into this field, a hijacked San Francisco-bound jet ultimately felled after passengers and crew members revolted, preventing terrorists from reaching their intended target in Washington, D.C. Officials believe the terrorists wanted to crash into the U.S. Capitol Building  but ultimately hit the ground in Pennsylvania at more than 500 miles per hour  rather than fully lose control of the hijacked plane.

The Plant a Tree at Flight 93 project  which has provided thousands of volunteer-planted baby trees in designated spots at the 2,200-acre site since 2011  aims to honor the victims of Flight 93 with something beautiful and beneficial, officials said. This year, some 500 volunteers came out on Friday and Saturday to plant more than 11,000 new seedlings among 17 acres. By 2020, leaders hope to have 150,000 trees.

It will help heal this scarred land where the crash site is, and where the mine used to be, said Henry Scully, executive director of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. It is all part of the healing process.

A US Forest Service ranger explains the planting of an American Chestnut seedling on the 6th consecutive year where volunteers planted trees in a field at the Flight 93 National Memorial as part of a re-forestation initiative. (Jeff Swensen/For the Washington Post)

The trees  including 15 species, such as black cherry, black locust, American chestnut, red oak and white pine  will help make the memorial site a place of healing, respect and tranquility, Scully said. The Pittsburgh native lost several friends in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

Flight 93 was one commercial airplane out of four that were hijacked in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, with al-Qaeda terrorists taking control of the plane after it left Newark on its coast-to-coast flight. Because its takeoff was delayed, it was still airborne after airplanes hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Passengers and crew, learning of the attacks and a national grounding order for all aircraft, worked to thwart the hijackers plans to use Flight 93 in a similar attack.

All 44 people aboard were killed  33 passengers, seven crew and four hijackers  but no one on the ground was injured.

The memorial, part of the National Park Service, surrounds the area where the flight hit in a rural part of Pennsylvania, which by flight time is about 20 minutes from Washington. The tree-planting effort is intended to reforest the area and provide a windbreak for the memorial.

Volunteers broke off into teams of 20 Friday, with each member pairing up with a partner, one to do the digging, another to do the planting. The seedlings have about a 75 percent survival rate, with the rest succumbing to damage from winter weather or deer, Scully said. The baby trees stand about 1 to 3 feet tall, but after several years of growth, they will serve as a shield against the strong winds that blow across the memorial site.

The planting event attracted many people in conservation lines of work, like biologist Natalie Shearer, 39, of Pittsburgh. She squatted down with a seedling, while her co-worker and planting partner  Jesse Killosky, 29, of Finleyville, Pa.,  stomped on a dibble bar to carve out the dirt. Both women work for AECOM, a Pittsburgh-based engineering firm that does environmental consulting.

Its really a good experience, Shearer said. Its such a sacred site.
Service dogs, most people probably think, are for blind people. And maybe for someone who uses a wheelchair. Not so much for those who appear hale and hearty. We dont realize what a dog could do for someone with an invisible disability such as seizures or diabetes. Or for someone like me  someone with a psychiatric disability who would eventually find my service dog so indispensable that I took him everywhere  even to Target.

I have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), TRD (treatment-resistant depression) and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). Because of this alphabet soup of mental illness, I also have panic attacks. An overwhelming sense of doom drops down. My heart races; my breathing hitches. I shake. The attacks often dont end until I down a Klonopin, a heavy benzodiazepine about two steps up from Xanax.

Panic attacks in public are the scariest. As I sweat and shake for no apparent reason, I feel unsafe. I look In Need of Assistance or like That Person You Should Avoid. It would be very convenient to know a panic attack is coming, so I could down some meds and remove myself and my three small children from public view.

The help of a dog

Then I found another way. After reading up on service dogs, I thought how nice it would be to have one  one who would warn me when a panic attack was about to happen, one who might even get my medication from my purse. My doctor thought it was a splendid idea. We were in the process of getting a German shepherd puppy anyway, so the timing seemed perfect.

[Your dog can make you feel better, and heres why]

I could arrange for my own service dog pretty easily because theres no nationwide governing body for such animals. When I looked up what I had to do to get a puppy certified, I was astounded: There is no certification. The Foundation for Service Dog Support, a nonprofit, trains golden retrievers, sells vests and certificates, and teaches people how to train their own service dogs. They say a service dog should obey commands 90 percent of the time, not steal food and ignore other dogs. But those standards have no legal standing.

The Americans With Disabilities Act stipulates that to be deemed a service dog, the animal must be trained to perform a helpful task, but the law also states that its illegal for anyone to require that the dog demonstrate that ability. So, for example, no one can make me show that Queequeg snorfs my hand when my breathing changes, alerting me to a panic attack. Legally, they just have to take me at my word that he does it.

Basically, you can just slap a vest on a canine, stick a service dog patch on it and gin up an identification card at any number of online paper mills. These cards often reference the ADA and look authoritative enough to make naysayers back off.

This makes the service-dog designation ripe for abuse by people taking their pets into no-pets-allowed public places or bringing them on airline flights for free. Brian Skewis, executive officer of the California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, told the Detroit Free Press that many of the service dogs he sees in airports are used fraudulently.

Everyone agrees theres a problem, but theres no clear-cut solution, he says.

Colorado has passed a law making it illegal to misrepresent an untrained dog as a service animal, according to the Gazette of Colorado Springs. Penalties include $25 for a first offense, as much as $200 for a second offense and up to $500 for a third.

Queequeg, named after both the dog on The X-Files and the harpooner in Moby-Dick, was a tiny ball of German shepherd fuzz the first time my husband and I saw him. We picked him because he was cuddly and brought him home when he was about 9 weeks old. He had become relatively huge by about 4 months and would continue to grow until his head hit my waist and he weighed a lanky 100 pounds.

[Giving a speech can be terrifying. These dogs are here to help]

I began training him myself. Thats legal, according to Service Dog Central, a website offering information about service dogs. I knew how to train the basics of obedience: sit-stay-come, walk nicely on a leash. Queequeg picked them up quickly  all but stay, which were still working on. We took him everywhere and corrected him when he pulled.

Its been more difficult to train him to recognize that Im about to have a panic attack. When one is imminent, my breathing speeds up. So I used that as a signal for him to tell me that I was about to panic. To train him to recognize it, I found his favorite treat  bread  and put it in my fist. I would make myself breathe faster in these training sessions. After lots of repetitions, Queequeg learned to hit my right hand with his snout when my breathing changed.

Because Queequeg does a specific job, hes considered a service dog. (Thats different from an emotional support animal, which aids a person through companionship alone. The Fair Housing Act requires waiving no-pet rules for emotional support animals.) So Queequeg wouldnt just hang out and calm me down, like the late Carrie Fishers dog, Gary. In addition to the panic-attack hand bonk, were teaching him to fetch my Klonopin and sit in my lap, providing the deep pressure that helps me calm down while waiting for the medication to work.

The first time I took Queequeg out, his official-looking vest hadnt come yet, but I had a blaze-orange coat that fit him. So, with many misgivings, we trotted off to Target. I thought it would make a good first outing: Its generally quiet, and we needed to go there anyway. I worried they wouldnt let me in. I worried that he would poop in the aisle. I worried that people would mob him. But mostly I worried that theyd stop me at the door.

I learned something that day. If you walk into a place with an animal and act as if the two of you are supposed to be there, everyone accepts it. Target could have barred us: Service dogs in training, unlike regular service animals, cant automatically go everywhere  and its up to the animals owner to decide when the service dog graduates because, again, theres no formal certification. But by and large, everyone is supportive of the need to train service dogs. Even when they get tired and have to ride in the cart, as Queequeg did on that first Target trip.

In fact, in almost a year, Queequeg has been banned from only one place: a home-school meetup regularly held on church grounds. The authority figure who banned him  Queequeg did nothing but lie on the floor of the nursery while toddlers milled around him  was obviously afraid of dogs, especially large German shepherds. She was very nice about it. But she clearly thought Q would snap and eat one of the children.

Which he wouldnt, of course.

After that first trip to Target, Queequegs official In Training vest arrived, and he went everywhere with us. I hauled him, and three children, to Chick-fil-A, to the South Carolina State Museum, to shops and stores and restaurants. Weve so far avoided the grocery store as too distracting. When were home, we encourage the kids to climb on him, lie on him and generally mess with him, so he has learned to tolerate small children. He jogs with me, both for company and as an emotional crutch; even a pepper-spray bracelet doesnt allay my fears of being alone the way Queequeg does.

We take Queequeg everywhere in his vest. This helps when he makes rookie mistakes, like the time he pooped in the Target makeup section. I carry cleaning supplies now, just in case: Even six months later, the shame of that doesnt go away.

Were still perfecting the hand bonk, then well move onto retrieving my meds. It could take him another year to learn his job and become a good canine citizen. Hes still overly interested in other dogs. He also has trouble staying for more than 10 seconds at a time. But Queequeg is only just over a year old. Theres a lot of puppy left in him; he has to be crated at night or hell eat the couches.

Until hes ready, well keep taking him places. Well keep training him. When he can alert me to a panic attack, retrieve my meds and provide deep-pressure comfort, all while acting like a canine good citizen, well slap that service dog patch on his vest.

And well still take him to Target.

Read more

A day in the life of therapy dogs

Latex-detecting dog protects against severe allergy
A brain scan from an older individual who had Alzheimer's disease shows patches of aquaporin-4 in red. In cognitively healthy people, the protein is more evently distributed. (OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY)

Kari Alitalo had studied lymphatic vessels for more than two decades. So he knew that this network, which carries immune cells throughout the body and removes waste and toxins, didnt extend into the brain: This had been accepted wisdom for more than 300 years. Nobody questioned that it stopped at the brain, says Alitalo, a scientist at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Three years ago, Alitalo wanted to develop a more precise map of the lymphatic system. To do this, he used genetically modified mice whose lymphatic vessels glowed when illuminated by a particular wavelength of light. (The mice had been given a gene from a species of glowing jellyfish.)

When viewing the modified mice under the light, Aleksanteri Aspelund, a medical student in Alitalos laboratory, saw something unexpected: The heads of the mice glowed. At first, he suspected that there was something wrong  with the animals, the lighting or the measuring equipment. But when Alitalo and Aspelund repeated the experiment, they got the same result. It seemed that the lymphatic vessels extended to the brain after all.

This was surprising, to say the least: In the 21st century, major findings involving basic human anatomy are rare. These days, you dont make discoveries like this, Alitalo says. But every once in a while in science, you stumble on something really unexpected. You open a new door, to a whole new world.

Alitalo is one of several scientists exploring this new world. Working independently, several other researchers, including Maiken Nedergaard of the University of Rochester and Jonathan Kipnis of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, have also shown that lymphatic vessels extend into the brain.

The discovery is much more than a historical footnote. It has major implications for a wide variety of brain diseases, including Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Researchers have identified two networks: the vessels that lead into and surround the brain, and those within the brain itself. The first is known as the lymphatic system for the brain, while the latter is called the glymphatic system. The g added to lymphatic refers to glia, the kind of neuron that makes up the lymphatic vessels in the brain. The glymphatic vessels carry cerebrospinal fluid and immune cells into the brain and remove cellular trash from it.

Alitalo, Nedergaard, Kipnis and others have found evidence that when the systems malfunction, the brain can become clogged with toxins and suffused with inflammatory immune cells. Over decades, this process may play a key rolein Alzheimers disease, Huntingtons disease, Parkinsons disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses, research suggests. This is a revolutionary finding, Nedergaard says. This system plays a huge role in the health of the brain.

Nedergaard describes the glymphatic system as like a dishwasher for the brain. The brain is very active, she says, and so it produces a lot of junk that needs to be cleaned out.

In hindsight, she says, the system should have been noticed long ago. When the skull and head are dissected, the vessels are visible to the naked eye. But no one bothered to really look: Usually the brain is seen only as a bunch of nerve cells. We have come to think of the brain as a computer. And its not. Its a living organ.

Nedergaard and Helene Benveniste, a scientist at Yale University, have found evidence linking problems in the lymphatic and glymphatic systems to Alzheimers. In a study on mice, they showed that glymphatic dysfunction contributes to the buildup in the brain of amyloid beta, a protein that plays a key role in the disease.

Last year, Jeff Iliff, a neuroscientist at Oregon Health & Science University, and several colleagues examined postmortem tissue from 79 human brains. They focused on aquaporin-4, a key protein in glymphatic vessels. In the brains of people with Alzheimers, this protein was jumbled; in those without the disease, the protein was well organized. This suggests that glymphatic breakdowns may play a role in the disease, Iliff says.

The vessels have also been implicated in autoimmune disease. Researchers knew that the immune system has limited access to the brain. But at the same time, the immune system kept tabs on the brains status; no one knew exactly how. Some researchers theorize that the glymphatic system could be the conduit and that in diseases such as multiple sclerosis  where the bodys immune system attacks certain brain cells  the communication may go awry.

The system may also play a role in symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Nedergaard has shown that in mice, the injuries can produce lasting damage to the glymphatic vessels, which are quite fragile. Mice are a good model, she says, because their glymphatic systems are very similar to humans. She and Iliff found that even months after being injured, the animals brains were still not clearing waste efficiently, leading to a buildup of toxic compounds, including amyloid beta. Nedergaard returns to the dishwasher analogy. Its like if you only use a third of the water when you turn on the machine, she says. You wont get clean dishes.

Recent research has also found evidence that the glymphatic system may extend into the eye. For decades, scientists have noted that many people with Alzheimers disease also have glaucoma, in which damage to the optic nerve causes vision loss. But they struggled to find a common mechanism; the glymphatic system may be the link.

In January, Belgian and Swiss researchers identified a rich network of glymphatic vessels within the optic nerve. The scientists also found that when these vessels malfunction, they seem to leave behind deposits of amyloid beta as well as other neurotoxins that damage the optic nerve.

And in March, Harvard University researchers reported that glymphatic flow is significantly decreased in the period just before a migraine. The intense pain in these headaches is caused largely by inflamed nerves in the tissue that surrounds the brain. Neuroscientists Rami Burstein and Aaron Schain, the lead authors, theorize that faulty clearance of molecular waste from the brain could trigger inflammation in these pain fibers.

One key to glymphatic performance seems to be sleep. Nedergaard has shown that at least in mice, the system processes twice as much fluid during sleep as it does during wakefulness. She and her colleagues focused on amyloid beta; they found that the lymphatic system removed much more of the protein when the animals were asleep than when they were awake. She suggests that over time, sleep dysfunction may contribute to Alzheimers and perhaps other brain illnesses. You only clean your brain when youre sleeping, she says. This is probably an important reason that we sleep. You need time off from consciousness to do the housekeeping.

Nedergaard and Benveniste have also found that sleep position is crucial. In an upright position  someone who is sitting or standing  waste is removed much less efficiently. Sleeping on your stomach is also not very effective; sleeping on your back is somewhat better, while lying on your side appears to produce the best results. The reason for these differences remains unclear, but Nedergaard suspects that it is probably related to the mechanical engineering of the lymphatic vessels and valves; she suggests that the healthiest approach may be to move periodically while you sleep.

Sleep is probably not the only way to improve glymphatic flow. For instance, a paper published in January by Chinese researchers reported that in mice, omega-3 fatty acidsimproved glymphatic functioning.

Benveniste is examining dexmedetomidine, an anesthetic that may have the ability to improve glymphatic flow. And in a small human study, other scientists have found that deep breathing significantly increases the glymphatic transport of cerebrospinal fluid into the brain.

Alitalo is experimenting with growth factors, compounds that can foster regrowth of the vessels in and around the brain. He has used this method to repair lymphatic vessels in pigs and is now testing the approach in the brains of mice that have a version of Alzheimers.

Right now there are no clinical therapies in this area, he says. But give it a little time. This has only just been discovered.

Read more

I was my husbands caregiver as he was dying of cancer. It was the best seven months of my life.

Brain cancer survival improves with novel electrical device, data suggest

Researchers just doubled what we know about the map of the human brain

Alzheimers drug trial sparks optimism
BRAZIL

President says audio taping was doctored

President Michel Temer told the nation Saturday that an incriminating audio recording of him had been doctored. That clandestine recording was manipulated and doctored with (bad) intentions, Temer said at a news conference in the capital of Brasilia.

Temer said he had filed a petition with the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the countrys highest court, to suspend the corruption investigation into him until experts can analyze the audio that appears to record him endorse the payment of bribes to former House speaker Eduardo Cunha for his silence. Its unlikely the court would do that, as it authorized the opening of the investigation into Temer in the first place.

Temer noted that the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper reported that the 39-minute recording had been edited. The audio was first reported by Globo newspaper on Wednesday.

Temer also questioned the motives of the man who made the recording, JBS meatpacking company executive Joesley Batista. He accused Batista of buying large quantities of dollars to cause chaos on the exchange market before giving the tape to prosecutors.

Temers claims about the audio and Batista couldnt be immediately verified.

In the audio, Temer apparently endorses bribes for Cunha, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence of corruption and money laundering and who led the impeachment push against President Dilma Rousseff last year. Rousseff was eventually ousted for illegally managing the federal budget, bringing Temer, who was her vice president, to power.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian Socialist Party has pulled out of Temers coalition and is calling for him to resign. The loss of the Socialists seven senators and 35 deputies mean Temers plans to reform the countrys pension system and labor laws are even less likely to be approved.

 Associated Press

Last of Syrian opposition fighters leave Homs: The final batch of opposition fighters and their families began leaving a besieged neighborhood in the central city of Homs, a move that will bring the countrys third largest city under full government control for the first time in years. Syrian state TV and an opposition monitoring group said that evacuations of the last batch began leaving Saturday and will likely end later in the day. Syrias State news agency SANA said that about 400 people, including 103 gunmen, left the al-Waer neighborhood heading toward the town of Jarablous that borders Turkey.

Boko Haram captives reunited with families in Nigeria: Eighty-two Nigerian schoolgirls recently released after more than three years in Boko Haram captivity were reunited with their families. This months release was the largest liberation of hostages since 276 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted from their boarding school in 2014. Five commanders from the extremist group were exchanged for the girls freedom, and Nigerias government has said it would make further exchanges to bring the 113 remaining schoolgirls home. Many of the girls, most of them Christians, were forced to marry extremists. Some have been radicalized and have refused to return. The girls are in government care in the capital as part of a nine-month reintegration program.

Thousands of migrants rescued while crossing Mediterranean: About 2,100 migrants were rescued at sea on Friday and Saturday, the Italian coast guard reports. The migrants, most lately from sub-Saharan Africa, are fleeing war and poverty. The onset of warmer weather has encouraged even more human traffickers based in Libya to launch overcrowded, unseaworthy dinghies or small wooden boats, leaving migrants to the mercy of the deadly Mediterranean Sea. Besides Italian coast guard vessels and a Spanish navy ship, two cargo ships and boats operated by nongovernmental organizations helped in the rescue effort.

Protesters try again to reach central Caracas: Masses of protesters with white shirts, homemade gas masks and flags draped around their shoulders shut down a main road in the Venezuelan capital. Soldiers shut down access to the citys center and officials closed at least 10 metro stations in anticipation of the protest. State security forces have consistently prevented the near daily protests from reaching the city center, home to the presidential palace, Supreme Court and electoral authority.

 From news services
Trishelle Jabore and Jay Allen Crowder are facing murder charges in the starving death of their newborn, a month-old girl. This is the home where they live on Galveston Place in Southwest Washington. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

WHEN TRINITY JABORE died on Christmas Day, she weighed 10.5 ounces less than when she was born nearly two months earlier at United Medical Center in Southeast Washington. The D.C. Medical Examiner found she died from malnutrition and hyponatremia from consuming large amounts of water mixed with concentrated milk. That an infant starved to death in the nations capital on a day celebrated with unrestrained feasting reveals fissures in a system that is supposed to serve as a safety net for troubled and dysfunctional families.

Trinitys parents, Trishelle Jabore, 26, and Jay Crowder, 33, have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death. According to an arrest affidavit, the baby had suffered multiple rib fractures from three traumatic events that occurred prior to her death. The document detailed how the parents allegedly failed to follow the hospitals advice in taking the child to a pediatrician and after the hospital-supplied formula ran out eventually ended up feeding her condensed and powdered milk mixed with water. The refrigerator was stocked with food, police noted, but nothing suitable for a seven-week-old to consume.

Legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the charges against the parents, set to appear in court May 22. That, though, wont address the issues that surround the familys encounter with hospital and social workers and the question of whether this tragedy could have been prevented with more aggressive interventions. Hospital officials apparently met their legal requirement in reporting to the citys Child and Family Services Agency that the baby tested positive for the main chemical in marijuana. But did they miss other warning signs?

Records obtained by Post reporters Keith L. Alexander and Paul Duggan depict a mother and father, each with a history of serious psychiatric problems, in financial distress and ill-equipped to care for a newborn. So should a 4-pound, 11-ounce newborn have been discharged without a better home evaluation or a follow-up visit to see how mother and baby were doing? Child protective services had received multiple calls about the parents over the reported neglect and endangerment of other children in the family; should more attention have been focused on Trinity?

We know its easy with the benefit of hindsight to second-guess how agencies respond to terrible events, and we appreciate the difficult  often thankless  work of under-resourced social workers. Successes rarely make headlines. But if there are to be lessons learned from what a child protective services worker called this horrible, horrible tragedy, it is critical that officials not go into a defensive crouch or hide behind confidentiality. Instead, they should undertake an unsparing and dispassionate review.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD two responses to last weeks appointment of a special counsel to take over the Russia investigation  one unbecoming, the other somewhat reasonable.

The entire thing has been a witch hunt, Mr. Trump declared at a Thursday news conference, denying that there was any collusion between his campaign and Russian operatives seeking to disrupt the 2016 election. I think it divides the country. That is rich coming from a man who has exacerbated national divisions for political gain, and whose abrupt and unnecessary dismissal of FBI Director James B. Comey spurred the appointment of a special counsel.

But, the president later said, we have to get back to running this country really, really well. Putting aside that Mr. Trump has not yet run the country well, there is some wisdom there.

It will take time for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III to conduct a fair investigation, particularly if he is to be appropriately thorough, examining any financial connections Mr. Trump has to Russia and any pressure the president put on the FBI to drop its investigation. Meanwhile, the revelations of the past two weeks demand that the House and Senate intensify their own Russia investigations. Congress has a new charge: considering whether the president committed obstruction of justice, which only lawmakers are empowered to decide. Yet they, too, will require time if they are to assess the issues Congress is uniquely suited to probe  any noncriminal misjudgments and ethical lapses by Mr. Trump and his circle, not to mention how to prepare the country for future Russian cyberattacks.

The countrys business cannot stagnate in the meantime. That means Mr. Trump must stop expressing and acting on his undeserved sense of self-pity. It means that Democrats will have to talk about something other than impeachment in the coming weeks. And it means that congressional Republicans will have to face the task at which they have so far failed: governing responsibly.

The countrys health-care system is on the verge of crisis, induced in large part by Republican refusal to administer the system properly. The availability of crucial federal subsidies the government promised to health insurers remains in doubt, because of administration and congressional bungling. Meanwhile, Republicans ham-handed effort to rewrite federal health policy  which requires tweaking, not a destabilizing overhaul  has only stoked more uncertainty among the insurers upon which the system relies.

Meanwhile, the world waits to see whether Mr. Trump will withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, an unthinkably irrational move that would enrage allied governments for no material benefit  but that ideologues such as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt favor.

Come September, Congress will have to pass a new budget and raise the debt ceiling, facing the sorts of deadlines that have in the past resulted in messy, last-minute legislative fights. Tax reform that removes the underbrush of exceptions, loopholes and other complexities in the tax code would be worthwhile, but only if Republicans accept that such reform cannot come at the expense of defunding health-care programs and cannot result in higher deficits.

Abroad, North Korea continues to advance toward a capability to launch missiles with nuclear warheads that could reach the United States. Syria remains a charnel house and the Islamic State a serious threat. U.S. allies are concerned that chaos in Washington will invite Iran, Russia and other hostile powers to take advantage in ways they would not otherwise dare.

So yes, the president and Congress need to focus on running the country. And running it well, for a change.
In the nonprofit world, principles are supposed to overrule practicalities.

No quarterly Wall Street targets to meet, no income taxes to pay. Volunteers often provide the labor as well as the inspiration.

But there are still light bills to pay and payrolls to meet. And the smaller a metropolitan area, the harder it is for a social service or arts organization to assemble a critical mass of donors and supporters to supplement whatever fees they charge or tickets they sell.

So it is in Flagstaff, a city of 70,000 at the center of a sprawling county of 140,000. Thats big enough to support a fairly healthy nonprofit sector in a range of areas, including emergency food and shelter for the poor, services to the disabled and animal welfare.

But two of each? That can be a stretch, and weve seen consolidation by local food banks and Goodwill with larger nonprofits based in Phoenix as a way to cut overhead while tapping a new revenue stream.

Now comes the Second Chance animal shelter in Doney Park, funded in large part by the late philanthropists Dick and Jean Wilson and, later, their foundation. Its endowment funding, mainly from oil and gas leases, has run out, and it doesnt have another consistent revenue stream. The city of Flagstaff and Coconino County have contracted for decades with the Coconino Humane Association for the care of unwanted pets at its shelter off Butler Avenue in Flagstaff, with Second Chance taking overflow and hard-to-place animals.

As it turns out, that outlet valve has proved important in helping the Humane Association cut its euthanization rate last year to under 10 percent, the lowest ever. Other organizations like Paw Placement and The Ark cat sanctuary have sprung up to find homes for unwanted pets, and with more animals spayed and neutered before adoptions, animal intakes at the Humane Association are down by about 1,000 a year from a decade ago.

But that still means about 4,500 pets are being given up or turned loose each year in the Flagstaff region, a number that all agree is still too high. Cities much larger than Flagstaff see far fewer unwanted pets amid stepped-up education campaigns on responsible pet ownership and care.

So with Second Chance and its 20,000 square feet of space shuttered for now, a task force of animal welfare groups is looking to rethink and restructure the local landscape in unwanted pets. The city and county contracts with the Humane Association have several years left to run, but that doesnt mean the boards of the groups cant begin preliminary joint talks. In addition to coordinating and streamlining the sheltering and placement of pets, there are also administrative efficiencies and opportunities in fundraising and outreach that immediately come to mind.

One concern for those considering more use of the Second Chance facility has been the relatively long drive from Flagstaff to Doney Park compared with the shelter off Butler Avenue. But the Flagstaff region is not metro Phoenix  a drive between any two locations here rarely takes longer than 15 minutes (Milton Road at rush hour or on a snowplay weekend excepted). And Second Chance might still serve as the holding shelter for overflow pets, with animals shuttled to and from the main adoption center in Flagstaff.

So the prospects of continuing with two animal shelters in Flagstaff might not be out of the question if there is a way to share the current revenue stream and generate new ones. When the city and county contracts come up for renewal, for example, what if they included benchmarks that rewarded the nonprofits for fewer animal intakes? And instead of calling them shelter contracts, what if they took a global approach to overall pet welfare in the region and broke down bids by services, including spay and neuter, education and outreach, and fundraising, in addition to shelter and adoptions?

There is much to commend Flagstaffs animal welfare groups for their commitment to the humane treatment of pets. But the days of endowed buildings and operations from a single, generous family appear to be over. Its time to come out of whatever silos were erected because of that arrangement and explore a future that results in the new whole being much greater than the sum of its old parts.
YOUVE HEARD THIS one before: The Earth is complex and constantly changing, so how can scientists possibly know that burning fossil fuels will do so much harm to the planet? This argument has never been persuasive. It is no mystery that adding heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere will trap more heat. That some uncertainties remain does not necessarily favor the doubters: Things could be worse than expected  not just better.

Two new papers on how meltwater flows on the surface of Antarcticas vast icy expanse drive this essential point home. There is an astonishing amount of water frozen on top of the southern continent, hemmed in by floating ice shelves abutting the Antarctic land mass. For now, that is: A major ice shelf disintegrated in 2002, and scientists just reported an ominous new crack in another close by. Losing ice shelves encourages the ice further back to melt and drain into the ocean, raising the seas to dangerous levels. A major threat to these ice shelves is meltwater that pools on the surface, widening cracks and encouraging them to break up. Scientists have known about this threat for years, yet they still do not know much about Antarcticas plumbing.

A team from Columbia University and the University of Sheffield that examined decades of satellite monitoring and aerial photographs found vast networks of meltwater-fed streams and lakes across Antarctica. The streams can flow for up to 75 miles before reaching melt ponds or the sea. Melt ponds, meanwhile, can be massive  up to 50 miles long. If this system delivers increasing amounts of water to the wrong parts of delicate ice shelves, it could severely damage them.

As the temperature rises, more meltwater will flow into this hydrological system, and the scientists warn that the region might enter a devastating feedback loop. As more ice melts around the continent, more rocks and other nonwhite features of the landscape are exposed. These darker features absorb more of the suns heat. This encourages melting. The resulting meltwater could then encourage ice shelves to decline, which could encourage further thinning farther back on the continent, and therefore further exposure of heat-absorbing rocks.

Even so, it is not clear every ice shelf is in critical danger. In another paper, the scientists discussed a drainage system in one part of Antarctica that diverted meltwater directly into the ocean, apparently without undermining sensitive parts of the ice shelf over which it flowed. Rather than undermining the stability of the ice, the flow appears to be bolstering it.

It will take years more research for scientists to better account for Antarctic meltwater in climate models. But it would be foolhardy to assume that it will all harmlessly drain into the ocean. Better to take the warning: Dramatically higher sea levels may come sooner than we think.
The big win for voting rights activists at the Supreme Court last week came with an equally big asterisk, and provided new reason for jittery liberals and civil rights groups to continue to fret about Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

The justices without noted dissent on May 15 said they would not consider reviving North Carolinas sweeping 2013 voting law, which had been struck down by a lower court after years of litigation. A unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit had ruled that the states Republican legislative leadership had intentionally crafted the law to blunt the growing political power of African American voters.

[Appeals court strikes down North Carolina voting law]

The bottom-line importance of the Supreme Courts pass was clear: the law, opposed by a broad coalition of voting rights groups, civil rights organizations and the Obama Justice Department, cannot be used.

Todays announcement is good news for North Carolina voters, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said. I will continue to work to protect the right of every legal, registered North Carolinian to participate in our democratic process.

But J. Gerald Hebert of the Campaign Legal Center, one of the groups that had fought the North Carolina law, said two things became immediately clear.

First, North Carolina legislative leaders would immediately begin rewriting the law.

They will take pains to avoid some of the ham-handed legislative maneuvers that caused Judge Diana Gribbon Motz, writing for the 4th Circuit panel, to declare that the state had passed a law in the absence of a problem and restricted voting and registration in five different ways, all of which disproportionately affected African Americans.

Second, Roberts made it clear the justices were not endorsing the 4th Circuits reasoning by passing on the case. His statement was unusual  only on rare occasion during more than a decade on the job has Roberts explained his vote not to take a case  and it sent what seemed to be a signal for states whose laws are challenged to bring them to the Supreme Court.

He wrote so that people would not get the wrong idea, said Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, who thinks the North Carolina case was wrongly decided.

Roberts spent nearly two pages describing the legal jujitsu surrounding the case: Cooper and the states Democratic attorney general wanted to abandon the appeal because they disapprove of the law, the legislatures Republican leaders wanted the Supreme Court to take it. In the end, Roberts said, that confusion controlled the decision to not take the case and no more should be read into it.

The most pragmatic liberals say that getting the Supreme Court not to take a voting rights case is their preferred path. With Justice Neil M. Gorsuch joining the court, there is likely a five-member majority that sees no constitutional or legal problems in a safeguard like requiring photo-ID or changing the number of days of early voting.

And Roberts has led the way. He was part of the majority that in 2008 upheld Indianas voter ID law. As he often does in cases with political implications, he chose liberal Justice John Paul Stevens as the majority member to write the opinion. Stevens, who retired in 2010, has since expressed doubt about the outcome.

[Stevens says voter ID decision was correct, but maybe not right]

Roberts took the lead in the 2013 decision that struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act, which effectively freed states, mostly in the South, from having to get federal approval before making changes to election laws.

It was in the immediate aftermath of the decision that North Carolina passed its comprehensive rewrite. Among other things, it imposed the voter ID requirements, cut back on the number of days of early voting and eliminated same-day registration. Motz said legislators knew all of those would harm black voters. The voter ID provision retained only those types of photo ID disproportionately held by whites and excluded those disproportionately held by African Americans.

But last summer, Roberts and the courts other conservatives said they would grant North Carolinas request to use the law in the fall election while it pursued its appeal of the 4th Circuit decision. That bid failed on a 4-to-4 vote.

Roberts also gave encouragement to Texas earlier this year when it asked the court to overturn a decision by the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that found the states voting law discriminatory.

He explained that there was still work left for lower courts to do before the justices considered the law. The issues will be better suited for the Supreme Courts review once that has been completed, he said.

It seems telling that Roberts puts aside his usual reluctance to comment on the courts decisions on this issue. He looks at voting rights differently than he does other things, Hebert said.

There will likely be plenty of chances for Roberts and the court to be more specific. Many states have made changes in their voting laws, and one of them will make it to the Supreme Court.

I think its pretty clear thats going to happen, von Spakovsky said.
President Trump forcefully summoned the Muslim world to confront the crisis of Islamic extremism here Sunday on the eve of visits to Israel and the Vatican as he seeks to unite followers of disparate faiths against global terrorism.

Speaking from the birthplace of Islam, Trump implored the leaders of dozens of Muslim nations to take their destinies in hand and, together with the United States, eliminate the wave of fanatical violence committed in the name of religion.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations, Trump said in the first major foreign policy address of his presidency. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people, all in the name of religion  people that want to protect life and want to protect their religion. This is a battle between good and evil.

Trump implicitly rejected the aspirational goals and call for democracy and human rights of former president Barack Obama, who also delivered a major speech to the Islamic world early in his presidency. We are adopting a principled realism, Trump said.

We are not here to lecture, he said. We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership, based on shared interests and values.

1 of 60 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Photos of President Trumps arrival in Saudi Arabia to begin his first foreign trip View Photos President Trump was received like visiting royalty in Saudi Arabia on the first leg of his maiden international trip, a five-stop marathon across the Middle East and Europe. Caption The U.S. president traveled to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome, Belgium and Sicily, Italy. May 27, 2017 German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, speaks to President Donald Trump as Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi listens during an expanded session at the Group of Seven Summit in Taormina, Italy. Philippe Wojazer/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue.

Trump called for unity in confronting Iran over its funding of terrorists and promotion of a craven ideology. He called on the Muslim world to help isolate Iran and, just days after Iranians reelected a moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, to pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve.

[Trump campaigned against Muslims but will preach tolerance in Saudi speech]

Trump was addressing a rare gathering of leaders of about 50 Muslim nations at the Arab Islamic American Summit.

It was the second day of a marathon foreign trip that will take Trump to Israel on Monday, where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall. On Tuesday, Trump will deliver a speech at the Israel Museum and briefly visit Bethlehem for a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Trump will then fly to Rome, where he will have a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday morning. He will attend a NATO summit in Brussels and a Group of Seven summit in Sicily, Italy, later in the week.

In the run-up to Trumps visit here, there was speculation about whether he would utter the phrase radical Islamic terrorism in his speech, the centerpiece of his Saudi trip. On the campaign trail, Trump loudly criticized Obama for refusing to describe the terrorism threat in those terms. But some of Trumps top aides, including national security adviser H.R. McMaster, have been urging him to soften his language. Many Muslim leaders consider broad denunciations of their faith insulting.

In his Riyadh address, Trump decided to use a substitute phrase: Islamist extremism. But he slightly veered off the prepared excerpts released earlier by the White House, saying Islamic instead of Islamist on several occasions.

President Trump shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, left, during a bilateral meeting on May 21, 2017, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Seated with them are, from center to right, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and national security adviser H.R. McMaster. (Evan Vucci/AP)

[Read the full speech Trump delivered in Saudi Arabia]

Describing the fight against terrorism, Trump spoke of honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds.

A senior White House official later said that Trump merely misspoke in using the word Islamic rather than Islamist.

Hes just an exhausted guy, said the official, who briefed reporters only on the condition of anonymity.

Lamenting the scourge of terrorism across the Middle East, Trump exhorted, Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land. And drive them out of this Earth.

The Middle East, he said, had long been home to Arabs and Christians and Jews living side by side and could again be a place for every person, no matter their faith.

[Trump mocked Obama for bowing to a Saudi king. And then he ]

By preaching tolerance and calling Islam one of the worlds great faiths, Trump departed from his previously stated views on Muslims. Anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies were hallmarks of his nationalist presidential campaign; he proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States and proclaimed, I think Islam hates us.

Trump gave his remarks in an opulent hall of the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, where crystal chandeliers hung from the gilded ceiling and attendees sat in plush armchairs. The president was seated at the front of the room, behind an ornate wooden desk and alongside the summits host, King Salman, before taking the lectern.

No final list of the leaders in attendance was initially released. Seen chatting in the chamber and then listening intently were kings, presidents and prime ministers from Jordan, Pakistan and the Palestinian Authority, as well as Egypt and numerous other African states with Muslim majorities. Some, including Turkey and Sudan, sent lower-level officials.

Speaking before Trump, Salman appeared to be gently admonishing the United States for its strict visa policies, saying that all in the room rejected profiling religions and countries on a religious or sectarian basis.

But he was effusive in his praise of Trump and the presidents decision to make Saudi Arabia the first stop on his first overseas trip. Trump, he said, has many hopes and aspirations with the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Salman said that his kingdom is committed to fighting all forms of terrorism and that one of the most important goals of Islamic sharia is protecting life, and there is no honor in committing murder.

The king excoriated Iran, saying the Arab world had no problems with that country until its 1979 revolution brought a theocratic government that quickly turned to terrorism and regional ambitions. These odious acts are the products of attempts to exploit Islam as a cover for political purposes to flame hatred, extremism, terrorism and religious and sectarian conflicts, Salman said.

Trump was equally generous in his praise for Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim state that considers Shiite Iran its principal rival for regional power.

He made proud reference to the $110 billion arms deal signed with the Saudis during his visit here and said the United States was willing to extend the same partnership to other nations that share its objectives.

Trump also highlighted, in terms reminiscent of his domestic boasting, what he said were the achievements of his first months in office, claiming the creation of nearly 1 million jobs.

[Ivanka Trump meets with Saudi women leaders as some activists remain critical]

The president wants to both profit from the sales and move partners in the Middle East to share more of what he has said is the unequal burden of defending against the Sunni terrorism of the Islamic State and al-Qaeda and against Iran.

America is prepared to stand with you  in pursuit of shared interests and common security, he said. But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and, frankly, for their families and for their children.

Overall, Trump delivered a dark decree to the leaders in attendance.

Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory  piety to evil will bring you no dignity, he said. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned.

A few hours before his remarks, Trump and the leaders of six Persian Gulf states reached an agreement to crack down on terrorism financing, including the prosecution of individuals who send money to militants.

The memorandum of understanding between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council, comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, includes the creation of a center in Riyadh to fight extremism.

Dina Powell, Trumps deputy national security adviser, called the agreement the farthest-reaching commitment to not finance terrorist organizations and said the Treasury Department would monitor it along with the gulf governments.

The unique piece of it is that every single one of them are signatories on how theyre responsible and will actually prosecute the financing of terrorism, including individuals, Powell told reporters.

[Trump signs tremendous deals with Saudi Arabia on his first day overseas]

Outside funding for the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and other groups has come primarily from the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials in recent years have said that the gulf states have cracked down and virtually eliminated money coming from governments in the region. But they believe certain wealthy individuals  primarily in Kuwait and, to a lesser degree, Qatar  remain funnels for money or are themselves financing the groups.

A Kuwaiti cabinet minister was forced to resign in 2014 after the United States complained about his activities, and regional governments have instituted legal crackdowns, with varying degrees of success, to stem the practice. All have signed agreements in the past to stop it.

The Islamic State, in particular, has largely funded itself through extortion and taxes in the areas it controls in Syria and Iraq and through revenue for oil it sells clandestinely. But those sources, along with kidnapping for ransom, have diminished as the militants have lost territory.

The warm embrace of Trump that was on festive display on his first day in Riyadh continued during a trio of bilateral meetings the president held Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi praised Trump and invited him to visit Egypt, which Trump said he intends to do. Through a translator, Sissi said, You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.

I agree! Trump replied, as his advisers and others looking on laughed.

Trump went on to compliment Sissi on his fashion, telling the Egyptian leader, Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes. Man . . .

Trump met with Sissi this spring in Washington, breaking an Obama-era ban on receiving the Egyptian leader in the White House because of his crackdowns on political and civil expression since taking power in a 2013 coup.

Trump called Sissi my friend and thanked him for his help with the release of American aid worker Aya Hijazi, 30, who had been imprisoned in Cairo.

[Freed Egyptian American prisoner returns home following Trump intervention]

Trump also met with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, and noted the long friendship between the two countries and the prospects of future trade.

One of the things that we will discuss is the purchase of lots of beautiful military equipment, because nobody makes it like the United States, Trump told reporters ahead of his talks with the Qatari leader. And for us that means jobs, and it also means, frankly, great security back here, which we want.

Read more:

I think Islam hates us: A timeline of Trumps comments about Islam and Muslims

Trumps first trip abroad: Everything thats happened so far
For months, Democrats were careful not to promise too much about Montanas May 25 special election. Hillary Clinton had lost the state by 20.2 points. Rob Quist, the folk-singing Democratic candidate for Congress, had never run for office before. Losing a close race would grant a moral victory; raising the stakes and losing might give Republicans a boost.

On Saturday, in front of 3,000 cheering voters at this Democratic citys Civic Center, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) raised the stakes.

The eyes of the country, actually eyes all over the world, are on the great state of Montana, said Sanders. People are asking: Is it possible for working people, for seniors, for ordinary people, to come together and successfully defeat a candidate of the millionaires? Theyll know it if you do it in Montana.

Sanderss much-anticipated visit kicked off the final stretch of voting in a race that has become closer than either party might have expected. Quist, 69, has raised more than $5 million, nearly doubling the last Democratic candidate for Montanas sole House seat. Millions of dollars have poured in for Greg Gianforte, 56, a software entrepreneur who won the GOP nomination after narrowly losing the 2016 race for governor  running nearly 10 points behind Donald Trump.

The result, in the final days, is a dogfight between Democrats whove bet on a flawed but compelling populist, and Republicans who worked hard and early to protect their structural advantage  and exploit Quists flaws. And the final votes will be cast just hours after the Congressional Budget Office reveals the new score for the American Health Care Act, which Quist has campaigned hard against and Gianforte has struggled to defend.

Sanderss four-city barnstorming, which put the Democrat in front of more than 10,000 total voters, came after plenty of ballots had been cast. As of May 18, 351,681 absentee ballots had been sent out, and 217,329 have been returned  meaning one-third of registered voters have already weighed in.

They did so over a bruising campaign that Democrats tried to turn into a referendum on Trumps Washington, and that Republicans tried to turn into a referendum on Quist. The Democrats closing ads hammer the AHCA as a tax cut for millionaires, pointing out that Gianforte would be a beneficiary. In Butte, and in his other stops, Sanders called the AHCA one of the most disgraceful, un-American pieces of legislation ever passed, and promised that Quist would make certain that the bill goes nowhere.

Republicans have not mentioned the bill in campaign spots. Gianforte was also hurt in the final stretch when a recorded phone call with potential donors found him praising the AHCAs passage in the House  although his campaign had not declared whether or not he supported the bill.

In Montana and elsewhere, Republicans see their bills progress as a boon for base turnout. At the House GOP conferences Thursday meeting, Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) told members that simply casting the vote, and reviving the chance to repeal part of the Affordable Care Act, had been helpful in close races.

Since the passage of the health care bill that we passed, you know, things are actually looking even more optimistic in some of these special races, said Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R-Ala.), characterizing Ryans pitch.

But the Gianforte strategy, a possible preview of House races to come in 2018, combined a pitch to the GOP base with a pummeling of Quists background. In March, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) dispatched an investigator to review the musicians tax and legal records. Private polling found that Quist was unfamiliar to 80 percent of voters but liked by those who knew him. Gianforte, who had just lost a bruising statewide race, didnt have that luxury.

The response, splayed across local and conservative news sites  and then TV ads  was a barrage of revelations. Quist had played at a nudist colony. Hed been busted for marijuana possession in the 1970s. Hed renovated a property without reporting it on his taxes. Hed stiffed a home contractor. Nearly three-quarters of TV ads run in Montana were pro-Gianforte or anti-Quist; the closing spots from the National Republican Congressional Committee feature testimonials from people whom Quist left holding a bill.

He started at zero, and today hes negative 15, said Corry Bliss, the CLFs executive director. If Rob Quist was running next year, if he was one of just 435 candidates, I dont think theyd let him past the lobby of the DNC.

In the unique circumstances of the special election, however, Republicans admit that Quist has stayed in the hunt. He has consistently  and sometimes at odds with the timeline  blamed his financial problems on a botched surgery that nearly wiped him out. In Butte, a labor stronghold and one of the few U.S. cities that has ever elected a Socialist mayor, Quist and Sanders shared the stage with a voter named Paula McGarvey, who told her story of cancer treatment that, in the years before the ACA was passed, drained her finances.

First, I wiped out my savings. Next, I withdrew from my retirement account, McGarvey said. Not everyone has the resources I did in facing a medical crisis. If things dont change in Washington, we all face the risk of losing our health care or going broke. Its not healthy to send another Republican to Washington, and thats why Rob Quist has my vote.

In his own speech  after citing a poem about Montanas natural beauty  Quist rounded on the AHCA.

Public lands were my number one issue until the House passed this disastrous health care bill, said Quist. We should all resist the assault on womens reproductive rights. These are more than womens issues. These are human issues and family issues and community issues.

Issue by issue, especially after Republicans moved on from accusing Quist of favoring a national gun registry, the Democrat was in a stronger political position than seemed possible in January. Democrats note that a May visit by Vice President Pence to support Gianforte drew just 800 people in Billings, Montanas biggest city. Rallies with Donald Trump Jr., which focused on small-dollar fundraising, had been even smaller.

There was no talk of the president himself campaigning in Montana, but private polling has found his own numbers slipping. Trump enjoys a positive approval rating in the single digits. On the donor call that caused trouble for Gianforte, Republicans speculated that a rout would mean more danger for incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), a possibility that now looks more remote.

And in Butte, Sanders quickly moved past the Russia and FBI stories that were causing Trump trouble in Washington to sell Quist as a progressive, whod take the fight to the wealthiest. Seven months after losing the state by a landslide, Sanders argued that beating the AHCA  and winning some elections  could set up a longtime left-wing policy goal.

We are calling on Congress to pass Medicare for All, single payer, Sanders said. Do not tell me that we, in the United States, cannot pass a Medicare for All system.

Mike DeBonis contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
A German woman was fatally shot and an Afghan guard was reportedly beheaded at a guesthouse after insurgents stormed the compound. A Finnish woman was also missing and possibly kidnapped after the attack late Saturday in Kabul, police said.

No group has asserted responsibility, but security officials and foreign embassies have been warning that either the Afghan Taliban or foreign-linked Islamic State militias would probably stage high-profile attacks in the capital as the holy month of Ramadan is set to begin this week.

The guard at the guesthouse, which is run by a Swedish aid group, was reportedly beheaded, a method often used by the Islamic State and generally not practiced by the Taliban. Then, according to a spokesman for the Interior Ministry on Sunday, the attackers went to a second-floor room where the two women were asleep, shot one dead and abducted the other.

The victims names were not immediately made public. None of the assailants were caught.

Security officials said two additional foreign women in the house were unharmed and that an intensive investigation was underway to find the assailants. The Finnish Embassy confirmed that a Finnish citizen was missing.

[Islamic State targets NATO convoy in Kabul]

The guesthouse is operated by Operation Mercy, a Swedish aid and development charity, and all of its foreign employees are believed to stay there. The local director of the group, Scott Breslin, told news services that the organization was holding a crisis meeting, but he gave no details about the attack or the victims.

Police and neighbors said five foreigners lived in the guesthouse, dressed in modest Afghan clothing and spoke the Afghan Dari language. There was some local speculation that they were Christian missionaries, but people familiar with the group described it as faith-based but not missionary.

Several missionary-run charities have operated quietly in Kabul for years but remain targets for Islamist extremist groups.

Operation Mercys website says that the group operates in Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa in projects that include aiding women and children. It lists prayer as one of its priorities to seek Gods presence, blessing and involvement in our lives and work but does not cite any specific faith.

The guesthouse and office of Operation Mercy are located in a rapidly developing section of Kabul that includes the new parliament, the American University, several newly built ministries and the home of President Ashraf Ghani.

[Return of warlord Hekmatyar adds to Afghan political tensions]

In a separate attack Sunday morning, two Afghan employees of the Anti-Corruption Justice Center, an agency that works with the attorney generals office, were fatally shot on their way to work, police said. Officials have been expecting threats and attacks on police, courts and prisons during this period.

The last major insurgent attack in Kabul came on March 8, when Islamic State militants disguised as medical workers invaded a large military hospital and fatally shot more than 30 patients, staff members and visitors.

In the past week, Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a government media compound in eastern Jalalabad city, and Taliban fighters struck a bank in the southern city of Gardez.

Sundays incident was the first attack against foreigners in the capital in recent months, but it followed a number of similar incidents in the past several years.

In August, two foreign faculty members at the nearby American University of Afghanistan, one American and one Australian, were kidnapped from their vehicle just outside the university gates. Their whereabouts are still unknown, but they appeared in a Taliban video in January that included a demand for ransom.

A number of foreign charity and development workers have been abducted in Afghanistan over the years, and several have been released after ransom was paid. Kidnappings are often carried out by criminal gangs that sometimes turn their captives over to the Taliban.

Read more:

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, center, and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi appear Sunday at the opening of the World Center for Countering Extremist Thought in Riyadh. (Saudi Press Agency/European Pressphoto Agency)

He talked about Islam. He thundered against extremism. But after President Trumps hotly anticipated speech in Saudi Arabia was over Sunday, many in the Arab world latched on to another theme from his address, one that explained why a leader who had shown hostility toward Muslims would travel to the religions birthplace.

The answer? The bottom line.

This summit has nothing to do with security. Its all about business, said Khalid Kilany, a 28-year-old engineer in Cairo, reflecting the views of an Arab public that had taken note of the vast sums  in arms sales and other business deals  that were announced during Trumps visit.

[Trump signs tremendous deals with Saudi Arabia on his first day overseas]

The trip had delivered more power to the Saudi royal family. More money to the U.S. Case closed, Kilany said.

There was broad agreement that the presidents visit signaled a change in tone toward the region, and from Trumps own previously strident anti-Muslim rhetoric. It was well-received among the assortment of monarchs and leaders who sat in the audience Sunday, under crystal chandeliers, grateful for a show of solidarity from an American president as well as his promise not to meddle in their affairs.

Beyond the gilded ballroom, there was also plenty of skepticism about the close U.S. embrace of Saudi Arabia, a country with its own troubled legacy of extremism that made it an awkward stage for a speech about the dangers of radicalism.

As he arrived in his Humvee on Sunday in the Iraqi city of Mosul, where mortars fell nearby, Master Sgt. Dhu-Alfuqar Ali, a member of Iraqs elite counterterrorism unit, said that Trump should not have delivered the speech in Saudi Arabia, where they are supporting terrorism.

He should have come here, to where the actual war is taking place, he said, speaking of a place that, by a country mile, had suffered most grievously from extremist groups such as the Islamic State.

[It was a childrens soccer game. Of course he knew he was going to kill children.]

Views were different in the Persian Gulf region, where leaders had complained resentfully about the Obama administrations neglect and its occasional scolding about human rights abuses, as well as its outreach to Iran.

When President Barack Obama delivered his address to the Muslim world in Cairo in June 2009, it contained a passage about democracy that surely rankled Arab leaders at the time and may have haunted them, nearly two years later, when they faced protests from their own restive populations.

There was no scolding Sunday. Trump spoke respectfully about Muslims and the GCC countries, said Abdelkhaleq Abdulla, a professor of political science from the United Arab Emirates, referring to states that belong to the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Very candid, very articulate, said Abdulla, who was especially heartened that Trump had singled out Iran for criticism. He worried, though, that Trumps mercurial personality might mean a sudden change in course. And Trumps refusal to mention the lack of freedom in the Arab world was a valid criticism, he said.

This is the Trump America. It is interest-based, not value-based, Abdulla said. Until we go to the post-ISIS era, no one is in the mood to talk about anything else, he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State.

Khlood Mohammed, 25, a Saudi student, said she was pleasantly surprised, particularly by Trumps acknowledgment of Saudi efforts to fight terrorism. But Madawi al-Rasheed, a visiting professor at the Middle East Center of the London School of Economics, said the president had chosen the kingdom for a different reason.

Trump only recognizes regimes who can pay for a wide range of US services, military, economic and otherwise, she wrote in the online Middle East Eye. He believes in their pockets, rather than their faith.

For better or worse, Trumps visit  the pageantry, the personalities and the bizarre contradictions  captivated the region. In Libya, Ahmed Tabawi Wardako, a southern tribal leader, managed to catch the address.

[Trump campaigned against Muslims but will preach tolerance in Saudi Arabia]

I am not a huge fan of Trump, but his speech spoke to the heart of many Muslims, he said, suggesting it revealed the U.S. presidents true intentions. He didnt want us to come to America, but he ended up coming to us, Wardako said, referring to Trumps inclusion of Libya on a list of Muslim-majority nations banned from travel to the United States, as well as to his anti-Muslim statements.

I think he said all that just to fool the American voters. Trump is with the Muslims now, he said.

Many others, though, were left scrambling to respond to Trumps speech  his most expansive comments yet on Middle East policy  or to divine its meaning.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, said the group rejected Trumps association of the group with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Hamas is a national liberation movement legally defending the Palestinian peoples rights, he said. The speech, he added, ruins the reputation of the Palestinian resistance.

There was also anger in Iran, singled out for criticism by Trump, with no mention of the Iranian presidential election last week that turned out tens of millions of voters and dealt a blow to the countrys hard-liners.

The riposte came from Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister. Fresh from real elections  attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation, he wrote on Twitter, in a dig at Saudi Arabia, Irans regional rival. Foreign Policy or simply milking [Saudi Arabia] of $480B? he added.

In Syria, activists in rebel-held territory said they gathered around a friends laptop to watch Trumps speech, hoping for clues about his strategy to help end the civil war. Youssef al-Masri, an electrician from the Aleppo countryside, said the speech hit the right notes but left the room confused. He is right to condemn the radicals who have destroyed our country. I wonder if he really sees people like us, who need his help, as any different to the radicals, he said, citing the refugee ban and increasing reports of civilian casualties in U.S. bombing raids.

Then there was Yemen, site of one of the Arab worlds bloodiest and most tragic armed conflicts, which Trump referred to only obliquely, as a theater of influence for Iran  even though his Saudi hosts lead an Arab coalition fighting there and play a predominant role in the continuation of the war.

But the Saudis definitely want a freer hand in the conflict, said Farea al-Muslimi, head of the Beirut-based Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, making it unlikely that Trump would have spoken out forcefully for a settlement.

The president had three priorities in Saudi Arabia, Muslimi said. Deals, deals and deals.

Mahfouz reported from Cairo. Mustafa Salim and Thomas Gibbons-Neff in Mosul; Sheikha Aldosary in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Louisa Loveluck and Suzan Haidamous in Beirut; Heba Habib and Erin Cunningham in Istanbul; Sufian Taha and Ruth Eglash in Jerusalem; Hazem Balousha in Gaza; and Sudarsan Raghavan in Tripoli, Libya, contributed to this report.

Read more

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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North Korea on Sunday conducted another ballistic missile launch  the 11th such test this year  in its latest show of defiance to the international community and its demands to stop its provocative threats.

Despite repeated condemnations and warnings of additional sanctions, Kim Jong Uns regime has been pressing ahead at a relentless pace to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile, which would be capable of reaching the mainland United States.

Kim supervised the launch and declared it perfect, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Monday morning.

Although analysts say the regime has several key technologies to master before it can deliver a nuclear-tipped missile to a target, they also point out that it inches close to its goal with every test.

Sundays launch was of a medium-range ballistic missile, fired from a site at Pukchang, north of Pyongyang, at 4:29 p.m. local time, according to U.S. Pacific Command and South Koreas joint chiefs of staff. It flew about 310 miles, landing in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Analysts said it appeared to be another Pukguksong-2 (or Polaris-2), a land-based version of North Koreas submarine-launched missile. North Korea has fired this type of missile once before, in February while President Trump was meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Florida.

The Pukguksong-2 launched in February also flew about 310 miles and appeared to be powered by solid fuel, which allows for immediate firing, rather than the more laborious process needed to prepare older-style liquid-fueled missiles for launch. North Korea can roll a solid-fuel missile out of a tunnel or hangar and launch it before satellites can track it.

Building large solid missiles is difficult, David Wright, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists global security program, wrote in an analysis.

Other countries, such as France and China, had progressed from building a medium-range solid missile, which North Korea has done, to building a solid intercontinental ballistic missile  but it took them several decades, Wright said.

So this is not something that will happen soon, but with time North Korea will be able to do it, he wrote.

[ Here are the missiles North Korea just showed off, one by one. ]

Kim celebrated the launch, KCNA reported.

Saying with pride that the missiles rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon, he approved the deployment of this weapon system for action, the report said.

The missile now met technical requirements and should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way to arm the Korean Peoples Armys Strategic Force, Kim told the assembled rocket scientists and officials.

Sundays launch was the 11th of this year and the third successful flight test in a row, said Shea Cotton, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation in California.

Kim has rapidly stepped up the tempo of missile testing since he took over from his father at the end of 2011. Only 16 missiles were launched during the 17 years that Kim Jong Il was in power, but Kim Jong Un oversaw 13 tests in 2015 alone and nine last year. He has ordered 11 missile tests in the first five months of this year, according to Cottons data.

White House officials traveling with Trump in Saudi Arabia said they were aware of the launch. This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Koreas three most recent tests, an official told reporters.

In Tokyo, Abe said North Koreas repeated missile launches trample on the efforts by the international community to find a peaceful solution to the nuclear problem, the Kyodo news agency reported.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened a national security council meeting to discuss the latest launch, and the U.N. Security Council said it would call a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the latest provocation.

[ North Koreas Kim celebrates test of perfect weapon system ]

This latest missile launch came just a week after the North Korean government fired a new kind of ballistic missile, apparently a smaller version of one of its ICBM prototypes, that flew 435 miles.

The North Korean leader called it a perfect weapon system, according to state media reports showing a happy Kim at the launch site, that was able to carry a large-size heavy nuclear warhead.

North Korea has a history of making exaggerated claims, and it is not clear whether it can do all the things it says it can. Although it has published photos of what it says are miniaturized nuclear weapons and shown off increasingly large missiles and canisters at military parades, their capabilities have not been proven.

But Robert Litwak, director of international security studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, warned against getting bogged down in widget analysis when North Koreas bigger-picture goal was increasingly obvious.

Instead, the Trump administration and the international community should be trying to stop North Korea from making further progress, he said.

In the absence of serious diplomacy to constrain their testing problem, sometime in the next couple of years they will have mastered the technology needed to hit the homeland, Litwak said. There is a window for serious diplomacy.

Read more:

Why does North Korea hate the United States? Lets go back to the Korean War.

Worried about North Korea? Spare a thought for Otto Warmbiers family.

North Korea puts out new video showing the White House in crosshairs

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
First Republic Bank was founded by Jim Herbert with the intention of providing exceptional levels of customer service. It was his belief that customer service would set the bank apart and create a profitable investment for its shareholders. After 35 years, his vision has proven true with a 25% CAGR that continues to this day. The initial enterprise value has grown from only $8.8 million in that time, to over $19 billion making it the 14th largest bank in the US. First Republic Bank was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

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Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a life sciences company, focuses on the provision of preparedness and response solutions that address accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats (PHTs) in the United States. The company's products address PHTs, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; travel health; and emerging health crises and acute/emergency care. It offers BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; ACAM2000, a smallpox vaccine; Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent to treat botulinum disease; vaccinia immune globulin intravenous that addresses complications from smallpox vaccine; raxibacumab for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax; Anthrasil to for inhalational anthrax; reactive skin decontamination lotion kits; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate. The company also provides NARCAN, a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vivotif, an oral vaccine for typhoid fever; and Vaxchora, a single-dose oral vaccine to treat cholera. In addition, it is developing AP003, a Naloxone multidose nasal spray; AP007, a sustained release Nalmefene injection for treatment of opioid use disorder; AV7909, an anthrax vaccine; CGRD-001, a pralidoxime chloride/atropine auto-injector; CHIKV VLP, a chikungunya virus VLP vaccine; COVID-HIG for the treatment of SARS-CoV2; EGRD-001, a diazepam auto-injector; SIAN, an antidote for the initial treatment of acute poisoning of cyanide; and UniFlu, a universal influenza vaccine. Further, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services comprising drug substance and product manufacturing, and packaging, as well as technology transfer, process, and analytical development services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Sometimes the guilt of a crime is just too much to bear, and the perpetrator has to come clean or risk bearing the weight of his transgression for a lifetime.

For an Oregon fourth-grader, that crime was theft. The theft of a pen. Oh, and also a single hazelnut, from an undisclosed mixed nut bowl perhaps.

Oregon governor Kate Brown received a letter from Samuel, a fourth-grader who had recently visited the Capitol building, apologizing for a theft that had somehow gone unnoticed.

SEE ALSO: Kraft ad teaches moms how to swear in front of their 'monkey-flunking' kids

Samuel explained what he did and apologized, writing "these things were not mine and it was wrong for me to take them I'm very sorry."

He included the pen as well as a single dollar to reimburse the cost of the hazelnut. It is one of the more luxurious nuts, after all.

Samuel asked for the forgiveness of both the governor and the people of Oregon and generously, Brown granted him that peace in a handwritten note.
A hot-coffee lawsuit cost coffee giant, Starbucks, $100,000 on Thursday after a Florida woman, Joanne Mogavero, claimed in a lawsuit she received first and second-degree burns in 2014.

Mogavero's lawyers argued Starbucks should provide a warning to customers the lids of its coffee cups could pop off, which is what happened with Mogavero that injured her three years back, reports said.

In 2014, Mogavero received a cup of coffee from a barista at a drive-through outlet in Jacksonville, Florida. As she was passing the hot drink to her passenger, the lid popped off and the 190-degree drink spilled on her lap, which left permanent scars on her body, BBC reported.

Read: Starbuck's Worker Criticized For Writing 'Fat' On Schoolgirl's Frappucino

However, it is not the first time the coffee giant faced legal challenges. From slightly overpriced breakfast sandwiches to discriminating against people with disabilities, it has been embroiled in several cases.

Here are five of the lawsuits against Starbucks.

In September 2011, Starbucks was involved in a lawsuit claiming a hidden camera was in the bathroom of one of the coffee giant's outlet in Washington D.C. The camera was allegedly videotaping a five-year-old girl who was using the unisex toilet, reports said.

However, a representative for Starbucks said the company had acted in compliance of their policy which puts emphasis on safety of its customers and employees.

In July 2013, 12 customers had filed a lawsuit alleging employees at two of the coffee shops in New York City refused to serve them because they were disabled, reports said.

"The company is discriminating against deaf individuals by refusing to serve them coffee because they are deaf, making fun of the way they speak, attempting to eject them from their stores, and making false allegations against the police," the lawsuit, filed on July 10 in the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York, stated.

Story continues

Starbucks had responded to the lawsuit with a statement on its website. It said: "We want Starbucks to be a place where deaf people want to work and visit. We strive to provide a Starbucks experience that is culturally sensitive and inclusive of deaf etiquette..."

In July 2015, a Utah woman, Cheryl Kingery, had filed a lawsuit against the coffee giant and demanded more than $2 million. She claimed she drank a coffee in July 2012 at a Starbucks in the northern Utah city of Clinton. The coffee allegedly contained a cleaning solution, according to Fox 13.

Kingery's attorneys wrote in the lawsuit the drink had burned and damaged Kingery's mouth and esophagus, which resulted to severe nerve damage and chronic burning mouth pain.

The coffee conglomerate reportedly took the claims seriously and company spokesperson Laurel Harper had said in response to FOX 13's request for comment: "The safety of our customers is our highest priority. We take this obligation seriously and are investigating Ms. Kingerys claims."

In June 2015, an internationally known Brooklyn muralist, Maya Hayuk, sued Starbucks claiming that she refused to work with the coffee giant but the company still went ahead and used her graphics, which looked similar to some of her work, to promote its mini Frappuccinos, the New York Post reported.

A Starbucks spokesperson had said: "We are aware a complaint has been filed, and we are investigating the allegations.

In August 2016, a group of California residents filed a lawsuit against the coffee giant, after discovering several Los Angeles-area Starbucks were charging 20 to 30 cents more for breakfast sandwiches than the advertised price.

The lawsuit was settled after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Hart Cole granted plaintiff Sarah Martin's motion for preliminary approval of the deal. The decision resulted to Starbucks refunding 25 cents each to the California consumers who purchased the breakfast sandwiches with Starbucks Rewards accounts.

It also gave a 25 cent gift card to any additional consumers who could provide proof they purchased the sandwiches during the period mentioned in the class action, law360 reported.

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Beijing (AFP) - China has denied US allegations that two Chinese fighter jets acted unprofessionally in intercepting an American military plane earlier this week, saying that its aircraft were acting in accordance with the law".

"Related remarks from the US side are inconsistent with fact," the Chinese Ministry of Defense said in a statement posted to its website late Friday.

"On May 17, a US reconnaissance aircraft was carrying out an operation in airspace over the Chinese Yellow Sea (the northern part of the East China Sea), and Chinese aircraft acted to identify and investigate in accordance with the law," the statement said, calling the action "professional" and "safe".

The US Air Force said in an earlier statement Friday that its plane, a WC-135 Constant Phoenix, was conducting a "routine mission" in international airspace when it was intercepted by two Chinese Sukhoi SU-30 fighter aircraft.

The WC-135 is a so-called "sniffer plane" designed to scan the atmosphere for signs of nuclear activity.

"The WC-135 was operating in accordance with international law. While we are still investigating the incident, initial reports from the US aircrew characterised the intercept as unprofessional," the Air Force said.

The statement out of Beijing came as Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi discussed preparations for the first round of the China-U.S. diplomatic and security dialogue in a phone conversation Saturday with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a statement that Yang and Tillerson "exchanged views... of common concern such as the Korean Peninsula," but did not say whether the aircraft incident was discussed.

Mid-air interceptions occur routinely in international airspace, but the US military will often call out foreign pilots if it judges the manoeuvres to be risky or unprofessional.

Meanwhile, China urged the US to halt such reconnaissance exercises in order to prevent future incidents.

"The American military's frequent reconnaissance operations are the root cause of security issues between the Chinese and US navy and air forces," the Chinese defence ministry's statement said.
Beirut (AFP) - A Hezbollah leader blacklisted this week by the United States and Saudi Arabia on Sunday branded the administration of President Donald Trump as "crazy".

Just before Trump flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday, Washington and Riyadh issued their first "joint terrorist designation" blacklisting Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's executive council.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite movement is already branded a "foreign terrorist organisation" by Washington.

"This crazy American administration (operating) under Trump will not be able to crush the Resistance," Safieddine said using an alternative name for Hezbollah, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The designation of Safieddine was announced Friday by the US State Department and confirmed by Saudi Arabia.

"As a result, any of his assets held in Saudi Arabia are frozen, and transfers through the kingdom's financial sector, are prohibited," the State Department said in a statement.

The official Saudi news agency SPA alleged Safieddine had given his organisation advice on carrying out terrorist acts and on supplying support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Safieddine, a Lebanese citizen who is in his 50s, is the head of Hezbollah's executive council, which runs the group's political affairs and social and economic programmes in Lebanon's Shiite community.

Analysts say Safieddine is spoken of as a potential candidate to succeed Hezbollah's overall chief Hassan Nasrallah, who is a distant cousin.

Hezbollah, which was set up in the 1980s by Saudi's regional ally Iran, is the only Lebanese group to have refused to lay down its arms at the end of Lebanon's 1978-1990 civil war.

The US designation order did not link Safieddine to any recent Hezbollah attacks.

But it noted the group's historical involvement in the 1983 bombing of a US Marines barracks in Beirut, a US embassy bombing in 1984, and a passenger jet hijacking in 1985.
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's President Michel Temer faced new calls for his resignation Friday after being accused of attempting to derail a massive corruption investigation known as "Car Wash."

Temer and a senior senator accused of corruption, Aecio Neves, were among those "who attempted to prevent the Car Wash investigations from advancing," Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot wrote in a court filing released Friday.

The obstruction of justice accusation raised the stakes in a crisis threatening to topple Temer barely a year after the center-right politician took over from impeached leftist president Dilma Rousseff.

Earlier, authorities had released what they said was a secretly recorded conversation between Temer and a business executive in which the president is purported to have given his blessing to monthly payments of hush money to a jailed politician.

That politician -- former lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha -- is in prison after a "Car Wash" judge convicted him of bribe-taking.

The "Car Wash" investigation has upended Brazil with scores of politicians indicted or subject to probes into alleged bribe taking and embezzlement.

And Cunha, formerly one of the most powerful insiders in Congress, has long been rumored to have threatened to spill secrets on other politicians to prosecutors.

Temer angrily denied any wrongdoing in a televised address Thursday and rebutted mounting calls for his resignation. He has not spoken in public since then.

- Demand for resignation -

Adding fuel to the fire was the release Friday of plea bargain testimony by executives at the huge JBS meatpacking company indicating that they had given Temer $4.6 million in bribes.

The executives also claimed to have paid $150 million in undeclared campaign funds to former presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Rousseff.

Opponents piled on the pressure, with eight impeachment requests filed in Congress.

The powerful Globo newspaper published an editorial at the top of its webpage demanding Temer resign.

Story continues

"Not one citizen conscious of the obligations of citizenship can fail to recognize that the president has lost the moral, ethical, political and administrative conditions to continue governing Brazil," the editorial said.

The beleaguered president was holed up at the presidential palace with close aides, a government official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The government is working on three fronts to end the crisis: political, judicial and economic," the source said.

According to the source, Temer was "angry" and had no intention of stepping down.

Analysts said that politicians will look to see whether street protests build against the president.

Temer's conservative government has angered millions of Brazilians with its ambitious austerity reforms, which include the planned raising of the retirement age to fix the country's unaffordable pension system.

Temer is especially loathed on the left for his role in the impeachment just a year ago of leftist president Dilma Rousseff. As her vice president, he immediately took over when she was pushed out.

On Thursday, thousands of people demonstrated against Temer in the capital Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro.

Rousseff's leftist Workers' Party planned nationwide protests on Sunday, with turnout likely proving an important barometer of the national mood.

Even a former chief justice of the Supreme Court, Joaquim Barbosa, called for Temer's head.

"There is no other way out. Brazilians must mobilize, must take to the streets to forcefully demand the immediate resignation of Michel Temer," he said on Twitter.

However, the Vem Pra Rua group, which was active in bringing down Rousseff last year, abruptly cancelled plans for its own mass protests, saying there wasn't enough time to plan security.

- Crucial coalition partner -

Although Temer faces a perilous investigation in the Supreme Court, his more immediate danger is a collapse of his base in Congress, opening the way to impeachment.

So far only one minister, the culture secretary, has quit, but several others have been rumored to have one foot out of the door. Folha newspaper referred to "a climate of confusion."

Temer's PMDB party is the biggest in Congress but the key to his coalition is the center-right PSDB Social Democrats. They have given mixed signals, but so far are staying in the government.

"Our ministers continue to work and we will not take any action with regard to their staying in the government before we have a conversation with President Temer," the party's Senate leader, Paulo Bauer, told Globo.

Ironically, the legislature that now holds Temer's fate in its hands is itself riddled with corruption scandals uncovered by "Car Wash" investigators.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Southeast Asian countries agreed on Thursday to a framework for a long-mooted code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea, China's foreign ministry said, as both sides step up efforts to ease tension in the strategic waterway. China and the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) had been hoping to agree on the framework this year, 15 years after committing to draft it. After a meeting between Chinese and ASEAN officials in the Chinese city of Guiyang, China's foreign ministry said the framework had been agreed upon, but gave no details of its contents. It said the talks had been candid and deep and made positive achievements. All parties "uphold using the framework of regional rules to manage and control disputes, to deepen practical maritime cooperation, to promote consultation on the code and jointly maintain the peace and stability of the South China Sea," China's foreign ministry said. The permanent secretary of Singapore's foreign ministry, Chee Wee Kiong, said that what he called a "draft" framework would be submitted to a meeting of the foreign ministers of China and the ASEAN states in August in the Philippines. "We hope to continue the positive momentum of consultation and make steady progress toward a substantive CoC based on consensus as directed by our leaders," Chee said, in remarks also shown on Chinese state television. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, in comments carried on state television, said the framework was comprehensive and took into account the concerns of all sides. But he called on others to stay out, apparently a coded message to the United States. "We hope that our consultations on the code are not subject to any outside interference," Liu said. The U.S. State Department said it understood ASEAN and China had "not agreed on a text of a Code of Conduct, but on an initial framework describing how such a document might be structured". "As we have not seen that text, we would not be in a position to comment on it," a spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, said. She said the United States had been calling for "an effective and meaningful" code of conduct compatible with international law, in particular the Law of the Sea Convention. Some ASEAN diplomats have expressed concern about whether China is being sincere, or whether ASEAN has enough leverage to get China to commit to a set of rules. Some Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as the United States, have expressed concern at what they see as China's militarization of the South China Sea, including building air strips on man-made islands. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in goods pass every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Robert Birsel and Leslie Adler)
By James Pomfret PEARL RIVER ESTUARY, China (Reuters) - As a 19-mile bridge between Hong Kong and China across the Pearl River estuary nears completion, Chinese officials are hoping it will bring more than economic integration at a time of growing tension between the two sides. The bridge that snakes out over the blue estuary with soaring pylons, viaducts and towers using more steel than 60 Eiffel Towers, was first proposed in the late 1980s. But it was opposed at the time by Hong Kong's British colonial government, which was wary of development that might draw the city closer to Communist China. Since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, however, there has been a flurry of projects integrating the port city with the Pearl River Delta's manufacturing and urban sprawl, and stoking some unease in Hong Kong. Wei Dongqing, a Chinese Party official and the executive director of the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau bridge Authority, one of the leaders of the project, sees the bridge, linking the former European colonies of Hong Kong and Macau with Zhuhai city, as promoting unity, both physically and mentally. "It's psychological. It joins three places," Wei told Reuters on a media-trip bus speeding along the half-finished, six-lane bridge, with the facades of Macau's casinos glimmering in the distance. "We have confidence for the future ... a united market, a united people ... that's the dream." After nearly eight years of construction, the cost of the bridge and tunnel project has ballooned to some $19 billion, at the last estimate. Critics see it as a white elephant, that will struggle to become viable and be unlikely to draw the 40,000 or so vehicles a day as forecast. While most construction is expected to be finished by year-end to allow the first vehicles to cross, Wei said he "wasn't sure" when full operations - including toll booths, customs and immigration facilities - would be ready. "We are facing new challenges after the bridge is completed ... how to operate it, make it efficient, and really benefit the whole area," he said. The Hong Kong Transport Bureau, which oversees the Hong Kong end of the project, gave no specific response to questions on whether more delays and cost-overruns were expected, but said it was confident construction could be completed by the end of the year. Final arrangements were being decided by the three sides, it said in an email. (To view a map of Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau bridge, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2pZ0YNU) 'BLUR THE BORDER' Mainland and Hong Kong officials have long stressed the bridge's economic importance at a time when tension in Hong Kong has escalated, with protests in 2014 over Beijing's refusal to allow full democracy, and suspicion of creeping mainland interference despite a guarantee of autonomy. Some in Hong Kong, apart from questioning the huge sums that could have gone into health, housing and education, are worried about what they see as an erosion of Hong Kong's independent identity in China's increasingly extensive embrace. "You see a kind of network trying to blur the border between Hong Kong and China," said pro-democracy lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki. "In the coming 10 to 15 years, when all these infrastructure projects are completed, you will see Hong Kong is only part of China because you cannot see a clear border." Another project - a multi-billion dollar high-speed rail link - sparked an outcry over plans to allow Chinese immigration facilities to operate on Hong Kong soil. Critics say that undermines Hong Kong's autonomy under a "one country, two systems" formula, under which the city returned to Chinese rule. "I don't think many Hong Kong people mind to be integrated ... but what we want is to do it democratically," said Eddie Chu, who led protests against the rail link and is now an elected lawmaker. "Behind all the protests in the last 10 to 15 years, the core idea is democracy and it's an extension of the democratic movement, whether we have popular control over the direction of economic development and town planning." But project leader Wei, dressed in gray overalls and a white hard-hat, celebrates the integration that the critics decry. "It's actually one bridge, three systems. It's about the law, policy, transportation policy, customs policy," said Wei. "The bridge is becoming a new icon." (Additional reporting by Venus Wu; Editing by Robert Birsel)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Chinese SU-30 aircraft carried out what the U.S. military described as an "unprofessional" intercept of a U.S. aircraft designed to detect radiation while it was flying in international air space over the East China Sea. "The issue is being addressed with China through appropriate diplomatic and military channels," said U.S. Air Force spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Lori Hodge. Hodge said the U.S. characterization of the incident was based on initial reports from the U.S. air crew aboard the WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft "due to the maneuvers by the Chinese pilot, as well as the speeds and proximity of both aircraft". "Distances always have a bearing on how we characterize interactions," Hodge said, adding a U.S. military investigation into the intercept was under way. She said the WC-135 was carrying out a routine mission at the time and was operating in accordance with international law. China's Defense Ministry, in a short statement, said the U.S. account "did not accord with the facts". It said that what it described as a U.S. surveillance aircraft was carrying out surveillance activities over the Yellow Sea, and Chinese aircraft went to investigate "in accordance with the law and the rules". "The relevant action was professional and safe," it said. The ministry added that U.S. military ships and aircraft frequently carrying out close-in surveillance is the root cause of safety problems between China and the United States at sea and in the air. "We hope that the U.S. side stops relevant surveillance activities, to avoid this kind of incident happening again." Speaking earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: "We hope that the U.S. side can respect China's reasonable security concerns." Early on Saturday, China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, received a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, according to China's foreign ministry. The report of the call on the ministry's website made no mention of the aircraft incident, but paraphrased Yang as saying China and the United States should expand cooperation across the board and strengthen their communication and cooperation on major global and regional issues. On Feb. 8, a U.S. Navy P-3 spy plane and a Chinese military aircraft came close to each other over the South China Sea in an incident the Navy saw as unsafe but also inadvertent. Reuters reported at the time that the aircraft came within 1,000 feet (305 meters) of each other in the vicinity of the Scarborough Shoal, between the Philippines and the Chinese mainland. China is deeply suspicious of any U.S. military activity around its coastline, especially in the resource-rich South China Sea, parts of which are disputed by China and its smaller neighbors including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. (Reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington, Ben Blanchard in Beijing and John Ruwitch in Shanghai; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Both the CIA and the FBI declined to comment on reports saying the Chinese government killed or imprisoned 18 to 20 CIA sources from 2010 to 2012 and dismantled the agency's spying operations in the country. It is described as one of the worst intelligence breach in decades, current and former American officials told the New York Times.

Investigators were uncertain whether the breach was a result of a double agent within the CIA who had betrayed the U.S. or whether the Chinese had hacked the communications system used by the agency to be in contact with foreign sources. The Times reported Saturday citing former American officials from the final weeks of 2010 till the end of 2012, the Chinese killed up to 20 CIA sources.

Read: Department Of Justice Indicted Russian Spies, Hackers For Massive Breach In 2014

Officials also said the number of U.S. assets lost to China were comparable to the loss of assets in the Soviet Union and Russia because of the two infamous spies Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen.

Ames had joined CIA in 1962 in a low-level position. Over the years, he worked on several interesting cases but financial constraints started building up due to troubles in his personal life. In 1985, Ames went to the Soviet Embassy in Washington D.C. and offered secrets to the KGB  Komitet gosudarstvennoy bezopasnosti, the committee for the security of the Soviet Union  and started receiving money from them. In 1994, Aimes was arrested for spying for Russia and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, according to the website of CIA.

Hanssen is considered the "most damaging spy" in FBI history for disclosing confidential information about the U.S. to the Soviet Union and Russia. On Feb. 18, 2001, he was arrested and charged with committing espionage on behalf of the intelligence services of the former Soviet Union and its successors, and was also sentenced to prison without the possibility of parole, according to the website of FBI.

Story continues

China has reportedly attempted to disrupt American spying efforts several times in the past. In 2015, the U.S. pulled out spies from China as a result of a cyber attack that compromised the personal data of 21.5 million government workers, CNN had reported citing a U.S. official.

On that occasion, the U.S. suspected Chinese hackers were responsible for the breach at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which exposed the fingerprints of 5.6 million government employees. The hack reportedly had a huge impact on U.S. national security, in part because the hacked data included information from U.S. government forms used for security clearances.

In April, ahead of President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping's summit, a hacking group that pursues Chinese government interests broke into the website of the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC). They left a malicious link on web pages where members of NFTC register for upsoming meetings, Reuters reported citing researchers at Fidelis Cybersecurity and a person familiar with the trade group.

The FBI and the NFTC had declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

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Jerusalem (AFP) - US President Donald Trump heads for Israel and the Palestinian territories Monday as part of his first trip abroad since taking office, hoping to renew peace efforts but with controversy trailing him.

The unpredictable president arrives having already upturned expectations when it comes to the decades-old Middle East conflict, giving Palestinians more hope than they may have anticipated and disappointing right-wing Israelis who heralded his election.

He has spoken of reaching "the toughest deal to make", one that has long bedevilled US presidents, vowing "we will get it done".

But he is also contending with a raft of problems back home, including a special counsel investigating whether his associates colluded with Russia.

Any leader would face an enormous challenge in seeking to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together for meaningful talks, and Trump's inexperience and domestic political struggles will only add to it.

Beyond that, Trump has faced criticism from Israelis in recent days related to the White House's approach to the ultra-sensitive status of Jerusalem.

Concerns have also been raised over Trump's sharing of intelligence with Russia said to have originally come from Israel.

"I think the trip's in a lot of jeopardy being able to be productive because of all the chaos and controversy that's going on in Washington," Dan Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel under Barack Obama and now a senior fellow at Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies think tank, told AFP.

- 'Palestinians are cautious' -

Trump arrives in Israel on Monday afternoon following his visit to Saudi Arabia, where Washington announced a huge $110-billion arms deal with Riyadh, and will hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day in Jerusalem.

He is expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray and located in east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed.

Story continues

Israel sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

On Tuesday, he visits Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

After a visit later Tuesday to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, he is due to give a speech at the Israel Museum.

Trump has sent mixed signals about how he will approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution when he met Netanyahu at the White House in February.

At that meeting, he said he would support a single state if it led to peace, delighting Israeli right-wingers who want to see their country annex most of the West Bank.

At the same time, he urged Israel to hold back on settlement building in the West Bank, a longstanding concern of Palestinians and much of the world.

He also held face-to-face talks in Washington with Abbas earlier this month, confidently predicting that a peace agreement was within grasp.

Trump advocated during his campaign breaking with decades of precedent and moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a prospect deeply alarming to Palestinians.

He has since backed away, saying the move was still being looked at.

Trump's seeming openness to at least some of Abbas's concerns has given Palestinians more reason for hope than many may have expected, but still reason to remain wary, some analysts say.

"The Palestinians are cautious since Trump's position is not clear and seems to be still developing," said Palestinian political scientist Ghassan Khatib.

"Trump's early days led to worry, so now with the help of other Arab countries they want to balance Trump's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

- 'Blame game' -

On the Israeli side, Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in the country's history, and members of his coalition were elated with Trump's election.

Some even called for an end to the idea of Palestinian state.

Trump's actions since have left them disappointed, with the embassy remaining in Tel Aviv -- at least for now -- and the White House seeking to restart peace efforts.

Even if Trump can see beyond his domestic political troubles and focus on moving peace efforts forward, he will have to overcome the constraints of both Netanyahu and Abbas.

The 82-year-old Palestinian leader has grown unpopular, while Netanyahu will have difficulty making significant concessions that his right-wing base will accept, many analysts say.

"Neither side wants to be in the position of saying no to him, and that does give him some leverage," Shapiro said.

"But it's still an uphill effort for an administration that is still new to these issues, relatively inexperienced and with parties who are very well-practised in positioning for the blame game rather than trying to work toward a common goal."
Despite a growing movement of people against vaccinations in the United States, one country, at least, has determined parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will face legal ramifications. This week, Italy passed legislation enforcing rules that parents who dont vaccinate their children against 12 preventable diseases, including measles, chicken pox, polio, and tetanus, will face significant fines.

In a press conference on Friday, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Genitoloni stated that anti-scientific theories  believed to be spread by the populist 5-Star political party  over the years have helped endanger the health and lives of the public. There has been a spread of measles in the country during that timeframe, with a sharp rise in cases this year, over 2,000, while there were 840 reported cases in 2016. In fact, the United States is advising potential travelers to Italy about this measles outbreak.

Reports point to Italys anti-vaccination movement  wherein parents refuse to vaccinate their children due to an unfounded and debunked belief that such medical measures cause autism  as the most likely cause for the countrys measles outbreak. A similar situation seems to be developing in the U.S., where Minnesota is experiencing a rise in confirmed cases of measles. In the Minnesota example, experts are pointing to vaccination skepticism within the Somali community as the source of vulnerability against the disease. Some polls suggest that 1 in 10 Americans believe that vaccinations are unsafe.

Other countries have mandatory vaccination legislation in place. In 2016, a couple in France received a two-month suspended jail sentence for refusing to vaccinate their infant and toddler against diphtheria, polio, and tetanus. Yet, due to debates about personal liberty and the spread of antivaccine sentiments, among other factors, enforcement of those mandatory rules vary.

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Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.




By Ayman al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - A spokesman for east Libyan armed forces said on Friday that as many as 141 people had been killed a day earlier in an attack on a southern air base, and the head of Libya's United Nations-backed government suspended his defence minister pending an investigation into the incident. The attack at Brak Al-Shati air base shattered a truce in the area, which in recent months had become a flashpoint between military alliances based in eastern and western Libya. It risks a major escalation in a stop-start conflict between eastern-based factions and rivals loosely aligned with current and former governments in the capital, Tripoli. Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesman for the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), said 103 of those killed in the attack at the air base were LNA troops, most of them from the 12th Brigade stationed there. They were attacked by a brigade from the western city of Misrata known as the Third Force, which previously controlled the base and is nominally aligned with the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. Earlier on Friday, the mayor of Brak Al-Shati and a medical source in the town put the death toll at 89, though the medical official said some bodies had not been brought to the hospital. Mismari said some of the bodies were only collected on Friday. It was not possible to independently verify the number of casualties. Local and LNA officials have said some of those killed were civilians who appeared to have been summarily executed. Mohamed Gliwan, a spokesman for the Third Force, told local TV that LNA troops who were killed inside the base were armed. Human Rights Watch cited a medical official, an eyewitness, and photo and video footage to say that attacking forces had killed "scores of LNA fighters, some with bullets to the head, in apparent acts of summary execution." U.N. Libya envoy Martin Kobler called the attack unprovoked and vicious, saying it "must not push (Libya) into further, serious conflict." GNA Prime Minister Fayez Seraj announced that he was suspending both Defence Minister Mahdi Al-Barghathi and Third Force commander Jamal Traiki, "until it is determined who was responsible for violating the ceasefire". He condemned the escalation at Brak Al-Shati "in the strongest terms" and called for an immediate ceasefire. He denied issuing any instructions to the ministry of defence. Barghathi is a former LNA commander turned opponent of LNA chief Khalifa Haftar. He is widely reported to have played a role in plotting past military operations against the LNA, though his ministry denied ordering Thursday's attack. The LNA has said Islamist militants and the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB), whose members previously fought the LNA in Benghazi, also took part in the attack. Mismari said the LNA had carried out air strikes in the Sabha and Jufra regions in response to the attack. Also on Friday, a car bomb south of Benghazi killed a prominent tribal leader linked to the LNA along with five other people. The blast in Suluq, 31 miles (50 km) south of Benghazi, also wounded 26 people, a medical source said. The LNA has been fighting a three-year campaign against Islamist militants and other opponents in Benghazi and other parts of eastern Libya. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Elumami; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Bill Trott)
By Ginger Gibson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Senator Ron Wyden thinks Republican leadership is moving away from trying to implement full-scale tax reform this year and instead are turning their attention to simply cutting rates. "If you look at the language of Mitch McConnell in the last couple of days, hes talking about tax cuts, hes been saying, Well, I dont know about tax reform, let's have a tax cut,'" Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said in an interview with Reuters on Friday. "To me that would really be, again, contrary to what the president campaigned on," he said. McConnell is the Senate majority leader. Sweeping tax reform had been high on the Republican legislative agenda. But so far, House of Representatives and the Senate, both controlled by Republicans, have been unable to find consensus on a tax package that could pass both chambers and be signed into law by President Donald Trump. Wyden argued there is robust bipartisan agreement that a tax overhaul is needed. "There are plenty of Republicans in Congress - because they talk to me - who would really like to do major tax reform," he said. Last month, the White House weighed in on the tax discussion, offering only a one-page plan that included deep cuts in rates, many for businesses, but stopped well short of legislative language or providing detail on specific changes. "The tax reform proposal is shorter than drug store receipts I have," Wyden remarked. Several lawmakers have warned that if tax reform is not completed by the end of 2017, it will become more difficult to pass in 2018, when Congressional midterm elections will be held. The House has begun holding hearings and has developed a "blue print" - including a controversial border adjustment tax proposal that would tax imports while providing credit for exports. Wyden, in an echo of other senators, including Republicans, said that a border adjustment tax would be unlikely to fare well in the Senate - going so far to call it a "grocery tax" that would unfairly hit consumers in the middle class. (Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has confirmed that there were talks between himself and Attorney General Jeff Sessions about shaking up the FBI leadership months before President Donald Trump indicated he had decided to fire James Comey.

Mr Rosenstein, in separate addresses to the House and Senate this week, said that, in spite of a personal admiration he felt for Mr Comey, he believed the then-FBI director had breached protocol and politicised an investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server while in government. He also noted that a memo that was widely reported to be the basis for Mr Trumps firing decision was written a day after the President had made up his mind to sack Mr Comey.

My memorandum is not a statement of reasons to justify a for-cause termination. My memorandum is not a survey of FBI morale or performance. My memorandum is not a press release, Mr Rosenstein said according to a readout of his statements. It is a candid internal memorandum about the FBI Director's public statements concerning a high-profile criminal investigation.

Read more

Trump 'asked Comey if FBI would say he was not being investigated'

The particulars surrounding Mr Comeys firing became rather confusing quickly after it was announced. As questions about whether or not the firing might constitute obstruction of justice swirled between White House staff pointed to the Rosenstein memo as their justification, which the deputy attorney general later disputed.

Mr Trump himself later said that he had already made the decision to fire Mr Comey when the Rosenstein memo arrived.

Mr Rosenstein noting the talks to get rid of Mr Comey had lasted for months is unlikely to quell concerns about obstruction of justice, however. Just a week after the firing, memos written by Mr Comey detailing conversations he had had with the President indicated that Mr Trump had asked his former FBI director to stop an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynns ties to Russia, and had asked if he was personally being investigated.
Donald Trump has been accused of hypocrisy after appearing to "curtsey" while receiving a gold medal from the king of Saudi Arabia.

Back in 2012, Mr Trump criticised his predecessor Barack Obama for bowing to foreign leaders, including then-Saudi King Abdullah.

But he bowed his head while receiving the country's highest civilian honour on Saturday, the Collar of King Abdulaziz al-Saud.

The Amateur! First @BarackObama was caught bowing to the Saudi King but now the President of Mexico! http://t.co/f0CFiUS9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2012

After King Salman placed the chain around his neck, the President performed a small dip widely interpreted as a curtsey by observers.

One Twitter user commented: "Unlike Obama, Trump refuses to debase himself by bowing before a king. Diplomat that he is, he deftly opts instead for a half-curtsey."

Outraged conservatives also chastised Mr Obama for bowing to the Saudi king, contending that the leader of the free world must not bend over to foreigners.

"By bending over to show greater respect to Islam, the US president belittled the power and independence of the United States," the Washington Times said in an editorial. "Such an act is a traditional obeisance befitting a king's subjects, not his peer."

Videos and photos show Mr Obama bending at the waist toward the king, but the White House maintained that the president never bowed.

Saudi Arabia is the first stop on Mr Trump's nine-day, five-country tour abroad.

Along with his seemingly awkward "curtsey", Mr Trump also took part in a traditional "Ardha" sword dance.

Videos show Mr Trump smiling and swaying from side to side, while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson joined a line of Saudi participants.
Donald Trump will call for nations in the Middle East to stand together against the slaughter of Christians, the oppression of women and warning that Islamic extremists would have an empty, brief life.

And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians, the President will say in Riyadh during his first trip abroad, according to speech excerpts released from the White House.

Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory  piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned.

Read more

Donald Trump praises Egypt President al-Sisi and plans trip to Cairo

The President, speaking to leaders from 50 Muslim-majority countries about how to combat religious extremism, had just signed a resolution with GCC countries agreeing not to finance terrorism and to even prosecute individuals who do funnel funds to terrorist networks.

Mr Trump has also signed a $109.7 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, a country that human rights campaigners and the UN accuse of repeatedly breaching international law and committing war crimes.

In the excerpts he did not outline specific ways to combat extremism, but will say: We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes, not inflexible ideology...We will seek gradual reforms, not sudden intervention.

But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them, he will continue.

Video not available for syndication

Saudi Foreign Minister borrows Trump's 'drain the swamp' phrase

His speech, declaring the combat as a battle between good and evil, was reportedly written by his adviser Stephen Miller, the same man who played a key role in the failed executive order to temporarily ban all immigrants and even green card holders from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Story continues

The ban followed the former Presidential candidates pledge in December 2015 to ban all Muslims from entering the US. He has been criticised for choosing alleged anti-Muslim advisers and aides in his administration, including Mr Miller, Stephen Bannon and Kellyanne Conway, and failed to publicly condemn the fatal shooting inside a mosque in Canada this year, compared to his usual quick tweets about Isis-inspired attacks.

We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all, the speech reads.

But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong  and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfils their part of the burden.

It promises the viewers in Saudi Arabia and around the world that barbarism will deliver you no glory.

The speech does not mention radical Islamic terrorism  an omission which Mr Trump criticised his opponents for in recent years  in the excerpts and instead focuses on the term Islamic extremism.

Mr Trumps joining with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in an effort to counter the financing of terrorism was described by White House adviser Dina Powell as the farthest reaching commitment to cut off terrorist funding.

It was signed by the US, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The President's arms deal with the Saudis is expected to grow to an investment of more than $300 billion within a decade. He has also accepted a visit to Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, has discussed lots of beautiful military equipment with the Emir of Qatar and has praised the Emir of Kuwait for the nation's frequent purchases of US military equipment.

He will also visit Israeli leaders and the Pope before returning to the US.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained about the media every time he has given a speech or tweeted something, branding reports as "Fake News."

You would be surprised to know the president even has a 30-question survey on his website that encourages supporters and asks them to express how strongly they too, have distaste for the press.

In February this year, just one week into his presidency, Trump declared the news media were "the enemy of the American People."

Read: Trump On Twitter: White House Told To Archive All Tweets From President

Trump blames the press all the time when a crisis occurs or something happens in the country. Recently, the president took to Twitter last week during the senate hearing of his acting Attorney General Sally Yates and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper regarding the ongoing investigation into the Russian meddling during the 2016 elections.

The president criticized Yates for not disclosing new information on former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his alleged ties with Russia. He tweeted Fake Media would be disappointed because they had nothing new to showcase.

Although Trump might hate the "failing" New York Times, the "dishonest" Politico and "ratings-challenged" CNN, but the president is also a fan of certain other new outlets. Where does he get his news from?

Trumps campaign Press Secretary Hope Hicks told GQ the president relies mainly on Google News printouts provided to him by his staffers and rarely reads his own email. A 2007 deposition indicated Trump never used a computer or carried a smartphone during daytime. So he often dictated his daytime tweets for his staffers to type.

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The president also follows certain news outlets and prefers to acquire his news from those. Heres a list of some of the prominent ones.

Breitbart

Breitbart News has been quite favorable in its coverage of the president. It has gone on to defend Trump by doubting one of its own reporter's credibility when she accused Trumps then campaign manager of grabbing her by the arm following a news conference in March. The president appreciated the outlets support.

The Washington Post's Paul Farhi explained in January how Trump returned the favor:

"Trump has returned the favor, doling out so many exclusives to Breitbarts relentless Washington political editor, Matthew Boyle, that some have wondered whether Trump and Breitbart are in business together. (Theyre not, both sides say.) Nevertheless, Trump clearly holds a special place for Breitbart, which is named for its late founder, the activist and media entrepreneur Andrew Breitbart. When Boyle, 28, asked Trump about his rising poll numbers after a Republican debate last summer, Trump broke into a broad smile and high-fived the young journalist in front of startled onlookers in the post-debate spin room."

National Enquirer

Trump described the Enquirer in July 2016 as "a magazine that, frankly, in many respects, should be very respected." He also mentioned the outlet at a news conference in Ohio later in July: "I've always said, 'Why didn't the National Enquirer get the Pulitzer Prize for Edwards and O.J. Simpson and all of these things?'"

Snopes

Trump was calling Obama the "founder of ISIS" during his Presidential campaign but during the previous elections he went with the "birtherism" conspiracies  running amok with the belief Obama was born outside the United States of America. Politico had traced the source of the birtherism trends to an email chain from an anonymous sender posted on Snopes, which Trump himself had claimed to be a trafficker of urban legends.

World Net Daily

Trump declared in May, last year, the people still believe the White House attorney, Vince Foster, who took his own life, was actually killed by the Clintons or at least they were involved. When he said "people" he might have been referring to the 92 percent World Net Daily watchers, an extreme right media organisation that persevere murder investigation stories and lead the way in the so-called Clinton conspiracy, publishing "exclusive reports."

All this after three investigations had ruled the death as suicide.

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A potential obstruction of justice case against Donald Trump just received a quantum leap in strength and legal sustainability, according to a well known legal analyst and former New York homicide prosecutor.

Paul Callan said that the US leader alleged comments to Russian officials that the pressure was off as a result of firing FBI Director James Comey, who he referred to as a nut job, meant that legal action against the US leader was coming ever closer.

The statement can be perceived as deliberate interference with the progress of the Russia probe, he wrote in an analyis for CNN.

He added that it was "shocking" that Mr Trump had invited two of the targets of an ongoing FBI counter intelligence investigation Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and the country's Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak into the Oval Office, the day after firing Mr Comey.

Read more

Donald Trump expected to urge Arab leaders to 'drive out terrorists'

Mr Comey had been investigating whether there was collusion between Russia and anyone connected to Mr Trump's campaign during last year's presidential election.

Citing a report in The New York Times which reported his comments on Mr Comey, Mr Callan said they could be viewed as showing "the President's true intent" which was "deliberate interference with the progress of the Russia probe."

Robert Mueller, the newly appointed Department of Justice special counsel has now been tasked with picking up the pieces of Mr Comey's investigation.

According to Politifact, the US President can be tried under Title 18, Section 1505, which requires a prosecutor to prove that through threat or force, Mr Trump obstructed, influenced, impeded or attempted to impede a proceeding through a corrupt mental state.

Mr Trump initially claimed that he had fired Mr Comey over his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server, even though the president was widely seen to have benefited politically from that inquiry. He had once praised Mr Comey for his guts in his pursuit of Mrs. Clinton during the campaign.

Story continues

But he later admitted that "this Russia thing" had also played a role in the sacking.

Mr Comey has agreed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open session to answer questions on the investigation into links between the Trump team and Russia, a move that will likely alarm the White House, which has been struggling to contain the fallout from the sacking of one of America's highest profile officials.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Richard Burr, said he hoped the former FBI chief's testimony would "clarify for the American people recent events that have been broadly reported in the media".

The committee looks forward to receiving testimony from the former director on his role in the development of the intelligence community assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections," he said.

The hearing will be scheduled after the 29 May Memorial Day holiday, the committee's statement said.
The man who plowed his car into a crowd of people in New Yorks Times Square Thursday was charged with murder, attempted murder and vehicular homicide after he killed one person and left another 20 injured. Richard Rojas told police he had taken drugs prior to the incident.

Initial reports speculated that Rojas, 26, had taken K2, or synthetic marijuana. But Rojas told police he had actually taken PCP.

I smoked marijuana, Rojas told officers, according to a court document. I laced the marijuana with PCP.

Marijuana laced with PCP would likely have had effects similar to that of synthetic marijuana. In security footage from the incident, Rojas could be seen driving his car in a controlled manner before seemingly waiting for cars to pass and speeding the wrong way down the street into a crowd of people.

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Photo: Reuters

Rojas Bronx neighbor said he hadnt been the same since he came back from serving in the United States Navy.

He was into a lot of military stuff, Harrison Ramos told CBS News. Thats why he joined, thats why he served his country. He loved his country. But he just didnt come back the same.

Addiction medicine expert and founder of the Center for Network Therapy Dr. Indra Cidambi said undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder or some sort of other mental illness combined with synthetic drugs could have explained why he seemed to be driving so normally before the incident. PCP could have caused his symptoms to be exacerbated or triggered, spurring his actions.

PCP is going to cause psychosis, she told International Business Times in an interview Friday. So if the marijuana was laced with it, we can expect the person to exhibit psychosis. Being a veteran, if there was underlying PTSD or he had been exposed to certain traumatic events in the past, he could have gotten triggered when he saw the crowd of people there.

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I wanted to kill them, Rojas told police at the scene. Rojas killed 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman and left another 20 people injured, some in critical condition, when he drove his car into the crowd Thursday.

Cidambi explained that PCP can cause homicidal thoughts that the drug user then acts on.

If he was driving normally up until he saw the crowd, he could have been triggered and have had homicidal thoughts that intensified or had a flashback from the past that he reacted to when he saw the crowd, she said. Having an underlying homicidal thought is quite common when you do this drug.

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Photo: Reuters

Rojas had been arrested twice in New York for drunk driving: once in 2008 and again in 2015. He also plead guilty to drunk driving, failure to pay a just debt, drunk and disorderly conduct and communicating a threat during his time in the military in 2013.

[Rojas] demonstrated mental health issues going back to childhood [that] went unaddressed even during the time he was in the military, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told WNYC Radio Friday. It appears to be intentional in the sense that he was troubled and lashing out. At the root of this is an untreated mental health issue going back probably decades.

Rojas also had a history of substance abuse, according to reports.

Ive seen people who have PTSD as an underlying disorder abuse these drugs because they think its going to make them less anxious, said Cidambi. But underneath it actually intensifies the PTSD, the flashbacks and the paranoia.

The symptoms exhibited by Rojas at the time, including slurred speech and glassy eyes, were consistent with those that would be seen in someone who had taken PCP or synthetic marijuana, Cidambi noted.

At the end of the day, it alters your mind, said Cidambi. And its deadly.

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Photo: Reuters

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Dar es Salaam (AFP) - The presidents of Tanzania and Uganda called Saturday on the EU to lift sanctions on Burundi, but a diplomatic for the European bloc dismissed the appeal.

The joint plea, by Yoweri Museveni and John Magufuli came at a meeting of the East African Community (EAC) -- which also includes Burundi, Kenya and South Sudan -- in Dar es Salaam.

"This is our problem. We don't want the European Union to take measures against a member state without discussions with us," said Uganda's Museveni, who is EAC president and lead mediator in Burundi's seemingly intractable two-year-old political crisis.

Tanzania's president said Europe should be focused on its own issues.

"They are taking sanctions against Burundi when they too are facing difficulties at home, like the Brexit," Magufuli said.

But EU ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC, Roeland van de Geer, insisted that "sanctions remain as long as the situation does not change".

Burundi's sometimes violent political crisis began in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term that his opponents regarded as unconstitutional.

Around 400,000 people have left Burundi because of the crisis and hundreds have died in violent clashes and targeted attacks.
On April 19 of this year, five major wildlife protection groups petitioned the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to list the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) as an endangered species. As the petition asserted, the giraffe has suffered a major reduction in population size across its range primarily due to habitat loss, commercial overutilization, and severe poaching, and such decline continues unabated.

If the Fish and Wildlife Service agrees to list the giraffe, a set of legal tools will become available to protect this iconic species. But how would listing in the U.S. help this African mammal, whose population numbers in the wild have dipped below 100,000?

Extinction is forever

While extinction can be a natural process, the current rate of extinction is anything but. Scientists estimate that at least 99 out of 100 species extinctions in the world today are the result of human action. Although people rarely intend to drive species into oblivion, as with the giraffe, they do so through the destruction of habitat, poaching and legal hunting. As the petition notes, [g]iraffes once occupied much of the savanna and savanna woodlands of Africa. [It] has undergone a 36 to 40 percent population decline over the past 30 years.

More than a century ago, scientists began to notice the disappearance of once prominent species around the world. The American passenger pigeon, the Carolina parakeet and the Great Auk  once well-established in North America  disappeared. Other species like the American bison and many kinds of whales had once played central roles in important ecosystems but had been reduced to small remnant populations.

The existence of species is important to people for many reasons. Sometimes species provide clues for the development of medicines. Often they play a fundamental role in maintaining the functioning of ecosystems on which people depend. As Aldo Leopold  perhaps Americas most famous naturalist  noted,

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If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.

What would you say to a child who saw a giraffe in a book and asked where giraffes lived? Would you be comfortable saying theyre all gone?

Roots of regulation

In 1964, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) began tracking the conservation status of species on its Red List. Although the IUCN provides information only about the status of species, this is the first step in helping to limit extinction because it allows conservation efforts to be directed where theyre most needed.

A few years later in the United States, the federal government began keeping an official list of species in danger of extinction  what we call endangered species  and species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future  threatened species.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973, goes further than just identifying imperiled species. Under its terms, listed species are protected from actions authorized, funded or carried out by the federal government that may jeopardize their continued existence or adversely affect their essential habitat. Species members are also protected from direct harm by any person. Commerce in species protected by the ESA is generally a crime.

The purpose of the ESA is the conservation of protected species. In practice, that means bringing the species back to the point where it no longer requires the protection of the ESA. The laws goal is not to preserve tiny populations on the brink of extinction but to recover species populations that are resilient enough to survive the bad luck which is so often part of living on the planet.

Listing is the public, administrative process whereby a species can become entitled to protection under the Endangered Species Act. It centers around one question: Is this creature or plant in danger of extinction? At the listing stage, the federal government can consider only scientific evidence in making its decision. Anyone can initiate the listing process via petition.

Evidence suggests the ESA works. A recent report in the Endangered Species Bulletin noted that of the 78 species first listed under the federal precursor to the Endangered Species Act in 1967, only four have been officially declared extinct after half a century. Many others, such as the California condor, the grizzly bear and the whooping crane, have seen remarkable recovery progress. Some, including the bald eagle, have even been removed from the list.

There are now 1,382 species of animals listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered; 711 live largely within the borders of the United States. For these species, the federal Endangered Species Act can help preserve habitat, require consultation on projects that need federal approval and make most hunting illegal.

American listing for an African animal

The giraffe, of course, is not native to the United States. How would ESA listing help it? The habitat destruction and overharvesting that threaten the giraffe arent happening within U.S. borders.

The answer lies in the role the United States plays in buying and selling giraffe parts. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service database, over the past decade Americans imported more than 21,000 giraffe bone carvings, more than 3,000 skin pieces and 3,744 hunting trophies. If many people want giraffe parts, the demand can be too high for survival of the species. Heightened demand for giraffe products can encourage people to hunt illegally  for example, taking more giraffes than limits allow or hunting in places where it is not permitted.

An international treaty, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973), known by its acronym, CITES, also addresses this problem. Countries that are party to the treaty meet periodically to list species that are threatened due to international trade. The treaty has two appendices for listing species: Appendix I results in an almost complete ban on commercial international trade; Appendix II requires all international trade in that species be monitored and subject to permits. The giraffe is not currently listed on either of the CITES appendices, but this does not prevent individual countries  such as the United States  from deciding to limit imports.

Around the world, markets for species parts are sometimes driven by traditional uses  things like carving ivory or using certain animal parts in traditional medicines. New uses fuel demand too; think of newly wealthy businessmen in Vietnam consuming rhino horn mixed with water or alcohol to show how rich they are. Sometimes, the two can converge: An increase in consumption of shark fin soup has been tied to a traditional celebration dish being served by more people as Chinas middle class grew.

Listing on the ESA would require the federal government to limit imports of giraffe parts into the United States and would therefore help curtail global demand. The ESA cannot ensure habitat protection or require other countries to take affirmative conservation action to protect the giraffe. But listing in the U.S. would limit one important threat in which Americans do play a role.

Federico Cheever, Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Law, University of Denver and Annecoos Wiersema, Professor of International Law, University of Denver

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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Washington (AFP) - James Comey, the former FBI chief whose firing by President Donald Trump has triggered uproar, has agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the 2016 elections, lawmakers announced Friday.

"I hope that former Director Comey's testimony will help answer some of the questions that have arisen since Director Comey was so suddenly dismissed by the president," the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, said in a statement.

"Director Comey served his country with honor for many years, and he deserves an opportunity to tell his story. Moreover, the American people deserve an opportunity to hear it."

Both Warner and the committee's chairman, Richard Burr, indicated they were looking forward to Comey's testimony about Russian interference in the November 8 presidential elections that saw Trump secure the White House by scoring the electoral college, though Democratic rival Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.

No date has yet been set for the open session hearing, though the statement said it would take place after the Memorial Day holiday, May 29.

The White House has been thrown into turmoil by a succession of stunning allegations against the president this week, including that he may have obstructed justice by asking Comey to drop an investigation into one of his top advisors.

On Friday, The Washington Post reported that a senior White House official was now under investigation as part of a probe over Russian efforts to tilt the elections in Trump's favor.

And The New York Times said the US president had told top Russian officials Comey's sacking had relieved "great pressure" on him.

Trump told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week that Comey was a "nut job," according to the Times, citing notes taken at the meeting and read to the paper by a US official.

That flies in the face of the White House's public insistence that Comey's dismissal was not linked to his ongoing investigation.

Story continues

The president's son-in-law Jared Kushner is among those whose contacts with the Russian government have come under scrutiny.

On Thursday, Trump declared himself the victim of the "greatest witch hunt" in American political history and denied allegations of collusion.

"There is no collusion between certainly myself and my campaign, but I can always speak for myself, and the Russians -- zero," Trump told reporters.

The White House on Friday predicted that the investigation would back up Trump's account.

"As the president has stated before -- a thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity," said spokesman Sean Spicer.
Fired FBI director James Comey has agreed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open session to answer questions on the investigation into links between the Trump team and Russia.

Mr Comey was sacked by Donald Trump last week. The surprise move triggered accusations the President was attempting to obstruct an ongoing FBI probe into interference by the Kremlin in last November's US election.

On Wednesday, the committee called on Mr Comey to testify, asking the sacked bureau boss to appear in both open and closed sessions.

Read more

Trump called Comey a 'nut job' in meeting with Russians

Two days later, with Mr Trump on board Air Force One heading to Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip as President, confirmation came that Mr Comey had taken up their offer to appear in a public hearing.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Richard Burr, said he hoped the former FBI chief's testimony would "clarify for the American people recent events that have been broadly reported in the media".

The committee looks forward to receiving testimony from the former director on his role in the development of the intelligence community assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections," he said.

The hearing will be scheduled after the 29 May Memorial Day holiday, the committee's statement said.

Mr Comey's willingness to testify in an open session will likely alarm the White House, which has been struggling to contain the fallout from the sacking of one of America's highest profile officials.

Video not available for syndication

The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee calls on Comey to publicly testify

Relations between Mr Comey and the President have continued to deteriorate in recent days. Last week Mr Trump warned the ousted FBI director on Twitter against leaking information to the media.

"James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press," he tweeted on 12 May.

Story continues

The latest twist in the Comey saga came on Friday when The New York Times (NYT) published a report of a meeting between Mr Trump and Russian officials in the Oval Office.

"I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job," Mr Trump said, according to a document detailing the Russian visit. "I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off."

The President also reiterated that he was not personally under investigation.

The document, which was read to the NYT by sources in the White House, is the latest evidence that Mr Trump fired Mr Comey at least in part because of an ongoing investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Russian officials.

He had previously admitted that the investigation was part of the reasoning for the decision.
By Steve Gorman (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Friday scrambled two Air Force fighter jets to escort an American Airlines flight into Honolulu International Airport after a disturbance involving a Turkish passenger aboard the plane was reported, officials said. The nature of the fracas was not immediately disclosed by the FBI, the military or American Airlines, but local news media reported a passenger had tried to force his way into the cockpit of Honolulu-bound Flight 31 from Los Angeles. The man was subdued by an off-duty law enforcement officer and others aboard the aircraft, and the flight landed safely at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time, officials said. No injuries were reported. Federal authorities were preparing a criminal complaint to charge Turkish national Anil Uskanil, 25, with interference with a flight crew, Federal Bureau of Investigation special-agent-in charge Paul Delacourt said at a Honolulu news conference. Delacourt, when asked by a reporter if Uskanil tried to break into the cockpit, said the Turkish man was in the aisle of the plane and it was "unclear what his motivation was". Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) police said separately that Uskanil had been detained, questioned and released hours earlier after he was caught by security there going through a terminal concourse door leading out to the airfield. Los Angeles airport police spokesman Rob Pedregon said Uskanil was a ticketed American Airlines passenger with a boarding pass who had cleared security screening but claimed that he lost his way because he was tipsy from drinking. As he did not appear to meet the criteria for public drunkenness, police let him go with a citation for misdemeanor trespassing, Pedregon said. He was escorted to the street in front of the terminal when released, Pedregon said. Because the LAX incident occurred at about 2:45 a.m. Pacific time, nearly three hours before the first flights of the day, he would have had ample time to get through security again and catch a plane to Hawaii as scheduled. Pedregon said it is not unusual for LAX passengers to mistakenly go through an unauthorized exit door at the terminal. American Airlines said its Honolulu-bound flight, an Airbus A321, was carrying 181 passengers and six crew members. One passenger who spoke to HawaiiNewsNow, a consortium of three television network affiliates, said a first-class flight attendant deserved much of the credit for preventing the suspect from reaching the cockpit. "I would just never want to go against her. She was tasked with keeping him out of there, and she did a great job," Lee Lorenzen told the news outlet. The incident prompted Pacific Command to dispatch a pair of F-22 fighter jets to intercept the passenger plane. "The F-22s escorted the airliner to the airport in accordance with homeland defense procedures. Local law enforcement responded once the civilian airliner was on the ground," said command spokesman Dave Benham said. (Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Richard Borsuk)
National security adviser says controversial meeting at White House should have stayed confidential amid reports president disparaged former FBI director

Donald Trumps national security adviser refused to say on Sunday whether the president had used his recent Oval Office meeting with Russian officials to confront them about interference in the 2016 election.

Well, you know, there already was too much thats been leaked from those meetings, HR McMaster said, in an appearance on ABCs The Week.

Trump reportedly did use the meeting to disparage the FBI director he had fired the day before, James Comey, as a nut job. According to the New York Times, citing a document from the meeting provided by an unnamed White House source, Trump told the Russians that the great pressure he faced because of Russia had been taken off by the firing of Comey.

The FBI director had been overseeing the investigation of Russian election interference and possible links between Trump aides and Russian agents. The Times report and others, and the appointment of Robert Mueller to special counsel, contributed to rising speculation about whether the president might be guilty of obstruction of justice, a potentially impeachable offense.

The Republican chair of the House oversight committee, Jason Chaffetz, said Trump should have taken a forceful line with the Russians.

You would like the president to beat them over the head about election interference, he told ABC, to make clear that if they actually did interfere in any way, shape, or form, how wrong that is and how outraged America is on both sides of the aisle.

Chaffetz, who said he would meet Comey on Monday, joined with his Democratic committee counterpart, Elijah Cummings, to say he would subpoena any notes from the Oval Office meeting.

Dianne Feinstein, a Democratic member of the Senate intelligence committee, told CBSs Face the Nation that Trumps reported remark was a horrible thing for a president to say. Former director Comey is in no way, shape, or form a nut job. Hes a very strong man.

Story continues

Comey is due to testify to the Senate intelligence committee in an open hearing after the Memorial Day weekend. Marco Rubio, a Republican member of that panel, told CNNs State of the Union he wanted to hear directly from Comey as to whether he felt he had been put in a position where he couldnt do his job.

The Republican senator John McCain, meanwhile, told Fox News Sunday he was shocked that the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, had been allowed inside the Oval Office at all, and that reports of what was said left him almost speechless.

McMaster was pressed on the apparent contradiction [between] the president disparaging the person who is investigating the Russians but not confronting the Russians who interfered in our election. In response, he would only say that the meeting should have stayed confidential.

Those meetings, as you know, are supposed to be privileged, the retired general said. Theyre supposed to be confidential. Theyre supposed to allow the president and other leaders to have frank exchanges.

US media were kept out of the Oval Office meeting but Russia state media quickly published photographs of Trump, Lavrov and the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, showing the president shaking hands with a grinning Lavrov. A senior Trump administration official told reporters the White House had been misled about the role of the Russian photographer who was present.

McMaster said summary notes of Trumps meeting, of the kind leaked to the media, could not accurately capture the full context of the conversation.

Its very difficult to take a few lines, to take a paragraph out  and to be able to see the full context of the conversation, he said.

After it was reported that Trump had spoken to the Russians about highly classified intelligence material, McMaster appeared outside the White House to give a denial that the president subsequently contradicted.

Asked on Sunday about comments to the press from a friend and former colleague that he had been placed in an impossible situation because the president expects you to defend the indefensible, McMaster disagreed.

I dont think Im in an impossible situation, he said. I find no difficulty at all serving our nation and serving the president in my current capacity.

The secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who was also in the Oval Office meeting, also defended Trumps behavior. Asked about the reported comments in an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Tillerson said nothing indicated that the president seemed to be saying that firing Comey would help remove one of the distractions to his relationship with Russia.

My takeaway from that conversation was not that point at all, Tillerson said. I think, again, the president was simply saying to the Russians these issues at home are not going to get in the way of my effort and the effort of my government to see if we can find a way to move this relationship forward.

Tillerson reiterated his claim that officials in other countries did not care about Trumps controversies at home. Foreign ministers and heads of state do not have the time to pay attention to whats happening domestically here, he said.

The Fox News host Chris Wallace countered that ambassadors in Washington had told him the opposite: that they were deeply concerned with the investigation into the president and question, wonder, whether its going to somehow prevent the US from meeting its challenges around the world.
By Parisa Hafezi and Babak Dehghanpisheh DUBAI/BEIRUT (Reuters) - President Hassan Rouhani pledged on Saturday to open Iran to the world and deliver freedoms its people have yearned for, throwing down a defiant challenge to his hardline opponents after securing a decisive re-election for a second term. Rouhani, long known as a cautious and mild-mannered establishment insider, reinvented himself as a bold champion of reform during the election campaign, which culminated on Friday in victory with more than 57 percent of the vote. His main challenger, hardline judge Ebrahim Raisi, received 38 percent. In his first televised speech after the result, Rouhani appeared to openly defy conservative judges by praising the spiritual leader of the reform camp, former President Mohammad Khatami. A court has banned quoting or naming Khatami on air. "Our nation's message in the election was clear: Iran's nation chose the path of interaction with the world, away from violence and extremism," Rouhani said. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, whose country has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980, said he hoped Rouhani would use his second term to end Tehran's ballistic missile program and what he called its network of terrorism. Iran denies any involvement in terrorism and says its missile program, which U.S. President Donald Trump recently targeted with new sanctions, is purely for defense purposes. Although the powers of the elected president are limited by those of unelected Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who outranks him, the scale of Rouhani's victory gives the pro-reform camp its strongest mandate in at least 12 years to seek the sort of change that hardliners have thwarted for decades. Rouhani's opponent Raisi, a protege of Khamenei, had united the conservative faction and had been tipped as a potential successor to the 77-year-old supreme leader. His defeat leaves the conservatives without an obvious flag bearer. The re-election is likely to safeguard the nuclear agreement Rouhani's government reached with global powers in 2015, under which most international sanctions have been lifted in return for Iran curbing its nuclear program. And it delivers a setback to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), the powerful security force which controls a vast industrial empire in Iran. They had thrown their support behind Raisi to safeguard their interests. CHEERING AND DANCING Thousands of people gathered in central Tehran to celebrate Rouhani's victory. Videos on social media showed young people clapping and chanting "We love you Hassan Rouhani, we support you." Some youngsters wore wristbands in violet, the color of Rouhani's campaign. Others wore green, representing the reformist movement crushed by security forces after a 2009 election, whose leaders have been under house arrest since 2011. During campaigning, Rouhani promised to seek their release if re-elected with a stronger mandate. "We won. We've done what we should have for our country. Now it's Rouhani's turn to keep his promises," said coffee shop owner Arash Geranmayeh, 29, reached by telephone in Tehran. Videos from the cities of Kermanshah, Tabriz and the holy city of Mashhad showed hundreds of people in the streets, cheering and dancing. Rouhani, 68, faces the same limits on his power to transform Iran that prevented him from delivering social change in his first term, and that thwarted Khatami, who failed to deliver on a reform agenda as president from 1997-2005. But by publicly thanking "my dear brother, Mohammad Khatami" in his victory speech, Rouhani seemed to take up that mantle. It was a remarkable challenge to the Shi'ite Muslim religious judicial authorities, who have blacklisted Khatami from public life for his support for other reformists under house arrest. Many experts are skeptical that a president can change much in Iran, as long as the supreme leader has veto power over all policies and control over the security forces. Some said the pattern was all too familiar from Rouhani's first victory four years ago and Khatami's victories the previous decade. "The last two decades of presidential elections have been short days of euphoria followed by long years of disillusionment," said Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment who focuses on Iran. "Democracy in Iran is allowed to bloom only a few days every four years, while autocracy is evergreen." The re-elected president will also have to navigate a tricky relationship with Washington, which appears at best ambivalent about the nuclear accord agreed by former U.S. President Barack Obama. Trump has repeatedly described it as "one of the worst deals ever signed", although his administration re-authorized waivers from sanctions this week. Trump arrived on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, his first stop on the first trip abroad of his presidency. The Saudis are Iran's biggest enemies in the region and are expected to push hard for Trump to turn his back on the nuclear deal. Speaking at a joint news conference with his U.S. counterpart in Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Iran's presidential election was an internal matter. "We want to see deeds, not words" from Iran, he added. Kuwait's emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, an ally of Saudi Arabia, congratulated Rouhani on his re-election. BREAKING TABOOS Rouhani's reinvention as an ardent reformist on the campaign trail helped stir the passion of young, urban voters yearning for change. At times he broke rhetorical taboos, attacking the human rights record of the security forces and the judiciary. During one rally he referred to hardliners as "those who cut out tongues and sewed mouths shut". In a debate last week he accused Raisi of seeking to "abuse religion for power". The language at the debate earned a rare public rebuke from Khamenei, who called it "unworthy". The contentiousness of the campaign could make it more difficult for Rouhani to secure the consent of hardliners to carry out his agenda, said Abbas Milani, director of the Iranian Studies program at Stanford University. "Rouhani upped the ante in the past 10 days in the rhetoric that he used. Clearly it's going to be difficult to back down on some of this stuff." The Guards could also use their role as shock troops of Iran's interventions across the Middle East to try to derail future rapprochement with the West, said Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian-born lecturer at Israel's Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. "Since the 1979 revolution, whenever hardliners have lost a political battle, they have tried to settle scores," he said. "I would worry about the more confrontational policy of the IRGC in the Persian Gulf ... and more confrontational policy with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia." Among the congratulatory messages sent to Rouhani by world leaders, Iran's battlefield ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad looked forward to cooperating "to strengthen the security and stability of both countries, the region and the world". The biggest prize for Rouhani's supporters is the potential to set Iran's course for decades by influencing the choice of a successor to Khamenei, who has been in power since 1989. A Raisi victory would have probably ensured that the next supreme leader was a hardliner. Rouhani's win gives reformists a chance to build clout in the body that chooses the leader, the Assembly of Experts, where neither reformists nor conservatives dominate. Khamenei praised Iranians for their big turnout after voters queued up for hours to cast their ballots. The strong turnout of around 73 percent of eligible voters appeared to have favored Rouhani, whose backers' main concern had been apathy among reformists disappointed with the slow pace of change. Many voters said they came out to block the rise of Raisi, one of four judges who sentenced thousands of political prisoners to death in the 1980s, regarded by reformers as a symbol of the security state at its most fearsome. "The wide mobilization of the hardline groups and the real prospect of Raisi winning scared many people into coming out to vote," said Nasser, a 52-year-old journalist. "We had a bet among friends, and I said Raisi would win and I think that encouraged a few of my friends who might not have voted to come out and vote." (Additional reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Andrew Roche and Helen Popper)
Ex-FBI director will testify about his role in the development of the intelligence community assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections

The testimony will be required viewing for a country rapt by the intrigue surrounding James Comeys abrupt dismissal by Donald Trump. Photograph: Gary Cameron/Reuters

Former FBI director James Comey will testify in an open hearing of the Senate intelligence committee at some point after Memorial Day, the committee announced Friday.

The committee looks forward to receiving testimony from the former director on his role in the development of the intelligence community assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, committee chairman Senator Richard Burr said in a statement, and I am hopeful that he will clarify for the American people recent events that have been broadly reported in the media

Senator Mark Warner, the vice-chairman of the committee, said that he hoped the testimony will help answer some of the questions that have arisen since director Comey was so suddenly dismissed by the president.

He deserves an opportunity to tell his story, Warner said in the joint statement. Moreover, the American people deserve an opportunity to hear it.

However, Comey declined an invitation from the Senate judiciary committee, which asked him to testify voluntarily about the circumstances of his firing and his interactions with officials from the Trump and Obama administrations relating to the Russia and Clinton investigations.

Senators Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein, the chairman and ranking member of the committee, said in a joint statement that they were extremely disappointed by Comeys decision.

There is no reason he cant testify before both the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, they wrote. Given his commitment to the people and the mission of the FBI, we expected him to be responsive to the senators responsible for vetting its next proposed leader. He should reconsider his decision.

Grassley later cast doubt on whether the intelligence committee testimony would ever take place, tweeting: I wld not be surprised if the new Special Counsel Mueller stops Comey fr testifying b4 the Senate Intelligence Comm even tho Comey is willing.

Story continues

I wld not be surprised if the new Special Counsel Mueller stops Comey fr testifying b4 the Senate Intelligence Comm even tho Comey is wiling  ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) May 20, 2017

While there is no precedent to the current situation, its possible newly appointed special counsel Robert Mueller would object to Comey speaking in public about an ongoing investigation.

Senator Lindsey Graham said Thursday that the appointment of a special counsel meant that Congresss ability to conduct investigations of all things Russia has been severely limited. He questioned whether witnesses would testify to Congress and risk incriminating themselves in Muellers criminal investigation.

If it goes forward, Comeys testimony will be required viewing for a country rapt by the intrigue surrounding Comeys abrupt dismissal by Donald Trump on 9 May. Though the White House initially attributed the firing to Comeys controversial handling of the investigation into Hillary Clintons email server, Democrats and the press immediately suspected an effort to disrupt the FBIs Russia investigation. Trump subsequently said in an interview with NBC News that this Russia thing factored into his decision.

Many Democratic lawmakers  and a handful of Republicans  have suggested that the firing could constitute obstruction of justice.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported that Trump had urged Comey to drop his investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. The report also revealed the fact that Comey had written memos describing his interactions with Trump, which he believed were inappropriate.

Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House oversight and government reform committee, has asked the FBI to turn the memos over to the committee.

Comey has not spoken publicly since the firing, beyond a farewell letter to the FBI in which he wrote that he was not going to spend time on the decision [to fire him] or the way it was executed.

The substance of some of his memos has been leaked, however, and on Thursday Benjamin Wittes, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and editor of the blog Lawfare, spoke to the New York Times and published a blog post with more details about the strained relationship between Trump and Comey.

Wittes is a personal friend of Comeys, and he described Comey as being disgusted by Trumps efforts to gain his loyalty and establish a personal relationship, which Comey considered inappropriate.

On Friday, the New York Times revealed that Trump called Comey a nut job during his Oval Office meeting with Russian officials the day after the firing. I faced great pressure because of Russia, Trump reportedly said. Thats taken off.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., departs after a full-Senate briefing by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on May 18, 2017. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

President Trump denounced the federal investigation into Russias interference with last years presidential election as a massive witch hunt, but former rival Marco Rubio disagrees with that assessment.

In an appearance on CNNs State of the Union Sunday morning, Sen. Rubio, R-Fla., said the cloud of the Russia investigation is affecting everything else in Washington politics. He said its in the best interests of the U.S. for the Senate Intelligence Committee to produce a report based on fact thats above reproach so that the country can finally move on.

Well, I wouldnt use the term witch hunt. Look, these issues are being raised in the press. OK  people are going to the press who appear to be in the know, or at least pretend to be in the know. They leak information. The press reports on it. These questions need to be answered, Rubio said.

The shows host, journalist Jake Tapper, asked Rubio whether the growing body of evidence reported in the press over the past week is enough to convince him that the president tried to obstruct justice.

We dont know yet. No. 1: I havent seen those notes. No. 2: We have yet to take the testimony from Director Comey, Rubio said.

Former FBI Director James Comey, abruptly fired by Trump this month, has agreed to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open session after Memorial Day. Congress and the FBI have launched investigations into Russias meddling in last years election.

Rubio acknowledged the gravity of media reports alleging unethical conduct by Trump, but said he does not want to prejudge the situation before getting all the facts. He said the credibility of the Senate Intelligence Committees investigation is predicated on of every single one of its members pursuing the truth without any preconceived notions.

Ive told everybody: I want to know the truth. I want to know the entire truth. I want us to put it in a report. And I want it to share it with you and the whole country, so people can reach their own conclusion, Rubio said.

Story continues

Rubio, who ran against Trump in the 2016 GOP primary and works on the foreign relations and intelligence committees, said he plans to ask Comey about the memo he reportedly wrote after a meeting with Trump. According to memo, as reported by the New York Times, Trump had urged Comey to drop an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who the president fired for misleading the administration about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. (Yahoo News reported last week that Trump urged Flynn to stay strong after firing him.)

Did he keep these memos? What did those memos say? And why did he write it? And how did he feel? Did he ever feel like he was being put in a position where he couldnt do his job? Rubio said. Theres no doubt that those are the questions that are going to be asked, and asked repeatedly. And the American people deserve to have an answer to that.

On Wednesday, former FBI Director Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel to investigate possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The following morning, Trump  who has a taste for hyperbole  tweeted, This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history! He also said that the media treats him more unfairly than any other politician in history.

Rubio said that if any president tries to impede a federal investigation, it wouldnt simply be problematic, but could amount to an obstruction of justice.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Melania Trump has reportedly said Sean Spicer is doing a bad job as White House press secretary: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Melania Trump reportedly thinks that White House press secretary Sean Spicer is not doing a good job in defending her husband in front of the media.

The first lady, who has previously been criticised for staying away from public events in Washington and remaining in the couples New York apartment.

But she nonetheless keeps a close watch on how her husband is portrayed in the press and alerts him on stories that make him look bad.

She was really concerned that Spicer was not doing a good job, that they [press team] were not proactive in defending the president, one outside advisor, who speaks to Mr Trump regularly, told the Politico website.

As a result, Mr Spicers role is expected to change after Mr Trump returns from his trip overseas.

The press secretary's on-camera appearances have been plagued with multiple gaffes and he was temporarily dropped from running daily press briefings after his poor handling of Mr Trumps decision to fire FBI director James Comey.

Mr Spicers blunders arguably began during his first press briefing when he claimed President Trump drew the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe, contradicting available evidence.

He was later forced to apologise, saying he had been given bad information.

Mr Spicer also sparked fierce criticism after he claimed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was guilty of worse acts than Adolf Hitler because Hitler did not use chemical weapons.

The press secretary then stirred the media when he cited an unverified Fox News report, which falsely claimed British security services helped Barack Obama to spy on Mr Trump.

The First Lady is also reportedly concerned the White House communication and press team are not doing enough to defend the US President and has been troubled by leaks in which West Wing aides criticised Mr Trump.

The White House has been engulfed in fresh chaos last week, with reports of aides allegedly turning up televisions to drown out shouting between other top aides after claims Mr Trump revealed classified information to Russian officials.

Story continues

But the recent discord followed leaked reports of paranoia and suspicion inside the White House, where aides have claimed rivals factions have tried to undermine and embarrass each other.

Some aides reportedly feared their phone conversations would be leaked to the press by enemies and some are leaving their personal phones at homes and using encrypted apps to avoid being tapped. Mr Spcier cracked down on his own staff earlier this year with random phone checks in a bid to stop the leaks from happening.

Other sources previously told Politico they were concerned some intelligence operatives were working to undermine Mr Trump by leaking classified information.

The leaks bother her. She believes a lot of people are more interested in serving themselves than him, one outside advisor told Politico.

Ms Trump is believed to have acted as a private watchdog over her husband, looking over his public image and warning the presidents aides on the campaign trail when she believed a story could have been handled better. And her opinion seemingly was taken into account.

Former campaign adviser Sam Nunberg said: She would consult with us, she would send me things. She was concerned when there was this ridiculous reaction to some of Trumps statements. [Trump] would say to us Melania said this, well Melania told me that.

Ms Trump is expected to move over to the White House in the summer after her 11-year-old son Barron finishes the school year. She will then be closer to the President, where her opinion could weigh in even more.
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Riyadh (AFP) - What women wear can often be the focus of critique and controversy -- all the more so when the woman is an ex-model, married to the US president and disembarking in Saudi Arabia.

The question of what first lady Melania Trump would wear on her husband's his first foreign trip echoes similar debates around Michelle Obama's decision to wear colour -- blue and white -- and not cover her hair on a visit to ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia.

But with Trump's hawkish political profile, and the first lady's insider position in the world of fashion, buzz around what the president's wife would wear and whether that would include a headscarf was at a high in the hours before Air Force One touched down in Riyadh.

Melania Trump embarked on Marine One at the White House on Friday in a high-waisted midi pencil skirt in orange leather with a front split, a cream crewneck sweater with bows at the cuffs and a pair of sky-high nude Manolos.

(Vogue swiftly identified the sweater as MaxMara and the skirt as tomato-red by Herve Pierre, the designer behind Melania's white inauguration gown.)

When she emerged at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport the next morning, the first lady's attire was more conservative -- black patent stilettos and a black long-sleeved, wide-leg jumpsuit with a narrow slit down the neckline, cinched at the waist with a wide gold belt.

And like Michelle Obama, and Obama's predecessor Laura Bush, Melania Trump did not cover her hair.

Obama had earned praise for her decision not to cover her head, but Donald Trump at the time tweeted his disapproval.

"Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted. We have enuf enemies," read a Jan. 29, 2015 tweet on Trump's personal account.

Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka also did not have her hair covered when she emerged from Air Force One in a long-sleeved black-and-white maxi dress, holding her husband Jared Kushner's hand.

Story continues

Anticipation around what Melania and Ivanka would wear during the visit had been building for days: Saudi Arabia is a religious state with some of the world's harshest restrictions on women.

Saudi Arabia's guardianship system prohibits women from driving and from studying or travelling without permission from a male guardian, in the form of a father, brother or husband. Women are also expected to wear long black abaya robes and cover their hair in public in Riyadh.

The country is at a potentially unprecedented crossroads, with its future identity at stake as economic and political interests have brought to the limelight longstanding gender norms.

Local media on Thursday quoted Saudi Arabia's foreign minister as saying authorities did not demand anyone adhere to any specific clothing regulations.

The US State Department's website says women who choose not to conform to wearing "a full-length black covering known as an abaya, and cover their heads... face a risk of confrontation by Mutawwa and possible detention/arrest" in Saudi Arabia.

The Mutawwa, which literally translates to "volunteers" from Arabic, are Saudi Arabia's Commission of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, known as the "morality police".

Following accusations the Mutawwa were abusing their power, Saudi Arabia last year announced the religious police could no longer arrest suspects or request identification.
Russian officials boasted during last year's presidential campaign that they had built a strong relationship with former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The Russian officials believed that they could use Flynn to influence President Donald Trump and his team, sources told CNN.

The discussions became point of concern for U.S. intelligence officials, who picked up the conversations by the Russians regarding Flynn last year, CNN reported. However, the officials also said Russians might have been exaggerating their hold over Flynn.

This took place at a time when Trump is out for his first official foreign trip to Middle East and Europe. The president and his wife, Melania Trump were greeted Saturday by King Salman at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is the first stop of Trump's first official tour as commander in chief, the BBC reported.

He is reportedly expected to sign multi-billion dollar deals between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Read: Was Michael Flynn FBI Investigation Influenced By Trump?

Back home meanwhile, one of the former officials under Obama administration spoke about these supposed conversations about Flynn: "This was a five-alarm fire from early on." Another former administration official said Flynn was viewed as a threat to national security since the beginning.

Flynn resigned from the top White House post in February amid controversies he had discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, the month before Trump took office and that Flynn had failed to disclose the nature of those conversations with top administration officials.

During the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, Flynn and other advisers to the Trump campaign were reportedly in contact with Russian officials through phone calls and emails. Current and former U.S. officials familiar with the exchanges told Reuters at least 18 calls and emails were exchanged between Trump and Russian officials.

FBI and congressional investigators, who are now probing into Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election and contacts between Trumps campaign and Russia, are reviewing those calls and emails. Six of those previously undisclosed contacts were supposedly phone calls between Kislyak and Trump advisers, including Flynn, Reuters reported citing three current and former officials.

Story continues

When Flynn was in Trump's transition team, he had told the members Jan. 4, 2017 he was under federal investigation for lobbying on behalf of Turkey and for failing to disclose he was paid to do so, the New York Times reported citing two people familiar with the matter.

The Justice Department informed Flynn about him being under investigation about a month before Flynn told Trump. However, Trump still picked Flynn as the national security adviser. The role of this job was such that Flynn had access to Trump and to almost every secret held by American intelligence agencies.

Flynn, who had to leave the post just 24 days in to the job, was initially retained as a adviser even after the acting attorney general, Sally Yates, warned the White House she was worried about Flynn's actual contact with the Russian ambassador. She also warned that Flynn mislead Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of conversations he had had with the Russian ambassador to the U.S.

However, White House officials had maintained Yates merely wanted to give them a "heads-up" about the former national security adviser's Russian contacts.

After Flynn's dismissal, Trump also allegedly tried to persuade former FBI Director, James Comey, to drop the investigation into Flynn's links with Russia. Some legal experts have expressed concern Trump reported actions could be grounds for an investigation of the president for possible obstruction of justice, and even impeachment. Trump fired Comey on May 9.

Related Articles
A Myanmar widow who threw boiling water on a 14-year-old servant leaving her with horrific burns has been jailed for seven years, a rare flicker of justice for the country's legion of child domestic workers.

Aye Aye Soe was arrested late last year for pouring two flasks of boiling water on the girl -- one for each orange she was accused of stealing.

The attack left her victim, Khin Khin Tun, with severe burns across her back.

The widow was also accused of routine physical abuse of Khin Khin Tun's younger sister, who also worked for her.

The sisters were among tens of thousands of youngsters who support their families through domestic work for the growing urban elite in Myanmar's booming cities.

But invisible and without any legal protection, they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

On Thursday a judge in Mawlamyine township, a few hours south of Yangon, jailed Aye Aye Soe for seven years on charges including grievous bodily harm, the victim's lawyer told AFP.

"The judgment was suitable and fair under the powers of the court," lawyer Yin Min San said, explaining tougher child abuse and trafficking charges were not brought limiting the judge's sentencing powers.

In February this year AFP reporters visited Khin Khin Tun who showed the extensive burns to her body, explaining she was abused over three years as a virtual slave for Aye Aye Soe.

The sisters were frequently accused of stealing, beaten with burning wood and forced to hit each other until they bled.

The sentence was met with anger from the local activist who uncovered the abuse.

"The victims are still afraid," Thi Thi Nwe from the Myitta Sone Zee rights group in Mawlamyine told AFP.

"Our concern is that the defendant will be free within the next six years and she could make trouble for the the victims again... the defendant is powerful here."

The issue of abuse of child servants came to light last year when two teenage domestic helpers were freed from a tailor shop in Yangon, where they said they spent five years being beaten, stabbed and deprived of sleep and food.

Critics say Myanmar's legal system is slow and easily bent by powerful interests and cash -- leaving poor children unable to access justice.
Quora

Photo: Quora

This question originally appeared on Quora. Answer by Jack Fraser.

Well, a lot of people used to think (and many laypeople still do) that the sun is a big ol ball of fire.

I mean  its not the most absurd assumption to make, I mean, look at it!

sun1

Photo: Quora

Big, orange-y/yellow ball of brightness?

What could it possibly be if not fire?

sun2

Photo: Quora

You can use the sun to start fires:

sun3

Photo: Quora

Its hot, and can burn you:

sun4

Photo: Quora

The fact that the sun was made of fire was taken as blindingly obvious for many hundreds of years.

There were some hints that this couldnt be the case  for example, early spectrometry (looking at the wavelengths of light visible in the sun) showed that we could identify the elements in the sun, by looking at the absorption lines:

sun5

Photo: Quora

This showed that the Sun was primarily composed of hydrogen  which sounds like it should be good for the whole fireball theory  hydrogen is, after all, rather infamously flammable:

sun6

Photo: Quora

But  there was one rather huge problem.

The sun contains no Oxygen.

They already knew (thanks to Priestly, Lavoiser etc.) that Oxygen was the vital component of combustion  no Oxygen, no fire.

So if the sun had no Oxygen, how could it be on fire?

The usual explanation for this was that spectrometry could only tell you about the elements on the surface of the sun  not what was inside it. Therefore the oxygen was probably inside the core of the sun, sustaining the combustion reaction.

The spectrometry results remained very controversial - most people disregarded them entirely, and the idea that the sun was mostly hydrogen was not accepted for a long time.

Story continues

Then came the quantum revolution  we learned loads, and loads about subatomic physics. We learned about the atomic nucleus and the weird world of quantum behaviour.

A physicist by the name of George Gamow then produced a formalism for describing alpha decay using quantum tunneling (first noted by Friedrich Hund) which allowed atoms to cross the classically impenetrable Coulomb barrier.

Two people (Robert d'Escourt Atkinson and Fritz Houtermans) then used this work to predict a phenomenon called nuclear fusion.

They predicted that, given suitable initial conditions, light nuclei (such as hydrogen and helium) could undergo this process, and fuse to form heavier nuclei  in the process, producing huge amounts of energy.

They therefore predicted that our sun was not a gigantic fireball  but was instead a very dense (mostly) hydrogen plasma, which produced the suitable conditions for nuclear fusion to take place.

This idea remained controversial  it still wasnt wholly accepted that the sun was mostly hydrogen.

However, Hans Bethe then worked out some of the more complex nuances of the hydrogen fusion chain, and the evidence of the suns composition continued to mount up.

Eventually, the conclusion was inescapable:

The sun is not a gigantic ball of fire, as was originally believed to be true. It is actually a very large ball of hydrogen plasma, which produces energy by fusing light nuclei into heavier nuclei.

Related Articles
Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Palestinians are planning a series of actions to draw US President Donald Trump's attention to a hunger strike by hundreds of prisoners in Israeli jails when he visits this week, officials said Sunday.

Palestinian prisoners will be on their 37th day of a hunger strike when Trump meets Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday.

Some have begun refusing to drink water as well in recent days, according to supporters. A series of protests in support of them have been held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with two Palestinians killed and dozens of others wounded.

Activists are calling for a general strike throughout the Palestinian territories and among Arab Israelis on Monday.

Supporters are also planning to display three banners in English in Bethlehem addressed to Trump, his wife Melania and his daughter Ivanka, who are travelling with him.

The prisoners have made a series of demands regarding better conditions, but Israel has refused to negotiate.

"We hope that Mr. Trump will pressure Israel to accede to the strikers' demands," said activist Adel Sabanay.

Amin Shuman, who heads a support group for Palestinian prisoners and ex-detainees, said he hopes the issue will be addressed during the meeting between Trump and Abbas "because it is important in the eyes of the Palestinian street".

Hossam Zumlot, an aide to Abbas, told AFP that "all fundamental questions will be on the table in the discussions".

The Palestinian leadership "informed the American administration of the details of the strike beginning the first day," he said.

Some 6,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails for a range of crimes and alleged offences.
Two Wisconsin parents have been charged after a 5-year-old boy was forced to drink mouthwash after telling them he was thirsty.

Tyriese Howard, 25, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Breya Allen, were arrested after Howard's young son was found with a .2 blood alcohol level while hospitalized.

Read: Dad Gets Life in Horrific Killing of 7-Year-Old Son, Whose Body Was Fed to Pigs

The child also told police that sometimes he would get so thirsty that he would drink toilet water.

Police said doctors informed them that the boy had a history of being abused as they found scars all over his body, according to reports.

The 5-year-old and his two siblings, a 6-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, told the authorities that their father and Allen - whom they called "mom" - would attack them with coat hangers, spatulas, shoes and multiple other objects.

They would also allegedly get choked or punched in the face during the 'whoopins,' according to KOB4.

Read: Mom Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Child For Making Grandma A Mother's Day Card And Not Her

They were reportedly too scared to report the abuse as they said their parents would tell them "snitches get switches."

Both parents were charged with child abuse.

The children are now staying with a foster family, according to reports.

Watch: Mom Burns 9-Year-Old With Hot Iron For Not Bringing Papers Home: Cops

Related Articles:
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has sent a request to the World Trade Organization asking to hold consultations over Ukraine's sanctions against Moscow, in place since 2014, Russian Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Saturday. He added that the request was regarding restrictions on Russian goods, services, transit and other issues imposed by Ukraine in response to Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis, the reports said. "There are serious grounds to believe that by all these measures taken, Ukraine is violating its obligations towards WTO," Oreshkin said, according to Russian news agencies. This week, Ukraine imposed economic restrictions on Russia's largest internet group Yandex and other popular online firms, saying it wanted to guard against cyber threats. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Alison Williams)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday he had not discussed the firing of the former FBI Director James Comey with U.S. President Donald Trump, Interfax news agency reported. "We did not touch this issue at all," Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying. The New York Times has reported that Trump told Lavrov and Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak at a White House meeting last week that firing Comey relieved "great pressure" the president faced from a law-enforcement probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Comey, who had been in charge of the investigation, was fired by Trump on May 9. Trump on Thursday denied asking Comey to drop the probe into links between Russia and his former national security adviser Michael Flynn and decried a "witch hunt" against him. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; editing by Andrew Roche)
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's energy minister expressed confidence on Sunday of extending a global cut in oil production designed to boost prices.

Khalid al-Falih spoke ahead of a meeting on Thursday between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia, where they are expected to extend the production cut pact.

"We have full commitment from the Russian side, including President (Vladimir) Putin himself," Falih told reporters on the sidelines of summits between US President Donald Trump and Muslim leaders from around the world.

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, and Gulf members of OPEC are also fully behind an extension, while there is "strong" commitment from Iraq and others, Falih said.

With potential for "two or three more producers" to join, Falih was optimistic global supply and demand would balance by the first quarter of next year.

"We will do whatever is necessary," he said, expressing an openness to "creative" solutions.

At the end of November, OPEC's 13 members agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January 1, initially for a period of six months to reduce a supply glut.

Then in December, non-OPEC producers led by Russia agreed to reduce their own output by 558,000 barrels per day.

Falih said Russia "ultimately delivered" its 300,000 bpd cut, though it took longer than hoped for.

"We have patiently worked together but I think there is good faith, there is good cooperation, and going forward we intend to build on this relationship."

Last week Russia and Saudi Arabia, the world's two biggest oil producers, jointly called for oil producers to extend their production cuts to March 31, 2018.

Saudi Arabia currently produces close to 10 million bpd, Falih said.

Oil prices are near $50 per barrel after shedding around half of their value since mid-2014.
Getty Images

Wedding bells were ringing in England this morning, with the whole world watching. Kate Middletons younger sister, Pippa, married hedge fund manager James Matthew this morning at St. Marks Church in Englefield, England.

After (somewhat) stealing the spotlight at Kates wedding in 2011, we could hardly wait to see Pippa on her big day. We have to say, she did not disappoint.

You May Also Like: The Go-To Products Meghan Markle Uses for Her Flawless, Sun-Kissed Complexion



Pippa looked absolutely gorgeous in her lace couture Giles Deacon gown. However, that wasnt all we noticed. She stunned with seriously toned arms, a glowing complexion, a pearl-threaded updo and a beaming smile. Keep reading to see how she did it.

Pre-Wedding Fitness

According to Vogue.com, Pippa was rumored to have attended a three-month bridal boot camp at Londons Grace Belgravia club. The program offers workouts like yoga, Pilates and dance cardio. Not only are these meant to strengthen and tone, but theyre also created to improve posture, something thats important when walking down the aisle.

Other services the boot camp includes are a healthy eating plan, meditation practices and a team of skin care experts that can do anything from peels to lasers. After all, you have to get that glowing wedding-day complexion.

You May Also Like: Kelly Rowland On Motherhood, Getting Fit and Her Secret Confidence Booster



Getty Images



Skin Care Prep

The Mirror reported that Pippa's mom, Carole, also helped Pippa get her skin in tip-top shape for the wedding. Apparently, Carole strongly believes in the many skin care benefits of one particular fruit: avocados. Leading up to the wedding, Carole had Pippa eating at least one a day.

That wasn't all. Pippa also got facials at Linda Meredith's beauty salon in London's Knightsbridge. It's no wonder her skin looked so magnificent.

Wedding Day Makeup

As important as the pre-wedding prep is, it also takes work the day of to nail the whole blushing bride thing. Pippa wore a healthy and natural touch of makeup.

Taking a less-is-more approach, she chose a simple, light lip and a healthy bronze. While she has been known to go heavy on the liner and bronzer in the past, this soft, minimalism projects a seriously youthful essence.

We will continue to update as we receive more information.
Following the news of James Comey's open hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Saturday expressed doubt over the intelligence committee testimony being allowed to take place.

In a tweet, he said: "I would not be surprised if the new Special Counsel Mueller stops Comey for testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee."

Earlier, Grassley and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein released a statement after Comey declined a bipartisan invitation to testify before both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the intelligence committee.

In the statement, Grassley and Feinstein expressed their disappointment saying: "There is no reason he cant testify before both the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, particularly given that the Judiciary Committee is the FBIs primary oversight committee with broad jurisdiction over federal law enforcement, FISA and the nomination of the next FBI director. He should reconsider his decision."

Former FBI Director James Comey has however agreed to testify publicly before the Senate intelligence committee sometime after Memorial Day, which is on May 29, committee leaders announced in a statement Friday.

Chairman of the Senate Select Committee Richard Burr and Vice Chairman Mark Warner said in the statement his testimony "will help answer some of the questions that have arisen since Comey was so suddenly dismissed by the president."

"The committee looks forward to receiving testimony from the former director on his role in the development of the intelligence community assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, and I am hopeful that he will clarify for the American people recent events that have been broadly reported in the media," Burr said in the statement.

Story continues

Since there has not been such a situation earlier, it could still be possible the newly appointed special counsel Robert Mueller would object to the former FBI director speaking in public about an ongoing investigation.

Senator Lindsey Graham said Thursday the appointment of a special counsel meant "Congresss ability to conduct investigations of all things Russia has been severely limited." He also raised concerns whether witnesses would testify to Congress and risk involving themselves in Muellers criminal investigation.

After Comey agreed to testify before the intelligence committee, Graham said in a statement: "I very much appreciate former FBI Director James Comeys willingness to publicly testify about his conversations with President Trump and other relevant matter. I am surprised he will do so given the fact we now have a Special Counsel who will likely be investigating matters related to their conversations."

Justice Department appointed Mueller on May 17 as special counsel to oversee the investigation into alleged connections between President Donald Trumps campaign and Russian officials. The 72-year-old attorney was a former FBI director before Comey and has a long history with investigations and public service.

The decision to name Mueller as special counsel came after a huge turmoil in the administration last week after the sudden dismissal of Comey. It also followed the subsequent disclosure Trump asked Comey to discontinue the investigation of his former National Security Officer Michael T. Flynn who had alleged ties with Russian officials.

Read: Who Is Joseph Lieberman? Trump's Top Choice For FBI Director Is A Supporter Of Mass Surveillance

Earlier on Friday, the New York Times reported Trump told top Russian officials Comey was a "nut job" and his dismissal relieved "great pressure." The newspaper also reported the president had asked for Comey to let go of the investigation into former national security advisor Michael T. Flynn.

In a joint conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Trump flatly denied he ever made such a statement or suggestion. He said "No. Nonext question."

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Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential elections, who recently said he accepted a position at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been accused of plagiarism by a CNN report released Saturday.

In Clarkes 2013 masters thesis on "Making U.S. security and privacy rights compatible," he failed to properly attribute his sources at least 47 times. He completed his masters degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Read: Donald Trump Cabinet: Anti-Black Lives Matter Sheriff David Clarke Eyed For Department Of Homeland Security

The Naval Postgraduate School spokesperson, Lt. Cdr. Clint Phillips told CNN the standard procedure after accusations of plagiarism is to open an investigation. The thesis had been removed from the schools website; however it is still available via online databases.

According to guidelines on plagiarism posted on the Naval Postgraduate School's website, "If a passage is quoted verbatim, it must be set off with quotation marks (or, if it is a longer passage, presented as indented text), and followed by a properly formulated citation. The length of the phrase does not matter. If someone else's words are sufficiently significant to be worth quoting, then accurate quotation followed by a correct citation is essential, even if only a few words are involved."

The school's honor code defines plagiarism as "submitting material that in part or whole is not one's own work without proper attribution. Plagiarism is further defined as the use, without giving reasonable and appropriate credit to or acknowledging the author or source, of another person's original work, whether such work is made up of code, formulas, ideas, language, research, strategies, writing or other form(s)."

The CNN report showed Clarke did not attribute text directly taken from a 2002 ACLU report about "The Government's Demand for New and Unnecessary Powers After September 11," a 2007 ACLU report on "fusion centers," a 2003 ACLU report critical of the FBI's records-collection practices, and a 2011 ACLU report on the need to maintain secrecy laws.

Story continues

Read: Can Donald Trump Still Win? Sheriff David Clarke Calls For 'Pitchforks And Torches' To Stop 'Rigged' Election

He also reportedly plagiarized words from several other reports including the 9/11 Commission Report, various think tanks like the Pew Research Center, a 2012 report by the Constitution Project, a 2003 report by the US General Accounting Office, and media outlets like a 2013 Washington Post article and former President George W. Bush's book, "Decision Points."

Clarke was contacted for comment by CNN, but instead of replying he tweeted saying one of the authors of the report, Andrew Kaczynski is a "sleaze bag" and it is a "hack" by CNN and that Kaczynski had also done similar stories previously accusing Sen. Rand Paul and Monica Crowley.

Clarke said Wednesday he had accepted a job in the Department of Homeland Security. However, the DHS did not confirm his claim.

Clarke told conservative radio host Vicki McKenna during an interview: "Im both honored and humbled to be appointed to this position by Secretary Kelly, working for the Trump administration."

During the 2016 presidential race, Clarke was a close ally of Trump and had praised him since the president took office in January. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February, Clarke also expressed his support for Trumps executive orders on immigration.

"In President Trump, we have chosen a leader," Clarke told the crowd at CPAC. "A leader who I expect many of you in this room well know that I both campaigned and vigorously supported for the highest office in this land."

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By Christine Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea President Moon Jae-in named the finance minister, foreign minister, and top security advisor for his new government on Sunday, as it faces challenges nurturing economic recovery, soothing ties with China and dealing with North Korea. Moon told a media briefing that he had nominated former vice finance minister Kim Dong-yeon as deputy prime minister and finance minister, while a United Nations senior adviser on policy Kang Kyung-wha was tapped as the next foreign minister. Elected earlier this month after a graft scandal brought down his predecessor, Moon stressed the need to improve conditions for ordinary people, with his government needing to put more life into a sluggish economic recovery. "Our new government has begun work amid unprecedented low growth, economic polarisation and economic hardships for the working class," Moon said. Kim, the president's pick for the finance portfolio, is known for his attention to detail and humble personal background. Two finance ministry officials told Reuters his appointment would be well received in the ministry. The new administration also faces diplomatic challenges, soothing ties with China, the biggest buyer of South Korean goods, after they became strained by the deployment of U.S. THAAD anti-missile system, as well as increased tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear threats. Kang, the woman chosen to be foreign minister, has an extensive career in the ministry and at the United Nations, said the president. Moon said her appointment gave "great meaning" to gender equality among his cabinet. His nominees for ministerial posts have to attend a parliamentary hearing before they can officially take up their posts. Chung Eui-yong, a top foreign policy adviser during the presidential election campaign, was named as the president's national security adviser. Chung met with U.S. President Donald Trump's security advisers last week to discuss an upcoming summit and North Korea's nuclear issues. Chung told Reuters earlier that although the alliance of U.S. and South Korea is crucial, the process to deploy U.S. anti-missile system THAAD should be reviewed under Moon's government. THAAD has been deployed in South Korea since April and its presence has spurred diplomatic rifts with China and the United States. "I believe one of the most important aspects the country's security adviser should have is a firm mind on security and diplomatic abilities when we face diplomatic and economic issues tied together, including North Korea's nuclear program, THAAD and free trade agreements," said Moon. "Chung is the right man." The South Korean president also named Moon Chung-in, a leading advocate of engagement policies on North Korea, as a special aide on diplomacy and security. Moon, a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, accompanied former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun on their summits with North Korea's then-leader Kim Jong Il in 2000 and 2007. The president has said if conditions are ripe he can meet North Korea's current leader Kim Jong Un. Moon's special envoy to Washington Hong Seok-hyun, a former ambassador to the United States, was also named as a special presidential aide on diplomacy and security. (Reporting by Christine Kim and Ju-min Park; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Tempers and politics flared after a Brainerd, Minn., over a high school students quote about Donald Trump in the yearbook. (Photo: WCCO)

No one seemed to notice until a few days after the Brainerd High School yearbooks were passed around. But once it was pointed out, emotions flared across the Minnesota town. On one particular page, the yearbook staff had surveyed students on how they felt about Trump. At the top of the page, one student stated that she would like to behead him. I do not like him. That apparent threat got locals riled up.

Scott Baio even tweeted about it.

.@ScottBaio sets social media ablaze over anti-Trump entry in Brainerd High School yearbook. https://t.co/W1GQbaFpER  John Reinan (@StribGuy) May 19, 2017

The school district has apologized for allowing the quote to go into print and released a statement:

The administration was previously unaware of the students statements in the yearbook. The district does not support or otherwise endorse any disrespectful or politically based statements that are in the yearbook and apologizes for the statements that were included.

But that doesnt appear to be enough for local protestors, who are looking for the teacher supervising yearbook production to be fired. I would like to behead him is a threat, local activist Jeff Czeczok told WCCO. It gives a terrible name to the school. And if others stand with Czeczok, the districts apology wont suffice.

The 15-year-old student who allegedly made the comment, on the other hand, says she was misquoted and was not informed her comment would be put into the yearbook. I did not mean for it to be put into the yearbook, she said in an interview with WCCO. She now says shes scared for her safety. The initial social media postings did not mask her identity.





It is a crime to make a willful threat to the president. In a case stemming back to 2008, a San Diego-area man named Walter Bagdasarian made comments online about wanting to shoot President Barack Obama, calling him various misspellings of the N word. After the Secret Service investigated the man, he was found guilty in 2009 for two counts of a crime where he knowingly and willfully threaten to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon  a major candidate for the office of President or Vice President, or a member of the immediate family of such candidate. However, the conviction was reversed in 2011, pointing to protection of free speech under the First Amendment.

Story continues

WCCO reports that the Secret Service is investigating the yearbook message.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
Geneva (AFP) - The Swiss will vote in a referendum Sunday on a planned overhaul of the country's energy system by gradually replacing the power from its ageing nuclear reactors with renewable sources.

The new energy strategy has been in the making since shortly after Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant was destroyed in the March 2011 tsunami disaster, when the Swiss government decided to gradually close its nuclear plants.

Instead, it aims to increase reliance on hydraulic power as well as renewables like solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

Early polls indicated broad support for the plan, but the most recent survey, published on May 10, showed the "yes" side slipping to 56 percent -- a drop of five points from late March.

According to the latest poll, 37 percent of those questioned meanwhile planned to vote "no" to the new law, up from just 30 percent previously.

Voting stations open at different times across Switzerland, but will all close by noon (1000 GMT) Sunday.

Most Swiss voters meanwhile have already cast their ballots by post in the weeks leading up to the referendum, which is part of the country's famous system of direct democracy.

The government's 2050 energy strategy aims to decommission Switzerland's five ageing reactors, which today produce around a third of the country's electricity, as they reach the end of their safe operational lifespan.

But since all of Switzerland's nuclear plants have open-ended operating licences, there is no clear cut-off date determining when they should be shut down.

Last November, Swiss voters rejected a call to speed up the phaseout of the plants, which wanted to limit their operational lifespan to 45 years, in a move that would have forced three of the five reactors to close this year.

- 'Cold shower'? -

While the new energy plan does not contain a clear timetable for the nuclear phaseout, it does contain ambitious targets for reducing energy consumption and for improving energy efficacy.

Story continues

Compared to levels seen in 2000, it aims to cut the average energy consumption per person per year by 16 percent by 2020 and by 43 percent by 2035.

It also calls for a rapid increase in the use of renewable power sources.

The Swiss parliament supports the new law, with the exception of the country's largest political party, the populist Swiss People's Party (SVP), which requested Sunday's referendum.

SVP maintains the energy shift would be too expensive, would threaten Switzerland's energy supply and would "disfigure" the country's pristine natural landscape with more wind turbines and solar panels.

The party has campaigned heavily against the plan, maintaining that it would cost around 200 billion Swiss francs ($205 billion, 179 billion euros) to implement until 2050.

This, it claims in campaign posters plastered around the country, would amount to 3,200 Swiss francs per four-person household per year in additional energy costs and taxes, with no guarantee of hot water.

"Who wants to pay 3,200 francs more... for a cold shower?" the posters ask.

The government has rejected that claim, maintaining that the additional cost per household would be about 40 Swiss francs per year compared to today's prices.

And it has stressed that this cost could easily be offset by improving energy efficiency in buildings, which reduces heating costs.
Sydney Leathers says she hopes Anthony Weiner goes to jail after pleading guilty to sexting with a minor.

"He has kind of gotten away with a lot," Leathers told Inside Edition on Friday. "Hes gotten slaps on the wrists for certain things. I think for once this might be something he cant get himself out of."

Read: Anthony Weiner Cries as He Pleads Guilty to Sexting With a Minor: 'I Have a Sickness'

Weiner copped a plea to sexting with a minor as his wife, Huma Abedin, officially filed for divorce from the disgraced former politician.

He broke down in tears as he stood before a judge saying "my impulses have destroyed my life."

Weiner admitted sending explicit photos and texts to a 15-year-old girl who told DailyMail.com last year that the former New York congressman would pretend like he was a teacher and I was a student.

Weiner must now register as a sex offender and faces up to 27 months behind bars.

I was worried he would just get away with it completely, Leathers said. I am glad that there will be some punishment.

She continued: I dont feel bad for him in any way. I dont think that anyone should feel bad for him in any way... He is not the victim, he is a predator. The only person you should feel bad for is the victim because she is a child."

Leathers had a sexting relationship with Weiner in 2013 when he called himself "Carlos Danger."

She says when the 15-year-old girl reached out to her she encouraged her to go to the FBI, a scandal that threw Hillary Clintons presidential campaign into a tailspin.

Read: Sydney Leathers Weighs In on Anthony Weiner's Latest Sexting Scandal: 'He's Quite the Egomaniac'

Leathers said she hopes the teenager knows she is the victim.

I hope she knows she didnt do anything wrong, Leathers said.

Weiner's soon to be ex-wife has asked that all details pertaining to her divorce remain sealed. She's also said to be marketing a book. The Hollywood Reporter says she's hoping to be $2 million to tell her story.

Story continues

Watch: Report: Anthony Weiner May Face Child Porn Charges After Exchanging Lewd Messages With Girl, 15

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cameronabadi

DAMASCUS, Syria  On my last night in Damascus, some younger members of the Information Ministry-sponsored delegation in which I was taking part decided to have a drink. It was late April, and the bars and restaurants were doing good business in the cool and breezy evenings. An inebriated Russian journalist, accompanied by a uniformed Russian soldier, entered the bar opposite our hotel in the Old City where my colleagues were sitting. Words were exchanged. An altercation began.

At a certain point, the Russian journalist produced a pistol and aimed it at the forehead of one of the delegations participants. He then entered our hotel and threatened one of the employees there, all with his uniformed colleague silently accompanying him.

How the incident ended says much about who truly holds power in regime-controlled areas of Syria today. After the two Russians had departed, the delegations participants sought to contact the authorities and report the incident. The representative of the Syrian security forces asked if the armed men were Russian. When told that they were, he replied that there was nothing the Syrian authorities could do.

Six years into the Syrian war, the survival of President Bashar al-Assads regime is ensured  but it has become something of a facade and lacks a strategy for reuniting the country. The sometimes sharply differing interests of Russia and Iran from above, and the local concerns of a myriad array of pro-regime irregular militias from below, are the decisive factors  not the decisions of the countrys nominal rulers. This impacts the calculus of the regime side in the war, in determining its strategy in the conflict.

Just take a look at how the war has developed since late last year, when things seemed to be going well for the regime. The rebellion had been driven out of its last fingerholds in eastern Aleppo city, seemingly paving the way for the eventual defeat of the insurgency. But five months later, while the general direction of the war has been against the rebels, they appear still far from collapse. Idlib province, areas of Latakia, Hama, northern Aleppo, and large swaths of the south remain in rebel hands.

Story continues

The rebels in the south received a boost this week when a coalition airstrike targeted forces loyal to Assad that were advancing on a base used by U.S. and British Special Forces. If the United States and its partners are willing to use force to defend allied groups in the area, it is hard to envision how the regime can hope to reestablish its rule there.

Further east, the war against the Islamic State is being prosecuted by a powerful U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led force called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This force will shortly embark on the conquest of Raqqa, the last remaining city in Syria fully controlled by the retreating Islamic State.

In other words, the rumors of the death of the rebellion have been greatly overstated. And some of its component parts apparently possess considerable vigor and strength. Does the Assad regime have a strategy for the reunification of the country, or has Syrias fragmentation now become an unavoidable reality?

In 10 days of meetings with mid-level and senior officials of the Assad regime in Syria, I sought an answer to this question. What I found was a considerable gap between the intentions of the regime and its practical abilities to bring these desires about.

Reconciliation Affairs Minister Ali Haidar, a businesslike and well-briefed official, is a central figure in the governments attempts to increase the territory under its control. Reconciliation is the process whereby the regime and its allies offer rebels and their supporters safe passage to rebel-controlled Idlib or Jarabulus, in return for the ceding of the besieged area to government forces. In some areas, rebels and their supporters may stay, as long as they accept the authority of the regime. The latest such reconciliation agreement saw the transfer of rebels and their supporters from the towns of Zabadani and Madaya in the western Damascus suburbs to rebel-controlled Idlib.

The Ministry of Reconciliation Affairs, Haider says, could spearhead a comprehensive political resolution of the Syrian conflict. More than 100 towns and villages have now achieved reconciliation, Haidar told our delegation, and 3 million Syrians have been included in the reconciliation process, constituting 40 percent of Syrians affected by the war. The regimes strategy appears to be to use these gradual and incremental reconciliations to eventually whittle the rebellion down to nothing.

What Haidar failed to mention, however, was that this latest agreement was achieved with the mediation of Qatar, a strong supporter of the rebels. And the various agreements so far have served more to demarcate regime and rebel territory and create more cohesive enclaves than to substantially further increase the territory held by the regime.

The term reconciliation is a misnomer, of course. The regime is interested in the surrender of the rebels, not rapprochement with them. But given the balance of forces and the slow progress, there seems to be a gap between objective and method. In light of this, I ask Haidar: What is the regimes strategy for victory and the reunification of the country?

What needs to happen, the minister suggests, is an end to foreign interference. We ask foreign powers to stop supporting the terrorist organizations, he said.

Terrorists, of course, is the regimes description of choice for rebel forces. But if foreign supporters of the insurgency decline to withdraw their support, as currently appears to be happening, how can the regime coerce them into doing so? Haidar did not appear to have any answers.

I got no further with Mohammed Tourjman, Assads fluent and glib information minister. Tourjman is an articulate presenter of the narrative the regime likes to share with its supporters.

There is a plan to divide Syria into cantons, he told us. [T]o keep us weak, to benefit the Zionist entity.

If this is the plan, it seems to be in an advanced state of execution. Syria, after all, is today divided into no less than seven enclaves: the territory controlled by the regime, three separate areas of rebel control, two Kurdish cantons, and the Islamic State area. What is the governments strategy to reverse this fragmentation, I ask? We have absolute faith that this is a temporary situation, Tourjman replied. [T]he major reason for this faith is that the Syrian people start to understand the conspiracy against them.

In other words, there is no strategy at all, but the kind of conspiracy theories that no self-respecting Baathist should be without. In fact, no evidence exists of any overarching plan to divide Syria  nor do any of the major forces in the country support its breakup. Syrias de facto division is a result of the inability of any force to prevail over all the others, not of design.

In private conversation with officials who prefer not to be named, however, I found more candid responses. A serving general of the Syrian armed forces, puffing on an enormous cigar in his office, noted carefully that any decision to conclude the war cannot come without the involvement of official Syria  meaning the regime.

This measured reply delineates the actual situation well. The regime cannot now be militarily defeated, a significant success for its diplomacy and arms. But neither has it any clear road to victory. I asked one Information Ministry official about the future of eastern Syria, given the growing strength of the U.S.-backed SDF in the region. His response summed up the underlying reality of the regimes current position: We dont know.

The reason for the regimes lack of knowledge is that decisions made by Assad and those around him will not be the decisive factor in determining Syrias future. As the fighting in eastern Aleppo showed, the government side only makes real progress when the Russians commit to ensuring its victory. So the crucial question is of Russian, not Syrian, intentions  and Moscow may well have already achieved most of what it came to Syria to achieve. It has ensured the safety of its bases in Latakia province and the survival of its regime allies, demonstrated the efficacy of Russian arms, and guaranteed there can be no diplomatic process to settle the war without Moscows involvement.

These are significant accomplishments. But it is also the case that a further Russian commitment to finishing off the rebellion could result in the unpleasant situation in which a cash-strapped Russia finds itself saddled with the responsibility for the reconstruction of a ruined Syria on the basis of you broke it, you own it.

The diplomacy emerging from ongoing peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, appears to suggest that Moscow is aiming to freeze the Syrian conflict more or less in place, followed by an ongoing political process. The formation of the four de-escalation zones looks set to leave the rebellion in control of large swaths of the country, while the upcoming assault on Raqqa by the SDF and the increasingly open U.S. commitment to this force raises the possibility of a U.S.-backed entity emerging east of the Euphrates.

With the regime and rebels now effectively reduced to client status and no great desire on the part of the patrons to commit to absolute victory for their proxies, the diplomacy on the Syrian war should presumably shift toward arrangements acknowledging the fragmentation of the country. Such arrangements would be built more or less around the status quo that will hold sway after the destruction of the Islamic States holdings in eastern Syria. That is, Syria will be divided between the regime enclave in the west, the Sunni Arab rebels in the northwest and southwest, a Turkish-ensured rebel enclave in the north, an SDF-controlled region in the northeast, and some arrangement involving both the SDF and Western-backed Arab rebels in the east.

As this process plays out, the Russians will continue to do as they wish by day and night in Damascus, the gap between regime rhetoric and reality will remain as gaping as ever, the rebels and the Kurds will continue to march in tune with their own patrons wishes. Meanwhile, the stark fact will continue to remain unsaid: namely, that the state known as Syria has effectively ceased to exist.

STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images
This post originally appeared on The Collaborative Fund.

To realize how outdated the five-day, 40-hour workweek is, you have to know where it came from.

Before 1900 the average American worker worked more than 60 hours a week. A standard schedule was 10-hour days, six days a week. The only structural limits to working were lighting and religion. You stopped working when it was too dark to see or to go to church. It was exhausting. It was often fatal.

Unions helped turn this around. In 1916, railroad unions demanded an eight-hour work day, largely because work after that point correlated with a rise in accidents and death. The railroads declined. So workers went on strike. Americas rail system nearly came to a halt.

This was during World War I, when transporting military equipment by rail was vital to national security. President Woodrow Wilson, desperate to get the trains moving, asked Congress to write an eight-hour railroad work day into law. He told a joint session in 1916:

I have come to you to seek your assistance in dealing with a very grave situation which has arisen out of the demand of the employees of the railroads engaged in freight train service that they be granted an eight-hour working day  I turn to you, deeming it clearly our duty as public servants to leave nothing undone that we can do to safeguard the interests of the nation.

It worked. Congress passed the Adamson Act, and overtime pay after an eight-hour day became railroad workers right.

Twenty years later, the New Deal pushed for broader workers rights. It used the Adamson Act as a template, as no one wanted to favor one field over another. The eight-hour, five-day workday was standardized for all industries.

Eighty years later this work schedule  originally designed for the endurance constraints of railroad depot workers  has become so ingrained that we rarely question it, regardless of profession.

Which is crazy.

The biggest employment change of the last century is the number of careers that shifted from physically exhausting to mentally exhausting. From doing stuff with your arms to doing stuff with your head.

Story continues

Since the constraints of physically exhausting jobs are visible, we took decisive action when things werent working, like the Adamson Act. But the limits of mentally exhausting jobs are nuanced and less visible, so we get trapped in a spot where most of us work a schedule that doesnt maximize our productivity, yet we do nothing about it.

Every person Ive worked with comes back from vacation saying some variation of the same thing:

Now that I had some time to think, Ive realized 

With a few days to clear my mind, I figured out 

While I was away I got this great idea 

The irony is that people can get some of their most important work done outside of work, when theyre free to think and ponder. The struggle is that we take time off maybe once a year, without realizing that time to think is a key element of many jobs, and one that a traditional work schedule doesnt accommodate very well.

Not all jobs require creativity or critical thinking. But those that do function better with time devoted to wandering and being curious, in ways that are removed from scheduled work but actually help tackle some of your biggest work problems.

Its just hard to do that because were set on the idea that a typical work day should be eight uninterrupted hours seated at your desk. Tell your boss you found a trick that will make you more creative and productive, and they ask what youre waiting for. Tell them that your trick is taking a 90-minute walk in the middle of the day, and they says no, you need to work. Another way to put this is that a lot of workers have thought jobs without much time to think.

Former Secretary of State George Schultz on a recent Face the Nation appearance.

David Leonhardt of The New York Times recently wrote about former Secretary of State George Shultz, who carved out time to sit and wonder:

His hour of solitude was the only way he could find time to think about the strategic aspects of his job. Otherwise, he would be constantly pulled into moment-to-moment tactical issues, never able to focus on larger questions of the national interest. And the only way to do great work, in any field, is to find time to consider the larger questions.

That last sentence is crucial for anyone whose jobs involves strategy, analysis, creativity, innovation, managing people, non-structured decision-making, or really anything outside of repetitive tasks.

The moment-to-moment tactical issues Shultz refers to are what happens in the office during the eight-hour, five-day workweek. Meetings. Spreadsheets. Meetings. Phone calls. Meetings.

The larger questions often cant be tackled at work, because creativity and critical thinking require uninterrupted focus  like going for a walk or sitting quietly on a couch by yourself. Or a bike ride. Or talking to someone outside your field.

Steve Jobs did most of his serious conversations while walking. Tim Armstrong spends four hours a week just thinking. Jeff Weiner does something similar. Jack Dorsey famously wanders about. Someone once asked Charlie Munger what Warren Buffetts secret was. I would say half of all the time he spends is sitting on his ass and reading. He has a lot of time to think.

Amos Tversky, the late collaborator of Nobel-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, once said the secret to doing good research is always to be a little underemployed. You waste years by not being able to waste hours.

The same is true for a lot of jobs.

The traditional eight-hour work schedule is great if your job is repetitive, customer-facing, or physically constraining. But for the large and growing number of knowledge jobs, it might not be.

You might be better off taking two hours in the morning to stay at home thinking about some big problem.

Or go for a long mid-day walk to ponder why something isnt working.

Or leaving at 3 p.m. and spend the rest of the day envisioning a new strategy.

Its not about working less. Its the opposite: A lot of knowledge jobs basically never stop, and without structuring time to think and be curious you wind up less efficient during the hours that are devoted to sitting at your desk cranking out work.

Theres never going to be an Adamson Act for knowledge workers who need time to think. Its up to you to figure it out. The first step is realizing that taking time in the middle of your day to do stuff that doesnt look like work is the most important part of your work day.

More from Morgan Housel:

Residential housing can tell you were the economys going, and its not where you think

My case for saving money  even if you dont have a reason to save

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President Donald Trump's one time campaign adviser and longtime confidante Roger Stone criticized the president's meeting with the Saudi leaders Saturday and said the royal reception Trump received in Riyadh, including the country's highest civilian honor as vomit inducing.

As Trump left the tense atmosphere in Washington D.C. and landed in Saudi Arabia, he received a regal welcome from the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Trump was presented with the kingdom's highest civilian honor, a gold medal, during a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court, the Washington Post reported. The nation's highest civilian honor, was also bestowed in the past upon former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush

Read: Will Melania Trump Wear Saudi Arabia's Traditional Head Scarf?

However, Stone expressed his aversion over Trump receiving the award and also said instead of meeting the Saudi leaders, Trump should demand they pay for the 9/11 attacks, which they allegedly, financed.

Stone also said Trump accepted the award only at the suggestion of his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner. He did not however say why Kushner did so, CNN reported.

Trump's first stop at Saudi Arabia included him landing in the Arabian dessert, with American flags flying everywhere. He was staying at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, and was treated to a colorful dance display, which his staff also joined. Trump too swayed with his team and the scores of white-robed Saudis.

Trump's visit coincided with President Hassan Rouhani winning a second term in the Iranian elections. Officials from both the countries used Trump's Saudi visit to urge Iran to halt support for terrorism and stop meddling in the affairs of its neighbors, the New York Times reported.

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We are closely coordinating our efforts in terms of how to counter Irans extremism and its export of extremism, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said at a joint news conference in Riyadh with Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister.

Trump also signed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia on Saturday. One of the central achievements of Trump's first day in Riyadh was the arms deal, and other investments Tillerson said could total up to $350 billion. Both al-Jubeir and Tillerson made clear the arms deal would be used to countering Iran, Reuters reported.

After a ceremony of exchanging agreements, Trump spoke to journalists where he said it was a "tremendous day" and spoke of "hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs. So I would like to thank all of the people of Saudi Arabia."

Saudi's foreign minister also called Trump's meetings with the Saudi king "the beginning of a turning point" between the United States, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies.

In comparison to Obama's welcome in Saudi Arabia when the former president had visited the kingdom last year, Trump received a more favorable welcome from King Salman. Obama was reportedly soft on Iran and hesitant on Syria during last year's visit.

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A video released Friday showed former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton practicing how to duck a hug from her then opponent, President Donald Trump last year.

Philippe Reines , a Democratic strategist who worked with Clinton's campaign during the 2016 election, posted the video on Twitter, which was filmed Sept. 24, 2016, two days before the first presidential debate.

It showed Clinton practicing for her face-off with the then-candidate Trump, in which Reines opposite her, was portraying Trump. As a voice called out from the background, asking the two candidates to come on to the stage, both walked up, with Clinton extending her hand, but Reines (like Trump), opening his arms wide for a hug. Then laughter could be heard as Clinton tried to avoid the embrace.

Read: 5 Times President Misspelled Or Pronounced A Word Wrong

This came just a day after Benjamin Wittes, former FBI Director James Comey's friend shared how Comey had described several interactions he had with the president, including the infamous hug Comey did not like early this year.

Wittes told PBS on Thursday about President Donald Trump's handshake: If you watch the video, he extends his hand, and Comeys arms are really long, and he extends his hand kinda preemptively, and Trump kind of grabs the hand and pulls him into a hug. But the hug is entirely one-sided. So one guy in the hug is shaking hands.

Trump's handshakes are known to be firm and strong and very few political figure greeted by Trump seem to have escaped the president's strong grip.

In February when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the U.S. to discuss trade and defense cooperation with Trump, he became the subject of Trump's long and strong handshakes. Both the world leaders sat down for a handshake photo-session at the White House, before flying down to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

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Abe initiated the handshake, asking Shall we shake hands? Then, Trump extended his hand, patted Abe's hands for some time and then pulled him closer to ask (in reference to the Japanese-speaking photographers in the room) What are they saying?

When you cover somebodys hand, youre portraying yourself as being closer than you really are. Its for perception management, Joe Navarro, a body language expert based in Florida told Quartz. She added: The only time you should be tapping somebodys hands is if youre their grandmother, but certainly not between two grown adults.

Trump's aide and Vice President Mike Pence also could not escape the firm clutches of Trump. Last year in November, when the election results were out and Trump had finished his victory speech, he had such a strong handshake with Vice-President Mike Pence that Pence was literally moved forward.

Trump's handshake style is his habit of pushing people away or pulling them closer very suddenly. Trump's way of shaking hands has even been termed "grip and yank," The Telegraph reported.

Trump's "grip and yank" shakes are reportedly departures from normal practice and peoples expectations. It also does not allow the other person to reciprocate and do the same.

In February, after Judge Neil Gorsuch accepted Trump's nomination for the Supreme Court and the president appeared to shake hands with Gorsuch so violently the latter almost lost his balance.

In February, when Trump greeted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it was widely expected Trudeau would also be shaken by Trump's firm grip. However, the prime minister had been well briefed.

As Trump extended his hand, Trudeau stepped right up to him and took the extended hand, but also grabbed the top of Trump's right arm with his free left hand. The result was a handshake resembling a stand off.

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cameronabadi

As Saudi Arabia rolls out the red carpet for President Donald Trump this weekend, his administration will arrive bearing the same gifts as every visiting president before him: billions in high-tech American weaponry and military support, and pledges for more.

The Kingdoms relationship with the new administration in Washington appears poised to enter a new phase, with the Saudis taking the lead in the fight to contain Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, spearheading a region-side counterterrorism effort, and appearing eager to build a deeper defense partnership with Washington that could be good for business for both countries.

There are are also more personal matters. Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner has reportedly formed a close relationship with 31 year-old Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kings son and the countrys ambitious minister of defense, according to a report in the New York Times. The two scions of powerful families, given huge responsibilities at relatively young ages, have been speaking since soon after Trump won the presidency in November and have emerged as the driving forces behind putting together a massive defense package set to be unveiled in the coming days, thought to be worth about $110 billion over the next ten years.

Those sales will be spread out over a variety of expensive and high-maintenance projects including new ships, tanks, armored vehicles, precision guided bombs, missile defense and radar systems according to people with knowledge of the discussions, and several published reports.

Two Capitol Hill staffers tell FP that no new deals have been sent to the oversight committees for approval, indicating that while the package will be billed as a brand-new initiative, most of the agreements were in fact first reached under the Obama administration, or are far too early in the process to be anywhere near the finish line.

The biggest item in the basket looks to be the restart of a deal for four brand-new Littoral Combat Ships by by Lockheed Martin for about $6 billion. The Saudi version of the vessels will come more heavily armed than their American counterparts, and will replace the aging vessels in the Kingdoms Eastern Fleet, based in the Arabian Gulf facing Iran.

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The original proposed sale  worth an estimated $11 billion when it was first announced in October 2015  was rejected by the Saudis three months later due to their concerns over the cost and the redesigns Lockheed Martin engineers made to the original American hulls. Discussions have continued since that time, and many of those concerns appear to have been ironed out.

Also included in the total is an August 2016 deal for 153 Abrams tanks worth about $1.1 billion, and the sale of 16,000 guided munitions kits  which upgrade so-called dumb bombs to smart bombs  worth over $350 million. The deal for the kits was suspended by the Obama administration in December, citing concerns over the high civilian casualty toll in the Saudi air campaign in Yemen.

The Trump administration has openly said that those kinds of humanitarian concerns will be less important going forward, and there is little indication the president will touch on human rights during his highly anticipated speech about counterterrorism in Riyadh over the weekend. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson explicitly laid out the administrations view that Washington wont condition our national security efforts on someone adopting our values, as doing so creates obstacles to our ability to advance our national security interests, our economic interests.

When some of these packages begin arriving on Capitol Hill for final approval, they will likely face a fight. A bipartisan group of senators already fought to block the tank sale last year, and has expressed deep reservations over the 16,000 munitions kits, which one State Department official told FP that Secretary Tillerson is still reviewing.

In April, a group of 30 mostly Democratic senators sent a letter to president Trump to hold off on the sale, and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led the charge with a new bill that would set human rights conditions on U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are important partners in the Middle East, Murphy wrote, but we have an obligation to ensure U.S. military support is not being used to kill innocent civilians, and requiring Saudi Arabia to meet these basic conditions should be a no brainer.

Just days before Trumps visit, Riyadh announced the formation of Saudi Arabian Military Industries, a government-owned defense company that will build and repair aircraft, drones, ground vehicles, missiles, and radar systems. The plan, as the government envisions it, is to build the company into one of the worlds top defense companies by 2030 and employ 40,000 people.

Its a huge undertaking for a nation that is one of the worlds top five defense spenders, but only builds and repairs about two percent of its armaments domestically. Traditionally, U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia come with massive, long-term sustainment contracts for repair and modernization, something the new company, if successful, could bite into.

Few analysts expect the relationship to change dramatically however. The most reliable equipment still comes from American factories, and the Saudis recognize one way to keep the U.S. involved in the region is to buy military equipment, said Dov Zakheim, former under secretary of defense in the George W. Bush administration.

But the emphasis on arms sales shows how the Trump administration has militarized many of its cabinet and policymaking positions, leading to a heavy military bias within the decision making apparatus, according to another former Obama WHite House official.

Another big ticket item  and one of the only to be initiated by the Trump team  expected to be unveiled is an initial agreement for the sale of the Lockheed Martin-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system (THAAD), which costs about $1 billion. The radar and missile capability would be coupled with more sales of the latest Patriot missile systems, in a direct nod to the missile threat emanating from Iran.

One former Obama administration official who asked to speak anonymously said that while many of these deals are familiar to veterans of the prior administration, its clear that the Trump administration is seeking to reset the relationship with Saudi Arabia by making a splashy announcement over the weaponry.

Frankly, sales of weapons may be one of the easiest way to do that, the former official said. I would prefer that to the United States doubling down on a bad approach to Yemen, meaning we provide military support to or get involved directly.

Photo Credit: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
cameronabadi

Countless Yemeni lives hang in the balance as President Donald Trump gears up to greatly deepen U.S. security cooperation with Saudi Arabia. On his visit to the kingdom on Saturday, the first stop on his first international trip, he will no doubt hear a lot from his Gulf counterparts about the Yemen conflict, and the threats posed by Iranian and al Qaeda influence there. But he is likely to hear far less about a different but equally serious threat to the country: famine. Reckless Saudi military policy has pushed Yemen to the brink of humanitarian collapse, and the kingdom is asking for more U.S. military support. If the U.S. doubles down on the Saudi approach, it will likely consign several million people to starvation.

The Saudi-led coalition at war in Yemen began intensive bombings just over two years ago, after a hostile alliance of Houthi militants and allies of Yemens former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, managed to overthrow and expel the internationally recognized elected government. Saudi Arabia sees the Houthis as a direct security threat  the group regularly attacks the kingdoms southern border  but also sees them, critically, as a proxy for Iran. Given burgeoning antipathy between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Riyadh is pursuing the forcible restoration of the elected Yemeni government as an important bulwark against Iranian influence on the Arabian Peninsula. This will no doubt resonate with Trumps desire to reinforce a regional balance of power against Iran.

However, it is not going well for the Saudis. Two years in, their coalition and the opposition alliance have largely fought each other to a stalemate. Intense Saudi airstrikes are pounding the country into dust, but to little strategic effect. Multiple rounds of U.N.-brokered negotiations have collapsed, as neither side has proved ready to acknowledge that it cannot achieve its goals on the battlefield. U.S. diplomatic engagement has focused, rightly, on fostering conditions for a political resolution, rather than fueling further escalation of an unwinnable war. Shifting U.S. policy toward military escalation  as the Trump administration is reportedly considering  would have dire humanitarian consequences.

As the conflict drags on with no end in sight, the only clear winners have been hunger and death. Yemen was one of the most food-insecure and water-scarce countries in the world well before this latest conflict. Adding a brutal war to the mix is pushing the country into catastrophe. Both sides bear responsibility here. The behavior of the Saudi coalition gets a lot more press: It has bombed humanitarian warehouses, medical clinics, schools, bridges along key humanitarian aid routes, commercial food and water facilities, water infrastructure, and several of the ports used for humanitarian imports. And despite U.S. pressure, the Saudis have shown little concern for the civilian impact of their operations, even to the point of famously bombing a widely attended funeral in Sanaa, killing more than 100 people. But the Houthis deserve their share of blame as well, for frequently obstructing humanitarian agencies activities, operating poorly controlled militia roadblocks to harass and delay humanitarian movements, and maintaining a brutal, inhumane siege on the city of Taiz.

The results for Yemens people are all too predictable. Amidst a crowded field of global crises, Yemen takes the prize for the largest food security crisis in the world, with 14 million people food insecure (roughly half the population) and as many as two million in pre-famine conditions. Recent U.N. surveys have found that half the countrys population is borrowing money to cover basic food needs  an untenable situation when food prices are rising and economic livelihoods are collapsing. Malnutrition has reached critical levels and has spiked by a third in just the past year. The World Health Organization has warned that the war has left Yemens health system close to collapse, with only 45 percent of facilities fully functional and drug availability declining by 70 percent. And degraded water systems have left humanitarians struggling to contain a resurgent cholera outbreak that is spreading beyond control.

This is a classic pre-famine pattern. Widespread inability to afford sufficient food erodes a populations health and increases vulnerability to disease. Malnutrition programs and degraded health services prove unable to keep up. And disease outbreaks begin killing off a weakened population, starting with the elderly and very young. The kindling for a major famine in Yemen is squarely in place, awaiting only a spark.

Trumps visit to Riyadh may provide the spark. With the conflict at a stalemate and neither side in a mood to bargain, the Saudi coalition is seeking a wildcard to change the military equation. It wants to retake the Houthi-held port city of Hudaydah, and it want U.S. support. The Houthis reportedly derive important revenues from the operation of the port, and the Saudis also fear it serves as a hub for illicit Iranian military shipments. They argue retaking it could be a double game-changer  both starving the Houthis of revenue and impeding Iranian support.

The president and his team should not take the bait. Further military and economic pressure would be unlikely to alter the basic political equation for the Houthis, even if the United States were to substantially ramp up military support. But it would inevitably extract a brutal toll on the civilian population.

The Saudis have tried in numerous ways since 2015 to ramp up pressure on the Houthis and bring them to a more conciliatory bargaining position. None have delivered. Each time they have sought U.S. support, and each time the United States has wisely urged restraint rather than escalation. The coalition attacked and retook Aden in 2015, making arguments that closely echo the current rationale for attacking Hudaydah. The citys capture made little strategic difference in the conflict. But it did destabilize security in Aden and place a military frontline between the citys port and the rest of the country, effectively blocking the flow of commercial and humanitarian goods. Other coalition actions  the offensive in Marib in 2015, the persistent interference with basic commercial imports (which moderated after President Barack Obama personally urged the Saudi king to lift it), the disastrous move of the Yemeni central bank from Houthi-controlled Sanaa to coalition-held Aden  have been justified on similar grounds. So far there is little evidence that these moves have changed the Houthis fundamental military or economic calculus  but they have done substantial damage to the humanitarian and economic situation.

An offensive on Hudaydah would fit this pattern, but with dramatically higher costs. U.S. support for the operation would not likely change the overall military balance, but would almost certainly tip the country squarely into famine  a famine that would then have U.S. fingerprints on it. Yemen is reliant on imports for 90 percent of its staple foods, and nearly three-quarters of those imports flow through Hudaydah. This lifeline is the only thing currently holding Yemen back from a full-fledged famine. An offensive on the town would fully sever these supplies in the immediate term and create, as in Aden, an impassable front line between the port and the countrys vulnerable population. A catastrophic famine would soon follow.

This conflict will be resolved not on the battlefield but at the negotiating table  and U.S. policy should aim to amplify pressure on the parties to cut a deal (rather than making huge weapons sales to one side). The United States has until now served as an important, albeit imperfect, restraint on coalition military actions that could tip the country into famine. Abandoning this policy would consign millions of Yemenis to likely starvation, all to support a Saudi military push that will not bring the country appreciably closer to peace. Trump and his advisors should tell the Saudis that they do not want a famine on their conscience  and neither should Riyadh.

Photo credit: A malnourished child in Hudaydah, Yemen receives treatment on May 2, 2017. Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Riyadh (AFP) - US President Donald Trump held talks on Sunday with leaders of the oil-rich Gulf monarchies, a day after Washington told their arch rival Iran to dismantle its "network of terrorism".

The meeting on the second day of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, part of his first foreign tour since taking office, came hours before the US president is scheduled to address an Arab Islamic American Summit.

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council posed for a photo with Trump before they walked into their meeting.

In the meeting, GCC leaders and Trump agreed on a memorandum of understanding to establish a centre to combat the financing of terrorism, Saudi official news agency SPA reported.

The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all of which are traditional allies of Washington.

Most GCC monarchies accuse Tehran of meddling in their internal affairs and want Washington to be tougher with Iran, which secured a landmark nuclear deal with world powers when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama was in office.

They consider Tehran to be a destabilising factor in the region.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday demonstrated a tougher position on Tehran, saying multi-billion-dollar defence deals signed with Riyadh aim to protect Saudi Arabia from a "malign Iranian influence."

In a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, Tillerson urged newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to dismantle his country's "network of terrorism" and end "ballistic missile testing."

Trump, accused of using anti-Muslim rhetoric on the election campaign trail, is later expected to tell Muslim leaders of his "hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam".
Riyadh (AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Muslim leaders to take a stand against violence committed in the name of religion, describing the struggle against extremism as a "battle between good and evil".

In a highly anticipated speech to dozens of leaders of Muslim countries in Saudi Arabia, Trump lashed out at Iran and softened his tone on Islam by rejecting the idea of a battle between religions.

He also avoided criticising his Saudi hosts and assembled leaders of Arab and Islamic nations on any human rights violations in their countries -- a clear break from the practice of his predecessor Barack Obama.

"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil," Trump said.

His stance was later underlined by his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, in a joint news conference with his Saudi counterpart.

"The president is clearly indicating that this fight of good against evil has nothing to do with religion. It has nothing to do with country. It has nothing to do with ethnicity," Tillerson said.

Trump's address was the centrepiece of his visit to Riyadh, which started on Saturday with the announcement of billions of dollars in trade deals with Saudi Arabia and continued Sunday with the speech and meetings with Arab leaders.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that Washington may be "milking" Saudi Arabia.

"Iran -- fresh from real elections -- attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation. Foreign Policy or simply milking KSA of $480B?" Zarif tweeted of the US-Saudi trade deals days after the re-election of Iran's President Hassan Rouhani.

The Saudi visit is the first leg of an eight-day foreign tour -- Trump's first as president -- that will take him on Monday to Israel and then the Palestinian territories and on to Europe.

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- 'Drive them out!' -

His speech sought to rally Islamic leaders behind a renewed push to tackle extremism, with Trump urging religious leaders to condemn violence and governments of Muslim countries to make further efforts to end support for extremists.

"Of course, there is still much work to be done. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds."

Advance excerpts of the speech had Trump using the term "Islamist terrorism" -- an apparent softening in tone -- but the president veered off-script in his delivery.

Trump appealed to Muslim nations to ensure that "terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil", and announced an agreement with Gulf states to combat financing for extremists.

"A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship! Drive them out of your communities!" Trump said.

The president made no mention of human rights during his visit, and in the speech insisted: "We are not here to lecture -- we are not here to tell other people how to live."

In another move sure to please his hosts, Trump accused Saudi Arabia's regional rival Shiite Iran of fuelling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror".

"Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it," Trump said.

Some 35 heads of state and government from Muslim-majority countries were in Riyadh for the Arab Islamic American Summit, mainly from Sunni states friendly to Saudi Arabia.

- Iran 'spearhead of terrorism' -

Much of the focus was on countering what Gulf states see as the threat from Iran, which opposes Saudi Arabia in a range of regional conflicts from Syria to Yemen.

Introducing Trump, Saudi King Salman called Iran "the spearhead of global terrorism" and also vowed to "eliminate the Islamic State group".

Washington is leading a coalition battling IS, a Sunni Muslim jihadist organisation, in Syria and Iraq, and Trump said he would hold a press conference "in about two weeks" on how the US is faring in the battle.

Trump's speech was touted as a major event -- along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world by Obama in Cairo in 2009.

It was especially sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administration's attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and his previous remarks, including a 2015 statement that "Islam hates us".

Reacting to Trump's address, the Council on American Islamic Relations said "one speech cannot outweigh years of anti-Muslim rhetoric", and urged "concrete actions... to reset relations with the Muslim world".

Trump was welcomed warmly in Riyadh, where he and first lady Melania Trump were given an extravagant reception.

The first day saw the announcement of hundreds of billions of dollars in trade deals, welcome news for Trump as he faces mounting troubles at home.

Among the agreements was an arms deal worth almost $110 billion with Saudi Arabia, described as the largest in US history.

On Sunday he met Arab leaders including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Bahrain's King Hamad.

- Warm talks with 'friend' Sisi -

The meeting with Sisi -- an avowed fan -- was especially warm, and Trump said he would "absolutely" be putting Egypt on his list of countries to visit "very soon".

Trump called Sisi "my friend", and Sisi said the US president was "capable of doing the impossible", to which Trump responded: "I agree!"

Trump, who travels on Monday to Israel and the Palestinian territories before visiting the Vatican, Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings, is taking his first steps on the world stage as he faces increasing scandal at home.

The past week has included the announcement that James Comey, the former FBI chief fired by Trump, has agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the US elections.

Reports have also emerged that Trump called Comey "a nut job" and that the FBI has identified a senior White House official as a "significant person of interest" in its probe of Russian meddling.
Riyadh (AFP) - US President Donald Trump made a 30-minute speech on Sunday in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on his first foreign visit since taking office.

Trump's speech, preceded by a traditional Koranic reading, held Iran responsible for global extremism, urged the international community to isolate Iran and called on Arab and Muslim states to freeze channels of funding for groups including the Sunni Muslim Islamic State and Shiite Hezbollah.

Here are key highlights:

- Trump said some $400 billion in agreements signed this weekend with Saudi Arabia would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in both countries.

"This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defence purchase. And we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defence companies, the greatest anywhere in the world. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a far greater role in security and operations having to do with security."

- Trump said Muslim-majority states should take the lead in combating extremism: "A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out. Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities."

- He said: "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil."

"Of course, there is still much work to be done. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds."

- He focused on the financing of extremist groups, and announced plans for a US-Gulf agreement to "prevent the financing of terrorism called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, co-chaired by the United States and Saudi Arabia".

- Trump held Iran responsible for training armed groups in the wars in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, but drew a clear distinction between the "richness and culture" of the Iranian people and the government in Tehran.

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- On Iran, he said: "The government that gives terrorists safe harbour, financial backing... The regime that is responsible for so much instability in that region. I am speaking of course of Iran. From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region... It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this very room."

- Trump called on the international community to isolate Iran: "Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it."

- On refugees, he praised Lebanon and Turkey for accommodating Syrians fleeing war at home: "This region should not be a place from which refugees leave but to which newcomers flock."

- Trump said Arab and Muslim countries had suffered the deadliest toll of radicalism.

- He asked: "Behind every pair of eyes is a soul that yearns for justice and years for peace. Today billions of faces are now looking at us, waiting for us to act on the great questions of our time. Will we be indifferent in the face of evil?"

- Trump concluded with the "promise that America will not seek to impose our way of life on others but to outstretch our hands."
By Ginger Gibson and Julia Harte WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump raised the firing of the FBI director in a meeting with Russia's foreign minister to explain why he had been unable to find areas of cooperation with Moscow, two top administration officials said on Sunday. "The gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news," National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" program. On the "Fox News Sunday" show Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump was also trying to convey to the Russians that he was "not going to be distracted by all these issues at home that affect us domestically." Tillerson and McMaster were present at the May 10 meeting where Trump discussed his firing of James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister and Sergei Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States. The New York Times, citing officials familiar with an internal White House summary of the meeting, reported that Trump referred to Comey as a "nut job" and said his removal would relieve "great pressure" coming from the agency's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Lavrov denied that the subject of Comey came up during the meeting, according to Interfax news agency. Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to provide the U.S. Congress with transcripts of the same meeting to counter reports that Trump also disclosed classified information to Lavrov about a planned Islamic State operation. However, neither McMaster nor Tillerson on Sunday disputed that the subject of Comey's dismissal came up in the meeting with Russian officials. Both said that Trump's remarks had been misinterpreted. A steady drip of revelations about the meeting and the broader issue of Trump administration's ties to Russia have complicated the president's policy agenda and threatened to overshadow his first foreign trip. Trump arrived on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first leg of a nine-day trip and is due to go to Israel on Monday. The trip also includes stops at the Vatican, a NATO meeting in Brussels and the Group of Seven summit in Sicily. Last week, former FBI director Robert Mueller was named special counsel to investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Moscow. Russia has denied any meddling and Trump has said there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia. Two sources told Reuters on Friday the administration was exploring whether it could use an obscure ethics rule to undermine Mueller's investigation. In response, Representative Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, said on Saturday she would introduce legislation aimed at protecting Mueller's probe. U.S. lawmakers from both parties have expressed varying degrees of concern about ties between the Trump administration and Russia and the president's handling of the matter. Republican U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona told "Fox News Sunday" he was left "speechless" by reports of Trump's remarks about Comey in the May 10 meeting. "I don't know how to read it except that, I'm almost speechless because I don't know why someone would say something like that," McCain said, adding that the president should never have met with the Russian officials. Republican Representative Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanolpoulos" show he was trying to obtain notes from the meeting and expected to speak to the former FBI director on Monday. On the same program, Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House panel, called on Chaffetz to subpoena the White House for documents related to the committee's probe into Comey's firing. Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is also examining Russia's role in the election and possible ties to Trump's campaign, in two weeks. Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican on the panel, told CNN's "State of the Union" program on Sunday he would ask the former FBI director whether he ever felt pressured to not do his job. "If any president tries to impede an investigation  any president, no matter who it is  by interfering with the FBI, yes, that would be problematic. That would be not just problematic, it would be obviously a potential obstruction of justice that people have to make a decision on," Rubio said. Rubio emphasized that he will reserve judgment until he has seen all the evidence and heard from sources, including Comey. (Writing by Amanda Becker; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will call for unity in the fight against radicalism in the Islamic world when he speaks in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, characterizing the effort as a "battle between good and evil," the Associated Press reported on Friday, citing a draft of his speech. Trump will avoid the tough anti-Muslim language from his presidential campaign as well as mentions of democracy and human rights, according to the draft speech, which remains subject to revision, the AP reported. We are not here to lecture  to tell other peoples how to live, what to do or who to be. We are here instead to offer partnership in building a better future for us all, the draft address reads, according to AP. It also urges Arab and Muslim leaders to drive out the terrorists from your places of worship, the AP reported. There was no immediate response from the White House to a request for a copy of the speech, which is expected to be delivered in Riyadh, the initial stop on Trump's first international trip since taking office in January. Trump is also scheduled to meet with leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and have lunch with leaders of more than 50 Muslim countries. He is also scheduled to travel to Israel, the Vatican, Belgium and Italy. (Writing by Eric Walsh)
Two people were reportedly killed in Afghanistan and another abducted from a Kabul guesthouse late Saturday, the BBC reported citing a spokesman for the interior ministry.

Among the two people dead, are a German woman and an Afghan guard. The woman abducted meanwhile is reportedly from Finland. This comes after an Australian aid worker was kidnapped in the capital of Afghanistan, last November.

In this latest incident, a third foreigner was rescued and an investigation is underway into the details of the incident, Najib Danish, a spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, said, according to the BBC.

Read: Afghanistan Is One Of The Most Dangerous Countries In The World For American Tourists

Afghanistan, which is in the grip of an ongoing insurgency by the Taliban Islamist militant group, has witnessed several foreigners kidnapped in the past few years.

The British government have warned of a high and constant threat Westerners face of getting kidnapped in Afghanistan. About 100 people have been kidnapped since 2001, reports said.

An Australian woman was seized in Kabul's Qala-e-Fatullah area by unknown gunmen in November 2016 as she was traveling by car with her driver, Basir Mujahid, a spokesperson for Kabul's police chief said at the time, according to CNN. She was released in March.

The woman, who was an Australian citizen of Pakistani descent, worked for the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief. According to the website, it is an "independent body bringing together 135 national and international NGOs working in Afghanistan and abiding by the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity."

In August 2016, two foreign professors  one from the U.S. and the other from Australia  were kidnapped in Kabul. They worked for the American University of Afghanistan, and were on their way to their guesthouse when their vehicle was attacked by gunmen, reports said.

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Australia's foreign ministry said at the time, it was seeking to "verify reports of the kidnapping". "We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation," it said in a statement.

The U.S. state department said it was aware of reports of a U.S. citizen being kidnapped, however, it did not comment further.

In June, an Indian aid worker from the city of Kolkata, West Bengal was kidnapped in Kabul, reports said. She worked for the non-profit, Aga Khan Development Network, which worked in rural development, health, education and civil society programs.

In April, another Australian aid worker was abducted, this time in the city of Jalalabad in Afghanistan's east. She was the director of the non-profit, Zardozi, which helped poor women start their own businesses .

In May 2016, the U.S. Embassy had issued a strongly worded warning for U.S. citizens in Kabul about foreigners getting kidnapped frequently. An American citizen's narrow escape from an attempted abduction in downtown Kabul prompted the warning from the U.S. Embassy.

The threat of kidnapping and hostage-taking continues to be very high, the embassy said in a statement posted on its website. It added that the attempted kidnapping targeted several expatriates, including an American citizen, who were riding in an aid groups vehicle.

The statement added: "The U.S. Embassy continues to take this threat seriously and advises U.S. citizens to take appropriate security precautions and to avoid predictable travel patterns within Afghanistan."

The Afghan police believe the purpose behind the majority of the kidnappings of foreigners is ransom, and these are carried out by criminal gangs. It is feared these criminal groups could sell their hostages to extremist organizations, the New York Times reported.

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cameronabadi

With news that Sweden has ended its investigation into sexual assault allegations leveled against Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder enters a new, uncertain legal landscape with U.S. authorities still eyeing his prosecution.

Long a thorn in Washingtons side for his relentless campaign to publish sensitive government documents, Trump administration officials have in recent months signaled that they plan to pursue and perhaps seek Assanges arrest.

The end of the Swedish investigation and the lifting of a European arrest warrant presents American prosecutors with a series of tough decisions about how  and whether  to pursue the case against Assange.

While a grand jury investigation of Assange has never been officially confirmed, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said that the WikiLeaks founders arrest remains a priority, and a federal inquiry is widely assumed to be underway by prosecutors in Virginia. In April, CIA Director Mike Pompeo slammed WikiLeaks as a hostile intelligence service.

According to a former senior Justice Department official, who requested anonymity to discuss the Assange case, American authorities are now presented with a cat and mouse game.

The decision on whether to indict him rests largely on whether they can get their hands on him, the former official said.

Indicting the head of an organization such as WikiLeaks presents a huge number of First Amendment issues, but the Trump White House has indicated such issues may be less of a hurdle than during previous administrations. Prosecutors could seek a sealed indictmentor may have one alreadyto be unveiled if and when Assange strays within reach of American law enforcement, the former official said.

In the short term, the announcement by Swedish authorities represents a clear victory for Assange, who was never charged by prosecutors there but was wanted for questioning. Fearing that he may be extradited from Sweden to face charges in the United States, Assange sought asylum in Ecuadors London embassy in 2012 and has been holed up for five years.

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While today was an important victory and important vindication, the road is far from over, Assange said from the embassy balcony on Friday. The war, the proper war, is just commencing.

Police in London said they will still arrest Assange, if he leaves the embassy, on charges of failing to appear before a judge.

In fact, Swedish prosecutors did not vindicate Assange. I can conclude, based on the evidence, that probable cause for this crime still exists, chief prosecutor Marianne Ny told reporters in Stockholm.

All prospects of pursuing the investigation are now exhausted, she said in a statement explaining the decision to lift the arrest warrant and to end the investigation of Assange.

President Donald Trump, who touted WikiLeaks on the campaign trail when it disseminated documents stolen from the computer systems of the Democratic Party and its operatives, has lately turned against the organization.

After declaring I love WikiLeaks! as a candidate, he told the Associated Press in April, I dont support or unsupport the actions of Assange. Asked whether Assanges arrest represents a priority, Trump said it wasnt his call: If Jeff Sessions wants to do it, its OK with me.

According to American intelligence officials, Russian operatives orchestrated the operation, though Assange has denied have any links to the Kremlin. But the hack and subsequent publication of those emails has become part a sprawling FBI investigation of the presidential election and whether any Trump aides colluded with the Russian government.

Prosecuting Assange could prove tricky. Obama administration lawyers worried indicting Assange would open the door to prosecuting journalists at mainstream news outlets as well.

Whether the Trump administration would be willing to pursue legal arguments that may establish precedents making it easier to go after media outlets and risk controversy represents yet another question mark hanging over Assanges future.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Friday scrambled two Air Force fighter jets to escort an American Airlines flight into Honolulu International Airport after a disturbance was reported on board, a Pacific Command spokesman said.

Neither the military nor American Airlines immediately disclosed the nature of the disturbance, but local news media reported that a passenger had tried to force his way into the cockpit of the Honolulu-bound flight from Los Angeles.

HawaiiNewsNow, a consortium of three television network affiliates, cited unnamed sources as saying the man was Turkish and had earlier breached security at Los Angeles International Airport but "was assessed and allowed to board" the flight anyway.

Details of those media reports could not be immediately confirmed by Reuters.

American Airlines confirmed that the crew of Flight 31 from Los Angeles to Honolulu had requested that law enforcement meet the aircraft, an Airbus A321, upon landing due to an unspecified "disturbance during the flight."

The airline said its plane landed safely at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time.

The incident also prompted Pacific Command to dispatch a pair of F-22 fighter jets to intercept the passenger plane.

"The F-22s escorted the airliner to the airport in accordance with homeland defense procedures. Local law enforcement responded once the civilian airliner was on the ground," said Commander Dave Benham.

Another Pacific Command officer told Reuters the two fighter jets belonged to the Air Force. Neither would elaborate on the nature of the disturbance or name of the airline.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; editing by Diane Craft and Cynthia Osterman)
By Reem Shamseddine and Katie Paul RIYADH (Reuters) - U.S. and Saudi Arabian companies signed business deals worth tens of billions of dollars on Saturday during a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, as Riyadh seeks help to develop its economy beyond oil. National oil firm Saudi Aramco said it signed $50 billion of agreements with U.S. firms. Energy minister Khalid al-Falih said deals involving all companies totaled over $200 billion, many of them designed to produce things in Saudi Arabia that had previously been imported. Business leaders on both sides were keen to demonstrate their talks had been a success, so there was an element of showmanship in the huge numbers. Some deals had been announced previously; others were memorandums of understanding that would require further negotiations to materialize. Nevertheless, the deals illustrated Saudi Arabia's hunger for foreign capital and technology as it tries to reduce its dependence on oil exports. Low oil prices in the past couple of years have slowed the economy to a crawl and saddled the government with a big budget deficit. "We want foreign companies to look at Saudi Arabia as a platform for exports to other markets," Falih told a conference attended by dozens of U.S. executives. In March, Saudi Arabia's King Salman toured Asia and his delegation signed similar agreements worth tens of billions of dollars there, including deals worth as much as $65 billion in China. FUNDSEven as it sought U.S. investment on Saturday, Riyadh made two announcements on plans to deploy its own financial reserves for projects that would cement economic ties with the United States. The Public Investment Fund, Riyadh's main sovereign wealth fund, and U.S. private equity firm Blackstone said they were studying a proposal to create a $40 billion vehicle to invest in infrastructure projects, mainly in the United States. The vehicle would obtain $20 billion from the PIF and with additional debt financing, might invest in over $100 billion of infrastructure projects - a political boon to Trump, who has said he wants to rebuild crumbling U.S. infrastructure. Meanwhile the world's largest private equity fund, backed by the PIF, Japan's Softbank Group and other investors including U.S. firms Apple Inc and Qualcomm, said on Saturday it had raised over $93 billion to invest in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Much of the Softbank Vision Fund's money is likely to be invested in the United States, helping Riyadh obtain access to technology that it could use to diversify its economy. Top Saudi economic policy makers, including the finance minister and head of the kingdom's main sovereign wealth fund, described investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia to the conference on Saturday. Saudi officials said they aimed to prepare new, streamlined rules covering direct investment by foreign firms within 12 months. Among the deals signed on Saturday, GE said it reached $15 billion of agreements involving almost $7 billion of goods and services from GE itself. They ranged from the power and healthcare sectors to the oil and gas industry and mining. Jacobs Engineering will form a joint venture with Aramco to manage business projects in the kingdom, and McDermott International will transfer some of its ship fabrication facilities from Dubai to a new shipbuilding complex which Aramco will build within Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, one of the world's biggest military spenders, is keen to develop a domestic arms industry rather than import weapons, so several deals were in military industries. Lockheed Martin said it would support the final assembly and completion of an estimated 150 S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters in Saudi Arabia. (Additional reporting by Marwa Rashad and Celine Aswad; Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Andrew Roche and Chizu Nomiyama)
Uber employee Anthony Levandowski is at the center of the ride-sharing services current legal battle with competitor Waymo. But now, Levandowski has another potential adversary against him: his own company. Uber said in a letter to Levandowski that if he did not follow the courts orders, the company could take action that could include firing him, the New York Times reports.

Via TechCrunch, the letter, which was sent May 15, requested that Levandowski either confirm he never took documents from Waymo or that he hand over any documents within his possession. Levandowski, who is not directly being sued, has so far claimed his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination during the case.

Read: Elon Musk Turned Down Tesla-Uber Partnership Offer Made By Travis Kalanick, New Book Says

Below is an excerpt from the letter:

[A]s you know, your employment at Uber is on an at-will basis. See A. Levandowski Employment Agreement, Aug. 17, 2016  5(a) (August 17, 2016 Employment Agreement). As a condition of your employment at Uber, you must comply with all of the requirements set forth in this letter. If you do not agree to comply with all of the requirements set forth herein, or if you fail to comply in a material manner, then Uber will take adverse employment action against you, which may include termination of your employment and such termination would be for Cause. If you comply with these requirements, your employment at Uber will continue on an at- will basis. For the avoidance of doubt, Uber retains the sole right to determine whether you are in compliance with the requirements set forth above.

The move is the latest turn in a winding case involving Uber, Levandowski and Waymo, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet. Levandowski previously worked as a Google engineer before leaving to form self-driving truck startup Otto last year and Otto was then purchased by Uber. However, Waymo accused Uber of working with Levandowski to steal confidential documents relating to Waymos self-driving car efforts and brought a case against the company earlier this year.

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While Uber earlier conceded that Levandowski took Waymo documents, the company has steadfastly denied that any information from the documents was used in its self-driving car development. Levandowski has also made several recent concessions in light of the case, including stepping away from Ubers work on LiDAR implementations, which plays a central role in self-driving technology.

Read: DOJ Investigating Uber Over Greyballing Issue

For many tech companies, self-driving car technology has been a major point of emphasis. Companies ranging from Apple to Lyft have all invested significant resources into research and development for their own autonomous technology, in hopes of getting to market first.

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By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland RIYADH (Reuters) - Under political fire at home, U.S. President Donald Trump sealed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia on Saturday on his maiden foreign trip as he struggled to shift attention from the aftermath of his firing of the director of the FBI. The arms deal, plus other investments that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said could total up to $350 billion, was the central achievement of Trump's first day in Riyadh, first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe. Speaking to journalists after a ceremony to exchange agreements, Trump said it was a "tremendous day" and spoke of "hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs. So I would like to thank all of the people of Saudi Arabia." King Salman gave Trump a remarkably warm greeting, meeting him at the steps of Air Force One on arrival, shaking the hand of Trump's wife, Melania, riding with Trump in his limousine and spending most of the day with him. But the political turmoil back in Washington consumed the headlines in the United States and cast a long shadow over the start of Trump's trip, which will include stops in Israel, the Vatican, Italy and Belgium. His firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey on May 9 and the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Trump's 2016 presidential election campaign ties to Russia have raised the question of whether he tried to squelch a probe into allegations of a Russian connection. Fanning the flames was a New York Times report that Trump had called Comey a "nut job" in a private meeting last week in the Oval Office with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and ambassador Sergei Kislyak. The Times quoted briefing notes of the conversation. Amid a mood of frustration, officials on board Trump's Riyadh-bound presidential plane scrambled to coordinate on responding to the story with staff in Washington and those who had just landed in the Saudi capital. Asked for a response, the White House said that for national security reasons, "we do not confirm or deny the authenticity of allegedly leaked classified documents." Russia's Interfax news agency on Saturday quoted Lavrov as saying he had not discussed Comey with Trump. "We did not touch this issue at all," the minister said. In another development, the Washington Post said a White House official close to Trump was a significant "person of interest" in the investigation into possible ties with Russia. Tillerson, asked about the story, said he did not know who the "person of interest" was. Against that backdrop, Trump soldiered through a long day of diplomacy. Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir called the results of Trump's meetings with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz "the beginning of a turning point" between the United States, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies. Both he and Tillerson made clear the arms deal was aimed at countering Iran on a day that Hassan Rouhani was re-elected as Iran's president. Tillerson said Rouhani should use his second term to end Iran's ballistic missile testing and stop promoting extremism in a volatile region. He said he had no plans to talk to his Iranian counterpart but that he in all likelihood he would do so "at the right time." Al-Jubeir said Trump and King Salman agreed that action had to be taken to ensure Iran did not continue "aggressive policies in the region." Trump's trip has been billed by the White House as a chance to visit places sacred to three of the world's major religions, while giving him time to meet with Arab, Israeli and European leaders. CONTRAST WITH OBAMA VISIT King Salman gave a more favorable welcome to Trump than he had granted last year to Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, who was seen in the Arab kingdom as soft on Iran and hesitant on Syria. Trump and King Salman seemed at ease with each other, chatting through an interpreter. At the royal al-Yamama palace, the king draped around Trump's neck the King Abdulaziz medal, the country's top civilian honor. At the end of the day, Tillerson and U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, holding swords, were seen participating in a ceremonial dance at Marraba Palace with a Saudi group. As Trump arrived for dinner with the king, a spectacle awaited him: Men dressed in long white turbans and carrying swords swayed and chanted in unison to beating drums in a courtyard. Trump, clearly enjoying himself, smiled and swayed, even seeming to dance a little at the center of the group. SYRIAN CIVIL WAR During their conversation earlier in the day, the king was overheard lamenting the Syrian war. Trump ordered air strikes against a Syrian airfield in April in response to a chemical weapons attack by government forces against civilians. "Syria too used to be one of the most advanced countries. We used to get our professors from Syria. They served our kingdom. Unfortunately, they too brought destruction to their own country. You can destroy a country in mere seconds, but it takes a lot of effort," he said. Trump's response could not be heard. The arms package includes a pledge by the kingdom to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia, in a $6 billion deal expected to result in about 450 jobs in the kingdom. National oil giant Saudi Aramco was also expected to sign $50 billion of deals with U.S. companies on Saturday, part of a drive to diversify the kingdom's economy beyond oil exports, Aramco's chief executive Amin Nasser said. U.S. technology and engineering conglomerate GE said it had signed $15 billion of agreements with Saudi organizations. Trump is to deliver a speech in Riyadh on Sunday aimed at rallying Muslims in the fight against Islamist militants. He will also attend a summit of Gulf leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. Shortly after taking office, Trump sought to block people from several Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States, but the travel ban has been blocked by federal courts. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Jeff Mason; editing by Sami Aboudi, Andrew Roche and Grant McCool)
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United Russia, the party of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, has completed a report into how U.S. media outlets tried to influence Russias Sept. 2016 regional elections.

The report alleges that three outlets  specifically, Radio Svoboda (the Russian service of Radio Free Europe), Voice of America, and CNN  tried to influence Russias domestic politics. The report said that positive coverage was only given to opposition parties, when there was any coverage at all; Leonid Levin, head of the Duma committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications, said only two percent of political coverage could be considered positive at all.

Levin found that the media coverage was part of a large U.S. system to influence Russias internal politics. Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of Russias Liberal Democratic Party, is calling for a closed door meeting on the matter with the head of the FSB, Russias state security service.

On the one hand, the outlets accused of meddling in Russian domestic politics make a certain sense  Radio Svoboda and Voice of America are both backed by the U.S. government (and, as anyone following Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharovas Facebook posts knows, CNN is, at present, considered the lowest of the low by Russian authorities).

On the other hand, it makes no sense at all. As journalist Alexey Kovalev noted on Twitter, CNN doesnt even broadcast in Russia, and VoA/RFERL reach is minuscule  like RTs in the States.

But, then, as the Moscow Times Kevin Rothrock noted, the report could easily be considered a response to U.S. efforts to investigate RT, the Kremlin-backed Russian propaganda outfit. In March, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced a bill to investigate Russian propaganda outlet RT News as a foreign agent. And the FBI has indicated that right-wing media outlets  which often parrot Russian media  are part of its investigation into Moscows manipulation of the 2016 U.S. election.

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Now, turnabout is apparently fair play for Moscow.

USA, Rothrock tweeted, youve yourself to blame.

Photo credit: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images
Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's opposition vowed to stage its biggest protests yet on Saturday in its drive for elections to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power in a deadly political crisis.

Clashes at street demos have left 47 people dead since the protests erupted on April 1, according to prosecutors, who on Friday updated an earlier toll of 43.

"On day 50 of the resistance we will make the biggest show of strength so far in this period," said Juan Andres Mejia, one of a group of lawmakers leading the demonstrations, of Saturday's planned demonstrations.

He told a news conference that the new rallies aim "to show those who think they have made us retreat that we are more active than ever."

Protests erupted across the country in anger at Maduro's handling of an economic and political crisis in the country, which has vast oil reserves.

In near-daily clashes, military police with armored trucks have fired tear gas and water cannons to break up the crowds.

Masked youths have responded by hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails.

The government and the opposition have accused each other of sending armed groups to sow violence in the protests.

Many of those reported killed have been shot dead, according to the public prosecution service.

Protesters blame Maduro for shortages of food and medicine and accuse him of trying to cling to power.

Elected in 2013, Maduro has accused the opposition of plotting a coup against him with US backing. He has said general elections will be held next year as scheduled but not before.

Private opinion surveys indicate Maduro is highly unpopular, but he retains the backing of the military and control of most state institutions.

His Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Wednesday the government was sending troops to the western region of Tachira to quell violence there.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said the crisis risked escalating into a civil conflict.

Diplomatic tensions rose on Thursday when the US Treasury slapped sanctions on eight members of Venezuela's Supreme Court, accusing them of "usurping" legislative powers in Maduro's support.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the sanctions were proof the US was playing a role in "the destabilization of Venezuela."
Over the years, the airline industry across the world has witnessed several tragic plane crashes, some of which have perplexed both aviation experts and the public.

From Amelia Earhart's ill-fated flight to the unsolved mystery behind the disappearance of Malaysia Airline Flight MH370, aviation authorities have faced several challenges over the years despite an improvement in flight tracking systems and specialized technologies to track pings from black boxes.

Here are few unsolved airline mysteries  in no particular order  that kept investigators clueless for years.

Amelia Earhart: The hunt for Amelia Earharts long-lost plane never really found a closure as the plane carrying the aviation pioneer and her navigator, Fred Noonan, went missing on June 1, 1937, as the two left Miami, Florida in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. It is believed that Earharts twin-engine Lockheed Electra crash-landed in the Pacific Ocean somewhere near their target destination of Howland Island.

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) has made the most significant strides in the search trying to make sense of Earharts mysterious disappearance. The group has been combing a remote South Pacific island called Nikumaroro since 1989, which many experts believe could be the resting point of Earhart and Noonan's plane. Some of the items collected by the group include improvised tools, shoe remnants and aircraft wreckage that experts believe are consistent with Earharts Electra.

The most compelling development in the case was made in 2014, when searchers reportedly identified a piece of the missing aircraft near an atoll in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, making it the first time a piece of wreckage found had been recognized as a fragment from Earharts plane, according to Discovery. TIGHAR linked the fragment with a patch of metal that was installed on Earharts plane. The government reportedly spent more than $4 million looking for Earhart. In January of 1939, Earhart was officially declared dead.

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Flying Tiger Line Flight 739: This was a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation propliner chartered by the U.S. military that disappeared on March 16, 1962, over the Western Pacific Ocean. The aircraft was transporting 93 U.S. soldiers and 3 South Vietnamese from Travis Air Force Base, California to Saigon, Vietnam. There were 11 crew members on board the plane. An eight-day search for the missing plane yielded no concrete clues as to the whereabouts of the jet or the people on board, following which the search operations were called off. A total of 48 aircraft and 8 sea vessels scoured over 200,000 square miles of the ocean to locate the jet.

Flight MH370: On March 8, 2014, Malaysian Airline Flight MH370, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, went missing with 239 people on board. Just hours after the plane lost contact with air traffic control, a search operation was launched to find the plane. Little was known at the time that the incident would end up becoming one of the greatest mysteries of aviation history. The plane went off the radar while traveling over the southern Indian Ocean. Investigators concluded that the plane may have crashed in a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean. Despite efforts that continued for more than two years, no trace of the plane or the people on board has been found till date.

mh370 update

Photo: Getty Images/RICHARD BOUHET/AFP

The disappearance of Flight MH370 has now become the costliest search in aviation history with authorities spending an estimated $150 million. Malaysia, China, and Australia conducted the search for the plane but the hunt was called off earlier this year. While authorities of the tripartite nation faced criticism from the families of those on board the jet, Australias Transport Minister Darren Chester said that the cost of the search was not the reason for calling off the search.

While the mystery behind what happened to Flight MH370 continues to linger, there have been several conspiracy theories that made the round just after the jet went missing, including claims of a cockpit fire, of a rogue pilot, and also hijack.

Bermuda Triangle Incidents: Over the past centuries, planes have disappeared or met with fatal accidents in the triangular area on the Atlantic Ocean known as Bermuda Triangle. The most shocking incident of all was in 1945 when five training flights that took off from Florida naval base disappeared while flying over the Bermuda Triangle. Despite search efforts, the planes and those on board were never found. In fact, a Martin Mariner flying boat that was sent for the search operation also went missing.

Many experts have tried to solve the mystery as to while planes and ships disappeared while traveling through the area. However, the reason behind the disappearances still remains unknown with only conspiracy theories, including electronic fog engulfing an aircraft, hurricanes destroying aircraft, or just simple human error.

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Uber is unveiling a series of steps aimed at restoring confidence in the scandal-plagued ridesharing giant (AFP Photo/JUSTIN SULLIVAN) (GETTY/AFP/File)

San Francisco (AFP) - Uber is expanding into a new field with a version of its on-demand ride application that lets truckers book cargo hauls with simple taps on smartphones.

Uber Freight rolling out in the US was touted by the company as an app that matches truckers or trucking companies with loads, and streamlines payments.

"We take the guesswork out of finding and booking freight, which is often the most stressful part of a driver's day," Uber said in a blog post available online Friday.

"What used to take several hours and multiple phone calls can now be achieved with the touch of a button."

San Francisco-based Uber made no mention of its efforts in self-driving vehicles, particularly trucks for cargo or deliveries.

Uber acquired commercial transport-focused tech startup Otto late last year as the company pressed ahead with its pursuit of self-driving technology.

- Giants watching -

Some $7.7 billion in funding was pumped into supply chain and logistics companies last year, according to industry tracker CB Insights.

UPS and FedEx were described as the two most active big logistics corporates investing in or acquiring private companies involved with applying new technologies to the trucking business.

"Uber's new Freight app more directly targets the trucking brokerage market, although logistics couriers like UPS and FedEx are surely watching with interest," said CB Insights senior research analyst Kerry Wu.

The convoy of companies investing or acquiring trucking technology included Lineage Logistics; XPO Logistics, and C.H. Robinson Worldwide, according to CB Insights.

"Investment to the industry can broadly be explained by the potential for efficiencies gained via structured processes and digitization," CB Insights analyst Alex Paci said in comment provided by email.

"The industry has repeatedly been described as a 'pencil and paper' business, and disorganization exists from procurement to freight-forwarding to last-mile delivery."

Story continues

Amazon some time back launched its own fleet of cargo trucks and rumors began buzzing that the online retail colossus was making moves to become a full-scale logistics company, controlling movement of goods every step of the way.

- Brakes on brokers -

Uber Freight offered to spare truckers from needing to go through brokers or other middle-men for cargo-hauling jobs. A video ad online showed Uber smartphone applications being used to sign-on for loads, track cargo in real-time, and get paid.

"Uber appears to be pitching Freight heavily towards carriers and truckers themselves, citing increased earning potential and greater flexibility," said analyst Wu.

"The company certainly has the reach and capital to become a contender, although it will need to grapple with its ongoing image crises and allocating resources across its growing range of initiatives."

While Uber did not disclose how much it charges to match drivers with loads, it is likely to undercut typical broker commissions to build its business the way it took on the taxi industry with low-priced on-demand car rides.

A number of US startups including Cargomatic and Convoy have gotten a jump on Uber Freight, while established big companies have begun using mobile or desktop computer applications to smooth the road with truckers.

"All the companies in this space are hoping they can upend a traditionally-run, relationship-driven business," said Wu.

"Trucking as a whole has become a hot tech space."
13-year-old boy struck, killed in Idaho Falls

IDAHO FALLS (AP)  Authorities say a 13-year-old boy is dead after being struck by a car in Idaho Falls.

The Bonneville County Sheriffs Office says the boy had been with two other friends when he was struck at about 11:10 p.m. Friday. All three were wearing dark clothing, and authorities say that was a factor in the accident.

The victim, from the Shelley area, was dead at the scene. Neither of the other two juveniles was hurt.

Man pleads guilty in fatal crash on Fort Hall reservation

POCATELLO (AP)  A 19-year-old man is due to be sentenced in August after pleading guilty to federal charges in a drunken driving crash that killed two people on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Prosecutors said 19-year-old Ruben Wounded Head III drank a bottle of rum before plowing his pickup truck into an oncoming sport-utility vehicle in November 2015, killing both of the SUVs occupants. Wounded Head was driving about 60 mph in a 45-mph zone.

He pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

He faces up to eight years in prison when hes sentenced Aug. 2.

Grants Pass, Ore. gun shop owner gets 2 years for illegal sales

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP)  The former owner of a Grants Pass gun shop has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal sales.

Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams says that in 2012, Wilson Lee Clow Jr., who owned 2nd Amendment Guns, sold high-caliber handguns to a known felon and falsified the paperwork related to the sale. Prosecutors also said he sold weapons from his private collection to avoid federal paperwork while maintaining a list of guns for other felons who might buy them.

A jury convicted Clow following a three-day trial last June.

Williams says the sentence should send a message that its crucial for gun dealers to uphold their duties to the community.

Authorities arrest 25 people in meth trafficking ring

CASPER, Wyo. (AP)  Wyoming authorities have arrested 25 people believed to be involved in a methamphetamine trafficking ring.

KTWO-AM reports the people had been arrested Thursday after authorities carried out three search warrants.

The arrests had been part of a region-wide warrant operation.

State authorities have been working with local agencies since December 2016 to combat the illegal transportation, distribution and use of meth throughout southwest Wyoming.

Montana anglers must purchase aquatic invasive species pass

HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Anglers in Montana will need to purchase an aquatic invasive species prevention pass following legislation signed by Gov. Steve Bullock.

The Independent Record reports Bullock signed the bill Thursday. It requires all anglers, including those who have already purchased a fishing license, to buy the prevention pass.

The pass fee is the main funding mechanism of Montanas fight against aquatic invasive species. The bill is in response to last years detection of invasive mussel larvae in Tiber Reservoir and suspected detection in Canyon Ferry Reservoir, which triggered a governors emergency declaration.

Residents have to pay $2 for the pass and non-residents will play $15. The passes are estimated to generate $3.2 million.
Junior Achievement raises money for financial literacy education

Junior Achievement of Idaho partnered with local business leaders and community members in April to Party with a Purpose and raise money for financial literacy education at the 2017 Magic Valley Achieve-A-Bowl. These business leaders had all been fundraising, competing to raise the most money and win great prizes. Junior Achievement of Idaho raised $10,059 during the Achieve-A-Bowl, making it possible to bring the JA curriculum to over 300 Magic Valley students next year. There were 122 bowlers on 24 teams that made these results possible. Junior Achievement couldnt have done it without their statewide presenting sponsors: Washington Federal and Fred Meyer, Bowling Sponsor: Bowladrome.

Junior Achievement is looking for volunteer mentors in communities throughout Idaho so if you would like to get involved, please visit our website at www.JAIdaho.org or give us a call at (208) 375-5243.

St. Lukes supports Girl Scouts of Silver Sage programs

TWIN FALLS  St. Lukes Community Health Improvement Fund has awarded $10,000 to Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council programs. The Outdoor Program and Visions Program each received $5,000 in support of the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character.

The St. Lukes Community Health Improvement Fund focuses on improving the lives of youth by supporting organizations, like Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, that promote life skill development, mentorship, healthy lifestyles, and the prevention of risky behaviors.

Through its Outdoor Program, Girl Scouts of Silver Sage works to improve the health of girls in all regions in which St. Lukes has a presence. The Outdoor Program features fun, interactive outdoor activities that encourage girls to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. The Outdoor Program aligns with St. Lukes long-term objectives to get kids moving and adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid obesity.

Wendell American Legion plans Memorial Day services

WENDELL  American Legion Post 41 is holding Memorial Day services at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Wendell Cemetery and at noon at the South-Central Veterans Park, also in Wendell. The public is invited. A barbecue follows at the post hall, 610 W. Main St.; bring a salad to share if attending the barbecue.

Memorial Day ceremony and flyover in Hailey

HAILEY  The 14th annual Hailey Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Hailey Cemetery to honor the nearly 400 Blaine County veterans laid to rest at the cemetery.

This years theme is In Memory of Many, In Honor of All, Thank you. Join the community gathering in remembrance of the fallen airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines.

The program will include the Mountain Home Air Force Base Honor Guard, Idaho Army National Guard, honored guest speakers, music by Boise Highlander Bagpipers and other musical selections, a presentation by Girls Scouts of Silver Sage, and poem readings.

Four vintage military fighter jets will perform a flyover and missing man tribute at 11:30 a.m. with P-51 Mustangs and Curtiss P-40s from the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. The pilots and aircraft for the flyover are Mark Peterson of Boise and John Maloney of Chino, Calif., P-51 Mustangs; Jim Thomas of Livermore, Calif., P-40E Kittyhawk; and John Hinton of Chino, P-40N Warhawk.

Information: 208-720-7395 or 208-788-2007.

Shoshone School District Pre-School screening

SHOSHONE  Shoshone School District Pre-School eligibility screening for all Shoshone resident 3-5 year old children will be held at Shoshone Elementary, 61 East Highway 24, Shoshone on Thursday, May 28, 5:30-8 p.m. Call the elementary at 886-2381 ext. 138 to set up an appointment. To be eligible for screening child must turn 3 before May 18, 2017. Screening will take approximately 45 minutes.
POCATELLO  Idaho State University graduate student Andrew Dunn spent his undergraduate education studying the ins and outs of the Minidoka Internment Camp. For his graduate thesis, he decided to dig deeper into the history of food inside the internment camp, and how it affected both the camp and the world.

There has been research on military and race relations, but nothing with food has been done, Dunn said. I wanted to look at Minidoka through a different lens.

Dunn received his associates degree in history from College of Southern Idaho, and chose ISU to continue studying history close to Twin Falls. One of his professors at CSI published a book on Minidoka, and Dunn wanted to know more and how to get involved.

I called the National Parks and found out that they had a lot of opportunities to intern, Dunn said. They were short staffed so I got to take a lot more responsibility and have a larger role in projects.

Dunn has now interned with the National Park Service at the Minidoka Internment Camp for three years helping with site management, tours and planning events. He also helps at the annual Minidoka Pilgrimage, where former incarcerees, their families and friends travel to Minidoka to learn, share memories and ask questions about their experiences. Recently Dunn was appointed to the Friends of Minidoka board of directors, the agency which oversees interpretation and projects at Minidoka.

I planned on branching out on a different subject for my masters, but decided to look at the food, Dunn said.

From 1942 to 1945, more than 110,000 Japanese-Americans were removed from their homes in the Pacific Northwest and sent to live in internment camps after Pearl Harbor. The government saw them as a threat to the military and too dangerous to live on the west coast.

The internment camps were placed on undeveloped federal lands in the Midwest so the Japanese-Americans could help develop the land.

The Minidoka Internment Camp was located across 33,000 acres in Jerome County and housed 13,000 people. At first, surrounding communities didnt want the Japanese-Americans there because they thought if they were too dangerous to be on the west coast then they were too dangerous for the local communities.

Although the local residents initially said no, they realized they needed to utilize the free labor. Japanese-Americans also helped teach locals the techniques they used on their farms. Dunn said government records give them credit for helping the United States persevere during the war.

The Japanese-Americans helped save sugar and the food supply in the country, Dunn said. Without them, there would be no food to go overseas, and not enough sugar to be used for bombs or ammunition.

There were limited rations given at the internment camp, and residents had to make their own food. They became completely self-sustainable and had crops, and hog and poultry farms. They would also trade with camps in Utah for beef. Some records show they created their own tofu plant in Minidoka, which was one of the most popular foods they ate at home.

They needed enough food to eat and also be able to hold onto their culture, Dunn said. Food history can be a means of cultural and social history, and helps us better understand how relationships evolved.

Dunn is also looking into how being in the camp demolished the family structure. Families never sat down to eat as a family while at camp, because children ran to sit with their friends in the dining hall. Dunn said that this didnt change once families left the camp.

For more information about the Minidoka Internment Camp, visit nps.gov/miin. To get involved with any current or future projects at the site, contact Dunn at dunnandr@isu.edu.
Thirty-three companies and higher education institutions took part in a career fair on March 30 at Kimberly High School. The event showcased companies and careers for five area schools: Buhl, Kimberly, Valley, Murtaugh and Hansen. Buhl High School juniors and Kimberly High School seniors participated in a career challenge at the fair while the junior classes of Kimberly, Valley, Murtaugh and Hansen attended presentations from Idaho Higher Education Institutions.
KETCHUM  The Sun Valley Center for the Arts has awarded over $800,000 in scholarships over the past 19 years. In 2017 The Center gave 28 scholarships to Wood River Valley residents.

This year, Kim Aranda received the Ezra Pound Award, a grant made possible through the generosity of Jennifer Wilson and given each year to a Blaine County high school junior for summer study. Aranda will use the funds to study visual arts at the Arts University of Bournemouth in London, England.

Nineteen high school students received Arts and Humanities Scholarships to attend a wide variety of summer programs. Several students will use their awards to pursue music lessons with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony School of Music, while others will travel to programs around the country including The New School Jazz Program, Maine College of Art, SOCAPA Advanced Filmmaking, Carnegie-Mellon School of Drama and the University of Idaho Design Week.

This years Gay V. Weake Award, which supports college students majoring in the arts and humanities, was given to Lemuel Reagan. Reagan attends Boise State University and is persuring a theatre major and dance minor. Five former Gay V. Weake recipients had their awards renewed to continue their college studies: Pierson Carlsen (2016), Ashlie Pulleiro (2015), Haylee Pettit (2015), Caleb Garvin (2014) and Chase England (2013).

For more information about The Centers scholarship program or get involved, please visit www.sunvalleycenter.org/scholarships or call 208.726.9491.
TWIN FALLS  Sometimes students just need a little guidance to help them succeed in college.

The College of Southern Idahos Bridge to Success program, which starts in June for its second summer, is one way students find success.

It helps first-time, degree-seeking students get started with their college education, and works with them until they graduate.

The program fits in with a bigger focus across Idaho: helping more students complete education beyond high school to meet workforce needs.

These students are ones that may have not even been thinking about college, but their success has been terrific, said John Hughes, CSIs associate dean of student success.

It caught the attention of the state legislature, which appropriated $132,000 this session for the program.

It will allow CSI to hire a full-time program coordinator, hire summer adjunct instructors and help pay for other costs including textbooks.

Plus, CSI recently received two other one-year grants for the program: $20,000 from Idaho National Laboratory and Idaho STEM Action Center to help pay for instructional costs, and $25,000 from the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium to provide 16 scholarships to program participants.

Next summer, CSI hopes to expand the Bridge to Success program to two off-campus centers: Mini-Cassia and Jerome.

Last summer, 14 of the program participants were from Mini-Cassia and were bused to the Twin Falls campus.

The retention rate among students in the first Bridge to Success cohort hovers around 76 percent. And over three semesters, they have logged an average GPA of nearly 3.0.

A lot of students are on track to graduate next spring, Hughes said. That means within two years theyre finishing their degree or certificate, which is remarkable.

That compares with three to three-and-a-half years for the overall CSI student population, he said.

Bridge to Success students receive advising and mentoring throughout their college years, and participate in activities every semester.

This years new cohort begins an intensive 10-week program June 5 at CSIs Twin Falls campus. More than 70 students applied and about 50 have committed to participating.

No students are denied. We take as many as we can fund, Hughes said.

Students will take anywhere from six to eight credits this summer, generally two classes, depending on which math class theyre taking.

Most students pay about $150 for the program  which has a $1,700 value  plus a $25 orientation fee. Need-based scholarships are offered through the CSI Foundation.

Hughes gave the CSI board an update Monday on the programs successes. Of 29 students who participated last summer, 23 finished this years spring semester.

The success rate of students in the program trumped our regular students, CSI President Jeff Fox told college trustees Monday.

The idea for Bridge for Success resulted from CSI officials looking at math success rates among students.

We were concerned that math was a barrier to students earning their degree, Hughes said.

Bridge for Success began with a focus on students interested in pursuing a science, technology, engineering or math-related degree.

Really, the focus of the summer piece is to get students math ready or to complete their math class, Hughes said.

This summer, the program will still help STEM students, but has expanded to help students pursuing other degrees as well, including in trade and industry programs such as diesel technology and welding.

Thats been pretty neat, Hughes said. It allows us to really start to look at high-need programs and specifically recruiting for that.
TWIN FALLS  The College of Southern Idaho will offer a plumbing apprenticeship program starting this fall in Mini-Cassia and Blaine County, the college announced.

Its an expansion of the colleges workforce training center apprenticeship program.

The plumbing apprenticeship will allow working community members the opportunity to advance in the career field. It will include a combination of night classes and on-the-job training with a licensed journeyman.

This four-year program requires participants to attend 144 hours of classroom training per year and 8,000 hours of work experience.

Apprentices take classes in math for plumbing, blueprint reading, drafting techniques, welding and safety practices.

Passing classes and completing a journeymans license exam will allow participants to be recognized as a well-qualified professional in the plumbing industry.

Applicants must be 16 or older and employed by a licensed plumbing contractor. Classes begin in August.

For more information or to register, contact CSI apprentice coordinator Katrina Oksten at 208-732-6382.
TWIN FALLS  In December and January, southern Idaho was hit with frigid temperatures and, in some areas, record-breaking amounts of snow.

Then came the flooding.

The second week of February, warm weather led to extensive snowmelt. Families had to evacuate their homes. Schools closed. Fields were submerged. And roads were closed as some were covered in water or even ripped apart.

Now, cities and highway districts whose roads were cracked or washed away have to deal with a multimillion-dollar question important to taxpayers and to anyone dodging potholes as they drive: Who will pay to fix the roads?

Local budget-writers hope the federal government will pick up much of the cost.

It was good to see the disaster declaration approved by the president, Jerome City Administrator Mike Williams said. We just dont know what it means for us quite yet. Were hopeful itll mean additional funding for small towns like us. Theres a lot of highway districts and small towns and cities around us that are eager for some assistance as well.

On April 21, President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration covering the February flooding in 11 Idaho counties, including Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls, making local governments there eligible for some federal assistance to help pay for infrastructure damage caused by the flooding.

Hopefully its enough to cover a majority of the roads that were identified to be fixed this year, Williams said.

Seventy road miles in the Buhl Highway District were damaged, said district Director John Zamora. The worst hit, he said, were River Road where it crosses Deep Creek, and the Balanced Rock grade crossing. The concrete box culvert over Deep Creek washed out, taking 25 feet of River Road with it.

If were going to mitigate damages from happening again, which we try to do, were looking at about $700,000, he said. Maybe $750,000.

All of the damage could be eligible for some of the $50 million the state has allocated for road repairs, Zamora said, and some of it will be eligible for federal aid as well.

The Legislature approved $52 million in emergency funding this year, of which $2 million is already being spent by the Office of Emergency Management on immediate needs such as sandbags. The rest is for infrastructure repair.

Take Rupert, for instance, which faces $2.4 million to $2.5 million in road repairs.

City Administrator Kelly Anthon estimates about $425,000 of this could qualify for federal help because it can be tied directly to the February flooding. Some of the needed repairs, though, are due to either deferred maintenance from years past or other weather-related damage that isnt covered by the federal disaster declaration.

Areas in town that were in bad shape also got flooded, Anthon said. When we talk about the $2.5 (million), there was damage to some of those roads long before the winter took place.

Anthon, who is also a state senator, said Rupert will apply for some of the state road repair money, too. But he doesnt know how much the city will get, as other communities are similarly situated and many state highways were damaged this winter.

Ive never believed that the $52 million is really adequate, he said.

Millions in damage

An initial assessment in April showed $30 million in infrastructure damage in the Magic Valley and Mini-Cassia areas, Gov. C.L. Butch Otters press office said.

Applications for federal aid need to be in by May 22, and earlier this month state Recovery Coordinator Jarod Dick was traveling the Magic Valley to brief local officials on what to do. For local governments, Dick told a group in Jerome, the federal government would pick up 75 percent of the cost of approved projects, with the state kicking in 15 percent and the city, county or highway district expected to provide the rest.

Private nonprofits that provide critical public safety or utility services, such as canal companies, are also eligible. However, they would have to provide the full 25 percent non-federal share without help from the state.

The disaster declaration makes aid available to help repair only public infrastructure, not private property damage, although some businesses and homeowners with damage claims might be eligible for low-interest Small Business Administration loans.

The federal disaster money can be used only for road projects for which there isnt any other funding; it cant be used to fix a road that is eligible for Federal Highway Administration grants, for example. Generally, the money can be used only to restore something to what it was before the floods.

A gravel road cant become a paved road, Dick told a group in Twin Falls.

However, there is a hazard mitigation grant program that can be used for improvements, said Lorrie Pahl, mitigation planner with the state Office of Emergency Management. For example, you could use that money to replace a culvert with a bigger one, or to elevate a road when you repair it. The deadline to apply for that is also May 22.

Local mitigation projects will compete with projects elsewhere in the 11 counties that are part of the federal disaster area, said Twin Falls County Emergency Management Director Jackie Frye.

There are no guarantees youre going to get this, she said.

However, Pahl said, even just preparing the applications could be useful when more grant opportunities come along.

You can still resubmit those applications under different programs that are available, she said.

Local budgets

As local governments wait to see how much money they will get, they are also putting together their 2018 budgets; the next fiscal year starts Oct. 1.

Is there any sort of time frame for this? Jerome Public Works Director Walt Appelle asked Dick, noting he is assembling his budget now and the roads will only get worse if not fixed.

Dick said the kickoff meetings to discuss specific projects would be held up to 21 days after the applications are received. But, he said, cities could also get reimbursed for work they do on their own. There isnt a specific time frame, he said, but the goal is to get it funded quickly and get it distributed quickly.

Twin Falls isnt waiting  the City Council voted in April to use $4.4 million in reserves for road repairs. Twin Falls is in a different situation than some cities  its weather-related road damage is mostly from roads freezing, then thawing, as the temperatures swung. In other areas, February flooding directly caused more road damage.

We dont have specific claims for the flooding event, Jon Caton, Twin Falls public works director, said at the briefing with Dick and Twin Falls County highway officials.

As a result, the city wasnt included in the Twin Falls County disaster declaration that led to the federal one, Frye said. And the city isnt eligible for the federal aid.

Williams said Jerome has some money in reserves that could be used for road projects but has been holding off on decisions until it knows how much federal funding will be available. If the city chooses to raise property taxes this year, Williams said, he hopes as much as possible of that would go toward these road projects.

At the end of the day were hoping for all the outside funding we can get, Williams said, but as is normal with street budgets it seems like theres always more demand than there is funding available.

Road repairs have already affected Ruperts city budget  Anthon said the city has been making cuts for the past five years, reducing the number of employees, consolidating departments and putting the savings into road repairs.

Were already squeezing the budget as hard as we can, he said.

By doing this, Anthon said, Rupert has doubled the amount it spends on road repair, to about $175,000 a year now. But it hasnt been enough to catch up, which is part of the City Councils decision to ask for a $3.96 million infrastructure-repair bond issue. Voters approved it last week.

Rupert, unlike some cities, owns its water and sewer utilities and plans to replace them as it fixes the roads, Anthon said. You dont cut open a road unless youre committing to fixing whats underneath.

The federal government generally pays only to restore a road to how it was before, so new water and sewer pipes wouldnt be covered. Anthon said the city is trying to be as creative as possible to pay for these needs, such as looking at what grants are available.

Unless theres a big influx of cash from the state or something like that, he said, were going to do the best we can with the money weve got.

More to come in

Blaine County

The deluge isnt over yet, and its possible more flooding this spring could lead to another federal declaration. In early May the Big Wood River spilled over its banks again, causing additional damage in Blaine and Gooding counties. Lt. Gov. Brad Little, who was acting governor because Otter was out of state, declared emergencies in both counties.

On May 13, Little, Otter and other state disaster officials visited Hailey, to answer questions at a town hall meeting. The worst of the flooding might not be over  the river will likely peak in late May or early June, said Vernon Preston, with the National Weather Service in Pocatello.

When Otter visited, the flooding had already claimed one life, a landscaper who drowned in a basement in Ketchum. A couple of neighborhoods near Ketchum and Hailey had been evacuated  40 Hailey homes were under a mandatory evacuation order.

The city had set up a roadblock on Cedar Street a little west of South Main Street and was allowing only local traffic into the neighborhood. As you got closer to the river, the streets were covered in water, backyards had turned into ponds and some houses were surrounded by sandbags. Signs warned pedestrians not to walk into the water. The neighborhood was quiet, as most of the houses close to the river had been evacuated. But occasionally a truck drove out, splashing water as it headed back toward Cedar.

Otter said he intends to ask for another federal disaster declaration for Blaine County.

The devastation across the state has been tremendous, he said. The infrastructure that weve lost is going to be a long time repairing.
BOISE  While no one yet knows exactly how much federal money will be given out to help pay for infrastructure damage in the Magic Valley, $50 million in state money is available to help cities and highway districts rebuild some of the roads that were damaged this winter.

Competition for it is already heavy.

Lawmakers approved the extra funding in early March, a few weeks after flooding brought on by melting snow wreaked havoc on roads throughout the Magic Valley. While the measure never had any opposition  it passed both the House and Senate unanimously  it lingered on the House calendar for almost three weeks after passing the Senate, held hostage by a larger fight over transportation funding. It passed on the last day of the session.

I applaud the Legislature for putting this money aside, Lt. Gov. Brad Little said in Hailey earlier this month, at a town hall meeting to discuss the flooding in Blaine County.

Of that $52 million, $2 million went right to the Office of Emergency Managements disaster fund and is being used already, said Jon Hanian, spokesman for Gov. C.L. Butch Otter.

Thats snow removal to sandbags, all of that kind of activity, Hanian said. That is being spent as we speak. In fact, some of that, theyre still applying out from previous disasters.

The rest will be given out in three rounds of applications, with the deadline for cities and highway districts to apply for the first round being May 15, the second June 15, and the last July 1. The state will give out $15 million for road projects in each of the first two rounds and the rest in the last.

The state got applications for 180 projects totaling more than $31.6 million by the May 15 deadline, said Office of Emergency Management spokeswoman Elizabeth Duncan.

The applicants are expected to put up 10 percent of the funding for the projects. A panel headed by Office of Emergency Management Deputy Chief Brad Richy and consisting of representatives from the governors office, Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho Association of Cities, Idaho Association of Counties, Association of Highway Districts and Local Highway Technical Assistance Council is making the funding decisions.
SHOSHONE  The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking public input on the proposed construction of a pair of U.S. 20 bridges in Blaine and Camas counties.

The department will hold public open houses Tuesday in Camas County and Wednesday in Blaine County where citizens can view preliminary designs, project illustrations, proposed traffic control plans and other important information about the projects. ITD staff will be on hand to answer questions, and the public can submit written comments at the meetings.

The aim of both projects is to build bridges to replace aging culvert and fill crossings installed in the 1950s. The new bridges would cross Willow Creek, at milepost 164.5 in Camas County, and Rock Creek, at milepost 173 in Blaine County.

The Willow Creek crossing, installed in 1954, has significant deterioration to the existing culvert pipe and is being undermined at each end of the pipe, ITD said. The Rock Creek culvert crossing, installed in 1956, is deteriorating and needs extensive maintenance.

Replacement of both crossings will enhance fish passage by eliminating barriers and increasing access to habitat, ITD said in a statement.

Construction of both crossings could start in late 2018 and take 12 to 18 months to complete.
Stephanie Drewette, 62, of Twin Falls, died Friday, May 19, 2017 at her home. Services are under the direction of Reynolds Funeral Chapel of Twin Falls.

Marjorie A. Caldwell, 91, of Heyburn, passed away Friday May 19, 2017 at her home. Services are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

Doug Lee, 64, of Gooding, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at his home in Gooding. Arrangements are under the direction of Demaray Funeral ServiceGooding Chapel.

Rodney Alan Biser, 63, of Cleveland Texas, passed away on May 16, 2017 at his home in Texas. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park.
TWIN FALLS  New technology at the airport means fewer pat-downs, with less physical contact, at the security checkpoint.

The Joslin Field  Magic Valley Regional Airport began using a body scanner a few weeks ago for passengers departing Twin Falls. The Advanced Imaging Technology will often be used in lieu of a metal detector, and can identify the part of the body where a person may need to be searched.

Airport and Transportation Security Administration personnel say the new equipment is much preferred for travelers who have surgical implants that set off a metal detector.

Its a lot less hassle for people, airport manager Bill Carberry said.

Whats more, you wont have to feel like youre naked  Unlike some of their pre-2013 predecessors, the body scanners TSA uses today do not create x-ray specific images of a traveler.

The image is generic, TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said during a media demonstration Friday. Its the same for every passenger.

Heres how it works: A traveler will show his or her boarding pass and ID to TSA staff and place his or her jacket, shoes and carry-on items into a bin for screening (passengers age 75 older can keep their shoes on, Dankers said).

A TSA divesting officer will also ask the traveler to remove everything  metallic and non-metallic  from his or her pockets. Jewelry that is not bulky may still be worn.

The traveler then proceeds to the body scanner, and holds still as directed for two to three seconds. If nothing is detected beneath the clothing, TSA officers see a Clear screen message, and the traveler proceeds without hassle.

If something is detected, however, the scanner screen will show a generic image of a person with a yellow box around the suspected objects location.

Its the body scanners job  to show that theres something there, Dankers said. It doesnt tell us what.

Security officers may, at that point, perform a pat-down of the suspected area to determine what was detected.

They can target it, quickly resolve it, and let them go, Carberry said. Thats really efficient.

The body scanner does not affect how early travelers should come prior to their flight, Dankers said.

The scanner installed at the Twin Falls airport cost about $105,000 plus installation.

Nationwide, TSA expects to screen 2.4 million passengers every day this summer. Magic Valley Regional Airports busiest time is between October and March.

In 2016, TSA screened 40,128 travelers flying out of Twin Falls  about a 6.8 percent increase from the previous year.

Here are some things TSA would like you to know about the body scanner:

It is not an X-ray or a metal detector: the body scanner detects objects concealed in clothing by emitting harmless electromagnetic waves in a single scan.

Travelers need to remove all items from their pockets before being screened. These include boarding passes, bills, coins, tissues, eyeglasses, cellphones and keys.

While being scanned, place both hands in the air over your head and stand as still as possible.

Travelers can opt out of the body scanner, but may be subjected to a pat-down and need to go through a metal detector.
This appeared in Saturday's Washington Post.

The Senate last week delivered a surprise victory for environmentalists. Three Republicans joined with several energy-state Democrats to slow the Trump era's wave of deregulation, preventing Congress from killing one of the Obama administration's most rational global warming rules. Now the action turns to the Interior Department, which is reviewing the same regulation that just survived Congress's scrutiny. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who insists he shares Teddy Roosevelt's commitment to stewardship, should show similar restraint.

The Methane and Waste Prevention Rule concerns methane emissions from oil and gas drilling on federal land. As the primary component in natural gas, methane is a valuable commodity. When drillers allow it to waft uselessly into the air, national resources are wasted and the government loses royalties that belong to the taxpayer. Uncombusted methane is also an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Controlling unnecessary methane emissions - and, therefore, the net impact that using natural gas has on climate change - is essential to ensuring that the nation's recent gas boom does more good than harm to the environment.

The centrists who stopped Congress from withdrawing the Obama-era rule focused on the concern that the Treasury would be shortchanged absent federal effort to stop methane leaks. "Between 2009 and 2015, oil and gas wells on federally-owned lands vented or flared approximately 462 billion cubic feet of natural gas into the atmosphere, a substantial loss of royalties to the American taxpayer," Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., wrote in a letter to Mr. Zinke.

But these senators do not favor keeping the rule as it stands. In the same letter, they complained that some of the rule's requirements duplicated state-level regulations and that Native American authorities were not properly consulted. They asked Zinke to modify the regulation through administrative action.

This is the better path, if the rule must change: Reform through executive, not congressional, procedures means that future administrations will be able to revisit whatever determinations Zinke ends up making. Moreover, using the Congressional Review Act would have barred Mr. Zinke from issuing a "substantially similar" replacement rule. Now Zinke has flexibility to adjust the rule modestly rather than aggressively.

Modesty on Zinke's part would be wise. The existing rule not only ensures that the government receives more in royalties but also controls damaging emissions. If methane leaks were environmentally costless, drillers should only be expected to prevent leaks up to the point past which doing so would cost them money. Because drillers' methane leaks exact environmental costs on society at large, it is reasonable to ask them to tighten up their operations beyond that point. Zinke should aim to write a rule that reflects both direct monetary concerns and society's broader interest in preventing environmental degradation.

Increased use of natural gas in the country's power plants has led recently to surprisingly deep greenhouse-gas emissions cuts in the United States - on paper, at least. If lots of methane leaks in the process of obtaining the fuel, the country's natural gas renaissance will look more like a dark age.
This appeared in Saturdays Washington Post.

The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing to kick off Republican tax- reform efforts Thursday. There are many things that could go wellor not so wellnow that the overhaul has begun. One thing Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, did right was to emphasize corporate reform; achieving a more efficient system of business taxation is both more feasible politically, and more necessary economically, than redoing the individual code. Witnesses from large and small corporations testified to the myriad competitive harms of dealing with a much higher tax rate than their international counterparts.

The two big things that could go wrong, however, have hardly been ruled out. The first would be lessened progressivity in the system; and Republicans seem bent on doing at least one big thing, eliminating the estate tax, that would shift more of the government-finance burden from the top of the wealth and income scale downward, for little or no economic-growth payoff. The second potential mistake would be to slash tax rates with no offsetting revenue enhancement, worsening the federal governments already dire long-run fiscal imbalance.

That is the cardinal sin of President Donald Trumps one-page proposal, released last month, which also would worsen after-tax income distribution. In an interview with the Economist published May 11, Trump doubled down, breezily asserting that his unpaid-for tax cuts, mostly for the well-to-do and corporations, would prime the pump for greater economic growth. The day of the Ways and Means hearing, Vice President Mike Pence promised that Trump would sign the most consequential tax cut in American history.

Fortunately, Republicans on Capitol Hill have not yet wavered on their view, first articulated by House Speaker Paul Ryans policy blueprint last year, that tax reform be revenue-neutral,meaning that any reductions in tax rates would have to be offset by the closing of loopholes, with no net increase in the deficit. This was the principle that governed the last successful comprehensive tax reform, under President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and adherence to it is one of the few ways this reform could retain any hope of being bipartisan like that one was. Even party-line passage in the Senate probably depends on it, given the arcana of reconciliation rules. Any tax-reform plan adopted in the current Congress will have to be revenue-neutral, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told Bloomberg TV on Tuesday. On CNBC on Thursday, Brady also insisted on a plan that can break even in the first 10 years.

Caveats apply. Revenue-neutral in GOP-speak still allows for a certain amount of dynamic scoring to take account of the estimated economic growth any legislation would supposedly generate. Still, coming as it did so soon after Trumps comments to the Economist, GOP leaders restatement of the principle amounted to pushback against the presidents plan. This is one area, among many, where congressional Republicans must put distance between themselves and Trump if their legislative agenda is to be taken seriously.
Despite the recent Congressional resolution to fund critical educational programs through September 2017, 21st Century Community Learning Centers are still at risk. Recently, President Trump unveiled his proposed budget, calling on Congress to cease funding to 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a cut that will impact youth and families in many Idaho communities. Although, 21st CCLC and other critical education programs have been given a reprieve until the fall, Congress is still weighing pending budget cuts.

Idaho currently has more than 90 afterschool program sites supported with 21st CCLC funding. These funds establish community learning centers that offer out-of-school academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for children and families; particularly in high-poverty and/or low-performing school districts. Many of these programs are offered directly within our schools. Communities benefitting from these programs may not be aware that critical afterschool programs may not exist when their children return to school this fall.

Out-of-school programs, including 21st CCLCs can be powerful. Research shows that consistent access to high quality out-of-school programming can close the achievement gap; improve academic performance; increase high school graduation rates; improve healthy activity and advance social and emotional adjustment. A recent report from the Government Accountability Office verified that these benefits are associated with youth who attend 21st CCLCs for at least 60 days or more.

By the time a child reaches the age of 18, they will have spent nearly 80 percent of their waking hours outside of the classroom. What we offer youth in our communities outside of the school day is just as valuable to their future as what we offer in the classroom. Further, when youth are left without supervision and structure, idle time can turn to less desirable activities. Studies also show out-of-school programs decrease substance use, teen pregnancy and juvenile crimes. A cut to 21st CCLCs may cause an increase in these activities.

Loss of funding for these centers would also devastate working families and diminish an infrastructure in Idaho that relies on afterschool programming, especially in our rural communities. Over 38 percent of 21st CCLCs nationwide serve rural communities, but in Idaho thats even higher sitting at 83 percent. Afterschool programming offered through CCLCs is essential in rural communities as many families often work away from their hometown and childcare centers can be scarce in these small communities.

As essential as these programs are, communities should never take federal programs for granted. This is a wake-up call. Parents, administrators, educators and youth connected to 21st CCLCs need to share the impact this program has on their lives. Consider reaching out to local and social media outlets or policymakers, especially members of Congress who are weighing this important decision. Cutting 21st CCLC programs will do little to the federal budget, it is less than .001 percent, but what it can offer youth and communities is priceless. To learn how to support 21st CCLCs or where they are located, visit the Idaho AfterSchool Network webpage, idahoafterschool.org.
American politics is unhinged. I attended a congressional town hall and observed the degrading of representative governance. Congressional offices are input flooded with little detailed office response. This overload is the rule, not a particular representative's fault. Representing close to 800,000, representatives become the elites who supposedly have superior abilities to know what is best for the rest.

Citizens have become estranged, prefer complacency, and feel disaffected from the federal government. This creates a vacuum that is frequently filled by mobilized fringe interest groups and moneyed lobbyists.

The solution? Technology's rise is exponential and specialized. America could increase representation by adding House membership. It is not necessary for all representatives to convene in D.C. There could be six to 12 new federalized districts reducing D.C. from being a most destabilizing strategic target.

With one representative for every 50,000 citizens, local concerns are acknowledged, not turned over to distant bureaucracy. Presently, regional challenges are marginalized in the national dialogue. Specialized bipartisan subcommittees focused on health care, education, student debt, national debt, infrastructure, cybersecurity, immigration, etc. would be handled by 6500 "subcommittee" representatives.

Change is the constant. Americans could be the true enemy of indifference, widespread ignorance, and poverty for our finite world.

Gerald Weitz, D.D.S.

Viola
...................... while you were sleeping your government was selling us out to LA RAZA! Time to wake up? Post a link to this article all over planet earth!

............. you really want the borders wide open?

Barrio 18: Meet the terrifying gang with 50,000 foot-soldiers across the US and so unashamedly violent it rivals MS-13

Allied with the Mexican Mafia gang but sworn rivals to MS-13

Believed to have 30,000 to 50,000 members across 20 US states

Founded in Los Angeles and spread throughout Mexico and Central America

US has vowed to crack down on ultra-violent transnational gang MS-13

MS-13 isn't the only gang sowing violence and terror from Central America to the US: meet Barrio 18.

Arch-rivals to MS-13, Barrio 18 has an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 members across 20 US states and is linked to drugs, murder, kidnappings and other violent crime from Central America to Canada.

'With thousands of members across hundreds of kilometers, and interests in a number of different illicit activities, Barrio 18 is one of the more significant emerging criminal threats in the region,' write analysts for the think-tank InSight Crime.

Last week, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited his counterpart in El Salvador to discuss ways to crack down on transnational gangs - MS-13 and Barrio 18 chief among them.

But if history is any guide, eradicating Barrio 18 will be easier said than done.



+11 Barrio 18 is a terrifying gang that spreads from the US to Central America, rivals to MS-13



+11 A Barrio 18 member displays his tattoos, including 'Brown Pride' and XVIII, on the gang's turf in Los Angeles. The gang has a reported presence in 20 US states



+11 The gang is also known as the 18th Street Gang. Pictured: Members in the Quezaltepeque jail outside of San Salvador in El Salvador

Also known as 18th Street, the gang has its roots in Los Angeles of the 1960s, where it was originally composed of Mexican immigrants.

WHAT IS BARRIO 18? The gang was founded in Los Angeles decades ago, and has spread across the US and Central America. Members: Estimated 30,000 to 50,000 in the US Colors: Blue and black Allied with: Mexican Mafia Enemies of: MS-13 Activities: Drug dealing, burglary, assault, extortion, prostitution, human trafficking, homicide

Over the decades, though, Barrio 18 threw open its recruitment to members from Central America as well, often targeting the elementary and middle-school children of immigrants.

As the gang's ranks grew, it became the target of FBI and police crackdowns, sending many of its veteran members to prison.

But time behind bars just gave Barrio 18's shot-callers a fertile new recruiting ground, and it quickly swelled its ranks in federal prisons.

Stepped up deportations also had an unintended effect, spreading the gang's reach to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as hardened members were shipped back to their native countries, where they have battled brutally with MS-13.



+11 A Barrio 18 member is seen in the 'gang cage' in El Salvador. His tattoos include BEST (for 'Barrio Eighteenth Street'), 666 (for 6+6+6=18) and X8, which stands for absolute gang loyalty



+11 The Barrio 18 gang was founded in Los Angeles and was initially ethnically Mexican, but has grown enormously in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatamala. Pictured: Members in El Salvador



+11 The gang is notorious for enforcing strict rules and absolute obedience among its ranks



+11 Barrio 18 members are seen in a transfer to the San Francisco Gotera penitentiary in 2015. The El Salvadoran government transferred 1,177 members to the US in an effort to curb the gang



+11 Loosely coordinated between cells or 'cliques' even at the local level, Barrio 18 isn't believed to have a 'godfather'-style leader

Loosely coordinated between cells or 'cliques' even at the local level, Barrio 18 isn't believed to have a 'godfather'-style leader.

That's made it difficult to target under racketeering laws, the tactic that brought down many Mafia families.

BARRIO 18 TATTOOS 18, XVIII or XV3 666 or 99 (for 6+6+6=18 or 9+9=18) BEST (for 'Barrio Eighteenth Street') 8P (for having killed a police officer) X8 (total loyalty to the gang)

The gang is nevertheless notorious for enforcing strict rules and absolute obedience among its ranks, and failure to show proper respect can bring severe punishment, including execution.

Barrio 18 cliques have been linked to the international drug trade, and the gang is closely allied with the Mexican Mafia, another Hispanic organized crime ring with its origins in US prisons.

Their colors, blue and black, even pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia: blue for the allied gang, and black for Barrio 18's original color.

Barrio 18 tattoos can include: 18, XVIII, XV3, BEST (for 'Barrio Eighteenth Street) and 8P (stands for killing a police officer).

Another tattoo, X8, stands for absolute loyalty to the gang.



+11 Members of the Barrio 18 gang are presented to the media after a police raid in San Salvador



+11 The gang has sown terror from its origin in Los Angeles throughout Central America. Pictured: A grandmother and her grandson walk past Barrio 18 graffiti in San Salvador



+11 Barrio 18 and MS-13 have waged a bloody gang war with each other spanning several countries

Barrio 18 members are the sworn enemies of MS-13, another gang with its origins in California that has since spread in Central American countries with weakened governments.

'These two gangs have turned the Central American northern triangle into the area with the highest homicide rate in the world,' the US Justice Department wrote in a 2013 report.

Like MS-13, the decentralized structure of Barrio 18 has made it incredibly resistant to decades of efforts to eradicate it.

'They're worse than a cancer,' gang expert Gabriel Kovnator told the Los Angeles Times all the way back in 1996.

'A cancer you can kill. These guys keep growing.'



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New associates

Shawna Cary has joined Territorial-Landworks, Inc. (TLI), a Montana-based engineering and surveying firm, as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and COO. Cary has experience in similar administrative support roles where she was responsible for managing administrative functions and coordination between members of the management team.

Lauren Atkin is the newest agent at EXIT Realty Missoula. Atkin has worked with a national top 10 company in apartment investment and has been a property manager as well as a training agent. She can be reached at 406-880-5196.

Aleshia Monforton has joined the Montana based accounting firm of Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens, P.C. (JCCS). Monforton graduated from the University of Phoenix with an associate degree in accounting and will graduate in January 2018 with her bachelor's in business. Her primary focus at JCCS is accounting. She can be reached at 406-549-4148 or aleshia.monforton@jccscpa.com.

Elected

United Way of Missoula County elected to three-year board terms Jason Luckey, senior vice president and regional business banking manager for Montana/Wyoming, Wells Fargo & Company; Melissa Matassa-Stone, senior project engineer, WGM Group; and Holly Truitt, director, spectrUM Discovery Area. Reelected to a three-year term on the United Way board was Whitney Maphis, account executive, Hub Insurance. Also serving on the United Way board for 2017-2018 are Jeff Avgeris, advertising director, Missoulian; Dale Bickell, chief administrative officer, City of Missoula; Sue Brown, vice president of human resources, First Security Bank; Beth Burman Frazee, marketing director, the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, University of Montana; Janna Lundquist, consultant; Karen Myers, regional director of Mission Integration, Western Montana Service Area, Providence St. Patrick Hospital; Mike Nugent, broker, sales manager, Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices/Montana Properties; Dwight Schulte, attorney, Schulte Law Firm; Tom Severson, chief executive officer, First Interstate Bank; Mark Thane superintendent, Missoula County Public Schools; Jason Williams, chief executive officer, Blackfoot Telecommunications Group. Vicki Judd, community volunteer; John Kappes, chief executive officer, Mountain Water Company, Jason Erickson, vice president of commercial lending, First Security Bank; and Tamy Wagner, general manager, KECI/NBC Montana were honored for their service as they retired from the board. Bill St. John, senior vice president, Retail Branches, Missoula Federal Credit Union was recognized for his service as board chair, 2016-17. St. John will remain on the board for one year.

Recognition

Joel Thompson was the top producer for the month of April at EXIT Realty Missoula. He can be reached 406-370-0074.

The ERA Lambros Top Producers for the month of April were Julie Gardner for Commercial, MerriLee Valentine for Residential, Cheryl Smith for the Hamilton office, Rod Delaney for the Libby office, and Bessie Evans for the Florence office.

Morrison-Maierle has been named to the 2017 Engineering News-Record s (ENR) list of Top 500 Design Firms in the country ranking at number 347. The Top 500 list, published annually, ranks U.S.-based designs firms, both publicly and privately held, based on design-specific revenue. With offices in Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Arizona, Morrison-Maierle is one of only a handful of northern Rockies-based design firms on the 2017 Top 500 list.

United Way of Missoula County presented annual awards. Wells Fargo & Company received the Community Spirit Award, presented annually to a company that demonstrates outstanding community involvement and individual and corporate support for United Way. First Interstate Bank received the Heard Award, presented annually to a company that goes the extra mile for United Way of Missoula County, showing extraordinary "heart. Jana Staton received the Sue Talbot Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Also recognized were Joshua and Loreen Hamilton, lieutenants, The Salvation Army, for Outstanding Community Collaboration.
BILLINGS  Someday it may be a little bit cleaner if Callista Murphy and Bianca Morales have their way.

This spring, the two fourth-graders have been developing a mobile phone app called Pickup, which allows people to do something about the clutter that they encounter on the street.

Lets say you stumble upon a pile of trash scattered by the side of the road. With the Pickup app loaded on your phone, you'll be able to take a photo and the offending rubbish will show up on Google Maps, meanwhile notifying authorities to stop by and clean it up.

Making Billings a safer, cleaner place to live is one objective of Pickup. But the two students hope their program provides long-ranging benefits to the community.

The reward is that the world doesnt blow up, from trash piling up, Bianca said.

The reward is our wild animals remain safe in the environment, Callista added.

Bianca and Callista have been friends since they were babies, so they welcomed a chance to work together when they learned about Montana Code Girls, an after-school program that aims to encourage girls to take up coding, the process of creating computer programs or mobile phone apps.

Alison Kreiter, another Billings participant, has developed a mobile phone app, named Shelters, which seeks to benefit society by making it easier to help people identify missing pets.

Using her app, somebody who encounters a stray animal can notify a nearby animal shelter, and the animals last known location appears on Google Maps.

In Billings, the Montana Code Girls after-school program has been meeting twice weekly at the Billings Public Library for most of the school year. The program is for girls 9 to 19.

Scott Chapman, the volunteer instructor for the program, said the girls use MIT App Inventor, a program developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Rather than using complicated text-based coding, MIT App Inventor uses a graphical interface in which blocks of instructions are dragged and dropped into place. Using the program, even a relatively inexperienced programmer can create an app within an hour or less, according to the softwares developers.

Chapman said the Montana Code Girls program is tailored so that the participants can develop their apps at their own pace.

Cellular Plus contributed several phones to the program to help the girls develop their apps, Chapman said.

Its about how to think about a problem and solving it, said Chapman, who is the web developer for Associated Employers.

Montana Code Girls is a project of Big Sky Code Academy, which encourages technology careers by providing training programs.

Devin Holmes, founder of Big Sky Code Academy, said the after-school program aims to channel girls into computer science and technology careers.

A 2015 documentary film called Code Girl provided the inspiration for the after-school program. Parents and kids became excited about coding after the film was shown in Missoula and Bozeman.

Parents were interested in the subject matter, and it went statewide last September, Holmes said. Weve had about 15 or 16 cities where we have had participants, and over 120 girls were registered during this academic year.

A number of young code developers are interested in helping lost pets, Holmes said. One team from Kalispell remembered how hard it can be to learn multiplication, so they developed an app that's designed to help second- and third-graders learn multiplication.

We had another team that built an app to take pictures and geolocate potholes so they can be reported to the city, Holmes said.

Numerous studies illustrate how women are underrepresented in the technology field. Although 57 percent of professional occupations in the U.S. workforce are currently held by women, females hold just 26 percent of professional jobs in the technology sector.

Some Montana girls are participating in a contest called the Technovation Challenge, a nationwide competition in which girls identify a problem in the community, develop a mobile app to deal with it and develop a business plan to bring it to market.

One goal of the program, Holmes said, is to help girls evolve from being consumers of technology to becoming technology entrepreneurs.
HELENA  In an eight-and-a-half minute YouTube video titled "Why does the Montana Family Foundation Exist?" a collection of people lay out the things that keep them up at night:

The sanctity of marriage under threat. Children at risk of growing up in homes without both biological parents. A lack of school choice and alternatives to public education.

Foundation president and CEO Jeff Laszloffy appears at the end, telling viewers its time for us to rise up as a people and join with the group. He lists three ways to help  volunteer, pray and commit financial resources.

This is an expensive battle, he said. Were not just here to play. Were in this game to win, but to do that we need everyones help. We need your help.

Those who have put dollars into that battle include the charitable trust run by Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate for Montanas empty U.S. House seat, and his wife Susan. Since at least 2004, the Gianforte Family Foundation has given nearly $900,000 to the foundation, in some years making up nearly half of the money the foundation brings in from gifts, grants, contributions and membership fees.

The Montana Family Foundation is actually an umbrella name for two groups  one also called the Montana Family Foundation and the other called the Montana Family Institute. Work is focused on four areas: life, marriage and family, religious freedom and school choice.

The Montana Family Foundation groups have a linked, two-prong approach. The Institute cultivates an interest in conservative issues and keeps the risks of a progressive agenda at the forefront of people's minds. The Foundation then taps into that primed voter pool by telling them who will save Montana from those fears. The Institute creates a sense of urgency and the Foundation offers a solution to it.

Put in IRS terms, the sub-Foundation is a 501(c)(4), sometimes called a social welfare organization, that can engage in some political activity, and has done so aggressively, if sporadically, according to records filed with the states campaign finance watchdog. The Institute is a 501(c)(3), which cannot spend money directly with campaigns or on electioneering activity.

To be clear, the Gianforte Family Foundation only gives to the Institute. Still, the portion they support can do things like produce a scorecard of how legislators vote on family issues and ranks candidates based on their stance on religious freedom, abortion and other issues of that nature, according to Montana Family Foundation communications director Bowen Greenwood. And even though the Gianforte-funded arm is banned from direct political communications, Susan Gianforte would have had input on the direction of the political segment when she served on the board of the overall organization until February 2014.

Neither the Institute or Foundations lists of donors is public, so its hard to say what percentage of the Institutes money comes from the Gianforte trust, but both groups' available tax records show the contributions are significant.

In 2012, for example, the Gianforte trusts grants made up 60 percent of the Institutes money that came from gifts, grants, contributions and membership fees. Filings from 2010 to 2014 show Gianforte trust money making up 11 percent in 2010, 32 percent in 2011, 54 percent in 2013 and 29 percent in 2014.

That money helps fund the Institute's public education work in the religious community.

Were keeping them educated about whats going on with the Legislature. We do a lot of civic education work with that community about elections that are coming up, how to vote, how to participate, Greenwood said.

Montana Legislature

According to radio programs recorded by Laszloffy, who was traveling and not available for an interview for this story, the Legislature is something to monitor closely for danger.

In a broadcast a week after the end of the 2017 session, Laszloffy told listeners online and on 40 stations across the state: Sleep well, Montana, youre safe for another two years."

In a program the week before, Laszloffy discussed a bill called the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act. In the foundation's eyes, the failed legislation would have protected vulnerable young women from men seeking to enter locker rooms and bathrooms to take advantage of them. To those who defeated it, the bill was discriminatory against those who are transgender.

The bill was killed by four misguided Republicans, Laszloffy told listeners, illustrating the groups comfort with singling out Republicans it feels are not conservative enough.

That Republican-on-Republican criticism in the name of creating a more conservative party has been the focus of the political segment of the group. Republican Representative Rob Cook, from Conrad, was a target of those efforts in 2014 and still has the fliers to prove it.

Cook, a self-identified responsible Republican who has crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats on some major legislation in the past several sessions and is respected among lawmakers as a fair negotiator, first came into the crosshairs of the foundation in 2011 after he voted against a bill to require a woman to have an ultrasound before an abortion. In 2013, he voted against a bill that would have required a school district to get written consent before teaching students sex ed.

Hell, Im not pro-abortion either but they had an ultrasound bill where you basically had to get raped by an ultrasound if you wanted to have an abortion, Cook said. It was a bunch of stuff like that.

So it was no surprise when the fliers showed up in 2014 during his primary against Ann Morren.

The politically capable Foundation side spent an estimated $5,600 to send fliers showing Cooks sinister-looking black-and-white mugshot next to a bright color photo of a child looking terrified.

The flier basically claimed I was teaching sex ed to kindergartners, Cook said. They mailed some nasty fliers.

In that primary, Greg and Susan Gianforte also each gave $170, the maximum allowed in 2014, to Morren.

In total, the Montana Family Foundation reported spending $52,350 in the 2014 primaries. An estimated 15 percent of their expenditures went to fliers opposing Republican Sen. Duane Ankney. In the previous session, Ankney was a vocal proponent of a bill that decriminalized homosexual sex and spoke personally about his gay daughter.

The groups success in 2014 was tempered  just four of 10 of their candidates advanced. But two years prior, they saw major victories, spending $320,000 in the 2012 election. The bulk of that, about $243,000, went to support a successful ballot initiative to require parental consent for women under the age of 16 before an abortion. The rest went toward postcards aimed at either attacking less conservative candidates or supporting those that aligned with the groups mission.

Conservative identity

When asked last week why the Gianforte Charitable Trust has supported the Institute side of the operation, Gianforte said the groups mission aligns with his views.

I am a conservative. And I believe that conservative views in government lead to increased prosperity. Conservative views support lower taxes, less regulation, letting people keep the fruits of their labor and good government policy.

Asked last fall about his trust's donations, Gianforte emphasized the money could not be used politically.

"Not one of these organizations can use a dime of what weve given them for political purposes This is money thats been given for the purpose of helping the vulnerable, increasing educational opportunities, ministerial purposes. None of it is used for political purposes. If it was, theyd lose their nonprofit status and the (Gianforte) foundation would lose its nonprofit status. Its not a line that gets crossed."

Campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said last week Gianforte will defend First Amendment rights, which includes religious liberty.

"He'll protect anyone's right to believe and practice whatever they want. That's what's in the First Amendment of our Constitution. That's the very first freedom. He opposes any effort by the federal government to impose religious beliefs or prevent the ability of Montanans to practice their faith," Scanlon said. "You can't have religious freedom if you let the government impose any one set of religious beliefs."

Gianforte's "faith does compel him to serve and give back and show compassion for others," Scanlon said. "He's supported a wide variety of causes because he wants to help others."

Greenwood said by his assessment the Montana Family Foundation had not scaled up its political activity because of the involvement of the Gianfortes. He said activity is more dictated by changing finance laws and the need to comply with them.

Gianforte also said the trust tends to support organizations were directly involved in. Its the reason why weve been so supportive of Petra Academy and why weve gotten so involved in the manufacturing scholarships and the ACE Scholarships.

Education

The nexus of a private religious school Gianforte founded in Bozeman called Petra Academy and the Gianforte-funded ACE Scholarship program, which helped 520 students attend private and religious schools in its first year in 2013, shows a desire to privatize schools that concerns the president of Montana's largest labor union, MEA-MFT.

Virtually every school privatization bill, whether its pay vouchers, charter schools or income tax credits, has been advocated for or lobbied for by the Montana Family Foundation, said Eric Feaver, head of the union that includes public school employees.

On education issues, MFF has been very aggressive in their pursuit of privatization and helping get people elected who further that agenda, Feaver said.

Feaver and Laszloffy have squared off against each other in Helena for years, but early on the group focused more on issues involving advocating for a conservative Christian lifestyle, Feaver said.

"When Greg Gianforte started investing money, that was when they started ramping up their school choice agenda, Feaver said.

Influencing the Legislature

Cook said that amount of money the Montana Family Foundation and Institute have access to gives the small group  the Institute lists 151 volunteers on its 2015 tax forms  an outsized influence that has led to a Legislature that is more conservative than the state as a whole.

Theyve been very successful electing representatives who follow their viewpoint even though those same views are not indicative of Montanas underlying demographic, Cook said. Theyve done an extraordinary job of overrunning the Legislature" with more conservative candidates.

Even though the Gianforte trust does not give to the political arm, the money it contributes can help rally potential candidates around conservative issues and create interest in running for seats.

When youre recruiting from a natural cadre of zealots its a lot easier, Cook said.They are disproportionately represented among the Montana Legislature, and its Gianfortes money thats responsible for it.

Its fairly simple how the Montana Family Foundation picks the candidates it supports, Greenwood said.

The Institute, as a part of its work, produces a scorecard of how legislators have voted on family-oriented issues. It uses that information to rank candidates on how they stand on issues like religious freedom and abortion.

The foundation likes to do our best to help Christians and people of faith know how pro-family the candidate is. It was founded for the primary purpose to provide information to people of faith about how public policy is affecting them and also provide information to policy makers about the desires and hopes of people of faith, Greenwood said.

The Montana Family Foundation formed in 2004, after the Montana Family Coalition dissolved. It joined the national movement to capture the previously untapped religious right and focus it into a political base, the religious right. And in Montana through the work of the Montana Family Foundation's educational arm, with funding from the Gianforte charitable trust, it has trained its base to view political campaigning as a significant part of their religious expression.

Jeff and the crew of folks that started the Montana Family Foundation mirrored that same attempt to create an identity that was part of the religious right that was using this national framework to build political power, said Rachel Carol Rivas, co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network.

In 2016 the Montana Family Foundation didnt report any spending on the election. Thats because of changes from the Disclose Act, a sweeping revision of Montanas campaign finance laws that passed in 2015 and was opposed by the foundation.

Gianforte has called the law a work in progress. Democrats have tried to paint him as opposed to it because the lead attorney in a lawsuit challenging the Disclose Act was also his campaign attorney during the governor's race.

Under the act, nonprofits have to identify contributors who paid for any messages that mention a candidate or a race. The Disclose Act resulted in a massive change in how we do business, Greenwood said.
iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Richard Rojas, the 26-year-old Navy veteran who rammed his car into a crowd in New York's Times Square last week, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring 20 others, claims that he reached out to a mental health counselor prior to taking his fateful drive.

He said hed call me on Monday," Rojas told the New York Post in a jailhouse interview while speaking about his attempts to seek counselling. "Monday hasnt come yet.

Shortly before noon on Thursday, Rojas, a resident of the Bronx, was driving south on 7th Avenue when he slowed down and allowed traffic to pass. He then made a U-turn at 42nd Street, accelerated and started to strike down pedestrians, according to police.



He accelerated and continued driving until he crashed at 45th Street, the NYPD said. After Rojas crashed, he exited the vehicle.



I wanted to kill them, he said of his victims, according to prosecutors.



Kenya Bradix, 47, a Planet Hollywood door supervisor, tackled Rojas and helped hold him until police arrived, Bradix told ABC News.



Court records said Rojas was observed with glassy eyes, slurred speech, and was unsteady on his feet.



He had smoked pot laced with PCP before the incident, Rojas told police. Authorities later confirmed that he had the drug in his system at the time.

The Post, which interviewed Rojas from New Yorks Riker's Island jail complex, described him as being "weepy" while discussing his attempts to seek help.



I was trying to get help, Rojas told the Post. I wanted to fix my life. I wanted to get a job, get a girlfriend.



Rojas is expected to return to court on May 24.



He was arraigned Friday on charges of murder, attempted murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The role of a social safety net in America has been at the heart of key debates between Montanas two U.S House candidates.

Both say that the cornerstone federal programs must exist, but often disagree about how directly the government should manage them, the extent to which private companies should be involved, which services to offer, and whether they should be universal or limited to a narrow set of Americans.

Philosophically, the safety net was designed to give people a solid footing even in the toughest times so they could achieve the American Dream, with programs ranging from health care and Social Security to disability services and affordable housing.

Democrat Rob Quist often spoke of his personal experience with safety net programs and in stark terms of defending them from what he sees as an attempt to turn them into corporate profit machines.

I was talking with Pat Williams (the last Democrat to hold Montanas U.S. House seat) and he said from the time he became congressman that the goal of the Republican administrations were to privatize everything. To me, theres a danger in that, said the Creston musician best known as founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band.

Republican Greg Gianforte said the social safety net is one of the four primary purposes of a federal government, along with national defense, making and enforcing laws, and paying for infrastructure.

We need the safety net, but I believe the best path forward is to actually improve the economy so there are more jobs, said the Bozeman tech entrepreneur. We do that by letting people keep more of their hard-earned money, lowering taxes, reducing regulations so people that create jobs can create more jobs.

***

Health care has been a primary topic of campaign stops leading up to the May 25 special election to fill the seat vacated by Ryan Zinke when he was confirmed as Interior Secretary. Quist has started and ended his campaign with statewide tours to talk about health care, mostly calling for a defense of the Affordable Care Act and condemning the current Republican replacement plan, the American Health Care Act.

We have to resist this, Quist said during an event at Great Burn Brewing in Missoula on Tuesday.

He hammered on the GOP proposal for allowing insurers to charge people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums and changing the way the federal government funds state Medicaid expansions, which he said would kill Montanas program that has insured more than 70,000 people since it launched in January 2016.

Beyond defending the Affordable Care Act, Quist has advocated for a single-payer system, which he said would simplify the whole system and significantly reduce administrative costs driven, in large part, by existing reporting and compliance requirements.

To fight the rising cost of prescriptions, he has suggested that Medicare, the free health care program for the elderly or people with disabilities, should be able to negotiate prices like other federal programs. He also has supported lifting an importation ban on pharmaceuticals, noting his wifes Epipen costs just $20 when relatives buy it for her in Canada rather than the $500 here in the United States.

Gianforte said the federal government has an obligation to all Americans to make health care affordable.

Thats why I believe we should repeal and replace Obamacare, he said, referencing the Affordable Care Act.

He did not fully support the first version of the American Health Care Act and has raised questions about the latest iteration in interviews, saying that preserving rural access and reducing premiums will be his primary concerns when evaluating a proposal.

Gianforte has been criticized, however, for a phone conversation leaked to The New York Times in which he told lobbyists that he was thankful for the House votes that moved the American Health Care Act forward.

Those reforms also could dramatically affect the financial ability of states to continue Medicaid programs expanded under the near-complete reimbursement rates promised in the Affordable Care Act. Montana, for instance, raised the income threshold for people to qualify and allowed all adults  not just single mothers, children and people with disabilities  to receive the government-funded health care coverage.

The Republican reforms discussed in the last several months have proposed capping federal appropriations to states to pay for those expansions, or providing the funding as block grants that would have fewer rules about what types of services must be covered. Some fear those block grants, like similar ones instituted for food subsidy programs, would lead states to tighten eligibility requirements and force people off the programs since money would not go far enough to cover all need.

Gianforte said the government needs to maintain the expanded coverage.

We cant pull the carpet out from under them, he said. But he did not answer questions about the fears that a cap or block grant would do just that and about whether he supports those ideas.

Speaking about health care reforms, but also safety net programs in general, Gianforte said he wants to see tapered benefits so the neediest people receive complete support, with some assistance for middle-class families.

We need to make sure that we dont put incentives that discourage people from getting up on their own feet and being self-sufficient, he said. Some programs have benefits that just fall off a cliff at a certain income level or hours worked per week.

Quist wouldn't say whether he generally supported programs that provide universal benefits, like Medicare, or one that limits aid based on income or other factors, like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Its a complex thing, he said, nonetheless lauding Medicare as an example of why a universal program can work best.

It all comes down to philosophy about whether youre into service of self or service to others, he said, taking a swing at Republicans in Congress he suggested were looking for more tax breaks for themselves rather than seriously reforming health care.

Universal (programs) are a service to everyone. Thats whats been so great about Medicare. Its probably been the most successful program ever instituted. You show your card and youre covered, no questions asked. It takes out the administrative costs," Quist said. "Its a much more efficient system than a system where people have to find and pay exorbitant prices for insurance.

***

In the final weeks of his campaign, Quist also has argued that he is the best person to defend Social Security. He has seen firsthand how the program can keep American families afloat, he said. As he has done frequently, Quist said when he had health troubles and was facing the possibility of bankruptcy that the ability to take Social Security income early really saved me and my family.

In campaign stops Quist has raised the specter that Republicans, Gianforte among them, want to end or roll back Social Security.

Democrats criticized Gianforte during his failed gubernatorial bid last year for comments he once made about Noah, the Biblical figure who built an ark to survive a catastrophic flood.

Speaking to Montana Bible College students, he reportedly said:  Theres nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement  . How old was Noah when he built the ark? Six-hundred. He wasnt, like, cashing Social Security checks, he wasnt hanging out, he was working.  The role we have in work may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical.

Gianforte declined multiple requests to clarify those comments or address the backlash to them during a Wednesday interview. Instead, he repeatedly said, I will always protect Social Security.

Earlier, he said some of the nations safety net programs do not fit his vision for what those should be  only those services that take care of the people that cant take care of themselves  but nonetheless exist because as a society weve decided to have them.

He said Social Security is a contract between the federal government and those recipients who have paid into the system their whole lives.

So we cannot do anything to jeopardize those benefits in anyway, he said.

***

The Republican administration of President Donald Trump, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, have proposed restructuring many of the nations core affordable housing programs, and also want to cut funding from block grants that pay for the majority of affordable housing built here in Montana for people with low incomes, disabilities or who are elderly. Funding for maintenance of public housing also could be cut dramatically.

Carson has said Trump intends to fund affordable housing initiatives in a to-be-released infrastructure proposal and notes that the government can get more bang for its buck by expanding an existing tax credit program that provides incentives for private developers.

Those tax credits have been criticized by some housing advocates, who say they often do not do enough to guarantee housing is built where its needed most, in part because of market dynamics, and in a way that does not exacerbate existing economic or racial segregation.

A Quist interview ended before he could discuss his views of the housing proposals, and requests Thursday and Friday for additional time were not fulfilled.

Gianforte did not answer some specific questions about the proposals, but said that higher-paying jobs would make housing affordable for more Americans. He also said he generally supports public-private partnerships over programs that are managed entirely by federal agencies.

Very often the private sector can do things more efficiently than government can, he said. If we decide we have a goal as a country, like more affordable housing, Im a fan of incentive programs to help the private sector fulfill that need.
Robert Stubblefield teaches 130 or so students a year at the University of Montana.

He's taught at UM since 2002, first part time at Missoula College, and the creative writing and composition teacher has worked in the English Department full time since 2004.

The writer serves as the faculty adviser to "The Oval," UM's undergraduate literary magazine. He's also co-coordinator of the Fall Writers' Opus, an annual fundraiser going on eight years that has brought in tens of thousands of dollars for creative writing scholarships and UM literary publications.

Despite his stature on campus, though, Stubblefield is classified as a lecturer, an adjunct position without the protection of tenure. The English Department counts six lecturers in all, and Main Hall notes an estimated 50 on campus.

"Lecturers are an important part of the program," Stubblefield said. "We're not just teaching when we have high enrollment to fill in.

"We've become ingrained."

As UM prepares for another tight budget in the coming school year, though, those lecturers aren't guaranteed funding come spring semester.

President Sheila Stearns said UM has ensured money is available to fund lecturers in the fall semester, and she wants to honor people who have worked at UM for many years. At the same time, the university soon will be giving notice to lecturers in case it isn't able to hire them come spring.

"It will enable both the deans and the university to have more flexibility in regard to second semester," Stearns said.

Yet UM is working to increase enrollment and retention, and by the nature of their teaching, the lecturers provide part of the solution, Stubblefield said.

And a union spokesman said axing the faculty members who carry some of the heaviest teaching loads for less money will affect UM's ability to preserve its status as a top shelf research institution.

***

UM is his alma mater, and Stubblefield returned to teach at the campus where he'd studied with William Kittredge for his own MFA.

A couple of years later, he took a full-time job as lecturer, and he receives full benefits. He's been pleased to be a lecturer at UM, and he's rejected offers to teach elsewhere.

Of course, Stubblefield isn't the only high profile faculty member with a substantial role on campus and without the protection of tenure.

Nancy Cooper, a longtime organist who has played the bells in Main Hall, is an adjunct in the Music Department. Garry Kerr, a teacher who won an anthropology award received by less than 1 percent of faculty in North America, is an adjunct as well.

In the English Department, Stubblefield said lecturers direct programs such as Irish studies, film studies, and eco-criticism.

"We'd like to be part of the solution for the challenges at the university and particularly our programs and department," he said.

In fact, he believes they already are part of the solution.

***

Many lecturers teach larger, lower-division courses, and that means they develop relationships with the youngest students.

When those pupils feel homesick or frustrated with school and want to drop out, lecturers may be the first line of defense in keeping them on campus, Stubblefield said. Sometimes, he said, it's just a 15-minute conversation, but it's an important one.

"They just need somebody to listen to them and know that people care," he said. "I think the people who teach the lower-division and entry-level classes really develop those skills.

"I don't think those skills are to be diminished as we pursue (enrollment and retention). It's really a competitive climate for students right now."

Toward the end of their college careers, Stubblefield helps launch students into graduate programs at esteemed places. In 2015, he received a letter from the University of Iowa thanking him for recommending UM graduate Micah Fields to one of the top writing programs in the country  and asking him to recommend other students.

"I think that's one of the best endorsements," he said. "Micah is exceptional, but also representative, I think, of the type of undergrads we put out."

Other graduates nurtured in the liberal arts education at UM are making valuable contributions to community, he said. In Missoula, one MFA graduate is growing and selling micro greens, and another is one of the founders of the Burns Street Bistro, a restaurant with one of the city's most eclectic menus.

***

This year, Main Hall is again under financial constraints, and its 2018 fiscal year budget must be smaller than the current budget.

UM has estimated that 20 percent to 24 percent of its teaching is done by faculty who work on a part-time or annual basis. Main Hall officials also anticipate the campus will use far fewer adjunct faculty in the coming school year.

As part of its budget work, UM investigated its legal obligations to faculty members. Since it is required to give lecturers with three years or more a semester's notice, President Stearns said UM will likely begin giving notice regularly as a budget precaution; she said the practice gives UM flexibility and is a "best practice" at other campuses.

UM communications director Paula Short said decisions about renewals will be made on a case-by-case basis. She provided this statement from Main Hall about the status of lecturers and other adjunct faculty, "excellent scholars and teachers in our academic community."

"The university will be informing all non-tenurable faculty in a timely fashion if they are to be appointed for the fall semester," the statement said.

"Lecturers ... will be notified before the start of fall semester to provide one semesters notice that they may not be appointed for the spring semester. Decisions on non-tenurable faculty staffing may not be completely finalized until the start of the fall semester, when course registration data is more fully known."

In the future, Provost Beverly Edmond said deans will need to be intentional in their use of adjuncts. She also said tenured and tenure-track faculty will pick up the teaching load adjuncts used to cover.

"With each decision related to hiring faculty, we think first and foremost about how best to serve our students and maximize the impact of our finite financial resources," said the statement from Main Hall. "Non-tenurable faculty are and will continue to be integral to the mission of the university, though  in the near term  the number of appointments will be less than in previous years due to factors including student demand for specific courses, availability of tenured faculty for instruction, and university budgets."

In general, universities used to hire people such as lecturers into tenured positions, but Stubblefield said that change doesn't happen as much anymore.

"As budgets become even tighter, there's probably not as much incentive to do that," he said. "You're teaching a bigger load for lower pay, so that's a good deal."

On the other hand, it may not be a good deal to lose a lower-paid person doing more teaching.

***

Lee Banville, spokesman for the University Faculty Association, said with the same workload, a decrease in use of adjuncts, including lecturers, will mean an increased load elsewhere.

If tenured faculty have to teach more, they'll necessarily have less time to do the research and write the grants that bring money into UM.

"Let's take physics, for example," Banville said. "There's a faculty member over there who landed a very big NASA grant. You're going to see less of that if you're going to teach more introductory classes. And that faculty member does teach intro classes. But it's going to change what this university looks like."

The forecast shift also isn't in line with the most recent strategic plan, which calls for UM to be a top research institution in the country, he said.

"We have people telling us that they want us to do it all, more of everything," Banville said. "And although there may be more capacity to teach, that's going to have to come from somewhere else."

***

In the current employment climate, jobs aren't guaranteed, and he doesn't take his for granted, Stubblefield said.

At the same time, he believes in the contributions he and his fellow lecturers are making to academia, to students, to recruiting, and to society, and he wants to keep doing the work.

"In our department, at least, we have full support from our chair, our dean, and our tenured faculty," Stubblefield said. "And we feel like we're an important part of the program and department, and we want the opportunity to move forward.

"And there needs to be some reassurance. You can't constantly have that distraction of not knowing. It makes it difficult to build and sustain the programs that do recruit those top students."

And UM's creative writing program still does, he said. It has a legacy, and it still attracts students who could have gone to Yale University instead. He personally works with high schools and recruiters in and out of state to bring them to UM.

"I think this program is important to our community in a lot of ways that I don't believe people take for granted. And they support it," Stubblefield said. "But maybe, it's more fragile than we had thought."
Prospective University of Montana students who come from low-income families or face other hurdles to higher education will now find their path even more difficult to navigate.

For this they can thank new U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

For whatever reason, the Department of Education decided to change its formatting requirements for grant applications by certain programs, including college preparation programs like Upward Bound.

Unfortunately, the Upward Bound program that has operated out of the University of Montana for more than 50 years and helped hundreds of students find their way to a degree was one of many that didnt note the new requirements until it had already submitted its application as usual. That application was subsequently rejected because a single budget page was not double-spaced as specified in the new requirements.

Upon learning of the error, the local Upward Bound folks immediately corrected and re-submitted their application. Meanwhile, dozens of U.S. senators and representatives from both parties strongly urged the Department of Education to reconsider the rejected applications on the basis of merit, rather than formatting, even going so far as to insert a special provision in the 2017 funding bill that officially calls on the department to reconsider them.

It didnt do any good. The department, led by Secretary DeVos, is standing by its rejection of 77 Upward Bound programs whose applications were incorrectly formatted. The only concession DeVos has allowed so far was a new policy that will prevent grants from being refused on similar grounds in the future.

As for this year? Some 55 students who would have received help preparing for classes over the summer will be left on their own after the Upward Bound program at UM was forced to cancel its summer courses. The program now faces the likelihood of shutting down altogether at the end of this month.

The local Upward Bound program had asked for only $1.7 million to cover five years of operations  or roughly $340,000 a year. For that paltry sum, the program has helped scores of students, including 75 students during the most recent semester for which it was funded. Nationally, the program boasts an impressive 90 percent success rate in helping low-income students, and those who come from families whose members have never completed high school and gone on to enroll in a college or university, receiving a degree.

Last year, Upward Bound programs throughout the country helped nearly 62,000 students. Although this number represents only a small sliver of the roughly 20.5 million college and university students in the U.S., that sliver represents a portion of the population whose futures stand to be vastly improved by higher education.

After all, low-income families understandably have a harder time reaching for higher education. Students from low-income backgrounds are more likely to take on larger amounts of debt, meaning they will be making larger payments for a longer period, leaving them with less income after graduation to begin improving their financial situation. Meanwhile, tuition at the University of Montana and several other colleges in the state is expected to increase.

Given UMs declining enrollment in recent years, the loss of programs like Upward Bound certainly doesnt help matters. As program director Twila Old Coyote explained in an earlier news story, without these services, some students will not be able to enroll in classes this fall. Some might not even graduate from high school.

All because of a single-spaced budget page. At this point, DeVos refusal to take a second look at the applications looks a lot like she is deliberately withholding critical funding in an attempt to quietly kill certain programs  without transparency, accountability or even public debate.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has been among those congressional leaders rightly raising a ruckus over this outrage and pushing the Department of Education to quit hiding behind red tape. Tester is co-chair of the TRiO caucus, which advocates for higher education programs serving disadvantaged students, and he was also among the Democratic senators who did not support DeVos confirmation as secretary of Education.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, on the other hand, did vote to confirm DeVos, and has been noticeably quieter about the departments apparent commitment to bureaucracy over student aid. As a Republican in a Republican-dominated Congress who has repeatedly decried other examples of federal bureaucracy, he ought to be leading the charge instead of trailing after the vanguard.

Last week, Tester introduced a bill that proposes to rescind $500,000 from DeVos' office budget, which includes salaries for DeVos and her senior staff, for every week that she fails to reconsider the rejected applications. According to Testers office, the Office of the Secretary received nearly $17 million in fiscal year 2016.

Given the political makeup of the current Senate, its a long shot. But it sends a strong message and commits to badly needed action to stop an entirely avoidable travesty. Daines, who signed a letter of support for Upward Bound, needs to put his words of support into action by joining Tester in his efforts to hold DeVos and the Department of Education accountable for their poor decisions.
Democracy is not pretty, but the special election for Montana's sole congressman has become especially ugly.

Lies and half-truths dominate our TV screens in an election with national attention that transcends the candidates. Look for truth and don't cave in to fear.

Rob Quist and Nancy Pelosi are not going to take our guns. Threatening the Second Amendment would be political suicide. Quist supports a registry for assault rifles only. This old Marine sees sense in controlling a weapon designed only to kill people.

In Gianforte's defense, ads depicting him as an outsider are unfair. He has lived in Montana for 25 years and raised his family here. It was a retired lawyer from New Jersey who transformed the Superior Fire Department.

Vote for Rob Quist. He understands the unique needs of Montanans and experienced, first hand, the flaws in our healthcare system. Growing up on a ranch, he knows rural life and its challenges.

Gianforte boasted that he would not allow liberals to "stop the Trump train." Gianforte, there are a lot of folks, not just liberals, doing their best to stop that train and replace it with a train that provides seats for all Americans.

Dan Arnsan,

Superior
After 17 years of subscribing to the Missoulian we are canceling our subscription. The most recent election results in Missoula County are:

President: 53.5 Democrat, 37.8 Republican.

Governor: 65.2 Democrat, 31.5 Republican.

House: 57.5 Democrat, 39.4 Republican.

Senate: 56.1 Democrat, 41.7 Republican.

Senate: 63.9 Democrat, 31.4 Republican.

The Missoulian no longer represents the majority of their subscriber's values.

Facts and science matter. The newspapers we read and support must stand for both. The Missoulian clearly does not, as demonstrated by their endorsement of Greg Gianforte, who believes the earth is 6,000 years old. That is more than "troubling," Missoulian.

From the Missoulian (May 14): "when asked whether he (Gianforte) agrees with the scientific consensus on evolution and the approximate age of the Earth, his answer was 'I cant honestly say because I wasnt there.' That answer, is revealing  and deeply troubling." Yet you endorsed!

We are in deeply troubling times when we have a president who lies to the American people and elevates tabloid-grade propaganda. We support newspapers that endorse candidates who are fact- and science-based; the Missoulian is sadly not one of those. We encourage other like-minded Montanans to do the same because facts matter.

Karen and Jack Wickersham,

Missoula
Your editorial lists several reasons for voting against Greg Gianforte, while simultaneously endorsing him. This makes no sense.

You say Montanans have had no voice in the House during a time marked by reckless proposals and sweeping changes happening under the Trump administration. But your candidate recently said, does the Trump train pick up speed, or do we put on the brakes? Jumping on someone elses train is not leadership.

Rob Quist has said that he will work with the president when he can, but be an independent voice for Montana.

You dismiss two candidates whose views are outside the mainstream. Are these mainstream views: Refusing to say he accepts the scientific consensus on evolution? Implying that we dont need Social Security because there is nothing in the Bible that talks about retiring and that Noah didnt retire even when he was 600 years old?

You emphasize that your candidate must set aside his personal ideology, while pointing out that he can be blinded by his private religious tenets, causing him to ignore the interests of half of Montanans (women).

Rob Quist can represent all Montanans without setting his values aside. Lets put the brakes on this train.

Madeleine McKelvey,

Missoula
If I had a dollar for every Greg Gianforte attack ad I've been subjected to these past couple months, I'd take my wife on a world cruise. Vicious and cruel come to mind, and television stations across Montana should be ashamed for contributing to the spewing of such malicious nonsense.

I admire Rob Quist for confronting his opposition with dignity and aplomb. Either candidate is entitled to call attention to the faults of the other, but to do so, as Gianforte accepts and allows, with such graphically disturbing imagery and hostile attempt to undermine Quist's character, is truly revolting. Mister nice guy? You be the judge.

Rob Quist deserves the chance to represent Montana, and will have my vote. I hope he'll have yours.

Bob Zingmark,

Missoula
In a recent mailing from Montanans For Greg, Sen. Ted Cruz tells us that Gianforte is a Conservative who will stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the liberal media and fight for faith, family and freedom.

Sadly, this red-meat hot-button agenda will do nothing to address the real threats posed by, say, sharing classified information with the Russians, trying to cheese the FBI away from investigating Mike Flynn, or discussing national security matters with the Chinese over dessert in a public setting.

Gianforte, like Cruz, remains silent on these real issues, but silence equals complicity. We need someone who will speak out against the real threats to our republic. We know Gianforte will not. Please support Rob Quist when you vote on May 25.

Fred Rice,

Missoula
If Dillon resident Bennett Chomsky had been just a few years older, his life could have gone in an entirely different direction.

Chomsky was a sophomore in college studying business when in 2006 he began thinking of what he wanted his future to look like.

An avid music buff, Chomsky came up with a vision: why not combine his knowledge of business with his love for music by launching his own CD and album store?

But that year the media retailer Tower Records collapsed, which made Chomsky wonder whether getting into the music business was really the best idea.

It was then he decided to forego his initial plan and instead turn to his other passion: cooking.

Today the Maryland native can be seen gallivanting around Dillon in the towns newest food truck  Brunchies!, a Southwestern-inspired mobile food unit that specializes in breakfast food.

I do an elk-sausage and pineapple hash with a charred poblano cream sauce, said Chomsky, describing one of his creations. I like to do a lot of fusion in my breakfast food.

A few of the items on Chomskys menu include chilaquiles  a dish consisting of tortilla strips sauteed in a green-chili sauce and topped with braised chicken  street tacos, paninis, including one with turkey bacon and another fashioned after the Cuban sandwich, burritos and homemade green chili.

One of the newer items on the menu is the Classy-dilla  a quesadilla pocket stuffed with meat and other Southwestern-inspired goodies.

When it comes to the three meals of the day, Chomsky said breakfast deserves chops, or kudos at the very least.

He described breakfast as an underappreciated meal that often gets the short end of the stick when it comes to elevating food in culinary circles.

Im such a big brunch fan. I love breakfast food, said Chomsky. (But) I think its overlooked quite a bit.

Chomsky himself is a culinary arts grad. He attended Scottsdales La Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Arizona, where he cultivated a taste for the Southwest.

Ive always been fascinated with Mexican cuisine just because its so diverse regionally, said Chomsky. Getting to live down in Phoenix, I got to sample quite a few different styles of Mexican cuisine.

But even before Chomsky went to culinary school, he was a veteran of the food industry. In high school and college Chomsky performed in a series of bands and worked in restaurants to help support his music habit.

I was the chef at a wine bar in Scottsdale (and) I worked in a couple of fine-dining restaurants.

In his early 20s, Chomsky served as a chef for the first time in Philadelphia, planning a menu and designing specials. He described the experience as a sink or swim scenario.

I was way too young, said Chomsky.

I had two 40-year-old Serbian line cooks who didnt listen to me at all, he added.

After years of living on the East Coast and Arizona, Chomsky decided he wanted a change of pace  I was tired of cities, I was tired of lines, I was tired of traffic  so he moved to Montana and began working at Healing Waters Lodge of Montana in Twin Bridges. He later moved to Dillon.

Food trucks have gained popularity in recent years, but as Chomsky launched Brunchies! he capitalized on another trend: crowd funding.

To purchase his food truck Chomsky started a campaign on GoFundMe, to which friends, family and Dillon residents donated $3,700.

Brunchies! launched November 2016. The enterprise started off humbly, Chomsky said, serving only about 10 people per day. Six months later, Chomsky says his business is several times that, noting that one of his stops, in front of Beaverhead Brewing Company on Montana Street in Dillon, doesnt hurt.

As for his cooking philosophy, Chomsky said its one based on the primacy of fresh ingredients, adding that he braises his own pork, creates his own aiolies and creamas and doesnt believe in freezer to fryer.

As any restaurateur will tell you, the food-service industry can be tough.

But when you have a passion for what you create, its hard to go wrong  passion, for example, for fried tortilla strips topped with the flavors of the Southwest.

The day I tried chilaquiles for the first time it was like one of those momentous life experiences, said Chomsky, laughing. I was pissed no one had told me about them.

He added that he would eat chilaquiles everyday if he could.(But) I limit myself to just Sundays now because I am an adult.

I try to show restraint, he said.
craigslist: thailand jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events

craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events
A large crowd filled the floor of the Butte Civic Center on Saturday afternoon to hear U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders rally voters to support Democrat Rob Quist with less than a week before the special election to fill Montana's empty and lone U.S. House seat.

The cost of health care was the main focus of the event from the start, leading off with two locals discussing their personal experiences with near-devastating medical bills.

Stuart McCarvel of Butte told the crowd of about 2,700 that his son was diagnosed with leukemia at the end of his college years and went through aggressive treatment that saved his life. Without the Affordable Care Act, his son would have hit a lifetime cap on health care claims, he said.

"If the disastrous bill Congress just passed and Greg Gianforte supports becomes law, my son will not be able to afford his medications," McCarvel said.

Butte resident Paula McGarvey, who is in remission after battling breast cancer for years, said if she gets sick again under the Republican proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, it will wipe out the rest of her savings.

"I don't want to die and leave my kids with an $80,000 mortgage to pay off."

When Sanders, an Independent from Vermont who won the Democratic primary in Montana by 5 percentage points over eventual nominee Hillary Clinton, took the stage, he gave a speech that focused on the differences in policy between Quist and his Republican opponent Greg Gianforte, a Bozeman businessman.

Voters go to the polls this Thursday to fill a U.S. House seat vacated when President Donald J. Trump appointed Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Interior. Also in the race is Libertarian Mark Wicks, an Inverness rancher.

Quist, a musician, has traveled the state since winning his party's nomination in January, working to connect with voters and trying to portray himself as an average Montanan who understands the needs and concerns of voters more than Gianforte, a wealthy high-tech entrepreneur.

Quist is a supporter of the Affordable Care Act and has campaigned for preserving women's health care options while Gianforte has faced questions on his position on the Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Gianforte has also said he would approve of defunding Planned Parenthood.

Before the U.S. House voted to pass the American Health Care Act, Gianforte told Montana media he could not say if he would have voted on the bill because it had not been marked up by the Congressional Budget Office, though he later told potential donors that he supported the bill.

"I call it the un-American Health Care Plan," Quist said, adding health care quickly became the number-one issue of his campaign after the AHCA was passed the U.S. House at the start of the month.

"This is merely a tax break for the super-rich. That's all it is. In the greatest country on earth, people should not have to declare bankruptcy just because they have a health care issue."

It's expected the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan entity that analyzes the effects and costs of legislation, will release its assessment of the AHCA on Wednesday, a day before the vote here.

Sanders, a longtime advocate of a single-payer system, told the crowd that if other countries can provide universal health care, the U.S. should as well.

"Don't tell me that we in the United State cannot pass Medicare for all," Sanders said.

In the past, Quist has said a single-payer system is a good idea, though his thinking has evolved over time. He now believes a more effective and likely to succeed approach would be to improve the Affordable Care Act.

In 2015, the Montana Legislature passed Medicaid expansion. By the start of this month, more than 76,000 Montanans had signed up for coverage.

"I don't understand how anybody with any moral sense, any kind of conscience, could vote for a bill that throws 24 million off the health insurance they have, that throws 70,000 in this great state off the health insurance they have," Sanders said.

Electing Quist, Sanders said, would give Democrats another ally to defeat the Republican repeal-and-replace plan.

"Rob and I are going to work together to make sure that bill goes nowhere," Sanders said.

In response to the rally, the Gianforte campaign released a statement claiming Quist has a history of not paying his bills or his fair share of taxes.

"... we don't need to send more people like that to Washington D.C., we need to send someone who will get results for Montana," the statement said.

Quist's campaign has faced challenges after it was revealed the candidate had a 16-year trail of debt that included unpaid taxes and questions over property he has rented out at his home but did not register with the state Department of Revenue as a commercial property or report rental income on finance disclosure forms.

The Gianforte campaign has held rallies of its own, bringing Donald J. Trump Jr. to the state for two tours, including one visit to Butte. Vice President Mike Pence attended a rally with Gianforte, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke in Billings.

Gianforte has worked to align himself with Trump, who won Montana by more than 20 percentage points. In Gianforte's failed bid for governor last fall, 43,000 who voted for Trump split the ticket to support Democratic incumbent Steve Bullock, who won re-election narrowly.

Sanders is also scheduled to campaign on Quist's behalf at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Montana State University Strand Union Ballroom in Bozeman.
Active shooter exercise planned Thursday

Montana Tech will be the site of a full-scale active shooter exercise at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Natural Resources Building on the Montana Tech campus.

The exercise will be coordinated by Butte-Silver Bow Office of Emergency Management and St. James Healthcare with Montana Tech, Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, A-1 Ambulance, and Montana Highway Patrol actively participating.

It is designed to ensure coordinated, timely, and effective response and recovery in the event of an active shooter emergency on Montana Techs campus.

Montana Tech will activate its emergency notification system during the exercise. Classes are not in session on this day, but Montana Tech faculty, staff, and students on campus are encouraged to participate in the exercise. Details: Sheriff Ed Lester, 406-497-1121.

Volunteer firefighters complete training

Over 30 volunteer firefighters from Butte and the surrounding area recently completed Basic Firefighter 1 and Wildland training. The firefighters completed a 12-week, 80-hour course in structural firefighting. Another 30 hours was completed in wildland training.

The training was put on by the Silver Bow Volunteer Fire Council and Montana Fire Service Training School with Craig Jeppson as the instructor. Assisting in the training were Kyle Miller, Ed Fisher, Jerry Brothers, Jim Ross, George Goody, and Marko Weitzel.

Ed Fisher, SBVFC president, said approximately half of the firefighters are new recruits; the remainder used the training as a refresher course.

The new firefighters are:

Boulevard  Wayne Petersen and Joel Worth

Deer Lodge  Chuck Smith

Dillon  Mick Stanisich

Home Atherton  Drew Goldberg

Opportunity  Jacob Hanley and Travis Anderson

Racetrack  Heather Martin

Rocker  Dana Porter

Walkerville  Jacob McDonald

Animal Control impounds listed

These are animals that have been picked up by Butte Animal Control. If you think one of the following animals is yours, please call Chelsea Bailey Butte-Silver Bow Animal Shelter at 406-497-6528 or stop by between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Dogs:

 Three-year-old male spaniel, brown and white, picked up Friday on Bantry Lane

 Two-year-old female heeler cross, black and white, picked up Friday on Bantry Lane
Protesters were absent Saturday, inside and outside the Butte Civic Center during the rally featuring U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. House Democratic hopeful Rob Quist.

The rally, however, attracted people from all walks of life and from all over southwestern Montana.

Ashley Roder, 24, broke with her Dillon family political affiliation by attending with her husband, Tim, 24, and baby daughter, Cambri.

I came from a very hard-core political family, she said. My Dad is a Republican, but Im an independent.

She wore an orange wristband, indicating she is registered to vote in the special election on May 25. Tim wore a red one, partly as a reminder.

We cant really remember if hes registered to vote, said Ashley.

Amanda Frickle, field director for the Rob Quist campaign, handing out three different colored wristbands at the front door, said yellow indicates the person has already voted. Campaign staff wanted merely a casual head count, she added.

We just decided to try this  to get people thinking about a plan to vote, Frickle said, especially with the election on a Thursday. If theyre not registered, its not too late. You can register and vote on Election Day from 8 to 5 at any county election office, on the Montana Secretary of State page or at www.Iwillvote.com.

Montana is one of the states that has fended off attacks on same-day voter registration, added Frickle.

Few sported the not-yet-registered-to-vote wristbands, indicating the event drew mostly folks already registered. But the crowd seemed fairly evenly split between those who already voted and those who hadnt.

A healthy mix of seniors, middle-aged folks and Millennials like the Roders turned out, standing or sitting hodge-podge in chairs on the Civic Center concrete floor.

Several Millennials said informed demographics vary in their age group when it comes to the special election  and politics in general.

Most of my friends are interested, but for the most part, most in my age group are not interested in politics, said Ashley Roder.

Kal Leamer, 21, a post-Millennial, has yet to vote, but he plans to in person at the Butte-Silver Bow polls next Thursday with family and friends.

I think for my generation, we want to go out there and vote and be seen  and be seen on social media, because we feel were a part of something, said Leamer.

He joined a lot of his friends to hear Sanders and Quist.

My friends are aware of whats going on in the country and theyre ready for a change, said Leamer, an independent businessman with a clothing line. They see this as more important than sitting home watching TV.

Kayla Martin, 27, of Butte, said her generation is caring enough to vote.

A lot of people are worried about the leader of our country, Martin said, and more people are staying in touch with news in politics.

Christine and Dennis Williams of Butte, members of an older generation, said they voted absentee.

We were afraid there wouldnt be enough people here, said Christine. Were Democrats, but were in favor of the liberal candidate and Rob Quist.

Dillon sisters Angela and Sissy Dansie, sporting matching Stay Loud T-shirts, also cant wait until the special Election Day. Sissy bought the shirts in Sacramento, California, where she protested for workers, immigration reform and to halt the Keystone XL pipeline last March.

We already sent Zinke to Washington and hes not representing how we feel about our land, our country and our monuments, said Sissy, a construction worker. Montana would never take down a monument.

She referred to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who vacated the U.S. House seat that Quist and Republican opponent Greg Gianforte are seeking. Zinke is conducting a review of all national monuments.

Quist and Sanders drew big cheers and boos at some of Sanders criticisms of the Republicans, President Donald Trump and the one-percenters.

Its great to see Bernie in Montana because it seems that Greg Gianforte is buying the election, said Andrew Hoffman, 30, of Helena and a Missouri native. Its nice to see a national figure like Bernie come out and support a real Montanan.

Before the rally, Val Mourich and Gary Campbell of Butte bought several partisan buttons from vendor Scott Jefferson, who said his High End Sales works independently, but that the company sells at rallies across the political spectrum. Jefferson hails from Cleveland, Ohio.

As the crowd grew, a Butte band, Seth Ontario and the Canadian Mounted Police, entertained with bluegrass reminiscent of Quists former Mission Mountain Wood Band.

Hoffman and wife Emilie Erich Hoffman, 33, dressed in formal wear, left early to attend a Butte wedding after paying their respects to Bernie and Quist.

I think there is a lot of energy in this election, said Hoffman. A lot of my friends are going to vote  and a lot of them for the first time.
We can proudly say, after years of knowing Greg and Susan Gianforte, that Greg is far and beyond the best qualified candidate for U.S. Congress representing our great state of Montana.

He is an American First citizen and will be on Montanas Side. Greg and Susan, his wife of 28 years, raised their four children in Bozeman backpacking and hunting on Montanas public lands. One of the most rewarding experiences of their lives together has been exploring our public lands and passing along these Montana traditions.

The Gianfortes founded RightNow Technologies over 20 years ago in the same Bozeman home that they raised their family and grew the company into the citys largest commercial employer and one of the states most successful businesses. Greg created over 500 high-paying Montana jobs! Greg Gianforte believes we need to get Washington out of the way so our economy can prosper, high-paying jobs can be created, greater opportunities can exist, and our Montana way of life can be protected.

Having served in the Armed Forces for 32 years, I know that we need a strong and well-funded military to protect America and its citizens which Greg Gianforte supports and Rob Quist does not!

We ask Montanans to support and vote for Greg Gianforte. You will be proud of him to be our U.S. Representative from Montana. It is all about our future for our family and children!

-- Paul E. Vallely, Major General US Army (Ret), and Muffin Vallely, Bigfork
When Burton Kinyon died in 2010, it became evident just how frugal and how smart an investor he was. And also just how big a heart he had.

The longtime Butte mechanic managed to salt away nearly $2 million. After small bequests to family, he gave more than $620,000 to each of three charities: Camp Mak-a-Dream, which provides Montana ranch experiences for kids with cancer and their families; Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane; and the Salvation Army, with the proviso that the money be used in the Butte, Montana area.

How lucky we are that people like Burt Kinyon leave the proceeds of their lives work to help the less fortunate among us.

And how galling it is when such a mans last wishes are ignored.

Brian Garrett of Butte, Kinyons great friend and personal representative for his estate, is angry about the Salvation Armys handling of the Kinyon bequest. They never even acknowledged the generous gift, he says  but even more importantly, the money has been managed from afar, contrary to Kinyons wishes, and Garrett is not even sure the bequest is even still intact.

Neither are we. A spokesperson for the charity said the money has been placed in an endowment, and $114,454 in interest has accrued and been distributed in Butte for such services as rent and utility assistance, school supplies, and Christmas gifts. But she still has not answered a direct question from The Montana Standard about whether the entire original amount of the bequest remains on the charitys books.

Butte currently faces a humanitarian crisis of the sort the Salvation Army is supposedly designed to address. No long-term soup kitchen solution is in place to feed the homeless here. And there is no homeless shelter in operation.

Joe Shoemaker, who used to serve on the Salvation Armys local advisory board, says the board came up with multiple suggestions for ways to use the Kinyon bequest to benefit the needy here -- including buying a building with a relatively small portion of the proceeds to put the SA back in the business of providing food and perhaps shelter. The Salvation Army used to operate a soup kitchen here, which is sorely missed.

Every one of the local advisory boards proposals were nixed by the Salvation Armys regional office in Denver  often for reasons that seemed to conflict with each other. When The Montana Standard asked why that happened, the charitys spokesperson responded that The Salvation Army throughout the nation relies on the advice and guidance from our boards and committees. These committees perform (an) advisory role and not a governing one. We value each (member's) expertise and consider all recommendations. The final decision lies with the Salvation Army and the directions from the donor."

The local board asked repeatedly for updates on the status of the bequest, and never got any, Shoemaker said. Finally, frustrated, the local board disbanded.

The current Salvation Army service center on Harrison Avenue is operating without a local advisory board, but the charity said another board could be formed.

Several things need to happen, and quickly:

 -- A full accounting of the bequest needs to be made public.

 -- A local board needs to be reconstituted and given real responsibility for using the money, as Kinyon specified, in Butte.

The Salvation Army has fund-raised here for years, and properly so. But now it needs to reestablish a more active presence in Butte, providing, at the very least, a soup kitchen, and preferably a soup kitchen and shelter, even if it has to augment the Kinyon funds.

And it isnt like the global organization is hurting for money. A few years ago the Salvation Army received a $1.5 billion bequest from Mrs. Joan Kroc, wife of the founder of McDonalds, upon her death.

The Salvation Armys mission statement says that it is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Butte has such human needs, and Burt Kinyon attempted to ensure the Salvation Army would help to meet them. Its time for the organization to do that.

And Butte deserves answers about why it hasnt happened already.
HELENA  In an eight-and-a-half minute YouTube video titled "Why does the Montana Family Foundation Exist?", a collection of people lays out the things that keep them up at night:

The sanctity of marriage under threat. Children at risk of growing up in homes without both biological parents. A lack of school choice and alternatives to public education.

Foundation president and CEO Jeff Laszloffy appears at the end, telling viewers "it's time for us to rise up as a people" and join with the group. He lists three ways to help: volunteer, pray, and commit financial resources.

"This is an expensive battle," he said. "We're not just here to play. We're in this game to win, but to do that we need everyone's help. We need your help."

Those who have put dollars into that battle include the charitable trust run by Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate for Montana's empty U.S. House seat, and his wife Susan. Since at least 2004, the Gianforte Family Foundation has given nearly $900,000 to the foundation, in some years making up nearly half of the money the foundation brings in from gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees.

The Montana Family Foundation is actually an umbrella name for two groups  one also called the Montana Family Foundation and the other called the Montana Family Institute. Work is focused on four areas: life, marriage and family, religious freedom, and school choice.

The Montana Family Foundation groups have a linked, two-prong approach. The institute cultivates an interest in conservative issues and keeps the risks of a progressive agenda at the forefront of people's minds. The foundation then taps into that primed voter pool by telling them who will save Montana from those fears. The institute creates a sense of urgency, and the foundation offers a solution to it.

Put in IRS terms, the sub-foundation is a 501(c)(4), sometimes called a social welfare organization, that can engage in some political activity and has done so aggressively, if sporadically, according to records filed with the state's campaign finance watchdog. The institute is a 501(c)(3), which cannot spend money directly with campaigns or on electioneering activity.

To be clear, the Gianforte Family Foundation only gives to the institute. Still, the portion they support can do things like produce a scorecard of how legislators vote on family issues and rank candidates based on their stance on religious freedom, abortion, and other issues of that nature, according to Montana Family Foundation communications director Bowen Greenwood. And even though the Gianforte-funded arm is banned from direct political communications, Susan Gianforte would have had input on the direction of the political segment when she served on the board of the overall organization until February 2014.

Neither the institute nor foundation's lists of donors is public, so it's hard to say what percentage of the institute's money comes from the Gianforte trust, but both groups' available tax records show the contributions are significant.

In 2012, for example, the Gianforte trust's grants made up 60 percent of the institute's money that came from gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees. Filings from 2010 to 2014 show Gianforte trust money making up 11 percent in 2010, 32 percent in 2011, 54 percent in 2013, and 29 percent in 2014.

That money helps fund the institute's public education work in the religious community.

"We're keeping them educated about what's going on with the Legislature. We do a lot of civic education work with that community about elections that are coming up, how to vote, how to participate," Greenwood said.

Montana Legislature

According to radio programs recorded by Laszloffy, who was traveling and not available for an interview for this story, the Legislature is something to monitor closely for danger.

In a broadcast a week after the end of the 2017 session, Laszloffy told listeners online and on 40 stations across the state: "Sleep well, Montana, you're safe for another two years."

In a program the week before, Laszloffy discussed a bill called the Montana Locker Room Privacy Act. In the foundation's eyes, the failed legislation would have protected vulnerable young women from men seeking to enter locker rooms and bathrooms to take advantage of them. To those who defeated it, the bill was discriminatory against those who are transgender.

The bill was killed by "four misguided Republicans," Laszloffy told listeners, illustrating the group's comfort with singling out Republicans it feels are not conservative enough.

That Republican-on-Republican criticism in the name of creating a more conservative party has been the focus of the political segment of the group. Republican Representative Rob Cook of Conrad was a target of those efforts in 2014 and still has the fliers to prove it.

Cook, a self-identified "responsible Republican" who has crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats on some major legislation in the past several sessions and is respected among lawmakers as a fair negotiator, first came into the crosshairs of the foundation in 2011 after he voted against a bill to require a woman to have an ultrasound before an abortion. In 2013, he voted against a bill that would have required a school district to get written consent before teaching students sex ed.

"Hell, I'm not pro-abortion either, but they had an ultrasound bill where you basically had to get raped by an ultrasound if you wanted to have an abortion," Cook said. "It was a bunch of stuff like that."

So it was no surprise when the fliers showed up in 2014 during his primary against Ann Morren.

The politically capable foundation side spent an estimated $5,600 to send fliers showing Cook's sinister-looking black-and-white mugshot next to a bright color photo of a child looking terrified.

"The flier basically claimed I was teaching sex ed to kindergartners," Cook said. "They mailed some nasty fliers."

In that primary, Greg and Susan Gianforte also each gave $170, the maximum allowed in 2014, to Morren.

In total, the Montana Family Foundation reported spending $52,350 in the 2014 primaries. An estimated 15 percent of their expenditures went to fliers opposing Republican Sen. Duane Ankney. In the previous session, Ankney was a vocal proponent of a bill that decriminalized homosexual sex and spoke personally about his gay daughter.

The group's success in 2014 was tempered; just four of 10 of their candidates advanced. But two years prior, they saw major victories, spending $320,000 in the 2012 election. The bulk of that, about $243,000, went to support a successful ballot initiative to require parental consent for women under the age of 16 before an abortion. The rest went toward postcards aimed at either attacking less conservative candidates or supporting those that aligned with the group's mission.

Conservative identity

When asked last week why the Gianforte Charitable Trust has supported the institute side of the operation, Gianforte said the group's mission aligns with his views.

"I am a conservative. And I believe that conservative views in government lead to increased prosperity. Conservative views support lower taxes, less regulation, letting people keep the fruits of their labor, and good government policy."

Asked last fall about his trust's donations, Gianforte emphasized the money could not be used politically.

"Not one of these organizations can use a dime of what we've given them for political purposes. This is money that's been given for the purpose of helping the vulnerable, increasing educational opportunities, ministerial purposes. None of it is used for political purposes. If it was, they'd lose their nonprofit status and the (Gianforte) foundation would lose its nonprofit status. It's not a line that gets crossed."

Campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said last week Gianforte will defend First Amendment rights, which includes religious liberty.

"He'll protect anyone's right to believe and practice whatever they want. That's what's in the First Amendment of our Constitution. That's the very first freedom. He opposes any effort by the federal government to impose religious beliefs or prevent the ability of Montanans to practice their faith," Scanlon said. "You can't have religious freedom if you let the government impose any one set of religious beliefs."

Gianforte's "faith does compel him to serve and give back and show compassion for others," Scanlon said. "He's supported a wide variety of causes because he wants to help others."

Greenwood said by his assessment the Montana Family Foundation had not scaled up its political activity because of the involvement of the Gianfortes. He said activity is more dictated by changing finance laws and the need to comply with them.

Gianforte also said the trust tends to "support organizations we're directly involved in. It's the reason why we've been so supportive of Petra Academy and why we've gotten so involved in the manufacturing scholarships and the ACE Scholarships."

Education

The nexus of a private religious school Gianforte founded in Bozeman called Petra Academy and the Gianforte-funded ACE Scholarship program, which helped 520 students attend private and religious schools in its first year in 2013, shows a desire to privatize schools that concerns the president of Montana's largest labor union, MEA-MFT.

"Virtually every school privatization bill, whether it's pay vouchers, charter schools, or income tax credits, has been advocated for or lobbied for by the Montana Family Foundation," said Eric Feaver, head of the union that includes public school employees.

On education issues, MFF has been very aggressive in their "pursuit of privatization" and helping get people elected who further that agenda, Feaver said.

Feaver and Laszloffy have squared off against each other in Helena for years, but early on, the group focused more on issues involving advocating for a conservative Christian lifestyle, Feaver said.

"When Greg Gianforte started investing money, that was when they started ramping up their school choice agenda," Feaver said.

Influencing the Legislature

Cook said that amount of money the Montana Family Foundation and institute have access to gives the small group  the institute lists 151 volunteers on its 2015 tax forms  an outsized influence that has led to a Legislature that is more conservative than the state as a whole.

"They've been very successful electing representatives who follow their viewpoint even though those same views are not indicative of Montana's underlying demographic," Cook said. "They've done an extraordinary job of overrunning the Legislature" with more conservative candidates.

Even though the Gianforte trust does not give to the political arm, the money it contributes can help rally potential candidates around conservative issues and create interest in running for seats.

"When you're recruiting from a natural cadre of zealots, it's a lot easier," Cook said. "They are disproportionately represented among the Montana Legislature, and it's Gianforte's money that's responsible for it."

It's fairly simple how the Montana Family Foundation picks the candidates it supports, Greenwood said.

The institute, as a part of its work, produces a scorecard of how legislators have voted on family-oriented issues. It uses that information to rank candidates on how they stand on issues like religious freedom and abortion.

"The foundation likes to do our best to help Christians and people of faith know how pro-family the candidate is. It was founded for the primary purpose to provide information to people of faith about how public policy is affecting them and also provide information to policy makers about the desires and hopes of people of faith," Greenwood said.

The Montana Family Foundation formed in 2004 after the Montana Family Coalition dissolved. It joined the national movement to capture the previously untapped religious right and focus it into a political base. And in Montana, through the work of the Montana Family Foundation's educational arm with funding from the Gianforte charitable trust, it has trained its base to view political campaigning as a significant part of their religious expression.

"Jeff and the crew of folks that started the Montana Family Foundation mirrored that same attempt to create an identity that was part of the religious right that was using this national framework to build political power," said Rachel Carol Rivas, co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network.

In 2016 the Montana Family Foundation didn't report any spending on the election. That's because of changes from the Disclose Act, a sweeping revision of Montana's campaign finance laws that passed in 2015 and was opposed by the foundation.

Gianforte has called the law a "work in progress." Democrats have tried to paint him as opposed to it because the lead attorney in a lawsuit challenging the Disclose Act is was also his campaign attorney during the governor's race.

Under the act, nonprofits have to identify contributors who paid for any messages that mention a candidate or a race. "The Disclose Act resulted in a massive change in how we do business," Greenwood said.
MISSOULA  The role of a social safety net in America has been at the heart of key debates between Montana's two U.S House candidates.

Both say that the cornerstone federal programs must exist but often disagree about how directly the government should manage them, the extent to which private companies should be involved, which services to offer, and whether they should be universal or limited to a narrow set of Americans.

Philosophically, the safety net was designed to give people a solid footing even in the toughest times so they could achieve the American Dream, with programs ranging from health care and Social Security to disability services and affordable housing.

Democrat Rob Quist often spoke of his personal experience with safety-net programs and in stark terms of defending them from what he sees as an attempt to turn them into corporate profit machines.

"I was talking with Pat Williams (the last Democrat to hold Montana's U.S. House seat), and he said from the time he became congressman that the goal of the Republican administrations were to privatize everything. To me, there's a danger in that," said the Creston musician best known as a founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band.

Republican Greg Gianforte said the social safety net is one of the four primary purposes of a federal government along with national defense, making and enforcing laws, and paying for infrastructure.

"We need the safety net, but I believe the best path forward is to actually improve the economy so there are more jobs," said the Bozeman tech entrepreneur. "We do that by letting people keep more of their hard-earned money, lowering taxes, reducing regulations so people that create jobs can create more jobs."

Health care has been a primary topic of campaign stops leading up to the May 25 special election to fill the seat vacated by Ryan Zinke when he was confirmed as Interior Secretary. Quist has started and ended his campaign with statewide tours to talk about health care, mostly calling for a defense of the Affordable Care Act and condemning the current Republican replacement plan, the American Health Care Act.

"We have to resist this," Quist said during an event at Great Burn Brewing in Missoula on Tuesday.

He hammered on the GOP proposal for allowing insurers to charge people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums and changing the way the federal government funds state Medicaid expansions, which he said would kill Montana's program that has insured more than 70,000 people since it launched in January 2016.

Beyond defending the Affordable Care Act, Quist has advocated for a single-payer system, which he said would simplify the whole system and significantly reduce administrative costs driven, in large part, by existing reporting and compliance requirements.

To fight the rising cost of prescriptions, he has suggested that Medicare, the free health care program for the elderly or people with disabilities, should be able to negotiate prices like other federal programs. He also has supported lifting an importation ban on pharmaceuticals, noting his wife's Epipen costs just $20 when relatives buy it for her in Canada rather than the $500 here in the United States.

Gianforte said the federal government has "an obligation to all Americans to make health care affordable."

"That's why I believe we should repeal and replace Obamacare," he said, referencing the Affordable Care Act.

He did not fully support the first version of the American Health Care Act and has raised questions about the latest iteration in interviews, saying that preserving rural access and reducing premiums will be his primary concerns when evaluating a proposal.

Gianforte has been criticized, however, for a phone conversation leaked to The New York Times in which he told lobbyists that he was "thankful for" the House votes that moved the American Health Care Act forward.

Those reforms also could dramatically affect the financial ability of states to continue Medicaid programs expanded under the near-complete reimbursement rates promised in the Affordable Care Act. Montana, for instance, raised the income threshold for people to qualify and allowed all adults  not just single mothers, children, and people with disabilities  to receive the government-funded health care coverage.

The Republican reforms discussed in the last several months have proposed capping federal appropriations to states to pay for those expansions or providing the funding as block grants that would have fewer rules about what types of services must be covered. Some fear those block grants, like similar ones instituted for food subsidy programs, would lead states to tighten eligibility requirements and force people off the programs since money would not go far enough to cover all need.

Gianforte said the government needs to maintain the expanded coverage.

"We can't pull the carpet out from under them," he said. But he did not answer questions about the fears that a cap or block grant would do just that and about whether he supports those ideas.

Speaking about health care reforms but also safety-net programs in general, Gianforte said he wants to see tapered benefits so the neediest people receive complete support, with some assistance for middle-class families.

"We need to make sure that we don't put incentives that discourage people from getting up on their own feet and being self-sufficient," he said. "Some programs have benefits that just fall off a cliff at a certain income level or hours worked per week."

Quist wouldn't say whether he generally supported programs that provide universal benefits, like Medicare, or ones that limit aid based on income or other factors, like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

"It's a complex thing," he said, nonetheless lauding Medicare as an example of why a universal program can work best.

"It all comes downs to philosophy about whether you're into service of self or service to others," he said, taking a swing at Republicans in Congress he suggested were looking for more tax breaks for themselves rather than seriously reforming health care.

"Universal (programs) are service to everyone. That's what's been so great about Medicare. It's probably been the most successful program ever instituted. You show your card, and you're covered, no questions asked. It takes out the administrative costs," Quist said. "It's a much more efficient system than a system where people have to find and pay exorbitant prices for insurance."

In the final weeks of his campaign, Quist also has argued that he is the best person to defend Social Security. He has seen firsthand how the program can keep American families afloat, he said. As he has done frequently, Quist said when he had health troubles and was "facing the possibility of bankruptcy" that the ability to take Social Security income early "really saved me and my family."

In campaign stops, Quist has raised the specter that Republicans, Gianforte among them, want to end or roll back Social Security.

Democrats criticized Gianforte during his failed gubernatorial bid last year for comments he once made about Noah, the Biblical figure who built an ark to survive a catastrophic flood.

Speaking to Montana Bible College students, he reportedly said: "There's nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement  How old was Noah when he built the ark? Six-hundred. He wasn't, like, cashing Social Security checks; he wasn't hanging out; he was working.  The role we have in work may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical."

Gianforte declined multiple requests to clarify those comments or address the backlash to them during a Wednesday interview. Instead, he repeatedly said, "I will always protect Social Security."

Earlier, he said some of the nation's safety-net programs do not fit his vision for what those should be.

He said Social Security is "a contract between the federal government and those recipients" who have paid into the system their whole lives.

"So we cannot do anything to jeopardize those benefits in any way," he said.

The Republican administration of President Donald Trump, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, has proposed restructuring many of the nation's core affordable housing programs and also wants to cut funding from block grants that pay for the majority of affordable housing built here in Montana for people with low incomes, disabilities, or who are elderly. Funding for maintenance of public housing also could be cut dramatically.

Carson has said Trump intends to fund affordable housing initiatives in a to-be-released infrastructure proposal and notes that the government can get more "bang for its buck" by expanding an existing tax credit program that provides incentives for private developers.

Those tax credits have been criticized by some housing advocates, who say they often do not do enough to guarantee housing is built where it's needed most and in a way that does not exacerbate existing economic or racial segregation.

A Quist interview ended before he could discuss his views of the housing proposals, and requests Thursday and Friday for additional time were not fulfilled.

Gianforte did not answer some specific questions about the proposals but said that higher-paying jobs would make housing affordable for more Americans. He also said he generally supports public-private partnerships over programs that are managed entirely by federal agencies.

"Very often the private sector can do things more efficiently than government can," he said. "If we decide we have a goal as a country, like more affordable housing, I'm a fan of incentive programs to help the private sector fulfill that need."
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 []
Israel and Syria square off for a new Middle Eastern war and a developer looks to Napa to provide water for a huge new subdivision in the rura
One of Donald Trumps key goals since becoming president has been to systematically reverse the policies of his predecessor. So its no surprise that Trumps visit this weekend to Saudi Arabia, his first to a foreign country, will signal a break with Barack Obamas foreign policy in the Middle East.

This is both promising and potentially troubling. On the plus side, Trump has a unique opportunity to reframe Americas engagement with the region, by addressing a set of problems ranging from Israels relationship with Arab nations to the Islamist radicalization that began with the Iranian revolution in 1979 and has culminated with the Islamic State caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

But there are also pitfalls to avoid, in particular how America is to confront Iranian regional ambitions and how to get back on a path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli struggle.

That Riyadh and Jerusalem are the first stops on this trip is clearly Trumps attempt to distance himself from Obamas rapprochement with Iran. The previous administrations calculation here involved creating a balance of power between the regional actors, namely Saudi and Iran, in order to diminish the U.S. military footprint in the region. However, Obamas strategy  as seen from the ongoing wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen and the escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran  has failed.

Trump, in contrast, has a strong desire to side forcefully with Americas traditional allies, Saudi Arabia and Israel, and has made a point of identifying Iran as the source of instability in the region. Not incorrectly, he sees Iran as having used the cover of the nuclear agreement reached with six major powers in 2015 to increase its influence throughout the region, especially through the use of non-state actors such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq. In so doing, Iran has waged stealth war on Sunni Arabs by providing weapons, ideological indoctrination and training to Shiite militias across the entire region.

Trump will be feted in Riyadh for giving primacy to Americas strategic relationship with the kingdom, and will be hailed as a partner by moderate Muslim states such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in the war against extremist radical movements like Sunni Islamic State as well as Shiite Hezbollah.

Sunni jihadists, who are equally at war with Sunni states such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, cannot be defeated without an alliance with the wider Sunni world. The Saudis, for example, have warded off several al-Qaeda attacks against the homeland, and have allowed their territory to be used as a base for U.S. attacks against al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Trump will certainly acknowledge this, and is expected to give a major speech on Islam and the West, with hope of putting to rest his reputation as an Islamophobe.

In return, Saudi Arabia is likely to announce significant investments in infrastructure projects in America (perhaps as much as US $40 billion) and that it will be buying $100 billion or more in U.S. arms. This will be framed as part of the kingdoms effort to achieve two principal aims: diversifying its economy and investments, and strengthening its military capabilities and ability to protect itself instead of placing the burden on the U.S. Emphasis will be placed on the two countries historic economic and political partnership -- the summits slogan is Together We Prevail.

But the meetings wont be solely about the bilateral relationship. Another major topic will be the 70-year Arab-Israeli conflict. And since Jerusalem will be the next stop after Riyadh, it is rumored that Trump will obtain from the Saudis and their Gulf neighbors a major concession toward Israel in order to restart the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. This might involve giving El Al, Israels national airline, overflight rights, or perhaps the establishment of direct telecommunication links. It is no secret that the common enmity for Iran has brought the Gulf States and Israel closer, especially on security and intelligence, and Trump hopes to capitalize on this.

The risk here lies in the manner in which Trump attempts to restart the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. If he obtains Arab concessions but ignores the terms of the Saudi-led 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, Trump will undermine the kingdom and its allies. That road map requires Israel to offer substantive near-term concessions to the Palestinians, and ultimately a viable state. In return, Israel would get full recognition and normalization of relations with the Arab nations.

For this to play out, Israel must immediately offer the Palestinians something tangible, such as permanent cessation of all settlement construction in the West Bank. If not, Iran, Assad, Hezbollah and the Houthis  the self-proclaimed axis of resistance to Israel and the West  will have a strong argument to the Muslim world that revanchism is the only avenue for dealing with Israel.

Another difficulty lies with how Trump will handle Iran, now that he will reposition the U.S. squarely with Saudi Arabia. His former national security advisor, General Michael Flynn, famously put Tehran on notice for testing a ballistic missile. But what does this mean in practice? A direct American strike on Iran is inconceivable without an open Iranian provocation such as an attack on a U.S. Navy ship in the Persian Gulf.

Yemen, Saudi Arabias soft underbelly, offers the best arena to begin to roll back Iranian influence. Tehran is clearly involved in supporting and supplying weapons to the Houthi rebels, attempting to create a Hezbollah-like force that can harass Saudi Arabia across the border. This is what has provoked the Saudis to wage their controversial war there, and despite universal condemnation of civilian casualties, it will continue to do so until Irans plans are frustrated.

For Iran, by contrast, Yemen is not a strategic asset. It should be possible to make the regime understand that its foray in Yemen will come at a cost, say the sinking of any ship that is found carrying weapons to the Houthis, along with new sanctions. Instead, opening up a dialog with Iran about Yemen, which would include Saudi Arabia and its allies, might start the process of de-escalation across the entire region.

Perhaps more importantly, it would also show that without Americas active engagement, the region will remain a boiling cauldron, and that Obama was wrong by adopting a hands-off policy. Trump should like that.
09:40





Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who has held Gupta guilty in the case, will pronounce his judgement on the quantum of sentence on July 22.





Gupta, who was the coal secretary from December 31, 2005 to November 2008, then joint secretary K S Kropha and then director K C Samaria in the coal ministry were held guilty by the court for irregularities in allocation of the Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL).





Senior public prosecutor V K Sharma told the court that the convicts had committed an economic offence and urged it not to grant any leniency to them.





He submitted that economic offences were graver than the other crimes and should be dealt with firmly.





The convicts, however, sought leniency, citing old age and no previous conviction in any other case.





On May 19, the court had convicted Gupta, Kropha and Samaria. It also held the firm and its managing director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia guilty of the offences, including cheating.





The court, however, acquitted chartered accountant Amit Goyal in the case.





The CBI had in October 2012 lodged a first information report in the matter, but on March 27, 2014 it filed a closure report.





The court rejected the closure report on October 13, 2014 and summoned Gupta and others as accused. The CBI had alleged that the firm had misrepresented its net worth and the existing capacity, adding that the state government had also not recommended the firm for the allocation of any coal block.





The court had on October 14 last year framed charges against them, observing that former prime minister Manmohan Singh was kept in the 'dark' by Gupta, who had prima facie violated the law and the trust reposed in him on the issue of coal block allocation.





10 more coal scam cases are pending against Gupta and the proceedings are going on separately. The Supreme Court had last year dismissed his plea seeking a joint trial in all these cases. -- PTI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has urged a special court in New Delhi to award the maximum punishment of seven years jail term to former coal secretary H C Gupta for cheating and criminal conspiracy in allocation of a coal block to a private firm.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz invited Prime Minister Nawaz for the summit. The invitation was delivered by Saudi Information Minister Awwad bin Saleh al Awwad, who visited Islamabad last week, Dawn online reported.

Sharif is accompanied by his Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and First Lady Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

In addition to King Salman and US President Donald Trump, 55 heads of state and government from the Muslim world have been invited to participate in the summit.

The grand meeting will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to discuss how to overcome the menace of terrorism and extremism across the world.

It is expected that leaders will attempt to de-link "terrorism" from any particular religion, culture, civilisation or region, reports Dawn online.

The Prime Minister will also join the global leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony of the World Centre against Extremism, an important counter-radicalisation initiative by Saudi Arabia.

Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's "alliance with the Kingdom by recalling the commonality of views of two countries on most regional and international issues and their collaboration" for achieving common interests and objectives.

It was "unlikely" that Sharif would get a one-on-one meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the summit.

--IANS ksk/vt

( 241 Words)

2017-05-21-13:24:09 (IANS)
In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police on Sunday busted a terror module with links to Canada and Pakistan. Two terrorists, who, according to police, were "planning to target enemies of the Panth(the Sikh religion)", were arrested with a large cache of weapons and ammunition. Among the weapons seized by the security forces from the duo were an AK-47 assault rifle and other rifles, hand grenades, pistols and live ammunition of different calibres. The two suspected terrorists were arrested from India-Pakistan border area while trying to recover the weapons pushed into the Indian territory from Pakistan side. The duo was identified as Mann Singh, 40, from Sri Hargobindpur (Gurdaspur) and Sher Singh, 28, from Kartarpur (Jalandhar). "Preliminary interrogation of the terrorists has revealed that their module was raised and indoctrinated by an Ontario(Candada)-based Sikh hardliner, Gurjivan Singh, who had made two trips to Punjab in the last six months, and arranged the arms and ammunitions for their operations through his Khalistani contacts in Pakistan," a Punjab Police spokesperson said here. The arrested duo revealed that Gurjivan Singh had been in touch with them for the past two years and had motivated them to commit terror strikes in Punjab. "They also revealed that during his last two trips to Punjab, Gurjivan Singh had imparted them theoretical training in handling arms, including AK-47 rifles. They also told the interrogators that they had travelled with Gurjivan Singh to Uttar Pradesh to procure arms but had been unsuccessful. "Subsequently, Gurjivan had promised to arrange the arms and ammunition for them through his Pakistan-based Khalistani contacts and their ISI handlers," the spokesperson said, based on the interrogation of the arrested terrorists by security agencies. "During interrogation, Mann Singh also confessed to having made several visits to Pakistan and to being in touch with some Khalistani activists there," he added. The duo were nabbed by BSF troopers on Sunday morning when they arrived near the border to recover the weapons and ammunition. The spokesperson said the arms and ammunition seized during the operation was found buried close to the border and the suspects had been provided with the co-ordinates of the spot. The consignment recovered at their instance included five 7.62 mm pistols with nine magazines and 205 live rounds; a 9 mm pistol with two magazines and 77 live rounds; an AK 47 rifle with three magazines and 157 live rounds; a MP 9 modified rifle with two magazines; five hand grenades; a .32 bore revolver with 39 live rounds; a 315 bore rifle with one magazine and 17 live rounds. "Further interrogation of the suspects is in progress and immigration records are being retrieved to track Gurjivan's movement," the spokesperson added. --IANS js/vd ( 469 Words) 2017-05-21-21:18:09 (IANS)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denied recent media claims that US President Donald Trump mentioned the dismissal of FBI head James Comey during their meeting in Washington DC.

Read more

We did not touch upon this issue at all, Lavrov said, speaking to journalists in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, on Saturday.

Lavrov already mentioned before that the issue of Comeys dismissal was not discussed during the meeting with Trump.

It is not our issue, it is his [Trumps] prerogative, he said during interview with Russian Channel One on May 14.

The Russian foreign minister met the US leader in the Oval Office on May 10. One day before the meeting, Trump fired James Comey.

The New York Times claimed on Friday that it obtained some quotations from the meeting provided by an unnamed official. According to them, Trump mentioned firing crazy, a real nut job Comey as he was speaking to the Russian officials.

READ MORE: White House refutes 'false' report Trump shared classified info with Russians

Shortly after the Trump and Lavrov meeting, the Washington Post came up with a story claiming that Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian officials. Both the White House and the Kremlin refuted the report.

President Vladimir Putin described the US media claims as political schizophrenia and said that Russia could provide the transcript of the conversation.

READ MORE: Putin ready to provide records of Trump-Lavrov talks to prove no secrets were leaked

Journalist and author Max Blumenthal told RT that recent leaks to the media represented "almost a tidal wave" coming from within the intelligence services and reported as from anonymous former and current US officials.

What we're witnessing is a very undemocratic atmosphere, where anonymous officials from within the intelligence agencies within the deep state are driving media coverage, driving the public into hysteria, aiming at impeachment," Blumenthal said.
A new discovery may be the key to stopping shortages of these vital blood-clotting cells that can represent the difference between life and death. The finding from the University of Virginia School of Medicine also could offer big benefits for premature babies, opening the door to new treatments for a serious condition called neonatal thrombocytopenia that affects up to 30 percent of babies in neonatal intensive care units. The researchers identified a "master switch" that they may be able to manipulate to overcome the obstacles that have prevented doctors from producing platelets in large quantities outside the body. "The platelet supply is limited and the demand is growing," said researcher Adam Goldfarb. "The quantities we can produce outside the body are very, very small, and the inability to scale up right now is a major roadblock. We think that our understanding of this pathway is actually a critical step toward fixing that problem." Scientists also may be able to use this master switch to battle neonatal thrombocytopenia, a condition that complicates the care of babies who are already at great risk. "It turns out in premature infants and newborns that [the platelet] reserve is compromised. They are less capable of responding to distress and the demand for increased platelet production," Goldfarb said. "A goodly percentage of those babies, these tiny little babies, require platelet transfusions to keep their platelets up." The switch discovered by Goldfarb's team controls whether the bone marrow produces cells called megakaryocytes of the type seen in adults or of the sort found in infants. This is important because the adult and infantile versions have very different specialties: Adult megakaryocytes are great at making platelets. Lots and lots of them. Infantile megakaryocytes, on the other hand, are much smaller cells, and they concentrate on dividing to produce more megakaryocytes. The ability to toggle between the two could be a huge asset for doctors. Now, doctors cannot produce large quantities of platelets in the lab and instead must rely on platelet donations for patients. The new finding, however, may help change that. "It's thought that in our bodies every single megakaryocyte produces like a thousand platelets, and when you do it in culture [outside the body] it's like 10," he said. "We think the pathway we're studying enhances the efficiency of platelet release, and this pathway, we think, could be manipulated in both directions: to suppress the pathway to promote the growth [of megakaryocytes] and then to activate the pathway at some point to enhance the efficiency of platelet release." The study appears in Journal of Clinical Investigation. (ANI)
The CRPF officer, named Tapan Kumar Dey, was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.

The injured officers are admitted in Belpahari Hospital, where they are being treated.

These officers were posted at CRPF 165 BN camp here. (ANI)
After the Supreme Court rejected Calcutta High Court judge Justice C.S. Karnan's plea for recall of his six-month jail term for contempt of court, the former's son, S. K. Sugan, on Saturday met President Pranab Mukherjee Secretary, seeking immediate suspension of the apex court's order. Justice Karnan's lawyers told ANI that they and Sugan met the Secretary to the President of India, Ashok Kumar Mishra, and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate suspension of the order passed by the seven Judge bench of the Supreme Court. One of the lawyers of Justice Karnan, Mathew J. Nethumpara, has requested President Mukherjee to grant relief to the former after the apex court refused to grant the same. Earlier on May 19, the Supreme Court rejected Justice Karnan's plea, stating that the petition was "not maintainable" in the court. "I am constrained, but to hold that the present writ petition is not maintainable. The relief, if any, lies somewhere else. I, thus, see no reasonable cause to receive the present writ petition for registration under the provisions of order XV, rule (5) of the Supreme Court rules, 2013," the Supreme Court Registrar said in the order. Earlier this month, Justice Karnan had approached the apex court seeking recall of the May 9 order, in which he was convicted and was sentenced to six-month imprisonment. The Supreme Court also banned the media from publishing the orders passed by him during his tenure. The top court had taken suo motu cognizance of numerous letters written by him against judges of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court and restrained him from exercising administrative and judicial powers from February 8. Karnan is the first ever sitting judge of a higher court in judicial history to be sent to jail. (ANI)
BPJ MP from Uttar Pradesh`s Bhadoi and chief ofparty`s farmers' wing Kisan Morcha Virendra Singh Mast said agriculture was a victim of caste politics in Bihar. Talking to newspersons at the state party headquarters here. Mr Mastsaid the agriculture sector could not register much growth due to castepolitics in the state even as a huge chunk of the state`s populationwas dependent on farm sector for its sustenance. He in a veiled attack on RJD Chief Lalu Prasad said he was one of the main politicians indulging in caste politics and was looting public exchequer as if he had got the mandate of the people in the last state assembly election for it. The BJP MP said the RJD leaders' main objective was to lead luxuriouslives by looting everything from farmers keeping them in deplorablecondition. He said Bihar could progress speedily if development oriented politics were persued in the state. BJP MP said farmers of the state were not able to get full advantage of centrally sponsored schemes as the state government was reluctant in implementing them, a kind of betrayal of cultivators.MORE UNI DH KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-902545.Xml
"On this day in 1991, we lost a great leader...This is a day I would never forget. The shock and pain over his untimely demise will always remain in my mind," Banerjee posted on a social media website.

The Trinamool Congress supremo expressed her condolences to Congress President and Rajiv's widow Sonia Gandhi and their two children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1991 in a suicide bomb attack by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

He served as the Prime Minister from October 31, 1984, to December 2, 1989.

--IANS mgr/ssp/ksk/vt

( 150 Words)

2017-05-21-13:56:10 (IANS)
A frail and fumbling Trinamool Congress parliamentary party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, who has been granted bail after spending four and a half months in custody in connection with the Rose Valley scam, on Sunday claimed he was not corrupt and would return to politics as soon he was adjudged fit by doctors. Urging people to have faith in him, Bandopadhyay said: "Time will prove that, whatever else I may be, I never intended to do my politics with the stamp of corruption. I am not corrupt." Bandopadhyay, a Lok Sabha member, also denied any possibility of leaving politics or joining any other party. "No no, why should I leave politics? I am sick. I will take rest for a few days. Let me get cured first. I will be back in politics wholeheartedly," Bandopadhyay told the news channel ABP Ananda from his hospital bed in Bhubaneswar in his first reaction after getting bail. "Ma, Mati, Manush Zindabad (Long live Mother, soil and people -- Trinamool's pet slogan), Trinamool Congress zindaad (Long live Trinamool Congress), Mamata Banerjee zindabad (Long live Mamata Banerjee- Trinamool supremo)," he said. Bandopadhyay was granted bail on Friday by the Odisha High Court on health grounds but on the condition that he surrenders his passport, deposits a bond of Rs 25 lakh, and cooperates with the investigators while desisting from any efforts to influence the probe. He was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on January 3. About reports that the CBI would move the Supreme Court challenging his bail, the MP said: "I have seen such reports. But I have confidence in the judiciary." Likening West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee to a "goddess", Bandopadhyay said: "I have built my political career bit by bit over 45 years, through struggle. It will be wrong to smear it with black ink. I am not guilty." Bandopadhyay said all his financial transactions, assets, property were there in the public domain. "My leader Mamata Banerjee is the epitome of honesty. I bow to her honesty. I am her follower. Nobody is going to believe that I am corrupt. I will again come back to political life." Bandopadhyay, known as an articulate leader, spoke haltingly and was even seen groping for words during the interview. Countering the CBI's argument in court that Banerjee's recent trip to Odisha to meet the MP proved that he was influential, Bandopadhyay said: "We have been together in politics for long. We are also the founding members of the party (Trinamool). So she came to see me." Bandopadhyay said his health has been very bad since sometime back. "Now I am somewhat better. Doctors are saying I have to be under (medical) supervision for some more days." Bandopadhyay said he had an irregular heartbeat, and suffered from breathlessness and chest pain. On the CBI charges against him, the Trinamool leader said: "They have alleged that my travel agent was paid Rs 18 lakh (by Rose Valley) for my foreign trip, and on two occasions I was given Rs five lakh each in 2010 and 2011. It comes to Rs 27 lakh." "CBI is a premier Indian agency. Let them probe. If they find me guilty, let them punish me. But I want to say I have confidence in the judiciary..." Asked about his experiences over the past four and a half months, Bandopadhyay said he spent the initial days in jail, and then he was admitted to hospital. "I spent 21 days in the ICU of the SCB Medical College in Cuttack. And then, the CBI court sent me to Apollo Hospital, Bhubaneswar." Bandopadhyay, who is scheduled to return to Kolkata later in the day, said he had nothing against the CBI "who are doing their duty". --IANS ssp/in/vt ( 636 Words) 2017-05-21-15:56:10 (IANS)
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said that party Vice President Rahul Gandhi "can definitely match" Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is perfectly capable of leading both the party and the nation. Speaking at the Aaj Tak Editors Round-table, Scindia said: "Rahul Gandhi has tremendous capability, he has a deep core understanding of grassroot issues..." He added: "I personally believe Rahul Gandhi is well equipped to lead this party and lead the nation. Just give him some time." "Rahul Gandhi can definitely match Modi. He will challenge Modi and the Congress will go to people with the blueprint that the party and Rahul Gandhi are working on... I feel that we should move ahead under his leadership. We will form government in 2019 under his leadership." In response to a question on Scindia taking over as Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, replacing Mallikarjun Kharge, he said: "What fate has in store..., what strategy the party has, is something I am not privy to." Recounting his experience in politics in the past 15 years, the Congress leader said: "I am a worker of the Congress party, I have always had that belief." He did admit that his party required a new blueprint, and there was a need to focus on states where Congress can bounce back. "We need to go back to the drawing board, there are a lot of good things we did in last ten years, but obviously not enough to regain the trust of the people. We need to go back with a new blueprint," he said. Scindia also said that unlike in the past, when a strong Centre built strong states, the situation has reversed. "Earlier, you had a strong Centre which would build strong states. Now you need strong states to build a strong Centre. I think that is the recalibration of strategy that must take place in the Congress," he said. Asked about the opposition's choice of candidate for the Presidential poll in July, Scindia said Congress was trying to evolve a consensus among all opposition parties on a common candidate. "We want to get one consensus candidate from all opposition parties. Discussions are on, Congress cannot take the decision alone," he said. Asked if President Pranab Mukherjee can be their candidate, he said: "The President has made it clear, he will contest only if all parties arrive at a consensus." --IANS ao/in/rn ( 417 Words) 2017-05-21-15:58:10 (IANS)
Assuring complete closure of the Kashmir issue on behalf of the Government, Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a strong statement that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat belong to India. "We understand that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat are ours. I assure you that we will come up with a permanent solution to end the issue," he said while addressing a gathering. In the hope of resolving the ongoing friction between India and Pakistan regarding territorial disputes in Kashmir, the Home Minister said it is time for Pakistan to mend their ways and come to a consensus on the issue, rather than prolonging the same. "Pakistan continues to carry out acts of violence in the name of Kashmir, just to destabilise us. It is time for Pakistan to end these and look into resolving the matter and extending cooperation," said Rajnath. Developing on the importance of easing tensions along the border, Rajnath while drawing upon the reduction of border transgression with China, said Pakistan was invited to maintain friendly relations and not just bilateral ties. "There might be perceptional differences, but the border friction with China has declined now. Pakistan Prime Minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony not just to join hands, but to be cordial hereafter," he said. Lauding the efforts of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in curbing acts of violence along 'sensitive borders', Rajnath also appreciated the people of Sikkim in their cooperation towards the SSB's initiatives. Earlier on Friday, Singh chaired a meeting with the chief ministers of five states on the issue of the India-China Border in Gangtok. During the meeting, attended by chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, Rajnath reviewed the security issues in the border area. The objective of the meeting was to strengthen the coordination of the ministry with these States to improve the overall border security. In the meeting, a discussion was also held on the border infrastructure work undertaken by the Home Ministry, Border Area Development Programme and coordination issues between the states and the Indo-Tibetian Border Police. The Home Minister also visited the Nathula Pass and ITBP border post at Lachung to meet the Jawans of the force. (ANI)
Yuva Shakti Dal, including the Bhim Army, held a mammoth demonstration at Jantar Mantar in the national capital today against the recent caste clashes in Saharanpur despite the Delhi Police denying permission.Dalits and Thakurs came face to face during the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar in Saharanpur leading to violence and unrest. On the unfateful day, the Thakurs wanted to take out a musical procession honouring Maharana Pratap which was opposed by Dalits citing non-permission by higher authorities.The Dalits were protesting the alleged razing and ransacking of their 25 houses and injury to15 members of their community in Saharanpur on May 5 by a mob of Thakur community.Charging the Uttar Pradesh government with cheating the Dalits, the Dalit protestors today appealed to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to come clean and help them out in getting justice. But one pessimist protestor said, "We have no expectations from the government. So many people are lying in hospitals and not even one person has come there. This government is against the Dalits. We need justice for the people who are lying in the hospitals".Observing caution, the Delhi Police yesterday denied permission for a demonstration by several Dalit unions. The unions informed police that over 50,000 people were expected, which led police not to grant permit.UNI SY RSA SHK 1640 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0093-902727.Xml
After Pakistan indicated that it was not bound by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order on the Kulbhusan Jadhav case, former diplomat N.N. Jha on Sunday said India could adopt various measures to counter Islamabad's assertion, including defying the Indus Water Treaty. "The ICJ has indicated in its statement that the 1960 Vienna treaty is applicable to Pakistan, and the jurisdiction is there. The judge mentioned that and in that same order, he has talked about consular access," Jha told ANI. "If they refuse to give consular access, India is also not bound by the Vienna convention, for example India can also start using the Indus river, where presently only 20 percent is being used by us," he added. He further said that India can also give refuge to Baloch people, who are facing atrocities at the hands of the Pakistan Government. "We can reduce our diplomatic relations, and reduce people to people contacts. We can also take benefit of the growing discontent in the Gilgit Baltistan and Balcohistan to our favour. We can give them refuge here," Jha said. When asked to respond on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz remarks that they would go ahead with the domestic law, Jha said, "Sartaj Aziz and Nawaz Sharif know that Pakistan is angry with the order, hence they are issuing these statements to please their people." During a press conference, Aziz said that Jadhav's punishment will be in accordance with domestic laws. He argued that Indian rant of victory following the ICJ's stay at the execution of Jadhav was false because the final verdict is yet to come, reports Dunya News. "The ICJ gave no verdict regarding consular access", he added. Aziz said that India had made a mistake by going to the ICJ as it paved the way for Pakistan to raise the matter of humanitarian violations in Kashmir. (ANI)
The city of the Taj continues to face a severe drinking water crisis, 24 years after a grim water tragedy claimed 21 lives and sent over 250 persons to hospital. Activists say the Yamuna now has been reduced to a sewage canal. As several voluntary groups observed Water Tragedy Day on Sunday, residents of Khateek Paada and Mandi Sayeed Khan, Nala Budda, in the heart of the city, lamented lack of drinking water and the continuing apathy towards their woes. Dozens of colonies in the Trans Yamuna area are without drinking water facilities and are forced to buy from tanker suppliers. On May 21, 1993, 21 persons of these localities died after drinking water supplied by the state government run water works. Many fell ill. The then Congress government in Uttar Pradesh made several promises to the victims' families, but the promises have not yet been fulfilled, says Tejendra Rajora, leader of the group that organised the dharna and protest on Sunday. Protesting citizens of these mohallas and basties demanded better and safer drinking water facilities. They said that even after years of focused battle against pollution they continue to remain victims of highly contaminated water supplied by the century-old Agra Water Works. The residents offered tributes and wore black bands to demonstrate their anger. After the 1993 tragedy, the then state Governor Moti Lal Vora visited the mohallas and promised financial help and a job to each family that lost a bread winner. Hastily the foundation stone of a barrage on the Yamuna was laid. But the project is still hanging fire. The Water Works officials have pleaded helplessness, saying there is no water in the river Yamuna which is the lifeline of the city. In the name of water, what is being filtered and processed is drain water, waste, industrial effluents from upstream cities in Haryana and Delhi. "For all practical purposes the Yamuna is dead downstream of Okhla barrage," river activist Shravan Kumar Singh told IANS. Taj city's water needs have increased along with its population, but no new arrangements have been made to augment raw water supply. The city is now waiting for Ganga river water to be brought from Bulandshahr district through a pipeline network costing Rs 4,000 crore. The project should be operational early 2018. Doubts are however being raised on the practical viability of the pipeline project. "Water is to be supplied to Mathura and Vrindavan also from the same pipeline. And all along the way, new townships are being developed. It is likely that holes would be drilled by farmers to meet water needs of their field. One wonders how much water would actually reach Agra," Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, told IANS. "Almost a quarter century after the water tragedy, nothing has changed -- neither the quality nor the quantity. The government agencies have done nothing to provide help to the family members of the water tragedy," said Tajendra Rajaura, Congress leader and a resident of the Khateek Pada area. River Connect Campaign volunteers demanded cleaning of community ponds, streams, and storage tanks of the Agra Water Works. --IANS bk/rn ( 537 Words) 2017-05-21-18:06:09 (IANS)
Seven people lost their lives when the driver of a speeding sport utlity vehicle lost control over it and it hit vehicles parked outside a roadside eatery in Beas town, around 40 km from Amritsar.

The victims were sitting in a stationary auto-rickshaw when the SUV hit it. They were on way to Amritsar to offer prayers at the Golden Temple.

Four persons were killed and 15 others injured in a collision between a state-run bus and a truck on the Rampura Phul-Barnala highway on Sunday morning.

Three persons died on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at a Rampura Phul hospital.

--IANS js/tsb/vt

( 136 Words)

2017-05-21-18:22:15 (IANS)
Deputy Commissioner Police of Amritsar Rural, J. Elanchezihial told ANI that the arrested smugglers came to India to receive a consignment of arms on the instructions of Canada based terrorists, named Gurjivan Singh Qadian, which were to be used for various terrorist activities.

As per the preliminary investigation, the accused, namely Maan Singh and Sher Singh, revealed they were assigned the work to revive militancy in Punjab and recruit new members for the terrorist outfits.

The police have recovered arms and ammunition including a mobile phone and some digging tools from the possession of the two smugglers.

Moreover, the Amritsar Police also recovered MP-9 type modified rifle and five grenades. (ANI)
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating three years of its government at the Centre by virtue of which, the development across Himachal Pradesh is also being accessed. The state has been getting the benefit of the Air Service to boost the tourism industry in the region. Nearly a month ago with the aim of "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik", the UDAN scheme was launched by Prime Minister Modi on April 27 in Shimla. This scheme has activated the Shimla airport, which was lying defunct for almost five years. This scheme has given wings to the common man, who could not fly due to high airfare. Though the capacity is too low, still 15 people are flying daily from Shimla to Delhi - benefitting under UDAN by paying around Rs. 25,000. However the seats are less due to technical issues and ticket price for other seats are quite high and sometime around Rs. 19000. "All seats are booked for over a month. I hoped I will fly soon from Shimla, but I think I have to wait longer," Jitender Sood, a Shimla resident said, adding, there was no availability of seats till June. Airport director of Jubbarhatti Sunil Maggirwar said he had written a letter to Air India to start more flights to Shimla. "The UDAN scheme is popular among people, but benefit is not being availed by a majority of people because the lone flight has a limited number of seats," Maggirwar said. Himachal Pradesh State Tourism Board chairman and former tourism minister Vijai Singh Msankotia said he would take up the matter with the Central Government that more flights should be started to Shimla as it was a famous tourist destination. "Be it under the UDAN or any other scheme, more flights should start to Shimla as these flights are bringing more tourists and they are also saving time by coming here," he said. Nishant Sharma, a tour operator, said there was heavy rush to get the tickets under the UDAN and even under non-subsidised category. (ANI)
The Supreme Court Bar Association and the Lahore High Court Bar Association have threatened to launch a countrywide movement if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif doesn't resign in seven days. In a joint declaration issued by the two bar associations, they said that following the Supreme Court's order on the Panama Papers case, the Prime Minister should no longer hold the position and resign within seven days, The Dawn reported. The notification came soon after SCBA and LHCBA members clashed with the lawyers supporting the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML_N) government at the all Pakistan lawyers' representatives' convention on May 19. The PML-N lawyers locked SCBA President Rasheed A Rizvi in the Lahore High Court's library. During the ruckus, the locks were broken by SCBA members and Rizvi was released. "For fair and independent inquiry against the premier, Nawaz Sharif should step down till the final report of the JIT. In case he does not resign till May 27the lawyers throughout Pakistan will launch nationwide campaign and moment to ensure the resignation," the statement said. Rizvi, who was accompanied by Secretary SCBA Aftab Bajwa and LHCBA President Zulfiqar Chaudhry, asserted that the convention would be held under any circumstances. The PML-N's Lawyers Wing representatives argued that the Panama Papers case was still sub judice and that was why demands for the prime minister's resignation at this point was not appropriate. Earlier in April, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) had given a similar ultimatum to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The bar association had asked the premier to resign within a week, or face a lawyers' movement bigger than the one that followed ex-chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's ouster.(ANI)
"In terms of whether I would ever pick the phone up, I've never shut off the phone to anyone that wants to talk or have a productive conversation," Xinhua quoted Tillerson as saying.

"At this point, I have no plans to call my counterpart in Iran, although in all likelihood we will talk at the right time," said Tillerson.

Iran's incumbent moderate President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday won the presidential election by garnering 57 per cent of the votes, according to the Iranian Interior Ministry.

Tillerson said he wanted Rouhani to "begin a process of dismantling" what he called "destabilizing forces that exist in this region."

Tillerson's remarks were made during US President Donald Trump's first official overseas trip to Saudi Arabia and Israel, Iran's main regional rivals in the Middle East.

--IANS qd/

( 167 Words)

2017-05-21-07:16:09 (IANS)
Ahmad Eshchi, former deputy head of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, on Saturday rejected reports that the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum has left Afghanistan for Turkey for medical reasons and said that he "had been exiled to Turkey," Tolo News reported.

"Dostum has been exiled unofficially, due to a number of considerations by government aimed at preventing from challenges (in assessing Dostum case) as well as investigating his (Dostum's) case properly and ensuring justice in this respect," Eshchi said.

General Dostum, a powerful ethnic Uzbek warlord has been fighting for political survival for months following allegations that he raped and tortured a political rival.

After those accusations were made public, the government of Ashraf Ghani asked General Dostum to surrender for questioning.

As a part of a deal, Afghan government has begun to favour exile as a solution rather than openly moving against the vice president, who is still popular among his northern Uzbek constituency and has threatened violence in the past.

The human rights activists have been critical of consecutive governments reaching deals with General Dostum, after decades of accusations against him of war crimes and other brutality.(ANI)
The officer in action, who is not Muslim herself, did this "to find out what would be the reaction of the community", Xinhua reported.

Amsterdam police commented with a tweet: "It is an individual action. Our uniform is lifestyle-neutral and it does not change."

This tweet got mixed reactions from "flowers and bow to her" supporting the officer, to negative ones such as "impose a fine on her".

Currently Dutch police officers are not allowed to wear any religious symbols. Amsterdam police chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg announced on Thursday that there should be debate on whether this ban should be lifted to improve diversity.

Aalbersberg said half of Amsterdam's police force should have an ethnic minority background to better reflect the city's population.

"If we cannot recruit sufficient officers with a migrant background, this is a measure which could have an impact," Aalbersberg added.

The population of Amsterdam is one of the most diverse in Europe with 180 different nationalities and 45 per cent ethnic minorities. Only 18 per cent of the city's police officers has "non-Dutch" roots.

--IANS qd/

( 219 Words)

2017-05-21-07:46:10 (IANS)
Oregon Coast History: Debunking the Beach Bill Myth at Cannon Beach

Published 05/11/2017 at 2:33 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Cannon Beach, Oregon)  There is much ado as of late about the Oregon Beach Bill and its upcoming 50th anniversary. This was, after all, the landmark legislation that allowed all Oregon coast beaches to be open to the public. (Photo above courtesy Tom Olsen and KGW TV archives: Gov. McCall and his limo at Cannon Beach).

The celebrations have already begun, with the initial kick off this weekend in Cannon Beach on May 13. Much of that is predicated on Gov. Tom McCall's visit here on May 13, 1967, where he stood symbolically and defiantly in front of a hotel that was the impetus for the beach bill fight, after having dramatically arrived here by helicopter.

But what if part of that never really happened?

Indeed, the one part of McCall's brilliant media show that did not occur was his purported landing by helicopter in Cannon Beach. He arrived here by limo. While not an earth-shattering detail about the Beach Bill history, the false tale has grown over the decades to expand the intensity of the scene and confuse things a tad. It's also been a growing frustration to local historians who have wanted to set the record straight for a long time.

Moreover, the accurate details of the day are fascinating and rarely talked about. Looking into debunking this myth reveals much about McCall's abilities, and what really happened is actually a little more extraordinary.

Among the historians concerned about the misnomer of a tale are Elaine Murdy-Trucke, head of the Cannon Beach Historical Society; Tom Olsen, maker of the documentary The Politics of Sand; and Matt Love, author of the beach bill book The Great Birthright. You can see many illuminating details of the entire Oregon Beach Bill process on Olsen's video, found here.

So many have either glossed over this information or downright published the wrong information, Murdy-Trucke said.

In fact, all three historians were duped by the story at one point or another.

First, what really happened.

Courtesy Olsen and KGW archives: the Copter Cowards at Gleneden Beach on May 13, 1967

Around the rest of the world in May of '67: Jimi Hendrix released his debut that month and the precursor to King Crimson would be formed in London in a few months. But on the Oregon coast, Gov. Tom McCall slyly let it be known he would be heading on a tour up the coast to make his points about the beach bill that was faltering badly in the legislature. He planned this to happen on the day before Mother's Day  May 13  so that the story would make the headlines in the Sunday papers.

In short, McCall started his visit in Gleneden Beach  at the Salishan Spit, with a team of scientists in tow. It was there that a group of helicopter enthusiasts asked him to get into their copters to help celebrate the only helipad outside of Portland at the time: one that had just been built in Neskowin.



The helipad at Neskowin in 1967, at the Pacific Sands.

On a whim, McCall surprised everyone by doing just that  but fully aware of the public relations possibilities. After flying into Neskowin, he and his small team of scientists and surveyors drove up to Rockaway Beach where some measurements were done. From there, the group headed to Cannon Beach in various cars, where McCall got out and made the iconic pose in front of the hotel that was using a loophole to fence off the beach in front of it. No measurements were made here, except that OSU surveyors John Seadars and Bob Schultz set up equipment on the beach for McCall to pose in front of. The pair headed to Seaside to make more measurements while McCall headed for home.

The subsequent media splash made a major difference.



McCall landing in Neskowin by helicopter (courtesy Olsen and KGW archives)

So where did the helicopter landing at Cannon Beach come from? It seems various sources, but the much-lauded McCall biography, Fire at Eden's Gate: Tom McCall and the Oregon Story by Brent Walth, could well be the tale's origin.

While researching his documentary on the beach bill in the mid 2000's, Olsen interviewed Walth on this as well as McCall's secretary and an assistant. Each were certain the governor had come to Cannon Beach by copter.

There were also other people I talked to that were saying Tom McCall went charging up the beach by helicopter, Olsen said. But I couldn't find any sort of documents on who flew the helicopter. Was this an Oregon State Police helicopter? How was this orchestrated?

After researching further and not finding any evidence, he came across more about the group called the Copter Cowards that had been whooping it up over that helipad in Neskowin. He finally got in touch with Jim Lematta, one of the group involved (himself one of the founders of Columbia Helicopters).

Lematta set Olsen straight on the helicopter rides, and some notes taken by Schulz also indicated how the surveyors would go by car ahead of McCall's limo and set up equipment for the photo opps and the actual work.

So, there and then the myth of the helicopter ride into Cannon Beach was debunked. Yet more fun and fascinating details emerged from that day of flying through the air and driving 100 miles or more.

McCall's initial plans had nothing to do with helicopters that day. In Olsen's documentary, you see Lematta talking about the Copter Cowards looking to cash in on the governor's presence for their celebration in Neskowin.

McCall was staying in Lincoln City the night before, and Lematta and friends managed to contact him. The copter rides were a complete spur-of-the-moment thing, with McCall's training as a journalist telling him this would make great press.

There was nothing planned, Olsen said. Can you imagine a governor doing that today? It doesn't matter what state, just the idea of a governor impromptu hopping into a helicopter like that.

The other magnificent aspect here was the science involved. The Oregon Beach Bill was failing on a few fronts, one of them being: just where should the line be drawn in the sand between public and private property? Schulz and Seadars played the major roles here, taking readings about various heights between the tide line and the vegetation line. With their findings firmly in place, Oregon's legislative processes were able to make the determination that everything from the top of the vegetation line to the water should be public, open space.

Now, just about any beach on the Oregon coast stands as testament to what happened that day. This one date was the turning point for the Oregon Beach Bill, thanks to a rather frivolous helicopter invitation and a lot of driving up the scenic shoreline. Cannon Beach Hotels - Lodging for this event - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour. Below: McCall and the iconic photo where he stands looking at the motel that started it all.



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At least 20 US spies were killed or imprisoned by the Chinese government between 2010 and 2012, crippling the country's information-gathering, a media report has said. It was not clear whether the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was hacked or whether a mole helped the Chinese to identify the agents, officials told the New York Times. The CIA has not commented on the report, the BBC said on Sunday. One of the informants was shot in the courtyard of a government building as a warning to others, the NYT report quoted an official. Four former CIA officials spoke to the NYT, telling it that information from sources deep inside the Chinese government started to dry up in 2010. Informants began to disappear in early 2011. The CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) teamed up to investigate the events in an operation one source said was codenamed Honey Badger. The NYT report said this investigation had centred on one former CIA operative but there was not enough evidence to arrest him. He now lives in another Asian country. In 2012, an official at China's Security Ministry was arrested on suspicion of spying for the US. He was said to have been lured into the CIA. No other such arrests appear to have reached public attention during that time. Matt Apuzzo, a New York Times journalist who worked on the story, told the BBC: "One of the really troubling things about this is that we still don't know what happened." "There's a divide within the American government over whether there was a mole inside the CIA or whether this was a tradecraft problem, that the CIA agents got sloppy and got discovered, or whether the Chinese managed to hack communications," Apuzzo said. A few years later in 2015, the CIA pulled staff out of the US embassy in Beijing, after a hack blamed on the Chinese state exposed information about millions of US federal employees. If the events of 2010-2012 were helped by a similar hack, it was not one that was made public. The disappearance of so many spies damaged a network it had taken years to build up, the New York Times report said, and hampered operations for years afterwards. It even prompted questions from within the Barcak Obama administration as to why intelligence had slowed. Officials said it was one of the worst security breaches of recent years. --IANS in/ ( 412 Words) 2017-05-21-08:42:10 (IANS)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in immediately convened a National Security Council meeting to discuss the communist neighbour's provocation, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile in the eastern direction at around 4.59 p.m., from the vicinity of Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do, South Pyeongan province," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea said in a statement.

It said South Korea and the US are analysing details, including the type of the missile and its exact trajectory.

It marked Pyongyang's eighth missile test this year.

On May 14, North Korea test-fired what is believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile from Kusong, North Pyongan province.

The Hwasong-12 missile travelled around 700 km for 30 minutes before it landed in water 100 km south of Russia's Vladivostok region, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

On April 29, Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile from a Pukchang area but it exploded in mid-air minutes after lift-off.

--IANS ksk/vt

( 199 Words)

2017-05-21-16:08:11 (IANS)
U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived in Riyadh on Friday, will float an idea of creating "Arab Nato force" to counter Iran's growing influence in the Middle East and to combat terrorism.

PM Sharif is accompanied by foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz, lawyer Akram Sheikh and several government officials.

The summit will be attended by more than 50 leaders from Islamic countries including the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Malaysia, and Presidents of Afghanistan, Egypt .

Pakistan's role in the 39-nation Islamic military alliance against terrorism will also come under discussion with Saudi authorities, Geo Tv reported.

President Trump has already spoken to diplomatic officials of Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates on creating a multi -national force "Arab Nato force."

Sharif is unlikely to hold bilateral meetings with President Trump and King Salman. However, sources said the premier could hold a meeting with the Saudi King later in the day. (ANI)
Maibam Lokpa Ching is a historical place where the British and the Japanese fought during the Second World War. About 70,000 Japanese soldiers laid down their lives in the Imphal and Kohima battles, which are regarded as the fiercest, from March to June 1944.

Welcoming the plan, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said, "Many of the Japanese who came and fought in Imphal and Kohima could not return home. The government shall extend all possible help to Japan in this regard."

The Japanese ambassador sought cooperation from the people in locating the mortal remains of about 70,000 Japanese soldiers in Imphal and Nagaland. In the past, some bones have been retrieved to perform last rites of the soldiers. However, Hiramatsu feels that many more can be found.

He also announced that a seminar will be held in November for Indian students who are desirous of studying in Japan.

"The Japanese government is inviting 25 persons from Manipur and Nagaland to visit Japan," Hiramatsu said.

On special occasions, relatives of the Japanese soldiers who died during the war, come to Manipur in memory of their loved ones.

--IANS il/vgu/vt

( 222 Words)

2017-05-21-16:44:13 (IANS)
United States President Donald Trump, during his speech at the Arab-Islamic-U.S. summit, acknowledged that India was a victim of terrorism and asked countries to ensure that terror groups don't find sanctuaries on their soil. The President further pledged to work alongside the West Asian nations to combat extremist ideology in the region as all the countries from the U.S. to India, Australia to Russia - have been "victim of terrorism and have suffered repeated barbaric attacks." Without naming Pakistan, Trump said "every country must ensure that terrorists don't find any sanctuary on their lands." While addressing the leaders of 50 Muslim-majority countries on Sunday afternoon in his first speech on a foreign soil, Trump, meanwhile, called on the Middle-eastern countries to combat the crisis of Islamic extremism emanating from the region. Terming the fight against terrorism as a "battle between good and evil," and not a clash between "the West and Islam," Trump sought to chart a new course for America's role in the region - aimed at rooting out terrorism. "This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilisations," Trump said. "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil," he added. Trump added that Muslim leaders must do more to confront extremism. "The nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and for their children," he said. (ANI)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 02:38:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIYADH, May 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Saturday that coordination was needed to tackle Iranian expansion ambitions in Yemen and Syria, Al Arabiya local news reported.

During a press conference in Riyadh as part of the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, Tillerson highlighted that the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia focuses on achieving common goals while the strategic agreements signed on Saturday will send powerful messages to enemies.

The U.S. official also said defense deals signed between the two countries will enable Saudi Arabia to confront terrorism and Iranian interference.

Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the two countries discussed steps to force Iran to stop its support to terrorism, situations in Syria and peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel.

He said reinforcement of ties are based on joint security interests to dry up the sources of terrorism and reinforcement of defense cooperation.
KHARTOUM, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese army said Saturday it repulsed two separate attacks by two armed groups in east and north of Darfur region.

The army said in a statement that the two groups moved simultaneously from Libya and South Sudan.

"Our forces and the Rapid Support Forces have managed to repulse simultaneous attacks in North and East Darfur by two armed groups that moved from Libya and South Sudan," the statement said.

It added that the clashes were still continuing at the two areas of the attacks.

According to the statement, the army succeeded in repulsing the aggression because the armed forces and other security bodies have been closely following the movements of the mercenary armed groups in South Sudan and Libya as they were preparing to target the prevailing peace and stability in Sudan generally and Darfur States in particular.

The army statement did not mention any details on the number of killed and injured people from both sides.

The Sudanese army has been fighting three armed groups in Darfur including the Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 07:26:08|Editor: Hou Qiang

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MONTEVIDEO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay is working hard to ensure the upcoming China-LAC (Latin American & Caribbean) Business Summit 2017 is successful, as it hopes to boost its business volume with the Asian giant.

In its 11th edition, the fair, which is promoted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 in the eastern resort town of Punta del Este.

The government "has fought hard to ensure the (event) is based here... due to the possibility of boosting trade and capturing greater flows of investment to the region and Uruguay," said Antonio Carambula, executive director with Uruguay XXI, the country's foreign trade promotion bureau, in an interview with Xinhua.

"We have a great opportunity to seize this window and see more investments arrive," explained Carambula.

With the objective of promoting this event, Agriculture Minister Tabare Aguerre was in China this week, while Carambula will present the forum to Chinese entrepreneurs.

While Carambula said it is "difficult to calculate" how many people will attend the event, he is hoping for the presence of at least 500 Chinese and Latin American companies. However, he added that "quantity is not as important as quality."

China is the main trading partner for a number of Latin American countries but Carambula feels Uruguay has not received much investment, relative to the region.

He is hopeful that the strategic partnership established between Uruguay and China, during President Tabare Vazquez's state visit to China in October 2016, will represent a turning point.

The forum in Punta del Este will focus on the topics of infrastructure, renewable energy and agribusiness, revealed the executive.

Food security "has allowed us to gain a good presence in the Chinese market and in agribusiness in general," pointed out Carambula. "Uruguay has positioned itself in the Chinese market as an important exporter of agricultural products, including meat, soy, cellulose and dairy."

Carambula pointed out that "in this year so far, Uruguay is the country that has exported the most meat to China."

"We are a country of just over 3 million inhabitants but we have 11 million heads of cattle and the capacity to produce foodstuffs for almost 30 million people. We could even provide it for around 50 million," concluded the executive.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 08:01:13|Editor: xuxin

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Two cars of a transit train derailed near a station south of San Francisco Saturday afternoon, apparently without causing any injury to passengers.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train had nine cars at the time, according to a posting by the regional transit authority on its Twitter social media account, adding that "everybody has been safely off boarded."

It took place near the BART station in Daly City, the largest city in San Mateo County located immediately south of San Francisco.

A BART spokesman told local KCBS radio station an hour after the derailment that the cause of the incident was unknown and the driver would be checked on as part of investigation.

A major delay was expected across the public transportation metro system serving the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, including service in the direction of San Francisco International Airport, also known as SFO.

Vowing workers would be trying hard, the spokesman declined to speculate when the service would be back to normal.
Some Minor Traffic Delays to Watch for on N. Oregon Coast

Published 05/21/2017 at 3:53 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Tillamook, Oregon)  Some minor traffic delays will be taking place in a few spots around northern Tillamook County, and some quite possibly over the parts of the holiday weekend. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) said weeknights will definitely see a handful of lane closures in the Tillamook area, and other work is still being done on sections of Highway 101 between Rockaway Beach and Bay City as well as near Manzanita.

In Tillamook, an additional southbound lane on Highway 101 will be opened a little sooner than expected, near where 101 and Highway 6 meet up (at Hoquarton Bridge). ODOT said it will be open on Wednesday, May 24, with a northbound lane that is being shifted on to a new bridge, again giving the road two lanes going southbound.

ODOT the original plan was to have two lanes open in each direction by Memorial Day, but that will not take place until later in the summer.

Other work in the north Oregon coast town is being done on Pacific Avenue. There, starting May 30, the contractor will be working at nights, Sunday to Thursday between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. Travelers can expect short delays during nighttime construction.

After Memorial Day, the contractor will have two lanes open on Pacific Avenue during the day in Tillamook. Overall, the project is still on-schedule to be completed by the end of 2018.

ODOT and the contractor are able to now accelerate the schedule since resources were shifted during the winter and spring to treating a significant amount of contaminated soil and groundwater discovered during excavation activities. This created delays in bridge construction, but ODOT said the project will still be finished by the end of 2018 as had been planned.

ODOT and the contractor will make attempts to open the extra northbound lane as soon as possible.

Once this project is finished, travelers on U.S. 101 through downtown Tillamook will experience wider streets, a safer and more intuitive U.S. 101/OR 6 intersection, a new four-lane bridge that will include bike lanes, wider sidewalks, viewing platforms and other aesthetic enhancements.

Near Manzanita, work on Highway 101 at Neahkahnie Creek continues (at mile post 43). There will be be some minor delays on occasion as flaggers periodically need to funnel traffic into one lane. The public is reminded to drive through the area with caution. Oregon State Police will be enforcing the speed limit through the work zone area.

The work consists of replacement of an existing culvert at Neahkahnie Creek with a tunnel structure and enhancement of the stream bed as well as relocating and improving the highway alignment along U.S. 101 near Manzanita. Also, turning lane movements into downtown Manzanita will be enhanced.

From Rockaway Beach to Bay City, expect some minor delays on various pockets along that stretch of the north Oregon coast's Highway 101. Flaggers may need to periodically shut down one lane for sidewalk work that is being done in about three spots in a ten-mile stretch. The scheduled work includes sidewalk ramp construction in Rockaway Beach.

OSP will be keeping an eye on this area as well, ODOT said. Oregon Coast Hotels in these areas - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours























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Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 08:41:58|Editor: Hou Qiang

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BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland and Taiwan did over 41.75 billion U.S. dollars' worth of trade in the first quarter this year, up 14.8 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

In the first three months, exports from the mainland to Taiwan totaled 9.34 billion U.S. dollars, a year-on-year increase of 10 percent, while imports from Taiwan stood at 32.41 billion dollars, up 16.3 percent, the ministry's figures show.

Taiwan was the mainland's seventh largest trading partner and sixth biggest import source over this period.

Actual investment from Taiwan to the mainland in the period dropped 2.8 percent on a year-on-year basis to 590 million dollars, according to the ministry.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 09:29:45|Editor: Hou Qiang

A man walks at 28 Liberty Plaza, a property purchased by Chinese investment company Fosun in downtown Manhattan, New York, the United States on May 15, 2017. 28 Liberty Street in the downtown Manhattan Financial District, formerly known as One Chase Manhattan Plaza, now houses U.S. headquarters of Fosun, a Chinese investment company. Fosun purchased the building from J.P.Morgan for $725 million U.S. dollars in 2013 and renamed it as 28 Liberty. Fosun has made a total of 3 billion dollars investment in the United States since 2012, supporting about 8,000 local jobs. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between China and United States reached an all-time high of 60 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, according to a recent report, which said the figure has elevated the importance of two-way FDI in the two countries' economic relationship. The report, "Two-Way Street: 2017 Update," which was jointly released by the Rhodium Group and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations on Wednesday, also showed the cumulative value of U.S. FDI in China since 1990 has exceeded 240 billion dollars, while Chinese companies have invested a total of 110 billion dollars in the United States during the same period. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 09:32:16|Editor: Hou Qiang

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by Xinhua writer Yu Junjie

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- "If you cannot help us fix the road, then don't bother us again," Li Chaoyang was told during his first visit to Hekou Village in east China's Anhui Province.

A provincial civil servant, Li has been serving as a village Party secretary since 2014, and Hekou was his second posting.

In early 2015, the top authority of the Communist Party of China (CPC) launched a program to send tens of thousands of officials to the countryside to improve rural governance and aid in poverty relief.

The officials, also entrusted with the task of strengthening the CPC from a grassroots level, were sent mainly to underdeveloped areas to serve as village chiefs.

The candidates were chosen from a wide range of fields, including government departments, universities, state-owned enterprises and civil associations.

Their postings ranged from one to three years. Assisted by local village committees, poverty relief offices and agricultural bureaus, they learned rural work principles and built relationships with local residents.

China has set a target to eradicate poverty by 2020, but it is an arduous task given that there were 43.35 million people living in poverty at the end of last year.

With 141 of the village's 432 households living under the national poverty line, Li faced an enormous workload. Fixing the road was merely his first endeavor.

His hard work began to paid off when provincial authorities approved a subsidized road construction project. Seeing the new road being laid, the villagers began to have faith in Li.

"CAN YOU MAKE IT?"

Li's second battle to win over residents' trust was introducing a photovoltaic power generation project to raise incomes.

At first some villagers were skeptical of how sunlight could make money. But now the families who take part earn 3,000 yuan each year by selling solar power to the government.

To win people's trust, you must earn it.

Over the last two years, Li has encouraged villagers to form various cooperatives to put their knowledge and hard work to good use in various areas, for example cultivating edible mushrooms, planting tea and raising cattle.

"I feel my life has bright prospects and the direction towards prosperity is now clear", said Ma Hongxi, 61, member of the mushroom cooperative, who spoke highly of Li's efforts.

Li's experience was echoed by Ma Guoze, an official with Heilongjiang provincial government in northeast China.

After arriving in poverty-stricken Linsheng Village, Ma Guoze immediately summoned a Party meeting, but suspicion was waiting for him.

"At first, no one believed in him. How can a nerd from the city know anything about rural areas?" Gong Wanfu, a CPC member in his seventies recalled his first impression of Ma.

However, Ma achieved some progress and slowly gained the villagers' trust and respect. He has also helped reinvigorate the local Party organization and admitted a new CPC member.

Ma organized projects to widen roads, install street lights and develop vegetable greenhouses. Each household was able to earn an extra 1,500 yuan each year through innovations in land rent policies.

GIVE HELP, PRECISELY

Overcoming poverty cannot be achieved by empty words but must be carried out step by step.

From 2013 to 2016, the population living below the poverty line has decreased by 10 million annually, and the officials working in some 128,000 villages nationwide have played a vital role.

Though Dasendian Village in north China's Hebei Province was lifted out of poverty as a whole in 2015, there were four households that still relied on subsidies for the "five guarantees", (childless elderly who are guaranteed food, clothing, medical care, housing and burial expenses), and 14 households subsisting on the minimum wage.

Hou Fang, Tong Jiqiang and Zheng Hongshan, three employees of the Qinhuangdao Association for Science and Technology, were stationed in the village in February 2016. "First, we had to discover the underlying problem, then we could help those in need," said Hou.

Because the villagers were worried about poverty caused by illness or disease, three clinics were opened to treat patients free of charge. Hou and two other colleagues also organized experts from the city to give public lectures on horticulture. They also visited households to find ways to alleviate their specific difficulties.

Sun Bin, 33, another grassroots-level poverty relief official working in Taishi Township in northwest China's Gansu Province, said his recipe for successful poverty relief lies in precise recognition of the most urgent cases and the causes their poverty.

Zhang Guoli, 79, lives in a dilapidated house with his granddaughter. After his daughter-in-law passed away, his son became a migrant worker in other province.

"There are still some households, like Zhang's, who lack a source of income due to age or illness, so we should make sure they are covered by national or local poverty alleviation subsidies," said Sun.

Sun also noted the importance of developing suitable industries to provide sustained income sources.

STAY AND DO MORE

Although his current posting was due to end in October, Li has applied to stay in the village for another term rather than returning to the city. He said his work is a race against time and he wants to fulfill all of his tasks.

"Though I've tasted bitterness and sorrow during the past years as a village official, I am fulfilled because I think my work is really making a difference," Li said.

Hou's posting was for two years and while Tong and Zheng were posted for one year. All three have volunteered to stay. They have undertaken a diverse range of tasks, including applying for industry projects, mediating disputes and mountain patrols.

"If I see any smoke, I rush to the site immediately because the mountains are covered in fruit trees," said Tong Jiqiang, "Even a small fire could destroy the hopes of the whole village."
Cattle graze in a farm in Mt Baw Baw in eastern Australia on June 11, 2012. (Xinhua/Jin Linpeng)

CANBERRA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia's large cattle farms have taken to space to monitor their huge herds of cows.

The precision pastoral project, a research effort aimed at reducing costs, time and labor on Australia's cattle farms, has implemented world-first technology in northern Australia.

The Newcastle Waters Station in the Northern Territory (NT), which has run a herd of cattle since the 1860s, is trialling using satellites to track their cattle and control yard gates.

Using a watering point within the station, the cattle are lured into a yard across a weighing bridge.

The ear tags on the cattle, which are required by the national livestock identification system, are scanned on the bridge, giving the live weight of every animal. The data is then sent to the management of the station.

The technology can also be used to segregate heavier cattle by directing them into different pens.

Tim Driver from the precision pastoral project has spent the last 10 years developing the technology.

"Generally in the industry, especially in the north, (graziers) only weigh cattle once or twice a year, so you're missing a lot of info in between," Driver told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Saturday.

"That was the motivation to come up with a robot or automatic device."

The company has recently undertaken research to work monitoring land conditions into the satellite technology.

Jak Andrews, manager of the Newcastle Waters station, said land conditions had been monitored by eye for as long as graziers had existed.

"Having grown up on stations ... you make the assumption you can read the country," he said.

"From the constant weighing and precision pastoral management system, we soon identified we are two (to) three weeks behind what we are visually seeing - not only from the satellite imagery from looking at pasture, but also from weights.

"Cattle will just start dropping. You don't pick up on (that) with the eye."
A China-Europecontainer train is ready for departure at Tuanjiecun Central Station in Chongqing, southwest China, June 8, 2016. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

HANOI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have shown interest in the Belt and Road Initiative, describing it as positive.

"We were very interested in hearing about the initiative with some briefings by Chinese officials last week," Alan Bollard, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the 23rd APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT23) Meeting here on Saturday.

"It is a very big project, which is different from a trade agreement so we see it as a whole series of infrastructure projects and economic connectivity. The economic connectivity part is much in line with the APEC's connectivity blueprint. It's interesting to see what it can produce," said Bollard.

Sharing the same view, Denis Hew, director of the APEC Policy Support Unit, said to Xinhua "I see 'Belt and Road' as a chance of improving connectivity. The initiative shares many common interests with APEC as APEC adopted a blueprint a few years ago and the implementation is still ongoing."

Noting that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also has a master plan on connectivity, Hew said the Asia-Pacific region "has a big infrastructure gap, like it needs some 800 to 900 billion U.S. dollars in infrastructure development every year."

Hew concluded that "Any initiative like 'Belt and Road' that helps support the regional connectivity is a positive initiative."

Regarding the MRT23, Bollard said amid rising doubts on globalization and free trade, "the meeting has been continuing to look at a wide range of measures to realize the goal on sustainable and inclusive growth that leaders have reached in Lima last year."

The official seemed to be quite optimistic about the prospects of global growth as "Actually, we are seeing stronger growth in the last few months in the economy and trade. We know that we have to look for some structural reforms for the future."

As more of the growth is not contributed from the traditional industries but it is much more from services, Bollard said APECmembers "have much interest in electronic economy so we are looking for some new generation of the growth."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 11:47:53|Editor: Yamei

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Two Indian army troops and two militants have been killed in a gunfight near the Line of Control (LoC), dividing the restive Kashmir region, officials said Sunday.

The gunfight, according to Indian army officials, broke out Saturday in Nowgam sector of frontier Kupwara district, 125 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Two militants were killed in a gunfight during an operation in Nowgam sector," Indian military spokesperson Col. Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua.

"While fighting these militants, two of our soldiers lost their lives."

Indian army officials said the militants were trying to infiltrate into Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Kalia said the operation has been going on in the area.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 13:03:05|Editor: xuxin

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UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called on all parties to restore calm in southern Libya after clashes at an air base there killed over 140 people.

The UN chief is "deeply concerned" about the military escalation at the Brak al-Shati air base and "calls on all parties to exercise restraint and restore calm," said his spokesperson in a statement.

Clashes at the air base between the armed forces and a rival militia killed 141 people, a military spokesman said in Libya on Friday.

Guterres noted that continued insecurity in Libya is a reminder that there is no military solution.

"The Secretary-General therefore urges all key Libyan stakeholders to re-commit to the political dialogue and engage constructively towards that goal," said the statement.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. The country is plagued with unrest and political division.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 14:13:29|Editor: Mengjie

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Cape Verde's President Jorge Carlos Fonseca (L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Praia, Cape Verde, May 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Sibo)

PRAIA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Cape Verde supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and will deepen bilateral cooperation with China, the country's leaders said during meetings with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the capital of Praia.

China is a close friend of Cape Verde and has been supporting the island country since its independence, Cape Verde's President Jorge Carlos Fonseca said Saturday during a meeting with Wang.

Cape Verde is willing to support and join the Belt and Road Initiative to deepen mutual cooperation with China, Fonseca said.

The Sao Vicente special economic zone, the safe city project and the community housing project are priorities in the country's national development agenda, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva said Saturday while meeting with Wang, adding that he hopes China can participate in these projects and contribute to the country's economic and social development.

Cape Verde regards China as the most reliable partner for African countries and supports China in defending its legitimate rights and playing a greater role in international affairs, Silva said.

Cape Verde would also like to maintain communication and coordination with China on issues such as the reform of the United Nations Security Council, he added.

For his part, Wang said China supports the developing countries to defend their legitimate rights and common interests, and advocates that every nation, large or small, should respect others as equals.

Cape Verde is one of China's important partners in Africa and their bilateral traditional friendship sets an example for large and small countries on mutual respect and treating each other equally, Wang said.

China is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Cape Verde in the fields of agriculture, fishery, marine economy, development of special economic zones, tourism, infrastructure and human resources development, he added.

In another meeting with Cape Verde's Minster of Foreign Affairs, Communities and Defence Luis Filipe Tavares, Wang said bilateral ties between the two countries have been developing fast in recent years.

Focusing on the implementation of consensus of the two countries' leaders, China would like to work with Cape Verde to inject a new impetus in bilateral cooperation and turn friendship and trust into achievements through the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation Between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Wang said.

Cape Verde welcomes and supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to take the opportunity of developing the Sao Vicente special economic zone to join the initiative, Tavares said.

He added that Cape Verde upholds the one-China principle, values China's important role in international affairs, and appreciates China's support for the just demand of African countries in reforming the UN Security Council.

China highly appreciates Cape Verde's support on issues regarding China's core interests and major concerns and will continue to defend the legitimate rights of developing countries including Cape Verde on the international stage, Wang said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 14:53:47|Editor: en_lyr

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QALAT, Afghanistan, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Up to 20 police were killed as hundreds of anti-government militants attacked security checkpoints in Shah Joi and Deh Chopan districts of southern Afghanistan's Zabul province early Sunday, provincial governor Bismillah Afghanmal said.

"Hundreds of Taliban rebels launched coordinated offensives in Shah Joi and Deh Chopan districts in the wee hours of today triggering gun battle and so far several attacking militants and 20 police have been killed," Afghanmal told Xinhua.

According to the official, 14 police have been killed in Shah Joi and six others in Deh Chopan districts in the fighting which is continuing.

Meanwhile, Zabul's deputy police chief Ghulam Jilani Farahi said 40 rockets fired by militants slammed into Zabul's provincial capital Qalat 340 km south of Kabul early Sunday but "fortunately" causing no loss of life.

He said the security forces have launched counter-offensive to dislodge militants from the area.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 15:39:21|Editor: MJ

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BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The recent WannaCry ransomware outbreak across the world is the latest alarm about cybersecurity that demands immediate efforts at different levels, including international cooperation.

It has been found that measures as simple as official Microsoft patch installation and security software update can work to fend off WannaCry in the largest cyber-attack in more than a decade. The hacking highlights the need for Internet users to heighten cybersecurity awareness.

However, It also calls for systematic efforts as well as international cooperation to tackle cross-border challenges in a digitally connected world in order to effect a universal defense.

"International cooperation on cybersecurity will be essential for a safer and more secure cyberspace," Herb Lin, a senior research fellow on cyber policy and security at Stanford University, told Xinhua.

He deplored the fact that countries have different views on how they intend to use cyberspace and the rules they want to apply has so far made it difficult to achieve international cooperation.

Some experts foresee more attacks like WannaCry, which has since May 12 hit more than 200,000 computers in some 150 countries, to come in a digital "smart" world. Vast majority of successful hacks require only the most basic techniques, according to the 2016 Verizon Data Breach Report, one of the best sources of information on breaches.

"Similar attacks in the future are not only possible, but they are inevitable," said Mikhail Braude-Zolotarev, director of the Center for IT Research and Expertise of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

The Russian expert calls for systematic prevention.

"It is necessary to invest in something that offers real protection against malicious attacks, and this should be done seriously and systematically," he said.

Nick Coleman, the IT panel chairman with Britain's Institution of Engineering and Technology, thinks defenses should be built at both state and organization levels so as to make cyberspace safer.

The WannaCry attack has proven that any organization is at risk of being hacked, he said, adding that "it would be naive to think that we can patch every cybersecurity vulnerability as we transform to an increasingly connected world."

He thinks "these are big and complex questions -- and ones that organizations of all sizes need to consider regularly."

In the longer term, "a solution to the problem is the establishment of a government department focused on this 'smart' world's emerging engineering challenges," he said.

"This would be the most effective way of driving forward legislation and governance that can improve awareness of this important subject among businesses and the general public," Coleman added.

Other experts agree with Coleman on the need for commitment from the state and organization.

"In my view, the scale of impact to NHS (National Health Service, of Britain) systems in particular reveals a worrying lack of resources and commitment from senior management and political leadership," commented Theo Tryfonas, lecturer of systems engineering with the department of civil engineering at the University of Bristol.

"Measures such as instigating a proactive security culture, building awareness of risks and facilitating resilience in the face of incidents across a complex organization are only built upon investment and real commitment of the highest layers of political and organizational leadership," he said.
WASHINGTON  As President Trump embarks on his first overseas trip, he's embracing the same defiant strategy adopted over a generation ago by an embattled predecessor, Richard Nixon. As scandal talks grow at home, Trump is licking his wounds, spurning his critics, and looking for approval from foreign leaders who admire him for being a tough guy.

Trump's combative early-morning tweets Thursday deflated any hope that he might see the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel as a chance to establish "regular order" and stabilize the roiling Russia scandal, in the words of GOP former national security adviser Stephen Hadley. Mueller's steadying role would allow the nation to resume a measure of normal business while the investigation runs its course.

Trump's instinct, instead, is to fight back against critics he believes are trying to destroy his presidency through the Russia investigation. "This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!" he tweeted Thursday morning. The day before, he had declared in a graduation speech: "No politician in history  and I say this with great surety  has been treated worse or more unfairly." His invocation to the graduates was: "Fight, fight, fight."

Rather than regretting the firing of FBI Director James Comey, Trump seems more convinced than ever that Comey deserved to be sacked for writing the memos about conversations with the president that are now central to the investigation.

Embracing Saudi reform

What's unfortunate, from a foreign policy standpoint, is that Trump's inability to calm the Washington turmoil threatens to overshadow his foreign trip and undermine some potentially important gains. The centerpiece of the trip is Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, where he will publicly embrace the reform agenda of Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and moderate Arab allies, such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince and military leader of the United Arab Emirates.

The White House has carefully prepared the agenda for this trip. The Saudi hosts (joined by numerous other Arab leaders) will sign pledges promising to ban financing of extremist groups, including by private individuals. If that happens, it could be a significant breakthrough, adding a formal legal prohibition against support for terrorism.

Trump will also help open a new Saudi center for combating violent extremism that will use advanced computer tools to penetrate jihadist networks. The center is a personal project of Mohammed bin Salman, and it brings the deputy crown prince deep into the security arena traditionally dominated by his rival, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the minister of the interior who is nominally his senior but whom he seems to have eclipsed in power.

'Arab NATO'

Trump's aim is to refurbish the U.S.-Arab alliance based on shared distrust of Iran. In a speech, he is expected to say that the Mideast struggle isn't between Islam and the West, but between good and evil. He'll announce a broad military alliance that White House aides are characterizing as an "Arab NATO"  quite a leap for a president who a few months ago was declaring NATO "obsolete." To ease U.S. wariness of new Middle East entanglement, the Saudis will announce a plan to buy $109 billion in U.S. military equipment, allowing Trump to claim he's creating U.S. jobs.

Senior Arab officials see the Trump visit as a big bet on an American re-engagement in the region that will empower reformers in Saudi Arabia, the richest and most powerful Sunni Arab state. If Saudi reformers gain traction, it could be a "hinge" event for the region. But Arab officials hope that Trump's political problems at home won't put this promising project at risk.

Domestic scandals can have the odd effect of encouraging diplomacy abroad. President Nixon made major peace deals in the Middle East after the Watergate debacle began. But even so, that story didn't end happily for Nixon or America.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 15:44:23|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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Brazilian President Michel Temer issues a statement at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, on May 18, 2017. Brazilian President Michel Temer refused to resign on Thursday despite being implicated in corruption allegations. (Xinhua/AGENCIA ESTADO)

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) -- an ally of President Michel Temer -- announced Saturday that it was leaving the government led by Temer and is seeking his removal from office.

The PSB will also seek a constitutional amendment to call for direct elections if the presidency is vacated, instead of the indirect elections in Congress currently mandated, according to PSB president Carlos Siqueira.

"Today's decision, first of all, is to suggest to the president that, to help find a solution for our country, he should quit as fast as possible," commented Siqueira, adding that the PSB would also support Temer's impeachment.

He explained that Temer has lost the condition to govern the country. Whoever concludes the president does not have the condition to lead a national project, de facto, enters the opposition.

The PSB's announcement came after a recording was released this week in which Temer seemingly endorses the bribing of former speaker Eduardo Cunha in exchange for his silence.

Since the recording was revealed this week, the Temer government has already lost two ministers.

Bruno Araujo, the minister of cities, distanced himself from the scandal and resigned, while Roberto Freire, the minister of culture, also quit, citing "the political instability generated by facts that directly involve the presidency."

The PSB currently holds one ministry, that of mines and energy.

On Saturday, Temer said that the recording had been doctored to harm him and asked the Supreme Court to drop the investigation into him.

Brazil's former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010), called Saturday for the resignation of Temer.

Lula promised he was "in the trenches" to demand Temer's resignation and to call for new elections, to allow the people to elect their new leader. "We want Temer to leave but we don't want an indirectly elected president," he told supporters at Sao Bernardo do Campo, near Sao Paulo.

This was his first public appearance since JBS owner, Joesley Batista, told judicial investigators he paid Lula 80 million U.S. dollars on foreign accounts, although the ex-president did not address these claims.

Lula's concern about direct elections stems from the fact that, if Temer resigns or is impeached, his successor will be elected by parliament.

While Lula is the favorite to win next year's presidential elections in 2018 according to opinion polls, he is facing five different court cases, which could declare him ineligible to run.

"I had never thought I would be a candidate again. Now, with this provocation, with this amount of accusations, with things being invented every week, I want to contest the elections," he said.

Lula added, his Workers' Party (PT) had learned over its 12 years in power (2003-2016) how to fight corruption, as nobody created more mechanisms than the PT.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 15:49:26|Editor: MJ

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by Xia Lin, Jia Anping

LIMA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Despite Peru's effort to crack the corrupt network associated with Brazil's bribe-spreading infrastructure-building giant Odebrecht, a mega-suspect is still at large, a situation that is intolerable to the country, an expert said.

"It is a problem that is affecting us. We have to rethink how we are behaving like society, like human. We have become very individualized," Ines Tello, a judicial consultant, told Xinhua in Lima.

"That individualism has made us lose that perspective to see the others and share solidarity," said Tello.

Odebrecht's executives allegedly paid three former presidents, namely Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011), and Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) and several ministers of Peru in exchange for business favors.

Toledo was accused of money laundering and influence peddling, after he fled to the U.S. city of San Francisco. According to the justice, he received 20 million U.S. dollars as commission to help Odebrecht win contracts to build several highways in Peru.

The Supreme Court has declared in his absence to impose 18 months of preventive imprisonment on him and mobilized Interpol to put him to justice.

Public anger erupted on February 16, 2017, when more than 5,000 people took to the streets in Lima, demanding punishment for corruption.

The protesters denounced graft as a tumor of the society, which had impeded the country from further development.

Meanwhile, Peru has asked the United States to extradite Toledo, but the request was turned down for lack of evidence.

The Public Ministry and the National Police raided his house in Lima in February, trying to spot the much needed clues of his alleged graft. The government also offered 30,000 U.S. dollars as reward for any information of Toledo's whereabouts.

Toledo said in France in April that he was being politically prosecuted. There were signals that he may move to Israel, which is his wife's motherland.

Peru immediately contacted Israel, which said Toledo's entry would be refused.

According to the Office of the Ombudsman of Peru, there are currently 32,925 cases of corruption at the national level, and only 695 of them have been transferred to justice.

Up to 4 billion U.S. dollars was lost annually due to graft in Peru. A national poll said that 75 percent of the population demanded that the crime be dealt with determination and political will.

"If the government doesn't denounce (corruption), if the judiciary branch doesn't sanction, impunity will be actually generated and that is the worst," said Tello. "That is a citizen's perception and for that reason the crimes of corruption continue to be committed."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 16:29:32|Editor: MJ

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ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Two suspected members of Islamic State jihadist group were killed in police raid on Sunday in the Turkish capital Ankara, said the governor Ercan Topaca.

Earlier, the two suspects were driven to Ankara from Istanbul by a third individual, who confessed to planning an attack after being detained in an Istanbul police operation, Governor said.

The third individual told officers he was an IS member and directed them to an Ankara address where the two other suspected IS members were located, Topaca said.

The two individuals responded to the police raid by attempting to engage in a gunfight.

Weapons, hand grenades and IEDs with high explosive power were found in the residence, Topaca added.

On the same day, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will hold its extraordinary congress in Ankara. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to rejoin the party and become its chairman.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 16:34:34|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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File photo taken on Nov. 23, 2016 shows the national flags of the United States and China during the 27th Session of the China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington D.C., capital of the United States. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Record high Chinese investment in the United States in 2016 demonstrates that Beijing's economic agenda is compatible with the U.S. economic goals, not the other way around.

A report co-authored by the Rhodium Group and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations shows Chinese companies invested 46 billion dollars in the United States last year, tripling the amount seen in 2015, sending two-way direct investment to a record high.

The report characterized past two-way investment as a "one-way street," with money flowing predominantly from the United States to China. But now, investment is a "two-way highway" with tens of billions of dollars in annual FDI flowing in each direction.

While the U.S. administration worried Chinese manufacturing could threaten U.S. jobs and its economy, Chinese companies are bolstering the U.S. economy by creating jobs and paying taxes.

In the last seven years, employment by Chinese-owned firms in the United States had jumped ninefold to 140,000 jobs last year. By the end of 2016, all 50 states and 98 percent of congressional districts hosted operations of Chinese companies.

According to John Ling, president of the Council of American States in China, more and more U.S. states are increasing recruitment efforts to help land the next Chinese manufacturing project. He believes this will "give more leg" to a healthier bilateral economic relationship.

While notable progress been made, there is huge room for expanding the footprint of Chinese investors in the United States.

With China transitioning away from an export-driven economy to one led by consumer spending and services, Chinese investors have begun to shift their target industries in the United States away from traditional energy and real estate industries to consumer services and the high-tech sector.

According to the joint report, more than 90 percent of Chinese FDI in the United States in 2016 focused on services and advanced manufacturing.

Chinese drugmaker Qilu Pharmaceutical offers the latest example. It invested over 40 million U.S. dollars to open an innovation hub and expand its business presence in Boston, the pharmaceutical innovation hub in the United States.

Boston mayor Martin Walsh has lauded Qilu's partnership, which helps reinforce the city's reputation as a global champion of life science research and development.

While Qilu could capitalize on Boston's rich R&D resources to upgrade its product mix, it also helps turn state-of-the-art ideas into reality in the world's largest consumer market.

The great rebalancing of the Chinese economy offers a historic chance to expand Chinese investment in the United States. Understanding this great potential will also help build constructive U.S.-China relations in the 21st century.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 17:09:48|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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Newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani smiles during a televised speech in the capital Tehran on May 20, 2017. Iranians have chosen the "path of engagement with the world" and rejected extremism, President Hassan Rouhani said following his resounding re-election victory. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

by Hassan Rouhvand

TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Re-elected as Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani will keep on interaction with the world and try to mend ties with Saudi Arabia, an Iranian political expert told Xinhua on Sunday.

Iran's incumbent moderate President Hassan Rouhani won the presidential election by garnering 57 percent of the votes through the Friday balloting.

His conservative challenger Ebrahim Raisi lagged behind with grasping 38.5 percent of the ballots.

"Obviously, with Rouhani's election, it would be very much the same (foreign) policies that we have observed during the past three and half years," Sadeq Zibakalam, professor of political science of Tehran University, told Xinhua.

As for Iran's relations with regional states, he added that Rouhani's next adminstration will seek normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia and negotiations over the regional conflicts.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are at loggerheads over their expansion of influence in Iraq, Syria, Yeman and Bahrain.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the Islamic republic does not seek any "tension" with Saudi Arabia.

On Saturday, Rouhani said that Iran will continue interaction with the international community and is ready to expand the cooperation with other countries.

Rouhani believes in detente with the West and even with the United States, and he has, to some extent, achieved this, Zibakalam said, adding that "he will try to maintain good and warm relations with many other countries if he is reelected."

The expert pointed to the Iranian nuclear deal and said that since Rouhani does not seek fraction with the United Sates, therefore, there is no risk for the deal's obstruction.

"At the moment, we know that the U.S. President Donald Trump wants to get rid of it, but he cannot," because Rouhani's adminstration has not violated the deal and Iran has done all its obligations, the expert said.

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "the worst deal ever negotiated."

Iran and six world powers, including Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July 2015 that put it on the path of sanctions relief, but with more strict limits on nuclear program.

"If the United States wants to derail the deal, other parties of the deal will not follow it," said Zibakalam.

By voting for him, the Iranians have chosen the course of interaction and "no to violence and extremism" in the world, Rouhani said in a televised speech.

The Iranians have chosen to live in peace with their neighbors and global countries, he said, adding that Iran will not accept "humiliation and threat" in mutual ties.

Earlier, another Iranian political expert, Hassan Beheshti Pour, told Aftab-e-Yazd that "We should have to be worried if Rouhani is not reelected," since in that case other countries would readjust their policies toward Iran.
Newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani smiles during a televised speech in the capital Tehran on May 20, 2017. Iranians have chosen the "path of engagement with the world" and rejected extremism, President Hassan Rouhani said following his resounding re-election victory. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Re-elected as Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani will keep on interaction with the world and try to mend ties with Saudi Arabia, an Iranian political expert told Xinhua on Sunday.

Iran's incumbent moderate President Hassan Rouhani won the presidential election by garnering 57 percent of the votes through the Friday balloting.

His conservative challenger Ebrahim Raisi lagged behind with grasping 38.5 percent of the ballots.

"Obviously, with Rouhani's election, it would be very much the same (foreign) policies that we have observed during the past three and half years," Sadeq Zibakalam, professor of political science of Tehran University, told Xinhua.

As for Iran's relations with regional states, he added that Rouhani's next adminstration will seek normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia and negotiations over the regional conflicts.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are at loggerheads over their expansion of influence in Iraq, Syria, Yeman and Bahrain.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the Islamic republic does not seek any "tension" with Saudi Arabia.

On Saturday, Rouhani said that Iran will continue interaction with the international community and is ready to expand the cooperation with other countries.

Rouhani believes in detente with the West and even with the United States, and he has, to some extent, achieved this, Zibakalam said, adding that "he will try to maintain good and warm relations with many other countries if he is reelected."

The expert pointed to the Iranian nuclear deal and said that since Rouhani does not seek fraction with the United Sates, therefore, there is no risk for the deal's obstruction.

"At the moment, we know that the U.S. President Donald Trump wants to get rid of it, but he cannot," because Rouhani's adminstration has not violated the deal and Iran has done all its obligations, the expert said.

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "the worst deal ever negotiated."

Iran and six world powers, including Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July 2015 that put it on the path of sanctions relief, but with more strict limits on nuclear program.

"If the United States wants to derail the deal, other parties of the deal will not follow it," said Zibakalam.

By voting for him, the Iranians have chosen the course of interaction and "no to violence and extremism" in the world, Rouhani said in a televised speech.

The Iranians have chosen to live in peace with their neighbors and global countries, he said, adding that Iran will not accept "humiliation and threat" in mutual ties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 18:00:10|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (R) meets with Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan during the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Le Yanna)

HANOI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China highly appreciates Vietnam's active support and participation in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held recently in Beijing, and the achievements gained at the summit, Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan has said.

Zhong Shan made the remarks on Saturday while meeting Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on the sidelines of the 23rd APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held in Hanoi from Saturday to Sunday.

The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation attained comprehensive success and fruitful results, said Zhong.

The Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit has won applause and positive support from participants and the international community, including Vietnam, said Zhong.

As the largest trade partner of Vietnam for years, China will further implement the consensus agreed by leaders of both sides, pushing forward the connectivity of the Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's Two Corridors and One Circle plan, as well as the construction of cross-border economic zone, said Zhong, adding that China will fully support Vietnam in hosting APEC's 2017 summit.

Tran Dai Quang, for his part, congratulated China's success in holding the Forum, adding that the country attaches great importance to broadening and deepening economic, trade and investment relations with China.

Vietnam is willing to take all measures to strengthen and deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership with China, said Quang, wishing to coordinate with China further to host the APEC summit and its related meetings.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 18:05:16|Editor: MJ

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MANAMA, May 21 ( Xinhua) -- A top Shiite cleric was on Sunday convicted on charges of money laundering and collecting funds illegally by Bahraini High Criminal Court.

The High Criminal Court in a key verdict announced a one year in suspended jail sentence to Shaikh Isa Qassim, spiritual leader of now defunct opposition group Al Wefaq National Islamic Society.

The same sentences were given to the cleric's two accomplices.

The Public Prosecution Advocate General in a statement posted on Bahrain News Agency said on Sunday that the court ruled a fine of 100,000 Bahraini Dinars for three people and the confiscation of the seized assets related to the case.

"The Public Prosecution will undertake the legal measures to enforce the verdicts once they are final."

The advocate General said the Public Prosecution is currently looking into the verdicts to determine whether it will appeal.

The 75-year-old and two of his office employees are accused of setting up an unlicensed office for illegal fundraising and depositing 10 million U.S. dollars in a bank account which was frozen in June last year.

The government on June 20 last year revoked the cleric's nationality for setting up an "extremist sectarian environment" and establishing organisations linked to foreign authorities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 18:20:20|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi take part in a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh on May 21, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he will visit Egypt soon at an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to mend soured ties under former U.S. administration, official MENA news agency reported.

"I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," Trump said in a statement following his meeting with the Egyptian president in Riyadh, MENA reported.

Sisi had "done a tremendous job under trying circumstance," Trump added.

The Trump-Sisi meeting was held on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic-U.S. summit.

The bilateral relations between Egypt and U.S. worsened during Trump's predecessor Barrack Obama's administration after the Egyptian military ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Obama did not invite Sisi for a visit and even temporarily suspended U.S. aid to the Arabic country citing U.S. concerns about human rights situation in Egypt.

The ties, however, have improved under the new U.S. administration of President Trump, who pledged to support the key U.S. ally with 1.3 billion U.S. dollars annually in military aid.

Sisi paid his first official visit to the United States and met Trump at White House in Early April.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 18:20:21|Editor: MJ

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BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The 27th National Day for Helping the Disabled on Sunday draws attention to the well-being of those living with disabilities.

A reading party was held at the Capital Library of China in Beijing on Saturday afternoon. Some 30 volunteers took turns reading excerpts out loud from "How The Steel Was Tempered," sharing the classic with listeners who are visually impaired.

It was part of a program launched by the library in 2013 to share the beauty of reading with visually disabled people. A series of activities have been hosted, including reading, role playing games and dramatic performance.

The eastern province of Zhejiang has vowed that from 2016 to 2020, the government will help each of the 100,000 rural disabled who are living in poverty or have severe disabilities read one book and one newspaper, visit a park and an exhibition and participate in a cultural activity each year.

The social safety net for the disabled is also being strengthened across the country.

Liu Damao in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province receives a minimum monthly government subsidy of 610 yuan (88.6 U.S. dollars) and also receives an additional 50 yuan in subsidies for disabled people living in poverty and another 50 yuan for people with severe disabilities each month.

"I cannot move freely, and all the procedures were handled by the government staff who came to my house," he said.

From 2011 to 2015, Jiangxi provided 186,000 disabled people who are living in poverty or have severe disabilities with the 50-yuan monthly subsidy.

The government of Beijing has been purchasing assistance services for the disabled from social organizations since 2014. In 2016, it bought services covering rehabilitation, care and legal services to benefit some 384,000 people.

According to a Chinese saying, it is more important to teach men to fish than serve them fish. Education and employment are also cornerstones in the effort to help the disabled.

In Beijing's Chaoyang District, a job fair exclusively catering to the disabled was held ahead of the National Day for Helping the Disabled.

More than 100 disabled job seekers came to learn about over 100 job vacancies at 21 organizations, and dozens of initial employment agreements were reached. They included jobs in graphic design, telephone operation, and finance and accounting.

At the Zhejiang Tianshun communication device company, 43 disabled workers were assembling optical fibre splice protection equipment. In addition to a monthly wage of 1,660 yuan per person, the company offers them free lunch and helps them pay social insurance.

According to Zheng Yao, an official with the Zhejiang Disabled Person's Federation, the province has established 940 support organizations for disabled employment, which have helped 18,400 people.

Local governments are also taking advantage of the booming e-commerce sector to help the disabled with employment.

Zhan Caixia in Pingxiang City, Jiangxi, took part in an e-commerce customer service training course organized by the local government. Although Zhan can only type with her feet and is not as efficient as others, she now makes about 500 yuan every month.

Jia Yaming, with the Jiangxi disabled person's federation, said Internet technology has opened a new door for the disabled, and e-commerce is an ideal employment choice for many.
While state and national media focus on Montanas U.S. House special election, the states new campaign watchdog hasnt been front-page news.

Jeff Mangan, a Great Falls Democrat who served eight years in the Legislature a decade ago, started his six-year appointment as commissioner of political practices last week. Nominated by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, Mangan won Senate confirmation with bipartisan support.

Mangans predecessor, Jonathan Motl, is an attorney who brought extensive legal and public policy experience to the job, although he has never held elected public office. Given the hostility that some GOP lawmakers showed to Motl this session, Mangans confirmation probably succeeded because his background in youth counseling, small business, communications and mediation is very different than Motls.

COPP on Facebook

Motl left the COPP office in good shape  with an amazingly efficient staff of six (seven if you count the commissioner). He implemented the Disclose Act of 2015, which requires candidates and other election spenders to file more public reports and to file them at times that are more useful for voters who want to know who is financing campaigns for state offices and ballot issues.

In a telephone interview with The Gazette, Mangan described himself as somewhat of a government wonk, who recognizes that he has lots of reading and learning ahead for his new job.

On his second morning in the office, Mangan said he was working on writing eight decisions. His focus in coming months will be to expand public education. He plans to put more information about COPP online. A COPP Facebook page is in the works and will be up shortly, he said.

Under Montana law, the COPP is nominated by the governor to serve a six-year term, but must be confirmed by a Senate majority. Motl was confirmed by the 2015 Legislature after the office had three commissioners who did not win Senate confirmation.

For the sake of continuity and experience in this important watchdog post, we call on Mangan to work hard to complete his term, which would span the remainder of Bullocks administration and into the next governors tenure.

There will surely be controversies and complaints ahead, but Montanans have come to trust the office as an unbiased and accessible source of information about the people and groups trying to influence elections and lobby the Legislature. Mangan must maintain and strengthen the publics trust in COPP.

Several GOP bills introduced in the 2017 Legislature aimed to restrict the COPPs ability to uphold Montanas newly strengthened campaign reporting laws. Fortunately, for the sake of our state, the vindictive bills died.

One campaign law revision bill, Senate Bill 368, did make it to Gov. Steve Bullocks desk last week. The bipartisan sponsors of that bill include some smart and respectable legislators, but we cannot support this bill that moved through the legislature quickly with little publicity and no public support in its House and Senate hearings.

By contrast, the Disclose Act became law after months of public debate. The rules it authorized were presented, revised and adopted through public hearing and comment process. As a result, Montanans had better access than ever before to campaign finance information, as record amounts of money poured into the state to influence our elections.

Bad bill vetoed

Its disappointing to see that the campaign law revision passed by the 2017 Legislature offered little benefit to average citizens. Instead, Senate Bill 368 would have quadrupled campaign donation limits that had been set by a voter initiative. A legal challenge to the contribution limits is on appeal to the Ninth Circuit.

The bill would have imposed additional and unnecessary requirements on the COPP without providing any additional funding to pay for staff or contract time. No member of the public spoke in favor of SB368 in Senate or House committee hearings. Opponents included leaders of Montana Common Cause, Montana League of Women Voters and Motl.

Bullock was right veto SB368 because it would have severely undermined the ability of the COPP to enforce our campaign laws.

"Due to the Montana Disclose and and the efforts of the COPP over the course of the past two years, our 2016 elections were among the most transparent and cleanest on record," Bullock said.

We agree. Montana's challenge now  the challenge that will test Mangan  is maintaining transparency and fairness as more money pours into our elections.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 18:40:34|Editor: Mengjie

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NANCHANG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A pilot area for the internationalization of education on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was officially launched on Sunday in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province.

With the aim of training TCM talent and better promoting TCM globally, the pilot area was jointly planned by the Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and pharmaceutical firm Jiangzhong Group.

A set of programs will be carried out, including the training of internationally oriented TCM professionals, as well as programs on international communication and cooperation in TCM education.

Under the programs, more foreign students and doctors will have a chance to receive TCM training in China, and TCM documents will be translated into more foreign languages. More Chinese talent with a command of TCM knowledge and foreign languages will be cultivated.

Wang Guoqiang, deputy head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission and head of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said the training of talent is a priority in promoting TCM abroad, which is an integral part of people-to-people exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative.
A released Chibok girl (R) hugs her relative in Abuja, Nigeria, May 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Olatunji Obasa)

ABUJA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 4,000 people in terror group Boko Haram's captivity have so far been rescued by Nigerian government forces, the country's minister of defense has said.

Mansur Dan-Ali, while addressing a summit in the Nigerian city of Jos, said those freed included 106 of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok community of the northeastern state of Borno in 2014.

The freed hostages mostly included women and children, he noted.

According to Dan-Ali, the combined efforts of the armed forces had successfully degraded the Boko Haram fighters, making it difficult for them to regroup and carry out organized attacks in the volatile northeast region.

Boko Haram is blamed for thousands of deaths and displacement of 2.3 million people since 2009.

Troops dislodged the terror group members from Sambisa Forest, their largest training camp in the northern Borno State, last December.
THE HAGUE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 60 itinerant criminals have been arrested during a national raid against mobile banditry that lasted from Tuesday to Friday, the Dutch Police announced on Sunday.

The arrested criminals included members of itinerant groups who engage in criminal activities such as shoplifting, drug trafficking, identity theft and burglaries.

The police action was supported by the Dutch royal military police, tax office and immigration agency. The German, Belgian and Romanian police were also involved.

"Tackling mobile banditry is high on the priority list of the police," said the Dutch Police.

During the action, thousands of people were checked on roads, at parking lots and in trains. Through a specially designed app, police could directly check and compare with data in the national information system and in the Europol system.

The systems were consulted some 1,700 times, and in about 100 cases police were led to investigations related to arms trafficking, drug trafficking or burglaries.

"The data obtained from abroad gave the Dutch police information that was not known here. This will help in the future to expose criminals and lead to arrests, " said the police.
SEOUL, May 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday ordered the convening of a national security council meeting at the presidential Blue House after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-launched a ballistic missile earlier in the day.

Presidential spokesman Park Su-hyun told a press briefing that President Moon issued the order after receiving a report from Chung Eui-yong, who was appointed earlier in the day as top presidential security advisor.

The national security council meeting, which started at about 6:00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT), was chaired by Chung who leads the National Security Office of the Blue House.

According to local media reports, Moon currently stayed in his private home in the country's southeastern region and was scheduled to be on a one-day leave Monday to plan a future state management.

The DPRK fired an unidentified ballistic missile from Pukchang in the north of the country's capital Pyongyang at about 4:59 p.m. local time (0759 GMT), according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

It flew about 500 kilometers and landed in waters off the DPRK's east coast. The South Korean military has been analyzing the details of the ballistic missile.

The Japanese government also confirmed the test-launch.

The missile has fallen into the Sea of Japan but outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, said Japan's top government spokesperson Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

He also said that Japan strongly protests against the DPRK's latest missile launch and is currently gathering information about the launch.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 18:55:47|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RABAT, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The 23rd World Festival of Sacred Music closed late on Saturday in Morocco's old city of Fez, with China as guest of honor.

Held under the theme "Water and the Sacred," traditional artists from different corner of the world highlighted environmental issues and the the importance of water as the source of life and inspiration nourishing both the body and the soul.

Through its parallel lectures and debates, the festival explored the symbolism of water and urged the world to reconcile with the environment and mobilize for the future generations and the planet.

During the nine-day festival, the historical city of Fez medina became the beating heart and melting-pot of artistic expression, philosophical reflection and precious exchange that nourish a spiritual community built upon the knowledge that difference is of value.

Starting in 1994, the annual festival was designated in 2001 by the United Nations as one of the major events contributing in remarkable fashion to the dialogue between civilizations.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi take part in a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh on May 21, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he will visit Egypt soon at an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to mend soured ties under former U.S. administration, official MENA news agency reported.

"I will get to Egypt. We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon," Trump said in a statement following his meeting with the Egyptian president in Riyadh, MENA reported.

Sisi had "done a tremendous job under trying circumstance," Trump added.

The Trump-Sisi meeting was held on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic-U.S. summit.

The bilateral relations between Egypt and U.S. worsened during Trump's predecessor Barrack Obama's administration after the Egyptian military ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Obama did not invite Sisi for a visit and even temporarily suspended U.S. aid to the Arabic country citing U.S. concerns about human rights situation in Egypt.

The ties, however, have improved under the new U.S. administration of President Trump, who pledged to support the key U.S. ally with 1.3 billion U.S. dollars annually in military aid.

Sisi paid his first official visit to the United States and met Trump at White House in Early April.
HELSINKI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A Finnish national was kidnapped following an attack in the Afghan capital city of Kabul, Finnish authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The Foreign Ministry did not give the name of the kidnapped person, nor information on the kidnappers. "The only detail that I can give at this stage is that there is no information yet about the kidnappers," ministry spokesperson Karoliina Romanoff told reporters.

The kidnapping took place after unidentified armed men shot dead a foreign woman along with her bodyguard in Kabul on Sunday morning.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 19:25:59|Editor: MJ

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RIYADH, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that the ties of his country with Bahrain will be stronger and won't face tension after today, Al Arabiya local news reported.

He highlighted that as part of his two-day visit to Riyadh when he met with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the sideline of U.S.-Gulf summit.

"Relations between the two countries are great, although there were some tensions before that won't exist in the current management. We will build long term ties based on common grounds," he said.

The former U.S administration backed the Shiite opposition in Bahrain since the beginning of unrest in 2011, despite Bahrain is one of its alliance.

Bahrain's Chief of Public Security, Major-General Tariq Al Hassan announced last week that since 2011, more than 3,300 policemen had been injured and 20 had died which was a high price paid by Bahrain.

Meanwhile the summit discussed regional security threats and commercial ties between the U.S. and Gulf countries.
File photo shows Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni deliver his speech during the Kenya's 51st Jamhuri Day (Independence Day) celebration at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Dec. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Fred Mutune)

DAR ES SALAAM, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the East African Community (EAC) on Saturday agreed not to force member states to sign the EAC-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

A communique issued at the end of the 18th ordinary summit of the EAC in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam said the leaders noted that the remaining EAC member states that have not signed the EPA trade deal were not in a position to do so pending clarification of issues they have identified in the deal.

"It was however agreed that due to this action Kenya should not be disadvantaged since she has already signed the agreement," said the communique issued by leaders from EAC member states.

The EPA would result in six members of the EAC allowing European goods in at low tariff rates over 25 years while the EU would permit EAC products tariff-free access.

For the EPA to be functional, all EAC members, namely Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, must sign the deal. So far only Kenya and Rwanda have signed it.

Tanzania has refused to approve the EPA deal, saying it would kill its infant industries and distress its future industrialization drive. The deadline for the EAC countries to append their signatures on the trade agreement was October 1, 2016.

In view of this, Tanzanian President Yoweri Museveni as the new chairman of the EAC was mandated within one month to reach out to the EU to communicate the EAC circumstances, said the communique.

"In the event that an acceptable way forward is not reached with the EU within the next six months, the chairperson was authorized to explore the use of viable geometry in implementation of the EPA by EAC member states working with the council of ministers," said the communique.

The summit also agreed that the EU sanctions on Burundi should be discussed alongside the EPA discussions.

Also at the 18th EAC ordinary summit, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni took over the chairmanship of the EAC from Tanzanian President John Magufuli.

Magufuli appealed to Museveni to try to sort out some of the thorny trade deals that the EAC was still negotiating with other countries.
SOFIA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian law enforcement authorities have seized 423 kg of heroin at Danube Bridge checkpoint near Vidin at the border with Romania, officials said here on Sunday.

Georgi Kostov, Director General of the National Customs Agency, said at a press conference that the illicit drug, split into 400 packets, was discovered on Saturday morning in a Bulgarian truck carrying terracotta tiles from Bulgaria to the Netherlands.

The purity of the heroin was extremely high, nearly 70 percent, Kostov said.

Authorities estimated the value of the seized heroin on the black market would exceed 36 million U.S. dollars, he added.

Mladen Marinov, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, said that the heroin was delivered to Bulgaria on Wednesday from Iran via Turkey by an Iranian truck.

After that, the heroin has been loaded on the Bulgarian truck, said Marinov, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

In April, Bulgarian authorities seized 214 kg of heroin hidden in a truck carrying cans of chicken breading spice from Iran to Poland.

Bulgaria, a key transit route for drugs smuggled from Asia to Europe, seized more than 500 kg of heroin in 2016, official data showed.
Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump's national security adviser declined to say whether the president confronted Russian officials about the country's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election during a meeting at the White House earlier this month, telling ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos that there "already was too much that's been leaked from those meetings."



"One of the things that I'm most concerned about is the confidence, the confidentiality of those kind of meetings, as you know, are extremely important," National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said in an exclusive interview that aired on This Week on Sunday. "I'm really concerned about these kind of leaks because it undermines everybodys trust in that kind of an environment where you can have frank, candid and oftentimes unconventional conversations to try to protect American interests and secure the American people.



"The initial leak that came out was a leak about concerns about revealing intelligence sources and methods," McMaster said, referring to a report from The Washington Post on Monday.

The report stated the president revealed highly classified information to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that "jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on the Islamic State."



"Information that's not even part of the president's briefing. And so in a concern about divulging intelligence, they leaked actually not just the information from the meeting, but also indicated the sources and methods to a newspaper," McMaster said on This Week.



"I take your point on that, although there is also the question of whether or not it was right for the president to give that information to the Russians," Stephanopoulos responded. "But I just asked the direct question: Did the president confront the Russians on their interference in our election?"



McMaster still did not answer.



"I'm not going to divulge more of that meeting," McMaster said. "Those meetings, as you know, are supposed to be privileged. They're supposed to be confidential."



The New York Times reported Friday that President Trump told Russian officials during their May 10 meeting that his firing of former FBI Director James Comey eased "great pressure" on him, while calling Comey "crazy, a real nut job."



When asked by Stephanopoulos about the report, McMaster -- who was in the Oval Office meeting with Trump and the Russian officials  would not deny the comments.



"I don't remember exactly what the president said," Trump's national security adviser said, adding, "But the gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news. And that was the intention of that portion of that conversation."



Stephanopoulos pressed, You have the president of the United States telling the Russian foreign minister in their first meeting that the pressure is off because he's fired the FBI director investigating Russian interference in the campaign. Does that seem appropriate to you?



As you know, its very difficult to take a few lines, to take a paragraph out of what appear to be notes of that meeting and to be able to see the full context of the conversation, McMaster responded. The real purpose of the conversation was to confront Russia on areas, as I mentioned, like Ukraine and Syria, their support for Assad and their support for the Iranians, while trying to find areas of cooperation as in the area of counterterrorism and the campaign against ISIS."



In a statement Friday to ABC News, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer did not dispute The New York Times account, saying, By grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russias actions, James Comey created unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia.



Asked if Comeys grandstanding hurts our ability to deal with Russia, McMaster said on This Week, I think what's been hurting our ability to deal with Russia more than any other factor has been Russia's behavior.



Since President Trump has taken action in Syria, we think that there may be opportunities to find areas of cooperation in places like Ukraine, in places like Syria in particular, McMaster added.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Over the past several weeks, thousands of Montanans have reached out to thank Sen. Jon Tester. You dont hear of a senator getting thanked very often, especially considering Congress sky high unpopularity.

Of course, most other senators arent Jon Tester. A third-generation dirt farmer known for his trademark flattop haircut, Tester is standing up to the special interests and fighting to clean up the mess in Washington. So, it makes sense then that 4,500 Montanans joined together to thank Tester after he introduced his latest campaign finance reform package.

The influence of money in politics has hit unprecedented levels since the 2010 Citizens United ruling. The case established that corporations have the same rights as people when it comes to political spending, suddenly giving them the ability to single-handedly bankroll politicians and, in effect, buy power and influence.

"Dark Money" groups are even worse. They keep the identities of their mega-donors secret from the public  allowing them to run some of the most deceptive, misleading and negative ads without any accountability. With politicians in the pockets of these special interests the voices of middle-class families are simply drowned out.

Since the Citizens United decision, perhaps no where has Big Moneys influence become more apparent than in Big Sky Country. Before the ruling, $3.5 million in outside money was spent in the 2006 Senate race  a number that ballooned to a whopping $25 million in 2012 after Citizens United.

Unlike many members of Congress who are happy to keep this rigged system in place, Tester has fought to end the corrosive influence money has on our democracy. He has the integrity and courage to stand up against those trying to corrupt the system. He fights for all Montanans.

Testers latest efforts include the SUN (Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-Profits) Act, which would require Dark Money groups to disclose the identity of their mega-donors; the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act which would require Senate candidates to file campaign finance reports electronically, thus saving taxpayers money and increasing transparency to the public; and a constitutional amendment that strikes at the heart of Big Money by declaring that corporations are not people  something that is apparently obvious to everyone but Congress.

While other senators are knee-deep in the Washington swamp, Montanans know to find Tester on his farm. Testers never gone Washington, and because of that hes never been afraid to stand up to the special interest groups trying to buy our elections. Montanans dont want their democracy sold to the highest bidder, and they can count on Tester to fight for them. Thats why End Citizens United, a grassroots community with 14,000 members in Montana has endorsed Jon Tester for re-election. We will proudly stand with him as he stands with hard-working families and continues to fight to fix our broken campaign system.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 20:11:11|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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Newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gestures after delivering a televised speech in the capital Tehran on May 20, 2017. A portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen in the background. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian army general on Sunday refuted the comments by the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for urging a policy shift in Tehran's conduct during President Hassan Rouhani's second term, Tasnim news agency reported.

The only way to peace in the Middle East is a pull-out of the U.S. forces from the region, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Massoud Jazayeri said.

During his Saudi Arabia visit, Tillerson said Saturday that he hopes the re-election of Rouhani would prompt changes to Tehran's approach to "terrorism and human rights."

Tillerson urged Iran's re-elected president to dismantle the alleged "network of terrorism" and to end ballistic missile tests.

He made the remarks at a news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh.

In the reaction, Jazayeri urged the United States for what he called an end to the "aggressive and terrorist operations against independent states" by the assistance of "reactionary regimes" in the region.

Besides, no factor could hinder Iran's defense programs, he said, describing the boost of Iran's missile defense systems as a top priority for the Islamic republic.
NEW DELHI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Indian police have nabbed 18 left-wing Naxalite rebels in connection with the killing of 25 para-military troopers in an ambush in the central state of Chhattisgarh last month.

"All the 18 Naxalites are being interrogated to establish their involvement in the attack in the Chintalnar and Chintafuga areas of the state's Sukma district. Those detained include some rebels who carried rewards on their heads and wanted in several cases," a police official said Sunday.

Earlier this month, police took into custody some 11 left-wing rebels for their alleged involvement in the ambush on Indian security forces. "With the latest detention, the number of Naxalites in custody in the case has risen to 29," the official added.

The 25 troopers of the para-military Central Reserve Police Force were killed on April 24 in a fierce gunfight with some 300 armed Naxalite rebels who had laid the ambush on them near Kala Pathar close to the Burkapal-Chintagufa area in Sukma.

The security forces personnel were providing protection for road construction work in the area when they were attacked. Around 10 to 12 Naxalites were also shot dead in retaliatory fire.

The Naxalites claim that they are fighting for greater rights for tribal people and the rural poor. Their movement began in the eastern state of West Bengal in the late 1960s and spread into less developed areas of rural southern and eastern India.

The Naxalites are now active in more than one third of India's 600-plus administrative districts. They routinely target Indian security forces.
Newly re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gestures after delivering a televised speech in the capital Tehran on May 20, 2017. A portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seen in the background. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian army general on Sunday refuted the comments by the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for urging a policy shift in Tehran's conduct during President Hassan Rouhani's second term, Tasnim news agency reported.

The only way to peace in the Middle East is a pull-out of the U.S. forces from the region, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Massoud Jazayeri said.

During his Saudi Arabia visit, Tillerson said Saturday that he hopes the re-election of Rouhani would prompt changes to Tehran's approach to "terrorism and human rights."

Tillerson urged Iran's re-elected president to dismantle the alleged "network of terrorism" and to end ballistic missile tests.

He made the remarks at a news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh.

In the reaction, Jazayeri urged the United States for what he called an end to the "aggressive and terrorist operations against independent states" by the assistance of "reactionary regimes" in the region.
PARIS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed to further boost bilateral ties with Tehran after the incumbent president Hassan Rouhani was re-elected on Saturday.

In a press release issued by his office, Macron congratulated his Iranian counterpart over his victory in election and "successful" course of voting.

"He hopes that this new mandate will confirm the improvement of the old relations between France and Iran," the Elysee said in the release.

With that aim, the French president "will ask the government to work actively to intensify economic, scientific and cultural ties with Iran," said the release.

On Saturday, Rouhani was re-elected after seizing 57 percent of the ballots, the country's interior ministry figures showed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 21:11:27|Editor: MJ

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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during the Extraordinary Congress of the ruling AKP in Ankara, Turkey, May 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya)

ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's President Erdogan said Sunday that the ongoing state of emergency will not be lifted soon until the country achieves peace and welfare.

At the extraordinary congress of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party which set to return him to the party helm, Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited the 2-year-long state of emergency in France.

"A state of emergency was declared in France when 15 terrorists arose. In my country, they tried to overthrow the state, and we gave 249 martyrs, and had 2,193 injured," said Erdogan, stressing "How dare you ask us to lift the state of emergency?"

"It will not be lifted. Until when? Until the situation reaches welfare and peace," he stressed.

Turkey declared a state of emergency on last July 20 after the deadly coup attempt. On April 18, parliament approved to extend the ongoing state of emergency for another three months.
MOSUL, Iraq, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units recaptured seven villages from Islamic State (IS) militants on Sunday in western Mosul, the Iraqi military said.

The predominantly Shiite Hashd Shaabi units, backed by army helicopters, freed four villages scattered in south of the town of al-Qairwan, which located in the rugged sprawling area south of Sinjar, about 100 km west of Mosul, said the Hashd Shaabi units in a statement.

In north of al-Qairwan, the Hashd Shaabi units carried out an overnight progress and cut off the supply route between the IS-held villages of al-Hatmiya and Tal Qasab, the statement said.

In the morning, the paramilitary units stormed the village of Tal Qasab and seized it after clashes with IS militants, killing 10 IS militants and destroying two booby-trapped cars, while fierce clashes around al-Hatmiya still underway, the statement added.

The units also freed the villages of Ayn Fat'hi and Ayn Ghazal in north of the militants-seized town of al-Qairwan, according to the statement

The units currently isolated al-Qairwan and are preparing to free the town from IS militants in order to advance further to the west to liberate the other militants-seized town of Baaj, 25 km west of al-Qairwan.

The operation enabled the Hashd Shaabi units to secure the border areas between Iraq and neighboring Syria and cut off the IS's supply routes between Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqa, the capital of the IS's self-declared caliphate.

Furthermore, the operation came as Iraqi security forces, backed by the anti-IS international coalition, were simultaneously conducting a major offensive to dislodge IS militants from their major stronghold in western Mosul.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to control parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 21:46:38|Editor: MJ

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TOKYO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Some 1,800 people, mainly youngsters, gathered here on Sunday to protest against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's attempts to amend the pacifist Constitution.

The protestors, many of them college students, gathered in the Shinjuku Central Park in Tokyo, holding banners and shouting slogans such as "what should be changed is not the Constitution but the politics," and "protect peace, oppose war".

Izumi Kurotsu, one of the organizers of the rally, said that Article 9 of the pacifist Constitution, by which Japan renounces its right to wage war, shows Japan's commitment to peace to its people as well as to its neighboring countries.

"The Abe administration has set a time frame for changing the pacifist Constitution. We are gathering here today to call on the people to recognize that what should be changed is not the Constitution but Japan's politics," she said.

Tomoko Matsumoto, a participant of the rally, said that she hopes rallies like this could help change the social atmosphere and contribute to building a society where the pacifist Constitution could be brought into better play.

Japan's current Constitution, drawn up under the Allied occupation following the World War II, is best known for its Article 9, by which Japan renounces its right to wage war and promises that "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained".

Abe reiterated earlier this month his attempts to amend the Constitution in a video message at a gathering to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Constitution coming into force.

He said that he hopes to see a revised Constitution go into effect in 2020 under a plan that will see the first-ever change to the post war charter.

A series of national polls taken recently showed that public opinions about whether to amend the key war-renouncing clause of the Constitution remain differed.
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Three Indian army troopers and four militants were killed in a fierce gunfight near Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said Sunday.

The gunfight, according to Indian army officials, broke out Saturday in Nowgam sector of frontier Kupwara district, about 125 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

On first day of the gunfight, two militants and two troopers were killed.

The stand-off lasted for more that 24 hours as firing between the troopers and militants continued throughout Sunday.

"Four militants were killed in a gunfight during an operation in Nowgam sector so far," Indian military spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua. "While fighting these militants, three of our soldiers attained martyrdom."

Indian army officials said the militants were trying to infiltrate into Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to Kalia, the search operation was going on in the area.

Following the gunfight on Saturday, the army rushed additional reinforcements to the area to take on militants.

Officials said they have recovered four assault rifles and some ammunition from the spot.

Since the beginning of this month, a flare up was witnessed along LoC between troops of India and Pakistan.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.

Militant groups are engaged in a guerilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-21 23:02:15|Editor: yan

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PHNOM PENH, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The bodies of four Cambodian United Nations (UN) peacekeepers killed in a convoy ambush in the Central African Republic (CAR) earlier this month were airlifted to Cambodia on Sunday night.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, along with his cabinet members, paid his last respects to the ill-fated peacekeepers at Phnom Penh International Airport before allowing the bodies to be transported to their respective hometowns for funerals.

Hun Sen has said that despite the peacekeepers' deaths, the Southeast Asian country would step up its efforts to continue sending troops to war-torn countries under the UN umbrella.

The four peacekeepers were killed by a rebel group on May 8 during a convoy attack near Bangassou, about 474 km east of Bangui, capital of CAR.

Cambodia firstly dispatched troops abroad in April 2006. Since then, the county has sent a total of 4,459 personnel to join UN peacekeeping missions in eight countries.
Bags of heroin are displayed during a news conference held by Bulgaria's national customs agency in Haskova, Bulgaria, July 7, 2011. (Xinhua/BTA)

SOFIA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian law enforcement authorities have seized 423 kg of heroin at Danube Bridge checkpoint near Vidin at the border with Romania, officials said here on Sunday.

Georgi Kostov, Director General of the National Customs Agency, said at a press conference that the illicit drug, split into 400 packets, was discovered on Saturday morning in a Bulgarian truck carrying terracotta tiles from Bulgaria to the Netherlands.

The purity of the heroin was extremely high, nearly 70 percent, Kostov said.

Authorities estimated the value of the seized heroin on the black market would exceed 36 million U.S. dollars, he added.

Mladen Marinov, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, said that the heroin was delivered to Bulgaria on Wednesday from Iran via Turkey by an Iranian truck.

After that, the heroin has been loaded on the Bulgarian truck, said Marinov, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

In April, Bulgarian authorities seized 214 kg of heroin hidden in a truck carrying cans of chicken breading spice from Iran to Poland.

Bulgaria, a key transit route for drugs smuggled from Asia to Europe, seized more than 500 kg of heroin in 2016, official data showed.
Culture was celebrated Saturday afternoon at Billings Senior High, with Native games and foods, drumming and dancing.

It was all capped by the ceremonial signing of Montana Senate Bill 319, which allows Native American students to wear traditional regalia and objects of cultural significance, including feathers and beads, at graduation ceremonies.

Gov. Steve Bullock was joined for the ceremony by some of the high school students who testified before the Montana Legislature on behalf of the bill. Sen. Jen Gross, D-Billings, the bills sponsor, also was on hand.

Jennifer Smith, director of Indian Education for All for Billings Public Schools, told the crowd on hand for the signing that the bills history went back several years. Smiths predecessor approached the districts school board about letting the students adorn mortarboards that recognized their culture.

The school board approved the idea and liked it, but didnt make it a mandatory thing, Smith said.

Senior High allowed students that freedom, but the other two Billings high schools kept graduation garb more traditional.

Then out of a community meeting in 2016, which involved Western Native Voice Executive Director Marci McLean, the decision was made to take the issue to the Montana Legislature, Smith said. Thats when Gross got involved.

The state senator thanked McLean and her staff Saturday for their tireless work on the bill. Though it died in committee, legislators were able to get it onto the Senate floor, where it passed.

In the House, people from across the state, including the Billings students, testified in favor of the bill, and shared their stories, Gross said.

I said what the bill was, and I stepped aside and they told why it was needed, she said. So I thank you all for the passage of this bill. Its a law now."

Gross said she believes it's the first of its kind in the United States. She praised the students who stood up on behalf of the legislation.

I think the credit for the passage of this bill goes to these kids who lent a Native voice, she said.

Gross said their advocacy gives her hope for the future and the leaders that you are already and will be growing into.

I expect to see some of you sitting in the seats on the floor in the Senate and the House in a few years, she said.

One of those students, Cheska Not Afraid, a senior at Skyview High, told the nearly 100 people that the first two years of high school wasnt easy for her. She struggled, ditching class and coming up with excuses to stay away.

I kicked it in gear my junior year, she said. I realized I needed to change my ways, do it for me, do it for my family, and to show others that I was capable of accomplishing something in my life.

Not Afraid will graduate on May 28, then head to City College at Montana State University Billings, in hopes of becoming a registered nurse. Her biggest supporters have been her family.

Im proud of myself, proud of what Ive done and most of these accomplishments Ive made are for my brothers, for my family, she said. And now that this bill Senate Bill 319 has passed, I can represent myself, my family and where I come from.

Bullock said that if the bill was signed at the Montana capitol, it would be done at a table set up in front of several flags. Those flags represent the United States, the state of Montana and the states tribal nations.

When people from other countries see the flags and ask about them, Bullock said, they learn about the people who populate the state.

And they realize that actually the strength of our state is the diversity, he said. The different experiences are something we should not only recognize but celebrate.

And when students advocate for their culture, that takes it to another level, Bullock said.

When our kids are the ones that are saying as they come up, let me recognize where my heart, where my strength comes from, let me be part of not only celebrating but embracing it, that makes the foundation of our state that much stronger.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 21, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

JERUSALEM, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would discuss ways to advance peace with U.S. President Donald Trump on the president's first visit to Israel on Monday.

"I will discuss with President Trump ways to strengthen even further the first and strongest alliance with the U.S.," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

"We will strengthen security ties, which are strengthening daily, and we will also discuss ways to advance peace," he added.

Trump, his wife Melania, and a 900-person delegation, including senior administration officials, business executives and security personnel, will arrive Monday for a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian West Bank.

Trump will meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Netanyahu on Monday before traveling to Bethlehem to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The meetings will focus on the U.S. efforts to revive the long-stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The last round of talks reached an impasse on April 2014, mainly over Israel's refusal to halt the construction in the West Bank settlements.

On Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to give a speech at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem to conclude his visit, before heading to Europe.

Trump is expected to request Netanyahu and Abbas to make confidence-building steps, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

Citing a White House official, the daily reported that Trump will ask the Israelis to curb the expansion of the settlements and call on the Palestinians to halt payment for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and to stop the "incitement" against Israel.

Trump's first official trip outside the U.S. included a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he signed 350-billion-dollar arms deal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 02:33:18|Editor: yan

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TIKRIT, Iraq, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The extremist militants of the Islamic State (IS) group attacked security forces in Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, yet leaving at least four of them killed, a provincial security source told Xinhua.

In one of the attacks, dozens of IS militants attacked security posts near the main road in north of the oil refinery town of Baiji, some 200 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The troops fought a fierce clash against the attackers and forced them to withdraw into the rugged desert on the provincial border between Baiji and Anbar Province, the source said.

The clashes resulted in the killing of four militants and the destruction of an IS vehicle carrying heavy machine guns, the source said.

In a separate attack, IS militants carried out an overnight assault on an outpost manned by paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units of Sunni tribes in al-Naima area in east of Salahudin's provincial capital of Tikrit, about 170 km north of Baghdad, the source added.

The attackers abducted four paramilitaries and fled the scene, according to the source.

In the morning, the security forces rushed to the scene, carried out a search operation in the area and found the body of one of the four paramilitaries with bullet holes in the head and the chest, while the other three are still missing, the source said.

The attacks came as the Iraqi security forces, backed by anti-IS international coalition, are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from their major stronghold in the western side of Mosul in northern Iraq.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 02:48:24|Editor: yan

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NAIROBI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said on Sunday that it has taken action to contain rising food prices.

State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said to help bring stability that was required in the maize flour prices, a series of actions were taken over time and not overnight.

"It is not lost to many of us that our region has endured one of the severest droughts in our history. Our production of maize and supply of food have been strained. Kenyans have had to work harder to put maize flour on their tables. The president recognized that for many of us, this has been a real struggle," Esipisu told journalists in Nairobi.

He said President Uhuru Kenyatta recognized the misery caused by the strained maize production and supply of food occasioned by one of the severest droughts in the country's history and measures have been taken to bring down the cost of maize flour.

"The bottom line for us is that unga (maize flour) is affordable again to the ordinary Kenyan and no matter the amount of debate or the amount of inquisition, there is likely nothing that can be done to change the fact that 2kg of maize flour cost 0.90 U.S. dollars," Esipisu said.

"This series of actions outlined have been taken over time, they weren't taken overnight, and all of them have contributed to getting the stability that was required in the maize flour prices."

The remarks come as Kenya introduced the subsidy program early this week to sell a two kilogram packet of maize at 0.90 dollars that was previously selling at 1.80 dollars.

Under the program, Kenya will buy the maize at 36 dollars per 90 kg and sell it to millers at 23 dollars. Kenya has set aside 60 million dollars to finance the program.

On April 13, Kenya waived import duty on maize to encourage importers to bridge the production deficit so as put downward pressure on the price of the staple food.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 03:09:03|Editor: yan

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RIYADH, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Arab Islamic American summit concluded on Sunday in Riyadh, highlighting the readiness to form counterterrorism force of 34,000 soldiers and a Middle East coalition by next year, Al Arabiya local news reported on Sunday.

The summit was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders of 55 Islamic countries.

The summit launched a global counterterrorism center in Riyadh, which aims to monitor and combat extremism.

Riyadh hosted on Saturday and Sunday three summits during Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, which is his first overseas trip since his election as president.

Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said that Saudi Arabia wants to send a message to the West that the Islamic world is "not an enemy," adding the Riyadh comes second after the United States in the fight against Islamic State (IS) militant group.

He added: "The efforts will be an effective partnership between the Islamic world and the West to combat terrorism."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 03:19:09|Editor: yan

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CHICAGO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures closed mixed over the trade week which ended Friday, but they tend to trade higher next week as cold and wet weather continues to affect crop planting.

July corn ended marginally higher, bound by very cheap South American fob offers on the upside, but supported by North American weather issues and a falling dollar on breaks.

Corn producer's suggest that lingering cool and wet weather is taking a toll on recently emerged crops in the East and South Midwest. A shift to needed warmth is not foreseen through early June.

This is not the start that producers wanted and U.S. corn crop ratings will suffer when released on May 30th.

The U.S. dollar has struggled amid U.S. political turmoil and recent disappointing job growth. The Brazilian real aside, emerging market currencies have maintained stability in recent weeks.

In the new marketing year, the market must work through a record South American surplus, and massive U.S. wheat and corn ending stocks. Some analysts' strategy is to await weather driven rallies to extend sales. Funds are record short in corn futures heading into the heart of a new growing season.

Winter wheat futures ended near unchanged on the week while spring wheat futures rallied 9 cents. Canadian planting remains behind last year, and as analysts mentioned before the US hard red spring wheat balance sheet tightens quite a bit even with trend yield.

Wheat was also largely immune from this week's Brazilian chaos, and in fact Egypt's latest tender confirmed that the U.S. is cheap in the world market through mid-summer. Meanwhile, managed funds through Tuesday were expanding their net short position.

Weather outside of North America so far has been rather favorable, but the climate community has a close eye on summer heat and dryness across East Europe and Russia.

It was a sharply mixed week of soy trade. Early week strength was wiped out by Brazilian political chaos and the potential for another presidential impeachment. News of the political scandal sent the Brazilian real sharply lower on Thursday. This in turn, triggered large Brazilian cash selling that put spot soybeans price back to 9.40 dollars per bushel.

U.S. planting progress last week was pegged at 32 percent complete, just slightly behind average. Analysts estimate soybean planting progress to have reached 52-56 percent completed through Sunday evening.

Rain and cold temps have moved across the Corn belt at the end of the week, which will keep planters out of the field through the first half of the week. It's been a less than ideal start to the year, but yield potential is not yet harmed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 03:39:12|Editor: xuxin

Syrian children laugh with a Syrian soldier in the al-Waer neighborhood in Homs city, Syria, on May 21, 2017. The last batch of rebels evacuated their last stronghold in the al-Waer neighborhood, making the entire city under the government control. The last buses carrying rebels and their families evacuated al-Waer neighborhood, their last stronghold in Homs city. (Xinhua/Hummam Sheikh Ali)

by Hummam Sheikh Ali

HOMS, Syria, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The once-called "Capital of Revolution" is now free of the rebels who called it so, as the last batch of rebels evacuated their last stronghold in the al-Waer neighborhood on Sunday, making the entire city of Homs under the government control.

Some masked, some not, dragging their luggage and holding rifles, rebels of different groups took their seats in the buses transporting them toward rebel-held areas in northern Syria.

Their evacuation was due to a deal concluded between them and the government under the supervision and mediation of Russia.

Their families left with them, with kids and women dragging their bags, some of whom seemed sad for leaving Homs.

It's one of the very few instances when rebels get so close to the cameras, and journalists.

When Xinhua reporters were at the entrance of al-Waer, hundreds of rebels evacuated as a last batch between Thursday and Sunday.

The normal ones were without masks, while those with the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front got their faces covered with a headband showing the symbol of Nusra.

All of them flashed the "victory sign" even though they were leaving their last stronghold in Homs.

The women, however, were the most emotional.

Two women, covering half of their faces, told reporters that "we are not terrorists and we haven't held guns, but we are leaving because there is no other choice."

Apparently, not all of them were fine with the deeds of their husbands, most of whom are rebels fighting against the government.

Buses kept moving out and gathered at the Misyaf Highway in Homs for their departure.

During the process, the journalists were taken out of the neighborhood, in what later appeared to be the evacuation of rebel commanders who are Arab nationals that didn't want to appear before the media, as their countries were supporting their evacuations.

At sunset, Homs Governor Talal Barazi broke the news that al-Waer is empty of rebels, and thus the entire city of Homs is rebel-free.

He stressed that the police will assume positions inside the neighborhood, adding that the government institutions will resume their work to provide all services to the civilians.

The governor made his declaration at a square near the entrance of the neighborhood, with people gathering around him saluting the government and the army for restoring peace to the neighborhood.

Both Russian and Syrian flags were hoisted, and Russian military police, who came along with the governor, were feted by civilians.

Muhammad, a teacher, told Xinhua that he remained in al-Waer during the time of the rebel control.

"It's a nightmare that is over now," he said bitterly. "May God take revenge from them."

Samar, a woman from the neighborhood, said her life was marred with "horror, hunger and despair," but she had "hope again."

The evacuation came following a deal struck with the government in 2015 to grant the rebels safe passage toward rebel-held areas in northern Syria.

Several hurdles faced the full implementation of the deal before its reactivation in March.

Since March, 12 batches of rebels and their relatives have left al-Waer, with the total number of evacuees estimated at over 17,000, 7,000 of whom were rebels, according to the state TV.

Previous statistics indicated that al-Waer, which has been besieged by government forces since 2014, had 300,000 people before the six-year-old war erupted in Syria, and then the number decreased to 75,000.

For the government, regaining the neighborhood is a significant progress which will enable them to regain full control of Homs, Syria's third largest city.

It's also the heart of Syria due to its location in the central part of the country.

Homs is also one of Syria's most important industrial centers, boasting the country's largest oil refinery and key oil and gas fields in its eastern countryside.

The city is also a hub connecting major Syrian cities, and gaining full control over the city will be an important step for the government to have full control over Syria's other major five cities of Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo and Hama.

For the rebels, losing their last stronghold in Homs is a major blow, following the huge defeat they suffered when government forces recaptured the entire city of Aleppo in December last year, after the rebels' evacuation from the eastern part of the key city in northern Syria.

Rebels call Homs the "Capital of Revolution," as it was one of the first cities to join the anti-government movement in Syria in mid-March 2011.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 03:54:15|Editor: yan

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LOS ANGELES, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Dozens protesters gathered Sunday morning at the state convention center in Sacramento, the capital of California, complaining results of the Democratic Party's election for a new leader in the state.

According to the state party, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman won a razor-thin victory Saturday night to be elected as the party's next chairman, beating rival Kimberly Ellis by just more than 60 votes out of 3,300 eligible delegates.

But Ellis refused to concede, and a spokesman for her campaign said on Sunday that they were consulting with legal counsel to determine their options.

Ellis supporters claimed that delegate ballots may had been counted twice and demanded a recount, however, the Democratic Party denied all of the allegations.

According to the local newspaper Sacramento Bee, supporters of Bauman and Ellis framed the race as a contest between the establishment wing and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party.

Bauman, supported by the vast majority of the Democratic members of the state legislature, was a favourite of the party establishment, while Ellis drew the backing of liberals who supported Bernie Sanders in last year's presidential primary.

Mani Kang, 41, a Democratic delegate from Orange county joining the protest Sunday, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying that the result Saturday night was too similar to the presidential race.

The protesters blamed the leadership of the Democratic Party, including former party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of undercutting the Sanders campaign in favor of Hillary Clinton.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 04:09:19|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) top diplomat said on Sunday that "Tehran shall not squander another opportunity" to reset its foreign policy, after reform-oriented and moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani won re-election for a second four-year term on Saturday.

"One hopes Iran reset its troubled relations with neighbors," Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on his twitter account.

"Rouhani's moderation has not translated positively in Iran's regional foreign policy," he added, as Iran's "expansionist FP (foreign policy)" has been "disastrous" for the region.

He urged re-elected Rouhani "to switch" to a "respectful Westphalian model" and concentrate on domestic development, referring to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 which ended a 30-year religious war in Europe.

Gargash's comments came with the Riyadh summit, where U.S. President Donald Trump also said Iran was responsible for instability in the Middle East.

While the UAE and Iran enjoy close trade relations, they stand politically apart, as the Gulf Arab states around Saudi Arabia accuse the Islamic republic of destabilizing the region.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition of nine Arab states to support Yemen's internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the fight against the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi group.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 04:30:14|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- East Libyan armed forces bombed locations of rival militia in southern Libya in an overnight raid on Saturday, a spokesman said on Sunday.

"Our Air Force just raided Qaeda locations near Jufra, Libya," Said Ahmad Al-Mismari, an army spokesman, said in a press conference.

The strike came three days after dozens of East Libyan forces' men were killed in an attack on an air base.

A militia called Third Force, allied with the UN-backed government in Tripoli, on Friday attacked Brak al-Shati airbase, Al-Mismari said.

The attack killed 141 people, including civilians and unarmed soldiers, the spokesman said.

Libya has been suffering turmoil following the uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. The country is plagued with unrest and political division.

Forces aligned with the eastern-based Libyan National Army have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a U.N.-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 04:35:15|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi said on Sunday that the UNHCR is stepping up its humanitarian work in Libya to help the country tackle the worsening situation.

Grandi made the comments on a visit to Libya's capital Tripoli on Sunday, where he met with refugees and migrants in some detention centers.

"I was shocked at the harsh conditions in which refugees and migrants are held, generally due to lack of resources. Children, women and men who have suffered so much already should not have to endure such hardship," Grandi said.

"We should not underestimate the challenges of operating in an unstable and volatile environment such as Libya today. Our ability to access and effectively deliver much needed protection and assistance is a constant challenge. The people we are trying to help and my staff live and work under enormous strain and risks," the UN official explained.

According to the UNHCR, there are about 300,000 Libyans displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

Libya has been suffering political division, insecurity and chaos since the uprising of 2011 that toppled the country's former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
HAMILTON  A Corvallis man who pleaded guilty to poaching a trophy deer and letting a bear he illegally killed rot in an unplugged freezer will not be hunting or fishing for the next decade.

Justin Carl Cook, 38, was sentenced Wednesday on felony and misdemeanor charges by Ravalli County District Judge Jeffrey Langton.

The investigation into the case against Cook began a year ago when someone called a game warden to report a bad odor coming from a freezer at a cabin on Soft Rock Road east of Corvallis.

According to charging documents, Cook had apparently unplugged the freezer after he was evicted from the cabin a few weeks earlier.

Inside the freezer, wardens discovered a rolled-up deer and bear hide. Neither had licenses attached to them.

They also found wrapped and labeled bear and deer meat that had spoiled.

The states licensing system showed that Cook purchased deer licenses in 2008, 2011 and 2014. He had never bought a black bear license or obtained a special mule deer permit required to hunt in that portion of the Bitterroot Valley.

Through a series of interviews with Cook and a woman he was living with at the cabin, wardens learned that Cook had killed a trophy white-tailed deer, a mule deer and a black bear without the proper licenses.

Cook pleaded guilty to a felony and misdemeanor charge on March 15.

On the document he signed, Cook wrote: I killed a black bear out of necessity, but never reported it, and I took a mule deer without a proper tag.

Charging documents said Cook also killed a trophy whitetail in 2012 and used another person's license to tag it.

He told wardens he killed the black bear after it got into his chicken coop and it attacked his dog. Cook didnt report the attack, failed to surrender the carcass, had never purchased a black bear license or reported the harvest, all of which are required by law.

Cook also pleaded guilty to killing a mule deer in Hunting District 261 in Nov. 3, 2014. State records show Cook didnt purchase a general deer license until Nov. 13, which was nine days after photographs of the dead deer were taken.

The mule deer was shot in a district that requires a special permit, which Cook did not possess.

Cook entered his guilty pleas as part of a plea agreement.

In addition to losing his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 10 years, Cook will be required to spend 10 days in the Ravalli County Detention Center and pay restitution of $2,500 and a fine of $100 on the felony charge.

Beyond that, the judge deferred imposing Cooks sentence for three years. After that time, if Cook keeps out of trouble, the charges will go off his record.

The misdemeanor charge included a suspended 180 days of jail time, a fine of $50 and restitution of $500.
Syrian men walk past destroyed buildings in the mountainous city of Zabadani, in the western countryside of Damascus, capital of Syria, on April 25, 2017. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

MOSCOW, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia registered a total of 12 violations of ceasefire in Syria in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The violations were recorded in the provinces of Damascus (2), Hama (9), and Daraa (1), the ministry's center for Syrian reconciliation said in a daily bulletin.

Most cases of firing from small arms have been registered in the areas controlled by militants of the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, the document said.

Meanwhile, the situation in the de-escalation zones is assessed as stable, the bulletin said.

On May 4, Russia, Iran and Turkey signed a memorandum on the creation of four safe zones (de-escalation zones) in Syria, which are guaranteed to be free of battles and airstrikes for six months. The agreement went into force on May 6.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 05:05:21|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines has increased its weekly direct flights to China to 34 with the opening of thrice weekly flights to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

Speaking at a ceremony starting the flight to Chengdu on Sunday in Addis Ababa International Airport premises, Liu Tao, Counselor at the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia said with Chengdu being an economic and culture hub for inland part of China the new route has great potential to enhance the agricultural, trading, tourism cooperation with the outside of the world with Ethiopian acting as bridge.

"The enhancement of people to people exchange is also a result of the cooperation between these two great civilizations in all areas including trade, investment, cultural education and agriculture vice versa with the booming of cooperation between these two countries bringing more and more people to exchanges," he said.

Busera Awol, Chief Commercial Officer at Ethiopian Airlines, said the new route is just the latest manifestation of both countries' deep bond ever since 1973 when the national carrier opened its first route to Beijing.

"We shall offer the best and fastest connectivity with a total 34 weekly flights to China," he said.

"With this new flight to Chengdu the major hub for Air China, which is our ally and star alliance partner, passengers from Ethiopian Airlines' vast and growing network, will be able to connect to dozens of cities in China, including Shenzhen, Kunming, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Changsha and Urumqi, similarly Chinese travelers will enjoy faster travel and connection to more than 54 countries and further to Sao Paulo, Brazil and the U.S. with minimum layover in Addis Ababa Hub," explained Awol.

As part of its commitment, Ethiopian plans to utilize it's latest fleet, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus 350 airplanes, emphasizing how it values its share in the world's largest air travel market.

Ethiopian Airlines was the first African carrier and the fourth in the word to fly to China back in 1973. In addition to the Already launched three weekly flights to Chengdu, Ethiopian Airlines currently operates daily nonstop flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hongkong.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 05:10:23|Editor: yan

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CAPE TOWN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday called for the establishment of an independent judicial commission to thoroughly investigate all allegations of "state capture."

"Only through such a commission will we be able to establish the extent to which the institutions of our state have been used to improperly - and illegally - enrich a few individuals and families," Ramaphosa said while giving a lecture in the platinum-mining hub of Rustenburg, North West Province.

He was referring to the Gupta saga in which the wealthy Indian Gupta family allegedly exerts undue influence on President Jacob Zuma in the appointments of cabinet ministers and CEOs of state-owned enterprises.

Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied the allegations.

Last year, South Africa's graft ombudsman recommended the establishment of a judicial commission into the alleged "state capture."

An independent judicial commission would help get to the bottom of these rumours, reports, and allegations, Ramaphosa said.

"We must act to stop all forms of capture, corruption, and cronyism," Ramaphosa noted.

As part of these efforts, the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (FICA) bill must now be actively implemented, in particular as it relates to so-called "politically exposed persons," to ensure that there is no space for illicit financial activity, said Ramaphosa.

The bill is aimed at further strengthening the transparency and integrity of the South African financial system in its objectives to combat financial crimes, which include tax evasion, money laundering and the financing of terrorism and illicit financial flows.

In April, Zuma signed the bill into law.

Ramaphosa also said the ruling African National Congress (ANC) must fight rampant corruption and narrow personal enrichment.

Ramaphosa warned that South Africa faces the risk of becoming a mafia state.

"If we are to counter this grave threat, if the ANC is to recover its leadership role in society, then it is absolutely imperative that we act with urgency and purpose," he said.

The ANC must ensure that South Africa does not become a mafia state "because once you reach that state, all the wheels have come off," said Ramaphosa.

The ANC, he said, must implement lifestyle audits of all those in leadership structures.

"We must introduce, as has been proposed by the ANC this week, transparency into party political funding. All of these steps must be implemented without fear or favour. They must not be guided by factional interests," Ramaphosa added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-22 05:40:35|Editor: yan

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ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni on Sunday signed an agreement to start construction of the crude oil pipeline from Hoima to Tanga Port.

According to a statement issued by Tanzania's State House, the two leaders signed a communique agreeing to start construction of the East African Crude Oil pipeline (EACOP) project from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga Port in Tanzania.

"The issues of the Hoima-Tanga pipeline are agreed and resolved," the statement said, adding that the signing was witnessed by ministers, senior government officials from different institutions which are involved in the project.

The two countries have been negotiating how to proceed with the EACOP project after the East African nations agreed in April last year to the pipeline going through Tanzania and not Kenya as had been earlier planned.

The communique signed in Dar es Salaam adds that a date for the two presidents to lay a foundation stone at either Hoima or Tanga will be arranged as soon as possible.

The two presidents asked the ministers responsible for energy in Uganda and Tanzania to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) this Friday, May 27 in Uganda's capital, Kampala.

The 1,443-kilometre crude oil pipeline worth 3.55 billion U.S. dollars will be able to transport 200,000 litres of oil per day once the project starts its operation.

The project will be able to generate employment between 6,000 and 10,000 people.

Tanzanian President Magufuli described the project as important for the development of the two countries and east African region in general. Uganda's President described Tanga Port as key because of its geographical location and security.

He said that the project will also make fuel cheaper hence foster aviation industry, whereby regional airlines will get cheaper jet fuel.

Ugandan leader has been in Dar es Salaam since Saturday, where Magufuli handed over to him the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC).
Body found in Devils Woodyard

Investigators said the unidentified mans head was covered in blood and a bloody stone was found near his body.

According to police reports, at about 3 pm, a visitor discovered the mans body in a drain near the site in Hindustan, New Grant, Princes Town.

The visitor contacted the Princes Town police who cordoned off the area. A district medical officer ordered the body be taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James for an autopsy tomorrow.
AG: Bail bill same PP bill

Al-Rawi said he had been told so by the Chef Parliamentary Counsel. Thank God for written records, he said, in his wind-up to the bill he had piloted earlier.

He related that a Cabinet policy document from March 2013 (under the PP) had dealt with prisons officers collecting bail money, as he hit back at Opposition MP for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilals complaint that the process was cumbersome, that prisons officers were to be turned into cashiers and that prison was not the right place to store any such accrued sums of money.

The committee stage of the bill will be taken on Friday when the House will also debate an Opposition motion on
Health Minister: Specialist register coming

Deyalsingh had a meeting last Wednesday with Professor Terence Seemungal, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies, to discuss the proposal to submit to the Medical Board and Medical Association which had recommended various streams of specialisation.

The medical fraternity has to agree on the proposed MSR but Deyalsingh expressed hope that, working with the ministry, the Medical Board and the Medical Association can come up with a common sense solution. Deyalsingh was speaking last Thursday evening during the first of three National Consultations for Healthcare Transformation, in which the ministry is seeking public feedback on the Welch Committees recommendations on how to improve the public health sector.

The first consultation took place at St Augustine Secondary School, St Augustine.

The second one will be held this Thursday at Naparima College, San Fernando, starting at 6 pm.

The final consultation will be held in Tobago within one month, at a location to be determined by the Tobago Regional Health Authority.

The call for a MSR came from Dr Garthlyn Pilgrim, a general practitioner with more than 30 years experience who is based in the Arouca/Maloney constituency.

Making continuing medical education (CME) compulsory was another of her recommendations that evening. The public deserves better, she argued, than doctors not having to update their knowledge/ skills after they complete their internship and are fully registered with the relevant authorities.

CME should be compulsory and should be tied to the annual registration that is in the law. Deyalsingh told Pilgrim there are some legislative hurdles to overcome in the Medical Board Act if CME is to become compulsory.

We have had an opinion from the Attorney General (Faris Al-Rawi).

He will be drafting the necessary amendments to do exactly what you are asking to do. We not asleep, the minister assured.

Pilgrim urged the panel to take into account the fact that 80 percent of our people between the ages of five and 60 are going to private primary health care practitioners. We could have 100 functioning health centres, 2,000 functioning health centres. Primary health care will still suffer because we are not addressing where the persons are going...In the public health system, the catchment area is usually below the age of five for immunisations and after the age of 60, when pensions and retirement kick in and they cant afford private care...So we have to find a way to incorporate our private primary care practitioners into the delivery of health care. Pilgrim recommended the introduction of a national health scheme modelled after the National Health Service in England, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan in Ontario, Canada or, what the Scandinavian countries (offer) or even what the insurance companies do in our country; where they have what are called preferred providers. Deyalsingh said the Health Ministry has done a lot of work over the last 16 months on universal health care with Professor Karl Theodore, Director of the Health Economics Unit, UWI who is due to make a presentation to Cabinet on the project.
KALISPELL  Montana wildlife officials have captured an adult female grizzly bear and two yearlings after the animals broke into small freezers outside a mobile home.

The sow, a 9-year-old adult that weighed 309 pounds, was fitted with a GPS radio collar.

The three were caught east of Bigfork and moved to a different area on May 17.

The Flathead Beacon reports a landowner contacted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks after the bears visited the freezers two nights in a row. A temporary electric fence was erected around the freezers and remote cameras were deployed to determine if more than one bear was present.

After viewing the bears returning to the freezers undeterred by the fence, managers decided to capture and relocate the bears.
Schools Out, Summers In At City Square Mall With Paw Patrol and Blaze and The Monster Machines!

Details of City Square Malls June School Holidays Activities:

In-mall Promotions

 END 

About City Square Mall

###

Original City Square Mall, Singapore Press Release via citysquaremall.com.sg No plans for the upcoming June school holidays? City Square Mall presents an exciting line-up of family-friendly events and activities with Nick Jr.sandfrom 26 May to 26 June.Go on a rescue mission withs Ryder, Chase, Marshall and get to meet Skye up close for the very first time in Asia! Come dressed as your favouriterecruit and you might get a chance to join the pups mission on stage with paw-some prizes in store!Buckle your seat belts and get ready to blaze a trail in an interactive stage experience with intriguing science challenges just like Blaze and AJ in Axle City fromBut the fun is not just contained indoors. Speed on down to the Level 1 City Green park which will be home to an outdoor carnival with-themed games and activities, and look out for a specialphoto opportunity! This carnival will definitely be enjoyed by the young and the young at heart!Shoppers can enjoy entry to all carnival activities as well as other attractive redemptions with in-mall spending promotions this school holiday season. Head down to City Square Mall this June and be assured oodles of fun with the little ones!is recruiting for their latest rescue mission and you could be a part of it! Come dressed up as arecruit, ready to show your safety skills, and stand a chance to be part of City Square MallsRescue Mission! The top six finalists will lead the audience members with Team Chase and Team Marshall on a race to rescue a puppy from a burning building. Who will win - Team Chase or Team Marshall? Get ready to encourage and cheer on your favourite Pups and their new recruits as they brave the odds to save the day becauseis on a roll!Get the chance to snap a family photo with Ryder and your favourite pups - Chase, Marshall and Skye! Head over to the Customer Service Counter at L2 at the below timings to redeem a Meet & Greet Pass with a minimum of $50 spent in the mall (max 3 receipts):(for 1.40pm session) ;(for 4.40pm session) ;(for 7.40pm session)Join the team in solving some action-packed scientific challenges at the Axle City mechanic workshop just like Blaze & AJ! Centred on the shows main message of teamwork and basic math and science curriculum, children are bound to have an eye-opening time of hands-on learning.Get up to blazing speed with carnival fun and games with! Look out for super fun Truck Rides, Blaze Bouncer, Tyre Playground and more! Lets blaaaze! Also, dont miss the specialphoto area!(a) With $40 spent in the mall, redeem a Lets Blaze! Carnival Pass and get to enter the Lets Blaze! Carnival activity zones.(b) With $50 spent in the mall, redeem aMeet & Greet pass. Only 50 passes are available per session, so hurry get yours while stocks last!(c) With $220 spent in the mall ($320 if inclusive of NTUC FairPrice receipts), redeem an exclusive multi-purpose cushion/tablet holder! Two exciting designs are available (26 May to 10 June) and(11 to 26 June). Hurry get your paws on them as it is limited to the first 2,500 redemptions for each design.With $220 spent in the mall, purchase $50 worth of CSM vouchers and receive a free $5 CSM voucher! Limited to 1 purchase per shopper per day and first 50 sets daily.For more details on the activities and promotions, visit www.citysquaremall.com.sg or check out City Square Malls Facebook page www.facebook.com/citysquaremall City Square Mall is Singapores first Eco-mall offering the perfect setting for the community to shop and play amidst an eco-learning environment. Owned and managed by City Developments Limited, City Square Mall is directly connected to Farrer Park MRT station (NE8) with over 200 retail, dining and lifestyle options such as Best Denki, Celebrity Fitness, Daiso, Decathlon, Food Republic, Golden Village, NTUC FairPrice, ToysRUs and Uniqlo.As a family-friendly mall, there are many facilities available for everyone in the family, including spacious corridors, nursing rooms, free rental of kiddy carts and wheelchairs. City Square Mall is the first and only shopping mall in Singapore awarded the prestigious Excellence Awards (Shopping Mall Category) in the Businesses for Families Councils We Welcome Families consecutively in 2011 and 2013. The mall also garnered top accolades at the AsiaOne Peoples Choice 2014, namely the Best Shopping Centre (Suburbs) and Top 3 Best Family-Friendly Mall. In 2016, the mall was named the Best Family and Kids Mall in the Her World Nuyou Mall Awards.City Square Mall is the proud recipient of the following awards and accolades:* FuturArc Green Leadership Award (Commercial Architecture) 2011, awarded by BCI Asia* FIABCI Prix d'Excellence Awards 2011, Runner-up (Retail category), awarded by Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien-Conselis Immobiliers* ASEAN Energy Awards 2011, 1st Runner-up (Energy Efficient Competition - New and Existing category), awarded by the ASEAN Centre for Energy* 3R Packaging Awards 2011, Distinction Award, awarded by the National Environment Agency* Green Mark Existing Non-Residential Buildings Platinum 2012, awarded by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore* 'We Welcome Families' Awards 2011 and 2013, Excellence Award (Shopping Mall category), awarded by the Businesses for Families Council* LEED Gold Certification (LEED-EBOM category) 2013, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council* AsiaOne People's Choice Awards 2014, Best Shopping Centre (Suburbs), awarded by AsiaOne* AsiaOne People's Choice Awards 2014, Top 3 Best Family-Friendly Mall, awarded by AsiaOne* Her World Nuyou Mall Awards 2014, Best Kids Fashion (Central South), awarded by Her World and Nuyou* Her World Nuyou Mall Awards 2014, Most Driver-Friendly (Central South), awarded by Her World and Nuyou* Her World Nuyou Mall Awards 2014, Super Service (Central South), awarded by Her World and Nuyou* Her World Nuyou Mall Awards 2014, Most Environmentally Friendly (Central South), awarded by Her World and Nuyou* AsiaOne People's Choice Awards 2015, Top 3 Best Suburban Shopping Centre, awarded by AsiaOne* Her World Nuyou Mall Awards 2016, Best Family and Kids Mall, awarded by Her World and Nuyou* Live Well Baby Family-Friendly Mall Of The Year 2015/2016, awarded by Live Well Baby* Winner of Shopping Mall  Family-Friendly Mall category 2016/2017, awarded by Young ParentsFor more information on City Square Mall, please visit https://citysquaremall.com.sg/ [...]
A tanker loaded with phosphate rock cargos exported by Moroccos state-owned phosphates company (OCP) to Canada was detained in Panama after the Algerian-sponsored Polisario front filed a complaint challenging the legality of the transaction.

The vessel is the second held within a month after a New Zealand-bound ship loaded with 50,000 tons of OCP phosphates was held earlier this month by South African authorities in Port Elizabeth.

Through this new form of economic war against Morocco, Algeria is pulling the strings of the Polisario in a desperate attempt to undermine Moroccos economic interest at the international level.

Phosphates and the industries relating to it is an area of excellence for Morocco, the worlds largest producer. Phosphates has also featured prominently in Moroccos recent economic and diplomatic breakthrough in Africa where support for the Algerian nurtured and sponsored separatist thesis is waning.

After the first ship detention in South Africa, OCP legal counsel Othmane Bennani Smires told the press that the transaction is in full compliance with the United Nations framework and relevant international legal norms and standards.

In a recent statement, the OCP said that its representatives made it clear during a court hearing in South Africa on the case that detaining the ship and the cargo in response to a complaint filed by a separatist entity is an attempt to derail the UN process to politically settle the Sahara dispute. The court will deliver its final verdict on June 9.

Responding to complaints filed by a separatist entity that is not recognized by the UN is in itself a violation of international law. Last year, a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling restored the legality of the Moroccan-EU agricultural agreements after a legal challenge by the Polisairo, saying that the deals do not concern the Polisairo front.

Prior to the ruling, the ECJs Chief Advocate General Melchior Wathelet explained that the Polisario front is not a legitimate organization for contesting the Morocco-EU trade agreements.

Wathelet contested the validity of the Polisarios legality to plea at the ECJ, saying that the Polisario is not recognized by the International community as a representative of the commercial interests of the population of the Sahara, although it is considered as a party in the political process to find a solution to the conflict over the Saharan provinces.

Manipulating the polisario to push its allies to hold ships carrying Moroccan phosphates is now a new unlawful arm used by Algeria in its failing economic war on Morocco. South Africa is also interested to create a sort of tension around Moroccan phosphate since the OCP is the main competitor of South African phosphate exporters to New Zealand.
An attack on an airbase in southern Libya killed 141, mostly soldiers within the ranks of General Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA), media reports said.

A spokesperson for the LNA confirmed the death toll of the attack at Brak Al-Shati air base, which was believed to be perpetrated by troops loyal to the UN-backed government of national accord (GNA).

The LNA spokesperson affirmed that civilians were among the dead, adding that the soldiers were returning from a military parade. They werent armed. Most of them were executed.

The GNA said that it decided to suspend its defense minister, Al-Mahdi al-Barghati, and the head of the Third Force from their duties until those responsible were identified. An enquiry was also launched to investigate the attack.

The attack has effectively shattered a fragile truce in the southern area, which has become a defacto frontline opposing the two rival armies in Libya: the LNA backing the Tobruk-based parliament and the internationally recognized GNA.

Martin Kobler, the UN envoy to Libya, denounced the attack expressing outrage at reports of fatalities and summary executions that, he said, could amount to war crime.

Human Rights Watch, quoting eye witness in the area, said that soldiers from the 13th Battalion aligned with the GNA Defense Ministry attacked the base in Brak El-Shati, in southern Libya, on May 18, 2017, and executed troops from the 12th Battalion of the Libyan National Army (LNA). The executed soldiers were killed by shot guns in the head, HRW said.

Human Rights Watch also stressed that the parties to the conflict are required to abide by the laws of war. Certain serious violations of the laws of war, when committed with criminal intent, such as executions of civilians or enemy fighters who had been captured or had surrendered, are war crimes.

The attack has sapped all recent efforts at finding common grounds for negotiations between Libyas rival governments and bodes ill for the settlement of the countrys civil war. The LNA officials vowed to take revenge, setting the tone of a vicious circle detrimental to the countrys stability and prosperity.
State-owned giant China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) has won the contract to build Africas tallest skyscraper in Moroccos capital Rabat.

The Chinese company said in a statement that it will build the 250-meter-tall edifice in cooperation with Moroccos largest contractor, The General Construction Company of Casablanca (TGCC).

CRCC said it will take responsibility for 60% of the project, which is budgeted at $380 million, while their Moroccan partners will handle the other 40%.

The skyscraper will be home to office space, luxury apartments and hotels.

The tower will adopt ecological and sustainable design concepts. The total designed floor space is 86,000 square meters.

Named, Rabat Tower, the Skyscrapper is owned by one of Moroccos top billionaires Othmane Benjelloun through his Paris-based money management firm, FinanceCom Asset Management.

Benjelloun is also chairman of BMCE bank, the largest in Africa with operations in more than 20 countries. The billionaire is also planning to build a 30-story rocket-shaped tower that will loom over Casablanca.
PHILIPSBURG  Ed Lord and Jim Jenner are friends of long standing whove managed to stay close over the years despite their political differences.

Lord is a Republican who helps run the local party in this breathtaking stretch of rural western Montana. He backed Donald Trump for president.

Jenner is a Democrat and former state lawmaker. He voted for Hillary Clinton, who lost Montana in a 21-point shellacking.

The two agree on one thing, however: Trump is in serious political trouble and neither one is surprised. I am disappointed, Lord said.

Both favor an outside investigation to get to the bottom of Russias interference in the 2016 election, once and for all. If, in fact, hes attempting to suppress an investigation, thats wrong, said Lord, an 80-year-old retired rancher.

But its too soon, they concurred, to start throwing around the notion of impeachment, as a way to force Trump out.

Theres not enough traction, said Jenner, a 67-year-old documentary filmmaker. Most people around here feel so supportive of Trump, its going to take a long time to second-guess themselves.

Republicans arent there, Lord agreed.

In Washington, some people  Democrats mainly  are practically counting down the days left in Trumps presidency, as one stunning revelation quickly overruns another.

But outside the Beltway, where people arent glued to cable TV for the latest on FBI Director James Comeys firing, or consumed with their Twitter feed for the latest on Trump divulging sensitive intelligence to Russia, there is hardly the same sense of urgency, much less crisis.

Fake news, shrugged Bob Winninghoff, 84, a Republican who used to sell Fords for a living.

And although there have been some cracks in the wall of support for Trump, among Republicans in Washington as well as party faithful like Lord, people were still quick to hasten to their partisan corners  Democrats saying we-told-you-so and Republicans crying witch hunt.

Montana votes next week in a special election to pick a congressman to replace Ryan Zinke, a Republican chosen by Trump to head the Interior Department.

But for all the national focus on the contest and talk of a referendum on Trump, the race has largely revolved around more parochial matters, such as the personal finances of Democrat Rob Quist, a cowboy troubadour, and the creationist beliefs of Republican Greg Gianforte, a wealthy tech entrepreneur.

Similarly, while the political world hung Wednesday on the perils of the Trump presidency, people in Philipsburg, a 19th century mining town midway between Missoula and Butte, seemed more interested in the surprise snowstorm that blanketed the region and chased travelers off state Highway 1.

Inside the Sunshine Station, a restaurant-tavern-grocery mart that serves as a kind of community center, owner Bill Dirkes suggested all the Washington to-do was mainly a result of sore-loser Democrats trying to undermine the president.

Seeing no need for a special prosecutor, the 61-year-old Republican said the four investigations already underway  one by the FBI, three by Congress  need to focus on gathering the facts and not all the innuendo out there.

Why, for instance, Dirkes wanted to know, do people believe Comey when he suggests, reportedly, that Trump tried to thwart the investigation of his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, when the president said he didnt?

Its just frustration, he said, that Clinton didnt win.

But Democrat Ron Paige takes Comey at his word when he wrote in a memo that Trump asked him to shut down the FBI investigation into Flynns ties to Russia. The only way to know for certain, however, is to have a full-fledged investigation by someone whos not a politician, Paige said.

Impeachment? Its a little early for that, said the 81-year-old retired investment banker.

With snow swirling outside and cheery holiday lights gleaming from wood beams overhead, it was almost Christmas-like inside the cozy bar. The regulars  my bread and butter, said Dirkes  kept it neighborly, even as they disagreed.

Shannon Heimark, for one, thinks impeachment is a perfectly reasonable option right about now.

Its pretty suspect that you fire someone whos investigating you, said the 39-year-old political independent, who tends bar at the Station and cheerfully argues politics with Dirkes, the boss. And sharing secrets with the Russians? Thats pretty scary.

She didnt vote for Trump  or Clinton, for that matter, skipping the line on her ballot  and sees one of two things bound to happen.

Either Trumps going to get impeached, or hes going to lead us into World War III, Heimark said. Hopefully, its the first.
Parade celebrating the 105th anniversary of the birth of North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang in April. Photo: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

United States and South Korean officials confirmed that a defiant North Korea fired off a medium-range ballistic missile Sunday, about 50 miles northeast of Pyongyang. The missile flew approximately 300 miles east of North Korea and landed in the waters of the Sea of Japan, according to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Command, which tracked the ballistic missiles path.

This is the latest in a rapid series of North Korean weapons tests, including last weekends successful launch of a new ballistic missile that Pyongyang claims could carry a nuclear warhead, and which experts say flew higher and longer than previous systems.

This Sundays missile, and Pyongyangs latest provocation, is almost identical to the one fired off in February, the first North Korean missile test of the Trump era, U.S. officials said. A statement from the White House described this weekends missile as having a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Koreas three most recent tests.

#NorthKorea missile rpt flew 500km with 560km apogee - almost identical to lofted Feb 2017 KN-15 launch (pictured) from same vicinity pic.twitter.com/jVSNp598O3  Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) May 21, 2017

Further analysis of the missile test by U.S. and Japanese military officials is still underway. Still, North Koreas second test in a week  and the eighth this year  indicates that the country continues to develop its weapon program apace, despite international condemnation. Its also the second test since South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, took office. Moon had expressed an openness to talks with North Korea, but Pyongyang is complicating that aim with its back-to-back tests. As for South Korea, its foreign ministry roundly condemned Sundays test, calling it a reckless and irresponsible act that puts cold water on the expectations and aspirations of the Korean government and the international community for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
Doing good by doing well. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

The Trump administration is falling apart before it even came together. The White House has been infamously slow to fill vacant positions throughout the executive branch, due to the presidents signature combination of ignorance, incompetence, and insecurity.

Trump reportedly went into his post-election meeting with Obama unaware that the entire presidential staff working in the West Wing had to be replaced. Among the would-be staffers that his transition team did bother to recruit, several failed to survive into the presidencys fourth month. And the administrations attempts to alleviate its staffing crisis have been undermined by the presidents aversion to hiring anyone who ever publicly suggested that making an emotionally volatile reality star our commander-in-chief would be a mistake.

Of course, even if the White House had put great effort into recruitment  and welcomed #NeverTrumpers into the fold with open arms  the presidents incendiary antics and anti-intellectualism may have been sufficient to keep D.C.s best (conservative) policy minds at bay.

Still, so long as it looked like Trump could strike a balance between tweeting baseless felony accusations against his predecessor and shepherding Paul Ryans agenda through Congress, some Wall Street power players and retired generals were willing to hop into Trumps swamp.

But the last two weeks have revealed just how full of gators, leeches, and malarial mosquitos that swamp truly is.

Who will want to do communications for a president who makes a daily habit of generating a five-alarm public-relations crisis; contradicting the White Houses official strategy for containing that crisis; and then berating his communications team for their incompetence? Who will want to provide national-security advice to a president who cant be bothered to read a briefing thats longer than a page; refuses to prepare for high-level diplomatic meetings with foreign powers; shares highly classified information with foreign adversaries on a whim; and then makes you declare his behavior wholly appropriate? Who will want to join a team that appears to spend most of its free time either telling employees how miserable they are or how miserably incompetent their co-workers have been?

And with last weeks appointment of a special prosector, working for the Trump White House is no longer merely nightmarish  its also, potentially, expensive. As Politico reports:

President Donald Trump has deep pockets to pay for personal lawyers to defend him from the evolving federal investigation into his campaigns contacts with Russian officials.



Its a very different story for his staff.White House aides bracing for subpoenas and grand jury summons have already begun making inquiries for legal help to navigate the unfamiliar terrain, according to lawyers who have been contacted, opening critical lines of communication in a bid to avoid serious harm to their reputations and careers, and perhaps even jail time.



It can cost a lot of money, said Peter Wehner, a former George W. Bush White House aide who was called in for a grand jury appearance in the investigation into the leak of CIA agent Valerie Plames identity. Just for safety sake, even if youve done nothing wrong.

As David Brooks notes, the challenge facing the White Houses human-resources department is without precedent:

We have seen White Houses engulfed by scandal before. But we have never seen a White House implode before it had the time to staff up. The Nixon, Reagan and Clinton White Houses had hired quality teams by the time their scandals came. They could continue to function, sort of, even when engulfed.



The Trump administration, on the other hand, has hundreds of senior and midlevel positions to fill, and few people of quality or experience are going to want to take them.

Nor will it be easy to prevent filled positions from emptying up: On Friday, Deputy Treasury Secretary nominee Jim Donovan suddenly realized that taking a White House gig would require him to spend less time with his family.

Donovan is no small fish. One of the many Goldman Sachs veterans to seek a position in the banks new public-sector division, Donovan helped hire all of the Treasury Departments political appointees, and was expected to be a central player in crafting the administrations tax-reform policy.

But now Goldman has grown bearish on this White House.

All that said, fascist sheriffs who cosplay as war heroes still see some appeal in working for Trump. And surely, the administration will become more appealing to high-quality candidates once a few more Sheriff Clarkes join the team.
Sheriff David Clarke Jr. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

In what feels a bit like deja vu, another individual reportedly set to join the Trump administration has been accused of plagiarism. CNN reports that controversial Milwaukee sheriff David Clarke plagiarized part of his masters thesis on homeland security. Clarke said this week that he had accepted a position within the Department of Homeland Security, though DHS has not yet confirmed his appointment.

According to CNNs KFile:

Clarke  earned a masters degree in security studies at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. In his thesis, Making U.S. security and privacy rights compatible, Clarke failed to properly attribute his sources at least 47 times.



In all instances reviewed by CNNs KFile, Clarke lifts language from sources and credits them with a footnote, but does not indicate with quotation marks that he is taking the words verbatim.

Clarke appeared to have lifted lines from such diverse sources as the 9/11 Commission Report, a 2013 Washington Post article, and George W. Bushs book Decision Points. A side-by-side comparison by CNN illustrated the similarities between portions of Clarkes thesis and the original texts.

Clarke has denied the plagiarism, calling the CNN report a smear to the Associated Press. He told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that only someone with a political agenda would say this is plagiarism, and he lambasted KFile reporter Andrew Kaczynski on Twitter:

This @CNN hack @KFILE oppo research MO is to accuse plagiarism. I'm next. Did it to Rand Paul, Monica Crowley et al. https://t.co/KgoHKermpe  David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) May 20, 2017

Ample evidence of my previous tweet on @CNN political hack @KFILE. Guy is a sleaze bag. I'm on to him folks. https://t.co/D1kV8kg80G  David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) May 20, 2017

The Naval Postgraduate School has scrubbed a copy of Clarkes thesis from its website, which a spokesperson told the Associated Press was standard operating procedure in light of the allegations. He added that the institution is undertaking its own review of Clarkes thesis.
Trump, ahead of his speech in Saudi Arabia. Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trump delivered his first major speech on the world stage in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, a rallying cry to leaders in the Muslim world to take the lead in combating radicalization.

We must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration, Trump said to the more than 50 leaders gathered in the opulently decorated room. That goal is to meet historys great test  to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism.

Room where Trump will give his big speech on terrorism to 54 Arab & Islamic nations is stunning--theater chairs, crystal chandeliers, snacks pic.twitter.com/sk1dHKuonb  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 21, 2017

This was the overarching vision a more subdued Trump laid out in his address: A battle of good  the U.S. and its partners  versus the evil terrorists, though he placed much of the burden in winning this war on the Muslim leaders listening intently in front of him. Trump tried to stress a message of unity and co-operation in the fight against terrorism, and parts of his speech struck a different tone than some of his past rhetoric. The president employed sweeping language and religious symbolism to help make his case.

"Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death," Pres. Trump says in address https://t.co/eYZOX9EZ0E pic.twitter.com/jdDPVy4dpA  CBS News (@CBSNews) May 21, 2017

If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen. Terrorisms devastation of life will continue to spread, Trump intoned. Peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence. And the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered.

Trump continued: If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing  then not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.

This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.

This is a battle, Trump declared, between good and evil.

Portions of the address  reportedly written by aide Stephen Miller, who helped craft the travel ban  leaked ahead of Trumps delivery. For the most part, the president carefully stuck to his prepared remarks  though he made a few detours.

The text of Trumps speech had him decrying Islamist extremism rather than Islamic extremism, but when he came to it, he used both words  Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 21, 2017

For most part, Trump followed teleprompters carefully, veering occasionally for emphasis. "So fertile." https://t.co/6HeeHSBGdE  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 21, 2017

President Trump departed from the prepared remarks released by the White House in this section. pic.twitter.com/TG5kVkmz9x  Tamara Keith (@tamarakeithNPR) May 21, 2017

Trump did not use the phrase radical Islamic terrorism in his address  though he had repeatedly accused Obama of failing to use that phrase during the campaign. In what did seem like a jab to the previous administration, Trump promised that the United States was not here to lecture, but to offer its partnership in combating the scourge of extremist ideology and terrorism. And yet, Trump issued his own demands:

"America will not seek to impose our way of life on others," says President Trump in Riyadh https://t.co/xXBM5jtT0V  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 21, 2017

It is a choice between two futures  and it is a choice America cannot make for you, Trump said in what was the most impassioned part of his entire address. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.

Pres. Trump: Middle Eastern nations must "drive out the terrorists...drive them out of your holy land." https://t.co/gdE5wXKpuF pic.twitter.com/mwH9axxzb9  ABC News (@ABC) May 21, 2017

Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy lands. And drive them out of this Earth.

Indeed, Trump interpreted this battle in mostly literal terms. The use of force appeared to be the primary  if not the only  way to end terrorism, despite saying that America seeks peace, not war. He repeated over and over again terrorisms threat to the future of the Middle East and its citizens, but largely ignored the root causes of why terrorist ideology managed to take hold, and why it continues to attract adherents.

Trump was mostly short on strategy to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion, though he called on Muslim countries to deny territory to foot soldiers of evil and access to funds. To this end, Trump announced two broad initiatives: the creation of the groundbreaking Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, to be based in Saudi Arabia, and, later, an agreement to form a Terrorist Financing Targeting Center that would be co-chaired by the United States and Saudi Arabia and include the six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. It is another historic step in a day that will be long remembered, Trump said.

Trump also used his platform to condemn Iran, a direct denunciation that was eagerly welcomed by the presidents Saudi hosts, who considered Obamas approach toward their regional enemy too conciliatory. For decades, Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror, Trump said, It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room. Trump also criticized Iran for its destabilizing interventions in Syria, though he noticeably failed to mention the other key destabilizing force: Russia.

President Trump calls out Iran for having fueled the fires of terror https://t.co/QFfJPnrhKL https://t.co/SsClShT1tw  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 21, 2017

Trump concluded his 34-minute speech with a flourish, thanking King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for the creation of this great moment in history and promising his audience that the Middle East  what he called the birthplace of civilization  is waiting to begin a new renaissance. He concluded with a final call for unity.

The much-anticipated speech in Riyadh capped off Trumps Saudi Arabia visit, where he received a red-carpet welcome, inked a multibillion arms deal, and met one-on-one with regional leaders before Sundays summit. And after his speech, Trump helped inaugurate that Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh with King Salman and Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sissi. Which looks like this:

Inside Riyadh's new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology pic.twitter.com/qc4yycSHNd  Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 21, 2017

The leaders officially christened the center by putting their hands on a giant, glowing Earth orb. Really:

.@realDonaldTrump and King Salman pose with Arab leaders at the opening of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/NbM0riOj0T  Stephen Crowley (@Stcrow) May 21, 2017

As the new Saudi Arabia counterterrorism center springs to life pic.twitter.com/NSKWenfCaL  Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 21, 2017

-@POTUS at inauguration of Global Center to Combat Extreme Ideology in Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/1hvEL9VASc  Steve Herman (@W7VOA) May 21, 2017

Trump was supposed to conclude his trip in Riyadh at a social-media summit with young Saudis, but he canceled his appearance, and his daughter Ivanka stood in for her dad.

Trump cancels appearance at Tweeps event. Ivanka standing in for him, speaking to audience of 400. pic.twitter.com/Xv4o8UBeQE  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 21, 2017

Trump will now head to Israel to continue promoting his message of co-operation. But it may be hard to top the summit, which Trump called in his speech this special gathering that may be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East, and maybe all over the world.

This post has been updated throughout.
Photo: 2017 Getty Images

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are planning to pledge $100 million to the World Banks Women Entrepreneurs Fund at an event on Sunday. The announcement is set to take place at Ivanka Trumps event, where she will be meeting with Saudi women to hear their experiences and discuss opportunities for womens economic empowerment, according to the White House. Ivanka Trump reportedly proposed the fund herself, although an official from the White House said, She will not solicit funds. This is not a White House fund. This is not something that she will have any authority over in any way.

The Wall Street Journals source reveals, The money for the banks proposed Women Entrepreneurs Fund would be aimed at women in the Middle East  They described the funds goal as helping women start and run successful businesses by easing their access to finance, markets and networks. Its an interesting conundrum given the lack of rights women face in Saudi Arabia; for one, theyre not allowed to drive, which is a huge impediment to things like running businesses.

The U.A.E.s ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, stated that the contribution shows our commitment to empowering women in our region and builds on the progress we have made in our country, where women play a role in every segment of society.

President Trump is reportedly planning to address female empowerment in the region as well during a speech on Sunday.


The Montana Highway Patrol says a pickup truck driven by a 25-year-old woman was westbound in Cut Bank at about 2 a.m. Saturday when it went off the road. The driver overcorrected three times, causing the pickup to roll several times. The driver and two other occupants were thrown from the vehicle.
Jennifer Blumin.

Founder and CEO of the Skylight Group Jennifer Blumin, along with her boyfriend and two sons, went missing on Monday in their private plane while flying near the Bahamas. On Wednesday, the Coast Guard confirmed that they found debris from the aircraft.

Blumins boyfriend, Nathan Ulrich, was flying the MU-2B aircraft to Florida from Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard lost contact with the plane around noon, according to the New York Times.

Wednesday, the Coast Guard posted a photo of the debris to Twitter, confirming that it was from a MU-2B aircraft. A spokesman for the Coast Guard told the Times, There have been no body parts or survivors found.

#Update @USCG image of debris, confirmed components of an MU-2B aircraft recovered 15 miles E of Eleuthera, Bahamas; search continues. pic.twitter.com/lP0lSX0bld  USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 17, 2017

Blumin started the commercial real-estate firm Skylight Group in 2004. Reconverted historical spaces, such as Skylight at Moynihan Station and Skylight Clarkson Square, have been main venues for New York Fashion Week shows and presentations for several years. Skylight also manages Clarkson North, Modern, Skylight on Spring, 195 Broadway, Iron Works, 300 Vesey, and One Hanson in Brooklyn.
He is worse at talking than W and jfc I never thought that would be possible.

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Mte, when you look at W and think those were the days man...jebus.

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I'm not going to act like Bush was perfect by any means, but I really do feel as if he was the victim of the Republican machine. The Rove, the Cheney, the Rumsfeld, the family name, etc.



If it wasn't real life, and there weren't real ~politics~ at play, it would have made for an endearing 90s film like "King Ralph" or "Dave". He's the kooky, unpolished, party-loving guy forced into the family business and silliness ensuses, etc.



I never got the impression that W was out to hurt anyone, he just wasn't very knowledgeable on anything political and was easily used as a tool. Like giving a baby a gun and telling them to pull the trigger if the door opens.



There was also this rumor going around that the Bush machine (Family + the Cheney-Rove team) basically guilted W into running because it was going to be his penance for his addiction sullying the family name. Not only would he make himself look good, but also fix daddy's greatest failure. And Dubz, being unaware of his own incompetence, just fell for it.



That whole 8 years feels a lifetime ago, and I don't know what we gained besides other countries hating us, recession, and ISIS.

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He's a worse communicator than Nixon, and that takes doing.

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lmao. Just keep the attraction closed until he's impeached/resigns and then we can just all pretend this was a bad dream.

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Yes! Lol 

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MTE

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yes please!

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lmao smart. I'd support this.

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Exactly. Don't even include him.

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Ha. I'll support that. His supporters clinging to him on Fox News would protest though



Edited at 2017-05-21 04:21 am (UTC)

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I feel like it's probably more important that he's remembered. They should use some of his most famous quotes, so Americans are reminded that at one time, almost 50% supported someone who says shit like "the beauty of me is that I'm very rich," "I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her," "you can never be too greedy," "My IQ is one of the highest  and you all know it! Please dont feel so stupid or insecure; its not your fault," "Look at those hands, are they small hands? Rubio referred to my hands: If theyre small, something else must be small. I guarantee you theres no problem. I guarantee," and of course this nugget of truth "One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace. Good people dont go into government."



We can't forget this asshole. I hope he gets openly mocked, ridiculed and locked up for the rest of his life, so future generations can learn to be so much better than us.

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Lol @ these Tramp greatest hits. He's a goldmine. I find it funny how he's so obsessed with going on about people (and himself) being nice, and being unfairly treated. Like not one single second of his existence has been nice or fair. Tramp is permanent opposites day.

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You missed all the references to the electoral college.

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ia with this. one could argue his one real "asset" (term used loosely) is his charisma, but I can NOT.

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We've had a lot of shitty presidents. Just close the shit altogether.

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This sounded slightly apologist. Don't get me wrong, he is the most shiteous ever. Still, the small part of Disney that intertwines itself with America rah rah patriotic bullshit, it always rings...gross.

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totally spot on

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They should steer clear of politics and trying to provide a history lesson for kids, just pretend Mickey Mouse is President or Lord Ruler or whatever like they taught me to do when I worked at the Disney Store and all will be fine. Mickey is a pretty cool King, he has some stupid advisors, like Goofy, but overall his he's not a terrible ruler.

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Plus those old animatronic things really should just go, as a general rule. They are all dated and weird.

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just play the access hollywood tape

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lolol

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Seconding this lmao

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Waaay better than my idea. Let's go with this.

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nnnnnnoooooo lmao

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lmao

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"why does he want to grab their kitties mommy?"

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OMG NNNNNN

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This is truly deplorable lol

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lmao yessssssss.

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Choking on my water..

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Screaming

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IA

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i fucking choked on my smoothie

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OMG

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the piss tape when it leaks

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that would be incredible!!!

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omg my second favorite option

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LMFAO

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does this mean we get a robot Billy Bush too

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yaaasss

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Just pretend he doesn't exist. He'll be out soon enough, so why waste the money?

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It's easy, just don't have him

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Well, he only knows about 5-6 words so it shouldn't be too hard.

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i know words.. i have the best words

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Fake news! He knows bigly tremendous words.

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Um, he knows at least eight. Someone told me that, I don't know. BELIEVE ME, okay?

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tremendous

bigly

best

Russia



what else?

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Yuuuuuuge

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FAKE NEWS

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How do you embed a tweet in a post?

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I usually just copy the link from the tweet and paste it in the media box

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when you're looking at the individual tweet, click the down arrow next to the follow button and click Embed Tweet to get the html embed code

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just have him say bigly over and over again

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'I won the electoral college' over and over again.

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i hope they decide to just close it LMAOOO

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Meanwhile on the foreign trip



That moment you realize you're surrounded by people that you've claimed for years want to kill you pic.twitter.com/7Cvo1yHu5t  Shahed Amanullah (@shahed) May 20, 2017





steve bannon looks so uncomfortable here and it rules pic.twitter.com/GlPQJPUTts  Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) May 21, 2017





Edited at 2017-05-21 02:13 am (UTC) And we're also going to have to witness a Trump library.Meanwhile on the foreign trip

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LMAO he look so trrrifed

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Lol he really does

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lmao you made me play the gif and he does!

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His hand in that gif lol.



Suffer, demon.

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he looks like one of those haunted house shots

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You can literally see him trying not to recoil too much

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LOL I'm dying. He legit looks scared.

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He doesn't even read

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lmao his hand. It's like he thought he was going to be hit.

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lmfao that gif is killing me.

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no good librarians will want to work for a 45 """""""""library""""""""""

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He looks terrified and I love it. That .gif may have captured the exact moment he shit himself a little.

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It might be the lighting but he's looking a little less alcoholic here and it's upsetting me. I was hoping he'd be dead of cirrhosis by now.

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a mute Trump? disneyworld really is where dreams come true.

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lol

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Heh

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lmao happiest place on earth indeed.

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How about the speech about he gives, like, the greatest speeches?

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Ugh. Is Alba still bullying that woman who came up with The Honest Company first for her own website?





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I think the woman didn't even have anything to do with the Honest Company idea. She just used the word Honest.

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the honest toddler blogger? i think the massive backlash against alba made them drop it

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lol the fail tag is pretty much all that needs to be said

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Damn. She keeps flopping

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"we believe any affected products are not likely to cause adverse health consequences"

Wow. What if the child has a severe mold allergy?

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I saw on the news the other day that Consumer Reports said they're sunscreen isn't as strong as it's labeled.

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yeah I'm pretty sure the whole point of the ~chemicals~ in regular sunscreen is to, you know, block out sun rays, which is why "organic" or "natural" sunscreens don't work.



Edited at 2017-05-21 04:57 pm (UTC)

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lol mte. i get why people would prefer to have natural or organic options, but i'm pretty sure those chemicals need to be there...

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How could you have organic sun screen? Is it made out of food? That's why I don't get her company. How do you have organic cleaning supplies? You need chemicals to kill germs; that's why you shouldn't ingest cleaning products lmao

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I thought zinc works well? That's natural?

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those pictures of the kids who wore the sunscreen and got bad sunburns was so awful. sunburns are so painful and can last for a long time. those poor kids :-(

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I can definitely see that. I bought a 2-pack of the Honest Company's sunscreen at Costco last summer and it's one of the worst I've ever tried.

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that's why I swear by No-Ad

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the way that company doubled down on the sunscreen when people were getting severe burns was enough to make me never buy a single one of their products

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Eek

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I have no idea why anyone buys from this company. Every time I hear about them, it's something bad.

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Their shampoo and conditioner are the only ones I can easily find in-store that do not contain fragrances that causes my kid to break out in hives.

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Why would a wipe effectively cleaning up messes or a sunscreen actually blocking out sun make news though?

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lol mte

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Lmao

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they have cute diaper designs and butt balm, that's really it \_()_/

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My mom is into a "chemicals are bad" phase and has been buying a lot of her products.

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I always see their ads giving samples away. That might have something to do with the number of people who use it + the people who buy it because of word of mouth / sponsored reviews.

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Is it really a vendetta tho?

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As much as I love natural DIY based companies, this is bound to happen with many of them. Huge corporations like Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson etc have strict guidelines and testing procedures to ensure the purity of reagents and to determine the amount of impurities. These companies (like LUSH or your local spa products store) probably don't have this type of control and auditing. Good thing this company does and their lack of quality control was caught. It's definitely suspect that they've had so many issues.



Edited at 2017-05-21 04:11 pm (UTC)

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Lush is a European company though and cosmetic production is pretty strictly regulated in the EU. You can't just sell your whipped at home shea butter on etsy here.

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I didn't know LUSH was European or that it is regulated. And yes the EU is much stricter about cosmetics and pharma regulations.



Edited at 2017-05-21 04:28 pm (UTC)

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I thought Lush was Canadian

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So why did a million live ants explode out of my bath bomb when I put it in water?

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Yeah, this makes sense. I'd like to support more small companies but I think it's necessary to be picky even then because you just don't know. I won't buy anything from a company that isn't transparent about their process and that's just the minimum for me.

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I think these products are made in the same type of facilities as most other brands, it's just they chose not to use the type of preservatives that most effectively prevent mold and bacteria growth for the sake of being ~natural~.

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Speaking as someone who has to use hypoallergenic stuff, I don't see a lot of research since it's supposed to be fragrance free with parfum or some smelly additive. I see it a lot in laundry detergent (Arm & Hammer and All both eventually made me break out). I don't trust anyone. I just use a few shakes of baking soda as my detergent now.

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wasnt johnson&johnson recalling baby powder recently cause of contamination???



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Why can't I just get my Dark Angel revival already?

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omg I didn't know I needed this until now

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I'd take a reboot.





With a whole new cast

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Yikes

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I gotta be honest, I think some people lack critical thinking skills when it comes to this eco stuff the same way that far-right blog readers do. My mom thinks that all fluoride, plastic and GMOs are evil. I'm pretty sure she's at least partly anti-vaccination, but doesn't say it out loud 'cause she knows where I stand. She lectures a lot and gets angry when I disagree or don't take her advice. Sigh. It's exhausting, tbh (hence my pointless rant here haha).

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It's crazy. Fluoride is very beneficial in small amounts. It is toxic, but just don't swallow it. And don't get me started on GMOs. People fail to realize that evrrything we eat from corn to bananas to oranges to spinach to chicken to cow is genetically modified. You can't not eat genetically modified foods. It's also frustrating when i see "Gluten Free" on a food item that wouldn't have gluten in it in the first place! It's like, "no shit there's no gluten in cheese." 

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i saw something like that the other day re: gluten-free and it really threw me

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lmao i ordered a jacket potato and it said gluten free. like ya it's a fucking potato!

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sigh let me be that asshole who points out that gluten is sneaky and a lot of things that *should* be gluten-free aren't because of wheat in fillers or preservatives or even just the food being processed on shared equipment. i've been glutened by soy milk before because it had barley in it for some godforsaken reason.



somewhat related though: a lot of gf food is made by these new-agey brands so it's also GMO-free and it makes me so sad as a celiac and a biologist that to be able to eat certain foods i have to support these anti-science companies. i just want to be able to eat a cookie every once in a while 

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ehhh I can see the gf thing. in my experience, some people who legitimately have a gluten sensitivity/allergy are overwhelmed when they first start food shopping after being diagnosed and it helps to have a label right there on the box, even if it's something obvious.

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The anti-GMO ppl are the worst. That non-gmo project put their gmo free label on fucking salt. I'm sure ppl are buying it up too.

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this is so true and it's disappointing along with scary

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Oh the left has its own anti science side, its just targeted towards not trusting anything that is from a big company vs not trusting anything the gvt says on the right. Like its fine to be skeptical of both. But so often these imbeciles will hold to their beliefs no matter how much evidence you produce. Stupidity is not a partisan thing.

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Yup. A lot of my friends have gone the irrational vay, and I can't be even bothered to argue vith them.

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My mom does the same thing exact thing, she's all about organic and non Gmo



she tried to push the Food Babe on me and I was like no??

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This comment makes me think of a lot of Uber drivers I've had where they willingly share their opinions that I didn't ask for. I've never had anyone say they were pro trump or anything but I recently had a Puerto Rican driver who was trying to tell me that white privilege isn't a thing. He was talking about how people are overly sensitive these days and I was like "Yeah I guess they are" then he goes off about how white people don't have it any better than anyone else and depending where you are, the majority of who lives there is going to be treated better and I tried to explain how that was wrong but then I was like, "ok I'll just let ya talk."

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Oh, don't EVEN get me started on how my mom is with regards to granola anti-science BS. She voted for Trump ENTIRELY because she is anti-vaxx and she was afraid that Hillary was gonna round her up and give her booster shots or some BS. (I didn't talk to her for a good two weeks after I found out. Normally she's a fiscal moderate/social liberal and I was aghast.)



I will say that I have an issue with HOW much plastic the average person goes through, but more from a "it all ends up in the ocean and is bad for the planet" way, not the "it will poison you" way lol

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It's been incredibly profitable for snake-oil salesmen. And it does nothing but hurt people. Caveat emptor, indeed.

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there's a lot of people in this world that legitimately lack logic and critical thinking skills.

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The orange hand sanitizer spray is my shit

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The Search For El Dorado

The first time I landed in Georgetown, Guyana, nearly a decade ago, the impoverished former British colony was grappling with limited economic fortunes. Covered by lush, trackless forests, and rich in bauxite and gold, Guyana was ironically one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere. Thanks in large part to a United States Geological Survey (USGS) report on the Guyana-Suriname Basin, which pegged possible oil reserves at as much as 15 billion barrels of oil (and 42 TCFG), a handful of international companies pricked up their ears as the government in Georgetown threw out the welcome mat. Guyana was worth the gamble.

This was not the first time Guyana had acted as a conduit for exploration. Even the famed English courtier Sir Walter Raleigh believed that the golden city of lore, El Dorado, lay somewhere in the deep forests of South America. Little did Sir Walter ever suspect that El Dorado was actually offshore below 2,000m of water. Due to the efforts of ExxonMobil (45 percent) and its partners, Hess (30 percent) and the CNOOC-subsidiary Nexen Petroleum (25 percent), the Liza 1 discovery in 2015 in the Stabroek Block meant that Guyana would be able to take its place at the table of oil producing nations.

(Click to enlarge)

Economic Windfall

By no means is it a stretch of the imagination to say that Liza, located about 200 km offshore, has put Guyana at the center of a new rags to riches tale. Three ExxonMobil-operated Liza wells, and more recent probes like Payara 1 and Snoek 1 drilled in the block, will create a windfall for Guyanas rural and mineral export-driven economy. Even if the most conservative reserves estimates for the Stabroek Block prove to be correct, the ExxonMobil-led development will eclipse the countrys GDP at a breath. The current value of all goods and services in the nation stand at just over US$ 3 billion. The development of the hydrocarbons sector for Guyana has the potential to transform the economy into a sustainable path for economic prosperity, CEO Bobby Gossai of the newly minted Guyana Oil & Gas Association said in a statement to Drillinginfo.

(Click to enlarge)

But Guyana does not want to repeat the mistakes of other suddenly rich oil nations. Multilateral lenders like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have applauded the authorities plans to establish a comprehensive legal framework for managing oil wealth. Moreover, the IMF said it will support these efforts in Georgetown. The authorities are preparing draft legislation for a fiscal regime for oil revenues, and a sovereign wealth fund. The IMF stands ready to provide technical advice in these areas, the Washington, D.C.-based lender says.

Guyana is also looking to take lessons from beyond its borders and gain insight from established oil producing nations. Governance and transparency are important, says Raphael Trotman, Minister of Natural Resources. Guyana may take a page from Mexicos successful oil opening. The ink is still drying on a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that could well pave the way for the Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP) members to carry out proposed training in Earth Sciences for incoming Guyanese. The scope of the MOU also includes building up technical labor in critical positions such as welders and drill crew supervisors. The oil and gas sector must be managed in the most effective manner for the well-being of the people of Guyana to be improved.

This governance of the new found natural resource has to be done on levels that involves all stakeholders, across all sectors of the Guyanese economy. The business opportunities that are available must be explored by both horizontal and vertical integrations of institutions and cooperations within the public and private sectors, simultaneously, said Gossai of the Guyana Oil & Gas Association. A team from the US Department of States Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI) recently met with local officials to discuss the oil and gas initiative.

(Click to enlarge)

ExxonMobil has a potential multi-FPSO development solution on the drafting board for the block. SBM Offshore NV has been tapped for the FEED for the first FPSO to tap the Liza Field in the Phase 1 development, which calls for conversion of a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) with the capacity to produce an average of 100,000 bbls/d and store 1.6 MMbbls.

Phase 2 would see output grow at an even higher rate. Given the blocks potentially prolific nature, new discoveries like Payara (announced in January 2017) and Snoek-1, a multi-FPSO development solution may be on the cards.

With development just around the corner, policymakers have been cobbling the regulatory framework together for ongoing oil and natural gas development. The countrys Minister of Infrastructure, David Patterson, told Drillinginfo on the sidelines of the Guyana Oil & Gass first ever conference that the government is looking at how it can use development to fuel growth in other areas of the economy. The gas would come from the offshore and fuel a 200 MW power plant, says Patterson.

Infrastructure Plans

Guyana is also on track to get a major boost in infrastructure. The President David Granger administration is backing construction of a US$ 500 million onshore oilfield services hub on Crab Island on the Berbice River. Moreover, sources say the idea of potentially developing a deep-water port is back on the drawing board.

Beefing up the countrys vital transportation links and infrastructure also bodes well for under prospected areas in Guyanas onshore, far away from the glamour of the deep water. There is still potential for the shallow water and the onshore Takutu Basin, Commissioner Newell Dennison, with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, told Drillinginfo at the conference. Brazil shares the basin with Guyana.

More recent plans to drill in the onshore basin never materialized, though it is important to note that oil shows have been detected in the basin. Home Oil, for example, made the Karanambo-1 discovery in 1982. Activities in this frontier basin have lain dormant since then.

Exploration Continues



ExxonMobil and partners have the bragging rights to Liza and the other discoveries, but companies like CGX Energy and Repsol have been active in the former British colony for more than a decade. Even so, previous exploration forays in the frontier basin yielded little in terms of a major discovery. In 2012, CGXs Eagle 1 well, which reached Upper Cretaceous Campanian sediments at 4,328m, encountered hydrocarbons shows in the Oligocene, Eocene, Maastrichtian and Campanian zones, indicating an active petroleum system. The well was P&A untested.

Repsol also drilled a noncommercial probe with the Jaguar 1. The wells primary objective was never reached after encountering unusually high pressures shallower than estimated. In 1975, Shell drilled the Abary-1, which encountered light oil in two Maastrichtian sandstone intervals. The well was P&A after experiencing well kicks.

At last report in May 2017, ExxonMobil had the Stena Carron drillship spud the Liza-4 appraisal well in the Stabroek Block. Liza-4 is located in the east of the Liza Field and is designed to evaluate the Liza discovery to help define the field development plans. It is to be followed by the Payara-2 appraisal well in the programme of drilling for the Stabroek Block.

As for other companies, Eco Atlantic and its partner Tullow Oil, hold rights to the Orinduik Petroleum Prospecting License in Guyanas share of the Guyana-Suriname Basin. Eco Atlantic recently carried out shares sale to enhance its seismic exploration programme on the Orinduik Block. CGX continues to seek out a partner for its exploration plans.



More immediately, Repsol is focusing efforts on the planned acquisition of 4,000 sq km of 3D seismic in the Kanuku Block. Repsol previously acquired 3,200 sq km of 3D and 860km of 2D seismic over the block, in 2013, using the Polarcus Asima vessel.

Repsol operates the block with 70 percent WI (Tullow 30 percent). One current prospect, Kaieteur, is up-dip from the (ExxonMobil-operated) Liza discovery, which lies about 50km to the northeast.

And even though much of its deep water is under contract, Guyana hopes to lure in more participants in the future, confirmed Natural Resources Minister, Rafael Trotman on the sidelines of the Guyana conference.

By Drilling Info

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Flooding the market has quickly emptied the kingdoms checkbook

In case you missed the past three years, on Thanksgiving Day 2014, OPEC announced it would not cut oil production in the name of gaining customers and growing market share for its members (widely interpreted as Saudi Arabia).

That announcement set off a two + year global commodities price downturn that sent oil from triple digits all the way down to $26 and fostered two years of pain and indigestion in the shale beds of North America that companies are just now getting past.

In early 2014, hundreds of companies were drilling at full speed in U.S. shale plays. Some of the wells were eating up $8,000,000-$10,000,000 each for horizontal drilling and completions, but at $100 per barrel oil prices, there was plenty of revenue coming back out of the ground. Until Thanksgiving Day 2014 when that revenue went on a path that would cut it in half and more. Drillers slammed on the brakes in 2015 and the shale boom took a break.

The low oil prices combined with highly leveraged oil company balance sheets generated a rash of E&P bankruptcies and launched a two-year wave of acreage consolidations. It also spurred new horizontal drilling and completion technologies that would allow drillers to get more oil and natural gas from their depositsoftentimes 25 percent or more. As the companies learned how to drill better, faster and smarter, wells that once took 30-45 days to drill and complete were being drilled in two weeks or even one week. Pad drilling took off. Completion formulas evolved to a high level, making it possible for companies to produce more oil and gas from the same rock.

Its fair to say that E&Ps working in many formations found a way to be profitable drilling and producing hydrocarbons with oil at half the price it once was. In the latest round of reportingQ1 2017a lot of shale drillers reported a profit.

But not the Saudis.

OPEC pays the price: Saudi decision slashed OPEC revenue from $1.3 trillion in 2012 to $433 billion in 2016

The EIA released its estimates of OPECs net oil export revenues, outlining the price the group paid for its flood the market strategy. Related: Is This The Beginning Of The End For Gasoline In Asias Largest Markets?

According to the EIAs estimates, OPEC made $433.4 billion in revenues from oil exports in 2016. While this is significant revenue, it represents a significant drop from pre-downturn revenues.

From $1.3 trillion to $433 billion: ouch

As a whole, OPECs revenue peaked in 2012, when the group made $1.13 trillion in revenue. Revenue declined slightly in 2013 and 2014, as oil prices dropped somewhat. The groups decision not to cut production in late 2014 sharply decreased oil prices, and revenues suffered. OPECs $433.4 billion in 2016 is a mere 46 percent of its 2014 revenue, and only 38 percent of the peak 2012 revenue.

(Click to enlarge)

Source: EnerCom Analytics

Libyas revenue way down: from $42 billion in 2010 to $2.3 billion in 2016

Libya was particularly hard-hit, as continued unrest combined with low oil prices pushed national revenue to unprecedented lows. According to the EIA, Libya received only $3.2 billion and $2.3 billion in 2015 and 2016, respectively. These are the lowest export revenues since at least 1994 (the earliest year for which the EIA has estimates). For reference, in 2010, before the Arab Spring and overthrow of Gaddafi, Libya received $42.6 billion in oil export revenue.

(Click to enlarge)

Source: EnerCom Analytics

15 percent of Aramco needed to make up for Saudi Arabias downturn losses

It is widely assumed that one of the main motivations for Saudi Aramcos IPO is to raise money for the kingdom, which has seen revenues decline like all other OPEC countries. The kingdom is seeking to sell 5 percent of Aramco, for a total price of $100 billion, according to analysts.

An IPO at that scale would not immediately erase the lost revenue due to the downturn which the Saudi leadership self-inflicted.

In 2014, Saudi Arabia received $297 billion in export revenue, which is below the record $352.9 billion in 2012, but still the 5th-best year since 1994. In 2015 and 2016, by contrast, Saudi Arabia made $157.3 billion and $133 billion, only $290.3 billion combined.

Compared to 2014 revenues, the kingdom has lost $303.7 billion over the past two years. $100 billion in IPO proceeds at the 5 percent scale wouldnt make much of a dent in refilling Saudi coffers.

In fact, if the $2 trillion valuation of Saudi Aramco is correct, Saudi Arabia would need to sell about 15 percent of Aramco to replace its lost revenues.

Saudi Arabia may have other problems as well. Founder of Petrie Partners Tom Petrie told EnerCom The giant Ghawar Field is probably now in irreversible decline. There are four or five other large fields, but not like Ghawar. The other fields are maybe 15 percent of the size of Ghawar, and thats what they have to overcome. First production from Ghawar was in 1951, so declining production at this point would not be unexpected.

At $50 oil, OPEC revenues recover slightly

Its not all bad news for OPEC, however. The recovery of oil prices from 2016 bottoms has allowed revenues to begin to recover. The EIA believes that Brent will average $53/bbl in 2017 and $57/bbl in 2018, which will boost oil revenues. These assumptions lead the EIA to predict OPEC earnings in 2017 and 2018 of $538.8 billion and $595.3 billion. While nowhere near the pre-downturn highs, these revenues would at least exceed 2015 and 2016 levels.

Saudi Arabia, Russia support cuts through March 2018

Saudi Arabia and Russia, the largest producers to agree to cuts last year, have both expressed their support for extension of the production cuts. Ministers from each country announced on Monday that the production cuts currently in place should be extended through March 2018, giving markets another nine months of reduced production. This would provide further opportunity for oil markets to rebalance, as inventories have not decreased as quickly as expected. Related: Iraq Agrees With Deal Extension, But Boosts Oil Exports To Record Levels

OPEC will meet on May 24th and 25th to discuss the idea of extending lower production levels.

Meanwhile, U.S. shale producers are boosting output.

Many companies saw first quarter production exceed pervious guidance, and typically predict further growth. Devon Energys first quarter production, for example, exceeded guidance by 5 MBOPD, and predicts full-year production growth of 13 percent to 17 percent. WPX expects to grow total year production by about 20 percent, while EOG has targeted 18 percent growth. Some companies are seeking even more growth, like PDC Energy, which expects 42 percent yearly growth, and Sanchez Energy, which is seeking 50 percent growth.

Saudi unconventionals?

Saudi Arabia may attempt its own unconventional development, according to Petrie. The deputy crown prince, with the charge from the king, has communicated dont fight [unconventional development]. Find a way to embrace it.

Back in 2011 and 2012, the Saudis said if breaking up source rock is the issue, lets go do it. Weve got plenty of source rock, many times thicker than what the Americans have, and so they thought they would see flowrates that were many times larger as well. What they found though was that you drilled much more expensive wells because of the thickness, but when you break up the source rock, if you dont have the right brittleness, its not going to work.

I have to believe, in an oil province as prolific as Saudi Arabia, you can find rocks with the right kind of brittleness, but they havent so far. Making unconventionals work will be a priority, though. If they can make it work, shale development in Saudi Arabia could be somewhat successful, although, its not clear to me that it will be as successful, proportionately, as it has been in North America, especially the U.S.

If the Saudis succeed in making unconventionals work, the oil dynamic could shift from U.S. unconventionals vs. OPEC conventional to unconventional vs. unconventional. It remains to be seen who would win in such a contest, but American shale producers have already shown a resiliency and innovative spirit that will serve them well in the future.

By Oil and Gas 360

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
On May 12, shareholders of Occidental Petroleum - the $46 billion company oil and gas company - passed a resolution calling on the company to assess its vulnerability to climate change, a milestone in the shareholder activist movement to pressure companies to adapt to a carbon-constrained world.

Crucially, the resolution passed with the support of BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world. BlackRock said that it was concerned with the amount of detail that Occidental has thus far disclosed regarding its exposure to potential climate action in the future. As a result, BlackRock, which owns 8 percent of Occidentals shares, helped pass the first successful climate resolution at a major oil and gas company.

"Todays historic vote puts the oil and gas industry on notice  the climate is changing and so are investor expectations of how companies should respond," Laura Campos, a director at the Nathan Cummings Foundation, one of the resolution's proponents, said in a statement.

The impetus for such resolutions is straightforward. Shareholders are growing increasingly concerned that a concerted push, driven by both policy and market forces, to transition the global economy from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy could leave oil companies out in the cold.

And there is no guarantee that such a transition would be orderly. As seen over the past few years in the utility sector, it only takes a modest loss of market share to upend the economics of the industry. Utilities have suffered steep financial losses resulting from the small slice of business taken by wind and solar.

It is reasonable to assume that the oil industry could suffer a similar fate. After all, the ramp up of U.S. shale production, which added only 4 million barrels of new oil supply in a few years (roughly 4 to 5 percent of global supply) caused a once-in-a-generation meltdown in prices. If electric vehicles take a similar-sized or larger bite out of oil demand, it could wreak havoc on the finances of oil companies. Moreover, other climate policies could have a more direct impact: carbon taxes, limits on extraction, etc. Related: Oil Prices Rise As Most OPEC Members Back Deal Extension

But the industry has been reluctant to disclose their exposure to a carbon-constrained world. Thus, shareholders hope to force them to own up to these vulnerabilities.

Up until now, such votes have failed to pass muster at shareholder meetings. Exxon beat back such a campaign a year ago. But the support from BlackRock in the Occidental vote suggests that even dispassionate investors from a massive private equity firm are concerned about the exposure of their investments to the coming energy transition.

The Occidental vote calls on the company to produce a report laying out its climate risks by 2018. This climate stress test will evaluate how the company could perform and adapt to a world in which governments attempt to keep warming capped at 2 degrees Celsius  a scenario that is looking increasingly difficult to achieve and would require much more aggressive climate policies.

"We remain concerned about the lack of discernable improvements to the company's reporting practices" on climate change, BlackRock said in a statement.

Moreover, the financial risks related to climate change lurk on multiple fronts. ExxonMobil is in the midst of fighting an investigation from the New York Attorney General into whether or not it has misled shareholders on its exposure to climate change. The accusation is based on the notion that Exxon has assured its shareholders that it will be able to produce all of the oil and gas on its books, whereas the AG argues such an outcome is not possible under likely forthcoming climate regulation. Related: Tight Supply Boosts Natural Gas Prices In 2017

Another recent example can be found in Alberta, where Kinder Morgan just suffered a setback over its plan to sell shares to finance the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, which would carry crude oil to Canadas Pacific Coast. Greenpeace sent a request to the Alberta Securities Commission to halt the sale of shares, arguing that Kinder Morgans business plan only works if the world fails to act on climate change, as Keith Stewart, Senior Energy Strategist for Greenpeace Canada, said in a statement. They may think thats a good bet, but they should be honest with potential investors about the risks being taken with their money. Greenpeace argued that Kinder Morgan is using outdated and increasingly unlikely oil demand forecasts that assume steady demand growth over time. Albertas Securities Commission agreed to consider Greenpeaces challenge.

Shareholder activism is only going to grow over time as clean energy becomes cheaper and governments move to implement policies to reduce emissions and comply with agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord. ExxonMobil faces a shareholder vote later this months related to climate change and the threat of a low-carbon transition.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Isolated Pakistan is not in favour of Afghanistan: Ashraf Ghani 21 May, 2017



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Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry

Woke Bingo Afghanistan's Khaama Press news agency on Saturday quoted President Ashraf Ghani as saying that "Pakistan is in isolation but an isolated Pakistan is not in favour of Afghanistan." The country must be encouraged to refrain from supporting terrorist groups, an obvious reference to the Afghan Taliban's sanctuaries in the border regions.



Ghani made these remarks during a meeting with local tribal elders of southern Kandahar province Friday evening.



If reported correctly by the news agency Ghani's quote on Pakistan offers some glimmer of hope as far as the bilateral relations are concerned, particularly to the context of the bloody exchanges of fire and loss of life in the Spin Boldak district near the Durand Line earlier this month.



Ghani's remarks coincided with two important statements. One by US Forces in Afghanistan said at least 750 militants affiliated with the Afghan chapter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) - ISIS Khurasan - were killed in the past two-and-a-half months in Afghanistan. Their territory and fighting strength have been reduced two-thirds.



The second statement emanated from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Headquarters. Released May 19 after a stakeholders' meeting it said all members reaffirmed their commitments to sustainable security in Afghanistan and to their strong partnership with Afghanistan.



For Pakistan, this situation represents both an opportunity as well as challenges.



It is an opportunity because President Ghani's "less hostile and diagnostic" tone on the disadvantages of an "isolated Pakistan" to Afghanistan reflects the realisation that such attempts (by India) will only precipitate his country's fragility and insecurity.



Also, if one were to go by the optimism of some pro-active and well-meaning Afghan officials, Pak-Afghan acrimony probably has already peaked (because of acts of terrorism in February and March) and now may be heading for de-escalation. They believe that the relationship is not entirely lost yet.



"The way the Pakistani Army ceased fire at Spin Boldak within ten minutes on our request early this month did reflect that if elements on both sides are receptive to engagement we can salvage the situation for the better," Dr Omar Zakhilwal, the Afghan ambassador the special presidential envoy, told the press during an informal chat.



To be fair to him, the envoy has been caught between the proverbial deep sea and hard rock ever since he assumed charge over a year ago; because of tensions resulting from a string of high-profile terror attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, he has kept shuttling between the two capitals as a literal firefighter to douse fires of acrimony arising out of a situation that is a direct result of both bilateral, multi-lateral and geopolitical contexts.



This context throws up several daunting challenges for Pakistan, which has been struggling to disprove allegations of any direct institutional support to the Afghan and Haqqani Taliban.



Firstly, key leaders of the former Northern Alliance never trusted Pakistan. Inherently pro-India, the NA's armed wing Shoorai Nazar filled ranks of the entire security apparatus ie police and the army in the post 9/11 formative years of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF). Most of them today occupy key positions in the leadership ladder.



Secondly, a lot of former socialists - erstwhile associates of the Parcham and Khalq factions of the Afghan National Democratic Party - also hold important operational positions in the security and bureaucracy.



Thirdly, all of these key stakeholders continue to serve as the prism through which both India and the United States look at Pakistan. In this context, the latest NATO expression of continued support to Afghanistan amounts to a reiteration of confidence in the capacity of the ANDSF. Despite all the negatives associated with the three power centres dividing Kabul government ie Ghani, Dr Abdullah and Hamid Karzai, leading NATO members such as the United States and the United Kingdom seem to stand by President Ghani ie convergence of views on the role of Afghanistan's neighbours.



Fourth, the Indian influence over the ANDSF and key ministries such as Foreign, Interior and Trade, represents probably the biggest hurdle to the resumption of formal dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad. It is sheer geopolitics playing out in and through Afghanistan.



Nothing could better explain this geopolitical play-out than the two big terror incidents that took nearly three dozen lives in Balochistan on a day when leaders from 29 countries and international institutions had gathered for Belt and Road Forum.



Fifth, and the most important one, is how much and at what pace is the internal recalibration of the national security parameters is currently underway. Are all stakeholders pursuing it in unison? If not, then surmounting these challenges and turning them into an opportunity will remain a formidable task. This could also strain Pakistan's strategic partner China, which primarily shuns confrontation in favour of collaboration for peace and economic development.
Trump in Saudi Arab with $110 billion arm deal

RIYADH: The White House announced a huge arms deal with Saudi Arabia on Saturday as President Donald Trump took his first steps on the world stage, looking to leave mounting troubles behind at home.



The $110 billion deal for Saudi purchases of US defence equipment and services came at the start of an eight-day foreign tour that will take Trump also to Jerusalem, the Vatican and meetings with leaders in Europe.



Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said deals worth in excess of $380bn had been signed on Saturday. That was a tremendous day. Tremendous investments in the United States, Trump said at talks with Saudi King Salman. Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs.



The US president was given a warm welcome in the oil-rich kingdom  a mood in sharp contrast to Washington where pressure is building after fresh claims over his teams alleged links to Moscow.



Air Force One had barely taken off when it was announced late on Friday that James Comey, the former FBI chief fired by Trump, had agreed to testify publicly about Russian interference in the US elections.



The president and first lady Melania Trump were greeted by King Salman as they disembarked at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh in the morning. Trump and his wife, who dressed conservatively in black but did not cover her hair as Saudi women are required to do, walked side-by-side to the tarmac where they both shook hands with the 81-year-old king.



It was a more favourable welcome than had been granted last year to Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, who was seen in the Arab kingdom as soft on Iran and hesitant on Syria.



Trump and King Salman seemed at ease with each other, chatting through an interpreter. At the royal al-Yamama palace, the king draped around Trumps neck the King Abdulaziz medal, the countrys top civilian honour.



The king was overheard lamenting the Syrian war to Trump. Syria too used to be one of the most advanced countries. We used to get our professors from Syria.... Unfortunately, they too brought destruction to their own country. You can destroy a country in mere seconds, but it takes a lot of effort, he said.



Meanwhile, White House spokesman Sean Spicer hailed the defence agreement with Riyadh as the largest single arms deal in US history.



This package of defence equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, a White House official said.



Trump would give a speech on Islam to leaders of Muslim countries on Sunday.



For Riyadh the visit is an opportunity to rebuild ties with a key ally, strained under Trumps predecessor Barack Obama who Arab Gulf states suspected of a tilt towards their regional rival Iran.



Sundays speech to dozens of Muslim leaders has been touted as a major event  along the lines of a landmark address to the Islamic world given by Obama in Cairo in 2009.



The speech will be particularly sensitive given tensions sparked by the Trump administrations attempted travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations and accusations of anti-Islam rhetoric on the campaign trail.



While most US presidents make their first foreign trip to neighbouring Canada or Mexico, 70-year-old Trump has opted instead for the Middle East and Europe.



He travels to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Monday and Tuesday, and then to the Vatican and to Brussels and Italy for Nato and G7 meetings.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
The US Ambassador, Mr Robert Jackson has expressed his countrys continues support to help Ghana stop illegal mining also known as galamsey, and to preserve its natural resources.



He said the Embassy also supported the call to declare the Atiwa Forest reserve located at Segyemase near Akyem-Abuakwa in the Eastern Region as a national park.



It is incumbent on stakeholders to let the community see the value of preserving the environment. We need to have a sustainable programme that will conserve and preserve the environment for future generations, Mr Jackson said when he toured the Atiwa Forest on Thursday.



He also used the opportunity to call on the King of Abuakwa, Osagyefo Nana Amoatia Ofori-Panin II and his elders at his Palace in Abuakwa to interact and declare his support towards efforts at conserving the Atiwa forest as a critical source of water to most part of Greater Accra Region.



Mr Jackson, together with Ms Caecilia Wijgers, Deputy High Commissioner of The Netherlands, a key partner and financier of the Save the Atiwa Forest project which was being championed by AROCHA Ghana in collaboration with the Okyeman Environment Foundation and Ghana Wildlife Society visited part of the Atiwa Forest to inspect it current state and know how it could help protect it.



The Atiwa forest is the home of three major rivers- Birim, Ayensu and Densu, which provides water to 60 per cent of the population of Accra as well as those in the Central and Eastern regions.



The forest is said to be one of the two upland forest reserves in the country apart from the Tano Offin forest reserve located in Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region.



Atiwa forest is also known as a global significant forest area but it has been facing challenges like illegal chainsaw operation, illegal mining and farm encroachment that continues to affect the landscape.



Mr Jackson said Ghana as the challenges were being highlighted, there was the need to develop long term plans for both short and medium term solutions to help sustain future generations.



He said Government efforts at fighting galamsey and improving water quality was also commendable and that the Embassy would work closely to preserve the environment.



Ms Wijgers commended the media for the key role in fighting galamsey, saying the efforts have been long in coming but duly welcoming to ensure that the land and water bodies are protected.



Mr Appiah Kubi, National Director of AROCHA Ghana, reiterated the call on government to make a bold declaration on the status of the Atiwa Forest and to declare it as a national park so it could be maintain as such.



Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, said the advantages of conserving the Atiwa forest far outweighed the benefit of mining bauxite in the reserve and so government was committed to turning the forest into a national park.



He commended the US Embassy and The Netherlands for supporting Ghana to preserve her environment to ensure that the future generations could survive.



He emphasised on the need for community sensitisation and capacity building of various stakeholders on the importance of the forest and on the right penalties for those who breach the laws.



On his part, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin II, pledged his full support to the stopping galamsey and towards preserving the environment.



We need a collective determination to ensure that we protect what we have and not to expose our citizens and children to a very serious environmental degradation, he said.

Source: GNA









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The 44th annual Art in the Beartooths is for curious people interested in how artists and crafters bring plain canvas, paint, beads and wood to life.

The Carbon County Arts Guild & Depot Gallery hosts the event on Saturday, July 8 in adjacent Lions Park at 11 8th St. W. in Red Lodge.

Begin the day at 9 a.m. with free live demonstrations as 25 guild-invited artists and craftspeople create paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photographs, textiles and more. The lineup includes 2017s Signature Artists: painter and illustrator John Potter, woodcarver Joan Kosel and contemporary wildlife artist Dale Marie Muller.

Art in the Beartooths is a simple, low-key affair thats a lot of fun, said chairman Julie Vandewark.

It supports funding for elementary art education, scholarships and the guilds historic building, a former railroad depot.

It has a little bit of something for everyone, she said. Its a nice summer atmosphere.

Bringing art to Carbon Countys rural schools, plus those in Fishtail and Nye in Stillwater County, is Vandewarks favorite outcome of the event. Arts and music funding in public schools are the first eliminated when finances are tight, she said.

Art teachers are paid for their time, mileage and supplies by money raised from the event.

The families are very grateful (for the program), Vandewark said.

Art in the Beartooths provides $3,000 to $4,000 a year for scholarships to Carbon County high school seniors who plan to study art in college.

It has earned a reputation among artists who for the past 10 years have vied for inclusion in the Red Lodge-based event, Vandewark said.

People are actually reaching out to us, Vandewark said. We used to have to comb the hills for artists.

Artists believe in the importance of giving back to other artists. Nationally-known Montana artists Carol Hagan and Kevin Red Star attend every year.

The silent auction in the Depot Gallery is open for bidding the week prior to the event. It includes art by some of the guilds 300-plus artist members.

After the displays end at 4 p.m., the fundraiser opens with hors doeuvres and music by High Country Cowboys, a Red Lodge trio of brothers known for an old-fashioned country style harkening back to Roy Rogers, Marty Robbins and Sons of the Pioneers.

Buy a beverage at one of two no-host bars and dinner from a food truck by Big Guy Barbecue of Billings at 5 p.m.

The live auction, with art selling from $300 to $10,000 in past years, features work created during the demonstrations. The participants have the option of making art entirely on location, bringing partially finished items to complete, or a completed piece and giving demonstrations of the techniques involved, she said.

Each year a graduating high school student whose work was exhibited in the spring Carbon County Arts Guild Student Art Exhibition is invited to participate and has the option of selling a piece.

The price for one of 300 seats is $60. For more information call (406) 446-1370 or see carboncountydepotgallery.org.
QUEENSBURY  Four firefighters suffered minor injuries when Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Department's newest truck rolled off Clements Road while returning from a call Sunday.

We sent them as a precaution. I do not think there were serious injuries. We needed to have them checked out, Bay Ridge Chief Patrick Mellon said at the scene. The accident is still under investigation, so I cant really say anything about what happened, other than they were returning from a call.

Robert G. Bulman, 46, of Queensbury, was the driver. Bulman and three members of Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Paul W. Brown, 60, of Queensbury, Joe Bastis Jr., 80, of Queensbury, and Ryan M. Saunders, 30, of Hudson Falls, were transported to Glens Falls Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. All were wearing seat belts.

Members of North Queensbury Fire, South Queensbury Fire, Bay Ridge Fire, West Fort Ann Fire, and Bay Ridge EMS assisted at the scene.

The truck involved was Engine Rescue 323, a Rear Mount Commander, custom-built by Rosenbauer, a Minnesota-based fire vehicle manufacturer. Its cost was about $700,000.

The truck has been recovered and returned to the Bay Ridge station.

It went into service in August, and is the departments first-due attack engine for structure fire. It also is designed to be used for motor vehicle accidents and carries hydraulic extrication and stabilization equipment.

The truck has a 900-gallon water tank and carries 60 gallons of fire-suppressent foam.

Fire departments and ambulance crews from Warren and Washington counties were on the scene.

The truck was on its side, in a hollow off the road, just west of Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery.

The accident was reported at 12:29 p.m. Thirty minutes earlier, the department had a medical call on Clements Road.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  Oprah Winfrey met Mohau Mazibuko when she was 12 and living in South Africa. And on Saturday Mazibuko graduated from Skidmore College.

She had that essence of hope, Winfrey said to the Skidmore College graduates on Saturday about their first meeting. And I am here to celebrate her today as well as the whole class of Skidmore 2017.

The Skidmore College 106th commencement exercises, held at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, opened with a procession of bagpipers and drummers at just after 10:30 a.m. And following the faculty and graduates processional, W. Scott McGraw, Board of Trustees chairman, said that the board voted to approve the conferring of degrees to the 624 graduates.

We celebrate you and your accomplishments, he said. Be joyful and savor every moment.

Mohau Mazibuko is one of nine former students of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to graduate from a U.S. college this spring. And Winfrey, who is attending all nine graduations, is the guest commencement speaker at three, Agnes Scott, Smith and Skidmore.

Nobody makes it alone, said Winfrey about the people partnered with Mazibuko at Skidmore. It takes a village and now her mother and brother just arrived from South Africa.

On Saturday Winfrey received her second honorary Doctorate of Letters degree this month and she jokingly said, Call me doctor, doctor Oprah Winfrey.

One of three  Wes Moore, best-selling author, filmmaker, youth advocate; and Ann Rubenstein Tisch, broadcast journalist who started the Young Womens Leadership Schools  conferred an honorary Doctorate of Letters, Winfrey shared with the graduates her dreams for them.

I learned early in my career that the dream I had for myself couldnt compare to the dream life had for me, she said, talking about the truth in each person. You already know the truth; youve been making decisions since you were a kid.

And it was this personal truth that has guided her decisions. I relied on the truth of me. When I was 30 years old I felt that instinct that it was time to move on, she said. But everybody said, dont go to Chicago.

At the time, Winfrey was working at a television station in Baltimore and her boss said, Dont go to Chicago, you can grow old here.

But that was just the point she said, The truth of me was to move forward, she said, encouraging the graduates to take a risk and bet on themselves.

Knowing your personal truth and understanding your intention is key. Before a thought or action there is an intention, she said.

And Winfrey credits the success of the Oprah Winfrey Show to its different approach.

Changing the paradigm to actually intending to be of service to our viewers is why we were number one for 25 solid years, it was because we intended to be, she said. I told my producers, do not bring me an idea that I cannot find my truth in it.

To illustrate the moment she really understood the idea of personal truth and intention, Winfrey told the story of the mother of a 16-year-old girl who was murdered by her boyfriend.

The mother was sitting in the green room and I asked her, why are you here? and she said, I want people to know my daughters life was bigger than her death. I want people to know her life was bigger than her murder. I can make sure my daughters life means something.

Winfrey continued.

I said, I can do that, she said. That was the first show I won an Emmy.

Encouraging graduates to serve the calling of their soul in the moment, she said that they can bring forth their own light.

Theres knowing your personal truth, understanding your intentions and add to that, being grateful.

Live in a space of gratitude, she said. Some people say, you can be grateful because you have everything Oprah. I got everything because I practiced being grateful  being grateful changes your personal vibration. Write down three things you are grateful for everyday. Some days the only thing I have is being grateful that I am still breathing.

Winfrey had everyone close their eyes and inhale, on the exhale, say thank you. Again. Breathe in, exhale, thank you. Again. Again.

Research has shown that if you are quiet in the moment for 17 seconds and practice gratitude, things can change, she said.

In an animated accounting of the time she was on trial for saying something bad about a burger, she told graduates that everyone will face some kind of trial in their life. Its your job to know the truth and let the truth set you free, she said.
Vintage scrapbooks and photo albums, even if a bit frayed and yellowed, recount the passing of prom from one young generation to the next.

Whether its the etiquette-inspired prom teas of the early 1900s remembered in faintly sepia-toned black-and-whites; the rule-breaking spiked punch prom parties of the late 1970s chronicled in the slightly off-color instant Polaroids; or the pieces of streamers, crushed balloons and shards of glittered paper preserved in an envelope, such memorabilia marks an almost required rite of passage for many.

But even if prom and all its oddities and traditions feel a bit awkward, those who dont quite fit in can take comfort in recalling the 2004 indie-film classic Napoleon Dynamite and his quest for the perfect prom experience. From shopping for his infamous brown suit and vest, his longing for Trish and his sweet and slightly uncomfortable prom dance with Pedros girl Deb, Napoleon Dynamite reminds us of what its like to be 17.

Nonetheless, no matter what small piece of prom remains in a preserved recollection, there are few proms from the past that rival todays posh productions: Cinderella-like limousine rides; elegant full-course dinners served at venues also noted for resplendent wedding receptions; after-prom parties that entice the reluctant with lavish raffle prizes like kayaks and smart TVs; not to mention $500 prom gowns and $145 tuxedo rentals.

A year-and-a-half ago, I started meeting with the kids to get their ideas, said South Glens Falls High School junior class adviser Missy Smith, adding that more than 270 students bought tickets for this weekends prom. We visit venues, get costs, sample menus.

And for Washington, Warren and Saratoga County high schools, junior proms that kicked off in early spring and wrapped up this weekend are the collective product of the hard work and generosity of students, teachers, parents, local businesses and the community.

We keep doing it because of the kids and to keep the kids safe, said Kathleen McGinnis, a reading teacher at Stuart M. Townsend Elementary School in Lake Luzerne, who has organized the after-prom party with her wife Bonnie McGinnis for 24 years. The big picture  the community is coming together for the best of the kids. And local businesses are so willing to help. They will say to us, Are you short? Do you need us to donate more money? 

Safe fun and big rewards

The regions first after-prom party kicked off at Hadley-Luzerne Central High School more than two decades ago, a time when the all-night venues were just starting to sprout up around the country.

It was 1994 when my son was going to prom, said Bonnie McGinnis. My son was a junior and we wanted him to be safe.

In the first year, Hadley-Luzerne students raised about $1,500 for the alcohol-free, all-night party. The Lions Club let us borrow their game tables for a Vegas Night and they eventually gave them to us, Bonnie said.

But in subsequent years, with increasing community support and burgeoning funds, the after-prom party has become a sought-after affair for students hoping to win big-ticket raffle prizes like kayaks, 32-inch smart TVs, ipods, laptops, paddle boards, Kindles and Apple Watches, to name a few.

They raised $4,300 this year and the kids and the parents go knocking on doors and calling businesses to raise the money, Bonnie said. Ultimately, its everyone coming together so the kids will be safe.

And much like the Hadley-Luzerne High School party, Granville High Schools after-prom event also entices prom goers with lavish raffle prizes like kayaks, smart TVs and laptops.

Granville after-prom has evolved and the parents on the committee are very helpful, said Nancy Bixby, who has been heading the effort for four years. Its so exciting when students walk in and see the kayaks, bikes, paddle boards.

At the heart of the after-prom party for Kathleen and Bonnie McGinnis were their own personal tragedies and the serious accidents they witnessed as emergency first-responders.

As a paramedic, I have been involved in 17 deaths, said Bonnie McGinnis, an emergency nurse at Glens Falls Hospital, about area tragedies. I have been part of two accident scenes after prom.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 300 teens die each year on prom night in alcohol-related car crashes.

While some after-prom events are lock-in parties, at Hadley-Luzerne, the McGinnises said they never wanted it to be a lock-in.

We bribe them to come and stay, Kathleen said, laughing. And we tell the parents that they will soon be moving on and hopefully with what theyve taught them they will make good choices.

If students get to the party by midnight, they get $1,000 in play prom money for the Vegas game tables and to eventually trade in for raffle tickets and a chance at a prize. They also get an additional $100 in prom dollars every 15 minutes.

If students arrive after midnight, they cant vie for the big-ticket prizes but they can enjoy the rest of the night with friends and eat loads of food.

We have pizzas, wings, donuts, said Kathleen. And at 4:30 a.m., we serve breakfast.

As a superintendent, this makes it so I can sleep easier that night, said Hadley-Luzerne Central School Superintendent Beecher Baker.

Traditions and the economics of prom

Over the past two decades, the cost of going to the prom rose 23 percent, according to Jay Zagorsky, a research scientist at Ohio State University who has been tracking prom costs since the late 20th century.

From the planning and venue reservations that happen a year and a half in advance, to the nearly $919 average price tag for everything from tickets to limos to gowns and tuxedos, prom teaches students about the business of planning events and the importance of making responsible choices.

No decisions were made by me, said Sue Gerrains, Warrensburg High School junior class adviser who also teaches at the school. In October 2015, they booked their venue. If you want to get a day in May, you are competing with weddings and have to book early.

The average prom ticket, including dinner and a DJ, ranges from about $65 to $150 per student. But this year, the Warrensburg junior class decided to pay for every juniors ticket from class funds they raised.

It was our goal to have as many attend as possible, Gerrains said, adding that the students also chose to have a prom court and the afternoon coronation was illustrative of community support.

We had a packed gymnasium for the coronation, said Gerrains. We do not charge for it and lots of parents, people from the community who had kids in the school years ago and some elderly people come.

Hadley-Luzerne switched it up a bit this year and the way students were nominated for prom court was changed. Every student who bought a prom ticket got their name on the ballot for prom court, junior class adviser Theresa Crombach said. They dont know who is on the court until the night of prom, she said. We make it a big surprise, a very Cinderella moment, and everyone gets nominated.

South Glens Falls High School decided to eliminate the prom court, which was a big break from tradition, said junior class adviser Missy Smith. We stopped doing prom court  no court at all, she said. In the past, prom was ruined for kids who didnt get into the court. And it was a popularity contest and there were hurt feelings, so we made the decision to not do it.

Like many of the junior classes planning prom, there were difficult decisions, many related to costs. South Glens Falls High School students thought they wanted an ice cream sundae bar for dessert, but because it would add $12 to each ticket, they opted for a candy bar, said Smith.

I have 200 pounds of candy right now, she said. I love their idea of the candy bar.

Smith continued.

For the students, putting on a prom is like putting on a mini-wedding, she said.
Saratoga & North Creek Railway will not scale back its summer and fall schedule as much as it planned after Warren County leaders questioned the cuts.

The company will announce in the coming weeks a plan to run tourist trains more frequently than the weekend, county supervisors said Friday.

The news came as the county treasurer told supervisors Friday that his office is having problems collecting money that SNCRR owes the county.

Treasurer Michael Swan said the company owes the county money dating back to last December.

SNCRR pays the county and town of Corinth, who own the Saratoga Springs-to-North Creek rail line on which SNCRR trains run, a portion of the revenue it brings in, with a minimum of $81,000 a year to be paid to the municipalities.

They have been very difficult to deal with, to get the money out of them, Swan said.

He said the company was giving us a little pushback about how much money they owe us and said the Board of Supervisors should look into the issue. Horicon Supervisor Matt Simpson, chairman of the boards Public Works Committee, said it was being reviewed.

Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty, the countys acting administrator, said the railroad owes the county about $9,300 for December, the last month its trains ran as it scuttled winter operations.

He said the company has questioned the formula being used to determine what it owes but he believed the issue would be worked out.

Justin Gonyo, manager of the railroad, said the debt would be paid soon.

Over the last six years, SNC has paid Warren County many hundreds of thousands of dollars as per the agreement, he said in an email. The amount that is currently owed is negligible and will be taken care of soon.

The financial dispute comes weeks after SNCRR notified the county it would run weekend tourist trains only this year because of financial concerns, after running most weekdays and weekends since coming to the county in 2011.

The county and town of Corinths contract requires 100 train trips between May and October, and with the change it appeared highly unlikely that figure would be met. The contract also required winter trips that didnt happen this year, either.

Geraghty said county leaders discussed their concerns with SNCRR leadership, and the company had agreed to increase trips. Its website listed only weekend trips as of Sunday, however.

SNCRR has struggled financially as its freight business has not materialized as it anticipated.

SNCRR is a subsidiary of Chicago-based Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC, which owns railroads around the country but appears to be dealing with financial issues in other parts of the nation as well.

Numerous railway media outlets have reported that Iowa Pacific was sued for $3 million earlier this year by the company that licenses Polar Express holiday trains because it has allegedly not paid royalties as required, while one of its subsidiaries was reported to owe the state of Texas $250,000 in back taxes.
Tara Cady Niche Publications Senior Editor for Niche Publications of the Billings Gazette Follow Tara Cady 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

Musical talents cross genre  and state -- lines to bring their creative genius to the 2nd Red Lodge Songwriter Festival June 22-24.

For two days and three nights, discover the inspiration behind hit songs like Even Stevens When Youre In Love With A Beautiful Woman, as made famous by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show.

Featured writers include Nashville Songwriter Hall of Famers Even Stevens and Hugh Prestwood, as well as returning artists James Dean Hicks, Tony Lane and Kostas. Brice Long and several Montana and Wyoming writers add to the mix of talent for several songwriters in the round concerts.

The artists not only perform, but answer questions and share stories of their success.

As far as story-telling, you cant beat the country guys, said festival co-founder Cory Johnson.

The writers act as judges for the songwriter contest, new to the festival this year.

Johnson says its an educational experience for aspiring songwriters. Up to 100 contestants enter for a chance to play their original song Saturday night.

Even the ones who dont get picked in the top 10 will learn so much from these critiques, he said.

A separate songwriting workshop is open to everyone, not just those who enter the contest. Johnson, a songwriter himself, is motivated to continue his passion by listening to other songwriters. He thinks event goers will agree.

It just makes you better and it makes you appreciate the songwriter aspect of songs, Johnson said. There wouldnt be any songs if it werent for songwriters.

Nine out of the 12 concerts are free this year. Priced shows are $35 each. Multi-day (Friday and Saturday) and all-access (three-day) passes are $65 and $125, respectively.

One concert is specifically geared toward families. Bank of Red Lodge is hosting a free nonalcoholic concert at Lions Park Saturday at 1:30 p.m. One Nashville writer and one or two regional writers will play under the gazebo until 3 p.m.

Itll be a great place to bring your lawn chair and listen to music, said festival co-founder Mike Booth.

See redlodgesongwriterfest.com for details on all concert times and locations.
If an award were given in Congress for best tiptoeing, our congresswoman, Elise Stefanik, would win it.

She has been given a seat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, an impressive responsibility for a congresswoman in her second term who had no experience in elected office before getting elected in 2014.

But as our country faces an intelligence crisis that involves Russia, the president, the former national security adviser and a whole lot of other people, weve been underwhelmed by Stefaniks meek response.

This excess of caution is a pattern for her that goes back to the early days of the Trump campaign. Then, when asked whether she would support Donald Trump if he won the Republican nomination, she would say, Donald Trump is not going to win the nomination. But I will support the GOP nominee.

After Trump became the nominee, she reiterated her support for the nominee, while doing her utmost to avoid saying Trumps name.

Now, the cloud of Russian interference with the U.S. election hangs over Trumps presidency, along with the possibility of collusion with the Russians by members of Trumps campaign. Recently, President Trump, in a meeting with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister, shared with them highly classified information about terror threats.

These events are alarming for anyone who cares about the security of the United States. They are especially pertinent for a member of Congress who serves on the committees Stefanik does.

But this is what her spokesman, Tom Flanagin, had to say earlier this week about her reaction:

As a member of the House Intelligence Committee and the chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Congresswoman Stefanik takes the handling of classified information very seriously.

Could there be a statement more bland and meaningless?

Notice, too, that Stefanik chooses to speak through subordinates rather than addressing her constituents herself.

Stefanik has tried to carve out for herself a place as an armed services advocate. She frequently references Fort Drum in Watertown, which is in her district. She has chosen to serve on the Armed Services and the Intelligence committees. In a crisis like this, she should be speaking directly to her constituents, not issuing mealy-mouthed statements through a spokesman.

Events have been moving fast in recent days, and Stefanik has had several opportunities to speak up.

Earlier, when Trump fired the director of the FBI, James Comey, she did put out a first-person statement:

I have concerns about the timing and appearance of the decision to dismiss FBI Director James Comey. I believe strongly in the importance of an independent FBI director to maintain the integrity of the organization. I respect Director Comeys years of public service and want more specific information as to why this decision was made by the president. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am committed to continuing the committees bipartisan investigation and will follow the facts wherever they may lead.

That has a sliver more substance.

Finally, after reports that Comey had written memos to chronicle Trumps request that he end the investigation into Michael Flynns ties to Russia, her office (reverting to the third person) had this to say:

Congresswoman Stefanik strongly supports Speaker Ryans statement that it is appropriate for the House Oversight Committee to request the Comey memo. Congress should review this as soon as possible. Additionally, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Congresswoman Stefanik is part of the ongoing bipartisan Russia investigation and will follow the facts wherever they lead.

One thing we can be assured of: Stefanik will not get out in front of Paul Ryan when it comes to the Russian investigation, Michael Flynn, Comeys firing or whether the evening meal is called dinner or supper.

Her inclination will be to proceed in a careful and scripted manner, to wait until she gets the all-clear before making a statement and to avoid spontaneous interactions with constituents or reporters.

Her tendency to tiptoe is not all bad, especially when you contrast it with the stamping and thrashing-about of Donald Trump. The president is giving us all a vivid demonstration of the dangers of going off half-cocked.

But because of the positions she is in, as a congresswoman and a member of the Intelligence committee, Stefanik is eventually going to have to do more than express her concerns. She is going to have to stop tiptoeing and take a stand.
Little Free Pantries were placed Thursday at Shepherd of the Valley, 801 E. Denver Ave., and at Pioneer Elementary School, 1400 E. Braman Ave.

The Little Free Pantry Bismarck Mandan offers a place for neighbors to help neighbors. LFP is a give-and-take system, similar to the Little Free Libraries, but with food items instead of books. Students from the BPS Career Academy built six pantries.
Venture capital firms, which poured $117 billion into fintech startups from 2012 to 2016, have been pulling back on their investments. Meanwhile, established financial firms are positioned to step up their spending.

In a big note out to clients on May 18 titled "Fintech: A Gauntlet to Riches," a group of equity analysts at Morgan Stanley said this shift will lead to an environment where legacy firms, or incumbents, "take the reigns"of financial innovation.

"Financials and payments incumbents are likely to be emboldened to step up R&D and take the investment lead, and this combination of VC/incumbent behavior represents a paradigm shift that should benefit incumbents' [return on investment]," Morgan Stanley said.

The role of VCs will continue to diminish

Financial technology companies experienced a surge in funding from 2012 to 2015, during which time venture capital firms poured $92 billion into the space. Now it looks like those VC firms are experiencing a bit of a hangover.

In 2016, global venture capital investment in fintech companies dipped to $25 billion, from $47 billion in 2015.

, Amy Nauiokas, the head of Anthemis Group, a New York-based venture capital firm, described the time leading up to the dip as a "period of exuberance."

"Big firms just sort of piled on a bunch of, let's say, happy money," Firms were thinking, we have money, we have capital, we have to spend it," she said.

This environment of "happy money" sent valuations for fintechs to levels that some investors view as unreasonably high. For instance,

According to Morgan Stanley, there are a number of factors that will push legacy financial firms to step up their investments in fintech companies. The most obvious factor is the fear of disruption.

"[T]he threat of disruption from fintechs is forcing incumbents to up their investments in technology to gain operating efficiencies and preserve market share," the bank said.

Deregulation is another trigger. If the Trump administration follows through on its promises of Wall Street deregulation, then firms won't have to spend as much cash on regulatory compliance. That would free up money for fintech investment initiatives. Legacy firms' focus on lowering cost also provides an incentive to invest in fintech.

"Managing expenses remains a key focus for incumbents as one of the drivers for earnings growth," the bank said."It follows that there is an increasing trend towards implementing more technology to drive efficiencies with moderated headcount growth going forward."

What is the net outcome of this shift? A better business landscape for well-established Wall Street firms.
Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee after Memorial Day, and the main question around his hearing will be whether Comey believes Trump was trying to intervene in the FBI's investigation.

CNN's source added that it's still unclear whether Trump's attempts to influence Comey amounted to obstruction of justice.

Trump fired Comey  who was spearheading the Russia probe at the time  two weeks ago. Initially, the White House said that Trump acted entirely based on the advice of deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein and attorney general Jeff Sessions.

Later, however, Trump said that he had already made the decision to fire Comey before getting Sessions' and Rosenstein's input. He also said that "the Russia thing" had been a factor in his decision, later calling Comey a "showboat," a "grandstander," and a "real nut job."

After Comey was fired, it emerged that he had kept detailed memos of encounters with the president that he deemed improper. One of those memos reportedly details a February meeting in which Trump asked Comey to drop the FBI's investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Trump reportedly said, according to the memo, that Flynn was "a good guy" and "I hope you can let this go."

The last two weeks have seen a torrent of news that reflects negatively on the White House, including reports that Trump divulged highly classified information to two top Russian officials during a meeting in the Oval Office. In light of these revelations and Comey's firing, Rosenstein appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate ties between Trump's campaign and Russia.
The trip marked the first time in at least 10 years that the Mexican army had allowed US and UN officials to observe poppy eradication, and, according to Reuters, more trips were being arranged.

The visit could put Mexico on the same footing as anti-drug operations in places like Colombia and Afghanistan.

It also coincides with US President Donald Trump's efforts to address a withering opioid epidemic that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in the US.

But if the US and Mexico are about to make the opium-poppy eradication a joint effort, they may find their progress stymied by conditions on the ground and the nature of their foe.

A US official told Reuters that the area of poppies under cultivation in 2016 was estimated at 32,000 hectares in 2016. In 2015, US data showed there were 28,000 hectares estimated to be under cultivation  triple the area under cultivation recorded in 2012.

Last year, Mexico for the first time released its own data on cultivation, reporting an average of 24,800 hectares under cultivation between July 2014 and June 2015. The Mexican defense secretariat also said it destroyed 22,235 hectares of opium poppies in 2016 and 26,249 hectares in 2015. (Through the end of April 2017, the Mexican government says it eradicated 15,179 hectares of poppies.)

What effect this eradication has on the overall crop level is not clear. Data on production and eradication is varied and, in some places, incomplete. Estimates of cultivation in Mexico are also based on satellite imagery, not like census-based programs that more confidently measure cultivation and eradication.

"We don't know with any level of precision how heroin production has evolved in recent years," Mexican security analyst Alejandro Hope wrote in February 2016.

Moreover, according to Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, it can be hard to accurately gauge how many plants exist and are destroyed, especially when relying on aerial observation and fumigation.

"People automatically do a formula that there's so many plants per meter and therefore they destroyed so many plants that would have produced a certain tonnage of opium, for example, and that is not correct either, because a lot of times they spray fields where the plant density is just very loose," Vigil, who, as a DEA official, worked in Mexico in the 1990s, told Business Insider.

"We're not talking about plants that are densely concentrated per square meter. You could have one plant per square meter. So they destroy 10 hectares and probably destroyed very few plants," Vigil said.

Manuel eradication has been common in Mexico's war on drugs. Military units have been stationed in areas of high cultivation like Sinaloa (which is also a hub of organized-crime activity) and Guerrero states, and they are frequently pictured crawling poppy-covered hillsides rooting out the pink-tipped bulbs that would eventually yield opium.

But aerial fumigation has also been used in places with a high incidence of cultivation, like the states Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, and Guerrero, at times of elevated cultivation activity.

Fumigation squadrons are deployed in MD-530F helicopters and Cessna 182SL planes. Bell 407 and Bell 206 helicopters are also used when aerial-fumigation teams need to access remote or hard-to-reach spots.

In Guerrero, where poppy cultivation  and criminal activity related to it  has grown precipitously in recent years, manual eradication has been replaced in some cases by fumigation. One official told Excelsior the chemical used was only harmful to poppy plants, not to other crops or underground water systems. (The Mexican defense secretariat has in the past classified the exact chemicals used in aerial fumigation, calling it a matter of national security.)

"It would be very difficult for them to verify [eradication totals] because they're not going to be out there on every spray mission, and even if they were, they really don't know how many fields they're going to spray. They could take them to the same field the following day and spray that same field that they observed 24 hours previously," leading observers to think a different field had been sprayed, Vigil added.

This summer, the Mexican army is reportedly set to roll out hardware and software developed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime that would permit troops to send information on destroyed fields in real time.
The president made the remarks while interacting with a group of Ghanaian residents living in Cape Verde.

Everywhere I have been so far, I have been met with a lot of enthusiasm and warmth, because people are reassured about Ghanas role in ECOWAS, and, to me, that is very important. If we can make a success out of ECOWAS, it will help us a lot in the economic development of our country.

As other economic unions elsewhere in the world such as the European Union and the North America Free Trade Agreement falters, the reassured commitment from Ghana, the second biggest economy in the bloc, would come as a strong indication of unwavering support towards greater regional integration.

The president has toured a number of ECOWAS member countries since taking office in January 2017 including the Gambia, Togo and Senegal.
Madam Elizabeth Anku was reportedly on her way to pick mangoes 100 meters away from her house when she was shot dead by unknown assailants.

Last month, a 17-year-old girl native of Nkonya was also gunned down by some unidentified gunmen and died at the Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital where she was rushed.

The new curfew hours start from 8 pm to 5:30 am effective today, Sunday, May 21. 2017.

Interior Minister Ambrose Dery in a statement said the decision was arrived at in consultation with the Volta Regional Security Council.

The statement urged the two communities to use the established mechanisms for the resolution of all their conflicts and disputes.

The statement also reminded the residents that the ban on live ammunitions is still in force, cautioning them against flouting it.
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.
Sodium Cyanide is widely used by small scale miners as well as illegal miners to extract gold.

However, exposure to the chemical causes cancer.

According to Accra-base Joy FM, the haul of the consignment said to be worth millions of cedis follows intelligence which led a task force to what appears to be an un-inhabited building at Maxima.

A Ghanaian and a Chinese are said to be the owners of the cyanide.

The owner of the building were the substance was discovered has been invited for questioning.

The Akufo-Addo administration has announced a six months ban on mining following the destruction of the nations river bodies and cocoa farms.

On Saturday, the Land and Natural Resources Ministry secure the backing of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in the fight against illegal mining and the six months ban on mining.

The youth wing of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress in region have also backed the policy.

Meanwhile, president Nana Akufo-Addo has announced a three-member cabinet committee to come up with alternative sources of livelihood for illegal miners.
Following the petition, CHRAJ wrote to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, to request for comment on the matter.

In a letter dated May 11, the Chief Director of the ministry, Mr Patrick Nomo, requested for additional 15 days to properly respond to the request for comment with proper documentations.

Petition to CHRAJ

Mr Gyamfi asked CHRAJ to investigate a potential conflict of interest in the insurance of the bond, saying the bond was issued to benefit a business associate of the Finance Minister.

According to him, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta has attempted to promote a private or personal interest for himself or for some family members and business associates, and the promotion of the private interest has resulted in, or was intended to result in, or appears to have resulted in, or has the potential to result in an interference with the objective exercise of his duties and an improper benefit or an advantage by virtue of his position.

In the petition, Mr Gyamfi wants CHRAJ to establish: Was a substantial portion of the bond purchased by Franklin Templeton Investments. If so, how much?; Is Trevor G. Trefgarne a Director of Franklin Templeton Investments? Is Trevor G. Trefgarne the Chairman/Director of Enterprise Group Ltd?; and Are Dr Mrs Angela Ofori-Atta, Mr Keli Gadzekpo, Hon. Gloria Akuffo and Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta Directors of the Board of Enterprise Group Ltd?

If not, he continued: Were they Directors of the Board in the immediate past? Does Databank Ltd own part of Enterprise Group Ltd or any of its affiliates? Does Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta have any shares or business interest in Databank Ltd; or did he have any shares or business interest in the immediate past?

He also wants CHRAJ to establish if the Ken Ofori Atta adhered to the 1992 Constitution, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers of Ghana, CHRAJs guidelines on conflict of interest for public officers, and other relevant rules and laws pertaining to conflict of interest and issues of corruption.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him at his palace by the vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, Naa Yakubu Abdulai said the government has the full backing of the traditional authorities in the Northern Region to restore peace in Dagbon.

He also had some kind words for the vice president, saying he believes he was destined to lead the peace process in the region.

Naa Yakubu Abdulai said it will be a "disaster for Ghana" if the protracted chieftaincy dispute is not resolved.

If this government fails to bring peace to Dagbonthen it means Dagbon will be left to solve its problems and that will be a total disaster for Ghana, he said.

Dagbon was thrown into a state of chaos in 2002 following the killing of the Ya Na and 30 other elders.

Then President John Agyekum Kuffour set up the Wuaku commission to investigate the murder.

The then District Chief Executive of Yendi, the Capital of the Dagbon state, and others were indicted by the commission and put before the court for trial.

They were acquitted and discharged by an Accra Fast Truck High Court.
In a Facebook rant, he accused Mr Amidu of turning a blind eye to multiple case of abuse, persecution and harassment being perpetrated by sympathizers of the governing New Patriotic Party.

READ MORE:New CJ must prioritise development of judicial staff

He said: He was asleep or away when ASP Nanka Bruce was assaulted in the precincts of the Presidential Villa.

He was asleep or away when homes of appointees in the past administration were raided my marauding hoodlums hiding under the guise of a party taskforce.

He was asleep or away when the brazen conduct of party affiliated thugs led to the death of 19 young men and women in Kintampo.

He was asleep or away when a presiding judge was attacked by party hoodlums. He finds his voice when the perpetrators are shamefully freed but was silent when Her Lordship was attacked.

He was asleep or away when the future of this Nation has been mortgaged for conniving family and friends through a fictitious bond issue.

Mr Citizen Vigilante, your moral high horse has bolted months ago. Your claim of seeking what is just, right and honest is lame. Your considerations Sir are partisan to say the least.

I only wish you would have risen beyond partisanship and hypocrisy but alas, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

His comments come after Mr Amidu came to the defence of the state attorney in the Ashanti Region that was involved in the release of the infamous Delta 8.

READ MORE: Amidu jumps to the defence of state attorney

A Kumasi Circuit court presided over by Her Honour, Patricia Amponsah was forced to discharge the accused persons who allegedly aided the escape of 13 of their colleagues standing trial for assaulting the presidents Security Coordinator for the Ashanti Region.

Explaining the decision the prosecutor, ACP Okyere Darko, said there was not enough evidence to support the charges levelled against the accused persons. He added that he had orders from the Attorney General Gloria Akufo to drop the charges against them. The state attorney that handled the case has been criticised by both the government (which denied green lighting the release) and the public for his handling of the case.
The plans were announced by the Cecelia Dapaah, the Minister of Aviation while on a working tour of region. According to Cecelia Dapaah, the airstrip was needed to open up the region to business and tourism opportunities.

We need to do an airstrip in Bolgatanga to facilitate easy movement from around the country to Bolgatanga for business activities and tourist attractions. So we are assessing the proposed site in Sherigu, a suburb of Bolgatanga for the technical men from the Ministry of Aviation to come to do the assessment of the construction of the airstrip and subsequently an Airport.

Plans to build an airport in a different suburb of Bolgatanga began as far back as 1995 but the project was abandoned and successive governments have failed to finish the project. As such many would be why resources for this new project would not be used to complete the old project.
In theory the government has a way to answer that, but surprisingly there's no standard methodology and politicians can tweak the results to suit their agendas.

It's called dynamic scoring.

It's the practice of projecting the financial effects that a policy will have on the budget while taking into account different factors such as business and consumer behavior.

Dynamic scoring can be used for relatively simple calculations, such as how raising the sales tax on a particular item will affect its sales. But it gets more complex when trying to project the cost of, say, cutting federal taxes.

On its face, cutting federal taxes leaves the government with less money in its pockets. But it's possible that if US businesses keep that money thanks to a lower tax burden, more Americans may end up with jobs. And if more Americans have jobs, the government's tax base grows, potentially making up for the lost revenue from the tax cut.

Dynamic scoring is the practice of projecting out those events and factoring them into budget analysis, aka budget scoring.

Standards? What standards?

The Congressional Budget Office began using dynamic scoring in 2015 to project cost estimates for things like the president's budget or the annual long-term budget outlook. But some people think establishing a standard methodology is crucial for dynamic scoring to work.

"If 'dynamic scoring' means that Congress can use any macroeconomic model it wants, then we are thrown back 100 or 150 years in terms of the rigor of our thinking," writes Simon Johnson in a post for the Tax Policy Center.

Johnson formerly served on the CBO's panel of economic analysis but was not involved in budget scoring.

Having no standard methodology for this type of budget scoring also means that think tanks and other partisan groups can tinker with their projections until they are left with an outcome they want.

"There are too many models with a very wide variety of assumptions and implications," Johnson says. "It is not exactly true that you can find a model that will support any claims, but this is sometimes uncomfortably close to the truth."

For this reason, dynamic scoring has become another issue dividing Washington politicians along party lines. Congressional Republicans have voiced their approval for the practice, while Democrats generally oppose it.

Political dynamics

In his days as the House Budget Committee chairman, Paul Ryan was a proponent of dynamic scoring. "What we want to do is change our measurement," said Ryan. "People say its dynamic scoring. I really call it reality-based scoring."

Many Democrats stand firmly against the practice, citing the possibilities for inaccuracy.

One major critic is Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. In 2015, he made clear his distaste for this type of budget scoring.

"The basic problem with what the right-wing economists call 'dynamic scoring' is that it requires the CBO to count hypothetical growth as additional revenue," Sanders said. "That means counting the chickens before they hatch."

Before dynamic scoring was invented, the standard was static scoring, which omits macroeconomic projections by assuming the GDP will remain unchanged by budgetary policy.
The shift from fugitives in their own country to normal Colombians has been fraught for FARC rebels and their leadership.

More than a half-century of violence is not easy to leave behind, and the shift to normal life will continue to present challenges.

An anecdote in a New Yorker profile of Carlos Antonio Lozada, a FARC member since 1978 who has been a main leader during the group's peace talks with the government, underscores how the rebels' long existence outside of Colombian society complicates their efforts to move back into it.

"Lozada said that a Colombian army general involved in the peace process had invited him to join LinkedIn. He had tried, but had been stymied by the online membership form," Jon Lee Anderson writes.

"'It asks for your 'curriculum, professional contacts and qualifications, and references,' Lozada exclaimed, erupting in a fit of laughter. 'Job descriptioncommander for the FARC! ReferencesTimochenko!' Lozada said, referring to the alias of another senior FARC commander.

According to Anderson's profile, though FARC rebels have struggled with LinkedIn, they've taken to Facebook and WhatsApp, which they've used to reconnect with friends and loved ones they've long been separated from.

But other apps have proven vexing. Lozada and Timochenko appeared on a talk show in late November, a landmark event after their decades of war against the Colombian state. Interest was immediate.

Since Colombia's legislature approved a revised peace deal at the end of November (the original deal was narrowly defeated in a nationwide plebiscite in October) thousands of FARC rebels traveled across the country to UN-organized camps where they were set to begin demobilizing and disarming.

"The last march," as it was called, got off to a rocky start, as FARC leaders complained that the camps were not ready  in some cases they found only barren clearings or fields filled with sacks of cement.

Despite those issues, the disarmament process, which has a May 31 deadline, has reportedly advanced quickly. Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the UN Security Council, said after an early May visit to Colombia that some 7,000 FARC members had already arrived to lay down their arms.

Colombia has also registered some security successes in recent months, recording in 2016 both its lowest number of kidnappings since 2000 and its lowest number of homicides since 1984.

However, as UN officials warned after their visit, the risk of post-conflict violence and recidivism by demobilized FARC rebels remains high.

About 50 FARC units have spurned the peace process altogether, electing to remain in the countryside and maintain involvement in criminal enterprises. (A dissident FARC group is believed to have kidnapped a UN worker earlier this month.)

Criminal groups appear to be angling for territory and criminal activities vacated by FARC rebels, clashing with each other and forcing Colombians from their homes.
The California technology giant almost never speaks about upcoming products before officially announcing them. Journalists who ask about rumours and reports might get told "no comment"  if they're lucky enough to get a response.

But for all its mystery, Apple can't stem every leak. Reports and speculation inevitably swirl in the run-up to rumoured launches, while many of its products are released on a regular annual schedule.

We're now five months into 2017, but there are still some pretty big launches expected from Apple  including an eagerly anticipated 10th-anniversary iPhone and the first new major hardware product it has unveiled in years.

Here they are:

A Siri smart speaker

Apple has unveiled only one major new hardware product since Tim Cook become CEO in 2011: the Apple Watch. But that may be about to change.

Apple is rumoured to be developing a smart speaker with its artificially intelligent assistant, Siri, built in. Smart speakers and virtual assistants are all the rage in tech  Amazon has the Echo, while Google has Google Home.

Reports have said it could come with a screen, emphasise sound quality, and use facial recognition.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable Apple analyst, has said it could be announced in June, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, and start selling in the second half of 2017. Kuo says it could be a premium product, going for more than the Amazon Echo.

The iPhone 8

This is the big one.

2017 is 10 years since the launch of the first iPhone, and Apple is believed to have big plans to mark the occasion.

The iPhone 8 is expected to come with an almost edge-to-edge screen without a physical home button, a juiced-up camera with some augmented-reality functionality, and a glossy, iPhone 4-esque glass back, among other features. But it won't come cheap  rumours suggest it will be $1,000 or more.

It could be difficult to get your hands on  there have been multiple reports that because of manufacturing difficulties, its commercial release might be delayed months past the traditional September iPhone launch. And even when it hits stores, it may still be hard to find.

But that's not the only iPhone launch to come.

The iPhone 7S and 7S Plus

Alongside the iPhone 8, it looks like there will be an iPhone 7S, too. It would be an incremental update of 2016's iPhone 7, like S releases in previous years.

It's less exciting, but it is expected to be cheaper than the iPhone 8 and launch as normal after the September announcement event.

An improved MacBook Pro

In 2016, Apple unveiled a revamped MacBook Pro that replaced the laptop's function keys with a Touch Bar touchscreen. An updated version with better specs is expected to be revealed in June, at WWDC.

A juiced-up MacBook

Similarly, according to Bloomberg, Apple is expected to announce a new MacBook at WWDC, with more of a focus on performance instead of battery life.

Even the MacBook Air might get a boost

Bloomberg is also reporting that Apple has "considered" releasing an updated version of the MacBook Air, despite the aging nature of the laptop. But this one isn't certain.

A new iMac

In April, Apple announced that new iMacs geared toward so-called pro users were coming in 2017. There's no word on specifications yet or a launch date  just that they're coming "this year."

A third-generation Apple Watch

Apple launched the first Watch in April 2015, following it up with the Series 2 in September 2016, 18 months later. There have been reports that Apple plans to release the third this autumn, which would settle the new-ish product into a more regular yearly release cycle.

A 4K Apple TV

Apple reportedly is working on a refresh of Apple TV, its TV-top box, with 4K ultra-HD capabilities. It may be released this year, but it's unclear when.

And finally, some notes

 In April, Apple did something highly unusual: It invited a select group of journalists to its headquarters to discuss an unannounced product, the next Mac Pro. The company has long neglected its professional-workstation line, but it has promised something new and exciting is coming  but not until 2018.

 This doesn't include any products released under Beats, the headphone brand Apple acquired in 2014 for $3 billion.

 Apple CEO Tim Cook has been spotted wearing a prototype glucose tracker around Apple's campus and has discussed it with students, according to a CNBC report. Apple's increasingly interested in the health tech space, but there's no word yet on when any commercial version might launch.

 The Mac Mini, Apple's lower-end desktop computer, is long overdue for an update  the last release was in October 2014, according to MacRumors' analysis. That said, there's little in the way of hard evidence of a new one coming in 2017.

"The Mac Mini is an important product in our lineup, and we weren't bringing it up because it's more of a mix of consumer with some pro use," exec Phil Schiller said earlier this year. "The Mac Mini remains a product in our lineup, but nothing more to say about it today."
He suggested doing something that had never been done before and could upend the $350 billion telecommunication market.

"It can't be so difficult to build our own system," the engineer said, referring to the telecom equipment that sends data across cables and wireless networks, a system that could be faster, yet cost less, than the pricey equipment sold by big vendors like Huawei, Ericsson, Cisco, or Juniper Networks.

The engineer was suggesting building the telecom industry's first "white box" transponder, made with off-the-shelf parts such as chips from Broadcom and Acacia Communications, optical equipment from Lumentum, and software from one of the many new networking startups cropping up these days.

Facebook's director of engineering, Hans-Juergen Schmidtke, who was among those on the couch that day, was at first a naysayer.

"I was a little bit skeptical about it at the time," he recounted to Business Insider. As a former engineer at Juniper Networks, Schmidtke knew from experience that building telecom equipment systems was an expensive undertaking that involved hiring teams of specially trained engineers and sizeable research-and-development budgets.

"Building a system 10 years ago was like building a new company," Schmidtke said.

Still, Schmidtke agreed to help this tiny group hack together a white-box system at one of Facebook's hackathons. Three months later the group had a working prototype. Six months later, on November 1, the company announced it to the world as a real product called Voyager.

The product's unveiling sent shockwaves through the telecom industry, putting gear makers on notice that the lucrative market they controlled for decades was about to get turned upside down  and not necessarily to their advantage.

The effort is essentially Facebook, a social-networking company whose bread-and-butter business is online advertising, taking control of its own technical destiny. And the stakes could not be higher for the telecom equipment companies that risk seeing their products become commodities.

Voyager has already been tested by Facebook and the European telecom company Telia over Telia's thousand-kilometer-telecom network. Plus, the German telecom equipment maker ADVA Optical Networking is manufacturing the device and as of a few weeks ago had nine customers trying it out for their telecom needs, a mix of big telecom companies and enterprises, it said. And the Paris-based telecom provider Orange is also testing the device, working with Equinix and the African telecom company MTN.

"We pulled it off essentially showing that when a few engineers can build a system within six months, the world has changed," Schmidtke said.

One person told us that Schmidtke, who is insanely proud of Voyager, has become a star in his own corner of the tech world. When he and his team "go to conferences, they treat him like a tech celebrity, like a rock band," that person said.

From one cult to another

Voyager was the first product, and a major proving point, for Facebook's young Telecom Infrastructure Project, a consortium led by Facebook and launched at the industry's worldwide gathering, Mobile World Congress, on February 21, 2016.

Facebook launched OCP and TIP because it sought to take control of the technology used to support its over 1.8 billion people uploading billions of photos, videos, and updates every day.

It has been designing its own IT equipment for years, things like computer servers, hard drives or storage systems, and data-center networks. Its versions were cheaper to build and easier to maintain than standard gear made by companies like Dell, HP, EMC, and Cisco, it says.

Lots of big internet companies build their own tech, including Amazon and Google. But Facebook is unusual in that it openly shares all the designs, literally gives them all away free, inviting anyone at any other company to come work on them, with contract manufacturers standing by to sell it all. It's a concept called open-source hardware.

In this way, Facebook gets lots of help in maintaining and advancing its infrastructure. And the rest of the world gets access to tech designed to work in the most demanding circumstances, like at a huge internet company.

OCP has radically changed the data-center tech industry, and those involved say it has created a cult-like following. For instance, when the secretive Apple refused to join OCP to let its IT engineers collaborate with others, its crew of network engineers quit their jobs. They turned around and launched a startup called SnapRoute and built network software for the OCP community, the story goes. Apple later joined OCP. SnapRoute wound up being the software chosen for Voyager.

OCP created so much competition for hardware vendors like Hewlett Packard and Dell that they opted to join the organization and embrace the white-box concept. The alternative was to be squeezed out of selling their products to companies with the biggest and fastest-growing data centers in the world  not just Facebook but Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and dozens of others.

There was just one major area that had been somewhat left out of OCP's free and open-source hardware revolution: the telecommunications part. That's the equipment that connects homes, businesses, and data centers across long distances via undersea cables, wireless networks, and so on.

"As we were thinking about Internet.org and helping get more people connected, the idea was, we're doing this thing called OCP to help the data-center community to build infrastructure that's more efficient, more cost-effective, that's greener and more sustainable, more flexible. And we said, can we do that for the telco industry?" Facebook's vice president of engineering, Jay Parikh, said.

"Facebook, having learned from OCP, comes in and says, we can play maybe a catalyzing function," Parikh said, describing early meetings he and his crew had at Mobile World Congress. "We're investing our people and our dollars into technology that is going to solve these problems, and we're going to contribute that technology, that IP," or intellectual property, "into the ecosystem so that you all can benefit from this."

Voyager is one big example. "That's something we developed and it's like, wow, we actually solved a problem that a bunch of operators seem to be struggling with," he said.

Signing on huge partners

South Korea Telecom's chief technology officer, Alex Choi, agrees that telecom operators like SKT want faster, cheaper, and more open equipment and were inspired by Facebook to take it into their own hands.

In 2015 and 2016, Zuckerberg came to the MWC conference, gave keynote speeches, and hung out with top telecom executives.

He wanted to know what was keeping those people off the internet. He discovered that bringing telecom services to far-out parts of the world "was too expensive" for telecom operators, Choi recalls.

Facebook wanted to help bring the costs down. But developed nations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas had the same problem. People are buying more devices, using more video. And with the Internet of Things, millions more objects are joining the internet daily, communicating over telecom networks.

"There's a huge growing traffic demand," Choi said. "That means we have to install more base stations, find more sites, invest more in the fiber and the backbone and supporting IT infrastructure." But telecom companies can't charge more to cover the costs. People are pushing them to charge less, for unlimited data plans.

When Facebook executives (including Aaron Bernstein, responsible for partnerships with mobile providers, and Jason Taylor, Facebook's vice president of infrastructure who leads OCP) approached him about forming the new organization, Choi liked the idea so much that he became the chairman of the TIP organization.

It felt revolutionary.

OCP has invented lots of cool new hardware for the data center, and telecom operators had never banded together to build their own gear, he said.

"Operators rely too much on the big telco incumbent vendors," he said. "We kept pushing the vendors to do more innovations, to do something to bring down their premium price tag. They are making efforts and making progress but not as fast as we want them to be. So what can you do? You explore other opportunities."

Deutsche Telekom's Axel Clauberg was in a similar boat. He first got in touch with Facebook in 2015 about participating with OCP's networking efforts.

There had been a push for more telcos to join OCP at that time because Facebook has been helping usher in a new way to build computer networks. It takes all the fancy, complex features out of the hardware and put them into software. In the corporate network world this push is called software-defined networking. But it's happening in the world of telecom service providers, too, where it's called Network Function Virtualization, or NFV.

Facebook didn't invent SDN or NFV, but in the slow and conservative world of network engineering, OCP and TIP are radically pushing these concepts forward. OCP is proving the technology works even for a huge demanding internet site like Facebook or for a giant telecom network like AT&T.

"We are facing exponential traffic growth," Clauberg said. "We needed to do something."

And there's one more issue going on besides tight budgets and huge growth, he said: the war for talent. Decades ago, hardware and communications engineers went to the telecom companies to build amazing new things, like mobile networks. Then they went to the tech companies like Cisco to build the tech that created the internet. Today, they are going directly to the internet companies like Google and Facebook and creating new hardware so they don't have to rely on the vendors, he said.

TIP gives them a way to access the smartest minds without having to poach them.

When engineers graduate from college, Clauberg said, "which companies are they looking at?"

"In old days," he said, "it was the telcos. Then it was the suppliers, now it's the internet companies. The funny thing is with OCP, you have all these parties working together. I envision achieving the same [with TIP]. So having players from internet companies, from startups and established vendors, and the telcos, working together on what the infrastructure of the future should look like."

Clauberg joined TIP as a founding board member, alongside SKT's Choi. This was a powerful first step. SDK and DT are two of the most advanced telcos in the world, role models for many others. Facebook also persuaded Intel's Caroline Chan to join TIP, which was an easy sell. Intel is also a founding member of OCP. And TIP was off and running.

But there was one surprise founding member of TIP: Nokia's Laurent Le Gourrierec.

The brave choice of Nokia

Telecom devices that can be put together with standard parts and software are deeply threatening to the multibillion-dollar telecom equipment market dominated by companies like Huawei Technologies, Ericsson, Cisco, ZTE, and Nokia.

As SKT's Choi describes it, TIP wants to "democratize" the technology, making it easier for anyone to build, use, or modify. That means taking it out of the hands of the equipment providers who create proprietary radios and base stations today.

TIP's impact won't happen overnight, explains analyst Rohit Mehra, the vice president of IDC's Network Infrastructure practice. But the goal is clear: to overhaul the telecom equipment industry, which he says is about a $350 billion market when factoring in software, hardware, and services.

"This is not the first time Facebook has done this," Mehra says. "They've been somewhat successful with what they call OCP. The Telecom Infrastructure Project is disruptive not just to telecom-equipment makers but in some cases the telecom service providers. Though in some cases it helps the service providers because it intends to give them more cost-effective infrastructure."

So TIP is, in some ways, threatening Nokia's main telecom business.

But Nokia is a close partner of Facebook and the one telecom equipment vendor embracing TIP as a founding member and board member.

Le Gourrierec of Nokia explains why using an adaptation of an Abraham Lincoln quote.

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it," he tells Business Insider. "You have all these equipment makers saying, 'The world is changing so let's try to hold on to what we know.' But the thing is that the world is changing anyway, so it's much better to take an active role in shaping the future."

If all goes well, TIP and Facebook will actually help create new customers using new telecom services, those people in undeveloped nations who never had telecom or internet, Le Gourrierec believes.

"So it's best to participate in the definition of new partnerships, new services in partnership with the existing actors in addition to the new ones," Le Gourrierec said.

From spies to community members

When Facebook created Voyager, Nokia didn't shake in fear. Engineers there thought, "Maybe we can learn something for this," Le Gourrierec said.

But there are other equipment makers that are, technically, part of TIP too. Currently the organization boasts more than 100 members from all facets of the industry.

But Choi, Clauberg, and Le Gourrierec said many of them had only been nervously watching the group so far.

Obviously, the kumbaya concept of open source doesn't work well like that. Everyone has to contribute ideas for a community to blossom.

One way TIP is encouraging them to jump in is a different approach to sharing intellectual property. Participants don't have to give away all their closely held, lucrative ideas and secrets the way they do with OCP or with other open-source organizations like Linux.

Each working group in TIP can instead decide to use an older, more established method for sharing, known as Reasonable And Non-Discriminatory Terms. RAND allows vendors to be paid tiny fees by everyone who uses their intellectual property as long as those fees are reasonable and the tech is made available to everyone without bias. The company can't, for instance, jack up the price to its competitors.

The TIP board members are also encouraging participation by telling members that TIP will lead to plenty of other new commercial opportunities, too, even if TIP successfully turns the hardware into low-cost generic white boxes. Teleco providers can instead develop new software that can be bought via lucrative subscriptions, similar to the software startups that have sprouted up around OCP.

In fact, Nokia is already experimenting with a high-performance software product able to run on low-cost, ordinary computer network hardware. It's geared toward businesses, not service providers, but it's a start, Le Gourrierec tells us.

TIP is also encouraging engineers and companies to join by creating a "culture" working group that helps teach telecom engineers how to "work fast and break things" as the internet world does.

"One of things we learned in the last 1.5 years in working on TIP is people saying, 'How do you help me transform my culture and my team so that we can move faster?'" Facebook's Parikh said.

Telecom is a world that traditionally frowned on that. Working fast and breaking things could take down the network and get you fired.

The culture group has become a popular entry point for engineers wanting to check out TIP. They then bring these ideas back to their jobs. It helps some engineers become more open-minded about sharing. For others, like Le Gourrierec, it inspires "a new sense of urgency," in his work at Nokia, he describes.

Afraid of Facebook

We heard only one major criticism regularly lobbed at TIP: that Facebook is becoming extremely powerful. Maybe too powerful. After Facebook launched Voyager, Facebook dominated the gossip at the latest Mobile World Congress, sources told us.

It could snap its fingers and become a powerful telecom and cloud operator tomorrow, some people fear (and others predict) as Amazon did with Amazon Web Services or Google did with Google Cloud and Google Fiber.

But Parikh said Facebook had zero interest in doing that. "We aren't operating any networks ourselves. We are trying to help the telcos solve this," he said. The idea is to "share" lessons and technology to "always benefits" the whole community.

SKT's Choi just shrugs off the idea that Facebook is a threat, saying telecom operators have more to gain than to lose.

"I can understand the concern. It's very much natural, because operators are always being disrupted," he said, especially by large American internet companies "like Amazon, Google, and Facebook."

Not everyone is convinced that TIP will succeed. IDC's Mehra cautions that it's a huge undertaking and the two biggest telecom equipment vendors, Ericsson and Huawei, have remained cool toward the project, for obvious reasons, he says.

"TIP may see progress over the years. But the challenges are higher. They are working on four to five different domains of telecom infrastructure, each with its own set of technologies and own set of tech providers," Mehra says.

All the board members of TIP acknowledge that the project is in its early days and could fail. It could fail to attract a community. It could fail to produce products the world wants to use.

But they believe it will succeed.
If you talk to the Grand Forks leaders who work with Grand Forks Air Force Base, they will tell you theyve recently heard "rumblings" about BRAC  an acronym with an unsavory local history.

BRAC stands for "base realignment and closure," and its a four-letter word in Grand Forks. Its a process by which the Pentagon takes stock of bases and assets and potentially downsizes or rearranges resources to meet modern-day needs. Grand Forks epitomizes bases that have had shifting missions and resources over the years  from Voodoo fighter jets in the early Cold War to tanker missions and nuclear missiles near its end to unmanned aircraft today  but the potential for further change still makes some nervous, given the hundreds of millions of dollars that the base filters through the local economy every year.

We shouldnt stick our heads in the sand and pretend this isnt going to happen, said Tom Ford, a Grand Forks County government relations coordinator who is heavily involved in local efforts to support and strengthen the base. At the end of the day, its communities that, for lack of a better phrase, are going to save their base.

BRAC has loomed large in recent months. In January, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, blasted congressional cowardice in discussing base closures. Shortly after McCain made his remarks, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., introduced a bill laying out a framework for BRAC as soon as 2019 that has since drawn co-sponsorship from 10 fellow House Democrats.

The bill is a long way from becoming law, if it does at all, and still requires even a vote in committee. But recent activity has grabbed leaders attention, especially given McCains clout in the Senate. As Ford puts it, the sky isnt falling  BRAC might even bring more missions to some bases  but said with high excess capacity in the Air Force and other branches, military leaders have been pressing for the move.

Lets be honest: It comes down to the politics, Ford said. Congress has to approve it, and we all know how difficult it is for Congress to find common ground on anything these days. I dont think its 100 percent guaranteed there will be a BRAC, but it looks very possible.

Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said that he considers Smiths bill dead on arrival, noting that Smith has been advocating for such a move for years with little traction.

Quite honestly, all the analyses I see for a BRAC at this time show so little savings  that its not worth the damage, the political cost, to even go that route right now, he said. I think were in pretty good shape in North Dakota.
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In a report by Punch, soldiers and officers suspected to be engaging in political meetings with politicians are on the radar of the military's watch.

The move, it was also reported, was being kept as top secret so as not to add to public tension.

In a move by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to nip the allegation in the bud, reports say an army unit in Daura, Katsina State, named Muhammadu Buhari Forward Operation Base, was on Friday, May 1, 2017, established to fortify the presidents hometown and a public pledge of loyalty.

When contacted, the army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, reportedly said: The army is a disciplined and professional service. We relate well with the Nigerian public. When there is need to disclose information, we will.

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, retired army generals that include, Alani Akinrinade and David Jemibewon, warned the military to steer clear off politics and desist from any idea of a coup as being alleged.
Vigilante Musa Ari said the attackers were riding motorcyles when they seized six people. Four were later found with their "throats slit".

"Four of our colleagues were killed yesterday (Saturday) by Boko Haram gunmen while they were hunting. Two others are missing and we believe they were taken away by the terrorists," added vigilante Babakura Kolo, speaking from Maiduguri.

In a separate suspected Boko Haram attack on Saturday night, two other vigilantes died after two female suicide bombers detonated explosives in the town of Konduga.

"One of the bombers detonated her explosives close to a group of vigilantes... after they were asked to identify themselves," said vigilante Ibrahim Liman.

"A dusk to dawn curfew has been placed on women in the town following a spate of suicide bombings," he said.

The attacks underline the vulnerability of rural communities in northeast Nigeria at a time when authorities are encouraging people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict to return to their homes and try to rebuild their lives.

On Monday Boko Haram gunmen on motorcycles killed six farmers who were working on their land in Amarwa village near Maiduguri in preparation for the rainy season.

jpegMpeg4-1280x720The Islamists have in recent weeks intensified suicide bombings in and around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram, with the university campus repeatedly attacked in recent days.

The eight-year Boko Haram conflict has killed 20,000 people and displaced millions from their homes, triggering a food crisis in the ravaged region.
Reacting to media probes, Akande said as part of measures to drive the reforms intended in the executive orders, the acting President would be discussing the executive orders on business environment and promoting "Made in Nigeria" products.

"These are the people who will be directly responsible for the attainment of the objectives of the executive orders, so the Ag. President wants an opportunity to talk with them directly and also hear from them in person," Akande said.

He also noted that ensuring the effective implementation of the orders are critical for the overall prosperity of Nigerians and Nigeria.

"Here at this national event, we shall be updating Nigerians on the progress so far attained, how we are addressing some challenges and how President Buhari's Social Investment Programmes would be significantly expanded going forward," Akande noted.

Below is a summary of the executive order on the ease of doing business:

Transparency in MDAs

The Order promotes transparency by directing that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) should publish a complete list of all requirements for obtaining permits, licences and approvals, including fees and timelines, in their premises and on their websites within the next 21 days.

The Order also directs that MDAs must communicate with applicants by at least two methods, and any approvals for applications not received within the specified period will be assumed to have been granted to the applicant by default. Any rejections must be given with valid reasons. The Applicant whose application is deemed granted after the expiration of the application period can apply to the supervising Minister to issue any document or certificate required.

Importantly, it is the responsibility of the head of the relevant MDA to ensure that the list is verified and kept up-to-date at all times. If there is any conflict between a published and an unpublished list of requirements, the published list shall prevail.

Default Approvals

The Order directs that MDAs must communicate with applicants by at least two methods, which will be made known to applicants. Any approvals for applications not received within the specified period will be assumed to have been granted to the applicant by default. Any rejections must be given with valid reasons. The Applicant whose application is deemed granted after the expiration of the application period can apply to the supervising Minister to issue any document or certificate required.

The applicants acknowledgement copy of the application, including electronic submission acknowledgements, shall serve as proof of the date of submission of the application for purposes of determination of the commencement of the application timeline.

One Government Directive

To simplify application processes for Nigerians, the Order promotes a One Government policy. No private applicant will be asked to produce or submit a document issued to it by the FGN as part of an application process if an original of the document is in the possession of another FGN MDA. A photocopy will be sufficient. Instead, FGN MDAs are now required to bear the responsibility of seeking verification or certification directly from the issuing MDA.

Entry Experience of Visitors and Travellers

With specific reference to travellers to Nigeria, visas will be issues within 48 hours and the processing of issuance of visas on arrival shall be carried out in a transparent manner. Our airports and sea ports are not excluded. There will now be only one centrally located interface for agencies and touting has been strictly prohibited.

Any official caught soliciting or receiving bribes from passengers or other port users shall be subject to immediate removal from post and disciplinary as well as criminal proceedings in line with extant laws and regulations.

Ports Operations

All agencies currently physically present in Nigerian Ports have been directed harmonise their operations into one single interface station in one location in the port and implement by a single joint task force at all times.

The Apapa Port shall resume 24-hour operations within 30 days from today and each Port in Nigeria shall assign an existing export terminal to be dedicated to the exportation of agriculture produce within 30 days of this Order in order to jumpstart our international trade and economic activity.
Falana made this known while speaking in Ilorin, during a colloquium organised by the Movement for Genuine Change.

The human right activist also said though President Muhammadu Buhari is not competent to sign the appropriation bill into law because he is on vacation, the VP should not be pressurised into signing the budget.

In his words: The President is not competent to sign any bill into law while he is on vacation. The constitution did not envisage that a President who is on a vacation and an acting president, who is standing proxy for him will be exercising presidential powers simultaneously.

To that extent, pending the resumption of duties by President Buhari, the Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo, is competent to sign all bills validly passed by the NASS.

If President Buhari did not exercise powers during his vacation even though he was in the country, why would he want to do so while he is on medical vacation abroad?

ALSO READ: Acting President, Osinbajo receives 2017 budget

Instead of dissipating energy over the competence of an appropriation bill signed into law by the Acting President, Nigerians should subject the 2017 budget to scrutiny.

We are therefore calling on the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is a professor of law not to endorse and sign the illegal appropriation bill of 2017 into law.
Across section of those interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri made the appeal on Sunday in Maiduguri.

Malam Bakura Modu, a local hunter said that the wave of attacks especially in Maiduguri, has created negative impression about the current situation in the state.

There is no doubt that the military has recorded great successes against the Boko Haram insurgents.

But the recent spate of suicide bomb attacks is creating wrong impression in the media that the group is still strong, Modu said.

He said that the military must live up to the expectations by finding quick solutions to the bombings.

Modu said local hunters were ready to join the military in the search for the insurgents in the bush.

We have been expressing our willingness to join the fight against the insurgents in the bush, but the military had always turned us back.

We are hoping that this time around they will consider our proposal, he said.

Mr Samuel Anjukui, a retired police officer corroborated Modus claim.

The military has within a few months decimated the insurgents, reclaiming territories and rescuing many abducted persons.

But the recent up surge in the number of suicide bomb attacks has created worries in the minds of the people, Anjukui said.

He added: In the last few months it is almost certain that incidences of bomb blasts will occur every weekend.

The situation has even worsened now as the blasts have almost assumed a daily dimension.

Anjukui, however, expressed optimism in the ability of the military to address the situation.

The military has the capabilities to address the problem; it must therefore rise up to the occasion by halting the negative trend.

It is either they make use of high technology for early detection of explosive materials or take the battle to the door steps of the insurgents in the bush, he said.

Malam Musa Inuwa a civil servant offered a different perspective.

I think that the natives hold the key to ending the ugly trend the military has done its best by degrading the insurgents.

But ending the crisis depend on the natives because the insurgents live among the people, they plan their attacks among the people.
MINOT  The decision by Ward County commissioners to request that special prosecutor Seymour Jordan seek dismissal of charges against former sheriff Steve Kukowski has raised the ire of Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Leann Bertsch. The DOC is tasked with monitoring and reviewing jail operations in the state.

Kukowski had been suspended from his position by former Gov. Jack Dalrymple and later had his suspension reaffirmed by current Gov. Doug Burgum. Both governors acted on the advice of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. In mid-April, Ward County commissioners, by a 4-1 vote, agreed to accept Kukowski's resignation and pay him $75,000 as a settlement in return for an agreement by the former sheriff not to sue for defamation or other reasons.

A motion to dismiss two charges of reckless endangerment and one charge of public servant refusing to perform public duty was filed by Jordan, who was appointed by the Ward County Commission. The motion to dismiss was accepted by the court approximately two weeks after filing. The acceptance meant Kukowski avoided a criminal trial.

"We were actually hoping it would go to trial so the public would know all the details," said Bertsch. "All the details should come out now so Kukowski can't deny just how poorly he was running the jail."

Northeast Central District Court Judge Lolita Romanick said at a December 2016 hearing the Kukowski matter "as it is charged needs to proceed to trial." Romanick would later sign the order of dismissal.

The death of inmate Dustin Irwin in October 2014 led to scrutiny of the Ward County Jail by the Department of Corrections. The investigation determined overcrowding and a lack of required employee training were among the issues needing prompt attention. However, said Bertsch, she was faced with surprisingly uncooperative officials in Ward County.

"I've been here 12 years and dealt with other jail compliance actions and this is the most egregious situation I've ever run into," said Bertsch. "The response was to protect the sheriff and act like there was nothing wrong. That was really surprising to our department. The response was anger toward us. There was a lack of understanding of how serious the situation really was."

Bertsch says there was "a deep seated culture" at the Ward County Jail that will take time to change. She said interviews conducted by investigators included statements from jail staff saying "inmates don't deserve medical care" and "more bullets will take care of the issue." Although a recent report from the DOC has noted significant improvements in management and operation of the Ward County Jail, the jail monitor remains in place at county expense and possibly will remain on assignment for several more months.
In a statement, deputy director, public relations, 8 Task Force Division, Timothy Antigha said: In the ongoing clearance operation around the fringes of Lake Chad, troops of 8 Task Force Division have continued to hit the few remaining Boko Haram hideouts and what is left of their logistics holding.

Colonel Antigha further said: In the last 72 hours, gallant troops operating in Chikun Gudu, Tumbuma Karami and Tumbuma Baba have neutralized 13 Boko Haram terrorists, while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Similarly, troops recovered 3 AK 47 and 1 pump action riffles, assorted riffle magazines and 306 rounds of ammunition, tool box, deep freezer and a Toyota gun truck. In the same vein, troops destroyed 2 other Toyota Hilux vehicles, 1 Toyota truck, 2 Motorcycles and 6 bicycles.

In a related development, troops of 242 Battalion, acting on a tip off, rounded up 10 suspected Boko Haram smugglers. The suspects comprising 6 females and 4 males were arrested in Monguno and Nolwodo Malgori with assorted house  hold items, food stuff and 63, 060 Naira cash.

ALSO READ: Suicide bomber dies while waiting to detonate device in Unimaid

The suspects are being profiled to determine the extent of their involvement in Boko Haram insurgency," he said.
"One thing that is certain is that if Sheriff wins at the Supreme Court, you will not find people like me in the party again. That is certain. Let us not also forget that all politics is local," Obanikoro said.

Continuing, the former Senator said: "Without mincing words, anybody can accuse me of anything.I am pleased with what Governor Akinwumi Ambode is doing in Lagos. If at the end of the day, I have to choose between a progressive like him or continue with a PDP being controlled by Sheriff, I would rather opt for the former."

On the reports that he has dumped the party for the ruling party, APC following his reunion with the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Obanikoro says he won't defect without a grandeur welcome.

In his words: "Let me categorically tell you that the report that I have defected to the APC is a rumour and it is still a rumour. If a personality like me will leave the Peoples Democratic Party to join another party, it will be done in a grand way. I would call a press conference and tell the whole world that I am moving (to another party). I will also explain the reasons for my defection.

"It will not be like the judgment given to the ABN (Association for Better Nigeria) which was delivered at night (9pm). If I want to defect, it will be done publicly with fanfare. I have no reason to make it a secret. Nigerians, especially the media, should just wait and relax for the appropriate time for me to declare my next political move.

"As someone who has always been proactive, it behoves on me to start assessing the situation with a view to making a justifiable political decision that would be in my interest and in the interest of those who are looking up to me for the right direction to follow.

"The essence of all these is service to people. A situation whereby a group of people, who are not prepared for governance or ready to offer anything to the society are controlling a big party like the PDP, one should review his participation in such a party. I can tell you without mincing words that I am at that stage now. I am reviewing and assessing the options before me," he said.

Obanikoro recently resolved his issues with Tinubu and there have been rumours that he was planning to defect to APC.
"The non-elected institutions will try to prevent Rouhani from applying his reform agenda," said Clement Therme, Iran analyst for the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"So he will focus on the economic side. If the daily lives of the population improve, he will be in a stronger position to push for structural reforms on civil rights."

Fixing the economy will not be easy. Despite a nuclear deal with world powers, Washington still maintains a raft of sanctions that are scaring off global banks and foreign investors.

US President Donald Trump has gone further, threatening to tear up the nuclear deal and visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend, where he signed a $110 billion arms deal described as targeting "malign Iranian influence" in the region.

Nonetheless, European and Asian governments are determined to keep the nuclear deal alive and take full advantage of the lucrative investment opportunities in Iran.

They are cheered by Rouhani's victory over hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, who had threatened a tougher, more insular approach to foreign relations.

"A lot of investors I hadn't heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already booking their tickets," said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation after results were announced on Saturday.

"Dr Rouhani will more aggressively pursue his economic agenda -- investing in factories, production and absorbing foreign capital. I think he'll make his cabinet younger and more agile," he said.

'A smarter politician'

Challenging the security forces, which control large swathes of the economy and need Iran's resources as a source of patronage, will be tough.

And Rouhani notably failed to win the release of jailed opposition leaders or prevent the arrest of several dual nationals by intelligence services outside his control.

Many fear his second term could mirror that of reformist president Mohammad Khatami in the early 2000s, when every attempt at reform was frustrated by the hardline establishment.

But Rouhani, a long-time regime insider, may be better placed than his predecessors, said politics professor Foad Izadi, of Tehran University.

"Rouhani has shown himself to be a smarter politician than Khatami was," said Izadi.

"He's been part of the system long enough to know how to navigate it. Khatami was more ideological which reduced his ability to get things done."

Crucially, Rouhani's technocratic approach has allowed him to co-opt key conservatives such as parliament speaker Ali Larijani.

"The alliance with Larijani has been very helpful to Rouhani in getting his ministers and policies approved. That will continue to be crucial in his second term," said Izadi.

Next supreme leader?

The big long-term question is whether Rouhani can influence the rise of the next supreme leader after the death of the ageing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Raisi, touted as a possible successor, is now out of the running, said Izadi.

"Maybe he will come back in four years, but with this type of showing we can rest assured that Raisi will not be the next supreme leader. The leader must show popular support."

But with hardliners firmly in control of the Assembly of Experts that will choose the next leader, Rouhani and his allies have little influence over the succession.

Nonetheless, this weekend's election has given a clear indication that Iran's youthful population supports his vision for the country's future.

"Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group.
Nearly 70 years after the creation of Israel, peace with the Palestinians remains a long way off. This year marks 50 years since the Six-Day War and the beginning of Israel's occupation. Peace efforts have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in 2014. Meanwhile, Israel and Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, have fought three wars since 2008.

Does Trump have a plan?

Trump has talked up his business experience in saying he wants to reach the "ultimate deal": Israeli-Palestinian peace. However, a detailed plan is not expected only four months after taking office. Trump is instead expected to seek ways to move the two sides closer together and build confidence, though there is widespread scepticism.

"Triggering the start of a process does not mean taking it until the end," said Palestinian political scientist Ali al-Jarbawi.

Can he bring the two sides together?

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have not had substantive direct talks since 2010. Abbas says he is ready to meet Netanyahu under Trump's peace efforts, and there has been speculation the US president could seek to arrange a meeting while in the region. Many analysts see the prospect as unlikely.

Will he commit to the two-state solution?

Trump sparked concern when he backed away from the long US commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict, saying he could support one state if it meant peace. An independent Palestinian state alongside Israel remains the focus of international peace efforts. National Security Advisor HR McMaster said Trump will "express his desire for dignity and self-determination for the Palestinians".

What role can Arab states play?

Trump arrives after a visit to Saudi Arabia, seen as essential to any peace efforts. Trump's White House has spoken of reviving the idea of a regional peace process, pulling in other Arab countries.

Analyst Ghaith al-Omari said the idea seemed to involve "key Arab States -- Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other US allies -- into a regional process that would create, as Trump called it, a 'bigger canvas' for reaching peace."

What position will he take on settlements?

Trump has been receptive to Israel's position that Palestinian leaders must do more to stop incitement to violence, including by stopping payments to the families of those who have carried out attacks and were killed or are currently in jail. But what will his position be on Israeli settlement building?

Trump has called on Israel to hold back on settlement construction, but his ambassador to Israel David Friedman has said "we have no demand for a settlement freeze".

A firm demand would put Netanyahu under pressure from his right-wing base. Israeli right-wingers rejoiced in Trump's election, believing it would allow them to move ahead with unrestrained settlement building and, for some, to move toward their goal of annexing most of the West Bank.

Will the US embassy move to Jerusalem?

Trump vowed during his election campaign to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to recognise the disputed city as Israel's capital. Such a move would break with decades of precedent. He has since backed away, saying the move was still being looked at, but there has also been speculation over whether he will make an announcement on the subject while visiting.

Who will visit the Western Wall with Trump?
It took Tom Graves of Davenport about 40 years to be healed from the effects of serving in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War.

And part of that healing was visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Now he does everything he can to make sure other Vietnam veterans can experience the same healing. That is why has has taken on the mission of making special lamps, with proceeds going to the Honor Flight of the Quad-Cities, an effort that allows veterans to visit the veterans memorials in Washington.

Sunday, he and other members of his union, John Deere Local 434, presented the Honor Flight with a check for $1,811 to help allow those trips to continue.

I never thought I would be able to see the monuments in D.C., he said. I did see the names of guys I served with. After I got back from the Honor Flight last May, I was asked to be chairman of our veterans committee at work.

He works for Deere & Co. The union represents workers from John Deere Seeding Group and John Deere Cylinders, both in Moline.

He bought inert grenades from an Army surplus store and made 10 lamps using the grenades. They were sold and raffled off to raise the funds.

It worked out real well, he said. Everything went real smooth. The goal is to help veterans who need to be on those flights.

Graves never was sent to Vietnam but experienced the same plight as many veterans in that era upon returning home. He said many were rejected by civilians at the time.

When he was on a plane returning home, someone spat on him.

The culture was different than it is today for veterans and soldiers. People were ashamed then, he said.

He was angry for decades until he and his brother attended a veterans event.

I was bitter for years, he said. I believe there are still POWs over there. I remember watching on TV the fall of Saigon in 1975 and thinking it was over. But it was not over for me.

But that is all behind him now.

At a special presentation Sunday at the UAW Hall in East Moline, Graves and other committee members gave a check to Honor Flight board member Cathie Rochau.

It sounds like Mr. Graves really spearheaded this effort primarily after going on an Honor Flight last year, she said. "He has a whole new passion for Honor Flight and sharing that with his fellow union members.

One Honor Flight has taken place this year and another is scheduled for June 8, with two more in the fall. At year's end, Rochau said the local organization will have hosted 42 flights since 2008.

She said veterans fly for free. Guardians, who travel with the veterans, pay $400. Money donated Sunday will go toward flight expenses.

It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this, said veterans committee member Gabe Terronez of Silvis.

Dave Cordle of Galesburg, Illinois, served in the U.S. Navy from 1984-1988 and now is a union member and part of the veterans committee.

It is great to be a veteran and having veterans touch base and meet with veteran issues and understand what they are going through, he said.

Graves is determined to help veterans on their way. He will continue to make lamps and donate proceeds to Honor Flight with the help of other committee members.

We also want to find other ways to make funds. The committee is committed, Graves said. I want to challenge other unions in the area to help sponsor Honor Flights. When I went there, it was a time of healing.
Benjamin Armstrong died during a cholera epidemic in Davenport in 1866.

Theodore Hohn froze to death in 1880 near the Mississippi River after a day of being wracked by violet delirium tremens.

Carl Wendt was shot to death in 1901 while fishing in a boat near Cordova.

What these three men had in common is that all served their country honorably during the American Civil War and are buried at Davenport's City Cemetery in unmarked graves, with no headstone to remember who they were or that they served their country.

But that will change soon.

Thanks to the tenacious work of volunteers who researched records and compiled documentation, the men qualified for headstones that are made available  for free  through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The markers will be dedicated during ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the cemetery, 1643 Rockingham Road, and installed as soon as possible through the summer. The public is invited.

Made of light gray granite, the markers are 42 inches tall, 13 inches wide and 4 inches thick. They list a veteran's name, rank, branch of service and birth and death date.

In addition to the 20 Civil War veterans, Heinrich Wohlert, who served in the Spanish American War, will receive a gravestone. He served in the Philippines, where he "took part in one battle, five engagements, 10 skirmishes, four expeditions, besides a great deal of garrison duty, bridge building and patrol service," according to the Davenport Daily Republican.

Because the city owns the cemetery and is responsible for its maintenance, the applications were submitted by the city's parks department, but the "heavy lifting" of finding the necessary documentation to prove eligibility was done by cemetery volunteers, including Kory Darnall and Coky Powers.

What surprised both was the sad and, in one case, violent manner, in which many of the men died. "Some of those obituaries were horrible," Darnall said. "To come back from war, and then to die like that ..."

Also noteworthy: of the 22 Civil War vets, 15 were born in Germany, and were immigrants who volunteered to serve their new country, he said.

During 2016, the government supplied 1,231 gravestones for pre-World War I veterans, and 9,423 have been supplied in the five years of 2011-2016, according to Shawn Graham, public affairs specialist with the National Cemetery Association.

How the project began

Darnall, of Davenport, has volunteered at the cemetery for years, researching burials and helping to make improvements.

Within the past year, he realized that not all veterans have headstones. Knowing of the Veterans Administration gravestone program, he enlisted Powers' help in tracking down documentation. Among qualifying papers are an obituary, military service record, GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) service card and pension card.

Powers, a retired Pleasant Valley elementary school librarian, said she developed a passion for local history and genealogy after she helped her son with a school project.

"It would be my dream to live down at the library, just sitting there and reading these newspapers," she said of the downtown Davenport Library and its Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center.

"I always want the story," she said. "I always want to know, 'Who were these guys and what were their lives like?' Every one of these guys has an interesting story."

The program on Saturday was arranged by Natalie Woodhurst, coordinator of veterans recruitment and services at St. Ambrose University, Davenport.
One of Augustana College's graduates who will take his degree to a higher level is headed to the University of Illinois, Springfield.

Rashaun DeBord, 22, from Kewanee, is among the 485 students who graduate Sunday from Augustana College, Rock Island. The event is 3 p.m. at the iWireless Center, Moline.

Al Bowman, president emeritus, of Illinois State University, Normal, is the featured speaker. He is a 1975 Augustana graduate.

College President Steven Bahls will give welcoming remarks, and Michael Daniels will speak for the graduating class.

Juniors Jane Moore, of Bloomington, Ill., and Zineb Zirari, Casablanca, Morocco, are the flag bearers. Music is provided by the Augustana Symphonic Band, conducted by James Lambrecht, and the Augustana Choir, conducted by Jon Hurty.

DeBord, 22, is a graduate of Kewanee Wethersfield High School, and earns a history degree from Augustana. In Springfield he is going for a degree in public history.

This, he said, may lead to a job in a museum, an administration, or the government. "I've loved history, ever since high school," he said, explaining that he did start at Augustana intending to become a physician.

The college's history department is close-knit and friendly, just as DeBord likes. He has a special interest in American history, 1910-1940, and also works at the German American Heritage Center, Davenport.

He's in a college fraternity and on the track team, specializing in the 200 and 400-meter runs.

Carli Hogan, 22, of Rock Island, is also graduating from Augustana, with a degree in biology and minor in art history. Next, she's heading to dental school at Marquette University, Milwaukee.

"I have family in Milwaukee, and am familiar with the area," she said.

Hogan is surprised by the amount of work she had for the last week of classes, but feels prepared for her next step in life. "I can't say enough about my professors at Augustana. I do feel confident in moving on," she said.

While she has long-term plans to be a dentist, Hogan is taking it, one step at a time. While in college she helped her art history professor, Catherine Goebel, on a research project, a data base of information concerning the 19th century artist, James McNeill Whistler.

Both Hogan and DeBord have enjoyed their time at Augustana. It was a fast pace in college, DeBord said, but "Augie's prepared me well. It's been a great four years."
FARGO  The trial of a Fargo man charged with killing two people in north Fargo nearly two years ago, one of them a stranger, is set to begin Monday, May 22, in Cass County District Court.

Ashley Hunter, 37, is accused of killing Clarence Flowers and Samuel Traut in June 2015.

Court officials expect the trial may last at least two weeks.

The first order of business will be selecting a jury, which Judge Norman Anderson has said will be sequestered during the duration of the trial.

Hunter will be defended by Samuel Gereszek, the fourth attorney to represent Hunter since his arrest shortly after the killings came to light.

Previous attorneys were allowed to withdraw for a variety of reasons, including conflict of interest and, in one case, because Hunter and his attorney did not get along.

Authorities say Hunter killed Flowers on June 22, 2015, following a dispute over drugs at Flowers apartment in Fargo.

Several hours later, Hunter knocked on the door of Traut, a Bible study leader whom Hunter had never met, and asked for a glass of water, court documents state.

Hunter told investigators during an interview that he was worried Traut had recognized him from media coverage of Flowers killing and that he was calling police, court documents say.

Hunter told authorities that when Traut returned with the water, he began hitting him with a hammer until Traut stopped fighting back. Hunter then set fire to Trauts apartment to cover up the killing, documents state.

Later, in a subsequent interview with The Forum, Hunter said he did not kill the two men.

Gereszek sought unsuccessfully to have the police interview suppressed, arguing investigators did not provide Hunter with a Miranda warning prior to the interview.

Prosecutors maintained Hunter was informed of his right to remain silent by a police detective who spoke to Hunter while Hunter was sitting in the back of a police car.

Surveillance footage from a camera in the car did not capture the interaction.

In a ruling on the defenses motion to suppress Hunters statement to police, Judge Anderson found that no evidence was offered at the suppression hearing to suggest Hunter did not receive a full Miranda warning.

Gereszek filed a subsequent motion asking Anderson to reconsider his ruling on the Miranda question, arguing in court filings that by denying the defense motion to suppress the defendants statements to police, "this court is providing the foundation for a reversal and remand on appeal for another trial  thereby delaying justice for the victims and their families, the citizens of Fargo and for the defendant."

That motion was also denied.
The renovation of the former J.B. Young K-8 School is well underway, but there's a "good bit of work to do, yet," Mike Maloney said.

Maloney, director of operations for the Davenport Community School District, recently toured the J.B Young Opportunity Center, 1702 N. Main St., which closed as a regular school after the 2015-16 school year.

A year later, the renovations are in Phase I, and first to move in will be the Information Technology department, now located at the district headquarters called the Achievement Service Center, 1606 Brady St., Davenport.

The J.B. Young structure is located one block west, and it will ultimately be the new district headquarters. The administration is expected to take up 60,000 square feet on the top two floors, compared to the 42,000 square feet it has currently.

On the third floor, the finance and curriculum leaders will be on the west, or Harrison Street side. The IT department is in the south wing.

Human resources is moving to the former library, on the second floor, Maloney said.

The second-floor gym will house the new school board room, as well as an area for professional development.

Superintendent Art Tate's suite is to be on the southeast corner of the second floor. Maloney said the hallways, ultimately, will feature works of art from around Davenport.

The executive area is for the superintendent, chief financial officer (Marsha Tangen), and the district's budget analysts. There is a conference room, in what was formerly a classroom for special education students.

"There's double the amount of space, here, compared to the Achievement Service Center," Maloney said.

The first floor will house eight tenants that provide community services to children and families. Maloney said there are continued meetings between school district staff, and representatives of the eight organizations that will move into the school.

"All of them believe that synergies are developing," he said.

One is Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, Moline, which is launching a new teen center in Davenport.

"We are happy to have this space, and ultimately, we hope to expand," said Jenny Garlach, executive director. She said the program has operated in Davenport at First Presbyterian Church for the past 15 years or so, and a children's program remains at the church.

"The Davenport Club" is new for students in 6th-12th grades, Garlach said. It offers supervised after-school activities and services and costs $30 per school year.

As part of the renovation, the former cafeteria, for example, will house a food pantry formerly at Madison Elementary School, and Central High School's culinary Pro-START program kitchen.

The pantry space, "Madison Market" is run by River Bend Foodbank and St. Paul Lutheran Church.

The kitchen renovation hasn't started yet, but it will be a commercial-quality space, Maloney said.

Near this, Maloney said, will be the Children's Village prekindergarten program.

All of this is to be completed in about one more year, but that's a soft deadline. Phase I costs for Davenport schools are estimated at $1,256,000, with architect fees at $59,500.

The architects are Legat Architects, Moline, and the work is done by Estes Construction Co., Davenport.
SPRINGFIELD  For the third year in a row, the three men at the center of Illinois politics are circling inside the Capitol, and nobody is pulling punches.

In one corner is Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, and in the other are Democratic leaders Michael Madigan and John Cullerton. The goal: Pass a budget before the end of session on May 31.

The past two years have seen lawmakers come up short, both sides throwing in the towel, as an untold number of Illinois residents suffer through the longest gap between budgets of any state in the country.

Lawmakers remain optimistic they can come to terms in the final weeks of this session, though perhaps it is because the thought of heading home without a budget would mean further devastation. The states universities, social service providers, vendors and others sit on a long list waiting to get paid.

How close the two sides are to an agreement depends on whom you ask. Lawmakers are on the ropes to provide a plan, and political observers paint a dark picture of financial ruin without it.

A spokeswoman for Rauner deferred questions for this story to an opinion piece the governor wrote Tuesday in the Springfield State Journal-Register and several subsequent news conferences hes held across the state.

In the opinion piece, the first-term Republican governor reiterates many of the policy stances he has taken during his tenure, arguing he would support the passage a tax increase, but only with fundamental changes to what he sees as a "broken system."

Weve been trying to negotiate a good deal for taxpayers for more than two years, Rauner wrote. But we wont be pressured by special interests, insiders and career politicians to take a bad deal for taxpayers.

Much of the spotlight over the past few years has been on the battle between Rauner and Madigan, the powerful longtime speaker of the House and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

While Rauner has painted Madigan as a career politician who bows to special interest, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown points to the budgets passed since Madigan first became speaker in 1983, saying Madigan worked with governors and legislators of both parties to get them approved.

As Ive said, the governor needs to look at himself in the mirror and ask that figure that he sees, Why did you screw up this state budgeting process? Brown said.

This spring session has seen much of the budgeting focus turned to the Illinois Senate, where months of bipartisan talks have seen senators taking swings at passing a "grand bargain" budget that would include items as varied as a property tax freeze, gambling expansion, workers' compensation reform, an income tax increase and changes to the school funding formula.

These talks failed in March, when Republicans pulled their support and said more negotiations were needed.

This past week saw another effort in the Senate to pass budget items on to the House, with bills that expand gambling, change state purchasing rules, reform pensions, change the school funding formula and allow the state to borrow $7 billion to pay down some the states $14.1 billion backlog of bills.

But work to pass a bill to implement necessary cuts to get to the previously approved $36.5 billion spending plan failed, and bills that would reform workers' compensation or raise taxes were never called for a vote.

As in March, Democrats said time was running out to get a budget approved and that Republicans needed to vote.

I was under the impression we had reached an agreement on the budget, Cullerton said in a news conference after the vote.

But Republicans said the two sides were close to an agreement on the remaining issues and that Democrats need to wait for both sides to agree to terms before putting items up for a vote.

I think there were significant reforms that were done today, said Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, shortly after the Senate voted Wednesday. But the better course of action would have been to move the items that were in agreement, then go back into the room and make sure the budget balances, get the language finalized and then put it for a vote.

Were this close to getting something done.

Several senators told a Lee Enterprises reporter that they believe all parties have been negotiating in good faith and that an agreement can be made.

Rauner has publicly been cordial when addressing the Senates effort to pass a budget, but he did not mince words when asked about Madigan and House Democrats during a stop Tuesday in Springfield.

House Democrats, under Speaker Madigan, have showed no good faith willingness to engage in negotiations, Rauner said.

He also addressed a recent move by Madigan to have four of the top Democrats in the House negotiate with the governors office over non-budgetary items, referring to it as an effort to derail budget talks in the Senate.

Brown dismissed the governors concerns, saying the House wants to work with Rauner on ways to improve the states economy.

Similar sentiment is shared by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs, who said Thursday afternoon that he was "cautiously optimistic" a deal could be reached before May 31.

The sense of urgency is immense, Durkin said. You can feel it in the air, and I agree that we need to bring this to a resolution.

How Did We Get Here?

Those who watch Illinois politics said the budget impasse represents a "perfect storm" of conflicting personalities and years of poor planning.

Those decisions stretch back decades and stem from members of both parties, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

He cited the pension strain created by the "crooked bargain" at the end of Republican Gov. George Ryans tenure, when thousands of longtime state employees were allowed to retire early so the incoming Democratic administration could fill those openings with their own people.

He also noted the overall tenure of impeached Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is in federal prison after being convicted of corruption, and the 2008 recession as events that already put Illinois in a perilous fiscal position well before Rauner took office.

The recession significantly changed the way the state handles its budgeting, said Jak Tichenor, interim director at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Before then, a majority of spending was related to federal mandates such as Medicaid, making for a fairly predictable budget process. State lawmakers negotiated over discretionary spending such as K-12 and higher education funding, but Tichenor said they would enter those negotiations knowing state revenue was stable.

But if you go back to 2008 to the great recession, and state revenues just went off a cliff, he said. You had appropriation committee chairs at the Capitol looking at balance sheets and saying, Well Im trying to fund a $32 billion budget, and I only have $24 (billion) to $25 billion in income.

And thats where you started to see the real allocation of pain and scarcity instead of budget making as we traditionally did it.

A temporary income tax increase approved by lawmakers and then-Gov. Pat Quinn in 2011 moved the personal tax rates from 3 percent to 5 percent and the corporate tax from 4.8 percent to 7 percent, which helped to pay down some of the bill backlog. But the increase was allowed to expire in 2015, reducing the rate for individuals to 3.75 percent and to 5.25 percent for corporations.

The motivation behind letting it expire was so the newly elected Rauner could negotiate a new budget with the Democratic-led House and Senate.

Two-and-a-half years later, the sides have only managed to agree to a stopgap budget in 2016 that provided some money for struggling universities and social service providers. Most spending has been court-ordered.

Redfield said that from the start, Rauner and the Democrats seemed to underestimate one another, specifically when Rauner started to sell his "turnaround agenda" that included the creation of local right-to-work zones and other measures perceived to be anti-union.

I think the initial set of demands the governor was putting out there was overtly optimistic in terms of what one could get a Democratic legislator to agree to, Redfield said. That clearly got negotiations off on a very bad start, and we never got to the point where we could get an acknowledgement from both sides that they were sharing power and they needed to make compromises.

Like Redfield, Tichenor said the first few months of Rauner's tenure knocked the relationship of party leaders off balance. Rauner's initial agenda was unique, Tichenor said, because past governors did not traditionally negotiate structural reform packages as part of the overall budget negotiations.

The governor may have underestimated just how strong the Democrats' resolve was not to turn their backs on their traditional allies, as well as the Democratic leaders may not have appreciated how strongly the governor felt about trying to impose some of those turnaround agenda items in exchange for a tax increase, he said.

Deep Impact

The inability to produce a long-term budget has had a significant impact on the state and its residents. If a spending plan isn't approved until the 2018 General Election, as some have speculated, the effects could be catastrophic.

The unfunded liability in Illinois pension funds hit $119 billion in fiscal year 2015, according to an April report from Pew Charitable Trusts. That means just 40 percent of the states pension system is funded. Among the states, only New Jersey is in worse shape.

A report by the Illinois Comptrollers Office on Wednesday said the bill backlog has increased to a record $14.3 billion, nearly triple what it was two years ago.

In a statement, Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza laid the blame at the feet of Rauners administration.

Its clear the Rauner Administration has been holding bills at state agencies in an attempt to mask some of the damage caused by the governors failure to fulfill his constitutional duty and present a balanced budget, Mendoza said, referring to a practice where the administration can sit on a voucher before submitting it to the comptrollers office.

At a time when Senators from both sides of the aisle are working together to reach a deal, this administration has been keeping them in the dark about the true extent of the bill backlog.

Higher education and social service agencies have taken a pummeling during the impasse, suffering through cutbacks and layoffs to try to make ends meet.

In Decatur, the lack of a state budget has played a major role in cuts made at Richland Community College. Since the start of spring, the college has eliminated five administrative positions and announced plans to lay off 18 employees, eight full time and 10 part time, and offer buyouts to an additional 14 full-time staff. It has also closed its child care center, with administrators pointing to the state situation and declining enrollment as factors.

College officials have said they also plan to approve a budget for the coming fiscal year without any money from the state, which used to make up 14 percent of its total budget.

Those actions are part of what Tichenor refers to as a "brain drain" that has occurred due to the budget impasse. As the state struggles to fund higher education and Monetary Award Program grants, out-of-state schools have begun to poach potential students and faculty with the promise of financial stability, he said.

Were losing some of our best and brightest in the state because of the impasse, he said.

If lawmakers are unable to come together on a budget, then Redfield said the state will enter a "very dark scenario" that could mean irrevocable damage to social service agencies and most colleges and neighboring communities.

If we have no movement until after the 2018 elections, I think it would be a certainty some universities would not open that fall, he said. I think Eastern, Western, Northeastern, and Chicago State are all the top of the list. The Carbondale situation is pretty tenuous as well.
Since January, Ive been sitting at kitchen tables listening to life stories. Ive been asking probing questions about peoples beliefs and what led them there. And Ive been writing about those conversations in a series of columns I called What They Dont Know About Us.

They are all the people who have made a sport of talking about the middle of the country since Trump was elected, using broad, lazy strokes to define thoughts and motives. And Us was anyone willing to sit down with me. I didnt seek anyone out, because I didnt want my own personal bias or misconceptions to lead me down the same path as those writers I hoped to counteract. The series began on Feb. 5 with John Shaw, whose union membership made him a loyal, lifelong Democrat, and ended on May 14 with Bill Wohlford, a fiscal conservative retired engineer and artist who was a fan of Ted Cruz. In all, I published 12 interviews.

Heres what I learned:

1. No one falls perfectly along party lines. If you only watched the national political stage, you could be led to believe that there are two Americas, defined cleanly by the Republicans and Democrats. You would be wrong. Everyone I interviewed crossed party lines somewhere, fiscal conservatives who were social liberals; Democrats who voted for Richard Nixon and Republicans who voted for Jimmy Carter; military veterans who saw room for defense cuts; someone who caucused for Bill Richardson in 2008 and Jeb Bush in 2016; labor union loyalists who are social conservatives.

2. People are political that never have been before. I heard these words in almost every conversation: frustrated, stressed, confused, helpless. People are paying attention more than ever  on both sides of the political fence -- but they arent talking to each other about it for fear of losing friends or alienating family members.

3. Almost everyone I interviewed had a seminal moment that changed their opinion about the world, and thats the view they carried for the rest of their life, even though they continued to have a nostalgic connection to the beliefs they were raised in. I noticed this trend as I started to look back on the interviews. The seminal moment usually took place when people were in their 20s  fighting in a war, losing a job, a child or a spouse, moving from the farm to the city, leaving the country for the first time.

4. Being from the Midwest is at the core of peoples identity. I spent a lot of hours during this project hearing the phrase Midwestern values and asking what that meant. For the most part, I was told it has to do with being a good neighbor and sharing what you have. Staying connected to family. It has to do with being pragmatic and moderate, personally and politically.

5. Retirement released for many a sense of political self they didnt feel free to explore during their working life. It was the reason almost everyone I interviewed was retired and the people who I interviewed who were still working, followed up with things they said with maybe you shouldnt print that.

6. Midwesterners stereotype people from elsewhere, just as much as elsewhere stereotypes the Midwest. I heard a lot about New Yorkers and people from the coast. And since I started this series because people from the coast were making blanket statements about the Midwest, I think categorizing and stereotyping is more about being human and less about where you live.

7. Its more telling to talk about who you caucused for than who you voted for in the general election. I interviewed an even mix of people who voted for Trump and Clinton. I didnt meet many people who were excited about either candidate. But I did hear long explanations about why Jeb Bush or John Kasich or Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz would have been a good president, and those conversations were as complex as peoples wide-ranging political views.

8. All sides feel under attack and there isnt much trust to go around. I got a call mid-way through this process from an old man who said he wanted people to know that conservative Christians are patriotic, too, after I wrote about a left-leaning veteran. But he was hesitant to talk about it and eventually cancelled the interview. Most interviews began that way, I want people to know 

9. Everyone in the Quad-Cities is connected. I felt like my net was cast wide, as I drove from Moline to Muscatine to Bettendorf, but I was surprised and interested to find that networks of large families, long careers and compounding generations meant that everyone seemed to know each other. It was one of the things that made the series fun to publish, because one interview almost seemed to lead into the next like dominos. I read about so and so. I went to school with their dad or I used to live across the alley or That was my babysitter.

10. Listening to people talk freely about their beliefs is good for your mental health. I read an interview with Ohio Gov. John Kasich this week in The Columbus Dispatch where he said, Everybody needs to absorb 10 minutes of something they dont agree with. Every day. I agree. It's more nuanced than that. The loudest amongst us are not the most interesting and not representative. You cant sum up anyones America in a sound bite or a party platform. I started seeing that its more nuanced than that and most people just want to sit and talk and hash through their always shifting worldview.
High grass and locked gates. Iowans might soon get a real-world glimpse at what austerity looks like.

State lawmakers slashed spending throughout the spring. They blamed slumping commodity prices. And, in a surprising admission, some influential members of Iowa's Republican Party tacitly acknowledged that compounding tax breaks for big business might just be part of the problem.

This year's shortfall is a direct result of 2013's tax cuts, the deepest in state history, that have already cost the state $400 million. Yet, the GOP's right flank is already clamoring for even deeper tax cuts next year as schools and roads decay.

But potholes and complicated educational funding formulas haven't been enough to force Iowans to grapple with the slash and burn budgeting that's left the state hundreds of millions short in consecutive fiscal years. Maybe a ruined Fourth of July weekend might do the trick.

Iowa Department of Natural Resource Director Chuck Gipp started preparing the public for what's to come this summer. His agency lost another $1.2 million in the budget. That's on top of years of previous cuts. This year looks to be a breaking point, though, as Gipp might find himself unable to operate many of Iowa's 87 parks.

Twenty-two parks have just one full-time employee, Gipp told The Des Moines Register. An agency-wide hiring freeze means a single retirement could run like dominoes through IDNR.

Gipp reiterated that there's no list of park closures right now. Nor are there closure plans in place. But announcements such as these are often precursors to more draconian cutbacks. In essence, they serve to dull the public's senses when the gates start closing.

Iowa's parks might be relatively few in number, but they're among the state's crown jewels. Locally, Maquoketa Caves and Wild Cat Den are premier destinations for anyone looking to unplug for a bit.

The physiological benefits of spending time in nature is well established, even in fairly manicured settings such as state parks. The explanations differ among evolutionary, behavioral and cognitive psychologists. Yet, the general notion that it contributes to sound mental and emotional health are widely accepted.

But Iowa might not be willing to fund even something so simple as tenting sites or fishing access. All because lawmakers are ideologically bound to slashing revenue at all cost. These are services fully functioning governments provide.

This past session, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Grassley hinted that, just maybe, he's willing to consider the idea that annually bleeding hundreds of millions to the sole benefit of large corporations might be a problem. But Grassley's solution was yet another study. In essence, Grassley acknowledged the problem only to banish it to the dustbin.

Iowa's unnecessary funding shortfall cost half the school districts in the state a shot at equal funding. It weakened social services. It targeted prominent research facilities. It forced tuition hikes at public universities.

The results of these cuts remain siloed among a relatively small segment of the population. So maybe it will take something so simple as shuttered parks to stir outrage among Iowans.

And that's precisely what they might get by summer's end.
In a consolidation move, Tom and Joyce Korth have decided to close their Mr. Movies location at 1601 Cambell St. in east Rapid City.

Mr. Movies location at the corner of Sturgis Road and West Chicago Street will remain open, however.

Our lease was up for renewal and we just decided to consolidate locations, Tom Korth said.

Korth said the two stores were competing against each other, often serving the same customers.

The west side store has always done marginally better, although business at both stores was steady, he said.

Its too bad its not more centrally located, he said.

Evolving movie-viewing habits of consumers, including the popularity of online streaming and automated rental services, are forcing changes in the video rental business.

The final clearance, including store fixtures, started this week at the eastside store and is expected to last several weeks, Korth said.

Sturgis Subs now open

Last week, the Meade County Times-Tribune reported on a new sandwich and ice cream shop offering custom sandwiches and salads that is now open in Sturgis.

Sally Cuny and her father, Richard Hullinger, operate Sturgis Subs & Ice Cream inside Kwik-Mart on Junction Avenue.

The menu includes breakfast and lunch subs on several varieties of breads, including some baked in-house.

Hot dogs and polish sausage, with choices of toppings are also available, along with five varieties of salads, including taco salad, chef salad, cobb salad, spinach salad and a build-your-own salad.

The ice cream part of the sub shop will be coming soon, Cuny said.

Hullinger also owns the 1880 town near Murdo on Interstate 90.

He built the Sturgis store and had been leasing it out for 15 years. The family returned to operate the business June 1 of last year.

Cuny comes by her experience in the convenience store business naturally. She attended college seeking a degree in business with an emphasis in hospitality management.

"I always hoped to go into business with my dad at some point," she said.

SD CEO awards

The South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity at Black Hills State University honored local business leaders during the 8th annual Women in Business luncheon on May 12 in Spearfish.

Monna Patton of Lil' Angel's Inc. of Kyle, was named winner of the Enterprising Business Woman award.

Miranda Papendick and Brooke Bradsky of AJ's Wicked Salon & Spa of Rapid City won the Enterprising Young Entrepreneur of the year.

Anderson, Nils & Associates, Inc., of Pierre was named Enterprising Business Team.

Leah Braun, Harney Business Group, was named Enterprising Friend of Small Business.

The Small Business Administration also presented four awards.

The Leadership Circle Award went to Black Hills Federal Credit Union.

Tim Johnson from Diamond Hospitality received the 2017 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Jamie Gilcrease-Heupel, owner of Lotus Up Espresso & Deli in Lead, won 2017 SBA Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.

SD CEO executive director Helen Merriman was named 2017 SBA Champion of the Year.
A Canadian company has ditched its search for gold at Keystone and now wants to drill as many as 120 exploratory holes near Rochford.

Mineral Mountain Resources, of Vancouver, British Columbia, has notified the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources that the company wants to drill about a half-mile southeast of Rochford. The small, unincorporated community in the central Black Hills was a gold-mining hub during the late 1800s.

The companys plan is under review by the DENR. Roberta Hudson, a DENR engineer, said last week the company is on track to receive a permit by mid-June.

In recent months, Mineral Mountain has issued news releases about the Rochford project for investors.

The Company now owns the largest land position in the Rochford Gold Belt and now possesses by far the largest and most comprehensive database for the district in modern day exploration history, Mineral Mountain said in a February release. The Rochford Project is vastly under-explored and has the potential to host several district-scale gold discoveries.

Much of the Rochford drilling project will be out of public view, on privately owned land south of Rochford Road in a mountainous, forested area served partly by gravel roads. According to paperwork filed by Mineral Mountain with the DENR, no drill hole will exceed 4,000 feet in depth, and no contact with underground water sources, known as aquifers, is anticipated.

The drill holes will be 2 to 4 inches in diameter. Water to aid the drilling will be pumped from Rapid Creek, which flows alongside Rochford Road. Used water will be stored in a tank where the cuttings will settle out so the water can be reused. At the end of drilling, the water will be disposed pursuant to state regulations, possibly at a sewage treatment plant.

After a hole is drilled and core samples are removed, each hole must be filled with bentonite, or with concrete if an aquifer is encountered. The disturbed area on the surface must be reclaimed.

Mineral Mountain paid $250 for an exploratory permit and will maintain a $20,000 bond with state government, which Hudson said is the maximum statewide bond imposed for exploratory drilling. The bond exists to be used by state government if Mineral Mountain abandons the project without fully reclaiming it.

Mineral Mountain explored for gold in the mountains at Keystone, another historical Black Hills mining community, from 2012 to 2015. According to information published by Mineral Mountain for investors, the company had an agreement with Holy Terror Mining Co., a South Dakota-registered corporation, to acquire a 60 percent interest in some mineral claims if Mineral Mountain made $1 million in payments and issued 10 million common shares by May 2015, and incurred $7.5 million in exploration expenses by May 2022.

Mineral Mountain reported to investors that it paid $750,000, issued 10 million common shares and incurred $5.17 million of exploration expenses by May 2015. The company declined to make the final payment of $250,000, and then terminated its agreement with Holy Terror Mining Co. and wrote down property-acquisition and exploration costs totaling $8.24 million.

The Company decided to direct all of its attention and financial resources to the development and advancement of the Companys 100% owned Rochford property as it felt the Rochford property held a greater potential to discover an iron hosted gold deposit, Mineral Mountain said in a December investor publication.

Mineral Mountain President and CEO Nelson Baker, whose corporate biography says he earned a geological engineering degree in 1968 from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, corresponded last week with the Journal by email. He said his company has not ruled out returning to Keystone if global market conditions improve and the company can raise the money needed to properly explore the area.

"Our drill results confirmed that additional drill testing was required to better define the gold zones that occur within the option patents," Baker wrote of the Keystone exploration effort. "Unfortunately for Mineral Mountain and the rest of the mining industry around the world, we were unable to meet our obligations set out in the Option Agreement and the Company and the owners of Holy Terror mutually agreed to terminate the agreement."

Hudson, of the DENR, said Mineral Mountain is reclaiming, or cleaning up, the Keystone-area site and has completed most of the work. She said about 60 holes were drilled there during the 1990s by a company that preceded Mineral Mountain, and she said Mineral Mountain drilled about 40 more holes.

Mineral Mountain received unwanted publicity in late 2012 at a Keystone drilling site when some drilling water and bentonite leaked into Battle Creek. Drilling was shut down for a week, but DENR officials said at the time that the milky substance in the creek did not pose a hazard to people or fish.

Gold mining has been a leading industry in the Black Hills since the 1870s. The biggest current player is Wharf Resources, which reported a haul of 109,175 ounces of gold and 105,144 ounces of silver last year from its mining operation west of Lead in the northern Black Hills.
COTTONWOOD| Signs of life are returning to rangeland scorched in a massive prairie wildfire east of Wall last October, but the more than 41,000 acres of rangeland blackened in the Cottonwood Fire may still need another year to recover.

Ranchers in the region are also still trying to recover  both emotionally and financially.

Green grass can now be seen growing amid the remains of the three cows Clifford Poss lost to the fire seven months ago.

Coyotes had a barbecue, Poss deadpanned as he sat in the front seat of an SUV parked nearby, his ranchers dark humor an attempt to mask the sting of the loss of part of his livelihood.

The remains of two of the cows lie yards apart on the gently rolling prairie where they fell, now reduced to little more than sun-bleached bones, a contrast to the new life sprouting around them.

Fresh green grasses are replacing blackened earth across most of the 65 square miles consumed in the wildfire that exploded Oct. 16 along Interstate 90 about 11 miles east of Wall.

But while scorched prairie has turned green again, the burn area is far from ready for grazing, ranchers say.

"The pasture is not coming back real quick," said rancher Grady Crew, whose family owns parcels of rangeland both north and south of I-90. "It needs a year or two," he said.

The fire, pushed and fed by unrelenting 50 mph winds and unseasonably high fall temperatures and low humidity, blew through tinder-dry prairie grasses and rapidly spread in a vast swath more than 20 miles to the east, north of I-90, south of Highway 14 east of Cottonwood

The fire scorched both private and public lands within Buffalo Gap National Grasslands before finally being brought under control two days later by more than 300 firefighters.

The fire ignited near the westbound lane of I-90. Investigators quickly determined the blaze to to be human-caused, although they said there was little evidence of arson. An exact cause may never be known.

Not that a cause matters for the ranchers and landowners who lost a combined 284 cattle, outbuildings, fences and acres of pasture.

Itll sure show you how dangerous wildfires are, Poss said.

Poss home was spared, and he was also lucky to have lost only three cows. He was able to cut fences in advance of the flames, allowing other animals to escape.

Still, he lost three buildings, nearly all of his stockpiled hay for the winter, about 28 miles of fence and 200 acres of pasture land owned by him and his parents.

While most of the burn area is green with new growth, lack of soil moisture is limiting the return of Western wheatgrass, alfalfa and smooth brome.

Poss said what snowfall the burn area received over the winter months either blew away, with no plant life to hold it in place, or evaporated quickly on the blackened surface.

Many of the grasses that have come up have stopped growing and headed out, meaning theyve gone to seed at about one-third or half of their usual height.

His father moved a good share of his Angus cattle to other pasture north of Cottonwood. A return to the rejuvenating land burned in the fire will have to wait.

We can graze cattle here, but it wont last very long, Poss said.

Along with stunted grasses, winds sweeping along the prairie scoured tons of rangeland topsoil and plant life from the tops of hills with layers of dirt and organic matter settling into low areas, he said.

This will probably be the best potting soil you could ever have, he said, scooping a handful of what appeared to be inches of rich, black earth from the bottom of a ravine.

If we do have a really hard rain, all this will wind up in the dams, he said. Thats pretty shocking for me as a rancher to see that.

Poss expects to lose many of the trees that served as windbreaks around his place. Bare cottonwood trees with blackened trunks and lines of junipers with brown needles will likely not survive being overrun by the fire.

Thats the real heart-breaker. Trees are so hard to grow in this country, he said.

Farther east, Kenny and Lyndy Ireland have decided to rebuild a cabin that was part of their Triangle Ranch Bed & Breakfast.

A field recently sown with winter wheat served as a buffer between the fire and their main home, but the cabin, about a mile to the west, went up in flames.

The cabin was much more than a place for hunters and other guests to stay. It was Lyndys childhood home and contained cherished family mementos, original artwork painted by her parents and an upright piano from her great-grandmother.

You dont think of those things at first, youre just grateful that you survived, Lyndy Ireland said.

The Irelands at first thought it best to let the prairie reclaim the cabin site, tucked into a small hollow, but they reconsidered in January.

We decided there should be a cabin there, not only for the income, but because its such a lovely spot, Lyndy said.

Crew lost about 80 head of cattle in the fire, 40 to burns that eventually led to their being shot and about the same number that had to be sold because they would no longer be able to nurse calves.

He and his wife undertook the grim task of shooting cows that initially survived the fire but later showed signs of severe injuries. Many were no longer able to walk.

You work so hard to keep them alive, then you have to shoot them between the eyes. Thats frustrating, he said. It wasnt fun.

He was able to move much of his surviving herd to winter pasture south of the interstate. He also plans to graze cattle on pasture this year where he would normally grow hay. Other producers are looking to get grazing permits elsewhere, he said.

Were all just trying to make do and stretch our pastures any way we can, Crew said.

Replacing 20 miles of fencing lost will cost about $8,000 per mile, but a Farm Service Agency emergency conservation program will reimburse about 75 percent of that cost.

He also received reimbursement for the cost of disposing of the animals he lost.

You dont get all the cost back, but its not as devastating a loss, he said.

Poss hopes the recent damp weather will continue through June.

If it stays cool and keeps raining, well be all right, he said. Were heading in the right direction, but were just not there yet.

Crew said while ranchers are accustomed to dealing with adversity, the Cottonwood Fire will long be remembered as much for the helping spirit of neighbors as for the losses.

The Cottonwood Fire Fund, organized in late October by Philip Charities, raised thousands of dollars in aid, along with donations of hay and fencing materials.

Were used to troubles, just not that big of troubles, Crew said.

Youve got to accept some of it and just keep plugging away. Dont give up, he said.
Like a fisherman throwing a net into the sea, or a wildcatter drilling a hole in search of oil, aficionados of metal detecting experience a mix of mystery and hope every time they wave a detector over the ground.

Joe Bodeson and about three dozen other metal detecting enthusiasts took to a grassy section of Old Storybook Island in Rapid City on Saturday to probe for treasure, but also to celebrate their mutual interest in what has become a fast-growing hobby.

The hunters gathered in honor of National Metal Detecting Day (yes, there's a day for that) for their second annual spring festival sponsored by the Black Hills Prospecting Club, which boasts about 300 members who hunt for objects with metal detectors but who also aggressively prospect for gold across the region.

Bodeson, a 56-year-old Air Force retiree from Rapid City, was using his Coinmaster 5500 to scan the ground Saturday when suddenly he heard a beep and saw the dial on the machine jump back and forth. The needle indicated metal about 3 inches under the surface.

For 15 minutes, Bodeson used a small hand spade to gingerly dig around the site where his detector had signaled metal was present. He dug several small holes, pawed the soil with his hands, and sifted dirt with his fingers, but to no avail.

"It's coming up a dud here," he said.

But then, after regrouping and digging in a new spot a foot away, Bodeson finally found a rusty bolt attached to a small piece of metal strapping.

"There's my treasure," he said with a chuckle.

All around him, the prospectors walked about the field, detectors scanning back and forth, with an occasional audible beep sending them to their knees to dig in the dirt.

The event was held in a good spot in Rapid City to hunt for artifacts, as the area along Rapid Creek was once home to many houses that were destroyed by the raging flood of 1972.

The sponsors heightened the interest by burying several items in a "Go Find Me" competition to entice the prospectors to give it their all, including a silver dollar worth $30 that also would garner the finder a new $180 Mine Lab detector. Other hidden items included a butterfly ring, a flower ring and a South Dakota state quarter, with each bringing an additional prize for the lucky finder.

The Black Hills Prospecting Club membership includes people from England, Hungary and states across the country, including Hawaii. Metal detecting is a small part of the club, which has established five gold claim sites ranging from 20 to 60 acres in the Black Hills where members gather throughout the year to camp and sluice, dredge or high-bank for gold.

Club membership director Kathleen Flanagan of Rapid City said the club started in 2000 but has grown "by leaps and bounds" in the past three years, in part because detecting technology has gotten better and cheaper.

Taking up metal detecting can cost about $150 for a decent starting detector, but gold prospectors can pay up to $7,000 for a high-tech model that zeroes in on precious metals and can even feature a GPS system that records where a find was made to allow for a precise return to the site.

But the biggest commitment is making time to go out and detect, which tends to make it a hobby geared toward retirees, even though numerous children were present for Saturday's event.

Like any veteran detector, Flanagan has her favorite finds to brag about. One story she tells originates in her former home state of Wyoming, where she found an initialed class ring that had been buried for 30 years.

She went to the local library and cross-referenced the year and initials with a high school yearbook, eventually settling on one woman who likely lost the ring. Flanagan tracked her down and returned the ring, which the woman had lost near a post office.

"She just about had a heart attack," Flanagan said about the recipient of the lost ring. "She thought it was lost forever."

Flanagan also tells of finding a Walking Liberty silver half-dollar from 1941 that is now worth about $10. "But to me it's invaluable," she said. "Had it not been for me digging it up, it could have been there forever."

Flanagan said Rapid City and the Black Hills are a prospectors dream, not only due to the presence of gold in the Hills but also because of the region's rich history.

"That's what we look for, are the treasures and the artifacts," she said. "It's a feeling of euphoria, a feeling of accomplishment when you find something."

After an hour of hunting on Saturday, several interesting items had been found, including a watch and a piece of tangled metal that appeared to have come from a mobile home, perhaps one that was ravaged by the flood.

About 45 minutes after finding his useless bolt, Bodeson was suddenly back in big-time digging mode, having detected some type of metal cylinder. His coat was off, his knees were stained with mud and he was sniffling after having worked up a sweat.

He borrowed another prospector's large shovel to dig under the elongated object, finally unearthing it enough to get his finger beneath it. After some back and forth yanks, he lifted a portion of a heavy iron wheel with gear marks on one side. He and others who gathered around speculated it may have been part of a tractor or some type of heavy equipment.

Bodeson grinned, then grabbed his hand spade and began to dig deeper into the ground. "Maybe the rest of it is here, too," he said.
A Rapid City man recently received a letter from the president of the United States commending his volunteer efforts.

Chad Anderson, a local AT&T employee who works on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, was named a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award last month.

A news release from AT&T said Anderson is among 4,288 AT&T employees nationwide to receive the award in April, which was National Volunteer Month. Employees logged a minimum of 100 service hours last year, with many volunteering more than 500 hours.

These individuals help our communities every day. Whether its mentoring students, cleaning up our parks or feeding the hungry, our employees are giving back, said Lane Mansell, vice president/general manager, AT&T Northern Plains, in the release. In honor of National Volunteer Month, we congratulate these employees and hope their stories inspire others as much as they inspire us.

In addition to being the store manager at the Pine Ridge AT&T store, Anderson donates blood and platelets through United Blood Services, volunteers at a local middle and high school and assists his daughters with their volunteer efforts in the TeenUp program in Rapid City.

Anderson said volunteering is something he grew up with.

My father gave blood, and I remember this as a child. He passed away when I was 12, having many surgeries prior to his death where he needed blood. Someone else's generosity helped my dad have a few more years because they decided to donate. Donating blood and platelets is a simple act that I hope will give back to others in need, he said in the release.

Points of Light, an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service, administers the award.

4-H club raises funds for wildfire victims

Pennington County 4-H raised slightly more than $1,200 earlier this month for the victims of recent wildfires in Kansas.

Local 4-H'ers held a benefit dinner earlier this month with soup, pie and South Dakota State University ice cream, according to a release from Matthew Olson, the SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Adviser for Pennington County. In addition to monetary donations, 4-H'ers also collected items for care packages to send.

The wildfires have been identified by ranchers as their Hurricane Katrina.

Fanned by high winds and dry conditions, widespread wildfires in March scorched through nearly 2 million acres of farm and ranch land across four states. Kansas and Oklahoma were hit particularly hard.

The blazes contributed to the deaths of seven people and forced thousands to evacuate, The Associated Press reported. Hundreds of thousands of acres were burned. Cattle and swine died by the tens of thousands, and miles of fences were destroyed.

"South Dakota knows this story all too well, but with snow, not fire," the release said, referencing October 2013's devastating Winter Storm Atlas.

Other states helped South Dakota recover, so now Pennington County 4-H'ers want to return the favor. The release said the funds will go to the Clark County, Kansas, 4-H Leaders Council to help 4-H families hurt by the fires.

At every 4-H meeting, 4-H members pledge their hands to larger service for their communities, their country and their world, Olson said in the release. This is South Dakotas opportunity to help out another state in their time of need, much like many states did for us after Atlas.
The Hamilton and Stevensville airports have a "truly fantastic" economic impact on Ravalli County, according to the county Economic Development Authoritys presentation to the commissioners last week.

The effect of the Stevensville airport as a municipal enterprise is phenomenal, Julie Foster, the authority's executive director, said at the Tuesday meeting.

It is a well-kept secret that we have this asset, and when we look at the Ravalli County airport (it) is the same kind of asset, Foster said. I think most citizens in Ravalli County arent aware of the jobs and tax base.

To assess the impact, Foster used information from the Montana Department of Revenue, the Montana Department of Transportation, demographic information about Ravalli County, and Hamilton Aviation reports and the U.S. Census.

When viewed as a single entity, the Ravalli Airport ranks among the top six county employers, has 204 jobs with a payroll nearing $8 million, and is one of the top 14 tax payers.

Foster said there is a compelling need for infrastructure at the airport and the Ravalli County Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD)

As many of us know many of the businesses in that area dont have access to wastewater, which is sewer, bathroom facilities, for their employees, she said. Internet has been as bad a barrier with the companies that we have.

She presented a snapshot of a few of the businesses at the airport and within the TEDD, not all of which are related to the airport.

Choice Aviation maintains aircraft, teaches flight lessons and provides flight service. Marketing Masters manufactures hardware for multinational companies. A-TEC Aircraft Maintenance Center provides helicopter and aircraft maintenance and repair and is working to bring fiber technology service to the airport. Freight Monster does freight, high-tech logistics and data recovery. EverStone manufactures countertops and similar slab products from recycled glass.

Foster said projects underway that also need those services include a micro food processing facility, Riverside Crossing Adult Cottage Housing, and a biomass heating district.

If we provided some infrastructure, possibly we could turn this into something much more, Foster said. Improving our economy in Ravalli County does not happen by accident, nor does it happen overnight. We expect positive changes.

She encouraged the county to work with the city to generate opportunities and develop public infrastructure.

The 15-member audience shared the plea for infrastructure support during public comments.

Ken Weinheimer, owner of A-TEC, said he investigated the impact of internet fiber to the airport.

None of the ISP providers knew there wasnt high-speed infrastructure to the airport, he said. There is no cost to the county. The ISP providers assess each building as a value. We have 17 people out there interested in high-speed internet.

Weinheimer said internet installation at the airport could continue to the Forest Service, Stock Farm and places north of the airport.

Foster encouraged the commissioners to be supportive of business efforts.

If our county is to prosper, we must find a new, productive way to deal with our differences because our county is at a disadvantage when competing with Missoula and the world to attract good companies to our area, Foster said. The Ravalli County TEDD and the Ravalli County Airport are tremendous municipal assets.

Commissioners Ray Hawk, Chris Hoffman, Doug Shallenberger and Jeff Burrows said they supported the efforts of Economic Development Authority, TEDD and the airport. Commissioner Greg Chilcott was not present.
MISSOULA  A 47-year-old Trout Creek man died after crashing his ATV into a tree in Sanders County.

Montana Highway Patrol responded to a call about a crash a little after 6 p.m. Saturday in the area of Marten Creek Road and Beecher Lane, about two miles west of Trout Creek. The man was driving a Yamaha ATV eastbound when he went off the road and crashed into a tree. The man was thrown off the ATV and landed in a ditch.

The man was transported to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. The hospital confirmed his death to Montana Highway Patrol at about 2 a.m. Sunday.

Alcohol, drugs and speed are all being investigated as possible factors in the crash. This was the 52nd death on Montana highways this year, according to the Montana Highway Patrol dispatch center.
Guwahati : An army recruitment rally was conducted in Nagaland's Kohima based IG Stadium on May 18- 20 exclusively for the youths of Nagaland.

The dates for rally of respective districts were May 18 for Tuensang, Mon, Mokokchung, Longleng, Khipre and Peren, May 19 for Zunheboto, Wokha and Dimapur and May 20 for Kohima and Phek.

An overwhelming response from youth who had registered from all districts including remote areas of Nagaland to be recruited in Army was a warm welcome this year.

The wave of surge in candidates to join the elite profession of valour and pride from the Eastern most State of the Country will go a long way in bringing about rapid socio-economic development of Naga Hill Tribes.

Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, the participants were tested for 1.6 Km run, 9 feet ditch jump, Pull ups and Zig Zag Balance.

Later medical tests were conducted for all the successful candidates. These candidates would be now called for Written Tests at Dimapur on July 30-31 next.

The rally was flagged off by Brigadier Sanjeev Nagpal, Deputy Director General of Recruiting for the Northeast India.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Security forces had apprehended two hardcore militants belonging to ULFA (I) and NSCN (K) from upper Assam's Tinsukia district on Friday, officials said on Saturday.

Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, the Changlang battalion under DAO division carried out an operation at Ledo along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and apprehended a hardcore ULFA (I) militant.

The nabbed militant was identified as Bikram Chakma and recovered a point 22 caliber pistol with ammunition.

'On interrogation the cadre revealed the whereabouts of an over gound worker of NSCN (K) named Tara Chand who was involved in extortion activities and was providing support to terrorists in the area. These cadres were working hand in hand terrorizing people to extort money from the area and were involved in various nefarious activities,'A the Defence PRO said.

These apprehensions are in continuation of successful operations being carried out by Assam Rifles in the region wherein a number of high ranking and notorious cadres have been apprehended in recent days.

These successful operations are acting as major setbacks to the extortion network and activities of outlawed groups in the region.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)*
Kathmandu, Nepal : Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav has said that various regressive forces including ex-Royals are conspiring to make the federal republic a failure.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Dhanusha chapter of Sanghiya Press Forum Nepal in Dhanusha on Sunday, Yadav said his party would take part in all three-tier elections to institutionalise the achievements gained through constitution promulgation.

Sanghiya Forum Nepal Chairman Yadav said so in the mean time when other agitating Mashes based parties have challenged to obstruct the scheduled second phase of local level elections demanding immediate amendment in the constitution.

During the function he also expressed his hopes that all Madhes-based political parties would take part in the electionsincluding the scheduled local level elecitons.
On Friday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said President Xi Jinping threatened war if Duterte started developing Philippine oil and gas resources in the South China Sea. The Philippines has every right to do so, per the award of an international arbitral tribunal in the Hague last year. After describing Xis threat, Duterte told his Philippine military audience, What more could I say? I sympathize. The Philippines is a much smaller country militarily, economically, and in diplomatic power, than is China. As Duterte points out, war with China would be a massacre and it will destroy everything, starting in Palawan, a long Philippine island bordering the South China Sea.

But lets consider a few options that show this threat of war for what it is: a baseless scare tactic . First, Duterte could hang tough and seek a stronger stance on the issue by the U.S., which is a Philippine ally per the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 . In his defense, Duterte and his predecessor Benigno Aquino may already have sought such help from the U.S. and gotten turned down or dissuaded. That would be a stain on U.S. honor. But redoubling his efforts, for example reaching out to Trump and bringing the threat before the United Nations General Assembly, is constitutionally required according to Philippine Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

To whomever one ascribes blame, the U.S.-Philippine alliance failed to defend the Philippine EEZ when China occupied Mischief Reef in 1995, and Scarborough Shoal in 2012. That is a fact. Every day that China continues its occupation, the alliance fails anew.

The U.S. and Philippines together, could easily have defended these locations. The Philippines tried briefly at the Scarborough standoff of 2012 , but U.S. ships did not join, and then the U.S. and China brokered a deal in which the Philippines backed off, and China stayed. Why didnt the U.S. and Philippines return in force when they realized they had been tricked? Given that we all stayed home, we cannot say that Chinas willingness to fight has been tested at Scarborough.

When I spoke to several Chinese foreign ministry officials a couple years ago, they said they would not fight back if the U.S. and Philippines removed them from Scarborough by force. If China attacked Philippine military forces, or the island of Palawan, the U.S. would come to the aid of the Philippines militarily, and China knows this. It was a startling admission, one gotten when I surprised them with the question. But I bet it is true, even today.That would be militarily and economically damaging, if not catastrophic, to both countries. Therefore a Chinese war against the Philippines is unlikely to happen as long as the alliance with the U.S. is healthy. President Duterte could make this clear to the public in both nations by visiting the White House, and inviting Trump to Malacanang Palace, rather than amplify Chinas scare tactics.

More likely than war would be Chinese attempts to interdict Philippine commercial vessels trying to drill for oil, and offering to sell Philippine oil rights. China did this to Vietnam in 2012 . When Vietnam tried to tow sonar in its EEZ, looking for oil and gas, a Chinese boat ran over the cables and cut them. Also in 2012, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) tried to auction blocks for oil exploration that were within Vietnam's EEZ. The Philippines could protect its oil exploration and drilling with its own Coast Guard, perhaps accompanied by U.S., European and Japanese Coast Guard.





This would require improved relations with these countries, which is possible. According to U.S. administration officials, Trump wants to help the Philippines be a bulwark against Chinese expansionism in Asia. But President Duterte cold-shouldered President Trumps invitation to the White House. Meanwhile he told an audience of Beijing business executives, America has lost now. Ive realigned myself in your ideological flow.

Why did Duterte alienate the U.S. ($18 trillion nominal GDP) and E.U. ($20 trillion GDP) in favor of China ($11 trillion GDP)? Because of promises of $24 billion in investments and loans that will most likely primarily benefit Chinese companies, and that have not yet materialized? The Philippines should use its precious resources, whether loans or taxes, to develop its own industrial and technological capacity, not that of foreign companies. The Philippines is a democracy with a U.S. defense treaty. China is a military competitor and is in the process of illegally occupying Philippine territory. The Philippines has every reason to court the U.S. for protection, and to expect that such protection be afforded.

It is hard to make sense of the U.S.-Philippine alliance failure without resorting to theories of Chinese economic influence in both Philippine and U.S. politics. It is clear that Duterte is seeking billions in loans from China. It is possible that Dutertes designees, whether friends, family, or political supporters, could stand to make hundreds of millions of dollars from these deals, especially if they are involved in contracting or as middlemen between the Philippine government and the Chinese companies who would likely do most of the work. The Trump family is also making money in China, including through trademarks and possible Chinese real estate investment in the New York area. Is it possible that Chinas willingness to provide economic benefit to political leaders in the U.S. and the Philippines has made these political leaders soft on China? I think so. And I think that may be why the U.S. and Philippines never did much about Chinas occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995 and Scarborough Shoal in 2012.

This problem predates Trump and Duterte, which suggests that we need stronger laws to make it impossible for politicians, and by extension their friends, family, and political supporters, from doing business with politically, economically, and militarily aggressive countries like China. Not forbidding such business opens our democracies to authoritarian political influence. As Trump rightly notes, people in the U.S. need the Philippines as a bulwark against Chinese expansionism. Duterte rightly notes that the Philippines, alone, would be destroyed in a war against China. People in the Philippines need the U.S. for its military power. We need each other. Voters in both countries, and in other democracies, must demand that their political leaders stick together and defend the line that divides democracy from autocracy wherever it comes under threat.

Please follow me on Twitter @anderscorr, or contact me at corr@canalyt.com.
Tanzania, which imposed a ban on the export of rough tanzanite more than 1 gram to encourage local beneficiation, said it will cautiously extend the moratorium to other precious stones in the country once it has the capacity to cut and polish all gemstones, locally.

Gemstones found in the East African country included tanzanite, ruby, tsavorite, garnet, emerald, sapphire and alexandrite.

Commissioner for minerals Benjamin Mchwampaka told Rough & Polished on the sidelines of the Arusha Gem Fair, which took place early May, that they dont want to paralyse the whole industry by imposing a blanket ban on the export of all rough gemstones when there is no capacity to add value in the country.

He, however, said both government and the private sector had started training locals in cutting and polishing in preparation for the future ban of rough gemstones.

Mchwampaka also said government would consider issues raised by mining companies following its directive to have them cede 30 percent of their equity to the public as well as list on the local stock exchange.

He said Dar es Salaam was also engaging Petra Diamonds over its shares in Williamson Diamonds and a decision on whether it should be subjected to the new regulations that would be reached at after discussions.

The Tanzanian government currently owns a 25 percent stake in the diamond mine.

Below are excerpts of the interview.

What is the state of tanzanite mining in the country?

As you know tanzanite is being mined under [three] scenarios: there is what we call large scale mining [medium and small scale mining]. [Under large scale mining]  a company called TanzaniteOne is operating Block C in a joint venture with STAMICO (on behalf of the government) and their shareholding being 50/50. We also have small scale miners who are on Blocks B and D where each Tanzanian interested has a primary mining licence to mine for tanzanite. We also have medium scale miners like Kilimanjaro Mines and Tanzanite Africa operating in the same area. So, I would say tanzanite mining is going on and the miners are observing the rules according to the type of licence they have.

Richland Resources, which previously owned TanzaniteOne constantly complained about illegal mining in Block C. Do you still have cases of illegal mining in the area?

I dont know if the term illegal mining was appropriate, but what I can say is that people from neighbouring blocks, mostly B and D found it difficult to know where the boundary was while mining underground. These people are common Tanzanians depending on their level of education they might not have been in a position to use GPS to know that now I have crossed my boundary. So, they were, I would say, intruding into somebodys licence unknowingly, or sometimes knowingly. So, the big issue is there is no boundary, underground.

So, what have you done to arrest the problem?

We have been trying to educate them (artisanal miners), to tell them that they should stick to the boundaries of their blocks and not to intrude into somebodys licence and the [problem] had been going on and off but what we can say right now a team of inspectors is over there working on this issue trying to produce some maps which show the extent of intrusion, if there is any, so that the government can take some measures, which we think will mitigate those kinds of incidences.

In terms of output, how many carats of tanzanite did you produce last year and what is the projected output this year?

Those statistics I dont have them with me right now.

As far as beneficiation is concerned, what are you doing as a country to add value to your rough gemstones?

In case of tanzanite, maybe as you are aware, in our endeavour to make sure they are being beneficiated in the country, we passed a regulation, which requires tanzanite from 1 gram and above not to be exported in raw form, it has to be cut and polished in the country and we have been adhering to that since 2010, if I am not mistaken. The challenges which we face are that some of the players do feel that the capacity to cut every stone that is 1 gram and above is not yet ready in the country. However, the government is taking some initiative, for example, we have started a programme at the Tanzania Gemological Centre in Arusha, which is currently targeting women. We do a sponsorship through this show, the Arusha Gem Fair, we are having now. There is a fund, which has been set aside to sponsor women to undertake a course for six months in theory and one-month practical training. So its a seven-month programme where they receive training in cutting and lapidary issues. Once they graduate we have been liaising with established dealers here in Arusha and have places to absorb those people so that this issue of saying we dont have cutters can gradually be alleviated and apart from that we are also about to put fully-fledged programmes at that institution whereby people will now pay on their own to do lapidary, gemological courses and all that.

All those initiatives are taken to make sure that Tanzanians really know value addition. We are also encouraging the private sector to train people in cutting and polishing. We have such private institutions that are training people here in Arusha so we believe that gradually the local capacity to add value to our stones will build up and when that time comes I think the (ban) wont be on tanzanite, but on all gemstones produced in the country.

Do you have any set deadline as to when you should extend the ban of rough exports to other gemstones?

We will do a thorough assessment; it will take time. We dont want to paralyse the whole industry, because if you say we ban the export of all gemstones were there is no capacity to cut and polish them you actually paralyse the industry and you encourage smuggling. So, we are doing it strategically, bit-by-bit to make sure we have enough cutters on the ground who are trained to cut gemstones to the required standards and once we are sure beyond reasonable doubt that that capacity has been reached we will surely extend the ban which have put on tanzanite to other gemstones in the spirit of not exporting jobs and ensure the government gets the true value of each stone through the selling of value added products.

Lets look at the new regulation that you put in place that requires mining companies to cede 30 percent of their stake to what you call the public. What is the way forward given reports that the move is facing some resistance?

This aspect is concerning companies that got the so-called special mining licences and that is large scale mining licences. Available records right now show that we have 14 of such companies so those are companies that will be required by law to list on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and the regulation has given a timeline of up to 24 August this year to do so. So, yes, companies have shown some concern particularly those, which have the mining development agreement with the government because in that agreement there are some clauses which give them fiscal stability such that when some new regulations are introduced, which may affect their profits they should be protected. So, based on that thats what they are trying to show concern to say look we have an agreement with the government but the regulation, which came into place requesting companies to list did not exempt us. So, we have received their complaints, the government is looking at them holistically, we are consulting  we understand listing has some challenges, people have to know how business is traded on the stock exchange and its not a culture of Africa so there are a lot of things to be doneeducating the people that once the companies are listed they should be ready to buy the shares. That costs money, the liquidity of our people is not the samegovernment has already started with telecoms and now we are looking at the mining industry so definitely there are things to look at, but government, using its machinery, will work out the most feasible way whereby companies can list and people can buy shares so that the business can continue

Petra Diamonds has a 75 percent stake in Williamson Diamonds and government owns the remaining 25 percent. So, does this new regulation apply to them or government will just add an additional 5 percent to make it 30 percent?

That has not been decided yet, we are still consulting, we will be meeting with Petra, as our partner, to see how best we can take this issue without affecting both sideswhatever we will agree upon in our initial meeting will be taken to the higher authorities in my ministry and eventually we will reach a consensus.

So, you dont have a position regarding the matter because some officials were quoted as saying the government stake in Williamson Diamonds wont stop Petra from offloading 30 percent to the public?

No, not as yet, because we havent discussed that.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




The French-Algerian senator, Leila Aichi, has paid a high price for her support for the Polisario, as her name disappeared, on Wednesday, from the final list of candidates of La Republique en marche! (LREM) for the June legislative elections in France.

The candidacy of Leila Aichi, who has been listed by MoDem of Francois Bayrou and who was initially scheduled to run in the 9th district, reserved for French expatriates, stirred an outcry especially among the Franco-Moroccan community. This community challenged Aichis candidacy because of her support for the Polisario and for the Algerian regimes stance in the Sahara issue.

The name of the controversial Franco-Algerian candidate has been erased off the final candidates list of Emmanuel Macrons movement La Republique en Marche as it can be seen in the list published on Wednesday (May 17) on the LREM website.

In an attempt to save her candidacy, Aichi issued the day before (May 16) a statement flatly denying any links with the Polisario and any hostility towards Morocco, its King and its institutions. But seemingly, her assertions were not convincing as to her neutral stances.

In April 2013, she came under the spotlight when she organized, in her capacity as Senator of Paris, a debate on Human Rights in Western Sahara.

The only guests to the debate were Polisario members, Algerian officials and their supporters. So, they had the opportunity to criticize Morocco as much as they could since there was no one in the room to oppose them or deflate their allegations.

In her address at the debate, the Senator deplored international indifference to the fate of the Sahrawi people and even denounced Frances systematic alignment on Moroccan politics.

A picture published at the time, shows the warm welcome Leila Aichi reserved to the Polisario torturers, who were accompanied by senior Algerian officials and diplomats.

A large number of French and Franco-Moroccan voters spoke out against her candidacy to the National Assembly because of her blatant bias that contradicts Frances official position on the Sahara issue.

All French Governments, whether from the right or from the left have consistently supported the search for a solution under the aegis of the United Nations and described from the onset the Moroccan autonomy plan as a serious and credible basis for a negotiated solution.
The Sahara issue continues to poison relations between Algeria and Morocco, to the extent that an Algerian official has physically assaulted a Moroccan diplomat during a meeting of a UN body held Thursday (May 18) in St. Lucia.

Soufiane Mimouni, Director General of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, assaulted the Deputy Chief of Moroccos Mission in Saint Lucia who was hospitalized for medical treatment. The incident dismayed the members of the UN Special Committee of 24 that was convening in this Caribbean island.

Reacting to this unprecedented aggression in a UN meeting, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita expressed indignation at the Algerian officials behavior.

The assault by a senior official, third in the hierarchical order of the Algerian Foreign Ministry, transgresses all diplomatic customs, said Nasser Bourita, describing the incident as very serious. He pointed out that going as far as attacking physically a diplomat at an official meeting is certainly unique in the annals of diplomacy.

The Moroccan Foreign Minister expressed amazement that the physical assault was made by an Algerian official, at a time Algeria constantly claims it plays a mere observer role in the Sahara issue.

Actually, Algerian officials nervousness has been growing since Morocco reintegrated last January the African Union (AU), where a majority of member states no longer recognize the Polisario.

And the feverishness of Algerian diplomacy has redoubled since the end of April when the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2351.

This resolution enshrines negotiation as the only way to achieve a political and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara conflict and definitively excludes, like the other resolutions adopted since 2001, any reference to the referendum, so fiercely defended by Algeria and the Polisario separatist movement.
It was tough, grueling, undesirable work, but someone had to do it.

Mandan veteran Jerry LaFave said his time deep below deck of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam in the late 1960s working in the boiler room was far from the most desirable place to be.

However, without him and the others below deck in scorching conditions, the ship wouldnt have been able to function as part of the war effort.

LaFave, 70, graduated from Bismarck High School in 1965. Knowing he wasnt going to attend college, he realized  with the draft approaching as he was feeding someones cows south of Mandan  the U.S. Navy might be a path to a better future.

So he enlisted in February 1966, following the footsteps of his father, who served aboard an aircraft carrier in World War II. LaFave completed training in April of that year in San Diego, with an assignment aboard the Ticonderoga coming shortly thereafter.

LaFave said he remembers when he was with a group of men being told by officers that the work in the boiler room was hottest, dirtiest, most miserable job in the service.

I looked at the guy next to me and said: I know what theyre going to do with me, LaFave said.

Sure enough, he wound up working in the belly of the ship, where he recalls the hatch marking the entry to the boiler room being painted with three devils and the phrase Welcome to Hell.

At upward of 130 degrees in the work area, he said it wasnt far from the truth, with men needing to constantly be supplied water to keep from passing out or having other health issues during lengthy shifts among hot equipment. Those shifts could sometimes begin with four hours of watch duty at 4 a.m. before heading down below for eight hours then require further duty as late as 8 p.m.

LaFave said by comparison, the air in the hot environs of Southeast Asia was quite pleasant, almost cool, when pumped down into the boiler room for ventilation.

After leaving the Navy in the fall of 1969, LaFave returned to Bismarck, working briefly for a construction company.

Early in 1970, he joined Minnkota Power Cooperative, where he was among one of the original staff members hired to work at the Milton R. Young Station in Center. He began as an equipment operator and worked his way up, retiring in 2007 as a shift supervisor.

LaFave and his wife moved to their home on the outskirts of Mandan in 1976.

He said he definitely didnt have it anywhere near as rough as those who served on the front lines in Vietnam. His job was to keep things running smoothly and allowing the war effort to continue in some small way.

Joining the Navy was probably the biggest thing that set my course, said LaFave, adding he wasnt the greatest student and wouldnt have been cut out for college. I knew I didnt want to stack hay and feed someone elses cows for the rest of my life.

He said in the mid-1960s North Dakota was largely exporting wheat and young people. The Navy, in his case, allowed him to not be among those who left permanently.

He said his Navy experience and skill set were attractive to the Minnkota people when he applied, setting him on a comfortable career path despite not being college educated.

One of the highlights of my life. I would do it all over again, LaFave said of his service.
Homewood city hall.JPG

Homewood City Hall

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

David Sher is Co-Founder of AmSher Compassionate Collections and past Chairman of Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, ONB, and CAP.

Let's turn Birmingham around. Click here to sign up for newsletter. There's power in numbers. (Opt out at any time)

The City of Birmingham could be the next Homewood.

Homewood is one of the most livable and popular cities in Alabama.

Young folks are flocking into Homewood.

Young folks also are flocking into Birmingham.

But Birmingham has a problem...

I recently was invited to speak to a local civic club on how we might build a robust Birmingham.

I was stunned to walk into a room jammed with young folks excitedly engaged in conversation. The room was electric!

Let me describe the folks in the room:

Primarily white

All males

All under the age of 30

All upper middle class

These young men joined this club to expand their business connections, socialize, and to support a non-profit with a mission to make a difference in children's' lives.

These men are our future leaders. They are establishing careers and starting new families.

I was invigorated just being in the same room.

I began by asking a question.

"How many of you live in the City of Birmingham?"

I always ask who lives in Birmingham knowing that very few hands will be raised.

But I was wrong.

To my astonishment, almost everyone in the room lived within the city limits of Birmingham.

I was dumbfounded! This has never happened to me before.

But then someone in the audience shouted out, "Ask how many will remain in the city when their children reach school age?"

Silence...

The question dramatically changed the tone in the room.

He was right. These future leaders would soon abandon the city.

Think about that for a moment.

Young folks actually choose to start their careers and families in Birmingham, but we make it impossible for them to stay.

What does this have to do with Homewood?

Homewood is thriving

Homewood is diverse

Homewood has an excellent school system

Homewood is thriving: When my wife and I bought a home in Vestavia Hills, our first choice was Homewood. But the cost per square foot of house in Homewood was more than we wanted to pay. The demand for homes in Homewood is intense.

Homewood is diverse: Drive around the neighborhoods of Homewood. Yes, there are plenty of whites, but you also see large numbers of African-American and Latinos--even a fair number of Asians. There are upscale neighborhoods and others that are not as upscale.

Homewood has an excellent school system: The Birmingham Business Journal recently ranked Homewood City Schools as the 4th top performing school system in Jefferson County after Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills and the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Homewood Schools are highly rated--even with its diverse population.

Approximately 27 percent of Homewood students are on free or reduced lunch, yet Homewood students have a 94 percent graduation rate; 91 percent meet or exceed state proficiency standards in mathematics; 95 percent in reading.

If Birmingham had a comparable school system, the City of Birmingham would be unstoppable.

Millennials are choosing Birmingham to start their careers, but they soon move to Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Trussville, or Hoover for better schools.

Birmingham schools are on a march to nowhere

Birmingham City Schools have had 10 school superintendents in 18 years. No school system can survive with such rampant turnover.

In contrast, Bill Cleveland has been the superintendent of Homewood Schools for nine years and is a graduate of Homewood High School.

Birmingham School Board members are elected from nine separate districts. No board member is elected city-wide. So it's in the best interest of each school board member to please his or her constituents rather than to make decisions that may benefit the school system as a whole.

The result is what you might expect.

No superintendent can survive with nine board members pulling and pushing from different directions.

I asked one of the few non-Birmingham residents at the meeting where he lived. He said he lived in Birmingham until he had to make a school decision and then he and his family moved to Homewood. He chose Homewood for its schools system, but he really liked the diversity.

Many young parents today-contrary to past generations-seek diversity-but that diversity must be paired with excellent schools.

Come on Birmingham, with good schools you could be more like Homewood.
Chloe Zhao's first feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, showed the beautiful and difficult life of a young man on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota; his relationship with his family, his clashes with white men, and his own decisions about his future. Returning to the same setting, The Rider tells another story of a young man whose dreams are thwarted just as they were about to come true. In this film, Zhao shifts her focus to those dreams, how a young man must reconsider his life, and whether to put his own desires ahead of the needs of his family.

Brady (Brady Jandreau) was a rising star on the rodeo circuit, until an accident and head injury has left him sidelined, possibly without being able to return. He struggles to find some way to continue working with horses, while clashing with his father Tim (Tim Jandeau), who has a gambling problem, and helping look after his developmentally challenged sister, Lilly (Lilly Jandreau). His friends are supportive, but can't really help Brady to decide whether his dream is worth more injury or even death.

As with her previous film, Zhao engages the real people of the story to play themselves in this docu-fiction, crafting the story around their experiences. She finds a way of allowing their natural personalities to come through while still maintaing the story, the emotional through line never wavering. The camera becomes a kind of guardian spirit holding Brady up as he struggles with this newfound disability.

Zhao and cinematographer Joshua James Richards shoot the characters mainly on close-up, their every joy and pain writ large on the screen. Jandreau and the rest of the cast may be non-professional actors, but their honesty in both dialogue and wordless scenes is astonishing; they are both oblivious to the camera and aware of what they need to project. This is juxtaposed against wide shots of the incredible landscape; a place of plains, hills, and most importantly, horses. The connection to the land is absolute.

While this might be a story largely of men and masculinity, the deep love between the male friends is not hidden under bravado; words of love and affection abound, and it is within the love that Brady gives and receives that he must find his answer. He takes a mundane job to earn money because it's what is necessary; he visits his friend Lane, a fellow rodeo rider who was even more severely injured. He tries to find some kind of work with horses, even if it's just training; but even though he is a born horse whisperer, his injury may keep him away from the thing that sustains his soul. HIs may retain the pain of his love of riding his whole life, but the pleasure of it might be taken away, and Brady struggles.

But the view is neither romantic nor sentimental; it is gentle to its characters, letting them breathe through the story and space; meandering as Brady must, trying to find his way. Combined with an understated yet beautiful score by Nathan Halpern, The Rider confirms Zhao as one of the great new American directors, looking at the lives of people too often ignored in cinema, and in a way too often not attempted.
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May 21, 2017

"Fighting Fines & Fees: Borrowing from Consumer Law to Combat Criminal Justice Debt Abuses"

The title of this post is the title of this notable paper authored by Neil Sobol and now available via SSRN. Here is the abstract:

Although media and academic sources often describe mass incarceration as the primary challenge facing the American criminal justice system, the imposition of criminal justice debt may be a more pervasive problem. On March 14, 2016, the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested that state chief justices forward a letter to all judges in their jurisdictions describing the constitutional violations associated with the illegal assessment and enforcement of fines and fees. The DOJs concerns include the incarceration of indigent individuals without determining whether the failure to pay is willful and the use of bail practices that result in impoverished defendants remaining in jail merely because they are unable to afford bail. Criminal justice debt, also known as legal financial obligations (LFOs), impacts not only those incarcerated but also millions of others who receive economic sanctions for low-level offenses, including misdemeanors and ordinance violations. LFOs, which include bail, fines, and fees, are imposed at every stage in the justice process, including pre-conviction, sentencing, incarceration, and post-release supervision. For those who are unable to pay criminal justice debt, poverty penalties are often added in the form of charges for interest, payment plans, late payments, and collection. As incarceration rates and local budgetary concerns have increased, so too has the imposition of LFOs. Moreover, while authorities are trying to reduce incarceration, criminal justice debt may become an even greater concern, as one popular alternative is decriminalization and the imposition of monetary charges. Often the financial charges are unrelated to the traditional notions of punishment or protection of public safety and instead, reflect a desire to maximize revenue collection. Many municipalities outsource services to private probation companies and collectors, which are often unsupervised and use collection procedures not authorized for private parties. Moreover, new technologies allow for additional collection abuses. To date, states and municipalities have been ineffective in preventing abuses associated with criminal justice debt. Relying on the approach used for consumer debt collection, I propose a federal solution. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provide the foundation for a federal framework for addressing problems with the collection of consumer debts. I contend that the justifications that supported the federal statutory and administrative solution for consumer debts are at least as significant, if not greater, for a similar framework to combat abusive criminal justice debt practices. Not only do individuals with criminal justice debt encounter the same abuses and consequences that consumer debtors face  including harassment, negative credit reports, and the adverse impact on financing and employment prospects  but they also face denial of welfare benefits, suspension of drivers licenses, arrest, and incarceration. In practice, the imposition of criminal justice debt reflects actual discrimination and creates distrust in the system. Accordingly, I advocate the adoption of a federal act and the use of the DOJ to coordinate enforcement and outreach activities to attack abuses in the collection of criminal justice debt.

May 21, 2017 at 04:45 PM | Permalink

Comments

I estimate a $trillion is taken from us, each year, by the criminal cult enterprise that is the lawyer profession. Almost all of it has no external validity nor any moral or legal justification. It does it using the model of the Inquisition. Our country is under the tyranny of the Inquisition 2.0. The 1.0 gotcha business model lasted 700 years. It built the splendors of the Vatican and Italian churches. The lawyer profession did not just copy the catechism as described below. It copied the business model of the Inquisition.

I have considered filing intervention claims in health care to slow the Mafia at the DOJ. I cannot get the idea out of my head of how the Inquisition 1.0 ended, and that the same will be required. The Inquisition 1.0 ended when French patriots beheaded 10,000 high church officials.

I like the child like innocence of the above paper. If Sobol thinks a criminal cult enterprise can give up a $trillion with the passage of statutes, he should never lose that childlike faith.

Posted by: David Behar | May 21, 2017 7:54:49 PM

Sadly, this is one instance where I happen to agree with David. Not so much the beheading of lawyers but the idea that local governments will give up the pool of money easily. These legal fees are the companion to civil forfeiture. They require the citizen to pay the government without any conviction, so in essence they require to a citizen to pay the government for the pleasure of being a citizen. Which is a fancy way of saying they are a tax. When we understand these fees are taxes in disguise there inherently regressive nature swings into focus. Because like civil forfeiture these taxes fall most heavily on those with the least resources to dispute them.

There is an old saw that people get the government they deserve. In our capitalistic society that largely means the government people are willing to pay for. The poor get very little justice because they can afford very little justice, being poor. So either the rich subside justice for the poor or they don't; experience teaches that for the most part they don't. Not unless someone forces them to do it.

Posted by: Daniel | May 21, 2017 8:49:57 PM

Daniel. I have proposed getting serious with civil forfeiture. Stop seizing the slum houses of grandmothers, and the cash of weary travelers because they have traces of cocaine.

Lawyer dumbasses at the really stupid DOJ: seize Goodle/Facebook/Twitter/Microsoft. Millions of crimes have been committed on their platforms, you morons. Sell the parts of these awful monopolies, and stop kidding around.

Are the lawyers not the stupidest people in our country, and the Harvard grads at the DOJ not the very stupidest of lawyers?

Everyone else knows this. Only you morons do not. I just can't stand the stupidity of this profession, and of its elite.

Posted by: David Behar | May 21, 2017 9:49:55 PM

Hey, Joe. Can you research writs of mandamus in civil forfeiture for me?

Posted by: David Behar | May 22, 2017 12:52:20 AM

Actually the problem is that the people paying these fees and fines are paying them in the wrong currency. The correct form of currency should be the following

45 caliber

357 caliber

Or the ever popular

9m

Pretty sure once they collected a few payments the little crooks would fine some new pockets to pivk!

Who knows the next target might be lawyers

Posted by: rodsmith3510 | May 22, 2017 11:13:49 AM

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125 Years Ago

Gamblers back: The gamblers. who were driven from Sioux City by the closing of the gambling houses and went to Sioux Falls, are pouring back into the city. The reason is that gambling has been stopped in Sioux Falls.

Heros funeral: The funeral of Andrew G. Anderson, the hero of the recent great flood who lost his own life in the raging flood waters by saving a score of other people, was held Sunday. Trinity Lutheran church was filled to overflowing. He lived the life of an honest toiler, but in his death he became a hero.

Houses for sale: New residence near Boulevard and 17th,, for $2,800. Eight-room residence, new and finely built with steam heat, on Jackson near 13th, $7,000. Morning Side residence; every modern conveniences, $8,500.

100 Years Ago

Flag poles: Superintendent M. G. Clark recommended to the Board of Education that flag poles should be purchased and erected on every school grounds and buildings. The board members enthusiastically said they are in favor of the poles.

In war news: The much despised mule is becoming valuable and its popularity is increasing because of war preparations in Europe. Mules now sell for not less than $15 each and suddenly are going as high as $200 each. Journal reporters Vernon Bundy and Lloyd Carter will depart next week to enlist in the Canadian contingent headed to the war.

Blue law: More than 100 arrests were made, as authorities clamped down on violations of the Iowa Blue Law ordered by the Attorney General. Among those arrested were proprietors of cigar stores, candy shops, pool halls, florists, bowling alleys and moving picture houses.

50 Years Ago

Historic church closes: St. Jean the Baptist Catholic Church will hold its last Sunday Mass on June 4, according to the Most Rev. Joseph M. Mueller. He said the parish no longer serves the specific purpose for which it was established in 1890 by French settlers. The church is on the northeast corner of Seventh and Water streets.

Panty raid: A panty rid at Westmar College in Le Mars on Monday night by an estimated 300 male students was termed youthful exuberance and spring fever by college and city officials. Two Le Mars policemen were hit by rocks, but neither was injured and no charges against the students were made.

Making news: Miss Barbara Verschoor, a senior X-ray student at St. Vincents Hospital School of Nursing, was crowned queen of the student body at the spring formal dance. ..; Miss Karla Beermann, 18, won the 1967 Miss South Sioux City Pageant from a field of seven girls.

25 Years Ago

Chickens killed: Fire killed an estimated 120,000 chickens and damaged two buildings at the M. G. Waldbaum Company in Wakefield, Neb., Tuesday. The fire was at the Big Red egg production complex, three miles west of Wakefield.

Hotel razed: Demolition of the Bus Hotel, a Sioux City fixture, is underway. The hotels owner, Firstar Bank, is razing the building to make room for additional bank parking. The hotel is located at 414 Douglas St.

Dog racing: Promising a new and improved brand of greyhound racing, Sodrac Park in North Sioux City will open its 38th season Thursday evening with the traditional running of the Inaugural Handicap. Most of the greyhounds have been imported from Arizona.

These items were published in The Journal May 21-27, 1892, 1917, 1967 and 1992.
SIOUX CITY -- One of the community's most tenured food processors was recognized by the city with A Growing Sioux City" Award.

The honor was bestowed on Braunger Foods Tuesday in tribute to the companys growth and investment in Sioux City, according to a release from the city.

The award, presented by Mayor Bob Scott, was accepted by Braunger Foods president Tom Kloucek, and the company's owner and CEO Tony Wald, who also serves as CEO of Toba Inc. Braunger Foods is one of six brands and companies that operate both independently and in partnership with TOBA companies.

Sioux City wind shirts also were provided to company executives and a new tree will be planted on the property located at 2101 Murray St., signifying the companys commitment to growing in Sioux City.

Braunger Foods has been operating its food service distribution company in Sioux City for 128 years. The company recently completed renovations of an existing 48,000 square-foot facility and added an an additional 27,000 square feet to the warehouse located in the Bridgeport Industrial Park.

The $2.2 million project included local and state tax incentives assistance and the company vowed to retain the 47 employees it had at the time the deal was made.

Braunger Foods distributes meat and related food items to more than 1,000 restaurants, schools and health care facilities in a 180-mile radius of Sioux City within Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
SIOUX CITY -- Security National Bank of Sioux City his hired Chad Basel as an employee benefit administrator in the Wealth Management Division.

He will be located at the banks main office at Sixth and Pierce Street in downtown Sioux City.

Basel has more than 16 years of administration, account management, customer service, and group training experience in the retirement industry helping employers and employees invest and save for retirement. In his new duties, Basel will manage accounts and counsel clients in the design and administration of employee benefit plans and investment performance. He will also work one-on-one with employee plan participants in making investment choices to fit their long term goals.

Basel earned his bachelors of arts degree in business administration from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in 2000. He also is certified as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and has earned his Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 licenses.

After college, Basel began his career as a retirement specialist and later became a senior client services associate with the Principal Financial Group in Des Moines. In 2005, he joined Transamerica Retirement Solutions as a retirement planning consultant.
 Politico: Convicted Palestinian Terrorist is an Urbane Diplomat | Main | New York Times Downplays Clash as Demonstration 

May 21, 2017

Reuters Marks Six Day War Jubilee With Skewed Jerusalem Infographic

May 23 Update: Reuters Corrects Six Day War Jerusalem Infographic, But Leaves Flawed Original in Place

Reuters marks the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War with an infographic in English, French and Spanish which explicitly states that east Jerusalem "is home to Islam's third holiest site," but which ignores the fact that the area is also home to Judaism's holiest sites. The Temple Mount is Judaism's holiest site, and the nearby Western Wall is the holiest site where Jewish prayer is permitted.

Reuters' skewed reference to the holy status of Jerusalem in Islam, while ignoring the city's even more significant sacred status in Judaism, directly counters the 2015 reassurance from a Reuters editor that "[w]hen we say that the Al Aqsa mosque compound (or Noble Sanctuary) is the holiest site in Islam outside Saudi Arabia, or that it is the third holiest site in Islam, we also point out that the Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism."

CAMERA last week contacted Reuters editors to request that they amend this tilted infographic, but they have failed to do so. Contact Reuters here to request that they add that east Jerusalem is home to Judaism's holiest sites.

Posted by TS at May 21, 2017 01:52 AM

In 1948 the number of Arabs in Jerusalem was far more than zero. Reuters is a terrorist support group

Posted by: Gee at May 21, 2017 11:00 AM

Gee, excellent point about Reuters ignoring the city's Arab population in 1948 and 1961 (over 65,000). We address it here, and Reuters has corrected that as well, though the agency has yet to replace the misleading original in their images archive.

Posted by: TS at May 23, 2017 03:45 AM

Another Deceitful Reuters Israel Headline

http://www.israellycool.com/2016/08/25/another-deceitful-reuters-israel-headline/

Posted by: Dan Livni at May 24, 2017 12:30 AM

Guidelines for posting

This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material.

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SIOUX CITY | On May 18, Cortney Nelson walked across the stage at the Tyson Events Center to accept her associate degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Just eight days later, the 18-year-old Sioux City girl will also be accepting her high school diploma after graduating from Siouxland Christian School.

Wait, Cortney's graduating from high school and community college at the same time?

"Actually if you go by the order of commencement ceremonies, I'll be graduating community college and, then, high school," she explained, noting that Siouxland Christian School is set to take place on Friday. "It's weird how that worked out.

Incredibly, Cortney isn't alone.

Three of her Siouxland Christian School classmates have also earned enough college credits to receive their WITCC degrees concurrently with their high school diplomas.

This is even more remarkable since the school's class of 2017 consists of 23 students.

"Taking college-level courses at the same time you're a full-time high school student meant double the workload," Brooke Campbell said with a sigh. "I'm so happy that all of that hard work paid off."

Along with her twin sister Taylor, Brooke had been taking online college courses since the ninth grade.

"Brooke and I would get our high school assignments done as soon as we could," Taylor noted. "Since we were both on (Siouxland Christian School's) volleyball team, we also had to contend with practices and games."

"That meant we were cramming for our college assignments late at night," Brooke said, continuing the story. "It was the only time we could do it."

Such experiences with cram sessions will probably come in handy when the Sioux City twins transfer to the University of South Dakota in the fall.

Classmate Cortney will be studying education at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa.

However, Emily Yanney -- the fourth concurrent Siouxland Christian School and Western Iowa Tech grad -- is slated to attend Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

"I'll be studying business marketing and management," she said, smiling. "I guess I'm the wild card."

Luckily, Emily already has her career trajectory planned out.

"I already write a fashion blog," she explained. "So, I know the clothing industry will play some role in my future."

Though they may not seem very fashion-forward to a budding fashionista like Emily, the 18-year-old Sioux Cityan didn't mind picking up two separate caps and gowns for two different graduations.

"I'm totally fine with that," she said. "I'm proud of my accomplishments."

Indeed, Emily said she's happy to be able share the experience with her longtime friends.

"Brooke and Taylor have been (Siouxland Christian School) students since kindergarten," Emily remembered. "I've been a student here since the third grade and Cortney came here in the fourth grade."

"That's a long time," Brooke said. "As excited as we are for our future, it's still going to be bittersweet to leave."

Taylor nodded her head as her sister spoke.

"At Siouxland Christian School, you know everybody because we're a small school," Taylor interjected. "USD won't be like that."

Despite graduating with associate degrees from WITCC, Taylor and Brooke have never actually taken a college class on a college campus. Neither has Emily.

"Nope, every class we had was done online," Emily explained.

On the other hand, Cortney did take a few of her courses on WITCC's Sioux City campus.

"It was a little intimidating," she admitted. "You don't fully appreciate how young you are until you take college classes when you're still in high school."

Cortney said this is something that may be an issue for a while.

"Let's say I graduate with a degree to teach when I'm 20," she noted out loud. "Now let's say I get a job teaching in a high school. In theory, I may be teaching students who are only a few years younger than me."

"Wow!" Cortney said, imagining the possibilities. "That'll take some getting used to!"

OK, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. She has to graduate from high school before worrying about a post-college career.

Still, Cortney is proud to be a few steps ahead of the typical student.

"I made a few sacrifices in terms of time and sleep," she said."But it was totally worth it."

Brooke Campbell agreed.

"Taylor and I weren't certain what we wanted to study in college since we were still high school freshmen back then," she said. "Our parents suggested education as a course of study for us. They were right and we can't wait to become teachers."

Emily is also eyeing her future in a very positive manner.

"If you're willing to work hard, you can make your dreams come true," she said. "You just need to be willing to make that first step."
MOORHEAD, Iowa | On Christmas Eve in 2015, the Rev. Carla Johnsen was forced to start the worship celebration at Bethesda Lutheran Church with an announcement about vandalism.

Historic Ingemann Danish Lutheran Church west of Moorhead had been hit by vandals again. They broke out nearly every window, tore church pews out and threw them outside the church. They took a knife, scissors or a piece of glass and scratched out the eyes of Jesus in a painting that had stood for decades at the back of the altar.

"This is the worst vandalism I've seen here," said Jeff Pratt, Monona County sheriff.

It wasn't the first, unfortunately. Three years earlier, vandals smashed the church's baptismal font.

"It's a favorite place for kids," Pratt said.

Part of the trouble? Accessibility. The church, built by Danish immigrants in 1884, was remote and yet easy to access.

Members of the Bethesda Lutheran congregation, and friends from across the country, are trying to change that. Funds were donated to church members after the last round of vandalism, enough to erect a security fence around the church and cemetery. The gate automatically locks in the evening and opens in the morning, allowing visitors their chance to see graves of loved ones and to touch an important part of local history.

The cemetery begins just a few feet from the front of the church. And within the cemetery one can see one grave used to make the tragic deaths of eight children of Peter and Mary Johnson.

The Johnsons' first child, 8-month-old Maggie, died after a scalding accident. The couple gave birth to a second daughter and named her after her late sister, Maggie. The Johnsons would have seven more children.

However, in 1890 a diptheria epidemic killed seven of the eight children in 13 days. Only Mary Clemmenson dared to assist the couple, as she was the only neighbor immunized.

Peter Johnson, the story goes, rode his gray horse to a hilltop with the death of each child, his signal for neighbors below to make another coffin. The body of each child then passed from a window in the home to a coffin below.

The Johnsons survived the epidemic, as did their youngest child, Martin, who was eventually joined by three brothers and two sisters. The last member of the family, John P. Johnson, died in 1993, more than a century after the devastating epidemic.

Ingemann Danish Lutheran Church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has become a tourism staple in the heart of the Loess Hills. And while the church ceased having regular Sunday worship services in 1954, members of the Bethesda Lutheran Church congregation gather at Ingemann on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend for worship.

This year, they'll be greeted by that new security fence as well as a new front deck, which has replaced the old concrete steps out front.

"The church had a new foundation put under it," said Johnsen, lauding the efforts of building leaders Roger Hansen, Bruce Jepson and Daryle Lauritsen, among others.

The bell was also removed from the belfry and mounted near the front door. It will be used to help call members to church on that Sunday.

Pam Cates, an artist from Missouri Valley, Iowa, donated her time and materials in re-doing the area around Jesus' eyes, an area cut or scratched out in 2015. She also took glass from stained glass windows that were shattered and made jewelry to be sold to raise funds.

"Out of the ruins and rubble, beautiful things have come," Johnsen said.

Letters and emails poured into the church as word spread of the vandalism and a fledgling effort to secure the site. Johnsen was moved by a giver who sent money despite having no attachment to Ingemann Danish Lutheran Church.

"The man saw (the Sioux City Journal) story and said it reminded him of a church in Denmark, maybe," Johnsen said. "There was a church that was built many times and then torn down many times by vandals."

Church members there decided to leave the fate of their church in God's hands, Johnsen said, relating the story. "They put building materials on donkeys and turned the donkeys loose. The donkeys wandered across a bridge and onto an island, which is where they ended up building the church."

That church stands today, a living, breathing testimony to one congregation's trust in God.

"The man's message in his letter: Keep up the good fight," Johnsen said.

The worship service at Ingemann Danish Lutheran Church on Monona County Road E-54, west of Moorhead, begins at 8:45 a.m. May 28. Johnsen said this service will also featuring a dedication for the restoration work and all that the congregation and its friends, far and near, have accomplished.
STORM LAKE, Iowa | A TV crew from Japan follows Storm Lake Times Editor Art Cullen as he makes his rounds delivering newspapers on Tuesday afternoon.

First, a bundle of 35 Times to Dyno's, a gas station/convenience store on Storm Lake's east side. Then a stack of 10 to Grand Central Coffee East. Another bundle of 10 follows to King's Pointe, and five more to the Lighthouse Inn.

The production crew has flown from Tokyo to interview Cullen, the most sought-after Pulitzer Prize winner of 2017. Walking from the gas pump to Dyno's front door, the Japanese reporter asks, "Why are you delivering papers?"

"Because putting out a newspaper doesn't do you any good if you don't get it in the hands of readers," Cullen responds.

"But you? You won the Pulitzer," the reporter continues, puzzled that a 60-year-old editor of national acclaim would make newspaper runs like this twice per week.

The vignette captures Cullen, and his county-seat newspaper. When he's not penning editorials training heat on political leaders and Iowa's agricultural interests, The Storm Lake Times editor delivers newspapers, the very newspapers he printed on his press for 23 years. That particular part of his job required him to don overalls and work boots, likely the only editor in Iowa to operate a press that printed his Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts.

Cullen joins his older brother, John Cullen, 66, and his son, Tom Cullen, 24, in picking up the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing in a luncheon on Monday in New York City. John Cullen, publisher of The Times, founded the community newspaper in June 1990. Tom Cullen currently serves as the newspaper's hard-news reporter, covering the Buena Vista County supervisors, Storm Lake City Hall, and the Storm Lake Board of Education.

Art Cullen will walk on a stage on Monday, grab his Pulitzer certificate and a $15,000 check, becoming, in my judgment, a face on a Storm Lake Mt. Rushmore, if there were such a thing.

Another face chiseled in that fictional stone? Republican Steve King. Art Cullen agrees. "Yeah, Steve King is the only member of Congress who was born in Storm Lake. How's that for irony?"

Readers of The Times get the gag. Cullen, a diehard Democrat, has spent years blistering the outspoken Republican from Kiron, Iowa. Cullen makes it a practice every other year to pen a full-throated endorsement for "anyone but Steve King" in the race to represent Iowa's 4th Congressional District.

Cullen's strident editorial voice lands him in the national spotlight this spring. Ten editorials he pens after the Des Moines Water Works filed suit in 2015 against Buena Vista, Sac and Calhoun counties for their management -- or mismanagement -- of drainage districts feeding into the Raccoon River, a major source of drinking water for 500,000 Des Moines-area customers, are lauded by Pulitzer judges for "tenacious reporting, impressive expertise and engaging writing that successfully challenged powerful corporate agricultural interests in Iowa."

At the heart of the editorials? Secrecy. Early in this saga, Art and Tom Cullen learn the counties' defense efforts are funded in part by donors whose identities are kept secret. It steams the editor that a public body elected by citizens won't tell those citizens who's mounting a legal defense on their behalf.

"It was dark money," he says, claiming it had no place in the political or judicial system.

Cullen also irritates folks working the land, writing how farming from fence row to fence row pollutes waterways and contributes to a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico that's "the size of Connecticut."

"Anyone with eyes and a nose knows in his gut that Iowa has the dirtiest surface water in America," he writes.

He loses readers and advertisers while seeking answers, challenging local supervisors and stirring several pots. And that happens, he reasons, as democracy isn't always tidy.

"One of my old bosses, Gary Gerlach used to say, 'If you want to make money, sell shoes. Journalism is a hell of a lot more fun,'" Cullen says.

The Pulitzer Prize announcement comes down at 2:10 p.m. on April 10. For Art Cullen, the phone starts ringing at that point and rarely ceases. Reporters from Sioux City, Des Moines, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Paducah, Kentucky seek comment.

Media outlets in Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden, Japan and Australia call or send representatives for interviews. Cullen dashes to Washington, D.C., where's he's a panel member for the National Press Foundation. Later, he zooms to his alma mater, the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, for another discussion.

Agents write and call, tossing about "attractive" book deals with top publishers. Cullen submits samples of his work as producers representing two recent Academy Award winners ring him in Storm Lake.

Pulitzer officials ask him to stick around Monday afternoon to make himself available for more members of the media, writers seeking information about either pollution or a tiny newspaper in the middle of fly-over country.

"I honestly felt we could win," Cullen says, joking how his wife, Dolores, helped him prep on the day of the Pulitzer announcement by giving him a haircut in their basement as he offered a prayer to St. John Bosco, patron saint of editors. "We don't have the resources to win a Pulitzer Prize in international reporting or features, where reporters spend six months on a story. We did feel we could win in editorials, because you don't need all those resources in that category."

He says he had what it took to win in editorials at his fingertips in his hometown.

"We had the issue playing out right in our front yard," he says. "And there's no reason we can't write just as well as someone from New York or Washington."
SIOUX CITY | Getting Wilson, Sadia and Doreen to Sioux City for proper medical care wouldn't have been possible without Rep. Steve King, STEMM president Steve Meyer said Saturday.

"All of these miracles (that happened) are links in a chain and if any of which were not together-- or enforced-- we would not be here today," Meyer said at a press conference at Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City. "Probably the greatest example of dogged determination and commitment to this project is sitting to my right, Congressman Steve King."

The three children were the lone survivors of a May 6 school bus crash in Tanzania that killed 33 other seventh graders, two teachers and the bus driver. Three medical volunteers with Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries (STEMM), were among the first people to come across the crash site, which occurred in the east African nation's northern region.

Meyer, a Dakota Dunes-based surgeon, said once he had learned about the conditions of the survivors in Tanzania he reached out to King-- a good friend of his-- to see what he could do to get them to the states. The congressman for Iowa's Fourth District said he quickly got to work by contacting numerous U.S. embassies requesting any help they could provide.

"We needed visas, we needed passports, and we needed an airplane," King said, adding the first two things were the easiest to get. "... We went to the West Wing of the White House and I had a White House team pushing the request out to the state department and the DOD, but our assets in that part of the world are kind of thin..."

Seeking federal help eventually didn't come to fruition, so King called Erik Prince, founder of the government security company Blackwater USA. Prince was able to find a leased plane with a price tag of $300,000. Meyer said STEMM was ready to spend the money and solicit donations later, but King made one last call to Franklin Graham for help. Graham is the president of Samaritans Purse, an international humanitarian aid organization, and he agreed without hesitation.

"It didn't take five minutes of me explaining the situation and have him say, 'I want to help," King said.

The children--who suffered severe fractures and neurological problems-- landed in Sioux City Monday in a modified cargo plane with their mothers and two Tanzanian doctors.

In addition, Mercy Medical Center- Sioux City agreed to donate tens of thousands of dollars in medical care to treat the kids, who sustained multiple fractures in the crash. A team of local doctors also will be donating their services to treat the children. Sioux City's Ronald McDonald House will house the three children's parents for the two to three months the treatment is expected to take.

All of the kids have undergone complicated but successful surgeries this week and are on the right path to recovery.

"It has been a very incredible week," Meyer said. "... Every single person that has been given an opportunity to be a part of this story has not only said yes, but has said thank you for letting them be a part of this story."

Wilson, a 12-year-old who aspires to be an engineer one day, was able to make an appearance at the press conference in a wheelchair. He was able to bashfully thank the medical staff and to add he enjoys Coca-Cola, chocolate cake, and "everything" about America.

Meyer praised the three STEMM members -- Kevin Negaard, Jennifer Milby and Manda Volker -- who provided medical care at the scene of the crash as "American heroes" for their efforts. STEMM is a local humanitarian organization which sends aid and volunteers to Tanzania a few times every year.

"The tragedy in Tanzania was so utterly awful-- the carnage of humanity the loss that was there, these people went through it and some faced it and did a lot," King said. "I found myself in a position I got to be a link in this chain."
WASHINGTON -- The pleasant surprise of the First 100 Days is over. The action was hectic, heated, often confused, but well within the bounds of normalcy. Policy (e.g., health care) was being hashed out, a Supreme Court nominee confirmed, foreign policy challenges (e.g. North Korea) addressed.

Donald Trump's character -- volatile, impulsive, often self-destructive -- had not changed since the campaign. But it seemed as if the guardrails of our democracy -- Congress, the courts, the states, the media, the Cabinet -- were keeping things within bounds.

Then came the last 10 days. The country is now caught in the internal maelstrom that is the mind of Donald Trump. We are in the realm of the id. Chaos reigns. No guardrails can hold.

Normal activity disappears. North Korea's launch of an alarming new missile and a problematic visit from the president of Turkey (locus of our most complicated and tortured allied relationship) barely evoke notice. Nothing can escape the black hole of a three-part presidential meltdown.

-- First, the firing of James Comey. Trump, consumed by the perceived threat of the Russia probe to his legitimacy, executes a mindlessly impulsive dismissal of the FBI director. He then surrounds it with a bodyguard of lies -- attributing the dismissal to a Justice Department recommendation -- which his staff goes out and parrots. Only to be undermined and humiliated when the boss contradicts them within 48 hours.

Result? Layers of falsehoods giving the impression of an elaborate cover-up -- in the absence of a crime. At least Nixon was trying to quash a third-rate burglary and associated felonies. Here we don't even have a body, let alone a smoking gun. Trump insists there's no there there, but acts as if the there is everywhere.

-- Second, Trump's divulging classified information to the Russians. A stupid, needless mistake. But despite the media hysteria, hardly an irreparable national security calamity.

The Israelis, whose asset might have been jeopardized, are no doubt upset, but the notion that this will cause a great rupture to their (and others') intelligence relationship with the U.S. is nonsense. These kinds of things happen all the time. When the Obama administration spilled secrets of the anti-Iranian Stuxnet virus or blew the cover of a double agent in Yemen, there was none of the garment-rending that followed Trump's disclosure.

Once again, however, the cover-up far exceeded the crime. Trump had three top officials come out and declare the disclosure story false. The next morning, Trump tweeted he was entirely within his rights to reveal what he revealed, thereby verifying the truth of the story. His national security adviser H.R. McMaster floundered his way through a news conference, trying to reconcile his initial denial with Trump's subsequent contradiction. It was a sorry sight.

-- Is it any wonder, therefore, that when the third crisis hit on Tuesday night -- the Comey memo claiming that Trump tried to get him to call off the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn -- Republicans hid under their beds rather than come out to defend the president? The White House hurriedly issued a statement denying the story. The statement was unsigned. You want your name on a statement that your boss could peremptorily contradict in a twitter-second?

Republicans are beginning to panic. One sign is the notion now circulating that, perhaps to fend off ultimate impeachment, Trump be dumped by way of 25th Amendment.

That's the post-Kennedy assassination measure that provides for removing an incapacitated president on the decision of the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet.

This is the worst idea since Leno at 10 p.m. It perverts the very intent of the amendment. It was meant for a stroke, not stupidity; for Alzheimer's, not narcissism. Otherwise, what it authorizes is a coup -- willful overthrow by the leader's own closest associates.

I thought we had progressed beyond the Tudors and the Stuarts. Moreover, this would be seen by millions as an establishment usurpation to get rid of a disruptive outsider. It would be the most destabilizing event in American political history -- the gratuitous overthrow of an essential constant in American politics, namely the fixedness of the presidential term (save for high crimes and misdemeanors).

Trump's behavior is deeply disturbing but hardly surprising. His mercurial nature is not the product of a post-inaugural adder sting at Mar-a-Lago. It's been there all along. And the American electorate chose him nonetheless.

What to do? Strengthen the guardrails. Redouble oversight of this errant president. Follow the facts, especially the Comey memos. And let the chips fall where they may.

But no tricks, constitutional or otherwise.
SIOUX CITY | With City Assessor Al Jordan set to retire July 1, the City Council has a decision to make.

Should it fill the vacant position after he leaves, or eliminate it?

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors last week formally asked the council to consider scrapping its city assessor office and consolidate it with the county assessor's office, a move some supervisors believe would save taxpayer cash.

In previous years, such proposals have been considered and have, each time, subsequently sputtered out. But Jordan's looming retirement leaves yet another opening for its consideration.

At the council's direction, city staff are currently researching the practices of other Iowa cities to see how they handle their assessor positions, and why they do so.

An assessor's primary duty is to set valuations of property within city limits every two years. While the county Conference Board -- which has representatives of city, county and school government entities -- hires and oversees the assessor, the sole power to create or eliminate the position itself lies with the Sioux City Council.

Sioux City is one of eight cities in Iowa -- including four of the top five in population -- that currently has an assessor. Cities must have a population of at least 10,000 people to create such a position, under state law.

Iowa's largest city, Des Moines, is the sole metro in the top five without its own assessor. In Polk County, the assessor's office handles assessments for all cities, including Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa's 10th-most populous city.

Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and Iowa City, the other cities among Iowa's top five, all still have a city assessor position.

During a discussion of its plans Wednesday, multiple council members requested the city manager to continue to check assessor arrangements in other Iowa cities to find the reasoning behind their decisions.

"I would want to research and at least see what they did," Councilman Alex Watters said.

City manager Bob Padmore said Wednesday the city would have to analyze how much money would actually be saved with the move. He said such a move could result in the same amount of staffing or additional staff to compensate for the elimination of the city assessor's office. Both the city and county assessor's offices are housed in the Woodbury County Courthouse.

Councilman Dan Moore said he wants to be sure the city makes an informed decision that doesn't dramatically impact service.

"It would be nice to say, 'Let's just eliminate the city assessor's office and you'll have all kinds of money,' but the other side of that, of course, is what kind of service are you providing for assessment purposes?" Moore said.

Sioux City Council members and county officials have in the past considered the elimination of the city assessor position, including in 2014, when Jordan's contract was last up for renewal.

At the time, both the county and city assessor offices said such a transition would be difficult and cost savings would be minimal, since the county assessor's salary would need to increase or another person would need to be hired. Discussion on the move eventually fell through.

If the position continues as it has in the past, council members have also expressed some concern about how successful the Conference Board would be in filling the position.

"The problem youre going to have is theres nobody on the list right now," Mayor Bob Scott said during the council session Wednesday, referring to the limited number of available people who have passed a state exam to be eligible for assessor employment. "There are only so many people in Iowa that have gone through that to be a city assessor."

Scott said the city has experienced the problem firsthand through its lack of success in hiring for a commercial assessor in recent years.

Moore said the right salary and benefits and the attraction of living in Sioux City could possibly lure a current Iowa assessor from their post. But Scott expressed skepticism that whether the Sioux City assessor position brings enough of a salary and benefits to lure someone away.

According to Sioux City's human resources department, Jordan has an annual salary of $98,966. Davenport's city assessor currently makes $105,728 and Iowa City's makes $104,494.
The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie...
The Italian government has approved a new law ordering parents to vaccinate children or face fines.

The authorities have noted a rise in measles cases, which the cabinet blames on the spread of anti-scientific theories.

The new legislation makes vaccines mandatory for 12 preventable diseases, including measles, chicken pox, polio, hepatitis B, and tetanus. Only children with immunizations would be eligible for nursery school, according to the Friday law.

Parents would face large fines for sending non-vaccinated children to state childcare facilities or schools.

The lack of appropriate measures over the years and the spread of anti-scientific theories, especially in recent months, has brought about a reduction in protection, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni told a news conference in Rome.

Italy has noted a sudden spread of measles in recent years, with the number of infections rising from 250 in 2015 to 840 last year. Medical authorities have already detected over 2,395 cases since the beginning of 2017, and the US warned visitors to Italy to guard against the disease.

Experts believe that the epidemic is due to people refusing to vaccinate their children. The world-wide anti-vaccination movement has been gaining traction in recent years, despite its theories being discredited by the scientific community. The public in Italy has been highly receptive to the debunked link about vaccines causing autism.

The ruling parties accuse the opposition 5-Star movement for feeding the climate of fear over vaccines. The populist movement criticized the vaccination reform as a gift to pharmaceutical companies.

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One of Cowlitz Countys most friendly and familiar faces  and the keeper of its history for the last three decades  will retire next month.

David Freece, the Cowlitz County Historical Museums director since 1986, will end his run of over 30 years on June 1. Freece has long been a beloved figure in the community.

The director said that one of the things hell miss most about his longtime job is simply having an identity to hang his name on.

One of the things that a job provides you with is identity. Thats how people know me, as the museum director, Freece said. Im out about town, meeting people, and that seems to be the lens that they look at me. So thats going to change. I guess Im going to be the guy who used to be the museum director.

Freece was hired as the museums director after living throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, Bellingham, and Seattle. Since starting a career at the museum, hes stuck around in Cowlitz County and plans to stay here the rest of his life.

The director became interested in history after visiting Europe with his brother and roommate in college. Afterwards, he knew he wanted to work with history in some capacity, but he wasnt sure how. His attempt at teaching history didnt work out, so Freece enrolled in a museum and historical societies program at Portland State University.

Before working at the Cowlitz County, the he worked part-time at the Clark County Historical Museum and gave tours at The Grant House in Vancouver.

Some of the Freeces biggest accomplishments include expanding the museums building in 2003, creating the popular First Thursday and Winter Fest programs, and being appointed to the state centennial committee in 1989. Freece said one of his secrets to teaching others about history is to keep an eye on the bigger picture.

One of the things Ive always tried to do is try to put Cowlitz County history in context, because it didnt happen in a vacuum, Freece said. Its been impacted by national, state, international events, and in turn, impacted them in different ways. So everything weve tried to do is to say, How is this part of a national pattern, or how does it deviate from the national pattern? The whole story of America is here: immigration, industrialization, all those kinds of things.

Jim Elliott, who works with Freece part-time as the museums office manager, met Freece in the 1990s after visiting the museum while looking for photos of his father. He said Freece has a knack for getting anybody engaged in history.

Dave is all about telling a story, Elliott said. Its all about the people. Its less about the antiques and the relics. Those tend to be props, if you will. He pulls you back to the story: Whats the story about? How did it impact the people? Hes not just collecting a bunch of stuff, so to speak.

Darren Ullman, a deputy sheriff and the president of the Cowlitz County Historical Society Board, said Freece has had an unusually long tenure as museum director.

Hes a great guy to work with, but whats rare is that hes managed to create something with a small museum that other counties havent: stability, Ullmann said. Most other museum directors last about five years. So the fact that Davids been there for so long is a huge asset.

Elliott also said Freece is an outstanding people person and used that to his advantage throughout his long career.

He has a real knack for pulling people together, Elliott said. The resources, the people, and the talent you need to do things: Thats one of his gifts  the ability to get a critical mass together and make something happen.

Bob Gaston, who worked with Freece on the Cowlitz Historical Quarterly, said one of the directors more endearing traits was his light-hearted, needling sense of humor.

The directors entire life doesnt necessarily revolve around Cowlitz Countys history. Freece has many other interests outside of his career, such as hiking, reading, and especially biking.

One of Freeces more prominent personal achievements was biking the entire Lewis and Clark trail in 2005 for the bicentennial of the Corps of Discoverys journey to the Northwest. The route took him from St. Louis all the way to Longview, and he biked an average of 80 miles per day for six weeks. The trip had its challenges, but Freece said he looks back on the experience fondly.

It was very rewarding, just getting up in the morning, getting on a bike, and going for a ride, Freece said. After a couple weeks, I couldnt remember the color of the carpet in my office, and I thought that was a good sign. At times, the spirit lagged. Youre out there fighting headwinds in South Dakota, but I knew that was coming.

Even on this massive trek, Freece couldnt completely turn the museum director side of his brain off. He wrote articles for The Daily News about how people who lived along the trail were celebrating the bicentennial, and he took time to learn about the histories of small communities along the way.

The world looks different across handlebars, Freece said. People arent intimidated to talk with you. You have great conversations. Id always stop and eat at the counter of wherever I was eating and talk to people there and find out about their community. People whove lost faith in America should just go out and go for a bike ride and meet people.

Just like Freece was able to make connections with people he met in random restaurants, he also had strong bonds with people throughout the Cowlitz community. The director said hell miss the colleagues he worked with the most.

Ill miss all the people I got acquainted with through the years  people I work with, people at the county, people who come from programs, those kinds of things, he said. (Daily News photographer) Bill Wagner was here this morning to take my photo, and Ive known Bill for years. I dont know if well have any reason to engage again.

Although his time as museum director is coming to a close, Freece is happy to move on to the next adventure in his life, and hes curious to see whats coming up for the museum.

Ive been fortunate to have this job and work in this community, Freece said. Its been a good career. Im excited as to where the museum is going to go next. Having someone come in with fresh ideas and energy, and see where they take it.

The museum is currently going through the process of finding Freeces replacement.

The farewell parties for Freece will take place on June 1 at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum from 6-8 p.m. and June 2 from 2-4 p.m.
All is not well at the city of Rainiers sewage treatment plant.

Since at least 2014, Rainiers wastewater treatment plant has had a history of permit violations that have led to multiple warnings from Oregons Department of Environmental Quality. Now, current and former employees and contractors for the city allege that the plant has been mismanaged and run improperly for years.

Former Rainier public works employee Justin Spencer, who worked for the city from August 2013 through March 2015, told The Daily News last week that water discharged from the plant into the Columbia River was not always properly treated before release.

The $9.7 million plant was completed in 2009 after a year and a half of construction, and the city touted it as more energy efficient and capable of meeting stricter environmental standards. Spencer didnt see it that way.

One of the first things I noticed (when I started working there) was that the UV lights were never on in the effluent trough, Spencer said. Thats a huge issue, thats part of the process before (the wastewater) is discharged.

UV radiation passing through the water kills harmful organisms before they get into the river, but the UV lights were off the amount of time I was there, Spencer said.

Spencer described wastewater treatment facilities as sorts of living, breathing creatures that rely on aeration and healthy, waste-eating bacteria to work properly. Prior to working at Rainiers plant, Spencer was employed as a biosolids site operator at Three Rivers Regional Wastewater in Longview. (Three Rivers is a much larger operation, designed to handle an average 26 million gallons of water per day with a maximum of 62 million. Rainiers can only handle between 500,000 and 2.5 million gallons per day).

Even the effluent that went into the river (at Rainier) looked and smelled like sewage, Spencer said.

Spencer said that he tried to tell his supervisors about his concerns, but it just kind of went in one ear and out the other.

At some point in time you just kind of keep your mouth shut and move on.

A request for an interview with Rainier Public Works director Dan Foultner, who operated the plant until 2015, was denied.

Computer technician Larry Helenius  who helped install the plants electronic monitoring software when the plant first went online  confirmed Spencers report about the UV lights. Helenius was called in when the plant switched operators in early 2015 to help install an alarm that would send out a call whenever the UV light intensity dipped below permitted levels.

Based on his observations and description from the operator, It seemed like the UV system had been offline for some time, Helenius said.

Helenius also said that during a site visit during the beginning of 2015 he discovered that the plants emergency alarm system was not working.

(The plant operator) originally called me out there because he was not getting any alarms at home from the plant when he wasnt there, Helenius said. I came out there because I had set up the original auto-dialer.

Helenius discovered that the alarms auto-dialer was shut off and that the electronic monitoring program connected to the alarm had been closed.

I thought it was real simple, Helenius said. The auto-dialer software went through the motions to (call) out, and it didnt go anywhere.

After checking the modem, which seemed to be OK, Helenius plugged in a phone and found that the line was dead.

The phone line had been dead for who knows how long, Helenius said. I dont really have any idea how long it was off.

While the UV lights and the plants emergency call system have since been fixed, current employees have told The Daily News that some problems persist. One is that the amount of septage, or sludge, that the plant accepts on a daily basis, has increased sharply, making it more difficult to keep the plant in compliance with wastewater treatment standards.

Septage is partially treated waste thats stored in septic tanks and is typically pumped out by a private contractor, such as Roto-Rooter or United Site Services. Haulers pay a per-gallon fee to the city to dispose of their waste with the plant.

Spencer, the former public works employee, also had qualms about the septage that Rainiers plant was accepting when he worked there.

Although it is not against the plants permit to accept septage for treatment, the plant was not designed to take large quantities of the concentrated materials, Spencer said. At the Three Rivers wastewater plant, Spencer said, septage was slowly poured in so it wouldnt overwhelm the treatment system. At Rainier, no such measures were taken, he said.

The plant also never had a DEQ-approved plan for how to handle septage, though Oregons Department of Environmental Quality has noted that it is now aware that the plant accepts significant quantities of septage, said Randall Bailey, the official DEQ inspector for the plant.

Having and following a Hauled Waste Plan assures DEQ and Rainier that the plant will not accept material that it cannot treat and it will not be overloaded, Bailey said.

At this point, the city has submitted a plan for DEQ approval, which will likely involve a suggested limit of 13,600 gallons of hauled waste per day. It is unclear at this point how much septage the plant has taken in the past or how much it receives currently.

According to financial audits available with the Oregon Secretary of State, the city did not report any sludge revenue in 2010. But starting in 2011, revenues from the disposal of sludge first appeared and continued to rise, peaking in 2014. In 2011, the city reported $32,509 in sludge revenue, followed by $144,576 in 2012, $200,732 in 2013, $310,068 in 2014, $205,951 in 2015 and $213,125 in 2016.

The amount of septage haulers that were coming into that plant, it was overloading the plant all the time, Spencer said. It wasnt designed to take that amount of septage.

Despite these claims to The Daily News, Oregons Department of Environmental Quality officials say there is no current investigation into the operation of the plant.

However, two other state agencies are currently investigating other issues at the plant. Oregons Occupational Health and Safety administration has an open investigation with the city in response to workplace safety complaints from the plant, which originated in early May.

Oregon State Police are also investigating the plant regarding the theft of a backup computer. It was used to track data that assure compliance with the plants clean water requirements and to communicate with the emergency alarm system.

The computer vanished the evening of May 9, according to Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole. Cole said Rainier police received a report from the wastewater plants operator that the computer could not be found.

The theft came days after The Daily News filed a public records request for water quality data from the sewer plants system. It is unclear if the theft of the computer will delay The Daily Newss request for records by any significant amount of time.

(The plant operator) said maybe it was stolen, Cole said. Any time we hear of any theft, we take all of those allegations seriously.

Cole said the Oregon State Police will conduct an independent investigation to avoid any conflicts of interest that might arise if the city investigated itself.

It very well could just be misplaced, Cole said of the computer. But we dont like to mess around with any accusations or allegations of such. Oregon State Police confirmed Monday that there was an active investigation into the plant but declined to release further details.

Cole said the computer contains history of just about everything wastewater-related.

According to Rainiers city administrator, Debra Dudley, the data is backed up on another computer, but it is unclear where it is backed up or how it will be made available.

History of DEQ violations

Other documents obtained by The Daily News through a public records request show DEQ has issued several letters to the city notifying it that the plant had violated its wastewater permit five times since 2014. Violations included exceeding dissolved oxygen levels in wastewater discharged to the Columbia River, sewage spills, failing to notify DEQ about spills in a timely manner and failing to have a certified operator on site.

Records of state enforcement actions against the plant prior to 2014 were not immediately available from the DEQ. An inspection conducted on Jan. 24 this year showed the plant was currently operating in compliance with its permit.

On Nov. 18, 2014, the city received a warning letter from DEQ advising that the plant had committed two medium-severity violations.

The letter noted that in August and September 2014, the plant exceeded its permit limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), a measure of the quantity of oxygen used by microorganisms (e.g., aerobic bacteria) in the oxidation of organic matter. Releasing too much oxygen-absorbing pollutants harms the rivers ecology. When a plant exceeds BOD limits, the operator is required to submit a report stating the cause of the violation and the steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance.

No such reports were submitted to the DEQ, which prompted the warning letter.

On May 19, 2015, the Oregon Emergency Response System received a report of a sewer line break with sewage dumping into a ditch near Larch Street and Washington Way (there is also an intersection of Larch and Washington Way in Longview, but they are not the same). According to the incident description filed, The rate is approximately four gallons per minute and has been diverted into a manhole. The initial spill did reach a nearby ditch that leads to an unknown named creek. There is no evidence the sewage reached the creek.

The permit for the wastewater plant requires that any spill or overflow be reported to the DEQ.

The ditch was dug out and the soil was replaced. While the city received a warning letter, no fine was levied by DEQ.

On Aug. 27, 2015, the City of Rainier received yet another warning letter from DEQ regarding this leak. According to the letter, standard reports from former Public Works Director James Dahlquist verified that the leak was discovered on May 15, four days prior to notification to OERS.

Rainiers wastewater permit requires DEQ notification within 24 hours of discovery. This failure earned the plant another medium-severity violation.

While investigating this leak, DEQ also discovered another permit violation, this time regarding who was supervising the plant at the time the leak occurred.

The plants permit requires a properly certified operator (to) supervise the citys sewage collection system, and that a properly certified supervisor be available at all times to respond on-site at the request of the permittee and to any other operator.

According to the warning letter, neither of the certified operators were consulted or notified when the leak was identified. For this, the sewage plant received a Class One violation, the most serious violation the DEQ hands out.

The warning letter notes that after a meeting with DEQ inspectors on June 24, 2015, the city had taken actions to fix the problems noted in the warning letter.

The DEQ never took formal enforcement action and never levied any fines against the City of Rainier, though it did threaten the city with civil penalties if any of the violations were repeated.

On May 3, 2016, the city received one more warning letter in regards to a sewer overflow at the plant that occurred on March 18. This time the spill was reported within the 24-hour period required by DEQ, but after reviewing the incident DEQ determined the spill was entirely preventable.

According to the warning letter, about 200 gallons of raw sewage were released from the plant to the ground surface. The spill started when a power supply transfer switch failed, which incapacitated the pump controls and the alarm system, the letter read.

The pumps did not start when needed, and no alarms were sent to the plants operators. The overflow continued until city personnel checked on the station, according to the letter.

While the spill was cleaned up properly and did not enter any bodies of water, the spill was the result of inadequate design of the pump controls and alarm system, the letter stated.

Theres a lot of little things that I did witness when I was there, Spencer said. As far as the sewage stuff goes, I live downriver from that plant. So, that was kind of the sticker with me.
tech2 News Staff

While some were filled with joy when Nokia relaunched this year with Android, some fans were disappointed to not see a flagship model. There have been rumors that HMD Global will bring some high-end Nokia smartphone soon, but the question is, when?

It is speculated that Nokia 8 and Nokia 9 will be the high-tier offerings, and thanks to some alleged leaked images, we know how the Nokia 9 might turn out to be.

A prototype unit of the Nokia 9 has reached the folks at frandroid.com. The handset is inside a chunky case to keep the final design a secret. But we can still see some of the features. There's a USB Type-C port, as well as a headphone jack. The display measures at 5.27-inches and has a QHD resolution as it is visible from the pictures.

Reviewers say that the the display offers 530-nits of brightness and there is an always on feature as well. Rest of the features include a Snapdragon 835 SoC, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage and Android 7.1.1 with a blue colored Pixel-like launcher. The handset is said to come bundled with a pair of earbuds and a Quick Charge 3.0 fast charger.

The most exciting feature though is the dual-lens camera. These are two 13 MP units with a dual LED flash and possibly laser auto-focus as well. There is no Carl Zeiss branding, so that is a bummer.

There is also a rumor that it could carry a price tag of about $700 ( Rs 46,000 approx) which is similar to a previous leak that suggested the Nokia 9 will arrive by Q3 with a Rs 44,900 price tag.
Mirandi-Mauri, who spoke at the Manatee County Port Authority meeting and at a luncheon hosted by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, added, "We look forward to building upon the present trade foundation between our nation and Port Manatee.

Guatemalan Trade Commissioner Dunia Miranda-Mauri, right, talks about expanding trade ties with, from left, Vanessa Baugh, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority, and Carlos Buqueras, executive director of Port Manatee.



PALMETTO  Port Manatee and Guatemala are seeking to build upon their already significant relationship in the wake of a visit from a Guatemalan trade commissioner."Port Manatee is already an important hub for Guatemalan imports and exports, and we see substantial prospects for growth in this relationship, Dunia Miranda-Mauri, Guatemalas Miami-based trade commissioner, said Thursday [May 18].Already ranked among Port Manatee s top five trade partners, Guatemala exports fresh bananas, pineapples, melons and plantains, as well as frozen pineapple juice, into Port Manatee, while imports to Guatemala from the Central Florida Gulf Coast port are led by Kraft linerboard, vehicles, auto parts and lubricating oils.Vanessa Baugh, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority, said she welcomes the opportunity to enhance commercial ties between Port Manatee and Central Americas most populous nation."Not only do we anticipate building on the volumes of northbound produce and southbound linerboard and vehicles, Baugh said, "but we foresee the addition of other commodities as well.Carlos Buqueras, Port Manatees executive director, commented, "We are encouraged by the interest shown by the Guatemalan representative and share in a commitment to working together to strengthen our mutually valued ties.Mirandi-Mauris trip to Manatee County is among several such in-person visits to be coordinated by the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee since it began operation in 2014 to boost worldwide links for the county, port and local business interests.
Rouhani draws fire from US after election win

A massive 73-percent turnout forced election officials to extend voting by several hours on Friday.

AFP, Tehran :

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani was still celebrating his resounding re-election victory on Saturday when he came under pressure from the country's long-standing foe the United States.

Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, said Iranians had chosen the "path of engagement" and rejected extremism after he took 57 percent of the vote against 38 percent for hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi.

"The Iranian people want to live in peace and friendship with the rest of the world, but will not accept any threat or humiliation," Rouhani said on state television.

But he faces a stark challenge from US President Donald Trump, who is currently visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia, and has threatened to tear up the nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said a $110-billion arms deal with the Saudis was aimed at helping the kingdom deal with "malign Iranian influence", and called on Rouhani to dismantle Tehran's "network of terrorism" and end ballistic missile testing.

The arms package "supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the entire Gulf region", Tillerson told reporters in Riyadh.

Rouhani made an apparent dig at Saudi Arabia, saying Iran had demonstrated to its neighbours that "the path to ensuring security is the reinforcement of democracy, not relying on foreign powers".

In Tehran and across Iran, there were jubilant scenes as thousands of Rouhani supporters took to the streets, singing and dancing.

They wore the purple colours of Rouhani's campaign, as well as green to signify the reformist protests that were brutally put down in 2009.

Police tried to disperse people in central Vali Asr Square, saying they did not have a permit to assemble, but the crowd was too large to manage.

"We've achieved what I wanted, which was not Mr Rouhani himself, but the path of reform, freedom and progress," said Pegah, a 25-year-old in the crowd.

A massive 73-percent turnout forced election officials to extend voting by several hours on Friday.

Raisi, 56, had cast himself as a defender of the poor and called for a tougher line with the West, but his revolutionary rhetoric and promise of increased handouts gained limited traction.

The result "shows that Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez, Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank.

Russia, which fights alongside Iran in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was among the first to congratulate Rouhani.

President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram confirming "his readiness to continue active joint work... in line with maintaining stability and security in the Middle East and the world," the Kremlin said.

Assad also praised Rouhani for earning "the trust (of) the Iranian people".

European and Asian officials welcomed Rouhani's re-election, which creates extra space for business opportunities after the nuclear deal lifted global sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's atomic programme.

"A lot of investors I hadn't heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already in the process of booking their tickets," said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted her vow to work for greater "engagement, regional peace... (and the) expectations of people in Iran".

Britain and France also congratulated Rouhani, praising the high turnout but also urging the president to continue his support for the nuclear deal.




3 killed in tragic road mishap

Chittagong Bureau :

Three persons were killed and nine others injured in a road accident on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Sitakunda upazila of the district on Saturday morning. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Solaiman, 50, driver of a micro bus, Mohammad Naser, 60, passenger of the micro-bus and a passerby Monika Rani Das, 45.

Highway police officials said the accident occurred around 7 am when a Mirsharai bound microbus from city's Baharddarhat area plunged into a roadside pond in Bashbaria union after its driver lost control over the wheel, leaving the three persons dead on the spot and nine others injured.

On information, police recovered the bodies from the spot.

The injured persons were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for treatment but the condition of three stated to be critical, police said.
Customs Official held for embezzling wealth worth Tk 1.26 cr

Chittagong Bureau :

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today arrested a customs official from Agrabd area here for embezzling wealth of Taka 1.26 crore.

Deputy Director of the ACC, Chittagong Zone Mosharraf Hossain said Abdul Momin Majumder, 55, an officer of Tax zone-4 of Dhaka north tax circle, was arrested in connection with a case filed with Comilla Kotwali police station.

The case was filed against him yesterday for misappropriating wealth worth Tk 1.26 crore and concealing wealth equivalent to Taka 40.43 lakh, he said. He was handed over to the Doublemooring Police Station.


Understanding the great potential of Chinese investment in the US: Commentary

Xinhua, Beijing :

Record high Chinese investment in the United States in 2016 demonstrates that Beijing's economic agenda is compatible with the U.S. economic goals, not the other way around.

A report co-authored by the Rhodium Group and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations shows Chinese companies invested 46 billion dollars in the United States last year, tripling the amount seen in 2015, sending two-way direct investment to a record high.

The report characterized past two-way investment as a "one-way street," with money flowing predominantly from the United States to China. But now, investment is a "two-way highway" with tens of billions of dollars in annual FDI flowing in each direction.

While the U.S. administration worried Chinese manufacturing could threaten U.S. jobs and its economy, Chinese companies are bolstering the U.S. economy by creating jobs and paying taxes.

In the last seven years, employment by Chinese-owned firms in the United States had jumped ninefold to 140,000 jobs last year. By the end of 2016, all 50 states and 98 percent of congressional districts hosted operations of Chinese companies. According to John Ling, president of the Council of American States in China, more and more U.S. states are increasing recruitment efforts to help land the next Chinese manufacturing project.
Giuseppe Cacace/Getty Images(RIYADH, Saudi Arabia) -- While President Trump is busy in Saudi Arabia with bilateral meetings and summit events on Sunday, first lady Melania Trump and the president's daughter and adviser, Ivanka, have been engaged in activities of their own.



Ivanka Trump attended a roundtable on women's economic empowerment, while the first lady visited a school and an all-women business center.



Both women have accompanied the president on several of his official activities in Saudi Arabia. And when they have, they have stood out from the crowd as some of the only women in the room.



At events they have gone to on their own, both Ivanka and Melania Trump have engaged with mostly female audiences and have stood out in their western clothing from Saudi counterparts dressed in the traditional Saudi abaya and hijab.



Human rights concerns have so far been absent from the president's official agenda and public discussion in Saudi Arabia, but Ivanka Trump at the roundtable on Sunday applauded their host nation for recent progress in empowering women and said, Theres still a lot of work to be done.



Saudi Arabias progress, especially in recent years, is very encouraging, but theres still a lot of work to be done and freedoms and opportunities to continue to fight for, she said.



The stories of Saudi women such as yourselves, catalyzing change, inspire me to believe in the possibility of global womens empowerment, she said, noting that the government has taken strides to advance womens participation in the workforce and politics.



Ivanka Trumps comments come, however, as Freedom House ranks Saudi Arabia as the 10th worst in the world in political and civil rights.



The president's daughter and adviser referred to herself as a "female leader within the Trump administration" in discussing her work on women's issues in the United States and globally.



She introduced Jim Yong Kim of the World Bank, who announced that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pledged a combined $100 million to a womens empowerment fund spearheaded by Ivanka Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.



Kim said with that funding commitment and other pledges from the U.S. and other countries, the World Bank is set to announce at the G20 Summit in July a $1 billion fund for womens economic empowerment through the Womens Entrepreneurship Facility. Kim described this as a first.



This is really a stunning achievement. Ive never seen anything come together so quickly, and I really have to say that Ivankas leadership has been tremendous, he said.



Melania Trump, meanwhile, went to the American International School of Riyadh, where she visited classrooms and gave several Dr. Seuss books to a preschool class. A chorus at the school sang the song "Lean on Me to the first lady, and she clapped along.

I had a wonderful time with the students at the American International School #Riyadh today. #SaudiaArabia pic.twitter.com/AVzVV0W9Dm  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 21, 2017

The first lady also visited an all-women General Electric business center in Riyadh, where she spoke to women there about the center's work and work-life balance in general.



At one point, she was asked how she balances her family responsibilities with her life as first lady, and responded: You need to balance and find the time.



She also said to a woman at the center, I love children. Its my passion." And in speaking about children and mothers, she said, They are our future. ... We need to stick together, support each other.



To one woman at the center, the president's wife said: Im very proud of you, very, very proud of you. And on a wall at the front of the room where visitors write messages, she wrote: I am so proud of what you are doing! Thank you for hosting me here! Best wishes, Melania Trump.



On the next stop of the president's foreign trip -- Israel -- Ivanka Trump is expected to go to the Western Wall with the president, given "her personal connection to Judaism, a White House official said.



In Rome, the first daughter will turn her attention to one of her key issues as an adviser to the president and one of great importance to the pope: human trafficking.



She will participate in a focus-group discussion with the Community of Sant'Egidio, a Vatican-affiliated organization. She will meet privately with a few female victims who have been helped by the group's support program.



Ivanka Trump has previously held meetings on human trafficking in the United States, and the focus of the Rome meetings will be on the global dimensions of the problem, according to the White House.



"Ivanka's meetings in Rome are part of the administration's ongoing commitment to combating human trafficking both domestically and abroad," a White House official said.



The first daughter is slated to remain on the trip through Rome, while the first lady will remain with the president for the entirety of the trip.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The unstoppable destruction of forests

Baher Kamal :

The world's forests are being degraded and lost at a staggering rate of 3.3 million hectares per year. While their steady destruction in many Asian countries continues apace, deforestation of the world's largest tropical forest - the Amazon - increased 29 per cent from last year's numbers. And some of the most precious ecosystems in Africa are threatened by oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation.

These are some of the facts that have been repeatedly heralded by the scientific community and the world's most authoritative voices, who remind us that globally, 1.3 billion people are estimated to be "forest peoples", who depend almost entirely on them for their livelihoods.

Patrick Durst, the senior Forestry officer at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, on May 15 added to this figure that 28 per cent of the total income of households living in or near forests come from forest and environmental income.

According to FAO's Global Forest Resource Assessment in 2015, forests continue to be lost in many countries of the Asia-Pacific region, including Sri Lanka. Moreover, the degradation of forest quality further decreases the forests' capacity to provide goods and services necessary for human survival. These losses will be more acutely felt as the demand for forest products steadily rises in the future.

While most countries in the Asia-Pacific region continue to struggle to respond to forest loss, some are taking positive action, says the assessment, adding that through reforestation programmes, China and Viet Nam are actually increasing the amount of forested land. And the government of Sri Lanka has announced plans to increase the country's forest cover by as much as 35 per cent.

Meanwhile, "the world's ancient forests are in crisis-a staggering 80 per cent have already been destroyed or degraded and much of what remains is under threat from illegal and destructive logging."

Believe it or not, these estimates are anything but new or even recent-they were advanced around 9 years ago by a major independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.

In fact, Greenpeace had already on 30 January 2008 reported that illegal logging was having a devastating impact on the world's forests. Its effects include deforestation, the loss of biodiversity and fuelling climate change, the group noted, adding that this creates "social conflict with indigenous and local populations and leads to violence, crime and human rights abuses."

According to Greenpeace, it is estimated that some 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on forests for their livelihood and 60 million indigenous peoples depend on forests for their subsistence.

Sustainably managed forests hold vast potential to play a decisive role in ending hunger, improving livelihoods and combating climate change. Credit: FAO/Simon Maina

Sustainably managed forests hold vast potential to play a decisive role in ending hunger, improving livelihoods and combating climate change. Credit: FAO/Simon Maina

Barely six months ago, the very same global campaigning organisation reported that Amazon deforestation had increased 29 per cent from the numbers released for last year, according to data released by the Brazilian government on 31 November 2016.

"Brazil is losing control over the destruction of its forests because of poor policy decisions and may now have difficulty reaching its climate agreement targets, " Greenpeace said on Dec. 1, 2016.

Data from the Deforestation Monitoring Program for the Legal Amazon indicated that 7989 km of forest in the Amazon was destroyed between August 2015 and July 2016, the conservationist organisation reported.

"This is the second consecutive year deforestation in the world's largest tropical forest has increased, a direct result of the government's lack of ambition in dealing with the challenge of curbing forest loss. It is the first time in 12 years there have been increases in deforestation two years in a row."

Cristiane Mazzetti, Greenpeace Amazon Campaigner, warned that the increase in deforestation rates can be linked to signals from Brazil's government that it will tolerate the destruction of the Amazon.

"In recent years, public environmental protection policies in Brazil have weakened. For example, very few protected areas and Indigenous Lands have been created, and a new Forest Code was approved in 2012 that gives amnesty to those who committed illegal deforestation."

According to Greenpeace, deforestation is responsible for approximately 40 per cent of Brazil's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

"With forest loss on the rise again, the country could find it difficult to fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement, recently signed and ratified by Brazil It is estimated that the deforestation of 7989km has released the equivalent of 586 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere-the same amount as eight years of emissions from all of the cars in Brazil."

The illegal harvesting of timber, expansion of agribusiness and the conversion of forests into pasture are a few of the major drivers of deforestation, Mazzetti explained, adding that building large infrastructure projects, like hydroelectric plants, also stimulates land grabbing and speculation, leading to even more deforestation.

For his part, Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general and current chair of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), recently warned against the destruction of forests, which provide clean air and water, and local communities with food, shelter and livelihoods.

"Each day more forests are cleared, driven by multiple activities, from agriculture to infrastructure development, to the growing demand for wood and forest products, often made worse by illegal logging," he said.

In his keynote address at the 'Forests for the Future - New Forests for Africa' conference in Accra, Ghana on 16 March, Kofi Annan said, "some of the world's most precious ecosystems, such as the Virunga National Park in the Congo Basin, are threatened by oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation". Forests offer incredible impetus to the fight against climate change. "Forest restoration and reforestation in Africa can contribute to the global effort to tackle climate change and accelerate progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," said Annan, adding that "forest restoration of 350 million hectares could generate 170 billion dollars per year in net benefits from watershed protection, improved crop yields and forest products".

In its 2014 report, Grain, Fish, Money: Financing Africa's Green and Blue Revolutions, the Africa Progress Panel argued that effective protection, management and mobilisation of Africa's vast forest resources are needed to support transformative growth.

The Panel estimated that Africa lost 12.4 billion Euros (17 billion dollars) to illegal exports of timber in 2011.

(Baher Kamal is Senior Advisor to IPS Director General on Africa & the Middle East. He is an Egyptian-born, Spanish-national, secular journalist, with over 43 years of experience).


Jewellery business in Bangladesh cannot be run legally

THE jewellery business in Bangladesh has reportedly been thriving despite there being no import of gold into the country through legal channels. First of all the prevailing predicament is not a new phenomenon and is being continuing for the last three decades.



How has it been made possible? Are we to believe that the relevant authorities and tax officials are completely unaware about this corrupt practice for some thirty years?



The shocking truth came into the limelight recently when a member of a high-profile jewellery businessman's son was exposed for his alleged connection with a rape case. However, the blessing in disguise in the scandal is that it has also had shed light on the issues of gold import and illegal jewellery business in the country. Had the rape case not resulted in such unprecedented sensation, things would have likely continued in the same old inefficient manner. Furthermore, it shows our law enforcers have become comparatively more reactive rather than proactive in busting criminals.



The Central Bank's final decision on importing gold last year was that Bangladesh nationals will no longer be allowed to bring in more than 200 grams of gold under 'baggage rules', but long before that declaration came gold smuggling had become rampant in the country. Before the revision, the highest permissible amount was 300 grams under the rules. One of the key reasons for the thriving of gold smuggling is because the country had no clear-cut policy with gold import relating to jewellers' and other businesses.



We fail to understand, why the government is not realizing that a very low gold import duty compared to that in India has been encouraging smugglers to import gold to Bangladesh and then smuggle it out to India. Even more mysterious is that with its self-contradicting guidelines, it has made Bangladesh into a lucrative route of gold smuggling. Between July 2013 and December 2014, in less than two years, more than 1,667 pounds (756 kg) of gold was seized from planes and passengers at Bangladesh's airports, worth a total of $36 million. The scale of unrecorded smuggling together in the last couple of years is even bigger.



The point, however, both our jewellery industry and import of gold have been unregulated and unchecked for too long. The jewellers coupled with the smuggling syndicate have become so powerful that they have been audaciously conducting their businesses based on illegally imported or smuggled gold. That said -- the business houses should have a government regulated specified limit for storing and trading in gold and should be held accountable and penalised for all unaccountable extra quantity.



We cannot say that the jewellery business in Bangladesh is capable of running entirely lawfully as because no legal sources of getting gold for the jewellery business is available in Bangladesh. Import of gold is illegal in the country.



So government has to frame a gold import policy for jewellery business so that the business is not victimised by corrupt ones in every department of government. There is huge profit in this business, but the jewellery businessmen are all subject to big exploitation by politically powerful ones.






DU student among 5 surrender to RAB in Narsingdi

A Dhaka University student, suspected to be a militant, surrendered to elite force RAB from a house which was cordoned off by the forces at Gabtali in Narsingdi upazila on Sunday morning.

Staff Reporter :

A Dhaka University (DU) student and four other madrasah students surrendered to the elite force from a house, which was cordoned off by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) suspecting presence of militants in hideout, at Gabtoli village in Narsingdi Sadar upazila on Sunday morning.

Though it was alleged that some of the detainees had fled from the Sylhet's Atia Mahal den, their relatives claimed that the youths were not involved with militancy.

The surrendered students are Masudur Rahman, Abu Jafar, Mashiur Rahman, Bashirul Islam and Salah Uddin. Among them, Salah Uddin is a student of Social Science Department of Dhaka University. RAB suspected that he maintained connection with the Sylhet's Atia Mahal militancy.

The raid started around 10:15am and lasted for 20 minutes only. At that time, the five youths, who were inside the house, surrendered to the RAB.

Director (media wing) of RAB Headquarters Mufti Mahmud Khan at 11:00am declared the operation officially closed without any casualty.

"We have tried our best to convince them to surrender through their relatives. and finally got the result," the RAB official said.

Asked if anything was found inside the building, Mufti Mahmud said, "The bomb disposal unit will move in there soon for search. We will inform the media if we find anything."

RAB requested the family members of the five suspected militants to identify them, said Mufti Mahmud.

RAB-11 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Hasan said they cordoned off the building on Saturday evening, suspecting the presence of a few militants there.

However, those inside the building claimed that they were not militants when media personnel questioned.

Azar Bin Mahfuz, who claimed to be the brother-in-law of one of those in the building, spoke to reporters after rushing to the scene upon hearing news of the raid.

He said that those inside the building were madrasah students, not militants, and provided the contact number of his brother-in-law Masudur Rahman.

When contacted, Masudur told The New Nation that he was in the building with four others.

Masudur claimed that none of them was militant and all of them had gone to the building to receive tuition from Abu Zafar.

According to the locals, three students rented the house, owned by one Moin Ahmed, a United Arab Emirate expatriate, last month.

He added that the doors and windows of the building were unlocked, but law enforcement officials were not allowing them to leave. He also denied having been asked to surrender by the officials.

"One Salah Uddin rented the ground floor by introducing himself as a madrasah student one month ago. Five more people were seen residing with him in the house," said Nurul Islam, owner of a local shop.

Earlier, members of law enforcement agencies cordoned off a house at Gabtoli village on Saturday afternoon suspecting presence of militants there.
Raid on BNP Chairperson`s Gulshan office Govt did `nasty` politics, says Khaleda

BNP party demands Home Minister's resignation: Based on intel report raid conducted, says Quader: Law enforcers can search anywhere, says Home Minister

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday in a message on her Twitter account said the government did 'nasty' politics by raiding her office using police for no reason.

She also said her party wants to free the country from such bad politics.

"Using police to raid opposition party office without any cause is exactly the kind of nasty politics we want to remove from the country," she tweeted yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in his party's reaction demanded immediate resignation of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for carrying out what the party said 'unprecedented and unlawful' raid on its Chairperson's Gulshan office."It's a black chapter of our country's history. The Home Minister must step down," he told a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office in the city yesterday.

On Saturday police raided BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan party office as per a search warrant issued by the court to find out whether there is any anti-state document in it. The drive that began at 7:30am ended around 9:30am, and there was no recovery of any anti-state document.

"It has become clear that as per the Home Minister's directive, police carried out the drive unlawfully and the Home Minister must shoulder its responsibility," Fakhrul said.

He said raids were carried at the party's Nayapaltan central office several times in the past but no such search had been launched at the Chairperson's Gulshan office.

"Our Chairperson's office came under attack when BNP is marching ahead with peaceful programmes like the 'Vision 2030' The ruling Awami League's such fascist attitude and aggression towards BNP will destroy the country's future democracy," Fakhrul said. The leader expressed grave concern over what he said 'mass arrest of BNP leaders and activists' across the country. "The government has demonstrated once again that it does not believe in democracy by carrying out the raid," the BNP Secretary General said.

Supreme Court Bar Association President and BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Zainul Abedin said as per the CRPC rule two local elite persons must be present during such a raid. "But no such person was present during the drive."

As per the law, he said, the authorities will have to inform the owner of the building and its inmates before conducting such a raid. "As these legal procedures were not followed, this was an illegal raid," he observed. Fakhrul said their party'S senior lawyers will take next legal steps in this regard after discussions. In the wake of a police raid on her office, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night held a meeting of her party's standing committee. Meanwhile, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said based on intelligence report the raid was conducted at BNP Chief Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office.

"I talked to the Home Minister and the Inspector General of Police about the sudden raid on Khaleda's office and they have told me that police conducted the raid based on an intelligence report," he said while speaking at a views- exchange meeting between AL central office secretaries and district office secretaries at a community center in the city's Dhanmondi area.

Reacting to Fakhrul's remarks, Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said Mirza Fakhrul invented a relation between the raid and democracy. "When BNP was in power, they raided our party office frequently and sealed off our Centre for Research and Information. They also indulged in repression on our leaders and workers. Even, they threw bombs and fired gunshots targeting our office," he said

"Did they forget it? Whether the democracy was right at that time?" the AL leader questioned. Meantime, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said the members of law enforcing agencies can carry out raid at any places as per the need of state's security.

"Based on intelligence reports, the raid was carried out at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's office. And as part of routine work, police did it," he told journalist sat his Secretariat office yesterday Replying to a query about BNP's protest, the Home Minister said no such situation has been created that they can go for movement


Probe body finds OC's negligence

Court orders forensic test of cell phone sets of the accused

Staff Reporter :

The probe committee, which was formed following the rape of two private university students at a Banani hotel, has found negligence in duty in tackling the situation by the Banani Police Station OC.



Farman Ali, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Station, harassed the victims taking a long time before filing the case as the victims were compelled to stay at the station for several hours. And this was done by the OC receiving "financial benefit" from the accused persons. Not only that, the investigators also found proof about the police's rude behaviour with the victims



Chief of the Probe Committee DMP's Additional Commissioner (Operation and Crime) Mizanur Rahman was scheduled to submit the report to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner on Sunday. But it was not submitted till filing of this report at 8:00pm yesterday.



Two other members of the probe body are DMP's Joint Commissioner (Crime) Krishnapada Roy and Joint Commissioner (DB) Abdul Baten.



DB Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Nazmul Alam, Deputy Commissioner (Women Support and Investigation) Farida Yasmin and Deputy Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed are also assisting the investigation.



Mizanur Rahman said the investigators have interrogated Farman Ali for several times. The OC answered the queries in writing and verbally. It was alleged that the OC did not file the case on May 4 and 5 despite repeated attempts by the victims.



The probe mainly focused on allegations against Banani Police Station officials of delaying the record of the case, whether police took advantage of the rape suspects, police's roles in arresting the accused and how they behaved with the victims.



The OC was compelled to receive the complaint when Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gulshan Zone Abdul Ahad went to Banani Police Station at 9:00pm on May 6 and asked Forman Ali why he had been refusing to file the case for three days.



The probe committee has got proof that the Banani OC agreed to file the case at 10:00pm (May 6) at the directives of DMP's Additional DC Gulshan Zone. The OC was sent to 'forced leave' at the directives of higher authorities soon after the incident.



"We've taken interviews of several persons relating to the incident. Now we are analysing their statements from different angles. If anyone's negligence is proved, stern action will be taken against him," Mizanur Rahman said.



"We've found evidence of negligence by Banani police," he said without giving more details.



The case over the alleged rape at Banani's Raintree Hotel on Mar 28 was filed on May 6.



The victims alleged they could not file the case earlier because of threats from the accused. Police also delayed the recording of the case for two days. Banani OC Forman Ali allegedly received Tk 25 lakh bribes from the suspects.



Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal recently said firm action would be taken against the OC if the allegations are proved against him.



The accused are Shafat Ahmed, his friends Nayeem Ashraf and Shadman Sakif, and Shafat's driver Billal Hossain and bodyguard Rahmat Ali. The plaintiff said in the case that Shafat and Nayeem raped her and her friend at gunpoint while the three others abetted the sexual assault and filmed it.



All the five accused are behind the bar now. Of them, Shafat is the son of Dildar Ahmed, an owner of Apan Jewellers. Shadman's father Mohammad Hossain Jony is the Managing Director of Regnum Group, according to the police.



Our Court Correspondent adds: A Dhaka court on Sunday allowed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to carry out the forensic test on five mobile phone sets seized from the five accused in the Banani rape.



Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Delwar gave the permission to CID for conducting the forensic test.



Earlier, on Saturday, Ismat Ara Amy, Inspector of Victim Support Centre and also the investigation officer of the case, filed a petition before the court.



The court also allowed police to conduct a DNA test of Nayeem Ashraf, an accused in the case.
Jagpa president Shafiul Alam Prodhan dies

UNB, Dhaka :

Shafiul Alam Prodhan, president of Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa), passed away at his city residence on Sunday morning. He was 67.

Prodhan, who had been suffering from fever for the last few days, breathed his last around 7am at his

Asad Gate residence, said BNP chairperson's media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

He is survived by wife, one son and a daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Jatiya Gonotantrik Party is an ally of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Meanwhile, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock at the death of Prodhan and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Mirza Fakhrul visited Prodhan's residence and consoled his bereaved family members.

Family sources said he will be buried at Bananai Graveyard on Monday after Zohr prayers.

Born in Panchagarh district in 1950, Prodhan involved with politics during his student life, and became the general secretary of the Chhatra League (1973-74). He was sentenced to life term imprisonment in 1974's sensational seven-murder case of Dhaka Universality's Mohsin Hall, putting his political career at stake.

He was freed when Zaiur Rahman came to power.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-idUSKBN18H0A6

Saudi Arabia, UAE pledge $100 million to ethically questionable fund proposed by Ivanka Trump

Donald Trump criticized similar donations to the Clinton Foundation when he was a candidate.

Ivanka Trump participates in a presentation ceremony of The Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal to President Donald Trump at the Royal Court Palace, Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Riyadh. CREDIT: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pledged $100 million to the World Banks Women Entrepreneurs Fund, an initiative proposed by first daughter and senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump. The fund, which was first announced in April, has already raised serious legal and ethical questions about how a White House adviser can both shape foreign policy and actively solicit donations from foreign countries for the fund.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the initiative would provide technical assistance and investments for projects that support the economic empowerment of women around the globe. Ivanka Trump does not control the money, though she first pitched the idea to World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim and has discussed the idea with leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

On Sunday, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim praised Ivankas leadership in spearheading the fund, and called it a stunning achievement.

President Donald Trump was extremely critical of Saudi Arabias contributions to the Clinton Foundation while campaigning against Hillary Clinton, going so far as to call for Clinton to return all the money given to the foundation, both in speeches on the campaign trail and during the October presidential debate.

CREDIT: Facebook

You talk about women and womens rights. These are people that push gays off business??off buildings. These are people that kill women and treat women horribly, and yet you take their money, Trump said during the debate. So Id like to ask you right now. Why dont you give back the money that youve taken from certain countries that treat certain groups of people so horribly? Why dont you give back the money. I think it would be a great gesture.

The Clinton Foundation has received between $10 million and $25 million from Saudi Arabia. A foundation spokesperson said during the campaign that the foundation did not accept any donations from Saudi Arabia while Clinton was Secretary of State. Trump also accused the foundation of pay-to-play schemes during Clintons tenure as Secretary of State.

He has not, however, spoken about the legal and ethical concerns associated with Ivanka Trumps World Bank initiative. Since Ivanka works as a senior adviser in the White House, its possible that she could be involved with foreign policy decisions relating to the countries that have donated to the fund. Its not illegal or unprecedented for presidents or their families to engage in philanthropy while in the White House, but such efforts are required to go through a lengthy approval process to ensure that there is no sort of special access or influence given in exchange for donations.

The approval process is elaborate, because of the many risks, including illegal quid pro quos when the private partners contribute large sums of money. Then there is the risk of giving those partners special access and influence, which is wrong and in some cases illegal, Norm Eisen, Chief Ethics Counsel for Barack Obama told ThinkProgress via email when the World Bank first announced the fund in April.

During her visit to Saudi Arabia, Ivanka Trump also met with Saudi women, including business leaders and government officials, to discuss womens economic empowerment. Trump is in the country as part of her fathers visit to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is an extremely oppressive society for women, who are not allowed to drive, and must obtain permission from a male guardian in order to travel or marry.

In the meeting, Trump called Saudi Arabias progress on womens rights encouraging.

According to the Washington Post, Trumps meeting was met with some criticism from Saudi Arabian activists. If Ivanka is interested in women empowerment and human rights, she should see activists, and not just officials, Aziza al-Yousef, a 58-year-old activist who has campaigned to end the countrys guardianship rules, said.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
Genres : Action, Crime

Starring : Bunta Sugawara, Toru Abe, Tatsuo Endo

Director : Kinji Fukasaku

Plot Synopsis

Considered by many to be director Kinji Fukasaku's greatest single-film achievement in the yakuza genre, Cops vs Thugs was made at the height of popularity of Toei Studios' jitsuroku boom: realistic, modern crime movies based on true stories taken from contemporary headlines. Returning to the screen after completing their Battles Without Honor and Humanity series together, Fukasaku joined forces once again with screenwriter Kazuo Kasahara, composer Toshiaki Tsushima and star Bunta Sugawara to create one of the crowning achievements of his career, and a hard-boiled classic which is still ranked as one of the best Japanese films of the 1970's. It's 1963 in the southern Japanese city of Kurashima, and tough-as-nails detective Kuno (Sugawara) oversees a detente between the warring Kawade and Ohara gangs. Best friends with Ohara lieutenant Hirotani (Hiroki Matsukata), he understands that there are no clear lines in the underworld, and that everything is colored a different shade of gray. But when random violence interrupts the peace and an ambitious, by-the-books lieutenant (Tatsuo Umemiya) comes to town, Kuno's fragile alliance begins to crumble. Greedy bosses and politicians alike seize the opportunity to wipe out their enemies, and Kuno faces the painful choice of pledging allegiance to his badge and keeping a promise to his brother. Echoing the great crime films of Sidney Lumet and Jean-Pierre Melville, in Fukasaku's world, there's no honor among thieves or lawmen alike, and the only thing that matters is personal honor and duty among friends. Kasahara's shattering screenplay and Fukasaku's dynamic direction support an all-star, ensemble cast to create one of the most exciting, and deeply moving films about cops and criminals ever made.
The accreditation came after a review of practice protocols, medical equipment, facility and client service. It is the only accredited animal hospital in the region, according to the news release. Accredited hospitals are evaluated on about 900 quality standards that go beyond state regulations, including patient care, pain management, staff training and advanced diagnostic services.
CAIRO  Where did the money go?  that's a question Cairo citizens have asked on countless occasions concerning the housing crisis playing out in their community.

Records show the former director of the Alexander County Housing Authority walked off with a healthy chunk of it  taking tens of thousands of dollars as payment for questionable contracts and a settlement agreement to pad his already generous retirement pay owed to him from two pension accounts the housing authority paid into.

Housing and Urban Development seized administrative control of the ACHA in February 2016 and booted local managers, citing years of mismanagement. On April 10, HUD announced plans to begin relocating about 400 people from two dilapidated housing projects later this month.

Throughout this months-long ordeal, residents have demanded to know what happened to the millions of federal housing dollars allocated to the ACHA in the past decade as their homes fell further into unsafe conditions, at least in part because of a lack of maintenance and upkeep.

This is the second of a series of stories the newspaper intends to publish in the coming weeks reviewing some of the decisions of past administrators that left the housing authority nearly bankrupt  as HUD Secretary Ben Carson characterized the ACHA in a recent letter to the school superintendent.

The first story in the series, published May 14, focused on questionable retirement contracts, some of them offering hefty cash buyouts, which longtime ACHA director James Wilson approved while he was nearing his own retirement.

This story focuses on pay related to the position of executive director.

It examines some of the questionable contracts, settlement agreements and payments that benefited Wilson at his retirement. As well, it includes an outline of payments and contracts benefiting Martha Franklin, a longtime ACHA employee who served as an assistant director and finance director under Wilson, and served briefly as executive director after his retirement. Lastly, it includes details of a hefty settlement agreement for another employee who filed an EEOC complaint after he was passed over for the position of executive director at Wilsons retirement.

The information printed below comes from a combination of HUD documents, ACHA documents obtained by the newspaper in response to two separate public records requests, and an interview with Wilson conducted in the fall of 2015. After the first story in the newspapers series was published, Wilson declined further comment. Contact information for Franklin could not be obtained. Some of this information has been included in past stories, but the purpose of this series is to provide a review of some of the management practices that have been called into question as a federal investigation is ongoing and residents deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what is next for them as the relocation effort begins.

 Aug. 26, 2011  On this date, the ACHA board agreed to a revised five-year contract for Wilsons continued service as executive director. This is the only executive director contract concerning Wilson that was provided to the newspaper, so it is not clear how it was revised.

The contract the ACHA board agreed to in 2011 called for him to receive $74,000 in base pay with scheduled raises over the course of the five-year contract, plus at least $8,000 for additional duties, and potentially more, a $1,500 post-tax annual bonus and $500 monthly car allowance.

He also received 30 days (six weeks) annual vacation, 21 sick days, and four personal days. Presumably, he also received as paid time off the 16 holidays prescribed in the union contract for his employees, but thats not specified in his contract.

In retirement pay, the contract specified that the ACHA was to pay at a rate of 25 percent of all his wages into the housing authoritys Retirement Plan Life Associates. As well, the ACHA was to pay into another union managed pension plan on his behalf at a rate of $2.50 per hour, or whatever was the negotiated rate in the bargaining agreement for workers covered by the Laborers International Union of North America Local 773.

Wilsons contract stated that if he retired before the contract ended in August 2016, he would receive $25,000 for each year he, at his sole discretion, terminated the contract early  for up to two years, for a total of $50,000 (records indicate he was paid this amount when he retired). The contract also called for him, at his retirement, to receive full pay for any unused vacation time, and half pay for any unused sick time he had accumulated. Additionally, the contract called for the ACHA to pay for his health insurance, or provide a monthly cash equivalent for single person coverage, for five years or until he reached age 65 on March 5, 2016.

 March 23, 2012  The ACHA board entered into two agreements on this date, one with Wilson and another with Franklin, who served under Wilson as a finance director and assistant director. The two frequently traveled together to business training, Wilson, in the fall 2015 interview, described the two as close friends.

The agreement the board entered into with Franklin was for a three-year contract for her to serve as executive director. She also continued to be paid as finance director. There is no record to indicate whether or where the opening was advertised for other candidates.

The agreement the board entered into with Wilson that same day was for an 18-month consulting contract to begin the following year and run from April 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014.

The consulting contract called for him to receive $2,500 a month for four hours of work a week  or roughly $156 an hour. Wilson received that money for seven months. Wilson said that on the days he went in to the office, he would consult with Franklin, the executive director, on matters from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The newspaper was not provided any records indicating the nature of his work during that time, it does not appear that Wilson kept a log of his hours worked. My contract did not call for me punching no clock, Wilson told the newspaper in the 2015 interview.

In the summer of 2014, a cross-functional HUD team conducted a review of the ACHA in response to problems cited the year prior. A report was issued that November, and included a letter from William Wilkins, director of the Illinois State Office of Public Housing, HUD Region V, in which he stated that the ACHA is non-compliant with federal, state housing and labor laws and that Moreover there is a very significant misuse of funds 

Among the issues HUD cites in that 2014 review is an improper consulting contract with Wilson. Listed as a concern is that the contract was awarded without competition and not in compliance with HUD procurement regulations. Further, the review states that there were no records available for consulting work. Consequently, there is no record of work product to justify the expense, it states.

 Oct. 25, 2013  The 2014 HUD review notes that the consultant contract was voluntarily terminated by Wilson on this date. It directs, as a corrective action, the ACHA to repay $9,800 to the low rent housing program that Wilson received under the terms of the consulting contract with nonfederal funds.

During the interview with the newspaper, Wilson said the ACHA board initially replied that the commissioners disagreed with HUD and thought his contract was perfectly legal. He said board members were very satisfied with my work. But Wilson said he decided to resign rather than put the board members through further grief given HUDs insistence that the contract was improper.

I said, Ill resign from that position because I didnt want the board to have all that grief because they had enough grief already, Wilson said.

Also on this date, ACHA records indicate that the housing authoritys board voted to approve two resolutions  one voiding Wilsons contract and another entering into an agreement with Wilson that it would pay him for the remaining months on his consulting contract  11 months at $2,500 a month for a total of $27,500.

 Oct. 28, 2013  On this date, following the board vote, Wilson signs a release stating that in exchange for the $27,500 left on his consulting contract in exchange for an agreement by James Wilson not to bring any legal challenges over this issue in the future. The information concerning the board votes are as listed in the release Wilson signed on this date. The newspaper has not reviewed board minutes from this meeting.

Of the above amount the board agreed to pay him, Wilson said he worked it out as such that he was going to be able to draw it down at intervals as I decided. He said he was paid some of the money up front, and would draw down some other money as I needed it.

As the year 2014 came to a close, Wilson said he was still owed more than $12,000 from the agreement. In late 2014, Wilson said he let Franklin know that he intended to draw down the remaining amount in January 2015. Wilson said the reason he was delaying the draw down to January was because I wanted to be in a different tax year.

HUDs 2014 report included a finding that the legal settlement with Wilson was improper, stating that the ACHA board had no authority to offer a financial settlement in response to a threatened lawsuit without the express review and approval by the HUD Office of General Council, as set forth in the HUD litigation handbook. The federal agency stated as a concern related to settlement agreement that improper use of PHA funds is adverse to the mission of the PHA to provide safe and sanitary housing for low-income persons. HUD called for the ACHA to repay $21,607 it had given to Wilson as of May 20, 2014, to the low-rent housing program.

 April 2013 to December 2014  ACHA records indicate Franklin served during this time as executive director. Her contract, which was approved by the board on March 23, 2012  a year before it became effective  was for a three-year term to run from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016. After serving in that role for about 20 months, part of which Wilson was a paid consultant to serve as her adviser, Franklin decided to step down at the end of 2014. Her contract called for her to receive $5,000 if she terminated the contract early for any reason at her sole discretion, and also to return to the full-time position of finance director. Payroll records indicate she received the cash and returned to the job she had previously held.

Wilson said that as Franklin was preparing to step down, the ACHA advertised the position and though it received several applications, none met the minimum qualifications. Wilson was not employed by the ACHA at this time in any capacity, but said he kept in close contact with Franklin. Wilson said the minimum requirements were for applicants to have a college degree, a federal housing management certification and experience managing a housing authority. Wilson, who has a history degree from SIU, said that it was his understanding that the highest level of education Franklin had received was a high school equivalency. But he said that Franklin was seen as qualified because she had worked for years as his finance director, for two years as assistant director, and prior to joining the housing authority, was employed in an administrative position by the Laborers International Local 773.

Come late 2014, Her time was up and she was going back to finance director, Wilson explained in the interview with the newspaper. Her doctor told her, You dont need that stress. I said, Im going to apply, and I dont know if the board will be interested, but Im going to apply for the position. No one met the three basic qualifications but me.

 June 14, 2013  Another veteran employee of the ACHA, Joe Williams, filed a complaint on this date with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming he was unfairly passed over for consideration for the position of executive director. According to the terms of a settlement agreement, Williams was fired on Jan. 9, 2014 and a settlement agreement reached the next month. Under the terms of that agreement, the ACHA agreed to pay Williams $108,000 in 72 monthly installments of $1,500 a month.

Wilson and Williams are close neighbors.

 Dec. 29, 2014  On this date, the ACHA board approved a contract to rehire Wilson as executive director for 90 days  from Dec. 29, 2014, to March 31, 2015. The contract called for him to receive $15,000 in advance for that three-month period. The contract stipulated that any party  Wilson, the ACHA board or HUD, could terminate the agreement early without penalty. It stated that if that happened no effort shall be made to collect any monies paid to him and it is agreed he has earned said compensation.

Wilson said he had two primary goals for his short-term return as executive director  one was to find someone to fill the job permanently and the other was to reopen lines of communication with HUD, which had cited numerous problems concerning the ACHAs management practices in 2013 and 2014.

Wilson said early on, he made a call to the Region V director  presumably Wilkins, who wrote the letter that was attached to the review citing multiple concerns with the ACHA, including that the ACHA had made improper payments to Wilson. Wilson said he was trying to get lines of communication open, but they were pretty well soured on my from before  Wilson said that during one of HUDs site visits in 2013, he laid into some federal housing officials for what he perceived was them trying to intimidate people and things like that. Wilson said he got in their faces because he was angry that they were telling ACHA workers and board members not to disclose to him the nature of their conversations with HUD.

Thats always been my nature  good or bad. Sometimes its bad, he said.

I came out of a background, of course  I was mayor for 12 years, and in Cairo, being mayor, you deal with ... (he trails off here) youve got to be pretty tough being around that long.

After 11 days on the job, Wilson resigned  and he kept the entire $15,000.

 March 26, 2015  A few months after he resigned, again, Wilson filed a civil lawsuit against the ACHA in Alexander County Circuit Court on this date seeking the remainder of what was owed under the terms of his settlement agreement after HUD intervened to stop payments, citing an improper arrangement. That case is pending. A status hearing is scheduled for May 19.
The pleasant surprise of the First 100 Days is over. The action was hectic, heated, often confused, but well within the bounds of normalcy. Policy (e.g., health care) was being hashed out, a Supreme Court nominee confirmed, foreign policy challenges (e.g. North Korea) addressed.

Donald Trump's character  volatile, impulsive, often self-destructive  had not changed since the campaign. But it seemed as if the guardrails of our democracy  Congress, the courts, the states, the media, the Cabinet  were keeping things within bounds.

Then came the last 10 days. The country is now caught in the internal maelstrom that is the mind of Donald Trump. We are in the realm of the id. Chaos reigns. No guardrails can hold.

Normal activity disappears. North Korea's launch of an alarming new missile and a problematic visit from the president of Turkey (locus of our most complicated and tortured allied relationship) barely evoke notice. Nothing can escape the black hole of a three-part presidential meltdown.

 First, the firing of James Comey. Trump, consumed by the perceived threat of the Russia probe to his legitimacy, executes a mindlessly impulsive dismissal of the FBI director. He then surrounds it with a bodyguard of lies  attributing the dismissal to a Justice Department recommendation  which his staff goes out and parrots. Only to be undermined and humiliated when the boss contradicts them within 48 hours.

Result? Layers of falsehoods giving the impression of an elaborate cover-up  in the absence of a crime. At least Nixon was trying to quash a third-rate burglary and associated felonies. Here we don't even have a body, let alone a smoking gun. Trump insists there's no there there, but acts as if the there is everywhere.

 Second, Trump's divulging classified information to the Russians. A stupid, needless mistake. But despite the media hysteria, hardly an irreparable national security calamity.

The Israelis, whose asset might have been jeopardized, are no doubt upset, but the notion that this will cause a great rupture to their (and others') intelligence relationship with the U.S. is nonsense. These kinds of things happen all the time. When the Obama administration spilled secrets of the anti-Iranian Stuxnet virus or blew the cover of a double agent in Yemen, there was none of the garment-rending that followed Trump's disclosure.

Once again, however, the cover-up far exceeded the crime. Trump had three top officials come out and declare the disclosure story false. The next morning, Trump tweeted he was entirely within his rights to reveal what he revealed, thereby verifying the truth of the story. His national security adviser H.R. McMaster floundered his way through a news conference, trying to reconcile his initial denial with Trump's subsequent contradiction. It was a sorry sight.

 Is it any wonder, therefore, that when the third crisis hit on Tuesday night  the Comey memo claiming that Trump tried to get him to call off the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn  Republicans hid under their beds rather than come out to defend the president? The White House hurriedly issued a statement denying the story. The statement was unsigned. You want your name on a statement that your boss could peremptorily contradict in a twitter-second?

Republicans are beginning to panic. One sign is the notion now circulating that, perhaps to fend off ultimate impeachment, Trump be dumped by way of 25th Amendment.

That's the post-Kennedy assassination measure that provides for removing an incapacitated president on the decision of the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet.

This is the worst idea since Leno at 10 p.m. It perverts the very intent of the amendment. It was meant for a stroke, not stupidity; for Alzheimer's, not narcissism. Otherwise, what it authorizes is a coup  willful overthrow by the leader's own closest associates.

I thought we had progressed beyond the Tudors and the Stuarts. Moreover, this would be seen by millions as an establishment usurpation to get rid of a disruptive outsider. It would be the most destabilizing event in American political history  the gratuitous overthrow of an essential constant in American politics, namely the fixedness of the presidential term (save for high crimes and misdemeanors).

Trump's behavior is deeply disturbing but hardly surprising. His mercurial nature is not the product of a post-inaugural adder sting at Mar-a-Lago. It's been there all along. And the American electorate chose him nonetheless.

What to do? Strengthen the guardrails. Redouble oversight of this errant president. Follow the facts, especially the Comey memos. And let the chips fall where they may.

But no tricks, constitutional or otherwise.
Genres : Drama

Starring : Jenny Agutter, Linda Bassett, Helen George, Judy Parfitt

Plot Synopsis

The nurses, midwives and nuns of Nonnatus House invite you to join them again as they try to give the best possible care to the poorest women in London. It s now 1962 and times are changing. This series sees the nuns receive an SOS call from a mission hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Under the hot sun, the Nonnatus family face some of their toughest challenges yet. Back in Poplar, the rather austere Sister Ursula is appointed the new head of Nonnatus House, demoting Sister Julienne to an ordinary member of staff. She is not the only one to face challenges closer to home.
The award-wining Actors Theatre of South Carolina is set to present "Frederick Douglass  No Turning Back" for Piccolo Spoleto at 7:30 p.m. May 30, June 3 and June 8; and 3 p.m. June 11, at the Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street, in Charleston.

Frederick Douglass, one of our greatest American heroes, was an orator, abolitionist, Christian leader and newspaper editor. He thrilled audiences across America and England in his quest to abolish slavery and create true freedom and equality in America.

"The fact Douglass was a slave until he escaped at age 20 in 1838, is secondary to his astounding accomplishments as a stunning and eloquent agent of social reform," says company co-founder, Clarence Felder, veteran film and TV actor from Calhoun County who portrays a pastor in a cameo role. The play is set in 1872 while Douglass is on a speaking tour to Ohio.

Douglass could have chosen to live in Europe, but he felt God called him to return to America to create freedom for all people here, so he spent the rest of his life challenging our society.

Kyle Taylor, who stars as Mr. Douglass, appeared in theater productions in New York City and Los Angeles, including "A River Niger" starring Esther Rolle (of CBS Good Times) and in John Guares, "Six Degrees of Separation" at Center Stage Playhouse, in NYC.

Locally, Kyle created the role of Samuel in the award-winning docudrama, John Laurens "War" for Moving Images Group at Actors Theatre of South Carolina.

Taylor also received rave reviews for his portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King in "The Mountaintop" for Pure Theatre, Crown in "Porgy and Bess" at the historic Dock Street Theatre and as Crooks in "Of Mice and Men" at Threshold Repertory Theatre.

The play is directed and produced by Chris Weatherhead, co-founder of Actors' Theatre of South Carolina and director of two award-winning feature films, "All For Liberty" and John Laurens' "War." Actors' Theatre is celebrating twenty years producing throughout South Carolina.

To purchase tickets, call 866-811-4111. Tickets are $21 for adults, $16 for students/seniors.
Genres : Comedy, Classic

Starring : James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Arlene Francis, Liselotte Pulver, and Leon Askin

Director : Billy Wilder

Plot Synopsis

James Cagney "gives one of the richest, funniest, most breathlessly paced performances of his career" (The New York Times) in this Billy Wilder comedy that defrosts the Cold War with gales of laughter!



C.R. MacNamara (Cagney), a top-ranking executive stationed in West Berlin, is charged with the care of his boss' visiting daughter. But when he learns that she's gone and married a fierce young communist - and that his boss will be arriving in town in 24 hours - Mac must transform the unwilling beatnik into a suitable son-in-law or risk losing his chance for advancement! Before you can say "one, two, three," his plans have spun out of control and into an international incident that could infuriate the Russians, the Germans and, worst of all, his own suspicious wife (Arlene Francis)!
The annual Orangeburg County Memorial Day service is scheduled for Sunday, May 28.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States. It was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Orangeburg County's service will begin at 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park located on Riverside Drive across the street from the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce.

The featured speaker will be retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Dr. Corinthea Stack. A Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran, Stack was awarded many Unit Citations for leadership and command.

He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal award on four occasions and the Navy Achievement Medal on three occasions.

Stack attained a Bachelor of Science in math and physical education from Methodist College of Fayetteville, North Carolina, as well as a master's degree in those two areas of study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He earned a Masters of Divinity in pastoral leadership and pastoral counseling from Columbia International University in Columbia and a Doctorate of Theology from His Excellence Theological Seminary through the Charleston and Canton, Ohio campuses.

Stack now pastors in the Seventh Episcopal District of South Carolina with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

One of 10 siblings, he grew up and was raised in the town of North, where he graduated in 1978 as salutatorian of his class.

While attending school, he was enlisted with the Army Reserves. After high school, he attended The Citadel and later transferred to Methodist College of Fayetteville.

Stack commissioned with the U.S. Army and resigned to join the Marine Corps in January 1985. He rose to the rank of major in 1995 and was medically retired in December 1996.

He and his wife of 32 years, Lynn, have two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to Stack, the program will include prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the recognition of the prisoners of war/missing in action, recognition of Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families and all military branches.

Libby Dunn Dempsey will perform the National Anthem as well as another musical selection.

The laying of the wreath and the playing of Taps will also be included in the program.

The event's sponsors include: Orangeburg County Veterans Council, Orangeburg County Veterans Affairs, American Legion Post No. 4, Greater Orangeburg Leathernecks Marine Corps League Detachment 1259, Military Order of the Purple Heart No. 932, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 2779 and 8166 and Quilts of Valor.

The service is also being made possible by the Orangeburg Department of Parks and Recreation, the City of Orangeburg, Hospice Care of South Carolina and Agape Hospice.

Refreshments will be served at the end of the program.
Hundreds of students from nine Midlands counties competed at 61st Region II Science and Engineering Fair hosted by University of South Carolina on March 10, 2017. The students in grades 5 - 12 displayed their projects at USC in an attempt to impress judges. Jane Gan and Patrick Burk represented SCAWWA and WEASC to judge for the Water Drop Award and Stockholm Junior Regional Water Prize.

Joshua Chisolm from Brookdale Elementary School, who showed off his filters for cleaning drinking water, won the junior Water Drop Award. Two students from Spring Valley High School in Columbia won the Senior Water Drop Award and Stockholm Junior Regional Water Prize, respectively.

Each year, approximately 7 million high school students around the globe develop original research projects and present their work at local science and engineering fair competitions with the hope of making it to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The 2016 winner at the local USC Fair competed at the International Level and won the 4th award.

If you are interested in registering your children for next years science fair or helping with judging, please contact Jane Gan or check out the website https://artsandsciences.sc.edu/cse/ScienceFair/
Orangeburg County school districts need to modernize operations and collaborate across district lines in order to increase operational efficiency, according to a study by the South Carolina Department of Education.

Released in April, the study concludes both modernization and collaboration are needed for central operations such as finance, human resources, procurement, transportation and overhead.

The study looked at ways school districts could increase effectiveness and efficiency in those areas, as well as the potential for cost savings.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman said he does not disagree with the study's main premises, but he said it has been used by "certain politicians" to advance consolidation of the county's three districts.

"That was not the intent of the study," Newman said.

Legislation that would consolidate Orangeburg County's three districts into one could be approved by the state Legislature as soon as this week.

He said the intent was to provide advice to districts on how they can become more efficient and save money.

"That is not a bad thing," he said. "To go the extreme and say this means you consolidate, there is nowhere in the document that says you should consolidate with your two neighbors because of this. That is the disappointing thing. It is easy to use numbers."

Through modernization and increasing collaboration, each district could save tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, according to the study.

The most significant areas of savings would be in leveraging of funds with vendors through the increase of purchasing volumes.

The study recommends all three districts leverage state contracts and group purchasing organizations to optimize expenditures, focus on negotiating discounts for different levels of spending and monitor contracts to identify opportunities for potential savings.

For western-based OCSD4, the study says through a one-time technological upgrade of its finance and human resources processes costing from $25,000 to $50,000, the district would see an annual savings of between $190,900 and $427,900.

Of this total, between $113,200 and $235,000 would be realized in savings through bulk purchasing of goods.

Newman said he is in agreement with the study about the importance of working with other districts like eastern-based Orangeburg Consolidated District Three and Orangeburg Consolidated District Five in Greater Orangeburg, especially when it comes to large purchases such as paper.

"We should look at that from a procurement standpoint," he said.

Newman said it is also important to understand the study provides a broad assessment of data as well as identifying that savings are based on assumptions "about changes in process, staffing levels ... that will vary upon implementation."

"Variations from amounts presented as net savings are likely in the event a shared services model is implemented," Newman said, reading from the study itself.

"This is a a very broad guess at this period of time," Newman said.

Orangeburg Sen. Brad Hutto, a lead sponsor a bill proposing consolidation and a proponent of consolidation, said the study is part of an ongoing decades-long issue that resulted in the "Abbeville lawsuit." The state is under court order to improve rural school districts as a result of a decision in the case.

But he says inefficient ways the current districts operate as pointed out in the study have not been a good selling point for his colleagues.

"The efficiency study presented to us showed all the rural districts lacked in advancement of capital and the lack of human resources," Hutto said.

Hutto said the same positions are multiplied by three across each district. He says the study's recommendation of greater collaboration could be fulfilled through consolidation.

"We have three offices, we have staff in those offices doing what a much larger school district does in one office," he said. "There are efficiencies to be had."

Hutto said consolidation would give schools greater purchasing and buying power.

"You will get a better deal when purchasing," he said.

District Five

For OCSD5, modernizing finance and human resources departments with a one-time investment of $22,500 and $42,500 could mean an annual savings of $493,100 to $1,110,400, according to the study.

Of this amount, between $348,800 and $701,800 is due to collaboration in procurement of goods.

In a prepared statement, OCSD5 Superintendent Dr. Jesse Washington said the district has reviewed the study.

Washington said the district realizes the report and recommendations are based on various estimates and assumptions."

"Next, the consultants indicate that the findings may change as Part 2 of the statewide review is completed," Washington said. "With this in mind, we recognize that there may be opportunities as offered by the consultants related to investments in technology and utilizing 'economies of scale,' but prefer to see Part 2 of the report before drawing any conclusions."

Washington said he was pleased with the study's note of the district's achievements, including the improved academic performance of students, a reduction in teacher-to-student ratios from 28:1 to 17:1 and strong support from the local business community.

District Three

The study notes if OCSD3 would invest between $15,000 and $35,000 in its finance and human resources departments, annual savings would be between $242,900 and $511,700. Of this amount, between $134,100 and $261,600 would be through savings realized by bulk purchasing opportunities.

OCSD3 Superintendent Dr. Jesulon Gibbs-Brown declined comment on the study or on consolidation, noting she is choosing to let the process work through.

"My comments are the same as I have said over the past couple of weeks," Gibbs-Brown said.

The study was done in two phases. The first looked at the 32 schools in the 1993 "Abbeville lawsuit" in which rural school districts sued the state over educational inequities. The second phase of the study will look at the remaining 48 districts in the state.

The study comes as Orangeburg County legislators are seeking to move forward with consolidating the three districts into one.

Lawmakers are expected to return to Columbia May 23. The consolidation bill needs one additional reading in the House. The House and Senate versions of the bill need to be reconciled.

'Study is a draft'

Rep. Jerry Govan D-Orangeburg, echoed Newman's sentiments about the efficiency study never being intended to advocate consolidation. He said the consulting firm, Alvarez & Marsal, began the study in February.

"The study is a draft," Govan said, noting the consulting firm warns individuals to not "draw any conclusions" until the second part is completed.

He said few administrators from the various school districts were able to contribute to the study and few school board members are aware of what it entails.

"The overall collection of the data left a lot to be desired," Govan said, noting Alvarez & Marsal admit the data was incomplete and limited. "The fact of the matter is that the study is not complete. I think it would be wise to wait for the report to be finalized before jumping to any conclusions."

Govan said he has talked to the consultants and they informed him "emphatically" that consolidation was not in the scope of the report.

He says what needs to happen if consolidation is to occur -- and he questions whether it would be beneficial to the children of the county -- is "full transparency" in terms of truthfulness and stakeholder involvement.

"I think consolidation should be about children and not just dollars and cents," Govan said.

More from the study

In addition to potential savings in procurement, the study shows challenges facing the school districts, including staffing shortages, difficulties in teacher recruitment and declining enrollments.

The study shows Orangeburg County schools serving an impoverished student body compared to the state average and the school districts generally spending less per student than the state average.

Student-to-teacher ratios are generally below the state average's as well.

Teachers: The study showed Orangeburg County schools, like most rural schools in the state, struggling with teacher retention and recruitment.

The study shows the districts are having to rely on international staffing agencies to fill multiple teacher vacancies. The districts' human resource departments are also operating on a "lean budget with limited staffing to support recruiting, retention, personnel relations and professional development activities."

In OCSD5, the concern is many of the teachers are employed through the Teacher and Employee Retention Incentive Program, which expires in 2018.

In addition the districts recruitment processes are largely manual and need to be automated, according to the study.

The study suggests the district "formalize plans to enhance incentive programs" to help navigate teacher shortages and increase recruitment and retention rates.

The study also suggests the district cross train personnel on recruitment and professional development and recommends the districts streamline people and processes around new technology.

Finances: The study notes the districts must maintain a minimum cost structure as they do not benefit from "economies of scale available to larger districts."

"The small size of the districts requires resources to be leveraged within and across functional areas and often resources wear multiple hats in order to complete key processes," the study notes.

The study notes OCSD5 and OCSD3 both are "financially stable with high per-pupil revenues and ... strong unrestricted fund balances."

The study notes OCSD4 has a "lower than average unrestricted fund balance" and combined with declining enrollment requires the need for long-term financial planning and increased revenue reserves. The study also notes that frequent turnover in the district's finance department and manual processes contribute to internal control weaknesses.

The study suggests the district drive data quality improvements across district financial and personnel systems.

The study suggests the district update software versions to facilitate automated and purchase to payments processes as well as cross-training personnel on key financial functions.

Transportation: The study also shows the school districts have not implemented transportation efficiencies through GIS software and shows that many school bus drivers are serving in dual positions.

The study suggests the district invest in new statewide bus-routing software. The study also suggests creating dual-employment opportunities to help address bus driver shortages.

For OCSD3, the study notes that while the state pays for bus purchases, maintenance and fuel costs and a portion of driver salaries, the district supplements driver pay with local funds.

Overhead: The study suggests District 5 hire an assistant superintendent, noting the assistant could focus on overseeing operational functions such as transportation or food services that currently fall under the purview of the finance department.

The study suggests all the districts utilize a regional shared service model that includes finance, HR and procurement through purchasing collaborations.

The study highlights opportunities for all the districts for collaboration through shared processing of accounts payables and receivables, recruiting technologies, volume discounts and a general sharing of administrative services.

For OCSD4, the study suggests reorganizing other direct-support areas of the superintendent to optimize resources.

For OCSD3, the study suggests the district consider hiring one part-time communications employee to help the superintendent.
Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4s chairman says merging the countys three districts into one wont save the money claimed and could actually cost some taxpayers more.

Other officials say the issue is more complicated.

While consolidation would increase taxes on businesses and vehicles in OCSD4, taxes could go down on owner-occupied homes, according to figures from the county treasurer.

OCSD3 taxpayers, however, could see savings.

OCSD5 taxpayers could see an increase in taxes on owner-occupied homes and smaller increases on other property.

Orangeburg Countys lawmakers are considering a bill that would consolidate the three school districts into one beginning July 1, 2019. The single district would be called the Orangeburg County School District.

House members are scheduled to give the plan a final vote on Tuesday. The Senate and House then need to reconcile the differences between their bills.

Questioning savings

In a prepared statement, OCSD4 board Chairman Aaron Rudd questioned if consolidation will save money by making school operations more efficient.

Studies of consolidation elsewhere show it only benefits smaller districts (less than 1,000) students when they merge with a more affluent district, according to Rudd.

"In Orangeburg County's case, we have three poor districts with 3,000 to 7,000 students," his statement said.

The statement also notes that cost savings are typically negated by additional layer of administration necessary to run a larger school district, as well as capital costs. ... The consolidated district typically adds building projects that further erode any savings compared to before.

Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said while consolidation is expected to save money, that is not the main purpose.

Rural lawmakers are seeking more equitable funding for schools in the state, as called for in the Abbeville lawsuit decision.

When lawmakers discuss funding for rural schools, there is pushback from urban lawmakers who say they wont provide additional money because of inefficiencies in rural districts, he said.

Rural South Carolina school districts, like the Orangeburg school districts, face difficulties recruiting teachers, Hutto said.

Teachers will go to more urban areas to receive more pay, he said.

We are trying to come up with a plan to educate more teachers and to get more teachers into rural South Carolina, Hutto said.

Hutto said consolidation will make the countys schools more efficient by reducing the number of superintendents and district offices, and result in less staff and supply costs.

Tax changes

Orangeburg County Treasurer Steve Summers believes overall millage rates will moderate somewhat under consolidation.

Looking at existing information, he said general operations millage under consolidation could be 206.36 mills. He said the total debt service under consolidation could be 43.18 mills.

He projects the total school millage will be 249.54 mills. Because owner-occupied homes are not taxed for operations but are taxed for debt service, the impact on homes and other property is different.

In OCSD4, taxes could decline on a $100,000 owner-occupied home an average of $43.28 a year, Summers said.

The tax on a $25,000 vehicle could go up $20.61 a year after consolidation.

A $100,000 commercial business in the district could see taxes increase $82.44. Agricultural land of 50 acres could see a $5.50 increase on annual taxes.

In OCSD3, Summers said an individual with a $100,000 owner-occupied home could see taxes, on average, decrease by $81.28 a year under consolidation.

On a $25,000 vehicle, he said taxes will go down $23.19 a year.

A $100,000 commercial business in the district could see taxes decrease on average $92.76.

Agricultural land of 50 acres could see a $5.50 decrease on annual taxes in the district under consolidation.

In OCSD5, a person with a $100,000 home could see taxes increase on average of $52.72 a year.

On a $25,000 vehicle, taxes could go up about 36 cents a year.

A $100,000 commercial business in the district could see taxes increase an average of $1.44 a year.

Agricultural land of 50 acres in the district could see a 10 cent increase annually on average under consolidation.

Future development

Consolidated School District 5 trustee Vernon Stephens, in a May 17 letter to the local legislative delegation, expresses concerns for the western part of Orangeburg County.

Considering the possible location of future industries in this county, it is evident that immediate economic development may not be seen in western Orangeburg County," Stephens said in the letter.

"Taking that into consideration, it is my understanding that there will likely be noted disparity in generating revenue for school operation in that section of the county in the immediate future, he said. That conclusion causes me much concern as we think of our commitment to our children to assure them a world-class education that will prepare them for a bright future, no matter where they may reside in this county or state."

Rudd questions the claim that the western part of the county will lose out.

The three districts currently share taxes from businesses located in each of the districts, regardless of where they are located, he said.

The bill

The Senate version of the bill, which was introduced by Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman, and Hutto, calls for a new, nine-member school board elected from single-member districts.

The House version sets up seven single-member districts that follow the lines of the county council districts. There would also be two at-large members.

The Senate version of the plan states that no elementary or middle school can be closed until two public hearings are held at least two weeks apart within the affected attendance area.

A high school may not be closed without holding the same public hearings. Also, voters in the affected attendance area have to approve the closing of a high school by a referendum.

The House version of the bill requires three public hearings and a referendum in the affected attendance area for all school closings, not just high schools.

Attendance zones would remain the same through 2021-2022, unless required by federal court order.

The House version also suspends 2017 school board elections.

Process criticized

"Currently, six members of the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation are making all the decisions about how to educate our children," Rudd wrote. "The people who educate our children every day are not at the table.

The delegation has made it clear that they will not put this out for public vote, nor entertain any input from the public that voted them into office."

The delegation has since scheduled a public meeting for Monday night.

Rudds statement goes on to note that the frustration will lead parents to choose to move their children to other districts or private/charter schools.

"Our schools will continue to shrink, along with the communities they serve," the statement reads.

Hutto said the consolidation effort has not been a secret.

The matter has been discussed for the past three years and has been brought before the public numerous times, Hutto said. He said as a representative republic, not every item comes up for a public vote or referendum.

"If it were a referendum, it would pass," Hutto said. "There is no question."

Hutto said it is important for people to know what the bill does not mean.

"This is not intended to change schools," Hutto said. "It is designed to focus on administration, not on the schools."

He said the county has 5,000 fewer students today than it did 20 years ago, but has seen its administrative costs increase.

He also said the bill does not mean students will have to travel farther to school.

Consolidated School District 3 Chairwoman Betty Shuler declined immediate comment on the matter.

OCSD5 Chairman Dr. Jesse Washington could not be reached for comment.

In his statement to the delegation, Stephens said consolidation is a good thing for the county and should move forward.

"With experience as a member of both the now-dissolved Orangeburg County Board of Education, and presently the Orangeburg County Consolidated School District 5 Board of Trustees, I have experienced first-hand the many impediments faced by school districts due to inadequate funding," Stephens said.

"Those impediments have either slowed or stopped the delivery of exceptional educational opportunities to the children of this county, he said.
The diagnosis was throat cancer. Doctors said he had two years left.

David Troy Oliney heard what they said but didnt allow that dim prognosis to derail his plans.

He was working full time and was months away from getting his associate degree in nursing, a dream of his since he was a child.

After all, Oliney had overcome childhood poverty, served active duty in the military in Saudi Arabia and survived Desert Storm. He was determined that cancer would not stop his desire to be a nurse educator.

I didnt think about what the doctors told me, said Oliney, who has survived two cancer scares but is now cancer free. I didnt worry about it. I didnt stress. I just kept going. God, faith, courage, and prayer -- thats what carried me.

Oliney, now a registered nurse in Atlanta, received his bachelors degree in nursing during Claflin Universitys 147th Commencement Ceremony on May 13. Oliney is a member of the inaugural class of graduates from Claflins Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program that was launched during the 2016 fall semester. Claflin has the only RN-to-BSN degree program at a historically black college/university in South Carolina.

The program offers registered nurses with an associate degree from an accredited program the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree in as little as 12 months. Its an accelerated degree program designed to prepare graduates for leadership in nursing and other related careers in the health care industry.

Oliney, like the other 11 students in the program, took most of his classes online and spent one Saturday each month on the Orangeburg campus taking intensive sessions, participating in discussions and making presentations. The program will be offered 100 percent online when the 2017 fall semester begins, which will allow students from across the country to earn degrees at Claflin.

Oliney, a native of Louisiana, found out about the Claflin program as he flipped through a nursing magazine and saw an ad announcing the new program. He was impressed that the program was fully accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges, that it would take less than a year to complete and that he wouldnt have to take a lot of non-nursing classes.

Im sure I could have found another program, probably something here in Georgia. However, Claflin offered me what I was looking for, he said. This program was a real challenge. But I loved every minute of it.

The primary goal of our nursing program is to produce highly skilled and compassionate nurses who will be in high demand and offset the shortage of nurses in South Carolina and beyond, said Dr. Shannon Smith, Claflins Nursing Department director. We have the opportunity to serve the community by improving health outcomes. This is a positive for everybody involved."

Claflin was approved in August as a member of SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement). The RN-to-BSN and other online programs can now be marketed in more than 40 states, providing Claflin the opportunity to promote its high-quality academic program outside the state of South Carolina Oliney had no hesitation about online classes because he earned his associate degree in nursing online.

I was prepared for online work, Oliney said. I knew what I had to do and I was prepared for it.

The curriculum includes 30 credit hours and is designed to prepare graduates for a higher level of nursing. Claflin also has agreements with nearby Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg to serve as a pipeline for nurses and students who have an associate degree and want to earn bachelor a bachelors degree.

Lara Reams had graduated with an associate degree in nursing from Orangeburg-Calhoun Tech and was working at Regional Medical Center when she started the program last fall.

For Reams, who is 47, online classes were new to her and took some getting used to.

It was difficult, she said. Im a hands-on person and I had to change my way of thinking. I had to dig further. It took me some time, but I managed it.

When Reams started Claflin, she was working at Regional Medical Center. Knowing she was getting a bachelors degree, a local residential drug and alcohol treatment facility has hired her as its new director of nursing.

Working full-time, tending to three children and her aging mother while attending school full-time was stressful. But Reams said having the support of the faculty and staff at Claflin made things possible.

The classes werent difficult, but if you are working full-time as a nurse, the program can be challenging, she said. But the faculty always told us to keep them informed and they worked with us and made sure we completed the program. Plus, I had the support of my family.They are all so proud of me and Im proud of myself, said the former salon owner who got into nursing at the suggestion of her mother-in-law. I sold my salon and dived into nursing and I havent looked back.

With a bachelors degree, Olineys next goal is graduate school and eventually a doctorate in nursing. He wants to teach other nurses and believes his personal and professional experiences will help him improve patient care and nursing education.

I fully understand the importance of empathy, he wrote in a student paper on his nursing philosophy. I will be forever grateful for the nurses who displayed such compassion toward me in my weakest moments. I cannot help but be reminded of the Bible passage, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I am compelled and committed to delivering care that is genuine and full of empathy. Im thankful Claflin has been part of my journey.

For more information, contact Dr. Shannon B. Smith, director of nursing, at nursing@claflin.edu or call 803-535-5241 or 803-535-5573.
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Genres : Comedy, Crime

Starring : Jeff Lorch, Andrea Bowen, Kacy Owens

Director : Mark David

Plot Synopsis

In a last ditch effort to save their struggling relationship, Rick and Reni twist their couples counseling into a plot that would see them return to their roots as petty criminals. The couple rob a bar called Jonnys Sweet Revenge, a long forgotten Los Angeles watering hole in a rotten end of town best reserved for Californias idiosyncratic daytime drinking crowd. As their haphazard scheme to hold up the bar goes horribly wrong, the couples troubled relationship gives birth to a theater of the absurd. The duo manages to draw the bar's patrons into the chaos as accomplices leading to accidental murder, finger pointing, and boundless anxiety. Locked inside this bar, a handful of off-beat characters including two LA detectives/hopeful Hollywood actors round out an ensemble that not only wonder if theyll survive the day, but if they can all survive one another.
The Arab Islamic American Summit has today been held in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomed Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre.

The heads of state and government posed together for photographs.

The Summit started with the recitation of ayahs from the Quran.

King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud opened the event.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed US President Donald Trump and leaders from across the Islamic world for this historic meeting. United under a single vision  Together We Prevail  this highly anticipated event, the first of its kind in history, renewed the mutual commitment to global security and further strengthened already deep business, cultural and political ties.




Oil giant Saudi Aramco is close to selecting a partner for a joint venture it plans to set up to oversee government-related infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, said a report, citing sources familiar with the matter.

US-based Jacobs Engineering is believed to be the frontrunner to be partner in the joint venture, while the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is also expected to be involved, the sources told Reuters.

Aramco, which is gearing up for the biggest IPO (initial public offering) in corporate history, is involved in projects across sectors not just oil, and the new company will provide project management services on infrastructure and non-oil related projects, the report added.

An announcement on the joint venture is due to be made on May 20, one of the sources said, which would coincide with US President Donald Trump's planned visit to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi government, whose revenues have been hit by low oil prices, has been seeking to cut costs on state infrastructure projects.

In February it appointed US-based Bechtel to set up and run a new National Project Management Organization (Mashroat), tasked with reducing inefficiencies on such projects, it added.
The Chinese government is set to pump in around $40 billion into big development projects in Egypt as part of its ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, said a report.



The investment will be made through Silk Road Fund, considered the largest investment fund in China, reported Daily News Egypt, citing a senior Chinese official.



China's President Xi Jinping has pledged $124 billion for the OBOR initiative, stated Jin Qi, the chairperson of the Silk Road Fund, on the sidelines of a major forum in Beijing.



Chinese government will look into ways Egypt can benefit from the financial opportunities offered by the fund to the states on the Silk Road within the initiative to reactivate it, remarked Qi during his meeting with Minister of Investment and International Co-operation Sahar Nasr.



They also discussed the possibility of cooperating with several international financing institutions to support projects and establish joint projects between the private and public sectors.



Nasr lauded the strategic and developmental relations between Egypt and China, expressing their readiness to enhance Chinas position among the countries investing in Egypt.



There are 1,300 Chinese companies working in Egypt, stated the Daily News Egypt report.



The Egyptian minister has presented several economic and development projects that are considered the governments priority during this period. They included the new Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) and several transportation projects, it stated.



During the meeting, both of them agreed to carry out cooperation between the ministry and the fund to finance Chinese investments in Egypt in the field of infrastructure, construction, and joint projects between the private and public sectors through injecting Chinese investments to activate projects, increase entrepreneur incubators, and develop the skills of young people in emerging projects in investment zones.



Nasr also invited Qi to visit Egypt or send a delegation to personally see the progress of its projects.
Egypt-based Arabian Cement Company (ACC) has launched the second round of its social start-up programme, continuing in partnership with Nahdet El Mahrousa (NM), an incubator of early stage social enterprises.



Building on the success of the first round, Khaleeha Suessi will offer entrepreneurship training for 15 shortlisted start-ups, out of which more than six start-ups will eventually receive seed funding and incubation services for one year.



This round of Khaleeha Suessi is bringing together several community collaborators who are strategically adding value to the programme, including the Syndicate of Engineering in Suez, Cleantech Arabia, Bassita and Untap Technologies.



The first phase of the programme started on May 17, where applicant submitted their initial proposals for two months. Once applications have been reviewed by a panel of experts, 15 shortlisted applicants will be announced.



The next phase of the programme focuses on offering support to shortlisted applicants enabling them to develop a final proposal about their enterprises. The final 6-8 enterprises will be chosen in September for the incubation phase followed by the receipt of seed funding. In order to qualify for the year-long programme, enterprises must offer an innovative business idea that has the potential to become scalable and sustainable, and have social impact in Suez.



Launching the second round of Khaleeha Suessi is a testament to our sustainable commitment to empower and contribute to the development of the community where we operate, said Sergio Alcantarilla, chief executive officer of ACC.



The results of the first round were extremely promising and encouraging for us to continue to promote positive social impact and employment opportunities by providing entrepreneurs with the tools needed to successfully establish their own start-ups. This year, were targeting specific sectors where further development is most needed in Suez, and are looking forward with much enthusiasm to receiving the innovative ideas of this years applicants.



One of the key outcomes of last year's programme was showcasing successful young entrepreneurs in Suez, through positioning them as a motivating role model to their fellow youth in Suez and a reason for fostering a culture of social innovation there, said Jackie Kameel, managing director of NM. ACC played a leading role in shedding light on the importance of private sector engagement and support for the growth of social entrepreneurship in Egypt, and an invitation to the private sector to adopt the same mentality towards a more inclusive economic growth in Egypt.



ACC commissioned a business opportunity mapping, where four sectors were identified as a main focus for this round of Khaleeha Suessi. These sectors are namely: agriculture, food production, renewable energy and waste management. To further educate the youth in Suez about these sectors and the needed solutions, a session will be held in Suez to elaborate on the role start-ups can play to contribute to the development of these sectors.



This business opportunity mapping is a first of its kind initiative, in that it was undertaken by a private sector company with a civil society organisation (NM) as its main partner, The mapping was conducted in collaboration with the Syndicate of Engineering in Suez and Cleantech Arabia, which is a non-profit organization aiming to build sustainable, innovation-based economies in the Arab World to continuously enhance the quality of life of local communities.



Cleantech Arabia will also take part in the mentorship programme offered by Khaleeha Suessi to the winning start-ups. While the Incubation programme, provided by Nahdet El Mahrousa, will offer comprehensive trainings on how to develop a successful business model- Cleantech Arabias part will compliment with technical mentorship in the fields of renewable energy, waste management and agribusiness.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Aramco, China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) and Panjin Xincheng Industrial Group, have signed the joint development agreement and held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Saudi Aramco-Norinco- Refining, Petrochemical and Retail Project in Panjin, in northeast Chinas Liaoning province.



The idea for this project received a major boost during the visit by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to China in March 2017, when Saudi Aramco and Norinco signed the project memorandum of understanding (MoU).



Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, who was in Beijing to participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, attended the ceremony where Saudi Aramco and Norinco signed an agreement to pave the way for a joint development agreement to build a refining, chemicals, and retail network in Panjin.



Later on site in Panjin, Abdulaziz M Al-Judaimi, senior vice president downstream at Saudi Aramco, attended a groundbreaking event, which was also attended by Yin Jiaxu, chairman of Norinco Group; and Zhang Lei, Liaoning executive deputy governor; Nabil Al Nuaim, president of Aramco Asia; and Gao Ke, Panjin Municipal Party Secretary.



Al-Judaimi said: Norinco and the government of Liaoning province are amongst the best partners to be in this project considering the great value proposition they are bringing to the table. There might be some challenges that we may face in the journey of implementing this project in the future, as in any worthy endeavour, but I am confident that we will be able to overcome them taking into consideration first Saudi Aramcos proven record of project management skills while executing mega projects and second the strong commitment shown by all the stakeholders to work together as one team to make sure this project is a big success.



The governor of Liaoning province Chen Qiufa announced the project commencement and the joint development agreement was signed by Abdulaziz M. Al-Judaimi and Zhao Gang, deputy general manager of Norinco Group.



The project is a key element in Chinas petrochemical industry forward planning and the revitalisation drive for the old industrial base in northeast China. It is a major project in Norincos drive to develop the industrial value chain, facilitating overseas oil exploration and trade, as well as growth in the petrochemical, final chemicals and specialty chemical sectors.



Having completed the environmental impact assessment and won 23 project supporting documents in less than three years, the project obtained final approval from Liaoning Provincial Development and Reform Commission.



The goal of the project is to build a world-class refining and chemical integration base, with global best practice standards of cost-saving, sustainability, and advanced technology. The construction will be based on the principles of integration, clustering development, differentiation and scale up.



The project will further promote the implementation of Chinas Belt & Road initiative and the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of petrochemical industry in China in partnership with the globally recognized enterprise working in this field.



The project will significantly expand Saudi Aramcos footprint in Chinas downstream industry considering the paramount importance of the Chinese economy for Saudi and Saudi Aramcos future investments. It will also enhance the competitiveness of Norincos petrochemical and value-added chemical divisions, and promote the overall economic revitalisation in Liaoning and Panjin. The project will also significantly expand Saudi Aramcos footprint in Chinas downstream industry, said the statement.



"This project will potentially become a key building block in both companies portfolios and a new landmark in the industry since it has all ingredients for integration, optimization, capital efficiency and located in a very promising region. Both partners will bring their best practices in project management and execution and operations to add value to this project," said the statement. - TradeArabia News Service
US President Donald Trump has affirmed that relations between his country and Bahrain will be strengthened and won't see any further tension.



The US President's remarks came during his meeting in Riyadh today with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.



He said after the meeting: "Relations between our two countries are wonderful. Although they had been strained a little, there will be no tension with this administration. We will build a long-term relationship and I look forward to that as there are many common denominators."

In his statement, HM King Hamad said: "We have a great relationship with the United States of America which the president presented it so greatly. For Bahrain, it has been 120 years of relations with the US based on a very good foundation of mutual understanding and strategy that we worked upon and which led to great stability and prosperity in the region.



His Majesty King Hamad reviewed with President Trump the distinguished and progressive strategic and deep rooted relations between Bahrain and the US, stressing that they were based on deep links in all areas and on robust foundations of mutual respect and shared interests and values.



He highlighted the depth of the strategic alliance and partnership between the two friendly countries and Bahrain's keenness on moving ties towards wider horizons for the sake of common interests.



Bahrain is keen on working and cooperating with the US and the international community for the sake of the peoples of the region and their aspirations for development, security and peace, HM the King said.
US President Donald Trump, in a spirited speech to Arab leaders gathered in Riyadh, called on them to drive out terrorists and extremists from their lands and said they must do it themselves and should not wait for the Americans.

"America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interest and common security. But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for the American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themeselves, for their country and frankly for their families and for their children," he said addressing the Arab leaders in the Saudi capital.

"It's a choice between two futures. And that is a choice America cannot make for you. The better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. DRIVE THEM OUT, drive them out of your places of worship, dirve them out of your communities, drive them out of the holy lands and drive them out of this Earth," he said.



Trump, who is on his first official trip abroad, said he had come to deliver a message of friendship, hope and love. "That is why I chose to make the first foreign official trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that is the custodian of the two holy sites in Islamic faith.



"Our vision is one of peace, security and prosperity in this region and all over the world. Our goal is a coalition of nations who stand together to stamping out extrmism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honour to God," he said.



Excerpts of his speech released by the White House quoted: "We can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong, and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden...the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them."



"We are not here to lecture, we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," Trump said.



Trump, who generated controversy with his push to ban many Muslims from entering the US, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilizations, said a Reuters report.



"This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it," Trump said.



"That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians."



"Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land," he said.



Trump is in Saudi Arabia as part of a nine-day tour that includes Israel, Italy and Belgium.



The speech is part of an effort to redefine his relationship with the Muslim world after Trump frequently attacked Muslims on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the United States, said Reuters.



Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who set aside his campaign rhetoric about Muslims and focused on his desire to crack down on Iran's influence in the region.
SearchInform, one of the leading information security companies in the region, will demonstrate its next generation Data Loss Protection (DLP) solution at the upcoming Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference (Gisec) in Dubai, UAE.



The event runs from May 21 to 23 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.



IDC analysts estimate that in 2016 cybercrime cost the world economy $650 billion, and by 2020 this number will reach more than $1 trillion. Similarly, experts noted that cyber-attacks will acquire a "physical" nature, where 5 per cent of information crimes will lead to either destruction of data, or damage to physical resources or infrastructure.



The Middle Eastern region has experienced a large volume of cyber-attacks over the last year, followed by many covert threats highlighting the need for proper security, said Sergey Ozhegov, CEO of SearchInform.



We are committed to helping organizations build their security platforms through our local partners and will demonstrate ways in which our technology protects commercial information from theft, leakage, industrial espionage, insider trading, and other pitfalls.



Featured in the Gartners Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Data Loss Prevention, SearchInform DLP is an Omni-Channel protection solution that provides a secure information perimeter, protecting companies against data leaks and losses, corporate fraud, business intelligence, sabotage, and other harmful activities.



The solution provides for monitoring the movement of sensitive information, employee behaviour, use of hardware and software; and, essentially, aims at mitigating the risks of data loss and insider threats from either deliberate or negligent actions.  TradeArabia News Service
International luxury fashion accessory brand Mai Visti recently made its debut in Bahrain at a recently held exhibition at the Yateem House.

Brought to Bahrain through an exclusive collaboration with Hana Kanoo, the Mai Visti collection titled The City inspired by art, history and culture of the island, is a limited edition of hand-crafted scarves which are unique works of art and effortlessly elegant, said a statement.

The UK-based accessories label, Mai Visti which means 'never seen before' in Italian is the creative brainchild of friends Davide Di Curzio and Juliano Matos, who believe fashion is an extension of art which should be explored with no limits. The brands design philosophy draws inspiration from wildlife, landscape, culture and art and crafts woven into stunning artworks and fabricated using the finest Italian silk and craftsmanship.

Each collection is bespoke, creative and stylish with designs that imbibe the true essence of culture or craft it represents.

For Mai Vistis debut in Bahrain, the designer-duo were commissioned by Hana Kanoo to illustrate a unique collection that represented the middle eastern City architectural designs and heritage of the kingdom, brought to live with a vibrant colour palette  yellow, green, purple and blue. Moreover, the islands rich heritage of world-renowned pearls has been beautifully depicted in Mai Visti scarves adorned with amazing textures of Bahrain pearl shells in vivid sea colours.

Each scarf is designed as fine art, fabricated in high-quality cashmere yarns and silk and printed using a special process to maintain softness and longevity of designs and colours for years.

Versatile as a perfect fashion accessory for any occasion  worn as a head scarf or neck wrapped, the Mai Visti 100% light-weight silk scarves also make for a great framed piece of art much to the delight of art enthusiasts. Available in size 140 cm x 140 cm and priced individually at BD80, the limited 20-piece Mai Visti collection representing each design, was showcased at an exclusive event, wherein 20 per cent of sale proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

Commenting on the exhibition, Hana Kanoo said: Mai Visti, as a brand believes in exploring the cultural heritage and natural beauties, and creates them into unique fashion accessories for modern individuals. Each collection is different, designed with lot of detail and embodies a cultural narrative on its own.

We are delighted to have introduced Bahrain to this innovative brand, which has received great response from fashion and art enthusiasts, she continued.  TradeArabia News Service


Dubai Customs has signed a memorandum of understanding with Expo 2020 office that aims at developing means of cooperation between the two sides.



As per the agreement Dubai Customs has become the newest official sponsor of Dubai Expo 2020 and will participate in promoting the exhibitions brands in different publications and media channels.



Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, director of Corporate Communication Department pointed out that Dubai Customs preparations for Expo 2020 are gaining momentum, and are crowned with the signing of this important agreement.



We are happy that Dubai Customs has become the latest official sponsor for this world event. We will part of the marketing campaign run by Expo office and will spread knowledge about different brands taking part in Expo. Some of our employees will be selected to work as volunteers in the promotion activities in coordination with Expo 2020 office he explained.



Khalil Saqer added that supporting Expo is an obligation, and the directives and wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai also prompt us to work even harder in order to raise the status of Dubai and the UAE as a regional and global hub for tourism and trade.



Khlail Saqr said that Dubai Customs will provide an exclusive channel for Expo clients and participants through which they can clear their goods and shipments.



Najib Al Ali, executive director of Expo 2020 said: We are happy at Expo 2020 of Dubai Customs sponsorship. They are always part of big national events. We would like to thank them for their support which will lead to a successful hosting of the international event.



Dubais Expo will be a festival of human ingenuity. It will showcase and explore what is possible when new ideas and people connect.



Its expected that 70 per cent of Expos visitors will be from outside the UAE, which is the highest percentage in the history of this renowned exhibition.  TradeArabia News Service
Memac Ogilvy Public Relations (MOPR) has appointed Tim Fallon to the newly created position of head of government and international affairs, covering the Mena region.



He will also take on the role of national PR director for Bahrain.



Having previously held senior leadership roles with H&K Strategies, Instinctif Partners and Bell Pottinger, Fallon will now lead efforts for MOPR to create and grow a dedicated practice focused solely on regional and national government, investment authorities and other associated agencies, working across the wholly owned network of 15 offices. He will also be responsible for leading both PR and Social teams in Bahrain.



Edmond Moutran, chairman and CEO, commented that the continued growth and success of Memac Ogilvy was reliant on hiring the best available talent, and that Fallon would add significant experience and capability to the regional senior team.



"We are delighted that Tim is joining Memac Ogilvy, and I know he has the experience, personality and character to help us continue to grow our PR and communications business. He will be a big success with us," he said.



MOPR regional director, Saada Hammad, said the new hire is part of an ongoing strategy to grow the agencys senior talent capability as well as creating a deep regional expertise in international government communications, public affairs, and reputation management.



"Tim is a highly experienced senior communicator, and we are delighted he has chosen to join us. He has a very impressive track record of working with international clients across the region and beyond, as well winning and growing significant new business mandates. l know he will become a valued member of our senior leadership team." - TradeArabia News Service
Nominations have opened for the 9th edition of Bahrains eGovernment Excellence Award 2017.



The awards are being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak AlKhalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information & Communication Technology.



The award is accepting nominations through www.egovaward.bh from May 18 to June 22, said an Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) statement.



The award rewards and highlights innovative as well as pioneering initiatives within the ICT sector by creating a competitive, constructive environment where everyone - whether public, private sectors or individuals  seek to present projects, services and innovative systems which provide the highest levels of benefits to users while adhering to Bahrains Economic Vision 2030, said the statement.



The authority is pleased to host this award which is an important contribution for enhancing the principle of eParticipation and the open door for entrepreneurship in the technology sector  an aspect that is in line with the directives of the eGovernment program, said iGAs chief executive Mohammed Ali AlQaed.



New categories have been introduced to the award in the government sector such as the categories Best Government-to-Government eService and Best eGovernment Integrated Services for Individuals or Businesses. Additionally, this years award focuses on innovative applications that are utilised to upgrade the level of services as well as reduce costs, time and efforts in accomplishing a process or a set of processes through exchanging information and completing transactions.



Overall, the award highlights all the innovative projects that enhance the ICT infrastructure in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the CE further added.



AlQaed urged government entities, businesses, civil society institutions and citizens to submit their work for the award.



This years Government Awards categories comprise Best eGovernment Website, Best Government-to-Government eService, Best Practice in Community eParticipation, and Best eGovernment Integrated Services for Individuals or Businesses. While Multi Sectors Awards categories encompass Best Application for Smart Devices; combined with Citizen Awards categories of both Best eConcept and eCitizen.  TradeArabia News Service


Euro Motors, the exclusive importer and distributor for Jaguar Land Rover in Bahrain, is giving more during the holy month of Ramadan by offering customers exclusive promotions upon their purchase of any Jaguar or Land Rover vehicle.



Customers who wish to own any of the available Jaguar or Land Rover vehicles will be able to do so with zero down payment. Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover also offers customers a free five-year service package, free five-year warranty and five-year road assistance, along with complimentary insurance, registration and window tinting.



Furthermore, the campaign offers exclusive discounts that present all available vehicles at amazing, affordable prices, making purchasing one of their masterpieces ever more appealing, said the company.



The general manager of Euro Motors, Paul Yates, said: As Ramadan is traditionally the time of giving, we at Euro Motors are delighted to be able to share in the Ramadan spirit with our customers and reward them by offering the very best deals in the Kingdom. With an exquisite range of models to choose from and exciting value-added offers and deals on these models, Ramadan is the best time of the year to drive away in style and great value.



With a few major additions made to the impressive fleet of vehicles available at Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, including the All-New Land Rover Discovery, customers would be spoilt for choice when it comes to purchasing the right vehicle. Due to the added incentive of zero down payment it is assured that this Ramadan season would be the best time to purchase a Jaguar or a Land Rover, the company said. TradeArabia News Service


Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa)s data hub subsidiary, Data Hub Integrated Solutions (MORO), has partnered with SAP to develop applications based on SAP platforms for cloud services, storage, and management of data.



The signing ceremony took place at the Sapphire Now exhibition and conference, organised by SAP recently in Orlando, Florida.



The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) also covered cooperation in various areas including research and development within the IT, energy and other domains. In addition, the partnership shall bring joined effort for creating solutions through MORO and accelerating digital solutions in the public and private sectors in the UAE and the region.



To support the National Innovation Strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world, and in support of the Smart Dubai initiative, which was launched by His Highness, Dewa has launched several promising programmes, initiatives, and projects to achieve this goal, including MORO, which specialises in providing information storage services, cloud computing, and IT for the public and private sectors in the UAE and the region, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa.



To diversify Dewas investment portfolio, we have established MORO, which provides integrated data centre solutions to utilise the latest disruptive technologies and keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to deliver secure, reliable, and scalable cloud solutions will support the UAEs digital transformation, which is aligned to the UAE Vision 2021 and the Smart Dubai initiative, added Al Tayer.



Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is one of the most vital elements of our economy, as it continuously contributes to changing the digital landscape in the country. We are working on strengthening our strategic partnership with SAP, which has been in place since Dewas implementation of several programmes dedicated to international companies since 2008. We are working with SAP to contribute to the digital transformation of Dewa, and raise our services to a new heights, concluded Al Tayer.



MORO will offer SAPs cloud solutions, which are designed for 25 industries and 12 lines of businesses. Digital services developed on SAP Cloud Platform are ideal for the government to accelerate their digital transformation. In addition, MORO plans to collaborate with SAP partner ecosystem to enable partners to offer solutions running on the private SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud on MORO Cloud Hub. Soon, MORO will have access to SAP Co-Innovation Labs with the objective to prototype new solutions and digital business models, especially in optimising energy and water consumption for Dewa customers.



The MoU was signed on behalf of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa by Marwan Bin Haider, executive vice president of Innovation and the Future at Dewa, and Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP.



We will work closely with MORO to meet the needs of companies in the UAE for cloud solutions, and to contribute to innovation in artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, block chains, and machine learning. According to a recent report by the International Data Corporation (IDC), the UAE's digital spend is expected to reach $6 billion this year, said Tayfun Topkoc. managing director of SAP UAE.  TradeArabia News Service
News / Local

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Outspoken MDC legislator Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has said President Robert Mugabe led government is practicing a new form of bloody Gukurahundi that risk sparking social upheaval.According to Misihairabwi-Mushonga 'this government has encouraged perpetuation of Shona hegemony in both the social, economic and political sphere' she told the privately run Standard.Below are excerpts of her interview :: Recently you warned of possible social upheaval or even ethnic war if the Gukurahundi issue is not addressed, may you please expand on your warning.: There are many aggrieved people, with political and social inequalities that are linked to historical differences which are linked to ethnic issues. We have a state which is in denial and a young generation that is getting increasingly restive and agitated. Since the language of discussion is not working, there is a conviction that a resort to violence may be the option.: Do you think the current political leadership has done enough or has stuck its head in the sand on the issue?: Not only has it ignored it but it continues with new forms of Gukurahundi where you impose the majoritarian language on a people.Simply put, this government has encouraged perpetuation of Shona hegemony in both the social, economic and political sphere.: President Robert Mugabe described Gukurahundi as a "moment of madness". Do you think that was enough?: It's an insult to call genocide that resulted in the n-ked murder of 20 000 people, a moment of madness. One hopes that at some stage reality will hit home.: How do you think the issue should be resolved given some in government have described it as a "non-issue"?: I think it is important for those in Zanu PF to go to Matabeleland to listen to what they are saying. It is wrong for anyone to act like the spirit medium of the people. [Home Affairs minister] Ignatius Chombo should go to Matabeleland to see the mass graves and to speak to women that lost husbands, children that lost their parents. Only then will they be able to define non-issues.: Do you think President Mugabe should or must take full responsibility for the Gukurahundi atrocities?: What I heard people in Matabeleland say is that they want a conversation with President Mugabe over Gukurahundi. I think it's only the victims who can speak about what restorative justice is. It is wrong for any of us to assume that because we are political leaders, we hold the brief for victims. They know what they want. Great Indabas should be held to allow people to speak.
Schlumberger has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Aramco to develop an In-Kingdom Total Value Add roadmap, in alignment with the kingdoms economic vision for 2030.

The Schlumberger In-Kingdom Total Value Add roadmap includes the creation of jobs and enables development opportunities for Saudis in oil and gas services and related sectors. The roadmap also strengthens the deployment of Schlumberger technology, reduces regional delivery times for key products and services, and increases local capacity and deployment capabilities.

For more than 75 years, Schlumberger has supported Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabias oil and gas industry through an unwavering commitment to train and develop Saudi talent, and through a comprehensive portfolio of technologies, execution of integrated projects, and world-class research collaboration, said Paal Kibsgaard, chairman and CEO, Schlumberger.

In 1964, the Arabian Drilling Company was established as a partnership between the General Petroleum and Minerals Organization (Petromin) and Schlumberger affiliate companies. Later in 2006, Schlumberger pioneered its Dhahran Carbonate Research Center, located close to King Fahd University with a focus on Geology and Rock Physics and Production Completion and Recovery projects in the Middle East region.

In addition, Schlumberger has in-country manufacturing capabilities to support the deployment of its technology, products and services. In 2016, Schlumberger inaugurated its Middle East Center for Reliability and Efficiency (CRE), which collocates maintenance and product center sustaining experts engaging in industryleading maintenance processes. The Middle East CRE is the largest state-of-the-art facility in the Schlumberger network.

Schlumberger is the world's leading provider of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production, and processing to the oil and gas industry. Working in more than 85 countries and employing approximately 100,000 people who represent over 140 nationalities, Schlumberger supplies the industry's most comprehensive range of products and services, from exploration through production, and integrated pore-to-pipeline solutions that optimize hydrocarbon recovery to deliver reservoir performance. - TradeArabia News Service
Dubai city hotels continue to lead in terms of the highest occupancy in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, recording 88.6 per cent occupancy in March 2017.

However, average daily rates (ADR) in Dubai dropped by 8.4 per cent from $309 in March 2016 to $283 in March, coupled by a slight decline in occupancy by 1.5 per cent when compared to the same time last year, leading to a decline from $272 in March 2016 to $245 in March 2017.

Commenting on the January 2017 Mena Hotel Benchmark Survey Report, Yousef Wahbah, Mena head of transaction Real Estate at EY said: "Hotel performance in March dipped in the majority of Mena hospitality markets compared to March 2016."



"Across the GCC, most cities witnessed a decline in revenue per average room (RevPAR) in March 2017, compared to the previous year, with the exception of Kuwait City, which had an increase in both occupancy and RevPAR, and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), which witnessed a modest increase in RevPAR," he noted.



Hospitality markets in Beirut and Cairo, witnessed a positive increase across all KPIs in March. In Beirut, occupancy increased by 10.9 per cent which was coupled with a rise in ADR from $134 in March 2016 to $139 in March 2017, resulting in an increase in RevPAR by 26.2 per cent when compared to the same period last year.



Cairos hospitality market continues to improve month-on-month due to improved stability in the country, recording a 111.2 per cent increase in RevPAR. Compared to the same period last year, hotel occupancy increased by 20.8 per cent percentage points to reach 70.9 per cent in March 2017. ADR in the city increased by 49.1 per cent compared to last year, however Cairos room rates still remain one of the lowest in the region at US$79, due to the devaluation of the currency.



Looking at hotel performance in Q1 2017, all Mena markets with the exception of Cairo, Beirut and Kuwait witnessed a decline in room yield compared to Q1 2016. Dubai overall hotels maintained the highest MENA occupancy in the first quarter of the year at 86.8 per cent.



"The trend of a softer performance as compared to the previous year is expected to continue in Mena over the summer and the month of Ramadan, which starts towards the end of May, he added - TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Airways today announced plans to deploy its award-winning Airbus A380 aircraft on the Abu Dhabi to Paris route.



The superjumbo, which features The Residence - the worlds first three-room suite on a commercial airliner - will operate from July 1 on one of its twice-daily services from the UAEs capital city to the capital of France.



Paris becomes the airlines latest A380 long-haul destination following London, Sydney, New York and Melbourne. With the 496-seat aircraft upgrade from a 328-seat Boeing 777, Etihad Airways will offer an all-A380 daily service from Paris to both Melbourne and Sydney via the airlines Abu Dhabi home base.



The additional capacity will provide business and leisure travellers from France with more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi.



It will also support the strong connecting traffic to and from many cities across Asia and Australia from Abu Dhabi including Brisbane, Perth, Bangkok, Chengdu, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Shanghai, Seychelles, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai.



Flight EY31 has a scheduled departure time from Abu Dhabi at 2.15 am which arrives at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at 7.50 am local time. The return flight, EY32 takes off from the French capital at 10.40 am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 7.30 pm.



Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: We believe that our customers travelling to and from Paris will really enjoy what we see as unparalleled comfort and services on board our A380. Flying our flagship aircraft to France helps fulfil growing demand and offers greater travel experiences for the flying public.



Paris is one of our busiest and best performing European routes, so the deployment of this upgraded service will provide benefits to travellers to and from Abu Dhabi, and our popular connecting cities across Asia and Australia.



Etihad Airways A380 features a total capacity of 496 seats  up to two in The Residence, nine in first class, 70 in business class and 415 in the economy cabin.



The Residence is an ultra-private, three-room suite featuring a living room with a 32 LCD monitor, bedroom with a double bed, separate en-suite shower room and dedicated personal butler trained at the world-renowned Savoy Hotel in London. The cabin also comes with a private chef ready to custom-create menus to order.



The nine first apartments feature a flat-screen television, a chilled mini-bar, personal vanity unit, wardrobe and a fully equipped shower room.



The 70-configured business studios are located on the upper deck of the A380 and all offer direct aisle access, a fully flat bed and an increase of 20 per cent in personal space.



The Lobby, a luxurious lounge located between the first class and business class cabins, features two comfortable sofas and a staffed bar.



On-board food and beverage managers, with experience of working in luxury hotels and top restaurants, offer business class customers an extensive menu and provide recommendations on the perfect accompaniment for their meals.



And a Flying Nanny trained by the world-famous Norland College in the UK, is on-board every A380 to provide dedicated childcare support for families travelling with young children.



The main deck features 415 economy seats which offer ergonomic fixed-wing headrests, lumbar support and an 11-inch personal, high-definition monitor screen to enjoy more than 750 hours of on-demand movies, TV programmes, games and live TV news and sports. - TradeArabia News Service


After three years of reviews, phone calls and frustration, mid-sized oil and gas operator Kirkwood Oil and Gas received a $2.7 million bill from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to expand a mining permit in southern Johnson County.

Thats the way it works with the feds, said owner Steve Kirkwood: paperwork, fees and patience.

Kirkwood and others in the oil and gas industry in Wyoming have watched the political changes of the last few months with a personal interest. Most development in the state takes place on federally managed land or with federally owned minerals. Under President Barack Obama, operators argued, new regulations seemed to crop up every month, and permitting became a long, expensive process.

But the conservative politicians who took power last November promised an end to the federal slowdown and oversight. The oil and gas industry was described as a tethered titan, and the new order was going to unleash it.

Now, some are finding out what old hats already know: The gears of government move slowly, and political promises dont always provide enough grease to make the machine run any faster.

Recently, the U.S. Senate failed to push through a measure that would have cut an Obama-era rule on methane emissions, as hated by industry as it was loved by environmental advocates. Congress had successfully removed 13 Obama regulations with the quick-fix method called the Congressional Review Act, which allows the House and Senate to ax the final rules of a previous administration with a simple majority vote. The methane rule was to be the last of the lot. The deadline to use the CRA came and went last week with the failed methane vote, ending the deceptively fast deregulation movement offered by the CRA.

With the election season over and the day-to-day business of government in full swing, both politics and industry are moving away from the honeymoon season, with its quick fixes and big promises, and getting into the day-to-day business of changing a political direction.

The result of the methane vote angered those in the business in Wyoming, but with characteristic pragmatism, the states industry hasnt panicked.

Its not supposed to be easy on any side, said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, an industry group. You could quote the law of physics: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The story behind the methane vote





A motion to overturn the methane rule passed the House on Feb. 3. Completed in the final months of Obamas tenure, the rule was a candidate for the Congressional Review Act. But as other regulations swiftly fell victim to the CRA, the methane rule languished in the Senate, laying bare the complexity of competing politics in Washington and across the country when environmental rules and industry come into conflict.

Environmental groups took up ad campaigns and turned to social media, lobbying hard for Congress to keep the rule.

They had two arguments. First, they say, the rule protects the environment from methane leaks and flares  a powerful greenhouse gas linked to climate change. Second, the rule secures more cash for publicly owned resources, which federal agencies manage on behalf of the American public.

Industry groups took up the opposite charge, telling those in power that the rule was a wolf in sheeps clothing that would reduce American energy production without any of the promised benefits. They also argued that the BLM had no right to craft a rule on emissions, generally the purview of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The methane rule now faces a court case, where industry and some states will fight for its removal, and a presidentially mandated review from the Department of the Interior, which could slim down the requirements or unravel the regulation altogether.

It took only three defectors from the party line for the vote to lose in the Senate. To industrys disappointment and frustration, the methane rule survived and the CRAs deadline closed.

Promises, promises





People in Wyomings oil and gas industry know how agencies work. Most oil and gas drilling is done on federally owned land. To operate in Wyoming is to be familiar with the BLM, the EPA and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Though the methane rule was well-known and widely disliked by industry, undoing it immediately was not a deal-breaker for locals.

Operators are more realistic than Washington politicians, and theyre less naive about how difficult it will be for Trump or Congress to fulfill their promises to deregulate, said Peter Wold, a second-generation oil and gas man in Casper.

I think that the president is coming into office, quite frankly, without any kind of government experience, he said. I think that hes realizing that you can make a change at the top, but to augment that change down to the lower levels of these bureaucracies is tough to do.

Wyomings governor advised prudence and forethought.

Despite the political power in Washington now and the push for deregulation, administrations change, Gov. Matt Mead said Thursday at an energy conference in Cheyenne.

For the last eight years, Wyoming has been waging between 20 and 25 legal battles with federal government at any given time. But its not enough to just fight the federal government, he added: Wyoming has to shift.

For a state that is the leader in exporting energy, you also have to be a leader in your own rules and regulations to our environment, Mead said.

Part of that is simply about planning ahead. Regulations have been one of the challenges for industry in recent years and throughout the downturn, he said. But even if regulations are rolled back, investors in Wyoming will be cautious, expecting the possible return of rules and limitations under a different president.

Now we have a different administration, and rather than say for the next four years we are just going to go gangbusters and not worry about rules and regulations, instead we have to say where is the sweet spot? he said. Because in the next four years, or eight years, there is going to be a new administration.

Operators like Wold are similarly pragmatic.

As the pushback against Trump grows louder, the ability to pass certain policies may get harder, he said.

Wold supported Trump in the election, though he pointed out that the former real estate magnate wasnt his first choice. Aside from distaste for the presidents tweeting habits, Wold is confident the new president is doing the job he set out to do when it comes to business.

Frankly, I think its a little too early to tell what the impact of his administration is going to be, he said. It takes time to turn a great big battleship, and thats basically what we are looking at. Thats in a nutshell, the feeling of our organization, certainly mine.

Modus operandi





The result of the methane rule was probably a wake-up call to some that the political landscape is not a simple as promised. But its also a reminder of why Wyoming operators prefer to keep things under local control, some say.

I think its a fair appraisal to say they felt like they got let down, said Charles Mason, an oil and gas economist at the University of Wyoming.

A state like Wyoming is about as even-keeled on local industry regulations as its possible to be. From one Legislature to the next, a Democratic governor to Republican, opinions on how the state should do business dont fluctuate much, Mason said.

Federal rules are a different beast, he said.

The Wyoming mindset is the oil and gas mindset, they will take care of things, sort of libertarian in their own regard, Mason said. From that perspective, anything that seems obtrusive is going to be objectionable.

The methane rule is just one of many regulations, executive orders and rules that irked industry in recent years, he said. With a new conservative power in office, there were rules from the previous administration that were inevitably going to be ripe for removal, he said.

This particular failure doesnt change any of that, he said. It may just be the case that there were a few things out there that were just too iffy. In the political climate we have, where theres a very narrow majority of the Republican Party, it did not take too many people saying I dont like this.

The lesson from the CRA is likely that politicians need to take scope of more than their own sureness of success, he said.

I think a reasonable perspective [of the methane rule] would have thought carefully about the political lay of the land, he said. And that just doesnt seem to be part of the modus operandi of the Trump administration.

Its not supposed to be easy





While some might have been incensed by the results of the methane vote, they are not wringing their hands or feeling nostalgic for Obama.

When the rule survived, Sgamma, of the Western Energy Alliance, shot out a sharply worded statement on the Senates failure to even debate the rule on the floor before the vote.

But industry groups are well aware of how hard it is to convince the public that environmental regulations are problematic, she said.

I think its very easy to demagogue environmental issues and much harder to discuss how regulations actually work, Sgamma said. Its very easy to say, Oh, kids with asthma are going to suffer, when methane has nothing to do with asthma.

Sgamma says industry has an unfair reputation for being irresponsible in regard to the environment. The methane rule was a perfect example of how public opinion becomes skewed, she said.

Jon Goldstein, director of regulatory and legislative affairs for the Environmental Defense Fund, said the methane rule is not an example of federal overreach but industry overreach.

What happened here is the industry basically misread what the people and particularly people in the West wanted, he said. They didnt vote for more waste of their natural resources or letting the industry go willy-nilly and not capture everything to the benefit of the taxpayer.

The fact that the methane rule survived is proof that the industry doesnt stand on the side of the general public on this issue, he said.

Sgamma believes many people dont understand that industry is already heavily regulated, she said.

The oil and gas industry, not regulations, should be credited with declining methane emissions, Sgamma said, pointing out Western Energy Alliance reporting that shows a 21 percent reduction in methane emissions in recent decades, coinciding with the meteoric rise in oil and gas drilling due to fracking.

Nationwide, the increased development of natural gas has caused prices to go so low, we are now switching from coal to natural gas in the electricity sector, and that is the single biggest reason that the United States has decreased greenhouse gases more than any other country, she said.

Industry was often the dissenting voice on federal regulations in the last few years, and though politicians now appear favorable to the American energy industries, undoing the past will not be simple, Sgamma said.

The environmental lobby has only become louder now that it has fewer advocates in D.C. But its not necessarily a bad thing that deregulation will take time and effort, Sgamma said. The system was built to make rules difficult to create and challenging to undo, she said.

It is never easy to roll back regulations, Sgamma said. There is rule-making that has to be done. There is litigation that inevitably follows. Nothing was every meant to be easy in our system. Thats where we are, but it is much better than it was four months ago.

The uphill battle





It was a Wednesday morning when the methane rule went to vote. After a two-month delay, the separate camps were unsure of the outcome. The Senate had only two more days to shoot down the rule with the CRA. It was unclear if the opponents had secured enough votes or were simply facing a deadline.

When it failed, Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Rep. Liz Cheney sent a flurry of blunt statements opposing the rule and criticizing those who defected. But they also pledged their commitment to deregulation.

They are also quick to point to the many rules they did ax with the CRA, despite the success of the environmental campaign to keep the methane rule.

Any way you measure it, the Republican Congress was very successful in using the Congressional Review Act to repeal many of the Obama administrations most abusive regulations, said Sen. John Barrasso in a statement last week. With respect to the BLMs methane rule, the path ahead is straight forward. Interior Secretary (Ryan) Zinke should immediately propose withdrawing this rule. Withdrawing the rule is the fastest way to end this punishing regulation.

Enzis spokesman echoed Barrassos sentiments in an email. But the CRA work was still a success, said Max DOnofrio.

The Congressional Review Act provided an opportunity for Congress to quickly reverse some of the regulations from the end of the Obama administration that might have been pushed through as President Obama prepared to leave office, he said.

Both Enzi and Barrasso support a new act of Congress that is similar to the CRA but more extreme.

The Midnight Rule Relief Act would allow Congress to knock out all the final regulations of an outgoing administration in one blow, avoiding the step-by-step procedure that failed to eliminate the methane rule.

The rule passed in the House and is up for debate before the Senate.

Looking ahead





On Wall Street, some blame Trumps recent controversies, from concerns about classified material to the firing of former F.B.I director James Comey, to a recent undesirable mood spreading in Wall Street and holding back a much-needed rise in oil prices.

Despite six weeks of falling crude oil stockpiles and possible instability in the Middle East that could pump up the price, crude has proved stubborn to rally.

What seems to be really souring the mood is the Trump slump that with the appointment of a special prosecutor may hamper his ability to push through his agenda, said Phil Flynn, a market analyst for Price Futures in Chicago, in an investors note Thursday. After revelations that President Trump may have tried to influence former FBI Director James Comey in an investigation, the market seemed to panic.

Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute has asked that the Department of the Interior delay compliance on the methane rule by two years. Environmental groups say the move is egregious, that after failing in the Senate and losing a recent fight to delay the court proceedings, industry is going through a back door.

Back in Casper, the oil and gas man, Kirkwood, is contesting the permit that cost over $2 million. Hes sending one of his staff members to Washington in hopes of knocking down the charge.

I think that things are going OK, he said of the new politics. You are not going to get everything you want.

He hopes his staff can meet with a Wyoming delegate in Washington to talk about the permit costs. The outlook has changed dramatically from that of the last eight years, he said.

These are the small things that are happening.
A five-day hearing begins today to decide whether a controversial new coal mine will be able to move forward in Sheridan County.

Ramaco Resources would open the first coal mine in decades in Wyoming, at a time when most expect the coal industry to contract, not expand.

But the proposed Brook Mine on the bank of the Tongue River is contested by a handful of local landowners and another coal company, Big Horn Coal, which operated in the region until the mid-1980s.

The hearing will be a quagmire of dissenting opinions. Wyomings Department of Environmental Quality will make its case first, explaining how permitting for coal mining works and why state regulators chose to give an early nod to Ramacos mine plan, the final hurdle to obtaining a mining permit. Big Horn Coal argues that the mines boundaries were drawn to overlap with its own.

The Powder River Basin Resource Council, and a local couple, are raising concerns over environmental assurances they believe were unlawfully left out of the mine plan.

Typically, Powder River Basin coal is associated with the large open-pit mines of Campbell County, but in the early 1900s, coal mining was big business in northern Wyoming. Littered across Sheridan County are remnants of towns that rose up around mining operations. In some places a stone church or an old building may have survived; in others nothing is left but a signpost to tell the story of a robust coal town that has since disappeared.

Ramaco would like to revive that history, working in an area previously mined and reclaimed. Its plans have pleased local politicians and many residents who see an opportunity for increased local revenue and jobs. Though the original mine plan described a relatively small operation, Ramaco has since announced that it would like to build a mine-to-mouth complex, potentially tapping into new uses for coal beyond the electricity sector.

But some locals distrust the company from the eastern slope of Appalachia, viewing it as a newcomer that has failed to do its due diligence. Because of the history of mining in the area, locals say sinkholes and burning coal seams are not uncommon. New mining would exacerbate that, and Ramaco has not provided enough study in its mine plan to mitigate potential damages to the surrounding community.

Additionally, mining so close to the Tongue River  less than 100 feet in some areas  makes water contamination a strong possibility, according to Big Horn Coal.

Brooks mine and reclamation plans fail to adequately study high wall mining through previously mined materials and the associated, foreseeable hydrologic risks, particularly given the historical coal seam fires and subsidence events in this area, the company wrote in a pre-hearing memo.

Ramacos plans also overlap with Big Horns permitted area, the company argues, and its operations would impede Big Horns plans in the future.

Ramacos representatives said in earlier interviews with the Star-Tribune that they have studied the issues raised by the local landowners and maintain that each has been addressed by their experts. They contest Big Horns claims of overlapping acreage as well.

Meanwhile, the state argues that the DEQ has a long history in mining permits and is holding Ramaco accountable every step of the way. The company will not be allowed to move forward until theyve complied with the rules for permitting, regulators have said.

The hearing begins 3 p.m. Monday at the Thorne-Rider Campus Center at Sheridan College, Room TRCC 008. It is scheduled to last until Friday. The Wyoming Environmental Quality Council, the regulatory body that hears contested cases, plans to live stream the hearing, technology permitting.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Wyomings top two youth volunteers of 2017, Rhett Pimentel, 17, of Powell, and Grace Estes, 14, of Farson, were honored in the nations capital earlier this month for their outstanding volunteer service during the 22nd annual presentation of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country, they each received $1,000 awards and personal congratulations from Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps at an award ceremony and gala dinner reception held at the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History.

Rhett, a junior at Powell High School, played a major role in founding the Powell Makerspace, a high-tech community workshop to give students and other residents of his town the opportunity to learn about and use modern technology.

After attending a tech fair in Denver and talking with his middle and high school tech teachers, Rhett became convinced that his town should and could have a new resource for technology utilization and education.

Technology was progressing rapidly, he said, and Powell couldnt fall behind.

Grace, an eighth-grader at Farson-Eden Middle School, volunteered as a tutor at her schools summer program last year. When she heard that a teacher she knew needed help with a summer reading program, Grace was quick to volunteer. I live near the school and I asked her how I could help, she said. I wanted to help the kids learn to read.

Grace worked during all 16 days of the summer session. Her job was to tutor all of the students in math and reading, read books to the younger students and help older kids sound out words as they read aloud. She also helped a Spanish-speaking student with math problems. By the end of the session, she had assisted three teachers, and all 22 of the students Grace tutored had met their summer reading goals.

These honorees have done exemplary work to contribute to the health and vitality of their communities, and we look forward to seeing the great things they achieve in the future, said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial Inc. Congratulations to each of these extraordinary young volunteers.

Youth volunteers in grades five through 12 were invited to apply for 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the HandsOn Network. More than 31,000 middle level and high school students nationwide participated in this years program.
What is going on with City Council?  Tad True

Tony Cercy stood with his arms crossed. In front of him at Tuesdays City Council meeting, Cary Brus took the podium.

The private sector does not have a lot of confidence in the current Casper government and leadership, Brus said.

Recent issues at City Hall, Brus made clear, were imperiling an otherwise positive economic outlook.

Brus heads McMurry Companies. Cercy sold Power Services Inc. last spring and has since poured millions of dollars into developing downtown Casper.

He stepped forward next.

Cercy said he had recently been in Denver to pitch development in Casper to Colorado investors. It went poorly.

Whats going on with your City Council? was the first question he was asked.

It goes all the way to Denver, Cercy said.

Brus and Cercy were supportive of the citys direction and thanked Council members for their service. But they wanted to see stability. For the sake of the economy.

They were also confused. So was Tad True of True Oil.

What is going on with the City Council? True asked.

His concern centered on what he called a divide among Council members that was spilling into the public.

Whether it was intentional or not, a divide in City Council became apparent, True said.

The frequent leaks to the media and certain public statements by officials were making the city look as though it were in turmoil. The businessmen just wanted calm.

Please be more professional. Be more deliberate. Be more patient in your language and your actions, Brus said.

Yet 20 minutes later, Brus and the other executives were back on their feet applauding the former police chief, Jim Wetzel, who had just claimed he was the victim of a coup enabled by city officials.

***

This has been a display of political cowardice unlike anything Ive ever seen.  Jim Wetzel

In a city like Casper, where politicians often lavish praise on private-sector leaders, there wasnt much that could have topped the withering comments from Brus, Cercy and True. But the decorated Iraq War veteran with a chiseled jaw, cowboy boots and righteous indignation managed to steal the show.

It was the first City Council meeting since Wetzel was dismissed as chief two weeks ago. While the police issue wasnt on the agenda, anyone can address Council members at the end of their meetings. This was his chance to regain control of the narrative.

Ive silently accepted being subjected to repeated public flogging and tar-and-feathering without any ability to give my voice, Wetzel said.

However, Wetzel had been asked to give his side of the story multiple times by reporters. The Star-Tribune broke a story in early April revealing deep discontent within the Casper Police Department. Before that article  which was based on interviews with current and former officers  was going to be published, Mayor Kenyne Humphrey agreed to provide the newspaper a copy of an unsigned survey conducted by the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police that put hard numbers to the discontent and included dozens of comments criticizing Wetzels leadership.

Wetzel sat down for an interview to discuss the claims before the newspaper published the story.

When you seek to adjust or shift a prior culture, its expected that will come with resistance from those who dont want to shift, he told a reporter.

Members of local media organizations meet every morning at the Hall of Justice with police and sheriff spokesmen to receive crime reports.

The week after the FOP survey was released, Wetzel stopped by the CPD media briefing and spoke at length with reporters. Wetzel, who was promoted from sergeant to chief in 2014, said he was working to address communication gaps within the department.

He spoke with the Star-Tribune at least three more times before his contract was terminated.

Two weeks before he was ousted, Wetzel said that he believed he had the support of city leadership, even after Councilwoman Amanda Huckabay had called for his resignation and Humphrey had suggested the same.

Im still standing here, he said.

But Wetzel didnt claim at Tuesdays Council meeting that he had lacked an opportunity to weigh in on the attacks while he was chief. Rather, to think that Wetzel as chief could have told his side of the story  really told it  would be to misunderstand the man. At least thats what he told Council members.

Wetzel described the values he wanted CPD to embody: nobility, dignity, integrity, honesty, respect.

He read from the law enforcement code of ethics.

Ive been asked repeatedly why Ive not stood up to defend myself against the unending daily and weekly onslaught of despicable character assassination, Wetzel said.

It was never appropriate that as chief of police I throw away the decorum of the office and act in the same contemptible and inexcusable manner of my attackers.

This was the same Wetzel who showed up for the City Council meeting on the day the FOP survey became public and remained standing, unflinching, as Huckabay read one of the most profane anonymous statements included in the survey.(tncms-asset)2793f60e-6234-53a8-881b-937e5658ed87(/tncms-asset)

He has made officers more scared of his [expletive] rules... than they are of getting shot, Huckabay read. If youre proactive you have a chance of actually fighting crime and then getting [expletive] by Wetzels discipline matrix.

Huckabay stared at Wetzel while she read. Wetzel stared back, his expression revealing nothing.

Despite the nature of his comments, Wetzel was not especially emotive while speaking to Council on Tuesday. He was earnest. And he was angry.

Huckabay, he said, read the profane comments with reprehensible motive to humiliate me.

That, though, was a sideshow to Wetzels real claim: He was undone by an extended, conspiratorial and malicious character assassination.

Isnt it obvious there is a group of people driven by unconscionable, targeted, hate-filled personal motive?

Wetzel centered the belief that he was the victim of a coup by the Fraternal Order of Police board on the following chain of events:

The FOP conducts a survey meant to deliberately trash the chief of police.

Wetzel discovers the leader of the FOP board was a member of his command staff.

The FOP then holds a vote of no confidence, again using suggestive questioning intended to undermine Wetzels authority and includes pages of anonymous and unverified allegations. They provide this information to the media.

A source tells the Star-Tribune about discrepancies between Wetzels testimony and that of District Attorney Mike Blonigen in a lawsuit largely unrelated to the police department.

Council members collude to try and stop and delay the outside audit of the police department recommended by city staff.

Councilman Chris Walsh writes to Interim City Manager Liz Becher to request the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation look into potentially illegal activities taking place at the police department. His letter is provided to the Star-Tribune.

Becher meets with the FOP board in an abandoned building in downtown Casper shortly before terminating Wetzels contract.

Becher terminates the contract without allowing Wetzel an opportunity to respond to any of the accusations against him.

***





It only takes a few parts per million of gasoline, for example, to taint millions of gallons of water.  Jesse Morgan

While much of what has transpired at the police department and within City Hall over the last few weeks remains secret, the picture Wetzel painted of a coordinated effort to unseat him does not directly contradict much of the known information.

Rather, Wetzels lengthy comments largely fill a vacuum left by Bechers refusal to say why she ousted him as chief and a state law barring supervisors from discussing specific personnel issues.

Other claims he made are subjective and impossible to verify  for example, that the FOPs goal was to denigrate Wetzels leadership as opposed to honestly gauge its memberships feelings. A member of the FOPs executive board declined to comment for this story, explaining the organization was focused on moving forward.

Wetzel is correct that the FOPs no confidence vote offered CPD only employees two choices: They were asked to say whether they were satisfied with the direction of the department and Wetzels leadership or whether they have lost confidence in Wetzels ability to lead the department. There was no option for officers who were, for example, dissatisfied with the direction of the department for reasons other than Wetzels leadership.

Three Council members likewise did seek to table the planned external review of the police department to be conducted by the International City-County Management Association. The members who supported putting it on hold were Humphrey, Walsh and Councilman Shawn Johnson  and those three had in fact been especially vocal about Wetzels leadership following the FOP survey.

But Humphrey, Walsh and Johnson also qualify as some of the more fiscally conservative members of Council, and they seemed more concerned with the audits $63,000 price tag than with the possibility that it might affirm Wetzels leadership style.

It was Jesse Morgan, who has been relatively quiet on questions over the CPDs future, who actually suggested relying exclusively on the FOPs report.

Thought Id vote no with the FOP survey because we had enough information, he said at the time. But Morgan had asked around, and the International City-County Management Association had received rave reviews. He voted in favor of it.(tncms-asset)d2713bbe-f548-11e6-b8b5-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset)

And Huckabay spoke in favor of moving forward with the audit, despite being more critical of Wetzel than anyone else on Council.

As time goes on, it becomes less clear to know whats going on, she said. We owe it to officers and the community to find truth with an independent lens.

Wetzel also made a handful of assertions  that Becher failed to allow him to respond to the allegations and covertly met with FOP leadership  that are impossible to verify given the city managers reluctance to discuss what led to Wetzels dismissal.

Becher appeared pained during Wetzels speech at City Council. She looked toward the ceiling. She flexed her fingers.

Im proud of you, Humphrey told her at the end of the meeting. It was a hard decision, but you had guts and you did everything you could.

Becher didnt respond to any of Wetzels claims at the meeting, and she declined to address them to the Star-Tribune. But there were other things Wetzel omitted from his defense on Tuesday night, things Becher had previously mentioned.

For example, soon after becoming interim manager she announced the existence of an internal investigation into personnel issues at the police department being conducted by local attorney Judith Studer.

Becher received a draft of the Studer investigation the same week she terminated Wetzels contract and said elements of it played a role in that decision.

That investigation was started last fall, well before the alleged campaign waged before City Council and in the press that Wetzel was so indignant about. He did not mention that investigation in his comments.

And while the no confidence vote may have featured what Wetzel described as a leading question, the FOP survey included straightforward queries with answers showing serious frustration regarding the CPD administration.

Over 50 percent of CPD employees thought they were supervised too much by the administration, and around 65 percent thought the expectations of the administration were unrealistic.

Wetzel pointed to this as proof that officers simply didnt want to be held accountable. But he overlooked the survey questions that showed most were comfortable with oversight in general but chafed at interference from top leadership.

Immediate supervisors expectations are realistic, one anonymous officer wrote. What is handed down to them from the chief is at times unclear or shows how little value he holds on the individual patrol officer.(tncms-asset)435ec426-3ca8-11e7-ac21-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset)

Nor did Wetzel offer a specific motive for the alleged coup by the FOP board. He framed his termination as a battle between good and evil: The FOP was wicked and deceitful, and he was honorable in the face of entrenched problems at the department.

Every decision I made was moral, ethical and legal and meant in the purest of heart to strengthen this communitys police department, Wetzel said.

In contrast, the FOP members and the anonymous officers who slung accusations at Wetzel were simply bad police officers, if not bad people, he said. Some used crude language. One said that police and civilians are inherent enemies. Wetzel found that unacceptable.

But why would they engage in a coordinated and unwarranted attack on Wetzel?

Aside from him demanding more integrity from reluctant officers  a broad concept for which Wetzel offered no examples  the closest he came to a motive was this: There was a chronic, pervasive problem of displacement in the police department that was indicative of their ingrained and embattled culture.

Wetzel met with the mayor, vice mayor and city manager last fall, he said, and explained these problems and his efforts to address them  efforts that would take time.

How quickly an anonymous, inflammatory publicly released survey demanding action from you erased your memories, he said.

But Casper has a new mayor, vice mayor and city manager. Some of them may have been at that leadership meeting in their previous capacity, but almost half of City Council was replaced following the November elections.

Wetzel didnt acknowledge any of that.

***





I will give him credit, he is highly intelligent and a master orator.  anonymous Casper police officer

Wetzel and his supporters at the meeting were right to note that a narrative has developed since the FOP survey was released. Comments on social media have castigated the chief, Council members have been reluctant to defend him  even if they stopped short of calling for his resignation  and Becher hesitated to say whether she had confidence in his leadership before terminating his contract.

At Tuesdays meeting, the media was also criticized for covering turmoil at the police department in a way that Wetzels supporters found unfavorable.

I wonder if any of you watched the media impanel a grand jury, one woman told Council. Perception is reality as evidenced by the truly incredible smear campaign weve seen.

But perception is a double-edged sword.(tncms-asset)13ed7164-3ca9-11e7-8c1c-00163ec2aa77(/tncms-asset)

By the time Wetzel finished speaking, it wasnt only the energy executives  the same ones who had just called for calm  who were on their feet applauding. Nearly the entire packed chamber was standing for the former chief. Many had clearly come to support Wetzel. But others, including one man who approached the podium to talk about other issues like parking, clapped and thanked him.

Vice Mayor Ray Pacheco, who had sat on the fence during most of the debate over Wetzels future at the police department, finally joined with those angry at City Council and Becher.

Pacheco had called for restraint in addressing the issues at CPD, but only in the broadest of terms: wait for evidence, ensure decisions are made objectively, dont be hasty.

But now he was distraught. City Council was failing Casper residents, he said. He should have spoken out more forcefully against ousting Wetzel.

Whether it was the power of the former chiefs words, the passion of his supporters that night or simply bottled-up feelings that Pacheco had not had the courage  thats his word  to share up until now, the councilman sought penance before the crowded room.

I didnt stand up... as a human being and as a person that understands that the Wetzels are human and and that they have feelings and they have struggled, Pacheco said. If I have failed in anything as a Council member, it is that I didnt stand stronger to say: We need to be more diligent.
Former Casper police chief Jim Wetzel stole the show at Casper City Council last week, but there was a remarkable amount of more mundane  though important  business going on. Ill cover some of that in greater depth in the week to come but wanted to draw your attention to an amusing exchange between frequent meeting attendee Keith Rolland and Vice Mayor Ray Pacheco.

Casper is trying to bring its liquor laws in line with the state of Wyoming in light of recent changes at this years Legislature. One of those changes involves, in effect, allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to serve alcohol in bars and restaurants. They cant consume it, but they can pour drinks and shuttle them to tables.

Rolland took exception to this and used it as an opportunity to highlight what he saw as other problems in Casper. Rolland spent a lot of time in New York City and informed Council that Caspers high school graduation rates were on par with some of our worst ghetto schools in the Big Apple.

He attributed that to alcohol and pointed out that, in New York, you must be 21 to serve liquor.

Theyll hire illegal people, but they wont hire anyone under 21, Rolland said of New Yorks bars and restaurants.

His concern was that, say, a 19-year-old who has to take a drink back because the order was mixed up will drink it rather than toss it down the sink.

Pacheco took issue with that.

The vice mayor has made youth a core part of his policy platform. Its always been a little vague as to how City Council has specifically supported young people in Casper, but Pacheco stood up to defend the honor of 18- to 20-year-old servers.

I know a lot of 18-year-olds that are very responsible  part of that is we also know a lot of 18-year-olds who carry a gun and go die for our country, Pacheco said. I take offense to the idea that they are irresponsible and would do that.

Anyway, Council unanimously approved the liquor law changes.

***

Frontier Brewing Company, the downtown microbrewery in the old Wolfords shoe store, may be open far earlier than co-owner Shawn Houck initially thought. When he first spoke to the Star-Tribune, Houck was cautious about a timeline for opening, noting that the local, state and federal permitting process could take over a year. And getting brewing equipment in is no easy feat in itself.

Would Frontier be open for the August eclipse? Houck didnt sound confident.

But before Council approved Frontiers local-level microbrewing permit, Interim City Manager Liz Becher said things may be moving along fast.

They hope to be open by mid-summer, Becher said.

Frontier enjoyed an impressive turnout during the summers first Art Walk, with over 300 people passing through the space. It was only a preview  the owners brought in outside beer to sell for the night  but the interest suggests itll be a popular summer and eclipse destination if everything falls in place by August.

***

In light of recent comments about the state of Casper, I thought I might make a brief clarification about the state of things in the Oil City. I cant editorialize, but I can make a statement on what Im seeing as city reporter.

City Council has clearly been in a tough position when it comes to the Casper Police Department. Questions over leadership of the department and employee morale have thrown council members into an awkward position of responding to public input without improperly interfering in personnel matters that are beyond their purview.

Given V.H. McDonalds sudden retirement and Bechers interim status, theres a chance the city wont have a final resolution to questions about the police department for several months.

(And these things are cyclical. As councilman and former police chief Chris Walsh said at least weeks meeting, Theres kind of an old saying when you become a police chief: Youve been hired to be fired. Get ready for it.)

But as for the rest of city government? One alleged downside of the manager-council form of government is that City Council isnt allowed much of a role in the day-to-day operations of the city. Thats left to a professional city manager and her staff. But one claimed upside is that, well, operations are left to professionals rather than politicians.

So when business leaders spoke at City Council last week to warn that the apparent turmoil was scaring away investment? Ill just say I havent seen any evidence that local permitting or service-delivery has suffered in light of the recent police-focused turbulence.

A few years ago I visited Egypt, well after the Arab Spring had come and gone but before the more recent terrorism had much impacted the country. There were no western tourists there. Why?

According to people I spoke with, the war in Syria had scared them away. Of course, Syria is nowhere near Egypt  its on a different continent and separated by several countries. But Americans and Europeans threw all Middle Eastern countries into the same bag.

If things were bad in Syria, surely they must be bad in Egypt.

But they werent.

Point is: Its easy to look at headlines showing that Council is having some trouble dealing with the police issue and assume the entire city is in shambles.

In my professional capacity covering City Council for the Star-Tribune, I simply havent noticed any evidence that this is the case. But for those keeping close track, one good barometer for the citys overall health will be how it handles the upcoming budget session, scheduled to begin this week.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Government is facing mounting pressure to grant millions of Zimbabweans living abroad their right to vote in the 2018 general elections, with war veterans making the latest demand.With the majority of countries across the world affording their nationals living abroad a chance to participate in elections, Zimbabwe does not yet, except in the case of civil servants serving on foreign diplomatic missions.According to the country's Constitution that came into effect in 2013, Diasporans can now exercise their right to vote subject to the governing charter's alignment of the Electoral Act.However, with government seemingly digging in on the alignment of laws that President Robert Mugabe see as weakening his hold on power, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa told the Daily News yesterday that there is need for a "sober, progressive and all-embracing Diaspora policy in keeping with the new open economic management that is the cornerstone of the open global philosophy"."While the issue of dual citizenship is a colonial policy, we are now 37 years into our national independence and we cannot continue to be treating even former Rhodesians as enemies so we need to be like-minded and consult them (Diasporans) on this and other issues, including the issue of voting, whether they are black or white," he said.Since the turn of the millennium, millions of Zimbabweans were forced to migrate to other countries in the region and abroad owing to an untenable economic situation in the country that largely emanated from the Zanu-PF government's mismanagement of the economy as well as a poisoned political climate.Yet by deciding to be both economic and political refugees, the Diasporans, who have since been agitating for inclusion in the electoral processes, however, inadvertently disenfranchised themselves from voting.Last year, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said it would require in excess of $281 million to prepare for the 2018 elections, if the Diaspora vote was to be included.Mutsvangwa added that the country is in dire need of reconstruction saying that the Diaspora plays a significant role in that regard."We call on the ruling party, Zanu-PF and the relevant legislative and executive wings of government as well as the other stakeholders to conduct an outreach that solicits the views of the full diversity of the totality of the Zimbabwe Diaspora as they are the most concerned and affected."The goal is to ensure that the Zimbabwe Diaspora and its offspring abroad continue to retain links and foster bonds with Zimbabwe as their country and nation of origin," he said.Our Diaspora engendered by years of internal conflict and economic underperformance is naturally the first port of call for skills, capital and knowhow.After all, they are that familiar with the economic terrain."And they now have varied exposure from their many host countries of domicile. Their contribution judging from successful case studies that are India, China, Ethiopia all point to the invaluable contribution of a national Diaspora."It only makes sense to approach them with open arms and to shunt aside gripes of the past that have been overtaken by history," he said.The Zimbabwe Election Support Network has also been calling for the a Diaspora vote agenda which includes options such as litigation, with those disadvantaged by the existing policies petitioning the country's courts seeking an order compelling government to allow them to vote.
Three young leaders from Asia are in the Cowboy State learning about government and U.S. democracy.

Zahkung Tu Mai, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen and Ooi Tze Howe are participating in a program in which leaders under 40 visit the United States. Young American political leaders then visit foreign countries as part of the exchange.

The idea behind the 51-year-old American Council of Young Political Leaders program is for people to learn from each other, which will ultimately result in better representation and policy for folks at home, said Bryan Pedersen of Cheyenne, a former state lawmaker who has participated in the exchange and is passionate about its benefits.

Pedersen and Dick Shanor, a Cheyenne city councilman and Wyoming Department of Education chief of staff, have largely organized the leaders schedule in Wyoming, which included visits to public meetings and the Wyoming Supreme Court. They also spent a week in Washington.

Pedersen and Shanor hosted a delegation from New Zealand two years ago.

Pedersen said hes been to India and Pakistan and later Japan.

The experience taught him how to be empathetic toward people with different backgrounds. When working with others, he said he looks for their different talents, temperaments and convictions.

A better understating of where (people) come from will lead to a more constructive dialogue, he said.

And that leads to better legislation and policy, he said.

Tu Zahkung

Zahkung, of Myanmar, is learning about tourism efforts in Cheyenne.

Myanmar, also called Burma, was ruled by the military for five decades, Zahkung said.

Htin Kyaw recently became president. He is counseled by Aung San Suu Kyi, a renowned human rights activist who was under house arrest by previous regimes for years.

A social scientist, Zahkung said that he was struck by the amount of support and collaboration among the tourism industry, the city of Cheyenne and Wyoming.

The government is very supportive, which you will not see in my county, he said. We have to engage a lot with the government in my county.

Kelvin Yii

Yii, a doctor and attorney in Malaysia, is interested in Shanors work on City Council and at the Wyoming Department of Education.

The main difference between the United States and my country is the decentralization of education here in the United States, he said. The states have autonomy.

Yii said the strength of the U.S. system is that instruction and curriculum can be tailored for different cultures and state priorities.

He sees a weakness in the system in that there arent a lot of national standards to ensure education is fair across the nation, he said.

In Malaysia, he said, schools are equally funded across the country. In the U.S., some states spend more on education than others, he said.

TH

Tze Howe, who goes by TH in the United States, is also from Malaysia. He is an engineer for Schlumberger.

TH is encouraged by the level of civic engagement in the United States. He attended Cheyenne City Council and Laramie County Commission meetings and was amazed at the number of members of the public who attended and commented on local development projects and business licenses.

Theres not that level of engagement in Malaysia, he said.

When he returns home, he would like to educate people on their rights, the separation of powers in government and the Malaysian constitution.

People dont really understand the background, the reasons the system is set up in such a way, he said. Theres not much discussion on how we can make the system better. So Im positioning myself to improve that, to make a difference on what I have learned over here.
Three young leaders from Asia are in the Cowboy State learning about government and U.S. democracy.

Zahkung Tu Mai, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen and Ooi Tze Howe are participating in a program in which leaders under 40 visit the United States. Young American political leaders then visit foreign countries as part of the exchange.

The idea behind the 51-year-old American Council of Young Political Leaders program is for people to learn from each other, which will ultimately result in better representation and policy for folks at home, said Bryan Pedersen of Cheyenne, a former state lawmaker who has participated in the exchange and is passionate about its benefits.

Pedersen and Dick Shanor, a Cheyenne city councilman and Wyoming Department of Education chief of staff, have largely organized the leaders schedule in Wyoming, which included visits to public meetings and the Wyoming Supreme Court. They also spent a week in Washington.

Zahkung, of Myanmar, is learning about tourism efforts in Cheyenne.

Myanmar, also called Burma, was ruled by the military for five decades, Zahkung said.

Htin Kyaw recently became president. He is counseled by Aung San Suu Kyi, a renowned human rights activist who was under house arrest by previous regimes for years.

A social scientist, Zahkung said that he was struck by the amount of support and collaboration among the tourism industry, the city of Cheyenne and Wyoming.

The government is very supportive, which you will not see in my county, he said. We have to engage a lot with the government in my county.

Yii, a doctor and attorney in Malaysia, is interested in Shanors work on City Council and at the Wyoming Department of Education.

The main difference between the United States and my country is the decentralization of education here in the United States, he said. The states have autonomy.

Yii said the strength of the U.S. system is that instruction and curriculum can be tailored for different cultures and state priorities.

Tze Howe, who goes by TH in the United States, is also from Malaysia. He is an engineer for Schlumberger.

TH is encouraged by the level of civic engagement in the United States. He attended Cheyenne City Council and Laramie County Commission meetings and was amazed at the number of members of the public who attended and commented on local development projects and business licenses.

Theres not that level of engagement in Malaysia, he said.

When he returns home, he would like to educate people on their rights, the separation of powers in government and the Malaysian constitution.

People dont really understand the background, the reasons the system is set up in such a way, he said. Theres not much discussion on how we can make the system better. So Im positioning myself to improve that, to make a difference on what I have learned over here.
GILLETTE  A northeastern Wyoming man has been bound over for trial on charges that he shot a neighbor's bull, rendering it incapable of being used for breeding.

Circuit Court Judge Wendy Bartlett found probable cause to suspect 50-year-old Todd Slattery in the shooting. He is scheduled to enter a plea to a charge of felony destruction of property during a June 1 hearing.

The bull was shot in the penis, testicles and hindquarter last July, while the owners were away from their property east of Gillette. The owner estimated it would cost $13,000 to $15,000 to replace the bull, which was euthanized.

Court records say the owner told investigators Slattery had threatened the animal in a dispute over a fence that separated the bull from Slattery's cows.
For frequent fliers who cycle in and out of jail, a judge has begun writing into their release orders that they must take the bus to Salt Lake City.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  President Trump on Sunday implored Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries to extinguish Islamic extremism emanating from the region, describing a battle between good and evil rather than a clash between the West and Islam.

In a pointed departure from his predecessor, Trump all but promised he would not publicly admonish Mideast rulers for human-rights violations and oppressive reigns.

We are not here to lecture  we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship, Trump said, speaking in an ornate room in the Saudi capital. Instead, we are here to offer partnership  based on shared interests and values  to pursue a better future for us all.

The presidents address was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his January swearing-in. For Trump, the trip is a reprieve from the crush of controversies that have marred his young presidency and an attempt to reset his relationship with a region and a religion he fiercely criticized a candidate.

During the 2016 U.S. campaign, Trump mused about his belief that Islam hates us. But on Sunday, standing before dozens of regional leaders, he said Islam was one of the worlds great faiths.

While running for the job he now holds, Trump heartily criticized President Barack Obama for not using the term radical Islamic extremism and said that refusal indicated that Obama did not understand Americas enemy. In his Saudi speech, Trump condemned Islamic extremism, Islamists, and Islamic terror, but not once uttered the precise phrase he pressed Obama on.

Some of Trumps wording on the issue also changed from his prepared remarks. A White House official later said that was not intended and attributed it to the president being an exhausted guy.

Trump made no mention of the disputed travel ban, signed days after he took office, that temporarily banned immigration to the U.S. from seven majority Muslim countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Both the original order and a second directive that dropped Iraq from the banned list have been blocked by the courts.

In some ways, Trump delivered a conventional speech for an American politician. He pledged deeper ties with the Middle East to tackle terrorism and encouraged more economic development in the region. He heralded the ambitions of the regions youth and warned that the scourge of extremism could tarnish their future.

Trump offered few indications of whether he planned to shift U.S. policy to better fight terrorism. There were no promises of new financial investment or announcements of increased U.S. military presence in the region. The president put much of the onus for combating extremists on Mideast leaders: Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities.

White House officials said they considered Trumps address to be a counterweight to Obamas debut speech to the Muslim world in 2009 in Cairo. Obama called for understanding and acknowledged some of Americas missteps in the region. His speech was denounced by many Republicans and criticized by a number of Americas Middle East allies as being a sort of apology.

Trumps remarks came in a meeting with dozens of regional leaders who gathered in Riyadh for a summit with Trump and Saudi King Salman.

The king has lavished praise and all the trappings of a royal welcome on the new American president, welcoming in particular Trumps pledge to be tougher on Iran than Obama was. Indeed, Trump and Salman were in lockstep on the threat Iran poses to the region when they addressed their fellow leaders: Trump accused Iran of destruction and chaos and the king said its rival has been the spearhead of global terrorism.

The Saudis warm embrace was a welcome change for the besieged White House. Officials spent the days before Trumps departure dealing with a steady stream of revelations about the federal investigation into his campaigns possible ties to Russia and the fallout from his firing of FBI Director James Comey.

The president, who is known to disrupt the White Houses plans with a provocative tweet or offhand comment, has largely stuck to the script for the trip so far. Apart from Sundays address, hes made no substantial remarks, other than exchanging pleasantries with other leaders.

Before the speech, Trump held individual meetings with leaders of several nations, including Egypt and Qatar.

His meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi underscored their burgeoning kinship. Trump praised el-Sissi for the April release of Egyptian-American charity worker Aya Hijazi, detained in the country for nearly three years.

El-Sissi invited Trump to visit him in Egypt, adding, You are a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible. As the participants laughed, Trump responded: I agree.

The president then complimented el-Sissis choice of footwear: Love your shoes. Boy, those shoes, after remarks to the media.

Trump cut short his program in Saudi Arabia, abruptly skipping an event aimed at highlighting how social media can be used to combat extremism. He sent his daughter, Ivanka, instead.
WASHINGTON  Members of key congressional committees pledged Sunday to proceed with aggressive investigations into Russias meddling in the U.S. election and any ties with the Trump campaign, saying the American people need a full airing as to why former FBI Director James Comey was ousted.

Comey was fired by President Trump earlier this month. The former director agreed to testify before the Senate intelligence committee after the Memorial Day holiday.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a member of that committee, said he wants to press Comey as to whether he ever believed the White House was interfering with his work, in light of a spate of news reports that Comey had kept detailed records of his interactions with Trump.

The New York Times and other news outlets reported last week on a Comey memo indicating Trump had urged him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Separately, another Times report said Trump had told Russian officials in a closed-door meeting at the Oval Office that firing Comey had relieved great pressure on him.

Did he keep these memos? What do those memos say? And why did he write it? And how did he feel? Did he ever feel like he was being put in a position where he couldnt do his job? Rubio asked. Theres no doubt that thats the questions that are going to get asked, and asked repeatedly.

Rubio said White House officials had told him they had no transcripts nor notes of Trumps meeting with Russian officials but apparently someone has discussed them, or leaked them.

This cloud is impacting everything else, Rubio said, describing a number of questions, such as possible obstruction of justice, that are hanging over the White House. So, we need to get over this once and for all.

Leaders of the House oversight committee, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said they would demand Comeys notes. Cummings also is urging Chaffetz, who is resigning from his job next month, to subpoena the White House for any documents relating to Flynn.

Chaffetz said he expects to speak with Comey on Monday and that if there are any notes of White House meetings, Were certainly pursuing them.

There have been so many lies, so many contradictions, Cummings said, adding that he expects parallel investigations from Congress to proceed fully after the Justice Department last week appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to head an investigation into possible Russian coordination with the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election.

Referring to the whole sequence of events leading to Comeys firing, Cummings added: I think that there may be quite a few people that may have some problems with the law.

The White House has repeatedly insisted that a thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity. It has not denied the Times report that Trump was critical of Comey to the Russians the day after he fired him.

But White House spokesman Sean Spicer has called the presidents rhetoric part of his deal-making, contending that Comey had created unnecessary pressure on Trumps ability to negotiate with Russia on a range of issues.

White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster underscored that point in an interview that aired Sunday, saying Trump had felt hamstrung.

The president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news, said McMaster, who was present at the meeting.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a member of the intelligence committee, said she also plans to press Comey regarding what was discussed with Trump about Flynn and whether he was asked by Trump to alter the FBI investigation. The California Democrat said public hearings should ferret out what has been a flurry of apparently contradictory comments by many of the parties involved.

I really think that rather than have all these memorandums and issues circulating around, that we need to put the facts before the American people, she said. Did the president fire Comey because of his investigation and was he worried about what the investigation might conclude? If so, that borders on a very serious charge.

And its got to come from Director Comey himself, Feinstein said.

Rubio appeared on CNNs State of the Union and CBS Face the Nation, Feinstein also was on CBS Face the Nation, and Chaffetz, Cummings and McMaster spoke on ABCs This Week.